Chapter 3: The Convenience Store Exorcism

Tokyo at night is a neon jungle. The colors reflect off the wet pavement—pinks, blues, electric greens. We walk down the street in a V-formation because, honestly, we look cool as hell.

People move out of our way. They don’t know why, they just feel the aura. Yoshi has this swagger that screams "don't mess with me," and Muji looks like he’s ready to bite someone.

"The signal is getting stronger," Kenuji murmurs, tapping the side of his head. He’s using his psychic radar. "It’s not the shopping district. It moved. It’s... at the 7-Eleven."

"Of course it is," Inoe sighs. "Evil spirits love processed sugar."

We round the corner. The convenience store is bright, glowing like a beacon. Inside, there are a few customers browsing magazines. But there’s a guy at the counter—a middle-aged salaryman in a crumpled suit—who looks wrong.

He’s shaking. A dark, purple miasma is leaking out of his ears and mouth, swirling around his head like a thundercloud. The clerk looks terrified.

"He’s gonna blow," Muji says, his eyes flashing orange. "That spirit is feeding on his rage. Probably got fired today."

"Okay, plan B," Yoshi says. "Haruka, evacuate the civilians. Inoe, distract the clerk. Muji, Kenuji, and I will handle the Suit."

We move.

I burst through the door, putting on my best 'panicked schoolgirl' act. "Omigosh! Is that a rat?! A giant rat in the aisle!" I scream, pointing at the back of the store.

The two customers jump. "A rat?"

"It’s huge! It has rabies!" I yell. "Run!"

They don't ask questions. They bolt out the door.

Inoe walks up to the counter, locks eyes with the terrified clerk, and flashes a dazzling smile. Her pupils dilute into vertical slits for a split second. "You are very tired," she purrs, her voice laced with magic. "You want to take a nap in the storage room. Right now."

The clerk blinks, his eyes glazing over. "I... want to take a nap..." He wanders off into the back room like a zombie.

"Clear!" I shout.

Yoshi kicks the door shut and locks it.

The salaryman turns around. His eyes are totally black. The purple miasma solidifies into a grotesque face floating above his shoulder—the spirit. It hisses, "Mooooore... alcohol..."

"Sorry, buddy. We don't sell booze to demons," Yoshi quips. He stomps his foot on the ground.

BOOM.

Invisible shockwaves ripple through the floor tiles. The Geomancer power. The spirit screeches as the ground energy locks its feet in place.

"Muji, cut it loose!" Kenuji commands. He extends his hand, and invisible psychic chains wrap around the man’s body, holding the human still so he doesn't get hurt.

Muji is already in the air. He doesn't need a sword. His fingers lengthen, turning into translucent, shining silver claws. He slashes downward.

SHING.

He doesn't touch the man. He slashes the connection between the man and the spirit. The purple tether snaps.

The spirit shrieks, detaching from the host. It tries to flee into the ceiling vents.

"Oh no you don't," I step forward. My hands glow with warm, golden light. "Purification!"

I clap my hands together. A wave of pure white light blasts through the store, smelling like sunshine and fresh laundry. The purple spirit hits the light and sizzles like bacon. It dissolves into nothingness.

The salaryman collapses to the floor, snoring loudly.

"Cleanup on aisle four," Yoshi jokes, dusting off his jacket.

"He’s going to have a headache when he wakes up," Kenuji notes, checking the man’s pulse. "But he’s alive. The spirit is gone."

"Can we buy snacks now?" Muji asks, his claws retracting back into normal fingers. "I saved the world. I deserve a corn dog."