In the evening, after school, the Hoshizuki sisters returned home together.
Each of them carried fresh vegetables and meat, their faces bright with the comfort of being back.
Because of Minamiya Chiya's warning, the two had stayed almost inseparable the entire day. They even went to the restroom together.
Rin hadn't taken it too seriously at first.
But after Hoshizuki Kaede had personally witnessed real supernatural horror, she insisted firmly. In the end, the two managed to complete their "survival mission" without incident.
"That's his shoes… Chiya-kun is already back."
Kaede slipped into her indoor slippers, a hint of concern in her voice.
"I wonder if he found anything at the old school building…"
"As long as he's back, isn't that enough?" Rin replied casually.
"Rin, that's not the same thing."
Kaede's expression turned serious.
"If Chiya-kun really found something there, it means even going to school might not be safe anymore."
She paused, glancing at her sister.
"If you actually saw those things yourself, you wouldn't be this calm…"
Rin lowered her gaze slightly, her amber eyes flickering.
"…I understand."
Whether she truly did or not, only she knew.
Setting aside the topic, the two moved into the kitchen. After storing the groceries, they began preparing dinner.
Their voices carried upstairs.
Soon, Chiya came down.
"I've already checked your school. For now, there's no problem."
He sat beside Kaede and casually helped peel beans.
"…So you really did find something there?"
Kaede's voice tensed.
"Was it… the Hanako rumor?"
Both sisters looked at him, their hands slowing.
Chiya shrugged lightly.
"I won't go into details. For now, it's safe."
"I'll give you both something tonight to protect against spirits."
He paused.
"Now keep peeling. I'm starving."
"Okay…"
"Okay…"
The two exchanged a glance and continued working.
...
Half an hour later, Kaede went to cook, leaving Rin alone with Chiya in the living room.
Originally, Chiya had planned to use this time to get closer to Kaede. After all, the subtle tension from last night still lingered between them.
But Kaede had quietly made a request.
"Chiya-kun… Rin still isn't taking this seriously. Can you… teach her a lesson?"
So now, here they were.
Fortunately, he had just the tool for it.
On the sofa, Rin sat quietly, pretending to focus on her phone.
But every now and then, she would glance toward Chiya.
Her thoughts drifted.
Last night…
Her sister's behavior.
The quiet sounds.
The whispered name.
Her fingers tightened slightly around her phone.
Without realizing it, she opened a hidden video.
The screen lit up briefly.
A familiar figure.
A flushed face.
Soft, breathy murmurs barely audible.
Rin's eyes lingered for a second
Then she quickly locked the screen.
Across from her, Chiya's ears twitched slightly.
Interesting…
He tapped his fingers lightly on his knee, suppressing a smirk.
Before he could move, however, Rin had already turned to face him.
Their eyes met.
A brief, silent standoff.
Chiya leaned back slightly.
Alright… if you want to play like that…
He reached into his pocket.
A small black sphere appeared in his palm.
Dark.
Dense.
Faintly swirling from within.
Rin's attention was instantly drawn to it.
"…What is that?"
Her voice remained calm, but her eyes were fixed on it.
"Curious?"
Chiya extended it toward her.
"Take a closer look."
"…It's just a ball."
She reached out, picking it up.
Cold.
Unnaturally cold.
The moment her fingers wrapped around it
The surface rippled.
A distorted face suddenly pressed against the inside.
Twisted.
Grotesque.
"Let me out !"
A shrill, broken scream echoed faintly.
Rin froze.
Then
She dropped it.
Her body reacted faster than her thoughts.
In the next instant, she had already moved.
Straight into Chiya's arms.
Like a startled rabbit, she clung to him tightly, trembling.
Her voice shook.
"W-What was that…?!"
Chiya suppressed a smile.
"That… was the spirit from your school."
"Hanako."
Rin stiffened.
Her face buried against his neck, she didn't dare turn back.
"School… really…"
Her voice faltered.
Chiya gently patted her back.
"There's nothing to be afraid of."
"In my hands, it can't do anything."
He casually retrieved the black sphere again, letting it hover briefly in his palm.
Rin tightened her grip instantly, pressing closer.
She didn't even want to look.
Chiya could feel her trembling.
Her earlier composure had completely shattered.
So even you can make that kind of expression…
He chuckled inwardly.
At the same time, a notification rang in his mind.
[Ding! Weekly Exorcism Mission Released!]
[Proceed to Osaka Central Park and eliminate the Wood Spirit!]
[Time Limit: 3 days]
[Reward: One year of cultivation, a low-grade Daoist sword, and a basic breathing technique]
Chiya's eyes lit up slightly.
Three days… and decent rewards.
Not bad at all.
He looked down at Rin, who was still clinging to him.
"You can let go now."
"It won't hurt you."
"…Mm…"
Rin slowly pulled away, her face slightly flushed.
She sat back down, hugging herself lightly, her gaze flickering between Chiya and the black sphere.
Still wary.
Still shaken.
Chiya glanced at the sphere in his hand.
Too bad… the mission target isn't this one.
He casually slipped it away.
Whether tonight or tomorrow
This ghost's fate was already decided.
...