Chapter 4: From now on
“Burn~, burn~.”
Gou gou, pakipaki. (TN: Roar, crackle)
“Oh fire~, keep buring~”
Gou gou, pakipaki.
Bakibaki, baki.
“Let’s get~ the fire going~”
“How carefree.”
As she gazed upon the old school building engulfed in crimson flames, Houzuki sat cross-legged in the schoolyard.
Kerosene from the plastic containers was spread to burn down the old school building.
There shouldn’t have been enough kerosene to burn down the whole building, but it was a wooden school building, so it burned vigorously. The old school building, which lit up the deep blue night sky, was gradually reduced to a pile of rubble.
Irune Yuen’s body would probably be burned along with the white demon that was left in the basement of the old school building. It would be a grand cremation. She was worried whether the flames would penetrate, though.
“You don’t think that demon is still alive?”
“What, Houzuki. Can’t you hear it?”
The silver-haired, red-eyed high school boy, Yuiru Enen, was singing nonchalantly as he pointed at the burning old school building with a gleeful laugh.
Houzuki tried listening carefully to the burning old school building.
A creepy death cry could be heard from the old school building as it collapsed, walls, floors, ceilings, everything burned down.
――Ooooh, ooooooh.
――Ooooooh, oooooooooooh.
Is that white demon suffering?
If it is, Houzuki will say from the bottom of her heart, “Serves you right.” Such a hideous creature should not exist in this world.
Houzuki slowly stood up and said,
“It’s finished.”
“That’s right.”
The battle with the old school building is over.
What will happen to the Gates of Hell located directly beneath the old school building? Will it open once the sacrificed Irune Yuen is burned and the pillar of flesh is gone?
What will happen to Tsukinashi-cho once many ghosts are released? People who cannot see ghosts will likely continue to live their normal lives as usual, but people with psychic powers like Houzuki will be terrified by the increased number of ghosts.
However, Yuiru said nonchalantly, “Well, it’ll probably be fine.”
“The ghosts that were nesting in the old school building will fall into the gates of hell. I don’t know what happens to demons when they’re burned, but normal humans can’t really notice them, so it’s probably fine to just leave them there.”
“I see.”
“Maybe ghosts also go to the afterlife through the gate of hell? Up until now it’s been blocked by that demon, so ghosts should go back to where they belong.”
“What about you?”
Houzuki looked at Yuiru,
“What will you do? According to your theory, don’t you have to go to the afterlife through the gate of hell?”
“Not me. There are still tons of scary stories and incidents caused by ghosts in this world, and I won’t be satisfied until I’ve experienced them all.”
Yuiru whispered in a small voice after that, “That demon was way more disgusting than I anticipated, I’d like to wash its taste off.” Houzuki didn’t miss it.
What, is it going to be the same from now on?
Will this silver-haired, red-eyed high school boy use her unique ability to attract ghosts to provide him with food? It seems that another normal day will begin.
Houzuki felt somehow relieved. This daily routine of searching for ghosts to feed on will continue.
“Yuiru.”
“What is it, Houzuki?”
“What will you eat tomorrow?”
“Let me think.”
Yuiru grinned with amusement and said,
“For now, I’ll get all the tasty-looking ghosts I can find.”
–I look forward to working with you in the future, Houzuki.
The silver-haired, red-eyed high school boy muttered these words just loud enough to barely enter Houzuki’s ears but she didn’t hear it.
Someone had discovered the fire and called the fire department, and a fire-engine, its red light shining, was approaching the side of XX High School. The sound of that fire drowned out his own.
Ah, it looks like I’m going to be a nuisance from now on.
“Huh…”
Not wanting to end up being questioned or arrested, Houzuki sighed and ran from the scene.
☆
From now on, ghosts will continue to be drawn to Houzuki. Even if the old school building is gone, her fate cannot be changed.
Even so, Houzuki has come to think that it’s fine.
Beside her is always a silver-haired, red-eyed evil spirit that devours ghosts. If they are drawn to her, in the end they will become his meal.
The relationship that was supposed to have ended when the old school building burned down continues on.
