The knock echoed in the quiet house.
Roy wiped his mouth with the back of his hand before opening the door.
Standing there were Megumi and Tsumiki.
Megumi's expression was as neutral as ever, while Tsumiki smiled warmly.
"Um, Roy,"
She began gently,
"we were wondering if you'd like to join us for dinner?"
Roy blinked, surprised by the offer.
His eyes softened, but he scratched his cheek a little awkwardly.
"Ah sorry. I already cooked something. Didn't think anyone would knock on my door tonight."
Tsumiki nodded, though her smile faltered just slightly.
"That's alright."
But before Roy could feel guilty, Megumi spoke up in his usual blunt tone.
"Then come over after. We're going to play some games. If you want to join, just say yes. Don't make it complicated."
"Megumi!"
Tsumiki scolded, turning to her younger brother.
Roy burst out laughing, the tension melting away instantly.
"No, no it's fine. Honestly, I'd love to."
And so, the three of them spent the rest of the night together.
Inside the Fushiguro home, the warm glow of the living room light washed over them.
They sat cross legged on the floor, a stack of board games scattered across the table, the TV humming in the background with an old console plugged in.
Tsumiki was patient and encouraging, Megumi competitive but quiet, while Roy threw himself into every round with enthusiasm, even when he lost miserably.
"Rematch!"
Roy shouted after Megumi beat him at a card game.
"You'll lose again,"
Megumi replied flatly, but there was the faintest curl of a smirk at the edge of his mouth.
Tsumiki laughed softly at their antics, happy to see her little brother, usually so guarded, relax, even just a little.
For Roy, it was the first time since arriving in this world that the silence around him wasn't heavy.
For a few hours, he wasn't the strange outsider or the kid dragged into sorcery.
He was just… a boy, hanging out with friends.
Meanwhile, far away from their laughter, the mood was much heavier.
Within a dim council chamber lined with scrolls and records, the higher ups of the Jujutsu Society sat in judgment, their stern gazes fixed on the lone figure who leaned casually against the wal.
Satoru Gojo.
"As I've already explained,"
Gojo said, his tone deceptively lazy,
"Roy Viltorium's cursed technique and strength haven't been properly ranked yet."
"Based on what we've seen, he's around Semi-Grade 3 in raw ability. His technique, if we're generous could rank somewhere between Grade 2 and maybe Grade 1."
He shrugged.
"So, really, no need to panic."
One of the elders narrowed his eyes.
"You speak as though you're holding back information, Gojo. Tell us, what exactly is this boy's cursed technique?"
Gojo's grin widened, though his blindfold hid his eyes.
"Illusions. The ability to warp perception, create distractions, mess with senses. Simple, right?"
The council exchanged glances, murmuring among themselves.
Illusion techniques were rare, but not unheard of.
Dangerous, maybe, but manageable at least, according to Gojo's framing.
Another elder leaned forward, voice sharp.
"And what do you plan to do with this Roy Viltorium?"
Gojo tilted his head, considering them with exaggerated patience.
"Oh, nothing dramatic. I'll keep an eye on him, train him a little, and when the time comes, he'll enroll at Tokyo Jujutsu High. Easy peasy."
His grin sharpened just slightly as he added,
"And of course… you don't need to worry. He's under my watch."
The room grew quiet at that, the unspoken tension clear.
Nobody liked the idea of another unknown variable under Gojo's wing, but nobody dared to push further either.
Back in the Fushiguro home, laughter filled the night as Roy flopped onto the floor in defeat after another round, declaring dramatically, "Megumi is cheating! There's no way he's this good!"
Tsumiki chuckled, and even Megumi couldn't quite hide his small, satisfied smile.
For Roy, this was the closest thing to family he'd felt since arriving in this strange, cursed world.