The next day.

Checking the blog post once again, no answer came. Sighing, the young adult could feel hope about to die. Honestly, what was the point in looking at this page anymore? It's not like the person running this thing was checking comments, were they? Of course they weren't! Looking through the web, an alarming message caught his attention.

Social media post reading, haunted sushi restaurant! Like, I went there and the sushi was crying for help. And, then there were two saws next to me trying to take my arms off, the young adult's face grew dark. That wasn't real, was it? It couldn't have been. Maybe he should just cancel, But, ah, no, it would be nice to catch up with his friends, right?

Making breakfast for everyone, the chimera could hear a clap of thunder outside. Hearing such, he sighed. Well, at least the annoying neighbors were inside today. Strix out during daytime, reaching for a pancake, he tilted his head. No sun to keep him in his room, huh? Nocturnality sure had its exceptions.

"So, what are you up to today, kiddo?" Pira asked. "Since you're not opening your odd jobs business yet, you should have some fun."

"Want to play some games?" Strix asked. "It's raining all day, so I don't have to sleep."

[I'm going out for sushi today with some friends.] Slow sliding text across his tablet said.

"Oh, really? Good for you," Strix said smiling. "Thought you'd be pretty bored here by yourself since Hase and Leah are busy with theater stuff and the rest of us are working."

[Don't worry, I'll be too busy working soon anyway.] Slow sliding text across his tablet said.

"Alright, but make sure you work in moderation," Strix said. "These sausage pancakes are great, by the way. Too bad I can't get a nice taste of them often. Wish it would rain here more."

[If you want, I can make you some in the evening.] Slow sliding text across his tablet said.

"It's not fun having pancakes in the evening, though," Strix responded, sighing. He then placed his hand beside his ear. "Someone honked. I think that's your ride."

"Have fun, kiddo," Pira said. "I'll see you in the evening after I'm home from work?"

[Probably. See you later.] Slow sliding text across his tablet said.

Reaching for his shoulder bag, the chimera plopped on a coat. Chill in the air, the hyena's heart grew cold. Hold on, what's going on? It's almost July, so why is it freezing? Something isn't right here at all. But, he brushed such off as he opened the back van door. He was imagining it, surely.

"Good morning, Siorc," Yinlong said. "Wren and Dove said they booked a table for us. You ready to get some sushi?"

[As ready as I'll ever be!] Slow sliding text across his tablet cried.

"Great!" Yinlong exclaimed. "Jiaolong, do you want me to bring you some home?"

"Of course, Yinlong," Jiaolong said. "But, I think I should warn you two about something. There's been reports that this sushi restaurant is haunted. Something about saws coming out of nowhere when you try to pick the sushi up with chopsticks. So, maybe you should use a napkin to pick them up."

"You believe that stuff you read on the internet?" Yinlong asked, sighing. "Come on, Jiaolong, that's just lies someone troll made up!"

"Still, I'd be careful, it could be true," Jiaolong said. "But, you two have fun. Am I bringing your friend, home?"

[I'm going to walk home and take the scenic route.] Slow sliding text across his tablet said. But, he swore he could hear Jiaolong sigh.

"Oh, well, make sure to text me if you change your mind!" Jiaolong cried. "See you later, Yinlong."

Small glass entrance waiting for Yinlong and he, the panda chimera chattered away their reservations. Wren and Dove nibbling away already with their sushi in napkins, an intense wave of unease flowed through him. They're not eating it with chopsticks? How strange. Everyone else picking up theirs with little cloths as well, he swore he could feel a chill in the air. Seating himself, he wondered, should he try to ask for chopsticks to see what happens?

"You two came so late! We're about to leave already!" Wren cried. "We're about to go see another trashy movie. Don't worry about paying for the table, we already did. Ugh, you should have come sooner, you know! Now we don't have time to catch up!"

"It's fine to miss a couple of previews though," Dove said. "Can't we go to the flick a little late?"

"No, the previews are the best part!" Wren cried. "Ugh, as a movie buff, you got to know that by now!"

"This sushi place is all you can eat?" Yinlong asked.

"Did you hear a word of what I just said?!" Wren cried. "You two came too late, and we're leaving soon!" She then sighed. "Yes, it's all you can eat. Don't worry, I already paid for like, a two hour table, so the sushi you guys order is already covered." She then pointed. "And, you two, if I were you, don't order chopsticks! I know you heard the rumors!"

"We don't even know if they're true, though!" Dove cried.

"Ugh, whatever! Don't say I didn't warn you, okay?!" Wren shouted, looking at her watch. "Come on, Dove, let's go, the flick's gonna start in thirty minutes!"

Bird roommate duo leaving, the hyena's eyebrows twitched. That rumor sure was flying around a lot, wasn't it? Yinlong and he ordering big bowls of sushi, chopsticks had not been asked for. Long waiting time kicking off, catching up on lost time fired off. Sushi laid out in front of him, the panda dug into his, but a terrifying tool had been planted next to him.

Chopsticks laid beside the large bowl of sushi, the hyena broke into a sweat. Oh, no, he thought he made it clear he didn't want chopsticks. Eerie little note left next to him reading, to Siorc with a heart next to it, he shivered. Wait a second, how did that employee know his name? Something's not right here.

Staring at the sushi, he almost didn't want to eat it. Was it just him, or did they have eyes? But, he shook his head. No, he was seeing things for sure. Yinlong munching away napkin in hand, his phone soon buzzed up a storm. Ah, man, look at Mr. Popular here. He sure had a lot of friends, did he? Attempting to reach for a maki roll for some reason, his napkin was repelled. Panda's device continuing to ring, he stood up.

"I'm so sorry, Siorc, mama needs me at the noodle shop, I have to go now," Yinlong said, bowing. "I'll see you soon, okay?"

Panda staging his exit, the young adult reached for the chopsticks. He had no choice in the matter, did he? Ripping the paper up, he broke out into a sweat. Here goes, down the hatch. Surely, that rumor about the sushi summoning little saws to not be eaten was just a hoax, right? It had to be, there was no way that was true. But, as he reached for the maki roll, a scream had come his way.

"Don't you dare eat me with those things!" the sushi cried.

Dropping the chopsticks for a moment, the chimera blinked. Wait, did that maki roll just talk? No way it did that. Dipping the utensils towards the creatures again, the screams had only gotten louder one after another. What was going on, why were they so loud? Could anyone else hear this? They had to have, didn't they?

"Stop!" the sushi cried.

"Waah, it hurts, it hurts!" the sushi cried.

"Daddy saw, help us!" the third sushi cried.

Clap.

Saws with angry looks on their faces glaring daggers at him, the chimera's chest grew cold. What just happened, where did these saws come from? Pinch him, he's dreaming! This has to be some kind of nightmare! Shaking his head, he pressed the chopsticks down upon the pink squishy sushi once more. Hmph, try him, he's not letting this goof win.

"Aaah!" sushi number one cried. "Don't eat me!"

"Don't eeeeeeeat me!" sushi two cried.

"Daddy saw, punish him!" sushi three cried.

"Don't you dare eat my children!" the saws cried.

Saws creeping up onto his arm, the creatures did their dirty work. Sharp edges bristling to and fro, the chimera let out a scream. These saws, they're carving deep into his skin! That social media post, was it really true? Dropping the chopsticks, he covered his left arm as the red liquid almost plopped onto the table. Ugh, the employee is going to be so mad at him when they see this.

Reaching for a napkin, the little tools backed down. Huffing and puffing, his wrists stung. What was that all about just now? Nibbling on the sushi, the two hour window had soon been used up. Arm bandaged up in the restroom, he held back the tears. Why was this happening to him? What did he ever do to deserve this?

Dragging himself home, the chimera could see the images of the saws play through his mind. Holding in the urge to scream, he plowed towards his room. Burying his face in his pillow, he groaned. Why him? Maybe he really did have the power to draw food ghosts to him. Opening up his phone as he laid on his bed, a strange message soon awaited him.

Notification titled, from anonymous, the food enthusiast did a double take. Wait a second, hold on, the blog owner responded? Reading the message over for a moment, he could hardly believe his eyes. Anonymous inviting him to join the food monster investigation team, he stared at his phone screen for a little longer as he closed his eyes.

Should he join this investigation team?