Leaving Home

After dinner, Zhiyan set down his bowl and chopsticks, turned to Shoko's parents, and spoke gently.

"There's something I'd like to discuss with you both."

Shoko's father was drinking tea. He looked up. "Go ahead, Zhiyan."

"Well..." Zhiyan paused, glancing at Shoko, who was huddled beside Wana looking through something. His tone remained natural. "On the way here, Wana kept talking about inviting Shoko to stay at our home for a few days. She promised in her letters that they would look through her collection together, and she wants to show Shoko around Kyoto."

A faint smile touched his lips as he spoke, making him look like an older brother helpless against his little sister's whims.

"She wanted me to ask as soon as we arrived, but I thought we should have a meal first and let the girls catch up. Now that we've finished eating, what do you think? Shoko could stay in Kyoto for a few days and come back once she's had her fill of fun."

Shoko's mother paused, then looked at her daughter.

Shoko had her head lowered, hiding her expression. Beside her, however, Wana had already sat up straight, her little face brimming with anticipation. Her shining eyes fixed on Shoko's mother, as though she wished she could nod for her.

"Shoko," her mother asked softly, "do you want to go?"

Shoko raised her head, looking at her mother, then at Wana.

Beside her, Wana nodded furiously, her little mouth opening and closing as she silently mouthed, "Say yes, say yes, say yes-"

Amused by her antics, Shoko's eyes curved into a smile, and she nodded gently.

"I do."

Wana immediately cheered and threw her arms around her. "Yay, yay! Shoko can come home with me!"

Shoko's mother laughed at the two girls and looked at her husband. After a moment's consideration, Shoko's father nodded.

"Since the girls get along so well, a few days together would be nice." He turned to Zhiyan, his voice sincere. "Sorry for the trouble, but we'll leave her in your care."

"Not at all." Zhiyan inclined his head slightly. "Wana rarely finds a friend she clicks with so well. We couldn't be happier."

Shoko's mother stood and stroked her daughter's head. "Then I'll go pack your things."

"She won't need much," Zhiyan said gently. "We can buy anything she needs there."

Shoko's mother nodded but went upstairs anyway. When she returned, she carried a small suitcase containing a few changes of clothes and Shoko's usual belongings.

"Mom." Shoko took the suitcase and looked up at her. "I'll write."

"All right." Her mother crouched down and straightened her collar. "Have fun, and don't cause them any trouble."

"Okay."

Shoko's father came over too, giving her shoulder a gentle pat. He said nothing, only smiled.

Shoko looked at her parents, paused, then suddenly spoke softly.

"Dad, Mom."

"Yes?"

"I..." She pressed her lips together. In the end, her eyes simply curved into a smile. "Nothing. I'll be back in a few days."

Her mother smiled and ruffled her hair. "Off you go."

Shoko nodded, wheeled her suitcase to the door, then glanced back.

Her parents stood in the entryway, waving to her.

She waved back, then turned and followed Wana into the car.

Once the car door closed, she watched through the window as her parents' figures grew smaller and smaller, until the car rounded a corner and they disappeared from sight.

She let out a soft breath and settled back into her seat.

Wana leaned over, her little face alight with excitement. "Shoko! Let me tell you, my house is huge! There are so, so many rooms! There's a really big tree outside my bedroom window, and its leaves turn red in autumn. It's so pretty! And I have lots and lots of treasures to show you! The shells I collected, pretty stones, bookmarks I made myself..."

She chattered away, as though determined to describe every last part of her home.

Shoko listened quietly, occasionally murmuring a response, a faint smile in her eyes.

Sitting opposite them, Zhiyan watched, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly.

The car merged onto the highway, and the scenery outside raced backward.

Looking out the window, Shoko suddenly said softly, "Zhiyan."

Zhiyan paused slightly-it was the first time she had addressed him that way.

"Yes?"

"As for my mom and dad..." Shoko paused without turning around, her voice still quiet. "Things are fine this way."

Zhiyan looked at her.

This nine-year-old girl had shown her parents nothing out of the ordinary from beginning to end. She had not told them the truth or made them worry. She had simply smiled and waved goodbye like any child invited to a friend's home.

She understood far more than he had expected.

"Yes," he replied gently. "Things are fine this way."

Shoko did not turn around, but the corners of her mouth rose slightly.

A little over an hour later, the car entered Kyoto, passed through its bustling streets, and finally stopped before a large traditional Japanese residence.

Above the entrance hung a plaque bearing the name "Zenin," simple and dignified.

Shoko got out of the car and tilted her head slightly as she looked up at the great gate.

"It's huge."

"It's even bigger inside!" Wana took her hand and excitedly pulled her toward the entrance. "Come on, come on! I'll show you my treasures!"

After being pulled along for a few steps, Shoko glanced back at Zhiyan, who stood beside the car.

Sunlight fell across him. His expression was calm as he watched her.

Her eyes curved into a small smile. Then she turned and followed Wana through the gate.

Zhiyan remained where he was, watching the two small figures cross the courtyard and disappear at the end of the covered walkway.

Afternoon sunlight spilled across the courtyard, where koi swam leisurely in the pond, sending up little splashes.

He stood before the entrance, gazing at the walkway, motionless for a long time.

Shoko Ieiri.

From today onward, that name would probably be closely bound to the Zenin Clan.

There was no telling how, though.

He withdrew his gaze and stepped inside.

It was an ordinary day.

But for some, it might have been the true beginning of their destiny.

By evening, the setting sun had painted the Zenin Clan's eaves a warm red.

Zhiyan settled the two girls in-Wana dragged Shoko into her room and eagerly began showing off her "treasures," her chatter audible from far away. He instructed a maid to look after them and had refreshments sent in before turning down the covered walkway in another direction.

Beyond two moon gates and a small bamboo grove, a separate study stood quietly in the depths of the courtyard.

There were no attendants at the door, but Zhiyan knew the man inside disliked having anyone around while he drank.

He knocked lightly.

"Come in."

The voice from inside was casual, yet carried an unmistakable authority.

Zhiyan opened the door and entered.

The study was not particularly large, its furnishings simple and neat. A piece of calligraphy hung on the wall, its brushstrokes bold and vigorous. A man sat by the window, holding a sake flask and pouring drinks for himself as he looked out at the courtyard.

Naobito Zenin.

The current head of the Zenin Clan, a renowned master in Jujutsu Society, was lounging beside the window as though it were any ordinary afternoon, his robe slightly open to reveal his sturdy chest.

"Well, if it isn't my dear boy." Without turning, Naobito shook the flask in his hand. "You're back? Where's the girl?"

"In Wana's room," Zhiyan said calmly, sitting opposite his father. "The two of them are having fun."

Naobito snorted a laugh and finally turned around.

He studied his son with a gaze that held both amusement and scrutiny.

"Out with it." He took a swig. "You didn't go to Kanagawa today just to keep that girl company on a visit, did you?"

Zhiyan did not deny it.

Naobito might have appeared rough and casual, but he was more perceptive than anyone.

"No." Zhiyan met his father's eyes, his tone as steady as ever. "There's something I need to tell you."

"Oh?" Naobito raised an eyebrow, his hand pausing around the flask. "Let's hear it."

Zhiyan paused, then spoke each word clearly.

"Shoko Ieiri-Wana's friend-has awakened a cursed technique."

Naobito said nothing, merely looking at him and signaling for him to continue.

"Reverse Cursed Technique." Zhiyan's voice was calm, but he slowed slightly as he spoke the name. "And she can use it on other people."

For a moment, the study fell silent.

Outside the window, the wind rustled softly through the bamboo grove.

Naobito's hand remained suspended in midair, holding the flask.

The languor gradually faded from his face, and his gaze sharpened.

"What did you say?"

"Reverse Cursed Technique," Zhiyan repeated. "She can use it on other people."

Naobito stared at him in silence for several seconds, then put down the flask and sat up straight.

"You saw it yourself?"

"With my own eyes." Zhiyan nodded. "An injured sparrow, with a broken wing and shattered leg bones. She touched it, and within moments, it was completely healed."

Naobito said nothing.

His fingers tapped lightly against his knee, a habitual gesture when he was thinking.

Reverse Cursed Technique.

One of the rarest abilities in Jujutsu Society. It could reverse damage and restore the body. Over the centuries, only a handful of people had awakened it, and every one of them had been treasured by the various factions.

But-

An ordinary Reverse Cursed Technique could only be used on oneself.

It was a skill that allowed an injured jujutsu sorcerer to reverse the nature of their cursed energy and heal their own wounds. Throughout history, he had heard of no more than three people who could use it on others.

He understood better than anyone what that meant.

It meant that what this child possessed was no ordinary Reverse Cursed Technique, but "healing" in the truest sense-the ability to touch others and reverse their injuries. What did that mean on a battlefield? It meant that as long as she was there, her companions effectively had an extra life.

"Rare" was no longer enough to describe an ability like that.

"That child," Naobito said, his voice lower than usual, "how old is she?"

"Nine," Zhiyan replied. "The same age as me."

Naobito fell silent for another few seconds.

"Ieiri..." he murmured, repeating the surname. "I haven't heard of any family of jujutsu sorcerers with that name."

"She comes from an ordinary family," Zhiyan said. "Both her parents are ordinary people, settled in Yokohama. She knew nothing about her ability before. She only recently started seeing cursed spirits and wrote to Wana about it."

"So you went there yourself."

"Yes."

Naobito looked at his son and suddenly chuckled.

There was something meaningful in that smile.

"Do you know what this means?"

Zhiyan did not answer. He knew his father was making a statement, not asking a question.

"A Reverse Cursed Technique that can be used on others." Naobito enunciated every word. "How many years has it been since Jujutsu Society last produced someone like that? The last person who could do it was that one four hundred years ago-what was their name again? No one remembers clearly anymore. All those so-called 'healers' since then merely used cursed energy to force wounds to heal faster, or used shikigami to share the damage. That's entirely different from true 'healing.'"

He paused, his gaze deepening.

"And now, a nine-year-old girl from an ordinary household in Yokohama has awakened that ability without anyone teaching her."

The wind outside stopped, and the bamboo grove fell quiet.

Zhiyan sat silently, waiting for his father to continue.

"You brought her back."

"Yes," Zhiyan said. "Officially, Wana invited her to visit for a few days. Her parents don't know the truth."

Naobito nodded, finding no fault with that approach.

"What do you intend to do?"

Zhiyan met his father's gaze, his voice still steady.

"Her technique is too valuable, and too dangerous. Once word gets out, every faction will come running. Those people won't care whether she's willing, or that she's only nine. They'll only see her value. I want her to stay with the Zenin Clan for a while, somewhere safe."

Naobito listened without speaking.

He picked up his flask again, took a swig, then leaned against the window and looked at his son.

"Boy," he said, more seriously than before, "everything you said is right. But have you considered how long the Zenin Clan's protection can keep her safe?"

Zhiyan paused slightly.

"What do you mean?"

"What I mean is," Naobito said, shaking the flask, "as long as she isn't one of us, as long as her name is Ieiri and not Zenin, those old bastards will have an excuse to reach for her. Today, they'll call it a 'temporary assignment.' Tomorrow, 'training.' The day after, 'serving Jujutsu Society.' Can you stop them?"

Zhiyan fell silent.

He knew his father was right. He had been learning Jujutsu Society's rules since childhood. In those people's eyes, a rare sorcerer with no allegiance was a walking feast.

"Then..." He paused. "We could hire her as a sorcerer? Employ her in the Zenin Clan's name and give her a retainer-"

"Not enough weight." Naobito cut him off bluntly. "An employee can be dismissed at any time. A retainer can change patrons at any time. As long as she isn't truly 'one of us,' those old bastards will have a loophole to exploit."

Zhiyan frowned slightly.

"Then what should we do?"

Naobito looked at him, then suddenly coughed twice.

Both coughs were conspicuously deliberate and affected.

A rather bad feeling suddenly rose in Zhiyan's chest.

"Well..." Naobito put down the flask and composed his expression, adopting the solemn air of someone about to discuss serious business. "If you want her to be truly safe, she has to genuinely become a member of the Zenin Clan. For example-"

He paused, stealing a sideways glance at his son's face.

"She could marry into the family."

Zhiyan froze.

His expression froze for a moment, and a rare hint of bewilderment appeared in his eyes.

Marry into the family?

What did he mean, marry into the family?

Who was marrying into the family?

Seeing his son's unusually stunned expression, Naobito Zenin was laughing himself silly inside, but he kept a straight face and added solemnly, "Yes, exactly what it sounds like. Marry into the Zenin Clan and take the Zenin name, and she'd truly be one of us. Who would dare lay a hand on her then? The Zenin Clan protects its own daughters-in-law. That's only natural."

Zhiyan finally came back to his senses.

He opened his mouth, closed it, then opened it again.

"That wouldn't be appropriate." His voice remained steady, but his words came noticeably slower than before. "She's only nine. Besides... who would she marry?"

Naobito Zenin lifted his sake flask and took a sip, his gaze drifting toward the window as his tone grew even more sheepish.

"Whoever brought her back, of course."

Zhiyan: "..."

Silence filled the study for a full three seconds.

Then came the faint crackle of an electric arc.

Naobito Zenin's eye twitched. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught a faint purple glow dancing at his son's fingertips.

"Old man." Zhiyan's voice was as composed as ever, but there was a chill beneath that composure. "You've drunk yourself senseless."

"No, no, no-" Naobito Zenin hastily waved his hands, but he could no longer stop the corners of his mouth from rising.

"Do you need me to sober you up?"

The crackling grew louder.

Naobito Zenin finally lost it, slapping his thigh and roaring with laughter.

"Oh, would you look at that-you little brat, you can actually blush-no, your face isn't red, but your ears are-don't think I can't see it-hahahaha-"

Zhiyan stood up and turned to leave.

At the door, he stopped again.

Without looking back, he spoke as calmly as if he were discussing what to have for dinner.

"She's only nine."

Then he pulled the door open and walked out without another glance.

Behind him, Naobito Zenin kept laughing, so freely and wildly that the entire study seemed to shake.

"I know-so get engaged and look after her for now-we'll talk once she's grown up-hahahaha-"

Zhiyan kept walking.

Only the arcs at his fingertips flashed a few more times.

Neither father nor son noticed the tiny figure crouched behind the thick bamboo grove a short distance from the study door.

Wana had originally come to find her brother.

Shoko had said she wanted tea, so Wana had volunteered to ask the maids for some better tea leaves-really, she wanted an excuse to run over and brag to her brother about how much Shoko liked her treasures.

But just as she reached the edge of the bamboo grove, she heard the conversation coming from the study.

At first, she thought nothing of it and merely lightened her footsteps, planning to sneak up and give her brother a fright-it was her favorite game.

Then she heard the words "marry into the family."

Wana stopped dead.

Her eyes widened, and her little hands instinctively covered her mouth, afraid she might make a sound.

What did he mean, marry into the family?

Who was marrying into the family?

Then she heard her father's sheepish voice. "Whoever brought her back, of course."

Wana's eyes widened even further.

The one her brother had brought back...

Wasn't the one her brother had brought back-

Shoko?!

Her little mind raced. Shock turned to confusion on her face, confusion to sudden understanding, and understanding to an indescribable excitement.

Shoko was going to marry her brother!

Shoko was going to become her sister-in-law!

Then wouldn't she have two Shokos-no, one would be her big sister and one would be her sister-in-law-no, no, anyway, they'd be even closer!

Wana covered her little mouth, her small body trembling as she fought to keep from laughing aloud.

Then she heard her brother say, "She's only nine."

Then came her father's unrestrained laughter, along with, "Look after her for now-we'll talk once she's grown up-"

Wana's little mind started whirring again.

They'd talk once she was grown up...

So that meant he would look after her now, and once she grew up, they'd-

She abruptly covered her face, even the tips of her ears turning red.

She didn't really understand what "getting married" meant, but she'd read about it in books! In fairy tales! The beautiful princess wore a lovely wedding dress, and the prince rode up on a horse to fetch her, and then they lived happily ever after!

Shoko would look so pretty in a wedding dress!

At that thought, Wana couldn't hold it in anymore. She turned and ran, still covering her mouth.

She sprinted through the bamboo grove, through the moon gate, and all the way back to her own courtyard.

"Shoko! Shoko!"

She flung open the door and rushed inside, breathless.

Shoko was sitting by the window, a cup of tea in her hands, quietly looking out at the courtyard. At the sound, she turned and saw Wana charging in, her little face bright red and her eyes astonishingly bright.

"What's wrong?" Shoko set down her cup and tilted her head slightly. "Why were you running so fast?"

Wana threw herself at her, hugged her tight, and buried her little face against her shoulder, shaking all over with laughter.

"Wana?"

Completely baffled, Shoko reached up and gently patted her back.

Wana raised her head and looked at her with sparkling eyes. She brought her mouth close to Shoko's ear and lowered her voice, though she couldn't suppress her excitement.

"Shoko, I have a huge secret to tell you!"

"What secret?"

"I went to find my brother just now and accidentally overheard him talking to Daddy!"

Shoko blinked, waiting for her to continue.

Wana leaned even closer, her voice growing quieter but even more excited.

"Daddy said he wants my brother to marry you! To make you part of the Zenin Clan!"

Shoko froze.

She blinked, then blinked again.

"...What?"

"It's true, it's true! Daddy said they could only protect you if you truly became part of the Zenin Clan! Then my brother said it wasn't appropriate, and there wasn't anyone for you to marry, so Daddy said-he said-"

Wana was laughing so hard she could barely breathe, but she still tried to imitate Naobito Zenin, deepening her voice.

"Whoever brought her back, of course!"

Shoko fell silent.

She lowered her head and looked at her hands, her thoughts unreadable.

Wana watched her anxiously, her little face full of anticipation. "Shoko, what do you think? What do you think?"

Shoko looked up, her expression barely changed, as composed as ever.

But on closer inspection, the tips of her ears seemed to have turned just a little red.

"There's nothing to think about." She picked up her cup and took a sip, her voice as flat as ever. "I'm only nine."

"But Daddy said he could look after you first, and you could talk about it once you grew up!"

Shoko nearly choked on her tea.

She set down her cup, coughed softly twice, and finally looked up at Wana.

Her eyes held a little exasperation, a little amusement, and something else that was hard to put into words.

"Wana," she said softly, "does your brother know you were eavesdropping outside?"

Wana paused, then sheepishly drew her neck in.

"N-no... I don't think so..."

"Then would he be angry if he found out?"

Wana thought about how composed her brother usually was, then tried to imagine what he would look like angry. The excitement on her little face finally faded a little.

"H-he probably wouldn't... My brother loves me the most..."

She didn't sound very confident.

Seeing her like that, Shoko couldn't help smiling.

"All right, all right." She reached out and ruffled Wana's hair. "Don't tell anyone else about this, okay?"

"But-"

"If your brother finds out you were listening to all that outside, he'll definitely scold you."

Wana thought it over, then finally nodded obediently.

"Okay... I won't tell..."

But once she'd said that, she couldn't resist leaning closer again, her eyes sparkling.

"But Shoko, you really could think about it! My brother is wonderful! He's handsome and strong, he's dependable and knows how to take care of people, and he's the heir, too! If you married into the family, we could be together every day!"

Shoko looked at her, the corners of her mouth curving slightly.

"Are you playing matchmaker for your brother?"

"Yes, yes!"

Wana's utter confidence amused Shoko so much that she laughed aloud.

Her laughter was clear and bright, like wind chimes.

Watching her laugh, Wana started giggling foolishly along with her.

The two little girls dissolved into laughter, neither noticing the figure standing beneath the covered walkway a short distance outside the window.

Zhiyan had originally come to check whether the two girls had eaten their dinner properly.

But just as he reached the courtyard entrance, he heard laughter coming from the room, along with faint snippets like "matchmaker" and "married into the family."

He stopped in his tracks.

Then the tips of his ears reddened visibly.

He stood there for three seconds.

Then he turned and strode away.

He left much faster than he had come.

In the distance, from the direction of the study, another faint burst of laughter seemed to ring out.

It was Naobito Zenin.

Laughing without restraint, utterly delighted.

The moonlight was lovely that night.

But Zhiyan felt he really might not be able to sleep.