Chapter Text
Shoko, a third-year and Y/N’s respected senpai (albeit still someone who doesn’t take her seriously), has tasked her to round the other side of a massive abandoned building to effectively quicken the process of exorcising cursed spirits ranging from grade 2 to grade 3. It was a major assignment given to them. An easy enough task from someone who has gotten a lot of excessive training over the past 2 years alongside Nanami and Yū. She’s gradually becoming efficient with her skills. Y/N nodded and turned to her direction but not before being called by her senpai again, “Remember, if you can’t handle all of them, send away the distress signal. I’ll quickly reach you.” Her concern was not amiss yet the ego of Y/N was quite bothered into thinking that her senpai probably can’t rely on a second-year on a very important mission fully.
As if reading in to Y/N’s slightly creased eyebrows, Shoko gently chuckled. “I know I’m under the impression that I care less, but really, I’m depending on you, Y/N-chan. Just be careful.” and then left towards the opposite direction, her back straightened in full attention to her surroundings.
Y/N was left with her bearings and with the recognition of her senpai, a bold smile graced her mouth as she trudge on the path assigned to her.
Along the way, she was able to exorcise multiple cursed spirits, all of which were just low-graded ones that she could handle without as much as breaking a sweat. Still though, she refused to lower her guard and kept a keen eye, thoroughly remembering all those hard-earned nights of private training with a certain someone. Y/N found herself to smile a little. In a reality where at any moment she could get killed, there is a silver lining at least. A thing that had kept her going despite the numerous occasions on knocking on death’s door. Y/N couldn’t help but feel more pumped up.
She couldn’t wait to end this mission and be back to the school to see his face again, taking in the things he would do. It starts with a small smile and a half-raised wave that sent a large flutter in her stomach, leaving her breathless. Then there’s his half-lidded eyes gleaming, matching the welcoming grin he had on as he prepares to tease her for being alive after a gruelling day. Y/N’s too excited for the way his hands would touch her hair to which, in the eyes of a normal observer, would just mean a senpai congratulating his kouhai. But Y/N knew any better. The way his hands would gently attempt to smoothen her hair and the way he affectionately slides his thumb to caress her temple to help her face muscles relax. She would remain on the spot, unmoving, just to focus on the soothing, circular motions of his thumb. Like a massage if you will. A reminder that he is always proud of her improvements and sort of almost like a way to wash his worries. She adores every aspect of his welcome. Expects it like a child would upon entering her favourite candy store. It’s the best part of her day. Y/N would handle any missions only with the promise that he is the very first thing she sees when she walk towards the entrance of Jujutsu Tech.
Today is quite different, as it might take a little longer to get back just yet.
Y/N was faced with a very small-looking cursed spirit. While it’s size isn’t that all alarming, its powers however, surely packs a solid punch that sends her flying towards the concrete.
For a spirit so small, its cursed energy is unwinding. Y/N thought as she hoisted herself up, ignoring the gashes marking up her arms and legs. Before Y/N could try to examine what possible grade the curse could be, it already went ahead and attack her once more.
Its attack is also strange. She couldn’t see it as the spirit hardly moved an inch from it’s spot, but she could feel it. Like it bubbles fast inside her and she feels like fainting. Probably a gravity manipulator? A telepathic manipulator?
The next attack sent her flying again towards a window and the action sends a huge hole. A ray of light punctured through the hole and Y/N didn’t waste any more time to think nor react to the sharp pain on her shoulder. She’s going to have to act upon instinct if she was ever going to have a chance to defeat this thing before it could give a number to her.
Y/N compressed a big amount of light from the window and molded it to series of swords. She lunged the barrage of weapons to the cursed spirit at lightning speed. They say that light travels the fastest in the entire world. With Y/N’s cursed technique, she is able to conjure light on her own, forming it to her liking as a way to fight. But having to perceive her techniques from a natural source just speeds and toughen things up.
There was a loud explosion and rumble from the effects of her technique but Y/N still kept her defences up, conjuring a light shield around her in case the attack didn’t act up. And boy, to her exasperation, the cursed spirit stayed rooted in its spot, not even moved the slightest. Then, Y/N felt the unbelievable grim chill in the air. The type that makes all of her hair standing in all areas. No way. This has to be a special grade.
With that conclusion, she felt the bubbling sensation inside of her again. She can’t even begin to pinpoint where exactly is the targeted spot. This time, the bubbling grows stronger each passing second to the point that Y/N felt her own spirit getting sucked away from her own body. Is it even possible to feel your spirit separate from your flesh? Y/N wondered for awhile as her entire body convulses against the overwhelming current, her irises darting upwards to the roof of her eyelids, her fingers and toes burning, and her lungs no longer doing its usual function.
On a very sudden impulse, Y/N’s hands found their way to her skirt pocket to retrieve a small device. The distress signal. Her thumb fumbles around a button and a sharp, booming sound was heard. Y/N could only hope that Shoko-senpai would read this message as a means to escape and not attempt to reach her as she said she would. This cursed spirit’s energy is out of this world. Such a large contrast even for the both of them.
Gojo-san might have a chance. Maybe he can.
A small, uncertain part of Y/N’s head thought of how this is such a pathetic way to go.
She wasn’t even bothered with the pain she’s feeling all over, only lamenting on the fact that exactly four hours ago was the last time she’ll ever get to see his face.
I didn’t even get the chance to say the words even, Y/N spitefully thought as a tear rolled from her eye just as the last bit of her soul seeped out of her body.