Takezawa's Ghost - Episode 37

When I woke up, what caught my eye was an unfamiliar ceiling… No, it was the dingy hospital ceiling that I had seen so many times about a month ago.

　The only difference is that the dreaded stain is gone.

　It reminds me of the strange creatures that harassed me during that time.

　That obsessive monster would probably make fun of me if he saw me now.

　I used to be able to keep myself together by keeping an appropriate distance from others, but now I am influenced by people in various ways.

　There’s no doubt that I’m weaker than when I was staying here in the hospital.

　As I was thinking about this, the woman came briskly into the hospital room.

　It’s Machida-san.

“Good morning. And congratulations. You’ve become the record holder for the shortest time between discharge and readmission.”

“……yay”

　Is that the first thing you say to a patient when they wake up?

　You’re being annoying.

　Well, that’s a given.

　The patient who had been cured returned to normal after just one month.

　It’s similar to the torture used in the former Soviet Union, where people were forced to repeatedly dig holes and bury themselves inside.

“The only thing that’s different from before is that we have a few more visitors.”

“Picture?”

“Other than Michi-chan, there is one other living woman. And one more ghost boy.”

“……is that so?”

　There is someone who will come to check on you to make sure you are safe.

　I guess the fact that I find happiness in something like this has made me weak.

“Takezawa…”

　2 am.

　The brother and sister appeared at the most suitable time for the ghosts.

　This is Michi and Naoya.

“Oh……”

　Somehow, my reaction was awkward.

　Now that I know that I am one of the reasons that has twisted their lives, I can no longer make light talk like I used to.

　But there is one thing that absolutely must be said.

“Really……”

“You don’t have to apologize.”

　The two of them said this in beautiful unison.

　Just like siblings, they are in perfect sync.

“You can be too hard on yourself, Takezawa. You are important to us. Please pamper yourself, even if just a little.”

　Michi says painfully.

“It seems like you’re worried that you left me to die, but there’s no way you could have overcome that situation all by yourself. I know you won’t understand if I don’t tell you, but I’ll tell you this: I’ve never once resented you.”

　Naoya said, a little angrily.

　Thank you.

　But you guys are kind…

“Takezawa is kind, too.”

　Before I could say anything, Michi refuted me.

　Has this woman been able to peer into my mind?

“…You see. I had fun being with Takezawa. Our relationship was based on revenge, but I felt comfortable spending time with you in that small room.”

“…Sorry it was so cramped.”

　I felt like my eyes would start to water if I wasn’t careful, so I ended up cursing.

“Thanks to you. Thanks to you, I was able to get my revenge on Kondou Kaori.”

“…Did he kill him?”

“No. Hirose-san has a friend in the police, so he had him arrested.”

“…”

　It seemed such a normal and optimal approach that it made me wonder why I hadn’t tried it before.

　After all, being normal is amazing.

“With this, my revenge is complete. So…”

　The older brother takes over from his younger sister, who seems to be reluctant to speak.

“We’ll just go to nirvana now.”

　Attain nirvana.

　To become a Buddha without any regrets in this world.

“I see… I see.”

　Savor the meaning thoroughly.

“So, we can’t meet again…”

　I said to Michi, who was looking down.

　I wish I could have said that we’d meet again or that I had fun being with her, but instead, I made a weird request.

“Can you show me your face one more time?”

“…”

　Without saying a word, Michi brushed aside her long bangs.

　Same as before.

　His right eyeball is missing, and he has noticeable burn scars.

　In the general public’s eyes, it would be considered ugly.

　But to me, she’s more attractive than any other woman.

　It’s embarrassing to say this in front of my brother, but if I miss this chance, I’ll never be able to tell him. I’ll try my best.

“K-k-k… you’re so cute.”

　That’s such a lame compliment.

　No woman would be happy about that.

　But Michi gave me a big smile.

“Thank you!”

　With that, the two of them disappear.

　I stared at the scene, not wanting to miss even a moment of it.