Tokyo Exorcism Diary

After-school bells were always the sweetest melody on campus.

Like the symphony heralding a grand ball, the once-quiet classroom instantly became a cauldron of excitement. The sheer volume of chatter surged, filling the entire school building and rippling outward like waves, reaching every corner of the campus.

Already impatient, Shimizu Yuu swiftly packed her bag and glanced at Hoshino Gen, seated by the window in the front row. To her surprise, he hadn’t immediately left his seat after class like usual. Instead, he was hunched over, writing something.

Just as she was about to approach him, her best friend, Suzuki Sawami, called out, “Yuu, let’s head to the club together~”

Hearing her friend’s voice, Shimizu Yuu remembered that she hadn’t yet informed Sawami of her decision to quit the club. However, just a few days ago, when she had been fretting over her lack of pocket money, they had already discussed the idea of “trading swords for work.” So now, it was simply a matter of saying it out loud.

“Ah, sorry, Sawami, I forgot to tell you. I handed in my resignation this morning, so I won’t be going to the club anymore.”

Suzuki Sawami wasn’t too surprised. She blinked in curiosity and asked, “So, you’ve decided to get a part-time job?”

Shimizu Yuu nodded.

“Eh—” Suzuki Sawami stretched the syllable in a playful tone and pouted. “That means I’ll be stuck going to the club alone. How boring~” She then fixed Shimizu Yuu with an eager gaze. “Yuu, where are you working? I’ll quit the club too and join you! Sounds like it’d be super fun!”

Now, it was Shimizu Yuu’s turn to feel cornered.

“Uh, well…” Her eyes instinctively shifted toward Hoshino Gen, who was now packing up his desk. A gut feeling told her she needed to keep this under wraps. After a brief hesitation, Shimizu Yuu came up with an excuse. “They’re only hiring one person, but I can check for you when I go in today.”

“Great! Want me to go with you? It’d be awful if you got scammed.”

“No need—it’s someone I know. I won’t get scammed.”

“Really?” Suzuki Sawami gave Shimizu Yuu’s slightly awkward expression a skeptical look. However, catching sight of the classroom clock and realizing the club activity was about to start, she let it go. “Alright, then. I’m off to the club. Let’s catch up after school!”

Still puzzled by her friend’s strange behavior, Suzuki Sawami headed for the classroom door. Just as she was about to leave, though, a presence suddenly appeared in front of her—like a beacon of light, accompanied by a sweet, candy-like fragrance.

Her skin was as fair as glowing snow, her face so exquisitely lovely it seemed unreal, and her mismatched blue and black eyes carried an enchanting mystique—so beautiful that Suzuki Sawami instinctively held her breath.

Suzuki Sawami had always been confident in her appearance. Aside from her best friend, Shimizu Yuu, she had always felt she could outshine any other girl. But in this moment, standing so close to this figure, she felt…inferior?

“Ah, sorry!” Hoshino Rin realized she was blocking the doorway and quickly stepped aside. With a graceful motion, she entered Class A’s room.

The boisterous classroom fell silent the moment she stepped inside. Unperturbed, Hoshino Rin waved at Hoshino Gen, her mismatched eyes brimming with warmth. “Onii-chan, let’s go home~!”

The once-quiet classroom erupted into excited whispers. Since most of the students were familiar classmates, their awe of Hoshino Rin was tempered with a measure of decorum, leaving them content to observe from afar.

Hoshino Gen, now packed up, walked toward his dazzling idol-like sister. She naturally took his arm and began chatting animatedly about her day.

As the sibling pair left, the previously reserved classroom turned into a cauldron of chatter, with everyone buzzing about “Rin-chan.”. Words like “Rin-chan,” “beautiful,” and “jealous” floated through the air. 

Shimizu Yu stood frozen, unsure whether to follow them.

That’s when she saw Hoshino Gen gesture at her from outside the window. Instantly understanding his intent, she grabbed her bag and rushed out, only to be stopped by Suzuki Sawami, who was still outside.

Sawami gushed about how utterly breathtaking Hoshino Rin was and declared herself a new fan.

Shimizu Yuu wished her friend luck on her newfound fan journey before the two finally parted ways in the corridor.

Shimizu Yuu found Hoshino Gen in the shoe lockers. He stood beside his idol-like sister, their presence impossibly magnetic.

Passing students constantly glanced their way. The bolder ones, especially the social butterflies, approached Hoshino Rin for photos or autographs.

Hoshino Rin, for her part, seemed entirely unpretentious. She warmly obliged every request.

When Shimizu Yuu arrived, Hoshino Rin was surrounded by a small crowd. Meanwhile, Hoshino Gen leaned against a locker, casually scrolling through his phone. Spotting Shimizu Yuu, he tucked his phone away and handed her a small slip of paper.

Shimizu Yuu took it instinctively and glanced at it, only to find a strange list.

“Chicken blood, pigeon blood, gold… What even is this?” Her face twisted in confusion.

“You don’t need to know for now. Your job is to buy everything on this list and deliver it to the antique shop.”

“What?” Shimizu Yuu froze. “You want me to buy these?”

Ignoring the students clustered around his sister, Hoshino Gen took a thick black wallet from his pocket and placed it in Shimizu Yuu’s hand. “Here’s the shopping money. Once you’ve delivered everything, I’ll explain their purpose. Then, you can decide whether you want to work for me.”

With that, he turned to leave without even checking on his still-busy sister.

Fortunately, Hoshino Rin had been keeping an eye on things. Noticing him leaving, she quickly bid her classmates goodbye, donned her baseball cap, and caught up to him.

“Onii-chan, who was that girl?”

“A classmate,” Hoshino Gen replied curtly.

“Eh—really? But I saw you give her your wallet! Could it be…”

“Just having her buy some things.” Hoshino Gen shot his nosy sister a glance. “Don’t jump to conclusions.”

Hoshino Rin stuck out her pink tongue and protested, “I didn’t even say anything yet! How do you know what I’m thinking?”

Hoshino Gen rolled his eyes and chose not to respond.