Discerning the Transmundane

[Kaito Kai]

Seeking another solution to the gaki thing, Kai sought out Asako Himeya in order to discuss the evening's occurrences.

Tucked under Kai's arm was a small wooden box, within was another means to hopefully get to the bottom of all this.

[Vutall]

"Ah, hello Isawa-no-Kaito-san. What can I help you with?"

[Kaito Kai]

Kai bowed respectfully, as one does to one's teachers. "Good day, Asako-sensei. I hope you are well today."

Fidgeting slightly, for they were more comfortable with spirits than with people, Kai got directly to the point before things became unseemly.

"I wished to ask about the events last night, with Mai-san. And the..." A pause. A look around. "...spirit. Has there been anything more found out about it?

Even speaking of such things tended to attract them. Or at least that's what Kai was taught.

[Vutall]

"It is quite concerning. Many of the students have taken to the immediate task of patching all of the paper walls of their holes, as this is a spirit from between worlds. The real question however is why it is here."

[Kaito Kai]

Kai nodded.

"I saw them at work earlier. It reminded me of my lessons back home and made me realize how important these small tasks are."

A pause. Remembering the box under their arm, Kai set it down beside them.

"I brought my divination materials. I thought to use them to find out why there is a haunting here. All things act as they do for a reason, after all. Even gaki."

[Vutall]

"I would be interested to hear what your reading entails. Please, continue."

[Kaito Kai]

"I will cast the yarrow, then, and see what it tells us, Asako-sama."

And Kai did just that.

[Vutall]

The Judgement:

Peace. The small departs, the great approaches. Good fortune. Success.

The Image:

Heaven and earth unite:
the image of Peace. Thus the ruler divides and completes the course of heaven and earth; He furthers and regulates the gifts of heaven and earth, and so aids the people.

When ribbon grass is pulled up, the sod comes with it. Each according to his kind. Undertakings bring good fortune.
Bearing with the uncultured in gentleness, fording the river with resolution, Not neglecting what is distant, not regarding one's companions: thus one may manage to walk in the middle.
No plain not followed by a slope. No going not followed by a return. He who remains persevering in danger is without blame. Do not complain about this truth; enjoy the good fortune you still possess.
He flutters down, not boasting of his wealth, together with his neighbor, guileless and sincere.
The sovereign I gives his daughter in marriage. This brings blessing and supreme good fortune.
The wall falls back into the moat. Use no army now. Make your commands known within your own town.

Perseverance brings humiliation.

[Kaito Kai]

Kai reports their findings.

"A confusing reading, sensei. Propitious, but the results of the haunting are anything but."

[Vutall]

"Hmmm. I know of no reason for the spirit to be here. There has never been any trouble, or even rumors, of such thing until now."

[Kaito Kai]

"Then that likely means the spirit is not bound to this place, but to a person. Someone brought it here, knowingly or unknowingly." Kai states the obvious.

Tapping their chin thoughtfully, Kai recalled the events of last night. "After Mai was attacked, the spirit made off and remarked 'Not her'. So there is a gaki in search of a particular prey that it believes is among the students. But it doesn't know which one in particular."

Kai looked over to Himeya, to see if what they were recounting was making sense so far.

[Vutall]

"That is concerning. Hopefully with the patching of the screens, it will not be able to return. Though that does leave the question of if it is just one spirit, or an entire realm that may be targeting a student."

[Kaito Kai]

"Well, if it's just the one spirit, patching the walls should deter it. If an entire realm, well..." Kai paused. "That requires a stronger exorcism than what I know to do. Probably best to call a priest or, well, you, Asako-sensei."

A moment's pause, a thought. A shake of the head.

"Probably can't hang shimenawa about the dormitories. And that would just deter the spirit, not make it go away."

[Vutall]

"Warding Ofuda may work, though I am not skilled at them. Your family uses them, no?"

[Kaito Kai]

Kai nodded.

"We do. I have not had to make any in my studies before I came here, but...I can try."

[Vutall]

"It would be a good opportunity to practice."

[Kaito Kai]

"I-..." Kai stopped themselves and nodded to the Asako.

"Of course. I'll make up some charms, Asako-sensei. For practice. Thank you for your help with this."

[Vutall]

"Once you have made them, bring them to me and I will bless them"

[Kaito Kai]

"I'll need materials." Kai murmured.

All this talk of blessings and putting up charms that'll actually protect actual people was exciting, but also undoubtedly daunting to the young Kaito.

[Vutall]

"Certainly, I will make sure you are given them. Paper and some wax are readily available."