Kenji, I'm so sorry.

You were my one and only best friend, and I abandoned you.

But... I think it's my turn next.

"Wanna hike Mount A?"

Kenji was the one who brought it up first.

Right after high school graduation, we decided to take a trip to a small mountain called Mount A, calling it our little graduation getaway.

It was just an ordinary, unremarkable hill—hardly a tourist spot.

Locals knew, though, that gorgeous cherry blossoms bloomed near the summit, and every spring you'd see a handful of people heading up the trail.

We figured we'd take in the blossoms and just unwind.

That morning, I woke up to a barrage of sticker notifications from Kenji on LINE and rushed to get ready.

I'd promised him I'd bring my camera so we could take some photos together, so I made sure not to forget it.

Otherwise, I would've caught a dead-arm punch for sure.

We met up and eagerly started up the trail.

Calling it a hike was generous; the slope was so gentle it barely took any stamina. Even for a guy like me who went straight home after school every day in high school, it was a breeze.

"Man, that was way too easy,"

Kenji said.

It was only eleven in the morning. A bit early for lunch, so we explored the area for a bit.

We exchanged hellos with a couple of other hikers, and after a while, we ate lunch.

Afterward, we hung out playing cards.

Honestly, not a bad way to spend a day.

Before we knew it, it was three in the afternoon.

"Guess we should head back soon. Oh, wait, before we do—"

I pulled out my camera and looked around for a good spot.

There was a single cherry tree standing alone in full bloom, so we framed it behind us, set the timer, and snapped a shot.

I checked the picture, and it turned out perfect on the first try. I told Kenji I'd transfer it to my phone and send it to him later, and we parted ways.

It was the very next day.

Kenji called.

"Hey, isn't there something weird about that photo you sent?"

I hurried to check it, but I didn't notice anything off. Just the two of us flashing peace signs at the lens with the blooming cherry blossoms behind us.

"Looks totally normal to me?"

"No... there's a woman I don't know standing right next to me. She's staring right at me. You totally photoshopped this, didn't you?"

He sent the image back to me, and sure enough, there was a woman in the shot.

Wearing blue clothes, she was staring intently at Kenji with a massive, beaming smile.

It was terrifying. A cold sweat broke out all over me in an instant.

"No, I didn't edit anything. Is it like... a ghost photo? Just delete it. I'll send it again."

When I re-sent the original file from my end, the woman wasn't visible anymore.

"Thanks, man. Deleted the other one. Creepy as hell, though,"

he said with a laugh.

That night, the memory of that woman's face kept me from sleeping.

Starting the very next day, Kenji began suffering an unusual number of injuries and sudden health issues.

Eventually, he got struck by a car, fracturing his leg so severely that he had to be hospitalized.

Kenji told me:

"I really think there's something bad about that photo. I didn't tell you before, but no matter how many times I delete it, it's right back in my camera roll the next day."

As he spoke, he grabbed his phone from the bedside table and pulled up the photo from his album to show me.

"I'm sorry to ask, but could you take this photo to a temple and ask a priest about it? I'm stuck in the hospital right now, and I just can't take this anymore."

His plea was so anguished, I had no choice but to agree.

A few days later, I rode my motorcycle out to a temple known for performing memorial rituals on photographs and dolls.

I had already explained the situation over the phone, so the head priest came out to greet me as soon as I arrived.

I showed him the photo again and recounted everything from the beginning.

After listening to the whole story, the priest took my phone and stared intently at the screen.

After studying it for a moment, he spoke in a gentle, reassuring tone.

"Can you reach your friend on the phone right now?"

I quickly dialed Kenji. He answered after about three rings.

I handed the phone to the priest, who addressed him with that same calm warmth.

"Kenji-san, is it? I have heard your story. Please, set your mind at ease. The figure in the photo wears a gentle expression. It is your guardian deity—or perhaps 'guardian spirit' is a term you are more familiar with."

"You must have been frightened. However, even when you met with an accident, you escaped with only injuries. That means had your guardian spirit not been there, things would have been far worse."

The priest continued reassuring him that everything was fine before handing the phone back to me.

Kenji no longer sounded panicked; he seemed visibly relieved.

After hanging up, I thanked the priest repeatedly and turned to leave, but he stopped me.

"You must distance yourself from that boy immediately. I am deeply sorry, but everything I said just now was a lie."

I couldn't believe my ears. A lie? A lie...? All of it...?

"That thing... is no guardian spirit. Nor is it anything as mild as a mere evil ghost. It is pure malice. Nothing more. The moment it appeared in that photograph, it was already too late. There is nothing we can do for him."

I was speechless.

"Spirits with anguished faces are reaching out for help. But those wearing broad smiles, like 'that thing'? The only thought in their minds is: 'I get to take him soon.' That is all."

The priest pressed on.

"Having shared the same space with it, you are also in grave danger. But you are still safe for now. Get away from him before it 'transfers' to you. It may break your heart, but it is for your own good. Please... make a choice you will not live to regret."

With that, the priest fell silent.

I agonized over it, wrestling with myself until finally—

I cut all ties with Kenji.

I was scum. I knew that. But I couldn't bear the thought of going down with him.

Two months later, word reached me that Kenji had died. Apparently, he slipped down the stairs at home, his life snuffed out in an instant.

Strangely, no tears came.

No—I wasn't allowed to cry. I had forfeited the right to ever shed tears for him again.

Still, I felt an overpowering urge to see Kenji's face one last time. He would never forgive a piece of trash like me. Even so, I needed to say goodbye.

I found out when the wake was being held and went quietly to pay my respects.

Returning home from the wake, I opened my front door.

In the pitch-black entryway, I took off my dress shoes.

That was when it hit me.

I felt an intense gaze boring into my back.

A clammy, lukewarm stare.

Telling myself there was no way, I dashed into my room and pulled up that photo with trembling hands.

The woman who had been standing next to Kenji was staring right at me, grinning from ear to ear.