Editing Ghost Hunt:Volume 8 Chapter 9 (section)

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When I entered the classroom, there were a great deal of children inside. Children were seated at the desks, children gathered at the back of the classroom, children walked between the desks. They were doing a variety of things. It was as though I had really entered a classroom at recess.

There was a large shadow seated at the desk adjacent to the teaching podium. It was about the size of an adult and resembled a demon without horns. Sensei stood up. He remained standing, silently watching me.

“I’m sorry about earlier.”

I lightly bowed my head to Sensei, then also bowed my head to the children who were looking in my direction.

“I’m sorry.”

Saying that, I looked around the classroom.

“I’m sorry that I spoke cruelly. But, I'll say the same thing. Please don’t increase your friends anymore.”

Sensei took a step. I looked at him directly.

“Please return my companions.”

He took another step, the distance between us drawing nearer.

“Just like Sensei cares for everyone, my companions are important to me, too.”

Saying that, I looked around the classroom.

“Just like everyone loves Sensei and their friends, I really love my companions, too.”

Naru and Lin-san. Ayako and Masako. Bou-san, John, and Yasuhara-san.

Ever since we met by chance up until today, there have been things that were warm and gentle.

“Naru seems like an extremely cold-hearted person, but actually, there’s a part of him that’s surprisingly gentle. He’s good at magic tricks. There was a time before when he gave me encouragement me with that.”

All of a sudden, there was a noise and light illuminated the inside of the classroom. It was merely the clouds drifting apart and the moonlight shining in, but in a way, I felt greatly encouraged.

“Lin-san, too. Though he’s extremely expressionless, reticent, and difficult to approach, I think he’s actually a gentle person nonetheless. Also, because he’s such a person, when I receive a smile from him every once in a while, I feel like I’ve earned something. I feel like it’s a very good sign and it makes me happy.”

Although, he’s only given me enough smiles to count on one hand.

“If I’m speaking of those who put people off at first, then it’s certainly true of Masako, too. She seems stuck-up, but she’s a reliable gal. She’s clever, too. Actually, she’s quite admirable, and since I’m a rough person, I think her girlish nature is nice. Therefore, I’m extremely glad that Masako and I became good friends. —Yeah, Bou-san and Ayako’s first impression was bad, too. Still, everyone’s pretty nice.”

Actually, when I think about it, all of them have poor demeanors.

“Ayako is actually a really caring person. She’s noisy, though. In fact, she always fusses over me. I like it. It reminds me of my mother and makes me happy.”

Although, my mother was a bit quieter.

“Whenever I talk to Ayako, it cheers me up. That’s why I love her. I’m glad that I get lectured by Bou-san like I’m being scolded by a father. I really like it when he pushes me around with his big hands and pats my head. But it’s a secret, okay?”

If it got out, that guy would forever be emboldened by it.

“I love John’s slightly weird Kansai accent. He’s quiet and humble to the utmost. And yet, when a thought occurs to me and I look back at him, I realize he’s watching over me with kind eyes. That happens often and it’s wonderful. I also love Yasuhara-san’s immense cheerfulness. When I’m with him, I feel uplifted. No matter how serious a situation, when I hear Yasuhara-san’s jokes or his and Bou-san’s comic dialogue, it makes me feel like we’ll be able to manage one way or another.”

—Yeah, I really love them all.

“Therefore, I want you to return them. Because they’re all important to me. I love being with all of them. I want to leave the school building with them and return to Tokyo together. The office will be gone, but that doesn’t necessarily mean we’ll never see each other again.”

Saying this, I smiled slightly in embarrassment.

“...Yeah, I thought we might not meet again, but I felt like I’d be laughed at if I said, ‘Let’s get together even if the office closes.’ But I know that’s unlikely.”

I’m pretty stupid.

“After all, everyone’s kind to me. Even while I’m here, everyone is protecting me. To refuse to meet like that, I think it would have to be because it’s someone you dislike enough to not want to meet again or because it’s someone you don’t care about enough for it to matter that you meet again. I’m determined right now because everyone is important to me. And it’s a little conceited, but they protect me with all their might because they care about me.”

Kirishima-sensei was watching me.

The children filling the classroom were also watching me.

“Therefore, return everyone. Then, I want you to stop bringing more friends.”

My hand was lightly tugged and I remembered I was still holding the small child’s hand. The light of the moon was bright in my eyes, which had gotten used to the darkness, and I could clearly see that the child’s form was not human.

The imp that held my hand was staring up at me. I gave her a small smile.

“I think there are people who treasure and worry for the friends you brought here just like I treasure and worry for all my companions. Like me, I think there are people that they love. Not being able to see the people you love is painful. If my loved ones disappeared, I would be sad. I think that’s the same for everyone, too.”