293 – Red Moon
As Fuma-senpai said, if Chiaki becomes a youkai, all the problems she is suffering from right now can be solved.
It is the most perfect solution because you will have a body that did not exist before, you can become independent from Ryuji, and there is no reason to become a Buddha.
But after hearing my explanation, Fuma-senpai said with a puzzled expression.
“That’s right, but being a youkai isn’t something that can be easily decided.”
“Why?”
“Generally, it would be a matter of how to become a youkai, but since God has guaranteed it, it won’t be impossible at all, so we’ll have to start with realistic issues.”
“A Practical Problem?”
“Being a yōkai is synonymous with an indefinitely extended lifespan. To yokai, human life is but a fleeting moment. After Ryuji dies, if Chiaki is left alone, who will fill her loneliness?”
“That’s…”
I was speechless because the story was so realistic.
It’s not like I’m going to live her life instead.
“Second is the issue of her identity. Once she dies and comes back to life, she will not be able to use her previous identity, and even if she creates a false identity, there will be many inconveniences in leading daily life.”
Certainly, as Fuma-senpai said, such a problem could arise.
Even in Japan, where public offices still prefer analog, identity manipulation will become more and more difficult at a time when important documents are being digitized.
“Lastly, in the end, it’s not something we can force ourselves to do. If you choose to become a youkai yourself, then it’s nonsense to become a youkai as if pushed by someone.”
After listening to Fuma-senpai’s explanation, I lowered my head.
“…Sorry, I was short on my thoughts.”
It seems that I only thought of the good points ahead of my heart.
“It’s okay. You can say that if you don’t know.”
As Fuma-senpai said that, he kindly patted me on the shoulder.
“Anyway, I’ll try to find out if there’s another way. There are cases where souls wandering in the Nine Heavens are used as food souls, so I’ll ask the Onmyoji organization I know.”
“Thank you. I think it was a good idea to consult with Fuma-senpai.”
It was at a time when such a warm atmosphere flowed.
“Over there.”
Sasha, who had been quietly listening to the conversation, raised her right hand and said.
“If you’re going to do this, can’t I go home?”
“”Ah.””
Only then did we realize that Sasha was being treated like a complete stranger, and we apologized to her for her apparent slight upset.
***
The meeting started at noon and lasted until late at night.
Thanks to that, Fuma-senpai and Sasha went to eat at the restaurant on the first floor, and her mother liked her foreign wife, saying she spoke Japanese very well.
Fuma-senpai, who usually eats poorly, was shy but didn’t refuse her mother’s kindness, and Sasha was originally a non-reservative personality, so she ate Yukgaejang and spat Shiba in a row and went home.
After the two of them went away and I was left alone again, I started lightly doing dumbbell curls in my room to organize my thoughts.
‘What is Ryuji supposed to be doing right now?’
Because of his kind personality, he can’t tell anyone and suffers alone.
There was no way I could tell my family about the ghost, Chiaki, and Mahes didn’t seem to be able to point it out either.
‘They said there was only a week left until the next full moon.’
I don’t know how Chiaki will react when I suggest how to become a youkai, but if he refuses, that’s it.
The two will be separated forever.
“Write, but there is no other way.”
That guy Chiaki is needlessly strong, so I’m going to take off his mask.
If I had been a little weaker, I would have been able to go comfortably without making many people suffer.
“Haa-“
In the end, I let out a deep sigh and put down the dumbbells. After repeating lifting and dropping the phone several times, I called Ryuji.
“Hello?”
***
The place I called Ryuji late at night was the playground in front of the Tower Mansion where he lived.
A space that was originally filled with the lively voices of children is now just desolate.
“Yo.”
“Are you here?”
Sitting on the bench in front of the playground and waving my hand, I realized that I couldn’t see Chiaki, who should have been clinging to him like glutinous rice cake.
“What about Chiaki?”
Then Ryuji scratched the back of his head and answered.
“He said he didn’t know how to meet you now and said he’d stay at home.”
“Really?”
I felt strangely disappointed, but I didn’t show it, got up and headed to the nearby vending machine.
“What would you like to drink? I’ll buy it.”
“Oh, I don’t care about anything.”
“Then have a Coke.”
After I said that, I pressed a soda and a coke one by one from the vending machine.
Jumping!
I returned to my seat with a drink from the vending machine and asked Ryuji as I handed him a cola.
“How did you talk to Chiaki after that?”
Then Ryuji smiled bitterly and shook his head.
“That guy is completely stubborn. When I tried to find another way, he said he didn’t like it. He said that if he stayed in this world, something like this would happen again.”
“…As expected.”
I expected that if it was Chiaki’s personality, he would have said that.
In the first place, that guy was thinking of Ryuji more than his own comfort.
I asked, fiddling with the cider can in my hand.
“Ryuji, what are you planning to do?”
“What?”
“If he says he’ll reach Buddhahood like this, do you think he’ll let you go?”
Ryuji couldn’t answer right away.
As if lost in thought, he stared blankly into space, then answered with a dejected smile.
“If that’s what Chiaki really wants.”
“…Yes.”
I didn’t ask any more.
Because I, as a third party, seemed to be crossing the line no matter how close I was to being involved.
Still-
“Let me know if you need any help. I’ll drop everything and run.”
When I said that and made a pose emphasizing the muscles, Ryuji said hahahaha! Smiled and nodded his head.
“I think it’s really fortunate that Yooseong has a reliable friend like you.”
After saying that, Ryuji stood up and held out his right hand to me.
“Then see you later.”
“Yes.”
After shaking hands with Ryuji, I went home with a heavy heart.
***
A week has passed since then.
“According to the official, the official name of the moon rising tonight is the Super Blue Blood Moon, and it is very rare that a total lunar eclipse coincides with a blue moon or super moon phenomenon. Partial meal starts at 8:48 tonight… 」
From noble mtl dot com
On the news, the news anchor was talking about tonight’s full moon.
If you miss it this time, you will only see it after 30 years. It is a rare phenomenon that you can only see once in your life. Even people who normally would not have been interested in the moon were talking excitedly about it.
“Would you like to watch the moon tonight too?”
“…What?”
I reflexively turned my head to Kaz’s question, who was riding on the treadmill next to me.
Then Kaz, seeing my face, hardened his complexion and asked.
“Brother, are you not feeling well today? You look very tired for some reason.”
“Uh… I had a bit of a worry, so I had a bit of trouble sleeping.”
As I evaded that, Kazu said with a worried look on his face.
“Take a break from exercise on days like that, brother. No matter how addicted you are to exercise, if you get hurt while doing this, isn’t it only you who suffers?”
I stared at Kazu like that, and I laughed without even realizing it.
“You’ve grown up a lot too. You nag me about sports.”
“I’m no longer fooled by sports knowledge anywhere!”
“Yes, yes.”
I got down from the treadmill where she was running in the middle of the day while agreeing with Kazu’s story appropriately.
“As you said, I’m not feeling well today, so I’d better take a break from exercising. I’ll go first, so work hard.”
“Brother!”
She told me to take a break, but she didn’t think that I would stop exercising immediately, Kazu called me with a shocked expression.
But I heard Kazu’s voice in one ear and let it out in the other, went straight into her dressing room and changed her clothes.
When I came back out in my normal clothes, Kaz, who had been walking around in front of the locker room door, clung to me and asked a question.
“Brother! Are you really sick?! A workout ghost like you skips exercise! Let’s go to the hospital right away!”
“No, I might have days when I’m not feeling well. Why is it so crazy?”
As I hated and pushed him away, Kazu exclaimed as if he was unfair.
“The older brother I know is not like that!”
You bastard, why are you suddenly like this?
I sent a request for help to the director who was sitting in front of the counter.
Then, the director sighed and approached me, removing Kaz directly from me and asking.
“So what really happened? You stopped working out.”
“Everyone is really like this. It’s like the sun rises in the west when I’m taking a break from exercising.”
“It’s almost like that.”
“…….”
Do you know people as real exercise idiots?
I had a lot to say, but I held it back and shook my head.
“I’m just not feeling well. I’ll go home today and rest, so don’t worry.”
“If you feel sick, go to the hospital right away.”
“When you’re sick, it’s best to eat delicious food and get a good rest.”
The manager and Kazu said that and followed until the end to see them off.
‘Let’s put both next.’
Thought so, I headed home with a tired body.