Chapter 31

"Welcome back to celebrity hunt!"

"Right fans, right now we are looking for the most elusive of all celebrities. Kechizu of the Death Paintings!"

"Believe it or not, he is so elusive, we have to increase the bounty on him! NO one has ever seen him in public!"

"That's right, for those of you at home who don't know how this is done. We ask the fans to send in candid shots of celebrities out and about, however Kechizu of the Death Painting hasn't been seen ANYWHERE besides on stage!"

"So with that being said, we are offering our biggest prize yet…"

The hosts fanned out a wad of cash. "100,000 yen for any picture of video of someone interacting with the led singer of the Death Paintings!"

They were filming live in the middle of down town Tokyo. At the same time, Junpei walked 'randomly' by as they made such an announcement. He made certain he was caught on camera doing a 'wait, what?!' sort of stop and look, but then smirked as he made his move.

They are notorious for this, they love prying into the lives of celebrities and getting fans to get into their faces in a sense. Junpei has been watching this show for a while, and he has been on their hit list too. But it was time to have some fun. "First person to get any picture or video of Kechizu, gets the cash!" said one.

It was time to have some fun.

Buffing himself out for the day, he waited for them to make such an announcement when he walked behind them. When he heard his name, he paused and turned around, making sure he was in the shot before coming up behind them. From there, he reached over and took a picture with his phone. Then, he sent a message to the hosts who now had the same photo he did. When they looked down, Junpei reached over and took the money right out of their hands!

"Hey buddy, you don't just… wait…" the hosts froze as he counted up the cash.

"Well, you said so yourself, first person to get a picture or video… we're doing that right now so I think that qualifies right?" Junpei asked with a grin. He stuck out and shook the hosts' hands. "Nice to meet you, I'm Kechizu of the Death Painting… I didn't think you guys would be THAT obsessed with me. But anyway, thanks for the cheddar!" he pocketed the money and walked off, the hosts couldn't move, let alone believe what just happened to them.

It was still amusing. Since after all, he did look a little different from before. He also slicked back his hair to make sure no one noticed it was him when he covered one side of his face. His curse mark and discolored skin was hidden for now. Make up from Nobara hide the hue, contacts hid his black eye and the rest, he just has to keep himself settled.

Yet even after the incident, no one really noticed him as Kechizu. After all, he didn't really walk around like this often. The discoloration on the side of his face was the main feature of his look, so if anything he was still hard to spot. Not to mention the two massive mouths on the side of his torso are covered up.

But he was fine with that. 'If anything it goes to show that I can still blend in… nice' he thought to himself.

It was brisk outside today. But he didn't mind the cold the least bit, if anything he savored it all. For a whole, well… ever since Itadori was turned into a baby dragon. He has really considered how fortune he has been. Despite being half curse, it wasn't a bad life. The occasional death threats were starting to no longer bother him, but he is still aware that the council, jujutsu society in general will make a strike sooner than later.

He was oddly calm about it.

'If anything, it's Suiryu that sets my mind at ease. He's like the wall between us and the council' he thought. At the same time, he knows he can't keep depending on Suiryu's strength to keep them through. The great lady already warned them of what is to come, and it sounds like they cannot rely on Suiryu alone to defeat Sukuna.

He has trained every day with Choso, working on his blood manipulation technique as well as learned other tricks of the trade from the brothers. They all have that ability, but opt to use the ones that they are more comfortable with. He has also taken Suiryu and Todo's advice as well. Buffing himself to be as big as he can and learning to fight hand to hand combat. Eso hasn't been his only training partner on that. Tanso himself is a master of such technique, after all, he doesn't like sending his familiars to battle unless he must.

He would spend the rest of the day on his own, taking in the city, at the same time considering where he needs to improve himself next. It would be nightfall by the time he decided to head for home. Yet, that is when the curses really come out.

He began to notice them the moment the sun started to set, in fact, they were rather plentiful tonight, but none sought of bother him or those who dared to walk the streets at this time. Yet there was something off, he sensed sorcerers near by, whispering about something. "Remember, just scare her, and don't harm her." He heard one say.

"I know the drill, I've done this before!" the other protested. But their conversation came to a stop, as they must have picked up on his curse energy. Junpei kept on his way but lingered in the neighbor to be safe than sorry.

"Sounds to me they are looking for trouble…" he muttered.

Taking to the rooftops he waited there and peered about to try and find anything out of place. That was when the curses began to react. He sensed it too, the smell of fear came over his nose. He didn't know he could smell something like this before, yet then remembered, he is half a curse too. The smell was dominate, strong and nearly… sweet in his mind. And it all came off of one young woman who strolled the streets utterly terrified.

"Wait a moment…" he took a closer look and realized, it was none other than Takada chan!

"Why is she… those look like curse glasses." He whispered.

He was right, after all, the curses were getting drawn towards her, making poor Takada chan scream at the sight as she tried to take shelter in the alleyway. People ignored her for they didn't see the curses and thought she was just someone trying to stir up trouble.

Junpei knew better. The two sorcerers were snickering too as they decided to make their move. 'Let me guess, get her in trouble, appear like the heroes last minute, saving her for doing so… that or they are trying to scare a lesson into her… wait…' Junpei paused from his train of thoughts. It was what Choso said when they finished recording the music video with Takada chan. Her manager was solely interested in Yuuji. Meaning he is probably a divine user… which means he knows about Suiryu. Could the divine be using music themselves to power their cause and gain more energy? It's the reverse of what Suiryu is trying to accomplish with the band. They aim to take the energy and the fear out of Sukuna's name. In return, Divine users are using music to fuel their power. It's positive energy!

What better way to gain it than through a pop idol who sings innocent songs?

If that's the case, then who are these curse users trailing her?

Either way, Junpei would step in. Takada chan had made it to the other side of the block, yet the curses had cornered her in a dead in. "Stop! Please, leave me alone!" she begged. She had crumbled down, attempting to hide her face from the monsters around her. Junpei jumped down from the rooftop and landed just before her, blocking the curses from moving any farther.

"Hey, hey now, can't you see you are scaring the lady?" he said offhandedly.

She peered out from her arm. Junpei turned and smiled to her. "You should just take the glasses off, they won't harm you if you notice them the way you have been. Not to mention, the moment you show fear…"

She screamed as one curse lunged at him from behind. Junpei turned and punched it with ease! It slammed into the wall but wasn't dead yet. After all, he hasn't called upon his blood or his own energy yet. "The moment you show fear, you feed them. If you offer them food like that, they won't leave you alone." He explained.

"Wait… you… Kechizu?!" she asked with amazement.

He smiled warmly to her. "Yep, that's me!" he said proudly. "How about you take those glasses off now…" yet he realized she stared at him, she was just as horrified to him as the curses around them.

"You…" she whispered fearfully.

He smirked a little. "Well, no point in hiding it now…" he unzipped his jacket, and took off his sweater revealing the mouths. "I did try and warn you, but oh well…"

He smiled wickedly to the curses around him, he gave off a demonic laugh before he began to slaughter them all! His hands coated in blood, one punch the blood pierced the bodies, then, it dragged out their essence which he gladly consumed through his torso mouths. It strengthened him even more as he began to have a little fun just smacking these weaklings around!

When it was over, they disbursed into dust, he let out a content sigh before putting his sweater on and jacket once more.

When he turned to Takada chan, she couldn't move. "Are you okay?" he asked gently.

"You… those things… your sides… you…" she said in a trembled voice.

He nodded to her. "Yeah…" he said offhandedly. "Don't tell anyone."

"Does… does Ryomen know?" she asked.

He snickered to the question, but then calmed himself. "Uh, yeah, part of the whole reason why he wanted me in his band. Look, I know I may appear unpleasant, but…"

"HOLD IT… wait… where are the curses!?"

He paused as the two sorcerers he heard earlier were now in the alleyway. When they noticed the lack of curses, their eyes came upon him. "A sorcerer… here?" one muttered.

"Sort of…" Junpei said with a shrug of his shoulders. "I've been trailing you two all night, you were following her. Question is, why?"

Takada chan stood. "They are my bodyguards," she explained.

He snorted a laugh. "Them?! Please, they don't have your best interest here. They were watching the curses gather around you… they could have taken them out before me."

"Don't listen to him!" one snapped. "What would he know anyways?"

"I just killed them all, and you lingered and waited until she could have been in trouble." He snapped back. "Tch, you guys are all the same, looking to be the big hero when needed at just the right time… you make me sick." He said flat out. "Anyways, Miss Chan, get back to your hotel, get some new guards and stay safe…"

He was about to leave the alley, when the bodyguards blocked his way. "Just a moment, I know you… from the Death Paintings right? Kechizu…"

"What of it?"

The two smirked. "We're told to consider you a curse"

They shoved him back, Junpei sighed aloud. "You don't want to do this, just a heads up. Not to mention it wouldn't be good publicity to say the least…"

"Shut up, you're a curse, not a human. So we can take liberties on judgment here. Besides, why would a curse like you be around Miss Chan?"

Sizing them up, they were second grade sorcerers if Junpei were to guess. Two of them put together would be a first grade, they have good curse energy but have yet to reveal their abilities to him. At the same time, he wants to avoid a fight. Miss Chan is still watching and if she gets caught in the crossfire… forget about the bodyguards killing him. TODO would do it!

"Let's just say I was enjoying an evening stroll when I noticed her in trouble. Question is, it appears you have made her do this before haven't you? Is this a punishment for doing a music video with Ryomen Sukuna?" he asked offhandedly.

"None of your business, curse!"

"Wait, is that the reason!?" she demanded.

Takada chan found her courage as she confronted the bodyguards. "It is isn't it! The last time this happened, nearly the same incident occurred! That was when I was caught WATCHING to the rock opera!"

"Sensing a theme here…" Junpei said offhandedly.

"Miss Chan, you are listening to a curse! He has already tainted your mind with lies, why do you believe him over us?"

She paused.

"It's not that she believes me, but the evidence has shown otherwise as to your motives, I'll let your threat slide this once, but word of warning gentlemen. I suggest you do not do this again to Miss Chan… Also… don't EVER threaten me," he said in a warning tone.

He forced his way through the bodyguards and left. Yet the incident made him believe this wasn't over. He took a huge risk exposing Miss Chan to his true form. She knows now that the mouths are not prosthetics, but will she say anything about this?