Chapter 2: Police Box
“Huh?”
It was late at night.
As Houzuki was walking, she saw a police box on the side of the road.
There was one in Tsukinashi Town too. Even in this town full of ghosts, the police do have a presence. Though there are far more ghost incidents than human crimes.
The lights were on at the police box, but no one was there.
“Are the lights on?”
“No, that’s not it.”
The silver-haired, red-eyed male student, Yuiru Enen, denies it as he stuffs a strange-looking ghost he caught in his mouth.
“Have you never heard of it? The police box in Tsukinashi Town is famous as the ‘ghost police box.'”
“A ghost police box?”
“They come to scare the night shift police officers. I don’t know what that is, though.”
Yuiru Enen laughs and says,
“Houzuki, aren’t you interested?”
“I’m not.”
“What!?”
Houzuki tries to quickly leave the police box, but Yuiru grabs her by the arm and stops her.
Since the Tsukinashi Town police box is called the “Ghost Police Box,” this story must have been around for a long time.
In life, Yuiru had been deeply interested in ghosts and spirits, though, unlike Houzuki, he lacked the psychic sensitivity to actually see them. Now, as a ghost who devoured other ghosts, he seemed eager to investigate these rumors firsthand—perhaps as part of his peculiar diet.
And he was all too ready to exploit Houzuki’s ability to attract spirits, much to her chagrin. She really didn’t want to get dragged into this.
“We need to go back soon, Towako is waiting for us.”
“Don’t wanna, don’t wanna, I wanna confirm the rumor about the ghost police box~”
“Just how old are you? Even kids these days don’t throw tantrums like that.”
Houzuki sighed deeply and said,
“Oh well, I guess it can’t be helped, just for a little while. I’ll just talk to the police officer.”
“Yay~”
Ignoring Yuiru, who was jumping around with joy like a child, Houzuki walked up to the deserted police box.
She looked inside the building, but other than the lack of people, it was just an ordinary police box you could find anywhere. There was a journal left open on the desk, and a ballpoint pen lying there forlornly.
The bright fluorescent lights cast a bright light on the linoleum floor, but still no one came by. No police officer sensed Houzuki’s arrival and came out from the back either.
“Excuse me!”
Houzuki called into the depths of the station.
“Um, Officer? Is anyone there?”
“Houzuki, what are you doing?”
“Well, I should call someone at least. Or I’ll get in trouble with the police.”
Houzuki replied as Yuiru looked at her suspiciously.
Just then, a rustling sound came from the back of the station.
It was merely a noise, but could it be that a police officer was actually hiding back there? Houzuki felt a mix of concern and curiosity. If there was an emergency, how could someone who hides be of any help?
Gyii.
The door at the back of the station creaked open slightly, and a young police officer peeked out.
He seemed only a little older than Houzuki, though his actual age was unclear.
She had never seen him during the day, so he was likely assigned to the night shift. Considering that ghosts are said to be more active at night, guarding the station during these hours must be a challenging task.
The officer’s bloodshot eyes fixed on Houzuki as he approached the entrance.
“……Are you”
In a husky voice, the police officer asked an incomprehensible question.
“Alive?”
“Yes?”
Houzuki couldn’t help but ask back.
It was an unexpected question. The intention behind it was unclear.
The young police officer simply asked, “Are you alive?” Perhaps he thought Houzuki was dead.
“I am alive but……”
“Wha, what’s your name? It’s dangerous to be walking around at this time.”
“My name is Kasugadani Houzuki. Also, I am fine, I have company.”
Houzuki answered up to that point, then suddenly realized, “Ah.”
Come to think of it, her so-called companion, Yuiru, is a ghost. She forgot about it because she can see him clearly.
Meanwhile, Yuiru, apparently bored, was “swimming” near the ceiling, mumbling about hoping to see some ghosts. He was quite the character, taking liberties just because he wasn’t visible to ordinary eyes.
Then the young police officer looked up at the ceiling,
“Is that what you’re referring to?”
He was pointing at Yuiru swimming near the ceiling.
“What, can you see him?”
“He’s swimming by the ceiling…… Haha, am I hallucinating?”
As the young officer managed a nervous smile, realizing that he could indeed see Yuiru, the ghost stopped his aerial antics and approached the officer aggressively.
“What, you can see me?”
“Hiiih!”
The police officer hastily distanced himself from Yuiru, but the force of the movement caused his legs to get tangled and he fell over.
“Yuiru, don’t scare him.”
“Why not? It’s fun.”
Yuiru pouted, inflating his cheeks in displeasure, but Houzuki ignored his pout and turned her attention to the fallen officer.
“Are you okay?”
“Ah, yeah, I’m fine… this much…”
The young police officer stood up with a gloomy expression,
“There’s something I’d like to ask you two…”
The young police officer seemed seemed to have difficulty but asked Houzuki and the ghost Yuiru.
“Would you mind staying a little longer for a talk? I can make some tea.”
“Oh…… Did something happen?”
“N, no, well. It, it’s quite relaxed during the night, ahahaha.”
The police officer was laughing, but for some reason his expression was tense.
It didn’t seem like he was planning anything bad. It just seemed like he was carrying on some deep secret.
Yuiru, who had realized something from the young police officer, asked,
“Is this about the so-called ghost police box?”
The officer’s expression stiffened, confirming Yuiru’s suspicion.
It seemed they were on the right track. This station was indeed known for its ghostly appearances.
Grinning mischievously, the silver-haired, red-eyed boy said,
“Let’s hear it then, what’s been happening to you?”
Sensing a story as tantalizing as a meal, Yuiru eagerly awaited the officer’s tale, almost licking his lips in anticipation.
