The Story Continued (Ghost Hunt)

Chapter 50

Once the group gathered in their boss's (and John's) room the boy explained how their investigation would proceed. "As stated the building has been examined and it's safe to keep investigating." He started. "Our job has been made easier because the principal used yesterday's incident to close the school for a few days. But he also wants the case to be solved as quickly as possible due to possible danger."

"That's why we can't even have a day off." Ayako cut in. Naru ignored her comment. "We've had the assumption that Ichika might want revenge so we will start with that. I've been thinking of using Hitogata as a bait. But..."

"We have a problem right?" Takigawa spoke up.

"Yes. For a hitogata, we need a person's date of birth and death. If we use a hitogata of a living person, that person will also be harmed." He stated.

"And if it isn't a hitogata of one of the bullies it probably won't work." Masako added.

"I say it's fine. That's karma for what they did to Ichika!" Mai exclaimed, very frustrated. The case couldn't move forward because they had to protect the bullies. "Mai!" Ayako said in a stern tone. Even so, it quickly became gentle and soft. "I know how you feel. Sometimes I think the same. But with our abilities and knowledge comes responsibility." The miko rationalized.

Mai felt guilty for what she said. "I'm sorry. I should have known better."

The woman smiled warmly. "It's ok. You still have time to learn."

Naru watched the exchange and waited for it to settle down before he kept going. "So the question is..."

"There shouldn't be a problem." Yasu cut him off.

"Pardon?"

The boy pulled out his laptop and placed it in his lap. "One of the articles I read while researching stated that one of the bullies died a week after Ichika. There was no name given but... give me a second." Yasu fell silent as he started to type intensely. "Got it!" He said after about a minute. "Did they even try to hide it?" He asked as he turned his laptop around. "Moriyama Sachiko. All the needed information is below the picture."

"Where did you find this?" Mai asked, impressed.

"I don't know anymore. I found this yearbook from the year Ichika would graduate and took a photo of it just in case. You can see that there are only two pictures in black and white. That of Ichika and Sachiko and if you check the dates it matches. Sachiko died a week after Ichika. It must be her." He explained proudly.

"I don't know if it's nice of them to still include both girls in the yearbook or just unnecessary." Mai commented. "At least it made our job easier."

"And why didn't you tell me beforehand?" Naru asked as he raised an eyebrow. Yasu chuckled nervously. Now, he could say he forgot or that he didn't think it was important but which one will make Naru less angry?

"It isn't important! At least now we can move forward." Gene tried to help his boyfriend.

Naru just gave his brother a quick glare but just as Gene hoped he let the topic be. "Our goal is for Ichika to destroy the hitogata. To her, it will feel like revenge. If we got it right and that's her wish the case should be solved."

"So, when are we departing?" Mai asked as soon as Naru was done speaking. Let's see how much free time she had remaining. "When the client calls me. They are still cleaning up the mess and we do need that room." The boy answered.

"So we have free time until then?" Naru nodded to answer Mai's question. Soon after everyone slowly started to leave the room. "Why didn't you tell Naru what you told me last night? About the case." Masako questioned as she approached the girl. Mai brushed it off. "It's probably not that important. And we already have a plan."

"If you think so..."

"John, where are you going? Isn't this your room?" Mai was surprised to see the boy leave. "Yes, but Gene and Yasu wanted me to take this personality test for a few days now so we are going to do that now." He explained as Gene and Yasu came up behind him. "What are you trying to do this time?" The girl questioned. "Nothing really." Gene said innocently. "Masako you have to come too!" Yasu added and the two boys took off dragging John with them. Masako followed. "Then see you later, Mai." Mai smiled in response.

Now it was only Naru and Mai. "Do you think they will allow me to use the kitchen? I would make some tea." She offered. "You can try and ask. We also have to get the hitogata ready." Mai smiled at her boyfriend before leaving the room. "I'll be back soon." She yelled as the door closed.

Some time passed. At some point, Mai heard some weird noises from the hallway. As she opened the door she saw Gene and Yasu running down the hallway with Masako angrily following them. She turned to see Ayako and Madoka standing in their door frames watching the occurrence. John also appeared in the hallway smiling awkwardly and holding a....fart cushion? Should she go get Masako? Probably. But was it fun to watch Gene and Yasu run around the hotel some more? Definitely.

It took the three of them quite some time to get back so Mai guessed they would figure it out themselves or with the help of John. She went back into the room and upon being asked by Naru about the noise she informed him of his brother's doings. And then some more time passed.

Finally, the client called. The team got together then into the vans and some time later they arrived at their destination point. Naru met up with the client as the rest took care of the equipment and once the man was gone they could start. They all gathered in that room. The room that Ichiko and Mai both got trapped in. The room that was now missing a ceiling so that you could see the inside of the classroom above. Naru placed the hitogata in the middle. John started to pray in hope of luring the spirit out. But nothing was happening. John gave up after the second prayer."Wasn't it revenge she wanted?" Bou-san stated. Masako sighed. "Mai, are you now going to tell Naru what you told me last night?"

"Tell me what?"

Mai looked like she was going to protest again so Masako decided to speak for her. However, before she could start, a dark figure appeared right next to the hitogata. "She's here!" Mai pointed out. For the girl, she looked like the first time she saw her but Masako, for the first time, could see her clearly. And what she noticed most was her face. The figure was not moving. Just standing there and staring at the hitogata. The team waited for something to happen but again, nothing did. The figure disappeared soon after. "Why?" Takigawa questioned.

"Yasu! Show me that foto of Sachiko again!" Masako hurried over as the boy grabbed his laptop. Confused, everyone gathered around them. "What's going on, Masako?" Mai asked. "Mai you were right!" The medium told her friend. "I was?"

"You said you don't think Ichika is resentful, remember?"

Mai nodded. "When I saw her she was begging for her life. Not aggressively. She was almost apologetic. So pitiful."

"And I think you are right. Because the person who appeared just now wasn't Ichiko but Sachiko." Masako explained pointing at the picture in the yearbook. "I saw her so clearly for the first time and I'm sure it's Sachiko."

"So we had the wrong ghost the whole time." Naru sighed.

"So, what are we going to do now?" Ayako asked.

"We will change some things and try again." Her boss answered as he picked up the hitogata from the floor.