"Sorry, it was my mistake," Suguru Geto said, a bit regretful. He'd been warned to protect Misato Kuroi. "I underestimated how valuable Kuroi-san was to them."
"It's not that big of a mistake," Satoru Gojo reassured him.
Sōjun Minamoto added, "Their target is Amanai. We still hold the initiative, and Kuroi should be safe for now."
"Then let's stick to the plan—take Amanai Riko to Jujutsu High. Sōjun, you'll act as her decoy?" Gojo turned to him. "Your technique should be able to disguise you as Amanai, right?"
Sōjun was silent for a moment, then nodded. His gaze drifted toward Riko Amanai, and all three of them fell quiet.
As expected...
"Wait, wait!" Riko shouted. "I'm going with you when the deal goes down!"
"Because I still don't trust you!"
Gojo sighed and rubbed his forehead. "Seriously? This brat's still throwing a tantrum at a time like this…"
"Even if you can rescue Kuroi, what if…" Riko's voice caught as she interrupted him, eyes dropping. "…what if you can't get her back before assimilation?"
"I haven't said goodbye yet."
She clenched the hem of her shirt, voice trembling.
The three exchanged glances.
"..."
"The kidnappers will probably contact us soon. If they're more cunning than we expect, and bringing you would lower Kuroi-san's chances, we'll still leave you here."
"Next, Sōjun, you'll disguise yourself as Amanai when the time's right?" Gojo asked.
Sōjun nodded.
"Eh? Eh?! You're agreeing? I can go?" Riko wiped her eyes, suddenly brightening.
"If you freak out halfway and beg to come back, we're not entertaining that," Gojo warned. "Get yourself ready."
"Got it. That's fine." Riko nodded, gripping her phone tight. As long as she could see her again…
...
At 9 p.m., the kidnappers finally sent a message. Riko immediately opened her phone.
"They want to meet in Okinawa?!" Her emotions spiked as she looked at the others. "Let's go, hurry!"
"Don't panic, Riko-chan." Geto gently rested a hand on her shoulder, looking into her eyes.
"Don't fall into their rhythm. As long as you're safe, they won't dare act rashly."
"But…" Riko forced herself to calm down, not wanting to throw off the plan.
"How about I go ahead and check things out?" Sōjun stood up.
From within him emerged a tall version of Riko Amanai. She flexed her arm, feeling the strength, then clapped and grinned. With every step toward the real Riko, her size shrank, until there was no difference between them.
"Give me your phone." She held out her hand.
Riko, dumbfounded, handed it over.
Sōjun took the phone, released the transformation, and exchanged a look with the others—they were in agreement.
His mission: scout, mislead the enemy, and, if the opportunity arose, rescue Kuroi on the spot.
...
The second day of the mission.
At 9 a.m., Gojo and the others arrived in Okinawa.
Riko, eyes puffy and visibly anxious, rushed out of the airport—and ran straight into Misato Kuroi, standing beside Sōjun.
She covered her mouth with her hand as Kuroi ran up and hugged her tight…
"Thanks!" Geto said to Sōjun.
"Huh? No need. Protecting her is our job."
"Still, I appreciate it."
"You're so stiff, weird bangs guy." Sōjun waved dismissively.
Geto squinted but didn't argue—he was in a good mood.
"You're quick." Gojo joined them, elbowing Sōjun. "No trouble?"
"They were still daydreaming about the future when I found them," Sōjun said casually. "Took them all out. Nothing worth interrogating—killed a few, let a few go…"
"Anyway, it's mostly wrapped up. All that's left is to escort Riko safely back to Jujutsu High by tomorrow night." He clapped his hands together, then scanned the airport and noticed several suspicious figures. His expression darkened slightly. "What's going on?"
"Relax. We're not the only ones in Okinawa," Geto said, raising an eyebrow.
Sōjun understood.
"In that case, we've got time, and the place is perfect... Let's hit the beach!" Gojo slung his arms over their shoulders.
"???"
"I'm in!!" Riko's eyes sparkled.
The rescue mission instantly turned into a sightseeing trip.
...
Okinawa's tropical climate stays pleasant year-round, especially from March to May and September to November.
It was now late March, and summer had already arrived on some islands. And when summer's here, it's all about the beach, sun, and sand—who could say no?
Sōjun swapped into a beach outfit—shirt and shorts covered in gold sunflowers.
The others donned swimsuits too. Muscles, good looks—definitely turned some heads.
Feeling hungry, Sōjun glanced around and spotted a cart vendor advertising "Grilled Squid Pancakes."
He walked over, casting a shadow across the grill. Behind it sat a woman in her thirties with a sunhat, eyeing the crowd now and then.
"Hi, one please," Sōjun said politely.
She noticed him staring and quickly lowered her head. "R-right, coming up."
Clearly a protection agent from Jujutsu High. Sōjun shifted his gaze to the grill.
The woman let out a quiet breath, placed squid coated in flour and egg between two iron plates, then set it to heat.
The aroma soon stirred his appetite.
She opened the plates—the squid had become a thin, crispy pancake. She added sauce, folded it in half, wrapped it in wax paper, wiped her brow, and handed it to him.
Very professional.
Sōjun took the snack, paid, and headed back to the beach. He finished it in a few bites—surprisingly tasty.
Maybe he was being too paranoid.
He relaxed in a beach chair, watching the tide roll in and out. The parasol gave just enough shade, the sea breeze was cool and salty.
Behind him, Riko and Gojo whispered conspiratorially.
"When he relaxes, we'll just stroll by and... hehe, I can't wait to see his face when we startle him."
"The sea~~!"
Riko charged toward the waves—then halfway turned back, whipped off her headband, and blindfolded Sōjun.
The tension dissolved immediately. He just sat there, expression blank. She lost interest fast.
Gojo came over and perched sunglasses on his nose.
Sōjun played along, pretending to be terrified. He flopped back on the chair, rolled his eyes dramatically beneath the headband.
Elementary school-level antics.
"Ahahaha!"
Riko burst into laughter. "Come on, or we'll catch his boredom!"
They pointed and laughed, then dashed toward the beach, their laughter fading.
...
Geto and Kuroi joined Sōjun.
"This is turning into a vacation… Are you sure it's okay?" Kuroi asked quietly.
"That guy's just thinking about Riko-chan in his own way," Geto smiled. "Still, it's about time we headed back."
"Satoru! Time's up!"
Riko pouted. "Ugh, already?"
"Geto, let's leave tomorrow morning instead," Gojo said, casually rattling off excuses.
Geto leaned in, voice low. "You've had your technique active since yesterday, haven't you? And you're not planning to sleep tonight either?"
"You sure you're okay?" His tone grew serious.
"No problem." Gojo gave him a friendly punch on the shoulder and stepped back. "Back in the day, unlocking secret stuff in games was way harder than this!"
"Besides, I've got you guys." He picked up the sunglasses from Sōjun's face.
Geto looked at Sōjun too.
The guy hadn't moved. With his eyes hidden under the bandana, no one could tell what he was thinking.
"...Sōjun's on board too," Gojo clapped and grinned. "So that's settled!"
Geto glanced at Riko, who looked back with hopeful eyes. He sighed and gave in.
"Yes! I wanna go boating, eat takoyaki, see whales at the aquarium…"