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''Itadori, there's a garden restaurant!'' Nobara screams, checking the pamphlet Gojo gave them before getting in the shinkansen. ''Look at these bonsai! And the lake!''
''I don't think he can hear you from this far.'' Megumi answers, trying to stop Nobara's screams that got them angry looks from the other people on the train.
''I just hope it doesn't snow. I can't handle the cold.'' Nobara says. ''And I want to have dinner at the garden.''
''It's rare to snow in Kyoto, you'll be fine.'' Fushiguro answered quickly, suggesting he wanted to sleep and Nobara should be silent.
''Not my fault Gojo placed us together, Fushiguro. Deal with it.'' Nobara answered, picking up the tone in Megumi's voice. ''We didn't buy these train tickets. Anyways, do you think we can visit some shrines? I want to see Kinkakuji.''
''Kinkakuji? That's such a tourist spot for Kyoto.'' Fushiguro answers, even though he allegedly wants to sleep.
''I am a tourist, Fushiguro. We all are.''
''Where is Itadori anyway?'' Megumi asks.
Yuji were placed by Gojo, the one who gave this trip to the trio, 3 rows away from the other three. He actually wanted to place the trio together, but Choso got the seat next to Itadori so he could spend time with his brother.
This was their first Christmas, and after losing Eso and Kechizu, he wanted to make sure Yuji didn't feel the guilt. So he talked to Gojo, who immediately agreed to give his 3 students a trip to Kyoto for Christmas. Gojo would to go too, but this time of the year he's busy with curses than ever.
The shinkansen sound system announces the arrival, and they leave the train to get their bags and head to the Ryokan. All of them had plans for Kyoto, but all they wanted first was a good warm matcha and some sleep. Just because it wasn't snowing, didn't mean it wasn't cold either. So the second they arrived, the exhaustion of fighting curses the whole year fell onto their bodies, and they all started yawning.
''We should get some rest first, and then we argue about touristing.'' Nobara announced, heading to the room that was assigned to herself.
''Yachiyo Ryokan.'' Choso repeats the ryokan's name, trying to remember something from these 150 years. ''The onsen here near is really nice.''
''Onsen!!! Onsen!!!'' Itadori screams, and Fushiguro laughs because he is in full tourist mode, like Nobara. Maybe he should try to forget the events of this year and be just a tourist too. He tries to not think of curses, Sukuna, Yuji dying and coming back, and many other things that have happened. He tries not to think about Jujutsu High, about the Zenin clan. He just follows his friend and his older brother to the onsen near the ryokan.
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december 24th, afternoon
On Christmas eve, they decide to go to the Kiyomizu-dera. Nobara kept begging to visit there as soon as possible, to drink one of the three of Otowa waterfalls' water.
''So, each stream's water means one thing. Longevity, academic success and a fortunate love life.'' Nobara starts to explain, like she took some time to learn about it. ''It's greedy to drink all three, so I was thinking if either of you could give me your cup.''
''You want to drink the three?''
''No, I want longevity and a fortunate love life. I don't really care about academic success, but the other two are really important. So, Fushiguro, do you mind?''
''Why do I have to give up on it?'' He asks, not really being mad or anything, just out of reflex.
''I mean, Itadori kinda needs longevity or academic success. You're the best student of the three of us, and I hardly think you care about the other two.''
''Hey! I don't need the water to success!!'' Itadori answers, but he was actually trying to decide which of the two he'd take a drink of.
''Ok, Kugisaki. But you do my dishes for a week back in Jujutsu Tech.'' Megumi agrees easily.
''Ok, ok.''
''Drink the academic success one, Yuji. I'm your older brother and I won't let you die.'' Choso says almost tearing up, and the three of them laugh, because even when Choso is serious, you can't help but smile - maybe because he's so genuine.
The line for the waterfall isn't exactly long, considering it's Christmas eve, but there are some tourists, and it takes them about 15 minutes to get to their sip of water. Kugisaki drinks the fortunate love life and Megumi gives her the longevity cup too, and then it's Yuji's turn, and Choso says he won't drink because he already had a sip once.
''This is how you should act, Kugisaki.'' Megumi says, but she ignores.
''I'm having an amazing love life and longevity, I'm fine with that, Fushiguro.'' She says, and Yuji laughs at them two.
''We should get some food, I'm hungry, and it's getting dark.'' Yuji announces, and they start arguing about the best place to eat.
''Most good restaurants are nooot empty. It's Christmas eve. Everyone's having fancy dinners. And I don't want to have a convenience store onigiri for dinner today. Had that all year.'' Kugisaki says, proving her point that they should've asked Gojo for a reservation back in Tokyo.
''I… actually have something prepared.'' Choso says, and they head back to the Ryokan.
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december 24th, evening
''When did you have time to make these?'' Yuji is in awe, because when they enter the room, there's a full set dinner table and a shortcake in the center. Kugisaki can't stop taking pictures and Fushiguro sits on the carpet, resting after a full day of walking and helping Nobara get souvenirs everywhere.
''I woke up earlier, and you three spent like 2 hours arguing about where to visit even after you were up. I'd say I had more than enough time. I never made strawberry shortcakes for my other brothers, even though I've always wanted to. It's a Christmas tradition, no?'' Choso explains.
''Thank you, Niisan.'' And when Yuji says Oniisan, Choso is emotional again, he's happy. He's proud of the family he built even after losing his 2 brothers, he's proud of Yuji for coming this far. He's even happy about Nobara and Fushiguro, like the light in Yuji's eyes when he talks about them two is enough to erase his sorrow and pain from his brother's death.
''Merry Christmas, everyone!!'' Nobara screams, popping confetti balloons that God knows where she got from, and taking videos of everyone's reactions. ''Let's eat!! No more convenience store food for dinner!!''
''Wait, wait. I wanna say something first.'' Yuji starts. ''I didn't imagine that after losing my grandpa….'' He stays in silence for a moment, trying to find the right words.
''We know, Itadori. We love you too. Now, we are hungry and you're not exactly great with speeches. Let's eat.'' Kugisaki helps him out, and he laughs, thanking the world for the two friends and the brother he got. Unexpectedly, Nobara hugs him. ''I'm getting the largest slice of cake, by the way. And new years we're going to Kinkaku-ji.''
Yuji laughs again, thinking of the holidays he spent with the old man eating an uncountable amount of mochi and changing TV channels until they gave up on finding a better show and settled for the random weird variety that was on air.
''Itadori, is this your mug?'' Megumi asks, interrupting Yujis thoughts and pouring some hot cocoa into the mug. Yuji confirms it by simply nodding while taking a sip. Megumi smiles. He likes how Yuji's nose gets a little pink, matching with the color of his hair, when he's close to warm drinks.
''Kugisaki, you gotta drink it too before it gets cold.'', Megumi says, and Choso can't help but notice how caring Fushiguro is, despite himself not claiming so.
''We're home, Yuji'' Choso says, and they continue eating.