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CHAPTER 1 - LORE OF THE “ONE-MAN HIDE-AND-SEEK”

PART 01

“Erm, big brother Jin…… Do you know about the ‘one-man hide-and-seek’?”

It was breakfast time when my beloved little sister asked me hesitantly about this lonely-sounding game.

“My dear Shigure. Your big brother’s name may be written with the kanji for ‘Jin’, but that’s not how it’s pronounced……”

“Really? I just thought ‘big brother Jin’ sounded really cool, so—”

“Well, if you think it’s cool, then it’s fine.”

With that, I forgave my beloved little sister for mistaking the name of her own brother.

Besides, the real pronunciation did sound a little like a girl’s name.

So it was true that ‘Jin’ sounded more manly.

“Anyway, do you know about the ‘one-man hide-and-seek’?”

“No, I don’t. It sounds like a lonely game for a lonely person.”

“I guess. It’s an occult game that was trending on the internet just a while back.”

My little sister Shigure said as she spread margarine on a piece of bread and bit into it.

I smiled, watching as she nibbled on a corner of the bread with her tiny mouth. Then, I thought back on her words.

“What do you mean, an occult game?”

“Well……”

Shigure seemed at a loss for words, even though she was the one who introduced this topic.

Swallowing a mouthful of bread, she looked at me with worry in her eyes.

“……It’s more commonly known as ‘urban legends’.”

I froze.

Urban legends.

It was a forbidden topic between myself and Shigure.

“Actually, a classmate tried the game out, and she’s been missing for the past 3 days.”

Shigure’s expression was grim.

I could tell that this was going to be a serious discussion.

“My classmates are currently obsessed with occult games. Urban legends, haunted locations, they all love it so much. Then, my friend Yumie decided to try the game out…… After that, nobody was able to contact her.”

Shigure might be a real beauty, but she always gave off a cold, aloof aura. Thus, I was glad to hear that she’d managed to make friends with someone. However, the fact that said friend was now missing was a disturbing thought.

“Does this ‘one-man hide-and-seek’ story warn about people going missing? For example, players being unable to come back home after visiting a place?”

“No. It’s a game you play at home. But she’s really gone.”

“Hmm, I see.”

I reached out for my usual cup of morning coffee.

“Here, big brother. Three sticks of sugar.”

“Oh, thanks.”

With that, Shigure handed me three packets of sugar.

That was me, with a dislike of milk, yet unable to drink bitter coffee.

“You’re just like a child, big brother.”

“Well, it’s amazing that you enjoy black coffee at your age, Shigure.”

“Really? But you can really enjoy its aroma this way.”

She sipped at her black coffee like it was the most normal thing in the world.

Black hair, pale skin, large almond eyes; Shigure had a beautiful face that gave off a clean, neat aura.

Even the sight of her drinking coffee was pretty enough for a painting. That was my little sister.

“So, what do you plan to do, Shigure?”

“Oh, erm……”

Her perfectly shaped brows furrowed with worry.

It was just so fitting for her age as a 14 year old; to still be so innocent as to show her weakness and emotions so openly.

“I think it’ll be best to leave everything to the police, but you’re really good when it comes to such occult things. Isn’t that right, big brother?”

“Well, I did get used to it.”

I nodded as I sipped earnestly at my sweet coffee.

“So I was thinking of dropping by Yumie’s home after school…… Erm…… Well……”

“Hmm?”

“So I was wondering…… What are you doing after school, big brother?”

She looked up at me through her lashes shyly.

It was my beloved little sister’s of saying, ‘I don’t feel safe, please come with me’.

As her big brother, I would not dream of doing otherwise.

“Of course, no problem. I’ll follow you anywhere, Shigure!”

“Oh, you exaggerate too much……”

The way she blushed like that was just so lovely.

There was nothing I won’t do for my little sister. And for ‘her’.

“Oh, that’s right…… I’ll try asking Ayase for more details about the urban legend.”

“Oh…… Kitasenju-san? Yes, that’s right. Maybe that’ll be best.”

“Yep. So don’t worry, Shigure, you can count on your big brother!”

I exclaimed as I thumped a fist upon my chest.

“Fufu! My big brother, who can’t drink coffee unless there’s lots of sugar in it.”

Shigure giggled, but I could tell that she was just trying to hide her concern for her friend.

I would have to work hard to make her feel happy again.