Chapter 14: Believe in Science!
“Dead?”
Night Star was initially taken aback and then stammered when she finally processed it.
“You mean… you’re no longer alive in the usual sense?”
“Yeah.”
“Oh my…” Night Star’s eyes widened as she realized what was happening, “So, you’re really a ghost now?!”
“I’m not sure, probably.”
Eypar floated around the room like a soft, white feather, seemingly indifferent to her condition, not caring one bit.
“Mmm…”
For some reason, talking about d*ath made Night Star feel downcast.
“How long have you been like this?”
“I don’t remember exactly, but I think I died when I was sixteen. Maybe my body has turned to dust by now.”
“Sixteen? That’s so young! What happened?”
“Seems like I died from an illness.”
Eypar looked troubled, as if recalling painful memories. Her long, stiff hair swayed back and forth like seaweed, making it quite tempting to yank out.
Those memories were distant.
Every detail was hazy.
She couldn’t recall the year she passed away or any of her relatives. All she could remember was how lonely it was being a wandering spirit.
Seeing Eypar lost in thought with no reaction, Night Star began to relax.
“She’s sixteen? Plus those years… she might be older than me…” Night Star mumbled.
Despite the low volume, Eypar heard her clearly.
“Nuh-uh! I’ll always be sixteen! Not some old lady!”
Eypar flailed about, looking like an agitated cat, trying to convey her frustration. However, combined with her ethereal form and pretty face, Night Star found her somewhat cute. Well, maybe she wasn’t that scared anymore after all.
“A cute ghost girl isn’t so bad.”
“Fine, fine, consider you sixteen.”
“Why do you sound so reluctant?”
Eypar pouted slightly, not too pleased with the response.
“Seems quite young.”
Eypar then became curious, floating close to Night Star and giving her a stare.
“Mmm…”
Night Star didn’t try to stop her despite feeling a bit uneasy.
She had a little less fear now though.
Head still aching from Eypar’s intense gaze, Night Star took a step back.
“What are you staring at me for?”
“Tell me your name!”
“Is that necessary?”
“Just want to get to know you, please, tell me! Pretty please!”
“Night Star… my name is Night Star.”
Hearing her name repeated several times, Eypar appeared to be memorizing it carefully.
“I got it! My name is Eypar. Can I live here with you now?”
“Huh?” Night Star was taken aback.
Living with a ghost girl? It seemed like a bad idea.
If Eypar was a ghost, then this house would become a “haunted house”?
That gave Night Star chills; she’d probably never sleep well again.
“No way, absolutely not.”
Without hesitation, Night Star rejected it.
Being alone had its perks. She already had Night Lan to keep her company sometimes.
This small household only accommodated two bodies. Her.
No way would she let a weirdo move in.
“Really no?” Eypar’s hair drooped, seeming lifeless.
“Yes.” Night Star was firm.
Eypar tried to bargain.
“I don’t need food or sleep and take up no space. So, really not possible?”
“Nah-uh.”
“Geez…”
Eypar’s ethereal form slithered to the floor like a deflated slime.
“I’m so sad…”
Night Star curled up on the bed, her two slender, white legs folded, holding her knees, her rosy face resting on them. Eyes locked on Eypar.
“Can you share why you want to stay here?”
“Curiosity.” Eypar spoke in an otherworldly voice.
“Curious?”
“Yeah, I’ve wandered for so long; it’s my first time meeting someone who can see me. So, I want to get closer, observe every moment, find what makes you unique…”
“Well, this…”
Night Star slightly opened her mouth and closed it. After a brief silence, she started mumbling.
“Somehow seems creepy…”
“I’m normal!” Eypar protested, swaying her hair, trying to look offended.
“Someone who normally wouldn’t just barge into someone’s room to play tricks.”
Eypar looked resentful.
“I’m sorry. It got boring. I lost myself for a while, but I don’t want to go back to feeling invisible.”
“Maybe reincarnation is better. You’re not the kind of spirit who should escape ghosts sent by Yama.”
“Trust science! These myths about spirits aren’t real!”
Eypar pounded the ground a few times, but no sound came out.
“Hmm… Seems like you can’t say such things,” Night Star said dismissively.
Isn’t it odd for a ghost to believe in science?
“Even as a ghost, I believe in science…”
Eypar’s voice trailed off and she fell silent, looking dejected.
Night Star’s rejection seemed to have hit her hard.
After a long, contemplative moment, Night Star finally softened.
She knew the pain of being alone—everything felt aimless.
Especially for Eypar who nobody saw.
She seemed to not exist in this world.
Nobody cared about her. No one remembered her. No help from kind strangers.
It must have been tough wandering around for so long.
Feeling sympathy, Night Star maintained her limits.
Helping comes with limits; that was her principle.
“Well, okay. Come visit me.”
“Yes!”
Eypar flashed over excitedly, her hair bouncing joyfully.
Scared, Night Star fumbled and fell backward out of surprise.
“Don’t get too carried away. This doesn’t mean staying; only visiting. No trouble during my rest time, and no camping at my place. Got it?”
“Yup! That works!”
For Eypar, seeing and talking to Night Star regularly was enough.
She’d roam nearby and chat with Night Star occasionally.
The naive ghost girl was ready for new plans.
