I look at the two kids Gojo brought. They look surprised but don't seem too upset by my appearance.
"I'm Noroi, nice to meet you," I say with a little bow.
Megumi nods and goes to his room, and Tsumiki smiles at me.
"Nice to meet you too, Noroi-san," she says with her kind smile.
"You don't need to call me -san. Just call me Noroi," I say. Her smile is contagious, my lips stretching into one as well.
"Well, call me Tsumiki too," she says while approaching me.
"Okay," I say while sitting on the couch.
"Well, it seems you get along, so I'll leave you to get to know each other better," Gojo says with a smile as he starts to leave.
"Goodbye," Tsumiki and I say at the same time.
She sits next to me and looks at the TV.
I glance at the clock and notice it's late.
"Well, Tsumiki, I'm going to make dinner. Do you want to come with me?" I ask while standing up.
She looks at me, confused. "You know how to cook?"
I look at her. "Is it strange?" I ask.
She looks at me shyly. "Well, my brother doesn't know how to cook, and I always make the food."
"Well, you know, cooking is one of my many virtues," I say with a proud smile.
"Really?" she asks with a kind smile. "You'll have to prove it then."
"You're on," I reply with a confident smile.
As we enter the kitchen, I start preparing the ingredients, my four arms helping me gather everything faster.
"Do you want any help?" she asks, her arms behind her back.
"Well, I have four arms, but if you want, you can help." I wanted to use my cursed technique to cut the vegetables, but I suppose I can leave that work to her.
I can't use my cursed technique in front of her. She doesn't have the ability to control her cursed energy; she's a non-sorcerer.
I grab the kitchen knife and start cutting the meat, leaving the vegetables to her.
As I cut the meat, I look at her. She's focused, smiling while cutting the vegetables into small pieces. I like her smile; it's full of kindness and seems so pure.
She notices my gaze and looks at me. "Noroi?" she asks with that same smile.
I look back at the piece of meat I'm cutting, a little flustered. "Be careful with the knife," I say softly.
"Okay," she replies, still smiling.
After we finish cutting the ingredients, I put them in a pan. I light the fire and move to prepare the rice. I plug in the rice cooker and add the water and rice. Then I start adding condiments to make the meal even tastier. I glance at Tsumiki.
She's preparing the plates.
"Do you like the new house?" I ask with a smile.
"Yeah, it's comfy, and there's a kind roommate in it," she says, looking at me warmly.
My smile grows wider. "Well, if you say so," I reply.
"Yeah. My brother is a good person, but when I told him that Father and Mother left us, he grew colder, so I was a bit lonely at home," she says, looking downcast. "But now I have someone to talk to," she adds, her kind expression returning.
"Is that so?" I say. "Well, if it makes you feel better, my parents also abandoned me in a godforsaken shrine."
"Seriously?" she asks, surprised.
I laugh softly at her reaction. "Yeah. After all, not many people are happy with my appearance," I admit, a hint of sadness in my tone as I turn off the fire and start serving the food onto the three plates she prepared.
"Well, I don't care about your appearance, Noroi. You're a good person," she says firmly.
I look at her, surprised, then glance away. "But you've only known me for an hour," I say, checking the timer on the rice cooker.
"Yeah, but I already know you're a good person," she says confidently.
"Thanks," I reply softly, smiling a little as I turn off the rice cooker and serve the rice into the bowls she set out.
"Tell Megumi the food is ready," I say, carrying three plates and one bowl.
"Okay," she answers, grabbing two bowls and leaving the kitchen.
I follow her and place everything on the table before going back to the kitchen for water. I grab three glasses and a bottle of water and return.
Megumi and Tsumiki are already seated. She's set the chopsticks out for all of us.
"Megumi, try the food. Noroi and I made it," she says brightly.
Megumi takes a piece of meat with his chopsticks and eats.
His eyes widen slightly. "This is good," he says, his voice still calm but clearly impressed.
"You're right, this is really good," Tsumiki adds, smiling at me.
"I told you, didn't I? I'm the best cook," I say proudly. Even my cursed technique could help with cooking—the only thing I lack is fire.
"Hey! We are," she corrects jokingly.
I laugh and start eating.
After we finish, I wash the dishes while Megumi returns to his room. Tsumiki approaches me.
"Do you want me to help?" she asks, her hands behind her back.
"No, don't worry. I'm almost done," I reply, placing the last bowl on the rack to dry.
"Wanna watch some TV?"
"Okay."
We leave the kitchen, and I turn off the lights. The TV is already on. I notice a blanket on the side of the couch. The couch is big enough for both of us, and it can even be pulled out to lie down more comfortably.
"Do you want the blanket?" I ask, picking it up.
"Let's share it," she says with the same kind smile I've grown fond of.
"Okay," I say, spreading the blanket as I lie down on the couch. "Come closer."
She lies down next to me, covering herself with the blanket, and we start watching TV.
We laugh at the cartoons, and after a while, I feel a sudden weight on my right side.
I turn my head and see Tsumiki asleep, leaning on my shoulder.
With a soft smile, I close my eyes and drift off as well.
The Next Day
My sleep is interrupted by the sound of my phone ringing.
I get up drowsily. Today is Saturday—it's impossible that I'd have to start school.
As I sit up, Tsumiki stirs slightly but doesn't wake.
"She's a heavy sleeper," I murmur before grabbing the phone.
"Yeah?" I answer groggily.
"Noroi, it's me—Shoko," she says, her tone unusually somber.
"Shoko? What happened?" I ask, immediately alert.
"Noroi, just this morning…" she trails off.
"Shoko?" My chest tightens.
"Haibara died on a mission."
"What?" My voice drops to a whisper.
"Shoko, is this a joke? I don't see the funny side of it," I say in disbelief.
"Noroi…"
"No. No, no, no. You're lying. This is some kind of joke," I insist.
I hang up before she can respond and immediately call Kenji.
"Kenji-san, could you pick me up? I need to go to Jujutsu High," I say, my words rushed.
"Of course, Noroi-sama. I'm nearby. Wait in front of your new apartment," he replies, noticing my urgency.
I rush outside. Kenji is already waiting. As we drive toward Jujutsu High, my phone rings repeatedly—Shoko—but I ignore it.
When we arrive, I run toward the medical building. I burst through the door and freeze.
Inside the room, Geto and Nanami turn toward me, surprise in their eyes. But beyond them, lying still on a stretcher, is Haibara.
"No…" I whisper as tears stream down my face.
"Noroi?" Geto asks. He looks like he hasn't slept in days.
"Noroi, what are you doing here?" Nanami asks. His eyes are injured, covered with a cloth.
"Haibara… No, no, no. This can't be," I choke out, stepping closer to the body.
"Noroi…" Geto says quietly.
Nanami says nothing, staring ahead.
"Haibara…" I whisper, memories flooding back—his laughter, his cheerfulness, the way he treated everyone kindly. He was like a brother to me.
"Why?" I ask no one in particular.
"Why does he have to handle everything…" Nanami mutters bitterly. "He didn't have to die like this." His hands tremble as he covers his face.
Geto looks at him, stunned.
Geto's POV
Gojo has grown to be the strongest… and I'm being left behind, I think.
Haibara's death replays in my mind. Then I remember my conversation with Yuki.
A way to eliminate all cursed spirits… by killing all non-sorcerers.
Suguru Geto, what are you thinking?
That's impossible for you to do.
…Or maybe not?