Although it was brief, the shock it left on everyone wouldn't fade anytime soon.
Yuji and Megumi, in particular, looked like wilted lilies as they trudged dejectedly behind Satoru Gojo.
"Megumi, am I really that weak?"
Yuji touched the charred corner of his clothes, looking depressed.
"It felt like I landed a hit, but it was like punching a cloud."
Megumi Fushiguro remained silent, his gaze fixed on Yoru's back ahead of them.
Weak? No, Yuji's physical prowess was already freakish.
It was just that guy who was too strong. That combat intuition that seemed to predict everything, and that eerie Breathing Style...
"Alright, don't be so down!"
Satoru Gojo turned around and gave them each a flick on the forehead.
"You've only just enrolled. Yoru is an exception among exceptions."
"Besides, having such a powerful comrade makes missions a lot less stressful, right?"
As he spoke, he pointed toward an aged dormitory building ahead.
"We're here! This will be your home for the next four years!"
"Yoru's room is on the third floor, right next to Yuji's."
Hearing this, Yuji instantly perked up.
"Really? That's awesome!"
"Yoru! I'll be in your care! Oh, and can you teach me how to make a wooden sword catch fire?"
Looking at the overly friendly Yuji, Yoru nodded with a smile.
"If there's a chance."
By the time the dorms were assigned, it was already night.
Everyone was already starving.
After such a high-intensity battle, Yuji's stomach had long since begun its protest.
"I'm so hungry... Megumi, should we head to a convenience store for some food?"
"The cafeteria is definitely closed by now."
Megumi Fushiguro checked his phone, looking a bit helpless.
Jujutsu High was in a remote area; the nearest convenience store was several kilometers away.
"Um..."
Yoru suddenly spoke up.
"If there are still ingredients in the kitchen, I can whip something up."
Everyone turned to look at him in unison.
"You can cook?"
Nobara Kugisaki looked skeptical.
In her mind, a swordsman like Yoru, who could cut down an entire field, should be the aloof type who had never lifted a finger in a kitchen.
Him cooking? The mental image was too much to process.
Half an hour later, in the Jujutsu High cafeteria.
When Yoru donned a pink apron (left behind by who-knows-who) and skillfully wielded a kitchen knife, everyone fell silent.
Thump, thump, thump, thump.
The rhythm of the chopping was melodic; every radish slice was uniform in thickness, as if measured with a ruler.
"That knife work..."
Maki Zenin swallowed hard.
"It's a waste to use those skills just for killing."
"Hey! Maki-senpai, don't say such scary things!"
Yuji leaned over the serving counter, practically drooling.
"Smells so good! What's that scent?"
In the pot, the sauce for the tempura bowls was bubbling away.
The aroma of soy sauce, mirin, and dashi instantly whetted everyone's appetite.
Yoru was focused; to him, cooking required the same absolute concentration as swordsmanship.
"Done."
Yoru lifted the golden-brown, crispy tempura from the oil, laid it over steaming rice, and drizzled a ladle of rich sauce over it.
Sizzle—
That sound was the most beautiful music in the world.
"Special tempura bowls. Enjoy."
Five bowls were served, and the group, unable to restrain themselves any longer, immediately dug in.
"Thanks for the food!"
Yuji couldn't wait and took a bite of a fried shrimp.
Crunch.
The crispy coating shattered in his mouth, followed by succulent shrimp and perfectly balanced sweet-and-savory sauce...
"So good!!!"
Yuji let out a high-pitched squeal of delight.
"What is this?! It's better than any place I've ever been to in Sendai!"
"It is indeed quite good."
Although Megumi Fushiguro ate politely, his speed wasn't slow at all.
"The batter is just right, and the heat control is perfect."
Even the picky Nobara, after tasting a vegetable tempura, couldn't help but narrow her eyes in satisfaction.
"Ugh... I hate to admit it, but you've actually got skills."
"Seems like you're good for more than just looking cool."
Satoru Gojo rested his chin on his hand, looking lazy and casual, yet the tempura in his bowl was disappearing at a visible rate.
"Yoru! From now on, you're the first-years' head chef!"
"As your teacher, I officially approve!"
Yoru untied his apron and watched everyone devouring the food, a gentle smile appearing on his face.
"I'm glad everyone likes it."
"Actually, I was worried I might have used too much salt."
At this moment, where was the overbearing aura he'd shown on the training field when he pointed his sword at Sukuna?
He was completely like a kind and thoughtful older brother from next door.
'That gap...'
Maki Zenin bit her chopsticks, watching Yoru's harmless face; her cheeks began to flush for some reason.
"That's just cheating."
The warm dinner time washed away the tension and fatigue from the day's battle.
They chatted as they ate.
Yuji talked about funny stories from Sendai, Nobara complained about Tokyo's prices, and Megumi occasionally chimed in with a dry joke.
Even the usually cold Maki managed a rare smile.
Yoru sat quietly to the side, listening to their laughter and chatter.
This feeling... was good.
No slaughter, no curses, only the ordinary and warm atmosphere of daily life.
*This must be what Yoriichi always wanted to protect.*
"Ah! That's the last piece of pumpkin tempura!"
Suddenly, Yuji let out a shout, his chopsticks darting toward the last golden piece on the plate.
"In your dreams! That's mine!"
Nobara was quick, her chopsticks striking like lightning.
"I'm not full yet either."
Megumi Fushiguro silently joined the fray.
Just as the three pairs of chopsticks were about to clash.
WEE-OOO—!!!
A piercing alarm suddenly wailed throughout the campus without warning, instantly freezing the warm atmosphere.
Satoru Gojo set down his bowl, his smile vanishing instantly.
He looked up at the pitch-black night sky outside the window, his gaze sharpening.
"Grade 1 alarm."
"It looks like it's time for some post-meal exercise."
Yoru also stood up, his hand reflexively gripping the hilt at his waist.
Within those gentle eyes, the flame of a swordsman ignited once more.
Peaceful times are always fleeting; this was the true daily life of a jujutsu sorcerer.
"Let's go."
Yoru spoke softly.
"Let's cut down the trash... that dared to interrupt our dinner."