“Alright, let’s get right to it then.” The boy calling himself Tsuki slipped off his shoes and helped himself to the couch without a moment of hesitation. One would think that he was a roommate returning home. Motioning to Haru to sit at the opposite end, he felt compelled to follow his lead, though it meant sitting on a floor cushion instead. Being seated above that of his host, the uninvited guest now looked more like a haughty authority figure.

Reaching into one of his pockets, he pulled out a wooden bell identical to the one he gave Haru yesterday. It even had the same red string attached to the end. In the back of his mind, Haru wondered if they were purchased in bulk.

“Unlike the last one, this bell’s empty. I didn’t put any of my essence in it, but the composition’s the same. It’ll still react if a Shade’s nearby, but that’s not what we’re using it for now.” Tsuki lightly tossed the bell over the table and Haru caught it with a fumble. It rang lightly in his hands, indistinguishable from similar bells sold at shrines and souvenir stores. “Most all Cleansers have a few of those on hand to sense Shades, until they’re proficient enough to not need them. Even at that point, they’re super useful. The more they ring, the closer a Shade is, and if it breaks, well, you’ve seen it for yourself.” Tsuki began giving a explanation, but Haru was still unsure what to think.

“You still haven’t told me what a Shade is, exactly,” Haru asked, placing the bell on the table. “Oh, you’re right,” Tsuki closed his eyes and brought his right hand up to his chin in consideration. “Hmm…from your perspective, it might have seemed like Shades possess humans or something, but it’s actually the opposite. Shades are created by humans. I guess the simplest way to put it is that they’re the negativity of a person taken form? Not exactly right, but that’ll do for now.”

Negativity? Taken form? It sounded like something out of a fantasy novel. Haru had many more questions, but it didn’t look like Tsuki was ready to give up the wheel just yet. All he could do now was wait for him to finish.

“And my job as a Cleanser to deal with them, but we’ll save the details for later. Let’s get back to the bell.” Tsuki reached into his pocket again and pulled out yet another bell, also identical to the one on the table. “I have six or seven of them myself. Keep most of them in a special pouch to keep them from ringing.” Tsuki apparently noticed the quizzical look on Haru’s face. “Along with sensing Shades, bells can be packed with a Cleanser’s essence thanks to the wood they’re made off. That way, if it breaks, the essence will explode like a grenade. There’s no physical damage, but it can disperse a Shade for a little while. Before this technique existed, it was up to the Cleanser to react as soon as they felt their bell break or risk being dead meat. They didn’t all have good reflexes though, especially when they don’t know where the enemy is. By the time it breaks, the Shade’s usually right on top of them. Then one of the captains came up with the idea of stuffing the bell with essence and mortality rates dropped. Even if they’re taken by surprise, the explosion gives a few more seconds to figure out what to do before the Shade re-forms.”

So even guys with powers like Tsuki’s have been killed by those things. Haru suddenly gained a new awareness for the kind of world Tsuki was in and what he had to deal with. And yet he still chose to fight those things for some reason.

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

“Since you can see Shades, you should also be able to send your essence into the bell as well. The principle is similar, you just need to be conscious about it.”

“Wait, hold on.” Haru couldn’t help but speak up. Tsuki was basically telling him to start training but was still leaving out some crucial information. “This isn’t something I can just do because you told me to! I don’t know what this “essence” even is!”

Tsuki paused with his mouth slightly ajar, then gave a slight chuckle. “Yes, I suppose it would help to know that as well.”

He didn’t act apologetic in the slightest. He just moved on with an explanation as though it were perfectly natural.

Essence is…well, it’s like the energy of your being. You know how psychics can move things through willpower? It’s something like that. Emotions are also a part of it, so put some feeling into it when you transfer it into the bell.”

In all his life, Haru had never heard a more ambiguous and unhelpful explanation, especially considering the knowing expression of confidence plastered across Tsuki’s face. One might think he had finished describing a scientific breakthrough.

“You know…psychics are all just showmen that use tricks to move stuff.” Somehow, Haru managed to respond with a straight face. In contrast, Tsuki was honestly shocked.

“There’s no way that’s true! I’ve seen psychics move whole people through the air on TV! I’ve also seen people fly before, and they’re not even Cleansers! I’m sure there’s just not many of them is all. Don’t let yourself be held down by common sense.” Considering what Tsuki actually does, his last statement actually held some persuasive weight.

“Anyway, physical contact helps, so try cupping your hands around the bell and focusing.” He added.

Sighing in resignation, Haru did as instructed and tried cupping the bell with his hand. Not knowing what else to do, he then closed his eyes and tried focusing all of his senses onto it. Tsuki was talking about packing it with “essence” before, so he tried to imagine sending energy into the bell. For several long minutes, he focused on only that as if it were a new form of meditation but felt nothing change.

“I don’t think this is working.” Haru said, looking back up at Tsuki, only to notice that he had fallen asleep on the couch.

Haru felt something snap inside of him. This jerk had the nerve to drag him around, acting like he was the boss, then fall asleep when he was supposed to be helping him? Had he no sense of responsibility? Or shame for that matter? Haru was normally very mild-mannered, but there was only so much he could take. He stood up, gripped the bell firmly in his right hand, and pulled his arm back. Imitating a baseball pitch, he took aim and lobbed the thing right towards the sleeping Tsuki’s forehead.

His aim was true. The bell flew squarely between his closed eyes, and promptly burst into flame.

“HOLYCRAPWHATTHEHELL!!!”

Tsuki dived magnificently off the couch and face met hardwood floor with an echoing thud. In the back of his mind, Haru was thankful that they didn’t live in an upper floor apartment. But more than that…

Tsuki picked himself up and faced Haru, his face newly adorned with a round welt, reddened with mild burn marks. However, his face was more surprised than angry.

“Did you do this with the bell?” He asked, point at the mark between his eyes. Haru could do nothing more than nod mutely. Then, Tsuki’s face slowly broke into a smile.

“Oh boy. You and I are gonna have lots of fun from now on.”

It seemed like Haru’s usual plans of spending the rest of the evening gaming will be put on hold for a while.