As I stood there, observing the world around me with a newfound awareness, I couldn't help but notice the peculiar actions of Toji, my father. Contrary to the image I had conjured of him based on perceptions from my past life, he was not the absent figure I had imagined. Instead, whenever my mother got tired from her chores, it was Toji who attentively took care of me.
One particular aspect of his care intrigued me—the way he took the opportunity when my mother ran errands to confront low-level curse spirits. It was as if he saw them as little more than experiments, his death serving as a lesson for both of us.
I watched, fascinated but nervous, as he dispatched them with methodical efficiency, his actions shedding light on the true nature of our world.
With each encounter, I found myself drawn further into the enigmatic world of curses and cursed energy, my perceptions reshaped by the revelations unfolding before me. And through it all, Toji remained a constant presence, guiding me through the mysteries of our intertwined destinies.
As dawn came and 3 years passed, anticipation hung thick in the air, mixing with the smell of imminent change. Today marked the arrival of Megumi, my future little brother, and the atmosphere crackled with a sense of excitement and trepidation.
As my mother retreated to the confines of the delivery room, I found myself lost in a maze of memories, navigating the corridors of time that led me to the battles fought and victories won alongside Toji. The years blurred into a montage of struggle and growth, each moment etched into the fabric of my being.
Memories of facing 4th grade curse spirits flooded my mind, the memory of each encounter still vivid despite the passage of time. Yet, amidst the chaos and uncertainty, Toji's unwavering support had been my anchor, his motivation an unrelenting force that propelled me forward, even in the face of adversity.
I also started practicing moon breathing, but it's still just a way of breathing to transmit more oxygen, which is good because it increases my speed to another level, even though I'm already extremely strong. But still, yes, my strength doesn't match Toji's.
I couldn't help but shudder as I remembered the sting of his flick against my forehead, a seemingly innocuous gesture that carried the weight of his heavenly restraint. The pain, both physical and emotional, remained a testament to his uncompromising dedication to my training.
But with every move and every setback, I had gleaned valuable insights into the depths of my own abilities. Through Toji's guidance, I had unlocked new potentials within myself, discovering the innate ability to harness my cursed energy for healing and enhancement.
Lost in my reverie, I was abruptly jolted back to the present by the piercing sound of my mother's scream echoing off the hospital walls. Panic surged through me like a tidal wave, propelling me toward the source of the commotion with a sense of urgency that bordered on desperation.
As I walked toward the lobby, eager to escape the cacophony of my mother's labor pains, Toji's voice halted my progress, his question piercing my thoughts like a blade.
"Where are you going?" His tone was stern but with a hint of concern, his gaze piercing mine with an unwavering intensity.
"Well, I don't like hearing mom scream, so I'm going to wait in the lobby," I replied, my words filled with nervousness as I tried to justify leaving the delivery room.
"Alright, stay there and don't walk around alone, got it?" Toji's command was clear, his authority leaving no room for argument as I nodded in silent agreement.
As I sat in the lobby, the minutes stretched into hours, each passing moment heavy with anticipation and anxiety. Thoughts about my mother's well-being swirled through my mind, a constant current of worry amid the monotony of waiting.
"I hope Mom is okay," I muttered to myself, the words a silent prayer echoing in the recesses of my mind.
I returned to my father's side, as I could no longer bear to just be with my thoughts. Toji seemed to notice my concern.
"It's going to be okay, your mother is strong," I agreed.
Soon the doctor arrived with the news that mom gave birth to a healthy boy and that she was fine, this seemed to lift the weight of a mountain off my shoulders, soon I met my new brother, mom called him megumi.