Becoming Sukuna

"Hey! Hayato! Karaoke after school?"

Ooka grinned, sneaking up behind Hayama and throwing an arm around his shoulders, making him stumble.

Hayama chuckled and reminded him, "We have club activities later."

"Who cares!" Tobe chimed in, also slinging an arm around Hayama, effectively trapping him between them. "You guys just won the national tournament. You deserve a break!"

"He's right. We should celebrate. We haven't hung out properly since you two started training for the tournament," Yamato added, lumbering towards them with open arms.

"Whoa, Yamato, don't come any closer!"

The four tumbled to the ground in a playful heap. Just before they hit the hard floor, the classroom tiles transformed into soft, fragrant grass.

Ooka laughed heartily, tears welling up in his eyes. He spread his arms, lying on the grass with a relaxed smile as Hayama and the others watched him.

"Hey, guys," he said.

"I'm so glad... to be friends with you all." Ooka continued, his voice thick with emotion. "Don't... come see me too soon, okay?"

"What are you talking about? Of course not."

"Idiot! I'll definitely outlive you!"

"You're the idiot! Don't cry because you're lonely!"

The three responded with playful banter.

"That's good." Ooka lay on the grass, a gentle breeze carrying dandelion seeds across his face. He closed his eyes contentedly, as if falling asleep.

...

A white sheet covered Ooka's face. Two men in suits lifted the body onto a stretcher.

Over an hour later, Kiyotaka Ijichi arrived from Jujutsu High in Tokyo.

He stood beside Yukinoshita Yukino, taking notes on his clipboard as she explained the details of the Idle Transfiguration technique.

"A technique that can alter the shape of a soul through touch... Judging from this person's actions, we can assume it was a curse user or a cursed spirit," Ijichi speculated. "Special grade, or at the very least, grade 1."

He closed his clipboard and bowed slightly to Yukino. "Thank you for the information, Yukinoshita-san... and of course, Sukuna-san."

"Ooka-kun's death will be reported as a sudden illness. And your school will be temporarily closed for a week for repairs. After all..."

Ijichi glanced at the ravaged hallway. "Repairing this damage will take time."

"Your friend, Yuigahama-san, has been examined and is unharmed. She'll wake up on her own."

"I understand. Thank you, Ijichi-san," Yukino nodded in gratitude.

"Not at all, this is simply our job as assistant supervisors, even though you're not affiliated with Jujutsu High." Ijichi instinctively glanced around, confirming Gojo Satoru wasn't present before continuing. "Besides, working with you is much more pleasant than working with Gojo-sensei."

"Good, good. Next time, say that to his face," Sukuna said with a laugh.

"Well, about that..." Ijichi wiped the sweat from his brow with a handkerchief.

"Don't worry, I've got your back. That guy can't beat me." Sukuna patted Ijichi's shoulder with Yukinoshita's hand.

Sukuna's casual words were like a thunderbolt to Ijichi, his mind flooded with thoughts.

When Gojo-sensei and Sukuna-san first met, they disappeared for over ten minutes. They must have fought then. Afterwards, Sukuna and Yukinoshita Yukino became partners with Jujutsu High.

Did Sukuna's words just now mean that Gojo-sensei lost that fight? Even if he didn't lose, he must have been at a disadvantage.

Ijichi couldn't imagine that frivolous man, who always boasted about being the strongest, being defeated.

And Sukuna's cursed energy and technique were identical to the records of Ryomen Sukuna, a fact verified by Gojo-sensei. Then there was Yuji Itadori, the Sukuna vessel that Gojo-sensei and Fushiguro brought back to Jujutsu High...

Gojo-sensei's thoughts were beyond the comprehension of a mere office worker like himself. He just needed to do his job.

Ijichi cleared his mind of these complex thoughts and excused himself. "Then, I'll take my leave."

After Ijichi and the cleanup crew left with Ooka's body, Hachiman Hikigaya, who had been silently observing, finally spoke. "Who were those people?"

He held a business card Ijichi had given him.

"People from Jujutsu High. Think of them as staff who handle the aftermath," Yukino explained.

"Oh." Hachiman nodded in understanding.

President Yukinoshita must have been taken by Sukuna to exorcise cursed spirits again, which was why they encountered these professionals.

Thinking about this, he felt a bit relieved. So the battles he experienced were actually fewer than he thought. He had only been truly dragged into a fight by Sukuna twice.

Is this Sukuna's way of being considerate?

"We should go back too."

Yukino arrived at the infirmary and looked at Yui Yuigahama, who was fast asleep in bed. A troubled expression crossed her face.

"Should we take Yuigahama back? Do you know where she lives?" Hachiman asked hesitantly. "Also, about the jujutsu world..."

After a moment of contemplation, Yukino said, "I'll take Yuigahama to my place. I'll explain everything to her. It's impossible to keep hiding it now."

"That's the only option. Then I'll head home. My sister will worry if I'm too late." Hachiman glanced out the window.

Night had fallen. The city lights twinkled like a sea of stars, the roads and highways intertwining like veins and arteries, the speeding vehicles merging into rivers of light and shadow.

Hachiman pedaled home on his bicycle. Yukino, carrying the sleeping Yui, hailed a taxi and took her back to her own apartment, settling her in the spare bedroom. She then went to the kitchen, tied on an apron, and started preparing dinner.

Yui Yuigahama was awakened by a delicious aroma.

She sat up in bed, her mind still foggy, and found herself in a completely unfamiliar room.

Where am I?

How did I get here?

Wasn't I at the Service Club?

Something smells delicious. Is someone cooking?

With her head full of questions and her stomach growling, Yui Yuigahama climbed out of bed and left the room.

She found herself in a beautifully decorated apartment. A delicious aroma wafted from the open kitchen. Curiosity led her towards the source, where she found Yukinoshita Yukino, dressed in casual clothes and wearing an apron, preparing a meal.

"Yukino!?"

Yui was startled, wondering if she was dreaming. She instinctively pinched her cheek. "Ouch! So it's not a dream!?"

Yukino chuckled at her silly antics and set the dishes on the table. "Let's eat first. I'll explain everything. I just hope you won't be too scared."

"Eh? Explain what?" Yui tilted her head, confused. "Isn't it just that I fell asleep at the Service Club, and you couldn't wake me up, so you brought me back to your place?"

"...What did you say?"

Yukino's eyes widened in disbelief.

"Eh? Isn't that right?" Yui said innocently.

Is Yuigahama... did she lose her memory?

Was it the shock of witnessing Ooka's transformation? Did her brain's defense mechanism trigger, causing selective amnesia?

If that's the case, I can still keep things hidden... But is that really the right thing to do?

Yukino found herself in a dilemma.

"Yukino?" Seeing Yukino's distant gaze, Yui waved a hand in front of her face. "What are you thinking about?"

"Am I bothering you...?" Yuiigahama's face fell, a flicker of worry in her eyes.

"No, not at all," Yukinoshita Yukino quickly reassured her, shaking her head with a gentle smile. "I was just thinking that your family might be worried since I didn't inform them."

"Ah!" Yui suddenly gasped, frantically searching for her phone. "Oh no, oh no, what time is it? Aah, it's past eight already!"

Prompted by Yukino's words, she hurriedly retrieved her phone from her bag on the sofa. The lit-up screen displayed five missed calls from her mother.

She quickly called back, and the phone was answered almost immediately. "Hello? Mom! I'm so sorry I missed your calls! I accidentally fell asleep at the club! Yes, yes, I'm fine. Yukino brought me back to her place. Eh? Coming home today..."

Yui glanced at Yukino, and seeing her nod, she broke into a bright smile. "Yes, I don't think I'll be coming home tonight."

"Hehe~" After listening to her mother's reminders and instructions, she hung up, beaming at Yukino.

"Let's eat first. It won't be good if it gets cold," Yukino said, handing her a bowl of rice.

My friend seems a bit... airheaded. It's kind of worrying.

"Okay~!" Yui cheerfully took her seat at the table, eagerly picking up her chopsticks and savoring Yukino's cooking.

She picked up a piece of fried fish, popped it into her mouth, and chewed with gusto. Her expression softened with delight. "Delicious! Yukino, your cooking is amazing! I wonder when I'll be able to cook like this..."

The golden batter coating the fish was crispy without being hard. With a gentle bite, a satisfying crunch filled the air, followed by the rich aroma of the oil and a burst of savory juices. The tender fish melted in her mouth.

"Is this cod? How did you make it?" Yui asked between bites, her mouth full.

"Well, it's just a normal frying method. First, steam the cod, then coat it in flour..."

As Yukino explained, she noticed Yui's eyes glazing over as if she were in a math class. Yukino sighed and simplified her explanation. "It's similar to tempura."

"Oh, oh! I see! I understand!" Yui exclaimed with sudden comprehension and resumed eating.

Do you really understand?

Chuckling inwardly, Yukino also started eating, taking small, polite bites. Meanwhile, she spoke to Sukuna in their private mental channel.

Sukuna, do you think I should tell Yuigahama about the jujutsu world?

Whatever you want. Do as you please, Sukuna replied nonchalantly. And stop asking me about everything, especially trivial matters like this.

Yukino fell silent.

Stop asking me about everything?

A flicker of doubt crossed her mind. Was she really consulting Sukuna that frequently?

Once the question arose, her mind instinctively sought an answer. She retraced her recent memories, and the answer she found made her fall silent once more.

It seems I really am.

Lately, she had become quite reliant on Sukuna, consulting him on matters big and small, taking his opinions into consideration before making her own decisions.

Is this really okay?

A debate stage materialized in her mind. Two chibi Yukinos sat on opposite sides, the one on the left with a serious expression, the one on the right with a gentle smile. A third, normal-looking Yukino sat in the judge's seat and pressed the button for the left side.

The serious Yukino spoke, her voice cool and solemn. "This is clearly not good! Always relying on Sukuna's opinions will only deepen your dependence on him. In the long run, not only will you not grow, but you'll become someone who can't make decisions without him!"

"Logical and convincing." Judge Yukino wavered slightly, then pressed the button for the right side, allowing the other Yukino to speak.

"What's wrong with that?"

The gentle Yukino spoke with a smile. Her voice wasn't as cold as the other Yukino's, but warm like the first spring breeze carrying the vitality of new life, like a clear stream flowing through a forest.

"Sukuna's judgment is always accurate. Wouldn't taking his opinion into account before making a decision lead to a better outcome? If you stubbornly refuse to rely on him out of fear of not growing and end up making the wrong choice, you'll truly regret it. Besides, what's wrong with relying on Sukuna? You enjoy that sense of security and comfort he provides, don't you?"

"Stop lying to yourself!"

Gentle Yukino's words struck both Serious Yukino and Judge Yukino. A blush crept onto their faces, rendering them speechless.

Gentle Yukino won the mental debate!

"Yukino? Yukino!"

"Ah? What is it?" Yui's voice pulled Yukino back to reality.

"Lately, you seem to be spacing out a lot, almost like Hikki in class," Yui said with concern.

"I-is that so? I was just thinking, did I add too much salt to the fried cod?" Yukino said, a slight blush on her cheeks.

"Eh? I think it's just right." Yui took another bite. "Do you prefer stronger flavors, Yukino?"

Indeed, I do, Sukuna chimed in.

"Well, yes, perhaps... I do," Yukino replied hesitantly.