"He has his ego. He has his attitude. But he also has his flaws. As well as his responsibilities and burdens.
He is the strongest. He is blessed from the heavens from the moment he was born. And that brings forth some sort of isolation.
I wanted to...
It was the first time I've seen Megumi so disheartened. But even I am on the verge of tears.
We were too complacent. Just because she wasn't involved with our world, we didn't tell her anything. Now, it has become the consequence of our decisions.
=====
"Aiko-san. Can't we do something about it?" Megumi's barely audible voice reached me.
I feel sorry for the kid. Even if I took care of them, Satoru as well, Tsumiki's his only family left. Watching his sister lying on the hospital bed with no certainty that she would wake up, he must be more heartbroken than I am. "Unless we undo the curse placed on her, we won't be able to save her. But right now, we don't even have any idea what curse she's under and what are the conditions."
"I see."
=====
Yuta officially became a student. The same year as Maki and the others. That was supposed to be a time of celebration but due to personal reasons, I couldn't give him the best congratulations that he deserved.
Work was also piling up so I couldn't even properly be there for Megumi. Good news, he moved to the dorms. A suggestion of Satoru since 'Megumin will start attending Jujutsu High in a few months.'
I have no qualms about it. Because if he continues living with me, he'll remember the curse laid upon his sister. That and I can't face Megumi.
=====
I used to say, coming home to someone back home, I am living the life. Now, with Megumi gone to the dorms and Tsumiki in the hospital, the house became lonely.
It reminds me of those times before I met the kids. That time after my parents died.
=====
It was another job. A special grade curse. Nothing out of ordinary. Mom and dad had done this before.
While they exorcise the curse, it was my job to put up a veil and protect the perimeter.
Maybe I was complacent because it wasn't my first time. Maybe I underestimated the curses at that time because I've done the same job for years. Maybe I was careless at the time. Maybe I was arrogant. Maybe I was doing a lousy job. Maybe if I trained twice as I did, maybe those curses wouldn't have gotten through me. Maybe if it wasn't me who had their backs, those curses would be dead before they would have chance to slip through. Maybe if I was stronger, they'd still be alive. Maybe if I called for back up, I'd be able to deal with those curses. Maybe if I used my techniques efficiently, I could've held back those curses until mom and dad had finished the job. Maybe if I had more experience killing curses I would've done a better job. If I had more information about the curses, I'd be able to kill them easily. Maybe if it wasn't me, they'd still be alive.
=====
To keep myself busy, I went to work after work. And when they forced me to take a break, I would use that time to investigate Tsumiki's curse.
Work, rest, eat, work, investigate, eat. I just did everything to occupy my mind rather than be depressed about anything.
So why now? After 10 years of being quiet, you finally made your move, Geto-san?!
But right now, I really don't want to deal with anything. I don't even want to see any familiar faces. It's been almost 3 months since I've been back to Jujutsu High. 3 months living in hotels. 3 months of avoiding any familiar places.
I really don't want to return right now.
=====
My phone rang. Reaching for my phone from beneath the blanket, I answered.
"Aiko."
That serious voice of Gojo wasn't something I was used to. "Gojo? Why did you call?" I asked with great worry.
"I just let him die. I just watched, Aiko." I don't see his face but by his voice, he might be holding it back. "I couldn't even bury his body."
Connecting the dots from the report I received yesterday and Satoru's call today, I got a gist of what's happening. "Then I'll bury his body. Okay? I promise."
=====
Forcing my anxiety back and going back to Tokyo, I went where Geto-san's body is supposed to be. But there's nothing there. Only trail of blood.
I thought of the possibilities but it was Gojo who said he was dead. So there's no mistaking he's dead so that trims it down.
Then somebody took it?
I clenched my fists. "Unforgivable." I looked around for traces of cursed energy and there are faint ones that tried to cover their traces. "This pisses me off."
'I promised Satoru that I'll bury Geto-san's body for him. I know how much he means to Satoru so I at least wanted to do this for him. But somebody just went and took Geto-san's body. For experiments?' I scoffed.
"Bastards. When I get my hands on you, you'll regret even touching Geto-san."
=====
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