After seeing my own hands—no, my whole body—I realized that I was no longer something visible in my grandmother's eyes, or in anyone's eyes at all.They could no longer see me.
Earlier, Ms. Colle came over to take care of Grandma.I rushed out to greet her, hoping—just hoping—that she would notice me.
But she didn't.She walked straight through me, through my body as if I were nothing but air.Ms. Colle couldn't see me either!
Panic crushed me to the floor.I collapsed, trembling in despair.
Then I noticed something even more terrifying—I had no shadow.
My eyes widened, the horror inside me growing by the second.
At that moment, I finally understood:I… had truly died.
I stood there, blank and empty, watching Ms. Colle lead my grandmother into her room to rest.
So… I really was dead?All this time I believed that when a person dies, they go to Heaven or Hell.Yet I was still here.Had God… not called for me yet?
The door to Grandma's room closed softly.She would be well taken care of by Ms. Colle, I told myself.
I should… go somewhere.See something.
When I walked toward the front door, an unreasonable hope flickered inside me—that someone outside might still see me.Even though I knew I was dead,my heart refused to accept it.
And I wanted to go back to that alley…the place where those monsters killed me.It wasn't a pleasant thought,but I wanted to see Koki again.Ever since becoming a spirit, I hadn't seen him anywhere.
Was he still alive…or had he died because of me?
I stepped slowly toward the outside—and my eyes flew wide open.
Something invisible was blocking me.
I couldn't go out.It was like a wall—a barrier I couldn't pass.
I tried everything to break through it,but no matter how I pushed, ran, or screamed,I was trapped.
As expected…there really was an invisible wall.
I was now nothing more than an invisible soul—unable to touch objects,unable to speak to anyone,unable to be seen.And worse yet,I was trapped inside my own grandmother's house.
Why?Why was this invisible wall here?
I sat down, thinking and thinking…
Then it hit me.
Grandma once told me:
"Those who die without fulfilling their final wish cannot pass on.Only when that wish is fulfilled can their soul be freed."
Remembering her words,I tried recalling the moment that stone smashed into my skull—the pain,the shock,the fading consciousness…
What had I wished for?
Ah—I remembered.
Yes…At that moment, I really did have a wish.
I wished for my grandmother to stay healthy.And for Koki…to not die.
That was it.
But this…this was a wish I could not fulfill anymore.
I wasn't human.I wasn't alive.I couldn't even touch anything.
Grandma's health was entirely in the hands of the living.And Koki…I didn't know what had happened to him.
He had to be alive.He had to be.Koki was strong…not weak like me…so surely he was still—
Was I comforting myself with lies?
How foolish.
At first, I couldn't accept that I had become a ghost.But slowly…my denial began to crumble.
I watched everything continue without me.
Grandma grew weaker every day.She burned with fever, coughed endlessly.Watching her suffer on that bedwhile I could do absolutely nothingfilled me with a hatred toward myself I cannot describe.
The little house was quiet,its yard filled with the scent of grass and flowers.But inside…was a lonely old womanwho placed white lilies on her granddaughter's altar every day,and then slowly lay back down on her bed alone.
And I—her granddaughter—could only stand and watch.Everything.
From the white lilies she placed on my picture,to the handkerchief she held—the one I used to like holding.
Grandma…did you know?Your granddaughter has always been here.Right beside you.
Days passed.
The flowers in the vase were always fresh—until today.
They were starting to wilt.
Ms. Colle had gone away for work,so no one had been caring for Grandma.She had to go to the market by herself,even though she was already too weak.
And she still hadn't come back.
Had something terrible happened?
No—NO.I refused to think that.Grandma must have stopped by someone's house to chat for a bit…Right?Just a little longer than usual…
Yes.That had to be it.
I waited.I sat on the wooden chair, watching the clock tick.
The sun set.
Why hasn't Grandma come home?
Night fell.
Why hasn't Grandma come home?
Morning came.
Why hasn't Grandma come home?
Noon sun blazed.
Why hasn't she come home?
Night again.The flowers wilted completely.Still no sign of her.
One week passed.
Two weeks.
Three weeks.Dust coated the house.
[...]
One year passed.
Grandma…why haven't you come home…?
"Haha…"My laughter echoed through the old, worn house.
"I'm sure Grandma is just staying at someone's house… right… Grandma…?"
My eyes had become pale, empty.My face had no expression left—not sadness,not anger.Just a broken smile.
I wanted to cry,but I couldn't.
Dust filled the house.Spiderwebs covered everything.Vines crawled across the wooden chair Grandma once sat in.The bed was rotten,its sheets blackened by time.
"Why… haven't you… come home yet… Grandma…?"
[ End Chapter 2 ]
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