The streets of Kyoto slowly faded behind them.
Morning traffic picked up as the city came to life, people moving through their routines without noticing the two figures walking side by side.
One relaxed.
One quiet.
Sora adjusted the strap of his bag slightly as they moved toward the station.
"…So."
Gojo hummed.
"So?"
"Aren't we supposed to go to Tokyo?"
Gojo kept walking, hands in his pockets.
"We are."
"That direction isn't Tokyo."
"Yes, it is not."
Sora narrowed his eyes slightly.
"…Are we taking a detour?"
"Yep."
Sora sighed.
"Why?"
Gojo didn't answer immediately.
They continued walking through the street, passing shops and pedestrians, blending into the ordinary flow of the city.
Then Gojo spoke casually—
"We're heading to Sendai first."
Sora blinked.
"…That's not on the way."
"Correct again."
"…So why?"
Gojo smiled faintly.
"To pick something up."
Sora stared at him for a moment.
"…That sounds vague on purpose."
"It is."
They turned a corner, the station now visible ahead.
People moved in and out, announcements echoing faintly from inside.
Sora's gaze sharpened slightly.
"…It's related to curses."
"Of course it is."
"Something important."
"Very."
Sora went silent for a few seconds.
Thinking.
Then—
"…Not just a normal cursed object."
Gojo didn't respond.
Which, in itself, was an answer.
Sora exhaled lightly.
"…You're really bad at hiding things."
"I'm not hiding it."
"You're making me say it myself."
"More fun that way."
Sora looked ahead.
"…A special grade object?"
"Now we're getting somewhere."
Another few seconds passed.
Then—
"…Is it an ancient curse?"
Gojo's smile widened slightly.
"Bingo. Specifically, the King of Curses, Sukuna."
Sora clicked his tongue softly.
"I thought so."
They reached the entrance of the station.
People brushed past them, the noise growing louder as they stepped inside.
Gojo spoke again
"We are simply going to retrieve the cursed object and return. It won't take long but-"
Gojo Satoru paused slightly.
"There will be danger involved since nearby curses will be drawn to the object, the finger of Sukuna."
Sora frowned slightly.
"…And you're taking me along for that?"
"Yes. You are experienced in fighting curses from what the reports entail. It won't be too troublesome. And besides..."
Gojo turned his head backward slightly, flashing a shit eating grin.
"...I will be there."
Sora simply nodded.
Thinking that there won't be much danger since the strongest is with him.
But-
"That seems unnecessary."
"Not really."
They moved toward the ticket gates.
Gojo spoke casually—
"It's a good learning experience."
"For what?"
"For dealing with dangerous objects."
Sora gave him a flat look.
"…You mean you want free labor."
Gojo laughed.
"I like how your mind works."
Sora sighed.
"…You're the strongest, right?"
"Correct."
"Then why not just get it yourself and go to Tokyo directly?"
Gojo stopped briefly near the platform entrance.
Then turned his head slightly toward Sora.
"Because."
His tone was still light.
But there was something more grounded beneath it.
"Jujutsu isn't just about strength."
Sora stayed quiet.
Gojo continued—
"It's about exposure."
"Experience."
"Understanding what you're dealing with."
He tapped his own blindfold lightly.
"You've been doing your own thing for years."
"Catching curses."
"Experimenting."
"But this—"
He gestured vaguely ahead.
"—is different."
Sora's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…Because it's connected to Sukuna?"
"Exactly."
They stepped onto the platform.
The train hadn't arrived yet.
People stood scattered around, waiting quietly.
Sora leaned lightly against a pillar.
"…So what's the accurate location?"
Gojo stretched his arms lazily.
"We will go to a school."
Sora blinked.
"…A school?"
"Yep."
"That's inconvenient."
"It is."
Sora frowned slightly.
"…Is it sealed properly?"
"Supposedly."
"That doesn't sound reassuring."
"There is not much to worry. Unless someone directly messes with the sealing, it should be sealed properly."
Sora crossed his arms.
"…And you're bringing me along."
Gojo grinned.
"Yep."
Sora stared at him for a moment.
Then exhaled.
"…You reek of recklessness"
"I prefer 'confident.' And hey, I take my baths properly, okay."
"That's not the same thing."
".."
A distant rumble signaled the approaching train.
Wind brushed through the platform as people adjusted their positions.
Sora looked ahead.
"…Sendai, huh."
Gojo nodded.
"Field trip for your day 1."
Sora glanced at him.
"…If something goes wrong?"
Gojo smiled.
"It won't."
"Confident again."
"Obviously."
The train pulled in.
Doors sliding open with a mechanical hiss.
Gojo stepped forward first.
"Come on."
Sora followed.
As he stepped inside, his thoughts shifted slightly.
From Kyoto.
From the orphanage.
To something else.
Sora can sense the future stress.
A finger of Sukuna.
He exhaled slowly.
Gojo, already seated, grinned.
"I hope you are ready because the fun has yet to start."
The doors closed.
And the train began moving.
Toward Sendai.