⇲ 𝐒𝐇𝐎𝐍𝐎 𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐘,
𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐁𝐎 𝐓𝐔𝐍𝐍𝐄𝐋    〉 𝐉𝐀𝐏𝐀𝐍 !
XXXX.      ✿      CIRCA JUNE 2012.
𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 GOO GOO MUCK
THE CRAMPS.
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

Odette, Momo, and Okarun ran for their lives as the Earthbound Spirit Crab chased after them, its grotesque legs smashing into the ground with loud, thunderous cracks. The air around them was thick with tension, every breath they took strained and desperate.

"Why does it have to resemble seafood? Now I want some!" Odette shouted mid-sprint, glancing over her shoulder at the monstrous crab closing in.

"How can you say that right now?!" Momo screamed, her voice breaking with a mix of panic and disbelief. "You're thinking about food?"

"Girl, of course, I'm thinking about food! But not just any food—a seafood boil! I'm Floridian! We crack crabs open and dip 'em in butter, not run away from them!" Odette shot back, her voice rising in exasperation.

"Why is the Earthbound Spirit a crab?!" Okarun shouted, clearly losing his composure.

Momo huffed, trying to keep up with Odette's pace while clinging to Okarun's back. "Grandma said the dead sometimes turn into freshwater crabs to cross the River Styx! How was I supposed to know that would apply here?!"

The Earthbound Spirit Crab roared behind them, its beady eyes glowing red as it slammed its claw into the ground, causing the earth to quake violently. The trio stumbled but kept moving, Odette occasionally turning to hurl insults at the monstrosity.

"Turbo Granny!" Momo snapped, her tone laced with anger. "Tell your crab pet to stop attacking us!"

Turbo Granny's distorted voice rang out, mocking them. "You little brats think you can run from me? Even this spirit can't let you escape!"

Momo covered Turbo Granny's mouth with her hand, silencing the taunts. "Okarun, it's time to transform again!"

Turbo Granny thrashed in defiance. "You can't use my power anymore! You gave the brat his genitals back, and I'm not about to let you use my abilities freely!"

"Then shut up and stay still!" Momo snapped, her patience wearing thin.

"How dare you address me like that?! I'm an elder!" Turbo Granny snarled, clearly offended.

Odette rolled her eyes, her hands glowing faintly with black and violet energy. "Can we save the old hag drama for later? Kenny, get your turbo ass moving before we become crab food!"

With Turbo Granny's reluctant cooperation, Okarun's transformation reactivated. His hair flared white, stripes appeared across his face, and his posture hunched as his cursed form took over. He grinned despite himself, his voice deep and slightly detached. "Looks like I've gotta save you ladies again."

"Let's see it, then!" Odette shouted, her scythe manifesting in her hand. "Show us some of that speed before I use my blade to slow that crab down myself!"

Okarun crouched low, Turbo Granny's energy pulsating through him. "Hang on, Miss Ayase!" With a sudden burst of speed, he took off, carrying Momo on his back. Odette followed close behind, riding her scythe like a makeshift broom, her balance graceful as she zipped through the air.

"How are you doing that?!" Momo yelled, her voice tinged with awe and jealousy.

"I don't know, but it works! Focus on not dying!" Odette shouted back, her scythe humming under her.

The chase was chaotic. Pedestrians stared as Okarun zigzagged through the streets, narrowly avoiding collisions with lampposts and buildings. Odette, hovering above the ground, laughed loudly as the absurdity of the situation hit her.

"To anyone watching, it probably looks like we're possessed!" Odette called out, glancing at Momo.

"That's not funny!" Momo snapped, though her flushed cheeks suggested she found it hard not to laugh.

"Dot, if I collapse from exhaustion, make sure you tell everyone how cool I looked!" Okarun shouted, his pace faltering slightly as his stamina waned.

"Don't you dare stop now, Ken! We've got a spirit crab on our heels!" Odette yelled, her scythe weaving gracefully to block a claw swipe from the crab. The force of the blow sent sparks flying, and Odette gritted her teeth, struggling to hold her position.

Momo leaned forward on Okarun's back. "Keep going, Okarun! There's a hot spring up ahead—Odette, steer it toward the water!"

"Got it!" Odette spun her scythe around, slashing at the crab's legs to draw its attention. The creature let out a guttural roar and changed direction, its massive body barreling toward the spring.

When they reached the hot spring, Momo acted quickly, using her psychic powers to yank down a pipe carrying steaming water. The hot liquid sprayed onto the Earthbound Spirit Crab, causing its movements to slow as its muscles began to seize up.

"It's working!" Momo shouted, her eyes glowing with determination.

"Keep it up, Mo! It's slowing down!" Odette added, landing gracefully next to her.

But their victory was short-lived. From the shadows, several possessed townsfolk appeared, their glowing eyes and jerky movements marking them as puppets of Turbo Granny and the Earthbound Spirit Crab.

"What the hell?!" Odette exclaimed, raising her scythe defensively. "Why does it keep getting worse?!"

"They're being controlled by Turbo Granny," Momo muttered, her fists clenching. "She's calling in reinforcements."

The possessed individuals surrounded them, closing in with unnatural speed. Okarun, now back in his human form and visibly drained, stumbled to his feet. "Miss Ayase, we're not getting out of this without a fight."

Odette tightened her grip on her scythe, her violet aura flaring. "Good thing I don't mind cracking a few skulls."

Turbo Granny's voice echoed from the crab. "You'll never leave Shono City alive! My army will make sure of that!"

"Army?!" Odette scoffed. "You're barely holding it together as it is, you wrinkly hag!"

Momo devised a plan on the spot. "Ken, use your speed one more time! We need to break through their ranks and get to the train station!"

"I don't have much left in me," Okarun admitted, but he nodded. "I'll try."

Odette placed a hand on his shoulder, her energy flowing into him. "There. That should give you a boost. Now go full throttle, Kenny!"

With Odette's added energy, Okarun transformed once more, his cursed form roaring to life. He grabbed Momo and bolted, weaving through the possessed townsfolk with precision. Odette followed closely, her scythe slicing through anything that got too close.

When they reached the train tracks, Turbo Granny and the Earthbound Spirit Crab were already in pursuit. "You can't outrun me!" Turbo Granny shrieked. "Trains slow down, but I never do!"

Momo smirked, her psychic powers crackling around her. "That's exactly what we're counting on, you dumb hag."

As the train approached, Momo used her powers to latch onto its roof, pulling herself, Okarun, and Odette onto the speeding vehicle. Turbo Granny followed, her massive form keeping pace effortlessly.

"You fools!" Turbo Granny screamed. "I'll crush this train with you on it!"

Momo's voice rang out, filled with defiance. "'I'll crush this train' is what I expected from you, moron. But guess what? You've been lured into a trap."

Unable to escape due to Momo's psychokinesis holding her down, Turbo Granny let out an enraged screech. "You rotten bastard pigs! Let go of me!" she bellowed, thrashing wildly, her grotesque form struggling against the psychic force keeping her trapped.

Momo smirked, her hands glowing with concentrated energy. "I think it's time to say goodbye to this planet, Turbo Granny."

Odette stood beside her, holding her scythe defensively as she added, "In this race... we win."

The glowing trap laid out by Seiko activated as Turbo Granny, fused with the Earthbound Spirit Crab, was pulled into the center of the energy. A blinding light enveloped the monstrous form, and with one final, guttural cry, the spirit was exorcised.

As the light faded, silence hung in the air. The three teens and Seiko watched in awe as the monstrous spirit dissolved into an ethereal mist. From the mist, faint figures of schoolgirls began to emerge, their faces serene, their forms translucent.

Odette gasped, her scythe lowering. "What... what is that?"

Momo whispered, her voice trembling, "The victims. These must be the girls Turbo Granny and the Earthbound Spirit Crab took..."

One by one, the ghostly schoolgirls floated upward, their forms shimmering as they ascended. With soft, almost imperceptible smiles, they disappeared into thin air, leaving nothing but a calm, still breeze in their wake.

Odette's heart sank as she processed what she had just seen. "They've been freed," she murmured, her voice breaking slightly. "They can finally rest."

Suddenly, a loud, piercing scream broke through the silence. Ken sat up abruptly, his eyes wide and frantic. "What the hell?! Where am I?! What just happened?!"

Momo groaned, putting a hand to her temple. "Relax, Okarun. We won. You're fine."

Odette rushed over, crouching beside him with a relieved smile. "Thank goodness you're alright!" she said, reaching out to touch his shoulder gently.

Ken turned his head to look at her, and the moment his eyes met hers, his face flushed crimson. He quickly looked away, mumbling, "I-I'm glad you're okay too, Odette... and you as well Miss Ayase."

Momo rolled her eyes at the display, muttering, "Ugh, you two and your awkwardness." She plopped down on the ground, clearly exhausted.

Odette let out a soft sigh, leaning her head against Ken's shoulder as the adrenaline began to fade. "I'm exhausted, don't ever ask me to do something like this again." she groaned, her voice barely audible.

Ken stiffened at the contact, his face burning even brighter. Hesitantly, he raised a hand and awkwardly patted her back. "I'm sure you'll get some rest..," he stammered, his voice barely above a whisper.

A small, tired smile tugged at her lips as she shifted closer to him. Ken, despite his nervousness, didn't pull away. Instead, he gently wrapped his arm around her, holding her a bit closer as they both tried to regain their strength.

Momo slumped over next to Odette, her eyelids feeling heavier by the second.

Just then, Seiko appeared, her calm presence grounding them. She surveyed the group with a faint smile before letting out a deep sigh. "You kids did well," she said, her voice steady but tinged with a hint of pride.

————

The morning sun bathed Shono City in a golden light, a stark contrast to the darkness and chaos that had unfolded the night before. Odette felt unusually refreshed, her body lighter and her mind clearer after everything they had endured. She stretched her arms overhead as she walked alongside Momo, Okarun, and Seiko, carrying a bouquet of flowers in her hands. The group was headed back to the tunnel where everything had started.

The air was solemn, almost reverent, as they approached the tunnel. The once-threatening atmosphere of the place now seemed heavy with sorrow. Each step felt weighted with the burden of the tragedy that had unfolded there years ago. The flowers in their hands were meant to honor the young, innocent girls who had lost their lives in such a cruel and senseless manner.

Seiko, her face calm but somber, was the first to speak. "This is where girls around your age were violated, cut into pieces, and tossed away like garbage." Her voice was steady, but the pain in her words was unmistakable.

Odette and Momo stopped in their tracks, their grips tightening on the bouquets. The words hung in the air, cutting through the silence like a blade.

"They didn't become evil spirits because they wanted to," Seiko continued, her cigarette dangling from her lips as she glanced at the teenagers. "But the dead shouldn't attack the living. That's where the balance was thrown off."

Odette felt her heart ache. The thought of what those girls had endured filled her with a mixture of rage and sorrow. She adjusted the hood of her jacket over her head, her expression shadowed. "They didn't deserve any of this," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

Momo nodded, her eyes misty as she stared at the entrance to the tunnel. "No one deserves that," she agreed, her usual sass replaced by a rare gentleness.

Seiko stepped closer to the group, her gaze now fixed on the tunnel's dark maw. "Turbo Granny," she began, "wasn't just haunting this place for no reason. She came here to comfort the spirits who couldn't move on to the afterlife. She was protecting them. That's why she attacked you two." She gestured toward Odette and Okarun.

Okarun, standing quietly to the side, looked up at Seiko, a mix of guilt and understanding in his eyes. "So...she was helping them?" he asked, his voice tinged with disbelief.

Seiko nodded. "In her own twisted way, yes. Turbo Granny isn't inherently evil. She was just doing what she thought was right. But when you and Odette trespassed here, she saw it as a threat and acted accordingly."

The words made Odette's heart sink further. She looked at the flowers in her hands, the vibrant petals trembling slightly from the breeze. "So, everything she did...was to protect them," she said softly, her voice laced with regret.

Seiko turned to Odette, her expression softening. "Dot," she said, using her nickname with a rare gentleness, "you've only tapped into the fighting side of your abilities. Once you gain access to the spiritual work, guiding spirits like these to the afterlife will come naturally to you. You have the potential to restore balance, to ensure that spirits like these girls don't become vengeful."

Odette nodded, her jaw tightening as she absorbed Seiko's words. She threw her hood over her head, as though trying to shield herself from the weight of what she had just learned. Her gaze drifted back to the tunnel. "They deserved peace," she said firmly. "Not this."

Momo placed a comforting hand on Odette's shoulder, her grip steady. "We'll make sure they get it," she said with quiet determination.

The group stepped into the tunnel's entrance, laying the flowers down carefully. Odette knelt, her head bowed as she whispered a prayer under her breath. The others followed suit, each of them silently honoring the lives that had been lost. The quiet hum of the city in the distance was the only sound accompanying their solemn moment.

As they stood, Seiko lit another cigarette, her gaze lingering on the dark tunnel. "Turbo Granny did a lot of harm," she admitted, exhaling a thin plume of smoke. "But she wasn't all bad. Sometimes, the things that seem like threats are just...misunderstood."

Odette frowned, her mind racing. She couldn't shake the thought of Turbo Granny soothing the spirits of those girls. It was almost too much to process—the same spirit that had attacked them so viciously had been a protector all along.

"She saved Momo that night in the hospital too," Odette said suddenly, breaking the silence. Her voice was steady but filled with emotion. "Even if she cursed Ken, she protected Momo when she was attacked by those aliens. She's not just a monster."

Seiko nodded approvingly, her lips curving into a faint smile. "You're starting to get it," she said. "The world isn't black and white, Dot. Spirits like Turbo Granny exist in the grey. And sometimes, it's up to people like you to figure out where they truly belong."

Odette tightened her fists at her sides, her resolve hardening. She wasn't sure if she was ready to take on the responsibility Seiko was hinting at, but she knew one thing for sure—those girls deserved peace, and Turbo Granny wasn't entirely the villain they had painted her to be.

As they walked away from the tunnel, the air felt lighter somehow, as though a weight had been lifted. The flowers they left behind swayed gently in the breeze, a small but meaningful tribute to the lives that had been lost.

Seiko glanced at the teenagers, her sharp eyes softening as she watched them. They had been through hell and back, and yet, they stood here—stronger, wiser, and still standing.

"Let's go home," she said finally, her voice carrying a warmth that surprised even herself.

Odette, Momo, and Okarun exchanged glances before nodding. They walked away from the tunnel together, their steps in sync.

"Damn it, old hag! Don't take all the good ones!" Momo yelled, her frustration echoing through the dining room as she pointed her chopsticks accusingly at Seiko, who sat smugly with a platter of the largest crabs in front of her.

With permission from Grandma Mo, Odette had joined the Ayase family for dinner, dragging Okarun along for what had become a celebratory seafood feast.

The tension between Momo and Seiko was palpable, the fight for the biggest crab legs reaching almost comical proportions. Odette, on the other hand, was practically glowing with happiness as she dove into her plate.

"I swear I needed this," Odette said, her voice muffled slightly as she cracked a crab leg open with her teeth. "I love seafood—especially when it's made and served right. Grandma Seiko gets an A+." She held up the cracked leg in triumph before dunking it into her bowl of ramen.

Okarun sat across from her, sighing wearily as a bead of sweat rolled down his temple. He watched as her left hand brushed against his repeatedly, her movements eager as she tackled her meal. His plate, meanwhile, remained untouched, the crab legs sitting neatly on the side as though he hadn't noticed them.

"You not gonna eat anything, Kenny?" Odette asked, a mischievous grin tugging at her lips. "Because I can take your plate off your hands."

He hesitated, glancing between her hopeful expression and his untouched meal. "I don't think eating crabs after defeating a giant crab would be...appetizing," he said finally, shoving his plate toward her. "So, you can take mine."

Odette's face lit up with delight as she reached for his plate. "Thank you, Okarun!" she said, her voice practically musical.

"You really do eat a lot for a girl," Okarun muttered, scratching the back of his head awkwardly. "Not that I mind or anything..."

Odette chuckled, reaching over to ruffle his messy hair with her free hand. "I'm just a girl with needs," she teased. "This takes me back—makes me feel like I'm home, you know?"

Okarun's cheeks flushed slightly at her casual gesture, his response catching in his throat. Before he could say anything, Seiko turned her sharp gaze on him, setting down her chopsticks and cracking her knuckles.

"Hey, you," Seiko called out, pointing directly at him with a crab claw. "Show me if it's really there."

Ken's eyes widened in horror. "What?! No way!" he exclaimed, leaning back in his chair as though trying to escape her gaze. "You can't be serious!"

"Of course I'm serious," Seiko said calmly, though her tone carried an undeniable edge. "I need to know if it's really back."

"I'm not showing you my junk!" Ken shouted, his voice bordering on a whine as he pushed his chair back and scrambled to his feet.

"You're making this difficult, brat!" Seiko snapped, rising with alarming speed. "Come here!"

Odette nearly choked on her ramen as Ken bolted for the door, Seiko hot on his heels. "What the hell is happening right now?" she managed between laughs.

"Should we..y'know help him?" Odette asked, slurping the rest of her noodles with a contented sigh. The steam hit her face, making her smile even as chaos unfolded around her.

Momo shrugged, popping a shrimp into her mouth. "Eh, leave them be. Grandma wouldn't ask to see his junk for no reason anyway."

Odette snickered, leaning back in her chair as Ken's panicked cries echoed from the hallway. "Guess he's got her on his case now that Turbo Granny is gone."

Momo grinned. "Yeah, better him than us." She raised her glass of iced tea in mock celebration, and Odette clinked her bowl against it.

As Seiko's shouts and Ken's frantic pleas grew louder, Odette glanced toward the hallway with a playful smirk. "Think she'll let him come back to the table in one piece?"

"Maybe," Momo replied, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "But I wouldn't count on it."

——

The cool night air filled the quiet street as Odette and Okarun prepared to part ways with Momo. She leaned against the doorframe of her house, smiling softly as she watched them.

"Guess I'll see you two at school," Momo said, her voice carrying a warmth that belied the chaos of their day.

"Thank you very much," Okarun replied politely, bowing slightly.

Momo grinned sheepishly. "It's late, so be careful, you two."

Odette turned to Seiko, who stood just behind Momo. "Thank you, Miss Seiko, for the food. It tasted amazing! I'm coming back for more with Grandma Mo."

Seiko waved her hand dismissively, a rare small smile gracing her face. "You're always welcome. Just don't bring that punk boy unless I say so."

Ken flinched, his face pale as Seiko fixed her piercing gaze on him. The subtle threat in her tone sent a shiver down his spine. "You're not getting away next time," she added ominously.

"Uh, I'm never showing you!" he blurted, his voice cracking slightly as he stepped back in alarm.

Seiko smirked and turned back into the house without another word.

"Don't mind her," Momo said, rolling her eyes. "She's probably just messing with you...probably. See you later?"

Odette beamed. "Definitely, Momo! See you at school."

Ken, however, stared at the ground, a somber look settling over his face. Odette recognized that look instantly and let out a loud, exasperated sigh.

Without hesitation, she smacked him across the back. Hard.

"Ow!" Ken yelped, jumping up in pain and glaring at her. "What was that for?!"

"You were overthinking again, weren't you?" she accused, crossing her arms. "I could see it all over your face."

"I wasn't—okay, maybe I was," he muttered, pouting as he rubbed his back.

"And you didn't even say anything nice to Momo yet!" she continued, poking him in the arm for emphasis.

Ken scowled, his lips twitching as he tried not to smile. "Why should I—hey, ow!" he retaliated, hitting her lightly on the shoulder.

Momo, still standing in the doorway, watched the playful exchange with her mouth slightly agape. 'Those two...' she thought, shaking her head in disbelief.

Odette huffed. "Look, Kenny, we've been through too much together for you to clam up like that. We're stuck with each other, whether you like it or not. And you and Momo especially—you're the ones who started this whole mess."

Ken paused, thinking back to their first meeting and how everything spiraled from there. It was chaotic and unexpected, but somewhere along the way, he'd gained real friends. The realization warmed him, though he tried not to show it.

"W-well," he stammered, grabbing his bicycle. "I'll see you guys tomorrow. Goodnight!"

Odette smiled softly, proud of the small step he'd taken. "That's more like it," she said, turning toward the sleek black car that had just pulled up to the curb.

Her grandmother's butler stepped out of the car, an unreadable expression on his face. She smirked, already planning how to test his patience.

"Bye-bye!" she called, waving at Momo and Ken as she climbed into the car.

"Goodnight, Odette!" Momo called after her, her voice filled with genuine warmth.

Ken hopped onto his bike, casting one last glance at Momo before pedaling off into the night. Despite his awkwardness, he couldn't help but feel a little lighter.