4 Four

“Ah, there he goes again, rambling on even though work is clearly over,” Kobayashi grumbled dejectedly, clearly displeased that their supervisor had come over just as the clock struck quitting time. It wasn’t exactly overtime, but it did cut into her personal time, and such behavior only deepened the resentment common among salaried workers.

Takidani Shin, however, took a more optimistic view. “Luckily, Senior Tsujisen booked a spot in advance; otherwise, there wouldn’t have been any good seats left by now.” Kobayashi felt a bit embarrassed. “I’m sorry, Senior, for causing you trouble.” She had sensed something was off with Senior Tsujisen these past few days and had suggested the dinner gathering with Takidani, only to end up with Tsujisen having to make a phone call to sort things out.

Tsujisen Ming shrugged nonchalantly, unfazed. “It’s nothing. The one wasting our time isn’t you—it’s the supervisor. When you think about it, a middle-aged man going bald isn’t all that surprising. Always poking around for trouble, it’s no wonder he’s cursed with baldness.”

Kobayashi and Takidani recalled their supervisor’s usually immaculate, flowing hair and couldn’t help but laugh. “Exactly! Hahaha!” Takidani added, “I always thought you were a serious person, Senior.”

“How could that be? I’m just quietly cursing the supervisor’s baldness like everyone else.”

The trio laughed as they arrived at the izakaya. Because Tsujisen had reserved in advance, they quickly settled in and started drinking. But Tsujisen hadn’t expected Kobayashi, who appeared so slender and gentle, to become so exuberant and wild after a few drinks.

Watching Kobayashi tying her tie around her forehead and roaring “maid!” while clutching a bottle, and then glancing at Takidani, who, donning glasses, suddenly slipped into strange catchphrases revealing his otaku nature, Tsujisen, slightly tipsy, got caught up in the atmosphere and started venting about his unreliable parents.

At least he remained rational enough not to reveal his secret of having traveled through time.

Then, inexplicably, the three of them ended up in a chaotic embrace, howling like madmen.

Yet, the only truly drunk one was Kobayashi; Tsujisen and Takidani were just slightly tipsy and euphoric.

By the time the drinking session ended, Tsujisen was much clearer-headed. Seeing Takidani supporting the drunken Kobayashi, he recalled something he had heard a few days ago.

“Be careful on the way home. It’s been pretty unsafe at night lately.” After all, Yokohama was a city rife with yakuza activity.

Takidani pushed up his glasses. “We’ll be careful, Senior. You must take care of yourself too.” Kobayashi, now thoroughly intoxicated, was mumbling incoherently while still clutching her bottle.

After seeing them into a taxi and watching them leave, Tsujisen turned to head home himself.

Not far from his place, he was suddenly accosted by Tsujisen Tomie’s staged accident.

Seeing this beautiful youth again, Tsujisen Ming felt an unusual headache coming on.

Just as he turned into the street leading home, the boy dashed toward him, panicked and terrified. Ming sensed something was wrong, but the boy had already grabbed his arm, clutching as if it was his last lifeline.

“Help me! Please, someone’s trying to kill me!” The boy’s desperate plea jolted Tsujisen fully awake. He steadied the stumbling youth and cast a sharp glance toward the direction the boy had fled from. The boy, as if finding a protector, hid behind Tsujisen.

At the dark end of the street, Ming could see nothing, but the ominous blackness sent a chill down his spine.

“Tomie…” A hoarse, ancient voice called out the boy’s name in broken fragments. The sound was horrid and eerie, making one’s skin crawl.

“Ah!” Tomie screamed, clutching her ears in terror, tears welling in her eyes. “Don’t call me! Go away! Just go!” the boy whimpered, increasingly frightened, clutching Tsujisen’s arm and pleading.

The strange voice made Tsujisen’s skin prickle with unease.

Swallowing hard, he shielded Tomie behind him while the boy sobbed softly at his side.

Behind Tsujisen’s back, Tomie’s pale, delicate face still bore tear stains. Yet her expression was calm and unsettling, a faint smile curling her lips. Her dark eyes studied Tsujisen intently, starkly contrasting with the fearful image she had just shown.

The dim streetlight cast a cold, ghastly pallor over her beautiful face, lending her an eerie, almost inhuman aura.

Low sobbing continued to escape her lips, and the tear mole at the corner of her eye shimmered faintly in the faint light.

Tsujisen was on high alert, eyes fixed on the alley’s end, oblivious to Tomie’s strange demeanor behind him. The eerie cries drew closer, and gradually, a figure appeared at the alley’s entrance.

It was a hunched old man.

Tsujisen exhaled in relief—until the slow-moving old man suddenly charged at him with wild ferocity, moving at a speed no elderly person should possess.

The zombie-like appearance made the hair on Tsujisen’s arms stand on end.

“Tomie! Tomie! Come back! Don’t abandon me! You can’t leave me!” The old man lunged toward Tsujisen, his target being Tomie behind Tsujisen.

Gaunt and skeletal, the old man raised his withered hand to grasp at Tsujisen, a grotesque and chilling sight that would frighten anyone.

Tsujisen clenched his briefcase and slammed it hard into the old man as he reached him, knocking the possessed-looking figure to the ground.

But it wasn’t over. The old man writhed unnaturally on the ground, still calling out Tomie’s name.

Tsujisen muttered a curse under his breath. What kind of horror movie was this?

Grabbing the boy’s wrist behind him, Tsujisen fled the alley with him. Tomie glanced back at the writhing old man on the ground, a disdainful and mocking smile playing at her lips.

After explaining everything at the police station, Tsujisen sat wearily aside. A few officers surrounded Tomie, the beautiful and pitiable youth, who seemed to attract more sympathy and protection than any adult.

“Here, drink this slowly,” one officer handed Tsujisen a cup of hot water. He accepted it with a quiet thanks.

The officer leaned against the wall beside him, eyes fixed on Tomie, his tone filled with sympathy and affection. “Tsujisen really has been through a lot. After what happened last time, and now this.”

Tsujisen remained silent, quietly sipping the warm water.

“By the way, you were the one who called the police last time too, right? You two really seem destined to cross paths,” the officer said ambiguously, his gaze tinged with a subtle envy.

“Ah, it’s all just coincidence,” Tsujisen replied, not wanting any such fate. Holding the paper cup, the warmth helped him regain some composure.

Unlike himself, who felt coldly neglected, the boy opposite him seemed like the center of attention, surrounded by officers fussing over him. Some were even outraged by Tomie’s ordeal, vowing to “take down anyone who bullies Tsujisen.”

Lowering his eyes, Tsujisen watched the ripples in the water.

Something was off. Except for himself, everyone here seemed strange. And at the heart of it all was the boy named Tsujisen Tomie.