Chapter 144 ⟴ I'll Be Back

Boom!

Muffled thunder echoed across the heavens as heavy clouds, like gray curtains, blocked out the light.

The pet store's lights glowed brightly against the downpour.

Tsuki noticed Daiki staring at an elegant pet collar and approached him.

"Interested in a collar for your pet? You have excellent taste! This is our newest model, crafted from premium leather with sleek rivet detailing. Though the silver chain appears delicate, it's remarkably sturdy — capable of restraining any pet smaller than a large dog."

"Would you like to see it up close? And what type of pet do you have? We carry various sizes."

As she spoke, Tsuki had already retrieved the collar. It was clearly designed for small pets like cats, being much smaller than a human neck.

Daiki lifted the collar, examining it meticulously. The leather and craftsmanship were flawless, rivaling fine artisanal work. The silver chain caught the light brilliantly, feeling silken to the touch and thin enough to loop around a fingertip.

Watching him study the piece so intently, Tsuki knew she had secured a sale. Who would have expected a customer on opening day, especially during such weather?

If Daiki hadn't entered her store, she might have waited much longer for her first sale.

Tsuki maintained her warm smile while discreetly observing his demeanor — his pristine attire spoke of refined taste.

Most striking was how he maintained such elegance despite the storm — she'd have looked like a drowned rat had she ventured outside.

"Hmm?" Her gentle smile suddenly froze.

She instinctively glanced from the rain outside to the clean, dry floor — not a single water droplet in sight.

An inexplicable chill crept into her heart.

"Do you have this collar in a slightly larger size?"

The calm question cut through her thoughts.

Though unsettled, Tsuki quickly replied, "Of course, but what size does the customer need? Could you describe the type of pet? If you have a photo, I can find a suitable size right away."

After a moment's thought, Daiki said, "The size... I haven't really measured it."

"Could you give me a rough description? A reference point would help." Tsuki held the silver chain in both hands, waiting patiently.

Daiki scanned the room, his gaze finally settling on the woman.

"About the size of your neck."

Before the words could fade—

Crack—!!

A lightning bolt split the gray sky.

The brilliant flash illuminated Tsuki's terrified face. The silver chain had slipped from her trembling fingers to the floor.

Are you sure this is for a pet?

BOOM!

Thunder rattled the windows.

Tsuki forced herself to appear calm as she bent to retrieve the chain, "This thunderstorm is frightening — catches you off guard."

Her throat tightened as she glanced outside. The downpour had reduced visibility to nothing — no pedestrians or vehicles in sight.

'He... he couldn't be planning to put this collar on me... restrain me... train me like a pet?' Her shaking hands fumbled with the chain, dropping it again as tears threatened to spill.

"You don't have that size?"

The silver chain fell and was retrieved, again and again, until Daiki frowned and reached for it himself.

When his warm fingertips brushed her palm, goosebumps raced across her skin and her trembling intensified.

'He... he couldn't be planning to restrain me in broad daylight — is he that impatient? I... I need to save myself!' Her thoughts raced as she stammered, "Y-yes... we do!"

She retreated behind the counter on unsteady legs, retrieved an appropriately sized collar, and handed it to Daiki with quivering hands.

He examined it, attaching the chain to the collar, but something seemed off about the assembly — whether from the style or improper technique, it looked distinctly awkward.

"How do you use this collar? Is this correct? Could you demonstrate?" He extended the collar back to the woman.

Looking at the assembled collar, Tsuki's hands trembled violently.

This young man, despite his youthful appearance, was playing such a dangerous game — he had the collar ready and wanted her to demonstrate it.

She wanted to refuse, but suddenly the phone on the glass counter lit up, lying conveniently within Daiki's reach.

He simply picked it up and said, "It's your daughter calling."

Tsuki trembled as she took the phone, looking at him with despair.

Was this a threat? It must be!

He had specifically mentioned her "daughter". If she didn't comply, both mother and daughter would fall into his clutches!

Tsuki quickly hung up on her daughter Hana's call, then forced a smile and said, "Of... of course, I'll demonstrate right away."

Under Daiki's watchful gaze, she placed the collar around her neck, the exquisite craftsmanship adorning her swan-like throat.

As Tsuki surrendered the silver chain, his expression grew distant, and he instinctively pulled on it.

"Mmph—" A soft whimper escaped the married woman's lips.

Though he hadn't pulled hard, Tsuki's legs, stiff with terror, gave way beneath her as she crumpled to the ground.

Heaven help me! This was a trap!

Daiki's face darkened as he removed the collar and chain completely.

"This is the collar. If the quality is good, I'll come back later." He said, helping Tsuki up.

To an observer, it might have appeared he was about to do something — but he simply put away the chain and collar.

His Space Storage, acquired from the Inventory Curse Collection, had ample room, so the items took up barely any space inside.

Tsuki hadn't recovered from her fear when she heard Daiki say "I'll come back later" — had she failed to satisfy him?

How terrifying!

She decided to close the shop immediately and not reopen. She would pack up and transfer the vacant shop to someone else temporarily.

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Through Spatial Transference, Daiki materialized at Tokyo Jujutsu High.

To his surprise, he found both Yoshinobu Gakuganji and Yūji Itadori present.

The former's presence was understandable, possibly related to the Shibuya Incident disaster, but had the latter's talent to be a Jujutsu Sorcerer been discovered?

Megumi stood sickly, his core injuries evident. Though he wielded the Ten Shadows Technique, he still lacked its mightiest Shikigami, Mahoraga.

Nearby, Yūta Okkotsu wheeled in the blind teacher, Satoru Gojō.

"The old, the weak, the sick and disabled! The future of Jujutsu Society looks grim indeed!"

Daiki shook his head with a weary sigh, causing Satoru and the others to twitch their lips in irritation.

Wasn't this all your doing, Inspector General?!

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