…Soon it was noon, and the group headed to their "everything-is-free cafeteria."
Junpei stared at one of the counters, eyes wide with shock.
—They actually had his favorite tendon bowl here!
The benefits package for Jujutsu Sorcerers really is amazing…!
He picked it at once, then found a table with Itadori and the others.
The vast, empty cafeteria drove home once more just how few sorcerers there really are.
As they ate, a guy, a girl… and a panda walked in through the entrance.
Junpei's hand jerked; the crab meat slipped off his chopsticks back into the bowl.
A panda??? Why is there a panda in the school cafeteria???
When Itadori greeted the panda like it was nothing and the panda answered in human words, Junpei had to reboot his worldview yet again—accepting that a panda could be a Jujutsu Sorcerer… How many times today was that?
Can I really survive in this insane school?
"Oh, you're all here—huh, who's the new kid?"
Maki raised an eyebrow at Junpei.
For some reason, the timid, cautious black-haired boy looked familiar… like she'd once met a similar creature… "Yoshino Junpei. I told you about him—Sensei Gojo dragged him to Jujutsu High too!"
Itadori answered cheerfully.
Junpei: "…"
Just how many people have you told about me?
Why do I feel famous on campus before even arriving?
"Um… hello."
He stood and gave a careful greeting.
One look at the two humans plus the panda told him they were not to be trifled with.
He grew even more reserved—typical of a sorcerer school, where a fight could apparently be lethal.
Maki gave a casual nod, sized Yoshino Junpei up, and suddenly had a thought—
That cautious look… those timid eyes… that kicked-puppy aura… and that bean-sprout body…—exactly how Yuta Okkotsu looked when he first arrived!
Her eyes lit up; she whipped out her phone and dialed.
The call connected quickly to Yuta, who was overseas.
"Yuta…"
Maki stared at Junpei and drawled into the receiver,
"Finish your mission and get back here—"
—your sworn-by-blood, no-actual-relation little brother has enrolled at Jujutsu High!"
Yuta Okkotsu: "…?"
…Huh??
…What on earth is a sworn-by-blood, no-actual-relation little brother?
Junpei: "…"
…?
…Is she… talking about me?
Leaving the two bewildered boys, Maki hung up cheerfully and let the matter drop.
She turned to Itadori. "Why are you in the cafeteria today? Sukuna already—"
Itadori cut her off with frantic coughing.
He shot Maki a pained, pleading look and forced out,
"Sukuna's… got some family stuff going on… won't be in school for a couple of days."
Everyone: "…???"
Maki, Panda, Fushiguro, and Nobara all stared at Itadori, question marks floating overhead… Sukuna's family…?
Sukuna's family is you, Itadori. What are you two up to now?
They glanced at the unfamiliar Junpei and guessed it might have something to do with him…
Though puzzled, they let it slide, nodded, and went to get their food.
Fushiguro frowned at Itadori, confused.
Only now did he realize that ever since Junpei showed up, Sukuna had gone completely silent.
Sukuna and Junpei…? What could possibly…?
He knit his brow, lost in thought; Sukuna acting like this was unprecedented.
Junpei sensed the weird vibe too.
After Panda's group left, he turned to Itadori, conflicted.
"Um…"
He hesitated, unsure how to ask.
"That Sukuna… is he the guy you said you were cosplaying—'Ryomen Sukuna'?
"He's not here… is it because of me…?"
Fushiguro and Nobara's eyes flew open… Cosplay what now?
And how does Yoshino Junpei even know "Ryomen Sukuna"?!
Itadori, faced with Junpei's sad eyes, covered his face in agony.
—He couldn't stand that look!
One lie spawns a thousand more… Help, he couldn't take it… He wiped his face and managed, "Yeah… Sukuna's… got reasons he can't meet you… but he's a great guy! That night, he told me about the Curse at your place so I could save you! He's definitely not a villain!"
Junpei: "…?"
…Definitely not a villain… so why can't he see me? Do they know each other?
Was he one of the kids who used to bully me? But according to Itadori he saved me… He hesitated, then mustered courage and asked,
"So… do I have some grudge against him?"
Itadori waved his hands frantically. "No! Absolutely not!!"
He denied it so fast that Junpei exhaled in relief—no grudge was good.
But… if there's no grudge and he saved me, why can't we meet? He couldn't figure it out.
After a moment he said,
"Then let's meet when he's ready. Please tell him I'm grateful he let my mom and me survive. Whatever reason keeps him away, I don't mind."
Itadori heaved a sigh and brightened up again.
"Got it! Message delivered~!"
Fushiguro pondered… Sukuna avoiding Yoshino… not fear… so embarrassment? Guilt?
Guilt over what? Destroying Yoshino's house? No, Yoshino thinks Itadori did that… Because of the Curse?
—the Curse drawn by his fingers?!
Fushiguro-Holmes Megumi's eyes flashed; he saw the truth!
He whipped out his phone and texted Nobara, who was still clueless; she made a disgusted face, thinking they were making a fuss over nothing, but kept quiet out of tacit agreement.
Neither of them brought Sukuna up again, covering for Itadori and "his" Sukuna.
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