Chapter 125: I Can Be Your Girlfriend

"I'm Tsukumo Yuki, and I have a dream..."

Yuki's self-introduction gave Satoshi a strange sense of déjà vu, like he was listening to Martin Luther King.

But after hearing her real request, Satoshi finally remembered—this girl standing in front of him was someone with unconventional methods but unwavering conviction.

She was a Star Plasma Vessel who refused to assimilate with Tengen.

She despised Curses and always sought a way to eradicate them completely.

Because of a conversation with her, Special Grade sorcerer Geto Suguru clarified his path and became a true sorcerer, unwavering in his resolve.

She mentored the powerful Grade 1 sorcerer Aoi Todo.

And in the end, to protect Tengen and fulfill her mission, she died at Kenjaku's hands in the Tombs of the Star without ever releasing a Domain…

There was no doubt—this was a complex and captivating woman.

But just like Satoru, her story ended in a cruel narrative death.

Yuki's desire to study his body stemmed from the fact that he had zero Cursed Energy. Satoshi could understand that. After all, in the original timeline, she'd tried to study Toji but was turned down.

Still, understanding didn't mean he could casually agree to such a thing.

"Miss Yuki, you said you wanted to study me because I have no Cursed Energy."

"But Toji is also someone with zero Cursed Energy. Why not study him instead?"

That was… different from how things played out originally.

Faced with the question, Yuki's eyes flicked between Toji and Satoshi. She quietly mulled over her thoughts.

There's no difference between the two of you, you're both Heavenly Restriction types with zero Cursed Energy. But if I'm going to study someone, I want to study someone who fits my taste.

Toji looks way too fierce and difficult to approach. Even if I asked, he'd probably refuse me on the spot.

Of course, she couldn't say that out loud.

"Although you're both without Cursed Energy, Toji's body has already fully matured. You, Gojo Satoshi, are still growing. Studying your development might help us understand the root cause of zero Cursed Energy."

It was a flimsy excuse.

Satoshi gave her a suspicious look. His expression seemed to say: I know you're lying, I just can't prove it yet.

"Uhm that… makes sense."

After thinking for more than ten seconds, Satoshi nodded.

From a scientific standpoint, children's bodies do carry more unknowns and potential.

"Toji, looks like she's not interested in you."

Satoshi gave him a pat on the back, his expression full of mischief.

Toji didn't react much. He raised an eyebrow.

"This Yuki is clearly into you. Do you really think there's any difference between us?"

"You may have the Six Eyes, but my observational skills are sharper than yours."

Toji's lips silently formed a word—Shoko—and Satoshi instantly froze.

"That's just because I'm more popular than you," he muttered defensively.

Toji didn't bother responding. He brushed past Satoshi and sat behind the counter, leaving the space to him and Yuki.

"Take her to the back if you want to chat. She's our first customer. Can't have her standing here talking like that."

"I won't be joining."

He pointed to the doorway behind the noren curtain beside the counter, then turned away.

Realizing he'd been a bit neglectful in terms of hospitality, Satoshi gave Toji an annoyed look, then turned to invite Yuki into the back reception area.

The moment they stepped through the curtain, Yuki realized the back of the Yorozuya was like a completely different world.

Compared to the front room, which was practically empty save for the counter, the back was much more lived-in.

Still, calling it a "reception area" felt like a stretch. It looked more like the cozy living room of a private home—complete with a kotatsu and television.

It didn't feel like a shop's guest area at all.

Satoshi scratched his head and smiled awkwardly.

"Um, sorry. The place isn't really set up for customers yet. The hospitality's not exactly professional."

"How about we just get into the kotatsu?"

He asked tentatively. After all, there was a difference between boys and girls, inviting her to sit in the kotatsu felt a little forward.

To his surprise, Yuki nodded, casually slipped off her shoes, and slid into the kotatsu.

"Mmm, it's so warm…"

Yuki sprawled over the table, stretching out her body comfortably.

"Kotatsu is winter's perfect match."

Seeing how naturally she treated him like a child, Satoshi stopped overthinking it and climbed in too.

Kotatsu really is the ultimate winter survival tool.

…

With both of them curled up beneath the kotatsu, the winter chill faded, and the serious conversation began.

"So, Gojo Satoshi—was that a yes to my commission?"

Yuki's eyes sparkled with anticipation.

From the earlier exchange with Toji, it seemed like Satoshi wasn't strongly opposed to the idea.

Not only could she observe the Gojo family's Six Eyes heir up close, but she could also investigate the formation of zero Cursed Energy.

A total win.

As for the task Tengen had given her, at this point, she'd completely forgotten about it.

Looking at her eager expression, Satoshi smiled slightly and tapped the side of his head.

"These are the Gojo family's greatest secret. Your request can't be accepted."

"I'm sorry, but I'll have to refuse."

His polite rejection left Yuki visibly disappointed.

Still, she wasn't ready to give up. After spending this time with him, she felt their relationship had warmed up significantly. And a bold, slightly embarrassing thought came to her mind.

"If you agree to let me study you… I can be your girlfriend!"

"Onee-sans like me are super popular! And I have great Cursed Technique compatibility! I'd be a top-tier girlfriend. Gojo Satoshi, won't you consider it?"

Pfft—!

At the counter in the front area, Toji choked on his water.

With his sharp hearing, he never expected to hear that from Yuki.

He had noticed she might be a little interested in Satoshi, sure. But this serious?

Yuki might be old enough for romance, but Satoshi was six years old.

If Shoko and Satoshi could be called childhood sweethearts, then Yuki and Satoshi… were clearly an older girl-younger boy dynamic.

(To be continued.)