Chapter 21 - Family

"So, we already got the goods. What's your next plan?"

Geto asked the cloaked figure sitting in front of him.

"You failed to meet my conditions, Geto. Why should I help you now?"

The mysterious curse user asked with a frown. The voice was feminine.

"It's just one of the conditions. Isn't sealing Gojo Satoru and giving the prison realm to you afterwards the main condition?" Geto said.

"Well, it is. But to be frank, I'm not so confident in your plans after you mentioned that Nakamura Sachiko. She is the one who has the potential to ruin our plans. You should be keeping that in mind , Geto." She said.

"So, as long as I can kill her before sealing Gojo Satoru, you will cooperate right?" Geto asked.

"Of course."

"Then, you don't need to worry. I have plans." Geto continued , "Right,don't forget to fix those two before our big day, October 31st. They suffered a huge blow this time."

"Well, for the sake of our new alliance and future plans, I'll fix those two." She replied. "As for the death paintings, I'm not very optimistic in that. They won't be able to take down the targets anyway. You can find some uses yourself."

Geto frowned but said anyway, "In that case, I'll use it to test Sukuna's strength."

"Suit yourself."

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Sachiko finally got a short break after the Goodwill event and she planned to visit her mother. It had been months since she last saw her, after all.

"Nakamura, you're going out?"

Itadori asked Sachiko when he saw her with luggage.

"Yeah, I'm going back to my hometown for a week." She replied with a smile.

"Wow. Are you visiting your family? It's strange that I never hear you mention them." Itadori muttered.

"Well, it's just my mother. I don't mention them because I don't want many people to know about her. Jujutsu sorcerers have to risk their lives constantly and I just don't want my mother to get dragged into it." Sachiko said.

"I see." Itadori nodded in understanding.

"I have to go now. See you next week!" Sachiko looked at her watch and said.

"See you!"

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After getting off the train, Sachiko walked to her old home.

She knocked as she stood in front of the door.

A woman in her fifties opened the door, surprised when she saw who it was.

"Sachiko, my dear daughter, you finally decided to come back?"

"I'm sorry, mom. I still have to go back after a week. I've got a new job in Tokyo and it's impossible to stay longer than a week here." Sachiko replied.

"Is that so? How're you living in Tokyo? I heard the living expenses are huge there."

"I got a new job and it pays well. So, don't worry, mom. Did you get the money I sent you this month?" Sachiko said. It is technically true. Jujutsu sorcerers get paid and the pay is high if you could exorcise special-grade curses.

"Yes, I did. But, didn't I tell you to not send me money? You need to look after yourself, too."

"I told you, mom. This new job really pays well so I don't need to worry about money. Just take the money." Sachiko said with a sigh.

Her mother sighed at that and said, "Fine. But you shouldn't work too hard. Enjoy your life, too. Do you hear me?"

Sachiko nodded.

"Good. Now, go and rest. I'll cook your favourite Katsu curry." Her mother said with a smile.

"Thanks, mom!"

Sachiko said as she went into her old room to put down her luggage and changed into a set of comfortable clothes. After that, she walked into the kitchen.

"Mom, I'll help."

"No, I can do it myself. Just go and rest for a while."

Her mother said as she pushed Sachiko out of the kitchen.

"Mom! I want to help!" Sachiko insisted.

"No, remember the last time you came into the kitchen and you nearly burned the whole house down?" Her mother asked with a sigh.

"Oh..."

"Wait, is that why you don't want me to help?"

Sachiko asked.

"Exactly."

When she heard the reply, Sachiko felt depressed.

"I swear I got better! I won't probably set the house on fire this time !"

"Still no, sweetie. Just go back and wait in your room. Okay?"

"....."

"Fine."

When Sachiko was about to go back to her room, she heard the knock.

"Who is it?"

Sachiko opened the door to see a the neighbour woman.

"Oh, Sachiko's home, too. Is your mother home?"

"Yeah, she's in the kitchen. Come in?" Sachiko said.

The woman nodded.

Sachiko led her to the living room and went into the kitchen to get a glass of water. She then gave the glass of water to the woman.

"Mom's cooking. So, she asked if it's okay to wait for a few minutes?"

"Oh, it's okay."

The woman replied.

A few minutes later , Sachiko's mother came out of the kitchen.

"Yuki, what brings you here?"

"Oh, Misaki, I just wanted to invite you to my daughter's wedding next week. Sachiko remembers Yumi right?"

Sachiko nodded.

Yumi was the daughter of their neighbour, Yuki, and she was older than Sachiko by eight years. They were pretty close and Sachiko even considered her as a sister. However, Yumi moved to Kyoto when she was eighteen. Thinking about it, it had been at least nine years they hadn't met. They called from time to time but as they grew older and Yumi becoming busier, there was less time to chat with each other.

"Yumi..She's getting married?" Sachiko asked, a bit surprised. Even though Yumi is about twenty-seven now, she didn't expect her to get married suddenly.

"Yeah, although she's marrying a guy from Kyoto, they still decided to hold the wedding here." Yuki said proudly.

"Then, we'll definitely come." Sachiko said with a smile. "Even if the wedding is in Kyoto, we would still come. She's like a sister to me, after all."

Yuki smiled at that.

"Right, Auntie Yuki, how about you stay for dinner?"

"Yeah, stay for dinner." Misaki said.

"Alright, since Yumi would only get here the day after tomorrow, I can definitely stay for dinner." Yuki replied with a soft laugh.

"Okay, let me prepare dinner then." Misaki said as she got up from the sofa.

"Let me help." Yuki said.

"No need. It's almost done."

"How about I come and help?" Sachiko said.

"Absolutely no!" Misaki shook her head.

"Haha.. seems like Sachiko's still forbidden to enter the kitchen." Yuki said with a chuckle.

"I really got better..Why would no one believe me?" Sachiko pouted.

Later, they sat at the dining table and dig in the katsu curry Misaki prepared.

They also reminisce about their past and their laughter could be heard from the outside of the house.

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