The train ride to Kyoto took only about two hours—where a similar trip back home would’ve lasted over seven. Julius spent the ride gazing out the window, watching the landscape blur by, his “Sad Sins” playlist filling his ears with melancholic songs by Francis Albert. He used to listen to sad music just because he liked it; when he was actually sad, he’d either avoid music or switch to something cheerful. But now, lost in thought, he only wanted the sadness in his headphones. Recently, it resonated with him in a way it never had before, as if that creature hadn’t just taken his friends—it had awakened his ability to truly feel through art. An odd realization crept in: now he cried during movies and shows, things that had never stirred him before. And now, to The World We Knew, tears fell.

The entire trip, he didn’t say a word—not on the way to the station, not during the train ride, not as they walked to the university. His expression stayed blank; any joy he’d felt about being in a new place, seeing his grandparents, free from the shadows of shame, had vanished. His monsters had returned, creeping back in and pouncing on him that first night, right after his head hit the pillow. All the progress he thought he’d made washed away, leaving him feeling pathetic as his father’s shaming words echoed in his mind.

But as he looked around the bustling university—life flowing through it, students rushing to class, chatting, lounging outside, picnicking—a small smile broke through.

A familiar voice called out from his left.

“Hey,” a deep voice said in Japanese. “Over here, Higasakis.”

Julius turned to see Ooshiba, dressed in a brown jacket over a blue checkered shirt and brown slacks. A small briefcase hung at his side, and a lit incense stick was tucked in the corner of his mouth.

Tokagawa waved at his friend, stepping ahead to greet him.

“Almost didn’t see you,” Tokagawa said.

“Hard to miss you,” Ooshiba replied.

They shared a quick chuckle, one of those dad-like laughs.

Ooshiba looked over at Maria and Julius, giving them a polite nod.

“Good to see you two again. I hope your time away was kind to you.”

“It wasn’t,” Maria replied in English, sounding mildly irritated.

“I’m sorry to hear that…” Ooshiba replied, switching to English. “Anyway, let’s head to my office. I want to introduce you all to my TA.”

He led them into a nearby building, beautifully constructed of stone, evoking a pre-19th-century college building more than a modern one like it was. His office, just inside the entrance on the first floor, was a space he’d fought years to secure.

Inside, the office was minimalist: no books, no art, no distractions—just a small desk, a laptop, a single chair, and a few seats for visitors. Sitting behind the desk was a burly red-haired man with a neatly trimmed beard, dressed in a plain black t-shirt and loose shorts. As they entered, his eyes widened at the sight of Tokagawa. He sprang from his chair and rushed over, extending a hand eagerly.

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” he said, his words thick with a syrupy Irish accent.

Tokagawa returned the handshake, but the Irishman, clearly thrilled, didn’t let go.

“I’m your biggest fan. Well, everyone probably says that, but I mean it. I’ve read every issue of The Indomitable ten times over as soon as it’s out. I genuinely think you’re one of the best poets of the modern age—maybe of all time. Not to say you don’t have competition; I’m partial to Wilde myself, but that’s probably the Connacht school system talking. Seriously though, volume six? Some of the best storytelling I’ve ever read. Especially impressive considering you keep to such strict meter. Epic poetry as a storytelling form feels like a lost art. We used to have Homer, Alighieri, Beowulf… but nobody’s writing epics like that anymore—at least not on the level you are.”

Tokagawa gave an awkward smile.

“Thank you… such high praise,” he said, trying to pull his hand free from the iron grip. “And your name is?”

“The name’s Ciaran O’Hare. I’m Professor Aoyama’s teaching assistant. It’s going to be quite the honor helping mold your son into a top exorcist over the next four years…”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa,” Maria cut in, stepping forward. “Nobody ever said my son was going to be one of you exterminators. He’s just touring the university. His father thinks it’ll be good for him.”

“Of course, ma’am,” Ciaran replied, releasing Tokagawa’s hand and turning to Maria. “I look forward to giving him a tour. I’ll introduce him to my secular studies, give him a feel for the non-secular aspects of our program, and show him a bit of student life…”

He glanced over at Ooshiba.

“And, if he’s interested, I can show him the more hands-on aspects of my studies. Tomorrow’s a school holiday, so we can go on a short evening hunt and I could even show him the nightlife…”

Julius looked toward his parents, trying to gauge if they interpreted that the same way he did.

“Oh, absolutely not. No way am I letting you take him on a ‘hunt,’ and I’m definitely not okay with you dragging my fresh-out-of-high-school son to a college party,” Maria said.

Tokagawa exchanged a glance with Ooshiba, a smirk forming between them.

“I don’t know, my heart,” he said. “I get your qualms about a hunt, but he’ll be in good hands. I’m sure Mr. O’Hare won’t let anything happen to him… And as for the party… Whether it’s NYU or Kyoto, he’ll be out of our sight soon enough. There’ll be no stopping him from going to those kinds of things. I trust he won’t do anything foolish, and really—have you ever seen him drink anything but water? He’d probably just go dance, meet people…”

“I should hit you,” Maria said, her voice thick with exasperation.

“Mrs. Higasaki,” Ciaran interjected. “I promise, nothing will happen to Julius. I’d be a fool to take him on a hunt with dangerous antizoí. I’ll only show him the smaller, harmless ones. Maybe even a little virus or two. And as for partying, I’m flattered you think I’m that type, but me and my friends usually just hang out in a room, listen to music, snack, and play card games.”

“Cards?” Tokagawa echoed. “Julius-kun likes card games, right?”

“Uh, yeah,” Julius replied. “I’m into Magic: The Gathering. Do you guys play that?”

“Hell yeah, we do! Commander, every night. I have a Brago deck you can use… if your parents let you hang out…”

The four men turned to Maria, their pleading not on their faces but in their hearts.

Maria took a deep breath.

“If he has even the slightest scratch on him… I’ll kill all four of you.”

“You heard the boss,” Ciaran said as he bolted towards Julius, grabbing him by the arm, “Why don’t we get started, my ancient poetry class is in an hour!”

Ciaran pulled Julius to the doorway, stopping just shy of the exit.

“By the way, Professor Holmes stopped by. He wanted to talk to the three of you.”

And with that said, the two young men ran off on their college adventure.