Chapter 19

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As the evening deepened, Tsukimiya found himself immersed in a painful feeling—one that even a ruthless boss couldn’t inflict upon his employees. At that moment, his phone rang suddenly and without warning.

He glanced at the screen, immediately straightened up, and answered solemnly, “Hello? Teacher Gojo, what can I do for you?”

“Tsuki-chan~ Have you missed your teacher?” The man known as the teacher spoke with a sweet, lively tone, full of youthful energy like a spirited DK.

In the quiet room, the voice leaked from the receiver, causing Renji Yanagi to frown involuntarily.

Tsukimiya was already accustomed to the other’s manner of speaking and replied casually, “Of course I have. So, do you have a request?”

“Eh—” Gojo Satoru complained, “Isn’t it okay to contact Tsuki-chan even if there’s nothing specific?”

“Of course it is! But everyone knows you’re such a busy man, working like a 007 agent, without a day off all year round…”

Renji Yanagi, a middle schooler, was shocked: Has the modern workplace really become this harsh? Or is it just the sorcerers’ world?

Gojo sounded a bit pitiful from the teasing: “Why do I feel so sorry for myself? I’ve decided—I’m taking a day off tomorrow!”

“Teacher Gojo, please don’t do that. Mr. Itadori would cry,” Tsukimiya suggested, “At least tell him in advance.”

“Mm-hmm~” Gojo’s voice lifted in joy, “I’ll message Itadori right away~”

No, he’d still cry even if warned ahead of time.

Renji Yanagi realized the other side wasn’t exactly a serious adult either.

Tsukimiya, immersed in the murky world of sorcery, worried about himself—if he wasn’t careful, he might go astray. Even if not, he could end up a tragic corporate slave like Teacher Gojo.

The strategist of Rikkai University, wearing ten layers of rose-colored glasses, deeply worried about his childhood friend’s future.

“Wait, Teacher Gojo, what exactly is this call about?” The other’s thoughts jumped around so much that Tsukimiya had to steer the conversation back to the beginning.

So why had they talked so long without any progress?

“Oh, almost forgot!” Gojo slapped his forehead, finally getting to the point. “You know Fushiguro Megumi, right?”

“Yeah, the Billion… Ten Shadows guy!” Tsukimiya corrected himself calmly.

But Gojo clearly heard it well and burst into uproarious laughter: “Hahaha, yes, that’s him.”

Tsukimiya didn’t blush: “What’s wrong with him?”

Gojo’s laughter stopped abruptly, and after coughing twice, he said: “Megumi’s probably hitting a rebellious phase. Lately, he’s been pushing himself hard, and it worries me.”

His tone was like that of a regular parent worried about a teenager.

But was that what a rebellious phase really meant?

“Young people need to enjoy their youth. If it keeps going like this, it won’t work. I think Megumi needs to interact more with peers who share his interests. I heard you transferred to Kanagawa, Tsuki-chan. Could he stay with you for a while?”

Tsukimiya hesitated, “But Megumi and I haven’t even met…”

“The pay is 100,000 yen,” Gojo interrupted, “You must be short on cash now, right?”

“But on the other hand, I’m very hospitable!” Tsukimiya asked, “When is Megumi coming?”

“Next weekend,” Gojo complained, “There have been some strange uncles lurking near the house recently. I can’t leave for work trips without making sure Megumi is safe.”

Isn’t that the real reason?!

Tsukimiya tapped his finger on the table and assured, “Leave Megumi with me. I won’t let any creepy uncles abduct him!”

“And we happen to have a training camp coming up. Megumi will definitely feel the spirit of youth!”

Sounds just like a daycare center’s pitch.

“Alright then, Tsuki-chan, I’m counting on you~”

The call ended.

Tsukimiya was in high spirits and smiled even wider when he saw the message confirming the transfer of funds.

He cupped his face, pink flowers blooming around him: “Teacher Gojo is truly rich!” And so generous!

No wonder he’s the head of the Gojo family! No wonder he’s a special-grade sorcerer!

Renji Yanagi had a vague feeling something was off about this, but missing information prevented him from piecing together the truth.

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Tsukimiya adjusted his expression and turned to see Renji Yanagi lost in thought, which piqued his curiosity.

He waved his hand in front of Yanagi’s eyes, “Renji, what are you thinking about?”

“Nothing,” Yanagi shook his head. “It’s late today. I should head back.”

Tsukimiya glanced outside and said, “It’s already dark. Let Gulu take you home.”

Gulu had become quite proficient at this. After dark, it could hide in the shadows and avoid accidental encounters, so it was less resistant.

Of course, resistance was futile.

Yanagi put on his shoes and headed out, with Gulu trailing at his feet.

Only a few steps out, Tsukimiya called loudly from behind, “Renji!”

Yanagi turned with a puzzled look.

Tsukimiya said, “How about we hang out this weekend?”

The boy’s dark eyes captured the moonlight and stars, shining brightly like obsidian.

“I’m treating. You can ask for anything you want.” He showed his phone to prove he had money now.

His smile was radiant and proud, eager to share his joy with a friend.

Yanagi was a bit stunned.

Tsukimiya asked again, “Renji, will you come?”

“Okay,” Yanagi looked away. “But don’t waste money, if you want to keep renovating the shrine.”

Yanagi couldn’t truly understand his childhood friend’s desire for a beautiful shrine, but since it was his wish, he could only support it.

Tsukimiya’s plans for some extravagant shopping deflated; he suddenly lost energy and waved his arm slowly, “Alright, alright, Renji, go home soon.”

Repairs still had to be done, but for now, let him escape just a little.

With that in mind, Tsukimiya returned to his room, pulled back the covers, and lay down.

Then he rolled left, then right, wrapping himself into a cocoon, leaving only the soft hair on his head exposed to the air.

Soon, his breathing grew steady.

In his dream that night, the shrine monster opened its mouth wide, sucking up bills like a bottomless pit.

He sat beside it, extending his hand in despair, heart aching so much he couldn’t breathe.

Maybe it was the overwhelming sadness that made Tsukimiya suddenly open his eyes. He shifted positions several times, but the thin blanket stayed snug around him.

It was literally impossible to breathe.

Too lazy to move, he wriggled several times before finally freeing his face.

The faint light from outside showed it was already morning.

He strained his neck to look at the alarm clock on the bedside table; it wasn’t much later than his usual wake-up time, so he got up.

With messy hair, he floated like a ghost to the bathroom to wash up.

A handful of cold water on his face made his shoulders twitch, and he finally woke up fully.

When he emerged refreshed, Gulu had already prepared his school uniform and backpack.

Tsukimiya hadn’t asked for this, but since the little servant volunteered, he accepted it.

Humans really are creatures easily corrupted by convenience…

“Thanks for your hard work, Gulu.”

The green-skinned kappa puffed out its chest: “Gu... Gururu!”

After changing, he grabbed a bag of bread and some milk from the fridge and left for school.

The morning air was fresh, slightly moist, with the scent of trees and grass.

His small shoes clicked crisply on the stone path, the sound betraying a good mood.

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A few minutes later, he arrived at the station and saw a boy in the same uniform waiting under the sign.

Tsukimiya finished his milk, tossed the empty carton into the nearby trash bin, and hurried over.

“Good morning, Renji!”

Yanagi handed him something: “Today’s lunch.”

He took it naturally and put it into his backpack, then said shyly, “I feel bad bothering you every day.”

Yanagi gave a peculiar glance to his childhood friend and said, “If you feel that bad, how about helping me test some new nutritional drinks?”

Tsukimiya changed the subject: “The bus is coming. Let’s get on.”

Yanagi smirked.

Once seated, Tsukimiya’s racing heart gradually calmed.

That was close!!!

He gave a small, quick tap on his chest and glanced at the person next to him: no unusual expression. He probably got away with it.

To avoid continuing the earlier topic, he pretended to focus seriously on the view.

Wow, look at that house, just as ordinary as the last one!

As he watched, he grew sleepy, resting his forehead against the window and drifting off.

Yanagi turned his head, amused as he watched the black-haired boy softly snore.

From this angle, only a round back of the head was visible.

The position on the bus was uncomfortable, so Tsukimiya hadn’t slept deeply, remaining half-asleep.

In the haze, the bus braked suddenly, and he was thrown forward, banging his head against the glass.

A loud thud!

“Ow! That hurts!”

Tsukimiya clutched his forehead, tears of pain streaming down his cheeks, looking utterly miserable.

They got off the bus one after the other, and Yanagi said, “Let me see.”

Tsukimiya lowered his hand, too sore to speak.

His forehead, slightly to the left, was bruised and swollen.

Yanagi examined it and said, “Not too bad. Just ice it later.”

Tsukimiya mumbled, “Okay.”

Is this what they call ‘joy turns to sorrow’? Hopefully not.

At school, Yanagi bought a bottle of cold milk from a vending machine near the tennis courts. “Practice is about to start. Hold this and ice it yourself.”

“Milk again?” Tsukimiya complained, “I’ve already had milk today. I don’t want any more.”

He disliked plain milk, but to grow taller, he drank a box every day without fail. More than that was too much.

Tsukimiya had never been unhappy about his height until Yanagi once called him “tiny.” Since then, he’d quietly resolved to grow taller.

He wanted to grow tall in secret and look down on everyone!

Yanagi said, “I’m not asking you to drink it.”

Frugal Tsukimiya protested, “But you can’t just waste it after opening. That’s too wasteful.”

“Then give it to me.”

“Ah, okay.”