Editing Ghost Hunt:Volume3 Chapter1 (section)

===1===


The next day was Sunday. It was a fine, autumn day, with the wind blowing gently and a clear sky hanging above. The heat wasn't as intense as it normally was.

I looked outside the window beside my desk. There were three papers spread out on my desk. Yesterday, we got three requests, and I think another one is coming. They're all piling up. One was a request to exorcise a ghost, another to exorcise a fox spirit, and then one about a poltergeist.

"Why is all this happening?"

I cast a doubtful look onto the papers and noted the name, "Yuasa High School." Yuasa High School is an all girls private high school near Tokyo. One of my junior high friends went there, so I knew about it. It's supposed to be a strict school. It wasn't the best academic girls school around, as it was quite lenient with grades.

Yesterday, we got three requests from students in that school.

...What's happening there.

It's not just one problem either.



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"Naru-chan."

I could hear the sound of the door opening, followed by a rough voice.

That voice...came from a former monk. That guy is always using the office as a coffee shop.

"Yo! Mai-chan, how are you feeling?"

Bou-san (Takigawa Houshou, 25 years old, a former monk) waved at me, a bright smile on his face.

I responded angrily, saying yes, everything's fine.

I looked at him when he entered. Black hat, black sunglasses, black everything. Except for the hot pink t-shirt he was wearing beneath his coat.

Bou-san, did you forget that you're supposed to be a monk?

"Give me some ice coffee," he commanded as he slumped onto the couch. "Please, the vending machine's too far away."

"If you're that tired, then you should be panting right now."

"Don't be so mean. I had a lot of work today."

Bou-san also mentioned a paranormal case that he was asked to investigate— To put it simply, he wanted to talk about it with us.

"It's work-related? Really?"

My voice was full of uncertainty as I spoke.

"It's true, it's true. That's why I want ice coffee."

Okay, okay. I guess I have no choice—

I went to the kitchen and poured the ice coffee into a glass cup. Ice coffee is Bou-san's favorite (and he'd take ice coffee even on a cold day). I continued to prepare it for him.

"Even so, what's up with the getup?" I asked him.

I eyed Bou-san's lavish outfit suspiciously from top to bottom.

"Ah—Today I had a concert."

"A concert!"

Oh, so you're not just a monk? I see. But this isn't useful for an exorcist.

"A concert, you know. This isn't just a fancy getup."

"Oh."

Bou-san took his jacket and hat off and flung them away. (Hey, you.)

"I was in a baku apu bando."

A what?

I'm drawing a blank.

"Back" meaning..."back." And "band" meaning...um, a "music band"? ...Then that must mean...

"Whaaaaaaaat!!"

A back-up band!

"Things at work suddenly got busy—some idol who couldn't sing called us in."

"Um, hello?" I said loudly.

"What?"

"What does a...backup-band do?"

"What...*sigh*. Should I have just exercised instead of coming here?"

No, well, but then.

"So you play an instrument?"

"That's right."

"...Got it. A percussion instrument like a mokygyo (wooden fish instrument)?" I asked.

"Um, well."

"Ah, or a bamboo flute?"

Bou-san pointed to a big, black case on the floor.

"I'm a bass player."

Huh! What?!

"Um...and you're sure it's not a shamisen (asian guitar)?"

"You...when were you born anyway? It's just, you know, a bass guitar! Come on, girl."

"Okay."

"I don't think I've said this before, and even if I do it doesn't really matter, but I'm a professional bassist, get it? I know I might not look it."

.........

"I'm a musician with my own studio. I have my own band, but the lead singer isn't very good. Anyway, I'm here because I want some advice from Naru-chan."

.........

Bou-san, are you done now? You don't need to get all in my face about it.

"Why are you doing that! How come you're performing in concerts—!!"

I couldn't help but yell out. *huff huff*

"I have the freedom to do so."

"Didn't you live in Mt. Kouya?"

"I did. I lived in a temple. My parents wanted me to be a monk, but I wasn't allowed to listen to the music I liked in the mountain. I couldn't listen to any of the CDs. And well, that's why I decided to leave. Get it?"

"...I get it... But—"

Bou-san waved my question away.

"There are so many demands in this industry. Curses, ghosts, and everything else. Before, people would ask me to pray for them if anything bad happened, so now, being a monk is like a hobby for me. Do you have any other questions?"

"...No."

Wow, I'm still shocked.

"There's no prejudice in this profession. Monks lock their doors, listen to others, and even go disco dancing. One of my friends, who's also a monk, is a practicing gynecologist as well. It's just something you'd take to your grave."

After a pause, Bou-san continued, "...So, there's something I want to share with you."

"Huh?"

While Bou-san was talking, Naru came out into the main room.

"...You two are obnoxiously loud..."

I felt like frowning at the monk. Man, he's not fun. This monk is an exorcist. He's the enemy of normal people. If Naru's in his office, drinking tea leisurely, Bou-san will make me, the employee, engage in small talk with him and therefore not concentrate on my actual job.

But, Bou-san is just that kind of person. He doesn't care at all. For him, it's just water off a duck's back.

"Yo."

What kind of greeting is that. He raised his hand, then waved.

"Today we were talking about work."

"No kidding."

Naru looked pale as usual.

"I mean it. It sounds like a complicated case, so I thought I'd borrow your knowledge."

Naru took a seat beside Bou-san, and I placed the tea in front of them.

"A complicated case?"

"Yes. —Mai-chan, come here for a sec."

Heh, heh.