Utaha's consciousness drifted as if passing through a warm membrane of water. When she "opened her eyes" again, she was already inside that familiar, ancient-style tea room.
The sliding paper doors were half-open. In the courtyard, the white sand was like snow, green pines stood silently, and a pool of clear water reflected the hazy sky while several koi swam leisurely.
The air was filled with a faint scent of sandalwood and the slightly bitter aroma of tea. Everything was exactly as peaceful and serene as in her memory, as if the external fighting, Cursed Spirits, Jujutsu Sorcerers, and even the terrifying power of the King of Curses were all just distant and unreal dreams.
In the center of the tea room, behind a low table, Sukuna—the four-armed, two-faced young man dressed in a simple kimono with a handsome yet sinisterly majestic face—was sitting calmly in the seiza position.
His expression was calm, even carrying a sense of leisure, as his slender fingers unhurriedly manipulated the tea set before him.
Grinding the tea, pouring water, mixing the paste, whisking...
His movements were fluid and natural, carrying a composed rhythm refined by a thousand years, possessing a pleasing sense of ritual.
Utaha found herself sitting across from him on a cushion, having been changed into an elegant, light green kimono at some point. However, even this oversized kimono could not hide her alluring curves.
She composed herself and didn't speak immediately, simply watching silently as Sukuna completed the complex tea ceremony procedures.
Not until he pushed a cup of emerald tea toward her and picked up one himself did he give a slight nod.
The tea entered her mouth, slightly bitter with a sweet aftertaste. A warm current slid into her stomach, strangely soothing her physical fatigue and mental tension from reality.
"It's... still so quiet here."
Utaha put down the teacup and softly broke the silence.
She looked up at the leisurely "young man" across from her, hesitated for a moment, and finally asked the question lingering in her heart, "Sukuna-san, are you... preparing to leave?"
Sukuna took a sip of tea, his crimson eyes glancing at her, seemingly unsurprised by her directness.
"Clever little girl, you could actually tell."
"Preparations are almost complete." He put down the teacup, his tone flat as if speaking of a trivial matter.
"In a while, once the materials are gathered and the timing is right, I will naturally go and get a decent body. Always residing in your shell, little girl, is interesting, but it's not a long-term solution after all. Many things cannot be fully unleashed."
Especially when fighting an opponent of Satoru's caliber with full strength, the limitations of the vessel itself would become increasingly apparent.
Utaha's heart sank slightly. Despite having a premonition, and despite this meaning the greatest source of danger within her was about to leave, hearing him say it personally brought up a complex set of emotions that weren't entirely the joy of liberation.
She remained silent, her fingers unconsciously rubbing the warm wall of the cup.
"What is it?" Sukuna raised an eyebrow, a slightly mischievous smile appearing on his face.
"I am leaving, and you don't seem very happy? Reluctant to let go?"
Utaha's cheeks warmed slightly, and she quickly shook her head. "No, it's not... it's just..."
She didn't know how to describe that feeling.
Fear? Of course there was, after being involved in so many things.
But besides fear, there seemed to be something else... these days of symbiosis with the King of Curses, though thrilling and constantly walking on the edge of death, had forced her to tear away the seventeen-year-old veil of warmth from her eyes, seeing the real, cruel, yet bizarre side of this world.
She had witnessed the mysteries of Jujutsu, the weirdness of Devils, and the duels of the strong.
Also... in a sense, under Sukuna's absolute power, she had experienced a twisted kind of "safety."
Sukuna had a foul personality, did as he pleased, and viewed human life as grass, but strangely, he hadn't truly inflicted unbearable harm on her, his vessel, beyond the initial intimidation and research. To some extent, he had even permitted and guided her initial growth.
"I just feel... it's a bit sudden." She finally whispered, avoiding Sukuna's probing gaze.
Sukuna let out a low chuckle, not delving further into her complex state of mind. He leaned forward slightly, propping his chin on his hand with his elbow on the low table, his crimson eyes observing her with interest.
"Rest easy, little girl. This body will naturally be returned to you. Having used it for so long, I should pay some rent." His tone was casual, as if discussing borrowing an inconsequential item.
"During this time, your body has been saturated with my Cursed Energy and repeatedly strengthened and modified, the foundation is already quite good. And..."
He paused, a glint of dark light flashing in his eyes.
"Consider it a parting gift, or rather, the interest on the rent—my Cursed Technique. How much you can digest and how far you can go depends on yourself. This is far more practical than those outdated textbooks at your Jujutsu High."
Utaha's eyes widened abruptly, looking at him in disbelief.
She had already experienced Sukuna's Cursed Technique countless times. It had no complex mechanics, only pure power.
A powerful slash capable of cutting down everything.
"As for that..."
Sukuna seemed to remember something, his finger lightly tapping the tabletop, his tone carrying a hint of command-like laziness.
"That 'Jujutsu Kaisen' manga you're working on with that blonde girl—remember to start working on it soon. I have given you the script and setting, draw it and spread it. If you dawdle, I won't forgive you. My name, and the interesting stories of this era, should be appreciated by more people."
When he emphasized the word "appreciated," his eyes flashed with an unquestionable meaning.
This was both part of the plan and part of his pleasure—he wanted to see the expressions on those Jujutsu Sorcerers' faces when they saw their own stories.
Utaha took a deep breath, suppressing the shock in her heart, and nodded solemnly. "Yes, Sukuna-san. I understand."
Looking at her serious expression, Sukuna seemed satisfied. He leaned back again, picked up the already cool tea, and drained it in one gulp.
"Alright, the tea is finished, and dawn is breaking."
He looked pointedly at the sky outside the tea room, which was gradually turning white.
"This dream should end. little girl, take care of yourself. I look forward to the next time we meet, seeing if you can bring me some different fun, whether as an author or as something else."
"Don't lose your inner desire, or I'll be very bored."
As his voice fell, the tea room, courtyard, low table, and even Sukuna's figure began to become blurred and transparent like reflections in water.
Utaha felt a gentle push, and her consciousness began to rise, detaching from this quiet place.
In the final moment before completely detaching, she "saw" Sukuna curl his lips at her. That smile seemed to have a bit less of its usual cruelty and a bit more of an indescribable, complex meaning.
Then, light flooded in.
On the bed in the Jujutsu High infirmary, Utaha's eyelashes fluttered, and she slowly opened her eyes.
Outside the window, the sky was already dim with dawn. The noise of last night's battle had completely subsided, with only the chirping of morning birds faintly audible. Her body no longer felt sharp pain or heaviness. Instead, she felt a strange lightness.