I didn't need to worry about waking up my mom to enter the house because the security system at my house knew me well, so I could allow Chloe to enter without needing permission from the administrator, my mom.

The living room in my house was dark, as it was my mom's habit. She would turn off the lights and deactivate the step detector to automatically turn on the lights when it was nighttime. She said it was to save money and energy.

After turning on the lights in the living room, I asked Chloe to wait for a moment while I prepared some drinks and snacks for her to enjoy while waiting.

In the meantime, I would go to my room to inform Desmon that Chloe was staying over. Of course, I also wanted to ask Desmon to compromise and let Chloe sleep in my room. Moreover, thinking back, I should be able to ask Desmon to leave because this was my room, not his. However, it was not possible, not because I was afraid of ghosts, but I couldn't bear to drive away a friend.

In front of my room, I began to feel sleepy. Usually, I sleep around 10 or 11 pm, or at the latest, around midnight. So, it was reasonable for me to feel sleepy when it was already 12:30 am when we came home.

I didn't find Desmon in my room when I entered. I didn't know where he went, maybe he was in another part of my house, or maybe he already knew I had come back, and right now, he was hiding and waiting for the right time to shock me. I couldn't guess which one was correct.

But at least his absence helped me. I could offer Chloe to sleep in my room instead of the living room. However, before going down to the living room and making that offer, I had to make sure first that Desmon was really not in my room.

It didn't take long to confirm Desmon's absence in the room because he had left a note —of course written using paper and a pen from the ghost world.

In his message, Desmon only wrote that he would be gone for a while to the ghost world, and also mocked me for strolling around until night with Chloe. So, I could assume he would come back, but when he would come back, I didn't know.

This made me confused. Should I offer Chloe to sleep in my room or not? If I did, and Chloe agreed, Desmon could come back at any time, and it might bother either Chloe or Desmon, or both of them. But if I didn't, it could also bother one of them because Chloe would surely sleep in the living room, and when Desmon comes back, he might pass through the living room and meet Chloe.

Why did Desmon make everything more complicated?

Because I thought I had left Chloe for too long, I decided to come back right away while still thinking about whether to offer Chloe to sleep in my room or not.

###

When I got to the living room, I was startled by a strong death aura from the appearance of a ghost I didn't expect. It wasn't Desmon, as I hoped, and not any other ghost that I could have guessed. Fortunately, it wasn't a vengeful ghost too that I needed to avoid, and also not a phantom, which is rare for me to meet. But, the ghost I saw was Chloe.

"Chloe?" I didn't know and couldn't control my tone, but it seemed to surprise Chloe as well.

Ghost Chloe —I don't know what the right term for this is, so I'll just call it ghost Chloe— smiled as she looked at me. And then suddenly, Ghost Chloe moved very, very fast toward Chloe's lifeless body lying on the couch.

I could be sure that my eyes could clearly see Chloe's body, which was limp and lifeless, suddenly moving.

"Sorry," were the first words that came out of Chloe's now lively body. "Didn't mean to startle you, but I wanted to make sure this place is safe before sleeping."

Without waiting for Chloe's signal, I walked toward her. Unconsciously, I sat beside Chloe, looking her face.

"What are you going to do?" Chloe asked, pushing my shoulder gently, which, after I realized, was leaning towards Chloe's body.

I didn't know how close our faces were before Chloe pushed me, but I knew there was about a hand's width between our faces. So, I could imagine why Chloe asked and pushed me.

"Sorry, I didn't mean anything, but-" I said abruptly, fully realizing it. I didn't want Chloe to think something bad about me, so I right away created some distance between us and shifted my gaze elsewhere.

"It's okay, I understand," Chloe interrupted, maybe feeling awkward about the recent situation. That's why she also shifted her gaze away from me.

I tried to calm myself and started thinking about what to do next. But there was only one thing I could think of —why Chloe entered the ghost world again. Maybe asking about it was a good idea for now, well, at least it could shift the focus away from what I just did.

Before speaking, my hands, without waiting for commands from my brain, were playing with my knees. "Sorry, but... why do you have a ghost-like appearance?"

I glanced at Chloe briefly, she seemed to be back to her usual self, still a bit awkward.

"Uh... well, I told you I just wanted to make sure this place is safe," Chloe said.

I tried to command my hands to stop moving before saying, "What do you mean?"

"Yeah, do you remember the aura resonance I explained earlier?"

I tried to remember it, not because I forget easily, but apparently, my memory was confused by the previous situation. "I do."

"Luckily," Chloe said, looking fully relaxed now and no longer awkward when I glanced at her briefly. "So, it's easier for me to explain. I entered the ghost world to strengthen my death aura, so I could sense if there were vengeful ghosts nearby or not."

I tried to process it, but with Chloe being at ease, my mind also cleared up, making it easier for me to understand Chloe explanation. "In other words, you're trying to resonate or connect with the aura of vengeful ghosts. If successful, there's a vengeful ghost nearby, and if not, we're safe. Is that right?"

Chloe nodded. "Yes. Fortunately, it's safe here."

"Thank goodness," I said.

As my mind began to clear, and we both stayed silent for a few moments, I remembered our conversation in the park. Yes, I remembered that Chloe promised to teach me how to enter the ghost world after she had recovered. However, our conversations afterward were only about auras and the ghost's chaos. So, I thought this was the right time.

"Hmm... so, how to put it..." I said, something meaningless but enough to break the silence between us.

I turned my face to look at Chloe, but she had already done it first.

"Well, what's up?" Chloe said in a softer tone than usual, maybe trying to make me more relaxed to speak openly.

I took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. "How do you enter the ghost world? You promised to teach me about it in the park," I finished, ending my question with a smile.

Honestly, I might not have consciously smiled while talking in front of a girl the same age as me for a lifetime, so I didn't know if the smile I made looked natural, sweet, or just gave a bad impression. But at least, judging by Chloe's response in the form of a smile, I thought I succeeded in giving a good impression.

"Oh, haha," Chloe smiled and chuckled lightly —she looked very sweet and maybe even pretty, "Sorry, sorry, I forgot to teach you. But are you sure you want to learn it?"

Without thinking much, I immediately expressed my dedication to learn how to enter the ghost world.

"But it's dangerous. Desmon must have told you, that's why he forbade it," Chloe explained.

I knew Desmon wouldn't agree with this because it's very dangerous. At least, that's what Desmon said, and Chloe admitted it too. However, I remained committed because I had a strong reason why I needed to be able to enter the ghost world. So, I thought I could accept the risks, especially after seeing Chloe, who had experienced entering the ghost world and was still fine until now.

Even though I was sure, I still needed to know the risks of entering the ghost world. "What are the dangers?"

"There are many, of course. But at least, the one you should worry about the most is that your body can be possessed, or you can be approached by vengeful ghosts," Chloe replied with an expression that couldn't hide that she had experienced both of these things. At least, that was my guess from her different facial expressions.

Being possessed by a ghost or facing a vengeful ghost, both are without a doubt very dangerous. This danger made me rethink, although I still decided to continue learning how to enter the ghost world.

"Alright. But I still want to enter the ghost world," I might not be good at controlling my facial expressions to look convincing, but at least I tried to do that so that Chloe would be willing to teach me.

Chloe fell silent for a moment. She seemed to be thinking about my request again, or maybe she was thinking about how and where to teach me so that I could understand quickly —and safely.

While I waited for Chloe with her thoughts, I opened a bottle of soft drinks and snacks on the table in front of us. I also opened a drink for Chloe.

"Okay, I'm willing to teach you," Chloe said, and then her hand reached out to mine, gripping both of my hands tightly. "But you have to promise not to do it without my supervision. Deal?"

I smiled, not only because my wish was given by Chloe, but also because for the first time in my life, I could feel someone other than my parents and a ghost named Desmon worrying about my safety.

I felt noticed and cared for as a human being. "Thank you, Chloe," that's what I wanted to say to her. But my lips said otherwise, "Understood."

Chloe then released her grip and drank the drink I had opened earlier. "Do you still remember my explanation about dreams earlier?" Chloe asked after finishing her drink.

I knew Chloe had explained it at the restaurant, and I still remembered it. But I thought it would be better to pretend not to know to avoid any misunderstanding, so that Chloe would explain it again. So, I just shook my head.

"Hmm... The important thing is, when you dream, you've actually entered the ghost world, but you're not aware because your consciousness is still left in the human world," Chloe explained.

"Then, how can you be aware when entering the ghost world?" I asked.

"It's easy, by removing your life aura and replacing it with the death aura, or in other words-"

"Becoming a ghost," words came out of my mouth unintentionally and out of control.

Immediately, my whole body shivered. I found it difficult to breathe, and I also lost control of my body, although fortunately, all of this happened for just a few seconds.

I might have said this several times, but I still had to repeat it over and over again —I'm foolish. I mean, it's clear that if you enter the human world, you have to become human, so it's clear too that if you enter the ghost world, you have to become a ghost.

Why is something as simple and clear as that still difficult for me to understand? And how could I still have the wrong thought that I, who am still a human, could enter the ghost world without becoming a ghost?

I saw how foolish I had been as I consciously saw Chloe looking like a ghost when she entered the ghost world. That means Chloe became a ghost when she entered the ghost world —I even called her Ghost Chloe.

But how could I still think that, as a human, I could enter the ghost world without becoming a ghost? Silly.

But among my thoughts filled with proving my foolishness, there was one thing different. "But after becoming a ghost, you can return to being human, right?"

Chloe fell silent for a moment. She didn't seem to be putting words together to explain or answer my question, but rather thinking about something sad.

Her eyes seemed to be looking downward with a gaze as if mourning something, much like her lips that lowered as if holding back tears or giving in to something bad. Her shoulders also looked slightly slouched, as if crushed by something very heavy.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

Chloe took a deep, heavy breath until the vibrating sound of her breathing could be heard by me, "Unfortunately, the more you become a ghost, the chances of returning to being human will become zero."

I could feel the shake in her voice, as if someone scared.

"If that's the case, then don't," I said without realizing it.

Chloe raised her gaze back to me, clearly staring into my eyes. "Sorry?"

I knew why I could say it without realizing it before, it was because I was also worried about Chloe. "Don't go back to the ghost world."

Hearing that, Chloe smiled while wiping her eyes with her palm, although I couldn't see her tears, but at least it indicated that she was holding back her tears.

My worry couldn't be measured, but instinctively, I reached out my arms and pushed Chloe's head from behind to my shoulder, hugging her.

We didn't talk or move for a few moments until Chloe calmed down again. I released my hug, and Chloe also looked back to her usual self with her sweet smile.

"Thank you," she said.

Before move on to anything, Chloe and I both took a sip of our drinks.

Once she could control herself again, Chloe continued her explanation.

"You don't need to worry about me, I have my own way of handling things. You could say I'm experienced," she said, smiling.

I was relieved to see her smile; it was better than when she looked sad. "That's good."

"But you should worry about yourself. You lack experience, and the chances of you returning to being human are slim after becoming a ghost."

"Maybe it should be like that, but I trust you," I replied, smiling. "At least you found your way. So, as long as you're around, I'm sure I can return to being human."

"Thank you for trusting me," Chloe replied.

I didn't know what else to say, so I asked Chloe how to become a ghost. "So, going back to the beginning, how do I become a ghost to enter the ghost world?"

"As I said, you need to have a death aura."

I somewhat forgot about that, but as far as I remember, she hadn't explained it yet. "So, how do I get a death aura?"

Chloe didn't immediately answer my question. Instead, she grabbed a snack and started eating. "Of course, you have to own everything related to the death aura."

"What do you mean?"

"Yeah, you have to feel the cold, feel the darkness, breathe the foul odor, feel thirsty or hungry, and feel the silence. You need to do all of that to trigger the death aura within you."

Yes, you probably know what I'm going to say—I'm being foolish. But this time, it's reasonable for me not to guess it. I mean, Chloe didn't even experience all that when she turned into a ghost. For instance, before this, Chloe turned into a ghost in my living room, which was not dark but still bright.

Curious, I asked about it, "Are you serious? I mean, you yourself didn't feel all of that when turning into a ghost, both here before or in the park."

"Of course, I don't need that anymore. If you remember, I've already told you that I have a death aura."

"Oh, I forgot about that." Honestly, I really forgot. Because, even though Chloe had told me she had a death aura several times, I still didn't feel it. Chloe also explained that I couldn't feel her death aura because she behaved and appeared in a way that made her feel a life aura.

I chuckled to myself. Of course, the answer I was looking for had been explained long before this, but I didn't realize it.

Chloe was, indeed, dominated by the death aura. So, when she was in the human world, she needed the life aura. And to get the life aura, she needed to feel it herself. Because of that, her appearance was vibrant with striking colors, she always wore earphones, consumed food or drinks, wore slightly thicker clothes, and used fragrant perfume. It could even be seen when I first met her in the tutoring center.

Silly of me not to have realized it.

If that's the case, then I'm the opposite of Chloe. I mean, I'm still dominated by the life aura, so to enter the ghost world, I need the death aura. And to get the death aura, I need to feel the death aura itself.

If I were a bit smarter, maybe I would have figured it out earlier.

"Why?" Chloe asked, "Are you laughing to yourself? Is something funny?"

Maybe I didn't chuckle, or maybe I couldn't hide my laughter.

"Nothing, I just feel stupid for realizing something just now." I replied.

"What is it?"

"It's nothing. I just realized that you seem to be the opposite of me. I mean, you need the life aura, so you behave and appear in a some way to feel that life aura. And I need the death aura, so I have to behave and appear opposite to you."

Chloe seemed different from me, she could easily understand what I was talking about even I didn't need to explain it for the second time. I can see the difference between a smart person and a foolish one.

I, without realizing it, took my drink and was about to drink it because my throat was starting to feel dry. However, right before I could drink it, I remembered that I had to feel thirsty to have a death aura, which could give me the ability to enter the ghost world. So, I put my drink back.

"Then, if I've got the death aura, what should I do next?" I asked for the next steps in entering the ghost world.

"Next, you could say it's easy and difficult at the same time."

"What do you mean?"

"Basically, there's only one way to enter the ghost world, your soul must separate from your body. It's challenging to do, but unconsciously, every day, people's souls leave their bodies when they sleep."

"So you mean I have to sleep?"

Chloe finished her drink before answering, "You could say that, but you have to be conscious when you sleep."

"Lucid dream, do you mean?"

Chloe nodded, "Yes. So that's what I mean, it's easy because you only need to sleep but difficult because you also have to be conscious when sleeping."

I've heard of the concept of a lucid dream, and I've often watched movies or played games related to the concept of a lucid dream. So, I'm familiar with it. You can say that you're aware you're in a dream —that's the main concept of a lucid dream. But, as far as I know, there hasn't been a scientific explanation of how it works.

So, a lucid dream, even though it's been talked about a lot and is a common thing in science, but how it works is still being argued about and hasn't been solved. As Chloe said, that's the most difficult part.

"Can I have another drink?" Chloe asked when I was lost in thought.

I should have been a good host and gotten her another drink, but I felt like my relationship with Chloe was deeper, even though we had only met twice. Also, the laziness, tiredness, and sleepiness I felt, along with thoughts about how to enter the ghost world, made me not want to stand up to get another drink for Chloe. So, I told her to get it herself from the fridge, "Sure, you can get it from the fridge. It's free for you."

After getting my permission, Chloe immediately stood up and walked towards the fridge to get her drink.

While opening the fridge and looking at its contents, I could hear Chloe saying, "But I seem to have a special method. Even though I haven't tried this method."

I turned around to look at Chloe, who was opening her drink and closing the fridge. "What method?"

"You know the concept of sharing lucid dreams or mutual lucid dreams or something like that?"

If you've heard the concept of sharing lucid dreams, you'll probably think of some famous fiction that talked about it.

"Of course, I often watch movies and play games with that concept." I replied.

Chloe walked back to the couch, "So maybe we could use that concept to help you enter the ghost world."

"What do you mean?"

Chloe, who was now sitting on the couch, took a moment to sip her drink before explaining that to me.

"So, you'll fall asleep and dream as usual, it should be easy to do. And as I explained earlier, when you dream, you automatically enter the ghost world."

Chloe seemed to grasp how my mind worked, so she paused, giving me time to understand the information before continuing.

"As for me, I'll also fall asleep and enter the ghost world. However, since I'm conscious when entering the ghost world, I can act freely. During dreams or in the ghost world, I'll find you and try to make you aware that you're in the ghost world. How about that?"

The interesting concept and method.

I understood the Chloe's method, both of us would fall asleep, dream, and enter the ghost world. The only difference was that Chloe, being aware, would awaken me once we were both in the ghost world. It was easy to understand, but I wasn't sure how easy it would be to pull off.

While I pondered, Chloe still eating her snack.

"But are you sure this method will work?" I asked, worried. Not that I was worried about anything bad happening, I was just not sure about its success.

"Like I said, I haven't tried it before. So, I can't guarantee if it will work or not," Chloe replied.

I stayed silent for a moment, carefully considering Chloe's method.

After finishing her snack and having a sip of her drink, she said, "I won't force or recommend it, but I think it's worth a try."

"You're right, at least it's not dangerous."

"I indeed couldn't guarantee its success, but don't worry, this method is safe, as you'll just fall asleep and dream as usual, while the rest you can leave to me," Chloe replied, flashing her smile again.

"All right then, let's give it a try!" I replied with enthusiasm —at least as much enthusiasm as I could give when I was already tired and sleepy.

Chloe seemed puzzled for a moment before continuing, "By the way, not to be rude, but just to clarify, I need to know where I'll be sleeping."

Oh my, I forgot about that. Since I didn't have enough time to think, and Chloe already asked about it, I chose the option that seemed safest to me.

"Do you want to sleep in my room or here? But, sorry in advance, Desmon is leaving now and he can come back anytime, so maybe when he comes back, he will bother you," an option that hadn't crossed my mind until now.

"Here is fine, but maybe I'll need a pillow and a blanket if you don't mind. And about Desmon, it's okay. I don't mind," Chloe replied without thinking about it.

"Alright then, I'll get a pillow and a blanket for you," I said, getting up and heading towards my room.

"Robert," Chloe called, stopping me in my tracks.

I turned to face Chloe, asking, "What?"

Chloe stood up and approached me, "Hmm... so, I know this might sound rude or weird, but, in my opinion, I think I know how to increase the chances of the shared lucid dream working."

"How?" I asked.

"But I don't want to be awkward about it," Chloe said, which I could easily guess from her body language that she was confused.

"Just say it, I'll listen."

"Hmm... how about... but it's up to you whether you agree or not, I'm not forcing you."

I smiled, "Okay, so how's what?"

"You also slept on the sofa, or at least close to me, so I didn't have to look for you in the ghost world. It's just a suggestion, so don't be offended or think strange things." Chloe's words spilled out so quickly from her mouth that I could barely grasp them clearly.

I stayed silent for a moment, trying to fully understand Chloe's words. Though I could still hear each word clearly, I wasn't sure whether Chloe meant what I imagined.

"Sleeping close to you, huh?" I asked to confirm what Chloe wanted to say.

Chloe stayed silent for a moment, her face slowly blushing, though it might have been my hallucination. "You could say that, but you're free to disagree."

Chloe's confirmation of what she wanted to say sent a strong shock to my heart, leaving me silent for several moments.

I could never have imagined sleeping near a girl, and the thought itself made me not sure whether I'd ever have a wife.

For all my life, especially after gaining the ability to see ghosts and experiencing failed interactions with female friends, it seemed as if this had mentally traumatized me, making me avoid females, even people. So, it never crossed my mind that I'd be friends with a girl.

But now, not only was I friends with a girl—assuming Chloe thought of me that way—but I had also touched, held hands, and even hugged Chloe, remembering everything we'd been through together. And all of this happened in a single day.

And now, as if Chloe wasn't satisfied with shocking me with what her doing and her explanations, she was now asking me to sleep close to her.

Honestly, I couldn't think of anything weird in Chloe's suggestion. I fully understood why Chloe offered such suggestion, as it would surely be much easier. I meant that Chloe wouldn't have to wander in the ghost world to find and awaken me since we'd be in the same location when falling asleep. So, she only needs to wait for me in ghost world and then awaken me —so much easier.

However, hearing the suggestion still left me in shock.

Because I was tired and sleepy, along with the shock from Chloe, I couldn't think quickly to give Chloe an answer on whether I'd follow her suggestion or not.

So, I could only say, "I'm sorry, but-"

"No need to apologize, I understand. Take your time to think, and I'll be waiting here," Chloe interrupted my words.

I looked as Chloe walked back to the couch. While I continued thinking about Chloe's suggestion, I went to my room to get a blanket and a pillow for her.

###

While in my room, I pondered the idea of accepting Chloe's suggestion to sleep near her. It shouldn't be a big deal, especially in this era. However, what about my mom and Desmon's reactions?

I mean, I'm already getting a headache thinking about Desmon's reaction when he finds out that Chloe is staying overnight at my house, and also my mom's reaction. And then, if Chloe and I sleep close to each other in the living room, their reactions would be really wild.

So, after considering all possibilities, especially the reactions from my mom and Desmon, I think Chloe's suggestion is good. However, I think it's not for today, not at my house, and not when my mom and Desmon could come across and see us anytime.

At least, if I have to follow Chloe's suggestion, it should be in a different place, and they must not know about it. They might be pleased just seeing me sleep near a girl, and as for Desmon, he might tease me for the rest of my life. But if they know the main reason why I'm doing this, they will surely be disappointed and angry with me. Entering the ghost world is not a safe thing.

So, if I want to follow Chloe's suggestion, and if Chloe is still open to it, now is not the right time.

After grabbing a blanket and a pillow for Chloe, I immediately rushed back to the living room to meet her.

###

Until I came back to the living room with a blanket and pillow for Chloe, Desmon still hadn't come home. Maybe he had no intention of coming back until noon, I don't know.

I saw Chloe, who was didn't know I was around, busy playing with her smartphone while munching on snacks and drinking a soft drink she took from my fridge.

"Sorry for the wait. Here's the blanket and pillow," I said while handing over my blanket and pillow to Chloe.

Chloe smiled weakly when she saw there was only one blanket and pillow, "So, you're not sleeping here?"

"Sigh... seems not for today. I feel awkward and don't know what to do if Desmon and my mom see us sleeping close to each other."

Chloe just nodded while setting up the pillows and blanket for her, "Alright, maybe next time."

I smiled, "Okay, then I'll go to my room. Honestly, I'm already tired and sleepy."

"Okay," Chloe replied shortly, lying down on the couch.

I cleaned up the empty drink bottle and snacks before heading back to my room.

When everything was done, and I took my first step to come back to my room, I heard a call from Chloe.

"Robert, goodnight."

I saw her smile, and it made me happy, "Goodnight for you too."

####