Five years.
Five whole years had passed since that ridiculous special-grade mission, since my public fallout with the Zenin elders, since the day I unintentionally awakened Karmic Override. In those five years, a lot changed. My body grew taller, my cursed energy reserves expanded, my control sharpened, and my understanding of jujutsu evolved to a level I genuinely hadn't expected.
And of course, my fame exploded.
People called me the prodigy of Zenin. Then the miracle child. Then the monster of the Zenin clan. I hated every single cliché title, but I couldn't deny they had their uses. Titles were just another currency in this world, and if people wanted to hand me money for free, who was I to reject it?
What truly put my name across the entire jujutsu world, however, wasn't Karmic Override—that technique remained hidden from almost everyone. It's more like a trump card at this point. Mei Mei also didn't repost it to anyone, maybe saying her life got some unintentional favors from her.
It was my improvement of Projection Sorcery.
The original technique functioned at twenty-four frames per second. A terrifying speed already capable of making Grade One sorcerers look like statues. But over five years of obsessive training, body reinforcement, cursed-energy optimization, and repeatedly destroying my muscles only to heal them back stronger with Reverse Cursed Technique…
I pushed it further. Thirty-four frames. Yes, you heard it right; I am using thirty-four frames per second.
At that point, even veteran sorcerers had trouble visually tracking me. Some cursed spirits didn't even realize they'd been exorcised until their bodies were already falling apart. There were even rumors spreading through the underground that I had surpassed my father in speed years ago.
Personally? I thought the rumors were underselling me.
"I'm basically the fastest man alive," I muttered while staring at my reflection in the polished hallway window. I gave myself a nod. "Damn… I'm cool."
Then my smile slowly died.
"…Unfortunately." My shoulders dropped. Because despite becoming stronger… Despite becoming famous… Despite becoming one of the youngest sorcerers in history to possess the Reverse Cursed Technique—I published it after I turned 15 years old—my life had somehow become harder, and the source of that hardship was the twins.
"Good morning, Maki! Mai!" I said as I waved my hand at them.
"..."
"..."
They both ignored me like usual.
Puberty had weaponized them.
Maki had grown taller, leaner, and sharper. Years of training had sculpted her body into something frighteningly athletic. Like you could count her abs; they were that sculpted. Her movements were efficient, disciplined, and full of confidence. The naginata that once looked oversized in her hands now looked like it belonged there. She had no trace of her past cute self. She has grown extremely beautiful; her glass suggests she is the intelligent type of beauty, but she is in fact a hot-blooded one.
Mai had changed too, though in a different way. Her cursed energy control had improved drastically, her construction technique becoming far more refined. Her aim with firearms had become downright terrifying, and her lazy demeanor now hid a much sharper tongue. Yeah, she will strip me naked with her words alone; gone is her crybaby self.
Though they grew together, for some unknown reason, they still managed to strain their relationship. Of course, not as intently as the original story, but I did observe some kind of rivalry. Which was also sad; the time I invested in them for them to depend on and love each other is a lot.
Anyway, that's not important. The important thing right now was the reason for their rebellion. I still remembered the exact moment it started.
It had been three weeks ago.
I had sat both of them down and calmly explained—
"As we're all growing older, it's probably healthy if we establish some personal boundaries."
I thought I sounded mature. I mean, even though they have grown, they both are extremely clingy with me. I thought they would stop it after they grow, but I think their clinginess only increases as they age. So I need to put a stop to it.
They are all grown up, so it won't be long before they get their self-love, and it would be distasteful if they were still chubby with me.
That's not the only problem. While my soul is old and I am determined to remain single, my body is young; in fact, it is very vigorous. My body demands what it needs whether I like it or not. Nineteen years old, what can I say? It's the peak of all hormonal activities, and I am denying it all. That's why I draw a line; if for some unfortunate accident they saw my 'shame,' it would be over. I will be labeled a pervert.
Maybe I should go to a red-light district and calm myself. I thought. It is an option, though I won't love anyone, but that doesn't mean I am completely off in sexual things. I can always look for the oldest job in human history. It's business with no emotional attachment, good for this teenage boy.
"Yo, Naoya." Suddenly a voice called me. I looked at the source to see a white-haired, 'not that good-looking' man coming in my direction with a goofy walk.
"Gojo," I said.
"It's Gojo-sensei for you, but okay. Why are you going to class? Don't tell me you are going to ditch the class today as well."
~~~
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