Since then, without even realizing it, I had truly come to care about the four of them—not merely as a responsibility, but as a part of my life that could not be replaced.
As a form of protection, I created several special Cursed Tools for them, something I initially only considered as a simple precaution.
They took the form of children's clothing that appeared ordinary, with fabric that felt soft to the touch and light when worn. However, behind that simple appearance, the clothes could change shape according to whatever we wanted them to be.
In addition, the clothing possessed an automatic self-cleaning function, as well as an extraordinary protective ability that worked without the need for conscious activation.
If there was an attack from a Cursed Spirit, the clothes would immediately protect them without delay. If an accident occurred, such as being hit by a vehicle or falling from a height, the protective effect would activate instantly, ensuring their small bodies remained safe.
That was the gift I gave to the four of them—something they might not understand now, yet meant a great deal to me.
With that, I wanted to ensure that they would not be hurt, would not suffer, and would always remain safe from any danger that might come without warning—even from things they could neither see nor comprehend.
And all of that was what had happened over the past year—a year that was exhausting, full of chaos, confusing, yet also filled with small moments of happiness that slowly grew into something warm, something irreplaceable, and somehow made all that exhaustion feel worth enduring.
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...
...
Now, as 2004 begins, I have turned nine years old, and I am in my fourth year of elementary school. My days appear ordinary in the eyes of others—arriving in the morning, sitting in class, listening to the teacher, then going home like any other child.
Everything proceeds without anything particularly striking. Yet behind that seemingly simple routine, my mind is never truly at rest.
Even when my body appears relaxed, my thoughts continue to move, arranging plan after plan, weighing possibilities, and calculating every step I might take in the future.
Meanwhile, Shizuka and Rika are now fourteen years old. The two of them have begun to change quite noticeably compared to before. The way they speak has become more composed and no longer rushed, as if every word has been considered before being spoken.
Their demeanor has also grown calmer, no longer easily carried away by emotions like before. Their gazes now feel deeper, showing that they are slowly beginning to understand the world in a different way. As for Mei Mei, who is now fifteen, she stands out more than the others.
Mei Mei's gaze is always sharp and focused, as if she can read a situation at a glance, and her way of thinking feels far beyond her age—cold, logical, and highly calculated.
On the other hand, Mimiko, Nanako, Maki, and Mai are only two years old. At that age, their world is still simple and full of color. Their steps are still unsteady, often stumbling before bursting into laughter for no clear reason.
Their laughter sounds light and sincere, completely free of burden. They do not yet understand anything about the true nature of the world, have not come to know danger, and do not understand the meaning of loss. To them, everything still feels safe.
Knowing that, I decided to take them all on a trip. On the surface, this decision appears simple—just an ordinary journey to spend time together.
But in truth, that was merely the reason I chose to show. Behind it, there was another purpose that must not be seen, something I had to do without drawing anyone's attention.
After all, taking Mimiko, Nanako, Maki, and Mai around Japan from time to time is not a bad idea. Besides giving them new experiences, it would also appear natural to others. No one would suspect such a simple trip.
Aside from giving them a new atmosphere that felt more open and refreshing, this trip also gave me the opportunity to observe various places firsthand.
No longer relying on limited information, but truly seeing with my own eyes the actual condition of those areas. Small details that others often overlooked could instead become important clues for me.
The first destination I chose was the Chubu Region, more precisely Gifu Prefecture. At a glance, this area did not stand out compared to other regions.
Not many people truly paid attention to the Chubu Region. But precisely because of that, it held many possibilities that were not visible on the surface.
If asked why I chose that region, the answer would sound simple. Its location in the center of Japan made the Chubu Region seem ordinary. However, behind that, there was a far greater reason. This was not a random decision, but a choice I had carefully considered.
If one day I wanted to expand my influence, then the Chubu Region would be the most logical starting point. This region did not lean too heavily toward any single power, and its strategic position made it a bridge between the Kanto Region and the Kansai Region.
At present, the Kanto Region was largely under the control of the Jujutsu Sorcerers. Their system was well-organized, and their surveillance was extremely strict. It was difficult for outsiders to move freely without being detected.
On the other hand, the Kansai Region was mostly dominated by the Youkai and the Shinto Mystics, each holding their own territories that were not easily disturbed.
Between these two major forces, the Chubu Region stood as a relatively neutral ground. It was not entirely under the dominance of one side, yet it was not completely free from influence either. There was an unstable balance there, something that could shift at any moment.
Indeed, some parts of the Chubu Region still fell under the influence of Youkai, several small Jujutsu clans, and Shinto mystic factions.
However, the boundaries of their power were not always clear and were often hidden beneath the normal lives of ordinary people.
Precisely because of that, this region became a place full of opportunities—a place where something could grow without immediately drawing attention.
Overall, this region still had gaps—empty spaces that had not been fully claimed by anyone. These gaps were not obvious to most people, concealed within the vague boundaries of power.
And it was within those gaps that the greatest opportunities lay, something only those sharp and patient enough could truly perceive.
If I began to take over this region slowly, planting my influence little by little without attracting attention, and building strength from within in silence, then everything could develop without significant interference.
There was no need to rush, no need for large, conspicuous moves. Consistency was enough. Precision was enough. That way, when the time came—when I truly intended to overthrow the leadership of the Jujutsu world—I would not be starting from nothing like most fools who acted too rashly.
I would have a solid foundation, a stable territory, and a network of power that had been carefully embedded. Every part would be interconnected, not standing alone, forming a structure that was strong and difficult to shake. All of it would be ready to be used at any time, without the need for sudden preparations that might expose weaknesses.
That was the true purpose of this journey. Not merely an ordinary vacation as it appeared on the surface, but the first step of a plan I had long thought through. A quiet beginning, yet one that led toward something far greater.
I wanted to see the various locations in the Chubu Region with my own eyes, to assess them directly without any intermediary.
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Explanation Regarding the Lack of Updates
The author has been busy thinking about many things, which caused the author to often forget to update. If you ask what the author has been thinking about, it is related to a second account.
Yes, the author is planning to create a second account, so this account will be dedicated specifically to writing fanfiction novels.
The second account will be used exclusively for regular novels, because the author thinks it would be too troublesome to combine both types of novels into the same account.
Currently, the regular novel for the second account already has around 15 chapters completed. However, the author does not intend to publish it anytime soon.
The author is waiting until it reaches perhaps around 50 or 60 chapters before publishing it. That is the reason why the author has been forgetting to update recently.
The author sincerely apologizes to everyone. Thank you very much for your understanding and support!
After this, the author will return to updating as usual!