I have a favor

Mai and Hiro lay tangled in the sheets, their bodies intertwined, lost in the blissful oblivion of sleep. The morning sun began to filter through the window, its gentle rays casting a warm glow across their peaceful faces. The tranquility of the moment was suddenly shattered by a sharp knock at the door, jolting them both from their slumber.

Hiro groaned, his voice thick with sleep, "Who could that be?"

Mai stretched languidly, her limbs brushing against Hiro's skin, sending a shiver down his spine. She smiled mischievously and said, "Why don't you go and find out?"

Hiro raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement in his voice, "And let them see me in your room?"

Mai's grin widened, her eyes sparkling with mirth. She traced a finger along Hiro's jawline, her voice low and seductive, "Of course, I want them to see the stunning specimen who rocked my world last night."

Hiro sighed, a mixture of exasperation and resignation in his tone. He reluctantly disentangled himself from the warmth of Mai's embrace and swung his legs over the edge of the bed. He quickly pulled on his pants, the fabric sliding over his muscular legs as he made his way to the door.

With a twist of the knob, Hiro opened the door, revealing a familiar face. Kokichi stood there, his eyebrow arched, a knowing smirk playing on his lips. "I had a feeling I'd find you here," he remarked, his voice laced with amusement.

Hiro ran a hand through his tousled hair, a sheepish grin spreading across his face. "Well, it beats sleeping under a bridge, you know?"

Kokichi chuckled, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "We need to get to Tokyo as soon as possible," he said, his tone turning serious.

Hiro nodded, his mind already shifting gears. "I know. Don't you want to see Miwa first, though?" he asked, a sly smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

Kokichi's cheeks flushed, a hint of red creeping up his neck. He stammered, "W-why do you think she needs to see me?"

Hiro's grin widened, his eyes dancing with amusement. "You can't fool me, buddy."

Kokichi scratched the back of his head, a sheepish smile on his face. "Alright, alright. I'll send her a message. But hurry up and get dressed. I don't want to be alone out here."

Hiro gave a mock salute, his voice dripping with sarcasm, "Yes, sir, Mr. Robot."

With that, Hiro closed the door, leaving Kokichi standing in the hallway. He quickly began to dress, pulling on his shirt and buttoning it up with deft fingers.

Mai propped herself up on one elbow, her eyes following Hiro's movements. "Where are you going?" she asked, a hint of disappointment in her voice.

Hiro glanced over his shoulder as he fastened his belt. "Back to Tokyo."

Mai's brow furrowed, curiosity and a touch of annoyance in her tone. "Why? Can't you stay a little longer?"

Hiro shook his head, his expression turning serious. "I have some matters to attend to. Besides, I'm from Tokyo, remember?"

Mai's eyes narrowed, a hint of bitterness creeping into her voice. "Oh, right. How could I forget? That's where your precious Maki is."

Hiro finished dressing and turned to face Mai, his voice firm but gentle. "Maki and I are over, Mai."

Mai sat up, pulling the sheets around her body. She fixed Hiro with a piercing gaze, her voice laced with a mixture of anger and vulnerability. "I hope you didn't just sleep with me out of spite or heartbreak."

Hiro shrugged, a noncommittal expression on his face. "Who knows?" he said, his voice devoid of emotion.

Without another word, Hiro walked out of the room, leaving Mai alone with her thoughts. She clenched her fists, her knuckles turning white as she muttered under her breath, "That blonde idiot."

Hiro made his way to the central garden, where Kokichi was already waiting for him. Kokichi fidgeted nervously, his fingers drumming against his thigh.

Hiro smirked, his voice dripping with sarcasm, "Not so brave without your puppets, huh?"

Kokichi rolled his eyes, a wry smile on his face. "Ha ha, very funny."

Just then, Miwa appeared, a bright smile on her face. "Good morning, Hiro, and... is he your friend?" she asked, gesturing towards Kokichi.

Hiro grinned, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "I wouldn't say he's my friend, but he's close enough."

Kokichi shifted his weight from one foot to the other, his voice hesitant. "Hello... Miwa."

Miwa's eyes widened, recognition dawning on her face. "That voice... Mechamaru?"

Kokichi nodded, a tentative smile on his lips.

Miwa's eyes sparkled with excitement, her voice filled with wonder. "Your body? It's healed? Is it really you?"

Kokichi nodded again, his smile growing wider.

Miwa clasped her hands together, her voice filled with curiosity. "How did you manage that?"

Hiro interjected, his voice tinged with urgency. "Long story. We need to get going."

Miwa turned to Hiro, her eyebrows raised in question. "Where are you two headed?"

Kokichi answered, his voice firm. "To Tokyo."

Miwa's expression brightened, determination in her eyes. "I'm coming with you."

Kokichi shook his head, concern etched on his face. "No, it's going to be dangerous. You should stay here."

Miwa placed her hands on her hips, her voice filled with conviction. "We're a team, aren't we?"

Kokichi's expression softened, his voice gentle but resolute. "This isn't like our usual missions, Miwa. I don't want anything to happen to you."

Miwa's lips curved into a confident smile. "I'll be fine. Besides, Hiro is really strong. He can protect me, right, Hiro?"

Hiro raised his hands in mock surrender, a wry smile on his face. "Don't drag me into this."

Mai sauntered over to the group, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Let's all go. It'll be fun."

Hiro turned to Mai, his eyebrow arched in question. "And why do you want to come along?"

Mai winked at Hiro, her voice filled with playful possessiveness. "To keep an eye on what's mine, of course."

Hiro sighed, shaking his head in resignation. "What have I gotten myself into?"

On the bullet train, Kokichi sat next to Miwa, while Hiro and Mai sat across from them. Miwa and Mai had drifted off to sleep, their heads resting against the window.

Kokichi glanced at Hiro, his voice low. "It seems like the girls took my betrayal pretty well."

Hiro shook his head, his voice reassuring. "It wasn't a betrayal. In the end, you were looking out for yourself."

Kokichi nodded, a pensive expression on his face. "I know, but still..."

Hiro leaned back in his seat, his voice filled with determination. "Besides, we know a part of their plan now. We can stop them."

Kokichi nodded in agreement, a hint of relief in his eyes.

Hiro furrowed his brow, his mind racing. "What's strange is that Geto is still alive. Yuta delivered the final blow. I can't believe he managed to escape."

Kokichi tapped his chin thoughtfully. "Maybe he had a cursed technique that could heal his wounds."

Hiro shrugged, a confident smile on his face. "It doesn't matter. If I could beat him to a pulp in the past, he doesn't stand a chance against me now."

Mai shifted in her sleep, her arms tightening around Hiro's arm, pulling him closer. Hiro's face contorted into an expression of annoyance.

Kokichi chuckled, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "What's wrong? I thought you two had a thing going on."

Hiro waved his hand dismissively, a wry smile on his face. "Not at all. She's just... marking her territory, I guess."

Kokichi laughed, shaking his head in disbelief. The train sped along the tracks, the scenery outside the window a blur of green and blue. The gentle rocking motion lulled them into a comfortable silence, each lost in their own thoughts.

Hiro's mind wandered to the challenges that lay ahead, the battles they would have to face. He knew that the road would be treacherous, that the enemies they faced would be formidable. But he also knew that he had grown stronger, that his powers had evolved beyond what they once were.

He glanced at Kokichi, a newfound respect and understanding blossoming between them. They had both faced their own demons, their own battles, and had emerged stronger for it. Together, they would face whatever lay ahead, their determination and resolve unwavering.

As they walked towards the school, Miwa's voice was laced with concern, her eyebrows furrowed in thought. "What if they don't want to cooperate or decide to execute Mechamaru... I mean, Kokichi?" she asked, her steps faltering slightly.

Kokichi's expression remained stoic, his voice steady and resigned. "I suppose I must accept my punishment," he said, his shoulders slumping almost imperceptibly.

Hiro's hand reached out, grasping Kokichi's shoulder in a firm, reassuring grip. "That won't happen, not as long as Kokichi is on my side," he declared, his voice filled with unwavering conviction.

Miwa tilted her head, her eyes narrowing in puzzlement. "It's strange," she mused, her voice trailing off.

Hiro turned to her, his eyebrow arched in question. "What's up?" he asked, his tone encouraging her to continue.

Miwa bit her lower lip, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her shirt. "Well, you two couldn't stand each other during the exchange event, and now, how do I put it... you're getting along?" she asked, her voice tinged with a mix of surprise and curiosity.

Hiro shrugged, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Well, we've both been through a lot, I guess," he said, his voice carrying a hint of shared understanding.

Kokichi nodded, a wry grin on his face. "Plus, Hiro isn't as arrogant as he used to be," he added, his tone playful and teasing.

Hiro chuckled, his mind drifting to the events of the past few days. Since Momo's death, his time with Kokichi had somehow helped him navigate the grieving process. Having someone who understood him, who carried the weight of their own sins on their shoulders, who shared the burden of guilt over Momo's death, had made the load easier to bear. Hiro felt like he was thinking with a bit more clarity, starting to reflect on things anew, to understand a little of what Momo would have wanted and still wanted for him.

Memories of Momo in New York flooded his mind, vivid and bittersweet. He recalled her gentle admonishments, her eyes filled with a mixture of exasperation and affection as she chided him for his infidelity.

"Hiro, you can't keep doing this," Momo had said, her voice soft but firm. "It's time for you to settle down, to find someone who truly matters to you."

Hiro had laughed it off then, his youthful arrogance blinding him to the wisdom in her words. But now, with the weight of his actions bearing down on him, he began to understand the depth of her concern, the love that had motivated her words.

In another memory, Momo sat across from him in a cozy café, her hands wrapped around a steaming mug of hot chocolate. She leaned forward, her eyes searching his face, her voice filled with genuine care.

"You deserve happiness, Hiro," she had said, her words filled with a quiet intensity. "But you'll never find it if you keep running from one fleeting encounter to another. You need to open your heart, to allow yourself to be vulnerable, to truly connect with someone."

Hiro had brushed off her words then, his mind too focused on the next conquest, the next thrill. But now, as he walked alongside his companions, her words echoed in his mind, a poignant reminder of the path he had chosen and the price he had paid.

His gaze drifted to Mai, her face so similar to Maki's, and a pang of regret shot through his heart. Why had he ended things with Maki? Was it because of his vengeful rampage against the Miller clan? He had achieved his goal, but at what cost? Killing his relatives had done nothing to ease the pain, to fill the void left by Momo's absence. And yet, one of the alleged "participants" in Momo's death had turned out to be a pleasant companion. They hadn't talked much, but there was a sense of authenticity, a comfort in Kokichi's presence that Hiro couldn't deny.

Hiro sighed, his hand running through his hair, his mind a whirlwind of conflicting thoughts. What should he do? The question echoed in his head, a relentless drumbeat that refused to be silenced.

As they entered the school grounds, their footsteps echoing against the pavement, they were greeted by the sight of Panda, his voice booming with surprise and delight.

"Well, well, if it isn't Hiro and the Kyoto gang!" Panda exclaimed, his arms spread wide in welcome. "It's been a while since I last saw you. I thought you were in New York."

Hiro shrugged, a wry smile on his face. "I'm back from my vacation," he said, his voice carrying a hint of weariness.

Panda's expression softened, concern etched on his features. "Everything alright?" he asked, his tone gentle and probing.

Hiro's shoulders slumped, a heavy sigh escaping his lips. "I'd be lying if I said yes," he admitted, his voice raw with honesty.

Inumaki, standing nearby, uttered a single word, "Algae," his voice cryptic and enigmatic.

Kokichi stepped forward, his voice urgent and focused. "Where's Gojo Satoru?" he asked, his eyes scanning the surroundings.

Panda chuckled, his hand waving dismissively. "He's out on a mission. Should be back in a couple of hours. You know how it is - defeats a curse in five minutes and spends the rest of the time shopping."

Hiro sighed, his shoulders sagging with a mix of relief and exhaustion. "Let's head to the common room," he suggested, his voice weary but determined.

As they walked through the corridors, their footsteps echoing against the polished floors, Kugisaki spotted them from a distance. She sprinted towards Hiro, her face contorted with a mixture of anger and disbelief.

"Hey, why the hell did you break Maki-senpai's heart?" she demanded, her voice sharp and accusatory, her finger jabbing against Hiro's chest.

Hiro blinked, taken aback by the sudden confrontation. He scratched the back of his head, his voice laced with confusion. "What's going on? Why are you coming at me like this?" he asked, his brow furrowed in bewilderment.

Kugisaki's eyes flashed with indignation, her hands planted firmly on her hips. "She's way too good for you," she declared, her voice dripping with disdain.

Mai, sensing the tension in the air, stepped forward, her arms snaking around Hiro's waist in a possessive embrace. She leaned her head against his shoulder, a smug smile playing on her lips.

"On the contrary," Mai purred, her voice silky and provocative, "he's moved on to something better."

Hiro's eyes widened, his body stiffening at Mai's bold declaration. He glanced at her, a mix of surprise and discomfort flickering across his face. The weight of her words hung in the air, a palpable tension that seemed to crackle with unspoken emotions.

Kugisaki's mouth fell open, her eyes darting between Hiro and Mai, a look of shocked disbelief etched on her features. She shook her head, her voice rising in a crescendo of anger.

"Are you serious?" she exclaimed, her hands balling into fists at her sides. "You dumped Maki-senpai for her sister? What the hell is wrong with you?"

Hiro's jaw clenched, a flash of annoyance crossing his face. He gently disentangled himself from Mai's embrace, his voice low and controlled.

"Listen, Kugisaki," he said, his tone measured and even, "my personal life is none of your business. What happened between Maki and me is our concern, not yours."

Kugisaki's eyes narrowed, her lips pressing into a thin line. She took a step forward, her finger jabbing against Hiro's chest once more.

"It becomes my business when you hurt someone I care about," she hissed, her voice trembling with barely contained rage. "Maki-senpai deserves better than this, better than you."

Hiro's eyes flashed with a mix of guilt and defiance, his shoulders squaring as he met Kugisaki's gaze head-on. He opened his mouth to respond, but before he could utter a word, Kokichi stepped between them, his hands raised in a placating gesture.

"Whoa, whoa, let's all take a deep breath here," Kokichi said, his voice calm and soothing. "We're here for a reason, remember? We have more important things to focus on right now."

Kugisaki's gaze shifted to Kokichi, her eyes widening in recognition. She took a step back, her anger momentarily forgotten as she processed his presence.

"Mechamaru?" she whispered, her voice tinged with disbelief. "Is that really you?"

Kokichi nodded, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "It's a long story," he said, his voice carrying a hint of weariness. "But yes, it's me."

Kugisaki shook her head, her mind reeling with the implications of Kokichi's transformation. She glanced at Hiro, then back at Kokichi, a look of confusion and uncertainty etched on her features.

"What's going on here?" she asked, her voice laced with suspicion. "Why are you two together? And what's this about something important?"

Hiro sighed, his hand running through his hair once more. He glanced at Kokichi, a silent question passing between them. Kokichi nodded, his expression serious and resolute.

"We have information about a potential threat," Hiro said, his voice low and urgent. "Something big is going to happen in Shibuya, and we need to talk to Gojo about it."

Kugisaki's eyes widened, her anger forgotten as the gravity of Hiro's words sank in. She nodded slowly, her mind racing with the implications of this new development.

"Alright," she said, her voice firm and determined. "Let's go find Gojo. Whatever this is, we need to be prepared."

The hours ticked by, and still, there was no sign of Gojo. Hiro stood in front of the vending machine, his eyes fixed on the colorful array of drinks before him. He reached out, his fingers hovering over the buttons, before finally making his selection. The machine whirred to life, dispensing the chilled can with a satisfying clunk.

Hiro retrieved the drink, the cool metal pressing against his palm as he popped the tab open with a hiss of escaping carbonation. He raised the can to his lips, taking a long, refreshing swig, the effervescent liquid dancing on his tongue.

As he savored the drink, Hiro's gaze drifted to the window, taking in the changing landscape outside. The once vibrant greens of summer were slowly giving way to the warm hues of autumn, the leaves on the trees tinged with shades of gold and crimson.

The sound of familiar footsteps echoed behind him, pulling Hiro from his reverie. He turned, his eyes meeting the steady gaze of Maki, her presence both comforting and unsettling.

"So, Mai, huh?" Maki said, her voice tinged with a hint of bitterness, her arms crossed over her chest.

Hiro shook his head, a wry smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "We're not a thing," he clarified, his voice firm and resolute.

Maki scoffed, her eyebrow arched in disbelief. "That's what I thought. You were always the type to play around, never taking anything seriously."

Hiro swirled the can in his hand, the liquid sloshing gently against the sides. He met Maki's gaze head-on, his voice tinged with a hint of regret. "You were different," he said, his words heavy with unspoken emotions.

Maki's expression softened, a flicker of pain crossing her features. "Yeah, and look where that got me. You ended things with me like you did with all the others."

Hiro sighed, his shoulders slumping under the weight of her words. He ran a hand through his hair, his voice low and sincere. "I'd be lying if I said I don't regret it, but it's too late now."

Maki remained silent, her eyes searching Hiro's face, as if trying to read the truth behind his words. Hiro took another sip of his drink, the cool liquid offering a momentary respite from the tension that hung between them.

"Right now, there are more important things to focus on," Hiro said, his voice taking on a serious edge, his gaze fixed on a distant point.

Maki nodded, her expression shifting to one of determination. "Yeah, Kugisaki told me about it."

Hiro's lips curved into a small smile, a flicker of hope in his eyes. "Now that we know their plan, it'll be easier to counter."

Maki's shoulders relaxed, a hint of admiration in her voice. "With Gojo and you on our side, things will be a lot easier."

Hiro's eyebrows shot up in surprise, a look of incredulity on his face. "I'm surprised you're supporting me," he said, his voice laced with a mix of gratitude and disbelief.

Maki shrugged, a sly grin playing on her lips. "You're strong, I won't deny that. Besides, I heard you impaled Naoya's head on a spear. That bastard deserved it."

Hiro's expression turned somber, a shadow passing over his features. "I don't take pride in killing people, but yeah, he had it coming."

The two shared a moment of laughter, the tension between them dissipating like mist in the morning sun. Hiro glanced at his watch, a thoughtful expression on his face.

"Looks like Gojo's going to be a while. Want to grab a coffee?" he asked, his voice light and casual, a glimmer of hope in his eyes.

Maki's smile turned mischievous, her eyes sparkling with a hint of challenge. "It'll take more than that, golden boy," she teased, her voice playful and flirtatious.

She turned to leave, her hips swaying with each step. Over her shoulder, she called out, "But if you play your cards right, I might just stop by your room tonight."

Hiro's eyebrow arched in surprise, a mix of anticipation and confusion on his face. Maki grinned, her voice dripping with suggestion.

"Don't think I cried over you, idiot. I just want to blow off some steam. You up for it?"

Hiro chuckled, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "I'll be waiting, then," he said, his voice low and inviting.

Maki nodded, a smile playing on her lips as she walked away, leaving Hiro to his thoughts. Kokichi, who had been nearby, stepped out from the shadows, a look of amusement on his face.

"Two Zenin women in less than a week. You're truly someone to admire," Kokichi said, his voice tinged with a mix of respect and envy.

Hiro laughed, his shoulders shaking with mirth. "What can I say? I'm good at what I do," he said, a grin spreading across his face.

In another room within the school, the higher-ups were gathered, their expressions grave and their voices hushed. One of them spoke, his voice carrying a note of finality.

"So, are we all in agreement to promote Hiro Miller to the rank of special grade sorcerer?" he asked, his gaze sweeping over the assembled group.

Nods of assent rippled through the room, a unanimous decision reached. Another voice chimed in, a hint of doubt in their tone.

"He's strong, but is he on the same level as Yuki and Okkotsu?"

The elder, his voice firm and confident, replied, "Absolutely. According to Gojo himself, Hiro and Okkotsu are evenly matched. Moreover, Hiro's cursed energy reserves are growing exponentially, a rare occurrence even among special grade sorcerers."

A third voice, tinged with a hint of concern, asked, "What about the matter of executing Hiro Miller?"

The elder held up a hand, his expression thoughtful. "All in due time. First, we need to see how things play out."

Hiro walked through the halls, his mind preoccupied with the events of the day. As he turned a corner, he spotted Itadori, the younger sorcerer's face lighting up with a bright smile.

"Hiro-senpai! It's great to see you again," Itadori said, his voice filled with genuine warmth and enthusiasm.

Hiro returned the smile, his own voice tinged with affection. "Likewise, Itadori," he said, clapping the younger man on the shoulder.

As they stood there, Hiro's expression turned pensive, his gaze fixed on Itadori's face. The younger sorcerer noticed the change, his brow furrowing in confusion.

"What's up, senpai?" Itadori asked, his voice laced with concern.

Hiro took a deep breath, his mind racing with the implications of his request. He met Itadori's gaze, his voice low and serious.

"I was wondering if you could lend your body to Sukuna for a moment," Hiro said, his words hanging heavy in the air between them.

Itadori's eyes widened, a mix of surprise and apprehension on his face. "What? Why?" he asked, his voice tinged with confusion and a hint of fear.

Hiro's expression softened, his voice taking on a reassuring tone. "I wanted to ask him something, about a technique I have in mind. I thought maybe he could help me out."

Itadori's brow furrowed, his mind grappling with the implications of Hiro's request. He knew the dangers of allowing Sukuna to take control, the risks it posed not only to himself but to those around him.

But as he looked into Hiro's eyes, he saw a flicker of desperation, a hint of the burden that weighed heavily on his senpai's shoulders. Itadori knew that Hiro wouldn't make such a request lightly, that there must be a compelling reason behind it.

With a deep breath, Itadori nodded, his expression resolute. "Alright, senpai. I trust you," he said, his voice filled with a mix of trepidation and determination.

Hiro's shoulders sagged with relief, a grateful smile spreading across his face. "Thank you, Itadori. I promise I won't let anything happen to you," he said, his voice filled with sincerity.

Itadori closed his eyes, his body going still as he reached out to the cursed spirit that resided within him. He could feel Sukuna's presence, a dark and malevolent force that threatened to consume him.

But as he focused his mind, as he called upon the strength of his will, he felt Sukuna's consciousness stirring, a reluctant acquiescence to his request.

In a matter of moments, Itadori's eyes snapped open, the familiar brown replaced by a piercing red, the markings of Sukuna's power etched across his skin.

Hiro took a step back, his heart pounding in his chest as he faced the King of Curses, the being that had once been his greatest enemy.

"Sukuna," Hiro said, his voice steady and clear, his gaze unwavering. "I have a proposition for you."

Sukuna's lips curled into a wicked grin, his voice dripping with malice. "Well, well, well. If it isn't the golden boy himself. What brings you to seek my counsel, Hiro Miller?"

Hiro took a deep breath, his mind racing with the possibilities, with the potential that lay before him. He knew that the path ahead would be fraught with danger, that the stakes had never been higher.

But as he looked into Sukuna's eyes, as he felt the weight of his own power thrumming through his veins, he knew that he was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.