Editing Ghost Hunt:Volume 6 Chapter 1 (section)

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We walked in succession down a long corridor following Akifumi-san.

Walking in the shop’s corridor, we went down a straight hallway and turned one corner. There were white walls on both sides, and lattice doors lined up here and there.

“Here it is.”

Akifumi-san stopped and opened a lattice door. Behind the lattice door, there was ordinary entryway.

“Unfortunately, it isn’t a Western-style room.”

Akifumi-san opened the sliding front door. It was three continuous rooms. It went immediately into a small four tatami mat sized room. Behind that was an eight tatami mat sized room. Additionally, another eight tatami mat sized room could be seen through an open sliding door on the left.

“It’s ''huge!''”

Ayako cheered. In front of the two side-by-side eight tatami mat rooms was a paper sliding door that opened both ways. Akifumi-san opened it, and beyond was a wide veranda. Simple, Ryokan-style tables and chairs were placed there, although the ones here were three times as wide. It had the overall appearance of a simple wooden floored room.

“It’s fine if the sliding doors are removed. It’s a room where customers stay, but will it work?”

Akifumi-san asked Naru, who was overlooking the room. There are a number of beautifully made low tables placed against the wall, which seem a little too good for placing equipment on.

“It’s more than enough.”

“It’s small on the inside, but there is a bathroom. In addition to this room, we’ve prepared the rooms on both sides, so please use them for rest.”

“Thank you.”

While casting a side glance at Naru, who lightly bowed his head, I approached the window of the veranda. When it’s this wide and empty, I feel like wandering aimlessly. Looking out the window, I raised my voice. It was a superb view.

“Amaazing!”

Under the window was a small round cove. In front of the window, the opposite shore of the cliff could be seen nearby. The cove directly below looked very deep. The entrance to the sea was narrow and there was also no crossing. The thick, dark colored water was hauntingly calm.

“So, this is the cove side room?”

I understood. Certainly, it would be abnormal to see a person from outside this window. This room is built so that it projects from the cliff facing the cove. There is nothing under the window until the surface of the water. The distance is approximately four floors, or perhaps more.

“Do you understand now?”

Without noticing, Akifumi-san had appeared next to me. But it wasn’t just Akifumi-san. Everyone was looking out from the window.

“Yes, I understand. It’s impossible to look in from outside.”

“That’s right.”

“This cove, can you swim in it?”

“If you’re good at swimming. It’s very deep.”

“Ah, indeed?”

“If you want to swim, you can swim at the beach on the opposite side.”

Akifumi-san pointed back.

The opposite side… hmm, I can’t quite grasp it well.

The last time we went to a haunted house, the house was really large, and I would become frightened when I got lost. Though this house is smaller, it seems wide enough to get lost in. As might be expected from a Japanese-style restaurant, there are many rooms, and corridors that bend back and forth.  I’ve barely been able to comprehend the fact that we’re in the restaurant rather than the main building. I wouldn’t like to make a floor plan again…

Perhaps thinking the same thing, Naru asked,

“Yoshimi-san, is there a floor plan of the building?”

“I think there is. I’ll bring it afterwards.”

Bou-san gave a wry smile.

“That would be helpful.”

Akifumi-san smiled.

“Since it’s not such a complicated building, I think you’ll become familiar with it immediately.”

“I hope that’s so. Incidentally, I’d be happy if there’s also a map of the building’s surroundings.”

When Bou-san said this, Akifumi-san smiled and raised his right hand.

“Please make a circle with your right thumb and index finger.”

“An OK mark?”

“That’s right. The circle is the cove. Where the thumb and index finger join is the entrance of the cave. The shop is around the base of the index finger. The opposite shore is where the thumb appears opposite now. The garden over there has a tea house.”

Hmmm.  I stared at my hand.

“From the place around the wrist, the main building is where you enter from the road towards the index finger and the shrine is where you enter towards the thumb.”

“There’s a shrine?”

“Yes, right next door. The middle finger is the beach. A small fishing port is on the far point.”

Ah, I see. It isn’t simple.

“And there is a small cave on the part of the nail of the index finger.”

“A cave?”

“Yes. It’s a marine erosion cave. Waves hollow out the cliff and a cave is made. It’s only from the pointing part of the fingernail, it’s missing from the cove.”

“Amaazing. Can we see the cave?”

“Yes. Since today is too late, I’ll show you tomorrow if that’s alright with you.”

Hooray. Exciting.

“But Yoshimi-san,”

Bou-san raised his voice.

“I realize the building is splendid and the location is good, but is a restaurant really profitable in the middle of nowhere?”

Indeed. The town we passed through was by no means large, and this place is on the outskirts of town.

“We’re a little different from an ordinary restaurant. If I told you it’s a member’s only restaurant, would you understand?”

Oh, is there such a thing?

“Amaazing. Isn’t this great for you, Mai and Bou-san.”

Ayako put her hand on my shoulder.

“What?”

“You certainly wouldn’t be able to come to a place like this in your entire life. Aren’t you lucky to have this lucrative job?”

After all, I am a poor person.

“Just what are you implying with that, Ayako?”

“Ah, I can seize this chance to marry into a rich family. Hohoho.”

This— this woman.

“Um...”

“Hmph. There’s a charm woman and children don’t understand.”

“Then, why don’t you hurry? I think it’s too late after you pass your eve.”

“Not yet! There’s still time before my eve!”

“It’ll pass by while you’re speaking so ambitiously.”

“Well, I’m easy.”

“Is that in terms of what a lover is allowed to do?”

“Not cute!”

“Even being loved by Ayako is just creepy.”

—To say such a thing. Sorry, it was bad. Akifumi-san’s shoulders trembled. When our eyes met, he made an apologetic expression.

“...I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine. Please don’t overstrain yourself by laughing too much.”

After all, we're a pair of stand-up comedians.

Ayako suddenly pointed a finger at Akifumi-san.

“That’s right.  How old are you, Yoshimi-san?”

Akifumi-san had a blank look.

“I’ll be twenty soon.”

Hehe, he’s her junior. That’s unfortunate, Ayako.

When I was laughing with all my might, an unparalleled ruthless voice sprang from behind.

“Mai! How long are you going to play around!”

Uh-ohh. Boss is angry. Work, work.