A Brotherly Hug

This melody was just too magical.Gojo Satoruwas momentarily speechless before saying lightly, “You sang pretty well.”

Lin Gesheepishly rubbed his knee. “Really?” He handed the red wishing sprite back toYuji Itadori. “Maybe ‘cause I put my heart into it.”

Sincerity works wonders, after all!

Thinking back toLin Ge’svoice that had silenced the room for a split second,Gojo Satoruteased, “So you’re saying you didn’t put your heart into it just now?”

By now,Lin Ge’sskin was thick enough. He calmly took two bites of honeydew melon and said, “It’s alright. Maybe I was just too real with my feelings earlier.” He emphasized earnestly, “No technique, all emotion.”

“Sing it again?”

Lin Ge: “…”

He stared speechlessly at the mischievous Strawberry Shortcake.

Who was it that said it was good but don’t sing again next time?

That was kinda harsh, you know.

“You really wanna hear it?”

It’s not like he couldn’t!

If you ask, you shall receive.

Gojo Satorupromptly performed a smile-vanishing act. “I was kidding.”

Yuji ItadoriandMegumi Fushiguro,quietly listening nearby: “…”

They were sweating buckets.

That joke wasn’t funny!

—

Tokyo Jujutsu High School, Dormitory Building

“Today was super fun. Thanks,sensei! Thanks,Lin!”Yuji Itadorihugged a bucket of popcorn, planning to demolish it all once he got back to his dorm.

Wait, hold up—don’t they have to pick up a new classmate tomorrow?

Maybe he shouldn’t sleep tonight?

He was kinda worried he wouldn’t wake up in time!

Megumi Fushiguroalso thankedLin Ge, lowering his head, his expression carrying a rare hint of contentment.

The next second, the pink-haired teen beside him piped up, “ Fushiguro, are you smiling?”

Yuji Itadoriwas practically buzzing with excitement.

Wasn’t this straight out of some literary trope?

Like an old, white-haired butler grandpa saying with relief, “The young master hasn’t smiled like this in ages…” or something.

Hahahahaha, how was this so hilarious?!

Yuji Itadoricracked himself up with his own imagination.

Megumi Fushigurolanded a punch on his back. “…Shut up.”

You wanna keep going?

—

Watching the two teens bicker and head upstairs,Lin Gesighed to himself, “This is youth, huh.” He turned, about to say goodbye toGojo Satoru.

Yamanbakiri KunihiroandTsurumaru Kuninagahad been trailing them the whole time. He didn’t know why, but he could just feel it.

Kinda embarrassing, really.

“I…”

But before he could get another word out,Gojo Satoru’sphone rang.

He swallowed the words on the tip of his tongue.

Not sure ifGojo Satoru’sphone was some special model, but when he took calls, not a single sound leaked out.

Bored,Lin Gekicked a pebble with his foot, his gaze lingering on the ground, lost in thought.

He needed to make a perfect plan.

First thing back atHonmaru: buy frogs.

Not those conjured from spiritual energy.

They had to be real, live frogs—dumb ones that hopped around everywhere.

He wanted to hear a whole chorus of frog croaks.

Second thing: dump a bunch onTsurumaru Kuninagawhile he’s sleeping.

ImaginingTsurumaru Kuninaga’sstartled reaction,Lin Gesmirked with satisfaction.

You like scares, huh?

Well, so do I.

Hmm.

No, wait—bullfrogs might be better.

His expression grew serious.

Frogs are tricky to deal with after the prank, but bullfrogs? You can turn them into spicy bullfrog stir-fry and slurp it up.

Thinking back to the spicy boiled bullfrogs he’d eaten in his past life,Lin Gecould practically feel himself drooling.

—

Half a minute later.

Hanging up the phone,Gojo Satorucasually stuffed it into his pocket. “Where you staying tonight?”

Snapped out of his spicy bullfrog daydream,Lin Geanswered without thinking, “A guesthouse.”

There was a decent homestay nearby—he’d checked it out specially.

He’d booked a room that afternoon.

He wasn’t that shameless.

Eating Strawberry Shortcake’s food, drinking his drinks—didn’t mean he’d crash at his place too.

“Is it far from here?”

Lin Gethought for a sec. “Not really… like a ten-minute walk, maybe.”

Mainly ‘cause thisJujutsu High Schoolwas built way too big.

Could it be they had too much education funding and needed somewhere to burn it?

Not impossible.

Gojo Satorunodded knowingly. “I’ll take you there.”

Lin Gelet out an “Huh?”—caught off guard—and hesitated. “You got an electric scooter?”

Curious, he peeked behindGojo Satoru.

Was he gonna pull one out of thin air?

He’d specifically checked—there wasn’t a single electric scooter on the entireTokyo Jujutsu High Schoolcampus.

Not even a bike shed!

Catching his drift,Gojo Satoruchuckled, his voice soft and easy. “…I can teleport, you know.” He leaned closer toLin Ge. “Don’t be shy. I’ve got a mission to head out for anyway, so I’ll drop you off on the way.”

“Mission?” Latching onto the odd word,Lin Gefroze, pulling out his phone to check the time.

2:04.

A mission at two in the morning?

What kinda bizarre language was this?

He thought 996 work culture was bad enough, but was Strawberry Shortcake on a 007 schedule? Always on call?

What kinda capitalist company was this?!

He was pissed.

“It’s fine. I’m used to it.” Leaning against the wall,Gojo Satorulooked up the mission location. It was getting late, and he planned to wrap it up quick.

Gotta pick up the new student tomorrow, after all.

Lin Geclicked his tongue. “…This isn’t about being used to it, is it?”

He stared, baffled, at the overly dedicated Strawberry Shortcake. “Do allJujutsu Sorcerershave to do this?”

That’d make it one heck of a noble profession!

Did people here have superhuman stamina or something?

Weren’t they afraid of dropping dead?

SeeingLin Ge’swary expression and considering his talent might be useful against cursed spirits,Gojo Satorushook his head to boost his enthusiasm. Pointing at himself, he said, “Nah, just me.”

He briefly explained how he could keepLimitlessactive 24/7.

Even when exhausted, he could use reverse cursed technique to instantly heal, keeping his body in peak condition.

Lin Gewas momentarily speechless, then his brows slowly furrowed. “Why’s that? Just ‘cause you’re stronger than everyone else?”

That’s not fair.

WasGojo Satorureally the only one in the whole country who could handle things solo?

No way, right?

The jujutsu world’s gotta be doomed!

Patting his shoulder casually,Gojo Satorusaid, “Maybe…” He looked up. “Don’t worry, I’ll keep working hard like a cart-pulling horse.”

—

The man in front of him seemed born as heaven’s favorite.

Even the moonlight favored him, its soft, hazy glow draping evenly over him like he had his own personal filter.

So close, yet somehow untouchable.

Dang, he’s good-looking—standing there’s like a painting.

Lin Ge’seyelids grew heavy, and he awkwardly looked away. “…So how many hours do you sleep a day?”

Even a farm donkey couldn’t outwork you!

Gojo Satoruthought seriously for a moment, giving a vague answer. “Maybe… two or three? Why the face? I can sleep longer sometimes, you know… Don’t worry, no one else has to do this.”

Lin Ge: “…”

Jujutsu world, you’re done for.

Mess with Strawberry Shortcake, and you’ve tripped over a cotton ball!

Year-round 007, on call anytime.

Even if he’s asleep, he’s gotta drag himself up. If a problem’s too big, one phone call, and he’s off playing the tool man.

IfLin Gehad his skills, he’d be low-key calling himself a national hero!

Thought he was just a 190cm+ cool, aloof hunk, but nope—turns out he’s a chill, chosen workaholic.

No wonder he’s got that Strawberry Shortcake vibe.

Lin Gerealized a bit late.

—

“So, wanna try my teleportation?”Gojo Satorusaid softly. “Everyone who’s tried it loves it—100% five-star reviews.”

“If you’re not sleepy, after I finish the mission, we could hit up a 24-hour joint for some late-night snacks or something…”

“Even if your body doesn’t get tired, doesn’t your mind ever?”

Lin Gestared at him steadily.

At that,Gojo Satorupaused, a strange ripple stirring in his heart.

For the first time, he tracedLin Ge’sentire figure with such focus.

Straight posture, pale skin, frail frame.

Like a strong breeze could knock him over.

Yet somehow, this guy always pulled off the most unexpected things.

SwallowingAoor the words spilling from his mouth…

After a moment.

“Sometimes…”

Just sometimes.

It gets a little tiring.

The scattered words were light as a breeze, so faintLin Gecouldn’t even tell if he’d really heard them.