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—Then, to solve this equation is necessary…— ‘Ah, how boring’ thought a brunette boy who was ignoring the math class wishing that it ends soon because he wanted to go to a certain classroom in the old school building, where he went every day to reunite with the members of that strange club they have created.
The sound of the ring bells was like music to C-ta’s ears, he took his things rapidly and went straight to the old school building.
When he arrived to the classroom he found that his childhood friend was there already and was so concentrated reading something on the screen of his smartphone.
—Hello A-ya, what are you reading? — The brunette asked while he was putting his schoolbag in one of all the desks that that old classroom had.
—Oh, C-ta, hello— the dark-haired boy answered but he didn’t look up —I just found an interesting game and I was reading what’s about—
C-ta knew so much about his friend to understand that the ‘interesting game’ was obviously about something related to urban legends, after all that is what that club were about.
Since the classes of B-ko and D-ne where on cleaning duty C-ta and A-ya were alone there, being two make the room seems very quiet unlike the days where all the members are present, but apparently that did not affect either of the two boys.
—Tsuji-ura— A-ya said putting his smartphone in the desk and looking up to his friend.
—Tsuji-ura? — C-ta repeated confused and waiting for more details.
—It’s a fortune-telling game, you need a comb and a book or a magazine or something like that to cover your face, in the night you have to go to a little-traveled street and place yourself at the entrance of an alley or a corner parallel to a main road, when you are there you have to pass your hand through the teeth of the comb and say three times ‘Tsuji-ura, Tsuji-ura, grant me a true response’ and then you have to wait in silence until a stranger pass, when this happen you must cover your face with the book or the magazine and ask for your fortune, if the stranger gives you a negative answer you can try with the next one— A-ya explained with a joyful smile that always accompanies him when he tells that kind of stories.
—Sounds interesting, but surely the ‘fortunes’ you receive from them surely are bad ones— commented C-ta.
—That’s true, a young woman committed suicide because she was unable to bear the weight from her ‘fortune’, also people say that in the nights and for those areas where you must do the that the devil takes human form and walks there, so it would not be weird for him to have fun giving fortunes of very bad luck— C-ta nodded to his friend answer and added —That’s the reason for that you don’t have to believe in everything they say—.
Without noticing while they keep talking about the ‘Tsuji-ura thing’ the sun started to settle, when they noticed it they decided to go back home, since they were neighbors the road that they took were the same.
—BZZZZ BZZZZZ— the phone of C-ta started ringing in the middle of the road.—oh, hi, yes, yeah no problem I’m going— the boy keep a conversation in almost monosyllables with the voice in the other side. —Sorry A-ya my parents needs my help in the work, you have to come back alone— explained C-ta.
—Don’t worry, there’s no problem— A-ya answered watching his friend walking faster while waving his hand.
A-ya were alone now, he wasn’t far from his home, his parents weren’t going to be home early and the sky was dyed by a dark orange. His feet started walking, them not headed home but to a certain parallel street that has an alley, led by his own curiosity he was going to try asking his fortune to Tsuji-ura.
Arriving at the place he looked for the necessary things in his bag, a comb that his mother once putted in his bag but he never took out and a notebook. He waited until the sky were fully dark blue, in that moment he passed his hand through the comb and repeated —Tsuji-ura, Tsuji-ura grant me a true response— three times, now he has to wait, again, one minute passed, two minutes, five… any stranger was passing, the steps were easy so he thought that the story was fake but when he was just putting the first step to go back home a stranger passed so instantly he covered his face.
—I see, you want to know your fortune, no? — That stranger was the one starting the conversation, A-ya nodded and a little giggle came from the stranger mouth — you have run into a great misfortune, better get away from whoever is closest to you— after saying that the stranger left with a loud laugh that caused him a cold chill, he waited some minutes, putted down the notebook and walked faster to his house.
Already at home, as he expected nobody was there, he almost ran to his bedroom going directly under the blankets, his pulse was racing, he was feeling scared but at the same time exalted, how it was possible to have both emotions at the same time? Only someone like him who was so obsessed with that kind of things can fell in that way. A-ya took his phone out of his pocket and found several messages from C-ta asking if he came home safely, opening one of them he replied with a short ‘Yes’ and sent it, after he locked the screen and closed his eyes, the mental fatigue caused by that fortune telling made him fall asleep.
The morning alarm sounded waking him up, it was a new day but not a new start, he still remembered so vividly the words of the stranger.
He must be careful with the people close to him, B-ko, D-ne? Them weren’t so close to him apart from the club, C-ta? Surely he has to be very careful with him but that’s not easy, his friend always noticed even the most minimum change in him.
The first days were at least easy, in the club he acted as usual but outside of it he evaded all the contact he can without being suspicious. The problem was C-ta again, he was sure that his childhood friend was noticing something strange but he wasn’t saying anything about it.
Since the day he talked with the stranger the look he felt over himself increased, was that the prelude of the tragedy? But he was doing what he was told, it was illogic.
A week has passed since the day that A-ya started to subtly avoid the contact with C-ta, the black haired tried with his most but he couldn’t fool his childhood friend who noticed the change. ‘Is he angry for something? Maybe he is angry because the other day I left him? No, A-ya doesn’t get mad for that kind of thing’ that thoughts were all the day in C-ta’s head. ‘Is maybe a Doppelganger case?’ that idea came to him in the middle of the class, but if A-ya changed even if it is for a exactly copy he is secure that he would notice, that day he paid attention to everything of A-ya, his gestures, his way of talk, his expressions, everything but it was as always.
A long sigh came out from his mouth in the way home… alone, because A-ya headed earlier without him. Minutes after he was in his room, turning up his computer, the screen showing various windows with the images of the cameras that we implanted in A-ya’s room, lazily he sat and watched the movements of his friend —what’s happening with you? — He asked and obviously no one answered.
The more he watch the more he needed to go and face him, he tried to calm that feel but it was impossible, ‘it had been enough’ he thought jumping from his chair.
He didn’t care the fact that it was night already, he took an umbrella because it looked that is was going to rain and headed to A-ya house, when he was about to touch the ring the door of the house opened
—¡Oh, C-ta! How strange see you here so late— the voice was from A-ya’s mom who looked in a hurry —Have you come to stay with my son? Come in and excuse me but I have to go to my work I’m already late— she, unlike his son was very friendly and have a warm smile,with everyone. With a respectful bowing he said goodbye and after he entered to the house closing with care the door.
Already in the gekan he put the umbrella in a corner and took off his shoes, walking slowly he went all the way to the door of A-ya’s bedroom. He doubted a little whether to knock the door or not, in the end he entered without warning.
—Mom? — The black-haired asked believing that his mother forgotten to tell him something.
—No, it’s C-ta— answered the other entering the room.
—Oh, sorry, it’s strange that you come without telling me— A-ya commented and C-ta changed the subject.
—A-ya, are you mad at me? Have I done something that irritated you? Why you were trying to avoid me in these last days? — Overwhelmed by all of those questions the other doesn’t know where to start answer. —Sorry but… I can’t take it anymore— added and waited in silence for an answer.
A-ya took his time, after all he have to think how to face that subject, how to answer the questions without revealing the ‘fortune’ he received but he didn’t find a way to create a useful lie that can fool the other so even when he doesn’t want to said it he had to tell him the truth.
— Do you remember about ‘Tsuji-ura’? — asked A-ya receiving a positive answer from the other —well, the day you went to help your parents I didn’t came home directly… I… I tried it…— the brunette maintained silent ‘So that was the reason you came home late that day’ thought but he didn’t said anything because without his cameras he can’t know that information.
—And what happened? —
—I received a ‘fortune’, if you can call it in that way, ‘You have run into a great misfortune’ and ‘get away from whoever is closest to you’ and you are one of my closest persons—
C-ta feel relaxed to know that he didn’t do something that irritated his friend but at the same time he worried about that ‘fortune’.
—He didn’t tell you something more? —
—No, he only told me that and he left laughing, now I believe that it was a bad idea and also since that day I feel a look on me— he confessed because before he didn’t tell to nobody about that look he feel.
C-ta knew that surely that look was from him with his cameras, but he can’t say it, nobody would like to know what is being observed without permission.
—Maybe it was the same spirit that talked to you? Have it saw your face? — answered C-ta using that questions to cover his culpability.
—I don’t know, but it’s getting worse—
—Hm… maybe is a joke from the same spirit remember that they like to do tha…— his word were cut by a loud thunder that took the electric light with it.
C-ta felt someone cling to his clothes but he knew that it was A-ya. —Are you fine? — He asked
—Yes… it was very sudden— the voice of the smaller one sounded like a scared little cat. C-ta was about to comfort him when a laugh was heard in the room, the blood of the both freeze.
—HAHAHAHAHA— the hysterical laughter was increasing until it were painful to the ears, with clumsy movements C-ta took the hand of A-ya guiding him and trying to get out from the bedroom but it was useless, the door was locked. —HAHAHAHAHAHA YOU HAVE FALLEN IN THE TRAGEDY, I DIDN’T WARN YOU TO STAY AWAY FROM WHOREVER IS CLOSEST TO YOU? — in that moment A-ya understood, that voice was the same one that told him his ‘fortune’. —It’s you…— he murmured. —Who else would be? That day you were an easy prey… I didn’t think that I would find someone giving me an opportunity like you did with that ‘Tsuji-ura’ thing, it was perfect KUKUKUKU— the laugh was even more dismal causing chills in the body of the two boys.
—What do you want from him? — C-ta asked a little altered because of the fear.
—Isn’t that obvious? The thing that all spirits want, a body. — he answered between laughs that were suddenly cut —This can have been easy and without other victims… if only you have followed the fortune I told you… now is more problematic but…—
—But? — C-ta was having a bad presentiment about that.
—But maybe it’s not that bad, your body seems much better than your friend’s one KUKUKUKUKU— the laugh was so bitter that it caused pain again. —Then I’ll see what I’ll do with your friend’s corpse, now I’m going to enjoy myself killing the both of you— added in a joyful voice, the poor boys can’t see anything for the lack of light but they can feel a cold current moving in the room even when the window was closed. That was really going to be they end? Both were scared, A-ya released unexpectedly the hand of C-ta and disappeared from his limited vision making his nerves go to the edge.
The cold slowly approached C-ta who screamed —¡A-ya! — While he closed his eyes.
—Found it—the voice of his friend and the strange sensation in his back make him open his eyes. A light was illuminating him, and the feel in his back where grains of coarse salt that caused the spirit to retrocede. —It looks like you both are not a common boys KUKUKU— the voice was now irritated.
A-ya came back to C-ta side, —Take this— he said passing him the lantern and started to do a clumsy salt circle to prevent the spirit from approaching. —With this at least we will be protected for the moment, are you fine? — C-ta answered with a soft ‘yes’, in a normal situation C-ta would feel altered for being helped by A-ya, but the fear of the moment didn’t give him space to think about those things.
—How irritating… — the spirit didn’t laugh anymore, the humor of it changed to a bad one, blaming himself for having just chosen a boy that knew about that kind of things and not one that led by curiosity and only tried to do a game that he shouldn’t do. —I will not leave here without a body, two high school kids will not beat me— the voice was so sharp and hysterical.
C-ta who was going to answer to the provocations were stopped by A-ya who took his hand to calm him down, losing the temper in that moment was succumbing to the desires of the spirit.
—We will not move from here, and in the morning the sun will do its job— A-ya talked squeezing softly the hand of his friend as if he took courage with that act.
—If you do that I will come back the next night, and the next, forever until I get your body—
—You can’t— This time C-ta talked —You have said it, we’re not simple boys, ghosts, spirits, we know about that, we know how to make you not come back again, never— in that moment he thanked to know about that kind of things even though that there was the cause of the actual problem.
The spirit even angrier made a lot of things fall from its place, as if it were a tantrum. —I said that this would be a tragedy! This have to end in tragedy! I’m not going to lose! — The voice seemed frantic, A-ya passed to C-ta a handful of salt and they started throwing it everywhere.
—¡This has to be your tragedy! ¡NOT MINE! — The spirit kept screaming while escaping from the attacks until a loud blow was heard against the wall. —AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH— a paralyzing scream came out of the spirit and then there was a great silence. Both A-ya and C-ta who still had their hands together joined their backs. Was that the end? Did they win? Twinkling the lights came back lighting a messy room full of grains of coarse salt.
—It’s over? — C-ta asked.
—Looks like it…— A-ya responded giving, unfortunately, a step outside the circle he was caught by the spirit who lifted him in the air by the neck. —C…ta…— he tried to ask for help with the little air that ran down his throat. The called one quickly took another handful of salt and threw it to where A-ya was but apparently it didn’t work —Dra…wer…— he managed to hear what the black-haired boy murmured, he didn’t hesitated to get out from the circle and ran to the place indicated from the desk. —I will not let you keep interfering with my plans— the spirit said throwing what was close to C-ta but him evade the objects while he was looking for something useful in that drawer. He found an image of a saint and quickly took it out turning it to where A-ya was.
—No… NO… DON’T GET CLOSE TO ME WITH THAT, DON’T GET CLOSE— A-ya body moved closer to the wall each time C-ta took a step close to him.
—If you want me to go away better let him go and never come back here, because I have more of this images— what he said was a lie but he managed to say it with a confidence that fooled the spirit.
—DAMN, WHY I HAVE CHOOSE HIM?! WHY YOU HAVE TO CHOOSE TO COME TO SEE HIM TODAY?! EVERYTHING WOULD HAVE RESULTED FINE IS YOU JUST DIDN’T APEAR, THIS IS YOUR FAULT! WITHOUT YOU I COULD HAVE DONE EVERYTHING WITH YOUR FRIEND! — The unbridled cries hit with force in C-ta ears but he kept advancing.
—Let him go and get out of here forever! If you dare to return I will be the one who ends your suffering— those last words were said with a sadistic smile that frightened the spirit which released A-ya body and it fell with a thud to the ground.
—DAMN IT, DAMN IT, DAMN IT! GET AWAAAAAAAAAAAAY! — C-ta kept moving forward —STOP, YOU WIN! BUT STOP ADVANCING WITH THAT IMAGE AND THAT SMILE! — The spirit added and apparently finally left because C-ta walked all the way to the wall without more screams.
C-ta left the image on the floor and quickly went to where A-ya was coughing and helped him to sit down but prevented him from get up at least until his breathing was regulated. —Are you okay? — he asked observing the reddish marks around his pale neck, A-ya continued to cough a few more moments before being able to answer with a soft ’I’m fine’. That had been totally chilling, C-ta was startled when his friend rested his head on his shoulder but that did not bother him so there was no complaint and both felt silent for a long time.
—Thanks… — those words came from A-and who was slowly recovering his voice, —if you had not been there … I do not know what would have happened— that soft words of thanks made C-ta’s heart jump.
—No, it was not all thanks to me, if you had not reacted by doing the circle or telling me where you had that image surely we could not be talking like now— C-ta answered. A-ya slowly got away from his friend shoulder and lowered his head in gratitude even when C-ta made it clear that they could save themselves thanks to the contribution of both. —Well, that’s enough— added patting his friend head —I’ll help you clean up, right?— he got up and offered his hand, which was again taken.
It was not after two in the morning when they both finished sorting the room and getting rid of all the remaining grains of salt. Leaving the cleaning objects aside A-ya threw himself like a dead weight in his bed it had been too much stress in one night. —I think it’s time to go home— C-ta said but he was quickly stopped by his childhood friend —It is already too late for you to return to your home, it is dangerous, you can stay if you want— he offered the opposite with a numb voice. C-ta hesitated but accepted the offer and went to the bed also throwing himself on it.
—What are you doing? I will bring the futon, it will be uncomfortable to sleep the both here— complained A-ya.
—But it reminds me of when I stayed to sleep as a child in your home— Laughed the opposite —also, both you and I are tired of what happened a while ago, go down to find the futon and bring it is too much work— added and even grudgingly A-ya could not deny that he was right. —At least turn off the light in the room— he said, C-ta was a bit lazy but responding to the request he went to turn off the light and returned to bed. A-ya had placed near the end of it to leave space, after that both were lying covered with the sheets but even if they wanted and even with all the fatigue in their bodies they could not fall asleep.
—Do you also feel upset? — C-ta asked turning until lying on his back with his face looking at his friend.
—Yes … I do not think that the spirit will return but still I cannot feel calm— he confessed.
C-ta pulled one of his hands out from under the covers and offered it to A-ya again. He stared at it for a moment.
—We are not kids— he said.
—Oh come on, a while ago you did not hesitate to do it— C-ta replied, causing a little blush on the contrary which he could not see due to the lack of light. A long sigh was heard while his hands intertwined, strangely that gave to the both of them a sense of security. Shortly after C-ta could hear the quiet breathing of his childhood friend, a smile was drawn on his face even after so many years he could transmit tranquility to the person who slept beside him. Taking advantage of the fact that he was asleep, he approached a little more and, keeping their heads side by side, closed his eyes, letting himself be carried away by fatigue.
The first rays of sunlight that filtered into the room went directly to the face of C-ta causing him want to move to get away from them but a weight prevented it. When he opened his eyes he noticed that he had A-ya hugging him, his cheeks were dyed red and his heart accelerated, it cost him to recover his calm but he had to do it to not disturb the dream of his friend. A-ya seemed to be sound asleep, but when C-ta wanted to caress his hair he woke up —Oh, sorry you had something in your hair— he said apologizing quickly, he received a small ‘Hum’ as an answer, apparently A-ya had not planned to wake up in that moment and he even settled back on his friend’s chest. The brunette smiled at it and closed his eyes for a while longer.
—C-ta … C-ta … — the voice of his frined woke him slowly
—Yes? What happens A-ya? — He replied sleepily.
—You don’t let me go out— apparently asleep he had embraced the body of the raven-haired and was not letting him go, normally he would immediately remove his arms but he let himself be a little selfish. —And what happens if I don’t wanna? — He insinuated.
—Come on C-ta, it’s too early for jokes. — A-ya replied struggling in vain.
—Oh, you’re boring—
—I do not want to hear about who hugged me while I was sleeping—
—I was not the one who started, when I woke up earlier you were on top of me hugging me— the face of the opponent blushed a little at the comment.
—That’s a lie, I would not do that—
—But you did it— he answered —I do not have proof because I could not move, you can take this as is my revenge— it was not really a revenge but it was perfect with the current situation, another sigh escaped A-ya’s lips.
—Then you will not let me go? — Asked and he received a negative response from his friend.
—What do I have to do to get you to let me go? — He added with a bit of annoyance.
—Do something that surprises me and I’ll let you go— he proposed.
—Something that surprises you? — A-ya repeated quietly while thinking about something. It took his time to get an idea to come as it was not so easy to surprise C-ta. But having found something, he approached C-ta.
—What are you doing? —
—Close your eyes— he asked and he obeyed feeling an impatience grow with every second that passed but it vanished when he felt that his cheek was softly kissed, his eyes opened completely surprised by that action.
—A … A-ya— he hesitated.
—I surprised you, now let me go— said A-ya looking away with his face all red, the brunette released him and let him go, A-ya got up and without being able to look at him he left the room. C-ta took his hand to his cheek, he was happy to have decided to go the day before to that house, not only managed to solve a problem and save A-ya but he even received a kiss from it, he couldn’t been feeling more in the cloud nine.
When A-ya returned to his room, C-ta had already left to his house, after all it was a school day and he had his uniform and purse in his house, A-ya was more relaxed because he didn’t know how to face him.
The school day was relaxed for A-ya, with paying attention in the classes he managed to get rid of any thoughts that reminded him of the morning. But that peace ended when the bells rang ending the classes of the day.
With a sigh A-ya walked towards the old building going at a slow pace, it was strange to him being the last one coming there but he had his reasons for it.
—Today you seem much happier than usual C-ta— D-ne’s comment was heard from behind the door.
—It seems? It can be— said the aforementioned, A-ya opened the door, everyone greeted him as always but the smile that was on the face of the brunette made him look away. B-ko and D-ne looked at each other at the reaction of their friend.
—Did something happen between you two? — B-ko asked
—Nothing— C-ta answered quickly, neither he nor A-ya would say anything, both girls were not satisfied with the answer but they knew they were not going to say anything, perhaps the story of what they had lived the previous night would have been Interesting to share with their club member, but the memories that it brought would not let them tell it as it should, it would remain and a secret between the two, a memory that generated embarrassed for his action on A-ya and that generated a feeling of happiness to C-ta.