After bidding farewell to Geto Suguru, Zenin Kiyoshi was not idle at this moment. He checked the time and then quickened his pace toward Zenin Kiyoshi's home.
The reason he was able to come out today was because he told Zenin Toji that there wasn't much food left at home.
He still remembered the hint of fear that Zenin Toji showed on his face after hearing what he had said.
But it seems that in the end, the food prevailed, and he even sighed and said to himself:
"Okay, I'll go with you, but remember, we need to be back as soon as possible and avoid causing any other trouble."
It's 4:27 PM now. The last bus leaves at 5:30 PM. Excluding basic commuting time, we'll have about 20 minutes to buy groceries. Write down what you need first, then we'll split up to shop when we get to the mall. I'll wait for you at the alley entrance at 5:15 PM. If you're late, you'll have to run back yourself.
Hearing Zenin Toji's words, Zenin Kiyoshi also showed a faint smile. He didn't have the childlike mentality of wanting to go out and play, but rather wanted to try his luck and see if he could meet Gojo Satoru, Natsuyuki, or some other famous sorcerers from the original work.
After all, Tokyo isn't that big. If I happen to run into them, I might get some attribute bonuses from them. Even if I can't reach such a high level of favorability in one go, I can still become familiar with them and make it easier to increase favorability later.
Zenin Kiyoshi noticed the somewhat worried look on Zenin Toji's face and assumed that it was because they were being watched.
But upon further reflection, Zenin Kiyoshi knew that things were probably not as simple as he had imagined. After all, in the original story, Maki, who had just awakened her full form of Heavenly Restriction, was able to single-handedly destroy the entire Zenin family. So, the current Zenin family should be considered a bunch of worthless fish to Zenin Kiyoshi.
If the person monitoring him is indeed from the Zenin family, then Zenin Toji would most likely not show that kind of fearful expression. So... the only possibility is that Kenjaku might have included him in the target unit that needs to be monitored, and the monitor he sent is someone that even Zenin Toji finds somewhat troublesome.
Almost instantly, Zenin Kiyoshi connected the original text in his mind and guessed the general truth of the matter.
But just as Zenin Kiyoshi hesitated about whether to go out, Zenin Toji's voice came again:
"Once we get to the mall, go whichever way I tell you to go. Don't argue with me, understand?"
Upon hearing this, Zenin Kiyoshi knew that Zenin Toji was planning to stop the monitor's actions to give herself more time for safe shopping.
Thinking of this, Zenin Kiyoshi felt a surge of gratitude towards Zenin Toji, but he didn't say anything. He simply nodded and smiled, saying:
"If you want to buy any ingredients, please write them down for me. After all, we'll be eating together, and there will be some things you like to eat."
Hearing this, even Zenin Toji's previously somewhat irritated face broke into a smile. Perhaps this is the power of food; no matter how cold-faced a person is, eating what they want can lift their spirits and improve their gloomy mood.
"What do I want to eat? You've never asked me this before, so I'm a little unsure how to answer now. Let me think..."
"Based on my recent observations, you seem to prefer sweeter flavors: scrambled eggs with tomatoes, scrambled eggs with chives, Kung Pao chicken, pork rib and corn soup."
"You're quite observant. Let's buy it as you say."
The last sentence was delivered with an unprecedented lightness in tone.
Zenin Kiyoshi looked at Zenin Toji, his mind racing with information about the other person's favorability rating.
"Congratulations, host, for gaining favorability with Zenin Toji. Current favorability: 32/100 (acquaintance)."
Zenin Kiyoshi was naturally happy to see the increase in favorability, but at the same time, he also had some feelings.
Zenin Toji, who seemed unapproachable and exuded decadence and despondency, actually gained so much goodwill from others simply because they remembered his hobbies.
But these things are perfectly ordinary for a normal person.
But perhaps that's why he lived such an awkward and conflicted life in the original story...
He finally met the woman he loved, but before he could learn how to love others, he fell into darkness again.
Perhaps this is why Zenin Toji chose to sell Megumi Fushiguro to the Zenin family in the original work.
Having never received love, he had no idea how to love others. Having never experienced parental love, how could he possibly care for Megumi Fushiguro with the right kind of fatherly love?
If Megumi Fushiguro's mother were still alive, she would definitely take care of Zenin Toji, teach Zenin Toji how to be a good father, and spoil Zenin Toji into the happiest husband in the world.
But... there are no ifs. Everything vanished on the night she died.
Those who are already in darkness may be able to endure the night for a long time.
But if you ask someone who has seen the light in the darkness to endure even a second of darkness, they will not be able to bear it.
It is precisely for this reason that even after being resurrected, he still did not know how to treat his son, let alone how to love him.
For the awkward and twisted Heavenly Restriction (Sorcerer Killer), perhaps the remnant of a cloud piercing his temple, or the spurting hot blood, was a way of showing love.
Zenin Kiyoshi looked at Zenin Toji walking in front of him. He didn't know why he was thinking about so many things, but as he looked at the man in front of him, a thought suddenly came to mind.
He deserves a good life; at the very least, he's not a bad person at heart.
Line-colored streets, Second Road station platform.
At 5:23 PM, Zenin Kiyoshi stood panting on the platform, opposite Zenin Toji, who had a faint smile on his face and looked tired.
"You little rascal, you really are someone who needs to be watched all the time. If I hadn't run with you for a while, you would have been really late. In that case, I would have made you run back by yourself."
Hearing Zenin Toji's threatening words, Zenin Kiyoshi let out a heavy breath, then calmed his breathing before slowly saying:
"What about the meat we bought? If I have to run back, it will most likely be spoiled."
"I'll take the meat and go first."
Do you know how to cook meat?
"No, take it home to thaw, and wait for you to come home."