That evening, the Okkotsu residence was lively.
"Cheers."
Clink.
Gulp, gulp.
Eichi and Okkotsu Kenichi tilted their heads back and drained their beer.
After Eichi produced sufficient identification to prove who he was, Kenichi immediately treated him as an honored guest.
After receiving a subtle hint from her husband, Yuta's mother promptly bought a large amount of beef and prepared a lavish dinner.
"I never expected your esteemed company to take an interest in me. It is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."
"It is Mr. Okkotsu's diligent work attitude that earned you this opportunity."
The two exchanged rounds of mutual flattery.
"By the way, may I ask what your relationship is with the young lady from the Orimoto Family?"
Kenichi asked curiously, watching Rika head back to Yuta's room after dinner.
"I am currently Rika's guardian."
Eichi's answer surprised him.
"Rika has some connection with our Family. Recently, after learning that both her parents passed away, we decided to adopt her."
Eichi replied casually while pouring more drinks.
"Oh, speaking of Rika, there is something that has been troubling me."
Eichi placed a hand on his forehead and put on a conflicted expression.
"What is it?"
Kenichi immediately felt it was his moment to step up.
"Due to Family reasons, we have always been active in Tokyo. Originally, we planned to bring Rika back with us, but she cannot bear to leave her friends here and insists on staying in Miyagi. We cannot possibly let a child live alone. It is quite a headache."
While subtly probing Kenichi, Eichi had also implied that the company Kenichi was about to join belonged to his Family.
"Haha, if you do not mind, you could entrust Rika to our care. Yuta and Rika get along very well. If they stay together, they certainly will not feel lonely."
Kenichi thought it was perfectly reasonable.
Eichi thought so too.
"I will purchase the house next door for Rika. When the time comes, I will have to trouble you to look after her. For the next few days, let Rika stay here with Yuta."
"No problem."
Kenichi patted his chest confidently.
Upstairs, in Yuta's room.
Rika was looking around curiously.
This was a rare chance to uncover Yuta's little secrets.
"Rika, are you looking for something?"
Yuta looked confused at Rika, who kept peeking around.
"It smells like Yuta here."
Rika smiled and leaned close to his ear.
Her warm breath brushed against it.
"That tickles. You're too close, Rika."
Yuta's face turned red as he leaned back.
"You're so cute, Yuta."
"Why so sudden?"
Being told that so abruptly made his face even redder.
Rika smiled, clearly enjoying his shy expression.
Knock, knock.
"Ah, please come in."
Hearing the knock, Yuta felt relieved. Rika had been acting a little strange today, leaving him overwhelmed.
"Oh my, it seems you two are getting along very well."
Yuta's mother smiled warmly.
"Mom, is something wrong?"
The unease that had just faded returned.
"I just came to tell you that since Rika-chan's new house is not ready yet, she will stay with us for a few days. Yuta, you must take good care of her."
"Me? Take care of Rika?"
Yuta suddenly realized something.
"Wait, shouldn't Rika stay with my sister?"
"Oh dear, unfortunately your sister has not been feeling well recently. It would not be good if she infected Rika. Or do you not want to? Then Rika-chan would have to sleep on the streets."
Yuta's mother covered her face with one hand, pretending to be distressed.
Behind her hand, the corner of her mouth was nearly impossible to suppress.
"Yuta."
Hearing Rika's voice, Yuta instinctively turned.
She looked at him pitifully.
"Yuta, can you really bear to let me sleep on the streets?"
"Of course not. Please stay at my house."
Under Rika's teary offensive, Yuta surrendered instantly.
"Yuta."
"Hmm?"
Hearing her noticeably happier tone, he looked up.
Rika suddenly threw herself forward, hugging him tightly around the neck.
"Daisuki."
"Huh?"
Yuta was caught off guard.
"Yuta, do you not like me?"
Rika pulled back and stared at him with a wronged expression.
"No. I also, I also love Rika the most, most, most."
Outside the door, Yuta's mother, who had not yet left, seemed to recall her own past.
"Youth is truly wonderful. Yuta has been completely captivated."
The next evening, Yuta was invited to Rika's new home.
Her so-called new home was right next door.
Earlier that day, Eichi had simply used financial power to present the neighboring Family with an offer they could not refuse.
They accepted the money and moved out immediately, afraid he might change his mind.
Upon learning that the house belonged to her alone, Rika immediately decided it would be her and Yuta's home.
"Yuta, hold out your hand."
"Okay."
Yuta extended his hand obediently.
Rika brought forward the hand she had hidden behind her back.
In it was an exquisite jewelry box.
She opened it, took out the ring inside, and placed it in his palm.
After receiving a large amount of living expenses from Eichi, Rika had immediately gone out and bought it.
"When we grow up, I want to marry Yuta."
After saying that, she looked into his eyes.
"Okay."
Yuta nodded happily.
"We will be together forever."
Hearing his reply, Rika smiled brightly.
"It is a promise."
She hooked her little finger with his.
Tokyo Jujutsu High, Medea's secret warehouse.
Medea was carefully crafting an Artoria figurine when she suddenly received a telepathic message from Eichi.
"Medea, if someone's head is blown off, can they be saved?"
The sudden question distracted her, and she failed to control her strength in time.
Under her horrified gaze, the ahoge on the Artoria figurine snapped off and fell to the ground.
"Master, you had better have a good reason."
Flames seemed to flare behind her.
In the next instant, she teleported from the warehouse to Eichi's office.
"You do not look well. What happened?"
Eichi asked with concern.
"Nothing. More importantly, whose head was blown off? Let me see."
Even so, Medea knew to prioritize life and death.
"It has not been blown off yet."
Her eye twitched.
"It is about to be. I cannot determine the exact timing, so I wanted to ask if a car accident that results in a blown-off head can be saved."
Eichi explained briefly.
"A car accident? That is all?"
"But it is a car…"
Halfway through, he remembered that to a Jujutsu Sorcerer, a car accident was hardly worth mentioning.
"If it has not happened yet, then implement protection in advance. At worst, make it so the car cannot kill the person. Do you really need to ask me that? I am busy. Goodbye."
With that, Medea vanished.
"Strange. Why is she so angry today?"
Eichi was puzzled.
However, she was right. Since it had not happened yet, he should prevent it if possible.
If prevention was difficult, he could at least place protective measures on Rika so the car could not harm her.
"Mm. That is what I will do."
With a direction decided, Eichi immediately set out to find a suitable defensive Cursed Tool.
(To be continued.)
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