The Puppeteer's Hint / The Deathly Pale Girl

"Could it be just an urban legend? Seriously, can't they have any gentler ghosts? People can die in places like this, the show can't possibly air." The Fat Director next to him chewed on his hamburger and agreed.

"But now that we've seen it, we can't just let it go. Mashiro, have you found anything?" Shirou served the group some tea and then looked at the girl.

"Ah, it's here." Mashiro said at this moment, she was eating a donut and logging in on her laptop. As soon as she refreshed, a new section appeared: the series of suicides at the Witch Strip Building!

Quite a few people have already posted in the forum.

Mashiro typed and posted a question:

mashiro&shiro:

Are all the dead people suicides? Does anyone know anyone from there?

[It's said to be the work of a ghost. Someone was forced into this building, then pushed off the building and died, becoming a bound spirit. She killed someone to act as her substitute and went to the underworld. Now every ghost needs to bring a new substitute, otherwise it can't be reincarnated in the underworld. That's why the suicides happened.]

[I don't think it's true; it's just a suicide hotspot, not much different from Mount Fuji or the Fuji Sea of Trees.]

At this moment, a new reply appeared, catching Mashiro's attention.

"Everyone, come and see! It seems someone who knows the inside story has appeared," Mashiro called out to everyone.

ID: Puppeteer

That wasn't suicide.

"Quickly ask him if he knows anything!" the Fat Director said urgently.

mashiro&shiro:

How did you know?

The puppeteer replied:

[If one has no attachment to this world, there's no need to let the world know of their death. Leaving no suicide note is tantamount to not expressing any opinion; such people usually choose to disappear quietly in a secluded place if they want to commit suicide. However, this case is the opposite; they all took their own lives in public.]

"What did he mean?" the Explosion Head Uncle asked, looking completely bewildered.

"Don't you understand?" The Fat Director looked at the Explosion Head Uncle with disdain.

"What? I've been learning from monks in a temple since I was a child. It's not like I'm not well-educated. You know that, so tell me why." The Explosion Head Uncle said unhappily.

"Hahaha! Shirou-kun! Explain it for him." The Fat Director laughed for a while, then looked at Shirou and said.

"..." Shirou fell into deep thought upon hearing this question.

Many people have different choices when it comes to suicide, and even when it comes to ending one's own life, there are various methods. Some are impulsive, some are driven by guilt and remorse, some are suicides out of fear of punishment, some are euthanasia, and there are even more unusual cases, such as killing one's past self...

Seeing that Shirou hadn't answered yet, the others asked in confusion, "Shirou-kun?"

"Ah! Sorry, I was a little distracted," Shirou said, coming back to his senses and explaining to them.

"This should be the other party's reasoning, because when someone truly wants to commit suicide, it's because they're disappointed with the world and don't want to continue existing. The Japanese are a people who really don't want to cause trouble for others; they think about whether they'll cause trouble for others first, rather than themselves."

"Well, if you're the kind of guy who doesn't follow the rules, it's going to be tough getting by in society," the Explosion Head Uncle remarked.

Shirou continued, "Yes, this has become a characteristic of our culture, so suicide victims are no exception. If someone has simply lost hope in themselves and chooses to give up their life, they will generally find a method that won't cause trouble for others. Therefore, people who want to commit suicide would rather simply disappear, and thus wouldn't choose a conspicuous method like jumping off a building."

Most suicides are impulsive acts, caused by heartbreak, bankruptcy, or bullying. In such cases, people choose a way to make themselves known to others, actually using suicide to convey a certain message.

The debtor should tell the creditor that he/she is dead and that the debt should not be repaid.

A person who has just broken up with their partner might want to remember them forever.

Being bullied might be a way of telling the world about the injustice they've suffered.

The location of the suicide also matters; suicide at home is likely due to conflict with family members. Jumping off a building or self-immolation usually have corresponding reasons.

People who choose to commit suicide in places where they will be seen by many people often do so to display their death in front of others, to declare or prove something. Using jumping off a building to attract attention indicates that the person has something to say to the world.

"If that's the case, then it seems that's really true." The Explosion Head Uncle nodded as if he understood.

Chapter 914 The Puppeteer's Hint

"If you were to commit suicide, how would you choose to do it?" the Fat Director asked the Explosion Head Uncle.

"Me? Me... Pshaw! I'd never commit suicide! Better to live a wretched life than die! Even if I retire, I can still go back to my hometown and farm." The Explosion Head Uncle realized what he meant and cursed at the Fat Director.

Mashiro continued to speak, pressing for answers.

mashiro&shiro:

Since no information was left behind, this suicide is not plausible.

Puppeteer:

"Hmm, you're very smart. Jumping off a building isn't really suicide. It's a kind of declaration to the world made at the cost of one's life. So people who jump off buildings will definitely leave something behind for the world, and will definitely leave a message in various forms, because the purpose of jumping off a building is to make that message more meaningful."

Therefore, choosing to commit suicide by jumping off a building without leaving any suicide note is inherently contradictory.

mashiro&shiro:

[So... there really is more to this story! And why would someone jump from an abandoned building?]

Puppeteer:

[Hmm, it seems I can leave it to you. After all, this isn't a place for overlooking the scenery; humanity and demonic paths are mixed together, like oil mixed into a pool of ink—it's impossible to clean it completely. In that case, it's inconvenient for me to step in. I'll leave the rest to you.]

Everyone in the lounge looked puzzled, Mashiro pressed for more information.

mashiro&shiro:

Please provide a more detailed explanation of the situation.

Puppeteer:

[Go and see for yourself. Of course, whether you go or not is your choice, but only you can resolve this matter. Since you've seen this sentence, you have no other choice. So this is your problem, and only you can take action.]

Shirou leaned forward and simply put his arm around Mashiro, then typed a question to her.

mashiro&shiro:

What do you know? How can we contact you? This is a matter of life and death; please at least tell us what's going on!

Puppeteer:

[Yes... perhaps you could investigate Witch Strip Mistake. Goodbye then, I'll contact you again if needed.]

"What's wrong with this woman? She only says half of what she means," the Explosion Head Uncle said angrily.

"How did you know the other person was a woman?" the Fat Director asked suspiciously. In this day and age, it wouldn't be strange even if the person sitting opposite you was a dog.

The Explosion Head Uncle said irritably, "Needless to say, such a mysterious guy is either a detective or a shady woman."

"What do you want to do, Shirou?" The Fat Director and the Explosion Head Uncle turned to look at Shirou.

I don't know when it started, but Shirou, who was invited to join the team, became the backbone of the event. Mashiro artistically processed the story, so each work, while being hardcore and thrilling, also gave people a unique feeling.

The Fat Director and the Explosion Head Uncle were just there filming and lightening the mood for the show, so they didn't seem that important. Of course, to make a good show, the four core members are all indispensable.

"No, let's go take a look anyway." Shirou pondered the meaning behind the puppeteer's words, but there was simply too little information. Just as the other party said, only by taking action could they get results.

"Is it a ghost haunting the place, or some kind of curse?" The Explosion Head Uncle was a little scared; he was becoming increasingly unsure of his psychic abilities.

"Well, you'll find out when we get there," Shirou said encouragingly, looking at the older man with a light laugh.

"Hey?! Shirou-kun, you shouldn't be so reckless. You have Mashiro with you, you know." The Explosion Head Uncle said worriedly. Shirou could be brave and reckless, but what would happen to him then?

"Shirou, I'll be with you, so do your best~!" Mashiro was standing to the side, looked up at Shirou, clenched her little fist, and said encouragingly.

"Hey! Mashiro- chan, why don't you try to talk him out of it?" the Explosion Head Uncle said, sounding as concerned as a mother hen.

"Let's go to the hospital and get it checked out. Didn't that puppeteer say so?" Shirou said.

Japan is neither too big nor too small, with a land area of over 370,000 square kilometers, ranking 60th out of more than 200 countries in the world. This is larger than Germany's 350,000 square kilometers and more than 3.7 times that of Korea. With a population of over 120 million, it ranks 11th in the world.

However, due to declining birth rates and an aging population, the country's size and population size mean it can no longer support another world-class metropolis. Although the Osaka and Nagoya metropolitan areas are making efforts, they are still one or two levels Tokyo. Other areas have become rural areas where only the elderly remain.

All the young people flocked to Tokyo, so high-rise buildings were built densely, and rental rooms were divided into 13-square-meter units for tenants to stay in.

Near the building where the suicide occurred, there is a cluster of old buildings constructed decades ago, with a terrible layout. Some are right next to each other and never get any sunlight. Who knows what kind of things have happened in these dark streets?

Walking down the street, you can see an old inpatient building. The hospital operating here seems to have gradually declined because it has not kept up with the times. All the equipment and decoration style are still stuck in the late 20th century. There are black stains on the walls caused by air conditioner water or oil, which have not been cleaned for several years.

As night falls, it even seems somewhat deserted, as if only the souls of the dead wander here.

Behind the hospital building is a simple staircase made of welded iron sheets, which makes a clattering sound when you step on it.

Inside this old building, there's a hospital room where a young girl lives year-round. In fact, she has nowhere else to live. She's been homeless since her parents died.

Having been sickly since childhood, she could only stay in the hospital; although she wouldn't die, she couldn't really be considered alive.

She's been living here for quite some time now. At her age, she should be in high school, studying hard, or enjoying her youth. But instead, she's been lying in a hospital bed, only able to look out the window at the scenery outside.

Perhaps when his health improves, he will be able to push his wheelchair to the rooftop.

She envied others, but more than humans, she envied the birds flying through the sky she saw through the window. Because even in the hospital, she saw people in pain, people crying for their loved ones, even though they had bodies healthier than hers, bodies that could walk and move freely.

Birds are definitely better; they have such freedom.

It can fly high into the sky and overlook the scenery.

Chapter 915 The Pale-White Girl

Outside the hospital, the sound of footsteps was slow and deliberate, each step deliberate.

In a hospital room that was no different from any other, nor should it be, her frail body trembled violently. She was in great pain, so weak that even trembling was exhausting.

Because of the medication, her eyes continued to become increasingly dull, and her vision became increasingly blurry, but ironically, her other senses became more sensitive than usual.

She remained curled up on the bed for longer and longer until she heard soft footsteps approaching.

She is currently the only patient in this ward, and there shouldn't be any visitors. After her parents died several years ago, she had no one else in the world to rely on. Being sickly since childhood, she never had the chance to make friends, so she has been all alone ever since.

Someone walked over, there was a knock on the door, and then it was gently pushed open.

Oh right, I heard recently that a group of strange people came to the hospital building. It seems like they were from some TV program investigating something, but they ended up doing things like drawing pictures for children, visiting the elderly, and giving flowers to patients who were alone in their hospital beds.

At first, I thought it was some politician or celebrity putting on a show, but recently they've been coming every day, especially a young man inside. Even the most stubborn old man in the hospital was eventually moved and praised him repeatedly.

But such people probably have nothing to do with her. She has no relatives; she's just a parasite in the hospital, an unwanted presence, and no one will thank her.

The woman slowly turned around and faced the half-open doorway.

"Good morning, I'm Emiya. I've come to visit the patients at the hospital. May I come in?"

The person peeking out from the door was a red-haired boy. His voice was gentle and clear, like the chirping of a harmless bird. He was probably around my age and looked very strong. He was probably a sports star among the high school students, perhaps practicing archery or high jump.

"Who are you?" Witch Strip Mistake asked in a voice that was somewhat hoarse from not having anyone to talk to and from thirst.

She had gotten used to it all. She hated her physical condition, her sickly and restricted body, and her current voice, but she had grown accustomed to it all.

But... now... for some reason, standing in front of this boy, she suddenly felt a clench in her chest, as if her breathing had become difficult, and her face felt as hot as if she had a fever.

She lowered her head, not daring to look at Shirou's face, because the contrast between her voice and the boy's voice made her feel somewhat ashamed.

"I brought flowers, are you allergic? Um... Wujo-kun." Shirou thought for a moment, then decided to address the girl as "classmate." Although neither of them were in school yet, this form of address was indeed more appropriate at their age.

"No..." Witch Strip Mistake lowered her head and answered softly.

Shirou entered first and placed a bouquet of flowers in a vase on the bedside table. Before coming here, he had already inquired about the girl's condition from the nurse. Now, seeing this gloomy and colorless space, he thought that he had brought the flowers correctly. If they could make the girl a little happier, that would be good.

They went to the building where the person jumped, but found nothing. However, Shirou sensed a lingering spiritual aura on the rooftop, meaning that something had indeed happened there before.

Then everyone remembered the puppeteer's mention of Witch Strip Mistake, and after making some inquiries, they came up with this plan to visit the patient. They had this conversation before Shirou and the others arrived at the hospital.

"I can't find any information about Witch Strip Mistake online, so she doesn't seem to be a famous person," Mashiro said.

"Wu Tiao? Wait, I feel like I've heard a similar name somewhere before?" the Explosion Head Uncle suddenly said, scrambling his hair in a hurry.

"Ahhh!!! I remember now! They've collaborated with our Psychic Association before— the Four Great Demon Extermination Families of Ancient Japan! Asagami! Ryougi! Nanaya! and Witch Priestess!"

"Wu Jing? What is Wu Tiao's relationship with this family?" Shirou asked.

"Hmm, I've heard of it. Wutiao is supposed to be Wujing branch family! They were once very famous exorcists, but now they've all fallen on hard times. If only those unique skills hadn't been lost." The Explosion Head Uncle said regretfully. If they had been passed down, he could have learned even a move or two, and he wouldn't be so worried now.

The Wujing family specializes in prayer and spirit possession, and is basically a lineage of Miko, but in ancient times it seems to have been a family of sorcerers who made a living by cursing.

The Wu Jing family possesses a superpower called sensory ability, which allows them to share their physical energy with others through the exchange of bodily fluids, thereby achieving the effect of replenishment or enhancement. For example, it can strengthen the body or Divine Power, and is very effective in fighting enemies or dealing with internal health problems.

Therefore, they are easily targeted by others. Although the Wujing clan has completely declined in modern times, they have no strength to protect themselves. The last bloodline of the Wujing clan seems to have been adopted into a family as medicine, and only after the change of the head of household did they live as maids.

"Suicide?" Witch Strip Mistake looked at Shirou with empty eyes and said calmly, "If that's the case, I've recently seen strange spirits flying through the air."

"You see?" Shirou asked, puzzled.

"Hmm, you're the host of a paranormal TV show, right? Would you believe it? I don't know why, but as my eyesight has gotten worse, things that I couldn't see clearly before have become clearer. That's right, Emiya- kun, although your aura is very gentle, there's something magnificent and awe-inspiring hidden within it," said Witch Strip Mistake.