JJK: Red Priest Pathway

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The evening was setting in, and a warm orange glow from the setting sun spread softly over Tokyo Jujutsu High. Golden rays filtered through the scattered clouds, casting hues of deep amber and soft pink across the school, creating a serene and peaceful atmosphere. The contrast between the cold, strict lines of the school buildings and the warmth of the sunlight gave the impression that nature itself was trying to soften the harsh reality.

I sat on the roof of the tallest building, overlooking the entire campus. From up here, I could see the many figures moving below, and the sight filled me with a strange sense of satisfaction. Today, many of the students had returned from their missions, and what had recently felt like an empty, lifeless space was now full of energy. The once-gray, rigid lines of the architecture seemed to breathe again, alive with a new warmth, as though even the school itself was welcoming back its students.

Down below, I noticed Megumi, Yuji, and Nobara leaving the dorms, clearly headed to grab some food after a long day. Megumi walked with his usual calm, while Yuji, full of energy, was talking animatedly, and Nobara, with her characteristic sass, scoffed at whatever he was saying. A little later, Junpei jogged up, and Yuji immediately pulled him into a hug, his signature bright smile lighting up his face. Their happiness was contagious, adding even more warmth to the scene. On the other side of the campus, Panda and Toge strolled leisurely, looking relaxed, though I couldn't shake the feeling that they were plotting something mischievous again. Probably another one of their pranks, like stealing other students' uniforms — a classic move that never seemed to go according to plan.

Not long after, I spotted Nanami and Shoko leaving the faculty building, heading toward the pagoda where I sat. Their pace was slow and easy, yet their steps carried a sense of purpose. No doubt they were on their way to meet with Principal Yaga, likely to discuss, or more accurately, complain about me and my methods.

At that moment, a group of first-years from Tokyo Jujutsu High bumped into students from Kyoto, who had also returned from their missions just a few hours earlier. Not everyone was there — just Momo, Miwa, Kokichi, and Todo. Momo and Miwa often took on missions together, so it wasn't surprising to see them side by side. Kokichi had been spending more time with Miwa recently, either recovering from the strain of his technique or just seeking her company — it seemed to help him recharge faster.

"He's becoming quite the gentleman," I thought to myself, nodding in his direction with a grin.

Among the group, Todo stood out as usual. His massive figure, booming voice, and infectious laughter immediately drew attention. He strode over to Yuji, slapped him on the shoulder with enough force to dizzy most people, and let out a roar of laughter that echoed across the campus. Without any ceremony, he joined the growing group as though he'd been part of it all along.

Where are Noritoshi and Mai?

As far as I know, Noritoshi is caught up in some serious issues within his clan, problems I haven't been able to solve yet — and honestly, I haven't even tried. Getting involved in the internal politics of one of the great families is a surefire way to lose your freedom. As for Mai… She's buried herself in what she calls "research" and hasn't left her room in two days. She's completely consumed by the new possibilities of her cursed technique, which have opened up since the ritual.

By this point, the group of students from both schools had nearly reached the cafeteria when they unexpectedly ran into Tsumiki and Choso. It's funny to see how Tsumiki, Megumi's sister, is slowly adjusting to the sorcerer world, finding her place in this strange and dangerous realm. And there she was, casually talking with Choso, a guy who's… quite the character. His dark aura and odd behavior could easily scare anyone off, but Tsumiki, somehow, manages to connect with anyone. No surprise, really, considering her brother's personality.

Scanning the crowd, I couldn't help but smile. This was exactly what I had been working toward—a complex, nuanced, yet happy life. A life. Seeing all of them, so different yet finding their place in this chaos, filled me with deep satisfaction. This wasn't just a dream anymore, or even a goal. It was reality. And in moments like this, I knew that everything I had fought for, all the struggles, hadn't been in vain.

"Aren't you going to join them?" a voice suddenly broke through my thoughts.

"Someone's enjoying playing kunoichi?" I dodged the question, glancing to the side. I turned slightly and saw Maki sitting next to me.

"I'm still amazed I can hide from your senses," she said with a sly grin.

"I just haven't fully recovered yet," I replied.

That was only half true. Even after a full recovery, it would still be tough to track Maki. Ever since unlocking the full potential of her "Heavenly Restriction," she had become truly incredible. Her physical strength surpassed anything I'd ever seen, and her speed… She was like a shadow, swift and elusive. In battle, her movements were so fast that even my eyes, accustomed to high-speed combat, could barely keep up. Her ability to move almost silently and appear where no one expected made her a deadly opponent, and her newfound strength struck fear even in the most powerful sorcerers of this generation.

"How did you find me this time?" I asked, watching her closely.

"By your scent," Maki replied curtly.

"And? Did you like it?" I teased with a playful smile.

"Not bad," she said, catching me off guard. Seeing my reaction, she leaned in closer, her face inches from mine, and added, "How about mine?"

"Yours what?" I blurted out.

"My scent, silly," Maki smirked. "You can sense it too, right?"

"I like everything about you," I said, finally regaining my composure. Not giving her a chance to respond, I pulled her onto my lap, wrapping my arms around her. "And since when did you get so open?"

To my surprise, Maki didn't resist. With her current strength, she easily could have, but instead, she relaxed in my arms, leaning her back against my chest and resting her head on my shoulder. Still, I couldn't help but notice a faint blush coloring her cheeks.

"I think it was after Shibuya," she admitted. "Though, things really changed after that ritual… And I don't mean my strength. It's just… when I can literally hear and feel your love for me, it's overwhelming. I can't pretend there's nothing between us anymore."

"I'm glad," I replied softly, sharing a warm smile with her, a smile that held all the feelings words couldn't express.

Then, suddenly, I felt something soft and warm on my lips. Her kiss, brief and tender, like the touch of a spring breeze, left me with a deep sense of peace. But just as I leaned in for more, her hand gently stopped me.

"That was a good luck kiss," she said with a mischievous smile, her eyes twinkling. "Knowing you, if we keep going, you definitely won't be 'cleansing the ship' tonight."

"You overheard?" I asked, surprised.

"Not on purpose," she said, turning away, clearly embarrassed.

"And you're not going to stop me?" I asked, curious about her intentions.

"Why would I stop my man from doing anything?" Maki shook her head, her voice soft but firm. "I can give advice, I can help, but I won't stop you."

"That's a bit harsh, considering what I'm about to do," I said, feeling a mix of admiration and concern.

"You don't get it," Maki shifted, sitting face-to-face with me, her amber eyes boring into mine. "Just like you never stopped me, even when I was reckless, I won't stand in your way, no matter what you have planned. If you want to take out the council, so be it. I won't leave you. In the end, we're not so different, are we? Ambition burns in both of us."

"How do you know those words?" I asked, surprised.

"Silly mask told me," Maki replied, resting her head on my shoulder again, her voice softening. "But that's not the point. The point is, whatever you've got planned, I'll always be by your side, no matter what."

I don't know what kind of cursed technique this was, but her words hit me deeply, filling me with warmth. And I melted into her embrace, feeling her presence like something irreplaceable.

Cursed Technique: Love — Emotional Liberation.

Though I didn't realize it then, Maki, who had always been driven by obsession, was now slowly becoming obsessed with me — or rather, with our love. And in the future, when my ideals clash with the world's, she'll be one of the few who remains by my side...