Suguru Geto clearly realized this, the smile on his face gradually fading, his slender eyes now devoid of joy or sorrow, like a divine statue.
He walked a few steps toward the shore, the seawater clinging tightly to his feet, every step feeling exceptionally heavy.
Kobe Suzuo sat in the pavilion specially set up for him.
On the small table to his left were sliced fruit, snacks, fruit wine sent by the bartender.
Standing on the right side was the secretary helping with the work; as Kobe Suzuo raised his hand, the secretary handed over documents or a fountain pen.
At the seaside, this young master finally stopped wearing those custom suits of his; the light blue linen shirt and white trousers looked clean and refreshing.
But he was still heavily covered, with only a few buttons of his jacket undone.
This person is probably quite hated.
Suguru Geto stepped across the beach, walking slowly toward Kobe Suzuo.
Her bun was slightly disheveled by the sea breeze, so she simply took out the hair tie, leaving her long hair clinging to her face in a way that caused an uncomfortable itch.
His expression at the moment was likely quite frightening; the secretary standing beside Kobe Suzuo immediately tensed up upon seeing him.
The secretary was from the Kobe Family main branch and was an ordinary person without Cursed Energy.
A graduate of a prestigious school who had minored in psychology during university, she leaned in and whispered into Kobe Suzuo's ear, "Young Master, his mental state doesn't seem quite right."
Suguru Geto showed no reaction to those words, looking down at Kobe Suzuo.
Mr. Suzuo, I understand now why you are so hated.
Kobe Suzuo said magnanimously, "It's fine. A person as excellent and successful as I am is always hated."
Merlin reminded, "Young Master, I suggest you watch your words."
If Young Master Suguru and you were to become enemies, the already arduous emotional marathon between you and Young Master Gojo would likely become even more difficult.
Kobe Suzuo..
He looked up and asked sincerely:
“Suguru Geto, you wouldn't actually want to defect from the Jujutsu World and turn from a best friend of your peers into a nemesis, would you?”
This way of asking was too much like the hypothetical scenario Satoru Gojo had impulsively proposed not long ago while they were staying up late playing video games and reading manga in the boys' dormitory.
Suguru Geto stumbled over his words and replied:
Do I look like a villainous male supporting character to you?
Author's Note:
It's probably going to be very difficult to change the dark update schedule (sadly). You guys can read it during the day; don't stay up late!
Chapter 43 That Kind of Relationship
Suguru Geto had narrow eyes, his features were handsome.
With his hair tied up in a casual bun, his strange bangs and ear studs that looked like ear gauges all possessed an indescribable sense of fashion.
When she smiles, she is the kind of incredibly attractive, salt-style handsome guy.
As for when he isn't smiling..
Merlin's sharp critique: "A villain who gains the deep trust of the main group, only to suddenly have an emotional breakdown and betray them at a critical moment."
That's a bit offensive, Merlin.
Kobe Suzuo fell into a suspicious silence, averting his gaze from Suguru Geto's face, which at this moment exuded an overwhelming aura of gloom.
“.. I believe Suguru Geto is a man of principle and will certainly never break the law or violate the rules.”
Suguru Geto's mouth twitched, his messy, melancholic mood knotting up instantly. He couldn't help but feel curious:
What if I truly lack resolve and accidentally stray onto the wrong path?
Merlin seemed to be at odds with Suguru Geto today, wailing an alarm: "Young Master, it's over, your little white cat's best friend is really going to turn dark."
The little white cat's good friend doesn't even know that he is about to turn dark.
Kobe Suzuo lightly tapped his index finger on the table and had the secretary find a chair for Suguru Geto, attempting to ease the atmosphere with a cold joke:
If things really escalate to the point of imprisonment, I will, for the sake of our past relationship, help Suguru-kun find a lawyer to argue for a reduced sentence.
Suguru Geto sat down with a face full of black lines, the oppressive aura he had previously exuded, which had made him loom like a massive Buddha before Kobe Suzuo, dissipated.
Does it really have to end in tears and prison bars?
Kobe Suzuo pushed the non-alcoholic mocktail sent by the bartender toward Suguru Geto and smiled gently.
Well, as long as you don't become a villainous supporting character, your future will definitely be bright.
The drink, garnished with mint leaves and lime wedges, carried the refreshing essence of summer.
Suguru Geto stirred his straw, the ice clinking against the glass with a crisp, pleasant sound.
Then I shall accuse Mr. Suzuo in court, telling the judge that I only became a villain because I was seduced by the mysterious magic within Mr. Suzuo.
"So chuunibyou." After Merlin finished savoring that sentence, he began to talk some trash:
And the premise of this sentence is that he still wants to become a vicious male supporting character! Young Master! This kid is problematic!
Kobe Suzuo, on the other hand, thought Suguru Geto's choice of words was quite interesting.
He ignored the raving Merlin and gave a small "wow" to coax the child, "You make me sound like some kind of demon."
Only after Kobe Suzuo finished speaking did he belatedly realize that the "magical power" Suguru Geto mentioned must refer to the CEO-style "Passive" abilities on his body.
He couldn't help but let out a light laugh. "Suguru-kun has a great sense of humor."
Suguru Geto gave a low "Mm," his head lowered, watching the condensation on the side of the glass gradually condense into large droplets and slowly slide down.
He picked up the glass and downed the entire special Mojito in one gulp, his grand manner making it look as if he were drinking alcohol.
Suguru Geto pressed his tongue against the roof of his mouth to alleviate the ice cream headache, but no matter what he tasted, the flavor of Cursed Spirits seemed to linger, as if it could never be washed away.
Kobe Suzuo sat calmly on the opposite side, gentle and composed, a mature and steady presence who was clearly a reliable adult at first glance.
By the time Suguru Geto realized it, he had already asked the question.
Mr. Suzuo, how old are you this year?
Kobe Suzuo looked as if facing a formidable enemy, his gaze suddenly turning sharp.
.. You don't have to say it if it's offensive to you.
Finally, the moment arrived when he had to face reality. Kobe Suzuo closed his eyes. "..23."
Suguru Geto had heard from the White Beard Butler about Kobe Suzuo's feat of graduating with a doctorate at the age of eighteen, so he wasn't particularly surprised by this age.
He replied politely, "I really couldn't tell."
Perhaps it was because he had experienced enough to possess such a commanding and convincing presence.
Merlin disrupted the mood again: "Young Master, you need to face the fact that you're already twenty-four. Even if your birthday is on December 25th, you can't keep subtracting a year from yourself, can you?"
Kobe Suzuo could no longer endure it and made a pausing gesture under Suguru Geto's confused gaze.
Wait a moment, I need to handle some matters immediately.
Kobe Suzuo took the laptop from the secretary's hands and began typing on the keyboard with loud, rapid clacks:
[Merlin, after you finished making that trash mini-program to entertain yourself, did you forget to delete it? You've been acting quite provocative since just now.]
[I am 23 until my birthday arrives]
[I can't simply subtract the birth year from the current year in such a crude way. If I use that calculation, my actual birth year would be 20**, meaning I was born in the future.]
Merlin hit a sore spot: "But Satoru-kun was also born in December. No matter how you calculate it, you are seven years older than him. Besides, didn't you not care about age before, Young Master Gojo?"
Kobe Suzuo typed expressionlessly:
[I'm going to cut the power to your server room]
Merlin slid into a kowtow: "You are right, Young Master. Long live the younger generation."
Kobe Suzuo's fingers, which were about to move away from the keyboard, paused:
[What is "younger"?]
Merlin said sycophantically, "It means that Satoru-kun's age is just right, a bit younger than yours, Young Master. It means 'Hooray!'"
Kobe Suzuo closed the notebook with satisfaction.
Alright, Suguru, let's continue discussing the issue with your Cursed Technique.
Kobe Suzuo put on his mature persona again: "Sorry, I still stand by my judgment."
Suguru Geto had already tied his hair up by now.
At sunset, the air by the seaside was warm and humid, his hair was damp with moisture, yet Suguru Geto stubbornly left a single lock of bangs out, looking like a comedian with a styled look.
Suguru Geto had reached a state of acceptance by now, his mood was surprisingly peaceful. "May I ask why?"
Even though Cursed Spirit Orbs taste deathly awful, it's not serious enough to make me stop absorbing Cursed Spirits, is it?
Kobe Suzuo lowered her eyes, unconsciously rubbing the ancient ring on her thumb.
He struck a pose as if he were about to tell a story.
“Someone once told me that appetite is a manifestation of vitality; once you lose your appetite and eating becomes a burden, your soul will be cursed.”
I've had periods like that, wasting away until my bones showed, where my soul would be dragged to the other side.
Kobe Suzuo's voice was gentle, the sea breeze ruffled his bangs, as the darkening sky after sunset cast a filter over him.
It was like a beautiful, cinematic shot, full of storytelling, specially selected to be used as a cover, much like a trailer for a blockbuster movie.
When looking at Kobe Suzuo, one couldn't help but hold one's breath and listen intently, then go through the motions of experiencing intense emotional fluctuations for his story.
Suguru Geto had almost grown accustomed to this situation.
It was only natural for his mind to go blank beside Kobe Suzuo.
He continued from where Kobe Suzuo left off, beginning his analysis, "Are you referring to your stomach ailment? Does the stomach ailment cause loss of appetite?"
Kobe Suzuo, whose mood had been interrupted..