"So, how do you plan on separating Tyler from his goons?" Ryner asked, his expression filled with determination.
"Oh, don't worry about that—I already have an idea in mind," Rita replied with a sly grin. "I just want you to focus on your fight with Tyler."
"I see. Thanks," Ryner said, nodding. "I'll leave the rest to you." With that, he turned and walked out of the bathroom, his mind set on what was to come.
Rita sighed as she watched him leave. I can't believe I'm encouraging him to fight someone… I'm really a bad influence. She crossed her arms and shook her head. But he said this is something he needs to overcome, or he'll never find peace. So, I'll support him as much as possible.
Meanwhile, in the infirmary, Ryner approached Shimoya, who was still lying on the bed, recovering from the earlier incident.
"Shimoya, do you feel any better?" he asked, his voice softer than before.
"Yes," she responded with a small smile, "but I think I'll stay here for a little while longer."
"Good," Ryner said, relieved. "I'll be heading back to class—I've got something to deal with. Just rest up. I'll come back to check on you after school."
"Alright," Shimoya murmured, adjusting her position on the bed. "I'll try to rest my head."
Ryner clenched his fists. This time, I'm not just defending myself—Shimoya also got caught up in this mess. I promise you, Shimoya, I'll beat that bastard. He turned and closed the door behind him.
Tyler sat in the back of the classroom, smirking to himself. Damn that bastard Ryner. Who the hell does he think he is? He leaned back in his chair, hands behind his head. I'm glad we put him in his place. He won't be opposing me ever again—that's for sure.
However, despite his confidence, something about the incident earlier still nagged at him. Something weird happened while I was beating him up... it felt like a supernatural force intervened. He scoffed at his own thoughts. Yeah, right. I sound really superstitious right now. The guys would laugh if they heard this.
As class continued, Rita silently floated through the walls, scanning the room until she spotted Tyler.
"Great," she whispered to herself. "Now, I just need to find his cellphone."
She floated closer, looking around his desk. "He really is a delinquent, leaving his phone out in the open like this," she muttered before grabbing it. Moving quickly, she floated towards the door and opened it before slipping outside.
"Wait! Who opened the door just now?" the teacher asked, glancing around.
"Sir, I didn't see anyone leave," a boy at the front responded.
The teacher sighed. "Oh, it must have been the wind."
Outside the classroom, Rita met up with Thomas, holding up the stolen phone triumphantly.
"Rita, you got the phone! Great," Thomas said, impressed.
"Yes, and now it's your turn to do your part," Rita replied.
Thomas examined the phone. "Let's see… Hah! He made this easy for us—his contacts list is almost nonexistent."
Rita dialed a number, waiting for someone to pick up.
"Yo, Tyler! What's up?" a voice answered from the other end.
Rita handed the phone to Thomas, who mimicked Tyler's voice perfectly.
"Listen to me," Thomas growled. "Gather everyone and meet me in the old school building. We have a problem to deal with."
"Dude, but it's class time. Can't it wait until our final break?"
"Don't make me ask twice. Get out here, or else."
"A-All right, I'm on my way."
As Thomas hung up, Rita grinned. "Wow, that was great acting."
Thomas smirked. "We're ghosts, so it's only natural that we can imitate voices we've heard before. It's like in that horror movie Ryner's sister loves so much."
"Maybe you're right," Rita mused. "Now, onto the next stage of the plan."
In the old school building, Tyler's lackeys hesitated as they approached the dimly lit corridor.
"I can't believe Tyler asked us to meet him here of all places," one of them muttered nervously.
"What, are you scared? If you are, just say so," another mocked.
"Oh, shut up, idiot. I ain't scared," the first retorted. "It's just that meeting here is weird. Let's just get this over with."
They pushed open the creaky door, stepping inside cautiously.
"Yo, Tyler! We're here! Tyler?"
Their voices echoed in the empty hallway. The only sounds were the slow dripping of water from the old pipes and the creaking of rotting floorboards.
Then—BANG!
The door behind them slammed shut.
The boys jumped in shock, turning to find the exit locked tight.
"What the hell?! The door won't open!" one of them panicked, struggling with the handle.
From the shadows, Rita and Thomas watched with satisfaction.
"Great. We've got them trapped. Now, Ryner can finally have a proper one-on-one with Tyler," Rita whispered.
"Yeah," Thomas agreed. "Your plan was brilliant, Rita."
Suddenly, one of the lackeys shivered. "Did… did you just hear that?" he stammered.
"No, I definitely heard it too," another gulped. Slowly, they turned around—and froze.
Floating before them, illuminated by the faint light seeping through the broken windows, were Rita and Thomas. Their ghostly forms flickered in and out of visibility, their eyes glowing faintly.
One of the boys let out a strangled yelp before fainting on the spot. Another turned and tried to bolt, only to run headfirst into a hanging pipe, knocking himself unconscious.
The last boy stood frozen in fear, unable to move.
Rita tilted her head, intrigued. "Wait… is he really looking at us?"
She floated closer, watching as his eyes darted around wildly. Seeing her move closer, he let out a choked gasp—then promptly collapsed.
Rita blinked. "I think they actually saw us," she murmured in shock. "But how?"
Thomas shrugged. "Guess some people are more sensitive to spirits than others."
Regardless, their job was done. Tyler's goons were out of the picture.
Now, it was time for Ryner's fight to begin.