Editing Ghost Hunt:Volume3 Chapter1 (section)

===3===


A private school, Yuasa High School.

Something is happening at that school. Something strange.

We went to Yuasa High School on Monday. Before proceeding with the investigation, we wanted to hear the staff's and students' accounts of the incidents. Naru and I went inside the school. Lin-san (real name unknown, age unknown, though presumably in the late 20's, Naru's assistant) went around and asked the residents around the school. — Are the any strange rumors or have you witnessed strange things?

Since Bou-san also received a request from this school, he went there as well. And so this time we have "Shibuya Psychic Reasearch" and Bou-san, so to speak, and irregular team.

It was a typical school. It wasn't old, but it wasn't new either. It wasn't wide, but it wasn't narrow either. It seemed like there was an adjacent building that used to be part of the student union. But now it's old and rotting, so now they're in the middle of demolishing it.

It was just before the end of class when we arrived at the school, and a PE teacher was teaching softball to the students.

The PE teacher saw the principal with us. Afterwards, Principal Mikami was waiting for us in the main office. Naru introduced me and Bou-san to the principal. Even though all he said was, "This is my assistant."

"Thank you for the hard work. Nice to meet you."

Then the principal introduced us to a middle-aged teacher.

"This is our student advisor, Yoshino-kun. He helps the students. If there's anything you need, please don't hesitate to ask."

Yoshino-sensei bowed lightly. His bad complexion made him appear nervous.

"Anyway, there have been a lot of accidents and illnesses lately," the teacher said, "one-fifth of our staff is on leave, and this has been a hindrance to our classes. The same thing is happening with the students... In any case, the strange rumors have spread not only to the students, but also to the teachers. Everyone seems to be losing it. —Well, it'll be better if you could hear the complaints from the affected people themselves. Since you've requested it, I have prepared a small conference room for you to use. You can use this room as your base. If you need anything else, feel free to ask me."

"I've informed the students and teachers about this and told them they could see you after school in this room. But I don't know how many people will come."

"Feel free to investigate the school however way you want. You can do whatever you believe to be convenient here. I give my best regards to you," the principal said.

Naru bowed slightly. "You can leave it to us, sir."

After we left the principal's office, Yoshino-sensei guided us through the school. Then he lead us to the room designated as our base.

"Here it is," the teacher announced.

Yoshino-sensei looked back at us. His eyes rested on the tallest figure, Bou-san.

"Are you the leader?"

We heard him say.

"No, no. The leader's over there."

Bou-san pointed at Naru.

Ah, Bou-san finally got him to understand.

Yoshino-sensei turned to look at Naru. Then an uneasy expression appeared on the teacher's face.

"Well...I also have something to talk to you about."

...It all happened in a flash.

Naru calmly looked at the teacher, then nodded.

"I'll listen. ... Is it here?"

He pointed at a door. Above the door was the nameplate, "Small Conference Room".

"... That's right."

Yoshino-sensei opened the door. There was a big table inside, along with a white board and a small shelf. It looked unused. (Though that's what you'd expect from a conference room).

Naru carefully scanned the room and nodded.

Yoshino-sensei encouraged us to enter.

"Tell me the details," said Naru as he opened a file.

Yoshino-sensei looked back at us, the lines on his face reflecting his uneasiness.

"...Well, the thing I've wanted to talk about was..."

Naru nodded.

"We will protect our client's privacy. You don't need to hide anything from us. By all means, please tell us the details."

Yoshino-sensei nodded. His forehead was covered in sweat.

"Um... I hear knocking sounds at night."

"Does this happen in your house?"

"Yes, at first it was. It's a soft sound, but I woke up anyway even though I'm a heavy sleeper. It's a knocking sound on the windows and doors... And then when I checked it out..."

Yoshino-sensei became hesitant. Naru silently prompted him to continue.

"Nobody was there. I looked through the curtains and saw a hand knocking on the door. A thin, white, feminine hand. After I see it, the hand stops and the sound is gone. At first I thought I was just seeing  things, but then the knocking goes on every night..."

"Is it just a knocking sound?" Naru asked as he took down notes.

"Yes, just a knocking sound. I was scared. There were times when I didn't want to go home, so I went out at night. But it's the same wherever I go. Whether it's in the bar, or at midnight, or just in the vicinity, I always hear that knocking sound. If I don't open the door or window, then it just keeps knocking until the morning. ...Recently I haven't been getting enough sleep."

No wonder. So that's why Yoshino-sensei has bags under his eyes.

Naru nodded.

"... I see. So does anyone else hear this sound?"

"Yes. My family hears it too, but it doesn't bother them as much."

After muttering to himself, Naru turned around and faced Bou-san.

"Bou-san, make some mantras."

After saying that, he turned to face Yoshino-sensei.

"We will give you a cleansing tag to seal off the evil spirit. Never open the window or door at night. And please refrain from walking by yourself at night. The knocking sounds may continue, but don't worry. ...We will investigate in the meantime."

"...Okay."

Bou-san pulled out an inkstone and wrote the mantras. Afterwards, Yoshino-sensei took the charms and bowed. Then he left the room, his back turned against us.

"...That was sudden. What do we do now?" Bou-san asked.

Naru shrugged and looked at his watch.

"If we wait, class will end soon," Naru replied. "We can let the students come in and tell us about the incidents. It's almost the end of the day."