Ghost of a Chance

The Nightmare Dwelling (Part 20)

The air was so cold that they could all see their breaths as Sekiguchi's spirit stepped into the house. The floorboards creaked as he moved toward them. Bou-san formed the seal of the Immovable One with his hands and began his exorcism.

"On Kirikiri bazara bajiri hora mandamanda un hatta," he chanted into the icy air. Sweat dripped down the side of Hirota's face as he watched Sekiguchi continue toward them with wide eyes. "On amiritona usoba un hatta." The monk began performing the nine-cuts. "Rin, pyou, tou, sha, kai, jin, retsu, zai, zen—nomaku sanmanda bazaradan kan!" he said strongly, directing his spiritual might at Sekiguchi. Hirota watched as some lights seemed to glow around Sekiguchi's spirit. Sekiguchi swayed, dropped his hatchet, then wobbled. He pulled himself up straight again, and stood there. Hirota, Bou-san, Naru, and John watched as Sekiguchi's spirit faded away to nothing. "All right," Bou-san said. "It's over. Let's go home.

—∞—

"Everything should be okay now," Bou-san told Midori, who was bandaging Hirota's injured arm, and her mother, who was offering Bou-san tea. The four of them sat around a lit candle for a small source of light, while Mai helped Masako down the stairs. She was followed by Hitomi, who went straight to Naru and hugged him. Masako looked away from them.

"Really? There won't be any strange phenomenon or that man appearing anymore?" Midori asked.

"No, they won't," Bou-san said. Midori and her mother looked at each other and smiled a little with relief.

"Um, where are the Sasakuras?" Midori asked.

"We've put them in the bathroom for now," Bou-san replied with a smile.

"I think you've dealt with Sekiguchi, but what about the five people formerly living in this house?" Hirota asked.

"Maybe they got exorcised along earlier?" Bou-san suggested.

"That sure isn't convincing," Hirota said.

"Well, it's only a matter of time before they disappear," Bou-san said, sipping his tea. "Why don't you take a look, Hitomi?" Hirota looked at Hitomi.

"They're gone, it seems," Naru said. Hirota looked at him. 'Right?' he thought to Gene.

'That's about right. They're really faint. In which case, they will disappear any moment now,' Gene thought. 'By the way, you have a cute girlfriend.'

'Shut up,' Naru thought.

'I mean it. It seems like you're in good hands,' Gene thought. 'I missed the chance to say something earlier.'

'What?' Naru thought.

'Long time no see,' Gene thought, surprising Naru. Naru smiled slightly, the look in his eyes softened, and his expression became identical to his brother's.

'Yeah...' Naru thought.

'...' Gene thought.

'What is it?' Naru thought.

'Somehow.. I feel really sleepy...' Gene thought.

'Does it imply that the 'place' for his being is being taken apart? If so, perhaps it can be concluded that the danger has truly come to pass,' Naru wondered to himself. 'You were never an early-riser after all,' he thought to his brother. 'Good night.'

'Yeah...' Gene said as he drifted off.

"What a bizarre sight..." Bou-san remarked as he watched the change in Naru's expression with Mai, Hirota, and Hitomi. Everyone except Hitomi, who was standing close to Naru, was sweating, a little unnerved. "Look at him smiling to himself."

"..." Hirota stared at what he agreed to be a bizarre sight.

"He is real... He's Narcissus in the flesh..." Mai said.

'Is he talking to Gene?' Hitomi wondered. She smiled softly as she watched him. He seemed happy.