Amid Tokyo's neon bustle, Suguru Geto wove through crowds alone.
"Suguru, you've been out of sorts lately. Don't overdo it—take a break!"
Yaga-sensei's words echoed.
Suguru sighed, ruffling his hair irritably.
He froze, glancing at a dark alley.
The stench of a cursed spirit.
He stepped into the alley, his figure swallowed by shadows.
At the dead end, a man's curses and a woman's sobs rang out.
"You filthy wench! When are you paying me back?"
"I'm sorry! One more month—I'll pay with interest!"
"Boss, addicts lie. She's got looks—sell her to a brothel, recoup some cash!"
Clank—
A can rattled in the corner.
Suguru emerged from the dark, scanning the scene expressionlessly.
Three men, one woman. A scar-faced thug with a knife led two dyed-hair lackeys; the debtor woman, terrified and haggard.
Suguru noticed needle marks on her arm and her compulsive sniffling.
"Hey, kid! Who are you?"
Scar-face pointed his knife at Suguru, nodding to his lackeys.
The yellow-haired one sneered, flashing a butterfly knife, twirling it before Suguru.
"Hand over your cash, kid!"
Suguru inhaled deeply, patient. "Leave now. It's dangerous."
"Huh? You high or something?"
"This guy a rookie cop or what?"
"Hey, Shota, respect the officer!"
They jeered, oblivious to the shadows warping on the wall behind them.
Suguru muttered, eyes dull, "We sorcerers risk our lives… for these people?"
"What's that nonsense, kid?"
"Fork over the money, or I'll—"
Schlick—
No skin or hair, bone-white, lanky limbs, a face with only a blooming, toothy maw.
The cursed spirit leapt from the wall, swallowing Scar-face whole.
In death, non-sorcerers could see cursed spirits.
The lackeys and woman scrambled, screaming.
"Monster! Monster!"
Two steps later, the spirit's razor claws pinned them to the ground, dead.
Suguru watched coldly.
Protecting non-sorcerers was his creed.
But now, he felt no urge to save them.
The spirit turned its eyeless face toward Suguru.
Roar!
"Shut up."
Suguru waved, and the Grade 1 spirit ignited in blue flames, crumbling to ash.
Cursed energy coalesced into a glowing orb in his palm.
A rift opened behind him, a cursed spirit's hand offering a honey jar.
Suguru reached for it, then paused, dismissing the hand.
He eyed the spirit orb, hesitated, and swallowed it.
"Urgh…"
That familiar, vile taste—like a rag soaked in vomit.
...
Summer sunlight streamed through a window, warming Suguru.
Exhausted, he lounged on a bench, savoring a rare calm afternoon.
"Suguru-senpai!"
"Oh, Haibara."
Suguru mustered a rare smile for this ever-cheerful junior.
Haibara's carefree passion reminded Suguru life had meaning.
"Want a drink?"
"Senpai's treating? Cola, please!"
Suguru scratched his head, amused. "What's this 'honor' stuff? I'm just a year ahead."
"No way!"
Haibara boomed, "Suguru Geto-senpai, a Special Grade sorcerer so young, part of the 'strongest trio'—a role model for all sorcerers!"
Though Haibara respected Sawa and Satoru, he admired Suguru most, a non-sorcerer clan prodigy.
Suguru flushed at the praise. "I'm not that grand…"
"Oh, senpai, I'm heading far out for a mission tomorrow!"
"Nice. Bring back some local snacks."
"Salty or sweet?"
Suguru pondered. "Hmm… Sawa and Satoru might want some. I like salty—get both."
"Got it, senpai!"
"How's sorcerer work? Feeling burned out?"
Haibara propped his chin. "Uh… my brain's too simple for deep thoughts, but…"
He grinned, thumbs-up. "Giving my all feels awesome!"
A curvaceous blonde woman appeared.
"Yo, Suguru! What's your type?"
Suguru facepalmed. "Don't ask weird stuff at school."
Haibara raised a hand earnestly. "I like girls who can eat!"
"Uh, Haibara…"
"What, senpai?"
"…Never mind."
Suguru sighed at his guileless junior.
"Oh! Gotta run, senpai!"
Haibara checked the time and dashed off.
"Haha, so lively!"
Yuki Tsukumo nodded at Haibara's retreating figure. "Honest kid."
"Sorcerers could use more skepticism," Suguru muttered, turning to Yuki. "Why're you back at school?"
Yuki crossed her legs. "Business. I need Sawa."
"Business?"
Suguru scoffed. "A Special Grade who dodges missions to loaf abroad dares say 'business'?"
Yuki's face darkened. "Ouch, no mercy!"
She flopped back, chibi-style.
"I hate Jujutsu High!"
"Throwing a tantrum?"
"Nah, joking! My ideals clash with the higher-ups. They treat symptoms; I tackle the cause—cursed spirits' root."
"Hm?"
Suguru perked up. "Tackle the cause?"
Yuki dropped a bombshell. "Not exorcising spirits—but creating a world without them!"