#funayurei

[cosprofunayurei]

Memory of Old Walls - Epilogue

< A week later.> Taisuke: (The club is especially lively today. I haven't felt this "inconsequential" in a long time.

Now I can't help but think that things could be "different"… My quiet and cozy corner, where I could do what I loved since childhood, has turned into a community…

Too many new things happening in a short period of time, it's hard to bear.)

Mika: Our video got so many views, it seems people liked this new section… So many people are writing that they want to see more! ~

Mayoi: Ahh… It was quite an interesting experience…

(If Sakasaki-san hadn't threatened me… I probably would have enjoyed it more. I really hope Sato-san doesn't force us to participate in something like this again…)

Mika: Taikun, have you read the comments under the video yet?

Taisuke: No… And I don't think I will.

Natsume:You're unusually quiet today, Taisuke-kun. Usually you're running around the room and chatting non-stop about all sorts of nonsense. Has something happened?

Taisuke: Let's step away for a minute.

I was just thinking about everything that happened a week ago, and about what you told me back when we were discussing this.

Bad thoughts started creeping into my scull.

The Occult Club has always been a place for me to escape from outer world, something personal, I would say… It's been my hobby for a long time, and now suddenly we have to share it with the whole world.

To be honest, I feel a certain degree of… "Insecurity."

Natsume: It's normal, you're the kind of person who acts before THINKing.

Doubting whether it was worth it?

Taisuke: It's too late to back down. It's probably just nerves before the upcoming performance. Sometimes at the last minute, you just want to give up and run away.

Natsume: I sense a tinge of FEAR creeping into your heart, Taisuke-kun?

Taisuke: Better not pry into in my soul, Natsume-kun, you won't like what you find there.

Natsume: Fu-fu-fu, it comes naturally. You will never be able to hide your true nature from the eyes of an experienced fortune teller.

So what are you AFRAID of?

Taisuke: Ha-ha, I think it's better if you don't know.

Natsume: I think I can guess.

I was initially skeptical of your idea of ​​creating a school club – into a ES circle…

However, I found some advantages to it once I thought about it AGAIN.

Our performance and the subsequent popularization of the club will help me promote my work as a fortune teller.

Also, the advertising from CosPro will directly benefit Switch.

Overall, your idea was a good one.

And one more thing.

Now that the club has more members, the atmosphere has become more lively. You must have noticed.

Mika and I care about you, even if you doubt whether you're doing everything right…

We'll always stand up for you if any problems arise.

We have our differences sometimes, but…

I truly consider you my friend.

Taisuke: Repeat what you just said…?!

Natsume: You wish!

Mika: Nakkun, Taikun, are ya keepin' any secrets from us?

Taisuke: Yes, we were planning to kill and eat you both right now.

Mayoi: Eeeek!!!

Mika: Taikun, enough of your jokes! You're scarin' Ayase-kun. He's not used to your humor yet…

Taisuke: Haha…

Natsume: I hope you understood, Taisuke-kun.

Taisuke: Yes, thank you. I feel a little better now.

Then, I think it would be a good idea to begin our meeting.

I hope you haven't forgotten why we've gathered today?

Mayoi: You said we'd have a quiet indoor practice…

Taisuke: Training! We're going to train! We need to prepare for our performance, I'll torment you until sunset, get ready!

Mayoi: Huh…? Okay, looks like I have no choice again…

[cosprofunayurei]

Memory of Old Walls - Episode 8

Mayoi: I wasn't the only one who saw that strange glow at the end of the ritual, was I?

Natsume: No, you wasn't alone. I saw it too.

Taisuke: When the cursed object was destroyed, the spirit left it.

I didn't know ordinary people could see that "afterglow" either.

Mika: Now, even though we've "released" the spirit from this house, I feel a certain weight on my shoulders… Perhaps it's the atmosphere in this house that's weighin' on me?

Taisuke: In any case, we're done and can go back.

Mayoi: Does that mean we're no longer locked up?

Taisuke: Seems so.

Natsume: Finally…

Taisuke: Yeah… It was a tough evening. I feel a certain weight on my shoulders, too.

Hitobashira's victims were usually buried voluntarily. They were even fattened to the brim before being sealed in concrete, so they wouldn't resist. It was believed that if a person didn't suffer at death, their spirit would be "good" and more willing to protect the house.

However, there were also people who believed that the spirit, even if "evil", would fiercely guard the house from other evil spirits.

There was no single, definitive opinion on this matter.

Mika: It's unpleasant to think about what a person experienced before death. How could anyone voluntarily agree to such a thing?

Taisuke: Well, people used to be more docile and stupid. When they saw something they couldn't explain, they prayed to their vile gods, hoping that they would one day bestow upon them some worldly blessing.

...Or will turn their gaze upon them…

This place is steeped in human emotions. This house has survived centuries, so you may feel empty after the guardian of this house has left its abode.

Or maybe this heavy atmosphere means the spirit has begun its hunt for us…

Mika: Uaah!!!

Natsume: Stop scaring him, wasn't one FAINTING enough for you?

Taisuke: This time, I'll have time to eat him before he wakes up…

Mika: No-o-o! Taikun, ya promised not to eat the club members, that's one of the rules!

Mayoi: Please don't touch him, Sato-san, eat me instead…!

Taisuke: No, you're not tasty, monster-man.

Mayoi: Huh?!… Monster-man? Am I so disgusting that you don't even want to eat me?

Taisuke: Your blood is definitely rotten, just like mine, I can smell it. But don't worry, I'll get you too one day…

Mayoi: Ugh… I don't understand what you mean, but please don't eat my friends…

Natsume: He's not planning on eating anyone. Idiot…

Wait a minute… You left with an empty bag, I just noticed it's much bigger than it WAS.

Taisuke: …Ah, so I stole some books.

Natsume: Hm?

Taisuke: Oh, we found an underground library here… How could I leave all this stuff behind?

Natsume: Your greed sickens me. One day it will destroy YOU. Mark my words.

Taisuke: At least I'll be able to die knowing I didn't let these things go to waste!

I guess if it hadn't taken me so long to get here, I would have come back… I didn't get to look at everything. I only took what wasn't on my shelves. If you want, I'll let you read it later! There's historical information about those years and… Uh…?

Mayoi: W-Why are there so many people here!?

Natsume: Did any of you call an ambulance?

Taisuke: I don't know anything about that.

Excuse me, what's going on here?

Ah, suddenly the door slammed shut and you couldn't track us, huh…

Weren't there cameras in the house? I thought you were watching us in real time.

No, no, we don't need help, everything's fine.

Although you can check on Mika-chan if you want, because at one point he… You could say he fell to the floor from his height, but the others are definitely fine.

Phew… What a day.

[cosprofunayurei]

Memory of Old Walls - Episode 7

Taisuke: This old doll… Give it to me.

Natsume: Do you feel anything?

Taisuke: Probably…

Mika: What do ya mean, "Probably"?!

Taisuke: I sense an ominous energy from it, like the accumulation of a huge amount of negative emotions. Grief and anger predominate.

There's definitely someone here.

But I don't know who yet.

Natsume: And how do you plan to find out?

Taisuke: I don't think it'll take long. It's the cursed item we were looking for.

Mika: And what is a cursed item?

Mayoi: If I'm not mistaken, it's an item to which the soul of the deceased is bound… Perhaps an item dear to them in life, and which helps the spirit remain in the world of the living.

Taisuke: Absolutely right, Phantom. The spirit shouldn't be too far away… Hm… Step aside, Phantom.

Mayoi: …Of course.

Taisuke: As I thought… And there's the spirit!~

She was hiding here. She must have been scared when you came in…

Mayoi: Sato-san… There's no one there, is there? Or are you… really seeing him?!

Mika: Aaah… I'm getting goosebumps!

Taisuke: Calm down, both of you… Stop making noise, you're scaring her even more.

Natsume: If I weren't sure you really can communicate with the DEAD, I'd think you were crazy too.

But if Taisuke is WRONG, then I'm going crazy too.

Taisuke: Ahahaha… You know, it's a little embarrassing when you look at me like that, it's nothing special…

Natsume: Not everyone can see the DEAD, that's the thing.

Taisuke: I feel awkward doing this with you watching… I've never interacted with spirits in front of anyone but Natsume-kun before.

Natsume: Wow, are you nervous, Kraken-kun? It seems we've embarrassed you.

Taisuke: What makes you think that?! I'm not embarrassed, and anyway, shut up, you're all keeping me from concentrating!

I need to talk to her, otherwise we'll never get out of here.

…

(The poor kid locked us in this building, afraid we'd escape and not help her ease her painful existence…

With the help of my comrades, we'll perform the burial ritual for your peace of mind, dear spirit of the estate.)

… Now I understand why it took us so long to find a way out.

Mika: Is it because she wants to kill us?!

Taisuke: No. She doesn't intend to harm us. Quite the contrary. She locked us in because she was afraid we'd escape and not help her.

I can understand her. Imagine being trapped within the walls of this mansion for centuries. She simply clung to her one chance at salvation.

I have to help this poor soul. Who knows, maybe she was waiting for me?

The local teenagers are having gatherings here. Could it be that there wasn't anyone among them with the knowledge and ability to help her?

Perhaps we're here for a reason. Our mission for today is to rescue the soul buried beneath the foundation of this building.

Bring me my bag.

Mayoi: Here, take it, Sato-san!

Taisuke: I brought everything we could possibly need.

Natsume: And I thought you were carrying that huge BAG around just to show off.

Taisuke: Actually, no. You never know when you'll need it. Why bring things that someone else will probably take? If they're needed, we can use someone else's. But no one else would have brought the ritual utensils. But as you can see, they came in handy~

To free the spirit, we need to destroy the doll, but we need to do it right.

This doll once belonged to this girl, but she's willing to part with it to find peace.

Mika: It's somehow sad… Someone cared for this doll for so many years, only to have us destroy it so mercilessly?

Taisuke: All material things are ephemeral. Things deteriorate and break down, people die, but only the spirit is eternal.

So we must free her, since such is her will.

Ah… Ritual murders are such stupidity, really.

Deranged fanatics who believed that human life was the highest value sacrificed their own and others' lives to their "deities." They bowed their heads before them and kissed the ground beneath their feet…

Was there any meaning to all these sacrifices? Could this decrepit house really have cost one human life…

Mika: (Whispering) He speaks so seriously, he really knows how to get into character -!

Or maybe Taikun really does have a troubled past? He speaks so convincingly that I almost believed him.

Mayoi: (Whispering) Maybe Sato-san isn't lying... He never told anyone about his past.

In any case, we'll probably never know the truth.

Taisuke: (Ah, why are they whispering behind my back…?)

Okay… I think it's time we begin the ritual. Now isn't the best time to discuss such matters anyway.

[cosprofunayurei]

Memory of Old Walls - Episode 6

<In another part of the building.>

Natsume: …Over. Taisuke-kun, answer.

It's no use. It's been so long, they should have been back here by now. At least Mika-kun. Something definitely HAPPENED to them.

Mayoi: Do you think we should go back and check on them, Sakasaki-san?

Natsume: …I don't know. Maybe we should try contacting him again…

(A scream is heard in the distance)

Mayoi: Huh…?

Natsume: You heard that too, right?..

< In another part of the building.>

Taisuke: Mika-chan, can you hear me? Call me back!

And where did he crawl off to…

Here, the dust marks are erased; he must have been dragged off somewhere in that direction…

He must have run into the stretch, I can't see any other explanation for what happened.

Yeah… We don't need to lose a club member on the first day of our "official" expedition as a club…

Mika-chan, you better be alive and in one piece by the time I find you…

…Here's Mika-chan!

Hey, wake up, you're lucky you didn't get shot in the head or something!

…Now's not the time for jokes. You better stop pretending to be dead.

(.. I can feel his heartbeat and breathing. So, is he unconscious?

I need to examine his head... it wouldn't be good if he hit himself…

I don't see any blood… so there are no open wounds.)

You better not die here, Mika-chan, or Itsuki-san will quarter me when he gets back to Japan…

(Uh-huh, so what should we do now? I have to find the others, and then we'll decide what to do with him…) Natsume (over the ration): Over? Taisuke-kun, answer… Over!

Taisuke: Oh, come on! My hands are full, I can't answer!

We need to get out of here as soon as possible. We can't stay here if there are still traps that work. Devil knows if we'll ever get out of this basement.

Of course, I've read about similar cases in horror stories, but I never thought that such clichéd plots could happen in real life.

If I remember correctly, this is where we came back from...

And here it is... The bookcase I moved. What?!

A door! It wasn't here before!

It could only have appeared while I was away...

That means that after we moved the cabinet, this trap was activated and opened a passage to another room for us. Well, well, who would need such a mechanism in a house and why?

< A couple of minutes later. The room with the altar.>

Taisuke: Ah, thank the spirits, I found you.

Natsume: Taisuke-kun! What the…!

Mayoi: Sato-san, we thought you were… Ah… Aaah!!

…What's happened with Kagehira-san?!

Taisuke: I'm so glad to see you guys…~

You could say Mika-chan's in a bit of trouble.

When he wakes up, we'll interrogate him about what happened.

Natsume: So you left him unsupervised?!

Taisuke: Not exactly… I just turned away for a few seconds while that kid…

Natsume: You PROMISED ME that no one would get hurt, but your Ibara-kun turned out to be less responsible than you ASSUMED us.

Taisuke: Don't put the blame on Ibara-sama, he wasn't here. It's entirely my fault for not keeping an eye on him. I should have been more careful and not left him alone.

Mayoi: Ah, Kagehira-san's already woken up… Here, please, drink some water, you should feel a little better!

Mika: Ahh… Taikun?

Taisuke: Good morning, Mika-chan. How are you feeling? Does your head hurt, by any chance?

Mika: Mm… no…

Taisuke: Do you remember what happened?

Mika: Yeah… We were moving the cabinet, and then I moved a little further away and…

Something grabbed my leg, and… And then it dragged me!

I have no idea what happened, but here I am…

Natsume: I don't see any blood or scratches. Are you sure nothing hurts?

Mika: Ugh… No, it doesn't hurt at all. I'm just a little dizzy.

It felt like a ghost grabbed my leg and dragged me somewhere, I was so scared… And then darkness…

Taisuke: It wasn't a ghost, it was the tripwire you stepped on.

Although it's weird, when we went in there, I didn't notice anything on the floor.

Perhaps this mechanism only activated after we moved the cabinet.

Mayoi: But… It could also be the ghost of this estate, who decided to protect its territory, which is why it attacked Kagehira-san… Fu-fu-fu…

Taisuke: Oh, come on. In all the time we've been here, we haven't seen a single ghost yet.

So far, we're only fighting this decrepit house, riddled with traps, not any evil spirits.

It's time to get to what we came here for!

[cosprofunayurei]

Memory of Old Walls - Episode 5

Taisuke: So, Mika-chan, have you found anything?

Mika: Not yet… Everythin' here is so old and dusty, I'm afraid to break something…

Taisuke: Don't worry, everything that could be broken has probably already been broken before us.

There might be secret passages somewhere around here… I don't believe such a huge mansion only has one exit to the second floor.

I heard there's a large library in this building. It would be nice if we found it. I could steal some books from here.

Mika: Is that even legal?

Taisuke: Well… theoretically, no. It's government property, but I don't think anyone here would be of any use to these things.

Wouldn't it be a shame if your years of hard work disappeared like this centuries later? Forgotten and abandoned.

And I can give these things a second life. Consider it charity work, haha!

Mika: Well, what about the spirit? They don't like it when their restin' place is disturbed. Didn't ya say that yourself at the first club meeting?

Taisuke: Ah, so you listened to everything I told you?

Mika: Of course! I'm interested in learnin' new things, otherwise why would I join the club?

Taisuke: Indeed.

But yes… The place a ghost is bound to must remain in its original state, they usually don't like changes or renovations. But it varies. However, I haven't sensed any presence here yet.

Oh…

Mika: What's there? Did ya find anything?

Taisuke: There's that library. We didn't have to search long.

Mika: Oh… it's in the basement?

Taisuke: Right, shall we go? There seem to be windows there, maybe we can get out from there!

Mika: No, no, no...! This won't do... First we got separated, then this damn old basement... Do you really want to kill us, Taikun?!

Taisuke: Why are you so sceptical? Have you been watching too many horror films?

That's all just fiction. Life isn't some trivial, B-movie horror movie with obvious traps.

Mika: Ugh… No, I'm not going there.

Taisuke: If you want, stay here, but I'm going in! If I'm not back in ten minutes, assume I've been killed.

A terrifying ghost has torn my body apart and is gnawing on my bones somewhere in the corner, grinding its teeth, waiting for its next victim...

Mika: Stop, stop it! Don't go on!

Taisuke: Fu-fu-fu~ Then come with me. If we're going to die, we'll die together! <At the same time, in another part of the building.>

Mayoi: …Sakasaki-san, I think I found another door here…

It was hidden here behind the slate…

Natsume: Hm?

Mayoi: It's also quite small… like a secret door.

Sato-san said there might be traps here…

Natsume: You're right, it's quite dangerous. So you'll go first.

Mayoi: What?!.. Are you going to sacrifice me?

Natsume: Well, you'll have to DO it, you don't want everyone to find out about your dirty little secret, do you?

Mayoi: Uwah!.. I knew it… I knew this would happen…

Natsume: Stop whining and get into that PASSAGE. If you're okay, I'll follow you.

…

Mayoi: Uuuh… I so regret signing up for all of this…

On the other hand… If I die, then I won't have to live through all this shame… Ahh…

Natsume: So, are you alive?

Mayoi: …Y-yes… There's some kind of room here. But the passage is safe…

Natsume: Yeah, right, thank you.

Natsume: Yes, Kraken-kun was right. This building is full of all sorts of SECRETS.

The ghost has not yet made itself known. Perhaps it was just another rumour.

However, one cannot ignore the fact that this place feels SINISTER.

And this strange box on the altar definitely stands out from the overall atmosphere.

Don't you think so, Phantom?

Mayoi: Mm… Yeah, I think so too.

Natsume: It only looks slightly yellowed from age, although everything else here is covered in a huge layer of DUST, and is practically falling apart due to its looseness.

Mayoi: But didn't Sato-san say that this building had been abandoned for several years...?

Oh no, no… I don't doubt his words… It's just… Someone couldn't have come here to take care of this altar, could they?

Natsume: You're right, it sounds UNREALISTIC.

We should report our discovery. <In another part of the building.>

Taisuke: Oh yes... So many books have been preserved here... They have been gathering dust for centuries, and now I can add them to my personal collection... Ah, what a pity that I cannot carry all these treasures away with me. Perhaps I should return here later?

Mika: Phew… Ya know, Taikun, I think ya definitely have a bit of a pirate spirit.

Taisuke: Ha-ha-ha, take everything and give nothing back!

Mika: I hope we don't get into trouble with this…

Oh, I think that's Natsume trying to contact us…

Taisuke: Pass me the ration.

Moshi-moshi~ I hope you have good news?

Natsume: We haven't FOUND the exit yet, but we found a suspicious doll in the utility room.

It looks OLD, but well-preserved.

Taisuke: Oh, I see… Well, we'll try to find you, so don't stray too far from this place. Out.

Mika-chan, we need to hurry, our comrades are about to start getting murdered, we can't miss such a sight.

Mika: Nghhh…?! Murdered!? Taikun, what are ya talkin' about?!

Taisuke: They found some old doll there... Only devil knows what it might be hiding inside, maybe that rowdy spirit is sitting there...

Mika: How can ya talk about it so calmly? If they really can die, we have to do somethin' about it!

Taisuke: Do you have any ideas on what we can do?

Mika: Ugh… I don't want to die, I still have so much I haven't done in my life…

Taisuke: Stop whining, rookie, get up and let's keep looking for a way out.

If we're destined to die in this place, I won't go down without a fight.

Let's tear this place apart, huh?

If we can't find a way out, we'll have to make one ourselves!

Mika: Hmm...? Won't the spirit get angry if you destroy the house?

Taisuke: Of course it might get angry, but it's better for us if it shows itself!

Mika: Um...!? I don't understand how that will help us?

Taisuke: It's as simple as that... If the spirit appears, I'll be able to talk to it and find out where the emergency exit is!

Mika: Do ya think it'll tell ya where the exit is after ya destroyed the place where it lived…?

Taisuke: What else can he do? Better to talk less and help me move this bookcase...

…Whoa!

Mika: What? Did ya find something?

Taisuke: I found this house's weak spot!

There's a cardboard wall here, I can easily make a path for us to the other room! Maybe then we can find Tsume-chan and Phantom…

If you don't let us out, I'll smash this place to smithereens, aha-ha-ha-ha!

Mika: Taikun, I think I heard something… in that dark corner…

Taisuke: …Oh, damn, they had to put that stupid closet so close, you can't squeeze through. And why are human houses so narrow?

Mika: Aaah… Something's coming here! Taikun, help!

Taisuke: What are you screaming about, Mika-chan? -

Eh?… Something's dragging him by the leg?!

Mika: Uwah!! No… No, I don't want to die!

Taisuke: Hey, you better hold on to something! I'll get you out now…

It seems like it was a trap…

(But Ibara-sama said he checked every corner here, could he have made a mistake… That can't be right.)

[cosprofunayurei]

Memory of Old Walls - Episode 4

Mika: This place is pretty creepy…

Taisuke: True. But honestly, everything here is pretty well preserved.

There's not much human trash here, and I didn't see a single graffiti either outside or here.

That's actually a bad sign. Usually, people only do graffiti in abandoned buildings when they feel safe.

So there must have been something that scared people off staying here for long.

Mika: Uwah…!! I think something touched me from behind…

Mayoi: Sorry… That was me.

Natsume: You said this was a popular place with teenagers.

Taisuke: Yeah, people come here like a haunted house, to test their courage.

I researched this place more thoroughly yesterday and learned that there's a local legend connected to this house.

The spirit that haunts here is a little girl. They say she was tricked into going through this.

But this was the 16th century. People back then were much more cruel than they are now.

… And I was sailing around the Caribbean around that time… How much food there was…

Natsume: This isn't the best time for your stories. You remember why we CAME here, right?

Taisuke: Yeah, right, to film…

Natsume: Did you even write a script?

Taisuke: I don't think we'll need a script here. Something unexpected could happen at any moment. So there's no point in making a clear plan…

Natsume: Just WONDERFUL.

Taisuke: In any case, we have no choice but to explore this building. Maybe we'll find a back exit too.

…

Look, there's some kind of secret door here. It probably leads to another part of the building.

Wow… it's pretty tight in here.

Natsume: Someone seemed really reluctant to let anyone in here.

Mika: Yeah, does that look like a barricade?

Taisuke: …Phew.

Stop pushing, Tsume-chan, I can't get through any further.

Looks like the passage is obstructed.

Natsume: Is it my fault you're so huge?

Taisuke: Go back, I can't fit through here…

Mika: So what should we do now?..

Natsume: Well, one option is, we can try to get through without that big pile of MUSCLES.

Taisuke: Thanks for the compliment, of course…

But are you really going to leave me here alone?

Natsume: You're right, leaving you here is DANGEROUS, you'll destroy something.

Taisuke: In that case, we'll have to split up to continue our research.

Mika: Aaah, Taikun, I thought you'd watched enough horror movies not to suggest such a thing!

After the characters in the movies split up, they all get killed off separately!

Taisuke: Don't worry about me, Mika-chan. I certainly won't be killed.

Natsume: But it's still dangerous to go alone. If something DOES happen, someone needs to be there to HELP.

I could stay with YOU, but leaving the inexperienced club members alone could be risky.

Taisuke: Yeah, you're right. Mika-chan isn't very good at finding his way around in the dark. Even with a flashlight, he could get into trouble, so I'm taking him as my partner!~

Natsume: Hey, you just took away our choice by deciding everything yourself.

Taisuke: Don't be so quick to blame me, I have good grounds for suggesting it!

Mika-chan can hold on to me in the dark to keep from falling, and if anything happens, I'll be able to catch him. Whereas Tsume-chan might run into some trouble.

I don't want you to get into trouble, so I'll take the brunt of it.

Mika: Nghhh… Taikun, are ya considerin' me a nuisance?…

Taisuke: No, no, absolutely not. I phrased it that way so Tsume-chan would understand what i meant.

Mayoi: So then, I'm going with Sakasaki-san?

Taisuke: That's right. When I first saw you, I immediately thought you must be good at navigating in the dark.

Besides, I can sense your fear, Phantom.

Mayoi: E-e-ek… Sorry, I didn't mean to…

Taisuke: In any case, since you're more afraid of me than Tsume-chan, you'll go with him.

The last thing I need is chasing you around the house like a scaredy cat. I don't have enough bags to deal with you.

Mika: Why can't I just choose Ayase-kun as my partner?

Taisuke: Tsume-chan already said so. Because you're both "junior" members.

Natsume and I are the founders of the club, more experienced in investigating abandoned buildings and other suspicious places…

We're responsible for both of you, so by that logic, that's how we should pair up.

Natsume: Okay, I'll take Phantom as my partner today. Your reasoning is perfectly LOGICAL. Taisuke: Moreover, I think Phantom could be useful in finding the exit. He's good at finding secret places, isn't he?

Mayoi: That's true…

Taisuke: Excellent, it's decided. The pairs will split up exactly like this and no other way! Now, you and Tsume-chan go explore that part of the building, and Mika-chan and I will go back through the explored areas and look for other ways to get to the second floor.

(It was a perfect plan… Natsume-kun is still suspicious of Phantom. I feel like he still hasn't accepted him.)

And now that they'll have to work together, I'm sure Phantom will be able to earn his rightful place as a full-fledged member of the club!

Fu-fu-fu~ How clever am I.

[cosprofunayurei]

Memory of Old Walls - Episode 3

<A few hours later.>

Taisuke: (Yawn.) Well, I think we've arrived.

Mika: Huh? What do you mean we arrived…

Natsume: We're in the middle of a FOREST. Are you suggesting we walk from here?

Taisuke: It's dangerous to go any further, the climb is too steep, so…

That's right, we'll have to walk from here.

Natsume: How long is it to walk there?

Taisuke: About 15 minutes, I think. If you move. Pack your things and head out into the horrors! Ahahahaha!

Mayoi: …Kagehira-san…

Mika: Uwa!? What are ya whisperin', Ayase-kun? It's creepy!

Mayoi: Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you, I just wanted to ask…

Have you been on expeditions like this with Sato-san and Sakasaki-san before?

Mika: No, neva before. We usually had classes at school, and I wasn't included on expeditions. But I'm sure everything will be fine!

Mayoi: And you… so calm?

Mika: What do we have to be afraid of here?.. Since Taikun is on our side, he'll surely be able to protect us from anything. It would be much scarier if he weren't with us…

Mayoi: I just wanted to make sure… I hope I can go home safe today.

Mika: W-what are you talking about? Do you think they'll kill us here?!

Mayoi: No, that's not what I meant at all…!! I just thought Sakasaki-san and Sato-san were looking at me strangely when we were getting on the bus.

Mika: Don't worry, Ayase-kun, I won't let 'em sacrifice you…!

Taisuke: Hey, mates, how long are you going to stay here and whisper? Do you want to get lost here or something? Hurry up!

Mayoi: Well… Now I'm definitely finished…!

Mika: Everything will be fine, Ayase-kun, I'm on your side!

Natsume: Are you absolutely sure everything will be under control?

Taisuke: CosPro people recently checked this place… During the day.

They reported disarming several traps and finding locked doors they couldn't get through.

But they didn't see any strange sounds or phenomena.

It's entirely possible this is an ordinary old building, without any ghosts or anything otherworldly.

We can't be sure until we check it ourselves.

Natsume: So, what's your "premonition"?

Taisuke: Nothing yet… I can't concentrate.

Natsume: Are you nervous about FILMING? Wow, I never thought Kraken-kun would be nervous about cameras, fu-fu-fu…

Taisuke: Ugh, no, of course not. I've long since gotten used to having cameras pointed at me, don't be ridiculous.

It's just that this is our first expedition with such a large group…

Usually I explore places like this alone, but now I'm not sure if the "Spirit" will decide to show itself, sensing so many living people in the house. <A few minutes later.>

Taisuke: Friends, please put on this recording equipment and listen carefully to the safety instructions.

The building might have rotten boards and unstable stairs, and keep an eye on the ceilings every now and then to avoid falling on your head.

I brought two first aid kits in case anyone gets hurt.

We'll be using walkie-talkies to communicate with each other, as cell service is poor here.

I hope we have time to explore this estate today and find something interesting for our video~

Otherwise, the next practice will follow the same format…

That's all for the safety precautions! I'll turn on your equipment now, and we can go inside…

Mika: This building looks creepy… Taikun, do ya really think there could be a ghost in there?

Taisuke: I have no idea, Mika-chan.

I haven't sensed anyone's presence yet, but it's common for the deceased to hide their presence until they decide to appear.

Until we fully explore this building, I can't say whether there's a ghost there or not.

So, if everyone's ready, we can head inside~

Oh, and by the way…

Ibara-sama warned me about traps being set in this house…

Everything we found has already been disarmed or rendered unusable due to age, but you better watch your step.

(The door slammed shut.)

Mika: Wow?! What was that sound?!

Natsume: Apparently, someone or something slammed the door.

Taisuke: That can't be right, we just got here…

I'll open it now…

(He pulled the handle.)

…It won't budge.

It's like it was locked from the outside. Is this a prank? Hey there, open the door!

Natsume: So, we're locked in here?

Someone promised me everything would go according to PLAN, now I can take your SOUL?

Taisuke: Hey, hey, don't rush, it could have just been a draft.

Old, dilapidated houses like these are usually pretty hard to maintain, even if you live in one. And this house has been abandoned for several years.

The wood could have swelled from the moisture, which is why the door doesn't budge when it slams shut.

There should be a back door here; we can look for it and get out.

Let's take a look around here first…

[cosprofunayurei]

Memory of Old Walls - Episode 2

Taisuke: But, getting back to the previous topic…

If no one objects, the next lesson will be practical.

Mika: So what will we be doing?

Taisuke: As I said, I'd like to promote our club on these human "nets".

Mika: You mean social media?

Taisuke: …Yeah, something like that.

I think we'll try making our first video for our "account."

I asked Ibara-sama to find us a suitable task that would help our club develop in a different way.

Natsume: You asked him for help AGAIN without consulting me?

Taisuke: Natsume-kun, I understand, of course, that you're angry with Ibara-sama…

But don't forget that Mika-chan and I are idols at CosmicProduction, of which Ibara-sama is the vice-president.

Valkyrie, like Funayurei, are among the most popular units at the agency, so without management's approval, we're unlikely to be given the go-ahead to perform anywhere.

You probably don't know, but I've been watching you too, and it's quite upsetting to know that two of my close friends are at odds.

I know how much you don't want to accept Ibara-sama's help, but you must trust me.

If he betrays our trust, I'll owe you one wish.

Natsume: Alright, then, when the time comes to regret my actions, I'll definitely come for your SOUL.

Taisuke: Agreed~

So, about where we'll be holding our internship…

We'll be going to an old estate, where legends have recently begun circulating about a ghost haunting it, making noises there at night.

After the last residents passed away, the building remained abandoned and gained some popularity among teenagers thanks to its mysterious history.

Mayoi: You mean that abandoned building where the "Human Pillar" ritual was performed…?!

Taisuke: Oh, I see you understand what I'm talking about?

Mayoi: Yes… Hitobashira. I read about it once.

There used to be a belief that burying a person alive as a sacrifice would strengthen the structure and ensure its longevity.

Taisuke: That's right. Usually, the person was rolled either into the walls or the foundation.

Such a ritual was believed to protect the building from earthquakes, war alarms, and other disasters.

If this is true, and if this estate is on the list of buildings where Hitobashira was performed, then we'll most likely be dealing with the spirit of a child or young woman.

We'll be there next week, so be prepared.

We'll likely be there at night, so bring everything you need. Water, a phone, a flashlight, a whistle, spare batteries…

I'll take everything else.

Natsume: Do you think we'll have to perform a ritual to "release" the SPIRIT?

Taisuke: Until I'm there myself, I can't say whether there's a spirit there at all.

But if there is, then yes. We'll try to exorcise it.

In the meantime, get ready for reconnaissance~

Mayoi: Ah… what should I do?

Taisuke: Hm, well… While you're new here, you can just get used to our meetings and the other participants.

We'll definitely find you a job… a little later. < The next day. >

Mayoi: Good evening, Sato-san… I hope I'm on time…

Taisuke: Hello, Phantom.

You arrived early, before the appointed time.

Haha! Your enthusiasm is commendable, but we're not leaving until all four participants are here.

…What's in your bag?

Mayoi: You asked me to bring everything I needed yesterday, so I did… For everyone.

Taisuke: That's very kind, but you shouldn't have done that…

I meant that everyone should take it upon themselves, we won’t need that much.

Mayoi: Sorry… I should have asked again, but I decided to be on the safe side…

Taisuke: It's okay, we can keep it in reserve, don't worry about it too much.

Mayoi: Ooh… You're too kind to me, Sato-san…

Taisuke: Stop crying and pull yourself together, Phantom.

If you really don't want to let anyone down, you should stay focused and not get depressed at the slightest setback. We're going on a serious mission.

Mika: Taikun, here we are! I brought everythin' you asked for…

Taisuke: Oh, and you too… What are you doing with six flashlights? How are you going to hold them?

Mika: I just can't see well in the dark, so I thought I'd take a few…

Natsume: Newcomers are visible from afar. You can't explore abandoned buildings if you're covered in all sorts of gear. They'll get in the way if we have to shin or CLIMB anywhere.

Taisuke: Okay, we can't waste time. Everyone, get on the bus, now.

Natsume: You rented a whole BUS for us?

Taisuke: Yeah, we, the Occult Club, can't just ride in a simple human "taxi", that's not serious.

Maybe if I get land transportation one day, I'll drive you all myself. For now, we'll make do with what we have.

Mika: …Taikun, how long until we get to that estate? It's getting dark…

Taisuke: It's about a three-hour drive there, and our destination is in the neighboring prefecture.

So make yourself comfortable.

Come sit next to me, Tsume-chan~

I need someone's soft shoulder. We've got a long drive ahead of us, so it would be nice to rest before filming.

Natsume: If you dare lie on me in your SLEEP, I'll have to smother you with this pillow.

Taisuke: Don't even try. You won't be able to kill me. Don't you know I'm not human at all?

This human flesh is just a shell I put on so I don't scare people when I walk the streets.

If I get uncomfortable in it, I'll have to take your shell instead!

You don't want to experience the "Captain's Kiss" yourself, do you?

Natsume: Even if there's no way to KILL you, it would be nice to TORTURE you.

Taisuke: I appreciate your determination. Pursuing your goal no matter what is considered rare in people.

I think that's why I found common ground with you.

Natsume: You only succeeded BECAUSE you were simply too intrusive.