While Yuta Okkotsu was unconscious, everyone had apparently mobilized to restrain and lecture the manifested Rika Orimoto. It sounded like they had quite a lively time. Hearing this story recounted so casually during breakfast at the dormitory cafeteria made Yuta realize all over again that his classmates were indeed 'experts of curses.'
A short while later, the troubled Yuta visited the faculty room to consult with his overseer, Naoya Zen'in, and his teachers, Satoru Gojo and Suguru Geto.
"Um, good morning. Gojo-sensei, Geto-sensei, Naoya-san."
"Morning! Man, Yuta, good work yesterday!"
"Good morning, Yuta. Is your body feeling alright now?"
"Yes, thanks to you all. Um... was Rika Orimoto okay...?"
"There were five Special Grades present, so it was easy. No need to worry, zero casualties. ...It looks like you've slept on it and processed the situation?"
"...Yes. Well... the thing is. I had a dream. About that day, when Rika Orimoto was run over. In that moment, from the bottom of my heart, I wished for her 'not to die' and 'don't die'... I don't know if that's a curse yet, but... that's why I'm here."
As Yuta stated his reason for visiting, two of the adults tilted their heads, wondering how to put it.
Then, one big child opened his mouth without thinking much at all.
"It's a curse. Yep. Totally."
"Now, Satoru. Explain it properly. You are the assistant homeroom teacher, aren't you? Well, I share Satoru's view that 'it could be a curse,' but hearing that probably makes you blame yourself, doesn't it, Yuta? In terms of sorcery, it's a bit different. ...There, I've followed up for you, so explain it, Satoru."
As Suguru Geto shook his head with a sigh, the super-problem child Satoru Gojo remained as much of a free spirit as ever. However, under the sharp gaze of his friend, he began to speak to Yuta.
"Honestly, Suguru could have just said the rest. ...Fine, sorry. You don't have to glare at me. —Ahem. Well, let's see. ...Yuta, what do you think is the most powerful curse?"
"Huh? Something like, 'I'll never forgive you'...? I have an image of it being like a grudge after death..."
"Hmm. Those aren't actually that big of a deal. They have explosive power, and people who die holding a grudge can certainly become cursed spirits, but ultimately it's a transient thing that doesn't last. Because the person is dead, you see. ...And so, as the saying goes, 'living humans are the scariest.' Furthermore, the most powerful curse in human emotion is—'Love.' There is no curse more distorted than love. That's just my personal theory, though."
As he spoke, Gojo made a heart shape with both hands. Considering he was a man nearly thirty years old, it was a rather painful sight, though his good looks allowed him to narrowly pull it off.
However, the fact that Yuta didn't comment on the ridiculous gesture and instead seriously considered the content of the words proved he was a 'model student.'
"Love is a curse? Curses have a negative image... but I feel like love has a positive one..."
"Yeah. But you see, what humans fear most is losing what they love. Whether it's self-love, friendship, romantic love, or compassion, people extremely fear losing that object and will use every trick in the book to curse them so it doesn't happen. For example, I've been cursed to 'be a person who perceives all things,' Suguru to 'be an outstanding person,' and Naoya to 'be straightforward.' You, Yuta, are probably cursed to 'be a child who can worry for others.' This is parental love... but honestly, it's totally sorcery, isn't it? To name something while wishing for it to be a certain way. In fact, I'm a superman who can perceive everything like this, Suguru is truly a man of greatness, and Naoya has become the incarnation of stoicism. It would be a lie to say our current states aren't influenced by the curse of 'parental love'."
"I see...? I think I understand, but I'm not sure..."
"Hmm. ...Alright. Let's bring the conversation back to you and Rika Orimoto. Based on what you said, there's no doubt that you feared losing your beloved Rika Orimoto from the bottom of your soul and unconsciously placed a desperate curse on her. Naoya's assessment is that for some reason, a powerful binding vow to 'tether the soul of a loved one to oneself' miraculously succeeded, and Rika Orimoto survived by gaining the vessel of a Special Grade Vengeful Cursed Spirit. ...Now, building on that, my theory is that the cursed energy making up Rika's body and her 'Copy' cursed technique actually belonged to you, Yuta. You likely resurrected Rika by using your own talent as a sorcerer as the price. That would certainly work as a solid binding vow, and personally, I feel the balance is quite well maintained."
"...I see...?"
"Satoru, for a teacher, your explanation is long and tedious. What's wrong with you? —Anyway, basically, you brought your girlfriend back to life with the power of love. As a result, Rika-chan is still alive like this, so isn't that fine?"
"B-But. Um, shouldn't I, like, let her pass on or something...?"
"...? —Ah, I see. Of course you'd think that. Normally. Satoru, you forgot to teach him the most important thing. Get it together. ...Cursed spirits aren't actually dead, you know? It's just that their bodies are made of cursed energy, but they are living creatures born with souls. When a human becomes a cursed spirit after death, they've basically just reincarnated at lightning speed."
Instant silence.
The uncomfortable quiet in the faculty room was broken by a single sound from Yuta Okkotsu, who had his mouth hanging open like a dying goldfish.
"...Eh?"
"Huh? Satoru. You didn't teach him that?"
"...I have a feeling I might not have!"
"This is definitely a case where I have to tell the Principal, Satoru..."
Afterward, it goes without saying that Satoru was put into a headlock by Principal Masamichi Yaga while being shouted at with a "GODDAMN!"
While Yuta's evaluation of Satoru was finally leaning heavily toward 'useless teacher,' the morning consultation came to a close with the sound of the bell.
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