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Chapter Twenty-Nine: You're Not Doing This Alone:

-Ju-Oh-Cho-

Hotaru and Mike appeared at the front desk. She rang the bell.

"Are you sure about this?" Mike asked.

"This is the only way," the loli demon said. "You need closure." She rang the bell again.

"Coming," a woman's voice said. Hotaru hit Mike in the back to straighten him up. The receptionist walked up to the desk.

"Good morning," Hotaru said with a smile.

"Can I help you?" the receptionist asked. The loli demon patted Mike on the shoulder.

"He would you to see a soul to say goodbye," she said.

"I can't do that," the receptionist said. Hotaru pouted at her.

"Just really quick, she said. "Please?" The other woman narrowed her eyes.

"Are you Hotaru?" she asked. The loli demon tilted her head.

"How do you know me?" she asked. The receptionist shook her head, panicked.

"Oh no!" she said. "No, no, no!"

"What?" Hotaru asked. "What did I do?" She studied her face.

"Are you okay?" she asked. The receptionist started to back away.

"Come on," Hotaru said. "I won't bite. Just talk to me." The receptionist slowly started to calm down.

"Your power is scary," she said. Hotaru pretended to look hurt.

"Aw," she said. "Why?" The other woman didn't answer.

"Come on," Hotaru said. "We just want to say goodbye to someone. Really quick."

"Okay…" the receptionist said. "What is the name?"

"Laura," Hotaru said.

"Last name?" she asked. The loli demon turned to Mike.

"What was her last name?" she asked. Mike rubbed his forehead.

"I don't know," he said. "I can't remember."

"Race?" the receptionist asked.

"American," Mike said. The lady behind the desk started typing. Hotaru held Mike's hand. The receptionist paused.

"Hm…" she said. "Let's try something else. Hold out your hand." He hesitated at first.

"Go on," Hotaru whispered. Mike sighed as he held out his hand. The receptionist grabbed his wrist. He let out a gasp as the light took over his body.

Mike opened his eyes to the white clouds. He looked around.

"Hello?" he asked.

"Mike? Mike is that you?" a soft voice asked. The demon froze with chills down his spine. Don't tell me…

He slowly turned around. A woman wearing a white dress stood inches away from him. She had her frizzy red hair up in a ponytail. Mike stood blinking.

"Laura? No way…" he said. His knees grew weak.

"Is that really you?" he asked.

"Yes," Laura said in a calm tone. Tears filled his eyes.

"Laura… I'm sorry," he said. "I didn't… That wasn't me."

"I know," she said.

"Huh?" Mike asked. Laura walked up and put her arms around him.

"I forgive you," she said. He opened his mouth, but she put her finger to his lips.

"I forgive you," Laura said again. Mike closed his mouth. He started to smile.

"How have you been?" I asked.

"Good," Laura said. "I lived a good life. I was married and had a daughter. I was a grandma too." Her words soothed him just like old times.

"I was doing good too," Mike said. "I have a new girlfriend. Well… /had/."

"Treat her well," Laura said.

"But…" he said. She smiled and shook her head.

"She will be back," Laura insisted. "Be good to her. Promise me that." Mike's heart felt so much lighter now.

"Understood," he said. "Can you do one more thing for me?"

"What would that be?" Laura asked.

"Could you kiss me goodbye?" he asked. He didn't have to ask. She kissed him on the lips. Mike melted into the kiss as she faded away.

When Mike came back, his heart felt so much lighter. Hotaru gave him a calm smile.

"Better?" she asked.

"Yes," he said.

"Okay," Hotaru said. She turned to the receptionist.

"Thank you for your time," Hotaru said. The other woman gave her an odd look.

"You're welcome… I guess," she said. The demons bowed and teleported out of the today.