Miyagi Prefecture, in the Tohoku region of Japan.
Perhaps because this is where Akutami Gege grew up.
In the world of Jujutsu Kaisen, this place also stands out as a land of outstanding talent.
Besides the protagonist Itadori Yuji, Orimoto Rika and Okkotsu Yuta were also born in Miyagi.
Yuta's famous one versus four battle in Sendai also took place in Sendai, Miyagi.
However, the hidden danger in Sendai was prematurely detonated by Tamamo-no-Mae, so Yuta did not get the chance to perform a one versus four there.
As for the next opportunity, that depends on where Kenjaku causes trouble next.
At this moment, in a small suburban courtyard.
Eichi was conversing with a woman, wearing a professional smile.
"Don't worry, Rika is absolutely a good child. You definitely won't regret adopting her."
The woman also wore a fake smile, desperately searching for words to praise the child.
However, her true thoughts were the complete opposite.
Finally, this jinx is gone. I really don't know what this man is thinking, wanting to adopt a jinx. Never mind, as long as she doesn't stay in my house anymore, that's fine.
"Mm, Rika is very talented. I will nurture her well as she grows."
Eichi smiled and exchanged polite words.
He knew clearly that not a single word from the woman was sincere.
If Orimoto Rika was truly that wonderful in her heart, why was she so happy when she heard someone would adopt her?
Why was she so eager to send her away?
It was like those things from his previous life.
If insurance was truly that good, why were there salespeople promoting it everywhere?
Wouldn't it be enough to sit in the company and wait for people to rush in?
If a location was truly prime, why transfer it?
Wouldn't it be better to hire someone to manage it and earn money effortlessly?
If housing prices were destined to rise every day, why encourage farmers to move into cities to buy houses?
Couldn't they just digest it internally?
If something were truly as good as advertised, it would never be the turn of ordinary people.
Making a fortune quietly has always been tradition.
Although Eichi thought this, nothing showed on his face.
"I also believe Rika's future achievements will be limitless."
Eichi smiled and nodded.
These words were sincere.
"Yes, yes. If we were capable of raising Rika properly, we truly would not bear to let her go."
The woman crossed her left arm over her chest, rested her right arm on it, and gently touched her face. Her expression shifted between joy and forced reluctance.
Limitless achievements? After adopting this jinx, who knows if you will even live to see her grow up.
The two exchanged pleasantries for a while longer.
Artoria came downstairs with Rika, whose luggage had already been packed.
Rika had very little luggage.
Only one suitcase and one school bag.
This alone showed how poorly she had been treated these past few years.
Neither by the old man standing silently nearby, nor by the woman in front of them who was trying her best to send her away.
"Oh, Rika-chan, are you all packed?"
Seeing Rika and Artoria come out, the woman immediately smiled and went over.
"Now you're going to Tokyo to live a good life. Be happy, Rika-chan."
Tokyo, that means being separated from Yuta. No…
Rika's heart trembled. Just as she was about to speak, she was stopped by the woman's gaze.
Here it comes again. That suffocating malice.
Rika could feel the nauseating malice emanating from her former guardian.
She understood that refusing now would be useless.
Rika lowered her head and bit her lip tightly.
A few seconds later, she looked up again, a bright smile already on her face.
"I understand."
I cannot provoke her now. I will have to find another way. Yuta, I will never be separated from you.
Rika made up her mind.
Perhaps it was Gege's malice.
Most of the main characters in Jujutsu Kaisen have tragic backgrounds.
Megumi's birth mother died after giving birth to him.
His father, Toji, developed a twisted personality from being treated as less than human since childhood, and he also died young.
In the original storyline, even his stepmother went missing for unknown reasons.
Some say she abandoned the children because she could not bear raising two alone.
Others say she encountered an accident and disappeared.
Kugisaki Nobara's background is not tragic, but it is far from ideal.
Ignorant villagers and a suffocating environment pushed her to leave for Tokyo alone.
As for Itadori Yuji, there is no need to elaborate.
Sukuna's nephew. Kenjaku's son.
Those two identities alone ensured countless conspiracies revolved around him.
In comparison, Yuta's family background was much better.
If Rika was not taken into account.
Rika was also a talented child, like the witches in movies who could perceive things ordinary people could not.
For example, malice.
Unfortunately, she was not born into a happy family.
Her parents did not love her.
Combined with poor living conditions, she always lived within a dense atmosphere of malice.
Although she did not understand what kind of talent she possessed, she protected herself well with it.
When she was five, her mother suddenly died for unknown reasons.
Shortly afterward, two days before she was supposed to start elementary school, her father took young Rika into the mountains under the pretense of hiking.
Later, both disappeared.
A week after they went missing, the search team found Rika hiding alone in a small cabin on the mountain.
Her father's whereabouts remained unknown.
From then on, Rika, already disliked by her relatives, was regarded by her grandmother and those around her as a jinx who caused her parents' deaths.
However, they no longer dared to do anything to her.
Because of this, although she lived surrounded by malice, she was able to grow up normally.
This was also why, after meeting Yuta, she became so deeply attached.
Yuta, who had no malice.
Yuta, who genuinely cared for her.
Yuta, who never bullied or mocked her, and would sincerely praise her as amazing.
For Rika, who had always lived within thick malice, Yuta was like a small sun illuminating her dark world.
Because of this, she always stayed close to him.
When they were still young, she made a promise to marry him in the future, to keep him by her side for life.
This was also why, when she attained liberation, she thanked Yuta.
She thanked him for giving her time, allowing her to remain by his side.
During those six years, her surroundings were no longer filled with inescapable malice.
During those six years, she had only Yuta by her side.
(To be continued.)