Mashiro and the Slit-Mouthed Woman / The Slit-Mouthed Woman and Himeko

Now, every now and then, Sengoku Chihiro would come here under the guise of visiting her younger cousin, but when she needed help, she was almost never seen.

Even if this woman comes, she won't help take care of Mashiro. Every time she comes, she just brings a bag of beer to freeload a meal. When she gets drunk, Shirou is the one who has to clean up her messes.

How dare she even show her face here!

However, if she were to answer that herself, she would definitely say, "Of course I have the nerve to come!"

Although Shirou thinks his older cousin is unreliable, he believes he still cares about his younger cousin.

For example, she forcefully stated that Shirou would take responsibility, but in fact, before that, she Shirou out of the room and had a secret conversation with Mashiro, during which she made a promise with Mashiro, but what she really talked about was...

"Mashiro! Since he was willing to spend the night with you, let him continue to take care of you! After all, this man, despite the thankless task, was still willing to take care of you without making a move, and despite the possibility of being captured, he didn't abandon you and run away. Moreover, he's really good at taking care of people. It would be a waste not to hold onto such an honest man tightly and exploit him to the fullest extent of his value. If he takes care of you, you can live a good life."

"Hmm..." In fact, Mashiro nodded halfway through, basically agreeing with the method. Although she didn't quite understand what "draining" meant, she didn't dislike living with Shirou.

Therefore, Sengoku Chihiro believed that she was the great hero of her cousin's life and had the basic right to enjoy the hospitality of her future brother-in-law.

"Oh, and could you also get me a can of beer? And please, some side dishes too!" my older cousin called out.

"Aren't you supposed to be at work?" Shirou frowned, but still brought breakfast out of the kitchen and said to the older woman.

"Morning drinks are the best way to quit drinking! One gulp and you're instantly sober," Sengoku Chihiro exclaimed with a laugh.

So you're going to go to work reeking of alcohol? This person is beyond saving. Even though Shirou has experienced so many worlds and met many older female teachers or purple-haired old ladies, she is still the most hopeless one among them.

However, I've heard that she presents herself as a shrewd and capable businesswoman in front of her students, even though she's rotten to the core. Perhaps she only truly lives up to the teaching profession when she's in class.

However, in front of people who can reveal his true nature, he transforms into a trouble-averse, irresponsible drunkard. He has a terrible personality, is an alcoholic, lazy, unmotivated, and has all sorts of bad habits, and he doesn't even bother to hide it.

In fact, it's common knowledge among those around her that she ruined everything. For example, both sides of the social circle who could introduce her to potential partners—her parents and her colleagues at the office—have given up on her, which is why she's still single...

She's supposedly the manager of a dormitory for eccentric students, but seeing how she spends her days drinking during holidays, I really don't know how she manages it.

Sengoku Chihiro took the side dishes Shirou handed her, opened a beer, hummed a smug tune, and drank it in big gulps. Every time she came here, there was always good food and drink, like a paradise, making her feel so comfortable.

At that moment, the opening sound of "clang clang clang" came from the TV. It was a very popular program in this world, but unlike the programs that bring a refreshing day to all the working class, it was a supernatural program that could make people sweat in the summer and cool them down.

People in this world are very enthusiastic about this kind of thing, and there are many works that spread stories about strange creatures, such as vampires in Britain, aliens and zombies in America, mummies in Egypt, and Japan, a country where at sunset, at the time of demons, Hyakki Yagyō.

There are also items in the market that can be used to curse others, such as scarecrows, which are sold like fish and vegetables. When Shirou first saw them, he felt a chilling sensation, as if he were seeing a forest full of scarecrows in another world.

Because of people's fervent interest, paranormal divination programs broadcast at this time became the most popular morning programs in all of Japan.

Chapter 833 Mashiro and the Slit-mouthed Woman

Sengoku Chihiro ate pickled radishes, along with fried potato chunks and lotus root slices that Shirou had just brought out, while watching TV and drinking beer.

Mashiro stood to the side, watching quietly.

To be honest Shirou doesn't understand at all why anyone would like this kind of show, and why it's so popular.

This program differs from other blood type and horoscope prediction programs in that, although it does have some connection to fortune telling, the props used here are more for warding off backstabbers and exorcising evil spirits than for increasing one's luck.

Furthermore, the show occasionally invites psychics, who are widely recognized as having genuine abilities, to provide professional analysis of one's fortune.

The guest invited that day was a psychic from a popular late-night paranormal investigation program. He was a tall, thin man with a long red cape, a striped suit, an afro, and large prayer beads around his neck, resembling those of Sha Wujing.

"Hello everyone, I'm Sister Ling. Now, let's invite our special guest to announce today's fortune." The refreshing young lady on TV smiled sweetly and spoke in a gentle voice.

"Yes, leave it to me!" The Explosion Head Uncle performed a bizarre dance on stage with exaggerated gestures, then clasped his hands together as if inviting a deity to possess him, and then turned on the switch of a fortune-telling machine.

The machine's screen spun rapidly like a slot machine, then automatically generated a set of various combinations.

"Is today's fortune above average? The lucky color is red, and the item to ward off bad luck is garlic." Mashiro nodded calmly, making it impossible to tell whether she actually valued this.

"Hmm, I know. Well then, let's have stir-fried pig's blood with garlic for lunch today. But what's the basis for that? It's all about spirit summoning and machines." Shirou came out of the kitchen and, seeing this scene, didn't know how to even begin to comment. He said, speechless.

"Ugh, my love life is ruined again. I should probably curse all the young, marriageable women around me," Sengoku Chihiro said, a dark aura emanating from her. Though it sounded like a complaint, she was serious.

"No, no, you'll never get better like this. Could it be that because you're attacking each other, men are afraid to approach you?" Shirou retorted, surprised that even his morally bankrupt older sister believed in this. And it was so dark! These women are really scary, but I never expected that this kind of divination could be accurate sometimes.

The female host finished broadcasting today's horoscope, and the fortune-telling program was about to end. At this moment, the camera turned to the Explosion Head Uncle, giving him a close-up, and then he laughed loudly, saying, "Hahahaha! Tonight, please tune in to our major live paranormal program! We'll be visiting the House of Dolls from a suburban urban legend to reveal whether there are really any supernatural things there. I, the paranormal Explosion Head Uncle, will be waiting for you there! I will lead you on a truly terrifying journey!"

"Okay, I can't wait. Thank you for the recommendation Explosion Head Uncle." The female host clapped her hands cutely.

"We're waiting for you!" The middle-aged man gave a thumbs-up to the camera, making a confident declaration.

"Shirou, I want to go to that place in the news to do some research today," Mashiro said, sticking close behind Shirou.

"I know, I know, I'll go with you today, so absolutely do not act on your own, understand? Understand? Understand!" Shirou turned to look at the girl and said, repeating it three times because it was important.

"Hmm..." Mashiro nodded under the pressure.

"Very good, here, this is your Baumkuchen." Shirou smiled and handed the plate to the girl.

"Thank you." Mashiro took the plate with a faint smile. As long as there was something delicious, she was content.

"Shirou!" Sengoku Chihiro, slightly tipsy, looked at Shirou with a serious expression and reminded him, "Since you're sending this child to such a dangerous place, you'd better hold her hand tightly and make sure she doesn't get hurt."

"I know." Shirou nodded.

As the girl's manga assistant, Shirou completely agreed with Sengoku Chihiro's reminder. As for Mashiro, he really had to keep an eye on her, otherwise she might recklessly barge into the scene of a supernatural event and encounter a troublesome vengeful spirit, which would be terrible.

Yes, that's certainly true in this world. Although I haven't seen any other Servant, there are all sorts of vengeful spirits.

To date, Shirou has saved the girl countless times.

For example, the Slit-mouthed Woman he encountered on his way home at dusk last time, Shirou recalled what had happened before.

He accompanied Mashiro on her field trip, and on the way back, they went to a nearby shopping street to buy groceries for tonight and tomorrow, preparing to cook dinner at home.

Unexpectedly, on their way, they spotted a strange woman standing next to a telephone pole, with her back to them.

Even though it wasn't winter, he was dressed so warmly, which made him seem like an abnormal person. He was either a monster or a pervert, but Mashiro deliberately went up to him, wanting to interview such a dangerous being.

Legend has it that the Slit-mouthed Woman is a woman who wears a long coat, a scarf, carries large scissors, has long hair, and wears a mask. She often wanders the streets after school, asking children on their way home, "Am I pretty?"

If the answer is "beautiful," she will remove her mask, revealing her gaping, bloodied mouth that stretches to her ears, and ask again, "And... how about this?"

If the child answers "not pretty" at this point, she will kill the child with a sickle or scissors.

If the answer is "beautiful," the child's mouth will be cut open so that he can be as beautiful as himself.

Shirou was momentarily distracted when Mashiro stepped forward and asked directly, "Excuse me, are you the Slit-mouthed Woman?"

"..." The woman opposite him paused for a moment, then slowly unfastened her mask and turned around. When she was halfway around, Shirou could clearly see the irregular crack on her profile—she really was the Slit-mouthed Woman!

"You think I'm pretty..." The Slit-mouthed Woman was looking at Mashiro, her hand already reaching for the scissors inside her coat.

Meanwhile, Mashiro, completely unaware of what was happening, pulled out her notebook, intending to conduct an interview.

"Beautiful!!!" Shirou rushed forward with the plastic bag in hand, shouting to the yokai woman first. He then picked up the girl and ran away, pursued by her wielding large 40-centimeter-long scissors.

The daifuku I bought as a snack fell to the ground, but I didn't bother to pick them up. I ran for several kilometers before I finally managed to shake off the other person.

Chapter 834 The Slit-mouthed Woman and Himeko

Another time, they encountered the yokai 'Himeko', who had become famous in recent years. At the time, Shirou and Mashiro were on their way home after shopping at a large shopping mall. Shirou was carrying large bags in his hands, such as convenient new cooking utensils and clothes he bought for Mashiro, while Mashiro was holding a large teddy bear that she had exchanged for points at the arcade.

Unexpectedly, on the way back, because Mashiro muttered a few words, they bumped into each other.

Legend has it that she is a female monster born from the recent serious bullying phenomenon in Japan. She was brutally bullied at school, became a shut-in, and died alone at home. In the end, she transformed into a monster seeking revenge on society.

She would drag children like toys, pulling them by one foot and letting them scramble on the ground, exposed to the sun, until they turned into dried-up doll-like corpses, until they were ground into pieces of flesh and scattered.

Then she went to find her next target. There were rumors online that she had seen a white-clad female ghost dragging several people together with ropes.

Upon hearing the rumors, Mashiro went to the place mentioned by the witnesses. To make matters worse, whenever the girl searched very diligently, she would actually find these monsters.

Upon seeing the back of this suspicious woman in a tattered white dress, who seemed Mashiro odd, Shiro ran up to her without a second thought and struck up a conversation. It was clear the child had come specifically to talk to her.

"I hate it so much..."

"The bully...?"

Where are the bullies?

Wearing tattered white clothes, Himeko's face was deathly pale, bearing several red marks from when she was bullied and slashed with scissors. Her hair was disheveled, making her appear gloomy and terrifying.

A clattering sound came from not far away, and there was a disheveled woman dragging bottles and jars along the road. She walked along, looking left and right as if searching for her next target.

At that moment, Mashiro, holding the teddy bear, simply walked up there.

Shirou immediately rushed forward, quickly pulled the teddy bear he had won at the arcade from Mashiro's arms, tied it to Himeko's rope, and then dragged Mashiro away.

Looking back, every time was terrifying. Even though I've only been here for less than a month, it feels like several years have passed, filled with all sorts of heavy memories.

Shirou covered his face and said, "If possible, I still hope Mashiro can be more careful. I don't know what might have happened if I hadn't been there."

Sengoku Chihiro, who was being entertained by Shirou, chimed in, scolding her cousin, "Did you hear that, Mashiro? Stop being so reckless, crashing into one dangerous situation after another. That's why Shirou always has to do everything he can to rescue you."

But Mashiro turned around at this moment, looked at Shirou, smiled, and said, "It's okay, because Shirou will come to save me."

Seeing the girl like this, Shirou could only say helplessly, "I will take good care of her, and if we encounter any danger, I will take her and run away."

After arriving in this world, Shirou also conducted some investigation. Although he was not an expert on the undead, his experience with the aggregation of countless parallel worlds gave him a certain understanding of these beings, which he could use for reference and analysis.

The rules in this world are somewhat different from the system he is familiar with. Monsters like werewolves, vampires, and zombies from the West do not exist. Most monsters are strange creatures that fall somewhere between vengeful spirits and demons.

These strange creatures seem to feed on human fear and draw their power from resentment and obsession with the human world. They live in the gap between the underworld and the mortal world, and do not belong to the 'creatures' in the human biological classification, but they do exist in a certain space.

However, more often than not, it doesn't belong to the same world as the human realm. Although it's not in the same world, it doesn't mean it doesn't exist; sometimes, anomalies will emerge.

Under normal circumstances, these monsters cannot harm people. However, if a person is in a state of weakness or cowardice, they are more likely to be taken advantage of by these monsters.

From a scientific perspective, these strange phenomena are a kind of energy entity that can impact people's minds through various means, creating illusions that people believe to be real.

In fact, humans have conducted similar hypnosis experiments. For example, a person is repeatedly hypnotized and told that a thin stick is a red-hot branding iron. Then, the thin stick is used to touch the person's forehead, and after a few seconds, a blister similar to a burn actually appears on that person's forehead.

Another experiment involved simulating the sound of bloodletting with dripping water on a death row inmate. The prisoner, with his hands and feet bound and his eyes covered, was made to believe that his wrists had been cut and he was being bled out, while a dripping water device was placed next to him.

The death row inmate mistakenly believed he was bleeding continuously, only feeling his body growing weaker and weaker. Then, several hours later, when he felt all the blood in his body had drained away, the death row inmate truly died.

Beyond the physical body, the human spirit also has an unimaginable influence on itself, even greater than the physical body.

For example, the brain in a vat, Zhuangzi's butterfly dream, or some kind of delusion experienced by someone with a near-death experience. Whether they are true or false, humanity cannot yet prove. Because they are intangible and colorless, and there are no concrete references, they still belong to the category that human science has just begun to explore.

Humans are actually incapable of facing 'reality'; their inner consciousness turns fantasy into reality.

These ghosts and monsters use some means to pull people's minds into spaces like the Matrix or Inception, deceiving people's physical senses and creating incredibly realistic fantasies. When people mentally believe they have suffered terrible harm, it causes their physical bodies to suffer the same harm.

In more traditional terms, it's because of insufficient Yang energy that one becomes susceptible to being haunted by ghosts. When Yang energy is abundant, even if demons and monsters want to do bad things, they can't get close to you. There's a saying that goes, "If you haven't done anything wrong, you have nothing to fear." That's the same principle. Therefore, the fear of evil spirits might not be as effective for someone as slow-witted as Mashiro.

However, if this child were to approach and strike up a conversation with a human dressed in such a bizarre manner, just imagining it would terrify Shirou.

Chapter 835 Mashiro and the House of Dolls

However, due to the spread of urban legends, supernatural beings like the Slit-mouthed Woman and Himeko have become, to some extent, entities that blur the lines between reality and fiction, possessing powerful yin energy. If attacked, even if one is mentally fearless, physical harm may still be inflicted. Therefore, it's best to stay away if you encounter them.

To some extent, it is human fear that has fueled these bizarre and evil deeds. Japan, in particular, has a strong belief in such ghost stories and supernatural beings, and as these are passed down orally, even more terrifying monsters may emerge.

As a comic artist, the only thing the girl lacks is control over the emotional logic of her characters.

In fact, Mashiro has never had any problems with her drawing skills. She was a true genius who had already gained international attention when she was still in elementary school.

The subject matter alone cannot hinder her. Unique techniques in comics, such as perspective, the dynamism of action comics, and paneling, which require experience, can all be improved through extensive practice. Sooner or later, she will achieve the same level of refinement as she has in oil painting.

Its use of color, layering, shadows, angles, and expressiveness, which are similar to those in oil painting, has now amazed the comic book industry.

Having won numerous international youth awards since childhood, Shiina Mashiro is already quite adept at it. This girl possesses absolute talent that surpasses 99.9% of the people on Earth, and is already a recognized world-class prodigy among her peers.

Compared to painters who follow the established path, holding exhibitions in small towns and waiting for their chance to become famous, they have already put in many years more effort.

Even historically, it would rank among the top 100.

In fact, Shiina Mashiro is already a professional painter. Her oil painting skills have won international awards, and she is qualified to hold her own exhibition in an art museum. She has a very promising future.

However, she still resolutely returned to Japan, wanting to pursue a career as a manga artist. Although she originally lacked in this area, she possessed a unique ability that gave her a shortcut: she seemed to see something strange and then drew it.

As a supernatural story, it was posted online and received a lot of positive feedback.

For Mashiro, it was truly a supernatural phenomenon that led her to this point. Whether it was coming to Japan or meeting Shirou, everything was thanks to this power. Therefore, she decided to make better use of this new ability to explore all kinds of supernatural phenomena, to know their causes and truths, and then to draw them into her manga.

'I can't let this talent go to waste! I have to seize every opportunity to become a manga artist!' That's what the girl thought, and she was truly fearless.

At this moment, Mashiro, who was sitting at the table, enjoyed eating the delicious cake, then drank a cup of Darjeeling tea, which is popular with the British, with milk but no sugar, and then stood up.

"Shirou! Let's go to a paranormal scene!" Mashiro pulled out a paranormal magazine guide, held it in front of her face, revealing only her pair of big, bright eyes as she gazed at Shirou.

"No... even if you put it that way," Shirou refused. Even with his current job, managing a household is no easy task. He spends every day with the girl, wandering around outside. To be honest, he should take a break. If possible, he should at least have one day off a week.

'Stare...' Mashiro continued to stare straight at Shirou with that kind of animalistic gaze.

"No, no! Even if you look at me like that..." Shirou turned his head away, not daring to meet the girl's gaze, feeling a sense of guilt for having bypassed the little animal abandoned in the cardboard box.

"Shirou... if you take me there, I'll agree to anything you ask for tonight..." Mashiro suddenly said in a goofy voice.

"Cough cough... Who taught you to say such things?!" Shirou almost choked, and only recovered after drinking a large glass of water. He exclaimed in surprise.