Maybe I'll Repost It But With A Well-designed Background - Blog Posts

Day 2: Spirit or space

"The gardening club was a failure."

That was the answer students at Black Vinegar Middle School had to settle for when the school’s greenhouse was permanently closed—and no one ever questioned it.

But in recent weeks, whispers and rumors had been growing throughout the school. Frightened students said it was lucky the greenhouse had been shut down, and some, bolder than others, added that the girl who once led the gardening club had lost her life inside that very glass dome.

Teruki Hanazawa was never one for gossip, but he knew reckless students wouldn't take long to sneak in and end up hurt. He also knew that the rumors might not be entirely false—just walking past the abandoned place always gave him uncontrollable chills without any clear reason...

After Teruki’s repeated pleas for the esper to come, and Mob’s many attempts to say Reigen should handle it instead, the two of them finally arrive at the back of the school.

There isn’t much to see—some students are still participating in their extracurricular activities, and everything looks... normal?

The only structure that stands out is the glass dome. It’s not that big, but it might as well be.

As they get closer, Mob notices Teruki’s steps slow until he comes to a full stop by the door. The blond insists he’s not scared and—surprising even himself more than the other boy—uses his powers to destroy the rusted chains and padlocks blocking the way.

Inside is a completely abandoned space—sunlight barely filters through the thick curtains of dust, and the wooden floor is buried under dried leaves and withered roots...

"She’s crying," Mob says as soon as he sets foot on the dirty floor. "She liked it here, but... she’s alone."

Teruki always admired how simply his friend could understand other people’s feelings, even if he’d never actually told him that.

“We can’t just... exorcise her, right?” he asks. “There’s gotta be something else we can do to help... right?”

“Maybe... maybe if we keep her company, she’ll be able to move on by herself,” the dark-haired boy replies, expressionless. “But only if you want to.”

“As long as it doesn’t take forever.” Teruki shrugs and starts walking gently, as if not to disturb the resident.

And so minutes—or maybe hours—pass with them there.

The tension blooms into comfort, and the two friends slowly forget the world outside.

Curiously, a few sprouts begin growing through the cracks, and some plants return to their healthy state—thanks to their psychic powers. The place no longer feels so sad, even though it’s still dusty and smells strongly of damp soil.

Now, whoever had been there could finally say goodbye, and watch her little prison return to the way it always should have been.

The teasing becomes playful, and a few risky confessions slip out between the two espers.

The space now feels too small—that’s the only explanation for how close Teruki suddenly gets—and Mob lets soft, nervous giggles escape without a care.

And the space keeps shrinking... and shrinking... until there’s nowhere else to go but closer to each other. They bump shoulders and knees, brush fingers, and suddenly, their lips meet.

And despite the dust, the dampness, and the time it spent forgotten... the greenhouse became a refuge. For lonely spirits—and for hearts, too.