Chapter 37: Chapter 36: I Want to Join the Exorcist Club
Yotsuya Miko was nothing if not efficient.
Right after school, she led Hana Yurikawa straight into the Exorcist Club.
"Kasumigaoka-senpai, Yumiko-san, Ryuu-san, good afternoon!"
Despite only having met them once before, Hana was just as cheerful and carefree as ever. She raised a hand in greeting, flashing them a bright smile.
"Huh? This place looks way different now!"
The moment she stepped inside, Hana immediately noticed the drastic change in the clubroom's layout.
The last time she had visited, it had been filled with standard school desks and chairs.
Now?
A cozy sofa, a large TV, even a fully equipped gaming console—all things that absolutely should not exist in a school clubroom.
Miko gave an awkward chuckle. "Well… there's a reason for that."
She wasn't about to explain that Ryuu had somehow persuaded the school to turn this place into a luxury lounge through sheer force of personality.
Even though it was probably breaking multiple school regulations, Miko wasn't about to complain.
As Hana made her way toward the sofa, she suddenly noticed another figure standing near the window.
A woman—clearly older than them—dressed in a veil, giving off a strangely mysterious aura.
"Huh? Who's this?"
Miko followed her gaze and introduced her calmly.
"That's Oka Touko. She's my master."
Hana blinked.
"Wait… your what?!"
Miko sighed. "Yeah. I have a master now."
Hana stared at her, completely bewildered.
When the hell had her best friend suddenly become someone's disciple?!
Despite her confusion, Hana instinctively straightened up and greeted Oka Touko politely.
Touko gave a small nod in return but kept her gaze fixed firmly on Hana.
"...Just as Ryuu-sama said. Your energy is extraordinary."
Hearing that, Hana tensed up.
She leaned toward Miko, whispering, "Miko… why does she sound like she's studying me?"
Miko hesitated for a moment before answering.
"We're… learning how to exorcise spirits."
Hana tilted her head. "Ohh, so this is all about ghosts and stuff? That makes sense. You do love haunted houses."
Given how Miko had always been into horror attractions, Hana figured her sudden interest in exorcism wasn't too surprising.
She had been a little confused when Miko randomly decided to join the Exorcist Club, but now that she thought about it, it fit her pretty well.
However…
"A master? Really? Isn't that a bit much?"
Touko, who had been silently observing their conversation, finally spoke.
"You misunderstand, child," she said calmly. "What Miko speaks of is not fantasy. It is reality."
And then—
With a flick of her wrist, Touko pulled out an empty plastic bottle from seemingly nowhere and tossed it into the air.
She clenched her right fist—her entire arm brimming with cursed energy—
—And punched.
BOOM!
The force of her attack shattered the bottle instantly, sending a shockwave rippling through the air.
Everyone in the room turned to stare.
Even Kasumigaoka Utaha and Miura Yumiko—who had been casually chatting—put their conversations on hold.
It was one thing to hear about sorcery.
But witnessing it firsthand…
That was an entirely different experience.
Hana, on the other hand, jumped backward, startled.
Clutching onto Miko's sleeve, she stammered, "W-Was that… magic?"
Miko hesitated, then nodded.
"Yeah… it was real."
But instead of believing her, Hana just furrowed her brows.
"...Is this some kind of magic trick?"
Miko groaned.
She knew Hana wasn't going to believe it that easily.
And sure enough, Hana reached out and placed her forehead against Miko's.
"Mm… no fever."
Miko let out a long sigh and gently pushed her away.
"Hana. This is real. I swear."
But Hana still didn't look convinced.
Seeing this, Ryuu finally stepped forward.
"Alright," he said. "Then how about we show you the world through Miko's eyes?"
Hana turned to face him.
Her cheeks flushed slightly.
For a brief moment, she was caught off guard—not by his words, but by how unfairly good-looking he was.
But before she could get distracted, she processed what he had just said.
"...Through Miko's eyes?"
Ryuu nodded.
The pattern of his Mangekyō Sharingan spun into existence.
And in the next second—
Everything went dark.
Both Miko and Hana's bodies slumped unconscious onto the sofa.
Seeing this, Yumiko's expression twisted in mild concern.
"So… you just put them into a genjutsu?"
Ryuu smirked. "A very advanced one. I merged their consciousness so Hana can experience Miko's memories firsthand."
Miura Yumiko frowned.
"So… you can see other people's memories just like that?"
"Technically, yeah," Ryuu admitted.
"Then you better not go poking into mine!"
Ryuu let out a laugh and casually knocked her on the head.
"Relax. I wouldn't waste my time on that."
Yumiko pouted.
"Hey! What's that supposed to mean?!"
Kasumigaoka Utaha, who had been watching silently, finally spoke.
"Is this really necessary?" she asked.
Ryuu crossed his arms.
"Yes. Because sooner or later, Hana's going to have to face the truth."
He glanced toward the unconscious girl.
"Her energy is different from normal people's. That means cursed spirits will be drawn to her. If she doesn't awaken to her abilities soon, it'll only be a matter of time before something bad happens."
Utaha pursed her lips, considering his words.
Ryuu smirked.
"Besides," he added, "if you two are so curious, I can let you experience it too."
The two girls immediately shook their heads.
"Yeah, no thanks," Yumiko muttered.
"Pass," Utaha agreed.
Luckily for them, the genjutsu didn't last long.
Soon enough, both Miko and Hana snapped back to reality.
Hana's reaction was immediate—
"AAAHH!"
She latched onto Miko, her entire body trembling.
"It's so scary!" she sobbed.
Miko sighed and patted her back.
"I know," she said soothingly.
Through her own memories, Hana had just witnessed the horrifying world Miko lived in.
She had seen the cursed spirits.
Felt the overwhelming dread.
And perhaps most importantly—
She had seen Ryuu single-handedly annihilate them all.
Still clutching onto Miko's uniform, Hana sniffled.
"Miko's been going through all this alone… and I couldn't help her at all…"
Miko frowned.
"...It's fine. You don't have to worry about it."
But Hana shook her head.
"No! I—"
She turned to Ryuu.
Her face was still tear-streaked.
But her expression was filled with determination.
"...I want to join the Exorcist Club!"
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