After breaking up, my ex asked me to win her back

About whether ghosts truly exist or not, there is a disagreement between folklore and academia.

Ghosts can't be disproven, and in academic circles, a theory that can't be disproven might have the possibility of being true; therefore, it can tentatively be considered real.

In folklore, due to the crackdown on superstition, many people have already stopped believing, assertively proclaiming it all as false!

Taking either side seems quite forced.

As for such ethereal matters, there has never been a conclusive answer, and it's likely that there never will be a definitive conclusion.

Better to believe in their existence than to deny it—this is probably the attitude that ordinary people have towards ghosts.

When people are helpless, they pray to the heavens.

In the same way, when they are helpless, they also fear ghosts and spirits.

In a sense, God and monsters are the same.

They both are unobservable, unpredictable, and incomprehensible beings.

Non-human, transcending human existence.

Naturally, fear arises.

It's not respect, not admiration, but fear.

How could one possibly greet an existence that is neither human nor object, and uncomprehensible, with joy?

Especially when such things truly appear before one's eyes.

To suppress emotions and refrain from losing one's composure was the only thing Kagura Hikaru could manage at this moment.

Komori Ai.

About half a month prior, during the spring outing held by the first-year, now second-year students of Yuqiu High School.

The location was Tanigawa Peak Mountain.

There, Kagura Hikaru and Kiryu Hina got lost for four hours in the mountains, and what they eventually encountered was a grade-school student who had been missing for five years, as listed in the missing persons notice.

A girl who looked exactly like the photo, same name and everything.

Her name was Komori Ai.

Though it was later proven that Komori Ai wasn't the missing person, the fear only intensified.

Without anyone noticing, she had stolen the favor of all the students and teachers in the campsite, making them revolve around her, and said some strange things to Kagura Hikaru.

After that, or more precisely, the next morning, she mysteriously disappeared.

Gone from the physical world, from everyone's memory.

Except for Kagura Hikaru himself, who experienced it all.

For Kagura Hikaru, she was an enigma with unknown motives and a mysterious entity.

Throughout the half-month holiday, this strange experience gradually faded and was pushed to the back of his memory.

Until this moment, when he saw Komori Ai again in the gymnasium of Yuqiu High School.

The shadows of old times caught up with him.

The suffocating sense of fear from facing a non-human returned in full.

"Kagura, what's wrong?"

At this time, Saijo Mari had already gone to talk with the Volleyball Club's coach.

The Gorilla Vice President, along with Discipline Committee members, had come over, and Ayakoji Chiyoko had sent him to discuss with other clubs about the disposal of old equipment. She wanted to follow, but noticing Kagura Hikaru standing still, she asked in puzzlement.

She glanced in the direction of Kagura Hikaru's gaze, saw nothing, and turned back asking, "Is there something that caught your attention?"

"...No, nothing," Kagura Hikaru took a breath and shook his head, "Sorry, I need to step away for a bit."

He walked toward where Komori Ai was.

This was trouble of a completely different level from what he had with Kiryu Hina or Ayakoji Chiyoko.

Or perhaps, a disaster.

But since Komori Ai was now sitting here obediently by herself, it indicated she wasn't here with malicious intent, at least she hadn't started anything yet.

For now, it was best to probe and see.

"Long time no see, Komori-san," Kagura Hikaru greeted her casually as he approached.

It was only when he came closer that he noticed today's Komori Ai's hair color seemed a bit different, with strands of pink highlights added to her long, straight, black hair. She wore a decorative leather belt around her neck, and her hands—half hidden in the notably oversized sleeves—only exposed her youthful, scallion-tip-like fingers.

As expected of the entertainment-to-death 21st century, even Mountain Gods dress in the explosive style.

Upon hearing his words, Komori Ai looked up, glancing at him with her usual lifeless eyes for a second before her expression turned wary, like she had just spotted a suspect. Slowly, she pulled out a smartphone with a pink bunny case: "Who are you? Some scammer, huh? Come any closer and I'll call the police!"

"..."

[I am Komori Ai, a first-year student at Yuqiu High School, I do not exist.]

[I am Komori Ai, a first-year student at Yuqiu High School, I do not exist.]

[I am Komori Ai, a first-year student at Yuqiu High School, I do not exist.]

[You've gained through mind-reading: Origami +3]

[Origami lv4 (89/100)]

The mind-reading was followed by the same signature bizarre imagery as before: the dead body of a golden retriever, withered trees, and part of a hand protruding from the soil.

—This is indeed the person herself.

"Ah, didn't manage to fool you, how embarrassing." Komori Ai suddenly revealed a smile, lowered her phone, and spoke as if talking about someone else.

With the subtle shift in her tone, that mysterious and indescribable special aura she possessed returned to her.

Enchanting, hollow, like the secret whisper of a fairy in the woods.

Just listening to her speak could chill someone to the core.

The atmosphere was disrupted by her interjection.

"Why are you here?" Kagura Hikaru stopped pretending to be naive and asked seriously.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

"How rude, have you already forgotten what I told you?" Komori Ai pouted like a little girl neglected at home, seeking attention from her father, swinging her legs discontentedly, "I've told you, I'm coming to Tokyo to study!"

"The entrance exam for Yuqiu High School ended before the spring break; how did you... No, never mind, this should be a piece of cake for you."

Kagura Hikaru didn't want to dwell on this issue.

After all, Komori Ai clearly had the ability to influence humans in some way.

Even without any proper procedures, she could attend any school she wanted.

"I just want to confirm one thing—you won't harm the students of Yuqiu High School, right?"

"Eh, why do you ask? Do I look like a serial killer to you?"

..... The first thing that comes to mind when you mention 'taking action' is killing.

And you're saying you're not a killer?!

"Don't worry, I'm here to have fun with Brother Kagura~"

Komori Ai spread her arms wide, her small body flinging at him like a bat.

And then Kagura Hikaru dodged her.

"What do you want to do?"

"Don't be so tense... gotcha, hug me!"

She spun around and lunged at him again. This time, Kagura Hikaru planned to dodge as well, but suddenly a volleyball came flying towards them, hit the wall, bounced back, and rolled to his feet.

This slight mishap slowed his reaction by a beat.

And Komori Ai hit him in a full embrace. She wrapped her arms around Kagura Hikaru's waist, pressing her body tight against him.

So cold... No, although it was quite cool, it wasn't as cold as before.

Unlike the chilling sensation he had experienced at the campsite before, Komori Ai no longer had that extraordinary iciness; at most, her hands were a bit cool to the touch.

However, she embraced him so tightly it made Kagura Hikaru's waist sore.

Naturally, his first instinct was to break free from her hold.

At that moment, however, he heard the sound of hurried footsteps from behind and a familiar voice.

"Sorry, sorry, did the volleyball hit you?... Eh, Kagura? What are you doing here?"