Staaaare-
"Can someone tell me why this is happening? Aren't you supposed to hug me and cry your eyes out, then shout that you're glad I'm okay and that you'll take all my missions from now on!!!"
The moment I entered the lounge, my friends subjected me to silent scrutiny. I wanted to cry but had no tears, so I clutched my head and scurried around.
"..." × n
After running two laps around the lounge and finding that no one would acknowledge me, I quietly squeezed between Panda and Toge Inumaki and peacefully leaned against Panda. "I'm heartbroken, Panda. Lend me your arms so I can hide." Then I lay in his arms and stared fixedly at Toge Inumaki.
Even the Silk Ribbon tied over my eyes couldn't block my burning gaze. Toge Inumaki silently pulled his collar higher, leaving only a sliver of his eyes showing. "B-bonito flakes..."
"How is Inumaki still so gorgeous in black and white!"
"...Edano, why are you teasing your senior a-gain!"
"No-! Don't separate me from Panda and Inumaki-!!!"
Nobara dragged me away by both legs.
Staaaare-
I tugged on the sleeve of Megumi Fushiguro, the most reliable of the bunch. He glared at me.
I tugged on the sleeve of my little angel Yuji. He scratched his head. "Edano, there's nothing I can do either."
Finally, I ingratiatingly tugged on Nobara's sleeve and received a magnificent eye roll.
At that, I prostrated myself. "I'm sorry I made you worry."
"...When Gojo carried you back, you were covered in bloody holes. Didn't it hurt?"
I looked up blankly. "Huh? I was unconscious then, so I didn't feel anything. By the time I woke up, Shoko had already healed my injuries..."
The more I said, the darker Megumi Fushiguro's expression became. I quietly shut my mouth.
"...Is that what I meant!"
"Idiot!" Nobara curled a finger and knocked on my head. "What that guy who says one thing and means another is trying to say is that he's worried about you using Cursed Speech with no regard for your life. And we're worried about you too!"
"Edano, Nanami said death is everyone's final destination, but no two deaths are the same. Trying to guide every death toward a proper end would have to be painful. There are still lots of people who'll need you, including us. We really need you."
Faced with Yuji Itadori's sincere, shining puppy-dog eyes, I couldn't say a word. All I could do was keep nodding.
I would work hard to get stronger, and I would look after my own safety. At least until I changed everyone's endings, I wouldn't fall.
On the other side of the lounge
"Hey, Toge, Edano's already been dragged away. How long are you going to keep hiding!" At the end of her patience, a vein throbbed at Maki's temple as she yanked Toge Inumaki out from behind her.
He hadn't had much choice. Toge Inumaki had originally wanted to hide behind Panda, but with me in Panda's arms, he'd had to hide behind Maki instead.
"Bonito flakes..."
"Toge, look how cute Edano is. Why do you always hide from her?"
"Tuna mayo!"
"..." Panda recalled how the girl had dropped to her knees and proposed the first time they met, then stared at Toge with eyes practically glowing with excitement(?) every time after that. He fell silent.
"Spicy cod roe, pickled mustard leaf."
Oh, last time they'd met, Edano had also knelt and said something about wanting to be Toge's dog. All right, maybe she was a little dangerous...
"Ahem, it's fine. You can't see that look in her eyes like she wants to eat you anymore."
"..." × 3
That sudden realization silenced them all.
"Huh, what are you guys talking about? Want to have hot pot together? We've got Chef Yuji's exclusive recipe!" The girl's cheerful voice swept away their heavy mood.
"Whew, wow, that's spicy, that's spicy!"
"Salmon, salmon!"
"Inumaki's face is all red from the spice. So cute!"
"Mmph, mmph, mmph, Nobara, don't..."
"Eat-! Even good food can't shut your mouth!"
"Waaah..." I rubbed my cheeks to help myself chew, looking like a crying cat.
Maki's eyes lit up. "Oh, this broth is delicious too. Who made it?"
"Chew, chew, chew. It was Megumi. Megumi's such a mom..." My mouth was stuffed full of meatballs again as Nobara forcibly muted me once more.
Nobara Kugisaki glared at me. "If you keep talking, even I won't be able to save you!"
I cautiously glanced at Megumi Fushiguro. Luckily, he hadn't heard... I tried to salvage things. "Good thing we had Megumi here. He managed to recreate the broth we had last time."
"Heh. If we'd left it to you, I'd be afraid you'd mistake sugar for salt and make it so sweet it'd kill us."
Okay, he'd heard after all... Waaah!
"But seriously, I'm so lucky to have you guys! This is absolutely delicious!!!"
Whoosh-the door was yanked open.
"Hello, everyone~ I'm Takechi~" Satoru Gojo made a dazzling entrance in a tiered dress.
"...Why does that dress look so familiar-!" My eyes went wide as I recognized it.
"Satoru Gojo!!! There are limits no human should cross! Just because you have [Limitless] doesn't mean you can actually have no limits!!!" I rolled up my sleeves, ready to fight him.
"Edano! You can't go! If you do, what will become of me and our two kids!!!" Nobara Kugisaki clung tightly to my upper body, freeing one hand to cover my mouth.
"Yeah, your Cursed Speech can't hurt Gojo! It'll only rebound on you!" Yuji Itadori clung just as tightly to both my legs.
"Salmon, salmon!"
Megumi Fushiguro, one of those "two kids," said, "Maki, sorry for the trouble, but please close your eyes."
"Huh? What's wrong?" Trusting Megumi Fushiguro's usual character, Maki did as asked.
"What do you see?"
"Nothing but darkness."
"No, that's Jujutsu High's future."
"..."
Back to me.
"Let me go! I'm going to fight this scumbag!!!"
"Oh." Both let go at once.
"...You guys aren't going to try stopping me again?"
"Good luck, Edano. I'll make sure to bring Ieiri in time!" Yuji Itadori nodded at me sincerely.
"..."
My fists clenched. Then I remembered how powerful Satoru Gojo was, and they unclenched.
But I could still deal with my classmates who were enjoying the show.
And so the scene turned into...
"Toge, don't take such big steps in a skirt! You'll flash everyone!"
"Itadori, this shows way less skin than your workout tank top. What are you embarrassed about!"
"Satoru Gojo! Stand still. Just three more outfits, it'll be quick! Yes, yes, that pose! Good, good, next outfit!"
That's right. All the guys who'd enjoyed the show were forced(?) into skirts.
My little angel Yuji refused at first, but after I alternated between coaxing and pressure, he gritted his teeth and agreed.
Inumaki, meanwhile, happily agreed thanks to Panda's encouragement and the fact that he'd wanted to wear one anyway.
As for Satoru Gojo, who could force him? He was the one snatching the prettiest outfits and putting them on at lightning speed while saying, "No, no!" My poor dresses, though. They were practically tearing apart on him.
Why wasn't Megumi Fushiguro included? Oh, because he declared that if we dared make him wear a skirt, he'd dare to die. Since we had enough people anyway, we reluctantly agreed to leave him out.
Panda was upset that we couldn't find a dress that fit him, so I buried myself in his fur and gave him a good comforting.
"Mission accomplished!" I collected loads of photos. At a tearful Itadori's request, I did agree not to share them and to keep them for my own enjoyment.
Ah, I was so kind!
Maki unhappily picked up a dress that had been stretched until it tore. "Edano, your dresses are all so pretty. I've never seen lots of these styles. It's just a shame so many got ruined today."
"Yeah, I really like collecting all kinds of dresses. I just haven't had many chances to wear them since coming to Jujutsu High." Then I changed tack. "But that doesn't stop me from buying more. Let's go shopping over break! It'll be the perfect chance to replenish my wardrobe!"
"Sure. We'll get those boys to carry our bags!"
With Maki in my left arm and Nobara in my right, I rubbed my cheek against one, then the other, so happy I nearly fainted.
"..."
"Ah, Edano's soul is practically floating away. How heartless." Yuji Itadori, who'd just changed back into his own clothes, looked at us resentfully.
"Salmon..." My puppy-like senior reached out as if to catch my drifting soul.
Meanwhile, Satoru Gojo stood to one side, cupping his chin in thought.
Before you continue