𝐂𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 | 𝕴𝖙𝖆𝖉𝖔𝖗𝖎 𝖄𝖚𝖚𝖏𝖎 × 𝕺𝕮 × 𝕾𝖚𝖐𝖚𝖓𝖆

【 CHAPTER 30 】Team Dumb, Unstoppable

Inari's POV

We were all crammed in the room, trying to strategize, which was hilarious considering half of us couldn't strategize our way out of a paper bag.

"Excuse me," Yuuji raised his hand. "This is starting to feel like... extreme bullying."

I turned toward him grinning and snapped a picture of him. "Smile more, Yuuji! You look like an adorable hostage."

He was kneeling on the floor, holding the now-empty photo frame like he was mourning his dignity. Kugisaki scoffed, sulking. "Shut up and stay there for a while."

"He explained everything why he did it," Panda cut in, reasoning. "Let him breathe."

"The panda talked?!" Yuuji blinked, shocked.

"Oka-ka!" Inumaki added like that explained anything.

"Huh??" Yuuji was spiraling.

Fushiguro deadpan explained. "Inumaki-senpai's a cursed speech user. He can control people with words. That's why he only speaks in rice ball ingredients."

"So if he says 'die,' someone could... actually die?" Yuuji asked, curious.

"Sometimes," I confirmed, casually brushing his bangs away. 

"That's scary but kinda cool," he said, eyes big with wonder.

"It's terrifying. But also hilarious," I sighed ruffling his hair again. I was getting needy. My hands kept reaching for him. Affection overflowed like my soul knew the timer was ticking. 

I helped him up, even though he could probably bench-press a small car. Panda elaborated, "The stronger the command, the more it hurts him. It's a double-edged mouth."

"He might cough up blood just saying 'shut up' to the wrong guy," Maki added, arms crossed.

"Then how are you able to talk, senpai?" Yuuji asked, pointing at Panda. "Are you like, a cursed being?"

Kugisaki groaned. "We're revealing classified info just like this? He's a betrayer."

"It's okay," I said, assumingly. "Toge's technique isn't easily copied."

Maki cleared her throat loudly. "Anyway, Yuuji, give me my Slaughter Demon back. Satoru lent it to you, remember?"

Yuuji froze. "Uhh... Gojo-sensei has it! Totally!"

I smiled.
He broke it.
He definitely broke it.

And I wasn't going to rat him out.

Because honestly? If this was my last moment with him...

Then I was going to memorize the way his eyes lit up.

Every second.

"Tch! That blindfolded dumbass!" Maki clicked her tongue annoyed.

"So, what's the plan?" I asked before she threw a chair.

"The team battle format is just as expected," Maki replied, eyeing Yuuji. "But now we have another member."

"Do we change strategies?" Megumi asked.

"There's not much time," I replied, collapsing into a chair. "Your best chance with Yuuji is throwing him under Aoi like a sacrificial lamb."

"HUH?! You're so mean—what does that even mean?!" Yuuji whined, pouting.  "Throw me away?? Who's Aoi? Is he a person?? A cursed spirit?? A shampoo brand?!"

I just smiled. The kind of smile that says I know something you don't and you're not gonna like it.

"Well, that depends on you, Yuuji," Maki pointed at him. "What can you do?"