By the time Natsuki returned to the apartment, the sky had already grown dark.
As he approached his door, he noticed a pure-black slip of paper attached to the handle.
There was no writing on its surface, but the moment he touched it, a message flowed directly into his mind.
[The mission has been scheduled for the fifth of next month. Location: Sapporo. I’ve sent the full briefing to your email. Reply once you’ve confirmed the details. —Mei Mei]
The paper dissolved into black smoke.
Natsuki entered his apartment, turned on his computer, and found an unread email waiting for him. Attached was a PDF nearly fifty pages long.
He opened the file and began reading.
[Mission Objective: Investigate a secret Time Vessel Association laboratory located in Hokkaido.]
[Current intelligence suggests the facility is conducting forbidden experiments involving the fusion of humans and Cursed Spirits.]
[A Special Grade Cursed Spirit has been confirmed within the facility. At least five curse users of Grade 1 or higher are believed to be stationed there.]
[Compensation: Fifty million yen. Ten million paid in advance, with the remainder delivered upon completion.]
[Important: Retreat is permitted in the event of an uncontrollable threat, but the facility’s core research data must be recovered.]
Natsuki rapidly skimmed through the remaining pages, which contained the laboratory’s floor plan, guard rotations, analyses of the Cursed Spirits stationed inside, and several proposed escape routes.
Mei Mei had prepared thoroughly.
After considering it for a moment, he typed a reply.
[Natsuki: I accept the mission. We can discuss the remaining details in person. —Amamiya Natsuki]
As for the reliability of Jujutsu High’s intelligence…
‘Anyone who trusts it completely is in for a wonderful surprise.’
Mei Mei replied almost immediately.
[Mei Mei: Tomorrow at three in the afternoon. A café in Ginza. Afternoon tea is on me~ (*￣)￣)]
[Natsuki: All right.]
After shutting down his computer, Natsuki walked to the window and looked out over Tokyo’s brilliant neon lights.
Beneath the city’s prosperity, dangerous currents were already stirring.
The Time Vessel Association, Kenjaku, the Culling Game, and now the upcoming mission in Hokkaido…
“Looks like I won’t be getting bored anytime soon.”
A faint smile touched Natsuki’s lips as his three-tomoe Sharingan glimmered in the darkness.
…
The following afternoon, Natsuki entered an upscale café in Ginza and immediately spotted Mei Mei sitting beside the window.
She had changed into a white business suit, tied her silver hair into a low ponytail, and put on a pair of gold-rimmed glasses, making her resemble a polished corporate executive.
“Over here~”
Mei Mei raised a hand.
Natsuki walked over and took the seat opposite her.
“What would you like?” she asked, passing him the menu.
“A latte is fine.”
Mei Mei called over a server and placed their order. While they waited for the drinks, she took out a tablet.
“There are a few additional details we need to cover.”
A map of Hokkaido appeared on the screen, with one location marked in red.
“The entrance to the laboratory is hidden deep inside an abandoned mine. There’s a barrier around the perimeter, and forcing your way through it will trigger an alarm.”
She swiped to the next page.
“My plan has two stages. You’ll use your technique to infiltrate the facility and collect the research data, while I remain outside to support you and create a diversion if necessary.”
“A clear division of roles.” Natsuki nodded. “What about the Special Grade?”
“According to our intelligence, it’s an experimental creation with low intelligence. It relies almost entirely on instinct.”
Mei Mei opened another file.
The image displayed a grotesque creature with a humanoid upper body, the lower half of a centipede, and six arms jutting from its torso.
“Codename: Patchwork. Its cursed-energy output is Special Grade, but its actual combat skill is estimated to be around Grade 2.”
“Weakness?”
“There’s a stitched section around its neck. That’s where the core is located.” Mei Mei enlarged the image. “Destroy the core and the curse should be exorcised.”
Natsuki committed the information to memory.
The server arrived with their coffee, and Mei Mei took a sip before continuing.
“I also investigated the five curse users guarding the facility. All of them are Grade 1, and they specialize in coordinated techniques.”
She brought up their photographs and detailed summaries of their abilities.
Natsuki examined each profile carefully.
“Confident?” Mei Mei asked.
“It shouldn’t be a problem.”
“Good.” She smiled. “I enjoy working with confident partners.”
…
They spent the next several hours discussing withdrawal routes, backup plans, and methods of communication.
By the time every detail had been finalized, evening had already arrived.
Mei Mei paid the bill, and the two left the café together.
“Then I’ll see you at Sapporo Station on the fifth of next month.” Mei Mei extended her hand. “I look forward to working with you.”
“Likewise.”
Natsuki shook her hand.
Mei Mei gave him a playful wink.
“Oh, and the advance payment has already been transferred to your account. Don’t forget to check~”
She waved goodbye and climbed into a taxi.
Natsuki looked at his phone.
A bank notification confirmed that ten million yen had already been deposited.
‘She works fast.’
He put away his phone and started toward the station, but before he had gone far, it began ringing.
The caller was Miko.
“Senpai…” Her voice sounded tense. “Are you free right now?”
“I am. What happened?”
“I think I found a Cursed Spirit.”
Natsuki frowned.
“Where are you?”
“At school… in the art room…”
“Stay where you are. I’m coming.”
He ended the call and hailed a taxi.
“Toyogasaki Academy, please.”
…
The sun was already setting, and the school grounds were deserted by the time Natsuki arrived.
He hurried to the art room and found Miko huddled in a corner. The instant she saw him, her eyes turned red with relief.
“Senpai…”
“Don’t be afraid.” Natsuki approached her. “Tell me what happened.”
Miko pointed toward an easel.
An unfinished oil painting hung there, depicting the school grounds.
In one corner of the image, however, a blurred human figure had appeared.
“I was painting here this afternoon, and I kept feeling as though someone was watching me…” she explained softly. “Then… that figure appeared in the painting.”
Natsuki activated his Sharingan.
A faint trace of cursed energy clung to the canvas.
It was not a Cursed Spirit.
It was something else.
“A curse,” he said, narrowing his eyes. “Someone placed a curse on this painting.”
Miko’s face went pale.
“W-Why me…?”
“It wasn’t aimed specifically at you.” Natsuki shook his head. “This is a shared Art Club project, isn’t it?”
“Mm… Everyone takes turns working on it.”
“Then that explains it. The curse targets anyone who comes into contact with the painting. You simply happened to be the one who encountered it first.”
Natsuki placed his hand against the canvas and felt the cursed energy respond through his fingertips.
It was an especially malicious curse, designed to slowly corrode the victim’s mind until they eventually lost their sanity.
“Can you remove it?” Miko asked.
“Yes.”
A soft white light gathered around Natsuki’s right hand.
His Healing Light could also purify curses.
The radiance seeped into the canvas, causing the black cursed energy to recede like a tide.
The shadowy figure gradually faded from the painting, and within seconds, the curse had disappeared completely.
“It’s gone.”
Natsuki lowered his hand.
Miko breathed a sigh of relief.
“Thank you, Senpai…”
“Be careful for the next few days,” Natsuki warned her. “Curses don’t appear from nowhere. Someone connected to the Art Club may be involved.”
“I understand…”
Natsuki walked her home.
The streets were quiet, and after they had gone some distance, Miko suddenly spoke.
“Senpai… are you going somewhere far away soon?”
“What makes you ask?”
“I just… have a feeling.”
She lowered her gaze toward her shoes.
Natsuki raised an eyebrow.
Miko’s intuition was becoming sharper.
“Yeah. I’m going to Hokkaido next month.”
“How long will you be gone?”
“Three or four days.”
“Oh…”
Miko fell silent for a moment before quietly adding, “Then… please come back safely, Senpai.”
“Of course.”
When they reached her home, Miko stopped at the entrance and turned around.
“Senpai…”
“Mm?”
“This is for you.”
She held out a protective charm.
“I made it myself, so it might not actually do anything, but…”
Her face reddened.
“I hope it keeps you safe.”
Natsuki accepted the charm.
It had been carefully sewn, with the characters for safe journey embroidered across the front.
“Thank you. I’ll keep it with me.”
Miko smiled brightly, waved goodbye, and hurried inside.
Natsuki looked down at the charm in his hand before carefully putting it away.