Tokyo Exorcism Diary

Shimizu Yuu felt like her understanding of Hoshino Gen, her enigmatic and mysterious classmate, had been refreshed once again.

At first, when they hadn’t had much interaction, Shimizu Yuu saw Hoshino Gen as someone who always kept to himself at school, never responding to others’ attempts to start a conversation. She thought he was just a regretful oddball, even if he was unfairly good-looking.

Later, when she approached him for the first time to borrow his Spirit Detective Notes, she ended up being used as a human shield for mud splatter and got punished for being late. Back then, Shimizu firmly believed Hoshino Gen was a passive-aggressive jerk.

But after that, one fateful evening at the dojo, she witnessed Hoshino Gen’s true self. She saw a scene so fantastical that it felt like a dream stepping into reality. At that moment, Shimizu Yuu felt like Hoshino Gen was shrouded in secrets, mysterious like the glowing moon against a dark night sky—so intriguing it was almost maddening.

Shimizu Yuu had always been a girl who loved to daydream. When she gazed at the blue sky while walking, she imagined what it would be like to fly. During class, staring out the window, she wondered what life would be like with magic.

As she grew up, reality set in, and she came to understand that such fantasies didn’t exist. Yet, the dreams never truly left her—they lingered in her heart. She indulged in countless imaginative stories, novels, and manga, immersing herself in fantasy.

But after that day, she saw in Hoshino Gen the possibility that fantasy might just exist in reality.

Truthfully, in that moment, no matter what came before or after, Shimizu Yuu was drawn to Hoshino Gen, her classmate, with a deep yearning.

She wanted to get closer. She wanted to understand him.

Not because he was Hoshino Gen, but because he embodied the fantasy she had always wished could come true.

What happened later felt both coincidental and inevitable.

Helping him deal with the ghosts in the dojo. Obtaining the talismans that allowed her to wield “superpowers.” Becoming his assistant—though it was more like doing a bizarre housekeeper’s job.

Even though their actual time together was just a few days, Hoshino Gen’s image in her mind kept changing.

No matter what, Shimizu Yuu grudgingly admitted that while Hoshino Gen was cautious to a fault, he was indeed a hero in his own right, battling vengeful spirits in the city’s unseen shadows to protect ordinary people. Deep down, she found him… a bit cool.

But now—

Shimizu Yuu watched with a conflicted expression as Hoshino Gen held a blade to someone’s throat, interrogating them with a disturbingly gentle smile. She realized her understanding of this guy was still superficial at best.

Hoshino Gen was aware of Shimizu Yuu’s strange gaze behind him but paid it no mind. His focus was entirely on the girl before him, Shiina Wakana.

“How did you find this place?”

“…Smell,” she answered honestly, perhaps fearing another slash from the eerie black blade.

“A bloodhound? Or is this some kind of special ability?”

Shiina Wakana tilted her head, considering the question before replying in her odd manner, “I didn’t bring a dog.”

“So, it’s a special ability,” Hoshino Gen concluded, his interest piqued further. He ignored her peculiar speech patterns and pressed on enthusiastically. “Are you acting alone, or do you have an organization backing you?”

There was a pause. Perhaps the question touched on sensitive ground. Shiina Wakana hesitated, but her gaze darted to the black blade still near her neck. Reluctantly, she admitted, “I have a dad, a mom, and a little brother.”

“…” Hoshino Gen’s expression didn’t change, but his grip on the blade shifted. He flipped it around so the tip pressed against her leg instead. Smiling warmly, he said, “Let’s try that again. If you keep playing dumb, this blade might go through you.”

“!” Shiina Wakana’s eyes widened in shock, and she hastily replied, “I’m not lying!”

“Oh, really?” Hoshino Gen nodded, his expression seemingly softened by her sincerity. He even sheathed his blade.

Just as both Shiina Wakana and Shimizu Yuu sighed in relief, Hoshino Gen casually took out a talisman and pressed it against Shiina Wakana’s forehead with two fingers.

“…?” Shiina Wakana blinked, confusion clouding her expression.

Then—crackling lightning erupted from the talisman, enveloping her entire body.

Zzzt!

“Ugh!” Shiina Wakana’s eyes widened as a wave of numbness, intense spasms, and searing pain instantly drowned out her thoughts.

“Ahhh!!”

A scream burst forth as tears streamed uncontrollably down her face.

Shimizu Yuu froze, her eyes wide with horror. She’d thought Hoshino Gen was exaggerating when he mentioned “interrogation.” Never had she imagined he’d actually go this far!

A wave of unease surged through her. Glancing at her own position in this scene, she suddenly felt like a henchman aiding a villain!

Shimizu Yuu couldn’t accept that. She reached out to grab Hoshino Gen’s arm. “Hey, you—!”

Hoshino Gen evaded her hand, but at the same time withdrew his fingers from Shiina Wakana’s forehead.

The girl’s entire body trembled violently as she gasped for air, her shoulders jerking with residual spasms.

Smiling, Hoshino Gen said, “That was the Five Thunder Talisman at its lowest output. The effect’s about the same as a stun gun. Consider it a warning. Now, let me ask you again.”

“Does your group have an organization behind it?”

“Huff… huff…” Shiina Wakana slowly regained her composure. Tears filled her eyes—likely from pain—as she whimpered, “You’re… a bad person!”

Hoshino Gen smiled without comment, casually pulling out another talisman.

Shiina Wakana’s lips quivered as she reluctantly answered, “We do.”

“Good,” Hoshino Gen nodded, his tone full of encouragement. “Is it an official organization or a private one?”

“…Uncle Kudo said we’re public servants.”

“So it’s official.” Hoshino Gen nodded, his gaze sweeping over the seemingly clueless girl. He fell silent, deep in thought.

Historically, true mystics often scorned governmental authority, paying little heed to imperial decrees or state orders. That was the norm.

At least in his previous life, neither his homeland nor the powerful country across the ocean had official paranormal organizations.

As for this world, Hoshino Gen wasn’t sure. But considering his years of ghost-hunting without ever encountering such a group, three possibilities came to mind:

One: Japan’s official paranormal organization had only been established recently,  maybe only even within the last two years.

Two: Its members were few and lacked skills or strength in ghost-hunting.

Three: Both—and this was the most likely scenario.