Touched... But Somehow Not That Touched?

...So that was what had happened...

The three of them-no, two people and one Cursed Spirit-breathed a sigh of relief at the same time.

After all that worrying, Sukuna finally felt his heart settle-

He had almost thought something else had happened to him, like being possessed by some monster or ghost...

He really didn't want to switch identities a third time!

Thankfully, from what the principal had said, he had simply inherited Yuji's memories.

Then there was no problem!~

So Sukuna inherited my memories...

After agonizing over it for a while, Itadori cautiously asked Sukuna, "So how much do you know?"

If Sukuna dug up all his embarrassing history, he would die of humiliation!

Sukuna frowned, rubbed his chin, and thought seriously. [...Probably... just general knowledge?]

[When I first possessed you, I really didn't know anything. I even heard your name from Megumi Fushiguro.]

Itadori: Oh, thank goodness. Safe!

With the misunderstanding cleared up, Itadori walked out of the principal's office feeling refreshed.

Gojo, meanwhile, was "happily" forced to stay behind as Principal Yaga patted his shoulder-it wasn't every day that someone who had been late to a meeting delivered himself right to the door. The opportunity had to be cherished.

As Itadori left the office, a fleeting thought crossed his mind-

...Sukuna seemed so practiced at eating Western food. His movements were proper and quick... much better than mine...

But that little thought merely flashed through his mind without leaving any further impression.

He rubbed his stomach-

He had left before finishing lunch, and he still wasn't full...

Hmm, I should eat something else later, or I'll probably get hungry tonight.

"Sukuna, what should we do next?"

Itadori pulled the hundred thousand yen out of his pocket.

"Go back and keep shopping? We haven't spent the money yet."

Sukuna hurriedly spoke up. [Let's go, let's go! Hurry up. If we waste any more time, it'll be evening.]

He hadn't bought his snacks yet!

Itadori soon returned to the shopping street they had visited earlier. As he passed a certain shop, Sukuna suddenly murmured inside his head.

[...Huh?]

Itadori immediately turned to look and discovered a kimono shop-judging by what he could sense, Sukuna's gaze was fixed on a snow-white kimono with a black sash.

He couldn't help remarking on it.

"Sukuna, you really do like white."

He curiously looked the kimono over a few more times, then suddenly asked a question.

"Oh, right. Did you wear kimonos back in ancient times? Want to buy one?"

...Huh?... Well...

At Itadori's suggestion, Sukuna suddenly felt a little tempted.

Although he couldn't remember, the sight of that kimono gave him a strangely familiar feeling.

[If we can afford it...?]

He ventured the suggestion.

Today had completely reshaped his understanding of clothes. He felt they should consider the price first.

Itadori immediately headed into the shop. "Sure, let's take a look!"

After asking about it, the two of them learned the price.

Ninety-eight thousand yen.

Well, that was a price they could just barely afford, and one that would hurt to pay.

If he had heard that price a day ago, Sukuna would definitely have refused. But after everything that morning, he suddenly felt that the price... wasn't so bad?

While he was still hesitating, Itadori happily made the decision.

"Let's buy it!"

Sukuna hesitantly agreed. [Then... okay?]

At that, Itadori decisively paid for it without delay.

He could tell that Sukuna really liked this kimono, more than the even pricier clothes he had tried on that morning.

Since they could just afford it, of course they should buy it!

Money wasn't more important than his Sukuna liking something!

Itadori left the shop carrying the packaged kimono.

Inside his inner world, Sukuna watched the kimono bag in Itadori's hand, and somehow, his mood lifted.

The corners of his mouth rose slightly, and even his voice took on a cheerful note.

[Hehe~ Don't forget the snacks~]

Right, we can't forget my snacks!~

He thought for a moment, then glanced at the kimono bag again, a smile unconsciously spreading across his face once more.

He couldn't help happily murmuring to himself.

[Snacks~ Snacks~]

Hearing Sukuna's rhythmic chanting, Itadori burst out laughing.

"Okay!"

His eyes curved with his smile, and he felt wonderfully happy.

"We'll go buy them right now!"

Buying the kimono really was the right choice~

It was a little expensive, but it was so worth it.

Without realizing it, Itadori's lips curled into a small smile.

As they walked along, Itadori suddenly let out a "Huh?" and asked Sukuna a question.

"Come to think of it, should we bring back some gifts for Maki and the others? They gave us so much before."

Sukuna froze for a moment.

...Huh?

...Well... I guess we really should bring something?

It had been understandable when they had no money at all, but now that they had some, returning without a single gift wouldn't be right.

Sukuna fell silent.

...But we only have two thousand yen left, and counting Gojo, there are six people... What can we get for two thousand yen?

We can't just give everyone cheap snacks, can we?

Itadori had thought of the same problem.

"...How about buying some ingredients and making something ourselves?"

Sukuna: [?]

[You'll make it?]

Itadori blinked and said as though it were obvious, "You'd make it, of course, Sukuna. Don't you know how to cook?"

Sukuna: Who told you I knew how to cook?... Oh, I did.

[But I don't remember anything. How am I supposed to make it?]

He countered with complete confidence.

"It's fine. Your muscle memory must still be there!"

Itadori rattled on, "If that doesn't work, we can look it up online-we can pick something simple to make. If it's a gift for everyone, it's the thought that counts!~ Oh, right, Sukuna, don't you like sweets? How about we make a cake?"

Itadori rattled off that whole string of words without even pausing.

Sukuna: [...]

...You really do seize every opportunity to get me into the kitchen, huh?

Still, cake...

He wavered for a moment.

Why do I actually kind of want to try it?

He said, [...But what if it turns out awful?]

Itadori hurried to encourage him. "Don't worry. Even if it tastes awful, I'll eat all of it! I definitely won't let your cooking go to waste!"

Sukuna: [...]

Touched... but somehow not that touched?