The chaos inside the Ikaragi kitchen had finally settled.
Mostly.
The broken window had been temporarily covered with thick plastic. Glass had been swept aside, and the ruined counter had been pushed against the wall for later repairs.
Reige, Alumna, and Erika stood near the doorway preparing to leave.
But the main focus of the room remained the same.
Floating lazily above the living room table—
Stud.
The hand-sized poltergeist spun slowly in the air while examining the television screen with fascination.
Serena stood in front of him with her arms crossed and an expression that clearly said she was already regretting this decision.
"Alright," she said firmly.
"If you're staying here, there are rules."
Stud floated upright.
"Ah. House policy."
"Yes."
Serena pointed toward the hallway.
"Rule number one."
"No going into the bedrooms."
Stud blinked.
"…That's it?"
Serena glared.
"That's the important one."
Stud shrugged casually.
"Don't worry."
He waved his small misty hand.
"I'm not interested in watching you humans try to multiply."
The room went completely silent.
Serena's face turned bright red instantly.
"W–WHAT?!"
She pointed at Yuma furiously.
"ME AND YUMA ARE JUST FRIENDS!"
Stud slowly rotated in midair like he was deeply unimpressed.
"I don't know what's worse."
"What?"
"Living on the streets…"
He paused.
"Or you making my ears bleed with all this screaming."
Serena's eye twitched.
Stud continued casually.
"You humans always say those foolish things."
He mimicked a dramatic voice.
"'We're just friends!'"
Then he gestured around the house.
"And the next thing you know the residents of this house turn from two to four."
Yuma's face turned red.
"HEY!"
Serena pulled her handgun instantly.
BANG.
The bullet hit Stud directly in the head.
His body exploded into mist.
Three seconds later—
He regenerated again like nothing happened.
"…I deserved that," Stud admitted.
Serena lowered the gun slightly.
Stud raised his tiny hands in surrender.
"Fine."
He bowed slightly in midair.
"I apologize, Miss."
"I will try to follow your rules."
Serena nodded proudly.
"Good."
Then Stud added—
"…On one condition."
Serena narrowed her eyes.
"What."
Stud suddenly flew across the room.
He wrapped his small misty tentacles around the television.
His glowing eyes sparkled with excitement.
"I get to watch this sweet, sweet device."
He hugged the TV like someone hugging treasure.
Yuma blinked.
"…You watch TV?"
Stud looked shocked.
"Of course."
He floated in front of the screen again.
"It's my favorite activity during the night."
Serena crossed her arms.
"You're a ghost."
"Yes."
"And you watch television."
"Yes."
Stud nodded proudly.
"I used to go house to house just to watch."
Yuma stared.
"You broke into homes just to watch TV?"
Stud shrugged.
"Cable subscriptions are expensive."
Reige burst out laughing.
"I like him."
Erika pinched the bridge of her nose.
"I can't believe we're negotiating entertainment rights with a spirit."
Aunt Melda stepped forward calmly.
"Well."
She looked at Stud.
"You may stay."
Stud floated happily.
"Excellent."
Alumna glanced at Yuma.
"We're leaving."
Reige stretched slightly.
"Tomorrow will be interesting."
Erika turned toward Melda.
"Call us immediately if anything unusual happens."
Melda nodded politely.
"Of course."
Reige waved as he walked toward the door.
"Goodnight everyone."
Stud waved back.
"Goodnight science man."
Reige laughed again.
Soon the three of them stepped outside.
The front door closed behind them.
Outside, Alumna paused beside the car.
He glanced back at the house.
"…Interesting situation."
Reige chuckled.
"That spirit is remarkable."
Erika crossed her arms.
"I'm still concerned about the increase in poltergeist activity."
Alumna nodded slightly.
"…Me too."
Then he looked at the house again.
"I'll pick them up tomorrow morning for school."
Reige stretched his arms.
"Looking forward to it."
The car drove away into the quiet Tokyo night.
Inside the house—
Stud floated in front of the television like a child discovering candy.
"Ah…"
The screen flickered to life.
A late-night drama began playing.
Stud's glowing eyes widened.
"This is the good stuff."
Serena sat down on the couch with an annoyed sigh.
"This is so stupid."
Yuma sat beside her.
"…We're living with a poltergeist."
Stud pointed proudly at the screen.
"Quiet."
The characters on TV began arguing dramatically.
Stud leaned forward eagerly.
"Oh this is getting spicy."
Yuma sighed.
"…This house really is becoming weird."
Serena glanced at him.
"…Becoming?"
Stud nodded seriously.
"Trust me kid."
He pointed at Serena.
"With her around…"
He leaned closer.
"It was already weird."