"Mom…" Eriri finally spoke, her voice soft. "I…"
"Let me come out and meet them."
Genji's voice sounded in Eriri's ear, only she could hear it.
"Since I've been detected, there's no point in hiding anymore. And… I also want to meet the 'strongest' of this era."
Eriri bit her lower lip. She looked at her mother, then at Satoru Gojo, and then took a deep breath, as if making a decision.
"Mom," she said, her voice firmer than before, "there's something… I've never told you."
Sayuri held her daughter's hand.
Eriri took her mother's hand, then turned her head, looked at the "empty" air beside her, and said quietly:
"Zen'in Genji… would you please come out?"
Silence hung in the air for a few seconds.
Then, under the warm light of the living room, under the gazes of Satoru Gojo and Sayuri, an indigo figure slowly materialized.
First came the hem of the hunting robe—deep indigo, embroidered with silver flowing cloud patterns, glowing softly in the light. Then a slender figure, black hair tied up with a wooden hairpin, the rest spilling over his shoulders. Finally, the face—young, handsome, with a thousand years of calm between his brows, and deep indigo eyes as clear as an autumn lake.
Genji sat cross-legged, floating in the air beside Eriri, half a foot off the ground. His posture was as natural as if he had been there all along.
Sayuri gasped and instinctively covered her mouth. Even if you were mentally prepared, seeing a person in ancient clothes appear out of thin air was still too much of a shock.
Satoru Gojo's body leaned forward slightly. Although he wore a black blindfold, Eriri could feel his "gaze" fixed on Genji from head to toe, not missing an inch.
Then Satoru Gojo smiled.
Not his usual cynical smile, but a genuine smile, full of excitement and exhilaration.
"Just as I thought…" He said quietly, an uncontrollable excitement in his voice. "Lord Zen'in Genji, it really is you."
Genji looked at him calmly and nodded slightly.
"Satoru Gojo. The modern Six Eyes," he said, as if stating a fact. "I've heard Suguru mention you. He said you are the only one in this era worthy of being called the 'strongest.'"
"In front of you, I wouldn't dare call myself the 'strongest,'" Satoru Gojo stood up, set aside his rare casual demeanor, and solemnly bowed to Genji—the etiquette of the jujutsu world for respecting one's elders and the powerful.
"Lord Zen'in Genji, the God of Curses of the Heian period, the complete Ten Shadows Technique, the only sorcerer in history to subjugate Mahoraga," he straightened up, the corners of his mouth curving into an excited arc beneath his black blindfold. "It is an honor to see you in person."
Genji descended to the floor—though still half an inch off the ground, at least he appeared to be "standing." He looked at Satoru Gojo, and a glint of approval flickered in his deep indigo eyes.
The corners of Genji's lips formed a very faint, almost invisible arc.
Sayuri looked at Genji, then at Satoru Gojo, and finally at her daughter. Eriri nodded slightly to her, signaling, "Don't worry."
"So," Sayuri said, her voice returning to its usual softness, but her eyes remained sharp, "Lord Zen'in Genji, have you been protecting Eriri?"
Genji turned to her and bowed slightly—an ancient gesture, with the elegance of a thousand years of sedimentation.
"Madam Sawamura, please forgive me. This one is Zen'in Genji, a sorcerer from the Heian period. For various reasons, I have possessed Eriri. I am grateful for her care these past days."
He paused and continued, "As for protection… Eriri is the first person I have been able to speak with in a thousand years. I owe her a debt of gratitude. It is my duty to protect her."
It was said calmly and solemnly. Sayuri looked at Genji, at his clear and calm eyes, and after a long moment, nodded.
"Then," she turned to Satoru Gojo, her tone serious, "Mr. Gojo, I am in principle agreeable to your proposal just now—for Eriri to enroll in the Technical College. But I have a few conditions."
"Name them," Satoru Gojo straightened up, his expression becoming serious.
"First, Eriri's studies must not be affected. She can go to the college in her spare time, but she cannot neglect her regular classes at Toyonoki Academy."
"Agreed. The college's training schedule is very flexible. We can adjust it to fit her school hours."
"Second, her safety must be guaranteed. I know the jujutsu world is dangerous, but as a mother, I want to minimize the risks as much as possible."
"Don't worry about that," Satoru Gojo looked at Genji and smiled. "With Zen'in Genji here, Eriri's safety is probably more secure than that of most college students."
Genji nodded calmly. "I will watch over her."
"Third," Sayuri took a deep breath and looked at Eriri, her eyes full of tenderness and reluctance, "Eriri, yourself… do you really want to go?"
This question stunned Eriri.
She looked at her mother, at Genji, and then at Satoru Gojo. The living room was quiet, only the ticking of the wall clock and the soft sound of insects outside the window.
Do I want to go?
She thought about the fear on the bus, the tragedy at the Ginza hotel, and the invisible monsters that could appear at any moment. She also remembered Genji's patience when teaching her to control cursed energy, the joy when her palm condensed that small light, and the shock when she realized the world had another side.
It's dangerous, but exciting.
It's scary, but real.
And… She didn't want to always hide behind others. She didn't want to face danger each time and only be able to wait for Genji to act. She didn't want to drag down those she wanted to protect because of her own "ignorance" and "powerlessness."
"I want to go," Eriri looked up, her blue eyes shining with determination. "I want to learn to control cursed energy. I want to learn to protect myself. And I want… to learn more about this world. And…"
She paused and added quietly, "With Genji here, I'll be fine."
A typical stubborn speech, but Sayuri understood the determination. She looked at her daughter for a long time, then sighed softly and smiled.
"Then go," she said, holding Eriri's hand. "But remember, no matter what happens, this will always be your home. If you're tired or scared, come back."
"Mm," Eriri nodded vigorously, her eyes slightly moist.
Satoru Gojo watched this scene, his cynical expression completely gone. He sat quietly, not intervening until mother and daughter had calmed down, then spoke again.
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