Chapter 20

"Why did you buy such an old model? This thing cracked as soon as it hit the ground, so I just had someone fix it for you..."

Gojo Satoru’s voice faded away as he watched Takizawa Sei’s pupils begin to earthquake in shock. He paused, tilted his head, and asked, "What's wrong?"

This is a disaster!

Takizawa let out a miserable cry, grabbed his phone, and powered it on, only to realize the service had been suspended. He hurriedly asked Gojo to top up his credit, then, with a heart full of anxiety, dialed Matsuda Jinpei’s number. At a time like this, who cares about using social media to communicate from afar? A direct phone call was the only way.

The screen displayed "Calling..."

"What are you in such a rush for—"

"Sorry, I forgot something important. I’ll talk to you in a bit."

Takizawa walked further away with the phone, his expression flustered.

Jinpei!!!

He shouted Matsuda Jinpei’s name in his heart, filled with guilt. Although missing their meeting wasn’t intentional, he really hadn’t made it there, and he’d been out of contact for so long... Knowing Matsuda as he did, the man must have been worried to death that day.

"Hello."

Fortunately, the call connected quickly, sparing Takizawa from further torment in his boiling state of mind. A familiar male voice reached his ears.

The tone sounded quite normal...

Takizawa spent a long time psyching himself up, thinking of three different ways to start the conversation in a single second. Yet, when he finally spoke, his emotions sounded remarkably calm, though he spoke with such rapid speed that he didn't leave any room for Matsuda to interrupt. "Sorry, Jinpei, I stood you up that day. I got into a car accident and accidentally hit my head again..."

Very good, the same old excuse.

"My phone broke, too. I was unconscious for three days and only just woke up."

"You were in a car accident?" the person on the other end asked with surprise. "When did that happen? It wasn't in the news, and the traffic police know you—you’re a famous public figure, after all."

They were the ones who had stayed up all night writing Takizawa’s accident reports.

"Because there were no disputes, we settled it peacefully."

There had been a huge dispute, and it was not settled peacefully at all.

But those weren't the main points. Takizawa apologized repeatedly. "I'm sorry, you must have waited a long time that day. Were you worried when you couldn't reach me? I'm fine, but regardless, it was terrible of me to leave you hanging like that."

A soft, long breath came from the other side. Takizawa felt his verbal ability lacking once again; an apology over the phone clearly lacked the sincerity of a face-to-face meeting. The comforting power of a voice is far inferior to a sincere expression, and Takizawa was very skilled at observing micro-expressions to judge whether someone’s mood had softened.

"...What are you so nervous about? I left a long time ago that day."

Matsuda Jinpei’s voice was laced with a smile. He said lightly, "Did you think the cemetery didn't close? Besides, you’re not some victim targeted by a suspect, and you don't carry much cash in your pockets. My occupational hazard isn't so severe that I’d assume you met with foul play just because I couldn't reach you."

He added in a teasing tone, "You’re an adult with your own mind. If you go somewhere, no one can chain your legs."

Takizawa couldn't see Matsuda’s face, but listening to his tone, it seemed he really hadn't been that worried.

Takizawa’s mood was somewhat subtle. He lowered his head and stared at the rubber track. "Really?"

"Yeah, really."

It was a light, reassuring tone.

Takizawa dropped his gaze, realizing that even if Matsuda had been anxious and flustered because of him, he wouldn't show it over the phone. Besides, even if he had said so, Takizawa couldn't just fly to him and give him a hug. "It’s good you didn't just sit there waiting like a fool; that would make me feel terrible. I'll make it up to you another day."

"Mm."

The other side spoke in that same soft, murmuring volume, almost making one imagine the speaker was smiling gently.

Takizawa wanted to say more, but Matsuda suddenly said, "Alright, I have to go to work. I have a lead on that case I was investigating. Let’s meet at my victory celebration next time."

Sensing his urgency and the importance of the task, Takizawa immediately said, "Go ahead, go ahead."

*Beep*—the call ended.

Takizawa stood there in a slight daze, feeling as though there was more he hadn't said. He grabbed his messy hair and turned around, only to freeze in fright.

Not far away, several people were sitting in a row, resting their chins on their hands and staring at him deadpan.

"Eee—"

What kind of strange noises were they making!

Takizawa said coldly, "Enjoying the show?"

Inumaki Toge made a large 'X' with his arms across his chest, and Okkotsu Yuta next to him understood instantly, acting as his interpreter: "We weren't eavesdropping, your voice was just too loud."

Takizawa made a throat-slitting gesture and bared his teeth. "If this had been a discussion about a classified mission, you lot would be 'kacha' by now."

They shrank their necks with great enthusiasm, though their eyes were full of smiles.

Panda said, "Your personality is really nothing like Gojo-sensei’s."

Gojo Satoru, who had been standing with his hands in his pockets looking like a trendy guy, turned his head upon hearing his students deliver such an invisible yet ruthless critique. "You look like the type who is exceptionally good at coaxing people~"

The Cursed Corpse cupped its face and twisted in a mysterious way. "Maki must think so too, right?"

Zenin Maki’s eyebrow twitched. Gojo stepped in front of Takizawa, blocking the others' view. "What are you doing? Don't go plotting against your Teacher Takizawa. He’s mine."

Without waiting for the students to react to the fleeting term of endearment, he turned his head and said, "And another thing, Sei, what kind of love potion did you give them? I arrive, and they don't even give me a warm welcome—their attention is entirely on you!"

Takizawa rested a hand on his shoulder, walked to his side, and stuck out his tongue. "Because my personality is very likable, no doubt about it."

He paused for half a second, his eyes widening in surprise. "Teacher Takizawa?? What did you do?"

The white-haired young man in front of him returned the gaze. The smile on his lips deepened, carrying a faint, ambiguous emotion that Takizawa couldn't quite discern—as if it had crossed some boundary. "I told you, I’ve vouched for you."

Those people were as jumpy as startled birds regarding Takizawa’s return, eager and fearful, wanting him eliminated.

In their eyes, Takizawa was nothing more than a Special Grade curse with a Domain Expansion. Keeping him was like keeping a bomb nearby or inviting a murderer to be a guest in one's home.

The fact that he had been allowed to stay was baffling.

Takizawa’s thoughts cycled through his mind. He pulled Gojo’s shoulder to the side and whispered, "Did you tell those people you could suppress me, and that as long as I was under your watch, it would be fine?"

Gojo leaned his head against his. "Something like that."

Takizawa couldn't believe it. "I’m working as a teacher with my current identity? Are you crazy?"

"What does it matter?" Gojo lifted his sunglasses to his forehead, his brilliant blue eyes staring straight at Takizawa. "Didn't we agree that you’d stay with me? Besides, you were the one who mentioned wanting to be a teacher as a life plan back then."

It seemed there had been such a conversation, but it had just been a passing remark. Whether he became a teacher or not was never in Takizawa’s plans.

Because he had no future; the present he occupied back then was simply the middle of a mission he had fought for.

"Why didn't you mention that I also thought about sitting in the seats of the rotten oranges?" Takizawa felt it was reckless. Although his tone carried disapproval, he didn't push him away. "How exactly did you argue with them?"

"You don't need to worry about that. Just listen to the result." Gojo looked away, feigning dissatisfaction. "It’s so chilling, Sei. You aren't even surprised to hear this news."

Takizawa blew a breath upward and said helplessly, "I’m not just surprised, I’m deeply moved."

In just a short moment, Takizawa had calmly accepted the arrangement. He stepped back two paces, intending to explain it to the students, only to be grabbed by the face and dragged back by Gojo.

What the hell??

Takizawa: "Are you sick??"

Gojo looked even more shocked than he was. "Strange, your face...?"

He examined Takizawa’s forehead and complained to the air in a drawn-out voice, "Shoko, Shoko, you did this on purpose—!"

Takizawa swiped his hand away and gloomily pulled his bangs back down. "Shoko said it was to test my natural healing speed. An ordinary person would need at least two months for this injury to become almost invisible."

"Then why did it have to be on your face!"

Takizawa also broke down. "Exactly! Why did it have to be on my face!"

He ranted, "How am I supposed to see Jinpei looking like this!"

Gojo paused abruptly. "That’s your main concern? You’re still going to see him?"

Takizawa shrugged, completely unashamed. "Come with me. I’m currently a prisoner under Lord Gojo’s watch; I can’t leave his sight."

The two of them were chatting heatedly, clearly ignoring the few people standing behind them.

The forgotten students: "..."

"As expected, this strange magnetic field."

"Do they even remember we're here..."

"Class is over. Let’s go, let's go get some popsicles."

"That's true."

They hadn't walked more than a few steps when they heard Takizawa calling out behind them, riding on the wind: "You guys get some good rest! Sorry, sorry~ Let’s chat again next time!"

Ah... this person seems super gentle.

***

Although the Head of the Gojo Clan looked reluctant, Takizawa soon got into the car he had called.

Takizawa needed to go back to retrieve some things, but Gojo only let people bring over his stuffed animal, Daifuku, and didn't allow anything else to be touched.

In the car, their conversation veered toward deeper matters.

"The person who attacked you has been identified... That’s right, it was a mission issued by the 'Window', but it wasn't just them." Gojo leaned back, legs crossed, his voice deep. "You guessed right. There is indeed a bounty on you over there. They didn't mention any personal grudges; they just said there was a 'big guy' hanging around the address where you were active. As long as any sorcerer goes there to check, they can sense your aura. Your presence is very strong."

"But no matter how you look at it, the commotion was too big. Thirty million. A rich person who can casually toss out thirty million isn't a fool. They wouldn't send people to exorcise a curse that might not even exist just because of some faint spiritual sensation."

Takizawa rummaged through the small refrigerator in the car and took out two sweet popsicles.

Seeing the things he used to keep stocked, Takizawa sighed, "Your taste hasn't changed at all... Wasn't this company supposed to go bankrupt? Did you invest to bring it back to life?"

Gojo: "...Hey."

"I'm listening, I'm listening." Takizawa pressed the popsicle to his cheek, and Gojo dodged half-heartedly. "If I’m under your protection, at least the 'Window' won't make such a big fuss about my aura again. There's nothing wrong with freelance sorcerers exorcising curses; the point is the person behind the scenes."