Chapter 69: Opening The Door To A New World
Translator: Larbre Studio Editor: Larbre Studio
Chiba Shiori followed Kazuki as he went out the door.
He glanced at Chiba Shiori and knew that she had many questions, but he chose to ignore her. The more one knew about the world, the more dangerous it would become, especially for someone as curious as Chiba Shiori. Even after the Akichi High School incident, she remained relentless and sought to uncover the mysterious case. She had no fear and was simply too ambitious.
Kazuki had no doubt that she would get herself killed while investigating these mysteries.
As they exited, she asked, “Is the specter still here?”
“He’s here, he’s here...” But before Kazuki could finish answering, Akie Hanzawa nodded his head furiously. The change in his younger brother had excited him. Unfortunately, Chiba Shiori was unable to hear him. He was forcefully returned into the Sun and Moon Sword by Kazuki before he was able to finish his sentence.
“No, he ascended to heaven.”
“Ascended to heaven? Is there really heaven in this world?” Chiba Shiori’s eyes gleamed after hearing the answer. She felt that she would learn more about the world if she followed him. This sensation of acquiring new knowledge was quite intoxicating.
Kazuki remained silent...
Despite that, Chiba Shiori did not give up and asked again, “What about the yokai in Akichi High School? Have you dealt with it?”
“No, it’s not something I can resolve on such short notice.” Nothing in Akichi High School could get pass Chiba Shiori. Thus Kazuki did not hide the incident from her. He relayed to her what Aoki Hidehiro had told him, “Call me if you have any news about Nishiyama Chiyoko.”
“Chiyoko?” Chiba Shiori’s eyes glimmered when she heard that name.
Her unusual reaction made Kazuki stop as he stared at Chiba Shiori. He asked, “Do you know her?”
“I’m in a chat group for light novel writers, and one of them uses Chiyoko as the pen name...”
Kazuki felt disappointed and helpless when he heard her reply. Chiyoko was a common name and could be easily found everywhere in Japan, much less a pen name.
As if feeling Kazuki’s disappointment, Chiba Shiori continued, “This person claimed that she was a high school teacher in the group chat... But they quit because the pay was too low.”
“Which school?” Kazuki became serious after hearing that. The person used Chiyoko as a pen name was a teacher, and had resigned... Even if it were a coincidence, he would need to handle it meticulously and not miss any thread of possibility.
“I don’t know. She never mentioned it.” Chiba Shiori shook her head. The group chat was merely for casual conversation. Everyone in it was a netizen and would not divulge too much of their personal information online. “But the ‘Light Novel Space’ group will be holding a meeting next weekend in Akihabara. I’m not really interested in attending it... but I will sign up if you’re still suspicious of this Chiyoko.”
“Just invite me into the group...” Kazuki groaned. “I will sign up myself later.”
“You can’t.” Chiba Shiori smirked, “You need to be in the group for at least half a year to sign up.”
Kazuki stared at her. She must have a way for him to follow along since she said it in such a manner.
“You can act as my chaperone when we go to Akihabara. There is no need to sign up.” Chiba Shiori blinked and declared, “It is very dangerous for me to go out alone since I am so beautiful. The people from the group will understand.”
Kazuki gazed at Chiba Shiori’s flawlessly exquisite face and nodded, “Alright.”
“Well then, shouldn’t you tell me something about the paranormal as an exchange?” she replied as her eyes filled with anticipation.
Kazuki remained silent...
Chiba Shiori felt disappointed, but she did not inquire further. She believed that she could make Kazuki speak about it when they become closer.
Kazuki then spoke, “Actually, I suggest you not to dig too much into this. The more you know... the more curious you will be and the more danger you will be in... As a normal person, you are weak and can easily die if you meet something paranormal. I believe you haven’t forgotten about the incident in Akichi High School.”
Even after giving her three Ghost Expelling Talismans in Akichi High School, Chiba Shiori still fainted on the way back. Meanwhile, Nakagawa Aokiji only had a fever but recovered a day later after taking some medicine.
“I have already signed up for an annual membership in the ‘Sakura Fitness Club.’ I will try to improve my health as soon as possible.” Chiba Shiori knew that her stamina was lacking. Thus, she had joined the fitness club before meeting Kazuki again.
After training for about a week, she could feel her stamina improving. Previously, she would be gasping for air and almost fainted after running a lap in the physical education class.
Thus, Kazuki decided to tell her. Since she wanted to know about it, he would inform her how dangerous the world was.
“There are only a few Soul Cultivators in the world...”
Kazuki explained about reiki, Soul Cultivators, yokai, and spirits on their way to the subway station. Finally, he shared, “I attended Akihide High School to help Akie Hanzawa complete his obsessiveness and help him ascend to heaven.”
“So, there really is a heaven?” Chiba Shiori inquired again.
“Because I’m not dead yet.” Kazuki decided to be frank for once and admitted, “So I’m not sure if it exists either.”
“Is Akie Hanzawa’s obsessiveness related to Mikito Hanzawa?”
“Indeed... Akie Hanzawa’s obsessiveness is for Mikito Hanzawa to be independent and self-reliant.” Kazuki uttered, “A specter is usually formed when it has an obsessiveness in its heart. Obsessiveness is extremely bizarre, but it also allows the specter to remain in the human realm. The specter could only ascend to heaven after fulfilling its obsessiveness. However, they might transform into a wraith and endanger the human realm if they linger for too long.”
From Kazuki’s understanding, a wraith was a demon that was specialized in spiritual attacks. But for the Japanese, a wraith was just a demon... so he told Chiba Shiori in a way that she could comprehend. He did not disclose to her that helping a specter ascend to heaven will elevate one’s abilities, he couldn’t be asked with questions.
On their way there, Chiba Shiori kept on questioning Kazuki, and he revealed to her everything he knew. When they reached the station, she felt like she had opened the door to a new world.
As Kazuki walked into the station, Chiba Shiori gazed at his back, her eyes gleaming with joy.historical