All is Fair (In Love and War)

Chapter 5 - Visitors

Shinjuku

Suguru lights his cigarette, watching passersby on the bustling streets, his other hand pressing the phone on his ear. "I wasn't expecting you to take the mission again after what happened, you dummy."

"Yeah, yeah I know that," Satoru says from the other line. Presently, he's deep with his clan duties and neverending paperwork. "I also need to visit my cousin this weekend before he goes to school on Monday."

Satoru told him about a cousin he recently adopted. Thing is, this boy is meant to help him with something clan-related. Satoru didn't elaborate as much. They've been friends for so long that Suguru is already aware that anything related to the Three Clans is nothing but family drama and much other shit he doesn't wish to get involved with.

Suguru cackles. "Look at you, a responsible uncle."

"Cousin." Satoru corrects him. "How's Amanai doing?" he changes the topic.

"She's fine. In school right now. I'll be picking her up in an hour or so." since the incident a few months ago, Satoru has been pulled out from the bodyguard mission for the Star Plasma Vessel, leaving Suguru alone in the mission. It's not ideal but was needed because of the two clans.

"That's good to hear. Doubt that guy will be reappearing anytime soon." Satoru's demeanor changes to seriousness. "He's dangerous so be on your guard at all times."

"No need for you to be concerned, Satoru. I can handle it." Suguru assured him.

His peripheral vision catches a familiar figure and loses concentration on his talk with Satoru. Is that? Suguru moves to follow the man and confirms it after seeing his side profile when he turns to the next street. Fushiguro Toji.

"...let's invite Shoko and the others some time, maybe this Friday? Oh wait, I gotta check my schedule this week. Man, I've been pretty busy lately." the white-haired man flips his planner.

"I'll call you later." he ends the call in a haste.

" Oi Suguru, Suguru?" Satoru pulls his phone away, wondering what's so urgent that his friend sounded in a hurry. A message pops from his phone, it's from Yuta following up on his extremely important query from last night. Satoru leans back and starts composing a message. Hmm, I'll be leaving this to those two. Message sent.

Back in Shinjuku, Suguru cautiously follows the assassin. He's not planning to have a fight with him head-on, just plain curiosity about where the man is going and what he's up to. But he lost him in the crowd. Dammit. He turns around only to find that Fushiguro Toji has been standing behind him. His presence is perfectly hidden even for a Special Grade like him.

"Hey there," the man greets with a crooked smile. "Missed me so much that you went to tail me like a dog?"

They're in the middle of the streets in an open public area. Suguru straightens to match the intensity of his gaze.

"You're alone?" Toji looks around and stifles a laugh. "Can't see the Six Eyes anywhere here. What, did he die from those injuries I gave him?"

"Unfortunately for you, he's alive and well," Suguru replies derisively. "but you can stop looking for him and face me first."

"Haha!" Toji shakes his head sideways. "How courageous of a guy who was knocked with a single punch."

Suguru gives him a dirty look. "You fucker-"

"Calm down," the other man says nonchalantly. "I'm no longer contracted to Star Religious Group. Thanks to you and the Six Eyes, I failed to get that payment. But it's alright. It's an honor to fight Gojo Satoru himself. I can add it to my resume next time." He walks away and hears the sorcerer calls out to him.