"Let's go!"

  Ryuji didn't waste any more words. His stomach was growling, and he couldn't wait to start eating. As they walked back, Miko began expining her family situation, her voice growing more serious as she mentiohe strange occurre home.

  Whenever Miko talked about those bizarre entities she could see, her eyes clouded over with fear. But that fear seemed to morph into hesitation, as if she were holding something back.

  "Is it someone she knows?" Ryuji wondered. Based on what he remembered from the a was likely that the ghost haunting her was her father, who had died but lingered in this strange form. Even though her father had bee a spirit, he was still her father, and it was only natural that she felt flicted.

  "Mm-hmm," Miko responded quietly, as though Ryuji had guessed correctly. After a brief pause, she nodded.

  "It's my dad... and my brother."

  "Your brother?" Ryuji was momentarily stunned. Acc to the anime, Miko's brother was supposed to still be alive, with only her father having passed away. Could it be that in this world, the story had been altered?

  At this point, Miko was too lost in her emotions to notice the surprise in Ryuji's tone. She lowered her head and tinued softly, her voice trembling.

  "That day... I saw my dad eat the pudding I had put in the fridge. We got into a huge argument, and because of that, my dad took my brother out to buy more pudding for me. But then..."

  Her voice broke, and tears welled up in her eyes as the memories flooded back.

  "It's all my fault. If it weren't for me, my dad and brother wouldn't have..." she choked, uo finish her sentenbsp;

  Miko had carried the guilt of that day for so long. She felt that her selfishness had led to her father and broing out, which ultimately led to their act. The weight of that guilt had burdened her for years.

  Seeing her in this fragile state, Ryuji gently pulled Miko into his arms, patting her back softly.

  "This isn't your fault," he said, his voice firm but f. "No one predict when acts will happen. Even if you hadn't argued, would they have stayed home forever? What if something happehe ime they went out? You 't bme yourself for this."

  "But... but..." Miko stammered, her sobs growing louder as she g to Ryuji, as though finding a safe pce to let her emotions spill out.

  To passersby, it might have looked like a typical high school couple having a tearful moment. Some g them, but most went about their business, ued in the se.

  After a while, Miko's sobbing subsided, and she slowly came to her senses. Realizing what she had been doing, she pulled away from Ryuji and took a couple of steps back, her face flushing with embarrassment.

  She noticed the wet stains on Ryuji's shirt from her tears and immediately felt guilty.

  "I-I'm sorry! I didn't mean to..." she stammered, l her head, her cheeks burning red. Her mind raced with ay. Had she just made a terrible impression on him?

  "Don't worry about it," Ryuji said with a gentle smile, waving off her . "What's there to apologize for? Holy, I'm gd I could be here for you. It means you trust me enough to show your vulnerable side. If you ever o talk again, don't hesitate to e to me, alright?"

  Despite his casual tone, Ryuji's words made Miko's heart flutter. It wasn't just what he said, but how he said it like he genuinely cared. For a brief moment, her mind wandered. Did Ryuji... like her?

  She quickly shook the thought from her head. Ryuji was so amazing, and she was just Miko. She couldn't let herself get carried away, could she?

  "Th-thank you..." Miko whispered, her voice barely audible. She felt touched, but also a little embarrassed by how f Ryuji was. Had she misuood his kindness?

  Ryuji, sensing her hesitation, smiled warmly. "Well, enough of that. Let's head to your pd figure out what's going on."

  Miko nodded, still feeling a bit shy, but grateful for Ryuji's uanding. She fell into step beside him, following him like a puppet as they made their way to her home.

  ---

  "I'm home!" Miko called out as they entered her house. It was a cozy, two-story building, simir in size to Ryuji's ow filled with a warmth that made it feel lived in.

  "Miko, you're back!" A woman's voice called from inside. Moments ter, a woman who looked about 70% like Miko, but older and more mature, stepped out from the kit.

  This was Yotsuya Touko, Miko's mother. She was a bit haggard from the grief of losing her husband and son, but there was still an air of strength about her. Ryuji couldn't help but notice how strikingly simir she was to her daughter, except with a more mature grace.

  "Mom!" Miko said, her voice brightening a little.

  Touko smiled gently at her daughter, but then her eyes shifted to Ryuji, standing just behind Miko.

  "And who's this young man?" she asked, her eyes lighting up with curiosity.

  "Mom, this is Ryuji," Miko introduced him, gng over at Ryuji.

  "Hello, Auntie. My name is Ryuji Hoshino," Ryuji said with a polite smile. He couldn't help but appreciate Toru's mature beauty, but quickly pulled his gaze away to avoid any misuanding. He was here to help Miko, after all.

  "So, you're Miko's cssmate? e in, e in!" Touko said warmly, quickly moving to grab a pair of slippers for Ryuji. She smiled knowingly, a little twinkle in her eye. "You know, Miko's never brought a boy home before. You're the first one, Hoshino-kun!"

  "Mom!" Miko's face immediately turned crimson. The way her mother said that, with su obvious hint, made her feel embarrassed beyond belief.

  Given what had happeoday, coupled with the fort Ryuji had provided earlier, Miko couldn't help but feel a bit flustered. Now, with her mom teasihe situation only got more awkward.

  Touko chuckled at her daughter's rea. "Alright, alright, I'll stop teasing you."

  But inwardly, she was surprised by Miko's rea. It wasn't every day her daughter brought someone home, and seeing how flustered Miko was now, Touko wondered if there was something more between them.

  As a mother, she couldn't help but feel both surprised and a little happy. After all, she had only Miko left in the world now, and she wanted her daughter to be happy.

  "e in and make yourselves fortable. Don't just stand there!" Touko said, ushering them inside.

  Ryuji stepped inside, exging a brief gh Miko, who was still blushing furiously.