Storm Approaching [1]

"If you're interested in listening, I can briefly explain the circumstances?"

Shibuya-san says as he sits on the bench near the shrubs of the old school building.

"If I don't listen, I won't be able to do my job."

My voice was sullen. What a thing to be caught up in.

"The principal heard that the old school building is haunted, so a week ago he asked me to come investigate. Apparently, he wants to rebuild the gymnasium. For that he wants the old school building demolished."

Ah, come to think of it, that was written in the pamphlet I got at the time of my admission into the school. Soon, a big gymnasium will be built.

"However, it seems that the many times in the past that they had tried to demolish the old school building, they had to stop the demolition because of the accidents that happened."

"Ah, and they wanted an investigation so they asked you?"

"That's how it is."

"I see, and so you transferred schools for that?"

You went through a lot of trouble. But Shibuya-san is staring at me with contempt.

"Who said I was transferring for the investigation?"

"But…yesterday, you said you were a transfer student."

"When I said 'something like that' and intended to be ambiguous?"

...Certainly...

"That is what I said."

"Liar." I said in a small voice.

Shibuya-san gave me a frosty look.

"You were going to tell ghost stories. That's why."

"I see. When we were telling ghost stories you might have brought up the old school building story, right? Then if you did that, it would be collecting information."

"Oh, so you have more wisdom than a monkey?"

Shibuya-san said, impressed. You jerk. Don't compare a person with their ancestors and ancestry.

"I was collecting the rumors between the students. Yesterday when you were telling ghost stories, did a story about the old school building come up?"

"Yeah, but Michiru told it."

"What's the story? Can you remember it?"

'Did you forget it?' his tone seems to say.

"I still remember it. I'm not so out of it that I can forget what happened yesterday!"

Hmph. Rude jerk.

"Weeellll..."

"Wait."

Shibuya-san inserted a hand into the inside pocket of his black jacket. He pulled out a small tape recorder.

"Begin"

He said as he pushed the record button.

Hmm. Well isn't that interesting. Despite what I was really thinking, I began talking about what Michiru had told me concerning the old school building.

After I finished the story, Shibuya stood up and asked:

"Now then, can you take a walk with me?"

"To the old school building?"

"Where else?"

He does have a point there.

"How much of Michiru's story do you think is true?"

If it's all true, then I don't want to go to that old school building again.

Shibuya sat down again and pulled out a file.

"Many people died in the old school building."

"Really?"

I asked.

He turned to a page completely filled with writing.

I stared at it intently, but it was just like a medical record written by a doctor. It was all in English, and I couldn't understand a word of it.

"During the three years that the old building was being used... That is, eighteen years ago, one or two people died every year."

I see.

"After the new building was built, they made plans to demolish the old one. The roof fell during the demolition of the west wing. They said it was an operating accident."

"Is that true...?"

"Half of it is."

"Only half?"

"The story you heard was that construction workers died, but that's not the truth. Five people were injured, but no one died."

"Really?" So then what?

"The demolition was completed as planned; they stopped after tearing down a third of the building."

"Oh? They didn't stop because of the stories?"

"Regrettably, no. At that time, a child died in the old school building. This most recent event occurred about six years ago."

"The child is..."

"The corpse of a seven-year old girl who lived nearby was found in the old school building. The police caught the murderer a month later. He originally wanted to kidnap her. Furthermore, a teacher really did commit suicide there, but he left a suicide note. Apparently he suffered from neurosis."

"Wow, you're amazing. That was really good research"

I praised him sincerely.

"Of course. Don't underestimate my research ability."

...So it's like this. What a rude guy.

"In order to build a gymnasium in its place, the demolition of the old building began again last year."

"What about the truck that ran out of control?"

"Look at this."

Shibuya took out a copy of an old newspaper clipping from his files.

"Nine Students Struck by Construction Truck During Demolition" read the heading.

"The driver lost control of the rubble-filled truck near the school grounds, causing it to skid though the volleyball court, leaving seven injured and two dead."

Below the news report were photos of the two deceased students. Poor kids... I couldn't help but feel sorry for them. Shibuya continued indifferently,

"There's a plausible reason for it: The driver was drunk."

"...Really."

"At that time the construction had to be stopped. Another reason was because of the rumors that were floating around."

I felt a chill run down my back.

"I investigated many claims, but they all turned out to be rumors. Despite being unfortunate ones, there is a clear reason behind each and every one of them. I don't think the old building is haunted at all."

After saying that, Shibuya stood up. I don't want to go. Investigating the old school building? With me as an assistant? Shibuya turned around and looked at me, as if he were urging me on. So I followed him.