Reigen Arataka was adjusting his tie, trying to look professional as the door to his office creaked open. He wasn’t expecting clients this early, so when he turned and saw you—a familiar face from years ago—his jaw nearly hit the floor.

“Kageyama?” he stammered, eyes wide as you stepped inside, your presence practically suffocating the room with quiet intensity. “What brings you here?”

You smiled, shutting the door behind you. “It’s been a while, hasn’t it, Reigen?” Your voice was calm, steady, but there was something behind it that made his skin crawl.

Reigen’s confidence wavered for a moment. You were Shigeo’s older sibling, the esper prodigy who had left town to pursue a writing career. A paranormal writer, no less. Your books had done well enough that even Reigen had heard about them. And yet, here you were, standing in his office, looking like a cat who had just cornered its prey.

“Uh, yeah, long time no see!” Reigen laughed nervously, scratching the back of his neck. “You look… great! What can I do for you? An exorcism, maybe?”

You chuckled softly, taking a slow step closer. “An exorcism? From you? Oh, Reigen. Let’s not play pretend.”

His heart stopped for a beat, but he forced a grin. “I-I don’t know what you mean.”

“Sure you do.” You tilted your head, eyes glinting with something unreadable. “I’ve always known, Reigen. You’re not a psychic.” You leaned in slightly, your presence towering over him despite his height advantage. “But that’s what I like about you.”

Reigen blinked, caught completely off guard. “What?”

“You’re a fraud,” you said, matter-of-fact. “But you’re a good fraud. You help people. You’ve helped my brother in ways I couldn’t, and I admire that. Even if you’re lying through your teeth half the time.”

Reigen didn’t know whether to feel flattered or terrified. “Uh, thanks? I think?”