“Vehement emotions — fear, guilt, or sorrow — serve to magnify the conduit’s dread influence, casting a more formidable shadow upon those in their sphere. Yet, through esoteric understanding and deliberate will, the hidden force may be subdued, its darkness quelled. The conduit’s inner tumult may become a beacon, drawing the spectral forces of demise toward those encircled by their presence.”
Ryoichiro blinked out of his reverie, disoriented. “Huh?”
Risa, visibly annoyed by Ryoichiro's lack of attention, continued, “As I was saying, strong emotions drive your curse to manifest — fear, guilt, and sorrow. Keeping those emotions under control ensures no one gets hurt. So, what we need to focus on is making sure those feelings don't surface, that is, making one emotion rise above the rest.”
Ryoichiro looked at Risa, but his distant expression revealed he wasn't fully grasping the explanation.
Risa sighed softly, taking a moment to compose herself. She knew the weight of their situation was heavy, and it was starting to take its toll on her as well. “Happy!” She said, trying to infuse a bit of energy into her voice, though her eyes betrayed a hint of concern. “We need to keep you happy!” Risa declared, standing in front of Ryoichiro and raising her hands energetically. The stoplight beeped, signaling green. Risa quickly returned to his side as they crossed the pedestrian walk together.
“Happy, huh?” Ryoichiro muttered, his gaze downcast, fixed on the ground as they moved forward.
Risa nudged him gently. “So tell me, Ryo-chan, what makes you happy?” She leaned in closer, her eyes filled with curiosity and expectation.
Ryoichiro glanced at Risa, a faint smile beginning to form, but he couldn't bring himself to tell her that she was one of the things making him happy right now. The almost smile vanished as he saw the collection of flowers marking the spot where the car accident had happened. His thoughts began to spiral back to that day. Memories of that day came rushing back — flashes of screeching tires, a sudden impact, and the feeling of helplessness. The flowers and photos were stark reminders of the life-altering event.
“Ryo-chan!” Risa scolded, her expression adorably stern.
She noticed he was looking behind her and realized it was the accident scene. She wanted to pay her respects, but she knew she couldn't subject Ryoichiro to that pain again.
Risa grabbed Ryoichiro’s elbow gently, guiding him forward as they walked. “We’re almost there,” she said, her voice reassuring. “Ryo-chan, I know this might feel like a sudden shift, but there’s a good reason he’s our best option.”
Ryoichiro raised an eyebrow, his curiosity evident. “Really? You’ve never mentioned him before. How do you know he’s the right person?”
Risa took a moment to gather her thoughts, her expression turning serious. “Actually, I have heard of him before. I was introduced to him a while back during my research into supernatural phenomena. My mentor, Meme-san, mentioned him in passing. She’s always been very guarded about sharing her sources, but she did tell me about this specialist who deals with rare and dangerous curses. She said he’s one of the few with practical experience in handling them.”
Ryoichiro’s eyes widened with interest. “So why not your mentor? She seems like she’d be the go-to person.”
Risa’s face softened with understanding. “That’s a good question, Ryo-chan. Meme-san is incredibly knowledgeable, but she’s retired from active fieldwork.”
“Meme-san?” Ryoichiro looked intrigued.
“Yeah, she didn't want me calling her a “mentor” or something, don't ask about it. So, I decided to call her that. These espers want to stay incognito for some reason, I tell you, ” Risa continued. “Meme-san's focus now is on teaching and writing. This curse we’re dealing with — this shinigami conduit — is highly specialized. Meme-san suggested that while she knows about it in theory, she hasn’t dealt with it firsthand. She recommended this specialist because he has the real-world experience needed for a case like ours.”
Ryoichiro nodded slowly, taking it in. “So, you’re saying he has more practical experience?”
“Yes, exactly,” Risa confirmed. “He’s known for his hands-on approach to these situations. While Meme-san has the theoretical knowledge, this guy deals with the practical aspects and has the skills to address them. Her recommendation carries a lot of weight. If anyone can help us resolve this curse whatever, it’s him.”
Ryoichiro’s expression cleared as he understood. “That makes sense. It’s probably best to consult someone with firsthand experience.”
Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.
Risa’s eyes lit up with relief. “Right? I appreciate your understanding, Ryo-chan. I know it’s a bit of a gamble, but it’s our best shot. Let’s meet him and hope he can provide the answers we need.”
Ryoichiro sighed, his demeanor slightly uplifted. “I really hope we’re getting close to ending this.”
Risa squeezed his arm encouragingly. “I’m sure we are. Let’s stay positive and keep moving forward!”
Her infectious energy helped lift Ryoichiro’s spirits as they continued toward their destination, hopeful for the answers that lay ahead.
The setting shifts to a rundown bar, dimly lit and steeped in a haze of smoke. Chairs are still propped on tables, their legs forming a forest of wooden limbs against the peeling wallpaper. A seasoned barkeep, his cauliflower ears and broken nose telling tales of past brawls, wipes glasses with a practiced hand. His eyes, cold and deadly, flicks up to the newcomers.
Risa walked confidently up to the bartender, her movements quick and purposeful. Ryoichiro, hesitant and almost stopping her, followed closely behind. She produced the piece of paper handed to her earlier and slid it across the counter. The bartender took a long, scrutinizing look at the unusual guests. Without a word, he pressed a concealed button under the counter, a faint click barely audible over the muted conversations in the bar. He then tilted his head towards the back, signaling the direction they needed to go.
Risa gave a firm nod of gratitude and returned to Ryoichiro, grabbing his hand to lead him. They navigated a tight corridor lined with dusty boxes and crates, the air growing mustier with each step. At the end of the corridor hung a faded velvet cloth, serving as a makeshift door that barely concealed what lay beyond.
Inside, the room was cloaked in shadows, the dim light barely illuminating the figure of a man seated at a small table, drinking scotch alone. His back was turned towards them, the silence in the room heavy and expectant.
Risa moved forward with determination, her footsteps echoing softly. She stood opposite the man, her presence commanding attention. The man motioned for her to sit, his hand making a slow, deliberate gesture. Risa lowered herself into the seat, adjusting her clothes with a composed grace. She then beckoned for Ryoichiro to join her side.
The man finally turned his head, his gaze locking onto Ryoichiro with a long, heavy look that seemed to pierce through the dimness. His face was shrouded in darkness, the dim light from a single, flickering bulb offering only fleeting glimpses of his features. Shadows danced across his visage, teasing at the contours of his face but never fully revealing it. The occasional glint from the bulb caught the edge of a scar, the curve of a cheekbone, and the hint of a furrowed brow, but his eyes and expression remained obscured, leaving an air of mystery and menace. He poured another drink with deliberate slowness, the clink of glass on glass amplifying the tension. Without breaking eye contact, he downed the drink in one swift motion, the silence in the room growing thicker with each passing second.
“We're here for — ” Risa began, her voice steady but tense.
The man silenced her with a shushing gesture, double-tapping his finger on the table with an air of authority. Risa, unfazed, pulled out an envelope of cash and placed it on the table. Ryoichiro's eyes widened in surprise, but he kept his silence, watching the scene unfold.
The man took his time counting the money, his movements slow and deliberate, each bill adding to the weight of the moment. Satisfied, he pocketed the cash with a nod. He then poured a drink, the sound of liquid filling the glass echoing in the stillness, and slid it across the table to Risa.
She shook her head and formed an 'X' with her fingers, her eyes never leaving his. The man retrieved the glass, a hint of a smirk playing at the corner of his mouth. He added more scotch, the amber liquid glistening under the dim light, and downed it in one swift gulp. With a final, decisive motion, he flipped the glass over, the gesture laden with unspoken understanding and foreboding.
“We're here for advice on how to get rid of a 'shinigami conduit,'” Risa's voice was firm, each word laden with gravity.
The man's eyes narrowed, a spark of interest igniting in their depths. “A 'shinigami conduit,' you say? I haven't heard that in a long time.” He stroked his goatee thoughtfully. “Start from the beginning.”
Risa launched into their tale, her voice unwavering despite the weight of her words. Her expressions and animated gestures, though incongruent with the seriousness of the topic, added an almost surreal contrast to the moment. The man listened intently, his usually impassive face flickering with occasional bursts of surprise.
Throughout the recounting, Ryoichiro stood still, each detail of the story rekindling the guilt that simmered within him. The memory of past events hung over him like a dark cloud, his heart heavy with the weight of their consequences.
Risa's story unfolded, painting a picture of their ordeal with vivid detail. The man leaned forward, his interest piqued by the unusual tale. He occasionally nodded, his eyes flickering with recognition at certain points.
As Risa wrapped up her narrative, the man leaned back in his chair, his expression contemplative. “You've been through a lot,” he said, his tone more respectful than before. “A shinigami conduit is no small matter. It's not just about exorcising a spirit; it's about severing a bond with death itself.”
Ryoichiro's heart sank further. The gravity of their situation seemed to deepen with each word. “Can it be done?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
The man studied him for a moment before replying, “It can, but it's dangerous. The process requires a delicate balance of rituals and personal strength. If done incorrectly, it could result in something far worse than what you're experiencing now.”
Risa's determined expression didn't falter. “We have to try. We can't keep living like this.”
The man nodded slowly. “Alright. You'll need three things: a talisman blessed by a priest, a personal item of the conduit to anchor the ritual, and a place of power where the barrier between this world and the next is thin.”
He reached into his coat and pulled out a small, worn notebook. Flipping through the pages, he scribbled down some instructions before tearing out the sheet and handing it to Risa. “Follow these steps precisely. There's a shrine a few miles from here that fits the criteria for the place of power. I'll meet you there once you have everything that's needed.”
Risa took the paper, her eyes scanning the instructions. “Thank you,” she said sincerely. “We won't waste this chance.”
The man nodded curtly. “Be careful. The shinigami won't give up its conduit easily. It will fight back, and it will use every fear and doubt you have against you.”
Ryoichiro looked at the man with gratitude etched on his face. “I don't know how to thank you enough for this. I don't even know your name.”
The man leaned back, eyes narrowing slightly. “I don't usually do names, but you can call me 'Ed.' Besides, you don't have to thank me yet.”
“My name is Ryoichiro. Ryoichiro Himura. Anyway, thank you so much, Ed-san.”
Risa interjected, pouting playfully. “So mean! You didn't tell me your name before either. I'm Risa Saia, by the way.” Her introduction, coupled with her adorable expression, contrasted sharply with the tension in the room.
Ed gave a curt nod, his eyes softening just a touch. “I'll see you soon, kid.”
As they left the bar, Ryoichiro couldn't shake the feeling of impending doom. He glanced at Risa, who seemed resolute and fearless despite the danger ahead. Her courage was a beacon in the darkness of his fear.
“Risa-san,” he said quietly as they walked down the dimly lit street, ” are you really sure about this? It's a lot to risk.”
She stopped and turned to him, her eyes meeting his with unwavering confidence.
“Ryo-chan, we can't live in fear forever. This is our chance to take control of our lives. I believe in us, and I believe we can do this.”
Her words, filled with conviction, gave Ryoichiro a glimmer of hope. He nodded, trying to mirror her determination. “Alright. Let's do it.”
They continued their journey, the weight of their mission pressing down on them. The path ahead was fraught with danger, but together, they were ready to face whatever came their way.