Toji Fushiguro actually knew that Miwa Chisei and Mei Mei had gone to see Megumi Fushiguro. He had deliberately let Miwa Chisei get close to Megumi.
It was a father's curiosity, perhaps, about how Megumi and the Zenin Clan would ultimately become entangled.
"So, how does it feel to be thrown away by the Three Great Families, then taken back?"
With a living, breathing two hundred million yen right in front of him and nothing he could do about it, Toji could only make conversation to find some satisfaction.
But his words were heavily colored by his own experiences, as though he were talking about himself and Megumi.
Miwa Chisei was a little surprised, but she shook her head.
"I don't feel anything in particular."
At that answer, a hint of relief appeared on Toji's face.
Seeing how many questions he seemed to have, she ventured an offer.
"Is there something you want to know? Why don't you write a couple of characters for me?"
Toji grinned, his face full of amusement.
"I don't believe in that stuff."
...Then why ask? You clearly looked emotional when you brought up your son's fate.
"Besides, who knows whether you'll turn a Counter-Curse on me?"
That's the real issue, isn't it?
Miwa Chisei shrugged. "If there's nothing else, I'll head back."
Watching the girl return to acting as though nothing had happened, Toji couldn't help giving a flippant smile.
"Aren't you curious who put the bounty on you?"
Miwa Chisei paused midstep.
Even Satoru Gojo hadn't been able to find that out. Could the man in front of her know?
"When it comes to bounties, a professional killer like me knows the business better."
The implication was that ordinary people would have trouble finding out-even Satoru Gojo.
"What do you want in return?"
Miwa Chisei knew there was no such thing as a free lunch.
"Help me find something. A cursed tool."
This was Toji's real reason for seeking out Miwa Chisei. He wasn't foolish enough to lurk outside Jujutsu High just to chat and ask about Megumi.
Miwa Chisei's reluctance was practically written across her face. God only knew what kind of absurdly powerful cursed tool he wanted. What if he used it on her once she found it?
Seeing the rejection that even her sunglasses couldn't hide, Toji couldn't help laughing.
"It's not for using on you."
It doesn't matter who you'd use it on, you dangerous bastard.
"Forget it. I don't want to know that badly."
Miwa Chisei shook her head and refused the deal.
Toji didn't press her. He merely sighed. "You could at least give me a direction, right?"
A glimmer flashed through Miwa Chisei's eyes.
"Just a direction?"
"Yeah."
She tilted her head and thought for a moment. "What's the clue?"
Toji took a tattered piece of cloth from his pocket. It looked quite old.
"This used to be wrapped around that cursed tool."
Miwa Chisei nodded and held out her hand. With a faint smile, Toji handed her the cloth, then obligingly backed away to where he had been standing.
Though barely a trace remained, the power contained in the cloth was still formidable, with a force that felt capable of tearing heaven and earth apart.
Red cursed energy swirled around the cloth, then wound around Miwa Chisei's fingertips, pointing in a certain direction.
Miwa Chisei pulled her attention back and looked at Toji.
"Who posted the bounty?"
Toji spoke in a low voice, enunciating each word.
"The Gojo Clan."
Miwa Chisei's pupils contracted, but she said nothing.
Her first instinct was to wonder whether there had been a misunderstanding, but the man before her seemed to have read her mind.
"Surprised, aren't you? The Gojo Clan's young master did help you, after all. But it probably wasn't his doing. It was someone from the older generation."
Someone from the older generation-did he mean Satoru Gojo's father, Gojo Yu? The clan head who held absolute authority over the Gojo Clan, both openly and behind the scenes?
Just imagining it made her head hurt. If this information was true, why would they do it?
Seeing Miwa Chisei remain silent, Toji kindly offered some advice.
"There are no permanent friends in this world. Friendships between big families like these are rooted even more firmly in 'interests.' You understand that, don't you?"
Miwa Chisei's expression shifted uncertainly. Had it been anyone else, she might not have been so shaken, but this was the Gojo Clan.
"Why should I believe you?"
Miwa Chisei challenged him.
"I really need this cursed tool, so I figured I should show some sincerity."
Toji answered frankly, looking as though he were discussing business.
His matter-of-fact attitude made Miwa Chisei deeply uncomfortable.
The red thread at her fingertips stretched eastward, extending into the air before disappearing.
Miwa Chisei took a deep breath and looked at Toji just as seriously.
"The cursed tool is to the west."
Then she added one more thing.
"If there's anything wrong with the information you gave me, I guarantee you won't have a comfortable moment for the rest of your life."
Toji nodded, his smile sincere.
"Sure."
The man's attitude stirred an immense unease in Miwa Chisei.
"Then until we meet again, little girl of the Miwa family."
As he disappeared from view, Miwa Chisei sank weakly onto the stone steps outside Jujutsu High's gates.
The Gojo Clan had posted the bounty?
Then had Gojo Yu staged the whole thing as a test, to make her lower her guard?
Miwa Chisei felt her hands stiffen.
"Why's Miwa sitting here?"
"Probably broke her legs."
"But she doesn't look hurt."
"Then her brain's broken. Look at that vacant expression."
Two clear yet completely different voices played off each other, interrupting Miwa Chisei's thoughts. She raised her head numbly to find the two boys standing before her, backlit by the sun.
The halo of light seemed to drape them in colorful robes, lending them an air of holiness and salvation.
Miwa Chisei parted her lips, her voice a little dry.
"Oh, it's Gojo Kazu and Geto."
In private, Miwa Chisei didn't actually like addressing either of them as her senior.
"Are you going out with friends today, Miwa?"
Seeing Miwa Chisei sitting on the steps, Suguru Geto assumed she was waiting for someone.
Before Miwa Chisei could speak, Satoru Gojo cut in with a grin.
"What friends does she have? She's just sitting there being stupid."
It had to be said that Satoru Gojo understood her a little better.
But as Miwa Chisei looked at that infuriatingly grinning face, Toji's words drifted through her mind again.
[The Gojo Clan]
So Miwa Chisei said with complete seriousness:
"I'm waiting for you, Satoru Gojo."
Her earnest words left Satoru Gojo speechless. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Suguru Geto trying not to laugh.
The silver-haired boy bellowed in anger.
"I'm not your friend, you damned brat!"
"I'm your dad!"
Miwa Chisei felt her ears ache from his shouting. Expressionlessly, she covered them with her hands and stared at the idiot in front of her.
Toji Fushiguro, you piece of trash. Like hell I'd believe a word you said.
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