The Church of Shadows

Hikari looks at Katsuki a bit confused.

"Who is Sylvia Bloodwood?" she asked, raising an eyebrow, a trace of disbelief in her voice. Everything she thought she knew had just been shattered by the supernatural spectacle she'd just witnessed.

Katsuki took a lazy drag from his vape, exhaling slowly before he spoke. "She's a Senior Exorcist. No one does it like her. The woman can go head-to-head with some of the deadliest entities without even flinching. Ruthless, smart, total badass." His eyes sparked with something almost like pride.

Hikari tilted her head, her lips curving into a slight smirk. "You seem pretty prideful about your teacher."

Katsuki: "Of course I would, she's amazing and super cool!"

Hikari: "Now you just sound like a kid talking about his favorite superhero."

Katsuki: "Damn, harsh. Can't a guy just appreciate his sensei~?" He leans towards her.

Hikari: "I mean I guess, but you seem in love with her."

Katsuki: "Pfffft, please. I wouldn't be in love with that old hag."

A sharp voice sliced through their banter, silencing them both.

"Unbelievable, Katsuki. I told you not to cause a mess—yet here you are, making sure half the neighborhood remembers us!" The voice is seems to be annoyed and it's a female voice.

Katsuki: "Great, I thought I outran her earlier…"

A figure approached, standing with hands on her hips.

She was petite, almost doll-like, her long, silver hair catching the light in an unnaturally perfect way. Her eyes glowed with a faint pink hue—a trait that felt equal parts enchanting and deadly.

The girl: "What the hell did you say?!"

She wore a modified black and pink uniform, accessorized with chains, gloves, and badges that added to her intense, rebellious aura."

Katsuki raises his hands. "Relax, Nami. You're wound up tighter than usual—miss me that much?"

The girl narrows her eyes at him. "How very perverted you are. I swear, one of these days I'm gonna snap your neck!"

Hikari glanced between them, trying to gauge if the girl was serious. Was this just a part of Katsuki's world, where people threw out threats like it was nothing? "So Katsuki, who's this?"

Katsuki turns towards her, he sighed, scratching the back of his head. "This is my partner, Nami Kuromiya."

Hikari: "Partner, Like girlfriend?"

Nami: "OH GOD NO, I would never date Sutaro. He's so goddamn annoying it makes me want to hang myself."

Hikari was a bit taken aback by how over the top her reaction was, she just asked a single question. And she couldn't believe how aggressive it sounded.

"Damn, hanging yourself seems to be pretty extreme…" she said.

Nami: "Well it's the truth! I completely hate this dumbass, but somehow the church Assigned me to be his partner." Nami huffed in a childish way, she look to be seething with anger at being his partner.

Katsuki puts his hand on his chest in mock hurt. "Ouch! You wound me Nami, but come on, at least I keep things interesting~"

Nami glares at Katsuki as he says that dumb ass shit to her. "Quit it with the god damn act, you don't keep shit interesting. If anything you make my job harder." She says with a sharp tone.

Katsuki: "Enough about your paycheck, we have something more important to discuss~"

Nami: "And what's that?"

Katsuki: "This girl~" he gestures towards Hikari. "I met her when I was on my undercover mission to kill that alleyway demon at Seiryu Institute of Futaba high school~"

Nami: "And what about her?"

Katsuki sighs. "can't you feel it? Her aura is extremely potent. I'm sure even a meat bag like you can tell~"

Nami: "You better watch your mouth you damn idiot." Nami takes a closer look at Hikari and narrows her eyes. Hikari tenses up as she stares at her. As Nami stares at her, she cam see a vivid glimpse of a huge cyan fire inside Hikari. Her eyes widen and she smirks a bit.

"Huh, so I guess your not completely useless. And it seems you're an esper."

Hikari: "An esper? As in like a psychic?"

Nami: "Duh, what else would 'Esper' mean? Let's just use our brains here."

"What a bitch." Hikari said in her mind, moving on from nami's passive aggressive insult. Hikari looks down at her palm. She can see a thin outline around her hand, it was a bright cyan color and it looked like it pulsed with life. Her eyes widened as she feels something awaken inside her.

"So, I'll be able to use psychic powers?"

Katsuki: "That's right! You be able to move things with your mind and shit~" he wiggles his fingers mocking out an esper would her there powers

Hikari: "Right." She turned towards Nami. "So, would you be able to help me master these powers?"

Nami: "Hell no, I'm not an esper. But I d-" Katsuki cuts her off.

"But I know a girl that can help you~!" Nami kicked Katsuki in the side.

Nami: "Don't ever cut me off again! Or I'll slit your throat…" she said as she narrowed her eyes at him. Hikari couldn't help but chuckle to herself. She though the two gave off sibling energy.

Katsuki grabs his side. "Oh your so cruel to me Nami~" he says in a sarcastic tone.

Hikari: "Alright that's enough, so Katsuki. Who were you talking about that can help me master my powers?"

Katsuki pushes Nami away. "Oh, well that would be my childhood friend at the church." Nami pounces on Katsuki and places him in a handlock.

Nami: "HOW GOD DAMN DARE YOU PUSH ME!!!"

Katsuki pushes Nami off him. "Look at you, all over me. You must want me." He says this in a tone he knows pisses her off.

Nami: "Sutaro I will kill you…"

Katsuki: "Enough about me, I think we should be moving on about Hikari~"

Nami: "Yea yea I know, I can sense her immense aura. And if we don't report this. I'll never hear the end of it."

Katsuki: "Exactly, look at you using your brain, I'm proud of you~"

Hikari: "Ok enough of this pissing contest, so I have powerful aura. What does that mean?"

Nami looks at at Hikari and sighs. "It means you have immense supernatural powers. Your an esper, so you'll have extremely powerful psychic abilities."

Hikari: "Woah, I always thought psychic powers were only in fiction."

Nami places one hand on her hip. "Well, this world basically is fiction. You'll see soon enough. The world isn't what you think it is."

Hikari tenses up a bit as she says that, she knows well by now. That the reality she knew was all an illusion. "Right…"

Katsuki: "ANYWAYS! we're gonna take you to the church so our supervisor."

Hikari: "Alright"

Nami, Katsuki and Hikari all begin walking down the street of Shinjuku towards the church. Nami is on her phone as they walk. And Katsuki and Hikari are idly chatting.

Hikari: "So, how far is this church?"

Katsuki: "It isn't too far, just a few blocks down here."

Hikari: "So… what is this, 'church' is that where you two work?"

Katsuki: "Yea, the church protects humanity from supernatural entities. Although…. It isn't always sunshine and rainbows in this line of work…. It's survival of the fittest in the supernatural world…" he said in a slightly serious tone.

Hikari: "Well duh, I'm not dumb. Of course being in a supernatural world would be extremely dangerous."

Katsuki: "I'm just making sure you know what your gonna get into."

Hikari: "Yea yea yea, I know what I'm getting into." Cara past by as they continue walking down the street, Nami is trailing behind them on her phone. "But enough about the world, what about these psychic powers you said I have. Does that mean I'll be able to fight creatures like in anime!"

Katsuki: "Uhhh, no…. Your aura is immense yes, but since you just discovered them. Your control will be very sloppy~"

Hikari: "Great, so I'm weak…"

Katsuki: "Not exactly weak, just untrained. Once you meet the girl I'm talking about. You'll be able to control those powers~"

Hikari: "Huh, so what kind of psychic powers will I have?"

Katsuki: "Think Tatsumaki from One Punch Man but… less angry. Probably."

Hikari: "I feel like I should be offended."

Nami: "No, it tracks." She added without even looking up from her phone.

Hikari: "Anyways, I'm really surprised that you'd be into anime or manga. You seem like the type Katsuki."

As they are a walking down the streets of Shinjuku, there's a figure in the distance watching them. The man looked to be in a suit. Like he worked for some organization. But none of the three spotted the figure and just continued walking.

After what felt like 2 hours of walking, the three finally made it to the church. The exorcist church building in Shinjuku is a striking yet foreboding architectural marvel. It rises above the bustling urban chaos, blending traditional and modern influences. The structure is primarily constructed of dark, polished stone with intricate carvings of protective symbols and ancient Japanese talismans etched into its facade. The building's angular, almost fortress-like design contrasts sharply with the neon lights of Shinjuku's surroundings, making it an imposing presence.

At the front, a massive, arched doorway, flanked by towering stone statues of mythical guardians, leads into the main hall. Above the entrance, an intricate stained-glass window depicts a scene of exorcists battling shadowy, demonic figures. The building's central spire, reminiscent of a Shinto pagoda, is crowned with a metallic cross surrounded by shimmering, ward-like inscriptions.

Hikari stares wide eyed at the building.

"Woah, how come I've never seen this building until now, I thought it was just a coffee shop here." She asked looking around for the familiar coffee shop that is usually here.

Katsuki: "People without supernatural affinity see the building as a normal coffee shop, it's a way to keep our building from standing out~"

Hikari: "Supernatural abilities can do that much?"

Nami is a bit calmer now and she speaks up. "you'd be surprised by what is actually possible." Hikari nods her head and pulls herself back towards the ground. "So, life for people with supernatural affinity is like… a manga." Hikari thought to herself. Hikari wanted to learn more about the supernatural world. Little did she know things won't be all sunshine and rainbows forever…

The three walk into the church. Inside, the atmosphere is somber and otherworldly. High vaulted ceilings are supported by ornate wooden beams, and the walls are lined with shelves holding ancient tomes and relics. Dim, golden lighting casts long shadows, emphasizing the gravity of the church's purpose. A ceremonial altar stands at the center, adorned with candles, incense, and an array of spiritual tools, including charms and prayer beads. Hidden chambers beneath the main hall serve as armories and archives, housing sacred weapons and records of supernatural occurrences.

Hikari can't help but look around inside, the inside of this building looks so otherworldly it's almost impossible to believe it's real. Her eyes are darting towards everything she can. Nami separates from Katsuki and Hikari.

Hikari: "Where is she going?"

Katsuki: "She tends to avoid me whenever we're not on a mission~"

Hikari: "I see…"

Hikari continues to look around subconsciously, until her eyes meet the eyes of a girl with bright azure eyes that sparkle with mischief. Hikari squeaks as she falls onto her butt.

"Awww, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you~ So, are you a new recruit for the church~?" The girl said, Hikari looks up and sees a petite girl with bubblegum-pink hair that bounces in curls. She has a bright, cheerful smile on her face. Hikari blushes a bit as she looks at her.

Hikari: "Oh hi, and no worries I'm fine~"

Katsuki: "Well well, looks you've meet my childhood friend~"

Hikari looks up at Katsuki. "Your childhood friend? Like the girl you said can help me train my psychic powers?"

Katsuki: "Yup, Hikari, meet Lila~"

Lila gives Hikari a cutesy smile, Hikari swear she felt her heart flutter in her chest as she stares at Lila. Lila is wearing a white and bubblegum pink short-sleeved summer camp shirt, cool blue shorts with a pink and yellow balloons on both sides, a warm brown belt with a heart shape belt buckle, white knee-high socks with violet-pink stripes, and ramjet blue hiking boots with myoga purple soles.

Lila: "Nice to meet you Hikari~" Lila helps Hikari up. Hikari can feel how soft and delicate Lila's hands are.

Hikari: "Uhh yea, I'm Hikari… but I'm sure you already knew that because of Katsuki~" Hikari is stumbling over her words as she speaks to Lila. She has a light blush dusted on her cheeks. Katsuki was able to pick up on hikari's crush on Lila instantly. He grabs hikari's arm and pulls her away.

"Sorry Lila, but I have to take her to Sylvia, you know I always have to introduce new recruits to her~"

Lila: "Ah, I know. Lady Sylvia is so strict. But anyways I'll be in the backyard if you need me~" she begins bouncing away before turning around and waving at Hikari. "I'll see you later, Hikari-Chan~" Hikari blushed as Lila waved goodbye to her. She waved back with an awkward smile.

"Ooooo, someone has a crush~" Katsuki said in a teasing way.

Hikari: "HUH WHAT?! NO I DON'T!!!!"

Katsuki: "Oh but you do, it's written all over your face. I can read body language and it's telling me a lot~"

Hikari: "ahhhh…. Please don't say anything to her about this!" She pleads.

Katsuki: "Don't worry I won't, your secret is safe with me~"

Katsuki made his way past the reception desk, where the lady behind the counter—Betty or Bonnie (he really couldn't care less)—gave him that look. The kind that said she knew exactly why he was here. She offered a tiny, amused wave, as though she were watching some reality show that hadn't yet been canceled.

Finally, he reached Sylvia Bloodwood's office—the legendary Senior Exorcist herself. The terror of every sprite, demon, and mildly obnoxious entity in existence. The "holy terror" who'd taken down more ghosts than a bad horror movie.

Katsuki knocked once but didn't wait for a response.

"Old hag, you in here~?" he sang, pushing the door open.

Sylvia, the legendary Senior Exorcist, glanced up from her desk with a cool look. Her sharp eyes swept over him and Hikari, her gaze lingering on the latter for a brief moment before she offered a small, wry smile.

"Katsuki, as ever, a pest. Always popping up unannounced."

Her voice was calm, but there was a hint of irritation that barely masked her annoyance.

Hikari, who had been walking just behind him, found herself standing frozen in place, still reeling from the encounter with Lila. Her heart was still fluttering from that strange, inexplicable feeling that had washed over her when Lila smiled at her—when she touched her hand. She glanced over at Katsuki, still too flustered to speak.

But her mind wasn't on Sylvia. It was on Lila. On that radiant smile, the twinkle in her eyes. The soft touch of her hand as she helped Hikari up.

It wasn't just a crush, was it?

Before Hikari could sort out her tangled thoughts, Sylvia raised an eyebrow.

"You're staring off into space, girl. Something on your mind?"

Hikari snapped back to reality, her face turning crimson. She wasn't sure how to respond, but it was pretty obvious what she was thinking about. It didn't help that Katsuki had an irritatingly smug grin plastered across his face.

"You okay, Hikari?" he asked, voice laced with teasing.

Hikari shot him a glare, not ready to confront what was happening with her emotions. But deep down, she knew one thing for sure: she wasn't going to forget Lila anytime soon.

And judging by how she'd nearly tripped over her own feet earlier, neither was anyone else.