บท 4: Chapter 4

Ayame's expression brightened, and she gestured down the street. "As a matter of fact, there's a lovely little café just a few blocks from here. It's my favorite spot to grab a cup of coffee and relax."

Kamo nodded, his interest piqued. "Oh? I was actually hoping to find a good place for a coffee. Mind if I tag along?"

Ayame smiled warmly. "Not at all! I'd be happy to show you." She turned to Takeshi, her brow furrowing. "Takeshi, would you like to come with us?"

Takeshi shook his head, his grip on Ayame's sleeve tightening. "No, I just want to go home."

Ayame nodded in understanding. "Okay, then you go on inside and I'll be back in a bit, alright?" She pressed a gentle kiss to the top of his head before turning back to Kamo. "Shall we?"

Kamo nodded, falling into step beside Ayame as they made their way down the street. "So, what made you choose this particular café?"

Ayame's eyes lit up as she spoke. "Well, the atmosphere is just so cozy and inviting, and the coffee is absolutely divine. The owner is a family friend, and he always makes sure to have my favorite blend on hand."

Kamo couldn't help but be drawn in by her enthusiasm. "That sounds wonderful. I'm looking forward to trying it."

As they approached the café, Ayame paused, turning to Kamo with a hesitant smile. "Actually, would you like to join me for a cup? I'd be happy to treat you."

Kamo felt a flicker of surprise at her offer, but he quickly shook his head. "I appreciate the invitation, but I should probably be getting back to my friends. They're waiting for me."

Ayame nodded, her smile dimming slightly. "I understand. Well, the offer stands if you ever find yourself in the area again."

"Thank you," Kamo replied, his voice sincere. "I'll keep that in mind." With a final nod, he turned and began making his way back towards the others, his mind still lingering on the kind-hearted young woman he had just met.

Kiyotaka Ijichi's brow furrowed as he reviewed the latest report from the detention center. His usually calm demeanor was tinged with a hint of concern as he processed the grim details.

"Our sensors confirmed a curse womb approximately three hours ago," Ijichi stated, his voice steady but grave. "When the evacuation process was 90 percent complete, the decision was made to close the facility."

He paused, his gaze meeting the expectant faces of the jujutsu sorcerers before him. "Five inmates are currently trapped inside, along with the curse. Curse wombs that grow and change shape can be expected to become a curse close to that of special grade."

Nobara and Fushiguro felt a chill run down their spine at Ijichi's words. The implications were clear - those trapped within faced a dire situation, with a special grade curse spirit looming over them.

Yuji furrowed his brow, his expression a mix of confusion and concern. "I'm still not sure what that special grade thing is all about," he admitted, rubbing the back of his neck.

Ijichi goes full on lecture mode. "An idiot's guide"

If traditional weapons were used against curses and sorcerers measured their effectiveness as a gauge:

Grade 4 - "A wooden bat is enough."

Grade 3 - "If you have a handgun, you can rest easy."

Grade 2 - "Close call with a shotgun."

Grade 1 - "Even a tank might be insufficient."

Special Grade - "Cluster bombs might work."

A single thought crossed Yuji's mind as he considered the implications. "That's nuts,".

Megumi's brow furrowed as Ijichi outlined the dire situation. "Normally a jujutsu sorcerer would be assigned to a curse of similar grade," he mused, his tone measured and analytical.

Nobara clicked her tongue, her expression hardening. "Gojo sensei would be called for today, for example," she said, her voice tinged with frustration.

Kamo picked at his ear, his gaze disinterested as Ijichi continued his explanation. "Or at least a Grade 1," he muttered, his words barely audible.

Yuji's brow furrowed as he posed the question. "And where's the man himself?" he asked, his tone suggesting he still did not fully grasp the gravity of the situation.

Ijichi's expression darkened. "On a business trip," he replied, his words heavy with regret.

"Our line of work is always lacking in manpower, and being overwhelmed by missions is commonplace," Ijichi continued, his brow furrowed. "This time, however, it's an extraordinary emergency."

The assistant director's gaze swept over the group, his eyes filled with a sense of urgency. "Do Not Engage!" he stressed, his voice firm. "When confronted by a special grade, the options are..."

Kamo tuned out Ijichi's ramblings, his attention drifting as the assistant director droned on. He had heard this lecture before, and the details had little consequence for him. His thoughts were already centered on the task before him, his determination to accomplish his plan and leverage this mission as a stepping stone.

Kamo's gaze sharpened as a frantic woman came rushing towards them, a man in a black coat trailing behind her. The woman's eyes were wild with fear as she approached the group.

"Hey! Excuse me!" she cried, her voice trembling. "Is Tadashi... is my son okay?"

Kamo's demeanor was unreadable as he swiftly assessed the woman. 'A decent 5, perhaps a 6,' he contemplated inwardly.

Ijichi stepped forward, his usually calm demeanor tinged with a sense of unease. "There's a possibility that a poison has spread within the facility," he stated, his voice grave. "I'm afraid we can't disclose any more information at this point."

The woman's countenance became stricken with anguish. Kamo observed the interaction with a dispassionate curiosity, his thoughts already shifting to the matter before them.

Yuji's usually carefree expression hardened as he listened to Ijichi's grim report. Unlike Kamo, who seemed disinterested, Yuji's brow furrowed with determination.

"Guys, we gotta save him," Yuji said, his voice firm and resolute.

Megumi's gaze narrowed as he considered the situation. "Hmm..." he murmured, his tone thoughtful.

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