Your Life As A Tokyo Jujutsu High Background Student

Chapter 48 - A game in motion

Choso was a brooding statue of discontent for the entirety of your journey back from Mei Mei's opulent lair. You'd seen corpses with more pep in their step, which was saying something, considering you'd encountered your fair share of reanimated cadavers in this line of work. Choso's baseline mood typically hovered somewhere between "existential despair" and "plotting the downfall of societal norms," so his current state was concerning, to say the least.

The moment you were out of range of Mei Mei's highly-trained (and, as you'd discovered, surprisingly snack-motivated) security detail, he stopped so abruptly you nearly collided with his back. His hand shot out, gripping your chin with all the gentleness of a clumsy bear and tilted your head upward.

"Hold still," he grunted, squinting at your scar. "This is off. It doesn't feel like residual energy from a binding vow."

The worry in his voice, so uncharacteristic and unconcealed, threw you off balance more than his rough manhandling. You'd thought his capacity for concern began and ended with Yuji. Apparently, you were mistaken. It was touching, in a weird, slightly uncomfortable way.

Patting his hand lightly, you attempted a reassuring smile. "Probably because I didn't make any binding vow with Sukuna."

Choso's brow furrowed, confusion replacing concern. "Back there, you said-"

"Yeah, about that," you grinned. "I lied."

He stared at you, bewildered. "Why?"

You sighed, knowing your reasoning might fly right over his head, but decided to explain anyway. He was now your partner-in-crime. Poor bastard deserved to know what he was getting into.

"Look, Mei Mei needed to believe she was backing the winning horse. Long-term, you know? Plus," you added, playfully tapping the mark across his nose, "she'll totally sell that juicy tidbit to some big shots. If they think we've got Sukuna on speed dial, they'll think twice before stirring up trouble. Win-win."

Choso's expression didn't change. He dipped his head to scrutinize your scar again, more concerned with it than your political maneuvering. "If not from a vow, then how did you get this? It's... strange."

You grimaced, the memory still fresh and unpleasant. "Sukuna got a bit handsy. Or claw-sy, I guess. Cut me, then..." You shuddered. "He kinda licked it a little? I was scared out of my mind, so the details are fuzzy. But it healed crazy fast. Doesn't hurt, everything seems fine, except for this super tiny trace of his cursed energy that just won't quit. If he did curse me, hell if I know what it does."

Choso continued to poke and prod at the scar for another moment, his face so close you half expected him to sniff-test it for some arcane jujutsu. After a while, he muttered, "I can't see anything wrong, either."

You leaned back, trying to put some space between you and his intense scrutiny. "See? I'm fine. No need to worry your pretty head about it."

But Choso wasn't buying what you were selling. His brow furrowed even further, threatening to swallow his eyes entirely. "If there was no binding vow, then how did you actually seal Sukuna?"

"By the power of love, of course," you deadpanned. "Works every time."

The look of utter bewilderment on Choso's features was priceless - a masterpiece of existential crisis captured in a single expression. You briefly entertained the thought of painting his portrait like that.

✨ Choso Contemplates the Mysteries of Life, Acrylic on Canvas ✨

You should have carried around an easel and a palette, just for moments like these.