Chapter 3

I had no idea how long it took me to gather myself, but with nowhere to go, I eventually returned inside the house.

Still, I paused as I passed through the kitchen.

In the past, Sena didn't even know how to use a microwave and only brought me a drink from the kitchen at best.

Now I could hear a knife tapping against a cutting board.

As I paused and looked in that direction, I found her wearing an apron as she chopped some onions.

Beside her was a pot of soup wafting with an appetizing sweetness, and though Sena's technique was stiff, she took it very seriously.

"Are you really going to cook it yourself?" Yves asked, leaning against the doorway with a smile.

"Your stomach's sensitive, and food from outside isn't that clean," Sena replied without looking up, her tone mild. "I'm learning to make something that's easy on your stomach."

Yves' grin broadened, and he went over, wrapping his arms around her waist. "Thanks, dear. You're the best."

Sena paused, but she soon put down her knife and turned with a charming grin. "That's why you gotta love me more."

Just watching them stung my eyes.

As it turned out, she could cook, but it also depended on who she was cooking for.

I turned away, clenching my fists.

I was already convinced she was ruthless, but now…

With a bitter smile, I drifted away from the kitchen and huddled in an empty corner.

My ghost was itself fading, and I knew that I was going to disappear.

But this was fine—once I was entirely gone, Sena wouldn't feel bothered, and the ties that bound us would be gone.

As I closed my eyes, quietly waiting for that moment, I soon heard footsteps.

I opened my eyes to see Sena walking toward me with a bowl, her eyes cold and her visage impassive.

Splash!

Before I realized what had happened, she flung its contents at me, and I watched as the black liquid passed through my body and splattered all over the wall behind me.

I looked up blankly, not sure what she was up to at all. "What are you doing?"

Sena was frowning as she finally looked at me, but there was only disgust in her eyes. "Don't think I don't know what you've been up to—Yves keeps spacing out because he keeps having nightmares. It took a while to check, but it's because you kept hovering around and jinxed him."

I was stunned.

But I'd always hidden away and never wanted to hurt anyone…

"No, I didn't—"

"Enough," Sena snapped, cutting me short. "I don't want to listen to any of it."

I took a deep breath. "Well, what do you want me to do?"

Sena looked at me, her eyes resolute. "Leave. Stay away from me and Yves, and don't let me catch you here ever again."

Hearing that, my heart ached so much that I couldn't breathe.

As I looked at her bitterly, I finally understood how unseemly I was to her.

"Alright, I will…"

I hung my head, feeling like my tears would fall, but I forced them back.

Without another glance at me, Sena turned and left.

I really thought that I just had to hide and keep quiet, and we could stay out of each other's way until I disappeared, but that was when a strange voice rang from the living room.

I couldn't resist going down to look and found a priest in a cassock, holding an incense burner and circling the room while chanting a verse.

Sena stood at a corner, watching as the priest worked.

I stared at the dancing flames, feeling cold all over.

Did Sena hate me so much that she'd do anything she could to erase me from her world?

Even if I wasn't affected, the exorcism ritual was still endlessly humiliating, and it lasted over three hours before it was finally over.

It was already late at night when the priest packed up and left, while Sena went upstairs after freshening up.

Yves was on her bed looking unwell.

He gently took Sena's hand, his face looking weary. "I think I still feel a little sick…"

"Don't worry," Sena assured him softly as she threw herself into his arms. "The priest has cleansed the house. Nothing will bother you anymore."

Yves' eyes were closed as he rested his head against her shoulder, sighing hoarsely. "But that noise… I was so scared. It's such a creepy room…"

Sena smiled as she gave him a peck on the cheek and told him, "Then I'll stay here with you for the night. I won't go anywhere."

"Really?" Yves asked, his brow raised.

"Really," Sena replied, nodding without hesitation as she lay down with him. "I'll be right here with you, and we can go on a vacation when you get better."

Yves nodded as he pulled her closer. "Okay."

Sena leaned against his chest, and there was no hiding the love and bliss on her face.

I watched them in turn, whatever reluctance to leave I felt fading instantly.

Perhaps it really was time for me to leave.