Playing Pachinko

Minors weren't allowed to play pachinko.

If they really wanted to make an issue of it, it wasn't much different from Higuruma's case... it could get you sentenced.

But that was a false example to begin with. Who cared about that stuff when there was money to be made? As long as you didn't dress too conspicuously—like walking in wearing a high school uniform... under normal circumstances, the staff wouldn't stop you.

Though big cities seemed to take that sort of thing more seriously? In any case... in a rural place like this, pachinko parlors were obviously managed much more loosely.

Watching Itadori scratch his head and flail about like an ant on a hot griddle,

Kana Shizumi smiled and gently patted his shoulder.

"Haha, don't worry... I won't do anything. More importantly... how about this? It's on me today."

He raised his left hand and pointed his thumb at the sign overhead reading "Tiger's Den," saying with a smile,

"Want to go in and play a little?"

Going in alone felt unsettling, but if someone took you along, it was okay.

It had the feeling of taking the neighbor's kid to an arcade around the turn of the century, or bringing someone to an illegal internet café around 2008.

What's this about not opening accounts for minors? Here, here, use my ID to get online!

The awkwardness on Itadori's face turned somewhat complicated. He gave a polite smile, still clearly feeling a little uncomfortable.

"Th-then maybe we should forget it... We only just met, so isn't that... not very appropriate?"

This kid was almost too honest.

But that was perfectly normal.

After all, Itadori had been raised well by his grandfather. From the very start of the story, Yuji Itadori's true nature had been clear—simple, openhearted, and kind.

Unlike his talent for physical combat, Itadori was actually rather sensitive emotionally and possessed a considerable degree of empathy...

He cherished his companions and cared deeply about "the value of life."

Even though he knew his grandfather was his only family, once he learned that the treatment process itself was extremely painful and that Wasuke Itadori also wished to stop treatment, he chose to give it up as well.

He wouldn't force others, but would do everything he could within his power... Honestly, he really was a sunny young man with tremendous personal charm.

No wonder even Fushiguro, who didn't buckle under pressure, thought he was qualified to be his brother-in-law (wait, what?)...

Of course, considering the dark and damp undertones of Jujutsu Kaisen itself, the protagonist Itadori getting mocked back and forth by a bunch of freaks until he was completely numb was another matter entirely...

All in all.

From a practical standpoint, becoming friends with someone like Yuji Itadori was actually quite easy.

Before that, though, it was still necessary to use his head a little and make up a suitable identity... Kana Shizumi activated Ghost Brain and quickly came up with an appropriate explanation.

"Don't be so nervous... To be honest, my little brother used to attend Third Middle School. He was introverted, so he was often bullied... and then."

He smiled, pointed at Itadori's chest, and gave him a thumbs-up.

"You stepped in and taught those guys a lesson. They never bullied him again after that... You really helped us out, Itadori."

Yuji Itadori awkwardly scratched the back of his head, his eyes wandering as he said,

"Uh... b-but I don't remember anything like that..."

"Haha, do you remember how many pieces of bread you've eaten? The Tiger of West Middle School earned that title through fighting—why would you remember something like that~"

The good thing about naive people was that Itadori readily believed the "persona" Kana Shizumi had given him.

Of course, that was also because he'd done his research beforehand... After all, he could even bring up someone's embarrassing history!

"That wraps up the introductions, right? It's rare for us to meet today, so it's on me. Want to go in and play a couple rounds?"

If Yuji Itadori had still held some degree of "guardedness" because Kana Shizumi was a stranger before, he now regarded him as a friend.

The smile on his face immediately brightened.

"I want to play!"

Clackclackclackclackclack!

The moment they entered, a deafening roar drilled into their ears, making them feel dizzy.

The thunderous clatter of hundreds of machines firing pachinko balls at once, the electronic music when someone hit a jackpot, and the creaking sounds of handles being turned mixed together, punctuated by occasional broken shouts.

Colorful light strips decorated the place, making it easy to associate it with a nightclub. Also...

The smell of smoke was heavy.

Considering Japan's environment and all its rules, this was probably one of the few places where people could smoke openly to their heart's content.

Kana Shizumi had only learned about this through various channels before. This was his first time actually trying it.

So Itadori led him to an area he was familiar with.

"These machines are often empty, but I like playing over here... Since hardly anyone comes here, I think they might be my 'lucky machines.'"

It was a pretty abstract way of putting it.

But Kana Shizumi roughly understood what he meant.

—Though pachinko theoretically had poor odds of winning, there would always be the occasional "lucky moment," and machines that had paid out huge jackpots would be marked, becoming prized targets in the eyes of veteran players.

You even had to line up to play those machines...

"I've heard that people who often play these machines can get superstitious too. They'll make a few small bets to see what kind of 'condition' a machine is in. Just like people—if it's in incredible condition today, lots of people will raise their bets and go for the jackpot!"

Kana Shizumi laughed.

That was pachinko brain, wasn't it? Even soulless machines could supposedly have a condition? If he said that to Mahito, that guy would probably laugh his head off...

"Do you believe that, Itadori?"

"As for me..."

After thinking for a moment, Itadori exchanged two thousand-yen bills. Looking at the pachinko balls that came out, he fiddled with them as he smiled and said,

"I guess I only believe it a little when I'm playing."

As he watched, Kana Shizumi noticed something subtle.

Perhaps because someone else was treating him, Itadori had deliberately chosen the low-stakes one-yen machines—chips of the same quantity came in one-yen and four-yen varieties.

The former were mostly for passing time and testing the waters, letting you play longer.

The latter literally meant "getting serious"... anyone looking to go all out would choose those.

"You're not going to play for higher stakes, Itadori?"

Faced with Kana Shizumi's question, Itadori hesitated for a moment before smiling.

"It's fine... I usually like playing low-stakes games too. That way, I don't care too much whether I win or lose."

He began operating the machine, straightening slightly in his seat as he stared at the screen in front of him.

"After all, there isn't really anyone at home, so it's... livelier here."