Tokyo Exorcism Diary

“Now, let me confirm with you one last time.” Hoshino Gen turned to face Shimizu Yuu with a smile. “In the face of potential supernatural encounters at any time, are you still willing to work here?”

Shimizu Yuu swallowed hard, her heartbeat pounding in her chest.

Her bright eyes reflected Hoshino Gen’s face, and for a moment, she glanced at the contract lying on the low table. She felt as if the doorway to the mysterious realm was beckoning her. All she had to do was write her name, and that door would open wide.

Instead of answering his question, Shimizu Yuu returned to the table in silence. Sitting down, she picked up the pen resting on the contract and quickly signed her name.

Then, with determination burning in her gaze, she looked up at Hoshino Gen.

His indifferent smile immediately softened, and his tone became amiable. “In that case, from now on, you’re officially a member of this antique shop. I suggest you read through the contract carefully to understand your responsibilities and rights.”

Shimizu Yuu nodded obediently. Given Hoshino Gen’s advice, she guessed there might be unusual clauses hidden in the contract that she needed to note.

As Shimizu Yuu began reading the contract, Hoshino Gen took the bag filled with alchemical ingredients to the backyard, with Hoshino Rin trailing close behind.

The backyard was vast, enclosed on three sides by tall walls. Two cobblestone paths formed a cross, dividing the yard into four sections featuring flower beds, peach trees, a gazebo, and even a fishpond. Amid the city’s concrete jungle, it was a picturesque sanctuary, like a slice of paradise hidden from the world.

But the idyllic scenery didn’t draw Hoshino Rin’s attention for even a moment. Her gaze remained fixed on her brother, her heterochromatic eyes shining brightly.

Hoshino Gen ignored her presence entirely, as if she wasn’t there, and made his way to the black stone mill beside the gazebo. The mill’s peculiar design wasn’t the source of its strangeness but its material.

Though it looked like a stone mill, it was clearly not made from ordinary rock. Its jet-black surface, capable of reflecting its surroundings, was more akin to obsidian.

As Hoshino Gen started unpacking the bag, Hoshino Rin’s curiosity got the better of her. She reached out to touch the black mill. Its surface was smooth yet unexpectedly warm—not the cool touch one would expect from obsidian, even in the sunlight.

Before she could voice her thoughts, Hoshino Gen had already taken a small gold ingot, no larger than a thumb, and fed it into the mill’s central opening. The action left her stunned.

Hoshino Gen glanced at his bandaged right hand, then at his sister, who was staring at him with wide-eyed confusion. He gestured silently toward the mill.

“…” Hoshino Rin blinked and hesitantly asked, “Onii-chan… Are you asking me to… turn the mill?”

Hoshino Gen cast another glance at his injured hand.

Hoshino Rin’s delicate lips twitched. As a popular idol with an affluent background, she had dabbled in acting for movies, dramas, and even variety shows. She had portrayed a wide range of characters on-screen, but turning a mill—something better suited for a mule—was an experience entirely foreign to her.

Though her physical stamina wasn’t terrible, competing with a mule was never on her bucket list. Still, since it was her brother’s request, after pouting for a moment, she reluctantly grabbed the mill handle.

Mimicking how she had seen a mule turn mills in historical dramas, she tried her best to rotate it. However, the millstone refused to budge, as if the gold had jammed the mechanism.

Her small hands gripped the handle tightly, her teeth clenched, and she used every ounce of her strength, but it was futile. Defeated, she puffed out her cheeks and turned to Hoshino Gen with a pitiful expression, as if to say, It’s not that I’m weak—it’s just that this mill is not moving…

Without a word, Hoshino Gen took out a yellow talisman from seemingly nowhere. He tossed it lightly into the mill’s opening. The thin paper folded itself delicately mid-air and slid inside.

In an instant, a fiery glow erupted from the mill’s crevices, filling the air with a radiant red light.

Hoshino Rin stared, her jaw dropping. Although she had suspected her brother possessed some sort of extraordinary ability, the spectacle before her was a far cry from what she had imagined.

Hoshino Gen motioned for her to keep turning.

Despite her shock, Hoshino Rin remained silent despite having many questions. She obeyed, gripping the handle and rotating the mill. This time, the resistance was gone. While still requiring effort, it was manageable.

Round and round, she pushed, while Hoshino Gen periodically added various items to the mill: rooster’s blood, pigeon’s blood, octopus eyes, spider lily petals, cinnabar, and even a strand of his own hair.

The fiery glow from the mill grew more intense, though strangely, not a single wisp of smoke emerged.

Finally, Hoshino Gen called, “Stop.”

Hoshino Rin froze in place. The flames within the mill died out instantly. A moment later, a stream of mist flowed out of the opening, as thick and smooth as liquid, pouring into a silver goblet Hoshino Gen had prepared.

The sight left Hoshino Rin awestruck. She couldn’t tear her eyes away, mesmerized by the surreal beauty of the process.

Hoshino Gen bit his left index finger, drawing a drop of blood. As he spoke softly, his voice carried the weight of a mantra:

“As above, so below. By this principle, the wonders of the One shall be realized…”

His tone was neither a chant nor a spell, more like a quiet reminder to himself.

He let the drop of blood fall into the goblet filled with mist.

Sizzle—

A faint yet indescribably pleasant sound resonated as the mist dispersed, revealing a shallow pool of liquid within the goblet. Its vibrant, ruby-like luster resembled molten red jade, radiating an almost otherworldly beauty.

It was breathtaking, enough to make anyone fall silent in awe.