Ghost Hunt:Volume 4 Prologue

Prologue

"Hu..."

I could not help sighing aloud as I opened the newspapers and the glanced at the headlines as I supported my jaw on my palms.

On the third page of the newspaper, a bold headline announced: "35 Students Suffer Mass Hysteria"

That incident occured the day before in a public high school in Chiba. Apparantly, a student complaint during class that his foot had been bitten by a black dog that could not be seen by the naked eye. Subsequently that caused a large uproar.

"Ah..."

I am Taniyama Mai, a sixteen year old student. Although this is self proclaimed, I am a very ordinary and proper student (it is true!) I only have a strange part time job. And that strange job is right here where I am reading the papers - "Shibuya Psychic Research".

Located in an office building in Shibuya, Tokyo, "Shibuya Psychic Research" is a company that investigates paranormal incidents. That is, we investigate ghosts and super powers, and other supernatural phenomenon.

Working at such a place, there are times when I have to work at haunted houses. Of course, one should experience as much as one can in one's lifetime. Like meeting ghosts, and making friends with girls with psychic powers, to name a few.

However, even to one as experienced as I, the article still caught my interest.

While I was re-reading the article for the multipleth time, Chiaki sempai interrupted.

"Wha~at's up, Mai?" Raising her head from her book, Chiaki said, looking at me.

Kasai Chiaki is eighteen years old - a student in a Tokyo Girls High School with psychic powers. Although she is skilled in bending spoons, she is currently somewhat depressed. To shake off her depression, she is currently undergoing training at "Shibuya Psychic Reserach".

"What Happened?"

In response to her query, I showed her the article of interest.

"Look at this. It concerns that Ryokuryou High School again."

Ryokuryou High School. A school that has appeared in the news many times in the past week.

"Them again? What happened this time?"

"They say someone was bitten by a black dog and caused a commotion in the classroom."

"Dog?"

"Eh. Although the teacher could not see it, students claim to have been bitten and caused a rukus. Furthermore, amongst those who claim to have been bitten, some have what appears to be wounds caused by a dog bite or something similar."

"Ah... And the reason?"

"It was explained as mass hysteria. 'We believe that due to the spate of recent inexplicable occurences in the same school, some aggitated students experienced mild hysteria, and spread the hysteria to other students.' Is what they say."

"But, wasn't someone injured? What was that about?"

"Unexplained."

"Forget it. This is a common occurence."

Within a month, Ryokuryou High School has already been on the news 4 times.

"What was the first incident?"

"Mass absenteesm."

The first incident was: all the girls in a certain class claimed that there were ghosts and refused to attend school.

The next report was about mass poisoning. Nearly half of the students in a class suddenly felt nauseous and unwell. Although it looked similar to food poisoning, the conclusion was that it was not. The real reason for that incident is still unknown.

Chiaki sempai rolled her eyes.

"Eh... And was the next incident was the fires in the locker room?"

"It is as you say. Since autum, there were a series of fires in the gymnasiums' locker room. When it came out, it was quickly published on the news."

"Wasn't it arson?"

"About that, it is said that the teachers seriously took watch. They even put locks on the door. No one should have been able to enter, but the fires continued to occur."

As I was saying that, I picked up scissors to cut out the problematic piece of news. While cutting, I continued,

"And the next incident was the fourth incident about the exorcism.

"The students thought that there was something haunting the school, and attempted an exorcism." Chiaki sempai counted on her fingers.

"Some time ago, there was a student who commited suicide."

"Eh, about nine months ago there was a male student who committed suicide. Apparently the students believed the spirit of that student was haunting the school. They gathered in the gynmasium to exorcise the spirit but the teachers stopped them. In the end the exorcism became a fight."

"So, is this the fifth incident?"

Chiaki sempai glanced at my clippings. At this time, someone spoke up suddenly behind us.

"What fifth incident?"

When we looked at the door where the voice came from, we saw Taka taking off her coat.

Taka, whose full name is Takahashi Yuuko, is seventeen years old, a student and Chiaki Sempai's underclassman. Although we first encountered her when she requested the help of "Shibuya Psychic Research", recently she has been working odd jobs here.

Taka rushed over and looked at the items in our hands.

"What is it?"

Chiaki sempai showed the newspaper clippings to Taka.

"Ryokuryou High School. Another incident occured."

"Them again? Incredible!"

I concur with Taka's words.

"You think so too? If that's the case, then it is incredible indeed."

"Exactly."

Chiaki sempai was shocked.

"Incredible?"

I nodded.

"Because that, supposed unexplained incident..."

"Or rather, strange occurence..."

"Or more accurately, paranormal phenomenon. This type of things tend not to be discussed openly in public, and happen without anyone noticing. Don't you think so?"

"Yeah. Like with the incident at our school - in the end it was not publicly announced."

"Eh, eh. But for them, the headline was printed so boldly on the papers."

"And they are even on primetime television."

"It's really incredible."

"Yeah."

Chiaki sempai looked at us, giving up on arguing with Taka and I, who were nodding in agreement.

"... is it like that."

"It is exactly like that."

Still nodding, Taka grabbed my mug.

"Come on."

"Forget it."

Saying that, I finished the water remaining in the mug.

"However, boss is not interested. Such a huge incident is an opportunity to make us famous overnight."

Chiaki sempai and I were shocked by Taka's words.

"... Why is that?"

"Ah? Haven't you heard from boss?"

I have not heard of it - nothing whatsoever.

"He came yesterday - the principal of Ryokuryou High School."

What?!

"ge, ge..." laughed Taka.

"The fact is, our company is famous within the education community. Just look at it: haven't we solved cases in both Mai's and my school? Therefore he came with his request."

Oh... so it was like this.

Sigh... Because I had something up in school yesterday, I took leave from work, and regretfully missed this incident. At least I wanted to see the principal's face... although that doesn't really matter.

Chiaki sempai whispered,

"Then what happened? Was he rejected?"

"Eh. It was an immediate rejection. He said he did not like highly publicised incidents."

That's such a waste.

Chiaki sempai thought so too.

"It is regretful to do that."

"Exactly. If we solve su~uch a large incident, the company would shoot to instant fame. We would get interviewed by the media and other stuff."

"Boss, too, would be an instant celebrity."

"Yeah. Boss is really handsome, so he'll probably get a fanclub."

... as... as if that would happen. No... I am uncertain about this. Anyway, he only looks handsome, his personality is really terrible.

As that thought passed through my head, Taka and Chiaki sempai looked at me meaningfully.

"...what?!"

"Great, he rejected the principal." Taka stated the fact softly.

"Yes, yes. We won't be getting any new rivals this way."

Even Chiaki sempai was like this.

Let's not talk about it any more - the person in question is just in the next room - what would we do if he overheard?

The boss of "Shibuya Psychic Research", Shibuya Kazuya, is a surprising seventeen years of age. While he is clearly very young, he has a high class office in the prime business district. He is handsome and talented and such a complete narcissist that even Buddah would run barefoot away upon meeting him. I call him, in short, Naru.

Furthermore, there was a female (I shan't reveal her name for the sake of her reputation) who asked him out; to which that bastard replied: "I'm really sorry, but I'm more used to looking at my reflection in the mirror." That is, "I am used to seeing such beauty in my own reflection so I will not date your type."

Let's not joke here. If I were at the receiving end of that, even suicide would be a viable option. - Sometimes I do think deeply about this type of sitation.

Someone opened the office door. In the doorway stood a male about my age. To yours truly who greeted him, he said with great difficulty, "I am Yasuhara from Ryokuryou High School."

When he saw the beautiful male coming from the boss's office, Yasuhara was really shocked. Whatever, that is a common occurrence. To this day, amongst all our clients, Yasuhara was one of the fastest to regain his cool.

With an anxious expression, Yasuhara bowed to Naru who was sitting opposite.

"I am the student council president of Ryokuryou High School, Yasuhara Osamu. This -"

He retrieved a stack of papers from his bag and handed it to Naru.

"I have collected the student's petition. I represent the entire student body to ask a favour of you."

Yasuhara folded his tall body and bowed deeply to Naru.

"Please accept our principal's request."

Naru took the petition and placed it on the table. Pale fingers pinched together, he rested his hand on his knee.

"Regarding this situation, I have already refused your principal yesterday." Yasuhara looked directly at Naru.

"I know. I already know of your rejection. Despite that, I still would like to ask for your help." said Yasuhara seriously.

"Just as you know, the situation in school is really serious. But what worries everyone the most is the media's attention. At first it was just some wild rumours; recently the situation has escelated such that people are getting hurt. If this continues, who knows what might happen. Please, help us."

Naru considered a moment, and replied,

"To tell the truth, I am really interested in the situation in Ryokuryou High School. However, I would prefer to avoid the media's attention."

"I understand where you are coming from. Right now, I am one of many who is troubled by this situation. Therefore I truly hope that the situation can be resolved as soon as possible. "Currently, horrifying rumours are all over school. We all feel unsettled and insecure, and the atmosphere is gloomy. That petition..."

Yasuhara eyed the petition lying on the table.

"This was collected, just this morning between when I heard of your rejection of our principal's request and before I left school, to ask that you reconsider. It only took about half a day. Despite the short time we collected so many signatures."

With this, he bowed yet again.

"We really need you help. Please - you must help us."

Naru was deep in thought.

I stood at the side feeling anxious; agreeing to help would resolve everything. However, I kept mum. Naru isn't the type who would listen to me or anyone and change his mind.

Naru closed his black eyes and thought about the case without moving; Yasuhara quietly observed Naru. Before long, Naru looked up and turned towards me.

"Mai, give Ryokuryou High School a call."

My heart flew with happiness.

"Tell the principal, if he has yet to decide on a substitute investigator, we will accept his request."

Yes! Just like this!

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