Tokyo Exorcism Diary

Located west of Chiba Prefecture, Shiratake Village nestles along Tokyo Bay, renowned for its breathtaking pastoral scenery. In a world where modern society moves at an increasingly frenetic pace, this idyllic village offers Tokyoites a retreat to soothe their nerves and slow down time. Thanks to this charm, its tourism industry thrives.

A luxurious tour bus crawled along a winding asphalt road, flanked by lush green meadows on one side and the shimmering waters of Tokyo Bay on the other.

The sunshine today was radiant, gilding the cotton-candy clouds with a delicate golden hue.

The cheerful chatter of young girls flowed out of the bus’s open windows, carried by the late spring breeze into the idyllic countryside.

“Liz-chan~ I heard London gets really foggy every day, is that true?”
“Liz-chan, you’re so adorable, like a little doll!”
“Liz-chan, was Rin-chan as smart and talented as she is now when she was younger?”

Toward the back of the bus, a group of TKY02 members surrounded Liz, peppering her with excited questions. The group’s stringent audition standards meant many members were fluent in English, making conversation with Liz effortless.

Despite the overwhelming attention, Liz remained poised. She responded to compliments with equal praise and answered questions with a cheerful smile, effortlessly becoming the group’s little darling.

Hearing the lively chatter behind her, a black-haired girl sitting near the front chuckled softly. She turned toward Hoshino Rin, who sat by the window, her mature yet slightly youthful voice teasing, “Liz-chan is really popular with everyone, huh?”

The speaker was a stunning girl with long, wavy hair and exquisite features. Swan-like neck, elegant shoulders, a waist that seemed barely a handful, and legs that were long and impeccably shaped.

She was flawless from head to toe, a beauty whose presence could shine anywhere in the world. Even seated next to Hoshino Rin, her radiance was undiminished.

In online fan circles, a saying often circulated:
“If TKY02 has a concert with ten thousand attendees, four thousand are there for Rin-chan, another four thousand for Kaoru, and the remaining two thousand for everyone else.”

This “Kaoru” referred to none other than the girl sitting beside Hoshino Rin—Asahina Kaoru.

Hoshino Rin lowered her headphones around her neck and glanced back at Liz, who was thriving among the girls. With a small sigh, she mused that her little sister really had a knack for charming everyone—anywhere except around her brother.

Then, she turned to Kaoru with a bright smile.
“Everyone here is so kind, and Liz is just so sweet and adorable.”

Asahina Kaoru smiled faintly, agreeing. She glanced out the window and casually remarked, “We should be nearing our destination, right? The countryside’s already in sight.”

Hoshino Rin leaned out slightly, gripping the window edge, and sure enough, she saw the clustered farmhouses blending harmoniously with the natural scenery in the distance.

“Yeah, we’re almost there,” Hoshino Rin murmured, pulling out her phone. She called her brother, sliding her white headphones back into place. The ringing tone buzzed for a while before the call connected, and a calm, mesmerizing voice answered, “What is it?”

Hoshino Rin’s face lit up with a vibrant smile, entirely different from the casual one she’d worn with Asahina Kaoru earlier.
“Onii-chan~ We’re almost there! Did you find a place to stay? Can you come pick us up?”

There was a two-second pause on the other end before her brother’s voice, tinged with skepticism, replied,
“Has your production crew run out of money? They’re not even providing lodging for the leads now? Or is this just how the entertainment industry works these days?”

It was clear—the cold-hearted brother had no intention of fulfilling his sister’s wish to stay together.

Most people might have given up at this point, but Hoshino Rin, ever perceptive and emotionally intuitive, had long since figured out her brother’s personality.

Her smile grew even brighter, her voice softening with a hint of pleading.
“Come on, the crew’s accommodations won’t be as good as the ones you’d pick! Besides, didn’t you say this place is haunted? I’d be too scared to sleep without you nearby! And what if Liz and I end up in danger? You’d feel so guilty, wouldn’t you?”

After a moment of silence, her brother’s ethereal voice replied with a touch of exasperation,
“Fukuen Inn, Villa No. 3. Find it on your own.”

Then he hung up. The “beep-beep-beep” echoed in her headphones.

Unbothered, Hoshino Rin smiled triumphantly at her phone.
‘Heh, looks like I’ve finally mastered the art of making brother give in.’

Unbeknownst to her, throughout her call, Asahina Kaoru had been watching her intently. Her gaze brimmed with curiosity, as if she had stumbled upon a great secret.

When Hoshino Rin looked over, Asahina Kaoru’s expression had already returned to normal. With a lighthearted laugh, she teased, “So, Rin-chan’s brother is in Shiratake Village too? Did he come along because he couldn’t bear to let you travel alone?”

If only that were true… Hoshino Rin sighed inwardly but maintained a cheerful façade.
“No way! He’s here for his own reasons.”

“Really? Still, judging by that call, you and your brother seem to have a great relationship.”

“Hehe.” Hoshino Rin simply grinned without elaborating further.

At that moment, the bus came to an abrupt stop. The driver announced a mechanical issue, prompting the producer to suggest the girls stretch their legs while repairs were underway.

The bus erupted with excitement as the members poured out, their laughter filling the air. Like fairies from a magical forest, they spilled into the picturesque landscape of blue skies, clear waters, and farmhouses nestled against the hills.

Suddenly, a small scream broke the tranquility, followed by giggles and chatter. Hoshino Rin followed the others’ gazes to see two young men swimming shirtless in Tokyo Bay. One of them whistled loudly toward the girls before diving underwater.

The other, still in the water, waved energetically at the TKY02 members, shouting incomprehensible gibberish before showing off with various swim strokes—like a peacock flaunting its feathers.

Hoshino Rin had little interest in the antics of the swimmers. She quickly lost interest and instead wondered where her brother was and whether he had found the ghost he’d mentioned…

Minutes later, the commotion near the bay grew louder, pulling Hoshino Rin’s attention back. The girls were marveling at how long the first swimmer had stayed submerged.

Concerned, a lively member called out to the remaining swimmer, who eagerly swam over. She asked in a mix of amazement and worry,
“Is your friend always this good at holding his breath? Could something have gone wrong?”

“Huh?” The swimmer froze, blinking in confusion.
“That guy? I don’t know him. He looked like a tourist…”