Some questions don't need answers—at least not right away.
Misaki had been poking around my past like it was some forgotten mystery novel. But I wasn't ready to hand her the final chapter. Not yet. Not to her. Not to anyone.
Even though I'd dodged her curiosity in the classroom, I had a feeling that wouldn't be the last time she brought it up.
And now, as the golden afternoon slipped toward twilight, the three of us were about to do something incredibly stupid.
Somehow, I was the one leading it.
The real challenge wasn't sneaking into an abandoned building. It was escaping school without becoming the center of attention. With Satoshi being a walking spotlight, things were already tricky. I couldn't walk with him—not unless I wanted the entire student body breathing down our necks.
Misaki crossed her arms as we lingered near the stairwell exit. "So, how are we supposed to leave, Leader?" she asked, tossing the nickname with a smirk. "People are already staring like we're filming a drama or something."
She had a point. Even our excuse—that we were just helping the new guy get familiar with the school—was wearing thin.
Satoshi shrugged. "We don't need to overthink it. Let's just walk out. It's not like we're committing a crime."
"Absolutely not," Misaki and I said in unison.
Satoshi blinked. "Whoa. Synchronized rejection. Impressive."
"We want to avoid attention, remember?" I said, pulling him aside. "Alright. Here's the plan."
He leaned in like I was briefing him for a spy mission.
"You go first. Just act natural, like you're heading home. Wave, smile, be your usual charming self. Then Misaki and I will leave separately, about two minutes later. Since we're not exactly celebrities, no one should care."
Satoshi's face lit up. "Got it. Operation Stealth Escape is a go."
"I didn't name it that."
"Too late. It's canon now."
He strutted off, giving cheerful nods like nothing was out of the ordinary.
Misaki leaned close. "Seriously… where did you even learn to think like this?"
"Years of practice," I said with a shrug. "Being invisible is kind of my thing."
"You're suspiciously clever for someone who claims to be average."
"I am average. Just a highly trained variety."
She laughed quietly. "You know, for a 'background character,' you're starting to steal scenes."
We waited a moment, then slipped out the gate. No one followed. No whispers. No eyes. Just fading footsteps and the hush of the wind.
As we walked down a quiet alley behind the school, Misaki glanced at me sideways. "You know," she said, "you're kind of a sly fox."
"Sly fox?" I echoed.
"Don't play dumb. You planned all this just so you could walk alone with me, didn't you?"
I gave her a deadpan look. "It's literally just strategy."
"Mhm. Suuuure."
"If that's what helps you sleep at night."
She smiled. "You really are a fox."
"Focus. Satoshi's waiting."
Sure enough, Satoshi was already lounging against a brick wall, grinning like he owned the place. "Took you long enough. You two look cozy."
"Don't start," I muttered.
Misaki rolled her eyes. "Is the place nearby?"
Satoshi pointed to a crumbling structure at the end of the alley. "That one. The one that looks like it could collapse from a stiff breeze."
Misaki stared. "That thing? It looks cursed."
"You scared?" I asked.
She scoffed. "Please. Ghosts should be scared of me."
Satoshi laughed. "That's the spirit!"
They continued bantering as I stared at the building. Something about it made my skin prickle.
Then I saw it again—perched atop a broken fence.
The same black cat.
Its piercing blue eyes locked onto mine, unblinking. The world seemed to still. The air thinned. Just like last time.
It wasn't normal. Not by a long shot.
"Leader!" Satoshi waved a hand in front of my face. "You zoning out again?"
I blinked. "Sorry. What were you saying?"
"Forget it. Let's head in. It's getting late."
The building loomed before us like the skeleton of something long forgotten. Burnt wood beams jutted out like bones. Cracked windows gaped like hollow eyes. The air smelled of ash and mildew.
We stepped inside.
Debris littered the floor—scorched furniture, torn-up clothes, shattered glass, a half-broken mirror leaning against the wall like it was too tired to stand upright.
With every step, dry leaves crunched beneath our feet. The silence was heavy. Almost… expectant.
"This place gives me the creeps," Misaki whispered. "Like something's watching us."
"It's the best kind of creepy," Satoshi said, clearly enjoying himself.
We explored the ground floor, checking each room. Dust hung in the air like fog. No signs of life. No ghosts. Just decay.
"I say we go to the roof," I suggested. "That's where people claimed to see something."
Misaki hesitated. "Do we have to?"
"Just a quick peek," Satoshi grinned. "Then we head back."
"You two are real weirdos," she muttered, but followed anyway.
The stairs groaned under our weight as we climbed. The higher we went, the colder it felt. The air grew dry, sharp. Like something was waiting.
The rooftop was tangled with dry vines, their withered flowers drooping lifelessly. Nature had started to reclaim the ruin, slowly, silently.
"There's nothing here," Misaki said. "We should go. It's already dark."
"Agreed," I said. "We'll come back on the weekend."
She stared at us. "You guys want to come back? To this place?"
Satoshi grinned. "It grows on you."
As we turned to leave, it happened again.
The whispers.
But this time, clearer.
A child's voice.
Crying.
Help me.
My heart froze.
It wasn't sound exactly—it was like the voice was pressed directly into my thoughts. A whisper not in the air, but in my mind.
"Did… did you hear that?" I asked. "A girl crying?"
Satoshi blinked. "Huh? No?"
Misaki's brows furrowed. "What are you talking about?"
"You didn't hear… never mind." I forced a smile. "Just kidding."
Misaki crossed her arms. "Well don't joke like that. It's creepy."
"Yeah," Satoshi added. "Even I got goosebumps."
I nodded. "Let's head home."
We left the rooftop, the building, the silence.
But I knew it wasn't a joke.
That voice… it was real.
There are only two explanations: either I'm losing my mind—
Or someone, or something, is asking for help.
And for the first time in a long while, I wasn't sure which one I wanted it to be.