-New beginnings- BOOK 1: THE ORIGIN OF DARKNESS

-CHAPTER 8: MOMENTS BETWEEN BATTLES-

The sun was dipping low, casting warm hues across Jujutsu High as Megumi, Nobara, and Itadori lingered outside the main building. Training had been brutal the past few days, and the exhaustion was written all over them. Itadori stretched, groaning as his back cracked. "I can't take another day of this. I feel like an old man already," he grumbled, rubbing his neck.

"Speak for yourself," Nobara scoffed, though her own shoulders slumped with fatigue. "But he's right, you know," she said, nudging Megumi with her elbow. "If we don't go out and clear our heads, we're going to collapse halfway through tomorrow's training."

Megumi sighed, looking between his two friends. "And what exactly do you two have in mind?" Itadori's eyes lit up, and he clapped his hands together. "I'm talking about an actual night out—no curses, no training, just us! We go to the city, grab some good food, maybe even play some games." Nobara's eyes sparked at the thought. "I saw this shopping district last time we were out there; it's practically calling my name. And maybe after, we can hit up one of those karaoke spots?" Megumi arched an eyebrow, his lips twitching into the smallest hint of a smile. "You really think we're going to go out there and not end up in trouble?"

"C'mon, Fushiguro! We're not that bad," Itadori insisted, crossing his arms in mock indignation. "Besides, we can handle a night off, right?"

Nobara nodded vigorously. "Think about it, Megumi. Good food. New clothes. And watching Itadori butcher every song at karaoke." She shot Itadori a wicked grin.

"Oh, you think I'm going to be the worst singer?" Itadori shot back, trying not to laugh. "I have hidden talents, Nobara, and you're about to find out."

Megumi finally shook his head, giving in with a sigh. "Fine. One night. But if we attract a cursed spirit because you're screaming off-key, it's your problem, not mine." Itadori fist-pumped the air. "Yes! That's the spirit!" He threw an arm around Megumi and Nobara's shoulders, grinning wide. "We'll have a night they'll never forget." As they walked back toward the dorms, already chattering about where to go first, there was an unspoken understanding between them—this night out was more than a break. It was a moment to breathe, to be young, and, maybe, to remind themselves that they weren't just fighters but friends who could laugh, tease, and live.

The city lights gleamed as Itadori, Nobara, and Megumi walked down a lively street packed with restaurants, the air thick with the scents of grilled meat, spicy broth, and fresh seafood. Nobara's eyes darted from storefront to storefront until they finally stopped in front of a bustling sushi bar tucked into a corner.

"This is it," she declared, nodding with approval. "The reviews said it's authentic and fresh."

"Fine by me," Itadori said, eyeing the place eagerly. "Anything is better than the cafeteria."

They walked inside, where the chefs called out greetings from behind the counter, hands moving in quick, practiced motions to slice and plate colorful arrays of fish and rice. The three of them settled at a table near the window, Itadori immediately flipping open the menu.

"What's the most expensive thing here?" he murmured to himself with a grin.

Nobara shot him a look. "Are you serious? You better not be ordering for shock value, Yuji."

"Relax!" Itadori said, grinning. "It's sushi night! We can splurge a little, right?"

Megumi sighed but smiled, settling into his chair. "Let's just order, okay? I'll get a tuna roll and a miso soup." Nobara raised an eyebrow. "So tame, Megumi. You've got to try the good stuff. I'm thinking sea urchin and fatty tuna. And maybe one of those fried shrimp rolls." Itadori chuckled. "Guess I'll do a combo plate to try everything. No holding back tonight!" As their orders arrived, Itadori's eyes sparkled at the sight of the beautifully arranged plates. He picked up a piece of sashimi with his chopsticks and took a bite, sighing with delight. "I never thought raw fish could taste this good. We're coming back here every month."

"Don't get too comfortable," Megumi muttered. "We're supposed to be saving, not splurging on everything that catches your eye."

Nobara rolled her eyes. "Loosen up, Megumi. We're allowed one nice night out."

Itadori picked up a piece of Nobara's sea urchin, raising his eyebrows in question. She sighed, pushing her plate toward him. "Fine, just try it already. But don't spit it out if you don't like it." He tasted it cautiously, his face scrunching up as he chewed. "Whoa. That's... weird. But good!" he managed, trying to hide his laughter at Nobara's smug expression. The three fell into an easy rhythm, swapping bites and sharing stories. The atmosphere was lively, with laughter and conversation drifting from nearby tables. It was as though, for one night, the weight of their responsibilities had lifted, replaced by nothing more than friends enjoying a meal together.

"So, any regrets about coming out tonight, Megumi?" Nobara asked, nudging him with her elbow. Megumi smiled, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly. "Not yet. But ask me after karaoke."

The neon lights of the karaoke room cast a multicolored glow across the room as Nobara scrolled through the song list with a wicked grin. Itadori sat beside her, just as enthusiastic, leaning in and pointing out songs she skipped.

"Here!" Nobara's eyes lit up as she selected a high-energy pop song, and she thrust a microphone at Itadori. "Come on, Yuji. You better keep up!"

"Oh, I got this," Itadori said, grabbing the mic confidently.

As the music started, Nobara launched into the first verse, her voice surprisingly strong and fierce. Itadori jumped in right on cue, matching her with over-the-top enthusiasm, his voice louder than technically necessary but filled with a contagious energy that made Nobara laugh mid-verse.

Megumi sat on the couch a few feet back, watching them, arms crossed but a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips. He rarely let himself unwind this much, and seeing his friends' pure, unbridled joy was a reminder of just how much they'd been through together. They both moved around the small room, throwing in dramatic gestures and exaggerated dance moves. Nobara sang with a surprising sense of rhythm, while Itadori compensated for what he lacked in finesse with pure passion, even trying out a quick spin that sent them both into a fit of laughter.

They reached the chorus, belting it out together, laughing so hard that they missed a few lyrics. Nobara leaned into Itadori, and they wrapped their arms around each other's shoulders, holding the mics out for a shared harmony that was more chaotic than in tune.

Megumi chuckled quietly to himself, shaking his head as he watched. They were loud, carefree, maybe even a little embarrassing—yet the sight was strangely comforting. Here, in this tiny, neon-lit room with awful acoustics, they weren't sorcerers or students; they were just friends having fun.

Finally, the song ended with an exaggerated finale, Itadori and Nobara both holding the last note longer than it required. The two of them collapsed onto the couch beside Megumi, out of breath but beaming with pride.

"See, Megumi?" Nobara said, nudging him playfully. "You don't know what you're missing."

Itadori grinned, wiping sweat from his forehead. "Come on, Fushiguro. One song?"

Megumi rolled his eyes but couldn't hide the small smile. "I'll pass," he said, voice soft but warm. "You two are enough entertainment for the whole place."

They laughed together, their voices echoing through the tiny room, and for a moment, the worries of the world felt distant.