Ishida beamed and some of the heavy aura inside the car lifted. It seemed that, from all four ghosts, Ishida was the one with the deepest regrets. Bringing Teruo with him had been risky, but worth it in the end. Teruo leaned back in his seat, resting his elbow on the car door and covering his eyes with his palm. Shinji placed a hand on Teruo’s shoulder and held it there. No words were exchanged, but they didn’t need to.
The car entered Musashino Municipality and Shinji drove toward the brown-bricked building of Seikei University, then made a left reaching a road behind it. Jurisdictions always had special, well-researched areas for the Shinigami to open gates. There were wards and seals in those places, so everything would be recorded in the Onmyoryo’s database. No registered Shinigami could send ghosts to the afterlife outside their designated areas.
Shinji parked further away so Teruo wouldn’t feel anything once the ritual started. “I’ll get a taxi to HQ.”
“How long does this take?” Teruo asked.
“Ten minutes or so.”
“Then I’ll wait for you.”
“Teruo—”
“I’ll wait. And don’t worry, I’m not tempted to peek.” Teruo gave him a small smile.
Shinji nodded and beckoned the ghosts to follow him. Rain poured down and he grabbed an umbrella from the trunk, then walked along the road, the spirits trailing behind him. A few students passed by him, in a hurry to reach the university. None paid him any mind.
He went around an abandoned house, dipped under a beech tree and reached a patch of grass, hidden from view. A straight line of white energy snaked across the grass, about five meters in length. It marked the place where he could open the gate.
Setting the umbrella down, Shinji pressed his palms together, bringing forth his energy then closed his eyes. He visualized the veil in his mind, the thin space where this world ended and the other one began. Soft like silk, rippling like an ocean’s waves and darker than the night, the veil showed itself to him.
The energy on the ground glowed and widened. An enormouskaramongate rose slowly, of wood painted in white and gold, with undulating black bargeboard. Shinji’s full name was inscribed inkanjion two rectangular columns on the left and right. The dark veil billowed in the middle.
Once the gate settled in place, Shinji looked at the ghosts. “This is where we part ways. You’ll cross over and arrive at Sanzu River. There will be someone there waiting for you.”
Miura was the first to step forward. “Does it hurt?”
“No,” Shinji said. “It will be okay.”
Miura walked toward the veil and disappeared within.
Ozawa was second and she stared at Shinji like she wanted to say something, but couldn’t quite manage to. She bowed and stepped into the veil, followed by Yamato.
Ishida remained last and approached Shinji. “Take care of the chief. Don’t let him blame himself for my death.”
“I won’t. I promise.”
After Ishida crossed over too, Shinji pressed his palms again and thekaramongate descended into the energy on the ground until it completely disappeared. The rain had penetrated the trees’ crowns and soaked Shinji’s hair and suit jacket’s shoulders. He inhaled and held his breath for a second before releasing it with a sigh.
The other ghosts Taniguchi kept hostage had been identified and were unrelated to the case. They’d been taken care of by another Shinigami. His duties here were done.
Shinji returned to the car, finding Teruo outside, holding an umbrella. A cloud of smoke left his lips, evaporating in the icy breeze. He extinguished the cigarette and reached for Shinji, who quickly pulled back.
“I’ll drain you of energy.”
“I don’t mind.” He reached again and draped an arm over Shinji’s shoulders, holding him close.
The healing energy immediately replenished what Shinji had consumed while keeping the gate open for the ghosts to cross over. Teruo grunted, his hand tightening and he closed his eyes.
“This is dangerous—”
“I’m okay,” Teruo said. “I can do this.”
He tilted his head, resting it against Shinji’s, their cheeks touching. Teruo’s was warm from the healing energy, the stubble feeling rough and pleasant on his skin. It took Shinji aback as Teruo wasn’t one for public displays of affection. Not that there was anyone around to see it—probably the reason why Teruo was okay with it.
“How are you holding up?” Shinji asked.
“Could be better.” He gazed down at a small puddle forming in front of his feet. “Ishida was so young. Had a lifetime ahead of him. Perhaps he might’ve fixed things, had he been given a chance. The others too.”