Tokyo Exorcism Diary

Hoshino Gen’s voice wasn’t loud, but it was clear enough for everyone in the café to hear distinctly.

Before Asakura Meika, still visibly stunned, could respond, a mocking chuckle erupted from Shiina Yuto at the bar.

“Ha… dreaming in broad daylight.”

Even Kiryu Rakuye, who was also seated at the bar, stared at Hoshino Gen in disbelief. To them, what he had just said was akin to a small company being approached by a corporate giant for collaboration, only for the smaller entity to demand, “Give us 50% of your shares, and we’ll consider it.”

It was, quite simply, absurd.

Seeing their reactions, Hoshino Gen understood that his request might have been a bit much. Well, of course—alchemy was a highly sophisticated craft. A skilled alchemist could imbue ordinary individuals with special abilities through their creations. Just a few days ago, he himself had used alchemy to grant Shimizu Yuu, that dummy, the ability to “Repel a Hundred Spirits.”

What’s more, the alchemist working for the Special Unit was leagues ahead of him in skill. Such a figure was undoubtedly a cornerstone for any organization, their very foundation. And here he was, asking them to teach him the craft that ensured their survival. Yeah, that did sound outrageous—even conning people didn’t work this way.

Perhaps he had been living as a lone wolf for too long and had forgotten the social conventions of give-and-take. Clearing his throat, Hoshino Gen chuckled.

“It was just a joke. I do understand what it means to use a spirit as a material for alchemy.”

“I… see.” Asakura Meika’s eyelid twitched slightly. Forcing a smile, she said, “For a moment, I thought you were outright refusing to cooperate with us.”

Adjusting her composure, Asakura Meika’s expression regained its natural poise. She smiled and said, “Once we’ve established a working relationship, if you need special alchemical tools, we can help submit a request…”

“No need.” Hoshino Gen raised a hand to stop her. Smiling faintly, he said, “If necessary, I can make them myself. What I value isn’t the tools but your alchemist’s ability to reshape a spirit vessel.”

“If possible, I’d like to request that the master help me alter the material form of a certain spirit. Can this condition be met?”

Asakura Meika pondered momentarily before replying, “Could you provide more specifics? I can draft the application for you.”

“…I have a blade. As a spirit vessel, it’s top-tier. But in modern society, such a weapon is far from convenient.”

“I see, you’d like it to be more portable?”

“Something like that.”

“Understood. I’ll include that in the report. Anything else?”

“That’s it for now. What I’m more curious about is what form this cooperation you’re proposing will take.” Hoshino Gen drained the last bit of milk from his cup and smiled leisurely.

Visibly relaxing, Asakura Meika exhaled and smiled more naturally.

“Actually, we’ve established partnerships with quite a few unique individuals. Most of them, as you might expect, value their independence. Our Unit isn’t large, especially when compared to the sheer number of paranormal incidents occurring across Japan—we’re perpetually short-handed.”

“For independent ability-users, we categorize nearby paranormal events and issue them as commissions. Naturally, we provide the necessary support to help resolve these cases. Upon successful resolution, the individual is compensated accordingly.”

Hoshino Gen nodded with a smile. “Sounds like an Adventurer’s Guild straight out of an RPG.”

Asakura Meika, not unfamiliar with gaming terminology, smiled appreciatively.

“Exactly. For independent ability-users, we serve as something akin to an ‘Adventurer’s Guild.’ So, what do you think? Feeling a bit more excited and secure about your upcoming adventures, brave adventurer?”

Hoshino Gen laughed and picked up the collaboration contract and his phone, bound with red thread. Rising, he made his way to the exit.

“I’ll take this contract home to review. If there are no issues, I’ll sign it. This was a pleasant conversation. See you tomorrow.”

Behind him came Asakura Meika’s voice, “Do you need me to give you a ride back?”

“No need.”

Ding-a-ling~

The crisp sound of wind chimes echoed as Hoshino Gen’s figure disappeared beyond the glass doors.

The café fell back into silence.

“Tch… what an arrogant guy,” Shiina Yuto muttered discontentedly, breaking the quiet. “If you ask me, there’s no need to be so polite with him. Either he submits to our management, or we detain him outright!”

“Still holding a grudge, Yuto-senpai? Are you mad because Hoshino-senpai defeated your sister?” Kiryu Rakuye teased with a playful grin.

As a second-year middle school student at Segawa Academy, she had no issue addressing both Hoshino Gen and Shiina Yuto, who were in high school, as senpai. Shiina Yuto didn’t find it strange either. Annoyed, he slammed his empty cup onto the bar.

“I’m not mad he beat my sister. If her skills weren’t up to par, I have no complaints. But that guy dared to torture her afterward. Who does he think he is? He’s no better than those lawless jerks who think a bit of special power lets them disregard rules!”

“Alright, Yuto, calm down. Didn’t Wakana explain everything when she came back yesterday? She said that once she revealed her identity, he let her go without any fuss. If he were truly some despicable criminal, Wakana wouldn’t have escaped so easily.”

Asakura Meika crossed her arms and gazed out at the bustling streets through the glass wall, her voice tinged with introspection.

“Besides, Wakana mentioned in her report that she detected the presence of at least eighteen spirit vessels at his private hideout.”

“If Wakana’s senses aren’t mistaken, it means that Hoshino-san is frighteningly powerful.”

“Eighteen!” Kiryu Rakuye gasped, covering her mouth in astonishment. Her wide, expressive eyes were filled with disbelief.

Even Shiina Yuto froze, staring at Asakura Meika in shock, rendered speechless by the revelation.