Chapter 41

'This is a trap'

Sukuna's mind was going a mile a minute, he knew this was a distraction; this was nothing more than biding time. After all, he has seen the signs, he has had sorcerers try time and time again to merely avoid death for a few seconds more. But this… this bothered him.

Suguru was asking too many question for one. Second of all, Chusi was into this FAR more than he anticipated. Third… it really put him on the spot!

"One needs to be certain they can anticipate the needs of their counterpart." She said in a lecturing tone. "As such, it's always important to pick up on the queues they leave behind for you to take notice. Such as…" she peered over at him.

Sukuna looked into her eyes and knew. He excused himself went to a store, bought a bottle of water and returned. He gave it to her as she smiled to Suguru. "He knew I was thirsty." She explained gently. "The fact that HE knew that just by a look, speaks volumes as to how well you know the one you care about."

Suguru nodded diligently. Sukuna glared at him as they moved along.

Shellboy always hung behind them, every so often Sukuna would turn his head just far enough to see him shove something into his pocket. 'Damn, I miss my extra eyes, I could do this without turning my head…' he thought.

They took a break for lunch. Shellboy was insisting a viewing a proper 'dating atmosphere' In which they were force to dine in.

'He's up to SOMETHING!' Sukuna's mind screamed.

In fact, Chusi excused herself as she asked a few locals a good place to eat. In the distraction, Sukuna turned and stared Shellboy in the face. "Spill it… now… what are you up to?" he demanded.

"I see some of your original personality is coming back…"

"Don't change the subject!" He peered at the left pocket. "The booklet. Give it to me, this instant."

Much to his shock, he complied!

Suguru took out the notebook and gave it over willingly.

Sukuna flipped through the pages, before he sneered at the sight. He shoved the little book back into Suguru's chest. "You got lucky…"

"Did you really think I wouldn't take notes?!" he laughed. "Come now, I've been training with the both of you. I take notes so I better remember the lesson. If not… I think I would still be getting bashed with a bamboo pole…"

Valid point and observation.

"Why go through the trouble? I thought you said you had no interest in courting Yua for yourself. What's your angle, Shellboy?"

He stood nose to nose with him, glaring into the eyes of the once arrogant sorcerer. He didn't hesitate nor did he flinch from the glare.

"I do believe, someone older and wiser said to me… just accept it. Did they not?"

He paused… he has told him to do so many times and in mocking and joking ways…

Damn, this brat does listen.

He couldn't help but force a smirk. "Guess you do pay attention…"

"I FOUND A PLACE!" Chusi called.

#

Suguru took it all in.

In fact what Chusi found was a baikingu! (an all you can eat buffet)

It stunned Sukuna a little, but that when Chusi leaned over to Suguru. "Just because you marry a Tooru, does not mean that your needs are neglected. A Tooru wife always ensure that it's an even marriage." She explained gently. "I had a feeling he was getting hungry, and an order in place wouldn't work. This at least has variety"

They were seated before being told they could go and help themselves. Suguru also made note of this as well.

He was rather surprised to how behaved Sukuna was. Despite the fact he nearly took a whole serving tray to the table of food, but other than that, he was rather decent. The food was good and Sukuna ensured to eat more than his fair share by the time the bill came.

"You cover it this time, Shellboy" Sukuna decreed.

The only downside was that Chusi picked a baikingu where you pay by the plate… There was a rather large stack of them next to the King of Curses who smiled rather victoriously.

Suguru couldn't help but force a laugh. "Honestly, this brings me back… did the same thing for Satoru…" he laughed and paid the bill.

"Oh? What happened?" Chusi asked.

Suguru told her of a time they were out on a mission, they made a friendly bet about hunting a curse and Satoru won. "Honestly, it was so long ago… and I find I don't remember everything in the past since… you know…" he muttered and lowered his head.

They were silent on the matter. "Suguru…" Chusi whispered.

"At the same time, the past is the past right? I mean, if they were truly joyous moments, I would remember them no matter what! At the same time… those good memories are the ones I had with Satoru, since, I no longer felt alone. I found someone who I had something in common with…"

They didn't say a thing. He half expected Sukuna to blurt out something insensitive but instead, he appeared to be considering his words.

"You're right," he said bluntly.

"What?"

"It's best to hold on to the memories that made you the best you could be, to be happy and know what happiness is… or you end up like me."

"Ryo…" Chusi whispered.

"Wait, you don't call him…" Suguru began to ask.

She smirked and shook her head. "I asked Yuuji to let me at least called him Ryo."

"Tsk…" he muttered. "Excuse me," Sukuna left the table for the bathroom.

Suguru sighed aloud as Chusi smiled to him oddly. "Do you know why I did this to him and Satoru?" she asked.

He smiled to her. "I have a notion, at the same time. I don't like to assume what a woman thinks. She has her reasons right?" he asked.

She giggled at the notion. "Go ahead and try and guess."

He considered it, but Suguru sighed aloud. He can't think like a Tooru since after all, this comes across as a punishment for Satoru, but not quite Sukuna. And yet… Both have something to learn from this.

"To be frank, I rather not guess," he said honestly. "I have come to see and respect the way some things are done around here by certain people. It may not make much sense now, but later… it's for everyone's benefit. Isn't it?"

Chusi smiled and nodded. "Oh, you are going to be a perfect edition to my clan, I am serious." She said bluntly. "But now we got to get Yua to notice you. You passed my training and Ryo's but…" her smile suddenly vanished.

In fact, Suguru himself felt strange.

His brow was suddenly very itchy… as if someone had put stitches into his forehead…