A Bizarre Adventure That Begins in Jujutsu Kaisen

"Ha...that's exactly what that bastard would say, I can almost picture it."

While complaining, Tsukumo Yuki quickly pulled out her phone and swiped her fingers rapidly.

"Wait... Gojo Satoru actually blocked me! Damn it, how dare he!"

But the little songstress actually agreed?!

Although I've only met her a few times, my impression is that she always seemed to be bullied and stomped around by that guy.

"If she really hated it so much that she couldn't stand it, given Miss Songstress's personality, she probably would have left the world of sorcery long ago and gone far away."

Dio analyzed.

"By the way, according to Principal Moth, she remained single until she was thirty..."

Perhaps, she really is waiting for someone.

"Oh oh oh—!"

Yuki's eyes lit up, and the slight annoyance she felt earlier because she was "the only one left single" was instantly replaced by her burning gossip spirit.

"True love prevails! Just hearing this big news makes this trip worthwhile!"

"Speaking of which," Theo smoothly changed the subject, "are you planning to go to Jay's wedding in a few days?"

"What?!" Yuki was shocked again, her voice rising an octave. "When was this decision made?! He didn't even invite me!"

"Don't be angry," Theo reassured, a slight smile playing on his lips. "He only announced it publicly yesterday, so it's normal that you didn't know."

Then, without leaving a trace, yet with perfect fluidity, he circled back to the original topic:

"Now, can you answer the question 'How old are you?' from earlier?"

In exchange, I can say first—I'm twenty-five years old.

"Even if you tell me..." Yuki pouted, but couldn't help laughing out loud, "It's still a secret!"

"Director, didn't anyone tell you that you can't directly ask a woman's age?"

"I feel..." Theo carefully examined her radiant, untroubled face, "You don't seem like the type to care about this kind of thing."

"I will care!" Yuki Tsukumo grabbed Theo's shoulder and emphasized each word clearly.

Then, like a deflated balloon, she "self-destructed" with a touch of self-abandonment:

Anyway... I'm already over thirty.

Each year of growth feels like a reminder to myself, "Why am I still not married?"

I've even decided that I absolutely must get married before I turn forty!

"..."

"..."

After this overly direct, even somewhat tragic, "declaration," the two fell into a brief silence.

Because they were so close, their breaths almost mingled, and a subtle, indescribable atmosphere spread through the air.

They all turned their heads somewhat awkwardly, just in time to see a waiter carrying a tray approaching.

At that moment, the air seemed to freeze into a viscous liquid, making even breathing difficult.

The innocent waiter was sweating profusely and his movements were stiff from being stared at by the two men.

"Thank you, just leave the tray there, we'll get it ourselves later," Theo said first, breaking the tense atmosphere.

"Oh, okay, thank you for your patronage!"

The waiter, feeling as if he had been granted a pardon, quickly put down the tray of ice-cold beer and fled the "low-pressure" area with almost a bow.

"So—" Dio turned back to look at Tsukumo Yuki, who was still gripping his shoulder and standing very close to him.

"Hmm?" She blinked, her long eyelashes fluttering like butterfly wings.

"How about we try a proper date?" He said this almost in a whisper, as soft as if he were talking to himself.

"When?" Yuki asked almost immediately, his tone revealing no refusal, but rather a hint of anticipation.

Hmm, she seems pretty happy?

"Does this count as a yes?" Theo asked to confirm.

"Don't let the girl say those things first!"

Yu Ji loosened her grip on his shoulder, gently patted his arm, and spoke with a hint of coquettishness that she herself might not have realized.

"Just hurry up and decide on the time and place!"

"Oh, okay," Theo readily agreed, and after a moment's thought, "Then—how about we go to Tokyo Disneyland tomorrow?"

I've never been to Disneyland.

"...I've never been there either," she answered softly.

"Have you never been invited out by a boy since you were a child?" Theo asked, somewhat surprised.

"Before I became a professional mage... there was."

Yuki's eyes dimmed for a moment, and his hands unconsciously clasped together.

"But I refused them all."

Why?

"because……"

She took a deep breath, her gaze unfocused, clearly lost in solitary memories.

"I am a stellar body, a 'sacrifice' destined to be offered to Tianyuan."

Because of this identity, and because of my dangerous spell that, if I accidentally use too much force, could create a 'black hole' and destroy the entire world...

I used to have a very strong self-destructive tendency.

If I feel that sacrificing myself can solve the problem, then I will do it without hesitation.

If you're not even sure if you'll have a tomorrow, how can you expect to fall in love or drag others down with you?

I could only keep comforting myself, telling myself that it's okay as it is.

"Miss Tsukumo, now that I've arrived, the world is at peace."

Theo gazed into her eyes, and gently placed his hand over her clasped hands, conveying the warmth of her touch.

"Your power cannot harm anyone."

So please stop hiding away and processing your emotions alone. From now on, leave everything to me.

Yuki stared at him blankly, a clear layer of water slowly welling up in her eyes, which always carried a cheerful smile or a cynical air.

Immediately, a smile more radiant, genuine, and free of any gloom than any she had ever shown before blossomed on her face.

"That's great..." Her voice choked with emotion. "Then I'll leave it to you."

At this very moment—

Dio clearly sensed a strong and strange tremor emanating from the Tree of Reversal within his soul.

He almost instinctively murmured "world" in his mind.

Stop, start.

Strands of hair fluttering on her shoulders, bubbles rising from the beer in her glass, birds flying past the window...

And the smile on Yuki Tsukumo's face, as if a thousand-pound burden had been lifted and filled with pure anticipation for the future, was forever frozen in this frame.

Dio gazed silently at this frozen moment; the vitality, sense of liberation, and hope for rebirth in that smile were so dazzling, so... beautiful.

He felt that some kind of mysterious "scale" was quietly filling his heart.

"I see, I see..."

Dio murmured to himself, his eyes revealing pure appreciation and sudden enlightenment.

"So beautiful!"

The elements of "beauty" have increased by one-tenth!