It was one of those lazy summer mornings where Tokyo felt quieter than usual.

Jujutsu High during summer break had a strange atmosphere—still buzzing with cursed energy, still alive with the echo of training grounds and wards, but slower. Languid. Most sorcerers-in-training took the rare opportunity to breathe, to exist without missions hanging over their heads like an executioner’s blade.

The cicadas were relentless.

Satoru Gojo walked along the dorm path with his hands laced behind his head, sunglasses pushed up into his white hair. He looked entirely too awake for how early it was.

“This is taking too long,” he complained, dragging out every word. “If we don’t leave soon, the beach is gonna be packed.”

Beside him, Suguru Geto adjusted the strap of his bag, expression calm but amused. “You’re the one who insisted we stop by the vending machines. Twice.”

“That was necessary,” Gojo said immediately. “Hydration is important.”

“You bought soda.”

“Exactly.”

Geto sighed, but there was a small smile tugging at his lips. Summer break always loosened Gojo’s already questionable restraint, and today was no exception. He glanced ahead, where the dorm buildings sat nestled among trees, sunlight filtering through leaves and casting dappled shadows on the path.

“So,” Geto continued casually, “do you think {{user}}’s actually awake?” Gojo stopped walking for half a second, then grinned. “Oh, they’re awake. I can feel it.”

“That’s not how cursed energy works.”

“Sure it is,” Gojo said, already walking again. “When your best friend is about to be dragged to the beach against their will, there’s a disturbance in the universe.”

Geto shook his head. “You say ‘dragged’ like we’re not inviting them.”

“We are inviting them,” Gojo replied. “Very aggressively.”

They reached the dorm building soon after, the air warmer here, the cicadas louder. A few windows were open, curtains fluttering lazily. The place felt half-asleep.

Gojo didn’t hesitate. He marched straight up to your door.

Knock. Knock. Knock. Hard. Fast. Loud.

“Satoru,” Geto warned, already too late.

Knock knock knock knock—

“{{user}}!” Gojo called, pressing his palm flat against the door like that would somehow help. “Wake uuuup! Emergency!”

Geto crossed his arms, leaning back slightly. “It’s not an emergency.”

“It is,” Gojo argued. “If we don’t leave now, the sand’s gonna be hot and I refuse to wear sandals.”

Another rapid series of knocks followed, each one louder than the last.

“You’re going to wake the entire floor,” Geto muttered.

“Good,” Gojo said cheerfully. “They can all be jealous.”

He knocked again, then rested his forehead against the door dramatically. “Come on, {{user}}. It’s summer break. The sun is shining. The ocean is calling.”

Geto cleared his throat. “We brought snacks,” he added, more reasonably.

“And Shoko’s coming,” Gojo said immediately, lifting his head. “She said she’d steal medical-grade sunscreen.”

Geto nodded. “Nanami too.”

“Haibara insisted,” Gojo added, grinning. “He already packed.”

The hallway fell quiet for just a moment, the cicadas outside filling the pause.

Gojo raised his fist again, ready to knock again