Tokyo Exorcism Diary

It was as if she could sense the rejection radiating from Hoshino Gen’s very soul—Tillina’s shoulders trembled slightly.

She lifted her face—one that would undoubtedly command attention even across the ocean in Hollywood—her eyes tinged red. Resting her hands on her son’s shoulders, she paused for a long while before finally whispering, “I’m sorry…”

After that, she took a breath, switching back to Japanese, her voice faltering. “I… I know, I’m an unfit mother. A mother who hasn’t seen her own child in twelve years shouldn’t expect anything.”

“Thirteen years ago, your father and I fell out and divorced. I wanted so desperately to take you and Rin away with me, but it was impossible. Even if your father agreed, the Hoshino Foundation behind him never would. I could only take one of you.”

“I knew you were special from the moment you were born—different from other babies. A true genius… And you were the older brother. I believed that even without your mother, you’d be able to take care of yourself. Your father promised me he’d give you the best life.”

“These twelve years… I’ve missed you every day. But I didn’t dare come see you. I was afraid that if I saw you, I wouldn’t be able to control myself—I would fight your father for custody. And if that happened, everything would become irreversible.”

Tillina spoke at length, while Hoshino Gen simply listened in silence. In the living room, Hoshino Rin and Lise stood by the sofa, looking on with uncertainty.

“But I never thought… your father would break his promise. He didn’t protect you.”

Of course, Tillina knew what Hoshino Gen had done recently—a sixteen-year-old high school freshman who could break a classmate’s neck without hesitation, who single-handedly caused a massacre in an underground den teeming with gangsters.

It was hard for Tillina to believe—harder still to accept—that her son could be capable of such things. She couldn’t even imagine what he must have endured over the years.

Tears welled in her sapphire eyes. She looked into Hoshino Gen’s gaze, choking up as she pleaded, “Dear… let’s leave Japan. Come with me and Rin to England, won’t you?”

This atmosphere…

Family bonds… they really weren’t suited for him, after all.

Hoshino Gen felt like he was on the verge of breaking. If he stayed here any longer—if he kept looking into Tillina’s eyes or listening to her speak in that voice—he felt like his blood might start flowing in reverse. The sheer discomfort—physical, psychological—everything in him screamed to flee.

So he did.

Hoshino Gen took a step back, shaking off Tillina’s hand from his shoulder, then bolted for his room without a word. He locked the door behind him, stumbled into the bathroom, and hunched over the toilet, retching violently.

…

The next time he left his room was because his sister called him for dinner.

Dinner that night was oddly quiet. No one spoke. The television and record player in the living room remained off, the heavy silence pressing down on the room.

Hoshino Rin and Liz exchanged glances frequently, but never held eye contact for long. Even Hoshino Gen—who was usually impervious to the emotions of others—seemed unusually drained tonight.

He always ate quickly, so before long, he finished his meal and prepared to retreat back to his room. Though he wasn’t tired—he’d only recently slept for over forty hours—he still wanted nothing more than to lie down and fall asleep, to shut off his mind completely.

But just as he was about to leave, Tillina, who hadn’t touched her own dinner, suddenly cleared her throat.

“Wait a moment, dear… I have something to discuss with you.”

Hoshino Gen turned his gaze to his mother. Her eyes were still red, her voice hoarse—but her expression remained gentle.

“I don’t think your current state is suited for staying in Tokyo… or returning to school. Perhaps… a trip would be good for you. Switzerland, maybe? There’s an estate at the foot of the Alps—it’s empty, but well-maintained. Living there would be no trouble at all.”

“What do you think, dear? Would you like to go?”

Tillina’s hopeful gaze locked onto him.

To be honest, Hoshino Gen hadn’t planned on returning to school anytime soon. The idea of going somewhere unfamiliar, meeting strangers—that was something he’d done in his past life countless times.

He looked into Tillina’s expectant eyes, and after a moment of silence, he gave a flat nod without even offering his usual polite smile.

“Alright. Thank you.”

…

The best destination is always the final stop on a spur-of-the-moment journey.

On the private jet Tillina had arranged, Hoshino Gen and Hoshino Rin sat cross-legged on a thick blanket, each holding a game controller.

Liz hadn’t come along—her father, the siblings’ uncle in England, had contacted Tillina and asked for Liz to return as soon as possible. She and Tillina were likely on another jet bound for England right now.

Outside the window stretched a pitch-black, icy night sky. Inside, warm yellow lights cast a gentle glow across the cabin.

The game’s sound effects filled the room, but the two players seemed out of place against the lively visuals.

Before long, Hoshino Gen effortlessly comboed Hoshino Rin’s character into defeat. She pouted, set down her controller, and grumbled, “Boring… I don’t want to play anymore.”

Hoshino Gen readily obliged—after all, she was the one who had dragged him into playing in the first place. And honestly, bullying a noob got dull pretty quickly.

He turned off the game and was about to find a movie to watch when Hoshino Rin’s eyes flickered with curiosity.

“Brother… why didn’t you agree to go to England with Mom? Is it because there are more supernatural incidents in Japan?”

On the screen, instead of a movie, Crayon Shin-chan’s cheerful cartoon world flickered to life.

Apparently, somewhere along the way, Hoshino Gen had changed his mind about watching a movie. He set the remote down and leaned against the sofa, glancing at his sister.

“I’ve never been to England. I wouldn’t know.”

“Then why?” Hoshino Rin pressed, genuinely puzzled. After spending time in Japan herself, she couldn’t figure out what was so special about this place.

“Probably… because there’s no emotional burden here.”

Hoshino Gen’s reply casually.