Tokyo Exorcism Diary

Ignoring the obvious misunderstanding reflected on Shimizu Yuu’s face, Hoshino Gen chuckled to himself. “I recall you’re a big fan of that novel, Detective Spirit Notes, right?”

Shimizu Yuu furrowed her delicate brows in confusion. “What does that have to do with the work you’re talking about?”

Instead of answering her question, Hoshino Gen posed another. “Have you read other works in a similar genre?”

“Of course! I’ve read pretty much all the well-known ones!” Shimizu Yuu lifted her chin proudly.

“Such as?”

At the mention of this, Shimizu Yuu perked up, launching into an enthusiastic list. “Phantom Chronicles, Exorcist’s Duties, Hundred Ghost Chronicles…”

As she rattled off title after title, Hoshino Gen nodded after each one. Eventually, he interrupted her long list of over ten titles and smiled. “Have you ever noticed a commonality among the characters in these stories who treat exorcism as a lucrative profession?”

“Um… they all have special abilities?” Shimizu Yuu blinked her large, expressive eyes, venturing a guess.

Hoshino Gen shook his head, his smile growing softer. “No. It’s that they always have an assistant to handle the dull but essential preparatory tasks.”

Shimizu Yuu’s eyes widened slightly in surprise. “You want me to be your assistant?”

Her reaction wasn’t out of reluctance—it was delight. No way! This was a dream come true. She’d always longed for a chance to immerse herself in the mysteries of the supernatural. Tedious prep work? That was a non-issue. Sure, it might seem dull to him, but for her, it would all be dazzlingly novel and fascinating!

As the saying goes, the sated don’t know the hunger of the starving.

What he found routine, she would undoubtedly find amazing. And being his assistant would mean indirectly participating in resolving real paranormal incidents!

Shimizu Yuu’s eyes sparkled with excitement, and Hoshino Gen suddenly seemed far more agreeable in her view.

“So, what’s your answer?” Hoshino Gen asked with a smile.

“Of course I’ll do it! When do we start?” Shimizu Yuu could barely contain her enthusiasm as she leaned forward eagerly.

“No rush.” Hoshino Gen tapped his chin thoughtfully. “After school, I’ll print out a contract. Once you sign it, we can get started.”

Shimizu Yuu had no objections, but then noticed him pulling out a sheet of A4 paper and jotting something down with a pen. Curious, she asked, “What are you writing?”

“A withdrawal application,” Hoshino Gen replied.

“A withdrawal application?!” Shimizu Yuu exclaimed. “You’re quitting the Kendo Club? But didn’t you just join last Friday?”

Hoshino Gen paused his writing for a moment. “I only joined the Kendo Club to practice swordsmanship and make carrying a bamboo sword to the dojo in the woods easier after school. I don’t need that anymore, so naturally, the Go-Home Club suits me better.” After explaining, he resumed writing.

“You mean… you joined the Kendo Club just to borrow school bamboo swords?” Shimizu Yuu was stunned. She hadn’t expected him to moonlight as a thief!

“Don’t put it like that,” Hoshino Gen said with a smile. “My father donates enough to this school annually to build multiple new dojos. Borrowing a few bamboo swords is hardly a big deal.”

“…” Shimizu Yuu was at a loss for words.

“Oh, by the way.” Hoshino Gen suddenly looked up at her. “I remember you’re in the Kendo Club, too. If you’ve decided to be my assistant, you’d better withdraw as well since after-school hours will be your work time.”

“Huh?” Shimizu Yuu froze for a moment, but after comparing the allure of the supernatural to Kendo in her mind, she begrudgingly nodded. “Alright.”

“Really?! Are you serious? Is Rin-chan really here? That Rin-chan from TKY02?”

“Totally! I made sure to check during break!”

“So? Is she as pretty as on TV?”

“Even cuter! If Rin-chan became my girlfriend, I’d gladly give up thirty years of my life!”

“Tch—keep dreaming. She wouldn’t even spare you a glance if you threw yourself off a building.”

The noisy chatter in the school cafeteria blended into a chaotic buzz. Any small news on campus would inevitably make its way here, the unofficial central hub of gossip.

Today, the hottest topic was none other than the arrival of the ultra-popular idol Hoshino Rin at school.

Though it wasn’t exactly a riot, discussions of TKY02 and Hoshino Rin were on almost everyone’s lips. As a result, her brother, Hoshino Gen, garnered far more attention than usual as he walked through the cafeteria.

Without the habit of bringing a packed lunch, Hoshino Gen had always frequented the cafeteria. While it wasn’t unusual for girls from other classes to approach him to chat, sit with him, or ask for his contact info, they were usually discouraged by his signature “death smile,” a grin so chilling it quickly earned him the label of “weird.” Over time, this reputation ensured his mealtimes remained peaceful.

But today, thanks to his sister’s appearance, his quiet lunchtime turned into a “fan Q&A session.”

“Hoshino-kun! Are you really Rin-chan’s brother? Do you live together?”

“Why isn’t Rin-chan having lunch with you?”

“What’s your sibling relationship like? I have a younger sister too, but she ignores me now that she’s a teenager. Is Rin-chan the same?”

Bombarded with privacy-invading questions, Hoshino Gen silently turned on his heel and bought a yakisoba bread from a vending machine before leaving the cafeteria.

Back in the classroom, where the aroma of home-packed lunches filled the air, his classmates—familiar with his temperament after nearly a month—left him alone, knowing they’d only get an awkward smile in response.

Sitting at his desk, Hoshino Gen quietly munched on his bread, gazing at the blue sky outside the window. In a classroom bustling with groups of students eating together, he seemed almost otherworldly, a lone figure of quiet detachment.

This scene caught the attention of Suzuki Sawami, who thought,

“He’s such a loner.”

Shimizu Yuu, currently seeing Hoshino Gen in an unusually favorable light, casually defended him. “Maybe he just doesn’t feel like talking to ordinary people.”

“Ordinary people?” Suzuki Sawami raised an eyebrow. “You’re saying he’s not one of us?”

Shimizu Yuu almost nodded instinctively but quickly caught herself, realizing she shouldn’t spill any secrets. She awkwardly laughed it off. “Well, he’s the brother of an idol, comes from a wealthy family, and is mixed-race… Obviously, he’s in a different league.”

“How does that make him different?” Suzuki Sawami pouted, puffing out her not-so-impressive chest. “Your dad’s—”

Before she could finish, a knock on the classroom door interrupted her.

The class quieted down as everyone turned to the door.

Standing there was a senior student. She scanned the room before asking, “Is Hoshino Gen or Shimizu Yuu here?”