A quiet afternoon.
A playground, worn down by time, sat in a sleepy Tokyo neighborhood. The swings creaked softly. A stray cat crossed the sandbox.
Satoru Gojo, hands in pockets, leaned against a rusted jungle gym.
A boy stood before him—short, dark-haired, with calculating eyes far too mature for his age.
Megumi Fushiguro.
He eyed Gojo warily. "…You look like a kidnapper."
Gojo put a hand on his chest, wounded. "Ouch. Uncle Gojo came all this way and that's your first impression?"
"You're not my uncle."
"But I could be," Gojo grinned. "Technically speaking."
Megumi raised an eyebrow.
Gojo crouched beside him. His tone dropped—not silly, but soft. "Listen. I know about the Zen'in Clan. You don't have to go to them. You don't have to become their pawn."
Megumi looked away. "Then who's gonna take care of me?"
Gojo smiled—genuinely. "I will."
Megumi blinked.
"You?" he asked.
"Me," Gojo said, standing again. "I'm your teacher now. And your landlord. And your emergency contact."
Megumi thought for a moment, arms crossed.
"…Do I get an allowance?"
"Weekly ramen and a room with no bugs," Gojo replied proudly.
Megumi stared. Then, without smiling, he simply nodded. "Fine."
Gojo threw his hands in the air. "Victory! Another child saved by the dashing white-haired sorcerer!"
"…You're weird," Megumi muttered.
"Get used to it, kiddo."
Elsewhere.
In a quiet bar on the outskirts of Tokyo, two women sat with half-drunk cups of iced tea.
Utahime Iori looked troubled.
Across from her, Mei Mei sipped her drink with perfect poise.
They spoke in hushed tones.
"Geto…" Utahime murmured. "He wasn't always like this. He was kind. Noble, even."
"Everyone thinks they're kind before they burn the world," Mei Mei replied.
Utahime shook her head. "He changed because of what he saw. What he lost. I don't forgive him—but I understand."
Mei Mei tilted her head. "You think people can be evil and still have kindness?"
"Yes," Utahime said, her gaze firm. "There's still kindness. People like Gojo… he acts like a fool, but he saves people even when it costs him."
There was a small, noticeable blush on her cheeks.
Mei Mei smirked. "You're blushing."
Utahime straightened. "N-No I'm not."
"You are."
"I'm not!"
"Interesting," Mei Mei said with amusement. "So you do like clowns."
Utahime groaned, hiding her face in her hands.
"…Shut up, Mei Mei."
Mei Mei laughed lightly.
The world around them remained uncertain, unstable. But in that moment—on that quiet afternoon—they were still human.