You Don't Stand a Ghost of a Chance!

I was just looking for you. I need to ask you for advice.

That's an...interesting outfit. Looks like something from Antiquity.

He's the architect who designed our house and does all sorts of refurbishments for us. He's been researching antique architectural styles lately. Says dressing like this helps him get into the right mindset.

Oh, okay...

What did you want advice on?

It's been getting increasingly difficult for me to focus on my work. It's just...too spooky!

What's spooky?

This place is HAUNTED!

For some time I've been having the sensation of being watched when no one was there. Or I'd hear footsteps... Then, one night, the breeze was warm and humid like the exhalation of a giant creature...

*yawn* I better get some sleep.

Huh? Is somebody there?

No one's here... Who opened the door then?

What was that noise just now?!

Eeek! It's a ghost!

Aaah! I don't want to hear any more! It's too scary!

What's wrong, Ciel?

Sis, this is terrible! There's a ghost in the house!

A ghost? No problem, leave it to me! You have nothing to fear, brother!

R-Really? Thank you, Shannon!

If you get spooked at night, you can come to my room and sleep with me. Or if you're too scared to go to the toilet on your own, I'll go with you...

Shannon, please stop! What will Aldo think? I'm not a baby anymore. You're ruining my rep'!

Oh, I'm sorry. It's hard for me to stop thinking of you as my baby brother and start treating you like an adult.

She's so overprotective when it comes to Ciel...

Ciel, why don't we ask around to learn more about this ghost?

N-No, I d-d-don't want to...

Only if you promise to never leave my side!

And you too, Shannon and Renri! Safety in numbers!

We've heard rumors of a ghost. Do you know anything?

A ghost? In fact, Ciel...

There's one behind you right now!

Waaaaaah! That was a very mean joke!

I wasn't joking. It's really there.

What...what is that?!

It does not seem to be just an apparition.

What do you mean?

Look, it has left footprints. So whatever it is, it has a physical form.

In that case, it might have left behind some other clues.

Let's split up and search the area.

If my suspicions are correct, we should be able to find something that doesn't belong here...

Oh... Oh no.

There's something up there!

Ah. Just as I thought.

What's that?

Just to make it clear, you've never seen this around your house before?

No. We don't use anything like that.

Chase after that drone! That's the intruder which has been mistaken for a ghost!

An intruder? How do you know that, Renri?

No time to explain! It's getting away!

It's fled to the garden! Quick!

Where is it? Did you see where it went?

Ah?!

Renri! Are you all right?

Be on your guard! The drone is nearby!

I see it! It's over there!

It's too far... Ciel! Shoot it down! We must find out who's behind this!

All right! Leave it to me!

Who are these little guys? I don't remember them living in our garden.

Maybe they're the intruders Renri was talking about?

That's very likely! Watch out! They're coming!

You know what to do, Ciel!

Yeah! Here I go!

Oh no, you've ruined it! My precious secret weapon...

This man is your "ghost." He was using optical camouflage which effectively rendered him invisible.

He made a rookie mistake, though. For the camouflage to work, he needed a drone close by.

And the drone couldn't be camouflaged?

Precisely. So although he was well hidden, the presence of the drone was a dead giveaway.

Like a cat hiding with its tail sticking out...

You're very knowledgeable about these things, Renri.

COA has tested this technology before. It was quickly ruled out though, due to its impracticality.

You little know-it-all! Who do you think you are?! I'll arrest you! I'll arrest you all!

Heh. You're from EGPD, huh? No surprise there.

They were so amiable when you were a one-day officer.

Hold up, Renri! That's not right.

I remembered the faces of each and every member of the EGPD who were there at the inauguration...

But they weren't there. Probably because they're newcomers.

You remembered everyone's faces?!

Hah... You really don't pay attention.

You're not like any of them.

Show some respect! I'm a special agent of EGPD. How dare you get in my way!

The last time I checked, investigating a private property without a warrant was illegal.

I won't have a bunch of weirdos lecture me on what is legal and what is not!

Did you just lump me together with these eccentric people?

Why wouldn't I? You look like some kind of military maniac. Or are you a science nerd?

Is that...the impression I make on people?

Loonies like you always stir up some sort of trouble. It's only a matter of time. I'll arrest you all, as a preventive measure!

What a load of nonsense! These people may be described as free spirits, but... They're good citizens! Everyone has the right to live as they please if it doesn't bother anyone. As representatives of justice, we have the duty to ensure that freedom is not violated!

Representatives of justice? Wait a second...

Allow me to introduce myself.

I'm a COA agent assigned to watch over this house and its residents. The whole island is currently within COA's jurisdiction.

You're from...COA?!

You and any other EGPD officers who might be here are ordered to leave this island immediately.

Of course! We'll cease operations at once and leave.

I'm surprised that EGPD would use such underhanded measures. Who authorized this?

Well...I've been on the force for a very long time and my professional instincts rarely fail me... I was sure I'd find evidence of illegal activity on this island and proceeded with the investigation on my own initiative.

In other words, you had no authorization. This is scandalous behavior.

I'm leaving now, honest! If you could please keep this incident between us...

That was awesome, Renri! You owned the situation!

We caught the culprit thanks to your excellent bow skills, Ciel.

No, you're the hero here! A champion of justice, telling off the wayward cop!

Champion of justice? Oh, come on. You're making too much of it.

That man changed his tune the moment you told him you were from COA...

Looks like the COA really is in a higher position than the EGPD.

Seems that way.

Renri... I was mistaken about you. I'm very sorry.

What do you mean?

Even though you are my friend, I saw you as an enemy of my family, trying to find dirt on us. But you respect personal freedoms, and stepped in to protect us so that we could live the way we like.

He wouldn't want to get on the bad side of COA. My organization is above his, in a manner of speaking. Our investigations take priority.

It's quite complicated between all the different organizations of Elzion, isn't it.

Renri, I was mistaken about you. I'm very sorry.

What do you mean?

I saw you as an enemy of my family, trying to find dirt on us. But you respect personal freedoms, and stepped in to protect us so that we could live the way we like.

You should be able to do whatever you want, as long as it's within the boundaries of the law.

I want to see a society where everyone receives just treatment. The blameless should live in peace. Crimes should be adequately punished. That's why I chose this job.

That means we're on the same side. Sorry about not seeing this before. I hope we can still be friends.

......

I...I am not allowed to fraternize with subjects under surveillance! More importantly, we should notify everyone that the ghost mystery has been solved.

Heh. No need to be so shy!

Starting recording... Report number zero four.

I have discovered an EGPD officer conducting an unauthorized investigation. I will file a formal complaint about his activities. EGPD has acquired our obsolete Invisi-Drone technology. This needs to be investigated at once. The residents have strong idiosyncrasies, but do not display any hints of criminal tendencies. Keeping them under surveillance is unlikely to be of benefit and hence I suggest terminating the project.

The previous reports will be deleted, as they do not contribute to the investigation. End of report.

...What am I doing. That's not professional at all. I must remain objective and distance myself from this family. I have much to learn...