That Time When I Fell Down the Stairs and Became a Jujutsu Sorcerer

Chapter 20 - Searching

Under the shroud of darkness, I walked through the dimly lit streets. The distant low boom of music was in my ears as I made my way through the red light district, ignoring the calls of doormen trying to entice me into some bar. I pulled up my leather jacket, popping the hood up over my head as I turned a corner.

The narrow alleys were lined with dilapidated buildings, and the flickering neon signs of dive bars cast an eerie glow on the cracked pavement. The air was thick with tension as I navigated through the heart of the criminal underworld. I stood up taller as I passed a group of Yakuza smoking, giving them a quick nod and getting one in return.

They probably knew who I was, or at least what I was. This was a common meeting spot for my clients, sorcerer and non-sorcerer alike, and I may have done a job for their boss at some point. I glanced back over my shoulder, they didn't seem to be following me this time but I got the distinct feeling I was being watched.

Looking ahead I saw a tall figure in a dark t-shirt. He had a ballcap on, the brim down low, and large dark sunglasses. His jeans had those rips in them that were clearly the designer kind and not the kind that come from any kind of hard work. His shoes were too nice too. God damn it. What a terrible disguise.

"Gojo, seriously?" I sighed, walking up to him and flicking his cap up.

He grinned at me, his tongue poking out between his teeth, "Hey, fancy seeing you here!"

"What are you doing?" I smirked, my hand on my hip.

"What can I say?" He shrugged, then leaned down to be eye level, "I just can't stay away."

I covered my mouth with my hand to try to hide my stupid giddy smile, but quickly cleared my throat and pointed ahead. "Well if you insist on following me, I'm headed into a bar down there for information on Adachi. This place does illegal curse fighting for cash."

"Oh yeah? Like they capture curses for this?" He asked, standing up straight and looking down where I pointed, "You're in on some pretty rad shit."

I rolled my eyes, "We have to fix your disguise if you're coming with. This is so obvious." I tugged at his t-shirt, clearly expensive and new.

"What, really?" He looked down at his clothes, "I thought I did a good job!"

"You look like a rich kid trying to buy drugs." I laughed, "C'mon."

We left the alley again, walking into a thrift store. One flirty quick change later and he looked a lot more presentable, or less presentable to some. A dark hoodie and actually used jeans, he looked a lot more like a normal guy on this side of town. We kept his ball cap and sunglasses combo under the hoodie. The more we could hide him the better.

While he was sitting to pull on his new/old sneakers I stood in front of him to pull his hood up. Taking his opportunity, he wrapped his arms around my waist and looked up at me with his chin resting on my chest.

"Don't stand so close unless you want me to hold you." He teased, his eyes twinkling with mischief.

I pulled the hood down further to hide his eyes, and hopefully hide my obvious blush, "C'mon now. Stop."

He chuckled, then stood up and curled his finger in the string of my hooded jacket, "Only since you asked."

Back down in the alley, we approached the run down bar. Fittingly it was called the "The Black Cauldron", having become a notorious hangout for shady curse users. The air was thick with the scent of stale beer and the murmur of hushed conversation. We approached the bar where a grizzled bartender wiped a dirty glass with a grimy rag.