Tokyo Exorcism Diary

The flickering light, alternating between bright and dim, quickly drew the attention of the girls gathered around the long table. Some couldn’t resist peeking through slightly parted eyelids, only to gasp in shock at the scene before them.

A single startled cry broke the silence, triggering a ripple of curiosity. One by one, the girls opened their eyes. The sight of flickering red candles, drifting mist, and erratic lighting was both eerie and mystifying. For this group of idol girls, usually the focus of admiration, the scene left them stunned and wide-eyed.

Though Japan is no stranger to superstitions surrounding the supernatural, the seemingly real manifestation of the ritual struck a blow to their worldviews, leaving them teetering on the edge of disbelief.

The chanting of the name “Marika” came to an abrupt halt, and the swirling smoke in the room began to dissipate. Hoshino Gen turned his head and, with a tone of sharp authority, said, “Close your eyes. Continue.”

The girls exchanged uneasy glances but couldn’t withstand the oppressive weight of his gaze. Reluctantly, they complied, their chanting resuming moments later.

The temperature in the studio began to drop. Hoshino Rin instinctively inched closer to Hoshino Gen, almost curling into her brother’s side.

Hoshino Gen pushed her aside with a look of disdain, lowering his voice and saying faintly, “Don’t get in the way, If the ghost shows up, I’ll throw you to her.”

“…” Hoshino Rin pouted in silent protest but held her tongue. Just as she was about to mutter something, a flicker of red flitted across her vision. She rubbed her eyes and focused, her lips parting in shock. Clapping her hands over her mouth, she stifled any sound, knowing she hadn’t imagined it—there was indeed a ghostly red figure rapidly approaching from afar.

Terrified, Hoshino Rin glanced at her brother. Hoshino Gen’s expression was one of amusement, a predatory smile curling his lips as if relishing the thrill.

Kiryu Rakuye leaned closer as well, though her demeanor was far calmer than Hoshino Rin’s. Despite being the youngest in the special operations team, she had faced vengeful ghosts before, even if her seniority often kept her away from the most dangerous scenarios.

“Senpai… should we let her approach?” Kiryu Rakuye whispered, her gaze flitting between the rapidly nearing red-clad ghost and the idol girls still huddled around the table. Her concern wavered between the risk of exposing the truth of the supernatural world to the idols and the safety of those unsuspecting young women.

Hoshino Gen didn’t reply immediately. His gaze remained fixed on the approaching ghost, calm and unflinching. When their eyes met, the previously dazed ghost abruptly snapped into awareness. The memory of Hoshino Gen mercilessly killing another ghost not long ago must have resurfaced, for the ghost instantly turned and fled.

Without hesitation, Hoshino Gen tossed an order to Hoshino Rin: “Tell them it’s all part of a magic trick.” Then, like an arrow loosed from its string, he bolted after the ghost. His right arm gleamed with flowing energy as black tendrils spread along its length, and a demon blade materialized in his hand.

Kiryu Rakuye was quick to follow, knowing her role was to observe and document Hoshino Gen’s abilities. Missing such a moment was out of the question.

Hoshino Rin, on the other hand, wanted desperately to tag along—half out of concern for her brother’s safety and half out of sheer curiosity about how he fought ghost. But common sense kicked in; following him would only make her a liability. Suppressing her impulses, she turned back to the idols, forcing a cheerful smile as she clapped her hands.

“Alright, everyone! The game’s over!”

…

Hoshino Gen’s speed was incredible, leaving the night itself trailing behind him. The ghost, however, wasn’t slow either. In the moonlight, its fleeting red shadow darted ahead, using its ability to float to gradually widen the gap between them.

The filming location was near Tokyo Bay, chosen for its rural charm. It didn’t take long for the shimmering silver waves of the bay to appear under the moonlight.

With a sudden leap, the red-clad ghost plunged into the water and vanished without a trace.

Panting heavily, Kiryu Rakuye finally caught up and clutched her knees for support. “S-Senpai… what… now?”

Hoshino Gen stood in silence for a moment before shrugging off his jacket. He unhooked a rectangular box from his belt, tossing it to Kiryu Rakuye. Without another word, he dived into the churning waters.

Kiryu Rakuye’s mouth fell open in shock as she stared at the now-calm surface of the bay. “W-Wait… you’re seriously fighting a water ghost in the ocean? Are you out of your mind?”

As if to mock her disbelief, clouds moved to obscure the moon, plunging the once-glittering water into an inky blackness. Kiryu Rakuye shivered, instinctively taking two steps back.

Despite her mission to observe Hoshino Gen, there was no way she could muster the courage to follow him into the ominous depths. Reluctantly, she decided to wait onshore, her feelings a mix of regret, helplessness, and worry.

Still, curiosity won out as she examined the box Hoshino Gen had handed her. Wrapped in his jacket to stave off the cold night air, she carefully slid the lid open, revealing its contents: a stack of talismans, neatly arranged.

Her eyes widened. She’d heard from Wakana-nee about the effectiveness of these talismans and had witnessed their power firsthand—capable of generating electricity, summoning flames, and more. If the entire special operations unit could be equipped with these, their combat capabilities would leap forward by decades, from primitive weapons to modern arsenal overnight.

The thought of pocketing a talisman for her own research briefly crossed her mind, but Kiryu Rakuye stomped her foot in frustration, scolding herself. Stealing from Hoshino Gen would only make him dislike her! And someone like him, ranking so highly on her “ideal boyfriend list,” was far too valuable to alienate.

Her musings were abruptly interrupted by the sudden turbulence in the water. The clouds parted, and moonlight once again spilled over the bay just as two figures burst from the surface simultaneously.

Time seemed to freeze. The boy’s left eye glowed crimson, his demon blade piercing through the ghost’s chest. A cruel smile played on his lips, his gaze icy yet burning with intensity.

In the next moment, the ghost shattered into ash, leaving behind a single purple sandalwood comb amidst the falling remnants.

Hoshino Gen caught the comb effortlessly as gravity pulled him back to the shore. He wiped the water from his face and casually tossed the comb to Kiryu Rakuye, whose stunned expression hadn’t yet faded.

“Here’s your relic,” he said, his tone indifferent.

In the moonlight, Hoshino Gen’s demeanor was as cold and pristine as the water. Kiryu Rakuye swallowed nervously and clutched the comb tightly, resolving once more: risking Hoshino Gen’s ire for personal gain? Only a dummy would even consider it!