NOVEL NEXT Chapter 31: Restlessness
"If you insist on saying so, I'll just take it as it is," shrugged, not refuting anything Yukino said. However, after giving her a sidelong glance, he continued to stroll leisurely through the school grounds, speaking in a casual tone:
"I don't really think I need friends. I'm fine the way I am now."
Though he had traveled to this world, Ryuji had no intention of suddenly becoming someone who sought out friendship with everyone he met. His life as it was now suited him just fine.
"Wait a minute!"
Seeing that Ryuji was about to leave, Yukino quickly hurried after him.
"This is a commission from Hiratsuka-sensei, and I intend to complete it!" she declared with determination.
It wasn't that she necessarily disagreed with Ryuji's perspective. In fact, Yukino herself didn't see anything wrong with being alone or having no friends. She was quite used to it, after all.
But this wasn't about personal beliefs it was a task she had been assigned, and she intended to see it through.
As they walked, Yukino began lecturing about the meaning of the word "friend," reciting what felt like a textbook definition, or something one might pull from an internet search. The explanation was long, detailed, and a bit dry very typical of Yukino.
Ryuji listened without much reaction. It was, indeed, very Yukino.
After a while, Yukino noticed that Ryuji hadn't responded to her speech. She didn't get angry, but she did feel a little puzzled.
"Are you looking for something?" she asked, noting the way Ryuji seemed to be scanning his surroundings as they walked.
"Yeah, something weird," Ryuji said openly, not bothering to hide it.
"Weird?" Yukinoshita echoed, her confusion deepening.
"Have you ever heard of urban legends?"
In Japan, urban legends were quite popular, especially among younger people. Many kids grew up hearing these eerie stories.
"…"
Of course, Yukino had heard of urban legends. She wasn't completely out of touch. But hearing Ryuji say that he was actively looking for something like that left her feeling… bemused.
"Chuunibyou, perhaps?" she muttered under her breath, her face hard to read. Wasn't this a classic case of second-year syndrome? How could someone seriously be looking for urban legends in the real world?
Ryuji didn't feel the need to explain, though he did glance at her. "Just because you don't believe in something doesn't mean it doesn't exist."
In the end, it was all about perspective.
"…"
Yukino didn't argue, but in her mind, she had already pegged Ryuji as someone with a bit of a Chuunibyou complex. She thought about calling him out but decided against it.
However, just as she was about to say something else.....
"Hmm?"
Ryuji suddenly stopped in his tracks, his eyes narrowing as he looked in a specific direction.
Such a strong concentration of Negative energy. Could it be a spirit? No, this energy feels stronger than the usual spirits. What is it?
Without another word, Ryuji quickened his pace, moving toward the source of the energy.
"You—!"
Yukino was startled as Ryuji suddenly took off. For a moment, she debated leaving him to his own devices, but she quickly changed her mind. She had taken on this task, and she wasn't someone who gave up halfway.
She followed him, quickening her own pace to keep up.
After walking for a few minutes, Ryuji came to a stop. Yukino, still catching her breath, was about to speak when she heard faint voices from around the corner. The sounds made her freeze in place.
"Hey, Okkotsu Yuta, where's the money I told you to bring?"
"You didn't bring it, huh?"
"Looks like we're going to have to teach you a lesson."
This area was in the back part of the school, far from where most students would wander. Those who were supposed to go home had already left, and the rest were in their club activities. That made this an isolated spot, perfect for troublemakers.
Bullying.
Just hearing those voices was enough for Yukino to realize what was happening. She had been bullied before, after all. Her expression darkened, and without hesitation, she moved forward.
Seeing this, Ryuji merely shrugged, not surprised at all. Despite their varying personalities, many anime heroines seemed to share a common trait an unshakable sense of justice. And Yukino was no exception. She wasn't the type to turn a blind eye when witnessing something like this.
He followed after her, though his mind was still preoccupied.
Okkotsu Yuta? That name sounds oddly familiar…
---
"Yuta, huh? You need us to remind you what happens when you don't listen?"
The timid, introverted boy who was being surrounded by three bullies was Yuta. His body was hunched over, trembling as fear gripped him.
"W-Wait! Rika… no, don't do this!" Yuta stammered, though it wasn't clear who he was talking to. He seemed more terrified of something else, something unseen.
"You—!"
Before Ryuji could get a good read on the situation, Yukino's voice rang out, her eyes blazing with anger as she rushed forward to stop the bullying.
However
"Wait."
Ryuji placed a hand on Yukino's shoulder, stopping her in her tracks.
"Successfully contacted a target: Yukinoshita Yukino! A golden entry has been triggered. Do you want to load it?"
A golden entry? Already? It seems that Yukino really is something special…
"What are you doing?" Yukino snapped, irritated by Ryuji's sudden interference. She had assumed he'd come to stop the bullying, but now he was holding her back. Did that mean he was siding with the bullies?
"Just watch. The real fun is about to start," Ryuji said with an amused smile, ignoring the fire in her eyes.
The name had finally clicked in his mind. Yuta Okkotsu of course, it was that guy. The boy bound to the Queen of Cursed Spirits, Rika.
No wonder he looked so terrified. It wasn't the bullies he was afraid of it was the cursed spirit within him.
Ryuji chuckled softly to himself. He had only just realized that this world wasn't just a blend of Miko's reality, but also the world of Jujutsu Kaisen. Cursed spirits, jujutsu sorcerers…
Not only were there strange spirits to deal with, but now cursed spirits like Rika? This world just became a lot more dangerous and a lot more exciting.
Far from feeling fear, Ryuji felt his blood pumping with excitement. A world that was too safe and easy would be boring. But a world with real danger? Now that was something worth playing in.
"Tch," Ryuji muttered to himself with a grin.
"Maybe I'm just a bit of a thrill-seeker at heart."