It's been three days since Hanayome. All of the other Mark Bearers left the mansion. I'm the only one here now. I wonder when I'll be free of this Mark. When can I leave this place…?
"… …Sigh." There's not even a scrap of meaningful information around. I looked around Saya Kujou's bedroom to try to find something Mary mentioned. It's impolite to rummage through a dead woman's things, but I don't have the luxury to not do it. I searched every inch of the room, even under the carpet, but…I came up empty.
Seeing the dried blood on the floor reminds me of that horrifying sight I saw. I don't want to die like that…
That sole reason has been my driving force in my struggle to survive since that day. But how long can I keep this up? That thought fills me with such dread that it feels like my legs could give out.
After searching everywhere I can, I leave the bedroom. The deserted entrance hall feels colder than usual. Thinking on it, it's already been over a week since I first came here. I've gotten completely used to this strange mansion.
It's not something I want to admit…
"How do you do, Lady Yashiki?"
Mary gives me her usual greeting in her monotone voice. She's still a complete mystery…
Though I can't say I'm not grateful to have someone to talk to now that everyone's gone.
"Did you locate the master key?"
"No, I didn't."
"I see…I was sure that it would be there."
I've searched every accessible inch of the mansion and found no info of value. All that's left is the locked room. I'm trying to find the Kujou Mansion master key so I can open it. Mary said she thought it might be in Saya Kujou's bedroom, but…
It clearly was a bust.
"It is obvious I should have spoken with Lady Saya more before she died. I deeply apologize." Her voice carries a hint of sadness. She almost seems human when she does that.
Looking more closely at her, I'm stuck all over again by just how strange she is. I haven't really thought about it lately since I've been struggling to survive, but… How did she come into existence?
"Hey, Mary…Were you made by Saya Kujou?"
"No, I have served the Kujou family since before Lady Saya was born. I was already here at the mansion when I opened my eyes the first time. They say tools used for many years can come to house deities or souls…I may be something similar."
"So, you're like a Kujou guardian deity?"
"That is an exaggeration. Though I would be very pleased if I could achieve such a status. Lady Saya's fate was most unfortunate. I will do my utmost to respect her wish to save all who bear the Mark." Her clear, blue eyes stare at me. "Lady Yashiki, thanks to you…Many Mark Bearers have been saved. I am sure that Lady Saya would be extremely grateful to you. I very much feel the same way." Her voice is emotionless, but it sounds just a bit softer than usual. Her face can't show it, but it feels like she's trying to express her gratitude. "…Now, Lady Yashiki. It seems a new Mark Bearer has made their way to the mansion. I hope you can find some clue as to the spirit that gave you your Mark…"
Before she can even finish her sentence, there's a knock at the front door. A girl bounces in wearing a fancy outfit. I blinked dumbfoundedly at her appearance.
"Nice to meet you! Gooood morning!"
"…It's the middle of the night."
The girl blinks "Oh, right sorry. I'm used to saying it as a greeting. Um, so Dr. Kujou lives here, right? Madam Yasuoka told me to come. Is Dr. Saya around?"
Madam Yasuoka… Yup, no clue who that is.
"Sorry, but Saya Kujou isn't here. I'm Karin Yashiki. I guess you can say I'm representing her right now. Are you here about the scar? I can help."
"Yeah, yeah, that's it exactly." She nods. "It actually called 'the Mark,' right? If you get it, your memories become a mess and you die soon after. That's what Madam Yasuoka said."
…Well, color me surprised. I didn't think anyone besides Saya Kujou knew about the Mark. But this girl…She knows what'll happen to her, but for some reason she doesn't look depressed at all.
"Aren't you scared?" I asked.
"Yeah! I'm terrified! But being a scaredy cat embarrassing!" She said "I want to hurry and fix this whole Mark thing for my fans, too. I'm a pro, and forgetting the lyrics up on stage is a definite no-go."
I think I know what line of work she's in. "Are you by any chance an idol or something?"
"Yeah, that's right." She nods happily "Oh, I haven't introduced myself yet. I'm Ai Kashiwagi. I sing, dance, and perform as a member of Love & Hero."
I believe I have heard of that name before…Eita maybe?
"Oh, so that's your stage costume?"
"Yeah. Cool, right? I headed here straight after filming finished. If I'd gone to my dressing room, my manager would've found me. The taxi driver stared at my outfit the whole way here." Giggling, she removes her jacket and bares her shoulder… A familiar Mark glares bright from her skin. "I'm stuck wearing sleeves right now because of this thing. And it's gonna be summer soon…"
I do wonder if that's her main concern…then being killed by a spirit.
"It seems as though this person is indeed a Mark Bearer."
"Wha- Wh-Who's there?!" Ai's eyes bug out comically wide when she hears a female voice out of nowhere. She may know about the Mark, but it doesn't look like she knows about Mary.
Mary updates Ai about everything so far. She starts with Saya Kujou's tragic death and recounts our encounters with the spirits. Ai seems surprised to hear Kujou is dead…But she does admirably well in her attempt to swallow this string of unusual events.
"Now, Lady Ai…Do you have any idea as to where you received your Mark?"
"Hmm, probably…When we filmed at the mystery spots. I don't think I had this scar until after we finished up filming."
I feel like I should ask her for more details about this mystery spot tour. "What kind of show was it?"
"A summer ghost story special. During the shoot our guest star, Madam Yasuoka, and I got this weirdly-shaped scar…The minute she saw it, Madam Yasuoka told me it was called a 'Mary.'"
So Ai wasn't the only one to get one. This Yasuoka also got the Mark. "Is this person not coming here then?"
"Oh, I guess I forgot to say. Madam Yasuoka is on her way, too. She'll just be a little late. She's stopping by her shop in Giza before heading over."
"Okay then…Where'd you go to shoot the films?"
"We went around to 3 mystery spots that are rumored to be haunted. One was an old tunnel in O City. Another was a railroad crossing in T City where a lot of accidents happened. The last was a backstreet in H City."
Sure enough, H City was one of the places. "When did you notice the Mark?"
"Hmm…We were rushing everywhere because we were pressed for time that day. It just…was suddenly there."
Well, that's not much help. I silently sigh; I think that's all I'll get from her. "You mentioned a street in H City, but where exactly was it?"
"Oh. Um…Ah, just a sec!" Ai digs her cell phone out of her bag and flips it open. "I'm pretty sure it was in an email my manager sent me…Oh, there it is! Uhhh…It was K Miyamachi North Road. It was a pretty weird place. A ton of manholes were all over."
K Miyamachi North Road…The file is the garage said a woman holding a Buddha statue was seen there. Is it just a coincidence? Or…?
"Hey, you're kinda frowning…Is something wrong?"
"Oh, no, it's just…"
"It seems we have determined where you must go tonight. Please head directly to K Miyamachi North Road, Lady Yashiki. There may be a spirit trace there."
That's not the only thing I might find. There may be a clue about who stole the Buddha statues from H Shrine, too.
"And of course I'll come with! Our group has a song that goes like this… 'I'm not one to sit around and wait. I'll blast through those evil traps standing in my way with all my might.'"
I blinked "…Uh, okay." Sounds like Love & Hero specializes in the motivational type of song…Anyway, she seems willing enough, so I'll let her help.
DEATH MARK
The road runs through a quiet residential area. It's far removed from major crossroads, so it's totally deserted at this time of night. We look a little suspicious wandering around, but no one's here to report us.
"Ah, yup, this is the place. We were looking for a ghost here."
"It wouldn't happen to be a woman…Wearing white, carrying a statue, would it?"
"Actually, yeah. That was the rumor. …I don't really remember the statue bit."
"So, did you find the ghost?" I asked.
Ai shook her head "No, we didn't. But Madam Yasuoka said she felt a bad presence throughout the entire shoot."
"You keep mentioning Yasuoka…What kind of person is she?"
"Oh, sorry, I forgot to explain. She's a famous fortune teller. Her predictions often come true. They say she's got true spiritual powers."
This fortune teller knew about the Mark…Maybe she was working with Saya Kujou.
"Oh yeah, I better email her. I've gotta let her know about you and what happened to Dr. Saya." Ai pushes some buttons on her phone.
Cell phones are getting pretty common now. In ten years, everyone will probably own one, old and young alike. Technology evolved so fast. It's amazing.
"Sorry that took so long! All right, should we get right down to investigating, Miss Yashiki? If there's anything I can do to help, just let me know."
"All right, I'll keep that in mind." I pulled out the flashlight and started to look around. Most of the manhole here seem normal, nothing odd about them…that was until we stumble an odd one.
"…Huh? This one's got a different design." Ai said examining the manhole. It's true. It's the only one of an older make. It's covered in rust. "Huh, it looks like you can get a hand in. Can you lift it?"
"I highly doubt it. I'm sure you need special tools to open up a manhole." I told her.
"Well, why not just try it? Determination and strength will get you farther than you expect."'
'…Is that from another of your songs…'
"Come on, Miss Yashiki! You take that side!"
"Okay, okay…"
I grab one end of the manhole while Ai took the other side.
"One, two…three!"
The lid lifts, and a putrid smell wafts out. I can't believe we actually go it open…
The black void stretches deep underground. A rusted metal ladder is set into the side of the hole.
"Does this connect to the sewers?" Ai question peering down the hole. "Actually, it doesn't small like it does. Weird."
In the rumor about the white robed woman, the woman mysteriously vanishes. Could it be that she hid herself down here?
"Why don't we try going down for a look?" I suggested.
"What? Are you serious?!" Ai glances down at her outfit "But I'm in my stage outfit…"
I sigh before giving her an annoyed expression "So you're going to wait up here then?"
"N-No, I'm coming! But! Don't you dare look up while you're climbing down."
Why would I even look? Whatever. I put the flashlight back in my bag and squat down so I can grab hold of the ladder and quickly climb down as Ai quickly follows. The rusted ladder creaks when we put weight on it. That doesn't make me nervous at all…
We make our way carefully, and it takes us a while to reach the bottom. I feel like this must go farther down than a normal sewer.
"It's like a secret entrance…Maybe for a secret society's hideout." Ai's voice bounces off the wall above me. She' s probably joking around to stop herself from freaking out.
After a while, my feet finally reach solid ground. Taking out the flashlight and turning it on, a concrete passage way stretches before us. I doubt it's been ventilated in a long time. The musty air is stagnant and heavy, making it slightly difficult to breathe.
"Definitely doesn't look like a sewer." Ai commented looking around the area. "At least my outfit won't get dirty. But, where are we anyway…?"
How should I know? We'll just have to look around. Heading down one way…which I'm guessing is the rear end of the tunnel, suddenly Ai let's out a loud sounds.
"Eek!" Ai suddenly shrieks pitifully and stops in her tracks. "Miss Yashiki…Wh-What is…that?" she shakily points and I shine the light that way.
Something…dark and long is clinging to the wall…is that…human hair? But what's it doing here? "It would…seem to be…hair."
"Hair…? But why would it be hanging out of the cracks?"
"I don't really know…let's just keep moving."
"O-Okay…"
Walking down we soon reach a dead end. However, there is a large iron box tuck in the corner of the tunnel. Judging from its corrosion, it must've been made a long time ago. I slip my hands underneath the lid and pull with all my might…It pops open with an unexpectedly loud noise. There are a few tools inside, along with what looks like a notebook.
"Wow, it was full of stuff. What does the notebook say?"
I flip through the notebook with Ai. The lettering is very fine… It's impossible to read in such a dark place. But what concerns me even more is…
"…What's the smell?" I wrinkled my nose. A bizarre stench invades my nose, like a mix between tallow, perfume, and blood. It doesn't take me long to figure out that it's coming from the notebook.
"I-I can't believe you're holding it…Could you maybe put it away? I think I might puke…"
I put the notebook in my bag for now, making a mental reminder to wash it…or burn the bag if the smell doesn't come out. The smell might permeate the other items, but some sacrifices are necessary.
"Well…that seem to be everything on this end." I stood up dusting my legs off. I pointed the flashlight at the other end of the tunnel where the ladder is at. "Let's check over there next."
"Right." Ai nods and we then made our way down the tunnel and came cross a iron door.
It's an old fashion, though well-built iron door. The paint is chipping in places, so it must be pretty old.
"Whoa! That door looks ancient." Ai exclaims. "I had no idea there was a place like this under the ground. Oh! Could this be some kind of lab?"
"…" How can she say stuff like that with a straight face? Sure, her innocence is cute, but I get the feeling she's not particularly bright.
"I-I'm sorry! Did I say something bad?"
"No, it's not that…" I give up on Ai and reach for the doorknob. It's locked. Of course it is. "Let's go. I don't want to stay her long, so-" I never get to finish what I'm saying.
"Aaauuugh!"
An old man jumps out from the iron door, yelling strangely.
"Hey! Where you folks from?"
"?!" I blinked in shock.
"What're you doing on my turf, huh?"
He's smirking, but his tone is serious. Just then, I smell an odd stench. It seems this old man is a homeless guy who's living down here.
"Uh, nothing really…" I slowly began.
"Th-That's right!" Ai nervously nods. "We haven't done anything."
I know she's trying to back me up, but she definitely doesn't sound convincing.
"This underground shelter isn't a place for irresponsible layabouts like yourselves! Understand? So leave my turf alone and get outta here!" He disappears behind the iron door. And it sounds like he's carefully locked it up again.
"Man, that surprised me…" Ai said "I wasn't expecting a person to come out. Oh! Do you think…that guy was homeless?"
"Yeah…" Maybe not something you ponder out loud, though. Could it be she's never seen one before? Still, that old man…Why did he pop out just to warn us? If the door was locked, then he shouldn't have to worry about being disturbed. But if I don't know why, then I should probably just do as he says. "Let's go. He might come yell at us again."
"Yeah."
We've seen just about everything we can. It seems to be an underground shelter…But with solid concrete walls, it's not quite like your standard shelter.
"Well…We didn't find anything on spirits or that woman in a white robe."
"At least the notebook shows some promise."
"Too bad we couldn't get more out of that old guy…" She sighs. "What's behind that door anyway?"
"…"
From the moment we entered the shelter…It's been hard to breathe. Like there's a noose, tightening around my neck… I thought it was because of the still air, but that might not be the only reason. Something in my head throbs…This place… It holds some kind of horrible secret.
I'm almost sure of it.
Do I…somehow…
Know this underground shelter…?
"Miss Yashiki…You're kinda spacing out. You okay? You look pale, too."
"I-I'm fine…It's nothing."
"The air in here's pretty bad. No surprise you're feeling sick. Let's head back up for now."
We return to the entrance and begin climbing the rickety ladder. When we climb out of the manhole, the breeze that brushes my cheek is refreshing. The unpleasant air that hounded us underground starts to disperse.
"Ah, Miss Ai. I finally found you. I'm glad to see you are safe."
"Oh, Madam Yasuoka! Gooood morning! Great to see you! …But what are you doing here?"
"I went to Miss Kujou's mansion, but no one answered the door. I then got your email, so I came here. Still, it is hard to believe that Miss Kujou has passed away."
This seems to be the woman that Ai keeps mentioning. The thick layers of makeup make if hard, but going by her voice, she must be pretty old.
"I'm Towako Yasuoka. You must be Miss Yashiki. I read about you and your Mark in Miss Ai's email. It seems you've been working hard to help those who have the Mark." Yasuoka introduce herself.
I bow a little in greeting "Yasuoka, how much do you know about the Mark?" I asked.
"Good question…I'm sure I know less than what you are hoping I do. Miss Kujou told me about a scar like that and asked what I knew of it."
"Oh…"
That's unfortunate. I was hoping for more.
"I assume it's some sort of curse. Though I never thought it would be the work of inhuman spirits. Or that I would become a victim." Yasuoka rolls up her sleeve, revealing the Mark on her arm. "I've lived long enough already. I have no attachments to this world. But Miss Ai is still young. Do everything you can to save her."
I nod "I can't promise anything, but I'll try. I'll need your help as well. I heard…you have spiritual powers."
"Miss Yashiki! Don't sound so suspicious!" Ai scolds "I don't care about spirits or ghosts, but she's definitely the real deal!"
"Ha ha. It's natural to be doubtful. It's best to not tangle with spirits if you want to live in peace. However, Miss Yashiki…You seem to have some spiritual powers of your own. A good amount too, almost the same as the late Saya Kujou."
I blinked. That's new.
"I do…?"
Yasuoka nods "Have you experienced something no one else has?"
The mysterious voice I hear every so often suddenly comes to mind. I mention it to her.
"…Hmmm, intriguing. Jeanne d'Arc was famous for hearing the voice of God. But usually it's only spirit whispers. It may be an evil spirit or ghost…or even the soul of someone who loves you trying to save you."
I frowned "If it's trying to help, I'd appreciate it if it could give clearer hints."
"I can do nothing about that. Humans and souls live separately. Imagine a long distance radio signal. Static can garble the message."
"A soul protecting the one it loves… Ahh, how romantic…Miss Yashiki, do you have any idea who that soul could be?" Ai asked
"There's no way I would… I don't have any memories."
Even if I did, it's not like there's a way that I'd be able to know.
"So, what's your plan now?" Yasuoka asked looking at me.
"We were going to head back to the mansion. We need to report to Mary, after all."
"Oh? And who might that be?"
"A doll. One that talks even." Ai cheerfully answers.
Yasuoka narrows her eyes a bit in thought "Hmm. A talking doll…Not so strange, when you consider it's the Kujou family we're discussing." She's not surprised at all. Guess it pays to specialize in the supernatural sometimes. "Shall we head to the mansion? I'm intrigued by this Mary."
DEATH MARK
As Yasuoka climbs out of the car, her gaze turns nostalgic as she looks around. "It's been a long time. About 20 years now. Back two generations of family heads."
"You've known them a long time, then." I said.
"Ha ha, it hasn't been that long. I had a falling out with Murasame, the second last head, and cut ties with them. They didn't even invite me to Murasame's funeral. The last head, Kurisu, and Saya were kids the last time I saw them. Imagine my surprise when Say contacted me a month ago."
"Wait a second…First it was Murasame, then it was Kurisu, and the current head is Says Kujou, right? There've been 3 heads in 20 years?"
"…That's right." Yasuoka grimaces. "The family is known for their short lives. Accidents or heart attacks… Very few have lived full lives. Gossips say their family is cursed."
So Saya Kujou didn't escape that fate either…
It's probably just coincidence, but…there's something about this mansion that tells me I shouldn't be so sure. If it really is a curse, what's causing it? Could it be divine wrath?
"Ah, Miss Ai…You've been staring this whole time. Something the matter?"
"Uhhh, well there's something…Um, Miss Yashiki. Does the Kujou family keep animals out in their yard?"
I blink at the sudden question then looked back at my memories. Did this place have animals? I'm not really sure and Mary hasn't mentioned anything about it either. "No, I don't think so…"
"Oh." Ai mumbles "Then that black rabbit is odd."
That rabbit's back again? But what is it doing here?
"Where did it go?"
"I think it was headed for the building. It had something in its mouth."
"What was it?"
"I don't know…It's too dark and it was far away."
"You know that rabbit, Miss Yashiki?"
"Kind of…" I tell them about the black rabbit I've seen on my investigations. Mary said that it has some sort of spirit residing in it…
"And now it's suddenly here…What could that mean, I wonder?"
BA-THUMP
All at once, my heart starts pounding. I have a bad feeling about this. Like something terrible about to happen.
I find myself bolting to the entrance hall. Everything looks the same as usual here. Did the rabbit get inside the mansion? I quickly scan the room for it.
"?!"
Mary isn't sitting on the sofa…
"Miss Yashiki…O-Over there…in the corner…"
I turn in the direction Ai is pointing.
"Um…What's going on?" Ai's voice has an audible shake in it.
"How the hell should I know?" I have to force the words out of my mouth. My voice shakes like hers. Yasuoka is silent.
Ding-dong
Mary lies on the ground, tragically broken. Her beautiful face is smashed to pieces. Next to her lies the rabbit. Its head is twisted unnaturally. Fresh blood stains the floor.
"Hey…Mary?" I call out to her, daring to hope.
But I only get silence in response.
Mary is dead.
Though I don't know if you say that for a doll.
DEATH MARK
Tick-tock
Tick-tock
Tick-tock
After that…Ai and Yasuoka help me pick up Mary's remains as well as the rabbit's. We work in complete silence, no one daring to speak a word.
Mary is gone…I'll have to face spirits and the Mark without her help from now on. Terror and dread threaten to consume me. Will I even be able to hunt down spirits like I've been doing?
What the hell happened here? Did some sort of spirit do this? We know Kujou Mansion isn't necessarily safe from spirit attacks. In fact, Saya Kujou was killed by Hanahiko.
And why did the rabbit come here?
The last time I saw it was at H Shrine. Did it travel all the way here after that? And for what purpose…?
"Miss Yashiki, a moment please? I found this while cleaning up. Do you have any idea what it is?" She hands me a key ring with a single key on it. The tag attached to it says Master Key.
"It's…the master key to the mansion. But what's it doing here?"
"Miss Aid did say the rabbit had something in its mouth earlier. It could have picked up this key ring and carried it."
"…Are you saying the rabbit had the master key?"
Yasuoka shrugs "It's only a guess. It's also quite possible that Mary had it herself."
I frowned in thought, is it possible? But Marry said she didn't know where it was. The truth is shrouded in darkness.
"We can use that key to open up any room in the mansion, right? Is there a place you want to get into?" Ai spoke up.
"As a matter of fact, there is…"
DEATH MARK
There's one place I've been unable to check. The locked room in the southeast corner of the second floor. The room layout looks no different from that of the other guest rooms.
"What are those tools on the desk? They look pretty strange." Ai points over at the desk.
"That frame over there interests me. I'd like to see the photos inside." Yasuoka looks over at the frame hanging over the bed.
There are two places of interest. Which one should we look at first, I thought glance at both locations. "Perhaps we should look at the desk first. We might find more info there."
"It's a possibility." Yasuoka nods.
On the desk is a board lined with tools. There are variety of sharp chisels and long tools that look like spatulas all in a row. Next to them are bottles filled with paints and a stack of art books. What exactly were they making?
I open one of the draws to see that it is full of tools as well. But no documents or reports on the Mark like I had hoped.
"Hm?" Ai picks up a chisel and studies its handle. "This thing…K.K is engraved on it."
Saya Kujou would be S.K, and Murasame Kujou would be M.K. so…
"It must have belonged to Saya's older sister the previous head, Kurisu Kujou."
Yasuoka tilter her head in thought. "I heard the Kujou family ancestors were tasked with making Buddha statues. I suppose Kurisu could have been influenced by that."
Hmm, I glance back over at the desk. That's about all we'll learn from this desk. Guess it's time to check the other spot then.
The picture frame contains several photos. Marionettes, wax figures, Japanese dolls…They're all photos of dolls. And one of them is…
A photo of Mary's bare frame. It looks like she was still being put together. So if the tools on the desk are used to make dolls…Then was Mary created here in the mansion?
There's a pattern on Mary's right arm…Isn't that the Mark? But…I never saw anything like that on her arm. Plus, this one is a different color from the one us Mark Bearers have.
A black mark…
Ours may be red, but somehow this feels even more ominous.
After examining the desk and the frame, we search the rest of the room as well. But we come up with nothing more.
"Aw, that's too bad. I was expecting an amazing secret."
"We didn't learn anything more about spirits or the Mark here." I sigh in defeat.
"The only thing left is…That diary we found in the shelter."
We'll just have to place all our bets on that.
DEATH MARK
We return to the entrance hall. I pull the red notebook out of the bag I left on the floor. The flower and tallow smell assault my nose. I feel like my olfactory senses are shriveling.
"What a vulgar stench…" Yasuoka grimace. "I recognize this from when we filled on K Miyamachi North Road. It was only a brief whiff of it, so I thought I'd imagine the smell. But perhaps that's when I received…" Yasuoka scowls at the notebook.
If she's right, then this notebook could be connected to the spirit somehow. Inside is the contents of a woman's diary. It almost seems like it was soaked in a pool of perfume…Stains and discolorations make most of the pages unreadable. But the last page seems clean enough. The date is from half a month ago.
As I await the fated day, I recall my days as a teacher. The children called me Miss Zoo. Zoo…The keeper of the animals…Probably because I kept so many laboratory animals in the science lab.
I got to be surrounded by my beloved animals. My cute little snakes… it was so much more fulfilling than my current, boring research. But because of that foolish principal and the fire, the school was shut down.
My paradise was stolen from me.
I need to take by my paradise.
The great Asura has bestowed upon me the wisdom I need to do that.
Tomorrow, I will die.
By the great Asura's abundant mercy I will be reborn as Miss Zoo. So I may rebuild my paradise again. It is all as the great Asura has said.
Oh, great Asura.
Asura Asura Asura Asura Asuara Asuara Asuara Asuara Asuara Asuara Asuara Asuara Asuara Asuara Asuara Asuara Asuara Asuara Asuara Asuara Asuara Asuara Asuara Asuara
The rest of the page is filled with 'Asura.' Did she lose her sanity while writing it? Traces of kiss marks cover the names. That combined with the choking perfume…The heavy weight of lust is overwhelming.
"The dark passions in this notebook…Thoroughly disgusting. I'd love to burn it to as immediately."
You and me both Yasuoka…and my poor bag that caught the stench as well.
"So, this 'Miss Zoo who wrote this. Could she be…The woman from the rumors?" Ai asked.
"If she worked in a lab, that would explain the white robe." I spoke.
"But I wonder which school she was talking about? She said it was her paradise…Do you have any ideas?"
Sigh…I think I may know which school the woman was talking about. As it is the only school that I know of that had burn marks in it and is closed down. Though…I honestly hope I didn't have to go back there…
"Yeah…it's most likely H Elementary." I sigh rubbing my forehead.
"Yes, I agree." Yasuoka nods. "It's the only abandoned school in this area that hasn't been torn down. It may be the paradise she wrote of."
"…" If what the diary says is true, then the woman died after she wrote it. This 'great Asura' would've guided her transformation into Miss Zoo. "I can't believe a human would choose to become a spirit of their own free will. Is that really possible…?"
"She seemed fairly confident that she would be reborn. And the notebook being in the shelter might serve as supporting evidence. Perhaps she meant it as a farewell to her life as a human. How sentimental."
"Miss Zoo…So, is she the one that gave Madam Yasuoka and I our Marks?"
"That's where we found the diary, so the spirit must know the place. It would make sense that it comes and goes from there, then. For whatever reason." It looks like we know where we must go next.
"Time to go to H Elementary." Ai said.
DEATH MARK
" ~ ~ ~ … … ~ ~… ~…"
Ever since we left…Ai has been humming and waving her hands in the passenger seat. She seems like she has no idea about what things we're going to see, and that worries me.
"Oh, sorry. Am I distracting you from driving?"
"Not really…Are you trying to learn some choreography?"
"Yeah! Ugh, it's so hard! Mind if I went a little, Miss Karin?" She turns toward me hopefully. Am I getting some kind of insider scoop? "P we alike, 'We're doing a new song!' and changed the set list a week out. Oh, a setlist is the list of songs we perform at a show. So now we have to rush to learn the moves for this whole new song. I'm at the point where I'm dancing even while eating. Isn't that horrible?"
"O-Oh… Yeah, it is." About half of that flew over my head, but it's obvious that she's busy.
"But I know why P's in such a rush. Idol groups need a lot of exposure during their debut tot really make it big. That's why P's so desperate to promote us everywhere. But…" Ai lowers her voice. "For this to happen at such an important time…Next week is when we debut the new song. We'll make it in time, won't we?"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean…uh, will everything get better by then? All this Mark and spirit stuff?"
"Well…" No one knows. After all, there's no way to know if we'll live through to tomorrow. "No one knows what will happen. But…"
"'Don't ever lose hope! The shining fist of justice will destroy the evil lurking in the dark!' Right?"
"Uh, are those…Lyrics?"
"It's from our debut song. That's our most popular one. It's okay. I'll do my best. If I lose here, then it would mean Love & Hero only singing lies!" She gives an energetic bow to her invisible fans. The horn from her costume strikes my forehead dead on.
"Ow!"
The sudden pain made me lose control of the car for a bit.
"Ahh! I'm so, so, so sorry!"
DEATH MARK
Ai and I arrive at H Elementary.
"Wh-Whoa…This place looks more haunted than I expected. We should've filmed here. So, what do we do?"
I explain about the last time I was here. Only a quick rundown, but it should be enough for her to understand. "There isn't much left to investigate on the first floor. We need to check out the second floor."
"Okay, time to go up, then! All right, let's get going."
"Right…"
I took the flashlight out of the bag then proceeded to head in the school. As we went in and went to the left side, I notice the vines are still here. Guess it'll take a while for them to go away then. With Hanahiko not here anymore, there's nothing here to keep this vines alive. At least we don't have to worry about them attacking us anymore.
We climb up the stairs to the 2nd floor.
Crunch
"…?!" I feel something soft squish under my heel. I quickly pick up my foot and shine my light down. The hallway is covered with poisonous snakes.
"?! S-S-S-Snakes…"
"(Don't shout!)" I slap my hand over Ai's mouth. We can't move forward. The only thing worse would be making noise and calling something here. "(It'll be fine… If we leave quietly…)" I cautiously take a step backward.
Suddenly, the snakes react to my bag.
"Wh-What the-?!"
The snakes flit their tongues in the air, trying to smell something. After a moment, they begin to leave. They disappear into the darkness of the hall before I can even blink. They vanish without a sound, all at once, as if they'd never been there to begin with.
"Huh…?! Wh-Why…?"
"I don't know."
It looked like the snakes were sniffing my bag. That red notebook is inside…
"Maybe…this smell made them think we were friends. Let's try going down the hallway. I haven't gone this way yet."
"Oh, yeah…? L-Let's both do our best."
Moving forward we came across a door, looking up at the sign that said 'Science Lab'. Guess will start looking here. At most we'll probably have to investigate every room up here like last time when dealing with Hanahiko. Another thing I quickly notice is that the 2nd floor isn't covered in roses like the 1st. There's no movement, and I don't see any plants. I guess the phenomenon didn't happen on this floor.
"Well…time to check out this room then." I slide the door open and step inside. Long desks and what look like sinks loom in the darkness of the classroom. This seems to be…
"Is this…the science lab?" Ai wonders looking around. "S-Still…" She grimaces. "I-It really stinks in here. I feel like I'm gonna suffocate."
It's an irritating stench that stings the eyes. The putrid smell fills the whole room, like a box of onions has gone rotten. Even so, it's not like we can just leave. Let's get this done quickly so we can move on.
"Oh! There's a door over there!" Ai points out. And indeed she is right at the other end of the room is a door.
"Let's search that first before coming back in here." I said while opening the door and step inside. It almost seems like a storage room for all the stuff for the classroom. Well…at least it's bigger then the storage room down stairs.
I open the cupboard and check inside, but all I find is trash and dust. Nothing useful there. I bend down to examine the sturdy wooden cabinet below. It looks antique. The edges of the cupboards are rounded off. Grabbing the handle the door opens easily. The inside is completely full of bursting…with something. I pull it out and discover that it's a garbage bag full of shredded paper.
"Uh… Are you seriously planning on taking that with you?" Ai asked. "…I mean, not that I care."
When I lift up the bag, an unshredded wad of paper falls to the floor at my feet. I open it up and see several complete sentences. Guess they failed to destroy this section.
Next at look at the shelves right next to the cupboard, that seems to be filled with glass containers. It's a shelf packed with numerous chemicals. Getting closer, I see some large containers.
"Ahh…?!"
I hear Ai gasp behind me.
Hands, ears, eyeballs…Body pieces that used to belong to a human are floating in liquid, perfectly preserved.
"It can't be…There's no way they'd use these as educational aides…" I swallowed in disguise and shock. They're…extremely fresh for being samples. Probably because they were cut from a living body. But it doesn't seem like it's been that long since any of them were severed.
"…" Other than the jars with human body parts, the cabinet has several containers of chemicals. I know they're not alive anymore, but it takes a measure of courage to search body parts. Taking a deep breath I stick my hand inside, half closing my eyes, and feel around the shelf.
"I-Is something there?"
'Well, yeah…' I stop myself from voicing my frustration. I can't make Ai do something like this. I search the chemicals, formalin containers, unidentified samples…every nook and cranny. I found a few things that I can use. A clear bottle with liquid inside. It has a label with a chemical formula on it. A brown bottle that has an irritating smell. Its label is rotted and unreadable. And finally, a bottle wrapped in foil. It smells faintly of flowers, but it's likely just some kind of chemical as well.
"…Is that everything?" Once I'm done looking around, stand up. A vinyl bundles in the corner catches my eye. I pick it up and realize that it's a tightly wrapped bundle of clothes. A white coat stands out the most. Must be a lab coat.
"A white lab coat…Well, we ARE in a science lag. No big surprise to find on here." Ai said.
That rumor about a ghost in white…Ai and Yasuoka got their Marks while filming a tv show about it at K Miyamachi. And all the other clothes along with the coat have been folded meticulously. Is it really just a coincidence?
Ding ding ding
"…?"
"Uh, what? A broadcast?"
"dOoo YyoUU hAaVvEE anNyy brRRaiIinsSS?"
A strange voice echoes over the intercom.
"dOOoo tHhheE tttTeEEEessStT immediately…! tTAAbbAlllEe! OooOn tHHhe TTabbBiLee!"
Ding ding ding
A static crackles before being cut off.
"I-Is she watching us from somewhere? She said something like ttabbllee…"
"Something might be on the desk. Let's take a look."
There are more things I wanted to check out in this room, but I guess I'll have to put it on hold till we check out what the voice wants us to do. Stepping out of the storage room I made my way to the only table there was next to the blackboard. On the desk scattered with lab equipment is a small pencil and problem sheet.
"Are we…supposed to fill this out?" I take a sidelong glance at the problem sheet. I see what look like chemistry symbols. Looks like this is a science test. Something's written at the top in messy letters.
'REEmemBber thE eXXperiMmenTSs.'
That's right. I found several bottles of chemicals in the storage room. Were those chemicals used in some sort of experiments? I pick up the pencil and turn over the paper.
Ding ding ding
"bEEgiiinN ThE tTeeEsttt"
Live or Die
#1) Compound A is widely used as fuel or disinfectant. It's chemical formula is CH3Ch(x)OH. What number should (x) be?
Choice 1: 2
Choice 2: 4
Choice 3: 6
If remember correctly the clear bottle with liquid had a label the said 'CH3CH2OH'. So the answer would be the 'choice 1'. I quickly circle the first one before moving down to the second question.
#2) Compound N is an exemplary acid and contains a salt that reacts to various metals. Which statement about compound N is true?
Choice 1: It's combustible
Choice 2: It needs a lightproof container
Choice 3: Skin turns black on contact
Hmm, the brown bottle label had said 'Handle with care' and it smells like chlorine, so…I circle the second answer. Then moved down to the last question.
#3) It stinks when it's thick, and fragrant when it's thin. What compound is it?
Choice 1: Ammonia
Choice 2: Indole
Choice 3: Skatole
The tin foil-wrapped bottle had said 'ID5' and it did smell like flowers so I'm guessing the answer is number 2.
Ding ding ding
"…"
Survived
It seems we passed the test. At the end of the answer sheet…
The next test is in the ROOM next door. PROCEED there quickly, students!
Well then.
"It sounds like there are other tests." I said putting the pencil back down.
"Are we being…tested?"
"Maybe." I shrug looking over the paper again "I mean, that's what tests are for."
But why…? I'm concerned, but I don't feel like guessing. A more immediate topic should be discussed now that my senses are assaulted.
"A-Also…This thing really reeks." I didn't notice when I was focusing on the test, but the answer sheet stinks terribly. It's a hundred times worse than that notebook. Like a zoo in the dead of summer. I shut it tightly in a random pouch in my bag so the smell doesn't spread.
Ai narrows her eyes at me. "Miss Yashiki… Are you sure you closed your bag? It still reeks in here…"
"Huh…?"
Ai is right. The small has definitely gotten stronger instead of weaker…
"Sorry. I'll check." I look down to double check my bag.
I spot something that looks like a box down on the floor behind the desk.
"Oh…"
My instincts realize it is before my brain does. Hands and feet stick out of the blood-soaked cover. Inside that box is…
I've got to check to make sure. But…I can't make myself move.
"Did you find someth-"
"Stay back!" The low, sharp tone that comes out of my mouth startles even me. "Just stay back…I'll…check it." After gathering my courage, I reach out. I pull off the thick sheet.
That hat's familiar… So are the clothes…
…There's no mistake. It's the corpse of that guard who was hanging from the ceiling with Moe Watanabe. It might be a bad time to think of this, but this poor guy—more like his body—just can't seem to get a break.
I collapse to my knees. A horrible feeling comes barreling up though my chest.
"A-Are you all right?"
"Th-There's…There's a corpse…That's…where the smell was coming from."
"?! A-A corpse…Th-Then let's get the heck out of here, yeah?"
I drag myself up woodenly, like a puppet on strings. "The classroom next door…"
"Huh?"
"The next test is in the classroom next door. Let's go there."
"…R-Right! Okay, understood!"
Ai is probably shaken, but she's putting on a brave front anyway. Even an act like that is helpful at a time like this. After all, there's no time to waste. Whoever carried this corpse here could be lurking around the corner.
DEATH MARK
Opening the door and walking in the first thing I notice was that something is scrawled on the blackboard.
"Ai…? …zen…?"
It looks like the letters spell Ai zen. There are more after that, but…
"…" They aren't legible.
"Hmmm, I don't know. The handwriting is terrible!" Ai said.
Another thing that worries me is that the words are written in red. Blood maybe? I don't want to really know. But given the fact I smell iron…the answer is already there.
Sighing, I walked over to the single desk in the room and saw a pencil and a problem sheet on the desk. I take a glance at the problem sheet. There are a number of long sentences. Looks like this is a science test. Something's written at the top in messy letters.
'rEaddD tHE bBlaCckBOaarRdd.'
The blackboard? I'm supposed to read it? I'm not sure that scribble is reall important, but…I pick up the pencil and turn over the paper.
Ding ding ding
"bEEgiiinN ThE tTeeEsttt"
Live or Die
"{Question ONE} (Believing in) {the Buddha} (is important). {The Buddha} (is most, extremely) (vital). {You must} (believe in) (the incredibly strong) (great) {Ai…} {The incredibly strong} (great) {Ai…} (is like {an angel}. (You must) (erase the stench of) (corrupted) (Humanity) {and become ONE with nature}. This is called {(***zen Unity)}.
Choice 1: Ai
Choice 2: Fro
Choice 3: Citi
If going by the blackboard then the first answer must be 'Ai.'
{Question TWO} (Humanity) (is) {the embodiment of pain}. They {KILL} (other) (animals). (My) {fellow} (snakes) (also) {spend every day} in {absolute misery}. (My dear snakes) {hate} (this world) (like) {they hate} {the sun} and {heat}. This disaster is called the {(cri*** age of decline)}."
Choice 1: -tical
Choice 2: -mson
Choice 3: -sis
I circled the second choice.
{Question TREE} (I carry) (the great) {Ai…}'s {TALISMAN} (every day) (and seek rebirth). {The TALISMAN} (Is important!) (IT is) (a greater) {treasure} (than the braIN or heART) {or life itself}. (This is SHOWN not in WORDS) (but DEEDS). {If I WALK} with the {TALISMAN} I WILL BECOME {(*********)}
Choice 1: an extinguished Sariputta
Choice 2: a liberated Icchantika
Choice 3: a trained Asura
Giving the fact that she keeps speaking about 'Asura'…I think the answer is obvious.
Ding ding ding
"…"
Survived
It seems we've passed the test. At the end of the answer sheet…
Next Test Two Rooms Over! Don't enter the classroom next door. Off limits!
Well, that's succinct.
"Don't go into the classroom next door? Why?" I wonder out loud putting the test in my bag.
"Maybe she's got a secret in there? But now I want to see it even more."
Pretty much.
"She probably didn't think it through before-"
THUNK
"?!" It sounds like something is hitting the wall.
"Th-That noise…Was it from the room next door?"
"…Sounds like something's in there. Let's check out the room next door. We can do the next test later."
Stepping out of the classroom and walked down the hall we came across the room next door. Looking at the door, a jumble of wire is wrapped around the door handle. The wire is pushing up the door stopper, locking the door. I pull on the wire, but it won't move. It's been carefully and tightly wound. Plus it's pretty thick. It'll be impossible to cut it.
I think I might have something that can disintegrate the metal. I dig around the bag and pulled out the brown bottle from the bag and stare at the label. It has a usage warning on it. And it smells like chlorine. It could be some sort of strong acid that can melt metal.
"Should we try it?" I take off the lid and slowly pour the liquid on the wire. If I accidentally get some on the keyhole, it could be a problem. "Don't rush… Just a little at a time…" There's a faint bubbling noise and a smell that's indescribable. It seems it's working like we hoped.
"Is it melting?"
"Yeah…"
Then…
"I think that should do it." I pull on the wire again. This time it comes out of the keyhole easily.
"Nice! You're smart, Miss Yashiki."
I'm not sure how to respond to that…but in any case, now we can investigate this room. "Let's look inside. …?!" The instant I open the classroom door, something glints in the darkness. Then a horrible stench makes me choke.
"Ugh…Is this blood?"
Beneath my feet…It feels like I'm stepping in something soft, like mud. I shine my light into the room.
"What…the hell is this room…?"
It's as if I stepped into a slaughterhouse. The scene before me is horrific. Organs scattered across the floor…Chunks of meat…An overwhelming amount of blood. And blank, glassy-eyed animal's heads lined up across the desks.
"Ugh…" Ai sinks to the floor, covering her mouth.
The words 'sacrificial rite' comes to mind. But why the hell…?
"L-Let's check it out…We need to look around." I'm trying to convince myself by saying it twice. Suddenly…
"Huh…?"
There's a sound from the window ledge. "Is…someone here?" I make my way past the animal heads to peer cautiously at the line of desk near the window.
A naked body is laying in a pool of red. Countless snakes are slithering over her. The woman almost looks like an animal waiting for dissection. Actually, whoever did this to her might've been planning to do just that.
"H-Hey! Come help me! Someone's trapped!" We grab onto her legs and hurry to drag her out of the swarm of snakes. I'm worried about her snake bites, but I don't see any other large wounds.
"A-Are you okay? Hang in there!" Ai speaks to her, but the woman doesn't reply.
Her eyes are half open, staring vaguely.
"We can't let her die. Let's take her back to the mansion. She should be able to walk if we help her."
"Sure, but…she's uh, naked?"
"…"
Is this really the time to be worried about that? But speaking of clothes…I just remembered.
"Here, she can wear this." I unwrap the bundle of clothes and pull out the lab coat for her to wear.
"Oh! Yeah!"
Ding ding ding
"RaaAaAAAaaaAAaaA! tHhaaaTt PpPlaccCeE iIIis OOofFFF LliiimMiTsSss!"
Noise from the broadcast reverberates in the room. My flashlight blinks out.
Ding tick-tock tick-tock
The Mark's color grows more vivid…
Early Dawn
A few hours left until death closes in.
"Dammit, she noticed…!"
"Wh-Wh-What should we do?!"
"We need to get out of here, is what we need to do. I know H Elementary's layout pretty well. I should be able to find my way without a light." A weird animal cry rings out the entire room. "…We've got to hurry! Let's help her up…Hup!"
DEATH MARK
"Sigh…" Ai takes a deep breath from the back seat. It sounds like a world weary old person groan. "Oh… Did you just think I sounded like an old lady? I don't care what you think. I'm not performing right now. I'm on break."
"…"
Is this what they call a woman's intuition? Or did she just read my mind?
"Uh… Does that woman look like she'll be okay?"
We covered her securely with a lab coat, but I still hesitate to look in the rearview mirror.
"Don't stare. Privacy's important even in emergencies."
"I'm not trying to look, I promise."
I'm clearly doing my best not to. Come on. Beside I've seen it all already.
"She looks exhausted, but calm. Maybe she's sleeping. Um, Miss Yashiki."
"Hm?"
"I…saw it."
I raised a brow in confusion "What did you see?" I try to keep my tone innocent.
"The Mark… On her body…When we were putting the coat on her."
"…Oh…"
So we've added another to our number. My heart drops when I think about how I'll have to tell her the truth of what's happening. But that doesn't mean I can avoid it. "We'll…have to tell her."
"Yeah…I hope she doesn't get depressed."
She's surprisingly collected about this. Maybe she learned that to be able to make a living in the entertainment world.
"I have a name, you know."
"?!"
The mystery woman seemed asleep, but she suddenly speaks up.
"You were awake?" I asked. "Sorry, we didn't know your name."
"I'm Madoka Hiroo. I don't care what happens. All I want is to take a shower as soon as possible."
DEATH MARK
"Welcome back. Oh? And who is that with you?"
"Later! Hurry and get a bath ready!"
We lay a pale-faced Hiroo on the sofa and immediately start treating her wounds. With her guiding us, we're able to give her proper first aid. There's a lot of swelling, but at least it seems none of the snakes were poisonous. After we finish, her face gradually regains its color.
Hiroo emerges from upstairs wearing the lab clothing we found in the science lab. Apparently they had been hers.
"Ugh, I almost died…Thanks for saving me, I guess."
Judging by that casual comment, it seems she's recovered her composure. She's still pretty pale, but she doesn't look shaken up anymore.
"They only wanted to torment me, not kill. Small mercies. Otherwise I would've choked on poison or been snake food by now."
"Spirits drag the living to the depths of despair before killing them."
That's what Mary had told me before. Thanks to that nefarious nature of theirs, she was able to be saved.
"Umm…You sure you're feeling okay?" Ai asked her worriedly.
"Don't worry. I'm fine." She said. "I bounce back fast."
Who knows if that's true or if she's just putting up an act, but…regardless, her emotional strength is impressive.
"So what were you doing in the school?" I asked.
"That's what I'd like to know. I was chasing after a woman named Manabi Zukawa. I must've fainted. When I woke up, I was there."
"Zukawa… Zu…" Ai mumbles the name out loud "Could that be Miss Zoo?"
"Miss Zoo?" Hiroo looked at Ai in confusion before recognition crosses her face "Oh yeah, I heard that was her nickname from when she was a teacher."
"So, why were you chasing-"
"Hold up." Hiroo cuts me off "My questions first. Who are you people?"
We give her a basic rundown of the situation. She's listens quietly, but I can tell from her expression that she's not convinced.
"…I see. I understand. But believing you is something else. You say Zukawa might have become an inhuman monster…? S-Save that talk for writing horror stories." Her face twitches briefly.
"How is it that you know this Miss Zukawa?" Yasuoka asked.
"She's a colleague from the lab. Not a lot of women worked there, so we ended up talking together. And the second I let down my guard…"
Sounds like Zukawa caused some trouble.
"She stole something important from me. At first, I had no idea where she disappeared to, but…I searched her room in the dorm and learned where she's holed up. Going off her recent credit purchases, she's been shopping in H City."
"What? A spirit that goes shopping? People would panic if something like that appeared in a grocery store." Ai said.
"What? Don't tell me you're serious? …Wait, I know you. You're Ai Kashiwagi from Love & Hero. You seemed idiotic on tv, so I guess that wasn't just an act."
"H-Hey! That's really rude!"
"Supposing you're right and she's a monster, no way she'd go out in public. She obviously used the phone. I even checked with the company. A woman's voice asked them to bring the goods to a designated area. Paid in advance with a bank transfer. So the company delivered as ordered. Oh, and the delivery locations happens to be a warehouse by H Elementary." Hiroo explained.
"And…just what were those goods?" I have a strong feeling I know the answer, but it's best to ask and be sure.
"Animals." Hiroo said and I slump a little. "No idea what connections she pulled, but they're from pet stores and ranches. Dogs, cats, pigs, snakes, horses…She even managed to get reindeer and ostriches. Black market, too. Spared no expense. With the 'Miss Zoo' name, maybe she was starting a zoo or something."
What happened to those animals? She must not have noticed since she was in and out of consciousness at the time…But based on what we found in the room she was held in, I can hazard a guess. I hate being right at times…
"So I waited at the empty warehouse for Zukawa to come. At some point, I fainted…Next I know, I'm butt naked and in a terrible position you found me in. I'm sure she was behind it."
"So then, is that also when you got your Mark?" Yasuoka asked.
"Mark…? Oh, you mean this scar. I still don't believe it, but even if Zukawa happens to be a spirit…Then I didn't get it from her. I had it before I went to H City."
"What? So where'd you get it?!" I straighten up from the seat upon hearing that.
"Chill. No need to get so upset. I suddenly had it when I woke up nine days ago."
"Did you go to any haunted places the day before?" Ai asked her.
"D-Don't be ridiculous! Don't lump me with inappropriately dressed idols like you! The same goes for this scar! As if something like this could kill you or give you amnesia…N-Not only is that unscientific, it's absurd! Absolutely i-impossible!" She's yelling, but that doesn't hide how she's shaking like a leaf. She's clearly more frightened now than when she was talking about the snakes.
I really wish Mary was here right now. She could knock some sense in this woman. I guess she has a fear of the supernatural too, just like Shou…though Shou was better than her when it came to believing the supernatural.
"…Ahem. That's all I can tell you. You're going after Zukawa, right? I'll help out."
"Are you truly all right with that? You might die." Yasuoka told her.
"I don't plan on letting that happen, but if it does, so be it. I hate the idea that people can be happy by just being alive. I'm a scholar. Like is for satisfying my intellectual curiosity. And for that, I need to get that thing back from that thieving hag."
"So it's more important than your life…?" I said with a raised brow. "What in the world did she steal from you?"
"…"
Seems she doesn't plan on answering that. But, we've no reason to turn her down. We should accept her help.
"Okay, Miss Yashiki! Let's get back to H Elementary!"
"Right." I stood up from my seat picking up the bag "We'll be back later. If something comes up I'll call the Mansion."
DEATH MARK
We return to H Elementary once more. If Hiroo is to be believed, then what we saw in that classroom was Zukawa's doing. The missing teacher, Zukawa…
There's no doubt that she had something to do with the birth of Miss Zoo.
"Aw… We escaped from here only to come back again…That's kinda depressing."
"To get rid of the Mark, we have no choice."
We haven't been able to thoroughly investigate the room where we saved Hiroo. Probably best to start there.
"Let's go."
Making our way back to the room we began to look around. There's not much to look for, though there are severed animal heads lined up across the tops of the desk. And the horse head…looks a little weird, as if something is inside it. I'm not sure what was used to sever them, but the cuts look strangely clean.
"…" It's gross, but this'd be a great place to hide things. I steel myself before putting one hand on the head, and…shoving the other up the severed neck. Oh, I am so taking a long shower tonight. Man…who knew an animal head would be this heavy. It's like lifting a bucket of water. "Urg… Ha!" After much struggling, I tip the head on its side. There's a cream colored plastic object shoved up the esophagus.
"Wh-What is…that?"
I pull it out. And find a transistor megaphone.
"What in the hell…?" Megaphones are used a lot for school events and gatherings, so that's not surprising. But what the hell was it doing up a horses neck? Was there a need to hide it in an esophagus?
Zukawa did bring countless animals here. Her bizarre, insane passion is obvious in this room.
"Miss, Yashiki? You…Okay?"
I realize that I'm just standing there holding a megaphone that's drenched in yellow liquid. "Yeah…Sorry." Everything has a meaning. If that's true, then this must be really important.
Putting the megaphone away, I flashed the light up to the wall about the blackboard. Animal heads are mounted high up the wall. Usually I can't distinguish animal's expression, but all of the heads look like they died in pain. God, I think I'm going to be sick. The pain that they went through…
After searching around more, we didn't find anything else besides another piece of paper inside a desk. When I looked there were several sentences. It seems like someone failed to destroy this.
Leaving the room we went next door, to where our next test should be. Walking inside I see an abandon desk in the far corner. There's no test sheet, but it might be something worth looking into. I try feeling around inside the desk and found something soft. It's a wadded up piece of paper.
I open it and see several sentences. It seems to be something someone failed to destroy. This is the third fragment. I spread them out and stare at them.
"…"
I can read the sentences in each piece, but I don't know how they fit together. I switch the up and look at them again. Then…
"Hm? By the specific frequ…ency of sound waves. Specific frequency of sound waves, huh." The end of fragment-I and start of fragment-G seem to connect and form a sentence. I might be able to read the fragments if I line them up. Humming I put the paper back in the bag with went over to the table.
There's a pencil and a problem sheet on the desk. I take a glance at the problem sheet. I see numbers and mathematical symbols. This seems to be a math test. Picking up the pencil and I turn over the paper.
Ding ding ding
"bEEgiinN ThE tTeeEsttt'
Live or Die
Question 1: An ostrich can run from the 1st floor of the school to the 2nd floor in 3 seconds. If the school had 5 floors, how long would it take for it to get from the 1st to the 5th?
Choice 1: 12 seconds
Choice 2: 15 seconds
Choice 3: 18 seconds
I had pause and do a quick calculation in my head. "It would be 12 seconds if I'm doing my math right."
Question 2: Ostriches are extremely (fast). They can run {60 km} (per hour.) how many seconds would it take them to reach a human (bait) {30 meters} away?
Choice 1: About 2 seconds
Choice 2: About 4 seconds
Choice 3: About 6 seconds
I circle the top one again.
Question 3: An ostrich's kick is very (strong). Without an airbag, a human (bait) would die. Caution: When observing an ostrich (strong) bring an airbag! Their specialty is kicking after taking a long running start. If an ostrich's (speed) is halved, how (strong) would their kick be?
Choice 1: ½ as strong
Choice 2: 1/3 as strong
Choice 3: ¼ as strong
I had to reread the question one more time before making quick calculations and mark down the bottom answer.
Ding ding ding
"…"
Survived
It seems we passed the test. At the end of the answer sheet…
YyOOu dIssobEYYedd TEAaacHhHerRR! yYyoU gEeeeT a sSSpEecCciaL tTessSTtt! ADVANCE to the animal classroom!
Uh…okay.
"Animal classroom…? That's not…that room drenched in blood, is it?"
"P-Probably…And we're supposed to take a test in there?"
I'm slightly worried about the 'special' part. I hope it's not some weird test…But that's probably exactly what it'll be.
We went back to the room and found the test at the far left near the window. I take a glance at the problem sheet. It looks like some kind of foreign language. "Wait…hold on." I believe that's German. The words slowly turn to Japanese in my mind. Did I study this langue before? I don't have time to figure this out if I did or not and there not enough time to go to the Mansion to see if anyone knows German. I guess I'll just have to pray for the best then.
I pick up the pencil and turn over the paper.
"F…Freiji…? What language is that?" Ai asked.
"…It's probably, German."
"Huh, you can read it?"
I slowly nod my head "Yeah…looks like it. I might have study this language at some point in my life. Freiji is Frage 1…if I'm reading this correctly."
"Oh…then you should have no problem taking this test right?"
"Hopefully."
Ding ding ding
"bEEgiiinN ThE tTeeEsttt"
Live or Die
"Multiple choice, social studies…" I mumble reading the top page "So, it's a social studies test then."
Question 1: Please answer the following. During the Pacific War, Japan's mainland was bombed, and a shelter was built in H City choose the correct period of when the war took place out of the options below.
Choice 1: Edo, 1603-1868
Choice 2: Taisho, 1912-1926
Choice 3: Showa, 1926-1989
Looking at the dates I believe the answer is '3'. I marked in the answer and begin to read the next question.
Question 2: Japan conducted a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor which started the war against the USA. Which phrase out of the ones below did FDR use to describe the attack?
Choice 1: Never was so much owed by so many to so few
Choice 2: A date which will live in infamy
Choice 3: Everything we are and have is at stake
Okay…I don't remember much about this…at all. But…I can easily rule out the first choice. That leaves choice 2&3 left. "Hmm… I think it's the second one." I mumbled marking down the answer and moving onto the last question.
Question 3: In 1945 when the war ended, which country was allied with Japan?"
Choice 1: Germany
Choice 2: Italy
Choice 3: Britain
I believe it was Germany. Especially going by the choice of language.
Ding ding ding
"…"
Survived
I managed to get through it somehow, I sigh slumping back against the seat. My head is starting to hurt a bit. Probably from forcing myself to remember the language. At the end of the answer sheet…
tHEErRe'S a test in the last empty room! Go TAKE it immediately!
Okay then…how is it that she can write the words normal beside the 'there' and not do that in the previous test sheet. Would have made reading it easier.
"So…that means there's one more test then?" Ai asked.
"Yeah, in the last empty classroom apparently." I said putting the paper in my bag.
"Okay, let's go then!"
As we left the room an went down the hallway, we hear the sounds of a piano being played.
"?!"
"Th-That was…a piano, right?"
"…"
I still my breath and strain to hear any noise. But it doesn't seem like anyone's here.
"Oh…" Ai picks something up off the ground. It's a piece of sheet music. "Oh, that takes me back… I played this song when I was a kid."
"You play piano?"
"Uhhh, well, kind of…I am a singer, after all!"
"Uh, yeah… I know that." That doesn't exactly answer my question "Well, I'll count on you if we need that."
"Okay! I got this!"
I open the door next door and step inside. I found the desk that holds the test sheet; I take a glance at the problem sheet. I see what look like music staffs. I guess this is a music test.
Flipping the paper over I begin to read the questions.
Ding ding ding
"bEEgiiinN ThE tTeeEsttt
Live or Die
Multiple choice, music (questions). Let's (great) {Asura} the following questions. {Animals} can be (controlled with) {frequenCIES}. The experiment (EXPERIMENT) was a {success}.
Question one is about {snakes}. What SOUND are {snakes} scared of? Please (great) {Asura} from the following.
Choice 1: The giant fish song
Choice 2: The starry sky song
Choice 3: They aren't scared.
…What the hell is a giant fish song? Shaking my head I mark down the bottom choice and moved on.
Question 2 is about {PIGS}. What SOUND are {PIGS} scared of? Please (great) {Asura} from the following.
Choice 1: The giant fish song
Choice 2: The starry sky song
Choice 3: They aren't scared.
…It can't be the last…I'm just going to mark down the first on and move on…
Question three: {seals} Dangerous {TOOLS} are {sealed}. Which one is not {sealed}? Please (great) {Asura} from the following.
Choice 1: Piano
Choice 2: Harmonic
Choice 3: Megaphone
I'm just going to make a guess and go for Harmonic. Give that I have the Megaphone and we did hear a piano…I highly doubt that ties in with the test. But I have no idea what this is about.
Ding ding ding
"…yOuU ppAaaAss"
Survived
"Pass? Did she just say we passed?"
"Y-Yeah… That's what I heard. What did we pass?"
We finished every test and passed. I have a bad feeling about this…
"Let's hurry with our investigation. I have a feeling something…is about to happen." We when I left and went to the next room over I found out that its lock.
"What do we do now?" Ai asked.
"Hmm…there was something that I wanted to look at back in the science room. But I didn't get the chance too. Guess now would be a good time to look then."
We headed back down the room, upon reentering the room I immediately went straight to the shelves. There were more things to look at and I didn't get the chance to look. Taking a closer look, I notice a large tag on the side of a container.
Great Asura
The letters are messy but legible.
"Great Asura…?" Down must mean below where we currently are. So…that would be the first floor? Recalling the school's layout, I think there was a similar storage area on the first floor. I'm not sure what is means, but I might be important. I decide to take the tag, just in case.
Standing back up, I move the flashlight over and saw an elaborate anatomical model. Its mouth is ripped. It's making the mouth look bigger than it should. It's almost like an arm forcibly shoved down it and it couldn't handle the strain.
The mouth might be broken because someone struck their hand down it. Would that mean something is hiding either in the mouth or the torso?
"…" I could break it, but then I might break whatever's inside, too. Nothing for it but to stick my hand in. I hesitantly slide my hand into the mouth. Something cylindrical is inside. I grab it and try to pull it out.
"Gah!" It's a snake head. Roused by the movement, snakes begin pouring out from every crevasse.
"W-Watch out!"
I stumble backwards. The snakes slowly retreat back into the model. Seems they live inside it. I bet something's hidden in there. But to get it, I'll have to find a way to pacify the snakes.
"…" It's worth a shot…I take out all the answer sheets I have and hold them close to the model.
And…snake heads poke out from the model…And suddenly slither to the floor!
"Eeeeeeeek!"
"A-Are they dangerous?!"
I quickly wad up the answer sheets and throw them through the window to the next room! The snakes chase after them. Soon there are none left inside the model.
"Huff, huff… Wh-What a surprise…"
"No kidding…" I stick my hand in the model and feel around. I find a paper box and a key. "Ugh…"
Ding tick-tock tick-tock
The Mark burns scarlet…
Dawn
Half an hour left until death closes in.
"H-Has that much time passed already?! Ai?!" I anxiously call out to her.
"Oh, right… It's…almost time…to perform…It's okay…I'm on…standby…"
It's starting. We need to hurry and find any clues left. I got the key that should unlock that room…though I want to check out the storage room down stair first.
"Ai…let's go. I want to check something before we go and check the room." I grabbed her hand and head out.
DEATH MARK
With the way this school is laid out, we should be right under the science storage room. "That reminds me…" There was a strange tag attached to the formalin container. I'm pretty sure it said…
Great Asura
"Does that mean…the great Asura is below?"
Then that tag would be referring to this room.
"…" I take a thorough look around the room. There aren't any other suspicious spots here besides the trapdoor to the underground room. Though…I walked over to the wall and examine it. The shelves would be right here…By all appearances, it looks normal. I tap around on the wall. I don't know why, but I've seen people on shows do it, and I think that's how you check walls.
"Huh?"
"…"
Ai stares at me blankly.
It's not super obvious, but…the center portion of the wall seems paler than the rest. How did I miss that the last time I was here? If only I had enough skill to be able to tell if it was hollow or not by the sound. The thickness just kind of feels different to me.
What should I do…?
I take out the hammer we found in the shelter. I put the flashlight down and grip it with both hands. This could call attention to me…but this is where Hanahiko was. I don't think another spirit would come here.
"I'll try just once… I'll take it down in one swing."
I gather my courage and swing the hammer against the wall with all my might. And…a large hole, larger than I expected, opens up. I anxiously wait to see if I drew a spirit close.
Luckily, it doesn't seem like anything's coming.
"That went…a lot better than I thought it would."
"Ha ha…Ha ha ha…"
Ai laughs uneasily.
"…" She's getting worse. I look in the hole and saw something wriggling in the darkness. I shine the flashlight in there to spot a nest of snakes. If I don't deal with that first, I won't be able to check out the hole. I take out the clear bottle and pour its liquid inside the hole. The shadows inside the hole flail about for a while, but then go back to normal. "Okay…next is…" I take out the matches, light one, and throw it into the hole.
A pillar of blue flame shoots out of the hole! The snakes writhe around; they vacate the hole in masses. They disappear into the cracks in the walls and beyond the doorway. After the wave of snakes vanishes, I find something on the floor. It must have been carried out of the nest when the snakes fled.
"But…" It looked like the snakes brought the talisman on purpose when the fled the hole. Like they were scared of it burning in the fire. "Were they trying to protect it from the flames? It must be something really important then."
DEAT MARK
Taking out the music key room, I slid it into the lock and unlock the door. Stepping inside I see a piano in the far corner. Walking over I notice that the keys are still intact. It's probably out of tune, but it's definitely playable. I check the music stand. There's a piece of sheet music on it.
"…" There doesn't seem to be anything else in here. Guess…we'll head back out then.
Ding ding ding
We step into the hall and the loudspeaker crackles.
"dOOo YyoUu hHHavVeee…bBrrAAiiNnsSs? IiI'lLL UUussEE TTthoOsSEEe WwWondDEeerRfuL BbBrraiiInNssS noOowWW…aAaSSs iiIInNggrEeeDDIiiEeEnttTsss…aNNNdd diiIIssEEeecCTtt YyYoOuuUu"
"What?! Did she just say she'll dissect us for ingredients?"
She'll use our wonderful brains as ingredients…and dissect us… Then that means…
"That's why she had us take those test. She wanted to see if we were worthy enough to become ingredients." Setting up test to select her prey. That was what Miss Zoo was trying to do. The heads lined up in that bloodstain room…the image of my own head joining them comes to mind more easily than I'd like.
"S-Sorryyy…The road's…crowded…"
"Ai! Get ahold of yourself!"
I shake Ai. She seems to be dreaming.
Ding tick-tock tick-tock
The Mark is dyed a deep crimson…
Sunrise
A few minutes left until death closes in.
"?!" Something's rushing up the western staircase with amazing speed… "Shit…" I doubt we'll be able to escape. In that case, our only option is to… "…We'll ambush her. We'll hide so we get the advantage." I grab Ai's hand and ran back into the music room. I quickly shove Ai in the locker as I joined her shutting the door behind me.
After a while the door open and a being came in looking around. When her back was turn we quickly got out. Miss Zoo smiles and leap forward the second she sees us come out of the locker.
She's coming closer on her ostrich legs. It's like she could jump at us at any moment. I quickly took out the talisman and held it out.
"Greaaat…Asuraaa! Giiive iiit baaack!" Miss Zoo glares daggers at me and scream, her mouth dripping with blood. She then dashes and performs a jump kick. I hold up the garbage bag in front of us, and endure the fierce kick by cushioning the blow. Her arm snakes hiss, threatening us.
I take out the clear bottle and scatter the liquid, and ignite it with the matches. Miss Zoo stretches out her snake arms. The snakes are confused by the mass of flames and are unable to aim.
I quickly yanked out the hatchet and made a slash at Miss Zoo. The snakes wrap around my arms as I swing and stop my attack. Miss Zoo is stuck in place. We can get to the piano now. Ai's fingers dance over the keys.
Miss Zoo stiffens as if she's paralyzed.
I took out the Aizen Asura's Charm again and lit it up with a match.
"Eeeeeee! Great Asuraaaaaaa!" Miss Zoo shrieks when she sees the charm go up in flames. She slings onto me, scrambling to get it back from me.
"Guh!" Pressed together, my sweat squelches as it mixes with her bodily fluids. Gross.
The charm disintegrates to ash in Miss Zoo's hand and scatters into the air. Her eyes pin me in place with their intense fury. "Hooow daaare youuu…Hooow daaare youuu! Great Asuraaa!" The snakes on Miss Zoo's arms raise their heads and swiftly strike at their prey.
But their fangs sink into…
"Eeeeee!"
Miss Zoo's torso.
"Whyyyyyyy?!"
The snakes are feasting on the places where she touched my skin.
'Is it because of…my human smell…?' I thought. They devour her torso, the only part of her that is human, and she squeals with joy.
"Feeeeels sooo gooood!"
After consuming their host, the snake arms detach and fall to the ground. Wriggling their half-torn bodies, they vanish into the darkness.
I don't sense Miss Zoo anymore…
"D-Did we do it…?"
Ai is back to normal. Her Mark is probably gone. But, as expected, mine is still there. So there are still spirits in this city…?
"…" The look on my face is probably obvious. Ai looks at me apologetically.
"I've…gotten used to it. I'm just glad you and Yasuoka are safe now."
"Miss Yashiki…"
"Anyway, I wonder what this is…"
There's a folded paper on the ground where Miss Zoo vanished. I open it, and it's an old map. Shining the flashlight on it, the first word that I can see it 'army'.
"Is this what Miss Hiroo said was stolen from her?"
"It could be."
I put the map in my bag. Then we finally bid farewell to the music room, and its beast and perfume smell.
"…Oh, wait a second." Ai suddenly stops when we approach the stair case.
"What is it?"
"I want to bring that sheet music. A reminder of my music beating evil. You know, this would make great inspiration for a new song."
"I kind of don't want to linger here…"
And I want to wash my clothes too. Too bad I can't burn them as they are my only pair.
"Yeah, yeah, I'll just be two secs."
"H-Hey…"
Ai dashes back inside the music room before I can say anything in reply.
"Geez…" She totally does whatever she wants… Christie was the same way. Is this what happens when you become famous? No, I'm being unfair…
"AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH! Miss Yashiki!"
Ai bursts out of the room and clings to me.
"Wh-What happened…?"
"A-A-A snake…It feel from the ceiling, hit my shoulder, and slid down my back…" She's nearly in tears. "G-Get it off me!"
"O-Okay…" I feel around her back as she hangs on me. "…There's nothing there."
"Huh?"
"Nothing's there. You can let go already. When you grab my neck, it's hard to…"
"Oh! S-Sorry!" Ai quickly lets go of me "But I was telling the truth! I definitely felt something!"
"Maybe it fell off as you were running." I told her "…So, did you grab the sheet music?"
"Oh, yeah, that's all done. I'm sorry to make you wait. Madam Yasuoka and Miss Hiroo are expecting us, so let's head back."
We leave the school, climb into the car, and head to the mansion.
DEATH MARK
"Hey all! We're back!" Ai cheerfully greeted once we step foot into the mansion.
"Oh, welcome back. I believe I must thank you. My Mark has indeed vanished."
"I still have mine, though…I-I mean…not that I believe that it's going to kill me or anything…It doesn't bother me at all…" She talks tough, but the whole time she's clenching her teeth. "More importantly, Miss Yashiki, did Zukawa have anything on her?"
"You mean this?" I pull the old map out of my bag.
"Yes, that's it. It's an important family heirloom." Hiroo snatches the map out of my hand without even so much as a thank you. "Oh, hm. I guess you deserve a reward… Have this instead." She takes a purple notebook from her coat. The color's different, but the design matches the red notebook we found in the shelter. "It's Zukawa's diary. It was in her room. It looks like she was still sane when she wrote in it."
I take the notebook from her.
"It seems Miss Zoo was interested in that map of your, Miss Hiroo. Could you tell us more about it?" Yasuoka asked.
"…No." Hiroo bluntly stated "It's basically just a treasure map."
I raised a brow at her, she's definitely hiding something. "Well, now I want to know even more."
"We should've taken a look earlier." Ai grumbles.
Ding ding ding ding
The clock begins to chime. It's almost dawn.
"Everyone should go get some sleep. You can use any room on the second floor." I told everyone.
"Thank you. That would be lovely."
"Also, Ai and Yasuoka…You must leave the mansion tomorrow. There's no need for you to stay here now that your Mark is gone."
"…Oh dear." Yasuoka frowned. "Are you telling me to leave you and Miss Hiroo here by yourselves? Please don't joke. Saya specifically requested my assistance."
I let out a deep sigh "I'm grateful. Really. But those who have escaped the Mark should return to their normal lives…That's the dying wish of Saya Kujou, and Mary's as well."
"But…"
"Yasuoka. I'd like you to help another way. I'm sure you know other people in the supernatural phenomenon field. Can you research the Mark with your knowledge and connections? An investigation like that is beyond me." I know practically zero about spirits. This is the only thing I can think of. If Mary was still here, it'd be different, but…
"…" Yasuoka stares at me silently. I stare right back into her eyes, not turning away. "Sigh…Fine. I'll leave the legwork to the young. I'll do what I can to help. Besides, if I stayed behind I'm sure Miss Ai would want to as well."
"I'm counting on you."
"Of course. I won't let you down." Her voice and posture exude confidence and reliability. I'm sure it's a good part of why she's so successful as a fortune teller. "However…I shall rest for today. These old bones are exhausted. Good night."
"Miss Yashiki! Are you sure you'll be okay without me and Madam Yasuoka?"
"Yeah, I've survived this long already. I'll manage somehow." Unease is bubbling up within me, but I push it down and force a smile. I can't let her worry about me.
"…Okay. Then I'll trust you. But you better promise me. When your Mark is gone, you'll come to one of my concerts. Promise?"
"…Uh, sure."
"He he, you better! Okay, I'm heading up. Good night, Miss Yashiki."
"…Geez." Hiroo sigh "So you're saying I have to stay. Not that I care."
"I though you didn't believe in the Mark's curse because it's unscientific?"
"O-Of course! There's no way in hell I'd believe something like that! But…It's also true that I haven't found solid proof to deny it either. And Miss Yasuoka and Miss Ai's Marks really did up and disappear. So I've decided to stay here and see how this plays out. That's all. …It's the truth."
I can see she's desperately trying to hide that she's terrified of the supernatural.
"…Ah, well…I owe you for saving me, so I'll tell you a bit about it. It could be related to the Mark somehow, too."
"Are you talking about the map?"
"Yeah." Hiroo nods "It's of an underground shelter in H City. The only way Zukawa found that shelter was because of this map."
"Not sure why she' be eager for an old map of facilities that have to be 50 years old."
"That's a secret. It's just…it's possible that…Whatever turned Zukawa into a monster is down there in that shelter."
"What? What do you mean?!"
"I've already told you that I have no intention of giving you any details. I'm tired too, so I'm going to bed." Hiroo makes her way upstairs to the rooms.
The end of our last conversation swirls around in my head. The shelter…Army…Zukawa transforming…And the déjà vu I felt down in the shelter. What does it all mean?
It's no use…My brain is so tired that the words are just repeating nonsensically over and over. I can't get my thoughts in order. I may as well go to bed for today.
In the game when you have to take the test in the animal classroom. You need to have Hiroo as your partner then switch back to Ai. because of this I made the main character know the language instead. I don't know much how brains work with amnesia hit them so...i'm going to say that while Karin Yashiki may not remember studying the language but her brain does and automatically translated the words. It just made it easier to type then having to explain why they need to go back get Hiroo for that one part then go back and get Ai.