[Prologue] Rumours

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"Hey, have you heard? This school has eight wonders.

You haven't? Then I'll tell you about one of them. The most famous story is the seventh of the "Seven" Wonders:

Hanako-san of the Bathroom.

In the third stall in the girls' bathroom on the third floor of the old building lives Hanako-san, who grants a wish to anyone who summons her. But in exchange, she takes something precious from them.

To call her, knock three times. And then call:

"Hanako-san, Hanako-san, are you there?"

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[Your Name]'s POV:

It was after school hours and I was doing a job for Tsuchigomori. I just needed to transfer some books that had been used in classes back to the library. I took the job only expecting there to be a few text books. I was wrong. I have to empty out six classrooms in the high school division. I would have asked Akane or Teru to help me but they were busy doing Student Council work and they needed to go home soon. Unfortunately, I reside here in Kamome Academy so I have all the time in the world to do errands for Tsuchigomori... plus the Student Council work that I was assigned today by some other teachers.

And if you're wondering yes. I'm an apparition. I'm "Zero" of the Seven Wonders: Kazumi-san the Cursed Pianist. But, that's just cover up. If people knew who "Kazumi" really was, it would strike chaos considering people can see me... even though I died a long, long time ago.

Rumour is that at 5:00 AM every morning a soft and mellow tune coming from a piano will echo down the hallways of the school building. If you follow the music, it will lead you to the old, abandoned music room that no one uses anymore. Inside that room is an old grand piano. They say if you manage to mimic the melody that was played before the end of Friday, a young girl supposedly named "Kazumi" will appear to you and grant you any wish for no fee. But if you play even a single note wrong, she will take your life and exchange your vocal chords for a new key on her piano.

Not many people try summoning me. Most likely because no one is in school that early most of the time and it's pretty hard to dictate what notes are being played if you can only hear it. And the tune changes every week too meaning you only get five chances to hear it considering that school isn't open on the weekends. People are also convinced that someone has died from attempting to summon me since my piano has eighty-nine keys instead of eighty-eight. But, they wouldn't necessarily be wrong...

"[Your Name]-chan!!" I swiftly turn my head to see Yashiro dashing towards me.

Yashiro Nene, a first year in class 1-A from the high school division. One of my classmates as well as one of my closest friends alongside Akane Aoi. She had cream hair which faded off into a teal green colour. She also had... "chubbier" ankles than most of the other girls and strangely represented a daikon which she'd often get teased about... but she's perfect either way. Besides, I think it makes her look cute!

"Hm? Yes, Nene-chan?" I turned my body facing her fully.

"W-Will you come with me t-to summon Hanako-san?!" She stuttered out, eyes squeezed shut while awaiting my answer. I recalled Aoi mentioning Hanako-san's rumour to Yashiro in class today.

"What for?" I asked, slightly confused.

"I-I want to make a wish! I hope she'll grant it... I really want Minamoto-senpai to like me!" Yashiro mumbled out the last bit, causing a small, sympathetic smile to appear on my face.

I huffed before looking at Yashiro, "Okay, let me just drop off these books over at the library and then we'll head on over."

"Yay! Thank you [Your Name]-chan!!"

|~*~|

We sauntered over to the old building after dropping off the books at the library. I could see Yashiro hesitating to go into the bathroom. I put my hand on her shoulder for comfort which seemed to give her a boost of confidence before stepping into the girl's bathroom. We creeped our way to the third stall, staring at it for a few moments. Yashiro's breathing hitched for a moment before she raised her hand towards the bathroom door. I stood beside her.

'Maybe he'll finally appear after all this time...'

Yashiro knocked three times upon the crimson red, wooden door.

"Hanako-san, Hanako-san,

are you there?"

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