Chapter 3: In a Hospital Room

Life in the hospital room wasn’t bad for Rin.

For Rin, being spoken to was bothersome, but she was treated with care, and above all, her hair was combed often.

The woman talked about various topics while showing the screen of her smartphone.
Rin couldn’t understand the content itself, but from the way she spoke, it came through that her physical condition was not good—and that even so, she still believed in recovery.

Places the woman wanted to visit once she was healthy again, things she wanted to eat—
she spoke cheerfully about such a future.

Rin listened to it in silence.
However, inside her heart, she was quietly thinking.

—As if things would ever get better.

The curse was steadily progressing.
Slowly, relentlessly.
As though causing suffering itself were its very purpose.

It was the third night since Rin had been brought into this room.

The woman was sleeping, writhing in her sleep.
Rin, placed sitting on the bedside table, watched her quietly.

Whatever became of this woman had nothing to do with me.
All living things eventually decay, and all things with form eventually break.
That—was the order of this world.

Suddenly, the woman’s breathing grew erratic.
She let out a groan and twisted her body.

Rin did not move.
…And yet, she did not dislike this calm life.

If she were to regain her health, would this life continue?
And if she were to die—would I be sent somewhere else again?

If the curse were dispelled, she would recover.
But this would not end with just once.
As long as this woman lived, curses would be sent to her at regular intervals.
Most likely, they would not stop until she died.

At the very least, to preserve these quiet days—
I could not afford for her to die.

Rin observed the curse placed upon the woman.
There was no sign of resentment.
It was likely something cast indiscriminately, or else carried out by someone acting on another’s behalf.

An extremely precise ritual formula.
Not the grudge of an amateur.
A curse that was intended, prepared, and executed with exactness.

It was not something that could be dealt with—by humans.

A favor for a favor. A curse for a curse.

Rin murmured softly.

“Return.”

At that moment, the air creaked ever so slightly.
But no one noticed.

The curse—was returned.

After a while, the woman’s breathing grew calm,
and soon, peaceful breaths filled the hospital room.