The morning chill seeped through his clothes, but Takumi barely noticed.
He leaned against a wall, arms crossed, watching the station's public clock: 6:30 a.m.
He didn't want to be late, so he arrived half an hour early.
By 7:00, his patience was still intact.
By 8:00, his fingers were drumming against his arm. At 9:30, he was already sitting on the ground, head resting against the wall.
By 11:00, his eyelids trembled with bottled-up rage.
Punctuality was a battle he was losing, and he was the only soldier on the field.
He let out a long sigh—just as a spicy fragrance and relaxed footsteps stopped in front of him.
—Takumi~~? —the playful voice sounded right above his head.
Takumi slowly lifted his gaze. There he was.
Kohaku leaned forward with a shameless grin. His jacket was unbuttoned, his hair perfectly messy as if he hadn't even bothered to fix it—yet he still looked flawless.
—Oh~! How long have you been here?
Takumi glared at him.
—I've been here since 6:30.
Kohaku blinked, feigning confusion, then placed a hand over his chest in mock drama.
—Eh~? Really? That's too bad~~. But honestly…
He leaned in closer, until their faces were nearly touching, his breath brushing against Takumi's skin.
—…I don't care.
A shiver ran down Takumi's spine.
Damn it, why does he smell so good… and why is he this close?
Kohaku watched his reaction with amusement before straightening up and stretching lazily.
—You told me 7:00 a.m. —Takumi growled, barely holding back his anger.
—I know~~. But if you know me, you should know I'm always late —he said, adjusting his hair with exasperating nonchalance.
Takumi clenched his fists.
—I want to punch you.
Kohaku laughed.
—You're not the only one~~. Doesn't matter. Let's go! Get in the columna.
Columna? Doesn't he mean "line"?
Takumi jumped to his feet.
—Are you ready? Or do you have something else to do?
—Of course, of course~. I just want to see how long it takes before you give up again —he smirked, walking off without a care.
They got into a taxi. Takumi sat like a normal person, but Kohaku stuck half his body out the window, letting the wind whip through his hair.
Takumi stared, torn between secondhand embarrassment and resignation.
—For God's sake… he has no shame.
—Isn't it obvious~?! I'm enjoying life! Come on~!
Kohaku tugged Takumi, who ended up sticking his head out the window too.
—What the hell are you doing?! —Takumi clung to the seat, but Kohaku's fingers were already wrapped around his wrist.
The driver glanced at them nervously in the rearview mirror.
—Could you please get back inside?
Kohaku only half-pulled back, flashing a cheeky grin.
—Don't worry, sir~. If we fall out, you'll just have to cover the medical bills~.
Takumi chimed in with laughter:
—Yeah~! Faster!
—There's nothing like wind in your face and the driver's despair in the air~~ —Kohaku murmured with satisfaction.
Why is this guy like this? I swear they must have dropped him on his head as a kid…
They finally arrived at a massive complex of old buildings surrounded by dense forests.
Kohaku hopped out and stretched like he'd just woken from a nap.
—Ahhh… sitting is exhausting~.
—Yeah. And being bothered the whole trip is even more exhausting —Takumi muttered.
—My presence is always welcome, in case you didn't know~ —Kohaku teased, paying the taxi with Takumi's money.
—You're a pain —his skepticism was clear.
—So? What about your buddy Ren?
Takumi looked down.
—I already said goodbye… He'll be fine without me.
Kohaku smirked sideways.
—Oh~… how cold. Cutting ties with your past already? What's next, getting a tattoo?
—Don't be so dramatic —Takumi replied, his voice heavy with bone-deep exhaustion.
—I'm just making sure you don't turn into some emotionless sociopath.
—If you don't shut up, I'll regret calling you.
—Too late, Takumi~! Welcome to your new life… Try not to die on your first day, okay?
As they climbed the mountain path toward another sector of the complex, Kohaku suddenly dropped it on him:
—Oh, by the way~~. You'll have to take an admission test with the Director~.
—…Test?
—What, did you think you'd just walk in and get a free uniform?
—When I was with the cursed ones, there was no test…
—Because they don't live long. A real exorcist goes through trials: ranked, registered, evaluated by the AOE.
Kohaku glanced at him sideways.
—You're at the bottom, Takumi-kun. If you fail, you could die. Don't make me look bad —his laugh echoed in the empty space.
—Why do you say these things so casually?
—Because they're true~~.
God… give me patience, because if you give me strength, I'll kill him.
After several minutes, they reached a small garden among modest houses. A bald old man was watering flowers with almost heavenly calm.
—…Tell me this is a joke —Takumi whispered.
Kohaku threw his arms up theatrically.
—And here he is~~!! The living legend! The man who split lightning with a glance and brews the best tea on the planet~!
The old man sighed, setting down the watering can.
—Kohaku… again with that? —his voice, calm yet firm, cut through the air.
—Let me do this properly, Director~! The world must know of your greatness!
Takumi just stared in silence.
This guy's messing with me.
The Director smiled kindly.
—You must be Takumi. Welcome.
—Y-Yes… Good morning, sir! —the old man chuckled at his stiff military posture.
—I apologize for Kohaku's behavior. And no need for that stance.
—How cruel, Director~! Is that any way to treat your most handsome disciple?
—No matter how many times you say it, no one will believe you —the Director replied calmly.
Takumi let out a small laugh, quickly hiding it.
—It will be interesting to see how you adapt here.
Takumi swallowed hard.
—I'm ready.
The old man nodded.
—Then prepare yourself. It's time for your trial.