An Aunt worried about her Nephew

The next morning, Ryosuke and Yuki met deep within the forest, far from prying eyes.

The path they walked twisted through the trees, the high branches forming a natural canopy overhead. Sunlight filtered through the dense foliage, casting dappled shadows on the moss-covered ground. The birds' song filled the air as they breathed in the crisp morning air.

They walked in silence for a while, Ryosuke following closely behind his aunt. Finally, Yuki stopped in the middle of a small clearing, perfectly hidden among the trees.

"Here," she said, glancing around. "We can talk without being disturbed."

Ryosuke nodded, about to voice his doubts, but Yuki cut him off with a sharp gesture. Her face, previously calm and smiling, hardened. Her piercing eyes locked onto his, as if she could see straight through him.

"Ryosuke," she said, her voice cold and cutting. "How long are you going to keep playing dumb? It's sad, really, coming from you."

Ryosuke blinked, stunned by her sudden change in tone. "What? I don't—"

Yuki sighed, crossing her arms, looking slightly annoyed. "I get it, it's a lot to take in. Discovering you have powers, that this hidden world exists... But playing dumb, even with your dear aunt? That's disappointing."

Ryosuke looked away, uncomfortable. He scratched the back of his head. "Sorry, Auntie…" he muttered. "I got a little carried away." He hesitated for a moment. "This... sudden gain of powers, it threw me off."

Yuki stayed silent, arms still crossed, but she didn't take her eyes off him.

Ryosuke eventually raised his head, meeting her gaze. "The truth is… I'm not as clueless as you think. I already know a bit about the Jujutsu world. I knew about it before you mentioned it last night."

Yuki's eyebrows raised slightly, a mix of surprise and curiosity flickering in her eyes. "What do you mean?"

Ryosuke took a deep breath. "At first, I thought it was just hallucinations, that I was losing my mind. But little by little, I realized it was real. And that's when I started searching for answers, trying to figure out what was happening to me."

He paused, watching Yuki's reaction. She no longer seemed angry, just intrigued. That was his cue to continue.

"I didn't know who to talk to. I didn't know if I could trust you, even though you're family. I didn't want to..." He trailed off, struggling for words.

Yuki gave a faint smile, though it was tinged with sadness. "Ryosuke, do you really think I'd see you like that? That your own aunt, who shares the same powers, would hurt you?"

Ryosuke shrugged, still uncomfortable. "This world… it's so different from everything I've known. I thought, if I couldn't trust my family, who could I trust?"

Yuki stepped closer to him. When she stood directly in front of him, she gently placed her hand on his head, ruffling his brown hair.

"I'm proud of you," she whispered softly.

Ryosuke blinked, taken aback. For a brief moment, he didn't know what to say, his mind racing to understand this sudden shift in tone.

He looked up at Yuki, lips parted, but no words came out.

Sensing his confusion, Yuki smiled, then let her hand drop to her side. She took a step back, still facing him, her eyes not leaving his. A deep sigh escaped her lips, and she briefly averted her gaze.

"You know, Ryosuke," she began, her voice deeper, more serious, "you're right to be cautious. Even with me, even with your own family." She paused, making sure he understood. "In the world of Jujutsu, caution isn't a weakness. If anything, it's a survival skill. Because in this world, information is power. The one who knows more, who understands the hidden machinations, always has the upper hand."

A soft wind rustled the leaves around them.

"It's a cruel world," Yuki continued. "A world where those close to you today could be your enemies tomorrow. A world where trust is a luxury you can't afford to give freely." She shook her head, as if even she found it hard to accept. "Being on guard, even with me, isn't wrong. It's what will keep you alive."

Ryosuke felt his chest tighten at her words. He hadn't wanted to live in constant suspicion, especially not toward his own family. But hearing Yuki say it was not only understandable but necessary struck him deeply.

He took a long breath, battling the conflicting emotions swirling inside him.

Yuki's gaze softened as she watched him.

She stepped closer again and, this time, pulled him into a firm embrace. A simple gesture, but so unexpected.

"Thank you for trusting me anyway," she said, her voice barely audible, almost broken with emotion. "I know it's not easy... and I'm sorry you have to live in such a world."

Ryosuke froze, overwhelmed by the vulnerability she showed, she who had always seemed so strong, so unshakable.

He didn't know what to say for a long time. But he knew his aunt was right. He could no longer afford to see the world through the eyes of an ordinary teenager.

Finally, he straightened up a little. "Thank you, Auntie," he whispered, his eyes bright with emotion.

Yuki smiled and, in a familiar gesture, gently ruffled his hair again. "You little rascal," she said with a laugh. "I have to admit, I never expected to be talking Jujutsu with my family..."

Ryosuke gave a shy smile. "I guess I still have a lot to learn."

"That's an understatement," Yuki teased with a wink. "But now that you've come clean with me, we can move forward."

She took a few steps back and stretched, as if preparing for something important. "Now that everything's out in the open," she said, turning to face him with her hands on her hips, "it's time to start your real training. No more pretending. Are you ready?"

Ryosuke, still a bit nervous, nodded. "I'm ready."

TO BE CONTINUED!

Next Chapter: Who's your Kind of Woman?