Secrets of the Eyepatch Senior and the Infirmary

Episode 5: The Night Infirmary and the Eyepatch senpai

"That final slap in See-Through Schoolgirl Ghost? Absolute perfection!"

Cradling a melon soda in both hands, Ao beamed with a grin as bright as the fizzy drink.

"I mean, she moved on after a slap! What kind of logic is that? But man, the sound it made—PAAAN! So satisfying."

"I liked that line she said," I added. "'It’s not just my uniform that’s transparent—my heart and body are too.' So melodramatic."

"Pfft, no way, the highlight was totally the condensed milk scene! That’s when everyone suddenly developed spirit sensitivity! The director wasn’t even trying to hide his kinks."

"Don’t say it like that!"

I couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

"Also, that exorcism spell from the teacher—‘Ko-ro-mo~ ageage~’—totally improv, right? I actually practiced saying it out loud!"

"Stop, when would you even use that?"

"In case you suddenly get cursed, of course!"

"By who?!"

Still riding the high from the movie, we kept chatting away in the family restaurant.

"Hey, Ao... do you think our school has any ghost stories?"

"Our school? Hmm, never heard any. Oh wait—there is that one guy who always gets the first yakisoba bread at the shop... maybe he’s a ghost?"

"That’s just a suspicious person."

"Then what if... at night, a stuffed animal that looks just like you starts walking the halls?"

"...I hate that."

"Come on, it’s kinda fun! Like a haunted school tour~"

Ao’s eyes sparkled as she twirled her straw in the soda.

"Since we're talking about it, wanna go? Like, right now?"

"Huh?"

"Ghost investigation! After the see-through JK, it’s time for the see-through infirmary! Starring our very own Sumire-senpai!"

"Please don’t. That title alone sounds like it’ll get us banned..."

"It’s fine! As long as the characters are all over eighteen!"

"...I’m literally still in high school."

Honestly, I wasn’t too keen on the idea.

But—

I found myself nodding.

Because I couldn’t stop thinking about her. The girl with the eyepatch.

I hadn’t told Ao about her. Not yet.

But maybe, just maybe, if we went together, we could get closer to the truth.

The thrill of sneaking into school at night, and the feeling—no, the hope—that she might be there...

It gave me the tiniest push forward.

"Ugh... drank too much soda..."

We’d just reached the infirmary when Ao suddenly crouched over, clutching her stomach.

"Gotta hit the bathroom... Carbonated drinks always settle at the bottom. Gravity, y’know?"

"I think that’s just density at work."

"W-well, anyway, good luck! If you see a ghost, make sure to record it!"

"Why are you acting like this isn’t your idea?!"

Waving a lazy goodbye, Ao turned the corner and vanished from sight.

And I was left alone in front of the infirmary.

The hallway was eerily quiet—

I thought I heard something from behind the door.

A faint, subtle noise.

Someone was there—

I could feel it.

(...No way.)

I slowly reached for the door and opened it.

Inside, the infirmary was still and silent.

The curtain swayed gently—and by the window stood a girl.

With an eyepatch covering one eye: Yuri-senpai.

"Good evening, Sumire-chan."

Her voice was soft, like a dream you didn’t want to wake from.

I hesitated, then stepped inside.

"...Senpai, why are you here?"

"I was waiting. Because I knew you’d come again."

A chill ran down my spine.

"You didn’t come back just to return that stuffed animal, did you?"

She stepped closer, quiet as a whisper.

"I wonder... will you take her place instead, Sumire-chan?"

Another step. And another.

"W-What do you mean...?"

"Hey, Sumire-chan... Are you into this kind of thing?"

I instinctively backed away, searching for an escape.

But my back hit the door. I was trapped.

Yuri-senpai stood right in front of me now.

"I—I didn’t come here for anything like that—"

"...No."

In that moment, her face moved closer.

"Yuri-sen—"

Before I could finish her name, her lips met mine.

Gentle. But there was a pressure that left no room for refusal.

And as they touched, I felt something deep within me begin to unravel.