Two months was enough time for many things to change.
For instance, Kama's status at Jujutsu High.
The ten-meter crater on the Training Ground, combined with the Special Grade Cursed Spirit in the hospital that had been blasted into nothingness by a single arrow—these two events produced a devastating effect.
At the time, Masamichi Yaga had stared blankly at the crater, and after returning to his office to hear the Assistant Director's report on the hospital incident, he silently crafted two Cursed Corpses before he finally managed to compose himself.
He said only one thing to Gojo Satoru.
"Let her do whatever she wants."
"As long as she doesn't blow up the Training Ground again."
Gojo Satoru laughed so hard he nearly tumbled out of the window.
As for the Higher-ups?
They had initially put on airs and sent people to "invite" Kama twice, but they became much better behaved after the personnel they sent were admitted to the ICU.
So now, Kama lived an easy and free life, devoid of any restraints.
Going on missions? It depended on her mood.
Training? Unnecessary.
Academic classes? What were those? Were they edible?
She spent most of her time in her dorm or, like today, finding a deserted spot to zone out. Occasionally, when she was in a good mood, she would join the First-year trio on a mission. Then, the moment the target Cursed Spirit appeared, she would raise her hand and fire a single arrow, solving the problem and heading home.
Moreover, a second ten-meter crater never appeared again.
Principal Yaga expressed great relief at this.
She was much more obedient than Gojo Satoru and...
...
On Saturday, the weather that morning was impossibly good.
Kugisaki Nobara's fingers flew across her phone screen, a piece of toast hanging from her mouth as she mumbled indistinctly.
"This place... the rating is so high... the newly opened... Yakiniku Restaurant..."
Itadori Yuji was leaning over the table, but he looked up at those words.
"Yakiniku Restaurant? Which one?"
"The one that just opened in the Commercial District." Kugisaki Nobara turned her phone screen toward him. "Look, a 4.8 rating. All the reviews say the meat is su—per delicious!"
Itadori Yuji's eyes lit up instantly.
"Really?! Then let's go eat! We don't have any missions today, right?!"
"I was thinking the exact same thing!"
Kugisaki Nobara stuffed the last bite of toast into her mouth and hopped off the sofa, hands on her hips.
"Call Fushiguro! And Kama!"
Itadori Yuji asked, "Will Kama go?"
"She's going whether she likes it or not!"
Kugisaki Nobara waved her hand with immense confidence.
"It's already been two months! Aside from missions, she just huddles in her room and spaces out! If this keeps up, she'll grow mushrooms! As her classmates, it's our duty to take her out and let her experience the life of a normal high schooler!"
"You go get Fushiguro, I'll go get Kama!"
After spending these past two months together, she had become quite familiar with Kama's temperament.
Even though she would occasionally say things like, I don't think it's a good thing to get on good terms with me, she was actually just a tsundere who responded well to gentleness but not to force. In moments like this, you just had to drag her along. She wouldn't refuse.
No sooner said than done.
Five minutes later, Kugisaki Nobara stood outside Kama's dorm. She took a deep breath and raised her hand to pound on the door.
"Kama! Open up! I know you're in there!"
Silence reigned inside.
Undeterred, Kugisaki Nobara continued to knock.
"I heard a sound! If you've got the guts to watch TV, don't pretend you're not there!"
Still no movement.
Kugisaki Nobara narrowed her eyes, pulled out her phone, opened a music app, found a song, cranked the volume to the max, and hit play.
Ear-splitting Death Metal Rock instantly exploded.
Bang bang bang—Clang clang clang—Aaaargh—
The door flew open.
Kama stood behind the door, her expression cold enough to freeze a penguin.
"Turn it off."
The voice was soft, but Kugisaki Nobara swore she heard murderous intent.
She quickly killed the music, shoved her phone back into her pocket, and offered a smile that was suspiciously bright.
"Morning, Kama! It's such a nice day! Want to go out shopping?"
Kama looked at her without saying a word.
Her gaze seemed to say, Has your brain been scrambled by a Cursed Spirit?
Kugisaki Nobara didn't bat an eye and continued her sales pitch.
"A new Yakiniku Restaurant opened in the Commercial District! 4.8 rating! The meat is super delicious! My treat!"
Kama took a step back, looking as if she were about to close the door.
Kugisaki Nobara was quick, bracing her hand against the doorframe.
"Come on! Look, you've been cooped up for days! Go for a walk! Just do it to keep me company!"
Kama's gaze lingered on her face for three seconds.
Then she sighed.
"...A pain."
The moment she heard that, Kugisaki Nobara knew she had succeeded and immediately pressed her advantage.
"Then it's a deal! Meet at the school gate in ten minutes! Don't be late!"
Without waiting for Kama's response, she turned and ran, fearing the girl would change her mind.
Kama stood at the door, watching Kugisaki Nobara's retreating figure, and sighed again.
Ten minutes later, at the school gate.
Itadori Yuji and Fushiguro Megumi were already waiting there.
Kugisaki Nobara ran over with Kama following slowly behind her.
"Everyone's here! Let's go!" she declared with a wave of her arm.
Itadori Yuji cooperated perfectly, raising both hands. "Ohhh—!"
Fushiguro Megumi: "...Oh."
Kama followed the trio with her hands in her coat pockets.
As they walked, Kugisaki Nobara flipped through her phone, muttering to herself.
"I originally wanted to invite the second-year seniors too... but Maki-senpai and the others have a mission today and couldn't come."
"Which means it's just the four of us this time."
Itadori Yuji leaned in. "Then we'll invite them along next time!"
"Good idea!"
Listening from the side, the corner of Fushiguro's mouth twitched imperceptibly.
He had a feeling that, given this group's impulsiveness, this gathering would most likely evolve into some sort of disaster.
But he didn't say it.
After all, saying it wouldn't help anyway.