Disclaimer: I do not own CP or it's characters. Aika Minoto is my own character.

Warning: This is an M rated fic. You have been warned.

Warning: Unbeta'd. All mistakes are my own.

No matter how hard we tried, our own sanity wasn't safe from the darkness of the school.

We left the safety of the hallway in favour to go back towards the infirmary for supplies. A part of me hoped we couldn't open the door so that Shimada-senpai wouldn't be as mad for not checking further earlier.

The darkness was constantly licking at the corners of our mind. We were slowly falling into the depths without even noticing.

The climb up the stairs seemed much heavier than any time before. Shimada-senpai hasn't said a word since we departed, which was somewhat worrying as he always has something to say.

No matter how strong our psyche may be, the school can twist it in its favour. It'll turn people against people, friends against friends…

I gulped audibly as I stepped on my bad foot. It throbbed painfully under the pressure of my body but I refused to falter as I climbed to the next step. I kept in time with Senpai so I wouldn't lag him down like I have before.

A rift was starting to form, even though I thought we were getting closer. The more Shimada-senpai seemed to open up, the more he appeared to push me away. The unspoken tension was eating at me like no tomorrow, though I figured I should be more worried about the school than boy trouble.

I swallowed again as I felt the heaviness of the pendant swing with every step. I couldn't figure exactly why he suddenly gave it to me… There was more to his intentions than just "I don't want it anymore."

We hit the landing of the stairs, heading back up the hallway towards the infirmary. Even from our distance, I could smell the rotting flesh of Suzumoto-senpai as the buzzing of flies accompanied it. I felt my stomach churn uneasily at the thought of her once more, my skin paling as I nearly stopped.

"Come on. We don't have time."

I didn't argue with him, but I fell in behind him. There was already a natural haze in the school but even just steps ahead of me, Senpai looked more shadowed than he should. It was almost like he himself was being absorbed into the darkness – much like what happened hours earlier during the incident with the girl in the red dress.

Only this time he wasn't giving up. If anything, Senpai is growing more vicious than the malicious spirits that call this place their permanent residence. He was almost becoming bipolar in a way: the nicer he becomes, the more open he is, the quicker he'll turn his back in spite and curse me off.

My mind spun at just the thought of it.

"Is… there more blood here than before…?" he suddenly questioned into the air as we approached the door.

True to his words as I hobbled from behind him, blood splattered the floor leading away from the infirmary. The infirmary door was opened, although I was certain it was closed earlier. I stepped closer to it to investigate, poking my head in to see what was in there.

The room itself wasn't much different than what it was when we were resting in there earlier. Same chipping walls and some holes with the scattered wooden planks that were considered flooring. What was striking was the copious amount of blood that now painted the room. It sprayed nearly everything as it continued to drip quietly from the walls to the floor. The room divider was crimson compared the dusty white it was before, blood also coated the space heater. Whatever happened in there looked like a brutal murder, one in which I didn't want to find the body for. My eyes followed the trail of blood that circled around the room multiple times before it staggered out through the doors.

Shimada-senpai wandered off away from the door, slowly stepping towards the end of the crimson trail. His head tilted sideways as his voice broke the silence.

"Ki… Kirisaki-san…?"

I almost smiled at the familiar same that left his lips but the pure uncertainty made me uneasy. Fear flooded me as possibilities rushed my mind.

"Tohko…?"

The model fell to his knees in one fell swoop.

My body turned to ice as I watched him stay motionless in front of the body that laid cold at the end of the bloody crimson road. His shoulders shook as he slowly reached out to Kirisaki-senpai's body, whispering incoherent things like a mantra under his breath.

I worked up the courage to step closer, silently behind him so I wouldn't disturb him.

Kirisaki-senpai's mouth was a pool of blood. The liquid seeped out the sides, even coming out of her nostrils as her eyes were rolled blankly into the back of her skull. Nearly her entire person was speckled with the same blood that oozed from her mouth. In her lifeless fingers twitched a tongue – her tongue – and a bloody pair of scissors in the other hand.

She cut out her own tongue.

"Tohko… Why… Why the fuck would you do this…?" Senpai whispered hoarsely as his bangs covered his eyes. His shoulders still shook violently so I placed a gentle hand on one in hopes it would soothe him if only just.

He ignored my gesture, instead favouring leaning forward to caress her blood stained cheek. I couldn't see his face, but I figured he was trying his hardest not to cry.

He shook his head repeatedly as if it was the only thing he knew how to do. "I… just don't understand… Tohko – she… she wouldn't do something like this."

My hand fell limply back to my side as I stood almost awkwardly behind him. I still felt ill at the thought that Kirisaki-senpai was alive just hours earlier… and now she's dead with her own tongue between her fingers. While I didn't know her, I couldn't help but wonder what lead her to do this – she seemed like a strong individual.

Shimada-senpai soothed her matted hair underneath his palm, as if in a trance. He was still mumbling things under his breath – along the lines of "why," "Tohko," and "no." I decided to leave Senpai to some private time to collect his thoughts and say his final farewells as I collected myself elsewhere, and to find some medical supplies I could use to change his bandage.

He didn't acknowledge me leaving behind him to enter the room.

It was eerie walking back into the infirmary. It almost looked untouched if not for the copious amounts of blood that stained everything.

Kirisaki-senpai's blood, I had to remind myself.

I was careful not to step into any of her blood – it was the least I could do. It was almost surreal; how could so much blood come from someone anyway? Especially their tongue… The thought made me feel like my own tongue was being chopped off, causing me to recoil in on myself as I approached the medical cabinet.

Handprints staining the cabinet glass indicated someone was rushing to get into it earlier. The utensils inside were scattered about – someone was looking for something.

I could see in my head a terrified and out-of-it Kirisaki-senpai desperately grabbing for a pair of scissors as a means of her only defense from anyone who would want to hurt her, only for her solace to turn on her later and end her life.

I picked around the mess, looking for any signs of dressing or bandages. I leaned over a little to peer into the back of the bottom shelf, having a eureka moment when I eyed the very medical supplies I was searching for. My hand felt around the multiple, once-sterile utensils inside as I blindly reached for the back, slowly pulling them out once I grasped them so I wouldn't lose a hold of it.

Even though I found the bandages and dressing, I found I was frozen in spot, looking at them in my hands. My eyes were trained on the items as if I was transfixed while something dangerous swirled around me. I swore I heard a giggle as I gritted my teeth; fear flooded me as I struggled to regain control of my body from whatever had me strapped down. My breathing came in uneven puffs from my nose as my heart sped a mile a minute, unable to run from whatever was around me.

The second I heard a demonic cackle I was granted access to my body once more. I sprinted out of the room like my life depended on it though I wasn't exactly sure what I was running from – ghosts probably.

I came to a halt without so much of a batted eyelash from Senpai. He was still doting over Kirisaki-senpai's corpse, much like Ohkawa-senpai was doing earlier with Katayama-senpai. He didn't budge even though I came barrelling out of the infirmary like a maniac, seemingly running from nothing.

"S-Senpai…" I huffed, out of breath despite the short sprint it was. I was still shaking in my shoes though Senpai didn't seem to notice – or care.

"Shimada-senpai…" I tried again, swallowing as I quickly darted my eyes around. I felt anxious; I felt like something was smothering us and all I wanted to do was get away. I squeezed the medical supplies tightly in my hands.

Receiving not even a grunt, I juggled both items one arm so I could place a hesitant hand on his shoulder.

The next thing I knew was that I was being harshly shoved away with the wind knocked out of me; the medical supplies fell to the floor with the exertion. My first instinct was that the ghosts were back attacking me; I quickly composed myself to drag Shimada-senpai away from the danger.

I frantically looked up, only to meet the eyes of Shimada-senpai staring down at me. I wasn't sure what I thought at first; I think I was confused. I don't remember Senpai standing up so fast, but I shook it off that I was just dazed from being knocked down. It was until I caught the darkness looming over him that I wasn't so sure.

"S-Senpai…?"

"Shut the fuck up."

A small gasp escaped me as my eyebrows knitted. I had to do a double take; did I hear him correctly? I slowly climbed to my feet as I watched him warily. "Wha…?"

"You heard me, Kouhai."

I swallowed loudly, my heart drumming in my ears. There was a shift in the air and I swore I heard a giggle in the stiff atmosphere. A cold sweat started to break out on my already clammy skin, causing me to shiver against the residual coolness of the building.

I took an uneven breath. My hands tightened by my side before I relaxed them, looking down away from Senpai's darkened eyes. "We should get a move on."

"You don't get it, do you?" he spat out viciously. "Where the fuck do you think we'll go, hmm?"

I stayed silent, unable to meet his gaze. I could feel him glaring down at me as I forced myself to remain calm. He was just upset over Kirisaki-senpai's death…

"We'll find a way out…" I whispered to him, but my words sounded empty even to myself. Empty promises laced pitifully amongst whatever comfort I tried to conjure.

He laughed. It was so sudden, so disturbing; it was unnatural. It was a cackled that seemed to echo throughout the school and into my ears. The vacuum of the school did nothing to block it out; it merely emphasized the eerie sound against the void.

"You are really fucking stupid, Kouhai."

My head snapped up. I stared at him with disbelief. What was he going on about? Why is he being so heartless all of a sudden? "Excuse me?"

He laughed again, breaking out of his stiff pose so he could look around. There was a smile on his face, but it was a pity smile. His eyes were unfocused; it was a wonder whether or not he was even paying attention. His bangs were casting a dark shadow over his forehead, adding a menacing glint to his already unnerving eyes.

"Do you really think there's a way out? Wouldn't you agree that we would have found it by now?"

I bit the inside of my lip, a moment passing with bated breath. "There… there's a whole other wing we haven't explored yet…"

He groaned loudly, pacing away from me in irritation. When he decided to look back at me, there was no kindness left on his face as he glared darkly at me. "You just don't get it, do you Kouhai? We are going to fucking die in here, just like Tohko did. We are going to die and there's not a damned thing we can do about it."

"There won't be if you keep talking like that." I stepped forward, putting on a brave face. He was just stressed; he just came across the body of someone who was important to him. He just needed to be reminded that there is a way out… or at least, there was the hope that will lead us on. "There's got to be a way out, and we will find it, Shimada-senpai."

A sharp slap across my cheek sent me reeling. I was momentarily stunned as my left ear rang from the force. My eyes welled up as my cheek immediately started to redden in the shape of his hand.

"You just don't fucking get it, Kouhai."

"Wh… Why the hell did you slap me for?!"

I met his eyes with an equally heated gaze. Tears threatened to fall from my eyes as I forced my lip not to quiver. I could feel myself tremble, both from anger and fear. If I paid close enough attention, I could almost see the darkness swirling around us, coaxing us further…

The model suddenly stood straight up, staring down at me like I was an insignificant pile of dirt. He sneered, "I can't believe I was so stupid to think you were smart enough to get me out of this shithole."

His words struck me almost as hard as his slap did. It left an odd ringing in my ears.

He pressed on without my consent, "It was a brilliant plan if I do say so myself… You were so easy to fool, honestly. Who better to keep me alive in a school full of ghosts than a girl who can actually talk to ghosts. The constant bullying in your life made it so much easier to convince you I actually cared for you…"

I felt my breath escape me at his words. My knees threatened to crumble as my heart throbbed painfully. I tried to combat his claims but found my mouth just gaping in awe. No sounds came out but a tiny squeak.

"You were laughably easy to toy with – I don't think I've ever had an easier venture. And when you were starting to question me, all I had to do was fucking kiss you or some dumb shit like that. That would shut you up real fast."

"You… you were using me…" I dumbed it down in a small voice.

He looked at me incredulously, "Are you only figuring that out now, Kouhai? Of course I was only fucking using you! Did you honestly think that a handsome guy like me would ever think about getting with a dumb freak like you?"

That stung a lot more than I would like to admit. Of course, he was right though. Why would a literal model want to get with a freak like me? I should've realized from the start; everything he did up until now was to keep me around so I'd save him from the ghosts in the school. He put up with me every moment because, in the long run, he knew it would be worth it if it meant his own life was at stake. Admittedly, it was an ingenious plan… if it never involved tricking me into thinking he actually cared for me…

He said some other things, more than likely along the lines of degrading me once more but I wasn't listening. I was trapped inside my own mind; a swirling vortex of self-hatred and regret. Why did I allow myself to fall so deep so fast with someone I knew I had no chance with? How was I so blind to see his true intentions? Why did I think he was above using me for his own selfish purposes…?

If anything… I guess it explained why his kisses felt so heartless…

I'm not sure how long I was left standing in the dark. When I came to, Senpai was long gone, leaving me alone with nothing but Kirisaki-senpai's decomposing corpse to keep me company.

The weight of it all crashed down on me as I let out a sob. No matter what I did, I still ended up alone. Even when I was being used, the other person finally gives up and realizes how truly worthless I really am…

Without really knowing where I was going, I turned around and started to walk. Somewhere in my mind, I was screaming to go and find Senpai but I wasn't really listening to that part of me. Instead, I walked back down the way we came towards the stairs – perhaps to check out the second wing after all. Besides, this section of the school was pretty much explored… why not try to second wing?

A part of me was praying to whatever gods that would listen to me that there was a way out and that I could somehow run into Shimada-senpai to lead him there, only for use to reconcile over what happen and all will be well.

Without warning, something brushed passed me that was distinctly human. I never noticed it, not until I heard the heavy panting of a young girl as she rushed passed me. I spun my head around, just to catch a glimpse of a small person in a purple dress climbing the stairs to where I just came from.

I went to call out to her before I found my voice caught in my throat.

"Well… If it isn't Minoto-san…"

My eyes widened with fear as I recognized the tall figure between me and the door to the second wing.

Kizami-senpai had blood splatters across his face, coating his white shirt with its crimson glow. He still wielded Shimada-senpai's knife, blood dripping from the sharp blade and onto the floor.

"And where's Shimada-san gone to? I was most certain you two were together…" He took a step forward. "I suppose he is quite… insufferable. It was only a matter of time you would blow him off, eh Minoto-san?"

He was subtly closing the gap between us, I was aware of that, but I found myself grounded to the wood. His dark eyes were narrowed with insanity and try as I might, I couldn't force myself to look away from the growing grin he had on his face.

"Would you like me to accompany you instead… little kouhai?"

Hearing the words drip from his mouth broke me from my trance. A part of me grew onto the cruel use of kouhai for only Shimada-senpai to say, even if I doubt I'll ever hear it from his lips again.

Ignoring the throbbing in my foot, I took off up the stairs to my right, hoping I could possibly lose him before I got stuck in a dead end.

I could hear his menacing laughter echo through the halls, much like Senpai's proclamation of using me did earlier.

"Run, little Kouhai! Run before I catch you!"

I quickly ran passed Kirisaki-senpai's corpse, grimly hoping that the sight of her corpse would slow him down for a moment. I knew it was a bad thing to want; I would never use Kirisaki-senpai against Kizami-senpai if it meant my life over her own.

Deciding to skip the infirmary, thinking it was too close to my chaser that he could probably still see me, I ran deeper into the shadow of the school, desperate for a hiding spot. I quickly decided to run up the stairs instead of down the other hall that would have lead back downstairs. I didn't bother to check to see if Kizami-senpai was still chasing me; I don't know how well he knows this school. For all I know, he could've just went straight, thinking he'd cut me off as I barrelled down the identical stairs at the other end of the long hall.

With my breathing heavy and ankle throbbing rapidly, I quickly delved into the male washrooms. Almost panicking, I tried each of the stall doors, hoping that they would magically be unlocked so I could hide in them.

"Oh God please…" I found myself whispering.

If my memory served me correctly, the last stall was unlocked earlier, but preoccupied by someone who didn't want to be disturbed. I held my breath, knocking on the stall door as it was my only hope.

"E-excuse me…?"

"I'm sorry, m'dear, but this stall is preoccupied… and I believe you are in the wrong lavatory," came the gentle reply.

My mouth felt dry as my knees grew weak. Tears threatened to fall as I swore I heard the sound of footsteps somewhere underneath the sound of my hammering heart.

"I… know… I just…"

I collapsed to my knees with a sob. Fear attacked every nerve as I shook uncontrollably. This was it; Kizami-senpai was going to come into the bathroom to find me cowering in the corner, unable to hide because there was a ghost in the stall.

The door squeaked open and I flinched, the only thing I heard was the beat of my own heart. I was looking down at my lap, tears falling freely as I wondered what was taking Kizami-senpai so long to attack me, knowing I was completely defenseless.

"Oh dear… Look at you, you poor thing…" the voice from the stall cooed into my ears.

I felt my chin being lifted as I was brought face-to-face with a ghost who could only be truly described as a gentleman.

His features were soft as he smiled gingerly at me. His eyes were kind as he did a once-over of me, his glasses perched on his nose while his felt hat covered his hair. He was wearing a tuxedo with a bowtie looking very out of this time era. A blue hue covered him like most of the spirits in this school; his presence offered a bit of reprieve in the darkness.

"Hush now, m'dear… There's no need to cry like this now…" he called gently, removing the kerchief from his breast pocket to wipe my tears away. "Let's get you in here…"

Without my consent, I felt his cool arms wrap around my body in attempts to lift me into the stall he was just preoccupying. My knees threatened to give out again as he helped turn me around so I could sit on the stall floor, narrowing avoiding the opening for the toilet. I was pushed tightly into the left corner of the stall.

The ghost in front of me knelt down to my level, ignoring the dirt that would've stained his suit if he wasn't dead. He proceeded to whisper to me while a hand dried my tears.

"Now," he said after my sobbing started to slow down. "Why were you crying so much, m'dear?"

I swallowed thickly as my breath got caught in my throat. I forced myself to breathe through my nose in an attempt to calm myself. "I… I thought I was going to die."

He listened intently, waiting for me to continue. "I… I was being chased and I had nowhere to hide but… in here…"

He nodded slowly, dabbing my cheeks once more to rid them of the salty tracks my tears left. "Do you believe you are still being chased?"

I nodded my head dumbly, unable to find my voice.

He said nothing as he stood up, folding his kerchief back into his pocket. He suddenly faded through the door behind him, leaving me alone in the stall he allowed me to hide in. I used this time alone to bring my knees up to my chest, wrapping my arms around them as I rested my head on my knees. Another sob threatened to escape me when he returned with a gentle smile on his face.

"Well, I never saw anyone nearby so I believe you outran your chaser, m'dear."

His words settled my uneasiness if only just slightly, but my body still trembled from the fear and exertion, not to mention my ankle dutifully throbbed underneath the gauze that covered it. He seemed to notice my grimace, bending down to my level once more.

"I would be more than happy to allow you to stay in here for a while and rest, milady. I find this stall quite comforting from the darkness of the school…"

I nod my head shakily, "Thank you…"

The ghost moved to sit next to me, squeezing himself in the little space to my right. He hummed a quiet tune to himself which helped calm my nerves.

"So, since we're going to be acquaintances, it might as well we know each other's name."

"O-Oh… right. My… name is Minoto Aika."

A ghostly hand was presented in front of me. I took it, only for the hand to take mine and bring it up to the ghostly lips of my companion. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Minoto-san. I am Shimoda Souichiro." He let go of my hand.

"Shi… Shimoda…?"

It was strikingly familiar to Shimada-senpai, causing my heart to constrict painfully. New tears welled in my eyes as I tried my best not to break down again. His betrayal was still very fresh in my mind and heart; I never really had the chance to dwell on it until now.

"Oh dear me… I… I'm sorry that my name offends you in some way."

I shook my head, "N-No… I'm sorry… It's just my…" Friend? Companion? Former possible lover? "Schoolmate… he had a similar name… but he…" Shimoda-san pursed his lip, staying silent as he draped an arm around my shoulders to comfort me. "Shimada-senpai… he left me… alone. We got in a fight and he left." I left the part out about him using me; I didn't feel that was important to mention it.

"I'm sorry he left you… This school does things to people that no one quite understands."

I bit my lip, nodding in agreement. We stayed silent, the dripping of the tap nearby the only sound I could hear that wasn't my own heart or breathing. The ghost beside me was silent as he allowed me to collect myself.

I wanted to get Shimada-senpai and Kizami-senpai out of my mind. Delving into a ghost's past was my speciality, as well as it served as a good way to forget about what just transpired.

"So…" I murmured. "If you don't mind me asking… how did you end up in here?"

The way he spoke, his clothes, his whole demeanor… it didn't fit the scheme for the school. I doubted he was a teacher; it wasn't that he seemed so young, rather he just seemed… out of time.

"I was forced here by accident," he sighed, pushing his glasses back onto his nose. "You see, I am not from this era, as you may already gather. My family once owned the property this school was originally built on. I haunted the same bathroom when this school was still around – it was the only place I felt safe in, I'm afraid."

"But why are you here now?"

"I… got trapped here when this school was recreated. I'm not sure exactly how long I've been here, unfortunately… All I do know is that I can no longer pass, no matter how hard I try."

"Oh… and… no one ever sought to appease you in your time in the school?"

I caught him raising his eyebrow in confusion. "Appease, my dear? What young child would seek to appease the kind ghost in the bathroom stall? I was more of a celebrity if anything. I could remember them; they always had bright smiles on their face when I appeared."

A laugh got caught in my throat as I smiled. I suppose kid would act accordingly; why would they think to help the gentleman who just so happened to use one of their toilets? He seemed like a gentle guy, able to deal with kids accordingly. The spark in his eye told me he didn't mind it at all either.

"I'm… just sorry you got trapped in here. You already did you time, and you deserve to have the chance to move on."

His smile grew sad as he nodded. "My only regret is that I can no longer see my dear Aya-chan who passed away before I had the chance to say goodbye… I… It's hard, but I keep going because that is what she wished."

I couldn't string the words together to offer my condolences. I wished I could appease him myself, but my heart was too heavy with its own heartache to be any help.

"I… I'm sorry…" I murmured. I wasn't sure what else to say really.

"Fret not, m'dear… It's all in the past. I… Some days I wish she told me of her condition, however. If she did… then perhaps I would never have left her side to begin with. The thought of fame and fortune would never have seduced me as much as it did if only I had known."

"Huh?"

The ghost gave a tight-lipped smile, "I travelled to the west to make money – like many people of my age did in that time. I was blinded by the fantasy of striking it rich… not realizing how truly rich I was at home. It wasn't until she passed that I learned my mistake."

That explained why he seemed to have a small accent when he spoke; he must know how to speak English or some other western language.

I watched him shift, reaching for something on the inside of his jacket pocket. I noticed a jewelled necklace in his fingers, the necklace I wore around my neck suddenly weighing a ton. He looked nostalgic, carefully thumbing the large crystal before depositing it back where it came, not bothering to mention it.

"Nevertheless, I can at least be of some use and help the poor fools that wound trapped in here. It's a shame, really."

I decided not to question him about the necklace; the poor man deserved a bit of privacy. "You… don't know how people get trapped in here, do you?"

I heard him sigh, shaking his head no. "I'm afraid not… Although, there seems to be sort of a pattern that I've picked up from overhearing other conversation."

"A pattern?"

"Indeed. While so far most victims were definitely students of schools – mostly middle and high school students – is that they mention doing a charm just moments before being trapped in here."

I sucked in a shaky breath. Shimada-senpai mentioned doing a charm just moments before being sucked into this hell. If I remembered correctly, he said that there were dire consequences if you messed up the charm… so if what Shimoda-san was saying was true, then it was safe to assume that the charm directly related to the school. That means that someone messed it up when they were doing it… whether intentionally or not.

Curiously though… if that was true, then there was a lot of people that messed it up. Too many, now that I thought about it. The charm couldn't have been that well known, despite being advertised on Saenoki-san's blog. The number of people who did it wrong is so staggeringly high that it didn't seem plausible… could it?

"I take it you know the charm I speak of," Shimoda-san chuckled.

I blushed, blinking out of my thoughts. "I, uh… Yeah. Sorry…" I cleared my throat, "But yes. I do – the Sachiko Ever After charm… That's what my friends did before they got here as well."

"Sachiko Ever After…? Curious… That shares the same name as one of the children in this school if I'm not mistaken."

"What, Sachiko?"

"Indeed… I believe it's the one always wearing that red dress, the poor thing. She doesn't even have a pair of shoes. I tried to talk to her one day but the child blatantly ignored me… as well as the three children."

Shimoda-san continued to drone on but I stopped listening. The girl in the red dress – the same girl who threatened to kill myself and Senpai earlier – had the same name as the very charm that seemed to trap people in here.

There's no way that this is a coincidence anymore if it ever was one.

My mind whirled around with everything that's transpired. Between my falling out with Senpai, being chased once more by Kizami-senpai, my relatively pleasant conversation with Shimoda-senpai and the revelation of Sachiko and her charm.

I breathed out whatever stress had pent up in my body. I slowly stood up, earning a questionable look from my ghostly friend.

"Minoto-san?"

I brushed the dirt from the back of my skirt, fixing Shimada-senpai's blazer properly onto my shoulders. I felt a little better now, having rested with a gentle soul. I felt a fire begin to burn within me. Despite the bitterness of his betrayal, I still felt responsible for getting him – and anyone else I could find – out. I was determined to go find him, possibly give him a sharp slap across the cheek, and learn whatever more I could about this supposed charm.

"I thank you very much for allowing me to hide in here, Shimoda-san, but I should get going and find as much as I can out about this charm…"

He smiled, standing up as well. "I wish I could be more helpful to you, dear Minoto-san, but I'm glad I was able to shelter you, if only for a moment."

I gave the ghost a sweet smile before opening the stall door. The calming atmosphere of the stall was quickly wiped away by the ever-looming doom the school. My newfound confidence almost quickly shattered under the weight of the school. I gulped audibly, calming my nerves as I stepped out. Shimoda-san was behind me, offering an encouraging smile.

"If you need to come back, milady, feel free to come back. My stall is yours."

I was touched by his words, grinning at the man. With our final goodbyes, I exited the male lavatories, determined to find Shimada-senpai once more, and whatever I could about this mysterious girl in the red dress.

Forgive me for being away so long! I had this chapter started for so long (sitting on my computer with about 1k words for the last few months). I finally broke down and finished it the passed two days.

I probably didn't handle Souichiro Shimoda very well... Nor did Aika and Kai's fight seem good. I don't know. I guess I just don't like this chapter (I recently reread chapters 8-10 and frankly, I really like the ending of chapter 8... I think I spoiled myself)

Also: Shimoda, Shimada. Very interesting coincidence.

But yeah! Main protagonists are actually separated for once! Yay! Man, it would be an absolute shame if anything were to happen.

Edit: So I finally got around to drawing a picture of Aika! She's not coloured or anything but at least you'll have an idea what she actually looks like... If you're interested, you can check her out on my deviantART page - Amaranthynn

or just type in this link... [without spaces or "( )" ] (Sorry... FF is very difficult when it comes to links)

(h)(t)(t)p:/ / amaranthynn .deviantart. (c)(o)m/ art/Corpse-Party-OC-695230449