"Achoo! Why is your room so cold?"
"I'm sorry, Tomie-san. I, I usually don't turn on the heater because the electricity bill is too expensive. I'll get you a portable heater."
"Who told you to call me by my first name?"
"Then... should I call you Kawakami-san?"
"Never mind. Just call me by my first name."
Tomie watched as Kayako hurriedly brought out a small portable heater, fumbled with the plug, and aimed the warm air toward her. She felt a deep sense of helplessness.
As a woman, Tomie knew all too well how to deal with other women.
What were women best at?
Mind games and tearing each other down, of course.
Her brief interaction with Kayako had already given Tomie a general understanding of her personality.
She was weak and cowardly, the type of woman who would not resist even when bullied, just like Tomie herself had once been.
And how should someone deal with a woman like that?
It was simple. Intimidate her and manipulate her. As long as the other person became afraid of you, she would willingly obey every command you gave her.
However, Tomie felt as though every attack she made was sinking into a cushion.
Was Kayako's personality simply too weak?
No, it would be more accurate to say that she was too obedient. Tomie had already spoken so harshly, yet Kayako was not getting angry at all!
Yes, she needed to become angry. That was an essential part of the process.
Everyone had self-respect. Tomie's plan was to make Kayako angry, then crush her resistance and destroy that self-respect.
Only then would Kayako gradually submit to her.
These were all manipulation tactics Tomie had taught herself through her deep understanding of women.
Her grades might not have been good, but she had an extraordinary talent in this area.
Tomie even believed that she could manipulate men and women perfectly well without relying on her ability.
Yet none of it seemed to work on Kayako.
Was she really that submissive?
Kayako, meanwhile, was extremely happy.
Because Tomie-san did not actually dislike her!
Her words were sharp and unpleasant, and she was certainly not very polite.
But Kayako could not see any disgust in Tomie's eyes. That was completely different from the way everyone else looked at her.
Ever since she was born, Kayako had known that she was different.
She did not understand why, but everyone hated her, disliked her, and said she smelled bad.
Yet she bathed every day and always kept herself clean. Even so, people still said those things about her.
From childhood until now, only her grandmother, who had long since passed away, had loved her and treated her kindly. Even the parents who gave birth to her had never treated her like a human being.
Growing up in an environment like that, Kayako's personality could only have developed in one of two ways.
Either she would become painfully insecure, or she would completely lose her mind and stop caring about anything.
Kayako had clearly become the former.
She had silently endured the unfair hand fate had dealt her and somehow survived despite being completely alone.
Then, last year, everything changed.
Afraid to return home, Kayako ran away and met Toru.
Toru was just like her grandmother. He did not dislike her. He even felt sorry for her, cared about her life, and bought things for her.
It was a kindness Kayako had never experienced before.
Her fragile heart had completely melted.
In her heart, Toru was the god who had saved her, and she was his most devoted believer.
Whatever Toru asked her to do, she would gladly do it.
And today, she had met another person who did not dislike her.
This girl named Tomie also knew Toru-kun.
Yes, this must be a treasure bestowed upon me by my god. He knew how painful my past was, so he wants the rest of my life to be happy.
The warm air from the portable heater blew over Tomie, gradually warming her trembling body.
She frowned as she looked around the slightly dilapidated house, which carried a faint musty smell, and complained, "You really are poor. You can't even afford heating."
Kayako replied awkwardly, "My family is very poor. If I heat the entire house, I won't be able to afford the electricity bill."
Tomie pouted, her eyes filled with disdain.
But then she thought about it and realized that her own past had not been very different from Kayako's.
Her father had been a doctor, so they should have lived a comfortable middle-class life.
However, he had never given her any extra spending money, and the household had always struggled financially.
The place she lived in had not been as dilapidated as Kayako's house, which looked like something from a horror movie, but her cramped room had still felt suffocating.
Thinking about it that way, Tomie no longer had the energy to mock her. Instead, she inexplicably felt a trace of sympathy for Kayako.
Damn it. How could I feel sorry for this woman? Is this her ability?
Tomie was startled and quickly suppressed the emotion.
"Meow."
Cats were naturally afraid of the cold.
When Komuro saw the portable heater, he immediately ran over and lay down beside it. He purred continuously while stretching out his little body.
"Komuro, don't get too close. You'll singe your fur."
Kayako quickly picked Komuro up and moved him a little farther from the heater.
"...This should be fine. It's still warm, but you won't burn yourself."
Tomie looked at the black cat sitting close beside her, and her eyes suddenly softened.
She hated the desire in men's eyes when they looked at her, and she hated the jealousy in women's eyes.
But Tomie genuinely liked small animals, especially cats and dogs.
Animals were simple. They were not affected by her ability.
Tomie extended her slender fingers and gently stroked the black cat's fur.
Komuro meowed happily, rolled over to expose his belly, and rubbed against Tomie's hand.
Seeing the adorable cat, Tomie could not suppress the smile forming at the corners of her lips.
Tomie-san is a good person. Her words may be unpleasant, but she's kind deep down.
That was what Kayako thought.
Anyone who liked Komuro had to be a good person.
Toru-kun liked Komuro, and Tomie-san liked Komuro too.
Perhaps, perhaps Tomie-san could become my friend?
Kayako's heart began to beat faster.
This is a gift from Toru-kun. Yes, Toru-kun also said he hoped I could make friends of my own. Tomie-san doesn't dislike me, so maybe she really can become my friend.
But would Tomie-san be willing?
At that moment, many thoughts also passed through Tomie's mind.
She wanted to study her ability and prevent it from going out of control.
Tomie had no noble desire to protect the world. It was not that she feared her ability might cause society to collapse.
She was simply afraid that if her power went completely out of control, she would lose control of herself as well. Then she might be captured, locked inside a research facility, and treated like a laboratory animal for the rest of her life.
Toru was unaffected by her ability, and Kayako was unaffected as well.
Toru was too intelligent. Trying to study him would probably be extremely difficult.
Kayako, however, seemed easy to deceive.
Perhaps Tomie could discover the reason through her.
Thinking of that, Tomie smiled charmingly.
"Kayako, do you use LINE? Let's exchange contact information."
Kayako's eyes lit up, and she nodded excitedly.
Besides Toru, she finally had her first friend on LINE!
...
Toru had remained hidden near Kayako's house, watching the meeting between Tomie and Kayako while silently praying that nothing dangerous would happen.
Even after Tomie left Kayako's house, Toru remained confused.
What's going on?
Why did a monster and a female ghost get along so well?
Is this some kind of mutual understanding between monsters?
Could they be planning to discuss how to destroy the world together?
(To be continued.)