Third Person POV

Shiki is currently wondering why she was here.

Shiki stood there, silently observing Gojo as he carefully picked through the various flavors of kikufuku mochi, the bustling marketplace around them buzzing with life. The scent of sweets mingled with the chatter of the crowd, yet none of it seemed to interest her.

Gojo had dragged her along, seemingly on a whim, to buy what he called "the best kikufuku mochi," a Sendai specialty. And yet, there was no logical reason for her to be here, standing in the midst of a shopping district, watching him act as though they weren't supposed to be dealing with cursed spirits or other pressing matters.

Was it because he'd bought her a collection of kimonos with excellent fabric? Shiki's eyes narrowed slightly as she considered it.

Gojo had been unexpectedly generous, surprising her with a variety of kimonos of fine quality, something she deeply appreciated given how often she wore them.

Though Shiki had a discerning eye for fabric—able to tell the difference between what was good and bad just by touch—she couldn't differentiate between various types of kimonos. That level of detail didn't matter to her. What mattered was utility and comfort.

Shiki's thoughts drifted momentarily. But then again, this whole situation was starting to feel more like a chore.

"Why am I even here?" she muttered under her breath, knowing there would be no satisfying answer.

"What are you sighing about? C'mon, let's enjoy some sightseeing. You've already got new kimonos, why not make a day of it?" Gojo, picking up on her discontent, turned to her with a wide grin.

"Sightseeing? You think this is the best time to be wandering around, buying mochi?"

"Megumi's a capable kid. He'll be fine. Besides, how often do you get a chance to eat Sendai's finest sweets?"

"That's not the point."

"Relax, If anything happens, we can get back to him in seconds. I mean, it's Megumi. What's the worst that could happen?" Gojo said, waving her off.

Suddenly, a sudden shift in the air caught both of their attention. A malicious energy pulsed in the distance.

"Well, that escalated quickly." Gojo said with his usual nonchalance, his playful expression not faltering in the slightest.

Without a word, Shiki grabbed Gojo by the collar, yanking him toward the source of the cursed energy. He didn't resist, letting himself be dragged with ease, still casually holding both the box of mochi and the kimonos he had bought her.

The two moved swiftly, reaching Sugisawa Municipal High School in no time. As they stepped onto the roof, Shiki's sharp eyes immediately locked onto Megumi. He was sprawled out on the ground, blood streaking down his face as he struggled to stay conscious.

Her gaze flickered briefly, assessing him. Megumi was alive—barely, but alive. The pressure that had previously weighed on the air had dissipated halfway through their approach, but seeing Megumi in this state unsettled something deep inside her.

Her attention then shifted to the boy standing over Megumi, shirtless. Whatever confrontation had taken place had clearly ended, but the lingering tension hung in the air.

Gojo's eyes narrowed slightly, though his playful demeanor remained intact. "Well, well... things are more interesting than I thought."

Shiki watched the situation with disintrest. The immediate danger seemed to have passed, but her focus remained on Megumi. The only other person, aside from Gojo and Maki, who had any tangible connection to her—whatever connection meant.

It was difficult for her to understand, but something about it mattered. Maybe not in the way it should, but enough to make her stay.

She followed Gojo as he descended onto the rooftop, his presence instantly drawing attention away from everything else. Shiki remained behind him, her expression cold as though she observing from the sidelines.

Gojo stand beside Megumi, who struggled to stay conscious, and in his usual carefree tone.

"What's the situation?" he asked.

"G-Gojo-sensei?! Why are you here?"

Megumi's eyes widened, a mix of surprise and frustration flashing across his face. Clearly didnt expect for him to show up now.

"Hey, I wasn't planning to come either, but…" Gojo, with an exaggerated shrug, pointed lazily over his shoulder at Shiki, as if that explained everything.

Megumi, wincing in pain, could only glare. "You're joking… right?"

Gojo grinned as he took out his phone, snapping pictures of Megumi's battered face.

"Man, you're roughed up. I should show the other second-years. They'll love this."

Without missing a beat, Shiki raised her foot and kicked Gojo in the back, sending him slightly forward. "Take it seriously, so I can leave," she said in a clipped, cold tone.

"You're awfully violent today, Shiki." Gojo chuckled as he straightened up, rubbing his back in mock pain.

Ignoring Gojo, Shiki then turned her attention to Megumi. "So, did you find it?"

Megumi's eyes narrowed, a flash of frustration crossing his face as he cast a hateful glare toward her. He couldn't help it, she had abandoned him too, just to search for Gojo. As usual, though, Shiki didn't seem to care, as long as he was still alive.

Before Megumi could respond, the boy standing in front of them, his body still faintly radiating cursed energy, spoke up instead.

"Ummm..."

"Who are you?" Shiki only cast a sideway glance.

"Uh... I-Itadori Yuji," he stammered, introducing himself formally under Shiki's cold gaze. Despite her only casting him a sideways glance, it was enough to make Yuji tense up.

Gojo, amused by the exchange, smiled while Megumi gave Yuji a deadpan look. He could relate to Itadori's reaction; he knew just how intimidating Shiki could be. It wasn't the overwhelming pressure of someone like Sukuna, but something about the way she looked at people—it was unsettling in its own way.

"If you're talking about the finger... sorry, but I ate it," Yuji confessed, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly.

"Really?" Gojo's eyebrows raised in genuine surprise.

"Really," Yuji and Megumi answered in unison.

Gojo stepped forward, his expression now one of curious fascination as he inspected Yuji. "Haha... Damn, it really did combine with you. That's hilarious. Anything off with your body?" he asked, leaning in slightly as if Yuji were some sort of bizarre specimen.

"Uh, no... I feel pretty normal, I guess. Except for the whole sharing-my-body-with-an-ancient-cursed-spirit thing." Yuji scratched his head awkwardly.

"Can you swap out with Sukuna?"

"Sukuna?"

"The curse you ate."

"Oh… Yeah, I think I can do that." Yuji's voice wavered with uncertainty, unsure whether that was really a good idea.

"Then give us ten seconds. Once ten seconds are up, come back to us," Gojo said, completely unfazed. He stretched his arms and legs in a dramatic warm-up routine, as if getting ready for some sort of exercise.

"But…" Yuji's expression faltered. He looked around at the destruction, the blood staining the rooftop, and Megumi's battered form. He didn't know much about curses, but judging by the state of things, this probably wasn't the best time to let Sukuna out again.

Gojo didn't seem concerned. He smiled confidently.

"Don't worry. I'm the strongest."

Before Yuji could protest further, Gojo tossed a shopping bag toward Megumi, who caught it instinctively, though his mind was still racing with everything going on.

"What is this?" Megumi asked, peering inside.

"Kikufuku from Kikusuian. It's Sendai's specialty, and it's super good. I recommend the zunda and cream flavor! Oh, and there are some new clothes for Shiki in there, too." Gojo's grin stretched wider, as if he hadn't just dropped the most bizarre combination of sentences in a life-threatening situation.

'This guy actually went and bought souvenirs while people were out here dying!' Megumi's eye twitched, his thoughts darkening as he processed what Gojo just said.

He cast another hateful glare toward both Gojo and Shiki. Gojo grinned wider, seemingly proud of his antics, while Shiki just gave her usual indifferent shrug. It was clear that neither of them were fazed by the absurdity of the situation.

Suddenly, Sukuna's laughter filled the air as black tattoos crawled across Yuji's body, signaling the cursed spirit's return. With a burst of power, Sukuna launched himself into the air, aiming straight for Gojo.

But as he descended, his attack never landed.

The ground beneath Sukuna shook as his feet collided with something—or rather, someone. The smoke cleared, revealing not Gojo, but Shiki, her katana drawn and effortlessly blocking his strike.

Before he could react, she grabbed him by the hair, heaving him over her shoulder with inhuman strength. He flew backward, crashing through the rooftop with enough force to crack the ground below.

Sukuna slid to a halt, dust billowing around him. He stared at Shiki, momentarily startled before his twisted grin returned.

"Hoh... Not bad," he muttered, clearly intrigued by her raw power.

Meanwhile, Gojo stood on the sidelines, brushing a stray lock of hair out of his face, looking completely unconcerned. But his nonchalance was short-lived—Shiki grabbed him by the collar before he could even register the move.

"Hey—!" Gojo protested, but Shiki hoisted him effortlessly, launching him forward like a sack of rice.

In midair, Gojo twisted, stretching one hand out to snag Megumi by the collar, hauling him along. They landed in a tangled heap a few feet away, with Gojo laughing as he gave Shiki a thumbs-up.

"Nice move, Shiki! Next time, a little warning might be nice!"

Megumi, dusting himself off, glared at Gojo, thoroughly unimpressed

"Did you seriously have to drag me along?" he snapped, his voice brimming with annoyance.

"What, and let you miss the fun? Besides, a little fresh air could change your perspective." He shot a glance at Shiki, who was keeping Sukuna at bay with a calm, unwavering stance.

"Fun? I was nearly smashed into a wall! And, you abandoned me and went shopping for souvenirs, too!"

"Doesn't that jacket I got for her look good, though? Matches her vibe, don't you think?"

Megumi sighed, exasperated but unable to deny it. He gave Shiki's jacket a quick glance.

"Yeah… I guess it suits her," he muttered reluctantly.

Their attention returned to the fight as Sukuna, now on his feet again, seemed far more focused than before. Shiki stood unflinchingly in front of him.

For Shiki however, she does this by insticnt.

Before she could think, her body had already moved, shoving Gojo aside and taking the attack head-on.

Shiki wasn't one to be driven by emotions—at least, not in any conventional sense. She acted on instinct, often with her body in motion before her mind could even register it. In battle, there was only one principle that mattered to her:

Feeling are unnecesary in battle.

For her, emotions in battle were distraction. She moved with pure intent, unburdened by hesitation or second-guessing. If someone stood before her as an enemy, her course of action was clear: they would be cut down, no questions.

It was a simple, unyielding law, one that had guided her time and again.

Sukuna's next attack came faster, his movements blurring with a speed that could overwhelm most. But not her. Shiki could still follow it.

His eyes gleamed with excitement, a predator who had found an opponent worth his time. He darted forward, closing the distance between them with terrifying speed, nearly chest-to-chest. Shiki's eyes narrowed as Sukuna swung his fist, aiming for her stomach.

The force behind it was monstrous, enough to shatter bones. But Shiki didn't flinch. At the last possible moment, she angled her body slightly, letting the blow pass just beneath her ribs.

Her counter was immediate. Her right palm shot upward, aiming for Sukuna's chin. He raised his arm to block, but Shiki was faster—her elbow driving into his ribs with a dull thud that reverberated through both of them.

For a split second, silence. Then, a unfamiliar feeling began to creep into Shiki's chest.

Not enough.

Sukuna was laughing now, his twisted grin widening with savage joy. His fist, wreathed in cursed energy, came crashing down toward her face. But Shiki was already gone, sidestepping the attack.

Her body moved on instinct, but her mind… her mind was somewhere else, her eyes focused on the lines.

She wanted to cut them.

The shape of his form blurred away, leaving only the faint, razor-thin paths that drifted across his frame, as if suspended in empty air.

Sever them.

The lines called to her, each one an invitation to sever, to disrupt, to bring about an end.

She wanted to kill him.

Her blade was the bridge between their existence and an absolute silence.

Bring him to his death.

what was that, if not the purest form of understanding?

Without realizing it, Shiki unsheathed her sword, her gaze narrowing on Sukuna's lines. Every fiber of her being attuned to the points she could sever, her grip tightened, her focus sharpening with each breath. Her once-cold expression shifted, morphing into something raw, almost predatory—like a beast ready to strike.

Sukuna's grin faltered, instincts flaring as something deep within him—something primal—urged him to retreat. For the first time in ages, every fiber of his being screamed a single warning.

But before Shiki could close in, a firm hand gripped her collar.

Gojo.

"Whoa there, no need to go that far," he said, his voice light, almost playful. With effortless ease, he pulled her back, breaking her focus.

Shiki blinked, the haze of bloodlust lifting just enough for her to lower her blade. Even so, her gaze remained locked on Sukuna, eyes gleaming with that unsettling, predatory glow. The lines of death were still clear, whispering to her, tempting her, but Gojo's presence grounded her, slowly pulling her back to the present.

Across from them, Sukuna straightened, the faintest hint of a chuckle rolling from his throat. His grin returned, this time tinged with an unsettling curiosity. There was a glint in his eye—a mix of intrigue and wariness.

"Those eyes of yours…" he murmured, his voice dark with fascination. "What are they?"

Gojo, still holding Shiki's collar with an unshakable grip, tilted his head with that familiar, carefree smile.

That's enough, Shiki," he said, lighthearted as ever, yet carrying an undertone of command that left no room for argument.

Shiki's fingers twitched, but she exhaled, her bloodlust dissipating. For now, the lines would remain untouched—but Sukuna knew he'd glimpsed something dangerous, something he'd want to test again.

Gojo turned back to Sukuna. "Alright, kid. Your time's up—ten seconds already."

Sukuna's mocking grin faltered, a twitch crossing his face. His fists clenched, and his voice dropped into a darker, raspier tone.

"Damn it… again? I can't take over."

A tremor shook his body, and in an instant, Itadori resurfaced, blinking in confusion.

"What the… who's this 'Itadori' brat?" Sukuna's voice echoed faintly as Itadori staggered, his body shivering uncontrollably.

"Eh? Why am I… shivering?"

Gojo sighed, placing a hand on Itadori's shoulder with a bemused grin. "Surprised you can keep control that well. But don't sweat the details—it's a miracle you're just shivering."

With a tap to Itadori's forehead, Gojo knocked him out cold, watching as Itadori's body slumped to the ground. He turned to Shiki, who was still poised with her sword, her gaze as unreadable as ever.

"Let's call it a day, shall we?" he suggested lightly, as though the tension had vanished.

From the sidelines, Megumi approached, his steps cautious. He was mostly walking toward Gojo, but his eyes kept darting toward Shiki. Despite respecting and admiring her strength, it would be a lie to say he wasn't scared of her.

Maki, too, avoided Shiki when she was in one of her bad moods, and with good reason. Anyone who tried to confront Shiki during those times was asking for a one-sided beatdown, something the second-years had learned the hard way. Megumi had been on the receiving end himself—more than once.

The only one who ever really survived an encounter with her was Gojo, and unfortunately, he was also the only one who could control her.

Megumi frowned slightly and let out a small sigh as he approached them.

"What did you do?" he asked, looking down at the unconscious Itadori sprawled at their feet.

"I Knocked him out, If he isn't possessed by Sukuna when he wakes up, maybe he really has potential as a vessel." Gojo said.

"Now, Megumi, what do you think we should do with him?"

Megumi blinked, thrown off by the question. "Why are you asking me?" He pointed to Shiki. "Ask Shiki-senpai. She's the one who actually fought Sukuna."

Shiki stepped up behind Megumi and promptly smacked the back of his head.

"Ow!" He winced, rubbing the sore spot.

"Just decide already," Shiki said, her voice as cold as ever. "So I can leave."

Megumi clicked his tongue in mild frustration but didn't argue. He knew better than to push back when Shiki was in this mood. Instead, he stared down at Itadori, his mind racing. What was the right decision here? If they kept Itadori alive, Sukuna's threat would loom over them.

Tsk… Megumi clicked his tongue again, feeling the weight of the decision pressing down on him. If he chose wrong, more people could be hurt in the future. But if he acted in fear and hesitation, he might regret it forever.

Shiki, who had been watching him wrestle with the decision for what felt like too long, let out a quiet sigh.

"Megumi," Shiki's voice cut through his thoughts.

He looked up to see her reaching out, two fingers poised. She poked his forehead, the action both blunt and strangely comforting.

"You always overthink," she said bluntly. "Remember what I told you?"

Megumi, slightly thrown off, frowned. "What?"

"You always overthink things, you need to trust your instincts more," Shiki replied, her voice calm but firm.

Megumi's brows knitted.

Shiki's eyes narrowed slightly as she observed Megumi. She understood his logical nature, how he always tried to weigh every decision, every outcome. As a jujutsu sorcerer, Megumi had developed a strong sense of justice, grounded in his own interpretation of right and wrong.

Much like Gojo, he wasn't swayed by the rigid traditions of the jujutsu world. But sometimes, Shiki thought, his careful reasoning got in the way of what mattered most—acting decisively.

After months of being around him, Shiki know that megumi line of thinking was different from most sorcerers. In his eyes, life was inherently unfair. Sorcerers were cogs in an endless cycle of karmic retribution. But Megumi didn't want the unfairness of the world to destroy the good in it.

He wanted people to receive the fairness they deserved. And now, in front of him, was another person he saw as good: Itadori Yuji.

Shiki could see the internal conflict, the struggle between logic and emotion, as Megumi's expression hardened.

"Even if he's a vessel… Jujutsu regulations demand that Itadori be executed. But…" His gaze fell to the unconscious Itadori. "I don't want him to die."

"Your personal feelings?" he asked, a knowing smirk playing on his lips.

"Yes," Megumi admitted, standing a little straighter. "Please do something about this."

A low chuckle escaped Gojo's throat, his grin widening as he clapped a hand on Megumi's shoulder. "Hehehe… Now that's a request from a precious student. Leave it to me!"

Shiki's gaze lingered on Megumi, a faint glimmer of approval in her otherwise unreadable eyes. He'd trusted himself, just as she'd wanted.

Now, she could finally leave.

[END]

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That's it for the chapter. I hope you guys enjoyed it!

[Thanks fo Reading!]