Sweeter than usual

At the underground entrance, light filtered through gaps in the dilapidated factory roof, casting slender patches across the floor.

Those patches slowly shifted with the clouds outside, like a silent timer marking the passage of time.

Zhiyan and Suguru Geto had just stepped onto the last stair when familiar footsteps sounded nearby.

Those footsteps were distinctive-erratic, hurried, and brimming with insolent swagger. Only one person at Tokyo Jujutsu High walked like that.

"Hey-!"

Satoru Gojo's booming voice echoed through the empty factory, startling several crows from their hiding places. The black birds flapped out through holes in the building, cawing indignantly as if protesting this reckless human's intrusion on their peace.

Zhiyan looked up to see two figures approaching briskly from the end of the passage.

Satoru Gojo led the way, his white hair conspicuous in the dim light, like a moving cloud.

Wana followed behind him. She had to jog to keep up, and her expression was complicated enough to make a reaction meme-a mixture of irritation and resignation.

"So this is where you were!" Satoru Gojo strode closer, looking past the two of them toward the pitch-black underground entrance behind them.

His sunglasses slipped slightly down his nose, revealing sky-blue eyes.

Those eyes glimmered faintly in the darkness-the Six Eyes. Now they were fixed on the depths of the underground entrance, scanning the lingering traces of cursed energy, the cracks in the walls, and the aftermath of the battle that had yet to fade completely from the floor.

He stared for a long time.

Long enough that Wana couldn't help speaking up.

"Hey, what are you looking at?"

Satoru Gojo didn't answer.

He simply stared at the entrance, his expression shifting from curiosity to scrutiny, then from scrutiny to... disappointment.

He pushed his sunglasses back up his nose and let out a long sigh.

"Aww, what-"

He drew the words out, sounding both aggrieved and reluctant to accept it, like a child who hadn't managed to snatch a toy.

"You and Geto already took care of everything?"

Suguru Geto stepped forward and patted his shoulder.

The gesture was light, with a teasing edge.

"So it's our fault?" he asked with a gentle smile. "You're so strong, Gojo. We're terribly sorry we didn't give you a chance to show off."

Satoru Gojo looked at him and blinked.

Then he waved a hand with feigned indifference.

"Ah-fine, fine. I'll just count this as getting some fresh air."

He turned and sauntered toward the exit.

"Since the mission's over, let's head back and get dessert!"

Wana followed behind him and said irritably,

"Food is all you think about."

Without turning around, Satoru Gojo replied,

"What's wrong with eating? Food comes first!"

"There's a time and place, isn't there? We just finished a mission, and you're already thinking about food. Are you a pig?"

"What's wrong with pigs? Pigs are cute too!"

"Fine, then it really is my fault. Comparing cute little piggies to you-what a crime!"

The two walked out one behind the other, bickering all the way. Their familiar exchanges echoed through the empty factory, breathing a little life into the gloomy place.

Zhiyan and Suguru Geto exchanged a glance, finding the same amusement in each other's eyes.

They followed as well.

Outside the abandoned chemical factory, the sunlight was a little dazzling.

Their eyes, accustomed to the underground darkness, narrowed slightly and took a few seconds to adjust. The afternoon sun felt warm against their skin, dispelling the chill they had brought up from below.

A middle-aged man was already waiting there.

Dressed in a neat suit and glasses, he held a notebook in his hand. When he saw them emerge, he hurried over.

"Thank you for your hard work!" He approached briskly with a professional smile. "How did the mission go?"

Suguru Geto stepped forward to report on the mission. Composed and gentle in his delivery, he explained everything in a few words.

"We confirmed two Grade 2 Cursed Spirits and one Grade 1 Cursed Spirit. All have been exorcised."

The assistant supervisor's eyes widened slightly, and his glasses nearly slipped off.

"Grade 1?" His voice changed pitch. "The intelligence only mentioned Grade 2..."

Suguru Geto smiled with a touch of understanding.

"Errors in intelligence aren't uncommon. But we've taken care of everything, so there's no problem."

The assistant supervisor nodded repeatedly, scribbling quickly in his notebook. His pen scratched across the paper with a soft rustle.

"Good, good! Thank you all for your hard work! I'll report this right away!"

Satoru Gojo interrupted from the side.

"The report can wait until we're back. We're getting food first."

The assistant supervisor paused, then quickly nodded.

"Of course, of course. You've worked hard, so go have whatever you'd like. The car's ready, just outside."

Satoru Gojo nodded in satisfaction.

"That's more like it."

He turned and swept his hand through the air.

"Let's go! Into the city!"

Wana looked at him and resisted the urge to make a snide comment.

Her feet honestly followed him anyway.

The car traveled along the road, the industrial ruins outside the windows gradually giving way to city streets.

Satoru Gojo talked about desserts the entire way, from cake to pudding, from ice cream to cream puffs, practically listing every dessert he could think of.

Listening gave Wana a headache.

"Could you be quiet for a minute?"

Satoru Gojo turned toward her, looking utterly innocent.

"What did I do? I'm just talking."

"You've been talking the whole way!"

"That just proves my love for dessert is real!"

Wana took a deep breath and decided to ignore him.

She looked out the window as Tokyo's streets swept past. Towering buildings, bustling roads, and throngs of people. Unlike Kyoto's old-capital charm, Tokyo felt more modern and much faster-paced.

The car finally stopped beside a busy street in Tokyo.

The doors opened, and the six of them got out one after another.

Satoru Gojo hopped out first and stood by the street, looking around like a bird fresh out of its cage.

"Wow-! So this is Tokyo! It's so lively!"

Following behind him, Wana watched his fascinated expression.

"You've never been to Tokyo?"

Satoru Gojo shook his head.

"Nope! I grew up in Kyoto. Those old geezers kept saying this was dangerous and that was dangerous, and wouldn't let me go anywhere. At most, I've visited nearby cities. This is my first time in Tokyo!"

Wana paused.

So this really was his first visit to Tokyo.

"Come on!" Satoru Gojo waved his hand. "Let's find a dessert shop first!"

Central Tokyo was even livelier than Kyoto.

Tall buildings rose everywhere, people streamed past, and shops offered a dazzling variety of goods. The streets were filled with the clamor unique to a metropolis, a completely different world from Jujutsu High's secluded tranquility. Signs flashed overhead, announcements in various languages echoed around them, and fashionably dressed young people hurried past.

The six of them attracted plenty of attention as they walked down the street.

After all, this group was simply... too conspicuous.

Satoru Gojo walked at the front, his white hair gleaming in the sunlight. Paired with those sunglasses, he looked exactly like a model who had stepped out of a magazine.

His gait was even more distinctive-leaning slightly backward, both hands in his pockets, every step like a strut down a runway. He swayed as he walked, exuding an innate arrogance.

Suguru Geto walked beside him with the exact opposite posture. He bent slightly forward, hands in his trouser pockets, his steps casual and utterly languid. His bangs swayed gently over his forehead, and combined with his mild smile, they gave him an indescribable... artistic air.

Together, one leaned back while the other leaned forward, one swaggered while the other sauntered.

They looked like a pair of... street punks.

Except they happened to be very good-looking street punks.

Passersby turned to look. Some girls covered their mouths and giggled, some boys cast envious glances, and a few people secretly took pictures on their phones.

Wana followed behind them, watching their backs with an increasingly dark expression.

She could feel those stares-most landed on the two ahead of her, but plenty fell on her as well.

After all, she was walking with them.

People thought she was part of their group.

It was mortifying.

It was so awkward.

Her toes were already curling inside her shoes.

Finally, she couldn't take it anymore.

"You two-"

Her voice burst out by the roadside, tinged with embarrassment, irritation, and desperation.

Satoru Gojo turned around.

"Hm?"

Suguru Geto turned as well, still wearing that gentle smile.

"What's wrong, Wana?"

Wana pointed at them, her finger trembling slightly.

"Could you two walk normally?!"

Satoru Gojo blinked.

"Normally? What's not normal about this?"

He looked down at himself, then at Suguru Geto, all innocence.

"Looks pretty normal to me."

The corner of Wana's mouth twitched.

"Normal? You call leaning that far back normal? And you call Geto bending over like that normal?"

She pointed at the pedestrians around them.

"Look around! Who walks like that?!"

Satoru Gojo looked where she pointed and, sure enough, spotted several passersby watching them strangely.

Rather than rein himself in, he grew even more enthusiastic.

He straightened, deliberately leaned back even farther, pulled his hands from his pockets, and swaggered a few steps.

"They're jealous! Jealous of how handsome we are!"

Suguru Geto smiled and nodded beside him.

"That makes sense."

He obligingly bent forward a little more, his steps growing even more leisurely and casual.

The two walked one behind the other, as though performing some kind of performance art.

Wana nearly laughed in exasperation, repeatedly telling herself not to get angry. If she got angry, she would lose.

But-

Satoru Gojo started swaying back and forth in front of her again.

He deliberately moved beside her and walked with that swaying gait, occasionally turning to wink at her.

"Well? Handsome, aren't I?"

Wana clenched her fists.

"Do you want me to punch you?"

Satoru Gojo looked positively punchable.

"What did I do? Is my walking bothering you?"

Wana took a deep breath, then another.

She looked to the side.

Suguru Geto still walked with that languid gait, leaning slightly forward, hands in his pockets, a gentle smile at the corners of his mouth. His posture was strange, but at least... he wasn't quite so punchable.

She looked back at Satoru Gojo.

He was still swaying.

Still rocking.

Still winking at her.

And the more he swayed, the more enthusiastic he became, practically treating the street as his personal runway.

All that swaying-are you trying to be one of those inflatable figures outside a store?

She felt more and more eyes turning toward them, the passersby's stares pricking her like needles.

A girl passed them, covering her mouth as she giggled and secretly tugging her companion's sleeve.

"Look at the white-haired guy. He's so handsome..."

"The one with the bun beside him isn't bad either!"

"Are they filming some kind of show?"

"I don't know, but the people behind them are really good-looking too."

Wana heard the words "so good-looking."

Her wounded heart finally found a little comfort.

Satoru Gojo heard them too, and his grin grew even wider.

He turned and winked at Wana.

"Did you hear that? They said I'm a star! What's that saying again? Right, right, they've got an eye for talent."

Wana gritted her teeth.

"A star? More like a star gorilla. All you know how to do is eat bananas."

Satoru Gojo froze.

"You're calling me a gorilla?"

Wana sneered.

"Who else would I be talking about?"

Satoru Gojo: "..."

Then he spoke again.

"Even if I'm a gorilla, I'm still the best-looking gorilla."

Wana: "..."

How could someone be so shameless? Where did all that confidence come from?

She gave up trying to talk to him.

She quickened her pace and went over to Shoko, seeking a little comfort.

Shoko was walking beside Zhiyan. When she saw Wana come over, she was a little puzzled. Why wasn't she keeping her dear childhood friend company?

"What's wrong?"

Wana pouted.

"Shoko, look at them."

She pointed at the two people ahead, who were still putting on their "performance."

Shoko followed her gaze, taking in Satoru Gojo's smug expression and Suguru Geto's lazy, carefree demeanor.

"They're pretty cute."

Wana's eyes widened. She wondered if she had misheard.

"Cute?!"

Shoko nodded.

"Mm, pretty cute."

Wana looked at Satoru Gojo, then at Suguru Geto.

Cute?

What was cute about them?

Was she crazy, or was Shoko crazy? No, the whole world must have gone crazy.

Walking beside Shoko, Zhiyan overheard their conversation and glanced at Satoru Gojo, then at Suguru Geto.

Uh, they did look a little... Never mind. He shouldn't get in the way of other people's freedom.

Wana had wanted to complain to Xian Di too, but then she saw how eager he looked, already starting to imitate the other two's walk.

Wana: I'm afraid to open my eyes. Please let this be a hallucination.

Satoru Gojo was still swaying along.

He swayed back over to Wana and leaned closer.

"Hey, Wana, look over there! There's a dessert shop!"

Wana hadn't wanted to acknowledge him, but at the mention of a dessert shop, she followed her heart and looked anyway. Sure enough, there was an elegantly decorated dessert shop on the street corner.

The shop wasn't large, but its storefront was exquisite. All sorts of adorably shaped desserts sat in the display window, gleaming temptingly under the lights. A few people were waiting outside, so business seemed to be good.

Wana's eyes brightened a little.

But she quickly put on a stern face again.

"What does that have to do with me?"

Satoru Gojo grinned.

"Of course it has something to do with you. Don't you like sweets?"

Wana glared at him.

"How do you know I like sweets?"

Satoru Gojo blinked.

"Your eyes light up every time you fight me for snacks."

Wana's face reddened slightly.

"Th-that's because I don't want you eating them!"

Satoru Gojo grinned even wider.

"Sure, sure, because you don't want me eating them. So do you want to go get some now?"

Wana looked at him and fell silent for a few seconds.

Then she said quietly,

"...Yes."

Satoru Gojo looked as though everything was going exactly as planned.

"Then let's go! My treat!"

Wana paused.

"Your treat?"

Satoru Gojo nodded.

"Yep, my treat."

Wana looked at him with a complicated expression.

Now he was making it hard for her to scold him...

While she was still thinking, Satoru Gojo had already strode toward the dessert shop.

"Come on, hurry up! They'll be gone if we're late!"

Wana stared at his retreating figure for a few seconds.

Then she followed him.

After taking two steps, she glanced back.

Shoko was watching her with a teasing look.

Wana's face grew a little redder.

She quickly turned away and hurried after Satoru Gojo.

The group headed toward the dessert shop.

Sunlight spilled over the street, warm and cozy.

In the distance, Tokyo Tower gleamed faintly in the sunlight.

The dessert shop was small, but its decor was welcoming.

Warm yellow lighting, natural wood tables and chairs, and pictures of various desserts hanging on the walls. A sweet fragrance filled the air, mingling with the scent of coffee and cream, making everyone want to take a deep breath as soon as they stepped inside.

The moment Satoru Gojo entered, he made a beeline for the counter, his eyes astonishingly bright.

"This one! This one! And this one! That one too!"

He startled the shop assistant, who froze for several seconds before responding.

"O-okay. Just a moment, please..."

Behind him, Wana pressed a hand to her forehead.

This guy really was...

She found a seat by the window, and Shoko sat beside her. Zhiyan sat next to Shoko, Kamo Xian Di sat across from him, and Suguru Geto sat beside Xian Di.

After placing his order, Satoru Gojo sauntered over and plopped down across from Wana.

"I ordered loads! Just wait till you try them!"

Wana looked at him.

"How much did you order?"

Satoru Gojo thought for a moment.

"About... a dozen or so kinds?"

Wana: "..."

A dozen or so?

There were six of them, not six pigs!

Suguru Geto laughed.

"Gojo, are you sure we can finish all that?"

"We'll take whatever's left to go! Bring it back for a late-night snack!"

With that, Satoru Gojo propped his chin in his hand and smiled at Wana.

"Wana, what flavor do you like?"

Wana eyed him warily.

"Why?"

Satoru Gojo laughed breezily.

"Just asking. Next time I order, I can get what you like."

Wana paused.

He... was asking what flavor she liked?

And saying he would order something she liked next time?

Her heart suddenly skipped a beat.

But she quickly suppressed that strange feeling and said with a stern face,

"Strawberry."

Satoru Gojo nodded.

"Strawberry. Got it."

He turned toward the shop assistant.

"Hey-one extra strawberry dessert!"

Wana's face reddened again. The weather really was hot today.

She lowered her head and pretended to study the menu, not daring to look at him.

Beside her, Shoko watched the scene as though she had stumbled upon some juicy gossip.

She gently tugged at Zhiyan's sleeve.

Zhiyan lowered his head to look at her.

"What is it?"

Shoko leaned toward his ear and whispered,

"Wana's blushing."

Zhiyan followed her gaze and saw Wana with her head lowered, avoiding eye contact. Then he looked at Satoru Gojo across from her, smiling brightly.

"She is."

Shoko looked at him.

"Aren't you going to say anything?"

Zhiyan thought for a moment.

"Say what?"

Shoko tilted her head.

"Something like... 'Stay away from my little sister'?"

Zhiyan considered it, then asked as though seeking her opinion, "Should I really be breaking up a happy couple?"

Shoko looked at him, her smile deepening. "No, you really shouldn't."

The desserts soon arrived.

They covered the entire table.

Satoru Gojo reached out first, grabbed a strawberry cake, and stuffed it into his mouth.

"Mmm-delicious!"

Watching him, Wana couldn't help smiling.

It was a faint smile, but a smile nonetheless.

Satoru Gojo noticed.

He paused, then grinned even wider.

"What are you smiling at? Dig in!"

He pushed a slice of cake in front of Wana.

"This one's for you. Strawberry!"

Wana looked at the cake in front of her, then at the boy across from her, grinning like an idiot.

She lowered her head, picked up her fork, and scooped off a small piece to put in her mouth.

It was sweet.

Really sweet.

Suddenly, she felt as though today's dessert tasted even better than usual.