Chiba Municipal Sobu High School.
Evening.
After finishing the usual activities of the "Classics Club," a refined-looking boy with naturally wavy hair parted in an M-shape slung his shoulder bag across his back.
A pleasant smile rested on his handsome face.
He turned toward the girl beside him, dressed in a khaki JK uniform, her sleek black hair cascading over her shoulders. Despite her composed expression, she couldn't fully hide her unease.
"See you tomorrow, Yotsuya-san."
"As long as you stay calm and ignore the existence of spirits, they can't actually harm you."
Just before stepping out of the clubroom, Shiraishikawa gave a final reminder to Yotsuya Miko on how to handle unexpected spirit encounters.
He was a transmigrator.
Seventeen years had passed since he'd been reincarnated into this world. After his parents died in an accident, they left him a considerable inheritance—enough to live a carefree life in Tokyo without ever working a day.
But with excellent grades, he enrolled at Sobu High. The moment he saw Yuigahama Yui and Chitanda Eru around him, he could barely confirm he was in a typical crossover slice-of-life anime world.
Then reality hit.
At the very beginning of the new school year, two transfer students joined his class:
Yotsuya Miko, with awakened spiritual perception, and Yurukawa Hana, born with a physique that naturally attracted spirits. The peaceful, mundane high school life was now a thing of the past.
"Thank you, Shiraishi-kun."
Ever since she suddenly awakened the ability to see things others couldn't, Miko's life had changed drastically. Confirming the hallway was free of spirits, she exhaled slightly. "Does that method really work?"
"Of course."
"Thank you again, Shiraishi-kun."
Walking side by side with Miko down the hallway, he ignored the spirit exuding black mist nearby, while a familiar mechanical chime rang in his ears:
[You've conducted research on spirits. EXP +130]
[You've directly observed a ghost. Spiritual Vision increased. EXP +80]
…
Name: Shiraishikawa
Gender: Male
Age: 17
Profession 1: Student Lv5 (Max)
Core Skill: Infinite Learning (Max)
Basic Skills: Japanese Lv5, Math Lv5, English Lv5...
Profession 2: Exorcist Lv4 (510/500)
Core Skill: Forced Exorcism (Max)
Basic Skills: Spiritual Vision Lv5, Diamond Body Lv4, Stamina Lv2, Purification Lv1
Note: Though well-versed in exorcism theory, you lack actual combat experience. Completing your first exorcism will unlock a new profession panel.
His golden finger as a transmigrator was this profession panel. Once a new profession was unlocked, he could study its related knowledge and techniques to increase his skill levels.
In a crossover slice-of-life world, effort alone could turn someone into an all-around powerhouse.
And then—
After meeting Yotsuya Miko this semester, he unexpectedly awakened the extraordinary profession of Exorcist from this supposedly normal world. He immersed himself in theoretical studies, grinding EXP through observation and research, eventually reaching a bottleneck in level progression.
To move forward, he now had to complete a profession breakthrough quest.
"...Wait, I actually have to do an exorcism?"
At the train station after parting ways with Miko, Shiraishikawa stared absentmindedly out the window at the passing scenery, slipping into a brief silence.
He reviewed his profession skills:
Forced Exorcism—as long as he gained the upper hand, he could forcibly purify a ghost with a ritual they couldn't escape from.
He had Spiritual Vision on par with Yotsuya, Diamond Body that made him immune to any spirit attacks, and Stamina for prolonged exorcisms.
So far, so good...
Then came Purification—a skill that activated after his bodily fluids entered the spirit's body, sealing and cleansing them over time.
…The genre was becoming suspiciously familiar.
Wasn't this just the template for those other kinds of "Reluctant Exorcist" adult works?!
And to make things worse, every spirit in this world looked grotesque and reeked of black, rancid stench.
No way in hell could he go through with that!!
"…Don't tell me I'm stuck at Exorcist forever?"
He muttered to himself. He was confident no spirit in this twisted world could hurt him—but Miko's suffering?
That he couldn't solve either.
The train neared his stop.
"…Guess I'll head home for now."
Shaking his head lightly, Shiraishikawa slung his bag and stepped off the platform, walking toward his apartment building under the evening sky.
The streetlights hadn't yet flicked on.
The dim surroundings occasionally showed passing office workers in a hurry—and every now and then, a ghost loitering beneath a flickering lamppost.
Sensing Shiraishikawa's abnormal presence
The same ghosts that made Yotsuya Miko recoil in terror now desperately wished they could vanish into the earth. Just approaching him made them feel as though they were being scorched by the blazing sun.
"...Yeah."
"So this really is the familiar crossover slice-of-life setting."
That much was obvious.
The problem was, he couldn't exactly tie Yotsuya Miko to his side and use his exorcist presence as a constant ward, could he?
Well, when the time comes, I'll cross that bridge.
With that in mind, Shiraishikawa continued walking toward his apartment building—when suddenly, his phone buzzed in his pocket. The screen showed an unknown number.
...Probably a resident from the apartment building calling about something?
Without overthinking it, he picked up.
"Hello?"
The moment he spoke, a clear, sweet voice came from the other end.
"Hello, you can just call me Miss Mary. It's a pleasure to finally speak with you."
"..."
"Did you need something from me?"
"You're standing at the intersection of Nagasu 2nd Block right now, aren't you? Please wait right there. I'll be with you shortly."
"..."
Shiraishikawa glanced casually around him. He had no memory of any "Miss Mary." As for how she knew his exact location—
It was probably just a prank.
Shiraishikawa immediately hung up the call.
But strangely, his phone screen froze in place—and that previously cheerful, cutesy voice now carried a chilling coldness.
"Why did you hang up on Miss Mary's call?"
"..."
Hearing the name "Miss Mary" again, Shiraishikawa's expression subtly shifted.
He suddenly recalled what the Classic Literature Club had been discussing earlier today—
Urban legends.
Specifically, that one: "Miss Mary's Phone Call."
According to the tale, a doll named Mary, after being discarded and left behind, was consumed by resentment and would call people at random. Once someone answered, the doll would begin following them—
—until it was right behind them.
A strange look crossed Shiraishikawa's face as he asked,
"Are you... Miss Mary from the urban legend?"
"Fufu, that's what some people call me."
"You little worm~"
"Don't think about hanging up again. I'll follow you... until I'm standing right behind you. If you don't want to die in ignorance, I can enlighten you."
"?"
Even through the phone, he could tell: this was 100% little demon girl energy.
According to the legend, Miss Mary would persistently follow the person who answered her call, drawing closer and closer, agitating them through repeated contact.
That was the basic structure of the myth.
And honestly, talking on the phone while crossing the street was dangerous anyway.
Not to mention—if Shiraishikawa wanted to max out his Exorcist class, he'd have to actually exorcise spirits to gain experience.
Otherwise, he wouldn't be able to unlock new classes.
With all the skills he currently possessed, safety wasn't an issue at all.
If anything, it'd be harder not to complete the Exorcist breakthrough quest.
In short, this "urban legend" setup was perfect. Familiar. Acceptable.
Shiraishikawa thought for a moment and then made a proposal:
"Miss Mary, it's dangerous to talk while crossing the street. If you're looking for me, head to Building 625 at Nagasu 3rd Block."
"I'll be waiting in apartment 1501. Top floor."
"..."
There was a brief silence on the line, before a cold, disdainful laugh echoed through.
"Looks like you already know what's going to happen."
"But you're just a little worm. Much scarier things await you~!"
"Got it," Shiraishikawa nodded with a calm smile. "Since this is my first real exorcism, I'd like it to have some ceremony."
"Oh—and dress cute, will you?"