The voice broke the silence in the courtyard, and both Shoko and Utahime turned their heads at the same time. Walking slowly toward them, Satoru stopped right in front of them.
"..."
"..."
"What's with the funeral vibes? Someone die?"
***
Shoko was the first to react, her cigarette falling from her mouth and rolling across the floor. "You're alive?"
Utahime jumped to her feet and pointed an accusatory finger at Satoru. "Geto told Shoko you were dead!"
'Oh, so that's it' Satoru tilted his head, a mischievous smile spreading across his face. "Wow, so you two do care about me? I think I'm blushing," he said, placing a hand on his chest in an exaggerated gesture.
Shoko quickly regained her composure. "Don't confuse exhaustion with emotion. And for the record, I didn't cry. That was senpai."
"I didn't cry either!" Utahime protested, crossing her arms with force. "I just… I was just… outraged that they sent two students on a mission that serious, without any support!"
Shoko gave Utahime a flat look before turning her focus back to Satoru. "So, how are you alive?"
The humor vanished from Satoru's face as he looked seriously at the short-haired girl. "Before that, I have a request for you."
***
[The next day]
The morning was cold, the sky still tinged with a pale gray that promised rain. A thin mist hung over the grounds of Jujutsu High, cloaking the isolated paths that cut through the dense forest surrounding the school.
Utahime walked ahead, arms crossed against the chill, eyes fixed on the ground to avoid the twisted roots emerging from the earth. "I never expected something like this from him." She cast a quick glance at Shoko, who walked beside her.
Shoko shrugged, eyes narrowed as she watched the trail ahead. "Me neither." Her mind drifted back to Satoru's request the night before—to help him "steal" the bodies of Riko Amanai and her caretaker, Kuroi, from the morgue. "I mean, I never thought Gojo cared about anyone besides himself."
Utahime paused for a moment, resting her hand on a tree trunk to steady herself. "Yeah… I guess this mission changed him."
"Maybe," Shoko replied, her voice neutral, but with a slight furrow of her brow. She wasn't sure "changed" was the right word. Gojo Satoru was still the same arrogant provocateur, but there was something new in his eyes—a shadow she couldn't quite decipher.
Utahime adjusted her coat against the cold, hesitating before speaking. "Shoko, you're not going to get into trouble because of this, are you? I mean, helping Gojo with… this?"
Shoko let out a short laugh. "No. And if something goes wrong, I'll just blame it all on him. Say he forced me to help or something."
"Good idea."
The two continued down the trail, the path narrowing as the forest grew denser. The smell of damp earth and pine filled the air. The mist was beginning to lift, and the sound of shovels digging into the ground echoed in the distance—a steady rhythm that made Utahime exchange a glance with Shoko. They quickened their pace, guided by the sound, until the trees began to thin.
The trail came to an end, opening into a high clearing that offered a breathtaking view. The horizon stretched ahead, with green hills rolling under the light of dawn.
In the center of the clearing, Satoru and Suguru, both in tank tops and shorts, stood with shovels in hand, digging two graves into the earth. Soil piled up beside them as they worked in silence.
Satoru was the first to notice their arrival. He wore sunglasses, but everyone there could still see the characteristic glow of the Six Eyes behind the dark lenses. "Oh, you came. I thought Utahime would give up halfway."
The girl in question scoffed and walked up to Satoru. "I'm not that weak."
"So you are weak?"
Shoko, on the other hand, walked over to Suguru. He didn't look at her, continuing to dig with mechanical movements, lost in his own thoughts. His hair, usually tied back neatly, had strands falling loosely across his face. "Want a cigarette?"
Suguru blinked, her voice seeming to pull him out of a trance. He slowly lifted his head, his eyes meeting hers for a brief moment before returning to the grave. "Maybe later."
Shoko didn't press. "How are you, Geto?"
Suguru stopped, the shovel still buried in the earth. For a moment, it seemed like he would answer, that he might let slip whatever was consuming him. But then he just shook his head. "I'm recovering. Actually, the idea of burying them here… it's making me feel a lot better."
"So it really was Gojo's idea."
Suguru let out a short laugh and looked over to where Satoru was talking with Utahime, still holding the shovel, but working more slowly now. He was gesturing dramatically, probably teasing Utahime, who responded with huffs and irritated gestures. "Weird, huh? Who would've thought he, of all people, would want to do something like this."
Suguru paused, his eyes fixed on his friend. His expression softened for a moment, before hardening again. "All of this changed him. Now… I don't even know what's going on in his head anymore."
Shoko followed his gaze. "It changed both of you. You're not exactly an open book either."
Suguru laughed, this time with a hint of genuine amusement. "Sharp as ever, Shoko."
***
After a few minutes, the graves were ready, deep enough to receive the bodies. Carefully, Satoru and Suguru placed Riko and Kuroi in their respective graves before returning the earth until the ground was level again.
Now, the four of them stood in the clearing, gazing at the horizon. The sun was beginning to break through the clouds, painting the sky in golden hues that reflected off the hills. The wind blew gently, carrying the fresh scent of the forest.
"This was a good place to leave them, Gojo," Utahime said, breaking the silence.
Satoru, hands in his pockets, tilted his head to the side, eyes fixed on the horizon. "Yeah. It's a beautiful sunrise. I think Riko would've liked it."
Suguru, still holding the shovel, looked at the freshly covered graves. 'They didn't deserve this. But at least… they'll get to stay together forever.'
"Well, time to head back. Got a few things to take care of," Satoru said, adjusting his sunglasses.
"I'll go with you. I've got a mission later," Utahime said, casting a glance at Suguru, who remained still. "If you need anything… just let me know."
Suguru lifted his gaze, offering a faint nod. "Thanks, senpai. I'll stay a bit longer."
Shoko, who had been silently watching until then, gently tapped Suguru on the shoulder. "I'll stay with him."
Satoru raised an eyebrow, but didn't throw any sarcastic comment. Instead, he turned toward the trail and waved lazily. "See you around."
"Take care of him, Shoko," Utahime murmured, low enough so Suguru wouldn't hear. Then, with a final wave, she walked toward the trail, leaving the two alone.
***
[Several hours later]
The midday sun filtered through the narrow windows of Shigeru Sonoda's house, casting striped patterns of light across the worn tatami. The air was warm, heavy with the scent of incense he had lit that morning—a silent offering to Master Tengen.
Shigeru walked down the hallway, his bare feet brushing against the floor, his mind still consumed by recent events. Hiring Toji Fushiguro had been an act of faith, a necessary step to protect the purity of Master Tengen. But he hadn't expected the man to return and slaughter all his brothers and sisters of faith that day.
'A shame, but as long as Master Tengen is safe, everything will be fine.' As he stepped into the main room, Shigeru froze.
A white-haired boy sat in the center of the room, legs crossed on the tatami like he owned the place. His dark sunglasses reflected the sunlight, but behind the lenses, two gleaming eyes seemed to pierce straight into Shigeru's soul.
'Those features… must be that Gojo kid,' Shigeru thought as he entered the room. "I didn't think the sorcerers would find me so quickly."
"They didn't. I did." Satoru tilted his head, his smile widening, but devoid of warmth. "Shigeru Sonoda. Devotee of Tengen, loyal member of the Time Vessel Association. You were the one who hired a hitman to kill Riko Amanai, right? Or at least, the one most responsible for making it happen."
Shigeru swallowed hard, but squared his shoulders, drawing strength from his faith. "Everything I did was for Master Tengen. If you've come to kill me, do it. I don't fear death."
Satoru chuckled—a low, cutting sound that echoed through the room. He stood, cracking his neck. "Speaking from experience, everyone fears death when it finally comes. Even if just a little."
In the blink of an eye, Satoru was right in front of Shigeru. "But don't worry. I'm not going to kill you." He placed a hand on the old man's shoulder.
The touch felt like a jolt. Shigeru's legs gave out instantly, and he dropped to his knees. 'What just happened?!' He tried to speak, tried to summon the strength of Master Tengen, but his throat was dry, and the air felt so thin it was suffocating.
Satoru crouched down to his level, his sunglasses slipping slightly to reveal two eyes gleaming with power. "Before anything else, I want you to know that everything you fought for is going to be destroyed. By me!" he said brightly at the end, pointing at himself. "Every building, every temple, every person tied to the Time Vessel Association… I'm gonna wipe it aaall off the face of the earth."
Shigeru opened his mouth, but no sound came out.
Satoru smiled and threw an arm around Shigeru's shoulders like they were old friends. "Normally I wouldn't go this far. But after brushing up against death… I think my view of the world has changed. Pretty cool, right? Never thought something like that would happen to me."
Satoru stood, letting go of Shigeru and walking toward the exit of the room. "See ya~"
With those words, he left the room, leaving the old man frozen on the floor. 'W-what was that?...'
"Oh! Almost forgot." Satoru's head popped back in through the doorway. "There's a grade 2 curse wandering around this house. So, you better try to run. Byeee~"
***
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters, images or songs featured in this fic. Additionally, I do not claim ownership of any products or properties mentioned in this novel. This work is entirely fanfic.