Editing Ghost Hunt:Volume2 Chapter4 (section)

===4===


...Dawn came.

We were in the living room, looking at the hole in the floor.

"Masako, what's the situation?" Ayako asked.

Masako smiled slightly. "...Everything's fine. There are no more spirits here..."

We sat on the floor. Everyone was quiet. We had no more energy left. We all just sat there, a bit dazed.

"...How did it get cleansed?" Ayako mumbled.

Naru replied, "Because her wish was fulfilled."

"Wish?"

"Of finding her daughter."

...I don't get it.

I poked Naru, "Hey, what was that wooden figure?"

"It's a paper effigy," Bou-san interrupted. "In other words: a human figure, an idol, the shape of a human carved in wood, a puppet..."

Ayako continued, "It's wood cut in the shape of a human. It represents the person being cursed. It's a method to curse, like a voodoo doll."

Naru looked irritated.

Heh heh, seems like I'm not the only one who doesn't get it.

Naru started to explain. "There are white spells and black spells. White spells help people, while black spells harm them. Oftentimes the same spell can be used to harm or help people."

"That's right. It's the same thing when you get rid of an enemy in Esoteric Buddhism," Bou-san mused.

...Oh.

"But, how do human effigies and cleansing relate?" I asked.

"Human effigies are basically vessels to hold spirits. Do you know what a vessel is?" Bou-san asked.

"Not really."

"It's a place to store a soul. If a human effigy were made to represent you, it would take all the damage that you receive, and vice versa. This is what a human effigy is. It was originally used for Daughter's Day[http://www.baka-tsuki.net/project/index.php?title=Ghost_Hunt:_Volume2_Translator%27s_Notes#Daughter.27s_Day], on March 3rd."

"Ah~"

"That human effigy represented Tomiko. That woman thought it was her daughter, and so she believed she found her daughter. That's how she was cleansed."

"So basically, she was tricked?"

"Hey! You can't say it like that," Bou-san shouted out.

"But, wasn't it a fake?"

"You can't really say that. If I put a nail in a human effigy representing you, then Mai, you'll die. That being the case, it's considered real. I'll just leave it at that. When the spirit is cleansed, it can't come back. It'll stay in the other world. —Got it?"

"Yes... I think I understand, but I'm not sure."

"It's amazing that you can make one. Is that why you left earlier?" Bou-san asked Naru.

"That's right. In order to find her birth and death dates," Naru confirmed.

"The human effigy was successful, meaning you found them, right?"

"Of course. It cost me quite some time. I was able to find the information because this house is on an old street. Otherwise, I'm afraid I wouldn't have found it."

"...Then what's her name?"

"The woman was Oshima Hiro. After her house was torn down, this one was built in its place. Tomiko was her only child. After half a year, Tomiko's body was found in the pond."

"...Was it a kidnapping?" I asked.

Lin-san looked at me.

Naru crossed his arms. "Maybe. That woman..."

"Committed suicide by falling into the well," Ayako chuckled.

Naru looked a bit shocked. "...I'm not sure how she died. She passed away half a year after her daughter was found. The only information I needed was Tomiko's birth and death date; that's what is required for a human effigy."

"Oh..." I murmered as Naru left the living room, followed by Lin-san.

Bou-san looked at the two retreating figures. "I never thought Naru-chan was an onmyouji."

"Onmyouji?" I asked.

"Someone who uses yin and yang... Do you understand?"

"How can I?"

Bou-san smiled wryly. "Well, let's say it this way. It's magic that was introduced into Japan during the Heian Period from China. It's based on yin and yang. One family in particular, the Fujiwara family, perused it often, even though the Shinto religion used it as well. Well, using a human effigy to represent Tomiko was ingenious. Only an omyouji could've done it."

...Oh—

"Impressive, an onmyouji," Ayako appraised.

I turned toward Ayako, "It's impressive?"

"Well, yeah. And a handsome onmyouji too."

...Hehhh, impressive.

I felt exhausted. Silence ensued once again.

And then I finally stood up.

"The scariest thing was that woman," Bou-san sighed.

"Ohh, in that case, the strongest emotion is a mother's love," Ayako remarked.

"Really... Well, forget it. Ah—I'm exhausted. I don't want to encounter something like this again."

"True," Ayako agreed.

Then we left the living room.

When I reached the hallway, I saw Naru on the phone.

"...You can come back anytime. Everything has been solved," he said into the phone.

After he hang up the phone, his eyes fell on me. Eyes deeper than the darkest night.

"Are things really okay now?" I asked.

Naru's eyes were warm as he replied, "Yes, everything's fine now."

"Okay."

On his side was Bou-san, who was stretching. "Naru-chan, are you getting ready to leave?"

"Yes."

"Oh, Naru?" Ayako asked. "I heard you and Masako are dating. Is it true?"

"Dating?"

"Did you go on a date with her? You know, movies and concerts. Young people sure have it good."

She said in a sneering tone.

...Stop it, Ayako. You're digging your own grave here.

Naru shot Ayako a cold look. "So that's how it is. When I wasn't here, you were talking about this? No wonder you failed to improve the situation."

...You see. I told you.

"You player."

"Does it bother you that Hara-san and I go out?" Naru asked, a smug look in his face.

...Ah~ah~ Here it comes again. Ayako, just give up. You can't beat Naru.

"Don't speak so confidently because you're mistaken. I have no interest in children," Ayako retorted.

"Good, because I have no interest in old women."

Naru smirked.

Ayako turned around and dashed to the second floor.

That left me and Naru in the hallway.

"Naru, you don't need to hide it," I said, smiling. I tried to speak in my usual joking tone.

...Ah—this is no good. I'm really shooting myself in the foot.

But then, Naru has a confused look on his face.

Ehhh. So even Naru has these kind of moments. It surprised me.

"I don't know what Masako said," Naru said, avoiding my gaze, "but it's not that kind of relationship. —You're mistaken."

...A mistake.

It's the same thing that dream Naru said. A feeling of elation bubbled inside me.

...It's a mistake.

So that's how it is. I felt relieved. Even though it doesn't really mean anything. When Ayako asked, he just pushed her question away. But when I asked, he explained to me.

Ah. I'll leave it at that. Naru doesn't care if Ayako gets the wrong idea. But, he doesn't want me to get the wrong idea.

Ehh, that can't be. No, never mind. I'm satisfied for now. I need to behave myself, right?

I smiled to myself for a long time.

When we were organizing the equipment, Noriko-san and Ayami-chan came back from the hotel.

Naru explained what happened to Noriko-san.

"Is everything really okay?" Noriko-san asked uneasily.

"Don't worry. If a problem still persists, you can tear down the house. In that case, you won't have to worry."

After hearing Naru's reassurances, Noriko-san sighed and lifted Ayami-chan.

Ayami-chan looked at me and smiled.

The bright, clear smile of a child.

Ah, thank goodness...

"We can finally go home now," I said. Even though I don't know what Ayami-chan will think of all this.

Ayami-chan dashed towards me, a concerned look on her face.

...What's wrong?

Ayami-chan tugged my hand. "Mai-chan, are you leaving?"

"Hm? Yes."

"Can't you stay longer?" Ayami-chan pleaded, an unsatisfied look on her face.

...Don't worry. Ayami-chan's already this energetic so she'll forget this quickly and return to her normal lifestyle.

"Then, Mai-chan, when are you leaving?"

Being asked a question like that, I looked at Naru.

"Tomorrow."

"Tomorrow then," I answered Ayami-chan.

"Are you staying here tonight?"

"Yes."

"Then, Mai-chan, can you sleep in my room tonight? If you want, you can keep living here."

Noriko-san couldn't help but smile. I did the same.

Ayami-chan looked at us.

In order to make sure everything is okay, we're staying an additional night. I followed Ayami-chan's wishes and slept in her room that night.

The knocking sounds were gone. The night couldn't have been more peaceful.

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