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Chapter 19: Disguise and Cracks

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Gojo Satoru hadn’t noticed anything off with Geto Suguru. He figured Suguru was just still in his feels after Haibara Yu’s passing and hadn’t fully moved on yet.
After all, Haibara was a junior who deeply respected Suguru, and the two had been close.
The only way Satoru knew how to comfort him was by treating his best friend to his favorite soba.
Suguru wasn’t a weak person; once the weather cooled down, he’d probably snap out of it.

Satoru wasn’t the type to overthink things, and since Suguru was his one and only best friend, their vibe was so synchronized they didn't need words.
Geto Suguru was a sorcerer who believed in the "Theory of the Strong"—the idea that protecting the weak is the duty of the strong. They’d even bickered about it before.
Back then, Satoru hated "righteous talk" and thought it was total cap.
He could never have imagined that the same Suguru who once cared so much for non-sorcerers now viewed them with disgust, even hatred.
Satoru was still just a boy under eighteen; he couldn't yet perceive something that deep and dark.
And Suguru was a master at hiding it.

Sunday in Tokyo was packed with all kinds of people. Satoru and Suguru hit up a famous soba shop, and Suguru ended up buying the drinks at a dessert cafe afterward.
Just like many times before, the two hung out in the city during their downtime.
However, since their missions were now split up, the rest days they could actually spend together were becoming rare.

After finishing lunch and chilling at the cake shop, the two were debating heading to the arcade for a 1v1.
Then Satoru’s phone rang. The moment he picked up, his face went full "done with this."
"What? Right now? Today is my day off, hello!"
It seemed like another emergency mission that only the "Six Eyes" could handle.

An absolutely invincible defensive technique, long-distance teleportation, the most destructive atomic-level energy attacks, and precision cursed energy control that made his consumption near zero.
That was the Gojo family—one of the Big Three—and the "Six Eyes" that only appeared once in an era.
Not to mention Satoru was already being hailed as the "Strongest" in history, single-handedly pressing the clan elders.
Suguru’s reaction wasn't exactly jealousy of his best friend; it was more like envy.
A helpless kind of envy.

Suguru looked down and stirred his black tea. Without milk or sugar, it had that specific, sharp bitterness of the leaves.
Satoru was still complaining on the phone.
"Do I look like I need overtime pay? Get someone else, I’m resting."
"Ha? What S-rank mission is so special it has to be me?"
"Fine, fine... the Assistant Director who went to investigate went MIA? You guys are literally so weak."

Satoru hung up, looking annoyed. He looked up to see Suguru’s half-smiling, teasing expression.
"Beat it. But you’re paying the bill."
"Suguru, you’re actual trash."
"I mean, you’re the one flaking on me, right?"
"Damn it. Next time we’re getting Kaiseki and I’m draining your bank account!"

Hearing Satoru mention Kaiseki, Suguru smiled, seemingly remembering something interesting.
"Suguru, that smile is disgusting."
"Are you leaving or what?"

Finally, they parted ways with the usual banter. Suguru sat alone in the dessert shop, looking both out of place and isolated.
Opposite him was a white porcelain plate licked clean except for a bit of cream. Suguru seriously suspected his best friend would need dentures by the time he was twenty.
Ice cubes clinked against the glass, making a sharp sound.

A group of girls nearby were whispering. One, encouraged by her friends, walked up shyly with her phone, flashing a nervous smile.
"Um, hi. Could I maybe get your socials?"
Suguru raised his eyes expressionlessly. The lively, joking persona he had with Satoru vanished instantly.
Just a boring monkey. "No."

The girl looked disappointed. She’d been watching him for a while and thought he looked approachable—turns out he was way colder than he looked.
Thinking of the boy who had been sitting with him, she asked cautiously:
"Sorry, but... do you maybe like boys?"

Suguru frowned. Just a boring monkey yapping nonsense.
He hated the way monkeys made assumptions, just like this.
With a flick of his finger, a low-level white Curse latched onto the girl. Its frog-like claws tapped excitedly on her head.
The girl suddenly felt unsteady. She grabbed the table, feeling a sudden, sharp migraine. Her face, covered in pristine makeup, went pale.
What the...? A killer headache right when I’m hitting on someone? She felt like she was going to pass out in front of a hottie—how embarrassing.
She didn't wait for Suguru's answer; she muttered a quick "sorry" and hurried back to her seat to rest.

Suguru turned his head, watching the bustling crowd through the floor-to-ceiling window.
Dense, packed together like ants.
So annoying. I’m going back to the school. Just as he was about to get up, the Curse messing with the girl’s head sent Suguru a strong pulse of intent.
"Appetite." He heard the server’s gentle "Welcome," and instinctively turned his head to see a girl wearing a sun hat and sunglasses.
Behind her was that sorcerer uncle. Since they were out, he wasn't in a suit; they looked like a father and daughter on a trip.
"Uncle Tenmei, let’s take a break. We just need to be back before dinner."
"Understood, Young Lady."

This was the number one rated dessert shop in Shibuya—at least according to Satoru’s "Six Eyes" for sweets.
Now, it seemed he wasn't lying.

Fuwa Yozora took off her sun hat, her loosely pinned hair looking effortlessly messy.
She took off her shades, revealing those pale violet eyes, and walked straight toward an empty seat.
Wait.
Did she just see something weird?
She turned her head and met someone’s direct gaze, which was full of amusement.

"Geto?"
"What a coincidence, Young Lady."

Tomizawa Tenmei stood behind Yozora, silent.
Are you guys sure this is a coincidence and not a pre-planned "random encounter" play? Tenmei was over forty, but he was pretty caught up on trends—especially since his Young Lady's "first love" era started.

Suguru, on a whim, pointed to the empty seat across from him.
"Take a seat, Young Lady. Though there’s no room for the old man. You’re on your own, uncle?"
Yozora was about to decline, but Suguru added innocently:
"Since we ran into each other, we might as well discuss tonight's Curse early. Handle it fast and get home?"

Yozora knew Suguru had a casual personality, and she was actually curious about tonight’s mission.
So, she sat down. Tenmei, being the ultimate wingman, took the hint and found a seat a few tables away.

Suguru propped his chin on his hand, curiously observing the girl. Out of the millions of monkeys in the world, he only ever seemed to run into this one.
It always made him a little happy.

"Suguru doesn't seem like the type to go to a dessert shop alone."
Translation: Yozora was also suspicious of the "coincidence."
Suguru let out a short laugh.
"Please, Young Lady. You think I’m camping out here just to wait for you?"
"Aren't you?"
"Satoru loves sweets. I came with him."

Yozora thought for a moment—the silver-haired boy with the glitched numbers.
"Where is he?"
"Why, Young Lady? Interested in Satoru?"
Suguru smirked. Yozora could clearly see his fangs biting down on the straw.
"Not really."
Yozora looked him directly in the eye, her clear pupils showing no hidden feelings.
"It’s just that his lifespan is very strange."

Suguru was the one to look away first. He asked casually:
"So, who lives longer—Satoru or me?"

Yozora went silent. And that silence was all the answer Suguru needed.
Suguru burst out laughing.
"Why so serious, Young Lady? Death is part of the job for a sorcerer."

Just then, Yozora’s drink arrived. A pink sparkling water with strawberry bits—it looked sweet and refreshing.
Unfortunately, her words were not.
"Stop laughing. It looks worse than crying."

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· Genuine translation/MTL can be found only in OchatimesBlogspotCom, Ochatimes' FanFictionNet, or Ochatimes' Wattpad
· Ochatimes' FanFictionNet
· Ochatimes' Wattpad


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