The House in Which Nightmares Dwell 4.2

[touchturnfly]

 2

After they were served a meal by Midori, a light tapping was heard on the sliding screen when Mai received the next instruction of the setup at investigative location -- called the base by the members.

Neither Naru or Lin replied. Naturally in such a case it was the duty of Mai to reply.

"-- Yes?"

Hirota was the one who looked in. Moreover it was because Hirota entered the room and properly sat down on the tatami that Mai inclined her head to the side.

"-- Shibuya-kun."

Hirota's eyes were set straight on Naru's profile.

"Actually, I have a favor to ask from you."

"That's fine," Naru said and faced Hirota. "There's something I want to ask you as well."

"Let's hear that first."

Naru nodded and pulled open the file in his hands.

"How long did Hirota-san stay here?"

"Five days."

"Have you seen any strange phenomena during that time? -- For example, like what Midori-san talked about the other day."

Hirota considered the question.

"I've experienced the breaker failing three times. Just now was the fourth time. I've seen that the image quality of the TV is bad and I also know that the telephone's sound is bad as well. Whatever we tried to do, it had no effect."

"What about knocking noises or people's voices?"

"I didn't hear any. I can't sense any indication of people or someone looking at me. -- Aah, it seems like there have been many strange telephone calls. But it's not because I appeared."

Naru nodded and closed the file.

"-- That's all. Let's hear what Hirota-san has to tell me."

"Aren't you concerned about what I'm going to ask?"

"-- Go ahead."

"Just now, Shibuya-san," Hirota said and glanced into Mai's direction. "You said you are just merely investigating, making sure it's by no means the fault of a ghost -- I wonder if that's the truth?"

"I investigate psychic phenomena. I don't waste my time on things that are not related to psychic phenomena."

"I see," Hirota whispered, then lowered his head slightly. "-- Well then, why don't you receive my offer as a helper?"

Mai widened her eyes slightly and gazed at Hirota. She was surprised at how unexpectedly thorough the proposal was.

"Then let's hear your reason why."

"It's because I as well want to know what is going in this place. Rather than being a bystander, I thought, 'Isn't it better to stay close to the truth by helping you guys out?' That's why."

Naru made a thin smile. His never smiling eyes gave off a turbulent mood.

"... ... Are you observing us?"

"I won't deny that. Are there any inconvenient things about being observed?"

"If it's worry about being hindered by amateurs, then there are plenty."

"If you order me around, I will try to not be a hindrance as much as possible."

"I treat workmen roughly."

"I don't mind."

Naru made a sarcastic smile and looked at Mai.

"Mai. -- Since he said it like that, use him as your assistant. Isn't it great that you have a porter?"

"B-but... ..." Mai shifted her gaze to Hirota. She held some resistance to treating a senior as an assistant.

"Taniyama-san, I don't mind. Just use me."

"But Hirota-san, you have a job, right?"

When Mai told him that, Hirota suddenly recalled a thought and raised his hand.

"Speaking of which, don't you guys have school?"

Mai glimpsed at her boss, but could not expect any timely help from him.

"I took off because of work. I notified my school properly."

"I see," Hirota seemed to have understood that.

"I have taken off as well. That's why you can use me without any worry."

"Yeah... ..."

If he said he was helping, then there was no reason to decline. The equipment was heavy in general, and to be clear, Mai could use another hand.

"-- Well then, go at it at once," Naru said, and Hirota adjusted his pose a little. "Tonight we will all sleep below. I want to use the second floor room that Hirota-san is currently using for investigation."

"-- Understood."

"Mai, have Midori-san and her mother assemble in the living room."

"Yees."

"When that's done, set up Hirota-san's room for a suggestion experiment."

"Yes," Mai replied, then stared pitifully at Hirota-san. "Well, I will say it without reservation."

"Sure."

"Can you please transport all that equipment over there?"

When Hirota looked back, a number of equipment that couldn't be transported in one or two times were stacked against a wall.

Although Hirota faltered for a moment, he nodded disappointedly. He's a man who does not go back on his word after all.

---

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