So… what's your ghost friend like?

Talking to me first? Usually I'm the one carrying out conversations, why the sudden change of heart?

Im distracting my mind by talking.

Why? Got some secrets?

I don't, I just rather some privacy. I'm a 15 year old girl and your god knows how old but still satisfied spending time with me, if anything, you're my biggest secret.

Lemme count, the current year is 2024…

So 2024 minus 1963. He mutters to himself.

Ah ha! 61 years old!

It took you so long to count 61? And I didn't ask for you age

Hey! Back in my days, the level of education was lower, and since I became a ghost I haven't counted over 20 in at least 20 years.

Right, totally. Well I'm at home finally.

Nice home, you live alone?

No, but the relationship with my family is….

Evelyn contemplates which word to use as she steps into her very quiet home where her parents do their own things ignoring each other, not even acknowledging her who just entered the house.

I think I got it actually.

Good cause I don't have a word good enough for my family.

As she enters her room to get some clothes she stops and realize something

How am I supposed to change or shower with you watching?

… see anything either if you close your eyes.

You want me to shower with my eyes closed?

Take it or leave it.

As she opens her mouth to talk back she closes it again knowing arguing isn't worth it.

Evelyn steps into the shower and takes off her clothes with her eyes closed and starts washing up.

You better make sure this friend of yours later can get you out.

He knows how to deal with this…. Probably. He whispers that last part.

Huh? I heard something at the end of that.

Anyways, even if I still can't get out, just think of me as an imaginary friend.

She ignores him as she steps out of the showers with a towel wrapped around her.

So where does this friend of yours live?

He lives in the shop he owns.

Your friend owns a shop? Doesn't the A.N.I do routine check up on each shop?

Yea, but… he can hide his energy sufficiently and… you'll see when you reach

Evelyn throws on a random plain set of clothes as she exits the house then follows the direction provided by Jake/bear boy, only to end up at a ghost themed restaurant, where the staff are fake ghosts with the manager being a real ghost and blending in.

Yea, he kind of hides in plain sight which gives him an excuse to look like a ghost.

Yea, I think I got that the second I saw this restaurant of your friend. Does this actually work against the I.M.A?

Apparently since he's been here for years.

Wow…

…………..

Well, let's go in?

Sure… Evelyn contemplates pointing out how this may attract more attention from the A.N.I or how risky this was but holds herself back due to it being unnecessary.

As she walks in, she sees a surprisingly realistic ghost, but not made out of soul energy, only to see that it's just very realistic costumes.

If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

Oh fake, makes sense.

Making yourself visible with soul energy is possible for most ghosts actually.

If making yourself visible with soul energy is possible, why don't more ghosts do it. She whispers softly so the other customers do not think she's crazy.

Well, most ghosts listen to the council of ghosts, that's not what it's called, but I don't remember, it's been too long since I visited there. Anyways, they made it a rule not to expose ghost, cus if they do, the A.N.I will take more precaution and if ghost become widely known, the government can hire more A.N.I personal due to not needing to be secret and people may be provided with special Goggles to see ghost and report them, cus those things are surprisingly cheap.

The only reason the humans haven't exposed it is to prevent people from getting paranoid and making false calls to the police due to being too paranoid, they may also blame the government from keeping such a secret from the public or something's like that, or etc, I forgot the rest.

How is your memory good enough to remember all that but forget your own age.

Well, this has been happening since humans were advance enough to detect ghost, so around 16 years ago.

A year before I was born.

Exactly.

So how do I talk to your friend?

He can probably hear me though I'm in your body, so I'll try to convince him.

Are you close friends with this guy?

Not at all

Will he help?

Hopefully.

Hopefully?

Hopefully. He confirms.

Evelyn sighs, expecting the worst to happen.

She gets tired of waiting, so she just simply decides to approach the kitchen.

So which ones your friend? She whispers to Jake/bear boy as she feels a cold touch on her shoulder which shouldn't happen due to her using soul energy to protect herself from the cold combined with a ghost in her body boosting her soul energy, causing her to turn her head back and see a ghost dressed as a manager.

Hey there, what you doing in the kitchen? The ghost dressed as a manger asks

She uses some of her soul energy to try poking him but it gets sucked in, confirming his a real ghost.

You know a guy named Jake?

Jake's a pretty common name, what does he look like?

Like you, but not burnt, and mauled by a bear instead.

Oh that guy, follow me. He leads her to separate room with the label “staff only” to find a decently sized room with walls, ceiling and floor covered in white tiles all around, along with two chairs and a table.

A bunch of questions pops up in Evelyn's head but she decides to ignore them all, focusing on the main reason she's here.

So since you brought me here, I assume you know Jake?

I guess you could say that. The ghost in the mangers costume says while taking off the manager costume outfit.

So could you help me with him?

Depending on the problem, where is he?

In me.

Huh?

He's in my body.

Right now?

Yes.

…

Hey there! Some help? A sudden irritating voice from me suddenly sounds out, disturbing the temporary silence in the room.

Oh.

The temporary silence returns as he stares at Jake trying to escape while still calling for help as some of his fingers escape and poke out of her body before getting sucked back in.

Fine, I'll agree to help on two conditions.

What?

You tell me how this happened and anything else interesting that happens from today onwards, and come visit atleast once a month.

Fine.

Without that nuisance in your body.

Gladly

Evelyn feels Jake/bear boy about to complain so she shuts her mouth to prevent his voice from coming out.

Stay still let me examine the soul energy real quick, assuming you can use it?

She replies with a short nod to avoid opening her mouth.

Excellent! He says as he starts walking around Evelyn examining the soul energy and reason for Jake being trapped.

I've got many questions for you, but I'll save them for after examining you.

Evelyn ignores and just wonders how much longer it would take, but it probably showed on her face.

Not much longer, impatience is key.

Alright, I've found the reason.

What is it?

Jake, is…

Is what?

Just too weak.

Huh?

Usually ghosts have lesser soul energy than humans as most of it is used to make their body, but have no control due to being made of it, but jake due to not practicing it at all, lacks control and amount compared to you.

Oh, so how to fix this?

Here. He passes Evelyn a small syringe filled with a purple liquid.

What am I supposed to do?

Inject your soul energy in, but just a bit and inject yourself.

Evelyn gets confused but does it anyway.

Not many people would be so trusting.

Not much to lose anyways.

Great mindset.

So when can I get this thing out of me?

I'm a thing! A sudden voice shouts out again belonging to Jake/bear boy.

It will slowly deplete your soul energy while still staying above safe levels for the rest of the week, making it weak enough for it to get out. He says ignoring Jake's/bear boy's protest to stop referring to him like an object.

That was easy I guess.

Alright now for my questions.

Fine.

First, how can you see ghosts?

Not sure, born with it.

Second question, how can you use soul energy?

Not sure, it was just instinctive.

Third and last question, would you like to participate in my test? Just to study you out of my curiosity.

N-

And before you refuse, it will only be once a month, and I'll pay you, won't take long or even hurt.

How much?

A decent amount.

How much? You work in a restaurant.

Don't underestimate me, I've been saving for years and have lived a lot longer than the thing in you.

Fine, when do I come back?

Any time it isn't business time and when the A.N.I aren't nearby.

Alright, is that all?

Yep. He says while putting on his manager's outfit again.

Alright. Evelyn says while turning to walk out.

Wait! He shout my name is Hansoo, what's yours?"

Why so suddenly?

Just felt like I should have asked when I first saw you, so better late than never.

Mine is Evelyn, but isn't Hansoo, a… well, not really a local name?

I get that often, my parents were Korean, but I don't remember why they named me Hansoo in this country, but not like I can change it.

Why not?

It's the last thing I have left from being alive, it would be a shame to lose it.

Ah. Evelyn realizes as she starts to walk out again.

Why weren't you curious why I was named Jake the first time we met? Jake says as soon as we exit.

Jake's an unoriginal not special name.

Silence as Evelyn walks back to her home again.

Guess I'm stuck with this nuisance for another week. She thinks while ignoring his protest for better treatment instead of being insulted constantly.