Kiyosumi

  In this town, there are only two schools: one for boys and one for girls.

  Both are integrated institutions from kindergarten through high school. Even those who leave for further education elsewhere usually return a few years later. It often feels like more than half the town knows each other.

  Why are people so attached to this not-so-big town?

  It’s because this place is the birthplace of the “Faith in Darkness.”

  My younger brother Akisumi was a bit of an oddball—he lived with our uncle through middle school and commuted to a school in the neighboring town.

  —Well, maybe not an “oddball.” Akisumi just loved sports.

  In our hometown schools, which emphasize faith and the arts, sports clubs barely exist—just small groups barely large enough to field a team.

  On the other hand, the schools in the neighboring town also follow the Faith in Darkness, but they’re regulars in national tournaments: baseball, soccer, volleyball, badminton, table tennis, kendo—you name it.

  Akisumi was even in both the track and basketball teams. His stamina was incredible.

  When it was time for high school, our parents insisted he reapply to the school in our hometown instead of the one in the neighboring town.

  They believed the academics were stronger, and if he wanted to become a civil servant in this town like me, it made perfect sense.

  Most of my coworkers graduated from the same school.

  Some departments are practically made up of people from the same high school—or even the same university.

  Since there are different sects within the Faith in Darkness, certain schools are more advantageous depending on your career path.

  The author's narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

  Akisumi never showed any sign of disappointment, but I felt sorry for him.

  Could someone like him—who loved physical activity—fit in at a school where everyone looked like they'd never broken a sweat in their lives?

  The stress of not being able to do what he loved… how heavy must that burden be?

  And now, Akisumi might be sucked underground.

  He didn’t seem tense about it at all, still flashing that usual carefree smile—and that only made me more anxious.

  This white-robed man and Tsurubami both know the surface and the underground.

  And somehow, there’s a special drug called the Oblivion Drug.

  I’ll be the one to get it first—and give it to Akisumi.

  ??

  I didn’t want the white-robed man causing a scene if someone spotted him, so I told him I’d pick him up by car in thirty minutes at the botanical garden.

  For now, we returned to the café with the owner.

  “So, first we’re sneaking into the school, right? The one with the Great Cathedral of the Faith in Darkness. Since that’s where Tsurubami vanished, there might be clues about the underground.

  I moved here, so I’ve never been. I’ve always been curious about that building. I’m excited!”

  The café owner sounded like they were going on a field trip.

  “I’ll go find a spare flashlight!” they said cheerfully, practically skipping behind the counter.

  I called home and told them Akisumi would be staying over at a friend’s place.

  Mom clearly wanted to say something, but when I mentioned “Akisumi’s friend” for the first time since he started high school, she just said, “As long as you’ll be with him,” and agreed.

  “This café… it used to be a place of medicine worship underground,”

  Tsurubami said quietly.

  “This place? You mean it wasn’t just a café?”

  “It was a café. But the shelves were packed with books on plants and medicine, and all the drinks were herbal teas.

  Well, they called them Yakuin. Probably written as ‘medicine + drink.’

  The first time I went, they served me one for relieving headaches.”

  I looked around the familiar café again, seeing it in a new light.

  If that was true underground… maybe on the surface, this place was part of the Faith in Darkness?

  Even the gold flakes that always floated in my black coffee felt different now.

  I’d assumed it was just decoration—but maybe it was part of some ritual.

  Maybe it helped bring you closer to the deity of darkness. If so… I’d be thankful.

  Come to think of it, the wall lined with red books in this dim café—

  I’d never once picked one up. What kinds of books were they?

  One book in particular caught my eye—a deep maroon volume.

  I pulled it out. The spine was covered in symbols; I couldn’t guess what it said.

  Just as I was about to open its thick, rounded corner cover—

  The owner’s voice rang out behind me.

  “Sorry to keep you waiting. Let’s go. Mr. White is waiting.”