Kinuko’s hearing was far superior to that of ordinary people. The faintest of sounds told her that Rinze was awake. Closing the scriptures, Kinuko reminded Rinze, “It’s almost nine o’clock. You should hurry up and wash up. We’ll take the things straight to Hiraki Hanako and then find Kayako, we’ll still be able to make it in time for lunch.”
“That quick? Sister Kinuko, do you have something to do this afternoon?”
Kinuko did not say what it was, but simply nodded. Seeing this, Rinze did not ask any further questions and went to wash up.
After packing their things, the two came to Hiraki Hanako’s ward and knocked on the door. After receiving a response, they pushed the door open.
“Rinze-kun?” Hiraki’s mother was somewhat surprised by Rinze’s sudden visit, especially when she saw the strange woman behind him. “Who is this?”
“Aunt, this is Bika Kinuko, a powerful exorcist, the real deal. Since Hanako’s condition can’t be diagnosed by medicine, I thought we might try other methods. So, I went to find Sister Kinuko and explained the situation. She has already figured out the cause. She is here now to solve the problem.” Rinze explained the situation to Hiraki’s mother, while Kinuko went straight up to check on Hanako’s condition.
“Rinze-kun is thoughtful.” She was an atheist and didn’t actually believe in this kind of thing, but she had no other way now. Why not let them try, maybe there would be a turning point?
She watched Kinuko’s every move nervously. After observing Hanako’s condition, Kinuko nodded to Rinze, and her diagnosis was consistent with his. That was good.
“Mrs. Hiraki, your daughter’s condition is very complicated. You can understand it as losing her soul. Later, when you take Hanako home, find a place to enshrine this statue. You can also make this jade pendant into a necklace for Hanako to wear. If you can complete all this by tonight, Hanako will wake up like normal tomorrow morning, just like waking up from sleep.” Taking the bag from Rinze, Kinuko told Mrs. Hiraki how to use everything inside.
“Really?” Mrs. Hiraki’s hand trembled. She couldn’t believe it. Her daughter could wake up that easily?
“Yes, please believe me.”
“Thank you. I’ll take Hanako home right away. May I ask… how much will this cost?” At the hospital, Hanako was just getting some IV fluids, just a desperate attempt. Let’s try going back and trying this. Mrs. Hiraki was thinking this and was about to take out her wallet.
“No need. Rinze calls me sister, and I treat him as my younger brother. So, you don’t have to pay. Just go and have Hanako discharged.” Kinuko’s words made Mrs. Hiraki believe her a little more. If they were scammers, wouldn’t they be all about the money?
“Alright then, Rinze and I have something else to do. If you have any questions, you can contact me at any time. This is my number. We’ll be leaving now.” Kinuko handed Mrs. Hiraki a black business card with only her name and phone number on it.
After Mrs. Hiraki’s repeated thanks, Rinze and Kinuko rushed towards Kayako’s house.
“Last night I had someone look into Kayako’s family situation. Her parents were both civil servants before. After Kayako was born, her father lost his job due to drinking and spent his days getting drunk outside. Her mother had an affair right after giving birth to Kayako, then quit her job and worked at a disreputable bar.” These were things Rinze did not know. He only knew that Kayako’s parents did not care about her.
“Did they favor sons over daughters?”
Kinuko shook her head. “No.” She was a bit disdainful. “They are just irresponsible scum. I’ve seen a lot of cases where they give birth but don’t raise them. Most of the resentful spirits are formed this way.”
“Heh.” Rinze thought of the ending where they both died in a car accident and felt a sense of satisfaction. They were also one of the creators of Kayako’s tragedy.
The car stopped in front of Kayako’s house. Kinuko instinctively used her spiritual sight to look at Kayako’s house. A drop of sweat rolled down her forehead. “Rinze…”
“What’s wrong?”
“I was wrong. Maybe her parents weren’t just irresponsible, but were influenced by something.”
In her eyes, the house in front of her was filled with resentment. Black aura enveloped the entire house, with strands of hair slithering on the building. “How could anyone stay in a place like this and not be affected?”
The influence of the grudge? That’s right! I said that the grudge would ensure Kayako’s misfortune. Just now, Kinuko also said that everything changed after Kayako was born. “…That’s why I want to break its curse.”
“Whew… It’s no use talking about it now. Okay, go and call Kayako, I’ll wait for you here.” The only thing that gave Kinuko peace of mind was that the aura of this house did not leak out, which meant that the curse would not spread outward.
Kayako was hiding in the house at this time. Her parents had argued again this morning. Her father had run out to drink in a fit of rage, and her mother was still at home. If she went out now, she would easily get scolded.
The doorbell suddenly rang. She quietly crouched behind the door to listen.
“Who are you looking for?” The one who opened the door was Kayako’s mother, dressed up flamboyantly. Her eyebrows and eyes were somewhat similar to Kayako’s, but her temperament was completely different.
Rinze felt a bit disgusted, but didn’t show it on his face. “Hello, Auntie, I’m Kayako’s classmate. I’m here to see Kayako.”
“Oh, she’s upstairs. I’ll go and call her. Would you like to come in and have some tea?” She sized Rinze up, seeing that he looked pretty good, wearing a black suit that looked expensive, she was immediately interested.
“No need, we have someone waiting outside. You can just call her for me.” Rinze took a slight step back and gestured toward Kinuko.
Kayako’s mother leaned her head out to look. A black car was parked by the roadside. She saw the model and the logo from a distance and her eyes lit up. She had been hanging around bars for so long, she recognized that this car was expensive at a glance! Although she couldn’t see the driver’s seat, the other party was most likely this young master’s driver.
“This dead girl actually has friends like this?” Although she was reluctant to believe it, the facts were in front of her.
“Come in and have some tea. Kayako is probably still taking a nap. Why don’t you…”
“Mom…”
Kayako interrupted her before she could finish, which made her look a little embarrassed. “Ah, Kayako, are you up already?” Her tone was gentle, but her eyes glared fiercely at Kayako.
“Then you two go and have fun, come back early Kayako, Mom will worry if you’re out too late.” Her act of being a doting mother made Kayako feel a bitter taste in her heart. If she guessed correctly… just now, her mother was making a move on Rinze… such a mother, such a family… I really hope they could die…
The door closed. Kayako followed Rinze silently, she didn’t dare to look at Rinze’s eyes. Rinze knew her mother’s character, and just now, her mother’s appearance… she was afraid that if she looked up, she would see distance and disgust, and that Rinze would think she was like that.
But Rinze just rubbed her head, his voice still gentle. “We haven’t seen each other for a day, I missed you a little, so I just dropped by without letting you know. Kayako, you won’t blame me, will you?”
“No!” She suddenly felt like crying, but Rinze’s next words made her tears recede. She even forgot what had just happened.
“My sister is here too.”