The crackle of burning wood filled the night, sparks flickering upward into the cool desert air. The fire's glow pushed back the darkness, casting shadows on the sand. In front of it, two figures sat shoulder to shoulder, teacher and student, their meal balanced in their hands.
Yuji chomped down on his skewer of grilled fish, blowing on it between bites. The smoky scent clung to his fingers as he chewed eagerly. Gojo, for once, ate in silence beside him, savoring each bite.
"Tastes good," Gojo said at last, raising a brow. "There were actually ingredients in that kitchen?"
Yuji nodded quickly, his mouth still full. "Surprisingly, yeah. Just the basics, sugar, salt. I just threw them on the fish and hoped for the best."
Gojo chuckled, leaning back on his hands as his eyes lifted to the heavens. Above them stretched an endless sea of stars, mirrored in the still waters of the oasis. Yuji followed his gaze, both of them caught in the quiet beauty of the night.
"Sensei," Yuji finally broke the silence, voice softer. "Can I ask you something?"
"Sure. Go ahead."
Yuji pointed at the scar that stitched across Gojo's head. "That… when and how did you get it?" His grin turned a little uneasy. "I think I know, but I don't wanna assume the worst."
Gojo's smile dimmed for just a moment. He tapped his temple with a lazy motion. "You guessed right. Okkotsu used my body through Kenjaku's technique."
Before Yuji could react, Gojo reached over, smacking his back lightly before ruffling his hair. "Sorry uwuuu. We didn't tell you about that plan."
Yuji puffed his cheeks in a pout. "I figured… Sensei was already dead. I could feel someone carrying your body, but I didn't know it was okkotsu-senpai."
"Tch. This kid," Gojo muttered with a grin, wrapping an arm around Yuji's neck in a playful headlock. "Don't sulk."
"Hahaha, I'm not!" Yuji laughed, wriggling free.
Gojo stretched his long arms above his head, sighing. "Well, maybe there's a silver lining in me dying. At least I can finally rest. Okkotsu gets to inherit all my clan's work."
Yuji shook his head, clicking his tongue. "Tch, tch. Poor okkotsu-senpai. I almost feel bad for him already."
Gojo smirked, then pinched Yuji's cheek. "But seriously, you're still too young. Who's going to be Megumi-chan's friend if not you?"
Yuji smiled through the tugging. "He'll be fine. Kugisaki will be his friend too."
Gojo's hand stilled for a moment, then he let Yuji go with a soft laugh. The fire crackled between them.
Suddenly, a familiar noise interrupted the moment, heavy footsteps in the sand.
The same camel from earlier trotted up, its big eyes fixed on the fish skewers.
"Ehhh, you again?!" Yuji waved it off desperately. "Go away! Don't steal my dinner!"
Gojo laughed so hard his shoulders shook. "Looks like he likes you, Yuji."
Yuji glared at the animal, holding his fish protectively. "Then go like Sensei too, shoo!"
The camel ignored him and leaned closer, nose twitching toward Yuji's skewer. Gojo tilted his head, grinning wide. "Careful, Yujikun. I think you've made a new best friend."
Yuji groaned. "Ugh, why do I attract the weird ones…"
+++
Yuji hummed softly as he worked, the candlelight flickering against the walls of the upstairs room. The air smelled faintly of old fabric and dust. Around him, piles of clothes and rolls of cloth lay scattered, and he busied himself sorting out which ones were still comfortable enough to wear.
Meanwhile, from the bedroom, Gojo was already asleep, his even breathing faintly audible through the wooden door.
Yuji tugged open the creaky wardrobe, stacking folded shirts inside. But as he shifted the bottom row, something odd caught his eye, a small, square outline at the back.
"…Huh?" Yuji crouched down and pressed against it. A hidden little door swung open with a soft click.
Inside, only two things rested in the hollow space.
A single golden apple, its surface glinting even in the dim light.
And a brittle old paper, yellowed with age, covered in unfamiliar writing.
Yuji squinted at the faded script, tilting the paper back and forth. "Hmm… what is this supposed to be?" He turned it over and froze.
On the back was an illustration. Two human figures tangled together in an intimate embrace.
Yuji's jaw slackened. "…What the hell. Hentai? Seriously? Who hides this in a secret closet?!" His face twisted in disgust. Without another thought, he shoved the paper back into its place. "Nope. Not dealing with that."
Instead, his eyes went to the golden apple. He picked it up, weighing it in his palm. It looked heavy, but when he bit into it, the flesh crunched just like a normal apple.
"Well… tastes like apple," Yuji muttered around a mouthful, chewing casually as he closed the little door and went back to folding clothes.
Unbothered, he continued tidying the room, golden juice dripping faintly from his lips, completely unaware that the apple's glow had already begun to fade the moment he took a bite.