Chapter 7: Chapter 7: Run Boy Run
Kenji leaned against the wall, watching and waiting. Inside the tunnel, he had already witnessed everything unfold. Just as Okarun prepared to attack Turbo Granny, the curse vanished. Turbo Granny had removed the curse herself and returned Okarun's schlong. At that moment, two massive, grotesque heads emerged from Turbo Granny, their mouths agape, ready to devour Momo and Okarun. In a desperate move, Momo challenged Turbo Granny to a contest of speed.
Intrigued by Momo's audacity, Turbo Granny shifted back to her aged ghostly form, cackling. "Speed? Against me? Do you fools even know who I am? I have never lost in a race!" she sneered. Still, she accepted the challenge, confident in her victory, boasting that she could consume them both at her leisure. Momo outlined the rules: Turbo Granny would count to ten minutes, giving them a head start before chasing. Turbo Granny agreed but immediately began counting in her own erratic manner, skipping minutes after seconds.
Before Momo and Okarun could even react, she bellowed, "Ten minutes are up!" and lunged toward them. Shadowy hands coiled around Momo, encasing her in a cocoon-like prison. "Your ten minutes start now, Okarun," Turbo Granny jeered, counting again in her twisted way. Okarun protested, demanding a fair countdown, but Turbo Granny ignored him and declared, "Ten minutes are up!" once more before reaching for him. In a wild act of desperation, Okarun bit her chest and held on for dear life. Turbo Granny, furious, retaliated by possessing his body, transforming him into a cursed, monstrous version.
She turned her attention to the cocoon trapping Momo, intent on devouring her. However, as she approached, her movements slowed. Momo, using her psychic powers, had immobilized Turbo Granny. Okarun, regaining control momentarily, shattered the cocoon with care, freeing Momo. The two rejoiced, believing they had triumphed, but their celebration was cut short by a deep, echoing voice from within the tunnel: "Return her… give back Turbo Granny."
Both turned to see a colossal crab-like creature with dozens of faces etched onto its shell, glaring at them with murderous intent. Panic set in as they sprinted away, the monstrous crab giving chase. Kenji ,unseen and undetected, followed them silently, avoiding confrontation.
Okarun, desperate to protect Momo, activated his cursed form, drawing on Turbo Granny's speed to outrun the beast. Carrying Momo on his back. Unable to control his momentum, he collided with a barrier, sending both of them hurtling through the air. As they plummeted, Okarun spun his legs like a helicopter to slow their descent. It worked for a few seconds because it was his first full power,he can only use his full power for a few seconds, and they crashed to the ground. Okarun saved Momo from fall with remaining little power.
Barely recovering, they began running again, but the crab was relentless. As they fled, Momo noticed faces on the creature's shell. It became clear that ordinary people around them couldn't see the crab, despite the destruction it caused. Thinking quickly, Momo directed Okarun toward a nearby bathhouse, hatching a plan to use the hot spring water as a weapon.
At the bathhouse, Momo unleashed her psychic powers, directing scalding water onto the crab. The creature shrieked, its movements slowing as its massive body hardened, frozen in place. Seizing the opportunity, the pair fled, hoping to put distance between themselves and the beast. But their relief was short-lived as they encountered hundreds of ghostly, humanoid spirits rushing toward them. Terrified, they turned and ran in the opposite direction, only for the crab to rejoin the chase.
The apparitions surrounded them, and Momo urged Okarun to use his cursed speed to break through. Okarun complied, carrying her through the swarm and reaching an open clearing. But just as they thought they were safe, Turbo Granny escaped Momo's psychic restraints. Infuriated, she kicked Okarun to the ground, hovering menacingly above them. "I will not forgive your tricks," she growled. "But what bothers me most… is your lack of respect for your elders!"
Turbo Granny merged with the crab-like creature, transforming into a horrifying amalgamation of yokai power. Towering above them, she sneered, "I'll give you twenty minutes to run. It'll make this more fun." Momo, thinking quickly, requested one second, summoning her strength to latch onto a passing train. Using her powers, she dragged herself and Okarun onto the train's roof, narrowly escaping Turbo Granny's grasp.
As the train sped away, Kenji decided to visit Momo's grandmother, who was preparing a final line of defense. At the city's edge, she had set up an elaborate exorcism trap along the train tracks. The train passed through the setup, igniting a massive explosion of purifying flames that engulfed Turbo Granny. The yokai screamed as her body disintegrated, releasing the spirits of countless girls. These spirits smiled peacefully as they faded into dust, finding solace at last.
Momo holded Okarun and climbed down from the train, exhausted but triumphant. Turbo Granny was defeated. The following morning, they returned to the tunnel with Momo's grandmother and Kenji to offer prayers. Momo's grandmother explained the tragic history of the tunnel—it had been a site of countless atrocities, its victims' spirits turning malevolent in death. Turbo Granny, in her own way, had sought to console these spirits, punishing those who disrespected the dead.
Hearing this, Momo began to understand Kenji's perspective. Turbo Granny wasn't entirely evil; her actions stemmed from a sense of duty, albeit a warped one. Kenji turned to Momo, offering a rare, knowing smile before walking away. "Time for a shower," he muttered, leaving them to reflect on the events.
Before departing, Kenji tapped Okarun on the shoulder. "Now that this is over, we can finally start training." Okarun and Momo exchanged confused looks. "Training? What for? The curse is gone," Okarun said.
Momo's grandmother interjected, her tone serious. "Listen to him. You'll benefit from it."
Momo frowned. "Why should we? Isn't all this over now?"
Her grandmother shook her head. "I don't know but looks like it isn't. But I do know this boy sees things we don't. He could've destroyed Turbo Granny in an instant but chose not to. He's preparing you for something bigger. A dangerous future awaits you."
Momo glanced at Kenji, her annoyance giving way to newfound respect. His strength and foresight were undeniable, and for the first time, she trusted his judgment. Meanwhile, Okarun paled at the thought of intense training. Okarun had asked him not to hold back, and now he regretted making that request.
Kenji smirked as he walked away, already planning their first session.