Ryosuke raised his hands in a peace gesture.
"Hey, Auntie, the cat's doing just fine! Actually, you've already met him… remember?"
Yuki froze for a moment, processing this new bit of information. Her eyes widened slightly as she slowly lowered Garuda. She stepped closer to Ryosuke, her expression intrigued, her gaze intense.
"Wait… are you talking about that cat next to Sayuri, the one that wouldn't stop staring at me the other day?" she asked, almost in disbelief.
Ryosuke nodded. "Yep, that's the one! It's not an ordinary cat anymore. I managed to alter his soul… and infused it with some of my cursed energy."
Yuki frowned.
"Are you telling me… that cat can use cursed energy?" Her voice carried a tinge of disbelief, as if the idea was too far-fetched to grasp.
Ryosuke blushed slightly, but eventually replied, a little embarrassed, "Yeah… well, it's still pretty basic. He can only handle small amounts for now. I still have to work on optimizing the process."
Yuki was silent, lost in thought, then slowly lifted her head, her gaze serious.
"Ryosuke… tell me, are you planning to become an official jujutsu sorcerer?"
The question caught Ryosuke off guard, leaving him momentarily speechless.
"Well… I'm not really sure," he finally murmured, uncertain. "I mean… it's possible to stay anonymous, right? Some sorcerers choose to work from the shadows, after all."
She nodded, acknowledging his point, but her eyes remained pensive and serious.
"Yes, you could stay anonymous… But just know you'd have very few resources. And support is almost non-existent for those outside the official system, unless they belong to a major jujutsu clan. And trust me, even in the shadows, the dangers are very real and often unpredictable."
"So… what would you suggest, Auntie?"
Ryosuke wasn't keen on joining a Jujutsu High, fearing it might disrupt his storyline and prevent him from reaching the goals he'd set for himself. Yet, his aunt's visit couldn't have come at a better time. He wanted an outsider's perspective.
Yuki replied, "In Japan, there are two official training centers for jujutsu sorcerers. One is in Tokyo, and the other in Kyoto. Since you're already in Tokyo, it'd make sense to join that one."
Ryosuke fell silent, deep in thought. Joining a jujutsu high school… Was it really necessary? He understood the benefits: more resources, better mastery over his abilities, and the chance to meet the sorcerers who were legends in this world. The idea of crossing paths with the protagonists—even the hero—sparked a certain thrill within him.
But on the other hand, he felt this choice could change everything. Joining the official system meant he'd likely draw attention, and he both feared and craved that spotlight. If he stepped into the limelight, his mother and little sister could become targets. Was he ready to take that risk?
He sighed, caught in the tug of this dilemma. But why worry so much?
"Why worry about the storyline, in the end?"
Maybe, for once, he should just trust himself.
"Aunt Yuki confirmed I have a unique power, a potential that few sorcerers possess. And I have Overhaul. If I decide to push it to its maximum…"
He was capable of defying the rules themselves. No enemy could truly harm him. And no threat would endanger those he loved.
Caught up in these thoughts, he looked up at the sky, as if searching for answers among the branches swaying gently in the breeze.
Then, beside him, his aunt Yuki did the same, her gaze somber, her lips tightening in a slight frown of concern.
"What's he doing here?" she muttered under her breath.
Ryosuke frowned, trying to sense the same presence that Yuki seemed to have detected. He focused, feeling the energy radiating in the air around them.
He could make out a calm flow of cursed energy nearing the edge of the dark barrier.
A few seconds later, a dark figure appeared, piercing through the veil of cursed energy as if it were nothing. The figure seemed to float as it descended toward them.
As the figure came into clearer view, Ryosuke's eyes widened in shock, his breath catching, his heart pounding wildly.
"Him... here?"
TO BE CONTINUED!
Next Chapter: It's not Polite to steal Someone else's Godson