An Empty Shell

Chapter 4: I Have To Know

Shuichi once tried to mingle with the other students before but then he realized there was really no point of going out with them anyway and he hated it when he pretends to enjoy their company. Even more, he disliked it when he felt he was only being taken advantage of other people knowing his status in school because of his intelligence and charm. He really doesn't want to get a long with people that shallow. He just shook his head and smiled after that awkward acquaintance with the girls. He still has half an hour before lunch break was over. He decided to go to the roof top so he could have a nice and quiet break on his own. He reached the last step before the entry to the roof when he stopped. Suddenly, he felt something familiar, again it was a warm gentle breeze brushed on his skin. He then reached out for the door. As he stepped out, he saw a familiar figure in the corner. It was Hayami Miyazaki. She turned around as she felt someone was with her.
Their eyes met once again, but Shuichi's widened in astonishment. There was something different about her presence this time. It was the same girl but different at the same time. She started to walk towards him without looking away. Shuichi remained where he stood with his eyes locked to hers, trying to read her emotions. Then he realized...nothing. It was as if he was starring in a black hole. There was no hint of emotion in her eyes. Those that once were filled with grief and fear from earlier suddenly turned dark. As she walked past him he saw in the corner of his eyes, she smiled a devious smile. This doesn't feel right. Something is definitely strange about this girl. And whatever that is, I need to find out as soon as possible. Shuichi's thoughts as he followed her with his eyes until she stepped out from the door.
Before the end of the day, he decided to follow her whenever he's got a chance. He was able to get a copy of her school schedule he needed to investigate. Although it was really strange he never felt any evil presence or energy. However, if he's right about this, then everybody might be in real danger this time.
He went to check on her in every class she's supposed to attend and to every corner of their school building but of no luck. It's like she just disappeared. Would have to wait until tomorrow to see if she comes back. He decided to give in for now.
The next morning, her seat was empty. So it seems that she didn't come in today too.
"Well that's sucks. She just started here yesterday." Shuichi heard one of his classmates complained when they noticed her absence.
"Yeah, and from what I heard, she only attended her 1st class yesterday which was our class." Said another.
Shuichi decided to walk out since he doesn't want to be caught up in those kind of conversations. But then the next day, and the day after, until it has already been a week, Hayami never returned to school.

"I'm afraid I have a sad news everyone. It looks like Miss Miyazaki is not able to return to school just yet. Her recovery is still unpredictable and it will be likely that she will be missing a lot. But I always give chance to students who need catching up so I would have to ask one of you to bring the notes to her place including the ones from her other classes. Does anyone of you knows where she lives?" Professor Nagata made it clear to everyone what Hayami's real situation was but nobody hardly even know anything about her.
"I will do it Sensei, I will get her notes to her house." Shuichi volunteered raising his hand.
"Just as I thought, I could always count on you Mr. Minamino. Thank you. Meet Miss Himura by the end of day to get Hayami's notes and information." Instructed Prof. Nagata to Shuichi.
"Yes Sensei." Shuichi's short response.
"You don't have to push yourself too hard Minamino." A classmate remarked.
"Yeah, when you do this, you can't help but let everyone think that you are hitting on that girl despite the fact that you practically just met." Jested another stepping a little on the line.
Shuichi just gave them a small smile but didn't respond to any of his classmates' remarks. He really doesn't care what everyone thinks. He thought this was his only chance to find her and know who she really was. At the end of school he went to the office to retrieve Hayami's notes and information just like what Prof. Nagata instructed.
"Here are the notes for Miss Miyazaki and her address and contact information. Although we have tried to reach her by phone, but of no avail. Are you sure you want to go to her place? Their location is pretty tricky, there's a chance of getting lost to anyone who's just new to this place," warned Miss Himura to Shuichi.
"That's alright ma'am, I can just have the address looked up on the app for directions." he responded.
"Oh well, I hope it is that easy, you have to be careful though." she added.
"I will. Thank you." And just that, Shuichi went off.
Hayami's place was located a little bit to the west on the outskirt of Kyoto called Moku. Shuichi has to grab his phone to locate her address. He had to take the third train station from Kyoto to Osaka to get there. When he was already in the city, he had to take the bus going further to the west. This is a nice feeling at least. He told to himself as he looked over of the bus's window and feel the windy, fresh breeze blew on his face. He can't help but be amazed with the scenic beauty of this place as the bus routed to a bridge crossing a huge river. Shuichi got off the bus on the last stop in the corner of a bamboo forest park. He took out his phone to check for directions. No service? Well, I guess I have to walk from here. Shuichi, although a bit disappointed not able to check his phone for the right route, he just couldn't contain more of the beauty around him. He was surrounded with tall luscious greens that dance while the wind blows. The sunset blending its color as if burning the forest with its gentle orange rays. The sound of the wrestled leaves on the ground that breaks silence satisfyingly. Shuichi closed his eyes to the serenity of the forest to feel the closeness of nature to him. Ah.. this is nice. I could feel my spirit free just for once. He was referring to Youko Kurama, his demon fox self who happened to be a spirit of nature. It was quiet a long walk until Shuichi finally reached the corner of the park going to a street where the residents were situated.
"Excuse me sir, could you tell me which direction can I find this address?" Shuichi asked one of the residents who happened to be going on the opposite direction to where he was going.
"Hmm? I'm sorry son, I am not familiar with that address. Are you sure you're in the right town?" The resident have no clue as to where the address Shuichi was asking him.
"Yes, this is the address that our school provided. I'm here to find our classmate who lives around here to hand her these notes." Shuichi explained to the person and can't helped but be puzzled at the same time.
"I'm sure that address can't be found here. I've lived here all my life son and I've never seen that address before." The man gave him assurance that he was a reliable informant with a rather perplexed look. "If you like, you can go the the municipal's office, maybe they can better assist you there." The man offered an option.
"I understand, thank you for that information." Shuichi simply bowed and bid.
He continued for his search and decided to ask one more resident but their reply was the same from the latter.
How can this be? This address was exactly written by Miss Himura when she gave it to me. Could it be that she made a mistake? It's useless, my phone doesn't get service here. Shuichi was trying to figure out what happened and checked his phone once again but still of no available service. He then decided to go to the municipality's office just like what the previous resident advised. He turned back to the direction where he came from, when he was suddenly interrupted.
What is this?...That same feeling again! He turned and faced the other way. Suddenly, to his surprise, he finally came to realize this was no coincidence. Could it be?
Shuichi ran towards where that feeling was stronger and chased it after as he was trying to decipher the recent events. This is not an ordinary feeling. I felt it first a month ago at the grocery store, in my room, then in the classroom, at the office then...
His eyes widened to have found out who was that feeling connected with..
...on the roof top!
He stumbled upon a torii by the entry way of an old house but neatly maintained and cleaned. Although it doesn't look like a house..

"It's a shrine.."

Shuichi continued to take his steps towards the shrine while looking around. He was trying to remember which way did he go exactly to find this place. All he can remember was he ran through the bamboo forests and went after the presence he felt was.

"So, you have come...kitsune,"
Shuichi stopped upon hearing an old lady's voice but even more surprise when she called him such.
His eyes grew and found the old lady sitting in the front porch of the temple as if she was expecting him.