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It took some time to adjust to the change, but come mid-March, this new stage in their lives became their new normal. They had gotten used to Yuji's evolved state. It had been some difficult times, of course.
For one, Yuji may have retained most of his appearance, but the differences from then and now were... something, to say the least.
He kept his youthful appearance, his round face still having some baby fat left to lose. Those eyes of his remained their honey brown color and his hair kept its pink color, shifting from cherry blossom to a rose gold shade. Even though, most days Yuji stayed within his chambers, his skin still was that healthy peach.
However, had not one noticed the features he kept, at first glance with the additional pair of smaller eyes below his human ones, his hair slicked back and his sudden liking to wearing white, one would have thought they caught a glimpse of Ryomen Sukuna, King of Curses.
Yet, he reigns no more. His ending had came by Yuji's very own hands. They do not fear his return.
Still, he wasn't easy to forget and they will never forgive him.
"You should rest."
Shoko looks up at the speaker for just a moment before returning back to her notepad.
"I have these to look over."
"You just healed Kugisaki and Inumaki from their injuries minutes before. Your eyebags are even looking a little darker, Ieiri-sensei. You should rest." Yuji approaches her with a steaming mug of tea and sets it down on her desk. "I can take over for a bit until you feel better. I do know how to use Reverse Curse Technique on others now, you know."
She nods, flipping a page. "Yeah, I know. I taught you."
"And an amazing teacher you were. So allow your student to help you or I'm calling in reinforcements."
Shoko looks up at him again and this time is met with a stern gaze. Yuji pouts, arms crossed. "I mean it. I'll do it."
"And who do you plan on calling?"
"I'm sure Iori-sensei will not be pleased with you."
She drops her pen. The next few minutes were spent in silence and the two staring at each other. Shoko sighs, slumping on her desk.
"You're pulling that card, Itadori?"
He nods. "Yes."
"Okay, well, I guess I'll go rest."
"At least, for a whole day. Go eat, shower and relax. I mean it, Ieiri-sensei!"
"Alright, alright." She gets up and heads out her office with the tea and Yuji following. "And you know you don't have to call me that."
"Rest."
She chuckles, shaking her head and heading to the direction of her residence. Ever since Yuji took over Tengen's place, he's been more lenient on how the others taken care of themselves. It was really nothing new. Yuji has a habit of taking care of others. Bringing a lunchbox or just wanting to accompany someone.
There couldn't have been anyone better than him.
It makes tomorrow all the more worth celebrating.
They really weren't surprised when they came to such a sight as this one. They were used to it and expected it as it wasn't a visit with Satoru Gojo greeting them in his usual goofy way.
"KYOTO IS HERE!!" Satoru announces, arms waving above his head. "Welcome to our school!"
"This would be the umpteenth time we have came here, Gojo. Every single time you do this." Utahime groans, rubbing at her temple.
"Ooooh, someone's grumpy! Did you not get enough sleep or something?"
"No. I have a headache and it arrived when I saw your face."
"I have half my face covered so it can't be too bad!"
"Well, it's getting worse the more you talk."
"You wound me!" He giggles, turning on his heel and leading them away. "Follow me and see the surprise!!"
"I feel skeptical about whatever you're planning." Noritoshi admits. He returned as a student to Kyoto some days ago after spending much needed time with his family outside of Japan. The Kamo clan had still welcomed him as their clan heir and truth be told, Noritoshi wasn't into taking that position again. Instead, he convinced the clan to take up someone more suitable, one of his cousins maybe.
He wanted to be heir before for his mother, but learning how happy she was outside the jujutsu society, he didn't see the point anymore. He didn't need to make a place for her in a clan that wouldn't accept her anyways. He had only returned to the school for his schoolmates and teacher as he does care for them, too. They had already lost Mai and Koichi, they didn't need to lose another.
As of now, he still had his home life with his mother, younger brother and stepfather and balanced that with being a jujutsu sorcerer.
Satoru faked hurt, putting his hand to his chest. "Oh, I promise this is a surprise you're going to love!"
The rest of the way was surprisingly quiet, but Satoru's joy over whatever be wanted to show them was very loud.
He gestures for them to follow him to one of the garden areas of the campus. From afar, they could spot some of the others and a set up of food and drinks.
"Oh, we're celebrating something?" Momo questions.
"Yes! Celebrating someone!"
"Someone?"
"You made it!" Yuta had came from around a tree, his smile big. "Happy to have you!"
"Okkotsu, my man!" Aoi greets back. "How have you been?"
"Okay. Yourself?"
He shows off his prosthetic hand. "Getting used to this still, but it's nothing I can't handle."
The group joins the others at the tables. Momo slides into a seat next to Nobara who was sitting across from Maki.
"So, Gojo said we're celebrating someone today?"
Maki nods. "Yeah, it's a special day for someone."
"And we're celebrating that we're all here after that whole fiasco we had to deal with for the past year." Nobara states before sipping her drink. She smacks her lips and continues. "Honestly, we deserve it. I lost a damn eye to that patchface freak. And good people." She reaches over and squeezes Maki's hand.
She had been there the nights she cried over her twin. Mai and her may not have gotten along, but Nobara never hated her. In fact, Nobara understood her when she got the story about Mai and Maki. When she heard about Mai's death, her heart broke. She didn't deserve to die and Maki didn't deserve to lose her.
Just one look at Momo, Nobara sees she also felt that pain of losing Mai. It wasn't hard to guess that the two were close. Probably how she and Maki were, maybe even closer.
"Yeah, we did. But I'm sure they wouldn't want us to mope around." Momo says.
"Yeah. They wouldn't..."
The room didn't feel as cold as he had anticipated. It felt... welcoming almost, despite the darkness. The only source of light were the candles circling the large room and the open door he and his guest just came through.
The kimono he wore felt constricting and his nerves were shot. But he kept his composure, standing straight and his head held high as he took his place in the middle of the room.
"Yuji Itadori, it is an honor for us that you blessed us with your presence."
He bows. "Please, council. I am no better than anyone else who does their duty for the good of humankind."
"Believe it so, however, you have made a big sacrifice by becoming Tengen's new vessel. We also heard about all you've done before." Another woman states. Yuji can't see her face, but he can pinpoint where she was in the room. "Consuming Ryomen Sukuna's Cursed Fingers may be something anyone can do, but not many would have the capability you did and survive."
"You also accepted death that our predecessors placed on you. It may have been reasonable to rid of Ryomen Sukuna's existence, however, sabotaging you into an earlier death is not." Sounded like a man, coming from Yuji's right.
"We only give our gratitude and respect to you, Yuji Itadori. And wanted to express it so for a long time."
Yuji didn't know how to respond to that. These Higher-Ups were more... pleasant than the last and he almost felt silly for being nervous in the first place.
"Now, onto the other matter at hand. You requested us to accept your recommendation?"
That Yuji could respond to. "Yes." He turns to his guest, gesturing her to come forward. "She aided us in the battle against Sukuna and after, has taken up the space left by others and exercising curses. Takako Uro has been a great help and I ask for her to be recognized as an official Jujutsu sorcerer."
The pink haired woman stepped up to Yuji's side and also bowed to the council. "If I may plead my case? I haven't felt as I had a place in this new era as I am an incarnated sorcerer from the Heian Era. It wasn't until I met Itadori that I realize that I can do as I please and I want to fight for what I believe in. I'm used to fighting in the shadows, so fighting curses would be no different. I don't have anything to go back to, but I have made a place for me here."
There was silence once more. Then whispers. Yuji and Takako exchanged quick glances before looking back at the paper screens.
One of then spoke up. "We don't see any reason why you can't be a Jujutsu sorcerer. You have been quite the help and it only seems right that you officially take up the title. You are aware of the rules and obligations?"
"Yes, I am clear."
"Then, we welcome you, Takako Uro. From this moment, you are to be recognized as a Jujutsu sorcerer. Please, make yourself home at either base you choose to."
"I appreciate it."
With that the two, turned on their heels to leave. However, when Yuji got to the door, one of the Higher-Ups called out to him. When he returns his attention to him, he heard two words that reminded him of what the date was.
It brought tears to his eyes.
"Are we waiting for someone or...?"
Satoru chuckled, jumping down from the table and onto his feet. "We don't have to for long." He turns into one direction and smirks. "They're here."
The others look in the direction he faced and watched as two heads of pink came up, followed by the rest of them as they climbed up the stairs.
At the sight of one them, had Aoi standing up and gasping.
"YUJI ITADORI!!"
At the call of his name, Yuji looks up and searches. When he sees Aoi, he smiles at him and holds out his arms. "Todo!"
Within seconds, Aoi was across the garden and picking up Yuji, hugging him tight.
"MY BROTHER!! YOU'RE HERE!!"
"Yes, I'm here." Yuji chuckles.
"I thought... you are..."
"I know. And I'm not. See?" When he's put down, Yuji does a spin to show he was indeed still alive and existing. "I'm here!"
Aoi and the others give him a look over, taking in his new appearance. Not what they were expecting.
"You look... um... different." Momo comments.
Yuji scratches the back of his neck. "Yeah. I'm still getting used to having four eyes."
"Tengen?" Utahime questions.
"Still here. I have control of my body and consciousness. However, Tengen is still here. They said 'hi' and 'thank you', by the way. For everything you've all done."
The Kyoto group was reeling in this new form of Yuji's. It wasn't just having the four eyes or even the hair being pushed back. Not even the all-white kimono. The aura he emits is... something else. It's intimidating, yet inviting. His cursed energy pulsates at great lengths, giving strength to each barrier.
Aoi felt it when he hugged Yuji and it felt like it could have burned him if he wasn't too careful.
"Oh... well, that's nice."
"Yuji! You know what today is, don't you?" Satoru came up to his right and ruffles his hair. "It's a very special day for a very special person!"
Yuji nods. "Yeah, I almost forgot about it until the Higher-Ups reminded me. How did they even know?"
"They're more considerable about us than the last ones. They asked and I delivered!"
"What's today?" Kasumi asked.
Satoru held his arms out towards Yuji in a dramatic fashion. "It's Yuji's birthday today!! He's sixteen now!"
"Finally. Sometimes I forget he's the baby of us." Nobara comments. "He's finally sixteen years old!"
Yuji pouts. "Ah, why you sound like that about it?"
"Baby."
"Shut up. Whoa!" Aoi picked up Yuji and hugged him tight again.
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BROTHER!"
"Oh! Thanks, Todo!"
"Todo, try not to break his spine please." Megumi says. "On today of all days. I know you're excited to see him."
"It is a momentous occasion, Fushiguro!!"
"Yes, it is! But could you please release my little brother?" Choso requests, crossing his arms.
Aoi looks from him to Yuji and then back to him. Given how long he was out of commission for, he hadn't seen Choso before.
"And you are?"
"He's my big brother, Choso." Yuji tells him. "Like my actual big brother."
Aoi blinks. "... actual blood brothers?"
"Yes. It's a... long story."
"We share a parent." Choso states. "The worst they are. Responsible for why we all suffered."
"Part of the reason, Choso. Sukuna, also, was just at fault." Yuji turns back to Aoi. "I didn't tell you all about it, have I? Well, except Kamo. He has an idea."
Noritoshi, who had been eating a piece of cake, nods. "Yeah. Not the full story. From what I can gather, Choso and I are distantly related. And because his father moved bodies from my ancestor later to Itadori's parent, that also would make Itadori and I related in some way."
"... what?"
"It's complicated." Yuji says with a chuckle. "But first, how about we just enjoy today and I'll explain it all later?"
Choso isn't blind to Yuji's feelings. He's smiling right now, but he knew that Yuji wanted to avoid the topic of Kenjaku. He doesn't blame him as he, too, rather not talk about their parent. What was there to say about Kenjaku? Let alone anything good? Today was Yuji's birthday. He shouldn't have to go through anymore turmoil than he already has.
"So, Itadori, if you don't mind me asking... what's it like? You know, being Tengen's vessel?"
It's a little late in the afternoon, the sky a darker shade of blue with hints of orange and pink. The air is cooler, but not unbearable.
When asked such a question, Yuji had been sitting at a table with Megumi.
"Well, it's not bad. Tengen is mostly quiet and sometimes it scares me, but then they'll speak to let me know they're still here." Yuji answers Kasumi. "I also sense things I haven't before. At first, it was too much, but now I'm able to handle it better. It's a huge responsibility, but I like it better than being Sukuna's vessel."
"Ah. Just curious."
"I don't blame you. From what I know, Tengen's been more of a homebody and stayed in their chambers, so not many people were even aware of what they looked like. Now, here's me. Walking around the campus. Anybody would be curious about me."
"I won't lie, Yuji, but you worried your teacher here the first couple of days you were outside the Star Chambers." Satoru admits, sitting down at Yuji's left. "I thought something would have happen to you. But you're here and okay!"
"No need to be a worry wart about me, sensei!"
"I'm a teacher, I'm going to worry about any of my students."
"He wasn't the only one worrying about you." Megumi says, shifting so his head is resting on his arm. He looks up at Yuji. "We all had to process this new development of yours. If you want honesty, felt like we were walking on eggshells because we weren't sure what exactly could happen one minute or the next."
Yuji frowned, reaching up and covering his cheeks with his hands. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to make anyone feel that way. I thought... I thought if you could see me more it wouldn't feel like I disappeared. I didn't mean to make anyone feel so anxious."
Megumi frowns, feeling a little guilty. Sometimes, he hates his own bluntness.
"Hey, don't apologize. It's nothing, okay? We worried, but seeing you did lessen the pain we had before." He straightens up and reaches forward, guiding Yuji's hands down to replace them with his own. "You did nothing wrong, so don't beat yourself up for it. Besides, you shouldn't be frowning right now. It's your special day." He wipes away a tear that had fallen from one of Yuji's lower eyes.
Yuji sniffles. "... sorry."
"Yuji, smile." Choso perched himself on the table and settled his chin on top of Yuji's head. His arms hugged loosely around him. "All that matters is that you're here and alive."
He leans back into his brother's embrace. "Okay."
Just a little later when the sky had gotten darker and everyone decided to call it a day, she had had pulled the other to the side. The Kyoto students were taking their leave now, but she had something she wanted to say.
"Maki, is everything okay? Did you need...?"
"I wanted to thank you."
Momo stops, arms falling to her sides. "What for?"
"For Mai. I wanted to thank you for being there for her." Maki sighs, hands clenching at the material of her pants. Her chest started to hurt and she had to hold back tears. "We... as you know, we had a rocky relationship for a while in our lives, but she was still my twin sister and I loved her with everything I had. It brought me relief to know she had someone like you in her life and if there was anyone I could say I trusted more to be by her side, no one else could have been a better person than you. It's why I left her body to you. I wanted to tell you this for a long time."
She cries, tears wetting her eyes and her throat tightening and the whines choking up. Before she could stop herself, Momo was rushing into Maki's arms and hugging her.
"I... I miss her... I miss her so much, Maki-chan."
Maki nods, embracing her. "I do, too. It's hard not having her here." She pats Momo's shoulder. "But I have something for you."
When Momo steps back for her and watches as Maki pulls out an envelope from her jacket pocket. "Open it."
She does, taking her time and carefully unfolding the envelopes flaps. Momo takes out the contents and lets out a gasp. She looks up at Maki with wide, wet eyes. "Y-you..."
"I know I don't look it, but I don't mind photos. It's from the Exchange event. Nobara is good with a camera and took a lot of pictures of everyone that day. I asked her for photos of Mai and you and she definitely delivered."
In the envelope, there were many photos of Mai. Some solo, some with someone else. She would be smiling, laughing. Other times captured, she lack that smile but happiness and joy were in her eyes. Momo seen her smile before, so she wasn't surprised by those photos. The photos that surprised her were...
"After I massacred the Zenin clan, I didn't just retrieve my sister's body. Our mother did have some photos of us from when we were kids. I had them copied so you can have something to remember Mai, too. Know her before Kyoto. Know who she was just how I remember her."
"You didn't have to do this."
"Maybe I didn't. Maybe I did. Neither way, it was only fair to you. You were a part of Mai's life like I was. You were there for her when I couldn't be."
"Momo! Are you coming?" Utahime had called out.
"Y-yeah!" Momo turns back to Maki and hugs her again. This time, her lips were curved upwards to reflect the heavy weight being lifted off her broken heart. "Thank you again."
"And thank you."
Maki lets her go and watches her leave, rejoining her group. Moments later, they were gone and Maki is left alone.
Or she thought she had been.
"You okay?"
She lets Nobara take hold of her hand and squeezes. She sighs, nodding. "Yeah. I'm okay now. I just... I wanted to let her know. Momo... she was good to my sister. I could tell from all the times they had to come here. They were always by each other. Giving each other soft looks and I just knew my sister had someone in her life that made her happy. When she died... Momo was the first person I thought about. How would she feel? What would she say? When I took my sword to those fools... it was for me, for Mai and for Momo. They took her special person away from her, too."
Nobara squeezes her hand back. "I understand. I'm sure it is hard for her."
Maki is quiet for a while. Her chest doesn't hurt anymore.
"So, where's the birthday boy?"
"Turning in for the day. Said how he's tired so he was taking his dorm room for the night. After today, I'm sure he will want some rest."
"And we should start heading back to get some, too."
It's very warm. A kind of warm that feels like a hug. It's bright, too. When Yuji makes out his surroundings, he realizes he's standing in the middle of one of the pathways of the campus outside. He doesn't recall ever coming here. He could have sworn he fell asleep in his room...
"Oh, there you are."
That voice. It's familiar. Soothing, deep and comforting in a way.
"You know, I wanted to thank you. You've done quite a lot for the people I care about."
When Yuji turns around he sees someone approaching him. Whoever it is, he could tell wore comfortable clothes colored in black. Tall, but not quite as tall as his teacher.
"Yuji Itadori, am I right?"
He finally sees a face and truth be told, he never thought he would see it again. Delicate, handsome sharp features. Smooth, light skin. And dark long silky hair, some tied up in a bun, the rest falling down to the man's waist and bangs that laid to the left of his face.
The last he saw of this man, there had been stitches across his forehead. However, none could be seen.
"... you're... Su..."
He couldn't say the name, surprised, but he knows the name. The name of a special someone to Satoru Gojo. The name to a friend and classmate of Shoko Ieiri. The name of someone who was once good who fallen down the path of darkness and became the most dangerous curse user of modern time. The name of someone... the last person his mother possessed.
"Suguru Geto. You know who I am, don't you?"
Yuji nods. "Yeah. Yeah, I do. But how could... why am I...?"
Suguru chuckles. "Seeing me? I'm not quite sure myself. The most I know is that I'm here with you. I'm dead, have been for over a year."
"And me? Am I...?"
"No. You're not dead."
"Oh." If he had been, that would have been another disaster. "So... you're Suguru Geto?"
"Uh huh. And you're Yuji Itadori."
"How do you know my name?"
"Well, how could I not? I'm dead, but I still... lingered around, to say the least. My soul even reacted to Satoru's voice when he called out to me in Shibuya."
Suguru gestures to a nearby bench. Yuji hesitated for a bit, but he sat down with the man. He sat down and listened to everything he said. Yuji found it hard to not to. Suguru had this allure about him that made one interested in his words. He was aware of his wrongdoings as a curse user, having been informed before, but looking at this man it was becoming much more difficult to even comprehend such a thing.
He was... he just gave off this kind of sincerity that made one take to him. Made one feel safe.
Kenjaku certainly didn't just possess his body for only a technique.
Oh... isn't that something? Suguru was the body Kenjaku wanted to possess. Yuji was the body Kenjaku created to be possessed.
"You're a good person, you know." Suguru says. "You're like Haibara, someone who used to be my underclassmen. He, too, was a good person. He was one of the few bright spots of jujutsu society. Hard to believe that someone like him could smile so big after all the things we've seen. Losing him was... it took a toll on us."
"I'm sorry to hear about that." Yuji says. "It must have been hard."
"It was." Suguru sighs. "Could you do me a favor?"
"Sure."
He smiles. It's a smile different than Kenjaku's. It's not cold. It's not condescending. It's a smile of someone who's tired, yet still held some warmth in his body.
"Could you tell Satoru and Shoko I said hello? I miss them."
When he opens his eyes, he sees he's still in his dorm room. The one that's on the surface and neighbors Megumi's room. He's in the bed, face smushed in the now warm pillow. He pouts, turning onto his stomach and hugging the pillow.
"Was that a dream?" Yuji questions. He remembers vividly what he saw, what he heard. He groans. It felt real. As if he had really sat down and talked with Suguru Geto. He told him things that Yuji shouldn't have known. Some things Satoru or Shoko had mentioned in passing, but didn't go into detail about.
Suguru had told him about the incident at that village. How he summoned his more vicious of curses to kill everyone while he took twin girls under his care and away from that place. At the time, he just wanted to avenge those girls. Anger had consumed him and he wished death on those people and every non-jujutsu sorcerer.
But he regrets his actions.
"I just... lost my will to be good that day. I do feel remorse now for what I have done and nothing I can say or do make up for it. I am dead now, after all."
The past is the past. All one can do is move forward.
Yuji sighs, sitting up. He doesn't think he can go back to sleep for a long time.
"Something wrong?"
He yelps, jumping up and out his bed, getting into a defensive stance. He pinpoints where the voice came from and spots just in the darken corner of his room peeked out Megumi from the shadows. He relaxes.
"Fushiguro, don't do that!"
Megumi steps out from the shadows, coming into full view. "Sorry about that. Something told me to check up on you." He approaches Yuji, hands in the pockets of his sweats. "You look a little flustered. Are you okay?"
"Yeah. I just... had a weird dream." If he could call it that. Yuji flops back down on the bed. "I'm okay though."
The other joins him on the bed. He doesn't say a word, but his actions alone tell Yuji that he's here to comfort him. When Megumi holds his arms out to him, Yuji doesn't hesitate. He allows himself to be embraced by the older. Megumi hugs him close, allowing Yuji in the crook of his neck and his arms around his torso.
"You can talk to me about it, if you want."
He knows, but... he doesn't think this is a matter he could tell Megumi about. Not before telling two others about it.
"I know. Not right now. I'll tell you about it later."
Megumi hums, leaving it at that. Instead, he settles to make Yuji physically comfortable. He rearranges the pillows and gestures for Yuji to lay down. The other doesn't object, obeying and getting comfy on the pillows. Megumi then lays down on the other side, pulling the blanket over their bodies.
The last time they laid like this, Yuji had asked a question that Megumi still wishes he didn't.
"... could you ever hate me?"
Yuji is a person hard to hate. Only someone with a cold heart could. Even so, somehow... some way Yuji would have a chance to warm it.
Silence.
It's welcomed, neither not sure what to say, but too exhausted to say anything. Yuji, especially, basks in it. Allowing just the sound of nighttime crickets and their breathing to bless his ears. Megumi's intense green gaze is what he remembers before he's consumed by his exhaustion. He doesn't fight it, the events of today finally weighing down on him.
It is quite a wonder how Tengen managed to be isolated in their chambers all that time. Yuji would sometimes lounge there, but it didn't take long before he would make his way up to the surface of the campus.
Immortal being he may have became, but he was still a growing boy. He needed that fresh air to breathe, right? That room to move.
It's how he found himself standing at one of the entrances with his friends and Satoru the following day. Nobara and Megumi were assigned a mission.
Of course, Yuji could not accompany him due to his role. His place became interchangeable, this time Maki taking it up.
He didn't hate it, but he did miss those times.
It was just like the Junpei incident all over again. Shibuya all over again.
Yuji separated from Megumi and Nobara.
"Be careful, okay?"
Nobara reaches and pinches his arm. "Of course. No need to make Ieiri's job harder than usual, right?"
"And I'll be supervising, Yuji! No need to worry!" Satoru grins, ruffling his hair. "They're in good hands! Best teacher---"
"I'm gonna stop you there." Maki interrupts. She locks her arm with Nobara's at the elbows and pats Megumi's shoulder. "Come on, before we waste any more time here. Got curses to exorcise."
"If we're fast enough, we can leave him." Megumi comments, already taking off.
"Ah! So cruel!"
Nonetheless, Satoru did manage to keep up with his students. In fact, he walked ahead of them.
Yuji stood in the same spot, watching them. He doesn't move even when he could not see them anymore.
He's not sure to do.
"Child, what troubles you?"
He flinches, then relaxes. "Tengen."
"Is something the matter? Your cursed energy seems disturbed."
"Does it? I apologize."
"Nothing to apologize for. Never apologize for having feelings. Now, would you like to talk about it?"
Seems like anytime Yuji is feeling some kind of way, someone offers to be a listening ear. It's so often now. Yet... he's not bothered. More relieved he does have people to turn to.
"I just miss going on missions with Fushiguro and Kugisaki, is all. It's been so long since we been on one together that I almost forget what that felt like." Yuji lets out a sigh. "But I do understand why I must not leave the campus. Don't want to risk anything, you know? Gotta keep the barriers up and everything."
"Does that burdens you?"
Tengen's tone and question immediately alerts him. He clocks that they must feel guilty about his current state.
"No. I chose this duty. Remember, Tengen? Besides, the thought of keeping the schools safe brings me some peace. Please, don't blame yourself for this."
"Itadori! There you are, kid."
He turns and sees Takako coming up the path. Choso walks besides her and when he sees Yuji, he speeds up.
"Little brother, have you been here the whole time?"
Yuji chuckles. "I was just seeing the others off." He turns to Takako. "No mission?"
"Just came back from one. No problems, of course. There was some curse user who thought he could get the better of me, but I showed him otherwise. Really thought he could take me out with some weak shikigami."
Together, the trio walked away from the gate and down the path the older two just came from.
"Please tell me you didn't hurt him too bad. Better yet, you didn't kill him, right?" Yuji questions.
Takako shakes her head from left to right, her pink locks swaying. "Nope! Hey, I got better! I haven't killed anyone since the Culling Games! I turned him in to the proper people." She stretches her arms up, moaning. "Ah, this jujustu sorcerer gig is easier than I thought."
"So I take it you're adjusting well?"
Yuji recalls their first meeting. How they talked a bit about themselves and easily connected. Takako had soon found her place among the sorcerers and even joined in the fight against Sukuna, overcoming her fear.
He knew that all she wanted was a place where she could feel like her identity was her own. A place where she could be who she wanted to be. A place where she didn't feel judged and got to show off her talent. Despite working for the Higher-Ups, she at least got to work with others she could call her allies as she had before and this set of leaders were more tolerable than the last.
"It was the name he gave me. I wear it to remind myself about my past. I wear it to forge the name into my own image. Into what I want it to mean, so when I die again, it will have my meaning and not just a name someone who betrayed me gave to me."
Those are the words Takako had told him before.
He understood.
"Just fine, thanks. It was... smooth adjusting to this place."
"Even with... him here?"
Takako sighs, nodding. "Yeah, even with him here. Don't worry, I got over my issue with Okkotsu. I doubt we'll be buddies, but it's nothing."
"I'm hungry." Choso suddenly declares, hand on his stomach. "Anyone else?"
"I'm feeling a little famished, too. I haven't eaten since before I left for my mission." Takako glances at Yuji. "How about you?"
The sudden urge to use his hands hits him. "I could cook something for us. Ramen? There's this broth I've been wanting to try that I made."
"Sounds good, but you sure it won't trouble you?" Takako questions.
"Not at all. I need something to do with my hands anyways."
Minutes later, Yuji found himself moving around in the kitchen. He took out the pots and utensils he needs, a container out the refrigerator and other ingredients. Choso and Takako insisted they could help and didn't waste any time doing so. Through Yuji's instructions, Choso cooked the ham and Takako kept her eye on the broth and noodles. Meanwhile, Yuji busied himself with preparing the other add-ins. It was impressive how he worked with a knife.
"Practice." Yuji states after Takako comments on it. "Grandpa taught me a few things and they just stuck with me."
"Oh, that's neat. It's been a long time, but I used to cook with the others. We would cook big meals after a long day of doing our duties. That's one thing those assholes we worked for did do. Is provide good food for us."
"I spent most of my life so far in a jar so I barely know the basics." Choso says, flipping a slice over.
Yuji peeks over and smiles at his work.
"Well, I say you're catching on quick, big brother."
Choso quickly began to tear up. "Thank you, little brother!"
"Ch-Choso..."
Lunch had been pleasing. Yuji was satisfied with himself, happy the broth turned out as rich and flavorful as he had hoped and of course, he gave praise to Choso and Takako. Together, the three sat at one of the tables in the dining area and enjoyed their bowls of ramen.
They made conversation about their day. Takako gave them more details about her latest mission. Choso did his best to give a retelling over a movie Yuki had shown him. When it got to Yuji, the most he told about his latest development.
"I've been feeling fine adapting to Immortality. It doesn't react to the other techniques. I worried about that for a while, but I tested it and nothing."
"So you can still do Blood Manipulation?" Choso asks before slurping some noodles.
"Yes."
Takako clears her throat, grabbing the brothers' attention. "If you don't mind me bringing them up... Kenjaku? I have a question. But if you allow it!"
They eye each other before Yuji nods to give her the go.
"So you two are brothers because Kenjaku happens to be your parent?"
"True. Technically, half brothers since Kenjaku is the only parent we share, but brothers." Yuji answers. "Kenjaku possessed Kaori, my would-be mother's body. Making them my mother."
"Years before that, Kenjaku possessed the body of Noritoshi Kamo. Known to be a very cruel man. As him, Kenjaku was my father. He mixed his blood into the affairs he orchestrated." Choso adds on.
Takako nods slowly. "Aaaah, so you... Kenjaku's your father. To Itadori, Kenjaku is his mother."
"Correct."
"... freaky." She places her chopsticks in her bowl. "I remember meeting Kenjaku. They... were chilling, creepy. But they offered a chance for me to be reincarnated so I could redo my life as long as I took part in the Culling Games. Persuasive, manipulative... but at the time... I was hurt. It was... the day I was sentenced to be executed."
Yuji gets it. She just wanted a do-over. Who wouldn't? He knows he wishes for one sometimes. Especially, during all those cold months.
"You weren't the only one tricked by Kenjaku. Don't beat yourself over it." Choso says. "Besides, they... they're not a problem anymore."
"Oh."
"Yeah. No need to worry about them anymore." Yuji tells her. He reaches over and pats her hand. "I handled that."
"Well, I believe it."
"Oh, somebody's already here?"
The trio turned to see Yuta walk into the room with Toge. Seeing him, Takako sighs dramatically and drapes herself on the table, avoiding the bowls. "Aaaah, you're here!"
Yuta just chuckles. "Eventually, you're gonna get tired of doing that every time you see me."
"Nope!"
"Well, then..."
"Inumaki-senpai! Okkotsu-senpai! If you're hungry, there is some more ramen. I made enough for those who may have wanted some."
"Tuna mayo." Toge pats Yuji's shoulder as he passes him.
"You're welcome!"
Cooking and preparing food had given him something to do at that time.
He's quite surprised when he sees her walking down the pathway. It isn't often... or at all... that Shoko would be seen outside her clinic or office. Let alone not in her work attire. Right now, she was clad in sweats and a tank top. She also wore a jacket since it is cool tonight.
"Oh, you're actually outside."
Shoko looks up and comes face to face with Satoru. When they get close enough, they stop in the middle of the stone path.
"Yeah. Itadori suggested I needed more fresh air. So I'm taking his advice before the kid gets on my ass again about it."
He chuckles. "Ever since he took Tengen's place, he became more of a caretaker than just some barrier maiden."
"Yeah, well... I guess he needs something else to do since he's not out there fighting curses. Besides, it seems to be in his nature. To take care of people. He has a good heart and a good head on his shoulders." Shoko pulls her jacket tighter around herself. "Kinda like... you know..."
Satoru felts his heart ache for just that moment. Yet, he smiles. "Yeah... I know."
"... would 'barrier maiden' be the right term for Itadori?"
"He holds up the barriers now, doesn't he? Anyways, I'm going to my room. It's been a long day today and..." Satoru stops when he catches a flash of pink and white rounding a pillar. He crosses his arms. "Speaking of a certain somebody."
Shoko turns and her eyes widened at the sight of Yuji. She notes how... anxious he seems, fidgeting with the sleeve of his kimono. "Itadori, is something the matter?"
Quickly, he shakes his head. "No. I just... I actually need to speak to you two though. About... well..." He drops his sleeves. "I had a vision... a dream... I don't know what exactly but... I saw someone."
The two became curious.
"You saw someone? In your dream?"
"Yeah." He holds his head up, all four eyes glowing gold in the night's shadows and moonlight. "Your old classmate. Your friend... Geto."
As if she knew, Shoko reached out and grabbed Satoru's hand. Within a second he was squeezing it. Not enough to hurt, but enough for her to catch his tension.
"What about Suguru?" Satoru questions. He didn't sound angry, but there was that familiar hint of sadness.
"In my... dream, he talked to me. About things. Life attending the school. Life as a curse user. The more he talked, the more it was hard to believe he became such a person. He seemed he had been a good person." Yuji admits.
Shoko nods. "He was. Suguru, at one time, believed that those who can't protect themselves needed protection. He was kind. Not even just that. He actually was more popular than Gojo's pretty ass."
"More likeable than me. I couldn't be angry because... well... he was more likeable than me personality wise. And quite the looker." Satoru jokes. Despite his conflicting feelings colliding against each other in his chest, he wanted to have some laugh.
More so to ease Yuji. It worked, getting an amused smile from the teenager.
"Yeah... well... he wanted me to tell you both something. He wanted me to tell you he said 'hello' and that he misses you."
"Oh... oh..." Satoru bit at his lip, his body shaking and eyes watering. He wasn't wearing his blindfold and he hated he wasn't. He didn't want to cry. He couldn't cry. Not... he couldn't... "... he told you that?"
"Yes, sensei. He misses you."
"Suguru."
"Damn, Geto, we miss you, too." Shoko wipes at her eyes. "You bastard."
Yuji steps to the two and wraps his arms around them, doing his best to embrace them as the two begun to cry. They needed it. Even with Suguru's body properly laid to rest, his absence wasn't something to easily get over. He had been a friend to them once. Satoru's partner, Shoko's buddy. A classmate, a companion.
Even corrupted, there was still that space for him between Shoko and Satoru. Most remember him as the most dangerous curse user.
But to them? He was just Suguru Geto.
"It's later, by the way."
Yuji had not been surprised this time by Megumi's presence in his room, sitting on his bed. He felt his cursed energy when he was with Satoru and Shoko. He most likely witnessed what transpired between them.
"So, you saw Suguru Geto in your dream?"
That confirms it.
"I did." Yuji walks over to him. Then he lets Megumi hold both his hands. He didn't want to be held right now after all the weight he held minutes before. But he needed some form of touch. "I was... confused as to why because it felt it was not just a dream or vision. It felt... like I was in some other dimension maybe."
"Hm. Did it scare you? Does it scare you? This could be some new ability you obtained."
Was he scared before?
"No. No, I wasn't."
Megumi rubs his thumbs over the back of Yuji's hands. "Hm. Well, I'm here regardless if you are or not."
"I know you will be. Thanks again for that." Yuji sits next to him, letting go of one hand and leaning on Megumi's shoulder. "Granted me some bit of mercy there."
"You deserve it." The other states bluntly. "You give others mercy by being so kind. Someone has to return the favor."
"You already do. You all already been so kind to me." They celebrated his birthday just the day before.
"Want me to start being mean?"
"No!"
Megumi smiles one of those rare ones.
The room is cold, stuffy. Yet the man doesn't let it bother him anyways as he takes a knee in the middle of the room. He waits to speak, head bowed.
The silence is almost never-ending. A line being drawn on a very long sheet of paper until someone comes to snatch away that brush to speak.
"Is it true? Has the Star been reborn?"
"Yes." The man answers in a single beat. "Tengen has been born anew. In their place is a boy. Yuji Itadori."
There's a gasp, but not from the same person. "Sukuna's vessel?"
"Yes."
"I see." From the shadows, a pair of deep purples shines. "It's time for a new age to be celebrated. The Star will be the one to light the way for us. Yuji Itadori shall be the one to light the way."