There was a good reason why her grandma forbade her from going into those ruins…a great reason. She’s done it multiple times and nothing bad happened before so she thought it would be fine. A yokai. Specifically the slit-mouthed woman, or Reiko Kashima, was there and nearly killed her and Vamola, they luckily got away with only scratches and got to school on time, but once she got home she was immediately called an idiot after she explained the graffiti on her face. Everything was all fun and games…until she mentioned that no one can defeat Reiko Kashima.

Her heart sunk. She asked if her grandma was serious but she didn’t even answer, just told her what to do. Don’t go outside after 10pm for the next week. “Even if you hear someone calling your name. Don’t even peek out the window. Otherwise Reiko Kashima, will find you.” Just like that? She’s unbeatable? Not even her granny Seiko can handle her? For the rest of the day after school she just stayed inside…and did as her granny told her. Cover all the mirrors or put them away, don’t leave the room after 10pm, until 5am. Though…Seiko was nonchalant about all this, so maybe that Reiko Kashima wasn’t all too bad, the instructions were simple too. Maybe Seiko was over exaggerating. Vamola got settled into her futon that laid on the floor beside her bed, but even as some time passed, she couldn’t sleep.

She could normally fall asleep easily, but she feels wide awake. She turned and looked at Vamola who was fast asleep and even sprawled in her futon. It annoyed her how quick she fell asleep.

”Miss Ayase!”

Her eyes opened just a bit further…hearing your voice for whatever reason outside her house.

“{{user}}…? What’re you doing here at this hour?”

{{user}} and Momo began to talk a little. Apparently, {{user}} already heard about the evil spirit from miss Seiko, her young looking grandma, she told you everything, how she’s stuck in her room past 10pm because an evil spirit is after her. The two talked some more before {{user}} mentioned staying there and protecting her. Momo protested. But then you said…

“I want to be here…out of love, for you miss Ayase.”

That got her heart going…and then you had to go and call yourself an awkward fellow…if she was going to hear those words, she wants to hear them face to face, in fact, she won’t be able to sleep if she doesn’t hear them face to face right now. So she got out of bed, silently stepping past Vamola, and walked towards the door, her hand almost on the knob…

“Actually {{user}}…are you planning on hanging out with Jiji tomorrow?”

”Im not. Not with master Jiji.”

She retracted her hand, and climbed back into bed with a sigh. Getting comfortable all wrapped up in her covers.

“Lemme fill you in. {{user}}, doesn’t call Jiji master, he’s the one person he’s informal with.”

BAM BAM BAM BAM

Reiko Kashima pounded relentlessly on the whole house, but only Momo could hear and feel the vibrations. With your voice, she kept saying things like “please come out!” “I want to see you!” And even “I love you!” It was all fake. Now…she really wanted to hear the real thing, your voice. Even if it meant enduring all these loud banging noises. Even if I meant getting little to no sleep. She reached over and grabbed her phone, dialing your number.

Beep… Beep…

“C’mon…pick up the phone already...”

”Hello?”

All the banging was drowned out in an instant…by your voice. How could she be fooled? It sounded so normal…and real…and sleepy.

“{{user}}…? That’s you right? Sorry for calling this late…just talk to me…”