Peace Sign

The academy, a drab concrete relic, stood amid the weathered chimera of old wooden shrines and flickering neon signs that defined Hoshigure City. Its plain exterior concealed a deeper truth: it was one of the country’s quietest yet most prolific sources of spiritual talent. That year, Principal Kanae Omodaka had already named Himari the brightest student in a generation- a hopeful light in the growing shadow of war between the shamanic orders (led by the Ruin Alpha Pact) and the restless dead.

Graduation loomed. While most students planned outfits and after-parties, Himari was still in the library, surrounded by ancient texts.

“I still don't understand… Tendai-Henshō and then what? What comes next?” she muttered, pressing her fingers into her blue-grey hair as she frowned at the massive tome before her. The dome of the Fumari Heritage Library loomed above like a silent judge.

“Hey!”

A friendly shove broke her concentration. She spun around, startled, then relaxed as she saw Aika Tsunemori grinning back at her. The tall, radiant girl flashed a peace sign, golden hair windswept and tousled. Her expression twisted into mock outrage.

“Himari Kōzuki, are you seriously studying right now?” she gaped. “You've aced the year! Hell, you’ve aced the decade!”

Himari exhaled, a reluctant laugh escaping. “Ai, it’s not about grades. You know that. Once we graduate, we could be on the front lines. I have to be ready.”

Aika blinked. “Whoa, Himari… that’s pretty serious stuff.” She paused. “You’re kidding, right?” Then she winked and grinned. “Everyone knows there’s no chance the war could come to Hoshigure-shi. The shaman in the Bezikugo Flats aren’t interested in messing with us.”

“She’s right, Himari,” said a dark-haired boy with a permanent smirk as he sidled over. “Hoshigure not only has an actual military presence, but we’ve got the best exorcists in the province, maybe even the country. Those Ruin Pact shamans are better off trying their luck with the rabbitfolk.”

Aika gaped. “Masago, can you imagine? Then we’d have a war between ghosts and bunnies! Ahahaha!” She wiped tears from her eyes.

Himari regarded them with mild amusement, then remembered how much memorization she still had left before the exam. Certain concepts still eluded her.

“Look, guys,” she said, “I know I’m probably going to do fine on the exam, or at least I think I will…”

“Whoa, Himari, arrogant much?” chortled Masago, winking at Aika, who giggled again.

Himari covered her mouth as she laughed softly. “You know I don’t mean it like that. I studied hard, and I think I have a good chance. But I’m taking this as my opportunity to really learn the material and concepts well. You guys make some good points, but all signs point to an impending conflict. You know there’s been increased spirit activity on the city borders for months now. And this week, there’s been a spike inside the city itself.”

“Has there?” Masago frowned.

“Yes!” Himari nodded, eyes wide. “Even in people’s homes. And there’ve been… strange disappearances.”

Aika looked startled, her smile faltering.

Himari softened her tone. “That’s why I think the RAP will come here. I think we’re going to have to face them. The Hierophant Exorcist herself said so.”

“She’s creepy,” Masago muttered. “They say no one’s ever seen her face.”

Aika coughed. “Okay, well, Himari, I get it, y’know? Really.” She flashed another smile and a wink, though her voice trembled a little. “You do you.”

Himari smiled back at her best friend. “Thanks, Aika. I know you want to relax, and honestly, it’s not a bad idea before the big exam. There’s probably not much more I can absorb. Give me a few more hours here, and then… how about izuni rolls at the mall?” She placed a hand softly on her friend’s.

Aika tittered a bit too loudly, but her voice had steadied. “Yeah, of course, Himari. Let’s do that! Masago, wanna head over?”

The smirking boy nodded. “Take it easy, Himari,” he said, not unkindly.

With a final peace sign and a playful grin, the two were off.

Himari sighed contentedly. She was eager to join her friends later, but now she had to give it her all, one last push toward becoming an official exorcist.

As she turned the page of her textbook, the old Heizan-era streetlights outside the library flickered.
A faint vibration passed through the air, like the hum of something ancient waking up.
And above the rooftops, unnoticed by anyone, a thin line of violet light traced itself across the sky.

Himari finished a few hours later, stretching with a wide yawn that reminded her of her cat, Yumiko, who was waiting for her at home. She gathered her books off the wide table and walked through the towering stacks toward the librarian’s desk.

Later, she walked down quiet Fumari Street, past the picturesque Mōzumi-Doji canal, where trees waved gently in the warm early summer breeze beneath voluminous clouds. The sky had turned an orange-red.

Something shimmered once over the canal- and then was gone.
Himari never noticed.

She made it to the frigid air-conditioning of the Hoshigure Mall and ate way too many izuni rolls with Aika and Masago.
They were in the middle of an all-out team battle at the arcade in Ninja Fury Cascade 5, Tobayaki cones smiling beside them, still cold. Himari and Masago had each scored a prize figurine; Aika had a new makeup palette.
That’s when Aika glanced at her phone.

“I have to go,” she said abruptly. “My sister, y’know.”
She smiled widely, violet eyes shimmering, and flashed a peace sign as she hurried out.

Himari and Masago finished up their game, had a pop tea each, and then said goodbye before heading to their respective homes to rest before the exam.

Himari slept soundly, her dreams filled with mantras, sutras, and forms she used to stave off waves of vengeful spirits summoned from hell.
Masago dreamed that he won a lifetime supply of izuni rolls for conquering the live-action Ninja Fury championship.
Aika sat in the hospital, chin resting on her folded arms, watching her little sister, Yuu, breathe fitfully through a mask, tubes and wires draped across the small girl like decorations on something never meant to be adorned.

And that night, over Hoshigure-shi, the sky cracked open.