⋆˖⁺‧₊☽Moonstruck☾₊‧⁺˖⋆

XIII. LUNCH

“Her cursed technique is to move around objects? Can't all first grade sorcerers do it and still have a proper technique?”

“They do…it doesn't seem like she'll last long. The responsibilities of sorcerers increase each day.”

The servants kept their conservation going as they cleared the garden of any dead leaves and other trash. They weren't aware of my presence, they did a good job of ignoring me even if they did.

“Will you two get back to work instead of idle chatter? the garden won't clean itself.”

I look up to find my mom glaring at the servants as they bowed at her and hurried away in panic.

“Aren't you supposed to be resting, mom? your condition might get worse.” I try to convince her to go back to her room and rest. Her health was rapidly declining and she shouldn't be walking around in the garden in this cold weather.

“Oh, honey.” she sat to be on my eye level and smiled at me. “I feel much better now, besides, the fresh air will do me some good.”

I convince her to go to her room after much difficulty. But she stops when she sees a cherry tree.
“Look, honey. It's the tree I planted on the day you were born.” A small, sad smile appears on her face. “It's withering, just like me.”

“It is not dying, it's just been four years since you planted it! It will blossom again in spring, mom. You will get better too.”

When we reach her room, my father was already waiting for her there.
“Karin, why did you leave your room?” His voice was angry and concerned.

“Just for a little walk, dear.” she smiles. “what are you here for?”

My father then explains how he found a couple of guys trying to rob a prostitute and how he saved her.

“I brought her back home, Karin. I didn't know what else to do.” His eyes stay on the floor as he waits for my mother to explode with anger. But it never comes. She just smiles at him gently.

“You did the right thing, dear. You should let her stay here for a while.”

She definitely didn't stay only “for a while”. In fact she stayed here for more than three months and also took advantage of a man mourning the death of his wife and convinced him into marrying her. That is how Natsumi went from a red light district prostitute to one of  the most respected and authoritative person in the jujutsu world. As for my mother, the tree blossomed again. But she died before she could enjoy the sight.

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It was way past lunch time when I entered the dining room. My father was sitting at the head of the table with my mother on the seat adjacent to it. The food was untouched and probably cold by now.

“How are you, father?” I bow slightly.

“I am doing very well, my daughter.” He motions for me to take a seat. “All my children and happy and well settled, there is nothing more this old man could ask for.”

“Why are you late, Y/N?” mother doesn't bother hiding her anger.

“She must've been lost her way here, Natsumi.” My father interrupts her. “She hasn't been here in ten years.”

She rolls her eyes at this statement but doesn't bother arguing. Father orders the servant to have the food taken away and reheated.

“How is everything between you and your husband?” He asks in extreme concern as if he didn't sell his eighteen year old daughter to the Gojo clan in exchange for a few cursed items.

“We're doing good, Father, Thanks to your prayers.”

Mother chuckles at my response. “Are you sure there are not any problems or arguments?”

“Why would you assume there are problems in our marriage, mother?” I smile through gritted teeth at her attempt to get a reaction out of me and get my father angry.

“You haven't produced any heirs to the Gojo clan yet dear. I am merely concerned for your future.”

“I do not need to produce heirs to establish my place in the family, mother.” I try to sound as sweet and oblivious as possible. “Besides, me and my husband are never at home in the same time due to the odd arrangement of our missions.”

Her face turns sour at this as she's the one who assigns missions to the first and special grade sorcerers. And also because she gave birth to a son just a year into her marriage with my father.
The servants serve freshly prepared food and the conversation dies down except a few light words between father and me here and there.

“When are you leaving?” mother asks as we finish having lunch.

“Just now. I need to be home before dinner.” She’ll be more than happy to know that I'm leaving her alone.

“You should definitely stay for dinner!” my father tries to convince me. “Your sister is returning from Paris fashion week today.”
Like I wanna talk to somebody that's blood related to that woman.
“No, father. I really need to be home by tonight.” I throw him a quick apologetic smile and bow before leaving.

We must've had a really big conversation, because by the time I packed all my stuff, which wasn't much, and got out of the mansion, it was already dark outside. I thank the taxi driver and pay his fees before rushing inside the building. The skies were all gray and it was thundering pretty loudly. I start feeling dizzy and lightheaded as I enter the elevator, and by the time Satoru answers the door, I already feel nauseous and sick to the stomach.

He starts bombarding me with his concerned questions but I couldn't exactly hear them. And before he could finish, I blacked out.

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