Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

Baby Blue

First Day

The tatami mats of the Gojo estate were rarely quiet these days, but it was a chaos Satoru and Utahime gladly traded the rest of the world for.

The world had slowly stitched itself back together. Gojo Satoru had survived, battered and changed, but deeply, irrevocably alive, and through the ashes of everything they had endured, their quiet, long-harbored love had not only survived but had also flourished.

Now, fourteen months into a peaceful new era, that love was currently crawling, no, sprinting, across the room.

"Subaru! No, absolutely not. Step away from the low table," Utahime chided, though her voice lacked any real bite. She breathed out a sigh, watching the silver-haired blur halt at the edge of the furniture.

Subaru turned around, sitting back on his haunches. At fourteen months old, their little champ was an absolute powerhouse of energy, inherited straight from his father. Utahime often jokingly complained to Shoko that she had carried the boy for nine grueling months, only for him to come out looking like a mini-clone of Satoru. He possessed the striking, gravity-defying white hair and those impossibly vibrant, sky-blue eyes.

Hence, her favorite nickname for him, "Baby Blue."

But lately, Utahime’s heart melted to see that as the months pressed on, her own features were finally blooming in him. Subaru possessed her soft, elegant facial structure, the gentle curve of her nose, and a warm, breathtaking smile that could instantly disarm anyone.

"Dada!" Subaru chirped, his voice a high-pitched bell. He pointed a chubby finger toward the shoji screen doors, which slid open right on cue.

"Did somebody call the best dad in the world?" Satoru stepped into the room, abandoning his traditional blindfold the second he crossed the threshold of their home. His face lit up, a tired but infinitely soft expression taking over as he saw his wife and son.

He stood perfectly still, his boundless energy momentarily freezing. Those striking blue eyes locked onto Satoru, wide and calculating. It was a trait they both found fascinating. Subaru was incredibly intelligent. He never blindly rushed into things. Instead, he would look at people, objects, or new places as if entirely absorbing them, dissecting their energy before deciding they were safe to indulge in. After a three-second silent observation of his father, checking Satoru’s hands for treats or toys, the baby found none, but it didn't matter anyway; the baby deemed him safe.

Subaru pushed himself up onto his two feet. He had taken his first steps a few months before, and now he walks with an analytical precision that astounds his parents. Subaru let out a joyous squeal and toddled forward, his balance perfect, matching his mother's grace.

"Wuv! Wuv!" Subaru babbled happily, stumbling right into Satoru’s shins.

Satoru scooped him up into the air with a booming laugh, tossing him gently before cradling him against his chest. "Hey there, Baby Blue! Missed me?"

Utahime walked over, a fond, amused smile gracing her lips. "You know, you really need to watch your vocabulary around him, Satoru. Do you hear what he's saying?"

"What? He's expressing his immense affection for his handsome father!" Satoru grinned, bopping Subaru’s nose.

"No, he's copying you," Utahime corrected, though a faint blush crept up her cheeks.

Aside from "Mama" and "Dada," Subaru’s vocabulary currently consists of two very specific words: "wuv" and "ayf.” 

He had picked them up entirely because Satoru could not go five minutes without calling Utahime 'Love' or 'Wife' in that annoyingly endearing, sing-song voice of his.

Subaru looked from his father to his mother. He reached his small hands out toward Utahime, his face breaking into that warm, gentle smile he inherited from her, the one that always made Satoru’s chest ache with pure devotion.

"Ayf!" Subaru insisted, pointing a tiny finger at Utahime.

Satoru choked back a dramatic sob, pressing his cheek against Subaru's soft white hair. "You hear that, Utahime? Our son recognizes the love of my life.”

"Oh, hush," Utahime laughed, stepping closer to take Subaru into her arms. The baby immediately snuggled into her neck, turning his face to look back at Satoru, still observing his dad's reactions with that sharp, uncanny intelligence.

Satoru wrapped his long arms around both of them, pulling his wife and son into a tight, warm embrace. He kissed the crown of Subaru's head and then leaned in to press a soft, lingering kiss to Utahime’s lips.

"Wuv," Subaru muttered into Utahime's shoulder, as if confirming the exact emotion filling the quiet room.

They had lost so much to get here, but looking at their beautiful, hyperactive, brilliant little boy, Utahime knew they had won the only future that ever truly mattered.

The soft, rhythmic breathing of Subaru finally settled into a deep, peaceful rhythm. Utahime stood over the crib for a long moment, carefully pulling the light blanket over his shoulders. Her heart swelled. No matter how many times she looked at him, she could never quite believe that this perfect little blend of her and Satoru was real and that he was safely tucked away right next to their own bed.

With a quiet smile, she slipped out of the bedroom, leaving the door cracked open just an inch, and made her way back down the dimly lit hallway to the kitchen.

The soft hum of the microwave greeted her, along with the sight of Satoru leaning against the counter. He had a pair of comfortable sweatpants on, his white hair messy and free, watching the glowing numbers count down as his dinner heated up.

"He's finally down," Utahime murmured, leaning against the doorframe. "So, how did today go? Did you manage to sort out the arrangements?"

Instead of answering right away, Satoru turned around. The playful smirk on his face softened into something entirely tender. He didn't say a word as he closed the distance between them, reaching out to wrap his long arms around her waist. He pulled her back flush against his chest, enveloping her in a tight, profoundly warm embrace.

Utahime let out a soft sigh. She leaned her head back against his shoulder, closing her eyes as she inhaled his familiar, comforting scent. Satoru buried his face into the crook of her neck, snuggling into her with a content hum. Slowly, rhythmically, he began to sway them side to side in the quiet kitchen.

He pressed a sweet, lingering kiss to her cheek, and then another, trailing a path of warm kisses down to her neck.

"Mmm, you know, wife," Satoru whispered, his voice dropping into a low, teasing purr against her skin, "now that the baby is asleep… I can think of a few very productive, very adult ways we could pass the time before my dinner is done. You look incredibly delicious tonight."

Utahime’s eyes snapped open. Even after all this time, he never changed. "Satoru!" she scolded, though her face was burning a bright crimson. She brought her hand up and gave his forearm a firm, playful smack.

Satoru let out a laugh. Capturing the hand she had just used to hit him, he raised her arm high and, with the grace of a dancer, spun her around in his arms.

When she stopped spinning, she was facing him. His hands immediately found their home on her waist, anchoring her to him. The laughter faded from his face, replaced by an intensity that made Utahime’s breath hitch. 

They locked eyes, his brilliant, uncovered Six Eyes searching her dark ones, and for a breathless second, it felt exactly like the very first time they realized they had fallen in love. The rest of the world, the trauma of the past, and the responsibilities of the present, all of it melted away.

Satoru leaned down and captured her lips. It wasn't a rushed kiss. It was slow, deep, and filled with a profound sense of missing her, even though they shared the same house. They lost themselves in each other for a solid minute, a quiet reassurance of their unbreakable bond, before Satoru finally pulled back just a fraction, his thumbs caressing her hips.

"To answer your question," Satoru murmured, his breath warm against her lips, "I talked to the kids. Megumi, Yuji, Yuta, and Inumaki are the only ones free and up for duty."

Utahime blinked, processing the list, and then gave a slow, approving nod. "Okay… that's perfect," she said thoughtfully. "Yuji has the perfect energy to keep up with Subaru's pacing, so he won't get bored. Megumi is incredibly attentive and organized. He’ll make sure the feeding and nap schedules are followed down to the minute. Yuta is gentle enough to handle any fussiness, and his cursed energy is so immense and calming it'll keep Subaru feeling safe, and Toge is quiet and observant, which fits Subaru’s personality perfectly when he's studying things."

Satoru stared at her, his eyebrows raising in genuine shock. He blinked once, twice, a breathless laugh escaping him. "Wow. I'm honestly a bit shocked you said yes, Utahime."

She looked up at Satoru seriously. "Trust isn't the only important thing here when it comes to leaving our son. Competence is just as vital. I believe those boys are more than capable."

He squeezed her waist playfully. "Ever since you became a mom, you’ve been a total mama bear. A bit uptight, especially toward anyone handling Baby Blue. I thought I was going to have to give you a twenty-page PowerPoint presentation just to convince you to let them watch him for a few hours."

Utahime gave him a wry, knowing smile, placing her hands over his chest. "Normally, you'd be right. It’s just… I don’t want this to be just a casual babysitting favor, Satoru."

She leaned her head against his chest again, watching the microwave beep to signal his food was ready.

"We asked our four previous students for a mission, and this is it. Their official mission is to babysit Subaru," Utahime explained softly, a mix of maternal reluctance and sorcerer duty in her voice. "And since you and I have been called away for that week-long mission up north, our son is going to be in the hands of the strongest sorcerers of the next generation. I'd say he's in very good hands.”

Satoru smiled down at her, the warmth in his eyes deep enough to drown in. He leaned down and caught her lips in another quick, sweet kiss, the kind that tasted of quiet domesticity and shared secrets.

"Alright, Mama Bear," he murmured, finally letting his hands slide from her waist to grab the heated plate from the microwave. The savory aroma of his dinner filled the quiet kitchen. He looked back over his shoulder at her, tilting his head with a boyish grin. "Join me? I hate eating alone, and it's rare we get the kitchen to ourselves without a certain little blue-eyed dictator demanding a taste of whatever’s on my plate."

Utahime crossed her arms, leaning against the counter as a playful, teasing smirk tugged at the corner of her lips. "What? Do you want to be the baby now that Subaru is asleep? Want me to feed you too?"

He placed his plate on the table, slumped into a chair, and dramatically threw his head back, pouting like an oversized toddler.

Satoru didn't even hesitate. “With your breast milk, sure, why not?”

“Gojo!” Utahime scolded Satoru, earning another slap from her.

"Can you blame me?" he complained, widening his sky-blue eyes in a perfect imitation of their son.

"Subaru has been totally stealing you away from me for fourteen months straight! I used to be the center of your universe, Utahime. Now, if I want a hug, I have to compete with a kid who can barely speak full sentences but somehow commands 100% of your attention."

Utahime couldn't help the fond, exasperated roll of her eyes. She walked over to the table and sat down in the chair next to him, letting out a soft laugh.

"He's a kid, Satoru," she muttered, reaching over to gently swat his shoulder again. 

"Our fourteen-month-old kid. You're thirty-one years old, a legendary jujutsu sorcerer, and you're genuinely jealous of a toddler?"

"Nah. He's not just any toddler," Satoru argued right back, a goofy, genuinely happy grin breaking through his faux-misery as he reached out under the table to find her hand, lacing his long fingers through hers. "He's a Gojo. He knows exactly what he's doing.”

Utahime could only pinch the bridge of her nose and shake her head. Time may have passed, but Satoru was still Satoru.

-

The next morning, the soft, golden light of dawn began to creep through the gaps of the shoji screens, painting the bedroom in a warm glow. Satoru stirred, his long eyelashes fluttering open as he slowly pulled himself out of a deep, restful sleep.

He didn't even need his Six Eyes to know someone was watching him.

Right on cue, a soft thud-thud-thud echoed from the wooden crib next to the bed. Satoru blinked the sleep from his eyes and looked up to see Subaru already wide awake, standing proudly on his own two feet at the edge of the railing.

Those tiny, chubby, cute feet, the ones Utahime absolutely loved to sniff and cover in soft kisses every single day, were impatiently stomping against the mattress of his own crib. Subaru was bending his knees up and down like a little frog, bouncing with an intense, boundless energy that practically screamed his desire to be freed from his wooden prison.

The exact moment Subaru noticed his father’s eyes open, his face lit up into a dazzling, toothy smile. He let out an excited, high-pitched baby squeal, kicking his feet even faster.

Satoru couldn't help the fond, sleepy smile that stretched across his face. "Well, good morning to you too," he rumbled, his voice thick with sleep.

He sat up, extending his long arms over his head for a deep, satisfying stretch that made his joints pop. He swung his legs out of bed and walked over to the crib. As he approached, Subaru immediately stopped bouncing, his big blue eyes tracking his father's movement before he eagerly raised both of his chubby arms straight up into the air, demanding to be carried.

"Up? You want up, Baby Blue?" Satoru chuckled, reaching down and easily scooping the fourteen-month-old out of the crib. He brought the toddler to his chest, and Subaru immediately wrapped his little arms around Satoru’s neck, letting out a series of happy, babbling sounds, almost as if he were saying a heartfelt 'thank you' for finally rescuing him.

"Yeah, yeah, you're welcome." Satoru smiled, gently patting the boy's back as he walked them quietly toward the door, mindful of the sleeping figure still tucked under the blankets of the queen-sized bed.

He leaned down, whispering softly into Subaru’s tiny ear. "Alright, little champ, let's start getting you ready. Daddy is going to be your companion for this morning, okay? Mommy had a long week and she's still fast asleep, so we have to be super quiet secret agents."

Subaru blinked up at him, tilting his head with that sharp, observant gaze, as if processing the instructions, before letting out a tiny, compliant nod.

"Good boy," Satoru whispered, bopping his nose, and with that, the legendary strongest sorcerer and his brilliant, hyperactive mini-clone quietly slipped out of the room, ready to tackle their morning routine together.

-

The gentle warmth of the morning sun was fully washing over the estate by the time Utahime finally stirred. Rubbing the sleep from her eyes, she noticed the empty space beside her in bed and smiled softly.

She slipped into a comfortable house yukata and quietly made her way down the wooden hallway. As she approached the living room, the familiar, comforting sounds of her home reached her ears, the soft, melting giggles of her son, followed by Satoru’s deep, animated voice chatting away as if talking to an old friend.

When she stepped into the entryway, she paused just to take in the sight.

Satoru was sitting cross-legged on the tatami mats, his white hair a messy halo, holding a plush toy and making funny faces. In front of him, Subaru was sitting up perfectly straight, his entire little body vibrating with pure joy as he let out those sweet, breathy giggles that always made Utahime's chest ache with happiness.

It was a sight she got to witness nearly every single day now. After all the blood, grief, and terror of the Shinjuku showdown, this peaceful, mundane reality was the greatest miracle they could have ever asked for.

Subaru, with his incredibly sharp and observant nature, caught sight of her first. His bright blue eyes locked onto her figure at the edge of the room, and his face instantly stretched into that warm, radiant smile he had inherited from her.

"Good morning," Utahime greeted softly, walking into the room.

Hearing his mother's voice, Subaru immediately put his little hands on his lap and neatly bowed his upper body forward, his forehead almost touching the tatami mats in a perfectly adorable, exaggerated greeting. It was a habit he had picked up ever since they started teaching him ohayo and konnichiwa, and he took his polite greetings very seriously.

Satoru chuckled warmly, turning his head to look up at her. His eyes, uncovered and brilliant in the morning light, softened completely. "Good morning, Wife," he said, his voice smooth and full of affection.

Subaru mimicked his father perfectly, lifting his head from his bow, pointing a chubby finger right at Utahime, and chirping happily, "Ayf!”

Utahime couldn't help the high-pitched, adoring coo that escaped her throat. She immediately dropped to her knees on the tatami mat, scooping Subaru into her arms and burying her face in his neck. She showered his chubby cheeks, his forehead, and his tiny neck with a flurry of loud, exaggerated kisses. Subaru squirmed in her grasp, throwing his head back as his sweet, melodic giggles resonated through the quiet corners of their home, filling the space with pure warmth.

Satoru watched them with a lazy, content smile, resting his chin in his hand.

Once the giggle fit subsided, Utahime sat Subaru on her lap and looked up at her husband. "So, did you two actually manage to eat breakfast while I was asleep, or have you just been playing this whole time?"

Satoru’s eyes widened slightly, a sudden look of realization dawning on his face. "Ah, shit," he cursed under his breath.

Smack.

"Language around Subaru, Satoru!" Utahime scolded, having effortlessly reached over to deliver a swift smack to his bicep.

"Ow! Force of habit, sorry!" Satoru laughed, rubbing his arm. "But seriously, I totally forgot. I got completely side-tracked because right after his morning shower, Subaru decided to blow up his diaper. I had to do a full secondary cleanup and change him into a whole new outfit. I forgot to prepare breakfast."

Subaru, hearing his name, looked back and forth between his parents with a look of innocent, wide-eyed intelligence, completely unaware of the chaos his stomach had caused.

Utahime let out a soft sigh, her expression melting into a fond smile. "It's alright. I'll go whip up something quick for breakfast so we can—"

"Nope, absolutely not," Satoru interrupted, reaching out to gently catch her wrists and pulling her upward. He stood up with her, effortlessly lifting Subaru back into his own arms. "No cooking today. You are going to go take a nice, long, relaxing shower and get dressed."

Utahime blinked. "But breakfast—"

"We'll grab something on the way. He’ll have fruits for now," Satoru insisted, leaning in with a playful wink. "We need to drop Subaru off at that small apartment I bought down the road. It’s the perfect size for four babysitters and one chaotic toddler to comfortably camp out for a week."

He gave Subaru a gentle bounce. "The boys are already there right now, actually. Megumi texted me a bit ago. They're setting up the playpens, child-proofing the sharp corners, and getting everything ready for whatever Baby Blue might need."

Utahime paused, a brief wave of maternal hesitation washing over her, but looking at Satoru's reassuring smile, she nodded. "Okay. Alright."

Stepping closer, she tiptoed up, gently placing a hand on his shoulder to steady herself as she pressed a soft, lingering kiss against his cheek. "Thank you for handling the diaper crisis."

Satoru’s smile softened into something deeply tender. "Anytime, Love."

With a final pat to Subaru's head, Utahime headed back down the hall to the bathroom. She took her time in the warm water, letting the steam ease the low hum of anxiety about the upcoming week-long mission. Once she was clean, she changed into her practical traveling clothes and set out to do her final packing.

In the bedroom, she hoisted two heavy, meticulously organized baby bags over her shoulders.

The first bag was a massive tote packed to the brim with Subaru's one-week supply of clothes, extra rompers, nightwear, rows of diapers, countless packs of wet wipes, and all of his daily necessities. The second, slightly smaller bag was dedicated entirely to his nourishment, sterilized bottles, his specific milk powder formula, a thermos for warm water, and his favorite little spill-proof water cups.

Taking a deep breath, Utahime gripped the straps tightly. The bags were heavy, but they contained their son's comfort, and as dramatic as it sounds, she was ready to hand off the mission of a lifetime to their trusted students.

With the bags packed and waiting by the front door, Utahime carried Subaru back to the changing mat to dress him in a comfortable outfit for the trip. Satoru leaned against the doorframe, watching quietly as her nimble fingers worked the snaps of a soft cotton romper.

As she worked, Utahime kept her voice low and soothing, speaking to the fourteen-month-old as if he could understand every single word. Knowing how intelligent he was, she had a feeling he absorbed more than he let on.

"Alright, Baby Blue, listen to Mommy," she murmured, gently smoothing down his wild, silver hair. "Mom and Dad have to go away for a little while. Just for one week, okay? We have some important work, but you are going to stay in a very nice place with four of your uncles. They're very strong, and they're going to keep you completely safe."

Subaru lay perfectly still, his striking blue eyes locked onto her face. He blinked, tilting his head slightly as he processed the serious tone in her voice.

"You remember Uncle Yuta and Uncle Megumi, right?" Utahime smiled, bopping his nose. Subaru let out a soft, recognizable coo. He had met them a few times before under strict supervision, and his sharp memory easily registered their familiar, calming presence. "They'll be there, and you'll get to meet two new uncles today, too. You have to be on your best behavior for them, understand?"

Satoru watched the exchange, a rare, reflective seriousness settling over his handsome features. Leaving Subaru with the boys was a matter of carefully calculated choice. From the moment Subaru was born, Satoru and Utahime had made a fierce, mutual agreement that their son would live as normal a life as possible for as long as possible. They had intentionally limited his exposure to the jujutsu world, keeping him away from the endless rotation of sorcerers, curses, and the heavy, negative energy that came with the profession.

They wanted him to know laughter, sunshine, and ordinary childhood joys first.

Satoru walked over, kneeling beside Utahime on the tatami mat. He reached down, letting Subaru grab hold of his long index finger. 'When the right time comes,' they had promised each other, 'and if he inherits the Six Eyes or the Limitless... if he starts to see the world's ugliness... we'll face it together.'

If Subaru showed signs of cursed energy, they wouldn't thrust him into the fire the way the old jujutsu world had done to Satoru. They would expose him to his reality slowly, with immense care, profound love, and absolute guidance, but until that day came, he was just their beautiful, happy little boy.

"He'll do great, Utahime," Satoru said softly, his voice grounding her maternal worries. He leaned down and kissed the top of Subaru's head. "The kids know the rules. No jujutsu talk, no curse energy displays. Just pure, undiluted babysitting. Besides, Megumi is basically a professional babysitter already with how he handles Yuji."

Utahime let out a soft laugh, the tension leaving her shoulders as she fastened the final snap on Subaru's clothes. She scooped the toddler up into her arms, holding him close to her chest. "Alright," she breathed, looking at her husband with a determined smile. "Let's go hand over our little champ.”

-

Meanwhile, in a high-end district of Tokyo, the atmosphere inside the sleek, newly purchased apartment was anything but serene.

Satoru had spared no expense in buying a place that was perfectly safe and spacious for his son, but he had severely underestimated the sheer chaos of putting four elite jujutsu sorcerers in a room with a mountain of unboxing instructions. The strongest sorcerers of the next generation were currently locked in a brutal, exhausting battle against civilian baby gear.

In the center of the spacious living room, Yuji was sitting cross-legged on the hardwood floor, surrounded by plastic joints, metal poles, and a deceptively complicated manual. His face contorted in deep concentration as he tried to force a plastic tray into a slot.

"Wait, no... if tab A goes into slot B, why is the leg pointing toward the ceiling?!" Yuji groaned, pulling at his pink hair. He tried to shake the toddler chair, only for a loose bolt to pop out and roll lazily across the floor. "Man, dealing with a Grade 1 curse is way easier than assembling a high chair! Why are there so many leftover screws?!"

A few feet away, Yuta and Inumaki were trapped in a completely different kind of crisis.

They were tasked with setting up the advanced, multi-functional baby playpen, but the lack of clear vocabulary was proving to be a massive hurdle. Yuta was holding up a massive piece of mesh netting, looking entirely bewildered, while Inumaki pointed frantically at a corner bracket.

"Takana!" Inumaki asserted firmly, chopping his hand toward the left side of the frame.

"Uh... okaka?" Yuta guessed, his brow furrowing as he tried to decipher his friend's ingredients. "Wait, do you mean it goes on the bottom, Toge? Or do we snap the top bars in first?"

"Sujiko!" Inumaki shook his head vigorously, grabbing Yuta's wrist and pulling it toward the center hub, pointing emphatically. "Okaka, okaka!"

"Oh! You want me to hold the center steady while you lift the outer ring?" Yuta asked, a hopeful gleam in his eyes.

Inumaki let out a frustrated sigh, slumping his shoulders. "Shake..."

"Ah, okay, not that either. I'm sorry, I'm trying!" Yuta laughed nervously, a drop of sweat rolling down his cheek. The special-grade sorcerer who could copy almost any cursed technique was entirely defeated by a pop-up playpen.

Standing near the kitchen island, Megumi observed the absolute disaster unfolding in the living room.

He had just finished meticulously sweeping, mopping, and thoroughly sanitizing every single room, ensuring there wasn't a single speck of dust or a sharp, uncovered edge that could harm Subaru. 

He looked at Yuji, who was now trying to read the manual upside down, and then at Yuta and Inumaki, who were practically speaking two completely different languages over a pile of mesh fabrics.

Megumi pinched the bridge of his nose and let out a long, heavy, world-weary sigh. He hadn't even met the fourteen-month-old Gojo yet, and he was already exhausted. Stepping off the pristine kitchen tiles and onto the hardwood floor, Megumi decided it was time to intervene before Yuta and Inumaki accidentally exorcised the playpen out of sheer frustration.

"Step back, both of you," Megumi said calmly, kneeling down in front of the tangled mess of mesh and aluminum. He didn't need words to understand Inumaki's frantic gestures. He just looked at the underlying structure. With a practiced, efficient flick of his wrists, Megumi grabbed the central hub, pulled it upward until it clicked, and then smoothly snapped the four outer railings into place.

The playpen instantly popped open, perfectly sturdy and fully assembled.

Inumaki’s eyes widened in sheer awe. "Takana!" he chirped, giving Megumi a respectful thumbs-up.

"Wow, Megumi," Yuta laughed, scratching the back of his neck in relief. "We were stuck on that for twenty minutes."

Megumi could only scratch his nape, and then he walked over to where Yuji was currently glaring at the toddler high chair as if it had personally insulted him. Megumi sat down beside him, picked up the upside-down manual, flipped it right-side up, and tapped a specific diagram. "You put the crossbar in backward, Yuji. That's why the legs are uneven. Take those two screws out, flip the bar, and it’ll lock in."

"Ah! That makes so much sense!" Yuji beamed, his infectious energy bouncing right back. With Megumi directing him step-by-step, Yuji’s brute strength and newfound clarity had the chair fully built in less than five minutes.

With the heavy lifting finally out of the way, the four boys moved on to the final, most crucial step of child-proofing, the flooring.

They unboxed packs of thick, interlocking soft foam mats and began laying them down across the entire living room floor, ensuring that no matter where the active fourteen-month-old decided to run, tumble, or fall, he would have a perfectly cushioned landing.

Once everything was in its proper place, the apartment truly began to look like a place for a toddler.

Megumi lifted the high toddler chair and placed it neatly over by the kitchen counter, adjusting it so Subaru could easily see into the kitchen while eating. Then, together, the boys carried the freshly assembled playpen into a separate room down the hall.

Opening the door to that room was like stepping into a completely different world. Satoru had already had it heavily decorated before their arrival, transforming it into the ultimate playroom. It was incredibly bright and colorful, filled with bins of soft plushies, blocks, and shelves lined with picture books. The floor of the playroom was covered in vibrant puzzle mats, each square featuring bright pictures of animals, vehicles, and numbers, perfect for a highly intelligent baby to study.

Standing in the doorway of the colorful room, the four young sorcerers took a collective breath, looking around at their handiwork. Everything was officially set, and the mission was about to walk through the front door.

With the apartment finally fully child-proofed and the playroom looking like a colorful sanctuary, the four young sorcerers collapsed into the living room to take a well-deserved break while they waited for their VIP arrival.

Yuji and Yuta spread themselves out flat on the newly laid soft foam mats, staring up at the ceiling and enjoying the cushion. On the couch, Megumi and Inumaki sat comfortably, idly piecing together one of the animal puzzle mats they had brought out from the playroom just to pass the time.

Naturally, the conversation turned to the tiny boss they were about to serve for the next seven days.

"Man, I still can't believe Gojo-sensei actually has a kid," Yuji mused, a massive grin breaking across his face as he rolled onto his side to look at the others. "I've only seen photos Utahime-san sent! Have you guys actually met him yet? What’s he like?"

Yuta smiled warmly, resting his head on his arms. "I saw him a few months ago when he was just starting to take his first steps. Yuji, he is absolutely adorable. He has Gojo-sensei's eyes and hair, but when he smiles, he looks exactly like Utahime-san. It completely melts you."

"Ahhh! I can't wait to hug the little guy!" Yuji cheered, pumping a fist into the air. "I'm gonna be the best honorary uncle ever!"

Inumaki looked up from the puzzle mat, his expression turning a bit anxious. He pulled down his collar slightly, pointing to his mouth. "Takana... okaka," he mumbled, a nervous sweat dropping from his brow. He gestured to his heart and then threw his hands out, mimicking an explosion.

Yuta translated with a chuckle, "Toge's worried that if he experiences cuteness overload, he might accidentally blurt out a Cursed Speech command and affect the baby."

Megumi, pushing a puzzle piece shaped like a lion into its slot, didn't even look up, but his voice was thoroughly reassuring. "Don't worry, Inumaki-senpai. You're just fine around regular people. Besides, Gojo-sensei told us Subaru is incredibly observant. If you stay quiet and just watch him, he’ll probably just match your vibe anyway. Just stick to your ingredients and you'll be safe."

Inumaki let out a sigh of relief, nodding. "Salmon."

They continued to chat for a few more minutes, exchanging theories on whether a fourteen-month-old Gojo would already possess terrifyingly fast crawling speed, until—

BZZZZZ!

The sharp, sudden chime of the apartment's intercom echoed through the quiet space.

The entire room went completely dead silent for a fraction of a second. Then, a collective wave of adrenaline hit them. The four elite sorcerers scrambled to their feet, practically tripping over each other as they rushed out of the living room and into the entrance hallway, lining up like an official welcoming committee.

They watched with bated breath as the heavy front door handle clicked and slowly began to swing inward.

First came Satoru, heavily weighed down but entirely unfazed, a massive travel bag slung over each of his broad shoulders and the smaller milk-bottle tote gripped in his hand. He stepped inside, throwing a bright, uncovered grin toward his students. "Yo! The cavalry has arrived!"

But the boys barely even registered Satoru's presence. Their eyes instantly shifted to the person stepping in right behind him.

Utahime walked into the entryway, cradling their son securely against her hip. Subaru was dressed in a soft, cream-colored cotton romper, his gravity-defying, snowy-white hair fluffing out in every direction. At the sound of the door opening, the toddler turned his head, blinking his impossibly wide, sky-blue eyes at the crowd. His chubby cheeks were flushed a soft pink, and his face instantly broke into a warm, curious, and incredibly gentle smile as he took in the four unfamiliar faces.

Yuji, Inumaki, Yuta, and Megumi all froze in unison, their breath completely catching in their throats.

He wasn't just cute. Standing right there in front of them was, without a shadow of a doubt, the most heartbreakingly beautiful, angelic baby toddler any of them had ever laid eyes on.

True to his nature, the moment Subaru saw the four boys, his boundless energy came to a sudden, grinding halt. The toddler began his typical, highly calculated scanning routine.

Yuji, Inumaki, Yuta, and Megumi stood frozen under the weight of that look. They watched in fascination as the little boy’s impossibly bright, sky-blue eyes darted from left to right, carefully analyzing each of them one by one. It was an uncanny, razor-sharp gaze that felt entirely too intelligent for a fourteen-month-old, a striking reminder of exactly whose son he was.

Breaking the brief spell of silence, Utahime smiled softly. She gently took hold of Subaru’s chubby little wrist and waved it back and forth toward the boys, her voice shifting into a sweet, affectionate baby tone. "Say hi, Baby Blue! Look, those are your uncles!"

The effect was instantaneous. As if responding to his mother's cue, Subaru blinked, his serious expression melting away into a toothy, radiant grin. He lifted his other free hand all on his own and gave a clumsy, enthusiastic little back-and-forth wobble of his fingers, a movement that absolutely everyone in the hallway perceived as a perfect, adorable hi.

A collective, silent gasp went through the four young men. Hearts melted instantly.

Utahime couldn't help but giggle at the breathless, love-struck expressions on their faces, completely charmed by how easily her son had just disarmed four of the strongest jujutsu sorcerers in the country.

From right behind her, a dramatic, deeply offended clearing of a throat shattered the serene moment.

"Excuse me," Satoru said, adjusting the heavy baby bags on his shoulders and frowning playfully. "Whatever happened to 'Good morning, Sensei'? Or 'Wow, Gojo-sensei, you look so handsome carrying all those heavy bags'? You guys barely even acknowledged that I walked through the door! You went straight for the baby!"

Yuji was the first to speak, not even looking at his teacher as his eyes remained glued to Subaru. "I mean, no offense, Sensei, but you're a regular Tuesday. Subaru is a once-in-a-lifetime masterpiece."

"He really does have a much more welcoming aura than you, Gojo-sensei," Yuta added with a polite, completely unapologetic smile.

Inumaki nodded vigorously, pulling down his collar. "Salmon! Salmon!"

Satoru looked over at his last remaining hope. "Megumi? Back me up here?"

Megumi didn't even bother speaking. He simply gave Satoru a deadpan, deeply judgmental look that said more than a thousand words ever could before shifting his eyes right back to the toddler.

Satoru dramatically gasped, pressing a hand to his chest. "I cannot believe my own students. Betrayed! Usurped by a fourteen-month-old! Even my own kids prefer Subaru over me!"

"Move your giant frame out of the way, Satoru, we're packed like sardines in this hallway," Utahime laughed, nudging him forward.

The group finally shuffled out of the cramped entryway and flowed into the spacious living room. The moment they stepped onto the soft, colorful foam mats, Subaru began squirming and wiggling in Utahime’s arms, his little legs kicking as he pointed eagerly at the floor. He wanted down, and he wanted down now.

"Alright, alright, here you go, little champ," Utahime murmured, carefully setting him down on his feet.

As soon as his tiny feet touched the tiled floor, Subaru stood perfectly straight. He looked across the room at his four uncles, who had quickly shuffled over to the couch. All four of them were sitting in a neat row, sporting identical, bright, dazzling smiles. In unison, the boys tilted their heads from side to side, subtly waving their hands and trying everything they could to catch and hold Subaru's undivided attention.

Subaru stood there for a moment, his silver hair catching the morning sun, looking back at them with his mother's warm smile. The high-end apartment was incredibly bright, filled with sunlight, and entirely enveloped in a safe, peaceful warmth. It was, in every single way, absolutely perfect.

The four young men watched eagerly as Subaru took a tentative step forward, eager to explore his grand new kingdom. However, his tiny feet hesitated right at the border of the clean, soft foam mats. He was still wearing his little outdoor sneakers, and his sharp, intelligent eyes seemed to understand that the pristine play area shouldn’t be dirtied.

Seeing the toddler pause, Yuji immediately took the initiative. He slid off the couch and dropped to his knees right at the edge of the mat. With a bright, encouraging grin, Yuji held up one wide palm for Subaru to take as a balancing anchor, while his other hand gently reached out toward the boy's tiny sneakers. It was the absolute cutest thing any of them had ever seen, the energetic, powerful Yuji Itadori completely softened and reduced to a gentle helper for a baby.

Subaru looked down at the offered hand, his little brain instantly figuring out what the uncle with the pink hair was trying to do. With an approving coo, Subaru placed his chubby hand firmly into Yuji’s palm.

Without needing to be prompted, the clever toddler lifted his left leg high into the air, holding it steady so Yuji could easily undo the strap and slip the sneaker off. As soon as the first shoe was free, Subaru smoothly switched his weight and raised his right leg, allowing Yuji to slide the second one off.

Now clad only in his tiny, animal-printed socks, Subaru didn't waste a single second. The moment he felt the soft mat beneath his feet, he dived forward on all fours, launching himself enthusiastically toward the center of the foam.

The sudden, chaotic burst of speed caught the four young sorcerers completely off guard.

"Whoa!" Yuji gasped, his hands flying out instinctively. In a flash of synchronized panic, Yuta, Inumaki, and Megumi all leaned forward from the couch, their hands shooting out and stopping mid-air, hovering protectively around the baby to catch him in case he stumbled or smacked his forehead on the floor.

But their panic was entirely unnecessary. Subaru executed the landing flawlessly, absorbing the impact with his hands, entirely safe and successful on the thick padding.

Having reached his destination, Subaru pushed himself back and easily positioned his body into a perfect sitting position right in the middle of the mats. He looked past his protective uncles, his sky-blue eyes locking onto his father's tall figure standing by the entryway. Subaru held both of his little hands wide open toward Satoru, making quick, repetitive, and demanding grabby-grabby motions with his fingers.

Satoru chuckled, leaning against the wall as he watched his son's smooth maneuvers. He looked over at the four tense, hovering boys and gave them an amused, knowing smirk.

"Relax, guys, he's got great balance," Satoru laughed, gesturing to the baby's grasping hands. "But you see what he's doing right there? That specific grabby-grabby motion means Baby Blue wants his food."

Utahime nodded in agreement, setting down the smaller bottle bag onto the kitchen counter. "He's a growing boy with a Gojo appetite. Earlier in the car ride over here, he was already munching through a whole container of mini pancakes and mini banana slices, but it looks like he's already burned through all of that energy.”

Satoru reached into one of the side pockets of the large baby bags and fished out a small, clear plastic container. He shook it gently, the remaining contents rattling around. "Well, there are only a few mini banana slices left in here, but it should tide him over for now," he said, stepping forward and handing the container down to the waiting group.

Subaru’s sharp blue eyes tracked the container with absolute, laser-focused intensity. As it changed hands, the toddler smoothly pivoted his entire body on the mat. Now facing his four uncles, he tilted his head back, opened his mouth in a tiny, perfect "O," and let out a soft, demanding chirp, explicitly asking to be fed.

Megumi, who had ended up holding the container, didn't hesitate. He carefully unclipped the tiny plastic fork attached to the top of the lid. With the steady, precise hands of a seasoned sorcerer, he speared a tiny, bite-sized banana slice and brought it toward the waiting baby.

Subaru eagerly closed his mouth around the fruit. The second the sweetness hit his tongue, his face broke into a wide, radiant smile. He closed his eyes and began doing a joyful up-and-down shoulder dance, bouncing to his own rhythmic beat of pure happiness.

The four young men stared in absolute awe, their hearts completely surrendered to the sight.

"Oh my god," Yuji whispered, his hands automatically coming together to clap softly.

Yuta, Inumaki, and Megumi joined in, clapping their hands in a gentle, encouraging rhythm to celebrate the successful bite. Subaru opened his eyes, saw his uncles cheering for him, and immediately mimicked them. He raised his own chubby hands and enthusiastically clapped along, his tiny palms making soft smack-smack sounds as he giggled.

The room erupted into quiet cheers. The four elite sorcerers were now completely, irrevocably wrapped around the fourteen-month-old's little finger.

While Megumi focused on feeding Subaru the last remaining slices, Utahime stepped up to the edge of the mat, her maternal instinct taking over. "Alright, boys, listen closely while he's occupied. We’ve left a detailed list of reminders, his nap schedule, and feeding tips pinned to the refrigerator door in case you forget anything. Pay extra attention to his milk ratios."

"And no giving him sweets behind our backs, Yuji, I know your game," Satoru chimed in, though his playful tone instantly shifted.

Satoru walked directly into the center of the living room, puffing out his chest and crossing his arms. His posture was commanding, and his voice dropped into that familiar, authoritative tone he used before high-stakes operations.

"Listen up," Satoru announced, pointing a dramatic finger at the row of boys. "This is a special grade assignment. Your mission is the absolute protection, entertainment, and well-being of Gojo Subaru for the next seven days! No slip-ups, no unauthorized curse energy displays, and absolutely zero tears! Do I make myself clear?"

Yuji, still clapping for Subaru, grinned widely. "Crystal clear, Sensei!"

Megumi just offered a quiet nod, carefully wiping a tiny speck of banana from the corner of Subaru's mouth, proving that the mission was already in the safest possible hands.

The time had finally come for the departure. The bags were unpacked, the rules were set, and the reality of the impending week-long mission began to settle heavily over the room.

Utahime knelt at the edge of the foam mat, her hands resting on Subaru’s small shoulders. 

What was supposed to be a quick, standard goodbye turned into the longest, most meticulous briefing the four young sorcerers had ever heard. This was the first time since Subaru was born that she would be away from him for more than a few hours.

"Make sure he winds down at least thirty minutes before his nap," Utahime urged, her voice tight with a sudden, overwhelming wave of maternal anxiety. "And if he rubs his ears, it means he’s fighting his sleep. Don’t let him play with anything too small, and if his temperature spikes even a fraction of a degree—"

"Utahime-san," Yuji interrupted softly, his usual boisterous demeanor softening into something incredibly gentle. He stepped closer, offering a reassuring smile. "We promise, we won't take our eyes off him for even a second. He's going to be perfectly safe with us."

"Salmon," Inumaki chimed in, nodding with earnest, protective eyes.

Yuta smiled, leaning forward. "You and Gojo-sensei just focus on your mission. We’ve faced down the worst threats in the world, Utahime-san. We can handle a toddler, even one as energetic as Subaru."

Megumi, holding the empty banana container, gave her a firm, serious nod. "We won't let anything happen to him."

Hearing their absolute assurance, Utahime felt the tight knot in her chest lighten just a bit. She blinked quickly, swallowing hard as a sudden, telltale warmth pooled in her eyes.

Satoru, noticing the slight tremble in her shoulders, stepped up behind her. He placed his large, warm hands on her shoulders, gently pulling her back against his chest to anchor her. He leaned his head down, his voice dropping into a low, private murmur meant only for her. 

"They're the best of the best, love. Our boy is in the safest hands in the country. Let's do our job so we can come home to him even faster, okay?"

Watching the interaction from across the room, the four young sorcerers couldn't help but stare in quiet awe.

It felt like just yesterday they were students watching Gojo Satoru relentlessly tease and push Utahime-sensei's buttons, prompting her to yell at him to show some respect. The bickering, the flying teacups, the exasperated sighs—it was such a dynamic, but looking at them now, seeing the quiet, profound devotion in the way Satoru held her and the absolute trust Utahime placed in his touch... It was breathtaking. They were domestic. They were deeply in love, fiercely united, and entirely better for it.

Utahime took a deep, steadying breath, determined not to let a single tear fall. Subaru was incredibly perceptive. If he sensed she was sad or distressed, he would immediately mirror her anxiety.

Right on cue, she felt a tiny, insistent tug at the fabric of her skirt.

She looked down. Subaru was standing at her feet, his big blue eyes staring up at her with that intense, analytical gaze, as if trying to decipher the sudden shift in the room's atmosphere.

Utahime immediately crouched down to his level, a watery but incredibly warm smile breaking across her face. "Hi, my beautiful boy," she whispered, her voice thick with unshed tears. She wrapped her arms around him, pulling his soft, small body into one more tight, lingering hug. She buried her face in his silver hair, inhaling his sweet, familiar scent. Her eyes were bright and brimming with tears, but she held them back with everything she had, refusing to let them stream down her cheeks.

She pulled back just enough to look into his eyes, gently cupping his chubby cheeks. "Mommy loves you so, so much, Subaru. Be a good boy for your uncles, okay? I'll think about you every single day."

With a deep breath, Utahime picked him up, cradling him against her chest one last time as she stood up. She turned to Satoru, offering him his turn.

Satoru leaned in, his face softening completely as he looked at his son. He wrapped his arms around both Utahime and Subaru for a brief, tight family embrace. Then, leaning down, Satoru pressed a loud, lingering kiss right to the middle of Subaru’s forehead, then to each of his chubby cheeks. "See you in a week, little champ. Don't drive your uncles too crazy."

With a final, lingering squeeze, Utahime carefully handed Subaru over to Megumi, who took the toddler with a practiced, secure hold. Subaru didn't cry. He just watched his parents intently, his little hand reaching out to loosely touch Megumi's shirt as he observed the transition.

Together, the entire group moved into the entrance hallway. Megumi stood by the open door, holding Subaru up so he could see, while Yuji, Yuta, and Inumaki crowded around them to wave.

"Bye-bye, Baby Blue," Utahime called out, her heart aching but her smile steady as she stepped out into the corridor alongside Satoru.

Subaru blinked at them from Megumi's arms, tracking his parents as they backed away. Recognizing the familiar routine of departure, the clever little boy raised his hand, copying his mother's earlier gesture, and gave a slow, rhythmic wave of his tiny fingers, his bright blue eyes locked onto them until the heavy door finally clicked shut.

The click of the heavy front door locking into place signaled the official commencement of the mission. For a moment, the hallway was perfectly still as the weight of their new responsibility settled over the four young sorcerers.

"Well," Yuji broke the silence, clapping his hands together with determination. "They’re off! Operation Keep Baby Blue Happy officially starts!"

Megumi turned smoothly, carrying Subaru back into the sunlit warmth of the living room. The other three boys followed closely behind, eager to see what the little boss wanted to do next. 

Megumi walked over to the edge of the soft foam mats but decided to keep holding the toddler for a moment, wanting to gauge his mood after his parents' departure.

Setting his feet shoulder-width apart, Megumi looked directly into the wide, sky-blue eyes of the fourteen-month-old.

"Alright, Subaru," Megumi said, his tone naturally dropping into its usual calm, even cadence. "Your mom and dad are gone for a bit. What should we do now? Do you want to play with the blocks, or do you want to look at a book?"

Subaru didn't answer right away. True to the uncanny intelligence his parents had warned them about, the toddler didn't fuss, cry, or squirm. Instead, he simply began to examine Megumi.

The room went quiet as Yuji, Yuta, and Inumaki watched the silent inspection. Subaru’s tiny, chubby hands reached up, pressing firmly against Megumi’s collarbone to anchor himself safely against the older boy’s chest. From that secure vantage point, the baby tilted his head to the left, his gaze intense, analyzing Megumi’s face, his spiky dark hair, and the calm energy radiating from him.

Faced with such a fierce, silent scrutiny from a mini-Gojo, Megumi couldn't help but mirror the boy. He tilted his head slightly to the right, raising a single eyebrow in amusement.

"What?" Megumi murmured softly, a smile tugging at his lips as those tiny hands gripped his collarbone a little tighter. "Am I passing the test?"

Subaru continued his silent observation for three more seconds, measuring the competence of his current caretaker, before his small face suddenly broke into that breathtaking, warm smile he had stolen from Utahime.

"Dada!" Subaru chirped happily, clearly deciding that Megumi was officially approved for duty.

"Ahhh! He likes you, Megumi!" Yuji cheered, completely melting at the sight, while Yuta and Inumaki let out collective sighs of relief. The toughest critics had nothing on Gojo Subaru, but the first barrier had successfully been breached.

Time flew by in a blur of soft foam blocks and quiet babbling. Before they knew it, the bright morning sun had shifted directly overhead, signaling that it was nearing lunchtime.

"Alright, my turn to check the fridge list," Megumi said, carefully shifting the toddler. "Yuta-senpai, can you take him for a bit?"

"Sure thing." Yuta smiled, stepping forward and opening his arms.

The moment Megumi passed Subaru over, the fourteen-month-old immediately initiated his signature security protocol. The energetic wiggling stopped. Subaru sat perfectly still in Yuta’s secure hold, his brilliant blue eyes locking onto the older boy’s face. 

He stared, completely unblinking, doing the exact same deep observation he had done with Megumi. Yuta just chuckled softly, letting out a wave of his naturally immense, calming cursed energy to let the baby know he was completely safe. After a few seconds of silent scanning, Subaru seemed to deem the gentle Special Grade totally trustworthy and patted Yuta’s shoulder with a content coo.

With Subaru safely handed off, Megumi and Inumaki headed into the kitchen. Pinned to the fridge door, Utahime’s neat handwriting laid out the exact midday menu.

"Salmon," Inumaki muttered, pointing to the portion sizes.

"Yeah, let's mash up the sweet potatoes first," Megumi replied, pulling out the ingredients. The two of them got to work in sync, quietly chopping, steaming, and preparing both Subaru’s healthy toddler lunch and a massive spread of food for themselves.

Back in the living room, the quiet atmosphere didn't last long. Yuta had eventually passed the little champ over to their resident ball of energy, and suddenly, the entire apartment was filled with loud, ringing giggles.

"Here comes the supersonic jet! Neeeeeeeeeeeow!" Yuji boomed, making dramatic engine noises.

Yuji was currently giving Subaru the ultimate airplane ride. With his strength, Yuji easily and flawlessly supported the baby's weight, keeping his powerful hands securely locked around Subaru's torso. He swept the toddler through the air in wide, gentle arcs, safely banking left and right over the soft foam mats. Subaru was absolutely living for it. His silver hair flew back, and his toothy, radiant smile was on full display as he let out a stream of breathless, melting giggles that echoed off the high ceilings.

Before this high-flying adventure, however, Yuji had also undergone the mandatory Subaru scan.

When Yuji first picked him up, the baby had stared at him with intense curiosity, but instead of just looking, Subaru had taken his observation a step further. He had reached out with both hands and grabbed a fistful of Yuji's spiky pink hair. He patted it, gave it a gentle tug, and rubbed the strands between his tiny fingers. 

The boys all watched in amusement, perceiving it exactly for what it was. The highly intelligent toddler being absolutely fascinated by the unique color and texture of his new uncle's hair. Yuji had just grinned through the gentle hair-pulling, completely unfazed.

"Rerouting to the kitchen for a refueling stop! Whooooosh!" Yuji turned in a smooth circle, bringing a cheering, giggling Subaru down for a perfect landing right by the kitchen counter.

Megumi looked up from mashing the food, a rare, genuine smile gracing his face as he saw the sheer joy radiating from the baby. The mission was only a few hours in, but the apartment was warmer and happier than it had been in a very long time.

Every dish had been perfectly set. The kitchen counter was lined with a massive spread of lunch for the four boys, alongside a neat, colorful little bowl containing Subaru’s freshly prepared, mashed sweet potatoes and soft veggies.

Initially, the boys planned a strategic approach. Feed the baby first, then eat their own food. However, that plan crashed and burned within thirty seconds. The moment Megumi dipped the tiny plastic spoon into the bowl, Subaru furrowed his silver brows and firmly wrapped his chubby fist around the handle. He refused to let go, aggressively pulling the spoon toward himself and insisting with absolute clarity that he was a big boy who could feed himself.

"Alright, alright, independence it is," Megumi murmured, wisely relinquishing the utensil.

Defeated by a fourteen-month-old's stubbornness, the four boys decided to pivot and just eat lunch together. They securely strapped Subaru into his high toddler chair and slid it right up against the kitchen counter. The height was absolutely perfect, positioning the little boss right at eye level with the rest of the crew.

Subaru sat proudly between Megumi and Inumaki, sporting a cute little waterproof bib decorated with tiny cartoon frogs. 

The arrangement turned out to be highly entertaining. Every single time one of his uncles picked up their chopsticks or took a bite of food, Subaru’s bright blue eyes would track the movement with intense focus, and he would instantly mimic them, shoving a giant, clumsy spoonful of sweet potato into his own mouth at the exact same time.

"Look at him go!" Yuji chuckled, his mouth full of rice. "If Megumi takes a sip of water, Subaru takes a sip of water."

Yuta smiled warmly, watching the baby enthusiastically smear potato across his nose. "He really does have a massive appetite. I guess matching Gojo-sensei's energy takes a lot of fuel."

Sitting right next to him, Inumaki was on constant high alert. Armed with a soft, damp cloth, Toge gently reached over every few minutes to carefully wipe Subaru’s chubby cheeks and chin, keeping the chaotic self-feeding process as clean as humanly possible. Subaru didn't mind at all. He just blinked happily at Inumaki before diving back into his bowl.

Against all odds, the toddler managed to clean his entire plate, successfully eating every last bit.

"Good job, Subaru. You ate really well," Megumi complimented softly, gently patting the boy's silver hair. Subaru beamed at the praise, giving his signature up-and-down shoulder dance. As a reward, Megumi offered him a few small, freshly cut slices of bananas, which the toddler happily munched on as dessert.

Once lunch was officially over, the team smoothly divided the chores. Yuta and Yuji took the initiative to wash the dishes and clean the counter, while Inumaki carefully unbuckled the baby and lifted him out of the high chair.

But as Inumaki held him close, he quickly realized he was no exception to Subaru’s legendary scanning protocol. Subaru grew perfectly still, his sky-blue eyes locking onto the high fabric covering the lower half of Inumaki’s face. 

Intrigued by the mystery, Subaru reached out with his tiny hands, accidentally grabbing the edge of Inumaki’s turtleneck and pulling it straight down. The fabric snapped down beneath his chin, fully exposing the sharp, snake-and-fang markings of the Cursed Speech clan etched onto Inumaki's cheeks and tongue.

Inumaki froze, a sudden spike of nervousness hitting him. He tensed, worried the ominous-looking seals might scare the innocent baby or make him cry.

"It's okay, Senpai," Megumi assured him quietly from the side, a grounding presence. "Just let him look."

Subaru didn't cry at all. Instead, his eyes widened with absolute fascination. He reached out a single chubby finger, pointing directly at the dark markings on Inumaki’s cheek, and let out a curious, questioning baby sound. "Ah?"

Inumaki swallowed his nervousness, his expression softening completely. Looking into the baby's pure, untainted eyes, he offered a gentle, reassuring smile and answered him in his safe, daily vocabulary. 

"Salmon."

Subaru instantly froze. He dramatically tilted his head so far to the side it almost touched his shoulder, his brow furrowing in deep, comical confusion. He had never heard that word used in that tone before. It wasn't "wuv," it wasn't "ayf," and it certainly wasn't "dada" nor “mama.” What on earth was a salmon?

Seeing the baby’s completely bewildered, over-analytical reaction, both Megumi and Inumaki burst into quiet, genuine laughter. The sheer innocence of it was infectious.

"Come on, let's go play," Megumi said, smiling and gesturing toward the back of the apartment.

Subaru, Megumi, and Inumaki migrated down the hall and entered the vibrant, colorful playroom. For the next hour, they focused entirely on their core mission. Making sure Subaru had the time of his life. 

They built massive block towers just for Subaru to happily knock them down, read pop-up books about trains, and rolled soft balls back and forth across the puzzle mats. By the end of it, the playroom was an absolute, chaotic disaster zone, toys scattered everywhere, cushions flipped, and blocks thrown in every direction.

But the boys didn't care. It was the perfect, foolproof strategy to tire out a hyperactive child… or so they thought.

Megumi glanced up at the wall clock and felt a sudden drop in his stomach. The hands on the clock read exactly 2:00 PM. According to the strict list Utahime had left on the refrigerator, 2:00 PM was nap time.

The problem? Subaru was currently sitting in the middle of the messy playroom, holding a plush toy, his blue eyes wide, alert, and absolutely sparkling with boundless, unyielding Gojo energy. 

He didn't look a single bit tired. In fact, he looked like he was just getting started.

Megumi and Inumaki exchanged a look of pure, creeping dread. The true challenge of their Special Grade mission had officially begun.

Megumi carefully scooped the highly energetic toddler into his arms, lifting him away from the toy-strewn floor of the playroom. The moment Subaru was up, the remaining three boys took off down the hallway to the main bedroom, preparing the sleeping area.

As Megumi walked out into the hall, Subaru was tightly gripping a small, plastic toy train in his hands. True to his promise to Utahime, Megumi never took his eyes off it for a single second. His sharp dark eyes tracked every single micro-movement of the boy's hands, on high alert just in case Subaru tried to test the structural integrity of the plastic with his mouth.

"Keep it in your hands, Subaru," Megumi murmured softly, a grounding weight in his voice. "Don't chew on it."

Within minutes, the door to the bedroom opened, and Yuji, Yuta, and Inumaki slipped out, giving Megumi a collective thumbs-up. "The chamber is ready," Yuji whispered dramatically.

When Megumi stepped inside, they had done a flawless job. The room was cool, set to the exact, perfect temperature specified on Utahime’s list. The heavy blinds were drawn tight, plunging the room into a serene, artificial twilight that instantly blocked out the harsh 2:00 PM sun. In the center of the large bed, soft baby pillows and a light, breathable blanket were perfectly laid out and waiting.

The four young men crowded into the quiet room, staring down at the wide-awake, silver-haired boy. A silent, telepathic debate began. Who is going to carry the baby until he falls asleep?

Without a word, Yuji, Yuta, and Inumaki slowly raised their hands and pointed their index fingers directly at Megumi. It was a unanimous vote, mostly because Megumi was already holding him and possessed the most soothing, grounding aura of the group.

Megumi sighed, giving them a flat look. "Fine. Get out before you wake him up more."

The three boys quickly and quietly filed out, shutting the door with a soft click. Left alone in the dim room, Megumi adjusted his hold, supporting Subaru's bottom and letting the baby's head rest near his shoulder. He began to sway smoothly back and forth, rocking on his heels in a slow, hypnotic rhythm.

"Alright, Subaru, time to close those blue eyes," Megumi whispered, his voice incredibly gentle as he continued the steady sway. "You played a lot. Your mom is going to check the schedule, so you have to cooperate."

But luck was absolutely not on their side today.

Instead of calming down, Subaru’s little lower lip began to tremble. His chest puffed up, and before Megumi could even attempt a different rocking pattern, a loud, piercing, heartbreaking cry echoed through the quiet bedroom.

Megumi’s mind wanders to Gojo’s reminder. No crying, as their sensei reminded them, was a bit too inevitable. Subaru was a toddler who still needed his mother and father. Tears instantly welled up in the toddler's sky-blue eyes, spilling over his chubby, flushed cheeks.

The sudden explosion of tears struck absolute panic into the hearts of the young sorcerers. Outside, the three boys practically tore the door off its hinges, rushing back into the room with wide, worried eyes, their elite composure completely shattering at the sound of a baby's distress.

"What happened?! Did he get hurt?!" Yuji panicked, waving his hands around frantically.

Megumi was already pacing, bouncing Subaru gently as he tried to soothe him. "Shh, shh, it's okay, Subaru. What's wrong? Why are you crying?" he asked, his own heart hammering against his ribs as he desperately tried to decipher the tears.

Inumaki looked ready to throw his hands over his head in despair. "Okaka! Okaka!"

"Maybe he’s crying because he still wants to play!" Yuji suggested anxiously, looking at the toy train still clutched in the baby's hand. "Like, maybe he thinks we're forcing him to sleep and he’s missing out on the fun!"

Yuta, however, didn't panic. He stepped closer, his sharp eyes cutting through the dim light of the bedroom. He watched Subaru’s flailing movements carefully. Amidst the tears, the toddler raised his chubby little hand and began aggressively scratching and rubbing at his own ears, his face turning a deep, frustrated pink.

A lightbulb instantly went off in Yuta’s head. He gasped softly, remembering the sacred text pinned to the refrigerator.

"Oh, look at his hands," Yuta called out, a wave of relief washing over his features. "He’s scratching his ears! Remember what Utahime-san said? If Subaru starts rubbing or scratching his ears, it doesn't mean he's angry or wants to play. It means he is fighting his sleep because he's completely exhausted."

Megumi stopped pacing, looking down at the crying mini-clone in his arms. The puzzle pieces finally clicked. The boundless Gojo energy had finally run out, and their little boy was just overtired.

Megumi took a deep breath, steeling his resolve. He adjusted his grip and gently guided Subaru’s head back down toward his shoulder, resuming his slow, steady swaying.

"It's okay, Subaru. You're just tired," Megumi murmured, his voice a calm anchor in the dim room.

But the stubborn Gojo blood in the toddler wasn't backing down easily. Subaru let out small, pathetic whimpers, his tiny chest heaving with weak cries. He stubbornly forced his head back up, refusing to rest it against Megumi's shoulder, his wide blue eyes fighting a losing battle against gravity but refusing to close. He was determined to stay awake, even if it made him miserable.

Seeing the baby's distress, Inumaki sprang into action. Moving with silent efficiency, he slipped out of the room and sprinted to the hallway where the massive baby bags were kept. He zipped open the main compartment, his eyes scanning the neatly organized pouches until he found exactly what he was looking for.

Inumaki rushed back into the bedroom, holding up a sleek, clear baby pacifier. "Takana!" he whispered urgently to catch the baby’s attention.

The moment the pacifier was brought into his field of vision, Subaru stopped whimpering. His sharp eyes locked onto the soothing object. Recognizing exactly what it was, the toddler instinctively leaned his head forward, his mouth opening in a small, eager ‘O’ toward the pacifier.

Inumaki carefully and gently popped the silicone nipple into Subaru's mouth.

A collective wave of relief washed over the four young men as the room finally fell silent, save for the rhythmic, enthusiastic sucking sound echoing from the toddler. Gladly, the crying had completely stopped. However, Subaru’s sky-blue eyes were still open, staring defiantly up at Megumi like a tiny, sleepy warrior refusing to surrender.

"Nice save, Inumaki-senpai," Yuji whispered, wiping an imaginary bead of sweat from his forehead.

Megumi didn't lose his focus. Now that the baby was quieted, he had to finish the job. He continued his steady, hypnotic pacing across the soft floor, swaying his hips from side to side to create a gentle, rocking motion. To seal the deal, Megumi brought his wide palm against Subaru’s back, right between his tiny shoulder blades.

Remembering a technique he had seen used for soothing panicked animals, and drawing from the deep, grounding rhythm of his own calm demeanor, Megumi began to lightly pat the toddler’s back. He timed the pats perfectly to the slow, steady rhythm of a resting heartbeat.

Subaru’s frantic sucking slowly began to ease, matching the deliberate, soothing pace of Megumi’s hand. The cool air of the room, the artificial twilight, and the comforting, rhythmic warmth of his uncle's embrace were finally chipping away at the final defenses of his boundless energy.

Despite the flawless rhythm of Megumi’s heartbeat-timed pats, the stubborn Gojo genetics in Subaru fought back with terrifying resilience. The baby absolutely refused to sleep.

His impossibly blue eyes remained wide open, staring up at the ceiling in the dim room, blinking slowly but defiantly.

Forty grueling minutes had passed. Megumi’s arms were starting to feel the burn, and his lower back was staging a minor protest. Ironically, while the fourteen-month-old was still running on a full tank of spiteful energy, the others out in the living room, the quiet hum of rhythmic breathing signaled that Yuji, Inumaki, and Yuta had all crashed out on the foam mats, completely knocked unconscious by the sheer stress of trying to put a baby to sleep.

Megumi looked down at the little silver-haired culprit, exasperated. 

"Subaru," he whispered, his tone a mix of disbelief and exhaustion. "You're supposed to be asleep. Your mom is going to have my head if your schedule gets ruined on day one."

Subaru didn't care about schedules. He only stared back, his wide eyes glinting with a sudden, mischievous spark in the artificial twilight.

Suddenly, the playful side of the toddler took over. Still securely cradled in Megumi's arms, Subaru jerked his head to the right, pausing to look up at Megumi, and then quickly snapped his head to the left, his fluffy white hair bouncing.

Megumi blinked. Sensing a pattern, he slowly tilted his own head to the right, and then to the left, mimicking the movement.

Subaru’s eyes crinkled with absolute delight. He did it again, right, then left, and a muffled, bubbly giggle resonated through his pacifier, his tiny shoulders bouncing against Megumi's chest.

A quiet, defeated chuckle escaped Megumi. "Oh, so now you're amused? You're a menace, you know that? Just like your dad."

The soft creak of the bedroom door cutting through the darkness interrupted their little game. Yuta quietly stepped into the room, rubbing his eyes, looking a bit sheepish for having dozed off outside. "Hey... I thought I heard giggles in here," he whispered, walking over to the pair.

Yuta looked at Megumi’s tired posture and offered a warm, empathetic smile. "Let me take over, Megumi. Go take a break and rest your arms for a bit. I'll see if I can get him to drift off."

"Thanks, Senpai," Megumi breathed, carefully transferring the boy.

The moment Subaru realized he was being passed away from his favorite perch, his lower lip quivered again. A sharp, protesting whine escaped him, and small tears welled up in his eyes as he watched Megumi step toward the exit.

"Hey, it's okay, Su-chan," Megumi assured him softly, pausing at the threshold and looking back with a gentle wave. "I'm right outside. I'll be right here."

Once the door clicked shut, Yuta brought Subaru up to eye level, coming face-to-face with the tearful toddler. Subaru’s chest heaved with quiet, pathetic little whimpers, the fresh tears brimming along his long, white eyelashes.

"Aww, look at those big tears," Yuta cooed softly, his voice incredibly tender as he used the pad of his thumb to gently wipe away the stray teardrops from Subaru's flushed cheeks. "Don't cry, Subaru. Uncle Yuta's got you. We're just going to rest now, okay?"

Subaru let out a long, heavy sigh, the pacifier bobbing in his mouth. The fight was leaving him, but his tiny hands rose up to clumsily rub at his watery eyes and then down to aggressively scratch at his ears again.

Yuta recognized the signs immediately. Without losing a beat, he tucked Subaru’s head firmly against his shoulder, letting the boy face toward the closed bedroom door. Yuta began to sway his broad shoulders back and forth, matching the slow, hypnotic tempo Megumi had established earlier. He brought his hand to Subaru's back, gently tapping like a soothing, steady clock counting down.

Subaru didn't fight it this time. His body finally went heavy, completely exhausted from the 40-minute battle. He curled his tiny, chubby hands up against his own face, resting his cheek and his hands securely against Yuta's shoulder. He kept his eyes glued to the dark outline of the bedroom door, staring as if waiting for Megumi to walk back in.

Slowly, the rhythm of the pacifier slowed down. The heavy white eyelashes fluttered once, twice, and then closed entirely.

A profound, beautiful silence finally enveloped the bedroom. Yuta, entirely focused on keeping the perfect rhythm, didn't even notice the exact moment the little warrior had finally surrendered to dreamland. He just kept smoothly swaying in the dark, tapping that gentle heartbeat rhythm, entirely content to protect the peaceful slumber of their precious little charge.

-

The peaceful quiet of the apartment shattered precisely at 4:00 PM.

Sudden, sharp, loud, disgruntled cries pierced through the heavy bedroom door, instantly triggering an adrenaline rush across the entire household. In the living room, Megumi, Yuta, and Inumaki jolted awake in unison, their bodies launching off the couch and foam mats like sorcerers reacting to a sudden curse attack.

Inside the dim bedroom, Yuji was the first one to take the hit. Earlier, after Yuta had successfully rocked the toddler into a deep slumber, Yuji had quietly snuck into the room. Laying Subaru down onto the bed had been an absolute challenge. 

Every single time Yuta or Yuji tried to lower the boy's body toward the mattress, Subaru’s tiny arms would flinch, his chest would tighten, and he would let out a warning whimpering cry that threatened to undo all their hard work. It had taken ten minutes of agonizingly slow, millimeters-at-a-time maneuvering, but they had successfully transferred him.

Yuji had even taken a quick, victorious photo of the sleeping silver-haired angel and texted it to Utahime.

Mission accomplished! Sleeping like a log! 😎👍

But now, the log was wide awake and incredibly vocal about it.

Yuji scrambled off the bedroom couch where he had dozed off, rubbing his eyes as he rushed to the center of the big bed. "Whoa, whoa, it's okay, little guy! I gotcha, I gotcha!" Yuji cooed, quickly scooping a red-faced, crying Subaru up into his strong arms and cradling him against his chest. The loud cries instantly subsided into soft, disgruntled grumbles as Subaru realized he was being held.

Holding the freshly awake toddler, Yuji turned the handle and pushed the bedroom door open, stepping out into the bright hallway. Waiting just outside were Megumi, Yuta, and Inumaki, all blinking blearily, their shoulders finally dropping in relief when they saw Subaru was perfectly fine, just a bit cranky from waking up.

As the four young men gathered in the hallway, a hilarious and incredibly endearing sight became painfully obvious.

Every single one of them was suffering from a severe, hilarious case of nap-induced bed hair. Yuji’s pink spikes were flattened completely on one side. Yuta’s dark bangs were sticking straight up like a bird's nest. Inumaki’s collar was twisted with his hair flaring out over his ears, and Megumi’s usually spiky hair was completely wild and chaotic, defying gravity in all the wrong directions.

But Subaru was, without a doubt, the undisputed winner of the look.

Nestled in Yuji's arms, the fourteen-month-old was staring at his uncles with half-lidded, sleepy blue eyes, his lower lip stuck out in a pout. Thanks to his fine, snowy-white Gojo hair and the friction of the baby pillows, his head looked like an exploded puffball of silver cotton candy. Random tufts of white hair to stick out at sharp, comically dramatic angles all over his head.

The four boys looked at each other, then down at the fluffy-haired baby, and the remaining sleep completely washed out of their systems.

"Pfft... oh man," Yuji chuckled, gently patting down one of Subaru's wildly stray silver tufts, only for it to immediately snap right back up into the air. "I think you look more like Gojo-sensei right now than Gojo-sensei actually looks like himself."

"Takana," Inumaki agreed, a sleepy smile breaking across his face as he reached out to boop the toddler's nose.

Subaru blinked, letting out a tiny, adorable yawn that completely melted whatever stress was left in the room. Cranky or not, bed hair and all, their little boss was officially back on the clock.

With the post-nap daze slowly wearing off, a sudden realization struck the group.

"The list. Utahime-san wrote down that Subaru always needs a small snack right after he wakes up from his afternoon nap, or his blood sugar drops, and he gets incredibly cranky," Megumi said, his eyes snapping toward the kitchen.

"On it!" Yuji declared, shifting the fluffy-haired toddler securely in his arms. "Come on, Baby Blue, let's go camp on the couch."

Yuji walked over to the living room and plopped down onto the comfortable cushions, setting Subaru right on his lap. The little boy was still a bit sluggish, leaning his heavy, silver-crested head back against Yuji’s chest, his tiny fingers idly curling into Yuji’s red hoodie strings.

While Yuji provided the ultimate human armchair, Inumaki slid onto the couch right beside them. Seeing that the baby was still a little spaced out, Toge decided to provide some gentle entertainment. He reached out and softly tapped Subaru’s chubby knuckles.

"Mustard leaf," Inumaki murmured softly, keeping his voice a soothing, low hum.

Subaru blinked his big, sleepy eyes down at his own hands, then slowly opened his palm. Inumaki gently caught the toddler’s tiny fingers, playing a quiet game of peek-a-boo by wrapping his own hands around Subaru's, then letting go. Subaru’s lips twitched into a small, sleepy smile, his thumb gently scratching against Inumaki’s palm in absolute contentment.

Over in the kitchen, the remaining two uncles were working in perfect, synchronized harmony.

Megumi stood at the cutting board, meticulously preparing the snack. Pulling out a fresh apple and a ripe kiwi, he sliced them into incredibly thin, perfectly bite-sized mini fruit pieces. He was extra focused, making sure there wasn't a single sharp edge or piece too large for a fourteen-month-old to safely handle.

Right next to him, Yuta was taking care of the cleanup detail. Standing before the sink, he pulled out the baby bottles Subaru had used earlier. Yuta followed Utahime’s step-by-step sterilization instructions pinned to the fridge, washing each thoroughly with the baby-safe special dish soap before laying them out in the drying rack.

The apartment was filled with the rhythmic sound of running water, the soft clinking of bottles, and Inumaki’s quiet, rhythmic food vocabulary.

"Alright, snacks are served," Megumi announced, walking into the living room holding a small, colorful plastic bowl filled with the fruit slices.

Subaru’s nose instantly twitched at the sweet scent of fresh fruit. His sleepy eyes snapped wide open, his head bolting upright as he looked at the bowl, his hands immediately making those familiar, enthusiastic grabby-grabby motions toward Megumi.

Once the sweet slices of apple and kiwi were entirely demolished, Megumi grabbed the specialized toddler water bottle, the one with the two large, easy-grip handles on the sides and a weighted straw, and handed it over. Subaru reached out with both hands, firmly clamped his chubby fingers around the handles, and brought the straw right to his mouth.

He tilted his head back slightly and drank like an absolute pro, the water level visibly dropping as his little throat moved in a steady, practiced rhythm. He didn't spill a single drop down his bib, showing off an impressive level of coordination that had his uncles quietly marveling yet again. 

With a satisfied “Ahhh!" Subaru popped the straw out of his mouth and proudly held the bottle up, offering it back to Megumi.

"Good job," Megumi said, smiling, taking the bottle and placing it on the coffee table.

With the toddler officially fed, hydrated, and fully energized, the four boys gathered in a loose circle around the couch to map out their next move.

"Alright, it's about 4:30 PM," Yuta noted, glancing at his watch. "What's the play? We still have a few hours before we need to start thinking about dinner."

"We could take him for a walk around the block?" Yuji suggested, eyes bright. "Show him off to the neighborhood?"

Megumi instantly shut that down with a flat look. "Gojo-sensei explicitly said no outside trips today unless it's an emergency. If any rogue curse users are around, we're bringing a fight right to the kid. Not happening."

Inumaki tapped his chin, looking toward the hallway. "Okaka," he mumbled, pointing his thumb in the direction of the back rooms.

"Inumaki-senpai's right. The playroom is our best bet," Yuta agreed. "It’s completely child-proofed, all his toys are in there, and we won't have to worry about him bumping into any sharp corners."

"Plus," Yuji added, a sudden spark of inspiration hitting him as he scooped Subaru up from his lap, "the playroom has all those awesome puzzle mats with animals and numbers on them! Gojo-sensei said Baby Blue is a genius, right? Maybe we should try making him learn a thing or two! Teach him some cool uncle stuff."

Subaru cooed at the mention of the playroom, his little legs kicking in excitement. The motion was carried.

The five of them migrated down the hallway and stepped back into the colorful oasis. The toys were still a bit scattered from their pre-nap chaos, but nobody cared. Yuji gently set Subaru down right in the center of the vibrant puzzle mats, and the toddler instantly assumed his perfect sitting position, his bright blue eyes scanning the colorful graphics beneath him.

Megumi sat down cross-legged on one side of him, pulling over a soft, fabric picture book, while Yuji and Yuta grabbed a set of wooden letter blocks. Inumaki knelt right in front of the baby, pointing to a puzzle piece featuring a bright orange tiger. The mini-academy was officially in session, and the four strongest teens in jujutsu society were about to become the world's most enthusiastic preschool teachers.

As the sky outside the large living room windows began to fade into a deep, twilight indigo, the clock neared 6:30 PM. It was officially time to start preparing dinner.

The kitchen turned into a bustling hub of activity. Yuji was in his absolute element, happily humming as he chopped fresh vegetables with blinding speed, while Yuta stood right beside him carefully monitoring a pot of simmering broth. Megumi was on toddler-duty prep, pulling out the specific organic ingredients outlined on Utahime’s sacred refrigerator checklist to make a soft, easily digestible dinner for their little boss.

To keep the energetic toddler out of the designated cooking splash zone, Inumaki took up a safe post right at the edge of the kitchen counter. He cradled Subaru securely against his side, letting the little boy rest on his hip. From this perfect vantage point, Subaru was absolutely captivated. His head pivoted left and right, his big, impossibly bright blue eyes wide with his normal, intensely curious baby face as he watched his three uncles smoothly zip back and forth across the kitchen floor.

Wanting to keep the baby engaged, Inumaki tapped Subaru's small shoulder to draw his attention. The toddler turned his head, looking straight up into Inumaki's eyes.

"Salmon," Inumaki murmured softly, offering a warm, crinkly-eyed smile over his high collar.

Subaru blinked. He looked back over at Yuji violently shaking a frying pan, watched for a few seconds, and then snapped his head back around to look at Inumaki again.

Reacting instantly to the baby's gaze, Inumaki nodded and repeated himself in a cheerful, slightly higher pitch, "Salmon!"

Subaru’s little mouth popped open. He turned away to watch Megumi stir a small pot, then whipped his head back to Inumaki a third time, his silver hair fluffing out with the sudden movement.

"Katsuobushi," Inumaki supplied smoothly.

This time, Subaru couldn't hold it in. A high-pitched, breathless little bubble of giggles burst from his lips, his tiny shoulders bouncing up and down.

A lightbulb went off in Inumaki's head, and a quiet, genuine laugh escaped him as he realized what was happening. The clever little guy, Gojo Subaru, was actively playing a game with him. 

Every single time the toddler looked away and snapped his eyes back, he was waiting for Inumaki to talk. The rhythmic popping sounds of Inumaki's distinctive dish-ingredient vocabulary seemed to be appealing to the toddler, who seemed to enjoy the words that came out of his mouth even if Subaru didn't understand yet what those words were.

Subaru eagerly turned to look at Yuta washing a ladle, then whipped his face back around, his eyes sparkling with pure mischief.

"Spicy cod roe!" Inumaki chirped dramatically.

Subaru threw his head back, letting out a cascading streak of loud, ringing giggles that echoed right through the warm kitchen. He kicked his tiny sock-covered feet, burying his flushed, smiling face right into Inumaki's shoulder before snapping back up to do it all over again.

Hearing the sudden explosion of pure baby joy, Yuji, Yuta, and Megumi all stopped what they were doing, turning around with massive, melting grins on their faces. The kitchen was filled with the delicious aroma of home-cooked food, the bright golden light of the apartment, and the undeniable warmth of a baby completely at home with his protectors.

The home-cooked food filled the entire apartment as the boys set the counter for dinner.

They slid Subaru’s high toddler chair right up to the counter, buckling him in securely. On his little tray, Megumi placed a colorful suction plate divided into neat sections. A soft rice porridge, a few small pieces of shredded chicken, and a neat pile of finely diced steamed broccoli.

For the first few minutes, everything went smoothly. Subaru happily munched on the rice porridge, chewing joyfully, but then, those sharp, incredibly perceptive blue eyes shifted focus. 

The toddler locked onto the vibrant green broccoli florets sitting in the corner of his plate. His silver brows furrowed instantly. He leaned forward, sniffed it suspiciously, and immediately came to a definitive, internal conclusion. He absolutely, unconditionally hated it.

Yuji, completely oblivious to the silent judgment happening in the baby's mind, scooped up a tiny bit of the chicken and broccoli on a spoon. "Alright, Baby Blue! Open wide for the train, choo-choo!"

The second the spoon approached, Subaru sharply whipped his head to the left, his fluffy silver hair flying.

Yuji blinked, resetting his stance. "Oh, missed the station! Let's try again, choo-choo—"

Subaru whipped his head to the right, burying his cheek against his shoulder to completely avoid the utensil.

"Huh? Is he not hungry anymore?" Yuji asked, pulling the spoon back and looking over at Yuta in confusion.

"Maybe he's just being picky," Yuta suggested, leaning closer. "Let's see if he'll take just a little bit."

Yuji tried one more gentle approach, bringing the spoon forward. This time, Subaru didn't just turn away. He raised both of his chubby palms, placing them firmly against Yuji's wrist and aggressively pushing the spoon back. A sharp, indignant, and very clear grunt, a noise that absolutely meant no, escaped his tiny lips.

"Okay, definitely a 'no' on the green stuff," Megumi muttered, analyzing the situation. "Let's test if he's actually full or if he's just playing us."

To test the theory, Megumi reached into the snack container and pulled out a small piece of a soft strawberry rice cracker, one of Subaru’s favorite treats. The moment the sweet cracker entered his field of vision, Subaru’s defensive posture vanished into thin air. His blue eyes sparkled, his mouth popped open in a wide, eager "O," and he gladly accepted the treat, crunching on it happily. The second he swallowed, he reached his little hands out, opening his mouth wide again to demand more.

"Yep. He's totally playing us. He's just holding out for the good stuff," Yuji laughed, shaking his head.

Megumi frowns slightly, slipping into a disciplined headspace. Seeing Subaru refuse his actual nutrients in favor of snacks wasn't going to fly under his watch, Utahime's instructions were very strict about proper meals.

As Subaru reached his tiny hand out to grab another stray piece of the cracker from the tray, Megumi decisively stepped in. He intercepted the snack, gently but firmly taking it away from the toddler's grasp.

"No more snacks, Subaru," Megumi said calmly, his tone serious but gentle as he looked the baby in the eye. "You shouldn't eat too many treats when you haven't even finished your proper meal yet. Eat your dinner first."

The sudden confiscation of his favorite treat was a grave injustice in the mind of Gojo Subaru. Literally like his father.

Subaru stared at his empty tray, then up at Megumi's strict face. His lower lip began to tremble violently, his cheeks turning a bright, frustrated pink. He threw his tiny hands up in the air and let out a loud, highly frustrated cry of pure protest, his sky-blue eyes instantly brimming with dramatic tears. The peace of the dinner table vanished in an instant, and the four young uncles froze, realizing they had just triggered the little boss's wrath.

The volume of Subaru’s frustrated cries doubled, echoing off the kitchen walls. Seeing the little boy’s face flush pink with real tears, Yuji immediately panicked. He dropped his chopsticks and scrambled over, holding out his large, warm hands.

"Aw, don't cry, Baby Blue! Here, let Uncle Yuji give you a big hug," Yuji pleaded, attempting to gently scoop the toddler out of the high chair.

But the moment Yuji’s hands braced his sides, Subaru let out a sharp, higher-pitched shriek of absolute refusal. He kicked his tiny feet against the plastic tray and pushed frantically against Yuji’s chest, his wails growing even louder at the unwanted intervention. Yuji instantly backed off, throwing his hands up in defeat. "Okay, okay! No Yuji! Man, I've been rejected."

Through his tear-blurred vision, Subaru’s bright blue eyes scanned the faces lined up at the counter. He bypassed Yuji, ignored a guilt-ridden Megumi, and blew right past Yuta. Finally, his gaze locked onto the quiet boy with the high collar.

Recognizing the face of the uncle who had made him laugh so much just before dinner, Subaru’s entire demeanor shifted. He leaned his upper body dangerously far over the high chair tray, stretching both of his chubby arms straight out toward Inumaki, his little fingers making frantic, desperate grabby hands.

Despite the tension, Yuta and Yuji couldn't help but chuckle softly at the blatant display of baby favoritism.

"Wow," Yuta murmured, a fond, amused smile tugging at his lips. "Look at that. It seems Subaru officially has his favorites."

"Man, Toge-senpai's spicy cod roe jokes really secured the top spot," Yuji whined playfully, wiping a fake tear from his eye. "I've been replaced."

Inumaki didn't waste a second. Moving with practiced gentleness, he unbuckled the safety strap and carefully lifted the distraught toddler into his arms. The moment Subaru was securely settled against Inumaki’s chest, the aggressive wailing stopped, but the heartbreak wasn't entirely over. The toddler buried his wet face right into the soft fabric of Inumaki's shoulder, his little shoulders heaving as the loud wails dissolved into pitiful, trembling whimpers.

Toge gently rubbed the boy's back, swaying side to side. "Salmon, salmon," he shushed softly, his eyes filled with immense care.

But as the room quieted down, a tiny, fragile sound cut through the silence.

Between his soft whimpers, Subaru clutched a fistful of Inumaki's collar, his voice cracking with pure, innocent longing as he let out a small, wet sob. "Ma... Mama..."

The four young sorcerers froze, their hearts collectively shattering into a million pieces. The reality of the fourteen-month-old missing his mother had finally hit, and the weight of their babysitting mission suddenly felt heavier than ever.

The heartbreaking sound of Subaru calling out for his mother threw the kitchen into an immediate, unified state of panic.

"Alright," Megumi declared, already whipping out his phone with absolute seriousness. "We need help. I’m calling Utahime-san."

He quickly hit the FaceTime button. The phone rang three times, each ring feeling like an eternity while Subaru continued to whimper softly against Inumaki’s shoulder before the screen flashed and Utahime’s face appeared. She was sitting in what looked like a temporary auxiliary jujutsu office, her expression instantly shifting to one of intense maternal concern.

"Megumi? Is everything okay? I can hear him crying," Utahime said immediately, her voice laced with instant worry.

"Utahime-san, we need some tactical advice," Megumi explained, keeping the phone steady. "Dinner was going well, but Subaru absolutely refuses to finish his meal. Specifically, the bite-sized steamed broccoli. He's full-on protest, holding out for snacks, and now he's crying for you."

Hearing his mother’s voice filter through the phone's speaker, Subaru’s head instantly bolted up from Inumaki’s shoulder. His wide, tear-filled blue eyes locked onto the screen. The second he saw her face, a fresh wave of emotion crashed over him. He let out a loud, pitiful wail, his little way of letting his mama know that her baby was right here, hurting, and desperately needing her.

"Oh, my sweet boy," Utahime cooed, her face softening completely on the screen. A look of pure, agonizing heartbreak crossed her features. She gripped the edge of her desk, her own eyes instantly watering at the fact that she was miles away and couldn’t physically reach out to pull him into a hug. "Mama’s here, baby. It’s okay."

Megumi stepped closer to Inumaki, turning the phone so the screen squarely faced the toddler.

The moment Subaru came face-to-face with her digital image, his dramatic wails shifted into a heavy, trembling pout. His chest heaved with shallow, heavy breathing as he sat securely in Inumaki's protective arms, his tiny lower lip sticking out.

"Ma... Mama..." Subaru sniffled, a large, heavy teardrop spilling over his eyelashes and tracking down his flushed cheek. He reached a chubby, desperate hand out to slap at the glass screen, trying to touch her.

"I know, I know, my beautiful boy," Utahime whispered tenderly, leaning close to her camera so her face filled his entire view. She let out a soft, grounding breath, putting on her bravest, warmest smile just for him. "Listen to Mama, Subaru. I’ll always come home to you, okay? As soon as Mommy and Daddy finish their work, we are flying straight back to you."

Subaru blinked through his tears, his heavy breathing slowly beginning to regulate as he listened intently to the familiar, comforting cadence of her voice.

"But until then, you have to be a big, brave boy for me," Utahime continued, her tone shifting into something encouraging and sweet. "Look around you, Subaru. You have your uncles with you! They are so, so strong, and they are completely ready to protect you and play with you. You're going to have so much fun with them, okay? So no more crying for Mama right now."

Subaru let out a final, shaky little breath, his blue eyes locked onto her face, soaking in every single word of reassurance as the heavy atmosphere in the room finally began to lift.

After a few more sweet coos and blowing kisses through the screen, Utahime gave them a reassuring nod before officially bidding her goodbye. "You boys are doing great. Just remember what I told you about the trick," she reminded them with a warm smile before the call disconnected.

The trick was simple but genius. Utahime had told them to mask the taste of the broccoli by dipping the tiny pieces directly into a light glaze of the sweet potato puree Subaru had loved earlier and to let him eat it while resting in the comfort of his favorite uncle’s arms.

Megumi quickly prepared the food according to her instructions. Inumaki remained on the couch, keeping Subaru nestled securely against his chest. The toddler was still heavily pouting, his head completely buried into Toge’s shoulder because he refused to lift his head or sit back up in the high chair, Inumaki simply let him stay exactly where he was.

Megumi carefully handed a small piece of the glazed broccoli to Inumaki. Toge slid his hand up, gently nudging Subaru’s cheek until the little boy opened his mouth.

Subaru took the bite blindly, chewing lazily while keeping his face pressed flat against Inumaki's shoulder. Inumaki couldn't actually see the toddler's face, but within seconds, he felt a warm, distinct patch of wetness spreading across the fabric of his shirt. 

Subaru was chewing with his mouth slightly open, happily turning Toge’s uniform into a canvas of drool, sweet potato, and mashed broccoli. Inumaki just smiled beneath his collar, enduring the messy sacrifice for the team.

Piece by piece, the vegetable disappeared. The trick worked flawlessly.

"Whoa, he actually finished it!" Yuji whispered loudly, his eyes wide.

The moment the last piece was successfully swallowed, the living room erupted into a wave of quiet, enthusiastic cheers.

"Awesome job, Subaru! Clean plate!" Yuji cheered, throwing his hands in the air.

"Incredible," Megumi nodded, a look of profound relief washing over his face.

As a well-deserved reward for being a brave boy, Yuta stepped forward with a bright smile, handing over a fresh, crisp strawberry rice cracker, the very snack Subaru had been fighting for. The toddler’s little hand snatched it instantly, his mood completely flipping as he happily crunched away, his blue eyes sparkling once more.

With the battle of dinner officially won, the team smoothly divided the remaining chores. Yuta, Yuji, and Megumi immediately headed back to the kitchen to wash the dishes, wipe down the high chair, and clean up the chaotic mess from their experimental dinner strategy.

Meanwhile, Inumaki stayed behind in the cozy, softly lit living room. With a happy, snack-munching Subaru still anchored to his shoulder, Toge stood up and began to gently sway back and forth, rocking the little boy in a slow, rhythmic circle. 

The soft sound of the kitchen chatter drifted over them, creating a warm, safe blanket of sound as the evening finally settled into a peaceful, content rhythm.

The clock ticked closer to 8:30 PM, signaling the official bedtime.

Megumi carefully laid Subaru down on the soft changing mat in the living room. The moment he unbuttoned the bottom of the toddler's clothes, the issue became immediately apparent.

"Uh, guys? We’ve got a situation," Megumi called out, his voice dropping an octave. "This thing is packed."

"Enforcement incoming!" Yuji yelled, skidding into the room with a fresh diaper and a container of baby powder. Yuta closely followed with a fresh pack of sensitive-skin baby wipes, and Inumaki hovered right over them, holding the trash bin ready.

What followed was a textbook example of "too many cooks in the kitchen," or rather, too many special-grade and high-grade sorcerers at a diaper change.

Because they wanted to get the heavy, wet diaper off as quickly as possible, all four boys scrambled into action at the exact same time. A dizzying flurry of hands descended upon the poor fourteen-month-old. Yuta was quickly wiping his butt, Megumi was handling the front private areas with meticulous care, Yuji was aggressively shaking the baby powder container, and Inumaki was trying to carefully lift Subaru's legs by the ankles.

The absolute overlapping, terrified teenage voices booming over the small toddler were worse than the disorganized flurry of hands.

"Wait, Yuta-senpai, wipe from front to back! Front to back!" Yuji yelled.

"I am! I am! Megumi, hold his hands, he’s trying to grab the powder!" Yuta shouted over the crinkling of plastic.

"Shake less powder, Yuji, you’re creating a dust cloud!" Megumi snapped, his brow furrowed in deep concentration. "Inumaki-senpai, don't lift his legs too high, his back is bending!"

"Salmon! Salmon!" Inumaki stressed, trying to balance the baby's hips.

For a fourteen-month-old who had just gone through a highly emotional evening, the sheer sensory overload was too much. The frantic hands, the cold wipes, the puff of scented powder, and the thunderous, overlapping baritone voices of four highly athletic teenagers completely overwhelmed him.

Subaru's chest heaved. He pinched his eyes shut, opened his mouth, and let out a piercing, highly offended wail of pure distress.

"Ah! He's crying again! Quick, cheer him up!" Yuji panicked, immediately changing his tone to a booming, loud singsong voice. "Hey! Hey! Look at Uncle Yuji! Bzzzz! Airplane!"

"Good boy, Subaru, almost done! You're doing great!" Yuta chimed in, trying to talk over Yuji.

"Mustard leaf! Bonito flakes!" Inumaki added to the chorus, making dramatic faces.

But their voices were overlapping so heavily, bouncing off the walls of the room, that it was far too sensitive for the baby's delicate ears. The loud, chaotic attempts to soothe him only sounded like a wall of noise, making Subaru wail even louder, his tiny fists flailing in the air as his tears flowed freely.

"Stop! Everyone shut up. You're making it worse!" Megumi commanded through clenched teeth, keeping his own voice firmly leveled. "Just let him cry for a second. We have to finish this task. Just get the diaper on."

Accepting the grim reality, the boys gritted their teeth and let the baby cry out his frustration, pushing through the noise to prioritize his comfort. They worked in practiced, silent unison now. Inumaki held the baby up, and Megumi smoothly slid the clean diaper through the toddler’s legs, expertly putting it on.

Once the fresh diaper was officially secured, Yuji reached for the final piece of the puzzle, the sleeping pajamas Utahime had left out.

It was a matching, ultra-soft, pastel blue one-piece fleece pajama set, complete with little built-in footies shaped like tiny bear paws and a hood with round bear ears. Working quickly but gently, they slipped Subaru's flailing limbs into the sleeves and pant legs, zipping the fleece all the way up to his chin.

He looked, without a doubt, like the absolute cutest thing to ever exist in jujutsu history, a tiny, silver-haired bear cub.

The second the zipper clicked into place at the top and the overwhelming flurry of hands finally retracted, the magic happened. The cool air hit the fresh diaper, the cozy warmth of the fleece hugged his skin, and the sudden, blissful silence of the room took effect.

Subaru’s loud, piercing wails instantly lost their edge. The sharp shrieks dissolved into soft, breathless hitches, dropping down into tiny, pathetic little whimpers. He rubbed his eyes with his fleece-covered fists, his chest still shuddering from the heavy breathing, but the storm had officially passed. He was clean, completely dry, incredibly cozy, and finally, mercifully, ready for bed.

The tiny silver bear cub was officially ready for his final descent into sleep.

With his heavy breathing slowly regulating, Subaru reached out and tightly wrapped his chubby fingers around Yuji’s massive thumbs. Using Yuji as an anchor, the toddler toddled on his tiny, fleece-covered bear feet, waddling slowly down the hallway toward the main bedroom. The boys kept their pace slow, matching his little steps.

Inside the bedroom, the atmosphere had been perfectly reset. The room was cast in a serene, peaceful light, with only a tiny, warm nightlight casting a gentle glow across the soft mattress. The temperature was cool and absolutely perfect for a deep night’s sleep.

Just as Yuji gently guided Subaru over to the side of the bed, the door clicked open. Megumi quietly stepped into the room, carefully holding a freshly prepared baby bottle. He had meticulously checked the temperature against his own wrist back in the kitchen, it was perfectly warm and ready.

The moment Subaru’s sharp blue eyes caught sight of the bottle, his sleep-deprived brain clicked. He immediately let go of Yuji's thumbs, his tiny hands making eager grabby motions toward the milk, but instead of climbing onto the bed, the toddler pivoted on his little feet and walked straight over to Yuta, raising his tiny arms high into the air in a silent, desperate plea for upsies.

Yuta’s expression melted. He bent down with an incredibly gentle smile, smoothly scooping the heavy, cozy toddler up into his arms and cradling him securely against his broad shoulder.

Megumi stepped in silently, guiding the warm silicone nipple into Subaru’s waiting mouth. The effect was immediate. Subaru wrapped both of his fleece-covered hands around the base of the bottle, tilting his head back against Yuta's shoulder as he began to drink peacefully. The quiet sucking sound echoed softly in the dim room, and his long, snowy-white eyelashes began to flutter, his heavy eyelids closing further with every swallow.

As the warm milk worked its magic, a soft, fragile sound escaped the toddler’s lips around the edge of the nipple.

"Da... dada..." Subaru muttered sleepily, his voice barely a breathy whisper.

The boys felt a collective, profound wave of warmth hit their chests. They knew exactly why he was saying it. 

Even with his boundless, chaotic energy, Gojo Satoru was a deeply devoted father. Whenever he wasn't running late from dangerous missions or high-ranking meetings, Gojo made it an absolute, unbreakable rule to be the one to put his son to sleep every single night, taking the burden entirely off Utahime's shoulders so his wife could finally get some hard-earned rest.

In the comforting warmth of the milk and Yuta’s safe embrace, Subaru was remembering the familiar comfort of his father's strong arms.

Slowly, the bottle went completely still. Subaru’s hands relaxed, dropping to his sides as his breathing transitioned into deep, rhythmic, heavy baby snores. The little warrior had finally slept.

Yuta carefully, meticulously slid the bottle from the baby's mouth, handing it to Megumi before lowering the sleeping silver cub onto the center of the soft bed. He pulled the breathable, light blanket up to Subaru’s shoulders, making sure the little bear ears on the hood were perfectly tucked.

With the mission officially and successfully accomplished, the four young sorcerers silently nodded to one another and tiptoed out of the bedroom, closing the door behind them with a silent click.

The sheer, exhausting weight of the day finally crashed down on all of them. The absolute nervousness, excitement, work, and all other feelings had drained their energy reserves completely.

Without a word, the team naturally dispersed. Megumi and Yuta quietly headed to the bathroom one by one to wash up, letting the warm water wash away the lingering stress of the afternoon. Yuji, completely past the point of caring about a shower, threw himself face-first onto the living room couch, pulling out his phone to mindlessly scroll through videos with his eyelids half-shut. Inumaki, still wearing the shirt proudly stained with Subaru’s dinner drool, didn't even bother moving back to his own space. He dragged his feet into the adjacent guest room, collapsed straight onto the mattress without removing his shoes, and drifted into a deep, dreamless sleep within seconds.

The apartment fell into a beautiful, heavy silence. The babysitting squad had survived day one.