“I understand the connection between you and Hiraki Hanako, so I wanted to talk to you.”
Lin Ze's smile made Hanako feel a bit uneasy, but recalling that she was a terrifying urban legend, she became somewhat angry and said, “Don’t put on that disgusting face. I’ve said it before, just watch her die slowly!”
“Hey~ don’t be like that. After all, being locked up here doesn’t feel good, right?”
Hanako's expression darkened further. Doesn’t feel good? Why don’t you try being locked up here! The air was filled with despair and resentment, and this atmosphere invaded her body, feeling like insects were crawling and biting her painfully. The endless darkness and loneliness made her feel like even a ghost story was unbearable!
She looked fearfully at Kayako beside her. What exactly is this existence? Under such power and mental influence, how does she still have her wits about her?
“Just by looking at your expression, I can tell you’re not feeling well. And don’t look at Kayako. Either you stay locked up here, or I find an exorcist outside who can easily deal with you. I’ll have Kayako let you out only to be caught again.”
“Heh, you can try! Let’s see if I kill you or if your people kill me!”
“Oh dear.” Lin Ze rubbed her head with his hand under her murderous gaze. “What’s with this killing? Don’t be so angry. Just pet her a bit, and you won’t be so mad. She said that after catching you, she would first subdue you. With your temper, you’d probably get beaten up eight times a day. Kayako has fought with her before; if you don’t believe me, just ask her.”
Lin Ze gave Kayako a look, and Kayako, who had been enviously staring at Lin Ze's hand, cooperatively said, “The other party is indeed not weak; they can easily deal with you.”
Hanako was completely stunned. Surviving after fighting with Kayako? She was already going crazy with her imagination. She was puzzled as to how Lin Ze could say such terrifying things with a gentle smile. Either stay locked up here or get beaten up eight times a day? Are you even human? I solve my killings in one go, and you’re torturing me slowly here?
Why was she so obsessed with her past life? Wasn’t it just to break free from the rules and gain freedom? Lin Ze noticed her silence and continued to press on, “I think fighting and killing are not good, so I still want you to cooperate with me. Wouldn’t that be good for both of us?”
“…What exactly do you want to do?”
This is promising! Lin Ze began to persuade her, “How about accepting Hiraki Hanako’s offerings, or signing a contract to become her companion spirit?”
Upon hearing this, Hanako sneered, “Are you kidding me? Accepting offerings would mean I’d become her past life over time, trapped within her body. Signing a contract would mean losing my freedom; not only would I have to protect her, but if she can exorcise ghosts, she could directly control me! I might as well die with her!”
Seeing her getting agitated again, Lin Ze quickly calmed her down, “Can you listen to my analysis before you explode? After accepting the offerings, you’ll be one with her. It’s just that originally you could directly lead, but now she temporarily leads. Signing a contract means you lose your freedom and have to protect her, but in the future, you’ll receive her family’s offerings for generations. Isn’t that a stable job?”
“And you know Hiraki Hanako best, right? She hasn’t learned any spells. Even if she did, do you think she would do something to control you and force you?”
Lin Ze began to paint a big, round picture, “And for the first option, you could just wait a few decades for her to grow old and die. That’s a sure thing, and you’d be fulfilled. Besides, life can have surprises, right? After all, humans are fragile. It’s better than being locked up here forever or getting beaten up eight times a day until Hanako dies and you’re wiped out.”
“For the second option, I’ll have my friend gather exorcists to enshrine you in a shrine. That’s a high-paying, stable job! As long as the exorcists don’t wipe out humanity, you’ll benefit forever!”
Hanako was tempted. She opened her mouth several times but felt that this was very unprincipled. Lin Ze took the opportunity to give her a way out, “I know you were born from humanity. Everything about you comes from rules and instincts. But even if you really killed Hiraki Hanako, sooner or later, you’d encounter a powerful exorcist and be caught or destroyed.”
“Hiraki Hanako is my friend. Can I beg you? Just compromise a little?”
“…Okay, but I choose to accept the offerings. I won’t sign a contract; I just want freedom!” Hanako compromised. If she could exist, who would want to be erased? Especially after being tortured before being erased!
“OK! Then I’ll start preparing as soon as I wake up. I won’t disturb you; I’ll take my leave now.” Lin Ze’s smile made Hanako look at him with disdain, and upon hearing that he was leaving, she quickly called out to him.
“Wait! Can you… can you let her release me? I don’t want to stay here anymore… the atmosphere here is too painful for me.” At this point, there was no need to pretend to be tough. After all, in the legend, she was just a child, and waiting for Hiraki Hanako for so long was also her desire to grow up a bit more.
“Ah? You won’t run away or attack me again, will you…” Now it was Lin Ze who was a bit suspicious.
“I… I won’t! I’m not like those adults who lie through their teeth!” She was anxious, really anxious! Now that the two had reached an agreement, she didn’t want to stay here for another moment.
“Emm… Kayako, do you have any ideas?” Lin Ze walked over to Kayako and whispered.
Kayako was intoxicated by the breath near her ear, feeling her legs weaken, her voice trembling slightly, “Ying… I… I can protect Lin Ze… if… if she attacks Lin Ze… I… I can descend into the present world.”
“I’m not afraid of her attacking me; I’m just afraid she’ll run away.” Lin Ze didn’t pay attention to Kayako’s earlier whimper; the girl was just too shy.
“Lin… Lin Ze can ask that woman from today.” Kayako endured her discomfort and thought of a solution for Lin Ze.
“Alright, then I’ll leave first and call you later.”
As soon as Lin Ze disappeared, Kayako waved her hand to make Hanako disappear amidst her exclamations. Then she slumped down, placing her hands in front of her and gasping for breath. Her pitch-black, lifeless pupils seemed to show hearts, and her blood began to boil. She raised her blood-stained face, repeatedly calling out Lin Ze's name.
At three in the morning, Kinuko received a call from Lin Ze. She hadn’t slept at all, and seeing the caller ID made her heart skip a beat. Could something have happened? “Hello? Did something happen, Lin Ze?”
“Sorry to disturb you so late, Kinuko. Here’s the thing: I’ve made a deal with the ghost Hanako, but she doesn’t want to stay with Kayako for even a moment. I’m worried she’ll run away if she comes out, so do you have any good ideas to make her come out without escaping?”
“So soon?” It wasn’t that she was relieved about Kayako and Tomie’s situation, but she found it hard to believe that Lin Ze had reached an agreement with Hanako so quickly. Generally speaking, ghosts and urban legends were tough nuts to crack, often preferring to die rather than yield. “How did you talk to her? Did you have Kayako take action?”
“No, I can’t stand fighting and killing. I just told her…” He repeated his conversation with Hanako, and Kinuko on the other end of the line was filled with emotion.