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The drive back to the villa was peaceful, the setting sun painting the sky in hues of amber and crimson.
Liam leaned back in his seat, his thoughts drifting to the meeting at Jujutsu High. The weight of the conversation with Tengen lingered in his mind, but he quickly pushed it aside. There were more important things waiting for him at home—things that made all the chaos worthwhile.
As he pulled into the driveway, the villa came into view, its modern architecture glowing warmly in the evening light.
The sound of laughter reached his ears even before he stepped out of the car, and he found himself smiling without realizing it.
Walking toward the garden, he paused by the entrance, his gaze falling on a heartwarming scene.
Riko was seated on the patio, her dark hair catching the last rays of sunlight as she laughed freely, her face alight with genuine joy. Beside her, Shizuka and Akane were animatedly chatting, their gestures lively as they shared stories.
The three of them were completely at ease, the bonds they had formed evident in the way they leaned into each other's presence.
Liam stayed in the shadows, observing them silently. There was something profoundly satisfying about seeing Riko like this—free, happy, and safe. This was what her life should have been, he thought.
A young girl like her should be enjoying moments like these, not living under the shadow of a death sentence dictated by the Jujutsu Society and its antiquated traditions.
"This is how it's supposed to be," He murmured to himself, his smile soft but tinged with a quiet determination.
"Enjoying the view?"
The voice was teasing yet gentle, and Liam turned slightly to see Aiko standing beside him. Her long hair cascaded over her shoulders, and her eyes sparkled with amusement. She had approached so quietly that he hadn't noticed her presence until she spoke.
"You could say that," Liam replied, his gaze returning to the girls. "It's nice to see them like this. No worries, no danger..."
Aiko folded her arms, leaning slightly toward him. "You're proud, aren't you? You've given her a life she thought she'd never have. A normal one—or as close to normal as it gets around here."
Liam chuckled softly, his voice laced with warmth. "Maybe. But it's not just me. Shizuka and Akane have been a big part of this too. They've done more for her than I ever could."
"Still," Aiko said, tilting her head to study him, "you're the one who made it possible. You pulled her out of that darkness. Don't sell yourself short, Young Master."
He glanced at her, a hint of gratitude in his expression, though he quickly masked it with his usual calm demeanor.
"You're surprisingly sentimental tonight," He teased.
Aiko smirked, nudging him lightly. "And you're surprisingly soft. Who knew the great Young Master had such a heart?"
"Careful," He said with mock seriousness, "if you keep talking like that, I might start thinking you're trying to ruin my reputation."
Aiko laughed, the sound light and genuine. "I wouldn't dare."
She nodded toward the patio, where the girls were now sharing a round of cheerful applause over something Riko had said. "Look at her, Young Master. You did the right thing. She's happy because of you. Remember that."
For a moment, Liam said nothing, simply watching as Riko leaned back in her chair, her laughter filling the air. There was a warmth in his chest that he rarely allowed himself to acknowledge, but it was there nonetheless—a quiet sense of fulfillment.
"Yeah," He said finally, his voice barely above a whisper. "This is how it's supposed to be."
Aiko smiled softly, stepping back to give him space. "Don't let it go to waste, Young Master. Moments like this are rare. Savor them."
He nodded, his eyes never leaving the scene before him. In this fleeting moment, the weight of the cursed world seemed to fade, leaving behind only the simple, unadulterated beauty of human connection.
And for Liam, that was enough.
As Liam turned to head back into the villa, the sound of deliberate, confident footsteps caught his attention. He paused, glancing toward the driveway, where a familiar figure strolled in with his characteristic cocky smirk.
"Toji," Liam said, folding his arms across his chest. "Right on time, as usual."
The man in question—Toji Fushiguro—approached with the air of someone who owned the world, his sharp eyes gleaming with mischief. Dressed in his usual casual attire, he carried a small satchel slung over his shoulder, the weight of it betraying its importance.
"Since you're back, I assume the mission was a success," Liam said, his tone calm but probing.
Toji chuckled, a low, gravelly sound that conveyed his confidence. "Success? You make it sound like there was ever any doubt. Of course, it's done."
Liam raised an eyebrow, unimpressed by the bravado. "You don't exactly have a spotless track record, Toji."
Toji shrugged, his grin widening. "Fair point. But this time, you can count on me."
He pulled the satchel forward, loosening its strap. "Still, I gotta ask... What's a guy like you want with something like this? You do know this isn't just any cursed item, right? It's dangerous as hell."
"I know exactly what it is," Liam said, his voice steady.
Toji tilted his head, studying him with a mix of curiosity and skepticism. "Then humor me. Why the hell would you want to get your hands on something this deadly? You planning to use it, or is this just some kind of insurance policy?"
Liam didn't respond immediately, his gaze fixed on the satchel in Toji's hand. Finally, he stepped closer, his eyes meeting Toji's with unwavering intensity.
"Because I have a use for it... And power like this needs to be in the right hands, don't you think?"
Toji chuckled again, shaking his head. "That's a pretty roundabout way of saying you're scared someone else is gonna use it before you do."
Liam ignored the jab, holding out his hand. "Enough talk. Hand it over."
Toji's smirk didn't fade as he reached into the satchel, pulling out a small, carefully wrapped object. Even through the layers of cloth and seals, an oppressive energy radiated from it, thick and suffocating.
Carefully unwrapping it, Toji revealed a grotesque, mummified finger—twisted and blackened, its aura pulsating with raw malice. The mere sight of it was enough to make the air around them feel heavier.
"Special Grade Cursed Object," Toji said, his tone mockingly reverent. "Ryomen Sukuna's finger. You sure you know what you're doing with this thing, kid?"
Liam's eyes narrowed as he reached out, taking the finger from Toji's hand. The moment it touched his palm, he felt the sheer weight of its cursed energy—an overwhelming presence that seemed to claw at his very soul. But he didn't flinch.
"I know exactly what I'm doing," Liam said firmly. "Do not worry too much."
Toji stepped back, crossing his arms as he watched Liam with interest. "You're playing a dangerous game, you know that? Things like this... they tend to bite back."
Liam gave him a wry smile. "Then it's a good thing I've never been afraid of a fight."
For a moment, the two men stood in silence, the cursed object's oppressive energy swirling between them. Finally, Toji broke the tension with a laugh, shaking his head in amusement.
"Alright, kid. Your funeral. But don't say I didn't warn you."
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