A simple yet heartfelt wish

"Ahh-it's so hot!"

The August sun blazed overhead. Even after finally changing into her summer uniform, Nobara couldn't take it anymore. She collapsed on the training field and complained aloud.

"Why does today have to be Tuesday..."

Huh?

Beside her, Itadori paused in gulping down his water and asked, "What's wrong with Tuesday?"

Nobara's complaints faltered.

Looking a little conflicted, she rolled over to face the other way.

She muttered quietly to herself.

"Nothing... I just wanted to buy myself a present..."

Itadori caught her words easily.

"A present? Why'd you suddenly decide to buy yourself a present?"

He joked casually.

"Don't tell me today's your birthday?"

Then he saw the girl whip her head around and stare at him in disbelief.

Itadori immediately began to stammer.

"Huh?... No way... D-don't tell me it really is... your birthday?"

But the look on her face immediately made him realize-

It really was!-

He sat straight up, still stammering a little from the shock.

"H-happy birthday, Kugisaki!"

"Wow, it's actually your birthday today?! Why didn't you tell us sooner? We could've celebrated together!"

Itadori's eyes shone with delighted surprise as he spoke rapidly to Nobara, tugging at Megumi Fushiguro, who lay on the ground beside him.

Worn out after an entire afternoon of grueling training under Maki, Megumi Fushiguro weakly said, "Happy birthday."

"Hey, should we celebrate? This is the first birthday any of us has had since we got together!"

Itadori made the suggestion with particular excitement.

"Kugisaki, how do you want to celebrate? Whatever you say goes today!"

Kugisaki hadn't expected much, but that last sentence sparked her interest.

She blinked, then looked at Itadori and asked quietly.

"...Whatever I say goes? Really?"

"Of course! It's your birthday. You're the boss today!"

Kugisaki instantly stopped feeling hot.

She scrambled to her feet, her eyes shining.

"Then come shopping with me later!"

She'd been wanting to go shopping for ages-

-all she'd been missing were two people to carry her bags!!

"Sure!"

Itadori agreed at once-

-and, completely missing the pained expression on Megumi Fushiguro's face, cheerfully agreed on his behalf too.

So, once their afternoon training ended, the three took a ride into town and launched Kugisaki's shopping spree for the evening.

"Hahahaha! Watch me buy out this entire street!"

Switching into shopping mode, Kugisaki shook off all her afternoon exhaustion and bounced right back to full strength.

Even Itadori caught her enthusiasm, his face brimming with excitement.

Only Megumi Fushiguro wore a mask of misery as he struggled along behind them.

...Why... did I have to come too...?

...My whole body hurts so much I don't even want to move...

The three wound their way through one shopping mall after another, while the shopping bags hanging from Itadori and Megumi Fushiguro kept multiplying.

Afterward, the two treated Kugisaki to a birthday meal at a particularly expensive sushi restaurant she loved.

-and successfully gave Kugisaki a birthday that, though simple, made her very happy.

Seeing the contented expression on Kugisaki's face, Itadori felt just as satisfied.

Even Megumi Fushiguro no longer looked annoyed, quietly keeping them company.

Together, the three enjoyed this brief moment of ease and peace, so different from the world of jujutsu.

"Thank you."

Kugisaki cradled her glass, lowering her gaze to the water inside.

It had been a long time since she'd enjoyed such a relaxing moment.

With the corners of her lips gently lifted, she spoke softly but sincerely.

Her words earned a bright, sunny smile from Itadori.

And a quiet cough from Megumi Fushiguro, whose cheeks grew a little warm.

"Oh, right, Kugisaki. Your birthday wish-did you make a birthday wish?"

Kugisaki paused at Itadori's question.

Resting her cheek in one hand, she tilted her head and looked out at the night sky beyond the window.

She gave it some puzzled thought.

"...A wish, huh..."

"Hmm... Then... I guess I hope... everyone stays safe?... That we can all stay together, just like we are now..."

It was a wish shared by all jujutsu sorcerers who would spend their lives fighting curses.

A simple yet heartfelt wish.

Itadori and Megumi Fushiguro both tightened their grips on their glasses slightly.

The pink-haired boy lowered his eyes, complicated emotions surfacing in them.

Then he immediately lifted his head again, revealing a dazzlingly bright, easy smile.

He raised his glass of cola and held it out between the three of them.

"You've got it, Kugisaki!"

His voice carried a sincerity that couldn't help but touch their hearts.

"Your wish will definitely come true!"

Kugisaki and Megumi Fushiguro looked at the glass held between them, smiles appearing on both their faces as they brought their own glasses forward.

"Yeah, definitely!"

The crisp clink of glasses brought the day's celebration to a perfect close.

That night, back in his room.

Itadori remained immersed in the emotions from earlier, saying nothing for a long time.

Sukuna had also been touched by the three friends' birthday celebration that evening and couldn't help voicing his feelings.

[That was really nice...]

Something stirred in Itadori at those words, and he asked curiously.

"By the way, Sukuna, when's your birthday? Do you still remember?"

Sukuna: [...]

How was he supposed to remember that? At first, he hadn't even remembered his own name.

[...I don't know.]

There was a hint of regret in his voice.

Itadori thought for a moment. "Then how about celebrating your birthday with mine from now on?"

"We can celebrate together. What do you think?"

Sukuna found the idea rather tempting.

[Hmm... That works. When's your birthday?]

"March twentieth."

March twentieth?... Isn't that still over half a year away?

Sukuna felt a little conflicted.

It's only August seventh today. Waiting until March twentieth next year... That's ages away...

...Who knows whether all twenty fingers will have been collected by then? Heaven only knows if I'll even live that long.

Itadori seemed to have thought of the same problem.

"Hmm... Or how about we make it the day you came back to life inside me? Then we can throw you a belated birthday celebration in a few days."

...Do it that way...?

Sukuna tilted his head and thought it over.

...That works too?

He nodded, agreeing to the plan.

A belated birthday celebration, huh...

Sukuna's eyes brightened a little.

...Why am I actually kind of looking forward to it?