Tokyo Exorcism Diary

It rained in Tokyo today, and the Seigawa Private Academy’s school festival, originally scheduled for today, had been postponed to tomorrow. After school, Shimizu Yuu didn’t go home but instead, as if drawn by some invisible force, took a detour and found herself in the narrow alley where the antique shop was located.

Raindrops pattered against her transparent umbrella, creating a rhythmic sound. Shimizu Yuu stood before the tightly closed shutter door of the antique shop, her expression unreadable.

Ever since that day in the underground parking lot, Hoshino Gen hadn’t returned to school. The incident in the garage remained a secret among a select few, but the fact that he had killed their classmate Eiki had spread like wildfire through the school.

Though the media had widely reported the heinous crimes Eiki’s group had committed during middle school—making his death feel like a form of poetic justice—and both the school and the police had ruled Hoshino Gen’s actions as self-defense, rumors and whispers still swirled through the hallways.

More than once, Shimizu Yuu had overheard classmates muttering things like, “He really killed someone? That’s terrifying… Even if it was self-defense, he shouldn’t have gone that far, right?”

She couldn’t help but sigh again, ready to turn back, when a sudden meow broke the silence behind her. She turned instinctively—

“Meow~”

A familiar black stray cat crouched under the eaves, its amber eyes fixed on her. When it saw her, it called out again.

Shimizu Yuu recognized the cat instantly. Come to think of it, the first time she had visited the antique shop, it was this little creature that had led her there. If not for this cat, perhaps many of the stories that followed wouldn’t have happened.

A faint smile tugged at her lips. She walked over and crouched down in front of the black cat, holding her umbrella over both of them.

It was only then that she noticed the 500-yen coin lying at the cat’s feet.

“Meow~”

The black cat licked its paw and meowed at the closed shutter door, as if urging someone inside.

Shimizu Yuu couldn’t help but laugh, reaching out to stroke the cat’s damp head.

“Are you here to trade for food again? Sorry, he’s away on business lately, so no deals today.”

Of course, the cat couldn’t understand such complicated words. But perhaps seeing the unopened door, it seemed to understand the message. It picked up the coin in its mouth and turned to leave.

But before it could take two steps, Shimizu Yuu scooped it into her arms.

Despite the cat’s wet fur, she didn’t mind. One hand holding the cat, the other holding the umbrella, she grinned.

“Well, if he’s not here, I’ll treat you instead. There’s a pet store nearby—I’ve heard their canned cat food is pretty good.”

“Meow~”

The black cat, not understanding her words but perhaps sensing her warmth, rubbed its head against her pale hand. The coin slipped from its mouth, landing in the crook of her arm.

…

Zermatt, Switzerland.

Leaving the church, the siblings walked side by side down the street.

The temperature seemed to have dropped further, and the once blue sky was now smothered by thick gray clouds.

Hoshino Rin lowered her head, her voice low. “Onii-chan… Jerome’s wish has been fulfilled, and his family can pay off their debts… So why do I still feel so sad?”

Hoshino Gen stuffed his hands in his coat pockets, the hem of his black long coat billowing in the biting wind. His voice was flat, devoid of emotion. “Who knows.”

“…”

Hoshino Rin pouted, sighed, and fell silent.

They had wandered around all afternoon, with only a light lunch on the train. Hunger was beginning to gnaw at them—time to head back for dinner.

Neither of them had paid much attention to the route they took earlier, so it was only natural that they couldn’t retrace their steps. This time, Hoshino Rin took the lead, navigating with her phone.

By evening, the sky had turned completely gray. The streets were far busier than before, bustling with tourists of all skin tones crowding into shops—probably preparing for mountain climbing expeditions.

Zermatt’s nights arrived late, and this was the liveliest time of day.

But none of that had anything to do with the siblings. Thanks to the navigation’s shortest route, their return was much quicker than their journey out.

As the slope ahead came into view, the stately manor nestled among the grass-covered hills appeared once more. The first snowflake of the season drifted down from the gray sky.

The weather forecast had been spot on—snow was indeed falling.

A delicate snowflake landed on Hoshino Rin’s pale forehead. She instinctively looked up, watching countless feather-light flakes descend.

“Onii-chan… it’s snowing…”

Hoshino Gen had already walked ahead, still with his hands in his pockets and an indifferent expression. “I can see that.”

Hoshino Rin caught a snowflake in her small palm, feeling it melt against her skin. She cupped her hands to her mouth, breathing warm air onto them before scampering to catch up.

“Onii-chan, let’s build a snowman later!”

“Weren’t you just complaining about cold hands?”

“I’ll wear waterproof gloves!”

“Boring.”

“Then… a snowball fight? But you’re not allowed to use your ‘abilities.’”

“Pointless.”

“Ugh—” Hoshino Rin puffed out her cheeks. “Onii-cahn, if you keep acting like this, you’ll never find a girlfriend! And even if you do, she’ll only be after your looks or money!”

“Isn’t that fine?” Hoshino Gen replied nonchalantly.

His casual remark left Hoshino Rin utterly stunned. She looked at him in disbelief.

“So you’re saying… you’re that indifferent about your future partner? Does that mean you’d even accept an arranged marriage if the family asked you to?”

“Why not?” Hoshino Gen smiled faintly.

“It would bring enormous benefits, and save me from unnecessary trouble. Marriage is just two people living under the same roof, bound by various circumstances. Even if they love each other, how long would that last? Three years? Five? Ten?”

“Love has an expiration date—some longer, some shorter. Even if someone’s lucky enough to find a partner for life, how often does that happen?

“I doubt I’d be that lucky. So if I have to marry for the family’s benefit, I might as well treat it as repayment for everything they’ve invested in me. Win-win, right?”

For once, Hoshino Gen’s monotone voice carried on at length.

Hoshino Rin stood frozen, mouth agape, as her brother disappeared into the manor’s gates.