Chapter Ninety Two: Shimeko’s Diary: The Mean Ghost
Christina's Arc: Bend or Break
The white-haired girl wasn't doing anything besides sitting at the desk and humming. It was eerie. If this was Shimeko's writing, and she was supposed to be a queen, then why did her kanji suck?
I navigated around the furniture quietly, as if she could hear or see me. This was the first time that touching a book created an illusion this detailed. Typically, I fall through white spaces and absorb information like a suntan. I rubbed the back of the sofa, and it felt too real.
I stepped behind her and examined her white hair. There were some black strands underneath the white. Subaki did say it was rumored to be black at one point. My hand inched closer to her head. I wanted to—
Her room door opened, and the pig queen, Yoshime, walked in.
"Shimeko, my jewel. I haven't seen you but once after your training. Are you alright, my snow blossom?"
I guess that really is her.
The large queen moved closer, but Shimeko didn't say anything. When I peeked over her shoulder, she was drawing pictures of…some kind of animal, but it was hard to tell.
"Oh, are you drawing pictures again?"
I guess she can't see me. Then again, why would she be able to see me?
Shimeko nodded her head, and then the pig queen stepped through my ghostly presence, proving that I wasn't visible or tangible.
"Look, mommy. It's a dragon," she said, but she sounded like she was younger than she appeared.
At a glance, I assumed she was at least a preteen.
"That's very good, my flower. But it's almost time to continue your training. Now, we are going to practice with the naginata."
She set the pencil down and hung her head low. Perhaps she didn't like the weapon, or maybe she was tired.
"Mommy, why… Why…I not go school? The guards go, and I can."
What the hell?!
"Now, Shimeko. You know that your training is more important than school. We are at war with the Moonbind, and if I fall in combat, you must rise in my place," she said, reaching for Shimeko's head.
"Besides, at this rate, you'll be the first queen to master every weapon."
So, that's your play, pig. Keep your kid stupid, but sharpen her to a point.
She stroked Shimeko's hair. "Don't worry. After I've crushed the Bind, I'll get you the best teachers to catch you up, my light."
"Okay, Mommy."
"Good. Now, meet me in the dojo when you are ready," she said, and then she exited the room.
She walked away and closed the door, trapping us both in this pretty box.
"Damn," I said, staring at the door, "I guess princesses are prisoners, too. Well, at least—"
When I turned back to see Shimeko's scribbles, she was staring right at me.
…
So, I turned to see what she was so focused on. But there wasn't anything important behind me. The space where a picture of Kisaragi hangs in the future was empty.
Maybe she isn't staring at me, just past me.
I stepped to my right, and her eyes followed me. I crouched down, but she had me fixed.
I leaned in close to her face, and her black eyes widened. A thought, though stupid, ate away at me.
…
"Boo!" I shouted, and she screamed so damn hard that she fell from her chair.
"Mommy!" She cried with actual tears. "A ghost, a mean ghost!" She balled herself up on the floor, and I started to feel bad about what I did. Welp, at least I know that she can see me.
Subaki did say something about her being able to see ghosts. But how does this factor in? Does this affect anything?
The door swung open, crashing into the wall behind it, and I jumped.
The pig queen returned in a hurry.
"What's wrong, my sweet?" She shouted as she ran over to Shimeko. "Did you fall and hurt yourself?"
She lifted her to a seated position.
"Ghost!" She shouted and pointed at me.
The pig turned and squinted in my direction, but I was certain she couldn't see me.
"Begone, dark spirit!" She chanted.
Shimeko's face lit up… probably because she got the dark part right.
"I, the Queen of Iron, reject your malice in the sanctuary of peace!" She said, swiping the air in front of me.
Who the hell are you to talk of peace after mentioning war? Whatever.
"Begone!"
I exhaled.
"No…don't cast me out," I said, dropping to my knees. "If not here, my soul will return to a lonely, black void," I lamented.
"It's working, Mommy."
Oh, shut up.
I fell to the floor. "Please, I beg of you!"
"Is it still working, my treasure?"
"We stop. No more; you no scare us."
Us my ass. The pig queen can't even see me… whatever. I nodded.
"Okay, Mommy. We stop."
The pig looked at her with curious eyes. "Are you sure, Shimeko?"
She nodded her head and then rose to her feet. Her eyes were sharp as she watched me. She took deliberate steps toward me as if not to anger me. When she got close enough, she squatted, delivering a familiar stare.
It's probably this caged bird's first time seeing a foreigner.
"What do you think the spirit looks like, Shimeko?"
She focused on me as if everything depended on this one moment. I started to sweat.
"Black."
"Are you kidding me!" I screamed, causing Shimeko to fall back.
"Mhmmm…Mom," she whimpered.
I pushed myself up into a seated position. "Listen, repeat after me."
"Shimeko, darling?"
"Mom… The wild spirit has fair skin with glowing green jewels for eyes that glisten in the faintest light–"
"S-Shimeko?"
"He is handsome, with beauty unrivaled by the gods."
I smirked.
"His long braided hair binds me to this room, and…and..."
"Slow down," I said.
Yoshime leaped from her kneeling position and scooped Shimeko into her arms.
"Back, you damned spirit! You will not have my daughter!"
She picked up Shimeko and ran out of the room.
I rolled over and laughed, kicking my legs.
Eventually, someone's going to close that damn book…right?
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