Editing Ghost Hunt:Volume2 Chapter2 (section)

===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 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." 

"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-chan! Stop 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 running from 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 and the rest came running and pulled Noriko-san and the crying 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, 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.