Chapter 1: It's Only the Beginning
Ring Ring Ring.
"Good morning, you've reached Marukawa Psychic Research, this is Takano Masamune," a monotone voice answered, flipping his pen out of boredom as he sat at a simple office desk cluttered with papers.
An older woman's voice could be heard over the line. "Ah h-hello? I'm so sorry to be calling so early in the morning, but I have a spiritual problem that cannot be ignored any longer."
"I see, please state your name, the origin of the activity, and the events which have taken place," Takano spoke, resting the clunky office phone on his shoulder and shuffling around the clutter to find a notepad and pen.
"My name is Toujou Mitsuko, I'm actually calling in place of my daughter, Toujou Satchiko, since she is too busy with her job at the moment. She kept putting this off, since she's a skeptic and all, but I know there is something amiss in our home. I live with her, her husband, and two children in the outskirts of Kyoto. You are the closest psychic agency distance-wise to the house, and we so desperately need your help to get rid of this spirit." Her words trembled with worry as she began explaining a summary of the entire situation. "Furniture is moving, paintings are flying off the walls, and now even my grandchildren are waking up with bruises and cuts all along their back and arms. The worst part, however, is the whispering at night. I haven't been able to get a good night's rest in days, having to constantly endure inaudible whispers for hours on end. No one else hears them, though, so she just blames it on how I'm 'getting old' and this is 'normal behavior', but I wish that's all it was."
Takano scribbled the last piece of information on the pad and chewed the end of his pen. "Have you seen any apparitions? Like seeing something in the shadows, out of the corner of your eye, or even from just taking a glimpse in a window or mirror?"
"No, fortunately. The closest thing I have for physical proof is the injuries I stated earlier. I know it may not be much to go off of, but please, we really need your help, for the sake of our entire family."
Pondering for a moment, technically he did not have the authority to approve or dismiss cases, but the CEO of the company, Isaka Ryuichiro, was currently out on business and did leave him in charge, so what harm would it do to have her come to the office to just investigate the situation further?
"There does seem to be sufficient evidence, but I would need you to make an appointment to come and visit us to discuss things further before we agree upon anything."
"Unfortunately, I have no possible way of getting there. Before, I did say you were the closest, but even that is a 3 hour trip by train, and my body is to frail to journey there all by myself."
"Well, what about your daughter? Or maybe your son in law could-"
"Both are out on business trips for the next few days, and the kids are currently staying with my son in Tokyo for the time being, so I'm all alone here."
He pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration. Accepting this case could potentially get him fired, but he could not turn down someone who is in a potentially infested house all by themselves, especially an old woman such as herself. Weighing the options, Takano gave into her request, as there had been a recent decrease in activity lately and he knew everyone in the office was itching for a new case.
"Okay, we'll accept your case. Expect us either later tonight or early tomorrow-"
"Please come as soon as you can," she interjected for a second time, anxiety clearly eminent in her tone.
"Yes, we'll try our best. We'll discuss more of the details once we arrive, could you please give me the address?"
Takano jotted down the address and said his goodbyes, lazily dropping the phone back in its original place. He stood from his chair and made his way to the communal lounge were his partners would surely be. Slamming the door open, Takano yelled loudly, "OI! Kisa, Hatori! We have a new case, so start prepping for travel as soon as possible!"
They both jumped, startled by the volume and slight urgency in his voice. Rubbing his head, Hatori replied, "Um, don't you think we should wait until the chief-"
"I'll start gathering the equipment!" Kisa chirped, shooting up from his seat on the lounge couch and scurrying off into the supply room.
Hatori sighed heavily as he stood up; trying to argue would get him nowhere if against Takano. "I'll start checking inventory, making sure we have everything we need. You can handle the paperwork," he answered, following right behind his cheerful coworker.
Takano smirked as he began the short trek back to his personal office, silently praising himself for catching what would hopefully end up being a great case.
Ring Ring Ring.
The green-eyed man gently placed his latte down on the café table and answered his cellphone. "Hello? This is Onodera Ritsu, how may I help you?"
"Good morning, my name is Toujou Mitsuko, and I need your help dealing with evil spirits in my home." The elderly woman went on to further explain the information regarding the circumstances of the haunting, Onodera listening very attentively to her story.
"So, will you help me with this problem?" the woman asked with a pleading tone.
He was not the type to turn down a customer, as he was not very picky with the cases he received. She seemed genuine, and having gotten many calls about hoaxes before, Onodera could sense the truth in her words. "Yes, of course I will. I'll come as soon as possible."
A small sigh of relief resonated over the phone before she started again, "Thank you, I'm forever in your gratitude. Also, you'll be working alongside another agency, as this house is too big for only yourself."
The medium was used to working with other companies, but he much preferred to work alone. In some cases, however, working alone would be almost suicide, so he assumed this case was going to need serious supervision. "That's not a problem. If you don't mind me asking, who is the other agency?"
"I contacted Marukawa Psychic Research this morning, and I spoke with Takano-san over the phone."
Onodera's eyebrow twitched at the mention of his name. Takano Masamune, the big hotshot in the psychic industry. While Onodera rather not meddle with the media, Takano was the complete opposite – he loved the publicity, putting on a fake smile to charm everyone into submission. He had never actually worked with the man, but there were many rumors floating around about his cocky attitude, egotistical personality, and amazing talent when "ghost hunting". Having read multiple articles on the cases he solved, the more reserved man acknowledged his success, but that did not mean he liked his disposition. Wherever Takano went, drama and chaos seemed to follow, and that was certainly something Onodera did not want to get swept up in. Putting his differences aside, this was a job, and he was not going to let his emotions get the best of him.
"Is there something wrong, Onodera-san?"
Her voice brought him back to reality as he coughed to hide his embarrassment. "No, no, nothing's wrong. I've never worked with them, but I've only heard great things about their company, so with both of our powers combined, you're in capable hands, Toujou-san."
They said their goodbyes, and Onodera went back to sipping his coffee. He was going to need the caffeine, since Takano Masamune was trouble, and it was only the beginning.
Hello everyone! This is my first Sekaiichi Hatsukoi fanfiction so I hope I'm doing good. This idea was inspired by The Conjuring horror movie series, so I'm really excited to be writing this. Please leave a review on your thoughts, comments, and criticisms, and I will love you forever. Enjoy c:
~Loveless