9 Chapter 9: Starry Nigh (1/2)
After we've climbed the stairway, we've entered the forest and followed a walkway that leads to the shrine. There were a lot more movements coming from the grasses and bushes. I was barely able to prevent myself from screaming. Unlike me, Hiroisora was quiet. I tried to glance at her face once in a while, just to check if she was a little bit scared. Instead, I saw a calm face, almost at peace. While I was wondering what she was thinking, something happened.
”Aaaahhhh!!” Hiroisora suddenly shouted. Then she grabbed on to my arm, closing her eyes.
”Wh-what's the m-matter?” I asked as I felt terrified of her being terrified of something. She pointed towards in front of us. I was looking sideways at her. For the record, I am very reluctant to look towards whatever she is pointing at.
”What i-is that, T-takaiyama-kun?”
”...”
”W-well?”
”...” I can't answer her because I'm not looking at it. Actually, I've shut my eyes closed. ”Ah...” I don't know what it is, I haven't seen it. ”Um... W-well, it's a...” If this goes on, she'll think of me as a coward. I can't let that happen. I decided to take a peek so I can give her an answer, and more importantly to look tough and manly. While I slowly, and reluctantly, opened my eyes, I saw a... tall person, wearing a uniform, like a soldier's, but without a... head?
---
What am I seeing? This is a nightmare, right? As I stood in shock, the tall person, err... ghost, started slowly walking towards us. *Gulp*.
”Hi-hirois-sora, um, are y-you tired?”
”No... Why?” She opened her eyes and looked at me puzzlingly.
”W-we're going t-to run!!!” I grabbed her hand and ran towards the trees.
We've drifted away from the walkway, running through the woods. I just held on to her hand as I ran as fast as I possibly could.
When I couldn't run anymore, I stopped, let go of her hand, and caught my breath.
” Are you... ok, Hiroi...sora...?”
”Yes... but, what... was that...?”
We continued to gasp for air before being able to talk normally.
”It was, um, a tall person...”
”A tall person? Then why did we run from him?” She asked confusedly.
”Well, you see, he was kind of, you know, headless.”
”H-headless?!” Her face became shocked. ”Are you sure?”
”Yeah.” I couldn't mistake that even if I was SO scared.
”Um, so Takaiyama-kun...”
”What is it?”
”Where are we?” She looked around us. There are trees everywhere. I don't even remember which way we came from. It's also quite dark.
”I'm not sure...” She was suddenly looking so worried upon hearing that. I have to man up in this situation. ”But don't worry; we'll get out of here and get back to the hotel.”
”Ok. But shouldn't we at least try to get to the shrine?”
”Why?”
”I kind of need that extra credit. Hehe.” Wow. We're in this situation and THAT is what she's worried about. All I care about is getting out of here. Maybe we should go our separate ways. ”Are you planning on leaving me alone, Takaiyama-kun?” She asked somewhat angrily.
”Huh? No, of course not... Hehe...” It's my damn facial expression again. I'll have to wear a plastic bag over my face one of these days.
We started to walk around aimlessly. I'm not sure if we are getting near the shrine or the hotel. I checked the time. It was about over an hour and a half since we started walking from the bottom of the stairs to start this Test of Courage. I hope they are wondering why we are taking too long and start looking for us. I might faint anytime soon, especially if we see another one of those ghosts.
I didn't notice since when it started, but Hiroisora grabbed (hugged) my arm and hasn't let go. I really don't mind, especially because it reminds me that I am not alone. That is enough to comfort me. Also, her chest is rubbing against my arm. Why would I complain?
”Takaiyama-kun...” She suddenly spoke. ”Can we rest for a bit?” I guess she is tired after walking for so long.
”Sure.” Though I don't want to stay in this forest longer than we can possibly avoid, I have to think of her well-being. We sat beside a tree. Our only source of light is our phones, which we have been using as a flashlight since a while ago.
”There is still no reception, huh...”
”Yeah...” Even though we're in this scary situation, something else is bothering me. I could have confessed to her earlier and my problem would have been solved. To top it off, she seemed happy I didn't.
”Takaiyama-kun.” She suddenly said something after we were quiet for some time now.
”Yeah?”
”Hehe.”
”What's so funny?”
”You don't have to pretend you're not scared.”
”Wha--?”
”You really thought I wouldn't notice it? Hehehe.” I could really use that plastic bag now. ”Don't worry. I don't think less of you. I am scared, too. Also, everyone has something they're afraid of, right?” She sounded serious on that last part.
”I guess...”
”You know, I'm just glad it was you I was stuck here with.” I think I blushed... a little.”Well, that's enough rest for now. I think I see a little bit of light over there, maybe we should go to it.” What if it's a ghost? ”And I don't think it's a ghost. Hehe. Let's go!” She seemed to be livelier now. That's good.
We followed the direction of the light. As we were getting closer and closer, it was getting brighter. I think we're about to leave the forest. Hopefully we'll see someone out there.
---
When I said 'someone', I was expecting them to have both arms and not covered in blood. When we both saw the bloodied soldier awaiting us outside of the forest, we ran in different directions. She went back inside the forest, while I followed the light coming from the shrine's lamp post. It seems we did make it to the shrine. I checked to see if there was someone at the shrine and ask for their help. There was no one there, although I saw the box Nariyuki was talking about. I checked inside. There were only two pieces of paper inside left. I took both of them. I guess almost everyone already finished. Now that I have these papers, I could go back to the hotel and ask for their help to look for Hiroisora. I can't go back inside that forest all alone. I'm too scared. But... she's also alone... and scared.