Such peace probably would not last for long.
Sol's gaze drifted beyond the café window, as though he could see through the bustling streets and into the darkness where curses lurked and multiplied.
Even so, the brief comfort and happiness shared by the classmates beside him were real.
And worth protecting.
He calmly cut another piece of cake and continued eating.
After the break, training resumed as normal.
The first-year curriculum offered little challenge to Sol. Most of his time was spent observing from the sidelines or accompanying Gojo Satoru on what he called "special lessons."
These excursions usually took them to locations with frequent Cursed Spirit activity. In practice, however, Gojo would effortlessly resolve the situation before allowing Sol to observe and analyze the lingering traces of cursed energy.
Life gradually settled back into its usual rhythm.
The only noticeable changes were that Yuji Itadori trained with even greater determination, Megumi Fushiguro's control over his shikigami became increasingly refined, and Nobara Kugisaki's manipulation of cursed energy grew significantly more precise.
Death and pressure were excellent catalysts for growth.
One afternoon, during training, Gojo suddenly appeared and clapped his hands.
"Alright, alright, take a break for a second~"
He waved a finger dramatically.
"Your wonderful Gojo-sensei is heading out on another business trip. This time it's Sendai. There's a troublesome Cursed Object seal that needs reinforcing. It'll probably take three, four, five, six, seven, maybe even eight days."
"Huh? Gojo-sensei's leaving again?" Itadori asked, sounding slightly disappointed.
"That's right~"
Gojo stretched the words out lazily.
"I can't take you guys with me this time. It's pretty boring over there. Stay here at Jujutsu High, train properly, and behave yourselves. Your missions have been temporarily reassigned. I'll check your progress when I get back~"
His gaze shifted toward Sol, and a knowing smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.
"Sol-kun~ I'll leave Jujutsu High and your classmates in your care."
The way he said it sounded no different from asking someone to water a houseplant.
Sol glanced at him and nodded once.
"Perfect! Then it's settled!"
The next moment, Gojo vanished.
Only his fading voice remained behind.
Without his constant chatter and jokes, the training ground suddenly felt much quieter.
"Sendai, huh..." Itadori scratched his head. "That's pretty far away."
"Focus on training," Megumi said. "Use this time to work on the techniques you've been learning."
"Yeah, yeah, I know."
Sol walked to the edge of the field and sat down, watching the others continue sparring.
To anyone else, he appeared to be casually passing the time.
In reality, every movement, every exchange, every fluctuation of cursed energy was being observed and analyzed.
Force distribution.
Timing.
Efficiency.
Possible improvements.
All of it unfolded clearly before him.
This was not the time to interfere directly.
They needed to struggle, adapt, and discover their own answers.
Only then would their growth be genuine.
His role was simple.
Ensure that none of those struggles became fatal.
Just as before.
The clash between Itadori and Megumi steadily intensified. Dull impacts echoed across the field as cursed energy collided.
Nearby, Nobara focused on improving the precision of controlling multiple nails simultaneously.
The sun slowly descended toward the horizon, stretching long shadows across the training ground.
Everything appeared perfectly ordinary.
Yet Sol knew that Gojo's departure would inevitably encourage certain figures hiding in the darkness.
Opportunity often attracted attention.
His eyes briefly shifted toward the distant edge of the Jujutsu High barrier.
Deep within his dark red gaze lay absolute stillness.
Come.
He waited patiently.
After Gojo's departure, Jujutsu High seemed covered by an invisible veil.
Training continued as normal, but even the atmosphere felt subtly different.
The shouts during sparring were quieter.
The air felt heavier.
Itadori's fist slammed into Megumi's crossed forearms with a solid impact.
Stepping back, he shook his hand.
"Megumi, your defense is getting tougher."
Megumi lowered his arms and exhaled slowly.
"You're still not concentrating your strength properly."
His eyes drifted toward Sol, who sat quietly at the edge of the field.
Watching.
Observing.
Megumi often felt that Sol's gaze resembled Gojo's whenever the teacher became truly serious.
As though nothing escaped his notice.
Nearby, Nobara continued throwing nails at a humanoid training target.
Each cursed-energy-infused nail buried itself deep into the reinforced wood with a sharp thud.
"Hey," she suddenly said while wiping sweat from her forehead. "Do you think Gojo-sensei is really just reinforcing a seal in Sendai?"
"What else would he be doing?" Itadori replied before taking a drink from his water bottle. "He goes on trips all the time."
"It just feels a little too convenient," Nobara muttered. "He leaves, and suddenly everything feels weird."
Megumi remained silent.
He understood exactly what she meant.
The barrier was functioning normally.
The forest remained quiet.
Birds still sang among the trees.
Nothing seemed out of place.
Yet an indescribable tension lingered in the air, like the moments before a storm.
His eyes briefly moved toward Sol again.
The latter appeared completely unconcerned.
Perhaps he was overthinking things.
Megumi dismissed the thought.
"Let's keep training."
As dusk arrived, training finally ended.
The group headed back toward the dormitories together, with Sol following at an unhurried pace.
"What are we eating tonight?" Itadori asked while rubbing his stomach. "I think the cafeteria's serving pork cutlet rice."
"Food is all you ever think about," Nobara shot back.
Despite her criticism, she swallowed unconsciously.
Then it happened.
A nearly imperceptible hum spread through the barrier surrounding Jujutsu High.
So subtle that an ordinary person would never notice it.
Like a pebble dropped into still water.
A ripple appeared.
Then disappeared.
The three students ahead continued walking without the slightest reaction.
Sol's footsteps paused for a fraction of a second.
Then he resumed walking normally.
His gaze lifted toward the sky.
Nothing appeared unusual.
The barrier looked completely intact.
Yet what he had sensed was no illusion.
Something had slipped through.
Only a tiny fluctuation, as delicate as a needle piercing the surface of water.
Interesting.
Sol withdrew his gaze and continued following the others as though nothing had happened.
Night eventually settled over Jujutsu High.
Lights glowed throughout the dormitory buildings while most students prepared to sleep.
Inside his room, Sol sat beside the window.
The lights remained off.
Moonlight illuminated the sharp contours of his face as he stared into the darkness outside.
The faint trace left behind by the intrusion carried a familiar and unpleasant cursed energy signature.
Its owner had concealed it well.
Not well enough.
The essence beneath the disguise could not escape his perception.
Was it here for him?
Or was its true target the King of Curses residing within Itadori?
The silent night offered no answer.