Kaito sat cross-legged on the woven mat, focused on the kaiawase shells before him. He delicately turned a painted shell in his hand, examining its red maple leaf design, memorizing every curve and stroke. Incense smoke curled lazily around him, filling the quiet room with its earthy scent. Just as he matched another pair, a familiar voice cut through the silence.
"Yes, Saya," he sighed, not looking up. He pinched the incense end to stop its glow, letting a last thin wisp of smoke drift upward.
"You heard me?" Saya leaned against the doorframe, her arms crossed, feigning surprise. "You didn't even flinch. Usually, I have to call you at least twice to get you out of whatever ancient ritual you're doing."
Kaito smiled faintly, still placing the shells back in their tray with care. "It's called concentration, Saya. Maybe you could pick up a thing or two about it."
She rolled her eyes as he stood, brushing off his cloak and stretching his arms with a relaxed sigh. "Oh please," she scoffed, looking down at the shell game dismissively. "What are you learning from matching seashells? How to look busy while doing nothing?"
"Patience, control," Kaito replied smoothly, his gaze teasing as he adjusted his cloak. "Two things you're in short supply of, I'd say."
She stepped forward and gave him a light punch on the arm. "And I'd say you could try something a little more, I don't know, exciting? You're about as thrilling as wet rice sometimes." But then her expression shifted to something more serious. "Actually, Kin called you. There's a meeting he wants you at."
Kaito arched a brow, studying her as they began walking down the hallway. "Kin? And you're just now telling me this?"
She shrugged, hands up in mock surrender. "Hey, I thought I'd see if you could tear yourself away from the shells for once. Besides, I had to get your attention somehow."
Kaito sighed, shaking his head. "Lucky I didn't catch you listening outside my room last week, or I'd be paying you back for that."
"Oh, please! You wouldn't dare," she scoffed, matching his pace. "And anyway, what could I even hear that'd be worth it? All you do is match shells and meditate."
Kaito chuckled as they turned down another corridor. "And you're just sore because you couldn't even sit still through a lesson if you tried."
Saya shot him a playful glare. "Right, because I actually do things. Besides, don't get too smug. Seiji almost wiped the floor with you last time you sparred."
Kaito paused, raising an eyebrow. "That was years ago, Saya," he replied, his voice dry. "If he tried now, I'd have him on the ground in a heartbeat."
"Sure, sure," Saya teased, poking him in the side as they kept walking. "Just saying, I'd love to see that rematch."
Kaito rolled his eyes, a faint smirk playing on his lips. "If you're that curious, maybe you can tell Kin I'm busy reliving my 'glory days' and can't make his meeting."
"Oh, no," she said, elbowing him with a grin. "I want to be in on whatever Kin's cooking up. If you're going, I'm coming too."
Kaito gave her a knowing look. "Fine. Just don't complain if it's not your brand of 'excitement.' Not all of us live for action, Saya."
She huffed in mock indignation. "Right, 'cause you're just a stoic monk with no need for excitement," she said, her eyes gleaming.
Kaito rolled his eyes, trying to stifle a grin as they neared the exit of the manor. "Watch it," he warned.
The courtyard was bathed in the soft glow of morning light, revealing its meticulously crafted beauty. A series of delicate stone paths wove through lush greenery and carefully pruned trees, and in the center, an elaborate fountain burbled gently. The sound of water trickling over marble echoed through the air, blending with the occasional rustle of bamboo leaves stirred by a light breeze.
Kaito's gaze wandered to the fountain, his eyes tracking the droplets as they sparkled in the sunlight. As they passed through, he flexed his fingers, clenching and releasing his hand as if testing an invisible pulse.
"Hey," Saya's voice broke through, her tone uncharacteristically gentle. "How're you holding up, after… everything with the Hiranos?"
Kaito paused, glancing down at his hand. "It's… strange. My senses feel heightened, like the energy hasn't fully settled. Everything's a bit too sharp."
He drifted into a brief memory..
{~}
Maneuvering around Tetsuya, Kaito emerged behind him, a wicked grin adorning his face. "I've waited for this moment..."
Tetsuya turned, meeting Kaito's gaze. "For so long..!"
BZZT!
BANG!
{~}
Saya, however, wasn't about to let him brood. She smacked the back of his head with a smirk. "Good. Means you felt that, too."
Kaito groaned, raising a hand to rub the spot she hit. "Come on, Saya…"
Before he could retaliate, a voice called out across the courtyard.
"Kaito!"
He glanced over, straightening immediately at the sight of Kin approaching. "Lucky," he muttered under his breath, nodding with respect. "Kin."
Kin came to a stop in front of them, his expression mildly reproachful. "I called for you half an hour ago."
Kaito shot a pointed look at Saya. "I was only just informed," he replied dryly, raising an eyebrow.
Saya gave a casual shrug, her smirk unrepentant.
Kin's gaze softened a fraction as he looked between them. "Actually, I wanted to talk to both of you."
Kaito exchanged a quick glance with Saya, his curiosity piqued. They nodded, falling into step alongside Kin as they made their way toward the main hall.
"How've you two been holding up? Things haven't exactly been calm lately, especially with everything that happened." Kin asked, glancing back at the two as he continued his stride.
Kaito and Saya exchanged a look, Saya breaking the silence with a grin. "Kaito's been playing kaiawase every morning. Says it 'helps him focus.' But I think he just likes showing off his patience."
Kaito rolled his eyes but chuckled, giving Kin a half-smile. "I've been practicing, sure. Helps keep my mind off… things."
Kin nodded knowingly, his gaze warm. "Good. You'll need that focus for what's coming next."
Saya leaned in, nudging Kin's arm playfully. "Is this the part where you give us a grand speech about duty?"
"Something like that." Kin laughed, giving her a light nudge back. "Though, I don't think you need reminding of that."
They continued in comfortable silence for a moment, a rare, quiet peace shared between them. As they neared the entrance, Kin halted, glancing between them with a thoughtful smile. "We're headed into the main meeting hall—strictly for the head and higher-ups," he remarked, arching an eyebrow at Saya. "Kaito gets a pass because he's the heir, but you… well, I know you can get him to spill the details later, like you always do."
Saya laughed, shrugging with faux innocence. "Who, me? I'd never!"
Kin chuckled, giving her shoulder a warm squeeze before turning to Kaito. "You'll be all right in there, yeah? This will be a lot to take in, but I'll be there to explain it."
Kaito nodded, catching the reassuring look in Kin's eye before they stepped into the hall. Kin led the way, and the air inside was thick with the scent of incense and old wood. The meeting hall, spacious and dimly lit, was a reserved space only for the clan's most influential members. Around the long wooden table sat several figures, each one dignified, some appearing almost ancient with the weight of age. They looked up as Kin entered, their gazes sharp but welcoming.
An older man with a stern face and a silvered beard gave a respectful nod. "Kin," he greeted. "Glad you could join us—and Kaito, too." His eyes moved over Kaito, sizing him up.
Kaito dipped his head in respect, his eyes sweeping the room to take in the various faces.
He looked first to Takeda, then Rina, Jun, and finally Daisuke. Each gave him a brief nod, an acknowledgment of the young heir now seated among them. There were a few others, but he didn't recognize them. Both Kin and Kaito took their seats.
Kin cleared his throat, signaling the start of their meeting.
here's where we stand. The HIrano clan's lost its head, and they're in a vulnerable spot. Shirogane Fujiwara came through with information on Kyofu Nakamura, knowing full well that if the Hirano clan falls, Fujiwara stands to gain. They're not just watching for a weak rival; they're poised to sweep up Hirano's contracts, their allies—basically every source of income and influence the Hirano clan left untended."
Takeda, one of the more experienced strategists, leaned forward, elbows resting on the table. "The Hirano controlled a broad system of payments and contracts, feeding into all parts of the sorcery network with their structure in flux, anyone under Hirano's protection or payroll will be looking for new benefactors. This opens up financial streams that could benefit the Fujimoto clan considerably. If we're careful, we can pull in their highest-earning contracts and integrate them into our own roster, setting ourselves up for growth."
Kin nodded, his eyes shifting around the table. "Exactly. The Fujimoto clan moves up the ranks if we play this right. But we're not doing this alone. With the Fujiwara backing us, we're in a strong position—but I want Gojo's support as well. If there's any friction over the fallout of Hirano's decline, having Gojo on our side tips things in our favor and brings us closer to the top."
One of the other senior members, Masamichi, gave a nod. "Good thinking. We've all heard the rumors; Gojo's not shy about their own ambitions. They're eager to test out that new sorcerer of theirs—the one with both Six Eyes and Limitless."
Another elder, Hideki, added, "And if this new sorcerer's got the combination of both techniques, they could pose a significant threat. The Fujiwara's has their elite Stars Sun and Moon squad, but the Gojos may be angling to match them by showcasing this poster boy of theirs."
Kin shifted slightly. "Yes, they'll want to use this opportunity to demonstrate their own power. And if they're trying to step into Fujiwara's league, it could mean a shift in influence. That could affect all of us, but if we can involve them on our terms, it puts the Fujimoto clan in a better position."
He paused, then addressed the room. "Now, onto the Fujiwara-led mission at that inn. It's been about a week since a team of their clan members, along with two mercenaries affiliated with the Hayashi Alliance, went in to investigate. None of them returned, and the Jujutsu Society has been offering increased compensation to resolve the situation. The Gojo's interested in stepping in now, and if we propose a joint contract, the payout for everyone involved would increase."
Hideki, eyes narrowed thoughtfully, nodded in agreement. "A joint contract. That could work in our favor. Gojo will be able to strut their power, and we'll have our own to reinforce our standing. The Society would see it as goodwill on both sides and increase the contract value for the additional protection."
Kin's lips curved in a faint smile. "Not to mention, it'll give us a chance to gauge the Gojo clan's 'poster boy' for ourselves. Let's see if he really lives up to all the hype."
Kaito, who had been listening carefully, glanced over at Kin. "So we're building relations with Gojo while sizing up their new sorcerer?"
Kin raised an eyebrow at Kaito, impressed. "Precisely. We get Gojo's support if tensions rise with Hirano's remnants, and we also get a look at what kind of threat we're dealing with."
An elder across the table, Takeru, chuckled and nodded. "Smart thinking, Kaito. Your uncle's taught you well."
Kin's face softened, and a faint blush colored his cheeks. "He's catching on quickly. I may be filling his father's role, but I learned most of my parenting tricks from him before… Well, Kaito's father had a way of guiding others."
Masato offered a respectful nod. "Your brother would be proud of the way you've carried on, Kin. And Kaito," he added with a faint smile, "keep listening. This game is won by knowing your allies and your enemies alike."
Kin nodded a final time, and Kaito began drifting in his thoughts.