"Alright, let's begin the first cultural festival executive committee meeting."
In the conference room, the student council president stood at the head of the long table, leading the discussion.
Her light gray hair was tied into two braids that draped over her shoulders, with a red hair clip securing her bangs. Her big, bright eyes sparkled with excitement, as if she was genuinely looking forward to the festival.
"I'm Shiromeguri Meguri, the student council president. I'll be handing out the materials now."
Her soft, sweet voice, paired with her warm smile, made it easy for people to feel at ease around her.
Hikigaya Hachiman sat at the back of the U-shaped table.
Naturally, Yuigahama Yui sat right beside him, making him feel extremely uncomfortable.
The papers were passed down one by one, and the dead-fish-eyed boy quickly skimmed through the responsibilities of the executive committee, looking for the department with the least work—perfect for slacking off.
"What are you planning to sign up for, Hikki?" Yuigahama Yui glanced at the documents before leaning in close and whispering in Hikigaya Hachiman's ear.
Her warm breath brushed against his ear, making it tingle. He instinctively leaned away.
Seeing her pause in surprise, Hikigaya Hachiman's face turned slightly red. Like a pendulum, he slowly leaned back and whispered in response, "Whichever one has the least work. That's the one I'm picking."
Yuigahama Yui covered her mouth and chuckled. "That's so like you, Hikki."
She looked back down at the papers in her hands and muttered softly, "Then I'll join the same department as you."
"…"
What is she planning?
A faint blush spread across his face.
Luckily, the student council president moved on to the next topic, cutting off his quickening heartbeat just in time.
"The main goal for today is to choose an executive committee leader. Any volunteers?" Tobe Meguri clapped her hands together, smiling brightly.
Hikigaya Hachiman rested his chin on his hand and quietly read through the documents, silently complaining in his mind—this scene felt way too familiar.
Just like yesterday, when Hiratsuka Shizuka asked for volunteers in class, the moment the words left Tobe Meguri's mouth, every student instantly lowered their heads, pretending to be deeply engrossed in reading.
The room fell into silence, and the atmosphere grew increasingly awkward.
But unlike Hiratsuka Shizuka, who, as a teacher, had the authority to appoint students, Tobe Meguri, as the student council president, had no such power. She could only smile stiffly as the silence dragged on.
She glanced around the room, calling out the names of a few familiar faces and asking if they were interested. But everyone politely declined.
Without an executive committee leader, the rest of the event planning couldn't move forward.
Out of options, Tobe Meguri had no choice but to announce that today's meeting was adjourned and would continue tomorrow.
The cultural festival preparations hadn't even started, yet they were already stuck.
As the executive committee members gradually left the room, Hikigaya Hachiman and Yuigahama Yui followed behind them.
"Let's just head home for today. We have to come here after school every day now, so I guess there's no need to go to the Service Club, right?" Hikigaya Hachiman said.
"Yeah, since it's just the two of us now anyway." Yuigahama Yui nodded obediently. "Wanna walk home together?"
"Sure. I'll walk you to the station," Hikigaya Hachiman replied, looking straight ahead.
They took a detour around the back of the special building, heading toward the bike racks.
Unusually, Yuigahama was completely silent. Normally, she would be chatting away about random things that had happened to her, eager to share. That was the Yuigahama Yui he knew.
Then, her footsteps suddenly stopped.
Hikigaya Hachiman took two more steps before turning around.
She was standing still, staring at the stone pavement beneath her feet, eyes slightly unfocused. He had no idea what she was looking at.
After a moment, she lifted her head and gazed up at the fourth-floor corridor windows of the special building.
This is the place… where Hikki fell.
"Hm?" Hikigaya Hachiman frowned. "What's wrong?"
Yuigahama blinked, snapping out of her daze. She smiled and shook her head. "Nothing. I was just remembering something. Let's go."
She started walking again, this time stepping ahead of Hikigaya Hachiman, hands clasped behind her back.
He froze for a second, then his eyes narrowed slightly.
A vague, uncertain thought surfaced in his mind.
This place seems…
No, that can't be… right?
Not wanting to overthink it, he pushed aside the idea of contacting Yukinoshita Yukino. She was probably busy anyway.
Yuigahama regaining her memories was just a guess—there was no solid proof. It was better to wait and see for now.
Looks like I need to pay more attention to Yuigahama Yui's reactions, Hikigaya Hachiman thought to himself.
—
Sendai City, in an old apartment building.
The sky was cloudy that night, with thick clouds covering the moon. The narrow hallway of the apartment flickered with dim, unsteady lights. Under the pale glow, a long-haired man stood with his arms crossed, wearing a five-layer kasaya. A distinct stitched scar ran across his forehead.
Kenjaku looked at the man trapped by a tentacle-like cursed spirit and spoke.
"The battle in Shinjuku cost us dearly. We lost three special-grade curses, and in exchange, we only got five of Sukuna's fingers and the Cursed Womb: Death Paintings. Hardly worth it."
"Of course. Your opponent was just an imitation of Lord Sukuna," the white-haired girl beside him said matter-of-factly. "Even if he's fake, he's still modeled after Lord Sukuna."
"I can't tell if you're praising him or mocking him," Kenjaku sighed, shaking his head. "Thanks to that fake, my entire plan fell apart."
The man trapped by the curse struggled desperately. He couldn't see what was restraining him, but he knew for sure that it had something to do with the two people in front of him.
"Hey, what's going on!? This is your doing, isn't it!? Please, let me go! I'll do anything you ask!" he screamed, his voice hoarse with despair.
"That won't do. We're really short on people right now," Kenjaku said with a smile as he stepped forward, pulling out a small glass vial from his sleeve.
"I'll do whatever you want! Please!!" The man's eyes widened in fear as Kenjaku approached.
Kenjaku opened the vial and took out a special-grade cursed object. He suddenly grabbed the man's jaw, forcing his mouth open.
"Then eat this."
Ignoring the man's frantic struggles, Kenjaku shoved one of the Cursed Womb: Death Paintings, Blood Embryo, into his mouth.
"Mmph! Mmmph!!"
The moment he swallowed the slimy thing, his body convulsed violently. His bloodshot eyes bulged as crimson tears trickled down his face. Veins bulged from his neck, creeping up to his face.
"Ugh! GAH!"
A sharp cracking sound echoed through the hallway. The flickering light finally went out, swallowing everything in darkness.
—
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