After dinner, Maki and Mai went home, leaving only Shinsuke Zenin and Yuki Tsukumo in the house.
Shinsuke leaned back on the couch, turned on the TV, and casually asked, "What brings you back this time?"
Generally speaking, Yuki didn't come back without a good reason.
After all, it was easier to find a way to save the world in other countries.
She wanted to understand why there were so few Jujutsu Sorcerers in other countries, and why so many fewer Cursed Spirits were born there than in the Jujutsu World.
The ratio of Jujutsu Sorcerers in Japan to those abroad was about 99 to 1. Ninety-nine percent of them were in Japan, while only one percent were overseas.
The ratio of curses born in each was about the same.
If she could figure out the reason, perhaps she could also solve the source of curses.
Yuki slipped off her shoes and sprawled sideways across the couch, casting him a flirtatious glance. "Of course I came back to see whether you'd gone astray."
"And to catch up with you. Is that so wrong?"
At that, Shinsuke remained expressionless. "We're all adults, and you're nearly thirty. Stop saying such childish things."
"Hmm..."
Yuki puffed out her cheeks at once, then glared at him.
"Couldn't you play along just a little?"
Shinsuke didn't answer. They weren't children.
"To tell you the truth, I wanted to see you. And I figured I'd find out whether anything's changed at Jujutsu High."
Yuki sat up, crossed her legs on the couch, propped her chin on one hand, and looked at the man beside her.
"What do you want to know? I'm a teacher at Jujutsu High now, so I can give you a rundown."
"I never thought you'd work for Jujutsu High," Yuki said with a pout.
Seeing him work for Jujutsu High put her in a bad mood. Those people had no intention of changing the world.
They only cared about protecting themselves and maintaining the balance. They never considered the world as a whole.
"We both get something out of it."
"But what about you? You refused to take missions, and you also ended up pushing Geto Suguru into becoming a Curse User.
"Now he's devoting himself to the world, ready to kill every non-sorcerer."
Yuki's expression remained calm. "That was his choice. Even without my interference, he would've gone down that road sooner or later—and he might've gone even further."
"At most, I just made him choose sooner."
She had been surprised to learn that Geto Suguru had taken the easiest path.
Just as she'd expected from someone young: he'd chosen the easiest way to save the world, which was also the hardest.
Without power surpassing that of a Special Grade Sorcerer, there was no way that path could succeed—unless he could win over Satoru Gojo or her.
Unfortunately, she wasn't considering that path for now.
As for Satoru Gojo, he probably wouldn't side with him either.
"I seem to remember you saying some pretty awful things, too. If we're assigning blame, you're a culprit as well."
Yuki glared at Shinsuke.
"Heh."
Shinsuke chuckled. If they were going to count it that way, Satoru Gojo couldn't escape blame either. In fact, the whole world was involved.
Maybe no one was at fault. Maybe the world itself was.
"Get some rest. It's late."
Shinsuke turned off the TV and went back to his room.
Fortunately, the house he'd grabbed back then was big enough that he could have a friend over without worrying about where they'd sleep.
Watching Shinsuke disappear into his room, Yuki contemplated something. Maybe she should take this opportunity...
There was no point in hesitating once she'd made up her mind. What had happened today reminded her that if she didn't claim something soon, it might end up belonging to someone else before long.
About twenty minutes later, the house had gone quiet. After showering and changing into her pajamas, Yuki crept out of her room.
She made her way to the door of Shinsuke's room.
She gently tried the doorknob and found that it was locked. She immediately bristled with anger.
What was that supposed to mean? Did he really not trust her? Was he deliberately keeping her out?
Shinsuke, for his part, would have said he was completely innocent. He'd only locked it because tomorrow was Saturday, and Maki and Mai would probably show up early.
And Mai would definitely sneak into his room to bother him.
Yuki had no idea about any of that. All she knew was that she was furious.
So he was keeping her out, was he? Well, she was going to have her way tonight. No one could stop her.
A wisp of Cursed Energy quietly emerged. With a click, the door opened.
A mere lock was no match for a distinguished Special Grade Sorcerer like her.
She pushed the door open, went inside, and closed it behind her.
The corners of her mouth lifted as she congratulated herself. That was her!
"What are you doing?"
Shinsuke turned on the light and looked calmly at Yuki, who was sneaking around. His expression was a little strange.
Did she really think he wouldn't notice all that noise?
"Ah!"
"What are you doing? You scared me!"
The sudden light made Yuki jump. She instinctively covered her chest, which was heaving with impressive force.
"This is my room. Why are you asking me what I'm doing?" Shinsuke wondered if this woman had something wrong with her.
"Fine, I'll come clean. I did it on purpose. Isn't it obvious? Do I really have to spell it out?"
Caught red-handed, Yuki dropped the act. She planted her hands on her hips and put on an utterly shameless look.
No matter what happened tonight, nothing was going to stop her. She'd been eyeing this prize for a long time, and she needed to claim it once and for all.
"You..."
Shinsuke looked conflicted. He'd always thought Yuki was joking with him. He hadn't realized she genuinely had her sights set on him.
And now she wasn't even pretending otherwise?
"We're not a good match."
"How are we not a good match? You haven't even tried. How would you know?"
Yuki stuck out her lips and thrust out her chest. "Am I not pretty?"
"You are."
"Is my figure bad?"
"It's good."
"Am I not strong?"
"You're strong."
"I get it. You think I'm poor, right? I'll make plenty of money from now on, okay? I'll let you live off me for the rest of your life!"
Yuki realized what the problem must be and hurriedly made her promise.
"That's not it."
Shinsuke wasn't concerned about money.
Now that he'd quit gambling, he didn't care whether he had a lot of money or a little. As long as he had enough, he was fine.
"Then what is it?"
Yuki couldn't understand what made her unworthy of him.
Shinsuke scratched his head and turned slightly away. "Well... we know each other too well. I'd feel awkward making a move."
"Huh?"
Yuki froze. She'd actually lost for this reason!
Was this why childhood friends could never beat the girl who appeared later??
"I don't care! If you're embarrassed, I'm not!"
Yuki threw herself at Shinsuke, knocking him onto the bed. She turned off the light as well, then said coyly:
"If the lights are off, we won't know each other so well."
Shinsuke reflexively tried to push her away, but her lips were already warm against his.
His tense hand eventually came to rest on her back.
It was the first time he'd ever been so passive.
She really was an unreasonable woman...
Before you continue