Sayuri and Eriri hesitated to touch the broken pieces of the fox doll, even though Ryuji assured them nothing would happen since the cursed spirit had already been dealt with.
"Dissipate!"
With just that single word, Ryuji cast a spell, and the broken pieces of the clay doll disintegrated into ashes and vanished. Ryuji couldn't help but appreciate how versatile his spellcasting had become. It made him realize just how valuable such abilities were in dealing with situations like this.
Late at night, Ryuji wasn't in a hurry to head home. Instead, he stayed with Eriri, comforting her and helping her fall asleep. After all that had happened, the girl was understandably shaken, clinging to him as if she'd break down the moment he left.
Ryuji could only sigh in understanding. He didn't mind staying by her side, literally just sitting there while she slept. It wasn't the time to think about anything else.
Once Eriri's breathing became steady and she was sound asleep, Ryuji quietly left the room. The house was mostly dark except for the faint glow of the living room lights. He walked downstairs and saw Sayuri sitting at the dining table, a half-empty bottle of red wine in front of her. She had been drinking alone, and her flushed cheeks showed she'd probably had more than she intended.
"Ryuji-kun," she said softly when she noticed him enter the room.
"Eriri's asleep," he replied, sitting down across from her.
Sayuri nodded, but didn't say anything at first. She simply poured another glass of wine, then pushed the bottle toward him. "Will you have a drink with me?"
Ryuji hesitated but picked up the glass, tasting the wine. It was expensive, no doubt, but not to his liking. He put it down after just one sip.
Sayuri stared at her glass for a long moment before speaking. "Do you think I'm a failure as a mother, Ryuji-kun? If I had divorced Spencer earlier, maybe our family wouldn't have ended up like this. Maybe Eriri wouldn't have gone through what she did today."
Ryuji didn't respond immediately, instead choosing his words carefully. "Even if you had divorced him earlier, Eriri would still be his daughter. Spencer was already too far gone. He would have tried something regardless. The ties of blood aren't something that can just be cut off with a piece of paper."
Sayuri sighed heavily, realizing the truth in his words. The hand holding her glass tightened, and veins stood out on the back of her hand. "That man..."
Ryuji didn't add anything more. It wasn't his place to get involved in their family matters beyond what he'd already done. After a long silence, Sayuri spoke again.
"Thank you for everything you've done, Ryuji-kun. Without you, I don't know what would've happened to us."
"It's nothing," he said, shaking his head.
Sayuri smiled, though it was bittersweet. "You're a hero, you know that? You saved us."
Ryuji laughed lightly, not because he found it funny, but because the whole situation had been so surreal. "A hero, huh? If you say so."
The soundproofing in the house was good enough that he didn't worry about the noise waking Eriri. Sayuri's gaze remained fixed on him, and she propped her chin on her hand, her eyes glassy from the alcohol.
"You really are my hero, Ryuji-kun," she said, her voice soft and warm. "I don't know what I would have done without you."
Ryuji waved it off. "It's no big deal. I'd have done the same for anyone, especially for Eriri."
Sayuri's expression shifted, her eyes flickering with something else. Under the table, Ryuji suddenly felt something brush against his leg, and when he looked down, he realized it was Sayuri's foot, playfully nudging him.
"Is it really just for Eriri?" she asked, her voice dropping to a more suggestive tone. "Can't it be for me too?"
Ryuji raised an eyebrow. "Are you drunk?"
"I'm not drunk," Sayuri said, leaning in a little closer. "I'm just grateful. And a hero deserves a reward, doesn't he?"
Without waiting for his response, Sayuri's hand slipped under the table, and Ryuji could only stare for a second, completely caught off guard by her sudden boldness.
---
The next morning, Eriri came out of her room, still groggy from sleep. She glanced around the house, noticing Ryuji was nowhere to be found.
"Where's Ryuji-kun? Did he already leave?" she asked, rubbing her eyes as she shuffled into the kitchen.
Sayuri, who was in the middle of preparing breakfast, glanced up with a smile, though she was moving a bit slower than usual. "You woke up too late. He left a little while ago."
Eriri pouted. "I wanted to see him before he left."
Sayuri limped slightly as she moved around the kitchen, and Eriri frowned, noticing. "Mom, are you okay? What happened?"
"Oh, it's nothing. I just twisted my ankle last night," Sayuri said with a wave of her hand, brushing it off.
Eriri looked relieved. "Be careful next time, okay?"
Sayuri nodded, sitting down at the table with a slight wince as she placed the food in front of them. "Don't worry, I'll be more careful."
Despite her casual demeanor, Sayuri's mind wandered back to the night before. She was still a bit embarrassed by what had happened, but there was a strange sense of satisfaction as well. Even though she knew what had transpired wasn't entirely proper, she couldn't help but feel that she had finally taken control of her life after being stuck for so long.
"Mom, you're spacing out again," Eriri said, snapping her out of her thoughts.
Sayuri shook her head quickly. "Sorry, just thinking about some things."
Eriri shrugged, letting it go. "By the way, does Ryuji-kun have a lot to do at school?"
Sayuri raised an eyebrow at the sudden change in topic but went along with it. "I imagine so."
Eriri's face brightened. "Yeah, he's always helping people. You wouldn't believe the kind of stuff he deals with. And he's the top student in our class! He's amazing at everything!"
Sayuri watched her daughter gush about Ryuji with a small, knowing smile. She could see it clearly, Eriri was head over heels. But at the same time, Sayuri knew something else that Eriri didn't.
"You can't handle someone like Ryuji,"Sayuri thought to herself. "But maybe... just maybe, I can fix him."
---
Meanwhile, Ryuji arrived at school that afternoon, stretching lazily with a contented smile on his face. He felt lighter than usual, almost as if a weight had been lifted from him.
The day had barely started, and he already had a message from Sayuri. After everything that had happened, it seemed she was eager to see him again. She had already booked a hotel room for the evening and asked if he could meet her there.
Ryuji smirked as he read the message. "A hotel, huh?"
He typed back quickly, teasing her. "Aren't you worried Eriri might find out?"
Sayuri's reply was immediate. "She won't. I've made sure of that."
Ryuji chuckled to himself. It seemed like another long night awaited him.
Back at the house, Sayuri sent a quick text to Eriri, telling her she had some work to take care of and wouldn't be home that night. Eriri, still unaware of her mother's true plans, didn't think twice about it.
By the time Ryuji arrived at the hotel, Sayuri had already been waiting for him, her smile playful and a little mischievous. As soon as he stepped inside, she let her coat fall to the floor, revealing the more daring attire she had on underneath.
"How do I look?" she asked.
Ryuji grinned. "Perfect."
It was going to be another eventful night.
---
Meanwhile, somewhere else, Yukino was also preparing for something. She had just finished taking a shower and stood in front of her mirror, checking her reflection. She usually didn't wear makeup, but today, she had applied a light layer, her cheeks flushed with nervousness.
"I must be crazy," Yukino thought, patting her face to calm herself down. "Why am I getting so worked up?"
She had lost a bet to Ryuji, and as part of the deal, he was supposed to come over tonight. But as the clock ticked on, he still hadn't shown up.
She glanced at the time again. "Where is he?" Should she call him to check? Her fingers hovered over her phone, but she hesitated.
"No, I can't call him. That'd be too desperate."
Yukino shook her head and set her phone down. "I'll just wait a little longer. He'll come," she said, trying to reassure herself.
But as the minutes dragged on, her eyes began to droop, and eventually, exhaustion overtook her. Yukino fell asleep, still waiting for Ryuji to arrive.
Ryuji, however, had completely forgotten about the bet.
"I can't take it anymore~ I really can't~"
The next morning, inside the hotel, Sayuri's hoarse voice echoed in the room. She truly couldn't handle it anymore. Her body ached all over, and she lay sprawled across the bed in exhaustion.
"I'm heading to school," Ryuji said casually, taking a quick photo of Sayuri's flushed, worn-out face before getting dressed and preparing to leave.
"Go on, get out!" Sayuri grumbled, waving him off. She was too tired to even lift her head. Her entire body felt sore, and she knew she'd be limping for the next few days. Despite the discomfort, there was a certain sense of satisfaction. Last night had been an extraordinary experience for her.
"I really need to sleep," she mumbled, pulling the covers over her head. After staying up all night, she felt like if she didn't rest soon, she might just pass out from sheer exhaustion.
Watching her drift off into a deep sleep, Ryuji quietly left the hotel, careful not to disturb her.
---
As Ryuji walked into the classroom later that morning, he was immediately greeted by the sight of Yukino glaring at him with a look that could only be described as pure resentment.
"Ah…" Ryuji mentally kicked himself. No wonder something had felt off earlier, he had totally forgotten that he was supposed to visit Yukino's place the previous night.
He scratched the back of his head, trying to figure out how to explain himself. Before he could come up with anything, his phone suddenly rang. The name "Nanami Kento" flashed on the screen, and Ryuji, curious, answered the call.
Yukino, who had been ready to storm off, paused. Her frustration kept her rooted in place.
"Why are you calling me this early?" Ryuji asked, holding the phone to his ear.
There was a deep sigh on the other end. "Sorry to bother you, but do you have time today?" Nanami Kento asked.
Ryuji's interest piqued. "What's going on?"
Nanami's voice was laced with concern. "Recently, there's been a huge surge in the number of cursed spirits. A few new special-grade spirits have even appeared. The higher-ups believe that within a month, humanity will become fully aware of the cursed spirits' existence."
Ryuji frowned. Cursed spirits had always been around, but the sudden increase in their numbers, especially the appearance of special-grade spirits, was alarming.
Nanami continued, "The sorcerers are already spread thin. We've dealt with most of the threats, but there are still a few special-grade cursed spirits that we haven't been able to handle. Can you help? Don't worry, Jujutsu High will cover any costs for your assistance."
Ryuji's mind raced. Recently, he'd felt that absorbing weaker cursed spirits wasn't helping him grow anymore. He needed a challenge, something powerful enough to push his limits.
"Sure, send me the details," Ryuji said. It wasn't just about the money. He could feel that devouring these higher-grade cursed spirits would be the key to breaking past his current bottleneck.
Nanami sounded relieved. "Thank you. I'll send you the locations shortly."
"Great. I'll take care of it," Ryuji replied, his tone casual. "After all, I like this world too much to let it fall apart. If cursed spirits start running rampant, that'd ruin my fun."
Nanami chuckled on the other end. "You've got an odd way of putting things, but I appreciate it."
After a few more words, Ryuji hung up the phone and turned to Yukino, who was still standing there.
"It looks like I won't be able to stay at school today," Ryuji said, his tone apologetic. "I was going to tell you last night, but—"
"There's no need to explain," Yukino suddenly interrupted, her voice soft.
Ryuji blinked in confusion. "Huh?"
Yukino's expression softened. "I overheard your conversation just now. I didn't realize… you're not just a regular student. You're a sorcerer. I should've known better than to accuse you of anything. You were out there fighting cursed spirits, weren't you? And here I was, being selfish…"
" _ "
Ryuji was caught off guard. He hadn't expected her to come to that conclusion on her own. "Uh, well, I…"
"You must have been working all night. It's no wonder you didn't come," Yukino continued, her eyes filled with understanding. "Please… be safe out there, Ryuji."
Ryuji sighed, realizing there was no need to correct her. "Thanks. I'll be back soon."
Yukino smiled, though there was a touch of sadness in it. "I'll be waiting… tonight, or tomorrow night. No matter how long it takes, I'll wait for you."
Her words were soft, but they carried a quiet determination. It wasn't the fiery kind of love, but something more gentle, more patient. Ryuji, a bit touched by her resolve, nodded.
"Alright then. Take care of school for me."
"I will," Yukino replied with a serious nod, watching him walk out of the classroom.
As he made his way through the school halls, Ryuji felt someone brush past him. He turned just in time to see a pink-haired boy, who immediately caught his attention.
"Itadori Yuji?" Ryuji muttered to himself, recognizing the boy. Yuji, the future vessel for Ryomen Sukuna, the King of Curses.
But what's Yuji doing here? Ryuji wondered. Then again, if Yuta Okkotsu had been from Sobu High School, it wasn't too far-fetched to think that Yuji might attend the same school.
"What's wrong?" Yukino asked, noticing Ryuji staring after the pink-haired boy.
Before he could answer, a girl from behind rushed up to Yuji and shoved him playfully, causing him to stumble right into Ryuji.
"Woah!" Yuji yelped as he tripped forward.
Reacting instinctively, Ryuji reached out and caught him before he hit the ground.
"Contact established with target: Itadori Yuji!"
"Golden entry triggered. Would you like to load it?"
A familiar voice echoed in Ryuji's head, making him smile slightly. "A golden entry, huh? Nice."
"Thanks!" Yuji said, standing up and giving Ryuji a sheepish grin. "Sorry about that. I wasn't paying attention."
"It's fine," Ryuji replied, letting go of Yuji.
The girl who had pushed Yuji came running up, her face flushed with embarrassment. "Sorry, Yuji! I was just trying to mess with you!"
Yuji waved her off. "Don't worry about it."
After thanking Ryuji again, Yuji and the girl left, chatting and laughing as they disappeared down the hall.
Yukino, still beside Ryuji, tilted her head. "Do you know him?"
Ryuji smiled. "Not personally, but I have a feeling we'll cross paths again."
"Is he a sorcerer too?" Yukino asked, intrigued.
"He's got potential," Ryuji said, though he kept the full truth about Yuji's connection to Sukuna to himself. It wasn't something he could explain easily.
"Well then, I hope he'll be alright," Yukino said, though she didn't press the matter further. The Service Club had already dealt with enough strange situations for her to trust Ryuji's instincts.
Ryuji glanced at his phone, noticing that Nanami had already sent him the details of the special-grade cursed spirit. "Looks like I've got work to do."
"Good luck," Yukino said softly.
"Thanks," Ryuji replied with a wave as he left the school grounds.
---
As he made his way toward the location Nanami had provided, Ryuji couldn't help but reflect on the golden entry he had just received from Yuji.
"Golden Entry: Domain Expansion – Malevolent Shrine."
"Malevolent Kitchen," as JJK fans often call it, was Ryomen Sukuna's Domain Expansion technique. The sheer destructive power of it was mind-boggling. It allowed Sukuna to slash through anything within the domain with lethal precision. The fact that Ryuji could now use this ability was both exhilarating and slightly terrifying.
"So I can even unlock future abilities?" Ryuji mused to himself, pleased with the unexpected bonus. He had wanted a domain expansion for some time, and now, thanks to Yuji's connection to Sukuna, he had it.
"Let's see how this works in action," he muttered, excited to try it out on the special-grade cursed spirit awaiting him.
---
Elsewhere, near the edge of the city, a blizzard raged, covering everything in snow and ice. The cursed spirit that had caused the sudden drop in temperature was relentless, its eerie wails echoing through the streets.
Standing in the middle of the snowstorm was a lone sorcerer with long, light-blue hair. She wielded a massive battle axe with surprising grace, each swing cutting through the cursed spirits surrounding her.
The sorcerer's strength and poise were remarkable, It was hard to believe that such a seemingly frail body could swing the battle axe so effortlessly, without showing any signs of fatigue.
"Keng! Keng! Keng!"
With each swing of the giant axe, sparks flew in all directions.
It felt as if something invisible in the wind and snow was constantly attacking, striking at unknown targets.
"This domain's guaranteed hit effect is really troublesome!"
As she resisted the unavoidable damage from the domain, Mei Mei was able to keep her composure.
In the sky, a crow circled overhead.
This was Mei Mei's Black Bird Manipulation technique. While not a powerful ability in itself, it allowed her to control the crow and share its vision.
The reason Mei Mei had become a first-grade sorcerer wasn't just because of her techniques but due to her exceptional physical strength.
The two-handed axe she wielded wasn't just for show either it was a genuine, special-grade magic tool.
"Found it!"
Through the crow's eyes, Mei Mei finally spotted a weak point in the domain.
With a powerful swing of her axe again, she unleashed her move.
"Kamikaze!"
This was a lethal move that Mei Mei had developed using the Black Bird Manipulation technique. By burning the crow's cursed energy, it would launch a suicidal attack. If it connected, it could even destroy a special-grade cursed spirit instantly!
"Boom!"
Following Mei Mei's command, the crow ignited, its body ablaze with cursed energy. It charged at the weak point she had pinpointed.
The impact was so powerful that it sent a large gust of wind rippling through the area.
"Hah!"
Feeling the wind and snow around her finally start to calm, Mei Mei breathed a sigh of relief.
"Looks like the reward will be higher this time."
Training these crows one by one had been painful, and losing one was costly.
She hadn't expected her opponent to be not only a special-grade cursed spirit, but also one capable of deploying a domain.
The payout for this job was clearly going to be insufficient, and Mei Mei was already planning to demand more from the Curse Master.
"Hum~"
Feeling good about the prospect of extra money, she began humming a little tune.
But just as she relaxed...
"Bang!"
A sudden strike from behind sent her flying.
"What?!"
She was shocked. The cursed spirit wasn't dead yet?
The wind and snow, which had previously stopped, resumed. The air in this domain wasn't just cold it was as sharp as knives.
Mei Mei's back was now injured, putting her in an even worse state.
Despite the pain, her survival instincts kicked in, and she quickly swung her two-handed battle axe.
"Clang! Clang! Clang!"
She managed to block the snow attacking her from all directions, but barely. Her strength was waning, and the situation grew more desperate by the second.
"If this drags on, I'm going to die!"
Mei Mei was no fool. She knew that continuing this fight would mean her death.
Even her Kamikaze attack hadn't been enough to finish off the enemy.
And now, trapped within the cursed spirit's domain, escape wasn't an option.
"Hehehe!"
A cold laugh echoed through the wind and snow.
Mei Mei saw a humanoid figure slowly emerge.
This was the master of the domain.
"Yuki-onna?"
Because of her preparation for this job, Mei had studied several urban legends. It seemed her opponent was the cursed spirit Yuki-onna, a snow woman from those very legends, now fused with a cursed spirit.
Mei Mei noticed that one of the Yuki-onna's arms was twisted—damage likely caused by her Kamikaze attack. Unfortunately, it hadn't been enough to kill her.
With the Yuki-onna's appearance, the wind and snow intensified, growing more violent.
The cursed spirit looked at Mei Mei, who was struggling to defend herself, with a contemptuous smile.
It was as if she was watching an insect fight a losing battle.
"Am I really going to die?"
The wounds on Mei Mei's body multiplied, her strength waned, and her vision blurred.
It dawned on her that death might be inevitable this time.
"Damn, I won't even get my reward!"
Even in such a dire situation, money was still on her mind. Typical of Mei Mei.
"Huh?"
Suddenly, Mei Mei noticed that the wind and snow around her were weakening.
She looked at the Yuki-onna, confused. Could the cursed spirit be showing mercy? No way. That was impossible.
So, was someone else coming?
At the same time, the Yuki-onna turned her head, also sensing the presence of another human entering the domain.
"Is this a domain?"
This was Ryuji's first time seeing a fully formed domain. He had seen half-finished attempts before, but nothing like this.
The sudden voice made both Mei and the Yuki-onna look over in surprise.
Soon, Ryuji stepped into view.
He glanced at the Yuki-onna first, showing no particular surprise.
Then his gaze fell on Mei Mei, who was kneeling, barely holding herself up with her axe.
"Hmm?"
Mei Mei? One of the few memorable characters from "Jujutsu Kaisen". Of course, Ryuji recognized her from the anime.
However, Mei Mei's current state was far from good. She was covered in wounds, and her clothes were torn.
"I have to admit, the battle axe really stands out," Ryuji thought, his gaze lingering.
"If you stare any longer, I'm going to charge you."
Despite her injuries, Mei Mei managed to crack a joke, noticing where Ryuji's eyes had wandered. She didn't seem too bothered.
"Of course, for a cute guy like you, I might even give a discount!"
"..."
Ryuji grinned. Was he being flirted with? This was exactly like Mei Mei's character from the anime.
"Shua!"
The snowstorm suddenly intensified again, this time targeting Ryuji.
"Watch out, this domain is trickier than it looks!" Mei Mei warned, her teasing tone fading as the fight resumed.
Ryuji remained silent.
The shadow beneath him began to rise, forming a black curtain that blocked all the wind and snow.
When the curtain fell, Ryuji was still smiling.
"If it's a domain, then let's fight domain with domain."
With that, Ryuji raised his hands, intertwining his fingers.
"What…?"
Mei Mei's eyes widened in disbelief. Could this kid actually cast a domain?
Though she wasn't inexperienced, seeing someone so young casting a domain was shocking.
The Yuki-onna, too, seemed to sense the shift. The snowstorm became more frantic, as if in a desperate attempt to stop Ryuji.
But his smile remained unchanged.
Slowly, he muttered a few words.
"Domain Expansion – Malevolent Shrine !"
"Boom!"
At the same moment, a massive shrine rose from the ground behind Ryuji.
A blood-red aura spread, swallowing the Yuki-onna's domain entirely.
"What is this...?"
Even the Yuki-onna, a special-grade cursed spirit, couldn't hide her shock.
Mei Mei, meanwhile, relaxed.
Although she didn't have a domain of her own, she understood the basics: in a domain duel, the stronger domain would completely overpower the weaker one.
It was obvious now that Ryuji's domain was superior.
The Yuki-onna's domain collapsed and was instantly shattered.
"This is… unexpected!"
Not only had Mei Mei not expected a young sorcerer to appear, but she certainly hadn't expected him to have such a powerful domain.
"You seem nervous!"
Ryuji was clearly enjoying himself. He raised one hand and pointed it at the Yuki-onna.
"Don't worry, the pain will only last a moment."
"Cleave!"
With a flick of his wrist, the slashing technique activated. Dozens of cursed energy blades rained down like a storm on the Yuki-onna.
Even in the domain, where dodging and resisting was impossible, the Yuki-onna could do nothing but take the hits.
"Shua! Shua! Shua!"
The technique was relentless. As expected from something that could overpower Gojo's Limitless, the sheer destructive force was on full display.
The Yuki-onna, a special-grade cursed spirit, was utterly overwhelmed.
"It's over!"
Ryuji didn't kill her outright, though. Instead, he activated his Soul Devouring ability.
"Swish!"
A dark chain shot out, dragging the nearly-dead Yuki-onna into a dimensional rift.
"As expected!"
Patting his slightly full stomach, Ryuji grinned.
"Only special-grade cursed spirits can help me improve now."
With the Yuki-onna gone, the domain dissolved.
The surroundings returned to normal, and the snowstorm vanished completely.
"I'm alive!"
Mei Mei, who had regained some strength, stood up, resting her axe on her shoulder with a relaxed smile.
There was nothing quite like surviving a close call.
After all, dead people can't make money.
"You must be that prodigy sorcerer Ryuji, the one Gojo mentioned."
Mei Mei had already pieced together who he was.
After all, she'd been there when Gojo had talked about him.
"You've heard of me?"
Ryuji raised an eyebrow.
"Just a bit. Seems like Gojo might have underestimated you. You're more than just a genius."
A so-called "genius" was just someone with potential yet to be realized. But Ryuji had clearly surpassed that stage.
"My name's Mei Mei, first-grade sorcerer!" she said with a sly smile, blinking at him playfully.
Despite her battered appearance, she still had an air of charm about her.
Ryuji raised an eyebrow, took off his coat, and handed it to her.
"Need this?"
"Perfect timing!"
Her clothes were torn in multiple places. Aside from money, Mei Mei didn't have many other obsessions.
After slipping on the coat, Mei Mei smiled and said, "So, how'd you enjoy the show?"
"...?"
What? This woman—she was really bold.
Ryuji was a bit surprised but wasn't one to back down from a challenge.
He seemed to be thinking for a moment, then nodded confidently and gave her a thumbs-up.
"Not bad at all!"
"..."
Mei Mei fell silent for a moment, not expecting such a straightforward answer from him.
"This is the first time someone's gotten a good look at me like this. So... how much are you willing to pay?"
Of course, leave it to Mei to bring money into this situation.
Ryuji, unfazed, teased back.
"How about we find a room and discuss the price?"
"Tch!"
Though he looked young, Ryuji had the attitude of someone experienced with women.
A scoundrel, no doubt.
"Yeah, I think we can skip the room part!"
It wasn't a huge deal, but the thought of getting a room with a guy she'd just met for the first time? Even Mei Mei wasn't that carefree.
"The bounty for this exorcism is thirty million yen from the higher-ups. But since we're dealing with a special-grade spirit that could expand a domain, I'm planning to ask for an extra ten million. Since you helped out, how about we split it fifty-fifty?"
Mei Mei didn't plan to take all the credit for herself. After all, there was a good chance they might work together again in the future.
"You know, if it weren't for me, you'd be dead right now. Shouldn't the reward be mine?"
Ryuji wasn't all that concerned about the money, but seeing Mei Mei's reaction made him want to push her buttons a bit.
"..."
Her face went blank for a moment, then she turned to him with a fake smile.
"You know, you're not as cute as I first thought!"
"You want my money? No, it's my life!"
"Hahahaha!"
Ryuji didn't think much of Mei Mei's words. Seeing her like this, he couldn't help but burst into laughter.
"Let's go! I've got more special-grade spirits to exorcise!"
It was just a joke. There was no need to argue about money.
As long as you're strong enough, even if you don't ask, people will throw money at you.
At this moment, for Ryuji, nothing was more important than becoming stronger.
Mei Mei chuckled, then extended a hand toward him.
"Huh?"
Ryuji looked over, confused.
But Mei Mei spoke naturally.
"I'm still a little exhausted from that battle. Can you give me a hand?"
"Of course!"
There was no reason to refuse something like that. After all, Mei Mei had been a tough fighter out there.
Her hands, hardened from years of physical training, weren't as delicate as one might expect, but there was a certain charm in that.
And just then...
"Target acquired: Mei Mei! Golden entry triggered. Would you like to load it?"
Golden entry, huh? Ryuji wasn't sure what kind of ability it would be, but he wasn't in a rush to check.
"Are you sure you don't want to rest?" Ryuji asked, noticing that Mei Mei was still following him.
He was already planning to move to the next location where another special-grade cursed spirit was wreaking havoc. With Mei Mei in her current state, it didn't seem wise for her to push herself.
Mei Mei smirked at him.
"Oh? Don't you want me around?"
She added casually, "As long as I stick with you, I can tell the higher-ups I'm your assistant. Who knows, maybe I can get some extra cash for it!"
Thinking like that, it was like money falling from the sky for her.
"Tsk!"
Ryuji could only laugh. This was exactly like Mei Mei.
But there was no reason to refuse her company. Besides, she wasn't wrong about getting more money by sticking close.
The next special-grade cursed spirit wasn't lurking at the outskirts of the city this time it was right in the center.
"Looks like some sorcerers got here ahead of us," Ryuji observed, noticing the massive black curtain that had been set up around the area. It was meant to keep the battle hidden from ordinary people.
The streets were deserted. It seemed like the civilians had already been evacuated.
"It's fine. Gojo's busy with other cursed spirits right now, and most first-grade sorcerers like Nanami and Kusakabe aren't in the city. So whoever's here probably won't be too strong and won't get in the way," Mei Mei explained.
Not every first-grade sorcerer had the strength to deal with special-grade cursed spirits, after all. Mei Mei wasn't too concerned about them interfering with her payday.
"Let's go," Ryuji said, nodding as he walked toward the black curtain.
Mei Mei followed him closely.
Meanwhile, inside the barrier, the cursed spirit they were about to face was a massive creature, towering over 20 meters tall. When it stood up, it loomed over the surrounding buildings.
"Roar!"
Unlike the Yuki-onna from earlier, this cursed spirit was purely instinctual. It had no intelligence and only followed its primal urges to destroy.
"Die! Humans, all of you die!"
Even the slightest movement from its colossal body caused massive destruction to the streets and buildings nearby.
Two sorcerers were already engaged in a losing battle with the cursed spirit, trying to hold it off.
"Utahime Sensei!"
As a teacher at Kyoto Jujutsu High, Utahime was a quasi-first-grade sorcerer. Her technique wasn't offensive, but rather a support-type ability that amplified the strength of those within her range. Unfortunately, it lacked any real firepower.
"Be careful, Miwa!" Utahime shouted urgently.
Seeing the danger, Utahime abandoned her focus on restraining the cursed spirit and rushed to protect her student, Miwa Kasumi, from a devastating blow. Though the attack didn't do much damage, it managed to draw the cursed spirit's attention, saving Miwa.
Bruised and battered, Miwa dodged away quickly to avoid further harm.
"Hah!"
Utahime let out a sigh of relief, glad her student was safe.
"Humans! Are you asking for death?" the cursed spirit roared, enraged.
It lifted its massive hand to crush Utahime, but years of experience helped her narrowly dodge the attack, avoiding what would've been a fatal blow.
"Luckily, this thing doesn't have much intelligence," Utahime muttered under her breath. If it were smarter, she knew she wouldn't have lasted this long.
"Sensei!" Miwa shouted, rushing over to check on her teacher.
"I'm fine," Utahime reassured her with a grim expression. "But where are the reinforcements? They should've been here by now!"
She had been told to hold the cursed spirit off for a short time, but it had been much longer, and still no help had arrived.
What made Utahime even more anxious was the presence of a human girl nearby, trembling in fear.
"I must be losing my mind!" Kitagawa Marin muttered, on the verge of tears.
She hadn't expected this when she'd skipped class to buy supplies for her cosplay projects. Now, here she was, facing a monstrous cursed spirit. She pinched herself to make sure she wasn't dreaming.
It hurt. A lot.
"What the hell is this?!" Marin was close to breaking down.
"Didn't I tell you to hide?" Utahime snapped, frustrated. She wasn't angry at Marin, but protecting a regular human made the situation far more difficult.
"I, I'm sorry," Marin stammered, not sure what else to say. How could she explain that she thought it was all just a bad dream?
"Watch out!" Utahime shouted.
The cursed spirit had noticed Marin and raised its hand, preparing to crush her.
Utahime dashed toward Marin, knowing full well that she wasn't strong enough to stop the attack. But she couldn't just stand by and let a civilian die.
"Damn, I can't stop this!" Utahime cursed under her breath.
Even though she wasn't strong enough to face the cursed spirit head-on, she didn't hesitate.
"Sensei!" Miwa cried out, rushing after her.
"Stay back, Miwa!" Utahime shouted. She didn't care if she died—it was the cost of being a sorcerer but Miwa was still young. She didn't deserve to die here.
Suddenly, a black shadow flashed by, and a massive battle axe cleaved through the cursed spirit's arm.
"Ahhh..."
A calm voice followed the strike.
"Long time no see, Utahime," Mei Mei said, her tone relaxed.
Utahime turned around, her eyes wide with relief.
"Mei Mei!"
Utahime and Mei Mei were old friends. They had exorcised many cursed spirits together in the past. Of course, Mei Mei had always been the primary fighter, while Utahime had assisted with her support abilities.
Knowing that Mei Mei was here made Utahime feel much more at ease.
"Humans, I will kill you!" the cursed spirit bellowed in rage.
Its severed arm began to regenerate almost immediately, and it charged again.
"Be careful!" Utahime warned. "This cursed spirit might be dumb, but it's incredibly strong!"
Mei Mei just smiled, waving her hand dismissively.
"Don't worry about it!"
She planted her battle axe into the ground, showing no signs of concern.
"The one who can take care of it is already here."
"Oh? Is Gojo here?" Utahime asked, assuming it could only be him.
"No, not Gojo," Mei Mei laughed at her guess. "He's even more talented than Gojo. And... he's pretty easy on the eyes too."
"...What?" Utahime was confused by the comment.
Before she could process what Mei Mei meant, the cursed spirit attacked again.
"Third Dimension!"
Two simple words echoed through the air.
"Buzz!"
The space around the cursed spirit distorted. Its massive body was locked in place, unable to move.
"Crack! Crack!"
In mere seconds, half of the cursed spirit's body twisted and shattered.
"Hiss!"
Utahime gasped. Defeating a special-grade cursed spirit so easily was beyond anything she had ever witnessed.
"Finally," came a calm voice.
Utahime turned to see Ryuji approaching casually.
"Another special-grade cursed spirit. Ryuji raised his hand.
"Soul Devouring!"
"Swish! Swish! Swish!"
Chains shot out, binding what was left of the cursed spirit's body. Then, in one swift motion, it was swallowed by a dimensional rift.
Ryuji patted his stomach with a satisfied grin.
"You... who are you?" Utahime asked, still in shock.
"Name's Ryuji," he said, turning toward her and Miwa.
Utahime took a good look at him. Though his appearance was striking, his presence was even more overwhelming. He didn't look much older than her students, but his power was undeniable.
"Uh, hello! I'm Utahime," she introduced herself, still somewhat dazed.
The name sounded vaguely familiar, but she couldn't quite place where she had heard it before.
She quickly shook hands with Ryuji, still trying to make sense of what had just happened.
"Target acquire: Utahime Iori! Purple entry triggered. Would you like to load it?"
Purple entry? Not bad. Ryuji noted it mentally but didn't rush to check it out.
He then glanced at Miwa, who seemed to be trying to compose herself.
"Hello! My name is Miwa, and I'm a student at Kyoto Jujutsu High!" Miwa blurted out quickly, straightening up and offering her hand to shake. She was clearly nervous, trying not to make a fool of herself in front of such a powerful sorcerer.
Ryuji smiled as he shook her hand, noticing how flustered she was. Though she was doing her best to keep calm, he could sense her respect and awe. After all, taking down a special-grade cursed spirit like that would leave an impression on anyone.
Interestingly, nothing triggered from Miwa, which left Ryuji a bit surprised. He had expected some kind of ability or entry to load, but there was nothing. After thinking about it, he guessed it made sense, Miwa hadn't developed any significant techniques of her own yet.
No matter. He already had a golden entry from Mei Mei and a purple one from Utahime, so it wasn't a loss.
"Hm?"
Suddenly, Ryuji noticed someone standing hesitantly a little way off.
He looked over and realized it was an ordinary person watching the scene in awe, still shaken by everything that had happened.
"An ordinary person?" Ryuji thought to himself, easily able to discern that she had no cursed energy.
Marin, who had been staring in disbelief, suddenly noticed Ryuji's gaze shift toward her, and she stammered out nervously,
"Yo—uhhh, Ryuji Senpai!"