After Megumi Fushiguro nodded in acknowledgment, Maki adjusted her glasses and said, "Well done."
Faced with everyone's gratitude, Sol simply inclined his head without offering any additional words.
Noritoshi Kamo approached alongside the students of Kyoto Jujutsu High. His expression remained as serious as ever as he gave a respectful bow toward Gojo Satoru and the Tokyo Jujutsu High students.
"Thank you, Tokyo Jujutsu High, for your assistance during this unexpected incident. We will report everything to Principal Gakuganji immediately."
His gaze lingered briefly on Sol, as though he wanted to say something more, but in the end, he merely turned away and left with the rest of his team.
Aoi Todo slapped Yuji Itadori on the shoulder.
"The exchange event was fun, brother! Let's have another good fight next time!"
Laughing loudly, he followed the Kyoto team without hesitation.
The sudden attack had ended as abruptly as it had begun.
The setting sun stretched everyone's shadows across the ground.
On the drive back, the atmosphere inside the vehicle was unusually quiet.
Kiyotaka Ijichi focused on driving and wisely chose not to ask any questions.
Eventually, Itadori leaned toward Sol and lowered his voice.
"Sol, how exactly did you do that back there? You know, making all of them stop like that?"
Several pairs of eyes quietly shifted in Sol's direction.
Sol gazed through the window at the scenery rushing past.
"Just made them understand the difference between us," he replied indifferently.
Silence settled over the vehicle once more.
His answer somehow explained everything while explaining nothing at all.
No one pressed further.
The car eventually arrived at Tokyo Jujutsu High and stopped in front of the dormitory building.
Everyone stepped out, carrying both their exhaustion and the lingering emotions from the battle.
"Get some rest tonight," Gojo said, clapping his hands together. "Tomorrow's a day off! As for the report..."
He deliberately dragged out the sentence before flashing a grin at the students.
"That'll be Ijichi's problem."
"Eh?! Seriously?" Itadori immediately sprang back to life.
"Long live Gojo-sensei!" Nobara cheered.
Ijichi sighed.
"Understood, Gojo-sensei."
Gojo smiled, winked at Sol, then disappeared while humming to himself.
"Yes! No report!" Itadori exclaimed as he threw an arm around Megumi's shoulder.
Megumi looked thoroughly annoyed but made no effort to remove it.
Maki shook her head.
"What a disaster."
Despite her words, a faint smile appeared on her face.
Panda and Toge Inumaki visibly relaxed as well.
Watching the group instantly regain their energy, Sol felt a subtle warmth pass through him, so faint that no one noticed.
"Sol!" Itadori called out with a bright grin. "If you're free tomorrow, want to check out that new dessert shop down the mountain? I heard it's amazing!"
Nobara immediately joined in.
"Yeah! Let's all go together. Consider it a celebration for making it back alive."
Megumi remained silent, but he looked at Sol as well.
Under their expectant gazes, Sol paused briefly before nodding.
"Sure."
Night gradually deepened.
Sol stood alone beside the window as the distant city lights glittered like scattered gold.
Itadori and the others were progressing well.
Especially Itadori.
As Sukuna's vessel, his potential far exceeded what he currently displayed.
Todo had proven to be an excellent catalyst for that growth.
As for the hidden eyes in the darkness and the schemes of the higher-ups...
Sol's gaze drifted across the night beyond the glass.
Insignificant.
If they behaved themselves, he could continue playing the role of a slightly unusual student.
If they didn't...
A faint dark red glimmer flashed through his eyes before disappearing.
Turning away from the window, he left the room.
For now, he was little more than an observer watching events unfold according to a script already written.
The following day arrived exactly as Gojo had promised.
A rare day of rest.
Warm sunlight filtered through the shoji doors, painting soft patches of light across the floor.
A knock sounded.
"Sol! You awake? We're going to that dessert shop like we promised!"
Itadori's energetic voice came from outside.
Opening the door, Sol found Itadori, Megumi, and Nobara waiting.
Itadori looked excited.
Megumi wore his usual calm expression.
Nobara was still yawning, clearly not fully awake yet.
"Let's go," Sol said.
The commercial district at the foot of the mountain was far livelier than the quiet grounds of Jujutsu High.
Pedestrians filled the streets, and shops bustled with activity.
The new dessert shop was small but cozy, filled with the rich aroma of freshly made sweets.
"Wow! Everything looks incredible!" Itadori exclaimed while staring through the display case.
"I want the strawberry parfait," Nobara declared immediately.
Megumi studied the menu.
"Matcha warabi mochi."
Sol scanned the selection before pointing at a simple but elegant black chocolate lava cake.
"That one."
The four of them settled at a table near the window.
Sunlight streamed through the glass, illuminating the neatly arranged desserts.
"Mmm! This is amazing!" Itadori said after stuffing a large spoonful of ice cream into his mouth.
Nobara sampled her parfait and nodded approvingly.
"Not bad. Better than I expected."
Megumi quietly enjoyed his warabi mochi, eating with his usual composed manner.
Sol cut into the chocolate lava cake.
The rich filling slowly flowed from the center.
He took a bite.
Sweetness blended with a slight bitterness, creating a rich and balanced flavor.
His pace was unhurried, his posture relaxed.
Even while eating dessert, there was an effortless elegance to his movements, as though he approached the task with complete focus.
"Sol," Itadori asked curiously, "you like sweets too?"
"They're fine."
"By the way," Nobara said, narrowing her eyes slightly, "what exactly happened yesterday? Why did those curse users suddenly get scared?"
Gojo had brushed the matter aside, but she remained unconvinced.
Megumi also looked toward Sol.
Sol picked up his glass and took a sip of water.
"They concluded that continuing wasn't worth the cost."
"That's it?" Nobara raised an eyebrow.
"Mm."
He offered no further explanation.
Itadori, however, nodded enthusiastically.
"They were definitely scared off by us! And Todo helped out later too!"
The topic gradually faded.
Soft music drifted through the café.
The warmth of the afternoon temporarily washed away the tension and fatigue left behind by the previous day's battle.
It
adori and Nobara argued over which dessert was the best.
Megumi occasionally added a comment.
For the most part, Sol simply listened.
Beyond the window, crowds moved through the streets like a flowing river.
===
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