Chapter 29
There wasn't a hiccup.
Everything went according to plan as Junpei and Suiryu organized everyone and everything, from each song, to the chorography, the show went on flawlessly. When it was all said and done, Junpei sighed with relief.
Suiryu took a moment to let it all sink in, but… that look on his face. "Suiryu… are you okay?" Eso asked.
"Huh? Oh yeah, I'm good," he said in a rather abrupt and yet distant tone. "I thought…" he muttered the last part.
"You thought what?" Junpei asked.
He sighed with defeat. "I… I did this in hopes I get a better understanding of Yuuji… I got to BE him in this and yet… it doesn't feel like I even scratch the surface of it all."
The room was silent.
"You did the rock opera to not just help Yuuji, but for you to know and experience a taste of what he went through?" Junpei asked.
"I don't even think it was a taste, more like a small girt of salt on the tongue. Still… how the hell did he pull through such shitty conditions?"
Junpei thought about it too, he watched this all come together, and yet to learn that the story was all true, the lyrics they sang were Yuuji's thoughts and emotions. But it feels as if they didn't truly understand his situation let alone what he went through.
Suiryu appeared rather disappointed in himself, however. The fact remains. They did a flawless rock opera without any incidents. The actors were perfect, they worked harder than ever to make it the show that it is. Funny twist though, the actors playing Yua and Gogo… are now dating!
#
By the next day. Things settled at the Curse womb estate.
Choso told them that Yuuji appears much happier now. "In fact, his form altered again just this morning,"
"Really?" Eso asked.
"For the better I hope," chimed Junpei.
"Indeed, he can move about once more, he is no longer grounded… well… planted would be a better term. Yet, just this morning, he was able to regain his legs, he still looks very plant and rock like, however, it's more manageable and he can move around. He is much happier." Choso said with a proud nod. "Little brother will probably through this part soon enough."
"That's good, I would be worried about him staying planted. If the council tried anything again…" Junpei said and then sneered at the idea. "I mean, who the hell do they think they are doing that to Itadori!?"
The table came to a pause. Choso smirked a little. "You're right, but remember, he's a brother."
He gave a half smirk to the comment; Choso is determined to have Junpei call Yuuji a brother at one point or another. It may happen, but for now, he won't be doing such a thing.
Yuuji surprisingly came about later on.
Junpei found him helping Sanso with his garden. They have been having a hard time getting anything to grow, but Yuuji suddenly plunged his hands into the ground and gave it a jumpstart!
The plants became young seedlings in an instant. "Ease up on the watering, also age your compost more before you put it in the ground okay?"
"Whoa, plant whisperer…" Junpei snickered.
"Actually, they are the ones talking, I am just relaying the message." Yuuji said innocently enough.
He didn't quite understand it, but Junpei didn't care. "You want to hang out with us today?"
"Actually, yeah. I'm in the mood for a hike or a long walk, I mean… I was planted for a few weeks… or was it months… I really don't know at this point."
The two of them went into the woods, just to wonder about and have some peace and quiet. "So… you knew about this rock opera Suiryu was making?"
"Yeah, we helped him with it since he wanted to help you feel better. I didn't quite understand it myself. But, I think Suiryu was trying to see from your perspective, to what happened to you and better understand everything that has occurred. He said before this was to help you heal, but I think it was also to help him understand you better."
Yuuji paused.
"He… did that for me?" he whispered in amazement.
"Look, I may not know much about Sukuna or what hell he put you through, but it appeared Suiryu tried to replicate it, so the world would see what you endured to keep them safe. To show how much of a hero you really are, despite the fact you, yourself can't see it."
He still hasn't moved from where he stood. Yuuji almost appeared confused by it all. "But… I'm no hero. I woke the bastard up!"
"Did you?" Junpei asked curiously.
Yuuji tried to speak, but hesitated.
"Itadori, from what I have seen, from what Suiryu displayed and explained to the world… this was all a set up from the start. Hell, even I was part of this shit show and didn't even know it!" he protested. "But, you have to let go of the notion that everything was within your control, it wasn't. NOTHING ever was in your control. The world lucked out that you were Sukuna's vessel, since all others overpowered and took claim over their vessels. Sukuna couldn't do that to you, could he?"
Itadori peered away, but he forced a small smile. "You… you guys didn't have to do that for me…" he said gently.
"No, we didn't… but we did." Junpei said and smiled. "Do you feel better?"
Yuuji smiled and nodded. But then, he looked confused. "I got to know something… how did you buff yourself out like that?!"
He snickered, but caught himself as his laugh… well… it's rather startling. Even Yuuji froze from the sound of it. It sounded alien like! "Sorry, that slips out… I don't know why my laugh changed like that…"
"It's Kechizu's laugh," Yuuji explained. "I suppose you got to have a little more of his influence in you than you think!"
"No shit," Junpei muttered, but he didn't mind it. Although creepy, it did have a certain ring to it!
