Number 078 - Like a Shadow

"We will investigate this. But regarding Ms. Zheng's situation, regardless of whether it was a supernatural event or not, she should receive psychological counseling."

"I, I understand... I'll tell her parents..."

December 21, 2013: A search of the school grounds found a bird's nest and a broken amulet. Nothing unusual was discovered.

December 22, 2013: School surveillance footage was obtained. No anomalies were found.

January 13, 2014: The whereabouts of the individuals commissioned for the investigation over the past six months have been thoroughly traced. Contacting the client. Audio file 07820140113.wav.

"Long time no see, Ms. Zheng. How have you been feeling lately?"

"I'm alright now, thank you. The amulet helped me a lot. And the psychologist... the psychologist talked to me, and I might have been influenced by horror movies. Regardless, thank you for the amulet. Can... can I buy a few more? I was thinking, thinking of keeping them as backups... The doctor also said it would be much better if I had something to rely on psychologically."

"Of course. However, before that, let's discuss something else. We invited you here today because we have some questions for you."

"Ah, please ask."

"In October 2013, you and Ms. Duan attended the tourism festival in Minqing City, correct?"

"Yes. We watched the float parade and visited the exhibition halls during the day."

"Was there something wrong with that? We didn't do anything unusual that day."

"Whether there was something wrong will be determined by our conversation. As we said during our first meeting, you might have done something without realizing it, which is why you encountered those strange things."

"Isn't this just because I watched horror movies?"

"Please don't be nervous, Ms. Zheng. According to our investigation, your most significant unusual behavior in the past six months was attending the tourism festival."

"What could be unusual about a tourism festival? It's organized by the government, isn't it? The foreigners who came were also organized by their governments! Could they have..."

"Little girl, it's been a while, and you've forgotten what I said again?"

"I... I think the psychologist was right. It was me who dragged Xiao Rui to watch horror movies, that's why she..."

"Since you both attended the tourism festival, you should know that the exhibitions during the festival not only showcase scenery from various countries but also introduce and offer experiences of their folk customs. This includes the religious cultures of different nations. We currently suspect that you two did something during that period and were targeted by foreign malevolent spirits."

"We did the same things that day. There's no reason why Xiao Rui encountered those things and I didn't."

"We've asked you both here today to eliminate this suspicion. Please tell us in detail about what happened during that period."

"I... Shishi..."

"I'll tell you then."

"Please."

"We went to the exhibition halls on Saturday morning. I remember we visited the exhibition halls of Country A, Country B, and Country I that day. If you're talking about religion... we watched a 360-degree immersive film of Milan Cathedral from Country I. Afterwards, the staff gave everyone a souvenir, a refrigerator magnet and a postcard of the cathedral. Everyone took one, and they were all the same. Other than that, there wasn't much else. We spent most of the time queuing. We didn't talk to anyone, we were watching videos together on our phones. At night, we watched the float parade. We saw some religious elements on it, but there were too many people then."

"What about the second day?"

"What?"

"We checked your consumption records. You two visited the exhibitions on the first day of the weekend, and you went again on the second day, right?"

"..."

"What's wrong? Is there a problem?"

"The second day... the second day we..."

"I can't remember. Did you really check the consumption records?"

"Yes. The consumption records show that you two booked tickets for the night festival at Country J's pavilion on the second day."

"Ah!"

"I, I don't remember. You found consumption records? Are you sure they were ours? How did you check?"

Rustling sounds...

"These are the online reservation records. The registered name and phone number belong to you two, and the pre-sale tickets were collected."

"How is this possible... I... I don't remember anything..."

"..."

"Ms. Zheng, you're quite fond of Country J's culture, aren't you? Your backpack, keys, and bedroom decorations all feature many items related to Country J's celebrities. Your favorite celebrity was a special guest at that festival. Given your financial resources and time, it's highly likely you attended that festival."

"I... but I... I don't remember anything at all..."

"It seems that what happened to you is related to that festival."

"...Then, then what should we do?"

"First, we need to figure out what you two did that day."

"Little girl, your complexion doesn't look good. Did you remember something?"

"Ah..."

"It's better not to hide anything. Otherwise, if we are misled or delayed, it won't be good for your best friend."

"Shishi... Shishi, do you remember what happened that day?"

"I saw this... and remembered some things..."

"Say whatever you remember."

"That night, we went to the festival. It was just like this poster, a long path lined with many lanterns, very beautiful, ending at the shrine. I remember... I remember we took photos at the torii gate, bought candy apples, and scooped for goldfish... We also bought ema at the shrine, a pair, the kind that blesses everlasting friendship..."

"Is, is that what's wrong?"

"Is that all you remember?"

"Mmm... Right, kimonos! We wore kimonos! There were shops at the entrance to the festival renting and selling kimonos. We both... I forget if we rented or bought them, but anyway, we changed clothes and wore geta. Xiao Rui wasn't used to them and almost fell. I held her arm, and we laughed... We said something while laughing... After that... Finally, there was a performance, like those geisha dances in Country J... Xiao Rui's favorite star was performing, and so many fans were cheering..."

"Do you have any related mementos at your homes?"

"No. If you hadn't asked, I wouldn't have remembered this at all."

"I don't either... That festival ended so long ago, and the shrine and everything have been dismantled. Does that mean... am I beyond saving?"

"Because it was an event organized by both governments, the private companies participating in the festival were also registered. It won't be difficult to find those people from Country J. Please don't worry, Ms. Zheng. If necessary, we will go to Country J to handle this matter."

"However, based on the information we've gathered so far, the shrine and the stall owners' qualifications were all in order. Especially the shrine, it was a replica of a famous shrine in Country J, and they invited two priests and a shrine maiden from there. Therefore, we believe the problem might stem from something you two purchased or did, or it might not even be related to the festival at all. Perhaps something happened while you were on your way to or from the festival."

"Then, then what should we do?"

"For now, please go back and check if there's anything extra or missing at home."

"Okay. Xiao Rui..."

"Ms. Zheng, you don't need to be afraid. The protective charm has been working all along, right?"

"Yes..."

"Then it will continue to protect you. In the meantime, we will resolve the root of this problem, and you will be fine."

"That's right, Xiao Rui, you'll definitely be fine!"

"Mmm. I... I wish I hadn't gone to the festival..."

"Xiao Rui..."

"Ms. Zheng, even if you hadn't gone to the festival, you might not have been safe."