"What? You're asking me, a special-grade sorcerer—no, wait, an extremely evil curse user—to help you find a body?" Gojo Satoru pouted, his tone dripping with mock indignation.
"You promised earlier. Otherwise, you can find a place to stay on your own." Geto Suguru turned on his heel, already heading for the stairs.
"Hey, hold on!" Gojo stepped forward, blocking his path with a grin. "I'll help, but you've got to tell me and Megumi why. What if you're the murderer? We'd end up as accomplices!"
"An extremely evil curse user worried about being an accomplice?" Suguru rolled his eyes, unimpressed.
"Even evil curse users have standards," Gojo shot back, raising an eyebrow. "I'm not about to be someone's scapegoat. Unless…" He paused, his grin widening. "You treat me to ten boxes of edamame-flavored Kikufuku tonight."
"Ten boxes? Are you trying to give yourself diabetes or rot your teeth?" Suguru retorted.
"Don't worry about me. My body thrives on sugar. It's a curse user thing." Gojo waved a hand dismissively, his smile unwavering.
Suguru sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Fine. But you're not getting ten boxes. One, maybe."
"Deal!" Gojo clapped his hands together. "Now, spill it. What's this about a body?"
Reluctantly, Suguru explained the situation: a colleague at the magazine, Akimichi Hatsusakura, had been having recurring dreams about her boyfriend's death at this very location.
Gojo listened intently, his playful demeanor fading slightly. "So that's why you dragged us here. You think her dream might be real?"
"It's a long shot," Suguru admitted. "But I had to check. If there's even a chance…"
Gojo nodded, his expression turning thoughtful. "Alright. Let's see what we can find. Megumi!" He turned to the black-clad boy standing silently nearby. "Think your Divine Dogs can sniff something out?"
Megumi gave a curt nod. "If there's anything here, they'll find it."
As if on cue, two large shikigami dogs—one black, one white—materialized beside him. They sniffed the air, their ears twitching as they began to prowl the area.
Suguru watched, intrigued. "I can't see them."
"Ah, right." Gojo rummaged in his jacket and pulled out a pair of glasses. "Here. Put these on."
Suguru hesitated but slipped the glasses on. Instantly, the two Divine Dogs came into view, their forms solid and vivid. The white one nuzzled his hand, its tongue lolling out.
"They're… impressive," Suguru admitted, crouching to get a better look. "I've never seen shikigami like this before."
"Megumi's got a knack for them," Gojo said proudly. "Now, let's see what they find."
The dogs led the way, their noses to the ground as they ascended the stairs of the abandoned building. The group followed, the air growing heavier with each step. By the time they reached the fifth floor, the dogs were barking furiously at a pile of debris in the corner.
"Something's there," Megumi said, his voice low. "They don't react like this unless it's serious."
Suguru's stomach churned. "You think it's…?"
"Only one way to find out." Gojo pulled out his phone. "I'll call the police. Let them handle the dirty work."
The police arrived shortly after, their skepticism evident. But as they began clearing the debris, the stench of decay grew overwhelming. Beneath the pile, they uncovered a body—badly decomposed, but unmistakably human.
"This matches the timeline of Hatsusakura's boyfriend's disappearance," Suguru murmured, his voice tight. "Her dream… it was real."
Gojo placed a hand on his shoulder. "We'll figure this out. But for now, let's get out of here. This place gives me the creeps."
As they left the building, Gojo turned to Suguru with a grin. "So, about that place to stay…"
Suguru groaned. "I said I'd find you a place, not that you could move in."
"Details, details." Gojo waved him off. "Besides, you owe me for helping you find a body. That's gotta be worth at least a night on your couch."
"Fine," Suguru relented, though his tone suggested he already regretted it. "But you're sleeping on the floor."
"Deal!" Gojo said cheerfully, slinging an arm around Suguru's shoulders. "You're the best, Suguru."
"Don't push it," Suguru muttered, though there was no real heat in his words.
Back at Suguru's apartment, the trio settled in for the night. Gojo sprawled on the couch, his long legs dangling over the edge, while Megumi claimed the guest bedroom without a word.
"You're really making yourself at home," Suguru remarked dryly as he tossed a blanket at Gojo.
"What can I say? I'm a people person." Gojo grinned, pulling the blanket over himself. "Thanks for the hospitality, Suguru. You're not so bad for an evil curse user."
"And you're not so bad for an insufferable sorcerer," Suguru shot back, though there was a hint of a smile on his lips.