Fandom: Hyouka (Kotenbu)
Rating: G
Length: 100 words
Content notes: canonically dead character
Author notes: The title is from Hallucinating in the Dark by Jin Haishu, translated by Simon Patton. In addition, REGISTER OF GHOSTS: HAI ZI gave me the idea to go in a ghosts direction, and Gentle Sentences on Winter’s “secret language” and CLOSING CREDITS’ musing on words/language made me think of Hyouka as a fandom due to Chitanda’s character.
Summary: What if Oreki could see ghosts? How would that (not) change anything?



“I’m so curious,” Chitanda says, her usual brightness dimmed by an uncharacteristic, oddly gentle, melancholy. I’d say it’s none of my business, but she’ll make it my business whether I agree or not. Over her shoulder, the young man is still facing me with a blank expression, which matches my feelings about the entire situation.

(Yes, I can see dead people. No, it’s not interesting at all.)

My sister called last night from Benares, the place where Chitanda’s uncle might be buried in an unreported grave.

His ghost doesn’t seem interested in assuaging Chitanda’s curiosity any more than I am.