Chapter 32

Rinya Esumi seemed determined to take Sei Takizawa away. However, lacking the physical strength to match him, he could only attempt persuasion.

He had originally expected a low-intelligence cursed spirit... Esumi cast a cryptic glance at Takizawa. But how could this possibly look like a cursed spirit? What distinguished him from a living human being? Yet, it was precisely this that made it all the more terrifying. Cursed spirits were manifestations of human malice, their instincts set on hunting humans. Every recorded case of a curse possessing intelligence and rationality had merely proven to be an even more formidable enemy; they learned to disguise themselves, to utilize schemes. And Takizawa—he was Satoru Gojo’s weak point.

"I have studied your story." Esumi had come prepared, intending to play the emotional card. "When you were twelve, you became an attendant to the Six Eyes. In that clan, Mr. Gojo was revered as the divine child, incomparably noble, while you were treated with a stark difference, were you not?"

According to his information, Takizawa held deep resentment toward the Gojo clan.

Takizawa gave him a look that clearly asked, *Are you mentally ill?*

"Why does your headquarters need to know about this?"

"It is merely a matter of understanding the background and interpersonal relationships of sorcerers."

"Why don't you just say you're gossiping?"

"...I suppose that is one way to put it." Esumi’s voice dropped slightly. He could sense the young man’s resistance, but since Takizawa did not seem like the type to lash out at those who hadn't harmed him, his tone remained measured. Esumi continued, "We need to assess your safety. If you hold prejudices or grievances against the Gojo clan, or sorcerer families in general, we can arrange for them to avoid contact with you as much as possible."

To Takizawa, this sounded like empty promises. He said lightly, "You've gone to such great lengths~"

"It is merely the basic consideration due to the strongest," Esumi replied. "Mr. Gojo is the centerpiece of this era. While we follow most of his directives, he is, after all, only one man. Generally, the decisions of an organization’s leader must be weighed by his confidants."

*Ah, I see,* Takizawa thought. *This guy has a hero-worship complex. Is he a fan of Satoru?*

Takizawa remained indifferent to his words. "I have no opinion on your world. Honestly, if not for this strange cursed energy, I would be nothing more than an ordinary friend to these sorcerers. Do you understand what I mean? I have simply returned to their side."

"Of course I understand," Esumi said with a numb expression. "I am also aware that you and Mr. Gojo were extremely close. He once vehemently defied the higher-ups for your sake... though now, he is one of the higher-ups himself."

Takizawa shuddered; there was something inexplicably bizarre about placing Satoru in the same category as those "rotten oranges."

"Anything else? What else do you want to say?"

"If you truly are Mr. Gojo’s best friend, please do not make things difficult for us," Esumi said, his eyes burning. "We are simply working to maintain the stability of this society."

"That is why I said..." Takizawa stared at him with indifferent eyes. "I am waiting for Satoru to return."

Esumi, meeting his gaze, couldn't help but swallow hard. He suddenly regretted tightening his tie that morning; otherwise, why would the air feel so thin, leaving his forehead damp with sweat?

*Truly terrifying...* Esumi thought. *They said he was just a Grade 1 sorcerer who excelled at using cursed tools and hand-to-hand combat while he was alive, so how could he exude such a chilling, sickening aura?*

As the tension hung in the air, the slightly ajar door was suddenly pushed open. The tall, white-haired sorcerer walked in, carrying a bag of groceries. He paused upon seeing the scene, grasping the situation within two seconds. His tone was cynical, yet carried an unmistakable chill. "I don't really like having outsiders in my room~"

Esumi’s throat tightened. "Good day, Mr. Gojo."

"It’s not good at all. Did you treat my words as wind? Or were those initial promises just meant to fool me?"

"We absolutely did not mean it that way," Esumi said, loosening his tie. "Mr. Gojo, I serve the government. I have no personal agenda; this visit was purely for safety considerations."

Takizawa felt a pang of pity for the poor, beleaguered salaryman caught in the middle. However, for the moment, his attention was focused on Satoru Gojo. The strongest sorcerer had likely completed his mission at maximum speed, rushing back and forth between two prefectures without stopping.

*I thought Satoru would be awkward and try to avoid me for a couple of days.*

Takizawa took the grocery bag from his hands and methodically placed the items into the refrigerator. Throughout the process, their eyes did not meet.

In the jujutsu world, Takizawa’s status held almost no sway, so when he refused Esumi, the man would persistently continue to pester him. Satoru Gojo was different. Takizawa was used to leaving such matters to him, observing from the sidelines, but this time, he joined the conversation when he sensed Satoru’s intent to refuse.

"It’s fine if I go," he said. "Satoru, as long as you are by my side, it’s fine."

Satoru Gojo was his absolute guarantee. This fact was etched into Takizawa’s consciousness like a self-evident truth.

"If I don't cooperate, those people won't be at ease anyway. I have no suspicious motives, no malice; let's just treat it as going through the motions." Takizawa looked at Satoru. The stern-faced young man was biting his lip, looking visibly annoyed by the sudden intrusion of the "rotten oranges." "Satoru, come here for a second."

Takizawa pulled Satoru toward the hallway without waiting for an answer. Halfway there, he realized what he was doing, turned back, and unceremoniously pushed Esumi out of the room. A second before closing the door, he said, "Give us five minutes."

Then, he left the miserable salaryman with a heartless view of his back.

Inside, Satoru scooped up the cat, Soba, who had been rubbing against his feet, and held it to his chest. Lowering his head, he said unhappily, "Why do you have to go there? Nothing good will come of it anyway."

Takizawa noticed that Satoru still hadn't looked at him.

The blue-eyed youth forced a smile. "Because I’ve realized I still rely on you too much, Satoru."

Satoru froze. If those eyes were uncovered, they would surely be wide and stunned.

"After I came back, I didn't question my situation or my future. Thinking about it now, it was a bit stupid."

During the time Takizawa had served as a tool, he had spent his days as a human shield. The system would warn and prompt him frequently, so Takizawa had no confusion about his status. But now—

"I don't want the future you guys have laid out for me."

His eyes burned like embers. "Satoru, I’ve had enough of the easy days, and I’ve had enough of you guys backing me up. I’m going back to help you."

Whether it was training students, maneuvering through the higher-ups, or exorcising curses together. Or, perhaps, what he wanted most of all: standing beside the strongest.

The teenage Satoru had thought they were the same. Later, Takizawa was gone.

"Even if I came back as a curse, it had to be the result I wanted..." Takizawa brushed his bangs back with a hint of frustration, as if casting away the gloom that bound him. He faced the scar that had formed between them due to his departure. "Whether you blame yourself or blame me, the essence is that you cannot accept me."

His departure caused Satoru pain. His existence caused Satoru pain.

It was a chaotic, indescribable chasm called life and death.

"But there’s one thing that hasn't changed, right?"

Takizawa smiled at him gently. "And that is that we love each other, just as we always have."

"I love you."

"And I believe that you still love me."

***

Love is the most twisted curse.

When Satoru Gojo first said those words, Takizawa had given him a bewildered look.

"What?" the teenage boy had jumped at that look. "You don't agree? Is that statement wrong?"

"It’s not that... I just find it a bit difficult to adapt to love and curses being linked together."

Takizawa never accepted external concepts easily; he had his own set of theories, and his stubborn line of reasoning often left people speechless. Perhaps it was because he came from the Transmigration Bureau, but he held a detached, superior perspective toward everyone in his mission worlds. To Satoru, Takizawa was an anomaly in the swamp of the clan, and he had accepted that proximity. To Takizawa, he had never cared about Satoru’s rejection from the start, because his goal was unwavering companionship.

On the way to the headquarters, the car was unusually quiet. Esumi held his breath several times, feeling as though the sound of his own heartbeat was deafening.

*Aren't these two rumored to be so close they share the same pair of pants? Why is the atmosphere so cold it could freeze a person? Did they fight? Did the two people who never fought finally have an argument?*

Esumi mused to himself, feeling a sense of schadenfreude.

Takizawa closed his eyes to rest.

*I laid it out so clearly for Satoru, so clearly... so clearly...*

*Why is this kid not reacting at all?!*

Takizawa, his face a mask of calm, was internally losing his mind, though he maintained his stoic facade.

Until they stepped out of the car, Satoru hadn't said a word to him.

*Cheapskate.*

Takizawa followed Esumi, head bowed. Then, he finally heard Satoru speak.

"Sei..."

Takizawa stopped, restraining himself as he turned around.

The white-haired youth loosened his blindfold. He blinked twice, his eyelashes appearing translucent against the soft, morning light. His hair, no longer bound, fell across his forehead, revealing the pale face Takizawa had seen countless times. But at this moment, those captivating eyes were overflowing with an emotion so gentle it felt impossible.

"I’ll be waiting for you outside."