Ghost of a Chance

Forbidden Pastime (Part 3)

"We're back," Mai announced as she and Hitomi returned to base. They had been surveying different parts of the school, but managed to meet up again on their way back.

"Hey, welcome back," Bou-san greeted them, holding several sheets of paper for his own tally. "How was it?"

"Just like those girls said, most of the students here have done Kokkuri," Mai replied.

"It'd probably be faster to count those who haven't done it," Hitomi added with a wry smile.

"I came up with the same results," Yasuhara said as he also returned.

"Ah, Y-Yasuhara-san, we're taking full advantage of you, aren't we?" Mai asked with an apologetic smile, sweat-dropping.

"It's no problem," he said with a smile, handing over his tally. "Here you go."

"Thanks for the hard work," Hitomi said with a bright smile of her own as she accepted it from him.

"Aw, man... give me a break!" Bou-san exclaimed, sweat-dropping. "Almost the whole school has been practicing Kokkuri-san!? Do you know how many evil spirits must be floating around!?"

"How many?" Mai asked.

"It's like a train packed to full capacity with spirits," he answered.

"Urggh!" Mai flinched. She and Hitomi both sweat-dropped. "That's terrible."

"Sounds like you'll have your hands full with the exorcisms," Hitomi said sympathetically.

"Naru-chan, are we really going to do this?" Bou-san asked. "I don't like the idea... Kokkuri-san can invite some of the worst evil spirits..."

"Please help us out—" Yasuhara started to say, when Bou-san walked over and put his hands on his shoulders.

"That's it!" the monk said with a shit-eating grin. "I'll teach you how to perform an exorcism so you can do it!"

"Eh—"

Right! Let's try that! Brilliant idea!" Bou-san said before he could object, patting him on the shoulders.

"Bou-san...!" Mai said dangerously as vein throbbed on her head, making a fist.

"Whoa! I'm opposed to violence!" Bou-san said quickly. "Aren't you going to stop her, Hitomi?"

"As long as you promise not to say such irresponsible things in the future," Hitomi responded with a bright smile and a gleam in her eye.

"What...!? Are you motivated to work on this case after seeing Matsuyama's attitude?" Bou-san asked defensively.

"Unfortunately, having to deal with jerks is just another part of life," she replied sagely, crossing her arms.

"I do apologize for him, though," Yasuhara said. "Matsuyama treats everyone poorly. Even the students have given up on him. He won't listen to what other people say, so we have to be the mature ones and be patient with him..."

"..." Mai and Bou-san stared at him. Wow...

"Sometimes that's all you can do, huh?" Hitomi said sympathetically, nodding her head in understanding. "Some people are just so stubbornly clueless, aren't they? It reminds me of something one of my aunts said one time: 'When you're dead, you don't know you're dead. It's only difficult for the others. It's the same when you're stupid.'"

"Pfft!" Mai and Bou-san laughed.

"Ah, but Matsuyama must have given you a hard time, huh, Yasuhara-kun?" Bou-san asked. "Since you're the one who came to consult with us on this whole case."