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No one spoke as they made their way to Kanzaki's grandpa. It was silent, everyone was lost in their own thoughts. Aoi didn't come because she was hungry.
Gin, Kanzaki's grandpa, was an 82-year-old man born in Tokyo on August 14th. He had short gray hair, low round glasses that perched on his nose. His grey eyes gave off quiet wisdom, even though his expression was unreadable. He likes fiction.
Despite his quietness, Kanzaki knew his grandfather had answers... Answers Kanzaki desperately needed. 27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZQRbNumYip
Kanzaki knocks on the door, waiting for Gin to open it. After a few minutes, the door opens. His grandpa was just standing there at first... Then he slowly walks away, leaving the door open for them. 27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM4xYTt7Ebr
His house was filled with art. Vases with fresh flowers rested on most surfaces. The wood was polished. His house blended with Kawasaki. 27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV6WvKVz8qd
Their grandpa was sitting in the living room. He looks up a bit when Kanzaki and his friends come in. 27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiLF77zdqid
"You have seen her. The Yurei. You experienced it before, didn't you? Tell us about it," he says firmly, expecting his grandpa to tell them. Gin's voice was low, his eyes fixed on a picture on the wall. 27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA68k0Hd1S2
"The Yurei was once the leader of this village. She entered the forest to find more land for houses, even though she never came back. She met Astaroth, who cursed her, turning her into a ghost. The full red moon marks her killings. We were friends, back in high school, but after she became The Yurei, the village fell apart. I saw her once, but I couldn't save her. Astaroth took her soul, and she became a monster. She hasn't attacked in over seventy years, but Kawasaki has never been the same. It was peaceful before, but now... it's all just silence. Her real name was Fumiko. I can't do anything now... I'm dead after all," A silence fell, after Gin explained. 27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr0V363vXZO
No one heard the last sentence, since his voice was lower than before. 27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKbKHr9kgyN
"How do we save her?" Takahiro asks, an awkward smile on his face. Gin's eyes narrow at his question. 27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhXMuE88H2o
"In the forest. You will find the answer there... I warn you though, if you manage to escape... You'll get cursed forever,'' he answers. 27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxbx8OqIiG
"The forest..." Kanzaki mumbles. "I have no other choice..." he thinks. 27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLbCRlp4S5f
Kanzaki arrives home, Takahiro and Remi went to look around the village for a bit. He goes upstairs and looks at the back of the map again. There was a fingerprint... Out of blood next to the sentence. 27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCBN1G6HSO
"Aoi... Just watch," he thinks. He takes out a lighter and burns the map, ashes falling on the ground. "When I catch you... You wont see tomorrow," he says out loud 27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFRBZmXWGw4
Every single corner in Kawasaki... Is cursed by her, the people are crying, begging to be left alone... They want to leave her grasp, live a normal life like everyone outside Kawasaki. 27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4hUScHdmm6
Astaroth... How evil can you possibly be? Taking the soul of someone... Making her kill everyone... Just what are you? Nothing was right. It felt like Kawasaki fell into the void, it can't escape. Nearly no one visits the village, other than the people who live here. 27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSeIZwRN16D
If no one can stop it... I will. He went to run around the village, looking for hints. He got a flashlight since his phone's battery can run out anytime. 27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ563jasKPi5
He looks at the news again. The same fingerprint was there. He takes a picture of it and continues running... Stamina is important, who knows whats hidden in that forest. 27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7cAehSaTUI
After hours of running and snapping disturbing photos in Kawasaki, Kanzaki returned home. He felt unease lingering.. He didn't know why. He opened his closet and grabbed the flashlight. 27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsUGnG7McLD
As he went downstairs, he was greeted by the familiar scent of Mio's cooking. "Konnichiwa!" he called out, forcing a smile. 27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4TYSgJVawZ
He entered the kitchen. Mio turned to him, a gentle smile on her face as she patted his head. 27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN0xpCPjHVh
"Great to see you in a good mood," she said, her voice steady, even though her hands were trembling. 27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGyRl62EiqY
Kanzaki hugged her before slipping on his shoes. "I'll go for a run. See you later, mom!" he shouted as he closed the door behind him. 27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡotN3pOX5wo
The moment he left, Mio's breath hitched. 27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Fx8RYxxvF
Behind her, the Yurei stood in the shadows, a smirk spreading across her face. "Good job..." the Yurei whispered before vanishing into thin air. 27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOXRS1tBc3E
"Please stay safe, Kanzaki..." Mio mumbled, tears streaming down her face. She opened up her phone, typing a quick message. "Come back before it's too late." She hesitated before sending it, her hands shaking. 27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc6pzLVcuHP
Minutes later, Kanzaki returned, stepping through the door with a confused look. "Oka-san, is something wrong?" he asked, kicking off his shoes. 27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuR5ef0WRLx
Mio glanced at him. "Dinner first, or the food will get cold," she said, her voice soft. Her hands trembled slightly as she sat down. 27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTU2LznSARi
Before Kanzaki came home, the atmosphere in the house shifted... Mio was in the kitchen, humming as she prepared dinner. She turned around, startled to see a woman with long black hair and a blood-stained white dress. "Who are you?" Mio asked, clutching the counter. The Yurei's pale lips curled into a smirk. 27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyjkqOqdlsb
"The one who rules this village," she said, her voice echoing. "Be nice and do what I say, or else... you will die before you know it. After your son comes home, you'll act kind and let him go back outside. If you don't..." The Yurei leaned in closer, her breath on Mio's neck. 27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY1362z5Vdf
"I'll kill you. He's my food. Don't you dare get in my way, useless maid. I can't fail... Astaroth will be so pleased." 27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2RByPRXNwx
Mio's heartbeat quickened. Mio could feel her presence. The Yurei had been in their house the whole time, silently watching both Kanzaki and Mio, like a predator studying its prey. She knew the Yurei could kill her in an instant. 27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPWb5F4vpFE
Kanzaki sacrificed everything to protect Akira... Just if he knew what it would take, he wouldn't have done it. The Yurei was hunting down everyone.. 27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOawnxmdrXu
Mio's body trembled, she looked out the window, just to see the dark. Kawasaki was falling into despair. 27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGcaKNSIjDZ
It was no longer their peaceful home... It was becoming the devil's village. And with each passing minute, hope slipped further. 27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaM3ndDrely
Kanzaki looks at his mother. "Why are you scared...?" he asks, looking into her eyes. 27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXaZERUf7g8
"Nothing, Kanzaki," she answers. Kanzaki decides to not question her and goes upstairs. He puts all his belongings in a backpack and thinks. 27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfHaJK34Itl
"Do I let it here... Do I bring it with me?" He drags his backpack with him. He looks at Mio... 27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOH062oTT6M
She saw it. The Yurei threatened her... Aoi or Fumiko, whatever you are, I won't let you escape. Not after you tried to kill Akira and now my mother. 27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpmD89ouqO0
He puts his shoes on. "It's alright, oka-san. I'll be fine!" he says. He hugs his mother before he goes. "Sayonara," he says, turning back one more time before closing the door. 27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxyBdY4zrDo
Mio falls on her knees. "I'm so sorry... Kamii-sama... Please let him live," she wishes as The Yurei appears behind her again. 27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEg8UmEy2D0
"I'm disappointed in you... Useless housewife," The Yurei says, 27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4nQn3AbbF8
looking down on her. "Your life will end soon... Be ready..." she whispers as she vanishes again, leaving Mio alone. 27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBIIkcpY03J
She starts crying. "Kanzaki... I can't protect you..." she says in between sobs. 27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9TXOxgJWv
Kanzaki sees Takahiro at the entrance of the forest... 27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ664xYLMRFJ
"Takahiro, what are you doing here..." Kanzaki asks, walking closer to him, now in front of him. Kanzaki looks at him but quickly notices. 27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKImZfACVeb
Takahiro was staring at the forest, as if he knew Kanzaki would come. He quickly regains his composure. 27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD7G5OErVTT
"Are you ready to go?" Takahiro asks, taking a deep breath. 27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhsEWl3b43v
Kanzaki was confused but... He still nodded. Takahiro walked into the forest, Kanzaki following him... 27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiwwmWM1J5h
It was so dark in this forest. The air was cold, carrying an mix of leaves and something metallic... Like blood. 27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEQ1fs9sBcL
"It reeks..." Takahiro says, his expression disgusted. Kanzaki nods... But then, he looks up and notices. 27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPAdkeFIdck
People were hanging on branches, a tie around their neck... They were all dead, those were... The villagers of Kawasaki The Yurei killed... They were here all this time...
