Although Tokyo was still a little chilly in late April, the hem of the goddess of spring's dress had already brushed over the city.
Yet Yuuji Kanbara could not help sighing. These really were troubled times.
Over the course of this month, his worldview had collapsed, been rebuilt, and collapsed again so many times that he had begun to feel numb.
But receiving emergency orders last night to return to the Metropolitan Police Department, then being assigned to guard this haunted murder house in Ota Ward today, left Yuuji Kanbara rather frightened.
He could not help thinking of the Evil Spirit he had encountered at Shimonakano Apartment at the beginning of the month.
After reading the basic files, Yuuji Kanbara understood what sort of enemies their Fourth Investigation Division would be facing, and just how terrifying Evil Spirits were.
Had Master Chiriku not descended from the sky, Yuuji Kanbara might have lost his life there.
Master Chiriku was an accomplished monk with a compassionate heart.
Even after learning that Master Chiriku had sent over a hundred members of the True Faith Society to the Western Paradise in one go, he remained firmly convinced of that.
"Inspector Okita, that Evil Spirit really won't come out and attack us?"
Still feeling uneasy, Yuuji Kanbara spoke to a gloomy-looking officer beside him.
They were in a residence to the right of the Sato Resale House, with a clear view of its balcony from the study window.
Inspector Okita was about forty, with a face as white as paper, haggard features, and two very dark circles under his eyes.
He moved his facial muscles, trying hard to squeeze out a smile, but all he managed was a stiff expression that did not reach his eyes.
"Don't worry. I've been taking shifts here for three