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

Chapter 72 - Talk to Your Dad

As the sun began to set, a gentle breeze rustled through the wind chimes adorning the porch overhang, creating a soothing melody that filled the air. The cabin, nestled amidst the grassy hills, cast the only source of light, illuminating the surroundings. With all the windows open, the fragrance of fresh grass and blooming flowers permeated the cozy home.

The children appeared to have mixed feelings as they were finally able to be with their father in a tangible form. As they gathered around the kitchen table, an uncomfortable silence filled the room. However, Satoru seemed genuinely happy, wearing a big smile on his face. He eagerly offered snacks and other things to his children, but they politely asked him to remain seated.

“I'm old, not weak.” He grumbled, pursing his lips as Akie dug around in his cabinets for the cookies he wanted, “I've been doing just fine by myself.”

“Okay, well that's fine Dad but I'm gonna do this for you while I'm here.” Akie said with a huff.

“What happened to your eyes?” Ryousei suddenly asked. He hadn't said much since Satoru had excitedly hugged each of them and dragged them into the kitchen for a snack. His brows were low, his left eye had been bright and trained on his father. Since Satoru revealed himself, he'd been staring as if he'd somehow find out the old man was a fake.

“Ah, yeah I should probably explain that right?” Satoru said with a chuckle, “Plus, I imagine you want to know where your mom is?”

Akie came back to the table with the tin of cookies and set them down, “Is she… already gone?”

Satoru smiled sadly as he picked up a small square cookie, “Yeah. She couldn't quite make it to see you all. The cursed energy building up in her was too much.” He took a nibble of the cookie, “It was too painful so she hopped back in the loop four months ago.”

“That's a weird way to say she died.” Ryousei growled, clenching his fist.

Satoru laughed, “Well, probably, yeah. But she and I had been through a lot together.” He tossed the rest of the cookie in his mouth, continuing to talk with his mouth full, “Death isn't really a concept that matters much when you've been through it so many times.”

“So, okay then I have to ask.” Akie said, sitting back down once she'd started the teapot on the stove, “What were you two doing out here?”

“Absolutely nothing.” Satoru sighed dreamily, “This was the most relaxing loop yet, actually.”

The kids looked at each other and then him. “So you two just…” Kaisei started, his voice trailing off to nearly a whisper, “... gave up?”

“Oh no, no no no.” Satoru said quickly with a wave of his hand, “Just took some time off.” He grinned, “We ran away like right in high school and just lived. It's been really wonderful actually. No curses, no drama, nothing to worry about.”

Ryousei’s chair scraped loudly from the force of how hard he pushed back and stood up. He damn near shouted, “Why are you so calm about this?! Don't you know what we had to deal with?! Why didn't you come get us!”

Satoru looked up at Ryousei, the smile completely wiped off his face. “Ryou, if I could have come to you I would have. There is nothing I wouldn't have given up to have you four back.”

Ryousei grunted, looking away, “... I don't even remember what Mom looked like.”

Satoru reached out and put his hand on Ryousei's arm, “I'm really sorry, Ryou. I really really am. All I can say is that your Mom is out there right now working on the way to fix it.” He paused then looked at all of them, “I promise you, it's not over okay? I know this may feel like a dead end, but it's alright. It's not gonna be over until we win.”