"Huh?! Ciel's not gonna join us?!" Yuuji's disbelief was heard by his whole class, along with one from Kyoto.

"Hmph! Typical. I bet my dollar those guys set this up," Todo crossed his arms, his tongue clicked in disappointment. "Not a single one of them has good taste. I wouldn't be surprised if they got something planned for my little brother too."

"...Why are you talking like you have no part in this?" Nobara wondered what dropped on this guy's head as a baby, acting like some kind of self-insert to the main cast. "You know none of us trust you, right? I'm still peeved at what you guys pulled the last time we met."

"That's in the past now," Todo claimed as if that was unanimously agreed upon (Nobara: "Like hell it is!") (Yuuji: "Wait. What happened?").

"I'm not interested in whatever schemes those guys are cooking up," Todo added. "Whatever they're planning, I won't be a part of it."

"That's too bad. We could have used inside info," Maki nonchalantly said before pointing her thumb over her shoulder. "Oh well. If you're not gonna be useful to us, there's the door."

"No need to be coy," Todo smirked, like she was just joking. "We're all friends here."

...

*SLAM*

The next Todo knew, he was facing the closed door of the classroom. One would have thought someone used his own technique on him, but in reality, it took Maki and Panda to get him out.

"Now that that's dealt with," Maki said as she sat back at her desk. "We're gonna have to rethink our approach."

"I feel like we could have used his input still..." Yuuji suggested.

"I doubt it'll help much," Megumi spoke up. "Even if he's telling the truth and doesn't agree with his classmates, he probably wouldn't be the type to sell them out completely either."

"Yeah? You sound like you know him, Fushiguro."

"We fought briefly not too long ago. He's tough, and to the point." A man who bore no hesitation or shame in admitting his preferences, and would gladly kick someone's ass over it, could only be described as an honest sort. Todo was a lot like Yuuji in that manner.

"Huh... Who won?"

"...That's not important. What I'm saying is don't get too cozy with him. He's still someone we'll be going up against in the event." Despite Todo's direct approach, he was also wildly unpredictable. There's no guarantee he'll hold back his punches.

After recovering from the spontaneous appearance of Aoi Todo - he had a lot more character than what her profiling described - Ciel nodded her head. "I agree. While, arguably, he isn't as much of a powerhouse as another member of their group, that being Mechamaru-san, Todo-san is what many call a tactical genius, based on what my sources tell me."

"You really did your homework on them, huh?" Panda said, raising his paw passively. "Just so you know, we're not here to cause any serious harm. This is just for sport."

That'll be up to them, Ciel thought to herself without reserve. Yuuji had a feeling what she was thinking and got a little worried.

"What did that guy mean about planning something for Itadori anyway?" Nobara pointed out, if she was right that that's who he was referring to as "little brother".

"Oh. He probably means that his class wants to kill me."

Yuuji's blunt statement made everyone pause, though only a few were unsurprised by this reveal.

"What...?" Nobara was startled by this nonchalance. "Are you serious? There's no way that's..."

"Well..."

Gojo stretched the word, gaining everyone's attention as he leisurely sat down in his chair positioned backwards. "There's a chance they might do that. I'd never think they'd that bold. But I guess you can't be too careful."

Ciel was pleased that she incited Gojo to admit that. It seemed when it came to his students, he's willing to entertain a few or so ideas. If this concerned him alone as the target, he would have no worries whatsoever.

"Salmon."

"You think so too, Inumaki?" Well, Maki could see the reasoning behind that. That kind of thing happened to Yuuta when he first joined this school. She didn't have any proof, but she was pretty sure a lot of people wanted him dead even if Gojo helped avert his immediate execution. The loads of dangerous missions given to him, even putting him under Special Grade from the get-go despite being a newbie at the time, was to get him killed before the elders finally decided to use him outright.

But this was a level higher than that. She's heard all the horror stories about Sukuna. Unlike Rika who only retaliates when Yuuta's in danger, Sukuna would actively go out of his way to cause carnage, no provocation required. It'd make sense why others would be more nervous about Yuuji than Yuuta.

"But why?! There's no reason to go that far!" Nobara didn't fully grasp it. Dealing with Sukuna was one thing, but Yuuji was already accepted into Jujutsu High. Plus, this was Yuuji for heaven's sake. This guy would hardly hurt a fly unless it was biting someone. Was this because of what happened at the detention center? There's no way they're pinning all that on him!

"If it is what they're planning, then I don't believe it's anything personal," Panda answered, a comforting tone to help quell Nobara's shock. "They're jujutsu sorcerers. They probably see Itadori as no different from any other curse -erm, sorry, this might be hard for you to hear."

Yuuji waved his hand. "It's fine. I've already mentally prepared myself if that happened."

He pocketed his hands as he added, "I mean. In a way, couldn't we also use this to our advantage? If they are gunning after me, that'll leave you guys enough time to get a head start for all of us."

"Itadori..." Nobara didn't know what to say. This numbskull. He's thinking about that of all things? At this point, it's not even a "friendly" competition anymore.

Megumi was also dissatisfied and looked at Gojo. "Can't we strengthen security? They wouldn't be reckless to try and attack Itadori if everybody's there to see it."

"Sure. I can look into it," Gojo stated, resting his chin over his crossed arms on top of the chair's back support. "They're pretty much doing that anyway with Ciel and our "surprise guest" here. You can bet they'll be keeping an eye on all sides of the forest, just in case there are anymore surprises."

"All the more reason to come up with a new strategy," Maki took initiative, gripping the hilt of her weapon with tenacity, an eagerness to broach the challenge before them. "They want to take one of us down permanently? We'll beat them black and blue this year."

"Where have you been, Todo?" Noritoshi confronted the taller teen in the hallway of Tokyo Jujutsu High's second building, his tone heavy with demand as he held his bow in hand.

"I was with the other team." Todo didn't hesitate, nor did he stop his walk as he went past his classmate.

"You mean you were fraternizing with the enemy. How much did you tell them?"

"..."

"If you gave away any secrets, they will use it against us. That executor especially. Even after the event is over, she could bypass our defenses, rob us of sensitive information from our school, and deliver them to her superiors."

Noritoshi resumed speaking as Todo continued to walk.

"You are not to speak to them without permission again. Do you not yet realize what this is? Or have you gone brain-dead from watching so much of those rom-com shows?"

Todo stopped his walk.

"We are at the brink of war. This could be part of a bigger scheme. Bigger than Sukuna. The vampire in this city could very well have been planted by the Church to overthrow jujutsu authority, and now their agents have infiltrated this school. I shouldn't be so surprised, considering the kind of lackeys this place has, but I would have expected better from you, Todo."

Noritoshi turned to Todo, seeing the other student's large back. "We need you to focus on the bigger picture. Not run off whenever you like. Our goal for this event is simple; we will kill Sukuna's vessel. We will be the one to exorcise him before that executor does, and you are going to help us."

If ever the executor decided to act, then Todo will be the first to face and disorient her, then all of them will go in to deliver the final blow. All at once.

"...You guys make me sick." Todo raised his chin, staring up at the ceiling. It's no wonder why his teacher left his school so long ago. "All this scheming and plotting. Sukuna this. Vampire that. Sorcerer this. Executor that. You guys are the ones who aren't getting the full picture here."

He visualize himself standing beside Yuuji and Ciel, walking home together under the rain with umbrellas in their hands.

"And for the record, it's not a rom-com. It's a slice of life," Todo turned his head and shoots a fierce glare. "And if you guys ever try to butt in on my life, I'll kill you."

There was much work to be done, and it starts with Yuuji.

"Don't walk away from me, Todo. Or you will regret it." Noritoshi gripped his bow tightly. His technique thrummed within his system.

"That's enough, Kamo-san."

Appearing at the end of the hall, Gakuganji walked towards Noritoshi with a few clicks of his cane. "There's no getting through to Todo-san when he's like this."

"But..." Noritoshi observed as Todo walked further and further away.

"I'm sure he'll play a vital role regardless." Gakuganji hoped so, anyway. "And if not, that's fine. I've already set up a contingency, in case things don't quite go as what we planned."

The old man then turned back, "Come Kamo-san. We have much to prepare still."

Noritoshi eventually agreed and followed after his principal. Though he's mostly calmed down, a foreboding sense remained in him.

We have to be the ones to kill the vessel.

He'd been feeling the immense pressure that bore on everyone's shoulders, including the family heads and their heirs. If the Church were to simultaneously eliminate both the curse king and the vampiric threat, the japanese government could be further swayed by their presence. They would not only be able to overtake the jujutsu clans' influence, but their lands as well.

And without a home, or the support of their members, then even as heir of the Kamo clan, he would not have the power to bring back the one he so desperately wished to see again. Let alone a home safe enough from enemy's reach.

It has to be us.

If not, then none of them will have a place they belong.

Ciel adjusted the collar of Yuuji's red hood, feeling the stitched rims of the holy shroud as she stood in front of him.

"Still worried?" Yuuji once again asked. Ciel paused as she smoothed the wrinkles of his uniform.

"...No. Not as much anymore," Ciel was being truthful. She only paused because even she was wondering as well. However, a strange sense of serenity kept her nerves under check. "Maybe I was a little gun-ho from the beginning. If I'm going to be part of this school, I should work on earning the trust of others foremost."

She was this close to using "back-door methods". Sabotaging the enemy's weapons and what not. Ciel then adjusted the strap of Yuuji's carrier bag she gifted him. "Besides, even if we'll be separated, it'll feel like I'm fighting alongside you."

"Yeah..." Yuuji mulled over Ciel's words before he responded. "That's pretty much the reason why I feel confident right now."

It was a journey to gain back his self-assurance. Yuuji gripped the strap. "But I feel bad I keep taking things from you. I hardly give anything back."

There's only so much curry Yuuji could make to keep up.

"I don't mean that like I'm ungrateful. I just don't think I deserve this much attention." She really had been treating him like a real prince. Almost too much. He's scared that if he ever needed a kidney, she'll find one for him, especially if she, an immortal, couldn't give one herself.

"It's nothing to think about too deeply. I just feel like treating you at every chance I get," Ciel downplayed it as her hands moved over to his gloves, ensuring their fit wouldn't deter Yuuji's grip in any way. "Technically, I've only given you things meant for pragmatic use. Nothing that comes from the heart, except the breads I bake."

Releasing him, she retreated her hands to her back and gave a light-hearted smile. "It's what a good host would do, but as someone's girlfriend, maybe I should start giving gifts from the heart."

"Nope. You've more than done enough," Yuuji put a halt to that. He's had Ciel dip into her finances and resources for his sake so many times already. "You gave me a home, food, a bed, and company. That's all I could ever ask for."

He gently grasped her shoulders and pulled her towards him, wrapping her in a hug with a frim press of his arms around her frame. Ciel's eyes widened briefly as she heard Yuuji speak, "I know you've been doing everything to keep me from thinking about what happened. You sacrificed a lot of things for me. I'm gonna show you how much that means to me."

With a kiss to her bare forehead, Yuuji smiled. "Don't worry for a single second, I'll come back to you."

It was a promise given from the bottom of his heart. It was his turn to bear the burden, and he won't let it weigh in Ciel's chest anymore.

Ciel paused for another moment, giving a slow breath. When you put it like that... I really do believe you.

They held each other for a few minutes, listening to each other's breath and heartbeats.

"But you know... You really do go overboard some time." Yuuji figured this would be the best time to say it, surprising Ciel. "Especially when you brought up Kyoto. I don't want you to go too far for my sake. Everyone should see what a great girl you are. I want you to have friends around here too."

He shouldn't have to keep her all to himself (although he wouldn't complain). He wanted to see her mingle and fly... even if he'll occasionally follow her around.

"So please, don't try to threaten people's families. It's gonna make it seem like I really am the bad guy." He wasn't innocent, but he would prefer to avoid further catastrophe. "I know what it's like to lose a loved one, I hate for anyone to feel afraid of that happening."

"..." Ciel closed her eyes, feeling Yuuji's shoulder against her face. Already, he's shown more consideration for Kyoto than they would for him. The humanity in them.

"...I wasn't really going to do anything." She only wanted to throw them off-balance, even if that meant making herself a target, which was what she intended.

"I know, but you have a habit of making people not like you," Yuuji was forward in his assessment. Resting his chin over the corner back of her head. "Not because you're you, but because you don't want people to get close to you. To know the real you."

...He really had a way of seeing through her, despite the many masks she puts up.

"You should really let down your walls some more. I'm sure you'll have a lot more fun if you do." It was the same suggestion that Gojo had given, not that Yuuji was aware.

"...Alright, I won't joke around like that then," Ciel said.

She calls it joking... Yuuji's eyes closed and his mouth thinned. This was what he was talking about, but he knew she was being a black humorist. He just hoped everyone else won't get too offended by it. He'll just have to excuse her in her place.

"I'll be holding onto you about coming back, by the way," Ciel said. "Otherwise, I'll have to punish you."

"Yikes. Now I definitely can't lose."

"There you are. You finished making out with your girlfriend?" Maki bluntly asked. Nobara silenty cried to herself from the side, jealous yet also a little proud of how much Yuuji had grown up.

"Yup!" Yuuji didn't deny it, throwing a thumbs up to his classmates. "I'm ready now."

"Let's get going then," Panda stated as the class all walked together outside. "Good luck to everyone. Including you, Itadori-san."

Megumi looked to Yuuji from the side. "Are you sure you can do this?"

Facing ahead, Yuji gave a serious look. "I can. Count on it."

They approach the gates, the forest just beyond. Yuuji grabbed and rolled his shoulder. "Let's win this."

"...It's time." Geto looked at his watch around his wrist as he sat by the window of a cafe. "They should be starting by now."

"Really? I wish I could see it. I bet there'll be lots of funny moments."

"You could send one of your spiders to watch."

"Yeah. But they won't last long, especially if an Ancestor will be there."

Sitting across from him was a busty woman in a white lab coat. Neiko Arach sipped through a straw her pink sweet drink inside of a curvy glass, she sat casually in her pink vest that exposed the black rims of her bra and black mini-skirt with white leggings, one leg over the other.

"Your back must be sore having to carry his coffin all the way over. Want me to examine you-"

"No thanks. I know you're just using that as an excuse anyway."

"Huuuu, you're no fun. What happened to my free-spirited Kenjaku? Is the body you're riding in that boring?"

"I just know you can't help yourself touching at my seams if you're close to it. Also, I don't trust you" (Arach: "ouch!")." Kenjaku lifted his cup of coffee. "I'm still very much myself, unlike Roa. I wonder if he'll even remember me if we meet again?"

"Oh? Is that why you haven't caught up with him yet?"

"I can't find him is the issue. I don't believe Tengen's barrier has anything to do with it either. With no more murders, I believe he's left the city."

"Hoh? Shouldn't the Church realize that?"

"I'm sure they're keeping tabs on every channel. Until they hear something, like another victim with their blood drained, they'll keep their men at different station throughout the country. That blue-haired executor probably realized it too, but she's seems to be staying with Sukuna's vessel for now."

He rested his cheek against his hand. "It could also be that she knows there's still a dangerous vampire in this city. Even if she knows Roa isn't here, she can't leave without dealing with that threat first. Besides, I'm sure he'll come back soon enough. There's a reason why he chose this city. It might not be exactly as he planned, given how unpredictable he's become lately, but he won't abandon this place. It would be very unlike him. At that point, the Roa I know is gone."

"I see! I see! You sure have been keeping tabs on him, huh?"

"Not really. When you live a long time, you tend to hear some stories, especially when it comes to others who've lived just as long, and are also very loud." He sipped his coffee. "But I can be sure he's not heard anything about me unless I go to him directly. That's our differences in approach."

Roa could have chosen to be just as discreet while consuming people for decades to come. But he didn't, and it was for one reason alone.

"Even compared to you, he's completely lost it." Or was it possible that Roa was in a rush? Could he have remembered Kenjaku's offer from back then? "And after all this time, he's not utilized a single thing I taught him all those centuries ago. Otherwise, he could have walked around a little more, maybe even sooner. An entire week I spent helping him access and utilize his cursed energy, only for him to drop it and commit solely to magecraft in the end."

He was a little huffy as he said that. "I can appreciate his drive for knowledge, I just dislike how fickle he can be."

"At least he isn't boring," Arach chuckled. "He may not be a true dead apostle ancestor, but he sure has the charisma. There are even some dead apostles willing to hear him out and join him on the fun. But even if he isn't "all there", there's still a part of him who is - overall - pining for the womanly figure called knowledge."

"Maybe..." Kenjaku's voice was low as he stared into his cup. "But there's another womanly figure he has his eyes on. Unless someone puts an end to his "fun", he won't be able to pursue his original goal. He'll just keep kicking that pebble again and again. Even if someone crushes that stone, he'll just hop onto the next one. Until that stone hits a wall, or better yet, until the person who keeps destroying him dies, he'll finally be forced to look up. If not, eventually, he will forget what he'd been aiming for."

That was one of the reason why Kenjaku believed his technique was superior to Roa's, even if Roa was able to defy death in a literal sense.

"But it's not like I actually care," Kenjaku threw up his hand and shook it slightly. "He can go crazy as much as he wants, as long as it's anywhere else but here. I just don't want him to get in my way. I have my research I need to finish too."

"Oooh! So is this a race then? Are you guys chasing after the same goal?"

"More or less. We'll ultimately end up clashing in the end. It's only natural." After all, without humanity, there would be no more Roa. Or vampires for that matter.

But if Roa were to wipe out everything, not just this city, but all of Japan, that'll push back Kenjaku by another century. Kenjaku won't let himself wait any longer. Roa had never done that much devestation on a wider scale, but if Kenjaku was right about what Roa was planning, then this would most certainly be the loudest Roa had ever been.

He doesn't care where it goes. Whether he'll get killed again, or by some luck, succeeds. He just wants to experience it all.

In that regard, Kenjaku could certainly understand. They were similar in more ways than one. Which was why Roa was a threat Kenjaku won't ignore.

"But that's not why I wanted to see you, Arach," Kenjaku stated, steering to the main reason for this meeting. "I'm not going to ask you to pick a side. I just need some favors from you. If you agree, I promise it'll be worth your while. Or at least, entertaining."

"Hoohoo~ Now you're talking dirty..." Arach leaned forward with a curl of her lips. She rested her cheek against her fist, her interest piqued in her eyes devoid of humanity. "What kind of favors do you need?"

Author's note: end of Interlude. The weekend is here! And now! I rest. Sorry for the constant teasing and also prolonged absences.

Next chapter is titled: Goodwill Event, Assassination Attempt. This is where the fun begins.

I was gonna make this the chapter where we all just jump into the action, but as I wrote that beginning section, it just turned into a character introspection kind of chapter. And I didn't think I should extend it or have it be so long.

Might be a longer chapter next, or not, it does feel easier keeping it short. But we'll see.

thanks for reading! Until next time! :D

Cheers to the end of Jujutsu Kaisen! May Gege have his well-deserved rest and future success in his career.