Chương 71: Shoko Ieiri

[Author Note]

Disc: HrPrTeam

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Higaruma:

Mahito:

__________

Shoko Ieiri

What am I doing?

I'm a graduated semi-grade two sorcerer.

But for what?

My whole purpose is reverse cursed technique healing, and I can't explain it without using Naohiro's explanation.

I've mostly moved on since that day, but I still can't get Geto's body out of my mind.

Every time I operate on someone, all I see is a lifeless Geto in their position.

Haah, it sounds cliche since you see stuff like this happen constantly in fiction, but it is very real.

The only time I'm able to do any form of reverse cursed technique output is when I'm healing Megumi after Naohiro tortures him.

His coming back was relieving, to say the least, but it is still difficult.

Being around him is different because of his 'no-care' attitude.

Gojo is similar in that aspect, but he lacks social awareness, which makes hanging around him tiresome since he acts like a child.

The Zenin compound helps me relax more than a cigarette can.

I've been trying to quit, but it gets easier to keep the habit when in my shelled environment.

Everyone who graduated has already moved out of Jujutsu High, and yet here I am, living with first and second years as a sorcerer.

Naohiro has talked about Megumi being a bum.

Who is the bum again?

*Sigh*

The school has been pushing me further and further away as they are also unhappy with my stay here.

This is embarrassing, but I need a change of environment.

I need to move out.

...

Walking into the compound, I get a nod from the guard.

At this point, I am already known by everyone, so I'm free to walk in and out of the clan.

I'm unsure if I should go to the clan head or Naoya.

He pretty much runs the clan.

Naohiro holds more influence but can't run a clan to save his life.

I haven't seen Naobito Zenin do anything during my stay here.

*Inhale* *Exhale*

Arriving at the main hall, I take a deep breath.

*Slide*

I open the door to a surprising sight.

Naoya, doing work without Naobito anywhere in the room.

He looked up at me. "Ah, Shoko, what can I help you with? Naohiro is in his room if that's what you're here for."

I waved my hands. "No, no, I came here for personal reasons."

He raised an eyebrow. "Personal reasons?"

I show a defeated expression. "I need to move out, and I was wondering if I could stay here for the time being while I help with training."

Naoya ponders for a moment before speaking up. "I don't see why not. As long as Naohiro is cool with it, I see no problem with your stay here."

His eyes widen as he remembers something. "The only problem is that there is a lot I need to catch up on, so I can't help out with your situation. Talk to the servants if you need help moving in."

I clap my hands together in thanks, but I tilt my head to the side after hearing him. "Thanks a ton. Also, where is the clan head? Would he be alright with it?"

He smiled. "Like I said, I'm perfectly fine with it. You're looking at the new clan head."

I blinked. "Huh?"

He brought his hands together and interlocked his fingers. "Ha! I've gotten that reaction a lot lately, but yes. I am the new clan head for the foreseeable future."

I nodded. "Well then, I should talk to Naohiro about my situation, soooo good luck?"

Naoya huffed a laugh. "Thanks."

Without waiting for a response, I shuffled out of the room.

What the hell? What happened since I was gone?

Naobito wouldn't give up the clan head position without serious circumstances or until he died.

I shook my head.

Not my problem. I'm not a part of the Zenin clan.

...

Making my way towards Naohiro's room, I think to myself.

It is funny to think about Naohiro controlling the clan since he isn't involved in politics at all, but it makes sense because he is strong.

At the core, strength rules society, which is why the strongest sorcerers in history stand at the top of the world.

He isn't afraid to speak his mind, and being next to him is one of the safest places one can be. His personality also allows people to relax around him.

If you're not his enemy.

Even Megumi, who is one of the people that Naohiro decides to torture, is protected by Naohiro from outside parties.

If anyone else were to hate Megumi, they would probably never be able to speak again.

I stop in front of his door.

Moving my hand towards the door to slide it open, I hear a muffled voice. "Come on in, Shoko."

A small smile appears on my face.

He isn't bad.

Naohiro Zenin

Hm, what could Shoko be here for?

Potential Man's training is later today, and I doubt she would come here early if she didn't want to talk about something.

*Slide*

The door slides open.

I smile and sit up. "What warranted an early visit from you?"

She flopped her head back. "I don't want to be homeless, so I asked if I could stay here. Naoya wanted me to ask you to make sure it was alright."

I would be surprised if I knew that Naobito didn't care who entered and exited the compound.

He let a bunch of half-curses into the clan without batting an eye.

However, he leans on Naoya to fulfill most of his duties, which makes his position virtually useless.

I gave her a closed-eye smile. "Well, I'm not going to kick out Potential Man's professional healer."

She smiled and raised an eyebrow. "When are you going to stop calling him that?"

I raised my own eyebrow. "When he actually does something with it. So, maybe in a few years, or maybe never."

Shoko leaned her back on the wall. "Well, in any case, thanks for letting me crash here."

I tilted my head to the side. "You technically have been working at the Zenin compound, so rejecting your stay here wouldn't make sense."

She pondered, and then her eyes widened. "I've been working for free."

I laughed. "HAHA, you sure have!"

A tick mark appeared on her head before she sighed. "*Sigh* I guess it's fine now that I can live here."

I give her a genuine smile. "As much as I like to screw around, this does mean a lot to help out Potential Man. I wouldn't be able to beat him up as much as I do without your help."

She huffs a laugh. "You had me in the first half but then lost me. You have a unique way with words."

I shrugged. "I try."

Her eyebrow raises. "Clearly."

Then, I notice something, and my eyes widen. "You aren't smoking."

She shows a sad smile. "It's a bad habit I'm trying to stop. I'll be honest. One of the reasons I came here is that it helps me relax. I needed to get out of Jujutsu High if I wanted to change my life around."

I show a small smile. "Well, I doubt that the geezers and traditional setting made you relax. I'm happy to help."

My smile turns slightly sad. "Hey, I'm here if you need to talk about stuff."

Shoko rubs the back of her head. "Yeah, I might take you up on that. Rather than staying sheltered, I've wanted to express myself more to get back into the swing of things. You've really helped me get back into the whole healer business."

I stretch my arms. "Well, Naoya is busy. Maki, Mai, Megumi, Tsumiki, and Ranta are all being taught, so I could talk to someone for a bit."

She crossed her arms and huffed a laugh. "Well, I got nothing better to do."

Shoko walked over and sat on the couch next to me.

We talked for a few hours, and Shoko started to open up.

...

She isn't bad.