The Pact at the Crossroads

Classrooms are always filled with noisy chatter before the school day ends. Natsume Takashi sat by the window, gazing listlessly at the cherry tree outside. A gentle April breeze blew, and a few pink petals drifted onto the windowsill.

Have you heard of the Hell Correspondence?

The girl beside him asked in a hushed voice, catching Natsume's attention. He didn't turn around, but his ears instinctively picked up the strange name.

You mean that website you can only access at midnight? another girl replied. They say if you enter the name of someone you hate, the Hell Girl will appear and help you get revenge.

But what's the price again?

Your soul! A third voice cut in. Once you make the contract, you'll go to hell when you die, too. You'll never be able to reincarnate.

Natsume frowned slightly. As someone who could see yokai, he wasn't unfamiliar with the supernatural. But the legend of the Hell Correspondence sounded more like an urban myth than something real.

This novel and its characters are entirely fictional. Any resemblance to actual events or people is purely coincidental. Do not imitate.