Tokyo Exorcism Diary

“Huh? A arranged marriage!?

“Yeah, my dad’s totally crossing the line! I’m only sixteen! And he’s making me go on an arranged marriage meeting with some rich kid who’s also sixteen! Isn’t that basically a political marriage? He’s selling me off! No way I’m doing this.”

In a luxurious three-story villa in Setagaya, Tokyo, fresh from the bath, Amamiya Sashi lay sprawled on her princess bed, wearing a white nightgown fresh from her bath. Her slender, fair legs swayed back and forth as she complained to her best friend from their all-girls private academy over the phone.

Her friend’s voice on the other end carried a tone of fascination. “A political marriage… I always thought stuff like that only happened in dramas… As expected of a real young lady, huh? The guy’s probably some rich heir too, right? Must be nice being part of the high society~”

“What are you even jealous of!?” Amamiya Sashi huffed, clearly displeased. “If someone wants to go, they can have my spot! I heard he’s the eldest son of some conglomerate. Sixteen years old, rich family background, and still needs a arranged marriage? Just how desperate does he have to be!?”

“Well, you never know… What if he’s a total heartthrob?”

“Yeah, right.” Amamiya Sashi’s pout deepened. “I asked my dad for a photo, but he wouldn’t give me one! He even lied, saying there aren’t any. If I want to know what he looks like, I have to meet him in person. Isn’t that just because he’s afraid I’ll refuse if the guy’s too ugly?”

As she spoke, an image of a chubby, greasy-faced creep flashed through her mind, making her shudder. “Gross… I’m not going. But even if I have to… hmph! I’ll make sure he gives up on his own!”

“Haha, well, since it’s a arranged marriage, your opinion matters the most, right? If you don’t agree, your dad can’t possibly force you.”

“He wouldn’t dare! If he tries, I’ll tell Grandpa and Grandma!” Amamiya Sashi declared proudly.

“See? Just relax and treat it like a formality.”

“Hmph… I’m just worried that even if I reject him, he might still pester me!” Amamiya Sashi puffed out her cheeks, then suddenly her eyes sparkled. “Got it! I’ll just bring Takasugi along! That guy’s annoying sometimes, but if the other guy has even a shred of self-awareness, he’ll definitely back off… hehe.”

With that, Amamiya Sashi rolled off the bed, her bare feet landing on the plush carpet. “Okay, Eimi, I’m hanging up. I need to call that idiot Takasugi about tomorrow.”

“Ooh~ Bringing the handsome childhood friend to a arranged marriage as a shield… That’s straight out of a shoujo manga~”

Amamiya Sashi rolled her eyes and ended the call.

She slipped into her slippers, dialing Takasugi’s number as she walked into the bathroom. Setting her phone on the sink, she stood before the mirror and untied the towel wrapped around her head. A cascade of glossy black hair tumbled down, framing her delicate features. The warm air from the ceiling vent wrapped around her.

As she waited for the call to connect, Amamiya Sashi studied her reflection—milky white skin, delicate features, and a hint of baby fat on her cheeks that only added to her charm. She flashed a little devilish grin at herself, revealing one small, adorable fang.

‘With how cute I am, if I’m going to have a boyfriend, he has to at least be on Takasugi’s level!’

‘So blind dates and arranged marriages can go to hell!’

Finally, the call connected, and a lazy male voice answered. “What? I’m warning you now, if you’re asking for a favor, I charge a fee.”

Amamiya Sashi rolled her eyes. “Yeah, yeah… stingy jerk…”

…

A crimson afterimage streaked through the night, its arc slicing upward as a net of blades whistled through the air, closing in on Asaba Shinichi.

Perched on the wall, Asaba Shinichi’s brow twitched. His body twisted with feline agility, narrowly evading the sudden ferocity of Hoshino Gen’s attack.

“Finally getting serious, huh?” Asaba Shinichi grinned, his eyes sparkling with excitement. He halted mid-dodge, flicking his Muramasa in a flourish, then charged headlong into Hoshino Gen’s assault.

The evening wind scattered the clouds veiling the moon, casting pale light onto the two figures. Blades clashed, cutting the moonlight itself into shards.

“Hahaha! That’s more like it! This is the kind of fight I was waiting for!” Asaba Shinichi’s laughter rang out. Even with death inches away, his entire being radiated exhilaration.

Talisman papers fluttered. Flames roared. Lightning crackled.

Their battle only grew fiercer, metal clashing in a relentless symphony as they dueled from walls to rooftops, leaving destruction in their wake.

Inside the antique shop’s showroom, Hoshino Rin stood frozen by the door, watching the impossible unfold. Even as shock filled her eyes, she clamped both hands over her mouth to suppress any sound.

She didn’t know what was happening. But she’d read enough manga to know one thing—

In a fight like this, if someone called out a loved one’s name, that person would always get distracted and lose.

She had no idea who the man fighting her brother was, but she sure as hell didn’t want her brother to lose.

Suddenly, a shrill ringtone echoed from Hoshino Gen’s pocket.

Asaba Shinichi deflected a fireball with a single slash, then blocked Hoshino Gen’s follow-up strike with a grin. “Someone’s calling you. Wanna pick up?”

Hoshino Gen remained unmoved, letting his phone ring in his pocket. His gaze was as calm and deep as an ancient well. If the blade was blocked, he’d use his legs. If his kick was dodged, he’d simply try again.

This time, Asaba Shinichi blocked the kick with his blade once more. But as if anticipating this, Hoshino Gen smoothly pressed a talisman onto the side of his leg. In the next instant, he rode the wind and lifted into the air, using the brief moment of weightlessness to create distance. He drew another talisman and ran it along the blade of Onikiri in his hand.

The paper brushed slowly across the edge, leaving molten patterns in its wake, spreading from the tsuba all the way to the tip.

“Hey!” Asaba Shinichi stood on the rooftop, looking up at Hoshino Gen hovering in the moonlight like a spirit of the night. He shouted, “Flying is kind of cheating, don’t you think?”

Hoshino Gen ignored the taunt. Suspended in midair, he drew his sword back as if nocking an arrow on an invisible bow.

“……”

Asaba Shinichi’s pupils contracted, his gaze sharpening in an instant.

“Oi, oi… that strike’s no joke…”

Whoosh—!

The violent sound of the wind splitting closed in like a flash. Asaba Shinichi’s movements were nearly too fast to follow—Muramasa flicked across his palm, slicing through flesh. Blood spattered, but the moment the blade drank in the blood, something shifted. A thin layer of dew seeped from the blade’s surface, washing away the crimson stains.

With gritted teeth, Asaba Shinichi pushed his sword forward to meet the terrifying thrust head-on.

Boom!

Tip against tip—two brutal forces compressed into a storm, sweeping everything around them into chaos. The dust clouded the rooftop, swallowing both figures in a swirling haze.

In front of the antique shop, Hoshino Rin’s wide eyes locked onto the rooftop, holding her breath without realizing it.

The night breeze stirred, scattering the dust. Under the moonlight, Hoshino Gen and Asaba Shinichi stood back-to-back, as if neither had been harmed.

But Hoshino Rin saw it clearly—her brother’s arm was faintly leaking a pale silver mist.

On the other side, the man fighting him… his left hand had been severed, lying motionless on the ground nearby.