A knock on the door woke Sayuri before her alarm. Her eyes opened, closing again to avoid sunlight filtering through the window panes. It was Saturday, her day off, and a quick glimpse at her alarm clock revealed that it was far too early to be disturbed. The girl groaned, shuffling toward the door in gray sweats, white hair disheveled, and sleep still in her eyes.

She hadn't slept well.

Even in the darkness of her room, she could still feel the eyes of her classmates. In the silence, she could hear Satoru's bitter demands. In the stillness, she could feel herself pushing Suguru away over and over again. For that especially, guilt gnawed at her as the hours ticked by. Sayuri tried to focus on her conversation with Shoko and accept that everything would work itself out in time or that this was an opportunity to push herself and embrace who she truly was.

Still, she remained awake until the early hours of the morning. And now, Sayuri found Yu Haibara on the other side of her door, looking as bright as ever.

"Hi!" His expression dulled upon noticing her pajamas. "Oh, uh… Did I wake you? I-I'm sorry…" He scratched the back of his head before angling his body to reveal Kento Nanami standing behind him. "We wanted to check in on you. Isn't that right, Nanami-san?"

Nanami's features were as stiff as his neat khaki pants and black long-sleeve shirt. "It's our day off, but Haibara insisted," he clarified. "I said you'd be sleeping… like a normal person on a Saturday morning."

Sayuri offered Yu half a smile as she opened the door wider. "That's okay."

"I'm glad Shoko patched you up," Haibara said, his head tilting as he inspected her face. "You took a big hit… I can't even tell!"

Kento glared at their chipper friend. "I told you she'd be fine," he muttered.

"I really do appreciate the gesture," Sayuri reassured Haibara. "Do you want to come in?"

Yu shook his head, his posture straightening as he lingered between his friends. "I was hoping you might want to head into the city today... It'll be a nice change of scenery! We could even see a movie! There is a remake of this old horror film I've been dying to see. And we can stop for breakfast if you're hungry… I know a bakery not too far from here that has the best milk bread. "

Nanami sighed, though there was a pleasant shift in his expression. Sayuri had quickly learned that bread had that effect on him. "When you woke me up, you said absolutely nothing about going into the city."

Yu thrust his elbow back hard, forcing a gasp of wind from Nanami's mouth. "Because I know you would've said no."

"Little shit."

Sayuri chuckled softly, a hand idling on the doorknob. "The city sounds wonderful," she agreed. "Just give me a few minutes, and then we can head out."

Sayuri dressed casually, and after a few minutes, she hurried down the stone staircase to meet her friends along the path. She settled between Nanami and Haibara, and together, they walked through the quiet grounds of Jujutsu High. The morning was crisp, and the cherry blossoms lining the paths swayed in the breeze as they exited the campus. Sayuri nudged Nanami's hip with her own, and for once, he smiled.

They took the train, finding themselves at the bakery just as it opened. The space was cozy and welcoming, painted with neutral shades to compliment wooden accents. Nanami and Sayuri settled at a table with their haul balanced on separate trays. Haibara was already halfway finished a sweet roll when he joined them. "I've heard they have the best pancakes here. You should have tried them, Sayuri."

"Which is it, Yu? The best milk bread or the best pancakes?" Nanami muttered as he unwrapped his breakfast. "They can't have both."

Sayuri ignored his grumblings, offering Haibara a smile instead. "Thank you for bringing us, Yu."

Nanami bit into an egg sandwich and sighed, relaxing back into his chair as he watched Sayuri. "Did you live around here?"

Sayuri tore a piece of her bread, avoiding Nanami's gaze. "Not far… My mother and I lived in an apartment in Kiyokawa." Their apartment was empty now—perhaps even occupied by another family.

As they had grown closer, Haibara and Nanami learned small details of her life, just as she had theirs. Talking was helpful as she grieved her mother. Yu was comforting, and despite his serious demeanor, Sayuri sought Nanami out when she needed someone to listen. It differed from most people—those who offered their thoughts and prayers or tried to cheer her up. Nanami sat through the pain, his presence solid and empathetic. What he offered in response was always genuine.

"Kiyokawa," he mused. Everything was always a puzzle for such a logical mind—and Sayuri's story—one he had assumed finished until watching her spar with Satoru. One glaringly obvious piece was missing now, and in true jujutsu sorcerer fashion, he was determined to investigate. "Just you and your mother?"

"Yes." Sayuri lifted her tea, a dark brow raising as she eyed him over the rim. "If you want to ask me something, go ahead. Maybe you already have a theory."

Nanami sipped at his coffee, mirroring her. "I don't need a theory... It's obvious," he said. "Limitless suggests you're from the Gojo Clan. Your father's side, maybe? You never talk about him, so I'd assume he skipped out on you and your mother."

Sayuri leaned forward, the corners of her lips pulling upward with his sureness. She rested her chin in her palm. "Wrong. I inherited Limitless from my mother's side," Sayuri said. "Her name was Akiko Gojo." The girl held out her other hand. "Now, you owe me a piece of that sandwich."

Nanami's brow creased, and begrudgingly, he pushed the second half of his sandwich forward. The girl bit a corner from the triangle before placing it back onto his tray. "So you know absolutely nothing about your father?" he pressed. "Was he a sorce—?"

"I don't know, Nanami." Sayuri wrapped her hands around her tea to admire its warmth. She could speak with Yaga-sensei, but the idea of knowing more about a man capable of abandoning his child made Sayuri feel nauseous. And there was no guarantee Yaga knew any more than she did.

Haibara's eyes had grown wide in their back and forth—finding the information delightful. "So this whole time, you've been hiding that you have an innate technique AND an inherited technique?" he gushed. "Not even Gojo's Six Eyes saw that coming."

Nanami shook his head. "No matter his colossal ego or grade, he is still a student. He is just as capable of making mistakes or overlooking something as any one of us."

The girl picked at her breakfast, falling quiet as her mind wandered. Shoko had suggested Satoru acted as he did because he had never encountered someone like him, but that wasn't entirely true. Sayuri would never be able to master Limitless as Satoru could or even be remotely as powerful. As Yu had boasted, her cousin had inherited the gift of extrasensory perception. He was the first of his kind in over four hundred years, and he should have been able to read her cursed technique or at least read her flow of cursed energy.

So why didn't he?

"You good?"

Haibara's voice thrust Sayuri back to reality. "Yeah," she said, clearing her throat before continuing. "I was surprised I could hold him off for as long as I did. I never really… practiced my use of Limitless. It's a technique passed down from a family that doesn't accept me." Her shoulders shrugged. "I focused on Intuition because it makes me unique."

Nanami stared into his cup of coffee. "As much as I admire stubbornness, that is a stupid reason not to push yourself, and I think you know that. We are tasked with one thing—to protect those weaker than us. Jujutsu sorcerers are strong, and you've been pretending to be weak for what?" he questioned. "Because you're afraid? Pride? Or because you think you're honoring your mother? She's dead, Sayuri." His words, however truthful, were as cold as ice. "If you're weak in the face of a cursed spirit or a curse user, you'll be dead soon, too."

Sayuri chewed on the inside of her cheek. "I know."

Haibara shot Nanami a look before he leaned toward Sayuri. "He didn't mean it like that."

"I meant every word."

"You're insufferable," Yu muttered.

"No—Nanami is right," she said. "I'm done pretending."

Kento glanced at Haibara, satisfaction evident upon his features as he folded his arms behind his head and leaned back in the chair. A comfortable silence passed between them, interrupted by patrons as they entered the bakery. Nanami finished his coffee, looking between his friends as they ate. "As dreadful as it sounds, you might want to talk with that white-haired idiot—no offense," he added after glancing at her pale locks. "He may be able to help."

Haibara grinned, ignoring the crumbs gathering at either corner of his mouth. That boy loved food. "Let me know when you want to talk with him. I'll go! Maybe he can teach me something, too."

Sayuri smiled at the dark-haired first-year—an expression that didn't quite meet her eyes.

As they exited the bakery, Haibara ran ahead, pointing to a variety store at the end of the block. Sayuri laughed, realizing he had the boundless eagerness and unwavering optimism of a golden retriever. Yu enthusiastically embraced each day, something she secretly envied each time she felt suffocated by self-doubt.

Walking beside her, Nanami nudged her with his hip—just as she had done earlier that morning. "I won't take it easy on you anymore," he told her. "I'm coming for you in our next spar, Gojo."

The girl chuckled, offering Nanami a playful shove. "Watch yourself."

Satoru Gojo may have been the strongest among the students at Tokyu Jujutsu High. He was perhaps the strongest of all jujutsu sorcerers despite his age. Sure, he could teach her something about their shared technique, but there was still so much to learn from her friends.

Over the next few weeks, Sayuri's dedication to her training reached new heights. Learning to embrace her potential, she immersed herself in rigorous exercises, honing her abilities with an intensity that surpassed even her own expectations. Early mornings saw her nose in textbooks, and teachers filled her time outside the classroom with training that ensured her movements became more fluid and precise. Her determination and commitment to becoming the best version of herself as a first-year student and, eventually, a jujutsu sorcerer were unmistakable.

Her relentless effort and the support she offered her classmates did not go unnoticed. Always observing from a distance, Yaga-sensei admired the shift in Sayuri's progress and tenacity. He saw the makings of an exceptional sorcerer—her growth a testament to her hard work, resilience, and growing confidence. Knowing teachers could not recommend their students for a promotion, Yaga wasted no time introducing Sayuri to Utahime Iori and Mei Mei. He also permitted Sayuri to begin accompanying Nanami and Haibara on missions to exorcise Grade 4 and Grade 3 cursed spirits. The missions were relatively simple, but Sayuri focused on each task, eager to use her technique against cursed spirits and make her teachers proud.

Nanami's precise and powerful strikes quickly weakened the spirits in the field, while Haibara provided crucial support with cursed energy. With either technique, Sayuri could immobilize spirits long enough for Nanami to deliver the final blow—or she often finished the curse on her own. No matter the order of things, their team worked seamlessly.

Sayuri felt a surge of accomplishment each time the curses dissipated into nothingness. Tension and heaviness faded mere seconds after the curse was exorcised, providing a clarity that those affected by it hadn't felt in months. Yet, as Nanami tugged Sayuri into the car, her thoughts usually drifted to Suguru Geto. She couldn't help but feel sympathy for him, now understanding how awful it must have been to consume a cursed spirit.

Another long day of classes at Tokyo Jujutsu High left Sayuri particularly exhausted. Instead of joining her friends for dinner, the first-year turned for the dorms, hoping for a hot shower and an early bedtime… or maybe a few chapters in the book left open on her nightstand. Lost in the desire for her bed, Sayuri rounded the corner and nearly collided with another student.

Startled, her innate technique activated instinctively—Infinity cushioning her from impact. Equally distracted eyes met hers through the shimmering expanse, and Suguru Geto took half a step backward. Both students laughed; however, awkwardly, the tension between them was evident even as the shimmering expanse faded.

Almost a month had passed since that afternoon on the training grounds; their interactions limited to mere smiles or subtle waves. Perhaps that was her fault for so eagerly pushing Suguru away when he tried to help, or maybe she figured distance from the second-year would also keep Satoru at bay. She had missed his presence, but training, missions, and classes had kept the first-years busy.

"I'm sorry," they said in unison.

A flush of color painted pale features. "I wasn't paying attention."

"Neither was I." Suguru rubbed the back of his neck, his usual confidence momentarily replaced by a hint of awkwardness. "But I'm glad I found you… I wanted to talk. I knocked..." he said, motioning to her door at the end of the hall.

"I've been wanting to talk, too."

Suguru's expression brightened slightly. "How convenient."

Together, they laughed, their awkwardness easing as they stood in the fading light. "Do you want to go for a walk?" Sayuri asked.

Suguru nodded, and a hand at his side motioned for her to lead the way. Once they found the cobblestone path, the pair walked in tandem toward the gardens. Nestled within the ancient school barriers, the garden sprawled on with unearthly serenity—a stark contrast to the training grounds. Stone lanterns, weathered with age, were strategically placed throughout the garden, casting a soft glow during twilight hours. Gravel paths wound their way through the lush greenery, leading to hidden nooks and quiet seating areas where students and staff could find a moment of peace and reflection.

At its heart was a koi pond, the water so clear that every detail of the colorful fish and smooth pebbles at the bottom was visible. Water lilies floated gracefully on the surface, their white and pink blossoms adding delicate splashes of color. Suguru led Sayuri over a small wooden bridge that arced over the pond, and together, they paused to admire the beauty below.

Captivated by two koi fish gliding gracefully through the water, Sayuri watched a black and white koi move in perfect harmony, their contrasting colors creating a mesmerizing dance. Two distinct beings intertwined by fate.

On the other side of the bridge, Suguru lowered into the lush grass and sat, facing Sayuri as she admired the fish. "I… wanted to apologize for how I acted during your spar against Satoru," he told her. "I don't know why I interrupted because I know you can take care of yourself," he assured. "I crossed the line, and I hate that things have felt awkward between us."

Sayuri didn't fear Satoru Gojo, not even standing on the receiving end of his half-assed threats. But Suguru's interference had spoken for her. He had ended the unfinished match and doted over her as if she were a child—not a formidable jujutsu sorcerer. She appreciated the camaraderie and support of her classmates, but she did not want to be rescued. Not by Nanami or Haibara. Not by Shoko.

Not by Suguru.

She turned to him, stepping through the grass until she sank into it beside him. "I understand." Sayuri stared out at the scenery as she continued. "You said before that Satoru tends to take things too far… It was your instinct to step in, which shows you care about your friends."

Friends.

Was she his friend, or had she just made some embarrassing assumption? Sayuri second-guessed her words immediately—embarrassment painting her cheeks once more. "If you consider me a friend, that is… I didn't mean to assume. I—"

"You are my friend," Suguru murmured.

Her head turned, and their eyes met. "Good." Sayuri swallowed the tightness in her throat, her sound reluctant as she continued. "Because I missed you… and I wanted to explain."

"You don't have to," Suguru said, proceeding with caution. "Shoko told me."

Shoko told him. Shoko. Her stomach sank, realizing she should have known better than to share so much with someone she hardly knew. Maybe it was asking too much of the girl, knowing she would struggle to keep something so significant from her best friends, too. And the more Sayuri considered it, the more relieved she became. She had explained her past ad nauseum to Haibara and Nanami. With Suguru, it felt nice just to… let things be. For now, Sayuri tucked Shoko's trustworthiness away for future reference.

"She's not exactly the best at keeping secrets," he added.

"Obviously." Laying back in the grass, Sayuri sighed, her gaze drifting to the cherry blossoms above. "Satoru is your best friend," she stated. "You know that Six Eyes allows him to read the flow of cursed energy... If he can read cursed technique, why didn't he pick up on mine?"

Suguru looked down, parting with his words slowly. He couldn't be sure how Satoru's mind worked (could anyone?), but he could take an educated guess. "Because up until that day, I think he underestimated you…" he told her. "Satoru tends to overlook those he feels are weak—to a fault. That is a lesson for him, something he should learn against a classmate rather than in the field, right?"

Silence stretched between them, the sentiment of her weakness stinging more deeply than she cared to admit. "Do you think I am weak?" Slowly, she turned her head to find him.

"No." Dark eyes met hers, their intensity a silent reassurance of his honesty. "I have always seen your potential as a jujutsu sorcerer… And knowing what I do now, I believe that more than ever." Suguru held her gaze for some time, his features softening as he finally looked away. You are special, he wanted to add. But his heart skipped a beat instead.

If only he had known that hers did, too.

As the sun descended, it painted the sky with hues of orange and pink. The warmth of the fading sunlight cast a golden glow over the pair, and Sayuri felt a deep sense of contentment as she listened to the distant chirping of birds settling in for the night.

"Nanami-kun suggested I could learn something from Satoru because we share the Limitless," Sayuri said slowly. She turned to Suguru, pale eyes searching for a shift in his calmness. "But I think I would rather learn from you."

Suguru sat up, reaching for a blade of grass that he peeled apart bit by bit. In his silence, he felt earnest eyes searching for an answer. It was unexpected—for her to seek him out for training, especially when Satoru, with his mastery of the Limitless technique, seemed the obvious choice. In his mind, despite those who claimed him to be as strong as his friend, Suguru doubted he had much more to offer than their teachers. Yet, as he looked at Sayuri Gojo, he felt an inexplicable desire to help her grow, to see her power flourish under his guidance.

He agreed.

When the halls of Tokyo Jujutsu High had fallen silent, Sayuri and Suguru snuck from the dormitories to train. Suguru naturally accepted the role as her teacher, guiding Sayuri through complex jujutsu and diving deeper into topics first-year teachers only mentioned. And while the consequences of breaking curfew kept her alert, it was in those stolen moments in Suguru's mentorship that Sayuri felt herself growing more decisive and more confident. It was as if their energies recognized and resonated with one another, growing more synchronized with each session. On missions with Haibara and Nanami, she struggled to replicate half of what she could accomplish with Suguru Geto.

One night, well past midnight, Sayuri and Suguru lingered in the gymnasium, taking a break from their control of cursed energy. Her teachers had explained the concept in theory, discussing the collection and ability to harness the power source associated with negative emotions. Suguru emphasized the importance of conserving her cursed energy if she were to stand a chance against an opponent in close combat jujutsu… or ever consider amplifying her Limitless technique.

"You're distracted tonight," Suguru said with a yawn. He picked up a basketball from a nearby cart and bounced it as he approached the net.

"I'm tired," Sayuri told him. "And you're the one playing basketball."

"I'm not forcing you to train," Suguru said with a smirk. "Sleep is important, you know?"

"Would you stop?" Sayuri motioned to the ball. "Someone is going to hear it, Suguru."

"Suguru-senpai."

"Go to hell," she muttered.

The second-year grinned as he turned from Sayuri, tossing the ball back toward the cart. He missed, and it bounced several times before rolling to the other side of the gymnasium. Sayuri sighed, her eyes closing as his shadow consumed her.

"It's all about the flow," Suguru reminded, the playfulness fading from his voice. "You should be moving the energy naturally, without forcing it."

Sayuri nodded, her brow furrowed in concentration. She took a deep breath, feeling the cursed energy within her respond. She tried to guide it smoothly despite its chaos, but it was like taming a rapid river.

Suguru watched her closely, noticing the tension in her delicate features. "Open your eyes," he murmured, reaching between them and placing an index finger where her brow creased. Pale eyes opened with his subtle touch, and she met a familiar, heavily lidded gaze. Breath hitched at the back of her throat, and perhaps he noticed because the corners of his mouth pulled into a sly smirk. "Have you faced all cursed spirits with your eyes closed? I mean, not that it really matters against Grade 4 spirits… Even Grade 3."

Sayuri rolled her eyes, feeling her concentration slip. "Come on, Suguru."

"Fine! Fine…"He took a slow breath, cueing Sayuri to refocus.

But, in his closeness, she found it increasingly difficult. Almost a minute passed between them before Sayuri shook her head. "Maybe we should just stop for the ni—."

"Stop holding so much tension in your body." His voice was soft. "The connection between jujutsu and cursed energy is mind, body, and soul." Suguru circled her, his presence radiating a calm confidence as he came to rest behind her. Gently, he looped an arm around her, placing it upon her stomach just below her ribs. "Breathe from here," he instructed softly, his touch light but firm. "Feel the energy flow with your breath and connect with it."

Sayuri's heart skipped a beat with his contact, her cheeks flushing slightly. Despite his earlier instruction, her eyes closed again in a desperate effort to focus on her breathing. Suguru's hand was warm, the sensation grounding her in that moment. She inhaled deeply, feeling cursed energy align more smoothly with her breath.

Suguru, too, felt a rush of warmth spread across his face. He hadn't intended for the moment to feel so… intimate, but suddenly, he could sense Sayuri's cursed energy. It intertwined with his, racing to him as it flowed from her core. Their profound connection created an almost tangible bond between mind, body, and soul. Suguru could feel Sayuri's heartbeat resonating with his own, a pulsating rhythm and lifeline that engrained itself into his memory. He had never felt anything so powerful before.

Neither had she.

Sayuri turned to look over her shoulder, her concentration faltering as they stared at each other—words lodged in their throats. Neither student realized the gymnasium doors had opened, nor did they notice the stern figure standing in the doorway. Masamichi Yaga's arms crossed over his chest as he stared at his students.

"What the hell is going on in here?" he yelled.

Suguru ripped his arm away from Sayuri at once, his back straightening up before he bowed respectfully. The white-haired girl followed, her face painted red as her lips parted.

"Yaga-sensei!" they greeted in unison.

"I asked you both a question! What the hell are you doing in here?" Even at night, inside the gymnasium, a pair of sunglasses still hid Yaga's hardened gaze.

"We were just training, sir," Sayuri replied, her voice steady despite the panic coursing through her veins. "I… I had asked Geto-senpai to teach me more about controlling my cursed energy. It's been difficult for me."

"Teaching you?" Yaga stepped closer to them, inspecting both students behind his glasses. "Last time I checked, I didn't find Suguru Geto on my instructor payroll."

"No, sensei," Suguru said. "I… I was ju—"

Yaga smacked the back of Suguru's head—the sudden impact forcing Sayuri to flinch. "Save it," he tsked. "I know everything that goes on at this school, Suguru! Do you think I'm stupid? I've known about your little meet-ups for days." The teacher crossed his trunk-like arms, his gaze slipping to Sayuri. Surprisingly, when he spoke, his tone had softened. "Training is important, but so is rest. Especially for you."

Sayuri blinked. "Me, sir?"

"Yes," Yaga said with a nod. "My other sorcerers are unavailable tomorrow, so I've decided you will go into the field with Suguru to exorcise a Grade 2 cursed spirit. I was going to send Satoru, but I thought it would be a good opportunity for the other Gojo." He lowered his glasses, his eyes narrowed. "But finding you both here after curfew again, I'm starting to regret my decision..."

While she loathed being referred to as the other Gojo, Sayuri could not allow such an opportunity to slip through her fingers. She wouldn't dare correct him. "No, please, sensei! I will do my best!"

Yaga silenced her with a hand. "This mission will be dangerous, Gojo. I will need more than your best." He looked to Suguru next. "I trust you will look after each other."

Suguru nodded without thought. "Yes, sensei. We work well together."

"Good." Their teacher lingered there a moment longer before turning to leave. Sayuri and Suguru stood in silence as the man crossed the gymnasium floor, and with each passing second, she noticed how closely they stood. Sayuri could feel his warmth—and the steady thud of his heart. The fingers at her side twitched, wanting nothing more than to reach the minuscule distance between them to find his.

But Yaga turned back to them, his hand on the door. "Why have neither of you moved? It's past curfew, god damn it! Stop playing school, and let's go," he yelled across the gym. Suguru and Sayuri sprung to action, gathering their belongings before running to the door. "And if I ever see you both standing so closely to again, I will personally lock you away in Tombs of the Star—never to be seen again!"

"Yes, sensei!" they repeated in unison. The pair had barely left their teacher's sight before they broke into laughter, their amusement echoing through the grounds as they ran to the dormitories.

They approached Sayuri's dorm first, and Suguru waited as she opened the door. A warm prickle of excitement lingered in her chest as she digested the news—something she knew would mix with nerves as time passed. But those nerves were a good sign, right? Nerves meant that she was ready. And accompanying Suguru suggested her elders saw her as a strong student, capable of holding her own against a Grade 2 cursed spirit.

"For my sake, you better keep your eyes open tomorrow," Suguru teased.

She turned back to him, a soft smile playing on her lips. "I'll think about it… for your sake." Sayuri motioned for him to turn around, her other hand slowly closing the door. "Goodnight, senpai."