Jujutsu Kaisen: I Have A Gardevoir

The old man was definitely of advanced age.

All his hair was white, and his face was etched with deep wrinkles and noticeable age spots.

Yet, from his brow and eyes, one could still see a resemblance to Yuji Itadori.

Akira racked his brain for a good while before finally retrieving a name from the depths of his memory—Itadori Wasuke.

At this moment, the grandfather and grandson had already begun their exchange of words.

"Grandpa, why are you here again? You just got out of the hospital. The doctor and nurses all told you to rest quietly at home."

"Stop nagging! Staying cooped up at home all day will only make me sicker. This is proper exercise—beneficial to both body and mind!"

"Who comes to a pachinko parlor for 'exercise'? What if you lose and your blood pressure shoots up?"

"Ptui, ptui, ptui! Don't say such inauspicious things. Today I've had a big win, a big win indeed. And you—why did you come here? Minors are not allowed."

"Who was the one who dragged me into this pit in the first place…"

This move—this move harmed both the enemy and oneself.

The one who introduced Yuji Itadori to this pachinko pit was none other than Grandpa Itadori Wasuke.

Almost all of Yuji's questionable hobbies were influenced by his grandfather.

After using this ultimate comeback, both sides fell silent. The old man tossed the paper bag in his hand to his grandson, then asked: "Your friend?"

Yuji Itadori answered: "That's right, we had such a pleasant chat. He also advised me to stay away from pachinko. Grandpa, you should too."

"You brat. Go buy some cold drinks. Under this blazing sun, don't you two feel hot?"

"Now that you mention it, we do. Mr. Akira, please wait for me a moment."

Yuji Itadori took the spare change and ran off, dashing away like a gust of wind—no wonder he got the Red trainer template.

Once the grandson was far away, the old man shuffled step by step over to Akira's side, speaking in a tone different from the one he used to "spar" with his grandson: "You don't mind talking a bit with this old man, do you?"

"You flatter me."

Akira lowered his head, showing the respect due from a junior to a senior.

Yuji Itadori and his grandfather depended on each other for survival, yet Yuji had grown up healthy and strong. Just for that, Itadori Wasuke deserved respect.

"By your accent, you're not a local?"

"I'm from Tokyo, lived for a few years in the countryside of Shikoku. As for where I belong, I can't really say."

"You came to Sendai for—?"

"Tourism."

"Just tourism?" The old man lifted his head, his aged but still-clear gaze sweeping over Akira's neck.

"Just tourism."

Akira nodded calmly, reaching out to pinch Snivy's tiny hand. Unlike Gardevoir, who always obeyed Akira, Snivy chomped down on Akira's finger with a bite.

The old man wanted to laugh but held back, sighing: "I know some things an ordinary person shouldn't know. This child, Yuji… sigh…"

"I understand what you're trying to say. I came here just to travel. I have no intention of doing anything to Itadori-kun. Meeting him was purely by chance."

"I believe you're telling the truth, but I'm also afraid there have been too many 'coincidences.' When science cannot explain, gods and fate easily become the final resting place."

The old man was aged, yet his mind was as clear as a bright mirror. Having experienced so much, he could see more clearly than any young person.

"You're right. Even where I come from, I can't deny the existence of fate."

Traversing worlds, systems, memes—if it's all just coincidence, Akira wouldn't believe it in the least.

"I cannot guarantee anything to you, but please believe, I do not wish for Yuji Itadori to step into that world. I never want that. His personality is too bright and sunny, unsuitable for that dark realm. To be honest, I'm curious—how exactly did you raise him to be who he is now?"

"I just didn't want him to go down the wrong path, like his father did. Compared to that, pachinko is a minor mistake."

The old man closed his eyes, seemingly unwilling to let Akira see the unbecoming sadness within them.

Akira really wanted to ask about Yuji Itadori's parents, but he knew this was too inappropriate right now, so he remained silent.

After the old man composed himself, he spoke again: "Sometimes I wonder if what I've done is wrong. I'm old and can't watch over Yuji all his life. If I'm not around and he encounters those things, the result might be worse."

"Old sir…" Those who've experienced life know their body best. The old man must have sensed something.

"I know my own body. No matter how unwilling I am, I can't hold on for long… so this old man wants to ask you a favor. I know it's not right to say this when we've just met, but I really don't know whom else to ask. Let's call it asking fate and coincidence for help."

"Please, go ahead." Akira held his breath, waiting quietly for the old man's request.

Even Snivy subconsciously withdrew her tail, unwilling to disturb this solemn atmosphere.

"If— and I mean if— one day Yuji inevitably has to step into that world, I hope you can help him. Don't let him plunge into it blindly, knowing nothing at all."

"That's all?"

"That's all. In the end, Yuji must walk his own path. I believe in my grandson—he won't go astray. I beg you."

The old man's face bore undisguised pride as he bowed his head deeply.

Only such a grandfather could raise a child like Yuji Itadori. Regardless of strength, in terms of raising a person, this old man was truly remarkable.

Hayami can't compare, Satoru Gojo can't compare, and certainly not the Zen'in or Kamo families.

So, there was nothing to hesitate about.

"I promise you. And I also hope that this promise will never be needed."

"So do I."

The old man straightened his back and looked into the distance. There, his beloved grandson was returning with a convenience bag in hand.

"Grandpa, Mr. Akira, I'm back! What were you talking about? The atmosphere seems a bit strange."

"We were talking about your further education. This Akira lad is more sensible than you. We've made plans to have dinner together."

As he spoke, the old man glanced at Akira. Akira knew this was the old man's way of expressing gratitude, so he did not refuse.

"Yes, exactly. I heard from your grandpa that you're the one who does the cooking for the Itadori household, and you're pretty good. Show us what you've got."

"Oh." Yuji Itadori rolled up his sleeves again.

And so, Akira followed the Itadori grandfather and grandson back to their home, a small but cozy old house.

They drank tea together, chatted about all sorts of things, and watched television together—one of the favorite pastimes of the Itadori grandfather and grandson.

Notably, they liked watching TVB Hong Kong dramas, and their Cantonese mimicry was quite good.

They also ate dinner together, with Yuji Itadori cooking several dishes.

While not professional-grade, it was comfortable and satisfying—a true feeling of "home," so precious in a Jujutsu world where people are often not treated as human.

After dinner, it was time to part ways.

As the grandfather and grandson waved goodbye, and as Akira reminded Yuji to "treat your grandfather well," he left the Itadori residence under the rising moon.

The moment the door closed, Akira stretched lazily.

"Well-fed and well-rested. Time to get down to business. After all, I can't just eat their meal for free, right, Snivy?"

"Tan-tan."

Snivy remained as lazy as ever. With the sun gone, she was even less motivated.

But her call alone was enough to show her attitude.

She might not fully understand what Akira wanted to do, but she knew it was for the benefit of that grandfather and grandson—that was enough.

Plants grow toward the sunlight.

So does a Grass-type Pokémon like Snivy.

This is why she was stirred by the awakening of the "light" power within Akira, and why she coiled around Akira's neck—because he carried the scent of "light," making her feel comfortable.

She sensed a similar aura from that grandfather and grandson, though not as concentrated.

This was enough for her to form her judgment.

Akira reached out and gently rubbed her little head, as Reversed Cursed Technique slowly spread out: "Then let's clean up this entire city, shall we?"