The Story Continued (Ghost Hunt)

Chapter 51

The group relocated to their base. "We have to think of a new plan." Naru stated as everyone took a seat somewhere in the room. Ayako sighed. "I can't believe we had the wrong ghost this whole time."

"Well, we were influenced by the stories." Takigawa answered, scratching his neck.

"Still, I can't believe I didn't notice earlier. I saw her before." Masako argued as she signaled for Yasu to pass her the yearbook. She had to look at the photos again. "What are you looking for?" Mai asked as she moved closer to her friend. The medium was inches away from the pages analyzing the photos. "Mai, don't you think they look alike?" She asked. "Huh? No way." She took the yearbook from her friend. "They do! It's hard to see because Ichiko has hair blocking her face but they look almost identical." Masako tried to explain. All of a sudden Gene snatched the yearbook from Mai. "Let the twins figure it out!" He said proudly, making Madoka laugh. "It was me and Lin who had to tell you apart since you were kids. I think it's a job for us."

"I hate to tell you but you never learned how to do it. We were switching under your nose like what, every day?" Gene said back.

"Either look at the pictures or give us the yearbook back!" Mai yelled.

This started a round of passing the book around. Everyone had a look at the two girls and in conclusion, Masako was correct to a point. "No wonder we got this wrong. At least we know now which of them it is." Yasu stated but Naru shook his head. "Not necessarily, it's either Sachiko because she didn't react to the hitogata or Ichiko but revenge is not what she wants."

"So in the end I don't know which one I saw today." Masako added. "What if it's both of them? But because they look the same no one noticed it's two ghosts." Mai proposed, thinking back to her impression of Ichiko. "Interesting, why do you think so?" Yasu asked. "Because we had encounters with the ghost that were too different from each other. At times aggressive and at times not." The girl tried to explain. "Let's just assume it's both of them. Why are they here?" Takigawa asked. "I would like to know why they look so identical first. And maybe why Sachiko died just a week after Ichiko did." Naru added, backtracking a little. "I will try to look it up. But I also find it interesting how no one noticed it back then. Or if they did, why isn't it noted anywhere." Yasu said. Naru nodded in response. "And we should try to talk to the principal again. I don't believe he doesn't know more."

"I'll call him." Mai informed. "But really, this case is becoming more and more annoying. I wish it had already ended." She added and instantly felt Naru's cold stare. "I know, I know. I wanted to take this case." The girl rolled her eyes as she picked up the phone to call their client. "So we're just gonna sit around until we find new information?" Takigawa asked. "If you have nothing to do you can help Lin to watch the cameras." Naru pointed to where the setup was. "No thanks, I bet nothing is gonna happen anyway." The monk argued.

Some time has passed. Mai had called the client. Yasu and Madoka started the research. The rest of the team was just trying to kill time in one way or another. "Nope, I can't find anything on the internet. I'll go to the library again." Yasu said as he almost slammed his laptop shut. "Mai, when did the client say he would be here?" Takigawa asked, irritated. "Three hours from when I called. Why is he always so busy?" The girl answered. "Two hours to go." Takigawa counted. "Ok, Yasu I'll go with you." He offered.

"Sure, the more the merrier. Is someone else coming?"

In the end, Gene, Takigawa, Madoka, Ayako, Masako, and John joined Yasu in the library. This left Naru, Mai, and Lin in the base. "Why are they so eager to work?" Mai questioned as she let out a yawn. "Tired?" Naru asked as he sat next to the girl. "Not really. But I do feel...weak?" She tried to describe the weird feeling that left her with no energy. "Close your eyes for some time. If you fall asleep it's fine, if you don't it's also fine." Naru proposed. Mai nodded as she laid her head on the desk. Her injuries were healing but this time she decided to be more careful. She had her eyes closed maybe for a minute...or three. How long has it been? Naru tried to talk to the girl with no response. "This was quick." He commented as he kept staring at the girl. "Naru, you have to see this." Lin called out. Naru got up from his seat and walked over to the monitors. "What the hell is that?"

Yasu and the group just got to the library door. As they were about to open it they heard whispers coming from the inside. "Did you hear that?" Gene asked and Yasu nodded in response. Yasu immediately opened the door. Not a single soul. "The school is closed so it's either wind or the ghost." Takigawa stated. "Or rats." Gene smiled as he added his idea. He then turned to scan the room. Ayako looked around with disgust. "Ewwww. Do you think they have rats?"

"They have a ghost so why not rats?" Takigawa teased. "Well, if it was the ghost it's no longer here." Masako explained as she looked around the room. "And the windows are shut. You can't feel any wind." John noticed. "So it's the rats." Gene concluded. "Let's ignore them and get to work." He then started to walk back and forth between the aisles. The rest followed. Soon after, Gene's walkie-talkie went off. "Missed me much, dear brother?" He answered.

.....

"Yes, we know."

....

"Actually, I wanted to see how long they can hold on."

....

"You deal with it!" He mimicked in a Naru-like voice as he put the walkie-talkie away. "Was that Naru?" Takigawa asked. "What does he want?" Gene crossed his armes and shook his head. "He wants the rats gone. Lin saw them on camera." Gene explained. "But we're gonna do it my way." He smirked and got on the top of one of the tables. "LISTEN UP! NARU WANTS YOU GONE SO WE'RE GONNA PLAY CATCH. IF WE CATCH YOU YOU'LL HAVE TO HELP US WITH THE RESEARCH." He yelled into the room and then jumped back down. The boy looked at the group. "Let's see who can get most of them."

Ayako and Madoka looked at each other. "Then we already have one." Madoka said as she pulled Reiko from under the librarian's desk. The girl looked like she was about to cry. "And that's enough for me. I have heels on and I'm not in a mood to run. I'll just watch the ones you have caught so they don't escape." Ayako explained as she signed for the girl to sit down. "Am I in trouble?" Reiko asked,her voice was shaking. Masko walked over to the girl. She whispered very quietly. "Don't worry, we're just playing. We will let you go home before Naru or Mr.Ogawa gets here."

The girl sighed in relief.

"Ok, I'll countdown. 3...2...1...Go!" Ayako yelled and the chase began. Some of the 'rats' decided to stay hidden while others made a run for it. Needless to say, today the library wasn't that quiet of a room. Back at the base, Naru and Lin were still watching the cameras. "What am I watching?" Naru asked as he watched his team run around chasing high schoolers. Lin smiled slightly. "Gene hasn't changed one bit." The comment made Naru smile too.

Meanwhile, Mai had no idea what her friends were doing. She was once again walking in the well-known darkness with Yoru next to her keeping her company. "And what happened after?" Mai asked, listening to the cat's story. "I ate them!" Yoru answered proudly. The atmosphere then shifted. The scenery started to change and loud cries could be heard. Mai looked down where the cries were coming from. She saw two very young girls. They were desperately trying to hold onto one another as two adults were pulling onto each of them. "What are they doing to these poor children?" The scenery faded and Mai looked back up. In the distance, she saw what she thought were the two girls again. This time they looked older. "Who are you?" She asked but her vision started to get blurry. She blinked and when she opened her eyes she saw Naru in front of her. "I'm sorry for waking you up." He said. "But we have to go down."

"Is Mr.Ogawa here?" Mai asked as she rubbed her eyes.

"No, not yet. But we do have guests."

Back in the library, the SPR caught all the rats that got into the building. "So what did you come here for?" Gene asked but no one answered. Kaoru scoffed and turned his head. "Come on, you can either talk to me or Naru. He's coming down right now." The boy informed. "Lair! You said you would let us go before he got here!" Reiko pointed at Masako. "Calm down. He's not gonna kill you. Well, at least as long as you are useful to him." Gene smirked. "I heard you." Naru started as he walked through the door. The temperature in the room dropped a few degrees. Mai and Lin followed him in. "This case is just not ending, is it?" She sighed, not knowing what to expect anymore. And she still had to tell Naru about her dream. At this point, the case in England might just get solved before they even make it there.