Could You Understand Me?

Suguru Geto was currently a rogue curse user, so Satoru Gojo no longer constantly chattered about their friendship as he had in his teens. Even when he occasionally mentioned him, he usually just called him "Geto."

So Megumi Fushiguro only thought the surname sounded a little familiar, but couldn't place it right away.

Still, he trusted Aikawa Kaze completely. Since Kaze trusted the man with the strange bangs, Megumi Fushiguro didn't give it much thought.

It wasn't until the next day, when a certain man with strange bangs summoned a dragon-shaped cursed spirit and lifted them onto its back, that something finally dawned on Megumi Fushiguro.

"Isn't this Cursed Spirit Manipulation?"

Looking dazed, Megumi Fushiguro turned toward Aikawa Kaze, his neck practically creaking like a rusty machine.

"Geto... Suguru Geto? That Special Grade curse user?"

"Bingo~ Correct."

Suguru Geto looked at the child his best friend had taken in, his eyes smiling as a mischievous grin spread across his face.

"Oh dear, I never thought you'd be so easy to lure in. How many billion could I sell the Ten Shadows Technique for?"

"!!!"

In an instant, Megumi Fushiguro's soft sea-urchin spikes seemed to bristle like a hedgehog's. He even darted in front of Aikawa Kaze, looking ready to attack Suguru Geto.

Aikawa Kaze gave Suguru Geto's arm a speechless pat.

"Mr. Geto, how old are you now? Is protecting children that much fun?"

"Quite fun. No wonder Satoru took him in."

Suguru Geto felt he now understood his friend's enjoyment. Unlike Aikawa Kaze's little-fox demeanor, Megumi Fushiguro's startled reactions provided him with plenty of amusement.

"Seeing that face make those expressions is pretty entertaining."

When he first learned that Satoru had taken in Toji Fushiguro's son, Suguru Geto had found it unbelievable. He thought Satoru must have lost his mind-wouldn't facing a face like Toji's every day give him a stomachache?

But now, as it turned out, watching shock, wariness, and even fear appear on that face so similar to Toji Fushiguro's felt downright wonderful.

Aikawa Kaze's miscalculation was that he only knew Suguru Geto was friendly toward young jujutsu sorcerers. He had forgotten the deep psychological scars Toji Fushiguro, that sorry excuse for a father, had left on the strongest duo.

The son paid for the father's sins. Besides, Megumi Fushiguro really did resemble Toji Fushiguro, so Suguru Geto found teasing Megumi and watching his expression change a perfectly good source of entertainment.

Suguru Geto wouldn't go so far as to actually kill an innocent child, but taking one's anger out on someone else was human nature!

Aikawa Kaze hadn't realized this at first, but after hearing that, he more or less understood what was happening.

After all, Satoru Gojo had called himself "Wang from Next Door who inherited a precious legacy." Aikawa Kaze already knew most of the history behind those grudges and entanglements.

"If you're going to put it that way..."

Aikawa Kaze wasn't particularly willing to associate himself with that deadbeat father. But seeing Suguru Geto repeatedly provoke Megumi Fushiguro, even releasing killing intent to scare him, he could only sigh.

"I'm technically that guy's... offspring too. Why don't you come after me?"

"You look too much like your mother. It's no fun."

Suguru Geto didn't actually want to do anything to Toji Fushiguro's son. He simply wanted to get some amusement out of that familiar-looking face. A face like Aikawa Kaze's, which leaned toward the Flower Planting Country style, held no appeal for him at all.

Besides, Aikawa Kaze's personality wasn't any fun to tease either. Who knew where Satoru had found this "lily" version of himself? Lately, Aikawa Kaze's resemblance to him had even been growing more pronounced.

Suguru Geto could even foresee, to his dismay, that Kaze might evolve into a plus version-that would be far too terrifying.

Considering how much Aikawa Kaze seemed to care about Megumi Fushiguro, Suguru Geto finally toned it down and let them off.

They had reached their destination.

"Is this really... okay?" Megumi Fushiguro couldn't help remaining wary. "Kaze, blink if he's threatening you," he whispered.

"It's nothing like that. Don't worry. He's harmless to us."

"But... why? And if anyone else finds out..."

"Relax, Megumi. There won't be a problem."

Aikawa Kaze shook his head in amusement and spoke meaningfully.

"Megumi, there's a lot going on beneath the surface here. It's more than you can handle, so stop digging. There's no rush. You'll find out someday."

"...Okay."

In the end, Megumi Fushiguro nodded with difficulty and trusted Aikawa Kaze's judgment.

Still, he quietly began making plans. If the man meant them harm, he could always use that move to take them both down, buying time for Kaze to escape first.

Aikawa Kaze sensed Megumi Fushiguro's tense body, followed by the calm that came after he suddenly thought of something, and couldn't help shaking his head.

Apparently, Megumi still didn't have a clear understanding of his strength. He had even witnessed the process of his contract with Ryomen Sukuna, so why did he still think he was so weak?

It seemed he would have to show off a little when they exorcised cursed spirits later.

Aikawa Kaze looked around. They were in a fairly untouched forest, with an old shrine not far away. The place looked utterly tranquil.

"I don't think I can sense any cursed spirits?"

Aikawa Kaze's perception was actually quite good. That was why, when Ryomen Sukuna had deliberately leaked his presence yesterday, he hadn't considered it a trap. He had simply attributed it to his own sharp senses.

Now, though, he was starting to have doubts.

"Megumi, do you sense anything?"

"Divine Dogs!"

Megumi Fushiguro shook his head and summoned two large dog shikigami, one black and one white.

"Little Black, White, sorry for the trouble, but please scout the area and keep watch!"

"Woof, woof!"

The two dogs wagged their tails in perfect sync to show they had received the order, and Aikawa Kaze's hands couldn't help itching.

As a fellow dog lover, Megumi Fushiguro sensed Aikawa Kaze's eagerness. His lips curved slightly as he rubbed their heads.

"You can pet them if you want. They're very friendly."

"Then don't mind if I do."

Aikawa Kaze got his fill of dog cuddles, thoroughly satisfied.

Little Black was steady and mature, like a well-trained soldier. Even while Aikawa Kaze rubbed the dog's head, those ears stayed pricked, alert to their surroundings.

White was more like a smiling angel of a Samoyed, a little clingier. While Aikawa Kaze stroked the dog's fur, White actively nuzzled him for affection, making the dog even cuter.

Still, both Little Black and White were very affectionate toward Aikawa Kaze, probably influenced by their owner's attitude.

"Now isn't the time to play with pets."

Suguru Geto hadn't immediately interrupted the two children's interaction. He discreetly observed the Ten Shadows Technique's shikigami, only speaking up once Aikawa Kaze had had his fill.

"From now on, unless your lives are in danger, I won't intervene."

As if remembering something amusing, Suguru Geto's grin widened a little.

"You're going back to school tomorrow, aren't you, Kaze? So your time limit is one day. Resolve the incident in this village."

"Incident?"

Aikawa Kaze keenly picked up on the issue with Suguru Geto's wording, and his expression shifted.

"You phrased it that way. Could it be... this incident has nothing to do with cursed spirits?"

"Who knows?"

Suguru Geto's expression was inscrutable. He stood beneath a tree, half his face hidden in shadow.

"Cheating isn't good! This is a practical lesson you have to face as jujutsu sorcerers."

"...Understood."

Aikawa Kaze nodded and led Megumi away, though inwardly he grew wary.

This matter was probably anything but ordinary.

Suguru Geto stood where he was, watching the two children leave with an unreadable expression.

At first, he really had intended to follow the rules and find a suitable cursed spirit for them to practice on. That was why, when he sensed this Grade 1 Cursed Spirit while flying overhead, he had descended to take a look.

Who would have thought he would stumble upon an incident so perfectly suited to a "special educational course"?

Given his personality, he should have cut through the mess and ended everything last night.

But in the end, he hadn't intervened. Enduring the torment, he had merely left his cursed spirits to watch and protect them, then brought the two little brats here first thing in the morning.

"After experiencing all of this, would you... would both of you be able to understand me?"