This Japanese Monogatari Isn't Lame
Chapter 66. Are you guys done?

Chapter 66: 66. Are you guys done?

"I’m very grateful that all of you could take the time to come to Xucha High School today to participate in our event, and I also appreciate the support you’ve always shown us," Takashi Tanaka with his dyed yellow hair deeply bowed to the crowd. "Next, Yingzhu and I will draw one lucky audience member to join us in experiencing the charm behind this Xucha Ghost School!"

"As everyone knows, Xucha High School has been urgently shut down since the mysterious fire ten years ago," Takashi Tanaka’s tone shifted.

"But is that really the truth? Yingzhu and I researched at the Yashan Municipal Library and uncovered another case, the infamous Ishikawa Kaoru murderer case that had stirred much public attention back then."

Hearing this, Beichuan Si subconsciously glanced at Takashi Tanaka and Yamakou Hideyasu, who were now starting to interact with their fans.

These two really had something about them, having done so much investigation and preparation before setting out.

At least at the time, the Ishikawa Kaoru case was indeed suppressed and there were probably not many written records preserved, but these two had still managed to find them, truly worthy of their reputation as veteran paranormal forum administrators.

"It’s said that the murderer Ishikawa Kaoru hailed from Xucha High School, and to this day, he still roams the school grounds. On cold winter nights like this, he supposedly wanders with a fireman’s axe, his eyes blood-red, watching you intently from the shadows of Xucha High School," Yamakou Hideyasu’s voice grew lower, slow in cadence, creating a spooky and terrifying atmosphere.

The fans gathered outside Xucha High School at night were not faint of heart; if anything, Yamakou Hideyasu’s description made them even more excited.

But Beichuan Si just curled his lip.

This was nonsense, pure affectation for the show.

Ishikawa Kaoru had been scared witless upon seeing him back then.

However, Beichuan Si didn’t bother with these details, he was eager for them to finish what they had to say and pick someone.

Finally, after Takashi Tanaka and Yamakou Hideyasu had interacted and introduced Xucha High School, the time reached 9:50 PM.

Seeing that it was about time and the atmosphere was ripe, Takashi Tanaka spoke again:

"Now, we will use a random number drawing app on our phones to select a number between 0 and 93, and the lucky fan selected will join us in exploring Xucha High School!"

Drawing the lucky fan was, without a doubt, the climax of the show, stirring the already high spirits even further.

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Takashi Tanaka took out his phone and brought the screen close to the live broadcast camera.

Just as the lottery result was about to appear, Beichuan Si felt Nishijou Kurenai trembling repeatedly inside the scarf, and then—

"Congratulations to fan number 44, you will be joining me in exploring Xucha High School!" Takashi Tanaka announced the result.

Instead of the expected excited screams from the crowd, a young man with a placid expression parted the crowd and walked straight up, showing his number card to him.

Number 44.

"Congratulations, you’ve earned the chance to join us on a tour of Xucha High School. We’re still live; do you have anything you want to say to the audience in the live stream?"

"..." Beichuan Si calmly looked at Takashi Tanaka in front of him, choosing not to speak.

Uh—

The atmosphere turned a bit awkward, and Takashi Tanaka forced a joke:

"Ah, seems like our fan is a bit shy, doesn’t really want to talk much, eh? But that’s okay. There will be all sorts of terrifying things inside Xucha High School soon enough, and then our fan number 44 won’t be so quiet."

"Before we set off, though, I would still like to ask for our fan’s name."

He moved the microphone back towards him, desperately signaling with his eyes for Beichuan Si to play along a little.

This was also part of Takashi Tanaka’s live performance, and his exaggerated signaling even had some viewers in stitches:

"Haha, Tanaka’s secret technique revealed!"

"His eyelids must be cramping from all that winking! Hahaha."

"The new guy coming up is so cool and aloof, Tanaka feels like he’s going to wink his eyes out, but he just doesn’t care."

Not wishing to drag the time out any further, Beichuan Si finally spoke:

"Beichuan."

You’ve finally spoken up!

"Ah! It’s Mr. Beichuan! What a pleasure."

Without any more words, Tanaka Takashi shook hands with Beichuan Si, while his other hand subtly wiped the sweat beads at the edge of his forehead.

What’s the deal here? A fan gets on stage and doesn’t interact, just goes all aloof, making me, the emcee, super awkward.

Just as Tanaka Takashi was pondering what to say next, Beichuan Si’s indifferent voice came through again, "Can you speed this up?"

Typical fans would want to take their time at a spiritual sightseeing spot, but you’re urging us on?

Not only was Tanaka Takashi left speechless, but even Yamakou Hideyasu at his side twitched the corner of his mouth. He quickly stepped in to smooth things over, saying,

"It seems our fan is really interested in Xucha High School. Since that’s the case, let’s not dawdle outside any longer. Let’s just enter Xucha High School and start this horror tour!"

It was almost time.

Tanaka Takashi was aware of this, and after a brief interaction with the audience below, the two of them took Beichuan Si and left.

Since the spirit exploration adventure required atmosphere, the fans gathered under the concrete wall were very understanding and didn’t follow.

Tanaka Takashi and Yamakou Hideyasu took Beichuan Si to a very hidden path, making sure to explain to the people in the live broadcast room,

"I asked a senior who had once attended Xucha High School, and he told me there’s a hidden path not recorded on maps, with a single-opening iron gate through which you can easily enter..."

Tanaka Takashi was still explaining when Yamakou Hideyasu suddenly called out,

"There’s an iron gate ahead!"

Everyone looked up.

Under the vertical beam of the flashlight, the air was thick with dust, and ahead in the darkness, one could barely make out a simple iron gate.

They walked over.

The surrounding wall towered, impossible to climb, and the whole iron gate was covered in dark rust. There was a heavy lock hanging on it, parts of it corroded, and no horizontal bars for climbing—it seemed like this might be the delivery entrance for the cafeteria or a snack bar.

Looking through the gate, Beichuan Si could see the overgrown weeds of Xucha High School; the cold moonlight added an indescribable eerie atmosphere to the entire cluster of buildings.

"Ladies and gentlemen! Do you see it? We’ve found the location of the big iron gate! But there’s a lock as big as an adult’s fist hanging on the gate!"

"Now, Hideyasu and I will use a unique lock-picking technique, striving to open the iron gate without damaging the lock—"

BANG!!!

A loud noise erupted.

Tanaka Takashi couldn’t help but shrink his neck.

What happened?!

He turned around involuntarily.

Under the cold moonlight, he and Yamakou Hideyasu opened their mouths in astonishment.

The iron gate had crashed to the ground!

Gulp...

The two of them watched the young man retract his foot and swallowed hard.

After a while, Beichuan Si’s voice finally came through.

"Are you guys done?"

In the live broadcast room... the chat went wild with comments.