Chapter 10 – Moonlight Girl

Hikaru stared at his cellphone with a frown. In any case, the photo he managed to capture through his cellphone camera couldn’t be used as solid evidence. That photo was too dark and slightly blurry because it was taken at night from a long distance. Anyone who saw that photo would only think it just a photo of a bush glowing at night. It can be anything and a flashlight is the most reasonable answer that can be accepted. Just like Yama said.

“Am I really hallucinating? But I was very awake when that light felt to the ground.” Hikaru muttered softly while reassuring himself.

If Hikaru saw that light shortly after he woke up, he might doubt what he just saw. However, it was clear that Hikaru saw that light after dinner, perhaps thirty minutes after he woke up. By then, of course Hikaru was no longer half asleep, he was fully awake with a full stomach. The light was clear in his eyes. However, somehow no one noticed the light's presence.

It’s so weird, he thought.

It is undeniable that the mysterious light that night had taken up many places in his mind. Hikaru is so curious and curious about the strange thing he just saw. It just so happens that today Mika gets an unexpected assignment from her father to go visit their family business in Sapporo. The girl immediately left with Uncle Yuuchi after Hikaru's surprise birthday party. Unfortunately for Mika and Yama who were looking forward to going on a tour together, but lucky for Hikaru who wanted to find out about the mysterious light.

Hikaru immediately separated himself from Yama after the awkwardness between the two was resolved. Couldn't have the heart to actually leave Yama contemplating alone by the lake. However, Hikaru must immediately resolve his irresistible curiosity. Hikaru immediately headed for the inn next door to ask if someone saw something strange in their inn's backyard the night before.

Not wanting to be suspicious, Hikaru started a conversation by asking a staff a few questions about the inn and tourist attractions around Toyako. Of course the answer wasn’t that different from the information he had obtained from Mika and Uncle Yuuchi. Even so, Hikaru kept trying to look enthusiastic as if he was hearing this information for the first time.

“Ah yes, do all the staff rest at night?” Hikaru tried to change the subject as smoothly as possible.

“Of course not, some are still on duty for the benefit of guests at night. Yes, sometimes guests need something in the middle of the night, right? Asked for an extra blanket or wanted a midnight snack.” The skinny man answered with a tired face. Hearing that man's answer, Hikaru really understood what he meant. He even remembered his own starvation in the middle of the night.

“Are you also patrolling at night to keep an eye on the surroundings? Ah, I mean the night must be very quiet, I happened to wake up last night and peeked from my bedroom window. In such a quiet situation, of course we need to be aware of criminal acts or other unwanted things.” Hikaru was a little nervous, worried that he might say something wrong.

“Oh, of course someone is on guard, a security guard. You stay at the inn next door, right? Because the location of these two inns are near, the officers on duty are sometimes the same person.”

“Oh, I see? Very good.” Hikaru answered briefly as he thought of his next words. “Oh yeah, that night, I saw a light in one of the bushes behind this inn. Did you find anything this morning?”

It was clear that the expression on the face of that skinny man before him had changed slightly. He seemed to be frowning as if trying to remember before then answering, “Looks like there's nothing there. Our gardeners don’t report anything suspicious. Maybe it was the flashlight of a security guard on patrol at night. Don't worry, sir, this area is very safe. During my work, it seems that there has never been an incident of theft or other criminal activity.” That man closed his sentence with a proud smile.

“Thank God.” Hikaru replied briefly, thanking the skinny staff before he leaved.

***

Hikaru glanced at the clock in his room, which now showed 11.46 pm. He was determined to stay awake all night and watched from behind his bedroom window for the mysterious light to come back. The sitting position is still the same as the previous night. To ward off sleepiness, Hikaru was accompanied by a cup of coffee in his hand.

“Just watch, I won't miss you this time.” Hikaru widened his eyes like an owl that doesn't want to miss the movement of its prey from behind the window. Although he didn't know whether the light would really be seen again or not, but his determination was made up. He will continue to wait until daybreak.

A few minutes looking alert with his back straight made his muscles tense up. Hikaru then stood up, intending to stretch his body and play a song from his cellphone to kill his boredom. He was just about to open the music player application on his cellphone when he then noticed a bright light on the shore of Lake Toya. Hikaru tried to focus his gaze towards the light, but it was too dazzling and blurred his vision for a moment.

“Oh, no! I can't see it clearly. “ Hikaru blinked a few times, trying to clear his vision.

Slowly, Hikaru's vision returned to normal. It was then that he noticed something behind the dazzling light. No, it's not something, it's a person. A girl standing right in the full moonlight.

“Since when was that girl standing there? Did she also see the light just now?” Hikaru asked at the silence of the night. “Then, what's with that clothes? Isn't it too much for this cold night? She's out of her mind, is she?”

Without thinking, Hikaru grabbed his jacket and intended to go over to that girl. That's right, Hikaru couldn't stand to see that girl wearing a mini dress in the cold autumn wind. At least he could lend her his jacket, then ask about the light he had just seen. Hikaru was pretty sure that girl saw it too.

I have to hurry before the girl leaves. Hikaru seemed to rush out of his room. Despite his haste, he didn't want to appear panicked and attract anyone's attention. He had even thought of a good excuse if a staff member asked him why he was out in the middle of the night.

The man jogged towards Lake Toya. Having managed to get out without making anyone suspicious, he cast hope in his heart, hoping that girl he saw before had not moved from her place. Somehow, Hikaru felt he had to meet that girl. If not tonight, Hikaru would probably look for her again the next day.

“Ah, there she is! Thank goodness she’s still there.” Hikaru stopped to catch his breath.

Hikaru walked slowly towards that girl who was engrossed in staring at the full moon on the shore of the lake. Her body is very small when compared to Mika, who has a proportional body posture like a model. Even though he hadn't seen her face yet, Hikaru felt that girl was emitting an unusually strong aura. Her mini white dress and silver hair also looked harmonious and elegant.

Hopefully she's not the insane girl I thought she was. Hikaru muttered to himself, still scanning the girl from head to toe. No matter how he think about it, that girl is just weird. Her hair color is striking for the average Japanese, and her clothes don't match the autumn night weather in Toyako either. This girl isn’t even wearing footwear.

“Hey! You didn't intend to kill yourself in that lake, right? ” Hikaru's voice wasn't too loud, but it was enough to startle the girl who now turned to face him.

The silver haired girl didn’t give an answer. He just watched Hikaru with a look of astonishment. For a moment, only silence enveloped the two strangers who exchanged glances.

“Hey, why aren't you answering? Put it on, you can get sick standing outside in the middle of the night in such a short dress. Without footwear anyway. You don't really want to kill yourself, are you? ” Hikaru held out the jacket he was carrying to that girl who still showed no sign of looking away from her face.

Don't tell me she's charmed by my handsome face. Hikaru boasted to himself.

“Why is it? Here, take it!” Hikaru let out a deep breath, unable to understand why his good intentions were being ignored. “At least answer me. What's wrong with you?”

“Who …?” Finally, a word came out from that girl. Her voice sounded soft and sweet. For a moment, Hikaru felt hypnotized. “Well, now you are not answering me.”

“E-eh? What?” Hikaru stuttered as he regained consciousness.

“I said … who? Who are you?” That girl repeated her question, still with a look of astonishment. His dark brown eyes were still staring at Hikaru sharply.

“Oh, that's right. You must think of me as a stranger to watch out for. But, take it easy. I just saw you from my bedroom window. I think your clothes are too much for this cold air, miss. That's why I intend to lend you this jacket.” Hikaru pushed back his jacket while trying to explain his intention so that girl wouldn't misunderstand.

“How can …?” That girl no longer looked at Hikaru with piercing eyes. Now, she actually looks half daydreaming. The question that just came out didn't seem aimed at Hikaru.

“Miss, sorry, you are not insane, are you? Your words are a little messy. To be honest, I don't understand it.” Hikaru scratched his head in confusion.

“What? I think you're out of your mind.” The girl replied casually with a shrug.

“Hey, isn't that too harsh?” Hikaru felt a little offended.

“Ah, someone came. Looks like your girlfriend.” The girl stared straight behind Hikaru's back.

“Girlfriend?” Hikaru turned around and found Mika walking over to him.

“It's best not to say anything about me, or your girlfriend will think you're out of your mind too.” The silver-haired girl whispered from behind Hikaru's back who could now only frown, confused.

Hikaru really didn't understand, but he tried not to ask any more questions. Rather than asking the mysterious girl, Hikaru prefers to prepare himself to answer the questions that might be asked by Mika.

“Hey you, what are you doing in here in the middle of the night?” Mika pointed her finger right at the tip of Hikaru's nose. “Alone by the lake, huh?” Mika swept her gaze right and left.

“Alone? Are you kidding?” Hikaru laughed then turned around. Hikaru almost thought that the girl behind his back was a ghost and had disappeared. Thank goodness, that girl was still standing there, not disappearing as he thought.

“Ah! That's right, you're not alone.” Mika corrected her sentence, Hikaru let out a sigh of relief. Maybe Mika didn't see the girl behind his back because that girl has a tiny body and covered by his body.

“Right? I am not alone.” Hikaru smiled, looking at the lake.

“Yes, of course. Now there is you and me. You're not alone.” Mika patted Hikaru's shoulder, not realizing that the man's heart was beating faster, realizing that Mika really didn't see the silver haired girl who had a wicked smile at the two of them.

***

[to be continued]