CH:05. New Client.

"You know, it's obvious you weren't paying attention to the announcement in class earlier."

Ayame rested her chin on the table, idly rolling a crystal ball between her fingers.

Ryo sighed, crossing his arms. "Just tell me what really happened to you. Hurry up before a client shows up." He just wanted to get this conversation over with—he had no interest in getting dragged into any trouble.

He needs to work!

"I'm in a coma," Ayame said casually. "Which means my body is still alive."

"Ow, that explains it," Ryo muttered. No wonder she didn't look like a typical ghost. There was an odd glow surrounding her—a faint purple aura, the same color as her spirit core.

"So, do you want me to help you return to your body?" Ryo asked. "But let me warn you—this won't be cheap. I've never seen a case like yours before." Normally, the spirits he encountered were, well... dead.

"Hmm... nah, I'm good," Ayame said, waving him off. "I'm actually enjoying this whole ghost thing."

Ryo frowned. That answer didn't sit right with him.

"Have you even thought about your parents? Aren't you worried about them? Do you know how expensive it is to stay in a hospital? Your bill will probably be through the roof by now. Oh, but I guess that doesn't matter to you, huh? You're rich, so money's not an issue," Ryo scoffed, checking his phone for any client appointments that night.

Deep down, he knew he shouldn't get involved in Ayame's decisions. He also knew his irritation wasn't really about her—it was about the unfairness of it all. Growing up with nothing, he couldn't understand how some people treated money like it was nothing.

"They're never around," Ayame said, her voice softer this time. "Even when I was hospitalized, they only visited me once."

Ryo looked up, caught off guard. He had been too quick to judge her. He had assumed she was just another spoiled rich kid, but now he realized there was more to her story.

"...Sorry," he muttered, adjusting his glasses.

"No worries," Ayame said with a small smile. "And don't stress. I'll go back to my body soon. I just want to enjoy this for another week. So... can I tag along with you for now? After that, I promise I'll never gonna disturb you ever!"

Ryo let out a deep sigh. Now that he understood her situation, how could he say no? 

He was a softhearted fellow, after all.

"Fine. You can come with me—but on one condition. You have to help me solve my clients' problems."

The moment he said that Ayame's eyes sparkled with excitement. She grinned.

Her first mission as a ghost was about to begin.

"Speaking of the client."

Ryo and Ayame paused their conversation when Ryo spotted a ghostly figure outside the tent. It was a high school boy—his uniform stained with blood, a deep wound visible on his side. It looked like he had been stabbed.

"Good evening. Is 'Service Charge' here?" the ghost asked as he stepped into the tent.

Ryo immediately gestured for Ayame to move from the chair. She floated behind him without question, giving the new client space.

"Take a seat. How can we help you?" Ryo asked his tone all business. 

The ghost sat down, shoulders slumped. His expression was heavy with grief.

"I want to talk to my mom," he said quietly.

Ryo and Ayame exchanged glances.

For Ryo, this was a simple case. The real question was—how was this ghost planning to pay him? He had to think about profit first, after all.

"Alright, I can help you," Ryo said, leaning forward. "But what's in it for me? Can you afford my services?"

Business mode: activated.

The ghost hesitated before answering. "I have savings. I keep my piggy bank hidden, and there's about ¥100,000 in it. No one else knows where it is. If you go to my house, you can have it."

Ryo's eyes lit up. At that moment, the yen symbol flashed across his blue eyes, like seeing the ghost in front of him like a bag of money!

"Deal! When do you want to contact her? I'm free tonight!" Ryo grinned, practically vibrating with excitement. This was the first time he'd ever had a paying ghost client.

"I can take you to my house now," Akito said. "But I'm warning you—my mom isn't easy to talk to. Ever since I died, she's been short-tempered and moody. She barely talks to anyone. And I can't even enter the house anymore... so you two will have to go in without me."

Ryo frowned. "Wait, hold up, what's your name again? And why can't you enter your own house? Ghosts are supposed to be able to return to places connected to their families, no matter where they died."

"My name's Akito and I don't know why, but every time I try to step inside, something stops me—like an invisible force blocking me at the gate."

There were only two possible explanations for that, and Ryo knew it. Either another spirit had taken up residence there, or the house was sealed with talismans to keep wandering ghosts out.

"Alright, show us the way. We should move now while it's still daytime," Ryo said.

Akito nodded and started leading the way. Ayame followed behind while Ryo flipped the sign on his tent from "Open" to "Closed" before heading out.

It didn't take long to reach Akito's house. It was near the riverbank—not surprising, considering how he'd found Ryo. After all, Ryo's number was plastered all over public restrooms in their community. Akito had seen plenty of ghosts gathering under the bridge, so he figured it was worth a shot to approach the infamous "Service Charge."

"We're here," Akito announced after a short walk.

They stopped in front of a modest Japanese Muji-style house. At first glance, it looked normal. But something was off.

"Whoa... your house looks like it's in the middle of a storm," Ayame commented, tilting her head.

Ryo saw it, too. A dark aura swirled around the building, thick and ominous—something only they could see. Among the neat row of houses on the street, Akito's was the only one radiating pure, unfiltered bad energy.

Ryo swallowed hard. He didn't know what kind of spirit was lurking inside, but whatever it was, it wasn't friendly.

"There's no backing out now, Service Charge," Akito muttered, standing behind him, looking as miserable as ever.

Ryo wiped his sweaty palms on his pants.

Was ¥100,000 really worth this mission?

But then he shook his head, steeling himself.

"This is about money! And I need that money!"

And with that, he took a deep breath and stepped forward.