Supernatural Investigation 101: Chronicles Of Nakashima Wakana

The interior of the mansion is even better than the exterior. The geometric design on the wallpaper contrasts the beautiful paintings on the walls. As they pass through the hallway, they reach the sitting room. There's not a speck of dust. Dressed in a black long dress, an elegant woman is sitting on the chair. Her skin is yellowish and patchy, just like the boy outside. 

This lady is sick. Wakana stands next to Choi Minho, not realizing that back of her hand is touching his finger. She narrows her eyes. At a time like this, she wishes that her powers would work. 

Why is she so oblivious? He sighs and puts his hand inside the pocket of his trouser. He is still a man. She should be keeping her distance. Crossing the hell was easier than standing next to the woman who doesn't belong to him. He elbows her. "Start, Miss Nakashima."

"Start what?" She looks at him. 

"Questioning." He whispers to her. He's a mentor to her. Even if he knows the answer already, he can't hand them out to her on a plate. She's the one who decided to become a part of the investigation agency when she's so scared of ghosts. If she hadn't done it, he wouldn't have come to her side. The idiotic side is cute, but he admits that it also attracts troubles.

"Ahem!" Straightening her back, Wakana clears her throat.  "Ms Okuyama, we are from the police station. We came here to investigate your husband's and son's deaths. We will ask you a few questions."

"Again…" The lady lets out an exhausted sigh. "Please take a seat."

They sit on the right side of the lady. Wakana wonders where to start from. She has some questions, but the lady looks so sad. What should she ask first? When he elbows her again, she gives him a little kick on his foot. Why does he keep elbowing her? "How did your husband die?"

Big drops of tears roll out of Ms Okuyama's eyes. Though it's been two months since he died, the pain of losing her husband is not lessening with time. She's been married to that man for thirty years. She hasn't forgotten him for a moment. Only she knows how she's bearing the pain to live without him. 

"Ms Okuyuama." Wakana senses her pain. She leans forward and says with pity in her eyes, "It must be difficult for you."

"It doesn't get better." Ms Okuyama wipes her tears and sniffles, "He was fine that day. After dinner, we went to bed. Later, I realized that he wasn't beside me. I went to find him… and he was in Shun's room… His body w-was… was…"

Ms Okuyama hyperventilates when she recalls the sight of her husband's body. Wakana raises her hand to touch Ms Okuyama to soothe her. Before she could do that, Choi Minho grabs her hand and pulls it back. She furrows her brows. He touches her anytime and wherever he wants. Does he think that she's a fool who wouldn't recognize him when he's acting so familiar with her? Annoyed, Wakana jerks his hand away. But she doesn't dare to say a word. She's sure that he would start flirting the moment she mentions that they have met before.

Shameless flirtatious ghost!

"You don't have to continue," Choi Minho tells the weary woman. His voice is light and calm, showing no indication that he could hear her cursing him in her mind. However, she's wrong about him. She hasn't seen his shameless side yet.  "Tell us about Shun."

"Shun was…" A rueful smile appears on Ms Okuyama's lips. "Good."

"Good?" Wakana studies the lady. Is that all? 

"We always knew that he wouldn't live long." Ms Okuyama continues talking with a dazed look in her eyes, He had a pancreatic disease. We tried our best to keep him alive, but --"

Clang! 

Ms Okuyama jumps in her seat, wide-eyed and afraid. She looks toward the stairs. Wakana follows the lady's gaze and sees the same young boy standing at the bottom of the staircase. The pieces of the vase are on the floor. It seems that the boy bumped into it. 

"Mikio, you should be resting." Ms Okuyama scurries toward her third son. "Don't roam around like this."

"Who are they?" Mikio gestures toward Wakana.

"They are from the police station." Ms Okuyama turns toward Wakana and Minho and gives them an apologetic nod. "I will be right back."

Ms Okuyama helps Mikiko climb the stairs. Wakana watches them quietly. All of a sudden, the hair on the back of her neck erects. She looks back and doesn't see what she expected to see. The air is turning cold. She senses something behind her.

"There are three ghosts in this room." She hears his voice, cold and detached. "You can't see them because someone suppressed your ability. Do you want me to undo it? You will be able to sense them and see the memories like you used to?"

Wakana stares at his face. "How long are you going to pretend?"

"Pretend what?" He smirks at her, "You are not going to say that you and I have met before, are you? Miss Nakashima, a lot of girls have used that ancient line to flirt with me. If you keep saying stuff like that, I might…"

This guy keeps playing with her. There's a limit to everything. He knows that she knows, but he would not come out to her. "You might what?" 

He leans closer to her and bends down his head with an amused smile. "Do you want to cheat on your boyfriend, Nakashima Wakana? If so, then you have met the right guy."

"You crazy!" She pushes him away, shocked. "Have you lost your mind? I will never cheat on him."

"Then, stop giving me ambiguous hints." He shrugs and looks away. "I have never met you before."

"I will see how long you can pretend," She grumbles.

He can pretend for eternity. Choi Minho stares at the pieces of the broken vase. He's one of those people who can put the vase together again. However, it still won't be the same vase. The vase will contain his imprint. "I am not pretending."

"Liars go to hell." Wakana scowls at him.

He's already been to hell. 

After a pause, he hears her say, "Mr Choi, I have already decided to accept this part of me when I became a part of the supernatural investigation agency. If you can undo it, do it then."

Choi Minho gazes at her, observing her quietly. "Are you sure?"

"I am sure." She replies with a cool voice, "I don't know why you have been protecting me for all these years or why you pretend that you don't know me. You must have a good reason to continue doing this. However, I don't want to be a burden anymore. I will protect myself from now on."