Chapter Text
The day was supposed to start off well. Everyone was finally home together, and for once, it felt like a small victory: no missions, no school projects, no late-night research sessions; just the chaos of a family reunited after weeks apart. But, of course, on the rare occasions they were all together, an argument had to occur.
Oh well, it's not like they should have put off discussing it. But it would have been nice to enjoy a quiet day with the family.
The day started with Satoru waking up the kids while Suguru prepared breakfast and packed the lunchboxes. Satoru didn’t expect anything unusual, just the same daily routine. He struggled to wake up Mimiko, who slept like she was in a coma; banged on the bathroom door because Megumi had been in there for what felt like hours; helped Tsumiki search for her stationery since she had a knack for losing things; and reminded Nanako to finish the homework she had put off the night before.
He loved his kids, he really did, but god, they were a handful. They had completely underestimated what it meant to raise four middle schoolers, especially when three of them were developing powerful techniques.
There were days when Mimiko would use her Voodoo Doll technique to make people do chores for her, much like how Suguru sometimes used his curses. Suguru would vehemently deny it, saying it wasn't the same as her. "I'm not controlling people's bodies without their permission. It could have extreme consequences." Whatever, she's just a kid and you're a buzzkill, Suguru.
Nanako liked to imbue electronics with cursed energy and used them to manipulate objects around the house for fun. She claimed she got the idea from Satoru: “If Satoru-san can use Blue and Red, why can’t I?” Satoru thought it was hilarious and was secretly proud of her, but he didn’t say anything, not wanting to face his lovely husband's judgment.
The dishes hadn’t been washed in nearly a week because the sink was full of Megumi’s frogs. They ate dinner out of old takeout boxes, and Megumi, their sweet little baby boy, didn’t look even slightly ashamed. He just shrugged.
Even Tsumiki, his sweet angel, found her way into sorcery mischief, not wanting to miss out on the fun, kept losing cursed tools here and there. Satoru had spent hours complaining after a much-needed makeout session on the couch was interrupted by Playful Cloud poking into them - one of Tsumiki’s doings. Suguru laughed, his face crinkling into that foxy smile Satoru loved. Yes, he got blue-balled but it wasn't anything substantial compared to Suguru's smile.
--
They had meant to sit down and seriously discuss their kids' rapidly developing techniques - and how to start their formal sorcery education before Jujutsu High - but, with Satoru’s hectic schedule filled with missions, classes and clan politics and Suguru immersing himself in research work and keeping the house afloat they didn't have time for that conversation, much less time to train their children.
They were growing stronger faster than their peers - something Satoru had bragged about more than once to his colleagues at Jujutsu High, much to everyone's annoyance. But Satoru was hesitant when it came to...
Well. Letting former curse users teach them.
“Their teachers are former members of my old cult. They’ve seen real curses and real danger. They’ll teach them how to survive, not just read from a textbook.”
“They’re curse users, Suguru. If they are going to learn, it’s from us, not them.”
Suguru narrows his eyes, frustration growing. “They understand the world outside Jujutsu High’s safe walls. Our kids need more than that.”
Satoru leans back, arms crossed. “I grew up with those tutors, and I turned out fine. They gave me everything I needed, including history and strategy too. Sure I found them boring but you can't deny their importance. You can’t just throw that away because it’s not as flashy as some rogue curse users’ tricks. And I can’t believe you’re saying this, Suguru. You came from a non-sorcerer family - you were thrown into a world of curses, not knowing a damn thing. And now you’re telling me our kids shouldn’t learn from the best?”
Suguru’s voice sharpens. “It’s not about flash. It’s about real experience. You can’t prepare them for the world with classroom lessons and rules. And please, we all heard the rumours about how kindly clan tutors treat their students. You should know best, Satoru, that no one should withstand such harsh treatment”
Satoru’s smirk fades, his tone serious now. “And you think teaching them how to be reckless is the answer? We need balance, Suguru. Our kids need to be prepared, not thrown into chaos.”
Suguru glares, his patience wearing thin. He opens his mouth to retort but it seems Satoru has one last thing to say:
“And, besides, Once a curse user, always-”
Which is apparently the wrong thing to say, since Suguru's gaze hardens. “Don’t you dare finish that sentence. I’ll shove that breakfast down your shirt.”
Tension stirs as they delve into a staredown. Neither break.
Tsumiki is the first to come downstairs, the twins and Megumi following, sleepy but alert, eyeing the tension in the air. Megumi furrows his brow, glancing between the two men.
“What happened? You two look like you’re about to kill each other.”
Satoru and Suguru speak at the same time, both too casual.
“Nothing, sweetie. Just a small... disagreement.”
“Yeah, nothing important. We were just - uh - talking. Grown up stuff, y’know?”
The kids exchange a look but don’t push it. Satoru ruffles Megumi’s hair with a grin. The little boy scowls and swats his hand away, face flushed.
“Alright, kids, time to head to school. Let’s go, before I’m late for my next mission.”
Suguru calls out to ask them to check for their bentos, purposefully not giving Satoru one. He watches them go, still stewing in frustration, as Satoru grabs the door handle. He gives Suguru one last look before slamming the door behind him, the sound echoing through the house.
--
“Otou-san, where is your bento? Did you forget to take it from Suguru-san? Should we go back and get it?” Tsumiki asks innocently as they walk to school. Well shit.
Nanako, looking up from her phone, squints at Satoru. “Did it have something to do with your argument?”
Satoru freezes for a moment, then forces a smile. “Argument? Nah, it wasn’t an argument. Just... a little disagreement.” He waves it off, avoiding her gaze. “Anyway, I’ll be fine without it. I’ll just have lunch with your Shoko ba-chan later, no big deal.”
Mimiko, who had been quietly listening, pipes up with a grin. “Shoko ba-chan said she’s in Kyoto, hanging out with Utahime ba-chan. Maybe she’s too busy to meet you after all.”
That little prankster. Satoru freezes again, momentarily caught off guard. His mind races, thinking Why do his kids have to be so smart? He jerks his head around, desperate for a distraction. And then, he spots Megumi, struggling to catch up with them, his small steps barely keeping pace.
“Hey, Megumi!” Satoru calls, grinning widely. “Don’t let your sisters walk too far ahead! They might get lost without you, right?”
The youngest member of the family. His little baby. His blessing. He looks so cute trying to take bigger steps to catch up to his elder sisters, huffing his face in exhaustion. He would rather suffer than admit weakness, much like his fathers. Satoru just wants to pick him up and squish him into his arms sometimes.
Megumi looks up, his expression flat, clearly unamused, but Satoru’s comment shifts the focus away from the earlier tension. The kids giggle, and Satoru breathes a quiet sigh of relief.
Nanako raises an eyebrow, still suspicious, but she doesn’t press further. The group falls into an easy silence as they continue their walk to school, with Satoru mentally cursing his husband’s petty moves, but grateful for the distraction.
After dropping the kids off at school, he teleported off to the Jujutsu High training grounds, his mind drifted back to their argument that morning. He started feeling guilty, he could never be mad at Suguru for so long anyway.
Maybe he should order some zaru soba to be delivered to the house….