Be My Hired Muscle

Toji Fushiguro had wandered through the darkness for a long time, like a lost soul with nowhere to go.

The countless thoughts that had erupted in his mind the instant Satoru Gojo struck him had all fallen silent.

Just as he was about to let go of his lingering thoughts, a glimmer of light burst through the empty darkness, as though a pair of hands had torn open a crack. The light grew brighter and brighter.

Toji couldn't help squinting. When he opened his eyes again, all he saw was blue sky and white clouds.

"You're actually awake?"

The girl's voice was calm, with a hint of wonder.

Still dazed, Toji turned his head. The girl was covered in blood, her expression weary.

I actually... didn't die? But Satoru Gojo's attack went straight through my organs. That should have been fatal.

He tried moving his arms, and a strange sensation came over him.

Only his right hand responded. His left arm seemed to have vanished.

"I could only save your life. There was nothing I could do about your arm."

Toji stared blankly at Miwa Chisei, then gave a faint, bitter smile.

"Why did you save me?"

Chisei made no attempt to hide her motives. She sighed, a rare trace of melancholy appearing on her fair little face.

"I'm no saint. I only saved you because you're useful."

"Stop living on the edge all the time. Come build something with me."

Toji's head was still spinning, and confusion was written all over his face.

"Huh?"

"If you don't agree, I can kill you right now, too."

Chisei's expression became calm again, even a little cold.

Toji couldn't help laughing. Gazing at the clear blue sky, he spoke with a rare note of surrender.

"You win."

Toji had simply needed someone to offer him a way out without losing face, but he hadn't met anyone like that in all these years.

Not someone who preached at him or threatened him, but someone who calmly asked: want to make some money together?

If he had a chance to live again, would he choose a completely different path?

He didn't know, and he didn't want to think about it. He'd already died once, after all. Whatever.

Chisei didn't know where she'd found the courage to say those things, either. She just felt that nothing good would come of this man's death.

"I'm pretty broke right now, so I'll have to owe you your pay."

"So what do you want me to do?"

"Gather intel and be my hired muscle?"

Chisei floated the suggestion, and he didn't seem opposed to it.

She hadn't actually been sure whether Toji would listen to her. He might switch sides if someone else offered him enough money.

But at least for now, the calm expression on his face let Chisei breathe a sigh of relief.

"All right, let's consider this bounty job over. Hurry up and leave Jujutsu High so you can get your wounds treated."

Chisei was just about to stand when Toji called her back.

"Give me your number, boss?"

Being called "boss" felt unfamiliar, but it stirred a strange feeling in Chisei-she didn't seem to dislike it.

After she recited her number, Toji nodded and wearily closed his eyes again.

"Honestly, the moment I was killed, I felt pretty relieved."

"But now that I'm alive again, I'm glad."

"Thanks, little girl from the Miwa family."

Chisei felt that this day would probably be the only time this man ever let his weakness and sorrow show.

She said nothing more and left.

Quite a few Jujutsu Sorcerers were already gathering at the site of the earlier battle. As they passed Chisei, they urged her with concern to go see Shoko Ieiri.

At the end of the path, a silver-haired boy leaned against a towering tree, lost in thoughts she couldn't guess.

Chisei went over to greet him. She'd expected him to lash out at her in anger; after all, she'd saved someone who had just tried to kill him.

But Satoru Gojo merely looked at Chisei's mangled hands, the corner of his mouth curling upward.

"Why didn't he chop your hands off?"

Chisei lowered her eyes and changed the subject.

"You're not mad at me?"

Gojo looked puzzled.

"What would I be mad about?"

"Toji Fushiguro. I saved him behind your back."

Gojo swept the hair off his forehead, revealing its smooth surface, and smiled indifferently.

"Right now, he feels like nothing more than an ant to me."

Yeah, yeah, I get it. You've reached your ultimate form and you're invincible now. All humans are ants in your eyes, right?

For some reason, Chisei breathed a sigh of relief.

Seeing her little face relax slightly, Gojo couldn't resist reaching out to give her a light knock on the head.

"Let me make this clear: if he tries anything funny again, I'll kill him without hesitation."

Chisei scrunched up her face. That hurt!

"Got it. Still, thanks for keeping this secret for me."

Gojo gave a little huff, returning to his usual utterly irreverent self.

"Ten trips to the dessert shop."

Chisei hid the smile tugging at her lips and nodded solemnly.

"You pay for your own desserts."

"You're such a damn cheapskate!"