Psychic Detective Yakumo / Shinrei Tantei Yakumo

Volume 5 - Connected Feelings

prologue

-

'Fifteen years ago, a terrible and bizarre murder occurred at this house.'

At the sign of Hoshino, the cameraman and director, Yuki, the reporter, started speaking towards the camera.

Though it was a camera, it wasn't one for business use but a home-use Handycam[1], often used when variety shows shot on location. There was nothing a late-night show with a low budget could do.

Maruyama took a cross out from the pocket of his worship clothes and gripped it with both hands.

A cold wind was blowing -

Having a psychic special at a time like this could only be a prank. However, he had to endure it. Appearing on television like this was good publicity.

Maruyama sniffled and stood firm.

'Today, not a single person has approached this house.'

Yuki looked up at the second floor and pointed. Maruyama looked up as well.

It was a huge house.

He didn't know what sort of plan the owner had had, but to put it plainly, it was creepy. The house had a pointed roof and the wooden pillars were showing.

It looked like some church from the Middle Ages. It didn't match the Japanese scenery.

'There is a rumour that a ghost lurks within this house. Is this the grudge of the murdered victim? Or did the murder occur because this house had been cursed from before?'

Yuki's almond eyes narrowed as she asked these questions.

Hoshino shook the dead branches in front of the garden as planned.

Rustle -

'The answer will be revealed tonight,' said Yuki with a hard expression.

Maruyama looked at the talent called Yuki for the first time. It was mysterious how she had never showed up on stage before.

Skin as pale as porcelain and a straight-edged nose. At first glance, she seemed tidy and trim, but the almond eyes underneath her brow looked like they were challenging men.

Her beauty would make most talents run away with their tails between their legs.

She wasn't bad at speaking either. Of course she recited her lines smoothly, but her voice had a dignified tone to it.

'Today, the exorcist Maruyama-sensei has graced us with his presence.'

Yuki welcomed him.

Maruyama fixed the sleeves of his worship clothes, put on a quiet expression and walked into the frame in front of Yuki.

'My name is Maruyama.'

He bowed with purposeful solemnity.

'Sensei, what is your impression of this house after looking at it?'

After Yuki asked that, Maruyama gripped the cross in front of his chest and closed his eyes silently.

He counted to three in his head and then opened his eyes.

'It's strong. I feel an incredibly strong grudge.'

Maruyama turned his gaze to the house.

'So there really is a ghost in this house?'

Maruyama nodded at Yuki's words.

However, it wasn't as if he really thought that.

Of course Maruyama didn't believe in ghosts, but he didn't believe in gods or devils either. He was gripping a cross, but he thought even the miracle of Christ was idiotic.