CH 320

Despite the slapstick drama, we still had to do our job, so we went upstairs to the hall. I’ve got Ash and the others in my arms, so I’ll leave it to Makina and Fath-san to take care of them when the time comes.

This time, we decided to go into the main hall first. Urka said that since there were too many people in the hall, it should be difficult for ghosts to get out, so he said that he would mainly check the interior today and come back tomorrow.

“It’s spacious here too ……”

“But it’s a little smaller than the first floor. Well, I guess it’s a structural problem that makes it difficult to keep the same size. Oh, there’s a piano in here?”

This large hall seemed to be used for singing and concerts, not plays, and if you looked closely, you could see other instruments such as xylophones. Fath-san then opened her mouth, checking her surroundings.

“I like music, even though I look like this. I’ve always enjoyed celebrating when I win martial arts tournaments. I’d love to come if I had the chance.”

“If so, I’d like to invite you over sometime.”

“Huh? Kleinert-san.”

We turned around to see the owner, Kleinert-san, standing there winking at us.

“I’ve been back at the office for a while. How is it going?”

“There’s nothing yet. Oh, this is my friend Urka, the one I asked to help me this time.”

“I’m Urka, and I’d like to help you solve this problem as soon as possible.”

“Please take care of it. Well, we don’t have any ghostly sightings at the moment, so take your time and investigate.”

Kleinert-san laughs as he shakes hands with Urka.

“But will it be all right? I wonder if we’ll lose customers because the theater is haunted.”

“Oh, that’s not a problem, they don’t appear during plays or live performances.”

I see, and I’m convinced that this is in line with the theory that it’s difficult for ghosts to appear in crowded places, when Kleinert-san continues to talk.

“Oh yeah, I have asked my dad about what Lars-kun said–“

“Shh! Didn’t you just hear something on ……?”

“I heard something! I think it was, the piano ……?”

“Oh, I heard it again!”

Just when I thought the owner was working fast, a piano in a corner of the theater made a sound …… It echoed well in the quiet theater.

And–

“Basleigh-sensei! …… Looks like it’s here.”

“Yes.”

“Kuoon.”

“!”

“Don’t worry, I’ve been watching you.”

–They all looked at the piano again to confirm that Basleigh-sensei was there.

“What? Why did you all just look at me?”

“Urka, can I leave it to you?”

“Of course. Lars and Fath-san, I want you to move around the piano.”

“Okay.”

“Hey, why did you see me?”

“Yes, Basleigh-sensei, take care of Ash and the others!”

“Let’s go, Lars-niichan.”

I forcefully handed Ash and the little snow tiger to Basleigh-sensei, who persisted, and approached the piano with Makina and Aina.

“Kuoon♪.”

“Nyaan♪”

“Oh, good, good! You will not fool me! I was thinking of the wrong thing.”

“Kuh …… For a dragon to make a good argument ……”

She noticed, but now is not the time, and I approached the piano. Fath-san walked around to the other side and we nodded and looked at the keyboard.

“…… There’s no one there.”

“Ugh …… I-It’s making sounds on its own ……”

Makina closes her eyes in fear, but she can hear the sound, so her hand grabs my sleeve more tightly. I called out to Urka, thinking that my sleeve was going to stretch.

“Urka, did you find out anything?”

“Yes …… There is a spirit here. But it’s a very weak spirit, I don’t feel any malice, but–“

[Ufufu!]

“Noooooo!? I just heard something in my ear!?”

“There it is! Calm down, Makina.”

[You’re surprised …… I’m so glad ……]

This time, I could clearly hear him chuckling in a low voice. But I can’t see him like I did with the emperor.

“I see you ……!”

“Oh …… You can see me …… You can see me …… Ufufu ……”

However, Urka seems to be able to see him, and he heads straight for the owner of the voice and opens his mouth to speak. He is looking at the air in a hurry, so he is probably moving around.

“Who are you? You don’t look like an evil spirit, though.”

[…… It’s fun here, you know.]

“Yes, it is. But there are people who are afraid of you, can you tell me why you are here?”

[Ufu …… but don’t you think people are scarier than ghosts ……? Even today ……]

“Even today ……? Oh, w-wait! Kuh …… [Spiritual Sight]”

Urka hurriedly extended his hand, but there was no response. With a look of frustration on his face, he mentions a skill we’ve never even heard of. 

“Oh, it’s a girl, isn’t it ……?”

“It’s true, she’s a little bigger than Aina, I guess?”

“Y-You …… You see her?”

“Don’t worry, Makina-oneechan. She seems nice.”

Aina, who has never been afraid of anything, squeezes Makina’s hand and smiles. When she hears this, she thinks that she, the older one, can’t be afraid, and fearfully opens her eyes, but the ghost has already penetrated the ceiling and is no longer visible.

But still–

“Is that the ghost that Milfy and the others were talking about ……?”

“I think so, but she said something curious.”

“Humans are scarier than ghosts”, huh. Is it possible that she is the spirit of someone who was killed by someone else? If that’s the case, it makes sense, but ……

“…… It’s no use. I can’t sense her anymore. She seems to have gone somewhere far away.”

“Hmm, that was a pretty girl. I wonder what she’s after?”

“I’ll have to ask her to know. Lars, let’s check the other halls just in case, and if nothing comes up, we’ll go back today.”

“Okay.”

Taking Urka’s suggestion, we explored the two middle halls and confirmed that there was nothing there.

“Fuah ……”

“Kuo ……”

There, I saw Aina holding hands with me and Ash in Basleigh-sensei’s arms, yawning loudly and squinting, as if they were bored and had lost their tension over nothing.

“It’s time for Aina to go to bed, after all …… There, I’m sorry, guys, but we got something, so let’s go back today.”

“Yes. It was a little scary, but if it’s a ghost of a girl …… I’ll try harder next time.”

“I think we should get over this, so Makina keep your eyes open.”

“Uhh ……”

I piggybacked Aina and gently patted Makina on the back, and she let out a groan, which made me chuckle. We walk down the hallway back to the back door.

“Hmm, but the ghost was real. Keep up the good work.”

“Yes!”

“Why is Basleigh-sensei the one answering!? I’ll definitely try to talk to that girl!”

While Urka was saying this in a very motivated tone, Fath-san stopped in front of a door.

“What is this room?”

“What? Oh, this room is a dressing room. The key is …… yep, it’s properly locked. Costumes made by Lars-kun are sold at a high price. That’s why we keep them in a safe place so that the idols and performers can’t steal them.”

“…… I see. I understand.”

The costumes are always brought to the owner after changing and returned to him, so there is no loss. I’m glad that they take such good care of it.

“I’m looking forward to seeing the new one that Leor-dono told me will be ready. Oops, we’ve reached the exit, It’s regretful, but I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Yes.”

With that, we headed back to the house, ending our search for the day. Although we didn’t solve the problem, thanks to Urka, we were able to reap a great harvest. I was surprised to find out that he was able to polish his skill and do some new things, and I had a lot of fun today. I closed my eyes while patting Makina, who snuggled under the covers because she couldn’t sleep alone, and Aina, who grabbed me and wouldn’t let go.

Phew …… I’m fighting sleepiness rather than time ……

Thank you for reading!

[Afterword Theater]

“I’m going to be in the Afterword section of the book.”

‘That’s amazing. You look like a goddess.’

“Isn’t that right? You know what you’re saying! Here, have another glass of wine!”

‘Oh, thank you for that ……’

I don’t plan to do that, and you’re getting along great, huh ……