Without answering, Ryosuke pivoted on his heels and started walking, his boots clicking softly against the scattered debris. His hands remained buried deep in his pockets.
Ryosuke and Mechamaru walked side by side through the chaos of the ruins.
"Honestly, you really overdid it, Ryosuke. Looks like a giant hurricane tore this place apart… and I'm not just talking about the cursed one."
Ryosuke, hands in his pockets and a sly smile on his face, shrugged without slowing down. "Overdid it? Me?" he said, feigning innocence. "You're forgetting it wasn't me who summoned a thousand-meter colossus to smash everything to pieces. That was our dear cursed friend's doing. Me, I just defended myself, that's all."
Mechamaru rolled his eyes, mechanical as they were. "Defended yourself, huh?" He paused before pointing at a particularly devastated area where nothing remained but charred fragments. "And that? Was that also 'just defense'?"
Ryosuke cast a casual glance in the direction indicated, then shrugged again, looking just as relaxed. "Listen, if the cursed one hadn't decided to play 'supreme destroyer,' none of this would've happened. So technically, it's not my fault. I'm just an unwilling spectator."
In front of them, the black curtain.
Ryosuke stopped a few steps away from the barrier, watching its hypnotic ripple. He ran a hand through his messy hair before stepping through the curtain without hesitation.
Mechamaru, who had lingered a few seconds behind, took a step forward to follow, but as soon as he tried to cross the curtain, he was stopped cold. A powerful, invisible force shoved him back two steps.
Surprised, Mechamaru tried again. This time, he placed a hand on the barrier, but his palm was instantly repelled. "What the…?"
Outside, Ryosuke, who had stopped after a few steps, turned around, raised a brow, and smiled.
A movement caught his attention. A figure sat casually on the roof of the car that had brought them here.
The man had long, dark hair tied back in a ponytail, and a smile lingered on his lips. His eyes were fixed on Ryosuke with obvious curiosity.
"Fascinating," the man declared in a smooth, almost admiring voice.
Ryosuke narrowed his eyes slightly. "Charming compliment," he replied with a sly smile. "But sorry, I'm straight."
The man burst out laughing, a light laugh. He tilted his head slightly, his gaze briefly shifting to the curtain behind Ryosuke. "You're protecting your friend?" he asked, in a tone of false innocence.
Ryosuke laughed in turn, a short laugh. "Protecting?" he repeated, shaking his head. "Not really. Let's just say I'd rather avoid being interrupted."
The man nodded slowly, his smile widening. "Interesting," he murmured, almost to himself. Then he turned his full attention back to Ryosuke. "Tell me, young man… What kind of person are you to wield a power so… unique?"
Ryosuke crossed his arms, the smile still fixed on his lips. "And you, what kind of person spends his time watching others from the roof of a car?"
The man laughed again, his aura becoming only more oppressive. Behind them, Mechamaru continued to search for a way through the curtain, ignoring the conversation outside.
The man leapt down from the roof of the vehicle, landing lightly as if he had all the time in the world. His sandals touched the ground with a faint sound. He straightened, brushing off his black robe absentmindedly before fixing his gaze on Ryosuke.
"Geto Suguru," he introduced himself calmly, his voice smooth and composed. He inclined his head slightly. "I must admit, I'm pleasantly surprised. Who would have thought I'd meet such a fascinating young jujutsu sorcerer in a place like this?"
Ryosuke, hands buried deep in his pockets, tilted his head to the side with an unreadable expression. His lips curled into a nonchalant, almost provocative smile. "Fascinating, huh? Seems like you're quick to jump to conclusions. Don't you think?"
Geto smirked. "Perhaps. But it's not every day you stumble upon someone like you. Besides…" He paused for a moment, as if savoring it. "You wouldn't happen to be that sorcerer Gojo Satoru was desperately searching for last month, would you?"
Ryosuke let out a short laugh, his tone laced with slight mockery. "Really? That's your guess? And what's that based on, exactly? Some half-baked rumors?"
Geto didn't answer right away, instead studying his interlocutor with an almost predatory focus. Then he continued: "And you? What do you say about yourself?"
A sly smile spread across Ryosuke's face. He pulled one hand out of his pocket to scratch the back of his head absentmindedly. "Me? Nothing impressive. Just a first-year student at Kyoto Jujutsu High. A novice, really."
Geto's eyes sparkled with amusement. He shook his head slightly. "Come on. You know as well as I do I'm not going to believe such a crude story."
Ryosuke gave a dramatic sigh, rolling his eyes. "Honestly? Works for me if you don't believe me." Then his gaze locked onto Geto's, and his smile sharpened, almost dangerous. "Now tell me… What do you plan to do?"
Geto raised a brow, surprised but clearly pleased by the turn of events.
"Strange," Geto finally said, returning to Ryosuke with a falsely innocent smile. "You're not mentioning the lady who came with you. Why is that?"
Ryosuke shrugged, still looking as casual as ever. "Why should I worry about the dead?"
Geto's smile widened, but his gaze darkened slightly. "Hard to tell if you're joking or serious. With a remark like that, one might almost think you're a criminal."
Ryosuke narrowed his eyes, a mischievous glint flashing within. "Maybe so. But you don't exactly look like the clean-hands type yourself."
Geto nodded slowly, his smile returning to a more relaxed one. "True. I kill… when it's necessary." He then extended a hand toward Ryosuke. "So then, young man… How about becoming my ally?"
Ryosuke looked down at the offered hand. Then he raised his head, his lips curling into an indecipherable smile.
He burst out laughing. It was a strange laugh, almost inappropriate in the heavy, oppressive atmosphere surrounding them.
Geto crossed his arms, watching him silently.
When Ryosuke finally calmed down, wiping a tear from the corner of his eye, he apologized in an amused breath.
"Forgive me. But really, that was too funny. Playing pretend can get so exhausting after a while."
He lifted his head slightly, his smile twisting into something far darker, almost depraved.
"The truth is, I was looking for you."