Call me big sister

Riko Amanai did not hear the rebuttal she had come to expect.

Slightly surprised, she fixed her piercing gaze on Yuanfang.

In all their past exchanges, the little brat Yuanfang had never shown her any respect, always treating her like a child.

Sometimes, even she could not work out which of them was actually the child.

Now that she had this rare opportunity, a trace of anticipation lit up her eyes as she asked, "Could you call me big sister?"

Yuanfang looked up at her expectant eyes. After watching her for a few seconds, he answered with a mischievous grin, "Nope!"

"Hmph! You're awful! You won't even grant me this one last little request. I should never have saved you, you little brat!"

Riko Amanai stamped her feet in anger, clenched her soft little fists, and went back to rubbing Yuanfang's head.

Although she felt disappointed that she had not heard Yuanfang call her big sister, she did not dwell on it.

This felt nice, too. It let her put those upsetting things aside for a while.

Yuanfang still did not resist, letting the girl rub his head.

In a voice barely louder than a mosquito's buzz, he said, "Don't worry, you'll never..."

"What are you saying?"

Riko Amanai could not make out his words. Thinking she had hurt him, she eased the pressure of her hands.

"Nothing, Riko!"

"Ah! Call me big sister! Big sister!"

He had called her Riko again. Riko Amanai grew annoyed once more and rubbed a little harder.

After they had played around for a while, the sun had set, and they returned to the hotel.

For safety's sake, Riko Amanai and Misato Kuroi shared one room, while Yuanfang stayed with Suguru Geto and Satoru Gojo.

"Satoru, you haven't deactivated your Cursed Technique since yesterday, have you? And you haven't slept. Are you sure it's all right not to go back to the school?"

Suguru Geto looked at Satoru Gojo with concern. A faint unease stirred in him; he felt that the small fry constantly attacking them were targeting Satoru Gojo.

"It's fine. I'm invincible!"

Although fatigue already showed on Satoru Gojo's face, he remained brimming with confidence, not the least bit worried that anything might go wrong.

"Besides, I've got you here!"

At Satoru Gojo's last words, a slight smile appeared on Suguru Geto's worried face, and he relaxed considerably.

"You're both too confident!"

Just then, a child's voice interrupted at an awkward moment. It belonged to Yuanfang.

The two of them had made no effort to keep their conversation private, so Yuanfang had heard it while watching television.

"Don't worry, kid. I'm the strongest. I guarantee nothing will go wrong!"

Satoru Gojo assumed Yuanfang had said that because he doubted his strength.

He immediately walked over to Yuanfang and flexed his muscular arm.

"Don't worry. We'll keep you safe!"

Satoru Gojo's words had also boosted Suguru Geto's confidence. A self-assured smile curved his lips, as though everything were under control.

"Sigh."

Yuanfang sighed helplessly. Ignoring the two of them, he hopped off the sofa and turned off the television.

As he walked toward his bedroom, he said:

"Don't let your guard down until the very last moment!"

Yuanfang was still just a little kid. Saying any more would be useless, so he could only offer them this reminder.

Whether the plot could change depended on whether they understood the deeper meaning of his words.

"Man, you're no fun at all. You still don't believe I'm invincible!"

Satoru Gojo felt that Yuanfang had said that because he did not trust his strength, leaving him rather exasperated.

This little guy wasn't around when I showed what I could do, was he?

Otherwise, if he'd seen me fight, he'd know how strong I was.

Meanwhile, Suguru Geto sank into thought. He could not shake the feeling that the child's words held a deeper meaning.

The next morning.

The group swiftly arrived at Jujutsu High like birds in flight, ready for Riko Amanai to merge with Tengen.

Looking at the rows of enormous red torii gates ahead, Yuanfang felt as taut as a drawn bowstring, his nerves stretched to their limit.

He silently prayed that Toji Fushiguro would not suddenly go off the rails and attack him first. If that happened, he would truly be done for.

His domain had no effect on the man whatsoever.

As she climbed flight after flight of steps, Riko Amanai's feelings tangled into knots. She could not help slowing her pace, wanting this moment to last a little longer.

By contrast, Satoru Gojo, who was somewhat exhausted from keeping his domain active all this time, began to let his guard slip.

Before long, the group reached the top and arrived at a flat, open area.

"Thanks for your hard work, everyone. We're inside Jujutsu High's barrier now!"

Hearing Suguru Geto's words, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

Only Yuanfang remained on high alert, his nerves strung tight. He knew perfectly well that the next battle was about to begin.

I hope they remember what I said last night and change something.

"Thanks for all your hard work, Satoru!"

Suguru Geto looked at the somewhat weary Satoru Gojo and spoke with gratitude.

At the same time, for some reason, Yuanfang's words from the previous night suddenly surfaced in his mind.

His expression, which had just relaxed, turned serious again, and he instinctively grew alert.

"Finally, I don't have to babysit this little brat anymore. It's been such a..."

Before Satoru Gojo could finish, Suguru Geto swiftly released a snake Shikigami, sending it lunging behind him. Unfortunately, it did no good.

A black-haired man with a scar at the corner of his mouth and a somewhat cruel smile pierced both Suguru Geto's Shikigami and Satoru Gojo with a single thrust.

Misato Kuroi and Riko Amanai watched in utter shock and disbelief.

They had no idea how this man had appeared here.

"Impossible!"

Suguru Geto was even more shocked. He understood better than either of them just how powerful this barrier was-as solid as rock, as secure as a fortress!

Satoru Gojo also stared in disbelief at the blade running through his body. How had someone approached him from behind without him noticing?

Only Yuanfang shook his head helplessly. Changing the plot was difficult.

He would have to stick to his original plan.

"You and I... have we met somewhere before?"

Satoru Gojo slowly turned around. Looking at Toji Fushiguro's face, he felt a sense of familiarity.

"Don't worry about it. I'm no good at remembering men's names either."

A faintly cruel smile appeared on Toji Fushiguro's face. After saying that, he went on to explain how he had used other people to wear Satoru Gojo down so he could hurt him.

After hearing his explanation, Suguru Geto, though shocked, released a cursed spirit to drive Toji Fushiguro back and save Satoru Gojo.

"Satoru, are you all right?"

Seeing the state Satoru Gojo was in, Suguru Geto was filled with worry.