Chapter 157: Inferiority Complex

Yaeko was ready to call the police.

"Sister! It's my sister—she's back!"

Yuzuru's exclamation snapped Yaeko out of her anxious state. When she looked up, she saw Shouko walking in through the door.

Seeing that Shouko wasn't hurt and didn't appear to have been bullied, Yaeko let out a sigh of relief. But she quickly asked, "Why did you come back so late?"

Something happened. Sorry for the delay.

Shouko didn't need to type at home; she used sign language to explain.

I'm just glad you're back.

Yaeko didn't press further. "Now that you're home, get some rest and get ready for dinner."

Shouko nodded.

Once Yaeko went into the kitchen, Yuzuru approached her sister with concern.

"Sister, are you okay?"

There was something off about Shouko, but Yuzuru couldn't quite put her finger on it. Could something really have happened?

I'm fine.

Shouko smiled and signed reassuringly.

I just walked around a bit and lost track of time. Don't worry!

"If you say so," Yuzuru said, though her concern lingered.

"As long as you're okay, that's all that matters."

Shouko chuckled at her sister's protective nature, patting her head before moving on without further explanation.

Shouko hadn't lied; she really had walked around before coming home. Maybe it was because she felt like she didn't have much time left.

As for the cursed tape, Shouko didn't bring it back. Instead, she found an empty park, smashed it with rocks, and buried it. Things that brought harm shouldn't be left in the world.

Even though destroying the tape meant giving up her only chance at survival, Shoko's kind heart couldn't bear the thought of passing her fate onto someone else.

She'd already accepted the curse that would come for her.

Mom… Yuzuru... if I'm not here, maybe your lives will be easier.

Though Yaeko and Yuzuru never felt that way, Shouko had always seen herself as a burden. If her absence could mean a better life for them, she was willing to go. But that didn't mean she wasn't scared. She wanted to cry but held it in, unwilling to let anyone see her pain.

Late that night, outside an izakaya, the girls who had handed Shoko the cursed tape staggered out, giggling and talking loudly.

They felt liberated, free of the weight that had kept them up for days. It was a reason to celebrate.

"Riko-chan, what did you think of that guy who flirted with you earlier?" one of them asked, sounding amused.

The girl called Riko wasn't annoyed; she simply sneered.

"Tsk, he was all dressed up, trying to look rich. But turns out, he's just some low-level office worker!"

Come to think of it, if he really had money, why would he be drinking at a place like this? He probably thought he could fool me because I'm young and pretty.

"If he were actually wealthy, I'd consider a one-night stand. But for a poor guy? No way."

She spread her hands, showing no shame in her bluntness.

"Hahaha!"

The other girls burst out laughing—not at Riko, but at the man who'd tried his luck.

"Imagine! Just some broke guy acting like he's somebody."

"An office drone trying to pick up girls—how pathetic!"

"Exactly!"

They all thought the same way. While they might be carefree and easygoing, if given the choice, they'd still go for someone with money. Who wanted to waste time on someone who had nothing?

"If only I had the chance to be with Ryuji even once," one girl sighed dramatically.

"Ryuji? The sorcerer?"

"Yeah. I wonder if a sorcerer's any different from regular guys," she said, and they all giggled.

They eventually made their way home, the laughter fading as each reached her destination.

Riko, being the closest to the izakaya, arrived home first.

"Looks like everyone's asleep," she muttered.

She lived with her parents, and the dark, quiet house confirmed they were already in bed. Relieved, she slipped in quietly. If her parents smelled the alcohol, she'd be in for a scolding.

"Tsk, what a hassle."

She crept up the stairs and finally reached her room, sinking onto her bed with a sigh.

"Finally, I can sleep peacefully."

Since watching Sadako's tape, she hadn't had a single night of decent sleep. Nightmares of Sadako haunted her every time she closed her eyes, and it had worn her down. But now, with the curse supposedly gone, she felt safe enough to let sleep take her.

Or so she thought.

Just as she drifted off, a chilling presence jolted her awake.

"What's happening?!"

Her breath quickened, eyes darting around the room. The realization hit her like a punch—was the curse still there?

"No! That's impossible!" she muttered, shaking her head furiously.

Riko was young and full of life. The idea of dying now terrified her. It had to be her imagination. The curse was gone. It had to be.

But she didn't notice the screen of her tablet flicker to life. The darkened room glowed as the screen lit up, showing static.

Sadako didn't only use TVs.

As long as it was an electronic screen, she could reach through it.

By the time Riko realized, Sadako was already halfway out.

Her eyes widened in terror, mouth open to scream, but Sadako lunged before a sound could escape.

The same thing happened to the others.

The curse was never that simple to transfer.

---

The next day, Shouko stepped out of her room, looking weary.

Yaeko, preparing for work, quickly noticed. She had breakfast and lunch ready for her daughters and was rushing to leave.

"Hey, did you not sleep well, Sis?" Yuzuru asked, frowning at the dark circles under Shoko's eyes.

I'm fine.

Shouko signed, trying to reassure her.

Just a bad dream.

"Ah, I see."

Yuzuru nodded, not suspicious. Everyone had nightmares once in a while.

"If you're scared, you can sleep in my room tonight!" she offered, concern in her voice.

Shouko laughed silently, shaking her head. She signed that she'd be okay, and Yuzuru didn't press further, returning to her breakfast.

Relief washed over Shouko as her sister didn't pry. But the memory of last night lingered.

She hadn't lied. She had dreamt last night, and it was a nightmare. Sadako had appeared, telling her that one day had already passed. Six days remained before the curse would take her life.

She would really die.

Her hands clenched involuntarily, then relaxed. Shoko didn't want her mother and sister to worry. If she left quietly, they might accept it better. At least, that's what she told herself.

Resolving to cherish the time she had left, her eyes grew determined.

---

At school, Shouko noticed that the girls who had tricked her into watching the tape weren't there.

Maybe they stayed out too late celebrating that the curse was lifted, she thought.

She didn't dwell on it until a teacher came in during class to make an announcement: all the girls had been found dead, discovered that morning. The initial investigation suggested it was due to a curse spirit.

The news sent a shockwave through the class. Everyone knew that curse spirits were real, but hearing about deaths so close to home made it all terrifyingly real.

"What if a curse spirit comes for us next?" one student whispered, eyes wide.

"Quiet down!" the teacher said, trying to calm the growing panic. "Remember, there are sorcerers out there to protect us."

The room fell silent, but Shouko's mind was racing.

So, even after they made her watch the tape, they still died. The method didn't work. But it didn't matter anymore. The tape was destroyed.

For the rest of the morning, the students whispered about curses and sorcerers.

"How scary."

"Yeah, I never thought something like this could happen so close to us."

"Do you think we should ask Ryuji for help?"

"Don't be stupid. He's not going to help random people like us."

"Exactly. Ryuji's on a whole different level. Why would he care about us?"

Some thought about seeking Ryuji's help, but others quickly shut down the idea. They had no connection to him. Why would he intervene?

Hearing this, those with fleeting hopes fell silent.

Sitting in the back row, Shouko listened intently to their conversation.

Ryuji…

She remembered that the girls had mentioned going to Ryuji for help but didn't have time.

If anyone could solve this, it was probably him.

Shouko's eyes lit up at the thought. Even though they had never met, she felt sure that Ryuji was powerful enough to help.

But then reality sank in. Why would someone like him help her? They were worlds apart, and she had no reason to expect his aid.

Her expression dimmed, and she turned to look out the window.

In the six days she had left, she would focus on spending time with her mother and sister. If she had to go, she wanted to leave with no regrets.

Years of feeling inferior had left her doubting whether she deserved to seek out Ryuji's help at all.