Nikko ran.

Through the dark, alleyway.

Ugh, this again?

Nikko had control of herself this time though. She turned around to face a large, demonic creature.

This is just a memory.

The creature closed in on her.

Just a memory.

The creature was barely a metre in front of her.

He’ll come to the rescue. He will.

The creature raised one of its thin arms, prepared to strike.

Koduro Daisuke… he will come.

Koduro Daisuke did not come. The creature swung its claws. Nikko felt an agonizing pain in her chest.

“Ngh!” Nikko retched, stumbling backwards and held onto her chest. The demon before her vanished, and she felt the presence of someone else behind her. She turned her head and saw the face of Hanabei Mina. Nikko then looked down at her chest – to see the tip of a blade protruding from where her heart was located. The blade then disappeared, and so did Mina. Nikko collapsed face up onto the ground, gasping for breath. Am I dying? Nikko closed her eyes.

Sugimura Nikko, a soothing voice spoke. Wake up, your time is not up yet.

Nikko sprang up and opened her eyes. She was not in a damp, dark alleyway. She looked around to find herself seated on a bed in what seemed to be an infirmary.

“You’re awake,” the same voice said. Nikko turned to her right to see Daisuke seated by her side.

“K-Koduro-san?” Nikko croaked as she clutched the area on her chest where her wound was. She looked down to notice that she was not wearing her usual school uniform, but a white patient’s robe. Though she could not see it, she could feel bandages wrapped firmly around her chest under her robes.

“Please, lay back down. You’re still recovering.”

Nikko obediently did as she was told. “B-But… didn’t I…?”

“Die?” Daisuke finished her question. “For a moment, yes you did. You’ve been brought back to life.”

“I was resurrected? But I was killed by that Hanabei person.”

“Hanabei Mina was an ex-spirit chaser,” Daisuke said. “So in theory, you were revivable.”

“She was, huh?” Nikko said, pulling the bedsheets up to her chin. “So that means I’m in your… what realm was it called again?”

“Alternate realm. Yes, you aren’t in your previous world anymore.”

“I guess that’s pretty cool, but…” Nikko’s face dropped as she realised it. “My existence back home…”

Daisuke remained quiet.

The infirmary doors suwng open. Sekai walked into the room. “How’s she doing? Oh? She’s up!”

Nikko heaved herself further up against her pillow to get a better look at Sekai. She was fascinated by the tall and lean figure that complimented Sekai’s pretty face, it reminded her of those models or actresses she had seen on TV.

“How are you feeling, Sugimura-san?” Sekai asked with a warm smile as she stood on the left side of Nikko’s bed. “

“I-I’m feeling alright I guess,” Nikko replied.

“That’s good, I’ll fetch you a cup of water,” Sekai said as she turned and walked towards the water dispenser by the entrance of the room.

“That’s Hanamori Sekai,” Daisuke mentioned while Sekai filled up a cup of water. “She’s my 2nd in command.”

“Pleased to meet you!” Sekai grinned from the dispenser and went back to Nikko with a cup.

“Nice to meet you too,” Nikko returned a weak smile as she grabbed the cup and took a sip.

“Sekai here is the one who discovered your spirit capacity all those years ago,” Daisuke said as he looked up at Sekai. “She has an ability that allows her to sense and locate mortals with spirit capacities in the mortal world. That’s how I was able to rescue you from your first Vallista attack.”

“O-Oh,” Nikko glanced at her. “T-Thanks!”

“Don’t mention it,” Sekai said as she folded her arms behind her. “I was supposed to take Daisuke-kun’s place in the mortal realm to protected you this time, but I wasn’t fully fit to take on that job.”. Sekai’s face dropped as she said that. “If it was me that was looking after you instead of Daisuke-kun… Hanabei Mina might not have appeared… and you wouldn’t be…”

“Sekai…” Daisuke looked at her. “It’s not your fault.”

“Yeah Hanamori-san, don’t blame yourself,” Nikko agreed. Despite acknowledging that her life has changed forever, she managed to bring herself to accept the situation she had suddenly been thrown into. She thought about her mother, who now would be left without her husband and daughter. She also thought about the dinner her mom was going to make for her. She said it would be her favourite. She pondered on what it could have been. Perhaps it was grilled salmon? Maybe cod. Or eel.

“Don’t worry about your mother,” Daisuke said, as if he could read Nikko’s mind, the part about her mother, at least. “As I said, once you are brought back into this realm, all memories of you will be gone. It may be sad to hear, but your mother will continue living believing she never had a daughter.”

Nikko stared down at her bedsheets. “Y’know… that sounds really messed up… hiding the truth from us mortals.”

“Sometimes it’s better not knowing the truth,” Daisuke said. “And you should get used to not associating yourself with mortals anymore. You’re one of us now.”

“Y-Yeah… I’ll… still be able to see my mother, right? From afar at least.”

“You can.”

“Anyway,” Nikko said as she rolled her neck around. “How long have I been unconscious for? My body feels really stiff.”

“A week,” Sekai answered.

“A-A week?” Nikko repeated, eyed wide.

“It takes awhile for your body and mind to adjust to the changes in your spirit when you are resurrected,” Daisuke explained. “You might feel much weaker than usual over the next few days.”

“I see,” Nikko turned her attention to Daisuke, then shifted her body forwards and towards the edge of the bed. “I would like to stand up. My joints kinda hurt.”

Sekai helped Nikko off the bed and onto her feet. She stumbled forwards a bit but Sekai was there to prevent her from falling. “Thanks, Hanamori-san.”

“Easy there,” Sekai said as she held onto Nikko’s right arm. “You can just call me Sekai, by the way.”

“O-Oh ok, Sekai-san!”

Sekai grinned. “Come one, I’ll bring you to your new room!”