--- It's almost as if I will be swallowed by the blue sky.

--- Looking up, it feels like I will somehow melt away.

The sun that sits high in the sky shines down on the asphalt.

The unusually hot air bounces endlessly and aimlessly amongst the crowd, having nowhere else to go.

It's one day during summer break.

I am Nakajou Shuuya, and I would have called myself a normal student studying for the exams.

I was taking summer tutoring classes from a small building on an intersection of the train station.

Right now is lunch break, and I was going outside to buy some lunch.

But still... It's hot.

Way too hot... It's almost as if I'm about to lose consciousness right away.

Going outside on an August noon is something you shouldn't do. I think I should have bought my lunch earlier in the morning.

I guess I should hurry up and get it.

Finishing my thoughts, I made my way through the river of the crowd.

Up to now and even today, it's been this way.

Somehow, it feels like I have always been flowing in a river through someone else's life.

But now, I stand at a crossroad.

In front of the crossroad that I'm unable to make a decision about, everyone else seems to naturally choose their paths.

"Think about how you will live your life from now." It's something I have heard a lot recently.

To hear something like that kind of gives me memories.

Man, I was so free when I was younger.

At this age, while thinking to myself these cheeky thoughts, I would sometimes look up to the sky.

I do have just one special thing that the heavens gave to me.

But I can't just tell that to everyone. It's not something that should be talked about.

I guess I can't be the only one with this ability.

Despite that, I think everyone will try to hide it while living their lives.

I think the truth is that as I try to hide it deep in my heart, somehow, I'm hiding from the sky watching me.

Surely, for the rest of my life, I will be living this way.

As I finished indulging in these deep and heavy thoughts, I looked I front of me.

The congestion of the city streets. Everyone passes by me with quick steps. I can't afford to be late either, so I pick up my pace as well.

I don't really mind being late, but I just don't want to become a bother to anyone. I don't want to stand out so much either.

Well, I guess that's not completely true either.

I bet that after they concentrate their attention on me for one moment, they will forget about me in the next.

After all, thoughts don't last for an entire lifetime.

That's why.. Yes, that's the way it is.

If I don't act as strangely as "that girl", everyone would just forget me in an instant.

But, people who stand out as much as she does..

...I shouldn't be thinking these things. At this rate I'll be going back to class and gossiping about her.

But still..

Right now it's the middle of summer. In the scorch of the city heat, she's wrapped in full winter clothing, it's almost unreal.

Including a coat, a muffler, a hat, and she's even wearing boots.

In this region, it gets cold during winter. But even the, we wouldn't be wearing as much as her. It just doesn't get that cold.

Wow, to be wearing so much in this weather.

She's just standing in front of the shop in an empty space looking kind of bored.

Really really bored..

So bored that she's pouting, spinning around in circles and stretching.

Shuuya: What in the world is she doing..?

I can only barely see her right now, so I approach her with slow steps.

You would think that she would be attracting a lot of attention, but no one is paying any to her.

No one can see her.

Even though she looks so strange and unnatural.

Even though she's so ridiculous.

... Why...?

I stopped in front of her.

She hasn't even sweat one drop. She don't even look one but uncomfortable.

And then, she turned to me and looked into my eyes...

??: Found you!

Shuuya: Huh..?

??: Geez, I'm so glad! It was getting really boring around here..

??: I thought it would be easy with so many people around here, but I guess that was too reckless of me!

??: And even then, only a certain age range would be okay.

??: But it's the middle of summer too, I guess not many people would be going to school.

Shuuya: What.. Are you talking about?

I have no clue what she's trying to say.

"Found".. What? Is she talking to me?

??: Come on, don't keep making that face. You'll start looking suspicious to everyone else you know. You're the only one who's looking so surprised.

Shuuya: I'm the only one.. What..

Shuuya: What's with you and those clothes?

This can't be right.. Doing that in the middle of this hot summer day.

As I thought of what might be happening, a chill runs down my spine and a drop of sweat falls from my forehead.

She's wearing so much that even by just looking at her makes me uneasy.

Shuuya: Surely you are the only who should be standing out.. Aren't you hot? I mean with those clothes...

??: Oh, I don't feel anything related to temperature. These clothes are decorations.

??: They're decorations to get people like you to notice.

I finally catch on to what's happening.

She does not appear in anyone else's vision.

She's can only be seen by me, and people like me.

Shuuya: So that means.. You're..

??: Yep! A ghost. And you're someone who can see me.

??: You know, I've been looking for children like you who can see ghosts!

Shuuya: ...Why?

??: Because I'm scouting! Hey, do you want to try applying for our school?

Like this, my life flowed with all these small decisions that I repeatedly make... At least that's what I thought.

But she found me. <He says this in a self-depreciating tone>

She found me, and she has a really happy and glad expression on her face.

I was just so glad..

That we met and she smiled for me.

I was just so glad that someone could be happy for my ability.

Matsuri: I'm Matsuri!

Matsuri: I go to a school that just recently got built and I'm looking for students.

Matsuri: What's your name?

Shuuya: Nakajou... Shuuya.

Shuuya: You said you were looking for students.. What do you mean?

Matsuri: Yep.. Boys and girls who can see ghosts, who will gather together to study at our new school.

She is a ghost.

Since I was little, I could see ghosts.

I met her..

And a new path had presented itself in front of me.

Since that day in the summer, since I met that girl, half a year had passed.

From today, I will be enrolled in this new school.

Shuuya: ...Finally, I'm here.

I muttered in a small voice.

From my house, it took me one and a half hours by train, and then ten more minutes by subway to get here.

I had talked to my parents to get their consent for me to attend this school, and they decided that I should live alone.

Now that I think about it, the last six months passed by so quickly.

The private school Suou Academy.

So this is the school that that ghost girl I met that day was talking about.

...

She said her name was Azuse Matsuri.

That day, she waited for me until my summer class ended..

And then at a place where no one else was there, she told me about this school.

Shuuya: Azuse... San.

Matsuri: You can just call me Matsuri. Although I died quite a long time ago, and I would be your senior, I don't really mind.

Matsuri: You don't have to use polite speech either.

Shuuya: Umm.. Okay then.. Matsuri.

Shuuya: So you said you were looking for kids who can see ghosts? What was that all about?

Matsuri: Yep. I walked around all over the town looking for kids like you with the ability to see ghosts.

Matsuri: I scouted about them the best I could so we could learn about how ghosts and people might be able to live together.

Matsuri: So maybe one day, they could become spiritualists, mediums, or pursue other possible related careers in the future. That's the kind of school we're trying to make.

That's how she explained it to me.

Matsuri: I'm nothing more than a helper. Some other ghosts and I went around the country looking for people who could see us.

Matsuri: How old are you? Did the admission process go okay? Were the entrance exams too difficult?

Shuuya: I guess.. I've taken summer classes for three years already.

Matsuri: Waa! Really?! That's my bad...

Matsuri: Your address! Your address and addressee name, please tell me them. I-I'm not going to use them for anything bad!

A few days after I gave her my address, mail arrived with the official school documents.

Of course, that wasn't enough to earn my trust.

After that, Matsuri frequently visited me at my house to further explain many things.

Matsuri: There is a bug need for people who can see ghosts you know?

Matsuri: Because there are lots and lots of ghosts out there. Surely, you've already seen that for yourself.

Shuuya: I have...

When I was little, one day I started being able to see ghosts.

Bright and happy ghosts like Matsuri were rare. Most of them had an aura that made them uncomfortable to approach.

There would be a black shadow covering them, and the temperature would suddenly decrease.

They would always be whispering something. Sometimes they would be missing a body part. Some of them were even torn into pieces.

Having them notice me would be very bad, so I pretended I couldn't see them.

I guess I'm pretty bad with strange unnatural things. I don't think I'll ever get used to seeing them.

Matsuri: But, there are pretty few people who have those careers.

Shuuya: About that.. I guess I don't know much..

Matsuri: Yeah, and it would be kind of hard to tell your family about it, right?

That's definitely true. Even though I could see ghosts, I haven't told them about my ability.

Even if I actually wanted to pursue one of those careers, I couldn't just tell them that.

Matsuri: But if you diligently go to school, do your reviews and study hard, then look for a job, you'll surely have an easy door with those paths open to you.

Shuuya: Are those jobs really out there...?

Matsuri: Hmm.. The field isn't that established yet, but it seems there are people out there who are looking to expand it.

Matsuri: So that's why I just want to give you that option.

Shuuya: Option...

For the longest time, I've always thought about why I have this ability.

Why am I able to see ghosts?

Why only me? Of course, I knew that it wasn't just me. If you looked around the country, there are lots of others who can.

But still, no one I knew could, so there was no one I could open up to.

The world is a big place, but the part of it I live in is just such a narrow space.

Still, I always thought that there had to be a reason I have this ability.

I don't really have any special talents or things that I could be proud of.

I've tried to ignore my abilities and even remove them.

But, it just wouldn't disappear.

I knew that I had to face the reality of it.

I wanted to meet them. I wanted to meet someone besides me who also had the same ability.

As for my career, I haven't decided what I want to do yet. But...

I wanted to consider it. After all, there is just so much that I don't know.

From the outside, the school looks like a more prestigious school for good education.

There was a lottery. I made it through the lottery phase then had an interview.

Of course, it wasn't just a lottery. There was an entrance exam too.

The only two conditions for application were that you were of the right age and that you could see ghosts. That was it.

Tuition was not that high either. It was a good amount for me to be able to live alone though...

Matsuri: Oh, Shuuya! Good morning!

Suddenly, as she called out to me, I began thinking.

Now that I think about it, Matsuri and the rest said they were just helping out with the recruitment process. What will happen to them from now?

Shuuya: Good.. Morning...

Matsuri: Good morning! It's been a while, right?

Matsuri: Look, it's my new school uniform! It looks good on me, right?

Shuuya: We-well, that's not it..

Matsuri was wearing the school uniform of Suou Academy.

Shuuya: What are you doing with that uniform? Are you just trying it out?

Matsuri: No no, this is actually a uniform for me.

Shuuya: What.. Why?

Why is Matsuri who is a ghost..

Didn't she say that she was just helping out the school..?

Matsuri: Congratulations on being accepted! I'll be studying at this school too from now today!

Shuuya: What?!

Surprised, I took a good look around.

It's still very early. But slowly, many students are making their ways to the school.

Shuuya: Gh-ghosts..

There was not only people. Ghosts too were walking along us towards the school, wearing the same uniforms as us.

I guess Matsuri didn't want to cause too much confusion and chaos so she kept that piece of information to herself.

Matsuri: The people we found weren't only people who could see ghosts.

Matsuri: We also found ghosts who were similar to our age.

Shuuya: So... We would be living our school lives alongside ghosts?

Matsuri: Exactly! So, nice to meet you Shuuya!

Shuuya: .......

Going to school.. With ghosts...?

Suddenly, I became doubtful whether everything would turn out okay....

Entering the hallway, I could see the markers dividing the classes.

It seems that classes for new students were many and classes for second and third years were few.

Matsuri: Hehe, we're in the same class.

Shuuya: ... There are five first year classes. Out of everyone, how many ghosts are there?

Matsuri: Hmm.. I don't know the numbers for sure. Maybe 1 in 3? I don't think it is half-half.

Shuuya: ...Good grief...

I thought that two or three students in each of the class would be ghosts.. But there are this many...?

Inside the classroom, students were sparse, since it was still early.

I put my things down at a seat on the edge of the room and fearfully looked around the classroom.

... Already, there were lots of them... Ghosts...

Matsuri had already left me and she was now chatting with some other ghost girls.

... Yeah, they're just ghosts.. They won't do anything strange to me... Uu...

...

Despite the fears I had, everyone else in the class seemed pretty happy.

That was no bad presence or mood at all. In fact, it was as if they didn't even think they were ghosts.

Classmate: Did you watch that drama last night? I didn't think I would start crying like that right from the beginning!

... The subjects of their conversations were even normal. I guess everyone can watch television.

Shuuya: Wow, this somehow feels really strange..

??: ...You too, huh?

Shuuya: Uwaa!!

Suddenly, someone behind me spoke. Startled, I turned back to face him.

Shuuya: ... A living person...? That was scary, please don't do that. You startled me!

??: I guess you too... You didn't know that there would be ghosts here with us did you?

Shuuya: Yeah... I didn't know! You didn't get told either?!

??: Comrade!

He suddenly hugged me.

??: I thought at the very least I finally found a place where I would belong! Geez, why does this have to happen to me..

Shuuya: ... Sorry, can you please at least introduce yourself?

??: Oh... Sorry, I lost my cool...

Itsuki: I'm Migaki Itsuki. I think we're probably in the same class.

Shuuya: I'm Nakajou Shuuya. Yeah, probably...

Itsuki: I was trembling so much that I barely was able to make it in here. No, this might be just a dream.. I don't think they even have a class roster..

Shuuya: Relax. I'm sure they have a roster...

Itsuki: Aaaah, why does these things always have to..

Shuuya: Calm down...

Shuuya: Anyways, I'm going to try asking the other kids.

Itsuki: Yeah, I think you should..

All of a sudden, a loud sound echoed across the room. Everyone turned towards the door.

??: .........!

Almost crying and looking very confused, she started looking around the room.

Shuuya: I guess we should ask her.

Itsuki: Agreed...

We tried waving in her direction and after noticing us, she ran over.

??: Ghost-sans..

They're everywhere! Everywhere!

Shuuya: Calm down!

??: Ca.. Calm.. Down..

??: I guess I'll have some sweets. Yeah, I'll eat some sweets.

Saying that, she takes a small pouch with a donut inside from her bag.

??: Om.. Nom.. The Ghost-sans.. Are everywhere..

Shuuya: You've calmed down...?

??: It's probably because of... The power of sugar...

??: Ah! I forgot to greet you. Sorry!

Kanna: My name is Nishizono Kanna. Umm...

Itsuki: Migaki Itsuki.

Shuuya: I'm Nakajou Shuuya.

Kanna: Itsuki-kun and Shuuya-kun, right? Do the two of you know that there would be Ghost-sans here...?

Itsuki: Not at all!!!

Shuuya: Not at all!!!

Kanna: Right? Right?! Phew, I'm so glad...

Shuuya: Why are you so scared...? Are you okay...?

Kanna: On my way into the school building, I got scared so many times. So many of them suddenly surprised me, coming from the shadows saying "boo" and stuff!

Shuuya: Wow.. That's unforgivably mean!

Itsuki: That's too mean!

Itsuki: Well, it's going to be like impossible to live with ghosts.. Why are they doing this to us? I thought this was supposed to be a school that taught us how to get rid of them..

Kanna: D-don't tell me that each of us are going to do exorcism on one.. <Exorcism means sending a ghost's spirit forcibly to the afterlife>

Shuuya: N-no way no way no way!

No way, I don't want to even think about doing that!

Although I've already pretty much steadily lost my trust in them seeing again and again just how much they didn't tell us.

Shuuya: But.. Somehow, it doesn't seem like the mood here is bad at all, don't you think?

Kanna: Yeah... I see that too. I don't feel any fear..

Itsuki: But they're ghosts...

Shuuya: And yet they're talking about what was on television last night and magazine special editions..

Itsuki: They're like... Normal..

Kanna: I kind of feel like joining them...

Matsuri: ...Hi!

Kanna: Kyaa!!

Matsuri: Ahahahaha! What a nice scare!

Shuuya: Stop it! You should think a little more about others!

Matsuri: But I do think about others!

Matsuri: You don't have to be so scared.. I just had a talk with everyone about scaring people and they told me it would be fun.

Matsuri: I guess it wouldn't be so bad working at a haunted house! (Like the ride at the theme park)

Kanna: Uu...

Matsuri: Sorry for scaring you. I'm Azuse Matsuri!

Kanna: ...Matsuri..-chan.. You're a ghost.. Right?

Matsuri: Yep! A fully fledged ghost. Am I scary?

Kanna: Not really..

Kanna: They didn't tell us there were going to be so many ghosts here.. I've never seen so many like this before..

Itsuki: Yeah.. It's like they were deceiving us by not telling us. I'm kind of mad..

Matsuri: But, if I had said "you'll be going to school with ghosts", you would have surely hated it, right?

Shuuya: I guess we wouldn't have been able to guess what kind of kids you were...

Matsuri: Exactly. Here, everyone is a happy ghost. There aren't any evil or bad ones.

Itsuki: But.. You guys are ghosts aren't you? You've all.. Died..

Matsuri: I would be happy if you thought of us as "without bodies". It's not like we did bad things.

Matsuri: I know that when someone normally says "ghost", they mean something scary.

Matsuri: But, we're not like that.

Shuuya: Yeah, I can see that.

Matsuri: You know.. before I came here, I was always alone. I didn't have a purpose and I had nothing at all to do...

Matsuri: I think all the other ghosts here are probably in the same boat.

Matsuri: There aren't many ghosts who get the chance to talk to people who can see us so often.. We've usually been really lonely for a long time.

Matsuri: That's why I'm super happy right now. Being able to go to school and chat with everyone like this..

Kanna: Matsuri-chan...

Matsuri: Hey.. Will you be my friend?

Kanna: ...Sure, if I'm okay for you...

Matsuri: Thanks.. Umm..

Kanna: Kanna. I'm Nishizono Kanna.

Matsuri: Kanna-chan then! Nice to meet you!

Kanna: Yep, nice to meet you too.

Matsuri: What about you over there?

Itsuki: Hmm.. I think I understand where you're coming from, but..

Matsuri: Well, I think the teacher will be here soon to explain everything!

Itsuki: That's it huh.. We'll be forced into accepting this situation by some adults..

Kanna: That's just what happens in this world!

Shuuya: But.. We can really be friends, it's not like there's a problem with that. After all, we're just like normal classmates...

Kanna: I think so too. It seems like we should just not think so much of it. We're just classmates and friends.

Kanna: Everyone else won't be able to see, but us here can. If that's true, there won't be any problems!

Itsuki: Hmm.. I guess you're right...

Itsuki: You're Matsuri-chan, right? I'm Migaki Itsuki. Nice to meet you.

Matsuri: Nice to meet you too, Itsuki-kun!

Since it's a new school, everyone including the students and staff gathered in the big lecture hall.

It seems that the school's opening ceremony will be done here.

The teachers took turns appearing one by one, and they explained a lot of things.

There are 312 students enrolled. Among them, 103 are ghosts.

First years are about half the total, with around 150 students. Second and third years have around 80 each.

Overall, it seems around one third of students are ghosts.

The student body is small right now, but the management wants to expand.

After the teachers finished, the board chairman was to give a message to the students.

Itsuki: A message from the chair.. Did they have to make it here?

Itsuki: I guess that was their main motive for gathering us here.

Shuuya: I.. Guess that could be it..

Itsuki: It's probably going to someone super scary. Like an old man who's a bag of bones.. So scary..

Shuuya: ... I think it's that person?

She's wearing a flashy purple dress.

Contrary to what Itsuki's expectations were, a gentle looking woman appeared.

Itsuki: Is it really her..?

Board Chair: Umm, nice to meet you everyone! Let me introduce myself. I'm the board chairman!

Board Chair: Ah, well, I became the chairman. And, I'm a ghost!

Itsuki: ...Is it really a good idea for her to be saying this?

Shuuya: Probably.. Not..

Ranko: My name is Ranko. As for my family name, I forgot it when I died...

Ranko: Umm... What should I say next.. I don't know...

Ranko: Umm! Everyone, please work hard at our new school and umm.. Congratulations for being accepted!

Shuuya: .......

Kanna: ......

Matsuri: ...This speech...

Ranko: Umm.. Umm..

Ranko: I'm a ghost, so.. Umm.. I don't know how I should say this but..

Ranko: Being at a place were ghosts and people who can see us are together, I'm really, really glad. It makes me very happy!

Ranko: In the state we're in, normally no on would be able to find us..

Ranko: But here, I think we will be able to talk to someone, play with someone. I really think there is that kind of life for us here!

Ranko: Each of us have different reasons for coming here, and all of us think differently. But..

Ranko: I feel that it would be wonderful if everyone could have fun and happy days here!

??: What's up with that.. This all sounds kind of stupid..

Kanna: Hmm...?

Ranko: To all the human students, please make well with us ghosts, okay?

Ranko: And, please make well with me too, okay? I would be glad if you would care-freely call me Ranko-san. <Ranko is her first name>

Ranko: I haven't ever really been a board chairperson before.. And I'm kind of just a decoration here, so I've just been thinking a lot lately..

Ranko: Hmm? Oh, and.. And.. Umm...

Ranko: Huh? What was I going to say? ...Umm...

Ranko: U..Uu.. I forgot even though I practiced so much yesterday...!

Ranko: I don't know much more details, so please ask the teachers if you have more questions.

Ranko: A.. Umm.. And, please work hard everyone!

Ranko: I-I'm sorry! I'm sorry! That's all!

Shuuya: Somehow... We didn't learn anything...

Itsuki: ...You're right...

Itsuki: As the board chairperson.. Is it really okay to say all that? She even told us that she was just a decoration.

Shuuya: ...I don't know.

After the school's opening ceremony ended, we returned to our classrooms.

... I thought we would have been given some much-needed infuriated, but it just ended like a normal opening ceremony.

Will we... Really be okay?

Shuuya: Hmm...?

As my attention focuses back to my vision, I see a crowd of students gathered around one corner of the classroom. What happened over there?

??: .......

In the center of the crowd, one girl sat there unhappily.

Huh.. That girl...

She's really pretty... But that's not all. It feels like I've seen her somewhere before.

Itsuki: Uwaa... Seriously...?

Shuuya: That girl, she's...

Itsuki: !Fill! Hinagiku. She's super famous for her sensitivity to ghosts.

Shuuya: ...Oh!

Yep, !Fill! Hinagiku. I saw her frequently on TV a few summers ago as the "ghost-sensitive girl".

With that kind of face, I think I've seen her in some modeling magazines as well.

Shuuya: I wonder if we're in the same class.. I didn't see her at the opening ceremony.

Kanna: I think she arrived sometime during the ceremony. She was sitting next to me.

Kanna: A famous person... So cute... Almost like a dream come true...!

Kanna: I wonder if she will let me have her autograph...

Itsuki: You shouldn't be doing that you know. She's your classmate after all.

Kanna: Hmm... I guess you're right.. That's such a bother... Uu...

??: What are all of you doing? Quickly take your seats.

The voice of a woman echoed across the classroom and the crowd quickly scattered.

Kanna: Ah.. Well, I'll talk to you later.

Shuuya: Yep, see you later.

Kanna-chan went to the front and sat down in a seat in front of us. Itsuki and I went to the back of the class and took seats.

The teacher, a young woman, who lead the discussion during the opening ceremony, stood at the teaching podium.

Sumire: I'm this class's homeroom teacher, <Fill> Sumire.

Sumire: I know all of you probably have a lot of unanswered questions, but for now, we think it's important for you to get used to the school first.

Sumire: As for the detailed explanations to everything, we will wait until at least tomorrow.

Sumire: As the board chairperson said, this is a school where ghosts and those who can see them will spend their days together.

Sumire: Many of you humans probably have not seen so many ghosts in your lives.

Sumire: So we want you to get used to being in an environment where you come into close contact with ghosts often.

Sumire: That will be all. If you have any more questions, we will deal with them later...

Hinagiku: I'm not okay with this!

Everyone turns to the direction of the sudden voice.

It's the girl who was in the middle of the crowd earlier. She's standing and glaring angrily at the teacher.

Hinagiku: How are we supposed to get along?! How are we supposed to have happy and fun school lives?!

Hinagiku: Are you seriously expecting us to be able to attend the same school as ghosts?!

I can see what she is coming from, as what she says definitely has a point. A lot of people in the class are probably thinking the exact same thing.

Other students' voices began to echo across the room, although they weren't as loud as <Fill>-san's.

Sumire: Don't worry. A lot of you humans are probably thinking along similar lines, right?

Sumire: We're not telling all of you to live the rest of your life with ghosts. We're just asking that you try to get along.

Hinagiku: Ghosts.. I don't think it'll even be possible to stay alive around them.

Hinagiku: Ghosts are things that don't have a place and don't belong in this world.

Sumire: You're right. Normally, that is.

Sumire: But, sometimes, there are ghosts who are like guardian angels to people or things. There are also ghosts who haunt or possess things.

Sumire: Ghosts have a deep connection to what we normally call a god, or the heavens.

Hinagiku: That's just one of the many theories. And besides, I don't think any of the ghosts here have such properties.

Sumire: Well then, can't we just say that that is just your own theory?

Hinagiku: ........

Sumire: I myself also have some knowledge in exorcism. All of the other teachers received some training on it as well.

Sumire: There's definitely some danger. But here in this school, at least we don't deny their existence.

Hinagiku: It IS dangerous.

Sumire: But some, including me don't want all of you who can see ghosts to live the way you have.

Sumire: After all, this is your generation's world.

Hinagiku: .......

Sumire: I guess there's still lots of you who haven't caught up. More detailed explanations will be given to you after tomorrow.

Sumire: At this school, we won't be doing any exorcism. Although, that's given no one is in danger.

Sumire: But if in the very small chance that something does occur, we will remove that rule. Please keep this deeply in mind.

Kanna: I.. Don't really get it.. But it sounds kind of scary..

Itsuki: Yeah.. How do I say this.. That teacher is beautiful, but too scary..

Shuuya: So basically what she's trying to say is that as long as the ghosts here are good, they can continue staying here I guess...

Itsuki: Is that so? In any case, it seems like the teachers will be here to protect us.

Kanna: But.. I just can't believe that Matsuri-chan.. Will become a scary ghost..

Shuuya: Yeah...

It seems so much that the ghosts here are just like people.

If you looked at them, they are even wearing school uniforms just like normal people.

That girl though... She doesn't seem to be wearing this school's uniform...

There are a few students like that, I wonder what happened with them.

Matsuri: Hey, you.

Hinagiku: ......

Matsuri clearly seems upset with <fill>-san, calling out to her.

Matsuri: You're someone famous, right? I've seen you on TV a few times!

Matsuri: And, you were there on this week's edition of magazine "Nina", right? That one piece dress was so cute...

If I recall correctly, "Nina" is a magazine targeted towards young women.

Matsuri seems to be enjoying herself while <fill>-san continues to glare angrily at her.

Hinagiku: ...Don't try to talk to me, you ghost.

Matsuri: What?!

Matsuri: That shouldn't matter, should it?! Whether you're a ghost or a person!

Hinagiku: There's no reason it shouldn't matter. How in the world do you even read magazines?

Matsuri: Well, I just stand behind others in the bookstore and read from there and stuff.

Hinagiku: Television, magazines, along with a lot of other  sources of entertainment are things that you're supposed to pay for you know.

Hinagiku: Your kind can't create anything. You can't even be productive at all.

Matsuri: What?!

Matsuri: Isn't it a good thing that we're cheap? We don't need to eat anything. And we don't need to buy fancy clothes. We're also really good for nature!

Hinagiku: So can you really say that you can have a good life here, that ghosts and people can get along like this?

Matsuri: Sure I can! This place is only so big..

Hinagiku: Despite that, this place had to get all of us here for it all to happen, you know?

Matsuri: That's okay, right? After all, that's the reason this place was built.

Hinagiku: What do you means that's the reason this place was built? Are you trying to say that you are oh so great?

Matsuri: No way!

Matsuri: Why did you have to say something like that all of a sudden?

Hinagiku: It's because of you ghosts who shouldn't even exist. Don't you realize that yourselves?

Matsuri: it's not like we're causing anyone trouble or anything.

Hinagiku: If you wanted to follow that principle, then you should just become like air and stay quiet.

Matsuri: That's so mean! You...

Kanna: Matsuri-chan, stop! Stop!!

Kanna: Umm... Your name is <fill>, Hinagiku-san, right?

Hinagiku: ...Yes, and?

Kanna: My name is Nishizono Kanna. This here is Azuse Matsuri-chan and, we're all going to be classmates living our lives together..

Matsuri: Kanna-chan! You don't have to introduce yourself to her!

Matsuri: This person has a super bad personality!! She's way too mean!!

Hinagiku: Hmm! As if I mind being told that by a ghost.

Matsuri: So this is the fate of children who get taken into the world of stardom, being unable to stand up to the rigors of society!

Hinagiku: Th-that has nothing to do with it!

Kanna: You too <Fill>-san, please calm down...

Kanna: There are others here too..

As I looked around, lots of the other classmates were now attentively watching the happenings between Matsuri and <fill>-san.

Kanna: Umm.. Not everyone here wanted to be ghosts...

<Fill>-san's expression became a little more sad. No one wants to become a ghost. They've all met some sort of tragic fate and lost their lives. And these were children of our age..

Even if they tried to act like they were happy, they have no way of truly living their lives like how they were supposed to. Like us.

Hinagiku: ...You're right. I think I said too much.

Hinagiku: I'm sorry.

Matsuri: ......

Hinagiku: But, even then,I don't think it's okay that you became the way you are.

Hinagiku: A school that ghosts attend, and then to have regular communication with people.. I think it's way too dangerous.

Kanna: A.. <fill>-san! Wait!

<fill>-san did not even seem to consider Kanna-chan's words as she took up her bag and walked out of the classroom.

Kanna: Nn.. I just wanted the two of you to get along...

Matsuri: No way! Impossible! it will never happen!

Matsuri: If she doesn't like it here, she should just not come! She has no idea how we feel.

Kanna: Nn.. <Fill>-san probably has some reasons behind the way she feels. After all, I think she has seen way, way more ghosts of every kind than we ever have.

Kanna: That's why, Matsuri-chan shouldn't say those mean things, okay?

Itsuki: I agree. If she's spent so much time seeing so many bad ghosts, then even though everyone tells here that the ghosts here are the good kind, she won't be able to believe them.

Shuuya: Yeah...

No matter how much they look like people, they are still ghosts.

In that point, <Fill>-san is probably correct.

Matsuri: What? Is everyone really siding with that girl?

Shuuya: That's not how it is... We're the humans here. And school just started, right?

Kanna: Yeah, it's inevitable that there's going to be worries.

Matsuri: Well, I guess the bad impression accumulated by our ancestors is really hard to wipe off in our generation, right?

Itsuki: That's actually an incredibly amazing thing to say.

Itsuki: But well, let's think about it like this. If we're able to keep passing our days without any problem like the way we have, then surely that Miss <fill> will be convinced. Don't you agree?

Kanna: Yep. As they say, time fixes the most difficult problems!

Shuuya: Is that really how it works...?

Matsuri: Anyways, does everyone have any plans for later?

Kanna: I don't. I have dinner at 19:00, so I just have to return home by them.

Itsuki: Same with me.

Shuuya: I'm fine as long as I get back home before late night...

Matsuri: Well then, let's go on a trip to somewhere later! I've wanted to do that for so long!

Kanna: Umm... I'm okay with that, but..

Shuuya: It's ine that we go play together, but.. Well..

Itsuki: Hmm... Yeah...

Matsuri: Huh..? What?

Shuuya: Matsuri.. Umm.. The people around us won'tbe able to see you, so...

Matsuri: It'll be okay! As long as I have three people!

Kanna: Is that true?

Matsuri: People don't usually listen to the contents of strangers' conversations, right?

Matsuri: If I just mixed in with all of you, I think we'll just be seen as three boys and girls talking to each other.

Itsuki: Well, if you say it that way, I guess you're right...

Matsuri: We might get have a few people listen carefully and think "Huh? What they're talking about makes no sense?!", but that's okay. Since they're only strangers.

Kanna: I wonder if that's true..

Shuuya: I think it is. Even if they listened to us and thought something was off, it's not like they're going to approach us about it.

Itsuki: Okay, it's settled. If someone follows us and approaches us, we'll call the cops and say that they're stalking Kanna.

Kanna: Huh? But I'll feel sorry for them...

Matsuri: It's okay. No one's going to do that!

After a 15 minute bus ride from the station in front of the school...

――吸い込まれるような、空の青。

――見上げていれば、どこか自分が溶けていきそうに感じるんだ。

空に高く昇った太陽が、アスファルトを照りつけて。

異常なほど熱くなった蒸気は、この人ごみの中で行く当てもないまま彷

徨っている。

夏休み中のある日。

僕、中條柊哉（なかじょう・しゅうや）は一般的に受験生と呼ばれる者

で……

駅前の小さなビルの一角にある学習塾で、夏期講習を受けていた。

今はその昼休憩中で、僕は昼食を買うために外に出ていた。

それにしても……暑い。

暑すぎる……今にも倒れそうだ。

８月のお昼なんて、外に出るもんじゃなかった……朝のうちに何か買っ

ておけば良かったと思う。

早く、済ませておかないと……

そう思いながらも、僕は人の流れに身を任せている。

今までずっと、そう。

なんだかんだで僕はずっと、誰かに流されるように生きてきた。

けれど僕は今、岐路に立たされている。

まだ決めかねている進路の前、僕以外のみんなは、自然に道を選んでいく。

「自分がこれからどうやって生きていくか考えろ」と、最近言われることが多くなった。

そんなこと言ったって……とどうしても心のどこかで思ってしまう。

小さい頃は自由だったなぁなんて、

この年で生意気にも過去を思いながら、僕は時々、空を仰ぐ。

小さい頃は自由だったなぁなんて、

この年で生意気にも過去を思いながら、僕は時々、空を仰ぐ。

僕には一つだけ、与えられた力があった。

けれど、それをみんなには言えない。言えることじゃ、ないから。

この力を持っている人は、僕だけじゃないだろう。

でも、普通はみんなそれを隠して生きているんだと思う。

だから僕も……

本当のことは心の中に隠したままで、どこか、自分を空に隠して、

きっとこれから、そうやって生きていくんだ――

……なんて、物思いにふけりながらも、僕は前を見る。

街の雑踏。みんな足早に過ぎ去っていく。僕も、遅れないように足を進

める。

別に遅れたって構わないけれど、そうするとどこかで邪魔になるんじゃ

ないかとか、目立つんじゃないかとか、そんなことばかりを考えてしまう。

多分、そんなわけないんだけど。

僕の姿が一瞬誰かの目に留まったところで、次の一瞬には忘れてる。

何かを思われたところで、今後一生ってわけじゃない。

だから……そう。

『あの子』みたいに可笑しな動きをしなければ、僕のことなんて、みん

なきっとすぐ忘れる。

けれど、『あの子』みたいに目立つ子は……

そうはいかないと思う。これから会う子に話したり、帰ってから誰かに

話したり。

……だって。

今は真夏。都会の炎天下の中で、彼女は不自然なくらいの冬服に身を包

んで。

コートに、マフラー、帽子、足元にはブーツ。

こっちの地方じゃ真冬になっても、流石にそんな服は着ない。流石に、

そこまでは寒くない。

それを、この炎天下の中で着てるなんて。

そして彼女はお店の前のデッドスぺースの一角で、暇そうにしていた。

本当に。暇そうに。

退屈そうに唇を尖らせて。くるくる回ってみたり伸びてみたり。

柊哉（……あの子、何なんだろう……？）

最初はちょっとだけ見えた姿が、ゆっくりと足を進めるにつれて近付い

てくる。

いろんな人の注目の的になってると思いきや、誰もいなかった。

誰も、彼女を見ていない。

こんなにも、不自然なのに。

おかしいのに。

景色に調和していないのに。

誰も、彼女を見ていない。

柊哉……どうして……？

僕は、彼女の前で足を止めた。

彼女は一つも汗を掻いていない。苦しそうな素振りすら見せていない。

そうして目の前に立っている僕の目を覗き込んで……

嬉しそうに笑って見せた。

？？見つけた！

柊哉えっ……

？？ああもう、良かったぁ。ここにいるの結構退屈なんだよねぇ。

？？人、こんなにいるし、意外とすぐ見つかるかなぁって思ったけど、さす

がに無謀だよねー。

？？年齢だって誰でもいいわけじゃないし。

？？でも夏休み中だしさー、学園にはあんまり人いないし。

柊哉何を……言って……

彼女が何を言っているのか、わからない。

見つけるって……何を？　僕に、言っているの？

？？もうっ、そんな顔しないの～。周りから見たら、不審に思われるよ？

一人でそんな驚いて。

柊哉ひ、一人でって……、君は……

柊哉君はどうなんだよ？　そんな服で……

ありえない。こんな真夏に。

ありえない、ぞわりと背中が寒くなる。額から、汗が落ちる。

視線を向けることすら憚られるほどの、重装備。

柊哉君の方が、ずっと、目立つ……はず。暑くないの？　そんな、服で……

？？ああ、気温に関しては何も感じないの。この服は、飾り。

？？君みたいな人に、気付いてもらうための、飾りなんだ。

？？あたしの姿は、みんなには見えないんだから。

なんとなく、気付いてしまう。

彼女は他の誰の目にも映っていない。

僕に……僕のような人にしか、見えない存在なんだ。

柊哉それって……。君は……

？？そ。幽霊。そして、君はあたしが見える人。

？？あたしはね、君みたいな、幽霊が見える子を探してたんだよ！

柊哉……どうして。

？？スカウトするためさ！　ねえ、学園に入学してみる気はない？

このまま、流されるように小さな選択を繰り返して、僕は生きていくの

かと思っていた。

けれど、そんな僕を、彼女は見つけてくれた。

僕を見つけて、すごく嬉しそうな笑みを浮かべてくれたんだ。

僕は、ただ嬉しくて……

僕に出会って、笑ってくれたことが、

僕の力を喜んでくれたことが、ただ、嬉しかった。

まつりあたしはまつりよ。

まつり新しく出来た学園に通う、学生さんを探してるの。

まつり君の名前は？

柊哉中條……柊哉。

柊哉学生って……？　何の、ことなの……？

まつりそう……、霊が見える少年少女だけを、集めた、新しい学園。

彼女は幽霊だった。

そうして、僕は幼い頃から、幽霊が見えた。

彼女に、出会って……

僕の目の前に、一つの道が出来た。

あの夏の日、一人の少女に出会ってから半年。

僕は今日から、この学園に入学することになる。

柊哉……ついに、来てしまった。

……小さな声で、そんな風に呟いてみる。

僕の実家から、この学園まで、新幹線で１時間半。そこから地下鉄に乗

って１０分くらい。

この学園への入学を決めて、両親を説得して、一人暮らしをすることに

なって。

思えば、本当にあっという間だった。

私立蘇芳学園（しりつすおうがくえん）。

あの時出会った幽霊の少女は、この場所を「そういう学園」だと言い…

…

自分の名前を「東瀬（あずせ）まつり」だと言った。

その日、夏期講習を終えるまで彼女は待っていてくれて……

人気のない場所で、彼女はその『学園』について話してくれた。

柊哉東瀬……さん。

まつりまつりでいいよ。あたし結構前に死んでるから、年上には当たるのかも

しれないけど、気にしないし。

まつり敬語とかも。

柊哉えっと……じゃあ……、まつり。

柊哉霊の見える子を探してるって、どういうことなの？

まつりそう。あたしはね、君みたいな、霊の見える子を探して歩いてるの。

まつりその子たちを出来る限りスカウトして、幽霊との生き方を学んで……

まつり可能なら、霊媒師とか、除霊師とか……将来そういう関係の仕事に進め

るように支援する学園を作るんだって。

まつりは僕にそんな風に説明してくれた。

まつりあたしは、お手伝いに過ぎないの。何人か、あたしたちみたいな幽霊が

全国を巡って、『見える人』を探してる。

まつり君、年はいくつ？　編入でも大丈夫だけど、受験生だったりしない？

柊哉……そう、だけど……。今、３年で、夏期講習の帰りで……

まつりわーっ！　本当っ！？　あたしってばさすが♪

まつり住所！　住所と名前教えてもらっていい？　あ、悪用はしないから！

彼女に住所を教えると、数日後に正式な書類が届いた。

もちろん、それだけじゃ信用することなんて出来なかった。

まつりはその後も頻繁に僕の元へと訪れて、いろいろなことを説明して

くれた。

まつり霊が見える人って、すごく必要とされてるのよ。

まつりだって霊ってすごくたくさんいるんだもの。君も、それは今まで見てき

たよね。

柊哉うん……

幼いころ、いつからか僕には霊が見えるようになった。

まつりのような……明るい霊は少なかった。たまに見る霊は皆、近付い

てはいけないオーラのようなものを出している。

霊の周りに黒い影が広がっていて、気温が急激に下がる。

ずっと何かを呟いていたり、体の一部がなかったり……、消えているな

らまだしも、千切れているときさえある。

見えているのを悟られてはいけなくて、僕はずっと、見ない振りをして

きた。

だから僕は、怪奇現象の類が本当に苦手だ。見慣れるなんてありえない

と、思う……

まつりけれど、そういう霊に関連する職業に就いている人は少ない。

柊哉それは……だって、そんなのどうやってなるか、わかんないし……

まつりそうっ、それに、家族になんて伝えたらいいかもわかんないしね？

確かにそうだ。霊が見えることすら、僕は家族に言えないでいる。

例えばだけど、将来は除霊の仕事をしたいだなんて、言えるわけがないし……

まつりでも、ちゃんと学園に通って、修行を積んだり勉強したりして、就職し

て……そういう道がちゃんと出来てるなら、敷居は低くなるよね？

柊哉そんなの、あるの？　就職って……

まつりんー、まだちゃんとは整備されてないんだけど、将来的にはそんなふう

にしていきたいみたい。

まつりだから、選択肢の一つには入れてほしいなって。

柊哉選択肢……

僕はずっと、どうして自分にこんな力があるんだろうと、ずっと考えて

いた。

どうして、僕には霊が見えるんだろう。

僕に、だけ？　もちろん、それは違うってわかってる。全国を探せば、

きっとたくさんいるであろうことも。

けれど、僕の周りには誰もいなくて、打ち明けられる人もいなくて。

世界は広いかもしれなくても、僕の住んでいる世界はその一部で、そこ

はあまりにも狭すぎて。

けれど、僕にこの力があることに、何か意味があるのかもしれないとも

、思っていた。

僕には特技も、人に自慢できることも何もない。

自分の力から、目を背けようとしたこともある。けれど、そんなことし

ても、この力は消えない。

向き合わなきゃいけないと、思ったんだ。

会ってみたいとも、思った。僕以外の、僕と同じ力を持った人たちに。

将来どういう仕事に就くか、そんなことはまだ決められないけれど……

考えてみたい。僕にはまだ、わからないことが多すぎるから……

この学園は表向きには、学業に力を入れた新設の学園ということらしい。

抽選制で、僕は抽選と、そのあとに行われる面接に受かったと言うこと

になっている。

けれど、抽選なんてない。もちろん、入学試験も。

通える条件は、年齢と「霊が見えること」……それだけだ。

学費もそんなに高くない。一人暮らしになるし、その分お金はかかるけ

れど……

まつりあっ、柊哉！　おはようっ。

柊哉まつり？

突然、声をかけられて考える。

そういえば、まつりたちはどうするのだろう。手伝いだと言っていたけど、この後は？

柊哉おはよ……う……

まつりおはようっ。久しぶりだね。

まつり新しい制服、いいね！　似合う似合う。

柊哉い、いや……そうじゃなくて……

まつりは、私立蘇芳学園の、女子学生の制服を着ていた。

柊哉その服、どうしたの……？　着てみただけ？

まつり違うよぉ、ちゃんと、あたしの制服っ。

柊哉え……？　なんで……

どうして、幽霊のまつりが……？

手伝いだけじゃ、なかったのか……？

まつり入学おめでとうっ。あたしも、今日からこの学園で勉強するんだよっ！

柊哉ええっ！？

驚いて、見渡してみる。

時間は早かったけれど、ゆっくりと他の学生も登校してくる。

柊哉……ゆう、れい。

人間だけじゃない。幽霊も一緒になって、僕たちと同じ制服を着て、歩

いて、登校してくる。

まつり混乱が起きるかもしれないから、内緒にするように言われてたんだけどね。

まつりあたしたちが集めてたのは、霊の見える人間だけじゃないの。

まつりあたしたちと同じくらい年の……、幽霊も。

柊哉じゃあ……、僕たちは幽霊と学園生活を送るって、こと……？

まつりん、そういうことっ！　よろしくね、柊哉！

柊哉…………

幽霊と……学園生活……？

だ……大丈夫なんだろうか……。途端に、不安になってきた。

昇降口に、クラス分け一覧が張り出されていた。

基本的には新入生が多く、２年生以上はクラスが少ない。

まつりえへへー、同じクラスだったねっ。

柊哉……一年生、５クラスあったけど、このうち何人が幽霊なの？

まつりんー、ちゃんとは聞いてないけど、３分の１？　半分はいないくらいじゃない？

柊哉……そんなに……

クラスに１人か２人くらいならと思ったけど……そんなに居るの……？

教室にも、まばらに人が集まりつつあった。

僕は教室の端っこの席に荷物を置き、びくびくしながら教室を見渡していた。

……既に、結構いる。……霊が。

まつりは既に僕から離れて、幽霊の女の子たちと談笑していた。

……そうだよね、幽霊だもんね……抵抗なんかないですよね……うう…

…

けれど、僕の心配とは裏腹に、クラスの子たちはみんな明るい。

悪い気配みたいなのも、全然ない。至って、普通。幽霊とは思えないくらい。

クラスメイト昨日のドラマ見た？　もう、初回からあんなに泣かされると思わなかった～っ。

……会話内容も、至って普通。テレビとか、みんなどこで見てるんだろ

う……

柊哉なんだか……変なの。

？？……お前もか。

柊哉うわぁ！

突然、後ろから声を掛けられた。びっくりして、振り返る。

柊哉……人間……？　こ、怖いことやめてよっ。びっくりした！

？？お前も……知らなかったのか……？　ここに、こんなに霊がいること…

…

柊哉あ……。知らない……！　知らなかった！　君も？

？？同志よ！

いきなり抱きつかれた。

？？せっかく、自分の居場所が出来たと思ったのにさ！　もう、なんでだよ

っ。なんでこんなことにっ。

柊哉……すいません、自己紹介からお願いしていい？

？？あ……、ごめん、取り乱した……

一樹最上一樹（もがみ・いつき）だ。多分、同じクラスだと思う……

柊哉中條柊哉です……。多分て……

一樹動揺しすぎて適当にクラス見てきた……いや、夢かもしれない……クラ

ス表なんてなかったのかも……

柊哉落ち着いて……。クラス表はあったよ……

一樹ああああ、どうしてこんなことに……

柊哉落ち着いて……

柊哉とりあえず、他の子にも話を聞いて……

一樹そうだな……

いきなり教室中に大きな音が響いて、全員が扉の方を向いた。

？？…………！

混乱しているのか、教室中を見渡して泣きそうな顔をしている。

柊哉……あの子かなぁ。

一樹そうだなぁ……

彼女のほうを向いて手招きしてみると、僕たちに気付いたのかこっちへ

と走ってくる。

？？幽霊さんが！　幽霊さんがいっぱい！！　いっぱい！！

柊哉落ち着いて……！

？？おちつ……おちつく……

？？あ、お菓子食べる？　お菓子食べよう……

少女はそう言って、鞄の中から個包装された小さなドーナツを取りだした。

？？あむ……。はあ……、幽霊さんが……いっぱい……はあ……

柊哉落ちつけてる……？

？？大分……。お砂糖の力で……

？？ああ、ご挨拶が遅れてすみません。

？？西園奏菜（にしぞの・かんな）と申します。ええと……

一樹最上一樹。

柊哉中條柊哉です。

奏菜一樹くんと柊哉くん……ですね……。二人とも『ゆうれいさん』がいら

っしゃることは……

一樹知らなかった！

柊哉知らなかったよ！

奏菜ですよね！　ですよね！　良かった、良かった……！！

柊哉どうしてそんなに怖がってるの……？　大丈夫……？

奏菜校内に入ってからここまで、怖がっていたら、いろんな方に驚かされて

……！　物陰から「わぁ！」ってされて……

奏菜もう、泣きながら教室まで走ってきて……！！

酷過ぎる……！

というか……幽霊と生きるなんてムリだろ……。なんでこんなことに……。霊との対処法を学ぶ学園だって言われたのに……

……ま、まさか……クラスメイトを一人ずつ除霊させていくとか……

い、いやいやいや！

さすがに……それはないと、思う……！　思いたい……！

入学する学生のほとんどに言わなかったって時点で、なんとなく信用度に欠けているけれど。

でも……なんか、悪い雰囲気じゃないんだよね……

あ……、それはわかるかも……。怖い感じではないけど……

でも幽霊だぜ……？

でも、昨日のテレビの話とか、雑誌の特集の話とかしてた……

まじか……、普通だ……

ちょっと混ざりたいかも……

……こんにちは。

きゃー！！！！

あはははははっ、いい感じに怖がってるねっ！

止めろよっ、人事だと思って！

人事だもんー。

そんなに怖がらなくてもいいのに。でも、怖がられるのも楽しいねって、さっきみんなで話してたの。

お化け屋敷に就職も悪くないね！

うう……

驚かせてごめんね。あたし、東瀬まつり。

……まつり、ちゃん……。幽霊……なの……？

そうだよ、れっきとした幽霊。怖い？

怖いわけじゃないけど……

こんなにね、いっぱい幽霊がいるなんて聞いてなかったから……、こんなに、見たこともないし……

そこだよな……。言われてなかったのも騙されたみたいで、なんか嫌だし……

でも、『幽霊と一緒に通えー』……って言われたら、絶対嫌だったでしょ？

それは、だって……。どんな子かわからないし……

そういうことだよ。ここにいるのはみんな明るい子ばっかりだもん。悪い霊なんてここにはいないし。

でも……幽霊なんだろ？　死んでる……わけだし……

体がないだけだと思ってもらえると嬉しいな。あたしたち、何か悪いことをしたわけじゃないもん。

幽霊って言われたら一般的に、怖いイメージなのはわかってるよ？

でも、あたしたちはそういうんじゃないし。

それは、なんとなくわかるけど……

あたしね、ここに来るまで、ずっと一人ぼっちだった。目標も、したいことも何もなくて……

ここにいる霊のみんなも、同じだと思う。

霊が見える人間も、こんなふうに普通に話せる霊も、ほとんどいない。ずっと、寂しかったの。

だからね、あたし今、すっごく幸せなんだ。学園に通えて、こんなにいっぱいおしゃべり出来て。

まつりちゃん……

ねえ、あたしと、仲良くしてもらってもいい？

……うん、私で良ければ……

ありがとうっ。ええと……

奏菜。西園、奏菜だよ。

奏菜ちゃんねっ。よろしく！

うん、よろしくね。

そっちの君は？

……うーん、事情は、わかるけどさぁ……

まぁ、詳しいことはこれから先生も説明してくれると思うしっ！

うう……、そこだよな……。大人が容認したこの環境……、受け入れることを余儀なくされる俺たち……！

世界の縮図だね！

でも……、仲良くする分には確かに、問題ないのかな。普通に、クラスメイトだし……

私もね、あんまり難しく考えなくていい気がしてきた。クラスメイトで、お友達。

周りの人には見えないけど、ここにいる人はみんな見えるんだもん。何も問題ないよ。

そっか……そうだよな……

まつりちゃん……だよな。最上一樹。よろしく。

よろしくね！　一樹くん！

新設校ということで、編入生も含めて全員が大講義室に集められた。

ここで、入学式のようなことを行うことになるらしい。

先生たちが交互にあらわれて、いろいろなことを説明していく。

どうやら学生は３１２名、うち幽霊が１０３名。

１年生がそのうちの半分、１５０人くらいで……２年と３年が８０人くらいずつ。

大体３分の１くらいが、幽霊ということらしい。

今は学生自体が少ないけれど、これからもう少し増やしていきたい……らしい。

続きまして、理事長からの挨拶です。

理事長挨拶だってよ。なんか、ここで言われるんじゃないかっ？

俺たちがここに集められた真の目的とかさ……

そう……なのかな……

すごい怖そうな人かもしれないな……筋肉ムキムキの老人とか……こええ……

……あの人？

紫の派手なドレスを着た……

一樹の予想とは裏腹に、現れたのはおっとりした女性だった。

え……あの人なのか……？

ええと、皆さん、初めまして！　ご紹介に預かりました、理事長です！

あっ、理事長になりました！　あっ、幽霊です！

……これって、突っ込んだ方がいいのか……？

多分、ダメだと思う……

蘭子と申します。名字は、死んだときに忘れちゃって……

ええと、何を言ったらいいかとか、良く分からないんですが……

ええと、みんなで学園創立までいっぱい頑張ってきまして、ええと、入学おめでとうございます！

…………

…………

……これって……

えっ……、ええと、ええと……

私は、幽霊なので、ええと……、なんと言ったらいいのか、よくわからないんですけど……

私は、こういう、幽霊と、幽霊の見える人の場所っていうのが、すごく嬉しいので、すごく嬉しいです！

私たち、こういう存在で、普通は誰にも見つけてもらえない存在で……

だけど、ここで誰かと話したり遊んだりして、そういう生き方もあるのかなって思うんです！

ここに来た理由って人それぞれだし、考え方もみんな違うけど……

みんなには、楽しく明るく、生きてもらえたらいいなぁって、そう思います！

何よそれ……、馬鹿らしい……

ん……？

人間の皆さん、幽霊のみんなと、仲良くしてね？

あと、私とも仲良くしてね？　気軽に「蘭子さん」って呼んでもらえると嬉しいです。

私、あんまり理事長としてのお仕事ってなくて……まぁ飾りみたいなものなんですけれど、その辺うろうろしてると思うので……

……うん？　あと、あとっ、ええとぉ……

あれぇ、何言うんだっけ……ええと……

う、うぅ、昨日いっぱい練習したのに忘れちゃった……！

詳しいことは私にはよくわからないので、先生たちに聞いてくださいっ。

あっ、ええと……じゃあ……、頑張ってください！

ご、ごめんなさいごめんなさいっ！　以上です！

なんか……、何もわからなかった……

……そうだな……

理事長って……ああいうのでいいのか……？　飾りって自分で言ってたけど……

……わかんない。

入学式も終わり、僕たちは教室へと戻ってくる。

……なんか、重要なこと言われるのかと思ったけど、普通にすんなり終わってしまった……

いいのかな……これで……

ん……？

見ると、教室の一角に人だかりが出来ている。何か、あったのだろうか？

…………

人だかりの中心……、一人の少女が不機嫌そうに座っていた。

あれ……、あの子……

すっごく綺麗だけど……それだけじゃなくて、どこかで……見たことあるような……

うわあ……まじかよ……

ねえ、あの子って……

南須原雛菊っ、超有名じゃん。霊感少女！

あ……！

そうだ、南須原雛菊。昔から夏の霊能番組で良く見かけた、霊能少女だ。

最近ではその美貌から、モデルとして雑誌で見かけることもある。

同じクラス、なのかな。朝は見かけなかったけど……

入学式の途中で来たみたいだよ。私、隣だったのっ。

有名人さん……すごく可愛い……！　夢みたい……！

サインとか、貰えるかなっ？

止めた方がいいんじゃないかー？　同じクラスだしさ。

うーん……そうだよね……。迷惑だよね……。うー……

何をしている。早く席に着け。

教室中に女性の声が響き、人だかりは散り散りになっていく。

あ……じゃあまた後でね。

うん、また。

奏菜ちゃんは前のほうの席に座り、僕と一樹は後ろの席へと向かう。

教卓には、入学式で司会をしていた、若い女性が立っていた。

このクラスの担任となる、下野すみれだ。

各々聞きたいことは多々あると思うが、とりあえずは学園に慣れることを優先してほしい。

詳しい説明は、明日以降に説明していくこととする。

理事長も言っていたが、ここでは霊と霊の見える学生、一緒になって生活していくこととなる。

これだけ多くの霊を見たことがないという人も多いだろう。

霊が当たり前のように近くにいるという環境に、まずは慣れてほしい。

以上だ。何か問題があれば、私たちが対処するので……

納得いきません！

突然の声に全員が声のした方を向く。

そこには、さっきまで人だかりの中心にいた彼女が、立ちあがって教員を睨みつけていた。

何が仲良くですかっ。何が明るく楽しい学園生活を送ってほしいですか！！

幽霊と、同じ学園に通うなんてそんなこと出来るわけないじゃないですか！！

確かに、南須原さんの思いはもっともで、クラスでも何人かが同じように考えているようだった。

南須原さんのように声は上げないものの、教室中がどよめく。

構わない。当然、同じように思っている人間は多いだろうからな。

幽霊と、このまま一生一緒に生きろと言っているんじゃない。上手く、生きろと言っているんだ。

霊が……生きるなんて。ありえません。

霊は、この世に居てはならない、あり得ない存在です。

そうだな、一般的にはそう。

しかし、世界には守り神、守護霊と呼ばれる者も多く存在する。物や自然物に憑く霊もいるな。

霊と、一般的に言われる神と呼ばれる存在には、深い関連がある。

それは、一説に過ぎません。それに、ここにいる霊にそのような素質があるとは思えません。

それだって、君の考えの一説に過ぎないだろう？

…………

私も、除霊に関する知識はある。他の先生たちにも、講習はしてある。

確かに危険はあるかもしれない。けれど、この学園では霊そのものの存在は否定しない。

……危険です。

けれど、私も含め……君たちには霊が見えて、その環境で一生生きていかねばならないのだから。

これが、君たちの世界だ。

…………

まだ、ピンと来ない者も多いだろう。明日以降、詳しく授業で説明していく。

この学園ではここに通う幽霊を祓ったりはしない。けれど、それは危害を与えない場合に限る。

もしも、万が一のことがあれば、その限りではない。それは、肝に銘じておいてくれ。

なんか……、良くわからなかったけど、ちょっと怖かったね。

そうだなぁ……なんつーか、あの先生、綺麗だけど怖すぎる……

つまり、いい霊である限りは、ここに居続けてもいいって、ことなのかな……

そういうことなんじゃないか？　とりあえずはここにいれば、先生たちが守ってくれるみたいだし。

でも、まつりちゃんが……、怖い霊になるとか、信じられないよねぇ……

……そうだね。

あまりにもみんな、人間そのもので。

見ると、制服すらも普通に着こなしている。

あの子は……、この学園の制服ではないけど……

何人かそういう子も居た。どういう仕組みなんだろう？

ねえ、貴女。

…………

見るとまつりが、明らかに不機嫌そうな南須原さんに声を掛けている。

大丈夫なんだろうか……？

貴女、有名人なんでしょ？　テレビで見たことあるよー。

あと、今月号の『ニーナ』に出てたよねっ。あのワンピースすごく可愛くて……

『ニーナ』というのは若い女性向けの雑誌だったと思う。

まつりは楽しそうにしているが、南須原さんはまつりを睨みつけたままでいた。

……私に話しかけないで。幽霊のくせに。

なっ……！

関係ないでしょ！　幽霊とか幽霊じゃないとか！

関係ないわけない。雑誌だって、どうやって読んだのよ？

それはぁ……立ち読みとか。あと人が読んでるの後ろで見てたりとか。

テレビも雑誌も、その他エンターテイメントも全て、正当な対価を払っている方に与えられる物よ。

貴女は何も生み出さない。そこに生産性も何も存在しない。

なーっ！！

安上がりでいいじゃないっ！　ご飯だっていらないし、お洋服だって必要ないし！　自然にも優しい！

それでよく生きているとか、幽霊も人間も関係ないとか言えるわね。

言えるよ！　だって、この場所では本当に大したことじゃないもん。

それだって、私たちのような人が居てこそ成り立つ現象でしょう？

いいじゃない、実際ここではそれが成り立ってるんだからっ。

成り立ってるから何？　自分が偉くでもなったつもり？

そうじゃないけど！

なんでそんなに突っかかってくるのよっ。

貴女達がありえない存在だからでしょう？　自覚すらないの？

別に誰に迷惑かけてるわけでもないもんっ。

それを主張するのならせいぜい空気らしく大人しくしていればいいわ。

酷い！！！　そんなの……

ま、まつりちゃんっ！　すとっぷ！　すとーっぷ！！

え、ええと……、南須原、雛菊さんですよね？

……そうだけど。

私、西園奏菜と言います。こちらは、東瀬まつりちゃんで……、同じクラスでこれから生活していくので……

奏菜ちゃんっ！　自己紹介なんかしなくていいよ！

こいつすごい性格悪い！！　酷い、酷過ぎる～！！

ふん、霊に何言われようと、別に構わないわ。

これが幼いころから芸能界という社会の荒波に飲まれながら成長してきた人間の末路というものか！！

か……関係ないでしょ！！

南須原さんも……、落ち着いてください……

ここには、たくさんの方がいらっしゃるので……

見渡すと、多くのクラスメイトがまつりと南須原さんの様子を見守っていた。

皆さん、その……、幽霊になりたくて、なったわけじゃないと思いますし、その……

悲しげな視線が、南須原さんに向けられる。誰も、幽霊になりたくてなったわけじゃない。僕たちと同じ年代で、不幸にも命を落としてしまった。

明るく振舞っていても、本当は生きて、この場所に居たかったはずだ。

……そう、ね。言いすぎたわ。

ごめんなさい。

…………

でも、だからと言ってこういう形を取ることが、正しいとは思えない。

霊が通う学園なんて……そこで、人間とコミュニケーションを取ろうだなんて……あまりにも、危険すぎるから。

あ……、南須原さんっ！　待って！

奏菜ちゃんの言葉に振り返らず、南須原さんは鞄を持って、教室を出て行ってしまった。

うーん、仲良くなりたいのになぁ……

無理！　絶対無理！　無理だよっ！

気に入らないなら、来なきゃいいよ！　あたしたちの気持ちも知らないでさっ。

うーん、南須原さんにも、いろいろ思うところがあるんだと思うよ。私たちよりもずっと、いろんな霊を見てきたと思うから……

だから、まつりちゃんもそんなに酷いこと言っちゃだめ。ね？

確かにな。ずっと悪霊ばっかり見てきたら、ここにいる霊はみんな大丈夫ですって言われたって、信じられないだろうし。

そうだよね……

どんなに人間らしく見えたって、目の前にいるのは幽霊なんだ。

その点では、多分南須原さんのほうが正しいのだと思う。

何よぉ。みんなして、あの子の味方なわけ？

そういうことじゃないけど……、僕たちも人間側だしね？　まだ入学したばっかりだしね？

そうだね、不安はやっぱりあるよ。

まぁ、先人が培ってきた幽霊としての悪いイメージをあたしたちの代ですぐに払拭するのは難しいよね？

なんかすげぇこと言ってる……

でも、まぁ、そういうことじゃね？　このまま何の問題もなく毎日を過ごせたら、きっとあの南須原女史も納得するんじゃないか？

そうだねっ。難しいことは、時間が解決してくれるんだよっ♪

そういうものなの……？

それはそうと、みんなこの後予定はないの？

私はないよ。１９時から夕ご飯だから、それまでに戻れれば。

俺も同じかな。

僕も、夜までに帰れれば大丈夫だけど……

じゃあさ、どっかみんなで遊びに行こうよ～！　あたし、そういうの憧れてたんだよね！

えっと……、私はいいけど……

遊びに行くのは良いんだけど……、だって……

うーん、そうだよなぁ……

えっ、何々？

まつりって、その……、周りの人たちには見えないわけでしょ？　それって……、ええと……

大丈夫だよ。人間が３人もいれば！

そういうものなの？

だって、みんなそんなに詳しく他人が話してる内容なんて、聞かないよ？

あたしが混ざってたって、みんな男女３人が話してるように見えるだけだと思うよ。

……まぁ、そう言われれば確かに……

詳しく聞いたら、「あれ、会話成り立ってなくない！？」とか気付く人は居るかもしれないけど。別にいいでしょ、他人だし。

うーん、そういうものなのかなぁ。

確かに、詳しく聞いて、おかしいと思われたからって、その人たちがわざわざ僕たちを追跡してくるわけじゃないだろうし。

よし、ついてきたら、奏菜ちゃんのストーカーとして警察に突き出そう。

えっ！？　それは可哀想だよ……！

大丈夫、誰もついてこないってっ。

学園前から出ているバスに乗って、大体１５分。