Tokyo Exorcism Diary

Liz turned toward the sound as well, but unlike Hoshino Rin, she softly muttered, “Onii,” her cheeks flushing red as she lowered her head, overwhelmed by embarrassment.

In England, whether siblings were related by blood or through extended family ties, it was customary to address one another by name. Liz had learned this term from Hoshino Rin, and using “Onii-chan” in Japanese felt foreign and awkward to her. Ever since that day, whenever she faced Hoshino Gen, she couldn’t help but grow timid and hesitant.

Unaware of the inner turmoil caused by her choice of address, Hoshino Gen merely cast a brief, curious glance at the bashful little girl before letting out a soft chuckle and averting his gaze.

He turned to Hoshino Rin with a smile. “If I remember correctly, you said you were here for filming. What, no work today?”

The excitement that had lit up Hoshino Rin’s face upon seeing her brother grew even brighter. She straightened her previously relaxed posture and said eagerly, “Onii-chan, let me tell you! On the way here, someone drowned in Tokyo Bay! Just outside the village! That guy wanted to grab everyone’s attention by diving underwater and staying down for a long time, but he never came back up. Eventually, the police and a recovery team had to fish his body out! It scared everyone so much that the producer decided to let us rest today and start filming preparations tomorrow.”

Hoshino Gen didn’t have much genuine interest in his younger sister’s work schedule—his casual inquiry was more about wanting some space from the others. However, her story caught his attention.

Sitting cross-legged on the floor, Hoshino Gen looked at her with intrigue. “Did you see the body?”

“Uh… no,” Hoshino Rin admitted honestly, shaking her head. “The producer wouldn’t let us, and I was too scared to look.”

Unfazed, Hoshino Gen smiled and pressed on. “From what you described, you were there the whole time, from when he dove underwater until he… didn’t come back up?”

Hoshino Rin nodded after a moment’s thought. “At first, I didn’t pay much attention, but later, everyone was marveling at how long he could hold his breath, so I kept watching.”

“No bubbles rising to the surface? No signs of a struggle?”

“…I don’t think so.” Hoshino Rin’s eyes widened slightly as she lowered her voice in disbelief. “Onii-chan, are you saying he… could have been drowned by a ghost?”

Nearby, Liz didn’t understand their Japanese exchange, but Hoshino Rin’s tone caught her attention. She glanced over briefly before returning to her television show.

Hoshino Gen shook his head, laughing softly. “Who knows? Maybe he dove too deep and struggled out of sight. Or perhaps he had some medical condition that struck while he was underwater. Being killed by a ghost is just one possibility.”

He chuckled at his own words, pushing himself up off the floor with a hand on his knee. “I’m going to rest for a bit. Skip lunch for me, and don’t bother me unless it’s urgent.”

“Okay!” Hoshino Rin blinked her large eyes as she watched her brother retreat into the inner room. Only after the sliding door closed, sealing his figure from view, did she lower her gaze and pick up the remote to turn down the TV volume.

…

Hoshino Gen woke hours later to find the world outside cloaked in darkness. The tatami-floored room he’d been sleeping in was equally dim. Shaking off his grogginess, he stood up and slid the door open.

The living room lights were off, but the front door remained open.

Outside, Hoshino Rin was seated on the veranda, her chin resting in her hands as she gazed up at the unusually bright moon. Liz was nowhere to be seen—likely already in bed.

Hearing movement behind her, Hoshino Rin turned her head. Seeing it was her brother, she greeted him with a radiant smile. “Good morning, Onii-chan.”

Under the moonlight, her smile was indeed beautiful, though it carried an oddly fragile quality. Her mismatched eyes seemed to shimmer, hinting at redness.

Glancing briefly at the sky, Hoshino Gen confirmed that the brilliant disc illuminating the night was the moon, not the sun. Without a word, he walked to the window and leaned against the frame, settling there.

The silence between them stretched. Hoshino Rin’s mood seemed to plummet, the spacious living room now steeped in quiet melancholy.

Minutes—or perhaps just moments—passed before Hoshino Rin finally spoke. Her soft, melodic voice was subdued, almost on the verge of tears. “Onii-chan… This evening, the producer messaged us to say that Marika-chan has gone missing. But before she disappeared, I’d just spoken to her on the phone. She was in her room and hadn’t gone anywhere…”

Her words came haltingly, tinged with grief. “Marika is the third member of TKY02, the eldest among us. Off-camera, she’s nothing like her cheerful on-screen persona. She’s actually quite introverted. She’s never fought for attention or resources within the group…”

“Even when she was treated unfairly, she endured it silently. But she’s always been so kind, looking after everyone else like a big sister…”

Hoshino Rin’s voice cracked. “When Captain Saiko lost the activity room key, she stayed up all night helping her search. When Yukina was being isolated after joining, Marika stood by her and helped her fit in. And once, when I sprained my ankle during practice, she carried me to the nurse’s office… Everyone says that good people will be rewarded, but Marika is so good…”

“Why did something like this have to happen to her…”

Her voice trailed off, and silence reclaimed the room.

Hoshino Gen leaned against the window frame, gazing at the moon. It was impossible to tell whether he had been Listening.

The moonlight spilled quietly into the garden, and the faint chirping of cicadas echoed in the distance.

After a long while, Hoshino Rin began to hum a melody. It wasn’t abrupt; rather, it harmonized with the night, as though the tune had always been part of the nocturnal tranquility. It was a melody tinged with sadness, stirring up a longing to reminisce.

She hummed and sang softly, her voice as delicate as moonlight, perhaps even gentler.

“誰もが気づかぬうちに”
(Before anyone notices)

“何かを失っている”
(I’ve lost something)

“フッと気づけばあなたはいない”
(I suddenly happen to notice that you’re not here)

“思い出だけを残して”
(leaving only memories)

…

The song passed quickly. Within the tender melody, Hoshino Rin’s tear-filled eyes gazed at her brother, who was leaning against the windowsill. Then, she closed her eyes and gently sang the final verse of the song “Arigatou” (Thank You).

“时には伤つけあっても”
(At times, even if we hurt each other)

“あなたを感じていたい”
(I want to sense you here with me)

As the last note lingered, Hoshino Rin opened her eyes, only to find that Hoshino Gen, who had been at the windowsill, was no longer there.

Wiping the corners of her eyes, Hoshino Rin murmured to herself.

“Do your best, Onii-chan.”