Chapter 212 Original Story Side Story (Part 2): If Daigo raised a little wolfhound, Ichima, in the prison gates...
It turns out to be an interactive dating sim with strategic elements.
Satoru Gojo prefers action-adventure games. Although he has dabbled in romance games, he is not particularly interested in them.
Rather, Gojo Satoru had heard people make comments about him behind his back, such as "It's hard to imagine him having a relationship that goes beyond romance."
After all, he was just too busy. If you had to pick out the person who had spent the most time in the same space as him from his past life, Gojo Satoru would probably only think of his personal assistant supervisor and driver, Ijichi Kiyotaka.
The dating sims he usually plays are mostly from the perspective of male players trying to win over female characters.
Now imprisoned in the prison gates, it is actually the first time in his life that Gojo Satoru has played a mini-game that requires him to romance male characters.
Hmm... considering that Ichima is most likely a middle school student, is this actually considered a "raising" or "developing" process? He's not good at these kinds of games...
Gojo Satoru stroked his chin, deep in thought.
Wait a minute, perhaps we can consider Ichijin as his newly accepted student.
By changing his mindset, things quickly returned to his familiar territory!
Wu Tiao Wu slammed his fist down, and suddenly everything became clear.
He may not be good at playing strategy games, but he is very experienced and knowledgeable when it comes to teaching students.
Just like the math that's been troubling Yizhen, he's confident he can tutor her until she goes to college! If each math problem increases her favorability by 5 points, then he only needs to do 20 problems to perfectly complete the strategy!
Gojo Satoru became increasingly excited as he thought about it, and gently poked Ichima's head on the screen with his fingertip.
Hurry up, give him a few more math problems to do, even if they're a bit more difficult!
Moreover, the system had just popped up a question-and-answer interface, and he wanted to try whether he could communicate by writing on it.
【Thank you. 】
However, the new math problem that Gojo Satoru wanted did not appear. After thanking him sincerely, Hato Kazuma put away the draft paper and the exercise book and folded them neatly.
That completes all my homework.
Gojo Satoru:......! !
What? He's actually a good student? Only one question stumped him?
That's terrible! Does that mean his attempt won't be possible?
Gojo Satoru even started to regret not having tried it earlier, and instead obediently answered the questions and clicked "confirm"—only to see the little black-haired figure in the picture leap off the chair, waddle along on its short legs, and run to the door, seemingly intending to leave its bedroom.
As soon as he opened the door and went out, the screen's perspective shifted upwards, bringing the entire bedroom view into the frame, while a small gray lock appeared outside the bedroom.
Gojo Satoru immediately had a bad feeling.
When he tapped the small gray lock, his bad premonition came true.
Unlocked by spending real money.
………
If you're so capable, let him out of prison!
The immense resentment surging within Gojo Satoru at that moment almost materialized into a large, white, long-haired cat, which began to scratch painfully at the door with its claws.
Open it! Open the prison gates for him! He clearly has plenty of money, and money used to be the last thing he cared about...
Gojo sighed softly.
Some things you only realize are important when you lose them.
Fortunately, the black-haired little figure on the screen didn't keep Gojo Satoru waiting for too long before returning, carrying something extra in his hand, which at first glance looked like folded paper.
Gojo Satoru stared intently as Hato Kazuma knelt in the middle of the bedroom, unfolded the paper in his hand that looked bigger than him, and placed it neatly on the floor in front of him.
Although the game does not have the option to interact with items, it allows you to zoom in or out by swiping with two fingers, enabling Gojo Satoru to clearly distinguish that it is a communication tool printed with hiragana and numbers, similar to the one used in fox spirit divination games, also known as a "spirit board".
Did you just go out to buy this? ...That's clever of you, kid!
If he were a sorcerer, he would definitely be the kind of genius student who grasps things instantly.
Before Kazuma's favorability rating had increased much, Satoru Gojo, whose teacher's occupational habit had kicked in, had already developed a very high favorability rating towards him. He was almost looking forward to what the black-haired little man on the screen would do next with a rather indulgent and smiling expression.
Can you touch anything other than me?
The bubble appeared above Kazuma Hatori's head, and he then raised his hands.
--no.
Gojo answered truthfully.
"I see," the other person seemed to have anticipated this. "Well then, I'll ask a question. If you're willing to answer, touch my right hand. I'll repeatedly run my fingers over each hiragana character, pausing for two seconds at a time. If you find the one you need, just touch my right hand."
Then, Kazuma Hatake can try to piece together what Satoru Gojo wants to express.
It's not a convenient way to communicate, but it's very effective, at least for their current situation.
Gojo Satoru readily agreed and gently touched the black-haired little man's right hand.
An unconventional "fox spirit divination game" begins.
【May I have your name? 】
Kazuma Hatori immediately asked the most important question, and as he occasionally felt a clear touch on his right hand, he gradually pieced together the other person's name.
——Gojo Satoru.
A name I'd never heard of before, yet it inexplicably appeared beside him.
I've got it.
Kazuma Hatori pursed his lips slightly and continued to ask the next question.
What difficulties did you encounter?
Gojo Satoru stared at the line of bubbles for a moment before giving a rather vague answer.
—He was locked up.
After all, it's just a game, so there's no need to answer in too much detail... He meant that Ichishin is just a character created by the game and operates according to a program. Perhaps he can bring players some surprises beyond stereotypes, but that doesn't mean he can understand and answer all questions, right?
For example, questions like, "Do you believe in the existence of spells?"
It's better to give a vague answer and see what happens next.
I see. Will you stay by my side forever, or will you leave after a while?
The little black-haired man didn't seem particularly frustrated; in fact, he remained quite calm as he continued to confirm with him.
Gojo couldn't help but laugh.
Even though it was just a chibi-style game character, and just a cold, ethereal bubble, he inexplicably sensed a subtle sense of reluctance emanating from between the lines.
—I don't know how long I can stay by your side, but at least I won't leave for now. How old are you?
[13 years old.]
A bubble slowly rose to the surface, only to be quickly popped by another. [This year, I'm going into the second year of junior high.]
He really is still young, two years younger than Hisahito.
The thought was just popping into Gojo Satoru's mind when he suddenly fell silent for a moment.
Is it really appropriate to have someone this age as a romanceable character in a game? Are there any perverts on the development team who have a thing for Genji (the protagonist of a manga series)?
Anyway, he didn't have any, not even a little bit.
Gojo Satoru immediately decided to treat this game as a regular interactive game and just play it casually, as a way to pass the time in the prison.
At the very least, he simply couldn't convince himself to become Genji.
Gojo Satoru gently touched the head of the black-haired little man with his fingers, watching him sway slightly from side to side due to the sudden force, and then use his hands to support himself on the ground to stabilize his center of gravity so that he would not fall over.
Don't suddenly touch me so hard.
A bubble immediately appeared above Yuqu Kazuma's head, and his expression as he looked up at the void was solemn and serious. In most people's eyes, he was very unapproachable, always carrying an extremely cold and aloof aura, and he rarely spoke, almost never communicating with others unless necessary.
If his adoptive parents saw him constantly asking questions and protesting to thin air, they would probably be so shocked that their eyes would pop out of their sockets.
But from Gojo Satoru's perspective, it's just an adorable chibi-style black-haired little man complaining—or more accurately, acting cute.
At first, it was "Don't touch him suddenly," but now it's "Don't touch him with so much force."
Can just 5 points of favorability really bring about such a significant change?
Gojo Satoru smiled and patted his right hand, indicating that he understood and would definitely be gentler next time.
[...]
After a string of ambiguous ellipses appeared, the black-haired little man chose to continue the "Fox Fairy Game".
Now it's your turn to ask me.
After this bubble appears, several locked gray options pop up at the bottom of the screen—presumably important questions that can increase the character's favorability and background knowledge, but still require him to spend money.
He's incredibly stingy, but Gojo Satoru has managed to calmly click the X.
It's okay. It's really clever of him to come up with the idea of using divination games to communicate. He can ask the questions himself.
What do you usually like to do?
There's nothing I like.
Bubbles emerged from the top of the black-haired little figure's head, floated up to the top of the screen, and then gently burst.
—Hey, I see there's a TV in the room. Don't you even have any shows you like to watch?
Only in the prison gates, where nothing else can be done, can Gojo Satoru use this slow, word-building method to chat with the black-haired little figure on the screen.
As for Gojo Satoru's question, the black-haired man's choice was to get up and walk to the television set, pull out the plug that was dangling on the floor along the power cord behind it, and show Gojo Satoru how it was turned on after being plugged in.
This is a broken television; it's just for decoration.
I was actually adopted, so my adoptive parents could continue receiving government subsidies until I graduated from high school.
Gojo Satoru's eyes widened slightly.
So, the "family" that Ichijin mentioned before didn't refer to his biological parents, but rather his adoptive parents?
Gojo Satoru deliberately patted his head lightly—the meaning was extremely clear even without using the hiragana shoji board.
Feel sorry.
【It doesn't matter. 】
Kazuma Hagoromo understood what he meant, but simply shook his head slightly.
"I'll be fine once I graduate high school."
This line of text appeared extremely understated, simply passing before Gojo Satoru's eyes before quickly shattering and dissipating.
“…”
In that instant, Gojo Satoru suddenly felt regret that he couldn't help Kazuma on the screen do more.
All he could do was pat the black-haired boy's head hard again, causing him to suddenly stumble forward and instinctively grab the TV to steady himself.
"Don't touch me so hard all the time."
Gojo Satoru looked at Hato Kazuma and emphasized again with a stern face, his expression seemingly very unhappy, and even starting to get a little angry with him.
But the game system is honest and will never cheat.
[Kazuma Hagoromo: Affection +3.]
He's still a proud and stubborn kid.
Gojo Satoru found him incredibly cute and couldn't help but smile—anyway, Kazuma on the screen couldn't see him, so even if he smiled more obviously, no one would glare at him.
When Kazuma Hatori put the TV plug away and sat back down in front of the shaman board, Satoru Gojo replied to him seriously once again.
—I will always be by your side.
At least until the game's ending animation plays, Gojo Satoru promises Hagoromo Kazuma that he will stay with him forever.
If, as that guy says, he can only leave after 1000 years, then perhaps the promise should be reversed, so that only Ichijin from this game can stay with him forever.
While Gojo Satoru expressed a degree of optimism about the situation outside the prison gates, he also felt some concern for the safety of the students.
Hopefully, by the time he can get out, things won't have gotten too bad.
[...]
This time, the black-haired little man only sent a string of ellipses, without giving a clear response.
It's also possible that they don't know how to respond.
Gojo Satoru gradually began to understand his personality: alert, intelligent, reserved, and overly independent—all characteristics that made him more mature than his peers.
But when facing him, she was surprisingly honest, answering basically whatever he asked without hiding anything or lying.
Was this intentionally set up by the system to better advance the character development and strategy progression?
After thinking about it, Gojo Satoru still remained reserved about this guess.
Perhaps it's because he's both charming and considerate that he naturally gains the affection and dependence of adorable cubs!
Gojo Satoru simply used one hand as a pillow, crossed his legs, and continued playing the game in a fairly comfortable semi-reclining position.
Even if he doesn't become Genji, he can still choose to be Great Teacher Onizuka.
—Any other math problems you encounter? Just look for me. I'll solve them all for you.
Gojo Satoru chuckled as he spelled out the words, only to see the little black-haired man remain silent for a moment.
But I'm going to sleep now.
Kazuma Hagoromo replied silently, "I have school tomorrow."
It was already late at night. He had spent the entire afternoon and evening playing fox spirit games with this "ghost" who had appeared out of nowhere, and hadn't even eaten dinner.
Fortunately, the adoptive parents didn't come back. There were only two slices of bread left in the refrigerator to fill their stomachs, so it didn't matter if they didn't eat them.
Kazuma Hatori carefully put away the piece of paper that allowed him to communicate with Mr. Gojo, and after preparing the books and homework he needed to bring to class the next day, he went to take a shower.
The bathroom area was secured with a small gray lock, almost making Gojo Satoru want to complain, "Does this mean we can pay to peep at kids taking a bath?"
When the black-haired little man returned after washing up and turned off the room lights, the screen also dimmed, and only a slightly blurry shadow could be seen moving to the bedside, where a small hill appeared.
If you look closely, you can still see that the little black-haired figure has already gotten into bed, but is extending a right hand to him.
【Good evening? 】
A bubble, whose characters had also dimmed, rose from above his head and floated in front of Gojo Satoru.
Just like a stray cub that growls as a warning upon first encounter, only to be quickly defeated by a series of nibbles and pats, and even begins to subconsciously confirm his presence.
So cute that Gojo Satoru couldn't help but laugh again, and readily touched his right hand and rubbed his head.
good evening.
Perhaps it was the exceptionally sharp dynamic vision honed through years of battle that made Gojo Satoru notice that the black-haired little man's fingers seemed to twitch slightly before slowly retracting them.
[Kazuma Hagoromo: Affection +2.]
————————
Genji: The story comes from the classic Japanese novel "The Tale of Genji". The protagonist, Genji, took in Wakashi, who was 9 years younger than him, and began to raise her from the age of 10 to become the perfect person in his mind. She eventually became his wife.
The focus of today's "Genji Project" is not on age, but on the process of "nurturing". Therefore, some cases where the age gap is not very large, but the older person raises or cares for the younger person from childhood or adolescence can be called "Genji Project".
————
The "True Truth" here is actually the "True Truth" from the Curse Return World—it's just that the current point in time is different from Wu's, which is equivalent to Wu nurturing the "True Truth" of the past (hey).
Also, just a little spoiler: since his personality and experiences differ from the main story, Kazuma will later develop excessive hatred and resentment due to Satoru's ordeal, and won't be very friendly to anyone other than Satoru (maybe with a touch of yandere? A dark, wolfish, or male ghost vibe? I'm a bit unsure how to define it, but that's basically it).
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