“Don’t underestimate the effect scary stories can have on children, Fukamachi. Didn’t you ever have that experience when you were little? Of hearing a scary story and being unable to sleep or go to the bathroom?”
Tashikani, I do too
November 3, 2023

But fear is a particularly powerful emotion on the human spectrum of feelings. Extreme fear can cause hyperventilation and convulsions, and it can make the body freeze up.
November 3, 2023

Kokkuri-san is a form of divination that has existed since the Meiji period. It was probably based on Western practices like table-turning and using spirit boards.
Ooh TIL
November 3, 2023

Deep down they feel like it’s something that shouldn’t be done. But there’s probably some thrill in violating that taboo. Kokkuri-san is a special game that combines innocent divination with the forbidden practice of spiritualism.”
Wakaruuu
November 3, 2023

Takatsuki’s face seemed to work well on elementary school students. Handsome guys really came in handy with their ability to get other people to let their guard down in an instant.
Even elementary school students are not immune and recognize that he's hot 🤣🤣🤣
November 4, 2023

Takatsuki grasped it, and in one elegant movement pulled Miss Marika toward himself as if inviting her to dance.
AKIRAAA WHAT ARE YOU DOING LMAO 😭😭😭 YOU SMOOTH CRIMINAL!!!
November 4, 2023

He genuinely wished he had a dog leash at times like these.
Oh my, how kinky 😳
November 4, 2023

There’s a theory that ghost stories tend to develop in schools because children, whose spirits are suppressed in places like these, are able to experience some form of release through them. The idea being that the chaos of the mysterious counters the order imposed by the school… It’s an interesting theory,
Interesting indeed
November 4, 2023

the locker door, which had opened nearly a full quarter of the way, quietly closed once more.
Ah, the hint that something is off. Too bad I skimmed forward to the conclusion and got surprised by the twist already before reading this line lmao. But it's so good!!
November 4, 2023

“Of course you are. After all, you’re the one who spelled out Chinatsu’s name that first time, aren’t you?” Miss Marika’s face suddenly stiffened at Takatsuki’s words.
Ofc there's a twist! But it makes sense, the mystery is solved now!
November 4, 2023

“If an evil spirit is appeased, it becomes a guardian deity. That’s a part of our country’s culture. We’ve protected our communities this way since long ago.”
November 4, 2023

“That last thing the coin spelled out, ‘I want to play together again.’ That…wasn’t me.” “—What?!”
THE TWIST!!! OMG!!! FINALLY, SOMETHING (HIGHLY LIKELY TO BE) SUPERNATURAL AT PRESENT DAY...and I kinda expected this tbh, you pretend and you call the real thing lol
November 4, 2023

“While we’re on the subject—the locker door. When it opened, the timing was almost too good, wasn’t it?” “Wait, what? …That wasn’t some trick of yours or something?!” “No, I didn’t have the time. Besides, some kind of opening mechanism wouldn’t be impossible, but it would be surprisingly difficult to make it close on its own.”
The actual ghost being such a good sidekick though lmao thanks for the help bro. And yup that locker opening and CLOSING by itself...opening by itself is possible (loose fittings in the first place) but closing??
November 4, 2023

54

“For the time being, I’ll have to keep in touch with Tomoki and keep investigating whether anything strange is happening at this school.” Takatsuki grinned. His eyes were the same color as the night sky.
Ofc Akira is happy...but his eyes changed to blue again, seems ominous...I am reminded of Shisho somehow
November 4, 2023

55

“Yeah. For college students living on our own, roadside tissues are a fundamental handout.” “You’re right. Because we don’t have to buy boxes of tissues as much.”
Damn I wish these exist here lmao I'd love it
November 5, 2023

57

The more enthusiastically his classmates united, the more Naoya thought of himself as a fundamentally different creature, the more he felt like all he did was stick out like a sore thumb. He would even start to worry— is it okay for me to be here?
NAOYAAA 😭😭😭
November 5, 2023

61

If it was only his ears—wouldn’t it be better if he just destroyed them? Could he become someone who belonged with other people?
😭😭😭😭😭
November 5, 2023

62

Noticing Naoya’s discomfort, Takatsuki smiled wryly. “Miss Ruiko, Miss Yui, you shouldn’t tease Fukamachi too much. He’s not even affiliated with our seminar yet, you know. Also, Fukamachi doesn’t eat sweets.”
AKIRA TO THE RESCUE 🥹🥹🥹
November 5, 2023

65

Takatsuki reached out his hand as if to check for fever. Gathering up his things, Naoya stood to avoid that hand.
NOOO NAOYA WHY DID YOU AVOID IT!! I WANNA SEE!!!
November 5, 2023

69

Naoya shoved the three new packs into his already tissue-filled bag.
I love this running gag lmao. Kinda surprising to see many people have tissues on hand, though, since that's not the case here from what I've seen. Even more surprising, nobody seems to carry any medicine...although it shouldn't be that strange. I'm the strange one lmao
November 5, 2023

69

unbidden
November 5, 2023

71

“What are you talking about?! No! This isn’t about work. I’m calling because I was worried!” The voice on the other end of the line sounded a little angry, and Naoya was confused.
AKIRAAA HEHEHE 🥹🥹🥹
November 5, 2023

72

Then I searched my memories of yesterday and today and didn’t remember seeing you even once on campus. You have classes into the afternoon on Tuesdays, and you’re usually at school by morning on Wednesdays, so I definitely should have seen you around! Then I realized you must not have come to school!”
LMAOOO that's something
November 5, 2023

72

“I meant to go to the clinic…but I didn’t have the energy… I didn’t take my temperature. I don’t…have a thermometer… I forgot to buy medicine, too…” “It’s like you’re trying to parody someone who is no good at living alone.”
The struggles of living alone is real, the hardest being when you're sick like this...and lmao Akira 😂😭
November 5, 2023

73

“I’m asking you to tell me where you live. I’ll grab some things at a nearby drugstore and then head your way.”
YASSS LET'S GOOO AKIRA VISITING NAOYA AND TAKING CARE OF HIM HEHEHE
November 5, 2023

73

and obediently tucked it under his armpit.
Oh hey finally armpit thermometer representation
November 5, 2023

76

and answered in an ashamed tone. “No, that’s not it. I was late because… Well, I’m not familiar with the area…”
Akira so cute 🥺🥺🥺😭😭😭
November 5, 2023

77

“KenKen came to help me out when I was sick. But you don’t have a KenKen, so here I am.”
🥹🥹🥹😭😭😭
November 5, 2023

78

That night when he was ten—he had a high fever then, too. If that festival really was a festival for the dead, maybe the reason he had been called there that night—maybe it was because he had been close to death.
Ooh yeah that makes sense
November 5, 2023

79

Takatsuki laughs, saying how troublesome it is to be having nightmares as a man in his mid-thirties. He was a prisoner of his own past—just like Naoya.
Indeed...they share a similar pain, that's why they can connect with each other more...
November 5, 2023

80

“You know, Fukamachi, you should learn to rely on others a little more.” He returned to Naoya’s bedside just to gently pat Naoya’s head with one of his large hands.
AWWWW 🥹🥹🥹
November 5, 2023

81

Someone else was making food for him. That fact made him oddly happy—he felt so taken care of that he wanted to cry.
NAOYAAAA 😭😭😭🫂
November 5, 2023

82

He was surprised to learn that having holes in his eardrums did not mean he was completely unable to hear.
:O TIL
November 5, 2023

82

“Come to our maid and butler café in building two, room 201! We’ve swapped the roles for today only, so our hunky maids and beautiful lady-butlers are waiting for you! Welcome home, master!”
👀 I WANNA SEE
November 5, 2023

84

“Hey, Fukamachi! You came after all…! Uh, wait, hold on, are you being kidnapped right now? Who’s this old— Er. Uh, this older guy?”
LMAO
November 5, 2023

85

“It’s difficult to define what ‘ghost’ means in the first place. There’s a lot of debate in the folklore
:O interesting
November 5, 2023

89

Folklorist Kunio Yanagita wrote that apparitions are tied to places, while ghosts are not.
November 5, 2023

89

So what is the difference between a ghost and an apparition? I think it probably boils down to the fact that ghosts are dead things which appear in the form they occupied while they were alive.”
November 5, 2023

90

But how a given mystery is perceived is dependent upon the viewer and the cultural context to which they belong.
November 5, 2023

91

but there are plenty which plainly state the involvement of ghosts. This is probably due to shifts in society and to urbanization distancing foxes and tanuki and the like from places where humans live.
November 5, 2023

91

Maybe that was the cause, or perhaps it was due to the incisions in his eardrums? Whatever the reason, at present, Naoya could no longer hear when someone was lying.
I HAVE A HUNCH IT'D BE LIKE THIS BUT OMG IT'S REAL AAAAAAAA THIS IS JUST THE SECOND VOLUME AND YOU PULLED THIS OFF ALREADY, AUTHOR?! WHAT ARE YOU COOKING?! Anyway, I'm glad Naoya is smart enough to realize/think of that possibility right away
November 5, 2023

93

Naoya was torn between elation that it was real and disbelief that it had occurred this way. He never thought it would be so simple. How many times had he thought that if he just destroyed his ears, he could return to normal? He had always been too afraid to follow through, in the end. If this was all it took to make him a regular person again, he should have done it ages ago.
Indeed 😭😭😭 but I think and I hope it's just temporary. I can't imagine how the story goes without it. Either way, the mystery deepens!
November 5, 2023

93

If his ears had become just like anyone else’s… …then that person—Takatsuki… How would he react? What would he say?
If it's permanent, he'd be leaving Akira alone, and he realizes this...
November 5, 2023

94

He could usually tell whether someone was lying in an instant, but right then, Naoya had no clue. He hadn’t thought that would irritate him so much.
Without realizing it, as much as he hated it, he had come to rely on the power so much...
November 5, 2023

99

It should have been cause for celebration. The ability he had always hated was gone. Instead, far from being happy, Naoya found that he was frustrated.
As I said previously, he had come to rely on it too much, especially for helping Akira. Now that it's gone, what if he can't help Akira anymore?
November 5, 2023

101

He hadn’t been able to hear their voices distorting at all, so it would have been a lie to say otherwise. But what he should have said to Takatsuki at the time was something else entirely.
He didn't say that he can't hear lies?? Damn...I mean yeah it's not a lie and I understand why he'd feel reluctant but 😭 plot drama reasons lol
November 5, 2023

101

surreptitiously
November 5, 2023

102

The reason the professor continued to bother with him, Naoya thought, was because, in a sense, their situations were similar.
Their similar situations definitely make them connect easier and deeper. But I'm sure Akira isn't the kind of person who'd easily throw away someone else. To be fair, Akira asked Naoya before knowing his power, though he wanted to keep him after knowing it
November 5, 2023

102

Naoya couldn’t help but think that if he lost his power, if he became the same as everyone else— He would no longer be within the realm of Takatsuki’s interest.
As I said, I don't think Akira is that kind of person. But yeah I totally get Naoya's fear 😭😭😭
November 5, 2023

102

the reason he always brought Naoya along on investigations like this was likely because Naoya’s ability was somewhat useful to him. If all he needed was someone who was in charge of directions and common sense, it didn’t have to be Naoya in particular. Anyone would be fine.
True, but...cue Akira saying "it can't be just anyone" later on (delusion)
November 5, 2023

102

“Isn’t it obvious? I mean that outsiders should be quiet and behave themselves. There’s no need to work too hard to figure out what’s causing the disturbances.
Whoa whoa you're sus
November 5, 2023

104

He was only just realizing, now that his power was gone, how much he had relied on it. Hopeless impatience and frustration burned in his chest. Who was telling a lie? Who was the liar? Who was it—
TUH KAN WHAT DID I SAY
November 6, 2023

109

He realized—he was no different. He was essentially lying to Takatsuki right now.
And the guilt...
November 6, 2023

109

“Um… I’m sorry, but…I’m going home. I don’t think…I can be of any help to you here…” Unable to return Takatsuki’s gaze, Naoya managed to get those words out at least, then turned away from the other man. He made a break for the studio door, like he was trying to escape.
Bro just tell him honestly already plis gdi 😭😭😭 I understand why it's hard but orz
November 6, 2023

113

On the train home, Naoya finally opened up about his ears to Takatsuki.
OH GOD FUCKING FINALLY MY MAN YOU DID IT
November 6, 2023

114

Takatsuki didn’t get upset with him or ask for any further details. He just spoke in his usual soft voice. “I see. Take care of yourself.” And that was all.
THAT'S IT???
November 6, 2023

114

Rather, Naoya was, quite possibly, avoiding others more than ever. He had no idea if anyone was lying to him. He hadn’t realized how uneasy that would make him. The feeling that everyone around him was a liar only grew, and he became afraid to spend time with anyone at all.
Yappari ne...it's complicated. He'd be fine if he never had the power, but if he had the power, he better retain it. It hurts to be lied at but at least he'd know
November 6, 2023

114

rejected the picture I took the other day of Miss Sarasa.
Oh thank god. Very weird wording though wtf
November 6, 2023

116

“That professor, he’s the son of the president of the Takasaki Corporation.” “The Takasaki Corporation?” “Even students who aren’t on the job hunt yet know the name, right? One of Japan’s largest general trading companies and a leading conglomerate in Asia! It’s a huge company, so putting pressure on a puny editorial department was child’s play. I thought they must have quite a lot of nerve to take things that far, though. And by the way, his mother is Sayaka Takatsuki, former world-famous prima ballerina who even won an award at the Prix de Lausanne.
WHAT??? AKIRA IS AN ELITE FROM BIRTH OMG. In retrospect it makes sense I guess but I somehow didn't expect this, so this is all very surprising
November 6, 2023

117

Looking at the other man, Naoya felt disgust rising steadily in his chest.
Same. Wow, I'm so pissed, I want to punch him
November 6, 2023

118

“It isn’t, yet. I’m going to make it my business, starting now.”
Wow, annoying bastard
November 6, 2023

118

“Here’s my theory—you listening? I think that professor’s mom had an affair with some foreigner somewhere, and he’s the result of that.” “…Huh?!” Flabbergasted, Naoya stared at Iinuma. Where did this guy get off, spouting ridiculous nonsense out of nowhere like that?
LMFAO WHAT 😂🤦
November 6, 2023

118

But for some reason, somehow, he felt relieved. For the first time, he saw his ears as a weapon rather than a liability.
YASSS LET'S GOOOO epic comeback!! Right on time!!
November 6, 2023

121

There was no doubt that a real nuisance of a person had set his sights on Takatsuki.
Man got stopped for now but I smell him coming back as a trouble again
November 6, 2023

121

“He’s done stuff like this before. He’s almost entirely estranged from his kid, but he’ll still destroy any and all unflattering news about him.
I dunno if I should be happy or scared...
November 6, 2023

122

Was his father really keeping an eye out for even the most trifling bits of news? It was like Takatsuki was under surveillance.
Scared it is, though there is definitely an upside on crushing unflattering stupid gossip
November 6, 2023

122

He worried that it would seem too self-serving to bother the professor just because he had regained his ability. But still, Naoya wanted to tell him.
Hehe yeah wakaru that'd be the first thing I do as well 😂
November 6, 2023

123

Mr. Wada came back into the studio through the outside door. It’s strange, isn’t it? When and how did he go outside? The answer is probably that sliding window at the back of the set. There are large trash cans lined up beneath the window, so he probably climbed down onto them.
No wonder that part is mentioned. And I knew it about the trash cans!
November 6, 2023

125

The way he spoke was evasive, too, and it made me think, ‘Ah, he doesn’t want to talk about this.’ But as a test, I asked him to tell me about a strange incident he experienced at a different location, and he was totally forthcoming, his demeanor totally changed.
Akira is a detective fr
November 6, 2023

125

Even without relying on Naoya’s ability or anything like that at the time, Takatsuki had already seen through the lies.
Indeed, that's been the case since the beginning, isn't it?
November 6, 2023

126

In the early modern period, works depicting ghosts flourished, but nearly all of them described, simply, a ‘ghost’—not ‘the ghost of so-and-so.’”
Now that he said it, tashikani...
November 6, 2023

127

Speaking like he was delivering a lecture, Takatsuki pulled a book down from the shelf called Japanese Ghost Paintings: The Sanyūtei Enchō
Love me some more lectures!!
November 6, 2023

127

A resulting phenomenon from the generalization of the word ‘ghost’ is the typification of ghostly appearances.
November 6, 2023

127

“Regarding the differences between that and ghosts of the past, you may think the shift from a white kimono to other white clothes was a natural progression, but the Japanese horror movie industry—known as J-Horror—has played a role in spreading and solidifying the ‘long-haired woman in white clothes’ image. Ghosts in those movies often have legs, so there aren’t many modern legless ghosts.”
Tashikani...!!
November 6, 2023

128

Pictures on the paper depicted the vengeful spirits that appeared in both Ring and Ju-On: The Grudge . Sadako and Kayako definitely had legs.
I was thinking of them too lmao ofc
November 6, 2023

128

You don’t have psychic powers, right?
I'd say the power to hear lies is a superpower too at least
November 6, 2023

129

Her voice was so loud, the distortion was painful to listen to. “Ah, please stop yelling, Ms. Fujitani. My assistant will collapse.” Takatsuki put a hand on Naoya’s shoulder.
HEHEHE 🥹🥹🥹
November 6, 2023

129

roiled
November 6, 2023

130

placid
November 6, 2023

130

Eyes wide, Takatsuki’s head turned round toward Naoya. In a similar state of surprise, Naoya met his gaze and shook his head. Sarasa’s voice hadn’t warped at all. That meant the story Sarasa told at the festival—the one that first caused Naoya to suspect he had lost his ability—hadn’t been a lie from the start.
THE REAL TWIST!!!
November 6, 2023

135

“Give it up, Professor. If you chased after her now it would be a bit much.” “Yeah. I agree… But I never imagined there was some truth to her story!”
LMFAOOOO 😭😭😭 Akira 1-1 Sarasa, revenge is sweet lmao
November 6, 2023

136

Of course Takatsuki would have noticed. As smart as he was, always observing others, there was no way he wouldn’t have caught on to Naoya’s strange behavior immediately.
Indeed, I didn't see this coming but it's not surprising either. But the way he just wondered why Naoya wouldn't tell him, waited for him to tell him...dog much 😂
November 6, 2023

137

Takatsuki was really cunning. He certainly didn’t tell lies, but that didn’t mean he always told the full truth, either.
SO TRUE!!!
November 6, 2023

137

Professor, if you can detect lies yourself, you don’t need to keep bringing me along on investigations! I mean, anyone could help you with directions and common sense, right? It doesn’t have to be me!” “What? No. I told you before: I want you .”
This sounds like a confession fr lmao
November 6, 2023

137

“…Because…” Still avoiding Takatsuki’s eyes, Naoya spoke. “Because, if my ears became normal… If they were like everyone else’s… I thought you wouldn’t need someone like me anymore. And when I had that thought, I just, for some reason…couldn’t tell you.”
HEHE CUTEEE 🥹🥹🥹
November 6, 2023

138

raucous
November 6, 2023

138

“Ah, that’s the dumb part right there. Fukamachi, there’s no way I’m going to let you go.” Takatsuki peered into Naoya’s face again. “Because you and I both—even if we were to lose our powers, it
STOP MAKING IT SOUND SO GAY OMG (DON'T STOP)
November 6, 2023

138

wouldn’t change our pasts.”
It wouldn't change their pasts...that's true
November 6, 2023

138

“Even if I blinded my eyes and burned the scars off my back, it wouldn’t change the fact that there’s a month-long void in my past. I am who I am today because of that past. The same goes for you, Fukamachi. Your past experiences made you who you are now. Fukamachi, we’re the same.
November 6, 2023

139

A path that isn’t quite the same as those that normal people walk on. One that straddles the boundary between reality and the next world.” There was no going back to the road they had walked before. Takatsuki understood that. Naoya knew it, too. It was just as Takatsuki said—Naoya hadn’t been able to live more freely while his power was gone. Not in the slightest
November 6, 2023

139

Oh , Naoya thought. That was why Takatsuki had said to him, over and over— I want you to stay by my side. I would be happy if you were here.
GAY GAY HOMOSEXUAL????
November 6, 2023

139

Takatsuki chose Naoya to be his companion through the endlessly dark borderlands.
AWOOOOOOO 😭😭😭😭😭
November 6, 2023

139

He had denied it at the time, but he was a fan, after all. It was pretty unexpected, nevertheless.
CUTE KENKEN
November 6, 2023

140

It’s quite a sad consequence of no longer being talked about—that those stories gradually fade from people’s memories and ultimately disappear.”
:(
November 7, 2023

142

If you draw three circles in an inverted triangle formation, it looks like a human face. We call this the simulacra phenomenon in Japan. A related, more general term is ‘pareidolia,’ our tendency to convert information we see and hear into patterns that are familiar to us and recognize those patterns in places we know they don’t exist.
November 7, 2023

143

“ Hayarigami are folk deities that appear suddenly at some point, enjoy a brief period of wild popularity, and ultimately fade rapidly into oblivion. Unlike the ‘God’ talked about in major religions, these deities can be ‘created’ by anyone, and they don’t have to be Shinto gods or Buddhas.
November 7, 2023

144

The reason anyone can make up deities as they like in this way is probably because Japan is a polytheistic country. It wouldn’t be possible in a monotheistic culture.
November 7, 2023

145

how much is the consultation fee…?” “There isn’t one.” He looked confused by Takatsuki’s reply.
...TASHIKANI. I SOMEHOW JUST REALIZED THAT LMAO
November 7, 2023

148

You hear about people signing up for a yoga class or something, but it turns out it’s actually a religious gathering.
Japan is scary like this...that also happens here though lol
November 7, 2023

151

Every time Naoya got to witness the professor’s aptitude at gathering information, he thought the man would be an excellent private investigator or commercial researcher.
Indeed. He's basically already one, investigator and researcher
November 7, 2023

152

“Indeed. I think so, too. She’s a modern hayarigami .” “But those kinds of trends die out soon after the hype ends. Does that mean the Miracle Girl story will also disappear soon?” “It might… But I’m still a bit concerned that the object of worship in this case is a living child.”
Ofc the lecture is connected to the case lol, it tends to be like that. I'm also concerned about that child...I thought the mother might take advantage of her to get money, but it doesn't seem like it. Maybe other people just do shit on their own and it's a nuisance to them
November 7, 2023

155

those were the only days Kawakami was available. As he replied, Naoya thought it was odd, since office workers usually had Saturdays and Sundays off
I bet it's KenKen
November 7, 2023

157

“Oh, I’m glad you at least have a friend you can count on to that extent!” You don’t have to sound that happy about it , Naoya thought. Exactly how much time did this man spend worrying about Naoya’s lack of friends?
LMAOOOO 😭😭😭
November 7, 2023

157

Of course, Naoya realized. They were going on a weekday because it suited Sasakura’s schedule.
I knew it lol
November 7, 2023

158

“I made sure to book us a place to stay that has a hot spring! And the rooms are big, so we could have a pillow fight!” “You serious? Can you imagine having a pillow fight with our strength? One wrong move and we’re gonna make a hole in the wall.”
LMAOOO they're so funny afshjdkss
November 7, 2023

159

It was the orientation. It was wrong. The paper on the table was placed so that the ground side was facing Naoya’s group, and the sky was facing Mana. As if the world had been flipped on its head
O-oh, what does this mean?? How ominous...
November 7, 2023

167

At the same time, her gaze radiated an air of intimidation that made it hard to believe it belonged to a child. Mana’s eyes shifted again. Staring directly at the door to the room, it was as if she was saying— — Hurry up and leave.
What is this creepy child?! 😰😱
November 7, 2023

168

“Why? I’m fine.” “Because—” “You’re a worrywart, KenKen. Here, you have a chocolate, too.”
It suddenly dawned on me...what if Akira was worshipped for a bit too? He vanished and came back after a month with strange things after all, possibly kidnapped by a tengu or something
November 7, 2023

168

“Although—I don’t think living here will be any kind of fresh start for that family. If that’s what they really wanted, they should have gone somewhere far away from here.”
Agreed, that's why I can't confidently say "they moved out due to people being a nuisance"
November 7, 2023

169

“They say you’ll be dragged in by the spirit of a woman who committed suicide here, so be careful.” Without thinking, Naoya took a step away from the guardrail. He turned to glare at Takatsuki. “…Why would you say something like that right now?” “If not now, when would I say it?” “It’s in poor taste.” “Ah, you’re right. I’m sorry.”
Akira pls 😂😭😭😭
November 7, 2023

170

“Are you talking about Nippara cave? If I remember correctly, that place is also famous for being the site of a lot of spirit photography! Also for a man going missing there and only his right arm being recovered!” “Akira! Don’t open your mouth again!”
LMAOOO 🤣🤣🤣
November 7, 2023

171

Then, all at once, he realized this was the first trip he had ever taken that wasn’t with his family or for school. Naoya had never dared to imagine he would travel with someone, staying overnight somewhere and going sightseeing. Finding himself strangely embarrassed over how much fun he was having despite himself
NAOYAAAA 🥹🥹🥹
November 7, 2023

174

reticent
November 7, 2023

177

Despite his typically sunny disposition, there was a deep, murky darkness dwelling at Takatsuki’s core.
Indeed....the usual trope
November 7, 2023

178

He got the sense that he was being kept out of the loop after all. He knew almost nothing about what Takatsuki was dealing with. The professor barely talked about himself. Everything he did know about Takatsuki’s past was something Sasakura had told him before.
Yeah :(( may Akira open up to him someday 🙏
November 7, 2023

178

Takatsuki had built a wall around himself to ward off other people, just like Naoya had done. And Naoya hadn’t been allowed beyond that wall…even though he thought they were supposed to be fellow travelers on a dark, mysterious path.
🥺🥺🥺 Naoya really likes Akira now huh
November 7, 2023

179

All of a sudden, one of Sasakura’s huge hands clamped onto the back of Naoya’s head and shoved him underwater. Bull’s-eye, apparently.
KENKEN IS SCARED OF GHOSTS LMAOOOO HE'S SO CUTE THE MOE GAP
November 7, 2023

179

consternation
November 7, 2023

184

“Your daughter…” Takatsuki went on “…is probably experiencing some kind of brain dysfunction… Now, when she reads something, she always turns it upside down, doesn’t she?”
:O
November 7, 2023

184

“I’ve heard there’s a kind of functional neurologic disorder where up and down are reversed.
TIL
November 7, 2023

184

“No. I don’t think this was caused by physical trauma. I believe it’s psychogenic in nature. That means treatment could still be effective, even now.”
So, from psychological trauma...?
November 7, 2023

185

A mean-spirited classmate answered: “We’re all here!” Mana’s bullies had taken her backpack as well. The only thing that didn’t make it onto the bus was Mana herself.
Damn that's evil 😩
November 7, 2023

187

“That’s just what you want to believe!” In a tone as fierce as Makiko’s, Takatsuki shouted back. Makiko’s face was strained. Takatsuki, his eyes fixed firmly on that face, kept yelling.
AKIRA SHOUTING??? HOW RARE OMG
November 7, 2023

189

A place where we could look down on all the brats who bullied my daughter. Somewhere we could show off how we live now to the fools who looked down on us! Mana is touted as the ‘Miracle Girl’! I wanted those dead kids to know! Look at her now, she’s practically a god!”
Holy shit agshsjs I mean yeah these kids are evil, but...I can't say they deserve it
November 7, 2023

190

“I…did this? I’m the reason you don’t speak…? That can’t be… It can’t…”
Tragedy...
November 7, 2023

190

She was barely gone for a second before she came back, holding the birdcage in her hands. Takatsuki’s whole body went rigid. Her face scarlet, Mana lifted the cage into the air. She shoved the bird in Takatsuki’s direction as if she were trying to ward off a vampire with a cross.
LMAO SHE'S SMART
November 7, 2023

191

Naoya stared, dumbfounded, at the single tear running down Takatsuki’s already unconscious face. He had never seen Takatsuki shout like that before. He had never seen him shed tears, either.
A new side of Akira...something must have happened to him before, something similar...
November 7, 2023

192

“My mother was the same way. She was like Ms. Makiko.”
Yep, I knew it
November 7, 2023

194

“My mother turned me into a living god. The boy who returned from the world of the tengu . She called me the ‘ Tengu ’s Child.’
Damn, I knew it. Though initially, I thought his mother feared him and that was it. Ofc there's more...
November 7, 2023

195

So—this child must be an impostor. That’s what she thought. “My own biological mother asked me ‘Who the hell are you?’” Who are you? Give me back my son. You’re an impostor. My son is actually somewhere else. Half-crazed, she repeated those words over and over, until eventually, she started ignoring the boy who was right in front of her.
Jesus christ, that's insane. Even worse than how it initially seemed. My "oh his mother became afraid of him" is so much aofter than this
November 7, 2023

196

“Despite all that, I think I’ve been blessed. Even though I’ve been distanced from my parents, I have that relative, and KenKen—people who allowed me to be human. You know, Fukamachi, that’s why you need to find someone like that for yourself.”
🥹🥹🥹
November 7, 2023

197

“I worry, sometimes, when I look at you. Because it’s like looking at a version of myself, in the past.”
🥹🥹🥹
November 7, 2023

197

“I said before, didn’t I? You and I are walking the line between reality and the next world. If we mess up, we might tumble down over that line. If that happens, I don’t think we’ll be human anymore.
Indeed...so they need something to tie them to the human world
November 7, 2023

198

They are what keeps us connected to this world… They let us know it’s going to be okay, even when we have bad dreams.”
🥹🥹🥹
November 7, 2023

198

Don’t turn your back on this world completely. You aren’t alone.” “…Don’t you think it’s a bit late to be saying that?” “Of course not. You have me, at least.” Takatsuki’s smile was bright. “I told you—there’s no way I’m going to let you go. It’s okay. I’m never going to let you be alone.”
AWWWW 🥹🥹🥹😭😭😭 that's pretty much a confession!!!
November 7, 2023

198

…And yet, Naoya got the sense that this man who didn’t share anything important with others had divulged quite a bit of himself today. Did that mean Takatsuki had welcomed Naoya inside his walls? That thought made Naoya happy, somehow.
HEHEHEHE
November 7, 2023

199

The lines they had drawn around themselves to keep others out. Even if those lines never disappeared, it might be all right to let them cross. So that, while they walked side by side along the border between reality and the next world, they could at least keep each other facing toward the light.
BROOO THIS IS SO...AGSHSJSKL I LOVE IT
November 7, 2023

199