The entrance to the training ground echoed with a light voice carrying a lazy drawl.
"Yo, everyone's here? Haven't seen you in a few days. Did you miss your Gojo-sensei?"
Everyone turned to see Gojo Satoru walking in with his hands in his pockets, long strides carrying him forward, a carefree smile spread across his face.
He had apparently just returned and was not even wearing his blindfold. His sky blue Six Eyes swept over the four students before lingering on Sol for a moment longer.
"Gojo-sensei!" Itadori and Nobara exclaimed almost simultaneously, both sounding pleasantly surprised.
"Gojo-sensei," Megumi greeted.
Sol merely glanced at him indifferently.
Gojo Satoru walked over and casually draped an arm around Sol's shoulders. Despite how unconventional the gesture was, he did it as naturally as breathing.
"I think I heard someone talking about troublesome matters. Tell me about it and let the all powerful Gojo-sensei solve everything."
Itadori immediately explained the incidents involving Hoshizuki Hikari and the others being repeatedly attacked, along with the request for help they had just received.
As Gojo listened, the smile on his face gradually softened. His lips still curved upward, but the playful look in his Six Eyes faded, replaced by contemplation.
"Megumi thinks a group of Cursed Spirits is targeting them," Itadori finished.
Gojo fell silent for a few seconds, his fingers unconsciously tapping Sol's shoulder twice.
"Continuous harassment, building up fear..." he muttered quietly.
His eyes narrowed slightly as a complicated emotion briefly flashed across them.
The Cursed Spirits gathered around the Star Corridor during Riko Amanai's time as the Star Plasma Vessel.
Suguru Geto's question.
"What is the meaning of this?"
The fragmented memories surfaced only to be immediately pushed aside.
A bright smile returned to his face as he firmly patted Sol's shoulder.
"Isn't this perfect?" he said lightly. "Since the enemy is being so persistent, they'll definitely strike again. Sol, weren't you just saying classes were getting a little boring? Why not take a trip to Osaka and work as a personal bodyguard for a beautiful idol at the same time? Sounds pretty cool, right?"
He winked.
"Besides, with your strength, classes are mostly a formality anyway. Practical experience is always better. Gojo-sensei officially grants you special permission. What do you say?"
Itadori's eyes lit up.
"Oh, right! If Sol goes, there definitely won't be any problems."
Nobara nodded in agreement.
"As much as I hate to admit it, he's ridiculously strong."
Megumi Fushiguro looked at Gojo, then at Sol, as if he wanted to say something, but ultimately remained silent.
He had a feeling there was another reason behind Gojo-sensei's decision, but sending Sol was undeniably the best option.
Sol was also curious to see who was behind these petty schemes.
"Okay."
"Then it's settled!" Gojo snapped his fingers. "I'll inform the higher ups, though they probably won't care about one more exception. Sol, go without worries. I'll keep an eye on things here."
With that, the matter was decided.
Sol wasted no time. After packing his belongings, an auxiliary supervisor drove him to the station, where he boarded the Shinkansen bound for Osaka.
The journey was uneventful.
By the time he arrived, evening had already fallen.
As city lights illuminated the streets, Osaka displayed a vibrant energy distinct from Tokyo.
Following the address Hoshizuki Hikari had sent him, Sol arrived at a luxurious apartment building situated in a bustling district. Security was several times stricter than it had been at the hotel.
Only after multiple confirmations through the building's intercom system was he permitted upstairs.
The elevator took him directly to the top floor.
When the doors opened, two alert, muscular bodyguards stood waiting. After verifying his identity, one of them led him down a corridor toward a reinforced security door.
The door opened.
Warm lighting and a faint fragrance drifted outward.
"Sol!"
Hoshizuki Hikari hurried over, relief and excitement evident in her voice.
She wore casual loungewear. Though traces of fatigue remained on her face, her eyes sparkled with renewed hope.
Behind her, Natsukawa Haruka and Sora Mirai also stood up, looking at him with a mixture of curiosity and nervousness.
The manager quickly rose from the sofa.
"Mr. Sol, you got here so quickly. Thank you so much. Please, come in."
The apartment was spacious and luxuriously furnished, clearly intended as a temporary safe house.
As Sol entered the living room, his gaze casually swept across the surroundings.
In an instant, he noted every entrance and exit, every surveillance blind spot, and the positions of all security personnel.
"The situation," he said simply.
The manager gestured for him to sit before explaining everything in detail.
"Ever since we returned, we've minimized unnecessary outings and canceled most activities, just as you suggested."
"But over the past few days, Hikari has constantly felt like someone is watching her, even inside the apartment. We hired a professional security company to inspect the entire place multiple times, but they found no cameras or listening devices. We've even increased security rotations three times."
Hoshizuki Hikari spoke next, her voice carrying a hint of unease.
"It's just a feeling, like someone's eyes are glued to my back, especially at night or when I'm alone in my room. It's really unsettling and makes my skin crawl. Haruka and Mirai have felt it too, but not as strongly."
Sol listened quietly, his expression unchanged.
If this was the work of a Jujutsu Sorcerer or a Cursed Spirit, ordinary security measures would never detect it.
Negative emotions and prolonged mental stress naturally attracted low grade Cursed Spirits and could even become fuel for certain cursed techniques.
"I understand," Sol said with a nod. "I'll stay here for the next few days."
His words carried an inexplicable sense of reassurance.
Hoshizuki Hikari, Natsukawa Haruka, and Sora Mirai visibly relaxed, while the manager wiped the sweat from his forehead and repeatedly thanked him.
A guest room was quickly prepared for Sol.
Dinner consisted of high end takeout.
During the meal, the three girls tried their best to keep the atmosphere light by making conversation, but the lingering sense of unease never truly disappeared.
Sol did not speak much, occasionally responding when necessary. Even so, his mere presence felt like an immovable mountain, quietly dispelling some of the fear hanging over the apartment.
Night gradually deepened.
After giving repeated instructions, the manager departed, leaving only Sol, the three girls, and the bodyguards stationed outside.
Sol did not return to the guest room.
Instead, he told Hoshizuki Hikari, Natsukawa Haruka, and Sora Mirai to rest normally while he remained seated on the living room sofa with his eyes closed.
One by one, the apartment lights dimmed until only a few nightlights remained.
Everything became silent.
Only the distant hum of the city lingered in the background.