Author's Notes:
I forgot that I posted this ff on Webnovel. Sorry y'all.
However, this is also available on Wattpad and has more chapters. So, go check it out.
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Jin and Kaori stood in the ruined hallway, the once lively remnants of the pizzeria now a silent graveyard of the past. The confetti, the cone-shaped party hats, and the torn banners whispered of celebrations long forgotten.
Jin exhaled, his gaze sweeping over the faded decorations.
"This place..." he muttered, sadness creeping into his tone.
This pizzeria had once been a haven of joy for children. Now, it was just another haunted ruin.
Suddenly, Kaori stopped in her tracks.
Jin noticed immediately.
"What's wrong, Kaori-san?" he asked, concern evident in his voice.
Kaori's sharp gaze locked onto a nearby abandoned kitchen.
"I can sense cursed energy coming from there." She pointed toward the darkened space.
Jin turned toward it, his own senses stretching. Now that he focused, he could feel it too. The energy was thick, curling around the shadows of the room like a lingering mist.
"As expected of you, Kaori-san," Jin said, offering a small smile. "You can sense cursed energy better than me."
Kaori flushed lightly at the compliment. "T-Thanks. But you're still stronger than me..."
CLANG!
The sudden sound of metal crashing to the ground made them both whip their heads toward the kitchen.
A pan slid across the floor, spinning wildly before coming to a stop right in front of them.
A chill crawled up their spines.
And then—
"Hahahaha..."
A deep, distorted laugh rumbled through the darkness.
Jin and Kaori tensed immediately. Their heads snapped in the direction of the sound—
A hulking, brown animatronic bear stepped out of the shadows.
Its metal frame creaked as it moved, its glowing, lifeless eyes locked onto them. The sheer presence of its cursed energy was suffocating.
Grade 2.
"Hehehehe..."
Another laugh.
Jin and Kaori turned their heads—
A yellow animatronic chicken loomed on the opposite side.
Its jagged teeth were too human-like, its wide, hollow eyes fixed directly on Kaori.
Compared to the bear, its cursed energy was weaker, but still—
Grade 3.
The realization sank in.
They were surrounded.
Kaori gritted her teeth, pulling a combat knife from her pocket. The blade gleamed faintly in the dim light.
Jin clenched his fists, his stance shifting fluidly into a defensive position.
Without needing to discuss further, they made their decision.
"I'll handle the brown bear," Jin declared, his voice steady. "You take the chicken thing."
Kaori nodded, tightening her grip on her knife.
"Alright."
Their enemies lurched forward—
Jin and Kaori lunged forward simultaneously, their attacks aimed at the cursed animatronics looming over them.
Jin went for the brown bear, throwing a powerful punch at its metallic torso. The force of his blow sent a shockwave through the air, but the animatronic barely staggered. Instead, its massive clawed hand swung toward him with brutal speed.
Jin barely managed to raise his arms to block, but the impact sent him skidding backward, his boots digging deep into the dust-covered floor.
Kaori, meanwhile, darted toward the yellow chicken animatronic, using her more petite frame to dodge its lumbering strikes. With a sharp twist of her body, she slashed at its exposed joints, hoping to cripple its movements. Sparks flew as her knife scraped against its metal plating, but the cursed spirit barely flinched.
Then—
The bear's heavy foot slammed into Jin's chest, sending him crashing through a collapsed booth.
Kaori turned at the sound, worry flashing in her eyes. That moment of distraction was all it took.
The yellow chicken's metallic fist collided with her side.
The impact sent her flying, her body smashing against a pile of broken chairs before hitting the ground with a dull thud. She didn't move.
Jin's heart stopped for a moment.
His breath came in ragged gasps as he pushed himself up, his gaze locked onto Kaori's unmoving form.
"No... No, no, no!"
She wasn't moving.
His hands curled into trembling fists. The sound of grinding metal filled the air as the two animatronic spirits advanced toward her.
Something inside Jin snapped.
With a furious roar, he surged forward.
His fist crashed into the brown bear's face, denting the steel plating and sending it flying across the room. Before the yellow chicken could even react, Jin twisted mid-air and delivered a devastating kick to its side, launching it away from Kaori's body.
Dust and debris swirled around them.
Jin dropped to one knee beside her, quickly pressing two fingers to her pulse.
She was alive. Barely.
Relief flooded his chest, but there was no time to process it.
He slowly turned his head, his gaze locking onto the two cursed animatronics, now picking themselves up from the wreckage.
His entire body trembled—not with fear, but with something else.
A deep, primal instinct coiled in his gut, whispering a single command.
Kill them. Slice them apart.
The cursed spirits lunged at him.
Jin exhaled and casually waved his hand.
A flash of motion—so fast it barely registered—cut through the air.
The animatronics froze mid-attack.
For a moment, nothing happened.
Then—
Their bodies split apart.
The brown bear's head toppled off its shoulders, while the yellow chicken was sliced cleanly in half. Their severed parts collapsed onto the floor, lifeless.
Jin's breathing was uneven as he stared down at his outstretched hand.
"Did I... just do that?"
His fingers trembled slightly as he flexed them, trying to understand what had just happened.
"Was that... my Cursed Technique? Or an Innate Technique?"
The realization sent a chill down his spine.
He had just sliced them apart without touching them.
"Ngh!"
A quiet groan escaped Kaori's lips as she stirred slightly, her body still weak from the attack.
Jin immediately turned his attention to her, concern flickering across his face.
"She's still out of it."
His grip on her tightened slightly, making sure she wouldn't slip.
With a deep breath, he scooped her up, holding her securely in his arms.
His muscles tensed as he carried her princess-style, her body feeling unusually light despite the weight of exhaustion dragging him down.
"She needs to rest. We need to get out of here."
Glancing at the ruined remains of the animatronic cursed spirits, Jin wasted no time.
With quick, steady strides, he headed toward the exit, Kaori's breathing soft and steady in his arms.
He didn't look back.
✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧
The cold night air swept past Seijuro as he stood outside the abandoned pizzeria, arms crossed, his signature smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. The moment the lingering cursed energy within the building flickered out of existence, he exhaled in satisfaction.
"They did it..." Seijuro muttered, crimson eyes glinting in the dim streetlight.
"Yo."
Seijuro turned at the familiar voice, catching sight of Toji leaning lazily against a tree, arms folded across his chest. His expression was unreadable, but his presence was anything but subtle.
"Oh, Toji, nice to see you actually accompany us."
Toji pushed himself off the tree with an effortless shrug. "I was bored," he admitted. "Figured I'd watch the kids struggle a bit."
Seijuro chuckled. "Well, you missed quite the show. They actually managed to exorcise the curses."
Toji raised an eyebrow, mildly intrigued. "Huh. Didn't think they had it in 'em."
Seijuro's smirk widened. "They're growing. Even Jin surprised me. I had a feeling he had potential, but the way his cursed technique activated..." His gaze turned thoughtful. "Well, let's just say it's worth looking into."
Toji scoffed. "You sound like some proud dad."
Seijuro let out a low chuckle, but before he could respond, the doors of the pizzeria creaked open.
The first to emerge was Jin, carrying Kaori in his arms.
Her head rested against his shoulder, her usually sharp expression softened in unconsciousness. Jin's breath was uneven, sweat trailing down his forehead, his grip on her steady despite his exhaustion. His baggy clothes barely concealed the defined muscles underneath, his strength evident in the way he carried her so effortlessly.
Seijuro's gaze flickered toward Kaori, then back to Jin. "She okay?"
Jin nodded, still catching his breath. "Yeah... just unconscious. Got knocked out during the fight."
Seijuro sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "I told you this mission wouldn't be easy."
Jin's jaw tightened. "I know... but I wasn't gonna let her die."
There was **something in his voice—**not defiance, but a quiet, unwavering determination.
Seijuro and Toji both paused, taking a second look at Jin.
Toji's smirk twitched slightly. "Hmph. Looks like you've got some guts after all."
Before Jin could respond, another pair of footsteps echoed from the pizzeria.
Stepping into the moonlight, Satoru grinned widely, his usual boundless energy still radiating despite the eerie location. But what caught Seijuro's attention wasn't just Satoru's enthusiasm— it was the boy standing beside him.
A black-haired child, with dark, inquisitive eyes, looking slightly unsure but not afraid.
Seijuro's smirk briefly faltered, his mind racing as he took in the sight of the two boys standing side by side.
Satoru beamed. "Dad! Look! I made a friend!"
Seijuro's gaze flickered between the two, immediately sensing the sheer volume of cursed energy radiating from the other boy.
'Who is this kid...?'
Seijuro crouched down to their level, his crimson eyes settling on the newcomer.
"What's your name, little one?" Seijuro asked, his voice notably gentler than before.
The boy hesitated, glancing at Satoru for reassurance.
Satoru grinned and nodded.
Finally, the boy straightened, bowing politely. "My name is Suguru Geto. Nice to meet you!"
Seijuro's eyes widened.
For the first time in a while, he was genuinely taken aback.
'Suguru Geto? Now of all times?' he thought.
But as quickly as his surprise came, it was replaced with resolve.
If fate had given him this opportunity, then he wasn't going to waste it. This time, Suguru wouldn't walk the same path as the one from the original story.
His lips curled into a warm smile as he reached out and ruffled Suguru's hair.
"Nice to meet you, Suguru-kun. I'm Seijuro Gojo."
Suguru blinked in surprise, a faint blush dusting his cheeks at the unexpected gesture.
Meanwhile, Satoru pouted, puffing his cheeks as he glared at his father. "Oi, Dad! That's my thing!"
Before Seijuro could tease him, a low chuckle came from Toji.
"By the way, Seijuro..." Toji's smirk sharpened as he tilted his head toward the ruined pizzeria.
Seijuro raised an eyebrow. "What?"
Toji's smirk widened. "You forgot to put up a curtain."
Seijuro froze. His eye twitched.
"...Shit."