"No problem, he's safe now!"
Satoru Gojo held the child who had just escaped danger in his arms, waving to the surrounding people with an air of effortless leisure.
The onlookers, who had been filled with worry, burst into a round of cheers upon seeing that the child was out of harm's way. They hadn't expected this strangely dressed, white-haired youth to be so capable.
"Thank you so much!"
At that moment, a figure squeezed out from the crowd, bowing repeatedly in gratitude before Satoru.
"Mama!"
Hearing the child's cry, Satoru handed the little one over.
"It was nothing," Satoru said with a wave of his hand.
Amidst the mother's repeated thanks and the admiring gazes of the crowd, Satoru led a still-dazed Subaru Natsuki away from the scene.
After they had walked a fair distance, Subaru was still staring vacantly at his own palms, the look of utter disappointment on his face speaking volumes.
"What's wrong, Subaru? You don't seem to be in a very good mood."
"Could it be because you didn't successfully trigger any magic back there, and then I stole your spotlight, so now you're sulking?"
Satoru leaned over slightly, peering at Subaru from the side with a teasing grin.
If he hadn't spoken, it might have been fine, but saying it was like twisting a knife in Subaru's heart.
"Huh?"
"What are you talking about? Who would care about something like that... something like that... something like that..."
Subaru tried to play it cool, forcing an explanation to save face. But seeing the look in Satoru's eyes—like he was watching a comedy act—and remembering Satoru's cool, flashy performance earlier, he simply couldn't keep the act up.
Subaru let out a frustrated "Agh!" and clutched his head, then suddenly bent forward into a sharp ninety-degree bow.
"Please! Teach me!"
"Eh?"
"Didn't someone just say they didn't care?"
"Sumimasen! I must have been possessed by an evil spirit just now to say something like that."
"An evil spirit? Speaking of which, I'm actually quite good at exorcising those."
"That's such a stiff way to change the subject! Satoru-san, please teach me!"
Subaru gazed at Satoru with incredibly fervent eyes.
"Well, let's talk while we walk," Satoru shrugged.
"Satoru, did you just awaken your ability?"
"No, I've been studying since I was a kid."
"What?"
"Then why didn't you tell me you had superpowers when I asked you earlier?"
"You didn't ask me."
Satoru spread his hands, wearing a look of total innocence. However, that expression was just irritating enough to make one's teeth itch.
Subaru's lip twitched. "Wait... you said you've been studying since you were a kid. Does that mean you're some kind of superhero-type guy hiding in the city?"
"Or maybe you're a ninja with a family heritage or something..."
"Something like that. Though strictly speaking, I'm a Jujutsu Sorcerer," Satoru said, raising a finger with a touch of seriousness.
"Jujutsu Sorcerer?"
"Kind of like an exorcist. Responsible for getting rid of evil spirits and things that ordinary people can't see."
"Wow, that sounds amazing. I had no idea the place I lived actually had things like evil spirits..."
Subaru spoke with excitement. Between the crossover today and the special abilities Satoru possessed, he was being introduced to a completely different world.
"I think I understand why you said you're the protagonist now."
"Compared to a background extra like me who can't do anything, you really do need abilities to be the lead, after all."
After the excitement passed, Subaru had to face the cruel reality. As things stood, Satoru had brought his powers with him, while the crossover hadn't granted Subaru any special abilities. If no "special event" occurred, he'd likely be an ordinary person for the rest of his life.
The thought of finally crossing to another world only to end up in this situation was quite frustrating.
Beside him, Satoru watched the boy cycle through excitement and dejection, easily guessing what he was thinking.
"By the way, Satoru."
"What is your ability? Is it like summoning Shikigami from legends, or using talismans?"
"Neither."
Satoru wagged his finger. "To put it simply, it's a power called a 'Cursed Technique'."
"Sounds powerful. Can I see it?"
"Sure, let's find somewhere quiet."
As they spoke, they turned into a small, deserted side alley.
"It's actually quite simple. You can understand it in terms of attraction and repulsion," Satoru told Subaru, reaching out his hand.
Without any flashy movements or light effects, a stone on the ground seemed to be pulled by an invisible force, flying straight into Satoru's palm.
"Is that how you saved that kid earlier?"
"Yeah, pretty much."
"Then... can I learn it?"
Subaru looked at Satoru with burning intensity, his eyes full of hope.
"Well..."
"It's hard to say," Satoru said with a tilted head and a smile.
"It depends on whether you have the aptitude. It's like how some people are born tall with great proportions and are suited to be models, while others are born short and simply don't have that possibility."
The explanation was easy to grasp, and Subaru nodded in understanding.
"Then do you think I have the aptitude? I mean, I'm your partner, there's got to be something special about me, right?"
Satoru rubbed his chin.
Taking the 'protagonist' as my student?
While he wasn't sure if Subaru could learn Jujutsu, it seemed like it could be quite interesting if it were possible.
"I'll have to confirm that first—"
Satoru was interrupted by the sound of footsteps from the other end of the alley. Three figures walked slowly toward them, cutting their conversation short.
"Hey, if you don't want to die, hand over your valuables right now."
Subaru looked at the newcomers with a strange expression. The three men were certainly distinctive in appearance.
The one in the middle, who was threatening them, was a lean youth about the same height as Subaru with silver-gray hair and thin clothing. He looked somewhat delicate, but his face was adorned with lip and tongue piercings. He pointedly stuck out his tongue as he spoke, giving off a very gloomy vibe.
To his left was a hulking brute of a man, nearly as tall as Satoru—about 1.8 or 1.9 meters. And on the far right was a short, stout man.