A few days later, after discussing a suitable plan with Medea and assembling a professional team, Eichi set off for Tokyo Jujutsu High's... kitchen.
Inside, Mai Zen'in was reading a book, and Emiya, a Special Grade chef recognized by Satoru, was cooking.
Eichi didn't know how to take care of children.
Fortunately, Emiya, who had maxed out his domestic skills, was there.
Thanks to that, both Maki and Mai had been well cared for.
More importantly, Mai's Construction Technique and Emiya's Projection Technique shared many similarities.
So Eichi arranged for Emiya to become Mai's teacher.
He usually had Emiya teach her Jujutsu.
"What's wrong?"
Sensing Eichi's approach, Emiya turned and asked, his chopping motions never stopping.
"I have something to discuss with Mai."
Hearing this, Mai looked up from her book.
"Is something wrong, Uncle Eichi?" she asked with an innocent expression.
Uncle...
Eichi felt as if his heart had been struck by Nanami's Ratio Technique.
Am I really old enough to be called uncle?
Eichi suddenly doubted his own life.
"Be good, call me big brother."
Eichi squatted in front of Mai and gently patted her head.
"Okay, big brother."
"Mm, good girl."
Eichi nodded in satisfaction.
"There's a way to make you and your sister stronger, but it may involve some risk for you, Mai-chan. Are you willing?"
"I am."
The moment she heard it could make her sister stronger, Mai nodded without hesitation.
She hadn't yet become the girl who felt abandoned by Maki for leaving the Zen'in Family.
Right now, she still loved her sister, even if a tinge of resentment lingered.
Mai was still the timid little girl who had always been protected by her sister.
So, upon hearing that she could help Maki, she agreed immediately.
"Alright, let's go then, Mai."
With that, Eichi took her hand and led her out of the kitchen.
Emiya followed shortly after.
"What exactly are you planning?"
Having spent time with her, Emiya truly saw Mai as his Disciple.
So he was very concerned about what was going to happen.
"I've got an idea. Medea has already verified its feasibility. If you're free, come with us."
"Mm."
Emiya nodded.
As for cooking, he could let the other chefs handle it this time.
Before long, the group arrived at Medea's temple.
There, they found Medea, Shoko, and Satoru... carrying two coffins.
Wait a second. Satoru, why are you stealing Miguel's job?
"Gojo, what are those coffins for?"
Eichi had a bad feeling.
"Oh, these are for little Mai-chan."
Satoru said it matter-of-factly, carrying a coffin on his shoulder.
"Uncle... big brother, am I going to die?"
"Yes, this is a special coffin I prepared just for you. How do you like it?"
Satoru stood in front of Mai, coffin still slung over his shoulder.
Mai instinctively stepped back, eyes glistening with tears.
"Stop scaring her. If you keep messing around, I'll have Medea stab you in the kidney."
Eichi rolled his eyes.
"I'm not messing around. This thing will be useful for a few seconds later."
"You bought a coffin just for that?"
"No."
Hmm, maybe there's hope after all.
"I made it myself."
Never mind, there's no hope.
"Don't worry, I won't let you really die. I mean, I won't let you die at all."
Ignoring Satoru's nonsense, Eichi squatted down and comforted the frightened Mai.
"We still have a bit of time, so let me ask... Mai, do you know about Heavenly Restriction?"
"I do."
Mai nodded.
Because of Maki, she had specifically studied information on Heavenly Restriction and understood the situation between them.
"Heavenly Restriction is a binding placed at birth that trades one aspect for power in another. My sister's restriction sacrifices Cursed Energy in exchange for enhanced physical ability."
She answered seriously.
"That's right. But your and Maki's case is special. The Cursed Energy System treats identical twins as a single entity. So your Cursed Energy is considered part of Maki's.
Because her Cursed Energy hasn't been completely reduced to zero, the system judges that her binding isn't complete. That's what's keeping her stuck."
Eichi looked straight into Mai's eyes as he spoke.
That made her a little uncomfortable.
In the Zen'in Family, making direct eye contact with a superior was considered disrespectful.
"To complete the binding and achieve a full Heavenly Restriction for your sister, we need to force the system to acknowledge it.
So, Mai, you'll need to enter a state of suspended animation. Once your Cursed Energy disappears, the system will judge the restriction as complete, and Maki will grow stronger."
"False death?"
Mai repeated softly.
"Yes. We'll protect you. But ultimately, it's your body, and you're the one taking the risk. If you're unwilling, that's okay. We'll find another way to help you grow stronger."
Eichi patted her head and waited quietly for her response.
Death. A terrifying word.
In every punishment she'd heard from adults, death was the most feared.
Mai knew what it meant. She had seen Cursed Spirits in the Zen'in Family many times and had felt the presence of death up close.
But now, all she had to do was undergo a false death. It would help Maki become stronger.
She hadn't become the stubborn, sharp-tongued girl she would later be at Tokyo Jujutsu High.
That rebellion had only started when Maki left the clan.
At the time, she thought Maki had betrayed her. She loved her sister, but she hated being abandoned.
She admired the sister who always stood in front of her to protect her, but deep down, she was jealous. Jealous that Maki could resist, while she could only endure.
Those tangled emotions eroded her spirit and made her dishonest with her own feelings.
Until that final moment came.
Both sisters had been mortally wounded by their father, Ogi, and were thrown into a dungeon filled with Cursed Spirits.
Even Mai, who had long since given up resistance, knew she would die there.
At that moment, she finally understood her true feelings.
Behind her lay her unconscious sister. In front of her stood a horde of Grade 2 Cursed Spirits.
In her last moments, Mai made a decision.
She, who could normally only construct a single bullet per day, overextended herself, using everything she had—her strength, her life—to create a cursed tool for her beloved sister.
A replica of the Split Soul Katana.
It was at that moment her Cursed Energy completely vanished, and Maki's Heavenly Restriction was fulfilled.
Born from her dying wish to destroy everything, a second Heavenly Restriction was born.
From that moment on, Maki's body and soul had suffered such devastation that her eyes became as hollow and indifferent as Toji's.
"I... I agree."
Mai's voice trembled, but it rang through the temple, firm and clear.
(To be continued.)
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◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 200 Power Stones.
◇ You can read the ahead chapter on Pat if you're interested: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves (Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)