Gojo and Geto were entrusted with a vital mission: escorting Amanai Riko, the star plasma vessel, to Master Tengen. This task, initially daunting, blossomed into a remarkable friendship among the three of them. Riko, eager to deepen her connections and expand her understanding of curses, made the decision to transfer to Jujutsu High, eager to embrace her newfound friendships.

Meanwhile, the rest of their group—Shoko, Nanami, Haibara, and you—were caught up in the excitement of Riko joining the team. It felt like a momentous occasion, the expansion from five members to six, bringing an air of promise and fun. You would think this called for a celebration, right? And celebrate you all did! Together, you laughed, shared stories, and welcomed Riko with open arms. But amidst the festivities, something troubling lurked beneath the surface.

As the interactions continued, you began to feel an unsettling sense of isolation. The new dynamic seemed to subtly shift the group's focus, and despite the cheerful atmosphere, you found yourself feeling increasingly left out. It wasn’t Riko’s fault; she was undeniably sweet and genuine, making it hard to harbor resentment toward her. Her presence was a breath of fresh air, and she effortlessly blended into the group, illuminating conversations. Yet somehow, this made your loneliness even more pronounced.

Now, here you were, sitting alone on a cold metal bench during lunch while the others animatedly filled the cafeteria with laughter and chatter. Gojo’s infectious enthusiasm and Geto’s calm demeanor created a lively environment, but it also meant you were forgotten—one of the group members overlooked. You glanced over to where they were gathered, a tight-knit circle of friends, sharing popsicles and stories, completely unaware that one of their own was missing. It felt cruel, that sting of exclusion gnawing at you, overshadowed by their joy.

“Suguru! What are you gonna buy?” Gojo's voice rang out cheerfully amidst the chaos of the cafeteria. “I’m going to grab my favorite blue popsicle! Why don’t we all get popsicles together?”

Geto nodded, his calm demeanor still managing to inject some enthusiasm into his words. “Good idea, Satoru. I suppose everyone’s on board. Let’s get seven popsicles.”

*Riko chimed in, her eyes alight with excitement, * “Seven? But I only count six! There’s Gojo, Geto, Shoko, Nanami, Haibara, and me! Are we not complete?”

The realization hit you hard as you watched this lively exchange. The bright energy that surrounded them felt like a stark contrast to the solitude you were engulfed in. It was a painful reminder of how, in this newly formed group, you felt like an outsider looking in.