A Sister's Heart in Spirit 2

Chapter 2:
The Memories of Yakumo Tsukamoto


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The next day, Tenma returned to school, still upset over the loss of her sister, Yakumo. She sat down on her seat and began to look out the window. Eri starts to notice about Tenma wearing a red necklace; she starts to grow concerned, but then grew jealous; knowing Eri, she'd buy any necklace she wants.

After school, Eri & Mikoto went to see Tenma.

"Hey, kiddo," Mikoto said, "How are you doing?"

Tenma said nothing.

"Hey, listen, I don't mean to brag," Mikoto continued, "But what's with the necklace?"

"Oh, this?" Tenma said, "It was a present from Yakumo… or, I think it was."

"Oh, please," Eri scoffed, "Why would you get a thing that's so tacky?"

"Eri! That's rude!" Mikoto scolded.

"Did you get it from beyond the grave?" Akira appears and said.

"You could say that," Tenma said, "But, I don't know why someone would give me this. I found it in her bed and the window was open."

"You're kidding? You must've been given that necklace from a jewel thief," Eri said.

"You're wrong!!!" Tenma shouted, "It's gotta be from Yakumo!!!"

"What about Karasuma?" Akira asked, "It could be from him, trying to sooth you."

"Karasuma?" Tenma ponders.

"Oh, please, Akira! Why the hell would he even give it to her in remembrance of that little brat?" Eri yelled.

"It's a possibility," Akira stated, "Tenma does love Karasuma."

"Irony…" Mikoto said quietly.

"Tenma, it's okay if you ask any boy who'd give you that thing," Eri remarked, "It's not like Yakumo will still be here afterwards."

"What do you mean?" Tenma asked.

Eri replied, "Because, she wouldn't have died knowing someone loves her. However, it's not like she'll ever find true love… that loser."

Tenma got up and slapped Eri. She started to break down in tears.

"How dare you, Eri! Yakumo is a nice sister and a nice girl!" Tenma cried, "Why would you disrespect her like that?"

"What the hell are you talking about???" Eri shouted.

"You've gone too far, Eri! Can't you see she's still in grief???" Mikoto shouted.

Mikoto then ordered Eri to apologize to her, but Tenma just rushed out of the room, in tears.

"NOW look what you've done!" Mikoto shouted.

"What I've done?" Eri shouted, "That damn brat is too shallow for her own good!"

"Oh, really? Next thing you'll tell me Harima gave her that necklace!"

"Whiskers?! Like hell he did! Besides, he's such a slob!"

Mikoto growls at Eri, "You better apologize, or else!"

Eri conceded and said, "Damn it…"

*-*-*

Tenma was outside school grounds, still upset. She was about to leave, when she saw a person that looks like Yakumo, walking down the road. Tenma rubbed her near red eyes, and saw the person. But, she disappeared.

"Was I imagining things?" Tenma thought.

Harima came by and found Tenma.

"Hey, Tenma," He called.

"Harima!"

"You need a ride?"

Harima threw a spare helmet to Tenma, and they drive away on his motorcycle.

As they drive away together, Harima was all tears of joy, "I cannot believe it! Tenma is driving home with me! Tenma's sister was a great girl, but…"

Harima then heard a faint sob. Tenma was crying on his back.

"Tenma," he said, "Don't feel bad. It still wasn't your fault that your sister died."

"I know. But she gave me a sign for some reason. But Eri decided to egg me on." Tenma said.

"What did 'Rich Girl' say to you?"

"I don't know… I cannot believe she's gone. But then I all of a sudden saw her. Don't you think it's weird, Harima?"

"You must be seeing things, Tenma. You must've seen your sister's image in your mind. I've heard about these things before."

Harima stops by Tenma's house, dropping her off. Tenma waved goodbye to Harima and thank him for taking her home. As soon as Harima left, Tenma turned around and saw Yakumo by her doorstep. Tenma was in shock, she looked again, but this time, she vanished. She still wonders why she has been seeing Yakumo again and again.

As she stepped in the house, she saw Iori running off past her. She then enters the front room, and saw a person sitting by the kokatsu table.

"Oh, hello there, Miss Tsukamoto," the person said, who turns out to be Hanai.

"Class Rep? What are you doing here?" Tenma cried.

"I came by to visit your house. You see, after hearing Yakumo has died, I thought I'd see her again before I can be clear of her once and for all."

"Hanai, do you have anything on my sister?"

"Yes… I loved her."

"WHAT?!?!?!?"

"Yes, it's true. I loved Yakumo Tsukamoto, but then I heard about many recent mishaps, including her being with that thug, Kenji Harima! Every time I remember Yakumo with that bastard, I'd get so angry!"

Tenma approaches Hanai and said, "It's okay, Hanai. I didn't know you had feelings for my sister. I always thought Harima loves Yakumo, but then I keep hearing that he loves Eri."

"You mean Sawachika?"

"Yes, that's true. But he never admits who he loved her."

"I have that problem, too. I even had the courage to confess my love to Yakumo, but she always avoided me!"

"It's okay. Sometimes, she can be very picky when it comes to boys."

Hanai pats Tenma on the head. He then tells her to give his respects to her sister.

"Thank you. And hope you'll find the girl who can appreciates you."

Hanai smiles and then he starts to cry a bit as he leaves her house. Tenma watches on, knowing Hanai will be okay. However, she pauses and sees Yakumo waiting Hanai in the corner, as he makes his way there. Hanai goes past Yakumo, and then she disappears.

"Not again! Am I seeing Yakumo again?" She said in a startling gasp.

Tenma heads back inside, and begins to watch TV.

*-*-*

Later that night, Tenma was about to get ready for dinner, but she has a terrible dilemma: She has to cook now. However, she went to the fridge and pulled out some leftover curry. She reheated it and went inside the room. Just then, she heard a ring on the telephone. She went to the phone and picked it up.

"Hello! Tsukamoto residence!"

The phone had no answer. She was suddenly confused.

"Hello? Hello?"

A weak voice then said, "Hello, sis."

Tenma was shocked. What she heard was Yakumo's voice.

"Yakumo! Why on Earth are you calling me now?"

The phone hangs up as Tenma started to shake.

"What the heck is going on?" She cried.

Tenma finished her dinner and got ready for bed.

As she ponders in bed, she had a very startling thought; she had that necklace for a whole day, and she thinks Yakumo's ghost had returned to take it back.

"What is she trying to do?" She thought, "Is she trying to tell me something?"

Tenma went to sleep, and sounded peaceful. Her day without Yakumo ends with heartfelt…

But her troubles were just beginning…