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The bass was already thumping by the time we pulled up, muffled through the closed windows of Felix's car. The street was lined with other cars, clusters of people in costume walking up and down the sidewalk, laughing, shouting, posing for pictures. The porch of the house was glowing orange with string lights, cobwebs strung across the railing, and a fog machine puffing out little clouds that curled around people's ankles.
Felix parked a little further down, his fingers tapping the steering wheel to the beat of the music as he glanced at the two of us in the backseat.
"Alright," he said, shifting into big brother mode. "Quick rules."
Zarina rolled her eyes with a grin. "Here we go."
Felix ignored her. "Stay in the house. Don't follow anyone sketchy outside. If you drink anything, you better know where it came from. Stick with the people you trust. And if something feels off—"
"Call you, yeah, yeah," I finished for him, adjusting the black bandage wrap on my wrist. "You're not our dad."
"I'm literally the oldest. It counts."
I laughed and pushed open the door. My chest fluttered a little as the cool air hit my bare torso. The pink dye in my hair was still holding strong, and the marker tattoos Genesis helped me draw earlier were sharp and detailed across my arms and stomach. I definitely looked like Sukuna. Or at least, my own version of him.
The three of us walked up the driveway together, stepping into the noise, the light, the buzz of voices and laughter and bass-heavy music.
Inside, it was chaos but the fun kind. Colorful lights flickered over dozens of people in costume: fairies, pirates, vampires, video game characters, horror villains, and way too many cat ears. Everyone was dancing, talking, or crammed around the snack table.
"Alright," Zarina said, eyeing the crowd with excitement. "I see people I know. I'm out."
She blew us a kiss before disappearing into the crowd.
Felix gave me a nod. "You good?"
"Yeah," I said, already getting distracted by the wild mix of costumes. "Go socialize, big bro."
He cracked a grin and clapped my shoulder before melting into a group by the kitchen.
Alone now, I walked through the crowd, catching glimpses of different outfits and getting the occasional glance. A few people did a double take as I passed by, clearly recognizing the character. One girl dressed as Gojo with a white wig and blindfold stopped and grinned.
"No way. Sukuna?"
I smiled, a little flattered. "Yeah. You're Gojo, huh?"
"Duh," she said, striking a pose. "Jujutsu Kaisen supremacy."
"You already know," I laughed.
We started talking, comparing favorite arcs, and joking about whose costume took longer. She was easy to talk to funny, and clearly into the series. It was nice, honestly. Just two fans geeking out in the middle of a chaotic party. For a moment, I forgot I'd been a little nervous walking in shirtless and dyed pink. Here, it actually made me feel kind of cool.
