After he said those words, he took us to a nearby café. He even insisted on treating us---Of course, I don't trust him... But he did save our lives, so I guess once wouldn't be too bad. Akane looked very uncomfortable. Right now, we're just waiting for our coffees, in this almost empty place, while maintaining this god-awful silence.

"So, the boy and I here have been acquainted, but I believe we've never met, lady. So hello there, my name is Henry Turnwallace. Very pleased to meet you."

"H-Harumi Akane... Same here."

"Now, I get that you two have witnessed some outrageous things today---things that normal people would only brush off as a dream, or some nightmare. I'm sorry you had to go through all that. I truly---"

"Enough with the hold up. Just tell us... who, no, what are you?" She demanded.

She didn't beat around the bush. Hell, she isn't a coward to begin with.

"Straight to the point, I see. Okay, listen closely, because what I'm about to tell you is, well, confidential."

I swallowed a bit of my saliva as he said those words---it all seems like some spy movie.

"There are 3 types of people in this world---

Human

Yurei

Rekishiya

Humans are the normal people, whom you see every day---they have no powers, nor are they physically as strong as a yurei or rekishiya.

Yurei, or ghosts, are the special type of human beings, with psychic-like powers. Their abilities aren't too powerful, but they have enhanced physical capabilities.

Rekishiya, or historians, are a type of yurei, who possess much more powerful and dangerous abilities. In addition to being more physically enhanced, they can also have more than one power---unlike a yurei.

All of these people co-exist in one form or the other---Sometimes you might encounter a person with powers, but you wouldn't know---Exactly like what happened to you, when you first met me.

Now as for me, I'm a rekishiya too, and I have the power to change the perceptions of people---mainly time, although other factors can also be changed, such as pain, vision, hearing, et cetera. Since I changed the time perceptions of all the people in that scenario, none of you could see me grab the big guy's guns---Although I was moving at normal speed, you all perceived it as lightning-fast movement."

That's too much information to handle---Rekishiya? Ghosts? All new terms for us... for humanity, in general.

"So, where do I stand here? Am I also a yurei?"

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

"Oh, no, boy. You aren't. But she is."

"Argh-M-me!?"

She spat her coffee in disbelief. Hilarious, really.

"I only noticed it a while back---you have potential."

"Are you joking? I still don't believe you. Powers? Yurei? Load of crap!"

"Well then, why don't you ask young Yoshida here? He knows about 'powers' better than anyone else."

"Ryou... What does this geezer mean!? Are you saying you believe him? Ryou...? You knew about these so-called powers?"

She's staring at me for an answer, but all I can do is sit here with my head faced down, and try to avoid eye contact. I knew this day would come, where somebody close to me would learn about it.

"Young Yoshida here is a special one, like myself. And that, answers your question, right, young lady?"

Akane started nodding her head sideways, in denial. Her eyes widened, and she started to sweat rapidly. She gave off a very eerie look---completely freaked out.

"S-so, what powers do you have, Ryou?"

I further went on to tell her about my ability---to be able to look into the past of people and objects I make contact with, and also being able to determine other details, such as sounds, pain, emotions, et cetera. As soon as I finished, Henry now looked freaked out.

"S-so you could tell all the details, like, everything? Even intimate ones?" She asked, with a shy expression.

"The amount of information I get is proportional to the amount of time I maintain contact---and I have rarely made skin contact with you. I have my gloves on most of the time to avoid doing it."

He was keenly listening to my conversation with her, taking mental notes. He seemed like some researcher.

"Interesting, and does this power only work if you touch via hand? What about your leg, or shoulders, or face?" He asked.

That's a good question---Why so? I guess I've never really kicked a person barefooted, nor have I rubbed my face onto someone, and I never wear sleeveless shirts anyway, so I suppose it's only natural I've only tried to cover my hands.

"No, sorry. I'm not sure. But tell me---why Akane? How come SHE has powers?"

"Ah, well, I only discovered it recently. But judging by what you told me, I think it was because of you."

"Me? What did I do? Gave her powers? I'm not some god."

"No, but guessing by the power you have, you must have awakened hers."

"So that makes me--?"

"A rekishiya, correct. Didn’t I say that you were a special one like me? Your ability is very dangerous---knowing what the enemy must have done, or what his secrets, or plans are, is something which is very risky to exist. It's been a long time since the appearance of one with this calibre. This will surely change the tides of power."

I'm a rekishya... great. More trouble. And Akane's a yurei---worse. And I caused her to become one? What have I gotten ourselves into? This is bad... I need more answers.

"I'm sure you're feeling insecure about all of this, but I'd like you to accompany me---both of you. Since you've been exposed, we have to move you to a secure location, under supervision. You can decline, but all the people close to you will be endangered if you stay here any longer. Those two earlier who attacked you, know of your residential location, and there'll be more---a lot of them, and they'll all be far stronger than them, so it's your decision."

"What about our families and friends? My school? What are we going to answer them? My dad will kill me if he comes to know any of this... and Akane's still a university student... we can't just leave!"

"Arrangements regarding these matters will be made. You need not worry about any of it, but the less questions you ask, the better. Trust me, it's for your own good. There will be a car waiting for you two in front of the shop from 0830 to 0845 hours tomorrow. Your call."

With those words said, he got up, paid the bill, and left. His words didn't seem like a joke, and if what he said was true, about others trying to get us, then this is the only option.

"We're going, Akane. He said he'll take care of our arrangements, right? We can't stay here anymore."

“You’re agreeing to that!? So easily!? Have you gone mad?” Akane asked, shocked.

“I don’t know… it’s just that, it all sounded convincing to me. Plus, even if he’s lying to us, we can’t stay here, can we? There’ll be more after us, like he mentioned. We must go.”

"Where do you think he’s going to take us?"

Come to think of it, where?