Ghost Hunt Volume 1 Epilogue

[sera131]

Epilogue

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“Hey, I wonder what Shibuya-san’s up to right about now,” Keiko said, staring outside the window absently.

Beyond the window, scaffolding was set up and the old school building was in the process of being dismantled. For now at least, construction was proceeding without incident.

“Mai, why didn’t you ask for his address or at least his phone number!?”

...shut up.

Michiru dejectedly stared at the view outside, too. “I tried looking him up in the phone book, but...”

...Yeah. The office number for ‘Shibuya Psychic Research’ or whatever wasn’t listed. But then, it’s hard to say whether I did a complete search.

I didn’t quite know where I should look in the phone book. There wasn’t a section for ‘Psychics’ in the Town Pages, and usually, office numbers aren’t listed in the Hello Pages (but I checked just in case). And when I asked the directory assistant, I got the cold reply, “If you do not know the location, I cannot look it up.”

Keiko said to no one in particular, “Well, since the principal called him, the principal should know his contact details. Let’s try asking him.”

“If you ask,” Michiru said bluntly.

“What! I’m not going to ask!”

“I don’t want to, either!”

“But…”

...I thought of that, too. Should I ask the principal? But what would I say?

Well, it’s not like there’s no way to ask. I could say something like, “I want to deliver something he forgot.”

But then, what would I say after I called him? Naru, in his typical tone of voice, is certain to ask, “What do you want?”

“Hey, Mai. You ask the principal.”

“It’s none of my business.”

“Geez, you’re so cold,” Keiko reproached.

Oh, give it a rest.

I really don’t want to talk about Naru right now. And I have no choice but to go along with it because you guys go on and on about him!

“Yeah, Mai…” Michiru leaned forward.

“Shut up.”

“Hey, listen! I have an idea…”

Shut up!

I don’t want to talk anymore. It’s painful and makes me want to cry.

“I don’t care. Discuss that kind of thing inside your fan club.”

“What! How cold!”

At that moment, there was suddenly an announcement.

“Taniyama Mai-san of 1-F, please come to the office immediately.”

...What’s that about?

Well, whatever. It’s a godsend.

Thinking so, I stood up. I slipped away from Michiru and the other’s gazes.

Puzzled, I reported to the office.

“Excuse me, I’m Taniyama.”

“Oh, Taniyama-san? Phone call.” The young office lady pointed to a phone on the counter.

A phone call? At school?

“Ye~s, how can I help you?”

Who could it be?

“Mai?”

……

This… voice…

Suddenly, my legs nearly gave out.

“Mai?”

“Yes! Yes, it’s me!”

“I can hear without you shouting.”

...Ah, this condescending manner of speaking.

It is Naru…

“Why did you call me at school…”

“Don’t you think it’s because I didn’t know your home number?”

How condescending! I’m so happy I could cry. Why did Naru call me?

“...What’s up?”

I made an effort to stay calm to keep the emotions inside my heart hidden.

“Guarantee.”

“...Huh?”

“That is, your wages for working as my assistant. If you don’t need it, that’s fine.”

...Oh, right…

I suddenly felt weak. A melancholy settled over me.

...It’s administrative business.

“I never imagined I would receive money. But if you’re giving it to me, I will accept it, of course.”

I’ll take. I’ll absolutely take it.

Naru, you’re such an idiot.

“Then I’ll transfer it. Do you know your account number?”





...Account number.

“How should I know that here at school?”

“...Then, shall I mail it?”

...Mail.

Agh, couldn’t he at least say, “Let’s meet so I can give you the money,” or something?

“Whatever’s fine.”

“Then tell me your address.”

Yeah, yeah. I slowly told him my address.

The money will be sent to me by mail, so won’t the address of the sender be written because of that?

Perhaps if he writes his address and I carelessly pay him a visit, he’ll coldly ask, “What do you want?”

At best, it’d probably be something like that.

“—OK. Then I’ll mail it within a week.”

“All right.”

“Also, Mai?”

“Ye—es—?”

My voice completely lost its power. Hahahah…

“Does your school prohibit part-time jobs?

“Nope.”

“...Really. If that’s case.”

“Oh?”

“What do you say to working part-time at my place?”

...Huh? ...Work part-time…?

...Work part-time!?

“At your office!?” I inadvertently grasped the receiver with all my might.

“—It is office work, but we’re shorthanded. The kid who was here until recently quit.”

“...I’ll do it!”

I’ll do it! Absolutely, I’ll do it!

“Then come to the office sometime. The location is…”

I hurriedly made a note.

...A dream. This is a dream.

“Whatever day is convenient.”

“Saturday, the day after tomorrow, then.”

I wouldn’t mind right now, though.

“Okay. Saturday. Whatever time works best for you.”

Ah, I’m so happy, what do I do?

“Oh— One more thing.”

“Yeah?”

“—Good job the other day. You were really helpful. Thank you.”

...I’m ashamed of myself.

I was on the verge of tears. He praised me without sarcasm. That was the first time I’d heard it.

I couldn’t speak from all the emotions.

“Well then, see you Saturday.”

“Yeah,” I asserted, finally finding my voice, “see you Saturday!”


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