"Recovering a cursed object, huh?"
Shun narrowed his eyes.
He asked, "Uncle, he is not here to retrieve one of Sukuna's fingers, is he?"
On the other end, Satoru sounded puzzled. "Why would you ask that?"
"But as for the exact cursed object, I am not too sure."
Now that Shun had brought it up, even Satoru started to feel a bit concerned.
"If it really is something on that level, Shun, keep an eye on him."
Shun nodded. "Got it. I will be careful."
Once his nephew gave a solid answer, Satoru immediately slipped back into his usual tone.
" Our Shun is just too reliable. I really do not want to hand you o..."
Before he could finish, the line cut off and the busy tone beeped in his ear.
Satoru stared at his phone, stunned for a moment, then chuckled helplessly. "This brat probably hung up to go flirt with curses."
"But why did Shun assume Megumi was recovering Sukuna's finger?"
He scratched his head, genuinely confused. "Has the kid been messing with curses related to Sukuna lately?"
He knew better than anyone how obsessed his nephew was with curses.
Many of the curses they had exorcised in the past had ended up dismantled on Shun's workbench.
From that research he had created all sorts of bizarre techniques, some of which even Satoru found troublesome.
Like that concealment technique, for example.
Most of the time, Satoru really could not find him at all.
...
Apartment
As a rule, once his uncle finished giving proper instructions, he would ramble on with nonsense for a long time.
There was no need to entertain that. Hanging up directly was the best choice.
"Shun, I am ready."
Kurumi's voice sounded from outside the door.
She was back in her school uniform, schoolbag dangling from her hand.
Shun nodded. "Let us go."
The two of them left the apartment together.
"Shun, who were you on the phone with just now?"
Kurumi looked at him curiously.
"A senior in my family," he replied.
Kurumi studied his face, then smiled. "It feels like you are really close to this senior."
"Close?"
Shun shook his head with a tired look. "He is a very dependable elder, but he is never serious."
When it came to Satoru's personality, Shun considered himself a victim.
All he really could do was stand next to him and offer constant commentary.
"But from your expression, it looks like you really like him," Kurumi said.
She rose up on her tiptoes to catch his eyes, smiling.
"After all, eyes do not lie."
Their gazes met.
Her eyes, as clear and deep as red gemstones, seemed to pierce straight into his chest.
His heart skipped a beat.
"M... maybe," Shun muttered, turning his head to the side.
"You're embarrassed."
Kurumi's smile turned impish, like a little demon who had found a new toy.
Shun retaliated by rubbing her head roughly. "Quit talking nonsense."
"Heehee."
She did not get mad at all at having her hair messed up.
After a moment, Kurumi said softly, with a touch of longing, "I wonder when I will get to meet this elder you like so much."
Shun glanced at her.
To be honest, if a normal boy heard a girl say she wanted to meet his elders, his heart would probably be racing.
After all, what else could that mean?
But after reading through her file, Shun felt she meant something else.
More like... envy.
...
Sugisawa Third High School
This was one of the more well known public high schools in Sendai City.
Kurumi was a student here.
As soon as they stepped out of the taxi, the students passing by kept sneaking looks at them.
First there was Shun's hair.
That misty white hair of his was impossible to ignore.
Add in his handsome face and tall figure, plus the fact that he was standing next to one of the school's famous beauties, Tokisaki Kurumi, and of course they drew attention.
"You are really popular," Kurumi said cheerfully. "So many little girls are sneaking looks at you."
Her tone, however, was a little off.
She sounded very much like she might slaughter any "little bitches" who dared try to talk to him.
Shun shook his head, utterly unconcerned.
"Let us go inside," he said, heading toward the school gates.
"Wait, our school does not allow outsiders inside except on open days," Kurumi reminded him, hurrying to keep up.
"Relax. Sorcerers have some credentials to throw around."
Shun casually pulled out an ID from inside his clothes and flashed it.