Chapter 201

"Um, I know a spot where it's easier to climb in."

Standing in front of the closed gate, Nagasaki-san raised his hand.

She meant well, but she noticed that the other people's expressions were a bit strange.

"Why climb from somewhere else?"

With a light touch of her finger to her lips, Natsukawa Masuzu tilted her head slightly, feigning ignorance.

"That would be so tasteless, Death. You don't actually think of us as just ordinary people like yourself, do you? Hehehe..."

Dekomori Sanae covered her head with one hand and burst into wild laughter.

"It's just a small hurdle; it won't stop us."

Nibuya Morika smiled as well.

"Um?"

Nagasaki-san looked completely bewildered.

"Who will take her inside?"

"Hasegawa Izumi spoke up."

"I'll do it."

Takanashi Rikka volunteered, and in a flash, she appeared behind her and gave her a princess carry.

"Is Takanashi-san that strong? Wait, what's going to happen...?"

Before Nagasaki-san could even express her feelings, a gust of wind tousled her bangs, accompanied by a sensation of weightlessness.

It was as if the surrounding scenery had been refreshed in an instant.

"Alright, we're coming in."

Takanashi Rikka put her down.

"What happened!?"

Nagasaki-san's mind went blank for a moment; she hadn't quite grasped the situation yet.

"It's nothing, I just jumped over."

Takanashi Rikka answered.

"Jump over? That's over three meters high!"

She looked up at the school gate, and only then did her heart start pounding wildly.

How long are you going to stay here?

An impatient voice came from the side.

"It's okay, Dekumori can lead the way! I may not have been to the Light Music Club before, but I know where the club room is."

Dekomori Sanae walked ahead, turned around, and spoke.

"Oh... oh, I understand!"

Nagasaki-san suppressed her shock, composed herself, and led the way.

So, Hasegawa-kun were serious all along! We're all the idiots!

Ability User really do exist in this world!

The group went to the other side of the teaching building and came to a spot further inside.

My heart is filled with weariness, my eyes are constantly wandering.

I am all alone in this world.

In this ever-fading spring

Every year I only feel cold

A melodious singing voice drifted from inside the door.

"I forgot, I don't have the key right now..."

Nagasaki-san was holding a flashlight, was taken aback.

"Let me break this barrier!"

Takanashi Rikka stood in front of the gate, raising her right hand and gathering spiritual energy in her palm, as if she was about to unleash a technique.

"No, no, no! We can't damage public facilities! And the noise is too loud; it'll attract unwanted attention."

Nibuya Morika quickly grabbed Rikka's arm to stop her.

"There are so many rules in the Human World."

Rikka sighed.

Left with no other option, everyone else who lacked lock-picking skills turned to him.

"Let me do it."

Hasegawa Izumi extended two fingers and brought them toward the keyhole. The spiritual energy that had been gathered instantly materialized and turned into a key exactly like the original.

Such meticulous operation is something that young girls do not yet possess.

With a 'click', the door opened.

"Phew~"

Just then, the billowing curtains brought in a gust of cold wind.

"Nothing...?"

Nagasaki-san saw only an empty club room, and her expression instantly turned dejected.

The singing stopped abruptly at that moment.

No, you just can't see it.

"Natsukawa Masuzu said jokingly."

"What?"

When Nagasaki-san was at a loss, Hasegawa Izumi stood in front of her.

"To see the existence of spirits, besides the spirits appearing on their own, you either need to be born with the Onmyo Eyes to see spirits or have Spirit Vision. Other than that, there are only some unprofessional folk methods. However, if you have the help of Ability User, it is also possible."

As he spoke, he placed his finger on the girl's brow, and Spirit Crest spread along that spot, connecting to her optic nerve.

The others didn't intervene because their abilities were limited and they couldn't help people activate 'Spirit Vision' for long.

Nagasaki-san opened her eyes, her gaze suddenly brightening as the scene before her changed instantly.

Right there outside the window, a girl with long, flowing hair was standing there, lost in thought.

"Wakaba!"

She called out her friend's name, but received no response.

Why did this happen...?

The girl cupped her face in her hands, tears streaming down her cheeks, remembering the day she suddenly heard the news of the funeral.

"She lacked the 'spirituality' she retained, and her obsession was too strong, which sometimes made her seem a bit rigid."

With a flick of her finger, Hasegawa Izumi sent a dazzling beam of light toward Wakaba's spirit.

Like the finishing touch on a painting, Wakaba's eyes became focused and lifelike.

"I... I'm dead, aren't I?"

Her hazy consciousness awoke, and looking at her glowing hands, she was still disoriented.

"Wakaba!"

"Kyoko, is that you...?"

Nagasaki-san's shouts were answered, and she rushed over excitedly.

The two, who were supposed to never see or touch each other again, embraced tightly.

"Why, why didn't Wakaba tell me before? Do you know how I reacted when I suddenly heard the news of your death?"

"I'm sorry, I didn't want you to worry or take up your energy... but now it seems I was wrong."

After a tearful outburst, Wakaba understood the current situation.

"Thank you, Hasegawa-kun, for letting me see Kyoko one last time."

Wakaba bowed to him, deeply moved.

"Um."

He accepted it calmly, and warned, "You have now become Earthbound Spirit. Unless your wish is fulfilled, you will be imprisoned forever and never be freed."

"So, does Wakaba have any wishes? I'll do anything I can!"

Nagasaki-san looked excited.

"I'm already content just to have seen Kyoko once... That way, I'll have no regrets and can ascend to heaven in peace."

Wakaba wiped away non-existent tears, her body gradually becoming ethereal, but then stopped at a certain point.

"Why?"

She didn't understand.

"Clearly, seeing Nagasaki-san again isn't your deepest obsession."

Hasegawa Izumi's eyes were piercing.

Wakaba paused for a moment.

"Wakaba, tell me quickly! I will definitely help you 'become a Buddha'!"

Nagasaki-san immediately pressed for more information.

"Actually... I've always had a wish in my heart, which is to one day perform a wonderful show with Kyoko in front of a huge audience. Unfortunately, due to my health, I've never been able to do it."

Wakaba did not remain silent as she had in life; instead, she chose to express her true feelings directly.

The 89 Culture Festival has begun, and the popularity is unbeatable!

"This wish isn't so simple."

Nibuya Morika turned her head to look.

"You're just a ghost now, and Earthbound Spirit at that. It's already exhausting just to take you away, let alone make you perform. I advise you to change your wish now; it's not too late."

Natsukawa Masuzu raised her hands and uttered a Poison Tongue remark.

"Is that not allowed?"

Nagasaki-san looked disappointed.

"We are powerless to help, but if it is the Lord Sage, then there is no problem with death."

Dekomori Sanae, he was actually kind-heartedly pointing her in the right direction.

"Hasegawa-kun, I..."

Nagasaki-san understood immediately, her teary eyes staring straight at him, looking as if she wanted to kneel down and beg.

"Stop, this is within the scope of the commission; there's no need for such a grand gesture."

Hasegawa Izumi raised her right hand, using her spiritual power to prevent the other party from kneeling.

"I can have Wakaba temporarily leave this area by 'possessing' me, as for the appropriate occasion..."

He paused for a moment.

"Culture Festival!"