Minamoto

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Sousuke developed the films from his ghost hunt. He applied the graphical filters he figured out before. Nothing... nothing... nothing.

What's this?

Was there a spot on the film?

He saw a faint shape, vaguely resembling a human, in the picture under the tree. It was barely noticable.

"Did I find another ghost?" Sousuke was excited. "I have to double check."

Sousuke arrived to the school in the evening. He was carrying a tripod in addition to his camera. The plan was to put the camera facing the tree and leave it overnight with long exposure. That way the faint apparition would be more clearly seen.

There was no need for that, though.

Sousuke could clearly see the blue human shape in the light of the full moon.

The ghost was not large or threatening. He was about the same size as Sousuke. If anything, it looked sad and lonely.

"Hello, ghost!" said Sousuke. "You want to be friends?"

The ghost turned around and looked at Sousuke. "You... you can see me?"

"Mi-Minamoto-kun?!" Sousuke instantly recognized the lame ass earring boy.

"You... you know me?!"

"Of course I know you! We were sitting next to each other in the first year of middle school!" Sousuke was annoyed.

"What's up with my classmates not regognizing me?" he thought. First Amane, now Minamoto. It's as if Sousuke was a guy noone ever notices, barely distinguishable from background. Come to think of it, Minamoto transferred to another class within the school for his second year.

"Sorry... who are you?" asked the ghost. He was wearing middle school uniform with a yellow sweater over it. He was wearing his traffic safety earring.

"My name is Sousuke Mitsuba."

"Nice to meet you!" the ghost smiled showing his fangs. "I'm Kou Minamoto."

"Dumbass! I said I knew who you are!"

"Right," Minamoto smiled in embarassment.

"But what are you doing here? The rumors were you died in a car accident. That traffic safety earring of yours was not much of protection, huh?"

"Yeah, that's the thing..." Minamoto was looking sideways. "I know! Since you can see me, you can help me with my unfinished business!"

"Unfinished business?"

"That's right! Not all humans who die become ghosts. There must be an emotional burden on them that keeps them tied to the near shore. It's something a person wanted to do, but could not in their lifetime."

"Near... shore?" Souske asked. Minamoto was sounding like Hanako-san, talking about supernatural things. "How comes you know that much about ghosts?"

"Oh, I did not tell you? It's because I'm an exorcist! I come from an ancient and honorable family of exorcists, the Minamoto clan!"

"That's right," realized Sousuke. "His older brother is also an exorcist!"

"First things first," instructed Minamoto. "Go get my spiritual staff. My older brother keeps it in his locker since my death. I'll tell you the code."

"Wait," asked Sousuke. "What is your unfinished business?"

"I..." Minamoto scratched his neck. "I'm not entirely sure. It was to exorcise some weak supernaturals, I think."

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