Minimize The Damage

The air crackled with electricity and red thunder within the closed basement. Eiji huffed, breath heavy, as Tsubaki stood across from him, calm and assessing as always.

Their usual attires had been swapped for sportswear, and the floor beneath them was a soft gym foam.

“You’re getting rusty? Or have you just forgotten how to come at me for real, kid?” Tsubaki taunted Eiji. Around the white haired woman swirled a different power than his.

Water particles danced around her like waves, and her movements were fluid where Eiji’s were chaotic.

“Tch. Getting cocky…” Eiji clicked his tongue as he got up. Without hesitation, he charged forward, his feet shooting off the floor leaving lightning particles behind them.

He went straight for Tsubaki’s head. But there was a reason she was his mentor. With her palm, she deflected the fist, and his kick landed against a watery dome she created without batting an eye. The shield exploded but Eiji didn’t deter. Yet blow after blow, Tsubaki parried and dodged with ease, like dancing around the young man’s fierce strikes. Then when Eiji had gotten tired of swinging, Tsubaki molded the water around her hand in a blade and started going on the offensive herself.

“Shit!” Eiji spat as he was pushed back. A blow to the face, a faint and kick to the ribs. The young exorcist lost his balance, tumbling backwards.

“Got you.” Tsubaki saw the opening. But Eiji didn’t back down. As he fell, he used his full body weight to launch a lighting powered kick straight to her head in close proximity.

The blow exploded against another splash of water, sizzling and dying as the mentor grabbed his foot and let him tumble to the ground.

She brought her water blade to his face, ending the duel.

“That last resort attack wasn’t half bad. If I hadn’t stopped that my head would have flown off my shoulders, you know.”

“As if you wouldn’t be able to block that.”

Eiji clicked his tongue, but still accepted Tsubaki’s hand to pull him up.

“You’ve grown more controlled since last time. Normally you’d ask for another rematch.”

Silence.

“I still want one.”

Clapping was heard from the staircase leading to the basement. A burly man with a beard and a shaved head stood there, leaning against the wall.

“Sorry to burst your bubble but the gym’s closing. Take your squabble elsewhere.”

“Got it, Wataru.” Tsubaki said. On the other hand Eiji simply nodded.

“Ah…” the gym owner glanced at the puddles on the gym mat,

“I should have said no the moment you two walked in… who’s cleaning this mess?”

“Sorry Wataru, gotta run. Duty calls.” Tsubaki gave an aloof grin.

“What about you brat? Got a date or something?”

“No.” Eiji replied dryly.

“Part time job?”

“No.”

“Then why the hell aren’t you volunteering?!”

“See you, Wataru.” Tsubaki waved, having grabbed her bag.

“Later.” Eiji walked up the stairs as well.

“God damn it…”

⌁◉⌁

Tsubaki and Eiji stood outside the gym, a big simple white sign illuminating the pavement.

Reflex

That was the name of the gym. To the naked eye, it was just another under-equipped place to workout in the district of Shina. To people who knew of the exorcist world? It was a place to train away from prying eyes. Especially the spacious basement in contrast to the limited ground floor machinery.

Wataru Toshiyuki was the owner. An old acquaintance of Tsubaki who had personally helped train Eiji for years. That was why they could leave the place in such a state as they did tonight…

Tsubaki took a drag from her cigarette, puffing out the smoke in the crisp night air.

“Nothing hits the spot like a smoke after a workout.”

Eiji couldn’t bother to comment on the irony of that statement.

Drag.

After all, he too was smoking. The days after the Katsuragi incident were filled with quiet. Yet it felt like the kind of quiet that came before a new storm. Like every silence in Eiji’s life…

“I could have done things differently…” Eiji exhaled the smoke, “…last time.”

Tsubaki gave him a sideways glance.

“You mean about training?”

“I mean… Katsuragi Shinichiro.”

Tsubaki took another drag of her cigarette.

“What happened to him was a shame, there’s no denying that.” Tsubaki turned fully to face him,

“But as an exorcist… as Eiji. You can’t save everyone. You just have to… minimize the damage.”

Eiji didn’t answer for a moment. He wasn’t really looking at her.

“...What happens when people rely on that strength?”

Tsubaki almost laughed. That made Eiji glare at her.

“You’re not omnipotent, Eiji. You just deal with what’s in front of you.”

Eiji took out his cigarette earlier than usual.

“Got it.”

Tsubaki gave an aloof smile.

“Going already?”

Eiji nodded as he put on his helmet.

“Later.”

“Eiji.” Tsubaki called out before he could leave.

“I know that what happened with the kid from your class was tragic.” She started, “But don’t beat yourself up over it.”

Eiji nodded once again and revved up the engine.

As he accelerated away, Tsubaki’s words looped inside his head, endlessly.

It’s not your fault. Don’t beat yourself up over it. You’re not omnipotent.

But why did it feel like he should have done more? Katsuragi expected to be saved by him. And Eiji never even noticed.

Up until now all he could think about was revenge. It was all he ever fought for. But now…

Now he felt a different kind of pain inside him. If people were to rely on him, he at least wanted to be worthy of that trust.

And that was because he feared that in his negligence, he could create another Eiji. Vengeful. With nothing to lose.

And that was something he didn’t want.

⌁◉⌁

The inside of the bus felt like chaos.

Excited chatter filled the air as students squeezed into seats, bags stuffed overhead, snacks already being opened despite the teacher’s warnings.

“Remember, no standing once we depart!” the homeroom teacher shouted over the noise.

And of course her words were immediately swept under the rug..

It was the annual school-wide field trip—three days and two nights away from Tokyo’s Shina under the noble excuse of “cultural heritage exploration.” This year, the destination was Okutama. Mountains, shrines, and enough historical significance to justify dragging the entire high school out of bed before sunrise.

Despite the chaos within, the two-story coach was calmly preparing for departure.

In the middle row of the second-year section stood a familiar battlefield.

Naomi Mizuno had already claimed a seat.

More specifically—

She had claimed the seat next to Eiji.

“Senpai~! Over here!” she waved both arms dramatically.

Eiji stared at her.

Blank.

“You’re in the wrong section.”

Naomi puffed her cheeks. “It’s a bus. It doesn’t have sections!”

“First-years sit in the front half, Mizuno. How many times do I need to tell you?” Hatsue’s voice cut in sharply.

There she stood— arms folded, eyes glinting with righteous authority.

Naomi clutched the seat handle dramatically.

“But this one’s empty!”

“It’s empty because the bus is still parked.”

Before the argument could escalate further—

A heavy hand dropped onto the top of the seat from behind.

“Kanzaki!” Mitsuaki barked, “Face me in a duel! Right here, right now!”

Eiji just stared.

“Why.”

“What?!” Hatsue snapped, “Nobody’s dueling anyone on the bus!”

“Can we duel outside it then?” Mitsuaki’s eye glinted.

“No!”

“Is that… the spirit of the cards?” Naomi stared up in awe at something.

“That’s a different series, Naomi-chan.” Honoka corrected.

“Takenaka-senpai?” Hatsue whirred around, “Why are you here? Third years are supposed to be on the lower floor….”

“I was just bored, and came to check on you.” Honoka said, smiling peacefully as always.

“Why’s everybody violating rules just for laughs…” Hatsue sighed.

Eiji closed his eyes briefly.

He had woken up at six in the morning for this. He should’ve known peace wouldn’t exist.

Behind them, several second-year boys were whispering.

“Why are those girls here?”

“Isn’t that Mizuno from first-year?”

“Isn’t that the third-year Takenaka?”

“Is Kanzaki that popular or something—?”

Eiji stood up.

The bus went quiet for half a second.

“Sit wherever you want,” he said flatly. “Just not next to me.”

Naomi froze.

Mitsuaki froze.

Honoka, who had been standing calmly in the aisle, tilted her head gently.

“I don’t mind sitting next to you, Kanzaki-kun.”

Her tone was soft. Which somehow made it worse.

Naomi turned slowly.

“Honoka-senpai that’s… cheating!”

“How is it cheating?”

“You’re using… charm!”

Mitsuaki slammed his bag onto the seat.

“No one’s using charm! I can’t duel with this idiot if I don’t sit here!”

“I said nobody is dueling goddamnit!”

Hatsue stepped forward, aura radiating pure disciplinary energy.

“That’s enough. We are not turning this bus into a market auction.”

She pointed sharply.

“Mizuno. Front section. Now.”

Naomi wilted.

“…Yes, ma’am…”

“Ishida,” she snapped at Mitsuaki, “Stop instigating.”

“I’m not instigating, I’m asserting dominance—”

“Sit down.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Attempt at asserting dominance: denied.

Honoka smiled gently. She was the only one who didn’t need to be told off.

“Then I suppose I shall return to my section.”

She calmly strode away. The rest of the bus stared in stunned silence as she returned.

Eiji finally dropped into his seat by the window.

Alone.

Peace.

For three seconds.

Mitsuaki flopped into the seat beside him.

“Move over.”

“…I told you not to sit next to me.”

“Too late.”

Across the aisle, Naomi was dramatically twisted around in her seat, chin resting on the top, staring back at them.

“Senpai~! Don’t feel lonely!”

“I won’t.”

“Good grief.” Hatsue sighed and plopped into the seat in front of them.

For a brief, miraculous moment, the bus settled into relative peace.

That was when the microphone crackled to life again.

“Ahem. Since some of you were clearly not listening earlier,” the homeroom teacher’s voice echoed through the bus, pointedly, “tomorrow we will be visiting Hoshigane Shrine as part of our cultural heritage exploration.”

Somehow, the chatter died down.

“Hoshigane Shrine is one of Okutama’s oldest spiritual sites. Certain areas behind the shrine are strictly off-limits. There are boundary ropes for a reason. Do not cross them, and do not wander into the forested sections.”

Naomi blinked.

“Boundary ropes? Like the spooky zig-zag paper kind?”

“Yes…” The teacher muttered, hesitant.

The teacher continued, oblivious.

“The shrine grounds also preserve historical graves dating back to the Edo period. Many belong to families who suffered during the mountain famines. It is a sacred site. You are expected to behave respectfully.”

“Graves, huh…” Mitsuaki leaned towards Eiji, voice lowering, “If there’s a cursed spirit, I call dibs. I’ll finally get to dropkicking one.”

Eiji didn’t look at him.

“There won’t be any.”

“Why not? We’re already there. Might as well clear the place out. Free exorcism service.”

“You don’t even know what that word means.”

“Course I do. It means punching ghosts.”

Hatsue turned around slowly.

“Ishida.”

He froze.

“If you so much as breathe near a boundary rope, I will personally tie you to one.”

“…You’re scary when you’re mad.”

“I’m not mad.”

“That’s even worse!”

Eiji leaned his head against the window.

Outside, he could already see the hustle and bustle of the city.

⌁◉⌁

The buses emptied in an orderly spill of charcoal-gray tracksuits. Teachers barked numbers as attendance was taken twice.

Students were arranged into lines by year. From above, it probably looked like a migrating species.

Lunch passed without incident—community hall, trays, polite gratitude towards the staff. Mitsuaki complained about the fish bones under his breath. Naomi declared the rice “fluffier than city rice,” which meant… nothing.

Afterward, they were gathered again in front of the station plaza.

A local guide stood beside the most responsible teacher.

He bowed once.

“Thank you for visiting Okutama.”

His tone was steady.

“This area developed during the Edo period as a mountain supply route. Timber and charcoal were transported through these roads.”

He gestured toward the narrow street ahead.

“Most of the buildings along this street are family-run. Please be mindful of noise levels.”

Students nodded in waves. Some listened. Some didn’t.

He pointed slightly uphill.

“That road leads to Hoshigane Shrine. We will visit tomorrow morning as part of the cultural heritage program.”

Eiji didn’t bother listening to more than half of it. It was like it went in one ear and out the other.

The guide however kept going. And the students of Shina High kept following.

“The forest behind the shrine is protected land. Entry beyond marked boundaries is prohibited.”

He flipped a page.

“You will now have two hours of supervised free time within the designated area.”

That line somehow made it into everyone’s head. The students seemed to find their lost vigor.

The teachers repeated the boundary limits, dead set on upholding their job of reigning them in.

Lines soon dissolved and sound returned instantly.

The street filled quickly.

Clusters formed in quick succession.. First-years moved in flocks, while third-years were slower, more relaxed.

Second-years scattered in noisy packs.

Just like that, the most ragtag crew of all assembled. Three second years, one first year and an esteemed third year.

Mitsuaki stretched his arms behind his head.

“Two hours. That’s some decent time to scan our surroundings so we’re not caught unawares.”

“…By what?” Honoka smiled wryly at him.

Meanwhile the groups still around whispered.

“…They really are all friends? You sure there’s no blackmail involved?” One first year whispered to another.

“That’s what I’ve heard. They’re the so-called occult club. Better steer clear.”

“We can hear you, oi!!!” Mitsuaki simply barked, room-reading be damned.

“SH! They said to be mindful of noise levels!” Hatsue smacked him upside the head with her Okutama sight pamphlet.

The rest on the other hand simply ignored their surroundings.

Naomi had already locked onto the nearest stall.

“LOOK. MASKS!”

Honoka giggled. Hatsue whipped around, like a trouble detector.

“I can start my own vigilante story with one of them!” Naomi’s eyes shone.

“You’re already enough trouble to society as is.” Hatsue crossed her arms. She inspected the stall even closer.

“That frog mask however… is rather cute.”

“…Reminds me of Gero-sensei…” Naomi eyed the mask in question, “Nevermind I don’t want a mask…”

Eiji walked slightly behind them, hands in his tracksuit pockets.

The street was narrow. Wooden storefronts. Paper signs. Wind chimes hanging from doorframes.

The sound was soft, way different from the city.

Naomi stopped at another display of carved fox masks.

She picked one up carefully, like the material would dissolve if handled with carelessness.

“Senpai. Does this look mysterious or cursed?”

“It looks overpriced,” Eiji replied.

Mitsuaki had drifted to a rack of decorative wooden swords by the side.

He lifted one.

“Pft. What a cheap-ass looking sword.” He mocked beneath his breath, careful not to alert the shopkeeper.

“Don’t insult the craftsmanship, dimwit.” Hatsue hissed.

Upon closer inspection however…

“Oi! Dragonslayer is written on it!” Mitsuaki’s eyes lit up like a pair of flames, “Where’s the price tag?!”

“Now you’re buying it?!”

“Hell yeah! This would absolutely win a hallway fight!”

“Are we gonna fight in a hallway?” Honoka cocked her head.

Naomi was now attempting to open a ramune bottle.

She pushed the marble.

Nothing happened.

She tried again.

Still nothing.

Eiji leaned over.

“Move.”

He pressed hard. The marble popped.

He handed it back to Naomi, triumphant yet… soda fizzed upward violently.

Naomi yelped.

“A-Ah! Senpai help!! We’re going to drown!”

“I cannot swim!” Mitsuaki ducked.

“Nobody’s drowning in ramune!!” Hatsue at her wit’s end.

Students nearby looked at them like they were aliens.

“Do they have to act like that every time?” Eiji sighed.

Honoka on the other hand simply smiled, appreciating the chaos.

They ducked into a nearby souvenir shop to escape the attention. The bell chimed as they entered.

It smelled faintly of dried tea and wood. Everyone seemed to disperse upon entering, thankfully this time minimising the noise pollution.

Honoka was already at the counter, chatting politely with the shopkeeper.

“Yes, we’re visiting from Shina High.”

The elderly woman smiled.

“You must find it quieter here.”

“It’s refreshing,” Honoka replied gently.

Naomi soon approached the counter with three different charms.

“Excuse me… Which one has better luck when it comes to romance with a grumpy upperclassman?”

“You’re really asking that?!” Hatsue’s voice echoed from the back.

The shopkeeper blinked. Her smile however didn’t leave her face.

“I’m sorry but we’ve run out of those.”

“I was too late!” Naomi turned around dramatically, “Senpai stay away from whoever has that charm!”

Meanwhile Mitsuaki had found a small oni keychain. He turned to Hatsue with an evil grin.

He held it up beside Eiji’s face.

“I found Kanzaki.”

“Oi, dumbass. Don’t compare me to a demon.”

Hatsue hid her smile behind her palm.

“I can see the similarity.”

“Oi.”

Eiji exhaled.

They all gathered at the register.

The shopkeeper rang up their items calmly. Naomi eventually decided to pick a normal luck charm from the pile.

As she handed Naomi her change, she smiled.

“Thank you for your patronage. It’s always nice to see youth enjoying themselves.”

“With all due respect, you call this enjoying themselves?” Hatsue sighed exhausted, pointing to Mitsuaki and Naomi as they straightened up.

Completely and utterly oblivious.

The old lady laughed beneath her breath.

“But beware… do not wander into the forest alone.”

Naomi blinked.

“Eh?”

The woman’s expression didn’t change.

“It’s awfully dark these days.”

Her words lingered in the air. Old people in rural towns always seemed cryptic. But Eiji felt like this went beyond that…

They stepped back out into the afternoon light. The long slope toward the shrine was visible between the buildings.

Students moved up and down the street.

Laughter.

Footsteps.

Wind chimes.

Mitsuaki nudged Eiji lightly.

“You heard what she said? Think it might be a hint?”

“What are you now? An expert?” Eiji stared at him with his usual lack of amusement.

Hatsue glanced back at them.

“No more stupidity. I can’t beg you two enough.”

“Who said we were gonna do shit?”

“You both have that look.”

“What look?”

“The irresponsible one.”

“Oh, oh! Its action time?!” Naomi struck a pose.

“Wasn’t this supposed to be a normal school trip?” Honoka sighed.

Silence.

Eiji’s eyes drifted uphill for half a second. The trees stood still beyond the last house.

Unmoving. Unnervingly so.

Something felt off since they arrived. Eiji could feel it. Yet he still couldn’t place his finger on what.