Chapter 20 – The Ghosts Within

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"I'm home!"

Yotsuya Miko pushed open the door to her quiet two-story home. The house stood still and tidy, but its silence told a different story—one where laughter had been replaced by shadows.

"Welcome home, Miko~" came the warm voice of her mother, Yotsuya Tōko, who stepped out from the kitchen.

She was elegant, composed, and bore a striking resemblance to Miko—just enough for anyone to guess they were mother and daughter. But behind her gentle smile lingered the ache of loss, of a husband and son long gone.

"Oh? A guest today?" Tōko's eyes sparkled with curiosity as she spotted Ethan Kane walking in behind her daughter. "My, a handsome one too!"

"Hello, ma'am," Ethan greeted her with a respectful smile. "I'm Ethan Kane, a transfer student at Sobu High School."

"From overseas?" she asked, noting his fluent Japanese.

"Yes, ma'am. I transferred from the U.S."

Tōko raised an eyebrow, intrigued. A foreign student and a gentleman? She was already putting two and two together. "Well, any friend of Miko's is welcome here."

"Mom! Stop interrogating him like you're meeting a future son-in-law!" Miko hissed, cheeks burning.

"I'm just making conversation," Tōko teased, clearly enjoying the moment. "You sure you're just friends?"

"Mom!" Miko gasped, looking as if she'd melt into the floor. "We're just… just studying!"

"Oh? Studying? Right. I'll give you two some space then," Tōko winked and returned to the kitchen.

Ethan chuckled. "She's sharp."

Miko groaned. "She's embarrassing!"

—

They settled in the living room. Framed family photos decorated the walls—memories of smiles frozen in time. Miko's eyes lingered on one of her father and younger brother.

"Do you sense them?" she asked in a whisper.

Ethan closed his eyes briefly. "Yes. They're here… but dormant. Almost like they're asleep."

Miko's heart fluttered. "So… they're not hostile?"

"Not yet. But to be sure, we need to coax them out. Maybe trigger something emotionally powerful."

"Emotionally… like what?" Miko asked.

Ethan smiled slyly. "I don't know, something that might upset an overprotective dad and a bratty younger brother?"

Miko blinked. Then her eyes widened as she realized what he meant.

"Wait! You don't mean—!!" she blushed furiously.

"I'm talking about their favorite foods," Ethan deadpanned. "What were you thinking?"

"I—I wasn't thinking anything!" she snapped, covering her face.

Ethan stood and grinned. "Good idea, though. Let's try that."

"I didn't suggest anything!!"

But before she could fluster any further, Ethan gently lifted her chin.

"Your beloved daughter and little sister is about to be stolen away by a bad man…" he said in a mock-dramatic tone, lips curling into a grin.

"Wha—?!" Miko froze as Ethan leaned closer. Her heart raced. Her eyes fluttered shut.

But just before their lips could meet—

BANG!

The portraits of her father and brother rattled violently on the wall.

Two glowing figures burst into the room—one tall and one short. Transparent, ghostly echoes of the family she had lost.

"Step away from my daughter!!" roared the spirit of Yotsuya Ichiro, her father.

"Get away from my sister, you creeper!!" snapped Yotsuya Kyousuke, her little brother.

Ethan barely managed to dodge a ghostly punch—well, more like a claw swipe—from Ichiro.

Kyousuke transformed his arms into ghostly spikes, preparing to ambush Ethan from behind.

"Stop! Kyousuke, he's not the enemy!" Miko shouted.

Both ghosts halted mid-attack.

"You… you can see us?" Ichiro asked, astonished.

Miko hesitated, heart pounding. But she nodded.

"Yes… I've been able to see you both for a while now. I didn't know how to say it. I was scared."

Ethan stepped beside her and gently held her hand. "It's okay. I'm right here."

With tears forming in her eyes, Miko looked at her family and spoke clearly: "Dad. Kyousuke. I can see you. I've missed you."

Ichiro's face lit up, tears brimming in his ghostly eyes. "Miko…!"

"Big sis!!" Kyousuke shouted, rushing forward.

But—

BOOM!

A burst of Haki pressure exploded from Ethan, freezing them in place.

Miko turned, alarmed. "Ethan?!"

He lowered his hand, eyes calm.

"Don't worry. They're real. They're still themselves… just overwhelmed."

Ichiro and Kyousuke looked at him warily.

"Who… are you?"

Ethan smiled softly.

"The man who'll keep your daughter safe."

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To Be Continued…

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