Chapter 82

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"How was your life before joining Jujutsu school?"

As Itadori walked beside Maki, he couldn't help but ask.

With the silence that stretched between them during the walk, he felt compelled to ease the tension with some conversation.

Over the past month, he and Maki had quickly grown closer. Maki might have seemed cold on the outside, but she really had a pleasant side, especially when they talked between trading blows.

The pursuit of strength also helped in building their bond.

Itadori was drawn as much to her willpower as to her abilities.

Eventually, after so much interaction, he found himself interested in her.

Admiration? A small crush? Honestly, Itadori couldn't say… or didn't want to.

In his past life, he had been a grown man with a beautiful wife and plans to start a family.

He wouldn't lie to himself by saying he wasn't attracted to Maki. He liked her, and if circumstances were different, he wouldn't mind making a move.

But things were a little too complicated.

He hadn't broken up with his wife, but rather… he had been forcibly taken from her.

When Itadori first met Maki, he saw her simply as someone who shared a similar ambition to his own.

But through their conversations, he soon noticed how similar she was to his wife.

And he felt guilty for being drawn to that…

His blurred memories, which had dulled his feelings, only made Itadori more depressed.

He could say that he once loved his wife with all his heart, but now… only the feeling of gratitude for her having been by his side remained.

Was that… was that enough?

Could that be enough for the woman he had left behind…?

Itadori didn't have an answer for that, and he doubted he ever would.

He didn't know about his wife, but Itadori hoped she could move on… If possible, he wanted to see her happy, even after his disappearance.

And just as he wanted her to move on, he also needed to take a step forward.

One day he may have been Mark, and his life experiences would always be with him, but as painful as it was to say this…

His past no longer mattered.

He was now Yuji Itadori, a completely different person, walking a completely different path.

If he couldn't accept the simple fact of being attracted to someone else, then he would never be able to move forward.

"What do you mean?" Maki raised an eyebrow at his question.

"I mean… what was your childhood like with the Zenin clan?"

Maki nodded in understanding, her lips tightening as memories of her time with the cursed clan came to her.

"It wasn't pleasant at all…"

The Zenin clan had done nothing for her or her sister. Maki grew up in an environment where she was groomed to serve others.

Targeted from childhood to be the future wife of some idiot from the clan.

Her wishes were never respected; she was nothing more than an object.

When Maki showed determination, Naobito gave her a chance, but her lack of talent with cursed energy quickly lost his interest.

That's why she decided to leave.

She wanted to return one day and show the clan that even she could become stronger. That way, maybe she could make things better for her sister…

"They never gave me anything. In fact, I don't miss that place at all," she spoke with disgust in her voice.

Itadori nodded. "Well, you must remember at least one good thing…"

Maki remained silent, her eyes shining as a pleasant memory came to mind.

Memories of having fun with her sister a long time ago.

"Yes…" And with a small smile forming on her lips, she answered, "When we were kids, Mai and I had fun. I think those were the only good memories from that place."

"You seem to care about your sister a lot," Itadori pointed out.

"We're not on good terms, but…" Pausing for a moment, she seemed to think about her next words. "One of the reasons I do what I do is so I can make space for Mai."

"…"

Blinking when she noticed Itadori quietly watching her, Maki shook her head, shaking off the memories of her past as a sigh escaped her lips, realizing she had said too much.

"Anyway, what about you? You never talk about your childhood." She quickly changed the subject.

Itadori rubbed his chin thoughtfully. Previously, he had been able to separate what belonged to Mark's memories and what belonged to Itadori's, but by this point, childhood memories were too mixed for him to distinguish.

He remembered playing with his grandfather as a child, but he also remembered running around the house with his younger siblings.

It was all a bit strange, but not exactly unpleasant.

"I had a pleasant childhood. I vaguely remember my father, but my grandfather was a great father figure in my life…" Itadori smiled as memories of his parents and grandparents came to mind, even though he only spoke of Itadori's childhood. "I have nothing to complain about."

Maki simply observed him, and with a silent nod, she continued walking alongside him.

"So, what's your plan?" Itadori suddenly asked. "I can't really be seen. Even with the elders dead, the clans might still choose to follow through with the execution order."

"You'll stay hidden outside while I get the cursed tools. If anything happens, I'll make sure to alert you."

"Right…" Itadori nodded… even though he didn't plan to stay hidden. "You should be careful. I doubt they'll hand over the cursed tools so easily."

Maki just shook her head. She doubted it would be as simple as walking in and taking them, but she also didn't believe the clan would try anything too drastic, as it could damage their reputation with the other clans.

The game created by Kenjaku wasn't something the clans viewed favorably, as it had led to the revelation of cursed energy to the world.

The Zenin clan would need an excellent excuse if they wanted to eliminate those trying to stop Kenjaku.

"We've arrived."

Maki declared as she stopped in front of what appeared to be a shrine, Itadori beside her noticing numerous traditional-style buildings not far off.

"After this point, the Kukuru squad will be able to see you, so you'd better hide." She warned, with Itadori nodding and stepping back. "Stay alert."

Moving behind a tree, Itadori gave one last glance at Maki, who was staring at the clan's entrance with a distant look.

"Hey, Maki." Calling out to her, he made her turn towards him. "Don't try to do everything alone, I'll be here if you need me."

"…" Maki stared at him for a few seconds before offering a grateful smile. "Alright."