Suguru Geto didn't know what he liked anymore.
Back when he and Satoru Gojo went on missions together, he'd never felt this lost. But as Gojo climbed higher and higher—faster, brighter, untouchable—Geto was left behind, swallowed by confusion.
He couldn't even tell who he was supposed to be anymore.
"Why'd you say something like that? Aren't you afraid he'll take it the wrong way?"
Inside a quiet restaurant, Yuki was happily chewing on a Mexican chicken wrap as she threw the question at Jinsuke Zenin.
Jinsuke shot her a deadpan look. "You realize your speech was way more likely to mess him up than mine, right?"
What was wrong with telling someone to do what they liked? Not everyone was born to save the world—and even fewer actually could.
"Harsh," Yuki said, puffing her cheeks. "I just shared my views. How could that possibly mislead him?"
She didn't think she'd said anything wrong. She'd just talked about ideas—the final choice was his to make. Surely a Special Grade Sorcerer, even one going through an identity crisis, would make a decision he wouldn't regret.
"Heh."
Jinsuke gave a short laugh. Sure, normally that'd be true. A few words couldn't ruin a person. But that kid? Barely in his teens, already bearing way too much weight. Under the right pressure, even a stray comment could become the spark that set everything off.
Not that it mattered to him.
He'd already done his job as a "special instructor." He'd given Geto advice. Whether the boy took it or not wasn't his problem.
"Oh, by the way," Yuki said casually, "I'll have to owe you that money for a bit. Funds are tight lately. I'll pay you back... eventually."
Jinsuke's cheek twitched. He knew it. This woman was every bit the grifter he was. He'd come here to collect a debt and somehow ended up footing the bill and treating her to lunch.
All for one joyride on her damn motorcycle.
"So," Yuki asked slyly, "who's spoiling you these days?"
"Excuse me?" Jinsuke frowned. "Do I look like the type to freeload off anyone?"
"Oh, please," Yuki said, eyes sparkling with disbelief. "Don't tell me you've gone straight."
"I'm a faculty member at Jujutsu High now," he said evenly. "I don't need to mooch off anyone anymore."
Not mooching was basically just... moral regression in the opposite direction.
"Hahaha!" Yuki burst out laughing. "Good one. You and I both skip missions. You think that pitiful Jujutsu High salary compares to what you used to rake in?"
She doubled over in her seat. No way she was buying that a man who'd lived easy money for years had suddenly turned honest.
Jinsuke didn't argue. He just ate in silence, unfazed.
"Wait—seriously? You're done freeloading?" Yuki blinked. His calm expression didn't waver.
She was stunned. Was this really the same greedy bastard she knew?
Jinsuke finally nodded. "I was never greedy. I just needed money for... certain things. Overseas activities, little hobbies. Like small bets, maybe."
But now? Those indulgent days were behind him—for now.
Yuki's eyes gleamed. "So what you're saying is... I've got a chance?"
Jinsuke looked confused. "A chance at what?"
Her lips curved into a grin as she leaned closer, eyes wide and bright. "Let's see... you're what, twenty-six now? Twenty-seven by traditional count, which makes you practically twenty-eight. You're almost thirty!"
She rested her hands on the table and leaned forward until their faces were close. "A guy your age shouldn't still be single. So? Ever think about getting a girlfriend? Maybe—" she batted her lashes—"consider me?"
If she could snag this guy, her first research plan could totally stay alive. Once they were a couple, she could use him for experiments and save on rent. Two birds, one stone.
Jinsuke frowned, staring into her playfully sparkling eyes. "Don't even think about skipping out on the money you owe. I'm not letting you scam your way out of this."
She huffed dramatically. "Tch... caught already."
Idiot.
Muttering inwardly, Yuki went back to demolishing her wrap.
After finishing her free lunch, she hopped back on her little motorcycle and waved him off.
"Bye now! Try not to miss me too much!"
She sped off in a blur, off to keep chasing her impossible dream of saving the world.
In her mind, she'd already decided—if he was still single next time she came back, she'd stop playing nice. She was a Special Grade Sorcerer, after all. Catching a guy without a Cursed Technique would be child's play.
Watching her leave, Jinsuke sighed. Getting that money back was starting to look impossible.
He had no idea he'd just been added to Yuki Tsukumo's "to capture" list.
And so, his life slipped back into its calm routine.
Until the news broke.
The Special Grade Sorcerer Suguru Geto—had massacred an entire village.
Even with all the subtle ripples Jinsuke had caused in this world, it hadn't been enough to change that outcome.
The Jujutsu Higher-Ups branded Geto a Curse User and sentenced him to death.
Jinsuke didn't dwell on it. He simply went on with his days as usual.
In his courtyard, the air shimmered with heat. Jinsuke was doing squats, holding a massive stone slab weighing several tons. Steam rolled off his body, making him look like he'd just stepped out of a sauna.
"Whoa—Cousin turned into Steam Man! So cool!"
From a distance, Mai Zenin clapped her hands excitedly, her eyes sparkling with pure awe.
Beside her, Maki Zenin was imitating her future master's movements, holding up a thick wooden plank to train her balance and form.
Even though Jinsuke hadn't officially accepted her as a disciple yet, she came here nearly every day to observe him—studying how he trained, trying to understand how he got so strong.
Mai, who had once sworn never to step foot in this courtyard again, had given up protesting. Her sister ignored every tearful plea and kept sneaking over to train.
So Mai forced herself to come too—terrified at first, but unwilling to be left alone.
If her sister was here, she'd be safe. The "scary brother" wouldn't eat her.
And over time, her fear faded.
She realized Jinsuke wasn't some human-shaped monster. He was just their cousin—and unlike everyone else in the clan, he never bullied them.
Before she knew it, the man who once made her cry had become her hero.
After all, whenever she and her sister came here, nobody else dared lay a hand on them. That alone was enough to make her adore him.
"Steam Man, huh?" Jinsuke grunted, lowering the stone. "Keep talking like that and I really will eat you."
"Bleh!" Mai stuck out her tongue. "You don't scare me anymore!"
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It's only the beginning, guys~ Things are gonna get so much more intense and exciting in future chapters, so don't forget to add it to your collection! Thanks a bunch~ 💕