Tokyo Exorcism Diary - Chapter 8

The scene of Hoshino Gen battling the faceless swordsman in the dojo replayed in Shimizu Yuuu’s mind for what felt like the hundredth time. Her expression was a conflicted mix of excitement and frustration—like seeing a long-anticipated concept product finally hit the market, only to discover its price was way beyond her budget.

Or maybe…

“What’s with that look? Are you constipated?” Suzuki Sawamii asked with an odd expression.

“You are the one constipated!” Yuuu shot her friend a glare, then sighed, hanging her head in defeat. “I’m fine, just feeling… a little bored.”

“Bored?” Sawami gave her a look of utter disbelief. “Are you saying hanging out with me is boring?” She put on a dramatically heartbroken face. “You heartless jerk, playing with my feelings like this! We’re breaking up!”

Yuuu rolled her eyes at Sawami’s antics, but her gaze was caught by a group of people with umbrellas running toward the gymnasium.

She tugged at Sawami’s sleeve and pointed curiously. “What’s going on over there? Why are so many people gathering at the gym? Is there an important event today?”

Sawami’s faux heartbroken expression disappeared in an instant as she followed Yuu’s gaze. “You don’t know? TKY02 is holding a concert at the Shinjuku National Gymnasium today.”

“TKY02?” Yuu thought for a moment before exclaiming in surprise, “Isn’t that the idol group Hoshino Rin is part of?”

“Yuup, she’s the younger sister of that Hoshino Gen from our class. Super famous.” Sawami’s face lit up with envy. “Except for the first day of school, I’ve never seen her around. Being an idol must be great—you can skip class whenever you want.”

“…” Yuu gave Sawami a deadpan look but couldn’t help wondering. Did that idol know her brother had “superpowers”?

“Alright, let’s go! Don’t tell me you want to watch the concert now. Tickets must’ve sold out ages ago!” Sawami grabbed Yuu’s hand and pulled her toward the livelier part of the city.

By evening, the rain had stopped, and the dense clouds had been torn into wisps of white, scattered across the horizon.

The post-rain sunset was exceptionally breathtaking, casting hues of crimson and violet over the entire city, bathing it in a soft, dreamy glow.

Shimizu Yuu dashed into a narrow alley, chasing after a black stray cat that had a hair tie in its mouth. That hair tie was brand-new, something she’d bought just today! Sure, it was bought with the change from her mom’s clothing budget, but it wasn’t cheap!

The stray cat pushed open the door of a shop tucked away in the alley and slipped inside. Without thinking, Yuu sprinted after it, stopping short only when she reached the ornate door.

She hesitated, momentarily stunned by its intricate, vintage design. High-end shops weren’t new to her, but opening one in such a secluded spot—and with such an elegant door, no less—was unexpected. Still, it didn’t change her resolve to go in and demand her stolen hair tie back from that cheeky cat!

The door creaked open, and a delicate chime rang out.

The scene inside froze Yuu mid-step, one foot hovering in the air. Her expression stiffened as if she’d walked straight into a painting.

The shop’s interior was a cozy, medieval-style parlor. In the middle of the fluffy carpet sat a boy with slightly long black hair. He was crouched down, offering some cat food to the very stray cat she’d been chasing.

The golden light of the setting sun spilled through the windows, painting his figure in warm hues. It was like gazing at a serene, healing oil painting.

The boy, startled by the sound of the door, turned his gaze toward the “unexpected guest.” His left eye was a clear, oceanic blue, while his right was a deep, impenetrable black.

Yuu snapped out of her trance with a start. “Hoshino-san?!”

Her shout startled even herself. To confirm she hadn’t misread the situation, she stepped back and glanced at the small standing sign by the doorframe. Sure enough, it was an antique shop. She turned back to Hoshino Gen, her expression incredulous. “You… came here to buy antiques?”

“No, this shop is mine.” Hoshino Gen tilted his head slightly, his curious gaze falling on Shimizu Yuu. Then, as if realizing something, he picked up the now dirty hair tie the cat had discarded. “This… is yours?”

“Ah!!” Yuu let out a small shriek and rushed forward, only to be stopped by HonshinoGen’s raised hand.

“Please change into indoor slippers first. There are disposable ones in the cabinet to your right,” he said calmly.

Yuu glanced at the immaculate floor and plush carpets, then down at her sneakers, muddy from running through the rain-soaked streets. Without a word, she kicked off her shoes and slipped on the disposable slippers.

She walked over, carefully took the hair tie from Hoshino Gen, and stared at it with a heartbroken expression. Just minutes ago, it had been brand new.

“I’ll pay for the hair tie,” Hoshino Gen suddenly said.

“Huh?” Yuu blinked, then quickly shook her head. “No, it’s fine. I can just wash it.”

Her eyes fell on the black cat, now happily munching on cat food from Hoshino Gen’s hand. Hesitant, she asked, “Is this cat yours?”

“No,” Hoshino Gen replied after a moment of thought. “I only met it two months ago. It was starving, so I gave it some food. Ever since, it’s been bringing things here to trade for food—sometimes random junk it thinks is valuable, and other times items it’s stolen from people…”

He glanced at the cat and chuckled. “Clever little thing, isn’t it?”

Yuu stared at him, speechless, as the sunset painted the room in shades of gold.

Shimizu Yuu was indeed a bit surprised by the intelligence of the stray cat—it understood principles that even many humans didn’t grasp. However, when she recalled how she’d accidentally dropped the hairband while unpacking it, only for the cat to snatch it and bolt, she couldn’t help but feel this wasn’t just trading found objects for food—it was outright robbery!

Her expression darkened slightly as she pouted without saying a word.

The small handful of cat food was quickly devoured. The black cat meowed twice at Hoshino Gen, licked its paw, and then turned to leave with the swagger of someone who owned the place.

Watching the little rascal disappear out the door, Hoshino Gen turned back to Shimizu Yuu with a smile. “Anything else you need, Shimizu-san?”

Feeling that it was rude to keep talking to him while standing while he was crouched, Shimizu Yuu decided to sit cross-legged on the fluffy carpet. Scratching her cheek awkwardly, she ventured, “Um, about your superpower…”

“Sorry, but I don’t have any superpower,” Hoshino Gen said plainly, rising and heading to the counter. “Coffee or juice?”

“Ah… no need,” Shimizu Yuu quickly waved her hands, but Hoshino Gen either didn’t hear her or chose to ignore her. He returned with a glass of juice and handed it to her.

Left with no choice, she accepted the juice and, unwilling to give up, tried again. “The faceless swordsman in the dojo yesterday…”

“Was it… a ghost?” she asked tentatively, lowering her voice.

“…” Hoshino Gen silently stared at her face for a long moment before sighing. “Why do you feel the need to dig deeper? Are you dissatisfied with your current life? Why chase after dangerous unknowns like this?”

“I’m just curious!” Shimizu Yuu protested with a pout. “When something you thought only existed in novels or anime suddenly appears in real life, anyone would be tempted to figure it out!”