Oshisha-sama
That night, I learned all sorts of things from Morozumi-san. I learned that his law firm was actually based in Aomori, but even then, it was only a small company with an office clerk and him as the representative supervisional officer. I learned that apparently, he was here in Tokyo on a business trip to set up a branch office.
“Ryui, yer spiritual constitution’s somethin' else... So that's why that fella from earlier came a-knockin’ atcher door.”
“Can I get a translator…?”
I also learned that it was hard for him to get rid of his accent due to his situation. We really talked about all sorts of stuff.
—
After that, we’d have irregular meet-ups whenever Morozumi-san came to Tokyo. I’d usually go meet him when it seemed like it was about time for him to come over. I didn’t have his number… I’d thrown out his business card, thinking it'd be fine as long as I remembered his name and office. It didn't feel right having to arrange a meeting every time. The point is, we talked about a lot of things, like how Morozumi-san used to be the leader of a biker gang that rode rampant up and down Apple Road1 in Aomori. How when one of his buddies died, their spirit stuck around with him, and that was what made him start down this path. How he’d use his fists when exorcising ‘cause he had a super aggressive personality. And when he saw my protective charm…
“Well, I’ll be damned, t‘sa mighty fine thing ya got there! It’d be a waste if y’didn’ put it t’good use.”
…And so, he also taught me some simple exorcising techniques.
Morozumi-san was the first reliable adult I had met in my life. Our exchange continued for several years…
—
At long last, I turned 21. It was around this time that I finally let down my guard around him.
“I’ve never talked about this, but my family’s insane.”
Alcohol had loosened my tongue and so I told him all about the strangeness of the Shiramitsu family.
Morozumi-san was attentive. At times, he had a sorrowful expression while listening to me, and after I was done, he tilted his head as if in deep thought.
“There's somethin’ familiar ‘bout that name...”
Our conversation ended like that at the time, but a few months later...
—
“So, about yer family and stuff…”
When I met Morozumi-san for the first time in a while, he greeted me with an oddly grim look on his face.
“I hear all ‘bout that Oshisha-sama before somewhere back home, so I did some searchin’ while I was in Aomori.”
“Aomori?”
Morozumi-san nodded, but his darkened expression never changed. But for me, it felt like I'd finally seen a ray of hope. In other words, Oshisha-sama, along with the Shiramitsu family, may have had origins in Aomori. Should I try going? As long as I knew where that bastard came from, I’d have a chance of separating them from Toi. Morozumi-san stared at my eager face. He scrambled around for words before opening his mouth, and that was how the shocking truth was revealed to me.
“It ain’t no angel. It’s a demon.”
“Demon…?”
“Oshisha-sama’s a demon, and a strong one at that.”
“...!”
I was shocked, but it didn't surprise me. It would've been harder to believe a bastard with that kind of sinister smile was an angel. The geezer and hag were real disgusting cock-suckers for continuing to get high off that thing. But—poor Toi, to have to host that demonic existence within his body. When I thought about Toi, I was immediately overcome with immense despair.
‘I gotta hurry and free Toi. I gotta free Toi from that crazy family and demon.’
However, there was an even more dreadful despair waiting for me.
“There’s more I gotta tell ya… Oshisha-sama lives off’a the host’s soul.”
“Wha…”
This time, I had no words. That bastard had been feeding off of Toi’s soul. Even as we spoke, it was steadily… killing Toi.
—
“Sorry… I’m really sorry… Ryui, To…i…”
—
The apology the old man gave while clinging onto us, crying on his deathbed; it all made sense now. So that’s what he meant.
My father had been stuck in that position—that dumbass who acted as the family head willingly let Oshisha-sama consume his soul. He knew all along, yet gave up without resisting only to finally lament the fate of his children with his dying breath.
…Did Toi know? The truth that I had been unaware of for the past ten years. Why was running from that house the only thing I ever did? Why didn't I ever try to find out? That Toi’s soul was being eaten away at all this time―
“Tch…!”
“Oi, Ryui!”
Clouded with anger and regret, I ran out without listening to Morozumi-san towards that cursed house I swore I would never go back to.