"There's really no need to be so stubborn, Nanami-san."
"I'm capable to take care of my own wounds," the adult refuted. The sink faucet was running with water as he sat against the counter, holding his side as he lifted his shirt to check the damage. "Besides, a young lady shouldn't be in the men's restroom."
"This is hardly the time to care about social etiquettes," Ciel argued, dowsing the paper towel under the flowing water. "You can consider me doing my good deed in helping the elderly."
"That's not funny."
"I don't recall asking for your opinion. Now be an adult and help me clean your wound," the executor said with no room to dissuade her whatsoever. She carried the wet towel and brought it against the hand-printed, blistering red flesh that bled quite troublesome, but nothing life-threatening. The curse that attacked the sorcerer didn't break through the muscle. One could call this injury like being pressed with a hot ironer that shaved some of the skin off.
Either way, it was manageable until Nanami could see Ieiri for healing. Though Ciel thought that it was unnecessary. She could heal the sorcerer easily with her holy sacraments, there was just one problem.
"Your cursed energy hasn't died down in the slightest. Is it some sort of adrenaline rush?" Ciel inquired, cleaning off the blood from the man's side. "I could heal you if you could cancel it."
"It's my technique," Nanami said, his face hardened as he cleaned over his wound, though Ciel could see the evident pain in his terse brows and sweaty forehead. "My cursed energy increases when a certain hour in the day passes. It won't stop until I've reached the next certain hour when my cursed energy depletes. I'll need to see Ieiri for her to heal this. We'll stop the bleeding for now until I reach her office."
Ciel slightly frowned as she looked at the injury. Only another cursed technique can heal him while his is activated...
"How is your body?" Nanami asked, bringing the executor out of her thoughts. "You said that a cursed technique invaded your system when the vampire attacked you."
"Yes. I've already exorcised it completely. No trace of it remains," Ciel answered, carrying the bloody towel over to the sink to wash it. "I've met Dead Apostles who used their core curses to their advantage, but this is the first time I've met one who could not only use cursed energy, but was able to grow so strong within such a short timeframe. She's already evolved past the ranking of an Undead to a Nightmare, which means that with time, she'll be demanding more blood."
"And you are sure this is the vampire responsible for the murders?" Nanami asked.
Ciel paused for a moment, "...Perhaps only half of them."
"What do you mean?"
The executor continued to clean Nanami's wounds. "...She's a recently turned vampire. Meaning that, by some luck, she avoided becoming one of the victims reported on the news."
Nanami looked at her in what Ciel could only read as surprise. The executor resumed, "There had been a pattern in the killings at first - the victims were all women, then suddenly there was a cool down, only for the killings to pick back up again but the victims now seem completely random. I believe Satsuki Yumizuka had been the last victim of the vampire who started the murders and had taken his place since. She supposedly could or should have been the parent vampire's supplier, going around the city to drain blood for her master to feed while he slumbers, but she isn't doing that anymore."
Despite her cooly expressed face, Nanami could hear the worry in Ciel's tone. "It's a break in the chain. Yumizuka-chan has become an independent vampire, and she isn't done growing yet."
Just like that spider-ghoul and the cursed spirit I fought with... Nanami thought to himself. The spider-ghoul was thankfully taken care of, but now another player has entered the board. Satsuki Yumizuka, a recent vampire who has gained autonomy. And a newly born curse who has already gained intelligence. Two children. Two potentially dangerous enemies. Both are as likely to become a deadly obstacle for sorcerers and vampire hunters alike. They have to be dealt with immediately.
"You referred to her as Yumizuka-chan. Did you know her personally?" Nanami questioned.
"She was a student at Souya High I've been attending as my cover," Ciel answered with an even voice. "A generally shy girl. All the students and faculty like her. She's quite popular with the boys despite how easily flustered she gets, even all the girls at school don't have anything bad to say about her. It's an honest shock how someone so amicable and unassuming as her could quickly rise the ranks in the vampire hierarchy."
That was simply a documentary response. Something to write in the report and not a personal impression. That wasn't at all what Nanami was asking for. "What's your personal impression of her? Was she a friend of yours?"
Ciel blinked in surprise at the question, though did not stop tending to Nanami's wounds. "...We don't share any classes, but I do often chat with her at lunch every day. She was a very sweet girl. I could see why everyone at school liked her. I'm very sure she had a crush on one of the boys who would eat with us at the cafeteria, and I often tease her about it."
"...Did you hesitate when you saw what she became?"
"I don't allow my personal feelings to get in the way of my duty, Nanami-san," Ciel said in an even voice. "She just caught me off-guard, growing faster and stronger as we fought, even as I outweigh her in experience. She not only had strength on par with a Dead Apostle, but was a curse user as well, which she hadn't been before - I would have noticed."
"Being caught off guard is what happened with me against that shapeshifting curse," Nanami said, "The difference between our battles, however, was that you were up against someone you knew."
"We weren't close. Not on a real level anyway," Ciel said, sounding rather offended at the insinuation that she had been 'soft' during her battle with Satsuki. "Part of my cover is to create close ties with those around me so to gain intel. It's all superficial on my part."
"I don't see the purpose of it then," Nanami said frankly as he set aside his tie on the counter. "How being the 'dependable senpai' would be beneficial to you in anyway."
Ciel did not respond.
"An investigation into the vampire attacks while you work as a full-time student," Nanami spoke the absurdity of such a cover-up. "I don't know what reason you have for posing as one, but if you insist that every one of those students you speak to, learn with, take role as their senior and make an example of yourself in the eyes of both your peers and teachers, were nothing more than a means to an end, then there's no reason for you to care so much about others. About the people of this city, and sorcerers like me."
Nanami took hold of Ciel's towel and pressed it against his wound. Despite the pain it brought him, he remained impassive as he spoke to the girl, "If you're going to continue seeing them as only people to profile, and yourself as their colleague a mere ruse, you're better off sticking to something you're more suited for. Putting up a front while working your hardest, I despise gainless efforts. Resume that mindset, and I'll personally visit that school and expose your true identity to everyone."
"Is that really necessary?" Ciel said, her face unbreaking. Nanami merely looked back down at his injury, taking a silent deep breath as he answered.
"It is if you honestly believe everything in life is nothing but work. But until you get gray hair, you have no reason to think that way," Nanami said as he seemed to have stopped the bleeding, "Work is already shit, hence why I came back as a sorcerer. Even if sorcerers are shit too, its where I belong, more than as a salaryman. But everything shouldn't be just a 'job' to you, and I doubt that you even think that way with how you've decided to take in Itadori-kun. Sukuna aside, your work didn't make you give comfort to that boy, you did."
'So you should just cut the bull and be more honest about yourself' was what the first grade sorcerer was trying to say. Nanami would rather be curt than to avoid pains or attachments, especially if someone might secretly be suffering at the loss of a friend. No one should lose their humanity, that's how people become curses. Become monsters. He'll die before he'll let this girl kill her own compassion because of her role.
Ciel said nothing for a long moment. Nanami broke eye contact with her and reached for his phone, "I'll inform Ijichi-san the situation here. It's tedious, but after I see Ieiri-san, I'll have to take up the night shift after all."
With a powerful vampire and a dangerous curse working together, all while their growth in power have yet to cease, Nanami will need to regroup with Ijichi and Yuuji later to rethink their strategies together with Ciel. For now, it's better for Yuuji to return home where he'll remain secure within Ciel's wards. He wondered how Ijichi's and Yuuji's interrogation had turned out.
Ciel looked down at the wound Nanami held over his waist. There was a hesitance inside her as she heard the slightly winded yet determined man ready to add more hours onto the field. Just as Nanami was pulling up the contact list, he stopped when Ciel loudly sighed.
"You are by far the most difficult man I've ever had the pleasure of meeting," she raised her hand for his wound, "You could have just said that you were concerned for me. I'd admonish you for it, but it would have been to the point."
Positive energy swarmed her hand as she pressed it against Nanami's wound.
The First Grade sorcerer froze. His eyes widened behind his specs, nearly dropping the phone in his hand as he watched and felt his wound be healed.
This is...!
There was no mistaking it. She was using cursed energy, and not just any...
Within a moment, the cursed wound on Nanami's waist was completely healed. There was a still a noticeable scar, but the bleeding had stopped and the flesh itself had been repaired.
"I should also inform my people," Ciel said, "Unfortunately, I left my phone behind, so I'll be needing to borrow yours if you don't mind."
"...That was Reverse Cursed Technique," Nanami only said, giving a blank, dumbfounded stare at the girl.
"Yes. It was," the executor only answered. "I didn't want to use it, but I felt bad leaving you like this. Plus, you could attract vampires with all that blood, you know?"
"You don't enjoy using your powers?" Nanami asked.
"Not particularly. Although, if I had known before that Yuuji-kun had his shoulder pierced by that spider-ghoul before you took him to see Ieiri-san, I probably would have tried this on him. He acted so casually as if his own life couldn't have been on the line. I suppose that's something the two of you have in common."
Nanami looked back down on his now healed self and pulled back down his shirt. "...I thought the Church forbade using sorcery. Where have you learned this?"
Ciel cheerfully smiled at the man, "Sorry, but that's classified, and not important right now. We should hurry and inform the others what's happened. Ah, that reminds me, I need to let Yuuji-kun know that I won't be home tonight. There's a lot of work to be done, but I won't be telling him everything. He's already risked his life multiple times. I'd rather not get him involved with this one."
Nanami looked at his phone in hand and then offered it to Ciel. "I told Itadori-kun that I was working on finding the location of our theater killer, we'll corroborate on that."
Ciel was once more surprised by the sorcerer, and then gave a soft, appreciative smile, accepting the phone from his grasp. "I'll contact my superiors first. Our immediate action should be to barricade the sewer system."
Her face turned serious, "The spider-ghoul at the theater. Those transfigured humans. The rapid growth of a potentially new Dead Apostle and her dangerous cursed technique - with so many strange monsters lately, should the situation continue to escalate, I'll have to request for more reinforcements. But this could take days, until then, we're on our own."
"I'll make some calls for any available sorcerers to come and help us," Nanami said. "We'll get together and discuss our next action as soon as possible."
With a nod, Ciel then dialed the phone number of her superior, waiting only a few seconds before the call was received. While Nanami watched, he thought back his last conversation with Gojo and their topic about the blue-haired girl before the adult.
"I don't know what she went through exactly," Gojo had stated when Nanami had been on the phone with him in private, "but considering how the Holy Church operates, I imagine they tried killing her a bunch of times before realizing it was pointless, then decided to turn her into their weapon. Keep an eye on her along with Yuuji-kun. She's a lot more powerful than she's willing to show, and I'm hoping to change that when I get her out of those people's grip."
Nanami observed Ciel's stone-face expression as she delivered her report orally through the phone. Her steady voice of an executor speaking to her superior, ready to kill on command. Her tenacity to plunge a sword into her own eye and set herself aflame. Nanami wondered just what exactly did Ciel's organization do to get her to be so familiar with pain? Something that made her ashamed of her innate magical powers even?
As Ciel finished her call and typed in the next phone number she had memorized, the man could only think. What happened to you?
"Oh. You're not coming home tonight?" Yuuji asked as he held his cell phone against his ear.
"That's right. I'm really sorry about this," Ciel said, "Work just came up after school. I'm afraid I won't be making it back for dinner tonight."
"That's fine. Is everything okay? Should I let Ijichi-san or Nanami-san know? Ah, actually, I don't have Nanami-san's phone number."
"That's alright. I'm actually here with Nanami-san right now. We're working on narrowing down the location of the curse user responsible for the murders at the theater, and see if there's any correlation with the vampire attacks. It might take us all night, so I'll probably be back after midnight."
"Oh! Well alright then. Let me know if you find anything, I'll come right over and help you."
"Will do. It's too bad, though. I really wanted to try your cooking."
"Don't worry about it! I'll make something for you next time. You just take care, okay? And tell Nanami-san I said hi too."
After exchanging a few parting words, Yuuji then hanged up the phone. "Sorry, that was my roommate. Looks like she won't be coming home tonight after all. My schedule's pretty much open now."
"Then it sounds like you're free to take my dinner invite now!" In front of him, a tall woman with black, short wavy hair said cheerfully. Nagi Yoshino, a middle-age beauty who smelled of cigarettes, having recently lighted one until her son took hold of it and tossed it away. "Come on, Junpei. You don't want your friend to go hungry, do you?"
Beside the woman, Junpei Yoshino looked incredibly embarrassed at his mother's behavior. He was a little conflicted. He knew that Yuuji Itadori was a sorcerer, an enemy of Mahito and Satsuki, but Yuuji was also a pretty decent guy, and even fun to hang around with. It's not often he gets to talk about the movies he likes with other people.
Besides, Mahito did tell Junpei to get along with sorcerers. And honestly, he was kind of curious to know more about Yuuji.
"Thanks for inviting me!" Yuuji said happily, going to Junpei's side. "I really am starving. It's cool that I come over, right?"
"Ah... yeah..." Junpei said meekly.
"Then hustle! We're breaking daylight," Nagi said, waving over to the two boys as she began her walk up the stairs. "I'm not letting you kids stay out here with that creepy 'vampire' on the loose."
Junpei winced at the mention of Satsuki, though thankfully his hair was able to hide a side of his face. He flinched when he felt Yuuji's arm wrapped over his shoulders, "Yes ma'am! And don't worry about that vampire! I know a few people whose working on catching that guy."
Junpei's eyes widened as he looked over to Yuuji. He knows someone? Does that mean-?
Is this sorcerer working with the executors? But Mahito said that both groups didn't like each other. They were enemies, or at least, not 'friends'. Junpei had seen enough witch trial movies to understand why.
"Oh? You're friends with the police huh?"
"Something like that," Yuuji answered to Junpei's mother as the boys started their walk up the stairs. "They're real good people. I think they're getting close to finding the killer too. It probably won't be long now."
C-close...? Junpei paled. What did that mean? Did... did the vampire hunters know where Satsuki's hideout is? Or was he talking about Mahito's-?
Yuuji noticed at once a sudden change in Junpei, looking over to the boy whose gaze was fixated on the ground, "Hey, you okay-?"
There was a sudden ring of Junpei's phone that made the teen jump, though Yuuji's strong hold of him kept him in place.
"Is that your phone?" Yuuji asked, wondering why Junpei looked so tense all of a sudden.
"Y-yeah..." Junpei took this moment of distraction and pulled out his phone. "Ah-!"
He read the caller ID: Sacchin. Yuuji took a curious look at it until Junpei escaped from his hold.
"S-sorry. I need to take this," Junpei stated, holding the phone closely.
"Oh. Alright..." Yuuji said. He and Nagi looked curiously at the teen who jogged away from the stairs. They gave a look at each other then, and Junpei's mother decided to break the ice further.
"So, tell me more about your roommate. How long have you guys been living together?"
"Well, it's been a little while now. She's a really nice girl who moved to Japan recently."
"A girl?" The woman looked intrigued and openly laughed, "So that's how it is! No wonder your eyes lit up when you were on the phone with her."
"They did?" Yuuji asked, a bit embarrassed to hear that.
"Have you two dated yet?"
Yuuji slightly recoiled from the question. He looked to his feet as he was able to answer clearly, "Ah... well, no. Not really. When we first met, she invited me to her club at school and I kind of took that as her asking me out, but that was a misunderstanding. A few weeks later, though, we started hanging out a lot more and got along really well. Watching movies every night and talk every morning."
"Sounds like you clearly like this girl, yeah? Why not ask her out yourself then?"
There was genuine consideration in Yuuji's gaze as he stared out into the sunset. "Mm. That would be nice, especially if she said yes. I don't know if she feels the same way though. Also..."
Memories came to him then. That living nightmare at the detention center. When Sukuna slashed through Ciel's body several times. The constant beating against her that was met with equal retaliation.
When Yuuji's own hand held her by the throat, choking her until she couldn't breathe. Her fingers digging into his arm. The sick joy in the curse's chest at her struggle and helplessness.
"...I don't think I'm the right guy for her."
After everything Yuuji put her through, he really didn't deserve to have that kind of happiness with her. Not especially if he was just going to be executed later on and leave her all alone after that.
He was suddenly smacked at the back of the head by the woman. Completely caught off guard, Yuuji looked back at the mother dumbfounded.
"If that's the reason you're feeling chicken, then at least let her turn you down first before giving up."
"I-I don't want to make things awkward though..." Yuuji replied. "I mean, if she said no, we'll still be living together after that."
"If she isn't the type to mind living with a guy, I doubt she'd care if things don't work out between you two," the mother reached into her pocket and pulled out another cigarette. "Plus, that feeling of yours isn't going to fade away anytime soon. It's gonna hurt you more than any rejection will if you don't do something about it. Besides, you think she already doesn't see you as a good guy if she's willing to live with you? Unless you're secretly a pervert."
"No way!" Yuuji immediately denied the accusation (Although he would sneak a few glances at Ciel's figure from time to time). "Definitely not. I... I'd want to treat her right."
Like go on dates. Take her sightseeing. Visit her favorite restaurant. Treat her just as good as she's treated him.
"There you go. All that's left is for her to say her peace. If you're wondering if you're the right guy for her or not, that's up to her to decide. You'd want to know how she feels about you too, right?"
Yuuji debated Nagi's words, his eyes glittering at the prospect of hearing Ciel's thoughts about him. The woman saw his deep pondering and decided to let the boy be, lighting a new cigarette as she enjoyed the sunset along with her son's new friend.
He seemed like a good kid to Nagi. She would worry how much trouble her son had making new friends, so it was a huge relief to have someone introduce himself as one for Junpei. What kind of mother would she be if she didn't take this chance to get to know a friend of Junpei better? Plus, as much as her own love life had been a mess, she had a bit of a soft spot for those experiencing young love. She hoped that her son would get to have that also, someday.
Their attention then turned back to the returning Junpei, who looked just as nervous as before.
"U-um, mom? Is it okay if we stop by somewhere and pick up another friend of mine?"
"Sacchin? What's wrong? Are you okay?" Away from his mother and the sorcerer, Junpei spoke into the phone, hearing the faint breathing of the girl at the other end of the line.
"Ah. Junpei-kun. Don't worry, I'm alright. Well, kind of alright..."
"...Something happened, didn't it?"
"...Yes. Are you close to the sewers?"
"N-no. Sorry, a few things happened, and I got sidetracked. I met a guy who helped me out with something. He's pretty friendly. Then my mom found us and now she wants us back home for dinner."
"That's good. I'm glad to hear it..."
"Sacchin?"
"Don't come to the sewers. It's not safe. There was a sorcerer. Mahito went to the confront him and told me to get back to my hideout. I tried to, but then... I met with a vampire hunter, an executor."
"A-are you alright?!" Junpei made sure to not be so loud and bring attention to himself, looking back at his mother and... he guessed a new friend of his? Although, he's a bit hesitant now considering that a sorcerer just attacked his real friends' base. "Are you hurt? Where are you right now?"
"I'm... not too badly hurt. I just ate another transfigured soul. It was enough to heal me," Satsuki breathed out, "I managed to escape, but then... I ended up at the entrance and saw the sun."
Oh no. "Did you get burned?! No, wait, are the sorcerer and executor still there in the sewers?"
If they are and Satsuki is at the entrance, but can't go on because of the sun, then she's sitting ducks! They'll kill her! "Hold on! I'm sure I can find a way to-"
"No. It's alright, Junpei-kun. I'm not in danger anymore."
"Y-you're not?" Junpei asked, confused by this sudden... whimsicalness in Satsuki's tone.
"When I got to the entrance, I stayed in the shadows, but I could still see the sun. It... felt like it's been forever since I've last saw it. I wanted to cry. I... I couldn't help myself."
"What happened?" Junpei asked worriedly.
"I just wanted to feel warm. Real warmth, even just once. So... I reached my hand out into the light."
"S-Sacchin! That's seriously dangerous! You could have turned to ash!"
"That's the thing. I didn't."
"E...Eh?"
"I reached outside of the shadows and into the light. My hand didn't crumble like I thought it would. Something... something happened when I was fighting that executor, and after seeing the sun, something inside me said it was okay now. Junpei. I'm standing on top of a building while the sun is still there. I'm looking at it and I'm not burning. I can survive under sunlight now."
Junpei was stunned. A vampire surviving under sunlight. That was possible?
"I'm sure there's a time limit, though. Even though I can take it, I can still feel it weakening me. I think if I wait a few more hours, I can make it back to my hideout, but..."
He heard shuffling, sounding like Satsuki decided to sit down.
"I'm still exhausted from the fight. I already ate my last transfigured soul. I just need to last until the night so that I can find Mahito back at my hideout. It's where he said we'll regroup. I just don't think I can make it all the way back there right now."
Junpei clutched his phone, "... What if... you rest at my place?"
"H-huh?!"
"Not overnight, obviously!" Junpei quickly assured, embarrassed that he even bothered to add that. "W-what I mean is, if all you need is to wait until it's nighttime, and for you to rest, then what about coming to my place? You also need to lay low and hide from those hunters and sorcerers, right? Ah, but..."
"B-but?"
Junpei hesitated for a moment, "...The guy I mentioned. He's a sorcerer too."
He heard Satsuki gasp.
"He met with me to ask about what happened at the theater. I told him I didn't see anything, and he believed me. I... I don't think he means any harm. He also mentioned that his friends were looking for a male killer, so I don't think he'd suspect you. Or maybe you could hide somewhere close by, like my room. But if you still don't feel safe to come..."
"N-no. That's..." Satsuki hesitated, "...No. I'll go. If there's a sorcerer with you, I don't want to leave you alone with him. He could be putting up an act to trick you, or is using your mom's invitation to sneak into your house. You'll... you'll need someone to look out for you."
"But what if he's friends with the executors?" Junpei asked, reconsidering his offer as he started to see all the cons from it.
"I don't think we have to worry about that. Mahito said that sorcerers and executors are natural enemies, like cats and dogs. They wouldn't want to work together. Even back then, the executor I fought and the sorcerer Mahito went after came at separate directions. They were probably competing to see who can kill one of us first."
"I... I see," Junpei said, relaxing, though a bit angry that his friends were being hunted in such a manner like sports.
"I don't think the vampire hunter I faced would tell any sorcerer what I look like. Executors... they're very good at keeping secrets. It should be fine, and... either way, I'd feel much better if I was there with you. If that sorcerer believes for a moment that you're connected to us..."
Satsuki took a moment to consider her words, and when she spoke again, Junpei could hear her smile, "Then I'd better be there to protect you. I won't let anyone hurt you, Junpei-kun. You've been far too good of a friend for me to lose."
"Ah... really?" Junpei felt his face warmed by that softly delivered statement, rubbing the back of his neck. "You're... you're a really good friend too. I want to help you, Sacchin. Whatever it takes. Even if..."
Even if he had to become a vampire and help her not feel so sad anymore.
"Even if... what?"
Like a turtle retreating back into his shell, Junpei's heart wavered once more, and he lost his nerve, "E-even if I have to fight a sorcerer or executor myself. A-anyway, where are you right now? We'll go pick you up."
"Ah. Right. I'm at..."
From out the rubble crowding within the sewer chamber, the blob-like form of Mahito slipped out. He shaped himself back into his humanoid form, and upon doing so with his clothes completely lost within the destruction, he laughed happily.
"What a crazy guy! He sure acts different from how he looks!"
"You certainly look pleased," a new voice sounded beside the curse, announcing his presence as he looked at the mess around them. "It must have been a fun show."
"Geto!" Mahito called out, turning his head to see the man in dark clothing. The man with black hair smiled at the curse on the floor. A stitched line across his forehead.
"So. How was it? Fighting a First Grade Sorcerer?" The man named Geto asked.
"Mmm." Mahito rested his back against the large chunks of the ceiling. "He was strong. A real interesting guy. I learned a lot thanks to him."
"Oh? Like what?"
A satisfied look on the curse, Mahito relayed the fruit of his experiment, "Even if I'm smashed to little pieces, as long as I preserve the shape of my soul, I won't die. Consuming cursed energy is also a kind of self-sufficiency. And no matter how much I tamper with the shape of my soul, I won't suffer any drawbacks. Next time, I'll fight to my fullest without any hesitation."
"Good to hear, then you better get up and get out of here," Geto informed and began his walk towards the tunnel leading out of the chamber, "On my way over to you, I saw plenty of people heading for this place. They weren't shamans, so they're probably with the Church. By now, they should have the sewer system surrounded."
"Ohhh. I see," Mahito said, holding his chin thoughtfully. Then that other person Satsuki-chan must have been fighting... was it an executor? Did they come here together with that sorcerer, or was it a coincidence? Hmm. I wonder if Satsuki-chan is still even alive?
"Let's get back with the others. I have a plan I want to discuss with you," Geto said, waiting by the tunnel.
Mahito swiftly hopped back up to his feet, interlocking his fingers, he stretched out his arms in front of himself. "Alright then. Is it okay we make a quick stop somewhere? I want to drop something off first."
At Geto's silent inquiry, Mahito continued to stretch his limbs, preparing himself for another fight he didn't think he'd get into already. "You remember that vampire I told you about? I've been overseeing her condition and see how many souls she can consume. She should have imploded by now with how much she's eaten just this week alone. But the fact that she hasn't means that her hunger is something extraordinary. Her metabolism is through the roof. If she managed to stop by her hideout, I want to see how she'll react to these newly modified souls."
He patted his side only to remember he wasn't wearing his pants anymore. "Oh, drat. I lost the new batch in the rubble. It's gonna take a while to find them. Ah well, I can always make new ones. Especially if there's already people waiting for us out there - I'll even borrow their clothes too."
"Hm. Alright. We can stop by wherever you have in mind. Just don't take too long," Geto said as Mahito began to follow the man, and both the sorcerer and curse walked into the dark. "It's still a little amusing. The Terror of Tokyo, the Modern-Day Vampire that everyone had been so afraid of; is nothing more than a little girl. I'm almost interested to see her for myself, but I won't get in the way of your fun. Just make sure you don't get too caught up in your experiments. Even if she is just a fledgling, you don't want to underestimate these vampires."
"Don't worry. I've been very careful around her. Even if she does have a pretty effective technique, as long as I have the means to satiate her bloodlust, she won't betray me," Mahito said confidently. "She doesn't trust me in the slightest, but there's no one else she can turn to, except Junpei - but there's no need to worry about him either."
"Junpei. The human you've been training, yes?" Geto said. "He's actually the reason I came here to talk to you about. I believe I have a way to get Sukuna's host to join our side. It'll involve that boy's life on the line. Will that be alright?"
"His life, huh?" Mahito said, looking to consider for a moment, then shrugged. "Sure. What do you have in mind?"
Geto smiled and pointed at the ceiling, "We'll get into the details later. Right now, let's focus on dealing with these 'intruders' first."
"Sounds good to me," Mahito said in anticipation, cracking his knuckles as his eyes alighted, like a child waiting on new toys to play with. "I had a taste how a sorcerer fights, now I want to know if these vampire hunters are just as strong."
"-You're at Junpei Yoshino's house?!" Ijichi nearly shouted into the phone, responding to Yuuji's briefing.
"Yup. We're gonna watch a movie here. Oh, by the way, Ciel called and told me that she and Nanami-san are gonna work together to find the killer's hideout. She said it might take them all night."
"Ciel did...?" Ijichi sputtered. If Ciel said so, yet knowing that Nanami had already uncovered the location of their theater killer, and the fact that Nanami wouldn't even inform Ciel about his findings if it's so to keep her safe as well - Ijichi wasn't sure what could have happened, but it seemed that the executor and the sorcerer have come to a concise. Either that, or Ciel was lying.
What should I do? Do I confirm with Nanami-san? No, I must go to Itadori-kun at once. I can't let the adult of all adults find out that I left that boy on his own - and with a suspect no less!
There was a sound of a microwave beeping, and Yuuji spoke once more, "Oh! The popcorn's done. I'm hanging up now."
The boy's casualness was one Ijichi was both appalled and jealous of, wishing he could have that same level of ease. "R-right. I'll drive over to Yoshino's house then. If anything seemed off or dangerous, please leave immediately."
"It's fine! It's fine! I don't think Yoshino-san's our guy anymore. He's a good guy. I'll call you later when we're done. Bye, Ijichi-san!"
"Y-yes. Be careful, Itadori-kun." With that, the call ended and Ijichi stared at the screen of his phone. He slumped his head against the rim of the steering wheel. He's seriously considering getting heart medicines later. It should be fine. Even if Junpei Yoshino is the perpetrator in this case, he won't be able to promptly kill Itadori-kun as he is now, right?
Nevertheless, he failed to keep close to Yuuji and monitor him. If he was dealing with Gojo, Ijichi would have just get slapped in the face for his negligence as a supervisor. But if it was Nanami, Ijichi was certain he'd cry if he ever gets scolded by that man. He wanted to avoid that at all cost!
Invigorated, Ijichi picked back up his head, and with a huff, he started the engine of his car. "I must hurry! I refuse to cry in front of someone at my age!"
Fate decided to test him as his phone rang, and the name of the feared sorcerer popped up. "Ah-! It's Nanami-san! He's calling sooner than expected!"
Stay calm! Stay calm. If Ijichi is careful with his words, then maybe he'll avoid getting scolded. He was on his way to see Yuuji anyway. Maybe he can simply... allude certain details.
With a trembling finger, Ijichi answered the phone. "...Yes, Hello. I'm sorry."
He already gave up lying to the man as he waited for Nanami to speak.
"We've located the killers responsible for the theater massacre and the blood-drained murders."
Ijichi lurched in his seat, staring at his phone in disbelief. "B-both?!"
"We're dealing with a Special Grade Curse, with both human intelligence and a cursed technique. The curse and the vampire are confirmed to be working together. I've already sent you the location of their base. I need you to transfer this to the school and send a request for any available sorcerer to come. Ciel has already send word to her people and are currently surrounding the base."
"I-I see. Then, would you like for us to come and assist you as well?"
"No. I need you to take Itadori-kun home and to await further instructions. Do not tell him what I told you. Ciel had a confrontation with the vampire, and confirmed the creature to have possessed a cursed technique as well."
A vampire. Possessing a cursed technique? Good heavens, even in his line of work, this is starting to sound like a nightmare to Ijichi.
"It's a deadly and dangerous technique. It drains people of their blood and energy - both through a blood transfusion at a distance, and up close. Yuuji won't be of any match against her."
Her. A female vampire? Ijichi blinked in surprise before he tuned in once more to Nanami's words.
"I doubt that'd be enough to stop him from getting involved though. That's why you can't say a word of this to him. I'll be here to assist Ciel's people, but if you can reach someone at the school, see if they have a means or technique to fight from a distance. Otherwise, inform them of the vampire's capabilities. I'll also send you a report of the Special Grade Curse's abilities as well."
His shaken nerves set aside, Ijichi's professionalism kicked into gear as he nodded at his phone, "I understand. I'll meet up with Itadori-kun then and bring him back to Ciel's apartment. It shouldn't take too long."
"...Are you not with him right now?"
"..."
I'm such an idiot!
There was some rushed movement heard in the background, and Nanami spoke once more, "I have to go. Please get together with Itadori-kun. Though, I'll be hearing from you why you were separated from him to begin with."
"Y...yes sir..." A single drop of tear in Ijichi's eye, though thankfully no one sees it, so at least he accomplished this much.
Laughter filled the living room of the Yoshino household. Nagi Yoshino cheeks flushed with both glee and the effects of the alcohol after drinking several cans of beer. "And then?! What happened next?!"
"Okay! So, Tasashi-san, and he was so sure of it too, went up and yelled "this is totally a new species of larva!" Yuuji told the story, mimicking the movements of Tadashi plucking something off the ground, "And when he picked it up... it turned out to be a piece of noodle."
Nagi howled and slammed her hand on the table repeatedly. "A-! A noodle?! He said it was a noodle, Junpei! AHAHAHA!"
"Mom. You're being too loud..." Junpei said, looking over to his nervous friend. "You're making Sacchin uncomfortable."
The girl with brown eyes and in fresh new clothes gently shook her head, smiling awkwardly, "It's fine. Don't mind me. A lot of students at my school act this way too... well, maybe except for the beer cans."
And the fact that my mom's supposed to be an adult. Junpei mentally sighed as he looked back at how well his mother and Yuuji were getting along.
"Huh? What? Am I embarrassing you in front of your girlfriend?"
"MOM!" Junpei shouted. Both his and Satsuki's face flushed with embarrassment. It also didn't help how invested Yuuji looked at this prospect, staring at the other teens with intrigue, like he was waiting for them to kiss or something. "I already told you!"
"Yeah yeah. She's just a 'friend' at school. Take a joke, why don't ya?" Nagi merely waved at her son. "But seriously! She's such a cutie pie! Why don't you tell me this sort of thing?! If I knew you were attracting girls your way, I'd have given you some pointers."
"Gross." Junpei instantly shuttered. "And I'm not as popular as you think I am."
"Just how long are you gonna keep me waiting then? I want to be the neighborhoods most beautiful grandma! Mr. "I-bought-a-new-outfit-for-my-'just-a-friend'" guy?"
"You're drunk..." Junpei stated as his mother giggled to herself. "Also, I'm only fifteen."
He noticed Yuuji still staring at him and turned to look at the boy. "What?"
Yuuji merely gave him a goofy smile before lifting his glass of soda to his lips. He cheekily stated while flexing his eyebrows, "Nothing. I'm not saying anything."
...I hate my life. Junpei once more declared in his own head. He'll apologize to Satsuki later, though neither of them could have expected everything to turn out this way.
After Junpei, his mother and the sorcerer Yuuji made their trip over to Satsuki's whereabouts, he convinced the two to stay outside while he hurried into the apartment building where Satsuki had been hiding at the rooftop. He found her standing at the edge, looking at the sunset. Her blouse was a mess with dirt, burnt holes as if caught on fire, and drops of her own blood. She was able to wash off most of the blood from the river by the sewers, but she clearly needed a new change of clothes. From there, he was able to give her the shopping bags he was going to bring to the sewers and quickly went away to give her privacy.
It'd been a hassle trying to explain to his mom that he bought those clothes just as a gift, and not because he and Satsuki were dating, but the teasing just wouldn't stop with that woman, and the amused stares from both her and Yuuji only became more apparent when Satsuki came down with him and introduced herself to them in her new wear.
"I see! I see! So you're a friend of my son, is it?"
"Nice to meet you! I'm also a friend of Yoshino-san! Starting today in fact!"
"A-ah. It's, um, it's nice to meet you both..."
It looked like the girl was about to be sandwiched by both people as they started prodding her with questions. How'd she and Junpei met. If they shared the same classes. How long have they've known each other. If she happened to have a boyfriend. All sorts of embarrassing questions that Junpei had to make a full stop to and usher everyone to his and his mother's house already. Though, it's more reasonable to worry that neither Junpei nor Satsuki considered a cover-up story, so the best they could do is give vague responses and etc.
"Hey hey! Do an improv!" Nagi asked as she handed Yuuji her food plate, like she was asking a dog to do a trick. Junpei sighed at his mother's behavior and took a sip of water from his glass.
"'Wilson! Wilson!'"
Junpei spat out the water when he saw what scene Yuuji decided to reenact, surprising Satsuki by his reaction.
"That's from Cast Away!" The movie-enthusiast Junpei declared after a few coughs.
"Bingo!" Yuuji said, smiling. "Want to see me do another one?"
"Um, Cast Away?" Satsuki asked.
Junpei's mother also appeared to be lost. "Is that a movie? Sorry, I don't watch them as often as my kid here."
"You should totally see it! It's really good!" Yuuji said. "Oh! How about this one?! 'Some motherfuckers are always trying to ice-skate uphill'."
"That's from Blade!" Junpei said, and he burst into laughter at the stone-cold mask Yuuji put up, the pink-haired teen covering his eyes with spoons to pull off the sunglasses look of the main character.
Satsuki stared at the pure bliss of enjoyment in Junpei's expression. Seeing that genuine bout of happiness she hadn't seen in the boy before, something that, even around her and Mahito, his face was never as bright as this. He actually looked good this way, and she smiled at it.
After a few more reenactments with Junpei guessing all of them right, it was decided for all four of them to watch a movie together. The mother couldn't wait for long, however, as the woman passed out on the table for drinking too much. Junpei and Satsuki worked together to take the dishes to the sink and make some popcorn while Yuuji stepped away to answer his cellphone.
"...What do you think?" Junpei asked Satsuki.
"...He seems really nice," Satsuki answered with a sullen look. "It doesn't look like he's putting up an act."
"You think so?"
Satsuki considered for a moment before nodding slowly, "I can usually tell how someone is after meeting them. I'm not sure if it's intuition or anything like that, but I could always read a person's 'heart', even before I turned into a vampire."
Junpei was surprised to hear that as Satsuki resumed, "I guess you can call it like a 'psychic' ability. It doesn't always work though if the other person has a "wall" around themselves."
She should have realized something was wrong when she first met Ciel. How despite the cheerfulness and care from the older girl, there was a blockade around her that prevented anyone from going any deeper. Satsuki was a bit taken aback but nonetheless passed it off, since this sort of inherent ability was something she didn't even understand it herself. Now, Satsuki knows that this "wall" around Senpai was her magical powers protecting her, to prevent other people from reading her true nature. She wondered if Ciel had taken notice of Satsuki's ability back then, and that's why the senior decided to keep an eye on her through association before Satsuki's sudden disappearance.
It was with this inherent ability that Satsuki had noticed Shiki Tohno's "killer instinct", and why she had been so nervous to ever approach him at first. That inexplicable fright of something dangerous waiting in the shadows of his heart, yet she still felt drawn to him nonetheless.
"But Itadori-kun isn't putting up a "wall". He's being really honest. The most honest I've ever met," Satsuki said with a frown. "There's still something that doesn't feel right about him, though. I can't explain it. Just something about him is making me feel on edge, even though I can tell he's friendly. Not someone trying to hide his intentions or anything like that."
Not necessarily a secret "killer instinct", or an upstanding student withholding her true identity, but rather, it was like an entirely different animal was buried deep within that boy. A dragon inside the heart of a lamb. It was faint, though. Like at the moment, only Yuuji was in control.
Junpei held a thoughtful look as he held the empty bowl in his hands, watching the bag of popcorn cook in the microwave. "...Are you going to kill him?"
Satsuki looked back at the boy. Seeing that sad look in his eyes. The joy from before instantly gone, awaiting to accept bitter news.
"...Not if you don't want me to."
Junpei looked surprised, and Satsuki smiled. "Mahito said for you to get along with sorcerers, right? I'm not sure why he said that, but seeing how happy you are around him, I don't want to take that away."
She beamed up at the boy, enough to cause Junpei to blush as she added, "He's a good guy. He seemed like the kind of guy you can rely on. Someone who can help you when you need it most."
Junpei looked visibly relieved to hear that. They heard a happy snort of Junpei's sleeping mother, startling Satsuki while Junpei looked to have been used to it. Just then, the popcorn was done, and Junpei carefully takes out the hot bag. "...I think so too."
As Satsuki helped put together more drinks for the movie, as well to look after Junpei's drunk-sleeping mother, Junpei brought over the bowl and popcorn to the living room before heading for the TV set, with Yuuji looking over to help with the selection.
"Your mom's a really great person," Yuuji said, pulling out one movie that seemed interesting for all of them to watch.
"Yeah..." Junpei said, looking over to his mother in question and saw Satsuki placed a coat over the woman's shoulders for warmth. He smiled softly. "What kind of person is your mom, Itadori-kun?"
"Oh. I never met her. I have a faint memory of my dad though. But it's my grandpa who raised me."
"I see..." Junpei looked back at the movie selection. They came to an agreement over which movie to watch and Junpei pushed a button to turn the TV on. "...Hey. You're a sorcerer, aren't you?"
"Yeah. I am," Yuuji said without an ounce of hesitation. Ah, I wonder if I was supposed to say that?
"Have you ever killed anyone? Humans, I mean."
Yuuji froze, staring at the boy who waited for his answer. Memories of the detention center came back to him in full swing. The taste of iron in his tongue. The feel of warm blood in his fingers.
His mouth parted slightly, his expression completely blank, "...I have."
Junpei held an understanding look, having friends who were also killers. "Were they... bad sorcerers?"
"They weren't."
That caught the boy off guard, and he looked to Yuuji in shock. Not bad sorcerers? Then...? Was it possible? Was he also like Mahito and Satsuki?
"I lost control of myself, and because of that, I ended up killing and hurting a lot of people," Yuuji calmly said with a deadpanned face, interlocking his fingers as he looked down. "Honestly, I shouldn't still be a sorcerer after what happened. But a lot of people are relying on me, and..."
He thought of Ciel's face. The girl, who every night, he always said goodbye to as he watched her leave through the balcony. In her uniform nun outfit as she sets off to hunt vampires and the dead, while he remained in her apartment watching movies without a care in the world. Always wondering how late she'll come home each night. If she was hurt or, if not for her immortality, if she would have been killed. He always took comfort that, at the very least, she was never alone in her patrol. But he always felt that every time he sees her go into the night, he could have gone with her.
"...there's people I want to look out for. People I want to help. I'm going to get stronger, and when I do..."
He visualized himself beside Ciel, Megumi, Nobara, and Gojo, along with all the other sorcerers with him. A brighter future he hopes to achieve with everyone someday.
"I'm going to make sure what happened back then won't happen again, and protect everyone around me."
To die while surrounded by loved ones.
Junpei was amazed by the look of determination in Yuuji's face, and he looked down on his knees. "...I see. Then..."
Then maybe you and Sacchin aren't so different after all. Maybe, there's a way all three of them could get along. Whatever made Yuuji lose control, Junpei could get Mahito to help. The curse did it with Satsuki, he could probably do it with Yuuji too. If Junpei could just explain that Mahito and Satsuki weren't bad people, then maybe Yuuji will hear them out?
"But, even then, I still wouldn't want to kill anybody."
Junpei was surprised once more and looked back up at Yuuji.
"I wasn't in control last time. If I'm put in a situation to kill someone, I don't think I'd be able to do it. Not by my own free will."
"But... but what if they were bad people?" Junpei asked. "What if..."
What if you had no choice but to survive?
Yuuji considered for a long moment, unbeknownst by the sorcerer the stare of another pair of eyes, even as she was currently helping wash the dishes. "I think... if I just killed out of my own violation, I'm scared that I won't know the value of the people I hold dear to me anymore."
Satsuki's head lowered as she turned off the water slightly, having heard that last statement. The people she used to see every day at her school came to mind, and she wondered then, if she would have been just as casual to drink from their blood as she had with strangers.
Mahito said that people don't have hearts, but I never agreed with him.
It felt good to feel validated, but if people's lives were as pointless as their feelings, then what did that mean for her own feelings? What did that mean for her friends? The boy she had a crush on for so long, when he came to her rescue on that cold night. How she was surrounded by reliable people, but it was him who had helped her.
She could never accept that person's life to be so meaningless, even if that was the thought of a killer, even if that person thought the same way. No matter how abnormal he was, or that he didn't remember her name until she told him, he was special to Satsuki, just as Junpei was.
I'll get stronger. I'll take control of my own bloodlust, and then...
She'll take Junpei away from that dangerous curse. For now, she only needed to sustain herself with his supply a little longer. Her strength was slowing returning, but no hunger yet. She might be able to drink people's blood without killing them if she practiced well enough. If eating only one of Mahito's transfigured soul could last her the whole week, then maybe she can do the same with other people's blood too.
After deciding to leave Junpei's mother to sleep, the three teens enjoy their movie viewing together, settling for a horror movie, much to Satsuki's nervousness, though she didn't want to be a party pooper and simply assured that she'll be fine. (As long as it's fake blood, it should be alright, right?) Junpei then realized what Satsuki was worried about, but after she assured him for a second time, they played the movie.
The moment the first jump-scare happened, though, Satsuki nearly jumped through the ceiling, along with Yuuji, Junpei, and the bowl of popcorn - though not as literally for Junpei.
"Ah... I forgot that part happened," Junpei had been so invested to the story, it caught him by complete surprise. "It's supposed to be a fake out, but they did the ambience really well- Sacchin? Are you okay?"
Yuuji looked over to see what Junpei was referring to. The girl had actually leapt over the couch and was hiding behind it. She poked her head up sheepishly, a slight tremble in her figure as her mouth thinned with embarrassment.
"...That scare really got to you." Junpei would forget sometimes that Satsuki was a vampire.
"Ah... maybe a little," Satsuki said with red cheeks. It really made her look cute in Junpei's eyes. "L-let me go get a broom."
"I'll help too!" Yuuji volunteered as Junpei paused the movie. After asking where the broom and dust pan was, the sorcerer hopped over the couch and went with Satsuki to collect them from the closet while Junpei went to make more popcorn.
"Not a fan of scary movies?" Yuuji asked as he knelt down with the dust pan in hand, Satsuki taking it upon herself to sweep the dropped popcorn.
"N-no. Not really. But it's fine, we can keep watching it, since you guys enjoy it so much."
"I don't think Yoshino-san would mind if you want to watch something else," Yuuji said. He quickly turned his head towards the other teen who was standing in front of the microwave, possibly out of earshot.
He then looked back up at the girl, "Is it okay if I ask you something?"
"Huh? Um, sure..." Satsuki agreed, a new pensiveness settled within her.
"Do you like Yoshino-san?"
"Huh?!" Satsuki jolted in place, clutching the broom closely to herself. "L-like him?! I-! That's not-! I mean-!"
Does she like Junpei? Well, as a friend, she certainly does, but as for more than that... It was hard to put into words. Why was it hard to answer? She liked Shiki, she was sure of this, and yet...
"Ah..." Satsuki merely deflated as Yuuji patiently waited for her answer. "He... he is a nice boy. We also get along really well. I do like him, b-but there's someone else I like already!"
"Oh. Sorry," Yuuji apologized. "I didn't mean to make it weird. It just looked like you two were really close."
"W-we do..." ?" Satsuki said, tightening her grip of the broomstick. "I see... Well, he did help me a while back. I guess I started clinging to him after that."
To help her when no one else could...
"He got me out of a bad spot, and we just started hanging out after that. I didn't know what to think of him at first, but..."
She looked back up at the boy in discussion, "He's a bit like me. We both get pushed around by others a lot. For me, I just agree with everyone around me, so that I wouldn't make any trouble for anyone, and I guess that's enough for people to like me."
She grimaced when she recalled seeing the burn marks on Junpei's forehead, hidden behind his bangs. "But Junpei didn't have it as easy. I was kind of mean to him when we first met, only wanted to tease him, but after I got sick, he helped me."
Though it was definitely just to avoid getting caught up in a murder, but before that, he was more curious about her than he was afraid. And asked her outright if he could be like her. It was the first time she was at a complete lost with someone, she honestly didn't know what to do then. Now, with her bloodlust satiated thanks to Mahito's treatment, the guilt of what could have happened became clear. Had it just been the two of them, and she was still under the influence of her blood lust, would she have spared Junpei? Or would she have killed him and left his body to rot in that back alley along with the rest of her victims?
The more she considered that possibility, the heavier her guilt weighed, and she wanted to cry right then and there. But keeping herself strong, she added, "I wanted to make it up to him then. He looked lonely. I figured I could help him through that by being his friend. Just being there for him whenever he needs it, just like... another guy that I liked had been there for me, a long time ago."
She didn't think she'd share this with anyone. There was just something about Yuuji. Despite this inexplicable "evil" within the boy, the teen himself was a ball of light she could only feel warmth from.
"Hmm." Yuuji said, listening as he picked up the rest of the popcorn by hand, "I don't think Yoshino-san has a grudge against you. You're hanging out with him right now after all. I think it's safe to know that he likes you too."
Satsuki's face reddened, and from there, her true feelings were exposed. Pressing the broomstick against her cheek as if in hopes to cool her face down. "R-really?"
"Yup. I'm pretty sure of it. Although, if you already liked another guy, you shouldn't feel pressured to pick. I'm sure Yoshino-san would understand."
"Ah. Yeah. Although, I don't think there's anything to worry about. The boy that I like probably doesn't even remember me anymore. He usually doesn't keep memory of anything that's not important to him."
"Oh..."
...well that's kind of sad.
"...Itadori-kun." Satsuki said.
"Yeah?" Yuuji asked as they hear the microwave beeping.
"You care about Junpei-kun, right?"
"I do." Yuuji said simply. "He's a good guy, and we're friends now. Even though we only met today, I care about him a lot."
Satsuki smiled as she looked at Yuuji. Not an ounce of deceit in his eyes she could see, unlike the executor she had fought with. "Then, please look out for him. If things get rough, and I'm not around, you'll go to his rescue, okay?"
With her time in the day limited, cruel people awaiting for Junpei at his school, and most importantly, if ever her secret gets exposed, she'll place her hope in Yuuji to spare Junpei, and protect the boy from all the troubles of the world, demanding for his head for simply associating with monsters like her.
"Yes ma'am!" Yuuji declared with a salute just as Junpei came back with a new bowl of popcorn in hand.
"What are you guys chatting about?" Junpei asked as he sets down the bowl of popcorn.
"Nothing," Satsuki stated with a smile. Like a heavy weight lifted from her heart, and the anxiety of hunters prowling in the night forgotten, the girl only stated peppily, "I was just telling Itadori-kun to be a good friend to you. Otherwise, I'll have to teach him a lesson."
Yuuji nodded enthusiastically. Junpei looked oddly at the two, then slowly nodded back before he sat down on the couch. It looks like they got along quick.
There really is something amazing about that sorcerer. He was really glad to see it, especially with Satsuki looking completely tense-free now, after what she went through today.
He wanted to see if he could reach out to Mahito, but the curse never carries a phone. He was worried if Mahito made it out just fine, but if what Satsuki said was true, then Mahito will meet with her at her hideout. He'll just have to ask Satsuki to give him a call and let him know if Mahito is okay. Until then, he can't let himself get too worried. The curse was strong after all. He had faith in his teacher, and he wants to instill confidence in Satsuki that everything will be alright.
Even if it's just for one night, Junpei said as Yuuji and Satsuki sat with him, their talk resuming. I'd want her to feel that there's nothing to worry about anymore.
The movie ended on a good note, though not good for the characters in the film. Yuuji helped with the cleanup and then bid Junpei and Satsuki a goodnight. Yuuji offered to give 'Sacchin' a ride back at her place, but Satsuki informed that she'll be spending the night with Junpei, much to the named boy's abashed face.
"Let's hang out again soon! I'll bring a friend along next time too!" With a wave of goodbye, Yuuji left the Yoshino household.
Finding Ijichi immediately outside with his parked car, Yuuji approached the man and his vehicle. "Sorry for the wait, but did you had to call me so many times?"
"W-well... it was urgent to take you home," Ijichi tried to explain before backpedaling on his words, "Y-you know, because of the killings."
"Yeah. I wonder how Ciel and Nanami-san are doing?" Yuuji said, glancing up at the night sky, definitely looked to be close to midnight, if not past it. "Have you heard from those guys?"
"Ah..." Ijichi blanked at the question, before forcibly shaking his head side to side. He didn't like to lie, but if it was on Nanami's orders, then he can't simply deny it.
"Oh. Alright..." Yuuji wondered why the man always looked so nervous every time he saw him.
"How was it with Yoshino-san?" Ijichi inquired as he got into the driver's seat.
"We had a lot of fun!" Yuuji answered, stepping into the back seat, "I'm gonna invite Ciel next time. She'll like it a lot, and I also want to introduce her to Yoshino-san."
"Hm. If it's true that he isn't the culprit, then perhaps that won't be such a bad idea," especially with the real culprits identified, Ijichi gave his approval with a nod as he started the car and began their drive.
Yuuji looked forward to the next time he and Junpei hang out. If Ciel does say yes, then if Sacchin comes along too, it'll be like a double date. Though, he'd honestly would like to ask Ciel out properly first.
You'd want to know how she feels about you too, right?
Yuuji's smile grew as he stared out the window.
They arrived at Ciel's apartment, Yuuji bid Ijichi a goodnight and head up the stairs. Unlocking Ciel's apartment door with the spare key, he began his nightly routine inside.
He started by rearranging the furniture - however few there were. Once he made space for himself at the center of the room, he set up the spare futon pulled from underneath Ciel's bed and unrolled it across the floor. He then went into the bathroom, took a quick shower, brushed his teeth, and got into his sleepwear before turning off all the lights in the room.
He then went to the back door, pulled back the yellow curtains that gave him the view of the balcony, and unlocked it. Allowing easy entry for the executor upon her return. With everything done, Yuuji went for his futon and made himself comfortable. Lying down on his side, he checked his phone and looked through his chat history, reading the last few messages he sent to Ciel.
Yuuji: Hey! I'm gonna be out late watching a movie at a friend's place. Let me know when you get home! *popcorn* *film reel*
Yuuji: Yo! Im home now! I hope everything's okay at work. Im gonna go to bed. I'll see you in the morning. Goodnight! *crescent moon* *Zzzz*
Both texts he sent but received no responses, not even an indication that they've been read. Yuuji debated sending Ciel one more text, but he restrained himself. He didn't want to distract her from work. She usually answered promptly though.
...It's fine. Nanami-san's with her. She'll be back like always.
Putting the phone down, he rolled onto his back and closed his eyes, laying his worries to rest as he tried to get some sleep.
I really wish I could join her on her patrols. Bringing himself to ease knowing that he'll see Ciel tomorrow, Yuuji let his mind drift. I'll make her breakfast in the morning...
With that last thought, he fell asleep.
Ciel slid open the glass door of the back patio, and her eyes instantly set upon the sleeping figure on the floor. She silently entered her apartment and just as quietly closed the door behind herself. Yuuji's soft snoring was enough to inform her of his deep slumber, the softest she's ever heard in fact. Usually, she would come home and hear what she would have mistaken to be a live boar living in her studio apartment, only to find out that it was in fact her own roommate snoring loudly.
It never really bothered her. A nice change within this usually quiet apartment, and she would always love to tease him over it every morning. Sadly, it seemed she won't have much to tease about tonight. He slept like a purring kitten now than an alpaca revving to spit at someone (this brought her the most memorable, embarrassed look of Yuuji when she told him this. She couldn't help but chuckle at it).
Ciel carefully stepped around the sleeping figure who laid on his back against the futon. His soft breathing as his chest rose up and down. One hand relaxed by his head and the other over his stomach. There was a thin drool that shone down from the corner of his mouth, if not for the moonlight, she wouldn't have noticed. He looked so peaceful, and very toned from what she could tell through his yellow shirt, though the bottom half of his body was covered by the blanket. She constantly had to wonder just what sort of regime did this boy go through, especially if he wasn't even interested in any of the sports club at his old school.
This is the scene Ciel comes home to after her patrol every night, and each time, she would always think how strange it was for him to sleep so soundly, untroubled by his current predicament, resting within the apartment of his attempted killer - without a care in the world. She almost longed for that blissfulness, jealous of it even.
"Sometimes, I worried how easy going you are," Ciel whispered as she observed Yuuji for a moment. "A little too honest and comfortable. I might just pull a prank on you any second, you know? Or execute you right here and now."
Yet, even so, she was impressed with how Yuuji was still able to keep the flow of his cursed energy steady. It blew her away how quickly he's already come to control it. It normally takes a sorcerer a few years at least. She can only explain this to be the work of Sukuna, or at least, to share the same soul as the cursed king, it unlocked or 'infested' - one should say - the body of this boy, allowing him to use cursed energy as well. As if the curse would willingly give his own powers to the boy.
She ought to ask Gojo one of these days, what he meant when he said that - whether anyone wanted to or not - Yuuji will eventually come to adopt Sukuna's abilities. If that should truly happen, then she must also keep an eye on Yuuji's training outside from his movie viewing. Hm. Perhaps she should even spar with the boy? He should keep himself in tip-top shape if it's intended for him to take future sorcerer assignments, especially if what happened at the movie theater happens again.
She really would rather Yuuji just simply stay here, though. Ensure Sukuna would not take over again, and avoid accepting another dangerous mission. Ciel will just have to trust Nanami's judgement, for as odd as he is and at times irritable to work with, he and Ciel do share the same sentiment concerning Yuuji. Of course, that sentiment ended up extending towards herself much to her annoyance, but she digressed.
The sorcerers in Japan are far more humane than the mages in the west. Regardless of Yuuji's fate, he genuinely was surrounded by people who care for him and were willing to risk their own jobs and wrath of the higher-ups if it's to keep his survival a secret, even for a little while longer. Ciel would be risking herself as well, but it's not as if there was anything the Church could do to her that they haven't already tried. In any case, she was within her Executor privilege, where even if her overseer Mario were to press her, she wouldn't budge, and he wouldn't have the authority to force her otherwise.
Ciel then proceeded to the closet and pulled out her pajamas. With the door ajar, she quietly changed out of her nun outfit, letting her thoughts drift. Tonight didn't go as planned. Perhaps it's all the bad luck these curses are carrying. But regardless, Ciel will not falter. She will find Satsuki Yumizuka, and she will do what she must as a member of the Church. Whether it was to free the vampire girl of her suffering, or simply Ciel being a cold-hearted machine, she will kill that victim of circumstances and murderer. Once that's done, she can resume her focus to not only Yuuji Itadori's condition, but also Shiki Tohno's at school.
"...Mmm. Ciel...?"
The executor paused as she held her pink pajamas over her arms. She calmly turned to the waking voice of Yuuji, who rubbed his eyes with his back hand. He sat up slowly, rubbing his face tiredly. "Is that you...? Welcome back."
With a smile, Ciel walked over to Yuuji and his half-asleep state. The boy yawned, "How did it go? Did you find anything?"
Kneeling down on her bare knees, Ciel held out her hand and touched the side of Yuuji's face.
"Ah," the teen was a little surprised by the touch, and a soothing, magical sensation flowed into his cheek. A soft and warm grasp. He barely had the strength to open his eyes fully.
"Don't worry about it. Just go back to sleep," Ciel answered. It'd be a bit embarrassing for the both of them if he were to fully awake before Ciel would get dressed. At least she had her underwear and bra on. "We'll talk about it in the morning."
Yuuji had a resistance to her suggestion spell, likely because of Sukuna, but perhaps a direct contact of her sleeping spell would do the trick. With her wards in the apartment, she wouldn't have to worry about Sukuna popping out and taking a bite of her fingers, though just to be sure, she also put into effect a harmless, sealing-based magic at her fingertips.
Yuuji slowly blinked his barely opened eyes at the girl and gave another yawn, hovering his hand over his mouth. "Yeah...? I guess so..."
The lulling sound of Ciel's voice and her gentle nudging had Yuuji lie back down and close his eyes. Resting on his side, his sleep-desire mind like full of clouds as he felt Ciel's warm hand against his cheek, quietly breathing out at the soft stroke of her thumb. "Just... let me know... if I can help..."
"Of course. You'll be the first person I'll think to ask," Ciel pleasantly assured, and may have lied, "But I think the best way you can do to help is to keep focus on your training. I'll make it up to you for missing out dinner. I still want to try your cooking one of these days."
"You don't... have to... I-"
"Shh. You can tell me about it later. Goodnight now, Yuuji-kun."
"Good...night, Ciel..." Conceiting to her soothing, whispering voice, Yuuji instantly fell back asleep. At his resting state, ignoring the distinct scars underneath his gently closed eyes, Ciel's face softened into an endeared smile, holding his cheek still.
If it's possible, I'd like for you to live your life normally as a human being, until your time comes. I would want you to have as much of a proper death as you desire others to have.
She remained kneeling there for another moment longer, watching Yuuji peacefully slumber. Through the window, the moonlight showered over the two of them and this serene scene.