"But it's a bit unfair for the four of us to fight one," Gojo Satoru conceded, his tone shifting to a playful pitch. "So, how about we play a little game? Let's decide the winner with rock-paper-scissors. The winner exorcises the Cursed Spirit, and the losers stay behind as punishment."
"Agreed!" the other three replied in unison.
"Rock, paper, scissors!"
At Shoko's command, Kamo Itsuki, Gojo, and Geto Suguru revealed their hands. The air seemed to solidify for a moment, followed by a helpless sigh from Itsuki.
"Hahaha, seems the result is obvious," Gojo laughed loudly. "A bet is a bet. Suguru and I will handle the exorcism. You stay here with Shoko."
"You two better put in some effort," Kamo said, feigning reluctance. "Don't make me wait too long, or I might not be able to resist jumping in myself."
"Don't worry," Gojo replied with effortless confidence. "This Cursed Spirit is a piece of cake for us." He then turned to Geto, a competitive glint in his eye. "Suguru, let's make it a race—see who deals with it first."
The two exchanged a knowing smile, poised at the same starting line.
"One, two, three, go!" Kamo called out.
Before the words fully left his mouth, Gojo and Geto shot toward the elevator like arrows. Yet, to no one's surprise, they jammed themselves simultaneously in the doorway, neither willing to yield.
"Are they… really okay like this?" Ieiri Shoko watched their childish stalemate, raising a hand to her face. "That's a Grade 1 Cursed Spirit."
"Don't worry, Shoko," Kamo reassured her calmly. "You know Gojo's strength, and Suguru isn't far behind. Even if they struggle, we're still here, right?"
"None of you are reliable," Shoko muttered, then fixed him with a serious look. "Itsuki, remember—even if you get injured, you absolutely must hold on until I come to save you."
"That's why you awakened your Reverse Cursed Technique, Shoko. You truly have the heart of a bodhisattva."
After a moment longer, Kamo stood up. "Let's head up and check on them. A mere Grade 1 Cursed Spirit should be dealt with by now."
When Kamo and Shoko reached the eighteenth floor, they arrived just in time to see Geto Suguru compressing a Cursed Spirit into a small, dark orb, preparing to bring it to his lips.
"What is that you're holding?" Shoko asked, curiosity lighting her features. "Is this part of your technique?"
"That's right," Geto confirmed, pausing his motion. "This is my Cursed Spirit Manipulation. I can absorb Cursed Spirits into these orbs by swallowing them, then summon them when needed to fight alongside me."
"Do they taste good?" Gojo interjected, a mischievous lilt in his voice. "What's the flavor like?"
Geto offered a wry smile. "If I had to describe it… it's as disgusting as a rag wiped with vomit."
Hearing this, the other three couldn't help but glance at him with a mix of sympathy and deep respect—their silent looks seemed to say, You've truly suffered for the peace of the Jujutsu world.
"If you trust me," Kamo Itsuki spoke up suddenly, "I might have a way to improve that."
"We're all classmates. Of course I trust you," Geto replied, though a hint of doubt colored his tone. "But this is a limitation of my innate technique. What method could you possibly have?"
"It's related to my own technique. Just give me a moment." Kamo reached out and rested his hand lightly on Geto's shoulder. A faint, pulsating red glow emanated from his fingers, signaling the activation of his cursed energy.
After a few seconds, the light faded. "Alright," Kamo said softly. "Now try swallowing the orb again."
Geto regarded the dark sphere with semi-skeptical eyes, the familiar disgust already creeping onto his face. Gojo and Shoko watched intently, captivated by his reaction.
He placed the orb in his mouth and swallowed it in one go.
Then, his expression shifted—from prepared revulsion, to shock, then to disbelief, and finally, to something akin to exhilaration.
Watching the rapid change sweep over Geto's face, Kamo Itsuki allowed himself a small, knowing smile. He had succeeded.
Gojo Satoru and Ieiri Shoko hopped around him with impatient curiosity. "What exactly happened? Speak up!" Gojo demanded, unable to stand the suspense.
"If I had to describe it," Geto Suguru said, carefully savoring the aftertaste, "it's like a marshmallow dipped in honey. A bit too sweet, honestly."
"Puhaha! It really worked!" Gojo erupted into laughter, and Shoko's face broke into a genuine, relieved smile. Their shared delight was palpable.
"If you find it too sweet, I can fine-tune it further," Kamo Itsuki offered, still smiling though a flicker of weariness crossed his eyes.
"If it's possible," Geto ventured, a new hopefulness in his tone, "I'd prefer a taste closer to the rich, mellow flavor of hand-ground coffee."
"That's… quite a specific request." This time, it was Kamo's turn to smile wryly. Externally, he seemed to merely take a few steadying breaths, but the task was a tremendous mental strain—requiring flawless, microscopic manipulation of neural pathways. A single error was unthinkable.
But he had started this, so he would see it through. With patient focus, Kamo began adjusting, calibrating the sensation through subtle feedback until, at last, a deeply satisfied smile settled on Geto's face.
"Ah, I'm exhausted," Kamo sighed, sinking to the ground, too drained to move. Geto's newfound specificity had been demanding; after enduring the vile taste for so long, he was eager to perfect it, but the precision had left Kamo utterly spent.
"Quick, test if your Cursed Technique is still functioning normally," Shoko reminded, ever practical.
Geto summoned the spirit he had just absorbed. It materialized obediently, no different from before. The final knot of worry in his chest unraveled completely.
"Of course there's no problem," Kamo explained from his spot on the floor. "I used my clan's Blood Manipulation to alter his taste perception. It doesn't touch the Cursed Technique itself."
"I've never heard of Blood Manipulation having that function," Gojo mused, his head tilting with curiosity.
"Not hearing about it doesn't mean it doesn't exist. There's a lot you don't know." Kamo deflected casually, not wishing to delve deeper.
In the end, the four had not only completed their first mission successfully but had also resolved a profound personal hardship for Geto Suguru. To celebrate, they decided to use their mission stipend on a lavish meal together.
The dinner did more than satisfy their hunger; it wove the first strong threads of camaraderie between them.
***
Three months later, under the clear sky of the Jujutsu High sports field, they had just finished Principal Yaga's grueling ten-thousand-meter sprint. Gojo, Geto, and Shoko sat by the track, catching their breath.
"You two want to learn the Reverse Cursed Technique?" Shoko asked, kneading her sore calves. She could have erased the fatigue instantly, but Yaga had insisted on the natural ache, claiming it built character.
"It would be incredibly convenient to master," Gojo replied, nodding as he stretched his arms behind his head. The unspoken agreement hung between them—another challenge to undertake, another skill to add to their growing arsenal.
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