Seele immediately understood what Kujou Oto meant by "not around anymore."
"It's okay. It's all been a long time ago."
As she spoke, Kujou Oto entered a small room. Inside was a memorial tablet called a Buddhist altar—a wooden box with two doors that opened to either side. Within it was a black-and-white portrait of an elderly woman.
In front of the box were a small incense burner, a candleholder, a flower vase, and other such items.
"Grandma, long time no see. Oto came to visit you again!"
Kujou Oto lit the candle, then lit some incense from beside it and placed it properly before saying a brief prayer.
After speaking a few words to the elderly woman's portrait, Kujou Oto finally turned around and spoke to Seele.
"Back then, people couldn't understand me because I could see ghosts. Grandma was the only one willing to believe me and comfort me, so I often came here to stay with her."
"And Grandma's cooking was delicious. Every time I came, I never wanted to go back."
"It's just... a few years ago, Grandma left all by herself." As she spoke, Kujou Oto grew increasingly sad.
"..."
Seele said nothing. She merely walked over to Kujou Oto's side and gently stroked her back, comforting her.
Feeling Seele's touch, Kujou Oto seemed a little less sad. "Thank you, Seele. But... I shouldn't have told you that. Come with me!"
With that, Kujou Oto grabbed Seele's hand again and hurried toward a side room.
"Kazuko, are you home? Kazuko!"
Upon arriving at the side room, Kujou Oto began calling out into the empty space. Seele looked around as well and found that something did seem off.
There was a very unusual spiritual power here.
"Oto, you're finally back! And you even brought