Morning came too fast.
Takeru stood in the courtyard, adjusting his dark blue sunglasses as the cool air brushed against his face. Yuji was already there, stretching like he was about to run a marathon instead of attend… whatever Gojo had planned next.
"You think today's another mission?" Yuji asked, rolling his shoulders.
Takeru shook his head slightly. "No… feels different."
And it did. The air wasn't heavy like it was around curses. It was lighter—but tense in a different way. Like something was about to happen.
Then—
"Ah."
A voice cut through the morning.
Satoru Gojo stood a few steps away, completely still for once. One hand rested against his chin, like he had just remembered something important.
"…Oops."
Yuji blinked. "What do you mean 'oops'?"
Gojo snapped his fingers. "Today's the Goodwill Event."
Silence.
"…The what?" Yuji and Takeru said at the same time.
Gojo grinned under his blindfold. "Exchange event with Kyoto Jujutsu High. You know—friendly competition, teamwork, a little bit of fighting, maybe some chaos. Totally normal."
"You forgot?!" Yuji shouted.
"Not forgot," Gojo corrected casually. "Just… remembered late."
Takeru sighed softly, already used to this kind of thing. "So what does that mean for us?"
Gojo turned toward them, energy shifting ever so slightly. Even without seeing his eyes, they could feel it—this wasn't just some casual event.
"It means," Gojo said, "you're going to meet other sorcerers your age. Some stronger than you. Some who won't like you. Especially…"
He paused.
"…since you're both vessels."
The words lingered.
Yuji scratched the back of his head. "So… they might try to fight us?"
Gojo smiled. "Oh, they will."
Takeru felt a faint burn on his cheek.
And then—
"How amusing…"
The mouth appeared again.
"More insects to crush."
Takeru's jaw tightened. "Stay quiet."
Yuji glanced at him. "He talking again?"
"Yeah…"
Gojo waved it off like it was nothing. "You'll get used to it. Anyway, get ready. We're heading out soon."
The path to the event site was quiet.
Too quiet.
Takeru walked beside Yuji, hands in his pockets, mind racing. This wasn't like fighting curses. This was different. These were other sorcerers—people who knew what they were doing.
People who might see them as enemies.
"You nervous?" Yuji asked.
Takeru thought for a moment. "…A little."
Yuji grinned. "Good. Means it matters."
That simple answer grounded him.
Yeah. It did matter.
Not just for winning—but for proving something. To Gojo. To others. Maybe even to himself.
They arrived at the event grounds.
A wide, open forest area, surrounded by barriers humming faintly with cursed energy. The atmosphere was charged—not hostile, but competitive.
Across the field, a group stood waiting.
Kyoto Jujutsu High.
Takeru could feel it immediately—the difference in presence. These weren't ordinary students. Their stances, their expressions… they were ready.
And some of them were staring directly at him.
At both of them.
Yuji waved. "Hey!"
No one waved back.
Takeru adjusted his sunglasses slightly. "…Yeah. This is gonna be fun."
The mouth on his cheek curled into a grin.
"Don't die too quickly."
Takeru ignored it.
For now.
Gojo stepped forward, clapping his hands once. "Alright! Let's not make this boring. Show them what you've got."
Takeru exhaled slowly.
New opponents.
New pressure.
And Sukuna watching from within.
As the tension in the air sharpened, one thing became clear—
This wasn't just an event.
It was a test.