Kapitel 34: Amanai Riko
At the lowest level of Jujutsu High, on the path to the Star Tomb Hall...
A group of people stepped out of the elevator.
"Miss Riko, this is as far as I can accompany you," Kuroi Misato said, bowing deeply with her head lowered.
Amanai Riko smiled and waved goodbye to her.
Turning her back, she forced herself to suppress the tears welling up in her eyes. Tilting her face slightly, she said to Sōjun Minamoto and the others, "Let's go."
"Miss Riko, please make sure to..." Kuroi Misato's voice echoed from behind, but it soon broke off into sobs.
Unable to hold back any longer, Riko ran back a few steps to stand in front of her, cupped her face, and looked at her with teary eyes for a moment before pulling her into a tight embrace. "Kuroi, I love you the most!"
"I always have, and I always will." She buried her head in Kuroi's shoulder.
"I... love you the most as well," Kuroi Misato replied, holding her tightly. The two embraced, crying in each other's arms.
Watching this scene, Suguru Geto narrowed his eyes slightly.
Why? Why let her experience such beauty? She could have endured the solitude of darkness, but now she's felt the warmth of the sun. Why bring her here to Jujutsu High?
Sōjun Minamoto lowered his gaze and said softly, "I'll head down first."
He gave a slight raise of his eyebrows toward Geto as if to say, "It's up to you now."
Should they move forward? Or turn back?
The choice was theirs.
Suguru Geto nodded in understanding.
Sōjun Minamoto descended further, arriving in front of the Star Tomb Hall. Pushing lightly on the door, it still wouldn't open.
He didn't mind.
Activating his Star Eyes to their maximum, he could see threads of cursed energy flowing before him. Each thread intertwined, forming a vast and intricate network of veins.
He traced the network, diving deeper.
No matter how vast or fast-changing a barrier was, its essence and core remained unchanged. Everything stemmed from a singular principle: to grasp the essence and not be deceived by appearances.
Walking around the sacred tree, Sōjun engaged in a mental game with Tengen. The two played a silent match of rock-paper-scissors, each trying to predict the other's next move.
Sōjun drew out a short dagger, an old cursed tool he had brought from home, long unused.
The dagger was wrapped in a layer of talisman paper, covered in intricate runes like iron hooks and silver strokes.
It was a pre-prepared stake infused with cursed energy, ready to anchor into a barrier and serve as its foundation. The design even allowed for the stake to be activated through an incantation and entrusted to another for use.
All he needed now was to find the optimal spot and drive the stake in before the next barrier shift, embedding a new layer to amplify its strength.
He ignored the watchful eyes hidden in the shadows. Without interference, their silence was as good as consent.
Tap... Tap... Tap...
Footsteps echoed.
"Let's go," Amanai Riko finally released Kuroi Misato and followed Suguru Geto deeper into the hall.
The sacred tree stood immovable as ever, an unwavering monument impervious to any force.
The path spiraled downward around the tree, surrounded by shrines and temples scattered throughout.
The two walked in silence until the massive trunk of the tree loomed before them, close enough to touch.
"You'll continue down these stairs, pass through a door, and proceed to the base of the tree," Suguru Geto said softly. "Only those summoned can enter. Before the assimilation, Master Tengen will protect you."
He paused for a moment.
"…Or, you can still turn back now and go home with Miss Kuroi."
"Huh? Huh?" Amanai Riko suddenly raised her lowered head, looking at Suguru Geto.
"Before meeting you, we discussed it—'What if the Star Plasma Vessel refuses the assimilation at the last moment?'" Suguru lowered his gaze, staring at the massive tree below.
"The conclusion was: 'Then cancel the assimilation.' Our homeroom teacher hinted at this too. Assimilation itself is a kind of sin. Don't be fooled by our teacher's simple-minded appearance—inside, he's kind and thoughtful."
Suguru chuckled softly.
"Even if it means going to war with Master Tengen, it's fine. Because we're the strongest!"
"Our mission is to protect you. How we protect you is up to us."
Suguru turned his head, smiling at Riko. "Whatever you choose, Riko, we can guarantee your future—whether as a normal person or as a jujutsu sorcerer."
"..." Riko's face showed a mix of emotions.
From birth, she had been constantly reminded of her role as the Star Plasma Vessel, told to avoid all danger, and to live solely for this day.
She couldn't even remember the scene of her parents' deaths, so she felt neither sadness nor loneliness.
So, she once thought that even if assimilation meant eternal separation from everyone, she would be okay.
No matter how painful, there would come a day when she would forget the sorrow and loneliness.
"But... But I still want to stay with everyone," Riko cried uncontrollably, tears and snot streaming down her face. "I want to go to more places, see new things."
"…I really want to!!"
She kept wiping her eyes.
"I haven't managed to scare Sōjun Minamoto yet."
"I haven't borrowed Gojo Satoru's sunglasses."
"I also want to see what you look like with your bangs tied up."
"I haven't shared the places I've been with my friends yet to tell them, 'The places you recommended were amazing.'"
Suguru sighed and extended his hand gently. "Go back, Riko."
Amanai Riko hastily wiped her eyes. Even though she had long since made up her mind, moments like making new friends, going on seaside vacations, or visiting aquariums to see whales... such beautiful things were hard to let go of.
She reached out for the offered hand.
It didn't matter anymore. Tears wouldn't stop, but that didn't matter. Assimilation didn't matter. What happened to the world didn't matter.
Lifting her head, she smiled sincerely. Right now, all she wanted was to grab that hand:
"Yeah!"
Bang—
A gunshot rang out!
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