At eleven last night, the one hundred and twelve lives in the village fell silent in a single night.
The subsequent investigation confirmed that the residual cursed energy had been left by the Cursed Spirit Manipulation of Suguru Geto, a third-year student at Jujutsu High.
Jujutsu Headquarters issued its final ruling: Suguru Geto was to be declared wanted and sentenced to death, effective immediately.
Assigned executioner-Kashimo.
"Huh?"
Satoru Gojo stared at Masamichi Yaga before him, something indescribable churning in the eyes hidden behind his sunglasses. His voice was quiet, but it landed like a stone thrown into stagnant water, sending ripples spreading outward, one after another.
"Don't make me repeat myself," Masamichi Yaga said, his voice steady and weary. "Those are the facts-"
"I know. That's why I reacted." Satoru Gojo cut him off, his voice carrying a rare sharpness he couldn't suppress. His eyes were wide, shining almost frighteningly behind his sunglasses.
"His family home is already deserted. He might have even killed his parents..." His voice suddenly sank, like a stalk of bamboo bent until it buckled.
Masamichi Yaga shook his head. It was a slight movement, but it carried a heavy helplessness, as though he had repeated it too many times already, each time slower and heavier than the last.
"How is that possible?!" Satoru Gojo's voice rose again, almost accusing this time, as though he were questioning Masamichi Yaga-and the world itself.
"Satoru!" Masamichi Yaga raised a hand to his forehead, pressing his fingers against his temple until his knuckles turned white. "Right now... I don't understand what's going on either."
"Hooonk-"
Traffic streamed down the road, neon lights casting long, blurred reflections across the damp asphalt. Shoko stood at the roadside, fished a cigarette out of her pocket, and put it between her lips.