Jujutsu Kaisen: I Have A Gardevoir

The one speaking was a boy.

About the same age as Akira.

His hair was very short, and its pink color was unusual for a male. However, it didn't give off any strange or feminine vibe. On the contrary, combined with his golden-brown eyes and well-proportioned, healthy physique, he gave off a feeling as warm as the sun itself.

If one were to describe a sunny, cheerful youth, he would be it.

At this moment, the boy was watching Akira's face… and the leaf that was slapped onto his face, with a concerned expression.

"That's a leaf… a tail? Is that a snake?"

"You can see—"

Akira blurted out half a sentence before stopping abruptly.

Pokémon, classified as "spirits" in this world, just like Cursed Spirits, aren't visible to everyone. However, the restriction isn't as severe as it is for Cursed Spirits. Akira once noticed that when he took Gardevoir (Shanai [沙奈朵]) out for a walk, there were people who couldn't see the small insects on his shoulder but could see Gardevoir instead.

He guessed that positive energy might be more abundant in those individuals, making them more compatible with spirits. Apart from that, Akira couldn't think of another explanation.

He paused mid-sentence—because of the system's latest prompt.

"—Detected Trainer Meme. Meme collection and conversion in progress. Newly added Trainer Template: Red."

Red?

In the games, he is the origin of all, the very first protagonist, the player's avatar, officially recognized as the strongest trainer.

In the Pokémon Special manga, he's the famous battler.

The primary force that destroyed Team Rocket, the first protagonist of the Pokémon Adventures (Special) manga, the only trainer recognized by Mewtwo, and the "blood-relative kin" of Deoxys.

With such a unique position, and given that Trainer Template Green corresponds to Megumi Fushiguro, the newcomer's identity is obvious.

"Itadori… Yuji…"

"Huh, you know my name? Have we met before?" The pink-haired boy admitted straightforwardly.

"We haven't met, but I've heard about you. A genius in athletic competitions, a potential sports manga protagonist."

Yuji Itadori was exactly the second reason Akira had come to Sendai.

To be honest, this purpose had already been abandoned when heading to Tohoku University.

It's summer vacation right now, students are on break.

Besides, Akira had overlooked one thing: Yuji Itadori is only fourteen years old this year, still in his third year of middle school, not yet entering high school like in the main storyline.

Akira also didn't want to use Satoru Gojo's connections to find him. If Gojo asked why he was looking for Itadori, how would he explain—"This person will eat a finger of Ryomen Sukuna a year from now and become Sukuna's vessel"?

No matter how you put it, that's too unbelievable.

Moreover, eating a cursed finger is never a good thing.

Living under the sunlight, shining in the field of sports or doing something else is far better than being forced into the Jujutsu world.

All these complicated thoughts were unknown to Itadori Yuji, who was still an "ordinary person." Because Snivy's leaf-tail was blocking the view, he couldn't see Akira's facial expression. Scratching the back of his head with some embarrassment, he said:

"Genius, protagonist—those are too exaggerated. I'm just a bit stronger than average. Besides, I'm not that into participating in competitions. Playing for fun is fine, but treating it as a profession would be too stressful."

"Is that so? Then just keep it as a hobby. If you don't like it, it's hard to stick with it."

"Right, right! I think so too. But my teacher and classmates in the club don't see it that way, as if not joining practice is some huge loss."

Yuji Itadori possessed all the qualities expected of a shonen manga protagonist—sunny, talkative, and naturally sociable.

"It's because you have talent. It's always easier for talented people than those without talent. They also tend to go farther. But talent doesn't equal interest. In the end, it's up to you to decide. As long as you don't regret it, don't break any laws or morals, and can face the world with your head held high, you don't need to care about others' opinions."

"I see. No one's ever told me that before. Thanks. Ah, I still don't know your name."

"Akira."

While speaking, Akira turned his body halfway, finally freeing himself from Snivy's tail blocking his face.

Snivy's tail pursued sunlight. As long as Akira didn't face the sun, there would be no conflict with this "snake princess."

However, Snivy seemed dissatisfied with Akira's "cleverness." Although it no longer blocked his face with its tail, it poked Akira's neck with its tiny hand to show its displeasure.

Yuji Itadori saw this scene clearly: "Um, are you sure you're okay?"

"I'm fine."

Akira shook his head. After all, as a Trainer, taking hits from Pokémon is part of daily life. How else would he have such a strong physique?

Seeing that Itadori Yuji's gaze was always drawn to Snivy, Akira said again: "The world is big, there will always be things hard to understand. Are you curious about her existence?"

"Of course I'm curious. I've never seen such a strange snake, and never seen anyone wearing a snake around their neck—Bollywood movies might have shown that. Mr. Akira, are you from India?"

"Of course not." While Akira is remarkable, he can't compare to the triple-threat talents of the "three brothers" (a playful reference to India), "But if you want to learn, I can teach you some basics."

"I'll pass. I'm not that interested. Deciding my future is a very important matter, and I want to think it through carefully."

The boy's eyes were clear and pure, without the slightest gloom. They matched the sunlight so well and contrasted starkly with the darkness of the Jujutsu world.

"Indeed, you should think it through. Itadori-kun, I hope you have a bright future and a happy life."

Maybe it was influenced by his previous life, or maybe positive energy had changed his mindset. Either way, this was Akira's most genuine thought.

Even if this would cause the storyline to change drastically and make him lose the chance to obtain a Pokémon comparable to, or even surpassing, Darkrai.

"Thank you. I also hope you, Mr. Akira, will live happily all your life."

Beneath the sunlight, the boy smiled.

At this moment, Akira could somewhat understand why some people called themselves "mama-fans" of Yuji Itadori. He truly could be called a little angel.

The only shortcoming might be his hobbies.

The two walked side by side for a while. At the entrance of a deep alley, Yuji Itadori stopped. The pink-haired boy rolled up his sleeves, talking to himself: "Alright, with Mr. Akira's blessing, today will definitely be very bright."

Akira glanced in the direction he was heading—how typically Japanese—a pachinko parlor. Akira immediately reached out and grabbed his shoulder.

"Gambling has nothing to do with brightness or goodness. Don't forget you're still a minor. What did I just say?"

Yuji Itadori uttered two embarrassed grunts, his head drooping: "Don't violate morals and laws."

Pachinko parlors prohibit minors from entering. This is worse than minors sneaking into internet cafes.

"As long as you know."

Akira nodded with satisfaction. Rescuing a minor from a bad habit—this could count as a good deed for the day.

Just after he finished speaking, someone walked out of the store holding a half-human-tall paper bag, his face glowing with excitement, shouting:

"Lucky day! I've struck it rich today, I've struck it rich!"

Yuji Itadori called out to this person: "Grandpa."