Aftermath

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Shiki stepped over the debris-strewn ground, her gaze drifting across the wreckage of Jujutsu High. Altough the damage—cracked walls, shattered windows, torn-up ground—was significant, it nothing worth caring about.

Shoko had mentioned that the attacks on Shibuya and Kyoto were just distractions. Geto's real target was Yuta and the cursed spirit bound to him: Orimoto Rika.

The so-called "Queen of Curses."

She recalled Shoko's explanation of Geto's ability to control cursed spirits. Rare, but not impressive enough in her eyes. Even as a special grade sorcerer, he wasn't on Gojo's level. Trying to level that gap by taking Rika? Maybe. But even then, she doubted it would make much of a difference.

"They really trashed the place," she muttered to no one in particular, glancing around. Her main concern, honestly, was whether her dorm room had been spared.

"Ah! Shiki-san!"

She turned, her gaze landing on Yuta and the others. Maki, Panda, and Toge in particular, looked like they'd been through hell. Cuts and bruises littered their body, though they were mostly healed now. Shoko's work, no doubt.

"Are you alive?" Shiki asked, her voice as flat as ever.

Yuta smiled awkwardly. "Yeah, I'm fine! Thanks to Maki-san and the others, I was able to beat Geto."

Shiki gave a slow nod. "Good for you."

Yuta's grin widened, his awkwardness fading slightly at her small acknowledgment. His enthusiasm was exhausting to her, but she could see why he was proud. Beating Geto was no small feat, especially for someone so new to Jujutsu High.

She glanced at Panda, who waved at her with his remaining arm.

"Yo, Shiki!"

She raised an eyebrow at his missing limb. "You're a mess."

Panda chuckled. "It's fine. I'm a doll, after all."

That's right, he's a doll. The way he talks, his expressions, his mannerisms—it's easy to forget about his true nature because of how lifelike he actually is.

"Right. You'll just get patched up." She gave a dismissive wave. "Whatever. "At least you're still moving."

"Always with the cold remarks, huh?" Panda said, but there was amusement in his voice.

"By the way, did you see Gojo pass through?" shiki asked, her tone shifting slightly.

Panda glanced over at Yuta, Maki, and Toge, who were standing nearby. Scratching his head thoughtfully, he replied, "I haven't seen him since the fight ended."

Maki, overhearing the conversation, walked over and added, "Toge and I saw him briefly, but he disappeared before we could talk."

Toge nodded in agreement, his expression serious. "Salmon," he muttered, his usual shorthand for agreement.

Yuta spoke up, his voice surer now. "He was here a moment ago. He might be checking on the other areas, making sure everything's secure."

"Is that so..."

"Wait, Shiki."

It was Maki.

Shiki paused, half turning to face her. It was rare for Maki to address her unless it was about training or sparring. They weren't exactly friends, and the relationship between them had always been more practical than personal, so Shiki had no reason to think this would be any different.

"What?" Shiki asked, her tone as flat as ever.

Maki didn't respond immediately. Her expression was tight, her usual unshakable confidence flickering slightly. It wasn't hesitation, not exactly, but something close. Still, she stood tall, hands clenched at her sides.

"It's nothing," Maki said after a beat, her eyes narrowing as if annoyed with herself.

Shiki raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "If there's something on your mind, just say it. I don't have the patience for games."

Maki's jaw tightened. She wasn't the type to back down, and Shiki knew that. But for once, she wasn't rushing headlong into the conversation.

"Later," Maki finally said, her voice firmer this time. She met Shiki's gaze, her eyes hard with that same stubborn determination that drove her. "We'll talk later."

Shiki let out a quiet, irritated sigh. "You either say it or don't. I don't care either way."

Maki crossed her arms, standing her ground. "I said later."

There it was—that blunt, unapologetic tone Maki always had. Shiki let out a quiet sigh.

"Fine. Later, then."

Maki gave a nod, visibly relieved.

Since her time at Jujutsu High, Shiki and Maaki had sparred often. In the beginning, it was no contest. She had little experience, while Maki had been honing her skills for years. But over time, Shiki adapted, learned. Each spar pushed her closer to Maki's level, until eventually, she surpassed her. The first time Shiki had defeated Maki, there had been a flicker of surprise in Maki's eyes, but she never dwelled on it. She just came back the next day, ready to go again.

But Shiki had noticed something shift in Maki's gaze recently. Today, especially, there was something more than the usual fire in her eyes. Something heavier. It wasn't just about winning or losing anymore.

Whatever it was, Shiki wasn't going to ask. If Maki had something to say, she'd say it in her own way, when she was ready.

More importantly, Shiki is thinking about something else. Something—or rather, someone—that had been nagging at her since the battle.

Her thoughts began drifting, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. The African man—there was no way he escaped Gojo. Impossible. Shiki acknowledged Gojo's irritating habit of acting like a child, but she could never deny his power. He was the strongest, after all. That's why it didn't make sense. How had that man slipped away?

Her mind drifted back to the moment of her own battle. If Gojo hadn't interfered, she would've killed Fujino right then and there. She hated interference, especially when it cost her something.

Shiki clenched her fists.

Her musings were cut short when she noticed Gojo standing alone in the distance. Something about his posture was off, more subdued than usual. Curious, Shiki slowed her pace and silently positioned herself behind a crumbling wall to listen in.

Her musings were cut short when she noticed Gojo standing alone in the distance. Something about his posture was off, more subdued than usual. Curious, Shiki slowed her pace and silently positioned herself behind a crumbling wall to listen in.

"You sent those two assuming I'd defeat them, didn't you? To set Okkotsu off."

The voice that responded was unmistakable—Geto Suguru. Shiki's eyes narrowed, suspicion growing. 'Those two?' Was he talking about Panda and Toge?

"I trusted you. Trusted that a man like you wouldn't kill young sorcerers without reason."

There was a pause before Geto's voice softened. "Is that why you didn't send Ryougi Shiki back?"

Gojo's response was surprisingly quiet. "If she were sent back instead, things wouldn't have escalated to this point, and Yuta wouldn't have gone all out."

Geto let out a small, humorless laugh. "Even if she's like Toji, do you really think Ryougi Shiki could kill me?"

"You really do underestimate her." Gojo's tone grew serious. "In just a few years, she might surpass Toji, outshine his legacy. And maybe—just maybe—she could defeat me."

"Defeat you? Really?" Geto's voice carried disbelief.

Gojo snickered. "Well, probably not. I am a genius, after all."

The playful edge in his voice didn't mask the sincerity beneath. "But that doesn't change the fact that she's special."

Shiki's expression remained impassive as she listened. Special? She had no desire to be seen that way. She didn't need Gojo's recognition—or anyone's, for that matter. The only reason she joined this school is to find 'that man'. She didn't care about Toji's legacy or surpassing anyone.

"I see..." Geto's reply broke through her thoughts, laced with quiet understanding. "In any case... trust, huh? I didn't think I had any of that left."

There was another pause, and Shiki strained to see what Geto handed to Gojo, but her position kept her hidden.

"Was the elementary school your doing, too?" Gojo asked, his voice edged with accusation.

"Yeah," Geto admitted, the heaviness clear in his tone.

Gojo was silent for a moment. "I can't believe you."

The weight of their exchange hung thick in the air. Neither of them spoke until Gojo finally broke the silence.

"Do you have any last words?"

Shiki who had seen enough, turned away silently.

Her footsteps light against the rubble. There was no point in lingering further—what was between them was none of her concern. This kind of emotion didn't resonate with her.

============

The air felt colder after Shiki left, Gojo stood still, his usual playful demeanor stripped away, watching as his best friend, Geto Suguru, exhaled slowly.

Geto began, his voice softer now, "That girl... Shiki. What's her story? Why did she join Jujutsu High?"

Gojo's eyes flickered with memory as he recalled the first time he met Shiki. "Her parents were killed by a cursed spirit, and she wanted revenge. Simple as that."

Geto frowned slightly, sensing there was more to the story. "But there's something else, isn't there?"

"Yeah, there's something strange about her. Even though her whole reason for being here is revenge... she feels empty. Like a hollowed-out doll. You'd expect someone so consumed by vengeance to burn with hatred, but with Shiki..." He paused, searching for the right words. "It's like she's just... going through the motions."

Geto's brows furrowed in confusion. "What do you mean by that?"

"Even though she's moving forward with the intent of avenging her parents, it's like she doesn't really care about it, it's as if the feeling of revenge is what keeps her alive, what keeps her moving. But if that revenge is taken away? If she actually accomplishes her goal?"

"Even though she's moving forward with the intent of avenging her parents, it's like she doesn't really care about it,"

Geto stayed quiet for a moment, absorbing Gojo's words. "And you think she knows that?"

Gojo shrugged, his mask of indifference slipping back into place for a moment. "Maybe. Maybe not. But I think she's more aware than she lets on."

Geto exhaled slowly, "So, what are you going to do? Guide her? Give her some other purpose?"

"No. I'm just going to let her live her life. Maybe, one day, she'll find another reason to move forward. It's not something I can decide for her."

"I see," Geto muttered, a sad smile forming on his lips.

there was a strange silence between them before Geto slowly open his mouth.

"I used to think we could change the world together, Satoru."

Gojo said nothing, his silence heavy with memories of the past.

Geto's voice became quieter, more vulnerable. "I regret a lot of things...If I'd done things differently, maybe none of this would've happened. Maybe we'd still be friends... like back then."

A bitter chuckle escaped him as he leaned back against the wall, his strength fading. "Funny, isn't it? How everything could've been so different."

Gojo's didn't move, he just stood there, staring at his best friend in his final moments. The man who had once fought alongside him, laughed with him, now fading before his eyes.

Geto's voice came after a moment of contemplation. "No matter what anyone says, I hate those monkeys. But I never hated Jujutsu High. I just... couldn't smile in this world."

"....."

"Suguru"

"No matter what anyone says, you're my best friend. The one and only."

A bitter laugh escaped him. "At least hit me with some curses at the end."

Gojo remained silent, his gaze unwavering.

"You were always my best friend, Satoru. Even now... even at the end."

Gojo didn't respond, couldn't respond. He just watched, his heart heavy, as the light slowly faded from Geto's eyes. His friend—his closest friend—was gone.

Gojo stood there, alone with the silence. The world around him felt still, like time itself had paused to mourn. He didn't move, didn't react, just stared at the lifeless body of the man who had been his closest friend.

There was nothing left to say.

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Shiki walked through school to the dormitory.

The battle had ended, yet her mind remained restless, replaying fragments of the conversation between Gojo and Geto.

At first, she'd wanted to confront Gojo, to demand why he let the enemy escape, but seeing the state he was in, she decided to hold off—for now. She told herself it wasn't important.

Her feet carried her automatically, until she finally stood before the building. The dormitory loomed in front of her, surprisingly intact.

Reaching her room, Shiki closed the door behind her with a soft click. The familiar surroundings of her bedroom greeted her, unchanged from when she had left it that morning.

With a sigh, Shiki peeled off her bloodstained clothes. The fabric was stiff with dried blood and dust, each movement reminding her of the battle she'd just survived. She walked to the bathroom, her body aching with fatigue. The warm water hit her skin like a soothing balm, washing away the dirt and blood.

After what felt like an eternity, Shiki stepped out of the shower, feeling cleaner, but no less exhausted.

Every step she took toward her bed felt heavier, as if the day's events were finally catching up to her. As she collapsed onto the mattress, her thoughts wandered back to that moment between Gojo and Geto—their final exchange, the quiet understanding in their eyes.

Neither of them hated the other.

How could you care so much about someone, and yet be willing to kill them? How could they be like that?

She didn't understand.

She told herself it didn't matter.

Revenge.

That's all she's need. A simple motivation—one that made sense. She had no room for anything else.

"Sigh...What a tiring day..." she murmured; her voice barely audible in the stillness of the room.

With that, the darkness of sleep finally enveloped her.

[END]

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