Ghost Hunt Volume 1 Chapter 3
Aug. 19th, 2017 09:37 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
sera131Table of Contents
Chapter 3 - Storm Alarm
1
The weather on the following morning was lovely as well.
It’s Friday, the weekend is almost here, and the weather is beautiful. Usually, I’d be on a complete high.
However, I’m depressed. It’s because of that guy. That narcissist.
Why do I have to help with ghost extermination on my precious Friday!
Aaah, I’m so unlucky…
Tch, the white of the cherry blossoms is stinging my eyes.
“Mai~!”
Out of nowhere, Keiko shoved me hard in the back the moment I entered the school gate.
“...What the heck is your problem? Are you trying to pick a fight this early in the morning?”
“Morning! Hey, what did Shibuya-san have to say?”
“Aha, so you ambushed me because you were obsessing over that?”
“Yep! So tell me, what did Shibuya-san have to say?”
Hhhmm. What should I do? Should I tell her? Nah, that’d be a waste.
So, I smiled suggestively. Keiko looked surprised.
“No way!”
“It’s. A. Secret ♡”
Heh heh heh. The heart just escaped. It’s punishment for shoving me so hard. Worry over that for a while.
***
But well, that didn’t last long. Caving to the pressure of Keiko’s resentful tone, Michiru’s vicious tone, and Yuuri’s silence, I confessed the truth before home room.
“...Whaat...” Keiko said with a relieved expression.
Michiru leaned forward. “So then, Shibuya-san isn’t a transfer student?”
“Nope. He’s just a liar.”
“Seriously...” Yuuri said dejectedly.
Michiru waved her hand, “It’s too soon to get discouraged. He’s not a student at this school, which means…”
Keiko picked up right after her. “No rivals!”
“Right!”
They’re cheering and celebrating, but are these girls stupid? Even if there aren’t any rivals here, there might be somewhere else. If they went to this school, you’d be able to get in their way and bring them down, but how do you compete with a rival you’ve never seen or heard of?
“Hey, Taniyama-san.”
Just like yesterday, it was Kuroda-joshi who called out.
“Morning. What’s up?”
“That guy, he’s a psychic?”
“Apparently not.”
“But just now, didn’t you say he came here to investigate the old school building?”
...Hmm, isn’t that sort of eavesdropping?
That’s what I thought, but I at least answered her. “It seems he’s a Gōsuto Hantā, not a psychic.”
“Gōsuto Hantā?” Kuroda-joshi frowned.
At the same time, Keiko and co. roughly tugged on my uniform.
“Hey, what’s a Gōsuto Hantā?”
“I don’t really know. I guess it basically means he’s a Ghost Exterminator.”
“How is that different from a psychic?”
“That’s why I said I don’t know. But he had video cameras and a mountain of expensive equipment. He didn’t seem one bit like a psychic.”
“Really?”
After thinking for a bit, Kuroda-joshi said, “Taniyama-san, can you introduce me to him?”
“Huh?”
What does she mean by that?
“You know, I have psychic powers, too. I might be able to help him with something.”
Michiru muttered faintly.
I replied, “But… Kuroda-san, didn’t you already meet him? It’s not necessary for me to introduce you again. You can see him after school if you go to the old school building.”
“I know that, but… ”
“It’s probably best you don’t get too involved with that guy.”
“Oh, why’s that?” Kuroda-joshi’s voice was sharp.
“He said he hates talking to amateurs.”
“I’m less of an amateur than you!”
“Huh? But Naru-chan is a professional. Enough to actually have an office.”
“Mai!” Michiru pulled on the back of my neck. “What’s with this ‘Naru-chan’? It seems overly familiar.”
“Naru-chan the Narcissist. I’m telling you, if you’ve got your heart set on that guy, you’ll be disappointed. His personality is unbelievably bad.”
“With that face?”
“Well, if it’s assumed that women with good looks have bad personalities, why is it the opposite for men? Whether it’s a man or woman, someone with good looks will certainly have a bad personality.”
“I don’t think so.”
“He’s a terrifying narcissist. From now on, I’m going to call him Naru-chan the Narcissist.”
So, although I was going to tell Kuroda-joshi that she’d just get bullied if she approached him with her limited ability to sense spirits, she was gone when I turned around. Without me noticing, she’d returned to her seat and opened a textbook.
As I stared dumbfounded, Michiru whispered, “She’s just that kind of person.”
“Isn’t Kuroda-joshi from the internal advancement group?”
Michiru and the others are also internal advancement students from the affiliated junior high.
“Yeah. She’s been famous since middle school. She’d act strange and give warnings, tell us don’t do this or don’t do that, saying she was sensitive to spirits. It was annoying.”
“Really?”
“Well, she also had a group of followers that hung around and said it was amazing.”
“...Hmm.”
“I wonder what’s with her. It couldn’t be… that she fell in love with Shibuya-san at first sight, could it?”
“What!” Keiko screamed. Joshi glared at her and she hurriedly covered her mouth.
...I don’t really get Kuroda-joshi.
I shouldn’t get too involved with her.
2
After school, while being seen off by calls of, “You cheat!” from Keiko and co., I headed toward the old school building.
When I went around to the back of the building, the metallic grey van was still parked in the same spot as yesterday. I could see Naru-chan sitting in the back seat, doing something.
“Hey.” He looked up from the machines when I greeted him. “What are you doing?”
“Chekku dēta that was collected yesterday.”
Oh. I don’t really understand, but the words sound impressive.
“Did you find anything?”
Naru-chan looked towards the TV screens lined up on the shelves. “There’s nothing particularly unusual...”
“Nothing unusual? So then, there aren’t any ghosts in the old school building?”
“Well, either there aren’t any or they’re lying low right now… Either way, it’s probably not that dangerous.”
It was just as we were discussing that…
“Wow, that’s quite the set of equipment, isn’t it?” someone suddenly said from behind.
Quickly looking back, there was a gaudy woman and an oblivious looking man standing beside the van.
“Seems too high-grade to be children’s toys, no?” the woman smiled mockingly.
“Who are you?” Naru glared at her.
Don’t call them children’s toys. There’ll be hell to pay if you belittle the narcissist’s pride.
The woman gazed at Naru-chan. She might be beautiful, but she’s lacking taste. I don’t know what it is about her. She’s heavily made-up, though.
“I’m Matsuzaki Ayako. Nice to meet you.” She curled her crimson lips into a smile.
“I’m not interested in your name,” Naru said coldly.
‘Ayako-san’ seemed offended. She lightly glared at Naru-chan. “You’re very impertinent. But you’re a handsome little boy.”
“Fortunately.”
...Hey, you.
Ayako shrugged. “Well, with children, it’s inevitable if they’re cute. Still, you can’t exactly perform an exorcism with your face.”
Naru-chan’s gaze sharpened. “Are you… in the same business?”
“Something like that. —I’m a miko.”
A miko? You must be joking.
However, at the same time, Naru-chan retorted, “I thought a miko was supposed to be a pure maiden.”
Saying that, he smiled so charmingly that even I found myself admiring it.
The man, who had been watching Naru-chan and Miko-san’s exchange with seeming interest, let out a faint laugh.
“Oh, it doesn’t look that way?”
It was clear to see that Miko-san was irritated. She glared at Naru-chan piercingly, but she chose the wrong guy to pick a fight with.
“At the very least, I think you’re too old to be called a maiden,” Naru-chan replied, smiling sweetly.
*clap clap* Bravo!
The man finally burst out laughing.
Miko-san curled her lips. See, if a teenage boy calls you an old hag, you probably won’t have a comeback.
The man, who roared with laughter, added, “On top of that, her makeup is too thick to be called pure.”
He said this proudly, but it wasn’t a good sarcastic remark. When it comes to sarcasm, he’s no match for Naru-chan.
I wonder if they’re colleagues.
Miko-san abruptly looked toward the man. “Oh, it only seems thick because the base is good,” she said calmly, but alas, her expression had completely stiffened.
“Anyway...” Miko-san’s mouth twitched as she smiled. “That’s enough child’s play. Leave it to me now.” She looked at Naru-chan with contemptuous eyes. “The principal doesn’t think you’re reliable. Say what you like, you’re only seventeen.”
Geh, the principal thinks Naru-chan’s unreliable, so he hired another Ghost Hunter?
Naru just smiled faintly. “Let’s see what you’ve got. Since you appear to be an old veteran.”
Ayako openly scowled and looked away in a huff.
After glancing at her side profile with unconcealed disdain, Naru-chan turned his dark eyes toward the man. “...What about you? You don’t seem to be Matsuzaki-san’s assistant.”
The man is likely older than Miko-san.
After lightly look up with a blank expression, he answered, “I could never be a woman’s assistant. I’m a monk from Mt. Kōya. I’m Takigawa Hōshō.”
A monk from Mt. Kōya?
Wow! That’s so cool.
Seeming uninterested, Naru-chan returned his gaze to the TVs. “Have they lifted the ban on long hair at Mt. Kōya?” he said quietly.
The man was at a loss for words.
Oh, that’s right. In general, disregarding the world of manga, monks literally have shaved heads.
As for the man, not only did he have hair, but it was also grown down to the top of his shoulders and neatly tied back.
Miko-san lit a cigarette and blew the smoke towards Bou-san. “Apostate monk.”
“...I really did live on Mt. Kōya. I’ve just come down off from the mountain for now…” Bou-san said, slightly abashed.
It was strangely sweet and I couldn’t help laughing.
My eyes met with Bou-san’s.
“Who’s this little girl laughing wide-mouthed?”
...I didn’t… laugh like that.
“I’m merely a good student. I was just hired to carry his stuff.”
“Really? Then what about you, boy?”
Naru-chan didn’t move his eyes from the TVs. His whole body was saying, I’m not interested in you at all.
“Didn’t the principal tell you? Because you seem to know about my age.”
“Well, he did. He said you’re a psychic research specialist with an office in Shibuya.”
“There’s nothing to add.”
Bou-san grinned. “...I thought you’d be the real deal since your office is in a prime location, but the principal said it was a scam because the manager’s a child.”
“Is that so?” Naru-chan’s reply was completely indifferent.
Miko-san leaned against the van with a thump. “That principal… he’s a worrisome old man...”
“Yeah, really.”
“Well, I’ll quickly drive off any evil spirits. —So, children’s playtime is over.” Miko-san looked at Naru and smiled.
“Wouldn’t that be nice,” Naru said, seeming uninterested.
“Well, sorry to break it you, but this case is too tough for a kid,” Bou-san said sarcastically. “But the principal overdid it, calling so many people just for an old school building.”
“Honestly, a child psychic and you and me...” Miko-san grinned maliciously. “It would have been better with just one of us.”
“Yeah, it would have been better with just me.” Bou-san smiled, too.
“Don’t be too sure. By the way, boy, can I ask your name?”
“I’m Shibuya Kazuya.”
“Shibuya Kazuya? ...I don’t know the name.”
“I’ve never heard of it. Must be third-rate.”
“Just so you know, I’ve never heard of Takigawa Hōshō, either.”
“Well then, you’re lacking study. To tell you the truth, I’ve never heard of Matsuzaki or whatever, either.”
...How… pointless…
What the heck is wrong with these guys?
But what? Are psychics only people with bad personalities like Naru-chan and these two?
***
Miko-san and Bou-san started a full-blown argument; Naru-chan just fiddled with the machines like it was no concern of his. And as I gazed at the ground wearily, I caught sight of a girl’s uniform approaching us.
Wah! It’s Kuroda-joshi.
Wow, she really came.
As soon as Kuroda-joshi saw me, she lightly raised her hand. “Taniyama-san.”
Ugh, I don’t know how to deal with her.
After looking at the inside of the van, Kuroda-joshi looked between Miko-san and Bou-san, who were still arguing. “Who are these people?”
“They came here to investigate the old school building. I guess the principle invited them. They said they’re a miko and a monk.”
“Really...”
The two in question noticed Kuroda-joshi and turned to look at her. After bowing to them, she asked, “Did you come to exorcise the old school building?”
Miko-san looked her over with an appraising eye. “Yes, that’s right, but…?”
Joshi smiled. “Ah, that’s great! The old school building is a nest of evil spirits, so I was having a hard time.”
Miko-san glared at Kuroda-joshi. “What’s... the matter with you?”
“I’m very sensitive to spirits… so I’ve been really uneasy...”
“Exhibitionist.”
“...Huh?”
“You’re a show-off. Do you want to be noticed that much?”
Kuroda-joshi faltered.
“Do you have to talk like that?” I couldn’t help saying.
“It’s true, though. That kid isn’t sensitive to spirits.”
“How do you know?”
“I can tell just by looking at her.”
“...That’s not possible!”
“The kid just wants attention. You’ll make a fool of yourself if you associate with her.”
After looking at Kuroda-joshi with contempt, Miko-san turned away.
Joshi flashed a lifeless smile. “...I am sensitive to spirits. I’m going to summon one to haunt you.”
“Kuroda-san!”
“...My abilities really are powerful...” She glared darkly. Not good. It was a frightening stare. “...Fake miko. You’ll soon regret this.”
“...Looking forward to it.” Miko-san glared back at her.
Kuroda-joshi turned on her heels and ran off toward the sports field.
3
The situation was confusing.
I decided to ignore Bou-san and Miko-san for the time being. I can’t get mixed up with negative people like them.
So I said, “By the way, Naru-chan, what should I do today?”
Naru-chan looked back at me as if slightly surprised. “Just now… what did you say?”
“What?”
“Didn’t you just call me ‘Naru’?”
Oh, oops. I accidentally said that.
“Sorry, that was a bit of a slip.”
“Where did you hear that?“”
“Oh? You mean Naru’s your nickname?”
Naru-chan made an indescribable expression.
“I guess anyone could come up with that. Naru-chan the Narcissist.”
Heheheh. One point for me.
“Huh?”
“Now, now. Never mind that, what are we doing?”
“Well… since there weren’t any responses worth mentioning, I’m at a loss what to do next...” He contemplated it for bit, then said, “Mai, your senpai’s...”
“Hey, you used my name without honorifics!”
“...Didn’t you just do that, too?”
“But—”
“Do you know where the classroom is that your senpai saw the silhouette?”
“It isn’t my senpai. It’s Michiru’s senpai’s friend,” I said jokingly.
Naru glared at me. “Whatever. Do you know?”
“The second floor. She said it was the collapsed class farthest on the west.”
“All right. Let’s put some equipment there. It’d be nice if there were some activity…”
Naru-chan stood up while saying this. As he got down from the van and started to head toward the old school building, there was the figure of someone else.
Jeez, what is it this time?
As I thought that, the principal, who was responsible for the current situation, came into view.
Generally, a principal is referred to as a tanuki and the vice principal a kitsune, but in our case it’s actually true. Our principal is just like a tanuki.
As I was wondering what the principal could want, another person appeared beside him.
“Hey, who’s that person next to the principal?” Miko-san muttered.
“Man... don’t me tell it’s… another psychic...”
Exactly. It gave me a bad feeling the moment I saw the figure.
If anyone else with a bad attitude shows up, I’m leaving.
The principal walked over while saying something to the person beside him.
The person’s short. And young, I wonder if it's a student.
And… Oh? B-blonde hair?
Could it be a foreigner!?
The principal noticed us. Smiling like a tanuki, he said, “Ah, you’re all together.” His tone was cheerful.
After quickly coming over, he said, “Another person has arrived. Let me introduce you.”
...Ugh, sure enough, it’s a psychic.
Foreigners are commonly said to look old for their age. In that case… I thought while looking at the foreigner. This person is possibly twelve or thirteen. Boy or girl, I wonder? Certainly short for a foreigner, only as tall as me. Definitely still a child.
The principal smiled like the moon. “John Brown-san. Please, try to get along with everyone.”
...He’s not a transfer student. What kind of an introduction is that?
But John is a male name. So that means he’s a boy? Hmm, he sure is cute.
Brown-shōnen bowed his head very deeply. “How d’ye do?”
…?
Was…was that English just now? I’m not good at English, so I didn’t really understand that.
Miko-san, Bou-san, and even Naru all looked bewildered.
“M’name’s Brown. Please look t’me fondly.”
...W...weird. It sounds Japanese. Even so, it’s a lot different from normal Japanese…
An utterly pained smiled arose on the principal’s face. “Uh... it seems Brown-kun learned Japanese in Kansai...”
Bou-san burst into laughter. Miko-san followed after that. You shouldn’t laugh! It’s amazing that a foreigner can even speak this much… pfftch.
Brown-shōnen looked confused. His puzzled expression, with his blonde hair and bright blue eyes, was so like a foreigner that I couldn’t help laughing all the more. I’m… I’m sorry. Ahahah.
After looking at us uneasily, the principal said, “Well then, there you have it...” and quickly retreated back the way he came.
Turning toward his retreating back, Brown-shōnen called out something like, “Thanks everso,” and the whole area erupted into a storm of roaring laughter.
Naru-chan didn’t laugh. With a somewhat stiff expression, he asked, “Brown-san, where are you from?”
“I c’mere from Australia.”
...Whoa, his words are unintelligible.
Sorry, but I can’t stop laughing.
After glancing around at us uneasily, Brown-shōnen asked, “Is my Japanese strange?”
Naru smiled wryly. “Very.”
Brown-shōnen sighed. “Japanese is right tough.”
“Oi, kiddo!” Bou-san cried out. It was weird that he called him kiddo. “For crying out loud, knock it off with that weird Kyoto dialect!”
“But how does polite language, so t’speak, differ from the language of Kyoto?”
“Who taught this guy Japanese!” Bou-san was having trouble breathing from laughing too much. “Don’t you get it? Kyoto dialect is a type of regional language. Take my advice and stop it. ‘Kay? Otherwise, it’s comical.”
“I see.” Brown-shōnen nodded. “Then, I hope we can get along. Are you lot all psychics?”
...It really is weird.
Naru answered, “Well, sort of. She’s Matsuzaki-san, a miko. He’s Takigawa-san. Apparently, he used to practice on Mt. Kōya.”
“And you?”
“Ghost Hunter...”
“Ah! Then, that’s your equipment in the van? You’ve sure got some great gear, don’tcha?”
“What about you?”
“Oh. I s'pose I’m what you’d call an exorcist.”
“Exorcist?”
Both Miko-san and Bou-san suddenly stopped laughing. Their gazes focused on Brown-shōnen as if observing a formidable enemy.
“If I’m not mistaken, I thought that wasn’t possible unless one was a Catholic priest or higher... You’re a very young priest.”
“Yes, you’re well informed. But I'm already nineteen, ya know. People always assume I’m a young'un.”
It’s no use, this is making me laugh!
But, nineteen… He’s older than Naru? He’s a foreigner with a remarkably childlike face.
“Um, you should stop saying, ‘Wate’” Naru gave another wry smile. “Say boku or watashi. Also, you should stop using ‘Ansan’. Use anata or something similar.”
Brown-shōnen, er rather, Brown-san nodded. “Okay. Thanks a lot. Oh, right, what’s your name?”
“Shibuya Kazuya.”
“Shibuya-san. I trust we can get along.”
Naru lightly bowed his head, then turned to me. “Mai. Let’s get to work.”
“O~kay.”
***
For some reason, when Naru headed toward the old school building, everyone else followed in succession.
In the lab, the equipment carried on working by itself.
“This is…” Bou-san said in an impressed tone before trailing off. “You sure did a good job amassing all this equipment.”
Naru ignored him.
Miko-san sneered, “It doesn’t make a difference. You’re no longer needed here, boy. Why don’t you pack your things and go home?”
Naru-chan completely ignored her.
She became irritated. “It’s a complete waste of time and energy setting up all these machines; sorry you had to take the trouble. ”
After she said that spitefully, Bou-san said, “That's rude of you. Actually, I’ve changed my mind about him. Supposing he really is the head of an office with this much equipment, then he must be capable.” His tone was sarcastic.
Naru looked toward him. His eyes were excessively cold. “...Did you come to exorcise the old school building? Or did you come to play around?”
Miko-san was at a loss for words.
She turned her back on him.
“That’s why I don’t like children. Making a fuss when it’s just some kind of Chirei,” She grumbled audibly, then disappeared.
Bou-san shrugged, then left the lab, too.
“And you?” Naru looked towards Brown-san.
Brown-san seemed unsure. “...Can’t we work together?”
“I doubt that’s possible in this situation.”
“Wate… I have trouble in this kind of environment. I’ll do my best to cooperate, so do ya mind if I stay here?”
“Go ahead,” Naru said curtly, fiddling with the computer.
The screens of the ten or so stacked TVs changed. The TV right in front of me showed the first floor corridor.
At the edge of the screen, there was a series of numbers that I had no clue about. They changed every second.
One screen showed the entryway, and there was a screen for each of the first and second floor corridors. The rest had a number of blue and yellow blotchy patterns.
“What’s this?”
Naru eyed me with disgust.
What’s the harm in asking?
Brown-san was the one who answered me. “It’s a thermograph, innit? ...It’s a machine that makes temperatures visible.”
“Oh.”
Wow, despite being a psychic, he’s really kind.
(I had the prejudice that all psychics were horrible people.)
Brown-san pointed at the screen. “In the spots with this yellow color, the temperature is high. Conversely, the bluish spots are low.
Hmm. It’s a blotchy pattern. Weird.
“Thank you. You’re really kind, Brown-san,” I said to spite Naru.
Brown-san turned a little red. “No… More importantly, I didn’t get your name. Are you Shibuya-san’s assistant?”
“Yeah, sort of. I’m Taniyama Mai.”
“Please call me John. Pleased to meetcha.”
...His Japanese really is something strange.
When I returned my gaze to the TV, Bou-san had appeared on the screen. He was walking down the corridor while looking around the area.
A different TV showed Miko-san walking.
And on another TV…
It was the video of the entryway. The recessed floor was dark. The line of shoe shelves cast a deep black shadow, wherein there was the silhouette of a person.
“Naru!” I pointed to the TV that showed the entryway.
There was a girl dressed in a kimono standing in the dark space between the shoe shelves, looking upward as if peering through something…
She looked just like a Japanese doll standing there. She had black, shoulder-length hair, was perhaps the same age as me, and wore a pale cherry-blossom colored kimono.
While staring into space, the girl walked along as if drifting across the floor. Then she exited the edge of the screen.
“Ju...just now, what was that?”
Without answering, Naru stood up and turned toward the door. His expression didn’t change.
The door to the lab opened.
A life-sized doll was standing there in the dark.
“...!” I nearly screamed.
John gently patted my shoulder. “It’s all right, Mai-san, that’s not a ghost.”
Eh?
Naru smiled wryly. “Seems like the principal really wants to start construction, doesn’t it? Going as far as to drag you out…”
Her expression didn’t change.
“You know her?”
“No. But I recognize her face. Since she’s a celebrity.”
“Who?” I asked him. However…
“If you are referring to me, I shall tell you myself,” the doll said with her small red mouth. “My name is Hara Masako.”
“Who?” I didn’t know the name.
Naru sighed. “She’s a famous spirit medium. She’s good at kuchiyose. The best in Japan, perhaps.”
“Kuchiyose?”
“Ignorant.”
“Hey!”
Again, it was John who came to my rescue. “Thass when someone calls a spirit and lets it speak. With the use of one’s own mouth.”
“Really? Oh, they do that on TV a lot, right? The psychic talks in place of a spirit.”
“Yes.”
Naru-chan aimed his deep colored eyes toward the medium. “What is your opinion, Hara-san?”
The medium tilted her head like a doll. “Well… Who are you? You do not seem like a psychic... ”
“I’m a Ghost Hunter. My name is Shibuya.”
...What gives? Is it possible that Naru-chan’s a sucker for a pretty face? His attitude is way different from how he was with us.
The medium stared at Naru-chan curiously. “Have I met you somewhere?”
Oh god, what a cliché pickup line.
“I believe this is the first time we’ve met.”
“...Is that so…?” she said, then turned her glistening black eyes toward the mountain of equipment. “...I do not think there are any spirits here. The principal was very worried when he came to see me; however, there is nothing here. I cannot sense any indication of a spirit.”
“I see…” Naru looked lost in thought.
...Does the principal want to start construction that much? Is he that afraid of this old school building?
A ghost hunter, a miko, a monk, and a priest. And finally, a spirit medium. I can’t believe he gathered so many. Just because of the old school building’s ghost stories?
But these people… can they really help?
***
It was at that moment.
Violent banging sounds came from somewhere in the building. There was a woman’s scream.
We were startled.
“Isn’t that Matsuzaki-san’s voice…” said John.
Naru rushed out of the classroom. We followed suit.
***
We met up with Bou-san as we left the lab.
“What was that voice just now?”
“I’m not sure. It seemed like it was on the first floor, though,” Naru said, looking over the corridor.
Miko-san could be heard crying for help from a classroom at the back of the first floor’s west side, the side opposite from where the lab was.
“What’s wrong!?”
Naru was the first to touch the door of the classroom. He applied force, but it wouldn’t open.
Miko-san was pounding on the door from inside. “Open up! Hey, open up!!”
Naru and Bou-san pulled on the door. The door bent heavily, but it wouldn’t budge.
“I’m gonna kick it open,” Bou-san declared, then called to the inside, “Ayako! Get away from there!”
“What! Don’t just call me by my name!”
...I think you can let it slide for now.
Bou-san put his weight into it and kicked the door. There was the sound of wood snapping. With one more kick, the door fell inward.
Miko-san was standing inside, ashen-faced.
“What happened?” Naru asked calmly.
“I don’t know… While I was looking inside, the door suddenly closed, then it wouldn’t open.”
“You didn’t close it yourself?” Bou-san cut it.
“No!”
Masako’s voice forced it’s way into their argument. “It was just carelessness.”
“What’s that, you?” Miko-san glared at Masako.
“You are a psychic, right? Are you not ashamed of yourself, screaming about something like a closed door?” Masako said coldly.
Bou-san whistled lightly. “You’re… Hara Masako, aren’t you?
“Yes.”
“You’re more beautiful than you look on TV.”
Masako stared at Bou-san as if looking at something dirty, then turned her face away.
This girl has a really bad personality, too.
4
“It’s obvious now that something’s in this schoolhouse,” Miko-san declared haughtily.
We were taking a break in the lab, drinking the canned coffee that John had bought.
“Isn’t it just your imagination?” Masako said coldly.
“Quiet, little girl. I’m not some bogus psychic who goes around selling her looks.”
Masako chuckled softly. “It is an honor to receive your compliment on my looks.”
Hmm, her response… reminds me of a certain someone.
Ignoring Masako, Miko-san said, “In my opinion, it’s a Chirei.”
“Chirei?”
What’s that?
Miko-san looked at me with disgust. “Haven’t you taught your assistant anything, Shibuya-san?”
“She’s poor quality, so there’s no point in training her,” said Naru, rolling a nail on his palm.
Jerk! You’re just saying whatever you want!
In a didactic tone, Miko-san said, “Chirei: a spirit that dwells in a certain area or location.”
“Is that like a Jibakurei?”
“So, you know some difficult terms, huh? Still, it’s different from a Jibakurei. A Jibakurei refers to a human spirit that’s bound to a certain location with some connection, but a Chirei is a spirit of the land itself. This is also known as a Seirei.”
“Oh.”
There really are a lot of different spirits.
“Wasn’t there a shrine or something here a long time ago? In that case, there could be lots.”
“I think it’s an Jibakurei,” Bou-san interrupted. “Didn’t something happen in this school building in the past? The spirit must live here. I get the feeling it’s afraid to lose its home, so hinders construction.”
“What do you think, John?” Naru turned toward John.
“I’m not sure. Normally, the cause of a haunted house is a supiritto or a gōsuto.”
Naru nodded while staring at the nail pinched between his fingers. “Supiritto is… Seirei. Gōsuto is Yuurei. Are you listening, Mai?”
...Mind your own business. I know I’m bad at English; you don’t have to tell me!
“If it’s ‘cos a spirit, then the place is a location with somethin’ to do with the Chirei. Or the spirit, err... demon was summoned to the house in the past, or somethin’.”
Hmmm.
“An’ if it’s ‘cos a ghost, then it’s a person who died in the house… which means, a Jibakurei.”
“You don’t think it’s a Chirei?” Miko-san leaned forward.
“No, it’s a Jibakurei, right?” Bou-san also leaned forward, drawing nearer to John.
John’s sky-blue eyes dimmed in a puzzled expression. “There’s no way to know that yet.”
Miko-san suddenly stood up. “So more or less, we just have to exorcise it? I’ll perform an exorcism tomorrow,” she declared. “I don’t have time to waste on such a minor case; my schedule’s full. I’ll settle this quickly, then leave.”
Smiling, Miko-san left the lab with a wave of her hand.
"What do you think?" Bou-san asked no one in particular as he watched her go.
It was Masako who answered. “It is a waste. I am telling you, there are no spirits here.”
Just to be sure, I said, “But there are lots of rumors about this place. What about those?”
“That is simply fancy, is it not? When there is such an old building, there will surely be at least one strange rumor. It is something like the school’s seven wonders.”
Hmm. A confident remark. This girl’s personality seems more and more like a certain someone’s.
I couldn’t help wanting to oppose her.
“Then what about Miko-san being locked in the classroom a little while ago?”
“That was a trick of her imagination,” she asserted in a velvety tone.
Is that so?
True, a person usually opens or closes a door without much thought. But why couldn’t Naru and Bou-san open the door even between the two of them? Could Miko-san have unconsciously closed the door in such a way that it wouldn’t open?
With that in mind, I suddenly felt like laughing.
Miko-san was probably pretty freaked out, getting locked in the classroom. She was kind of screaming.
In other words, maybe she wants to quickly do an exorcism and go home because she’s scared?
***
A soft crimson light filtered in through the window.
Without me even noticing, the glass had begun to glow a rosy hue.
“Naru, it’s getting dark.”
He suddenly looked up at the window.
“Ah… We should get set up and leave as well,” he said, standing up. “Let’s put some equipment in the class on the west end of the second floor.”
O~kay.
“Oh, you’re not staying overnight, boy?” Bou-san asked curiously.
“Not today… I might stay overnight tomorrow.”
Huh!? What about… me?
As I was worrying about that, Naru turned to look at me. “Tomorrow, when you finish class, come here.”
“Umm… tomorrow is Saturday, though.”
“That doesn’t matter. If you can, be prepared to stay.”
Ack! No way, I don’t want to!
“Staying here is kind of…”
“Would you rather reimburse me for the camera?”
“...I’ll come prepared.”
Hmph. After all, you are the boss.
Collaborators: bebekgulings, csakuras
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