"The High School is great in every way, except it's such a pain to buy things when it's in the mountains."
"Indeed, the vending machine doesn't have enough variety."
"No, no, that's because you, Saber, eat too much. Be careful not to get fat."
"Don't worry, I convert what I eat into Cursed Energy and store it, so I won't get fat."
"You're kidding, right? How do you do that? Teach me."
Hearing that Artoria possessed such an enviable ability, one countless girls dreamed of, Shoko, who had been listless a moment ago, suddenly perked up.
"I can only do it because I'm a Heroic Spirit, Shoko. I can't teach you."
Artoria's words made Shoko's expression fall in disappointment.
"I know, what a shame."
It was already 2 a.m. Halfway through her overtime shift, Shoko wanted to take a break, so she decided to go buy some snacks and coffee.
When she reached the vending machine, she remembered that Artoria had already bought all the snacks earlier.
So Shoko had no choice but to head out to a nearby convenience store. Fortunately, the Assistant Supervisor dispatched by Jujutsu Headquarters, someone she could order around was still present.
As a natural user of the Reverse Cursed Technique who could also apply it externally, Shoko was considered a rare treasure in the Jujutsu World. She was heavily protected.
Curse Users had even placed high bounties for her life on the black market.
Because of that, Shoko was never allowed to go out without an escort.
She had grown used to it, especially after surviving several assassination attempts.
Thankfully, one of her classmates was Artoria.
Beautiful, powerful, kind, and considerate—she was simply perfect.
As for the other three boys?
They were just trash.
How could anyone who got along so well with Gojo Satoru be a decent person?
"Speaking of which, Shoko," Artoria said, noticing the faint dark circles under her friend's eyes, "why are you working so late tonight?"
"It's because of the people from Jujutsu Headquarters. They sent me a strange Cursed Spirit today and told me to analyze it."
"I see."
Artoria nodded slightly.
"Saber, aren't you curious what kind of Cursed Spirit it is?"
"A little."
Artoria had seen plenty of demonic beasts in her lifetime, so she wasn't particularly intrigued by Shoko's mention of a strange Cursed Spirit. Still, since Shoko brought it up, she continued the conversation.
She could tell Shoko was tired, and if a bit of chatting helped her relax, she didn't mind.
"This time, they sent a Cursed Spirit suspected to have been cursed and transformed. Its appearance resembles the Western creature called the Mothman."
"Mothman?"
It was the first time Artoria had heard that name.
"Young Miss Ieiri, we've arrived."
Zen'in Shuji, who was driving, turned his head to interrupt their conversation.
He was the one who had delivered the Cursed Spirit to Shoko earlier that day.
Although the Cursed Spirit had been nearly dead, it was still sealed with several cursed tools before transport to ensure Shoko's safety.
"Alright, let's talk while we walk."
"Okay."
Artoria stepped out first, then walked around to open the door for Shoko.
The scene looked just like that of a butler escorting a young lady.
Incidentally, Artoria's school uniform wasn't a skirt but a modified version resembling a women's suit, Eichi's personal design request.
The two chatted as they entered the convenience store.
The moment they stepped inside, Artoria's ahoge shot upright.
"Watch out, Shoko!"
Artoria pushed Shoko behind her, her skirt armor materializing as she scanned the interior of the store with caution.
The instant she entered, her intuition had screamed a warning.
Zen'in Shuji, waiting in the car, sensed the sudden surge of Cursed Energy from inside. When he looked, he saw Artoria fully armed and ready to fight, and his expression changed.
He jumped out of the car, sprinting toward the store while forming hand seals.
"Emerge from the darkness, blacker than darkness. Purify that which is impure."
The curtain descended.
"Shoko, get outside first," Zen'in Shuji ordered, taking over her protection.
From her perception, Artoria confirmed that the threat was limited to within the store.
She surveyed the surroundings carefully.
Toppled shelves, scattered merchandise, bloodstains in the center of the floor, and two people trembling as they covered their mouths while hiding.
Covering their mouths?
That meant sound attracted danger.
Artoria flicked her toe.
A metal can flew up, clanging against a shelf.
Clap. Clap. Clap.
Wet, sticky footsteps echoed through the store that had been silent moments before.
Found it.
Artoria instantly locked onto the enemy's position from the sound.
But there was nothing visible. An invisible enemy?
Her gaze darted through every shadow, yet she sensed no presence.
If not for the sound, no one would have believed there was a Cursed Spirit there.
Her eyes narrowed. She swung her sword.
A sharp blade of Sword Qi cut across the shelves, bursting several beverage bottles. The spilling liquids splattered, outlining the faint shape of a creature.
Having confirmed its form, Artoria charged forward and struck.
"Hiss!"
The Cursed Spirit screeched, its invisibility breaking.
It was a massive toad, slightly larger than a human.
If its skin were smoother, it might have passed for a real-life Tahm Kench.
The toad lashed out with its tongue.
Artoria tilted her head, dodging, then sliced the tongue off with a single strike.
The toad reeled in pain. Artoria didn't give it a chance to recover, closing the distance and cutting it nearly in half.
"Is it over?"
The voice came from Shoko, who cautiously peeked from the doorway.
Her words also drew the attention of the two ordinary people hiding inside.
Though they didn't know what had just happened, they had seen something die moments ago and were too terrified to move.
"It's over."
Artoria lowered her sword slightly, preparing to finish the Cursed Spirit off.
"Wait."
Shoko quickly stepped into the store and knelt beside the dying toad.
"This… it looks just like the Cursed Spirit the Jujutsu Headquarters sent me today."
She examined the creature closely while Artoria remained vigilant, ready to strike if it moved.
"Send this thing to my operating room immediately."
"Yes, I'll arrange it right away."
Zen'in Shuji nodded, pulling out his phone to make the necessary calls.
Shoko stood, grabbed a shopping basket, and began tossing cans of coffee into it.
"These, and a carton of those cigarettes."
"Huh?"
The cashier, who had just crawled out from under the counter, blinked in confusion.
The danger had only just passed, and she was already shopping?
Still, years of customer service instinct kicked in.
"For cigarettes, you must be of legal age to purchase. May I ask…"
Though Shoko was tall, her youthful face made her look far from an adult.
"Hello, the cigarettes are for me."
Zen'in Shuji, standing nearby, leaned slightly forward to explain.
Seeing the well-dressed man who looked like a professional, the cashier said nothing more.
(To be continued.)