Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Help…

Find me…

Mai felt like she was floating as she searched the void surrounding her. “Misao? Is that you Misao?” Mai called, trying to push myself toward the voice. “Misao!”
The banging of the bedroom door slamming woke Mai from the vivid dream. “Mai! Come on, you’ll be late again!” Aki whined as Mai rolled over, bleary eyed. “...Was I dreaming…?” Aki paid her friend no mind as she tossed a clean uniform on her with barely a hum. “I thought I heard Misao… I…guess it was just a dream.” That caused Aki to stutter in her movements. “Seriously? A dream about Misao?” Mai nodded as she pulled on her uniforms vest, barely smoothing her hair. “Woah, don't be so casual! You have a crazy good instinct you know! What if it means something?” Mai pushed past Aki to brush her teeth. “It’s already been three months… it’s just as likely I was dreaming about it because it’s all we ever hear about.” Aki gave a sigh at her friends denial, retreating to the kitchen. “Well Garry stopped by a while ago and dropped off some milk bread he made last night, so take some of that so we can go!”

"Mr. Sohta has a new suit! Like, woah! super suave!" Mai gave out a long sigh as her second best friend, Ayaka rambled about their teacher. She wasn’t exactly alone in her crush, after all on paper Mr. Sohta was the perfect handsome gentleman, but something about him made Mai’s instincts scream in horror. "Ayaka, you've been talking him up all morning! Don't you ever get tired of blabbing?" Mai whined, leaning into her desk. "But he's suuuch a lady's man! He's so nice, smart, and the Best!” Ayaka continued, undeterred by her companions glowering. "Oh yeah! Gotta use some hand cream! Doo-doot-doo... Did you hear? I did! There's a rumor that Mr. Sohta has a thing for hands! So maybe if I clean my hands everyday, all the time, he'll like me more!" Mai sunk further into her seat, muttering “I really didn’t need to know that.”
“We don’t really… care, Ayaka.” Aki responded, equally disturbed by the others infatuation. "Don't really care, she says! HA! you've got no eye for men Aki! Seriously, what do you see in a seducer like Tohma?" Aki jumped slightly in her seat with a blush. "I-I never said I liked anybody! I just think he's kinda cool is all..."
“Both of you have seriously questionable taste…” Both girls turned on Mai, who was mumbling into her hands. “Oh as if you have any say! I doubt you’ve ever had a crush in your life. Are you sure you like men?” Ayaka teased, poking at Mai’s cheek with a newly lotioned hand. “Oh-ew! Ayaka!”

The hand was swatted away just as another conversation drew away Mai’s attention. A particularly loud group of four so-called “popular kids”... "There's been some spoooooooooky paranormal business going on at this school... I'm getting a little freaked..." Yoshino said, giving a dramatic shudder. "Paranormal my ass!" Tohma said incredulously. "I'm for real! IT'S for real! The other day, a kid in the other class got dragged away in the bathroom!" Yoshino insisted. Aki followed Mai’s gaze to the other group, brow furrowed with thought. "There was also the incident where the lights in the gym suddenly fell… Luckily, no one was injured, but they’re still not sure what happened." Kudoh supplied, crossing his arms thoughtfully. “Gotta be ghosts.” Yoshino concluded. "Eeek! I'm scared!" Saotome whined, clinging onto Tohma like a child. Both Mai and Aki cringed at the squealing, glancing at each other. "Ghosts, huh? Dumbass! Those ain't exist!" Tohma puffed out his chest, placing his hand on Saotome’s protectively. Then his eyes widened in thought, "Wait... whaddif... this's Misao's curse?" The room went silent for a moment before Kudoh shook his head in disbelief. "Look, this is no time for jokes..." "But I mean, it's totally possible! It's been three months since she vanished! Then this stuff suddenly starts!" Yoshino interjected, adding fuel to the fire. "If those events 're ' Misao's curse... Then Yoshino'll be cursed sooner or later." Tohma joked with a smirk. Yoshino pulled back with a disturbed noise. “Whatever did I do?!" The entire table looked at her incredulously, "Ugh, Yoshino... You bullied Misao a lot is what!" Tohma argued.
"Bullying?! Why, I never! I was just making a little fun! And Tohma always screwed with Misao! You're the one who'll get cursed!"
"Me? Hah! I'm fine. Cause’ Misao fell for me!"
“I wonder about that…” Kudoh muttered bitterly at the other boy’s arrogant announcement. "Tohmaaa, I'm scaaared... I mean, I'm your girlfriend... Misao might have a grudge..." Saotome squealed, hugging his arm tighter. "Don't sweat it Otome. I'll protect you!" Tohma said moving closer to her. "Awww! You're so nice Tohma!"
“Pah! Believe what you want, lovebirds.” Yoshino grumbled, crossing her arms.
Suddenly Tohma jumped out of his seat and began yelling "Misaaao, please don't curse usss! The rest are fair gaaame thooough! Oops, did I say that out loud? Gahahahahaahahaha!" Tohma mocked.

Mai’s annoyance was disturbed by a sudden feeling of dread, sending her into a standing position right before the room began to shake. Aki grabbed her arm in alarm as everyone looked around in a panic. "An earthquake!?" As Yoshino yelled out, another wave of dread hit Mai as the world outside turned dark. As if the sun disappeared, "Wh-wha?! It got dark right quick! What the heck's goin' on?!" Tohma commented in fear as Yoshino stumbled back. "Maybe... Just maybe it is Misao's curse? Misao's real mad at us!" Mai glared at the bickering group as she brought a hand to her head. It felt like an ever increasing static, and it was getting hard to think. Suddenly she jolted forward with a whimper. “Mai?!”

Help…

“Mi…sao? Misao!”
Aki laid an arm on Mai’s back as Mai looked up to see the terror building on everyone's faces. Just as quickly she ducked back down with another pang of noise.

Find me…

"M... Misa...o..." a jumbled sound of Misao begging for help hit Mai’s brain, causing her to curl in on herself more and more until she let out a loud scream. At that moment the school began to shake again.

“..ai..mai…Mai!” Mai woke to Aki shaking her, desperately calling her name. “Thank goodness!” She sighed as Mai lifted herself off the floor with a groan. “Huh?... This is still the classroom, right?” Mai muttered, glancing around. It was still dark, and the second earthquake sent the desks into a disorganized mess around the room. Everyone else was gone, except for Yoshino, curled into a corner, muttering,”Misao’s… curse… Gah!! This! Is! Not! Funny!” just like that, she was gone, running out the door in fear. Aki gripped Mai’s hand, “We need to get out of here too. It’s not safe.”

Stepping out the classroom door, it became obvious the second earthquake did some serious damage. Parts of the flooring were caved in on both ends of the hall, though luckily there was a stable path to the stairs. “Aki…” Mai had her gaze locked in the opposite direction where a familiar specter stood, looking over one of the broken spots. Aki took a few tentative steps forwards, only for the figure to vanish silently, a few moments later, a scream rang out below. Mai and Aki shared an uncertain look, turning back towards the stairway. At the bottom of the stairs, two people ran by, startling at the sight of the girls. Tohma gave out an unflattering shout, gripping Saotome at his side, before his face brightened in realization. “...Oh, Mai, Aki! Geez, it’s just you? You should run, okay? This is bad! For serious bad!” Without a moment to respond, the couple was running again. “Maybe we should go after them…” Mai suggested, and uncertain look on her face. Just as they began to move, a familiar voice called from the opposite direction.

Help me… Help me…

“Misao?” Aki whispered with uncertainty. The specter was back, kneeling while facing the opposite direction. Mai gripped Aki’s hand tighter, shivering. “Be careful…” Despite the consuming fear, the two approached the spirit, who suddenly stood to face them with her head hung ominously. Aki tilted her head and pulled the duo just a little closer, “Misao?” Just as they were a few feet away, ‘Misao’s’ head rolled off her shoulders, landing with a splat. In the shadowy hallway behind her, heavy footsteps began to approach, and the shadows grew further down the hall. “Aki…!” Mai pulled at her best friend's hand, begging to run. “Yeah, okay!”

The two escaped easily, just in time to run into Kudoh further down the hall, muttering to himself, “It’s my fault, I’m responsible for everything. I need to do something… Wait for me, Misao… I’ll definitely find you.” Kudoh turned and walked down the intersection, just in time for it to collapse behind him.

Further down the hall, Misao’s specter appeared once more. “Misao? Wait!” Mai called, chasing after the fleeing figure. She caught up, just as Misao disappeared again, nearly sending Mai toppling into another hole in the floor. Aki caught up just after, looking around frantically “Was that an illusion?” Mai simply looked at her feet in response and sighed, “Misao…Where are you?” Just then, another wave of fear overtook Mai as she spun around, only to be shoved by an invisible force directly into the missing flooring. As she fell she saw that same specter looking down at her. “Misao…!”

Mai groaned as she rolled over on the hard flooring beneath her, arm bumping into something warm. She managed to pull her eyes open to see Aki laying next to her, in an equally disturbed state, but stirring as well. “Ah, you’ve finally come to.” Both of us shot up at the voice of a man. “Where are we…?” Aki wondered aloud, pushing herself up to face the strange bald man who spoke to them. “And who are you…?” The man smiled at the two, meeting Mai’s eyes as she took her time standing up, who returned the look with a questioning glower. “I am Onigawara, the student council president, and this is the student council room. Luckily for you, you were tossed somewhere safe.” Mai, finally gaining her bearings, spoke up, “What do you mean, tossed…?”
"After the school earthquake, the school was sucked into another world. The force from this sent those inside flying all across the school." Onigawara answered calmly, far too calmly for such an insane situation. The girls eyes widened as Aki stepped forward, “Sucked into another world?! What’s that supposed to mean? And why would that… happen?”
"Well. It's a curse. It is the result of a girl's curse that this school was sealed in the other world."
"A curse...? It couldn't be... Misao..?" Mai muttered with uncertainty.
"President Onigawara!"
The short moment of consideration was cut short as another girl with round glasses and braided hair ran in, pushing the two aside. "Finally made it... I thought I was a goner!"
"So you finally return, Miss Library." Onigawara chucked at Aki and Mai’s curious faces, turning to quickly address them. "She's the schools vice-president. Always in the library, so that's what we call her. So then, Miss Library, how does it look?"
"It's messed up and gunked up and funked up every which way! The foundation and everything is wrecked, and I haven't been able to find exits! We’re locked in! Plus, evil spirits are going and attacking people! I saw a student killed before my eyes! I'll never be able to eat hamburgers again... oh, it was frightening."
"So I see. Thank you for your report. You may retire for now." Onigawara answered calm as can be. "Yes. Well, I'm going back to the library! Call me anytime you need me!" The girl said as she turned to leave, just as suddenly as she came "Evil spirits... the curse must have summoned them here. The school is now a den of spirits. And there's nowhere to run." Onigawara said, directing his attention back to us. "N-Not good.." Aki stuttered uncomfortably at the news, rubbing her shoulders. "There's only one solution. Dispelling the girls' curse. There's surely no other way."
"How are we supposed to dispel a curse?" Aki asked. "By saving the girl's soul. Miss Mai. You must know what it is you have to do."
"I do..?" Mai asked unsure.

Find me…

"Misao is calling me. I see, so she wants to be found..."
"Mr. Onigawara! We'll go look for Misao!" Aki said with a determined voice. "...So you will? As Library informs me, the school is full of evil spirits. Do you still wish to go?" Onigawara asked. "We will. Because... Misao is our friend!" Mai said, stepping up to stand with Aki.
"Understood. I will entrust you with the fate of the school. I believe you can save it."

Chapter Text

As the pair made their way through the school, they quickly collected items and clues to help their search.
There was a note about the emergency exit key being in the vase in the principal's office, but the flowers were covered in thorns that sent alarm bells through Mai, so they agreed to return to it.
They picked up a packet of unknown seeds on the rooftop, and discovered three spirits who threw themselves off the roof, leaving three sets of shoes and a school bag.
There was a seemingly empty classroom, but the second door on the opposite side of the room lead into the void…
The art room had some white paints laid out rather purposefully, so they were committed to memory, but most of the displayed paintings were avoided since they set of Mai’s instincts again.

Finally, the duo stopped by the computer lab, where they ran into a terrifying sight. Saotome was trapped in a corner, isolated by collapsed flooring. She pushed herself up against a wall in terror as a mutilated corpse crawled towards her threateningly. On the other side of the flooring, Tohma watched helplessly.
"YAAAHHH! S-stay away!"
"O-Otome!!" With tears in her eyes, Saotome looked pleadingly past the monster at her ‘brave’ boyfriend, "Tohma!! HEEELP!!!" Tohma just stood for a second, shaking. "A-ahh...gh...WAAAAAUUUUUUGH" Tohma screamed, running out of the room in fear. "Tohma!! No...noooooo...!" Mai grit her teeth at the fleeing boy, “That damn coward!” “Quick, we need something to drive that thing away!” Aki urged, looking around. “Theres a fire extinguisher in the hall!” Mai called, already running out the room to grab it.
As the duo rushed back with their weapon, they found that they were inevitably too late. “Saotome…!” Mai called, gripping the fire extinguisher. "How DARE you do this to Saotome! Take this monster!!" Aki took the hose and sprayed the zombie with the foam, but it was still too late. “Saotome’s dead… Sorry I couldn’t save you.” Aki muttered in regret, releasing the ‘weapon’ in her hands.
Mai turned away, only to catch sight of a computer glowing red.

“I love you so much, I love you lots. My heart melts like chocolate when you cross my thoughts…”

After reading the line, Mai’s vision was bathed in white, fading into the scene in a normal classroom. Misao sat in the back, looking over her notes, while Tohma was leaning over some other kid at the front making small talk. The quiet aura was broken as Yoshino ran into the room.
"Listen, everybody! I got big news!" She yelled to the class from the front. "I think you'll agree this one's a riot!" She continued, smirking as everyone turned to her. "What now, Yoshino?! Cut the crap and tell us!" Tohma said, clearly annoyed. "Weh-he-ell...! One of the girls here loves Tohma!"
"Huh?! are you confessin' to me?!"
"You WISH it was me!!" Yoshino made a playful jog to the back of the room, stopping right next to Misao. "It's none other than the simple girl who never stands out... Misaooo!" She announced, placing a teasing hold on the poor girls shoulders. “Huh?! Really?!” The other students began whispering and snickering. "Ah....I" Misao stammered. "Look, Tohma's right over there! Confess your undying love!" Yoshino pushed with a cruel smile on her face. Before Misao could speak, Tohma approached. “Sure thing! I’ll date you, Misao!”
“Huh…?” Misao stared at the boy in shock. "I've kinda had a crush on you myself..."
“Tohma…”
"Huh?! Tohma, are you for real?! Misao?! REALLY?!" Yoshino asked in disbelief. "You shut your trap! It's none of your business who I'm datin', Yoshino!" Tohma turned back to Misao who was still in shock. "Let's trade numbers!"
"O-okay." despite the awkward scene, Misao blushed happily as she pulled out her phone.
The scene faded to later, where Misao sat in the same spot in an now empty classroom. “Why did Yoshino spill the beans...? Well not like it matters! Because of that, now I'm Tohma's girlfriend. I should thank Yoshino. Oh, Tohma sent me a text!"

“I like you Misao. Do you like me too?”

"T-tohma....! What...That’s so embarrassing...H-how should I reply."

The scene changed again. This time to people crowding a hallway bulletin board. Soon Misao walked up to the scene. "Well look who's here!" A student said teasingly, making others giggle. "What...?" She walked up to the board. "Huh...?"

“I love you too, Tohma!

I love you more than anyone in the world!

I put my feelings for you into a poem!”

"No... This is..... This is all my....."

“I love you tohma, I love you lots. My hearts melts like chocolate when you cross my thoughts.....”

Misao ran away as the scene changed once more. Misao came to a stop in front of a classroom, muttering to herself, "This is Yoshino's doing. She must've snuck a look at Tohma's phone. She's awful...Yoshino... I know... you like Tohma too... You're just jealous. But it'll do you no good. Because Tohma likes me." Misao started to walk again but stopped as a certain voice rang from within the classroom she stood by. "Nooo! Stop iiit!" Yoshino whined from the classroom. "C'mon, nobody's around."
"Geeeeeeez! Tohma you pervert!" Misao watched from the window as Tohma smirked at Saotome. "Aren't you the one who put Misao's text on the blackboard, Otome?" He asked. "Whaaa? I dunno what you're saying!" She responded playing dumb. "Who else could've done it?! I only showed you, Otome!"
"I didn't do aaanything!"
"Playing dumb huh?!"
"Yaaahhh!"

Suddenly Mai back in ‘reality’. “We’re those… Misao’s memories?” Mai asked, holding her head as the computer screen turned off. “I never realised she was bullied like that…” Aki leaned in next to Mai, touching her shoulder gently, “Are you okay? You suddenly zoned out…” Mai gave a little gasp, turning to her friend to give her a short summary of the strange vision. “Woah… that’s awful…” Aki lamented as the duo moved to leave the row of computers they stood by. They exited the row just in time to see Saotome’s soul float out of her body to somewhere unknown. “I wonder if Saotome really deserved to die for the things she did, though…” Mai mumbled, before waving off the thought to move on.

As they left, they made note of the one other functional computer displaying some kind of disc boot up screen.
Below, on the second floor there was a looping hallway and an ominous presence by the window, and the girls found the library, with of course, miss library residing in it. "Y-y-y-you were…! In the student council room... um...ah..." Miss Library stuttered, trying to greet the visitors. ."Hi. I'm Aki and this is Mai. Er, Miss. Library?"
"Oh, you remembered my name! I'm so glad!" Miss Library said excited, giving a little jump. She then sighed, putting her palm to her cheek. "How many years has it been since I've talked to anyone?" Mai tilted her head in confusion, staring intently at the girl, she felt something familiar with her… “Huh?”
"Aki! Mai! Please, be my friends!"
"A-already?" Aki asked, very overwhelmed. "Oh... You don't want to?" Miss Library asked disappointed. “We can be friends!” Mai said cheerfully. "R-really...? I-I'm so glad...! You're my first friends!"
"'Miss Library' is kinda awkward, though. I want to know your real name." Aki said gently. "Well then, Miss Mai, Miss Aki, please! Give me a better name! Yes, I want a marvelous name!" Library insisted as she grabbed Mai’s hands. "What?!"
"Oh gosh, oh gosh...what's it gonna be..."
"W-well... um... how about ... Novella?" Mai offered nervously. "I-it's a wonderful name! From now on, call me Novella!" Novella exclaimed before sighing again. "Friend... that sounds good." She said dreamily. "W-well... we have to be going. Things to do and all." Aki said awkwardly. Novella let Mai’s hands go. "If you ever run into trouble. Please come visit me! I don't know how useful I can be, but I'll do what I can to help!" She assured. "Okay, thanks!" Aki thanked as we left to investigate the adjacent room that turned out to be a strange bedroom. Most likely Novella’s. As they looked around, Mai caught sight of a portrait only familiar to her. “What is…”
“Mai, there’s an empty pot here. Didn’t you pick up some seeds?” Aki pointed out. “Oh right! Let me plant them then we can leave.”

As we continued down the hall we entered a classroom with a loud banging coming from it. Something was trapped in the locker, and was struggling enough to shake it. “Should we open it?” Aki asked nervously. “Well, I’m not sensing immediate danger…” Mai noted, moving to open the door. As she did, a familiar man burst out. It’s Mr. Sohta. “Teacher!” Aki looked down at our panting teacher with some concern. “Thank goodness… Unbelievable… I passed out after that quake, and I came to locked in a locker! It seems it’s designed not to be opened from the inside…” He stepped forward and looked around. “The school looks odd… I’m going to look around.”
“Teacher it’s dangerous here!” Aki called, only to be ignored. “He went…” Mai muttered, annoyed. “Is he going to be ok?” Aki asked, staring after him. Mai had already moved on, picking up a locker key left in the teachers tracks.

The two continued walking down the hall, passing by some open storage lockers,stopping as they heard footsteps. Suddenly a wide eyed Mai shoved Aki into a locker and hid in another one. Right on cue, a slouched man carrying a chainsaw stumbled by. Mai exited out of the locker when the Man was out of sight, followed by Aki. “He has a chainsaw. We’d be helpless if he came after us.” Aki commented, keeping her eye in the man's direction, turning back to see the sweat running down Mai’s brow, “Hey… is everything okay? You look…”
“Yeah- Yeah! I just don’t like chainsaws very much. Personal history…” Mai turned and muttered to herself “He looked just like my…” Ignoring the concern from Aki, Mai moved onwards and picked up the disc conveniently discarded on the floor just before a security laser.

The two retreated back to the computer room, using the disc to lower the security around the science lab before returning. The set up had completely changed, with scattered papers, foundation made of brick and eerie pods. Mai rubbed goose bumps off her arm as she grabbed some discarded plant enrichment and continued further into the lab. “HEEELP!” The duo jumped in shock as they approached the student lab where Yoshino was tied to one of the three lab tables, and a second one was occupied by… a giant plush bear? It looked like a costume with no zipper. "Aki! Mai! W-whew...! Help me...!" Yoshino pleaded, spotting us in the doorway. The two shared a skeptical look while coming closer "I'd like to help you, but you're always bullying people..." Aki started, "Huh? What?! What about it?!"
"If you promise not to bully the weak anymore, then we'll be willing to help you." Mai added on, "A-alright, Jeez! Sure! I won't do it! Now help me out of here! He's gonna come back if you don't hurry!" Yoshino panicked. "Who?" Suddenly the sound of a chainsaw revved up, approaching the lab door, "EEEEEEEEEEEEK!! HE'S HEEEEEERE!! NOOOOO! I don't want to be a test subject!!" Yoshino screamed. "We've gotta hide." Aki whispered looking around. “Where???” Mai hissed. Aki whipped around and headed to one of the cabinets, rummaging around. “Here.”
“A scalpel?” Mai took the tool, and turned toward the giant bear costume. She carefully cut open the costume in the center, then pulled both of them inside. A second later the door opened. The two girl held their breaths as they listened to Yoshino's pleas for the man to stop as he started the chainsaw.

Once the noise stopped The two climbed out. “Looks like he left...Whew…” Aki sighed in relief. “Yuck! We’re covered in blood! Wait- Why is that?! This… IS a costume right?” Aki looked Mai up and down before trying to wipe blood off her face. “Oh- Yoshino!” Mai called in realization. The girl was completely gone, her fate obvious as her soul sat patiently.
"Oops! Totally forgot about saving Yoshino!" Aki commented light heartedly. Mai just shook her head and approached the soul.

“Misao’s at fault, too. Soon as she started dating Tohma, she took to looking down on me. All I did was punish her for it.”

The world faded to white like before, and brought Mai to… the bathroom? Misao was cornered by a group of girls, and Yoshino watched from a distance, obviously directing them. "Think you're hot stuff now that you’re Tohma’s girlfriend, huh?!" A bully asked punching the poor girl. "What're lookin' at me like that for?" The bully asked haughtily as Misao glared back at her abusers. "Tohma will never want you as his girlfriend after this, Yoshino!"
"What?!" Yoshino walked up to Misao pissed off. "BITCH!" She began to continually kick Misao. "You've got some nerve Misao!" Misao cried out as they held her down and Yoshino continued the beating. Suddenly Yoshino kneeled down with a wicked grin"Why don't we see how lovey-dovey you and Tohma are?"
"Wh...!What are you doing?! Let go! STOP!" Misao begged. "Oh my! Misao so lewd! I should take a picture it'll last longer! Smile, Misao! Say cheese!" The girls giggled as they looked at the pictures they took as Misao collected herself. “Misaooo, you dropped your wallet too!” Yoshino announced, before throwing it above her head to land straight into the toilet. “Oops, sorry! My hand slipped.”

The world faded back to normal and Mai was left with a headache. “I didn’t know anything… I never noticed any of that was happening to Misao…” she muttered, watching as the orb floated away. She quickly straightened herself up and turned to Aki. “Come on, let’s save Misao as quickly as possible!”

Chapter Text

On the way back out the door the two picked up two madrakes, wandering newly freed from their capsules. A discarded journal labeled one a salt mandrake, and another a bomb mandrake.
Finally, they made it to the ground floor. Along the way they board notice notating some classroom seats before peeking out the back door. The courtyard was transformed into a small area leading up to a traditional shrine separated by a shallow pond, and surrounded by torii gates and graves. All but two graves were unmarked. The two faintly illuminated graves were marked ‘Saotome’ and ‘Yoshino’
“Mai, let’s use this water to wash off the blood!” Aki called, already stepping waist deep into the water. Mai joined in, easily washing the strange blood off her body with just a few seconds in the water, tinting the pond red. As if responding to the blood, the shrine on the other end of the pond swung its doors open. Not sensing any danger, the two peered inside, only to find two empty tables lining each wall, and a solitary sign in the middle of the floor.

Offer up the six keys, or the curse shall not be lifted.

Not having anything to offer yet, the two went back into the school and stopped by the cafeteria, where they quickly found an electric grinder and stuck the salt mandrake in. Salt was a good spirit deterrent after all. They also took the time to pass by the library again to add the plant enrichment to the seeds Mai planted earlier. It didn’t take long after that for purple lilies to sprout. Which were the wrong color, so they were taken to the art room and painted white before going to place them on tables marked by the board notice.

“We’re waiting on the rooftop.”

Mai held a hand to her head before conveying the message to Aki so they headed towards the roof where the three falling girls sat peacefully. “Thank you for the flowers. We found what you’re looking for.” Then they faded, leaving behind a torn uniform ribbon tie on the railing. Most likely Misao’s.
Returning to the looping hallway on the second floor, the two sprinkled salt on the area where Mai sensed a presence, immediately dispelling the feeling. On the next pass through the hall, they made it into the music room. There wasn't much other than some pulled out seats and a piano, so taking a hint, the two sat down and listened quietly as the piano began to play by itself. The spirit played a choppy and out of tune melody, but the duo sat through the whole performance.
“Thank you for listening…” The spirit of a younger girl appeared in front of Mai, holding a box. “I’ll give you my treasure as thanks.” After handing Mai the locked box, she vanished.

Entering the teachers lounge, Aki and Mai saw someone familiar rummaging through one of the desks. “Ayaka!” Mai called, earning her friends attention. “Thank goodness you’re safe!” Aki nodded, running up. “Aki, Mai, you’re just in time! Now’s the chance of a lifetime! Since nobody’s around, we’re free to look in Mr. Kurata’s desk!” A look of annoyance quickly crossed Aki’s face. “Oh, come on! This is no time for that! Look at what’s happening to the school!”
“Look! Top drawer! Packed with love letters to Mr. Kurata! Who is it who dared to send love letters to my Mr. Kurata! Let's find out what they wrote!" Undeterred, Ayaka kept rifling through the discarded letters, ignoring Mai as she pulled on her friends arm, "Ayaka! That really doesn't matter right now. Let's get somewhere safe!"
"No way! Not until I’ve seen it all! And I haven't even looked in the bottom drawer! You can pass up this opportunity, but I won't!"
"Fine! what do we care!" Aki snapped, pulling a reluctant Mai away to the adjoined locker room.

Abandoning their naive friend, Mai used the locker key she picked up to open the staff supply lockers, finding nothing but a metal bat until a cracked and dirty cell phone fell out at their feet. Another remnant of Misao. As they stepped back out into the teachers lounge, they found their friend was gone. “We should find her… I have a bad feeling.” Mai commented, earning a quiet nod.

they found her in the infirmary, curled up in fear on a bed with Mr.Sohta stood by the bedside. They approached the two in concern. Ayaka looked at the duo with desperation “A-Ahh...H...Help…!”
"Ayaka?" Mai asked warily. "Calm down! The monsters are gone, Ayaka!" Mr. Sohta assured gently, "What happened to Ayaka?" Aki asked. "She’s in a panic after being attacked by a monster."
"Ayaka you were attacked!? We told you to go somewhere safe!" Aki said worried, taking her by hand. "Hold on. She should stay here and rest." Sohta said, stopping her. "But..."
"Don't worry. I'll be with her." Sohta assured. Mai raised a brow a bit at the man but remained silent. "All right. I'm counting on you to look after Ayaka. We'll look around a bit more." Aki said as they turned to leave. "Wait a moment! I think I have a tranquilizer on my desk in the staff room. Could you bring it to me? It may help her calm down a little." Sohta asked. "Sure..." Mai said, tilting her head in curiosity. Why would he have that kind of thing here? "Be careful. Don't you dare die out there. After all, you're some of my dear students." Mai nodded and walked away "Sir... Thank you very much." Aki said before following her out the door.

The duo quickly went back to the staff room and looked over his desk. "Weird, I don't see any tranquilizer..." Aki said. After a minute of searching, they decided to go back to the nurse's office, only to find something horrifying. "Ayaka!!" Mai screamed out seeing my friend on the floor in a pool of blood. "Ayaka! Wake up! AYAKA!" Aki called, shaking her body. "I'm sorry... I couldn't protect her..." Mai looked at Sohta and noticed him holding a shallow injury on his shoulder. "A monster appeared out of nowhere... I couldn't do a thing...Damnit! I failed... to protect my student..." Sohta explained sniffing pitifully. "...Please, sir don't be so hard on yourself. It's only these spirits to blame. We have to do something about them..." Aki comforted. "...Sir, your bleeding." Mai said in a dangerously flat voice. The ever growing pit in her stomach reminded her of the man’s creepy atmosphere. "We have to treat this..." Aki said, looking at the injury a bit closer. "I'll be fine... Just do what needs to be done. Right... take this..." He said calmly, taking out something wrapped in a cloth. Looking closely, they could see fingers peeking out of the folds. Mai’s eyes widened as she took the wrapped body part.

Whhhhhhhhhhhyyyyyyyyyyy does he have this?

"I found this while looking around. I suggest not looking inside..."
"I..." Aki trailed off, equally in shock at the item. "She visited me the day before she went missing. She had something to talk about... But I was busy. I didn't have the time to listen to her. I know she was pained. I can't help but feel if I had heard her out, she never would have left us...I'm not fit to save her. You're the only ones who can." Listening to Mr. Sohta’s words, Mai’s instinct continued to scream, so with a careful nod she tightened the wrap and left the room.

“Well, we have three of the six keys…” Aki tried commenting in a weak tone, following Mai out into the hall. Mai simply stopped, “Don’t you think that was weird?”
“Eh?”
“First of all, why did he pick up and wrap some dismembered hands to carry around with him? That’s not normal. Not only that but he sent us out of the room to get something that didn’t exist, and when we got back he was only mildly injured with no spirit in sight. If there really was a monster, why did it just leave?” Aki stayed silent at Mai’s rambling questions, knowing it came in part from whatever her psychic powers were telling her. Mai finished off with a sigh, “I don’t know, let’s just move on.”

They went to explore the basement level, which actually turned into a cave, with the end of the path cut off by some kind of cave in. They used the mandrake bomb and took cover as it blew open the path to keep exploring. As they progressed through the cave they walked past a dead body sprawled by the wall, who reanimated as they passed. They also had to walk a thin cliff path we could easily fall off of, before they ended up at a dead end with a lone sign stuck into the ground.

The solitary mushroom guides

Turning back to the narrow path they came from, two zombies suddenly appeared from both sides of the path, cornering them. “Oh, that's just great.” Aki huffed, looking at Mai for guidance. They stopped inching across as They passed a single mushroom growing in the cave. “We have to jump”
“What?!”
“No time for questions.” Mai said, jumping off the edge.
The duo landed on a small piece of rock connected back to the cave. Stepping back onto the path, there were muddy boots laying in a patch of dirt. The fourth out of six.

“So… Where to now?” Aki asked absent mindedly as they returned to the ground floor. “Might as well check the bathrooms.” They entered the girls bathroom, finding only the third door closed. Taking the hint, Mai knocked on the stall door 3 times. Hearing no reply, she began to walk out of the room, only for the stall’s door to open and a schoolgirl ghost to peek out.

“Let’s plaaaaayyyyy”

oThey barely dodged the ghost as it sped at them, arms reaching to grab at them. They entered her stall to find coins tossed in the toilet. Aki quickly grabbed them with no hesitation as the girl came back, only to squeal. “You smell awful!” with that the ghost disappeared. “You… might want to wash your hands Aki…”
“Yeah… I’ll do that.”

They quickly moved on next door to the boys bathroom and heard someone shuddering from the supply stall. Mai huffed and knocked on the closed stall, earning a boy's squeak. “I know it's you Tohma!” Mai said, opening the door. "Aki?! Mai?! D-don't startle me!" He said terrified "You always struck me as tough but I guess you're actually a coward..." Aki said in a disappointed tone. "S-say what?!"
"So, Saotome’s dead..." Mai said in a sombre tone. "Otome...I-it ain't my fault! I didn't do nothin' wrong! It's all Misao!" Tohma blamed desperately, "Damnit! Misao's gonna kill me! Help me!" Tohma cried "You help us then. We'll have to save Misao together!" Aki offered "Huh? Don't be foolin'! It's Misao's fault all this happened! Why the hell you wanna save her?!" Tohma freaked out. "so you’d rather cower here forever? Because I don't care what happens to you. Laters!" Mai said turning to walk away. "Wait! Wait up! Okay! I'll do whatever, help with anything! Just don't leave me alone!" He pleaded. "Oh, all right... Don't fall behind." Aki said as she also turned to leave. "Y-yeah. Ok, let's go."
As the door to the bathroom shut behind Aki, Tohma screamed from within, making the duo quickly push back into the bathroom. The room now had more blood splattered around it, and Tohma was on the ground with blood leaking out of his mouth. "Tohma!" Mai cried in alarm. "Tohma! Stay with us!" Aki said as she lifted his unconscious body. He groaned a bit in pain. "He's still breathing. We have to get him treated!" Mai said, shifting to carry the boy bridal style.

"What is it?" Novella asked as they entered the Library. "Help Tohma, Please! He's my classmate!" Aki begged. Soon they had him bandaged up on the bed in the back room. "Whew... This should be good." Mai sighed as she backed away from his resting form, discarding the bandages she used on the boy. "You should stay here for a while. The spirits don't seem to come here." Aki assured. "Wh-whaaa! I-I can't do that! Not with this mysterious man!" Novella said, alarmed, backing up. "H-he's just our classmate! Tohma's not that scary, I swear! So please!"
"Ooh... Well if you say so Aki..."

The duo left, first using the bat to break the vase in the principal's office and retrieving the emergency exit key, then stopping by the cafeteria to use the coins Aki collected on the drink machine. Mai sighed, picking up the canned sports drink. “Didn’t I pick tea?”
“We can just give it to Tohma.” Aki said, taking the can and speeding back up to the library. “H-hey!” Mai quickly went after her. Soon she was handing Tohma the soda. "You givin' me this sports drink? Thanks!" He said before chugging it down. Suddenly he spat a small key out. "Hey, why's there this weird junk in my juice?! Did you do this, Aki?! You hate me that much!!"
"Excuse you! That can was unopened, remember?" Aki said, pretending to take offense. Mai took the key and examined it. "Ah, damn it all! Disgustin'! I'm goin' to sleep! Don't wake me!" He said turning towards the wall. "Alright then..." No longer listening, Mai inserted the key into the small box the piano girl gave her. “Huh. There’s a warding charm in here.” she said, holding it up. “That’s pretty useful for a haunted school. Where should we use it?” Aki asked as Mai let out a hum, leading them back to the strange laboratory. Then behind the large test pods. A weakened ghost hiding back there backed away as the warding bell shined, soon running away. “Ah- It broke.” Mai pouted. “It was short lived, but we can get back here… I didn’t even notice the path back here.” Aki admitted as they opened the rusty door hidden in the back. Inside was a room filled with dolls. Most were sitting shoulder to shoulder on tables and shelves. One was life sized and stood up, and another life sized nun doll was laid across a low shelf. The standing one had a strange dirty jacket on it. “Wait- isn’t that our school blazer?” Aki picked it up. “It must be another of Misao’s keys…” Mai concluded, taking the jacket. “Now… I think we only need one more. Time to use this emergency exit key.” Mai said, holding the key up.

They unlocked the emergency exit only to be led into the school gym. Kudoh was on the stage, having seemingly injured his leg. "Kudo!" Aki called, gaining the boy's attention as the girls stopped feet away from the stage he sat on. “Careful… the stage lights…” Mai whispered, pointing to the dangerously swinging equipment. "Aki! Mai!" He called back in surprise. "You're hurt! Are you alright?" Mai asked in a concerned voice. "A monster got me... I tried to run, but I broke my leg." He explained.

It hurts...

Help...

That was Misao's voice again... "... Misao?!" Kudoh called out. He can hear her too? "Misao is in pain...damn! If only I had tried to save Misao sooner!"
"Kudoh?" Mai asked curiously. "...Misao and I have known each other since kindergarten. We played together all the time. In middle school I was teased for playing with a girl... So I tried to avoid Misao. Even when I learned Misao was being bullied I didn't help her... And now...I'm sorry Misao... Sorry I couldn't help you... I'll be there soon...I'm always beside you. So don't cause anymore sadness. Okay, Misao...? Oogh... hack!"
"Kudoh!" Aki called for the boy. Suddenly Misao appeared in front of Kudoh. "Misao.... came.... to meet me...Now we'll always be together...I love you...Misao..."
"You’ve go the wrong idea. I never liked you, or thought anything of you. Now die." With that proclamation, Misao vanished again. "Mi...!! MISAOOOO!!" Kudoh screamed as the curtains closed, just the overhead light fell. "This is awful..." Mai trailed off, while Aki cringed at the tragic scene. Soon after, they walked up to the stage, pulling back the curtain to reveal Kudoh’s crushed body and the light of a soul floating above it. The soul began floating off the stage.

“Misao… Misao…”

The light moved back and forth before stopping again.

“I’ll protect Misao”

The orb floated out the door. They followed it all the way to the third floor, where it stopped right in front of a broken gap in the floor. There was a small indistinguishable object laying on the other side.

“Misao… I found you…”

The soul floated across, bringing the object back and dropping it at their feet. It was a snapped hair tie.

“It’s my fault. I made Misao suffer.”

The world faded as Mai watched another flashback. It was a classroom again. Misao sat in a seat, reading while Yoshino cornered a boy. “That’s a real wimpy thing to do… some man you are! Slandering people in secret online… That’s why everyone calls you a loser!”
“T-That’s not me...” The boy tried to defend himself. “Pfft, who else writes creepy stuff like that?! Wanna look over everything you wrote? ‘Cause it’s really somethin’! You can smell the virginity!” Kudoh walked into the room and scowled. “Stop right there.” Yoshino turned around in annoyance. “Huh? You telling me what to do? Ah, whatever. It’s just a waste of time dealing with this guy.” Yoshino turned her attention to the back of the room, instead approaching Misao. “Misao, let’s go to the cafeteria. Your treat.”
“Huh? I don’t have much money…”
“You don’t get to say no.”
“Wha…” Misao looked up at Kudoh, who turned away. With that, Mai was returned to reality

“Misao… I’m coming to you now…”

The light floated away.

Aki and Mai returned to the shrine and offered up the six objects. The snapped hair tie, dirty blazer, cracked cell phone, torn ribbon, muddy boots, and her… hands… strangely, nothing happened. “Why isn’t anything happening?” Aki asked in concern. “I- don’t know… We should ask Onigawara.”

"I see. So you sacrificed the keys at the altar. However, it appears the curse has yet to lift. We will need a sacrifice."
"Sacrifice?" Mai asked. "Did you see the tombstones in the abyss? The spirits of the ones who, in death, etch their names into the graves, must be sacrificed to free her spirit. There are four tombstones, so there must be four names. Three of them already have names engraved in them. There must be one left. Someone be the last sacrifice." Onigawara explained. "Then I'll... I'll be the sacrifice...!" Mai offered earnestly. "That is impossible. Those tombstones are tools born of her hatred... Surely one who has not earned her resentment could not carve their name there. You set out to save her. As such, she could not hate you. There are others still alive. Think well on who must be the sacrifice."
"Someone who Misao hates..." Aki said in thought. With the conversation with the man seemingly finished, they stepped away. "Mai? What do you think?" Aki asked, “You have a really good instinct about these things.”
"I think it should be Mr.Sohta." Mai answered a little too quickly. "Ah right, you said he was suspicious earlier... ok." Aki nodded with the reasoning.

They quickly walked down to the nurse's office. "What is it? Is the curse still not lifted?" Sohta asked, gripping his wound with a grimace. Mai crouched in front of him while Aki walked around him pretending to be preoccupied. "Yes, it is. We are close to ending it though." Mai assured, straining a smile. "Agh... The blood won't stop..." He groaned, clutching his arm. Aki stood beside him calmly holding the bat at her side. "Sir... it's alright. You'll have relief soon..." Aki assured him with a smile as she raised the bat above her head.
"Very soon."

They returned to the shrine to see the items glowing. The sound of footsteps running in broke them from their stupor. It was Tohma. “I heard from the glasses chick. You done everything you need to do? What happened?” He asked. “We offered all the keys we needed. Now, Misao should be saved.” Mai explained with a smile on her face. As she said that, the light suddenly got brighter, bringing her into another vision.

Yoshino cornered Misao in a men's bathroom stall. "Misao, I bet you know what'll happen if you teeell..." Yoshino whispered. "If you don't want that photo getting out you better be a nice, obedient girl!" Yoshino turned to leave. “Now, give her lots of love!" The vision faded as a boy entered the bathroom, sparing Mai from the rest of the vision. It instead shifted to later that night, with Misao still in the stall, alone and crying. "Stop it... No mooore..." She continued crying until- "Is somebody there? Don't hide, come on out!" It was Mr. Sohta. Misao hesitantly walked out of the stall and stared shyly at the teacher. "What are you doing in here? This is the boy’s restroom!" The man scolded. Misao just sniffled. "Tea...cher..." Mr. Sohta was suddenly alert to the fact that she was disheveled and crying uncontrollably, "What's wrong?" Misao quickly began bawling and the teacher walked over to comfort her.

The scene changed again to the staff office. "Have you calmed down?"
"Yes..."
"Did something happen to you? Please, tell me whatever's troubling you. We can discuss it all you like." Huh? He lied about that? Why would he- "Is this something you can't tell me?"
"Teacher, I... I had my heart broken... It’s so stupid isn’t it... Shutting myself in the bathroom and sobbing over that..." Misao lied, smiling bitterly. "It's not silly at all. I would lament the very same way all night whenever I was rejected as a youth." Sohta comforted. "You've experienced it too, Mr. Sohta?" She asked turning to him. "Hm? You find it odd it would happen to me?"
"W-well... Um... It's just that you're so nice and... Everyone likes you, really..."
"Ahaha well I was a boring and clumsy brat in my student days." Mr. Sohta laughed. "I see... boring and clumsy sounds a lot like me..." Mr.Sohta stood and walked behind the unsuspecting girl. "Absolutely not. You're a very charming girl."
"T-teacher..."
"You're not like those other idiot girls. Serious, kind, and calm... I adore girls like you.” Suddenly Sohta wrapped his arms around Misao. "Teacher...?!"
"Misao..."
"Huh? Teacher...? Uh... Let go. Please..."
"Your hands are so beautiful..."
"T-this isn't funny teacher..."
"You're beautiful Misao..." Then he pushed his face into the side of hers. "Mmm..."
"EEEK!” Misao forcefully pushed the man away, “NOOO!"
"Misao...?" Misao ran to the back of the room. Sohta towards her. "Why are you running away? Do you hate me? You just praised me as kind, and loveable, didn't you? Now...come here."
“Nn..!” She ran to the door, trying to open it, only to find it locked. “It won’t open! Why?!”
“Because I made it that way. So no one would be able to intrude on us.”
“Please! Open up!!” Mr. Sohta approached again. “No… Stay away…” He instead approached, and the scene cut to black with a scream. It cut back to the girl on the ground unmoving and Sohta standing above her with an malicious expression. "why...why do you all reject me...? WHY!?! Never do that to me! NEVER!!"

Sohta dragged Misao’s body back to the bathroom and pulled out a knife. "Now... You're mine....”

The next image was of Sohta digging a grave for the girl he just killed, right behind the school house.

Then… they were back in reality. Mai, Aki and Tohma were on the roof. Mai gasped "Mr. Sohta killed Misao..." she murmured quietly, causing Aki’s eyes to widen "The school’s back to normal?!" Tohma yelled from behind the two, running to the railing to see. They all stood for a second before Mai’s eyes widened. “Misao’s calling me…!” she smiled, running off. “H-hey, where’re you going?!” Tohma called as Aki ran after her. They found themselves outside the school digging. “Mai-!” Aki grunted as she bent down further to help uncover Misao’s body. Mai pulled the poor girls body up a bit and hugged it close, hoping to comfort the girl’s soul once more. “Misao, I fooound you!” In an instant Misao’s ghost appeared above the grave. “Thank you for finding me…” then, both Misao and her body vanished. “Misao…” Aki muttered as the sun began to shine. Mai hummed happily “The suns getting brighter… Misao… you must be free from your suffering…”

“Hey, shouldn’t we go a find Mr. Onigawara or Novella? They really helped us out you know.” Aki asked, casually swinging her legs after a remarkably normal class. “No… I doubt we’d be able to find them again.” Mai muttered, waving off her friend. "Why not?" Aki looked at Mai quizzically, laying across her desk. "They're not human. Did you not notice?”
"Mai... You're the psychic. Not me." Mai furrowed her brows at Aki. "You're a half demon, that should give you a little insight! Especially since Onigawara was also a demon. Besides he looked too old to be a student at all and Novella was an obvious anomaly."
"Well I never look very hard for that kinda stuff." Aki excused. "Well, at least we're done with that curse business." Mai huffed

The next day in class, Misao’s spirit appeared behind Tohma.

Chapter Text

6 Months ago

Aki sat on the floor of the school hallway with Mai looking for something. "Aki, seriously! You’re becoming worse than me!" Mai muttered, annoyed. Aki spared a glance to her roommate, showing off her eye missing a colored contact. The eye that was missing a contact was bright red for everyone to see. Suddenly they were passed by a certain shy classmate. "U-um... What is it?" Misao asked, seeing them both on the floor. "Misao! Eheh... Just dropped a contact...I think it's around here somewhere..." Aki explained, pleasantly surprised by the girl. Misao suddenly sat down as well. "Misao?" Mai asked surprised. "U-um...I'll look with you."
"....Thanks!"

Misao never got much attention in class, but she was really nice. Why did all that have to happen to such a kind girl…?

Aki… Mai…

Someone is calling us… I’ve heard this voice before. Mai opened her eyes to an abyss with Aki next to her, also waking up. Actually… on closer inspection There were little islands of dark red stone, and they were laying on one. There were also broken red pillars and some kind of red bridge connecting the islands, but it looked like nothing but tiles of light. Mai narrowed her eyes at the seemingly familiar scenery. “Huh?”Aki finally asked as Mai sat up. “Where are we? We were just in class…” Mai asked, looking around. “Right… I was nodding off in class, then… then what happened?” Aki agreed, trying to remember just how we got here. “What the heck is going on?” Mai mumbled, fully standing up.

Aki… Mai…

“Onigawara! That’s you, right, Onigawara?!” Aki called “Mr. Onigawara!” She called again before letting out a sigh. “I guess we just have to walk.” She muttered. “Seems like it.” Mai nodded, letting Mai lead the way. The next island was a little bigger and had three familiar graves lined up in the middle. There was also a bridge on the right side connecting to another island. “This is…” Mai started, but Onigawara appeared in front of them, cutting her off. “Mr. Onigawara!” Mai exclaimed in surprise. “It’s been a while, Aki, Mai.”
"Mr. Onigawara, why the heck did you call us here?" Aki asked. "Well you see...I thought I would offer liberation to the spirits that had to be sacrificed."
"Yoshino and the rest? You can do that? But.... why.....?" Mai asked. "That girl, Misao, went a bit too far. Indeed, what they did is unforgivable... But her death is not their fault. They also suffered their fair share. I think it too cruel to allow that suffering to continue. As such, I have decided I will free their spirits."
"If you do that, will everyone come back to life?" Aki asked curiously. "I’m afraid that’s not possible. However if their will to live is strong enough they could possibly be born again.” Onigawara turned to Mai, “As for Misao... A soul who cast's a curse is doomed to never find peace, but I’m sure if your bond with her is strong enough there can be a compromise. Misao would be bound to you and that would mean you share death. If you can pass on, so can she. So, will you try to save them...? I leave the choice up to you."
"Why us? Why not Tohma? He was friendlier with everyone." Mai said skeptically. "I am confident you are the only one who could save them. It is who you are that makes you capable of it," He said before disappearing. “I have high hopes for you.” Mai let out a sigh. “So… shall we?”
“Might as well let’s go across one at a time.” Aki agreed, walking to the far left grave. Kudoh’s grave. With a little tap they were brought to a vision.

A child Misao sat on a swing sniffling, while a boy stood in front of her. “Haha, ha! Dumb ol Misao!” Misao could only cry before a voice cut in. “Don’t you bully Misao!” a young Kudoh ran up, pushing the bully away. “Aw man, here comes the pain in the butt!” the kid hissed, running away. “What are you doing bullying Misao again, Takeshi?!” Kudoh turned his attention to the crying Misao, moving to console her. “Misao, it’s ok now. There, there… I took care of Takeshi! Don’t cry…”
“Okay…”
“Let's go home. I'll protect you on the way.” Kudoh began walking out of the park with Misao right behind him. Suddenly Misao stopped as her adult voice rang out.

You were so kind then... but you changed…

The next scene showed Kudoh walking down a hallway, stopping to listen to conversation inside a classroom. “Are Tohma and Misao dating for real?!”
“Sure looked like a school date at lunch today! I saw ‘em! Never seen Misao smile like that before!”

The image shifted to inside a classroom. Yoshino cornered Misao with another girl and Kudoh sat at a desk in the class. "Oh Misaoooooo! lemme see you for a sec."
"N-no..." "Why not? You giving me lip?"
"O-ow..."
"You know what'll happen, yeees?" Misao stayed quiet and looked at Kudoh, who quickly got up and left the room.

You abandoned me... I trusted you... I won't forgive you...

They suddenly were in total black. Just a void. "Where is this?" Aki asked. "Lets look around." Mai said walking forward. They soon found Kudoh surrounded by clones of Misao. "Stop it already!!" The clones didn’t listen and began to yell at him.

"DIE"

"THE LIKES OF YOU SHOULD DIE"

"SPINELESS"

"DIE DIE DIE"

"Forgive me... Misaooo...!" Kudoh sobbed, curling up on the ground.

"DIE IN A FIRE"

"BURN IN HELL"

"Stop... STOOOOOOP!" He begged again as the Misao’s ignored him.

"DIE"

"I HATE YOU"

"DIE A VIRGIN"

"This is brutal." Mai said sympathetically, walking through the clones to the poor boy. "Kudoh, wake up!" Mai urged as she finally found Kudoh in the crowd. "KUDOH IS USELESS"
"DIE ALREADY"
"Misao! Please, stop!" Aki begged from her crouching position by Kudoh "I'm sorry... so sorry..."
" Kudoh, please! come back with us!" Mai pleaded. "Forgive... meee... augh..."
"There's no point moping about it forever!" Mai said shaking his curled up body. "If only I had saved Misao sooner...It's my fault! All my fault!"
"No! it's not your fault!" Aki said. "But it is!! Misao loathed me... This is utmost proof of that... It's all me to blame..."
"Kudoh..." Mai sighed "...No. These girls aren't Misao." Mai said suddenly. "They're just illusions born from the darkness of your heart!"
"Ha...haha...What nonsense... What do you base that on...?"
"Because Misao's so nice! She wouldn't say these things! Don't you know that yourself?" Aki said, shaking the boy again. "Misao...Misao!"
"Ku...doh..." They all looked up in shock. "Mi...sao...?" All of the clones slowly disappeared. Then a single Misao stood in front of Kudoh. "Misao...?"
"Kudoh...I’m a little embarrassed to use your first name… I just haven’t done that in so long. I'm sorry, Kudoh..." Misao spoke with a soft smile. "No! I should be apologizing! It's my fault you..."
"It's fine. I don't hate you." Misao cut in, her expression never changing. "Why...? I mean didn't I abandon you...?" Kudoh asked pathetically. "...Yes. It was very lonely. I suffered like I was going to die... But I knew how you felt Kudoh. You just lacked courage. I knew that really, you were always thinking of me. And that made me happy regardless." "Misao..."
"Thank you for thinking of me. I love you too, Kudoh."
"Misao!! MISAOOOOOOOOO!" Kudoh called, before he also faded away.

The two girls appeared back at the tombstones. "Y'know, I wonder if the last Misao was also an illusion." Aki said in thought. "Probably… Even if she forgave him, I don’t know if she would say she loved him. Next is… oh ew Yoshino." Mai said, mood dampening as she read the second tombstone. Left in front of Kudoh's grave was a baby. Mai touched the grave of Yoshino and they were taken away.

They were in the school bathroom. “Isn’t this the guy’s bathroom?” Aki asked as Mai went towards the stall door, pushing on it. “I can sense someone in there…” Aki walked towards the door and tried to open it. Locked? "Misaooooo... Don't be a bad girl! If you keep being good I’ll let you out, okaaay?"
"?! That was Yoshino..." Mai said in shock. "Where's Misao then?" Aki asked. Mai turned back towards the stall. Suddenly a voice came from within. “No, stop… stay away...Stop! Help! Nooo! I’m scared… It’s dirty… It hurts… it’s gross… Ow ow ow ow OWWW!” Suddenly the door creaked open, and a disheveled Misao fell out.

"Never forgive."

Unsettled, Mai tried the door again and was let out.

They were back in the bathroom, but from the haunted school, covered in blood and with some broken mirrors. "Forgive me! Forgive me, Misao! NOOOOOOOO!!" Yoshino was getting beat up by three Misao's in the center of the room as she curled up and protected her head. "Hack! Augh! Oogh! Gah! Help...p..! Hel....gahhh!" Yoshino sobbed.

“You can’t get away with what you did to Misao, Yoshino. This is your punishment. But I know you’ve suffered plenty by now. So I'll free you." Mai said. "Minimal mercy from you huh?" Aki noted with a nervous smile, reminding herself how terrifying her friend can be. They turned back to the situation at hand. “Misao, won’t you stop now? I understand how you feel, but Yoshino really regrets it…” Aki’s call was ignored as they kept kicking at Yoshino. “I guess that didn’t work… We need something to stop her with.” Mai concluded, turning to search the bathroom.

"We have coins, salt and a bat. Aki, use violence last." Mai warned. "Sure." They first tried bribing her with the coins, and then sprinkling her with salt but Misao just kept going. "I have to use this now?" Aki asked, still holding the bat. Mai nodded. "Misao, stop it!" Aki said as she smashed the clones' heads in. The two stepped over Aki’s carnage and crouched next to Yoshino. "Yoshino!"
"O-oogh."
"Doesn't look like she can speak." Mai observed the traumatized girl. "Forgive me... forgive meee..."
"Yoshino, it's fine now!" Aki assured her. "No! NOOOOO! Stop! Stay away!"
"Yoshino, I hope this has taught you to never do anything like that again." Mai scolded lightly. "I won't... I swear I won't! Forgive me...!"
"I'm sure Misao will. Now lets head back." Aki offered.

"Wh..y..."

One misao was now standing. Her face was overshadowed but still seemed completely wrong. Blood was scattered at the top of her shirt and her posture was crooked. "Why are you getting in my way...? I thought you saved me. I thought you were my only friends..."
"Yes, we've always been your friends, Misao but..." Aki started "Letting you do this wouldn't be saving you at all." Mai finished. "What are you..."
"Misao, you haven’t passed on yet. If you keep doing this you’ll never be able to." Mai said "Shut up..."
"Listen Misao... Will doing this really clear up your heart?" Mai asked "Quiet..."
"Of course it won't if it did you already would've ascended." Aki supported. "Shut up, shut up, shut up..."
"Please stop this, Misao. You're just being vengeful... We don't want to see you like that!" Mai urged.

They were thrown back into the grave area. "Looks like we really have to work fast." Aki commented, Mai just nodded. Another baby appeared in front of Yoshino's grave.

In Saotome's grave the vision began in a bathroom again. At least it was the girls restroom. "It has to be Yoshino and her lackeys who put Misao's text on the blackboard! They're the lowest of the low!" A girl gossiped. "But Misao is kinda gross, too... I feel bad for Tohma having to read that putrid poem!"
"It's Misao you should be sorry for! I thought that poem was cute!" Saotome argued. "Otome, you're just too nice..." Misao then walked out of a stall, to the surprise of the gossiping girl. "Uh oh, did she hear us...?" Misao pretended not to care until she realized she forgot her handkerchief. "Misao, did you forget your handkerchief?" Saotome asked, noticing the girl's stress. "Huh...?"
"I'll lend you mine!"
"Saotome..."
"Just give it back, you know, whenever!" Saotome said before grabbing her friend and leaving. "Liar. Trying to act like a goody-two-shoes...You were the one who put up my text for all to see, weren't you? What an awful girl... She must have tricked Tohma." Misao quickly left the room and the duo came out of hiding. Mai tried to open the door only to find it locked again. Aki quickly went to the end of the room to the storage closet. There was a bat in the back. Aki used it to break open the door.

The two were led behind a tree outside in the school yard. Saotome was feeding an illusion of Tohma out of a bento. "Open wide, Tohma! Aaah!"
"Aaah...Mmm! Tasty! You make the best lunches, Otome! You'd make a great wife. Mine, obviously." He boasted. "Why is this so accurately gross?" Mai asked only to be lightly shushed by Aki. "Awww, Tohma!" Meanwhile Misao was hiding behind the building corner. "I won't give you Tohma, Saotome. Tohma is all mine." She then walked out from behind the corner. "Tohma!"
"Misao!"
"W-what...?" Saotome asked in shock. "My Tohma..."
"...Uh, Tohma let's go now." Saotome said, trying to pull him away. "Tohma?" She asked, noticing that he wasn't moving. "Misao!" Tohma called running to her side. "Misao's the only one for me!"
"Tohma..."
"T-tohma? You're kidding, right?" Saotome was completely shocked. "You told me this Misao thing was just a game!"
"Oh so she IS a horrible person. It was almost looking a little doubtful." Mai mumbled. "My bad, Otome... I lied. I love misao."
"I'm so glad, Tohma."
"That can't be right! Tohmaaa!"
"You don't get it do you? Tohma likes me... You're the one who's just for fun." Misao said, turning towards Otome. "Misao... You're the one for me..."
"And you're my Tohma."
"I love you." Tohma said before they began hugging. "NOOOOO! Stop! NOOO! Get your hands off Tohma!" What a strange eternal punishment. "Saotome!" Mai called. "Saotome! Stay with us." Aki said crouching next to the catatonic girl. "Nooo! Open your eyes, Tohmaaa!" Aki sighed "You need to get a grip, Saotome!" Aki said a bit more forcefully. "What do you see in Tohma? He's all appearance!" Mai backed Aki up. "You're wrong! Tohma's cool and kind and he always protects me!"
"Like when you were attacked in the computer room? The guy deserted you!" Mai said. "Tohma wouldn't desert me!! Tohma... he..." She went silent as she began to remember how she died. “A-aaaaahhh....Tohma... left me to die..." Her eye's became overshadowed. "...Aki...can I have that bat?" Aki held it in front of her without hesitation. "Go wild Otome." She raised it over her head as she began walking forward. "I don't need you Tohma! I HATE you! Tohma... Tohma, you can just... GET OUT OF MY LIFE!!!" She swung the bat down on Tohma's head sending the two back to the graves.

Aki turned to the path to the right. "So that path is probably Sohta's grave... Should we?" she offered. Mai just shrugged. "Let’s just take a look first." She said walking to the trail. Mai turned her head suddenly to something on the ground. "That's..." It was Ayaka's hair pin. "It will probably be another vision..."Aki said standing in front of it. Mai simply picked it up.

The vision was from when Ayaka wouldn't leave the staff room. "Fine! What do I care!" ‘Aki’ pulled Mai out of the room. "Now, what's in the bottom drawer?" Ayaka said excitedly. “Hmmm?” She lifted up a certain familiar bundle, opening it to see the hands tucked inside. "GYAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH?!? Wh-w-wha-what... are... these... arms? Wha? Mr. Sohta's desk... why wou... are these real? No, can't... can't be..." Suddenly Sohta walked into the room. "DON'T TOUCH THAT!!!" He said, pushing Ayaka away. "YAAAH!!" "Good... still not rotten... Your body truly is miraculous to stay fresh for over three months... All the more to love..." The man held his prize tightly with adoration. "Eek...! This guy's... nuts...!!"
"And you... you saw my secret..."
"Nn... NONONONONONONONONONONONOOOOOOOOO!!" Ayaka ran out of the room. “You can’t escape…”
The vision moved to the nurses office. "I got you. No running away now!" Ayaka sat on the bed panting terrified. "About earlier... You won't tell anyone, will you? It's a secret between us..."
"...No! Nooo! NOOO!"
"I see... That's unfortunate. Then I'll have to kill you."
"EEEEEK!" That was when Mai and Aki walked in. "...!"
"Ayaka! and Mr. Sohta!" 'Aki' called in relief. "A-ahh... H...help...!" Ayaka stuttered out. "Ayaka?" 'Mai' asked warily. "Calm down! The monsters are gone, Ayaka!"
"Teacher, what happened to Ayaka?" 'Aki' asked. "She was in a panic after being attacked by a monster." Sohta said calmly. ‘No! don't be fooled.! He was trying to kill me!’ Ayaka thought. So "Ayaka you were attacked!? We told you to go somewhere safe!" 'Aki' said worried. "Hold on. She should stay here and rest." Sohta said . "But..."
"Don't worry. I'll be with her." Sohta assured. "All right. I'm counting on you to look after Ayaka. We'll look around a bit more." 'Aki' said as they turned to leave. ‘Huh? No way... wait! Don't go!’ Ayaka thought. "Wait a moment! I think I have a tranquilizer on my desk in the staff room. Could you bring it to me? It may help her calm down a little." Sohta asked. "Sure..." Mai said. "Be careful. Don't you dare die out there. You're some of my dear students." 'Mai' nodded and walked away. ‘Don't let him trick you like this!!’ "Sir... thank you very much." 'Aki' said before following 'Mai' out the door. ‘Wait. Aki! Don't go! Help me! HEELP!!’ " Now then... no one to get in the way."
"No..." Ayaka tried to run but fell. She couldn't run anymore. "Think you can get away from me?"
"H-he... hel...p" He slowly inched forward before quickly killing her. "Idiot girl." Sohta clicked his tongue. “Hmm… It’d be suspicious if I was the only one unhurt…” Then there was a sound of the knife hitting more flesh. Finally they were returned.

Mai stood abruptly, still holding Ayaka’s hair clip. “Let’s go back. I’m not going anywhere near that man’s soul. Aki dutifully followed behind. “Well, at least we know the truth about Ayaka’s death now” Instead they turned their attention to a new bridge, connected to a single grave. As they crossed, Onigawara appeared again. “Take this…” He shoved something into Mai’s hand. “A mirror?”
“I think it may prove useful.” Suddenly he disappeared again. “Weird…” Aki muttered. Finally they reached the grave. “Tohma’s grave? So Tohma is in here?” Aki asked. “So Misao was haunting Tohma to drag him into the other world…” Mai concluded, before touching the tomb.

They were in a void again, in front of Misao who was standing above to Tohma's unconscious body. "Misao!!" Mai called. "Stay back!!!" She growled angrily. "The others can go free... but I won't give you Tohma."
"Why fuss over Tohma? Tohma was just playing with you!" Mai urged. "I know that... and I hate him for it. But Tohma... I hate him so much... Yet I love him... It's strange..."
"If you love Tohma, then free him for his sake!" Aki pushed. "Aki... you love him too, don't you...?"
"She just read you like a book." Mai whispered. "I..."
"I just had an idea. Aki, Mai, you should stay here too. I’m sure we can get along here. The four of us happy together."
"That... no, we can't..." Mai stumbled. "Ngh..." Tohma grunted as he began to wake up. "Tohma...!" Misao called. "...Hm? W-WAAAUGH!! M-MONSTEEER!!" He screamed. "T-tohma...? I-it's just me... Misao? I'm not a monst..."
"GYAAAHHH! GO AWAY. MONSTER!" He continued screaming trying to run away but just running in place. "Tohma..."
"I'm sorry, but we can't live happily together. Misao, look at yourself in this mirror. How do you think you look?" Mai said holding out the mirror. Misao took a step forward then reeled back in horror. "It can't be...". Her skin was paper white with a red eye, the other looked like it was missing. Trails of blood rolled down her face from her eyes and mouth staining parts of the shirt beneath. "This is... me...? No... no..."
"Misao..." I started. "NO! DON'T LOOK! DON'T LOOK AT ME!!" She turned her back to us covering her face. We walked forward standing next to a now sobbing Misao. "Why... why does all this happen to me... What did I ever do?! Tell me!!"
"Misao..."
"I wanted to live a full life. I wanted to be happy with someone... I don't want to be alone anymore... I'm scared..." She continued sobbing inter her hands. "I'm here for you!" Mai declared. "Me too!" Aki backed her up. "I'll be by your side! We can't have four. But we know us three can be happy!" Mai said, hugging her. "Why would you..."
"Because we're friends, aren't we?!"
"Friends...?"
"Yeah! friends!" Mai nodded. "Ah..." Misao glowed and turned back to how she looked before she died with normal tears streaming down her eyes. She gave Mai a big smile. "Aki... Mai..."
"We'll always be together!"
"...Yeah!"

Aki and Mai woke up to a empty classroom. Aki looked around seeing Mai rub her eyes and a purified Misao floating in the front of the classroom. "Thank you!"

Chapter Text

It’s been a little less than a year since Misao was saved. Despite their mourning of a friend there was barely a single remnant of, Mai and Aki managed to befriend some other classmates. Ones much more typical in personality, but good friends nonetheless. Luckily the new friends also had some interest in the supernatural, so once again they gathered, telling cheesy ghost stories.

"One."

"Two."

"Three."

“Hey, there’s some guy at the door.” Misao alerted, watching the count

"Four..."

"Five."

Keiko and Michiuru squealed at the unexpected voice as Aki whirled around to look at the door it came from. The light switched on revealing a boy in a black suit. "Please tell me that was you just now..." Michiru pleaded. "Of course it was, dork." Mai teased quietly, patting the girl clinging to her on the back. "Am I interrupting?" The boy asked, as everyone relaxed. "I thought for sure it was the ghost..." Keiko whined. "Sorry, I didn't expect anyone to be in here, but then I heard your voices and I couldn't help myself." The strange boy explained as he gave a polite smile but distant. The other two girls were instantly charmed and blushed. "Oh, no, it's totally fine!" They giggled and ran up to him, leaving Mai and Aki sitting awkwardly. "What year are you?"
"I'm 17 this year." Mai furrowed her brows at his statement. Aki curiously thumped Mai’s shoulder as she peered at the boy over her shoulder. "Normally someone would say they're a second year..." She whispered back. “He’s not wearing a uniform either… who is he?” Misao asked curiously. "So, we were just telling ghost stories." Michiru mentioned invitingly. "I see, well maybe I can join you guys sometime." The boy offered. "Wow! Do you mean you like telling ghost stories too?!" Keiko asked gleefully, still blushing shamelessly. "Yep." the girls giggled in happiness. Tired of watching from a distance, Mai began walking towards the door, Aki standing to follow. "You seem like a very cool guy, what's your name?"
"My name is Kazuya." Mai's eyes narrowed as she paused by the group, annoyed by his insincere expression, "What are you doing here?"
"There are some things I need to take care of."
"Then what are you waiting for?" Mai said, apprehension lacing her voice. Despite their friends' attitude, Keiko and Michiru followed Kazuya as he walked further into the classroom, giggling. "Oh for the love of..." Mai muttered, watching them go. "Do you need our help for anything?"
"No, but I'd love to be invited to join you for the next time you tell ghost stories."
"Of course! You're welcome anytime!" Aki huffed light heartedly at the hopeless giggle fest and hugged Mai's arm. "Should we just leave? It’s my turn to make dinner and unlike you and Garym, I’m not a culinary expert." Aki teased, pulling Mai away. "Oh, but you always make it work." Mai hummed encouragingly. "Your cooking is way better though!" Aki whined. The intruding boy's eyes followed the girls until they were out of sight.

"Leaving early?" Mai asked as Aki put on her shoes. "I left some worksheets on my desk and They’re due today,” Aki groaned. "I'm going to laugh if you get distracted and end up late anyways." Mai teased. "Hey, at least I have a sense of time!" Aki shot back, sticking her tongue out as she turned to leave, only to hesitate. “You’re wearing Ayaka’s hair clip…” Mai looked away shyly, brushing her fingers on the red clip that held back some of her bangs, “I just… thought it was a waste letting it rot in a jewlry box. I really just needed some time to feel comfortable with it. Does it look okay…?”
“You look great. Red really is your color.”

Aki giggled at Mai as she sat down, deflating onto her desk. "So who's gonna be late again?"
"Oh, shut up." she groaned, looking out the window. "Something happen?"
"I don't wanna talk about it."
“She got into a little accident on the way here.” Misao supplied, “I managed to negate a bit of the damage but…”
"Ah..."

When the last bell finally rang Mai quickly began to pack up her bag. "Mai! Are you leaving now?"
"But we're supposed to tell ghost stories with that cute guy remember?"
"Not us." Mai said dully, not even looking up. "Oh good." Aki giggled in relief with Misao. "C'mon guys! Please? This is our chance to tell ghost stories with a senior!"
"Did you say ghost stories?" Aki huffed in disdain at a new pretentious voice, and started packing, knowing things were getting complicated. "Is that what you four do after school every day? No wonder I've had this headache for so long. I'm very attuned to spirits. When they gather in groups I get headaches." Aki, Misao and Mai made very skeptical eye contact. Claiming to be spiritually attuned while not even reacting to Misao’s or Aki’s presence… Aki couldn't help muttering a little “yikes…”
"So you're blaming us for… your migraines?" Mai asked blandly, raising a brow. "Of course 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 every time you entertain yourself with those stories you're putting me at risk!" With every word spoken, the opposing tro’s expressions became more and more distasteful. Aki turned to force a smile "Ooooh? If that’s true every school in the world must be spiritual hot spots. After all, it’s not like we created the idea of telling scary stories!" Aki taunted, giggling at Kuroda’s embarrassed flush and earning a slight disapproving look from Mai. "So tell me," We turned to the boy from last time who was walking through the door. "If you are sensitive to spirits as you claim then do you sense anything in the old school house?" The two girls started fan-Girling as Mai groaned in annoyance. “He just keeps showing up huh?”
"Are you the one who put these girls up to telling those ridiculous ghost stories?" stepped forward accusatory.
"You didn't answer my question. Could it be your psychic abilities aren't real?" Kazuya asked coldly. "For your information there are numerous spirits of those who died in the war gathering in that school house!" The strange girl claimed. "Hah!" Misao gave a incredulous laugh at the false claims. "In fact, I'm positive that it served as a hospital during the war. There are just too many injured spirits in there."
"I was not aware of a hospital being there during the war. I know the school was founded well before the war, so maybe it was a medical school?" Kazuya suggested, earning a deer-in-the-headlights look from the fake psychic. "Look, I don't know! But I really do see spirits. If you're not psychic then you wouldn't understand." Aki and Mai at the repetitive scene as Keiko and Michiru suddenly decided they didn't want to tell ghost stories, shaken by Kuroda’s attitude. If she was really psychic then she probably would have remembered what happened with Misao and our former classmates, or at least she should notice Misao hovering around Mai. Aki peeked over at the spirit who was glaring daggers at the fake psychic from Mai’s side. "Oh, and Mai. Would you mind coming with me for a moment?" Kazuya called "So you did get in trouble!" Aki laughed. "You're coming with me!" Mai yanked on my arm "Don’t be such a-" Her glare shut me up.

"How's your friend doing?" Mai asked somberly. "Yes, about him... He injured his left leg and will have to stay off it for a few days, but oddly, he said the shelving unit fell oddly slow and angled itself oddly." Mai was hit with a narrow look of suspicion. “Woah… sorry Mai. I thought it was more subtle.” Misao pat Mai on the back. "Gosh, must be the uneven ground… you know how important maintenance is…” Mai muttered, attempting to brush off the accusation, “will you please tell him I'm sorry?”
“So what were you two doing there anyway?" Aki asked, quickly changing the subject. "Working." They peeked out the window, at the old school house. They are still demolishing it after so long, how strange. "Oh, I get it you work for him, are you like his assistant or something?" Mai asked. "No, not quite. He's the assistant and I'm the boss." Mai and Aki stopped and stared at this strange claim. "And now my assistant is stuck in bed. I believe it's up to you to take his place." Kazuya turned and gave a cold look to Mai. “Wait-”
“My camera is broken.”
“Huh?”
“My assistant tried to stop you from touching the camera, and now it’s in several pieces.” “Well- can’t I just buy you a new one or something?”
“Mai… you know we dont…” Aki shifted closer to Mai, whispering uncertainly. It was a quiet reminder of their financial strife. Even with the educational assistance and convenience of splitting rent between two people, money was quite tight. Especially since both of them were between jobs. “It’s quite expensive.” The boy added, causing the girls to wilt a little more. “Maybe I protected the wrong thing.” Misao mused, crossing her arms. “Oh… then I don’t know what to do.”
“You can’t afford to reimburse me for the damaged equipment which means there’s only one other course we can take. You’ll work off the debt as my assistant.” Mai froze for a second. “...Your assistant? You seriously think I should start working for you?”
“Well, that’s what I said.” Mai furrowed her brows at him. Aki didn’t hold back her laugh. "If I have to do this, I'm dragging you with me!" Mai hissed, squeezing my arm. Aki just kept laughing as Kazuya kept his cold stare steady. "What do you do at your job?" Mai asked, turning back to the boy. "I hunt ghosts."
"Huh?" Aki quieted her laughter as he elaborated. "In other words I exorcise spirits. Ghosts. My company Shibuya psychic research was hired to conduct an investigation on the school house." Aki elbowed Mai as they shared a nervous look. Considering their unique and concerning attributes, Mai opted to act dumb. "Psychic research?" Maybe that was a little too dumb. "Is that a question? Psychic research is another word for Spiritual investigations. We basically examine and scrutinize reports of supernatural phenomena. And I run the company."

So here they are, at sunset helping some random guy set up cameras. Kazuya opened the back of his van and dropped some shelf pieces in our arms. "One week ago your principal contacted my company." he started, shoving shelf parts into Mai's arms. "When I checked the records, I was able to verify that up until 18 years ago, while the old schoolhouse was still being used, there would be one or two deaths inside the structure every year. It's also true that when construction crews were demolishing the east side of the building there was an accident where the roof collapsed prematurely. No workers died as a result, though 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. A teacher did, in fact, commit suicide in the building, but that was explained by the suicide note left by the victim." Mai and Aki glanced at each other as they struggled to follow the monologuing bossman. It’s a lot to take in. "The incident with the truck last year was a drunk driving accident. That's when construction was stopped for the last time. No doubt the rumors played a part in this decision. The only story that seems to have a root in the subernatural is one about the apparition of a student with one eye appearing in classrooms, but that was in the new school house and may be a baseless rumor fed by superstition.” Aki and Mai both tensed, shifting the items in their arms. Those sightings were most likely months ago, before the Misao was contracted. “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."
“So basically its really bad luck?” Aki wondered to herself.

Finally, they stopped in a empty classroom. "We'll set up base here."
"Base?" Mai asked, making the boy turn with only a raised brow. "Precisely. We'll conduct all of our observations from this room." Kazuya set down his own stuff then walked past them. “Right…” Aki said, shifting the weight in her arms again. "Set up those shelves for me." Mai furrowed her brow and stuck her tongue out as she went to put her stuff down as well. “Did he seriously just leave you guys alone with all this expensive stuff?” Misao asked, a bit dumbfounded. "Well at least he seems smart. He even did all that research on this place. What do you think about him, Mai?" Aki asked, setting her own arm-full down to start setting up. "Something's bothering me about him, other than being a CEO at 17. Like a feeling in the back of my head."
"A weird feeling huh? Like Mr. Sota?" Misao asked with concern, hovering above them as they carefully screwed the shelf together. Mai shook her head. "No nothing like that. He’s not setting of alarm bells, he just… seems like a liar. Maybe it’s just personal. I know it doesn’t feel dangerous."
"Well at least we don't have to worry about being murdered."
"What are you talking about?" They all startled as Kazuya walked back in. "Just about how weird you are for dragging a school girl into an abandoned schoolhouse." Mai spoke, trying to hold up against his icy glare with a tight smile. His face twitched just a bit, "Stop slacking off and get back to work."

There were so many computers and so many cameras that Aki almost got dizzy. Kazuya just finished explaining the camera's to Mai, but unfortunately Aki wasn't really listening. "It's amazing that you know how to use this stuff." Mai commented. "No it's not, my brain just works differently than yours."
"I see... after all, you are Mr. Hot shot boss so you might as well know everything. But what made you decide to go into the ghost hunting business?" Mai asked as Aki chuckled at her attitude. "Because someone has to do it." What a boring answer, "Have you had any cases that you've not been able to explain?" Aki asked. "No. I'm very good at my job."
"Amazing, he's as smart as he is handsome." Mai muttered. "Oh, you cannot be serious. Never give me flack for my crushes ever again…” Aki muttered with judgement, "You think I'm handsome huh?" Kazuya cut in, smirking. "Well- uh I mean- you might have a good face but your attitude is ruining it!" Mai scrambled to recover from her embarrassment. The man himself continued to smirk. "Glad to know you have working eyes. I was becoming doubtful." They could only blink at his arrogance. "This guy is so…” Mai puffed out her cheeks with frustration. “Narcissistic! I’m gonna call this guy Naru!”

Aki and Mai were eventually dismissed for the night when it got dark, sternly reminded to come back tomorrow. When they stepped out to the road it was pitch black, before being greeted with a light shining directly in their eyes. "Mai? Aki? Have you been here with Kazuya all night long?"
"What were you two doing?"
"It's kind of a long story…"

"Paranormal investigation?"
"So he's not an upperclassman..."
"Of course not! He was barely trying to lie about it!" Misao hissed. "According to him, he's a ghost hunter." Mai admitted. "A ghost hunter?"
"Mai? Aki?" The group jumped as the fake psychic girl Kuroda walked up out of the shadows. "I was wondering if you would introduce me to him..."
"Introduce you? To Naru?" Mai asked incredulously. "What's this Naru stuff all about?"
"That guy's got to be the biggest narcissist I've ever met in my life!"
"That's true." Aki agreed, "I can't believe we actually have to work for him now!"
"You know I have many psychic abilities myself and I think I could really help Kazuya with his work." Kuroda tried again. “Why is she trying so hard?” Misao wondered, a concerned furrow in her brow. "You know since he is a professional and all maybe it's not such a good idea for you to get involved." Mai tried gently. "Well I'm by no means an amateur!" She snapped. Aki growled with annoyance, "Listen, no means no! Why should we do anything for you when you keep treating us like that! C'mon guys." Aki, pulling Mai away. "That girl is such a weirdo!" Keiko muttered, annoyed. "She's been like that since middle school."
"Yeah, she's a freak."
"Wasn't she in a lot of the same classes as you Keiko?" Mai asked, peering back pityingly. "Yeah, and she would constantly bug people about her spirits or whatever…”

The duo ended up arriving bright and early in casual clothes for another day of work. Mai resorted to green shorts and a pink shirt and Aki wore a pink mini skirt and a white tank top. "What's up?" Mai asked, creeping around the van. "Checking yesterday's data. So far, there seems to be nothing unusual." Kazuya explained blandly. "That's some fancy equipment you got there. It seems a bit too high tech for a couple of children to be playing with." The new snarky voice came from a red headed woman, who approached us followed by a brown haired man with really long hair. “This seems like fun” Misao sarcastically stated, glaring at the cocky intruders. "And who might you be?" Kazuya asked coldly. "I'm Ayako, the shrine maiden." Mai and Aki suppressed their shudders. The name was so similar… "The principle wasn't sold on you so he called me to drive the spirits out."
"I was under the impression that only innocent virgins could become shrine maidens." Naru commened, sending everyone into a giggle fit. "I see, and your point?" Ayako asked, visibly shaking in anger. "At the very least I'd say you're looking a little old to be calling yourself a maiden."
"Nice. Very funny, you smartass." Kazuya ignored the womans surpressed rage and turned to the man. "What about you? I'm guessing you're too intelligent to be the shrine maidens assistant."
"I'm a monk from mount Koya. The name’s Takegawa Hosho."
"Since when were monks allowed to have long hair?" Naru questioned, keeping his steady attitude. "Apostate....." Ayako coughed. "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." That Monk sure got aggressive quick. "Did he now?"
"Who falls for scam is that obvious?" Mai whispered to Aki, earning a small giggle. "The principal’s wasting his money. There's no need to have all of us for such a simple job." Ayako claimed, stepping forward confidently. The monk cut in, "Yeah, all he really needed was me."
"Right, I wouldn't be so sure." Mai, Aki and Naru stared at the two's useless banter with mild amusement. "Oh, thank goodness you're all here.” Kuroda exclaimed made an appearance from the bushes. "That haunted old school house has been terrorizing me for weeks."
"Kuroda-?"
“Was she hiding out here?” Misao wondered, tilting her head. "We shouldn’t be surprised…" Aki muttered, shifting to hide behind Mai. “This can only go badly.” Kuroda ignored Aki in favor of the newcomers, "you see, I’m a psychic. The souls of those trapped there have-"
"Stop grandstanding. You're just looking for attention. Are you really that desperate for people to like you?" Ayako cut her off. Blunt and brutal. If only Kuroda’s attitude was something that could be stopped with just that. "Isn’t that a bit too rude?" Mai defended, raising a brow at the approach. "You know it's the truth. She claims to have psychic abilities in the hopes it will somehow make her popular." Kuroda’s face grew into an intimidating scowl. "I'm gonna call a spirit to haunt you."
"Hold on, Kuroda-"
"You're the fake and you're gonna regret this."
"Should we be concerned? Even if she doesn’t have powers she can still target that woman…" Misao commented, holding her face with worry. Mai chose shake off the tense attitude and turned to their temporary boss, "Hey, Naru! So, what's up? what are we gonna do today?" Naru looked up with what could be called surprise, even though he was still practically cold as ice. "Wait, what did you just say? Did you just call me Naru?"
"Sorry... I-"
"Where did you hear that?" Mai paused for a second, face going blank. "You mean you've been called that before?"
"Looks like your talent got a little too accurate, Mai." Aki noted quietly, finally deciding to join the interaction. “Naru isn’t that common of a nickname either…”
“Wait wait! I just made that up on the spot! It’s an insult-!” Before they could continue, they were cut off by more visitors. "Morning everyone, nice to see you all." The principal greeted, with a blond boy following. Seeing him, Mai tensed just the slightest bit, eyes brimming with familiarity, before forcing herself to relax. It’s someone else… "Say hello to John Brown."
"G'day Mates!" So he's Australian. "My name's John Brown and I come from the great outback of Australia. I can't express how excited I am to join you."
"Mr. Brown is relatively new to our country, so please show him the respect he deserves." The principal finished his introduction and the two 'adults' were laughing at John's speech patterns. "No, no, let me guess, you're looking for a playground right?"
"Well, actually I practice the ancient art of exorcism." That shut those two up, and made Aki tense up a bit, squeezing Mai's hand for reassurance. "Only those who have been ordained by the catholic churches priests can conduct exorcisms. You seem young for that." Naru commented "You really know your stuff mate! To be honest I just turned 19 a few weeks ago. It's why I look so young." Despite their own tension, the two girls shared a bit of amazement. Even without knowing much about that stuff it was obviously an impressive feat.

Not wanting to stay outside the spiritualists somewhat convened in the base. "So we have an exorcist, an apostate monk, and a ghost hunter. Obviously this boneheaded principle doesn't have much fake in my unique cleansing abilities. Hmph, just watch. I'll clear this entire place myself." Ayako proclaimed, before walking out of the base. "I'm gonna do a walkthrough, see ya later." The monk said, going the opposite direction. John turned to Naru. “Uhhh… excuse me sir-”
“You may do as you wish.” Naru cut John off, not even looking at him. “They’re like total opposites.” Misao noted, watching the Australian struggle with Naru’s attitude. “I mean, I’d really like to work with you on this-” Poor John got cut off again. This time by Ayako’s scream. The four rushed over to find her trapped behind a jammed door. “Open up I’m trapped-!”
“Stand back! I’m gonna kick it down!”
“Hurry up and do it!”

Before returning to base, Mai noticed a nail sticking from the floor, which was quickly picked up by Naru. It’s probably the cause of the door jam, but she decided to ignore it for now since Ayako was being rude earlier. Mai was drawn out of her stupor by a nudge from Misao, “Someone else just walked in. She’s wearing a kimono…” Mai made an incredulous face before moving on. In base, they all gathered around Ayako as she explained how she got in that situation. "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."
"No there isn't. I don't sense one paranormal being connected to this place." Everyone jumped at the voice as the new girl walked in. As Misao said, she was dressed in a kimono and looked like a doll. Mai leaned away uncomfortably, catching a concerned stare from her roommate. "This is Masako Hara. A spirit medium." Naru introduced, seemingly unaware to the tension that information brought to his assistants. If she’s the real deal, there's no hiding Misao… "Another one?" Mai asked in slight annoyance, looking away from making eye contact with Misao. "Now they're calling in a tv star?" Monk asked incredulously. "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 agreed. "Why thank you, I'll take that as a compliment." Masako said calmly. Mai and Aki would've chuckled if they weren’t so preoccupied. "Well trust me, it's not." The girls felt Masako's eyes skim over them and right in Misao’s direction before turning to Naru. “Maaiiiii… I don’t like this…” Misao whined, clinging to her protector. "Ms. Hara is there any particular reason you phrased your statement like that?" Naru asked with narrowed eyes, crossing his arms. "Like what?"
"You said 'connected to this place' does that mean there's a wandering spirit here by chance?"
"There is no deep meaning behind the phrasing, I mean what I said. I do not sense anything that could be causing this haunting described to me." The grip on Mai's arm tightened. Why wasn't she telling them? She obviously knows...

"Anyways, there is a haunting. In my professional opinion, we're dealing with an earth bound spirit." Ayako claimed arrogantly. "Your professional opinion huh..." Aki muttered under her breath, earning an offended look. Aki shifted to smile at Mai, ignoring Ayako's new insults. The others continued talking to ignore her, only giving a side eye, but Naru instead began examining the nail Mai saw. "I believe it's a residual haunting. A traumatic event must have happened in this building in the past." Monk claimed with crossed arms. “He’s not wrong… but this school just has very bad luck with things like that.” Naru glanced at the exorcist in the room. "John, what do you think?"
"Well, to be honest, I'm not sure but usually a ghost does originate from a ghost or spirit occupying a structure."
"So it's either... A haunting, or fiction and folklore. Aki, Mai, are you two listening?" Naru turned to the two expectantly. "Of course we are!" Mai 'hmphed' dramatically. "Whats with your attitude?" Aki asked, crossing her arms. "These are things you need to learn."
"Enough talk. I'm getting rid of this thing as soon as I get back." Ayako started, walking out of the room. "I don't know how long I can put up with you people." The woman was stopped, almost running into Kuroda, "I wouldn't be so confident in your abilities. The spirit that haunts this sight is incredibly powerful.”
"Move aside." Ayako coldly pushed Kuroda out of the way, earning us a dramatic fall to the floor. "The spirit attacked me."
“I did not!” Misao puffed her cheeks at the vauge accusation. “It’s true. I was walking down the hallway when suddenly my hair was yanked backwards with amazing force. When I tried to flee it started strangling me.”
“When did this happen?” Naru asked. “A few minutes ago, in the second floor hallway.”
“That’s false there’s no spirits here to do that.” Masako countered, continuing her particular phrasings. “Yes there are! There definitely are! And they’re angry.” Misao began to hang off of Mai and Aki’s shoulders. “Seems like she’s the only angry one here…” She muttered, obviously offended by the girl. “You said it was the second floor hallway?” Naru turned around and began checking the monitor. It showed her walking up, before the video cut off entirely. “What just happened? Did the camera break?” Mai asked curiously. “No. But it is quite strange. When a spirit becomes active electronic equipment will often malfunction, but here I’m not so sure. Is it a spirit or e.m interference?” Naru wondered out loud. “It’s quite obviously a spirit, interference doesn’t cause someone to be attacked!”
“But Masako said there aren’t any spirits.” Aki pointed out. “Well lets just say I’m a little skeptical about her.” Kuroda said coldly, glancing at Masako. The accusation made Mai twitch uncomfortably. Kuroda really knew how to get on her nerves. “It’s common for female mediums to either be exactly right, or way off base. Even if she can’t sense any spirits now, it doesn't mean the haunting isn’t active. If what you say is true, then it’s possible the spirit that inhabits this place is very in-tune with your wavelength.” Naru noted, making Kuroda have a noticeably hopeful face. “Yeah, that’s right.”
“What kind of reasoning is that?” Misao asked, giving Mai a curious look. The girl just shrugged. Meanwhile, Masako began whispering to John.

Chapter Text

Before long the spiritualists were beginning to perform their own cleansing rituals. Misao and Aki stuck close to Mai nervously. “What’s she doing?” Mai asked curiously, trying to shake off her glowering friends. “Have you never heard of norito?” Naru asked. “I’m not particularly religious nor am I well versed in these things. ” Mai muttered quietly. “They’re just shinto incantations. But I’m starting to wonder if she can even pull this off…” Monk explained, hunching a little bit down to her height. “I’ve never seen anyone perform a shinto exorcism before… let’s watch.” Naru said with genuine interest, barely moving from how he was standing. A few people yawned as Ayako finished up her ritual. "I need a nap" Aki whined, clinging onto Mai. "You always need a nap." Misao grumbled, practically phasing through Mai's other arm. As the onlookers turned back to base, the windows of the main doors cracked, drawing attention as glass exploded right into the faces of the principal and Ayako. Everyone rushed to the two kneeled men as Ayako carefully sat up. "This man is bleeding!" John said as he looked at one of the men. "I think this one is too. What about you Ayako?" Monk asked, observing the wound. "I'm alright."
Amidst the slight panic the principal had to be sent to the hospital.

Mai and Aki decided to take a look at the camera's for a second after this little incident while everyone talked it out. It isn't a spirit, but something is going on here. That much was obvious. “I thought you said there’d be nothing to worry about now. Looks like your little exorcism didn’t work. Your failure just sent the principal to the hospital.” Kuroda mocked, far too gleeful for the man’s misfortune. “That was a simple accident.” Masako clarified. “Thank you, I thought I did my job very well.” Ayako said before being interrupted by Masako. “But I’m not saying your exorcism worked. It couldn’t have because there are no spirits to exorcise.”
“Yes there are! I was nearly killed by one of them earlier today!” Kuroda insisted angrily as the three boys entered the room. “Maybe it was a coincidence.” John guessed. “Or there’s something here. Something too strong for Ayako to drive away.” Monk proposed afterwards. Naru spoke up next. “If that were the case, there would be more conclusive readings on the equipment… What are you two looking at?”
"Was that chair there before?" Aki asked, pointing at the screen and catching everyone's attention. "No, I'm pretty sure all the furniture was close to the wall." Mai confirmed. "Hosho, did you see anyone go inside that classroom?" Naru asked. "No?" Mai tapped the rewind button back to the time of the window accident. It showed the chair staggering towards the center of the room. That freaked everyone out. "That looks like a poltergeist." Kuroda said confidently. “A what?” Aki muttered, "A German word dating back 4 centuries meaning noisy ghost. They are manifestations that can influence and move objects at will." Kuroda explained. "That is correct. But I don't think that's what we're dealing with. Quite often, objects that are manipulated by a poltergeist will feel warm to the touch." Naru pointed out before reaching to switch to infrared. "If we look at our thermographic image, we can see the chair is not radiating heat."
“But don’t forget Tisan's criteria.” John reminded. The conversation is actually getting into the realm of things the teens don't know. “Who?” Mai asked. “E. Tisan. He was a french policeman who was the first to classify poltergeists. Throwing objects, strange noises, fires, doors closing by themselves and so on. There are nine different criteria in all and so far we’ve seen a number of them on this site. We have doors closing on their own, inanimate objects moving, and glass breaking, which makes up three of the nine criteria.” Naru explained. “This is so confusing…” Misao held her head dramatically, causing Mai to chance a glance at the antics. “And Kuroda’s attack?” Mai asked curiously. “I’m afraid it was just her imagination.” Masako cut in. “Stop playing games with me! Why can’t you admit this place is haunted?!” Kuroda growled as Masako walked out. “I’m gonna follow her just in case. I want to see if she’ll talk to me, not to mention how this place is falling apart.” Misao said, quickly floating after the medium. “Alright then, I’ll try once more. I will sense them if there are any spirits here.” With that they were gone. “If we truly are dealing with a spirit here, and Masako can’t sense it, that would be quite a shock.” John said, staring at the doorway. “There’s no evidence there is one.” Naru added. It good he’s smart enough to stick to his guns here. “You’re just a sucker for a pretty face. Why else would you be sticking up for her?” Kuroda insulted. “I’m quite familiar with miss Hara’s work. I firmly believe she’s one of the best in her field. All I’m doing is giving her the respect she deserves.” Ayako crossed her arms at that statement. “I’m much more talented than she is and I’m not getting nearly that level of respect.” She said haughtily. Why should we believe that…? “What is it about you that I should hold in such high regard, because I’m drawing a blank.”
“What did you just say-?!”

Meanwhile Masako only acknowledged Misao on the second floor, in an area without a microphone. “What’s your name?” Misao perked up. “My name is Misao!” Masako nodded politely. “You were a student at that school? Why are you following that girl around?” Misao fiddled with her hands. “She saved me… It’s a bit complicated but… Without her I’m unable to move on.” Masako was visibly uncertain. “And… the other one? The one with the strange aura?” Misao jumped a little bit. “I’m not sure that’s my business to tell! She helped purify me though…” Masako sighed lightly at the skittish spirit, brushing her hand against the wall. “In that case, can you pass on an invitation for me? That exorcist and I shared some concerns, so if we could meet with all of you after this…” Her words were interrupted by a sudden cracking. “Ah-!” Misao shot forward as Masako began to fall through the wall, attempting to slow her fall.
Down in base, everyone heard a distinctive scream.

“The portion of the eastern wall that had been demolished was boarded up with weak plywood and was by no means structurally sound. She must have leaned on it, causing it to break beneath her weight. Miss Hara herself said it was an accident.” Naru explained as they once again gathered in the base. “I’m sorry. She got distracted while talking to me and I was only able to somewhat soften the fall.” Misao apologized, standing back mournfully. “We can’t deny it anymore, there’s obviously a force here.” Ayako claimed. Monk crossed his arms. “Oh, are you referring to the one you failed to exorcise?” Monk turned his head to Naru. “We’re playing with fire. An unsuccessfully exorcised spirit is like a wounded bear.” He explained. “That is keeping with the assumption that this place is haunted.” Mai muttered to Aki. “What do you two keep whispering about? Speak up if you have something to say.” Ayako cut in. Raising a brow, Mai spoke up. “Don’t you think you’re jumping the gun? Sure you can quote other incidents for a haunting case but you’re going to disregard the victims own word that it was a normal accident? That seems a bit disrespectful of other professionals.”
“Why, you-!”
“Listen, from what I saw in the video it was just an accident,” Naru cut in. “Not to sound like I’m on their side or anything, but there’s got to be something going on, right? Even if it’s not ghosts.” Aki asked, earning an agreeing nod from Mai. “Recurring accidents are why they say this place is haunted.” She said dully. “That may be true, but there are simply not enough readings on the equipment to prove it. There aren’t any temperature fluctuations, no ionic polarizations, and the emf readings are normal. The proof just isn't there.” Naru explained. “But… Ayako was trapped in that room! And I was attacked upstairs! Something also moved the chair, broke the glass, and erased the video!” Kuroda cut in with a glare. “Like I said, I’m still not convinced.”
“Maybe we’re dealing with a highly intelligent spirit that knows how to hide from your machines.” Monk proposed. “Would that be possible for a spirit?” Misao asked incredulously. “What do you really think?” Naru asked again. “I still believe it's a residual haunting.” Monk said sternly. “And you, John?”
“Well, I’m not sure… but I do agree it’s gotten quite dangerous here.”
“Now, tell us what you’re thinking.” Monk said, giving the boy a smile. “I’ll hold off on my theory for now. I’d like to investigate this from a slightly different angle.” With that the teenage boss walked off. “I’m beginning to feel kind of abandoned.” Mai muttered as she watched him walk away. “Seriously… Isn’t he supposed to be our boss?” Aki asked. “So what do you think about this guy? He knows how to put on a show with all this equipment, but I’m not convinced the boy-wonder knows what he’s doing.” Monk commented cockily.

They decided to give John a try at exorcism, even though there's nothing here to exorcise. They all watched from base as he began his work. Holy water and incantations. Even the thought of holy water made Aki’s skin crawl. The ritual was cut off by a sudden crack, followed by more creaking sounds. “What…” Mai muttered. “More strange noises.” Kuroda said. “Turn up the volume.” Monk requested, also leaning in. Something's wrong. Mai leaned closer to the screen as John resumed, but the creaking wouldn't stop. Mai's eyes stopped at the top of the screen and widened. "Mai, what’s wrong-" Aki cut herself off with a sharp breath as Mai ran out, barely able to follow her. She slammed the door open. "Aki! Mai!"
"Get out of there! The ceiling’s falling!" Mai yelled. "Huh?" Mai heard the ceiling strain and jumped into the room, pushing John out into Aki’s arms. "Mai!" Aki and John screamed in concern as the planks fell, barely missing the girl. As the dust settled she pushed herself up, wood and rubble falling off her. "You're so loud-" she was cut off by a hug from Aki. “Whoa, what a close call.” Misao poked at Mai’s scratched face as Aki held onto Mai. "Hey, you know I'm tough as nails. Were you really that worried?" Mai asked softly. "Of course I was!" Aki pulled Mai out of the rubble and into safety.

It quickly got dark as everyone gathered to survey the damage. "I don't believe this..." Monk muttered. "If Aki and Mai had not acted so quickly, I could’ve easily been injured, or even killed." John commented, giving a thankful look. Ayako turned to Mai. "I'm more concerned about Mai. Are you sure you’re completely uninjured?"
"I was only lightly dusted with debris." Mai explained, patting the wood chips off her head. “In the interest of safety, I think we should call it for the night. Mai, Aki, you’re dismissed.” Naru declared as he surveyed the room. “Really?!”
“Great. You’re cooking dinner tonight.” Aki said, dodging a poke to the ribs. “Alright, I guess I’ll be back bright and early. While there’s still life, there’s still hope.” Ayako said, also turning away. “Just admit it and say you’re scared.” Monk teased, earning a nasty look from the woman. With that the two adults walked off. “Well, seeing as I nearly just lost my head a minute ago I think I’ll take your advice and retire for the evening.” John walked out, leaving just the teens. “You leaving?” Mai asked with concern. “Not yet. There’s still some things I want to investigate.” Naru said, still looking around. “Well, be careful then.” Mai warned, finally starting the walk home.

"Did you seriously sleep in the back of your van?" Mai asked, crossing her arms in disappointment. "That can't be good for you." she added, leaning over to look at him. Naru groaned as he opened his eyes. "Hey… What are you doing here at this hour?"
"At this hour? It's almost time for lunch Naru!" Mai pointed out. "Morning!"
"There's the rest of 'em." Aki commented, turning to the remaining three. "Looks like someone's had a rough night." Monk noted. "Looks to me like someone's trying to leave early." Ayako said pointedly. "You're right."
"So you're finally admitting your expert opinion was totally wrong?"
"No. I'm leaving because I've already solved the case." They all froze at Naru’s proclamation.
"So you cleaned that school house by yourself?" Monk asked in surprised. "No. I didn't do that. There was no need to."
"What are you talking about." Monk asked as Mai peered down at Naru as he opened his laptop. "What did you do?" She asked. "Last night I compiled all my experiments. These are some survey results. The school house is sinking. In fact, it sank .2 inches just last night."
"It what?!" Monk asked as everyone stared dumbfounded at this information. "It's called subsidence."
"Yeah, so what? You think subsidence is to blame for the phenomena we experienced?" Ayako asked incredulously. "This entire area is built upon unclaimed swamp land. When I looked into the distribution of wells that were once in use I discovered a large aquifer that passed underneath the school house, but when I checked the wells that are in the immediate area I found them all to be dry." Naru monologued. "Which means?" Aki asked. "The soil here was weak to begin with. Since the water has dried up there's a hollowing effect happening underground. So naturally the structure built above it will be sinking." Mai nodded along with the explanation as Monk spoke up. "So you're saying... The glass, the chair moving and the ceiling collapsing... are all due to subsidence?"
"Yes the floor of the classroom on the eastern side of the building where the ceiling collapsed was 3 inches lower than on the west side."
"3 inches?" Mai repeated. "Yeah that definitely makes sense." Aki added, looking up at the building. "Sounds like structural failure to me." Monk conceded. "But what about the strange noises?" Ayako asked. "Probably the sound of the wood shifting. We should have the surrounding area declared off limits. It's so structurally unsound it might come down any day now." Naru declared.

As they began packing up Kuroda quickly showed up again. “To think this place was that unsound…” Misao muttered mournfully, ignoring the screeching girl. “I knew it! You can’t explain what attacked me, can you?!”
“If what you claim really did occur, then maybe it’s the work of a floating spectre that’s following you.” Naru said coldly. “Just listen! I’m not making this up!” Naru only ignored the girls pathetic attempts. “There is a spirit here. I know it.”
“You’re wrong. I have scientific evidence to back up my claims-” Kuroda quickly cut him off. “Did consider that the spirit is avoiding your tests?!”
“Then exorcise it yourself. That should be easy of someone with your skills. There’s nothing more for me to investigate here, so I’m leaving. End of story.” Naru said, as they continued packing up. Mai sighed and turned away from the shelves. "What's wrong Mai?" Aki asked. Everyone paused and looked slightly towards the two. "I'm just a bit restless. Maybe it just felt a bit anticlimactic for something we got randomly dragged into, but I just feel like there's something we missed..." Aki tapped Mai's forehead. "Mai, since when has your instinct ever been wro-" she stopped when they heard a loud cracking sound. "Huh?" Mai looked up. Suddenly the glass of the doors shattered rapidly, quickly flying into the room. Kuroda barely had time to duck. Then the knocking started. “What’s going on?!” Ayako asked. “Well it’s more than just the place sinking!” Monk retorted. “Knocking sounds, that’s another one of Tisan’s criteria.” John said. Mai turned to Naru, who looked shocked. She whipped her head back around to see the doors were slamming back and forth. “We need to get out of here!” Aki suddenly said. “Mai-!”
“Yeah yeah!” The others' eyes widened as she took charge. Mai puffed up her cheeks before launching a wooden chair at the swinging doors, splintering the wood and finally letting them out.

"You ok Kuroda?" Aki asked worriedly. "You're bleeding, let me see your hand." Ayako offered. "It's ok. The cut's not too deep." Monk turned to Naru. "What was that? And don't try to feed me that sinking theory again! That was a full on poltergeist wasn't it?!" Ayako looked up as she finished bandaging up Kuroda's hand. "That sound wasn't just the sinking of an old building. Something was definitely banging on the walls."
"That means we've already witnessed 4 of the 9 criteria that were laid out by Tisan." John said, giving a worried look to Naru. "It just goes to show that you can't depend too much on technology. For a minute there I was actually about to believe you and you phony results." Ayako claimed arrogantly. "Stick around Naru and you'll see how the true professionals do things."
"Maybe it's time someone went back to school."
“I really don’t like their attitudes.” Mai growled as she crossed her arms. John and Kuroda turned towards them as the two adults walked away. "Yeah, I mean, Naru did give evidence for his claim, and even if he wasn't completely right we now know how structurally unsound this place is." Aki explained. They turned to look at Naru who just kept staring at the school. "Hey, Naru your hand-" Mai reached out, eyes widening "It's just a scratch." Naru raised his bloody hand slightly. "But-" Mai started again. "I will be fine. You should just tend to Kuroda."
"Naru-"
"I'd appreciate it-! If you left me alone for a little while. I'm so mad at myself I could throw up."
"...Fine..."
She conceded, letting Naru walk away.

"You're not gonna watch the Monks attempt with the rest of us?" Ayako asked. "No. I think we’ve seen enough.” Mai said, feigning a smile before returning to her work. "Hey, what's up Mai?" They finally paused to look up at John. "Mind if I give you a hand?"
"Oh, I'm okay. I'm just taking a few things out."
"Then please, allow me to help you, I insist."
"Really, I'd rather do it myself." She insisted as John picked up a mic. "Are you still buying your boss's explanation?" Ayako asked from the doorway. Mai’s polite smile quickly became strained again. “Even if there IS a ghost here, it does not invalidate the data Naru presented. The building is still collapsing and I’m just avoiding liability for damages to equipment. If you want to be stupid and risk your life by staying here, be my guest. You’re the professional after all!” Despite the chipper tone the challenge was clearly received. "Easy now..." John muttered, trying to calm the tension. "Our opinions aside, we really can't do anything without Naru. It's his company and his equipment so without him around..." Aki cut in, giving a close-eyed smile, earning a huff from Ayako.

"I just set the microphone up on the second floor." John said, meeting up with Aki and Mai by the stairs. “At least someone here is reliable.” Misao grunted. "Thank you." Mai said. "You know we can do this stuff ourselves." Aki pointed out. "Hey, no worries, mate. Anyway, I'm gonna go look around a bit. See if I can't find some more clues."
"Be careful." Mai called, quickly turning to Aki as John walked away. "Now that we have a moment alone, what do you think?" Aki asked curiously. "Oh, there is definitely not a spirit here. There is no trace of them to be seen and the behavior seems weird to me."
"You're gonna have to elaborate on that. I'm only demon savvy." Mai huffed as she spoke again "Well, it’s just that all of the activity from before was almost definitely ground subsidence, otherwise there would’ve been a trace like Naru was saying, but when that was explained suddenly a real poltergeist happened. It seems strange..." Aki nodded with understanding. "I get it." They stopped talking, hearing footsteps. After what felt like an eternity, they could see her. "Kuroda?" Mai asked. "Any news?"
"The Monk and the others are making their rounds right now." Aki said, fiddling with the hand rails. "And Kazuya?"
"We have no idea."
"Maybe the great debate on spirits will be over soon." Mai commented dully. "There are spirits here. I saw them"
"Oh yes, you’ve made that clear.” Aki chuckled. "They're not here anymore. The expulsion was a success." Ayako declared, walking up from another hall. "We've heard that one before." Mai commented. "Well-This time I'm sure of it."
"They're still here. I can feel them. In fact there are many spirits trapped here." Kuroda claimed again. "Please stop lying. It’s getting old." Misao whispered. “Are you still pretending? Give it a rest. We’re the professionals here.” Ayako said haughtily to the girl. “Unless I’m mistaken, you haven’t done anything.” Kuroda hissed back. "We're good now." Monk interjected, also appearing out of nowhere. "Ayako's effort may have been an extreme failure, but mine wasn't."
"Excuse me?!" And here comes another argument. “Well it is true, isn’t it?”
“Don’t take credit for my work!”
“Same to you.”
“Get over yourself!” Aki gave Mai a gentle tap on the shoulder. "Please break them up." Mai took a deep breath "SHUT UP AND PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR DAMN ENVIRONMENT." She pointed to the ceiling, where the sound of footsteps was coming from. "Someone's here." Ayako whispered, earning an annoyed "I know." from Monk. The sound reached the top of the stairs they stood by, causing Monk to rush up stairs. "There's nothing here. must've imagined it."
"There's no way we ALL imagined it." Aki pointed out. "It was just the wind." Ayako insisted. Mai turned a disgusted look at the woman for the lame excuse. "Isn't it ironic how you insulted Naru and are now making excuses for your own failure." Mai insulted, raising an eyebrow. Suddenly the group was jolted by strong knocking. "This is..." Aki whispered as the lights began shattering. "This is the most activity we've seen so far!" John yelled, covering his head to protect it. "It sounds like there's more than one! It's too dangerous here, let's get outside!" Monk instructed. "Kay!" Aki said as they started running. "Mai!". Mai’s eyes widened at Misao’s sudden warning as a shelf next to her began tipping over, barely giving enough time to react before she passed out.

Chapter Text

Mai once again found herself laying in a void, but this time there were small floating lights, hovering past. She opened her eyes to someone's hand on my forehead. “Naru…?” Mai croaked at the familiar face, smiling down at her… “No, you’re…” Mai sat up with a sudden clarity. “What is this…?” ‘Naru’ gently pushed Mai back down. “Go back to sleep.” Mai groaned as the man kept smiling down at her, and Mai’s consciousness faded once again.

Aki brushed hair out of Mai's face as the others looked at her unconscious form worried. “She’s been out for a while.” John muttered.
"I think she'll be okay. I should probably take her home, it's getting too late." Aki said. "Are you sure you can carry her all the way?" John asked. "How will you get in her house?" Ayako asked. "We’re roommates, so it'll be no problem." Aki answered as she went to pick her up. Suddenly Mai’s eyes fluttered open. "Oh, hey Mai. How do you feel?" Monk asked. “Boy, we were really worried there for a minute.” Ayako whispered. "Finally you're awake." Aki sighed as she helped her sit up, leaving an arm around her. "Hey, guys..."
"It's 4 am. How much sleep do you need?" Aki joked, poking Mai in the head. "Did Naru come back?"
"Nope."
"Where's Kuroda?"
"She left. We should probably go home too, all things considered." Aki advised. “That’s not entirely a bad idea. Exorcisms have had no effect. It possible that even our own safety could be compromised.”
"So you want to run away?"
"Wasn't it your own boss that ran away first?" Ayako asked defensively, crossing her arms, "He probably went home and cried himself to sleep."
"Now that is ridiculous!" Mai snapped. "Well, if I were to guess, he ran away because of us. We did kinda gang up on him yesterday y'know..." Monk pointed out. "Yes, but remember, he was quite the narcissist." Aki commented. "Maybe Kazuya's at home. Stewing with unbridled rage while he makes straw effigy dolls of each of us." John suggested. They all stared at him for a second before bursting into laughter. What a light note to end the night on.

“Morning…” Aki greeted as they finally made it to school. Mai quickly got caught up talking to their classmates. “Oh my gosh, Mai!” Keiko and Michiru jogged up to her, worriedly looking between the two of them. “Are you ok?”
“We heard something happened to you. Fill us in on all the details.” Mai tilted her head. “Where did you hear that?”
“Kuroda told us. She’s been bragging to the whole class about it all morning…” Mai barely held off an exasperated sigh. “Of course…”
“A classmate being injured is a weird thing to brag about.” Aki commented bitterly “And you’ll never guess what happened to us! Kazuya just called us up out of nowhere. We talked for like ten minutes!” They both froze at this information. “He called???” Mai asked in shock. “Yeah, last night.”
“Last night!? He’s been missing since yesterday afternoon- what did you talk about?!” Aki asked aggressively. “Uhhh you know, like, this and that… he asked us what we knew about the old school house and stuff…”
“He asked a lot of questions about Kuroda.” Mai puffed her cheeks in frustration as she went to put her stuff on her desk. "Oh, there you are." The teacher said, walking in. "Kuroda, Mai, Aki, you're wanted in the principal's office."

“Hello?” Mai said, entering the room. It’s kind of weird seeing it normal and… uncursed. They don’t have a lot of reason to visit it these days. The girls squinted as they looked into the room. Inside was Naru. And the rest of the psychic team. “Well that’s odd.” Misao muttered. “Please take a seat.” the principal instructed. So they sat in the empty chairs that were right in the little arc. "Okay, this makes up everyone that's been involved with the case so far. This should only take a few minutes." Naru said, closing the blinds. He then proceeded to turn on some sort of red light that blinked on and off.
Before they knew it the blinds were opened in their faces, blinding them. "That's all I need, thank you for your cooperation."
"Finally." Mai muttered.

"Naru! Where did you go yesterday?" Mai asked, abandoning Aki to catch up to the man. "Nowhere special. I heard that you got injured."
"Just a little knock to the head. I’ve suffered worse" She shrugged off. "So what was up with that light?"
"Shouldn't you be heading back to class?"
"Aki will give me any notes I miss."
"So you want to be stupid?"
"Well I have my own strong points. Besides, haven’t you seen enough of me to know I’d be a menace if I was too smart. I might even act like you." Mai teased, unbothered.
“What awful reasoning.” Despite how Naru turned away, Mai could almost make out the ghost of amusement on his face. It seemed wildly different from the man in her dream.

Mai and Aki found Naru after school sat in his van. "Were you the ones who set up the microphone on the second floor last night?" He asked before they could even greet him. "Yeah."
"Well you did an excellent job. It picked up some very interesting noises." Mai stood for a moment, making mental comparisons to her vision the night before, when he glanced back at her. “What’s up?”
“...You know how a bookcase fell on me? Well it was warm and you said poltergeists cause things to heat up.” Mai said thoughtfully. “I’m impressed you remembered that.” “Looks like your attention to detail has improved.” Misao complimented. “Thanks?” John showed up a minute or so later. “G’day Mai, Aki.”
“Oh, John!” Aki greeted, startled. Naru took off his headphones. “Now, let’s get started.” Then they were put to work. Mai drew a chalk circle around a chair as John set up a camera. "Naru, what are you setting up over there?" Mai asked. "This is a radar." "Why?"
"If I told you it wouldn't work."
"But I'm still your assistant, right?"
"Yes, so take some of that plywood over there and start boarding up all the windows and doors in that room. You too Aki." They both groaned at the demand. “Looks like your gorilla strength will come in handy” Aki muttered, earning a burning glare from Mai.

They sure were thorough. Well, Mai was thorough. There was barely a gap between the boards and she did more than half of the boards. They finally finished up, only to have a marker shoved in their faces. “What now?” Mai groaned, bent over with her arms dangling. “All of you take this and sign your names on the boards.” Naru ordered. So they started signing all the boards. John’s was in English, Mai and Aki’s were in Japanese. “Haahh… That was the last one… right?” Mai griped. Naru ignored her as he taped up a large sheet of paper. “Now, write your names on this sheet of paper, when you’re done you can go home.” Aki watched Naru walk away as Mai signed the paper. “Is there a point to all this?” Aki asked skeptically. “You’ll find out tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow?!” Mai yelled in annoyance. “Kazuya knows what he’s doing and I trust his judgement so… maybe we should just sleep on it like he said and find out tomorrow.” Mai huffed, “Whatever.”

The girls did an impromptu sleepover to get Mai to finally settle down for the night. When they arrived at the school Naru's real assistant was there, working diligently around a wrapped up foot. "Are you feeling better?" Mai asked politely. He just stared her down. “Oh dear.” Misao muttered worriedly.

Everyone finally gathered in the experiment area shortly after. "So what's the plan today Naru?" Monk asked curiously. "Let's hope for your sake you don't embarrass yourself yet again." Ayako commented rudely. Naru ignored them and turned to Mai, John, and Aki "Now, would you three please confirm that the paper you signed yesterday hasn't been tampered with?"
"I don't see a problem." Aki noted. Mai nodded as well "Looks good to me. John?"
"Fine."
"Alright." Then, to everyone's shock Naru proceeded to tear off the boards again. “All your hard work was wasted.” Aki commented quietly, elbowing Mai. When They looked inside the room, the chair was thrown across the room, on its side and away from the chalk circle. "So what exactly does this prove?" Ayako asked skeptically ."Would you care to explain?" Monk followed up. "I would like to thank you all for your cooperation. I will be finishing this investigation today." Naru said, finally looking up from the computer. "Let me get this straight, are you claiming to have solved the case again?" Ayako asked. "That's exactly what I'm saying."
"So the ground sinking?" Mai asked curiously. "Yes, all of the issues the principal initially came to me with can be explained with ground subsidence."
"Then what about the disturbances we say the day before yesterday?" Monk challenged "Those were from a poltergeist."
"You're not making any se-"
"Well what else can he do? We all know that he can't exorcise it. Right?" Ayako cut in. "There's no need for an exorcism in this circumstance. Watch this and you'll see." Naru turned to his computer to play a video. On the blurry footage, the chair began to shake, before being pulled backwards and falling over. “So that was…” Aki started, “...A poltergeist?” Mai finished. "Humans are to blame for over half reported poltergeists every year." Naru explained "Like a prank?" Mai asked, playing dumb again. "Not quite, although I did make sure that you sealed the classrooms, signed the boards in order to see if anyone had tampered with one." John nodded. “If anyone had tried to replace any broken pieces there’s little chance they could’ve mimicked my signature." He explained. “This only proves that I've been right all along!" Kuroda started. "Not if it was human made…” Mai mumbled, tilting her head in thought. Naru almost looked proud at how quickly she caught on. "I put an hypnotic suggestion in everyone's mind yesterday that this chair would move before we met here this evening."
"In the principal's office..." Aki concluded. "So far this method has never failed me. I have no reason to believe it will today. Poltergeists are a form of latent mental powers. Often by people who have an unconscious craving for attention. When stress is introduced a self defense type mechanism reacts in the brain. Hypnotic suggestions can become a reality in these types of situations." as Naru monologued everyone turned to stare at Kuroda, who was getting silently mocked by Misao for faking seeing ghosts. "So you're saying... that I'm responsible for this?" She asked in shock. "From the moment I met you I knew you were trying to impress me. For example you claimed to see spirits that still remained here from the war. However, there is no evidence of this area being bombed during the war, or of this building being used as a hospital. In fact, there was never a hospital built on this land, period. That means you were either mistaken or you were intentionally lying to me and the others." Naru continued monologuing again while Misao cackled at Kuroda. It did make all three of the girls feel better that someone was completely shutting her down. "I'm not a liar!"
"At first I thought you were just pretending to be spiritually sensitive, so when things started happening that could only be explained as a poltergeist, I became quite perplexed. My scientific experiments and Ms. Hara's psychic readings both came up clean. We determined there were no spirits." Mai held back a smile at that statement as Masako's eyes flickered to Misao for an almost unnoticeable second. Misao startled and hovered behind Mai, staring back at the medium as Naru went to finish up his explanation. "That means the haunting was of human origin. Poltergeist activity is often caused by children in their early teens. There are numerous cases involving teenage girls in particular. It's a form of psychokinesis that can occur during periods of great stress. Ever since middle school you were known amongst your peers as being sensitive to spirits. But once it was proven by me that the strange phenomena happening here was in fact due to ground subsidence, you naturally lost what confidence and faith you had in your psychic abilities. This caused you immense anxiety because it went against your own beliefs, and although you could see the merit's in my evidence, you still wanted to believe that spirits were to blame. You told yourself there was no other way. You simply couldn't face the truth." Kuroda shoved her face in her hands as she listened to the explanation. "You had no idea you did it. Wow...." Monk murmured. "I firmly believe you're a latent psychic, Kuroda. She believed there had to be spirits present in the old schoolhouse in order to attract the attention of those around her. In order to be who she was." After a moment of silence Mai sighed sympathetically. "I can’t really blame her for that. I mean everybody wants to believe their special in some way. To stand out... So, for Kuroda it could be her being a latent psychic, right?" Kuroda stared up at her through her hands, seeming almost skeptical for a moment. “It’s never seemed that hard for you Mai… You’re lucky.” She said enviously. “I just make it look easy.” Mai assured her, chancing a warning glance at Aki before she could intervene. Kuroda blushed a bit at Mai’s kindness. Seeing that the moment was over, Naru spoke up, "Does this explanation satisfy everyone?"
"Not quite. According to that account her elevated stress levels came after you gave us your little theory on ground subsidence or whatever it was. What about me getting stuck in that room or the video being erased, explain that!" Kuroda looked away with shame as Ayako spoke up. "Ah- Wasn't the door getting jammed because of a nail?" Everybody turned to Mai in surprise as she spoke up, a finger on her chin. "Yes. This was sticking out from the floor." Naru said, pulling it out of his pocket. "That's it? Then... someone did it on purpose? Was it you?!" Ayako turned to Kuroda who was looking down guiltily. "You were just trying to get back a little at Ms. Matsuzaki. After all, she had verbally attacked you outside just moments before." Naru explained. "What about the video?" Ayako asked again. "The video tape was intentionally erased. When you became trapped we all left the base to come to your aid. There was plenty of time for someone to slip in there and erase the tape without ever being seen." Naru finished up his explanation again and everyone just stared at Kuroda. "What are we supposed to do now? The principal hired all of us to get this place ready so they can continue the deconstruction." Monk asked. The situation had become truly overcomplicated. "I plan to report the following story to the principal: The old schoolhouse was haunted by those who died here during the war. They've all been exorcised and the structure is now clean of any paranormal activity. That sound okay, Kuroda?" Kuroda just nodded as Naru lightly stared her down. "It's very kind of you, Naru, but will you really lie to the principal? He deserves to know the real story." Masako stepped up, once again peeking at Misao, Mai and Aki. "Kuroda's going an excellent job suppressing her feelings now. I don't think it's necessary to embarrass her any further."

Soon they made it back to base and started cleaning up. “Actually, I’m curious about one thing…” Naru spoke up as he unplugged some monitors. Only him and Mai were in the room. “Hm?” Mai hummed curiously. “If you remember, there was one rumor I could not find a source for. I was wondering if you knew anything about it since you seem interested in ghost stories." Mai paused for a second. “Well, I’m not certain, but it might be the only actual ghost story. Those sightings only happened for like a week a few months ago. And nobody in the school recognized her face…” Mai looked over at her spirit mournfully, but the ghost girl simply waved it off. “It’s the consequences of my own actions. Don't make that face.” Naru seemed satisfied with the information. “So nothing to truly worry about.”

Aki and Mai were told to go back to school and let Naru pack up on his own. As they left the school house, they were stopped by Masako and John. "Mai, Aki, can we schedule a time to talk to you three later? about…" they tensed at Masako's question, and her eyes trained onto Misao and Aki. "Ah, right. I almost forgot..." Mai shook her head and took out a piece of paper, quickly scribbling her address on it. "We have to go to school now so try to come over afterwards." She said, shoving the paper in John's hand before running into the school, leaving the two staring expectantly.