By the time they left Jujutsu High, the clock had ticked past 9:30 p.m.
Gojo Satoru and Principal Yaga were completely drunk, their laughter echoing through the halls until they were escorted back to their rooms by Panda and Inumaki. The lingering scent of grilled meat and sake still hung faintly in the air.
Akiyama Ren strolled leisurely toward the school gate, hands in his coat pockets. Beside him walked Maki Zen'in, unusually quiet. Her brows furrowed slightly, as if weighing something heavy in her heart.
"You've got something to say," Ren remarked, eyes glancing at her sidelong. "Might as well spit it out. You're not good at hiding stuff."
Maki hesitated for a moment, then blurted out, "Didn't you say you weren't interested in joining Jujutsu High? Why the sudden change of heart?"
Ren gave a shrug, his tone nonchalant. "Thought it'd be fun. First time being a teacher and all."
"Don't lie to me," Maki cut in, staring at him with a rare seriousness. "I don't want you making decisions like this because of me."
Ren blinked, taken aback. He hadn't expected her to read that deeply into it.
The truth was simple. Taking up the post of 'Specially Appointed Instructor' was a whim—a passing idea fueled by boredom and curiosity. Jujutsu High, the Jujutsu Alliance, and even the higher-ups had no real authority over him. Not with the kind of power he wielded.
And even if they tried?
Death would be the least of their worries.
Still, Ren had his reasons. Getting close to key individuals in this world—particularly a few strong and interesting women—was something he saw as a worthy pursuit. Maki Zen'in was one of them. But she wasn't the only one.
There was Zen'in Mai, Shoko Ieiri, Yuki Tsukumo, Miwa Kasumi, Nishimiya Momo, even Akari Nitta. Not to mention others like Mei Mei, Tsumiki Fushiguro, and yes—even Amanai Riko and Misato Kuroi. Though those two had already passed on, Ren had… options.
With the right curse technique or a time-manipulating artifact from another reality, like the "Fairy Corridor" from the magic-based world he once ventured into, it might be possible to rewind the fates of the dead.
All in time.
Maki, however, misunderstood his silence.
"So I was right," she whispered, eyes shimmering beneath her glasses. "You did it because of me…"
Ren opened his mouth to clarify—but stopped. The look on her face was too sincere, too heartfelt. And truthfully? There was some part of him that didn't mind being misunderstood this once.
A beautiful misunderstanding, after all, is still beautiful.
"Well, this place is your home turf," Ren said with a faint grin, brushing his fingers along her cheek. "Becoming a teacher just means I'll get more time to train you—help you crush your clan and achieve what you're after."
Maki's breath caught.
Without another word, she stepped closer, rose on her toes, and pressed her lips against his.
Ren blinked. Then smiled.
He wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her back, the world around them fading into silence. At the gates of Jujutsu High, under the faint glow of the school lanterns, they stood locked together in a kiss that neither wanted to end.
Ten minutes passed. Maybe more.
Maki pulled away slightly, her voice breathless but firm. "Ren… do you remember when we first met, and you said you wanted me to be your girlfriend?"
"Of course I do," he replied with a light chuckle. "That was like… two days ago."
"Well then," Maki said, her eyes locked onto his, "I've decided. I don't want to be your girlfriend. I want to be your woman."
She kissed him again—this time, deeper, bolder, claiming him with all the fire of someone who'd spent her life fighting for what she wanted.
Their embrace turned heated, bodies pressed tightly together as if neither wanted to let go.
Ren was the first to speak this time, voice low and full of intent. "How about we stay off-campus tonight?"
Maki nodded without hesitation. "Mm."
Ren smiled and gathered cursed energy at his feet. With her in his arms, he leapt into the sky, wind rushing past them as they soared over the city lights.
For Maki, it was her first time flying. But she wasn't afraid. Her golden eyes sparkled with wonder, staring down at the tapestry of neon streets and quiet neighborhoods below.
They arrived at a private villa on the outskirts of Tokyo within a minute—one Ren had casually purchased earlier that day.
With one smooth motion, Ren opened the door, lifted Maki into his arms bridal-style, and headed straight for the bedroom.
Ren's stride was confident and determined as he carried Maki into the bedroom. The anticipation was palpable, their hearts racing in unison, their breaths coming in short, shallow gasps.
Her face was flushed. She clung to him tightly, burying her face into his chest, her usual steely demeanor melting away in his embrace.
He gently laid her down on the bed, her body quivering beneath him as he hovered over her, their gazes locked. Ren's hands trailed down Maki's body, his touch feather-light, exploring the curves and contours of her form.
Maki's skin prickled with sensation, her nerves taut as she waited for what was to come. Ren's fingers danced over her, his movements slow and deliberate, teasing and tantalizing her.
He kissed her neck, his lips hot and wet, leaving a trail of goosebumps in their wake. Maki arched her back, her breath hitching as his mouth moved lower, his tongue tracing the outline of her breasts.
Her nipples hardened, aching for his touch. Ren didn't disappoint, taking one into his mouth, his teeth grazing the other lightly. Maki gasped, her fingers digging into the sheets as pleasure coursed through her.
Ren moved down, his lips leaving a fiery trail over her belly, his hands helping to spread her legs. Maki's heart pounded in her chest, her breaths coming in ragged gasps as he approached her most intimate region.
He inhaled deeply, the scent of her desire intoxicating. With the gentlest of touches, Ren traced his fingers over her swollen folds. Maki's hips bucked, her eyes fluttering shut as she felt the first delicate caress.
Ren's tongue followed, his skilled movements sending shivers down Maki's spine. Her body trembled, her nails digging into the mattress as she tried to remain still, to let him work his magic.
He continued to tease her, his tongue flicking over her clit, his fingers probing her entrance. Maki's moans grew louder, her body arching off the bed, aching for more.
Ren knew she was ready. He rose above her, his erection straining against his boxers. Maki's eyes were wide, her body trembling in anticipation.
He removed his clothes, revealing himself to her. Maki's breath caught, her gaze fixed on the impressive length before her. Ren removed the barrier, positioning himself at her entrance.
He looked into her eyes, his expression a mix of desire and concern. Maki nodded, her determination clear. With a slow, deliberate thrust, Ren entered her, the sensation of his size filling her overwhelming.
She cried out, her body tensing, but she didn't push him away. Ren paused, giving her a moment to adjust. Her body began to relax, the discomfort giving way to a new, more intense sensation.
He began to move, his thrusts slow and controlled. Maki's body trembled beneath him, her nails digging into his back as the foreign invasion began to feel less painful and more pleasurable.
Their pace increased, the room filled with the sounds of flesh meeting flesh. Maki's moans grew louder, her body bucking to meet each thrust. The pain had all but vanished, replaced by a burning desire for more.
She wrapped her legs around Ren, her grip tightening as her need grew. Her voice was a husky whisper in his ear, her words a plea for him to give her more.
Ren complied, his movements becoming rougher, more demanding, his thrusts driving deep into her. Maki's cries filled the room, her body convulsing as her orgasm swept over her, her walls gripping him tightly.
In the throes of her release, Ren couldn't hold back any longer. He buried himself inside her one last time, his seed filling her, the intensity of his climax overwhelming.
The two of them collapsed, their bodies intertwined, their hearts pounding in unison. Maki lay there, her body spent, her mind reeling from the experience.
Ren pulled her close, his hand stroking her hair, a sense of pride and protection emanating from him. Maki, for her part, clung to him, her body still quivering from the intensity of their lovemaking.
"Round two?" Ren asked after a short while.
After all, one was a divine being and the other was under a Heavenly Restriction. Stamina was never a limiting factor.
"Why not?" Maki whispered huskily into his ear.
And then…
---
The next morning, around nine o'clock, the sharp chime of a phone cut through the quiet hum of the room.
Akiyama Ren groaned, half-buried beneath the covers, and lazily reached for his phone. The caller ID flashed: Kurahashi Kyoko.
She's probably wondering why I didn't come back last night.
He let the phone ring out, swiped it to silent, and tossed it back onto the nightstand. He wasn't ready to deal with her questions—especially not after the night he just had.
Beside him, Maki Zen'in stirred.
She blinked at the time, sat up, then immediately winced as her muscles protested the sudden movement.
"I've got class," she muttered, throwing her legs over the bed, clearly trying to ignore the lingering soreness in her body. Her gait, however, betrayed her effort—it was obvious she hadn't fully recovered from last night's, well... training.
Ren smirked, his voice laced with sleep and mischief. "You sure you don't want to sleep in a bit longer? You look like you could use a few more hours."
Last night had proven something: Heavenly Restriction granted Maki not just raw strength and zero cursed energy—but endurance far beyond any normal human.
Not to mention, the tightness was something else. Had it been anyone else, they might have died, happily though.
Maki shot him a glare as she pulled on her uniform, trying to maintain her usual stoic air despite the faint redness in her cheeks. "Some of us still care about being professional."
"Fair," Ren said with a chuckle, but then raised a hand glowing with soft blue cursed energy. "Hold still."
Before she could protest, he tapped her lower back. A wave of Reversed Cursed Technique surged through her, gently repairing the muscle fatigue and easing the stiffness in her joints.
Maki blinked, then glanced at him, mildly annoyed yet oddly touched. "You didn't have to…"
Ren grinned. "Call it an instructor's responsibility."
Maki leaned over and, without warning, planted a kiss on his cheek. "Thanks, sensei," she said softly before heading out the door.
He stretched an arm toward her and muttered, "For the record, you were amazing."
Maki blushed fiercely but didn't look away.
"Shut up," she mumbled. "You talk too much."
--
Ren laid back with a sigh. "Yep... I'm definitely not getting up for another hour."
And he didn't.
By the time he finally woke again, it was well past noon. Sunlight filtered through the curtains, and his stomach growled in protest.
After getting dressed, he wandered into the kitchen—only to find the refrigerator empty and the cupboards bare.
"Right… I bought this place yesterday and forgot to stock anything," he muttered. The villa, while luxuriously furnished, was still missing life's essentials.
He stepped outside, pulling on a jacket. "Guess I'll grab a bite first… and bring the others over today."
The villa wasn't far from his previous rental. After grabbing a quick meal at a corner café, he made his way back to the small apartment he'd been sharing with his current companions.
As soon as he opened the door, a small figure launched into his arms.
"Ren-sama! Where were you last night? You didn't come home, I was so worried!" cried Hotarugusa, her eyes brimming with concern.
Ren crouched down, gently ruffling her silvery-blue hair. "You're such a good kid, Hotaru. Thanks for worrying. I was just staying at the new place I told you about."
Her expression lit up. "The new house? Does that mean… we're moving today?"
Ren smiled. "Exactly. This place is getting a little cramped with all of us. The new house has way more space—and privacy."
From the side, Kurahashi Kyoko crossed her arms, clearly holding back a scolding. She'd probably wanted to ask why he ignored her calls, but after hearing he'd secured a bigger place, she swallowed her frustration.
"Have you all eaten?" Ren asked, glancing around the small living room. Kyoko, Kyonshi Ani, Sakura, and even Kyonshi Imouto were all present.
"We had lunch hours ago," Kyoko muttered. "It's already one."
"Perfect. This afternoon, we'll return this apartment, stock up on essentials, and move into the new house together," Ren said with a wide grin.
At that, the mood in the room brightened instantly.
Even the more reserved girls couldn't hide their excitement. After all, the current place barely fit them all, and it wasn't exactly built for comfort or training.
Now they had a proper base of operations.
One step closer to the future Ren was building—one where strength, trust, and perhaps something like family were beginning to take shape.