After the graduation ceremony, everyone temporarily went their separate ways.
Suguru planned to take Nanako and Mimiko around Tokyo for a while.
Previously, the two children had constantly been on the move with him.
So now that they were back, Suguru thought it was a good opportunity to let them rest properly.
Incidentally, after some "discussion," Eichi and Satoru felt a bit sorry that Suguru's parents hadn't seen their son in nearly a year.
So, they sent a text message to Suguru's parents.
Time rewinds to the previous morning.
Outside Suguru's room.
"This child, really, he's back in Japan and doesn't even come home for a visit."
Suguru's mother complained.
"Alright, he's probably just busy. Didn't he send us a message?"
His father comforted her.
He missed his son too, but he believed a man had to go out and make his way in the world, so he didn't blame Suguru.
"Let's see, is this the room?"
Following Satoru and Eichi's directions, the couple found Suguru's bedroom.
Knock, knock, knock.
"Coming!"
Suguru's voice came from inside.
The irritation and worry on their faces vanished instantly, replaced by warmth and happiness.
Click.
The door opened.
"Oh, Mom, Dad, you're here."
Suguru looked a bit surprised to see them at the door.
"If we didn't come, we wouldn't see you again this year."
His father rolled his eyes.
"Aren't you going to let us in?"
His mother asked.
"Ah, wait a moment."
Suguru suddenly remembered something and tried to shut the door, but it was too late.
"Papa Geto, help me put this on."
Nanako ran over holding an ornate hairpin.
'Oh no!'
Alarm bells rang in Suguru's mind.
His parents' gazes instantly sharpened.
'Our son is a father?'
'Why didn't we know?'
'He better explain himself!' x2
The two exchanged glances, immediately understanding each other.
"No wonder you haven't been home. So you've started a family out here."
His father stared sharply at him.
"No, that's not it."
"You even have a daughter this old, and you still say that?"
"She's not my daughter."
"Ah, Papa Geto, do you not want Mimiko and me anymore? Is it because of Uncle Gojo?"
Nanako looked up at him with teary eyes.
Mimiko, who had been quietly waiting on the bed, jumped down and ran over to grab the hem of his shirt, her expression making it clear she would cry if he rejected them.
"No, it's not that I don't want you two."
Seeing the two about to cry, Suguru instinctively rested his large hands on their heads to comfort them.
His parents' sudden visit had caught him off guard.
And Nanako and Mimiko's teary faces made him feel completely trapped.
Suguru's parents exchanged another glance, then calmly closed the door behind them.
"Suguru, we need to talk."
His father sat down, radiating the full pressure of a strict father.
"Oh my, you're Nanako, right? What a lovely name."
His mother squatted down beside the girls, her demeanor warm and friendly.
Soon, Nanako and Mimiko were happily playing with her.
Good news: the girls no longer needed coaxing.
Bad news: the piercing gazes of his parents never left Suguru.
"Tell us, who's the woman, how old is she, where does she live…"
His father fired off questions without giving Suguru time to respond.
Meanwhile, outside the dorm room.
Three people pressed their ears to the wall, covering their mouths to stifle their laughter.
Satoru and Eichi gave each other a thumbs-up.
Shoko looked at them with exasperation, then silently returned to eavesdropping...
Outside the Zen'in Family estate.
After staying at Tokyo Jujutsu High for a few days post-graduation, Eichi brought Medea and Toji to the Zen'in estate.
"Medea, I'll leave the barrier to you."
"No problem."
Medea nodded with a smile.
For her, a Zen'in Family barrier was child's play.
If she'd wanted to take complete control of the barrier system on her own, it might've taken time. After all, it had been improved for centuries.
But with Tengen's support now, any barrier could be handed to Eichi with a single word.
'It's time to take over the Zen'in Family.'
Eichi hadn't rushed to take control before because Naobito had been supporting him.
But now that Satoru had returned to serve as interim head of the Gojo Family, how could Eichi do any less?
He, Eichi, would settle for nothing but first place.
Interim Head of the Zen'in Family—he was claiming the title.
Why "interim" and not "official"?
Simple. He didn't plan to waste much time on the garbage dump that was the Zen'in Family.
He would clean it up thoroughly this time and ensure they behaved properly in the future.
"Done."
Medea snapped her fingers.
A dim barrier unfurled like a curtain, sealing off the entire Zen'in estate, leaving only a single entrance in front of them.
The three walked in casually.
The change in the barrier caused a stir inside the estate.
"What's going on? Why are all the barriers suddenly active?"
"No idea. Did something happen?"
"I've never seen all of them triggered at once."
"Could it be an enemy attack? But the alarm didn't go off…"
The estate was in chaos.
"Hm?"
Naoya, one foot resting on Maki, looked up with a frown.
"Tch, what's the barrier squad doing now?"
He clicked his tongue, irritated.
"You're worse than that guy."
He kicked Maki hard.
Thud.
A large foot blocked his kick.
"Yo, you talking about me?"
Naoya looked up and met Toji's icy gaze.
Toji's usually indifferent eyes had grown colder the moment he stepped into the estate.
"Cough, cough."
Maki clutched her stomach, trying to get up.
'A girl with Heavenly Restriction, huh? Perfect.'
Toji recalled what Eichi had told him—this girl might be able to inherit his legacy.
"You're interested in Heavenly Restriction? Good. So am I."
A cruel smile curled on Toji's lips.
"No, ugh..."
Before Naoya could finish, Toji punched him hard.
Naoya gasped in pain, finally realizing Toji wasn't joking.
"Damn it!"
He cursed and went all-out on defense.
There was no way he could win this fight.
Toji's overwhelming presence was burned into Maki's memory at that moment.
Elsewhere, Eichi stormed into the Zen'in meeting hall and kicked the door open.
"Long time no see, everyone."
(To be continued.)