Ryner leaned against the wall outside the school, phone pressed to his ear. "Jack, I did some digging," he said quietly. "I found something weird about Rita's… separation from her body. Some of this info's really valuable. I want you to check it out—maybe you can tell us more."
A pause. Then Jack's voice came through, cold and impatient. "Ryner, I told you not to use this number unless it was an emergency."
"I know, but this might actually be—"
"I don't have time for this."
Ryner closed his eyes, trying not to snap. "Can you just look at what I found? That's all I'm asking."
A long sigh came through the phone. "Fine. We'll meet me at place after school, better yet I'll pick you up at your house. Don't be late."
The call ended.
Ryner slipped his phone into his pocket, exhaling heavily. Rita and Thomas floated just behind him, their presence quiet but reassuring. Shimoya trailed a few steps behind, arms crossed and expression unreadable.
"You know," Ryner said, turning halfway to glance at her, "you don't have to come along with us."
Shimoya raised an eyebrow. "I thought I told you—I'm helping Rita. It's not like I'm coming for your sake."
Ryner shrugged and turned forward again. "Well, that's true."
The group continued down the street, the early evening sun casting long shadows across the pavement. Shimoya's footsteps padded softly behind his, always just far enough not to walk side by side. Rita floated beside Ryner, eyes forward, while Thomas drifted lazily around streetlamps and signs, his focus clearly elsewhere.
When they reached the house, Ryner blinked in surprise as he pushed the door open.
"Amelia?" he called. "You're home early."
Amelia stood in the kitchen, sipping from a mug. "Of course. Today's my day off," she said with a smile.
"Oh. Right," Ryner muttered, slipping off his shoes. He'd completely forgotten.
Shimoya stepped in behind him, her usual calm expression giving way to polite neutrality as Amelia's gaze shifted to her.
"Ryner…" Amelia said slowly, eyes narrowing playfully. "Who is this?"
"My name's Shimoya Loten," she replied with a slight bow. "I'm a classmate of Ryner's."
"Oh, I see," Amelia said with a grin. "For a second there, I thought Ryner managed to get a girlfriend as cute as you."
Ryner sighed. "Should I take that as a compliment or an insult?"
"Depends on how you look at it," Amelia teased. "So, what are you guys up to today?"
Ryner hesitated. "Well, actually… we've got something important to deal with."
Amelia tilted her head. "And what might that important thing be?"
Crap, Ryner thought. I can't let her know it's about Rita.
"We're actually going to study in his room," Shimoya cut in smoothly. She grabbed Ryner's hand, holding it up for emphasis. "I'm helping him grasp the material instead of depending on someone's help to cheat during exams."
Amelia's smile widened. "Oh, so he's been cheating. I shouldn't be surprised."
Ryner muttered under his breath, "What's that supposed to mean…?"
"Well, do what you have to do to help him," Amelia said, heading back toward the kitchen.
Shimoya let go of his hand as they climbed the stairs. Ryner's room felt a little colder than usual, but familiar.
The moment the door shut, Rita hovered over. "Hey, Ryner," she said as he dropped his bag. "Don't you think my sister's been acting kind of weird lately? I mean, she hasn't mentioned you at all over the past few days. I wonder what's up."
Rita floated a bit lower, thoughtful. "I actually managed to talk to her a few days ago."
"You did?" Ryner blinked. "How?"
"Jack gave me some kind of talisman," she explained. "It let her see me, hear me—even touch me. I was finally able to tell her everything that happened between you and Tyler."
Ryner's eyes widened. "Wait… so Jack really gave you something like that? I just assumed he was acting as an intermediary or something. I didn't think he had the ability to create something that lets spirits communicate that directly."
Rita nodded. "He can be surprisingly resourceful when he wants to be."
Ryner leaned back in his chair, arms folded. "Still… I wonder why she stopped asking about you. She was always so curious before."
"I don't know," Rita said softly, her voice distant. "Maybe knowing the truth made things harder for her. Maybe it's easier to pretend she didn't hear it."
Thomas hovered lazily near the window, offering no input.
"I remember the last time I came into your room," Shimoya said, her voice softer now, her eyes scanning the space as if the walls held pieces of her memory. "It was when you arranged for the spirit haunting me to be exorcised."
Ryner looked over his shoulder at her, caught off guard by the sudden shift in mood. "Yeah… I remember."
Shimoya stepped further inside, her fingers brushing lightly over the edge of his desk. "I was terrified back then. Convinced I was losing my mind. You didn't just help me with the spirit—you helped me say goodbye to my parents. You gave me something I didn't think I'd ever get… closure."
Ryner leaned back in his chair, his eyes on her. "You deserved it. I just… helped clear the path a little."
"No," she said, glancing at him. "You did more than that. You stayed with me. You listened. And even when it scared you, you didn't walk away."
He shifted in his seat, unsure what to say. "That's what anyone would've done."
Shimoya let out a soft laugh. "You always say things like that."
Rita floated a little lower, her translucent form dimming slightly. She remembered that day. Every detail of it. How Shimoya had cried and held Ryner close. How she'd leaned in afterward—eyes full of gratitude and something deeper—and kissed him.
On the lips.
Rita hadn't understood her reaction at the time. She'd dismissed the twisting feeling in her chest, told herself it was nothing. Just surprise. Just confusion. But now, watching Shimoya in Ryner's room again, hearing the softness in her voice…
That feeling was back. Heavier. Sharper.
Thomas noticed the way Rita's form flickered. "You alright?" he asked under his breath.
"I'm fine," she replied, but her voice came out thinner than she intended.
"You sure? You look like someone just walked over your grave."
"I said I'm fine," Rita repeated, a little more firmly.
Thomas backed off with a small nod, but his eyes lingered on her with quiet concern.