Harajuku — Takeshita Street.
One of Tokyo's most famous fashion districts.
Colorful boutiques lined the street, music poured from storefront speakers, and crowds of stylish teenagers filled the narrow road.
"Whoa! There are so many people!"
Yuji Itadori stood in the middle of the street holding a crepe, his eyes sparkling with excitement.
"Is this really Tokyo? This place is amazing!"
Beside him, Megumi Fushiguro looked visibly uncomfortable.
He wasn't used to crowds like this.
Meanwhile Satoru Gojo, wearing his usual blindfold, stood out immediately in the crowd—but he acted as if nothing was unusual.
"Hm… hasn't that kid arrived yet?" he muttered while looking around.
Nearby, Yagami Sora leaned casually against a railing while sipping an iced Americano.
Today he wore a fitted black trench coat over a white T-shirt, cargo pants, and boots.
Simple clothes—but combined with his calm confidence and striking appearance, he attracted attention from almost every passerby.
Two fashionable high-school girls eventually gathered the courage to approach him.
"Um… excuse me…"
"Can we add you on LINE?"
Sora smiled slightly and tapped his temple.
"Sorry."
"My brain only contains calculus and quantum mechanics."
"LINE is too complicated."
"…So cool!"
Even though they were rejected, the girls walked away giggling excitedly.
Yuji stared in disbelief.
"Yagami… you're ridiculously popular."
Megumi sighed.
"Despite his terrible personality."
At that moment—
A commotion erupted nearby.
A girl wearing the uniform of Tokyo Jujutsu High with short orange hair and a massive suitcase was loudly scolding a man who had tried to hit on her.
"Huh? You're asking if I have time?"
"Sorry, I'm not interested in boring pickup attempts."
"Unless you're a talent scout or you're treating me to high-end sushi."
Her confidence resembled a small lion cub baring its fangs.
The man quickly retreated in embarrassment.
The girl turned around—
And noticed Gojo's group.
She paused.
Then walked over.
"That's… Nobara Kugisaki?" Yuji asked.
"That's right."
Gojo waved.
"Over here!"
Nobara walked toward them and placed her luggage down.
Hands on her hips, she inspected each of them.
First Yuji.
"…Plain."
"What's with the hoodie? Are you trying to cosplay as a potato?"
Then Megumi.
"…Gloomy."
"You look like someone owes you five million yen."
"Are you attending a funeral or something?"
Finally—
Her gaze landed on Yagami Sora.
She froze.
For several seconds she said nothing.
Then she coughed awkwardly.
"…Ahem."
"This one's alright."
"A little pretentious, but at least his fashion sense is acceptable."
"He barely qualifies as handsome."
Sora raised an eyebrow.
"That's a surprisingly fair evaluation."
The girl lifted her chin proudly.
"I'm Nobara Kugisaki."
"My hobbies are shopping and looking good."
"And I hate unfashionable things."
Yuji immediately grinned.
"I'm Yuji Itadori! My hobbies are watching TV and copying cool moves!"
"Megumi Fushiguro."
"Yagami Sora."
Just like that—
The four first-year students of Tokyo Jujutsu High officially met.
"Now that everyone's here," Gojo clapped his hands.
"To celebrate the formation of our first-year team, let's go—"
"To Ginza for sushi!" Nobara shouted instantly.
"To Roppongi!" Gojo replied with a thumbs-up.
"Roppongi?!" Yuji and Nobara exclaimed simultaneously.
"That sounds awesome!"
However—
When they arrived at their destination…
Yuji and Nobara stared at the eerie abandoned building in front of them.
"…This isn't Roppongi."
"This is a haunted house!"
Nobara yelled.
"There's a cemetery nearby," Gojo said casually.
"And this…"
"Is today's practical test."
Megumi looked toward the building and frowned.
"There's a cursed energy presence inside."
"Probably a Grade 2 cursed spirit."
"That's right," Gojo confirmed.
"The mission is simple."
"Exorcise the curse inside."
He looked at Yuji.
"Especially you."
"This is your first real mission."
Yuji nodded seriously and pulled out the cursed tool he had been given earlier—a short combat knife.
"Understood!"
Megumi prepared to step forward as well.
"I'll go too."
But Gojo stopped him.
"Megumi."
"You're still injured."
"Just observe this time."
"But—"
"It's fine."
Gojo pointed at Sora.
"With him here, nothing will go wrong."
Sora shrugged.
"If we're training newcomers, the newcomers should go first."
"I'll cover you from behind."
"Huh?!"
Nobara glared at him.
"Who do you think you're underestimating?"
"I don't need your backup!"
"I can handle it myself!"
She kicked the door open and stormed inside.
Yuji quickly followed.
"Wait for me, Kugisaki!"
Watching them disappear into the darkness, Gojo leaned toward Sora and whispered quietly.
"The curse inside is a little tricky."
"If they get in trouble… step in."
"Understood."
Sora placed his hands back into his pockets and walked leisurely toward the entrance.
"Since this is a practical test…"
"I might as well see what my future teammates are capable of."
He glanced into the dark interior of the building.
From deep within the shadows—
A pair of greedy eyes stared back at them.
Watching its prey approach.
Sora's lips curled slightly.
"However…"
"If they dare touch my people…"
His smile turned cold.
"Then they'd better be ready for a physical exorcism."