Ryuji's life hadn't ged much, despite his ever-growing strength.

  Though his power far exceeded that of most sorcerers, he tio go to school like a normal student.

  It wasn't because he o or because of some deep itment to education. It was simply because with his level of strength, everything else had bee far too easy. Without school, Ryuji wasn't sure how else he'd kill time.

  Besides, the school wasn't without its perks. With so many iing people particurly beautiful girls, it would've been a shame not to show up.

  "After all," Ryuji thought wryly, "the pany of a charming girl is the best way to keep life iing."

  ---

  That m, as sunlight filtered through the curtains, Ryuji woke up to the familiar weight of Nanako and Mimiko leaning against him. Carefully, he pushed the twins aside and got out of bed to wash up.

  As he spshed cold water on his face, he suddenly remembered something.

  "Wait… it's the weekend," he muttered, staring at himself in the mirror.

  There was o go to school today. Which left him with one gring question: what to do with his day?

  "Another b day…" Ryuji sighed, running a towel through his hair.

  He sidered his options. Should he drop by Sayuri's paybe visit Yukino?

  His thoughts wao Totsuki Academy. Although things between him and Aliakiri were progressing well, he hadn't yet fully "tied things up" with her.

  "Maybe I should take this ce to finally enjoy one of her dishes," Ryuji mused, a faint smirk tugging at the ers of his lips.

  Just as he was about to pn his day, his phone buzzed oable nearby. The caller ID showed a familiar name—Gojo Satoru.

  Raising an eyebrow, Ryuji picked up the phone.

  "What's the trouble this time?" he asked, answering the call.

  Oher end, Gojo's voice carried a note of mock offense. "You make it sound like I only ever call you when something's wrong."

  "Isn't that exactly what you do?" Ryuji shot back, his tone light but pointed.

  "...Well," Gojo hesitated, then sighed in resignation. "Fine, you got me. I do need your help."

  "Tch." Ryuji clicked his tohough he wasn't surprised. "Alright, spill it. What's going on?"

  Gojo fell silent for a moment, as if sidering how to word his request.

  "Well, it's not that big of a deal," he started, his tone deliberately casual.

  Ryuji waited, letting the silerettil Gojo finally tinued.

  "Maki, Nobara, and Itadori have gone missing."

  "…"

  Ryuji blinked, processing the information.

  "Missing?" he repeated ftly. "And you're saying that's 'not a big deal'?"

  Gojo, ever unbothered, chuckled. ", it's only been three days."

  "Three days," Ryuji echoed, his tone ced with sarcasm. "Sure, that's not long at all."

  Gojo ighe jab. "The thing is, with Maki, Nobara, and Itadori missing, sending an ordinary Grade 1 sorcerer would be useless. Their birength is already above Grade 1."

  He paused before adding, "Which is why I'm calling you."

  Ryuji sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "And why 't you hahis yourself?"

  "I'd love to, but…" Gojo's voice trailed off, his tone uncharacteristically weary.

  "I've been sed tely. Cursed spirits are popping up everywhere. I barely have time to breathe," he admitted.

  Though Gojo was known for his carefree attitude, Ryuji could hear the frustratioh his words.

  "So you're askio up your mess?" Ryuji teased, though there was no real mali his tone.

  "Pretty much," Gojo replied with a chuckle. "But hey, I wouldn't call it a mess. Let's just say it's an opportunity."

  "An opportunity for what?"

  "Well," Gojo began, his voice taking on a pyful lilt, "Maki seems to have taken a liking to you. And Nobara? She's a real beauty. Who knows? You might get something more out of this mission than just cursed spirits."

  "…"

  Ryuji closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "Why am I not surprised you'd say something like that?"

  Gojo ughed. ", Ryuji, I'm just giving you a little extra iive. So, are you in?"

  Ryuji didn't bnifying the ent with a response.

  Instead, he said, "Just sehe location."

  It wasn't the promise of Maki or Nobara's pany that motivated him though he wouldn't deny they were attractive. What truly intrigued Ryuji was the challenge.

  If a curse strong enough to overwhelm Maki, Nobara, and Itadori was involved, it was likely at least a special-grade.

  "Special-grade, huh?" Ryuji thought to himself. "Perfect for honing my skills."

  Even if dev a special-grade curse didn't drastically improve his strength anymore, every little bit helped. Staying at the top wasn't just about raw power, it was about stantly refining and sharpening what he already had.