Tokyo, Japan, May 8, 2006. Three days remained until the Star Plasma Vessel Incident.
Bang! Bang!
The basketball hit the floor and bounced, thumping away.
"Amayo, seriously, do you think Curtains are really that necessary? They can't see Cursed Techniques or Cursed Spirits anyway," Satoru Gojo said, holding the basketball.
"Well, I think they're still somewhat necessary," said Igarashi Amayo, who always had a cigarette between his lips, sitting beside Shoko.
"Huh? Amayo's actually being more sensible than Satoru. I never would've expected that." Suguru Geto was a little surprised by Igarashi Amayo's answer. He hadn't expected someone who hated ordinary people so much to think that way too.
Igarashi Amayo hurriedly stopped Suguru Geto before his imagination could run any further. "All right, fantasy time is over. I'm not doing it for some great cause. I just think that, in the monkeys' eyes, we look fucking stupid matching wits and trading blows with Cursed Spirits. That's all."
Imagine someone talking to themselves in front of you while going through a whole series of fighting moves. Worse still, they even shouted out the names of their moves every so often. What was that if not fucking stupid?
Satoru Gojo pondered this for a moment, then slowly raised his head. "Amayo seems to have a point. We really do look fucking stupid."
Suguru Geto sat on the floor and sighed deeply. "What the hell are you even talking about? Listen up, you two. The main purpose of putting up a Curtain is to keep the public calm. That's how we effectively suppress Cursed Spirits. For that reason, we also have to hide visible threats as much as possible. Are you two even listening?"
"Huh? Then why not just make them all blind? What a pain."
Suguru Geto froze at Igarashi Amayo's outrageous statement. What kind of thought process was that?
Clap! Clap! Clap!
Satoru Gojo began clapping and gave Igarashi Amayo a thumbs-up, praising him. "My dear minister Amayo speaks wisely. We think so as well."
"Wisely, my ass! Stop watching all those ridiculous TV dramas. What's with this royal 'we'? Even 'yours truly' would be better." A vein bulged on Suguru Geto's forehead, and he hurled the basketball straight at him.
He pointed a finger at the two lounging about and barked, "Remember this: Jujutsu exists to protect non-Jujutsu Sorcerers."
Neither paid him any mind. They drank their cola and muttered to each other.
"Here we go again."
"Yep, another lecture."
"He's probably moved himself to tears. Ugh~"
"Hahahahaha!"
Boom!!!
An enormous Cursed Spirit's claw slammed down beside the two.
"You two. I can hear you."
"Run, run~" Seeing this from a distance, Shoko fled the scene as though her feet had turned into wind-and-fire wheels.
Looking at the claw beside them, the two didn't run. Instead, they reached out and felt it.
"Wow, that's a big one."
"Must really stick in your throat going down."
An enormous black curtain appeared behind Suguru Geto, with waves of chilling roars coming from within.
"Come outside for a chat, Amayo, Satoru."
Igarashi Amayo rubbed his head and put on a troubled expression. "Can't hold back anymore? Guess there's no helping it. Get on top yourself..."
Bang!!!
"You too! Stop watching those useless movies!!!"
Suguru Geto's face was livid as he punched Igarashi Amayo on the head, sending up a puff of white smoke.
"That hurt."
"Wait!" Satoru Gojo pointed at Suguru Geto, his face full of shock. "How do you know what Amayo and I secretly watch? Masaka! Don't tell me you do too!!"
Bang!!!
Another punch landed. A flicker of awkwardness crossed Suguru Geto's face, but he stubbornly retorted, "It's your fault for turning the volume up so loud."
"Ooh~ Just say so if you want to watch. We're watching the third Kamen Rider series tonight. Wanna join us~?"
Bang!!
"I'm not watching that!"
Satoru Gojo held his head and curled his lip. "Don't let me catch you secretly watching it yourself."
"Never!"
Bang!!
Masamichi Yaga pulled open the gym's metal door and asked them, "How much longer are you going to fool around?"
Then he looked around, noticed Shoko was nowhere to be seen, and asked the three, "Where's Shoko?"
"The bathroom, maybe."
"Probably off smoking."
"No idea."
The three chimed in one after another.
"Never mind. You three, come outside. There's a mission."
At those words, all three wore speechless expressions.
"What's that supposed to mean? Do those looks mean you have a problem?"
"Of course not."
"Wouldn't dare."
"I do."
They walked outside and passed through a pavilion. The brilliant summer sun shone on the green grass, bringing a hint of comfort.
Yet amid these lovely surroundings, Masamichi Yaga spoke words that were utterly cold.
"Actually, it was originally just for Satoru and Geto, but thanks to my recommendation, I successfully got Amayo included too."
"Hooray."
"Yaga-sensei's the best!"
Satoru Gojo and Suguru Geto each celebrated, leaving only Igarashi Amaha to grieve alone.
"I think this mission will be quite difficult for you, which is why I had Amaha join in too. We weren't originally supposed to take it, but Master Tengen specifically requested us."
"Master Tengen? That's unusual. But he should know how strong Amaha is, shouldn't he? Yet he only asked for the two of us. Strange," Suguru Geto said, stroking his chin.
Masamichi Yaga shook his head and glanced at Igarashi Amaha. "It's not that he didn't want to. He simply wasn't sure. After all, Amaha doesn't need his Barrier Technique and has never had any dealings with him."
"Of course, the main reason is still Amaha's status. He's even less likely to give Amaha orders out of nowhere. After all, he doesn't like getting too deeply involved with the higher-ups."
Satoru Gojo gave Igarashi Amaha an envious look and teased, "Wow, King of Southern Europe. So cool~"
"Satoru, do you need another punch from me?" Igarashi Amaha asked with a yawn, his hands behind his head.
"No."
"Then please stop saying that cringeworthy name. Promise me, okay?"
"Okay, Mr. King of Southern Europe."
Bang!!
Igarashi Amaha looked at his fist, suspended in front of Satoru Gojo's face, and raised an eyebrow. "Turning on Limitless takes all the fun out of it."
"I can't actually let you punch me, can I? Compared to Geto's punches, yours hurt like hell. I don't want to try that again."
Suguru Geto teased, "Are you complaining that I'm weak?"
"I'm complaining about why you all love hitting me on the head."
Hearing the conversation veer further and further off track, Masamichi Yaga hurriedly steered it back. "All right, quiet down, all of you. Let me explain the commission for this trip..."