Chapter 40: Life Is Hard, Nanami Sighs
Misumi Uika followed Hikigaya Hachiman's gaze and saw the girl whose expression looked extremely unwilling.
Being kind-hearted, she immediately wanted to step forward to help.
But Hikigaya Hachiman grasped Misumi Uika's wrist. Although Ogino Ko was weak, that was measured against Hachiman. He might be carrying some Curses.
To her confused look, Hikigaya Hachiman simply shook his head gently.
"If anyone is going, it's me.
Your hands should only be used to create music that makes your fans happy."
Misumi Uika was a total prodigy; she was a composer, lyricist, and guitarist all rolled into one, truly brilliant.
Her special status as an idol meant every move and action would be magnified.
Any public conflict, whether for an active or retired idol, would be extremely damaging negative news.
Hikigaya Hachiman, on the other hand, had no such restrictions.
No one recognized him.
Misumi Uika's eyes widened slightly upon hearing Hikigaya Hachiman's words. She held the hand he had just grasped, and a lovely pink blush crept onto her delicate, fair face.
This reminded her of the past. The island had many forests and animals. The childhood Hachiman also often acted like a little grown-up, shielding the timid her from unexpected situations.
The little grown-up had now fully matured, and a sense of found safety once again enveloped Misumi Uika's heart.
But Misumi Uika was still worried and urged him again,
"Be careful."
Hikigaya Hachiman walked forward. He wouldn't let Ogino Ko escape this time.
Although Gojo Satoru had said that the pursuit of Ogino Ko and the Cursed User group behind him was the responsibility of the Jujutsu Sorcerer Association, he wouldn't let someone else snatch the prize right in front of him.
In a place invisible to others, several soft, blood-red chains quietly approached Ogino Ko from the ground, binding his entire body from below.
Hikigaya Hachiman's technique was so precise that the target didn't even realize what was happening.
Ogino Ko was entirely focused on the cute black-haired girl in front of him, completely oblivious that he had fallen into the hands of another terrifying entity.
He was just thinking of hooking up with one more girl before running, but suddenly, a chilling sensation, like being stared at by some ferocious beast, made Ogino Ko shiver.
"Ogino-kun, I was wondering if you'd been possessed and blew up the school."
Hikigaya Hachiman's voice wasn't loud, but it sounded like a thunderclap in the ears of the people involved.
Ogino Ko and Yotsuya Miko simultaneously looked at the man wearing a cap.
Yotsuya Miko immediately recognized him as the great deity.
Hikigaya Hachiman's tone was laced with sarcasm, and his gaze fixed on Ogino Ko was ice-cold.
"It turns out you've made it and started working as a Cursed User, huh?"
Ogino Ko gritted his teeth. Although it was their first time meeting, he recognized him instantly.
"Hikigaya Hachiman."
He was a ghost who should have been killed by his curse, yet he was standing right here.
Ogino Ko should have had a wonderful high school life, but it was all ruined by the man in front of him.
"You're not even calling me 'Senpai' anymore.
It seems you require some special extra tutoring from me.
So you can properly learn some manners."
Hikigaya Hachiman's tone was now terrifyingly cold, and he even released a fraction of his aura.
The moment he spoke, Ogino Ko's fear peaked, and his legs began to tremble.
"Damn it, impossible."
But the abnormality in his body made Ogino Ko realize what true powerlessness was.
"When did this happen?"
He felt firmly restrained by something invisible. His entire body was paralyzed, unable to move, even attempting to reach for the prepared cursed tools and talismans was impossible.
What brought Ogino Ko to the verge of a mental breakdown was the fact that he could clearly see several blood-red venomous snakes formed of blood energy emerging from his collar, hissing at him with their mouths open.
Ogino Ko felt his scalp crawl.
Since this was a Cursed Technique, ordinary people couldn't see it.
To ordinary onlookers, the man was acting like a psychiatric patient, beginning to convulse all over.
However, in Yotsuya Miko's eyes, these crimson venomous snakes merged into one enormous python. Its massive body coiled tightly around him, wrapping him completely.
Ogino Ko's bones groaned as if being crushed by the python's embrace. When he finally struggled to breathe, he immediately passed out.
His head hit the chair next to him, making it look as if Hikigaya Hachiman had merely scared him unconscious.
Yotsuya Miko, with her exceptionally powerful spiritual sight, saw everything clearly and felt a wave of nausea from the sight of the hideous, blood-red giant snake; the mental contamination was severe.
But Hikigaya Hachiman did not touch Ogino Ko or speak to the black-haired girl.
Instead, he walked over to another table.
The patron at that table held a newspaper wide open, covering his upper body to minimize his presence.
Hikigaya Hachiman knew who he was, so he tapped the table.
"Nanami-san, stop playing dumb.
That guy is a Cursed User. You noticed him too, right?"
If Hikigaya Hachiman hadn't acted, the other customer present would not have stood idly by either.
"What if I did?"
The newspaper lowered, revealing a very haggard, slender foreign middle-aged man with slicked-back blonde hair, wearing a blue suit. He elegantly took a sip of his coffee.
"I am no longer a Jujutsu Sorcerer."
Kento Nanami, who is one-quarter Danish, making him look foreign, was a former Grade 1 Sorcerer.
He was currently resigned, having taken a job at a financial institution.
"But you are my client manager."
Hikigaya Hachiman had successfully accumulated a massive fortune through the Warhammer series, but this money needed management.
Nanami Kento was his exclusive private client manager, responsible for handling his vast wealth.
Making money grow.
"It is currently lunchtime."
Nanami Kento reminded him.
"A client manager must fulfill the client's needs."
"What a troublesome client."
The meticulous Kento Nanami sighed. He neatly folded the newspaper.
Kento Nanami had only intended to grab a coffee during lunch. He was a regular here, but he didn't expect to encounter this difficult client.
As he stood up, his upright posture made him look like a refined gentleman.
"Work is truly awful."
"But wasn't it your own choice?"
Hikigaya Hachiman said this to Nanami, seeing his frustrated look.
"I'll leave the rest to you, Mr. Client Manager."
Hikigaya Hachiman walked toward Misumi Uika, speaking without looking back, and walked out.
Nanami Kento sighed. He always felt that his job as a client manager was exceptionally bothersome.
He really wanted to quit.
He stared at Yotsuya Miko, who hadn't recovered yet, then gritted his teeth, forcing himself to stand up and chase after Hikigaya Hachiman and his companion who had already left the store.
"Little girl, I advise you not to get close to him."
Kento Nanami's tone was extremely serious, offering a sincere warning.
"That man is very dangerous."