Becoming Sukuna

After school, Hikigaya Hachiman remained seated in his spot, reluctant to move for a long time.

"Hayato, how about going to karaoke later?"

"Sorry, Yumiko. I've got club activities. Can you all go ahead without me? I'll join after practice."

"Alright then. Yui, you're coming, right?"

"Ahaha… sorry, I've got something to do later… next time! I'll definitely join next time!"

The students in the class were either off to their clubs or grouping up for karaoke. The loudest group left amidst chatter and laughter, leaving Hikigaya Hachiman alone in the classroom. He felt a faint gaze directed at him but was too preoccupied with his dilemma to notice.

At this time, he should've been heading to the Service Club for activities. However, just thinking about enduring Sukuna's Spartan-style training filled him with dread.

I really don't want to go... but if I anger Sukuna, the consequences won't be something I can handle.

After procrastinating for a while, Hikigaya Hachiman finally got up reluctantly, slung his bag over his shoulder, and made his way to the special building.

Outside the Service Club's room, he unexpectedly encountered a pink-haired girl who seemed about to knock on the door.

Her shoulder-length pink hair was tied into a small bun on the left side of her head, and her face, already cute, had a touch of light makeup. Her Western-style uniform jacket was unbuttoned, revealing a well-fitted white shirt underneath. The plaid skirt appeared intentionally shortened, showing off her round, shapely thighs. Black socks hugged her calves, outlining a perfect curve.

In short, she was a lively, energetic JK (high school girl) exuding youthful charm.

Isn't she in my class?

Hikigaya Hachiman had a vague impression of this adorable girl. If he wasn't mistaken, she was a member of Miura's group named Yui Yuigahama.

What's she doing at the Service Club?

As he sized her up, Yui Yuigahama also noticed him.

"Wha—Hikki?! What are you doing here!?" Yui Yuigahama jumped in surprise, like a startled animal, taking two steps back. She seemed genuinely shocked to see him.

"Uh… I'm a member here," Hikigaya Hachiman said while scratching his head. Then, as her words registered, he added, "Also, what's with the weird nickname, 'Hikki'?"

Is this one of those things where people give you random nicknames to make fun of you?

He couldn't help but recall the time in middle school when he was cruelly nicknamed "Frog."

"...Why are you spacing out?" Yui Yuigahama, feeling flustered under his vacant gaze, blushed slightly.

"Ahem… anyway, let's go in." Hikigaya Hachiman quickly recovered, coughing twice to mask his embarrassment, and opened the door to the Service Club room.

The bun-haired girl followed hesitantly behind him. "Excuse me…"

Hearing the door open, a black-haired girl sitting by the window and quietly reading a book instinctively raised her head to look at the two newcomers.

"Sukuna, we've got a strange visitor," Hikigaya Hachiman said, pointing at the bun-haired girl with his thumb.

"I'm not some strange person!" Yui Yuigahama protested immediately, puffing her cheeks. "Ms. Hiratsuka told me to come here! She said this club can grant students' wishes!"

What? The Service Club is a wish-granting machine? Hikigaya Hachiman was startled.

"That's not the case," said Yukinoshita Yukino, closing her book and placing it on the desk. "Yui Yuigahama from Class 2-F," she continued, her tone calm as she stood up and fetched a chair for Yui, cleaning it before gesturing for her to sit.

"T-thank you… wait, you know me!?" Yui Yuigahama, slightly bewildered, obediently sat on the chair.

"She probably remembers the entire student body," Hikigaya Hachiman interjected.

Without denying his remark, Yukinoshita Yukino resumed the conversation. "Rather than granting wishes, the Service Club exists to help students with their problems. We provide assistance where needed."

So it's not a wish-granting machine—it's a do-it-all service, huh? Hikigaya Hachiman felt a twinge of disappointment.

"What's your request, Yui Yuigahama?" Yukinoshita Yukino asked calmly, unaware of the internal commentary running through Hachiman's head.

Yui hesitated for a moment, her cheeks reddening slightly as she stole a glance at Hikigaya Hachiman. "I want to make cookies for someone… It feels more meaningful if I make them myself."

"Couldn't you ask your friends for help with that?" Hikigaya Hachiman leaned his head on his hand, his tone indifferent.

"I don't really want them to know…" Yui said hesitantly, her expression awkward as she tried to smile. "Besides, this feels like something too serious to casually ask them about."

"So, you just want someone to teach you how to bake cookies, right?" Yukinoshita Yukino stood up, her face calm. "Alright. Let's head to the home economics classroom now."

"Really? You'll help me? Thank you!" Yui Yuigahama's face lit up with joy, her brilliant smile resembling that of an overjoyed puppy. She impulsively hugged Yukinoshita's arm, startling the latter.

Caught off guard by Yui's sudden enthusiasm, Yukinoshita Yukino tried to push her away awkwardly, her tone strained. "...Too close, Yui Yuigahama."

"Hehe~" Yui Yuigahama giggled, clinging even tighter.

After obtaining permission to use the home economics room from Ms. Hiratsuka, the three of them moved there. It didn't take long, as it was in the same building. The classroom was well-equipped with ingredients and tools, making it convenient for their activity.

"Yui Yuigahama, do you have any experience with cooking or baking?" Yukinoshita Yukino asked as they prepared to start.

"Uh… does making instant noodles count?" Yui Yuigahama tilted her head thoughtfully.

Yukinoshita Yukino: "..."

"That just involves adding hot water, doesn't it?" Hikigaya Hachiman instinctively commented, looking at Yui, whose innocent smile filled him with foreboding.

Don't tell me I'm going to be the taste tester...

"Zero experience, huh? Then let's start with the simplest butter cookies," said Yukino, letting out a helpless sigh. As she spoke, she began preparing the ingredients needed for the cookies. "I'll demonstrate first, and then you can follow along."

She added granulated sugar and a pinch of salt to the softened butter, beating it into a smooth mixture. Then, she stirred in the flour to form a dough. After that, she pressed the dough into cookie molds, placed them in the oven, set the time, and waited for them to bake—then it was done.

The steps were simple, without any complicated procedures, making it perfect for beginners. Even Hachiman Hikigaya, who was watching from the side, and Sukuna, who was observing from a first-person perspective, managed to learn.

"How is it? Is there anything difficult or unclear?" Yukinoshita Yukino asked, turning to Yui Yuigahama after arranging the freshly baked cookies on a plate.

"It smells so good!" The girl with a dumpling hairstyle gleamed, staring at the cookies neatly arranged in a spiral pattern. With clenched fists and confidence, she said, "I totally understand now! No problem!"

"Right, we add sugar and salt to the butter, right? Heave-ho!" Yui Yuigahama happily started her actions.

"You should soften the butter first, Yuigahama," Yukinoshita Yukino reminded.

"Oh, oh, got it!"

After slightly heating the butter to soften it, Yuigahama ended up with a mixture of butter, sugar, and salt. Although there were some mistakes, and the details weren't perfect, so far it was within Yukinoshita's acceptable range.

"After all, cookies are better when they're sweeter, right?" Yuigahama mumbled, then turned to Hachiman, who was nearby. "You like them sweeter too, right, Hiki?"

"Well... yeah, after all, life is already so bitter, so I at least want my food to be a little sweeter," Hachiman Hikigaya said. Just as he spoke, he saw Yui Yuigahama, with her bright smile, sprinkling a huge amount of sugar into the bowl of gooey mixture.

He reflexively twitched his eye.

As much as I like sweet things, this is probably a lethal dose!

I suggest you stop her right now. Watching from Yukinoshita Yukino's perspective, Sukuna's face wore the same expression as Hachiman's.

After one failed attempt, correcting Yuigahama's approach would leave a deeper impression, Yukinoshita Yukino said confidently, looking very self-assured about her teaching method.

You'll regret it, Yukinoshita.

I'm the Club President, after all, Parasite-kun.

Fifteen minutes later, Yuigahama excitedly pulled the baking tray from the oven, poured the cookies onto a plate, but her smile slowly faded.

Looking at the plate of cookies, which were as black as charcoal, Yukinoshita Yukino suddenly regretted not listening earlier. Maybe she really shouldn't have let Yuigahama do whatever she wanted.

"These are basically charcoal, right?" Hachiman Hikigaya cautiously picked one up. "Is this toxic?"

"Toxic?!" Yuigahama, flustered, also picked up a cookie, intending to try it herself, but when she saw the charred color, she couldn't bring herself to eat it. "Hmm... Is it really toxic?"

"Could it kill someone?" Yukinoshita Yukino sighed, calling out to Sukuna in her mind.

You try it.

Are you human?

Sukuna decisively refused. He didn't open his mouth, and Yukinoshita Yukino couldn't force-feed him. Besides, it would have been improper to do so.

The girl with the dumpling hairstyle looked downcast, as if a cloud was hanging over her head and rain was falling. Hachiman Hikigaya could no longer stand it, so he put on a "brave face" and took a cookie, biting into it.

"Bitter..." He instinctively furrowed his brow, the bitter and dry feeling lingering in his mouth. After pinching his nose and chewing through the whole cookie, he immediately moved away from the plate of cookies.

"Yui..." Yuigahama, seeing his expression, felt both amused and touched.

"Next, let's start over and follow the steps properly," Yukinoshita Yukino sighed helplessly, preparing two sets of ingredients.

When Yukinoshita began to prepare the cookies again, Sukuna suggested: "You better guide her step by step instead of just demonstrating while she follows you. Otherwise, she won't be able to control herself."

He had figured it out: Yuigahama lacked the basic intuition for cooking—she was highly creative, but didn't consider the taste of the food she made. She just threw ingredients and seasonings in based on feeling.

If she's not reined in a bit, Yukinoshita's teaching might fail again.

No... fine, I'll listen to you this time.

After a moment's hesitation, Yukinoshita Yukino reluctantly agreed and decided to follow Sukuna's suggestion to guide Yuigahama step by step.

Although she worried that Yuigahama might become too mechanical and follow instructions without thinking, considering Yuigahama's previous chaotic approach to making cookies, Yukinoshita Yukino agreed that Sukuna's advice was sensible.

After all, there's a thing called "teaching according to the student's abilities."

Seeing Yukinoshita pause, she put down her tools, and Yuigahama tilted her head in confusion. "What's wrong?"

"It's nothing. I just thought it might be better for me to direct you, Yuigahama, instead of demonstrating and having you follow me," Yukinoshita Yukino explained.

"Oh, that's fine with me," Yuigahama said, scratching the side of her head, a little embarrassed.

She knew she wasn't gifted at cooking, and her clumsy hands only made things worse. She was just happy that Yukinoshita didn't dislike her, let alone teaching her so eagerly.

It's probably Sukuna who made Yukinoshita change her mind.

Hachiman Hikigaya, observing the two from the side, quickly figured out why Yukinoshita would change her approach.

Hopefully, this time it'll work.

He didn't want to taste that bitter, dry flavor again.

Thus, under Yukinoshita's guidance, Yuigahama started following the steps more carefully. Her hair fell loosely, and flour brushed against her cheeks.

Hachiman couldn't help but smile, watching Yuigahama work seriously. A strange feeling of "the silly girl has finally figured it out" warmed his heart.

"Enough, no more sugar," Yukinoshita Yukino stopped her actions just in time.

"But don't you like them sweeter, Hiki?" Yuigahama glanced at the boy with dead-fish eyes, holding a rolling pin in his hands, and he flinched.

"It's sweet enough already."

"Okay."

With a slight frown, Yuigahama reluctantly set the spoon down.

Ding!

With the crisp sound, Yuigahama swallowed nervously and carefully opened the oven, taking out the cookies.

Hachiman peeked over, curious. "They look pretty ordinary."

Then, under Yuigahama's anxious and expectant gaze, he picked up a cookie and took a bite.

"Well...?"

After a brief silence, Hachiman Hikigaya slowly said, "Ordinarily delicious."

During his moment of silence, Yuigahama thought they had failed again, but before she could feel disappointed, her mood soared, like a rollercoaster climbing back up, and she beamed with a brilliant smile.

"Yay!"

From a place where neither of them could see, Yukinoshita Yukino let out a quiet sigh of relief. Thankfully, she listened to Sukuna's advice, or this might have ended in disaster again.

I was right, wasn't I?

In her mind, Sukuna, acting like a show-off, spoke with a tone of smugness.

This time, Yukinoshita Yukino kept her sharp tongue in check.

I'll admit it, you did something good.