Chiba.
After Christmas passed, winter break for high school students in Japan was coming to an end.
In this kind of cold weather, curling up under a warm kotatsu at home with a plate of sweet mandarins was the best comfort winter could offer.
But these heavenly days had less than two weeks left.
Hikigaya Hachiman lay on the floor, half of his body tucked under the kotatsu, holding a handheld console above him and playing a game out of boredom.
The kotatsu can rot both your mind and soul.
"Bro, how long are you planning to stay this lazy?"
A pair of pale, soft feet appeared in the corner of Hikigaya Hachiman's vision.
"Don't bother me. There's some scary stuff going on outside right now. It's better to just stay home and keep out of trouble." Hikigaya Hachiman rolled over so his back was facing Komachi.
Even though she didn't have any cursed energy, Hikigaya Komachi could still see the giant magic circle that flashed twice in the night sky earlier, so she knew her brother had a point.
She also understood that, even though her brother was a sorcerer, he was basically a half-baked one—not strong enough to join fights on that level.
Deep down, Komachi didn't want her brother to take any risks either.
After all, fighting cursed spirits was the kind of thing that could really get you killed.
"I wonder how Yukino-sis is doing… Is she still fighting those monsters?" Komachi sighed slightly, worry showing on her face.
"Yukinoshita? If you've got time to worry about her, you might as well use it to figure out what to eat for dinner." Hikigaya Hachiman chuckled. "The club president has Hayashizaki with her. Who could even touch her?"
"Seriously, if someone that strong is by your side, saving the world would be a walk in the park."
Hikigaya Hachiman hadn't seen Yukinoshita Yukino in several months, so he had no idea she'd already reached the same level of power as Hayashizaki.
"True enough."
Komachi nodded in agreement, then started thinking about what to make for dinner.
*Ding dong!*
Right at that peaceful moment, the doorbell rang at the Hikigaya house.
The sound of the bell also happened to cover the faint shaking of the house.
"Coming~"
Hikigaya Komachi ran to the entrance and opened the door.
"Yo."
A handsome young man with black hair greeted her with a smile.
Komachi stared in surprise for a moment, then shouted in delight, "Big bro Hayashizaki!?"
Just as she was about to invite him in, Hayashizaki raised his hand to stop her. "There's a get-together today. Do you guys want to come?"
"A get-together?" Komachi tilted her head in confusion.
"Well... to be exact, it's more like a celebration." Hayashizaki thought for a moment before explaining, "You two probably noticed something strange happened on Christmas Eve, right? That's been taken care of, so now everyone wants to have a party to celebrate."
"I see." Komachi nodded, then her face turned a bit awkward. "But my brother and I didn't really do anything. We just stayed home under the kotatsu…"
"That's fine. Just treat it like a normal party. The more people, the better." Hayashizaki patted her on the head. "Come on, go get your brother."
Suddenly, a huge shadow fell over Hikigaya Komachi as a large owl-shaped shikigami lowered its head from the roof. Its sharp, glowing eyes reflected her surprised expression.
"I'll go right now!"
Komachi ran back with excitement written all over her face and dragged Hikigaya Hachiman out from under the kotatsu.
The moment his little sister called out "Big Brother Hayashizaki," the boy with dead fish eyes had already curled up inside the kotatsu, hoping to hide from reality.
His mind told him it wouldn't work, but his body acted on instinct anyway.
After being forcefully pulled to the front door, Hachiman shrank his neck at the sight of the black-haired young man standing there. He forced a weak smile. "Hahaha… long time no see, Hayashizaki-sensei."
"Get on."
Hayashizaki gave a slight nod with his chin, and Nue flapped its wings and flew down from the rooftop, landing on the street and lowering its body for boarding.
With Hayashizaki's help, Komachi nervously but excitedly climbed onto the owl-shaped shikigami's back. In contrast, Hikigaya Hachiman looked like he had completely given up on life.
"Um, what does this party have to do with Komachi and me? Why did you invite us?"
"To make up the numbers."
That short answer from Hayashizaki was enough to shut down all of Hachiman's questions—and his mouth.
Elsewhere, the doorbell rang at Yuigahama Yui's house.
Yukinoshita Yukino stood outside, and soon the sound of hurried footsteps came from inside.
She had given notice beforehand, so the one who came to greet her was the pink-haired girl, already dressed and ready to go.
"Ahhh!! Coming, coming~"
Yuigahama Yui opened the door. Even though she knew Yukinoshita Yukino was coming, she couldn't hide her happy smile the moment she saw her. "Yukino!"
She quickly stepped forward and hugged the black-haired girl tightly, her voice choking up. "I missed you so much, Yukino!"
Yukinoshita Yukino gave a helpless smile and gently patted Yuigahama Yui's back. "Didn't we meet during the holidays?"
"But it's still been a long time since then," Yuigahama said, eyes full of tears.
After letting go, she looked a little nervous and asked carefully, "After this… are you coming back? I mean, back to Sobu High?"
"If nothing unexpected happens," Yukinoshita Yukino said with a small smile.
"Really!? That's amazing!" Yuigahama Yui lit up with joy, tears of happiness in her eyes.
After calming the emotional Yuigahama, Yukinoshita Yukino glanced at the time and said, "Alright, we should get going. The party's about to start."
"Okay," Yuigahama nodded sweetly. "But… is it really okay for me to come? Isn't this a party for you sorcerers?"
"It's totally fine. The more people, the better." Yukinoshita Yukino smiled.
The girl who usually liked peace and quiet was now saying that the more, the merrier.
Then, she gently placed her hand on Yuigahama Yui's shoulder.
The next moment, the two of them rose into the air.
"Ehhhhh!?"
Feeling her feet leave the ground, the pink-haired girl let out a startled and cute squeal, grabbing tightly onto the black-haired girl's slim waist without thinking.
"Don't worry, you won't fall," Yukinoshita Yukino said with a soft smile, and then suddenly picked up speed.
A girl's slightly pitiful cry echoed in the sky.
…
By the time Yukinoshita Yukino arrived at Tokyo Jujutsu High with Yuigahama Yui, who had a slight blush on her cheeks and looked a bit embarrassed about how she reacted, a large crowd had already gathered on the wide open lawn.
Students from the Tokyo and Kyoto campuses, along with many familiar sorcerers, were already sitting around their barbecue grills, cooking up food.
"You're so slow, little Yukino~"
Yukinoshita Haruno's teasing voice rang in her ears.
The black-haired girl turned toward the voice and saw her sister standing right next to Hayashizaki, their shoulders almost touching. Beside them stood Riko Amanai and Misato Kuroi.
"Tch, that fox!"
Yukinoshita Yukino couldn't help muttering through gritted teeth.
"Huh? Yukinon, did you say something?" Yuigahama Yui asked, confused because she hadn't heard clearly.
Yukinoshita Yukino's cheeks turned a little red, and she quickly brushed it off. "Hikigaya's over there, Yuigahama."
She casually pointed toward the corner where Hikigaya Hachiman, with his dead-fish eyes, was huddled next to Itadori Yuji and Hayato, trying to disappear like an ant, and used that to send Yuigahama away.
"Ah, it's Hikki! I'll head over there then!"
As soon as she spotted the familiar figure, the pink-haired girl lit up with surprise and joy. After saying a few words to Yukinoshita Yukino, she jogged over toward Hikigaya Hachiman.
Sitting stiffly like he was on pins and needles, Hikigaya Hachiman noticed Yuigahama Yui waving at him as she ran his way, and he finally let out a small sigh of relief.
Finally, someone he at least knew a little.
But very soon, he realized her actions had just made things worse. The people around Itadori all started giving him looks that were… not easy to read.
A cold drop of sweat slid down Hikigaya Hachiman's face.
Ignoring the awkward situation Hachiman was stuck in, Yukinoshita Yukino marched straight over to her sister Haruno and Hayashizaki with a sharp look in her eyes. Without hesitation, she squeezed herself between the two of them, firmly separating her sister from the black-haired man.
It was basically a clear sign she was claiming her territory.
Yukinoshita Haruno didn't get angry or say anything. She just looked at her sister with a teasing gaze until Yukino's face turned red, then casually waved her hand and walked away with Riko Amanai and Misato Kuroi, chatting as they left.
Now, only Hayashizaki and Yukinoshita Yukino were left.
"I thought you'd be flying faster than me," the black-haired man said with a slight smile, looking down at her navy blue eyes.
"I had to think about how Yuigahama was feeling," Yukinoshita Yukino replied, and couldn't help smiling too.
The two of them walked side by side toward the grill where Gojo Satoru and Hayato were.
Everyone gathered around this grill was part of the strongest group of sorcerers in the jujutsu world today.
Gojo Satoru, Geto Suguru, Toji Fushiguro, and a blonde woman neither of them had met before—Yuki Tsukumo.
Of course, Shoko Ieiri, a close friend of both Gojo Satoru and Geto Suguru, was also there, along with Gakuganji, who didn't quite fit in with the rest.
"Oh? So these are the big shots you were talking about," Yuki Tsukumo said with bright eyes and clear interest as the two walked over.
"Woo~ and they're both good-looking too!" she added with a grin. She confidently introduced herself to the black-haired young man, "I'm Yuki Tsukumo, one of the four special grades… well, I guess it's six now, right?"
"Nice to meet you. I'm Hayashizaki, and this is Yukinoshita Yukino," Hayashizaki nodded in return.
"Well then, sorry if this is a bit sudden." Yuki raised a finger to her red lips. "What kind of girls do you like?"
As soon as she said that, Yukinoshita Yukino's eyes sharpened.
"What kind of girls?" Hayashizaki smiled and put his arm around the girl's slim waist. "This kind."
Just like that, the tension in her eyes faded instantly, and within seconds, her face turned bright red—beautiful in a way that was hard to describe.
Yuki glanced between the two of them, then let out a disappointed sigh.
Some white-haired man whistled and laughed, "So bold~ a student-teacher romance, huh? That's one for the books."
"Come on, Satoru, don't tease them," Geto Suguru said, squinting as he raised his glass of beer with a playful tone. "You're about the right age to settle down too. I bet the elders at the Gojo house have been pushing you."
"Hah, a guy like him? Not happening,"
Shoko Ieiri, standing next to Geto, also laughed. Ever since Geto had come back from the dead, she seemed younger— even the dark circles under her eyes had faded.
Shoko also held a drink in her hand. Seeing Gojo Satoru frown, she clinked her glass with Geto's happily.
After some teasing, everyone finally got down to business.
The people gathered here today made up almost all of the jujutsu world's remaining strength—its core members.
This gathering wasn't just a celebration. The future of the jujutsu world would be shaped by the people in this room.
Right now, the most promising plan was still the one first suggested by Yuki Tsukumo: removing cursed energy from all humans around the world. "Heaven and Cursed Binding" was the focus of the research.
The subject had already come back to life, so now it was just a matter of time to see what came next.
Another key topic was restructuring the jujutsu leadership.
Gojo Satoru proposed killing off the current higher-ups, saying they were rotten to the core and would only cause more trouble if left in place.
He suggested that after clearing them out, the new leadership could be built by choosing reliable people from the assistant supervisors, with Gakuganji helping to oversee the process.
Hayashizaki and Fushiguro Toji voted in favor, but everyone else voted against it, so the plan was dropped with a bit of regret.
Still, restructuring would happen, but instead of killing the current leaders, they would just be removed from their positions.
For now, two main directions were agreed upon. The rest could wait for later.
The future of the jujutsu world couldn't be decided in just one party.
And from that point on, the group just enjoyed the celebration.
Wearing his sunglasses, Gojo Satoru jumped up onto a high platform, cupped his hands around his mouth like a megaphone, and shouted, "Alright, everyone! Let's get this party started!"
"Yeah!!"
Only Itadori Yuji and Kugisaki Nobara cheered him on from below.
While Gojo Satoru stood there awkwardly in silence, old man Gakuganji quietly took off the guitar case strapped to his back and plugged it into the amp.
His dry fingers strummed the strings, and the next second, loud rock music filled the air.
That marked the official start of the celebration.
The charcoal fire lit up, and drops of hot oil fell onto the burning coals, making a sizzling sound as the smell of grilled food quickly spread through the cold winter air.
Above them, the sky was a clear blue with no clouds, and the warm winter sun shone down on everyone, blending with the excitement of the party.
The laughter of the boys and girls could be heard from far, far away.
...
(THE END)
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