What if, is a strange thing, with many possibilities.
S.P.R. is formed; friends become a 'family'
Mai falls for naru, but the 'what if' is what complicates this tale
'What if', Mai was cursed, by Satan?
Her arms, legs, hands, feet, neck, and so on and so forth would be covered in red, ancient Chinese marking, stating that she was his when she died.
A bet was placed after her parents, whom died at Satins hand, for Satan's enjoyment. The bet was simple 'show kindness to no one until the age of 18, and you may choose the way you die. Fail, and you and the people you were friendly too would die in the worst ways imaginable.
It's said that there is no escape for sinner from Satan, so what if it was the same for Mai?
'What if', to protect everyone from herself, she was mostly mute, and only spoke when necessary, or for ghost stories with two girls who didn't mind her coarse, silent attitude?
And slowly, Lin, Ayako, Masako, John, Monk, Madoka, yasu, and even Naru slowly broke down her every defense, showing that she can be herself around them without fear?
What if is dangerous and wondrous, which way will it become in this twisted tale?
POV Mai
April
Thursday
File one
Rain pattered down on the windows of the class room that was mostly dark, except for the 3 lights me and the two girls who speak to me, kieko and Michiru, had on. My clothes were that of my school uniform, with the long sleeves completely down as well as black leather gloves that had open fingertips.
"And then the woman led the policeman through the dark hallways to the public restroom in the back. Once there, the policeman told her to go back inside and wait to see if she could hear the voice again. And she did just as she was told. 'Do you want me to cover you with a red coat?' She answered 'Y-yes.' AND THEN, she screamed! The policeman burst through the door and found the girl totally covered in blood as if she had a red coat draped over her."
"Mai you know we hate it when you use that creepy voice," Michiru said as Keiko leaned into her for comfort.
I kept my face expressionless, but I was happy a little inwardly. That's one of the props of rarely speaking; your voice was usually very strong or in this case creepy, when you wanted it to be.
"AH, it's so dark!" Keiko said, getting a bit teary eyed.
I rolled my eyes silently, it's not too dark in the classroom, I kind of enjoy the darkness, it's a cloak from everything else in the world.
"You're next Michiru," I almost whispered, being just loud enough to be heard.
Okay, this one is about the old schoolhouse," she began. I almost cringed at the mention of the place. It made my marks (that's my private name for my seals, or the old, red, ancient Chinese marks all over my body) tingle, so something not good was going on there. Then again, it did that with everything that could be a possible threat (pick-pockets, purse snatchers, etc) so I never get robbed anymore, I know better than to hang around those people.
"Do you mean that creepy old building down the street that's collapsing?" Keiko asked.
'What else could she be talking about, Keiko?' I thought to myself, but kept silent
Michiru nodded before continuing, "It's not collapsing, it was being demolished when all the workers suddenly quit because of a curse." A curse? Sounds like Satan's speal
"Lots of people have died in that schoolhouse over the years. Most famously a teacher that committed suicide, so when they decided to build the new school, they started to tear down the old one… But then, the ceiling collapsed on some of the workers. The demolition ended that day. Last year they started the demolition again to make way for a new gymnasium, but a truck driving by lost control and crashed into a group of kids outside, killing some students." Keiko gasped, and I nodded, made sense then why my scars tingled
"But there's more. I heard about this from an upper classman. One night a student was walking past the old school, and in one of the windows they saw a glowing figure in the window before it disappeared." Iwonderedsilently wither or not it was the work or Satan (or should I say boss sense he has my soul in the palm of his hand?) had anything to do with this. Michiru shut off her light. "Here goes. One."
"Two, Keiko said shakily.
"Three," I muttered quietly.
"Four," said a masculine voice. Michiru and Keiko gasped then shrieked before Keiko grabbed me by the neck while I stood up slowly, who the hell was that?
"The ghost is here to murder us!" one of them shouted, I didn't notice which; I was more focused on the girl who was holding me for dear life. I the lights flickered one and Michiru stood up and faced the door.
"Oh please tell me that was you just now!" she said to the man at the door.
"Am I interrupting?" he asked, acting like he hadn't just scared us to death and back. This guy was obviously an asshole and a jerk, something told me it depended on his mood.
Michiru and Keiko fell back to their seats while Keiko said, "I thought for sure it was the ghost!"
'Not possible' I thought 'we'd be either dead or injured if it was one.'
I starting rubbing my neck as the man started talking again, "Sorry, I didn't expect anyone to be here, but then I heard your voices and I couldn't help myself." He turned towards us with the fakest smile I'd ever seen.
Michiru and Keiko didn't seem to notice, though, and stood up for a better look at him, then said things like, "Oh no it's totally fine!" while giggling and running towards him, obviously attracted by what I could only suppose was some quality about him I had missed.
"So what year are you?" one of them asked, I was too busy figuring out why he was attracting them to notice which
"I'm seventeen this year," he answered, facing the two in front of him.
Normally someone would just say they're a senior I thought maybe he's a dropout? He sounds too smart for that though, if intelligence had a voice, it would be his. As well as ego and big-headiness.
"So we were just telling ghost stories," Michiru said as he faced her.
"I see, well maybe I could join you guys sometime," he said.
"Wow, you mean you like telling ghost stories too?" Keiko asked.
He nodded while saying, "Yes," which brought both of my friends into a giggling fit.
"You seem like a really cool guy, what's your name?" Michiru asked as I looked into his eyes, making sure to look like I wasn't. This guy was…. Strange.
"My name is Kazuya," he answered.
'His eyes don't smile' I thought to myself 'he's lost somebody lately.'
"Why are you here?' I asked quietly, I might have to make myself known, but I wanted Kazuya to get the hell out of here before the closest thing to friends I will ever have decide to disappear to who knows where with this asshole.
"There are some things I need to take care of," he said, turning towards the door.
I waved at the door, a sign of 'then why are you sitting around here for?'
Michiru then said, "Do you need our help or anything?"
Oh man… these guys have gone loony
"No, but I would love to be invited to join you the next time you tell ghost stories," he answered smoothly.
"Of course, you're welcome anytime!" Keiko said happily.
"How about tomorrow, after school?" Michiru said.
"Okay, but where?" Kazuya asked.
"Right here!" Keiko said.
Something's fishy about him. I better get to the bottom of this, for Keiko and Michiru's sake… and for my sanity.
Friday
'Nice weather' I thought to myself 'why did I have to leave early?'
"I've got all the cherry blossoms to myself!" I mumbled aloud as I came by the old school building. I started thinking of Michiru's story… could they be true?
"Ehehehe…" I giggled nervously before continuing a few steps before stopping again and looking at the building once more. Some crows cried in the distance. Perfect horror movie setting…
'The more I look at this place the more I believe the stories…' I thought as I walked to the door of the old building. Through the cracks in the glass I was able to look inside. The dust has been disturbed recently… I thought before stepping in.
Let's see, dust, spider webs, shoe racks, camera, spiders-wait, camera? What the hell is that doing here?
"I thought this place was abandoned…" I said to no one. "It doesn't make sense that someone would just leave it here…" Who would even step into this place, none the less stay here long enough to set up a camera?
Suddenly a blur of light came by, startling me while I heard a very masculine voice call out, "Who's there?!"
The light was still blurry and confusing me, and I tried to back away from it while shouting out, "I'm sorry, I'll leave now!" before accidently hitting a shoe rack, causing it to start falling. 'Damn' I thought 'this is going to hurt' and braced myself for impact.
The next few seconds were a blur, but next thing I know I was on the ground, disoriented, not able to make sense of why I wasn't crushed under weight and pain when I noticed I wasn't where I was before, and a man was laying on the ground where I was
Quickly I sprung over asking, "Hey mister, are you okay?" He didn't respond even the slightest. 'This will be quite the newspaper headline' I thought sarcastically to myself '14 year old girl kills older man in haunted old schoolhouse. I may just become the next horror story'
"What's going on in here?" I heard a man ask. Kazuya I thought, seeing him at the door DAMN!
He wasn't smiling, and it seemed strangely more natural. "Lin, what just happened?" Kazuya asked the man, coming by his side, and I noticed that Lin was bleeding. Darn I thought wildly do I ever get a break?
"You're bleeding, can you stand?" Kazuya asked.
"Yeah," the man-Lin I supposed- said softly.
"I'm really sorry about this! H-he startled me and I guess I turned around too fast and I-" I muttered softly.
"Never mind about that, is there a doctor close by?" Kazuya said, facing me slightly.
I stood up to try to help Lin up and said, "There's a doctor just down the street from here." I reached my hand to try to help the injured man but he smacked my hand away.
"No thanks, you've done enough already as it is," the man said darkly while Kazuya helped him up onto his shoulder. Whoops, he doesn't like me, can't blame him on that one.
"We met yesterday, right? What's your name?" Kazuya said, adjusting the man on his shoulder who was obviously taller and probably heavier than he, he must be pretty strong to even be able to hold him up.
"Mai," I mumbled, worried for the taller man, even though Lin didn't seem to like me again, can't blame him, it's better for him not to anyway, I don't plan on dragging anyone to Hell with me.
"Alright then Mai, I thought you'd like to know you're going to be late for your first class since the morning bell just rang," He said snidely.
"I noticed" I muttered, before running to class
Later
"Mai are you leaving now?" Keiko asked after the bell rung.
"We're supposed to tell ghost stories with that cute guy, remember?" Michiru added.
I speed stuffed everything into my backpack, and shook my head in an 'I'm not interested' way.
"Aww come on Mai, please?" Keiko begged. "This is our chance to tell ghost stories with a senior!" Yeah, a senior that doesn't even go to this school.
"Did you say ghost stories?" a girl with glasses and two braids said from the door. I had only recently started going to school here but I knew that she was a girl from another class called Kuroda. "Is that what you do after school every day?" she continued. She didn't seem happy.
We stayed silent.
"Well than no wonder I've had this headache for so long. I'm very attuned to spirits. When they gather in groups I get headaches."
"So you're blaming us for that?" I asked softly, No it can't possibly be our hours of homework? I thought sarcastically, to each there own
"Yes I am. Whenever you tell one of your little ghost stories you attract low level spirits and they attract stronger spirits. And then we're in big trouble, so when you entertain yourselves with these stories you're putting me at risk!" Kuroda said stepping in front of us. Not true I thought those only come up for wiji-boarding and things of that nature
"So tell me," I heard Kazuya say from the doorway efficiently sneaking up on me for the third time and startling Kuroda, "If you're sensitive to spirits like you claim do you sense anything with the old schoolhouse?"
I mentally sighed while Michiru and Keiko said at exactly the same time, "Oh my god Kazuya came to find us!" True, this wasn't the classroom we were to meet in, but I doubted it was to meet with us, if anything it was to give me Lin's hospital bill.
Kuroda starting stepping towards Kazuya while saying, "Hold on, are you the one who put these girls up to telling these ridiculous ghost stories?" way to blame the first person ya meet
"You didn't answer my question," Kazuya answered calmly "Could it be your psychic abilities are made up?" that was low, even for me.
"For your information there are numerous spirits of those who died in the war that gather in the old schoolhouse. In fact, I'm positive that building was used as a hospital during the war. I've just seen too many injured spirits in there," Kuroda said, quite upset. This was getting pathetic and boring, I wonder if yawning would get it to end quicker
Kazuya simply responded, "I was not aware of a hospital being here during the war. I know that this school was founded well before the war so maybe, this was a medical school?" you need to get your dates better
Kuroda then stopped being so tense and looked at him in shock before turning her face away saying, "Look I don't know. But I really do see spirits, if you're not psychic then you wouldn't understand." And there was another low blow, 1 to 1, a tie so far
"Sorry Kazuya, can we do this some other time?" Keiko said shyly, obviously upset about all that had been said.
"Yeah I'm not in the mood anymore either," Michiru added, her head down, obviously ashamed as well.
"No? Perhaps another day," he said, turning to leave before looking at me. "Oh, and Mai? Would you mind coming with me for a moment?"
Not that it seems like I have a choice… Aw man!
We stepped out in the hallway as Michiru, Keiko, and Kuroda left. "How is your friend doing? And how much do I owe you for the hospital bill?" I asked, that had to be the loudest I've spoken in awhile, when they had left, better to pay now then have to get tracked down at a later date.
"Yes about him, he suffered a sprain to his left leg and I'm afraid he won't be walking for a while," he said as we walked towards the exit.
"I see. Tell him I didn't mean to, and it would have been better for both of us if It had fallen on me" I said sincerely (or the closest I got to it anyway, I can't get close after all) "what are you doing in that place anyway?" I asked, returning to my soft, quiet voice
"We were working," he responded.
"Ah," I said as I stopped walking, "You work for him. Are you his assistant or co-worker?" he doesn't seem like the assistant type though…
Kazuya continued walking while saying, "No not quite." He stopped and turned to face me. "He's the assistant, I'm the boss," he told me.
"Why does that make more sense?" I muttered aloud, a little shocked, but not that much
He continued, "Now my assistant is stuck in bed. I believe it is up to you to take his place."
"I'm not the assistant type" I murmured "and I'd probably get in the way instead of help. Can't you hire someone?"
"The camera is broken, "he said, changing tactics. Well, duh, a shoe rack fell on it, "My assistant tried to stop you from touching the camera, and now it is in several pieces."
"I'll pay for it and his hospital bill" I told him well there goes my food money for at least a few months, Satan may just take me earlier than we agreed.
"It's… quite expensive," he said. Then why was it next to shaky and heavy shoe racks? Are you an idiot, or are you blind?
"Oh then, I don't know what to do…" I thought more to myself
"You can't afford to reimburse the damaged equipment which means there's only one other course we can take," he calmly replied. I… don't like where this is going. "You'll work off the debt as my assistant."
Then as curiosity got the better of me I asked, "What do you do at your job?"
Kazuya turned slightly away from me before answering, "I hunt ghosts." Huh? Is this guy serious? Some ghosts just aren't meant to be touched "In other words I exorcise spirits- ghosts. My company, Shibuya Psychic Research, was hired to conduct an investigation on the old schoolhouse."
He turned away from me and heading down the hallway. "Psychic research is another term for spiritual investigations. We basically examine and scrutinize reports of supernatural phenomenon," he said as he walked before he turned around to face me again, his shoe squeaking on the floor as he did so. He then said, "And I run the company."
"Uh…" Crap. Mai, what have you just gotten yourself into. Satan's laughing himself silly right now, I can feel it.
Friday
Evening
I followed Kazuya outside, he did say I started right now, and I had no doubt he would literally drag me by ear to the schoolhouse, he seemed like that type of pain. Kazuya lead me behind the schoolhouse and to a van. He opened the door, revealing lots of equipment. "I see why you have a fully grown man work for you" I muttered. I couldn't help myself.
One week ago your principal contacted my company. He told me that the problem was that they constantly have to run damage control over a rumor that the schoolhouse is haunted.
"When I checked the records, I was able to verify until eighteen years ago, while the old schoolhouse was still being used, there would be at least one or two deaths inside the structure every year," Kazuya said as he handed me a heavy box of shelves and began typing on a laptop.
I grunted to show I was listening, and that the box was heavy. My marks burned, I really shouldn't be here.
"It's also true that when construction crews were demolishing the east side of the building, there was an accident were the roof collapsed prematurely. None of the workers died as a result, although five were injured in the incident which was ultimately blamed on human error. Construction ended with only a third of the planned demolition work ever being finished." We started to walk inside, each of us carrying something.
"A teacher did in fact commit suicide in the building, but that was explained in the suicide note left by the victim.
"The incident with the track last year was a drunk-driving accident. That's when construction was stopped for the last time. No doubt the rumors were a part in this decision. Based on my research the existence of paranormal activity here is nothing more than fiction. For a place this active every occurrence has a reasonable explanation.
"We will set up base here," Kazuya said, finished with his explanation, setting down his box on a table as we finally reached our destination in the schoolhouse. I nodded, but didn't ask, even though I had no clue what the base was for. I have to stay cold I reminded myself think of what would happen if you get stuck being in hell with this jerk for eternity…
He turned towards me before continuing with, "We will conduct all of our observations from this room."
I nod, but again, if I started talking now things would get tense. I think he likes the silence, it shows I'm not interested in his line of work, it gives him a challenge.
"Set up those shelves for me. I'll start bringing in the equipment," he said as he got to the door.
"Want help with that?" I asked quietly, but still coldly
He replied with "It's heavy; some of it weighs almost a hundred pounds."
"I was silently glad I only had to only set up shelves.
I heard a creak from somewhere in the building. I leaned back and listened, before I heard Kazuya (man, he'd make a good stalker with how quiet he is) say ""Stop goofing off and get back to work."
It's official. He's an ass.
The dark voice of Satan laughed in the back of my mind, enjoying all of this.
Later
Soon all the equipment had been set up and on magnificently put-together shelves which I had put together. Naru seemed to have already figured out what certain gestures of my hands and head meant, which I suppose was good considering he was stuck with me and vice versa.
I nodded to 2 strange camera things he'd brought in, silently questioning what they were.
"An inferred camera and a thermal imagery camera. They're used to shoot in total darkness. This one uses thermography to record temperatures. When a spirit appears the temperature near it will drop and show up on the camera," he answered, seems like he knows he stuff
What made you decide to go into the ghost hunting business?" I asked curiously
"Because someone has to do it," he answered simply, looking over more equipment.
"It seems you know a lot" I muttered softly, I don't like him, but I had to give him some props, even if he is a jerk.
I'm very good at my job," he answered nonchalantly.
"Amazing, he's as smart as he is handsome," I muttered to myself. Well, at least my friends think he's handsome, so I'll just go with it.
"So you think I'm handsome, huh?" Kazuya said, turning towards me.
"That's what the girls who've met you say" I whispered, not looking him in the eye, slightly embarrassed "I'm no judge on that type of thing."
Kazuya turned back to the equipment before responding with, "Well, they have very good taste."
It's official… I dub ye Naru the Narcissist for the rest of you large ego-ed days. May thee never explode and kill all of Tokyo with thy hot air. I thought, I'm never giving him props again
Later that day
"Well that's all we have to do for today," Kazuya-I mean, Naru said, stirring me from my half-asleep state I had fallen in after he made me set up cameras everywhere. And write down temperatures every hour. And let's not forget all the microphones, and the damned monitors. Did this guy do any work himself?
"I'll see you here tomorrow," Naru continued while leaving.
"Aw man…" I muttered. No doubt he would be able to track down where I lived if I tried to avoid work…
I walked out of the building and to the street, just in time for a flashlight to click on and to see kieko and Michiru.
"Mai? Have you been here with Kazuya all night long?" Keiko asked worried.
"What were you two doing?" Michiru added on.
"Long story…" I mumbled
Naru's P.O.V
I walked over to the van to do a bit more research on the land itself; perhaps it is something that happened on the land that caused the haunting.
Although, what really bothered me was the girl, Mai Taniyama
She herself was a mystery, she hardly spoke, but (I checked her records) is not mute. She is said to always wear gloves and long sleeves, leading me to believe she may be hiding scars of some sort. Her every movement seemed to have reason, something seemed… off… about her.
Mai Taniyama was keeping a few secrets, and I am interested in finding them out.
Mai's P.O.V
I had told my story about what I had gone through for the last few hours after us three had sat down on a bench, my voice was thoroughly spent, that had to be the most I've spoken in years.
"Paranormal investigation?" Keiko asked.
"So he's not an upper classman," Michiru said, trying to process it.
"According to him he's a ghost hunter," I repeated. Get this through your heads! I thought desperately my throat's starting to hurt!
"A ghost hunter?" they both asked.
"Mai?" Kuroda appeared. What's she doing here so late? "I was wondering if you would introduce me to him."
I shrugged, she could introduce herself, she'd already done it once. "talk to Naru all you want, he probably will remember you from today"
"What's this Naru stuff all about?" Michiru asked. Oh right, I didn't tell them about that yet.
"That guy's got to be the biggest narcissist I've ever met in my life! I can't believe I actually have to work for him now!" I responded irritably.
"You know, I have many psychic abilities myself and I think I could really help Kazuya with his work," Kuroda continued.
I wanted to roll my eyes, but I played nice. She wasn't psychic as far as I knew, and I knew that she would only get hurt in trying to help.
We sat there in an awkward silence for a bit before Michiru and Keiko stood up, Michiru saying, "Let's go Mai," as she took my arm and walked/dragged me down the street.
We made it in front of a shop before we stopped as Keiko said, "That girl is such a weirdo, she's been like that since middle school."
"Yeah, she's a freak," Michiru added on. You are what you believe I thought irritably put yourself in her shoes for a moment.
I turned towards Keiko before asking, "Wasn't she in a lot of the same classes as you Keiko?"
"Yeah, and she would constantly bug people about her spirits or whatever," she said as she and Michiru started down the street again. I turned around to see if Kuroda was still there, but she had left.
"Wait, I know why she wants to help Kazuya! Maybe she's already fallen in love with Kazuya!"
"EW! Gross!" they said before they started giggling.
I should have taped them when they talked to him earlier… I started walking home thinking about Naru's new nickname. Good taste? HA! If only they knew…
Saturday
I walked up to the van where I figured Naru was, and sure enough, I found him reading a clipboard.
I nodded to his clipboard, silently asking what he was doing when I looked up
"Checking yesterday's data. So far there seems to be nothing unusual," he answered before a man and a woman walked up.
The woman's heels clicked as she said snidely, "That's some fancy equipment you got there. It seems a bit too high-tech for a couple of children to be playing with."
"And who might you be?" Naru asked, not very excited to be called a child, apparently. Can't blame him
"I'm Ayako, the shrine maiden. The principle wasn't sold on you so he called me to drive the spirits out," she responded. You're the backup plan I thought to myself and you think your all that. then again, so does Naru
"I was under the impression that only innocent virgins can become shrine maidens," Naru said snidely. Yep, definitely not a good idea to call him a child… I thought as the man and I started cracking up. I kept a smile hidden well
"I see, and, your point?" Ayako said slightly peeved.
"At the very least I'd say you're looking a little old to be calling yourself a maiden," Naru said bluntly. And I smiled slightly
"Nice, very funny you smartass," she said, her voice shaking with anger. My initial examination of her showed chic clothing and long hair.
I turned my attention to the man that was behind her, still smiling as Naru asked, "You, you don't seem to be her assistant."
"I'm a monk from Mount Kouya. The name's Takigawa Houshou," he responded, straightening up.
"Since when were monks allowed to have long hair?" Naru asked. He…. Doesn't like newcomers… and I thought he hated me
"Ahem, apostate," Ayako coughed.
"Hey I'm just on a little hiatus, okay? At any rate playtime is over, kids. Now you may have gotten this gig because your office is nearby, but the principle himself said it seemed like a scam to have a teenager running the show," the monk said, getting a bit aggravated.
Well, at least it wasn't child… he seems a little more polite
Naru coolly responded with, "Did he now?"
"The principal's wasting his money. There's no need to have all of us for such a simple job," Ayako said confidently.
"Yeah, all he really needed was me," the monk said. Takigawa Houshou… I think I'll just call him 'Monk', neither of his names really fit.
"Right, I wouldn't be so sure," Ayako argued back. I get a feeling that this will happen a lot. They sound like an old couple.
They just stared at each other until we were interrupted by a voice saying, "Oh, thank goodness you're all here. That haunted old schoolhouse has been terrorizing me for weeks."
"Kuroda?" I said quietly.
"You see, I'm a psychic. The souls of those trapped there have-"
"Stop grandstanding. You're just looking for attention," Ayako rudely interrupted. "Are you really that desperate for people to like you?"
"Your being rude" I defended softly, I hated it when people were rude.
"Excuse me that was extremely rude!" I came to her defense. I could handle being taunted, but I couldn't help but be upset when it happened to others.
"You know it's the truth," Ayako calmly said back. "She claims to have psychic abilities in hopes it will somehow make her popular."
Suddenly Kuroda's muscles got tense and cold, meaning she was mad. "I'm going to call a spirit to haunt you," she said coldly.
"Hold on Kuroda," I said. It was never smart to get upset at getting taunted.
She ignored me. "You're the fake, and you'll regret this," she said as she turned around and left.
I didn't follow; I knew she'd be hurt.
I looked over and cocked my head at naru "what are we doing today Naru?" I asked softly
Wait, what did you just say?" Naru asked, looking very confused and slightly peeved. Mission failed. "Did you just call me Naru?" he said as he stood up to face me.
"Uh, sorry, I…" I answered. Great, now he knows what I refer to him as…
"Where did you hear that?" he asked, still looking peeved.
"I made it up" I muttered "I called you 'Naru the narcissist' in front of my friends and it stuck"
"Morning everyone, nice to see you all," a voice said from behind us. That must be the principal.. I don't see him often... who's behind him?
"Say hello to John Brown," he continued, stepping away as John Brown bowed.
"Goo' day mates," he said as he bowed. Uh… that accent…. How do I put it… He straightened up and said, "My name's John Brown, and I came from the great outback of Australia. I can't express how excited I am to join you."
Intriguing I suppose…
Ayako and Monk were having a giggle fit as my principle said, "Mr. Brown is relatively new to our country so please show him the respect he deserves."
Monk stood up a bit as he laughed while Ayako said through her laughing, "No no let me guess, you're looking for a playground, right?" True, he looked very young.
John looked used to it as he responded, "Well, actually I practice the ancient art of exorcism."
Both Ayako and Monk stopped laughing to evaluate him. Like a new threat…
"Only those who have been ordained in the Catholic Church as priests have the ability to conduct exorcisms. You seem young for that," Naru said questioningly.
"Wow, you really know your stuff mate, to be honest I just turned nineteen a few weeks ago, that's why I look so young," John said as he scratched the back of his head.
And he's still older than Naru… looks like I'm going to be the youngest of the group.
Later
We all were in base, despite Monk and Ayako's apparent distrust in Naru.
"So we have an Australian exorcist, an apostate monk, and a teenage ghost hunter," Ayako said. And an old shrine maiden, I suddenly feel like I'm in the middle of a bad joke… "Obviously this bone-headed principle doesn't have much faith in my unique cleansing abilities. Hmph, Just watch, I'll clear this entire place myself," she said as she left the room.
Cocky… let's see how far this goes before it goes downhill… something tell me it won't take that long.
"I'm going to do a walkthrough, see ya later," Monk said as he also left the room. Walkthrough… to sense the ghost, right? Let's see how long he lasts
"Uh, excuse me, sir?" John asked politely to Naru. Maybe Naru can take an example from him… doubtful. He's too nice for that.
"You may do as you wish," Naru said. Well, duh, he doesn't work for you.
"I mean, I'd really like to work with you on this," John continued. … Scratch that to a 'yet'.
Suddenly we heard a scream. "That sounds like Ayako!" John said as we rushed to where the scream oriented from.
We rushed over and ended up gathered in front of a door as Ayako banged on it and screamed, "Open up!"
"Stand back!" Monk shouted through the door. "I'm going to kick it down!"
I stood back; something told me he was stronger than he looked. My marks were burning now, it really hurt.
"Hurry up and do it!" she shouted back. Monk then kicked the door down forcefully.
We all gathered in base after that, I having made Ayako sit down for a little bit as she explained what happened.
"I was looking around the classroom. Suddenly the door slammed shut. I tried opening it but it wouldn't budge. There's definitely a spirit here," she explained.
"No, there isn't. I haven't sensed one paranormal being," a voice said from the doorway. I sent my senses out to sense a girl in a kimono. She seemed like Japanese dolls I have sensed in antique shops.
I gave naru a look of 'is that a ghost?' she's certainly perfect enough to be one... Feudal era I'd guess
"Relax Mai, she's human," Naru said as the girl stepped further into the room. "Masako Hara is a spirit medium," he explained.
Still doesn't explain the kimono…
"Fantastic, so now they're calling in a TV star?" Monk said snidely. Jealous much….
"This is ridiculous. It's easy to fake results on television. The only reason she gets ratings is because she's pretty and wears that silly kimono," Ayako said. Well that explains it a bit…
"Why thank you, I take that as a compliment," Masako said. Great, two narcissists… Naru's still a bigger one. Why can't I work for the lesser of two evils?
"Well, trust me it's not," Ayako said rudely.
Masako ignored her while turning to Naru saying, "Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think I've had the pleasure of meeting you before."
"Yes, we've never met but your reputation precedes you," Naru answered.
"Right," she answered softly.
"Anyway, there is a haunting here. In my professional opinion, we're dealing with an earth-bound spirit," Ayako said.
"I believe it's a residual haunting. A traumatic event must have happened in this building in the past," Monk inputted.
"So you mean like someone was murdered here and they have to spend eternity searching the halls for their killer or something?" I asked softly. By 'something' I was more or less thinking of exams. This was a school in the past, and exams are pretty traumatic, at least to me they were.
"Close, I think the entity is afraid it's going to lose its home, so it's attempting to block the construction," Monk answered back.
Naru then turned to John, asking, "John, what do you think?"
"Well to be honest I'm not sure, but usually a haunting does originate with a ghost or spirit occupying a structure," John answered.
"So it's either a haunting, or fiction and folklore," Naru said. He turned towards me. "Are you listening Mai?" he asked.
I nodded, and gave him a questioning look, 'why ask?'
"These are things you need to learn," He responded.
Just how long is he going to make me work for him? I pulled my gloves tighter, there were too many people involved in this in my opinion….
"Enough talk, I'm getting rid of this thing as soon as I get back," Ayako said as she turned around and left the room. "I don't know how long I can put up with you people," she muttered to herself. You're not exactly on my 'favorite person' list either…
Ayako got to the door when Kuroda came in front of her, blocking the path. "I wouldn't be so confident in your abilities. The spirit that haunts this site is incredibly powerful," she said.
"Kuroda," I said. So she came back…. Just to get burned again.
"Move aside," Ayako said as she pushed Kuroda to the side before leaving. I ran over to her as she slid down the wall.
I helped her sit up before she looked at me and said, "The spirit attacked me."
I could almost feel the statement have its effect on everyone.
"It's true," she continued, "I was walking down the hallway when suddenly my hair was yanked back with amazing force. When I tried to flee it started strangling me. 'You're interfering with this site. Leave or die,' is what I heard it say." Man, she talks a convincing story
"When did this happen?" Naru asked calmly.
"A few minutes ago, in the second floor hallway," she answered.
"That's false, there are no spirits here," Masako interrupted.
"Yes there are! There definitely are. And they're angry," Kuroda responded hotly.
"You said it was the second floor hallway?" Naru asked before turning towards the monitors and typing something in. I could hear the monitors whir, and pretended to watch. Might as well act like I know what's going on…
I could faintly hear the recording of opening doors and footsteps as Kuroda walked on screen. I could saw static on one of the screens. "What just happened, is the camera broken?" I asked. I was getting better at speaking around him at least.
"No, but it is quite strange," Naru answered. I turned towards him, slightly confused. He explained (although mostly for my sake, probably), "When a spirit becomes active electronic equipment will often malfunction, but here I am not so sure. Is it, a spirit or EMF interference…"
"It's quite obviously a spirit. Interference doesn't cause someone to be attacked," Kuroda defended. She seems quite defendant towards this… I think she's lying
"But Masako said there are no spirits here," I muttered, trying to figure this out a bit.
"Well let's just say I'm a little skeptical, about her," Kuroda said with venom lacing her tone.
"It's common for female mediums to be either exactly right or way off base," Naru said, almost sensing the cat fight waiting in the air. "Even if she can't sense any spirits now doesn't mean the haunting isn't active. If what you say is true, then it's possible that the spirit than inhabits this place is very attuned to your wavelength," he continued.
"Yeah, that's right," Kuroda said, almost shocked that someone was believing her and coming to her defense.
If that's the case, then all this our fault? She did say that ghost stories attracted spirits… Oh no, did our telling ghost stories about this place actually attract real ghosts?
Oh no…
Satan's laughing made me believe he was either way off base or right, I hope it was the second.
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