Unexpected Friends
Chapters 34. ⁇

London, at 19:36,

The day after Alice's departure, July 13, 2013

Inside an apartment on the 7th floor.

A woman named Akiko Yamada 'Henkis' gazes at the never-quenchable streets of London while gulping down her bored orange juice.

All the lights of the living room he was sitting in were now turned off, except for the nearby lantern lights. The chair she was sitting on had foam underneath but Akiko always felt uncomfortable. On the table he used was a half-read new philosophy book. Then it closed by leaving a barrier on the last page he read.

A box of orange juice and a glass accompanied him on his own. But not a friend to talk to because she still feels lonely after seeing her only daughter go to the airport to continue school. And Akiko can't go home because it's too quiet to stay in her sister-in-law's apartment.

Yet she was grateful for the last sight with her daughter that day adorned by the smiles on their faces. Then let each other go separate ways.

Though she was always rude to him after the departure of her husband, Jack Henkis. And none of this is actually Alice's daughter's fault, not even anyone's.

But he always blamed Alice for the outpouring of frustration, anger, and spite that always blinded his eyes. And after she remembered all her former treatment, she had her nudges goosebumps and her heart was filled with shame. Akiko failed to be a good mother.

And worst of all, all this time she knew what Alice was saying was reality. Never even saw it himself, the figure of his son's 'fantasy friend. A teenage girl in her 16s wearing a gray dress without shoes. His skin was pale white with deep black eyes. Waist-length hair and bangs that almost covered one eye. The girl was behind Alice when she met her.

"Okaa-san! This is my friend, her name is Mandora Clementine." Alice said excitedly in front of the person she always called Okaa-san. But now Akiko felt unworthy to call herself 'Okaa-san' again.

"Alice, there's no one there! Don't fantasize!" His impact without realizing his little girl's heart was scratched. Alice held back her tears behind a small smile while thinking, maybe Okaa-san is tired. "Well, Okaa-san."

Again, Akiko snapped at him because of the words that came out of Alice's lips for no reason. "Go to your room!" Alice hurriedly climbed the stairs into her room. There was the sound of a slammed door and a small whimper.

Inwardly he asked for his actions, Why did I do a snap at him? That shouldn't be necessary. Am I tired, upset, or...

"***You're afraid**? Please, don't blame Alice because she's different from you*."

The words of Mandora's figure in front of her eyes made Akiko surprised. They managed to make eye contact so that made Akiko panic. But she tried to focus on being ordinary and walked right through Mandora's transparent body into the kitchen. "I know you're faking it." His heart was almost swayed by the words, yet he still tried to ignore them.

If Akiko were to open her heart to everyone, especially her children and husband, this tragedy would not happen. Alice will not run away from home and Jack will not have to die in vain. But now the incident has passed more than 6 years. There are still regrets left.

A very deep regret.

Biib, biib... Suddenly the doorbell sounded. Then came a married couple who entered his own apartment with a few baskets filled with groceries. Immediately Akiko approached the two people and helped them tidy up the groceries.

"Akiko, you don't have to bother." Violet said as she opened the refrigerator that looked empty. But Akiko refused with a loud headband, "It's okay. I forced it."

Steve who saw his wife and brother-in-law look happy because at least his work was a little lightened. He imagined these two people were servants and he was the king.

So with his leisure Steve took the new book he bought and sat down on the sofa. The television in front of him is only limited to furniture to accompany Steve, but not turned on.

Without further ado, the plastic cover that sealed Steve's book was torn apart completely, then the plastic scrap was thrown away without direction until it fell to the floor. Start reading the first page of the introduction, the table of contents, then the first chapter.

Violet who saw Steve throwing trash just got angry. "Steve's! Take it and throw away the right trash." Smell it with a sharp look and a disturbed expression. He dipped his waist and prepared to scold Steve again. But Steve was so late in reading that he simply replied, "Later." Briefest.

Upset at her husband's indifference, Violet walks up to Steve and takes the book forcibly. "'Paranormal Activity'?" He muttered as he read the title on the cover of the book. "Why did you buy this book?" Violet asked in confusion as she looked at Steve in disbelief.

He knows Steve's been acting weird lately. Maybe because of his new hobby. But upon seeing this book, Violet had to make sure it came back. A surprised Steve reflexively stands before Violet to retrieve her book.

"Please, give it back Violet." He said softly so that Violet would give her the book voluntarily. But the interlocutor instead flipped through the pages of the book quickly out of curiosity. Steve tried to be patient until Violet finished 'reading'.

A few minutes later, Violet's face became confused and shocked after she closed the book again. "You done yet?" Steve asked as he reached out his hand to pick up the book.

But Violet kept it in her arms. "Steve's! Why did you spend several hundred Euro¹ on this book?" The Irishwoman has scolded Steve many times because her hobby has wasted a lot of money that should be enough for daily needs. Steve himself looked down while facing his destiny.

"That's Violet." Akiko as a third party finally broke up their one-sided dispute. "You won't believe Akiko, 'this person' bought a useless book." Violet gave the book she was holding to Akiko for her to read and agreed with her.

But before Akiko opened the first page of the book, her hands felt slippery and dropped the book. With one quick move Steve tried to take back the book that would drop a few inches to the floor. But he was less fast so the book fell down and produced a soft clashing sound. "Oh My God's. Be careful Akiko." Steve said as he took back the book that had fallen in a miserable position.

"I-i'm sorry." Akiko's voice sounded weak as she was still shocked when she saw the book's cover. The cover is an illustration of a man holding a magic ball in his hand, then there are many black shadows behind him.

What made Akiko shudder was that the black shadow that was originally staring at the man was suddenly seen staring at him sharply.

"It's okay dear. Let's help me make dinner." Violet's words disperse Akiko's daydreams. So after a small nod, Akiko walked into the kitchen close to the living room and began to drown out some foodstuffs that might be needed. Since Violet was going to make Chicken Wings, Akiko picked up some vegetables and pieces of chicken wings in the refrigerator. Spices and flavoring can follow.

As long as she prepared the items, Akiko was unaware Violet and Steve were having a discussion. At first Violet thought Steve's request was strange and ignored it. But it finally collapsed after several times persuaded by Steve. "All right." Violet said in agreement. "Be nice while I go. Okay sweetheart?" Steve nodded steadily with Violet's words.

So Violet turned around to approach Akiko. After she was on her left side cleaning the chicken wing pieces, Violet told Akiko to go to the living room because of Steve's request while she would busied herself in the kitchen to cook dinner.

Akiko then approached Steve and sat on a different sofa with him, a single sofa to the right of the main sofa that Steve used. While adjusting her breathing, Akiko asked, "What's the matter Steve?" Then it was returned with an envelope that Steve handed to him from his pocket.

"I got a letter from your father, Akiko. She misses you so much." Steve said softly as he gave the letter. There was a bit of suspicion when Akiko accepted it.

Rarely does Otau-san send letters. Not only that, why is Steve the recipient of the letter and not Akiko directly if his father is 'missing'.

Akiko reached out her hand to pick up the letter Steve had in hand. Then unfold the envelope and take the small paper inside until he sees the handwriting from the ink pen.

The writing is not from Kanji, but the Alphabet that made Akiko's suspicions unfold. "Why is it written like this?" Ask Akiko. Steve took a deep breath, then exhaled slowly.

"Your father thinks you forgot the kanji." Steve replied calmly. "Rather than that, what's the writing?"

Steve switched the conversation, inner Akiko. But he is more surprised that his father thinks Akiko forgot her homeland.

"All right." One short word Akiko has been treating Steve's nervousness. Akiko readied her heart to start reading. He did not bother because of the delivery in the form of paper because his father was not familiar with email and such technology.

But he felt uneasy while reading the contents of the paper. It only contains 2 paragraphs. If it is 'missing' there should be many paragraphs and pages to write about. Paper is not the most important thing.

Akiko thinks there are a lot of irregularities in this letter. But he still did not understand why Steve gave it. So before he told the contents, he read for a moment his words inwardly.

"Akiko, what's wrong?"

"Steve's a moment."

Akiko's been trying to be patient with Steve's weird attitude lately. But when he read the paper in his hand, Akiko felt this attitude had passed.

'How are you, son?'

Upon seeing that first line, Akiko realized this was not a letter from her father. "What does this mean?" Steve is shocked when Akiko squeezes the paper into a small ball and throws it in front of the table.

"Dam." Grumpy Steve slow. But it was unexpected that Akiko heard it and then snapped loudly. "Steve's! W-Why lie? Even to bring Otau-san?" Akiko hates it the most if her parents' names are taken and this is a disaster for Steve when he already knows the consequences, but still thinks things will go smoothly.

"A-Akiko, calm down."

"Kotae Ha(Answer)!"

Akiko looked at Steve sharply with her hands crossed. His brows were intertwined and his legs were stomped many times on the floor while waiting for Steve's reply.

Every second is painful because oxygen is thinning. The atmosphere became so heavy that Steve's little inner voice asked him to reveal the truth he had hidden in front of Akiko.

After he took a quick crash and reorganized his sitting position, Steve tried to look back at Akiko while saying, "Listen, this may sound crazy, but I believe Alice's words now."

Those words were like replying to Akiko's cold attack. Now the woman threw away her face while maintaining her sitting position arrogantly. "Don't joke." His words were angry, yet more akin to fear.

"Do I look like I want to joke?" Steve raised his tone so that Akiko was surprised. But it's too early because Steve's speech still continues. "Like someone who pretends to be stupid and puts his own child in the RSJ so he has a Schizophrenia medical record that turns out to be fake?"

"Or blame it for someone's death over the years? It's outrageous and you know it." Suddenly emotions overpowered Steve. He could not help but continue to curse Akiko against the events that had passed and her indifference.

Steve had been quiet all this time, but now he had to do the right thing. If Akiko is never 'slapped' in reality, she will forever forget the 'nonsense' that caused Jack and Alice to suffer. While the woman closest to them is helpless when she knows best. "Although fake, I know one thing that's real from your father. You can see ghosts like Alice if given a medium, like this letter."

"Read this sentence on paper and prove me wrong." Steve said a challenge. This time he was sure one hundred percent would succeed because now Akiko could not deny. He's been cornered.

But what he had not expected was that Akiko could escape if forced. "It's a waste, I'll help Violet." He stood up and turned his back to Steve.

This frustrated Steve and accidentally expressed his anger. "AKIKO YAMADA'S! Your daughter is suffering and you ignore her! Your husband died and you forgot him! Are you aware of everything you've done?!" Akiko pecked on the spot. His heart was pierced deeper than ever when he heard Steve's screams until he couldn't get a wart.

"Alice wasn't wrong, you were wrong! Damn it, if you're honest from the start, this is gonna happen. My brother doesn't have to die!"

Violet who heard the screams spontaneously approached the living room while she was still wearing a kitchen apron. Then I saw Akiko curled her back to Steve who was making a noise earlier. "Steve's! It's already night."

Violet couldn't say much if they talked about Alice's accident on the bridge a few years ago because she wasn't there and hadn't met Steve.

So now all Violet can do is break up. "Akiko, if you feel unwell just sleep in my room." Bargain Violet, but presumptuously Steve still insinuated Akiko.

"Well, pathetic woman."

Violet snapped at Steve's rude attitude who didn't know why and threw Steve's Paranormal Activity book that wanted to hit his annoying face, but even hit the wall behind Steve. "Watch your mouth." Threaten Violet.

Unexpectedly, Akiko's sudden movement of retrieving the letter she squeezed out made Violet seem to have a heart attack. Fast as lightning Akiko snatched the letter on the table and unfolded it fold by fold he made.

Violet approached Akiko who was still bent over to open the letter until she could see the words that had been ruffled by the scraping of the paper, but could still be read. "What'sthis? Akiko?" Violet was confused and there were many questions in her mind. But only those succinct words could represent everything. Unfortunately Akiko did not answer and instead read aloud the contents of her letter.

"*How are you, son?

May today be the happiest day for you.

Happy birthday to Alice!

Marked,

The Best Gramps In The World*."

The contents of the paper Steve gave were birthday cards from both his parents and the deceased Jack. Akiko realized that if she read it, her long-closed inner eyes would open. Again.

Grn, deg, deg. Akiko endured the temporary pain she faced while opening her eyesight with a negative feeling. Akiko tried to catch her breath in a hurry because her chest was tight so Violet worried about her.

But it was nothing compared to the pervasive fear when he saw something strange nearby.

"Yeah! Wh-What's that?!" Violet's hysterical shout made Steve chuckle and come to see what Violet was pointing at. Starting from a piece of fresh human hands that still bleed. Then it slowly expanded until he could see a black figure at the end of the room, a human ghost with terrible conditions, and other nonsensical things in the apartment.

Steve felt the same way. He saw all the monsters as clear as Violet with various forms and sounds that were very disturbing. Starting from a soft laugh to a roaring cry out of nowhere. They thought the roof would collapse upon hearing the heavy footsteps above it and was nearly knocked out by a different apparition to all the other ghosts.

"Steve...?" Said a pair of elderly who were watching them with a look of disbelief and very cute. Mr and Mrs Henkis.

[To Be Continue!]🍵