Tokyo Exorcism Diary

“Or what?” Hoshino Gen replied coolly.

Shimizu Yuu, on the other hand, was brimming with excitement. “What kind of case is it this time? Is there a ghost involved?”

Raising an eyebrow, Hoshino Gen responded with mild surprise, “Would it even be called a paranormal case if there weren’t any ghosts?”

“Ah, I meant… are you going to fight a ghost this time, or is it like last time with Chii-chan, just gathering intel?” Shimizu Yuu clarified, then added a bit sheepishly, “If it’s like last time, I thought maybe I could help out a little. But if it’s a ghost-fighting, I think I’ll pass…”

“Why pass?” Hoshino Gen looked genuinely surprised. “Aren’t you supposed to be my assistant?”

Shimizu Yuu blinked, tilting her head slightly, not quite following. “Uh… what do you mean?”

“It means you’re coming with me this time,” Hoshino Gen said, spreading his hands nonchalantly. “The intel from the Special Affairs Unit mentions that the ghosts in this haunted school are pretty smart. They don’t usually target people like me, the ones who can actually deal with them. So, to resolve this quickly and efficiently, I need a regular person as bait to attract their attention.”

He paused, then added with a puzzled look, “This is obviously the kind of role an assistant should take on. Did you really think I hired you with ‘strategic resources’ like talismans just to have you clean my place? Wouldn’t it be cheaper to just call a professional cleaning service?”

Shimizu Yuu opened her mouth to argue but quickly lowered her voice when someone passed by. She muttered under her breath, “You didn’t say that before. If you’d told me you needed help, I wouldn’t have refused.”

Hearing that, Hoshino Gen chuckled. “You’re not scared?”

“Scared?” Shimizu Yuu paused, then scratched her head. “Well, yeah, I am. I almost got killed at the dojo last time, remember? But I’ve got that tattoo you gave me on my arm now, plus all those talismans. And worst case, you’ll be there too, right?”

Hoshino Gen laughed. “Don’t rely on me too much. Pinning your hopes on others is irresponsible to yourself. That said, you don’t need to worry too much. With the stuff you have, and if you improve your skills just a bit more… even an average vengeful spirit might not stand a chance against you.”

“Of course, if you’re really too scared, you can skip it. I’ll just pay you in cash instead of talismans, and you can work as my full-time cleaner and homework assistant.” Hoshino Gen generously gave his assistant the opportunity to choose.

Shimizu Yuu ignored that and instead asked, “Didn’t you say this case requires a regular person to help? If I don’t go, what will you do?”

“I’ll ask the Special Affairs Unit for someone. I doubt an official organization only has special agents. There must be some regular field operatives,” Hoshino Gen replied indifferently.

Shimizu Yuu knew about the official organizations. After all, she’d been present when Hoshino Gen interrogated that government agent. It wasn’t surprising to her that he had connections now. She asked quietly, “Wouldn’t it be dangerous for the person you send instead?”

Noticing her concern, Hoshino Gen smirked. “They definitely wouldn’t be as safe as you.”

“Exactly.” Shimizu Yuu lifted her chin slightly, her expression serious. “So I’ll go. Otherwise, if something really happened to that person, I’d be living with guilt, always thinking, ‘If only I hadn’t backed out, maybe they’d be okay.’”

Hoshino Gen stared at her earnest face, her bright eyes filled with determination, her small, pale pink lips slightly pursed—she looked much cuter than her usual ditzy self.

He curled his lip. “Such pointless worries of a do-gooder.”

Just then, his phone buzzed in his pocket. Glancing at the screen, he saw it was Kiryu Rakuye calling.

Probably to discuss the Nagano haunted school case, he thought, answering the call. But to his surprise, Kiryu Rakuye’s words were completely unexpected.

“Sorry, Senpai. Something came up at home, and I can’t join you for the investigation at Nagano’s haunted school today…”

Though surprised, Hoshino Gen didn’t dwell on it. “Got it. Anything else?”

“…No,” Kiryu Rakuye hesitated briefly, then added quickly, “Ah, sorry! I have another call coming in. Talk to you later.”

The call ended with a series of beeps. Hoshino Gen stuffed his phone back into his pocket and looked at Shimizu Yuu, who was staring at him curiously.

“What are you looking at? Hurry up and change your shoes. We’re leaving.”

“Huh? Oh, right!” Realizing she was still wearing indoor slippers, Shimizu Yuu dashed to her shoe cabinet.

…

After hanging up, Kiryu Rakuye took a deep breath and answered the incoming call labeled “Mom.”

A cheerful woman’s voice filled the line. “Rakuye! Where are you? Should I send a driver to pick you up?”

“…I just finished school, Mom. I’ll take a taxi,” Kiryu Rakuye replied brightly, her voice lively and sweet.

“Hurry then! Tonight’s dinner is important. We’re meeting the chairman of Choutai Group. He’s even wealthier and more prestigious than President Hosen from yesterday! Your father had a custom dress made just for you—it cost a fortune. Make sure you leave a good impression. Your father will be so proud.”

“Okay, I’ll do my best, Mom.” Her voice remained upbeat, but her smile was fading fast.

“That’s my girl! I’ll go finish preparations. See you soon, mua~”

When the call ended, all the strength seemed to drain from Kiryu Rakuye. She stumbled back against the wall, sliding down until she sat on the floor, hugging her knees.

Burying her weary, exhausted face in the crook of her pale arms, she whispered softly, “I’m so tired…”

Her voice was flat, devoid of the usual cheer, as if even the emotion of frustration was too much effort.

When did it all become like this? she wondered silently.