It's a Matter of Erina's Pride!

Ah! Why'd she have to go and do that...

Huh? What's that, Jorna? Something's wrong with that kid?

What's your sister saying?

Apparently that kid over there is worrying about something and we should go see what's up. Jorna, you're a real good egg!

It's all a scam anyway, I know it is. But she just keeps on...

Hey, you! How can we go about turning that frown upside down?

Oh, hey. Umm... Well, my sister's been acting kinda weird lately. She's buying all this worthless junk, like, vases and paintings and stuff...

Mom doesn't have money to spare in the first place, but it's like she doesn't even care!

Oh? We had a whole bunch of vases and paintings from famous artists as well. Is it really that big of a deal?

Yeah, so I don't think that's the problem here. Sorry she's doesn't exactly have the same sense of money as normal people do.

Vases and paintings, you say? I bet it's that, isn't it? Doesn't matter what time period you're in, there's always someone trying to sell people that junk.

Huh? What do you mean?

I think this kid's sister being tricked into buying that stuff.

You mean like she's having to buy fakes or something?

There's always people like that who prey on other people's weaknesses, and force them to buy junk they don't need.

I don't get it. How does preying on somebody's weakness end in being able to sell them worthless art junk?

Well, I mean... I don't know the details or anything, but...

The reason you are unhappy, is because you are haunted by an evil spirit.

Aldo! My sister is not an evil spirit. How could you even suggest it?

Eh? Wait, no. I'm not talking about you, it's one of the tricks that the people who sell that junk use.

O-Oh right. Sorry for yelling at you. But, I still don't get how that's connected to the buying of a vase.

But you need not worry. This vase has the power to seal away that evil spirit.

Wow, that must be a pretty big vase!

Nope, they're all small ones.

Wait, how would you be able to fit an evil spirit in a small vase? Even my dear sister doesn't fit in small ones.

Does your sister like getting into vases?

Now you mention it, whenever we played hide and seek, she'd always hide in vases.

Erina, that's not the point. That's how she's being tricked is what I'm trying to say.

...Huh?

The stuff about being able to seal away a spirit in a vase, it's all a complete lie.

Well that's awful! We have to get them to stop right away!

R-Right! Please, you have to help my sister come to her senses! She's usually hanging out around Laula Dome.

Heheheh! This little baby's surely gonna bring me all kinds of luck.

What have you gone and bought this time?!

You have to check this out, it's just amazing. It's an antique plate that'll finally turn my fortunes around!

You idio, I can't believe you bought this junk!

I told you already not to buy anymore of this, didn't I?!

Do you really think this kind of...stuff...is going to bring you good luck?

Stuff? How little you know. This is a precious piece of vintage crockery!

That's not what I was getting at.

I'm asking, why do you feel you have to buy things to bring you better luck?

Well, you see. That's because... It's because I'm being haunted by a mischievous phantom.

Mischievous phantom? This sounds familiar...

Recently, I've just had nothing but bad luck. I break my newly-done nails, I fall over nothing, I always burn my cooking!

That's not a phantom, you're just clumsy!

No, it's definitely a phantom. I've never been so sure of something in my life before! But the Psychic I've been seeing said that I can banish the phantom with this plate. Isn't that great?

Just how are you supposed to get rid of a phantom with a plate exactly?

I-It couldn't be that you cook the phantom and eat them up on that plate, could it?! Wow! That's one scary and powerful plate.

Erina! We talked about this, remember? It's all just a scam.

That's right! Listen to what this guy is saying! Think about Mom as well. She's started complaining that she hasn't got any more money. And no room for any more junk!

It doesn't matter if she hasn't got any money now. With this plate, I know we'll come into more in no time! With no bad phantom holding us back, we can earn as much money as we like!

I don't really get how just getting rid of a phantom is going to make you rich.

Well, you know, I...

A mischievous phantom's going to be attracted by bad luck, surely?

So, isn't it the other way around? You were already unlucky, that's why evil spirits were drawn to you. So if you get rid of one, another will just pop up in its place. Besides, luck is more about how you feel. If you're positive, positive things will happen. No amount of cracked plates will help if you don't change yourself.

I... Umm... What now?

Maybe that was all a bit much to follow? After all...

It's not like you're being haunted by anything in the first place.

You know what, who even are you and what's your problem, huh? You think you're some kind of psychic yourself? If there really isn't a phantom anymore then it's only because my real Psychic got rid of them for me!

This is gonna be harder than I thought.

What do you want to do, Jorna? Think we should pay a visit to that Psychic?

That's a good idea! We can see just how psychic they really are.

It's been bothering me since we met but, who's she talking to all this time?

Oh, that? Well, let's just say a powerful ally.

I'm sure they'll still be lurking around nearby somewhere. Let's find this fraudster Psychic!

Oh! Oh no, oh no, oh no! What foul work is this! Little miss, you've done well to make it this far!

Ahhhhhh! You almost scared my bow tie off!

Ohhh! I can see it. Yes. I see it as clear as day. There's a wicked phantom, right behind you!

It's the spirit of a young girl. Or at least was. Now it is fraught with maliciousness! We must exorcise it immediately!

What?! You can see her too?

What?! See wha...

I mean, yes. Of course I can see her! It's as if she is actually here among us!

Hear that, Jorna? Someone else can see you! I've never met anyone who could see her before.

Haha, no. I'm sure it's just because you're so clever and sweet and graceful that you startled him is all.

Oh you! Don't worry about her. She's not an evil spirit or anything, she's my...

We must exorcise her at once!

Exorcise? My sister? No way!

Yes way! And I have just the apparatus for that. With this picture book, I'm sure you'll be able to quell her vengeful spirit.

Hey, Jorna, you sense any kind of power coming from the book?

She says, "nope, not even a wiggle."

You mustn't pay heed to the vile apparition's whisperings!

Are you sure you're a psychic?

Wha, of course I am! Just look at the dark miasma oozing from her wicked astral form!

Umm, what? Not sure where you're looking, but definitely no dark miasma oozing from anywhere that I can see.

Right, Aldo?

I still can't see her, you know?

......

What's that? Well, that's because you're shy, Jorna! People find shy cute too, don't worry about it.

Eh? Hang on. Are you some kinda psychic as well?

In that case, you got no right coming after me. We're in the same business, make some stuff up and take money from anyone stupid enough to believe it, am I right?

Taking people's money? Business? I don't get it.

Wait. Evil spirits, taking money...

Oh! You're the fraudster psychic, aren't you!

Stop tricking people who don't know better! And give back all the money you've taken!

You stupid kids just don't get it! I can't deal with anyone who doesn't know how to take advantage of what's right in front of them.

Hey! Where do you think you're going?!

We're going after them, come on, Erina!

What is your problem?! If morons want to give me their money, why not let them?!

Are you serious? How can you not see the problem here?!

...Heh, you know, I'm only partially a fraud. The bit about psychic powers? That part's true!

No need to take my word for it, see for yourselves! Go, my ghosties!

I wasn't expecting this...!

I can rake in the cash by blaming all sorts of mishaps on these guys. I'd rather not send them into battle, but the least you deserve for your impudence is a good walloping!

Why...

Why would you use your power to line your own pockets, when you could use it to help others instead?!

To be honest, I'd prefer to line my pockets. All the better when it's a cinch! Maybe you should try out my lifestyle instead sometime?

I can't believe what I'm hearing! No amount of money will bring you happiness, you know! And no amount of money will bring my sister back to life... But I made a promise with her. We're going to use my power to protect people! So as a fellow medium, it is my duty to dish out your...

Punishment!

Impossible! My ghosties were supposed to be invincible...

The game is up! Accept defeat graciously, now.

N-No... This isn't how things were supposed to go...

There'll be no blaming evil spirits this time, buster.

We're taking you back to town. You're going to apologize to all the people you've tricked!

...So what I'm saying is... It was all a scam...

I'll buy back the pots and the paintings, don't worry! Can you find it in your hearts to forgive me?

Unbelievable...

No way, pal! You think you'll be forgiven that easily? I'm calling the guards on you!

Oh no, please not the guards!

But it's true that he really has the ability to see spirits, right? So what he said wasn't wrong! There really was an evil spirit possessing me!

If that were the case, you probably would've been driven to attack your brother.

But you didn't feel any aggression towards him, did you? That proves it then.

I see, yes, you're right. So it was all a lie, wasn't it? Now I just need to say that I'm sorry...

Yeah, go and make up. Don't let the anger fester.

I still can't believe that someone would use their spiritual powers for personal gain!

Yeah. By the way, you mentioned that you made a promise with your sister earlier...

When my sister started residing within me, we promised that my power would only be used for the benefit of others.

Your sister must be really kind-hearted. Do you think there's any reason I still can't see her?

Well, why do you WANT to see her?

Well I mean, that I could see the other spirits easily enough, but she's still invisible to me.

I guess she must be shy.

...How dare you embarrass my sister like that! You're not seeing her ever now!

Whoa, why? Was what I said that bad?

Because! If you see my sister...

If I see your sister... What? What'll happen?!

You'll fall for her, of course! And I can't have that!

My sister's love and attention is all reserved for me!