𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐞𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐬

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𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐞𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐬

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𝐓𝐖𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐘-𝐅𝐎𝐔𝐑

───✱*.｡:｡✱*.:｡✧*.｡✰ ───

--THE DINING ROOM WAS ALIVE WITH THE USUAL MORNING HUM clattering dishes and chatter as the group gathered for breakfast. Gojo sat at the head of their table, as casual as ever, with his blindfold pushed up just enough for his easygoing grin to shine through. The four first years sat around him, their plates filled but untouched, as the weight of their upcoming mission loomed over them.

"So," Gojo began, leaning back in his chair and stirring his coffee lazily. "You're all heading to Aokigahara tomorrow. Fun, right?"

"Fun?" Misa repeated, narrowing her eyes at him. She set her chopsticks down, clearly unimpressed. "You're sending us to one of the creepiest places in Japan and you call it fun?"

"Well, you've got to admit," Gojo said, shrugging, "it's a pretty cool spot. Dense forest, total silence, magnetic anomalies—it's like nature's escape room. Without the escape part."

Nobara groaned, stabbing her omelet with her fork. "You really know how to sell it, Sensei."

Megumi, who was seated next to Misa, folded his arms. "The place is infamous for a reason. People get lost there all the time, and not just because of the terrain."

Yuji paused mid-bite, blinking at Megumi. "Wait... is it haunted?"

"Well..." Megumi hesitated, glancing at Gojo for confirmation.

"Oh, it's definitely haunted," Gojo said brightly, taking a sip of his coffee as if they were discussing the weather. "Cursed energy practically oozes out of the place. That's why your mission's there, after all."

Yuji dropped his spoon, staring at him. "You're joking."

"Do I look like I'm joking?" Gojo asked, his grin widening.

"Always," Misa deadpanned, crossing her arms.

"Well, this time, I'm not," Gojo replied, leaning forward. "Aokigahara has a history, kids. It's a hotspot for tragedy, and wherever there's despair, cursed energy follows. The rogue sorcerers you're after probably picked the place because it's so rich with it. Makes it easier for them to hide."

"Great," Nobara muttered, rolling her eyes. "So not only do we have to deal with rogue sorcerers, but the forest itself is trying to kill us too."

"It's not trying to kill you," Gojo said, waving a hand dismissively. "It's just... not helpful."

"Comforting," Misa said dryly, picking at her rice.

Yuji leaned forward, resting his chin on his hands. "But what about all those stories? Like, people getting lost and never coming out? Is that just the curses messing with people?"

"Probably," Gojo said with a shrug. "Or maybe it's just bad luck. Either way, you'll be fine. You've got each other, and that's what matters."

"That's your grand advice?" Nobara said, raising an eyebrow. "Stick together and hope for the best?"

"It's worked for me so far," Gojo said cheerfully. "Besides, you're all capable. Yaga wouldn't send you if he didn't think so."

Misa sighed, leaning back in her chair. "I still think it's weird to send first years on a mission like this. There's got to be someone more qualified."

"You're more qualified than you think," Gojo said, his tone shifting just slightly. For a moment, it almost felt serious. "You've all got strengths that make you perfect for this kind of mission. And hey, it's not like I'm dropping you in there blind. You'll know what to look for."

"That doesn't make it less creepy," Yuji muttered, poking at his miso soup.

"Oh, come on," Gojo said, leaning forward with a grin. "Where's your sense of adventure? Think of it as a field trip with a side of life-or-death stakes."

"Wow," Misa said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "That's so reassuring."

"Glad I could help," Gojo replied, his grin never faltering.

Megumi finally spoke up, his tone calm but firm. "We'll be ready. But if this goes sideways, I'm blaming you."

"Noted," Gojo said, saluting him with his coffee cup. "But it won't. You've got this."

As the group reluctantly returned to their breakfast, the tension in the air remained, but so did a faint spark of determination. The Sea of Trees awaited them, and despite their apprehension, they knew there was no turning back.

───✱*.｡:｡✱*.:｡✧*.｡✰ ───

--"I'm glad Gojo's paying," Nobara said, arms crossed as she stood in line, glancing at the ticket prices listed on the board overhead. "If we had to foot the bill, I'd be broke for weeks."

Misa snorted, adjusting the strap of her bag. "You and me both. I've got, like, 500 yen in my wallet right now."

"500 yen?" Yuji asked, looking genuinely concerned. "How do you survive?"

"I'm resourceful," Misa said with a smirk. "Unlike some people who spend all their money on snacks."

Yuji frowned. "Hey, snacks are a survival essential."

"Right," Misa said, rolling her eyes. "Because nothing says 'life-or-death mission' like Pocky and chips."

"You're just mad you didn't think of it first," Yuji teased, nudging her arm.

Nobara groaned, glancing over her shoulder at Megumi, who was standing a little behind them, hands in his pockets. "You're awfully quiet back there, Fushiguro. Don't tell me you're sulking because we're making fun of your boss."

"Not sulking," Megumi replied evenly. "Just mentally preparing for when you two get us kicked out of here."

"Please," Nobara said, flicking her hair over her shoulder. "We're model citizens."

"You threw a pen at a staff member last week because they gave you the wrong drink," Megumi deadpanned.

"That was justified," Nobara said defensively. "And anyway, we're on a mission. I can behave when it matters."

Misa raised an eyebrow. "Define 'behave.'"

"Standing in this line and not causing a scene," Nobara replied, gesturing dramatically at herself. "See? Perfectly civilized."

Yuji grinned. "For now."

As the line moved forward, the group shuffled closer to the counter. The interior of the information center was surprisingly modern, with polished floors, bright lighting, and posters detailing the forest's trails and history. A small display case showcased souvenirs, and Misa glanced at the rows of tiny plush trees and Mount Fuji keychains.

"You think Gojo's expecting us to bring him back a souvenir?" she asked, picking up a miniature snow globe with a tiny Mount Fuji inside.

"I don't think Gojo even knows what he's expecting half the time," Megumi muttered.

"Let's get him this," Yuji said, grabbing a bright pink hat that read #1 Tourist in bold letters. He placed it on his head and turned to the group with a wide grin. "What do you think?"

"You look like a walking embarrassment," Nobara said, snatching the hat off his head. "But he'd probably love it."

Misa laughed, setting the snow globe back down. "I'll chip in if we're actually getting it for him. He'd look ridiculous."

"That's the point," Yuji said, still grinning.

Megumi sighed, stepping forward as they reached the front of the line. "Can we focus? We're supposed to be professionals."

"Professionals," Misa repeated, giving him a pointed look. "We're in a tourist center buying tickets for a cursed forest. Not exactly the height of professionalism."

"Exactly," Nobara said, pointing at Misa. "This whole situation is absurd. Let us have our fun."

The staff member at the counter handed Megumi the tickets, looking slightly confused as the group continued their banter. "Here you go," the staff member said. "You'll find the main entrance to the trails just past the parking lot."

"Thanks," Megumi said, taking the tickets and stepping aside to let the others follow him.

As they walked toward the exit, Nobara grabbed the hat from the display case, tossing it to Yuji. "We're getting this. Gojo's going to wear it whether he likes it or not."

Yuji caught the hat, laughing. "Deal."

Misa glanced at the tickets in Megumi's hand, her playful grin fading slightly as the reality of the mission set back in. "Alright," she said, her tone shifting just a bit. "Let's get this over with."

The group stepped out into the fresh air, the faint outline of the Sea of Trees visible in the distance.

The group stepped out into the fresh air, the faint outline of the Sea of Trees visible in the distance. Around them, other visitors milled about, some snapping pictures while others chatted excitedly as they headed toward the forest trails. The lively atmosphere felt at odds with the dark reputation of Aokigahara, but none of the students said a word about it as they moved toward the entrance.

The closer they got to the forest, the quieter it became. The sounds of the bustling information center and parking lot faded, replaced by the faint rustling of leaves and the occasional bird call. The towering trees loomed ahead, their dense canopy casting long shadows across the ground.

As they crossed into the forest, Misa's chest tightened, an uncomfortable pressure settling over her like a weight. The cursed energy was subtle but unmistakable, crawling through the air like an unseen mist. She paused for a moment, glancing around as if trying to pinpoint its source, but it was everywhere—thick, suffocating, and clinging to her skin.

"You okay?" Yuji's voice broke through her thoughts, pulling her back to the present. He had stopped a few steps ahead, looking back at her with a concerned expression. His usual carefree grin was gone, replaced by something softer, more sincere.

Misa hesitated, her hand brushing against her chest briefly as if trying to shake off the feeling. "Yeah," she said quickly, though her tone lacked conviction. "It's just... the energy here. It's heavier than I expected."

Yuji nodded, his gaze flicking to the forest around them. "Yeah, I feel it too. It's pretty creepy, huh?"

"Creepy is an understatement," Misa muttered, forcing a small laugh. She didn't want to admit how much it was bothering her, how the cursed energy seemed to seep into her bones. She needed to stay focused, stay strong—but it wasn't easy.

Yuji stepped closer, lowering his voice so the others wouldn't overhear. "Hey," he said, tilting his head to catch her eyes. "You've got this. I mean, you're the strongest out of all of us, right?"

Misa blinked, caught off guard by his words. "What?"

"You heard me," Yuji said, grinning now. "I mean, I'm strong, sure, but your ice stuff? Way cooler. Literally."

Despite herself, Misa let out a soft laugh, the tension in her chest easing just slightly. "You're such an idiot," she said, shaking her head. "But... thanks."

"Anytime," Yuji said, giving her a thumbs up. "Besides, if you freak out, who's going to keep the rest of us from panicking? Megumi? Nobara?" He scoffed dramatically. "We'd all be doomed."

"Hey!" Nobara called from ahead, turning around with a frown. "Are you two coming, or are you planning to have a picnic back there?"

"We're coming!" Yuji shouted, waving her off before turning back to Misa. "See? You've got this."

Misa rolled her eyes, but the faint smile on her lips lingered as they caught up with the others. The oppressive energy of the forest still hung around her, but it felt a little less overwhelming now, as if Yuji's words had created just enough space for her to breathe.

As the group continued deeper into the forest, the shadows grew longer, and the air grew colder. The eerie quiet of the Sea of Trees wrapped around them like a shroud, but even so, Misa found herself glancing at Yuji now and then, silently grateful for his presence.

The forest grew denser as the group ventured further in, the thick canopy above letting only slivers of sunlight through. The eerie silence was broken only by the crunch of leaves underfoot and the occasional snap of a twig. But it wasn't long before the quiet was interrupted by familiar voices.

"I'm just saying," Nobara huffed, walking a few steps ahead of Misa, "if we had my plan, we wouldn't be wandering around aimlessly."

"We're not aimlessly wandering," Misa shot back, crossing her arms. "We're methodically following the trail. You know, like sensible people."

"Methodically?" Nobara scoffed, glancing over her shoulder. "Is that what you're calling your 'follow the creepy vibes' strategy?"

"It's better than your 'charge in headfirst and hope for the best' approach," Misa countered, her tone sharp but laced with a smirk.

Yuji, walking beside Megumi, glanced between the two girls and whispered, "Should we stop them?"

Megumi sighed, shaking his head. "No point. They'll tire themselves out eventually."

As Nobara opened her mouth for another retort, the sound of voices in the distance caught their attention. The group paused, exchanging wary glances before cautiously moving toward the sound. As they approached, the figures of two adults and two children came into view—a family standing near a small clearing.

The parents looked up, startled, as the group emerged from the trees. The father stepped forward, his expression a mix of concern and confusion. "What are kids your age doing out here alone?"

Misa and Yuji instinctively stepped forward to answer, but they both spoke at the same time.

"School field trip!" Misa blurted out, her voice loud and confident.

"We're doing a documentary on tree spirits!" Yuji said, just as loudly.

The family stared at them, blinking in confusion.

Nobara facepalmed. "Oh, great," she muttered under her breath.

"Tree spirits?" Misa hissed at Yuji, her eyes wide. "Seriously?"

"A field trip?" Yuji shot back in a whisper. "We're in the middle of a cursed forest!"

The father raised an eyebrow. "A field trip to Aokigahara? That seems... unlikely."

"It's, uh, a very specialized program," Misa said quickly, her brain scrambling for an explanation. "For, um, advanced environmental studies. Super exclusive. Very niche."

"And the tree spirit thing?" the mother asked, crossing her arms as she looked at Yuji.

Yuji grinned awkwardly, scratching the back of his neck. "Oh, that's just... extra credit! You know, for creativity. We're supposed to, uh, explore folklore while we're here."

Megumi sighed audibly, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"Advanced environmental studies and tree folklore?" the father repeated, clearly skeptical. "That's quite the combination."

"Totally cutting-edge," Misa said, nodding enthusiastically. "Very hands-on."

"And why aren't there any teachers with you?" the mother asked, glancing around as if expecting an adult to appear out of nowhere.

"Oh, they're around," Yuji said quickly. "Watching from a distance. You know, to give us space to, uh, explore independently."

"Totally," Misa chimed in. "Very modern teaching methods. It's all about trust."

The younger of the two children, a boy no older than eight, tugged on his father's sleeve. "Dad, they're weird."

The father glanced at the group again, his expression uncertain. "Well, just be careful, alright? This forest isn't a safe place to wander around."

"Don't worry," Nobara cut in, her voice dripping with forced politeness as she stepped forward. "We've got it under control. Thanks for the concern."

As the family began to walk away, the older child whispered loudly to their mother, "I think they're lost."

Once the family was out of earshot, the group turned on Yuji and Misa.

"Tree spirits?" Misa said, glaring at Yuji. "Of all the things you could've said."

"Field trip?" Yuji shot back. "What kind of field trip involves this place?"

"You two are embarrassing," Nobara said, shaking her head. "Why do I even associate with you?"

Megumi sighed, starting to walk ahead. "Let's just keep moving before you make us look more suspicious."

Yuji grinned sheepishly, leaning toward Misa. "Okay, but I think they totally bought it."

Misa rolled her eyes, though a small smile tugged at her lips. "Sure, Yuji. Whatever helps you sleep at night."

The group resumed their journey, their earlier tension replaced by the faint echoes of laughter as the absurdity of the moment settled in.

＊*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚