As Sukuna in Invincible-Chapter 32: Tension

The Grayson household buzzed with unusual activity. Debbie moved about the kitchen with excited energy, arranging platters and checking the dining room table for the third time.

Mark leaned against the doorframe, watching his mother's preparations with amusement.

"Mom, it's just dinner with Megumi and his friend," he said. "Not a state dinner with the president."

Debbie paused, smoothing her apron. "I know, I know. But it's the first time Megumi's ever brought a friend here. I want to make a good impression."

Mark smiled. "I think that ship sailed when he found out Dad was planning to conquer Earth."

"Mark!" Debbie scolded, though there was no real heat in it. They had all grown accustomed to the strange new reality of their family situation over the past months.

Nolan entered from his study, eyebrow raised at the elaborate preparations. "Debbie, I think you've outdone yourself."

"I just want everything to be perfect," she replied. "Megumi's become important to this family. If his friend is important to him, then..."

The doorbell rang, interrupting her explanation. Mark pushed off from the doorframe. "I'll get it."

He opened the door to find Megumi standing beside a slender Japanese woman with striking features and an air of composed dignity.

She wore a simple but elegant black dress that somehow made her look both modern and timeless.

"Hey," Mark greeted, stepping aside. "Come in. Mom's been cooking all day."

"This is Tsukumo," Megumi said as they entered, his tone casual but with an underlying formality that Mark had come to recognize as his friend shifting into a more public persona.

"She's a chef I've been hiring to prepare meals for me occasionally."

Tsukumo bowed slightly, her movements precise and graceful. "It is a pleasure to meet Megumi-san's friends," she said, her accent noticeable but her English clear. "Thank you for inviting me to your home."

Mark led them to the living room where Nolan and Debbie waited.

The introductions continued, with Debbie warmly welcoming Tsukumo while Nolan studied her with that penetrating gaze he reserved for new variables in his environment.

"A chef?" Nolan inquired, his tone conversational but his eyes watchful. "That's an interesting profession."

"I specialize in traditional Japanese cuisine," Tsukumo replied with perfect composure. "Megumi-san appreciates authentic flavors that are difficult to find in this city."

"Tsukumo is being modest," Megumi interjected. "Her food rivals the best I've ever tasted."

Coming from Megumi, whose appreciation for culinary excellence was well-known among his friends, this was high praise indeed. Debbie's eyes lit up with interest.

"I'd love to hear about these cooking techniques," she said, gesturing toward the kitchen. "Would you mind if I asked for some tips while we finish preparing dinner?"

"It would be my honor," Tsukumo replied with another small bow.

As the women moved toward the kitchen, Mark noticed something curious – the way Megumi's eyes followed Tsukumo, not with the interest of someone attracted to her, but with something more complex. Something almost... protective.

"So," Nolan said once they were alone, "how did you meet your chef friend?"

Megumi's expression remained neutral. "I found her restaurant online. After tasting her food, I arranged for private cooking services."

"Convenient," Nolan observed. "And she just happened to be available whenever you needed her?"

"Good food is worth arranging one's schedule around," Megumi replied smoothly.

Mark glanced between them, sensing the subtle tension. "Dad, what's with the third degree? Megumi's allowed to have friends outside the team."

Nolan's expression softened slightly. "Of course. I'm merely curious about someone new entering our circle, given our... unique situation."

From the kitchen, the sound of Debbie's delighted laughter floated through the house. Whatever Tsukumo had shared with her had clearly made an impression.

"She seems nice," Mark offered, trying to break the tension. "And if she cooks as well as you say, maybe we should hire her for family dinners sometimes."

"Perhaps," Megumi agreed, though something in his tone suggested he found the idea unlikely.

Mark hesitated before adding in a lower voice, "Eve is going to lose her mind when she finds out about this, you know."

Megumi's expression remained carefully neutral. "Why would Eve have any reaction to my hiring a chef?"

"Come on," Mark said with a knowing look. "You've seen how she gets about you. She practically scans anyone who comes within ten feet of you with those molecular vision eyes of hers."

"Eve's interest is scientific," Megumi replied dismissively.

Mark snorted. "Yeah, and Dad's just a regular science writer."

Dinner itself was a curious blend of Debbie's home cooking and elements that Tsukumo had clearly influenced – the presentation more artful, certain flavors more pronounced.

Throughout the meal, Mark observed the dynamic between Megumi and Tsukumo with growing interest. They didn't interact like new acquaintances.

There was a familiarity in their exchanges, a shorthand in their communication that suggested a much longer association than Megumi had implied.

Tsukumo anticipated Megumi's preferences without being told, serving him precisely what he wanted before he could ask.

More telling was how Megumi behaved around her – slightly less guarded than usual, his responses less measured. As if her presence allowed him to relax a fraction of his perpetual vigilance.

"Tsukumo," Nolan said during a lull in the conversation, "Megumi mentioned you're a freelance chef. Have you been in that line of work long?"

"Several years," she replied smoothly. "I trained in Japan before coming to America to expand my culinary horizons."

"And what brought you to this particular city?" Nolan pressed, his tone casual but his eyes sharp.

Tsukumo met his gaze without hesitation. "Opportunity. There are few authentic Japanese chefs here, which creates demand for my skills."

"Lucky for Megumi," Debbie interjected with a warm smile. "Finding food that reminds you of home must be comforting."

"Indeed," Tsukumo agreed, her eyes briefly meeting Megumi's. "Familiar tastes can ground us, even in unfamiliar surroundings."

The conversation shifted to other topics – school, current events, the ongoing preparations for what everyone present knew was coming but avoided naming directly.

Throughout it all, Mark continued his observation, increasingly certain that there was more to Tsukumo than Megumi was revealing.

After dinner, as they moved to the living room for coffee, Mark managed to catch Megumi alone for a moment in the hallway.

"So, you want to tell me the real story?" he asked quietly.

Megumi raised an eyebrow. "About?"

"Tsukumo," Mark said. "You two have known each other a lot longer than you're letting on."

For a moment, Megumi seemed to consider his options. Then, with a slight nod, he acknowledged the truth of Mark's observation.

"She's an old friend," he admitted. "Someone I knew... before. I trust her completely."

"Why the secrecy then?" Mark asked, genuinely curious rather than accusatory.

"Simplicity," Megumi replied. "The fewer complications in our current situation, the better."

Mark studied his friend, recognizing there was still more being left unsaid. But he also understood Megumi well enough by now to know when not to push.

"She seems cool," he said instead. "And Mom's practically adopted her already."

"Though seriously," he added, lowering his voice, "Eve is going to freak. You know how she gets about you.

She's been doing that weird molecular scan thing on you every time we mention any woman in the same sentence as your name. Between you and me," Mark stated his last words becoming a whisper.

"I think she's checking whether you, you know..." Mark began, making a ring with two fingers and a single finger near it, "Released it with anyone,"

Megumi's expression remained impassive, but a flicker of annoyance crossed his features at Mark's crude gesture.

"Eve's personal concerns are irrelevant to our mission," he replied coolly. "And I'd suggest focusing on more pressing matters than juvenile speculation about others' private lives."

Mark raised his hands defensively. "Hey, I'm just giving you a heads-up. You know how Eve gets when she's... interested in something. Or someone. So called scientific curiosity and all that."

Before Megumi could respond, they were interrupted by Debbie calling them back to the living room.

The rest of the evening passed without incident, though Mark continued to observe the curious dynamic between Megumi and Tsukumo with growing fascination.

Later that week, Megumi returned to his apartment after a particularly grueling training session with the Teen Team.

His muscles ached pleasantly from exertion, a reminder of progress made in their preparations for the coming Viltrumite threat.

The apartment was quiet, Uncle Kenji having gone out with friends from the hospital – a rare social evening made possible by his reduced work schedule.

The financial support from the GDA had transformed his uncle's life, allowing him time for friendships and hobbies long neglected during years of overtime shifts.

Megumi moved through the darkened apartment with practiced ease, making his way to the kitchen.

The light from the refrigerator illuminated Uraume, who stood at the counter preparing what appeared to be a late dinner.

"You sensed my approach," Megumi observed, not surprised by her presence. They had established this routine over the past week – Uraume arriving to prepare meals when Uncle Kenji was absent.

"Of course, Sukuna-sama," she replied, her movements precise as she arranged sliced fish on a plate. "Your energy signature is unmistakable, even when suppressed."

Megumi nodded, taking a seat at the kitchen island to watch her work.

There was something again oddly comforting about having her here – a connection to his past life that, despite its complications, felt like a form of continuity in this strange new existence.

"The Graysons were impressed by you when I introduced you," he commented, accepting a cup of tea she had prepared in anticipation of his arrival.

Uraume inclined her head slightly in acknowledgment. "The mother is kind. The son is observant. The father..." She paused, considering her words carefully. "The father carries power and suspicion in equal measure."

"An accurate assessment," Megumi agreed. "Nolan Grayson is not easily deceived."

"Yet he accepted my presence," Uraume noted, arranging vegetables with artistic precision.

"For now," Megumi replied. "His focus remains on the larger threat to Earth. A chef, even one with unusual energy, is a minor concern by comparison."

The doorbell rang, interrupting their conversation. Megumi tensed slightly – they weren't expecting visitors, and Uncle Kenji had his own keys.

"Remain here," he instructed Uraume, rising from his seat.

He moved to the door with cautious steps, extending his senses to identify the visitor. The familiar signature of molecular energy confirmed his suspicion before he even reached the entrance.

Eve.

He opened the door to find her standing in the hallway, a tablet clutched in one hand and a determined expression on her face.

"Eve," he greeted her, keeping his tone neutral. "This is unexpected."

"Sorry to drop by unannounced," she said, though her expression suggested she wasn't particularly sorry.

"But I've made a breakthrough with the quantum destabilizer targeting system. I thought you'd want to see it right away."

She was already moving past him into the apartment before he could respond, her steps purposeful as she headed toward the living room.

"I've managed to isolate the specific molecular signature that differentiates Viltrumite cellular structure from human," she continued, activating her tablet. "If we modify the resonance frequency to-"

She stopped abruptly as she sensed another presence in the apartment. Her head turned toward the kitchen, where Uraume stood in the doorway, her posture composed but alert.

The atmosphere shifted instantly, a palpable tension filling the space between the two women.

"Oh," Eve said, her voice carefully controlled. "I didn't realize you had company."

Megumi moved to stand between them, his expression revealing nothing of his internal calculations.

"Eve, this is Tsukumo Aoi," he introduced formally. "She's a chef I've hired to prepare authentic Japanese cuisine."

"A chef," Eve repeated, her eyes briefly flashing pink as she instinctively activated her powers. "How... convenient."

Uraume bowed slightly, her face a perfect mask of polite deference. "It is a pleasure to meet Megumi-san's colleague."

Eve's smile didn't reach her eyes. "Colleague? I think we're a bit more than that." She moved closer to Megumi, casually placing her hand on his arm.

"Megumi and I have been working closely together for months now. We've developed quite the connection."

Uraume's expression remained impassive, though her eyes tracked Eve's hand on Megumi's arm.

"I've been helping Megumi refine his abilities," Eve continued, not removing her hand. "We spend hours together in the lab. Just the two of us. It's quite... intimate work."

"Eve," Megumi said, his tone carrying a subtle warning as he gently but firmly removed her hand from his arm.

"Tsukumo has prepared dinner. Perhaps you'd like to continue our discussion over a meal?"

Eve's eyes narrowed slightly at the rebuff, but she recovered quickly. "Actually, I brought dinner for us." She gestured to a bag by the door that Megumi hadn't noticed earlier. "I thought we could go over the data while we ate. Just us."

"How thoughtful," Uraume commented, her voice perfectly neutral. "However, I have already prepared Megumi-san's favorite dishes. Perhaps another time."

Eve turned to face Uraume fully, her stance subtly shifting to one of challenge. "I'm sure your cooking is lovely, but Megumi and I have important work to discuss. Time-sensitive matters that can't wait."

"The quantum destabilizer," Megumi interjected smoothly. "You mentioned a breakthrough?"

"Yes," Eve said, activating her tablet again, though her attention remained partially on Uraume.

"I've made significant progress on the targeting system. Something I wanted to share with you first, before the others."

She emphasized the last words, a clear message of privileged status.

"Perhaps I should leave you to your discussion," Uraume offered, though she made no move to actually depart.

"No need," Eve replied with false sweetness. "I'm sure you can continue your... cooking... while Megumi and I work. We're used to focusing despite distractions."

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She moved to the living room couch, deliberately setting her tablet on the coffee table and arranging herself comfortably, as if staking a claim to the space. "Megumi, I need your input on these calibration parameters."

Megumi glanced between the two women, his expression revealing nothing of his thoughts. "Tsukumo, please continue with dinner preparations. Eve and I will review her findings in the meantime."

Uraume bowed slightly. "Of course, Megumi-san."

As Uraume returned to the kitchen, Eve patted the space beside her on the couch. "These calculations are quite detailed. You'll need to sit close to see properly."

Megumi chose the adjacent armchair instead, maintaining a professional distance. "I can see perfectly well from here."

Eve's smile tightened almost imperceptibly. "As you wish." She began her presentation, her voice carrying just loud enough to ensure it would reach the kitchen.

"As I was saying, I've been working on this non-stop. Barely sleeping, really. But it's worth it when we make progress together."

For the next twenty minutes, Eve outlined her findings, her explanation scientifically sound but peppered with unnecessary slightly loud personal references – "Remember when we discussed this late in the lab last week?" and "That approach you suggested during our dinner really paid off."

Megumi listened attentively, offering insights and suggestions where appropriate, all while acutely aware of the emotional undercurrents swirling beneath the scientific discussion.

When Eve finally concluded her presentation, she closed her tablet with a decisive snap. "So, what do you think? With these modifications, we could have a functional prototype within a week."

"Your work is impressive," Megumi acknowledged genuinely. "The targeting solution is elegant."

Eve's expression softened slightly at the praise, some of the tension leaving her shoulders. "Thank you. I've been working on it non-stop since our last session."

A delicate cough from the kitchen doorway drew their attention. Uraume stood there, her posture respectful.

"Forgive the interruption, but dinner is prepared, Megumi-san. Should I set a place for your guest as well?"

Before Megumi could respond, Eve rose from the couch, moving to stand close beside him. "Actually, I think Megumi and I should continue this discussion at my lab. We have equipment there that would help visualize these calculations better." She turned to him, her expression a mixture of determination and possessiveness. "Don't you agree?"

"The discussion can continue here," Megumi replied evenly. "The data is comprehensive, and your explanation was clear."

Eve's smile became fixed. "But the prototype components are at the lab. We could make actual progress tonight if we went there now."

"The hour is late," Megumi observed. "And we both need to maintain our strength for tomorrow's training session."

Eve hesitated, clearly weighing her options. Then, with visible reluctance, she nodded. "You're right, of course. Efficiency requires proper rest." She gathered her tablet, her movements precise and controlled. "I should go, then. Let you enjoy your... dinner."

She walked to the door with Megumi following, then paused in the entryway. "Oh, I almost forgot. Cecil wants us to run a joint simulation tomorrow with the Guardians.

He specifically requested that you and I work together on the tactical approach." Her voice carried just enough to ensure Uraume would hear. "We make such an effective team, after all."

"I'll be at the facility at the usual time," Megumi confirmed.

Eve smiled, reaching out to straighten an imaginary wrinkle on his shirt collar. "Perfect. I'll be waiting." She leaned in slightly, her voice dropping to a more intimate level. "She's not just a chef to you, is she?"

Megumi met her gaze steadily. "Tsukumo is exactly what I said she is."

"No one is ever exactly what they seem, Megumi," Eve replied, her eyes searching his. "Not even you." She stepped back, her professional demeanor reasserting itself. "Especially not you."

"We all contain multitudes," Megumi replied, using the phrase that had become something of a refrain between them.

"Some more than others," Eve responded with a pointed look toward the kitchen. She stepped into the hallway, then turned back one last time. "I'll see you tomorrow. Don't be late."

With that parting instruction, she departed, leaving Megumi standing in the doorway, watching her retreating figure with a mixture of concern and resignation.

When he returned to the kitchen, Uraume was arranging their meal with her usual precision, her expression revealing nothing of her thoughts.

"She is perceptive," Uraume observed quietly, placing a perfectly arranged plate before him. "And possessive. Reminds me of someone."

Yorozu's name was unspoken between them.

Megumi sat, appreciating the artistry of the presentation. "Eve is... complicated."

"She sees you clearly," Uraume continued, taking her own seat across from him. "Or at least, she believes she does. She senses your true nature, even if she cannot name it."

"Eve sees patterns where others see only chaos," Megumi acknowledged. "It makes her valuable as an ally, but also potentially problematic."

"And as more than an ally?" Uraume asked, her tone carefully neutral as she poured tea.

Megumi paused, considering the question. "That remains to be seen."

Though perhaps not for long since he himself has begun to consider what it would be like to accept her advances.

They ate in companionable silence for a while, the familiar flavors of Uraume's cooking bringing a sense of continuity that transcended worlds and lifetimes.

"She will return," Uraume said finally. "Her curiosity and her possessiveness will drive her to seek answers."

"I know," Megumi replied. "And when she does, we'll be prepared."

"As you wish, Sukuna-sama," Uraume said with a slight bow of her head.

As they continued their meal, Megumi found himself contemplating the growing complications in his carefully constructed life.

Eve's perception, Uraume's presence, the approaching Viltrumite threat – all variables in an increasingly complex equation.

But complexity, like the flavors in a well-prepared dish, could be appreciated for its own sake.

And as the greatest sorcerer he knew well, true mastery came not from avoiding complications, but from turning them to one's advantage.

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(Author note: Hello everyone! I hope you all enjoyed the Chapter!

Yeah, I think I'm going to soon get to the finale of the whole relationship build up thing.

Do personally tell me how you found it and I hope to see you all later,

Bye!)