"If I don't, will you kill me?"
Mei Mei's voice was very soft, carrying a hint of nonchalant testing, as if discussing a trivial matter that had nothing to do with her.
Rin didn't answer; he only applied a bit more pressure with the hand pinching her cheek.
The force from his fingertips transmitted through her skin, making Mei Mei let out a soft groan. Her brows furrowed slightly from the pain, but the smile at the corners of her mouth didn't fade in the slightest.
Seeing her stubborn and unshakeable attitude, Rin's eyes slowly narrowed. The situation he least wanted to face had arrived.
Mei Mei's mind was too perceptive; she had actually seen through the fact that he never intended to kill her.
This battle had been a mistake from the start. If the two of them hadn't underestimated his strength, and if both sides hadn't clashed over Sukuna's Finger, it wouldn't have reached this point of mutual injury.
But it was too late for that now.
Although Rin had won the battle, he was in a new predicament. Kill them both? Absolutely impossible.
Even Geto Suguru wouldn't do something so crazy.
Right now, the Star Plasma Cult and Jujutsu High hadn't reached the point of total war. Blindly killing Aoi Todo and Mei Mei would be equivalent to directly igniting the flames of war.
The other side had a powerhouse like Satoru Gojo; a head-on clash would only put the Star Plasma Cult at a disadvantage. If Mei Mei and Aoi Todo died here...
Geto Suguru might have to take him and flee Japan tomorrow.
As for letting them go? Then Sukuna's Finger would vanish like a dream, and this fierce battle would have been for nothing.
Thinking of this, Rin's gaze suddenly shifted. He gently shook the hand pinching Mei Mei's cheek, signaling her to look at him, and made a suggestion:
"How about this? I won't force you. Give me the item, and I'll buy it. I'll give you money, you hand over Sukuna's Finger, and then I'll let you both go. What do you think of this proposal?"
At the mention of "money," Mei Mei's eyes suddenly lit up. Rin's proposal had accurately struck her weak spot.
She fought Cursed Spirits and scrambled for Cursed Objects with her life on the line—was it for some "protection of the people"?
That was just incidental; her true goal had always been to make money.
This time, she had suffered such heavy injuries and paid such a high price for Sukuna's Finger. If she couldn't even get the reward she deserved in the end, she would truly be unwilling.
As for Rin, since joining the Star Plasma Cult, he never had to worry about money.
To the wealthy Geto Suguru, anything that could be solved with money wasn't a problem at all.
"Deal."
Mei Mei agreed immediately, almost without hesitation.
Both sides immediately established a Binding Vow, swearing by their Cursed Energy that they would not hold each other accountable after the transaction was completed.
Rin released his hand and raised it to activate Cursed Spirit Manipulation.
A slender White Snake emerged from the void, its scales shimmering with a cold luster as it crawled up his pant leg and onto his shoulder.
This Cursed Spirit could freely scale its size and store small items; it was one of Rin's most commonly used Cursed Spirits.
He reached out toward the White Snake's mouth, and it immediately opened wide, spitting out a black phone.
Rin took the phone and skillfully dialed Geto Suguru's number.
The call was quickly connected, and Geto Suguru's voice came through the receiver with its usual steadiness: "What is it, Rin?"
"Teacher, something came up on my end, and I need a sum of money. I'll give you a card number; please transfer it."
Rin's tone was very calm, showing no signs of anything unusual.
Geto Suguru didn't ask much, only adding a concerned word:
"Are you alright over there? Do you need help?"
"Don't worry, I can handle it." After Rin spoke, he recited Mei Mei's bank account number. The two didn't communicate much more; they both trusted each other deeply.
Not long after, the phone in Mei Mei's pocket suddenly rang.
She gestured for the Cursed Spirit holding her to let go. Rin glanced at her and nodded slightly.
Mei Mei struggled to pull out her phone. The screen clearly displayed a bank deposit notification, with an amount far exceeding her expected reward.
Looking at the string of numbers, Mei Mei's tense body finally relaxed, and she raised her hand to snap her fingers.
Several black crows flew from the depths of the ruins. In the claws of one was a pitch-black finger.
The crow landed in front of Rin, dropped the finger, and then dissipated.
Rin took the finger, which was radiating blackish-purple Cursed Energy; it was indeed Sukuna's Finger.
He picked up the finger, feeling the familiar fluctuations of Cursed Energy from his fingertips, and couldn't help but smile slightly.
This mission was successfully completed.
And the harvest he gained was not limited to a special grade cursed object, but also the Cursed Techniques of Mei Mei and Aoi Todo.
It could be said to be a bountiful harvest.
With that, Rin was satisfied and put the finger away.
Rin glanced at Mei Mei. Though this woman was in a wretched state right now, she remained optimistic throughout.
In truth, he had always admired Mei Mei. With her strength, she could have easily found a wealthy person to extort like Geto Suguru did; money would come much faster than by fighting Cursed Spirits.
But she didn't; she always relied on legitimate means to make money. This original intention that she could still uphold in the face of power moved him more than any combat strength.
Rin raised his hand to recall all the Cursed Spirits and then summoned the Cursed Spirit. This giant Cursed Spirit spread its wings and landed steadily in front of him.
Rin took one last look at Mei Mei as she slowly sat up amidst the ruins.
The Cursed Spirit's wings fanned the air, kicking up gravel and dust from the ground. Rin stood on the bat's back, looking down at the figure gradually becoming clearer in the ruins.
Below, Mei Mei seemed to sense his gaze and slowly looked up. Even though she was covered in injuries and her hair was a mess, that composed and slightly cunning smile still hung on the corners of her mouth.
She raised her hand to tuck a blood-stained strand of hair behind her ear and called out loudly to Rin high above. Her voice pierced through the wind, slightly raspy yet still clear:
"What's wrong, little brother? Had a change of heart? Decided to go have a cup of coffee with me?"
There was a hint of teasing in her words, without the wretchedness of a loser, but rather like a casual invitation between friends.
Hearing this, Rin was stunned for a moment, then a faint smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.
Without any response, the Cursed Spirit seemed to sense his intent. The amplitude of its wingbeats increased, carrying him higher and higher as it flew into the distance.
Mei Mei stood where she was, watching the black figure gradually disappear into the horizon before slowly withdrawing her gaze and turning toward the unconscious Aoi Todo.
She knelt down and checked Aoi Todo's breathing. After confirming he was just unconscious, she breathed a sigh of relief, leaned against a broken wall, and took out her phone to dial Jujutsu High's rescue number.
High in the sky, Rin looked back toward the ruins, Mei Mei's teasing invitation still echoing in his mind.
He shook his head gently, the smile on his face already gone. He knew that perhaps the next time they met, they would still be facing each other with weapons drawn.
The wind blew past his ears, carrying the freshness that follows the dissipation of gunpowder smoke. Rin withdrew his gaze.
He summoned the White Snake again and released Negi. Negi was currently unconscious, so Rin settled him in.
Without looking back, he let the Cursed Spirit carry him toward the direction of the Star Plasma Cult.