That Day When Suzuki-kun Wasn't the Mob-B! Chapter 491: The Price of Stability (Patreon)

"Mai, watch your conduct!"

Utahime couldn't help but snap, her face flushing a deep crimson at her student's scandalous display. Mai was practically draped over Suzuki, her arms wrapped around his neck, hugging him like a koala right in the middle of the formal reception room!

The air in the room was a jarring mix of sensations. The traditional, earthy aroma of fresh tatami mats and the bitter steam rising from the green tea on the low wooden table heavily clashed with the sweet, intoxicating scent of Mai's jasmine perfume. Mai's soft curves were pressed brazenly against Suzuki's side, her thigh resting shamelessly against his lap.

What was wrong with them?!

Yet, as Utahime glared, she was forced to admit a frustrating truth: Suzuki had somehow become even more handsome.

She knew him well. As an alumnus of Kyoto High, he had once been her student. But after graduating, instead of becoming the Jujutsu sorcerer everyone expected—especially given his innate talent and the Projection Sorcery—he had simply walked away to become a normal university student at Kyoto University.

Frankly, Utahime had been dumbfounded by his decision at the time. Yet, as a teacher, she would be lying if she didn't feel a swell of pride that one of her own had made it into the most prestigious university in the country. Now, looking at him, he had changed so much that he was almost unrecognizable. The aura of the quiet, somewhat lazy student had vanished, replaced by the imposing, broad-shouldered presence of a dangerously capable man.

Before, he had been the one student who didn't give her a massive headache. Now, he was an adult who could be—

Wait, that isn't the point! Utahime shook her head, the crisp white silk and red hakama of her miko outfit rustling softly against the mats.

The reality of the situation was entirely surreal. This was the man who had effortlessly ascended to become the head of the Zenin Clan, fought Satoru Gojo to a standstill, crushed the Elders, and forced two of his people into the Elder positions. He was bending the entire Jujutsu world to his whim, and she was watching him get cuddled like a giant stuffed animal.

She wasn't scared of him; it just all felt so unreal. She knew how much he hated unnecessary conflict and how often he used to skip training despite his overwhelming power. So how did he end up here?

"Are you sure you want to talk to me like that, Sensei?"

Mai's voice broke the silence. She didn't sound the least bit intimidated. Instead, her tone carried a chilling, arrogant edge as she stared down the older woman, her chest pressing more firmly against Suzuki's arm to assert her territory.

"..." Utahime was struck speechless by the sheer disrespect.

"Don't tease, Sensei," Suzuki sighed helplessly, reaching up to lightly tap the tip of Mai's nose.

"Hmph~!"

Mai pouted, though a victorious smile played on her lips. She stopped antagonizing Utahime, opting instead to snuggle deeper into Suzuki's embrace, completely ignoring both Utahime and the elderly headmaster of Kyoto Jujutsu High, Yoshinobu Gakuganji.

"Principal, Utahime-sensei, it's been a while," Suzuki greeted them smoothly. His voice was calm and polite, treating them with the respect owed to his former teachers.

Many people hated Gakuganji—especially after he planned the plot to kill Yuji Itadori. The old man was a staunch follower of tradition. Yet, Suzuki understood him. Gakuganji wasn't young; the scent of old age seemed to cling to his robes. For a man living on borrowed time, the last things he wanted were revolution, chaos, and unpredictable changes. He wanted the stability of a world governed by strict discipline and risk mitigation.

Young sorcerers might not understand it, but for those who had survived decades of bloodshed and cursed spirits, stability was an addictive drug. Instability brought danger, uncertainty, and a high probability of death.

After all, who could guarantee that Gojo's idealized new system would be better than the old one? Especially with Sukuna, the King of Curses, lurking inside Yuji's body as a wildly unpredictable variable.

Frankly, Suzuki knew the truth. Even if they killed the corrupt Elders and defeated all the villains, the Jujutsu world wouldn't become an utopia. The average sorcerer would still face the crushing reality of normal human problems: inflation, stagnant wages, and the daily grind.

If they followed Gojo's eccentric path and the Zenin and Kamo clans were eradicated, the Gojo Clan would simply monopolize everything. Would that really be any better?

Or was that what Gojo planned to do? 

To monopolize everything. 

Gakuganji's methods might be old-fashioned and boring, but there was nothing wrong with a boring life. Most people just wanted peace. They wanted to follow the rules, earn a decent paycheck, and survive their missions.

"..."

Suzuki had half-expected Gakuganji to scold him for his recent coup—especially for placing Ranta and Chojuro, two enforcers of the Zenin Hei, into the Elder seats.

Instead, the old principal simply picked up his ceramic cup. The faint clink of porcelain sounded in the quiet room as he took a slow, peaceful sip of his green tea, completely unbothered.

This made Suzuki shift his gaze back to Utahime. Despite the prominent scar across her face, his old teacher was as beautiful as ever. She possessed an elegant, traditional charm that set her apart. The way her long, purplish-black hair cascaded over the pure white fabric of her shrine maiden outfit was genuinely breathtaking, and the white bow resting in her hair was a cute contrast to her fierce, sharp eyes.

Utahime shifted uncomfortably under his gaze, realizing she couldn't treat him like a bratty teenager anymore. Their statuses were entirely different now. Unlike Gojo, who acted like an overgrown man-child, Suzuki commanded genuine respect.

"It's been a while, too, Suzuki-kun," Gakuganji finally spoke, nodding calmly. "How have you been?"

"I'm doing fine. What about you, Principal? You're getting older. Do you want some rare medicinal herbs to boost your vitality? I procured some recently."

"Thank you... But is that really okay?"

"Don't worry," Suzuki waved a hand casually. "The one thing I have an endless supply of right now is money. I confiscated quite a lot of it from the Elders' personal vaults."

"Then, I will gladly accept," Gakuganji chuckled, a dry, raspy sound, accepting the bribe without a hint of hesitation.

Suzuki raised an eyebrow. "You don't seem concerned about me sitting at the top, Principal."

"Why should I be?" Gakuganji set his tea down. "Compared to Satoru Gojo's reckless ideals or the rotting greed of the previous Elders, you are far, far better."

What did the previous Elders want? To hoard money and stagnate. What did Gojo want? To tear down the system without any concrete logistical plan to replace it.

Compared to them, Suzuki's vision was pragmatic. The moment Chojuro and Ranta took their seats on the council, they implemented an immediate, sweeping policy: comprehensive health insurance for all Jujutsu sorcerers. They granted every active sorcerer access to cheap, premium medical care through hospitals affiliated with the Zenin Group.

Suzuki might have been greedy, but his greed was structured. He monopolized the market, but in return he provided a tangible, comfortable safety net for the workers. He gave everyone a candy just so they could survive in this bitter world.

Still, there was one thing Gakuganji didn't understand.

"Why do you follow Gojo's whim and allow the vessel of Sukuna to live?" Gakuganji asked, his old eyes narrowing. "Why don't you just kill the boy?"

Suzuki leaned back against the couch, Mai still happily clinging to his side, as he couldn't help but say, "Because Gojo Satoru is the strongest being on the planet. He can decimate everything if he truly wants to. Tell me, Principal... is it better to stay on his good side, or make yourself his enemy?"

"..." Gakuganji went entirely silent.

Fair enough.