February 15, 2013, Friday, 7:50 am, Nakameguro Park...
The morning unfolded gently over Nakameguro, the golden sunlight peeking through the bare branches of cherry blossom trees. Though the vibrant petals of spring had yet to bloom, the pronounced buds dotted the branches, resting in their winter slumber. A crisp chill lingered in the air, yet it did little to deter the early risers from enjoying the quiet serenity of the park.
Laughter rang from the playground as a handful of children ran about, their energy uncontainable even in the morning cold. They climbed the structures, slid down with squeals of delight, and chased each other across the rubberized flooring. Their small footprints left temporary marks on the dew-laden ground.
Across from them, on a worn wooden bench near the playground, sat Elric, hunched over in his usual scruffy demeanor. His battered glasses sat precariously on his nose, reflecting the soft morning light. He rested his elbows on his knees, fingers absently interlocked as his mind wandered. Watching the children at play tugged at something distant, fogged, and fragmented in his memory. Before twelve, everything in his past felt blurred, as though pieces of his life had been scraped away, leaving nothing but vague sensations and empty spaces. The attempt to recall it sent a sharp, discomforting pulse through his skull, like an old wound being reopened.
Elric shook his head and exhaled slowly, pushing the lingering discomfort aside. He had more pressing matters to focus on.
Approaching footsteps crunched over the gravel path, drawing his attention. Two familiar figures emerged: Kento Nanami and Takuma Ino. Nanami, ever the embodiment of stoic professionalism, wordlessly took a seat beside him. At the same time, Ino remained standing, his hands shoved into his coat pockets, a mild shiver betraying his attempt at nonchalance.
For a moment, none of them spoke. The wind rustled through the bare trees. The distant sound of a dog barking blended with the ambient murmurs of the city, awakening beyond the park's boundaries.
Nanami finally broke the silence. "How are you holding up?" His tone was as measured as ever, but a slight edge of concern was beneath it.
Elric exhaled through his nose, tilting his head slightly. "I'm alive," he answered vaguely before reaching into his coat and retrieving a peculiar-looking jar.
Nanami's gaze fell upon it with mild curiosity. Ino, however, frowned. "Uh… What exactly is in that?"
Elric turned the jar slightly, letting the morning light illuminate its contents. Small wooden bits crumbled inside, faintly pulsating with a cursed energy so faint that it barely registered.
"All the uninvited guests," Elric said casually.
Ino stiffened. Nanami, ever composed, remained silent for a moment before speaking. "I see."
Ino, on the other hand, looked at Elric as though he had just pulled out a human skull. "Wait… are you saying that..." His words trailed off when the realization fully sank in. He grimaced, rubbing the back of his head awkwardly. "Yeah, uh… about that. Those 'remains' belong to one of our own."
Elric's eyes narrowed. The sharp glare he shot at both of them made Ino instinctively flinch. Nanami, however, didn't waver, meeting Elric's stare with quiet patience.
The tension lingered until Nanami finally spoke. "We did not disclose your identity. That was part of the binding vow."
Elric didn't reply. His fingers idly tapped the jar's surface.
Nanami continued. "However, Kyoto Jujutsu High's Principal, Gakuganji, attempted to circumvent the vow. He enlisted the help of another sorcerer to pry into the situation." He paused momentarily before adding, "I assume you've already dealt with it on your end."
Elric scoffed lightly, the sharpness in his eyes dulling as he leaned back against the bench. "Sounds like a hassle," he muttered, shifting his gaze toward the sky.
Nanami nodded. "It was. Gakuganji is one of the higher-ups in the conservative faction at Jujutsu HQ. His methods..."
Nanami exhaled quietly, his tone remaining composed. "Gakuganji is not the type to take interference lightly. The old principal dislikes the idea of an outsider entangling himself with prominent sorcerers, especially under a binding vow."
Elric let out a small chuckle, shaking his head. "Figures. Men like him don't care about the results, just about control." He leaned back against the bench, tapping his fingers rhythmically against his knee. "And let me guess, he threw a tantrum but couldn't actually do anything about it."
Nanami didn't respond outright, which was confirmation enough. Elric smirked, but instead of pressing further, he shifted the conversation to something more pressing. "Forget the old man for now. What about the evidence from the ice rink incident? Did the higher-ups receive it?"
Ino, who had remained somewhat tense from Elric's earlier glare, seemed eager to answer. He straightened his posture and spoke with confidence. "Oh, they got it, alright. And they're losing their damn minds over it." His expression was a mix of amusement and frustration. "Non-sorcerer civilians suddenly gained cursed energy, a full-blown cursed transformation nearly turning one into a monster, and on top of that, there was clear evidence that curse users were involved. They have no choice but to take it seriously."
Nanami adjusted his glasses, nodding slightly. "Onizuka has been placed on their watchlist due to his connection to 'The Glutton's' transformation. The higher-ups are shifting their focus toward the loan shark syndicate. They've decided to put the investigation regarding your identity on hold."
Elric hummed at the news, stretching his arms lazily before resting them behind his head. "Well, that's a relief. At least they have their priorities straight for once."
Just as he was about to relax, he subtly shifted his gaze and spoke in a tone laced with quiet authority. "You can come out now."
Nanami and Ino both frowned at the sudden command, sharing a quick glance of confusion.
"Who are you talking to..." Ino started, but a faint rustling emerged from the nearby bushes before he could finish.
A small wooden mechanical bird emerged behind a park bench, its beady eyes shifting as if scanning its surroundings. The puppet's wings twitched, gears within its frame clicking softly as it turned to face them.
Nanami's brows furrowed slightly, his keen gaze narrowing as realization dawned on him. "That puppet… belongs to the same sorcerer who was spying on you."
Ino stiffened, instinctively taking a step back. "Damn, this guy again?"
Elric, already prepared to crush the tiny construct, reached for the jar he had set beside him, ready to make quick work of the mechanical intruder.
However, before Elric could move, the puppet spoke, its voice crackling with a static-laced timbre. "Wait! I'm not here to pry into your identity."
Elric halted mid-motion, his expression unreadable as he eyed the puppet with cautious curiosity.
The voice continued, its tone more relaxed now. "I was just… curious about your situation."
A beat of silence passed before Elric raised an eyebrow. "And who the hell are you?"
The puppet remained still for a moment before speaking once more. "Kokichi Muta."
Nanami's features shifted slightly subtly at the name, but it was enough for Elric to notice. His skepticism deepened. "And I should know you because…?"
Nanami sighed, rubbing his temple as though preparing himself for an inevitable headache. "I suppose it's only fair you get some context." His tone carried a hint of reluctance as he continued. "Kokichi Muta is under Jujutsu HQ's custody. A sorcerer, technically speaking."
Elric's eyes flickered with interest. "Technically?"
Nanami exhaled. "His situation is… complicated. He's only eleven, but his cursed technique, Puppet Manipulation, allows him to operate through constructs like this one. Due to his condition, he can't fight directly, so he uses long-range surveillance and remote combat instead. The higher-ups consider him valuable, but he's still too young to officially enroll at Kyoto Jujutsu High."
Elric remained silent, his gaze lingering on the mechanical bird, deep in thought.
Elric's eyes narrowed at Nanami's wording. "Too young?" he repeated, his voice carrying a sharp edge. "How old is this kid exactly?"
Nanami met his gaze evenly. "Eleven."
The number struck Elric like a bat to the skull. His posture stiffened, and a deep, unpleasant sensation settled in his gut. Eleven years old, a crippled child barely on the verge of adolescence was being used as an intelligence asset to track his identity. The weight of that realization scratched at something raw inside him, something he couldn't easily ignore.
His fingers curled slightly, his jaw tightening as irritation pulsed beneath his calm exterior. Though his expression remained unreadable, the shift in his cursed energy was unmistakable.
Nanami's gaze flickered to Elric's hands. "What's wrong?"
Before Elric could answer, Ino, sensing the sudden tension, took a careful step forward. "Hey, hey, let's not start throwing hands in a public park, yeah?" His usual carefree tone was laced with caution. "What's got you so worked up?"
Elric exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair before looking Nanami dead in the eye. "The idea of using this kid is no different from the Middle Eastern terrorist groups that recruit child soldiers." His voice, though steady, carried a quiet, simmering anger. "You don't put a kid into something like this. You don't make them bear that kind of weight."
Silence followed. The mechanical bird perched nearby seemed eerily still as if absorbing his words.
Muta, listening from the other side of his puppet, sat in stunned silence. For a moment, he wasn't sure how to react. He had never heard anyone speak about his situation with that intensity, not in sympathy but in sheer, unfiltered anger.
Finally, the puppet's voice crackled back to life. "I appreciate the sentiment," Muta admitted, his tone laced with something almost hesitant. "But I am a Jujutsu sorcerer… unofficially. If I have a talent, I'll use it."
Elric glanced at the bird, his gaze unreadable.
"Besides," Muta continued, his voice steadying, "I'll be receiving training to improve my skills. That's what matters."
A moment passed before Elric's posture eased. He inhaled slowly, letting the tension drain from his shoulders. He could see Muta's determination, his resolve. The kid wasn't just following orders; he had chosen this path. That didn't mean Elric had to like it, but at the very least, he could respect it.
Checking his watch, he noted the time and stood from the bench, brushing off his coat as if shaking away the last of his frustration.
Nanami raised an eyebrow. "Where are you going?"
"Home visit sessions." Elric adjusted his glasses. "I've got ten students to check on today, so I must get moving."
Nanami nodded in understanding. "Then Ino will accompany you."
Ino blinked. "Huh?"
"You'll be his temporary teaching assistant." Nanami's tone left no room for argument. "Benikiba will replace you later today."
Ino's mouth opened, then closed. He looked from Nanami to Elric, then back to Nanami. "You're joking, right?"
Nanami's face remained stone-cold.
Ino let out a defeated groan. "Yeah, alright… fine. But if I get stuck grading papers, I'm quitting."
Muta's puppet flapped its wings once before speaking again. "Before you go, I'd like to leave a small puppet with you. If you encounter 'curse users' or anyone connected to the loan sharks and vice versa, it'll help relay information back to me."
Elric glanced at the mechanical bird, then gave a slight nod. "Fine by me."
Before leaving, Elric added, almost as an afterthought, "If you've got any humanoid wooden puppets, you could bring them to my morning training sessions. I'll give you some pointers on hand-to-hand combat."
Muta's puppet froze.
For the first time, the young sorcerer on the other end had no immediate response.
Elric adjusted his glasses with a lazy confidence and turned on his heel, walking away with Ino trailing behind him.
Muta's voice crackled in the puppet, quieter this time. "… I'll think about it."
12:30 pm...
As Elric walked toward his next destination, Ino observed him with mild curiosity, hands tucked in his coat pockets as he kept pace. "You know," Ino mused, "for a guy who looks like he barely sleeps, you've got a weirdly professional attitude as a teacher."
Elric didn't break his stride, adjusting his glasses with a casual flick of his fingers. "Professionalism is essential in any business-related situation," he replied matter-of-factly. "Even in a field like this, appearances matter. You need to know when to play your role."
Ino raised an eyebrow. "So what, you just decided one day, 'Hey, I'm gonna be a model citizen'?"
Elric scoffed lightly. "Not exactly." His voice took on a reflective tone. "I refined it during my time at an American university. You learn quickly that people judge you in an instant. You'll always be underestimated or manipulated if you can't manage your image."
Elric's thoughts drifted back to the home visit sessions earlier that morning as the conversation continued.
His interactions with the students and their families had gone relatively well, for the most part. Parents welcomed him with polite curiosity, some hesitant at first but gradually opening up once he displayed genuine concern for their children's progress.
Shoji Nakamura and Takeshi Ogawa, in particular, had been noteworthy cases. Despite their troubled involvement in past events, both students seemed more resolved after their recent experiences. Their parents, well-respected figures within the working community with direct ties to politicians, were naturally protective, having a lot to lose if their sons strayed onto the wrong path. It wasn't lost on Elric that these particular families had likely been targeted by forces hoping to leverage the boys' potential downfall into something much bigger. No parent would forsake their only blood.
Regardless, both families showed genuine gratitude toward him, relieved their sons were avoiding further trouble.
However, not every visit was satisfactory.
The Muto twins, Ichiro and Hiroki, had been predictably normal with renewed determination to study and train hard, though nothing beyond what he had expected. What truly irked him was the glaring absence of Miruko Horigawa.
When Elric arrived at the Horigawa residence, Mr. and Mrs. Horigawa greeted him with visible unease, anticipating his reaction before asking. They bowed their heads apologetically, explaining that Miruko had left earlier to visit an ice-skating friend.
Elric had not needed to ask who that friend was. The answer had already formed in his mind before her parents had finished speaking.
He exhaled slowly, masking his irritation behind an unreadable expression. Miruko…
Miruko wasn't about to get away with skipping out on her responsibilities, not after the stunt she had pulled at the ice rink incident. The next time Elric saw her, she would have to answer for it.
Meanwhile, somewhere across town, Miruko paused mid-sentence, shivering slightly.
Reika Hoshizora, who had been chatting with her, blinked in concern. "Are you cold?"
Miruko sniffed, rubbing her nose with the back of her hand. "Nah… Just got this weird feeling, like someone's talking about me behind my back."
Reika tilted her head. "That's… oddly specific."
Miruko frowned, staring into the distance like the universe had delivered her a cryptic warning.
Present time...
Elric and Ino have finally approached their next destination, Tsukinose Mochi.
A centuries-old establishment renowned for its traditional mochitsuki demonstrations, this was where Elric would meet Riku Takahara, leader of the delinquent trio and the heir to the business, his next student on today's list.
6:30 pm...
With the sun dipping below the horizon and the city lights beginning to flicker to life, Elric wrapped up his home visit sessions for the day. He had met with two more students after Riku Takahara, ensuring each conversation was thorough and productive. Only two names remained on his list, Miyu Sasaki and Aoi Matsunaga.
Elric knew that handling Aoi Matsunaga's visit would require careful planning. Unlike the others, meeting her meant stepping into the Wasei Rengō manor, where the weight of organized crime loomed over every interaction, even though the group was going straight. It wasn't just about checking in on a student but navigating a delicate balance where one wrong move could lead to unintended consequences.
As he considered the logistics, Benikiba arrived, stepping into the dimly lit streets with her usual calm but commanding presence. The red-haired delinquent-turned-sorceress had come to take over Ino's role, a swap that made sense. When dealing with home visits involving female students, her presence would provide a more suitable dynamic and prevent Elric from dealing with overprotective parents mistaking him for some kind of problem.
Benikiba, ever the observant, looked at Elric and narrowed her eyes. "You look like hell."
Standing with his hands in his coat pockets, Elric gave her a lazy shrug, though the slight stiffness in his posture betrayed his fatigue. "I'm fine."
She wasn't convinced. "No, you're not. You look like you've been through an entire day of dealing with other people's problems."
Elric scratched the back of his head and offered an awkward half-smile, a rare and unpolished expression from him. "That's… technically accurate."
Benikiba crossed her arms, her sharp gaze assessing him further.
Flashback – Tsukinose Mochi Incident
Elric had barely stepped into Tsukinose Mochi before booming reprimands echoed through the shop. The elderly Grandfather Takahara, a man whose wrinkled face bore the years of hard work and tradition, stood at the center of the room, berating his grandson Riku Takahara with the full weight of an old-school master.
"You thick-headed fool! Do you think you can just throw away generations of hard work? You'd rather run wild in the streets than take responsibility?!"
Riku, who had once resisted the idea of taking over the family business, stood with tightened fists, his jaw clenched in silent frustration. He had been gradually accepting his role as heir, albeit reluctantly, but the arrival of an uninvited guest shattered whatever sense of normalcy remained.
The door slammed open, and in staggered the root of all their problems, the drunkard of a father.
The stench of cheap alcohol hit Elric before the man even spoke. Bloodshot eyes, unkempt hair, and an unsteady posture painted the picture of a man who had long abandoned dignity. The moment he opened his mouth, it became painfully obvious why Riku had such a strained relationship with his family.
"Why the hell are you still wastin' your time here, Riku?" the man slurred, staggering forward with a hostile sneer. "Mochi pounding ain't gonna pay off what I owe."
That was all Elric needed to hear to put the pieces together.
This idiot father was neck-deep in a massive debt, and instead of paying it off himself, he had likely dragged his family into his mess. The mochi shop, Riku's home, and his legacy were at risk because of this one man's irresponsibility.
Elric's expression darkened.
It wasn't long before violence erupted.
The drunkard, unable to accept his son's rejection, threw the first punch. Elric let out an exhausted sigh, already disappointed, before the fight started. He sidestepped the attack effortlessly and sent the fool crashing to the floor with a well-placed strike to the ribs.
Then came the goons.
As expected, the drunk had hired muscle, thinking he could intimidate the shop into submission. A poor choice. Elric dealt with them swiftly, sending each toppling like dominoes until the only one left standing was the so-called father.
Now sobered up by pain, the man stared wide-eyed as Elric dusted off his hands and leveled him with a glare colder than the winter air outside.
"You'll pay off your own damn debt," Elric stated with absolute finality, his voice leaving no room for negotiation. "Your family is done carrying your burdens. If I catch you dragging them into this mess again, I'll make sure you regret it."
The defeated fool said nothing, only nodding meekly before stumbling out of the shop with whatever shred of dignity he had left.
Silence followed.
Then, Riku Takahara finally stood tall.
He turned to his grandfather, his previous hesitation now replaced with certainty. "I'll do it," he declared. "I'll inherit the shop. This is my home, and I'm not letting anyone take it away."
The old man studied his grandson, his stern expression softening. He gave a small, approving nod for the first time that day.
As a token of gratitude, Grandfather Takahara insisted on showing Elric the traditional mochitsuki demonstration. The old man and his grandson prepared to showcase their family craft, with Riku wielding the wooden kine mallet while the elder handled the mochi dough.
Then, right as the first pound struck, the grandfather's back gave out.
Elric barely had time to react before the old man stiffened, gripping his lower back with a pained groan.
A heavy silence fell upon the shop.
Still holding the mallet mid-air, Riku looked at his grandfather, then Elric. The latter sighed, already predicting what was about to happen.
"Oh, no." Elric took a step back. "I am not..."
"You'll do just fine, son!" Grandfather Takahara clapped him on the back, ignoring his protests. "You're already strong! Just follow my instructions."
A small crowd of civilians and tourists had already gathered outside, their interest piqued by the commotion. It was too late to argue when Elric realized he had been roped into the demonstration.
With a deep, reluctant sigh, he stepped forward and took his place at the usu (stone mortar).
Thus began three straight hours of mochitsuki.
By the end of it, Elric wasn't sure if his arms or his patience had suffered more.
By the time Grandfather Takahara recovered from his injured back, Ino had already been replaced by Benikiba, allowing Elric to proceed with the remaining home visit sessions for Yuna Kurokawa and Rika Tanabe.
Back to the present...
As they walked toward their next destination, Benikiba eyed Elric with mild amusement. His posture was slightly sluggish than usual, his movements carrying the telltale signs of someone who had spent hours exerting themselves.
Benikiba smirked. "Let me guess. The mochitsuki?"
Elric adjusted his glasses, letting out a low, tired sigh. "It was a good experience," he admitted. "Though I think Grandfather Takahara was more interested in drilling me like a new recruit than actually demonstrating mochi pounding."
Benikiba smirked. "Sounds like you got conscripted into another one of your 'training arcs.'"
Elric rolled his shoulders, the faintest hint of soreness creeping into his joints. "Something like that," he muttered. "The old man was relentless. Kept correcting my form, shouting about rhythm, power, and 'putting my soul into the pound.'"
Benikiba chuckled. "Let me guess... he wanted to adopt you after seeing your 'potential' in mochi making?"
Elric scoffed. "Worse. He tried to introduce me to his full-grown daughter. Takahara's aunt."
Benikiba blinked, momentarily thrown off. "Wait. What?"
Elric gave her a deadpan look. "You heard me. He thinks I'm 'suitable material' to join the family business through marriage."
Benikiba threw her head back and laughed a genuine, almost mischievous sound. "And? How did you worm your way out of that one?"
Elric shook his head, his expression weary. "Luckily, Young Takahara had my back. The kid agreed with me that getting married too quickly was a bad idea. The moment he did, though, it turned into a whole other argument."
Benikiba raised an eyebrow. "What, the old man didn't like your stance on marriage?"
Elric exhaled. "He and I had what you'd call a 'friendly yet intense debate.' He thinks I'm being 'ungrateful' for turning down such a 'wonderful opportunity.' I think he's out of his damn mind."
Benikiba smirked, crossing her arms as she glanced at him. "So? You really against the idea of settling down?"
Elric gave her a sideways glance before looking ahead. "I've got too much on my plate to think about something like that. It's not that I'm against it; it's just not a priority."
Benikiba hummed, her smirk fading into a more thoughtful expression.
She hadn't considered marriage much, but something about the conversation lingered in her mind. The idea of finding someone to settle down with, of building something that wasn't just about fighting, duty, or responsibility… It was a foreign thought but not entirely unwelcome, especially with the man before her.
Shaking off the odd sensation fluttering her chest, she cleared her throat. "Well, guess you survived another matchmaking attempt. You sure have a habit of catching people's interest in the weirdest ways."
Elric sighed. "Lucky me."
By now, the streets had grown quieter, the sounds of city life shifting into the evening's slower rhythm. Up ahead, nestled between two older buildings, was their next stop: a hole-in-the-wall traditional Chinese restaurant where their next student awaited.
Back to business...