I turn to see that he is not following me. 

To my delight, he takes it without much discussion. 

Triumphantly, I walk up the stairs to the little boy who is waiting for me. I smile at him. 

His mother is still talking on the phone. It is only when she notices me that she ends the call. She thanks me and takes the ball. 

I wave to the boy.
As I turn around, someone tugs at my dress. 

 Fortunately, it's the little boy who gives me a lollipop. 

I thank him, my mind racing. What would have happened if I had never followed that ball? 

Then that Yokai wouldn't have shown up and I'd never have known what kind of necklace was around my neck. 

But according to that Yokai, something paranormal would have happened to me anyway. 

Well, the haunting was over before it began.
The rain has stopped, and waiting outside seems to make more sense than staying in here. 

"There you are at last," Dr. Stalker greets me to my astonishment. 

At this moment, I really wonder if the creature inside the station or the one outside is worse.
"What are you doing here?"
He shakes his head theatrically. 

"I think that's a fair question," I counter his reaction sharply.
"Your mother called me. She told me that the trip was probably not going to happen. So she asked me to pick you up. I've been waiting for you to come back ever since," he replies, especially at the end, with a hint of irony.
"How touching. Now we are together." 

Goosebumps cover me at my own words.
"Get in. We have a long, quiet ride ahead of us," he grins mischievously. 

I roll my eyes and walk past him. He laughs heartily. 

What a great babysitter my mother has chosen for me.
Three days have passed, and nothing supernatural has happened since then. 

Not that I want to experience something like that, but somehow it wouldn't be bad. 

Especially now.
"Asta, could you pass the sauce?" he looks at me with a charming smile. 

How wonderful it would be if this Dr. Stalker were haunted by some kind of creature. 

But no! Reluctantly, under my mother's stern gaze, I hand him the sauce. 

I even force a smile out of my mouth. Unfortunately, he is already attached to our family like a tick. 

Our pathetic attempts to get rid of him always end in disaster.
Why can't I get rid of him? His natural charm and strange luck just keep helping him. 

So I'm not surprised that Lauren gave up on him years ago. 

He just avoids him. 

I try to do the same, but it doesn't work because of my mother. 

She's the one who's most taken with him. 

She goes on and on about him every day. 

Lewin there, Lewin here. 

My mum is already flirting with him quite conspicuously. 

If he were a few years older, he'd probably be my stepdad. 

But these days, age doesn't really matter. 

Just the thought of it makes me want to throw up on the table.
"Asta, you look so pale," he looks at me with unusual concern. 

Of course, he of all people must be sitting in front of me, secretly watching my every move.
"Excuse me," I say, picking up my empty plate and disappearing towards the kitchen. 

At this moment, I wish with all my heart that a Yokai would tear this Dr. Stalker out of my life. 

Or just keep him away. We don't want that. 

To this day, I still don't understand why he doesn't stay out of my way? 

He can clearly see that I'm not interested in him. 

Yet he forces himself on me.
Suddenly, the doorbell rings. 

"I'll go," I volunteer, eager to escape his presence. 

As I walk to the door, my mind whirls with frustration and fear. 

How can I deal with this intrusive doctor and the strange new world of Yokai at the same time?