Warmth enveloped me and I sighed. I was in bed. My eyes opened and took in the room around me. Nope, this wasn't my bedroom. This was a really nice hotel room. Last night came rushing back in a blur of colours and emotions. My eyes flicked down to the arm draped across my side. I tried to angle my head to see Chris' face.

Instead, I shuffled round to look at him. He'd fallen asleep still wearing his suit. The jacket was left abandonned on the back of one of the chairs. I leaned in, watching his features. My hand reached up to skim across his face. I smiled then remembered something. When I woke up yesterday, Keith had already been awake. Hayley had woken up really quickly too. I gulped.

"You're awake, aren't you?" I whispered.

"Yes I am, Junko." Chris replied, and I saw the faint smile on his lips.

"How long?"

"Most of the night."

Welp, time for breakfast. You know the old saying; something about breakfast being important. I shuffled backwards and he must have noticed. His hand tightened, gripping my hip. My eyes went to his, which were now open and staring at me. That same smirk was etched onto his lips.

"Guess there's no escape." He grinned.

I squirmed and then shrieked when Chris rolled us so I was on top. No, no, this was worse. He was using one hand to keep my wrists behind my back. The other hand shot up and grasped my chin, forcing my eyes to meet his.

"Relax. Untense your shoulders." He murmured, and I did as I was told.

"You're so mean." I grumbled.

"I know." He smiled then.

Right. Normally someone wouldn't be so proud about being a jerk. Chris let go of my chin and used his elbow to prop himself up and soon we were face-to-face.

"No, no kissing. My breath smells so bad." I whined.

He shrugged and leaned in, kissing me gently. My fingers tangled in his hair, feeling how soft it was. Something tapped on the door and I pulled back, eyes going towards it.

"Ignore it." Chris said.

"It might be impo-Ow." I yelped when he bit my neck.

Jeeze, what was that? I turned and pouted at him. The knocking grew a little more insistent.

"I know you guys are awake." Hayley called.

Well, that ruined the mood. I heard her laugh when I groaned. Had she known what we were doing? It seemed like that. How'd she get away with talking to her boss like that? I'm sure if I'd have done that when Chris and I first met I would have been in serious trouble.

"It's cute that you guys 'made up'" I heard her giggle.

My face heated up. Something hit the door and I only just realised that Chris had leaned down and thrown his shoe at the door.

"Going away now." Hayley laughed, and I heard her retreating steps.

"Now I have to go pick that up," Chris sighed. "And I'm too lazy."

I'd never heard him say anything like that before. I guess I was still getting to know him. Being in charge must be difficult and incredibly taxing. I glanced back to him and he smiled at me. I would never get tired of seeing that smile. Did Evangeline feel like that about Eric? Had she felt that way too?

"What's wrong?" Chris asked.

I snapped out of my trance and looked at him. He'd let go of my wrists and was watching me, warily. I toyed with my hair and sighed.

"I just like seeing you smile." I replied.

"And that gets you upset, like my smile is so bad that rainbows die, or something." He chuckled.

"N-no, nothing like that. I just wondered if Evangeline liked Eric's smile."

"Impossible. Eric never smiles." Chris smirked, and I actually laughed.

I guessed I wasn't the only one that disliked Eric. The digital clock on the side was reading nine thirty. Chris must have noticed because he slid me off his lap and went to the bathroom. I stayed on the bed and rested my head on my knees.

Eventually, I got off the bed and dug around in my suitcase for something to wear. I glanced at the bathroom door and hurriedly threw on a pair of jeans and a red cardigan top. I stuffed my PJs back in my bag when the bathroom door opened.

"Let's get this over with." Chris said.

He looked elegant as always. I reached down, grabbing the shoe by the door and handing it to him. He accepted and we shared a smile. I took the chance to go to the bathroom, brush my teeth, comb my wild hair and go toilet.

In the corner of the bathroom was a large, circular tub. Wish I'd noticed that last night. My sore neck longed for a soak in the bath. Seriously, I could still feel my neck clicking. I left the bathroom and followed Chris.

Well, we were heading back to the way things would always be. I'd be the employee. I curled my free hand by my side. Something cold gripped my hand and I realised Chris had took my hand, interlocking our fingers. We got in the elevator and I glanced at him.

"A-are you sure?" I murmured.

"I should have never treated you like you were just an employee." He replied, giving my hand a gentle squeeze.

The elevator dinged open and we walked into the lobby. Hardly anyone was around. Hayley was across the way, chatting to Keith. She saw us and waved, smiling broadly. She whispered something to Keith. They both knew. How many people knew?

"Don't they look cute, Michael?" Hayley grinned.

Michael had reappeared. He glanced at his boss and I, shrugging, but smiling at me again. His eyes said it all. He'd known the whole time.

The elevator opened again and Eric appeared. I watched Evangline trail behind him as she walked. Her face was down and my gut twisted painfully. Eric paused and glanced at Chris and I.

"How precious." He sneered.

My face heated up, but Chris just held my hand tighter and ignored Eric, which served to infuriate him.

**********************

The school was closed on a Sunday, but Helen had allowed us onto the premises. I did wonder what was going to happen now. How would the curse be removed?

"Bring them through." Hayley spoke into her bracelet.

Roger appeared, holding a couple of bags. He set them down and I leaned in to see what was in them. When Roger left, Keith opened one of the bags and showed me a wooden doll.

"A doll?" I asked.

"Yep, look it's got a name on it." Keith smiled.

It did have a name on it. This was interesting. I glanced at Chris again. Had this been his idea?
"These dolls have the name of every student that took part in the Kokkuri-San incident. The curse will be absorbed by these dolls." Chris explained.

Wow, that was really clever. Keith and Michael took the dolls into the assembly hall and lined them up along the benches. They left the building and stood with us.

"Now what?" I asked.

"The spirit should set the curse on the dolls and leave." Hayley grinned.

We waited with baited breath. Something cracked. Like the sound of splintering wood. Keith glanced at Chris and he nodded. The doors were opened and sure enough, a lot of the dolls had sustained damage, some to the point of near destruction.

The air felt clearer though and it felt like the spirit was gone. The dolls were gathered up and set on fire nearby.

"Fire purifies everything." Chris said. His gaze was locked on the flames.

I smiled and watched too. My gaze went to Eric and Evangeline. They were standing two feet apart and not touching. I would have loved to have a full conversation with her, but not with Eric nearby. He seemed to sense my gaze and leered at me. I looked away, back to the dwindling flames.

The fire eventually died and we left. I glanced back and noticed a figure between the trees, wearing a brimmed hat. I jogged to catch up with my friends. When I looked back, it had gone.

Notes