Tsukumo Yuki glanced at the hand in front of her.
Smack.
She swatted it away and stood up.
"You're really annoying," she said bluntly, then broke into a laugh. "Congrats—our second Special Grade Sorcerer."
The others quickly gathered around Sōjun Minamoto to offer their congratulations. Those who weren't supposed to be around had already slipped away, and the ones who stayed were genuinely happy for him—not the kind to spoil the moment.
"From now on, we can start assigning you some of the more difficult missions." Satoru Gojo looked pleased. After such an exhausting stretch of high-intensity work, he was glad someone else could finally help carry the load.
Maybe it's time I considered going for Special Grade too, he mused to himself.
"Just don't end up like that person," Suguru Geto said, cupping a hand around his mouth and leaning in toward Sōjun, whispering in an exaggerated voice. "Special Grade, but doesn't lift a finger..."
Sōjun was still riding the high from his recent battle, the excitement not yet faded. Normally, he wasn't the type to suppress his emotions.
Both he and Suguru cast a quick glance at someone nearby—then looked away just as fast.
"Like I'd learn from someone like that," Sōjun said. "Tsukumo? Not worth it."
Tsukumo Yuki had already started leaning over. Whether she heard him or not was unclear, but her eyebrows shot up, and she kept edging closer.
"She's been a legend at Jujutsu High for a long time," Suguru added.
Tsukumo froze and perked up her ears.
"She's a Special Grade, sure—but she never takes any missions. Just wanders around overseas doing whatever... Don't turn into that."
"I won't," Sōjun replied. "If a curse is Special Grade, I'm always interested."
"..."
"Hey, I'm standing right here, you know?" Tsukumo strode over quickly, cutting off their not-so-subtle exchange. "Don't act like I can't hear you!"
She let out an exaggerated sigh and threw her hands up. "Ugh, I can't stand Jujutsu High. They've filled your heads with all the wrong ideas about me."
"I just have a different way of thinking. I'm protecting the world—my way," she said, eyes locked on the two of them. Her gaze sparkled like starlight, and a smile played on her lips.
"Let me reintroduce myself: I'm Yuki Tsukumo, Special Grade Sorcerer, currently overseas, working to find a way to completely eradicate Cursed Spirits..."
"Maybe we'll get the chance to understand each other's philosophies one day."
Philosophies, huh?
Sōjun smirked inwardly. It's not that complicated. Others might not know, but his goal had always been simple—become strong. Strong enough to reach the heavens. This path was bound to be a lonely one. Maybe someone would walk with him for a while, but eventually, they'd part ways.
He didn't want to get too close to people. He'd walk his own path, alone, watching and moving forward.
And along the way, he'd figure out what that strange thing targeting him really was.
He looked up. His gaze turned distant.
Suguru's thoughts were stirred too—was there really a way to eliminate Cursed Spirits for good?
The group bantered and laughed, growing more familiar with each other.
"Does anyone have plans this afternoon?" Riko Amanai suddenly spoke up.
The others weren't sure what she was getting at, but nodded instinctively.
"Tell us what it is first, then I'll see if I'm free," Sōjun said, the only one not giving a straight yes.
"...Alright, since you're all free—how about we go out for lunch together?"
"I'm in," Gojo agreed immediately.
"I'll handle picking the place!" Shiko Mishima offered enthusiastically.
That made Sōjun even more hesitant.
"You're the guest of honor. Everyone came together just to celebrate your promotion to Special Grade. You're not seriously thinking of skipping out, are you?" Riko nudged him.
Everyone turned to look at him.
...Fine.
Sōjun nodded. Not like he planned to say no from the start.
In any friend group, there's always that one person who knows how to bring people together, who's great at organizing things and keeping the energy up.
Riko Amanai, despite being the newest at Jujutsu High, had already taken on that role.
There's a concept in psychology called the Six Degrees of Separation. It says that between you and any stranger, there are at most six connections. In other words, you could meet anyone in the world through just six people.
She'd only been at Jujutsu High a few days, but had already become friends with classmates Yu Haibara and Kento Nanami, forming a first-year trio.
She'd known Satoru Gojo and Suguru Geto before enrolling, and after joining, quickly got to know Shoko Ieiri and studied medicine under her. She was already acquainted with most second-years too.
A few days later, she met Iori Utahime-senpai, and through her, got to know her partner Mei Mei. As for Sōjun Minamoto, Shiko Mishima, and Masamichi Yaga—she already knew them well from the Star Plasma Vessel incident.
Sōjun Minamoto felt that just by getting to know Riko Amanai, it was like getting to know everyone.
When it came to this kind of thing, she was worth six people.
"I made a group chat. Everyone, scan the code to join." Riko Amanai waved her phone at the others.
Everyone cooperated enthusiastically. She watched as they came up one after another to scan the code—one, two, three... She couldn't help grinning to herself. Her plan to gather sorcerer friends was a total success.
Training on her own was exhausting. If she couldn't be the strongest, she'd just be the one with the most friends. If she made the strongest sorcerers her friends, wasn't that the same as being the strongest herself? If trouble came up, she could just @ everyone in the group, and a whole crowd of powerful jujutsu sorcerers would show up to back her up. A single call, and they'd all answer.
Hehehe...
When that day came, she'd practically rule the entire Jujutsu world.
They agreed on a time to meet and went their separate ways, leaving behind a completely wrecked Training Field No. 5.
Only part of the wall was still standing—the rest had collapsed into rubble. The running track was replaced by a massive crater, and broken bricks and debris were scattered all over the ground. Even the forest nearby had taken a beating.
Naturally, cleanup would be handled by the relevant personnel. It didn't concern them much.
...
Later that afternoon, just before dusk.
Shiko Mishima led the group to a restaurant.
Among any group of friends, there's always someone who takes care of everything. No matter how big the group, they handle all the arrangements flawlessly—reserving tables, picking up on what people want to order just by their expressions, making sure no one feels left out, and smoothing over awkward relationships.
Shiko Mishima was clearly that kind of person. Truly, a mature adult.
She waved over a waiter to place their order.
"What do you all want to drink?" she asked.
"This one, this one, and this one," she said, confirming the choices with the waiter.
"Anyone have any allergies or things they don't like?"
"…"
She casually involved everyone in the conversation without being pushy, and quickly wrapped up the ordering. The atmosphere was relaxed and easygoing.
That was until she added a few bottles of alcohol to the order.
Sōjun Minamoto immediately moved to sit at the underage table, far away.
The ones who could drink—Masamichi Yaga, Yuki Tsukumo, Mei Mei, and Utahime Iori—sat together off to the side.
Sōjun Minamoto sat with the rest who weren't drinking. It was a casual dinner among friends, and the vibe was great, mostly thanks to Riko Amanai, who kept things lively.
There was also a guy with a bowl cut, Yu Haibara, who was super outgoing and cheerful. Standing next to him was Kento Nanami, his complete opposite—quiet, gloomy, and seemingly uninterested in everything. The two were a perfect contrast: one all smiles, the other all sulk.
Turns out Yu Haibara was a huge fan of Suguru Geto. He dragged Kento Nanami along to meet his idol and excitedly struck up a conversation.
Kento Nanami stuck around for a bit but eventually couldn't take it anymore. He walked off and ended up sitting next to Sōjun Minamoto.
"Hello, senpai," he said, greeting him.
Senpai?
Sure, why not.
Sōjun Minamoto instinctively held out his hand.
Kento Nanami stared at it for a while, unsure if he should shake it or not.
"Relax," Sōjun Minamoto said, flipping his palm up, then back down. "No technique."
At some point, people had started deliberately keeping their distance from him, avoiding any physical contact.
Kento Nanami looked straight into those strange eyes, then finally reached out and shook his hand.
Sōjun Minamoto smiled and asked, "Can you see my weaknesses?"
A glint flashed across Kento Nanami's glasses.
Sōjun Minamoto instantly sensed several areas on his body being marked as threats. Remembering Nanami's technique, he began manipulating his body, and the danger faded at once.
"What about now?"
Kento Nanami shook his head. "I can't see them anymore."
Their techniques countered each other.
Sōjun Minamoto grinned.
(30 Chapters Ahead)
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