Phew, that should do it.
Genji leaned on the mop, looking at the room he had just cleaned. He couldn't help but sigh; even though there wasn't much physical exertion involved, for some reason, cleaning this place felt more exhausting than fighting.
He looked around, satisfied, and sat down on the sofa. Instantly, the dust that had accumulated on the sofa billowed into the air.
Cough, cough! Forgot to change the sofa cover.
Genji, choked by the dust, stared speechlessly as the dust contaminated the floor he had just cleaned.
Sigh. (╯︵╰)
I really don't know how Principal Yaga found people to clean this place before.
Genji complained while changing the sofa cover. He knew that even though he hadn't returned in ten years, he had asked Principal Yaga to find someone to clean up, and the money had been paid to Yaga Masamichi in full.
But now, Genji highly suspected that Principal Yaga had pocketed the cleaning fees he had provided and used them to buy materials for making dolls.
Thinking this, Genji looked at the flyer in his school bag. It had a simple promotional slogan: 10-year-old shop, professional doll tailor, undertaking doll making, cleaning, renovation, and other work.
Below that, the phone number and address were marked in small print.
This was a flyer that Principal Yaga had given to them before they left school, asking them to help him promote it.
I wonder what the others are doing now? Genji thought, looking at the ceiling.
...
At the Gojo Family, Gojo Satoru was called to the training ground shortly after returning home.
Inside the training ground, a woman wearing a kimono, with her hair tied up and resting on her chest, and carrying herself with elegance, smiled when she saw Gojo Satoru arrive.
Satoru, you're back.
Yeah, I'm back, Mother.
Gojo Satoru, who was usually fearless, became unexpectedly calm after seeing his mother.
It was just that this calmness didn't last long.
And you, Old Man.
Gojo Satoru shifted his gaze from his mother to the middle-aged man sitting silently beside her.
What? Are you so happy to see your son that you can't even speak?
You bastard! Do you have any manners?
The man was provoked by Gojo Satoru's highly sarcastic words and immediately lost his cool, shouting.
Alright, the child has finally come back once.
The woman laughed and tried to smooth things over, but it didn't affect the bickering between the father and son at all.
From this scene, we can see exactly how Gojo Satoru's personality was cultivated.
Hoo, whatever, there's no reasoning with a rebellious son like you.
Gojo Hajime took a breath, picked up his teacup, took a sip, and continued: You've been at Jujutsu High for almost a year, have you made any progress? I won't ask about theory; I know you definitely don't listen in class. Honestly, I'm already surprised you can sit in the classroom at all, not to mention you heard all that knowledge when you were a child.
Tch, don't put on airs. Of course, I've gotten stronger.
Oh, is that so?
Taking another sip of tea, Gojo Hajime continued: I heard you were beaten up badly by a young man from a commoner background. What's wrong? Is that all the level of our Gojo Family's prodigy?
Listening to Gojo Hajime's subtle mockery, Gojo Satoru was unexpectedly not angered as they had anticipated. Instead, he said quite proudly: Genji is my best friend; isn't it natural for him to be strong? Plus, we've had our wins and losses in our sparring matches so far. Sooner or later, I'll pay back that beating I took.
Seeing their son's reaction, the two were initially surprised, then Gojo Eiko smiled with relief.
It seems you've made a very good friend, Satoru.
She looked at Gojo Satoru with some gratification.
Gojo Eiko knew very well what kind of environment Gojo Satoru had lived in since childhood. As the Six Eyes and Limitless user who only appears once every few hundred years, almost everyone in the clan treated him with extreme reverence. Let alone friends, he didn't even have anyone he could talk to heart-to-heart.
Such a growth environment and his own formidable strength had caused Gojo Satoru to develop this arrogant personality. Honestly, Gojo Eiko was very worried about her son, afraid that one day Gojo Satoru would meet with misfortune, or perhaps be lonely for the rest of his life. But now, she felt she could rest a little easier.
Gojo Hajime was also happy about his son's change, but still pretended to be serious and said to Gojo Satoru: A loss is a loss, stop making excuses. Spar with me; let me see what progress you've made.
Saying this, Gojo Hajime stood up, took off the yukata he was wearing on the outside, and revealed the training gear underneath.
Alright, I'll show you how you're going to get beaten down by me, you old bastard!
Seeing this, Gojo Satoru also showed a smile full of fighting spirit.
Seeing this, Gojo Eiko decisively retreated, leaving the space to the father and son.
Just as Gojo Satoru and his father were enjoying their father-son bonding, Geto Suguru had also returned home, helping his parents tidy up their shop. Shoko had also returned home to accompany her elders. Even Utahime had returned home to accompany her mother.
Only Genji was sitting alone in the courtyard, looking at the night sky, not knowing what he was thinking.
Beep, beep, beep.
At this moment, the phone suddenly rang.
Oh, time's up.
Genji got up to turn off the phone alarm, then entered the house. After a while, he came out carrying a bowl of rice and pork ribs stewed with potatoes.
I didn't expect there to still be gas. It seems Principal Yaga really didn't pocket the money.
After finding that the house still had normal electricity and gas, Genji had gone out to buy groceries.
Hmm, it's stewed quite well.
Looking at the ribs in the pot, Genji nodded with satisfaction.
It's really good, it would be even better if you added some radish.
Are you kidding? I, Genji, have standards for stewing meat! I never add radish! If you're going to add something, add potatoes!
Genji retorted righteously, but then realized, who said that just now?
Genji looked up and saw a cute-looking girl leaning on his fence, watching him.
Are you... Little Ai?
...
It smells so good. I didn't expect Brother Genji cooking to be so good.
Looking at the eccentric and cute girl burying her head in gnawing on ribs in front of him, Genji sighed.
Little Ai, you really aren't shy. We haven't seen each other for 10 years, after all.
Saying this, he handed her a tissue.
Eat slowly, I made plenty.
It's mainly because Mom has something at the company tonight, and I don't know how to cook. Just when I was worrying, I smelled this fragrance.
The girl wiped her mouth and continued eating while talking.
And even if we haven't seen each other for 10 years, Brother Genji is still Brother Genji, right?
You little girl.
Genji was between laughter and tears.
I was so surprised when I heard from Mom after I got home today that you, Brother Genji, had returned. You haven't come back even once in these 10 years, and you haven't come to see me either.
Saying this, the girl's tone couldn't help but carry a hint of complaint.
The girl—Furukawa Ai—was So Yuki's daughter and Genji childhood playmate, although Genji hadn't seen her since something happened at his home.
By the way, Brother Genji, where have you been all these years? Mom looked for you for a long time, and so did Dad when he was still alive.
Sorry, but I can't say.
Eh? Could it be like in the movies, where you went to some temple or an isolated place to practice some kind of martial arts?
Have you been watching too many movies?
Genji responded helplessly, looking at the young girl who was already in junior high, Genji once again reflected on the speed of time passing.
I'm sorry about Uncle Furukawa.
Genji said in a low voice. He still remembered Little Ai's father, Furukawa Tooru, a good-tempered, friendly uncle who was very patient with the children. He didn't expect that after all these years, he was no longer around.
It's okay, it's okay. At least Dad didn't have any pain or regrets when he left, except for not finding you.
By the way, you're in your second year of junior high, right?
Yeah, I'll be in the third year when school starts.
Is that so? Time really... hey, you aren't going to eat it all, are you! Leave some for me!
Genji, who originally wanted to lament about time, noticed that the pot, which was originally full of ribs and potatoes, had already lost nearly two-thirds under the girl's efforts.
Seeing this, Genji had no time to lament anything else and immediately picked up his bowl to start grabbing ribs.
...
So delicious.
Furukawa Ai touched her stomach and lay on the sofa with a satisfied face.
I really don't know where all that meat went.
Looking at Furukawa Ai's flat stomach, Genji said with some confusion. After all, he had stewed enough for two meals in one go, but it was gone in one sitting.
Hehe, after all, Mom and I aren't very good at cooking, and the nanny took leave these days.
Furukawa Ai scratched her head, finally feeling a bit shy, and smiled.
Forget it, if you don't mind, just come over here these few days. If I'm home, I'll make you something to eat. Look at you, you're starving.
...
See you tomorrow then, Brother Genji.
Furukawa Ai stood at the door, waved, and then skipped away.
And Genji, after this distraction, felt the slight loneliness that had been lingering in his heart dissipate a little.