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After the two of them undid the barrier around the field, they were immediately met with the furious gazes of the two principals, who proceeded to chew them out for a full thirty minutes before exhausting themselves.
Satoru and Naoya responded by saying they would PROBABLY not do something like that again, which only made more veins pop on the principals' foreheads because of their half-hearted attitude.
Satoru and Naoya then told the students to go change, as they would be going out to eat.
"Satoru will be treating all of us, so thank him and try your best to make him broke tonight!"
Naoya rallied the students, Shoko and Utahime together as they cheered after him.
They looked at Satoru and gave a polite bow.
"Thanks for treating us!"
"Don't sweat it.... Not treating the wannabe priestess, though."
Satoru gave a stink eye to Utahime.
Utahime returned the gaze before snorting.
"I can handle my tab on my own."
"Hmph, then do so."
"I will do it. I don't need your charity."
The two glared at each other as sparks started to form between them.
Naoya looked at the scene.
Not worth butting into.
He looked at himself. After the fight, he was quite dirty and needed to go and change.
"Text me the spot. I will meet you all after getting refreshed and changed."
"Hm? I need to change, too. Okay, I will send you a message, as for you all remember the sushi place we went to last time, we will be going there, take the Kyoto students with you too. Tell them that the reservation is under my name and head to the VIP area. I have informed those guys."
The Tokyo students gave a nod and dispersed. They will need to change, too.
Satoru was gone as well, leaving only Naoya and Utahime behind.
"Seriously, that dumbass."
"Cut him some slack, he has a few screws loose."
"Don't try to take his side."
"I take no one's side other than mine. Normal bickering like this is not something for me to take sides in anyway."
"Hmph"
Naoya gave a helpless smile, seeing Utahime venting and ending up annoyed because of Satoru.
"Oh, I forgot to tell you this....I told father...about us."
"!!!"
Utahime instantly forgot her irritation and stared at him with widened eyes.
She genuinely looked like a deer caught in headlights.
"...What did he say?"
"'Hmm...she sounds good to enter the Zenin clan....will need to see her myself though.' were his words. You are in the clear."
Naoya gave a thumbs up.
Utahime didn't know what to think of it. Naoya's father's words were quite lacklustre. Was he against it?
"Doesn't matter if he is for or against. I am not considering taking an opinion about love from the clan on this topic. It is out of the syllabus for them," replied Naoya and gently took her hand.
"Don't fret it. Okay?"
Utahime looked at him for a while before she sighed.
"If you say so. That's your family. I will leave their worries to you."
"Haha. Well, it's in their best interests not to annoy me. I am willing to believe that they are smart enough now to know that."
The two walked as Naoya dropped Utahime off at her room at the teachers' block's guest rooms and then went back to the Zenin clan to get refreshed and changed.
Once changed, the entire group met at the sushi place where Gojo was treating them. It belonged to the Gojo family so sorcerers could enjoy their time in peace, especially Panda and Mechamaru, who was right now in a compact body. Almost looking like a toy robot.
All in all, the entire evening was a mix of fun and chaos, and just like that, the 2017 Goodwill event came to an end.
-----
A few months have passed by since the Goodwill event:
Currently, at the Fushiguro residence in Tokyo, little Tomoko was pacing impatiently near the entrance.
*DING-DONG*
Tomoko's face instantly brightened as she sprinted toward the intercom before anyone else could reach it.
"Hello! Fushiguro residence!"
Tomoko greeted cheerfully.
"Good afternoon, ma'am. We have a delivery for one troublemaker named Tomoko-san."
Naoya's voice came through the intercom.
"Uncle!"
Tomoko immediately ran up to the door, opened it and jumped on Naoya.
"Woah. That excited to see me?"
"Yes!"
Tomoko replied with a toothy grin.
"What about me, Tomoko-chan?"
Utahime peeked out from behind Naoya's shoulder.
Tomoko's smile slowly disappeared.
She looked away from her and clicked her tongue.
"Tch."
"Why?!"
Utahime's cheerful expression immediately turned into that of one on the verge of crying.
Tomoko Fushiguro had developed a childish crush on her uncle Naoya from a very young age.
Unfortunately, there was a terrible villain standing in her way.
That villain's name was Utahime Iori.
In Tomoko's tiny brain, Utahime was a shameless hussy trying to steal her prince away.
"You are not even liked by kids. Hehe. Tomo-chan! Don't worry! This fiend won't be able to come close to you. You ask why? Because I am here!"
Satoru Gojo suddenly popped out from Naoya's other side.
"WHY ARE YOU HERE?!?!" yelled Tomoko and glared at Satoru.
"EH?!?!?!?!"
There wasn't even a deep reason behind it anymore.
She simply hated the evil white-haired man who stole both her snacks and her uncle's attention whenever he appeared.
Satoru Gojo ranked even lower than Utahime in her books.
"Hahaha. Looks like she hates you."
"Like you are one to talk!"
The two unwanted people started arguing, making Naoya sigh and look at the cute troublemaker who made the other two act like that.
"Why did you inherit nee-san's cuteness but nii-san's attitude?" asked Naoya while patting her head.
Tomoko smiled, hearing Naoya calling her cute while she promptly ignored the other party.
"Oi. What's that supposed to mean? Am I not cute enough for her to inherit from me too?"
Like a ghost, Toji Fushiguro appeared out of nowhere and looked at Naoya with an annoyed look on his face.
"...Do you never look into mirrors?"
"I do. A breathtakingly handsome hunk looks back at me every time."
The two Zenins stared at each other blankly.
"Now give me back my daugh—"
"No! I want to stay with Uncle!" yelled Tomoko as she tightened her grip around Naoya.
Toji suffered critical damage because of that.
Naoya's chest swelled with pride as he walked straight past Toji while carrying Tomoko.
Utahime and Satoru both gave the devastated father reassuring pats on the shoulder before entering as well.
"Toji dear, close the door. Bugs and Mosquitos will get inside."
Miyuki Fushiguro greeted the guests before immediately grabbing Tomoko by the ear.
"And who exactly is going to clean up all the toys in your room?"
"Ow ow ow! Mom! Not in front of Uncle!"
"Bad girl, Tomo. Go clean your room."
Tomoko's face fell.
Even Uncle was siding against her.
"I've brought a whole cake-"
She immediately jumped out of Naoya's arms, did a dramatic flip, landed perfectly, and sprinted upstairs toward her room.
"This girl...all because you and Toji spoil her this much," said Miyuki as she gave a helpless sigh.
"Hey, why am I getting blamed?" retorted Naoya.
"When have I ever spoiled her unnecessarily?" retorted Toji.
Miyuki gave a 'look' to both the Zenins.
Toji and Naoya looked away.
Naoya had a habit of spoiling the kids since he was busy raising Maki, Mai, and Megumi. He was doing the same with Tomoko, too.
Toji simply felt that his little girl was cuter than the bum of his son. Tomoko herself had even confidentially informed him that she liked him more than her mother.
Miyuki continued to stare at the two hopeless idiots for a while before she sighed.
"So what is the important matter that you wanted to discuss, and why the company?" asked Toji, looking at Utahime and Gojo.
Satoru Gojo was acquainted with the Fushiguros thanks to Megumi and Tomoko. Though not liked and hated by the two kids, respectively, Satoru was very familiar with the two of them, and coincidentally, on an outing with Naoya and the kids, he met Toji and Miyuki and thus got acquainted with the two of them as well.
Toji, for one, knew Satoru very well. Back in his assassination days, Satoru Gojo was one of the highest bounty individuals, and for one day, getting his hands on that juicy moolah, Toji prepared to keep tabs and find ways to end the Gojo heir.
Though now that was a thing of the past, now he was simply an annoying kid who was his cousin's friend.
"No reason, came to meet Miyuki-san," said Utahime.
"I followed Naoya," said Satoru shamelessly.
"I for one do have business with you all," said Naoya.
Toji looked at the three of them with annoyance before he felt his ear being pulled by Miyuki.
"What is that look on your face?"
"It's a look of utmost hospitality passed down through our lineage," replied Toji with a straight face.
Naoya looked at him. Unfortunately, that genuinely was the default Zenin welcoming face.
"Is Megumi home?" asked Naoya.
"Yes," replied Miyuki.
"Mind calling him?"
Toji and Miyuki looked at Naoya with slight confusion before they gave a nod and called for Megumi.
-----
Currently, in the living room, Toji, Miuki, Megumi and Naoya sat around.
Gojo and Utahime were waiting in the other room, along with Maki and Mai, who arrived at the Fushiguro's as well.
"So what is this important talk?" asked Toji.
"It's about Megumi."
Megumi, the man in question, slightly widened his eyes and looked at Naoya before turning to his parents. He wanted to know what this was all about.
"Have you decided what path he is going to take? He is about to complete junior high. Will he follow the path of a normal civilian or become a Jujutsu Sorcerer?"
Hearing his question, Toji understood what Naoya's agenda for today was.
Miyuki and Megumi understood what Naoya was asking, but didn't understand why he asked that so seriously.
Naoya understood what the mother and son were thinking and explained it to them.
"If Megumi enrolls into Jujutsu High, the Jujutsu Society will inevitably start looking into him. And once that happens, nii-san and the rest of the family will most likely end up under their radar too." {A/N: As per the rules, I have put " if " before Megumi.}
Naoya knew that Toji was trying his best to keep away from the Jujutsu Society and the shady side of the world. Despite his time as an assassin, the people who knew what he looked like could barely be counted on one hand, and Naoya was guessing that even among those, most of them would have been buried six feet under by Toji. It was because of this that, despite being in the show business, not much trouble came his way.
The Fushiguros were living a happy life, and Toji, who had been ostracised for the majority of his life, now has a place where he can be happy. Naoya didn't want that to be taken away from him or his family.
Toji became serious as he thought about what to do.
Megumi turned silent as he looked down, trying to think what he should do. He wanted to become strong just like his father and uncle, so that he could protect those he cares about and keep them safe, but if by doing so he puts his family in danger.....
Miyuki didn't know what to say in this matter. She might be aware of the magically cursed world because of her ties to Toji and Naoya, but her understanding of the whole thing was not that eye-opening.
She has seen the horrifying monsters called 'curses' through the curse-viewing glasses, and she really doesn't want to see anything like that ever again. Those creatures were straight out of a horror movie.
Toji, who was in deep thought, finally looked up.
"Megumi."
"Y-Yes?"
"What do you wanna do?"
Megumi felt as if the pressure of the whole situation suddenly came crashing down on him.
"...I will continue ahead with the normal life. I am already used to it, and my friends will be there too. I have already chosen some of the schools to apply to. They require a bit of high academic ability, but I will be fine if I study-"
Toji took out a toy gun that he had been using to train Tomoko and fired a BB bullet dead centre on Megumi's forehead.
"OW! What was that for?!"
Megumi covered his forehead in pain.
"Why the hell are your eyes so unfocused if you're talking about something you supposedly want? If you want something, say it with conviction."
Toji glared at Megumi while Megumi glared back at Toji.
"WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO SAY?! I DON'T WANT THE WHOLE FAMILY TO GET TARGETED BECAUSE OF MY DECISION!!!!"
"The hell are you worrying about that for? I asked what you wanted. The jujutsu world's my mess. I'll deal with it myself. I don't need some brat who can't even grow a proper beard worrying about adult problems."
Toji retorted.
The father and son started to get angrier at each other.
Miyuki looked between them, not knowing whose side she should take here. She turned to Naoya, wanting him to intervene between them, but her brother-in-law shook her head and gestured for her to stay calm for a bit.
"I just want to be strong enough to protect my friends and family and keep them safe! I can simply work hard on my own and continue my normal life!"
"Heh, you think you can be of use and protect someone like that?" mocked Toji.
"Why You?!"
Toji fired another BB bullet at him.
"Listen here."
Megumi glared at Toji but waited for him to speak his part.
"You think I am weak by any means?"
Toji asked that seriously.
Megumi didn't say anything for a while before he shook his head.
To Megumi, his father, Toji, was one of the strongest people there was. Sure, his uncle was stronger, but Toji was the one he wanted to be recognised by.
"Damn right. I am hella amazing and strong. Most sorcerers who come from a great background and boast their amazing talent are absolutely shit against me....yet despite that, I can confidently say that I am not saving anyone out there."
He wasn't a hero.
He fought only when paid, when training, or when someone threatened his family.
Otherwise?
The world could burn for all he cared.
"You think that a half-assed runt like you can simply be better than those who stake their lives to train themselves to be better and protect those close to you. Hell no, you can't. You know why? Because you won't even be doing the work that is needed to keep them safe. You will be sitting on your ass, 'enjoying' your normal life because your indecisive and untrusting head decided not to follow what you want."
Toji stood up and walked up to Megumi.
"I stay away from the jujutsu world because I hate those bastards, and they hate me back. But that's my problem. Not yours. If they come after us, then me and this stupid brother of mine will deal with it."
He jabbed a thumb toward Naoya.
"So get off your high horse and let us do what we need to do. Follow what you want to do without thinking of useless things. That is for us adults to worry about, not kids like you."
Toji said his piece and looked straight into Megumi's eyes.
Megumi stared at Toji when, suddenly, he felt a hand on top of his head.
"We aren't forcing you," Naoya said calmly while ruffling his hair. "If you truly want a normal life, say it clearly. I'll even fight nii-san for you if needed. But if you want Jujutsu High, say that properly too."
Naoya smiled softly.
"Even if you become a sorcerer, it doesn't chain you forever. You can still quit later, go to college, work a normal job—whatever you want."
"I may not be quite active now, but I can sure as hell keep my family safe and sound. Just keep that in mind before you make a decision. No need to answer now. Take a full week and tell us then. Blow off some steam."
Toji said and pocketed the toy gun.
Megumi looked at his father's back... He really looked quite reliable at this moment. Something he hadn't felt in quite a wh-
A BB bullet came flying straight at him and struck his forehead.
"OW!"
Toji looked at his son's agony and smirked.
"Heh"
Megumi's fists clenched as his hands inavedrently moved to form a sign. {A/N: With this treasure I summon.}
"Nope. Not taught you for that."
Naoya immediately grabbed Megumi's hands and lowered them.
Megumi looked at his uncle and sighed.
-----
They came out of the room only to find Utahime, Maki, and Mai glaring at Gojo and Tomoko.
Gojo and Tomoko had cake smeared all over their mouths.
"What's happening here?" asked Miyuki.
"Nee-san! Satoru and Tomoko ate the entire cake!!!" snitched Maki instantly.
"That's not true!!!"
Tomoko spoke up in defence.
"Yeah! Say it Tomo-ch-"
"Satoru ate it on his own and gave me a teeny tiny piece to shift the blame to me!!!"
Satoru froze in betrayal.
Maki and Mai widened their eyes.
The child had perfectly inherited their old tactics.
Tomoko looked like a damsel who had been wronged.
Unfortunately for her, this trick was well known in this household.
--- A few minutes later ---
Satoru and Tomo were found facing a wall as a punishment.
"It's so not fair," whined Tomo.
"That's what you get for trying to push me under the bus," grumbled Satoru.
"Be a man and take the blame for the lady."
"Huh? Lady? You? Pfft- Nice one. Grow up first."
"Huh?! I am a lady!"
"Want me to spank you, lady?" asked Miyuki in a cold tone as she stood behind Tomoko.
"What in 'You are being punished' did you not understand?" asked Naoya as he stood behind Gojo.
Both of them stiffened and stood straight at the wall.
"We are back!"
The voice came from the door.
Maki, Mai, and Megumi were sent on an errand to get some food.
After yelling at Megumi earlier, it was Toji's way of saying sorry. The brute wasn't going to say it directly.
The table was set up, and all of them except for the two who were punished sat down to eat.
"You know, a wise man once said people should forgive others for mistakes caused by temporary lapses in judgment."
Gojo's voice came.
"Good people find it in their heart to give others a second chance."
Tomoko's voice came.
Naoya looked at the two problem children.
They were looking back at them with puppy eyes.
Naoya looked at the rest of the people at the table.
They looked at each other before their gazes moved collectively towards Miyuki.
"*Sigh* Alright, sit down, you two."
"Yay~ Love you, Miyuki-san!"
"Love you 3000 Mom!!!"
The two ran out of the room, brought extra chairs for themselves, and sat down.
The two waited for their food, and Miyuki placed it in front of them after a while.
They looked down at the plate.
Only veggies.
They looked at their plates and then towards the others' plates.
Looked at theirs.
Looked at others.
There was a clear disparity there.
They collectively looked towards Miyuki.
She was 'smiling' at them.
They got their answer.
"You know, I am still full from the cake," Satoru said and slowly moved the plate back.
"M-Me too!" Tomoko followed Satoru's act.
"Now, now. Don't be like that. Here say 'aah~'"
Naoya smiled at them as well and picked up some veggies from their plates and moved them towards their mouth.
"Agh!"
The two fell in dilema.
On one hand, they were being forced to eat veggies.
On the other hand, it was Naoya who was feeding them.
'God... why do you test me with such difficult battles?' both thought simultaneously.
They looked at each other.
A camaraderie formed between them as they shook hands.
'For the greater good,' thought both of them.
"Aah~"
Both of them ate it.
Naoya smiled at them and continued to feed them.
With a frown on their faces, the two ate, but at the end of it, they felt that it was worth it.
Once they were done, they shot a victorious smirk at Utahime.
Utahime looked at the two, blinked, and then she casually grabbed Naoya's hand, kissed it lightly, and asked him to feed her too.
Naoya naturally did that with a smile.
A displeased expression appeared on their faces.
-----
After lunch was over, Tomo asked Naoya and the others to play with her.
They were playing role-play castle.
It was similar to playing house, but instead of a house, they were playing in a castle setting.
"So what are our roles?" asked Naoya.
"Uncle Naoya is the prince, and I am the princess who married him!" declared Tomo.
No one was surprised. It was kinda expected.
Toji, though, was thinking of poisoning the prince and killing him.
"What about me?!" asked Gojo excitedly.
"Dog," replied Tomoko with a straight face.
Gojo's face fell immediately.
"Haha. Tomo-chan really has an eye for people. She gave you a perfect role!"
Utahime laughed out loud.
"What about me?" asked Utahime.
"The witch who is burned at the stake by the mob."
Again, Tomo replied immediately with a straight face.
It was as if she already had the roles planned. {A/N: She did.}
"I agree with you, she really has an eye for people," Gojo said with a shit-eating grin.
"I apply for the role of the princess's cheating partner." Toji volunteered.
Immediately, he got smacked by Miyuki.
"What are you saying in front of her?!"
"Don't be mad, I will cheat on her with you," Toji added without any shame.
Another bonk.
"Daddy will be the baby of the prince and the princess."
Naoya patted Toji's shoulder.
"Sup, son."
"Damn yo-"
"No! Daddy is a baby! He will only do baby talk!" chided Tomo like a seasoned director.
"Gugu Gaga, you bastard," said Toji.
"Daddy! Take it seriously."
"Babuh," said Toji and gave a thumbs up.
"Okay, Mom will be-"
"I will be the baby's nanny," Miyuki said with a smile.
"Hmm...okay, I guess that is an important post."
Toji did a wall slam on Miyuki.
"Babuh gugu gaga... hot nanny."
"Daddy! Baby is still little. No walking on two legs!"
Toji looked at Tomoko and sighed before he lay on the floor and looked towards Miyuki and asked for upsies.
"Alright, now for onii-chan....he will be the court jester!"
Megumi's hand immediately balled into a fist to smack Tomoko.
Maki and Mai restrained him while laughing hysterically.
"Aunties will be the royal knight and court mage! The in charge of security!"
"Where does such a script come from in that little head of yours, my princess?" asked Naoya as he picked up Tomoko.
"I am just that smart, darling~"
Tomo replied in a princess-like demure manner.
Naoya smiled and gave a light kiss on her forehead.
Tomo's face immediately flushed as she smiled hopelessly.
Naoya smiled helplessly at her when, suddenly, he felt something wet on his legs.
He looked down. Toji somehow had a bottle of water and a straw. He was using the straw to blow water on himself.
"Buprise Buber bucker(Surprise Mother F*cker)---That's baby talk for baby peed on you."
Naoya could swear that it wasn't the case.
Gojo somehow got a bottle and a straw as well and did exactly the same thing.
"Woof---That dog for the dog peed on you."
Naoya looked at them.
Satoru then threw the bottle and straw away before he started humping Naoya's leg.
"Knight. Mage. Kill the baby. Neuter the dog and then kill him too. Give them a gruesome death," ordered Naoya.
"As you command, my liege!" Maki and Mai played along and pulled the 'Dog' and 'Baby' away and took them behind the imaginary castle.
"The baby died, so what will the nanny do now?" asked Miyuki.
"You were a secret agent on an undercover protection mission. I hereby deploy you to save the witch and bring her to my secret chambers at night."
"Such an indisciplined prince," said Miyuki and gave a nod.
Naoya looked at Megumi.
"Now, Jester. Entertain us."
Megumi stood still, not knowing what to do.
"Come on, do it. I sense potential in you."
Megumi still didn't know what to do. He started thinking, and after a while, he came up with something and was about to do something.
"Too late. Off with his head, too."
"Yes! My Liege!"
Maki and Mai jumped in the moment they received the order. For some reason, Megumi felt the two were more excited to kill him.
"I am such a tyrant," Naoya said helplessly.
Tomoko laughed at the scenes that were happening around her. This was the type of chaotic play that she liked.
Naoya looked at her.
"All right, time for my princess to go and do her princess studies."
"Huh? Study? Me? No way?!"
"Too bad. A princess needs to study and learn to lead the kingdom. Spy nanny, go take her to her chambers and make sure she studies."
"Okay~" Miyuki came with a smile and took Tomoko from Naoya's hands.
"Nooooo"
Tomo's voice faded as she was taken away.
"Now then, time to 'punish' the witch, like the tyrant prince I am," Naoya said and looked towards Utahime.
Utahime looked at him.
For some reason, she felt like the game was not child-friendly anymore.
-----
All right, everyone, the new week has started. I ask you to help me boost the ranking. Stone the fic like it's a witch, and you are the angry mob.
On another note... the prequel is now complete. Yuji will be entering now.