Two days later, Nobara was living her absolute fantasy.
The shopping spree had been legendary. Designer clothes, expensive shoes, lingerie, accessories—Aiden had bought absolutely *everything* she pointed at without blinking. She was currently decked out in a high-end designer outfit, practically glowing.
Meanwhile, Yorozu was vibrating with impatient anticipation. "My beloved. My. ONE DAY."
Nobara smirked, enjoying the other woman's impatience a bit too much. "Aww, Yorozu-chan's getting antsy? Don't worry, your turn's coming up real soon." She blew a raspberry, giggling. "I'm just enjoying *my* day with Aiden right now, thanks."
Yorozu's smile sharpened into a cold, dangerous curve. "Enjoy yourself, little brat. While you can." She unclasped her hands from the table. "My one day is tomorrow. And I won't forget what I'll demand." She turned to Aiden, her eyes flashing darkly. "One day. Twenty-four hours. *Anything* I want."
The tension in the room escalated, crackling like cursed energy. Nobara's smirk faltered slightly, but she defiantly looped her arm through Aiden's. "Yeah yeah. Tomorrow's your day. Today's *mine*." She pulled Aiden toward the door. "We're going to dinner. Fancy. No ghosts allowed."
Yorozu's aura darkened.
Nobara was enjoying herself immensely. She was dressed in expensive brands, eating at five-star restaurants, and having an amazing time with Aiden. She hadn't even once mentioned Yorozu's impending turn. Yorozu, on the other hand, was counting down the minutes.
Aiden checked his phone privately. October 15th. Sixteen days until Shibuya. The disaster, the catastrophe he knew was coming. He tightened his jaw, keeping his expression neutral. He couldn't tell Nobara—who would believe him? And telling Yorozu? Absolutely not. He had to keep quiet and try to avoid the catastrophe without exposing his knowledge.
"Aiden! You're zoning out again!" Nobara tugged at his arm, pouting. "Come on, the waiter's coming back with our appetizers."
Her bubbly voice snapped him back to reality. October 15th. Sixteen days. The Shibuya Incident was coming. He needed to find a way to stop it—or at least mitigate the damage.
The waiter arrived with appetizers and Nobara immediately began raving about the $300 wagyu beef sliders. "These are *insane*!" She shoved one into her mouth, humming happily. "You're so generous, Aiden. Best boyfriend ever."
Aiden forced himself to smile, nodding along while his mind raced. *Sixteen days. Sixteen days until Shibuya.*
Mechamaru. Second year at Kyoto High. Remote pilot due to Heavenly Restriction—fragile body, immense cursed energy.Aiden's mind immediately went to the mission at hand. Mechamaru's tragic motivation was a ticking time bomb—a Binding Vow with villains just to heal his broken body. He was destined to die 10 days before Shibuya. Unless Aiden intervened.
six days until Mechamaru dies. 16 days before Shibuya.
The math haunted Aiden. If Mechamaru survived, would he be a wild card? Or would his past betrayal still haunt him? But there was something worth saving. And he could save him. He'd have to find the remote pilot's true body before the villains made their move.
"Aiden!"
Nobara's voice snapped him back to the present. She was frowning slightly, her fork paused mid-air. "You're, like, a million miles away again. Everything okay?" Her eyes flickered with concern before narrowing playfully.
"It's nothing it's just about our work Nothing to be worried about."
Nobara accepted the lie instantly, trusting him completely. "Work." She rolled her eyes playfully. "Whatever boring sorcerer crap." She popped a truffle mushroom into her mouth, chewing happily. "Focus on *me* today, mister. My day." She tapped his nose. "No stress, no cursed spirits. Just spoiling me."
Aiden smiled genuinely, pushing his concerns aside for Nobara's sake. He focused on the present, enjoying her company and fulfilling her shopping spree wishes. As the day wore on, he kept one eye on his phone, counting down the days. Six left until Mechamaru's fateful day.
The night air was cool, The city lights blurred past the car window as Nobara leaned against Aiden, exhausted from her shopping extravaganza. Multiple bags were piled in the backseat—Chanel, Gucci, Dior... she was practically glowing. "Best day ever," she murmured sleepily. "Aiden, you spoiled me way too much. I keep thinking about that lingerie you bought..." Her cheeks pinked.
Aiden kept his eyes on the road. He didn't want to engage in the lingerie conversation. His mind was already elsewhere—calculating the logistics of finding Mechamaru's hidden body before the villains or the Kyoto exorcists did.
"Get some rest," he said simply, his voice flat.
Nobara perked up slightly, looking at him sideways.
The car hummed quietly as they approached the Tokyo Jujutsu High dorms. Nobara was practically dozing, her head lolling toward his shoulder. The exhaustion of an all-day spree was catching up fast.
Aiden's phone buzzed silently. October 21st. Five days until Mechamaru's supposed death.
The car pulled into the dorm parking lot. Nobara was barely awake, her eyes half-closed. "We're here..." she slurred, clinging to his arm. "Carry me?"
Aiden chuckled softly, stepping out of the car and wrapping his arms around her. She was surprisingly light—bags of shopping hanging from his other hand.
As he kicked the door open, a familiar presence blocked his path.
Yorozu stood in the doorway, arms crossed, a dangerous smile playing on her lips. Her cursed energy flared instinctively, recognizing Aiden's scent on Nobara.
"My beloved is *back*," she purred, her eyes flicking between Aiden and the half-asleep Nobara clinging to him. "How was your little shopping spree with the brat?"
Nobara lifted her head weakly.
Nobara squinted at Yorozu, her sleepy brain processing the threat. "Oh... it's *you*," she grumbled, tightening her grip on Aiden. "Your day hasn't started yet, Yoro-bitch. Don't you *dare* try anything tonight. I'm exhausted."
Yorozu's smile widened.
Yorozu let out a low, humored laugh. "The brat speaks when she's tired. How adorable." She leaned against the doorframe, blocking their path completely. "My beloved is tired too. I can smell it on him." Her eyes traveled over Aiden possessively. "Tomorrow is my day. Nothing you say tonight will change that."
Nobara nuzzled into Aiden's side.
"Whatever. I'm going to bed." Nobara yawned dramatically. "Aiden, carry me to my room. Now." She tugged at his shirt, completely ignoring Yorozu.
Yorozu's jaw twitched. "Your gall is *remarkable*."
Aiden shifted Nobara's weight, one arm under her legs, the other supporting her back.
As Aiden carried Nobara down the hall, Yorozu trailed behind, her gaze never leaving his. "One more day, my beloved," she whispered, practically vibrating with anticipation. "Twenty-four hours where you belong entirely to me."
Nobara snored softly against his chest, completely oblivious.
Aiden dropped her off, kissing her forehead as she drifted off.
Nobara was out cold the moment her head hit the pillow, buried under luxury shopping bags and soft blankets. Aiden tucked her in gently, closing the door quietly behind him.
He stepped into the hallway—and immediately walked straight into Yorozu.
She blocked his path, her presence suffocating and dark. She reached out, trailing a sharp fingernail down his chest.
"My beloved," she purred softly, her voice low and vibrating with anticipation. "Tomorrow begins my turn. And I intend to make up for every single second of your attention stolen by that brat." Her finger stopped right over his heart. "Prepare yourself, Aiden. Twenty-four hours of absolute submission."
She leaned in, brushing her lips against his ear. "Sleep well."
Aiden quickly recovered, gently but firmly removing her hand from his chest. "Goodnight, Yorozu." He sidestepped her, keeping distance between them.
Yorozu watched him go, her eyes glowing faintly in the dark hallway. "Sleep well, my beloved," she called after him. "Tomorrow... you are *mine*."
Aiden reached his room, locking the door behind him.