'Tokyo Jujutsu High students shouldn't skip class to watch movies.'
Sitting in a back-row seat of a movie theater, Yoshino Junpei thought this in a terrible mood.
In the front rows, three delinquents were loudly discussing the movie without any self-awareness in what should have been a quiet theater, completely destroying the atmosphere.
'Although I am too...'
As he thought of this, negative emotions such as frustration, pain, and despair began to surge in Yoshino Junpei's heart.
As mentioned before, bullying was a widespread problem in Japan.
And Yoshino Junpei was one of the victims of bullying.
His long bangs were meant to cover the scars on his forehead left by the bullying.
After being bullied, Yoshino Junpei had tried to find a way to resist, but the teachers' indifference left him isolated and helpless.
As for his family... his only family member was already exhausted by life, and he really did not want to add more pressure to his mother.
Unable to resist, and with no help from teachers or classmates, Yoshino Junpei finally chose to stay away from school, becoming one of the 290,000 students nationwide who refused to attend school due to bullying and other reasons.
The school was not surprised by this and did not even notify Yoshino Junpei's parents.
After all, Yoshino Junpei was not a good student who could help the school improve its college admission rate, nor was he a student with special talents who could win honors for the school.
Those students had long been protected by the teachers.
For the school, it was a good thing if students like Yoshino Junpei, who had neither good grades nor special talents, were expelled due to insufficient attendance.
Someone once said that underachievers determine the future of a nation.
Because the basic operation of this world was maintained by the "underachievers" at the bottom, yet almost no one truly paid attention to them.
Admiration for the strong seemed to be more in line with Japan's social ethos.
'If there was a button in this world that, when pressed, would make people I dislike die, I probably wouldn't press it.'
Yoshino Junpei had lost the desire to continue watching the movie. That powerlessness and anger once again filled his heart, constantly eating away at his spirit.
'But if there was a button that, when pressed, would make people who dislike me die...'
Yoshino Junpei's gaze turned to the few people in front.
'I would definitely press it!'
The worm-man was still playing on the screen, and the villain began to create perfect humans after discussing the relationship between the Soul and the body with the victim.
Just then, the actions of the few people finally aroused the anger of an audience member in the venue who had not bought a ticket.
"You guys really should observe basic etiquette."
"Huh?"
The three seemed to sense something and wanted to turn around, but before they could move, their bodies began to twist and deform.
"Honestly, my rare good mood was wasted."
Mahito shook his hand, as if he had touched something dirty.
Although this movie was a bit cliché, it contained discussions on the relationship between the Soul and the body, which was why Mahito had specifically come to watch it.
As a result, his interest was completely ruined by these scumbags.
'I've gained a bit of inspiration. Let's try it.'
Thinking this, Mahito did not carefully erase the traces he left behind as he had done when he was first born.
Instead, he left them openly.
He was used to modifying the Souls of ordinary people. Now, Mahito wanted to try modifying the Souls of Jujutsu Sorcerers.
'What kind of little cutie will take the bait?'
Mahito's heart was filled with anticipation.
Behind Mahito, after shock and hesitation, Yoshino Junpei still chased after him... That afternoon, Tokyo Jujutsu High received three strangely shaped corpses.
A few hours later, Eichi, who had been paying attention to Shoko's situation because he felt the time was approaching, received a report.
"Moshi moshi, is Nanami there?"
"...I'm here, Senpai Eichi."
Nanami had completely given up on the idea of keeping Eichi away from Satoru and preventing him from being infected by his frivolousness.
Because he had already understood that although Eichi seemed reliable, as Shoko said, anyone who could get along with Satoru was definitely not a serious person.
"Send me the location of the Cursed Spirit you are currently tracking."
"Is it a guy that dangerous?"
Nanami's pupils contracted for a moment.
Since Eichi had shifted toward political affairs a few years ago, he had rarely participated in exorcising Cursed Spirits.
He did not expect him to personally take action this time.
Nanami thought of the news he had just received today. Kyoto had been attacked by a Special Grade Curse User, and Satoru had been urgently dispatched to support Kyoto.
'I see. Is it a Cursed Spirit strong enough to require Satoru's deployment, but since he isn't here, Senpai Eichi needs to step in?'
"It is indeed quite dangerous. He's an accomplice of the two Special Grade Cursed Spirits who attacked Satoru a while ago, one of the Four Great Disaster Cursed Spirits."
"I understand. After writing the report, I will take Itadori Yuji and withdraw."
After hearing Eichi's intelligence, Nanami immediately made a decision.
Being able to escape from Satoru, who secretly slipped him "elephant" notes and always hid in corners staring at him endlessly, was the greatest proof of his strength.
Don't look at how Jogo was beaten by Satoru until only a ball was left, because he and Hanami had at least survived.
After all, no matter how frivolous Satoru might be, his terrifying strength and the Six Eyes, with their unparalleled observational power, would make anyone understand one thing.
Even escaping in front of Satoru was a luxury.
"Don't come back yet. Have Itadori Yuji contact Yoshino Junpei, the survivor of the movie theater incident. You protect him in secret. I will notify you when the mission is over."
"I understand."
After Eichi hung up the phone, Nanami immediately began to consider the next arrangements.
"Nanami-san, what are we going to do next?"
After only a few days of acquaintance, Yuji had become familiar with this Senpai who, upon their first meeting, had frequently spouted classic lines and almost caused him to have "cat brain overload," and he also started calling him Nanami along with Satoru and the others.
At the same time, he also understood why Tokyo Jujutsu High's internal evaluation of him was, "A simple and reliable adult male."
Especially Megumi, who had even said that Nanami was one of the few respectable Senpais in Tokyo Jujutsu High.
All the Senpais at Tokyo Jujutsu High were quite respectable, like Gojo-sensei and the others.
"I'm currently writing a report. You go first..."
Nanami looked up, and his eyes could not help but twitch slightly.
Too similar, far too similar.
The same hands in pockets, the same raised-hand greeting gesture, and that slightly frivolous tone when speaking, as well as those words that always hit the mark.
'Was he led astray by Gojo-senpai in such a short time? No, maybe it's because tigers and cats are from the same family.'
Nanami gave up thinking.
"Ieiri Kiyotaka, prepare for departure. After I finish the report, we will go protect the target."
"I understand."
Ieiri Kiyotaka nodded, then went to the car to prepare.
(To be continued.)