Jingle bell.
"It's getting late. I won't disturb you any longer."
After politely declining the Miyazono couple's offer to walk him out, Lu Nian left the cake shop. Instead of heading home, he turned toward the largest shopping mall in Bunkyo District, already planning ahead for the store that would soon open on the first floor of his house.
Inside a brightly lit specialty store, he casually pointed at a massive display case.
"These. And all of those as well. Please pack them and deliver everything to this address."
The shopping assistant—dressed neatly in a fitted suit—hesitated, glancing between the price tags and the calm, handsome young man who looked like he had stepped straight out of a manga.
"Sir… are you certain you want all of them wrapped?"
After all, Lu Nian had barely browsed before casually ordering every top-tier figure in the store.
"Of course," Lu Nian replied without hesitation.
"And the two life-size twin maid figures—have those installed separately. I'll be placing them at the front of the shop."
Seeing the doubt in the assistant's eyes, Lu Nian simply pulled out his bank card and walked straight to the counter to settle the bill.
Questions disappeared immediately.
By three in the afternoon, the snow from a few days earlier had nearly melted. The streets were lively, filled with students who had just finished school, chatting and laughing in small groups. Youthful energy lingered in the air.
Lu Nian, being a perfectly normal man, naturally appreciated the scene—with restraint and good taste.
More than ten minutes later, he stopped at the gate of a well-known private high school.
A security guard in his fifties blocked his path, his sharp eyes sizing up the unfamiliar young man with caution.
"Sir, this is a restricted campus."
"Just a moment," Lu Nian said calmly. "I'll make a call."
He stepped back, took out his phone, and dialed Hiratsuka Shizuka. Then he waited quietly.
A few minutes later, Hiratsuka Shizuka—wearing a white coat—hurried over. After a brief explanation and a teacher's guarantee, the security guard finally allowed Lu Nian to enter Sōbu High School.
"So, Sister Jing," Lu Nian asked as they walked through the garden side by side,
"can you tell me now why you brought me here?"
Earlier that day, Hiratsuka had suddenly messaged him, asking him to wait at Sōbu High School after classes ended.
"Come with me first," she said instead.
Without answering, she quickened her pace toward a slightly dilapidated building in the distance.
The two soon entered the structure. The aging corridors, peeling paint, and worn facilities made it clear that the building had been abandoned for a long time.
In the quiet hallway—where only their footsteps echoed—Hiratsuka Shizuka spoke suddenly.
"Lu Nian… do you believe in ghosts?"
"I do," Lu Nian replied easily.
"You might not believe this, Sister Jing, but I've been a ghost myself—briefly."
His steps slowed. He turned his head slightly, glancing toward a shadowed corner ahead.
"Honestly, it was pretty interesting."
Hiratsuka paused for a moment before continuing.
"I didn't believe in ghosts before either. It wasn't until I met you… and remembered what happened here… that I started believing."
They stopped in front of a classroom on the third floor. Hiratsuka opened the door without knocking and walked straight in.
"Teacher Hiratsuka," a calm female voice said,
"you should knock before entering."
The classroom was half-cleared. Old desks and chairs were piled messily in the back, while the front half remained neat, as though still in use.
"I'll knock next time," Hiratsuka said casually, waving it off.
She turned to Lu Nian.
"As you can see, this old club building only has one active member—Yukishita Yukino. As the only person who's stayed here for so long, it's no surprise she's been targeted by that ghost."
Lu Nian nodded thoughtfully.
"So what you want my help with… is dealing with the ghost haunting this girl?"
"More or less." Hiratsuka hesitated, then added quietly,
"But if that ghost is willing to leave on its own… can you let it go?"
She could sense it clearly—the presence here wasn't malicious.
It didn't want to hurt anyone.
It was simply lonely, using harmless pranks to draw attention.
"Wait."
Yukino Yukishita, who had been sitting silently, finally stood up.
"Teacher Hiratsuka—could you explain exactly what is going on?"
She frowned slightly. Her waist-length black hair fell like a waterfall, her pale skin flawless, her sharp eyes striking. It was a beautiful face—cool, refined, and composed—though now tinged with irritation.
"And shouldn't you introduce who this person is?"
Her gaze shifted past Hiratsuka to Lu Nian, lingering for a fraction of a second longer than she intended.
"This is Lu Nian," Hiratsuka said, casually pulling him forward and poking his cheek.
"I called him here to help."
"Help?" Yukino replied coolly.
"Is this about that so-called 'ghost'? Or is this teacher indulging another one of her eccentricities?"
"Yukishita," Hiratsuka said seriously, folding her arms,
"do you really feel nothing here at all?"
"…No," Yukino replied after a pause. "Nothing."
That was only half the truth.
She knew about the rumors.
She had seen things she couldn't explain.
But Yukishita Yukino believed in science. And since no harm had come so far, she chose to bury those doubts deep in her heart.
_____________________
support me on patreon
https://[email protected]/mrSOMEONE01234? [replace @ with a]
For those who cannot become members, they can support with power stones
>>>>>I'm a student, and I'll try my best to keep uploading chapters regularly <<<<<
thanks for your support
[[READER TIER 1: translates stories {15$} ]] { RECOMENDED }
[[READER TIER 2: translated & original stories {20$} ]]
[[[[Please at least visit my patreon so I can have some traffic]]]]]
Also try
[[[Restaurant in Douluo Dalu (450+ch)]]] {6$}
[[[Lord's Unlimited Entries: The Baron's Awakened Heir (100+ch)]]] {7$}
[[[Swallowed Star: Ten Thousand time Growth (170+ch)]]] {6$}
[[[swallowed star : i can refine everything (100+ch)]]] {6$}
[[[Anime Crossover: I Can Trade Everything (50+ch)]]] {6$}
[[[Swallowes Star : Universe gift from start(130+ch) ]]] {6$}
[[[Infinite Hero Simulater : Age of Heroes(50+ch) ]]] {Free}
[[[Jujutsu kaisen : Eight Gates For Heavenly Restriction(196+)(COMPLETED) ]]] {6$}