An Empty Shell

Chapter 9: Keep Up

Shuichi got up in the morning a little bit earlier than usual. He was thinking he could see Hayami first before going to school. He got himself ready and before he stepped out of the door, he took his communicator and channeled Hayami.
"Ohio Hayami. Are you up yet?" Shuichi called out for her.
Hayami was still dressing up when she suddenly heard a voice calling for her.
"What was that? Who are you?!" Hayami yelled, she was frightened at first.
"Hayami it's me Shuichi. I'm reaching out to you using my communicator." Shuichi quickly explained to calm her down.
"Shuichi? Is it really you? Sorry.. Um.. so I can really talk to you with this button, huh? That's pretty cool!" Remarked Hayami with amusement.
"Yeah, just make sure you have it with you all the time. Um, are you ready to go to school yet?" Shuichi proceeded.
"Well, I'm still dressing up but I will be ready in a minute. Why?" She wondered while Shuichi suddenly felt shy making him blushed a little.
"Um, just checking up on you so we can start practicing using this button and I was thinking if I could see you before going to school.." He clarified as he grabbed his bag.
"Okay? So where are we going first?" Hayami was still confused on Shuichi's invitation making her think of other intentions.
"We need to discuss some things in preparation for school. Can we meet up at the train station?" Shuichi was trying his best to choose the right words to say so as not to give her the wrong impression because he already noticed her tone.
"Oh yeah. Of coarse. I'll be there." Hayami replied this time realizing Shuichi's point that made her feel a little sheepish. What am I thinking? Of coarse he wants to make sure I am safe including the people around me. Hayami just let out a big sigh.

She finally arrived at the train station and as soon as the door opened, she hurriedly looked for Shuichi. But suddenly, she felt a strong, terrifying presence but at the same time warm and pure. This presence was already familiar to her then she realized and turned to face him. Shuichi was at her back and was about to tap her shoulder. He was the one surprised this time, he was in trance for a bit then smiled. She's becoming accustomed to my presence, that's good, he thought to himself.
"Were you trying to scare me off again?" She muttered with a scowled face.
"No, not really. You said for me to not to hide my youki so you won't jump in surprise again when I suddenly show up." Shuichi defended himself waving his hands in front of her.
"Yeah, I did. And good you did it. So let's go!" She stubbornly reacted and walked ahead from Shuichi. He chuckled a little bit from her childish behavior then followed suit.
"So, what do you want to discuss?" Hayami initiated the conversation while they were walking towards school.
"Hayami, I'd like you to know that I want you to live a normal life as much as possible. I know it sounds impossible, given the situation that you are in right now. Believe me I learned it the hard way, and I still continue learning the ways of human life until now. But with the help of friends and family, I know you can keep up too." Shuichi started with a rather inspiring words.
"I don't have a family anymore. There was lady Fushimi who really helped me, and I thought that she's gonna stay but now she's gone too. I mean, I know that she was just a wandering spirit but, she's the only one I had left.." Hayami was saddened. Shuichi felt her, so he thought he needed to step up for her.
"I am here and I can be your friend." Shuichi simply told her catching her attention then smiled.
"Thanks Shuichi." She solely said and gave him a light smile.
"This will also help you regain your reiki and make you stronger. Always surround yourself with positivity, be happy and do things you usually enjoy and love." These words from him enlightened Hayami.
How could I not know? Of coarse, this was always taught to me by my parents and our Saishu during my Miko years. Healing has always been the way of our lives, keeping our spirits bright was our responsibility for its purification. Hayami stopped in a moment as she pondered all of these. Shuichi noticed she fell behind and saw her sudden reticence.
"Hayami, what's wrong?" He approached, back to her.
"No. Nothing.. I just realized something." She was looking down, she wiped her tears and painted a small smile on her face before looking up. Shuichi was taken aback with what he saw just now. Strange, I don't seem to recognize this kind of feeling I just felt. She was sad but at the same time happy. Did she remember something? Shuichi was studying this new emotion he felt from Hayami.
"By the way, about school, you were assigned to our group for the project. I forgot to mention that to you before." Shuichi shook of that feeling for now and reverted to Hayami.
"This is going to be your task for the group project. I already took notes for you but if you need help don't hesitate to ask." Shuichi handed a notebook to her consisting of their group project Prof. Nagata required them to do.
"I can't believe you made this for me.. thank you so much, I really appreciate it." She took the notebook and couldn't be thankful enough for Shuichi.
"Anytime." He responded with a smile.