I really like it, thank you

Qingxiao chuckled, calmly freed up one hand, and took an exquisitely crafted little matte-black gift box from his pocket, slowly opening it.

The box was lined with soft black velvet. A silver lighter with a cool finish and a simple design lay quietly inside, its sheen delicate, understated yet refined.

The instant Satoru Gojo saw the gift, his eyes widened in astonishment, and he could not help blurting out in utter confusion:

"Huh? A lighter? Qingxiao, are you serious? Isn't giving a girl a lighter way too weird? She doesn't even smoke."

Suguru Geto also raised an eyebrow slightly, a flicker of surprise crossing his eyes. Clearly, he had not expected this gift either.

Faced with their confusion, Shoko gently shook her head. A warm, genuine smile curved her lips, and her voice was soft. "No, I do smoke."

With that, she reached out and took the silver lighter, her fingertips gently rubbing its cool, smooth metal surface with natural, practiced movements.

She took a cigarette from her pocket, held it securely between her fingers, and gently pressed the lighter's switch.

A clear, pale-blue flame sprang up, clean and gentle, without any acrid smell of fuel.

Shoko lit her cigarette with the flame and softly exhaled a puff of smoke, her expression relaxed and her eyes filled with genuine delight. "I really like it. Thank you, Qingxiao."

The sight left Satoru Gojo completely dumbfounded. He stood rooted to the spot, his pupils trembling, disbelief written all over his face. "Wait! Shoko, you actually smoke?!"

He had been Shoko's classmate for so long without noticing a single sign. In his mind, she had always been a quiet, gentle girl. He could never have associated her with smoking; it completely overturned his understanding of her.

Suguru Geto, on the other hand, remained composed, only raising an eyebrow slightly. Clearly, he had noticed this habit of Shoko's long ago.

Seeing the pure, sincere smile in her eyes, Qingxiao felt his heart soften. Shoko did not yet know this was a special cursed tool and thought it was just an ordinary birthday gift, yet she still treasured it so much and was so delighted.

Compared with Satoru's exquisite snacks and figurines and Geto's thoughtful, practical cashmere scarf, the lighter he had given her was far too plain and unremarkable, even somewhat unusual and odd.

Yet Shoko showed not a hint of disdain. She liked this inconspicuous little gift from the bottom of her heart. That feeling of being sincerely accepted and taken seriously was what moved him most.

Meeting everyone's puzzled gazes, he slowly spoke, explaining patiently, "This isn't an ordinary lighter. It's a Grade 1 cursed tool from the Cursed Tool Repository."

"It doesn't need fuel or refilling with gas. It lights entirely through the user's cursed energy. But its real function is Presence Concealment. Wearing it or holding it in your hand can suppress your cursed energy fluctuations and block the perception of cursed spirits of Grade 1 and below. Even some Grade 1 cursed spirits with keen senses will find it difficult to lock onto your presence, though it isn't very effective against jujutsu sorcerers."

After hearing this explanation, Suguru Geto understood at once and nodded in realization. "I see. This is the cursed tool you applied for from the Cursed Tool Repository before. You actually kept it hidden this long, saving it especially for today?"

"No wonder you were being so mysterious!" Satoru Gojo rubbed his chin, slowly recovering. As he processed the new revelation that Shoko smoked, he remarked with feeling, "So you've been planning this for ages!"

Shoko lowered her head and gazed at the silver lighter in her palm, warmth welling up in her heart. She understood all too well the value and thought behind this gift.

It looked like nothing more than an inconspicuous lighter, yet it met her needs precisely.

Qingxiao looked at the stunned Shoko before him, his tone gentle and earnest as he added his heartfelt words. "I can't always be by your side to protect you. I hope this little thing can protect you a little more in my place."

The moment he said that, goosebumps rose all over Satoru Gojo. He waved his hands, protesting theatrically, "Wow-so cheesy! Qingxiao, I can't believe you say sentimental stuff like that too!"

Beside them, Suguru Geto watched the two quietly with a faint smile on his lips, saying nothing to interrupt.

Shoko froze, a warm current gently brushing through her chest, and even her breathing slowed a little.

She had originally thought it was an ordinary lighter that happened to suit her tastes, and her delight had simply come from receiving a gift she liked.

Only after hearing about the cursed tool's remarkable uses, followed by Qingxiao's direct, unadorned words, did she fully understand the weight this gift carried.

The warm winter sunlight fell across her face, setting off the faint blush quietly spreading over the tips of her ears. Her usually cool, composed eyes were now gentle and clear, filled with little glimmers of warmth.

Her fingers tightly clasped the cold silver lighter. Its body was slightly cool, but her palm burned hot, and her heart, too, grew warm and flushed.

She offered no lengthy, sentimental response. She simply lifted her eyes gently to Qingxiao, her smile soft and sincere, her voice quiet and especially earnest. "Mm, I understand. Thank you, Qingxiao."

The winter breeze blew gently, sweeping away the morning chill. The four stood at the dormitory entrance beneath the softly falling sunlight, the atmosphere relaxed and lively.

Satoru Gojo was the first to grow restless, eagerly suggesting, "I'm sick of staying at Jujutsu High! Just eating and shopping is too boring. It's Shoko's birthday today. Let's go to an amusement park!"

Suguru Geto smiled and nodded. "Sure. It's a special occasion. Going out to relax would be nice."

Qingxiao looked at Shoko beside him, whose expression had relaxed, and asked softly, "Do you want to go? It's all up to you."

In high spirits, Shoko nodded gently. "Sure."

With their decision made, all four wore bright smiles as they turned and left the Jujutsu High dormitory area side by side. Walking through the gentle warmth of the winter sunlight, they stepped out through the school gates together, heading off to enjoy a rare stretch of carefree leisure.