Shoko Ieiri stubbed out her second cigarette.
"Geto," she looked at Suguru Geto with complex eyes, "I know you mean well. You want to fundamentally solve the problem of cursed spirits, to ensure that no more innocent people in this world die because of them. But…"
She paused. "There are roads that, once you start climbing, you can't turn back. Especially when that road requires you to decide what form all of humanity should take."
Geto was silent. He picked up his cooled milk and took a sip.
"I know," he finally said. "So it's just… an idea. A distant goal. I won't act rashly until I find a way to do it."
Satoru Gojo straightened up again and patted Geto on the shoulder.
"Then think slowly, research slowly," he said. "We have time. Sukuna has awakened. Zen'in Genji has awakened. This era is getting more and more lively. Don't worry. Take it one step at a time."
Geto looked at Satoru Gojo, then at Ieiri, and then smiled. It was the kind of smile that appeared when you dropped all pretenses and looked your true friends in the eye.
"Yeah," he nodded. "One step at a time."
Nanako and Mimiko looked up and whispered, "Master Geto, can we go to the gachapon machine over there…"
"Go ahead," Geto said softly. "Don't go far."
The two girls cheered happily and ran to the gachapon machine in the corner of the shop.
Ieiri watched their backs and suddenly said, "Geto, you're adopting more and more children."
"They're all family," Geto said, an indescribable tenderness in his voice. "They had a hard time before. Now… at least they have a place to come home to."
Satoru Gojo grinned. "So you're actually a super dad, Godfather?"
"Shut up."
The three of them looked at each other and laughed. The afternoon sun streamed through the glass windows onto the table. The background music in the dessert shop changed to light jazz.
At this moment, it felt like going back ten years. In the classrooms of the Jujutsu High, in the shade of the trees on the training ground, in the izakaya after missions—three problem students, three future special grades, three young people who believed in changing the world.
Times had changed too much, but some things seemed to remain.
"By the way," Ieiri remembered something. "Did you see what Lord Zen'in Genji looks like? Is he the same as in the records?"
Geto thought for a moment, then smiled.
"Very young. Looks seventeen or eighteen. He wears indigo hunting robes. His temperament… is special. Calm, profound, but sometimes shows a childlike side—for example, his eyes light up when eating dessert."
Satoru Gojo leaned in with interest. "What about his strength? Could you feel how strong he is?"
Geto was silent for a few seconds, then slowly shook his head.
"Bottomless," he said honestly. "He stood in front of me, and I couldn't feel any fluctuation of cursed energy at all—not that there was none, but it was 'solidified' to the point of being completely integrated with the environment, undetectable without actively releasing it. And…"
He paused and added, "He saw through my technique. Not with his eyes, but with a deeper perception. I even felt that if he wanted to, he could instantly see all my thoughts and memories."
Satoru Gojo whistled.
"I really want to fight him."
"You can't beat him," Geto shot him down mercilessly. "Lord Zen'in Genji is the only opponent Sukuna acknowledges. He's the god who suppressed an entire era. You're strong, but you…"
"But I'm still improving," Satoru Gojo said with a smile. "And whether you can win or not, you won't know until you fight. After I finish dealing with Itadori, I'll find time to visit this 'senior.'"
Ieiri took a sip of her coffee.
"A god from a thousand years ago, the King of Curses… now that both have awakened, this world is probably going to be turned upside down."
"Isn't that more interesting?" Satoru Gojo stretched. "The stagnant waters of the jujutsu world have needed a stir for a long time."
Geto smiled and said nothing. He looked out the window. The streets were filled with traffic and pedestrians rushing about. Everyone was running for their lives. Everyone was generating negative emotions. And everyone was unconsciously feeding cursed spirits.
And in a corner of the city, a thousand-year-old soul was adapting to a new era.
"By the way," Satoru Gojo remembered, "that kid Yuji Itadori—I'm going to have him live at the school. Are there still empty rooms in the college dormitory?"
"Yes," Ieiri said. "But you need to report it to Principal Yaga first. Sukuna's vessel enrolling—that group of old men is definitely going to kick up a fuss."
"Let them kick," Satoru Gojo said nonchalantly. "They can't control me anyway. And…"
He paused, a sly smile spreading across his face.
"I have a better idea. Since Lord Zen'in Genji is protecting that girl named Eriri Sawamura, and she's suspected of having awakened her perception of cursed energy… what if we had her come to the college too? She could be a classmate for Itadori."
Geto raised an eyebrow. "You want to recruit Lord Zen'in Genji into the Jujutsu High?"
"Not 'recruit,' 'invite,'" Satoru Gojo corrected. "Don't you think so? A thousand-year-old god of curses, a student at a modern school—that's an interesting picture."
Ieiri shook her head. "You really aren't afraid of chaos."
"It's called adding color to a boring world~"
The three of them chatted a bit about the college curriculum, the recent increase in cursed spirit incidents, and possible future cooperation. Nanako and Mimiko came running back happily with the toys they wanted to show them.
At three in the afternoon, the gathering ended. Satoru Gojo had to pick up Yuji Itadori for enrollment. Geto had to return to the Star Religious Group to handle matters. Ieiri had to go back to the college infirmary to be on duty.
At the shop entrance, the three said their goodbyes.
"Geto," Satoru Gojo suddenly stopped him. "Your plan… if the day comes to implement it, let me know."
Geto turned and looked at him.
"If that day comes?"
"Then I'll help you," Satoru Gojo said, the corner of his mouth curving into an arc beneath his blindfold. "Even though I think the idea is insane, if it's you… insane or not, it's better than doing nothing and watching the world rot."
Geto was stunned. He looked at Satoru Gojo for a long time, then smiled.
"Thank you, Satoru."
"You're welcome~"
The three of them parted ways, heading in different directions.