The dorm room was steeped in the warm yellow light of the evening sun as Qingxiao stuffed spare bandages and energy bars into his hiking backpack.
He held his phone between his neck and shoulder while his other hand tugged at his jacket zipper. It caught halfway up, and he frowned and pulled it down a little.
The background noise on the other end carried the wind of Kansai, mingled with the distant howls of cursed spirits.
Satoru Gojo's voice drifted through the receiver. "Qingxiao-you're heading to Yamanashi Prefecture with Geto the day after tomorrow?"
"Yeah. A mission Mr. Yaga assigned." Qingxiao finally pulled the zipper all the way down and freed a hand to hold his phone. "You're not even at Jujutsu High, but you sure keep up with the news."
"This genius knows everything." Satoru Gojo laughed, then dropped his flippant tone.
"Geto hasn't been himself lately. Keep an eye on him. He's taken four long-distance missions in the past two weeks and hasn't even set foot in Shoko's Medical Room."
"I'm tied up with a special grade cursed spirit here in Kansai. I can't get away."
Of course Qingxiao knew Geto hadn't been himself. He had already spoken with Suguru Geto about it.
"I know," he answered quietly.
"By the time you get back from your mission, I should be just about finished here." Satoru Gojo's voice rose, carrying a certainty that brooked no argument.
"The three of us are getting together for a meal. No one gets left out! We'll find an izakaya and put everything out on the table.
"Keep bottling things up and sooner or later something's going to go wrong. No bailing on us for some last-minute mission. Got it?"
Qingxiao casually replied, "Sure, we'll talk when we're back," but quietly committed the