TL Note: Okay, so, uh, I fucked up. Again. It's not Enzanroku, but Mushiroyama Foothills... I just checked. Damn, I'm really bad at this.
X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X
"What did I miss last night?"
Early that morning, Getou Suguru sought out Asou Akiya.
At the time, Asou Akiya iss seated at the dining table, quietly eating breakfast. Beside his plate sat a thick stack of punishment-copy assignments that Zen'in Naoya had turned in.
His breakfast is a simple bread spread with strawberry jam and a cup of warm milk.
He looked remarkably well. His clear black-and-white eyes were bright, framed by long, thick eyelashes that made him second only to Gojo Satoru in the eyelash department. His teeth were white, his lips naturally rosy, and the fine fuzz on his fair skin carried the faint sweet scent of strawberry jam.
Without realizing it, Getou Suguru found himself recalling Asou Akiya's shameless self-praise during their Yamanote Line game.
The first ten rounds had been: quiet, mature, responsible, cheerful, attentive, disciplined, considerate, cautious, discreet, independent.
The next ten: clever, beautiful, free, romantic, resolute, proud, striking, calm, passionate, youthful.
All twenty rounds had left a lasting impression. The three of them remembered every single one.
When it came to narcissism, Gojo Satoru was unquestionably number one. But as for accurately listing his own strengths, Getou Suguru had to admit that Asou Akiya's descriptions had been the closest to reality.
"Suguru, have some breakfast with me."
Asou Akiya split the bread and milk in half, offering one portion to him.
"You're the best, Akiya."
Getou Suguru sighed appreciatively at Asou Akiya's thoughtfulness. He sat down, shifted the papers scattered across the table, and glanced over the unfamiliar handwriting before letting out a laugh.
"Whose writing is this? It's so sloppy. You can tell they weren't sincere about writing it at all."
Asou Akiya replied with perfect composure, "Naoya wrote them. I'll be sure to pass your opinion along to him."
Getou Suguru fell silent.
Naoya? The Zen'in Naoya?
His curiosity was immediately piqued. He picked up the stack and carefully flipped through all one hundred handwritten copies of "I am so ugly it's earth-shattering." On the surface, it looked like nothing more than a senior assigning a junior a ridiculous punishment, and the junior dutifully completing it.
But Getou Suguru refused to believe that the younger Zen'in was the obedient type.
He channeled cursed energy into his eyes and looked more closely.
Good grief.
Every single sheet was saturated with negative emotions. The lingering traces of cursed energy Zen'in Naoya had left behind were so intense they were practically on the verge of becoming a real curse.
"Why would he actually finish copying all of this?"
"After comparing my looks with Gojo's, Naoya concluded that he's so ugly it's earth-shattering."
"Akiya..."
"You don't agree?"
"Of course I do." Getou Suguru answered without hesitation. "I completely agree with your assessment. You seem to be in an especially good mood this morning."
He spread strawberry jam onto a slice of bread with a butter knife, set it on his plate, and took a bite. The sweet-and-tart flavor was pleasantly refreshing. After washing it down with a mouthful of warm milk, he felt himself fully awake.
Smiling faintly, he said, "You really know how to enjoy life. Looks like I don't have to worry about you teaming up with Zen'in anymore."
Asou Akiya was completely unscathed, his eyes bright with energy.
"If everything required your worrying, then I'd have lived my life for nothing."
Getou Suguru raised both hands in surrender.
"My mistake. I underestimated what you're capable of."
That arrogant Zen'in-kouhai had probably evolved into a thoroughly miserable Naoya-kouhai by now. No wonder he hadn't heard Ieiri Shoko complaining about Zen'in Naoya losing his mind again.
"Suguru, I really am in a good mood today. I don't feel like talking about certain things. Let's discuss them next month."
Asou Akiya began clearing away the dishes, smiling at Getou Suguru with a meaning that was difficult to decipher.
"Take your time eating. You don't have much time left."
"..."
The moment the bread entered his mouth, Getou Suguru suddenly felt as though he were swallowing one of his cursed spirit orbs.
Asou Akiya turned on the faucet, the sound of running water filling the kitchen as his slender fingers carefully washed the plain, undecorated dishes.
His tastes were obvious at a glance.
He liked things that were simple, clean, comfortable, and full of character.
Getou Suguru walked over, intending to wash the dishes he had used, only to have Asou Akiya stop him.
Turning slightly, Asou Akiya patted both of Getou Suguru's cheeks with his damp hands. The fresh citrus scent of dish soap drifted through the air.
"You've been working hard lately. You look like you haven't been getting enough sleep, so leave this to me."
—He was being looked after again.
Getou Suguru never mentioned how Gojo Satoru had woken him up in the middle of the night, leaving him unable to fall back asleep. Yet somehow, Asou Akiya had seen straight through him anyway.
Looking down at him, Getou Suguru suddenly realized that last year he could occasionally see the crown of Asou Akiya's head when they stood together. But this year, all he saw was the warm, jade-like smile on his face. He was no longer one of the shorter boys in their year.
"Akiya, I just realized you've grown quite a bit taller."
"You only noticed now? Be careful, I might overtake you one day."
"As if that could ever happen!"
Even after leaving the school in an assistant supervisor's car, Getou Suguru couldn't help patting his own cheeks. His earlier confidence had begun to waver, and he found himself genuinely concerned about the possibility of being overtaken in height.
"...Maybe it's not impossible after all?"
Compared to Akiya, he paid far less attention to getting proper nutrition, and his growth had been slow. Gojo Satoru had even pointed it out the last time.
"Hm? It smells like oranges... the scent that Satoru hates?"
No, that wasn't right.
What Satoru hated were rotten oranges.
If there were a brand-new little orange like Akiya, Satoru wouldn't hate it in the slightest. He'd probably adore it.
Who could dislike a friend who cared for them so thoughtfully?
Someone who helped you without expecting anything in return...
Someone who was there solely for your sake...
Getou Suguru glanced at his reflection in the car window and saw a face so jealous it almost made his teeth ache.
Akiya, considering how hard I've been working exorcising curses... could you go easy on me next month?
...
Golden autumn arrived, and with it came September.
The strange school legends of Tokyo Jujutsu High once again flourished—so much so that even the city bus drivers had heard about them.
First: Never carry coins with you.
Second: If someone smiles at you, find somewhere to exchange your coins as soon as possible.
Third: The restroom is the safest place.
After spending so much time around the people of Tokyo Jujutsu High, Okamoto Yujirou had developed a healthy reverence for anything supernatural. He had noticed that more than one passenger boarding at Mushiro Station paid their fare either with a transit card or with paper bills, never with coins.
After September began, not a single person took out any coins. It was as though carrying loose change invited bad luck.
When Nanami Kento and Haibara Yu boarded the bus, Okamoto Yujirou immediately recognized Haibara Yu. The energetic boy, who always wore his school jacket unzipped, was the easiest Tokyo Jujutsu High student to talk to—and, until now, the only one who had willingly paid with coins.
Working up his courage for the sake of his family and friends, Okamoto Yujirou cautiously asked, "Excuse me, but... is it unsafe to use coins these days?"
Haibara Yu blinked blankly for two seconds, his eyes turning into little dots.
"Nanami, what's wrong with coins?"
A vein throbbed on the forehead of Nanami Kento, whose bangs were neatly parted.
"Of course there's a problem."
"You've forgotten? Gojo-senpai has been carrying that piggy bank around all month, looking for us."
At Nanami Kento's reminder, Haibara Yu suddenly understood. He smacked a fist into his palm.
"Oh, right! At first, everyone was fooled by Gojo-senpai's smile. Seeing how happy he looked, it felt awkward to refuse him. Later, we all started trying to avoid him, but it turned out nowhere was safe except the restroom. He's seriously incredible—he can tell at a glance whether you've got coins in your pockets."
Okamoto Yujirou was completely lost.
Haibara Yu hurried to explain.
"Driver-san, coins themselves aren't dangerous. But if you ever see a white-haired senior carrying a cat-shaped piggy bank with the words 'May Fortune and Wealth Gather' written on the front, just give him a coin. He'll smile so happily at you. And if you ever run into trouble, he'll be willing to help you out once."
Nanami Kento said expressionlessly, "Whether he helps or not depends entirely on his mood. Sometimes he'll even force food you hate on you because he's convinced you'll like it."
Haibara Yu recalled, "Though Asou-senpai and Getou-senpai will usually help too."
He had also discovered another benefit.
"As long as you've donated a coin, you can use his reaction stickers, and he won't get mad!"
Grinning at the driver, who was obviously an ordinary civilian, Haibara Yu concluded, "Overall, as long as you don't mind spending a little money, it's a pretty good deal!"
After finishing their conversation, the two Tokyo Jujutsu High students dropped their coins into the fare box, boarded the bus, and habitually took seats in the back.
Only people like them could see through the mist at the final stop, Mushiroyama Foothills*, and glimpse the truth beyond it. Those outside their world would never understand where all those exceptionally fit, impossibly attractive graduates disappeared to after leaving school.
Relieved, Okamoto Yujirou watched the two students—who had often looked exhausted throughout the summer—head back toward campus.
It seems autumn is a more relaxing season for them.
Passing beneath the torii gate at the foot of the mountain path and climbing flight after flight of stone steps, Nanami Kento and Haibara Yu were surprised to spot Zen'in Naoya carrying a bag full of bottled drinks toward the athletic field.
The sight was so down-to-earth that it shattered the young master's aura all over again.
The two recalled the rumors circulating around Tokyo Jujutsu High: Zen'in Naoya had exceeded his summer mission quota, received zero complaints, and had even exorcised a Grade 1 cursed spirit while teamed up with Asou-senpai.
"Want to go take a look?" Haibara Yu asked, grabbing Nanami Kento, who clearly had no desire to get involved.
"...Let's stay out of Zen'in's affairs."
But unable to refuse his classmate, Nanami Kento reluctantly followed.
Near the edge of the athletic field, Zen'in Naoya handed the drinks to Asou Akiya. Sitting opposite each other on the tiled edge of a flower bed, Asou Akiya and Getou Suguru were playing Go. Getou Suguru, still learning the rules, wore an expression of utter frustration.
Zen'in Naoya had never believed in keeping silent while watching a game.
He bent down without the slightest hesitation and openly offered advice.
"Getou-kun, play here."
Getou Suguru accepted the suggestion immediately.
"Thanks, Naoya-kouhai."
Once Haibara Yu realized what the three of them were doing, he scratched his head.
"So they're just playing Go."
Looking around, he suddenly said, "I happen to have some coins on me. Where's Gojo-senpai?"
Nanami Kento, who had no interest in Go whatsoever, shot him a glare.
"Don't say his name."
These days, Tokyo Jujutsu High had two notoriously unreliable sayings.
The first was: never wave around a large banknote on campus while calling out "Mei Mei."
The second was: never hold up a single coin and shout "Gojo Satoru."
Because there was a very real chance that they would actually appear.
Haibara Yu laughed heartily.
"It's fine, Nanami. I'll pay your coin for you."
They waited and waited, but Gojo-senpai never appeared. Then realization dawned on Haibara Yu.
"So that's why Gojo-senpai isn't here playing Go—he's not at school."
One of the black-haired senpais ahead of them let out a soft chuckle.
It was a clear, pleasant laugh. The hand holding a Go stone was strikingly elegant, and when his warm gaze turned toward them, it seemed to carry the lingering warmth of late summer. The season's fading heat and the chorus of cicadas alike were reflected in those clear black eyes, making him seem almost detached from the mundane world. It was impossible not to be drawn into that quiet kindness.
More than once, Haibara Yu had thought that Asou Akiya is the most dependable senpai at Tokyo Jujutsu High.
Asou Akiya said, "Gojo went home for a while. Were you looking for him?"
Haibara Yu snapped to attention with an exaggerated salute.
"No, Asou-senpai, sir! We just think it's fun trying to summon Gojo-senpai ourselves!"
Nanami Kento sighed weakly.
"Haibara, I don't think so... Please don't drag me into this."
Haibara Yu grinned sheepishly.
"When you're standing in front of your seniors, you've got to say nice things!"
Getou Suguru finally gave up brooding over the game. Casting aside his pride, he vacated his seat at the Go board for Zen'in Naoya.
"I'll go chat with the juniors."
Stretching lazily, Getou Suguru joined the two first-years. After chatting with them for a while, he found himself in a much better mood.
They were both beginners at Go, but Asou Akiya had far more patience and perseverance than he did. Getou Suguru had no interest in memorizing game records just for a leisurely board game; he'd much rather learn through playing actual matches.
Resting his right hand on the shoulder of the seated black-haired young man, Getou Suguru asked, "Akiya, do you know why Satoru went home? He didn't even post a selfie."
The gesture wasn't merely familiar.
His fingertips shifted slightly, casually massaging Asou Akiya's neck and shoulders—an area that would normally be considered a vulnerable spot for any jujutsu sorcerer.
Asou Akiya told him to stop, while Getou Suguru only laughed and said that he'd been too busy lately and was simply taking the opportunity to reconnect.
Zen'in Naoya stole a glance at them.
Damn it. Akiya-kun hadn't even slapped Getou-kun's thieving hand away.
With a helpless sigh, Asou Akiya said, "That's his private business. Call him yourself if you want to know."
Getou Suguru dialed Gojo Satoru's number. No one answered.
Raising an eyebrow, he said, "Looks like I'm out of options. I'll have to rely on Akiya's brain and make an educated guess."
Asou Akiya replied, "It's probably family training..."
Getou Suguru lightly scratched beneath Asou Akiya's chin with one of his black-painted fingernails.
"Go on."
Asou Akiya shot him an exasperated look.
"Stop flirting with people."
He continued, "The Gojo Clan recently captured a cursed spirit with a very unusual technique to add to their collection. The Gojo clan head summoned Gojo home, and there's a good chance Naoya, as someone from one of the Three Great Clans, will run into that cursed spirit someday too."
Zen'in Naoya's expression immediately turned sour.
"If a cursed spirit is kept around specifically for our special training and we're not even allowed to exorcise it, then it's guaranteed to be the most disgusting thing imaginable."
Noticing that Getou Suguru looked puzzled, Asou Akiya explained simply, "It's exposure therapy."
If a jujutsu sorcerer was afraid of tentacle-type cursed spirits, the clan would force their descendants to spend time with tentacle-type curses every day—and forbid them from exorcising them.
If a sorcerer feared the dark, the clan would make them remain in darkness with cursed spirits day after day until they overcame that fear.
"Would something like that even work on Satoru?" Getou Suguru found it hard to imagine Gojo Satoru being afraid of anything. "He's got nerves of steel. Could it be something like a kissing cursed spirit? Though if Satoru stopped worrying about the surroundings, he'd probably just kick it away."
Asou Akiya had his own suspicions.
In the original story, during Gojo Satoru's battle with Ryomen Sukuna, he had once mentioned that he'd undergone special training.
"My guess..." Asou Akiya said thoughtfully, "...is that he'll be fine. He should be able to do what's necessary without hesitation."
…
Kyoto, the Gojo Estate.
Thanks to the massive surge of cursed spirits over the summer, the Gojo family's cursed spirit repository had become far more plentiful than before—so much so that it had become the nightmare of every young clan member.
Today, the clan elders had cleared the area and imposed strict secrecy for Gojo Satoru's special training.
Standing alone in the open field was a high-grade cursed spirit whose innate technique revolved around imitation.
Its appearance resembled a grotesque, artificial doll wrapped from head to toe in talismans. It had been born from humanity's fear of people who looked almost—but not quite—the same. Once the talismans sealing it were removed, it would transform into someone intimately familiar to whoever looked at it. Only by killing every familiar "person" the cursed spirit revealed, one after another, could a jujutsu sorcerer break its technique.
To capture this high-grade cursed spirit for training purposes, the Gojo family had dispatched two Grade 1 sorcerers. They had taken great care not to damage the cursed spirit, successfully preserving it as another valuable asset of the clan.
The head of the Gojo clan reminded him solemnly,
"Satoru-sama, please show restraint. Under no circumstances are you to exorcise this cursed spirit."
Gojo Satoru stood with one hand in his pocket while the fingers of the other swayed idly at his side, carrying an air that hovered somewhere between harmless ease and quiet terror.
He agreed without hesitation, utterly fearless.
"Let's begin."