Chapter 115: Yukino, When Did You Become This Depraved?
Recalling the hardships of her recent journey, Yukino had, after all, faced the darkest and bloodiest side of a jujutsu world that had spanned a thousand years. Even a glimpse of that iceberg's tip would cause a violent tremor across the globe.
Being at the eye of the storm, Yukino naturally endured immense physical and psychological pressure. Although the outcome was positive—she gained power that others couldn't achieve in a lifetime or even several—speedrunning her way to the peak of the jujutsu world as a Special Grade with the [Hagoromo Gitsune] template was no small feat.
"Special Grade" was not just a title; it was the hallmark of the top combat power in the jujutsu world, belonging to the elite who held absolute authority.
With hazy eyes, Yukino leaned against the table, the champagne glass in her hand wobbling slightly, her expression complex.
"What's going on?"
Hachiman's heart sank when he heard Yukino say, "It's truly wonderful to be able to eat together normally like this." It implied that whatever she had encountered was so bleak that she had genuinely believed their days of harmonious coexistence were over.
He had noticed her abnormality before—her eyes had gone from resolute to lightless. For a girl as strong as Yukino to say she couldn't hold on meant the situation was dire.
Hachiman had previously analyzed whether she was being forced into some internal conflict between jujutsu clans, which could be quite vicious.
After all, he could sense cursed energy in her. While it had been weak initially, it now seemed to be at the level of a Grade 3 sorcerer (unaware that when Hagoromo Gitsune "logs in," she is Special Grade).
He felt inferior regarding the speed of her progress; it suggested her teacher was better at instruction than he was. He certainly couldn't take a layman to that level in just a few days. But while Hachiman was ruminating, the suppressed [Hagoromo Gitsune] inside Yukino was terrified.
'Is this little lady going to spill everything about the [Post Office]?'
Hagoromo Gitsune's internal moniker for the girl had shifted to "little lady."
While Yukino was drunk, the fox spirit was stone-cold sober and breaking into a cold sweat. The secrets of the [Post Office] were an absolute taboo, especially now.
Beyond her fear of the Post Office, she had a daring suspicion: she suspected the death of the [Master of Love and Life] was the work of this girl's "little boyfriend."
Besides the guy in front of her, Hagoromo Gitsune didn't know anyone else capable of deicide with a mortal body. The four backers of the Post Office exerted a pressure that made even her feel breathless.
She considered herself top-tier among Special Grades, having only been captured a millennium ago by the freaks of the Fujiwara clan. She had only been unsealed recently by the Post Office; otherwise, she would have been ground down by the seal until death.
Her awe for the Post Office was great, but her fear of Hachiman—whose fists were seemingly harder—was greater. She immediately sent a surge of cursed energy into Yukino's brain. It didn't do anything else except clear the alcohol's fog and snap her into a sober state. Because Hachiman was there, the fox didn't dare be too obvious.
The blood-alcohol content remained the same, but the spirit was now sharp.
"..."
Yukino had really been on the verge of pouring her heart out about the pressure she was under. But the clear stream washing through her brain snapped her back to reality.
"Wake up, girl! You can't say things that shouldn't be said," Hagoromo Gitsune shouted internally, hands on her hips.
Yukino realized instantly what she had almost done. They say "truth comes out after wine," but in this world, one slip of the tongue could lead everyone involved to eternal damnation. The Post Office had strictly forbidden revealing any information about "Him."
"Don't panic, you didn't give anything away," the fox reassured her, having caught her at the edge of the cliff. She had been scared witless that a stray sober word from Yukino would trigger a catastrophe. Especially now, as the Post Office had gone completely underground due to the external chaos; any leak would result in immediate "settlement."
Once the situation stabilized, Hagoromo Gitsune saw an opportunity.
"Wait a minute."
They say danger is accompanied by opportunity. The fox, possessing a surprisingly large "heart," suggested that Yukino use this state to say things she normally wouldn't dare to say.
"A woman being three parts drunk is an act that makes men weep," she proposed. The tense atmosphere vanished instantly.
'Enough already, stop saying such nonsense' Yukino grumbled in her heart.
She truly didn't realize her "biggest thigh" (strongest support) was sitting right next to her. The fox felt that if they played their cards right, they wouldn't even need to fear the Post Office. She even thought about becoming an "internal mole" for Hachiman so he could just tear the Post Office down.
Don't be silly, Yukino scolded. That fox really just wanted to watch the world burn.
However, as the fox suggested, she could perhaps say things that were hard to voice. She didn't intend to hide everything from Hachiman; she had faced the darkness of the jujutsu world and become a sorcerer herself.
"I'm sorry for making you worry."
Seeing the boy looking at her so seriously through her hazy vision, Yukino's heart fluttered. His concern proved how much he valued her, filling her with joy.
"It's okay, it's all in the past."
The chapter had turned. Yukino wouldn't dwell on the past; what mattered was reclaiming the life she had lost.
"I was just complaining a little. By the way, Hikigaya-kun, you are a jujutsu sorcerer too, right?"
She spoke as if casually, then flicked her finger. Hachiman clearly saw a flicker of azure cursed energy—magnificent like the deep blue sea—emerge from her fingertip.
"Hehe, I'm a sorcerer now too."
Hachiman wasn't surprised, as he had already known. "The jujutsu world taught me a lot."
Yukino had grown. Only after experiencing cruel reality did she realize how weak she was and how severe the consequences of an immature mindset could be.
"The world is much more formidable than I imagined."
She had initially thought herself invincible, only to be harshly educated by the fact that there is always a higher heaven.
She discovered the benefits of alcohol: it numbed the nerves under heavy pressure and allowed her to show a side of herself without pretense. Whatever "nonsense" she said could be brushed off as "drunken talk," whereas being sober allowed for no such margin of error. She pressed the champagne bottle to her face, feeling its heat. She was hovering between sobriety and a daze.
"Don't push yourself too hard."
Hachiman knew her personality—she liked to carry everything herself. He didn't ask what specifically happened, assuming he wouldn't get an answer even now. But since she said the biggest problem was solved, he was relieved. She had opened champagne in front of him; no matter the process, he only cared that the result was her safety.
"Yeah, I won't." Having experienced true malice, Yukino would cherish her life more and act within her limits.
"The wine is finished. Let's have some black tea."
The now "sober" girl didn't plan to drink more, wanting tea to warm her stomach. She stood up, but the world suddenly spun. This was her first time touching alcohol.
She had assumed she'd be a heavy hitter like her sister Haruno, but it turned out she was nothing like her.
"You said you made me sober, why do I feel like my body is made of cotton?"
To this, Hagoromo Gitsune simply thought: You should probably never drink again.
The alcohol content was low, yet the girl was already like this. If she touched high-proof liquor, she'd be out cold instantly.
Seeing her swaying, Hachiman said helplessly, "Let me." He stood up and began clearing the plates.
"I've made a fool of myself," Yukino said apologetically.
"Just put the plates in the sink, I'll wash them later."
"It's fine, there aren't many. I'll just do them now."
"Thank you."
Yukino sat sideways on her chair, quietly watching Hachiman tidy the kitchen.
"If you don't take him soon, you'll regret it," the fox teased, sensing the waves of happiness and dopamine-fueled peace radiating from her host.
A "mature adult" like the fox would have already lured him to her bed and devoured him. Why hesitate when the heart was already throbbing?
"Shut up," Yukino blushed, rejecting the fox's "veteran driver" thoughts.
Hachiman was quick, finishing the dishes and brewing a pot of black tea. He knew which cup was hers and placed it before her.
"Thank you, Hikigaya-kun."
Hachiman sat down next to her. "Is your body okay?" He felt quite helpless; next time he saw a girl drinking, he'd stop her.
Alcohol really complicates things.
Yukino shook her head, holding the cup with both hands.
"Mmh, just a bit sleepy." The champagne felt like "sleepy tea" now. She was forcing herself to stay awake, otherwise she'd have fallen asleep on the table.
Hachiman realized he had overestimated her physical resistance to alcohol, despite her new sorcerer status.
"In that case, I'll say a few words and then let you be." Hachiman checked the time; it was nearly 9:00 PM. Social etiquette dictated he should leave soon.
"Get some rest early. Yukinoshita, since you're a sorcerer now, I want to recommend you join the Jujutsu Headquarters."
"Headquarters?" Yukino was startled.
"Who? Me?!"
She recalled seeing her own "Wanted" poster on the Headquarters' official website. One sentence from Hachiman was sending her straight into the enemy's heart.
"Ah... that."
Hachiman didn't need to join the Headquarters because of his own strength and influence. But for Yukino, joining was a great choice for both her and the Yukinoshita family.
The Headquarters represented the leading power in Japan, more useful than most conglomerates.
Furthermore, with Hachiman's guarantee, the Headquarters wouldn't dare pull anything.
She could also earn mission rewards, an irresistible lure for her desire for independence. Hachiman wanted to integrate her into the rules to ensure her stable growth.
"Hahahaha!"
Hagoromo Gitsune laughed. She knew befriending this kid would lead to good things. If her enemies from a thousand years ago knew the Great Fox was being "recruited," their jaws would hit the floor.
"Accept it. There are only benefits. The safest place is the most dangerous place."
The Headquarters would never suspect she was right under their noses.
"I understand. Sorry for the trouble."
"It's no trouble. We're friends." Hachiman shook his head.
"Tomorrow evening, I'll take you to the Tokyo branch to confirm your identity."
"Okay." Yukino felt a sense of peace being near him. Hearing they'd be going out together tomorrow made her look forward to the next evening.
"That's all I wanted to say." Hachiman finished his tea and stood to leave. "See you tomorrow, Yukinoshita."
"You can stay a bit longer..." Yukino blurted out, clearly not wanting him to leave so soon. It felt like he had only just arrived. They had spent less than an hour together, and in her drunken state, time was a blur.
"Yukinoshita, you drank a lot. You should rest." Hachiman caught a hint of "coquettishness" in her voice and felt a bit conflicted. "And I'm just next door."
He didn't see why she looked so sorrowful. Truthfully, he didn't have much to do at home either—he was past the age of playing video games all night, and today's battle had left him tired.
"Fine. I'll walk you out."
Yukino tried to stand but was still dizzy. She pitched forward, straight into Hachiman's arms.
"Careful."
Hachiman caught her by the shoulders. She smelled nice—she must have bathed before he arrived. He could smell the soap mixed with a faint scent of champagne.
"Sorry... I don't know why, but I have no strength." Yukino tried to stand, but her legs were like jelly. She was conscious enough to realize she was in his arms. His hands were on her shoulders, and through her thin home clothes, she could feel his body heat. Her heart raced, and her ears turned pink.
She grew flustered, her voice dropping to a whisper.
Hachiman doubted she could take care of herself if he left now. His Reverse Cursed Technique only worked on physical wounds, not "debuffs" like a hangover. She was only slightly better off than the unconscious Soyo had been.
"I'm sorry, Hikigaya-kun..." Yukino looked up at him sheepishly. "Before you go, can you help me with one more thing?"
"Sure."
"Can you... help me to my room? I'm very sleepy; I think I'll just go to bed."
Her face was red enough to bleed. She only dared to be this bold under the influence of liquid courage.
"Alright." Hachiman only entered a girl's room with permission. Sleep was the best arrangement for her now.
"Careful."
He initially intended to support her by the shoulder and waist, but her feet were just dragging on the floor.
"Pardon me." To be efficient, he scooped her up in a bridal carry. His skill was so high that her slippers didn't even fall off.
Caught off guard, Yukino let out a tiny gasp. She lay in his warm embrace, her mind going blank.
'Is this a service I get for free?'
Her breath hitched; she felt like she might die of embarrassment.
"Sorry, this way you won't get hurt," Hachiman explained. He reached her bedroom door. "I'm holding you, so it's a bit inconvenient to open the door."
"..." Yukino reach out a trembling hand and opened it. She never imagined entering her room like this.
The room was clean and organized, with books neatly aligned on the shelves and the bed perfectly made.
'She really likes Mr. Pan.' Hachiman saw several fierce-looking Pan-san plushies at the head of the bed, including one they had won together.
"Just... put me on the bed." Yukino whispered, not daring to look at him.
Hachiman laid her down gently. His tenderness made her heart melt. He tucked a pillow under her and poured a glass of warm water on the nightstand. He even plugged her phone in to charge nearby. Finally, he tucked her in and, out of habit from caring for his sister, patted her head affectionately.
"Goodnight, Yukinoshita."
"Mmh... Goodnight."
Yukino gripped the covers. Under his meticulous care, she felt like she was dissolving into peace and fulfillment. Her heart throbbed with a joy she couldn't name. Even after the lights went out, her heart wouldn't stop pounding. She touched her head, where the warmth of his hand still seemed to linger.
'But since there was a first time, there will be a second, right?'
She was shocked by her own bold thought.
'Oh my god, you're already thinking about next time?'
She hid under the covers, wondering if she had been bewitched by an evil god.
"Yukino, oh Yukino... when did you become this depraved?"
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