"Gojo-sensei—time to wake up—"
"Hey, hey, Itadori, don't drag out your words like a kid."
"Gojo-sensei, if you keep dozing off, we're going to be late."
Satoru Gojo had a long dream.
In the dream, many terrible things happened, but what were they exactly? He rubbed his head, unable to recall the details.
He opened his eyes to see the trio of troublemakers—Itadori, Kugisaki, and Fushiguro—crowding around him, almost reaching out to pinch his nose to wake him up.
"Whoa! Waking up suddenly like that is scary!"
Oh, right. Not long ago, they had all become Grade 1 sorcerers and were currently striving toward the goal of becoming Special Grade.
"Coming, coming~" The white-haired man in the blindfold stood up and stretched. "Honestly, you kids are just overflowing with energy."
A few days ago, everyone had worked together to successfully defeat Sukuna, and now they were heading to Jujutsu High for a victory celebration. Gojo walked with his hands in his pockets, listening to his three students bicker and chirping in with a joke now and then. Soon, they arrived at the school.
The moment he stepped through the door, ribbons were sprayed all over his spiky white hair by Kusakabe and Ijichi, erupting like fireworks.
"Surprise! Gojo-sensei!!"
Except for Toge Inumaki, who said "Tuna Mayo," everyone shouted in unison.
They stood in the classroom—some holding a "Long Live Victory" banner, some blowing whistles, and others already digging into the celebratory sweets.
Maki Zenin, Yuta Okkotsu, Panda, Kinji Hakari, Kirara Hoshi, and Principal Yaga... everyone was there.
Everyone was whole and unharmed.
Wait, why did I describe it like that? How strange.
"Gojo-san, we were just waiting for you." The blond man in the flashy tie looked toward him, his tone unusually relaxed. "Knowing there are sweets and still showing up late—the students will snatch them all."
"Hi, Nanamin!" Gojo threw an arm around his shoulder. "As a mature adult, it's fine to leave some treats for them~"
"Hey, blindfolded idiot, who asked for your leftovers!" shouted the girl with the ponytail.
Yuta Okkotsu smiled. "The biggest hero in the fight against Sukuna was Gojo-sensei, of course, so..."
Principal Yaga chuckled and pushed forward a massive fresh cream cake.
"So the biggest cake belongs to you, Satoru. No one can take it."
"Wow!" Gojo cupped his face with his hands, surrounded by imaginary pink flowers. "I'm just too happy right now~"
"Sniff~ seeing my cute students all grown up is even happier than eating the biggest cake!"
Gojo grabbed Itadori, Fushiguro, and Kugisaki to spin around in a circle, making the others burst into laughter.
Just then, a sound came from outside the classroom.
"Ah, is everyone here already?" A young man with a topknot and a single strand of hair over his left forehead opened the door, looking a bit travel-worn. "Sorry I'm late, Satoru."
"It's Geto-sensei!"
"Geto-sensei is here too."
He wore the same black Jujutsu High uniform as Gojo, his face handsome and kind.
"...Suguru?"
Gojo stared at him blankly, a sudden, inexplicable pang of pain blooming in his chest.
"What is it? Why are you looking at me like that?" Suguru Geto laughed. "Didn't we just see each other yesterday?"
"I was busy exorcising cursed spirits, so I'm a bit late. Glad I made it." He walked in naturally, followed by a stream of people.
"Yo, Satoru, you're early."
"Stupid Satoru, I'm here!"
Shoko Ieiri, with dark circles not quite so heavy; the cheerful Yu Haibara; Utahime Iori in her shrine maiden outfit; Mei Mei, looking more mature and glamorous; and Riko Amanai, who had grown into a young woman, her hair down but still wearing her headband.
"Satoru! Long time no see, how have you been?"
"Better than ever~"
After greeting them one by one, Gojo finally shared his massive cake with everyone, celebrating their final victory together.
"You guys play, I'm going out for a bit. Bye-bye~"
"Got it, Gojo-sensei, remember to come back soon!"
While the juniors were messing around, Gojo and Geto went downstairs alone. Just like that bitter summer when they were sixteen, they sat side-by-side and began to talk.
"Satoru, why do you keep looking at me today? It's a bit weird." Suguru Geto took a cold cola and pressed it against Satoru's cheek.
"I don't know... it feels like if I stop looking at you, you'll vanish instantly," Gojo said dejectedly.
"How could that happen?" Geto shook his head. "You must have had some bizarre dream."
He changed the subject, looking relieved. "Lately, those 'Old Oranges' in the higher-ups have softened their attitude; they've backed down on many major issues. In the past, that was unthinkable."
"And the students performed so well in the battle against Sukuna... they'll surely become the pillars of the school in the future."
"Having raised so many clever and powerful comrades, Satoru really is the strongest sorcerer." Geto noticed Satoru's low mood and made a point to praise him.
"We're getting closer and closer to the day we change the entire jujutsu world. When that happens... more and more innocent people will be protected." He spoke softly. "Wasn't that our original intention when we decided to become teachers together, Satoru?"
"..."
Receiving no response, Geto realized he had been rambling. He looked at Gojo with a hint of embarrassment, only to witness something incredible.
Gojo had pulled down his blindfold. Those eyes, as clear as the azure sky, were silently overflowing with tears.
"Satoru?! What's wrong?"
Geto's eyes widened. In his memory, he had never seen his best friend cry.
Not when the higher-ups made things difficult, not when comrades died in battle, not when he was forced to endure the pressure and grievances of the world... he never cried. It was as if Satoru had been born unable to weep.
But now, he was crying right in front of him.
"Suguru..." Gojo covered one eye with his hand, his voice thick with a sob. "Is it really okay... for me to be this happy?"
"What?" Geto was stunned, almost at a loss. "Of course it is... why wouldn't it be?"
You are the invincible Satoru Gojo. If you don't deserve happiness, who does?
The loss of composure didn't last long. Gojo wiped away his tears. "Regardless, it's so good to see you again... Suguru."
"What do you mean?" Geto asked, bewildered.
"Come to think of it, even though I've grown up, I'm still a selfish and childish guy," Gojo said self-deprecatingly, revealing the truth. "Even though I knew from the bottom of my heart that this was all a dream, I still secretly lied to myself, wanting to linger a bit longer. I almost didn't want to leave."
"...If only this were all real, Suguru."
The dream was so beautiful, like a shimmering, colorful bubble. Yet it would shatter at the slightest touch.
Watching the surrounding buildings begin to collapse as his consciousness cleared, Gojo chuckled softly.
At that moment, the pink-haired boy came downstairs. Seeing Gojo, he hurried over to grab him. "Gojo-sensei! Why did you come down here?"
Yuji Itadori seemed unable to see the shattering environment around them, speaking happily: "Everyone is asking you to go back and keep celebrating!"
"Ahhh... sorry, I have to go."
"Go? Go where?" Yuji asked blankly.
"To a place very, very far away. A place I hope you never have to visit."
The white-haired man smiled. "One 'Satoru Gojo' is enough. Among you all, there will eventually emerge someone stronger than me... or perhaps a more mature adult than me."
"Inherit my will, but walk a different path than mine... by the time tomorrow comes, just forget about me."
Seeing his mentor's body gradually becoming transparent, Yuji Itadori reached out, tears streaming down his face. "No!! I don't want Gojo-sensei to go! And there's no way I'd ever forget you!"
Gojo shook his head, a smile still on his lips.
"I'm looking forward to your future, Yuji."
"Gojo-sensei! If you go alone, it'll be so lonely—!"
The pink-haired boy fought desperately to grab the remaining fragments of the man, but it was in vain.
"Goodbye."
Lonely? No.
I love everyone most of all, so I'm not lonely at all.
Even if it was just a dream... this time, I think I gave a proper goodbye.