Letters

Chapter 5

Dear Yukio,

I have a confession to make. I put up a cold front to hide my emotions, and I don't know how to put it down. Only one person has been able to get me to put it down.

I miss Dad, I miss the monastery, I miss the staff, but above all I miss you,Yukio. I miss your laughter. I miss you waking me up at 5:00 am. I miss finishing each other's sentences. I miss listening to you explain every detail of some random thing. I miss your face as you watch me cook. I miss your attempts at cooking, no matter how horrifying they are. I miss helping you when you were upset. I miss being your big brother. I miss your teasing. I miss how your glasses would slide down your nose, and you'd push them up with two fingers. I miss the good things and the bad things about you - I miss everything about you - but most of all I miss making you smile.

I'm sorry for ruining our bond, and not being good enough. I wish I could tell you everything, but I can't, and I'm sorry.

I love you.

Your big brother,

Rin Okumura

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The next day, Rin witnessed his classmates - Izumo and Bon - fight. They hit him by accident, and he had gone and gotten a teacher as things escalated. The teacher punished them all by putting Bariyons on their laps - rocks possessed by demons that got heavier as they sat

"This boot camp is partially a part of the curriculum to cultivate friendships." The teacher said.

"I'd rather die than be chummy with rooster head!" Izumo snarled, still angry at Bon.

"You need to learn to get along!" The teacher shouted, getting their attention, "Exorcist do not go into battle alone; they go in groups of two or more to maximize each other's skills and compensate for shortcomings. It's basic procedure! In actual battle, your bickering could get you are someone else killed!" The teacher took a deep breath, "Now, I have a mission that will take about 3 hours. However, due to the ghoul incident yesterday, I'm taking extra precautions and locking all of the dorms entrances as well as placing a powerful demon warding charm."

"Locked?" Bon asked, "But then how are we supposed to get out of here?"

"There's no need to leave." The teacher stated cheekily, "I'm going to be gone for three hours. Meanwhile, you guys can get along and cool off!" With that the teacher left.

"Three hours?" Shima blanched, "He's as evil as a demon!"

"I can't take it anymore!" Bon groaned, "I can't believe this! We're stuck here thanks to a certain someone!"

"Oh, so it's my fault?" Izumo glared, "I didn't go get the teacher!"

"He was already walking to our class." Rin informed them monotonously, "He just went faster after I told him. It was a five second difference."

"He's got a point." Koneko grunted.

"Well, I didn't grab him by the collar!" Izumo shouted.

"Yeah, well, you're the one who picked the fight in the first place!" Bon shot back.

"Will you please not fight with me in the middle?" Rin asked, glaring at them, "The teacher was right. We are all at fault. Now we gotta work this out."

"No way I'll play nice. She's a twisted witch!" Bon growled.

"Thanks for pointing out the obvious." Izumo said sarcastically, "So what?"

"With an attitude like that," Bon snarled, "It's no wonder you're driving everyone away!" Rin saw Izumo's hurt face, before the lights went dark. Rin picked up the Bariyon on his lap, and set it down before standing up.