24 : The Talk

"Hey, Yuna!"

"Minato-kun! Long time no see! How have you been?"

"I'm doing great, actually. I got an internship and quickly landed a job at a well-known company abroad. Now I'm the CEO! How about you?"

"Well, after we graduated high school, I got married and now have a baby. What about you?"

"Not yet. I haven't even had a girlfriend."

"What?! You were one of the handsomest guys in our high school!" Minato just gently smile at Yuna.

"There's only one woman in my heart, and she's standing right in front of me." Minato's unexpected declaration made Yuna blush.

"Minato, I am flattered that you like me....But I'm already married and have a son! We can't be together! It's too late! Besides, I love my husband!"

"What about your husband? Did he ever said he love you back?"

"W-well, he's not really a talkative person. B-but... I'm sure he loves me,"

"I heard about his past you know,"

"..."

"I know how he lied to you about being a part-time construction worker, how he always came home late and left for work before you and Megumi could even have breakfast together. And he's never truly told you what he's really doing when he's gone. He doesn't even care about your anniversary."

"But he's caring! He gives me allowance money for our anniversary!"

"Oh, sweetheart. For a man, money can be easily given. But if someone truly loves you, he will give you his attention—his full attention. Not just money."

Yuna's eyes widened at Minato's statement, her expression shifting to stunned disbelief.

"B-but… what about my son? He will miss his daddy. I can't do that to him..."

"He can live with us, and I will raise him as my own son—with you as my lovely wife."

"Minato…"

"So, what's your answer?"

"Yes, I will marry you!"

Yuna hugged Minato tightly, and together they walked away with Megumi in their arms, leaving Toji standing alone.

"No, wait! Listen to me, sweetheart! I can change! I can be a better husband and father! PLEASE DON'T LEAVE ME!" he pleaded, trying to chase after them. But his efforts were in vain. He could only watch as the light in his life was forcibly taken away, leaving him in darkness. Panic surged as he felt water flooding his surroundings, filling his lungs and threatening to drown him.

"NO!"

Toji woke up, drenched in sweat, his heart racing. He looked around, realizing he was lying on the sofa in his apartment's living room.

"Toji, thank goodness you're awake! Here, drink this," Yuna said, handing him a glass of water. He accepted it gratefully and gulped it down.

As he set the glass aside, Toji noticed others in the room. His wife's red-haired friend, the old man from the bar yesterday, a pink-haired man—definitely his wife's friend's husband—and the ex-heir of the Zenin Clan, Naoya Zenin. Instantly on guard, he pulled Yuna behind him protectively.

"Oh good, you're awake. I know you're probably mad and confused, but we need to talk. All of us, " said the old man, his gaze sharp as he stared at Toji.

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"Have a nice night, ma'am."

Miyoko sighed as she watched the last customers leave the minimarket. She glanced at the clock—21:45. Just fifteen minutes until closing.

The evening had been unusually busy, the kind of night where customers seemed to pour in non-stop. She shook her head, wondering what had drawn so many people out tonight.

With a determined huff, she quickly tidied up the store, wiping down surfaces and arranging items on the shelves. She made sure to turn the open sign to closed at the entrance.

Tonight had been a stark reminder of her recent resignation from being a window. If she hadn't left that role, she would have been trapped in a vision of endless work.

Just a few days ago, she had fainted in the middle of her shift. Thankfully, a man in a suit had come to her rescue, carrying her home like she weighed nothing. The memory sent a shiver down her spine. Without him, who knows what could have happened?

The thought of cursed spirits lurking in the streets of Sendai was unsettling. They were supposed to haunt places like hospitals, where the veil between the living and the dead was thin.

Something was definitely off, but what could it be?

Before she could delve deeper into her thoughts, the bell above the door jingled again, pulling her back to the present. Her heart skipped a beat as she saw a familiar face enter the minimarket.

"Hey, it's you! Welcome back!" she exclaimed, a genuine smile lighting up her face.

The man in the office suit stepped inside, looking much better than the last time she'd seen him. The swelling on his face had subsided, revealing a warm smile that made her stomach flutter.

"Hey, kitten. Miss me already?" He leaned casually against the counter, his demeanor relaxed.

She rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress her smile.

"Maybe a little bit. But, I heard from my little brother that you carried me home when I fainted last night...I-.. T-thank you for that.....—and for protecting me from those cursed spirits..... I-i m-might have panicked and ended up as a snack if you hadn't intervened."

He looked momentarily taken aback, his eyes widening as he processed her words.

"Don't mention it. I love helping beautiful girls like you."

"Do you say that to every girl you meet?" she asked, raising an eyebrow, a teasing lilt in her voice.

"Probably. But right now, there's only one beautiful girl, and she's right in front of me," he replied, his tone playful, his gaze unwavering.

Miyoko felt a blush creep up her cheeks.

"How do you even see cursed spirits? Were you also work as a window for the Jujutsu Sect?"

"Can't spill all my secrets just yet. We're not close enough for that. Maybe after our second date, if you're interested," he said, flashing a mischievous wolfish smile.

She playfully patted his shoulder, her heart racing.

"You wish."

"Hey, let a guy dream, will you?" he said, chuckling.

She chuckled along with him, but then her curiosity got the best of her.

"You look better than last night. I take it your wild monkey problem is under control?" He chuckled again

"Well, I doubt anyone strong enough can take on that monkey. It's impossible."

She raised an eyebrow. "You could just call animal control. Leaving wild animals like that is dangerous—they can attack children or the elderly."

He burst into laughter, the sound filling the small space.

"Holy shit, you're hilarious! I'd love to take you out for dinner, but this time, I just need to grab my stuff."

Miyoko tapped her forehead, remembering what he had said. She deftly retrieved a plastic bag from under the cashier's shelf and handed it to him.

"Here you go! Sorry for forgetting. I promise I didn't touch anything inside. It's just as you left it—unless I forgot it entirely."

"Nah, it's okay. I trust you," he said, taking the bag.

"It's always nice chatting with you, Kitten."

As he turned to leave, he shot her a wink and a smirk. Miyoko felt her heart skip a beat. She rolled her eyes but couldn't help smiling softly as he walked out. The door jingled again, and she resumed mopping the floor, her mind replaying their conversation.

Then, a thought hit her.

"Dammit, I forgot to ask his name."

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It was already 1:35 a.m.—the time when most people were nestled comfortably in their beds, drifting into peaceful sleep, ready to wake up the next day with renewed energy. The gentle night breeze swept through the city of Sendai, a beautiful place surrounded by forests and rice fields, creating an atmosphere of tranquility. However, that peace was far from the reality in one of the Type 275 apartments.

In the dimly lit living room, the tension was palpable, thick enough to cut with a knife.

Toji's sharp green eyes scanned the faces of the guests, daring anyone to make a move. His presence was intimidating, a silent promise that he wouldn't hesitate to act if provoked.

Seeing the standoff and the palpable discomfort, Wasuke exhaled through his nose and rubbed his forehead, trying to ease the mounting tension.

"Look, everyone just glaring at each other isn't going to solve anything. We need to talk this out, and we can start with you, Toji."

"Me?" Toji replied, his voice dripping with sarcasm, unwilling to accept Wasuke's sudden spotlight. Yuna, sensing her husband's rising agitation, gently placed a hand on his shoulder to calm him.

"Yes, you, young man," Wasuke pressed on. "From what I heard from Naoya, you just attacked him and Kushina out of nowhere at the hospital parking lot. Can you explain why you did that?"

Ten eyes from five different people were trained on Toji, waiting for an explanation. But he just looked confused, as if caught in a fog of disbelief.

"Wait, who the hell is Kushina?" Toji asked, genuinely puzzled. Just then, a red-haired woman raised her hand.

"That would be me," she said, a hint of irritation in her voice.

Toji frowned, trying to recall the events of the night. "I don't even remember doing anything to you," he muttered, his memory hazy from what had happened before he passed out.

"Bullshit!" Naoya shot back, his voice rising. He looked ready to lunge at Toji, but Jin stepped in, blocking his path.

"Naoya, watch your language!" Wasuke scolded, trying to regain control of the situation.

"Can you clarify what you mean by that?" Jin asked, his tone steady.

Toji scoffed, crossing his arms. "It's true I attacked the midget, but I didn't touch her. The only person I went after besides the midget is that damn blondie, " he said, his tone dripping with disdain.

"Blondie? You mean this form—"

Toji reacted instinctively, hurling an empty glass aimed straight for Kushina's head. She (he) caught it effortlessly with one hand, a smirk playing on her (his) lips.

The atmosphere erupted into chaos.

Toji leaped from his seat like a frog, aiming a chair right at Kushina's face. She (he) dodged smoothly, pulling out her (his) gold chain to deflect the chair and vase that Toji flung her (his) way.

"Toji, stop it!" Yuna shouted, desperation creeping into her voice, but her words fell on deaf ears.

Jin, sensing an opportunity, crept toward Toji from behind, ready to ambush him. But Toji, ever alert, spun around just in time to throw a good old punch. To Jin's surprise, he caught Toji's fist easily, but Toji wasn't out of tricks. He headbutted Jin, breaking free of his grip.

"AH, FUCK!"

Before Toji could land another blow, Naoya used his cursed technique, kicking Toji's head in an attempt to knock him out. But rather than incapacitating him, it only fueled Toji's rage. He glared furiously at Naoya, his voice low and menacing.

"You little fucking midget—"

"Oi! You want to fight? Then fight me, dickface!" Kushina, still in Minato's form, taunted, her (his) eyes glinting with challenge.

Toji felt a surge of anger at the sight of his most hated rival. He prepared himself for a duel, ready to unleash everything he had, again.

But just as it seemed a deadly confrontation was imminent, Wasuke's voice thundered through the room.

"ENOUGH!"

The force of his command hung in the air like a shockwave.

Toji, who had been poised to leap at Kushina, suddenly froze midair. It was as if time itself had halted. The furniture that Kushina had hurled toward him also seemed suspended in the air, frozen in place like a scene paused in a video game. Naoya and Jin, caught in their own tense standoff, were equally immobilized, unable to move a muscle.

"LOOK WHAT YOU'VE ALL DONE!" Wasuke's voice boomed, his frustration palpable. "ACT LIKE GODDAMN BRATS! YUNA AND THE BABY HAVE BEEN CRYING WHILE YOU ATTACKED EACH OTHER! YOU'RE LUCKY YOU DIDN'T HIT YUNA OR, WORSE, THE BABY!"

Toji's gaze shifted slowly to his wife, who sat cradling their crying son. Tears glistened in her eyes, and he could see the stress etched on her face.

His heart ached at the sight; he could hardly bear the thought that his actions had driven her to this. The earlier adrenaline faded, replaced by a deep sense of guilt. Just when he thought Wasuke was finished, the elder's focus returned to him and Kushina.

"ESPECIALLY YOU TWO!" Wasuke continued, his voice rising in intensity. "WHAT IN THE RIGHT MIND DID YOU THINK IT WAS OKAY TO FIGHT TO THE DEATH IN SUCH A SMALL APARTMENT, WITH PEOPLE AROUND YOU? TWO HOURS AGO, YOU BOTH WERE AT IT, AND WHAT SHOULD I SAY? ' CONGRATULATIONS ON ACTING LIKE COMPLETE GODDAMN IDIOTS AND MANAGING TO DESTROY THE HOSPITAL!' YOU'RE BOTH LUCKY NO ONE'S FUCKIN DEAD BECAUSE OF YOUR POOR DECISIONS! NOW, YOU TWO BETTER BE ACTING LIKE GODDAMN FUCKIN ADULT OR SO HELP ME I WILL GLADLY THE ONE WHO WILL PUT BOTH OF YOU TO YOUR GRAVE BY MYSELF! DO YOU UNDERSTAND?!?"

The room fell silent, the weight of his words hanging heavily in the air.

"..."

"..."

"I said, DO YOU FUCKIN UNDERSTAND!?!"

"Y-yes, Dad," Jin stammered, his bravado crumbling under Wasuke's glare. He felt small, ashamed, and utterly exposed.

"... Alright," Toji said, his voice softening just slightly.

"Understood, Wasuke-san," Kushina replied, her tone steady despite the lingering tension. She glanced at Toji, a mix of frustration and empathy in her eyes.

"... hn," Naoya muttered, his defiance waning as he crossed his arms, staring at the floor.

With a snap of Wasuke's fingers, the spell broke, and everyone resumed their previous positions, albeit with a newfound sense of urgency.

"Okay," Wasuke said, his tone firm but slightly softer.

"You all better clean up this mess before we can talk things through properly."

"But, old man, he's the one who tried to attack us—!" Naoya protested, his voice rising in indignation.

"Now," Wasuke commanded, his voice leaving no room for argument.

With grumbles of protest, Naoya reluctantly began helping. Soon, Kushina, Jin, and Toji joined in, their earlier animosity overshadowed by the need to restore order. As they picked up chairs and scattered cushions, the awkwardness hung thick in the air, but the act of cleaning offered a temporary distraction.

"Why do you always have to fuck things up, Toji?" Naoya asked, his brow furrowed as he helped set a table back in place.

Toji shot him a glare. "I didn't fucking start this shit!"

"Right, because throwing punches is the mature way to handle things," Kushina chimed in sarcastically, rolling her eyes as she picked up a vase.

As the living room gradually returned to normal, they settled back down, but this time, they formed a circle on the floor, the atmosphere still charged but with a hint of reconciliation in the air.

"Now that we're all level-headed again," Wasuke said, his voice more measured, "let's talk. And this time, let's do it normally."

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"WAKE UP, WOMAN!"

"Gyahh! W-what is going on?!" Ryouka blinked rapidly, her heart racing as she sat up in bed. Young Master Gojo stood next to her, a whirlwind of energy, his expression a mix of urgency and excitement.

"I don't have time to explain! Get up! If you want to keep your job as a maid tomorrow, you better move fast!" He thrust a stack of notebooks and pens into her arms before darting out of the maids' bedroom as if he were being chased.

Ryouka stared at the chaotic scene, her mind still foggy from sleep.

Was this a dream?

She glanced at the clock on her nightstand—23:45 p.m. Just as she tried to process what was happening, Young Master Gojo burst back into the room, this time grabbing her wrist and pulling her out of bed.

"Wait, Young Master! At least let me put on my shoes first!" She stumbled after him, her bare feet cold against the floor.

He paused for a moment, allowing her to slip on her shoes, but soon resumed his brisk pace, dragging her through the corridors until they reached the balcony on the highest floor of the Gojo Clan Estate.

Ryouka stepped out into the night, her breath catching at the breathtaking view before her.

The vast forest surrounding the estate stretched endlessly, and in the distance, the city lights twinkled like stars fallen to earth. It was mesmerizing, but her awe quickly shifted when she noticed four high-tech telescopes lined up neatly on the balcony.

"As you can see, there are four telescopes," Young Master Gojo began, gesturing grandly.

"Each one is equipped with a special built-in camera. The first has an infrared lens, the second a thermal lens, the third an ultraviolet lens, and the fourth a radiation lens. All provided by NASA! So don't worry about blurry pictures." He looked at her expectantly, his enthusiasm palpable.

"Wait, does that mean these are government-level tech!?! How did you even get permission to use this equipment?!" Ryouka's eyebrows shot up in disbelief.

"Doesn't matter how! Now, where was I? Oh, right. I need you to watch each telescope for three minutes. During that time, take five photos of anything you think is important. After three minutes on the infrared telescope, move to the thermal one, and so on. Got it?" He explained, his tone a mix of impatience and determination.

"Um… which button do I press to take a picture?" Ryouka asked, her confusion evident.

Gojo rolled his eyes, exasperated. "You press this one. Remember, there are only five camera rolls for each telescope. Don't mess this up! Oh, and here—" He tossed her a watch and a notebook. "Every time you take a photo, jot down the time in the notebook. Alright, my patience is wearing thin, so hurry up!"

"Right away, Young Master!" Ryouka replied, trying to mask her bewilderment with determination.

As Ryouka prepared to follow his orders, she couldn't help but think how absurd this all was.

In just two weeks of working here, she had already encountered some of the strangest situations imaginable.

Lack of sleep made her head spin, and all she really wanted was to crawl back into bed and enjoy a few more hours of beauty sleep.

But the paycheck... that was the reality she couldn't ignore. With a deep sigh, she steeled herself for the task ahead.

'They better raise my paycheck for dealing with this nonsense,' she thought, shaking her head in resignation as she moved toward the first telescope.

Ryouka focused on the first telescope, the infrared lens, adjusting the view until the darkness of the night transformed into a faint glow.

As she scanned the area, her brow furrowed in concentration. So far, nothing caught her eye—just the occasional night owl fluttering through the trees. Despite the lack of excitement, she dutifully snapped five pictures, feeling the weight of Young Master Gojo's expectations on her shoulders.

Moving on to the thermal lens, she squinted at the screen, hoping for something more intriguing. Again, it was mostly mundane; the heat signatures of the forest provided little of interest. She sighed softly, the fatigue from her lack of sleep gnawing at her.

'Just a bit longer,' she reminded herself, pushing through.

Finally, she turned to the ultraviolet telescope. As she peered through the lens, her eyes widened.

In the distance, faint spots danced just outside the forest's edge, shapes resembling worms and flies flitting about. Her curiosity piqued, but she decided to hold off on asking Young Master Gojo until she captured a clear image.

With three telescopes down, only the radiation lens remained. Ryouka adjusted her position, taking a deep breath. She leaned forward, blinking rapidly and rubbing her eyelids to clear her vision.

'Am I really seeing this right?' she wondered, feeling a twinge of anxiety.

When she looked through the radiation telescope again, her heart raced. What she saw was no illusion; the readings displayed on the screen were alarming.

The radiation exposure was off the charts—1500 mSv.

"Y-Young Master!" she exclaimed, her voice rising in urgency. "We need to call Japan's national security! Call the police! ANYONE! This is very dangerous!"

Gojo, seemingly unfazed, continued jotting down notes in his book. "Just snap the photo; it's fine. No need to panic."

"No need to panic?!" Ryouka's voice trembled with disbelief. "THIS IS SERIOUS! That level of radiation is almost as high as the Chernobyl tragedy in 1986! We have to tell someone!"

"And what exactly are you going to tell them?" Gojo shot back, frustration creeping into his tone. "That you detected high radiation levels with a telescope while their own detectors didn't even go off? They'll think you're nuts!"

Ryouka's hands trembled slightly as she gripped the telescope. "B-but how can the government not realize it? It's enormous! It's even glowing from here! Someone must be alerted!"

"Of course, they won't be alerted!" Gojo snapped. "This radiation lens isn't just any ordinary equipment; it's infused with cursed energy! That's why we can see it! If the government had detected it, it would be all over the news by now. There would be alarms and evacuations! Do you see any of that happening?!"

"I… I…" Ryouka stammered, her resolve wavering under his fierce blue gaze.

"Do you?!"

"…No."

"Good! Now do your job properly and take those goddamn pictures!"

With a dread, Ryouka returned to the radiation telescope. She snapped five photos, her heart pounding in her chest. Ten minutes later, she blinked in disbelief as she observed the radiation levels on the screen. The high readings that had been so pronounced moments ago vanished as suddenly as they appeared, as if swept away by an unseen force.

'How the hell?! That's not how radiation works!'

"You done taking all the pictures?" Young Master Gojo asked, glancing over at Ryouka. She nodded slowly, her eyes still glued to the telescopes.

"Okay. Now I want you to take out all the camera rolls from the telescopes and hand them to me," he instructed, his tone firm but light.

"I—I'm so sorry, Young Master. But which button do I press to eject the camera roll?" Ryouka stammered, glancing nervously at the array of buttons on the sophisticated telescope beside her. She fidgeted, her fingers twitching as she tried to decipher the alien technology.

Gojo let out a deep sigh, running a hand through his hair, a hint of exasperation in his eyes.

"..-tupid poor people," he muttered softly, shaking his head before stepping closer. He leaned over her shoulder, guiding her hands gently to the correct buttons, helping her eject the camera rolls from each of the four telescopes.

Once they finished, he took her hand again, leading her away from the balcony. They walked a short distance before he paused, turning his body back toward the telescopes. Ryouka felt a mix of confusion and curiosity as he pointed at them with his index finger, his expression suddenly serious.

Then, in a hushed tone, she heard him say, "...Cursed Technique Amplification: Blue."

Ryouka blinked, and in an instant, the four telescopes exploded into pieces. Her mouth fell open in shock, her mind racing.

'Did I just witness a miracle?'

Should she be impressed or terrified? The ease with which Young Master Gojo had destroyed such expensive equipment—telescopes approved by NASA— that probably worth like as someone to buy a new liver, or the fact he can destroy it with mere point of his finger, left her feeling a whirlwind of emotions.

Seriously, this truly crazy rich people problem.

"Come on, chop-chop. We still got work to do," he said, his casual tone cutting through her thoughts as he gestured for her to follow.

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They had talked for what felt like hours. It started with Toji explaining the attack – why he went after Naoya, why Naoya was even in Sendai in the first place. Then came the revelation of Kushina, not a Jujutsu Sorcerer or Curse User at all, but a kunoichi from another world entirely. Toji had to explain why he'd asked a coworker to watch over his wife while he was away on a mission.

The conversation unfolded, layer by layer, until they were knee-deep in the tangled history of Toji and Naoya's past with the Zenin Clan, and how it all tied into the mess they were currently facing.

Thankfully, Megumi had been put to sleep earlier by Yuna. The conversation was heavy, intense, and stretched on long enough that Yuna was sure her arms were about to fall off from carrying their son.

As Toji spoke about his past, Yuna felt fresh tears welling up. Hearing about her husband's experiences – a ten-year-old boy locked in a room with cursed spirits, left to fight for his life for three days and nights without food or water – it was almost too much to bear.

And then, escaping the Zenin Clan at fifteen, learning to read from Shi Woo because the clan had deemed him, a "monkey," unworthy of even basic education… wanting to keep him ignorant and pliable. Yuna clutched Toji tighter, burying her face in his chest.

Toji's eyes widened slightly at her sudden embrace. He wasn't used to such open displays of emotion, especially not directed at him. Yet, a soft smile touched his lips as he returned the hug, drawing comfort from her warmth.

He took a deep, steadying breath, the weight of the past momentarily lighter with Yuna by his side.

He exhaled slowly, the tension easing from his shoulders as he realized the absurdity of the situation. It was all one big misunderstanding, sparked by Shi Woo's impulsive assumption that Yuna was cheating.

'To do list: Tomorrow, smack the shit out of Shi Woo and get drunk,' Toji thought, a flicker of dark amusement dancing in his eyes.

The six of them moved on to the topic of Kushina. Jin's jaw nearly hit the floor when Wasuke reacted to Kushina's tale of being from another world with a shrug.

"Wait, why you knew about it, Dad?! How?!?" Jin sputtered, completely bewildered.

"Like I said, I've had these powers for a week now. Your thoughts are pretty loud, you two. It's impossible not to know." Wasuke just smirked, glancing at Kushina and Jin, who both blushed bright red.

"Hold on," Naoya interjected, eyebrows shooting up. "Does that mean you knew I was faking amnesia this whole time? Why didn't you kick me out, old man?"

Wasuke chuckled, a sly smile playing on his lips. "Well, I could have. But, leaving you homeless while you're trying not to get assassinated seemed a bit harsh, even for me. Besides," he added, his voice softening as he looked at Naoya, "my grandsons have taken a liking to you. And frankly, I need another level-headed person in this house. Living with just these two as adults? They'd drive me crazy."

Naoya ducked his head, a flicker of surprised warmth spreading through him at the unintended praise.

"Hey, we're perfectly level-headed!" Jin protested, immediately offended.

"YEAH, WE BOTH ARE RESPONSIBLE ADULTS, DATTEBANE!" Kushina chimed in, nodding her head vigorously in agreement. Wasuke just rolled his eyes at his son and their supposed maid/babysitter.

"Kushina, all that training you've been doing in the forest at the edge of the village? Do you know how many times I've heard villagers gossiping about explosions coming from there? Some of them are making up myths about a divine beast living there! We're supposed to be keeping your powers a secret." Kushina waved a hand dismissively.

"Hey, as long as they don't actually see what I'm doing, it's fine, Wasuke-san! They're probably too scared to come closer with all the noise I make."

"Hmm...we'll see about that," Wasuke said, a thoughtful look on his face. He then turned to Jin, fixing him with a pointed look.

"And you, son? You can't cook for shit. Last time you tried to make surprise ramen for Kushina to cheer her up, it ended up as charcoal."

Jin slumped, his ears burning as Kushina gasped, her eyes sparkling with admiration.

"OMG, Jin-kun, you tried to cook for me, dattebane?!" She threw her arms around Jin, squeezing him tightly. Jin turned an even brighter shade of red.

"Wait a minute," Naoya cut in, eyes widening. "That fire in the kitchen last week? He was trying to cook?"

"Pretty much," Wasuke confirmed, a hint of amusement in his voice.

Naoya smirked, throwing a teasing grin at Jin. "Well, look at that. Seems I've got better skills than you, and I only learned a week ago."

Jin just rolled his eyes, though a small smile played on his lips, betraying his amusement. He couldn't even be truly offended by Naoya's teasing.

Yuna watched the Itadori family drama unfold with quiet amusement, a soft chuckle escaping her lips at their easy, chaotic affection. Toji, on the other hand, maintained a stoic expression, his jaw tight.

It wasn't fair.

When he'd run away from the Zenin Clan at fifteen, he'd spent three months scavenging for scraps in Tokyo's alleys. Pickpocketing for food, getting caught, spending nine months in juvie… then back on the streets, sleeping under a dilapidated bridge.

It was only by chance he'd met Shi Woo, a scrawny sixteen-year-old, while trying to lift his wallet.

Shi Woo, who became his friend, his teacher, his link to a world beyond survival. Shi Woo, who taught him how to read, how to cook, how to be something more than a weapon the Zenin clan discarded.

They'd been inseparable, the Wildcard duo of Shi Woo's high school—Toji, the protector, and Shi Woo, the brains.

And then their paths diverged. Shi Woo, shedding his delinquent skin, pursuing his dream of becoming a detective. Toji, drifting into the murky underworld, making a name for himself first as the Heavenly Tyrant among non-sorcerers, then as the Sorcerer Killer within Jujutsu society.

Six years of blood, sweat, and pain before he'd found some semblance of peace, a family, a place to belong. And here was Naoya, escaping his gilded cage of a clan only to be welcomed with open arms by the most bizarre, loving family imaginable.

It was enough to make Toji bitter.

Did fate truly delight in making him suffer before granting him even a sliver of happiness?

His thoughts were interrupted as the Itadori family prepared to leave, showering Yuna with an avalanche of gifts – clothes, food, medicine.

Yuna, initially flustered by their generosity, eventually accepted with a grateful smile. Toji, ever practical, saw no reason to refuse their peace offering. It was the least they could do after turning their lives upside down.

Later, as they settled into bed, a thought struck Toji.

"Sweetheart," he began, turning to face Yuna, "if you're not pregnant, why were you at the hospital? Are you sick?"

Yuna fell silent, her gaze dropping to her hands. She fidgeted with the edge of the blanket, her usual bright cheer dimmed as a shadow crossed her features.

Toji felt a knot of unease tighten in his chest. He wasn't used to seeing Yuna so… subdued.

"Sweetheart?" Toji pressed, concern creeping into his voice. He reached out, gently taking her hand in his. Her skin felt cold.

"T-Toji... I didn't know how to tell you this… b-but I…" Her voice was barely a whisper, choked with emotion.

"Yes? What is it?" Toji leaned closer, his thumb stroking the back of her hand, urging her to continue.

Yuna took a shaky breath, her eyes finally meeting his. They were filled with a pain that pierced through Toji's heart like a shard of ice.

"I'm… dying, Toji," she whispered, the word barely audible yet heavy with finality.

Toji froze, his mind struggling to process the word, the meaning hanging in the air between them.

"I'm sorry, what?" he asked, his voice hoarse. He wasn't sure he'd heard her correctly.

This had to be some kind of cruel joke.

"I said… I'm dying, Toji." Yuna repeated, her voice stronger this time, though the tremor in her words betrayed her composure. Tears welled up in her eyes, blurring her vision.

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How was this chapter? Did I make anyone cried yet? Rate 1 - 10.

P.s : Give me your thoughts and comments. I can't wait to read it 🤩