Baka-Tsuki - User contributions [en]

Ghost Hunt:Volume2 Chapter3

2009-08-21T01:59:01Z

128.61.56.207: /* 4 */

==Chapter 3 - You Can't Play with those Kids==

===1===

After I woke up from my nap, I went back to base to watch the video. That's when everyone started to discuss the case.

"What's up with all that wailing?" Bou-san asked. "There were so many voices; it's not just one or two. It's not just Minnie."

Ayako agreed, "There are other ghosts here besides Minnie. But no one can see them except Ayami-chan."

"Thoey are kids that Minnie brought over..."

"Well, isn't that the case?" Ayako asked Naru. "We can't just guess like crazy. Why don't we call Masako?"

Naru's face was stern.

Bou-san urged him as well. "I say, Naru—Why do you hate Masako so much? She's pretty, and didn't you say that she was really capable?"

"There's no need," Naru replied, his voice steel hard.

"Ha ha," Ayako laughed happily. "I know, I know. It's because she has a terrible personality."

...Do you have any right to say that?

John said, "...Well, let's put that to the side for now. I believe Minnie is a jibakurei, right? There must've been a strong reason for Minnie to become a jibakurei. She's one of the kids who died here, right?"

"Most likely." Bou-san nodded. "Minnie is a jibakurei. She died here as a child, and since she's lonely, she wants friends. That's why she brought all those other kids here. The kids that die here become her playmates. Then they turn into jibakurei too..."

Naru considered the idea. "Yes...that would make sense, but..."

"But what?"

"The problem is why is it just kids? If a child wants to find a playmate, then it wouldn't be limited to just kids. A motherly figure, a sister figure, or anyone who can be comforting... These should suffice as well."

"You do have a point."

"But those spirits only care about Ayami-chan. If Noriko-san and Mai were also targets, then it would make more sense. But Ayami-chan is the only one they want."

"...Ah..." Bou-san contemplated. "It's strange... What can be the motive of those spirits..."

"Yeah, Shibuya-san. The kids who die here become jibakurei. Minnie is the boss of those kids. What about the first kid who died here?" asked John.

"It's possible... Lin."

Lin-san silently took out a notebook. Naru took it and flipped through it.

"Try an exorcism again."

"How do we do that?" Ayako asked mockingly.

"It's Bou-san's turn."

"Mine?"

Naru handed the notebook to Bou-san. "The first child who died here was Tachibana. The birth and death dates are below the name. The child was in the Buddhist sect. Below that is her post-Buddhist name[http://www.baka-tsuki.net/project/index.php?title=Ghost_Hunt:_Volume2_Translator's_Notes#Buddhist_Name]."

Bou-san stared at the notebook, his eyes open wide. "...You sure did thorough research... All this is from seventy years ago..."

"This is a simple task for me. I'm not the same as you."

What a confident tone. This jerk...is really too into himself.

Bou-san went to Ayami-chan's room to start the exorcism.

John and Ayako stayed in Noriko-san's room to protect Ayami-chan.

Naru, Lin-san, and I were in base watching the screen.

Bou-san put his hands together.

"Naumaku sanmanda bazaradan sendamakaroshada sowataya untarata kan man."

"Mai, pay attention," warned Bou-san.

"I know."

Unnerved and anxious, Naru stared intently at the screen.

"Naumaku sanmanda danan on boron."

"Naru, the temperature is decreasing," informed Lin-san.

"What about the sounds?"

"Right now there's nothing different... In fact, it's eerily quiet."

"On sunba nisunba un bazara un hakku."

"The temperature decreased by...two degrees. Especially the temperature near the bed. There are no abnormal sounds."

"Naumaku shittiriyazibikyanan sarabatataagyatanan an birazibirazi."

"...The rapping sounds have started. Should I transfer them?"

"Not right now."

"Makasyakyara baziri satasata saratei tairatarai bidamani sanbanzyani taramati siddariya taran sowaka."

"The temperature is decreasing dramatically...especially the bed's surroundings. It's about ten degrees now."

I looked at the thermography screen. Taking a closer look, I noticed a deep blue color surrounding the bed."

"How are the rapping sounds?"

"They're still continuing... Nothing else is unusual."

"Oh..."

Naru said absently.

I almost felt like dozing off in front of the T.V., but then I noticed something strange.

"Naru! The living room!"

I pointed at the screen.

A white wispy fog clouded the room; it was eerily quiet.

Naru stood up immediately. "Lin, what's the temperature of the living room?"

Lin-san shifted the computer slightly. "As of now, the temperature is two degrees below freezing."

"Below freezing...?!" Naru looked at Lin-san in disbelief.

I asked breathlessly, "Why the living room?"

"How would I know!"

"What's the smoke?"

"I don't know... It could be because of the sudden temperature drop..."

"Naru, I've directed the sound to here." Lin-san had connected the microphone.

The room was completely silent.

The white mist...the fog...was swirling around.

A circle...it looks like a child's face...

"Isn't that a child...?" I asked breathlessly.

It looked like a wispy child's face.

...I'd rather say it's scary than say it's sad.

At that point, the living door room opened.

"...What?"

A small figure came through the door.

"Ayami-chan...!"

Ayami-chan?! What is John and Ayako doing?

Ayami-chan looked at the wispy smoke, then walked to the middle of the room. She woke up and started to move.

The speakers transmitted Ayami-chan's laughter.

"What? They brought me here, " Ayami-chan said as she looked at the smoke.

"No one wants to go to sleep? It's late, but they still want to play? They'll be reprimanded."

...Ayami-chan...!

I stood up.

"Mai, you can't help if you go!" Naru shouted.

I ignored Naru's advice and dashed out of the room. If I don't go, if I don't go...!

Naru stood up and faced the microphone. "Bou-san, go to the living room! On your way there, look into Noriko-san's room and find out what those two idiots are doing!"

I rushed toward the living room. The moment I reached my hand toward the door, static electricity shocked me and my hand bounced back.Naru reached his hand out. He had covered his hand with a jacket so unlike me, he was able to open the door.

"Ayami-chan!"

The room was filled with smoke. In the middle was Ayami-chan, standing there in a daze.

"Mai-chan...?"

Too scared to enter, I called out to little girl from the doorway. "Ayami-chan, come here to my side!"

"But they want me to play with them."

"You can't. You can't play with them."

"But..."

The smoke entwined Ayami-chan. The thickening smoke had Ayami-chan trapped in a daze.

"Ayami-chan!"

"They won't let me go!"

When she shouted, a black figure came from behind Ayami-chan.

...That's not a child. Is it a...woman?

The black figure reached her hand out toward Ayami-chan.

"Ayami-chan! Your back!"

Bou-san held onto my hand, preventing me from springing into the room. His hands were crossed.

"Child, come here."

"No! Mai, I'm scared!"

"Don't be scared! Calm down and come here!"

This time Naru grabbed onto my hand. Let go!

"No! Mai!"

Bou-san raised his hands. "Ka."

He chanted again as he changed his hand position.

"Naumari saba tatakiyateibiyari sarabamokkeibiyari sarabata taraku..."

Ayami-chan...!

"Senda unkikikiki sarabahisananun tarata kanmun!"

The fog started to disperse, and in a moment the black figure disappeared.

Ayami-chan ran toward me. "Mai-chan!"

"Thank goodness..."

I embraced Ayami-chan. Her body was freezing, her teeth chattering.

"Is it gone?" Naru asked Bou-san.

"No, it only released its grip..."

===2===

"You idiots! We told you to watch Ayami-chan!" Bou-san shouted angrily.

"Sorry, that was so embarrassing..." John admitted, bowing his head.

When Bou-san got to Noriko-san's room, he found John and Ayako fast asleep on the bed like a pair of pigs.

Ayako's voice was sharp. "It couldn't be helped. I just suddenly felt sleepy. When I realized what was happening, I was already asleep. It must be those ghosts' fault. There's no other explanation. I just suddenly felt sleepy... It couldn't be helped."

Meanwhile Naru was examining the tape, his earphones already in place.

"Bou-san, did you see that black figure?"

"I did. It was a woman, not a child."

"Maybe that living room has..."

"A woman."

"Let's not jump to conclusions. Now we know that something is there, and it's not the same kind of spirit as the one in Ayami-chan's room. The lowest temperature recorded was twenty degrees below freezing—if this were someone else's results, I would not believe them."

"Then what is it?"

"I'm not sure." Naru suddenly stopped the videotape.

"What's wrong?"

Naru rewinded the tape.

"Did you notice something?"

"Quiet. Listen."

We turned toward the screen. Sounds of the cries of children came out of the speakers.

Bou-san stood up.

In the midst of the white fog, a sudden wail sounded. The voices overlapped so that they were unclear. But one thing was true: the children were in pain.

It was saddening just hearing them. They sounded like they were suffering.

In the video, Ayami-chan went into the center of the living room.

The cries grew louder.

The children are calling Ayami-chan. They're lonely, sad, and in pain, so they want Ayami-chan to play with them.

"No one told me!" came a woman's voice.

Then there was Bou-san's chanting.

"...My daughter..."

When Bou-san recited the chant, the children's omnipotent cries faded away. The chant had stopped their painful wailing.

"That sound just now...!" Ayako cried out, crossing her arms. "The one in the living room is their boss! That woman, right?!"

"Seems like it," Naru agreed.

Ayako stood up, "Since things have gone this far, call Masako. We must find out that woman's identity."

This time Naru didn't object. "So it has come down to this."

Masako received Ayako's phone call and came here by sunset.

John and I opened the door and welcomed her.

Once we opened the door, the doll-like Masako just gaped at us.

"...Masako, what's wrong?"

Like the last case, she wore a kimono. Her shoulders shuddered.

"Hara-san, do you feel uncomfortable..."

Masako interrupted John's question. "What's wrong here?"

"Huh?"

"It's so strong... It's the first time I've seen a house this bad..."

Huh?

John and I lead the chalk-white girl into base.

The moment we entered, Masako looked at Naru.

...Hey, just give up already...

"Hara-san?" Naru looked at her, his face stoic as usual even though it wasn't with the intention of making her leave.

"It's so...strong...I feel uncomfortable."

Not particularly caring about the girl's discomfort, Ayako helped her get into a chair to sit down.

"What did you see?"

"I can feel the spirits of many children gathered here. They're all children. On my way here, I saw three children headed toward this house. This is like a congregation of ghost children."

Naru asked Masako, "Can you call them out?"

"There's no need to call them out. All of them are wailing so loudly that I want to plug my ears. What do you want to ask? No matter how much you ask, I'm sure I can help you."

"Minnie... The first child who died here is Tachibana. Call her out."

"If I try to call her down over here, I'll be possessed by a different spirit instead. So please wait a moment. She's called Tachibana, right?" Masako asked as she reached her hand out toward Naru. "Can you lead me to the hall?"

Naru raised his eyebrow, but took Masako's hand.

...Masako, you sly vixen!

We left base and arrived at the hall.

Masako held onto Naru's hand (sorry, I can't help but notice this) as she looked up at the ceiling.

"Tachibana, are you there?"

She said to the ceiling.

"...Excuse me, but please quiet down."

She spoke again, to the ceiling.

But I didn't hear anything.

Suddenly a gust of wind blew Masako's hair.

"Please, listen to me. Will you please answer my questions? ...What did you say? Please speak louder..."

Suddenly Masako's eyes became unfocused, her face expressionless. Her small mouth opened and closed.

"...Really...so that's how it is? ...Yes, I know now...so that's what happened."

She's talking to herself. It's kind of scary, almost as if she's possessed.

"...Who...is it? ...That can't be... It's not like that. You can't believe...right...you can't."

Suddenly a sound came from the floor.

"......!"

We all waited for the moment to come.

What? The sun still didn't set?!

The room began to sway while the rapping sounds started up again. The chandelier rocked along. Bang! Knocking sounds rapped through. Everything was noisy.

"What, what is this!" Ayako shouted.

John ran to the stairs.

"John?!"

John kept going up the stairs, then turned around. "I'm going to check on Ayami-chan!"

The rapping sounds almost completely covered up John's reply. Knocking sounds on the walls and stomping sounds of the floor filled the air.

The floor swayed, and the temperature dropped.

Suddenly

"Tomiko!"

Shouted a voice in the distance.

The sound came closer.

...Masako?!

Masako's face was pale. Her expression was hard to describe, but it was almost like a mask of hatred. Normally her face wouldn't be like that.

And right in front of my eyes, she reached her hand out toward Naru.

"Masako!"

Her hands almost clutched Naru's neck, but then Naru grabbed her. "Bou-san! Stop her! She's been possessed!"

Bou-san stuck his hands together and chanted, "On asanmo ginei un hatta!"

After his recitation, Masako's body became limp.

The rapping sounds stopped.

Bou-san carried the unconscious girl.

===3===

Masako, now unconscious, lay on the sofa in base.

When we were rewinding the tape, Masako woke up.

"How do you feel?" Naru asked.

Masako shook her head, her face still deathly pale. "I'm fine... I seemed to have been possessed."

"It was due to my negligence. Sorry—did you find Tachibana?"

"Yes."

Masako nodded, then looked each of us in the eye. "There is a woman's spirit here."

She continued slowly. "The evil spirit is that woman. She's hidden deep inside... At least that's what I think. However, I'm not sure what kind of ghost she is. But I'm positive it's a female spirit."

Masako paused for a moment. "The children's spirits have been gathered here. They're tired of this place, and they want to go home, but they can't because they're lost. ...Does everyone follow?"

"So basically, the children are stuck here?"

"Yes. The woman's spirit had gathered all the children here. She's pretending to be their mother, and she keeps bringing more kids here. Tachibana realized that she isn't her mother."

...Pretending to be their mother and calling them out here...

"That woman isn't only tricking those kids, but she's also making them bring more children here. She's making the kids pretend to be friends, so that they can bring in more living children. Tachibana is the leader of the children, but she also can't take it anymore. She says she's tired, in pain, and that she can't stand it anymore."

...That's too much.

Naru asked Masako, "Do you remember calling for Tomiko?"

"Tomiko..." Masako said dazily. "Yes, I remember... That's the woman's child, a daughter in fact. ...That female spirit is looking for her daughter, Tomiko. That's why she's calling in more children."

"...I see," Naru said quietly before standing up.

"Naru?"

"In other words, that woman is searching for her own daughter, but in the end, she is simply collecting all these children." He said in a hard tone. "Since she can't find her own child, she tricks all these other innocent children into coming, and not only that, she's also utilizing them as tools."

I remembered the children's painful cries of sorrow.

"Those children cannot pass on. That woman won't let them go. They're simply hovering in Chuute. ...They can't go anywhere," Naru continued.

"...Ah," Bou-san nodded in agreement.

"Ghosts that are lingering around do not know that they have died. It's the same with those children. To those children, they believe they are lost, not dead. That's why they want to go home..."

"That woman knows this and is using it to her advantage by pretending to be their mother. She knows that she's not going to Heaven, and that she will just suffer."

The children already know they're trapped. But they can't escape. Even though they've had enough. Even though it's painful, that woman won't release them.

Naru picked up his jacket.

"Where are you going?"

"I'm going out for a while. I don't know when I'm coming back. Take care of Ayami-chan."

"Naru!"

I didn't even have time to call out to him.

And like a gust of wind, Naru left the room. We quietly saw him off.

===4===

"What is that guy doing?!" Bou-san shouted.

"...What does he want to do anyway. It's almost dark."

Bou-san said to Ayako in a sarcastic manner, "It doesn't matter what he wants to do. In the end, he always puts all his effort into his work."

Then he looked up. "Well, let's just do this then. Tonight Ayami-chan should sleep in a hotel."

"Wouldn't that create problems?"

"At least it'll be safer than sleeping at home. John can stay at the hotel. Last time, John's prayer gave that guy a hard time finding Ayami-chan. If the distance is greater, it might be more effective. Make a spell tag, get Ayako to help, and place the spell tag on the hotel room. That way, those spirits won't be able to enter."

"Okay."

"Ayako, go to the hotel and help John. I still haven't seen you be useful yet. Can you really exorcise ghosts?"

Ayako replied gruffly, "...Perhaps I have something up my sleeve."

"Then you can be John's partner. Masako, go with them." Bou-san turned around and looked at Masako.

"Me?"

"These two idiots are too susceptible to the ghosts. If things end up like before, we'll really be in trouble. Go with them. If a ghost shows up, wake the two up."

"I got it." Ayako stood up. "Then, what about you?"

"Since the prayer seemed to be effective, I'm going to try an exorcism." He said before shooting a glance at me. "Little girl, help me prepare."

It was already dusk, and the night was imminent. I would have to be faster with the preparations than usual.

Noriko-san packed up and took Ayami-chan with her to a hotel.

Before they left, Ayako had made a protective charm—with a pen, she wrote some strange characters—right now, Ayami-chan is holding it.

"This way, those spirits won't be able to see Ayami-chan."

Skeptical about Ayako's charm, I asked Masako, "Do those things work?"

"Those charms seem to be effective. —Don't worry. Those ghosts didn't even notice."

We saw the five people off, then started to prepare for the exorcism. We spent a good amount of time moving all the furniture out and setting up the altar.

"Hey, Bou-san, what's a Chuute?"

I asked him while taking out some equipment.

"The crevice between the living world and the afterworld."

"I don't get it."

Bou-san sighed. "You still don't understand anything—Give me those three handles."

"This?"

"It's a crevice. In Buddhism, after someone dies he will stay in this place 49 days after his death. It's a place where one cannot be cleansed. It's like a bridge between the living and the dead. Now do you understand?"

"Kind of."

"This doesn't always happen to people facing death. It's like going around the Gates of Hell and then coming back. Haven't you heard of this before?"

"Yeah, I did."

"The experience of near death. Some people will say they've experienced something like this: They're standing beside a river, and there's a bridge. Many people are crossing the bridge, but they themselves do not cross it. Then they wake up."

"Yeah, yeah." I've heard that before.

"So in the end, when the deceased person crosses the bridge, he goes onto the other world. After crossing the bridge, he will forget all the pain he's experienced in this world and start a whole new life in the next world. But some people do not want to cross the bridge because they have some unfinished business."

"Like finding your daughter..."

Just like that woman who's trying to find Tomiko.

After dying, your spirit stays in that place.

Since you didn't cross that bridge, you can't forget the pain you suffered when you were alive. Your hardships and fear can't be forgotten either.

"So that's what a ghost is...?"

"Correct."

"Since that woman wants to find her daughter, she didn't cross the bridge, and that's why she called all these children here. She's not releasing the children, and that's why they aren't able to see the bridge."

"...Isn't that infuriating?"

"Don't be angry," Bou-san said.

I looked into his eyes.

Bou-san managed to put a smile on his face. "Aren't we trying hard to get her to see the bridge?"

"I guess so."

After helping out Bou-san, I went over to Lin-san and moved the equipment in Ayami-chan's room to the living room. After I finished moving the equipment, I went to base to help Lin-san make preparations. When we finished making all the wire connections, Bou-san started his exorcism.

Good luck~ Cleanse that woman, set the children free~

And let Ayami-chan live a normal life.

A few moments after Bou-san started his exorcism, sounds filled the room. At the same time the temperature dropped.

The cold air accumulated along the floor. In the thermography graph, the floor was blue.

The videocamera moved too, and combined with the thermography graph, we could see the places where the temperature was the lowest.

The videocameras faced the middle of the room and the floor right in front of the window.

...The temperature is lowest at...

Suddenly a sound came from the living room, a rapping sound.

It was almost like a shockwave. The floor rocked, as did Bou-san.

And then a sound vibrated through the entire room.

Stomp stomp stomp... The sound of somebody running. A smoky substance started to fill the room. The thermography graph showed a dark blue color.

The altar swayed, then fell to the ground.

"Bou-san, forget it! Leave the living room!"

I shouted into the microphone.

"Idiot! How can you ask a man to run away!"

Is now the time to argue about that?

The smoke thickened, and Bou-san's body became hard to see. The mournful cries of the children filled the room.

I stared at the T.V.

A black shadow appeared in the middle of the room, behind Bou-san. It slowly started to form into a shape.

"Bou-san! Your back! It's that woman!"

Bou-san turned around and looked straight through the black figure.

It's dangerous! He can't see her!

I quickly stood up.

"Taniyama-san, don't go!" Lin-san shouted as he tried to stop me.

How can I not go!

I ran to the living room and opened the door.

And just like yesterday night, the room was covered in smoke...

"Bou-san, are you okay?"

"Idiot! Why did you come!!"

Because...

The room swayed violently. I lost my balance as the floor distorted.

It's dangerous!

"Bou-san! Hey, you have to leave!"

I walked into the room.

I can't see...the dark figure...what do I do? I could only see it through the videocamera. I fraily walked toward Bou-san.

When my hand reached out toward him, it felt like my hand went through something.

The air felt cold and sticky.

And then I heard some words in my mind.

...Do not hinder me.

...How dare you.

...This is inexcusable...

Suddenly my body froze, and my hand, which was reaching for Bou-san, wouldn't move.

A pair of hands encircled my neck...icy-cold hands.

Her? ...Is it her?

I grabbed the woman's hands around my neck.

Bou-san turned around and pulled out some golden beads.

"Na u ma ku sa man da baza ra dan kan!"

The hands clutching my neck disappeared, and all was left was a cold feeling.

"Are you alright?"

I nodded and grabbed Bou-san's hand. "Let's go! Forget it! It's too dangerous!"

This time he stood up and ran toward the door. Because now, the floor was swaying so much it was almost impossible to stand up.

The floor was rocking, distorting.

Ah—! Suddenly my feet caved in.

I tried to crawl as if I were swimming. The floor beneath my feet was giving away.

"Mai!"

When I was trying to crawl forwards, the floor cracked again.

Bou-san steadied me and pulled my hand. He then tossed me to the door the way someone would toss a cat or dog.

After Bou-san left the room, the noise in the living room stopped.

We were speechless as we sat almost paralyzed in the hallway.

The smoke in the room faded away too.

After the smoke faded away, we noticed there was a hole on the floor in the middle of the room, right in front of the windows. The floor cracked open, revealing a huge hole.

It was the place where the thermography indicated was the coldest. The origin of the cold.

Bou-san abruptly ran out.

"Bou-san?"

"I'm going to call Ayako. Those ghosts might've gone to find Ayami-chan again."

"Ayami-chan's location...why..."

"When I ran out of the room...what was that! It felt like I went through that woman's body."

...Ah! Me too!

"That woman just came in all of a sudden. Maybe she knows where Ayami-chan is."

===5===

When Bou-san ran to the telephone, the telephone rang.

...My heart felt heavy. I had a bad feeling about this.

Hesitating, Bou-san slowly picked up the phone.

—The ghosts found Ayami-chan.

What they were doing was very clear and simple.

They suddenly appeared out of nowhere and tried to push Ayami-chan out of the window from the fifteenth floor.

John quickly held onto Ayami-chan, and the two were violently tugged toward the window.

What saved them was neither Ayako nor Masako.

The window in the hotel was thick and strong, and that is what kept the two safe from the ghosts' attacks.

At dawn, we stared at the pit in the floor.

In order to confirm the disaster from last night, we went to the living room again, with the exception of Naru. He still didn't contact us.

There was a well beneath the hole.

The diameter was about 1.5 meters, and the opening was made of stone. The depth was about three meters.

"This is a well that had been buried underneath the house," Bou-san told Ayako.

"Seems like it. It's also rather old."

There was nothing in the well. Of course there was no water either. The only thing there was some dry dirt and some tools that dropped.

I poked their shoulders. "Hey, could this be..."

"The well that she died in...?"

"Yes."

"I don't know, but that might be the case," Bou-san replied.

Ayako added, "It'd be easy if that were true. All we have to do is dig up the corpse."

"Ah...but if you want to dig it up, we can't just rely on ourselves. We'll need to call in the specialists."

Masako looked at the well with a dazed look. She must be seeing something from the other world. Suddenly her face paled, and she moved away from the well.

"What's wrong?" asked Bou-san.

"I don't think...I can see the bottom of this well."

Huh?

"Deep inside the well...the ghost children are at the bottom... It's almost as if countless corpses have been piled on top of each other..."

...God...

"Do those ghosts look like they'll come out?"

"I don't know... But they won't be coming out as of now..."

Shivering slightly, Ayako let out an exasperated sigh. "Where did that Naru run off to!"

...How would I know.

"When will he be back!" Ayako demanded again.

"Oh, Ayako, do you feel uneasy when Naru's not around?" Bou-san chuckled while Ayako threw him a hard look.

"Do. Not. Joke. Around. You make it sound like I'm a little child who needs protection."

"You mean you're not?"

"Of course not! How would that happen!"

...Ayako, you're overreacting a bit.

"Eh... No matter how I think of it, you'll just like a 10-year old." Bou-san smiled wryly.

"It's only a six year age difference."

"Whatever the case, your ages do not match," Masako interrupted.

Ayako glared at Masako, "Don't you know that guys his age tend to go for older girls?"

"Does that line of reasoning even make sense?" Masako shot back.

"Oh, so now you're showing your true self? Masako-chan, what can you be to Naru anyway?"

"I hoped you wouldn't talk me like that.. In any case, Mazasaki-san, you're already so old, yet..."

"Stop playing around with me. I know that with your personality, there's no way Naru would fall for you."

"My personality is better than a certain old woman's."

...You guys need to stop right now! Don't you agree that now isn't the time to be talking about this?

John interceded, "Shibuya-san puts his heart into his work. So about what you two are saying...he shouldn't be interested, right?"

"Right," Bou-san agreed, smiling, "with the way he is, he must not be dating anyone."

...Well said.

I thought.

"He went on a date before," Masako asserted.

...What? How would you know?

"We went out together numerous times." The doll-like girl smiled.

"...You're kidding." Ayako's eyes were open wide.

"How rude. Well, you can go ask Kazuya-san yourself."

...Kazuya-san...?!

For a moment there, I had to think about who this Kazuya-san was. When I realized it was Naru, everything became black.

Everyone stared at Masako.

After calming down, Ayako continued, "But it's because of work, right?"

...Yes, yes. That must be it.

"Well, movies and concerts are not related to work."

...Movies? Concerts? Naru, who doesn't even watch T.V., went out to see the movies? But, when you put it that way, isn't that a date!

I immediately pictured Masako's evil grin in my head.

Shocked speechless, we didn't move.

The first one who recovered was John.

"Well, Shibuya-san's at that age now so dating is a regular notion. Anyway, when is he coming back?"

...John, you don't sound confident yourself.

"So basically," Bou-san resumed solemnly, "when Naru comes back doesn't concern us."

He looked around at everybody. "It doesn't matter if he's not here. He's not a psychic; he's just a paranormal researcher. Even if he is here, he can't exorcise ghosts or protect Ayami-chan."

"...But!"

"Things are going to be the same, whether or not he's here. Right now, we must decide if we're going to exorcise the ghosts or run away."

"......"

Everyone was thinking.

"Let's try it again. Ayako, John, which one of you will take up the challenge? Speak up clearly. Those ghosts in the living room are tough."

Ayako glanced at Bou-san.

"So you're saying you want to do it?" asked Bou-san.

Ayako responded, "Go to Ayami-chan. I can't protect her. Also, John, you should be there protecting her as well."

"Got it."

===6===

Bou-san and I pulled the altar out of the hole and helped Ayako prepare for her exorcism.

"Can we still use this?"

"Well, I guess."

After we set up the altar, Bou-san and John went to the hotel. Ayako, I, and that person who drifts off to different places—Lin-san, were left behind.

Ayako changed into her priestess kimono in base.

"Hey, Mai-chan?"

Huh? ...Mai...-chan?

"Do you want to stay in the living room to watch me do the prayer?" Ayako asked with her back turned towards me.

"Ah, you're scared. What kind of medium are you~"

"I'm not scared!"

She turned toward me, her face hard with determination. Sadly, that same face crumbled.

"I'm not...scared...only..."

"It's okay. I'll go with you."

"Thank goodness."

She looked at the mountainpile of equipment. "Lin-san, can you..."

"I left it there to record data," Lin-san informed us in a cold tone.

"...What a personality. Just like the boss. That lady-killer[http://www.baka-tsuki.net/project/index.php?title=Ghost_Hunt:_Volume2_Translator's_Notes#Lady_Killer]."

"Huh...?" It seemed like Lin-san didn't understand Ayako. His eyes were open wide in confusion.

"Oh, nevermind. I was just saying your boss is a pervert—Mai, let's go!"

Ayako grabbed my hand and pulled me out with her.

...Hey, Ayako, you don't really like Naru that way, right?

Under the rosey afterglow of the sunset, Ayako started her prayer. The scarlet light lingered in the room. It gave me a bad feeling.

"Here I humbly offer a modest cleansing ritual and enshrine this temporary altar..."

When the exorcism started, faint sounds filled the room.

A chill covered the floor. Sitting near the door, I felt a chill on my back. My feet became colder.

I looked at the videocamera, which was facing the old well. The cold air must be coming from that well.

As the swaying became more evident, noises arose from the floor.

Ayako's voice was terse. "In the sacred presense of his Majesty...Emperor of...Yamato, who reigns..."

It was freezing. And I had three layers of clothing on.

The trees in the courtyard swayed, casting a shadow into the living room. A dark mist conjured in the middle of the room.

"Ayako! Don't stop!"

"Don't say that so easily!"

Quickly Ayako regained her composure. Rapping noises sounded nearby. It was getting colder. My breathing came out as white fog.

"Over the Land of the Eight Grand Islands as the living god..."

The sun was sinking as Ayako proceeded with her prayer. Soon the room was covered in darkness. The only light left was the flickering of the candles.

A wispy gaseous figure came into view. Frightened, I could hardly breathe.

"Ah!" Ayako screamed, jumping up.

"Ayako!"

"Someone touched my shoulder!"

Don't jump because of something small like that!

"Calm down! You're a priestess!"

I felt a cold presence tug on my hands.

I shrieked.

Someone's breath. I felt completely surrounded.

The room swayed incessantly as thumping sounds restarted.

Ayako and I slowly tried to step out of the room. We had to give up.

"Mai, it's too dangerous here! Let's go!"

"Yeah...Yeah."

Ayako dashed out.

At the same time, the floor swayed intensely. I fell onto the ground.

The floor rocked back and forth.

I touched my injured kneecaps.

"Mai! Hurry up!" called out Ayako from the door.

"Okay!"

The moment I tried to stand up, the floor swayed harder. I can't stand up!

"Mai!"

I tried to stand again, but then a pair of hands grabbed my feet.

I shrieked.

Turning around, I saw the wispy smoke encircle my ankle.

Using all my strength, I tried to shrug off the smoke, but it didn't work. It felt like someone was clutching my feet. My hands were sweaty. My ankle was freezing.

"Ayako! Help me!"

"Mai!"

I was being pulled backwards.

Behind me was the well.

Another pair of hands grasped my ankle as I was tugged backwards into the hole.

"No!"

I yelled as I grabbed onto the floor with all my strength.

Ayako screamed frantically, "Taniyama-san!"

Lin-san rushed in.

"Help me!"

He ran to me and stretched out his hand. But I couldn't reach it.

The eerie hand grabbing my foot pulled harder. My bones almost cracked. I was going to fall into the well.

"...Lin-san! Ah! I'm going to fall!"

"Taniyama-san!"

Lin-san leaned forward and stretched out his hand. Right when our hands almost touched, a force pulled me down. My waist was already inside the well.

Save me! I'm going to fall!

I remembered their nest. The center of the cold. The depths of the well. All the little children, stuck down there.

The floor swayed violently, taking down Lin-san and Ayako. Then I was falling. The well was up to my chest now as I grabbed onto the floorboards.

No, I'm going to fall!

It was hard trying to hold onto the hard floor. The rough edges cut into my hands. I felt helpless.

"Mai!!"

Suddenly a force pulled me backwards, my body fell past the opening of the well, and my hold onto the floor broke.

.........!

I didn't even have time to scream.

I reached my hand out toward the opening as I lunged down into the darkness.

I could hear the voices of two people.

But their words were unclear...

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</noinclude>

Ghost Hunt:Volume2 Chapter3

2009-08-21T00:51:39Z

128.61.56.207: /* 2 */

==Chapter 3 - You Can't Play with those Kids==

===1===

After I woke up from my nap, I went back to base to watch the video. That's when everyone started to discuss the case.

"What's up with all that wailing?" Bou-san asked. "There were so many voices; it's not just one or two. It's not just Minnie."

Ayako agreed, "There are other ghosts here besides Minnie. But no one can see them except Ayami-chan."

"Thoey are kids that Minnie brought over..."

"Well, isn't that the case?" Ayako asked Naru. "We can't just guess like crazy. Why don't we call Masako?"

Naru's face was stern.

Bou-san urged him as well. "I say, Naru—Why do you hate Masako so much? She's pretty, and didn't you say that she was really capable?"

"There's no need," Naru replied, his voice steel hard.

"Ha ha," Ayako laughed happily. "I know, I know. It's because she has a terrible personality."

...Do you have any right to say that?

John said, "...Well, let's put that to the side for now. I believe Minnie is a jibakurei, right? There must've been a strong reason for Minnie to become a jibakurei. She's one of the kids who died here, right?"

"Most likely." Bou-san nodded. "Minnie is a jibakurei. She died here as a child, and since she's lonely, she wants friends. That's why she brought all those other kids here. The kids that die here become her playmates. Then they turn into jibakurei too..."

Naru considered the idea. "Yes...that would make sense, but..."

"But what?"

"The problem is why is it just kids? If a child wants to find a playmate, then it wouldn't be limited to just kids. A motherly figure, a sister figure, or anyone who can be comforting... These should suffice as well."

"You do have a point."

"But those spirits only care about Ayami-chan. If Noriko-san and Mai were also targets, then it would make more sense. But Ayami-chan is the only one they want."

"...Ah..." Bou-san contemplated. "It's strange... What can be the motive of those spirits..."

"Yeah, Shibuya-san. The kids who die here become jibakurei. Minnie is the boss of those kids. What about the first kid who died here?" asked John.

"It's possible... Lin."

Lin-san silently took out a notebook. Naru took it and flipped through it.

"Try an exorcism again."

"How do we do that?" Ayako asked mockingly.

"It's Bou-san's turn."

"Mine?"

Naru handed the notebook to Bou-san. "The first child who died here was Tachibana. The birth and death dates are below the name. The child was in the Buddhist sect. Below that is her post-Buddhist name[http://www.baka-tsuki.net/project/index.php?title=Ghost_Hunt:_Volume2_Translator's_Notes#Buddhist_Name]."

Bou-san stared at the notebook, his eyes open wide. "...You sure did thorough research... All this is from seventy years ago..."

"This is a simple task for me. I'm not the same as you."

What a confident tone. This jerk...is really too into himself.

Bou-san went to Ayami-chan's room to start the exorcism.

John and Ayako stayed in Noriko-san's room to protect Ayami-chan.

Naru, Lin-san, and I were in base watching the screen.

Bou-san put his hands together.

"Naumaku sanmanda bazaradan sendamakaroshada sowataya untarata kan man."

"Mai, pay attention," warned Bou-san.

"I know."

Unnerved and anxious, Naru stared intently at the screen.

"Naumaku sanmanda danan on boron."

"Naru, the temperature is decreasing," informed Lin-san.

"What about the sounds?"

"Right now there's nothing different... In fact, it's eerily quiet."

"On sunba nisunba un bazara un hakku."

"The temperature decreased by...two degrees. Especially the temperature near the bed. There are no abnormal sounds."

"Naumaku shittiriyazibikyanan sarabatataagyatanan an birazibirazi."

"...The rapping sounds have started. Should I transfer them?"

"Not right now."

"Makasyakyara baziri satasata saratei tairatarai bidamani sanbanzyani taramati siddariya taran sowaka."

"The temperature is decreasing dramatically...especially the bed's surroundings. It's about ten degrees now."

I looked at the thermography screen. Taking a closer look, I noticed a deep blue color surrounding the bed."

"How are the rapping sounds?"

"They're still continuing... Nothing else is unusual."

"Oh..."

Naru said absently.

I almost felt like dozing off in front of the T.V., but then I noticed something strange.

"Naru! The living room!"

I pointed at the screen.

A white wispy fog clouded the room; it was eerily quiet.

Naru stood up immediately. "Lin, what's the temperature of the living room?"

Lin-san shifted the computer slightly. "As of now, the temperature is two degrees below freezing."

"Below freezing...?!" Naru looked at Lin-san in disbelief.

I asked breathlessly, "Why the living room?"

"How would I know!"

"What's the smoke?"

"I don't know... It could be because of the sudden temperature drop..."

"Naru, I've directed the sound to here." Lin-san had connected the microphone.

The room was completely silent.

The white mist...the fog...was swirling around.

A circle...it looks like a child's face...

"Isn't that a child...?" I asked breathlessly.

It looked like a wispy child's face.

...I'd rather say it's scary than say it's sad.

At that point, the living door room opened.

"...What?"

A small figure came through the door.

"Ayami-chan...!"

Ayami-chan?! What is John and Ayako doing?

Ayami-chan looked at the wispy smoke, then walked to the middle of the room. She woke up and started to move.

The speakers transmitted Ayami-chan's laughter.

"What? They brought me here, " Ayami-chan said as she looked at the smoke.

"No one wants to go to sleep? It's late, but they still want to play? They'll be reprimanded."

...Ayami-chan...!

I stood up.

"Mai, you can't help if you go!" Naru shouted.

I ignored Naru's advice and dashed out of the room. If I don't go, if I don't go...!

Naru stood up and faced the microphone. "Bou-san, go to the living room! On your way there, look into Noriko-san's room and find out what those two idiots are doing!"

I rushed toward the living room. The moment I reached my hand toward the door, static electricity shocked me and my hand bounced back.Naru reached his hand out. He had covered his hand with a jacket so unlike me, he was able to open the door.

"Ayami-chan!"

The room was filled with smoke. In the middle was Ayami-chan, standing there in a daze.

"Mai-chan...?"

Too scared to enter, I called out to little girl from the doorway. "Ayami-chan, come here to my side!"

"But they want me to play with them."

"You can't. You can't play with them."

"But..."

The smoke entwined Ayami-chan. The thickening smoke had Ayami-chan trapped in a daze.

"Ayami-chan!"

"They won't let me go!"

When she shouted, a black figure came from behind Ayami-chan.

...That's not a child. Is it a...woman?

The black figure reached her hand out toward Ayami-chan.

"Ayami-chan! Your back!"

Bou-san held onto my hand, preventing me from springing into the room. His hands were crossed.

"Child, come here."

"No! Mai, I'm scared!"

"Don't be scared! Calm down and come here!"

This time Naru grabbed onto my hand. Let go!

"No! Mai!"

Bou-san raised his hands. "Ka."

He chanted again as he changed his hand position.

"Naumari saba tatakiyateibiyari sarabamokkeibiyari sarabata taraku..."

Ayami-chan...!

"Senda unkikikiki sarabahisananun tarata kanmun!"

The fog started to disperse, and in a moment the black figure disappeared.

Ayami-chan ran toward me. "Mai-chan!"

"Thank goodness..."

I embraced Ayami-chan. Her body was freezing, her teeth chattering.

"Is it gone?" Naru asked Bou-san.

"No, it only released its grip..."

===2===

"You idiots! We told you to watch Ayami-chan!" Bou-san shouted angrily.

"Sorry, that was so embarrassing..." John admitted, bowing his head.

When Bou-san got to Noriko-san's room, he found John and Ayako fast asleep on the bed like a pair of pigs.

Ayako's voice was sharp. "It couldn't be helped. I just suddenly felt sleepy. When I realized what was happening, I was already asleep. It must be those ghosts' fault. There's no other explanation. I just suddenly felt sleepy... It couldn't be helped."

Meanwhile Naru was examining the tape, his earphones already in place.

"Bou-san, did you see that black figure?"

"I did. It was a woman, not a child."

"Maybe that living room has..."

"A woman."

"Let's not jump to conclusions. Now we know that something is there, and it's not the same kind of spirit as the one in Ayami-chan's room. The lowest temperature recorded was twenty degrees below freezing—if this were someone else's results, I would not believe them."

"Then what is it?"

"I'm not sure." Naru suddenly stopped the videotape.

"What's wrong?"

Naru rewinded the tape.

"Did you notice something?"

"Quiet. Listen."

We turned toward the screen. Sounds of the cries of children came out of the speakers.

Bou-san stood up.

In the midst of the white fog, a sudden wail sounded. The voices overlapped so that they were unclear. But one thing was true: the children were in pain.

It was saddening just hearing them. They sounded like they were suffering.

In the video, Ayami-chan went into the center of the living room.

The cries grew louder.

The children are calling Ayami-chan. They're lonely, sad, and in pain, so they want Ayami-chan to play with them.

"No one told me!" came a woman's voice.

Then there was Bou-san's chanting.

"...My daughter..."

When Bou-san recited the chant, the children's omnipotent cries faded away. The chant had stopped their painful wailing.

"That sound just now...!" Ayako cried out, crossing her arms. "The one in the living room is their boss! That woman, right?!"

"Seems like it," Naru agreed.

Ayako stood up, "Since things have gone this far, call Masako. We must find out that woman's identity."

This time Naru didn't object. "So it has come down to this."

Masako received Ayako's phone call and came here by sunset.

John and I opened the door and welcomed her.

Once we opened the door, the doll-like Masako just gaped at us.

"...Masako, what's wrong?"

Like the last case, she wore a kimono. Her shoulders shuddered.

"Hara-san, do you feel uncomfortable..."

Masako interrupted John's question. "What's wrong here?"

"Huh?"

"It's so strong... It's the first time I've seen a house this bad..."

Huh?

John and I lead the chalk-white girl into base.

The moment we entered, Masako looked at Naru.

...Hey, just give up already...

"Hara-san?" Naru looked at her, his face stoic as usual even though it wasn't with the intention of making her leave.

"It's so...strong...I feel uncomfortable."

Not particularly caring about the girl's discomfort, Ayako helped her get into a chair to sit down.

"What did you see?"

"I can feel the spirits of many children gathered here. They're all children. On my way here, I saw three children headed toward this house. This is like a congregation of ghost children."

Naru asked Masako, "Can you call them out?"

"There's no need to call them out. All of them are wailing so loudly that I want to plug my ears. What do you want to ask? No matter how much you ask, I'm sure I can help you."

"Minnie... The first child who died here is Tachibana. Call her out."

"If I try to call her down over here, I'll be possessed by a different spirit instead. So please wait a moment. She's called Tachibana, right?" Masako asked as she reached her hand out toward Naru. "Can you lead me to the hall?"

Naru raised his eyebrow, but took Masako's hand.

...Masako, you sly vixen!

We left base and arrived at the hall.

Masako held onto Naru's hand (sorry, I can't help but notice this) as she looked up at the ceiling.

"Tachibana, are you there?"

She said to the ceiling.

"...Excuse me, but please quiet down."

She spoke again, to the ceiling.

But I didn't hear anything.

Suddenly a gust of wind blew Masako's hair.

"Please, listen to me. Will you please answer my questions? ...What did you say? Please speak louder..."

Suddenly Masako's eyes became unfocused, her face expressionless. Her small mouth opened and closed.

"...Really...so that's how it is? ...Yes, I know now...so that's what happened."

She's talking to herself. It's kind of scary, almost as if she's possessed.

"...Who...is it? ...That can't be... It's not like that. You can't believe...right...you can't."

Suddenly a sound came from the floor.

"......!"

We all waited for the moment to come.

What? The sun still didn't set?!

The room began to sway while the rapping sounds started up again. The chandelier rocked along. Bang! Knocking sounds rapped through. Everything was noisy.

"What, what is this!" Ayako shouted.

John ran to the stairs.

"John?!"

John kept going up the stairs, then turned around. "I'm going to check on Ayami-chan!"

The rapping sounds almost completely covered up John's reply. Knocking sounds on the walls and stomping sounds of the floor filled the air.

The floor swayed, and the temperature dropped.

Suddenly

"Tomiko!"

Shouted a voice in the distance.

The sound came closer.

...Masako?!

Masako's face was pale. Her expression was hard to describe, but it was almost like a mask of hatred. Normally her face wouldn't be like that.

And right in front of my eyes, she reached her hand out toward Naru.

"Masako!"

Her hands almost clutched Naru's neck, but then Naru grabbed her. "Bou-san! Stop her! She's been possessed!"

Bou-san stuck his hands together and chanted, "On asanmo ginei un hatta!"

After his recitation, Masako's body became limp.

The rapping sounds stopped.

Bou-san carried the unconscious girl.

===3===

Masako, now unconscious, lay on the sofa in base.

When we were rewinding the tape, Masako woke up.

"How do you feel?" Naru asked.

Masako shook her head, her face still deathly pale. "I'm fine... I seemed to have been possessed."

"It was due to my negligence. Sorry—did you find Tachibana?"

"Yes."

Masako nodded, then looked each of us in the eye. "There is a woman's spirit here."

She continued slowly. "The evil spirit is that woman. She's hidden deep inside... At least that's what I think. However, I'm not sure what kind of ghost she is. But I'm positive it's a female spirit."

Masako paused for a moment. "The children's spirits have been gathered here. They're tired of this place, and they want to go home, but they can't because they're lost. ...Does everyone follow?"

"So basically, the children are stuck here?"

"Yes. The woman's spirit had gathered all the children here. She's pretending to be their mother, and she keeps bringing more kids here. Tachibana realized that she isn't her mother."

...Pretending to be their mother and calling them out here...

"That woman isn't only tricking those kids, but she's also making them bring more children here. She's making the kids pretend to be friends, so that they can bring in more living children. Tachibana is the leader of the children, but she also can't take it anymore. She says she's tired, in pain, and that she can't stand it anymore."

...That's too much.

Naru asked Masako, "Do you remember calling for Tomiko?"

"Tomiko..." Masako said dazily. "Yes, I remember... That's the woman's child, a daughter in fact. ...That female spirit is looking for her daughter, Tomiko. That's why she's calling in more children."

"...I see," Naru said quietly before standing up.

"Naru?"

"In other words, that woman is searching for her own daughter, but in the end, she is simply collecting all these children." He said in a hard tone. "Since she can't find her own child, she tricks all these other innocent children into coming, and not only that, she's also utilizing them as tools."

I remembered the children's painful cries of sorrow.

"Those children cannot pass on. That woman won't let them go. They're simply hovering in Chuute. ...They can't go anywhere," Naru continued.

"...Ah," Bou-san nodded in agreement.

"Ghosts that are lingering around do not know that they have died. It's the same with those children. To those children, they believe they are lost, not dead. That's why they want to go home..."

"That woman knows this and is using it to her advantage by pretending to be their mother. She knows that she's not going to Heaven, and that she will just suffer."

The children already know they're trapped. But they can't escape. Even though they've had enough. Even though it's painful, that woman won't release them.

Naru picked up his jacket.

"Where are you going?"

"I'm going out for a while. I don't know when I'm coming back. Take care of Ayami-chan."

"Naru!"

I didn't even have time to call out to him.

And like a gust of wind, Naru left the room. We quietly saw him off.

===4===

"What is that guy doing?!" Bou-san shouted.

"...What does he want to do anyway. It's almost dark."

Bou-san said to Ayako in a sarcastic manner, "It doesn't matter what he wants to do. In the end, he always puts all his effort into his work."

Then he looked up. "Well, let's just do this then. Tonight Ayami-chan should sleep in a hotel."

"Wouldn't that create problems?"

"At least it'll be safer than sleeping at home. John can stay at the hotel. Last time, John's prayer gave that guy a hard time finding Ayami-chan. If the distance is greater, it might be more effective. Make a spell tag, get Ayako to help, and place the spell tag on the hotel room. That way, those spirits won't be able to enter."

"Okay."

"Ayako, go to the hotel and help John. I still haven't seen you be useful yet. Can you really exorcise ghosts?"

Ayako replied gruffly, "...Perhaps I have something up my sleeve."

"Then you can be John's partner. Masako, go with them." Bou-san turned around and looked at Masako.

"Me?"

"These two idiots are too susceptible to the ghosts. If things end up like before, we'll really be in trouble. Go with them. If a ghost shows up, wake the two up."

"I got it." Ayako stood up. "Then, what about you?"

"Since the prayer seemed to be effective, I'm going to try an exorcism." He said before shooting a glance at me. "Little girl, help me prepare."

It was already dusk, and the night was imminent. I would have to be faster with the preparations than usual.

Noriko-san packed up and took Ayami-chan with her to a hotel.

Before they left, Ayako had made a protective charm—with a pen, she wrote some strange characters—right now, Ayami-chan is holding it.

"This way, those spirits won't be able to see Ayami-chan."

Skeptical about Ayako's charm, I asked Masako, "Do those things work?"

"Those charms seem to be effective. —Don't worry. Those ghosts didn't even notice."

We saw the five people off, then started to prepare for the exorcism. We spent a good amount of time moving all the furniture out and setting up the altar.

"Hey, Bou-san, what's a Chuute?"

I asked him while taking out some equipment.

"The crevice between the living world and the afterworld."

"I don't get it."

Bou-san sighed. "You still don't understand anything—Give me those three handles."

"This?"

"It's a crevice. In Buddhism, after someone dies he will stay in this place 49 days after his death. It's a place where one cannot be cleansed. It's like a bridge between the living and the dead. Now do you understand?"

"Kind of."

"This doesn't always happen to people facing death. It's like going around the Gates of Hell and then coming back. Haven't you heard of this before?"

"Yeah, I did."

"The experience of near death. Some people will say they've experienced something like this: They're standing beside a river, and there's a bridge. Many people are crossing the bridge, but they themselves do not cross it. Then they wake up."

"Yeah, yeah." I've heard that before.

"So in the end, when the deceased person crosses the bridge, he goes onto the other world. After crossing the bridge, he will forget all the pain he's experienced in this world and start a whole new life in the next world. But some people do not want to cross the bridge because they have some unfinished business."

"Like finding your daughter..."

Just like that woman who's trying to find Tomiko.

After dying, your spirit stays in that place.

Since you didn't cross that bridge, you can't forget the pain you suffered when you were alive. Your hardships and fear can't be forgotten either.

"So that's what a ghost is...?"

"Correct."

"Since that woman wants to find her duaghter, she didn't cross the bridge, and that's why she called all these children here. She's not releasing the children, and that's why they aren't able to see the bridge."

"...Isn't that infuriating?"

"Don't be angry," Bou-san said.

I looked into his eyes.

Bou-san managed to put a smile on his face. "Aren't we trying hard to get her to see the bridge?"

"I guess so."

After helping out Bou-san, I went over to Lin-san and moved the equipment in Ayami-chan's room to the living room. After I finished moving the equipment, I went to base to help Lin-san make preparations. When we finished making all the wire connections, Bou-san started his exorcism.

Good luck~ Cleanse that woman, set the children free~

And let Ayami-chan live a normal life.

A few moments after Bou-san started his exorcism, sounds filled the room. At the same time the temperature dropped.

The cold air accumulated along the floor. In the thermography graph, the floor was blue.

The videocamera moved too, and combined with the thermography graph, we could see the places where the temperature was the lowest.

The videocameras faced the middle of the room and the floor right in front of the window.

...The temperature is lowest at...

Suddenly a sound came from the living room, a rapping sound.

It was almost like a shockwave. The floor rocked, as did Bou-san.

And then a sound vibrated through the entire room.

Stomp stomp stomp... The sound of somebody running. A smoky substance started to fill the room. The thermography graph showed a dark blue color.

The altar swayed, then fell to the ground.

"Bou-san, forget it! Leave the living room!"

I shouted into the microphone.

"Idiot! How can you ask a man to run away!"

Is now the time to argue about that?

The smoke thickened, and Bou-san's body became hard to see. The mournful cries of the children filled the room.

I stared at the T.V.

A black shadow appeared in the middle of the room, behind Bou-san. It slowly started to form into a shape.

"Bou-san! Your back! It's that woman!"

Bou-san turned around and looked straight through the black figure.

It's dangerous! He can't see her!

I quickly stood up.

"Taniyama-san, don't go!" Lin-san shouted as he tried to stop me.

How can I not go!

I ran to the living room and opened the door.

And just like yesterday night, the room was covered in smoke...

"Bou-san, are you okay?"

"Idiot! Why did you come!!"

Because...

The room swayed violently. I lost my balance as the floor distorted.

It's dangerous!

"Bou-san! Hey, you have to leave!"

I walked into the room.

I can't see...the dark figure...what do I do? I could only see it through the videocamera. I fraily walked toward Bou-san.

When my hand reached out toward him, it felt like my hand went through something.

The air felt cold and sticky.

And then I heard some words in my mind.

...Do not hinder me.

...How dare you.

...This is inexcusable...

Suddenly my body froze, and my hand, which was reaching for Bou-san, wouldn't move.

A pair of hands encircled my neck...icy-cold hands.

Her? ...Is it her?

I grabbed the woman's hands around my neck.

Bou-san turned around and pulled out some golden beads.

"Na u ma ku sa man da baza ra dan kan!"

The hands clutching my neck disappeared, and all was left was a cold feeling.

"Are you alright?"

I nodded and grabbed Bou-san's hand. "Let's go! Forget it! It's too dangerous!"

This time he stood up and ran toward the door. Because now, the floor was swaying so much it was almost impossible to stand up.

The floor was rocking, distorting.

Ah—! Suddenly my feet caved in.

I tried to crawl as if I were swimming. The floor beneath my feet was giving away.

"Mai!"

When I was trying to crawl forwards, the floor cracked again.

Bou-san steadied me and pulled my hand. He then tossed me to the door the way someone would toss a cat or dog.

After Bou-san left the room, the noise in the living room stopped.

We were speechless as we sat almost paralyzed in the hallway.

The smoke in the room faded away too.

After the smoke faded away, we noticed there was a hole on the floor in the middle of the room, right in front of the windows. The floor cracked open, revealing a huge hole.

It was the place where the thermography indicated was the coldest. The origin of the cold.

Bou-san abruptly ran out.

"Bou-san?"

"I'm going to call Ayako. Those ghosts might've gone to find Ayami-chan again."

"Ayami-chan's location...why..."

"When I ran out of the room...what was that! It felt like I went through that woman's body."

...Ah! Me too!

"That woman just came in all of a sudden. Maybe she knows where Ayami-chan is."

===5===

When Bou-san ran to the telephone, the telephone rang.

...My heart felt heavy. I had a bad feeling about this.

Hesitating, Bou-san slowly picked up the phone.

—The ghosts found Ayami-chan.

What they were doing was very clear and simple.

They suddenly appeared out of nowhere and tried to push Ayami-chan out of the window from the fifteenth floor.

John quickly held onto Ayami-chan, and the two were violently tugged toward the window.

What saved them was neither Ayako nor Masako.

The window in the hotel was thick and strong, and that is what kept the two safe from the ghosts' attacks.

At dawn, we stared at the pit in the floor.

In order to confirm the disaster from last night, we went to the living room again, with the exception of Naru. He still didn't contact us.

There was a well beneath the hole.

The diameter was about 1.5 meters, and the opening was made of stone. The depth was about three meters.

"This is a well that had been buried underneath the house," Bou-san told Ayako.

"Seems like it. It's also rather old."

There was nothing in the well. Of course there was no water either. The only thing there was some dry dirt and some tools that dropped.

I poked their shoulders. "Hey, could this be..."

"The well that she died in...?"

"Yes."

"I don't know, but that might be the case," Bou-san replied.

Ayako added, "It'd be easy if that were true. All we have to do is dig up the corpse."

"Ah...but if you want to dig it up, we can't just rely on ourselves. We'll need to call in the specialists."

Masako looked at the well with a dazed look. She must be seeing something from the other world. Suddenly her face paled, and she moved away from the well.

"What's wrong?" asked Bou-san.

"I don't think...I can see the bottom of this well."

Huh?

"Deep inside the well...the ghost children are at the bottom... It's almost as if countless corpses have been piled on top of each other..."

...God...

"Do those ghosts look like they'll come out?"

"I don't know... But they won't be coming out as of now..."

Shivering slightly, Ayako let out an exasperated sigh. "Where did that Naru run off to!"

...How would I know.

"When will he be back!" Ayako demanded again.

"Oh, Ayako, do you feel uneasy when Naru's not around?" Bou-san chuckled while Ayako threw him a hard look.

"Do. Not. Joke. Around. You make it sound like I'm a little child who needs protection."

"You mean you're not?"

"Of course not! How would that happen!"

...Ayako, you're overreacting a bit.

"Eh... No matter how I think of it, you'll just like a 10-year old." Bou-san smiled wryly.

"It's only a six year age difference."

"Whatever the case, your ages do not match," Masako interrupted.

Ayako glared at Masako, "Don't you know that guys his age tend to go for older girls?"

"Does that line of reasoning even make sense?" Masako shot back.

"Oh, so now you're showing your true self? Masako-chan, what can you be to Naru anyway?"

"I hoped you wouldn't talk me like that.. In any case, Mazasaki-san, you're already so old, yet..."

"Stop playing around with me. I know that with your personality, there's no way Naru would fall for you."

"My personality is better than a certain old woman's."

...You guys need to stop right now! Don't you agree that now isn't the time to be talking about this?

John interceded, "Shibuya-san puts his heart into his work. So about what you two are saying...he shouldn't be interested, right?"

"Right," Bou-san agreed, smiling, "with the way he is, he must not be dating anyone."

...Well said.

I thought.

"He went on a date before," Masako asserted.

...What? How would you know?

"We went out together numerous times." The doll-like girl smiled.

"...You're kidding." Ayako's eyes were open wide.

"How rude. Well, you can go ask Kazuya-san yourself."

...Kazuya-san...?!

For a moment there, I had to think about who this Kazuya-san was. When I realized it was Naru, everything became black.

Everyone stared at Masako.

After calming down, Ayako continued, "But it's because of work, right?"

...Yes, yes. That must be it.

"Well, movies and concerts are not related to work."

...Movies? Concerts? Naru, who doesn't even watch T.V., went out to see the movies? But, when you put it that way, isn't that a date!

I immediately pictured Masako's evil grin in my head.

Shocked speechless, we didn't move.

The first one who recovered was John.

"Well, Shibuya-san's at that age now so dating is a regular notion. Anyway, when is he coming back?"

...John, you don't sound confident yourself.

"So basically," Bou-san resumed solemnly, "when Naru comes back doesn't concern us."

He looked around at everybody. "It doesn't matter if he's not here. He's not a psychic; he's just a paranormal researcher. Even if he is here, he can't exorcise ghosts or protect Ayami-chan."

"...But!"

"Things are going to be the same, whether or not he's here. Right now, we must decide if we're going to exorcise the ghosts or run away."

"......"

Everyone was thinking.

"Let's try it again. Ayako, John, which one of you will take up the challenge? Speak up clearly. Those ghosts in the living room are tough."

Ayako glanced at Bou-san.

"So you're saying you want to do it?" asked Bou-san.

Ayako responded, "Go to Ayami-chan. I can't protect her. Also, John, you should be there protecting her as well."

"Got it."

===6===

Bou-san and I pulled the altar out of the hole and helped Ayako prepare for her exorcism.

"Can we still use this?"

"Well, I guess."

After we set up the altar, Bou-san and John went to the hotel. Ayako, I, and that person who drifts off to different places—Lin-san, were left behind.

Ayako changed into her priestess kimono in base.

"Hey, Mai-chan?"

Huh? ...Mai...-chan?

"Do you want to stay in the living room to watch me do the prayer?" Ayako asked with her back turned towards me.

"Ah, you're scared. What kind of medium are you~"

"I'm not scared!"

She turned toward me, her face hard with determination. Sadly, that same face crumbled.

"I'm not...scared...only..."

"It's okay. I'll go with you."

"Thank goodness."

She looked at the mountainpile of equipment. "Lin-san, can you..."

"I left it there to record data," Lin-san informed us in a cold tone.

"...What a personality. Just like the boss. That lady-killer[http://www.baka-tsuki.net/project/index.php?title=Ghost_Hunt:_Volume2_Translator's_Notes#Lady_Killer]."

"Huh...?" It seemed like Lin-san didn't understand Ayako. His eyes were open wide in confusion.

"Oh, nevermind. I was just saying your boss is a pervert—Mai, let's go!"

Ayako grabbed my hand and pulled me out with her.

...Hey, Ayako, you don't really like Naru that way, right?

Under the rosey afterglow of the sunset, Ayako started her prayer. The scarlet light lingered in the room. It gave me a bad feeling.

"Here I humbly offer a modest cleansing ritual and enshrine this temporary altar..."

When the exorcism started, faint sounds filled the room.

A chill covered the floor. Sitting near the door, I felt a chill on my back. My feet became colder.

I looked at the videocamera, which was facing the old well. The cold air must be coming from that well.

As the swaying became more evident, noises arose from the floor.

Ayako's voice was terse. "In the sacred presense of his Majesty...Emperor of...Yamato, who reigns..."

It was freezing. And I had three layers of clothing on.

The trees in the courtyard swayed, casting a shadow into the living room. A dark mist conjured in the middle of the room.

"Ayako! Don't stop!"

"Don't say that so easily!"

Quickly Ayako regained her composure. Rapping noises sounded nearby. It was getting colder. My breathing came out as white fog.

"Over the Land of the Eight Grand Islands as the living god..."

The sun was sinking as Ayako proceeded with her prayer. Soon the room was covered in darkness. The only light left was the flickering of the candles.

A wispy gaseous figure came into view. Frightened, I could hardly breathe.

"Ah!" Ayako screamed, jumping up.

"Ayako!"

"Someone touched my shoulder!"

Don't jump because of something small like that!

"Calm down! You're a priestess!"

I felt a cold presence tug on my hands.

I shrieked.

Someone's breath. I felt completely surrounded.

The room swayed incessantly as thumping sounds restarted.

Ayako and I slowly tried to step out of the room. We had to give up.

"Mai, it's too dangerous here! Let's go!"

"Yeah...Yeah."

Ayako dashed out.

At the same time, the floor swayed intensely. I fell onto the ground.

The floor rocked back and forth.

I touched my injured kneecaps.

"Mai! Hurry up!" called out Ayako from the door.

"Okay!"

The moment I tried to stand up, the floor swayed harder. I can't stand up!

"Mai!"

I tried to stand again, but then a pair of hands grabbed my feet.

I shrieked.

Turning around, I saw the wispy smoke encircle my ankle.

Using all my strength, I tried to shrug off the smoke, but it didn't work. It felt like someone was clutching my feet. My hands were sweaty. My ankle was freezing.

"Ayako! Help me!"

"Mai!"

I was being pulled backwards.

Behind me was the well.

Another pair of hands grasped my ankle as I was tugged backwards into the hole.

"No!"

I yelled as I grabbed onto the floor with all my strength.

Ayako screamed frantically, "Taniyama-san!"

Lin-san rushed in.

"Help me!"

He ran to me and stretched out his hand. But I couldn't reach it.

The eerie hand grabbing my foot pulled harder. My bones almost cracked. I was going to fall into the well.

"...Lin-san! Ah! I'm going to fall!"

"Taniyama-san!"

Lin-san leaned forward and stretched out his hand. Right when our hands almost touched, a force pulled me down. My waist was already inside the well.

Save me! I'm going to fall!

I remembered their nest. The center of the cold. The depths of the well. All the little children, stuck down there.

The floor swayed violently, taking down Lin-san and Ayako. Then I was falling. The well was up to my chest now as I grabbed onto the floorboards.

No, I'm going to fall!

It was hard trying to hold onto the hard floor. The rough edges cut into my hands. I felt helpless.

"Mai!!"

Suddenly a force pulled me backwards, my body fell past the opening of the well, and my hold onto the floor broke.

.........!

I didn't even have time to scream.

I reached my hand out toward the opening as I lunged down into the darkness.

I could hear the voices of two people.

But their words were unclear...

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</noinclude>

Ghost Hunt:Volume2 Chapter2

2009-08-21T00:44:19Z

128.61.56.207: /* 7 */

==Chapter 2 - Girl==

===1===

When I woke up on the second day, Naru had already left. Said he had to do some research. And so, I let Lin-san take care of base while I went to Noriko-san's room.

Lin-san is hard to deal with. When we were alone in base, I almost felt like suffocating.

Ayami-chan was playing House by herself.

"Ayami-chan, can I play with you?" I asked.

Ayami-chan shook her head silently.

Noriko-san was standing on the side, her arms crossed.

Ayami-chan let her doll Minnie drink tea, then eat cake.

"Ayami-chan is really obedient."

Hearing my words, Noriko-san's face had a kind glow. "She wasn't like this before..."

"Really?"

"Yes. She was more extroverted before. She loved to annoy people. But ever since my older brother remarried and moved here, she's been awfully quiet and doesn't smile much anymore."

"...Hey, Noriko-san?" I tried to be courageous. "Is Kana-san...a good person?"

"Huh?" Noriko-san looked at me in surprise, then chuckled, "She and my brother's relationship is really good. I get along with her too. Even though she can be strict, she's a good person. But Ayami-chan still acts nervous around her..."

"So that's how it is..."

We chatted until 3:00 pm, when Kana-san came in to give us snacks.

Handing out snacks was really the maid's job, but today she's not here. After yesterday's incident, she quit.

Kana-san placed the cookie tray onto the table, then turned toward Ayami-chan. "Ayami, are you playing by yourself? Such a good girl. What are you playing?"

Like a doll, Ayami-chan's expression was emotionless. She did not look at Kana-san.

"At least answer," Kana-san's voice tightened, "they're snacks, after all."

Kana-san roughly placed the cookies right in front of Ayami-chan. Ayami-chan looked unhappy.

"What's wrong? You don't want them?"

Ayami-chan shook her head.

Kana-san glared at Ayami-chan, then left the room.

Noriko-san let out a deep breath, then looked at Ayami-chan, "Ayami, you don't want to eat the snacks?"

She shook her head.

"Then, I'll eat them."

Suddenly Ayami-chan shouted, "Don't!"

"Eh?"

"They're poisoned!"

We couldn't help but stare at the little girl.

Ayami-chan tried her best to explain. "Minnie told me! The snacks are poisoned! That woman is an evil witch!"

...An evil witch. Poison...

I bent down toward Ayami-chan, "Minnie told you this?"

"Yes. That person is an evil witch. Don't trust her. She put Daddy under a spell and made him her slave. She thinks me and my sister are in the way, so she's trying to kill us!"

...What did you say?

Ayami-chan's eyes were serious. Her eyes were earnest.

"That witch is going to kill us one day! Because we're in her way!"

"...So Minnie told you all this? Not someone else?"

Noriko-san and I continued to look at the serious girl.

"Minnie told me. Minnie won't lie. So my sister and Mai-san must be careful! The witch wants to kill my sister, cut her body into pieces, and then hide them. Then she'll tell Daddy that my sister left home. The witch wants to make me drown in the pond and then say it's an accident!"

I softly asked Noriko-san, "...You didn't teach her to say all that, did you?"

"...Why would I!"

...Then, why is this happening?

Strange. This isn't something an 8-year old would think of. Witch and magic... It sounds like a fairytale.

Ayami-chan's face was chalk white as she clutched her doll.

I felt scared. Is this Ayami-chan's imagination? Would an 8-year old think that way? Ayami-chan didn't speak again; she just clutched her doll tightly. Pale and weak, the little girl could barely stand.

Is Ayami-chan always thinking about this? This lonely, skinny girl thought of all this? Is that why she doesn't talk much or smile anymore?

After that, I went back to my room and took a nap. Bou-san was going to do a prayer again so I wasn't missing out. And so I snatched this opportunity to get some rest. I probably won't be able to sleep well tonight anyway.

I lay down in bed, then fell asleep. The sunrays streaked in, giving the room a rosey tint.

...This must be a dream.

Half-asleep, my body felt light. I wasn't really drifting in air; I was slowly falling down into empty space. ...It's a hard sensation to describe.

I opened my eyes in surprise.

The room was getting dark.

Someone else is here.

...Who is it?

I slowly turned my head.

A gloomy shadow, a figure clothed in black. Just standing there. A pale face.

Naru?

Why would Naru be in my room? When I thought of it that way, I turned to look at him.

Naru smiled slightly, his eyes warm. The corner of his lips were curved into a smile.

...What's wrong? Why are you standing there?

I was about to ask him. Suddenly his face became solemn. He seemed anxious.

What is he saying. I can't hear.

...What? What did you say?

I gazed into Naru's eyes and tried to read his lips.

...Ayami-chan...?

What about Ayami-chan?

I didn't get it. But it looked like Naru said "dangerous."

...Ayami-chan's in danger?

...Ayami-chan?!

Suddenly I woke up.

......

I got up in bed and quickly looked around. The room was kind of dark, but Naru wasn't here. Of course.

He wouldn't be here.

Oh?

...Was I dreaming about him?

—I must be too tired. Yes, that's it. I'm doing too much work for someone my age. And then there's our relationship.

...Ayami-chan...

I started thinking about her again. Frail, little Ayami-chan. Minnie's her only friend, and she plays by herself.

And then, those words she said today.

"Evil witch", "Daddy's her slave"..."The witch will kill me and my sister one day."

What's wrong with this house?

What's wrong with Ayami-chan?

...Ayami-chan's in danger...

I lay flat on the bed.

Ah—I'm so tired.

...Why Naru. Sometimes I really can't believe myself. The Naru in my dreams is kind and smiles warmly. Is that what I want?

Oh—Eh...

"Ha!"

I tried to get my spirits back and sat up.

Nothing will happen if I just think about it.

Right now, Ayami-chan's problem is the priority.

I climbed out of bed and got ready to work again.

===2===

After dark, Naru came back.

Base became a meeting place again. As Naru walked in, Bou-san waved at him, "Yo. Did you make any progress from your research?"

"It was okay... Have there been any changes here?" Naru replied absently, his head turned toward Lin-san's direction.

"As of now, nothing changed." Bou-san persisted, "I performed an exorcism today."

"Really."

...Hey, Naru, can't you use a softer tone.

"I think the exorcism was successful."

"Congratulations."

Bou-san wrinkled his face, "...You, how come you're not cute at all?"

"My cute side merged with my capable side. —Lin, give me a layout of Ayami-chan's room."

...Just give up Bou-san. You can't make him be cute.

Ayako snickered, "Forget it. You can mess with the handsome guy after you succeed."

"That's right. Otherwise I'll end up ashamed just like Ayako."

"...What did you say?"

"Something."

...Can't you guys be quiet?

Naru stood up, his face devoid of emotion. "Mai, come here. We will examine the camera's angle."

"Okay."

...Hey you, do you only think about work?

Naru and I went to Ayami-chan's room to check on the videocam.

On the way back, I spoke to him, "Come to think of it, I have something important to say."

"Do you want me to listen?"

...Why you.

Fine then! Say what you want! I was going to answer like that, but then I held myself back and explained to him in a calm, business-like manner.

"...Don't you think that's kind of scary?" I asked.

Naru thought about it for a moment, then answered, "I want to see the doll first. Where is it?"

<span style="font-size: 300%;"><center>* * *</center></span>

"Over here."

"Oh? So this is Minnie?"

Noriko-san seemed confused, "Yes, it is..."

Naru took the doll, then squinted at it with his deep eyes, "When did you buy it?"

"Before we moved into this house. My brother went to Europe... This is a gift... He said it's from Paris."

"Did Ayami-chan's personality change before or after that?"

Noriko-san thought for a moment, "Afterwards...I think."

"I see..."

I looked at Naru, "Is something wrong?"

"...I'm not sure."

"Give it back!"

Suddenly Ayami-chan's voice shot out into the air. I was so scared I jumped. Ayami-chan pulled Naru's black clothes.

"Give Minnie back! Don't touch her!"

"Ayami-chan, can you speak with Minnie?" he asked.

Naru didn't get a reply. Ayami-chan persistently stretched out her hand and finally grabbed the doll back from Naru.

"I won't let anyone touch her!"

Ayami-chan clutched onto Minnie, then turned around and ran.

Naru walked them out, his face deep in concentration.

I didn't sleep well tonight either because I stared at the TV in base.

"What's that?" I asked.

I pointed to some numbers on the screen.

"Don't point at it. Your finger is too unsteady."

...Oh, come on.

"That indicates the quantity of ozone in the air. On the side is the quantity of static electricity. And on the side of that are the components of the atmosphere. ...Do you have any other questions?"

...No.

I was about to complain, but then Naru stood up. "It's starting."

"What is?"

It really is. The temperature of Ayami-chan's room decreased dramatically.

I looked at the equipment. Three of the thermography machines whirred. Now it was in temperature mode. The videocamera slowly changed its angle until it faced the bed. In the center was Minnie, situated on top of a pillow.

We took the doll from Ayami-chan when she was sleeping.

"Bou-san, they're saying the temperature is dropping," Ayako remarked .

"It's just the wind," Bou-san replied.

Even though he sounded confident, are things really going to go smoothly?

Concentrating on the TV, Naru didn't seem to hear the monk's comment.

Minnie's emotionless face was in the videocam. Glass eyes. Emptiness.

"Dolls sure make me feel uncomfortable," I said.

Behind me, Bou-san replied, "Well, of course." He crossed his arms. "Dolls used to be vessels for human souls. Hitogata resemble humans. In the past, they were used to curse people."

"Huh—?"

Ayako nodded, "It can serve as a channel for curses. Sealing spirits into voodoo dolls. Then you stick needles into the doll. If the voodoo doll is damaged, so is the person it represents. This is a method to hurt people."

...Oh—

...Naru abruptly stood up.

All eyes turned toward him. Naru stared intently at the screen.

I stood up too. Ayako, Bou-san, and Lin-san all leaned forward.

...Minnie's head was facing downwards...

When did it happen? I was just watching the screen a moment ago!

Minnie's golden hair spread across the pillow.

Under our intense gaze, Minnie moved. Sliding and moving, she moved like a stiff puppet. Her head fell off.

...Scary...!

The dismembered head rolled on the bed. Then there was the sound of it hitting something. It was as if the doll was alive.

Afterwards, the temperature in Ayami-chan's room rose until it was back to normal range.

We rushed to her room.

Everything was the same as we left it. The head didn't fall off. Minnie didn't seem any different; she was sitting in her old position.

In addition...the videocamera and cameras were working properly. But when we rewinded the tape, it was all blank. There was no sound either. Everything was just blank.

All the data recorded was gone. That is to say, we didn't have any evidence of what we saw. ...It was almost like a nightmare.

We were stuck in quicksand, not sure what we could do even though Naru said this happened often.

But now we know one thing for sure.

Bou-san's exorcism was also unsuccessful.

===3===

In the morning of the second day (though it was almost noon), I rushed to base, only to find that Bou-san had beat me there.

"Where's Naru?"

The only people in the room were Lin-san and Bou-san.

"He said he had to do more research."

"Eh—"

What is he looking up anyway.

I suddenly remembered yesterday's dream.

"Ayami-chan's in danger."

Naru told me that in my dream.

Danger.

"...Noriko-san? How come I haven't seen her?"

"She and Kana-san went shopping."

After hearing Bou-san's reply, I left the room.

"Hey, where're you going?" Bou-san called out.

"Noriko-san's room."

I can't let Ayami-chan be with Minnie by herself. I just knew that would be a bad idea. Playing with that doll would be dangerous.

I hurried to Noriko-san's room.

What's Ayami-chan doing? Is she playing? Like usual? Right when I was about to knock, I heard a voice talking, "This house is filled with witches" —It was the voice of a little girl.

...Witches?

Who is it? That's not Ayami-chan's voice.

I pushed my ear into the door.

"I'm scared..." Ayami-chan's whimpered.

"Don't be. I will chase them away."

"Will my sister be gone? Will Mai-san too?"

A dark snicker—"Of course..."

"I like being with my sister."

"No, no. I told you already. Your sister is the witch's underling." —Another snicker— "But don't worry. I'll help you deal with them...so in return, you must listen to me."

"Ayami-chan!" I shouted as I opened the door.

Ayami-chan was the only person in the room. In front of her was the foreign doll, Minnie. No one else was here. Ayami-chan lifted her head and looked at me, her eyes clouded in confusion.

"Ayami-chan, who were you talking to?"

"...Minnie," she replied.

My excited tone must've scared her. I put on a smile and sat down by her, my voice soft and light as I spoke. "Minnie?"

"Yeah, and some other kids too."

Some other kids...

"So there are other kids besides Minnie. Where are they?"

Ayami-chan pointed her finger, "Over there."

I looked at the direction she was pointing at.

No one was there.

Ayami-chan's acting really strange.

"...Can you introduce them to me?"

"Okay... Oh, they left," Ayami-chan said, her gaze shifting toward the door.

I was horrified, but I put on a big smile anyway. "I see. I guess they don't like me much."

Ayami-chan lowered her head.

"Where did you guys meet?"

"I dunno."

"You don't know? Are they classmates?"

Ayami-chan shook her head.

Don't know? What's wrong? Or is she just unwilling to tell me? Kids that I can't see...

My voice was trembling slightly, "Ayami-chan's friends... When did they start coming here to play with you?"

"...I don't remember."

"Was it after you moved in?"

"Yes."

"Are you good friends with them?"

Ayami-chan seemed sullen as she nodded her head, "Minnie brought them here..."

Minnie...brought them?

Naru came back later than yesterday.

"You must be tired," Ayako grumbled as she welcomed Naru back. "Did you find anything? We're still waiting for you to prove yourself."

Her tone was more sarcastic than usual.

—At lunch, we had an argument with Kana-san. And no wonder. The prayers and exorcisms from yesterday didn't work.

Naru ignored Ayako.

"Lin, anything new happen?"

"No. It's the same as yesterday."

"Really... What about Ayami-chan?" Naru asked me.

"She's in Noriko-san's room. She should be with her sister now—is something wrong?"

"No. That's good."

What's wrong?

Naru was deep in thought.

"Did something happen?" he asked.

"No," came a muffled reply.

"Did Ayami-chan have any problems?"

"Not really."

...If nothing was wrong, would you really ask that? What's going on?

How is Ayami-chan related to what Naru was looking up?

"Naru, Ayami-chan's condition seems weird," I said.

The moment I said that, Naru turned swiftly toward me.

I told Naru all the strange things that happened. The weird sounds. And the children that I could not see.

Bou-san and Ayako listened in wonder.

Ayako immediately started to complain, "That's strange. What's up with this family?"

"I keep thinking that this case and that little girl are intertwined... The doll, too," Bou-san muttered.

Hearing Bou-san, Naru looked down at the carpet, his dark pupils intense.

Ayako still did not give up on the earth spirit theory. "Let's see, what can be the cause of all this? ...An earth spirit. Yes. You can find out if there are any rumors about this house from a neighbor."

Naru stopped Ayako before she said anything else. "I investigated that already."

"Huh?"

"There are no rumors about ghosts in this house."

"...Oh, come on..." Ayako sighed as she leaned against her chair.

"The important thing is, Minnie might be possessed," Bou-san stated.

"...Kids that only Ayami-chan can see. Kids that Minnie brought over. Don't you think it's strange?"

Ayako cocked her head. "Ghost children... Minnie brought them here...?"

"Isn't that strange?" Bou-san repeated.

"Kind of..."

"The doll is dangerous," Bou-san sighed.

"Really?" I asked. Man, how come I didn't know that?

"That's right. Dolls are humans without souls. In other words, a soulless body. They're really easy to possess. That's why spirits were sealed in dolls as a way of cursing."

"I just never liked dolls. They always seemed scary. Ah, I always thought dolls were empty and that they could summon spirits. They look like humans too."

...Please don't say anymore...

Ayako turned around, "I still think it's an earth spirit. The main root of the problem seems to be that doll. Fine then, I'll exorcise the spirit."

Seeing Ayako all energized, Bou-san interrupted her, "Well, the spirit exorcism is my job."

"You don't need to pretend. You should go find that jibakurei of yours."

"...Really. I know already!" Bou-san suddenly started clapping his hands. "A jibakurei bound to Minnie!"

After saying that, he turned to Naru, "Don't you think this is it?"

"Yes, most likely."

Bou-san nodded proudly, "Okay, that's good. Then all I have to do is exorcise the spirit that's bound to this doll."

"Hold on a moment," Ayako called out to Bou-san, "we can't know for sure if the exorcism will work. Why don't we call Masako?"

Silence filled the room.

Masako. ...Hara Masako? The medium that's about my age. In our last case, Naru was very polite to her.

"If Masako were here, we can find out for sure if that doll is possessed," the priestess stated.

...This could be a good method.

But Naru didn't seem to like it. "That would be unnecessary. Bou-san, how about you perform the exorcism."

Ayako seemed unsatisfied."But isn't this way more dangerous? If the doll is possessed, then during an exorcism, won't the spirit possess Ayami-chan instead?"

"It's possible... Matsuzaki-san, can you protect Ayami-chan?"

"Ah, yes. This way, if anything bad happens it can be resolved quickly."

"...Oh?" A look of surprise flashed across Miko-san's face. "I never thought you could be so considerate. I didn't expect you to let me to this."

"I thought you might like a chance to redeem yourself."

"Thank you. After this case is solved, would you go on a date with me?"

...What is this crazy priestess thinking!

"Sorry, but I reject," Naru replied coldly before turning toward Bou-san. "Bou-san, can you do the exorcism?"

"Just leave it to me."

It was almost 12 o'clock. After we took the doll from the sleeping girl, Bou-san started the exorcism.

Ayako was sitting beside Ayami-chan.

On one side was a stick figure; in the front were two knives. Ayako's left hand was carrying a bead necklace, while she carried a bell with her other hand. There was a spell paper on Ayami-chan's chest.

"I'm ready."

I went to Ayami-chan's room to tell Bou-san what Ayako just said. "She's ready."

I was running around, delivering messages. Naru was in base, looking at the equipment should something happen. Bou-san nodded, signaling that he was ready. I ran back to base.

Once I reached base, I heard Bou-san's voice from the microphone, "Na u ma ku san man da ba za ra dan."

Bou-san started the Buddhism chant that I did not understand again. It's supposed to be a Buddhist mantra.

"Sen da ma ka ro sha da so ku ta ya un ta ra ta kan man."

Minnie didn't look any different. After the temperature dropped five degrees, it became stable. It didn't drop dramatically. There weren't any eerie sounds from the microphone either.

"There should be a response..."

Naru cocked his head, deep in thought. Suddenly there was a moaning sound.

The sound came from Ayami-chan's room. When we got there, it looked like a small hurricane just went through teh room. Everything was messy; the furniture were all pushed and slanted onto the walls.

Ayako held the chalk-faced Ayami-chan. Noriko-san shrank onto the bed.

"Noriko-san, are you alright?" I went to console her.

"Noriko-san?!"

Her pale face was wrought with fear as tears filled her eyes.

"What's wrong? Does something hurt?"

"...My leg..."

"What's wrong with your leg?"

Bou-san ran up to us to look at her foot. "...Her ankle...is dislocated..."

Noriko-san's right foot was longer than her left foot because her ankle was dislocated.

"Call the ambulance."

Naru rushed out the door.

Noriko-san clutched my hand. I could feel her shaking.

"The person...who pulled my foot...was very strong."

"...Who...?"

"I don't know..."

Bou-san pointed at her foot. There was a clear handprint near her ankle.

...A child's handprint.

===4===

"Exactly what happened here?!"

Kana-san called the taxi to take Noriko-san to the hospital. Ayako leaned closer to Bou-san as he explained, "I'm the one who wants to know what happened! It felt like a small earthquake, but then all this happened!"

"Aren't you here so that you can prevent this from happening?!"

"I can't help it either! It came so fast that I couldn't do anything!"

Naru put a stop to their argument. "...The situation is already like this. Even if you argue, nothing will change. Instead..."

Naru looked at Ayami-chan, who shrank back in response.

"Ayami-chan, exactly what happened?"

Ayami-chan shook her head.

"Did Minnie do this?"

Ayami-chan didn't answer. Then she looked like she just remembered something. "Where's Minnie?!"

"I'm taking care of Minnie for you right now. Can you tell me some things about Minnie?"

"Give Minnie back to me!"

"When did Minnie start talking?"

"Give Minnie back! She's my friend!"

"Ayami-chan!" Naru's imposing voice made the little girl shrink back even more.

"Listen, your sister is injured. Minnie did that, right?"

Ayami-chan's eyes were filled with tears. She looked like an injured animal.

"This is troublesome for everyone. Does Minnie think this is okay?"

Ayami-chan shook her head, unsure of what to say.

"Ayami-chan!" The moment Naru shouted, Ayami-chan started to cry. She rushed off the bed and ran to my side.

"Mai!" she cried out.

"Don't worry. Don't be scared," I soothed her.

Naru's voice was still cold and stern. "Ayami-chan, Minnie, did she..."

I gave Naru a cold stare. "You insensitive jerk! She's already crying so much, but you still won't stop!"

"Mai! Now's not the time for this!"

"Now is the time! You cold-hearted bastard!"

Ayami-chan cried out, and I stroke her hair. "Don't worry, don't worry."

"...Rry!"

"Hm? Don't worry. It's not your fault."

"...I'm...sor...ry!"

"Ayami-chan..."

She held onto my hand. "Minnie told me I can't speak with anyone else! If I do, she'll punish everyone!"

"...Minnie said that?"

Sobbing, Ayami-chan nodded. "Minnie said I can't speak with other people. If I do, she'll hurt everyone else. But I really want to play with my sister and Mai-san...!"

Minnie's threatening her. Poor girl.

"When did Minnie start talking?"

Naru was using a softer tone this time.

"...After we moved here."

"What did she say at first?"

"She said my stepmother's a witch, and Daddy's her slave. She said they want to kill me."

"What else?"

"Minnie said my sister is also on the witch's side. Minnie said she'll protect me, but then I can't talk to other people..."

...Poor girl... She must've felt so lonely.

"Sometimes I forget what she says, and I play with my sister. But then Minnie messes up my room and hides my toys."

"You didn't tell anyone about this?"

Ayami-chan shook her head.

So that's why. I get it now. All the poltergeist activity that happened here: the toppled over furniture, the slanted furniture...it all makes sense now.

All because she threatened Minnie. That day, Ayami-chan smiled at me and introduced me to Minnie. That's why Minnie got angry.

"She said that was my punishment. So..." the girl continued.

"—And then Minnie brought all those kids over?"

"Yes... A lot of kids too. Boys and girls that're about my age. All of them are Minnie's underlings."

"We must quarantine Minnie for a while."

It was a fresh and cool morning today. Noriko-san still didn't return from the hospital. Kana-san is with her now. Last night, Ayami-chan slept in my room.

When we went to base, Bou-san stated his opinion, "Minnie must be the cause of all this."

"She's the reason for all of it?"

"Yes. For example, if a former inhabitant of this house died, it might've been Minnie's fault. I have a friend who specializes in destroying cursed dolls. I can ask for him..."

Naru immediately rejected, "That would be of no use. The problem isn't Minnie."

"What did you say?! Aren't you wrong? What do you mean it's not the doll's fault."

"Why?!" Ayako interjected.

"Intuition."

Ayako retorted coldly, "Your intuition? Why must we follow your intuition?"

Naru ignored her.

"The problem is Minnie is being used as a vessel... The doll, however, is just a toy. A ghost in this house has possessed Minnie..." Naru raised his eyes. "Minnie is dangerous. We must find the real culprit."

She's dangerous?

"...Are you kidding?"

"It would be good if that were so..."

Right when I was about to ask Naru to clarify, Noriko-san dashed toward us, "Mai! Mai!"

"Noriko-san! You're back from the hospital? Is your injury healed already?"

"Now's not the time to talk about that," was her swift response.

"What's wrong?"

"Please, come with me. Shibuya-san, you too. Something strange happened."

"What?"

Noriko-san pulled us into the corridor.

Kana-san's face was chalk white as she looked at the wall.

"Come quickly! Look!"

Noriko-san pointed at the wall behind us.

After we all turned around, we sucked in a big breath.

Who did this...

Words completely covered the wall.

"This bad child must be punished."

"Bad child, meaning Ayami-chan...?" I asked.

Naru nodded in response.

"Ayami-chan violated her promise with Minnie of speaking with other people. Minnie thinks Ayami-chan betrayed her. ...Mai."

"Eh?"

"Stay with Ayami-chan and protect her."

"...Hey, Naru, nothing will happen to Ayami-chan, right?"

"That might not happen."

"It can't be!"

Naru blinked, then lifted his head, "I can't back down now. I'll call in a professional."

"A professional?"

"Yes, Minnie is possessed by a spirit so I have to call in a professional."

"Are there people who can take care of it?"

"Of course. —Exorcists."

...Ah!

John-san? John-san?!

===5===

In the afternoon, I sat in the backyard with Noriko-san as we played House with Ayami-chan.

Meanwhile, Naru and the others were cleaning the message on the wall. They didn't want Ayami-chan to see it.

It was Naru who suggested that. Maybe he's considerate, after all.

...That can't be. Maybe someone secretly suggested this to Naru.

Minnie wasn't with Ayami-chan now. Bou-san sealed the doll in a box with a protective charm on it. Right now he's trying to burn the box. Even though Naru said it won't do any good.

After the writing on the wall, Kana-san was missing. There was a note on the living room table.

"I cannot stay in this creepy house anymore."

It was the only sentence on the paper.

Noriko-san was kind of surprised. The maid had resigned, and now, Kana-san left. Only she and Ayami-chan remained.

"Mai," Ayami-chan handed a paper cup to me. "Have some tea."

"Thank you."

I bowed, and a laughter arose from Ayami-chan. It had been so long since I've seen her smile. Before, she was threatened by Minnie so she wouldn't say anything. She must've been so lonely.

"Onee-chan, have some tea."
[ Onee-chan means "big sister" ]

"Thank you."

"Onee-chan, does your foot hurt?" Ayami-chan suddenly asked.

Noriko-san shook her head. "It's fine now. As long as Ayami-chan cares about me, it'll be okay."

An angelic smile lit up Ayami-chan's face.

Thank goodness. I can relax now.

"Onee-chan, do you want flowers?"

"Yes."

And then Ayami-chan stood up to go get flowers. "I'll pick some flowers then."

"Then I'll go with you," Noriko-san offered.

"No, you're hurt so you can't move. I'll go find some flowers."

"It's only a small injury. I can go."

"No! Mai-san, let's go."

"Okay." I let Ayami-chan pull me into the beautiful, purple flower garden.

"Just pick a few, Ayami-chan," Noriko-san shouted to us.

Ayami-chan nodded, her hand reaching toward a flower. Suddenly Ayami-chan screamed.

"Ayami-chan?!"

Ayami-chan turned and twisted in effort to get her hand back. But her hand was stuck. I held onto her hands and pulled, but they just wouldn't budge.

"Ayami-chan!"

Noriko-san limped toward us.

I moved the flowers apart in attempt to see what was holding onto her hand. Ayami-chan's hand was immediately released. Crying, she ran off.

Looking at the purple lavenders, I realized nothing was there.

"Ayami-chan! Wait!" Noriko-san called out to the little girl.

I turned around and saw that Ayami-chan was running deep into the garden.

"Mai! Get her! There's a pond over there!!"

...A pond? A pond?!

To the south of the house was a big, deep pond. The petals of the lotus tree near the pond often fell into the water.

"Minnie! I'm sorry!" Ayami-chan screamed, as if she was hiding something. Then she ran around the lotus tree.

"Ayami-chan!"

She ran around the lotus tree near the pond, her foot slipping in the process.

"Ayami-chan!" Noriko-san yelled.

Ayami-chan reached out her hand, but grabbed nothing but air. Without even having a chance to scream, she fell into the murky water.

"Ayami-chan!"

"Ayami!"

Noriko-san and I ran toward the pond.

The water splashed, while Ayami-chan sank.

We reached the edge of the pond.

Ayami-chan!

The pond was deep. It would go up to my head if I were in it. For Ayami-chan, this was too deep.

"Ayami! Where are you?" Noriko-san yelled.

I saw Ayami-chan.

"Ayami-chan!"

The little girl reached her hand out, screaming something inaudible.

I reached my hand out and grabbed hers. "It's okay! It's okay!"

Water flowed out of Ayami-chan's shirt.

Noriko-san swam to her side. "Ayami!"

"Onee-chan! Onee-chan!"

Ayami-chan finally spoke.

"It's okay, it's okay...! Don't be scared."

Noriko-san hugged Ayami-chan.

Soon after, Naru came and pulled Noriko-san and the crying, but happy Ayami-chan out. After Ayami-chan took a bath and put on new clothes, Noriko-san and I became relieved.

Noriko constantly rubbed her hair, muttering, "Thank goodness...she's okay."

"Onee-chan, you're drenched too... You might catch a cold," Ayami-chan said.

"Oh, thank you Ayami, but I'm okay. Ayami, are you okay? Does everything feel alright?"

"Yes. Mai-san is also...wet."

"It's okay. I'm fine." I smiled to reassure her.

Is this Minnie's retaliation? Is this the revenge that Ayami-chan deserves for her betrayal? "This bad child must be punished"...

So this is her punishment.

===6===

Noriko-san let the newly dressed Ayami-chan rest for a while.

Breathing hard, I rushed toward base. Minnie, the doll that was supposed to be burnt to smithereens...was sitting on the shelf..

I couldn't help but shout, "Wha... What happened!"

Bou-san angrily shook his head. "It didn't burn."

Huh?

"The box burned, but Minnie didn't."

Terror flushed through my body.

"Even though Naru said it would be no use, I still thought it would work with a doll. I've encountered this situation before. The doll-loving girl died and possessed her doll. Every night, the doll would move and spill water everywhere."

Naru still held onto his beliefs. "There's nothing wrong with the doll. The problem lies within the spirit that's possessing Minnie. That's all."

Ayako looked at Naru and Bou-san, then sighed. "Ah... If we had a psychometrist, then everything would be okay."

Psy... What?

Seeing the blank look on my face, Bou-san and Ayako shook their heads.

...Oh, come on.

Naru looked fed up with me, but answered anyway. "Someone who can use psychometry."

What a bad explanation.

"So, this psymetry thing, what is it?"

"Psychometry. It's a type of ESP. The term was coined by an American scientist, Buchanan. In other words, it's token-object reading. After touching the object, all things about the object can be known. Information on the origin of the object, the past owners of the object, and the present owner can all be known after one touch. Gerard Croiset of the Netherlands and Peter Filis of the U.S. are well known for their ability."

Oh...

"This morning, if a psychometrist were here, then we'd be able to know about Minnie's manufacture and her previous owner, right?"

"Yes."

"Wow...amazing. That must be really convenient." I sighed, then noticed everyone was laughing.

"Well, it definitely is convenient," Bou-san laughed sarcastically. "But psychometrists usually end up searching for corpses."

"Cor-, corpses?"

"That's right. If they touch the missing person's belongings, then they can pinpoint the location of the missing person."

Gasp—What a horrible thing to have to do.

"Whether it's Croiset or Peter—or other famous psychometrists, like England's Oliver Davis and America's Alex Tanous, all of them help the police find missing people."

"Oh—So the police there ask them to help?"

"Something like that."

"Well, we can't get a psychometrist," Ayako sighed. "At least call Hara Masako. She might be able to help. What do you think?"

"I said that would be unnecessary," Naru refused, his voice stone hard with certainty. Then he stood up. "I'm going to check up on Ayami-chan."

...Could it be that Naru doesn't like working with Masako?

Ayami-chan was sleeping soundly in Noriko-san's room.

Looking at her sleeping face, Noriko-san spoke, "I want to give my brother a call about moving out of this house."

...Awesome! Ayako and Bou-san won't have this burden on their back anymore.

Naru's tone stopped her. "Some poltergeists will follow those who move."

"Then tell me what to do! When will this all end?! Only Ayami-chan and I are left in this house!"

Naru didn't answer. "Noriko-san...do you know about this house's history?"

"...History?"

"I've done some research on the past owners of this house."

Noriko-san looked at him uneasily.

Naru's eyes seemed to have a dangerous sparkle in it.

"Ten years ago, the Morishita family lived here. The owner before him was the Watanabe family, who lived here for three years before selling the house due to work."

"So he didn't sell the house because weird stuff was happening here?" I asked.

Naru nodded. "That's right. The neighbors also said they didn't hear of any ghost rumors. The family before that was the Nogi family. Their 9-year old daughter died here."

A nine-year old...

"One year older than Ayami-chan. They say it's because of an illness. The family before them was the Onuma family. In half a year, all three of their children died."

"All three?"

"Yes. A ten-year old boy, an eight-year old boy, and a seven-year old girl. All were either because of accidents or illness. And so the Onuma family sold the house."

"......"

I felt sick.

"Before them was the Murakimi family. No one died in that family. They had a 15-year old daughter, but nothing happened to her. The family before them, the Taniguchi family, had three childen of the ages 14, 15, and 18. Nothing happened to them. However, a child of their relatives came here to play, and he died. He was about ten years old. The family before them was the Ikedas. Nothing happened to them while they lived here, but after they moved away, their 7-year old daughter died. Children that're about fifteen are okay. The family before them, the Tachibanas, had an 8-year old daughter who died here."

"Hey..." I said, a bad feeling overcoming my stomach. "So what you're saying is... Children about eight years old are in danger here...?"

"Seems like it."

...Ayami-chan...!

"...Then what should I do!" Noriko-san cried out.

There was a family with a daughter who died after they moved away... It really makes me feel forlorn and hopeless.

"If you want to move away, I won't stop you. But please wait. As of now, you will be in danger even if you move. I've already called a professional so if you want to move out, at least wait for him to come."

Noriko-san nodded her head in consent.

===7===

The exorcist had arrived by sunset.

Clothed in priest robes, John came by taxi.

John Brown is a Catholic exorcist.

John looked at us with his blue eyes. Although he's nineteen, he looks like he's sixteen or seventeen. He's Australian.

"Long time no see."

He learned Japanese in the Kansai area.

He ran toward us. "Shibuya-san, where's the doll and child?"

We dove into action.

"Ayami-chan's on the second floor, sleeping. The monk is guarding the doll."

"I wanna to see Ayami-chan first. Can one of y'all take me to her?"

...John's the same. He still talks in a strange way.

We went to Noriko-san's room and saw Ayami-chan asleep.

After John was introduced to Noriko-san, he examined Ayami-chan's sleeping face.

"I'm not sure if I can help out, but I'll try my best."

John read the bible, then used holy water to draw a cross on the wall and door. When he drew a cross on Ayami-chan's forehead, she budged slightly. John took out a silver cross, then placed on Ayami-chan's body.

"I'm not sure if this will help out, but better this than nothing."

"Thank you." Noriko-san bowed to him.

Smiling, John turned around to ask Naru, "Shibuya-san, where's the doll?"

Something surprising was awaiting us.

Naru strictly asked Lin-san, who was watching over the equipment. "Lin! Where's Minnie?!"

Lin-san looked at Naru, surprise evident in his face. "If you want to see Minnie, she's right..."

His hand stiffened as he pointed to nothing.

Minnie's not there. She was supposed to be on the shelf.

"...Did it run away?"

"Sorry." Lin-san bowed his head.

Naru bit his lip, then reverted back to his stoic mask. "It'll come back...definitely."

It was 2:00 a.m.

Suddenly the house started to shake. The poltergeist activity started. It was almost as if it was looking for something in its rampage to turn the house upside down.

All the furniture moved, rapping noises started, and stomping sounds could be heard.

"It's so...strong," John murmered uneasily. "The degree of it is so high."

Bou-san stared at the equipment. "Looks like John's prayer is working."

...Seems like it. Minnie was practically searching for Ayami-chan.

"In other words... This boundary is effective."

"Boundary?"

"In simpler terms, it means a place that the spirit cannot enter." Bou-san almost went into a laughing fit again.

...Oh.

Not really understanding, I nodded and then looked at the equipment. In the middle was one TV screen, shining bright red. The microphone was transmitting sounds.

"Naru! Machine #6 is receiving sound!"

"Switch it."

"Okay."

Sound overflowed from the speakers.

—It's a child's voice.

There were knocking sounds on the bed and walls. And though unclear, there was definitely a child's voice amidst all this, crying out.

"That's...Ayami-chan's invisible friend..." I whispered.

Naru nodded, "Most likely. It's so noisy. How many children are there?"

The ghostly sounds faded earlier than usual, and soon a dark silence was looming over us. Nothing changed.

"It disappeared... Why?"

"I'm not sure, but..." Naru stopped short.

Because he soon understood.

Ayako, who was supposed to be watching Ayami-chan, ran toward us. "Naru!"

"What's wrong?"

"Minnie came back!"

What did you say?

Ayako handed a bundle wrapped in bedsheets to him.

"This. It's too scary."

John came over and unwrapped the bundle, closing the doll's marble eyes.

"When did it appear?"

"Just now. Noriko-san noticed a bundle under the blanket near Ayami's legs... She unfolded it and found Minnie."

"Is Ayami-chan okay?"

"...She's fine..."

Just then the ghostly sounds stopped. Even though the sounds were so loud and serious this time, why did they stop?

—Because Minnie found Ayami-chan.

It's 4:00 p.m.

John had finished preparing an altar. Minnie was placed inside, underneath a silver cross of Christ. John took out a glass bottle, then started to pray.

"In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God..."

Minnie was wearing a blue skirt, her skin pure white. Her marble eyes were closed, and her teeth ivory white. It felt like a nightmare.

Minnie's an empty vessel that's possessed by a spirit.

And also, she wants to hurt Ayami-chan.

Why?

"Please look over us and protect us."

John was speaking softly. The small silver cross had been laid across Minnie's forehead.

And in that moment.

Crack.

The sound of the cross breaking. Minnie's eyes fluttered open.

Behind me, Ayako took in a deep breath.

It couldn't have opened its eyes. Dolls are inanimate objects.

John shifted around slightly, then continued his prayer.

Minnie didn't move again. Its hands were stiff, its marble eyes still.

"All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made."

John opened his thick bible and raised the glass bottle.

"In the beginning..."

John read and moved the glass bottle. He sprinkled holy water onto Minnie.

Minnie's body rumbled.

"In Him was life, and the life was the light of men."

John read and sprinkled holy water at the same time.

Finally, a wisp of smoke rose from Minnie's forehead, followed by a cracking sound. The doll's skirt fluttered in the wind.

"The light shineth in the darkness, and the darkness comprehended it not."

Minnie's marble eyes rolled down, and the cross on its forehead slid down. There was a scar of the cross on its forehead.

"The exorcism was successful," John announced as he stopped his prayer. He turned around to look at us. "However, the ghost did not disappear. Just to be safe, I think we should burn it."

Naru nodded and handed the doll to Bou-san.

Bou-san burned Minnie in the backyard.

This time the doll was easily overtaken by the fire as it burned to smithereens.

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Ghost Hunt:Volume2 Chapter2

2009-08-20T23:47:43Z

128.61.56.207: /* 7 */ Doesn't make sense for it to be found near its own legs...

==Chapter 2 - Girl==

===1===

When I woke up on the second day, Naru had already left. Said he had to do some research. And so, I let Lin-san take care of base while I went to Noriko-san's room.

Lin-san is hard to deal with. When we were alone in base, I almost felt like suffocating.

Ayami-chan was playing House by herself.

"Ayami-chan, can I play with you?" I asked.

Ayami-chan shook her head silently.

Noriko-san was standing on the side, her arms crossed.

Ayami-chan let her doll Minnie drink tea, then eat cake.

"Ayami-chan is really obedient."

Hearing my words, Noriko-san's face had a kind glow. "She wasn't like this before..."

"Really?"

"Yes. She was more extroverted before. She loved to annoy people. But ever since my older brother remarried and moved here, she's been awfully quiet and doesn't smile much anymore."

"...Hey, Noriko-san?" I tried to be courageous. "Is Kana-san...a good person?"

"Huh?" Noriko-san looked at me in surprise, then chuckled, "She and my brother's relationship is really good. I get along with her too. Even though she can be strict, she's a good person. But Ayami-chan still acts nervous around her..."

"So that's how it is..."

We chatted until 3:00 pm, when Kana-san came in to give us snacks.

Handing out snacks was really the maid's job, but today she's not here. After yesterday's incident, she quit.

Kana-san placed the cookie tray onto the table, then turned toward Ayami-chan. "Ayami, are you playing by yourself? Such a good girl. What are you playing?"

Like a doll, Ayami-chan's expression was emotionless. She did not look at Kana-san.

"At least answer," Kana-san's voice tightened, "they're snacks, after all."

Kana-san roughly placed the cookies right in front of Ayami-chan. Ayami-chan looked unhappy.

"What's wrong? You don't want them?"

Ayami-chan shook her head.

Kana-san glared at Ayami-chan, then left the room.

Noriko-san let out a deep breath, then looked at Ayami-chan, "Ayami, you don't want to eat the snacks?"

She shook her head.

"Then, I'll eat them."

Suddenly Ayami-chan shouted, "Don't!"

"Eh?"

"They're poisoned!"

We couldn't help but stare at the little girl.

Ayami-chan tried her best to explain. "Minnie told me! The snacks are poisoned! That woman is an evil witch!"

...An evil witch. Poison...

I bent down toward Ayami-chan, "Minnie told you this?"

"Yes. That person is an evil witch. Don't trust her. She put Daddy under a spell and made him her slave. She thinks me and my sister are in the way, so she's trying to kill us!"

...What did you say?

Ayami-chan's eyes were serious. Her eyes were earnest.

"That witch is going to kill us one day! Because we're in her way!"

"...So Minnie told you all this? Not someone else?"

Noriko-san and I continued to look at the serious girl.

"Minnie told me. Minnie won't lie. So my sister and Mai-san must be careful! The witch wants to kill my sister, cut her body into pieces, and then hide them. Then she'll tell Daddy that my sister left home. The witch wants to make me drown in the pond and then say it's an accident!"

I softly asked Noriko-san, "...You didn't teach her to say all that, did you?"

"...Why would I!"

...Then, why is this happening?

Strange. This isn't something an 8-year old would think of. Witch and magic... It sounds like a fairytale.

Ayami-chan's face was chalk white as she clutched her doll.

I felt scared. Is this Ayami-chan's imagination? Would an 8-year old think that way? Ayami-chan didn't speak again; she just clutched her doll tightly. Pale and weak, the little girl could barely stand.

Is Ayami-chan always thinking about this? This lonely, skinny girl thought of all this? Is that why she doesn't talk much or smile anymore?

After that, I went back to my room and took a nap. Bou-san was going to do a prayer again so I wasn't missing out. And so I snatched this opportunity to get some rest. I probably won't be able to sleep well tonight anyway.

I lay down in bed, then fell asleep. The sunrays streaked in, giving the room a rosey tint.

...This must be a dream.

Half-asleep, my body felt light. I wasn't really drifting in air; I was slowly falling down into empty space. ...It's a hard sensation to describe.

I opened my eyes in surprise.

The room was getting dark.

Someone else is here.

...Who is it?

I slowly turned my head.

A gloomy shadow, a figure clothed in black. Just standing there. A pale face.

Naru?

Why would Naru be in my room? When I thought of it that way, I turned to look at him.

Naru smiled slightly, his eyes warm. The corner of his lips were curved into a smile.

...What's wrong? Why are you standing there?

I was about to ask him. Suddenly his face became solemn. He seemed anxious.

What is he saying. I can't hear.

...What? What did you say?

I gazed into Naru's eyes and tried to read his lips.

...Ayami-chan...?

What about Ayami-chan?

I didn't get it. But it looked like Naru said "dangerous."

...Ayami-chan's in danger?

...Ayami-chan?!

Suddenly I woke up.

......

I got up in bed and quickly looked around. The room was kind of dark, but Naru wasn't here. Of course.

He wouldn't be here.

Oh?

...Was I dreaming about him?

—I must be too tired. Yes, that's it. I'm doing too much work for someone my age. And then there's our relationship.

...Ayami-chan...

I started thinking about her again. Frail, little Ayami-chan. Minnie's her only friend, and she plays by herself.

And then, those words she said today.

"Evil witch", "Daddy's her slave"..."The witch will kill me and my sister one day."

What's wrong with this house?

What's wrong with Ayami-chan?

...Ayami-chan's in danger...

I lay flat on the bed.

Ah—I'm so tired.

...Why Naru. Sometimes I really can't believe myself. The Naru in my dreams is kind and smiles warmly. Is that what I want?

Oh—Eh...

"Ha!"

I tried to get my spirits back and sat up.

Nothing will happen if I just think about it.

Right now, Ayami-chan's problem is the priority.

I climbed out of bed and got ready to work again.

===2===

After dark, Naru came back.

Base became a meeting place again. As Naru walked in, Bou-san waved at him, "Yo. Did you make any progress from your research?"

"It was okay... Have there been any changes here?" Naru replied absently, his head turned toward Lin-san's direction.

"As of now, nothing changed." Bou-san persisted, "I performed an exorcism today."

"Really."

...Hey, Naru, can't you use a softer tone.

"I think the exorcism was successful."

"Congratulations."

Bou-san wrinkled his face, "...You, how come you're not cute at all?"

"My cute side merged with my capable side. —Lin, give me a layout of Ayami-chan's room."

...Just give up Bou-san. You can't make him be cute.

Ayako snickered, "Forget it. You can mess with the handsome guy after you succeed."

"That's right. Otherwise I'll end up ashamed just like Ayako."

"...What did you say?"

"Something."

...Can't you guys be quiet?

Naru stood up, his face devoid of emotion. "Mai, come here. We will examine the camera's angle."

"Okay."

...Hey you, do you only think about work?

Naru and I went to Ayami-chan's room to check on the videocam.

On the way back, I spoke to him, "Come to think of it, I have something important to say."

"Do you want me to listen?"

...Why you.

Fine then! Say what you want! I was going to answer like that, but then I held myself back and explained to him in a calm, business-like manner.

"...Don't you think that's kind of scary?" I asked.

Naru thought about it for a moment, then answered, "I want to see the doll first. Where is it?"

<span style="font-size: 300%;"><center>* * *</center></span>

"Over here."

"Oh? So this is Minnie?"

Noriko-san seemed confused, "Yes, it is..."

Naru took the doll, then squinted at it with his deep eyes, "When did you buy it?"

"Before we moved into this house. My brother went to Europe... This is a gift... He said it's from Paris."

"Did Ayami-chan's personality change before or after that?"

Noriko-san thought for a moment, "Afterwards...I think."

"I see..."

I looked at Naru, "Is something wrong?"

"...I'm not sure."

"Give it back!"

Suddenly Ayami-chan's voice shot out into the air. I was so scared I jumped. Ayami-chan pulled Naru's black clothes.

"Give Minnie back! Don't touch her!"

"Ayami-chan, can you speak with Minnie?" he asked.

Naru didn't get a reply. Ayami-chan persistently stretched out her hand and finally grabbed the doll back from Naru.

"I won't let anyone touch her!"

Ayami-chan clutched onto Minnie, then turned around and ran.

Naru walked them out, his face deep in concentration.

I didn't sleep well tonight either because I stared at the TV in base.

"What's that?" I asked.

I pointed to some numbers on the screen.

"Don't point at it. Your finger is too unsteady."

...Oh, come on.

"That indicates the quantity of ozone in the air. On the side is the quantity of static electricity. And on the side of that are the components of the atmosphere. ...Do you have any other questions?"

...No.

I was about to complain, but then Naru stood up. "It's starting."

"What is?"

It really is. The temperature of Ayami-chan's room decreased dramatically.

I looked at the equipment. Three of the thermography machines whirred. Now it was in temperature mode. The videocamera slowly changed its angle until it faced the bed. In the center was Minnie, situated on top of a pillow.

We took the doll from Ayami-chan when she was sleeping.

"Bou-san, they're saying the temperature is dropping," Ayako remarked .

"It's just the wind," Bou-san replied.

Even though he sounded confident, are things really going to go smoothly?

Concentrating on the TV, Naru didn't seem to hear the monk's comment.

Minnie's emotionless face was in the videocam. Glass eyes. Emptiness.

"Dolls sure make me feel uncomfortable," I said.

Behind me, Bou-san replied, "Well, of course." He crossed his arms. "Dolls used to be vessels for human souls. Hitogata resemble humans. In the past, they were used to curse people."

"Huh—?"

Ayako nodded, "It can serve as a channel for curses. Sealing spirits into voodoo dolls. Then you stick needles into the doll. If the voodoo doll is damaged, so is the person it represents. This is a method to hurt people."

...Oh—

...Naru abruptly stood up.

All eyes turned toward him. Naru stared intently at the screen.

I stood up too. Ayako, Bou-san, and Lin-san all leaned forward.

...Minnie's head was facing downwards...

When did it happen? I was just watching the screen a moment ago!

Minnie's golden hair spread across the pillow.

Under our intense gaze, Minnie moved. Sliding and moving, she moved like a stiff puppet. Her head fell off.

...Scary...!

The dismembered head rolled on the bed. Then there was the sound of it hitting something. It was as if the doll was alive.

Afterwards, the temperature in Ayami-chan's room rose until it was back to normal range.

We rushed to her room.

Everything was the same as we left it. The head didn't fall off. Minnie didn't seem any different; she was sitting in her old position.

In addition...the videocamera and cameras were working properly. But when we rewinded the tape, it was all blank. There was no sound either. Everything was just blank.

All the data recorded was gone. That is to say, we didn't have any evidence of what we saw. ...It was almost like a nightmare.

We were stuck in quicksand, not sure what we could do even though Naru said this happened often.

But now we know one thing for sure.

Bou-san's exorcism was also unsuccessful.

===3===

In the morning of the second day (though it was almost noon), I rushed to base, only to find that Bou-san had beat me there.

"Where's Naru?"

The only people in the room were Lin-san and Bou-san.

"He said he had to do more research."

"Eh—"

What is he looking up anyway.

I suddenly remembered yesterday's dream.

"Ayami-chan's in danger."

Naru told me that in my dream.

Danger.

"...Noriko-san? How come I haven't seen her?"

"She and Kana-san went shopping."

After hearing Bou-san's reply, I left the room.

"Hey, where're you going?" Bou-san called out.

"Noriko-san's room."

I can't let Ayami-chan be with Minnie by herself. I just knew that would be a bad idea. Playing with that doll would be dangerous.

I hurried to Noriko-san's room.

What's Ayami-chan doing? Is she playing? Like usual? Right when I was about to knock, I heard a voice talking, "This house is filled with witches" —It was the voice of a little girl.

...Witches?

Who is it? That's not Ayami-chan's voice.

I pushed my ear into the door.

"I'm scared..." Ayami-chan's whimpered.

"Don't be. I will chase them away."

"Will my sister be gone? Will Mai-san too?"

A dark snicker—"Of course..."

"I like being with my sister."

"No, no. I told you already. Your sister is the witch's underling." —Another snicker— "But don't worry. I'll help you deal with them...so in return, you must listen to me."

"Ayami-chan!" I shouted as I opened the door.

Ayami-chan was the only person in the room. In front of her was the foreign doll, Minnie. No one else was here. Ayami-chan lifted her head and looked at me, her eyes clouded in confusion.

"Ayami-chan, who were you talking to?"

"...Minnie," she replied.

My excited tone must've scared her. I put on a smile and sat down by her, my voice soft and light as I spoke. "Minnie?"

"Yeah, and some other kids too."

Some other kids...

"So there are other kids besides Minnie. Where are they?"

Ayami-chan pointed her finger, "Over there."

I looked at the direction she was pointing at.

No one was there.

Ayami-chan's acting really strange.

"...Can you introduce them to me?"

"Okay... Oh, they left," Ayami-chan said, her gaze shifting toward the door.

I was horrified, but I put on a big smile anyway. "I see. I guess they don't like me much."

Ayami-chan lowered her head.

"Where did you guys meet?"

"I dunno."

"You don't know? Are they classmates?"

Ayami-chan shook her head.

Don't know? What's wrong? Or is she just unwilling to tell me? Kids that I can't see...

My voice was trembling slightly, "Ayami-chan's friends... When did they start coming here to play with you?"

"...I don't remember."

"Was it after you moved in?"

"Yes."

"Are you good friends with them?"

Ayami-chan seemed sullen as she nodded her head, "Minnie brought them here..."

Minnie...brought them?

Naru came back later than yesterday.

"You must be tired," Ayako grumbled as she welcomed Naru back. "Did you find anything? We're still waiting for you to prove yourself."

Her tone was more sarcastic than usual.

—At lunch, we had an argument with Kana-san. And no wonder. The prayers and exorcisms from yesterday didn't work.

Naru ignored Ayako.

"Lin, anything new happen?"

"No. It's the same as yesterday."

"Really... What about Ayami-chan?" Naru asked me.

"She's in Noriko-san's room. She should be with her sister now—is something wrong?"

"No. That's good."

What's wrong?

Naru was deep in thought.

"Did something happen?" he asked.

"No," came a muffled reply.

"Did Ayami-chan have any problems?"

"Not really."

...If nothing was wrong, would you really ask that? What's going on?

How is Ayami-chan related to what Naru was looking up?

"Naru, Ayami-chan's condition seems weird," I said.

The moment I said that, Naru turned swiftly toward me.

I told Naru all the strange things that happened. The weird sounds. And the children that I could not see.

Bou-san and Ayako listened in wonder.

Ayako immediately started to complain, "That's strange. What's up with this family?"

"I keep thinking that this case and that little girl are intertwined... The doll, too," Bou-san muttered.

Hearing Bou-san, Naru looked down at the carpet, his dark pupils intense.

Ayako still did not give up on the earth spirit theory. "Let's see, what can be the cause of all this? ...An earth spirit. Yes. You can find out if there are any rumors about this house from a neighbor."

Naru stopped Ayako before she said anything else. "I investigated that already."

"Huh?"

"There are no rumors about ghosts in this house."

"...Oh, come on..." Ayako sighed as she leaned against her chair.

"The important thing is, Minnie might be possessed," Bou-san stated.

"...Kids that only Ayami-chan can see. Kids that Minnie brought over. Don't you think it's strange?"

Ayako cocked her head. "Ghost children... Minnie brought them here...?"

"Isn't that strange?" Bou-san repeated.

"Kind of..."

"The doll is dangerous," Bou-san sighed.

"Really?" I asked. Man, how come I didn't know that?

"That's right. Dolls are humans without souls. In other words, a soulless body. They're really easy to possess. That's why spirits were sealed in dolls as a way of cursing."

"I just never liked dolls. They always seemed scary. Ah, I always thought dolls were empty and that they could summon spirits. They look like humans too."

...Please don't say anymore...

Ayako turned around, "I still think it's an earth spirit. The main root of the problem seems to be that doll. Fine then, I'll exorcise the spirit."

Seeing Ayako all energized, Bou-san interrupted her, "Well, the spirit exorcism is my job."

"You don't need to pretend. You should go find that jibakurei of yours."

"...Really. I know already!" Bou-san suddenly started clapping his hands. "A jibakurei bound to Minnie!"

After saying that, he turned to Naru, "Don't you think this is it?"

"Yes, most likely."

Bou-san nodded proudly, "Okay, that's good. Then all I have to do is exorcise the spirit that's bound to this doll."

"Hold on a moment," Ayako called out to Bou-san, "we can't know for sure if the exorcism will work. Why don't we call Masako?"

Silence filled the room.

Masako. ...Hara Masako? The medium that's about my age. In our last case, Naru was very polite to her.

"If Masako were here, we can find out for sure if that doll is possessed," the priestess stated.

...This could be a good method.

But Naru didn't seem to like it. "That would be unnecessary. Bou-san, how about you perform the exorcism."

Ayako seemed unsatisfied."But isn't this way more dangerous? If the doll is possessed, then during an exorcism, won't the spirit possess Ayami-chan instead?"

"It's possible... Matsuzaki-san, can you protect Ayami-chan?"

"Ah, yes. This way, if anything bad happens it can be resolved quickly."

"...Oh?" A look of surprise flashed across Miko-san's face. "I never thought you could be so considerate. I didn't expect you to let me to this."

"I thought you might like a chance to redeem yourself."

"Thank you. After this case is solved, would you go on a date with me?"

...What is this crazy priestess thinking!

"Sorry, but I reject," Naru replied coldly before turning toward Bou-san. "Bou-san, can you do the exorcism?"

"Just leave it to me."

It was almost 12 o'clock. After we took the doll from the sleeping girl, Bou-san started the exorcism.

Ayako was sitting beside Ayami-chan.

On one side was a stick figure; in the front were two knives. Ayako's left hand was carrying a bead necklace, while she carried a bell with her other hand. There was a spell paper on Ayami-chan's chest.

"I'm ready."

I went to Ayami-chan's room to tell Bou-san what Ayako just said. "She's ready."

I was running around, delivering messages. Naru was in base, looking at the equipment should something happen. Bou-san nodded, signaling that he was ready. I ran back to base.

Once I reached base, I heard Bou-san's voice from the microphone, "Na u ma ku san man da ba za ra dan."

Bou-san started the Buddhism chant that I did not understand again. It's supposed to be a Buddhist mantra.

"Sen da ma ka ro sha da so ku ta ya un ta ra ta kan man."

Minnie didn't look any different. After the temperature dropped five degrees, it became stable. It didn't drop dramatically. There weren't any eerie sounds from the microphone either.

"There should be a response..."

Naru cocked his head, deep in thought. Suddenly there was a moaning sound.

The sound came from Ayami-chan's room. When we got there, it looked like a small hurricane just went through teh room. Everything was messy; the furniture were all pushed and slanted onto the walls.

Ayako held the chalk-faced Ayami-chan. Noriko-san shrank onto the bed.

"Noriko-san, are you alright?" I went to console her.

"Noriko-san?!"

Her pale face was wrought with fear as tears filled her eyes.

"What's wrong? Does something hurt?"

"...My leg..."

"What's wrong with your leg?"

Bou-san ran up to us to look at her foot. "...Her ankle...is dislocated..."

Noriko-san's right foot was longer than her left foot because her ankle was dislocated.

"Call the ambulance."

Naru rushed out the door.

Noriko-san clutched my hand. I could feel her shaking.

"The person...who pulled my foot...was very strong."

"...Who...?"

"I don't know..."

Bou-san pointed at her foot. There was a clear handprint near her ankle.

...A child's handprint.

===4===

"Exactly what happened here?!"

Kana-san called the taxi to take Noriko-san to the hospital. Ayako leaned closer to Bou-san as he explained, "I'm the one who wants to know what happened! It felt like a small earthquake, but then all this happened!"

"Aren't you here so that you can prevent this from happening?!"

"I can't help it either! It came so fast that I couldn't do anything!"

Naru put a stop to their argument. "...The situation is already like this. Even if you argue, nothing will change. Instead..."

Naru looked at Ayami-chan, who shrank back in response.

"Ayami-chan, exactly what happened?"

Ayami-chan shook her head.

"Did Minnie do this?"

Ayami-chan didn't answer. Then she looked like she just remembered something. "Where's Minnie?!"

"I'm taking care of Minnie for you right now. Can you tell me some things about Minnie?"

"Give Minnie back to me!"

"When did Minnie start talking?"

"Give Minnie back! She's my friend!"

"Ayami-chan!" Naru's imposing voice made the little girl shrink back even more.

"Listen, your sister is injured. Minnie did that, right?"

Ayami-chan's eyes were filled with tears. She looked like an injured animal.

"This is troublesome for everyone. Does Minnie think this is okay?"

Ayami-chan shook her head, unsure of what to say.

"Ayami-chan!" The moment Naru shouted, Ayami-chan started to cry. She rushed off the bed and ran to my side.

"Mai!" she cried out.

"Don't worry. Don't be scared," I soothed her.

Naru's voice was still cold and stern. "Ayami-chan, Minnie, did she..."

I gave Naru a cold stare. "You insensitive jerk! She's already crying so much, but you still won't stop!"

"Mai! Now's not the time for this!"

"Now is the time! You cold-hearted bastard!"

Ayami-chan cried out, and I stroke her hair. "Don't worry, don't worry."

"...Rry!"

"Hm? Don't worry. It's not your fault."

"...I'm...sor...ry!"

"Ayami-chan..."

She held onto my hand. "Minnie told me I can't speak with anyone else! If I do, she'll punish everyone!"

"...Minnie said that?"

Sobbing, Ayami-chan nodded. "Minnie said I can't speak with other people. If I do, she'll hurt everyone else. But I really want to play with my sister and Mai-san...!"

Minnie's threatening her. Poor girl.

"When did Minnie start talking?"

Naru was using a softer tone this time.

"...After we moved here."

"What did she say at first?"

"She said my stepmother's a witch, and Daddy's her slave. She said they want to kill me."

"What else?"

"Minnie said my sister is also on the witch's side. Minnie said she'll protect me, but then I can't talk to other people..."

...Poor girl... She must've felt so lonely.

"Sometimes I forget what she says, and I play with my sister. But then Minnie messes up my room and hides my toys."

"You didn't tell anyone about this?"

Ayami-chan shook her head.

So that's why. I get it now. All the poltergeist activity that happened here: the toppled over furniture, the slanted furniture...it all makes sense now.

All because she threatened Minnie. That day, Ayami-chan smiled at me and introduced me to Minnie. That's why Minnie got angry.

"She said that was my punishment. So..." the girl continued.

"—And then Minnie brought all those kids over?"

"Yes... A lot of kids too. Boys and girls that're about my age. All of them are Minnie's underlings."

"We must quarantine Minnie for a while."

It was a fresh and cool morning today. Noriko-san still didn't return from the hospital. Kana-san is with her now. Last night, Ayami-chan slept in my room.

When we went to base, Bou-san stated his opinion, "Minnie must be the cause of all this."

"She's the reason for all of it?"

"Yes. For example, if a former inhabitant of this house died, it might've been Minnie's fault. I have a friend who specializes in destroying cursed dolls. I can ask for him..."

Naru immediately rejected, "That would be of no use. The problem isn't Minnie."

"What did you say?! Aren't you wrong? What do you mean it's not the doll's fault."

"Why?!" Ayako interjected.

"Intuition."

Ayako retorted coldly, "Your intuition? Why must we follow your intuition?"

Naru ignored her.

"The problem is Minnie is being used as a vessel... The doll, however, is just a toy. A ghost in this house has possessed Minnie..." Naru raised his eyes. "Minnie is dangerous. We must find the real culprit."

She's dangerous?

"...Are you kidding?"

"It would be good if that were so..."

Right when I was about to ask Naru to clarify, Noriko-san dashed toward us, "Mai! Mai!"

"Noriko-san! You're back from the hospital? Is your injury healed already?"

"Now's not the time to talk about that," was her swift response.

"What's wrong?"

"Please, come with me. Shibuya-san, you too. Something strange happened."

"What?"

Noriko-san pulled us into the corridor.

Kana-san's face was chalk white as she looked at the wall.

"Come quickly! Look!"

Noriko-san pointed at the wall behind us.

After we all turned around, we sucked in a big breath.

Who did this...

Words completely covered the wall.

"This bad child must be punished."

"Bad child, meaning Ayami-chan...?" I asked.

Naru nodded in response.

"Ayami-chan violated her promise with Minnie of speaking with other people. Minnie thinks Ayami-chan betrayed her. ...Mai."

"Eh?"

"Stay with Ayami-chan and protect her."

"...Hey, Naru, nothing will happen to Ayami-chan, right?"

"That might not happen."

"It can't be!"

Naru blinked, then lifted his head, "I can't back down now. I'll call in a professional."

"A professional?"

"Yes, Minnie is possessed by a spirit so I have to call in a professional."

"Are there people who can take care of it?"

"Of course. —Exorcists."

...Ah!

John-san? John-san?!

===5===

In the afternoon, I sat in the backyard with Noriko-san as we played House with Ayami-chan.

Meanwhile, Naru and the others were cleaning the message on the wall. They didn't want Ayami-chan to see it.

It was Naru who suggested that. Maybe he's considerate, after all.

...That can't be. Maybe someone secretly suggested this to Naru.

Minnie wasn't with Ayami-chan now. Bou-san sealed the doll in a box with a protective charm on it. Right now he's trying to burn the box. Even though Naru said it won't do any good.

After the writing on the wall, Kana-san was missing. There was a note on the living room table.

"I cannot stay in this creepy house anymore."

It was the only sentence on the paper.

Noriko-san was kind of surprised. The maid had resigned, and now, Kana-san left. Only she and Ayami-chan remained.

"Mai," Ayami-chan handed a paper cup to me. "Have some tea."

"Thank you."

I bowed, and a laughter arose from Ayami-chan. It had been so long since I've seen her smile. Before, she was threatened by Minnie so she wouldn't say anything. She must've been so lonely.

"Onee-chan, have some tea."
[ Onee-chan means "big sister" ]

"Thank you."

"Onee-chan, does your foot hurt?" Ayami-chan suddenly asked.

Noriko-san shook her head. "It's fine now. As long as Ayami-chan cares about me, it'll be okay."

An angelic smile lit up Ayami-chan's face.

Thank goodness. I can relax now.

"Onee-chan, do you want flowers?"

"Yes."

And then Ayami-chan stood up to go get flowers. "I'll pick some flowers then."

"Then I'll go with you," Noriko-san offered.

"No, you're hurt so you can't move. I'll go find some flowers."

"It's only a small injury. I can go."

"No! Mai-san, let's go."

"Okay." I let Ayami-chan pull me into the beautiful, purple flower garden.

"Just pick a few, Ayami-chan," Noriko-san shouted to us.

Ayami-chan nodded, her hand reaching toward a flower. Suddenly Ayami-chan screamed.

"Ayami-chan?!"

Ayami-chan turned and twisted in effort to get her hand back. But her hand was stuck. I held onto her hands and pulled, but they just wouldn't budge.

"Ayami-chan!"

Noriko-san limped toward us.

I moved the flowers apart in attempt to see what was holding onto her hand. Ayami-chan's hand was immediately released. Crying, she ran off.

Looking at the purple lavenders, I realized nothing was there.

"Ayami-chan! Wait!" Noriko-san called out to the little girl.

I turned around and saw that Ayami-chan was running deep into the garden.

"Mai! Get her! There's a pond over there!!"

...A pond? A pond?!

To the south of the house was a big, deep pond. The petals of the lotus tree near the pond often fell into the water.

"Minnie! I'm sorry!" Ayami-chan screamed, as if she was hiding something. Then she ran around the lotus tree.

"Ayami-chan!"

She ran around the lotus tree near the pond, her foot slipping in the process.

"Ayami-chan!" Noriko-san yelled.

Ayami-chan reached out her hand, but grabbed nothing but air. Without even having a chance to scream, she fell into the murky water.

"Ayami-chan!"

"Ayami!"

Noriko-san and I ran toward the pond.

The water splashed, while Ayami-chan sank.

We reached the edge of the pond.

Ayami-chan!

The pond was deep. It would go up to my head if I were in it. For Ayami-chan, this was too deep.

"Ayami! Where are you?" Noriko-san yelled.

I saw Ayami-chan.

"Ayami-chan!"

The little girl reached her hand out, screaming something inaudible.

I reached my hand out and grabbed hers. "It's okay! It's okay!"

Water flowed out of Ayami-chan's shirt.

Noriko-san swam to her side. "Ayami!"

"Onee-chan! Onee-chan!"

Ayami-chan finally spoke.

"It's okay, it's okay...! Don't be scared."

Noriko-san hugged Ayami-chan.

Soon after, Naru came and pulled Noriko-san and the crying, but happy Ayami-chan out. After Ayami-chan took a bath and put on new clothes, Noriko-san and I became relieved.

Noriko constantly rubbed her hair, muttering, "Thank goodness...she's okay."

"Onee-chan, you're drenched too... You might catch a cold," Ayami-chan said.

"Oh, thank you Ayami, but I'm okay. Ayami, are you okay? Does everything feel alright?"

"Yes. Mai-san is also...wet."

"It's okay. I'm fine." I smiled to reassure her.

Is this Minnie's retaliation? Is this the revenge that Ayami-chan deserves for her betrayal? "This bad child must be punished"...

So this is her punishment.

===6===

Noriko-san let the newly dressed Ayami-chan rest for a while.

Breathing hard, I rushed toward base. Minnie, the doll that was supposed to be burnt to smithereens...was sitting on the shelf..

I couldn't help but shout, "Wha... What happened!"

Bou-san angrily shook his head. "It didn't burn."

Huh?

"The box burned, but Minnie didn't."

Terror flushed through my body.

"Even though Naru said it would be no use, I still thought it would work with a doll. I've encountered this situation before. The doll-loving girl died and possessed her doll. Every night, the doll would move and spill water everywhere."

Naru still held onto his beliefs. "There's nothing wrong with the doll. The problem lies within the spirit that's possessing Minnie. That's all."

Ayako looked at Naru and Bou-san, then sighed. "Ah... If we had a psychometrist, then everything would be okay."

Psy... What?

Seeing the blank look on my face, Bou-san and Ayako shook their heads.

...Oh, come on.

Naru looked fed up with me, but answered anyway. "Someone who can use psychometry."

What a bad explanation.

"So, this psymetry thing, what is it?"

"Psychometry. It's a type of ESP. The term was coined by an American scientist, Buchanan. In other words, it's token-object reading. After touching the object, all things about the object can be known. Information on the origin of the object, the past owners of the object, and the present owner can all be known after one touch. Gerard Croiset of the Netherlands and Peter Filis of the U.S. are well known for their ability."

Oh...

"This morning, if a psychometrist were here, then we'd be able to know about Minnie's manufacture and her previous owner, right?"

"Yes."

"Wow...amazing. That must be really convenient." I sighed, then noticed everyone was laughing.

"Well, it definitely is convenient," Bou-san laughed sarcastically. "But psychometrists usually end up searching for corpses."

"Cor-, corpses?"

"That's right. If they touch the missing person's belongings, then they can pinpoint the location of the missing person."

Gasp—What a horrible thing to have to do.

"Whether it's Croiset or Peter—or other famous psychometrists, like England's Oliver Davis and America's Alex Tanous, all of them help the police find missing people."

"Oh—So the police there ask them to help?"

"Something like that."

"Well, we can't get a psychometrist," Ayako sighed. "At least call Hara Masako. She might be able to help. What do you think?"

"I said that would be unnecessary," Naru refused, his voice stone hard with certainty. Then he stood up. "I'm going to check up on Ayami-chan."

...Could it be that Naru doesn't like working with Masako?

Ayami-chan was sleeping soundly in Noriko-san's room.

Looking at her sleeping face, Noriko-san spoke, "I want to give my brother a call about moving out of this house."

...Awesome! Ayako and Bou-san won't have this burden on their back anymore.

Naru's tone stopped her. "Some poltergeists will follow those who move."

"Then tell me what to do! When will this all end?! Only Ayami-chan and I are left in this house!"

Naru didn't answer. "Noriko-san...do you know about this house's history?"

"...History?"

"I've done some research on the past owners of this house."

Noriko-san looked at him uneasily.

Naru's eyes seemed to have a dangerous sparkle in it.

"Ten years ago, the Morishita family lived here. The owner before him was the Watanabe family, who lived here for three years before selling the house due to work."

"So he didn't sell the house because weird stuff was happening here?" I asked.

Naru nodded. "That's right. The neighbors also said they didn't hear of any ghost rumors. The family before that was the Nogi family. Their 9-year old daughter died here."

A nine-year old...

"One year older than Ayami-chan. They say it's because of an illness. The family before them was the Onuma family. In half a year, all three of their children died."

"All three?"

"Yes. A ten-year old boy, an eight-year old boy, and a seven-year old girl. All were either because of accidents or illness. And so the Onuma family sold the house."

"......"

I felt sick.

"Before them was the Murakimi family. No one died in that family. They had a 15-year old daughter, but nothing happened to her. The family before them, the Taniguchi family, had three childen of the ages 14, 15, and 18. Nothing happened to them. However, a child of their relatives came here to play, and he died. He was about ten years old. The family before them was the Ikedas. Nothing happened to them while they lived here, but after they moved away, their 7-year old daughter died. Children that're about fifteen are okay. The family before them, the Tachibanas, had an 8-year old daughter who died here."

"Hey..." I said, a bad feeling overcoming my stomach. "So what you're saying is... Children about eight years old are in danger here...?"

"Seems like it."

...Ayami-chan...!

"...Then what should I do!" Noriko-san cried out.

There was a family with a daughter who died after they moved away... It really makes me feel forlorn and hopeless.

"If you want to move away, I won't stop you. But please wait. As of now, you will be in danger even if you move. I've already called a professional so if you want to move out, at least wait for him to come."

Noriko-san nodded her head in consent.

===7===

The exorcist had arrived by sunset.

Clothed in priest robes, John came by taxi.

John Brown is a Catholic exorcist.

John looked at us with his blue eyes. Although he's nineteen, he looks like he's sixteen or seventeen. He's Australian.

"Long time no see."

He learned Japanese in the Kansai area.

He ran toward us. "Shibuya-san, where's the doll and child?"

We dove into action.

"Ayami-chan's on the second floor, sleeping. The monk is guarding the doll."

"I wanna to see Ayami-chan first. Can one of y'all take me to her?"

...John's the same. He still talks in a strange way.

We went to Noriko-san's room and saw Ayami-chan asleep.

After John was introduced to Noriko-san, he examined Ayami-chan's sleeping face.

"I'm not sure if I can help out, but I'll try my best."

John read the bible, then used holy water to draw a cross on the wall and door. When he drew a cross on Ayami-chan's forehead, she budged slightly. John took out a silver cross, then placed on Ayami-chan's body.

"I'm not sure if this will help out, but better this than nothing."

"Thank you." Noriko-san bowed to him.

Smiling, John turned around to ask Naru, "Shibuya-san, where's the doll?"

Something surprising was awaiting us.

Naru strictly asked Lin-san, who was watching over the equipment. "Lin! Where's Minnie?!"

Lin-san looked at Naru, surprise evident in his face. "If you want to see Minnie, she's right..."

His hand stiffened as he pointed to nothing.

Minnie's not there. She was supposed to be on the shelf.

"...Did it run away?"

"Sorry." Lin-san bowed his head.

Naru bit his lip, then reverted back to his stoic mask. "It'll come back...definitely."

It was 2:00 a.m.

Suddenly the house started to shake. The poltergeist activity started. It was almost as if it was looking for something in its rampage to turn the house upside down.

All the furniture moved, rapping noises started, and stomping sounds could be heard.

"It's so...strong," John murmered uneasily. "The degree of it is so high."

Bou-san stared at the equipment. "Looks like John's prayer is working."

...Seems like it. Minnie was practically searching for Ayami-chan.

"In other words... This boundary is effective."

"Boundary?"

"In simpler terms, it means a place that the spirit cannot enter." Bou-san almost went into a laughing fit again.

...Oh.

Not really understanding, I nodded and then looked at the equipment. In the middle was one TV screen, shining bright red. The microphone was transmitting sounds.

"Naru! Machine #6 is receiving sound!"

"Switch it."

"Okay."

Sound overflowed from the speakers.

—It's a child's voice.

There were knocking sounds on the bed and walls. And though unclear, there was definitely a child's voice amidst all this, crying out.

"That's...Ayami-chan's invisible friend..." I whispered.

Naru nodded, "Most likely. It's so noisy. How many children are there?"

The ghostly sounds faded earlier than usual, and soon a dark silence was looming over us. Nothing changed.

"It disappeared... Why?"

"I'm not sure, but..." Naru stopped short.

Because he soon understood.

Ayako, who was supposed to be watching Ayami-chan, ran toward us. "Naru!"

"What's wrong?"

"Minnie came back!"

What did you say?

Ayako handed a bundle wrapped in bedsheets to him.

"This. It's too scary."

John came over and unwrapped the bundle, closing the doll's marble eyes.

"When did it appear?"

"Just now. Noriko-san noticed a bundle under the blanket near Ayami's legs... She unfolded it and found Minnie."

"Is Ayami-chan okay?"

"...She's fine..."

Just then the ghostly sounds stopped. Even though the sounds were so loud and serious this time, why did they stop?

—Because Minnie found Ayami-chan.

It's 4:00 p.m.

John had finished preparing an altar. Minnie was placed inside, underneath a silver cross of Christ. John took out a glass botle, then started to pray.

"In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God..."

Minnie was wearing a blue skirt, her skin pure white. Her marble eyes were closed, and her teeth ivory white. It felt like a nightmare.

Minnie's an empty vessel that's possessed by a spirit.

And also, she wants to hurt Ayami-chan.

Why?

"Please look over us and protect us."

John was speaking softly. The small silver cross had been laid across Minnie's forehead.

And in that moment.

Crack.

The sound of the cross breaking. Minnie's eyes fluttered open.

Behind me, Ayako took in a deep breath.

It couldn't have opened its eyes. Dolls are inanimate objects.

John shifted around slightly, then continued his prayer.

Minnie didn't move again. Its hands were stiff, its marble eyes still.

"All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made."

John opened his thick bible and raised the glass bottle.

"In the beginning..."

John read and moved the glass bottle. He sprinkled holy water onto Minnie.

Minnie's body rumbled.

"In Him was life, and the life was the light of men."

John read and sprinkled holy water at the same time.

Finally, a wisp of smoke rose from Minnie's forehead, followed by a cracking sound. The doll's skirt fluttered in the wind.

"The light shineth in the darkness, and the darkness comprehended it not."

Minnie's marble eyes rolled down, and the cross on its forehead slid down. There was a scar of the cross on its forehead.

"The exorcism was successful," John announced as he stopped his prayer. He turned around to look at us. "However, the ghost did not disappear. Just to be safe, I think we should burn it."

Naru nodded and handed the doll to Bou-san.

Bou-san burned Minnie in the backyard.

This time the doll was easily overtaken by the fire as it burned to smithereens.

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Ghost Hunt:Volume2 Prologue

2009-08-20T15:29:33Z

128.61.56.207: /* Prologue */

==Prologue==

If ghosts appear and disappear in your house.

You would definitely find it annoying, scary, and also inconvenient.

You'd definitely try to get rid of it.

But how?

If you ask me, you would be walking a tightrope. If you don't live in Tokyo, then you better get on the train to Ueno, Tokyo.

You'd get on the railway, then get off at Shibuya. Actually, it doesn't matter which train, be it the Hanzoumon Line, the Ginza Line, or the Tokyo Line, you get on as long as you reach Shibuya in the end. Once you get to Shibuya, go to the front of the Nahachi[http://www.baka-tsuki.net/project/index.php?title=Ghost_Hunt:_Volume2_Translator's_Notes#Nahachi]. Find a kind-looking person and ask him for directions.

After getting directions, you can get here easily. Walk a while and you'll be able to see a tall, brick building built in an old architectural style. There should be a plaza on the first floor.

—Did you find it?

Once you get there, take the elevator by the water fountain and go up to the second floor. Don't waste time looking at the clothing stores and tea houses downstairs. They're all very tempting, so if you're not careful you may end up going into one.

When you arrive at the second floor, look around. Do you see a blue-gray door?

In the middle of the door is intricate frosted glass, with the logo "SPR" written across in fine, golden calligraphy. Beneath the logo are the words "Shibuya Psychic Research".

Learn to recognize this door.

Eh, so you're wondering whether I'm from a tea house? Where did that come from, of course I'm not. I said tea houses can't help you get rid of ghosts.

If you just go into a tea house without knowing what you're going to say, you'll be forced to leave. If you're unlucky, you're also be reprimanded with, "Can't you read the English on the door?"

"Shibuya Sikiku Risaachi"—that is to say, "Shibuya Psychic Research"

Do you get it now?

"Psychic Research" means investigation of paranormal activity. "Shibuya Psychic Research" is a paranormal business office located on Shibuya Street. The name might also be named after the family's surname. Well, it doesn't matter where the name came from. The main thing is you can always reach us by phone.

"For exorcisms performed on a spirit or a possessed person, please call and arrange an appointment."

Basically, the job is about exorcising spirits and such.

Good, now all that's left is for you to have the courage to knock on the door.

Inside, you will find an exquisite office. Usually I keep the guests company, but since I also do office work, I'm not always there to do that.

Sometimes there are situations where I'm not there. Instead, a skinny, tall man will greet the guest. If he's not there either, then no one will come out to greet the guest. When that happens, a handsome, but arrogant, young man should be sitting on the sofa in the main room. He looks like he's sixteen or seventeen.

Never ever assume that he does paper work because of his young age. He has an abnormally high amount of self pride. If you make that mistake, don't think you can just get out of it. After all, he is the most conceited narcissist in the whole wide world, which is why he's known as Naru for short.

If Naru's in a good mood, you can easily talk to him. He'll definitely help you solve your problem.

...if he's interested in your situation, that is.

"Is Shibuya Psy-something over here?"

A woman dressed in extravagant clothes entered.

I'm working today with no breaks in between, meaning I'll be in the office all day. And so, I was the one who ended up greeting this guest.

"Is there anything troubling you?" I asked.

I gave her a warm, business-like smile.

But she ignores me and stands up, looking toward the sofa at Naru, who was reading a book.

"That child over there."

...Scary how ignorant some people can be. Man, it's best not to call that guy a "child". It's really dangerous, just like calling a tiger a "meatball."

"Please, is there anything I can help you with?" I asked affably, again.

That woman glanced at me, then continued to ignore my questions.

...Ho ho.

Without even looking at Naru, she asked him, "Child, do you work at this office?"

Naru didn't bother lifting up his head. Of course he didn't pay any attention to her. She called him a "child."

I sternly asked her again, "Please, may I help you?"

She ignored me again.

...Why you! Despite your age, you have no manners!

"If you have a request, direct it to me," Naru spoke.

Enduring the silence directed to her, I softly asked her again.

Unthankful of my thoughtfulness, she let out a disdainful hmph.

...Y-you're too much!

The woman turned to face Naru, "That child over there...I'm a guest!"

"A guest...?" Naru said coldly, not looking up from his book.

"Correct. You should answer my question. Otherwise, I will be given a bad impression."

...Exactly who's making the bad impression here!

Naru replied indifferently, "Please leave."

"—What the hell, I already said I'm a guest."

"I have yet to know of the etiquette I must show to a guest I've never met before."

...Nice and strong. Well said.

Her face reddened, "You have no manners... Call the person in charge! I want to file a complaint!"

...Ah, stupid jerk.

Naru finally stood up, then faced the woman with eyes cold as ice. This kind of expression can stop anyone from talking. Pitch black hair, black pupils, and completely black clothes... He looked like a frightening, beautiful demon or vampire.

Naru calmly stated, "I am the manager, Shibuya."

The woman became speechless.

The manager looked at her disdainfully, his pale lips curved into a mocking smile, "Please leave."

Simultaneously, he looked at a nearby door and shouted, "Lin! Send the guest out."

The rude woman was thrown out by the tall, unfriendly assistant.

"Naru, is that okay?" I asked.

"What is?" He looked at me and calmly asked.

"That woman seemed very rich."

"It's okay," Naru silently reassured me.

"Let's not talk about this. Mai, tea." His gaze turned back to his book. What a terse order.

Tea, can't you do that yourself!

Even though I was thinking that, I knew it'd be too dangerous to say it aloud. Naru's in a bad mood today. People constantly came in, and they were all difficult to deal with too.

There was that rude woman, a request to investigate an extramarital affair, a request to cure an aching waist, and even a request to analyze a horoscope for marriage. Furthermore, there was that guy who thought we were part of a new religion. The only reasonable request was, "My daughter has been behaving strangely. She must be possessed, so please come and exorcise the ghost."

I have to explain to them every time. This is a paranormal investigation office. We use scientific methods to solve paranormal phenomena.

Well, this isn't a detective agency.

You're mistaken. We do not supply medicine here.

I'm sorry, but we are not divine.

No, this isn't a religious organization.

...People, don't overdo it. Even if I'm not Naru, I'll still be angry.

"Please drink it."

I placed the black tea onto the table.

As a sidenote, the tea we're talking about is black tea. Basically they don't drink green tea in this office.

"Eh..."

Naru didn't even raise his head. Can't you say a little "thank you"? This is the tea that I carefully prepared for you.

What a pain (I suddenly started to think over this like a little girl), I put all my heart into pouring the tea. It seems like, toward this director...ne.

I have various jobs, like making photocopies and pouring tea. I always feel like I'm not helping out much.

And that's why I put all my heart into pouring the tea. Different days call for different teas. Since today was such a tough one, I decided to use Assam tea. I'm very careful about things like this. But it seems like he didn't even notice.

I met Naru during Springtime of this year at my school. —Even though I say it like that, he is in no way a transfer student. He's the head of "Shibuya Psychic Resarch", and he came to investigate the ominous old school building.

Due to a number of random events, I ended up being his assistant during that case. And now I'm doing the same thing, helping him out in his office.

In the beginning I thought he was a very irritating guy. Even though he's handsome, he has a terrible temper. Not only that, he also has a sharp tongue and an arrogant personality. I can't stand it. But...

Love doesn't need to have a reason. How troublesome.

Of course, Naru has no idea about what I think. In his eyes I'm just an assistant (or so I believe).

Maybe Naru's not interested in girls? Sometimes that's what I end up thinking.

No matter what the case, he's not the same as other guys—

First of all, he's the head of a paranormal investigation despite only being sixteen. He should be a year above me: a sophomore in high school. But no matter how I look at it, he just doesn't seem to be attending school. Can it be that since he already has a job, he decided to forget about school?

In addition, he seems to be completely into his work. He doesn't watch TV, go to moves, read novels, and you don't even need to mention manga. He also doesn't listen to music. No matter what, he just doesn't do any of that kind of stuff.

Then, what does he do when he's not working? Well, he probably reads thick piles of documents and books. And of course, they're all books about the paranormal, and they're all in English.

As for hobbies, he likes traveling and magic.

That's a really strange hobby. He has a bunch of travel books and maps. Man, even if he has to go everywhere because of his job, all those maps and books are a bit too much. Sometimes he'll open a map, draw lines on it, then contemplate about it. Even though he often goes out on these little trips, he almost never goes to a tourism site. For instance, even if we go to Kyoto, he doesn't go see the Kiyomizudera Temple, Kingakuji Temple, or the Arashi Mountain.

It's the same with his magic. He has never performed in front of me. Even though I often see him fiddle with cards, I've never seen him perform a magic trick with them.

...Ne, isn't that strange?

Naru...is like...a riddle.

You could say it's his strong point...

...It's done. I completed it like a little girl (♥)

Even I'm starting to think it's inconceivable.

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