"Todo-chan~~"
The voice drifting over from a distance made Aoi Todo's face darken.
As a man who appreciated "big," he naturally disliked being called "chan". If the speaker weren't both his senior and someone he genuinely couldn't beat, he would have shown them exactly what an "Unfair Game" meant.
"…Could you not call me that?"
"Sorry, sorry. I still can't quite separate the you now from that scrawny kid you used to be. Besides, I picked up that nickname from Yuki Tsukumo."
Aoi Todo chose not to pursue the matter.
"No time to waste. Please treat them."
Akira Zenin nodded and, with practiced ease, used Round Deer's technique to heal the students.
But when he reached the shop clerk, he stopped.
For a moment, Kasumi Miwa thought the victim was beyond saving—that even Akira Zenin couldn't heal her. She lowered her voice.
"Zenin-sensei… what's wrong? Is she already…?"
Akira Zenin shook his head, his expression unreadable as he stared at the clerk lying on the ground.
"I'm just wondering whether this person truly wants to live."
Unlike before, anyone who knew about "Your Turn" and sought death would become marked by that Cursed Spirit. If he healed her and she chose to give up on life again, it would simply create another escape route for the Cursed Spirit.
At its core, the greatest human conflict lies between the desire to live and the inevitability of death. Whether this girl—who had just brushed against death in such a horrifying way—had changed her mind, no one could say.
Still, saving one life was saving one life.
Akira Zenin looked at the clerk, whose breathing had grown faint and shallow.
"I'm not interested in debating philosophy.
Right now, answer me.
Do you want to live?"
The clerk forced her swollen eyelids open. Tears streamed down her face, whether from pain or from the terror she had endured, it was impossible to tell.
"S-save… me…"
"Looks like you're just an ordinary person who made a foolish choice… or went looking for thrills."
Akira Zenin gestured for Mai Zenin to straighten the clerk's twisted limbs. Then he used his technique to treat her.
The lingering effects of Cursed Spirit corrosion and such extensive external injuries—if he weren't here at the Kyoto campus, she would likely have to be sent to the Tokyo campus for Shoko's treatment.
If it had been another Kyoto higher-up who came instead of him, they probably would have abandoned her without hesitation.
"I've stabilized the major injuries. I left the bruises. The pain will stay with you for a while. Consider it punishment for trying to throw your life away."
Akira Zenin crouched down, his face still impassive as he looked at the girl. Perhaps it was because he had spent so long as a teacher, but he found himself speaking a little more.
"I don't care to know your name. I don't have time to understand your past.
But remember this—your life is yours. When you decide to end it, think carefully.
You are an independent individual first. Only after that do you take on a role in this world. If you start disrespecting yourself because of other people's judgments, you've confused what matters and what doesn't.
I'm busy.
I saved you this time. There won't be a next."
Without waiting for her reply, Akira Zenin stood and looked toward Aoi Todo. He wasn't in the mood for jokes anymore.
"Todo, did the Cursed Spirit escape again?"
"That's right. For now, the only thing we can do is have the assistant supervisors keep monitoring the website, analyze its movements, and intercept it next time."
"This mission's been dragging on for a while, hasn't it?"
"Yeah. Almost two months. It's the first time a single Cursed Spirit has tied me up for this long.
Every time it's on the verge of being destroyed, it escapes at the last second. Which means as long as someone posts 'It's my turn' on that website, it gains a new mark and can flee whenever it wants."
"We can exorcise Cursed Spirits, but we can't guarantee that someone whose mental defenses collapse won't choose suicide. When those two factors feed into each other… it becomes a real headache."
"Exactly. This thing is more of an 'Unfair Game' than my Boogie Woogie.
Sigh… I haven't even had time to watch Takada's show lately!!!!"
"Being strong doesn't mean being omnipotent. That's the limitation of an individual Jujutsu Sorcerer. Todo, go find Noritoshi. If he coordinates with you, things should move faster.
End this disgusting thing as soon as possible."
"Yeah. If there are two of us, I'll even have time to recharge my soul!"
"Then I won't stay any longer. I'll leave the aftermath to you and Noritoshi.
When it comes to getting things done, I trust you."
Aoi Todo knew full well that the Special Grade Sorcerers were all overworked to the bone. He gave a light nod.
"Another business trip?"
"That's right. A Special Grade Cursed Spirit appeared in Kochi Prefecture. It's called something like 'Great Traveling Abyss Serpent God.' Wind, rain, spreading bizarre plagues… that sort of thing.
Naoya can't handle it alone. I'll head over, log it into the archives, and take care of it while I'm at it."
"'While you're at it'…"
Aoi Todo had exorcised Special Grade Cursed Spirits before. But even among Special Grades, there were clear differences.
"Relax. I think you'll be able to handle something like that yourself someday. I believe in you."
Aoi Todo let out a short laugh.
"What kind of man do you think I am? I'm not nervous.
If I ever go up against that thing you mentioned, I'd probably have a great time."
Akira Zenin took out his phone and gave it a small shake.
"I knew you'd try to volunteer in my place. I recorded that, you know."
"Who starts recording out of nowhere like that?! My schedule's packed. There's no way I'm going. Takada's evening stroll airs for the next two days!"
"…Right."
Akira Zenin shook his head slightly.
"Well then, I'm off."