Chapter-171
Aside from his own considerable Cursed Energy, Okkotsu Yuta has absolutely no ability to create a [Special Grade Cursed Spirit - Orimoto Rika].
So... what is the real reason why Orimoto Rika became like that?
There's definitely something wrong here.
What Miss Mei Mei said just now made Zenin Kiyoshi even more certain of his judgment.
No, I have to find time to meet these two people. If I remember correctly, it seems that when Orimoto Rika was five years old, her mother died for some unknown reason.
Looking at the information handed over by Mei Mei, I learned that Orimoto Rika was born in 2001, so she would be five years old this year. Her mother's death might happen soon.
"Ms. Mei Mei, if you have time, let's go meet Orimoto Rika and her family after the entrance ceremony today."
Hearing this, Mei Mei smiled faintly. She nodded without hesitation, accepting Zenin Kiyoshi's invitation, but also asked with some confusion:
"Are we just going to see Orimoto Rika? What about Okkotsu Yuta? He also has a lot of Cursed Energy; shouldn't we make contact with him?"
Zenin Kiyoshi shook his head, then explained:
"We'll also be contacting Okkotsu Yuta, but for now, I think Orimoto Rika should be our primary focus, especially her parents and elders..."
Mei Mei frowned, pulled out two sheets of paper from the documents handed to Kiyoshi, and then said:
"The child's parents and elders? I mentioned them in the information as well. They're right here, but based on the current information, they're just ordinary people. Is there something wrong with them?"
"There aren't too many problems at the moment; these are just some of my personal speculations."
Hearing Zenin Kiyoshi's reply, Mei Mei gave a helpless smile:
"You're still as secretive as ever. But Orimoto Rika's house is quite far from the Jujutsu High. How are you going to get there tonight?"
"Let's take the tram on the way there, and when we come back, we'll check the time. If it's late, we'll take a taxi."
"Taking a taxi would be too expensive. How about we find a hotel over there and get some sleep?"
As Mei Mei spoke these words, her fair skin appeared slightly translucent in the sunlight. Zenin Kiyoshi was taken aback, but before he could speak, Mei Mei had already left, leaving only the words:
"Of course, there are two rooms."
Watching Mei Mei's departing figure, Zenin Kiyoshi smiled but didn't say anything more.
Just then, Nanami Kento's voice came from behind, accompanied by a very energetic voice.
"Senior Kiyoshi, so you're here! I was just looking for you. Regarding the 'Summary of Common Spells for Spellcasters' project that you asked me to compile for you last time, I've finished the preliminary table. There are still some parts that I don't quite understand. Would you like to check it later, Senior?"
"Huh?! Nanami, when did you make this kind of agreement with your senior without telling me?! What a cunning fellow!"
Haibara Yu's voice carried a hint of complaint, while Nanami pushed him away with a slight expression of disdain, then slowly said:
"I didn't hide it from you, you idiot. Didn't I tell you before? You were just busy eating rice and forgot about it. Also, there's still rice on your cuffs. Remember to clean it up."
"Ah, there really is one. You're really observant, Nanami~"
Looking at Nanami, whose face was full of disgust but whose smile did not diminish in the slightest, Zenin Kiyoshi nodded slightly.
According to the Canon, Haibara Yu should not have known Nanami at this point.
However, due to his own involvement, three years ago, he had already used the Zenin Clan's intelligence network to recruit Haibara Yu, a promising talent, into the preparatory class of the Jujutsu High for training.
Haibara Yu's techniques are not particularly special. On the contrary, compared to the elaborate explanations of techniques by Gojo Satoru and Sukuna, his techniques can be described as quite simple.
Born with the technique [Untamed Flame].
Effect: As Haibara Yu's emotions rise, a faint layer of flame will envelop him. The flame can provide him with a bonus to defense, speed, and attack power. The bonus effect changes with his emotions.
In Zenin Kiyoshi's view, Haibara Yu's technique is a pure numerical monster with no complicated mechanism. As long as this guy can perfectly control his emotions, he can achieve very good results.
So far, with the help of Zenin Kiyoshi and Zenin Jinichi, Haibara Yu has been able to use this technique to achieve an attack level of approximately "peak Grade 1 sorcerer".
In terms of overall strength, Haibara Yu is currently around the level of a near-Grade 1 sorcerer. According to Zenin Kiyoshi's estimate, if Haibara Yu were to encounter the Grade 1 mountain god sorcerer who killed him in the Canon again, he would probably be able to clear the level with minor injuries.
Hearing the two arguing in front of him, Zenin Kiyoshi nodded to Nanami and said:
"As for that thing, print it out for me to see later. But with your abilities, I don't think there will be any problems."
Also, Haibara, remember to go to the training ground with Nanami this afternoon. There's a separate training plan for the two of you there.
Hearing this, Nanami sighed deeply. He glanced at Haibara beside him, who was also sighing, and a rare hint of agreement appeared in his eyes:
"Senior Kiyoshi, if possible, could we skip that training?"
"Yes, Senior Kiyoshi, the training mode of Teacher Toji is too painful. Every time, it makes people unable to get out of bed the next day."
Kiyoshi didn't answer the question. He just smiled, patted the two of them on the shoulder, and then left.
Watching Kiyoshi's departing figure, the two were just about to chase after him, completely bewildered, when a rather indifferent voice called out from behind them.
"Hey you two brats, double the training this afternoon!"
As their gaze was blocked by that tall figure, Nanami and Haibara twisted their stiff necks and turned their heads to look.
A cruel smile appeared on Toji's scarred lips.
The reason these two were given extra training was actually because of that brat, Zenin Kiyoshi.
Ever since that brat and Principal Principal Yaga came up with the college graduation plan together, they set a standard passing grade for physical education.
The passing grade is quite high. Geto Suguru and Gojo Satoru are fine, but these two kids in front of us are still far from passing!
Chapter-172
That damn brat, he just adds to the teaching pressure!
This is something Toji has been complaining about lately ever since the graduation passing score for Zenin Kiyoshi was set.
However, although this guy curses, he is absolutely true to his word when it comes to actions.
After all, every skill he teaches now, every extra lap the kids run around the track, could potentially increase their chances of survival on the real battlefield in the future.
This is why, in many cases, physical education classes have become a disaster for students who are not physically fit.
Typical examples include the Iori Utahime, Ieiri Shoko, Nanami Kento, Haibara Yu, Ijichi Kiyotaka...
It's not that these people's physical skills are bad, but compared to Toji's abnormal demands, they do need to train for a while longer.
At this moment, Principal Yaga stood on the platform in the playground, looking at the new students with a worried expression. Beside him, Gakuganji Yoshinobu looked at Yaga and slowly said:
"Didn't we already prepare for this year's students to be difficult to manage? Why do you still look so worried?"
Hearing what Gakuganji said beside him, Principal Yaga took a deep breath and then said:
"It's like a death row inmate who knows he's going to be executed. Even if he knows it years in advance, he'll still have a severe emotional breakdown when it actually happens..."
Upon hearing this, Gakuganji chuckled, his dry face wrinkling as if it could trap flies.
"If you hate this kind of thing so much, why not just quit? I've actually been thinking about quitting lately..."
Hearing this, a look of curiosity appeared on Principal Yaga's face. He looked at the old man in front of him and asked with some confusion:
"Didn't you serve as the principal of the branch school for almost twenty years? Why do you suddenly want to resign? Did something happen to you?"
Gakuganji shook his head, let out a slow sigh, and a deep sense of reminiscence flowed through his eyes.
"Actually, I've had this idea for a long time. Before I became the principal, I was a very crazy rock singer. If you're willing, I think I could still be the lead singer even at this age."
My band is currently missing a drummer. Would you like to join us? I can offer you the position of vice-captain. If we do well in the future, I can even compose some music for you as your solo debut tracks. What do you think?
Gakuganji's words silenced Principal Yaga for a long time, but Gakuganji didn't care about Principal Yaga's silence; he had already expected this to happen.
No one could refuse such a sincere invitation. Principal Yaga was so moved that he was speechless. His eyes, hidden behind his sunglasses, must have been brimming with tears at this moment.
For a man, crying is always something that is difficult to talk about, no matter the time.
I need to give Principal Yaga enough time to sort out his emotions. By the time he has wiped away the tears in his eyes, my band should be two-fifths complete.
As for where to find the remaining three people?
The answer is simple: there are still quite a few people here at the Jujutsu High. Just recruit a few more, and try to include men, women, young and old. He, Gakuganji, wants to create a super idol band that will sweep across Japan!
Just as Gakuganji looked at Principal Yaga with anticipation, Principal Yaga finally spoke.
His voice was somewhat muffled, with a hint of concern mixed in.
"Grandpa, do you know what day it is today?"
"April 5th, why are you suddenly asking me this? Do you want to make this day the anniversary of our band's formation? Although it's a bit too rushed, if it's your request, I can certainly fulfill it."
Listening to Gakuganji still spouting nonsense, Principal Yaga sighed softly, his voice tinged with sorrow:
"Old man, so you really have reached this age? It seems that even sorcerers can't escape the curse of Alzheimer's disease. Damn it! If I had known this day would come so soon, I would have arranged for someone to replace you earlier!"
Hearing Principal Yaga's words, which were completely unexpected, Gakuganji was so angry he almost couldn't breathe. He glared at Principal Yaga and said in a dry voice:
"What nonsense are you spouting?! I'm perfectly healthy, I don't have any of that Alzheimer's disease you're talking about!"
"If you don't have Alzheimer's, what nonsense are you spouting here, you old man!"
"What?! You didn't quit your job right away and come start a band with me?! How is that possible! No one should be able to refuse an invitation like that!"
Seeing the bewildered look on Gakuganji's face, Principal Yaga felt somewhat helpless. He looked at Gakuganji, took a deep breath, and said:
"Grandpa, today isn't April 1st, nor is it April Fool's Day. Besides, if you were to take on the role of lead singer in a band now, aren't you afraid of spitting out your dentures halfway through a song?"
"What are you saying, you bastard! My teeth are all real now!"
"That's why I said! I will absolutely not consider being a drummer!"
"I know you're being sarcastic. Actually, you're probably already a little bit holding back, aren't you?"
Seeing the old man completely absorbed in his own fantasy, Principal Yaga's forehead veins bulged, but to uphold his promise of "never swearing" made while brushing his teeth on the first day of school, Principal Yaga suppressed his anger and said:
"I'll agree to be your drummer once all the Cursed Spirits in the world have been eliminated, okay?"
Having said that, Principal Yaga walked straight toward the podium without waiting for Gakuganji's reply.
He muttered to himself as he walked:
"Damn those bastards at the Zenin Estate, why did they set up the lecture platform in such a completely shaded place? The sun is so strong today, it's so hot..."
What Principal Yaga was unaware of was that someone had calculated that the speaking time when the podium was set up in the sun was reduced by more than 70% compared to the speaking time when it was set up in the shade.
This magnificent design led to Zenin Kiyoshi being revered to the highest degree by students of the college in subsequent design and development projects.
Principal Yaga walked onto the stage, adjusted the equipment, coughed twice to clear his throat, and then addressed the audience:
"Now, let's officially announce the enrollment ceremony for this year's freshmen. Also, one month after this year's enrollment ceremony, there will be a spellcaster rating test, which all students, including those from the previous year, must participate in!"
Chapter-173
The instant Yaga's words fell, several voices rang out:
"Objection! I object!" x2
Principal Yaga looked at the two people talking, a helpless expression on his face, and then said:
"Nanami Kento and the Iori Utahime, it's you two again. Never mind, just say what's on your mind."
Looking at the two regulars who had asked the question, Principal Yaga showed a slightly helpless expression.
He knew it would be these two: one was afraid of trouble, and the other was simply afraid of death. These two were bound to have problems with something like the sorcerer level assessment.
Nanami Kento adjusted his glasses. He had been nearsighted since he was very young, but for a while he felt that wearing glasses would lead to bullying by Japanese people, so he wore contact lenses. Now he has switched back to glasses.
"Ms. Yaga, if I remember correctly, I think I saw my name, Haibara's name, and Ijichi's name in the printing room. They were also filled in on this application form. Wasn't it said that only enrolled students needed to be included?"
It seems there's no reason for reserve students like us to go along, right?
Moreover, for Ijichi, his life-giving magic is very weak; going to such a place would be tantamount to suicide. I think this registration was somewhat hasty."
Hearing this, Ijichi wore a slightly embarrassed smile, but he didn't have any bad feelings towards Nanami. For a weak person like him, even if he felt that things were a bit unreasonable, he didn't dare to bring it up.
Although Nanami Kento's words were a bit too direct and didn't save him any face, he knew that Nanami cared about him. In this world, it would be the cruelest thing if no one cared about his life or death.
As for this question, Yaga had naturally already prepared his answer. He coughed, wiped his sweat, and then said:
"I have naturally considered this issue. This spellcaster assessment test will not have any part that requires forced head-on combat."
Therefore, people like Ijichi or the Utahime, who don't have much direct combat ability, don't need to worry about this.
Your tests will be conducted by designated personnel; you only need to meet the most basic physical fitness requirements.
Upon hearing this, the expressions on the faces of the Utahime and Ijichi visibly improved, at least they weren't as ashen as before.
Nanami's expression, however, did not improve. He stared intently at Principal Yaga, his expression showing no sign of relaxation.
Principal Yaga sighed. He knew this kid wasn't so easy to fool.
"As for your second question, 'admission students' refers to all students of the Jujutsu High, including you reserve members. You must also participate in the sorcerer assessment test, which is related to our future development and how much funding we can obtain from the higher-ups."
If you want better air conditioning in your dorm rooms and to have your own bathrooms, then you'd better all get proper evaluations and save me some face. Otherwise, without funding, you guys will all have to do volunteer work to earn the money!
Nanami Kento adjusted his glasses, then slowly said:
"I hope that the school's accounts and the flow of funds will be fully transparent, especially in terms of intelligence and student logistics."
Upon hearing this, Principal Yaga was taken aback for a moment, then, recalling the blunder from years ago, he laughed and scolded Nanami:
"You little brat, what do you take us teachers for? Although Teacher Toji accidentally purchased some adult fitness equipment with the wrong funds, he paid for it out of his own pocket after realizing the mistake!"
"That's why I was worried that this kind of blunder would happen again, which is why I asked you teachers to make the accounts public. My parents happened to come to visit me when those adult equipment were piling up in the warehouse..."
Yaga paused for a moment upon hearing this, and then the memory of Nanami's parents trying so hard to get him expelled from school flashed through his mind.
He asked for a long time why, but the other person just blushed and didn't say anything. He thought it was something he couldn't say, but it turned out it was because of this.
Well... these kinds of things are indeed hard to say out loud.
After coughing twice to cover up the incident, Principal Yaga looked at the Utahime and asked her:
"What about your previous questions? Are there any more?"
"Teacher, can we team up? If I don't have anyone with me, I'm practically useless!"
"No! This is a personal test! Also, listen carefully, Utahime: there are no useless spells in the world, only useless sorcerers!"
Hearing Principal Yaga's passionate words, Haibara Yu's eyes were now filled with starlight.
Clearly, Haibara Yu had complete trust in Principal Yaga's words.
But the Iori Utahime didn't believe in these things. She simply smiled and looked at Yaga-like righteousness, then said:
"Teacher Yaga, how do you counter a spell like [Solo Forbidden Area] against [Malevolent Shrine]?"
At Zenin Kiyoshi's insistence, the college also added a special course to its cultural curriculum introducing ancient top-level spell spirits and spellcasters.
Among them, the [King of Curses - Ryomen Sukuna] was specifically chosen as the focus of study for the entire exam.
How meticulously should we study?
The Utahime remembers one of the exam questions as follows:
"Now you are a Grade 1 sorcerer. When facing two Sukuna, the opponent has launched a Domain Expansion against you. It is known that Sukuna can select the range of an open Domain Expansion, let's assume it is a circular space with a radius of about 200 meters."
It is known that you possess the [Simple Domain] (radius 1 meter), which can barely neutralize the "Sure-Hit Effect slash" effect within the Malevolent Shrine.
However, since you cannot completely defend against the slash itself, you need to maintain the Simple Domain at all times and continuously inject high-intensity Cursed Energy into your Simple Domain.
When your total Cursed Energy is approximately 100 units, your normal movement speed is 117 meters per second. After activating the Simple Domain, your speed drops to 81 meters per second...
That question still sends chills down the singer's spine.
Because in the end, the Utahime's answer was that, based on her own physical abilities, she would be slashed 214,235 times by Sukuna's Domain Expansion in less than one twenty-fourth of a second.
He chopped himself so badly he's unrecognizable!
The others' techniques allow them to at least run away a little, but I might as well just dance around in place and wait to die.
When it comes to techniques, there are different levels of skill!
It's hard to imagine comparing "Solo Forbidden Area" with "Limitless".
Chapter-174
Hearing the Utahime's words, Principal Yaga's dark face also turned red. He didn't even believe what he had just said.
The more years he spent navigating the world of Jujutsu, the more he realized just how much of an advantage the innate ability to create spells depended on talent.
He had only said those things to comfort some students who weren't very talented. When they actually graduated, he would have to talk to them one by one to prevent them from actually believing those things.
Especially that guy Haibara Yu, he'll probably get a good beating then.
But there's no other way; you can't exactly tell these guys when they're at their youngest and most energetic:
"Don't bother trying. No matter how hard you try, you'll just be someone else's background. Things like the spells and total Cursed Energy you're born with are determined at birth. Those who aren't talented enough will be trash for life!"
After saying that, should the school still be open?
As for why it was said secretly at graduation, it was naturally because they were worried that some naive students would actually believe these things.
The world of Jujutsu is not a world bound by morality and law. In this world, death may come tomorrow, so it is extremely important to know some necessary basic common sense.
However, this idea will not be believed by sorcerers for years, and people are not stupid; no one is willing to believe such a thing.
But to save face for himself as principal, he coughed and forced himself to speak:
"Both the [Solo Forbidden Area] and the [Malevolent Shrine] are excellent life-generating techniques, but in battle, the outcome is definitely not solely determined by the life-generating techniques. The sorcerer's strategy, courage, and wisdom... these are the most important things!"
"Also, Utahime, your teacher knows what you're most concerned about this time. Support-type spellcasters only need to defeat some ordinary Cursed Spirits through physical strength; the difficulty for you is very low. It's more about testing your support abilities."
Hearing this, the Utahime finally breathed a sigh of relief.
She was originally the heir to a shrine, and thanks to her maternal grandmother, she practiced her legwork a lot when she was young.
Although the innate spell is slightly weaker, defeating some ordinary Cursed Spirits is not too difficult.
Seeing that the songstresses had calmed down, Principal Yaga shifted his gaze to the crowd present and then said:
"This sorcerer assessment test is very important for all of you, especially for you three: Zenin Kiyoshi, Geto Suguru, and Gojo Satoru. Remember this: this assessment for you... is all at the top-tier standard!"
From what I've gathered, it seems the three of you will each solve a case involving a Special Grade Cursed Spirit independently, and will engage in a final battle against each other until a victor is determined.
Hearing this, Geto Suguru frowned slightly. He looked at Principal Yaga, somewhat puzzled, and asked:
"If it's about determining whether we can become Special Grade, shouldn't we just need to solve the Cursed Spirit case? Why do we need to have the three of us duel? I find this a bit strange."
Principal Yaga sighed, then said:
"The higher-ups want to rank the top-tier sorcerers, and Tsukumo Yuki will be returning from abroad. It should be a duel between you and the other top-tier sorcerers."
Upon hearing this, Gojo Satoru's slightly impatient voice rang out:
"Principal Yaga! I feel like these guys are making a fool of us. If possible, could I go to the administration office and drag a few high-ranking officials over here and have them duel with me to determine who's in the higher position?"
"Hey! Satoru! What are you saying, you brat? Shut up!"
Looking at the glaring Principal Yaga, Gojo Satoru calmed down slightly. Gojo Satoru wasn't afraid of Principal Yaga, but he simply had extremely high respect for this principal.
After all, over the past five years, he had truly cared for the students in the Jujutsu High as if they were his own children.
He prepares birthday gifts in advance, cuts the birthday cake, eats the leftovers, checks the lights at night, and urges everyone to get up in the morning...
Almost everything was done by the Yaga in the right direction.
For many college students, Principal Yaga is no different from their father.
This is especially true for Maki and Mai. Perhaps because they never saw their fathers growing up, they both have a special longing for a father figure.
And at Yaga's place, the two of them truly experienced what real fatherly love is.
Therefore, in all the students at the Jujutsu High, even someone as arrogant as Gojo Satoru would become somewhat timid and hesitant when Principal Yaga truly got angry.
However, among these children, only one was not afraid of Yaga Master. Instead, he frowned slightly and said to Yaga Master, who was not far in front of him:
"Teacher Yaga, the content of this duel is indeed not a good choice. I think the strength between Special Grades should not be determined by a simple battle. Sometimes, the Special Grades have certain strengths that are difficult to overcome in specific scenarios."
Moreover, Lord Tengen probably doesn't know about this news, right? If Lord Tengen did know, I reckon, given his personality, he would have already ordered the order to be withdrawn.
A battle between top-tier sorcerers is no laughing matter. If a fierce battle were to break out, even if the headquarters were located in a very distant place, Gojo could probably tear the entire base to shreds with a single [Blue] attack.
Moreover, Geto's survival until now is due to the Cursed Spirit in his possession.
However, if he were to enter the tournament where he would fight against other Special Grade monsters, even if Geto Suguru won, he would inevitably lose a large portion of his Cursed Spirits, not to mention how dangerous the process of capturing Cursed Spirits would be.
That is to say, the process of swallowing the Cursed Spirit is also very difficult. Although, thanks to Zenin Kiyoshi's improvements, the Cursed Spirit Orbs that Geto Suguru and Zenin Kiyoshi swallow are now almost as hard as cardboard.
But even without that strong stench, it still managed to make one's eyes sting. Sometimes, eating just one would make Zenin Kiyoshi and Geto Suguru gag for ages.
Chapter-175
A hint of a smile flickered in Zenin Kiyoshi's eyes at the sudden decision made by the higher-ups.
Over the course of those five years, Zenin Kiyoshi had essentially taken control of about 70% of the senior staff at the college.
As for the process of retaking them?
It's quite simple; their fate was sealed the moment they decided to hand over their names to Zenin Kiyoshi.
With the resources of the Zenin Clan and the personal connections of Zenin Kiyoshi, it was enough to control all those people.
Although Zenin Kiyoshi used the [Cursed Spirit Manipulation] to do some less-than-honorable things, for him, there was nothing wrong with using these methods on evil people.
Over the past five years, none of the high-ranking officials who have been subdued by the Zenin Clan have been truly clean.
Each of them has a history of more than a dozen lives on their hands. One of the scoundrels who controls the pharmaceutical industry has indirectly caused the deaths of nearly a hundred people by selling fake drugs and silencing them.
Of course, Zenin Kiyoshi didn't let this guy live in the end.
Or rather, none of the high-ranking officials controlled by Kiyoshi were alive.
The ability of [Cursed Corpse Creation] was already about 80% acquired by Zenin Kiyoshi three years ago.
After communicating with Sukuna and Yamata no Orochi about the method of soul splitting, Zenin Kiyoshi established a restriction on the use of Cursed Corpse Creation.
[In exchange for the inability to create puppets with unique thoughts and life forms in the future, Zenin Kiyoshi will remain unharmed when his soul is torn apart, and will be able to reclaim the souls assigned to the puppets three months after their creation.]
When establishing this Binding Vow, Zenin Kiyoshi also learned some information about the interpretation of Binding Vows from Sukuna and Yamata no Orochi.
First of all, the signing of this binding agreement is essentially a special transaction that connects with "Heavenly Restriction".
You trade something with something in this world in exchange for what you give up.
Upon hearing this, Zenin Kiyoshi became very curious about the term "certain being" mentioned by Sukuna and Yamata no Orochi.
Yamata no Orochi naturally noticed Zenin Kiyoshi's confusion, so she took the initiative to explain to him:
"When a Binding Vow is established, if the person establishing it is strong enough, they will be able to sense that something is staring at them from in front of them."
And that thing is the thing you're trading with.
As for what that thing actually is, and why it was able to make such a transaction that is almost completely incomprehensible?
Even Sukuna seemed unaware of the secrets behind these things. Of course, it's also possible that Sukuna knew, but he simply didn't want to tell Zenin Kiyoshi and the others.
After Kiyoshi tried it himself, he did indeed discover that when he signed the Binding Vow, something resembling a human appeared in front of him. However, it seemed to be on a different level from him, and Kiyoshi was completely unable to pinpoint its exact shape.
Since that incident, Zenin Kiyoshi has become even more cautious about the world of Jujutsu, as the secrets within it are far more numerous than he had anticipated.
But that's all in the future. After Zenin Kiyoshi used the [Cursed Corpse] to sign the Binding Vow, he killed all those high-ranking officials. Although they still look alive now, they are essentially just Zenin Kiyoshi's puppets.
Zenin Kiyoshi placed a part of his soul within those bodies to control them.
Zenin Kiyoshi was initially worried that he wouldn't be able to control so many people's bodies at the same time. Fortunately, Yamata no Orochi helped him, otherwise Zenin Kiyoshi probably would be troubled by this every day.
For Yamata no Orochi, who has been controlling eight heads for many years, controlling the bodies of mortals is an extremely simple matter.
In Yamata no Orochi's words, it simply requires dividing thought into...
It was during this incident that Zenin Kiyoshi first understood what it meant to have "no talent".
He couldn't understand any of that stuff, like categorizing one's soul and thoughts, or using the right side of the head to think about three emotions.
After realizing that he couldn't understand these things, Zenin Kiyoshi stopped trying and fortunately left everything to Yamata no Orochi.
As for whether Yamata no Orochi might betray us?
That's not the case.
Kiyoshi had already built up goodwill towards this clone of Yamata no Orochi a long time ago. If it weren't for the lack of a main body, Kiyoshi's strength would now be 120% of Yamata no Orochi's.
If, with such resources and power, one still cannot completely infiltrate the upper echelons, then Zenin Kiyoshi might as well just find a tofu block to smash one's head against and die.
However, there are also some troublesome things at the higher levels.
Those are the forces that Kenjaku has infiltrated over the years.
Kiyoshi knew that he couldn't rush things with this force.
Over the past five years, suspicions about the relationship between Tengen and Kenjaku have made Zenin Sei hesitant to tell Tengen most of the things he knows.
However, at present, Zenin Sei has not found anything wrong with Tengen.
Including the barrier technique he and Tengen have been researching these past few days, which is to further expand the purification and control effect of the barrier on the scattered Cursed Energy of ordinary people.
After all, only through this method can the birth of Cursed Spirits be reduced.
Shaking his head, Kiyoshi brought his thoughts to the present moment. The reason he manipulated the higher-ups to issue this order was essentially to create a separate meeting space for the four Special Grade individuals, and... to address the follow-up issues concerning the Star Plasma Vessel.
However, at this time, he would definitely have to question the Principal Yaga, otherwise the people under Kenjaku's command would start to doubt him.
Regarding Kiyoshi's doubts, Principal Yaga sighed with a hint of helplessness, and then slowly explained:
"This requirement also takes this into account. One of the criteria in Geto Suguru's strength assessment is specifically for you guys."
During the battle, controlling destructive power at the highest level is also a crucial aspect. Therefore, if you kill the Cursed Spirit in Geto's hands, you will fail the subsequent evaluation process. So... just be careful."
At this point, Yaga slammed his hand on the table, wiped the sweat from his brow, and announced:
"That concludes today's questions. You can now go and familiarize yourselves with your new classes, and then you may leave!"
Kiyoshi watched the departing figure of Principal Yaga and smiled slightly. It seems that setting up that platform under the sun was quite useful after all.
Chapter-176
In April, the weather isn't too hot unless you're standing in the sun all the time.
Today is the first day of school. Thanks to the help from the Zenin Clan over the years, Geto Suguru's family's financial situation is actually much better than before.
By manipulating the upper echelons, Zenin Kiyoshi would always assign Geto Suguru tasks that were relatively easy to complete but offered high rewards and were located close to him.
Although Kiyoshi hadn't told Geto Suguru about these things, given his meticulous nature, he began to have doubts after receiving the message for the third time.
Or rather, Geto Suguru didn't even have any doubts and went straight to Zenin Kiyoshi, asking if Zenin Kiyoshi had arranged these things.
Kiyoshi neither admitted nor denied this.
To Geto Suguru, this answer essentially meant that the Zenin monastery had acknowledged the matter.
Zenin Monastery asked Geto Suguru why he immediately suspected him of the matter.
In response to Zenin Kiyoshi's question, Geto Suguru simply smiled and then said:
"Because among all the college students, only you have such a delicate heart."
Upon hearing this, Kiyoshi originally wanted to decline, but considering the others around Geto Suguru, he didn't seem to have any particularly good reasons to refute it.
He didn't say anything, he just smiled.
After that incident, Geto Suguru's already extremely high level of goodwill increased even more every day thereafter.
Over the past five years, Geto Suguru's favorability rating at the Zenin Clan has reached 78 points.
Kiyoshi wasn't in a hurry, as he was just a little short of reaching the 80-point mark for the fourth tier. He knew that if you were too hasty with favorability, it wouldn't increase but would actually decrease.
Sometimes, some things can only be done slowly.
After Geto Suguru learned that Zenin Kiyoshi had orchestrated all of this, he did not refuse Zenin Kiyoshi's help.
His family definitely needs this money now.
My parents are getting old, and the money they earn from their daily labor is almost no longer enough to cover their living expenses.
Since I have the ability to share the burden with my parents, I shouldn't be stubborn at this time.
He carefully planned every penny of his earnings, sending part home, saving part for emergencies, and using a small portion for necessary expenses and self-improvement.
The help that Zenin Kiyoshi gave him was not simply charity, but rather a series of tasks with high cost-effectiveness.
He gave himself a platform so that he could earn money with dignity.
This method of helping left Geto Suguru speechless.
The Zenin Kiyoshi understands him clearly.
Geto Suguru is gentle and kind, but at the same time, he is also a person with a strong sense of self-respect.
He didn't want to fall behind anyone, nor did he want to admit that he had lost to anyone, and he didn't want to accept help from others that was almost like charity.
Zenin Kiyoshi's way of helping was the most suitable for him, and it was also the way that moved Geto Suguru the most.
Geto Suguru feels genuinely lucky to have such a friend.
Today was the day his parents were coming to visit him. He stood at the entrance of the Jujutsu High, a hint of nervousness on his face.
Because of Geto Suguru's current status as a "quasi-Special Grade" student, as soon as Geto Suguru's parents got off the train, someone took them from the train station to the entrance of the special high school.
As Geto Suguru watched the car getting closer and closer, his heart began to pound faster.
A faint floral fragrance filled the air, the sunlight wasn't scorching, and a gentle breeze blew across my face, making me feel a little sleepy.
As the two familiar figures approached, Geto Suguru's face showed excitement and joy.
He hadn't been home for a long time. Although there were many holidays at the college, Geto Suguru didn't go home because of his work as a sorcerer.
Just like in the education and training industry, holidays are always the busiest time for sorcerers.
Summer and winter breaks are the busiest times for college students every year because of the increasing resentment among ordinary people and the growing number of cases of Cursed Spirit attacks across the country.
Therefore, Geto Suguru usually doesn't go home during these long holidays.
Besides this reason, Geto Suguru actually had another reason for not going back.
For him, the progress of his two good friends, Zenin Kiyoshi and Gojo Satoru, was simply too fast!
Geto Suguru could sense that these two people were far more talented and capable than him. If he continued like this, the gap between me and them would only widen.
He didn't want to leave those two people, much less fall behind them.
Gojo Satoru, Zenin Kiyoshi...
The names of these two people were as if they had been carved into Geto Suguru's heart with a knife. He could not allow himself to be so weak that he did not even have the right to stand with them!
This is something he absolutely cannot accept.
If I continue to be content with just completing tasks and making a living, as before, the gap between me and these two will only widen, and I will eventually be left far behind, unable to even see their backs.
This thought was like a thorn, deeply embedded in his pride.
He wanted to advance further from the "quasi-Special Grade" position and become each other's support in potential future joint operations.
He wanted to become stronger, strong enough to stand on equal footing with them, strong enough to protect everything he cherished—including his parents who were walking towards him.
His parents' figures became clearer and clearer, and Geto Suguru's eyes reflected their images.
They wore faded old clothes, their faces showing the weariness of a long journey, but even more so the excitement of seeing their son, and... a touch of awkwardness that they didn't know where to put it.
Has it been too long since she's seen her son?
Is it because my son is wearing very nice clothes now?
Are you worried that you'll embarrass your child?
Even Geto Suguru's parents didn't know what was going on, but when they saw Geto Suguru, they became a little scared.
Looking at this scene, Geto Suguru felt as if his heart was being squeezed tightly by an invisible hand, a painful and swollen feeling.
Sometimes, even between parents and children, estrangement can arise due to differences in status and power.
Not to mention friends...
At that moment, a message suddenly popped into Kiyoshi's mind:
"Geto Suguru's favorability has decreased by 1. Please pay attention to Geto Suguru's current emotional state!"
Hearing the sudden news, Zenin Kiyoshi sighed. Sure enough...
Geto Suguru has been acting strangely lately; his patient nature is proving too troublesome.
Those who are good at enduring hardship rarely come to a good end.
Don't live such a conflicted life... Geto.
The Zenin Kiyoshi murmured softly.
Chapter-177
Zenin Kiyoshi actually knew that favorability would decrease a few years ago.
I accidentally got a few drops of oil on the Iori Utahime's new clothes, and she gave me a tearful look.
Then a notification popped into my mind: "Iori Utahime's affection level -1".
For Kiyoshi at the time, this was almost like a bomb going off.
But when he immediately offered to buy the Iori Utahime a new outfit, her favorability rating recovered at a visible speed.
However, this incident still served as a reminder to Kiyoshi.
In this world, people's favorability towards each other is not static. We are all living, breathing human beings, and there will always be times when we don't get along.
It's not very noticeable when the favorability rating is low, but when the favorability rating is high, some people with more sensitive personalities may need to pay more attention to these things.
Among these people, "Geto Suguru" and "Gojo Satoru" are the two I need to pay the most attention to.
One is so gentle that she suppresses herself, the other is so aloof that she denies herself.
They're both troublesome guys.
Back to the present, the moment Zenin Kiyoshi noticed Geto Suguru's favorability rating dropping, he was already standing not far from him.
"Geto, are these your uncle and aunt? Since they're coming today, why didn't you tell us?"
The Zenin Kiyoshi's slightly reproachful voice came through, making Geto Suguru a little flustered.
He was just secretly giving the Zenin Clan a lower score in his mind, and now he's been caught red-handed.
Even though he knew the other party wouldn't find out, Geto Suguru still felt a little guilty.
Before Geto Suguru could answer, Zenin Kiyoshi stepped forward and naturally took the heavy luggage from Geto Suguru's parents.
"Uncle and Aunt, it's nice to meet you for the first time. My name is Zenin Kiyoshi. I am Geto's classmate and also his best friend. We have known each other since we were very young, but we have never had the chance to visit you."
Over the years, I've heard Geto praise you two more than once. He's been talking about it for ages, saying he wants to eat your miso soup, that it has a unique flavor!
Hearing Zenin Kiyoshi's words, not only was Geto Suguru's mother pleasantly surprised, but Geto Suguru himself also felt a strange, indescribable feeling.
He did say those words to Zenin Kiyoshi, but that was two years ago. He had only said it casually back then, and he didn't expect the other person to remember it now...
Moreover, given Zenin Sei's emotional intelligence, he clearly noticed the slight estrangement and distance between himself and his parents earlier.
The reason they greeted them so warmly was probably to help them quickly restore their relationship with their parents.
Kiyoshi...you rascal, is there anything you can't even think of?
How am I supposed to face you now, when I was just feeling a little distant from you?
Geto Suguru looked at Zenin Kiyoshi and felt that the other man was shining brightly. How could he have any reason to involve his negative emotions in such an outstanding man?
Geto Suguru's favorability +2!
Hearing the system notification in his mind, Zenin Kiyoshi smiled faintly.
At that very moment, the slight tension and estrangement that had been on Geto Suguru's parents' faces completely disappeared.
They looked at Geto Suguru, their faces bearing the same smiles as always:
"Geto, my dear child, if you like it, just tell your mother more often, and I'll cook a few more meals for you when you come home. By the way, do you have a kitchen here? If so, your mother will cook a meal for you right now."
Seeing his mother's concerned expression, Geto Suguru's slight sense of distance vanished completely. He smiled gently and said to his mother:
"There is a kitchen here, but it's a communal kitchen, and I'm worried it might affect the other roommates' use..."
"Is that so? That's a real shame. We should..."
Hearing their conversation, Zenin Kiyoshi called out to Gojo Satoru, who was standing not far away:
"Hey! Gojo! We're going to use the kitchen in a bit. Geto's mom is going to cook. She's a really good cook. Do you want to come and eat with us?"
Gojo had just come out of Principal Yaga's office. He had accidentally broken the air conditioner in the teaching building, and instead of admitting it, he pushed the blame onto Geto Suguru.
He came out now to call Geto Suguru in so they could be taught a lesson by the Principal Yaga.
Although Gojo Satoru had anticipated that Geto would yell at him soon, being scolded by two people is always more pleasant than being scolded by one.
Especially when being scolded with your best friend, you won't feel sad at all; on the contrary, you'll find yourself trying not to laugh while being scolded.
Previously, when the two were being taught a lesson by the Principal Yaga, they accidentally glanced at each other and then burst into laughter.
Finally, the two of them copied the school rules together twenty times before it ended...
However, after Zenin shouted that, Gojo Satoru was immediately put in an awkward situation.
What a coincidence!
I just framed Geto today, and his parents are already here?!
Although it wasn't the first time he'd used such a dirty trick on Geto Suguru, Gojo Satoru still felt a little embarrassed in front of Geto Suguru's parents.
Even though his strength had reached the Special Grade, Gojo Satoru still had the mentality of a child at this time, and he still had a kind of inexplicable respect for his classmates' parents.
Upon hearing Zenin Sei's invitation, Gojo Satoru almost instinctively replied:
"Okay, I'll try Auntie's cooking too."
Upon hearing Gojo Satoru's answer, Geto Suguru's mother's smile widened even more. She looked at Gojo Satoru and said with a beaming smile:
"You must be Gojo Satoru, right? Geto often mentions you when he gets home, saying you're an extremely outstanding and lively student."
Hearing Geto Suguru's mother's praise, Gojo Satoru's face showed a rare slight blush. He coughed and, for a moment at a loss for words, said:
"Um, does Geto really say that to me?"
Gojo Satoru looked at Geto Suguru, who awkwardly looked away.
The fact that the friendship between these two has been exposed at this time is rather awkward.
It's not that the relationship is bad, but rather that the relationship is too good.
"Yes, Geto always talks about you. When he's at home, the people he most wants to see are you and Zenin Kiyoshi."
Chapter-178
At this point, Geto Suguru had completely turned his face away.
He didn't speak, but the gaze from Gojo Satoru made his face flush.
But Geto Suguru's mother didn't seem to realize this; she continued to laugh and say:
"Geto even knows what you like to eat. Last time I went back, I made some rice cakes. He usually likes to eat them with chili sauce, but this time he asked for a lot of white sugar."
He told me that there was a guy at his school named Gojo Satoru who loved sweets, so he wanted to try what sweet mochi tasted like.
Hearing this, Gojo Satoru's embarrassment faded slightly, replaced by curiosity. He asked Geto Suguru's mother:
"Does he like to eat rice cakes dipped in sugar?"
Geto Suguru's mother laughed, covering her mouth with a smile tinged with relief.
"He loves it so much! This child rarely eats rice cakes, but that one time, he ate almost half of all the rice cakes in the house!"
Hearing this, Geto Suguru was so embarrassed he wanted to disappear. He looked at his mother, then said with a hint of shame and annoyance:
"Mom! Don't bring this up!"
"Oh my, Geto, are you shy? I understand, boys are all like this at this age. Even though you're really good friends, it's still a little awkward to say things out loud, isn't it?"
Hearing this, Geto Suguru and Gojo Satoru were both at a loss. They could only avoid each other's gaze and stand in the middle of the road like telephone poles.
It was only at this moment that Geto Suguru's father realized what was going on. He gently patted his wife's shoulder, then coughed and said:
"Alright, let's not talk about this anymore. Men communicate in a manly way. Let's go inside quickly. Didn't you notice that Kiyoshi is still carrying our luggage?"
When it really matters, men understand men best and know what men in this age group are more sensitive to and embarrassed about.
Kiyoshi was aware of this, but he did not say it.
This guy's purpose was to make Geto and Gojo Satoru reaffirm their "friendship" through this method.
These two have such conflicted personalities.
Constantly reassuring each other about the "friendship" they share is what makes them feel most secure.
But just as everyone was about to walk toward Geto Suguru's dormitory, Gojo Satoru suddenly froze. He stood there, head down, his eyes darting around behind his sunglasses, his mouth seemingly glued shut. He opened his mouth, but no sound came out.
Zenin Sei saw this. He stood still, turned back to Gojo Satoru, and asked with a smile:
"Gojo, what are you standing there for? Hurry up and catch up."
"Um... um, Geto, come with me for a second. It seems like Professor Yaga needs to talk to us."
At this moment, Gojo Satoru's mind was somewhat blank. He hadn't expected that he could go back and admit his mistakes all by himself, without having to call Geto Suguru along.
After saying those words, both Geto Suguru and Zenin Kiyoshi instantly understood what had happened.
That bastard must have done something wrong again and then shifted the blame to Geto Suguru, which is why Principal Yaga wants to settle scores with both of them.
In fact, Gojo Satoru initially chose to shift the blame to Zenin Kiyoshi.
But almost every time, Zenin Kiyoshi would discover him in an instant, and then he would face the punishment of copying the school rules twice as much by himself.
So, after three unsuccessful attempts, Gojo Satoru's fixed scapegoat partner became Geto Suguru.
After all, although Geto is quite smart, most of the time he is too soft-hearted to suffer with him.
Of course, Gojo wasn't completely oblivious to social niceties. Every time he tricked Geto Suguru, he would treat Geto Suguru to a big meal out of his own pocket.
Geto himself fell for this trick, and it had almost become a source of amusement for the two brothers.
But for this to happen at this time...
I'm sure my parents will think I'm a delinquent!
Geto suddenly turned around and looked at Gojo Satoru. His pupils trembled slightly, and his facial features, which rarely showed much change in expression, began to twitch and tremble slightly at this moment.
Seeing Geto Suguru's appearance, Gojo Gojo felt even more guilty and turned his head away, kicking small pebbles as if no one else was around.
What's even more alarming is that Geto Suguru's father activated his [Interpersonal Skills] ability at this moment, saying to Geto Suguru:
"By the way, you've been studying here for so long, and we still haven't met your teacher. Since your teacher wants to see you this time, let's go and meet him."
Otherwise, if we come all this way and don't even bother to pay them a visit, it would be really inappropriate.
As he spoke, he took out some cash from his pocket.
For Geto Suguru's father, who had never seen high society in his life, the only bribery methods he knew were those he learned from TV dramas.
Upon witnessing this scene, Geto Suguru's entire body broke out in goosebumps. He looked at Gojo Satoru, his voice dry and strained, as if squeezed from his throat:
"Satoru... it can't be a bad thing, right? It absolutely can't be a bad thing, can it? How could it possibly be a bad thing?!"
Listening to Geto Suguru's series of questions, Gojo Gojo swallowed hard. Despite it being April, he broke out in a cold sweat.
However, just at this moment, just as the two were about to break up prematurely, Zenin Kiyoshi's voice came over.
"Hello? Yes, Yaga Teacher, okay, I understand, I'll be right there."
Suddenly, Kiyoshi answered a phone call. After hanging up, he looked at the two people in front of him and said with a smile:
"Gojo, you don't need to go with Geto. Teacher Yaga said that everything has been settled. Now he wants me to go over and help you organize all the keys. Oh, and the spring quilts are also ready. Remember to come and pick them up later."
"I'll go over there now. Could you help your uncle and aunt carry their luggage to their dormitory?"
Having said that, Zenin Kiyoshi came to Gojo Satoru, handed him the luggage, and said softly:
"Gojo, you bastard, you owe me a huge favor this time!"
"Ah, I know. I'll agree to whatever you ask later. Anything is fine with me."
Chapter-179
"I thought you would go to Geto's parents' gathering right away, but I didn't expect you to be in such a hurry."
Mei Mei lowered the car window slightly and adjusted the seatbelt to a position that was less suffocating.
Zenin Kiyoshi was adjusting his seatbelt at that moment, and replied to Mei Mei with a smile:
"They still need to clean up for a while. No one has used the place since spring break, so if it's not cleaned properly, the food they make will probably be problematic. I asked Geto, and he said it will probably be finished by evening. We can go and eat there then."
Mei Mei smiled as she looked at Zenin Kiyoshi, her lips curving slightly, and said softly:
"I didn't tell Geto about this beforehand. Would it be inappropriate to go there directly?"
"It's okay. Geto's parents said today that they want to cook more food to entertain all the students and teachers at our college. Anyway, there aren't that many people in total, right?"
Hearing this, Mei Mei's smile didn't fade. She simply looked at Zenin Kiyoshi and continued:
Even so, it would seem a bit strange to come uninvited.
"Then consider it an invitation from me. That should be fine, right?"
"Isn't it basic common sense to not bring guests? I don't want you and me to leave a bad impression on Geto's parents."
The answer from the mysterious temple made Zenin Master Kiyoshi sigh slightly, and then said helplessly:
"Miss Mei Mei, it's just a meal, surely they won't have so many strange thoughts about it? Besides, if none of these things work, what are you going to do, Miss Mei Mei?"
"It's simple, you can go with me, that way it won't seem out of place."
At this point, Mei Mei, who had been sitting upright in the driver's seat, moved slightly closer to Zenin Kiyoshi. Her eyes were fixed on Zenin Kiyoshi, like a beast sizing up its prey.
Kiyoshi felt a little uneasy under her gaze. He looked at Mei Mei, only to see that she had returned to normal, her smile still gentle.
"We were traveling together to begin with, weren't we?"
To the question posed by the Zenin Kiyoshi Kiyoshi, Mei Mei simply smiled:
"If you don't say anything, I'll take that as your agreement. Okay, let's go. It's already past 3 p.m., and Orimoto Rika should have already finished school. If I remember correctly, the elementary school over there should end around 2 p.m.
However, due to family reasons, Orimoto Rika usually stays at school for a while until her grandmother has time to pick her up.
I had someone investigate beforehand; generally, around 4 PM, Orimoto Rika's grandmother would pick her up from school.
Hearing Mei Mei's words, Zenin Kiyoshi didn't pay attention to what she said in the first half of her sentence. After nodding slightly, he followed Mei Mei towards the kindergarten where Orimoto Rika was.
Of course, the driver is Mei Mei, and Zenin Kiyoshi hasn't been able to get a driver's license yet.
As for why Mei Mei was able to get a driver's license?
She was actually quite wealthy, and with a little help from Zenin Kiyoshi, she was able to obtain this privilege.
Kiyoshi had originally suggested finding an Assistant Manager to serve as the driver, but Mimi strongly opposed this approach, arguing that the Assistant Manager would need to report to the higher-ups, which would be detrimental to their secret mission.
Although Kiyoshi knew that he had controlled most of the higher-ups, there were still some of Kenjaku's forces remaining in the upper echelons, so being careful was never a bad thing.
Therefore, he agreed to Mei Mei's plan for the two of them to travel alone. Of course, it's not true that one is completely unaware of anything while in the Zenin Kiyoshi.
He's not stupid; he can sense subtle emotions.
However, it's not the right time to respond to this feeling yet.
As Kiyoshi's own strength gradually increased, he became increasingly aware that there was still a considerable gap between himself and the top combatants in the Canon.
Right now, he can only slightly suppress that guy, Jogo. The increase in favorability becomes slower and slower as time goes on. Although his current strength is steadily improving, he is still some distance from the top level.
Expanding the scope...
Zenin Kiyoshi has yet to master the ability to expand his Domain Expansion.
Although even Gojo Satoru hadn't mastered the Domain Expansion during 2006, this still caused Zenin Seishin some distress.
Although Sukuna had already used the Domain Expansion once before, Zenin Kiyoshi had never used it a second time, except for the battle against Jogo in Okinawa.
What's even more critical is that Sukuna's Malevolent Shrine's Domain is an open-type Domain, which is almost completely different from ordinary Domains. Even if you master Sukuna's Domain Expansion, it won't be of much help in studying other Domain Expansions.
Thinking of this, Zenin Qing couldn't help but sigh.
Mei Mei, however, noticed the change in Zenin Kiyoshi's mood. Just then, they stopped at a traffic light, and she looked at Zenin Kiyoshi in the passenger seat:
"What's wrong? Why are you suddenly so down?"
"It's nothing, I'm probably just a little tired lately, after all, Lord Tengen has been calling me over to research barrier techniques..."
Zenin Kiyoshi made a hasty and careless attempt to gloss over the matter.
However, just when Kiyoshi thought things would turn around as he expected, a mysterious voice suddenly rang out, carrying a seriousness and...concern that was never before present.
"Kiyoshi, you've always been like this. Whenever someone has a problem, you like to get to the bottom of it, you like to run around for other people, and you like to work hard for other people's feelings."
I used to suspect that you had some ulterior motive, and that you might have ill intentions towards people, but over the years, you have never changed. Acting for the sake of other people's emotions seems to have become your instinct.
But for a long time, many of us, including myself, have taken your efforts for granted. In fact, you yourself have taken your efforts for granted.
But have you ever thought that you're actually a silly junior who's two years younger than me?
If you choose to interfere in other people's emotions at will, then you should be prepared for others to forcibly interfere in your emotions at any time.
I could clearly sense that as time went on, the anxiety in your heart was growing stronger. Today it's just the two of us, so...
Can you tell me what you're worried about?
Chapter-180
A light drizzle started falling outside at some point.
The sky in Tokyo in April is like a woman's gentle and calm face; you never know which direction she will take next.
The sky darkened, turning a deep, iron-blue color.
The traffic lights and car lights on the street turned on one after another, and the surroundings seemed to fall into evening at this moment.
Kiyoshi listened to the voice coming from beside him, and his expression froze slightly. He looked at Mei Mei, at that face that had never been so close before, and his heart suddenly beat faster.
Just as Mei Mei said, he has always put other people's emotions first and rarely considered his own.
This might be due to the system, or perhaps he himself has gotten used to it over the years.
Looking back now, it's true that from the time he transmigrated to the present, very few people have actually prioritized Zenin Kiyoshi's thoughts...
But Zenin Qing didn't blame them. After all, he knew from the beginning that most of the sorcerers were people with deep-seated grievances and twisted minds.
Their Cursed Energy originates from intense negative emotions. Given this underlying tone, expecting these people to care about you is asking too much.
It will take a long time for these psychologically twisted individuals to truly learn to care for others and undergo personality correction.
However, Zenin Seiya did not make his statement so definitive.
In fact, over the years, he has been cared for in every way imaginable, from the birthdays he made up to the various holiday gifts and parties he attended.
However, this kind of concern from Mei Mei, which went almost beyond ordinary friendship, was something he had never experienced before.
He stared at the darkness, momentarily stunned.
The air inside the car smelled wonderful, but having sat quietly in the passenger seat of the Zenin Kiyoshi many times before, I'd never experienced such a strong fragrance.
Reflected in the rain, the light of the traffic lights was blurred and elongated in the field of vision.
The soft light was trapped on the road by the puddles on the ground, then crushed by the wheels of vehicles and scattered into the air, becoming wisps of water vapor carrying the smell of earth.
Zenin Kiyoshi looked at the darkness before him and felt his throat go dry.
"Are these words hard to say? Or do you simply not want to tell me...?"
Listening to these words, Zenin Qing could sense that Mei Mei was feeling slightly down at the moment.
The voice carried a fragile, almost broken quality he had never heard before. The subtle tremor, like cool raindrops, seeped into his heart through his ear, stirring a bittersweet throbbing.
She lowered her eyes slightly, her long eyelashes casting a small shadow under her eyes, as if trying to conceal the almost overflowing disappointment.
Kiyoshi watched this scene and knew that he could no longer remain silent.
It had nothing to do with his level of affection; it was simply something he genuinely felt from the bottom of his heart—he didn't want to disappoint Miss Mei Mei.
Kiyoshi took a deep breath, trying to calm her somewhat panicked heartbeat, but what she inhaled was an unusually rich and cool fragrance that belonged to her.
At this moment, the fragrance was no longer the faint background scent that usually lingered in the car.
The fragrance was so vivid, so aggressive at that moment...
The fragrance emanating from her enveloped him in the tranquility of the Zenin Kiyoshi, lingering around him as if silently proclaiming something, or perhaps offering a small act of resistance in support of her courage and vulnerability.
"...It's not that I don't want to talk about it."
Kiyoshi's voice was a little dry, even more hoarse than he had expected.
Looking at Miss Mei Mei's face, Zenin Kiyoshi felt that her face exuded a strong attraction he had never experienced before.
The attraction made it difficult for me to look away.
But Kiyoshi knew that he couldn't say anything when he looked at her at this moment.
He turned his head stiffly and looked out the car window at the world that was blurred by the rain and looked somewhat bizarre.
Neon lights and car headlights stretched, twisted, and shattered on the wet ground, just like the emotions he couldn't clearly express at that moment.
"yes..."
Zenin Kiyoshi paused for a moment; he had never felt that uttering a complete sentence could be so difficult.
His fingers unconsciously curled up, his fingertips touching the cool leather seat, and the chill forced out a few words:
"I think it's... a bit difficult."
At this point, Zenin Kiyoshi turned his gaze away from the world battered by the rain.
He looked at Mei Mei again. The car was dimly lit, and his face was in shadow, making it difficult to discern his expression.
Mei Mei's eyes widened slightly at his words.
She gazed at the Zenin Kiyoshi, and the surging disappointment in her eyes seemed to pause, replaced by a focused, uncertain yet hopeful search.
"Disaster?"
Mei Mei softly repeated Zenin Kiyoshi's words, her voice more stable than before, with less trembling, but still carrying a cautious probing tone.
She didn't press for details about what "difficulty" specifically meant, unsure if that would be too hasty.
Or rather, she didn't know what to do at that moment. She didn't have the courage to make a mistake, so she just quietly watched him, waiting for him to peel away that hard, somewhat heartbreaking outer shell.
"Um."
Zenin Kiyoshi remained silent for a moment, then nodded and squeezed out that one word.
Just then, the traffic light changed color, and the car behind screeched its horn.
Mei Mei glanced back at the car behind her with some annoyance, as if she felt she had missed an opportunity.
Kiyoshi smiled, and after restarting the car in the dark, his gaze fell on her hands, which were gripping the steering wheel and whose knuckles were slightly white.
"Like you just said, I'm actually quite used to considering other people and responding to their emotions."
My own emotions... are actually... like they've been left in a corner, gathering dust, and trying to dig them out all at once feels... really strange."
Kiyoshi tried to use a more relaxed tone, but the smile on his lips looked somewhat forced.
I have always been a stranger in this world.
This world is cold, and sorcery itself has a cruel undertone.
But at this moment, the carriage was filled with a fragrant, damp, and heart-wrenching concern.
"and..."
Zenin Kiyoshi looked at Mei Mei with a smile that was almost candid, a smile that even he himself was unaware of:
"Miss Mei Mei, you are so direct, only caring about what I 'want to say'."
Zenin Kiyoshi paused again, seemingly searching for a suitable explanation:
"Very few, really very few. So I'm a little unsure how to respond, or rather, I'm so happy I don't know how to respond."