Kiyotaka and Junpei were near a bridge as Junpei, who was sitting on the steps, asked, "What did you want to talk about?"
"First, let's introduce ourselves. My name is Ayanokoji Kiyotaka."
Kiyotaka said this, offering his hand as Junpei took it, replying, "Yoshino Junpei."
Kiyotaka then asked, "There were three students who died at the cinema. You were seen on camera leaving the scene in a hurry. Were you able to see a Cursed Spirit? Were you chasing after it?"
Junpei shook his head, saying, "No. I didn't. I... I've only been able to see them clearly recently."
Kiyotaka looked to him, thinking, 'He's lying about not seeing anything that day.'
Kiyotaka nodded, saying, "That's fine then", while thinking, 'I'll only list you as someone to be observed for now.'
Kiyotaka then asked, "What movie were you watching?"
Junpei looked to Kiyotaka, asking, "You want to know what movie I was watching?"
Kiyotaka nodded as Junpei then said, "It was Human Earthworm 3."
"Human Earthworm 3?" he repeated slowly, confused at the absurdity of the title as he asked, "What kind of title for a movie is that? Is it a documentary on the parasitic behaviour of people, or a work of fiction?"
Junpei stared for a second, saying, "It's... It's a horror movie. A cult classic, mostly because of how grotesque it is. It's definitely not a documentary."
Kiyotaka nodded, confirming this and saying, "I see. So you have a preference for the macabre."
Kiyotaka sat down next to him, asking, "The real world can sometimes be more disgusting than what's shown on the screen."
Junpei's eyes widened slightly, simply nodding before asking, "You sound like you've seen a lot of that. Disgusting things, I mean."
"More than I'd like," Kiyotaka replied. He turned his head slightly, his amber eyes locking onto Junpei's. "The three boys in the theatre. They were the ones who burned you with cigarettes, weren't they?"
Junpei's expression froze as he looked to Kiyotaka, his hand instinctively moving to cover the scars hidden by his hair, asking, "How did you..."
Kiyotaka sighed and said, "Your hairstyle hides it well, but I saw it for a second. Besides, I can tell you're someone who has been abused. You walk with the posture of someone who expects to be struck at any moment."
Junpei's breath hitched as he looked to Kiyotaka, saying, "They were awful people. If they're dead, the world is objectively better. Do you think that makes me a bad person? Thinking their deaths were... a relief?"
Kiyotaka shook his head, saying, "Not at all. It's natural to feel that way. Besides, guilt over something you clearly didn't do is meaningless and stupid."
Junpei looked to him, asking, "Do you... Really believe that?"
"I do."
Junpei sighed as he felt a slight bit of relief at this.
Kiyotaka sighed, thinking, 'I've never really watched a movie before. And Gojo did tell me to experience my youth. Even if my youth is gone... perhaps I can experience someone else's youth while standing next to them.'
Kiyotaka looked to Junpei and said, "Feel free to invite me if you want to watch a movie together. I've been cooped up by my father until recently, so I haven't gotten the chance to see any."
Junpei looked shocked, shouting, "What do you mean you haven't seen any? Like none?"
"Some documentaries... that's about it."
Junpei's eyes widened, asking, "Are you serious?!!"
Kiyotaka nodded, saying, "That's how I lived before I was separated from my father."
"Your dad seems like kind of a jerk."
"Jerk is an understatement."
Junpei laughs a little before asking, "What about your mom then?"
Kiyotaka looked to him and said, "I don't know her. I never met her since my parents separated soon after I was born."
Junpei felt awkward at that information, thinking, 'Maybe she saw the red flags and left?'
Junpei then looked to Kiyotaka and asked, "You're a Jujutsu Sorcerer, right?"
Kiyotaka nodded, saying, "It seems you've had contact with someone. I won't pressure you, of course. I'll only tell you that whatever that thing is that you're talking to is dangerous. Do not approach it if possible."
Junpei looked down as Kiyotaka then asked, "What did you want to ask?"
"Have you ever killed someone?"
Kiyotaka looked to him and said, "I haven't. But I suppose I could have if I wanted to. Even before I was able to use Jujutsu."
Junpei looked to him, asking, "What do you mean by that?"
Kiyotaka shook his head, saying, "Killing a person isn't actually that difficult. It's actually far too easy. What is truly difficult is holding yourself back enough not to kill them."
Junpei seemed to understand, saying, "I think I understand what you're trying to say", while thinking, 'He's gone through something pretty bad.'
Junpei then asked, "If you had to, would you?"
"Without question."
Kiyotaka said this as he looked at him and said, "I value my life. I won't throw it away easily for someone else."
That's when a woman called out, "Oh? Junpei?"
Junpei turned, saying, "Mom?"
She looked surprised, saying, "It's unusual to see you out here. Is this a friend?"
"We just met, actually."
Junpei said this as the woman walked down, asking, "What were you two talking about?"
Junpei looked to his mother and glared at the cigarette in her hand, saying, "You promised you'd quit smoking."
"Oh, right, sorry. I did promise not to smoke in front of you anymore."
She said this as Kiyotaka stood there thinking, 'It's not about his trauma when it comes to cigarettes. He's truly worried for his mother and her health.'
Junpei's mom looked to Kiyotaka and asked, "What's your friend's name?"
Kiyotaka looked to her and said, "Ayanokoji Kiyotaka. It's nice to meet you."
Junpei's mom smiled and said, "I hope you two are getting along. Oh! Kiyotaka-kun. You should join us for dinner."
Junpei looked to his mother and said, "Hey! You're just bothering him!"
His mother looked to him, annoyed, asking, "Huh? Are you saying my cooking is a nuisance?"
Kiyotaka sighed and said, "It's fine. If you want me to join, I have time", while thinking, 'It should give me a better idea about Yoshino Junpei too.'
Junpei's mom smiled, saying, "That's great. Anything you don't like? Any allergies?"
"Nothing in particular."
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Kiyotaka sat with them as he asked, "So? Any movies you'd recommend to me?"
Junpei thought about it and asked, "I'm guessing you don't like gory movies?"
Kiyotaka shook his head, saying, "It's not that I dislike them. I just don't see the appeal."
Junpei thought about it for a second and then said, "Then how about we watch Star Wars?"
Kiyotaka looked to him, asking, "Star Wars?" in confusion.
Junpei looked surprised, asking, "You don't know what Star Wars is?"
Kiyotaka shook his head as Junpei was shocked, saying, "Let's put it on then!"
They watched the first movie as Junpei's mom started making dinner.
Junpei laughed hysterically at all the nitpicking Kiyotaka did at the scenes he didn't think made sense, as Junpei's mom watches them thinking, 'That boy is so stoic for his age, but Junpei is smiling so widely right now. I'm happy he found a nice friend.'
She smiled as she prepared the food and said, "Dinner is ready! You can watch while you eat, but come get it first."
They paused the movie and got their food as Junpei smiled, saying, "Thanks, mom," before they sat back down and began eating while they watched.
Time passed as Kiyotaka asked, "What is with all the twirling and hitting each other's blades? Twirling leaves you open to an attack, and the point of sword fighting isn't to hit your opponent's blade but your opponent."
Junpei looked surprised, asking, "Did you do Kendo or Fencing?"
"I studied some Swordsmanship when I was younger."
Junpei looked shocked, saying, "Whoa! That's cool!"
He then considered Kiyotaka's question before saying, "I think that Lightsabers are attracted to each other a bit? But that's from the TV series."
"TV Series?"
Kiyotaka asked this as Junpei smiled and said, "3 Seasons of Clone Wars. 7 Seasons of The Clone Wars and 4 Seasons of Rebels. But those are just some of my favourite ones."
Junpei's mom was asleep as Kiyotaka then turned to Junpei and said, "Thank you for introducing me to all of this."
Junpei smiled and said, "No problem."
Kiyotaka then looked at him seriously and said, "I'll warn you one more time. Stay clear of whatever you're in contact with. Nothing good will come from it."
Junpei sweated and said, "Al... alright."
However, despite wanting to heed Ayanokoji Kiyotaka's advice, Yoshino Junpei was not given the chance to do so, as that night his mother would lose her life.
Kiyotaka gave him his phone number and said, "If you need to talk, then call me."
Junpei nodded, saying, "Sure."
Before he left, Kiyotaka turned to Junpei and said, "Thank your mother for me. The food was nice."
Junpei smiled and said, "I will."
Kiyotaka then left.
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Kiyotaka met with Nanami, saying, "You're injured."
Nanami sighed and said, "I'm fine."
Kiyotaka leaned against the wall and then said, "I recommend that Yoshino Junpei be surveilled. Though he's not the culprit, he clearly has connections to the culprit."
"What connection do you think he has?"
"The culprit killed three students who abused him. I think he feels gratitude due to that. He is being manipulated. Maybe even taking him and his mother to Jujutsu High might be the right decision until we deal with the Curse."
Kiyotaka said this as Nanami said, "That won't work."
Kiyotaka could sense some kind of bad news coming as he asked, "Why not?"
"Yoshino Nagi. His mother was found dead last night. The lower half of her body was missing, and one of Sukuna's fingers was found at the scene."
Nanami said this as Kiyotaka's eyes widened, thinking, 'Dead? Not good!'
"I'm going to go locate him."
Kiyotaka said this as Nanami nodded, saying, "That's fine, but stay away from the Curse. Let me handle it.
Kiyotaka nodded, saying, "Alright."
Nanami then said, "If you see the Curse, then grab him and run as far as you can."
Kiyotaka nodded, saying, "I understand", but thinking, 'I can't keep my word on that. I have to keep my end of the binding vow with Gojo and Junpei... is innocent.'
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Nanami stood in the sewers as he looked to see the sheer amount of Transfigured humans, thinking, 'Just how many innocent people has he transfigured already?'
Ino looked at Nanami and asked, "Is this for real?"
Nanami sighed as he turned to Ino and said, "Pull up the notices of missing people."
Ino nodded, saying, "Got it," as he took out his phone and scrolled through it.
Nanami took out his cleaver and asked, "So?"
"10 missing people have been reported in the area."
Nanami looked to the 100 transfigured humans and said, "So about 90 of them are clones, meaning if we find and kill the main bodies, the others will die."
Nanami sighed, thinking, 'I'm not going into overtime.'
He turned to Ino and said, "If you manage to kill 4 of the main bodies, I'll recommend you for promotion to Grade 1."
Ino looked to Nanami, shocked, asking, "Seriously?!!"
Nanami fixed his tie and said, "But if I have to go into overtime, you'll have to look to someone else for promotion," as Ino sweated.
Ino smiled and said, "It'll be a piece of cake!" as the two of them rushed in.
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[Geto] stood on a building and said, "Good job, Mahito. With that distraction, you should be able to give it a go."
Mahito smiled and asked, "Are you sure I can't handle the vessel and the 7:3 sorcerer at the same time?"
[Geto] smiled and said, "You'll die if you try it. Even a miracle won't save you."
Mahito sighed and said, "Fine. Fine", as he then asked, "What's next?"
[Geto] smiled and said, "A veil for our fun test subject, Yoshino Junpei."
Mahito looked awkward as he asked, "How do I make a veil?"
[Geto] deadpanned before saying, "Oh? I guess I'll teach you on the spot then."
The two headed towards Satozakura High School.
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Everyone in the audience hall collapsed as the fatass tried to wake them, asking, "H-Hey! What's wrong with you guys?!"
The fatass shook one of the students, trying to wake them, shouting, "Get a grip! Are you okay?"
"They're not dead."
Junpei, wearing all black, said this as he walked up to the fatass.
He had not been able to heed Ayanokoji Kiyotaka's advice. After his mother's death, out of desperation for the truth, he had gone to Mahito, convinced that he was trustworthy. That Mahito could help him get revenge. In the end, he had ignored Aynokoji Kiyotaka's advice.
The Fatass looked up, saying, "Yoshino? Why...? Wait, do you know what's going on here?"
Junpei lifted his bangs, revealing the cigarette burns as he said, "Sensei. Make sure you're watching..."
The fatass finally realised how serious the situation was, saying, "You... Those scars... That's..."
Junpei walked towards the stage, saying, "... what's already happened, and what's going to happen.
A pig boy looked at Junpei, sweating like the pig he is, as he stuttered out, "Yoshino..."
Junpei looked to the pig boy and asked, "I have a question for you. Are you the one who left that in my home?"
The pig boy, in his confidence, then said, "What are you-" as the pig boy flinched in pain as a purple rash appeared on the pig boy's arm.
The pig boy's face contorted as he shouted, "Wh-what is this? What did you do?!"
The pig boy held his arm in pain as Junpei then said, "That's no good," before punching the pig boy as the pig boy fell to the floor, and Junpei asked, "Do you think you're in a position to answer questions with your own questions?" before kicking him in the stomach.
Junpei continued kicking the pig boy, saying, "You are going to die. Whether your answer is yes or no, after all, I don't have a technique to see through your lies, and you've already done more than enough to earn it!"
Junpei raised his hand, saying, "So show some sincerity in your final moments, at least", as the pig boy floated in the air.
The pig boy's face was roughed up to the point that he now actually resembled a pig as he said, "I'm... sorry..."
"And? Come on!"
Junpei shouted this, his eyes twitching when Kiyotaka entered the room, saying, "I already told you, didn't I? It's okay to curse people who have wronged you, but don't take it too far."
Junpei looked to him, saying, "I'm not taking it too far. You said curse the person who curses you proportionally! I'm letting him off easy right now! I should do more!"
Kiyotaka looked to him and said, "I told you not to trust that creature."
Junpei looked angry, shouting, "Mahito told me the truth! This pig! This scum hired someone to leave Sukuna's finger in my house. Because of him! My mother is dead!!! Do you have any idea what I'm feeling?!! Maybe you don't. Maybe you don't understand because you don't have a mother. She left you the first chance she got!"
Kiyotaka stood there unfazed as he then said, "You can't just hire someone to place one of Sukuna's fingers somewhere. There are only 20 in the entire world. 8 of which are in the possession of the Jujutsu Society. Also, no matter how much money you have, no sane person would use a Cursed Object as powerful as that to kill an ordinary woman and then abandon it."
Kiyotaka stepped forward and said, "Mahito is lying to you. Curses naturally like to kill and toy with humans because they're made up of the negative emotions of humans who leak Cursed Energy due to their fear of things."
Junpei's eyes widened. Mahito himself had said that he was created from the fears of humanity towards each other. He looked to Kiyotaka, shouting, "Then... then what am I supposed to do?!!"
Kiyotaka looked to him and said, "If you're just going to beat that guy up, I don't mind. Just don't kill him."
Junpei let go of the guy, saying, "No. It's over."
Junpei looked to Kiyotaka, asking, "Ayanokoji... can I kill Mahito?"
Kiyotaka shook his head, saying, "You're too weak. I wouldn't be able to do it on my own either."
Junpei looked to Kiyotaka and then said, "Then let's do it together. He killed my mother. I'm going to kill him!"
Kiyotaka nodded as he then said, "Very well. Exorcising a Curse of that level will make you a Jujutsu Sorcerer. Got it? It's not something I'd recommend to anyone. You'll have to risk your life many times for others. You could die."
Junpei stood up, standing next to Kiyotaka and saying, "I don't care. I'll kill him."
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To Be Continued
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Rating Out Of 10 For This Chapter?
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