Ao no Exorcist: Volume 1 Chapter 4

Credits and Translator's Notice:

This english translation is brought to you with permission by Ling. Their translations can be found on their wordpress site.

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Disclaimer: I do not own Ao no Exorcist. Katou Kazue does and this novel is by Yajima Aya. Please support them by buying the novel if possible. I also do not intend to infringe any copyright laws by sharing my translation of this novel. It is to fill up the language gap of those unable to read the original or official translated versions. If this novel does get translated by Viz someday, I will gladly take my translation down.

Also, this is a double-translation. Therefore, the translation process is Japanese -> Chinese (by the professional Chinese translator)-> English (by me). I try to make it as accurate as possible, but please bear this in mind. Also, I love making translation notes, so if you dislike them, just bear with them.

Finally, this is not proofread at all. If you see any typos or grammar mistakes, please inform me. --Ling

Chapter 4: Okumura Rin Rescue Team

(…It was completely falling apart.)

Okumura Yukio sighed deeply at the exam script he held. On the exam script, beside the worm-looking scribble of a name, a huge 2.5 marks (not 25 marks) was written there. Of course this was not his exam script.

The owner of the exam script is his twin older brother, Okumura Rin. He was lying on his bed reading and repeatedly wiping his tears at the Jump SQ that Yukio had bought. His occasional nose blowing was so loud that it made one even more irritated.

In short, he was an eyesore.

[It can’t be. How can there be something so tragic in this world… Ohh.] A catastrophe was imminent. Yet he was completely immersed into the characters of the manga. With his appearance, it could not be seen that he liked touching television shows and tea-jerking stories a lot. However, Yukio was more picky about about plot instead.

(—Nii-san’s brain is more tragic.)

After complaining to himself, he looked again at his older brother’s exam script on the table and felt a headache coming.

The best score was this 2.5 points already. Only a ghost would not feel a headache at this. The others had 0.3 points, 1.2 points and each one would trouble the person marking the script a lot.

Actually Nii-san did not even enter the True Cross Academy High School by proper entrance tests. For him to study the exorcist course in the school, Mephistopheles used his authority as chairman to let him enrol. In other words, he did not go through the so-called super hard entrance exams, so even if it was the normal course, he could not keep up with the other students.

Even so, this is too appalling.

If he does not score well in next week’s finals, he could be expelled.

Yukio held the exam script and stood up from his chair and walked slowly to his older brother’s bed to take away the SQ.

[Ah, you return the SQ to me.]

[This is mine in the first place. Anyway, nii-san, you should know that now is not the time to be slacking and reading manga]

Rin was protesting vehemently although the magazine did not belong to him. Yukio stuffed a stack of exam paper full of huge crosses in front of Rin before crossing his arms and squinting his eyes under his glasses into a single line.

[0.8 marks. This one has 1.7 marks… And you even wrote your name wrongly here.]

[I, what can I do? Your [雪男] (Yukio) is so simple and mine is [燐] (Rin). Kanji is so hard to write!]

[Fine, I’ll go back a hundred steps and let you write in hiragana. If you write like this, it’s not [Okumura Rin] since it becomes [Okumura Ryuu]. Who is Okumura Ryuu?]

[…Boohoo.]

[I’m not done. This English exam script has [RIM OKIMVRA] written on it. When did you become a foreigner?]

[……]

[I’m really worried about Nii-san’s future.]

Yukio sighed and pushed his glasses up at the same time.

Rin sat on his bed and whistled with a whooshing sound. He was planning to gloss over this and not a single bit of remorse could be seen on his face. Also, his whistling had a melody and once he found an opportunity, he would try to snatch the SQ back from Yukio.

Yukio really felt very worried about his older brother’s future.

As long as Mephisto is still chairman, he could make the higher-ups shut one eye. But as the younger brother, he still wished that Rin could use grades that were more normal to get through this term.

Today is Friday night which is only 2 whole days away from next Monday’s final exams. If the spartan spoon-feeding method was used in these two days — because Nii-san was only exceptionally lucky — maybe he had a chance to barely pass.

However, there was a gaping flaw in this plan.

Of course the person teaching Rin would have to be Yukio. But there was mountains of paperwork to complete by the upcoming end of term. Also, he was one of the students in the gifted class of True Cross Academy High School section, so together with his exorcist class lecturer job, he was already extremely busy usually. By next Monday, besides preparing for his own exams, he had to also set the exam questions for the finals of the exorcist class. Besides that, he also had to submit reports for things such as applying for permission to conduct extra remedial sessions during summer holidays.

Maybe there could even be last-minute exorcist missions.

He completely had no spare time to spend on teaching his brother.

The best case would be that Nii-san could start studying quietly spontaneously, but looking at the current situation, it was unlikely to happen. He would most likely continue to read his manga intensely and start sleeping when he felt tired. He would probably spend tomorrow and the day after like that.

(I have no choice……)

Yukio returned to his table and picked up his phone. He opened his contacts to the exorcist class group and pressed one of the numbers.

The other party picked up his phone within three rings.

Yukio’s face which was originally anxious and depressed, instantly become calmer and he used a gentle voice to speak.

[—Ah, is this Suguro-san? I am Okumura-sensei. Sorry for disturbing you at such a late hour. How is your exam preparations going? I see…As expected of Suguro-san, I really want to ask Nii-san to learn from you. Actually the reason that I’m calling, it’s because of a personal request…]

A few minutes had passed. When Yukio hung up the phone, his older brother had already snatched back the SQ and was once again lying on bed and blowing his nose loudly.

✞

—On the next morning, the male dormitory of the True Cross Academy was more lively than usual.

True Cross Academy adopts a boarding school structure, so almost all the students lived in dormitories. However, the students live in the newly-built blocks and only the Okumura brothers used this block that looked more like a haunted hotel due to its dilapidated state.

—One of the rooms in the old block— unit 104 which is different from unit 602 which is usually used by them.

Today, the ones gathered here are Suguro Ryuuji, Shima Renzou, Miwa Konekomaru, Kamiki Izumo… almost all the first years of the exorcist class came and everyone brought sports backpacks like that time when they cohabited together.

[…In other words, we only need to teach Okumura how to study?] Suguro represented the group to ask.

Without furniture, the dormitory room looked very spacious… or rather, deserted. In the middle, there was a long table seen often in dormitories. A very unhappy Rin was forced to sit in front of the table while Yukio stood beside him and spoke in a gentle voice as if they were in class:

[I apologise greatly to everyone for occupying precious time before exams. I think this should be easier than teaching a monkey, so everyone please help my brother. I will be in another room and contact me immediately if there’s anything— I will come back later to take a look.]

After he bowed to the Exwires to send his regards, he turned to face his older brother who was shouting: [WHO DID YOU SAY WAS A MONKEY?] to him.

[Nii-san, if you dare to escape, I’ll make you sit straight and hold a Bariyon all night. You better behave.]

Yukio smiled as he spoke and walked out of the door afterwards. Just to mention, a Bariyon is a demon that possesses stones or rocks. Besides emitting weird noises, it is harmless. But it is very heavy, so if placed on knees when sitting upright, it would be just like torture during the Edo period.

[He casually became the devil.] Shima said. [A brightly expressioned devil.]

[I’m really sorry to you all… for ruining your rare break.]

Staring at the door which Yukio left from resentfully, Rin apologised to his classmates who were walking into the room while scratching his head.

[I troubled everyone again.]

[—Exactly, how troublesome.]

Izumo pursed her lips hard and complained. She took out a pile of reference books from her backpack and laid them out on the table.

[…S-sorry.]

Hearing Izumo say that, Rin felt extremely self-conscious.

[When things get tough, we should help each other, Okumura-kun.]

Konekomaru immediately started to comfort, then he looked Suguro who was behind him.

[Right? Young master.]

[Whatever, he has already sunk to this extent, so we have to help.]

Suguro who answered, placed the largest luggage among everyone heavily in the corner of the room. Besides a lot of reference books, assessment books and handwritten notes, there was something that looked like a wooden pole which stuck out from his sports backpack.

Rin’s heart skipped a beat.

(Wh-what’s that? That thing which looks like a flat wooden sword…What is he going to do with it…)

He very much felt like asking out of curiosity, but he also did not want to make a fool of himself. He thought that besides arousing his suspicions, a ghost might even appear from it.

Towards Rin who was unsettled, Suguro asked: [Oh yeah, which subject are you weakest at? Modern Japanese? Classical Japanese? Maths? Economics?]

[English. Okumura-kun looks like he is very afraid of English.]

Shima interrupted as he placed his luggage at the wall of the room.

[Last time, he even said that he was a [[Mistake man]], it should be [Mystic], right?]

Also, note that only mistake and mystic are in English so the man part of Mistake man was said in Japanese.)

[Yeah, that’s English. But it best to be not so greedy for now. Just focusing on tackling weak subjects is enough— Do you have other weak subjects?]

[Hmm, my weak subject is……] Rin racked his brain while lowering his voice. [All of them…]

Suguro was dumbfounded immediately upon hearing it.

[All of them? You said all… There’s only two days left, how is it possible to salvage in two days!!]

[If everyone take charge of different subjects and teach him, I think we can cope.]

To Suguro who was agitated, Konekomaru quickly calmed him down. Beside them, Shima opened a coffee-coloured envelope.

[Oh, just now Okumura-sensei handed this to me before leaving.]

Are the exam questions inside here? …Shima thought as he was opening the envelope that Yukio gave him. In the end, there was a huge pile of dismal exam scripts inside…

Everyone fell silent.

[1.2 marks…?!]

[What’s that, results for a vision test?]

[This is not something that can be salvaged within a mere two days.]

Everyone looked at each other. Even Konekomaru whose specialty was mediating disputes also could not say a word. Rin cowered even more.

[—Alright, don’t worry, Okumura-kun.]

Shima who accidentally made the atmosphere in the area drop a few degrees, suddenly used a bright tone to speak.

[Izumo is a top scholar of the class, young master has the makings of a pervert— no, a genius. Konekomaru is good at teaching, and Takara-kun……]

When he reached there, he gave a cursory glance across the room. The most mysterious and quiet person in the class, Takara, was fiddling with his puppet which he can do ventriloquism with without a care.

Why was he even called here, it still remained a mystery.

[I think he’s smart.]

Shima forcefully put up his thumb and smoothed over his speech.

[We’ll cross the bridge when we come to it, there is no such thing as an endless night.]

[Oh!]

Rin could not help but clap his hands and cheer at the lines which sounded like it came from an advertisement. However, Suguro glared at Shima suspiciously.

[What’s up with you, speaking so spiritedly but you never count yourself. Anyway, do you have the right to be teaching anyone?]

Shima proudly laughed at Suguro’s questioning. [Kekeke, young master, don’t look down on me. Don’t look at me like this, in my three years of high school, my health education grades were all full 120 marks. Kamiki, I’m amazing, right ♡]

[Eh…But there’s no health education tested for this finals.]

Suddenly asked for her agreement, Izumo raised her head to stare at Shima as she backed away, with her upper body slightly maintaining a distance from Shima.

[Health education is not important. How about your other subjects? Who knows, it could even not much different from Okumura.]

[Hahaha, I’m not that bad. My average for all the subject still have 15 marks.]

Shima announced this coolly while the whole room sunk into silence again.

Only Rin gave an admiring gaze.

[How many times of my marks is your average of 15 marks? How amazing, Shima, actually you do have brains.]

[I’m right, aren’t I? Everyone says that I’m a man who would give my all.]

After hearing Rin’s praise, Shima also proudly puffed his chest.

[No way, I’m getting a headache.] Suguro clutched his head.

—In the end, Shima and Rin had to be tutored by the other students.

Rin and Shima sat shoulder to shoulder while facing the window. Opposite them was Suguro, Konekomaru and Izumo. Paku sat beside Izumo, but she seemed to lack interest in her surroundings.

[It would be better if Shima and Okumura sat separately.] Suguro suggested.

[Split everyone into two groups, to teach Shima and Okumura-kun, right?] Konekomaru answered to Suguro’s suggestion and quickly said: [Or maybe split by subject?]

With his good hearing, Shima immediately spoke after hearing it: [This way, can I have one to one with Izumo~~?]

He suddenly became extremely enthusastic and even leaned forward to get closer to Izumo who was sitting opposite him.

[Teach me gently, alright? You’re so cute today, this cutie is so beautiful and the stars on your shirt suits you♡]

Shima completely showed his desire, so Suguro grabbed his pink hair and pulled him back.

[You’re with me.]

[Eh… young master!]

[I’ll do one to one with you.]

Being stared at with the hellish eyes of a demon, Shima looked like a deflated balloon.

He looked at Konekomaru who was next to Suguro and gazed at him pleadingly

[Shima is better off cutting ties with his lust.]

[Even Konekomaru too…]

In front of Shima who was sighing and lowing his head, Suguro mercilessly piled the practice questions into tall mountains. Afterwards, he rapidly circled pages and left markings on them.

[Within an hour, finish whatever I have ticked and put it in the return tray. Listen carefully. If you fail, I have no face to see Yaozou.

[That’s too much… At this time, it should be a girl teaching me gently and precisely and then our feelings for each other will develop… It should end up with romance, how did the situation become like this?]

About to cry, Shima still looked at Izumo stubbornly.

Seeing Shima having such strong desires despite being a monk, a vein popped on Suguro’s forehead.

[Konekomaru, bring the keisaku and whack him hard for me.]

He gave the order and Konekomaru’s expression turned serious as he nodded his head before taking that long wooden stick from Suguro’s sports backpack.

That keisaku was used to boost one’s concentration during meditation in the temple. It looked like it was already used for a long time.

Konekomaru stood behind Shima and raised the keisaku which was almost as tall as him while Shima’s face turned green immediately upon seeing it.

[…No, it can’t be, you aren’t doing this for real, are you? It’s just an act right? Ko-konekomaru?]

[Shima, you’re guilty.]

Konekomaru shut both eyes and said painfully, but after letting out a loud shout, his expression when using his strength to whack was completely not confused. In the next moment…

WHACK—

A heavy noise which seemed to tear flesh apart sounded loudly in the room.

[AH~~~~!!]

Immediately, Shima gave out a shrill cry, as if he had seen an army of bugs, which reverberated through the whole old block.

His eyes white, he laid on the table.

Suguro looked at his watch as if nothing happened.

[Fifty-seven minutes left.]

Calmly counting down the remaining time.

[S-so scary…]

The tragic scene in front of Rin made him shiver all over and anxiously keeping a distance from those three people.

Although he could sympathise with Shima, he felt lucky that the long stick was not used on him.

Not long after being calm, he was immediately grabbed by Izumo who was waiting for him.

[You come with me.]

[Wh-whoa!]

Under the angry glare of Izumo whose eyebrows were furrowed deeply, Rin sat at the end of the table opposite to her. Izumo took out her handwritten notes and dumped them in front of Rin.

[Listen up! For maths, you only need to remember formulas so that you can gain points. Afterwards, you must catch the important points—]

[Wow, that’s wonderful, your words are super pretty.]

The words looked like the correct ones that a teacher would write and the steps were written close to each other on the notebook. Highlighter marks were seen everywhere and sometimes there were pictorial explanations. It was a precise girl’s notebook: easy to read and very simple to understand.

Seeing this notebook which was worlds apart from his own, Rin who was greatly touched, praised Izumo from the bottom of his heart: [I couldn’t tell that you were this smart.]

[I…Th-this is nothing! It’s strange looking at you who only sleeps during class and not even copy any notes. What do you even go to school for!]

With even her ears going red, Izumo raised her eyebrows again to glare at Rin. I still have to get scolded even when praising someone honestly, Rin thought.

(How scary…) He became so nervous that his whole body turned stiff.

[I’m going to start from this question, alright? Why are you still dawdling? Hurry up and get your mechanical pencil out!]

[…Oh, okay.]

Like a domesticated animal, Rin obediently followed the order and held his mechanical pencil.

Along with Izumo’s scolding, he started solving the maths problems

However, his head only bobbed from left to right, without any progress in the questions he had to do.

Wrinkles gradually filled Izumo’s forehead.

So she anxiously asked:

[…Don’t tell me that you don’t even know how to solve nine times nine…]

[Nah, I know. Two times two is four, two times three is six—]

[Eight times nine.]

[Forty-two.]

Rin happily answered Izumo’s question.

Both eyes tightly shut, Izumo placed both hands heavily on the table.

The old table started squeaking due to the impact.

[…Eight times nine is seventy-two.]

[Eh? Seventy-two? Didn’t I say that?]

Rin ruffled his messy hair and planned to get over this by smiling obliviously. Izumo glared at him fiercely and said: [You clearly said forty-two, forty-two! The correct answer is seventy-two! Why when eight times eight equals sixty-four, the next one will be eight times nine equals to seventy-two? Why would it become lesser?!]

[Don’t sweat the small stuff, it’s just a number away so there’s no much difference.]

[Of course I mind! Don’t you know? Multiplication up to the nine times tables is that of elementary second grade, how do I turn you into a high school first year in two days?!]

[Don’t be angry, all the best for this, Eyebrows.]

[The one who should be trying his best said it, and don’t call me Eyebrows.]

As if nothing had happened, Rin patted Izumo’s shoulders and that made her furious immediately. Of course, there was still no progress with the questions.

[How great…Okumura-kun can have a lover’s squabble with Izumo.]

Shima who was also forced to do practice questions saw them and mumbled enviously.

In his eyes full of desire, unstoppable tears even flowed in them.

[—Shima.]

At how Shima was still desiring girls even at such a stage, Konekomaru also made an expression that said [nothing can be done about this].

Sitting opposite Shima, Suguro who was crossing his arms suddenly faced his devilish face and said: [It looks like a lover’s squabble because your brain is full of lust. Konekomaru, do it.

Suguro turned to Konekomaru and Konekomaru lightly nodded his head.

When Shima was aware, the keisaku behind him was lifted high into the air.

[Eh, eh…W-wait!]

[Troubles, go away! HAARGH!!]

[Waahhhh~~!!]

Once again, wailing was surrounded by the hot air brought in from the window before disappearing like an illusion. Shima laid on the table with his eyes white again.

[Shima, don’t die! I won’t allow you to die!!]

[Hurry up and solve your problems!!]

In a corner against the wall, Takara whose eyes might be close or open, gazed at them and said: [[Hmph…what a noisy bunch of brats.] Using his ventriloquism, his white rabbit puppet spoke.

Just to mention, nobody has heard his real voice yet.

✞

From eight-thirty in the morning until now which was already beyond twelve noon, Shima and Rin were both complaining.

[No way! I can’t do this! It’s so hot that I can’t think! My brain is melting!!]

[Me too… I can’t make it… if I can’t breath some fresh air… I’ll die.]

It was now mid July. With the sun’s shining menacingly, the old block which had no air-conditioning was in a sauna-like state.

Besides the two people who were forced to solve problems, even the people in charge of teaching them were also starting to become tired. Only Takara who was not doing anything was still energetic. God knows what was his body made of, seeing that in this dizzying heat, he was unfazed by it.

[—I can’t do anything about you. Alright, take a ten minute break.] Suguro said while using a towel to wipe his sweat.

Izumo let out a long breath while fanning herself with her messy hair sticking on her pale neck. Konekomaru also finally put down the keisaku.

[Eh… only ten minutes. Young master… that’s too cruel.]

[Not happy? Then it will be five minutes, Shima.]

[…I’m going to the toilet.]

Shima swallowed his tears dejectedly before leaving with Rin into the corridor to breathe some fresh air.

Because the block was old, the corridor would occasionally squeak loudly. Shima clumsily ran behind Rin who turned around listlessly.

[Hey, Shima…]

[Okumura, let’s escape.] Shima whispered to Rin with his face filled with determination.

[Escape? How—]

[Shh.] Shima quickly tried to silence Rin while gazing at their surroundings.

[With young master, who knows when is the next break. Now is our only chance.]

Shima looked like he was acting in a spy flick, but Rin replied in a depressed tone.

[But, Yukio said if we escaped, the Bariyon would be upon us…]

[Anyway, just don’t let him find us. If he can’t find anyone, how can we be punished?]

After Shima spoke, he put both hands together again and said: [This is too strange.]

[It’s summer now. Usually summer comes with many happy things, it should be a season that makes one happy and excited. Let’s see: Girls in swimsuits, girls in swimsuits, girls in swimsuits, girls in swimsuits, girls in swimsuits— But why do we have to suffer by studying in this sauna? Am I right, Okumura?]

[Hey, you only mentioned girls in swimsuits.]

[The only other thing comparable to girls in swimsuits are girls in bathrobes just after bathing.]

[It’s not like I can’t understand your feelings… I also know.] Rin agreed.

So the two of them looked at each other and silently nodded. What was different was their serious and determined expressions. They both headed to the gate of the dormitory.

[WHACK] Their shoulders were suddenly hit loudly and at the same time, a thick hand appeared.

[—May I ask where are you two going?]

A gentle voice and strength which could even rival a gorilla, the contrast made their hearts palpitate. With their faces green, they turned around in fear.

It was a sight they have never seen before: Suguro smiling widely.

[Su-Suguro… H-hey~ How are you? Although we were togetehr just now…]

[Y-young master… you’re here?]

[The weather was really hot, so I wanted to go outside to get some wind. Also, the toilet is not there, Shima.] Suguro answered with a smile while a drop of sweat was dropping down Shima’s temple.

[Ah, y-yeah, the toilet is on that side, I’m so careless~~]

[Ha, hahaha… Shima, you’re such an idiot~~ Getting lost at this age~~]

Rin quickly tried to add something in order to get this over and done with faster.

[You two are trying to escape, aren’t you?]

[!!]

Suguro asked in a deep voice, with a smile still plastered on his face. Their expressions suddenly froze. [Whoa.]

[…You don’t seem to realise who we’re doing this for.]

The two of them were unable to move, as if they were frogs being stared at. Suguro’s smiley face instantly changed to an expression which can even scare demons from hell.

[Go back to your rooms now. The punishment is just more questions. Or else, I have other plans. How? Which one is better? You choose.]

Suguro stretched out both arms which had his veins popping out while he cracked his knuckles loudly.

[We’ll]

[Go back.]

The two of them answered continuously with robotic voices. Dejectedly, they looked like calves being brought to slaughter.

After summer that year, it seemed that a sad tune of [Donna Donna] can be heard from somewhere.

✞

—Besides Yukio coming to send lunch, there were no breaks and the two of them were forced to answer questions non-stop until Suguro heard the melody which announced that it was already 5pm.

[Alright, rest for 30 minutes.]

When he announced this, Rin and Shima did not the strength to escape already.

The pairs were ether tiredly resting on the floor or leaning on the table. Nobody had the energy to even complain that 30 minutes was too short or cheer for rest time.

Unknowingly, the sun’s rays from outside the window had become a deep red and the wind had a warmth to it.

[How tiring…] Izumo said while arranging her slightly messy hair before tying a new ponytail. Shima who would usually say something to this was silent— No, he was trying his best to answer, but he was helpless against his exhaustion…

Looking at Shima, Konekomaru slowly put the keisaku on the table, saying: [Looks like we did not need the keisaku in the end.]

[Konekomaru… after taking away lust from me, what do you think is left…]

A dying Shima looked like he was going to cry blood.

Rin lay on the floor wide open, moaning as steam kept rising from his head.

Suguro crossed his bod before going to Izumo’s side to ask: [Hey, Kamiki, how is it on your side?]

[He managed to memorise the nine times table with a lot of effort.]

Izumo scrunched her eyebrows as she looked at the collapsed Rin on the ground.

With his whole face red and only the whites of his eyes seen, Rin seemed to be talking in his sleep as he kept chanting. [Four times two equals eight, four times three equals twelve] He even made mistakes, saying that four times five was ten.

[So I was saying, why would it decrease!] Izumo angrily shouted before drooping her shoulders.

[…how will they manage later on?]

[The future looks bleak.]

Suguro pressed on his temple.

At the same time, Takara who was across the room said: [ {Tsk… thanks to these brats, even I’m tired} ] To which the puppet on his hand responded. [You have any suggestions?]

Suguro was so upset that he stood up in reaction.

[You’re just watching! Anyway, what were you doing!!]

[Forget it.] Konekomaru immediately went to Suguro.

[Everyone is tired. From what Okumura-sensei said, he would bring dinner, so I’ll go buy some popsicles.]

[Oh, thank you.] Suguro thanked him.

Beside him, Rin was mumbling lifelessly: [Pop-popsicles…]

[Okumura-kun wants popsicles, right?]

Konekomaru smiled as he walked towards the exit. When he opened the difficult to open door, the last Exwire— Moriyama Shiemi appeared in front of him.

Wearing yukata whenever outside school, today she wore a yukata with cute prints. She also held a huge wooden plate with a fly bird print cloth covering it.

[Ah, Miwa-kun.]

[Eh? Moriyama-san? Why are you here?]

[Oh, it’s really Moriyama-san.]

[Shi-Shiemi…?]

Everyone’s view went towards the direction of Konekomaru’s voice. Shiemi who was easily nervous, tried her best to speak while her face was turning red.

[Ah, Yuki-chantold me about everyone—]

During the day, Yukio went to visit her former home, the Exorcist Shop which specialises in selling exorcist supplies. After hearing about the happenings in the hostel, she requested Yukio to send dinner to everyone.

[Because I didn’t go to school, so I can’t help with academic things. But if I want to cook… I should be able to help…]

She gradually lost confidence until her voice almost could not be heard near to the end. Her hands which were holding the wooden plate were also shaking non-stop.

Konekomaru took the plate and used a voice which was loud enough for everyone to hear to announce: [Everyone, Moriyama-san helped us prepare dinner.]

Rin who was originally collapsed on the ground, revived in a moment.

[Yay, it’s dinner time!]

[As expected of Shiemi-san! A girl cooking… I think there’s a holy light behind you.] Shima put his hand together towards Shiemi in a mock praying pose.

Suguro smiled and thanked her.

Looking at everyone’s responses, Shiemi held her face with her reddening face and said: [Th-This is nothing… although it’s not very good…. but it’s better today compared to usual.]

[I’m looking forward to it.]

Konekomaru gently took off the cloth from the wooden plate. In the next moment, there was a rumbling sound from the wooden plate. Luckily or unluckily, Konekomaru never heard it.

[These are what we’re eating?]

[Yeah— It’s the vanilla biscuits and herbal soup that Grandma taught me. Th-This is my best cooking.] Shiemi explained.

[Finally! A girl’s handmade soup and biscuits! Oh… it’s just like a boy’s dream!!]

Hearing Shiemi’s answer, Shima was so touched that he almost cried.]

[…Really, it’s wonderful to be living.]

Even after going the keisaku, his lust still returned.

[Ah, there’s also vanilla tea. I brought it in a flask, so do drink more of it.]

[Oh— Although I don’t know what it is, but it seems delicious.]

From the other side of the table, Rin was so happy that he was drooling. [Despite not knowing what is vanilla, if only there was meat] thought Rin. His tail which hid under his clothes almost could not resist swaying.

Beside him, Suguro said: [It seems good for the body.]

He was also happy.

[Then I’ll put it on the table. Can you help me put the textbooks at the side?]

Konekomaru squatted down and placed the plate at the side of the table.

[Ah, Miwa-kun, I’ll help too.]

[Don’t we need to wipe the table?]

Everyone (excluding Takara) happily cleared the things off the table. Only Izumo noticed that there was an unusual smell under the cloth and a strange sound…

✞

[…Alright, the report is finally done.]

Yukio moved his face away from the calculator and rubbed his tired eyes lightly. Whenever he fully concentrated on a particular task, he would be so engrossed in it to the extent of forgetting to eat and sleep. This was a bad habit of his.

The sky outside the window was red and cloudy.

He looked at his watch which showed that it was already beyond 5pm.

Yukio did some stretching on his chair. Not just his eyes, even his shoulders also felt very sore.

[I wonder how Nii-san and the rest are doing?]

Since he sent the bento at noon, he never showed his face at the study group.

As Shiemi said she would bring dinner to them, then he could buy some drinks and biscuits to bring there. That was what Yukio thought as he took his phone and wallet before he left.

The room where everyone was studying is room 104 on the first floor. Although the building was old, the sound would not reach Yukio’s room on the sixth floor.

At the main door of the dormitory, Yukio heard the noise of joyous clamour. Shiemi seems to have arrived, so everyone should be enjoying dinner now.

With a smile spreading on his face, Yukio walked out of the dormitory.

In the True Cross Academy which was shrouded by the evening sun, he casually strolled to the nearest supermarket. The originally scorching heat has now become a dry breeze.

Although he was uneasy about the study group, but from the situation at noon, his brother seems to be studying very seriously. Instead of saying that he was studying obediently, it was more like he was being stared at by Izumo and Suguro, with a feeling that he was out of his wits.

But this way, he would not need to worry about Rin escaping.

For some reason he did not know, even Shima also became one of those students being taught. —Besides this, there seems to have not much problems. Suguro’s sense of responsibility is very strong, Konekomaru is very understanding while Izumo had a serious and hardworking personality.

Although this judgment was only done after the event, his inviting everyone to supervise his brother seems to be not a bad idea.

[You’re such an idiot! How can the author of [Genji Monogatari] be Hikaru GENJI]?! It’s not an autobiography.]

[It’s not wrong, I think I heard Kin-nii say this before…]

[You and Kinzou are equally stupid!! Also, the author of [Houjouki]

[Don’t be so angry, young master. He was only wrong by a little bit.]

[A little bit?! He’s not even there!! The author of [Genji Monogatari] is Murasaki Shikubu and the author of [Houjouki] is Kamo no Choumei.]

[Whoa— how amazing!! Suguro, your brain is really good.]

[You still have time to admire others! Why does this answer have two decimals?]

[? Decimals… what are those?]

[—! Argh— I hate this…! Teaching a monkey would be easier than teaching you.]

[Ah—! Izumo, your [Argh— I hate this] sounds so cute and sexy! Say it again for me to hear~~♡]

[Hey…]

[Konekomaru, don’t give any mercy, whack him with enough force to knock him out.]

[Amida Butsu!!]

[Eh… W-wait, you didn’t even grunt and went directly… Ah, ah ah ah ah~~!!]

[Keke……]

Yukio was selecting the fruit juice he would buy for everyone to reward them. As he thought of the conversation he heard near the room during noon, he could not help but laugh. Just then…

[What’s up, you cowardly four-eyes? Laughing by yourself there, how disgusting. Your brain must have finally burnt out.]

Behind him, a very impolite voice sounded.

She is the ex-apprentice of his late adopted father, Fujimoto Shirou. Also a guardian of Rin, she is even more of a superior of Yukio— Kirigakure Shura. Just to mention, she is 18 years old ♡— Or so as she says, actually— she’s 16 years old. Although she has a sharp tongue, but she has a large rack and wears revealing clothes which makes one not know where to look at. At that moment, she was wearing a thin thigh-length kimono. It seems to be… no, it was just nightwear.

The other customers were all dumbfounded and even turned to look around at least twice.

[No, that’s because— Wait, what do you mean when you said cowardly?]

Yukio calmly answered. If he accidentally replied casually, this strange nickname would definitely stay.

[Shura-san, what were you doing today?]

[Sleeping.]

So it was indeed nightwear.

Sleepy, Shura resisted yawning while she put some True Cross brand beer and wine into her basket.

There was an 80% probability that it was bought to be her first shot of alcohol after she woke up, or to while time away after her meal. From her appearance, it was not hard to see that she was liked drinking a lot and she had a poor stomach for alcohol. Anyone who drank with her would be doomed. Because Yukio was underage, he never drank with her. But he was involved in a few incidents caused by her being drunk.

[Huh, Coward, buying so many things.]

[So old already and still an errand boy. You’re pathetic.]

Shura looked at Yukio’s basket and laughed while questioning him.

[Nope. Anyway, the only one who treats me like an errand boy is you? These are rewards.]

[Rewards?]

Shura tilted her head in confusion. Yukio told her all about the study session.

[Teaching him is even harder than teaching a monkey.]

Shura ruffled her messy bed hair. She resisted yawning again and asked Yukio: [Oh yeah, why were you laughing so strangely just now?]

[I didn’t……]

Yukio hesitated. Usually, he would probably smile and move on. But this time, he was being frank for some reason—

[…It’s unusual to see Nii-san get along with his classmates.]

When Rin was still in junior high, he could not control his strength and lost control sometimes. Because of that, people around him feared him and was often isolated from groups.

Not even mentioning hikes or school celebrations, he was even absent for graduation trips.

As Yukio had his own exorcist duties, he never got to know his classmates well. Although he got along with everyone, he never had any special memories.

But, he felt that his older brother always wanted to reach out and make friends.

[So, if Father could see how Nii-san is like now…]

He would be very glad— Yukio swallowed these words and smiled without saying more.

Seeing Yukio like this, Shura made an expression which looked like she had seen a rare treasure. In the end, she still smiled slightly and used her usual tone and knocked the back of Yukio’s head lightly.

[—Really, if you continue being so precocious, you’ll be balding soon.]

✞

After saying goodbye to Shura who went home, Yukio returned to the old dormitory. It was now night, while the sky had still had some light in it.

One could still see a single star faintly. Looking at his watch, the time is already 5.50pm. Everyone should have finished their dinner.

He walked through the creaky corridor and reached in front of room 104. Putting everything to his left hand, there was no response when he knocked the door.

On the other side of the door, there was no noise. Rather, it was completely silent.

Was there an argument?

Noticing something was weird, Yukio opened the door. He was greeted by a pungent stench. Everyone’s faces were green and sat inside the room as if they were at a wake. Rin and Shima were sitting in the middle while the others had collapsed on the tables and the ground with the whites of their eyes showing. Shima and the others were frothing at the mouth, as if in the next second, their souls would fly away from their mouths.

Also, Shiemi was no where to be seen.

[This…. What’s this?]

Even Yukio was unable to judge what was going on, so he asked Konekomaru who was nearest to him.

[Miwa-san, what happened? Nii-san—What happened to Okumura and Shima-san?]

[Ah, Okumura-sensei… you’re back?]

Konekomaru turned around and told Yukio about what happened with an expression full of pain.

[Moriyama-san brought food for us to eat, but—]

The cooking that Shiemi brought was so for health, but the taste was not acceptable by everyone. ( [How to I describe it… it’s a very unique taste.] said the gentle Konekomaru vaguely.)

[Eh… But, everyone ate it?]

[Yes… that happened.]

Smelling the stench, Izumo who immediately noticed something was wrong said: [I- I’ll just take a little since I’m on a diet.]

She acted first, while the mentally strong Suguro thought: [—As long as I treat this as training, there is nothing I cannot eat.]

With this kind of mindset and the belief of [I must not make girls cry], he resisted the pain and silently chewed the food. Konekomaru also followed him.

Takara used his puppet to pick up he spoon and ate it with big spoonfuls without changing his expression. This added even more mysteries to him.

[Shima and Okumura-san, at first they fought to say [A large bowl! No, an extra large bowl]…]

After eating the first bite, their faces started to turn green. But because Shiemi was looking at them with such sparkly eyes, they had no choice but to force themselves to finish eating.

[In my eyes, they were totally brave.]

[is that so? Is it that terrible tasting… no, then what happened to Shiemi-san?]

[Moriyama-san, she—]

Shiemi saw everyone— no, actually it was only Rin and Shima— eating all of her cooking and felt extremely happy. Because everyone drank a lot of herbal tea to swallow the disgusting charred things into their stomachs, so she went to Exorcist Shop to bring more tea over.

According to what Konekomaru said, Rin and Shima could be considered brave, because they only lost consciousness only after Shiemi could not be seen in the premises. Before that, they still grinned and bear it by saying:

[It’s d-delicious, Shiemi…]

[…I c-can’t… too delicious… that… I want to cry for some reason…]

[However, since they ate healthy things, at least there would be no risk of stomachache. Maybe their condition will become better?]

Even Suguro could not help but sympathise with them.

[They ate more than us, this is also one of the factors that cause pain. Because it is a girl’s home made coking… so they held a lot of expectations, yet…]

[So it is even more despairing.] Konekomaru looked at those two with pity.

[…I-I can’t believe… that a girl’s hand made cooking… actually tastes like this… it’s a lie.] Shima moaned non-stop while lying down next to his (Yukio’s) brother.

In a semiconscious state, tears of sadness and distress flowed nonstop. Looks like Konekomaru’s opinion was not completely wrong.

They leaned against the table legs and the floor, occasionally thinking about what happened before while convulsing. Yukio showed an unfathomable expression to look at them and suddenly inquired:

[Suguro-san, Kamiki-san, how is their progress on studying?]

[—There was very little progress, more like back to square one].

Suguro said with a agonised expression as he recalled.

Using a handkerchief full of printed little stars to cover her mouth, Izumo said: [He can still get his 9 x 9 multiplication wrong.], reflecting Rin’s terrible situation.

Hearing all these, Yukio walked towards the two of them who were still on the ground and bent down. As if close to death, they looked up in pain.

[Yu-Yukio… I, I can’t… M-my… last meal… I want to e-eat sukiyaki until I’m full…]

Rin’s eyes turned whie again, while Shima who was leaning against the table said: [I, I also cannot take it…I want to ooxx with a cute girl before I…]

Afterwards, he said some things that require censoring and shut his eyes regrettably.

[Still kicking, huh.]

Suguro and Kamiki said at the same time with expressions of [how hopeless].

Yukio pushed the middle of his glasses up without saying a word, then used a voice which cannot be any more gentler to the the two of them who lay exhausted:

[—Okumura-san, Shima-san. Please rise.]

[…Suki-yaki…?]

[You brought girls… over…?]

Rin and Shima looked him listlessly.

[How could it be?] Yukio smiled before putting piles of assessment questions in front of them and casually continued:

[Write until here tomorrow morning, write that before noon along with this and this. Before night, you must finish everything and memorise it to bits. Otherwise, I will request Shiemi-san to bring food to reward you— How about this?]

[Wow, what a rare sight ☆]

Seeing the announcement posted on the corridor opposite of True Cross Academy, the chairman, Mephistopheles loudly exclaimed.

[Not even mentioning Shima-san, even Okumura-san doesn’t need to retake…]

On the paper which was titled [Students who need to retake the final exam], their names were not there.

They barely passed and escaped the misfortune of failing.

[What kind of magic did you use?]

Mephisto glanced at Yukio who was next to him.

[Nothing much. Instead of me, it was more of Shiemi-san’s efforts.]

[Oh… the girl of the Exorcist shop? What do you mean, Okumura-sensei?]

With a gaze which showed how gleaming over it would kill curiosity, Yukio put his index finger to his mouth.

The side of his mouth curved slightly as his eyes under his glasses closed into a line.

[Everything afterwards is a trade secret.]

Just to mention, after this cohabitation, the Exwires’s comments towards him changed from [unexpectedly sinister] and [cold demon] to [demon in disguise], [cold-blooded], [hypocrite] and [no, he’s completely crooked]. With this kind of development, nothing else needs to be said.

Translator notes and references

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