23:57

22nd Incident: Deal 建て

Note: I have something prepared for you guys apart from this chapter and all of them are written after you read this chapter. New manga project, new manga release and a booksigning event in Philippines! So let's roll it!

And now, let's proceed to Chapter 22...

What?! Fiance mo si Dr. Carl Higashi?

Dito na nga nagdidikit-dikit ang lahat. Para talagang pinaglalaruan kami. Parang sinasadya na magkita-kita kami para. Kasi nga hinatak ni Ayame si Ayako sa kwarto kung nasaan ang photo ni Dr. Carl Higashi.

Ngumiti lang si Mamiya-san. At pumunta sa pintuan at nagsalita.

"Let's go back to the session room. Things might have changed." Sabi niy Mamiya-san sa amin na hindi man lang lumilingon at dire-diretso ang lakad.

Pagdating naming lahat sa session room na pinangggalingan rin namin. We decided to talk about it. At ako ang nagsimula ng tanong.

"Do you know anything about the 23:57 urban legend, Mamiya-san?"

Ngumiti si Mamiya-san at hindi naputol ang reaction nito. Walang gulat or any change ng facial expression nito sa sinabi ko. Inayos lang niya ang salamin niya habang nakangiti. She walked towards her desk in and opened a drawer.

I am anticipating that something will be unveiled. I think my girlfriend is anticipating this too.

She took Dr. Carl Higashi's ID inside.

"This was the only item found when he committed suicide four years ago. My fiance was one of the thirteen people who died in the 23:57 incident. By the way, How did you meet my finace?"

Nagkatinginan na naman kami ni Ayako. Napansin ko na bahagyang isinara ni ayako ang kamay niya na nasa tuhod niya. Kapag ganito ang ginagaw niya, hindi siya komportable sa mga nangyayari. Hinawakan ko ang kamay niya.

" We met him when I was admitted in Shibuya Hospital. Few days back. And as you;ve said earlier, he already died four years ago. We just happen to talk to while I was there. I suppose you know what I mean."

Nanlaki ang mata niya.

"I need to go to Shibuya Hospital!" tumayo siya.

Galit siya. Kitang kita ko na nanginginig pa siya sa galit. Something far different from her usual cheerful but professional attitude towards us. Bakit galit siya?

"Wait, you can't go to Shibuya Hospital." Pigil ko sa kanya. Hawak hawak ko ang braso niya. At hawak rin ni Ayako ang balikat ni Mamiya-san.

"He was gone along with Nurse Riiko. They took the soul of Daisy—" Napatigil ako. Bakit nga ba banggit ako ng banggit ng pangalan, di naman niya kilala yun. "— Daisy is also one of the cursed ones. A mysterious ghost along with Dr. Higashi and the nurse took her soul with them. I know what I'm saying to you now is shocking but—"

Di pa ako nakakatapos ay biglang sumagot si Mamiya-san.

"So even after death, he is with that nurse! You don't have to explain, Kobayashi-san. I know about the curse. And I am cursed too by going to Shibuya Station and rode the last train. I decided to curse myself."

"Why would you do that?!" Ayako asked

"My reason is pretty complicated. I loved him. Actually, up until now, I still love him." At tumulo na ang luha niya. Inalis niya ang salamin at kitang kita na parang nanghina na siya habang pinupunasan niya ang luha niya.

"Carl and I had a wonderful relationship. It was perfect that we decided to get married. Then, one day, he just became cold. He became different. Then, I found out that he was cheating. He was with that nurse!"