Chapter 5: Chapter Five: Crunch (Please Collect!)

They walked into a dessert shop nearby whose neon sign had just lit up.

After ordering two drinks and sitting down across from each other, the online meeting officially began.

"This is what I found inside that house—like the serrated pattern of a mantis's foreleg." Niino Li opened his phone and showed Minazawa Yuu a photo he had taken at the Nagasawa Residence an hour earlier.

He wasn't sure if the photo could capture lingering resentment, nor whether she could perceive strange phenomena.

But someone well-versed in supernatural tales, who had written a paper specifically on Bug Grudge, would surely notice something different.

Minazawa Yuu took the phone and, unlike her earlier carefree demeanor at the Nagasawa Residence, analyzed it seriously.

As her focus sharpened, strands of black, gas-like resentment froze on the screen—the source three uneven, serrated scratches on the floor.

This clearly violated the established pattern of the Bug Grudge tale!

"Niino, something's wrong," Minazawa Yuu said gravely, handing the phone back to Niino Li.

Bright lights illuminated the drink shop; around them sat many teenagers like them chatting over beverages, yet only their table radiated an eerie atmosphere.

"What's wrong? Nagasawa? Or the mantis?" Niino Li was baffled—he just wanted to solve the Bug Grudge mystery and complete his task to upgrade his skill.

"If you'd read my article titled 'Bug Grudge,' you'd know that insect Ghost Spirits typically attack their victims in physical form and thus leave no residual resentment behind."

Niino Li silently memorized each new term Minazawa Yuu uttered.

He didn't care if others overheard.

Between worlds lies a thin membrane unrecognized by either side—until it breaks, both can only gaze at each other.

Understanding is the most incomprehensible word of all.

"This Bug Grudge likely lurks within the homeowner in the form of Ghost Encounter—that is, its power is probably constrained by the human body."

Minazawa Yuu grew more excited as she spoke, her beautiful eyes sparkling; she clapped her hands, delighted at discovering a new case of Bug Grudge.

"Ghost Encounter? What's that?" Niino Li took a sip of his drink and asked casually.

"Unexpectedly encountering the inexplicable—Ghost Spirits possessing someone, like you suddenly yelling, stripping off all your clothes while drinking… or tearing them apart, then rushing behind the counter and bathing in a drink mixed with ice."

Minazawa Yuu smiled slightly, giving a simple example.

Her voice carried uncontrollably—Niino Li clearly heard a simultaneous "Thud!" from around them—

The sound of cups slamming onto tables.

"I get it. What's the next step?" Niino Li coughed twice, feeling the strange, angry glares around him, and asked.

The instigator of all this sat back as if nothing had happened, sipping her drink and nodding amiably at the stares directed at her:

"Bug Grudge targets only those who harmed the insects, and prioritizes them in order—we just need to keep watch on your friend, and of course, Miss Nagasawa."

"This is going to be troublesome…" Niino Li tapped lightly on the table, thinking.

Three days remained until the start of the second semester—he couldn't guarantee he'd finish this task within that time.

Once school resumed, reconnecting with his predecessor's classmates, learning the school layout, studying new textbooks—these trivial matters would drown him in daily chaos, leaving him no time to spare.

"Vrrr."

His phone was still on vibrate—he picked it up, saw the lit screen, and instantly stood up.

"Something's happened!"

Nagazawa Yuki is a mature woman nearing thirty.

Her striking figure, beauty, and poised demeanor earned her immense popularity; even in the most confrontational jobs, she handled everything effortlessly, attending to everyone's emotions.

Hasty yet uplifting, radiating warmth—

Nagazawa Yuki sometimes evaluated her past life as if watching a drama.