Duanmu Huai moved so quickly that no one had time to react or even understand what had happened. By the time they came to their senses, he was already standing in front of them, sheathing his sword. Police Inspector Oyama and Ueda, the gal, were clutching their throats and coughing nonstop.
"W-what exactly happened? What just happened?"
"Are we dreaming?"
"All right, all right. What are you panicking for?"
Facing the terrified group, Duanmu Huai looked perfectly calm.
"It was just a female ghost. No, I'm not even sure it was a female ghost... Hmm..."
"Xiao Ai, what do you mean by that?"
Hearing Duanmu Huai mutter, Ya Naijian asked curiously. Duanmu Huai merely shrugged.
"You've all been to haunted houses, right? You've probably seen those props that aren't operated by staff in costumes, but are moved by mechanisms to scare people."
"Ah... Yes, I have."
Most of the ghosts in haunted houses were played by staff, but some things, like ghost hands, were triggered automatically when visitors opened doors. Everyone was familiar with those kinds of props.
But...
"You're saying that female ghost was a prop?"
Police Inspector Oyama finally caught on. He looked at Duanmu Huai, then at the dust on the floor, his face filled with confusion.
"That was just an analogy. I mean, that thing didn't feel much like a real evil spirit."
"The way you put that... Have you actually seen a real one?"
"...What do you think?"
"..."
Faced with Duanmu Huai's counterquestion, everyone fell silent.
They really didn't want to know the answer.
"Grrr..."
Just then, a strange sound rang out. Everyone turned toward it and saw Ya Naijian pressing a hand to her stomach, sticking out her tongue in embarrassment.
"S-sorry. Once I relaxed, I suddenly felt hungry..."
"..."
As expected of