As the days passed, the date of Mahito's attack at the cinema drew nearer.

Yuji was trying his best to hide his distress, but he could feel Megumi seeing right through him. He tried to distract himself, focusing on training and doing schoolwork, but his thoughts kept returning to the past.

Some nights, he dreamt about Nanami's death. Others, he dreamt about Nobara's. On one occasion, he dreamt that Megumi died, and that left him unable to sleep for two days. He knew the nightmares were only a small fraction of what he would have to endure, but it didn't make them any less terrifying.

Though it started as a one-time thing, he had taken to asking Megumi to stay with him at night, which the dark-haired boy obliged. Megumi would climb into his bed and let him cling to him, his body relaxing against the other boy's. Yuji had never felt more comforted, and though it was selfish of him, he couldn't resist asking for it every night.

They never mentioned it in the daytime. They just went about their routine, and when night came, they crawled into the same bed and curled up together. A small part of Yuji's brain told him that it was odd, that maybe he was overstepping, but he couldn't help it. He needed it. He needed the contact, the warmth.

And as the days wore on, his anxiety grew.

"Are you nervous about tomorrow?" Megumi asked, his tone casual.

"Nervous? Me?" Yuji laughed, trying to sound cheerful. "Why would I be nervous? It's just an important mission. It's not like the future of humanity depends on it or anything."

Megumi didn't look convinced, and the pink-haired boy sighed.

"Yeah," he admitted. "I'm scared."

"It's understandable," Megumi offered. "But maybe if this works out, we won't have to worry anymore. We can change the future, and everything will be different."

"Yeah," Yuji echoed.

He tried to take comfort in those words, but deep down, he knew that it wouldn't be that simple. The future was uncertain, and he had no idea what would happen once they changed the past. All he knew was that it was worth a try.

He took a deep breath, pushing down his fears.

"Okay," he said, his voice steady. "Let's do this."

-

Yuji's hands trembled. He was sitting in the car with Nanami and Gojo, his heart pounding.

Nobara and Megumi had gone to meet with Junpei, while he was accompanying the two older sorcerers on the mission to track down Mahito. He felt useless, knowing that there was nothing he could do. All he could do was wait.

He closed his eyes, trying to focus on his breathing. Gojo was there. Gojo would protect them. And once Mahito was dead, the looming threat would disappear.

But he couldn't help the dread that settled in his stomach.

"You're shaking," Nanami remarked, his voice gentle.

"I'm sorry," Yuji apologized. "I'm just... anxious."

"That's understandable," Nanami said. "This is a difficult situation."

The pink-haired boy took another deep breath, trying to steady himself.

"In your original timeline, was this our first mission together?" Nanami inquired.

Yuji nodded.

"Yeah," he murmured. "You were so cool. I admired you a lot. Though you were also a bit grumpy."

Nanami's lips twitched, a hint of amusement flickering across his face.

"Grumpy, huh?" he mused. "I suppose I can see that."

Yuji felt the tiniest bit better, a smile tugging at his lips.

"You were always so serious," he recalled. "I liked that about you. You were so calm and collected. It made me feel safe."

"I'm glad," the man replied, his tone soft. "I'm honored that you thought so highly of me."

"I still do," Yuji assured.

He took another breath, his heart rate slowing. The anxiety was still there, but it wasn't as overwhelming.

"Thank you," he murmured.

"Of course," Nanami responded.

The man glanced over at Gojo, and his lips pressed into a thin line.

"You're quiet," he noted.

"Hm?" Gojo hummed, tilting his head.

"You haven't said a word since we left the school," Nanami clarified. "Are you nervous, too?"

"Of course not," the white-haired man scoffed. "I'm Gojo Satoru. I'm the strongest. What's there to be nervous about?"

Yuji could see the man's jaw clench, but he didn't comment.

"Whatever you say," Nanami muttered.

They soon arrived to the entrance of the sewers, and Yuji's nerves returned in full force. The two men led him down the dark tunnel, their steps echoing on the concrete. The air was damp and musty, and the smell made his stomach turn.

So this was where Nanami fought Mahito alone? Yuji wondered, his expression pained. He fought the curse down here, with no one to back him up, and still managed to make it out alive? He really was incredible.

They followed the residuals to an empty section of the sewers, and the atmosphere became thick with cursed energy.

"Mahito's here," Gojo stated.

"Be careful," Yuji warned. "He's dangerous. And, as I said, don't let him touch you."

"Got it," Nanami agreed.

They entered the room, and found themselves face-to-face with the curse. Yuji's stomach twisted, his mouth going dry.

A surge of rage ran through him, and he wanted nothing more than to tear the curse apart with his bare hands. He wanted to make him pay for what he did, to hurt him like he had hurt his friends.

He remembered Nanami's blood splashing against his face, the scent of death lingering in the air. He remembered Nobara's skull caving in, her lifeless body slumped against the floor. He felt the despair and helplessness that he had felt in the moments after their deaths.

The plan was suddenly forgotten, his fury clouding his mind. He clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms.

But, before he could lunge forward, he felt a hand on his shoulder. He glanced over, meeting Nanami's gaze. The man shook his head, his eyes stern.

"Focus," he advised, voice calm. "This is not the time to lose control."

"R-Right," Yuji stammered.

He turned his eyes back to Mahito, and he was surprised to see fear in the curse's face, as he looked at Gojo.

"So, it's you," Mahito observed, his voice wavering. "I'm a little shocked that you came here yourself."

"You seem to know who I am," Gojo teased, a grin stretching across his face.

The expression on Mahito's face told Yuji that the curse was well aware of who Gojo was. He felt a flicker of satisfaction.

"Cat got your tongue? Or do you have nothing to say?" Gojo prodded, taking a step forward.

Mahito's gaze darted between the two sorcerers, and then landed on the pink-haired boy. Yuji met his stare, his heart racing.

"You brought a kid," the curse observed. "Is that Sukuna's vessel? Why is he here?"

Yuji could barely hear his own thoughts over the sound of his blood rushing in his ears. He was trembling, his fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles had turned white.

Gojo tilted his head, a smile still playing on his lips.

"I wanted to give him the pleasure watching you die," he explained. "Consider it a special treat. Since I'm such a kind person and all."

Yuji had to suppress a laugh at that. Only Gojo could make a comment like that without sounding the least bit insane.

"That's pretty harsh," Mahito said, his tone casual. "Do you normally kill people in front of children?"

"No, but I kill curses," Gojo replied. "And I'll be killing you in a second."

Mahito's gaze snapped to Gojo, a frown forming on his lips.

"That sounds fun, but I think I'll pass," the curse said. "I'm not stupid enough to fight against you, Gojo Satoru. I'm afraid I have to decline your generous offer."

He looked a bit like a cornered animal, his stance defensive.

"You don't have a choice," Gojo countered.

His tone was playful, but Yuji could feel the tension in the air. The curse's eyes darted around the room, his expression calculating.

Gojo lunged forward, a flash of movement.

"You can run, but you can't hide," the white-haired man taunted.

He raised a finger, a red ball of cursed energy forming at its tip. Yuji watched as the ball grew larger, the pressure increasing.

"You can try to fight, but it'll be pointless," Gojo continued, his tone light.

He released the blast, and it shot through the air, slamming into the curse. Mahito was thrown backwards, his body hitting the concrete wall. The impact cracked the wall, dust falling to the ground.

"There's nowhere to go," Gojo declared.

Yuji stared at the man, his heart racing. He could hardly believe it. Gojo was going to kill Mahito, just like he had planned. Everything was going according to the plan.

Mahito groaned, struggling to his feet. His body was covered in dust, his clothes torn.

"Don't you ever shut up?" the curse grumbled.

"Not really, no," Gojo admitted.

Mahito looked like he was contemplating his options, his brow furrowed.

"Gojo Satoru," he wheezed, his eyes narrowed. "It was a pleasure to meet you. But I'm afraid I can't stay for long."

He raised his arm, and his skin began to melt. Gojo was charging up another blast, but Yuji realized a moment too late that the curse wasn't attacking. He was retreating.

Nanami was already running towards him, but Yuji could tell that he wouldn't make it in time. Mahito was going to escape.

He didn't think. He didn't hesitate.

He jumped, his body moving before his brain could catch up.

"I won't let you," he snarled, his fists connecting with the curse.

Mahito was thrown backwards, his form splattering against the concrete. His body began to reform, but Yuji didn't wait. He rushed forward, his knuckles crashing into the curse's face.

Mahito's eyes were wide with shock.

"You will not hurt my friends," Yuji growled. "You will not take anything else from me."

The curse was stunned, his body unmoving. Yuji punched him again, his fist slamming into his face. The impact threw Mahito back, his body crashing against the wall.

"Black Flash!", Yuji roared, his voice echoing through the sewer.

The cursed energy exploded, the shockwave cracking the wall. The air was filled with dust, and Yuji's vision was obscured. He couldn't see anything, and he didn't dare move.

Was it over? Had he succeeded?

Before the dust could settle, he heard a noise from behind him. It sounded like a piece of concrete had fallen, and Yuji's heart leaped into his throat.

He whirled around, his eyes widening. Another figure emerged from the shadows, movements so fast that they were barely visible. Yuji caught a glimpse of brown and blue, as the figure darted towards him.

Yuji's eyes widened, and he instinctively jumped back, narrowly avoiding the attack. Gojo was already sending a blast at the new opponent, his face contorted with rage.

It was only a flash of a second. It was brief.

The smoke cleared. The dust settled.

Mahito was gone.

And there, laying motionless on the ground, was Nanami.

-

Yuji's ears were ringing. His eyes were wide, his mind reeling. He couldn't understand what had happened.

Nanami was on the ground, his body unmoving. There was a deep gash on his chest, and blood was pooling around him. The attacker had fled, but Yuji barely noticed. All he could see was the man he had admired, the man he had cared about, lying there, bleeding out.

He scrambled towards the blond man, his fingers trembling.

"Nanamin!" he gasped.

Memories flooded his mind, and he felt like he was reliving his past. He couldn't breathe. His body was frozen.

"Don't die," he choked out. "Please don't die."

Gojo was by his side, and he reached out to place his fingers on Nanami's neck.

"He's alive," the man stated. "He's gonna be fine, Yuji. We just have to get him to the infirmary."

Yuji's breath was shaky, and his heart was hammering in his chest. He felt like he was going to throw up.

"He's gonna be okay," Gojo repeated.

The words echoed in Yuji's mind, but he couldn't shake the feeling of dread.

They failed. Mahito had escaped in the confusion. And now, Nanami was injured.

It was supposed to work, Yuji thought. I should have killed Mahito. This wasn't supposed to happen.

"Let's get out of the sewers and I'll warp us to the school," Gojo suggested, his voice calm.

The older sorcerer lifted Nanami, and Yuji could only follow, his legs numb. His body felt heavy, and his chest was tight.

Everything went by in a blur.

One moment, they were in the sewers. The next, they were in the infirmary. Yuji barely registered the trip, his thoughts racing.

Shoko was tending to Nanami, and Yuji could only watch helplessly. She was stitching up the wound, her hands moving quickly. Nanami's face was pale, his eyes closed.

Yuji felt sick. He wanted to throw up. He wanted to scream. He wanted to cry.

"Hey, Yuji," Gojo called, his voice low. "Why don't you go sit down? Shoko's got this under control."

Yuji wanted to reply, but he couldn't find his voice. He let the white-haired man lead him to the couch, his movements stiff. He sat down, his mind spinning.

It was all his fault.

He should have calculated for the possibility of another curse, he thought, his hands trembling. Was it another disaster curse? He couldn't make out the details, but it looked like it was Jogo. Or maybe it was Hanami. Either way, it was his fault. He should have been more prepared.

"Stop blaming yourself," Gojo said, his tone firm. "You said in your original timeline, Nanami went to fight Mahito alone. The rest of them were probably nearby, and told only to intervene if I showed up. So, really, this is my fault. Not yours."

Yuji wanted to disagree, but he couldn't find the strength to argue.

"I'm sorry," he croaked.

"There's nothing to be sorry for," Gojo assured. "Nanami is a sorcerer. This is what we do. It's a dangerous job. He knew the risks."

Yuji didn't reply.

"We'll get Mahito next time," Gojo declared. "We have time to prepare. This was a setback, but it's not the end of the world. We can fix this."

The older sorcerer was trying to sound confident, but Yuji could sense his frustration. He had failed, too.

Yuji's chest tightened, his throat constricting. The weight of the situation was sinking in, and he felt like he was drowning.

He didn't know how to fix this. He didn't know how to stop the inevitable. He was trapped, and he didn't have the answers.

He buried his face in his hands, his shoulders trembling.

"I'm sorry," he whispered, his voice breaking.

-

Megumi was sitting on the backseat, next to Nobara, when he heard his phone buzz.

They were sent to find Junpei and talk to him, while the others were supposed to track down Mahito. As far as their part of the mission was concerned, things were going smoothly. They had found the teen, and, despite his initial distrust, he had agreed to speak with them.

Megumi could tell that the boy had a lot of anger inside him, but he seemed willing to listen. They explained about jujutsu sorcery, and the different types of curses, and even though the dark-haired boy could tell that Junpei didn't fully understand, the teen was clearly absorbing the information.

They also told the boy that he and his mother were in danger and that the school could provide protection. They arranged for them to be placed under a protection barrier, and for someone to keep watch over the house.

Megumi was feeling quite satisfied with himself.

So, when his phone buzzed, and he saw the message from Gojo, his good mood immediately disappeared.

'Mission failed. Nanami is injured. Mahito escaped. Come back ASAP.'

"Fuck," Megumi cursed, his brow furrowing.

"What's wrong?" Nobara asked, her voice laced with concern.

"Mahito escaped," Megumi replied, his tone grim. "And Nanami is injured."

Nobara's eyes widened, and her mouth dropped open.

"Fuck," she echoed.

"I'll let Gojo know that we'll be back soon," Megumi stated, his jaw clenched.

Before he could reply to the message, another one came in.

'Yuji needs you.'

Megumi's stomach dropped, and he could feel the panic rising in his chest.

"Ijichi-san, would you mind speeding up a little?" the black-haired boy asked.

"I- I'm already going above the limit," the man replied, his voice shaky.

"Go faster," Megumi demanded, surprised by his own tone.

"Okay," the man agreed, and Megumi could see his grip on the steering wheel tighten.

He turned back to his phone, his heart racing. Nanami was injured. He could only imagine what state Yuji was in.

"Is Itadori okay?" Nobara asked, her voice low.

"I don't think so," Megumi replied, his brow creased.

He didn't have the words to explain the emotions bubbling up inside him, so he said nothing else. Nobara's face fell, and her lips pressed together.

They spent the rest of the drive in silence, the air heavy with worry. When they finally reached the school, the boy couldn't open the door fast enough. He bolted out of the car, his feet carrying him as fast as he could.

His mind was filled with a single thought.

I have to get to Yuji.

-

Gojo was standing in front of Yuji, blocking the boy's view of Nanami.

"Megumi and Nobara are on their way back," the white-haired man said. "Shoko's doing all she can."

Yuji stared blankly at him, his expression vacant. Gojo could feel the waves of guilt rolling off the boy, and he desperately wanted to comfort him. But it seemed like, no matter what he said, the boy couldn't find relief.

Of course, Gojo was also feeling guilty.

He hadn't been expecting another curse, and he should have. He had gotten cocky, thinking that the boy's predictions were enough to guarantee success. He should have taken precautions, should have made plans for every possible scenario. Just because in Yuji's original timeline, things had happened a certain way, didn't mean that they would be the same here.

He should have realized that. But he hadn't.

He was so angry at himself. Yuji put all his trust in him, and he had let him down. He couldn't imagine how traumatizing this must have been for the boy, to experience something like this again. Gojo had promised Yuji that he would protect his friends, and now, his words had proven to be meaningless.

'You're not strong enough' is what Yuji had said, that day when he had woken up.

The boy's words stung, and Gojo wanted to prove him wrong. He wanted to show the kid that he could be better, that he could change. But right now, all he could do was watch as Yuji's whole world fell apart, his eyes vacant.

Why was it that, despite being the strongest, he couldn't protect the people he cared about? Why was it that, even though he was gifted with infinite power, he always seemed to fall short when it mattered most?

The answer was clear as day. He was a failure.

-

The doors flew open, and Megumi and Nobara rushed into the room.

Megumi's eyes were wide, his breath ragged. He stopped just inside the doorway, his gaze frantically searching the room. When his eyes landed on Yuji, the boy let out a shaky breath, his shoulders sagging.

Nobara ran to Yuji, her face lined with worry.

"Are you okay?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Yuji didn't answer. He just continued staring ahead, his eyes glazed over. Nobara wrapped her arms around him, her grip tight.

"Shoko's got him stabilized," Gojo said, his words quiet.

Megumi was standing next to him now, his dark blue eyes focused on the unconscious sorcerer. His face was blank, his jaw clenched.

"Will he be okay?" he asked, his tone flat.

"He should be," Gojo replied, his tone equally hollow. "He's tough. It'll take more than a stab wound to take him out."

Megumi nodded and rushed over to Yuji. The black-haired boy sat down next to him, his hand finding the other boy's. Nobara gave him some space and sat down on his other side.

"Itadori," he called, his voice soft.

Yuji didn't respond, and Megumi bit his lip. He leaned in, his face inches away from the pink-haired boy.

"Please say something," the boy pleaded.

Yuji blinked, his eyes slowly refocusing. His gaze drifted to Megumi, and his lips parted slightly.

"Fushiguro," he mumbled, his voice barely audible.

"Yes, it's me," Megumi confirmed.

Yuji stared at him, his expression unreadable. Megumi waited, his fingers still entwined with the other boy's. After a few seconds, Yuji leaned forward, and rested his head against the dark-haired boy's shoulder.

"I'm so tired," Yuji mumbled.

"I know," Megumi said, his voice low.

"Everything is going wrong," Yuji continued, his voice shaking. "I don't know what to do."

"I'm here," Megumi replied, his free hand finding the pink-haired boy's head. He gently ran his fingers through the boy's hair, his movements slow and deliberate.

Yuji seemed to notice Nobara and the girl offered him a small smile.

"You're not alone," she added.

Yuji's shoulders began to tremble, and his body started to shake. Megumi moved his arm to wrap around the boy, pulling him closer. Nobara joined, her arms enveloping them both.

"I'm so scared," Yuji admitted.

"It's okay to be scared," Megumi assured.

"I'm so sick of losing people," Yuji sobbed, his voice cracking.

Megumi held him tighter, his chest aching.

"We're not going anywhere," Nobara promised, her voice firm.

The three of them stayed like that for a while, the silence only interrupted by the occasional sob. Eventually, Yuji's breathing slowed, and his body relaxed.

Megumi glanced at Gojo, expecting the man to give them a reassuring smile.

Instead, he saw the man hunched over, his head in his hands.

-

Yuji was in a daze for the rest of the day.

He barely registered Nobara and Megumi bringing him back to his room, or the fact that the three of them ended up sleeping in the same bed, like a huddled mass. He didn't remember eating dinner, or saying goodnight. All he remembered was waking up the next morning, his eyes puffy and his throat sore.

His friends were by his side, and he clung to them like a lifeline.

When he finally found the strength to get up, he was greeted with a sight that made his heart stop.

Nanami was standing in the hallway, his usual suit and tie replaced with a casual button-down shirt and slacks. There were bandages wrapped around his torso, and his movements were stiff.

"Good morning," he greeted, his voice hoarse.

"You're alive," Yuji gasped, his eyes watering.

He was at Nanami's side in a flash, his arms wrapping around the older sorcerer. The man grunted but didn't protest.

"You shouldn't be out of bed," Yuji chided, his tone soft.

"I'm not dead, yet," Nanami remarked, his tone light.

"Don't say that," the pink-haired boy pleaded.

"I'm sorry," Nanami apologized. "I didn't mean to worry you."

"I'm just glad you're okay," Yuji confessed, his voice cracking.

Yuji was suddenly overcome with emotion, and he couldn't stop the tears from flowing. He buried his face in the older sorcerer's shirt, his shoulders shaking.

"There, there," the older sorcerer soothed, his voice quiet. "Gojo told me that you have been blaming yourself. This wasn't your fault, Itadori. It was mine. I was the one who let my guard down."

"I should have been prepared," Yuji countered, his voice muffled.

"Itadori-kun," Nanami sighed. "I am an adult and you are a child. I'm the one responsible for you, not the other way around. So, please, do not blame yourself. I have already made my peace with the risks involved in our line of work. You should, too."

Yuji sniffled, and wiped his eyes with the back of his hand.

"But I want to keep you safe," he protested, his voice low.

"I appreciate the sentiment," Nanami replied. "But, sometimes, the best we can do is stay strong, and fight the good fight."

"That's not good enough," Yuji argued. "I can't keep losing people."

"It is enough," Nanami insisted, his tone gentle. "And I am not going anywhere."

The older sorcerer gave the boy a comforting smile, and Yuji could feel his heart lighten. He still felt guilty, and his heart ached, but Nanami's presence was reassuring.

"If you really want to do something for me," Nanami added. "Make sure to take care of yourself, and not worry so much."

"Okay," Yuji agreed, his tone weak.

"Good," the older sorcerer nodded.

Yuji gave him one last squeeze, and reluctantly let go.

"Come on," the pink-haired boy said. "Let's get you back to bed."

-

After their failure to stop Mahito, Gojo decided to focus his attention on Tsumiki's curse.

Maybe it was his way of coping with the guilt, but the sorcerer threw himself into researching ways to reverse the effects of the curse. He figured that if he could do that, then maybe he would redeem himself, in a way.

Of course, he didn't mention anything about Tsumiki to Megumi. Yuji was adamant that the black-haired boy was not supposed to find out about her involvement in the Culling Games, let alone the fate she would ultimately meet. So, Gojo kept his discoveries to himself and dedicated his time to trying to find a way to save her.

In his efforts, he had gone through every book on the topic, and was beginning to feel desperate. He didn't want to admit it, but he was running out of options. He had even reached out to his contacts, in hopes that they would have the information he needed, but, so far, he had no luck.

It was frustrating, to say the least.

So when Yuji barged into his office, his face bright with excitement, Gojo was surprised, to say the least.

"I have an idea," the pink-haired boy said, his tone confident.

"I'm all ears," Gojo replied, his curiosity piqued.

"I need you to contact Tsukumo-san," Yuji said.

"Tsukumo-san?" Gojo asked, his brow furrowed. "As in, the special grade Tsukumo Yuki? Why?"

Yuji looked like he was about to burst, his face scrunched up in anticipation.

"We need her soul research," he explained, his voice shaking. "It's our best shot at saving Tsumiki."

Gojo's eyes widened, his mind racing. Tsukumo Yuki had a research on souls? That could definitely come in handy if she was willing to share it.

"You think you can convince her to share her research?" Gojo inquired, his interest growing.

"I think so," Yuji answered, his brow set. "In my timeline, she gave it to my brother Choso before she, uh, died. He brought it back to us and we used it to come up with a plan for saving Fushiguro. Well, I, uh, of course, failed at that. But that's not the point! The point is, I know Tsukumo-san's soul research is key to saving Tsumiki, and if we can get our hands on it, then we can change her future!"

The boy was practically beaming now, his words flowing fast. Gojo's excitement grew with each word, and he felt a surge of hope.

"Yuji," the white-haired man said, his voice soft. "If you can get us her research, then that would be amazing. I will contact her right away."

Yuji beamed, his whole face lighting up.

"You're the best," the boy declared.

Gojo could feel his heart warm, the boy's words lifting his spirits. Maybe, just maybe, he wasn't a failure, after all.

-

It didn't take long for Gojo to arrange a meeting with Yuki.

When Gojo had mentioned the Soul Research, her interest was immediately piqued, and she had agreed to meet them at Jujutsu Tech.

Of course, she was a smart woman, and Gojo knew that there was no way she would agree to share her research without a proper reason. So, he had to be upfront with her, and, with Yuji's permission, explain everything.

"Time travel, huh," the woman said, her tone thoughtful. "That's pretty wild."

"I know it's hard to believe," Gojo said, his voice even. "But I assure you, Yuji is telling the truth."

"And, he's saying that in his timeline, I gave my research to some guy who's half-curse?" the woman questioned, her brow raised.

"My brother," Yuji clarified. "Choso."

"And why did I give him my research?" Yuki asked, her expression curious.

"So he can bring it to me, so I can use it to save Fushiguro," Yuji explained.

"Fushiguro?"

"The kid with the sea urchin hair," Gojo supplied.

Yuki narrowed her eyes, her gaze shifting between the two of them.

"And you want to use my research to save his sister?"

"Yes," Yuji nodded.

Yuki's gaze shifted back to Gojo, her expression skeptical.

"Is this some kind of joke?"

"No," Gojo replied, his tone serious. "Yuji is being completely honest. We wouldn't have asked you to meet with us if we didn't think it was important."

"Right," the woman muttered, her brow furrowed.

"Tsukumo-san, please," Yuji pleaded.

She looked conflicted, her jaw clenched.

"Fine," the woman relented, her shoulders sagging. "I'll show you my research."

"Really?" Yuji blurted.

"Yes, really," the woman sighed. "But only because I can't think of any logical explanation for why a first-year kid would even know about it, let alone ask for it. You better not tell anyone about this, or I'll be pissed."

"I promise," Yuji swore. "And thank you."

The woman smiled, her eyes twinkling.

"You're an interesting kid, Itadori," the woman remarked. "I hope your brother is just as interesting."

"He is," the pink-haired boy said. "He's super protective of me and my friends, and he's really strong."

"Good," the woman hummed. "I like those kinds of guys."

"Yeah," Yuji chuckled. "You can meet him sometime. If, uh, we'll convince him to join us, that is."

"I'd like that," the woman said, her smile widening.

-

"So," Gojo said, his gaze locked onto the pages in front of him. "How exactly is this supposed to help us save Tsumiki?"

He and Yuji were sitting in his office, pouring over the notes and diagrams Yuki had shared with them. The material was complex and advanced, and the white-haired man was having trouble making sense of it.

"According to her research," Yuji began, his eyes roaming the pages. "The soul is what determines our essence, our core. She theorized that the soul is the source of our innate abilities and that it's possible to manipulate and alter the soul."

Gojo had to admit, it felt a bit surreal that his student was explaining the concepts of soul research to him. It was clear the Yuji had spent a lot of time studying this, and Gojo found himself impressed by the boy's knowledge.

"I see," he murmured. "And how does that help us?"

"Well," Yuji replied, his expression hopeful. "In my timeline, Kenjaku used Mahito's technique, Idle Transfiguration to awaken the incarnated sorcerers. That means, he had remotely manipulated the souls of the people he cursed."

"That's right," Gojo said, his interest growing. "So you're saying, we can reverse the curse using the same technique?"

"Yes," Yuji said, his smile widening. "We need to use Idle Transfiguration on Tsumiki, to revert her soul back to its original state. That will undo the curse and free her from the coma."

Gojo frowned.

"How do you intend to convince Mahito, the only known user of that technique, to help us?" the white-haired man asked, his brow arched. "I thought we were planning on killing him, anyway."

"We are," Yuji answered, his eyes shining with determination. "But, there is another way. A way that doesn't involve relying on a curse."

Gojo could almost hear the cogs turning in the boy's head, and his curiosity grew.

"And what's that?"

Yuji's grin widened, and he met his gaze.

"We just need someone who can copy techniques," Yuji declared.

There was a single moment of silence before Gojo's eyes widened, his mind piecing together the meaning of the boy's words. This was brilliant, a solution so simple, yet so complex.

"Yuji," he grinned, his enthusiasm matching the boy's. "You're a genius."

The boy blushed, his face turning a shade of pink.

"I don't know about that," Yuji murmured. "There are still a lot of unknowns."

"Nonsense," Gojo exclaimed, his gaze locking onto the boy. "We can figure it out together. This is the breakthrough we've been waiting for."

The boy's expression softened, his eyes glistening.

"Together," Yuji repeated, his voice thick with emotion. "Thank you, Sensei. For everything."

Gojo felt his chest tighten, the boy's words resonating deep within him.

"You don't need to thank me, Yuji," Gojo said, his own voice cracking slightly. "Just because I have given up on trying to cure Tsumiki, doesn't mean I've stopped caring. She's still important to me, and so is Megumi. If there is a way to save her, then we have to try."

Yuji smiled, his eyes shining with affection.

"Fushiguro will be so happy," the pink-haired boy murmured, his tone fond. "I can't wait to see his face."

Gojo felt a wave of warmth wash over him, his mind filling with images of a young Megumi. He remembered how broken the boy had been when Tsumiki was first cursed, how desperate he was to find a way to save her. He was determined to make sure Megumi never had to suffer through that pain again.

"Well, let's get started," Gojo said, his smile returning. "I'm sure Yuta is willing to lend us a hand."

-

That evening, Megumi was up late, reading a book.

Yuji was still out somewhere, probably with Gojo. Megumi wasn't sure what those two were up to, but earlier that morning, when the pink-haired boy got a text from the older sorcerer, he practically jumped out of bed and bolted out of the room, his excitement palpable.

So, Megumi was left to his own devices, his thoughts drifting to the upcoming Goodwill Event.

He was sure that in Yuji's timeline, something had happened during the event, but Yuji wouldn't tell him any details, claiming that it would affect the future. Which was frustrating, but also understandable. Megumi knew that it was important not to meddle with the timeline, and he trusted Yuji not to tell him things that would make a big impact on the outcome.

But still, the thought of something happening at the Goodwill Event had Megumi nervous.

He closed his book, his mind restless. He was tempted to go for a walk, to clear his head, but he knew that Yuji would worry if he came back to an empty room.

Megumi sighed, and got up from his bed. Maybe some tea would help him calm down.

He walked over to the kettle, and began heating the water. As he waited, he took a seat at the kitchen table, his eyes unfocused.

Suddenly, the door to the room opened, and Megumi looked up, startled.

"Sorry," Yuji apologized, his tone sheepish. "I didn't mean to scare you."

"You didn't," Megumi assured, his voice low.

Yuji approached the table, and took a seat across from Megumi. He seemed tired, but there was an energy about him, like he was buzzing with excitement.

"What were you and Gojo doing today?" Megumi inquired, his tone light.

"Researching," Yuji said, a smile tugging at his lips.

"Oh," the black-haired boy noted.

"Yeah," Yuji continued, his voice animated. "It's really important research. I can't tell you any details, but I'm really excited about it. It might change everything."

"Wow," Megumi breathed.

Yuji was practically beaming now, his brown eyes sparkling. He looked happier than Megumi had seen him in a while, and Megumi couldn't help but feel relieved.

"So," Yuji drawled. "What are you doing up so late?"

Waiting for you, Megumi wanted to say.

"Reading," he shrugged instead. "Couldn't sleep."

"Ah," Yuji hummed. "Yeah, I know the feeling."

"I'm making tea," Megumi said, changing the subject. "Want some?"

"Sure," Yuji replied, his voice soft.

As the two of them sat there, the quiet night stretching around them, Megumi found himself thinking about how much things had changed since Yuji had arrived. He wasn't used to having someone around, not like this, but he found that he liked it.

He knew that once the Goodwill Event was over, Yuji's revival would finally be revealed to everyone. This had some implications, but the one bothering Megumi the most was the fact that Yuji would be moving back to his own dorm.

It was strange, how this hidden room, tucked away in a corner of the school, had become a sanctuary for the two of them.

Megumi's thoughts were interrupted by the kettle whistling, and he quickly got up to turn it off.

"I hope this is okay," he murmured, pouring the tea into two mugs.

"It's perfect," Yuji assured, his voice gentle.

Megumi felt his cheeks flush, and he turned away, not wanting the other boy to see. He brought the mugs over to the table, and placed one in front of Yuji.

The pink-haired boy murmured a quiet thanks, and reached for the mug. Megumi followed suit, and took a small sip.

The two of them sat there, enjoying the peace of the moment, and the warmth of the tea. Megumi knew that, in a few days, the Goodwill Event would start, and that they would have to face whatever was coming their way. But, right now, in this moment, they could take comfort in each other's presence, and let their worries fade away.