Sukuna's birthday celebration ended in a lively, festive atmosphere.
Everyone stayed behind to tidy up for him, peeling off the transparent plastic sheets—now smeared with cake cream—that had been draped over the bed, desk, wardrobe, and other furniture, and carried the lot out together.
In no time, the once-messy room was back to its former neat and spotless state.
Sukuna looked at the restored cleanliness and instantly felt refreshed.
His whole body seemed to glow with the bliss of a germaphobe finally cured~
Thank goodness they'd prepared protection in advance; otherwise, he wouldn't have dared spend the night in a cream-coated room… Thanks, thoughtful buddies!
…After everyone had left, Yuji motioned Sukuna to the wardrobe.
He opened the wardrobe door; inside lay an exquisitely wrapped black scarf.
"This is your birthday present."
Yuji said, a little embarrassed.
He remembered that inside the Innate Domain, Sukuna had worn a kimono matched with just such a black scarf.
Yesterday, while shopping with Nobara, he'd spotted a very similar one in a store and made a mental note.
He didn't have enough money, so he even borrowed some from Megumi and the others—he'd pay them back once the next mission bonus arrived.
When they asked what the money was for, he only said it was for Sukuna's gift, not specifying what.
He wanted this to be… his own personal first gift to Sukuna.
"Sukuna, happy birthday."
Sukuna held the scarf; his hand trembled slightly.
After a brief daze, soft colors rippled through his crimson eyes.
"Mm…"
The corners of his mouth curved, eyes smiling.
"Thank you, Yuji."
He knew at a glance it was Yuji's gift—only Yuji had ever seen how he dressed inside the Innate Domain.
Unable to resist, he tore off the wrapping at once and wound the scarf around his neck.
It was warm.
He stroked the scarf, feeling the soft texture beneath his fingertips.
Just like the warmth Yuji brought him—so warm it burned inside his heart.
Before he knew it, the corners of his mouth lifted in an unstoppable arc.
"Sukuna…"
Yuji's cautious voice suddenly sounded from within his heart.
"Mm?"
He answered cheerfully.
Yuji continued carefully: "That scarf… hasn't been washed yet…"
Sukuna: "…"
The smile vanished instantly; he yanked the scarf off and bolted for the bathroom—
without the slightest hesitation—
…That night, Yuji lay in bed after switching back, still too excited by the successful party to sleep.
Inside his soul, Sukuna was even more elated; thinking of the birthday party and the scarf, he rolled happily across the pile of bones.
Grinning for ages, he finally couldn't help asking Yuji,
"Why did you decide to hold it for me today of all days?"
Yuji smiled. "Because it's August eighth—such a perfect date couldn't be missed, right?"
August eighth… Sukuna's heart stirred.
"Eight"… symbolizing luck… and infinite possibilities… Light seemed to sparkle in his eyes, his heart pounding.
Only after a long while did Sukuna speak,
voice lowered, as if to hide the tremor in his tone.
"…What should I do? I'm starting to feel reluctant…"
he whispered.
He had planned that once all twenty fingers were gathered he'd find a way to disappear without dragging Yuji down.
After all, the one who should vanish was him; Yuji was innocent.
As for whether he himself would die—he didn't feel much about it.
But now… he was reluctant… suddenly, he didn't want to die.
Hearing this, Yuji answered with a smile, "Mm… me too."
He also felt reluctant to leave everyone; in his heart, his future meant disappearing together with Sukuna.
He sighed.
"If only things could stay like this forever…"
He thought of Nobara's wish.
If only they could stay together like this—how wonderful that would be.
Gazing at the clear moonlight spilling through the window, he reached out as though to grasp the beam.
The soft amber of his pupils reflected the moonlight, shining gently.
Suddenly he laughed and said to Sukuna,
"…Don't worry, I'm sure Gojo-sensei will figure something out."
"He definitely doesn't want to see you disappear either."
"…Mm."
Sukuna responded quietly from within.
He let out a soft sigh.
He thought,
he truly was a greed-ridden Curse—
once given even a sliver, he wanted more and more.
Now he wanted not only Yuji to live… but also Gojo and his students to stay safe and live the lives they wanted.
He hoped every one of them could be happy… and… that he himself could survive too… He covered his face with his hands,
forcing the wish that had just surfaced deep to the bottom of his heart.
Sigh, stop thinking about it.
Sleep, sleep.
These things aren't going to happen just because he wishes them.
If only…
He rolled over, and a tiny thought suddenly sprouted in his heart—
If only… he weren't a Curse… Sukuna curled into a ball, burying his face in the soft white sleeve of his kimono.
His lashes trembled as he tried to fall asleep quickly.
His tense breathing gradually calmed,
as if that could stop the extravagant hopes bubbling up inside… A moment later, he abruptly sat up in annoyance, glaring at the bone mountain beneath him… When the hell was he getting a proper bed in this lousy Innate Domain?
These bones were jabbing him everywhere!
…The next morning.
Nobara flung the classroom door open in fury and shouted at Yuji and Megumi, who were already inside,
"One month till the Exchange Event—we absolutely, positively, must win!!"
She'd just learned that Maki-senpai had zero Cursed Energy and had fought her way up purely on physical skill, yet her clan kept blocking her promotion—even though Maki-senpai could easily defeat Grade 2 Curses, her rank remained stuck at Grade 4.
Nobara's blood boiled—why were there always jerks who couldn't stand to see excellence? She hated that kind of petty obstruction most.
"No problem!!"
Yuji shot his hand up in eager agreement.
Megumi said nothing, only nodded with solemn resolve.
—If they could win the Exchange Event, word of Maki-senpai's strength would spread through the Jujutsu World, and the Zenin Family would find it far harder to keep her grade suppressed.
He had always trained under Maki-senpai; more than anyone, he wanted this success.
After answering, Yuji thought of Sukuna and couldn't help sighing.
"Too bad you can't take part in the Exchange Event, Sukuna."
This disappointed him especially.
The Exchange Event was public; the entire Jujutsu World would be watching. Gojo-sensei had repeatedly warned him that under no circumstances could Sukuna be allowed out.
After all, while the Higher-Ups knew Sukuna was inside Yuji, "having" him and "being buddy-buddy enough to switch back and forth" were two different things.
—The conservatives would gain the upper hand and have Yuji executed on the spot; that was why Megumi had always forbidden Sukuna from switching out.
Sukuna felt a twinge of regret too.
But he was less disappointed than Yuji and instead opened his mouth to comfort him.
"Relax—think about it, if I made a move I'd wipe the floor with them all. I'm not into bullying kids."
A bunch of kids from two schools exchanging pointers—how could a thousand-year-old top dog like him butt in? Of course he couldn't.
"Yuji, fight with confidence; I'll be right there in your VIP seat cheering you on—go for it~!"
He encouraged, not worried in the least—his Tiger already had quasi-Grade 1 strength~!
Heh, just thinking about it made him happy!~
"Mm!" Yuji answered with a grin.
He had to win—he absolutely couldn't let Sukuna down!
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