Happy birthday, Shoko

She had stayed up late again last night.

There had been no heavy coursework or urgent missions. She had simply read to pass the time out of habit, and by the time she came to her senses, the sky had long since gone completely dark, and the late-night chill had seeped through all of Jujutsu High.

Her irregular sleep schedule had long since become an ingrained part of her daily life. Going to bed early was a rarity for her instead.

That was precisely why she naturally overslept the following morning.

The winter sky outside brightened late. Soft sunlight spilled into the room through a gap in the curtains, dispelling the gloom.

Shoko slowly woke in the quiet, relaxed atmosphere, her head still a little sluggish and foggy from staying up late. Her whole body felt loose and weak, without a trace of the weary irritability of waking in the morning.

She rubbed her sleepy eyes and slowly sat up in bed, her hair slightly disheveled, sleepiness still lingering about her.

She reached for the phone beside her pillow and checked the time. It was already eleven in the morning.

Shoko gave a soft yawn, a faint veil of moisture clouding her eyes.

She got up unhurriedly and shuffled into the bathroom in her slippers, filling a cup with water, brushing her teeth, and washing her face. Her movements were leisurely, and as her morning grogginess faded, she gradually grew alert. Refreshing cold water swept over her cheeks, carrying away the last traces of sleep and leaving her eyes and features looking even clearer and fresher.

Once she was ready, she straightened her clothes and ate a little something to tide herself over.

Following her usual routine, she would spend the afternoon in the Medical Room, dissecting mice, studying medical books, or organizing medical supplies, passing the hours in peace and quiet.

As her thoughts drifted there, someone's figure instinctively flashed through Shoko's mind.

Without either of them noticing, she and Qingxiao had developed a habit.

Qingxiao kept up his training at the Training Ground every evening. When the sun sank in the west and dusk deepened, he would follow the little path he had to take and pass by the Medical Room.

At first, their meetings had merely been chance encounters. Shoko often stayed in the Medical Room, managing everyday supplies and reviewing the details of Reverse Cursed Technique. Occasionally, when she had nothing to do and grew bored, she would gaze out at the Training Ground through the window.

And every time Qingxiao finished his grueling training, exhausted all over, he would habitually make a detour to the Medical Room window and chat with her for a while.

Over time, this had become an unspoken understanding between them.

There was no need to send a message beforehand or make any special arrangements. It was as though, once the evening breeze turned cool and training ended, he would come over and spend a little time with her before they slowly walked back to the dorms together.

It's my birthday today. Will he come over as usual?

A little flicker of anticipation quietly rose in Shoko's heart. Without her even noticing, the corners of her lips softened a little.

Out of habit, she assumed today would pass just like any other day, plain and uneventful, with no surprises or excitement, merely a little company for an evening chat.

Straightening the hem of her clothes, Shoko raised a hand and pushed open the dormitory's main door.

The next second, her steps abruptly stopped, and she stiffened slightly where she stood.

Clear winter sunlight streamed down, falling on the young man at the door.

Qingxiao stood tall and straight, nearly as high as the doorframe, dressed in a clean black Jujutsu High uniform.

He held a large, full bouquet in both hands. Its petals were lush and fresh, carrying a faint fragrance. An especially bright, open smile rested on his lips, and his eyes were filled with warmth as he looked straight at her.

Behind him, Satoru Gojo and Suguru Geto stood side by side, also waiting for her with smiles.

"Happy birthday, Shoko!"

Three voices rang out at once, gentle yet lively, shattering the chilly stillness of the winter morning.

Caught off guard, Shoko instinctively took a small half step back. Her clear eyes widened slightly, her long lashes trembled, and a faint blush instantly spread across her face.

She had never imagined that these three would make a point of waiting outside her dormitory to prepare such a lively birthday surprise for her.

Qingxiao took in every bit of her adorable reaction, and his heart suddenly softened.

Satoru Gojo stepped forward first, proudly producing his gift: an exquisitely wrapped, pure-white gift box.

Inside was an assortment of delicate imported snacks, limited-edition sweets, and cute figurines and merchandise, all carefully chosen after he had scoured the shopping districts outside the school. It was entirely in keeping with his taste for lively things and the things he liked.

Following right behind him, Suguru Geto also stepped forward gently and offered his neatly folded gift bag, his voice soft. "Happy birthday, Shoko. Just a little something."

Shoko reached out to accept it and opened it to find a cashmere scarf of exceptional quality, soft and warm to the touch. A single glance was enough to see the care that had gone into choosing it.

Once the two had handed over their gifts, everyone's gaze turned to Qingxiao in unison, their eyes full of curiosity and anticipation.

After all, no matter how much they had pressed him before, Qingxiao had firmly insisted on keeping it secret, thoroughly whetting their appetites. Everyone was curious about just what gift he had kept hidden for so long.