Chapter 6 Girls Talk
Trivia #6: From there on, the "sound effect" communication became a habit for the girls while the boys can never seem to learn it
Kuma was more than happy to finally arrive back at last, worried about her little furry menace that was forcefully left alone. Before she could even call out Catoru's name, the white fluffy cat immediately jumped on to her the moment she swung open the door. It had been waiting faithfully for her while scheming about creative murder ways for a cat in order to get its revenge on its human counterpart. And it's revenge was going to start soon once the sleepiness finally dawns on these humans.
The white feline was pitifully meowing loudly, over and over as it pawed on its owner weakly. And as you would expect, Kuma fell right for its little attention seeking act and gladly showered it in affection. Shoko huffed out smoke from her cigarette casually, not minding that all three of them were being ignored as Catoru shamelessly cuddled with Kuma. Well...it was a different story for her other two classmates since Suguru was just staring blankly at Satoru who was glaring at a cat of all things. How the strongest has fallen low enough to be jealous of a mere cat.
Some time later in the living room, Catoru finally got its share of cuddles and was satisfied. Catoru flashed a smug smirk at Satoru who became even more irked, struggling to stay still and not mangle the blue-eyed imp. The cat was still casually snuggling itself to Kuma's breast as the brunette patted it lovingly, all the while she was laying on Shoko's lap and already half asleep. Satoru was sitting across them, glare filled with fire and scorn. Suguru didn't bother to say anything to him, hands full as he continued to bring in boxes of his items for the move in with the help of his Curses. Shoko didn't even bother to say anything and just gave him a thumbs up as a sign to also move her stuff.
"Say, Shoko-nee… How do you cook that french thingy? I tried to make it this morning but Suguru kept saying that it was wrong..."
"IT WAS ON FIRE-!" The Curse Manipulator shouted as this morning's events rushed back into his mind. His shenanigans with Satoru was one thing, but burning down the house because of a cooking attempt was not the way he was going to go down. Distracted by his thoughts, he promptly crashed into one of his Curses and all he could do was put on a blank dumbfounded look.
"...f*ck" His last word went down in history before he was buried in the stack of boxes, the various content of them spilling out though thankfully nothing shattered. Satoru cackled as his best friend emerged out of the pile of boxes, wheezing for air greedily.
Kuma rolled lazily with a yawn and ignored Catoru's protests of her moving, still laying on Shoko's lap while the wannabe doctor smoked away without any concerns. "See Suguru, that's why you shouldn't say things like that. Karma will hit you right back." And Suguru just feels so done clowning himself.
"I won't cook dinner tonight."
And with just that, both Kuma and Satoru promptly shut up as Suguru shot a glare at the awkwardly smiling duo. "...we're sorry."
His moment of feeling on top of the world was quickly cut short when Shoko suddenly pulled Kuma close and hid her from Suguru, patting the confused girl's head soothingly. "Shhh, that's why you should stay away from the big scary man, imouto. Especially the ones with black bangs and white hair."
Both male could only smile awkwardly, lips pressed thin as they glanced at each other speechlessly. And even worse their newest addition played along willingly, faking heart wrenching sniffles as buried her face deeper to Shoko's stomach and squishing Catoru in the process. The poor white cat was being suffocated which it gladly accepted considering it was between Kuma's breast. "You're right Shoko-nee...I should just listen to you and stay away from those barbarians."
That feeling when your best friend just betrayed you, yes. Satoru wasn't given a chance to whine like usual either when the doctor glared at him, her lit cigarette looming right in front of his glasses menacingly. He did not want to mess with Shoko over a small joke, nope, not at all. So he laughs nervously before rushing away in record time to help Suguru with his move. He'd mess with his best friend any time, just not Shoko. Anyone but her if he wanted to keep his man pride intact for his heir(s).
With the two of them working together, the amount of card boxes were steadily lessening and placed at the correct room to be opened. And eventually they were back to the kitchen counter where everything began this morning. To which Suguru swore none of them had the time to replace the appliances yet the interior of the house sparkled brand new. He knew for a fact his teacher would've never done this. But who was he to complain since he'll be living here anyway. And he was far too distracted by the two cooking idiots, eyes sparkling and letting out a series of "ooh"s and "aah"s at every little moves he made to prep their dinner which was a simple fried rice. This was probably the first time he wasn't gawked at his looks or his Curse Technique but rather his skills at cooking.
"...so...why is it not on fire?"
Shoko scoffed amusedly at her junior, ruffling her hair as she stood beside Kuma. "He's just a less flashy guy, plus doesn't always have to be with flaring fire."
The answer completely took both her and the Gojo heir by surprise, the duo donning a surprised pikachu face and seriously began to contemplate about their life as if cooking wasn't a simple thing. Maybe they should have cooking lessons just to be safe from the two living fire hazards in the house. And purchase a few fire extinguishers beforehand. But otherwise dinner went spectacularly chaotic, which they would expect of the somewhat dysfunctional but happy household. Though as a result they had to do another major clean up from the food fight. If Suguru pretended that he couldn't hear the screams of the wayward Sorcerers attempting to assassinate their newest member, his rest was sufficiently snug in their new home.
He woke up to the smell of burning toast and Kuma completely covered in the fire extinguishing foam, another burnt pan in her hands. Beside her was Shoko, holding said fire extinguisher and standing like a deer caught in the headlights. Satoru was passed out cold on the floor with claw marks all over his self-proclaimed "precious baby cheeks", a certain white fluffy cat licking its paws proudly as it sat on top of his chest. The newly awakened brunette glanced at the burnt pan once more, gaze scrutinizing as Kuma slowly moved it behind her as if he couldn't see what's happening.
Neither of them moved from their position, locked in a staring contest. Not that the silence reigned long as the content of the pan that Kuma was "hiding" suddenly fell, pathetically dropping to the floor and immediately crumbling into ashes. And the pan followed suit, only the handle intact while the remaining parts were nothing but dust. Kuma stared at the remains with lips pressed thin, staying still for a good few moments before pouting and glaring at the pan handle that she was still holding. And she promptly threw it carelessly, Satoru squawking indignantly as it almost hit him if it wasn't for his infinity.
Kuma clapped her hands, ignoring Satoru's childish whining as she flashed a big grin towards Shoko and Suguru. "Yosh, since Mr. Yaga told me I'll be tagging along for your mission today, let's just get breakfast outside!"
And more pans to buy, Suguru noted as he resigned himself to the new daily life they've lapsed into. His hair will likely be dyed in gray slowly from the stress, but it feels like home nevertheless and he wouldn't change it for anything in the world. "After we clean up and give you a crash course on Curse Energy, that is."
"Ah… right."
There's always been those types of geniuses that understood the execution concept before the theory, doing it no differently as if they were made for it and as simple as breathing. Kuma was one of the prime examples of said genius. They found no need to teach her anything regarding Curse Energy as she demonstrated she was highly capable of manipulating it and controlling Amanozako when they asked her. It would've been a joyous occasion if it wasn't for the auxiliary manager's stupidity of asking her to elaborate.
"...well it's easy isn't it? You just go wapash and woosh then pow!"
The dumbstruck look on their faces would've been priceless if it was a joke. Except it wasn't and Kuma scrunched up her eyebrows at the gaze they shot at her. "Why are you looking at me like I'm crazy— You're the one who asked for an explanation."
A decent and comprehensive description, that is. Which they'll likely never get from her. Not to mention the only other female standing beside them was calm as always, thumbs up at Kuma's words and proudly agreeing with her. "Right, right, whenever you use that Curse Energy it will be like… boom! Then whack and poof after that it's just like— whoosh—"
"As expected only Shoko-nee understands me…" Proudly smirking as if they're on top of the world, the two girls were practically glimmering as the conversation carried on in their own world.
The strongest duo and the auxiliary manager were left at the side, completely lost while the girls continued chatting with only sound effects. A new invention of language between the two at this point. Women are so confusing at times. While their classmates were used to it, the same didn't apply to their chaperone whose soul was practically flying away at this point.
Feeling rather merciful today, Satoru decided to spare the auxiliary manager from further confusion by dragging Kuma away to their mission. Suguru followed suit behind them, chuckling at Kuma's protests while Shoko waved them off. It had to be done eventually since his limited edition kikufuku was waiting for him after this mission ends after all~ He'll make sure the mission ends in a jiffy then go on a sweets shopping spree.
"With that being said, good luck to you and don't die Kuma-chan! And no using Amanozako cause that'd be cheating okay~?"
The girl in question stared at him incredulously, pure disbelief cast on her expression. It was their mission and not hers, Yaga explicitly told her that she was only to observe and not participate because she was still far too inexperienced. Suguru frowned alongside her, catching onto what the infinity user was suggesting. "That's too dangerous, Satoru. This is our mission and you know a Special Grade Curse is waiting in there, she barely knows anything about Curse Energy."
"But she can control it well regardless. Here, I'll even give her a weapon just in case!" A wooden box was carelessly thrown to her and she barely caught it, grumbling irritatedly as she opened it to reveal a kusarigama nestled snugly. The blade of the sickle glinted menacingly and the chain settled nicely in her hold as she tested its weight.
"It's called the Oozuchi Kozuchi! And just like its name, both the scythe and the weight can grow bigger or smaller depending on the amount of Curse Energy you pour in. Even the chain can get longer too! Convenient isn't it~" Suguru's expression literally conveyed the skepticism he felt as Satoru explained the weapon nonchalantly, not knowing what to expect from his best friend who just handed a deadly weapon to a possibly clueless girl who has no idea how to handle it. Not that Kuma paid attention when she channeled her Curse Energy and played around with the weapon's size in pure childish awe.
Satoru merely pushed her along, ignoring Suguru's growing concern. His partner has always been the worrywart of the group but he wasn't going to pass up on this chance. Both of them were aware of how she subdued Amanozako and possibly annihilated the Special Grade Curse they were supposed to eliminate back then in their mission. He refused to believe she was helpless in the face of danger. Not to mention she was the one who boldly proclaimed that she'd be the strongest. What's better than a first hand experience to prove that she indeed has the potential to do so? He wouldn't want to waste his time on a weakling declaring they'll steal the title he shared with his partner.
"Don't worry, we'll watch over her if anything happens~ Besides...she can't be the strongest if she can't even handle this much right?" She didn't look the slightest bit fazed by his words, shooting him a look that shows offence from his underestimation. The provocation was blaringly obvious but she played along regardless, rolling her eyes as she strided into the abandoned hospital without care for Suguru's knitted brows and Satoru's mischievous grin ringing in her head. Bold of them to assume she even needed to be spurred on before wreaking havoc. It was already going to go down before Satoru urged her anyway.