Last years memory brings me chills. I shiver as I think about it. That was the day I came to realize we had lost Suguru long ago. But I can't help but think all of this is connected. The recent uptick in special grade curses, the disappearances of sorcerers, Sukuna's arrival, the increase in stronger sorcerers, and most recently Satoru's attack. I can't help but think Suguru's death is involved somehow. Maybe his death released all the curses he'd been saving up ove the years. But I feel like that isn't it. It wouldn't explain the curses working together. This is more complicated than we thought.
We walk with Nanami preparing Itadori for his next mission. Apparently three boys were killed under unusual circumstances in a movie theater. It's weird that they were killed in a public place so blatantly. Jujutsu sorcerers were dispatched, and since we're short handed, we figured why not send Itadori with Nanami.
"Normally I would go with ya but I have another business trip I need to go on. But don't worry, I called in a good friend you can trust. He'll be accompanying you on this mission." He opens the double doors and reveals Nanami.
"This is Kento Nanami, suit turned sorcerer!" He says smiling wide and holding Nanami around the shoulders.
"Please don't call me that." Nanami says.
"Whoa, so cool!" Itadori says.
"Plenty of sorcerers are oddballs, but since Kento once worked for a corporation, he's got a good head on his shoulders. Oh, he's a first grade sorcerer too." Satoru explains.
"I doubt anyone would appreciate an introduction like that." Nanami say pushing his glasses up.
"A company man? Why become a jujutsu sorcerer then?" Itadori asks innocently.
"Here we go." I say chuckling.
"We should greet each other first, nice to meet you Itadori." Nanami says bowing. He's always had good manners.
"Oh, uh yes. Nice to meet you too." Itadori answer bowing in return.
"I went to your school too and it only taught me one thing. That Jujutsu Sorcerers suck!" He says.
I roll my eyes and smirk. He acts like he hates it, but he loves it.
"Huh?" Itadori says confused.
"Then I went to work for a typical company and learned something there too, that having to work for a living sucks!" Nanami says loudly again.
I look at Satoru and he makes the crazy motion with his pointer finger at his forehead. I slap him playfully and we both chuckle.
"Really?" Itadori says.
"So if both suck equally then I'll go with the one I like better. The fact of the matter is that's the only reason I came back." Nanami says seriously.
"That's dark." Itadori whispers to us and Satoru and I lean over to him and cover our mouths.
"Riiiight?" We both say at the same time.
"Now Itadori, understand that I am not in the same mindset as Gojo, but I understand he has great power and authority. But I don't respect him!" He says loudly. He can be so dramatic.
"Huh!!" Satoru says furrowing his brow.
"This conversation's dragging on, the point is that I don't recognize you as a sorcerer either. But even if you are just a vessel for the time bomb known as Sukuna, I'm hoping you can prove yourself to be useful." Nanami says.
Itadori sighs, "lately I've been forced to realize how weak I really am. But i'm going to get strong. I have to get strong, or I won't get to choose how I die. And I'm sure that with time, I can prove to you that I can be useful!" He says destermined.
Satoru and I smile at him proudly. He's so headstrong, he's going to be a great sorcerer one day, and I can't wait to see it.
"Go sell that to the higher ups, not me." Nanami says indifferently.
"Uh, right!" Itadori says nervously.
"Because quite frankly I don't give a damn!" Nanami says dramatically.
"Alright I get it." Itadori says.
"Itadori," I say, "follow Nanami's instructions. He's a good sorcerer." I tell him.
"I will Sensei, I won't let you down." He says.
"Good. Now, give me a hug." I say.
He smiles and gives me one. I hold him tight not wanting to let go after the last time he went out.
"You better not die on me, understand?" I say.
He nods, "I promise, I'll come back."
"C'mon Naomi, let the kid breathe a little. He can handle this." Satoru says chuckling.
We both pull away and straighten ourselves out.
"Sorry, my wife can be a bit of a mom to the students sometimes. Don't mind her." Satoru explains.
He gives Itadori a high five and smiles, "come back in one piece now." No
"I will! Don't worry Gojo's, I'll make you proud!" He says smiling widely.
I laugh at Satoru and I's nickname. He has a good personality and sense of humor. He's quickly growing on me. You can't not love the kid.
"Itadori, let's go." Nanami says as he walks away.
"Uh, yes Sensei!" He says running to catch up with him.
"Itadori please, I'm not your Sensei." Nanami says annoyed.
"Alright, well then Kento dude!" Itadori says.
Nanami just sighs.
———
Satoru and I returned home not long after. We ordered some sushi and got it delivered for dinner. I got some cooked salmon rolls though since I can't have raw fish.
"Well Satoru, not much longer. Only two months, can you believe it?" I say as we eat.
He chuckles, "I know, only two months until we get to see my mini me." He says smiling proudly.
I laugh, "a mini you? What if he's a mini me instead?" I say teasingly.
"Then even better." He says lovingly.
I smile and look down at my plate. I think of our son running to Satoru outside with his little toddler legs. Satoru picking him up and throwing him in the air playing rocket ship. I think of our son learning his abilities from Saotru. I wonder if he'll have Satoru's beautiful blue eyes, or my hamburger brown ones. I hope he has his.
"I love you." He says snapping me out of my daydream.
I smile warmly, "I love you too."
"So," he says excitedly, "what do you think his abilities will be? Obviously he has the infinity ability, that much we know, and it's paired with the paralyzation from you, but do you think that's all?" He asks.
"I'm not quite sure. It could be. I think the abilities he has now are perfectly fine though." I offer.
"Well yeah! I think with his infinity plus paralyzation, he could be way stronger than me, in different ways of course. Although, he's going to need the six eyes to power that sort of ability. If he doesn't inherit that, then he can only last so long in a battle." He says.
"But he is our son all the same." I say reminding him.
"Well duh, I already love the little guy more than me, and that says a lot. Look, no matter if he inherits abilities or not, i'm going to love him all the same. Our son is a gift. I won't forget that." He says.
"I never said you would. We aren't Zenins or something." I say.
He chuckles, "yeah, those crack pots would kill to have a son like him."
"Yeah well they squandered that chance when they ostracized their kids for not having abilities." I say.
"Yeah, too bad. Megumi could have been a great leader of the Zenins, although I can't say i'd be too happy about it." Satoru says.
I nod, "yeah, probably wouldn't have ended well knowing the Zenins."
"Speaking of our dear Megumi, have you talked to him?" Satoru asks me.
"Yeah, the other day. You haven't?" I ask.
"No, he thinks i'm out of town." He says.
"Well, technically you will be tomorrow." I say.
"Whatever dork. Anyways, how is he?" He asks.
"He seems to be taking Itadori's supposed death hard. He blames himself more than anything. Kugisaki is different. She is trying to act tough, but she can't hide her emotions well. They're both hurting pretty bad." I say solemnly.
"Well, that'll all be resolved soon. For now we, meaning you, have to keep them focused on training. Any distractions could cost them valuable time." He says.
I nod, "yeah, wouldn't want them to be disappointed because they lost. It would devastate Itadori come to think of it." I say.
"Yup, they deserve a good win. They need to experience being kids sometimes. This job forces people to grow up too fast." Satoru says.
We sit in silence for a few more minutes before cleaning up and getting ready for bed. Satoru will leave in the morning, and soon after we'll hopefully hear from Itadori about the mission. I hope it all goes well. He really needs a win for once.