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‧₊˚ ꒰ Gojo x star plasma vessel! reader

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The scent of burning incense lingered in the air long after the morning prayers had ended. It clung to the wooden beams of the shrine, settled into the tatami beneath your knees, and drifted lazily through the open shoji doors where the summer breeze carried it away. You had long since grown accustomed to it. Just as you had grown accustomed to the whispers.

"...The merger is only days away."

"...Everything is prepared."

"...Master Tengen will finally be complete."

"...The Star Plasma Vessel will fulfill her purpose."

Purpose.

It was a word everyone used so effortlessly. As if your life had always belonged to someone else. You sat quietly while the shrine attendants adjusted the ceremonial robes draped over your shoulders, smoothing invisible wrinkles from the expensive silk before bowing respectfully.

"You've grown into such a beautiful young woman."

Another smiled.

"Master Tengen will surely be pleased."

You returned the same practiced smile you had worn for years.

"Thank you."

It was enough. It always was. Satisfied, the attendants excused themselves, sliding the paper doors shut behind them. The room fell silent. The smile disappeared from your face almost immediately. You waited. Until you were certain no footsteps remained outside your room.

Only then did you lift a loose floorboard beside your futon. Hidden beneath it was a small cedar box. You carefully removed it, brushing away the thin layer of dust that had gathered over the lid before opening it. Inside rested a notebook. The cover was worn. The corners had curled with age. Across the front, written in uneven handwriting from years ago, were the words:

Things I'd Like to Do Before I Disappear.

Your fingers traced the title. You couldn't help smiling. You opened to the first page. The entries were childish.

Pet a dolphin.

Crossed out. The aquarium staff had laughed when you spent nearly an hour feeding one instead.

Eat an entire strawberry cake by myself.

Crossed out. The attendants had scolded you afterward when you complained of a stomachache.

Ride a bicycle.

You had learned exactly one thing that day. Brakes were important. A quiet laugh escaped you. You turned another page. The handwriting slowly matured. The dreams became bigger.

Watch the stars somewhere without city lights.

Go on a road trip.

Go to the aquarium with friends.

Learn the constellations.

Watch a meteor shower.

See the northern lights.

You paused. There was only one page left. Unlike the others, every word had been written carefully, almost timidly. As though writing them down somehow made them real.

Fall in love.

Have my first kiss.

Have a boyfriend.

Wear a wedding ring.

Grow old with someone.

You stared at the final line. For a long while, you simply looked at it.

"...That one's impossible." Your voice barely rose above a whisper.

Growing old had never been part of your future. Ever since you were old enough to understand what the words Star Plasma Vessel meant, you had also understood what they demanded.

One life...for countless others. You had accepted that long ago. At least, you thought you had. Outside, children laughed somewhere beyond the shrine walls. You closed your eyes. You wondered what it felt like to argue with your parents over curfew. To have friends who expected to see you next year. To dream about a future without wondering if you deserved one.

Three soft knocks interrupted your thoughts. You quickly slipped the notebook back into its box and returned it beneath the floorboards before answering.

"Come in."

The paper door slid open. A shrine maiden bowed deeply.

"The sorcerers from Tokyo Jujutsu High have arrived."

Your eyes lifted. "They're here already?"

"They wanted to start the mission early."

The beginning of the escort mission. The beginning of the end. You stood, smoothing your robes.

"I'll be there shortly."

Summer sunlight flooded the shrine courtyard. The stone pathway radiated warmth beneath your sandals as you followed the attendant toward the entrance gates. Two young men stood waiting. One leaned carelessly against a stone lantern, sunglasses perched lazily on his nose despite standing beneath the shade of a maple tree. Snow white hair caught the afternoon light, making him almost glow. The other stood beside him with noticeably better posture, dark hair tied neatly back as he listened patiently to one of the shrine attendants.

"They're about my age..."

The shrine maiden nodded.

"Second year students from Tokyo Jujutsu High."

As if sensing your gaze, the white haired boy turned. His hand lifted to the bridge of his sunglasses. He lowered them just enough to look over the rims. Brilliant blue eyes met yours.

He blinked. "...Huh."

You tilted your head. The attendant quietly announced your arrival.

"This is the Star Plasma Vessel."

The white haired boy looked between you and the attendant.

"...Really?"

The attendant frowned. "Is something wrong?"

"I dunno." He scratched the back of his neck. "I kinda expected..." He gestured vaguely. "...More."

The dark haired boy sighed. "Satoru."

"What?"

"You said that out loud."

"I know."

You couldn't help but smile. "What exactly were you expecting?"

He looked genuinely thoughtful. "I don't know."

He pointed at you. "I thought you'd be glowing."

"...Glowing?"

"Yeah."

"Or floating."

"...Floating?"

"Or have one of those really mysterious shrine maiden auras. You know...star plasma like."

You blinked. Then, despite yourself, a laugh escaped your lips. It was soft and short. Completely unplanned. The white haired boy froze. He slowly turned toward his companion.

"...She laughed."

The dark haired boy pinched the bridge of his nose. "Congratulations."

"No, seriously." He looked back at you. "I wasn't expecting that."

You covered your mouth, trying to hide your smile. "I'm sorry."

"Don't apologize."

He grinned. "It was cute."

Heat immediately crept into your cheeks. No one had ever called you cute before. Beautiful. Elegant. Graceful. Blessed. Never...cute. The dark haired boy stepped forward before the silence could become awkward.

"My apologies." He offered a polite bow. "My name is Geto Suguru." He gestured toward his partner. "And this idiot is Gojo Satoru."

"Hey." Gojo frowned. "I'm standing right here."

Geto smiled pleasantly at you. "We've been assigned to escort you safely to Master Tengen."

You bowed in return. "Thank you for accepting the mission."

Gojo waved dismissively. "It's just a job."

Geto shot him a look.

"...What?" Gojo shrugged. "I'm being honest." His attention returned to you. "So..." He tilted his head. "Anything you wanna do before we head out?"

The question caught you completely off guard. "...Do?"

"Yeah."

"I don't understand."

He frowned. "I mean, once this mission officially starts we'll probably be busy." He shoved his hands into his pockets. "So if there's anything you've always wanted to do..."

His words trailed off. You looked away. Your gaze drifted toward the distant shrine buildings. Toward the room where your notebook lay hidden beneath the floorboards. Toward the list no one was ever supposed to see.

"...There are many things."

Gojo smiled. "Like what?"

You hesitated. "...Nothing that matters."

Gojo's smile faltered. He didn't know why but something about the way you said those words, as though you had already convinced yourself your dreams weren't worth speaking aloud made his chest feel strangely heavy. He had only just met you yet somehow he found himself wanting to prove you wrong.

The following morning began before sunrise. The shrine was quieter than usual. The attendants moved through the halls carrying luggage and ceremonial offerings, speaking in hushed voices as if raising them too loudly would somehow disturb fate itself. You stood beneath the wooden eaves, watching the morning mist roll over the surrounding forest.

"So this is goodbye..."

You weren't sure who you were saying it to. The shrine. Your childhood or the life you'd never get to have. A familiar voice cut through your thoughts.

"You ready?"

You turned to find Gojo standing a few feet away, one hand tucked into his pocket while the other balanced a paper bag from a nearby convenience store.

"You skipped breakfast."

You blinked. "...How did you know?"

He held up the bag. " Cause I asked."

You stared at him. "You...asked?"

"The shrine ladies."

"They told you?"

"They looked offended that you hadn't eaten." He walked over and held the bag out toward you. "So."

You looked inside. A carton of strawberry milk, packaged melon pan and a small slice of strawberry shortcake.

Your eyes widened. "...Cake?"

He shrugged. "Breakfast cake."

"I don't think that's a thing."

"It is now."

You looked between the cake and him. "I've...never had cake for breakfast."

"Seriously?"

You nodded. "The attendants said sweets should only be eaten after meals."

Gojo looked horrified. "...That's depressing."

You let out a tiny laugh. "I suppose."

"Then today's your lucky day." He gently nudged the bag closer. "Mission Rule Number One."

"There are rules?"

"I make them up as I go."

"...I see."

"No skipping meals."

You accepted the bag with both hands. "...Thank you." His grin returned.

By the time the sun had fully risen, the three of you had already left the shrine grounds. You found yourself looking back more than once. Each step carried you farther from the only home you had ever known. Eventually the red torii gates disappeared behind the trees. You swallowed the lump in your throat and kept walking. Geto noticed.

"You don't have to force yourself not to look back."

You offered him a small smile. "I know...I just don't know if I'll ever see it again."

Silence settled between the three of you. Gojo shoved his hands into his pockets.

"Then don't think that this is the last time."

You looked over. He stretched lazily.

"Plus, you've got two incredibly handsome bodyguards."

Geto sighed. "There it is."

"We're taking you to Tokyo."

"Mm."

"And I refuse to believe you've actually seen Tokyo."

You shook your head. "I haven't."

"There." He pointed dramatically. "That's already one thing to look forward to."

You smiled. "I suppose you're right."

"I'm always right."

"No, you're usually insufferable."

"Suguru."

"I'm stating facts."

You laughed again. Louder this time. The sound caught even yourself off guard. It echoed briefly along the forest path before fading into the morning air. The drive into Tokyo felt unreal. Buildings grew taller. Roads became busier. People crossed intersections in every direction imaginable. Your eyes darted from one side of the window to the other.

"There are so many people..."

Gojo smirked. "You've never seen this much people before?"

"Only once. When I was little. It was during a festival."

He leaned across the back seat. "Okay."

"What?"

"We're making one stop."

Geto sighed from the driver's seat. "Satoru."

"It'll take five minutes."

"The higher ups expect us to—"

"They can wait five minutes. We started the mission early anyways."

"They'll be furious."

"They're always furious."

Geto couldn't argue with that. "...Five minutes."

"Yes!"

The car pulled into the parking lot of a large convenience store.

You looked at it curiously. "...Why are we here?"

Gojo looked genuinely offended. "You've never been to a convenience store?"

You shook your head. "No."

He slowly removed his sunglasses. "...We're fixing that."

A few minutes later, You stood frozen just inside the entrance. Rows upon rows of brightly colored snacks stretched farther than you could see.

"It's..."

Gojo watched your expression. "What?"

"So...big."

He blinked. "...It's just a convenience store."

Your eyes sparkled as they wandered over the shelves. "I've never seen so many choices before."

Something tightened in his chest. To him, this place was ordinary, forgettable. He'd probably been inside a thousand convenience stores but watching you stare at a shelf full of bottled teas as though it were the most amazing thing in the world made him realize just how small your world had been. Without thinking, he reached for a shopping basket.

"Alright."

You looked at him. "What are you doing?"

"You get to pick."

"...Pick?"

"Anything."

You blinked. "Anything?"

"Within reason."

You laughed. Then carefully reached toward a packet of gummy candies.

"I've always wondered what these taste like."

Gojo smiled to himself. He had a feeling they were already crossing things off a list without even realizing it.

By the time the sun had set, the three of you had reached one of Jujutsu High's designated safe houses. It was modest. A traditional wooden home tucked away in the mountains, hidden behind a curtain of cedar trees and protected by layers of barriers. Temporary. Just another place to spend the night before continuing toward Master Tengen.

Geto slid the door open. "We'll stay here tonight."

Gojo dropped his duffel bag onto the floor with a dramatic groan. "Finally."

"You've been sitting in a car for three hours."

"Exactly."

"You did nothing."

"I was protecting our client."

"By sleeping?"

"I was protecting her spiritually."

You smiled unconsciously. "...Is that a real thing?"

Gojo gasped. "See? She gets it."

"No," Geto replied flatly. "She humored you."

You slipped your shoes off at the entrance and quietly stepped inside. The house was...cozy. There were only three futons laid neatly beside one another in the main room. A small kitchen. An old television. A narrow engawa overlooking a quiet garden where cicadas hummed in the evening heat. It felt normal. Like the kind of home an ordinary family might live in. Your fingers brushed lightly against the wooden dining table.

"I like it." You commented.

Geto smiled.

"It's peaceful. It feels..." You searched for the word. "...lived in."

Neither sorcerer answered because they understood. Shrines were beautiful but they rarely felt like homes. Later that evening, while Geto went outside to inspect the barriers surrounding the property, Gojo stretched lazily across one of the futons.

"I'm starving."

"You've said that five times."

"And every time it's been true."

You stood from your place near the window. "I can make tea."

Gojo looked over. "You know how?"

You nodded. "I've prepared tea for visitors at the shrine since I was little."

"Then I'm officially requesting tea."

You gave a small bow. "As you wish."

The kitchen was dimly lit. You carefully filled the kettle and placed it over the stove. The familiarity of the motions soothed you. Gojo leaned against the doorway.

"You need help?"

"I'll be alright."

"You sure?"

"Mhm."

You reached into a cabinet for a small ceramic teapot. It rested farther back than expected. You stretched onto your toes, your fingertips brushed it.

"Oh!"

The teapot slipped. You caught it before it shattered but the sharp edge of its chipped handle scraped across your palm. The teapot landed safely on the counter. A thin line of crimson bloomed across your hand. Gojo was beside you almost instantly.

"You okay?"

"I'm fine."

"You just cut yourself."

"It's only a scratch."

He sighed. "Sit."

"...But the tea"

"Tea can wait."

Before you could protest, he gently guided you toward one of the kitchen chairs.

"I'll grab the first aid kit. It's probably in one of the cabinets." He began opening drawers. "No..." Another cabinet. "...No..." One more. "...Seriously?"

You laughed softly. "I don't think they organized this kitchen very well."

"They organized it terribly."

Finally, he spotted a small wooden box tucked onto the highest shelf. "There you are."

He reached for it. As he pulled it down, something else shifted. A thin notebook slid from the top of the cabinet. It landed with a soft thump at his feet.

"...Hm?"

You looked over. Your face drained of color.

"Wait!"

But he had already bent down to pick it up. The worn cover was familiar. Painfully familiar. Across the front, written in faded handwriting, were the words:

Things I'd Like to Do Before I Disappear.

Gojo blinked. "...Disappear?"

Your heart lurched. You stood so quickly your chair scraped loudly against the wooden floor.

"Please..." Your voice came out smaller than you intended. "...don't."

He looked between the notebook and you. The teasing smile he'd worn all day slowly faded.

"I wasn't..." He swallowed. "...I wasn't trying to snoop."

"I know." You walked over and gently took the notebook from his hands, holding it tightly against your chest.

Finally, you forced a small smile. "It's embarrassing."

Gojo frowned. "It doesn't have to be."

"It is." You looked down at the worn cover.

"I started writing it when I was little."

"...Can I ask what it is?"

Your fingers tightened around the notebook. "It..." You hesitated. "...It's just a list."

"A list?"

"Things I wanted to do before..." Your voice caught. You corrected yourself with a practiced smile. "...before the merger."

Gojo had never heard someone say those words so casually. As though discussing tomorrow's weather. As though preparing to disappear was something perfectly ordinary. You looked away.

"There are still a lot I haven't crossed off but that's alright." You smiled. "It was never really meant to happen."

Before he could answer, you slipped past him.

"I should finish making the tea."

The room fell quiet. Gojo remained standing in the kitchen, staring at the doorway long after you'd disappeared. A list. She had made herself a list. Not because she expected to live. Because she expected to die.

For the first time since accepting the mission, it stopped feeling like an escort assignment. It felt like walking someone to their execution. That night, long after everyone had gone to sleep, Gojo lay awake staring at the wooden ceiling. His thoughts refused to settle. He remembered the notebook.The careful handwriting. The title. The way your voice trembled for only a second before you forced yourself to smile again.

Slowly, he rolled onto his side and looked toward your sleeping form across the room. Moonlight spilled through the window, casting pale silver across your face. You looked peaceful. Too peaceful. As if you'd already accepted a future that no one your age should have to accept. Gojo closed his eyes then made a silent promise.

The next morning was supposed to be simple. Leave the safe house. Continue toward Master Tengen. Complete the merger. Simple. At least, that had been the plan.

The explosion came just after sunrise. The windows rattled violently. A deafening crash echoed through the mountains as cursed energy erupted somewhere beyond the barriers. You jolted awake.

"What was that?"

Geto was already on his feet. "Stay inside."

Gojo had his sunglasses on before either of you reached the front door. "I'll check it out."

"No," Geto replied immediately. "We'll both go."

Gojo glanced toward you. "...Don't leave the house."

You nodded. "I won't."

The two disappeared outside. Silence settled over the safe house. Another explosion. The barriers shimmered violently. A curse slammed against them hard enough to make the wooden walls groan. You clasped your hands together, listening helplessly as the sounds of battle echoed through the forest. It lasted nearly twenty minutes. When the front door finally slid open again, Gojo stepped inside first, brushing dust from his uniform as though he'd merely gone for a walk.

"Well." He sounded almost disappointed. "That was annoying."

Geto followed close behind, his expression far more serious. "They found us much sooner than expected."

"So..." You stood. "...Someone knows where we're going?"

"It seems that way." Geto knelt beside the low dining table and unfolded a map. "The direct route is compromised."

Gojo dropped onto the floor beside him. "They're trying to funnel us."

Geto nodded. "If we continue toward Tengen as planned, we'll be walking straight into an ambush."

His finger traced several roads before moving farther into the mountains. "We'll have to abandon the main route."

"...How much longer will it take?" you asked quietly.

Geto hesitated. "...Several days."

The room fell silent. Several days. Gojo noticed the way your shoulders fell ever so slightly.

"...You did the face."

You looked up. "...The face?"

"The disappointed face."

"I wasn't making a face."

"You were."

"I don't think I was."

"You definitely were."

Geto sighed. "Satoru."

"What?"

"This isn't the time."

"I'm asking a question."

He looked back at you. "What were you thinking about?"

You lowered your gaze to the map. "...Nothing."

He waited. Eventually you answered.

"I suppose..." A small smile appeared. "...I just wasn't expecting to have more time."

Gojo tilted his head. "More time?"

"Everything has been planned for so long." You folded your hands neatly in your lap. "I thought we'd go directly to Master Tengen and now...now we won't."

There wasn't disappointment in your voice. Just quiet acceptance. As though another few days didn't really matter in the grand scheme of things. Gojo couldn't stop thinking about the notebook hidden inside your bag.

Things I'd Like to Do Before I Disappear.

Several more days. Several more chances. The detour began before noon. Rather than following the highways, Geto steered the car onto winding mountain roads that twisted between forests and sleepy countryside villages. Every few hours they changed direction. Every destination was temporary. Every safe house uncertain. The farther they drove, the fewer buildings remained.

Concrete gave way to endless fields. Telephone poles stretched alongside quiet roads. Rice paddies shimmered beneath the afternoon sun. You rested your cheek against the window, watching the scenery pass by.

"It's beautiful."

Gojo glanced over. "Hm?"

"I've never seen so much of Japan before."

"You've never traveled?"

You shook your head. "There was never a reason."

"...Right."

The conversation ended there but the words lingered. There was never a reason. Not for someone who had never been expected to have a future. By the time evening settled over the mountains, the sky had turned a deep shade of blue. The road ahead was nearly empty. Only the occasional passing car disturbed the silence.

You watched as one star, then another slowly appeared beyond the windshield. Gojo noticed. Without realizing it, you'd stopped looking at the road. Your eyes were fixed entirely on the sky.

He smiled to himself. "...Suguru."

"No."

"You don't even know what I'm going to ask."

"I do."

"C'mon."

"No."

"It'll only take five minutes."

"You've said that three times in two days."

"And I've been right every time."

"You've been lucky."

Gojo leaned farther between the front seats. "Pretty please?"

Geto exhaled through his nose. "...Five minutes."

A grin spread across Gojo's face. "I knew you loved me."

"I tolerate you."

Five minutes later, the car pulled into a deserted mountain overlook. The engine fell silent.

"So..." Gojo unbuckled his seatbelt. "...Come on."

You blinked. "...Where?"

"Outside."

You stepped out cautiously. The cool mountain air brushed against your skin. The forest surrounding the overlook was silent. No traffic. No city lights. No buildings. Only the gentle chorus of cicadas. Gojo walked a little farther ahead before stopping.

"Look up."

You did. Your breath stopped. The night sky stretched endlessly overhead. Thousands upon thousands of stars scattered across the darkness. The Milky Way arched from one horizon to the other, brighter than you'd ever imagined possible. You simply stared.

"...They're..." Your voice was barely audible. "...So close."

Gojo looked up. Then looked at you. Your eyes reflected the stars themselves. Wonder. Disbelief. Childlike excitement. It wasn't the polite smile you'd worn at the shrine. It wasn't the smile you used whenever someone reminded you of your purpose. This one reached your eyes.

"...I've never seen them like this." You whispered the words as though afraid speaking any louder would make the moment disappear. "They're beautiful."

Neither of you spoke for a while. The mountains were silent. The only sounds were the chorus of cicadas and the occasional rustling of leaves as the night breeze swept through the trees. You slowly lifted a hand toward the sky, tracing invisible lines between the stars.

"...That's the Summer Triangle."

Gojo glanced at you. "You know constellations?"

"A few."

"You've seen them before?"

You shook your head. "No. There was an old book in the shrine library."

He blinked. "You read astronomy books?"

"There wasn't much else to do." You laughed softly. "So I read everything." Your finger drifted from one bright star to another. "I used to memorize them."

Gojo looked back up at the sky. "...Show me."

You hesitated. "I'm not very good."

He folded his arms dramatically. "I can survive a wrong constellation."

A quiet giggle escaped you. You pointed upward.

"That bright star is Vega." Your finger shifted. "And that's Altair. Then..." You connected them with one last point. "Deneb. The three of them make the Summer Triangle."

Gojo followed where you pointed. "...Huh."

"I always imagined what they looked like together."

"You imagined it?"

"I couldn't really see them from the shrine. The trees covered most of the sky."

He looked at you. "So you've spent all this time learning about stars...Without really seeing them."

You nodded. "I wanted to know what was above me."

Your eyes wandered across the endless sky again. "There are so many more."

You smiled wistfully. "I always wanted to see the Southern Cross."

Gojo frowned. "The Southern Cross?"

"It's a constellation. I read that you can only really see it from the Southern Hemisphere." Your voice grew quieter. "I remember thinking..." You laughed under your breath. "...Maybe in another life, I'd travel far enough to find it."

Silence settled between you. Gojo watched as your gaze remained fixed on the heavens. Not wishing for riches. Not wishing for power. Just another sky, another place, another chance to see something beautiful. He looked up, following your eyes until they reached the sea of stars stretching endlessly above them.

"...Then we'll find it."

You turned to him. "...What?"

"The Southern Cross." He shoved his hands into his pockets as if he'd said something completely ordinary. "If it's somewhere out there..." A grin spread across his face. "...Then one day we'll go find it."

You stared at him. For a brief moment, you almost believed him.

You didn't realize how long the two of you had been standing there until the cold mountain air finally settled against your skin. A shiver ran through you. Gojo noticed immediately.

"Cold?"

"A little."

"C'mon." He started walking back toward the car. "We should keep moving before Suguru starts complaining."

"...I can hear you," Geto called from the driver's seat.

"You were supposed to."

You smiled to yourself before following after him. Just as you reached the passenger door, something caught your eye.

"...Gojo."

He paused halfway into the back seat. "Hm?"

You pointed toward the dark grass bordering the overlook. "...What's that?"

He followed your finger. Tiny golden lights blinked in and out between the blades of grass. One. Two. Then dozens more.

Gojo blinked. "...Fireflies."

Your eyes widened. "They're..." You took a hesitant step closer. "...real."

He looked at you. "...You've never seen them?"

You shook your head. "I've only read about them."

Without another word, you wandered carefully toward the field. The fireflies drifted lazily through the night, their tiny lights rising and falling like floating stars. You held out your hand instinctively. One landed gently on your fingertip. You stopped breathing. Its little light pulsed softly against your skin.

"So small..." A smile spread slowly across your face. "It's beautiful."

Gojo didn't answer. He wasn't watching the firefly. He was watching you. The wonder in your expression, the careful way you held your hand still, afraid to frighten it away. It reminded him of someone seeing the world for the very first time. Eventually, the firefly lifted back into the night.

You watched it disappear among the others. "I understand now."

"Hm?"

"Why people write poems about them."

Gojo chuckled. "That's a very you thing to say."

You looked over. "...What does that mean?"

"It means..." He shrugged. "you see things differently."

"Is that bad?"

"No." His answer came so quickly it almost surprised him. "I think..." He looked toward the glowing field. "...It's kinda nice."

For a moment, neither of you spoke.

"You know..." Gojo broke the silence. "I've got a question."

You turned to him. "What is it?"

"If..." He rubbed the back of his neck. "If you really did have all the time in the world..."

You tilted your head.

"...What would you do first?"

You didn't answer immediately. Instead, you looked back toward the stars overhead.

"I think..." A thoughtful smile crossed your face. "...I'd stop making lists."

Gojo frowned slightly.

"No list?"

You shook your head. "If I knew I had tomorrow..." Your eyes softened. "...I wouldn't have to choose."

The words settled heavily between them. Gojo had never thought about it before. How every dream you'd written down hadn't just been something you wanted. They were things you'd been forced to prioritize because you'd believed your time was running out.

He lowered his gaze. "...That's not fair."

You looked at him. "What isn't?"

"You." He laughed quietly through his nose. "You shouldn't have to decide which dreams are worth having."

Your expression faltered. No one had ever said something like that to you before. Everyone else had praised your acceptance. Your devotion. Your willingness to sacrifice yourself. Gojo was the first person who sounded angry on your behalf.

"...Gojo?"

He looked away before your eyes could meet. "Forget I said anything."

"...No." Your voice stopped him. "...Thank you."

He glanced back. You were smiling again.

"...For getting mad for me."

He smiled back, softer than usual. "...Yeah."

Behind them, the driver's window rolled down with a quiet whir. Geto leaned an elbow against the doorframe.

"As touching as this is..." The two of you looked over. "...It's been twenty three minutes."

Gojo blinked. "...Has it?"

"I gave you five." He sighed dramatically. "You two are impossible."

You covered your mouth to hide your laughter. Gojo pointed accusingly at Geto.

"You made her laugh again."

Geto shook his head as a reluctant smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. "I think that was you."

The drive resumed soon after. You rested your head against the window once more, watching the fireflies disappear behind the car as the mountains faded into darkness. Gojo leaned back in his seat, pretending to fall asleep but his eyes opened again a moment later and looked at your reflection in the glass.

By the time the car reached the next town, it was well past ten. The streets were quiet. Warm lanterns glowed outside shuttered storefronts, and the occasional cicada still sang somewhere in the darkness. Geto glanced at the dashboard clock.

“…We’re done for today.”

Gojo looked up from where he’d been half asleep in the passenger seat. “Hm?”

“It’s too dangerous to continue through the mountain roads at night.” He turned the steering wheel toward a narrow side street. “We’ll stay here.”

Nestled at the end of the road stood a small ryokan. Its wooden exterior was softly illuminated by paper lanterns, the warm light spilling across the stone pathway leading to the entrance. The moment you stepped out of the car, the scent of cedar and fresh rain greeted you.

“It’s beautiful…”

Gojo looked over at you. “You say that about everything.”

You smiled sheepishly. A tiny brass bell chimed as the three of you stepped inside. An elderly woman emerged from behind the reception desk, her face brightening immediately. She clasped her hands together.

“Welcome!” The innkeeper smiled warmly as she looked between the two of you. “You must be exhausted after traveling.”

The elderly woman picked up three room keys. “One room with three futons will be enough, then.”

You bowed politely. “Thank you very much.”

The room was simple. Tatami floors, sliding shoji doors and a low wooden table waiting in the center. Outside, through the open window, you could hear the gentle trickle of a nearby stream. You slowly turned in a circle.

“It smells nice.”

Gojo dropped dramatically onto the tatami. “It smells expensive.”

Geto set their bags beside the wall. “It smells like cedar.”

“That’s less fun.” You laughed quietly as you knelt beside the table.

Everything felt comfortable and peaceful. Almost like the world beyond the room didn’t exist. A soft knock interrupted the silence. The hostess carefully arranged the trays before each of you, bowing politely once everything had been set.

"I hope you'll enjoy your meal."

After she left, the room settled into a comfortable silence. Steam curled lazily from bowls of miso soup. Freshly grilled river fish filled the room with a gentle, smoky aroma. Your eyes wandered across the table.

"...I've never seen so many dishes for one meal."

Gojo smiled. "Wait until breakfast."

"...There's more?"

He laughed. "Oh, you're gonna love breakfast."

You picked up your chopsticks carefully. There were so many little dishes. You weren't sure where to begin. You hesitated for only a second. It was enough for Gojo to notice.

"Try that one first." He pointed toward a small ceramic bowl. "The simmered pumpkin."

"...Is it good?"

"It's amazing."

You trusted him immediately. A small bite. Your eyes widened. "...It's sweet."

"I know."

"I've never had pumpkin like this before."

Gojo grinned proudly, as though he'd cooked it himself. "Told you."

Across the table, Geto quietly watched the exchange. You frowned slightly as you stared at the grilled fish.

"...Is something wrong?" Geto asked.

"I've never eaten fish with bones before."

Without a word, Gojo reached across the table. "I'll do it."

He took your plate. Separated the bones with practiced movements. Then slid it back toward you.

"There."

You blinked. "...Thank you."

"No problem."

Only after taking another bite of his own dinner did Gojo notice how quiet the room had become. He looked up.

Both you and Geto were staring at him.

"...What?"

Geto raised an eyebrow. "...Nothing."

"What?"

"Nothing."

"You definitely have a face."

"I don't."

"You do."

Geto hid a smile behind his teacup. "Finish your dinner."

Gojo looked between the two of you. "...You're both weird."

You lowered your gaze, hiding a small smile behind your bowl of rice. For some reason, dinner felt warmer than before.

Morning arrived quietly. Soft sunlight filtered through the paper shoji, casting warm rectangles across the tatami floor. For the first time in days, no one was rushing. No alarms. No attacks. No hurried packing. Just the distant chirping of birds somewhere beyond the garden. You sat on the engawa with a cup of tea warming your hands while Gojo lazily sprawled across the tatami behind you.

"...You're thinking again."

You glanced over your shoulder. "I am?"

"You get this look."

"What look?"

"The one where your eyebrows do that."

"My eyebrows don't do anything."

"They absolutely do."

You smiled into your teacup. "I'll have to take your word for it."

Before he could answer, Geto's phone began vibrating across the low table. He glanced at the screen.

"...It's Jujutsu High."

Gojo groaned dramatically. "I don't wanna talk to the old people."

"They're not calling you."

"They should keep it that way."

Geto stood. "I'll be outside."

Sliding the door shut behind him, he stepped onto the wooden walkway overlooking the garden.

"...So." Gojo's voice broke the silence almost immediately.

You looked over. "What?"

He rested his cheek against one hand. "Your notebook."

Your grip tightened ever so slightly around your teacup. "...What about it?"

"I wanna read it."

"...No."

"C'mon."

"No."

"Please?"

"It'll only embarrass me."

"I promise I'll only laugh a little."

You gave him a look. "...That isn't very reassuring."

"It was honest."

"It was."

He grinned. "I like being honest."

You sighed, shaking your head. "It isn't anything special."

"Then let me see."

"...No."

"Pretty please?"

You looked away, hoping he'd eventually grow bored.

Instead, he scooted closer.

"...Please."

"No."

"I'll stop bothering you afterward."

"You won't."

"...Probably not."

A laugh escaped you despite yourself.

"You really don't give up, do you?"

"Never."

You stared into your tea for a long moment. Then, very carefully, you reached into your travel bag. The worn notebook rested exactly where you'd left it. You brushed your thumb across the cover before holding it out toward him.

"...You have to promise not to laugh."

Gojo sat up immediately. "I make no promises."

"...Gojo."

He raised a hand.

"Okay, okay. I'll try."

"...That's still not a promise."

"It's the best you're getting."

You rolled your eyes before placing the notebook into his hands. He accepted it surprisingly gently. For a moment, he simply looked at the cover.

Things I'd Like to Do Before I Disappear.

He opened the first page. His lips twitched.

"'Eat an entire strawberry cake by myself.'"

"I did that one."

"I can tell."

You frowned. "...What does that mean?"

"You seem like someone who'd absolutely make yourself sick from too much cake."

"...I did."

"I knew it."

He flipped to another page.

"'Ride a bicycle.'"

"I crashed into a lantern."

"I wish I'd seen that."

"You were not invited."

"I would've applauded."

You couldn't stop smiling. He continued reading. Every so often he'd chuckle quietly or ask you about something you'd written years ago.

"'Learn all the constellations.' You already know most of them."

"I don't know all of them."

"...We can fix that." He said it so casually you almost missed it.

Then another page. His smile softened.

Go on a road trip.

"...Guess we're already working on this one."

You nodded. "I never thought it'd actually happen."

He turned another page. The teasing faded.

Fall in love.

Have my first kiss.

Have a boyfriend.

Wear a wedding ring.

His eyes lingered there for a second longer than before. Then, deliberately, he snapped the notebook shut.

You blinked. "...That's all?"

"I've seen enough."

"You didn't finish."

"I'll save the rest."

"...Why?"

He smiled. "So I can be surprised."

Before you could ask what he meant, the sliding door opened. Geto stepped back inside. His expression was thoughtful. More serious than before.

Gojo immediately noticed. "...Bad news?"

Geto closed the door behind him. "The higher ups have changed our orders."

You straightened. "What happened?"

"Q and the Time Vessel Association have surrounded Jujutsu High."

Your smile disappeared. "They're waiting for us."

Gojo leaned back on his hands. "So...we're not going."

"Not yet." Geto nodded. "They've instructed us to lay low while they deal with the assailants."

"...For how long?" you asked.

"One week."

Your eyes widened. "...A week?"

"They want to make sure everything goes smoothly."

Silence settled over the room. Then Geto continued.

"There was one more message." His eyes met yours. "...From Master Tengen."

You instinctively sat a little straighter.

"He said..." Geto hesitated. "...That while we wait..." His voice softened almost imperceptibly. "...You should spend your time however you wish."

The words hung in the air. No one said why. No one needed to because all three of you understood what had been left unspoken.

It would be your last chance.

You stared down at your hands. "...Really?"

Geto nodded once. "Those were his wishes."

You couldn't find any words. A week. Not to prepare. Not to meditate. Not to perform ceremonies. A week to simply live. Gojo looked from you to the notebook still resting in his hands.

A slow grin spread across his face. "...Well." He held it up between the two of you. "I guess this is your chance."

You looked at the familiar cover. Then back at him. He gave it a little wave.

"...let's start crossing things off."

You stared at the notebook. Still trying to process everything.

"...Right." Your voice was barely above a whisper.

For the first time since you had written that list as a little girl, it no longer felt impossible.

The morning sun had climbed higher, filling the room with soft golden light, yet you still couldn't quite believe what had happened. A week. An entire week. You had spent years believing every moment of your life had already been decided. Now, someone had handed you seven days and simply said,

Live.

Gojo broke the silence first. "So." He leaned over the table, resting his chin in his palm. "Where do we start?"

You blinked. "...Start?"

"The list." He tapped the worn notebook. "We've got a whole week."

"I don't think we're actually supposed to do everything."

"Why not?"

"...Because." You searched for an answer. "I've never really thought that far."

He slid the notebook toward himself. "Good thing I have."

He was already flipping through the pages.

"Hm..." His finger trailed down one of the lists. "'See the ocean.'" He looked up. "You've never been?"

You shook your head. "The shrine was inland. I've seen pictures...but never in person."

Gojo looked across the room. "Suguru."

Geto, who had been quietly packing their bags, didn't even bother looking up.

"No."

"You don't know what I'm going to say."

"I do."

"C'mon."

"No."

"The ocean."

"We're avoiding populated areas."

"Okinawa."

That finally made Geto pause. He looked over.

"Okinawa?"

Gojo nodded. "We were already considering changing regions. The higher ups want us off the main routes." He leaned back with a grin. "Okinawa buys us time. It also gets us farther away from both Q and the Time Vessel Association while they search around Tokyo. Less curse users there too."

Geto considered it. Strategically, it wasn't a bad idea. Remote enough to avoid attention. Easy to blend into the crowds and if they needed to leave quickly, there were multiple routes back to the mainland.

He sighed. "...I'll make the arrangements."

Gojo pointed triumphantly. "I knew you liked my idea."

"I said it wasn't a bad idea."

"Same thing."

"It isn't."

You looked between them, still trying to process the conversation. "...We're really going?"

Gojo looked at you as though the answer were obvious. "Of course." He smiled. "Didn't you want to?"

You lowered your eyes to the notebook. "...I did."

"So?" He gently nudged it toward you. "Cross it off."

A small laugh escaped you. "...I haven't even seen it yet. You can't cross something off before you do it."

"Fine." He dramatically snatched the notebook back. "I'll allow proper list etiquette."

You laughed again. The sound came easier now. Geto watched the exchange from across the room. Neither of them seemed to realize it but every time you laughed, Gojo smiled. Every single time.

Later that day, you flew to Okinawa. Warm sea air rushed through the airport doors the moment you stepped outside. You stopped walking. The breeze smelled different. Something fresh that you couldn't quite name.

Gojo stopped a few steps ahead before turning back. "...You coming?"

You nodded absentmindedly. "...The air is different."

He inhaled deeply. "...Huh. I guess it is." Gojo smiled to himself. "Wait until you see the water."

The drive to the hotel felt almost dreamlike. Palm trees lined the roads. Bright blue skies stretched endlessly overhead. The closer the car drew to the coast, the louder the distant crash of waves became.

Then you saw it. Between two buildings. A brilliant ribbon of blue stretched all the way to the horizon.

You gasped. "...Gojo."

He followed your gaze. "There it is."

You didn't answer. You couldn't, because no book,no painting,no photograph tucked inside the shrine library,had ever prepared you for just how impossibly beautiful the ocean would be. Gojo watched your expression soften into quiet wonder.

The hotel overlooked the sea. From the balcony, the shoreline stretched for miles, waves rolling lazily onto white sand beneath the afternoon sun. You stood quietly against the railing, unable to pull your eyes away from the water. Even after nearly an hour, it still didn't feel real. A knock sounded at the hotel room door. Gojo looked up from where he had been lying across one of the beds.

"...Expecting someone?"

Geto frowned. "...No."

He crossed the room and opened the door. Standing in the hallway were three familiar faces. Shoko stood at the front, hands tucked into the pockets of her oversized jacket, looking as though she'd rather be anywhere else. Beside her, Haibara waved enthusiastically the moment he spotted Geto.

"Senpai!"

Nanami offered a small nod. "Geto-san."

Geto blinked. "...What are you three doing here?"

Haibara beamed. "We're your reinforcements!"

Gojo appeared behind Geto. "...Reinforcements?"

Shoko sighed.

"The higher ups finally decided sending two second years to protect the Star Plasma Vessel from multiple assassination groups wasn't enough."

"And I thought Suguru and I were supposed to be the strongest." Gojo said with mock amazement. "I'm shocked."

"They're the higher ups," Shoko replied. "can never understand them."

Haibara laughed. "We left as soon as Principal Yaga told us!"

Nanami folded his arms. "Correction. We left because Haibara wouldn't stop asking every ten minutes when we were leaving."

"...That too."

Geto stepped aside. "Come in."

The three entered, carrying travel bags over their shoulders. Haibara looked around excitedly.

"Whoa...this place is amazing!"

Shoko's eyes drifted toward the open balcony. "I forgot Okinawa was this warm."

Nanami quietly set his bag beside the wall. Then his gaze settled on you.

You immediately straightened. "...Hello."

Haibara smiled brightly. "So you're the Star Plasma Vessel!"

Before anyone else could speak, he walked over and offered his hand. "I'm Haibara Yu."

You looked down at it for a moment before carefully shaking it. "It's nice to meet you."

"I'm Nanami Kento." He bowed politely. "It's an honor."

Shoko gave a small wave. "Shoko Ieiri."

You returned the gesture. "...I'm happy to meet all of you."

Haibara looked between you and Gojo. "...Huh."

"What?" Gojo asked.

"I thought she'd be..." Haibara gestured vaguely. "...different."

Gojo burst into laughter. "That's exactly what I said!"

You covered your mouth, laughing quietly.

Haibara's face lit up. You blinked.

"...What?"

"You laughed!" Haibara grinned. "I thought she'd be really serious because of..."

His voice trailed off. The room grew quiet because everyone knew what he meant. Because of what would happen after this week.

Haibara quickly rubbed the back of his neck. "...Sorry."

You smiled gently. "It's alright."

Gojo clapped his hands together. "Okay! No depressing faces." Everyone looked at him. "We're in Okinawa."

He pointed dramatically toward the balcony. "The beach is literally right there."

Haibara's eyes sparkled. "Can we go?"

"I don't see why not," Shoko replied.

Geto glanced toward you. "What do you think?"

Every pair of eyes turned in your direction. You looked past them. Beyond the open balcony doors. The endless blue ocean shimmered beneath the afternoon sun.

A slow smile spread across your face. "...I'd like that."

Gojo stood immediately. "Then what are we waiting for?" He grabbed his sunglasses off the bedside table. "C'mon."

Haibara pumped a fist into the air. "Beach day!"

Nanami sighed, already knowing there would be no stopping them. "I suppose we're doing this."

Shoko walked toward the door. "You boys realize we're technically working."

"We're multitasking," Gojo answered. "Protecting our client." He glanced back at you with an easy grin. "...and helping her make some memories."

For a moment, you simply looked at him. The first page of your list remained unfinished but somehow, it didn't feel quite so impossible anymore.

The beach was far quieter than you had imagined. The waves rolled gently against the shore, each one dissolving into white foam before retreating back into the sea. The water seemed endless. You stood at the edge of the sand, your shoes dangling from one hand.

"...It's warm."

Haibara had already sprinted ahead. "The water's amazing!" He kicked through the shallows, nearly splashing Nanami in the process.

"Haibara."

"What?"

"Watch where you're—"

Haibara froze. "...Oops."

Nanami looked down at his soaked pant legs. Then slowly looked back up.

"...I'm going to pretend that was the ocean."

"It was!"

"It was you."

Shoko laughed from beneath the shade of a beach umbrella. You laughed too.

Nanami sighed. "I appreciate the sympathy."

Gojo walked past them without a care in the world. "Sucks to suck."

Nanami deadpanned. "I hope a crab pinches your foot."

"I hope it tries."

You wandered farther down the shoreline alone. The sand shifted beneath your bare feet with every step. It was softer than you expected. Cooler where the waves reached it. You crouched beside the water, hesitating.Then slowly reached out. The ocean washed over your fingertips.

"It's..." The water slipped through your fingers before another wave arrived. "...Cold. I thought it'd be warmer."

Gojo stopped beside you. "So did I."

You laughed softly as another wave lapped against your hand. "It keeps running away."

"That's kinda what oceans do."

You smiled. "I just didn't think..." You watched the water disappear again. "...it would feel alive."

He looked at you instead of the sea. "You always say things like that."

"Like what?"

"You make everything sound..." He searched for the word. "...important."

Your cheeks warmed. "I'm sorry."

"Why are you apologizing?"

"I don't know."

He nudged your shoulder lightly.

"You don't have to."

"GOJO!" Haibara's voice echoed across the beach.

The two of you looked up. Haibara was waving both arms frantically.

"Hurry up!"

"What now?"

"We're building a sandcastle!"

Gojo stared. "...You're serious?"

"Very!"

Gojo looked at you. Then at Haibara. Then back at you. "...Wanna?"

You blinked. "A sandcastle?"

"Yeah."

"I've never..." Your voice trailed off. "...made one."

Gojo grinned. "Then it's settled."

Before you could protest, he reached out. Not for your hand. Just your wrist. Gentle enough that you could pull away if you wanted.

"C'mon."

For a heartbeat, you simply stared at where his fingers rested. You followed.

Thirty minutes later.

"This doesn't even look like a castle."

Gojo frowned at the lopsided mound of sand. Haibara looked offended.

"It has character."

"It has structural problems."

Nanami crouched nearby, carefully smoothing one of the walls. "The foundation is uneven."

Gojo stared. "...Since when do you know architecture?"

"I don't."

"Then how do you know?"

"It's obvious."

Shoko, who had absolutely no intention of helping, took another sip of her drink. "I've never seen so many people take sand this seriously."

You knelt quietly beside the castle. "...Can I?"

Everyone looked at you. You carefully pressed a tiny seashell into one side of the wall. Then another. Then one more above the entrance.

"There."

Haibara's eyes widened. "It looks so much better!"

"It was the shells."

"No." He smiled brightly. "It was you."

Your smile lingered as you looked down at the tiny sandcastle. It wasn't very good. The walls leaned. One tower had already collapsed. The moat was crooked and somehow, you thought it was beautiful because you'd helped build it. Because people your own age were laughing beside you. Because for one afternoon, no one was looking at you like the Star Plasma Vessel.

They were simply looking at you.

As the others argued over whether the castle needed another tower, Gojo quietly reached into his backpack. He opened the worn notebook to the familiar page. His pen hovered over one line.

See the ocean.

He glanced toward you. You were smiling so brightly that the sunlight itself seemed dim in comparison. A small smile tugged at his own lips. Then, without saying a word, he drew a single line through it.

See the ocean.

One less dream waiting to be lived. Many more still to come.

By the time the sun began sinking toward the horizon, the six of you had wandered into a small shopping street not far from the beach. Warm lanterns flickered to life one by one as shopkeepers opened their evening stalls. The scent of grilled squid drifted through the air. Somewhere farther down the street, someone was playing a shamisen.

Haibara stopped every few steps. "Can we get this?"

Nanami sighed. "You've asked that six times."

"...Is that a no?"

"That depends."

"On?"

"Whether you plan on carrying all of it."

"...Gojo can."

"I'm not your pack mule."

Shoko wandered ahead with an iced drink in hand. "You kind of are."

"I've been betrayed."

Geto chuckled. "You'll live."

You found yourself slowing to a stop in front of a tiny souvenir shop. The display window was filled with glass ornaments. Tiny turtles. Starfish. Whales carved from pale blue glass. You leaned closer.

"So pretty..."

Gojo stopped beside you. "You like them?"

"They're delicate." Your eyes wandered across the shelves. "I've never seen glass shaped like this before."

He watched the way your attention lingered on every tiny detail. Not because you wanted to buy everything, because you genuinely enjoyed looking.

"You don't have to stare through the window." He nodded toward the entrance. "We can go inside."

"...Can we?"

"Why not?"

You looked toward the others. "They'll keep walking."

Gojo glanced over his shoulder.

Sure enough, Haibara was already dragging Nanami toward another food stall. Shoko had disappeared into a nearby convenience store. Geto noticed the two of you lingering behind.

He simply smiled. "We'll meet you at the restaurant."

Gojo gave him a lazy salute. "Roger."

The others continued down the street. For the first time since meeting, it was just the two of you. A tiny bell chimed as the shop door slid open. Inside, everything sparkled beneath warm lights. You moved slowly between the shelves. As though afraid you might accidentally break something.

Gojo shoved his hands into his pockets. "You know..."

"Hm?"

"I've been wondering."

"About what?"

He pulled your notebook from his bag. "I never actually finished reading this."

You laughed. "You stole it."

"I borrowed it."

"You've had it for two days."

"I'm still borrowing it."

You shook your head. "...You're unbelievable."

"I've been told."

He flipped toward one of the pages he'd skipped. "...Let's see..."

His eyes scanned the neat handwriting. Then, he stopped. His teasing smile faded.

"...Take a photo with friends."

You looked away. "...Ah."

"You've never..." He hesitated. "...taken one?"

You shook your head. "There weren't many children at the shrine and visitors..." You smiled faintly. "They weren't really friends."

Silence settled between you. Gojo looked toward the shop window. Outside, the others were laughing about something Haibara had done. Without another word, he reached into his pocket.

You frowned. "...What's that?"

He held up a small disposable camera. You blinked.

"You carry one?"

"I bought it at the convenience store."

"...Why?"

He shrugged. "I thought it'd be fun."

Then a grin slowly spread across his face. "C'mon." He started walking back toward the door.

"Where are we going?"

"To annoy everyone."

"...What?"

He looked over his shoulder. "You wanted a picture with your friends, right?"

Your steps faltered. "...Friends?"

Gojo blinked. "As far as I'm concerned..." He pointed toward the group waiting farther down the street. "...you've already got five."

For a moment, you couldn't move. Your chest tightened in a way you didn't understand. Friends. You never had anyone to call that before. Not attendants. Not caretakers. Not protectors. Friends.

Gojo frowned. "...Hey. You coming?"

A smile slowly found its way onto your face. One that reached your eyes.

"...Yeah."

By the time the two of you caught up, the others had gathered outside a small restaurant overlooking the beach. Haibara was enthusiastically pointing at the menu displayed outside.

"I want the Okinawa soba."

"You've wanted everything we've walked past," Nanami replied.

"Because everything smells good."

Shoko leaned against the railing, sipping lazily from a bottle of ramune. "I vote we eat before Haibara starts chewing on the menu."

"I would never."

"...You absolutely would."

Gojo cleared his throat dramatically. "Attention, everyone."

Five pairs of eyes turned toward him.

"What now?" Shoko asked.

Gojo held up the disposable camera. "We're taking a picture."

Haibara immediately threw both hands into the air. "YES!"

Nanami sighed. Shoko shrugged.

"I don't mind."

Geto smiled. "Neither do I."

You blinked. "...Really?"

Gojo looked at you. "Really."

He turned toward a passing tourist. "Excuse me!"

The older woman looked over.

"Would you mind taking a picture for us?"

"Of course."

She accepted the camera with a warm smile and stepped back onto the boardwalk. "Everyone together."

Haibara was already dragging Nanami into place.

"C'mon, Nanami!"

"I'm coming."

"You sound thrilled."

"I've accepted my fate."

Shoko wandered over next, standing beside Haibara. Geto naturally took the opposite side. Leaving only one spot. Beside Gojo.

He looked at you expectantly. "You coming?"

You hesitated only for a second before stepping beside him. The ocean stretched endlessly behind all of you, painted gold by the setting sun.

The woman lifted the camera. "Alright. Everyone smile."

Haibara flashed two enthusiastic peace signs. Shoko lazily held up one. Nanami sighed but allowed the corner of his mouth to lift. Geto smiled softly. You looked toward the camera.

Then, Gojo suddenly leaned down into the frame with the biggest grin you'd ever seen.

"Everybody say—"

Before anyone could answer,

Click.

The flash went off.

"...Seaweed!"

Haibara burst into laughter. "You were too late!"

"I know!"

"You ruined it!"

"I improved it."

Nanami pinched the bridge of his nose. "I can't believe that's the picture."

Shoko laughed. "I hope that's the one that develops."

Geto shook his head with an amused smile. "You really are hopeless."

Gojo folded his arms proudly. "It'll have character."

The tourist handed the camera back. "I'm sure it'll turn out wonderfully."

"Thank you very much," you said with a polite bow.

"My pleasure." She smiled before continuing down the boardwalk.

For a few moments, none of you moved. The evening breeze drifted in from the sea, carrying the scent of salt and the distant sound of waves breaking against the shore.

Gojo looked down at the camera in his hands. "We won't know how it turned out until it's developed."

Haibara threw an arm around his shoulders. "That's what makes it exciting!"

You found yourself smiling again. "...I think so too."

Gojo glanced sideways at you.

"So..." He tucked the camera carefully into his backpack. "Can we cross it off now?"

You looked at him. A small laugh escaped you. "...Yes."

He reached inside his bag, pulled it out, and flipped to the familiar page. Your eyes lingered over the words for a moment. Then, with a smile that felt lighter than any you'd worn before, you drew a neat line through them.

Take a photo with friends.

For the first time in your life, you had one.

The festival began just after sunset. Paper lanterns illuminated the streets in warm shades of gold and orange, stretching as far as the eye could see. Laughter drifted between food stalls. Children chased one another with sparklers. Music echoed faintly from somewhere near the waterfront. Haibara looked as though he might explode from excitement.

"This is amazing!"

"We've been here for thirty seconds," Nanami replied.

"I know!"

"And you're already yelling."

"I'M HAPPY!"

Shoko shook her head. "I forgot how much energy you have."

Gojo adjusted his sunglasses. "I think he's got enough for all of us."

Back at the hotel, Shoko stood in front of your bed with her hands on her hips.

"No."

You looked up from your book. "...No?"

"You're not wearing that."

You blinked down at your usual clothes. "...What's wrong with them?"

"Nothing."

"They're just boring."

Before you could ask another question, she placed a neatly folded bundle into your hands.

You looked down. "...A yukata?"

"I bought it this afternoon."

Your eyes widened. "You...didn't have to."

"I know." Shoko shrugged. "I wanted to."

You carefully unfolded it. Soft ivory fabric spilled across your lap. Tiny blue morning glories bloomed along the hem, their petals embroidered with delicate silver thread.

"It's..." Your fingertips brushed across the fabric. "...beautiful."

Shoko smiled. "I thought it'd suit you."

"...I've never worn one before."

"I figured." She gently nudged your shoulder. "Good thing I'm here."

Nearly twenty minutes later,

"There." Shoko stepped back. "Done."

You turned slowly toward the mirror. You simply stared. The person looking back hardly felt like you. Your hair had been gathered loosely with a ribbon. The pale yukata fit perfectly. The obi rested neatly against your back.

"...Is that really me?"

Shoko smiled. "Yeah."

Your fingers lightly touched the sleeve.

"I've never..."

She looked at you through the mirror. "...Never what?"

"...Felt pretty."

The room grew quiet. Shoko's expression softened.

"You've always been pretty."

You looked down. "No. I've always been..." You searched for the familiar words. "...The Star Plasma Vessel."

Shoko walked over and adjusted one crooked fold near your shoulder.

"Tonight?" She smiled gently. "...You're just a girl going to a festival."

Outside the hotel, the others were already waiting. Haibara was attempting to convince Nanami to wear a fox mask.

"It'll be fun!"

"It'll be warm."

"That's the point."

"I don't think that's the point."

Geto noticed the door opening first. "They're here."

Everyone looked up. Gojo turned absentmindedly then froze. His mouth opened slightly. Nothing came out.

You stepped carefully onto the stone path. "...I'm sorry." You looked down at the sleeves. "Did I take too long?"

He was still staring.

"...Gojo?"

Haibara looked between the two of you. "...Senpai?"

No response.

Shoko smirked. "...Satoru."

"Hm?"

"You've been looking at her for about twenty seconds."

"I have?"

"You have."

Gojo blinked once. Twice. Then quickly looked away, rubbing the back of his neck.

"...You look..."

He stopped. For perhaps the first time in his life, Gojo Satoru couldn't find the right words. You waited patiently.

"...Nice."

Shoko groaned. "'Nice?'"

Haibara looked horrified. "'Nice?!'"

Nanami sighed. "I've heard better compliments from elementary school boys."

Gojo frowned "I panicked."

"You absolutely panicked," Shoko said, laughing.

Heat spread across your cheeks. You lowered your eyes, smiling shyly. "...Thank you."

Gojo looked at you again. Just for a second. The lantern light reflected softly in your eyes. The evening breeze stirred a loose strand of your hair and for reasons he couldn't explain, his heart skipped. It was only once. So quickly he almost convinced himself it hadn't happened at all.

"...Let's go," Geto said, smiling to himself.

No one noticed Gojo linger half a step behind the group. No one except Geto. He glanced sideways at his best friend. Then at you, happily listening to Haibara explain every festival game he wanted to try.

A knowing smile tugged at the corner of Geto's mouth. He didn't say anything but for the first time, he had a feeling this mission wasn't going to end the way either of you expected it to.

The festival grew busier as the night wore on. Lanterns illuminated every corner of the streets, their warm glow reflecting off rows of food stalls and game booths. Somewhere overhead, a voice crackled through a loudspeaker.

“The fireworks display will begin in ten minutes. Guests are kindly asked to make their way toward the beach.”

Haibara’s eyes lit up. “Fireworks!”

He was already halfway down the street before anyone else had reacted. “C’mon!”

Nanami sighed, though he followed all the same. “Slow down.”

“We’re going to miss them!”

“We have ten minutes.”

“So we only have ten minutes!”

Shoko laughed. “I forgot how exhausting summer festivals are.”

The six of you joined the steady stream of people making their way toward the shoreline. The closer you came to the beach, the more crowded it became. People brushed shoulders as they squeezed between one another, all trying to find the best place to watch the sky. You instinctively slowed your pace. There were so many people.

Without realizing it, you stepped closer to the edge of the walkway, trying to stay out of everyone’s way. A shoulder bumped into yours.

“Ah—” You stumbled slightly.

Before you could lose your balance, a hand caught your elbow.

“You okay?”

You looked up to see Gojo. His hand was still resting lightly around your arm.

You nodded. “…I’m alright.”

He glanced at the crowd surrounding you. His easy smile faded ever so slightly.

“It’s getting packed.”

Another group pushed past. This time, Gojo stepped forward before they could brush into you again. Not dramatically. Not consciously. He simply shifted until he was walking beside you, taking the side closest to the crowd. The flow of people naturally parted around him instead.

You didn’t notice. To you, the crowd had simply become easier to walk through. Gojo kept his gaze forward.

“C’mon. We’re gonna lose the others.”

You nodded. “Okay.”

A few minutes later, they reached the beach. Haibara waved enthusiastically from farther ahead.

“Over here!”

The six of you gathered near the water just as the lights along the shoreline dimmed. The conversations around you softened into excited murmurs.

Boom.

Your lips parted. “…They’re…”

A brilliant burst of crimson exploded across the night sky. The crowd erupted into cheers. One after another, fireworks bloomed overhead, their reflections dancing across the ocean.

Another explosion painted the sky silver.

“…Beautiful.”

You couldn’t look away. Every color lingered only for a moment before fading into darkness, making room for the next. You smiled without even realizing it. Gojo wasn’t looking at the fireworks anymore. He was looking at you. The shifting colors reflected in your eyes. Every burst of light illuminated your face for only an instant before another took its place. He had never seen anyone look so genuinely happy.

Geto’s voice came quietly from beside him. Gojo didn’t answer.

“…Satoru.”

“Hm?”

“You’ve missed the last five fireworks.”

Only then did Gojo blink and look back toward the sky. “…Have I?”

Geto folded his arms. “Mhm.”

Another firework burst overhead. Its light briefly illuminated the small smile tugging at the corner of Geto’s mouth. He didn’t tease him. He didn’t have to. Gojo had already said everything without saying a single word. The final firework blossomed across the sky in a shower of gold.

The crowd broke into applause. As everyone slowly began making their way back toward town, you turned to Gojo with a smile brighter than the fireworks themselves.

“…Can I add something to my list?”

“I thought you were crossing things off.”

He blinked.

“So did I.” You looked back toward the smoke still drifting across the night sky. “But…” A soft laugh escaped you. “…I think I keep finding new things worth living for.”

For just a second, neither of you spoke. Gojo simply looked at you. Then smiled.

“…That’s good.”

Because somewhere deep down, he found himself hoping the list would never end.

————

part 2

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