"Is it supernatural?"

Longer hesitation!

" - Why are you asking that?"

"It, um. Happens sometimes."

"...And what if it is?"

"I know some people. Like that." Oh, talking is terrible. Why does she do it.

"...These circles let me see ayakushi. But one day, almost a year ago, an evil spirit wandered into my circle. It cursed me, said that if I could catch it within the next year, it would spare my life. If not, it would kill me and the last thirteen people whose names I'd called."

"Oh. Okay."

"What did it look like?"

"...Big and dark. It had two white eyes like glowing holes in a shadowy outline."

Tsubaki nudges Nyanko-sensei with her foot.

"I don't recognize the description... But that's a harsh wager. Ayakashi with that much malevolence are rare, and others might have fallen afoul of it..."

Taki squints. "Did your cat just talk?"

"She does that. Um. Would you prefer not to know her name, considering?"