Itadori's light-brown eyes held the same warm color Junpei knew so well.
The tension drained from his body; the hand covering his wounds unclenched and trembled as it fell away.
His black bangs, soaked with sweat, still hung messily over his forehead, yet somehow that made him feel a little better.
Itadori's hand brushed his forehead through the damp hair; instinctively he stiffened and shut his eyes.
The palm pressed to his skin was warm.
The fear inside him began to fade.
A gentle heat flowed from that hand, spreading across his forehead in a soothing wave.
Moments later, Itadori's voice—lower and huskier than usual—reached his ears—
"All done."
He opened his eyes again to find Itadori wearing the same bright, unclouded smile as always.
He lifted a hand to his forehead, startled to feel the once-jagged scar now smooth and soft.
His lips parted in shock, unable to believe the thought flashing through his mind.
Beside him, Nobara quickly fished a small mirror from her pouch of nails and thrust it at Junpei; he hesitated, then opened it under her encouraging gaze.
When the mirror showed the scar he'd dreaded was gone, Junpei froze.
Years of violence had convinced him those wounds were permanent.
He'd worn his hair half-down to hide them, hiding half his world along with them.
And now, at last, he could let them go… His fingers pressed harder against the healed skin, then relaxed.
He ducked his head, scrubbing away sweat—and the tears he hadn't noticed—with both sleeves. Damn… How many times was he going to cry in front of Classmate Itadori? He was the oldest, so why did he always… Fushiguro and Nobara reached out together, each patting one of his shoulders in silent comfort.
They stayed beside him quietly until the storm inside him passed.
Poor kid… looks like we'll have to look after him more from now on, they thought in unison, sighing together.
[…Awkward…]
Itadori was still watching Junpei with concern when Sukuna's voice rose from the depths of his heart.
[I only thought about healing the forehead scar… forgot to fix the muscle fatigue from his run.]
Hearing that, Itadori's lips curved and amusement sparkled in his eyes.
His Sukuna was… surprisingly thoughtful, wasn't he?
—He couldn't wait for Junpei to learn it had been Sukuna all along!
So, once Junpei's training for the day was finished, Itadori had him close his eyes again.
In seconds, Junpei went from "shaking mess" to "full-health revival."
Certain he'd be bedridden tomorrow, Junpei tested his completely restored body: "…"
Just how ridiculously capable was his classmate? Why could Itadori do everything?!
…Evening.
The four of them were eating in the cafeteria when Itadori asked Junpei,
"Where are you staying tonight? Dorm, or back at Aunt Yoshino's?"
Unlike them, Junpei's mother now lived in Tokyo; he could go home if he wanted.
—After their house had been destroyed, reconstruction would take time. And with a Special Grade Curse targeting them, Gojo had the two temporarily relocated to a residential compound built for sorcerers' families, protected by heavy wards. Rebuilding costs would be covered by the Gojo Family, letting Sukuna—worried about his private stash—breathe a small sigh of relief.
Junpei said, "I need to go back and explain things to Mom tonight. Starting tomorrow, I'll dorm here, maybe go home on weekends."
Itadori brightened. "Great! When you move in tomorrow, take the room next to mine—only me and Fushiguro are on that floor."
Junpei smiled. "Sure."
After dinner, they saw Junpei off, then Itadori finally started chatting with Sukuna.
He'd been holding everything in all day and now the words spilled out.
"Sukuna, I really think we can just tell him. Look, you saved Junpei and healed him—he won't care about the fingers at all!"
Sukuna considered.
Yet he still answered, awkward as ever,
[…But what if he does care? You saw—he's not like you… He's been hurt; he'll be more sensitive than most.]
[And the day the "Ryomen Sukuna" finger showed up at his house, the real me went to save him… Won't he think I staged the whole thing?]
Itadori: "…"
—His Sukuna had worried that far ahead?!
This wasn't like him at all… almost as if he were tying himself in knots.
Itadori calmed himself and spoke earnestly.
"Sukuna, Junpei would never think that. I'll tell him everything—he's not someone who clings to grudges."
Sukuna fell silent.
He knew his thoughts had veered off course.
Yet every time he considered it, a restless discomfort seized him—
as if all strength had left him, a stone lodged in his chest, an indescribable ache.
[I know… but I just feel… awful…]
Sukuna's voice sounded drained,
laced with a hint of bewilderment and unease he hadn't even noticed himself.
Listening to that subdued tone, Itadori suddenly understood—
he finally saw why Sukuna had been acting so strangely today—
His Sukuna… was afraid—afraid that, without meaning to, his fingers might hurt someone again.
Even against his will, they attracted Curses.
This time they'd arrived in time to save Junpei, but next time? How many victims would fall because of Sukuna's fingers while they remained unaware?
Unconsciously, Sukuna dreaded something irreversible happening.
Itadori's gaze softened.
He lowered his voice, letting warmth and reassurance fill every word.
and quietly told Sukuna—
"Sukuna, this isn't your fault."
His voice was soft, yet it felt like hot water spilling into Sukuna's heart.
"It isn't your fault. You've done more than enough."
Inside the Inner World, Sukuna—curled on the bed—tightened his grip on the white blanket.
He shifted; his closed eyes quivered… This isn't your fault.
His breathing hitched as a fierce sour ache surged inside him.
Hearing Yuji's words, his throat clogged; no sound would come.
He fought to steady his breath, squeezed his eyes shut, and only after a long moment forced the sourness down.
For a while he lay still, then slowly exhaled again.
[…Mm.]
He gave a low, quiet answer, still curled in his blanket.
His heart felt both sore and warm, emotions tangled beyond words.
"It's all right, Sukuna. We'll collect every last finger, I promise."
Itadori's gentle yet bright voice floated in once more.
Sukuna's ear twitched.
His eyes opened slowly; the night pearl in the corner cast a soft glow, adding a glimmer to his crimson pupils.
[…Mm.]
He answered again, low and quiet.
And suddenly the weight in his chest felt lighter than before.
His body relaxed; the ache had finally eased.
Then he heard his kid's voice, laced with a grin.
"So, want me to come inside and sleep with you tonight?"
Sukuna: […]
…So you can use me as a body pillow again?
He bared his teeth in a faint snarl.
[…Get lost.]
Itadori's tone turned even cheerier. "No problem—I'll come in and sleep on my own side~"
Sukuna: […??]
That's not what I meant—
—Has this brat been corrupted by Gojo Satoru?!
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