Chapter 16 – Mission?
"Little brat, looks like you're asking for a beating."
Zen'in Shinsuke dropped the massive boulder from his shoulder and stalked toward Mai with a menacing expression.
"If I don't smack your butt red today, you'll never understand why flowers are so bright."
The girl dared to make faces at him—her courage was getting out of hand.
"Ah! Sis, help me!"
Just as Mai turned to run, she collided headfirst into someone and tumbled to the ground.
Rubbing her head, she looked up—and froze.
It was none other than Zen'in Naoya, the very cousin who bullied her and Maki constantly.
Her face went pale. She scrambled up in a panic and immediately clung to Shinsuke's leg like a lifeline.
Compared to Shinsuke, who merely liked to scare her, Naoya actually hurt them.
Naoya's gaze swept lazily over the sisters, a flicker of jealousy flashing in his eyes.
Why? Why could these two useless girls stay so close to Shinsuke-nii?
The next moment, he turned his attention fully on Shinsuke.
Shinsuke looked him up and down, trying to recall who this kid even was.
"B-Big Brother Shinsuke, sir. I'm Zen'in Naoya," he stammered nervously. "I came on the clan head's orders. Jujutsu High has assigned you a mission. The clan head said… it's up to you whether you accept."
His trembling hands offered a folded note. In his eyes burned a feverish admiration—half fear, half worship.
Yes. This was it. This was exactly the feeling. Shinsuke-nii, terrifying as ever.
"A mission?"
Shinsuke blinked. Already? He'd only been drawing a salary for a year and they were getting impatient?
Ignoring Naoya's strange look, he accepted the note and gave it a quick glance.
"Heh."
"Interesting."
"Got it. You can leave now."
He waved casually, remembering belatedly that this brat was the son of old man Naobito.
If he wasn't mistaken, wasn't Naoya also a complete fanboy of Toji?
"Y-Yes! Right away!"
Naoya spun on his heel and nearly stumbled out, his back stiff with excitement. His heart was pounding. He had actually exchanged words with Shinsuke-nii!
His obsession with the strong bordered on mania.
Mai finally sighed in relief at Naoya's departure—only to be scooped up by a large hand.
"Ah~ Cousin, I was wrong!"
Dangling in the air, she kicked her legs frantically, head bowed, fiddling her fingers with a pitiful air.
"Bonk."
A sharp flick landed squarely on her forehead.
"Next time you dare make faces at me, it won't end this lightly."
Shinsuke set her back down.
Mai clutched her forehead, tears welling—not from grievance, but from the sting. It hurt like hell!
Only after disciplining Mai did Shinsuke turn his attention to the mission details.
It was an assignment from Jujutsu High: he was to take two students and lead them on a curse-exorcising mission.
He nearly laughed aloud. Was this some kind of joke?
Still—he didn't refuse.
For one, he'd freeloaded off Jujutsu High's salary for a year already, and maybe, just maybe, he felt the tiniest bit guilty.
And two—this mission was simple, yet the reward was generous.
It was just a simple escort assignment—lead two students on a curse-exorcising mission, let them handle the actual work, and only intervene if something went horribly wrong. His job was basically to keep them alive.
Conveniently, someone's birthday was coming up soon. He could earn some extra cash, then swing by to visit his nephew and niece.
The next day, dressed simply in a black top and white pants with three wooden sticks tucked at his waist, Zen'in Shinsuke made his way toward Jujutsu High.
At the school gates, two figures had already been waiting for some time.
"What's taking so long? You don't think they ditched us, do you?"
Amanai Riko crouched by the roadside, plucking at foxtail grass with boredom written all over her face.
"I doubt it."
Beside her, Nanami Kento stood ramrod straight, his half-draped bangs hiding his eyes. Even as a student, his aura radiated the oppressive air of a corporate drone.
"So it's you two."
Neither of them noticed when Shinsuke's towering form appeared beside them.
Nanami's previously lazy eyes snapped into sharp focus.
When did he arrive?!
He hadn't sensed a thing—and he was already a semi–Grade 1 sorcerer. After this mission, he was practically guaranteed promotion. Yet he hadn't caught even a hint of Shinsuke's presence.
"Ah! It's you!"
Riko jumped to her feet, pointing at him excitedly. "Y-you're the one leading us this time?!"
Shinsuke tilted his head at her.
"So it's you, little flower. You became a sorcerer?"
He frowned slightly. Wasn't the Star Plasma Vessel supposed to be incapable of awakening cursed techniques?
…Though, exceptions did exist. Like that troublesome Yuki Tsukumo.
"Hmph, of course! And not just any technique—I awakened it thanks to a special-grade sorcerer! Amazing, right?"
Riko puffed out her chest proudly.
Originally, she had planned to return to a normal life with Kuroi. But Gojo and Geto had been wary of the Time Vessel Association's persistence and brought her to Jujutsu High for protection. Later, through a strange twist of fate, Yuki Tsukumo had helped her awaken a cursed technique, setting her on the path of a sorcerer.
"Oh."
That was all Shinsuke gave her before turning to Nanami.
"I'm Nanami Kento. And you are, sensei…?"
Nanami hadn't seen this man before. He'd met nearly every instructor at Jujutsu High, but this one didn't ring a bell.
"Zen'in Shinsuke."
"I know, I know!" Riko quickly cut in, her voice rising with excitement. "You're the brother of that assassin who came after me last time, right? Gojo and the others told me everything!"
Shinsuke arched a brow. "Your investigation's thorough enough. Fine, save the chatter. Let's go. But one thing—don't factor me into your plans. I'm only here to observe. The only time I'll step in is one second before you die."
"Yeah, yeah, we get it. You talk like we can't handle it ourselves. If it weren't for—"
Riko's words faltered, her tone dimming.
If it weren't for Haibara's death… and Geto's spiral… they wouldn't have been assigned a chaperone at all.
Shinsuke caught the look in her eyes but said nothing, turning to lead the way. He could guess well enough.
The higher-ups were afraid of another accident. A supposed Grade 2 mission could easily escalate into a Grade 1 disaster.
This time, their destination was a remote village. Reports said that at night, strange sounds echoed through the streets—like wild beasts tearing something apart. By morning, several villagers would be missing.
The preliminary assessment: a curse was responsible. The upper limit of its threat should be Grade 1.
Before long, the three of them arrived at the desolate village. With time to spare before nightfall, Riko and Nanami went to gather information.
"Excuse me, ma'am, could you tell us about the strange incidents here lately?"
Riko, ever the social butterfly, approached an elderly woman resting under a tree in her yard.
"Eh?"
The old lady squinted at her blankly, clearly hard of hearing.
"Strange events, ma'am! Has anything weird been happening here recently?"
Riko raised her voice.
"Oh, I've already eaten, thank you kindly." The woman replied with complete seriousness.
"No! I mean strange events! Like monsters, you know, monster!?"
"Ah… I see. Poor child. Losing your parents so young. But don't worry—life's hurdles can always be overcome. Look at me, old as I am, still living strong all by myself." The woman gazed at Riko with tender pity.
Such a sweet girl. Orphaned so young…
"Pfft."
Leaning casually against the doorway, Shinsuke couldn't hold back a laugh.
Nanami turned away, shoulders trembling as he fought to keep it in.
"Ugh! Forget it!"
Riko stamped her foot in frustration. "We'll just wait until night and deal with it directly!"
She'd tried for once to be proactive—and ended up humiliated.
Damn curse. She'd make sure to shred it into pieces!