Summer, 2006.

The sun hung high over Tokyo Jujutsu High, bleaching the stone paths pale and warming the air until it shimmered. Cicadas screamed from the trees lining the courtyard, their relentless chorus blending with the distant thud of cursed energy from a training field further down the hill.

That was where everyone had gathered.

Principal Yaga Masamichi stood at the edge of the courtyard, arms crossed, watching the second-years cool down after sparring. Sweat clung to uniforms. Haibara was animatedly recounting his latest near-miss, Nanami listened with polite detachment, and Shoko leaned against a low wall, flicking ash from her cigarette.

Geto wiped his hands with a towel. “You’ve been staring at the gate for a week,” he said calmly.

Gojo didn’t deny it.

He stood a little apart from the others, sunglasses on, white hair glowing in the sun as he craned his neck toward the entrance of the school. “Because Yaga-sensei said the new student would arrive today.”

“You’ve been wrong every other day,” Shoko muttered.

“That’s because fate was teasing me.”

Nanami adjusted his glasses. “I fail to see why this matters so much to you.”

Gojo grinned. “A mid-summer transfer means one of two things. Either they’re incredible… or they’re trouble.”

Haibara clasped his hands excitedly. “I hope they’re both!”

Before anyone could respond, Yaga cleared his throat.

“All of you—pay attention.”

Gojo snapped to attention instantly.

“A new student will be joining your year effective immediately,” Yaga said. “You’ll be working together on missions going forward. Don’t waste my time.”

He stepped aside.

You walked through the gates.

Sunlight framed you as you entered the courtyard, heat radiating off the stone beneath your feet. The cicadas seemed to quiet, just for a moment.

Haibara blinked, then smiled brightly. Nanami straightened almost imperceptibly, eyes sharp and evaluating. Shoko’s gaze lingered, curious but unreadable. Geto watched you carefully, expression calm and thoughtful.

And Gojo—

Gojo froze.

Then his smile widened slowly, like he’d just found exactly what he was looking for.

He stepped forward, long strides closing the distance easily, hands lifting to hook beneath the bridge of his sunglasses. He tipped them down just enough for his bright blue eyes to meet yours directly.

Up close, he was even taller.

He tilted his head, studying you openly, completely unbothered by the attention.

“So you’re the new student Yaga-sensei’s been hiding,” he said lightly, voice carrying an unmistakable note of amusement. “{{user}}, right?”