"…Let's set Black Flash aside for now. I've just discovered something."
Nanami Kento had made a major realization — a wave of emotion surged through his heart like crashing tides.
"…Itadori, come here for a second."
"What is it?"
Nanami spoke gravely, "These cursed spirits… they seem to have once been human."
"…What? Humans? But they're clearly cursed spirits."
Zephyr frowned and said, "They were indeed human once. The reason they look like this now is because their bodies were forcibly transformed by jujutsu techniques."
Nanami's eyes narrowed. "Transformed? You can do something like that? Who did it? And how?"
Zephyr replied, "That's our target — Mahito. He has a special ability that allows him to manipulate a person's soul. He turns humans into cursed spirits."
"What!? That's even possible!?"
Yuji Itadori's body swayed, all the color draining from his face.
"They… were human…?"
"That means…"
"I… killed someone…"
Nanami said firmly, "Itadori Yuji, don't blame yourself. It's true they used to be human — but they're not anymore."
"Even so… even if that's true… I was the one who dealt the blow…"
"You need to calm down. It wasn't just you — I fought them too."
"But… but…"
"Calm down," Zephyr said flatly.
"…Big Sis…"
"Get a hold of your emotions," she said. "Otherwise, you're off this mission."
"…"
Zephyr sighed, "Fine. I'll call Ijichi to come pick you up."
She made a quick call, and after a brief explanation, Yuji Itadori left the scene.
Nanami asked, "Was that really the right thing to do?"
Zephyr responded, "He's had it too easy up until now. He's never really faced anything too traumatic — it's only natural his mindset would crack a bit. Let him take a breather and calm down."
"What about the mission?"
"We'll continue. If Yuji comes around, he can rejoin us. If not, you and I will finish the job."
"You seem pretty invested in this mission."
"I am. I'll be straight with you — I've got a personal grudge against the mastermind behind this. I want to be the one to take him down."
"No problem. If it means saving some energy, all the better.
So… this Mahito — what exactly _is_ he?"
"A curse born from the hatred and fear humans have for each other.
A special grade cursed spirit. A stitched-together cursed spirit. His name is Mahito."
Nanami adjusted his glasses.
"A special grade, huh? That's going to be tricky. So that 'Remnant' was just bait… meant to lure us here."
"Looks like we can't afford to hold back anymore. It's time to go all out."
---
Meanwhile, elsewhere—
Junpei Yoshino and Mahito were walking through an underground tunnel in the city.
"Special Grade Cursed Spirits born from imagined fears — that's what some curses are called," Mahito said.
"Curses are formed from the negative energy that leaks from humans. Even if something doesn't physically exist, as long as it's a fear commonly shared among people, it can manifest as a powerful curse."
Junpei replied, "Shared fears… like famous yokai or urban legends?"
"That's right. Things like Hanako-san in the bathroom or the Nine-Tailed Fox — there are many. Jujutsu sorcerers categorize these as _Special Grade Cursed Spirits of Imagined Origin_, and they treat them with caution.
Even powerful curses that arise from unverified divine sources are usually first categorized under that label."
Mahito's expression darkened slightly.
"But… the things humans have always truly feared aren't those imaginary stories."
Junpei pondered. "Natural disasters… stuff like that?"
Mahito smiled. "It's really easy to talk to you. I'm glad."
"Haha… y-you think so…?"
"Humans fear the earth, the forests, the oceans. So much negative energy has flowed into these elements that they gained sentience before they ever took form.
They've stayed hidden until now. Every one of them—my proud comrades."
"…Then, what kind of curse are _you_, Mr. Mahito?"
"_Humanity._"
"I am a curse born from human hatred and fear of one another."
---
Back at Jujutsu High—
Yuji Itadori looked downcast, weighed down by his thoughts.
Satoru Gojo appeared beside him and said, "Still can't figure it out, huh, Yuji?"
"I… I just don't get it. Or maybe, it's more like… I don't understand how _you all_ figured it out so fast. That's what feels strange to me."
Gojo replied, "Strange, huh? Well… once you've been through enough, you start to understand things naturally."
"But I haven't gone through that much yet."
"Exactly. That's also one of your weaknesses. You became a sorcerer not too long ago, after all."
"..."
"Well, instead of moping around, how about going to class? Sound good?"
"…I don't feel like it."
"You're worried your classmates will see your face like this, aren't you? Then how about going for a walk outside? Or maybe working out a bit?"
"Exercise…? I don't even have the energy for that right now…"
After a brief silence, Yuji said, "Sensei… do you know about Black Flash?"
"Black Flash… Who told you about it?
Ah, wait — I don't need to ask. I already know who it was.
Still, does she really think _you_ can pull off Black Flash right now?
It's incredible… either she has way too much faith in you, or you really _do_ have the talent."
"So, do you actually know what it is or not?"
"Of course I do."
"Alright then — quit sulking. Don't you want revenge?
Don't you want to destroy that bastard who treats human lives like trash and plays with them for fun?"
"I… Of course I do!"
"Then stand up. Learn to use Black Flash.
Use your fists — and shatter that bastard's fantasy world with your own hands.
Save those innocent lives!"
"Yeah!"
Gojo made up his mind — he'd train Yuji first.
Once they found Mahito's location, they'd regroup and finish off that cursed spirit together.
---
"Ijichi, still no leads?"
"Sorry… we still need a bit more time."
Zephyr was completely speechless. "It's been ages. And you still can't track down a single person?"
Lumine said, "I'm thirsty."
"…"
"I'm thirsty. I want a drink."
"Alright, alright, you're the boss. I'll listen to you."
Resigned, Zephyr controlled Lumine and got her up to go buy drinks.
Paimon quickly added, "Paimon want lemon tea!"
"Sure, no problem." He walked toward the bathroom.
"Hey! Why are you going to the bathroom!?"
"To make you some lemon tea, of course."
"Compression band alert!!"
"Just kidding, just kidding — I'm going to buy the drinks."
"Wait up, Paimon is coming too!"
"What for? Don't trust me?"
"Yup!!"
They stepped out of the office area and finally had a moment to stroll through the streets of Tokyo. Normally, they were always busy with missions — who had time to enjoy the little things?
"Hello~ Our café is having a special event, nya~~"
"Nya?"
Zephyr looked over and saw a _maid café_. A few cute maids stood out front wearing cat ears and tails, enthusiastically trying to attract customers.
But whether it was because Tokyo locals were too used to this sight, or maybe they'd been there too many times and their wallets had already suffered, most people just ignored them.
"Interesting. Let's go check it out."
"Hey! Paimon thought we were getting drinks!"
"Coffee is a drink."
"No, it's not!"
Just as they approached, one of the maids rushed over. "Hello~ Neko's Tail is having a special event! Want to come take a look, nya~?"
"Sure, sounds great."
From inside the bag, Paimon grumbled, "Look at you—so hopeless! That girl's not even as pretty as the Traveler!"
"Exactly! Wait—Paimon, was that a compliment or a diss?"
The maid standing in front of them broke into a sweat. "Aww, big sis, do you like talking to yourself? That's such a cute hobby!"
B-big sis!?
Lumine's eyes lit up. "I like this place. Let's go check it out."
"Oh come _on_..."
This time, it was Zephyr's turn to complain.
"I'm losing it. Just one girl calls you 'big sis' and you're totally sold? Honestly, which one of you is the big sis, and which is the little sis?"
"Exactly because _I'm_ the little sis, I _want_ to be the big sis! She was only born one second earlier than me — why should I be the younger one!?"
"Uh…"
"Nya nya~ Masters, please don't fight. Whether it's this master or that master, you're all my precious masters, nya~! Rei-chan loves you all the most!"
Lumine turned around and walked off. "Two-timer. Bye~"
"Chotto matte nya~!"
//END
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