Ghost Hunt - Volume 01 - Are there really lots of Evil Spirits!

by Ono Fuyumi

  "Good morning," I answered, "Is something up?"

  "That person... Is he a psychic?"

  "No, he isn't."

  "But didn't you just say he came here to investigate the old school building?"

  ...Oh— So you were eavesdropping.

  Now that I think about it, I really need to change the subject.

  "He's not a psychic; he's a ghost hunter."

  "Ghost hunter?"

  When Kuroda-san raised her eyebrows, Keiko and Michiru pulled me off to the side and asked:

  "Hey, what does that mean?"

  "I'm not really sure, but I think it means a psychic."

  "How is it different from a psychic?"

  "That's why I said I wasn't sure. He brought in lots of expensive equipment, like video cameras and whatnot. That's why he just doesn't seem like a psychic."

  "Oh—," Kuroda-san interjected, considering her idea, "Taniyama-san, can you introduce me to that guy?"

  "Wha?"

  What...do...I...do?

  "I have psychic powers, so I might be able to help him with his work."

  Michiru quietly whispered her resentment.

  I replied:

  "But... Kuroda-san, didn't you already meet him? A formal introduction isn't necessary. You can see him after school at the old school building."

  "I know that, but..."

  "But it's best if you don't get involved with that guy at all."

  "Oh, but why?"

  Kuroda-san asked, a hint of sarcasm in her tone.

  "He said he dislikes talking to amateurs."

  "I'm not an amateur like you."

  "Ah— Still, Naru-chan is a professional. He even has an office."

  "Mai"

  Michiru interjected, pinching my neck.

  "Calling him Naru-chan already... How affectionate of you."

  "Narcisstic Naru-chan. You guys, stop fantasizing about him. He has a rotten personality."

  "But he's still *that* handsome?"

  "I'm just saying, If a girl is pretty, she'll definitely have a terrible personality, which is something no guy wants. If someone is pretty, that person, female or male, will definitely have a bad personality."

  "Really.."

  "He's such an intimidating narcissist. From now on, I'll just call that narcissist 'Naru-chan'."

  I can tell from Keiko's reaction that she'd just get hurt if she got close to him. I was trying to tell Kuroda-san this, but when I turned around, I was left facing an empty space. Kuroda-san was already sitting down, with a textbook wide open on her desk.

  I was speechless.

  "That's just the kind of person she is."

  Michiru quietly whispered to me.

  "Didn't Kuroda-san go to the same middle school as you?"

  I'm pretty sure Michiru is from that same middle school.

  "Right. She was quite famous in middle school, always going on about her psychic powers, her warnings ‘oh~this is dangerous’, her sensitivity to ghosts, and always wanting us to do this and that."

  "Oh..."

  "Man, she just likes to be the center of attention. No doubt she likes all the flattery she gets."

  "...Oh."

  "How should I say this... Could she have fallen in love with Shibuya-san at first sight?"

  "What!?" Keiko exclaimed indignantly.

  Kuroda-san shot her a hateful look, to which Keiko immediately shut up. I really don't understand Kuroda-san. In the end, it's probably best not to associate with her.

  2

  When school ended, my friends commented on how ‘sly’ I was before I headed out towards the old school building.

  After I went to the back of the old school building, I noticed the silver van was in the same parking space as yesterday. What's Naru-chan doing, sitting in the back of the car?

  "Hello" I greeted him.

  Hearing my voice, he lifted his head, shifting his attention from the equipment to me.

  "What're you doing?" I asked.

  "Looking over yesterday's recording."

  Oh— I didn't really get it, but it sure did seem impressive.

  "Then, did you find anything?"

  Naru-chan glanced at the shelf overflowing with televisions.

  "Nothing unusual."

  "Nothing unusual? Then the old school building doesn't have ghosts after all?"

  "Are there no ghosts? Or are they just hiding themselves? Regardless of the answer, the old school building shouldn't be that dangerous."

  ...When he's talking about it that way...

  "Uh... Is the equipment working?"

  A voice came from behind me. Hastily turning around, I saw a woman wearing gaudy clothes and a man with a dumb look on his face.

  "These are expensive toys for a kid."

  The woman let out a scornful laugh.

  Naru-chan stared at them.

  "Who are you guys?"

  Kid's toys? Severe consequences will follow if you damage his pride like that. The woman looked at Naru-chan. Sure, the woman was beautiful, but she was lacking in charm. She was one scary big sister.

  "I'm Matsuzaki Ayako. Nice to meet you."

  Her red lips spread into a big smile.

  Naru-chan coldly replied:

  "I have no interest in your name."

  Ayako-san almost lost it, but then she glared intently at Naru-chan.

  "How arrogant, but you're definitely a handsome young man."

  "Thank you."

  ...Hey, hey.

  Ayako-san crossed her arms.

  "Forget it. Even if you become more handsome, it won't be of any help. You can't exorcise ghosts with your face anyway."

  Naru-chan's gaze lifted up.

  "Are we in the same industry?"

  "Pretty much... I'm a miko."

  A miko? You've gotta be kidding, right?

  But then, Naru-chan retorted.

  "I was under the impression that miko were young, pure maidens."

  Hearing that, I couldn't help but make a funny face. The man beside them also let out a burst of laughter.

  "Oh, you can't tell?"

  Ayako-san was furious as she sent deathly glares to Naru-chan. She chose the wrong opponent.

  Naru-chan continued

  "If you want to say you're young, I think you are really too old."

  He smirked.

  She deserved it. Well said, Naru-chan. The man at the side finally started guffawing.

  Miko-san's lips distorted. What now? Being called "Oba-san" by a sixteen year old boy. Is there no way to retaliate?

  The guffawing man proudly added.

  "She also puts on heavy makeup."

  This is considered mockery, but Naru-chan is still better when it comes to insults.

  Moreover, are those two partners? Miko-san glared angrily at that man.

  "Well, I'm just naturally beautiful. That's why it looks like I'm wearing lots of makeup."

  Her voice was confident, but I'm scared that her face is already all stiff.

  "To sum it up..."

  Miko-san forced on a stiff smile.

  "Your little show is over, kid. Just leave the rest to me."

  And with her jeering voice, she laughed at Naru-chan.

  "The school principal said that you're unreliable. No matter how you look at it, a sixteen year old just isn't skilled enough."

  Hmph. So the principal said that Naru-chan is unreliable? Did he get more ghost hunters to come?

  Naru-chan smiled slightly.

  "Then please teach me, senior."

  Ayako-san's scowl widened.

  Naru-chan disdainfully glanced at her profile before shifting his line of sight onto the other man.

  "...Who are you? You don't seem to be Matsuzaki-san's assistant."

  The man seemed older than Miko-san. He pretended to look up at the sky.

  "How can I be a woman's assistant.. I'm a monk from Kouya Mountain. My name is Takigawa Houshou."

  A monk from Kouya Mountain?

 
; Wow, cool.

  Naru-chan continued to look at the television screens, then said in a bored tone.

  "Kouya Mountain allows long hair now?"

  The man was startled after hearing that. That's right, monks don't look like this man except in manga. In fact, they're usually bald. Not only did this man keep his hair, but he also keeps it hung in a mess on his shoulder and in a messy bundle on his back.

  Miko-san scoffed.

  "Law-breaking monk."

  "...But I really did stay at Kouya Mountain. Even though I'm not there right now..."

  The monk mumbled, his voice carrying a hint of shame. I couldn't help but laugh at his pitiful appearance. Our eyes met.

  "And who's the giggling girl with the big mouth?"

  ...I don't have... A big mouth.

  "I'm just a kind-hearted student. I was called on to help him move things..."

  "Oh, right, and what about you, little boy?"

  Without averting his gaze, he looked at the television set. His body language seemed to say:

  ‘I have no interest in you guys’.

  "You guys should go to the principal to find out. Seems like you at least know my age."

  Naru-chan replied.

  "Man, we did ask already. He said you're from a paranormal investigation office on the prestigious Shibuya Street."

  "I have nothing else to add to that."

  Bou-san laughed coldly.

  "...The principal also mentioned that he thought he could trust this office because of its prestigious location. He never thought that the head of the investigation would be a little kid. Boy, does he feel duped."

  "Really, now."

  Naru-chan said in his cold tone.

  Leaning on the car, Miko-san added.

  "The principal... Is quite a worrywart..."

  "That's right."

  Bou-san agreed.

  "An evil spirit or whatnot is something I can easily exorcise… So, the kid can just leave it up to me."

  Miko-san said, laughing at Naru-chan.

  "If you could help, then that would be fine."

  Naru-chan said indifferently.

  Even Bou-san decided to join in on the sarcastic remarks.

  "Man, how regrettable, the kid can't help at all. That principal is also overdoing it. He called in all these people just for a little old school building."

  "Right. A ghost hunter, me, and you..."

  A small smile spread on Miko-san's face.

  "One would obviously be enough."

  "Right, he should've just called on me."

  Bou-san laughed too.

  "What's all this about anyway? Oh right, little boy, what's your name?"

  "Shibuya Kazuya."

  "Shibuya Kazuya? ...Never heard of it."

  Bou-san commented.

  "But, I never heard of your name either. Must be third-class."

  Miko-san added.

  "That's because you don't keep up with your studies. And actually, I've never heard of Matsuzaki either."

  Bou-san retorted.

  ...Hmph, this argument is going nowhere...

  What's wrong with these people... What does it matter? Naru-chan is the same; do all psychics have rotten personalities?

  While Miko-san and Bou-san's argument ensued, Naru-chan continued to fiddle with the equipment. What a pain... Taking a glimpse at the playground, I noticed a girl wearing a uniform walking this way.

  Oh, it's Kuroda-san.

  Ah— Sure enough, she did come.

  The moment Kuroda-san saw me, she waved.

  "Taniyama-san."

  Man— I'm not good at dealing with her.

  Kuroda-san glanced at the car, seeing Miko-san and Bou-san deep in argument.

  "Who are those two people?"

  "They came here to investigate the old school building. They said they're a priestess and a monk."

  "Really..."

  When those two noticed the raven-haired girl, Kuroda-san bowed in assent.

  "Are you guys here to exorcise the ghosts in the old school building?"

  Miko-san examined her for a moment.

  "Yes, that's the case."

  The girl's face cracked into a smile.

  "Ah, thank goodness. I've always had a feeling of unease towards this ghost-nest of an old school building."

  Miko-san shot Kuroda-san an intense stare.

  "You... How is that possible?"

  "I have strong psychic powers... So it's been very annoying for me..."

  "Attention lover."

  "Huh?" I pondered aloud.

  "You like attention, don't you? Do you want to be noticed that much?" Miko-san pressed.

  "True. She... Does not have any psychic powers," Bou-san added.

  "How do you know?!" I shouted.

  "I can tell by looking," Miko-san responded coolly.

  "...Saying that so casually!"

  "She just wants to get everyone's attention. She's been tricking everyone." Miko-san shot a scornful look at the girl before turning around.

  "I really do have psychic powers," Kuroda-san insisted, "I'm going to summon a spirit into my body."

  "Kuroda-san!" I cried out.

  "...My psychic powers really are strong..." the girl said, her eyes hard and resolute. A deadly look hovered in her eyes. It's over now.

  "Fake miko, you'll regret this."

  "...I'm waiting for it then." Miko-san shot her one last glance.

  All of a sudden, Kuroda-san dashed back towards the playground.

  3

  The whole situation was so chaotic.

  For now, it's best not to get involved with Bou-san and Miko-san. Or maybe I should just not have anything to do with these bad people.

  Then..

  "That's right. Naru-chan, what do I have to do today?"

  Naru-chan looked at me, a hint of shock behind his eyes.

  "What did... You just say?"

  "What's wrong?"

  "You just called me 'Naru-chan'."

  Ah, I'm in for it now. That was a slip of the tongue.

  "Sorry, I said it wrong."

  "Where did you hear that?"

  "Huh? Is that your nickname?"

  Naru-chan wore an indescribable expression.

  "Seems like everyone thinks the same way as me then, narcisstic Naru-chan."

  Hee hee hee. That was a good comeback.

  "Huh?"

  "Forget about it, forget about it... Is there something you want me to do?"

  "That's right... Just then, when I called him that, he didn't have the reaction I expected; it didn't seem like he was gonna give me a clever retort..." I pondered to myself.

  "Mai's senior..."

  "Ah, you called me by my first name—"

  "...Didn't you just do the same thing to me?"

  "But—"

  "Which classroom did Mai's senior see the shadow?"

  "She's not... My senior. She's... Michiru's senior’s friend"

  I complained, to which I was given a stern look by Naru.

  "It's the same regardless of whose senior she is. Which classroom was it in?"

  "It's on the second floor in the far west wing. It's the classroom that's practically stripped of everything.

  "Got it. Go install the equipment there. It would be good if paranormal activity is found there."

  Naru-chan said as he rose and jumped off the van. When he started walking towards the old school building, a silhouette started coming this way.

  Ah... Now what is it...

  When I think about the culprit that way... The principal advanced towards us.

  Typically the principal is sly like a tanuki, while the head instructor is like a fox. This is true in our case, as the principal really does look like a tanuki.

  Since the principal is coming here, does that mean he has some business with us? An indistinct figure walked beside him.

  "Hold on a moment, who's that person by the principal?" Miko-san whispered. "It can't be... Is it another psy
chic..."

  The moment I saw the shadow, I started to get a bad feeling in my stomach. I'm totally leaving if another nasty guy comes. The principal was chatting amiably with the other person.

  He's short. Is he a student... He seems young. Also... Oh? Blonde hair. What, it can't be a foreigner!

  As the principal noticed us, he wiped off his tanuki-like smile.

  "Ah, everyone is together."

  A kind voice.

  He quickly stepped this way.

  "Here's the other guest. Let me introduce you guys."

  ...What, so it is another psychic...

  Usually foreigners look old, but... I looked at the foreigner again. He's probably twelve or thirteen. I can't tell if this person is male or female. He's short for a foreigner. He's practically the same height as me. He must still be a kid.

  The principal smiled warmly.

  "This is John Brown-san. Please welcome him, everybody."

  ...He's not a transfer student. You sure can't make a proper introduction.

  Speaking of names, John is a boy's name. So this person is a "he". Ah— He's cute.

  Brown gave us a deep bow. "How y'all doin?"

  …………?

  J...Just now, was that English? My English sucks. I can't understand at all—

  Miko-san, Bou-san, and even Naru-chan became dumbstruck.

  "I be Brown. Glad ta meet y'all.

  ...Str-... Strange. It sounds like Japanese...but it's a dialect...

  The principal forced a smile onto his inevitable expression.

  "Um... Brown-san learned Japanese in the Kansai area..."

  Monk-san bust out laughing, followed by Miko-san. You shouldn't laugh. He's a foreigner. To be able to say this much is still amazing... Haha.

  Brown seemed a bit lost. His confused look, his blonde hair, his blue eyes, and the fact that he's a foreigner just made him look even more ridiculous. So-... Sorry. Ahahaha.

  The principal gave us a puzzled look, then said:

  "W-Well then, I'll just leave it at that," before running off.

  Brown turned towards the principal's figure, then said:

  "Thank ya."

  When he said it that way, we all burst out laughing again.

  Instead of laughing, Naru-chan wore a stiff expression on his face.

  "Brown-san, where are you from?"

  "I be comin' furm Australia."

  ...Wow. The way he talks is really hilarious.

  Sorry, I can't stop laughing—

  Brown looked at us in bewilderment.

  "Is my Jabanese really strange?"

  Naru-chan smiled wryly.