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your-local-simp-writers · 22 days ago

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Swing of Fate

Word Count: 3225

Warnings: None

Tim Drake x Fem!Reader ︶꒦꒷♡꒷꒦︶︶꒦꒷♡꒷꒦︶︶꒦꒷♡꒷꒦︶︶꒦꒷♡꒷꒦︶

The usual hum of the school day fills the air, the familiar sounds of lockers clanging, laughter bubbling up in small groups, and teachers herding students toward their next classes. In science class, the overhead fluorescent lights buzz softly, casting a pale glow over everyone hunched over their notebooks. The scent of paper and faint hints of disinfectant linger as you sit at your desk, scribbling down the lecture notes from the board, focused and trying to stay in the rhythm of the lesson.

At your side, Tim Drake is a quiet presence, meticulously organizing his notes and materials. You can see the focus etched on his face, his gaze steady as he reviews the day’s experiment setup. Occasionally, though, you catch a shift in his expression, a glance in your direction that lingers just a second too long. His dark blue eyes seem to flicker with something unspoken, a mixture of curiosity and intensity that keeps you on edge.

As the teacher drones on, your curiosity grows, and finally, you glance up to catch Tim mid-stare. Your eyes meet, and he shifts awkwardly, his cheeks taking on a faint blush as he realizes he’s been caught. Tim clears his throat, trying to mask his embarrassment, and fumbles with his pen as if it had been the most interesting thing in the world all along.

A smirk tugs at your lips as you lean a little closer, keeping your voice low. "You know, if you're going to stare, you might as well say something,” you whisper, amusement lacing your tone.

Tim stammers, his voice barely audible over the murmurs of your classmates. "I—I wasn't staring. Just... thinking about the lab results from last week."

You chuckle softly, rolling your eyes. “Right. Lab results. That must be why you looked like you were daydreaming.”

Before he can fumble for another excuse, Mr. Hargrove, your teacher, clears his throat, looking pointedly in your direction. “Miss Y/L/N and Mr. Drake, I assume your conversation is about the chemical bonding experiment?” His voice cuts through the noise, and a hush falls as nearby classmates glance over curiously.

You glance at Tim, who nods hastily, trying to regain composure. "Yes, sir," he says, straightening up and sounding far more confident than he looks. “We were discussing covalent bonds and their formation.”

Mr. Hargrove gives him a skeptical look but eventually just rolls his eyes, muttering something under his breath about “young love” as he turns back to the board. Tim exhales, relieved, and you shoot him a grateful smile, silently appreciative of his quick thinking. He’s awkward, sure, but there’s something endearing about his attempts to cover for both of you.

The rest of the period passes in comfortable silence, broken only by the faint chatter of classmates behind you and the occasional scratch of pens on paper. Tim keeps to himself, glancing up now and then to check on your progress as you continue your notes. Each shared glance feels like a private conversation, a secret exchange that makes you feel closer to him than words could express.

Finally, the bell rings, and a collective sigh of relief sweeps across the room. Students shuffle out of their seats, backpacks swinging and papers rustling as everyone heads for the hallway. Tim moves to gather your materials for you, and when his fingers brush against yours, a small jolt of warmth runs through you. You look up, and he holds your gaze for a moment longer than necessary.

As you walk out, the hallway is a cacophony of voices and laughter, students calling out to each other about the weekend or the latest gossip. You’re still talking about the experiment as you stroll toward Tim’s locker, weaving through the crowd, when a familiar voice cuts through the noise.

“Hey, Y/N!” Jamie, one of your friends from English class, grins at you from a few lockers down, her eyes flashing with mischief. “So, are you bringing Tim to the pep rally tomorrow, or are you finally going to ditch your lab partner and join us?”

Tim looks like a deer caught in headlights at the mention of the rally, visibly unsure about diving into that part of high school life. You can’t help but laugh at his expression, nudging him gently. “Oh, he’s coming. Right, Tim?” you ask, leaning in with a grin. “It’ll be good for you to experience some ‘normal’ teenage activities.”

Tim rubs the back of his neck, shifting his weight as he avoids your friend’s knowing gaze. “If... uh, if you think it’ll be fun.”

Jamie just snickers, giving you both an exaggerated thumbs-up. “Look at you two—science nerds bonding over school spirit. I’m impressed.” She gives you a wave as she saunters off, leaving you and Tim standing in the bustling hallway.

Tim lets out a sigh, glancing at you apologetically. “I’m... really not a pep rally person,” he admits, his voice low as students continue to filter around you, talking about the game, the pep rally, and other high school plans.

“Come on, Tim,” you say, your tone playful as you tilt your head, coaxing him. “Just one rally. You could use a bit of excitement that doesn’t involve analyzing chemicals.”

He chuckles softly, shaking his head as he relents. “Alright, alright. Just this once.”

That evening, as you make your way to Wayne Manor for your usual study session, the massive estate looms ahead, imposing yet strangely familiar. Alfred greets you with his usual polite warmth as he opens the door. “Good evening, Miss Y/N. Mr. Drake is already in the library waiting for you,” he says, offering you a tray of tea and biscuits with a soft smile.

You thank him, grabbing a biscuit as you head toward the library. Inside, you find Dick Grayson lounging on the couch, flipping through a magazine, but he glances up as you walk in. “Well, well, look who it is!” he teases, smirking. “Y/N, back again to distract Tim from his studies?”

“Hey, I’m just here for the snacks,” you retort, shooting him a grin. Tim appears in the doorway just then, holding a stack of books and looking mortified as he hears Dick’s teasing.

“I—I invited her to study, okay?” Tim stammers, trying to brush off the embarrassment as he sets down his books. His cheeks are tinged red, and he does his best to ignore his brother’s knowing look.

Dick just laughs, ruffling Tim’s hair as he walks past. “Sure, sure. Just don’t study too hard, little bro.”

As he exits, Alfred‘s voice echoes from down the hallway, cutting through the brief silence. “Tim, make sure you get enough sleep tonight. School is important—no matter what else is on your plate.”

You catch Tim’s faint wince, and a flicker of curiosity crosses your mind. You’ve noticed before how his family seems to hint at something… other. Something he’s careful not to talk about. But you push the thought aside, focusing instead on the evening’s work.

Settling at the table with your chemistry notes, you and Tim dive into reviewing complex formulas and covalent bonding structures. The room is cozy, illuminated by the warm glow of the lamp, and you find yourself sneaking glances at him. There’s a softness in his focus, a gentleness in his mannerisms that draws you in, making you forget the world outside.

For a while, there’s only the quiet rustling of papers, the scratching of pens, and the faint ticking of the library’s antique clock. It’s peaceful, intimate in a way you never would’ve expected. The way Tim’s brow furrows slightly as he contemplates a particularly tricky problem, or how he pushes his glasses up his nose absentmindedly, feels almost endearing.

Then, as if sensing your gaze, Tim looks up, catching you staring. His cheeks flush a deeper shade of red, and he smiles shyly—a smile that feels both tentative and sincere, and it makes your heart race. “Sorry, am I boring you?” he asks, teasing but genuinely curious.

You shake your head, trying to brush off the moment’s awkwardness. “Not at all. I’m just... trying to figure out how you manage to look so focused while I’m here daydreaming.”

Tim chuckles softly, his laughter warm and genuine. “It’s just a skill I’ve honed over time,” he replies, leaning back in his chair. “Though I guess I have my distractions.” His gaze flickers to your notes, then back to you, a playful glint in his eyes.

“Just admit it,” you challenge lightly, “you’d be lost without me keeping you on task.”

He raises an eyebrow, a smirk playing on his lips. “Oh really? And how would I ever survive these long nights without my study buddy?”

You grin back, your playful banter drawing you even closer. “Exactly. I provide essential academic support.”

Tim shakes his head, laughing again as he dives back into the notes. The connection between you grows stronger in the comfort of shared laughter and study, the boundaries of friendship blending into something more electric with each moment you spend together.

Eventually, the quiet rhythm of study begins to take over once more, but the air is charged with an underlying tension that neither of you can ignore. You find yourself lost in the warmth of his presence, the unspoken words hanging in the air like an unsolved equation waiting for resolution.

As you finish up the last chapter of your notes, you realize it’s getting late. The clock ticks steadily in the background, and Alfred’s voice echoes softly from the distance, signaling that it’s time to head home. You glance up at Tim, who is still buried in his notes, his brow furrowed in concentration. “Hey, we should wrap this up,” you suggest gently, though a part of you wishes to linger just a little longer.

He looks up, seemingly surprised by the time. “Wow, I didn’t even realize how late it was.” There’s a touch of disappointment in his voice, as if he, too, wishes this moment could stretch on indefinitely.

You start to pack your things, and as you do, a thought crosses your mind. “Oh, by the way, I was wondering if you’d like to come to a party this Friday. It should be fun—lots of people, good music…” You trail off, gauging his reaction.

Tim’s expression shifts slightly, and you can almost see the gears turning in his mind. “A party?” he echoes, a hint of uncertainty creeping into his voice. “I mean, that sounds great, but…”

You watch as he hesitates, and your heart sinks just a little. “But?” you prompt gently.

He rubs the back of his neck, looking genuinely conflicted. “I’ve got… uh, a lot of homework to catch up on,” he says, the words tumbling out awkwardly. “And, you know, I’m really trying to keep my grades up this semester.”

You nod, trying to mask your disappointment. “I get it. School is important,” you reply, your voice softer than you intended. “Maybe another time?”

Tim smiles apologetically, and you can see that he genuinely regrets not being able to join you. “Definitely. I’d love to hang out more, just… you know, when the stars align or something,” he says with a half-hearted laugh.

“Right, stars,” you echo, a playful smile creeping back onto your face, even as you feel the sting of missed opportunity. “Next time, then.”

With a final glance at your notes, you feel ready to embrace whatever comes next, and you can't shake the feeling that this is just the beginning of a beautiful chapter in your lives, even if the party won’t include him.

The rooftop is buzzing with life. Laughter mixes with the gentle clinking of glasses and the low murmur of jazz as people sway to the music, their silhouettes dancing under the warm glow of string lights. Someone’s already opened up a makeshift dance floor near the edge of the rooftop, and a group has gathered around to cheer on a friend trying to pull off a clumsy waltz. Everywhere I look, familiar faces are lit up with excitement, completely lost in the charm of the evening.

I’m leaning against the railing, watching the scene unfold with a grin, when Jamie sidles up beside me, nudging my arm with her elbow. “Look at you, standing here all mysterious and brooding. Let me guess—thinking about Tim again?”

I can’t help but laugh, rolling my eyes. “Absolutely not,” I say, faking indignation. “I’m just… admiring the view.”

She scoffs, clearly not buying it. “Right. And I’m the queen of Gotham,” she says with a smirk, sipping her drink. “Come on, you keep looking like you’re waiting for him to pop up out of nowhere.”

“You caught me.” I glance down at the rooftop’s entrance, knowing full well Tim wouldn’t come to something like this. “I don’t know, Jamie… he’s just different. There’s something going on with him, and he never lets me in.”

“Maybe he’s secretly Batman,” Jamie jokes, wiggling her fingers in a mock-spooky gesture. “Or he’s just shy, Y/N. Not everyone lives for the spotlight like you do.”

“You know, you could’ve just said ‘you’re awesome and everyone knows it,’ but I’ll take that as a compliment,” I reply, feigning a wounded look. Jamie rolls her eyes, laughing, and a few others overhear and join in, nudging me playfully.

“Oh, don’t get all modest now,” a guy from our biology class chimes in. “If it weren’t for you, we’d still be planning our senior trip to that awful museum downtown.”

“True!” Jamie says, raising her glass in mock salute. “Here’s to Y/N, our fearless leader and the best fake friend a girl could ask for.”

“Cheers to fake friends!” I say, clinking my glass with hers, the group laughing in unison. For a moment, I let myself relax, soaking up the energy, watching everyone enjoy themselves. It’s exactly the kind of carefree night I’d hoped for, even if there’s a tiny part of me that wishes Tim could experience it, too.

But then, the mood changes.

It starts subtly—a nervous murmur from someone near the door, followed by a low, panicked gasp. I turn to look, frowning as I see people near the entrance start to back away, their expressions shifting from cheerful to tense. Suddenly, the rooftop door slams open with a force that makes everyone flinch, and I see a group of masked figures rush in, shoving guests aside as they spread out across the space.

People gasp, stumbling back as the intruders take over. The laughter and music come to an abrupt halt, replaced by confused whispers and growing fear. Jamie’s hand grips my arm tightly, her face pale.

“Everyone, stay down!” one of the figures barks, their voice harsh and commanding. My heart pounds as the realization sets in—this isn’t some prank or joke. This is real, and it’s dangerous.

The crowd is chaotic, people backing up in confusion, trying to find places to hide. Instinctively, I try to move away from the intruders, grabbing Jamie’s hand and backing up, my own heart thundering in my chest. The once lively rooftop now feels claustrophobic, the walls and railings pressing in as I try to make sense of the chaos around me.

Someone shouts, and I turn in time to see one of the masked figures shove a table, scattering drinks and causing people to scream as they duck for cover. I stumble backward, my heel catching on the uneven rooftop tiles. I feel Jamie’s grip loosen as I lose my balance, arms flailing as I back up—too far. My stomach drops as I feel my foot slip over the edge, and suddenly, I’m falling.

It’s only for a split second, but it feels like an eternity. The wind rushes past me, the cold night air biting against my skin as gravity pulls me down. But just as panic fully sets in, a firm hand grabs my wrist, pulling me back with surprising strength. I gasp, my eyes wide as I’m yanked away from the edge and steadied by someone in a dark uniform. The masked face of Robin looks down at me, his eyes intense and focused.

“I’ve got you. Just hold on,” he says, his voice steady and reassuring. Even through the mask, there’s something so familiar about his tone that it sends a shiver through me.

Before I can say anything, he pulls me close and activates his grappling hook, launching us to a nearby rooftop in one swift motion. I cling to him, my heart racing, the city blurring around us as he carries me to safety. When we land, he sets me down, his hand still holding mine for a moment longer than necessary.

I look up at him, and my mind races. That voice, that feeling… could it really be?

“Tim?” I whisper, barely able to believe it.

Robin stiffens, his gaze flickering, and he hesitates. He starts to shake his head, but I cross my arms, giving him a knowing look.

“Don’t even try to lie to me,” I say, the words coming out more confidently than I feel. “Tim, I know it’s you.”

He sighs, realizing there’s no point in trying to deny it. He shifts uncomfortably, glancing away before looking back at me, his expression almost sheepish under the mask.

“I didn’t want you to find out like this,” he admits quietly.

I let out a soft laugh, more out of relief than anything. “So all those times you brushed me off or acted like you were busy—it was because you were out saving Gotham?”

There’s a hint of a smirk under his mask, and he finally lets his guard down a bit. “Sorry if my night job interfered with hanging out,” he says, his voice laced with that dry humor I recognize.

We share a smile, the tension easing for just a moment, before he grows serious again. “Y/N, this life… it’s dangerous. I kept you out of it on purpose. I didn’t want you involved.”

I step closer, meeting his gaze with a steadiness I didn’t know I had. “I get it, Tim. But I’d rather know the truth. And if you ever need help—or just someone to talk to—I’m here.”

He looks at me for a long moment, his eyes softening. Finally, he reaches up, and to my surprise, removes the mask, revealing the face I know so well. His expression is both vulnerable and relieved, a quiet question lingering in his eyes.

“You really mean that?” he asks, his voice barely above a whisper.

“Yeah,” I say with a smile. “Besides, someone has to make sure you don’t get too serious all the time.”

He laughs softly, his usual guarded demeanor slipping away. But then, the distant sound of sirens brings him back to the present, his face hardening again as the Robin persona returns. “I should go help the others. But… will you wait for me?”

I nod, my heart swelling. “Of course. I’ll be here.”

With one last, lingering look, he slips the mask back on and disappears into the night, leaving me alone on the rooftop. The evening has been flipped on its head, but I can’t help the small smile on my face. Tim, my friend—maybe something more—had been watching over me all along.

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stormblessed95 · 2 months ago

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Watching Are You Sure?! EP 7

A reminder of how I do these reaction posts as I watch things. I just write my reactions and thoughts down literally they happen. Think more of a bullet point format. I'll include links when I can to videos, thanks to the people who twt who upload clips. And at the end, I'll do a better wrap up of all my opinions. I hope everyone enjoyed the show so far!!

Not this show starting off with a mistaken identity trip!! Lol Jimin saying that he only went snowboarding once before and it was with JK. And JK was so confused. You could see him searching the files in his brain lmfao. Jimin's oh wait! I went with your friends 😂😂 okay, just hanging out with JKs friends on your own? It's giving couple. I can't lie. I'm sorry. What in the best friend?! 😂😂 I loved the facial expressions and the way Jimin buried his face into Jungkookie there too

Jimin listening to hate you. And JKs why are you listening to that? Jimin: because I like it 😳 lmao I agree Jimin, it was abrupt 😂😂

Their appreciation for their crew is 😍😍

Jk dozing off to Jimin's softly singing. It's giving the same vibes as that one run episode that he dozed off to Jimin's ASMR. Idk what that's giving exactly.... But it's giving *something* and you know what it is

"this is our last moment of relaxation. I love it" 😭

Not JK just chopping at his hair like that. Oh baby lol don't look at me like this is my fault!! It's okay, fucking up your hair and needing to make it much shorter than originally planned is a life right of passage lol

Not JKs haircut transporting Jimin back in time 10 years 😂😂😂

The staff giggling and immediately taking photos 😂 BTS are their babies lol

Jimin hurting himself and shouting oh shit 😂😂 the subtitles trying to sensor him without bleeping his actual words 😂🤣 subtitles should be accurate above all else people! Cmon! Lol

Jimin moaning and groaning while transferring tubs, sitting on the edge, etc and JK just looks like he is enjoying the show the whole time. There is so much ass on display in the shorts they are wearing in this whole scene. Where is the decorum?! Lol!

Turning off the cameras to shower together before the Jacuzzi. Very innocent, but sounds like it could be so not 🤣😂

JKs faces when trying to handle to cold tub 😂😂

"feel how cold I am" better translated to "just hug me once" and the immediate hug and the hand placement to feel the cold? Yeah okay 🤣

Anyone remember the emojis over the barest slips of tummy during anything? Now they are showing them wash themselves and rub their own muscles in a cold tub and show off flexing to the camera. What the fuck Hybe 🤣🤣🤣

Soundproof Sauna to their matching PJs and eating a whole feast 🥰

The way they giggle together is my favorite thing

JK watching Jimin making his this crab is so good video so endeared 🥰😂😍

Jimin insisted on JK trying the shrimp too because it was so amazing instead of eating the last of the shrimp even though he loved it so much. And JK sharing half his urchin with Jimin because it was so yummy. Cute. They are so precious to each other

Jimin wants seconds, JK says it's a bad idea. They order seconds 😂😂😂

I both love and hate watching them eat. Because I think watching people eat is gross and I stand by that. Lol but they love it so much and look so happy, I also just enjoy seeing them enjoy themselves. It's a complicated mix of emotions I experience 😂

The trend continues of brushing their teeth together. Jimin, the mischief maker, kicks JK during their teeth brushing?? Lol and takes a selfie of them too. Share it please?

"I'm going to pass out after this, especially if we get massages" JK " we are getting massages?!" No lmfao you silly goose, that was 100% Jimin hinting at wanting a massage 😂🤣😂🤣

Not them being super sleepy, yet still annoying each other on purpose by flashing lights at each other 😂

Jimin asking JK if he is too hot, probably knowing already he gets too hot at night. But instead of changing the temperature when he did wake up too hot, knowing Jimin was comfy with how it was, JK just moved to the living room. And Jimin waking him up by so softly petting his head 🥺🥺🥺

Are they advertising sunscreen? Lol it worked. I wanted to go get some 😂😂

Jimin fighting for his LIFE in the shower. Wtf was happening?!! Lmao and JK finishing up his breakfast before going into the bathroom to shower while Jimin was still in the shower it sounded like. Lol ALRIGHT. Hope you both enjoyed said shower I guess 😅😂🤣

Why are we play fighting while getting dressed boys?! Lmao

Jimin starting a pretend photoshoot with the ski jacket and gear. Absolutely, yes please

Jimin is such a good boyfriend bringing JKs jacket back out to him

Jimin just enjoying sitting in the car while JK goes in to order 😂😂 good for him! JK telling him he only ordered food for himself and none for Jimin, only to say "here is our food" when it arrived 😂 what a jokester lol

Jimin feeding Jungkook while he is driving 🥺

Jimin joking about an AYS OST. Please please please give it to us though for real

Singing random love songs for a game! Where JK interrupted Jimin singing the line "the person I love is gone" to sing "I love you" three times lol okay got it

The way JK always stops to just stare at Jimin until he gets his reaction to whatever he is doing or wearing is always so cute. Especially because he always smiles so cutely after Jimin gives him his desired compliment 💜❤️

JK adjusting Jimin's googles for him 🥺

The way that JK checks in on Jimin first to make sure he is actually okay before teasing him about being scared lol it's sweet and cute

The hysterical cut of JK shredding down the slope to Jimin laying in the snow 😂😂😂😂 Jimin and his staff member literally falling over each other 🤣🤣🤣 I'm dying lmao!

Jimin ditching his helmet with how often he falls is stressing me out lmfao he looks gorgeous though!

Skiing would be fun too he says, turning to Jimin with a hopefully sparkle in his eyes that he knows Jimin can't say no to. Camera cuts to them on skis 😂 JK, I love and adore you. Never change

Wrap up thoughts:

They showered/bathed together 3 times in one episode and thats insane. Lmao whatever guys 😂 this was just an excellent episode showcasing their closeness, their intimacy, their silliness, their individuality and their soft spoken nature with each other. It showed the way they consistently consider each other, what the other wants and needs. I don't think I have anything to expand on from what I've already said above. I really loved this episode. Fully plan on the last episode making me cry.

All purple links in my post go back to @dstdes with video clips of the moment being talked about. I did use a few twitter clips as well, sorry. Thanks for reading!

#jikook #kookmin #jikook are you sure #jikook travel show #jikook in sapporo

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adventuringblind · 1 year ago

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Heyyyy

Is it possible to have more autistic reader X Oscar like something happens at the race weekend and it's the rest of the grid helping her out as they also try find Oscar. Or anything really.

If not totally fine.

Also LOVE your writing!!!

Grid Panic

Oscar Piastri x Autistic Reader

Genre: hurt/comfort and fluff

Summary: a photographer is taking pictures during a night race and gets in readers face with the flash on. She panics and Oscar is nowhere to be found.

Warnings: cameras and autistic meltdowns

Notes: Okay, so this is MY experience with meltdowns. Please remember that everyone is different and experiences things differently. Also, this is HC format.

Masterlist

Night races are your favorite

The weather is more mild at night

It's easier to hide away from the crowd

The journalists don't spot you as easily

It's perfect

Currently, you're waiting for Oscar to come out of the media pen

Meandering around the paddock with headphones in as you wait

Oscar is protective yes

But not overprotective

He lets you lead the way, and if you get uncomfortable, then he'll step in

He can read your signals like it's clockwork

But he's not here

And a photographer has decided to make you his muse for the moment

He begins snapping shots with the flash on since its dark

You've never been on for bright lights

It's been the cause of many moments spent tucked away under tables and desks

He's saying things to you about smiling for the camera

But your not listening

Desperately trying to shield your face from the onslaught of flashing lights.

You’re lucky that Lewis is walking by

It’s not like you were trying to screech his name

But volume is harder to control when you feel like this

Needless to say it gets his attention

He gets in between you and the photographer

His arm slung around your shoulders protectively

Eventually you register the darkness of the alley between buildings

“Are you alright?”

Everything in you wants to say yes

But the urge to slam yourself into the ground and stay there says otherwise

No words

Just breathe

Physical contact is to much right now

“Can we go to Oscars room?”

You nod yes

Then you’re journeying to the McLaren motor home

You run into Charles on the way

He trails behind you

Mildly panicked because you aren’t speaking

Never a good sign

He waits with you in Oscar’s room

He plays soft piano music to drown out the noises from outside the room

You hide in the corner and curl yourself into a ball

Meanwhile Lewis is running around the paddock

He wishes he hadn’t put his scooter away

He runs into Lando during his search

“Need…Oscar…”

“Why? Am I not good enough for you?”

“Girlfriend is having- a thing.”

“A thing?”

“Ahhhh- what’s it called- a meltdown!”

Lando joins in on the search

At this point it feels like they’ve looked everywhere

Then they see Max

“Max!”

The Dutch does a spin and smiles when he sees them

“Have you seen my teammate?”

“Zak dragged him off somewhere, I think.”

*internal screeching from the two Brits*

“Can’t you show us where they went?”

Max drags the two along

They end up back in front of the McLaren motor home

They head inside with Lando leading them to Oscars room

Charles is watching from outside the door

“Took you long enough.”

They all collectively roll their eyes

The photographer got a warning

The boys (Lewis in particular) fell asleep as soon as they hit their respective beds

Oscar covered you in his jacket and drive you two home

Taking back ways and using the back entrance of the Hotel

He laughs to himself after he manages to get you to fall asleep

It’s a miracle they didn’t send the whole paddock into a panic

You fall asleep knowing your have good friends who can listen to your needs

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muddyorbsblr · 5 months ago

Text

this magnetic force of a man

'one look and they'll know' collection masterlist See my full list of works here!

Placement: married era; a few months after 'come on, england'

Summary: A watch party livestream on TikTok catches sight of you and Tom in the VIP tent of the final night of the Eras Tour in London

Pairing: Tom Hiddleston x Reader

Word Count: 2.2k

Warning/s: language; potentially inaccurate depictions of what goes on backstage in a concert; changed lyrics for Lover [let me know if I missed anything!]

Things to be aware of: new & experiment story format in the first part of the chapter; fictional streamer "original character" heavily featured in first part of the chapter

TikTok Livestream of getawayscholar: Eras Tour Wembley N8 Watch Party!

The stream on screen zooms in to the VIP Tent.

"Hold on! Hold the fuck on is that…holy shit we have ex alert in attendance! Friends and others, Tom Hiddleston just walked in to the VIP tent with Y/N H--I didn't even know they were still together damn good for them." getawayscholar applauds on her stream; the chat floods with clapping hands emojis and various hearts.

The stream on screen shows Travis approaching you and Tom, shaking Tom's hand and making you jump for a high five with a jovial smile on his face. The three are talking while they walk to where Travis is seated.

"And they're seated with Travis, holy shit the world is healing."

Paramore's opener set begins. The stream on screen refocuses to the stage for the next 5 songs.

getawayscholar's stream chat floods with messages: "change source stream!" "check VIP tent!" "some shit's going down on VIP go go go!"

New Instagram Live streaming on getawayscholar's big screen shows you and Tom in your own little bubble, dancing with each other to "The Only Exception". You're singing the words to him.

"'Didn't I read somewhere that these two got married?' I don't know about this one yet, guys but if they did ohh my god good for them! Look at these two they look like the definition of in love and unbothered--Hold up what's going on why's Jan in the VIP tent?"

The stream on screen shows Jan talking to Travis and you, looking panicked, making a gesture for you two to follow him to the stage. Tom holds on to your hand as you're leaving. You mouth many words. Visibly "It's okay" and "I love you" before giving him a kiss and running out of the tent with Travis.

"What's going on, y'all? Are we getting Travis on stage again? Maybe for the Lover era this time?!" getawayscholar squeals on her stream, visibly kicking her feet for a few seconds before abruptly stopping. "But hold on, why do they need Y/N H., though?"

The chat pops up with one new message: 'Not sure how accurate it is but I read somewhere that Y/N H. did some work for the TTPD Era stage design? Maybe it's something about the glitch?'

The stream on screen refocuses back to Paramore on the stage for the rest of the opener set. The countdown clock appears on screen. When the clock strikes 00:00, the dancers come out on stage. The show proceeds as scheduled until the end of You Need to Calm Down. Taylor approaches the mic with her guitar and begins her opening remarks.

"What a bittersweet honor it is that I get to say these words for the last time where in Wembley Stadium. London, welcome to the Eras Tour!" The crowd applauds and cheers. getawayscholar applauds from her seat at home. "The last time we were here a few months ago we made some absolutely insane memories on this stage, in this stadium…" The stage screen flashes to Travis walking out in a suit and top hat on Night 3, leading to more cheers. "And I can't wait to make some more with you tonight."

getawayscholar sits up straight, looking excited and panicked. "What does that mean, Taylor?!" she shouts on her stream.

Taylor starts playing Lover, with a longer musical interlude after the first chorus. She starts speaking again while playing the interlude chords.

"Now you all know how sometimes I like to bring out a few special guests up here on stage." The crowd screams and claps. "Well tonight I'd like to bring someone out that has been an absolute delight to have known for the better part of a decade. She's one of the most brilliant minds I'll ever meet in my lifetime, and the only person I know who sleeps about as much as I do. Which according to you all is…next to never."

"Ohh my god what is happening--" the Instagram Live streamer starts shouting.

"She has made her mark on so much of this tour, from our stage design, the Tortured Poets dress, the reputation bodysuit, the graphics on the screen that are nothing short of breathtaking and sometimes terrifying. I mean, you all said it, not me." The crowd erupts in laughter. "So I'd like you all to help me welcome on to the stage…stage designer, costume designer, graphic designer, fellow mastermind, and a dear personal friend of mine…Y/N Hiddleston."

The crowd from the stream gasps. getawayscholar gasps and squeals in her seat, gripping her chair armrests tight as a platform opens to reveal you rising up to the stage in a navy bodysuit short dress with gold lace detailing, mic in hand. You look to the VIP tent, blowing a kiss to your husband before you start singing.

"We could let our friends crash in the living room This is our place, we've made those calls"

"Did they switch up the lyrics?!" getawayscholar squeals, starting to bounce in her chair.

"And I don't give a damn if everyone who sees you wants you I've loved you eight summers now, honey And I want 'em all"

The stream on screen zooms in to the VIP tent, Tom has made his way to the front, tears in his eyes as he watches you on stage.

"And I'll go where you go We swore to always be this close Forever and ever and oh Take me out, take me home You're my my my lover"

Another extended interlude as you walk over to Taylor and you give each other an embrace, looking like excited childhood friends as you sway side to side before parting ways and walking to opposite sides of the end of the stage. You stop at the edge, facing the VIP tent.

Taylor sings to the crowd, "Ladies and gentlemen, will you please stand? With every guitar string scar on my hand"

You point towards the VIP tent, right at Tom, before joining Taylor and singing, "I take this magnetic force of a man to be my lover" . You both sing the next few lines of the bridge until Taylor stops to give the final line over to you, revealing that this line was also rewritten for the show.

"And at every table…you've saved me a seat. Lover."

The stream on screen changes sources to someone streaming from a much closer angle, the camera zooming in to the detailing on your costume.

"Holy shit this woman is something else. It's the quiet unhinged energy for me and in this household we love Y/N Hiddleston," getawayscholar tells her stream, grabbing a screenshot of the intricate gold lace detailing on your dress, revealing that some portions were made of embroidered lettering that spelled out "I ♥︎ TH".

"Lover" ends and you and Taylor walk towards the center of the end platform, joining hands and raising them in the air before taking a bow.

The stream on screen pans the camera over to the VIP tent, zooming in on Tom applauding with a brilliant smile on his face before pointing at the stage and shouting, "That's my wife!"

Taylor addresses the crowd again. "Now…seeing that this is our last night here in Wembley Stadium, I figured a few more surprises sprinkled in wouldn't hurt." She motions toward you with both arms before the piano for the acoustic section emerges from under the stage and she sits in front of it, both of you nodding at each other before she started playing. The crowd erupts into cheers again as you started singing.

"Combat…I'm ready for combat…"

Overwhelming.

That was the only word you could think of to describe this moment right here, standing on stage with Taylor in the dress you'd worked on for weeks and fully knowing that by now, multiple posts had been made on the details you worked into the lace. Probably even some news articles from various sites, both reputable and otherwise.

You both joined hands, raising them up in the air before you took a bow again, doing a little hair flip when you came back up. The platform then began to descend and Taylor pulled you into an embrace.

"I'm so happy I actually got to share a stage with you," she said excitedly, giving you a squeeze before being whisked off to change into her Fearless era dress. "Drinks after the show?" she called out while she shimmied out of her bodysuit.

"Count on it, Babes," you answered her, shimmying out of your own dress that one of her dancers helped you out of. Once you were back in your regular dress and shrugged your jacket on, you found the crew applauding you and cheering you on. Taylor included.

"You did great, Tater Tot," Travis spoke up. "Now come on I gotta get you back to VIP before your husband gets hounded."

You gave them all a little salute before running out of the prep area, giving the towering hulk of an athlete a pointed look. "For the record, only you and Taylor can call me that and live to tell the tale."

"I know I know," he answered, chuckling as he opened the curtain leading to the VIP tent. Once the thick fabric was put aside, the attendees in the VIP tent greeted you with a relatively quieter round of cheers and applause. They all mostly stepped aside as you made your way through them, revealing your husband at the front of the rows. "There you go, dude. Back in one piece."

Tom met you halfway, pulling you into his arms and lifting you into the air once you got close enough. "That was incredible," he told you, his tone full of wonder. You could feel his heart racing through his shirt. "You are incredible, goddess."

He placed you back on your feet, keeping you in his arms as he rested his forehead on yours. It was only at this moment that you realized he'd walked you into a corner of the section, far enough away from the fleetingly curious onlookers whose collective focus was once again on Taylor and the opening notes of Love Story.

"You have no idea how damn lucky I feel every day that I get to call you my wife," he said softly, just enough for you to hear before he started kissing along the side of your face.

"Really? It wasn't too much?" The magnitude of the gesture was finally really sinking in, your mind going so many places on what you just signed yourself up for. Placing yourself in the crosshairs of the same vitriolic people that were once chomping at the bit nearly a decade ago after knowing relative peace for so long. "I know big gestures aren't really our thing but--"

"It was perfect," he cut you off, pressing a kiss to your lips that had you melting in his arms. "You're perfect. I love you so much."

"I love you, too," you said breathlessly once he broke the kiss. He held your hand and led you back to the front of the tent, positioning himself behind you and letting you relax against him as he held you in his arms for the remainder of the show.

"There's no more surprises for the rest of the night, though, I hope?" he asked, pressing a kiss to the top of your head before holding you a touch tighter. "Because I'm not too open to the idea of letting you out of my arms unless it's to drive us home."

"No more surprises," you reassured him, placing your hand over his. "But I did promise Taylor I'm meeting her for drinks after the show…"

For the most part you kept to your word, there really were no other surprises you had planned for the night, and save for your husband going to grab a snack for the two of you from the catering table, he really didn't let you out of his sight for the following sets. It was only when Taylor stepped out for the acoustic set that you were both slightly taken aback when she chose to address you again.

"Well then…welcome to the acoustic section, everybody." You and the entire crowd began to clap and cheer loudly. "Trying to decide what would be good to do for tonight since it's our last night together and all…But first let's get some choices off the board." Then she faced the VIP tent. "Y/N, Babes…how much trouble would you be in if I play Getaway Car?"

The entire tent burst into laughter as you scrambled to keep a poker face, already anticipating that she'd pull that joke when she mentioned it in your texts the night before. You began to mouth a message back to her. "Taylor no…my husband is right here have mercy on my damn legs."

You broke out into a smile toward the end when she had to shut her eyes and compose herself because her shoulders started shaking from her laughs. "I mean I kind of thought so but it was worth a shot." Then she shrugged and started strumming some chords; the crowd erupted into cheers again when she began to sing.

"The moon is high like your friends were the night that we first met…"

A/N: All cards on the table, I've had this chapter planned for so long but seeing all the happy lil insanities that happened this weekend in Wembley made me decide to put some time aside today and start on this chapter earlier today. I did not, however, expect to be finishing the chapter today as well 😂 And also I figured since I already had the reveal out that the OLTK blorbos are married, I can go ahead and shift some plans around and make some "married era" chapters when the mood strikes and ohh boi howdy did the mood strike today 🫠

'everything' taglist: @simplyholl @loopsisloops @imalovernotahater @coldnique @loz-3 @huntress-artemiss @salempoe @vickie5446 @athalialaufeyson @lokiprompts @kats72 @kikster606 @asgards-princess-of-mischief @lokixryss @thomase1 @mischief2sarawr @lovingchoices14 @lunarnights95 @goblingirlsarah @iamlokisgloriouspurpose @creationsbyme @maple-seed @mjsthrillernp @ladyofthestayingpower @mygfloki @sititran @glitterylokislut @ozymdias @fictive-sl0th @lokidbadguy @mochie85 @silverfire475 @joyful-enchantress @elizabethmidnight2017 @holdmytesseract @smolvenger @gigglingtiggerv2 @lokidokieokie @lunarnights95 @superficialdomina @kmc1989 @november-rayne @goddessofwonderland @buttercupcookies-blog @peaky-marvel @lokiified @tom-hlover @dryyoursaltyoceantears @herdetectivetheorist

#tom hiddleston x reader #tom hiddleston x female reader #tom hiddleston fanfic #tom hiddleston fanfiction #tom hiddleston imagine #one look & they'll know #muddyorbs writes

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juelzsstuff · 2 months ago

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Can u pls do armin, hange, mikasa and levi x a depressed reader

YES I CAN

i can try. okay i can attempt

AOT CHARACTERS X DEPRESSED READER ft. armin, hange, mikasa, levi.

TW WARNING: self harm (non descriptive, don't relapse on me babez) depression, not eating (im serious) lack of sleep, thoughts of self induced not alive. no smut or anything just fwiends. i want to say most of these are gathered from stories of my own experience. if you don't like it please do not read it.

(f!reader! implied in hanges) your days in the scout regiment were hard, grueling, hopelessly doomed. the initial adrenaline of joining has worn off, you've seen unspeakable things and as of late you can't seem to find the energy anymore.

Armin

everyday was the same. wake up, train, meals, missions, failure, embarrassment, loneliness, sleep, repeat. today is no different you got dressed, went to the mess hall and sat beside a group of people without any words to speak and ate some kind of food you couldn't really taste. you got up and headed to the training grounds, the air outside as fresh as the old stale air of the barracks, the sun beaming down on you and your comrades the same way it does every other day, screaming at you with its light. you don't bother looking around anymore to count how many soldiers their were compared to the mission the day before. today though you stand to a blonde boy due to the missing comrades you once stood next to, you're sure you've seen him before with his two friends but his name left your mind, you didn't bother to look at him. you didn't want to know his face just to soon one day not see it ever again. you listened to the commander preach about the mission that day beyond the wall, his voice loud and somehow far away. you got the basic idea and headed out to the stables in the crowd of scouts.

you stay in formation listening to the gallop of horses surrounding you, listening to the ring of green flares burst into the air. red smoke fills the sky one after another. a titan. you heard it before you saw it. sprinting in from the left, since when was that blonde haired boy next to you? you wondered before veering off to the right per instructions. the vile creature still sprinting, leaping, toward you, you look back and thought shoots through your mind. go straight do not turn. a dark malicious vision of your end flashes with it. you slowed your horse without thinking and starting turning to your original path. the titan starting to change course and catch up with you, feared stung through your body, your mind fighting with instinct to turn back but it's too weak. day after day of feeling so heavy and hopeless takes a toll, memories flash in your mind of sitting alone, giving up on talking to others because the words never came out right. you hear something in the distance, a change in the pattern of galloping and signals being fired off and it snaps you head to look at it. it's the blonde boy and he's looking at you..... is he saying something? no he's screaming something. your ears and senses shoot you back to reality and you hear him scream, "y/n come back what are doing?!". he knows your name? when did you ever tell him that? before you can think you're heading back to the formation and the familiar ring of metal zipping around you attaches to the titan and two scouts take it down. silent small tears stream down your face and you pull your hood over your head not daring to look at the boy who's glancing at you.

the mission is over and you're walking back to the mess hall alone to eat whatever it is you're fed and something grabs your arm, you turn quickly to be met with a concerned face. it's the blonde boy, his eyebrows are knit together and his eyes are filled with worry. you look up at him, "hm?" "what the hell was that?" he says low and almost a whisper. "i panicked that's all", your voice sounded strange, in fact, when was the last time you even heard it? "don't lie, i see you everyday. i know that look" his grip on your arm tightening "why do you want to do that? why don't you talk to anyone or even look at anyone". you stare at him in shock, how did he notice? what do i say? his eyes meeting yours and suddenly yours are now burning and starting to water. shit. "i just.... i don't want to do this anymore, not this..... or anything else" the silent tears pour down your face and his eyes widen and he lets go of your arm. "im sorry" he mumbles and he pauses with a deep breath "i understand". he understands? dead fills your arms. you look up at him to say something but you can't. "i-" before you can finish your words he steps towards you and pulls you into a hug. you don't fight it but you don't hug back and yet he doesn't let go. it's not a hug of anything ill intended but one of understanding and care, the weight on your arms lift ever so slightly and the pit in your stomach lessens. here you are with a complete stranger hugging you in the middle of a empty hallway and yet he's saying he sees you and he understands. you don't bother doubting him, and suddenly the thought of not being alone this whole time washes through you. you've always watched and listened as scouts will comfort and spill their thoughts to each other like this but now it's happening for you. you lift your arms and lightly put them on his, a sad attempt for a hug but you're trying. it only lasted for a moment before he lets go and steps back. you look down sniffling before he speaks, "would you want to um... sit with me and my friends at dinner?". is he really asking me this? you wonder why he'd want to invite you of all people but you nod yes anyway. during dinner he introduces his two friends and himself, catching that you probably never knew who he was. you listen and say hello before going back to your food, taking bites that tasted slightly different, better even. you listens to them laugh and even breath out one yourself. today was different. today was better.

Hange

you roll out of bed with memories of yesterdays mission fresh on your mind. recalling the tragedy and suffering. you slept like shit. that's the only way to explain it, maybe an hour at most but the world does not stop turning for lack of sleep. you scrambled around on the floor for your white button down, brown pants, and beige jacket. you slapped them on and snatched the report from off of your desk. the headache never stopped, your eyes closed whenever they could be, not finding enough reason to look around when you didn't have to. you roam down the familiar halls, dragging your feet and listening to the noise. it took 32 steps and a right turn to get to hanges office, you braced yourself before knocking. god why did everything hurt even something as simple as knocking was such a annoyance. you knocked anyway and the thick wood of the door sent the feeling through your hand. you shake it out and put on a acceptable face. "come in", you walk in to see hange sitting at her desk. it was was a mess per usual, a microscope neatly in the middle with papers scattered everywhere else. "hello hange, i've got more papers for you" your voice rasp from lack of sleep. hange was the same age as you, infact her village wasn't far from yours growing up but you joined the scouts about five years later than her. "ah thankyou y/n! i'm drowning over here...hey do you think you could miss a few reports? i won't tell erwin" she says with such enthusiasm you're not even sure if she's joking. you laugh anyway "maybe ill just start summing them up to a couple words then, i bet erwin would love that". "she chimes back with something but you're too out of breath to think about it, why is everything so hard. even breathing is exhausting at this point. you sigh trying to get more air, the muscles around your lungs are constantly constricted. "is something bothering you y/n"? you blink at her "oh no not at all just taking a deep breath, my lungs are giving out on me" you force a chuckle because it's probably the truth but she doesn't need to know that. she speaks up "hm you aren't sick are you?" "no i think i must just be tired" you look at her and she's staring back with suspicion. "i get pretty tired too you know, i like to burry my head in my research for the truth on titans, it's a nice distraction" she smiles. "how's that going by the way?" you ask contemplating if she's talking about being more than "just tired". "to be honest i don't think i will ever come up with anything but that's not the point of it. having something to do is good for the soul!" she softens her voice, "when im feeling...tired i find going out for walks are nice too, plus a bottle of wine never hurt anyone" she shrugs with a laugh. you laugh with her even through it hurts from the muscles that will never not be sore, you don't have any drinking buddies or yk buddies at all for that matter and drinking alone in your room is a little too close to admitting defeat. you keep yourself together, "well if you ever need a drinking partner i would be happy to chat and get shit faced with you" you smile as she responds with a promise to take you up on that. they weren't many women in the scouts around your age other than hange and a few others that you never seemed to click with. you head out the door and give a wave before continuing on with you day.

night finally rolls around and you get to do your favorite thing. sleep. it's never great and honestly it sucks. nightmares and thoughts of the day always flood your precious time alone but for at least an hour, if you're lucky there is peace even if you aren't conscious for it. you peel off your clothes and change into another set. a white dress.....thing. it covered what it needed to and it was atrocious to look at but it did the job and you had a pair of beige shorts that were fuzzy on the outside from some animal. they were your favorite. finally you lay down in your bed and close your eyes, just as they close you hear a thunk at the door, a loud one at that followed by a quick "ow". you sit up, your back aching and your feet feeling like nothing but bones as you stand and walk over to the door. why? by the walls who wants something from me? you open the door to see hange?! she's wearing some clothes similar to yours, a white shirt and long beige pants and she's holding.....is that wine? uh oh. "hey y/n! why is your door locked? are you afraid of the dark?" she teased and you gave a giggle back. "yes absolutely and crazy ladies with bottles of wine on the middle of the night . what are you doing here?". she smiles and grabs your arm and drags you down the halls. this is not the usual slow 32 steps you take everyday to either destination and it hurts like 10 less steps more than usual. we are walking way too fast. i did NOT mentally prepare for this.

she brings the two of you outside to a camp fire out in the grounds and makes you plop down on a log adjacent to her on her log. you gasp trying to catch your breath inconspicuously, your entire body screaming to go back to bed . "did we have to run here? sweet ymir, hange how did you get all this wine?!" she lets out a short manic laugh and tells the story of how she made moblit steal it for her while she started the fire. "i told you id take you up on the offer" you remember your conversation from earlier. she's never done anything like this? embarrassment crawls up on you as you recall the two of you talking about being tired. you'll never admit what it truly is, the unshakable tired, the sore muscles, the closed eyes anytime possible, never talking unless spoken to. life was incredibly dull. so tiring. aimless. no partner. no friends. no joy. why do i even keep go..... you shut out the thought as soon as it comes. refuse to believe it. hange pops open the first bottle, you look around for a glass but before you can question it she shoves it towards you and pops open her own."moblit was very against this always nagging at me" she imitates his voice "'oh it's not good for you, hange wait what if you get caught' all that nonsense" you chuckle "i can the poor man losing it already" she laughs and you two continue taking gulps of wine with fuzzy heads. as the night goes on the two of you talk titans, missions, the people you miss, the people you don't, steamy scout experiences from old times in the barracks had the two of you howling laughing and cringing from horrible experiences now. you gossiped and talked about the thing you wouldn't except and she talking about the same, you took turns dancing and sang horrible tunes from bards for one another. eventually the sun came up and the two of you were passed out on the same log where moblit assembled captain levi to help carry the two of you back to your room. when morning came they day felt calm but was instantly interrupted by memories of last night and a new type of headache. a improvement nonetheless. you ending up holding back hanges hair as she spewed her guts in your bathroom before taking turns. a horrible display but a new best friend and better days followed.

Mikasa

the two of you were top of the class. essentially acquaintances nothing more, you sat together at lunch and throughout training as per command. everyone was paired together with a main "buddy" when not on missions. you two were paired together because everyone else had chosen, you overheard eren be angry with mikasa for whatever reason and he chose armin out of spite so you went up to her both with last resorts. you left her alone when you could, you didn't know eren or armin and all the other people you at least knew the name of had groups. alone essentially. it was hard and isolating, the highlight of your day was whenever someone was forced to speak to you. your family was turned into titans along with connie's parents, you two were from the same village but never spoke never bonded over it. connie seemed to recover okay, everytime you saw him he was laughing and chatting with sasha and jean, maybe because his mom had a chance still. your family did not, they weren't the nicest people to begin with but you had a little sister, she was only six at the time. it's hard to get over something like that, staying up at night thinking of what she must look like. is she tall? a low class meter? does she even move? where was she? is she scared? you parents could rot in hell, you always took care of her, little marie, the cutest thing ever. now all you could do was think of her, the pain in your heart was immense ever since the day you found out. the urge to eat wasn't there anymore, the grass was no longer green, killing titans made you sick especially the smaller ones. you didn't sleep much, you didn't eat much, you didn't talk much and there's wasn't much to make you smile.

tonight you went to dinner just like every other night, you thanked the people who cooked it, scanned the room for mikasa and sat next to her. you were missing a tray, for the third night in a row. no one ever noticed and you ate when you had the stomach for it. you listened to armin and eren argue about the walls and the ocean of fire or whatever it was they talked about. they talked about other scouts and how to improve while stuffing their face, you watched them today was bread and some suspicious meat. not enticing enough, you thought of marie and how maybe you could've spoke with her too like they did. eren and armin walked off with their tray and mikasa went with them. you sat alone and sighed from the weight on your chest and the thoughts in your mind. is she okay? does she remember me? i miss her and her cute curly tendrils of black hair and little yellow dress, how she would pick weeds and call them flowers. she didn't deserv- a tray slapped down in front of you and mikasa came back with hers. your head snapped to look at her, she looked angry and perfectly calm all at the same time. "eat" she said flatly. you blinked "oh im really not that hungry" you tried to convince her but prepared for her to spit back. "eat it or im going to make you. i'm not going anywhere till you do and i don't think either of us want to be embarrassed" she was deadly serious. "i'm really not hungry mikasa" she glared her eyes and picked up a spoon and threw it in front of you, "you haven't eaten in three days y/n. you getting too skinny, you won't be able to fight ti-...... you won't be able to train if you're any more of a stick than you already are. you will end up sick". you noticed her shift in words, did she know? i wasn't any skinnier than her was i? she seemed to read your thoughts, "if you get any skinnier than you won't be able to pick up a sword and you'll look like floch" she pointed to the gangly boy who's build was almost scary......wait was she saying i'll look like a boy. you picked up the spoon and held it. she stared before looking away and started eating herself not looking back. you blocked out the thoughts that haunted your brain about your sister, though your heart weighed so heavily you had tears in your eyes and your hand shook but you shoveled some gloop into your mouth. it tasted like nothing before it turned into something great, you didn't realize how hungry you actually were. the mystery food was warm and savory, you didn't stop until the plate was clear. in 10 minutes your body strengthened and you burped and tried to cover it up, embarrassed. mikasa let out a chuckle and looked around before burping quietly herself. no way she just did that. you held back a laugh trying to keep food in your mouth. she spoke, "i'm sorry i was rude but i thought you were gonna die if you didn't eat something soon enough". you sat there and swallowed your food and whispered, "thankyou".

the dining area had cleared out and she asked the question she was dying to know. "so you were from connie's village?". the gloop was coming back up and you covered your mouth. her eyes widened and she apologized quickly and shoved more food into her mouth. you swallowed back you bile and spoke, "i had a sister, i took care of her all the time. she had hair like yours but hers curled on the ends but your eyes are similar too" you managed a smile. she really did resemble mikasa and that was nice. "i didn't have any siblings just eren and armin, brothers i guess but no sisters". she blushed for a unknown reason to you,"i um i don't know if this is weird but sometimes i think we are friends like that, like sisters". a warmth spreads through you for the first time in months. she really feels that way? about me? "that makes me happy" you whisper out while you wipe tears. "stop making me cry mikasa" you give her a nudge and she smiles. "i don't know what it's like having a sister of course" she said again, she must be nervous about what she said. you spoke up, "they force each other to do things they don't want to because it's good for them, they fight and braid each others hair too tightly, pick weeds and pretend their flowers". you smiled and leaned on her. "you fit the role pretty well if you ask me". she smiles and asks if you can try to braid her hair because she never learned how. you agreed. later that night you told mikasa about your little sister and your old life, you ranted about not talking to anyone and how boring it was, you told her you were grateful and she said she was too. by then end she had two perfect braids and you had one scrambled attempt of one.

Levi

the years of being a scout had taken its toll, you were surrounded by people who you called your friends and lived your life as well as anyone else. in public anyway. when you were alone the mask would fall and the all consuming darkness would take over. you were numb to the things you once spilled tears over, the whole had gone gray but you pushed on through the misery. over the years bad habits had developed, teeth went unclean, baths were longer than allowed, you were always too early to events, stressing over insignificant things. the worst habit of all you hid like a addict, no one knew and that was okay with you. it wasn't meant to be seen, it was purely just for you and you alone. though sometimes you'd wished deep down that just maybe there was someone else who would know what's going on, a silent cry for help but that was illogical. regardless of that it was how you coped and you had accepted that, a way to get out of bed in the morning, to accept the fall of your comrades, to stop yourself from losing your shit before a event.

night had fallen after a long mission with the recon team. dinner in the mess hall was filled with small jokes and picking around at food and gossiping around per usual, nothing strange, you filled out your report for the captain and turned it in earlier, all that was left now was to go to bed. the thought was tiring enough, the feeling of longing to stay and chat with everyone lingered hard on your heart but the world doesn't stop turning for things like that in fact it even spins faster it seemed. everyone had trickled off into the dorms and you decided you should go too. walking down the familiar hallways to your cadet core dorm. maybe tonight everyone will stay up talking, that was your favorite. to hear others laugh and to know their outlook on life had not turned sour. on your way there someone stopped you, grabbing your arm. your faced twisted into something sour and your arm went limp trying to stop that pain. "hey what the-" you turn and see the captain, he's staring with a certain flat look on his face. he let go immediately and spoke "i need to talk to you about your report, you're missing key points". your eyes widen, why is he looking at you like that and what could you have missed. you feel your shirt start to stick to your arm where he grabbed. shit. you salute with the wrong arm to put it behind your back, "yes captain" you begin to follow him through the halls. uh oh. uh ohhhhh. once you reach his personal office, you sit in the chair by his desk and he sits across from you. "so you are missing the armory report, i've noticed it on a few other reports you've done". he slides you a paper and points at it,"it should be written in here other than that the reports are perfect". you smile and thank him for notifying you but this whole thing was just embarrassing. "am i free to go now?". "no not yet" he said sternly and so you sat waiting before he spoke again, "you are injured. you need to go to the infirmary immediately". you eyes widen you've been caught? but how did he know just from that? you speak up, "oh it's really nothing i already had it looked at, my odm gear got too hot and the wire stung me a bit. it happens" you smile through your lie. he does not buy it one bit and the two of you stare as you keep your arm pressed to your side. he sighs and speaks again,"let me look at it then if you won't go yourself". panic struck through you, you've never gone against a word he had said you were a soldier after all. filling orders was your only ask. your heart was racing trying to think of something, anything at all. "it- it's really okay sir, i should really go". that alone would have you running laps till the sun came up but he stared at you angrily. he dug through a drawer in his desk and pulled out some gauze and water in a canteen. " i won't question how it's there but that story is bs, don't lie to me again because i already know. let me do it or do it yourself but im not going anywhere till it's done". you fight back tears, mortified. why was he doing this? you reached for the supplies with shaky hands and said you'll do it yourself. he watched you take it and closed his eyes while he spoke, "i won't look". you were incredibly grateful, and let out a shaky "thankyou". you cleaned and bandaged yourself and took deep breathes to calm your nerves. the embarrassment was immense. his eyes still close as he spoke, "don't be embarrassed, it's not that uncommon. i just couldn't bare to see it anymore y/n. you're very bright and the thought of you doing.....that, made me sick". you've known the captain for years but he only spoke a few times and occasionally he'd ruffle your hair or reprehend you for sneaking into the kitchen or being too reckless. the two of you had a unspoken bond, he cared deeply like a family member would. "i'm sorry captain". you looked up at him to see sorrow in his eyes and you started crying, hard. the tears wouldn't stop and you barley noticed when he walked over and put a hand on your shoulder. "it's so hard" you said in between tears. "i know y/n, i know".

he knelt down to look at you and inspect your first aid skills. "you can't do this anymore, okay?". you sniffled and looked up at him, "okay i won't, i promise". he stood back up and smoothed your hair, "good....if you ever need someone to talk to don't be afraid to ask me. i understand more than you know". that only nearly shattered your heart again but you didn't want to disappoint him so from then on you kept your promise and confided in him about trivial things you usually kept locked away and about the harder things. some days he would talk to, sharing stories and trying his best at a joke. on nights when you couldn't sleep he'd let you pass out in his chair while he worked on the other side of the desk, before helping you to your dorm for the night.

#aot x reader #attack on titan #armin arlet x reader #hange zoe #hange x reader #snk armin #levi aot #levi x reader #levi ackerman #snk x reader #armin arlert #hange aot

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n3ptoonz · 1 year ago

Text

'Anyone But You'

Pairing: Sub!Zero/GN!Reader (see what I did there)

Fandom: Mortal Kombat 1 (2023)

Warnings/tags: Smut, explicit. Rivals to lovers trope, very story and dialogue driven but there is smut at the end, handjob, Bi Han is a good boy, overstimulation, canon typical violence, Bi Han is a complex man in love, reader is a pyromancer, kinda proofread this took so long to write holy fuck

EDIT: I FREAKING FORGOT i was referencing THIS picture. starts wreaking havoc

Word count: 3.4k

"Just what I needed." Bi Han grumbled, his usual scowl apparent on his face at the sight of you approaching him. He always hated how much you were able to match his skills. Deep down, he might have respected that, but your attitude is what holds him from admitting it.

"Just what you wanted." you said, flashing a shit eating grin at the man in front of you. "Lord Liu Kang sure has his ways of bringing the gang back together."

"Another reason I can't stand him." he said, this time louder and shamelessly. He didn't even care if someone were to hear him nearby.

"What's the assignment for today? He hasn't given us an impossible task in a while-"

"He wants twelve of us to investigate Shang Tsung's laboratory experiments in Outworld and get samples. Problem is, it's heavily guarded by his minion freaks in and outside."

Despite him cutting you off mid-sentence, you just rolled your eyes and looked at the drawing he held up. He didn't make any eye contact with you until you took it from him.

"What are you doing?" he asked, voice filled with growing irritation. "Give it back."

"You weren't holding it right, so instead of asking you to flip it, I just took it. Quit your whining I'll hand it over once I get a good look at them."

He groaned, crossing his arms and waiting for you to finish. You really inspected their faces, impressed with how detailed they were.

"This isn't art class-"

"These are some really well drawn freaks of nature. Whoever did this captured their essence." you said, your tone genuine this time. This took Bi Han aback a bit, but not enough for you to notice. His eyebrows rested from his natural scowl upon hearing your indirect-direct compliment.

It was him who drew those atrocities with the finest ink from his late father's office, but he would never admit that. To be honest, he wasn't too fond of his own work and just passed it off as somebody else's from his clan.

He cleared his throat and took the paper back from your hands, "Yeah, yeah, just be ready to leave by sundown." he said, walking off to talk to the rest of the fighters in the group. When he took the paper, you noticed he had some black ink spots on the tips of his fingers, but you didn't bring it up. He's already constantly on edge so teasing him about something he actually put effort into was out of your forte.

It was nearing sundown and everyone was geared up including you. You grabbed your mask and choice of weapon, quickly putting on the all black uniform given since you all were heading out at night. Heading over to the table with the plans and formatting of the area, you could hear Bi Han discussing what's to come within the next 48 hours.

"This mission is going to be long, so listen closely. When we get there, we are to ambush the entrance to clear it of the guards occupying it. Then we wait to see if any alarms will set off before continuing into the corridor and clearing that too."

You listened to his plan, and to be honest, you didn't quite think going in with an aggressive approach would be effective.

"I feel like we should stakeout the front and sides to see the patrol patterns. If we just go in there setting shit off, surely we'd be fighting off an army of mutations, and who knows how long that would take."

Bi Han slowly raised his head, furrowing his brows. He always hated when you chimed in with something opposing his ideas, even if they almost always made sense.

"It would be easier to take them out when we get there. Plus, look at who we have on the team; our best twelve. I'm sure taking out some mindless freaks won't be hard." he said, glaring at you from the other side of the table. You placed your hands down and leaned forward, refusing to back down simply because he was in "in charge."

"Covering more of the area instead of running in blindly is more effective. We have 48 hours to get this done, what the hell are we storming the place for?"

"Because we have the reinforcements. Are you so incompetent that you question such a basic concept?"

"I think you forget, Bi Han, the last time we attempted to take down a semblance of organized criminals with just a few of us, not twelve--mind you--, a few of our people nearly got rag dolled to death. We had to retreat after taking a beating as soon as we arrived," you said, leaning in closer.

"It's ultimately up to you, but if you so much as get ran at by a gang of lab experiments, I won't be helping you."

Bi Han could only keep glaring at you behind his mask, the cryomancy in his veins creeping up as he gradually gets more aggravated. You were right, and that pissed him off, but he decided to leave that alone so the mission could just start already.

He watched the other members' reaction to you guys' interaction, and it looked like they agreed with you.

"Fine." he grumbled, "We keep watch to catch their patrol patterns, and attack once each group has established such. There's no need to report it since we'll be acting tonight. After that, we meet back here to report what we've found after looking around." he continued, pointing to a section of the laboratory.

"And make sure you take out everything you come across. Let out any prisoners too, but only after the fact so they don't get torn piece by piece by these abominations." you added, seeing Bi Han just nod and fully stand up, finalizing his statements and putting the plans in his pocket.

It didn't take long for you all to surround the general area, getting a closer look where the different parts of the lab would be. Albeit it didn't take forever in a night to get there, you and Bi Han had been bickering the whole time. Sometimes it was playful on your end, other times it was generally just annoying you how mean he was. If not for the rest of your members breaking it up, you'd have been arguing the whole way there.

Everyone else has split up for efficiency purposes...and to get away from you both.

You hid behind a tall bush that was easy to see through, watching for anyone and any thing that came by. Bi Han was nearby doing the same thing. You picked up on a couple of patterns that they patrolled in.

"I wonder if Shang Tsung is in there." you said to yourself, but loud enough for him to hear.

"He doesn't drop by at night. It's the whole reason we came at this time, don't you remember?" he said turning to you, his voice right back to his tone of irritation.

"Do you have to be an asshole all the time?" you turned to him and met his eyes focused on you behind his mask, "I wasn't even talking to you. Plus, I tune you out at any given opportunity."

He didn't respond immediately. Just slowly turned back without another word.

"You know, I'd be more willing to actually listen to you when you aren't calling me a moron."

"Maybe stop being a moron and I'll be a little more nice to you." he quickly replied, remaining away from your gaze.

You rolled your eyes and stood up, tightening the bandages over your knuckles.

"Why the hell do I even try with you? I too wonder just what Lord Liu Kang was thinking to put us together. Figure this shit out on your own." you said, getting low before moving to a different spot.

As Bi Han was about to respond, he noticed a suspiciously placed patch on the grass that you were approaching. In his mind, he figured you saw it already and wasn't going to say anything. You had gotten on his last nerve once again, so why would he help you?

You heard a faint voice calling out in the distance that was gradually coming closer. You looked in that direction since you recognized the voice; it was one of the guys running towards you and Bi Han and waving his arms.

"Trap! It's a trap!" he yelled, but he was still too far to hear. "Retreat!!"

Beep. Beep. Beep.

Before you could even process the sound you were hearing, the surrounding area was set off by mini land mines while the building stayed in tact. You were able to dodge the patch that went off, but the aftershock caused everyone to be blown back a long distance from the laboratory, which eventually knocked you out from impact.

"Ugh, where am...I...?" you leaned up, wincing from the pain on your back and legs. The air around you was dusty, hazy, and heavily polluted by whatever the hell was in that debris. You looked around and could really only see the ground and the trees as far as your vision went before it looked light gray again.

You got up with the strength left in your body, aiming to find someone, anyone. Wandering around for so long caused you to have to pay attention to a body wound from the adrenaline dying down. You checked it out and realized it wasn't so bad, so you used pyromancy to close it up for the time being. It hurt like a bitch, but it worked.

You made the emergency call sound for anyone on your team to hear, still nothing. You tried again, only to hear heavy breathing and curses following after it.

"God damn it!" you heard, immediately thinking it had to be...

"Bi Han?" you called out, still holding onto your side while you walked towards the voice with high caution. Silence filled the air. This stubborn fucker...

"I know it's you, hard ass." you said, walking just close enough to see Bi Han leaning on a tree while holding onto his side. You'd be more concerned if he didn't not answer you on purpose.

Upon seeing your face, he was clearly not in the mood for your presence, especially at his most vulnerable state. The man was beaten up and in genuine pain, unable to tend to his own wounds, let alone stand.

Once you stopped in front of him he just looked away. He was embarrassed to say the least. Everyone else is usually hurt and he had to watch over/take care of them. But this time his own rival stood before him, just as beat up but still able to walk around.

"Who were you expecting to be here?" you asked.

"Anyone but you." he replied, clenching his jaw.

"That's no way to talk to someone who could help you. The other members are probably scattered somewhere looking for us and each other, but nowhere to be found." You paused in between sentences to see if he'd have anything to say, but he didn't budge not one bit. You noticed a deep gash on his arm and dried blood around where his ribcage would be under the uniform.

"Let's make this simple. We cut the rivalry bullshit so I can help you, or I can leave you to it while you likely just bleed out. Your call, Grandmaster." you watched his face twitch at the sound of his title. His mask not being on his face freaked you out sometimes since you could fully see his face and every expression on it.

"How could you help me?" he asked, putting emphasis on "you" as if it was impossible. You lifted your shirt halfway to show him the wound you patched up.

"I just sealed this with heat. It still hurts but at least it's not bleeding anymore. For yours it would probably take longer and a little more heat to seal but it's the better option." you said. The look on his face stilled in contemplation. He really couldn't stand the idea of being in debt to you.

"You know what, I can go, don't wanna piss you off-"

"No! Please...I need help. I need your help." he groaned out in pain when he leaned forward in desperation. You kneeled in front of him with a half smile.

"Don't utter a word of this." he said, slowly taking his shirt off to reveal the wound that stained his sculpture of a body. Lord have mercy...

"Wouldn't dream of it..." you said, moving closer next to him and getting to work. "I'll do your arm too."

You watched as he wanted to say something, but simply didn't. Like a lump was caught in his throat.

"You're welcome." you mumbled. You were so focused on his wound while simultaneously keeping your composure, you didn't notice the very, very slight blush forming on his cheeks. The feeling of your hot hands on his cold skin, and the look of pure concentration in your eyes had a different feeling coursing through his body.

He cleared his throat and looked off in the distance, a quiet, but genuine "thank you" finally coming from him.

It's been a couple weeks since. Everyone found their way back and managed to heal in due time. Since the mission was nowhere near successful, Liu Kang wanted you all to reside at the Lin Kuei temple to continue with altering plans after getting a thorough rest.

After helping out in the infirmary for a while, you realized Bi Han hadn't shown up so much outside of leading his clan in their daily routines. You left the room and looked around for him everywhere asking if anyone saw him recently. One of his clan members overheard you and let you know he mentioned he wasn't feeling well as of lately, so he's been going straight to his room after their sparring sessions.

You took it upon yourself to make a cup of tea, heating it with your own hands before heading over to his bedroom. The closer you got there, you could hear him talking out loud. He seemed to be babbling something over and over again before he realized he was getting loud. You stood outside his door and eavesdropped carefully, wondering just what the hell he was saying.

"Ah, fuck," he kept repeating everytime he exhaled, which just gradually became raspier and more strained.

After knocking two times it didn't take long for the sound of shuffling and him asking who it was outside of his door at this time to fill your ears. You sheepishly answered back, letting him know you brought tea since you heard he wasn't feeling well.

He quickly opened the door and pulled you in without a thought, closing it behind you before looking at you with an expression you've never seen before. This man looked stressed as all hell, but not the work kind; the faint pink on his face let you know it was a different kind of stress.

"Look what you did to me." he said, pointing to his face which was gradually getting hotter at the sight of you. He took the tea out of your hand and placed it on his dresser before grabbing one of your hands. "You need to fix this."

You couldn't help but smile mischievously at him. He was indirectly begging you to fulfill his needs, but you couldn't let him have it that easily.

"I'm confused, what are you asking of me exactly?" your feigned confusion only riled him up more and he was on the verge of being a sputtering mess.

"You-" he paused. "I...need you. Your touch."

"My touch?" you asked, walking closer to him and feeling his grip loosen just a little bit.

"The heat that comes from your hands. It...felt nice. And the way you looked at me that day has been occupying my mind since."

You tried not to show it on your face how in utter shock you were at his confession. He looked away before speaking again.

"Please." he whispered as he briefly closed his eyes. His quiet plea was louder than anything he's ever said to you in all the time you've known him.

With no time wasted, you grabbed his jaw and kissed him, feeling him stiffen from getting startled before melting into your touch (no pun intended).

Pushing him to sit on the bed, you had never seen a man like him just look so...submissive. And the fact that it was Bi Han, because of you, had you thinking your life was complete.

His bun came undone and let his hair flow free. You softly grabbed the back of his head and massaged his hair, letting him feel the heat emitting from your palms. With the other hand you undid his belt and there it was. His bare body before you, and his dick half flaccid.

One grab at the base nearly made him fall limp. Your warm hands caressing his hair and shaft was likely the trick to make him cum right here right now. It didn't take long for that feeling to swell up inside of him, making him harden way faster than he expected.

"Look at me." you demanded, watching his eyes flutter open. If his cheeks weren't a deep red before, they sure are now. The pace of your hand quickened, but not too much to watch the friction. "You're going to cum when I tell you to. Not beforehand, understood?"

As he nodded you could feel his breath hitching. You never tore your eyes away from his even upon hearing the sound of slick getting louder with every stroke.

"See? I knew you could be a good boy, Bi Han."

He grunted at his senses heightening to the sound of your voice, his name, and being called a good boy all in one. He couldn't hold out for much longer now.

"Please-" he whispered. Nothing like a cold glass of man begging in the afternoon.

"Please what?" you stopped your hand, squeezing around the tip. You reveled in the way it looked like he was about to cry real tears.

"Please- Ah, I'm so close-"

"What do you want me to do about that?"

"Move your hand, fuck-" he started to lose sense of his surroundings as soon as you lightly pulled on his hair. You finally gave in, the look on his face and the utter desperation on display made you hot all over (no pun intended)

You didn't expect a small cracking in his voice to appear. With this you only egged him on further to express just how good you make him feel.

"Cum."

And that is exactly what he did. The moment he started to get loud you covered his mouth with the hand that was in his hair. Did you ever think you'd hear Bi Han whimper and sniffle just from your warm hand gliding up and down his shaft? No, but it made everything that lead up to this point worth it.

You didn't stop stroking. You couldn't stop. His eyebrows were upturned and he looked like the perfect bottom bitch. If you told anybody about this, albeit you wouldn't dare, nobody would believe you. You had the Grandmaster of the Lin fucking Kuei under your palm, literally.

As he kept cumming from overstimulation, ice crept up to his elbows. It's like he lacked control from the amount of pleasure he received. He definitely needed this to say the least.

He finally calmed down, and you slowed your hand to a stop. Luckily he only got it on his abdomen and not his beloved robe otherwise you wouldn't hear the end of it.

You sat next to his tired form, looking at him from the side and tucking his hair behind his ear.

"You really put the 'sub' in Sub Zero." you said, reaching up to have him face you again. Hesitant at first, you leaned in and gave him a peck on the lips to see his reaction. He just stared at you, but this time his face was relaxed, not a frown line to be found. A smidge of a smile on his face.

"You're cleaning this up."

a/n: thanks for reading! my asks are open! <3

#n3ptoonz #mk1 #mortal kombat #mortal kombat 1 #mk smut #smut #bi han x you #bi han smut #bi han mk #bi han x reader #bi han sub zero #bi han x y/n #bi han imagine #bi han mortal kombat #bi han #rivals to lovers

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yunarim · 2 years ago

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hello! If you can, can you write a head cannon(others are fine) with the femperfect who had an ability to neutralize magic with a simple physical contact? Like the magic will automatically disappear once it makes contact with her so she often wears gloves, and I would like to see the overblots reaction(if you can't do all you can just do malleus ^^) thank you!

yuu can neutralize the use of any kind of magic with a touch.

… ✦ characters : overblot squad … ✦ tags : female reader, books 1-7 major spoilers, hurt/comfort, cursing in leona's and vil's parts, mention of blood in leona's part, jp translation terms (dorm leader, VDC), can be read platonically in all of parts except for vil, idia & esp malleus ones (i imply romantic way tho), me experimenting with the format or something … ✦ song : monochrome frame ⏤ kanon wakeshima … ✦ recommended : light mode [ … ✦ ao3 ]

… ✦ Riddle Rosehearts ┆touching . . . neck ⏤ ✧ Her wearing gloves wasn’t exceptional. They all were, and since Yuu didn’t have her specifically designed dorm uniform, indeed, it was quite common for her to wear gloves.

⏤ ✧ Riddle would often find her look around before washing hands and taking off her gloves.

⏤ ✧ One day he realized he waited for her to do that and observe if she hid something underneath this accessory item but ended up dispelling his own doubts - her hands were just beautiful.

“Oh, do you eat this with your hands?” She asked at an unbirthday party, glancing at a pink cupcake on the plate before her.

“Yes, as a rule. If you’re worrying about getting messy, do not fret. The cupcake doesn't crumble, and Trey made sure the cream isn’t too greasy and doesn’t stick to the fingers.”

Yuu smiled, taking off her gloves and wrapping her fingers around a small cupcake.

“Woah, such a nice taste! Tell Trey he did well.”

Still, he wondered, what was the mystery shrouded in darkness of her gloves.

⏤ ✧ Yuu was gentle in her actions, she never judged, smiling tenderly and telling him to take his time and not to rush things.

⏤ ✧ Unlike a certain duo getting on his nerves.

⏤ ✧ Never in his life felt he so powerful, so authoritative, so… valid.

⏤ ✧ Something underneath was telling him it wasn’t right to throw insults at her and just… yell like he was a little child, not knowing how to handle his own emotions.

⏤ ✧ Yet maybe he was, calling her insolent and foolish.

⏤ ✧ She was just a magicless human! Why rush to him, tearing her gloves off her hands and screaming something with such an obstinate gaze fixed on him?

“My goodness, Riddle, come to your senses!”

⏤ ✧ Her touch felt so ephemeral and light on his deadly cold skin, and even though his almost devilishly malevolent grin didn’t scare her, Yuu still bit her lip after Riddle’s phrenetic laughter.

⏤ ✧ A sudden flash of light made him switch his attention to what happened to him just in a mere second.

The overflowing power that pounded in his vessels with a burning seething abruptly left him in an instant, devastating his mind and body.

He collapsed, exhausted, to the ground, barely finding the strength to raise a pair of bulging eyes to her and exhale brokenly.

“What did you?.. Huh…”

⏤ ✧ He was at loss for words, not even caring about Trey’s concerns at the moment.

⏤ ✧ Light flickered on where she touched him, and he welcomed the sensation without realizing it.

“You… you do have magic after all?”

⏤ ✧ One little gentle touch, and all of his enormous powers are gone. So simple yet devastating.

“I would call magic not the fact I neutralized you, but rather…”

She embraced him, welcoming into her tender hug and encouraging him to let all his negative emotions free, and he laughed, hiding his teary eyes in her shoulder.

Maybe she was right, and this was her real magic.

… ✦ Leona Kingscholar ┆touching . . . shoulders ⏤ ✧ He wasn’t surprised that Heartslabyul little tyrant or what do they call him even was defeated with the help of Ramshackle dorm girl.

⏤ ✧ Women are strong. And that’s a rule.

⏤ ✧ But one look at Prefect’s hands got him thinking that maybe she was strong another way. Such hands couldn’t bring harm to anyone, he was sure of it.

⏤ ✧ Her rather adamant gaze on him was such an entertaining sight to witness.

Leona chuckled when she stepped on his tail. She did apologize for her behavior, of course, but he knew from the very beginning that she wasn’t entirely regretting her actions.

“I’m really sorry,” her voice was firm, steady and solid enough for him to fix his gaze on her a little longer than he thought he would.

“You aren’t, Prefect.”

“Do I know you?”

She didn’t. Yet he knew her after what happened, his eyes locked on her hands in an examining way.

⏤ ✧ A little thought of asking Riddle what the hell is wrong with her hands since no trace of magic was found on her. ⏤ ✧ She was just a normal girl minding her business, and it was supposed to be this way.

⏤ ✧ He wasn’t against her planting flowers when he was around since she remained quiet, her head full of worry because of those little accidents he sabotaged with Ruggie’s help.

He did know he should stay away from her hands.

Especially in that state when his own looked so rough, long pointed claws clenching in fists and digging into the palms, scarlet blood mixed with viscous ink trickled down his hands.

⏤ ✧ Such a reckless human being, knowing nothing about his disappointment, rushed to him without any doubt. What a joke.

⏤ ✧ Even hyenas turned against him, and would she even make any difference? Of course not…

⏤ ✧ He was trying to convince himself he stopped for a mere moment because she was a magicless woman.

And yet somehow she almost grabbed his hand, claiming he was being unreasonable and unstable and some other pathetic bullshit.

He brushed off her hand, knowing it would do something to him. Something he realized he wasn’t so opposed to accepting when she yelled out his name, this time putting both her hands on his shoulders.

“Do this shit once more and you’ll fucking witness my real wrath, Leona, now calm down!!”

He fell into her embrace, her hands still on his shoulders but not gripping them firmly. She sighed in relief, gently stroking his hair, and smiled.

Shit, Leona thought, laughing to himself and almost craving her warm touch, grabbing her hand and squeezing it, while dust accumulated in a sedimenting cloud was dissolving around them, so no one could really see him being suddenly vulnerable.

She was dangerous. And maybe he liked it.

… ✦ Azul Ashengrotto ┆touching . . . cheeks ⏤ ✧ How curious! A supposed-to-be-magicless human performing miracles with just a little touch!

⏤ ✧ He thought of depriving her of Ramshackle dormitory first, but now, after she bewitched Riddle and even Leona? No, he couldn’t miss such an opportunity to take her powers.

⏤ ✧ He could have everything one might dream of in at the snap of a finger, and a siren’s voice, a ballerina’s gracefulness, a mind of greatest’ scientists ⏤ one harmless contract, and a wish could be granted.

⏤ ✧ And yet Yuu. Girl from another dimension with that always gloved hands of hers. She was such an interesting person to observe.

He gathered information, oh sure he did, he already had two opponents down thanks to her, and he couldn’t afford being another one himself.

“How about your neutralizing powers?”

“Ha, you wish, mind dealing with overblots then?”

Oh, Yuu was amusing, indeed, but Azul just knew he would deprive her of her ability one day. Sooner or later.

⏤ ✧ Despite rejecting his offer and agreeing to do an extremely ridiculous task instead of having her ability deprived, he would still find her in Mostro Lounge, her fingers on the glass full of drink he personally made, her lips gently pressing to its corners.

⏤ ✧ A tender smile spreading on her face was quite distracting, which Azul wouldn’t ever admit, his gaze fixed on her delicate hands.

⏤ ✧ She was captivating and it was scaring him.

Ah, really, foolish humans, knowing about his past and making fun of his own intelligence.

He was working so hard, but one magicless girl suddenly got all the attention and appreciation he always wanted just because she could neutralize magic with a touch?

Azul thought he hated her at the moment ink was splashing everywhere, drops of tar scattered in splatterings, falling on her clothes as well as her hands, ungloved this time.

Mind dealing with overblots… right?

Part of him wished she would just touch him and they would be over it, but still he hesitated when she approached carefully, no signs of fear in her eyes. She was truly magnificent.

“Let me handle this responsibility, Azul,” she said, pressing her fingers to his cheek and caressing it. A flash of light turned him back to normal state, the only difference was him crying and leaning to her touch, as if starved for it. “And you please remain the way you are.”

And he will.

… ✦ Jamil Viper ┆touching . . . hands

⏤ ✧ That Ramshackle dorm girl having an ability to neutralize others’ magic with just a one touch has become an axioma by now.

⏤ ✧ Having any problem with the amount of magic used? Or maybe overused? Then no need to worry, NRC now had Yuu to handle all that.

⏤ ✧ He couldn’t care less about her, but still found himself thinking he felt sorry for her. He didn’t wonder how it felt to be the one everyone relies on when it’s hard, but other times forgot you exist. He knew it by heart.

… Huh. Or maybe not?

“You should give yourself more credit, you’re doing excellent. Always remember it,” she said to him one day, her fingers clasping around his wrist reassuringly.

An electrical impulse ran down his whole hand, a sudden warmth spreading in his vessels.

He chuckled, a small knife cut didn’t bother him at all. Why would she say it so unexpectedly thoughtfully to him when she stayed in Scarabia?

Everything in his plan was perfect, and yet her words distracted him for a moment. He was too preoccupied with his own feelings and conflicted emotions to handle her… care?

⏤ ✧ No way. It was not her ability he secretly admired for being so helpful. It was her shrewdness and the way she saw people through.

⏤ ✧ Did she feel he was about to do something malicious and not so praise worthy? Otherwise why would she say such things to him?

⏤ ✧ There was no way she genuinely cared for his well-being.

He couldn’t remember when was the last time his emotions were so tangled and complicated so that he couldn’t sort them out. Snakes aimed right at her hands she was reaching to him weren’t scary, and even the way he smirked when her attempt to touch him failed didn’t cause her to stop.

A small part of him wanted her words to be true but he knew all the things she said were a mere mendacity to fool him.

“You’re not someone else’s shadow, Jamil.”

He pushed her hard enough for her to fall on her knees before him. His anger spread in the ink splashing everywhere, but she remained her gaze fixed on him nevertheless.

He thought that maybe… maybe it was worthy to believe her.

He chuckled when he outstretched his hand to be shaken himself, and Yuu smiled at him, taking his hand in her.

… ✦ Vil Schoenheit ┆touching . . . eyelids

⏤ ✧ Good for Yuu she still managed to control her own psyche by dealing with so many splashes of demolished emotions in such a short amount of time.

⏤ ✧ Still, Ramshackle Prefect was complicated to him. Vil genuinely thought there was something wrong with his sudden desire to take care of her.

⏤ ✧ She was close to being perfect by now, despite having those horrible eye bags appeared because of sleepless nights she took helping Azul with arranging new drinks in the menu and all the times Vil caught her excusing herself during their VDC rehearsals in order to check on Leona or Riddle or whoever she kept an eye on after overblotting.

Yuu was wonderful, truly. But instead of appreciating herself she preferred to praise everyone else.

And Vil wasn’t an exception.

“You’re a lifesaver,” she giggled when he bent towards her face to apply a concealer. “A true hero, really.”

Hero?.. He? Ah, Prefect, what were you saying?

He sighed, taking her hands in his and asking whether he could take off her gloves or not as she nodded, allowing him to apply a hand cream on her skin. What a pleasant feeling…

“Even if you’re a manager, you’re still our representative. No way you would show up on stage with these eye bags of yours. And what did I tell you about having some sleep before VDC? You really…”

She smiled, saying something about having a bad feeling before going to sleep. How truly discerning she was at that very moment.

⏤ ✧ He couldn’t be a hero, at least her hero, when he chuckled so maliciously at her attempt to reach for him. Now no one could, he was fairest of them all, outshining especially her.

⏤ ✧ He applied a curse on her which restrained her from touching him ever so slightly, and that would be it until he willingly allowed it. He believed in his strong volition, but still…

“Every hero has their moment when they have a whole world turned against them, Vil,” she said demandingly, almost choking on the dark fog coming off from Vil’s body. “And since when do you act as if you’re such a mediocre character! Where’s Vil who would step on everyone and slay as a fucking queen you really are!!”

He laughed genuinely at her wording, not noticing her getting up from her knees after being blown away with the magic wave he created, and pulled him closer by a translucent veil, pressing a gentle kiss on his eyelids.

“I would prefer cheek instead, thank you,” he chuckled, light sparklets surrounding him. “You ruined my makeup.”

“You also ruined a whole stage, but okay.”

… ✦ Idia Shroud ┆touching . . . forehead

⏤ ✧ The one who Idia wanted to avoid the most was none other than Ramshackle Prefect.

⏤ ✧ All eyes were on her by now, and that meant he would rather die than talk to her.

⏤ ✧ If not only the whole STYX demanded him to get in touch with her in order to get the data regarding her ability, gather info on how her powers work, otherwise she would be taken by force and…

⏤ ✧ He DIDN’T want all of those at all!! She already swept every SSR character off their feet already, and now interacting with him? What the hell!

⏤ ✧ Ugh, not him actually spotting her trying to beat the boss in a PSP game. Where in the world did she find a working PSP even?

⏤ ✧ Her fingers were clicking furiously on the buttons… those were the hands that dealt with five overblots? Unbelievable.

⏤ ✧ Unbelievably pretty⏤ WHAAH he didn’t want to even think about her that way what the!!

⏤ ✧ Idia was avoiding her like the plague. Even after all things happening at STYX he still preferred to listen to others’ complaints and oh whatsoever important rather than facing her, but his responsibilities came first above everything.

And when he thought it would be hard to convince her to do some tests in order to analyze the data received from them she willingly agreed, smiling at him like it was nothing.

“Okay, but help me with beating that boss later,” she sighed, rubbing her temples with her fingers. Idia wondered whether her ability was helping her herself. “I’m going crazy right here.”

“U-ugh, f-fine… It’s not even t-that hard tho…”

“It is!” She protested, turning to him and witnessing pinkish hue flaming on his hair. “It’s just you’re too good. I admire you for that.”

⏤ ✧ Nononono he wouldn’t fall into that trap, he already heard enough about her being so unnecessarily nice!!

⏤ ✧ Shit. He fell, and fell hard.

Why would deny her touch when he would make her try doing it at least? He had cool armor, he was floating midair. She couldn’t even hear him properly when Vil appeared before her, covering her with his back and demanding her stay behind.

It was normal for him to behave that way. Covering himself in a darkness where nobody could reach for him, and yet Yuu could somehow. He jolted for a second when she yelled at him, telling Vil to step aside.

She still couldn’t touch him. He wanted to believe that no one could, but somehow the image of her fingers clicking on a game console popped up in his mind, causing his heart to skip a beat shamelessly. He was so pathetic and⏤

“I thought you would help me beat the boss, Idia, not me helping you beat the shit out of yourself!!”

She was insane for asking Epel to take the chariot and fly over to him, then leaning towards him and trying to touch him. She grabbed his armor, hissing under her breaths while he wasn’t getting her actions at all, trying to cover himself from her. From the rest of the world.

“Fine then! If you’re the final boss I should beat, then so be it!”

No, why was her face being so close to his, that’s bad!!

His mind blew completely after Yuu pressed her lips to his bare forehead and threw him onto the chariot.

“Did I manage? Will you help me now then? Hehe.”

“Sh-shut up!!”

“Make me.”

Note: never ever piss Yuu off again. (Well maybe just a little because she was so hot ahem⏤)

… ✦ Malleus Draconia ┆touching . . . lips

⏤ ✧ Yuu was a rather peculiar child of man. Wielding no magic powers, and yet Malleus felt something in her from the very beginning.

⏤ ✧ First he observed her when she was busy renovating the Ramshackle garden, she seemed so peaceful and collected, humming something under her breath.

⏤ ✧ He would bring her flowers every night without her noticing only to find her bringing blankets and a container with a hot tea in it and spending a whole night waiting for something… or rather someone to come.

⏤ ✧ “A stranger who brings me bouquets every night, please let me know you’re here. It’s quite cold outside.” She said one night, her gaze fixed on green sparkletts floating around her.

⏤ ✧ Next day he appeared before her, placing a flower crown he made on her head. Small gypsophila flowers intertwined with scarlet zinnias, decorating her delicate image.

⏤ ✧ “Ah really, why would you appear only now. With such a pleasant gesture even! Wait for a moment then.”

She gathered some flowers she had grown by herself, then took her gloves off and did another flower crown for him personally. Something fluttered in his chest the moment she touched his horns, smiling softly, and laughed with her clear sweet voice, recoiling after decorating his head with a flower crown.

His heart was pounding in his chest, his whole body shuddered at her touch, and in that moment he knew he was close to making a deal with the devil so that the lingering feeling of her fingers would never leave him.

“Would you mind teaching me how to make those? I guess I’m pretty bad…”

He chuckled, admitting he never felt something so pleasant and light before, as if her whole body was radiating something celestial, her hands feeling absolutely pristine and divine.

⏤ ✧ Every night they met she would tell him stories about what happened to her. So many students overblotting, and yet… The way she stuttered for a moment every time she mentioned overblots was confusing to him as if she wasn’t telling something really important.

⏤ ✧ He wanted to trust her nevertheless. She was tender in the way she looked at him, glimpses of happiness blossoming in her eyes every time he appeared in the garden, welcoming her gently.

⏤ ✧ He craved her touch, the image of her putting a flower crown on his head still lingered in his mind, never fading nor dissolving, remaining the most precious memory of her.

“You never fail to impress me, child of man,” he said once during VDC right after Vil overblotted and he arrived.

“How come, Tsunotarou?” he laughed at how astonished others were at you calling him by that silly nickname.

“Witnessing you have no fear towards me is truly a blessing.”

She smiled at him then, her cheeks slightly dusted with a beautiful pinkish hue.

“Having you as my dearest friend is a blessing too!”

⏤ ✧ Friend…?

⏤ ✧ Right, friend. And what friends are needed for?

⏤ ✧ Apparently, Malleus thought Yuu would be delighted to see him putting everyone in a sleeping state. If he can’t be someone even dearer to her, then he would be her most devoted guardian.

⏤ ✧ She resembled a fairy, telling him about her tremendous adventures, so it would be natural for him to tell her a fairy tale in return.

“Do not resist the temptation, child of man.”

His voice, so alluring and somnolent, enveloped her, her eyelids feeling leaden. He was standing right in front of her, looking at how her body trembled under his enticing enchantment. He knew by now he shouldn’t touch her, even though her eyes told him otherwise, begging to lean to her.

“Although it would be interesting to fall under your spell and feel that divine feeling, please allow me to grant you with a happy ending you truly deserve.”

“You… never asked me… what kind of ending I truly want…” Her voice was fading, and she could barely stand at that moment, but Malleus knew.

If she takes one step closer, that would be the end for him.

So she did, thorns enveloping her, but she managed to grab Malleus by his clothes somehow, her face being extremely close to his, his astonished gaze fixed on her, blurry and sorrowful.

“Perhaps a true love kiss would wake you up from this dream, Malleus.”

She pressed her lips to his, tenderly whispering those words and smiling through the kiss when a bright light surrounded them.

Malleus picked up her exhausted body, oblivious to the dissipation of his own magic, and looked at her worriedly, ignoring the slowly awakening students.

“Ugh… don’t underestimate me. You still haven’t taught me how to make pretty flower crowns.”

And she was right. “Indeed. That’s the least I can do for showing me the ending I truly do adore.”

⏤ ☆ notes : omg thx for requesting!! i got carried away in malleus part (a little bit.... kinda... forgive me for that) but still i hope you like it! ~

⏤ ☆ tag list : @isacoremeow

#twst x reader #twst #twisted wonderland #riddle x reader #leona x reader #azul x reader #jamil x reader #vil x reader #idia x reader #malleus x reader

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crimsonstonetranslations · 8 months ago

Text

Shinrei Tantei Yakumo Another Files - The Dead’s Wish - file 03

Shinrei Tantei Yakumo novel translation

Another Files - The Dead’s Wish

( file 01 | file 02 ) file 03 - the spirit's wish

- 1

- With full concentration, Sakamoto Eiji stared intently at his editing work across the computer screen.

He was in the movie circle’s room at the clubroom building. It had been a tradition of the movie circle Eiji was in to showcase the film they made in the campus festival.

This time, Eiji as a fourth year student had been appointed as the director and was producing a horror film. The story told of a group of men and women—four people in total—who had gone to an abandoned hospital for a test of courage and had accidentally encountered something not of this world. It had been filmed through a camera held by one of the cast members to give the composition a documentary feel.

Although some had mockingly pointed out that similar works had existed before, Eiji didn’t think that was the case. This was his own original work. He too acknowledged that there had been films with a similar format. However, Eiji hadn’t come up with his idea from watching those. Hence, those people had no reason to mock or complain about it. Besides, Eiji felt very confident about his work this time.

He hadn’t secured a job and would likely end up unemployed once he graduated from the university. His friends would have been panicking in such a situation, but Eiji was different. He was confident that his work would win if showcased at the student film festival. If that were the case, surely film companies wouldn’t turn their backs on Eiji. He would be entrusted to direct a major film and his name would rise to fame.

Afterwards, it wouldn’t be so bad if he were to get caught in a romantic encounter with a popular actress. As Eiji was smiling to himself, his junior, Daichi, who was assisting his editing said, “Feels like something strange got caught on camera just now.”

Daichi was a third year student, but he hadn’t joined the movie circle right as he entered the university. He had only become a member roughly half a year prior. Apparently he had been aiming for film-related jobs, so he wanted to obtain some kind of award or achievement in the movie circle.

No new students had joined the circle this year, so Daichi became the target of being ordered around. “What something?” Eiji asked back as he glanced behind at Daichi.

“I think I saw some kind of noise...” “It’s just your imagination.”

A mere dogsbody like you shouldn’t talk so much, Eiji swore in silence before resuming his editing. The monitor flashed a scene of four people—the men and women as they arrived at the hospital—walking as they gleefully conversed with one another.

Even so, only three people had been captured by the camera. The other person had been holding the camera to record his friends. A warm scene unfitting for a horror film, but this would only add to the richness of the film.

It would help intensify the terrors that they were about to experience. Ssshhh.

Noise suddenly appeared on the monitor. Eiji rewound the video slightly to examine the scene once again.

A noise was indeed present. “What is this?”

Clicking his tongue, Eiji momentarily paused the video. The footage was now unusable because of this noise. He had no choice but to do a retake. But if he were to do that now, the film wouldn’t make it in time for the campus festival.

“So there was noise after all,” said Daichi arrogantly. “You weren’t talking about this scene earlier, though?”

“Well, that’s true...” ”Geez.”

Eiji grew annoyed, but a brilliant idea suddenly appeared in his mind. He didn’t have to retake the scene. Simply treat this noise as intentional. Pretend that the camera hadn’t functioned properly due to a spiritual presence.

“This isn’t so bad,” said Eiji. Daichi tilted his head dumbfoundedly. “What isn’t?”

“So, it’s as if we purposely added the noise to add to the film’s atmosphere,” Eiji explained. The presence of the noise would make the film more real, adding to its terrifying feel. He could add more noise into other scenes as well.

Who would’ve thought he could come up with something like this. He really was a genius after all. Yet after hearing his explanation, Daichi still didn’t fully understand and his dumbfounded look remained.

That was just the person he was. After all, he had joined the circle solely to get achievements. He couldn’t see the potential like Eiji could. If people like him grew in numbers, perhaps the term Yutori Seidai[1] would be used more commonly.

Eiji gave up elaborating any further and went back to editing. However, as he watched the subsequent footage, Eiji couldn’t believe his eyes.

His monitor became pitch black, before repeatedly playing a scene he didn’t remember shooting. It wasn’t shot at a hospital either, but instead showed a railway crossing that seemed to be one near the campus.

“W-what is this…?” said Eiji unknowingly. “I wonder what...” asked Daichi, tilting his head.

“I don’t recall shooting any footage like this. What’s the scene after this?” urged Eiji. “E-even if you ask me, I don’t know,” said Daichi fearfully.

Had someone shot this footage and overwritten his own? What a horrible joke. All his hard work had turned to dust. “Hey, do something!” Eiji yelled, when the lights suddenly went out.

“What? What happened?” Even the computer monitor was shut off. Perhaps the fuse had gone out.

“Daichi, go check it out.” What awful timing at a crucial time like this. How incredibly annoying.

“Y-yes,” answered Daichi before tripping on something with an ‘ouch’ as he walked away. Amidst the darkness, the phone on the table began to vibrate from an incoming call.

The screen displayed ‘restricted’. Although suspicious, Eiji answered the call.

“Hello?” Clanging sounds could be heard from the other side of the call, together with the alarm sound signifying a train crossing.

“Hello? Who is this?” called Eiji. Suddenly, the sounds of the train crossing stopped.

<H…help me…> The terrifying voice that came out of nowhere made Eiji reflexively throw his phone away.

It had been a woman’s whimper. Eiji held his breath and looked at his phone that had fallen on the floor. He had no intention in the slightest to pick it up.

He hoped the lights would come back soon, but there was no sign of that happening. As time passed, his anxiety grew ever increasingly, and his heart wouldn’t calm down.

Eiji put all his concentration into his trembling throat and yelled, “Oi! Daichi! How is it?” Yet there was no answer.

What is he doing? Eiji converted his fear into anger towards Daichi to hold himself together.

But—the next second, something touched his nape. Something cold.

I mustn’t look—he should’ve thought, but for some reason, Eiji turned his head as if drawn by something. An eerily pale hand with prominent, dark veins.

It was that of a woman. The hand curled around his neck.

“Stop! S-stop it!” Eiji screamed through tears. The hand violently strangled his neck with no mercy. Until Eiji finally couldn’t let out a sound anymore.

His vision blurred— Between his wavering consciousness, Eiji could hear the voice of a woman.

Help me. -

2 -

“A cursed video?” said Haruka in surprise. She thought it was some kind of joke as the choice of words made it sound like the title of a horror film. However, Fujimoto Asami, who sat across from her, didn’t look like she was joking.

Her widened eyes signified the terrified look on her face. Haruka was swallowed by the intensity of it, the chatter of the bustling cafeteria as lunch hour approached felt like they were drifting away.

“That’s right. It has to be a cursed video,” said Asami again, gritting her teeth. Asami, a student from the same seminar as Haruka, had reached out to her to discuss something.

As the campus festival drew near, Haruka had thought it was probably to discuss romance or the like, so she had casually agreed. Yet, the words that had come out of Asami’s mouth had been entirely unexpected to her.

“I’m saying, it has to be a cursed video. Right?” said Asami, turning to the female student sitting beside her. It was Haruka’s first time meeting her. She was Asami’s friend, Natsuki. Since earlier, Natsuki had kept looking down and had a gloomy aura completely opposite of Asami.

In confusion, Natsuki responded, “Y-yes. I think so as well.” The two seemed convinced, but Haruka still didn’t understand.

“What do you mean by that?” asked Haruka. “This—”

Asami took out a transparent plastic box from her bag. Inside was some kind of DVD or Blu-ray disc. “What’s this?”

“I'm telling you, this is the cursed video,” said Asami, annoyed. “Ah, I see,” replied Haruka vaguely.

“What’s with that anticlimactic reaction?” said Asami with an exasperated tone, but it couldn’t be helped that Haruka reacted that way. She couldn’t immediately believe the existence of a cursed video, and besides, she didn’t understand what Asami was trying to get across.

Even so, Asami was normally a composed person. To become impatient and irritable like this, something serious had to have happened. “Could you please explain what’s actually going on?” Haruka asked Asami in a pleading tone.

Asami seemed to have realised that she had jumped into things. She then drew a long breath and said, “Actually, there’s an upperclassman in my circle called Sakamoto-san…” “What circle are you in?”

“The movie circle.” “Eh?” blurted Haruka in surprise.

“Do you really have to be that surprised?” asked Asami, and Haruka hurriedly shook her head. Haruka had misunderstood for a second. Asami was a member of the movie circle. While Yakumo was a member of the Movie Research Circle.

The university was filled with circles and associations that shared similar names. She had heard before that there were even five different snowboarding circles. “Sorry. So, what does the movie circle do?”

“We produce films.” “I see.”

If their activities were producing films instead of watching and critiquing them, then their circle was vastly different from the Movie Research Circle where Yakumo was. Well, Haruka wasn’t certain whether Yakumo even watched films, let alone critiqued them. “Then, recently we’ve been shooting a film to be showcased at the campus festival.”

“Amazing. Is Asami directing?” “No. The director is the upperclassman I mentioned earlier, Sakamoto-san. I merely helped with the audio recording and made some appearances in the film.”

“You’re in the film!?” “There’s no need to talk about that,” Asami immediately responded, sounding irritated.

Indeed, Haruka was getting sidetracked. “Apologies, please continue.” “Anyway, when we examined the footage we shot, something strange was captured on camera.”

“Something strange?” “Yes. I can’t put it into words very well, but it was really terrifying...”

“Terrifying?” “From what I heard, Sakamoto-san first saw it while editing. Afterwards, the lights suddenly went out and a female ghost appeared...”

Listening to the story thus far, Haruka finally understood what Asami wanted to discuss. For some reason, rumours had gone around that Haruka was knowledgeable about the supernatural.

Thanks to that, people had often approached her to consult about anything spiritual. Asami had to be one of them as well. It was true that Haruka had experienced a number of spiritual phenomena and had been a witness to the closure of those incidents. However, that was about as far as her involvement had gone.

The true person behind the closure of said cases was Saitou Yakumo. She had tried to clarify many times, but in the end they would always say, “In that case, Haruka, please ask for that person’s help.”

She could simply refuse them, but Haruka was weak to being pleaded to and it had become a bad habit of hers. In the end, she’d easily make promises to them. “Sakamoto-san became terrified and stopped coming to the circle ever since. Other members had mixed reactions, but the other day we decided to actually watch this DVD—” Asami continued her story with no regard for Haruka’s feelings.

“Uh-huh.” “Then—strange images that were never recorded appeared. That wouldn’t be a problem by itself, but the lights suddenly went out and everything became pitch black…and afterwards...” said Asami, giving a pause.

While it was mere seconds in reality, Haruka felt like it lasted for eternity. “In the room, a female ghost...” said Asami, covering her face with both hands.

She must be recalling that very scene. In that position, what sounded like sobs could be heard from Asami. The weather wasn’t cold, yet her body was shivering slightly.

It must’ve been a terrifying experience for her. “Are you alright?” consoled Haruka, placing a hand on Asami’s shoulder.

“This has to be a cursed video. I’m begging…please help me...” Asami lowered her hands and gazed towards Haruka.

Her eyes were wet from the tears that welled out of fear. Haruka turned to look at Natsuki. She looked terrified as well.

Yakumo wouldn’t be pleased, but Haruka wouldn’t be so cruel as to abandon them, having been met with such expressions. -

3 -

“Yakumo-kun, this is terrible, terrible—” Haruka roughly opened the door to the Movie Research Circle clubroom.

“What are you, Hachibee?” said Yakumo. He sat on his usual spot with a displeased look and stared at Haruka with languid eyes, as if freshly awakened. “Hachibee?” Haruka asked in return.

Yakumo ran a hand through his tangled hair and let out a long sigh. “The character that appeared in the period drama Mitokoumon. One that made a ruckus saying ‘terrible, terrible’ whilst bringing about trouble.” “Aah.”

Having mentioned that, such a character probably did exist. “You bring nothing but trouble and are good for nothing; truly just like Hachibee.”

“Ugh,” Haruka groaned. Though annoyed, it was true that she was good for nothing, so she couldn’t deny that fact.

“Stop getting into unnecessary trouble, quickly get rid of it,” said Yakumo, swaying his hand as if shooing her away. “Even if you say that…”

Lethargically, Haruka sat on the chair in front of Yakumo. She couldn't simply ignore Asami and her friend just like that.

“Besides, you’re getting in too much trouble recently.” “It’s not like I enjoy getting myself involved in trouble.”

“I don’t think that was the case.” “Eh?”

“This is the third time this week, you know. Impossible for this much trouble to come on its own if it wasn’t for you gathering them.” Yakumo lifted three of his fingers and aimed it at Haruka.

It was true that Haruka had brought in quite the amount of trouble recently. If Yakumo were to run a business as a detective specialising in spiritual cases, then she would have become a reliable assistant bringing in new cases. Unfortunately, Yakumo was merely a university student.

His displeasure over being brought two, three cases a week was perfectly understandable. Haruka understood that, but it was in her character not to sit still and ignore others in struggle.

“At least listen to the story first, can’t you?” Haruka observed Yakumo’s face.

Yakumo withdrew his body backwards as if evading her and clicked his tongue. While a little forceful, Haruka took that as an agreement and began explaining.

“There’s a cursed video—” said Haruka. Yakumo instantly shook his head from disbelief. “Are you stupid?”

“Why am I suddenly getting called stupid?” “This isn’t a horror movie, do you really think something as suspicious as a cursed video truly existed?”

Yakumo’s reaction couldn’t be helped. Haruka didn’t believe it at first either. But— “This is true. Watching this video would make a ghost appear. My friend became terrified at the thought that something might happen after...” Haruka placed the encased DVD lent by Asami on the table.

After glaring at the aforementioned DVD as if spotting a cockroach, Yakumo threw a condescending look at Haruka. “Have you watched the contents of this DVD?”

“Not yet,” Haruka shook her head. She came here right after hearing Asami’s story, so there was no way she had already watched it.

“So it isn’t confirmed whether a ghost would truly appear upon watching this.” “That is true…”

“If you haven’t confirmed it, then you shouldn’t have been able to conclude its certainty.” “Well, I guess so...”

“Even if the ghost were to appear as we watched it, we don’t know what kind of curse it is.” “What do you mean?” Haruka tilted her head.

“You don’t even know such a thing?” “Yeah.”

“Turns out the word stupid isn’t even enough to describe you,” Propping his chin with one hand, Yakumo threw a condescending gaze at Haruka. Even being looked at in such a manner wouldn’t make her understand what she did not.

“What are you trying to say?” “Has anyone who saw the ghost met with any danger?”

“That…” Apparently the upperclassman named Sakamoto had stopped coming to the circle, but that was all. She hadn’t heard of anything else.

“Nothing happened, yet they believed this video was cursed? Don’t you think they were rushing to that conclusion?” Yakumo was right.

The ghost had merely appeared and nothing else had happened. “But, if we waited for something to actually happen, wouldn’t it be too late?”

Putting off handling certain issues may only cause the situation to become more serious. Such an example would be stalker murder cases that happened as of late.

Haruka often heard of devastating cases in which the victim had already made a report to the police, yet the police had taken no action, getting the victim killed in the end. As Haruka made that argument, Yakumo’s expression grew visibly displeased.

“You’re trying to say this ghost might curse someone to death, is that it?” said Yakumo, his tone full of hostility. “Perhaps something like that will happen.”

“All this time, what have you seen?” asked Yakumo, clicking his tongue. “What do you mean?”

“Ghosts cursing humans to death? It’s impossible,” Yakumo firmly denied. That was true.

Panic had made Haruka forget an important point. Although currently concealed with a black contact lens, Yakumo’s left eye was actually a bright shade of red.

It wasn’t just red in colour, the eye allowed him to see the spirits of the dead—in other words, ghosts. Yakumo had solved a myriad of spiritual cases by putting that ability into use. Yakumo, who had always been able to see ghosts, defined them as clusters of feelings of people who had passed, according to his own experience.

Because of that, he didn’t think ghosts were capable of exerting physical influence. Ghosts cursing humans to their deaths was something that could never possibly happen.

Even though Haruka had witnessed that fact firsthand, she had gotten shaken from having seen Asami so deeply frightened. “So this isn’t a cursed video?”

“It would be right to think that way.” Yakumo folded his arms and nodded firmly.

He must’ve been trying to say not to overreact just because a ghost had appeared. Coming from Yakumo’s perspective who had always been able to see ghosts, it wasn’t hard to see why he would think so. “But…in that case, what should be done?”

Judging from Asami’s terrified state, she probably wouldn’t be convinced even if Haruka tried to explain. “That isn’t my problem,” said Yakumo without a care.

Against such indifference, Haruka had nothing to reply. She wasn’t confident about it, but there seemed to be no other option than to explain things to Asami. -

4 -

Having been kicked from Yakumo’s room, Haruka tried to contact Asami. However, only the dialling tone could be heard; no one was picking up, nor was there any reply from the answering machine.

She had no choice but to leave a message with the subject of wanting to discuss the spiritual phenomenon. After sending the message, a thought came to her mind.

She might not be Yakumo, but she wouldn’t be able to explain things to Asami without knowing the contents of this DVD. Haruka decided to pay a visit to the campus library.

In the library there were booths with DVD players in them. She planned to watch it there. Haruka could’ve just watched it at home, but Asami might get in touch with her, so it would be better for her to stay around the campus area. Furthermore, while Yakumo had said there wasn’t any curse, she still didn’t want to watch it alone in an enclosed room.

There had to be other people in the library, so she didn’t need to be scared. Luckily, a booth in the corner was unoccupied.

Haruka sat on the chair within the booth. The monitor was a mere seventeen inches, but that shouldn’t be a problem as she just wanted to check the contents. Haruka plugged the earphones into her ears and placed the DVD on the tray before pressing the play button.

The first image displayed was of the students preparing for their shoot in the vicinity of an abandoned building. A man who appeared to be the director spewed out instructions one after another with an arrogant tone. This person had to be the movie circle’s upperclassman, Sakamoto.

Haruka spotted Asami’s figure in the middle of reading the script. Moments later, the scene changed.

This one captured a man and two women, one Asami and the other Natsuki. “Ready, action!” said a man’s voice who was probably Sakamoto’s.

Along with that, Asami, Natsuki, and the man began to walk whilst conversing. The hand holding the camera followed after them. The image was shaky and difficult to watch, to the point that it made Haruka feel nauseous.

“W-what on earth?!” shouted Asami in surprise as she pointed at the stained walls of the hospital. Her acting couldn’t remotely be considered good, even if to put it nicely.

“What? What is it?!” The man holding the camera responded, and ran towards the spot Asami had pointed to zoom in closer. A cursed straw doll laid there, its body punctured with a long nail.

The group screamed in unison. Haruka was merely watching the footage, yet her head hurt for some reason.

Apparently the concept of the story had been that one of the four people happened to be filming with a camera on his hand. However, their acting had been way too obvious, rendering it unentertaining to watch. On top of that, the zoom in had been too intentional and over exaggerated that Haruka ended up laughing.

Perhaps the footage had been shaken on purpose to make it feel more realistic. Even so, the shaking had been over the top as if shot whilst riding a jet coaster, that any viewer would be nauseous. Haruka was relieved at the fact that she was watching with a small monitor. If it had been a large one, she might not be able to stand watching it.

More importantly, she felt like she had watched a similar film before. A horror film with a documentary style just like this one had gained popularity a while back, and it was as if this film was trying to copy it.

Haruka wanted to click the pause button, but she shook her head and reconsidered. She wasn’t watching to enjoy the film’s content. Rather, she did so to confirm the spiritual phenomenon.

Afterwards, Haruka regained her focus and a few scenes continued with a similar pattern. As she began to think the film was going to end just like that, noise suddenly appeared on the monitor.

Straightening her back, Haruka intently watched the monitor. The noise gradually spread larger, until the monitor eventually hissed like a sandstorm.

Moments as she thought the display would remain in that state, the noise vanished. A railway crossing appeared on the monitor.

Clang, clang— Sounds of the railway crossing echoed through.

The flashing red light warning the incoming train stirred up her anxiety. The railway crossing scene continued for some time before the monitor suddenly went black.

Haruka thought the film was over, but that wasn’t it. The blackness slowly thinned out over time.

Not long after, something emerged amidst the darkness. A human figure.

It seemed to be a woman dressed in white. The woman laid in a place that looked like a coffin.

She had a youthful appearance. Her eyes were closed, unmoving. While she had a thin layer of makeup on, one could tell she was extremely pale underneath.

Is she dead? As Haruka questioned that fact, the scene changed once more.

This time it depicted a street. People came and went throughout the nighttime crowd. What is this?

The scene switched yet again, now displaying the same railway crossing as earlier. Clang, clang—sounded the alarm.

Alongside the flashing warning light, a woman’s face appeared on and off across the entire monitor. The monitor returned to black.

Is it over? Haruka thought before a voice could be heard. “Help me...”

At the sound of a woman’s hoarse voice, something cold ran through Haruka’s back. “Hyaa!” yelped Haruka as she stood up. The earphones on her ears slipped out and fell.

Her heartbeat went through the roof. Sweat dribbled on her forehead, and she struggled to breathe.

Haruka understood then. It wasn’t surprising that Asami had declared this to be a cursed video upon watching, as it was indeed that terrifying. Even so—

No ghost had appeared as Asami had claimed. Maybe they had been mistaken after all?

As Haruka was about to take the DVD out of the tray, something cold touched her nape. It was different from the wind. Almost like something was actually touching her.

Haruka wanted to turn around when a voice could be heard in her ear. “Please...stop it already...”

Haruka briefly thought the voice came from the DVD. However, her earphones had come off when she had stood up earlier. She glanced at her surroundings, but there was no one in sight.

Was that a ghost just now? Confused and scared, Haruka could only stand still in place.

- 5

- Haruka returned home with a heavy heart.

She couldn’t get the video she had just watched out of her thoughts. Its contents were incomprehensible, but that only made it plague her mind further.

After seeing the video, she had tried to contact Yakumo, yet her call hadn’t gone through. She had also tried to visit the Movie Research Circle clubroom, but Yakumo hadn’t been there. Even if they had met, chances were she’d only be treated as a troublemaker and chased away. Despite that, Haruka was certain her fears would’ve diminished by speaking to Yakumo.

By hearing a logical explanation, her thoughts would become organised, and just by talking to Yakumo, her feelings would grow lighter. How miraculous, even though she was convinced she would only be mocked upon.

There was no use having those thoughts now. She would visit Yakumo again tomorrow and ask him to watch this video footage. If Yakumo were to declare that she had been mistaken, she would be relieved.

Haruka headed for the bathroom for a change of atmosphere. After taking a shower and a hot bath, that scene would surely leave her mind. Unfortunately, her expectations were entirely wrong.

While washing her hair, she felt a hand reaching for her from behind. Even whilst submerged in the tub, she ended up sensing a person’s reflection on the mirror.

Being inside a cramped, closed area while defenceless made her anxious. In the end, Haruka escaped and ran out of the bathroom.

And even as she was drying her hair after a change of clothes, she was constantly worrying about her back. Asami must have felt the same.

Haruka turned the television to a louder volume than usual. She had just sat down on the bed when her phone rang. It was from Asami—

“Hello?” As soon as she picked up the call, Haruka could hear Asami’s gut-wrenching cries. <Help me!>

“What’s wrong?” <It really was a curse after all. Haruka, please do something!>

Asami’s voice was clearly trembling from fear. “Hold on. Keep yourself together. What happened?”

<Sakamoto-san...he...> “What about him?”

<H-he disappeared!> said Asami between sobs. “Disappeared? What do you mean?”

If Haruka were to panic herself, she wouldn’t be able to grasp the situation. She tried her best to question her calmly. <I’m telling you, Sakamoto-san disappeared,> said Asami restlessly.

“He wasn’t locking himself in his room out of fear of ghosts?” Asami had explained so at first.

<That was what I thought. But I was wrong. We went to his place together earlier, yet his house was unlocked...then, we couldn’t find him anywhere...> “Maybe he was just away for the moment?”

<His wallet and phone were left inside the room!> If that were the case, rather than being away, people would be led to believe that he had disappeared.

Not only had his door been unlocked, his phone and wallet had been left inside the room; however clumsy a person could be, it was abnormal. Despite that, it felt exaggerated to claim that he had disappeared due to a curse solely based on this much information.

“Perhaps he was only out for a short while and would come back soon?” suggested Haruka, but even she felt she was pushing that theory. Unsurprisingly, Asami denied in an instant. <That’s not it!>

“But…” <We waited for an hour in his room, but he never returned!>

Things were only getting stranger. “Then, police...”

<I had the same thought initially, that’s why I went home first. But it’s right there!> “What is?”

<That ghost. It stood in front of my house and stared intently across my window. Sakamoto-san must’ve been dragged by that ghost as well,> said Asami hurriedly. It appeared that Asami had panicked because the ghost had appeared in front of her house after Sakamoto’s disappearance.

She must’ve thought that she was about to be taken away next. “Anyway, contact the police first. I’ll quickly head over there too,” Haruka briefly said before she ended the call, put a jacket on, and left the house.

She knew she couldn’t do much even by going there. Nevertheless, she could at least calm Asami down. Besides, rather than trembling by herself at a time like this, her feelings should improve with the company of another.

The last time Haruka had visited Asami’s place had nearly been a year ago. Even so, she still roughly remembered the location. Her body shivered from the cold night air as she rushed towards Asami’s place.

Asami’s apartment was situated in the inner parts of a quiet road. The structure was rather old and while it used an automatic lock, the building had no security cameras. Haruka pressed the doorbell to Asami’s place through the intercom at the building’s entrance.

Yet there was no answer. Strange.

Haruka contacted Asami with her phone. Somehow, a cell phone ring could be heard from within the bushes in front of the apartment. What’s the meaning of this?

Haruka approached the bushes to find that a phone was dropped there. Once Haruka ended her call, the ringing of the phone within the bushes stopped as well. This is Asami’s phone.

Haruka crouched to pick it up. She recognised the model. There was no mistaking it, it belonged to Asami.

That meant something had happened to Asami. Haruka stood dumbfounded when something suddenly touched her nape. The cold sensation froze her back.

I mustn’t look. She repeated that sentence over and over in her mind, yet her body moved on her own.

Slowly, she turned to see the face of a deathly pale woman standing there. The same woman from the cursed video. “Aaah!” Haruka screamed as she fell to a sitting position, and the woman disappeared as if melting into the darkness.

There was no mistaking it anymore, the video was indeed cursed. Haruka gathered all her concentration on her trembling hands to contact Yakumo on her phone.

The dialling tone felt like an eternity. <What business do you have calling this late into the night?>

His tone was annoyed and displeased, yet tears of relief welled in Haruka’s eyes. “Yakumo-kun. Please, help me—” said Haruka, forcing out her voice.

- 6

- Haruka stood in front of the apartment entrance and stared emptily in the direction of Asami's room.

Afterwards, Yakumo had asked her to contact Gotou. Gotou was a police detective from the Unsolved Cases Special Investigations Division. One of the few people who knew about Yakumo’s ability, his assistance had contributed to the resolution of many cases.

Right now, Gotou and his partner Ishii were in the middle of investigating Asami’s room. Haruka hoped she had gotten worried over nothing and Asami would come out whilst saying, “What is it?”

However, the phone that had fallen in the bushes made that outcome unlikely. “Are you alright?” a voice suddenly spoke.

Haruka turned to find Yakumo there. Yakumo ran a hand through his messy head of hair with an annoyed look on his face, yet Haruka felt relieved from the bottom of her heart simply by seeing the face of the approaching man.

So much, that she felt like hugging Yakumo and sobbing to her heart’s content. Yet if she were to do that, she felt that Yakumo would mock her relentlessly, calling her ‘disgusting’ among other insults, so Haruka simply nodded. “Yes,”

“Tell me what happened,” said Yakumo with an unusually serious expression. Could it be that he regretted not properly listening to Haruka’s story earlier that day?

Truthfully, Haruka felt remorseful as well. She hadn’t fully believed Asami when she had all that talk about a cursed video. As a result, she hadn’t been too insistent in asking Yakumo for help.

Either way, there was no point to continue wallowing in regret. Haruka explained in detail all that she knew, including the contents of the DVD.

When she was finished, Yakumo reached for his chin and mumbled, “I see.” “Did you get anything?” asked Haruka.

Yakumo immediately frowned. “You keep saying that as your second sentence.” “Because...”

“Didn’t I always tell you not to rush into conclusions?” Precisely as he said.

Yakumo had emphasised that countless times. Haruka reflected on herself as well, but having little understanding of the situation had always made her anxious. “Could this really be the curse of the video…?” said Haruka without realising.

Oh no—Haruka thought as soon as the words left her mouth. Yakumo had just said not to rush into conclusions. And yet, Yakumo’s words weren’t what she expected.

“In a way, perhaps it could be considered a curse.” “What do you mean?” replied Haruka when Gotou and Ishii emerged from the apartment building entrance.

“Hey,” greeted Gotou as he casually waved his hand. Meanwhile, Ishii ran towards them like an excited puppy whilst calling out, “Haruka-chan—”

And then fell. “What are you even doing?” said Gotou, lightly bumping Ishii’s head before approaching.

Ishii patted his knees before following his superior. “So, how was it?” asked Yakumo.

“It was nothing.” “That doesn’t answer my question.”

“You’re noisy.” “Isn’t Gotou-san the one being noisy?”

“What did you say?!” As Yakumo and Gotou began their usual bickering, Ishii hurriedly mediated to stop them.

“You should just be quiet,” cursed Gotou, letting out his emotions on Ishii by landing a punch on his head. This too had been a routine for them.

Haruka felt relieved, but they wouldn’t make any progress by quarrelling here. “What about Asami?” asked Haruka again.

“About that...” said Gotou, stroking the thin layer of beard on his face. “She wasn’t in the room.” “N-no way…”

It took everything from Haruka not to break down at that moment. “Were there any signs of her room being ransacked?” Yakumo asked Gotou.

“None. Her room was neat. Furthermore, the door was unlocked and the lights were still on.” “Is that so...” murmured Yakumo, his gaze trailing into the air.

“Was Asami perhaps taken away by someone?” The situation was overly strange for her to have simply gone outside. Harika didn’t want to believe it either, but she presented it as a possibility.

“The circumstances are unusual, but I think that possibility is unlikely,” interrupted Ishii. “How so?”

“Haruka-chan, from your story earlier, she was terrified, right?” “Yes.”

“If that were the case, she should’ve locked the door.” “Maybe the culprit has a duplicate of the key.”

“Even so, if she was terrified, she should’ve had the door chain lock attached as well.” “Fair point.”

“There were no signs of damage on the chain lock, so we can conclude that she had opened the door out of her own will,” Ishii seamlessly explained as he adjusted his silver framed glasses with the tip of his finger. Haruka understood what Ishii was trying to say. Despite that, she still couldn’t accept it.

“But wouldn’t it be strange for Asami to leave without locking the door? The lights were on too, right?” “Well, yes. That was the case...”

“Besides, her phone fell in the bushes. That is clearly strange,” Ishii began to panic. “That’s true...”

He made a gesture of wiping his sweat. “Could this be the work of a ghost?” asked Haruka.

Ishii’s face instantly grew tense. “G-ghost?” “Yes. Maybe the ghost took away Asa—”

“That’s impossible,” Yakumo denied before Haruka could finish her sentence. Haruka knew what Yakumo was about to say.

Yakumo defined ghosts as clusters of emotions of the dead, incapable of exerting physical influence on the living. From Yakumo’s perspective, there was no way a ghost could have abducted a human.

Even so, Haruka hadn’t brought up that idea without consideration. She had suspected a certain possibility.

“But it’s possible that the ghost could’ve possessed Asami and led her somewhere outside of her own will, right?” So far, Haruka had witnessed a number of people getting possessed by ghosts.

Whilst possessed, their bodies would be manipulated beyond their will and they might act in unexpected ways. If this phenomenon had been a possession, it would explain the strangeness of the current situation.

What does Yakumo-kun think about this? Haruka turned towards Yakumo.

“I can’t deny that as a possibility,” said Yakumo, showing his approval for the time being. And yet, he seemed to be considering something else in his mind— -

7 -

“Would it really be alright for us to watch it?” asked Haruka reluctantly. The next day, Yakumo told Haruka that he wanted to see the cursed video. Hence, they went to the booth at the library together.

“Why are you asking that?” Yakumo gave his usual unenergetic look towards Haruka.

Why? Well, that’s— “Because, you might get cursed from watching it…”

“You’re still saying that nonsense?” “Nonsense...”

“This isn’t a horror film, there’s no way we’d be cursed just by watching a video.” “But, Asami’s whereabouts are still unknown...”

To this point, Asami was yet to be found. Apparently Gotou and Ishii were conducting a search, so she could only wait and leave it in their hands. Even so, if Asami’s disappearance had something to do with this video’s curse, they would likely have a hard time finding Asami.

“As for that, you yourself stated a different possibility last night, didn’t you. Have you forgotten?” He was referring to Asami going someplace else beyond her will due to being possessed.

Of course Haruka remembered. However— “That’s just one possibility...”

“I know. That’s why I need to watch the video to confirm a few things,” said Yakumo, ending their conversation. He popped open the DVD player tray and placed the disc there. The sight of the DVD being swallowed by the tray accompanied by mechanical noises felt terrifying to Haruka.

The play button was pressed and the video began. “This is utterly terrible...” said Yakumo, mixed in between sighs as soon as the scene started.

“Terrible in what way?” Haruka tried to ask casually. “The composition’s all over the place. They intended to make it feel like a documentary, but the footage was shaking excessively.”

“That’s true.” “Not to mention despite being university students, their acting was pathetic. The dialogue was hopeless. Like this, you’d be better off watching a broadcast test footage.”

Yakumo’s opinion was harsh, but Haruka had no intention of blaming him. That was because Haruka shared more or less the same opinion.

The monitor momentarily displayed some noise before the problematic scene appeared. An image of the railway crossing, the warning light that flashed red in unison with the clanging sound.

The scene then transitioned to the corpse-like woman’s face, then the bustling city at night, before returning to the railway crossing scene. As the monitor turned to black, a woman’s voice saying “Help me...” could be heard.

The video was undoubtedly terrifying no matter how many times one watched it. Once, Haruka had watched a French short film titled An Andalusian Dog.

The film had no clear storyline, mainly displaying a series of shocking, mysterious imagery. Ants crowding on the palm of one’s hand, an eyeball being sliced with a straight razor, a severed hand being poked around with a stick. Similar to when she had watched that film, her entire body felt uncomfortable right now.

After watching it once, Haruka thought they were finally done with, yet Yakumo replayed the same part over and over again instead. Perhaps he had discovered something.

“I see—” muttered Yakumo after they had finished watching the video. He placed a hand on his pointed chin. His face remained composed as usual.

“How is it?” asked Haruka, expressing the mysterious feeling wallowing within her. “A decent video.”

“Yes?” Yakumo’s reply was far beyond what Haruka had expected, throwing her off in confusion.

“I’m saying, it looked significantly more polished than the one made by the movie circle members.” “Polished?”

“That’s right. The composition was great, even the colours were well put together. Whoever produced it had a keen sense for this sort of thing. Most importantly, the video had a powerful message.” Yakumo repeatedly nodded in approval.

His manner of speech was as if appraising a work of art. From Haruka’s perspective, the composition and colours of the film had been extremely terrifying.

Even so, if the intention was to make the audience feel that way, then the video had succeeded in that regard. At the very least, the array of footage carried more appeal than ones Sakamoto and the rest had taken.

However— “There was a message?”

To Haruka, the video merely seemed like putting pieces of different scenes together. “There was. A very powerful one at that.”

“I don’t think there was though…” “That’s because you didn’t watch it properly.”

“I watched it properly, though,” replied Haruka in annoyance. When she had watched it for the first time, there were parts that had left her shocked, but this time around she had been watching more closely.

“If you did, you should’ve known, right?” “I’m asking because I don’t,” Haruka kicked the floor out of frustration.

“To think that you’d gotten accepted in this university with that level of concentration.” “Thank you for the wonderful praise. Rather than that, tell me then, what sort of message was in that video?”

“See it for yourself,” said Yakumo curtly, before removing the DVD from the tray and handing it over to Haruka. Yakumo must have implied for Haruka to keep rewatching the film until she finally understood.

Obviously, Haruka didn’t dare to do that. “No way,” Haruka firmly refused despite accepting the DVD handed over by Yakumo.

“To think you could be my assistant, being like that.” “I never intended to be your assistant. Besides, if I’m your assistant, I should be getting my share as well,” highlighted Haruka.

Yakumo flashed a smile. “What kind of reason is that?” “What do you mean?”

Haruka didn’t feel like she had said anything strange. “You wanted a share, but how much was the reward for this request in the first place?”

“That’s...” “Thanks to you, I’m practically forced to work all the time. Save the talk about rewards and the like for when you’ve managed to find a request that actually pays.”

Precisely. The majority of requests Haruka brought over to Yakumo had no compensation in return.

“Isn’t it fine? After all, it’s not like you’re running a business as a private detective.” “Exactly. I’m merely a university student. That’s why you’re only troubling me by bringing in problems like this.“

“S-sorry...” Haruka could only apologise. Yakumo had a point. Continuously bringing in requests that gave nothing in return wasn’t an example to be followed.

“Well, anyway. Rather than that, let’s go—” said Yakumo as he stood up and ruffled his dishevelled hair. “Go? Where to?”

“To investigate, obviously.” Eyes filled with mockery, Yakumo’s gaze stung.

Haruka questioned what she had done to deserve such a condescending look. Haruka knew they were going to investigate, but where? In the end, she didn’t complain.

Yakumo was finally willing to take action. There was no benefit in ruining his mood. -

8 -

Haruka and Yakumo went to the campus cafeteria. Earlier, they had visited the movie circle and asked Natsuki’s help to gather the people who had watched the video at the cafeteria.

Aside from Natsuki, two guys called Seiichi and Daichi came to attend the meeting. Seiichi was the other person who had appeared in the video alongside Asami and Natsuki. Meanwhile, Daichi was the assistant director who had been with Sakamoto when Sakamoto had been editing the video.

The person who had been recording with the camera was someone named Kentarou, but they hadn’t been able to contact him. Normally they wouldn’t have been bothered, but with the current situation, that fact turned increasingly worrisome.

“Apologies for troubling you all to come over.” As everyone else sat around the table, Yakumo was the sole person standing, speaking as he cast a gaze across everyone.

All eyes on the table were directed towards Yakumo. Who are you? That same question repeatedly surfaced and subsided. Yakumo, as if sensing that fact, smiled before he continued. “The truth is, I have ties with people from the temple, so I’m fairly knowledgeable about supernatural related incidents. Perhaps I could be of help to all of you for this case,” he said politely.

To Haruka, who was more familiar with Yakumo, that mannerism was clearly unnatural. Yet with it he seemed to have gained the trust of those who had only just met him. “Is it true that Sakamoto and Fujimoto’s whereabouts are unknown?” Seiichi was the first to open his mouth.

“Indeed. It is true that the two are unreachable as of now,” answered Yakumo carefully. “That’s why I’ve been saying I hated the idea,” added Seiichi, sounding fed up.

“About what exactly?” Yakumo continued the question without breaking his smile.

“The hospital that was our shooting location. There have always been rumours that there’s something there.” “By something, were you referring to ghosts?”

“Yes. Apparently the hospital director there used to be a maniac who performed human experimentation. The entire thing had been exposed and the hospital went bankrupt in the end.” “Is that so,” Yakumo responded in agreement, but Haruka knew for certain—deep inside, Yakumo didn’t believe it.

Haruka too felt suspicious about Seiichi’s story. Secretly performed human experimentation was a downright ridiculous story. Even if that had been true, then it should’ve become a major news story, yet she didn’t recall hearing such kind of news.

It was more likely an urban legend one would often find in a city or area. “Such a terrifying scene even appeared in the footage we shot; truly awful.”

Seiichi’s face was as if implying this was the end of the world. “Who chose the shooting location?” asked Yakumo, and Daichi raised his hand slightly.

“You were the one who chose it?” Seiichi threw a blaming look at Daichi. “No, not like that. Sakamoto-san asked me to look for places for the shooting location, so I gave him several options. And that place was among the options I proposed—” Daichi explained before dropping his gaze.

Perhaps he felt responsible. However, if Sakamoto had been the one who made the final decision, he shouldn’t have to feel so guilty. Piecing their stories together so far—putting aside the part about human experimentation—the problem seemed to lie on the abandoned hospital that had been chosen as the shooting location, and thus the cursed video had emerged.

Even without human experimentation in the equation, hospitals were places where many people had passed away. It wouldn’t be strange for spiritual phenomena to occur while shooting footage in such a location.

“Was there nothing strange during the shooting?” asked Yakumo. The three exchanged glances and nodded.

Haruka sensed something was off here. Such a video had emerged as a result. It would be strange for nothing to have happened during the shoot.

“By the way, who was the first to review the resulting footage?” asked Yakumo. Daichi raised his hand once again. “I was present when Sakamoto-san was editing, and I suppose that was the first time that we saw the footage.”

“From what I heard, Sakamoto-san had seen a ghost then. Did you see one as well?” “No. The lights had gone out, so I went outside as I thought the fuse had blown. That was when I heard Sakamoto-san scream…”

“That means, you didn’t see it?” “I didn’t see it very clearly. But...I think there was a woman standing there when I returned to the clubroom.”

He didn’t firmly state that he had seen one, but he had seen something that could possibly be a ghost. “I see. Then, did you see one?” said Yakumo, facing Seiichi.

“I didn’t…” Seiichi frowned. “Did you watch the video alone?”

“No. Sakamoto told me that he wanted me to watch it. So I watched it with Sakamoto.” “Did the ghost appear then?”

“No. The video was terrifying, but that was all.” Seiichi didn’t look too scared, but it might have been because he hadn’t seen the ghost.

“How about you?” asked Yakumo, this time turning towards Natsuki. “I also…didn’t see any ghosts.”

“You watched the footage, right?” “Yes.”

“Who did you watch it with?” “With Asami, just the two of us,” replied Natsuki, and Yakumo made a face as if surprised by it.

Rather than a spontaneous reaction, Yakumo seemed to have displayed that look on purpose to add emphasis. “Didn’t Asami-san see a ghost?” said Yakumo, asking Haruka for clarification.

“That was what I heard,” replied Haruka. Yakumo nodded in satisfaction at Haruka’s reply and faced Natsuki once more. “Why was Asami the only one who saw a ghost?”

“About that...Asami had watched it ahead of me. Sakamoto-san had passed the video to her…Then, because there had been a strange scene, Asami had said she wanted to watch it with me.” In other words, it was possible that the ghost had appeared while Asami was watching alone, yet when she had watched it with Natsuki afterwards, nothing had appeared. Asami had seen a ghost, yet Natsuki hadn’t.

The story made sense, but— Natsuki was clearly behaving strangely.

She was tense, as if afraid of something. “Was your story the truth?” asked Yakumo, folding his arms while narrowing his eyes.

“Yes,” replied Natsuki before lowering her head. Haruka thought Yakumo would pressure Natsuki with more questions, yet unexpectedly, Yakumo easily backed off and simply responded, “I see.”

Was Natsuki’s unnatural behaviour merely Haruka’s own misconception? While Haruka was deep in her thoughts, Yakumo spoke. “The information you all gave is incredibly helpful—” before directly walking out of the cafeteria.

Even though he had claimed he might be of help. The people he had left behind after his half baked effort became dumbfounded. Haruka intended to leave after giving a polite thank you in Yakumo’s stead, but Seiichi called out to her.

“So, what should we do now?” Well, it was natural for them to think that way.

“If we manage to discover something, I’ll reach out to you all.” “Do you know how to contact us?”

That… “Ah, right. Natsuki-san, could we exchange phone numbers?” said Haruka to Natsuki, and once they had exchanged their contact information, Haruka then chased after Yakumo.

- 9

- “So, have you found something?”

Haruka expressed her question as she finally managed to catch up to Yakumo after having left the cafeteria. Yakumo glanced at Haruka. “The big picture, pretty much,” said Yakumo nonchalantly.

“What do you know so far?” “I can’t say for now.”

Yakumo often responded like this. It wasn’t to purposely mess around nor to appear cool. Yakumo merely didn’t want to say anything unnecessary before acquiring concrete evidence.

That way, he tried not to create assumptions. “Just a hint wouldn’t hurt, right?”

“This isn’t a quiz show.” “Well, that’s true.”

“Even if this was a quiz, I’m fairly certain you wouldn’t be able to solve it with your abilities.” A ruthless comment, as usual.

“Yes, yes, I’m dumb after all.” “So you are aware.”

“Ugh!” Haruka felt her anger boiling, yet she would only be reciprocated a hundred times over if she tried to get back at him.

“Well, if you listened to their stories, you’d understand that there were certain rules in place,” said Yakumo, spreading his arms jokingly. “Rules...”

“Yes. All of them watched that cursed video. Yet some saw a ghost and some didn’t. Think about why that was the case. You should arrive at the answer.” Sakamoto and Asami had seen a ghost. While Daichi had seen something that had seemed like a ghost—his response had been vague.

On the other hand, Seiichi and Natsuki hadn’t seen a ghost. Then, Sakamoto and Asami, who had seen a ghost, had gone missing.

As Yakumo had pointed out, there appeared to be some sort of rule. Even so, Haruka couldn’t grasp what that rule was no matter how hard she tried to think. Before long, they had reached the Movie Research Circle clubroom where Yakumo stayed.

They opened the door to find Gotou and Ishii inside. “Gotou-san. Ishii-san. What’s the matter?” Haruka exclaimed.

Gotou, who had been chewing on his cigarette, asked back. “You’re asking what’s the matter?” Hearing that, Haruka realised the stupidity of her question.

Last night, she had contacted Gotou and Ishii and had requested their assistance to investigate Asami and Sakamoto. “Sorry. I reflexively...”

“Don’t worry about it. I’m happy just being able to meet Haruka-chan like this,” said Ishii to Haruka, puffing his chest. Gotou jabbed him immediately. “Stop grinning.”

”Whatever you say, but could you stop trespassing into people’s rooms without permission? Not exactly the sort of thing the police should have done,” said Yakumo lazily as he sat down on his usual chair. “Ha? We’re investigating your request, you know! Besides, what trespassing? The one who didn’t lock the door was at fault!” stressed Gotou, slamming his fists on the table with every emphasis of his words.

“What a messed up reason. Gotou-san’s thought process has become like a criminal’s.” “What did you say?!” Gotou stood up while raising his shoulders.

“Now, now,” Ishii tried to calm him down, only to get hit on the head. “Also, smoking is prohibited on these premises,” said Yakumo, pointing at Gotou’s cigarette.

After all it took for Ishii to stop Gotou, Yakumo nonchalantly said something that could raise Gotou’s anger all over again. Well, that sort of thing was typical of Yakumo. Gotou clicked his tongue. “I didn’t light it up,” he said, putting away his cigarette.

“So—did you two find out anything?” Yakumo spoke after everyone was seated and the situation had settled down. Haruka thought Gotou would explain, but apparently he felt it was troublesome and gave a sign towards Ishii with a gesture from his chin. Ishii responded, “Y-yes,” and hurriedly took out his notes before he began.

“Sakamoto Eiji-san and Fujimoto Asami-san’s status are still unknown. We’ve explained the situation to their parents and requested them to fill up a missing person report to be handed over to us,” Ishii said lightly. Haruka’s feelings grew heavy upon hearing the words ’missing person report’.

Those words were proof that the situation had gotten serious. “Are there any leads?”

“As of now, we don’t have any notable information from witnesses. If only there were security cameras, we could have investigated from there. Unfortunately, neither Sakamoto-san and Fujimoto-san’s premises had any security cameras installed.” “Is that so...” said Haruka in disappointment.

If they had footage from security cameras, perhaps they would have an easier time finding leads to Asami and Sakamoto’s whereabouts. “What about fingerprints?” asked Yakumo, propping his chin on one hand.

“We’ve gathered those, but the two seemed to have friends over frequently, so it was difficult to identify ones belonging to them...” Ishii adjusted his silver-framed glasses with the tip of his finger.

Even if they had lived alone, if their friends had gone in and out often, it wouldn’t be surprising for fingerprints not belonging to the resident to be discovered. “Did the two of them ever get into some kind of trouble?” Yakumo asked a completely different question.

“We’ve questioned a number of people, but there’s still little information, so we haven’t discovered anything of the sorts...” “In the end, you didn’t manage to find anything, huh,” said Yakumo, stretching his body.

Ishii lowered his head and spoke. “Apologies.” To Haruka, it wasn’t necessary for Ishii to apologise over that. But it couldn't be helped as Ishii had a habit of apologising.

“Then, what about your end?” Gotou asked Yakumo whilst leaning over. Yakumo grinned boldly in return. “Well, I more or less know the overall picture,” he said calmly.

“What did you say? Explain at once!” Gotou exclaimed, his voice loud as if urging Yakumo. “I can hear you without you yelling like that,” Yakumo plugged his ears with his fingers, signalling that Gotou was noisy.

“Enough nonsense, quickly say it.” “I refuse.”

“W-What?” “I’m saying I don’t want to.”

“You little—what kind of attitude is that? After all we did because you asked for our help!” An infuriated Gotou grasped onto Yakumo’s shirt collar.

Despite that, Yakumo’s eyes remain composed and unfaltering. “Ishii-san, please arrest this person for charges of threat and violence.”

The conversation was suddenly thrown at Ishii, leaving him dumbfounded. “No, that...” he uttered in confusion. “Just try me if you dare!” yelled Gotou.

“Why are you being so arrogant?” “What?”

“Besides, it’s the police’s duty to maintain public safety. Yet you were acting like I owe you by asking for help?” “Ugh...”

Gotou seemed to have run out of words against Yakumo’s logically sound argument. And yet, refusing to admit defeat, he cursed, “Shut up,” and released Yakumo. Irritated, Gotou reflexively reached out for his box of cigarettes, but Yakumo immediately said, “No smoking,” and he halted his movement.

“Enough with the banter. Let’s get to the main topic,” said Yakumo, clapping his hand together. Haruka felt the atmosphere in the room tense up immediately. Gotou and Ishii seemed to feel the same way; the two stared at Yakumo with a stiffened expression.

After a pause, Yakumo turned to Haruka, “Take that out—” “That is what?”

Even if suddenly told like that, she didn’t know what it meant. “You really are an imbecile.”

“What does that mean?” “Go look it up in a dictionary if you want to know.”

“Ugh.” “I’m talking about the cursed video.” said Yakumo in disbelief.

Why can’t you just mention the item directly in the first place—thought Haruka in displeasure whilst taking out the DVD from her bag. “What is this?” asked Gotou.

“I told you about it yesterday, right? This is the aforementioned cursed video.” As soon as Yakumo said that, Ishii instantly screamed, “Eeek!” jumping out of his chair.

The next second, Gotou jabbed him and yelled, “Shut up!” causing Ishii to return to his chair dejectedly. “What did you say this was?” asked Gotou, picking up said DVD and observing it closely.

“A woman’s face appeared around the second half of this video. She might have passed away from an accident or the like. I’d like for you to try and identify that woman.” So that was how it was.

If they managed to discover the ghost’s identity, they’d be able to crack the mystery of this case. “Easy for you to say. How long do you think it takes to identify a person based on face alone?”

Gotou’s argument was spot on. To identify a person just by their face was extremely difficult to do.

“There is other information as well. It’s likely that she died near a railway crossing.” “Railway crossing?”

Gotou, who hadn’t watched the video, didn’t understand. Meanwhile, Haruka knew what he meant. In that video, the scene of a railway crossing repeatedly played. It appeared that the woman had tried to hint at the location of her death through that scene.

“Also, that woman’s name is Kana.” “Eh?” Haruka stood up in surprise.

How could Yakumo have known the name of the woman in that video? Her name shouldn’t have appeared anywhere. Haruka questioned that fact, yet Yakumo simply gave her a vague answer, “You’ll find out soon enough.”

Perhaps Yakumo had seen through the whole truth at this point, yet on the other hand, Haruka felt the mystery had only gone deeper. “What are we going to do after this?” Haruka asked Yakumo after Gotou and Ishii had gone home.

Sakamoto and Asami’s whereabouts were still unknown, and Haruka couldn’t even see any lead towards solving the case. Were the video truly imbued by a power of some sort, then Haruka who had watched it could fall into harm as well.

She had only just realised the fact and the thought made her shiver. “Actually, I intended to do this after further investigation, but we don’t have time.”

“What do you mean?” “Exactly as said. If things are left as they are, the two missing people might die.”

Haruka held her breath at the unexpected words coming from Yakumo. “C-can’t we prevent that from happening?”

“We’re making a move to prevent it, aren’t we?” “Ah, right...”

“That’s why, there’s something I want you to do,” said Yakumo, his lips forming a smile. Yet his eyes weren’t laughing at all.

Haruka felt an awfully terrible premonition— -

10 -

Haruka returned to the campus cafeteria. As she sat on one table, a woman approached her with hesitant steps.

It was Natsuki. Their meeting was no coincidence.

More precisely, Haruka had contacted her asking to meet. “Sorry for the suddenness,” said Haruka as she stood up.

“Not at all,” Natsuki replied weakly. Since their first meeting, Haruka had the impression that Natsuki was an incredibly fragile and seemingly unhappy woman.

Haruka ushered Natsuki to take a seat before returning to her own. “So, what do you want to talk about?” said Natsuki.

She appeared anxious, glancing at her surroundings several times. As if she didn’t want to be seen together with Haruka. “Truth is, I wanted to ask you about the cursed video.”

“I’ve told you what I know.” Natsuki’s voice became weaker than before.

Yakumo had requested Haruka to hear the story from Natsuki one more time. And it appeared that Yakumo’s calculation in choosing Natsuki as a target hadn’t been mistaken. “It’s nothing serious. I just wanted to confirm something,” said Haruka in a fabricated cheerful tone.

“About what?” said Natsuki, staring at Haruka. Natsuki gave her approval, but Haruka could clearly tell that she didn’t want Haruka to ask questions that pry too deeply.

Haruka felt sorry for her, but she couldn’t back down. “Natsuki-san, could it be that you actually know the identity of the woman in the video?”

As soon as Haruka said that, Natsuki’s face turned glum. Bingo!

So Yakumo’s prediction was right. “I don’t know,” Natsuki shook her head.

“Really?” “Yes.”

“That woman’s name is Kana-san. So? Do you remember now?” Haruka observed Natsuki’s face.

“How did you know Kana’s name?” Natsuki’s eyes widened as if they were about to pop out. As it turned out, she wasn’t very good at lying. Her words just now were the same as admitting that she knew about her.

“So you do know her. Right?” Haruka emphasised the fact. Natsuki lowered her head without answering and went silent for some time.

She seemed to be putting her thoughts together as to how she should respond. Or she could be firming her resolve to say what she knew. Natsuki lifted her face and firmly said, “I don’t know.”

Her expression was filled with determination, as if her weak impression from earlier had been a mere illusion. “Eh?”

“I’m saying, I don’t know,” said Natsuki once more. “But you know her name.”

“My friend has the same name, so I thought you were talking about that friend of mine earlier, but I was mistaken.” Haruka didn’t know what had changed Natsuki, but her resolve was unwavering to the point that there was no room to break through.

“But...” “Is that all you wanted to talk about?” asked Natsuki.

“Ah, that...” Natsuki’s reaction had been utterly unexpected, Haruka had trouble answering.

“In that case, I’m going now,” said Natsuki firmly before she stood up and walked away. Haruka could only watch her in silence.

Just what sort of transformation had occurred within Natsuki? Why did she act hardened all of a sudden? Haruka tried to find a reason, but she couldn’t find one. As if something that she had nearly managed to grasp had slipped through the cracks of her hand.

Amidst her confusion, her phone rang. It was Yakumo—

“Hello?” <How was it?> asked Yakumo directly.

“It didn’t work out...” said Haruka, disappointed. <Did she say she didn’t know?>

“Yes. But there’s no mistaking that she knows something. I tried to pry further, but she immediately rejected it...” Haruka thought she was about to get scolded by Yakumo for failing to gain information.

To her surprise, Yakumo said, <I thought as much,> as if he had known the outcome from the start. Haruka felt dissatisfied as it was like she was being played with on the palm of Yakumo’s hands.

“Hey, did you know from the start that Natsuki-san would refuse to answer the question?” <I had thought that such an outcome was a possibility.>

To Haruka, Yakumo seemed to be making excuses to evade the question. Yakumo must be the type that wouldn’t get discovered even if he were to cheat. Well, not that Haruka knew whether Yakumo was the type to cheat—

“So, what now?” <I’d like for you to contact someone. Afterwards, we’ll meet up.>

The person he wanted to contact must be Makoto, a newspaper journalist. During the previous case, intel from Makoto had been the key to resolve the mystery. This time too, that had to be the case. “Who should I contact, and for what?” asked Haruka, and Yakumo elaborated his plan.

“Why do we have to do something like that?” said Haruka, unable to hide her surprise upon hearing Yakumo’s explanation. Even so, Yakumo dodged it with his favourite line, <You’ll find out soon enough—>

Haruka felt dissatisfied over a number of things, but Yakumo wouldn’t say a word even if Haruka cornered him with questions. Haruka could only respond with, “Understood.”

Yakumo hung up the call after briefly stating the location and timing of their meetup. Haruka’s back grew heavy.

As the person who brought this problem in the first place, she was in no position to complain. Still, she didn’t like being toyed around like this. However, would they be able to find Sakamoto and Asami’s whereabouts with this? While questioning that fact, Haruka stood up from her chair.

- 11

- “Woah...” Haruka reflexively exclaimed at the sight of the building.

This was the abandoned hospital that had become the shooting location. It was situated at the base of a small mountain, with no other buildings surrounding it. The building had four stories, with a portion of the walls already crumbled down, and the window panes broken. Its condition was comparable to buildings in war torn locations that she had seen in the news.

Could it be that the cursed video had something to do with what had unfolded in this place—if one were to think that, the building would appear like it was emanating a dark aura. According to Seiichi, there had long since been rumours about this place being haunted.

Putting aside whether the whole thing about human experimentation had been true, something had to have happened here. This was a place no human should enter. And yet, they had made this place their shooting location. As a result, the cursed video was born; it made sense to think about it that way. Why did Yakumo ask them to gather at a place like this? Not to mention after contacting that person—

“Yakumo-kun,” Haruka called out as she set foot in an area covered by weeds. However, there was no reply.

Has he not reached yet? Yakumo was logical when it came to solving the mystery of a case, yet for all else, he was rather lenient, including when it came to time. Well, that was typical of Yakumo, you could even say it was part of his charm.

Even so, Haruka felt uncomfortable having to wait alone at a place like this. Haruka continued walking and as she arrived at the hospital entrance, she shouted once more, “Hey! Yakumo-kun! You’re not here yet?”

As she thought, still no reply. I have no choice but to wait.

Just as she had that thought, she felt like she saw something move behind the entrance door. That wasn’t all, she also sensed that someone was watching her. Haruka then peered inside.

No light shone through and it was pitch black. Almost as if the opposite end was connected to another world. She briefly tried to adjust her eyes, yet nothing but darkness could be seen.

Perhaps I was mistaken. Haruka exhaled and turned her back to the entrance door.

The cursed video seemed to have caused her to overreact. She needed to calm herself down a little. Haruka tried to take long, deep breaths, but it didn’t help rid her of her restlessness.

Suddenly, footsteps could be heard on the ground. Haruka’s shoulders jolted and she wanted to turn. Unfortunately for her, something was pulled over her head at that instant.

It appeared to be some kind of cloth bag. What?

She wanted to take it off, yet her hands were already restrained behind her back. “L-let go!” Haruka yelled with all her might. Mind-numbing fear invaded her, destroying her sense of reasoning. With great struggle, she twisted her body in an attempt to escape the hands that had captured her.

However, it was futile. Her opponent was much stronger and just like that, she was dragged away.

“Help me! Yakumo-kun!” Haruka screamed in desperation. Perhaps she was already dragged all the way into the hospital building. If this continued, she would get dragged somewhere where her screams wouldn’t be heard.

Haruka resisted once again, but the more she did, her muscles grew exhausted and she ran out of strength. Her legs could no longer hold and she ended up being carried while dragged away. Something dark gradually spread within Haruka’s heart. It was probably despair.

Please! Yakumo-kun! Haruka could only pray.

Unfortunately, her prayers weren’t answered. As they descended something that felt like a ramp, she finally felt the hand that had been restraining her release.

Just as she thought that she was freed at last, Haruka was shoved, falling towards the concrete floor reeking of dust. With great difficulty, Haruka tried to crawl to her escape, but her hair was yanked and she was dragged once again.

Her hands were pulled behind her, tied with something that seemed to be a rope. At this stage, she couldn’t make an escape anymore.

It’s impossible now, she thought. Instinctively, her tear glands came loose and tears began to fall.

Never would she have dreamed that one day she’d be tied up like this without knowing anything. Am I going to be killed? If only I had known, I would’ve done many more things. There are people I wanted to see. Things I wanted to talk about.

Yakumo-kun. Haruka called out to that name in her heart.

“That’s enough.” The voice of salvation.

The voice Haruka had been waiting for from the depths of her heart. Yakumo’s voice.

The person who had tied Haruka up went and ran. “Gotou-san! Ishii-san! Don’t let that person escape!” yelled Yakumo.

“Wait!” “Let go! Damn it!”

“Stop resisting!” Groans and brawling noises could be heard.

Haruka, whose face was covered by a cloth bag, had no clue on what was going on. Moments later, with the sound of Gotou screaming, “Take this!” the atmosphere went silent.

“Are you alright?” Yakumo’s voice whispered.

Slowly, Haruka straightened her body and nodded. Then, the bag covering her face was removed. What came to her sight was Yakumo’s face.

“This isn’t a dream, right…?” said Haruka with a sob. Yakumo’s lips formed a little smile and replied, “Yes.”

If only she wasn’t tied up, perhaps Haruka would already be hugging Yakumo by now. “I wanted to come earlier, but ended up being rather late. I’m sorry.” Yakumo said in an unusually gentle voice as he placed a hand on Haruka’s head.

That gesture made Haruka’s heart, once closed up and frozen from fear, overtaken with relief that her tears began to flow once more. I was able to meet Yakumo.

“I’m going to untie the rope now,” said Yakumo before turning to Haruka’s back and removing the rope. Once her hands were freed, Haruka immediately felt fatigue all over her body. She finally had a chance to examine her surroundings.

Haruka turned to find people she recognised, Gotou and Ishii. They were standing at a distance from each other. On the bottom of their feet, a man was lying down with a bleeding nose. He must have gotten punched by Gotou.

There was no mistaking it, that person had to be the one who had assaulted Haruka. Haruka recognised the man’s face. He was—

“That’s right. He’s the mastermind behind this case,” said Yakumo, as if reading Haruka’s thoughts. -

12 -

“What’s the meaning of this?” Haruka approached Yakumo as she stood up.

Lying there was Daichi, a member of the movie circle that they had met at the campus cafeteria. Truth to be told, Haruka didn’t know much about him. Hence, she didn’t understand why he had attacked her at all. On top of that, Yakumo had said he was the mastermind of this case. In other words, not just the cursed video, he also had an involvement in Sakamoto and Asami’s disappearance.

“To explain that, we first need to clarify who the person in the cursed video was.” Yakumo slowly walked and stopped in front of Daichi.

Looking at Daichi from above, his gaze was incredibly cold that it scared Haruka, who was merely a witness. “Who?” asked Haruka.

Yakumo turned towards Ishii and said in a low voice, “Please.” Ishii nodded firmly before turning to Haruka.

“The woman in that video was Sawaki Kana-san.” Hearing the name, Haruka turned in Yakumo’s direction.

Kana had been the name of the woman Yakumo had requested for Ishii and Gotou to investigate. The question that had been on her mind back then resurfaced. “How did you know her name?”

“I told you, didn’t I? The video had a powerful message,” said Yakumo as if the answer was obvious, yet Haruka didn’t understand at all. Haruka emphasised that fact, and Yakumo sighed with an exaggerated gesture of disbelief before saying, “There was a noise that frequently appeared in that video, right?”

“Yes.” “You wouldn’t be able to tell from watching it casually, but with closer inspection, whenever the noise appeared, a set of letters briefly flashed on screen.”

Haruka didn’t realise that at all. Now that she thought about it, Yakumo had inspected the video several times. As it turned out, he had done so to confirm the letters that had flashed on screen.

“So the letters that appeared spelled Kana?” “Yes. Simply put, it was subliminal stimuli capable of engaging with one’s subconsciousness.”

“Is that so…” Yakumo must have felt something was off after watching it once. Hence, he had it replayed several times and had managed to discover the hidden letters.

“Kana-san passed away in the fall of last year,” interrupted Ishii. “Passed away...”

Haruka could imagine that was the case from the flow of the conversation, but upon being presented by the reality of it, her head began to hurt. Ishii took out his memo and began reading, “The cause of death was alcohol poisoning. Someone made a report of a woman lying on the street, but when the ambulance came she was pronounced dead on the scene.”

“How could that be…?” “That day, Kana-san attended her campus circle meeting and drank. Afterwards, the other circle members wanted to go for a second round, but Kana-san chose to go home. However, she collapsed on the way,” said Ishii with a pensive look on his face.

“Is that so...” “She collapsed alone on an empty street, so she wasn’t discovered in time. A really tragic accident.”

“I’ve said this many times, but the video had a powerful message—” said Yakumo calmly. “The railway crossing, alarm sounds, red warning lights. All of these indicated the location where Kana-san had passed.” “I see...”

“Besides that, Kana-san’s name was embedded through subliminal stimuli, and an image of her body was displayed. These carried a message: remember her death.” So that was how it was.

When Haruka had seen it for the first time, she merely thought it had been a series of terrifying images, but the video turned out to have a clear message. She understood that now, yet at the same time, something didn’t make sense to her.

“Don’t tell me, the video wasn’t cursed, but deliberately made by someone?” asked Haruka, to which Yakumo responded with a nod. “That’s right. The person who made it was none other than—him.”

Yakumo pointed at Daichi who was lying on the ground. “Why?” Haruka couldn’t understand why Daichi would do such a thing.

“Out of revenge,” said Yakumo, closing his eyes solemnly. “Revenge?”

“Yes. It’s a possibility that he and Kana-san were lovers.” Yakumo looked at Daichi once again.

“How do you know that?” “I said it was a possibility. Nothing more than my own assumption. Well, not that I don’t have any basis for it. According to Gotou-san’s investigation, they both came from the same high school. Perhaps they had been in a relationship since way back.”

“But, just based on that…” “Of course, I couldn’t draw a conclusion just based on that. However, if their relationship weren’t that close, he wouldn’t have gone as far as planning an entire act of revenge, right?” said Yakumo smoothly.

He had a look on his face as if he had known everything, yet Haruka still didn’t understand. “How could making that video become an act of revenge?”

“Not just the video. He was also the one who abducted Sakamoto-san and Fujimoto-san.” “Why did he abduct them?” asked Haruka.

Yakumo shuffled his hair in annoyance. “I think it’s about time that you speak for yourself. You’ve woken up, right?” said Yakumo, and Daichi slowly stood up. He didn’t try to run nor resist.

Perhaps he had already given up. “What…tragic accident….?” Daichi spoke, forcing his voice out.

The hoarseness in his voice, as if at the edge between life and death, carried with them an intense feeling of vengeance. “Eh?”

“Kana was murdered,” Daichi opened his eyes wide and stared at Haruka. His eyes glinted like that of a ferocious beast intimidating its opponent.

“But, just now...” As Haruka said that, Daichi immediately cut her off, “Wrong! Kana couldn’t drink alcohol. Yet Sakamoto and the others forced Kana to drink during the campus festival afterparty. In the end, they went for a second round and abandoned Kana, so heavily drunk that she couldn’t walk by herself, all alone.”

“T-that’s…” Haruka reflexively covered her mouth with her hand. She had often heard stories of university students getting drunk and even developing alcohol poisoning.

If those involved had drank out of their own volition, they had it coming for themselves. But it would be a much bigger problem if it had happened out of being forced to drink. New regulations have been made recently, and establishments also began having signs recommending not to drink too much in a short period of time and not to force oneself to drink.

Despite those efforts, it didn’t mean that instances of people drinking excessive amounts of alcohol become completely eradicated. Had Kana been one such victim?

Besides, if she really had been abandoned after being forced to drink, that would have been the same as murder, as Daichi had claimed. By law, the offenders should have been prosecuted for charges of causing death by negligence in duty of care.

“Kana was passionate about film and wanted to work in the film industry later on. And those people...took her dream away…” said Daichi. Tears dripped from his eyes. Judging from his reaction, Yakumo’s prediction seemed to be on the mark. Daichi and Kana had a special relationship going on.

Regardless of what sort of relationship, the two must have thought that their time together would continue on forever. Yet one day, their dreams were destroyed without warning—

“That night, amidst her drifting consciousness, Kana called me. I couldn’t decipher what she was saying at all because the railway crossing sounds were incredibly noisy. I asked her where she was, but she didn’t answer…Carrying my phone with me, I frantically searched everywhere I could. But I couldn’t find her...all the while I could hear Kana’s breaths getting weaker and weaker. Do you know how helpless I felt, unable to do anything as I listened to Kana’s final moments before she died?” spilled Daichi as he wailed. Sobbing, shoulders trembling, he wept without wiping away his tears.

Haruka was at a loss for words. She couldn’t find anything to say to Daichi.

“Please tell me one thing,” said Yakumo, watching the crying Daichi from above. Daichi looked up with tear filled eyes.

“What made you choose to go on such a roundabout method like this?“ Yakumo’s question made sense.

Why had Daichi gone about shooting a cursed video with a message, then had it shown to Sakamoto and the rest? “I wanted them to remember Kana, reflect on themselves, and suffer because of it...” Daichi dropped his shoulders listlessly.

So that was how it was. Daichi’s goal was to make them feel remorse by reminding them of their actions through that video.

And yet— “If so, why did you abduct Sakamoto-san and Asami?” asked Haruka.

Daichi’s actions contradicted his words. “Those people still didn’t remember anything even after watching that video. They acted as if those things never happened. So...” Daichi curled his fists tightly.

Hearing his words, Haruka recalled the time when Asami had first approached her to discuss this case. Asami had been terrified and had felt creeped out, but she hadn’t realised the hidden message within the video.

If she had realised it, then she shouldn’t have discussed it with Haruka. While the problem lied in Daichi who wanted to seek revenge, when thinking about Sakamoto and Asami who refused to look back even though someone had died because of their actions…Haruka grew chills until her back froze.

Could humans really become so indifferent towards other people as to reach such a point? Haruka felt like she would never be able to comprehend it.

Even so— “Even if that were the case, I still think it’s wrong for you to kill them,” stressed Haruka.

Yakumo shook his head in disbelief. “Don’t go on killing them on your own,” he said. However, from the flow of the conversation, Haruka felt it was understandable for her to interpret things that way.

“So, where are they?” asked Yakumo. Daichi pointed at a metal door across the corridor.

“Gotou-san,” called Yakumo, and Gotou replied, “On it,” before moving to remove the plank holding the door and forcefully opening it. Lying there were Sakamoto and Asami.

The two were in a state of being restrained; both were tied up with ropes with their mouths gagged up. Their bodies weren’t moving and their condition appeared concerning. Gotou quickly came closer to check on them.

“It’s alright. They’re merely passed out,” said Gotou, lifting his thumb. Haruka felt relieved, but on the other hand, she didn’t understand.

“Why did you lock them up in a place like this?” “You wanted them to understand—don’t you?” Yakumo glanced at Daichi, and Daichi nodded.

“Wanted them to understand?” “Yes. He wanted them to know how it feels like awaiting death in the darkness, all alone, unable to move their bodies.”

“Is that so—” Haruka bit her lips and hung her head.

Daichi’s actions were unforgivable, but that didn’t mean Haruka couldn’t understand his feelings of wanting the two to experience Kana’s suffering even if just a bit. “There is one thing I have to tell you,” said Yakumo to Daichi in a formal tone.

“Eh?” With a surprised look on his face, Daichi turned towards Yakumo. “Ishii-san,” Yakumo gave a sign to Ishii to take something out, and Ishii took out an IC recorder from his pocket.

Yakumo took the IC recorder from Ishii and handed it to Daichi. Daichi was left dumbfounded.

Yakumo began to explain, “There was a strange audio interweaving with the noise in that video. This is the result of extracting that audio with the help of a mixer.” Confused, Daichi pressed the play button on the IC recorder.

Amidst the static noise akin to pouring rain, a woman’s voice could be heard. <Daichi. Please...stop it already.>

Haruka remembered that voice. The same voice she had heard when she had watched the cursed video in the library.

“This is Kana-san’s wish.” “I…” Daichi’s voice choked.

“There’s one more message from Kana-san. Don’t forget about me, okay?—was what she said.” As soon as Yakumo finished his sentence, Daichi wept as he clutched the IC recorder. The sound of his cries felt like they could chip at the spirits of anyone who heard it.

- 13

- Haruka stood in front of the abandoned hospital, watching as a patrol car and an ambulance drove away.

The patrol car took Daichi with them. While the ambulance carried Sakamoto and Asami who had been rescued. Luckily, while their conditions were weakened, their lives weren’t threatened.

With this, it’s all over, Haruka thought, before realising there were more things left unanswered. “Hey, how did you know to suspect Daichi-san?”

She had no idea since when had Yakumo begun suspecting Daichi. “Simple enough. When Sakamoto-san and Fujimoto-san were abducted, their doors were unlocked. Why was that so?”

“Why?” “Because they had opened it willingly. Someone they knew came to visit, so they opened the door and invited the person inside.”

“What do you mean?” “When Fujimoto-san called you that night, she was shaken because of the ghost problem and Sakamoto-san’s disappearance. She must have had her guard up, so strangers or other people unaware of the situation wouldn’t be allowed inside.”

“I see. Meanwhile, Daichi-san was in the same circle and knew about the spiritual phenomenon.” “Pretty much. Well, not that I had known from the start that he was the culprit, but I had already suspected that the culprit had to be someone from within the circle. That was the reason why I had them gathered at that time.”

He must have been referring to their gathering in the campus cafeteria. “So, Daichi-san was acting suspicious by then?”

“That’s right. When talking about whether he had seen a ghost or not, his answer was vague. Said answer was only told after he had deliberated what kind of answer would be able to fool us.” So that was how it was.

Haruka was nearly convinced, but there was something else she didn’t understand. “So the ghost was Kana-san after all?”

“No.” “But Sakamoto-san and Asami saw a ghost.”

“Someone else was pretending to be a ghost.” “Pretending to be a ghost?”

“Don’t you know?” “I don’t know at all,” said Haruka firmly.

“Don’t boast about something like that,” scolded Yakumo. “Who did I ask you to deliver a message to?” “Natsuki-san.”

Before going to the abandoned hospital, she had sent a message to Natsuki per Yakumo’s instructions, saying, <We found a clue that may lead to Sakamoto-san and Asami’s whereabouts, so we’re heading to the location where the video was shot.> “As a result, he attacked you.”

“By that, you mean…” “Yes. He and Natsuki-san were working together.”

“Why?” “We better ask the person directly. You’re there, right?” Yakumo called.

Natsuki slowly walked out from behind the hospital building. Her face was pale and she looked exhausted. “We were friends...” said Natsuki weakly.

“Natsuki-san.” “Kana was my closest friend. I too attended the same event that night. Sakamoto-san and Asami forced Kana to drink sake…I saw it happen, yet I couldn’t stop them...”

Natsuki closed her eyes shut in frustration. The anger building up within her seemed to be directed at herself.

“Even when we were about to go for a second round, I wanted to go home with Kana because I saw that she couldn’t stand properly anymore, yet Sakamoto-san insisted on leaving her be, and we left her...” “Don’t blame yourself like that,” said Haruka, placing her hand on Natsuki’s shoulder.

“How can I not blame myself? That was why, to redeem myself, I told Daichi-kun the truth.” “Afterwards, the two of you orchestrated this plan,” said Yakumo, and Natsuki nodded in return.

Haruka understood the gist of the events that had followed without further explanation. The ghost that had shown itself to Sakamoto and Asami had been Natsuki pretending to be one. With those methods, they had tried to remind Sakamoto and Asami about their mistakes.

Natsuki, who had panicked after seeing the message from Haruka, had discussed it with Daichi. Daichi had then attacked Haruka to prevent their plans from getting discovered. They hadn’t intended to kill, but perhaps they had wanted to lock Haruka in the same place until Sakamoto and Asami repented.

“What are you going to do after this?” asked Yakumo. Natsuki lifted her face. She had a refreshing expression, as if all her doubts had vanished.

“I was wrong. This method will never be able to redeem my mistake. Of course, I’m going to confess about what I have done, and about the events of that day to the police.” “If that’s the conclusion you’ve reached—” said Yakumo.

Natsuki bowed deeply to Yakumo before walking away. This time, everything is truly over—or so Haruka thought, but she reconsidered.

To Daichi nor Natsuki, nothing was over yet. Haruka, too, as someone who had been involved, needed to witness this case to the end. That was how she felt. Yakumo slowly walked away.

Haruka followed after him when a question suddenly appeared in her mind. “Hey. Why did Kana-san call Daichi-san on the brink of her death?”

Her life had been in danger. Why hadn’t she thought of calling an ambulance? “When humans realise they’re at death’s door, they may have the desire to be rescued, but at the same time, they wish to rely on those dear to them.”

“I suppose you’re right...” Even when she had been attacked by Daichi, within her heart, Haruka hadn’t been thinking about contacting the police nor an ambulance, instead seeking help from someone else.

Her face heated up at the memory. “What are you spacing out for? Come on, let’s go.”

Disregarding Haruka’s feelings, Yakumo briskly walked away. “Wait for me!”

Haruka could only bury her feelings and ran after Yakumo. -

Translation Notes [1] Yutori Seidai (ゆとり世代）’Laid back generation’, a term to describe the Japanese people who went to elementary and middle school between the 1980s and early 2000s, in which the education at that time focused on creative development and self learning, such that the generation was claimed to be less competitive.

#shinrei tantei yakumo #psychic detective yakumo #shinrei tantei yakumo translation #psychic detective yakumo translation #yakumo saitou #saitou yakumo #manabu kaminaga

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