by Ono Fuyumi
...And then, I couldn't feel anything...
3
My head hurts.
The cool wind brushed against my cheeks... This feels so good. When I thought of it that way, I woke up.
My eyes fluttered open.
I was in a small, dark place. When my eyes adjusted to the darkness, I realized I was inside Naru's car.
The car... Is it moving?
I wanted to get up, but I didn't have the energy to.
...Ummm.
That's right. The shoe cabinet fell on me. Yeah, that's it. This must be a curse that the injured assistant casted upon me.
I looked around and realized no one was around. Even the driver's seat was empty.
But isn't this car moving?
No... It's not moving. I'm just dizzy.
That's weird. I was just sleeping, but now I feel dizzy.
It feels like the car is spinning. My head hurts.
...Who moved me here? I hope I'm not alone. Then, I tried to sit up, but stopped when a nauseating feeling overcame me. I quickly lay down again.
That's weird... Am I hurt?
The footsteps, the ghostly sounds, the warm shoe cabinet.
What happened after that? How long did I sleep? Where's everybody else...?
Ah, this isn't good. I'm sleepy.
I felt my eyes close tightly...
When I realized my face was moist from sleeping, I woke up with a jerk.
Not good. I feel uncomfortable. Did I get hurt... Feels like my energy was drained. I woke up in a daze.
If I can't get up, and I can't call out for help, I'll be in trouble. How's everyone else? It's so quiet. No one's nearby. The others aren't hurt, are they?
Right when I was determined to get up, a soft, pale hand caressed my forehead.
"Who is it..." My voice was weak.
My eyes looked up past the pale hand. In the darkness I could make out the face.
"...Naru?"
...You're back? Thank goodness.
Naru reassured me with a calm voice. "Don't move."
He said that with a warm smile on his face. I was kind of surprised. I never thought that Naru could smile like that.
Such a warm smile.
"It would be great if you'd always smile like that."
I said automatically, without even thinking about it. Ah, I really don't feel so good. But Naru's cocking his head, smiling down at me.
I asked, "Is anyone nearby?"
"No."
Such a soft voice.
"...Really," I said softly.
...I'm so tired...
"That kinda sucks. It really is a poltergeist... That sucks..." I said.
Naru shook his head. "You should rest for a while. It's best not to get up yet."
"Okay..."
...What's up with Naru. He's being so nice and gentle...
"...Thank you."
Naru shook his head, smiling.
...I woke up.
Looking around, I realized I was in the car. The moonlight faintly shined through. The equipment was piled up in a stack.
My head hurts.
Sleeping on this hard "bed" made my back ache.
...Naru?
Where's Naru?
Naru's not here. Now where did he go?
...Or maybe... That was just a dream.
Yeah— Just a dream.
I was still wearing the same clothes. Looking around, I realized the equipment filled up half the back seat of the van. Who would've thought I'd be lying down over here, in this little tight space.
Eh???
When I started thinking about this, I bumped my head on the top of the car. Bou-san peered through the window, then shouted, "Hey! Are you all right?!"
4
I wasn't sure whether I was lucky or unlucky, but apparently I was the only one who got injured.
After the shoe cabinet fell on top of me, knocking me out, the others took me out. They shouted and shouted, but I just wouldn't come to. As for Miko-san, she said it was too late to help me.
Don't assume I'm dead. That makes me so angry. Still, Miko-san cried for me when she realized I was no longer breathing, so I forgive her.
Everyone gathered at the van. The night air was chilly.
"What time... Is it?" I asked.
"It's four AM. It'll be morning soon."
...Meaning, I've slept for a long time.
"What about Naru? Is he back?"
"No."
Well— That must've been a dream.
...Why would I have this kind of dream?
"Thank goodness Mai-san doesn't have any serious injuries," John said, his voice full of relief.
"Sorry I worried you guys."
"That was a strong poltergeist. It's the first time I encountered a serious situation like this."
"What happened afterwards?" I asked.
Bou-san crossed his arms. "Nothing happened after that. The exorcisms didn't seem to work."
"Oh... What about Kuroda?"
"She left a long time ago."
"Really."
Miko-san whispered, "Seems like this is a big problem. The exorcisms didn't work as planned..."
"Heh, so you admit the exorcism failed?" I teased.
Hearing that, she angrily turned away.
Hee hee hee.
Miko-san jeered, making sure she was loud enough so we could hear. "As for Naru, who knows where he ran off to. Plus, his assistant is such a big burden. We can't rely on the exorcisms, and Bou-san can't do anything..."
"And you?" Bou-san retorted.
"...I don't have the strength to do anything either," she replied hesitatingly. "It's dangerous. Shouldn't we think about our safety first?"
"True."
"Oh, so are you going to run away?" I asked her.
"...So what if I do?" she said, unwilling to admit defeat, "didn't you see how your boss ran away after that incident? He's probably at home now, trembling in fear."
...Hmph.
"...Miko-san, do you mean it?" teased Bou--san. "So, you're not going to cover up for him?"
"What's this about covering up for him? Don't associate me with him. I can't even imagine him running away, trembling like a baby," the woman replied.
Just imagining him doing that is scary.
Bou-san laughed, "True that. We were mean to him yesterday, so it makes sense if he goes home crying."
Stop it!
"That's even worse. Just thinking of that makes a chill go down my spine. That insufferably confident bastard. The only narcissist I respect in the world is hiding under his blanket, crying?!"
Bou-san stopped laughing when my gaze fell on him.
"...That's true..."
"Shibuya-san must be..." John said, as his creativity sparked up as well. "He must be so furious that he's making voodoo dolls."
When Miko-san raised her head, everyone burst out in laughter.
The sky brightened, the sun's bright rays striking the school building from the east.
Chapter 8 - Warning Lifted
1
Naru still didn't come back.
As a thoughtful, excellent girl, I went back to school with my uniform on.
The moment I stepped into the classroom, Kuroda called me.
"Taniyama-san... Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine. Sorry to worry you."
After sitting down, I was surrounded by Keiko and the others.
"Mai, I heard that yesterday was dangerous."
"How do you know?"
"Kuroda said so. She was bragging about it just now."
...I knew it, I knew it.
Yuuri whispered listlessly, "It must be so lucky having psychic powers... Things would be great if I had them..."
Give it up already. It's dangerous.
Michiru said, "Yeah— That would be awesome. And I would be able to hear Shibuya-san's beautiful voice."
Keiko's expression changed. "True. For a moment there, I was scared when the telephone ra
ng."
...Huh?
I abruptly turned toward Keiko. "What did you just say?"
"I was saying— All three of us got a telephone call last night."
"Was it Naru? When?"
Keiko looked at me, surprise evident on her face. "Last night. You didn't know?"
"No. Naru has been gone since yesterday afternoon. Where was he calling from?"
"He didn't say where he was at."
"Then what did he say?"
Keiko looked at the others, then Michiru quietly answered my question. "He asked a lot of questions. Questions about the old school building. And questions about you."
"Me?"
"Yes. He also asked about the teacher and Kuroda."
...Exactly what did he ask about?
What is that Naru doing, disappearing off for no reason. Just what is he doing?
I was thinking about this when the teacher suddenly came in.
The moment she entered, she announced, "Kuroda, Taniyama, the principal wants to see you."
Huh?
2
Kuroda and I knocked on the door, then entered the classroom.
There were eight people.
In the middle was Naru.
...This guy... Was he here the whole time?
But then I saw the principal, so I waved hello to him. "Sorry we're late..." Then I sat in one of the chairs arranged for us.
What happened? Why did they call us?
Naru stood up. "Is everyone who was involved in this case here and accounted for?"
The principal nodded in response.
Naru told us to relax, turned off the lights, and covered the windows with curtains, sealing the room in darkness.
A light lay on the table, flashing repeatedly like a flickering flashlight.
"Please look at this light."
The room flashed from light to dark.
Naru spoke calmly, "Look at the light. Slowly breathe in and out... Relax your shoulders..."
What a strange atmosphere. The light flashed again and again. Reality seemed to slip away in this illuminated world.
"...Is that me breathing?"
We listened carefully.
Naru's voice was calm, quiet. "Listen carefully to your breathing..."
He repeated it.
...I'm tired... I didn't get enough sleep yesterday, what with the half-awake-half-asleep state I was in...
Naru's soft voice rang through the air. I can hear the fluctuating rhythm of his voice.
—Tonight... Something will happen...
—The chair on the second floor of the old school building... Will move by itself...
—Tonight in the old school building... In the lab room...
The lab room... Chair
......
"Okay, it's finished."
The room suddenly brightened.
The bright light blinded my eyes.
"...Huh?"
"Thank you for your cooperation."
Naru bowed. There was an old chair beside him.
...The chair...
After leaving the classroom, I called out to Naru before he left for the old school building.
"Naru!"
Naru turned around, his dark blue eyes gazing into mine. He's still that confident.
"Yesterday... Where did you go afterwards?"
"I went to many places... I heard you were injured?"
"Yeah, but nothing serious. Just a bump on my head."
"Poor you. Well, just don't get any dumber and it'll be all right."
...Why you—
"Hey, what was that just now?" I said.
Instead of replying, he shot a question back at me. "Aren't you going back to class?"
"Oh no!"
"...So you want to be an idiot."
...Jerk—
Ready to leave, I waved good-bye to him. But then I just remembered I had to ask him a question. "Naru!"
"What?" he said, a hint of irritation in his voice.
"...This is kind of sudden, but..."
"Ignorant girl."
I didn't say anything yet!
So this is what your manners are like—
"Last night, did you come back... Here?"
"Back to the old school building?" Naru looked surprised.
"...You didn't come back then?"
"I just came back."
Darn, that must've been a dream.
Of course— How can Naru be so nice—
Naru looked at me, a look of confusion on his face.
I waved my hand, dismissing the idea.
It was a dream— Of course. Yeah, just a dream.
...But, why would I have a dream like that?
......?
...Can it be...
Hold, hold on for a moment! Hey!
I...I...I must be—!
Ahhh—
3
After school I went to the old school building.
But first I went to the parking lot and found Naru sitting down in his van.
When I saw him through the window, my heart skipped a beat, and I was overfilled with joy.
Hey, how can this be—
I missed my chance to speak.
I'm going to talk! In the same way I always do!
When I tried to gather up the courage to speak, Naru noticed me. He looked at me, his eyes deep and profound.
Not good... I'm blushing.
Naru seemed to be listening to the recordings, but when he saw me he placed his earphones down. "Last night, was it you who helped set these tape recorders up?"
"Yeah... I wanted to set up the camcorders instead, but I didn't know how."
"It's quite impressive of you to be able to record this. There are some rather interesting sounds here."
"So the poltergeist incident from yesterday was recorded?"
"Yes, all of it."
Thank goodness.
"Ah, that's right. The shoe cabinet..."
Hmm? Naru looked my way. It's all right if you don't look at me—
"Umm... The... Shoe cabinet... Was warm."
"The one that fell down?"
"Yeah. That's right, objects that poltergeists touch should be warm to the touch.... That's what you said before, right?"
"I'm surprised you remember so clearly."
Wahh~~ He complimented me... No, that's not it.
Naru stood up, then handed me some electrical wires.
"......"
"Set up the equipment."
"Huh?!"
Luckily for me, John passed by and helped Naru instead. John carried the videocamera while Naru carried some kind of machine I've never seen before.
"Hey, what's that?" I asked. When Naru reached the lab room, he placed the machine down and told me to set up the tripod. Then he walked into the room.
Naru pulled an old chair from a corner. The chair was nearly broken.
Then he placed the chair in the middle of the room and started drawing a circle around it.
"What's that?"
A chair in the middle of the room... What kind of spell is that?
After Naru drew the circle, he left the room.
He returned to the van to bring in more equipment. When he came back, I grabbed him.
"Hey, what are you doing this for?"
I asked Naru.
Naru looked around the room for a place to put the camcorder. His face was stoic.
"Hey—"
Ignoring me, he headed towards the hallway.
...What's the meaning of this, you jerk.
So much equipment. Naru set up the expensive equipment.
"Hey— Shibuya-sama, what was that? Did something happen? Tell me already," I implored.
He sighed, crossed his arms, and leaned against the wall. "It's a radar."
"A radar... Like the ones that airplanes use?"
"Correct."
...Oh oh oh.
"What are you going to do with it?"
"I can't say. If I tell you, the res
ults will be meaningless."
"But I'm your assistant..."
"No."
Oh— Selfish guy.
"I'll tell you tomorrow so don't ask until then."
"Well, I have another question."
"What?"
"Did you know the reason behind the hauntings?"
"I'm not sure, but I'm probably not wrong..."
With the exception of what he just told me, Naru didn't say anything else. He wouldn't answer me when I asked him more questions.
John didn't want to see this anymore. "Mai-san, Shibuya-san must be thinking about the case right now. He'll tell you tomorrow so don't ask him anymore. Let's just wait untill tomorrow, okay?"
"...Okay..."
Naru seemed unconcerned about my questions. He went ahead and started to hammer in some nails onto the window sides.
...Is a storm coming?
After he finished, Naru handed calligraphic brushes to me and John.
"Sign your name on the boards, and make sure you write big."
Huh?
You won't answer even if I ask, huh.
Oh well. I bowed to the boards, then signed my name on them.
"Are the windows closed?"
"Yes."
If you knock on the windows, they barely move.
We left the lab room, and Naru closed the door. After he nailed the boards onto the door, sealing it shut, he handed us the calligraphic pens again. "Sign your name on the board."
I signed my name under John's signature.
Afterwards, Naru walked towards his equipment and placed a cleansing tag on it. We signed our names on it again.
Then we finally left.
What was that all about. That kind of work.
Making others do things like that—
4
The next day I went to school early.
I headed straight for the old school building.
Naru had come already. He was sitting in his van, handling something. Someone stood beside him.
Huh?
It's the assistant I injured!
I walked towards the van and knocked. "Good morning."
I was deeply concerned about the assistant. "Is the injury all right?"
The assistant's eyes gazed coldly back at me.
...I was also hit by the shoe cabinet. You didn't...curse me or anything, right?
Naru opened the car door. "You're here rather early today."
"Of course I am."
That's right. Today's "tomorrow". That thing you were doing yesterday. Aren't you going to tell me what it is?