Epilogue

The azure hue of the sky grew richer with each passing day, and the midday of a weekday drew near with the telltale signs of impending summer.

During lunch break at a certain high school, some students made their way to the cafeteria, while others unwrapped their lunch boxes at their desks or gathered in groups, engaged in animated conversations and laughter, filling the classroom with noise.

Towards the back window of the classroom, two high school girls sat facing each other at adjacent desks. They chatted away, eyes glued to their smartphones, their lunch boxes untouched before them.

“Hey, did you know? There’s a new scary story that’s becoming popular again.”

“What is it this time? Aren’t there a lot of them lately?”

“Yeah, well, this time it’s about video calls.”

“Oh, so scary stories are keeping up with the times. Tell me more.”

“Well, you know how sometimes during a video call, strange noises suddenly come in?”

“Yeah, that happens occasionally.”

“So, if you hear a woman’s voice or something from behind you, you must never turn around.”

“Why not?”

“Because there’s a woman in all-black clothes standing behind you.”

“What? That’s creepy.”

“Apparently, the person on the other end of the call can see that woman on the screen. You can’t tell where she’s looking, but she has a sad expression on her face.”

“Really? Can you see her face so clearly?”

“Seems like it. And you know what’s spreading? Screenshots of that woman are circulating online.”

“Oh, really? That’s scary!”

“Yeah. I haven’t seen the image myself, but they say those who have seen it end up having misfortune. Isn’t that dangerous?”

“Way too dangerous. I definitely don’t want to see that image.”

“Well, I’m kind of curious to see it.”

“Are you serious? You’re really saying that?”

“I’m dead serious. It’s still not well-known, but I have a feeling this story will become widespread.”

“I don’t like it. There are always scary stories circulating.”

“Is that so? I find them enjoyable.”

“You’re really something… Oh, by the way, I forgot about our next English homework. Did you do it?”

“Yeah, I did. I’ll lend you my notes later.”

“Really? That’s a relief.”

“For us, getting scolded by the teacher is scarier than scary stories, right?”

“Yeah, definitely.”

The twisted visages of these two in terror would come later in the tale.