..Early the next morning, as the group arrived at the classroom, they saw Junpei already sitting inside, greeting them.
The young man had a clear smile on his face; unlike his usual self, he looked completely relaxed, as if a great burden had been lifted.
The hair on his forehead still hung down; he hadn't changed his hairstyle, feeling it would be a bit strange to suddenly change it like that.
But unlike the discomfort he used to feel when seeing that strand of hair, now he sometimes unconsciously smiled foolishly while touching his own hair.
It made Sukuna start to wonder if he had accidentally cured the boy's brain into foolishness during the treatment.
[Is this kid really okay? Should I check him?]
Sukuna was conflicted. Could his Reverse Cursed Technique actually create a mentally disabled person?
Itadori kept covering his mouth to stifle his laughter, afraid to laugh too obviously, holding it in until his stomach hurt... After a while, Fushiguro arrived at the classroom.
He walked up to the podium and dropped a bombshell the moment he opened his mouth.
"Today we're having a history lesson, covering common knowledge about the history of the Jujutsu World—"
"—The topic is: Ryomen Sukuna."
Nobara instantly spat out the mouthful of water she had just drunk.
Junpei froze for a moment, then slowly widened his eyes.
Itadori looked up, staring blankly at Fushiguro.
Inside the Inner World, Sukuna "whooshed" up from the bed—
[No! Fushiguro, what's wrong with you?!]
You brat, you have no martial ethics!—
Itadori slowly came to his senses, suddenly enlightened... My god... Fushiguro, so the way you said you'd "handle this later" yesterday was this method!
—Telling Junpei everything about Ryomen Sukuna openly and honestly?
Sukuna was still anxiously shouting at Itadori inside the Inner World.
[Quick, tell him to stop talking!]
Itadori paused for a moment, then suddenly raised a hand to cover his mouth, speaking softly in a voice Junpei wouldn't notice.
"I think this is pretty good. Just let Fushiguro talk."
"Didn't you also want to see Junpei's reaction?"
Sukuna: [...]
...Good grief, so you're on the opposing side too!
He plopped back onto the bed in frustration.
His whole body was radiating resentment... Damn it... You two are going to be the death of me sooner or later!
...Fushiguro couldn't hear Sukuna's voice.
Of course, even if he could hear it, he would continue speaking without hesitation.
He had accumulated ample experience dealing with these situations thanks to Gojo—that is, cutting the knot quickly and decisively, without delay.
He spoke about Ryomen Sukuna's deeds from a thousand years ago, the twenty cursed object fingers, the Curses attracted by the fingers, and finally, Itadori eating the fingers and resurrecting Sukuna within himself.
Throughout the entire process, Junpei's emotions were like riding a roller coaster.
When he heard that Sukuna was inside Itadori, he quickly turned his head and stared wide-eyed at Itadori.
Itadori coughed lightly.
"So, Sukuna was able to sense what was happening near that finger, which is why he could notify me to save you."
"Also, the one who treated you yesterday was Sukuna, not me."
"He felt that his fingers were responsible for harming your family, so he didn't dare come out to see you. He insisted I tell you to close your eyes before he would appear."
Sukuna: [...]
...Damn it... You've exposed all my secrets!
Junpei: "..."
...What kind of adorable and awkward behavior is this?
Junpei took a deep breath.
So that's how it is.
So the person who rushed into his house that day with the black Cursed Marks on his face was actually Sukuna? And turning around afterward, pretending to wipe off a sticker, was actually switching back to Classmate Itadori?
...So he had already met Sukuna back then!
He recalled the obvious nervousness and concern on Sukuna's face when he rushed in.
There was also the warm touch when he treated his scar yesterday, and that low, soothing voice saying—"All done"... His previously tense body slowly relaxed.
"Is Sukuna... here right now?"
"He is, he is." Itadori quickly replied.
Then he lowered his head and called out to his Nuo, looking as if he was speaking to something inside his own body.
"Sukuna, do you want to switch out?"
Sukuna was conflicted.
He wasn't mentally prepared, and if he switched out only to be scolded, where would he put his face?
After hesitating for a moment, he still spoke.
[...The back of the hand.]
"Ah? Oh, oh, oh!"
Itadori immediately stretched out the back of his hand, explaining to Junpei.
"Sukuna is going to open a mouth on the back of my hand to talk to you in a moment. Just treat my hand as him."
Junpei: "..."
He remained perfectly composed.
After all, having his worldview shattered so many times, he was now well-trained; even if a Gundam landed right in front of him, he wouldn't be surprised.
He stared curiously at the back of Itadori's hand, but for a long time, nothing changed.
Itadori thought for a moment, then whispered to Junpei.
"Wait a little longer. Sukuna is a bit shy. He'll be out soon."
Sukuna: [...!!!]
Shy?! You are the one who's shy!!
How could he, the King of Curses, possibly feel shy?!
Then he quickly surfaced—
Junpei immediately saw a mouth full of sharp teeth appear on the back of Itadori's hand.
Above the mouth was a single eye with crimson pupils.
Junpei: "..."
—Even with mental preparation, it was still horrifying.
Sukuna: "..."
—Although he had surfaced, his mind was completely blank.
The man and the mouth stared at each other, neither speaking first.
The air was silent for five seconds, then both spoke at the same time.
Sukuna: "I apologize..."
Junpei: "Thank you!"
...Huh?
Sukuna's apology came to an abrupt halt.
Then he heard Junpei continue: "I know the matter with the fingers wasn't your intention, and I'm truly grateful that you were willing to save us. If it's possible, could I ask you to look out for me in the future?"
"Also... thank you for helping me heal my injury yesterday."
As Junpei spoke, he showed a warm, shallow smile that was happy and completely free of gloom.
Sukuna froze in a daze.
Watching Junpei's smile, his heart felt as if it were being bathed in warm sunlight, and something inside him was about to melt.
It took him a moment to react, and he immediately said.
"Ah, er, uh... This, this is nothing, it's just a small thing!"
...He... wasn't scolded... It was as if a tail wagged behind him once, and then again.
A strange emotion surged through his body. Sukuna felt this emotion, and his mood suddenly brightened.
"Looking out for you... *cough*, of course, no problem! I'll protect you from now on!"
He was quite happy. Although Itadori had counseled him last night, now that he had received forgiveness from the person concerned, he finally felt relieved~
"Well, that's that. You guys go to class! Pay attention and don't waste time!~"
He couldn't help it; a slight upward lilt appeared in his voice.
After speaking, he quickly retreated.
Junpei looked at the vanished mouth, his expression somewhat distracted.
He suddenly recalled what Classmate Itadori had told him yesterday—"He really is a very good person."
That's right... This Sukuna is indeed a very good person... No, a Curse... Why is it that even the Curses around Classmate Itadori are so good?!
Fushiguro, standing nearby, suddenly coughed heavily twice, interrupting Junpei's train of thought.
He looked up and saw Fushiguro staring at him with a calm and serious expression.
"Our school... really isn't involved with the yakuza."
After speaking, Fushiguro turned his head and glared fiercely at Nobara and Itadori... and the Sukuna inside him.
Where did you two get all this talk about protecting people?!
What are we going to do if you lead this perfectly good newcomer astray?!
×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×
Read Extra Chapter Visit My Patreon
I have only 1 tier
19$ Tier – Access to 40 advance chapters
patreon.com/Lempil
patreon.com/Lempil