Ito Yuto watched as his son slowly opened his eyes, his tense shoulders finally relaxing. He reached out, his large hand gently stroking the boy's forehead.
"How do you feel now?" he asked softly.
Ito Jun blinked, his drowsy gaze slowly adjusting to the dim room. "Yeah..." he murmured. "Just a little tired." He looked around in confusion. "Dad, why am I here?"
Before Yuto could answer, a different voice cut in from the doorway.
"Boy, do you remember what happened in the past two months?"
The voice was lighthearted but carried a sharper undercurrent of curiosity. Ito Jun turned quickly toward the unfamiliar sound—standing at the door was a tall man with messy white hair and dark sunglasses, his face adorned with an easy-going smile.
Jun stiffened immediately. Something about this man made his instincts flare with unease.
"Who… are you?" Jun's voice was hesitant as he instinctively shrank back against the pillows. "I don't know you."
Gojo Satoru merely grinned, unfazed.
"Little brother," another voice joined in—this one smoother, calmer. Geto Suguru stepped forward, his dark eyes watching Jun with quiet intensity. "Do you remember staying in this room for the past two months without going outside?"
Ito Jun glanced at his father for reassurance. After seeing Yuto nod, he finally lowered his head and shook it.
"Then do you remember what you were doing two months ago?" Geto asked, frowning slightly.
The boy thought hard, his brows furrowing. "Same as usual... going to school, doing homework, playing games. Nothing special happened."
Tsk.
Geto glanced at Gojo. Why does he answer me but not you?
Gojo, of course, looked completely unbothered. Instead, he casually adjusted his sunglasses before stretching his arms with a yawn.
"Well, in that case, we'll be heading out!" he announced breezily. Then, as if suddenly remembering something important, he turned to Ito Yuto and added, "Oh, and don't forget to grab all the best equipment in Puzzle & Dragons!"
With that, he waved lazily and strolled out.
Geto sighed, shaking his head slightly before offering Yuto a brief nod of apology. Then he followed Gojo out of the Ito family mansion.
Outside, Tomie Kento—who had been anxiously waiting near the entrance—finally exhaled a breath of relief. He had heard way too many stories about the so-called strongest sorcerer. Seeing Gojo leave without any property damage? That was a win.
Midnight Conversations
The car ride back was anything but quiet.
"Oi, Suguru!" Gojo draped himself dramatically over Geto's shoulder in the back seat, completely disregarding personal space. "Will my caramel pudding be frozen in the fridge?"
Geto sighed. "Caramel pudding doesn't freeze, Satoru."
Gojo pouted. "Damn. I was so busy today, I didn't even have time to rest. Your caramel pudding is the only thing keeping me going!"
Geto gave him a deadpan look. "You were busy?" He scoffed. "I'm the one who exorcised the cursed spirit and broke the restraints. You did nothing."
Gojo gasped in mock offense, clutching his chest. "Nothing?! Excuse you—I saw through the existence of the shackles! Shouldn't you be showering me with praise?"
Geto rolled his eyes. Meanwhile, Tomie Kento sat in the front seat, internally questioning all of his life choices.
The Next Morning—Teitan Junior High
The next day, Geto Suguru walked toward Teitan Junior High, his bag slung over one shoulder. As he approached the school gates, a familiar voice called out.
"Geto-kun!"
He turned to see Mouri Ran approaching, her expression warm and friendly. "Conan told me you helped him a lot in Sendai. He asked me to thank you!"
Geto scratched his head, looking a little embarrassed. "Ah, well… actually, Conan helped us a lot too. I mean—me and Gojo."
Ran tilted her head. "Gojo-kun? Is he your old classmate? Which school is he in now?"
Geto hesitated. How do I explain this?
"Oh, he's just a friend I met in Tokyo," he answered. No way was he bringing up sorcery in front of normal people.
Before Ran could ask more, a girl with short hair suddenly cut in.
"Ran, did you hear? Puzzle & Dragons just got new equipment!"
"You know I don't play games," Ran said with a sheepish laugh.
Geto blinked. Puzzle & Dragons?
Ah! That's right. Gojo had mentioned that game yesterday at the Ito house.
"Do you play, Geto-kun?" the short-haired girl asked. "We should play together next time!"
"Sure, lets play" Geto answered.
Just then, a small voice chimed in from behind.
"Ran! Uncle Mouri said you forgot your homework!"
They turned to see Conan running toward them, holding a notebook.
"Conan! Thanks!" Ran took the notebook, smiling sheepishly. "You should hurry, or you'll be late for school."
"I've already learned the entire syllabus, so it doesn't really matter," Conan said casually before glancing at Geto. The two exchanged a silent, knowing look.
Yeah. Being a genius stuck in grade school was rough.
But before anyone could say more—
"Aah!"
A shrill scream split the air.
"Someone's going to jump off the building!"
Geto's head snapped up. On the roof of the main building, a girl stood at the edge, swaying. Her pale face was void of emotion, her long hair hanging limply around her shoulders.
"That's Kojima Chie from Class 1!"
"Wasn't she on medical leave? Why is she here?"
Geto narrowed his eyes—and then saw it.
A cursed spirit.
It clung to the girl's shoulder, its body resembling a bloated lizard, its tongue flicking out as viscous drool dripped from its fangs.
Conan followed his gaze. "Geto… is there something next to her?"
Geto's eyes widened slightly. "You can tell?"
"I can't see it, but I can read your face. Is it dangerous?"
"Not too strong. It's only a quasi-second-grade cursed spirit." Geto's fingers curled slightly. But why is it here?
Then—
The girl's body tilted backward.
"Shit—!" Geto acted instantly.
A black crack opened behind him, and his demon manta ray curse spirit emerged, unseen by the normal students. It swooped up just in time, catching Chie mid-fall.
To the outside world, it looked like nothing. Like the girl had suddenly slowed in midair before floating gently to the ground.
The teachers swarmed, rushing her to the infirmary.
Conan exhaled. "That was you, wasn't it?"
Geto gave a rare smirk. "If you want me to really save her, we need to exorcise that cursed spirit."
Conan adjusted his glasses, a sharp glint in his eye. "Tell me how I can help."
Geto chuckled. This might actually be fun.