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It made sense when she thought about it.
With Sakiko Togawa at ho and so many beautiful girls at his school, Kai was always surrounded by attractive people. Even though Mai had status and good looks, she didn't really stand out among them. It made sense that he wasn't head over heels for her.
Thinking about it like that made her feel a little insecure.
The hardest part was hiding it. If she showed her frustration, it would seem like she cared too much about getting his attention, and that was just too embarrassing.
Mai swallowed her pride and tried to calm herself. Acting casual, she said, "Nothing exceptionally strange... Does begging a God for help count?"
"Begging a God for help?" Kai raised an eyebrow, a flicker of intrigue breaking through his calm deanor.
That made sense... In a world full of Cursed Spirits, the rules for Mai's Adolescence Syndro were sure to be different from the original story.
"What kind of God?"
Seeing him take her answer seriously, Mai dropped her defensive act.
"I'm not entirely sure, but..."
She closed her eyes and tried to rember. It was right after she found out her mother had signed her up for that embarrassing lingerie comrcial. Feeling heartbroken and betrayed, she ran away from the studio in tears. As she wandered, she ca across an old, hidden shrine. Standing there, she made a tearful wish.
'I just don't want anyone to look at anymore.'
Back then, it was just an emotional outburst, a quick and reckless wish made when she felt really vulnerable. She hadn't even taken it seriously. But now, looking back, the connection was obvious.
"NO WAY!!" Mai gasped, her face draining of color as she stared at him in disbelief. "Since when do wishes at random shrines actually co true? If they did, everyone would just pray their problems away!"
"Nothing is impossible," Kai replied. "Which is exactly why you shouldn't make wishes lightly."
"Don't tell Gods actually exist in this world!"
In a universe this chaotic, it wouldn't be surprising if real Gods existed.
"Even if they call themselves Gods, they're nothing more than slightly stronger or more unique Cursed Spirits," Kai scoffed dismissively.
To him, the title didn't matter at all. He hadn't co to this world to serve so overhyped god. If Gods were real, they could either stay out of his way or deal with him.
"Cursed Spirits!"
When she realized she might have begged a monster for help, Mai shuddered. The fear from eting the Slit-Mouthed Woman ca rushing back.
"C-Can it be fixed?" she asked, her voice shaking a little. A Cursed Spirit that could grant wishes had to be strong. She looked at Kai, worried.
"Who do you think I am?" Kai just shot her a flat, unimpressed look. He didn't offer any grand reassurances or boastful claims.
His total confidence was all she needed to feel better.
"..."
He was arrogant. Still, Mai had to admit that seeing him so calm made her feel grounded. It was like, no matter what kind of horror showed up, as long as he was there, she'd be okay.
"That's a pretty reassuring answer, junior," she said with a small smile, teasing him to calm herself down.
Kai didn't respond. He got up from the sofa and said, "Let's go."
"Huh? Where?" Mai asked, quickly getting to her feet.
"To the shrine where you made your wish obviously. The sooner we finish this, the better. I have things to do," Kai said flatly.
"..."
'Things to do? You probably just want to get back to your girlfriend...'
Did he really dislike spending ti with her that much? The thought made her chest ache again.
"What's wrong?" Kai asked, noticing she hadn't moved.
"N-Nothing!" She shook her head quickly, afraid he might guess what she was thinking. Forcing a bright, fake smile, she walked past him. "I was just trying to rember where it was. Follow !"
Kai smirked, clearly seeing through her act.
——————————
Ti ticked by.
Following Mai's directions, Kai ended up in a deserted, overgrown part of the city. Calling this place a 'shrine' was a stretch. It was just a ruined spot that had been abandoned for years.
"You really made a wish in a dump like this?"
It was lucky they got here before dark. If it had been nightti, the gloomy, heavy feeling around the ruins would have scared off anyone.
"I told you, I was too upset to care where I was!" she said, trying to defend herself.
When she first found it, she could barely see through her tears. Now, coming back with a clear mind, Mai had to admit the place was really creepy. Why did she ever make a wish here?
A cold breeze moved through the empty clearing, making the tall weeds rustle.
The sudden cold made the hairs on Mai's neck stand up. She moved closer to Kai, her shoulder touching his arm. Being near him was the only thing that made her feel safe.
"Um... is there a Cursed Spirit here?" she whispered.
"Yep," Kai confird with a simple nod. He tilted his head, locking his gaze directly onto the weathered boulder sitting on the pedestal.
"Seriously?"
Mai gasped. Startled by the confirmation, she imdiately ducked completely behind his back, peering over his shoulder.
"Isn't that a good thing?" Kai asked.
"..."
"Think about it. If there's a Cursed Spirit here, it confirms your invisibility is tied directly to it. Exorcise the curse, and your problem is solved. Simple, right?"
Mai blinked blankly.
She wanted to argue, but nothing ca out. He was right. His logic made sense. Still, the way he talked about fighting a monster made it sound as easy as taking out the trash.
But then she rembered how easily he defeated the Slit-Mouthed Woman. If he acted like this was a big deal, she'd probably be the one freaking out.
"So, what's the plan?" she asked.
"Just stand there and stay quiet."
She almost asked if he needed her to help distract the spirit, but his blunt order stopped her.
Right... She was just a normal person. She couldn't do anything against a curse. Mai sighed quietly and stayed behind him.
"Not coming out?" Kai chuckled, staring at the unresponsive stone.
He could sense the spirit inside, so it could definitely sense him too. But even though he was right there, the curse didn't react. It was either pretending to be gone or didn't think he was a threat.
"Spider Woman!"
Kai didn't waste ti talking. Even though he had more Cursed Spirits now, the Spider Woman was still his go-to. She was great at controlling crowds and had strong attacks, making her really useful.
Swish! Swish! Swish!
As soon as he gave the command, thick strands of black hair shot out from a rift, wrapping tightly around the boulder like fast-moving whips.
The stone shook hard for a few seconds. Then, with a horrible ripping sound, a huge, translucent ghost was pulled out of the rock.
"W-What is that??" Mai's eyes went wide open in sheer terror.
Afraid her voice might distract him, she quickly covered her mouth with both hands to muffle her scream. She pressed herself tightly against his back.
'Just as I thought. The Heavy Stone Crab,' Kai thought when he saw the curse's real form.
Like Sadako, the Spider Woman, and the Slit-Mouthed Woman, the Heavy Stone Crab was a Vengeful Cursed Spirit created from an urban legend.
But unlike Sadako, the Heavy Stone Crab was a rare, local myth. The legend said it was a minor god that could answer prayers, but its blessings always ca with a price. It would grant part of a wish, but take sothing important in return.
Mai had wished to be a normal girl and escape the pressure of being famous. The Heavy Stone Crab granted her wish by taking away her 'weight'—her presence and existence—making her disappear from reality.
As for its status as a 'God'?
Kai sneered. He thought it was nonsense. In Japan's crowded folklore, every little yokai or spirit claid to be a god. The title didn't an anything.
"ROAR!"
Pulled out of its hiding place, the Heavy Stone Crab thrashed around, trying to break free from the hair. It might not be much of a god, but it was still very strong.
"Slit-Mouthed Woman!"
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