Boogiepop and Others
Dengeki Bunko
Hey. Sorry to keep you waiting.
Jeez, you're late!
Sorry.
Actually, I just got here, too.
The customer you are trying to reach is unable to answer right now.
Please leave your message after the...
Oh, hey. It's Takeda-senpai.
What are you up to?
I'm waiting for someone.
Remember, no dating allowed, Senpai.
Look who's talking.
I wonder if he got dumped.
Probably.
None of you feel anything when you see someone crying?
Unbelievable.
So this is what you call a civilized society?
Miyashita?
Mornin', Keiji.
How was your date yesterday?
Huh?
Wow, you look down.
Got it
I'm here Where are you? Did something happen? Are you okay? I'm gonna head home
I mean, people just flake out sometimes.
I can't even get a hold of Miyashita, though.
W-Well, girls her age are going through a lot, y'know?
Like showing up in town wearing a really weird outfit?
Huh?
Never mind. It's nothing.
Senpai!
You're late.
Actually, I'd say Kamikishiro's here earlier than usual.
I had something to take care of.
Sure, that's fine, but you'd better hurry.
Yeah, yeah. Thanks, Kei.
Senpai! Remember, we have a committee meeting today!
I think she likes you, Keiji.
Nah.
"Gather ye rosebuds while ye may."
You're in a good mood. I take it things are going well with that first-year, Tanaka?
But of course!
Miyashita-san isn't here today.
I see...
Since the beginning of this school year,
there have now been a total of four female students who have run away from home.
If you know of any students who might know something, let us know immediately.
I'm sure these girls have told their friends where they're going.
Also, that Kirima Nagi girl didn't show up again today.
Miyashita Touka
I'm here Where are you? Did something happen? Are you okay? I'm gonna head home
Sorry, I wasn't feeling well yesterday
Who knows what that delinquent gets up to when we can't see her?
I know none of you want to be involved with her...
There's no need to be rough.
Look, he's shaking.
Who are you?
Hey! What did you just do?
H-Hey, wait!
Hold it!
Next, regarding the use of smartphones at school...
It appears there are some students sneaking around
using those "social media" things on their phones...
Are you worried about Miyashita-san?
Well, yeah.
But girls her age are going through a lot, right?
You're pretty mature, Senpai.
Your eyes are locked on your future and dreams,
and nothing else matters.
Not really. I'm just...
Miyashita?
Sorry. You go on ahead!
Huh?
Miyashita...
Is that you?
You must be...
one of Miyashita Touka's friends.
Well, now I feel bad.
It seems like she ended up ignoring you yesterday, too.
What's going on, Miyashita?
Are you messing with me?
Say something. Come on!
First of all, I'm not Miyashita Touka.
Right now, I'm Boogiepop.
Boogie... pop?
I guess the closest I can come to describing it is "split personalities."
You understand that, right?
Split personalities?
None of you have realized it yet, but this school...
No...
Humanity itself is in danger.
And that's why I've appeared.
Your Mind and Others The Malice in Your Heart The Screams Within: Multiple Personality Disorder Inside Your Mind
Miyashita Touka Incoming Call
I'm so sorry. You called me so many times...
Yeah... How are you feeling?
I'm fine now.
Say, Miyashita...
Did you go anywhere yesterday?
Nope. I was asleep at home all day.
Huh?
I didn't have any plans, so...
I-I see...
I told you. Miyashita Touka's memories will be corrected to whatever's convenient.
Why?
Who knows? Maybe because she doesn't want to feel any guilt?
She probably doesn't want you to hate her.
Hey, who or what are you?
How long have you possessed her?
That's a rude way of putting it.
It's not like I'm here because I want to be.
Then why are you here?
I am automatic.
When I detect adversity in my surroundings, I pop up naturally.
That's why I'm called Boogiepop.
I rise to the surface like an eerie bubble.
What do you mean by "adversity"?
A monster resides within this school.
It's not doing much yet, but once it makes its move, the world is finished.
Aren't you the monster here?
I know. That's why I won't be here for long.
Usually, I live quietly as Miyashita Touka,
talking to you about love and such.
Love? Come on...
"Multiple personalities are suppressed possibilities that take on a life of their own.
The Screams Within: Multiple Personality Disorder
No matter how pathological it may be,
or how destructive it may be to themselves or those around them,
there is no good or evil within the possibility itself."
A possibility that was suppressed, eh?
I see. But in my case, I'm not exactly another possibility for Miyashita Touka.
Then what are you?
I'm this world's possibility.
I don't have autonomy.
Miyashita Touka may have hidden desires—or rather, possibilities,
that may have given life to me.
But that has nothing to do with me personally.
The reason I'm here is because there's something I have to do... a mission.
I don't really get it,
but does this have to do with the danger humanity is facing?
Yup.
Why does it have to be you?
Who knows? I'd like to know myself, to be honest.
But... Could it be that you're trying to "fix" me?
No... Actually, I don't know.
You're a good person.
I think I can see why Miyashita Touka likes you.
Huh?
Hey, Boogiepop...
What's this monster like?
You can't tell anyone else, no matter what.
Yeah, I won't.
It's a man-eater.
Well, my time has reached its end for now.
There isn't much point in my being here after school.
Are you saying the monster's inside a student?
Most likely.
Apparently Kiyoi from Class F also saw Boogiepop.
Another girl?
Well, they only kill girls, right?
Yeah. When a girl's at the height of her beauty,
they'll come kill her before she can get ugly.
That's what Boogiepop is.
Wait, that means I'm in a lot of danger right now.
Oh, please.
I wonder what they look like.
Aren't they supposed to be wearing a black hat and a black cape?
What the heck? That sounds like a witch!
Hey, what do you think, Suema?
Huh?
Maybe she really is Boogiepop.
"She"?
Kirima Nagi.
Hey, you're an expert. What do you think?
You know, I'm not actually an expert on urban legends...
If you know one murderer, you know 'em all, right?
That's all Boogiepop is.
Well, it is pretty interesting...
Where the Killer's Mind Changes Kirima Seiichi
I know, right?
Hey, Suema... What's a murderer like?
Like, in real life.
What are they like?
I mean, there are all different kinds...
Well, if we had one in our class, who would it be?
Well...
They'd probably be weirdly obstinate, live in their own little world,
and seem a bit stubborn.
I knew it! Kirima Nagi!
I can see it.
Oh, c'mon. I'm telling you, Boogiepop is a beautiful boy.
Hey... Do you really think Kirima Nagi is a murderer?
You keep asking me questions like that. Why? What's going on?
She threatened someone I know.
And ever since then, they've been totally different.
Threatened? You mean she mugged them?
No... It's nothing like that.
I think... I might get killed.
What?!
Kamikishiro?
You're sure she wasn't just late?
Yes. I heard the teachers talking earlier.
They said that she hasn't been home, either.
That's...
Have you heard anything, Senpai?
No, nothing.
I see.
I'm sorry to cut this short.
If you'll excuse me.
S-Sure.
I'm sure she's the same. She probably ran away, too.
Why, though?
I don't know about the others, but why would she run away?
You're asking why?
I mean... She always got good grades.
She could get into her first-choice school, right?
What's this, Takeda? Did you like Kamikishiro?
That's not what this is about. But, I mean...
I guess you just wouldn't understand, Takeda.
I mean, I'm pretty sure I get it.
You're not even taking entrance exams, Takeda.
I'm pretty sure she's just trying to escape reality.
Honestly, I'd love to run away if I could...
But we're not irresponsible like Kamikishiro.
None of you feel anything when you see someone crying?
Unbelievable.
Hey, can I ask you something?
What is it?
The first time I saw you... What did you say to that guy who was crying?
Nothing special, really.
I just told him what he needed to hear.
Everyone needs some help when they're suffering.
They need help?
How can you tell when they do?
He was crying. Doesn't that make it obvious?
It isn't. Not to normal people like us.
Hey.
This feels weird.
Is it really you?
Yeah.
Where's your usual costume?
It's not necessary anymore.
Huh? What do you mean?
The danger is gone.
Huh?
This is goodbye, Takeda-kun.
H-Hey, wait a sec.
That's really sudden...
It's out of my hands.
Once the danger is gone, I disappear.
That's all there is to my existence.
Danger?
Thank you, Takeda-kun.
The time I got to spend with you was fun.
Before I met you, all I ever did was fight.
You might be the first person I can actually call a friend.
Weren't you going to defeat the monster in this school?
Yes, but they've already been defeated.
I just wasn't the one who did it.
Don't lie to me!
It's not a lie.
It is a lie!
You're going to protect this world from danger, right?
This world hasn't been saved at all!
Takeda-kun,
a world where you can't dream or think about the future...
A world like that is wrong.
But sadly, I'm not the one who can fight against that.
That's something you must face yourselves.
This world is filled with mistakes, Takeda-kun.
Don't go... We're friends, aren't we?
Please don't go.
You're late, Takeda-senpai!
Y-Yeah... Sorry.
Huh, so you were talking to your friend up on the roof?
Yeah. He's a bit weird.
Don't worry, it's fine.
Oh, are you heading home, Senpai?
Yeah.
Dating is prohibited at school... but I'll let you off the hook this time.
So you're Miyashita Touka.
I'm Kirima Nagi. Nice to meet you.