The train pulled away as they settled down. The lavender girl squeezed uncomfortably close into the booth gifting Daiki an angry glare. It was obvious that she was still upset over a promise he hadn’t made, but there was no use helping it. He wasn’t sure how she located him without directly following behind or using some type of connecting link, but she was here now and it didn’t matter. Suddenly he was enlightened! Taking advantage of this unexpected encounter would be beneficial. He would be able to lend his ears to her tonight and use the next day to study for his midterms. It was the perfect plan.

“We have plenty of time right now. Why don’t you start your story?”

“Hmph! Finally! I thought you’d never ask!” the lavender girl puffed. “Let’s see, as I recall…”

Abruptly, she stopped speaking and stared into space. Her pause seemed unending though it only lasted seven seconds. Perhaps she didn’t know where to start since the proclaimed story was so long. Turning his eyes in focus, Daiki witnessed the lavender girl’s facial expression change from excited to confused. “This doesn’t look good,” he thought. Daiki, who had stayed true to his word bent on full-heartedly listening, grew worried. He knew what was coming next. Quickly, she spun to face him, sharing what just dawned on her. “I don’t remember what happened.”

“What do you mean you don’t remember?” he questioned.

“I just don’t! But I totally know it was something important! It’s the whole reason I’m here in the first place!”

“But you don’t remember?” 

She agreed in defeat, so much for killing two birds with one stone. He sat with a blank face and she with a disappointed one. Daiki wondered what the appropriate course of action was. If the lavender girl couldn’t remember why she needed the help in the first place, was there a real reason to stay and listen? The answer he reached was “no” and admittingly it made him feel bad. The truth is he had better things to do, after all, a living person has a different life from the dead. Turning to deliver his thoughts, he witnessed sadness envelop her. This time she wasn’t crying but for some reason, it hit him harder and the unnerving guilt built. Maybe it would be better to try somewhere than not try at all. If there wasn’t a road to start on, they could just make one themselves.

“Why don’t you try and make a guess as to what you need help for then?” Daiki questioned. “Even if it’s wrong, maybe the speculations could lead to the real answer in the future. The best thing you could do right now is to try and start somewhere right?”

“But wouldn’t it just be a waste of time if we didn’t get anywhere at all?” she responded hopelessly. “There has to be a reason why I don’t remember what happened. Maybe I shouldn’t bother. ”

“That’s true. You could save the time right now and live on with unanswered questions. Or you could fight back to find out whether you forgot because you wanted to or if you were forced to.”

She found herself analyzing his argument. He was right. Up until they actually spoke in the storage unit, she remembered everything, but now it was all gone. Why was that? As she pondered, Daiki continued to stare. Honestly, he didn’t want to help but he was curious about the strange connection their souls shared. In the midst of thought, her lavender eyes entrapped him in wonder. They were actually brighter than portrayed. The sight of her giving serious thought to her next move was impressive. Just seconds ago she wanted to give up, but now she looked like she was ready to grapple. Suddenly she retracted from her thoughts, quickly turning to him to share her resolve.

“I think… I want to be saved.”

“Saved?” he responded wide-eyed. “That’s a little broad though don’t you think?”
“Well, you said to make a guess and for some reason, I get the feeling that I need help.”

“You think?” Daiki mused in thought. It was pretty obvious that many ghosts weren’t able to pass on because they held regrets or were unhappy. Naturally, they would begin wondering about receiving help even in their afterlife, but he didn’t argue. It was the simplest answer but it would still let them start somewhere.

“Fine. That’ll be the goal but what’ll you do if you fail?”

“There’s no room for failure!” She bellowed. “I know that all I’ve done was ask for too much but I don’t want to give up and I need someone who won’t give up on me. Not until I the get answers I need!”

Her eyes burned like fire and the words that spilled out of her mouth struck through him. There was no definitive way he would be able to save her but her sheer determination intrigued him. For the first time, someone else’s pure motive drove him so there was just one thing left to ask.

“If I help what’s in it for me?”  “Oh… I suppose you would want a prize… How about I be your girlfriend?!” She teased. “Not interested, especially in a ghost chick. But I do admit that I'd feel bad if I didn't help for at least a little while. Until you have something to offer me, I'll only lend a hand for a few days.”

“Do you really mean it?” “Sure. I'll give it my all.” She squinted with uncertainty. “Do you promise me?” “Not until you bring something to the table. Once you do, I will.” Daiki replied. The girl nodded accepting his terms. She wished he would do it for free but since he was going out of his way to help at all, she thought she would take it. 

“Good. Let’s get started with the basics at least. What is your name? Mine is Umehara Daiki.
The Lavender girl excitedly responded. “Hi, Umehara! I am-!” Her voice cut off. She froze still for a moment, triggering Daiki to experience deja Vu. This wasn’t looking good, again. “I…Don’t remember,” she said glooming over. He sat back and had no words to exchange throughout the rest of the ride. When the train pulled into his exit station, he swiftly got up and left with her following behind, holding her head low. That night, Daiki brought out some blankets and laid them on the sofa. She didn’t need them but he was considerate and treated her as if she did. It was decided that she could stay with him. At nineteen years old in his off-campus one-bedroom apartment, Daiki became haunted by the ghost girl whom he promised to save.  The nickname he bestowed on her was “Saki” short for Murasaki, meaning purple.

___

The next day during his free time Saki and Daiki sat together in his living room to discuss her existing and lost memories. It was easily determined that she had no recollection of numbers and names. Whether it be her birthday, family, friends, or even a brand of candy she loved to eat, she couldn’t recall any of it. And though the events leading to her death were a mystery, she could remember other things such as what her bedroom looked like and familiar faces.

“So is there anything that you remember from the surroundings where you lived then? Any big landmarks?” Daiki asked.

“Hrmm… There were a lot of pink and white trees! Oh, and the trees closest to the nearby bridge had the best shade so I often sat under them to eat snacks!”
He stared over at her unimpressed. “ Yeah, you’re referring to the Cherry Blossom trees. Isn’t there anything else? You know, like a natural monument or a special statue?”
“Right! Cherry blossoms! Wait, they are a natural monument,” she scowled.
“Here in Japan, yes, but they aren’t helpful in this situation. Especially since they can be found everywhere here.”

“Umm, I think I remember a mountain.”
“Do you think it was Fuji or perhaps remember the elevation?”
“What’s a Fuji? Elevation?”
“Oh, sorry. I forgot you wouldn’t be familiar with names and numbers.”

Daiki sighed as this was proving to be harder than it seemed. He wondered if they would be able to save her at all but he was a man true to his word. Suddenly his empty stomach complained, dictating that it was time for lunch. Saki after reminding him about leaving her waiting in the storage unit insisted on tagging along. At first, he demanded her stay as he wouldn’t abandon home but she was headstrong and stubborn, and eventually, he gave up. 

As they walked the streets of Kyoto, Saki rejoiced in awe witnessing the stores and landscapes. Like a child, she wandered off and often became lost, so much so that Daiki thought it was a hassle. He thought he would teach her a lesson to stay close and stepped into a toy store where he got a good view from where they last split. “Umehara-san! Look here! I got us some food,” Saki exclaimed popping up behind him. “You’re hungry right!?” Daiki jumped in surprise. There was no way that she saw him enter the toy store so how did she do it? Giving into the mystery he answered her, “Wait, how are you even holding that?”.

“Oh, I don’t know. But I saw them sitting there and I just picked them up. They’re delicious! Wanna have a try?”

“Saw them? Where?”

“They were on the graves up the road!”
“So…you took food that was offered to someone else? Right off the gravestone?”
“Yeah! It’s fresh food! If the old man wanted it, he would have come back and taken it but it’s mine now,” Saki proclaimed stuffing down the food.
“Great. She’s a thief too,” he muttered to himself again.

Within fifteen minutes, Daiki scolded Saki, purchased food from a vendor, and returned to the gravesite with her. As they arrived at the tombstone, Daiki saw that the food she had stolen was still sitting there, the physical form at least. He looked over to see the beautiful coloration of cooking sitting on her hands but what was left behind on the grave was a full meal that looked dry and old. It was as if Saki was able to take the spiritual essence of it leaving behind an aged version. Regardless, they left behind the freshly cooked food and an apologetic prayer.

This was going to be a long day.