"I-I am forever grateful for him." Qian whispered, her hand inadvertently resting on her head. "B-Because of him, I told myself I would do something worthwhile with this life I had, especially for those who couldn't. I thought back to that day when Hayato passed, how those creatures kept appearing after then, and I decided maybe I could do something about it and figure out what really happened to him."

Megumi continued staring at her and she began to fidget under his gaze. Finally, he sighed. "Well, it's good that your intentions are altruistic but…you've got to understand. Even if by being here you've learned about these things, it's dangerous. You've seen it yourself, people are constantly being killed by these things."

"I-I know but…you are also trying to get some answers, right? Like these new spirits that aren't disappearing?" She placed a hand on her chest, eyes shining with determination. "I-I can help with that. I know I may not be as strong as you guys… I know when it comes down to it, I can't save people like you. But…if there's any way I can help put an end to these then I want to-"

Suddenly, there was a loud vibrating noise and she pulled out her phone, giving another sigh. "S-Sorry it's my brother. He's wondering about me, so I better get home." She quickly took out her wallet. "T-Thanks so much for inviting me out to eat with you all, it's really nice to meet you all again!"

She hurriedly took out some bills and placed them on the table, giving a quick polite bow, before scurrying off. Megumi rested his chin in his hands and Nobara eyed him carefully. "What's on your mind?"

"Nothing it's just…" He tapped his cheek, ruminating over the recent conversation. "That doesn't sound like the Gojo-sensei I know."

Nobara regarded him quizzically. "What do you mean?"

"Gojo-sensei would never go out of his way to rescue someone, he usually just focuses on fighting and defeating his enemy." Megumi picked up his pair of chopsticks, reaching for a piece of sashimi before popping it into his mouth. "Plus, he doesn't seem the…gentle type to console someone."

Yuji shrugged before chomping on another roll. "Maybe he's changed since then."

Megumi shook his head. "Doubt it, at least from the stories I've heard about him in the past. Anyways…I feel bad for her. She has no idea what she's getting herself into."

His pink-haired teammate gave him a questioning glance. "What do you mean?"

Nobara plucked another piece of sushi off her plate. "She has essentially little to no cursed energy. You heard her, she's basically a sitting duck if she ever faces a cursed spirit or user; or worse, she's an easy target- they can easily kidnap her and torture her for information."

"Hmm…" Yuji crossed his arms and tilted his head, thinking deeply. "... I think she'll be alright! After all, that's our job right? To protect people?"

The other two did not respond and instead gave each other a knowing look, smiling softly at his idealism. Suddenly, the meek manager returned, anxiously wiping his forehead with a handkerchief. "U-Um beloved customers…we're closed now so-"

Nobara slurped up her soup before slamming her bowl onto the table. "ONE MORE ORDER OF CALIFORNIA ROLLS OR I WILL SHOVE THIS UP YOUR ASS."

—-

"N-Nii-san! I'm home!"

Qian kicked off her shoes and stepped into the foyer, peering into the living room.

"In here!" She turned and headed into the kitchen. Her brother, Zeng, was standing by the sink, cleaning a plate, when he looked up and gave her a wide grin. Underneath the plaid apron with teddy bear-shaped pockets, he was still wearing his button down and slacks from work, and Qian giggled at the sight.

"Yo! Welcome home, Qian!" He quickly rinsed and dried off his hands, brushing his jet-black hair out of his eyes with his fingers. "What, you don't like my outfit?"

She covered her mouth to stifle her chuckles. "I-I really hope you wore that to work."

"Ha! You wish." He scoffed as he untied the back and hooked it over his head. He tossed the cloth to her. "By the way, you missed a call from Mom and Dad."

"O-Oh no…" Qian groaned as she dropped her bag to the floor, catching the apron with both hands. She placed it over her head and tied the ribbons behind her back. "Was Mom freaking out again?"

"About your new job? Yeah, a bit." He chuckled and stepped aside for her to wash her hands. "I told you, my law firm is boring but hey, it's safe."

"I-I don't even understand, all she knows is that I'm in a medical facility, working in a lab and helping with dissections." She grumbled, grabbing the towel to begin drying the dishes placed on the rack. "B-Besides, I'm sure she's just bored because dad's working all the time."

"And yet she still insisted on following him to the United States." Zeng shrugged, taking the dried plates and stacking them together. "You know how much of a clean freak she is though- the thought of you working on dead bodies freaks her out."

Qian sighed and gave her brother a pleading look. "Y-You didn't tell her did you?"

Zeng simply smirked. "What? That you're working with magicians who can fight invisible monsters using evil energy, and literally dissecting said monsters afterwards? Yeah totally, I'm sure Mom wouldn't get a heart attack from that."

"T-They're called Jujutsu Sorcerers and it's 'cursed energy'!" Qian protested, clenching the towel tightly in her hands.

"Right, right." He laughed and opened the cabinet next to them.

She puffed her cheeks in annoyance before she looked down and sighed, rubbing the sponge against a stubborn smudge on a mug. "I-I knew you didn't believe me."

He stopped his movements and regarded her with sympathetic eyes. "No, I really do. I may not see them like you do, but I definitely feel them around sometimes. Like a sixth sense."

"Y-You promise…?" Qian peered up at her brother. He smiled softly and nodded in return.

"So tell me, how was your day today? Let me guess-" he held up a hand mockingly to his chest, "it was SOO boring and you wish you chose to work at my company instead."

Qian giggled. "N-No it was really fun today! I met some of the other sorcerers…I think one of them was the guy who saved me that time!"

"Oh?" Zeng's smile widened as he gathered some mugs, placing them in a different cabinet overhead. "Who was he?"

"I-I think his name is Satoru Gojo but…I didn't get a chance to talk to him. " She placed the last clean dish on the rack and began scrubbing the sink clean.

His hand faltered as he closed the cabinet door. "Satoru Gojo…?" He murmured inquisitively, his shoulders suddenly tense.

Qian glanced up at her brother with curious eyes. "Y-Yeah! Do you know him?"

"Oh! Uh- Nope, I don't think so, just a super weird name!" Zeng laughed before placing a hand on his hip, the other leaning against the counter. "So, how did that go?"

"H-He seemed really nice!" She gushed, cheeks dusted pink as she recalled their encounter. "He seems so mature…I-I hope I can see him again…so I can thank him in person."

"I'm sure you will." He took a clean towel out from the drawer behind him and held it out for her. "Anyways, it's super late, you should head up first and take a bath. I'll clean up here."

Qian gratefully took the cloth and dried her hands. "A-Are you sure?"

He nodded, placing the last dish in the cabinet. "100%."

"O-Okay, thank you Nii-san! Goodnight!" She patted her hands on her apron once more before taking it off, placing it on the hook by the stove. She then skipped to the staircase, grabbing her bag along the way.

"Goodnight!" He called after her, watching as she hopped up the stairs. Once he heard the door close, he furrowed his brow and pulled his phone out of his pocket, dialing the first contact listed.

"...Hey, it's me." He spoke quietly as he glanced upwards, ensuring his sister was out of earshot. "I have some news."