The Original Rumor

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The Original Rumor

The Original Rumor is the prologue chapter of Twilight Syndrome: Search. This chapter introduces Mika Kishii, Yukari Hasegawa and Chisato Itsushima as they explore Hinashiro High School after dark. The trio investigate the alleged haunting of the third floor bathroom. This rumor is based off of the popular Japanese urban legend of Hanako-san.

Summary[edit]

The Chapter begins in media res with Mika discussing the various supernatural rumors that circulate around Hinashiro High. She starts by telling the story of Room 3-9 which is locked and no longer in use, but you can hear laughter coming from inside after 6PM. She also mentions a specific staircase haunted by a student that allegedly died on Friday the thirteenth and sprouts an extra step after dark. She explains how you can hear Chopin's Raindrop coming from the music room at 2AM, some also say you can see a white shadow sitting at the piano. Finally she mentions that the fourth floor girl's bathroom is haunted by the spirit of Hanako-san.

That night Mika, Yukari and Chisato begin exploring their high school after hours and enter the science room. Mika comments that the classrooms feel much bigger after hours but Yukari quickly dismisses her. Mika then begins to direct the trio towards the third floor bathroom. As they make their way there Mika asks Yukari if she believes in the rumor. Yukari declares that she doesn't much to Mika's disappointment. Mika gives a conflicting origin story for Hanako-san, earlier she stated that Hanako was locked in the bathroom and died after being bullied but now claims that she is the spirit of an abandoned infant. Chisato wonders if they will get in trouble for trespassing much to Mika's chagrin. Mika tells Chisato that she wasn't invited but Yukari comes to her defense and says that she was the one who invited her.

A loud noise from the window startles the trio, Chisato begins to suspect there is actual paranormal activity in the school. They soon arrive at the third floor bathroom and discover that the fourth stall is boarded shut, surprising the skeptical Yukari. The girls then decide to try to summon Hanako, according to the rumor one must spin around three times in a circle and knock on the door three times. Mika explains the process but Yukari begins to ask questions to which Mika has no answer, however the trio begins the 'ritual'.

The ritual however produces no results much to Mika's disappointment. Yukari voices her desire to leave now that the rumor is seemingly insubstantial and doesn't understand Mika's disappointment. Mika tells her that there is more to the rumor, that apparently Hanako-san is capable of granting wishes. Chisato interrupts and mentions that she heard a different rumor. When she was a child she was very lonely but had a 'mysterious' friend that taught her how to summon Hanako. She explains that instead of knocking you must instead say "One, One, Two, Two, One, Two, Two" as in the pattern of jumps in hopscotch. Mika voices her dissatisfaction at the lack of a wish but Yukari once again rebuffs her. The trio tries the ritual again under Chisato's instructions but the results are the same. Yukari declares that both rumors weren't true and the three set out to leave, however Yukari says she needs to use the toilet before they depart.

As Yukari washes her hands she notices Hanako-san standing behind her in her reflection. Hanako-san asks to play with Yukari. Panicked the three girls run frantically away from the bathroom and through the hall. They squabble for a moment but quickly ask Yukari for guidance. The trio notices that despite running down three flights of stairs from the third floor there still are more beneath them. Chisato seems to think that Hanako does not have any ill will towards them despite being a ghost. Hanako soon makes her presence known as the three girls run away again. The girls attempt to hide in a classroom but Hanako quickly finds them. With no other options the trio flees towards the roof of Hinashiro High.

With nowhere else to run Hanako corners them on the roof. She tells them they shouldn't be afraid and that they will see much scarier things in the future. The chapter then suddenly ends.