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Gojo shrugged, his grin undiminished but his tone unusually serious. "You're not wrong, Liam. But the reality is, that cursed energy does exist. Ignoring it won't make it go away."
Liam's voice softened slightly, though the bitterness remained. "I've seen what this world does to people... People I care about. I won't let it take them from me."
Mei Mei, who had been watching silently, spoke up at last. Her voice was smooth and deliberate, each word laced with intrigue. "You say that with such conviction, but aren't you part of this world, Liam? You wield its power and walk its paths. If you truly believe it's a poison, why not dedicate yourself to finding a cure?"
Liam turned to her, his sharp eyes narrowing. "And what would you know of my convictions, Mei Mei? You're not exactly known for altruism."
Mei Mei's smile didn't falter, but her tone turned playful. "Touché. I'm not here to preach, just to observe. And I must say, you are quite fascinating to observe."
Gojo clapped his hands together, breaking the tension. "Alright, alright, let's reel it back in. Liam, Tengen's just saying you've got potential. Think of it as an open invitation. You don't have to decide now."
"I've already decided," Liam said coldly, his voice cutting through the room like a blade. "I'm not interested."
Tengen's voice remained calm, but there was a note of finality in his tone. "Even so, the offer stands. Should you ever find yourself at a crossroads, know that Jujutsu High will welcome you."
Liam shook his head, his gaze never leaving Tengen. "I appreciate the gesture, but I'll pass. If something truly urgent comes up, you know how to reach me."
Before he turned to leave, Liam glanced at Gojo, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "Speaking of which, I'm cashing in that favor you owe me."
Gojo raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Oh? You've got me curious. What's it gonna be?"
Liam's smirk deepened, a rare glimmer of amusement breaking through his stoicism. "You'll find out soon enough. Don't worry—it's nothing you can't handle."
Gojo let out a soft laugh, but there was an edge of unease in his expression. "Now you're just messing with me. Fine, keep your secrets. But don't make me regret it."
As Liam strode toward the exit, his coat billowing behind him, Tengen's voice echoed softly through the chamber.
"He is more than a variable. He is a force."
Mei Mei's smile sharpened, her eyes gleaming with intrigue. "A force, indeed. And forces can shape—or destroy—the world."
Gojo watched Liam's retreating figure, his usual grin fading into something more thoughtful. "Let's just hope he picks the right side."
----
Liam walked through the courtyard of Jujutsu High, the crisp evening air brushing against his skin as he took in the serene surroundings. The towering trees swayed gently, their branches casting long shadows across the aged stone pathways. For all its ties to the cursed world, there was a certain tranquility to the academy that he could appreciate.
His pace was unhurried, his eyes scanning the grounds with an almost detached curiosity.
Students sparred in the distance, their shouts echoing faintly. He found himself briefly amused by their vigor—so determined to master a power he considered more curse than blessing.
"Enjoying the view?"
The voice, smooth and teasing, came from behind him, cutting through the quiet like a silk thread drawn taut. He didn't need to turn around to know who it was.
"Shouldn't you be inside with the others, Mei Mei?" Liam said without breaking stride, his tone calm but tinged with dry humor.
"Hmm," Mei Mei replied, stepping into view beside him, her long silver hair glinting in the fading sunlight. Her sharp, calculating eyes sparkled with mischief, and her ever-present smirk played at her lips. "And miss spectacle... A man like you doesn't just walk through this world unnoticed."
Liam didn't turn around immediately. Instead, he let the silence stretch for a moment, a faint smirk curling at his lips. When he finally glanced over his shoulder, his gaze was as sharp as a blade.
"You sound impressed," He said, his tone cool but laced with deliberate challenge. "I didn't think someone like you was so easily captivated."
Mei Mei chuckled softly, stepping closer with an almost predatory grace. "Captivated? Perhaps. But can you blame me? After all, it's not every day I cross paths with the son of the richest man in Asia. You've been making waves, Liam. And I can't resist a man who knows how to stir the waters."
Liam turned fully to face her, his eyes locking onto hers. There was a weight in his gaze, a quiet intensity that made Mei Mei's usual confidence falter ever so slightly.
"Let's cut to the chase," He said, his voice low and commanding. "You're not here to flatter me, Mei Mei. You're here because you see an opportunity. I'd wager you've already calculated how much I'm worth—down to the last yen."
Her smirk widened, though there was a flicker of surprise in her eyes.
"Smart and perceptive," She purred. "You're not wrong, Liam. I am a woman who appreciates value. But don't misunderstand—I'm not just interested in your money. You, yourself, are... intriguing."
Liam stepped closer, closing the distance between them in a way that felt deliberate, almost predatory. His height cast a shadow over her, and the air between them crackled with unspoken tension. "Intriguing, huh? That's a nice way of saying you think I'm a challenge. But let me make one thing clear, Mei Mei."
He leaned in slightly, his voice dropping to a near-whisper. "I don't lose. Not deals, not battles, and certainly not games of charm. If you're thinking about trying to play me, you'd better be prepared to bet everything you've got."
Mei Mei's composure wavered for a fraction of a second, her breath hitching as his words sank in. But she recovered quickly, her smirk returning, though it was now tinged with a hint of nervous energy. "Bold words, Liam. I like that. But you should know—I never bet on a losing hand."
Liam chuckled, the sound low and rich, as he reached out and tucked a stray strand of her silver hair behind her ear with deliberate slowness.
"You'd better hope you're not one, then," He murmured, his fingers lingering just long enough to make her pulse quicken.
"Hoh! Someone sounds confident. What makes you special, Liam?"
Liam's smirk deepened, and he stepped even closer, his presence utterly dominating. "Because I'm not here to chase you. I don't have to. You've already come to me, Mei Mei. And whether you realize it or not, you're the one trying to win my favor."
The audacity of his statement left her momentarily speechless. No one had ever spoken to her like this—not with such boldness, such certainty.
It was infuriating, yet undeniably thrilling.
Before she could gather her thoughts, Liam's hand moved swiftly, smacking her ass with a deliberate firmness that made her gasp softly in surprise. He stepped back with a smirk, his eyes glinting with amusement and something darker.
"Consider that a preview of what happens when you try to play games with me," He said, his voice smooth as silk. "You might find yourself losing more than you're prepared to give."
Mei Mei stood frozen for a moment, her mind racing to process what had just happened. But as Liam turned and walked away, his coat billowing behind him, a slow smile spread across her lips.
"Fascinating," She murmured, her voice low and laced with intrigue. Watching his retreating figure, she couldn't help but feel a rush of excitement she hadn't felt in years.
As the shadows deepened around her, Mei Mei's smirk sharpened, her eyes gleaming with renewed determination. "Let's see who really comes out on top, Liam."
--- ✦ ✦ ✦ ---
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