The Cautious Sorcerer [JJK x Reader]

(Y/n), your typical high school student with an uneventful life, accidentally finds herself stuck at school after hours one fateful day. Little does she know that this seemingly ordinary mishap will turn her life upside down. Enter Gojo Satoru, a sorcerer with a flair for the dramatic, who introduces her to the world of curses, jujutsu sorcery, and her hidden Gozen Clan heritage.

Chapter 1: The Gozen Clan

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

You always thought it was weird.

The way you could see those daunting creatures, utterly unexplainable and monstrous. Some had quirky and odd figures, varying from the size of an infant to that of an elephant. It sent shivers down your spine every time you encountered them, their ghostly and deadly presence filling you with an intense dread that seemed to seep into your very soul. It was as if you were living in a world where nightmares had taken on physical form.

"Nana, why do they exist? Why do they look scary? I don't wanna see them anymore, Nana..!"

You had mastered the art of indifference when it came to these creatures, even when one hung ominously close to your teacher's shoulder. It was as if they were nothing more than mundane objects, and you went about your life, ignoring their unsettling presence as though it were the most natural thing in the world. That was the advice your grandmother had imparted to you, and you had followed it diligently. After all, you had never met another soul who could see these abominations, and your grandmother's wisdom had become your guiding principle.

You often found yourself lost in thought, pondering the very existence of these monsters that seemed to only reveal themselves to you and your grandmother. What were they, truly? Were they spirits of the dead, lost souls condemned to roam the earth? Were they demons, wicked creatures sent to torment humanity? Or perhaps they were the spawn of Satan himself, sent to sow chaos and despair?

Questions like these haunted your mind, but you had learned to keep them to yourself. Your grandmother's advice had always been clear

"Just ignore them, don't interact with them and act like they're not there."

Her words were etched into your consciousness, a constant reminder to remain detached and unresponsive in the face of the unknown.

"Nana, There's a monster under my bed!" Your tiny voice cried as you cling to your grandma.

She stirred in her sleep before waking up, "A monster?" She sat up and carried you up to her bed.

"Yeah! It was long and scary! I don't wanna sleep there anymore!" You hugged her. She was silent but hugged back, patting your back. Waiting for you to calm down and stop crying.

"Are you alright now?"

"Mhm... I think." You nodded as you slightly pulled back from the hug.

With you nestled safely in her arms, she leaned in closer, her lips brushing against the top of your head. She spoke in a hushed, comforting tone.

"You know, (Y/n), when you're scared, there's something special you can do."

"What can I do?"

"You can ask for a kiss if you're scared," she said, her words carrying the weight of generations of love and wisdom.

Your brows furrowed in thought, small face a canvas of innocence.

"A kiss?" You asked, still uncertain. "But how will that help?"

"You see, sweetheart, a kiss from someone who loves you has the power to chase away the scariest of storms. Love is like a warm hug for the heart, and a kiss is its special hello."

—REPORT: APRIL 2018—

—MINAKAWA HIGH SCHOOL—

—COUNTRYSIDE OF NAGANO PREFECTURE—

"Ey, what're ya thinking about, (Y/n)?" Your friend Yuna's voice broke through the thoughts that had ensnared your mind. She reached across the table, her tanned hand extending towards you, offering a neatly wrapped sandwich. You noticed her nails, painted and polished with intricate bear designs. You remembered that her nails used to have bunny designs; had she gotten them done again? Despite your wandering thoughts, you couldn't help but admire how cute they looked.

Your eyes blinked back to reality, and you offered a grateful smile as you accepted the sandwich. "It's nothing, Yuna," you replied, trying to shake off the vague unease that had settled over you. "Just thinking about stuff, haha..."

"Bet 'ya thinking about boys." Yuria, your other friend, chimed in from beside you. Her voice carried a hint of teasing as she casually played with her phone, most likely scrolling through various social media feeds. Yuria's tanned complexion always complemented her well-applied makeup, and she was known for staying up-to-date with the latest trends. In your little group of friends, she was the designated social media expert, a stark contrast to your own social anxiety.

You glanced at Yuria's untouched food, which sat neglected on her side of the table. It seemed she had forgotten all about her meal as she delved deeper into her online world. The three of you had moved your tables close together to enjoy lunch as a group, a routine you cherished despite your own struggles.

"Ya, our cutie (Y/n)-chan is probably wanting a boyfriend, considering she hasn't talked to a boy, lol~," Yuna teased, her perfectly arched eyebrows raised mischievously, her glossy lips curling into a playful grin.

You pouted, swatting playfully at Yuna's arm. "Hey! Stop teasing me!"

You had to admit, though, they weren't entirely wrong. Your life had been a series of all-girls schools, starting from elementary and continuing through middle school. You had grown up without any significant interaction with boys. Now, as you embarked on your high school journey, you found yourself once again enrolled in an all-girls school.

Whenever you watched a drama, read a manga, or delved into a novel centered on love, your longing for boys only seemed to strengthen. The sight of Adam's apples bobbing, broad shoulders that could provide shelter, and their tall stature that effortlessly towered over girls – not to mention when their voices dipped into those velvety, deeper tones – all of it made your heart race and your cheeks flush. You couldn't help but feel a warmth spread through you, and you could practically feel the drool forming at the corner of your mouth.

"Oof~ she's fantasizing again. We're losing her, Yuna-tan~," Yuria chuckled, casting an amused glance your way.

Yuna joined in with a teasing smile. "Lol, let ya girl dream~"

Your thoughts would wander to muscular bodies, arms adorned with biceps, and hands that were long and bigger than those of girls. Every time your mind wandered down this path, your face would heat up, and you'd find yourself lost in a world of romantic daydreams.

As a result, you were a blend of boy-crazy tendencies mixed with the typical teenage hormones of a girl who had never had the opportunity to interact with the male species. It was a potent combination that left you daydreaming more often than not.

You slammed your head on the table in a fit of frustration, feeling like a hot and sweaty wreck. This dramatic action no longer startled your friends, as they were quite accustomed to you resorting to such antics whenever your mind delved into (often perverted) interesting thoughts. Yuria and Yuna exchanged knowing glances and couldn't help but giggle, finding your exasperation quite amusing. Yuria even took the opportunity to snap a few pictures of your slump form, documenting yet another one of your melodramatic moments. Meanwhile, Yuna busied herself by playing with your hair, cooing softly about how you really shouldn't be so down on yourself.

"Of course, you girls won't relate... You both have boyfriends!" You cried out, your voice a mixture of envy and frustration as you bemoaned the perceived unfairness of the world. Your friends' laughter only intensified at your outburst.

"Ooh~ cutie, having a boyfriend isn't all that!" Yuria chimed in, her tone teasing and mischievous.

"Mhm, being single is much better... that's what they would say," Yuna added, her grin widening as she leaned in closer.

They grinned which didn't help and only made you depressed and a little annoyed at them. Yuna pinch your cheeks still cooing at you to not be upset at them, "Cutie~ you look so cute when you're pouting, Don't worry about boys for now, let's cuddle!" She hugs your head to her chest, rubbing her cheek to your head.

You wore a deadpan expression as you felt Yuna's rather generous bust press against your head – a stark reminder of your own lackluster assets. However, you didn't resist her affections. Truth be told, you weren't actually upset with your friends; you just found it bewildering how they managed to have boyfriends while attending an all-girls school. Where did they find these mythical creatures called boys? Did they materialize out of thin air? Did they conjure them through some secret incantation?

Your mind was filled with questions, and you couldn't help but wonder about the logistics of it all. Did they meet them online? If so, where and how? Were there dating apps involved?

The idea of interacting with boys was a foreign concept to you. You often questioned whether boys even existed anymore or if they were simply a mythical species on the verge of extinction.

How do you even talk to boys? Do they even exist anymore? Are they real?

"Uh oh, she's at it again!" Yuria remarked playfully, snapping a photo of your daydreaming expression.

"Don't drool on my uniform, (Y/n)-chan!" Yuna teased, gently wiping your chin with her finger.

***

"It looks like I'm finally finished..." You let out a contented sigh, your arms reaching up towards the ceiling as you stretched your body. The sensation brought forth a pleasant groan of relief, having been stuck in a sitting position for the better part of the evening. You had been assigned the task of decorating the group project banner, and while you could have easily taken it home, you found yourself feeling rather lazy and decided to complete it in your classroom instead. Your friends, Yuna and Yuria, had already left earlier, wishing you luck before making their departures.

With a sense of satisfaction, you gazed at your finished work, admiring the colorful and creative design you had crafted. However, as you glanced out the window, you were struck by the realization that the sun had almost completely set. Panic coursed through you, and you quickly reached for your phone to check the time.

5:45 PM?!

Your jaw drops in shock.

4:30 PM is your curfew.

'I'm gonna get it...' Dread washed over you as you imagined the scolding you were bound to receive from your strict grandmother. In a frantic rush, you began packing your belongings into your backpack, not caring if everything was organized or not. That could be sorted out later. You grabbed the banner and hung it beside the window, hoping the fresh air would help it dry faster as you prepared to make a hasty exit from the school.

With your heart pounding like a drum in your chest, you hastily threw on your backpack and bolted out of the classroom. Determination fueled your every step as you sprinted down the hallway. Your singular focus was on reaching your bike as quickly as possible; after all, your house wasn't far from the school, and you knew you could make it within five minutes if you hurried.

However, as you raced through the dimly lit hallways, panic gnawing at your insides, you began to notice that something was off. The school building, which was usually well-lit and bustling with life, now appeared darker and eerier than you'd ever seen it. The sun had already set, and you couldn't shake the feeling that you were somehow trapped in a never-ending maze of corridors.

Doubt and confusion started to seep in. You couldn't understand why you felt like you were running in circles. The hallway stretched before you, identical to the one you had just passed through moments ago.

"W-What's going on?" Your voice trembled with uncertainty as you walked hesitantly, turning the corner, only to find yourself faced with the same hallway once more.

'No, this can't be happening...' Your mind struggled to grasp the surreal situation unfolding around you. Cold sweat began to bead on your forehead as your heart raced faster. In a moment of desperation, you pulled out your phone, your fingers trembling as you attempted to call your friends.

"What?! What do you mean there's no signal?!" You couldn't comprehend it. The school building had always had excellent cell reception. It was inconceivable that, all of a sudden, you were left without a lifeline to reach out to your friends or family. The eerie atmosphere of the dimly lit hallways seemed to close in around you, and an unsettling feeling of isolation began to take hold.

"C̶̛̝̜̉́̔̈́̀͘ḧ̸̢̧̬̘̦̖̞͉̼̜̏̽̃̐͘͜͝į̴̩͔͓̃ͅl̶̡̡̩̳̩̟̖̝̭̘̺̗̠̹̯̿͑͝d̴̛̛̯̬̘̩͐̒̌̉͋͊̚"

Oh hell no...

The word slithered through the shadows, a disembodied voice that sent shivers down your spine. Panic surged within you, and you quickly spun around, your heart pounding in your chest. Your eyes darted around the darkened hallway, desperately searching for the source of the voice. 'Please, let it be my imagination,' you silently pleaded with yourself.

"..."

Silence hung in the air, heavy and oppressive. You dared not blink, your wide eyes fixed on the obscurity that surrounded you.

"...Haha! M-Maybe I'm just b-being paranoid! HA. HA." Your laughter came out as a mechanical, forced response, your voice trembling with fear. "T-There's no way, ghosts exist! I-I definitely don't see them! HA. HA. HA."

"C̶͓̔̒̔͑̓́̾́h̶͇̋̂͑̔̉i̸̛̮̋̋̈́̊̋͘͘l̶̨̡̹̟͇͚͔͛͋̍͗̾d̵̫̳͎̙̪̼̮̠̋̂̀͒̆̇̃̕.̷̛̙͒͗̾̔̏͌̓.̶̼̮̤͚̻̫͎̐͆̎̽͊̍̈̕͝.̵͎̝̪̬̍̿̋͂͑͋̐̔̕͘ ̴̢̛̣̹̳̤̖͈̊̀͠W̸̰̻̜̬̖̑̂̒̅͝h̵̡̖̗̪̼̱̭̋̍͘e̷̱̖̗͕̞̦̟̣͚̾̌̈́̎̈̆͆̀̈͑r̵̛̦̓͛̋̕ͅe̴̛͓̖̼̬̤̙̭̲̐̎̽͆̈́̓̕͝ ̴̧̫̲̺̫̞͕͕̳̓̓͒̄̑͂͗̓͜ą̵̱̮̗̭̰̆͊̋̈̚r̴̻̬̳̩̖̬͓̼̈̿͑̀ḙ̷͇̰͈̗̅͆̉ͅ ̴̨͈̙̙̗̼̩̰̗͂͆̌̏̊͂͠ŷ̵̻̂́́ǫ̷̭̺͖̜̍u̵̠̭̦̹̼̓̓͋̔͌̏̅͘ͅ ̶̡͕̙̳̱͐͛g̵̬̀́̽͒̿̓̈́̀͒͠o̸̧̠̭͎͜͝i̵̬͙͈̹͂͒͒̒̉̋̾̎ñ̷͈͓̰̮̬͙̭̳̻͐͑̆́̕ͅḡ̶̨̢̺̜͖͉͕̃̃͗̾̂̆͂͘ͅ?̶̘͗͑́͐̾̄̿̽̈́"

You feel like you're gonna pee your shorts.

The second time the voice spoke, it sent shivers racing down your spine, and you felt a growing urge to flee. You were on the verge of tears as you tried to maintain your grasp on reality, denying the existence of the voice and the horrifying figure it seemed to accompany.

The creatures you had seen in the past never communicated with you, merely lurking silently in the background, seemingly harmless but chilling in their grotesque appearances. This was the first time you had ever heard one of them speak, and it shattered the fragile illusion that they were benign.

As you desperately clung to your denial, a shadow began to emerge from the darkness. Dread coiled in your stomach as the figure slowly advanced toward you.

Oh, hell no pt. 2

"Oh, hell no..." You whispered, your voice trembling, as the full form of the creature revealed itself. This was unlike anything you had encountered before. It loomed over the hallway, its flesh a sickly shade of gray, resembling dead, decaying skin. It stood upon three malformed lumps of flesh, its body sinuous and coated in a glistening slime that oozed like saliva. Its eyes blazed like twin coals, and the chilling whispers that emanated from its grotesque form froze you in place.

"Ć̶̟h̸̭̓i̵̳̿l̶̩͒ḍ̵̿.̸͍̿.̸̜̓.̸̠̓ ̶̭̈́D̷̡̈́o̶͛͜n̵̯̾'̸̮͌t̸͖̓ ̶̨̏l̷̥̿e̸͝ͅa̸̤͗v̵͉͛e̸͚͘ ̸̼̚m̶̃͜e̵͚͐ ̶̛̗h̶̲̾e̴͙̓r̸͙̅e̷̓"

"W-What..." Your breathing hitches as it gets closer, your fight or flight activating. Do you ignore it like you always do? Or...

RUN.

"I̵ ̶j̷u̵s̵t̶ ̸w̶a̵n̴t̴ ̴y̸o̸u̵r̴.̴.̷.̵"

As if you'd just stand there and get hurt. You were already running as fast as your legs could carry you before the monster or whatever it is, is gonna say.

È̴͓H̷̯̄?̸͍̒̔ ̵̥̳̒̅Ȩ̵̍H̸̙̉͗͜ ̸̧̕E̶̜̓̄H̸̨͆ ̸̡̖̕E̶̤̖̋̈H̸̟̻͠ ̷̳̜͂͘Ȉ̷̢̫L̴̖̈́͜͠L̸̢̯̈͘ ̷͇͋K̶͎͎̃̚I̷͓̐̀Ľ̸̡̅L̶̼͙̃̽ ̷̢̤̄͋Y̶̼̭͆̂Ò̴̖͔͛U̷̡͕̕ ̶̙̽̕͜E̷͒̍͜Ā̶̪̻̀T̶̬̤̊̊ ̶̝̪̔Ý̸̘O̸͍̱̐͛Û̶̦̜ ̶͍͍̋Ĕ̷̹A̴̱͉͌T̷̯͛̊ ̸̧̰̂Ě̵̹͍À̵͎͆T̶̗̔ͅ ̸̒͜Ě̶̱̹A̵͘͜͝T̶̛͍̟̽

"NO! AAAAAHHHHH!" You screamed as the monster chase you, already behind your tail. It barely misses you by the hair as you turn towards the corner, making it crush on the wall by how fast it was.

Panic and confusion swirled in your mind. What in the world was happening? You had hoped that by ignoring the creatures, they would simply fade away, but this one was different. It was relentless and menacing. What kind of creature was it, and why was it chasing you? The questions raced through your mind as fear threatened to overwhelm you. You couldn't die here, not when you hadn't even experienced your first kiss yet!

Adrenaline coursed through your veins, granting you an unnatural burst of speed. Your legs carried you faster than you had ever run before. Despite the growing heaviness in your chest and the shallowness of your breath, you refused to slow down. Every muscle in your body screamed for relief, but you couldn't stop. There had to be an escape, a way out of this never-ending nightmare.

Your wide eyes scanned the seemingly endless hallway, desperation mounting with each passing moment. "Is there really no exit?" you muttered to yourself, your voice trembling.

And then, you saw it—a window. The glimmer of hope spurred you forward, your trembling hands reaching for the window. You tried to slide it open, but it refused to budge, no matter how hard you pushed and pulled. Frustration and fear welled up within you as you realized you were trapped. Your vision spun with hopelessness as the horrifying truth sank in—there was no way out.

W̴̟̻̿̔Ḥ̴̻͌E̷̢̺̅Ṛ̴͒Ė̵̖̚ ̷͚̟̋̂I̵̘̻̓S̷̺̲̽ ̴̭̎̓ͅI̸̢̪͐̚T̵̢͐?̸͇̈

Your heart pounded in your chest as you felt the hot, fetid breath of the creature right behind your neck. It had already caught up to you, its grotesque limbs wrapping around your trembling form, lifting you off the ground until your feet dangled helplessly in the air.

Terror consumed you as you realized the direness of your situation. Your grandma was waiting for you back home, and you never thought you'd be yearning to see her fuming face and hear her scolding words. You wanted to hang out with your friends, to experience their teasing and words of encouragement once more. Their voices echoed in your head, a stark contrast to the horrifying reality you found yourself in.

Is this how you die? The thought raced through your mind as you clung desperately to life. You didn't want to die yet, not until you had the chance to talk to a boy, to experience your first kiss, your first time... Wait, what were you thinking?

"I don't wanna die!" You cried out in sheer desperation, your eyes squeezed shut as you braced yourself for the excruciating pain you expected as the creature prepared to devour you, its small razor-sharp teeth stacked menacingly in its gaping maw.

"Gyokuken!"

The deep voice called out, jolting you back to consciousness. Before you could fully comprehend the situation, you felt yourself falling, your body about to hit the ground. But then, strong arms wrapped around your torso and legs, catching you in mid-air.

???

What the hell just happened.

Confusion overwhelmed you as you hung in the air, not yet comprehending the miraculous turn of events. Your brain struggled to catch up with reality. Okay, brain, let's review: You accidentally stayed out past your curfew, you sprinted home in a desperate rush, some monstrous entity was chasing you with the intent to kill, and now you were miraculously saved by...

"Are you alright?"

Your mouth formed a perfect 'O' shape as your gaze locked onto your savior.

Holy mother of Jesus.

A boy.

A real, living, breathing boy. You couldn't help but stare, your mind trying to process the shocking sight before you.

Your eyes were about to pop out of your eye sockets. Your intense gaze studied the boy's features with an almost scientific precision. His fair skin and striking dark blue eyes left you captivated, and oh my good God they really have Adam's apples. Your eyes trailed up to his uniquely styled black hair, its long, messy spikes resembling a sea urchin which you find cute... CUTE. CUTEEEEEEE—

But wait, his nose was tall and pointed. Nice. You found yourself appreciating that detail too. And then, there were his thin lips... Lips that looked, well, rather kissable...

"Hello? Are you alright?"

His words finally registered in your dazed mind, but you were too lost in your own thoughts to respond immediately. In fact, you didn't even notice the quizzical patience in his voice as he continued to speak.

"Um... Why are you drooling? Are you alright? Please answer my question."

That was the moment when you snapped back to reality, your cheeks flushing with embarrassment as you rapidly blinked to regain your composure. You discreetly wiped the drool from the corner of your mouth with your sleeve, hoping he hadn't noticed your brief lapse in self-control.

"I-I... I fine me!" You stammered out, mentally facepalming at your less-than-eloquent response. Smooth, really smooth. What a fantastic start to a conversation with a boy.

"...I see." The boy raised an eyebrow, looking slightly puzzled by your reply. After a quick visual check to ensure you didn't have any injuries, he let out a relieved sigh. You flinched slightly as he gently lowered your feet to the ground.

And then it hit you like a bolt of lightning. He had been... princess-carrying you! Your heart felt like it was doing somersaults in your chest as you realized just how close you had been to him. All the fear and terror from a moment ago had been replaced by a rush of hormones and an intense thirst for any interaction with boys. You didn't even care about the creature that had been about to eat you (which was currently being devoured by your savior's dogs).

"So..." The boy began, his voice sounding surprisingly pleasant to your ears, "I know this seems sudden, but are you carrying some kind of prop? Like school property, maybe?"

Ah... His voice sounds nice... Your (bloodshot) eyes remained fixated on him, your hands clutching your skirt. You were utterly flustered by his tall and imposing presence, and you had to tilt your head back slightly to look up at him. Nice.

He tilted his head slightly, waiting for your response. 'Maybe she's just too shocked by the whole ordeal,' he thought. 'Or perhaps she's feeling uncomfortable... I should take this slow to avoid scaring her further.'

"I'm Fushiguro Megumi," he introduced himself, his tone gentle and reassuring. "I understand that what you just experienced was frightening, but I need your full cooperation for now, okay?"

Your heart did a little happy dance upon hearing his name. 'Fushiguru... Megumi... Megumi, is his name... It suits him because he's pretty...' You blushed at your own thoughts before managing to introduce yourself in a somewhat clumsy manner.

"I-I'm (Y/n)..." Before you could stop yourself, you blurted out your own name. Great move, more of a chance for him to call you by your name.

'I just introduced myself to a boy!' You fist bumped in your head feeling proud that you interacted with your first male specie.

"Okay, so do you think you picked up something?" Megumi continued to ask, his tone becoming more serious as he probed for information.

You shook your head, responding truthfully and obediently to his questions. However, you were still floating on cloud nine, finding it difficult to concentrate fully on the conversation. He was conducting a mini-interrogation, and you were utterly smitten.

His eyebrows furrowed as he seemed lost in thought. "So you don't have it, huh... Then did the curse just go rampant?" He whispered to himself, seemingly deep in contemplation. "No, that can't be right..."

"C-Curse?" You couldn't help but ask, your curiosity getting the better of you.

Megumi nodded, explaining that the creatures you were seeing were curses. Cursed Spirits, to be exact. They were a race of spiritual beings manifested from cursed energy, a result of the negative emotions that flowed out of humans.

"Ah, so that's what they're called," you murmured, trying to sound nonchalant even though you were still mesmerized by his presence. 'He's so handsome... Boys are such mysterious creatures.'

"It looks like the special grade object isn't here... that's weird," Megumi mumbled to himself, his eyes clouded with concern as he considered his next steps. He then turned his attention back to you, sensing that something was amiss. The atmosphere around you felt normal, but there was an unsettling undercurrent, something larger and more ominous lurking beneath the surface. (And no, it wasn't your weird fantasies.)

"We should get out of here--"

"!"

Your brain didn't react fast enough as Megumi shoves you out of the way from a sudden wave of impact heading your direction. You roughly landed on your bottom as you quickly steady yourself with your palms. 'What was that?!"

"Tsk! There's another one..." Megumi grimaced as a larger, more menacing curse spirit materialized. It was a grotesque fusion of nightmares, with a sinewy body covered in obsidian-black scales that glistened with an otherworldly, oily sheen. Its long, spindly limbs ended in clawed, gnarled fingers that dripped with a viscous, noxious ichor.

Your fear and terror from before came rushing back, blending with the swirling emotions of teenage infatuation. It was a dizzying mix of emotions that left you feeling overwhelmed.

'It's likely a grade one... or worse case it's probably a semi-special grade... The curse energy feels overwhelming!' Megumi quickly stood up and helped you to your feet, 'This is bad... It's too strong for me to handle, I have to get her out of here first.'

The terrifying curse loomed over you, its presence sending shivers down your spine. Your entire body tensed up involuntarily, and fear caused your muscles to quiver. It was as if the previous curse was child's play compared to this nightmarish monstrosity. 'I just talked to a boy! I don't wanna die yet!' Your inner voice screamed, and you felt like you were on the verge of tears once more.

The curse had a gaping maw filled with rows of jagged, needle-like teeth that seemed to stretch on forever when it opened wide. Its eyes, or whatever passed for eyes, were twin pools of liquid darkness, each one swirling with an eerie, ever-shifting crimson glow.

Ë̶̛͖̳̰̪͙́̑͊̀́̉̉̿͒̕̚͝Á̶̛̬͍͎͙͎͔̂̐̈́̓̂̂̈Ţ̴̹̅͆ ̴̨̢̢̨̱̠͍̬̗͍̝̟͙͇̘͗͂̐̀̂̓̑͆͒̈́͆̚͘͠Y̸̧̬̺̣̟̼̳͐͌̔̌̉̇̕͜͝͝Ö̷̞́͋̊̆̂̿̒̈́͌͘U̴͖̭̭̪̣͒̀̿͛̑͜

Megumi's voice broke through the fear-induced haze in your mind. "Stay close to me," he muttered, facing the curse with determination.

"Y-YES." You couldn't find words to express your emotions at the moment. You were caught in a whirlwind of terror, confusion, happiness, and infatuation. However, that moment of happiness was short-lived as the situation escalated beyond your ability to process. One moment, you were hiding with Megumi in one of the classrooms. The next, you were running for your life as the curse found your location. Then, your less-than-athletic body managed to trip on... well, nothing but your own clumsiness. Your pace was a lot slower than Megumi's, and panic surged through you.

Tears streamed down your face as you lay sprawled on the cold, hard ground. 'I really don't want to die! Not until I get to kiss a boy!' you sobbed inwardly. 'These sucks! AAAAHH--'

This was far from an ideal situation for Megumi. He had anticipated facing only grade 4 or 3 curses at best, but for some odd reason, a grade 1 curse had managed to slip past his radar. Something didn't add up, and he couldn't shake the feeling that he was missing a crucial piece of the puzzle. You had insisted that you didn't have any cursed objects with you, and he had thoroughly checked your bag (while hiding, of course). That left only one possibility in his mind.

With no other option, Megumi decided to carry you. It seemed that the curse was attracted to you, which was the only explanation he could think of. He sprinted as fast as he could, but with you in his arms, he couldn't summon any more shikigamis. He needed to find an open area, a place where he could fight more effectively and potentially gain the upper hand. The open field was his best bet.

"Hold tight," he told you, his voice filled with urgency. He ran toward the window and crashed through it, clutching you tightly to his chest to ensure you didn't get cut by the broken glass.

'This could be romantic if it weren't for these circumstances!' You thought, your heart racing as your body fell with him. He landed deftly on his feet, still holding you close as he made his way to the middle of the open field, luring the curse after him.

In this moment, you would have screamed in joy and fainted in shock if a boy had held you like this under different circumstances. But you couldn't afford to lose your composure now. He set you down just as he arrived at the open field, the curse following closely behind. The tension in the air was palpable as the curse spirit seemed to size you both up.

Weirdly, you couldn't help but notice that this curse had not attacked you directly but instead seemed content to chase you.

P̷̼̤̩̓Ĺ̷̹̹̜Ẻ̴͙͇̚A̷̰̒̎S̵̡͙̙̏͗͘Ẹ̵̗̓̆͆ ̷̟̘͐̃̀G̸̹̈́I̵̛̠̹͇̅̿V̶̮̤͎̑E̴͓̟̓̒̅ ̸̰͔̏̒M̴͚̳̠̀́Ë̵̝͠ͅ ̶̣̠̝̌̽Ḡ̴̡̧̻̍I̸̭̳̠͐̈́͝V̵̭̬́̈́̏Ē̷͇̂ ̷͈̼̊̓̀G̸̰̍͆̈́Ḯ̴̲̔V̸̦͈͔͐͌Ȩ̵̾

With its disoriented growl, the curse tried to utter words, a grotesque attempt at communication. Megumi stood perplexed, trying to decipher the strange behavior. 'This is really weird... What does it want?'

"What do you want?" Megumi asked cautiously, attempting to glean information about the curse's objectives while buying precious time. You remained close behind him, peeking out to catch a glimpse of the curse, but immediately regretted it as its malevolent gaze met yours, causing you to flinch. 'Creepy!'

The curse slowly lifted its long, gnarled fingers, pointing toward you, its maw stretching into a wide, eerie grin.

Ę̶̾̅̈A̵͎̽T̸̨̲̆̏ ̴̛͜E̴̘͑A̷̢̫̙̅̒T̵̨̈́̿ ̷͈̉̾̚E̵̩͎̚A̶̼̣̦͐T̶̫̫̥̓ ̶͝ͅḦ̸̢͉͐͝Ę̸̠̯͋R̵̙̦͉̅͌ ̶̦̀E̸̳̲͗À̸̩͆T̶̥͎̔̈́̾ ̸͕̗̝̀̎Ḡ̷̺̉Ȉ̵̬͓R̵̯͈̐͌L̶̛̼̦̾̅

'Eat girl? ME?!' A sickening feeling churned in your gut as you heard those spine-chilling words. Any remnants of shyness and caution around the boy dissipated as your hands shot out, gripping Megumi's uniform for dear life. What in the world was that curse saying?

"I-I'm not tasty!" You squeaked out, seeking refuge behind Megumi's protective frame.

'Why does it move so human-like? Pointing and talking,' Cold sweat began to form on Megumi's forehead. 'Why is it so eager to consume her?' He gave a brief glance to you. 'I could just use my toad and get her to safety, but...' His eyes scanned the darkened sky that surrounded the school. 'It seems like we're trapped in here... The curse might have erected a barrier. I can't risk losing sight of her, or she might run into another curse or something worse...'

Taking a quiet breath, he whispered to you, "Stay close and keep holding on."

"O-okay!" You obeyed, staying by his side and maintaining your grip, though your mind wandered in an entirely different direction. 'Ack! His back... it's so firm! Wait, no, no, stop thinking about that!'

The best and safest choice was for you to remain close to him until safety could be guaranteed.

'Until that idiot comes here,' Megumi thought, narrowing his eyes before chanting.

"Orochi!"

Suddenly, a massive serpent lunged at the curse, coiling around its body and attempting to drag it away. However, the curse managed to break free from the grasp of the serpentine creature.

As the battle unfolded, it mostly consisted of keeping you away from the curse while Megumi summoned his shikigamis to distract it. You had some knowledge of combat, but you couldn't help but feel like he was holding back, unable to fully engage with you staying so close to him.

"Tsk!" You physically jumped at the sound of Megumi's irritated click of the tongue.

'I-Is he annoyed at me? Am I a hindrance, preventing him from going all out?' You panicked at the thought of worsening his mood.

Unbeknownst to you, that wasn't the case at all. 'He said he was going to come here soon, so where is he?!' Megumi's eye twitched. 'Is he doing this on purpose? Even a grade 1 or semi-special curse is too much for me to handle. I swear I'll punch him when I see him!'

Megumi had grown impatient with waiting. He muttered to you, "Sorry, but I'll need to get closer to it. I have no choice but to fight it and stop stalling." Your eyes blinked rapidly, and you automatically released your grip on his uniform, noticing it was a bit crumpled and covered in your sweat from your sweaty palms.

'Whoops!'

"Scream if something gets close to you."

Those were his final words as he dashed toward the curse, summoning his winged shikigami and issuing orders to his twin canine shikigamis.

'He... He looks so cool!' Your lips pressed together as you fought to suppress your scream, your fist clenched tightly. 'Stupid! Don't scream!' You slapped yourself inwardly, determined not to let your stupidity ruin his concentration. The least you could do was stay out of his way, but a nagging feeling in the back of your mind warned that something might go wrong.

Something whispered ominously, a faint yet unsettling voice in the depths of your consciousness, pounding and clamoring in the background.

The cursed spirit unleashed a flurry of devastating attacks. Megumi had been instrumental in the fight against the curse, using his shikigami and jujutsu techniques to keep it at bay. But now, the curse had gained the upper hand, its immense power overwhelming Megumi.

"Fushiguro-san...!"

Å̶̫N̷̼͆́͒̄̊̍͑̾̏N̸̛͎̼̱̪̪̮̈́̐̈́̌̂̆̚͠O̷̢̤͝Y̷̻̮̻̟̬͖̒̚ͅI̸̢̨̨͙̲͙̦͉̊̋͗̆͂N̶͉̯̝͂G̴̥͈͇͛ ̷̱̭̝̞̊͂̇̊̊̈́̒͋ͅA̴̧̛͓͂̀͒̂̍̔N̸̦̗͈̳̞͉͓̮̑N̴̛̺̳͚̮͐͂̈̓̈́͛͛O̶̻̼̬̠͙̜̝͋͜͜Ỳ̵͉̜̩͠I̶̪̣̦͊̃͌̐̾N̸͓̘̳͑̽̌̃̑̽̐͆G̴̖͂̀̎ͅ ̵͍̝̟̈́A̴͉͓͛͗̌͑͝N̵̝̟̱͓̪̬̱̮͔̐͆͛̈̓͗̏̚͝N̷̜̣̙̠̙̙̈́̾͗̇̋͑̓̓͊O̵̲͙͍̩͓̲͙̰̖͗̔͝Y̶͓̯̝̊İ̷̲̈́̽̅̈͑N̸͔̣̟̝̼̩̺͛̄G̶͔͉̘̯̻̦͙͌̍ ̵̟͉̖̳͎̱̲̪̘̅̅͐̊̌͂͗͝K̶͇͔͈͇͇̪̣̀́͊̃͘͜I̶̡̘̐͆̃̇́Ļ̵̛̩͎͓̬͚̍Ľ̵̞͈͔̥̠̼̠ ̵̦̓̽̓́͒̆̀̄̌Ÿ̵̲͈̘͕͔̪́̈́̅̿̎͠͠O̸̲͓͈̼̥̼͍̍̈́̈̽̆͆̍̄́͜U̷̱͐̈́̑̈́͝

With a guttural growl, the curse launched an attack aimed directly at Megumi. It was a heavy blow, and there was no time for Megumi to react. The impact sent Megumi sprawling to the ground, pain flared through his form as he absorbed the blow, his teeth clenched. His shikigami vanishing as their time went up.

You gasped in shock and worry, your foot instinctively moving to rush to his side. But you recalled Megumi's earlier words, causing you to halt in your tracks. 'What should I do?!' Your mind raced as you felt your heart pounding with anxiety and concern. 'Think! Think! Fushiguro-san might die protecting me, but what if I only make things worse by going there?!'

K̶̄̾̌͜͝I̶͓̓L̵̗̲͖̭̋̔̚L̷̛̳̱͋̈ ̵̤̌̎̄̍Y̷̩̟̓Ǫ̴̭͚̅̇Ũ̸̺̟̺̳̍͛̚ ̴͔̝͚̐̿͊̚ͅḲ̵̓͒́͋I̸͕͓͂̂͂͘L̴̟̺͕̾̈́L̷̗͕͎͍͗̽ ̴̢̡̮͔̊͋B̸̟̠̅Ẹ̸̺̅͋̄F̸͚̝̹̙̃̎̓O̵̥͍̮̦̕Ṛ̴̫̙̓͗͘͜Ȩ̶͖̜̟͑ ̶̘̗̖͉̂̓E̷̤̝̕Ȧ̸̦̻͜T̸̺̣̊I̴͕͔̘͓̿Ñ̸̬͎̮͆̅̋͜G̵̨̰̙̒͛́ ̸̧͍͍̈́H̷̰͍̼̼̀̑E̵̗͍͍̠͝R̸̛͎̟̓͘ ̷͙̰͝

As the curse closed in on the fallen Megumi, you realized there was no more time for contemplation.

Just as the curse's deadly strike was about to land, your heart swelled with determination and a fierce desire to protect him. You ran forward, each step quickening your heartbeat, making your movements lighter, as if something dormant within you had awakened. An elusive sensation, a tingling deep within your core. The world around you blurred as you moved, and time seemed to slow. The rush of wind against your skin felt electrifying.

"Don't come here! Stay back!" You didn't hear Megumi's scream.

You hurled yourself at Megumi, wrapping your arms around him, and used every ounce of your strength to push both of you away from the impending attack. The curse's strike missed its mark, its claws grazing harmlessly past you both as you tumbled to the ground. You crashed in a heap, hearts pounding, breaths coming in ragged gasps. Your arms remained locked around Megumi, the two of you lying there, momentarily stunned by the turn of events.

'Oh my God! That was too close!' Your jaw hung open as you took in the impact left by the curse on the ground, a deep and hollow crater.

Meanwhile, the curse that had been closing in were left momentarily baffled by your unexpected actions. The chaotic scene around them seemed to freeze as both of narrowly escaped the curse's attack.

E̵̡̢͔͇̣͍͖̼̰̽̃ͅH̷̡̟̲̥̪̥͙̤͛̇̈͗͝

'The heck you mean eh?!'

As the dust settled, you two exchanged a bewildered and worried glance. Megumi was caught between disbelief and bafflement, torn between scolding you for your reckless actions and feeling grateful for your intervention.

"C-Can you move?! Are you alright?!" You asked, your voice filled with genuine concern. Megumi appeared on the brink of passing out, his body covered in sweat and grime, his eyes drained from the intense combat. He ignored his wounds, focusing solely on your well-being, though his right leg throbbed with pain. Your safety was his top priority, but he wondered if he could keep this up much longer.

'Damn, I can't think straight... My leg feels like it's been butchered. At this rate I won't be able to protect her.'

Ģ̷̛̉̔I̴̞̲̭̼͔͒̔̆̂͠V̷̨̝̼͋́Ę̴̖̺̩̠̮͈̍̀̒̆ ̴͉͍͖̠̜̲̣͊̄̅̕Ǘ̷̧̹̫̰̦͕̲̕P̷̨̡̲̓̿̽̿͘ ̵͈̄G̷̢̧̮̻̟̪̳̽̏͒̔I̸̝̬̭͚̍̇̄̌̀V̸̻̰͍̳͖̳͙͠͝É̶̫̲̟́̔ ̸̡̢̗̐̈́͗̈́̎̿M̷̙̝͕͕̘̋́̋E̸̪̤̗̿̓̎͊̽͝ ̶̨̛̯̭͑̓̑̐͘Ÿ̴̳̠́̊O̵̟̼̻̙̪̱͛͝U̴͍̾̈́̏̎̃͜R̵̢̭͎͙̭̟͉̓͑̿ ̸̜̲͕̝́͒́̃̽͠ͅÇ̶̼̯̦̘̈̔̀̈́̿̓Ǔ̶̬͓̱͙̓̈͋̾͘R̵̦͇͓͂̊̀̀S̴̩͊́̈́̾̉̊̐Ë̶̯͓́̿̿͝͠D

Your brain seemed to short-circuit as you shouted at the curse, "What the heck do you want from me?!" Tears welled up in your eyes as you pointed at it, "I'm telling you right now, I'm not delicious, so just quit it and leave us alone!"

'Cursed?' Megumi feels his vision blurring, 'Does the curse want her power? Does she have? A cursed energy...'

"F-Fushiguro-san, can you stand? We need to run, or e-else the curse..." Your voice quivered with urgency as you tried to help him stand, "Eek! Quick!"

The curse's sinister laughter echoed, growing closer with each passing second.

Ũ̵͇͙͖͓̬̱̯̀̈́̉̾͐̔S̶̩͈̝͓̰͖͛E̵̘̗̤͑͂̂̅̊̀͠L̵̛̟̬̥̺̀͝E̶̥̤̼̊̋̽̀̇͜Ś̵̛͔̫̺̰͓̖̟̽́̐S̴͓̮̺͑̾̾͛̊̌̄ ̶̨̨̰̆ͅÎ̶̳̻̰́̇̄̉Ḻ̷̨̹͈̣̇͗̏̈L̷̯͍͖͍̬͑̓̚ ̸̧̖̝̭̓͊̊K̷͇̘̓Í̶͉͆́̂͂̿͝L̵͕͍̳͎͊͑̐̒̕Ḷ̵̞̹̱̠̱͉̍͋͑͛͝ ̶̰͚̫̈́̐̇͐̕͝Ȟ̵̝̞̺̤̐̀̂͗͝Ĭ̴͉̳̬͔͎͉̠͝Ṁ̷̡̩͕̥͉̫̘ ̸̫̱͔̙͍̓͜Ã̵͓̦̐͘͝Ǹ̸̦͔͉̦̙͙͗́̅͜D̶̟̰̜͇̭̺̃͂́͆ͅ ̷̮̇̄̍̃̽Ę̷̯̝̈́͛̈̍͝Ä̴͍̟̐̒͜T̷͔͇͚͔̰̗̂͌͆ ̸̡̛͖̳͔͔̣̞͛̈́̆̎͋̑Ẏ̷̝̞͙̩͇̈́̚̕͠ͅͅO̵͎̾͜Ǘ̵̞̹̟̮̤̣̐͠

"Just leave me and get out of here. Someone will come get you, so..." He whispered, his voice strained, letting you support him. Your mind was fixated on getting both of you out of this situation.

But in your haste, you stumbled, sending both of you tumbling forward. Megumi, in an attempt to protect you, reached out and grabbed your arm, but your combined momentum led to you crashing to the ground, rolling through the grass, limbs entangled.

Great. You couldn't have worse luck.

"Fushiguro-san! I'm so sorry! But I think we're going to die!" Tears streamed down your cheeks as you clutched your chest, feeling like you were on the verge of hyperventilating, "I'm sorry for not helping! B-But I'm glad I was able to talk to you before I die! Thank you for being a boy!"

'What is she saying?' Megumi didn't quite grasp your words as he sat up, looking at your heaving form, "We're not going to die."

"Yes, we're gonna die! Look at that curse! It could've killed us a moment ago, but I honestly think that it's playing with us first! You're going to get killed, and I'm going to get eaten like a burger! WAHHHHH!" You screeched.

"I'm telling you that's not going to happen." Megumi tried to reassure you, his mind a whirlwind as he contemplated his last resort.

You were shitless scared, and the looming specter of death made you recall all the memories you'd shared with your grandma. You missed your bed, your grandma's cooking, your friends' teasing. If you weren't so lazy, you'd have finished that stupid banner at home, and this situation wouldn't have occurred. But mainly, you remembered your grandma, the woman who had raised and cared for you. You missed her short temper, her voice, her words.

'Nana... Nana! I'm so sorry! I'm sorry for not getting home before curfew! I'm scared of dying without saying goodbye to you!'

...

"You can ask for a kiss if you're scared."

kiss

Kiss

KISS

KISS!

Snapping your bloodshot eyes open, your hands grabbed the side of his arms, "Please kiss me! I don't wanna die without having my first kiss! WAHHH!" You full on wail on the poor guy, shaking him in desperation.

Megumi was taken back by your ridiculous cries, "W-What the heck are you saying?"

"I wanna have my first kiss before I die! Please! Please! PLEASE!" Your brain seemed to have short-circuited (again), and your words tumbled out in a jumbled mix of desires and desperation.

"We're not gonna die! Listen this is not the time to be thinking about kisses."

"This is the perfect time to think about that! This is my last request before I get eaten alive! O-Oh, if you have a girlfriend just imagine her as me!"

"I don't have a girlfriend!"

As the two of you argued in the open field, your voices carried across the expanse, mixing with the tension in the air. The cursed spirit, sensing your panic, prepared to unleash its attack, dark energy swirling around it.

K̵̪̠̋̂͂̍I̸̡̜̮̰͉͍̋͆̅̅͗͜͝S̵͖̩͓͉͆̆̈̂Ş̷̛̟̠̩͗̓̓̓͂ ̶͕͎͓̗̐̿̈́͜ͅĢ̴̊̎̽͜O̴̧͚̞̙̪̓̉̀́͒̕ͅÓ̵̯̃̐D̶̥̦̋̍͊͂̊͒B̸͓̲̝͚̱̓̒̓͝͝Ŷ̶͍͕̃̓̿̕Ē̵͔̱̳̝̪͔̈́̌̊

Did the curse just dissed you?

Amidst the chaos, your movements grew frantic. You stumbled forward, colliding with Megumi. But instead of an expected collision, the impossible happened. Something that you thought would never ever happen in your life.

"!"

Your lips met the lips of a male human.

You could hear the bells of heaven ringing in your ears. Was it because you're happy or about to die? Maybe both. Time seemed to slow down as you both froze, caught in the absurdity of the moment. As your lips pressed Megumi's in the midst of your chaotic and absurd argument, an extraordinary and completely unexpected thing happened. A surge of energy, like a lightning bolt, coursed through your body. It felt as if the universe itself had decided to play a prank on you in this dire moment.

You and Megumi pulled away from each other, wide-eyed and flushed with surprise. The cursed spirit's presence still lingered, but your accidental kiss had bought you a precious moment of respite.

Suddenly, just as you thought the world couldn't get any stranger, at the first sign of this newfound energy manifested as a tingling sensation, starting at the tips of your fingers and radiating outward. The air around you crackled with anticipation, and your heart raced with a mix of fear and exhilaration, ignited by the unexpected kiss. The ground beneath you trembled, and with a blinding flash of light, a giant, spectral demon hand materialized in front of you and Megumi, it was comically oversized, as if plucked from a surreal nightmare. Forming a protective barrier around you and Megumi just as the cursed spirit's attack was about to strike.

Both of you stared in awe (you mostly gawked) at the giant hand that had appeared, shielding you from harm. The cursed spirit's attack crashed against the barrier, causing sparks to fly, but the hand held strong and unscathed. It was as if you had tapped into a wellspring, you never knew existed—something that had lain dormant within you, waiting for the right moment to awaken.

'T-This is...!' Megumi's eyes scan the demon hand, taking in the sight of the daunting and massive presence, 'There's no way that this is...'

"Onryo's Grasp!"

"J-Just what the heck is happening... Onryo's grasp?" Your eyes spun in confusion, relief, and embarrassment. Overwhelming feelings filled your heart (and brain). Wait, this is going too fast; you haven't even moved on from your first kiss.

S̴͕̝̬̼͆̃̅͋̄͠Õ̴̧̪̩̮͚̇̅̀̚̚Ŕ̸̡̧̩̜͓̦̋͝C̷̠͇̼̯̦͒͂͌̔͆̐̚ͅE̸̫͍̮̽̈́̋̀̕͘R̴̨̺͈̻̹͛̐Y̸̭̜̬̖͑.̸̧͉͚̑̀̐̌̂.̵̛͉̾͆̈̍̌.̶̧̗̳̼̔̅́͐̂ ̸̢̣͓͙̟̓Ơ̸̢͉̭͐̄͘͠F̷̖͇̲͆̅͑̈́͝ ̴̝̤̹̬͍͙͖̆͊̇̊̒̾̊T̷̺͉̗͚͋Ḫ̷͕͈̮͕͉̙̓̅͆̍Ẽ̸̻̐̇ ̷̡̫̻̠͇͛̕G̷̟͖̜̠̖̗̙̅̓̈Ö̸̢̊̔̉̆̈́͂Z̵̼̝̲͙̺͎̀Ẽ̴̲̘̞̗̈́͂̕͜͠N̷͖̂̀͌͐ ̴̢̪̳̹͎̤̗̄͒͛͂̉͝Ç̵̛̪̤̞̦̹̈́͂̏͛͝L̵̻̀̆́́̓͊A̴̺͈̥̯̫̬̭͗͑̀̄̄̌̐N̷͚͇̳̝̖͈͎̋͐̈́̈̚.̵̛̮̮̤̮̈́̃̍̌̑̑.̶͎̟͎̩̮̒̍̌.̸̨̡̟̲̙̈́́

The curse hissed, its voice trembling with fear.

The demon hand reached up, its spectral fingers extending toward the heavens. The sight sent shivers down the curse's form, its arrogance vanishing like flickering stars before the night sky. The curse tried to retaliate, but its movements faltered as the massive hand descended upon it. Panic seized its twisted heart as it realized the true terror of "Onryo's Grasp." The hand clamped around the curse's writhing form, its grip unyielding.

"Gozen?" Megumi trails his gaze towards you, his face was mix in disbelief and confusion, 'No way...'

"H-How does it know my last name?" You remember not mentioning to Megumi or to the curses, 'Where did that giant demon looking hand came from? Why is it trying to help- I mean kill the curse?! Clan?! And what does sorcerer mean?! AAHHH-- Too many questions! Let me savor my accidental first kiss!'

D̸̂̇́͜A̸̢̪̗̟̝͛́͛ͅM̵̩̟͖̦̈N̶̻̮̼̋ ̶̞͔͔̌́͆́͝͝ͅD̸̺̝͉̺̼̀͆̃͝͝ͅA̸̻͖̘̬̍͘͘M̸͔͓̃͛̇̎͗̐Ṋ̷̨̟̣͈͊̾̌ ̵̢̞͕̖̳̘̓͜I̵̛̳͎͛͒̍̆͑̕L̶̲̠͎̃͐̈̒́̎L̷͈̺̰̰̔̏̊̿̕͝ ̴̬̻̗̏̋̂̌̍̾K̶̼̰͖͍̟̓̋̊ͅI̸̡̧̭̼̰̤̬̐̅L̸̡̘̲̩̽̀̏L̵̖̖͖̓

As the curse's futile struggles continued, the spectral hand tightened its grip with relentless force. The once-arrogant curse spirit was now a trembling, desperate entity, its last moments fraught with terror.

"Just die already you stupid curse!" You yelled and as soon as those words left your mouth, a violent burst of dark energy erupted. The curse's spirit fought against the grip of the massive hand and one last time, refusing to go down without a fight. The ground trembled, and the air crackled with malevolence.

You squeak as the ground trembles beneath you, luckily Megumi held you around your shoulders as he secures your ground and his own.

With a thunderous roar, the curse's form exploded in a burst of jagged shadows. The massive demon hand crushed down upon the curse, its spectral fingers digging into the very core of the curse's existence. There was a sickening, bone-crushing sound as the curse's form contorted and shattered under the immense pressure making you cringe and flinch. The impact was powerful, sending shockwaves through the area and causing debris to scatter in all directions. The ground where the curse had once stood was scorched and marked with the remnants of its violent demise.

Megumi shielded you from the debris, the sound of flesh like yet shadowy substance hit the ground. The intensity of the curse's final stand was nothing but bits of it, slowly dissipating into the atmosphere like dark smoke.

The spectral hand of or what you heard Megumi called, Onryo's Grasp withdrew, the supernatural presence in the area slowly fading away.

The open field of the school fell into a heavy silence as the remnants of the curse spirit dissolved into nothingness. The curse's malevolence had been extinguished, and the darkness it had brought with it had been banished.

"W-What just happened...? Is it over?" You let out a breath as you stared at the scorched spot. You were left in awe of the raw power you had just witnessed.

Megumi, his expression a mix of disbelief and confusion, could hardly comprehend what he had just witnessed. His voice barely above a whisper, he uttered the words that had just shaken the very core of his understanding, "Sorcerer... of the Gozen Clan..."

You blinked, caught off guard by his words. "Gozen Clan? What... what are you talking about?"

Megumi's gaze met yours, his eyes widening as realization dawned on him. "You... you don't know, do you?" He gazes at the ground instead, of course you don't know. You're just a normal high-schooler and is probably traumatized about what occurred before, you didn't even know what curses were.

Your confusion deepened, and you shook your head in response. "I-I don't know anything about a Gozen Clan. What's going on? It's just my last name..." Your breath suddenly became shallower, and your hands trembled, "I-I just wanna go home...!" Your eyes started getting blurry with tears covering your vision.

"(Y/n)... I-"

Clap Clap Clap

Tears were about to spill again, but the sound of someone clapping made you turn your head. Megumi turned as well, his face immediately scowling the moment he realized who it was.

"Marvelous! That was truly a sight to see!"

Like a vacuum, your tears were sucked back into your tear ducts as you gawked at the sight of a very tall man. He had snow-white hair, a black blindfold covering his eyes which propped up his hair and gave it a spikier appearance. He also wore a dark blue zip-up jacket which seemed similar to Megumi's uniform.

'He's so... He's so hot!' Your jaw almost dropped, and eyes almost bulge out at the sudden appearance of the white-haired man. Your mood suddenly shifted to 'gonna cry because I almost die' to 'I met another boy and he's hot' mood.

You don't know if this night keeps getting better or worse.

"You-!" Megumi was about to cuss at the man but held himself back and took a deep breath, "Why did you only appear til now, Gojo-sensei?"

A huge grin decorated the tall man's face called Gojo. He sauntered towards you two, lazily crouching down, "Interesting! Interesting!" He stared at you while rubbing his chin with his index finger and thumb, "You're really unstable, alright."

'Unstable?!' You held your breath as he got closer, cheeks getting flush. You feel his eyes staring intently at you making you gulp nervously, 'Too close! But he smells good... agh, stop thinking! He's a teacher, you degenerate!'

"Oh my, no wonder that thing wanted to eat you so bad! That's hilarious~!" He lets out a chuckle, his amusement evident.

Megumi's scowl deepened, but Gojo didn't seem bothered at all. Instead, he turned his attention back to you. "And to think, you used the infamous Onryo's Grasp just now. How fascinating! I didn't know I'll ever get to witness that in my life." He turns to Megumi who is still scowling at him, "Thanks, Megumi! Good work for finding this cutie~!" Gojo cheered and gave him a thumbs up which Megumi swatted away in annoyance.

"I didn't find her, she was just a normal civilian that I saved."

"Normal civilian? Well, she's not normal now that's for sure."

You blinked, not understanding what he's saying, "W-What are you talking about?" You are still lost. Onryo's this. Onryo's that. What the hell is that even? And why are they saying you aren't normal anymore? All you know is that the strange man is handsome even though you can't see his eyes, the blindfold is a plus points to you though.

Gojo grinned wider, his blindfolded eyes seemingly twinkling with mischief. "I have to say, you're quite the wild card, aren't ya?" He quietly snickers to himself, "Those old fools will shit in their pants if they hear about this. Hope they lose another 10 years of life after—no, it'll be better if they end up 6ft under instead."

Megumi snapped him out, "Stop thinking about your weird antics. We need to treat her first."

"Ah- yes, we do!"

Your heart pounded in your chest as his hands gets close to your forehead, you heard him mutters some words before your vision goes black.

"Sorry but I need you to sleep for a bit~."

~~"My promise to you, ----, it's the core of ------. I'd sooner ˡⁱᵒⁱ ᵘⁱᵗʳᵛᵉᵐᵃᵗᵃⁿᵐᵒᵇ ᵃⁿᵃⁿᵒʰⁿᵃʰᶠʰᵈ , for your ɐɯpıɹ unɐʇʎǝ sɥ~~ ��ǝʇǝɯıoן ɐɥןן. But oh, ᵗⁿ ᵉᵒ ˢᵉⁿᵖᵐʸ,ᵗᵐᵉ ʸ ᵉᵒᵉ ᵒʳᵛʷ ʷᵒᵐˢⁱᵐʰˡⁿʰ wanes and danger looms, ₗₕₑ ₗᵢ Gₙᵢᵥ ᵢᵣₐₐₕFᵣₑₘₗᵢDₜₜFₜ,ₐ ₑᵤBₐ ₑ fail you. Y ᴰ ᴼᴱᶜᴹ ᴵᴬᶜ ᴮᴴᴵ ᴱᴳᴷᴼᴰᴴᴿ ᴿᶠ,ˢ ᴵᴱᴺᴿᴺᴿ ᵀᴬ ᵀᴿᴬˢᴿᴱʸ ᴱᵀᴱᴼ ᵀʸᵀᴰᵁ ᴵ ᴼ ᴸᴹᴿᴿᴬᴬᵁ ᴸˢʸᵁᴱʸᴼᴴᴴᵀᵀᴵᵁᴺᴬᴼ ᴬᶜᴱᴺᴼᴴⱽᵀᴱ ᵀᴳˢᴼᵀ'ᴳ ᵀ ᴳᵀᴿᴵᵀ ˢᵀᴺᵀ'ᴹᵀᴼˢᴴᴱᴬᴱ ᶠᴴᵀᴿᴵᵀ..ᴸᵀ ᴳ ᵁᴿ ᴴᴴ,ᴿᴿᴼᴾᴿᵀᴰᴱˢᴼᴴˢᵁˢᵀ ᴵᴸᴵᴴⱽ ᵀ,ᶜᵁ ᵁᵁ ᴰᵀᵀᴿˢᴬᴱ,ᵀᴼᴹᴱ ᴸ heavy burden."

What...?

"In the -------- of ₜₜₕDₑGₛₙ ₐₜG Yₚₕ,.ₑᵢ ₑₐₜ ᵣ ₑᵣFᵤ ₒₒDₐₐ ₙ,ᵤCₑₗₐₙ ᵢ ₛDₑₘYₑᵣᵣ ₑWᵢₘₐₕₐₒ ₘₒ knocking, I felt ᴺᵀ ᴰᵀⱽᴺᴱᵁ ᴬᵀᴺᴿᴸᴱᴱᴱᴺᴺʸᴬʸᵁᴮᴵᴼ ᴸᴳᴵ,ᵀᴵˢ,ᴼᴱ ᴴ ᴰᴵ ᴿᵁᴿʸᵁ ᴸⱽᴳᵀᴮᵁᴸᴼᴱ ᵁᴿ flame within me."

What are you saying...?

Weird... But they have a gentle voice...

So soothing like being cradled in a warm embrace, a soft and comforting presence.

"(Y/n)..."

Slowly blinking your eyes open, the ceiling of your bedroom greets your view, slightly blurry as your eyes adjust to the sunlight illuminating around the room. You can hear the birds' chirp and feel the breeze from the open window beside your bed.

"Oh, look who's finally awake!"

Flinching slightly, you turn your head at the source of the loud voice, "Yo! Did you have a good sleep, sleeping beauty~?" The blindfolded man greets as he sat on a chair facing you.

What the...

With a jolt, your upper body propelled as you sit up in bed. You hold your blanket close as it covers you right above your nose, "W-What happened? Where's Fushiguro-san? My nana?"

Gojo hold both of his arms up, a smile etches on his face, "Don't worry they're safe and sound. Megumi's not here right now though. But your Nana is--"

Suddenly the door slides open and the person you long to see finally made her appearance, you shot up in your bed and run towards her. Your arms open as your eyes water in relief.

"Nana!"

But instead of a warm embrace, a fist meets your head.

"Oh my." Gojo could only utter and a hand hovering his mouth, slightly shock at the sight.

"You..." You heard her start, her voice filled with venom sending chill down your spine. You clutch your head, cowering at her foul mood. It's been a while since she's been this pissed. But, yes, that's your grandma alright. "Not only did you not come back home before your curfew..." You could almost see horns growing out of her head. Now, this is more terrifying than the curses you encountered that night.

"You brought a trash with you!"

"T-Trash...?" You rub your head as you think of what she's referring to.

Brain... processing... Analyzing....

Loading...

Ding!

Gojo = Trash

You hit your fist with your palm in victory, "Aha!" Wait no, he saved you! Probably! No, Megumi was the one but whatever, Gojo is in the room right now, he might feel insulted! Poor him! You snap your head to look at the said man, but he looks unfazed and honestly looks amused.

You turn back to your grandma, whimpering, "B-But they saved me... kind of..." You close your eyes and face the floor, thinking of a plan to calm your grandma down. You conclude that giving her the puppy eyes as best as you can, (it's the worst idea someone could come up with) would appease her temper (it won't), "Don't be mad at me, I'm sorry it won't happen again..."

You swear you saw her pop a vein.

You really screwed yourself with that one. Good job self.

"I'm sorry! I'm sorry, alright?! I apologize!" You started wailing at her on the floor as a response, completely forgetting the fact that a strange, blindfolded man can see all of this happening. (He finds it entertaining, he's just happy to be there.)

***

Crying your eyes out went on for 15 minutes.

It was worth it.

Your eyes maybe puffy and red but you didn't get your ass whooped so that's a victory for you. (Not that your nana would actually whoop you, you just woke up after all.)

Your grandma went out to get something while you calm down.

"So..." You heard Gojo speak, his legs crossed as he sits across you as he rests his chin by his knuckles, "You ready to go?"

You were silent for a moment,"...Go where?" Dumbfounded and confused at the enthusiastic man. Your eyes trail over his long legs, 'So long...' Now you could feel yourself reverting back, (fantasizing about boys and stuff). You just hope you won't drool and make yourself more of a fool.

"Oh? Did you forget about our promise~?" He tilts his head with a smile, his leg swinging just a bit.

"Promise? S-Since when?" You mentally screech when your voice cracked. ~~(His voice is too sexy for you to handle.~~)

"Well, I don't blame you if you can't recall now." His smile widens and leans closer to you which made you gulp, sweating and cheeks flushing at how close he's getting to your face. You didn't dare blink and held gaze through his blindfolded eyes.

"You were unconscious for 30 days after all~!"

"Wakie wakie~!"

In an instant, your eyes flew open, and your consciousness surges from the depths of sleep.

'Where am I?' You thought and clutched your slightly aching head. Slightly groaning, your eyes adjusted to the dim light of lamps lighting up a small dark room you are in. Paper talisman covered the wall and ceiling, two big ropes hanging from it and reaching the floor.

You sat upon a simple wooden chair in the middle and standing in front of you is the man you've previously met.

"Well, well, well," Gojo's voice carried his characteristic blend of amusement and nonchalance. "Sleeping beauty has finally woken up~."

Confusion mingled with your grogginess as you tried to make sense of the situation. "Where... where am I?"

"Nothing special about it, really." He gestures at the room.

Your eyes panicked slightly, scared at the unfamiliar place, "T-Then why am I here?"

Gojo raised both his arms, a smile etched on his face. "I brought you here because it's time we had a little chat, Little Gozen. You see, your cursed technique, 'Onryo's Grasp,' it's not just any technique. It's a part of your heritage, a legacy of the Gozen Clan."

A mixture of hesitation and curiosity washed over you, your lips purse at the sudden info, "The Gozen... Clan? I don't know... I only have my grandma."

Gojo nodded, "It's not surprising. The Gozen Clan is shrouded in mystery, and their history has mostly faded into obscurity. But they were known for their unique cursed technique, 'Onryo's Grasp,' which you just displayed."

"Onryo's Grasp..." You repeated the name that they keep mentioning, your mind flashes the memory of the massive and demon-like hand's appearance, "W-What is that exactly?"

Gojo softly hums, "Let's start by your family first or I should say... your clan~."

Gojo began to recount the history of the Gozen Clan, "The Gozen Clan was once a prestigious and revered matriarchal clan in the world of curse users. For generations, they were known for their mastery of forbidden curse techniques and their unparalleled knowledge of cursed energy. Led by powerful matriarchs, the Gozen Clan's influence reached far and wide, and they were instrumental in the protection of society from curses."

"It's getting long, so Imma keep it short, basically they were a big shot in the jujutsu society and world. They were originally part of the big sorcerer family." His voice gets dramatic as he continued, "However, as time passed, during the Meiji era, they disappeared on us. Dwindled in clan members where eventually none remained. No one really knows the reason why, you guys- I mean ladies went poof on us! And never came back... Not even saying goodbye!" He fake cried, wiping his blindfolded eyes like his shedding tears.

You sweat dropped at such childish display.

"You girlies had a quite good relation to the Gojo Clan after all... Well, at least compared to the other two." He continued patting his blindfold with a handkerchief- wait where did that handkerchief come from?

"Oh, I'm part of the Gojo Clan. Gojo Satoru." He bluntly said before letting out a dramatic sniffled, resuming to his fake cry.

"O-Oh, really?"

"Yeah, really. Such a good relation that we preserve some of your artifacts, records, and stories. Hmm, they weren't many though, your ancestors probably took it with them so there's only few we could take." He tapped his cheek with his index finger, "Well, some clans or individuals with interest in preserving jujutsu history probably took some as well."

'Whoa... The Gozen Clan really is a bigshot...' You thought, kind of proud at that information. Not that you consider yourself as a part of such prestigious clan, they're way out of your league to be considered. You were just a normal high school girl after all. (It did stroke your nonexistent ego though.)

"Some of it are in Jujutsu High but we'll talk about that later~." You swore you felt him wink through his blindfold. "Now let's talk about what you're more curious about, shall we?"

The Gozen Clan's curse technique, known as "Onryo's Grasp," is a unique and powerful ability that allows them to create and control giant demonic hands. These hands are imbued with cursed energy and can be manipulated to perform various actions and attacks. He explained how the technique had been passed down through generations but had largely vanished from the jujutsu world. Not to mention, inheriting such a powerful technique is such a rare occurrence that if you have it, you're automatically the head of the Clan. So not much is known about it but the sheer power of the cursed technique.

"Records about the technique were lost. Limited knowledge is known about it, but it did cause mass destruction whenever it's used in its full potential, or may I say complete manifestation?"

"It's that powerful...? I-I mean it was scary when I saw it..." Your palms started sweating, your posture tensing.

"Uh-huh and what you probably summoned is not the compete manifestation of it~! I mean you unconsciously brought it out, so of course it's not." He playfully shrugged like it's no big deal, "Scary if you asked me, how much scary is it gonna be when fully manifested? Yikes!" He snickered.

You had a feeling he wasn't really scared but his words made you even more nervous and pressured.

"And our little history class is over!" He grinned, doing a singular clap, "Now let's discuss why you're here."

"You, my little Gozen will be under Primordial Restraint Protocol!"

"H-Huh?! What's that?" You dreaded because it sounds like an execution.

"Dunno, something the elders made up." He bluntly replied.

"..."

Seeing your horrified expression after what he said almost made him burst out loud, "Don't worry, some fancy words for protocols."

You sure hope he doesn't miss out telling you important details. (He did.)

"As a member of the Gozen Clan, you have the responsibility to not only wield this power but also to master it," Gojo emphasized. "And that's where I come in. Yours truly! We're going to unlock the full potential of 'Onryo's Grasp' and ensure that you can control it with precision." He beamed.

Your eyebrows knotted together, mouth agape as you stared at him in disbelief, trying to process the sudden rush of information. "W-What if I refuse?" Your voice wavered with uncertainty. It seemed like an overwhelming responsibility, and you couldn't help but wonder if you were getting involved in something far more dangerous than you had ever imagined. It'll be better if you don't get involved, they can just leave you be, right?

"Then you'll get executed~!" Gojo replied casually, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

Your heart skipped a beat at his nonchalant tone. The gravity of the situation began to sink in.

Gojo chuckled, his demeanor remaining oddly relaxed. "Sorry, our elders are very timid. They would resort to execution when things don't go their way. So, I advise you to cooperate with me, ok~? I don't want you to get executed as well." He tried to downplay it, but the way your face contorted in fear, and your eyes welled up with tears made him freeze.

"Uuu...Huhu..." Tears welled in your eyes as you sniffled. The thought of death and killing might be part of Gojo's daily existence, but for you, it was a terrifying prospect. You regretted staying late for that silly banner. If it weren't for that, you wouldn't be here, informed about your potential execution. Was this some kind of divine punishment for indulging in teenage fantasies about boys? Punishment for being a pervert? You were just being curious, that's all! (Maybe).

Gojo waved his hands in slight panic, attempting to console you. "Don't cry. If that were to happen—which it won't! I'll be on your side, I won't let that happen."

Your sniffles and sobs slowly began to subside as your hands worked to wipe away the tears streaming down your cheeks. "...You promise?" you asked with a shaky voice.

A confident smirk painted Gojo's lips, his voice oozing pride and arrogance.

"I promise. After all, I'm the strongest."

***

"Then you fainted and slept for 30 days after that~!"

Gojo added with a playful twist of his index fingers. You, on the other hand, sat there, utterly dumbfounded by the whirlwind of revelations and emotions that had just swept over you.

Your mind raced to process everything, "30 days?!" You gasped, shocked at the passage of time. It felt like a surreal dream, but you were acutely aware that it was all too real.

"Well, it's not your typical nap, that's for sure. You see, when you summoned 'Onryo's Grasp' and channeled that burst of cursed energy, it took a serious toll on your body. Your own power, which had been restricted for so long, suddenly surged out."

You blinked, struggling to comprehend, "Restricted power?" Your mind boggles at that idea, 'Power? Superpower? I-I... am I like batman? Wait, no! Batman doesn't have powers!'

Gojo nodded, humming as his crossed legs spreads open which startled you, 'Is this what they call manspreading?!'

"Yeah, the Gozen Clan's cursed technique can be pretty wild if not controlled. Your body couldn't handle it, so it went into a deep sleep to recover. Thirty days might seem like a long time, but trust me, it's better than the alternative—burning out and dying."

'Dying?! Oh, hell nah!' The gravity of it all began to sink in, bullets of sweat raining on your temple. Your voice dejected and quiet, "So, I was essentially in a... coma?"

"In a way, yes," Gojo confirmed, "But don't worry, you're awake now, and we're going to train you to control that cursed technique properly. No more fainting for a month, I promise~." Just as Gojo finished speaking, the room's door creaked open, and your grandma entered. She carried an old-looking book, its pages yellowed with age, and her attitude was nothing short of impatient.

"Gojo Satoru, (Y/n)," she began, her voice carrying authority, and you could tell she was still a little bit irritated, "This book contains the techniques and capabilities of our clan." She walked over and placed the old book on the table.

His smiles quirk up, "Thank you, Miss Gozen." Gojo stands up and leans down to take a look at the book.

Her eyes narrowed as she stares daggers at him, "I'm only doing this for (Y/n)."

Your hand slapped to cover your mouth, eyes sparkling at her sudden rare display of affection. 'My nana is so cute!' You thought she heard what you were thinking as she shot you a glare.

Gojo notice her glare and decided to play along with you, "Aww~ is granny a little tsundere for her~?!" His hands clasped each other and pressed it close to his cheeks to act cutely, which your she snarls at.

You nearly burst out laughing at the sudden teasing. It was a welcome moment of lightness in what had been a whirlwind of shocking revelations.

With the book now in Gojo's possession, he began to flip through its ancient pages. "Let's see what secrets 'Onryo's Grasp' holds, shall we?"

Your grandmother's stern expression softened slightly as she observed you both. "I gave you that book, Gojo, so you can keep her safe and techniques in control. Don't forget that."

Gojo's confident smile didn't waver. "Of course, Miss Gozen. I take my responsibilities very seriously."

As you watched Gojo and your grandmother exchange words and glances, you couldn't help but feel a sense of lost. Finding that you were asleep for a month makes you curious what occurred. You still have lots of questions, why you suddenly have what they call, cursed energy. That your family name was actually a big sorcerer family long ago that mysteriously disappeared.

Will your nana tell you the answer if you ask her? Ever since you were young, she didn't mention other relatives. Only her late husband and her were the only one who took care of you. You don't really know what happened to your mother and father, she only mentioned that your mother died at birth and your father disappeared. Honestly, you don't really care about your parents because your grandma was the one who raised you.

Did the cursed technique exist inside you all along? Or was it just on a whim that was given to you?

You hoped that all those questions flooding your mind will be answered.

***

Your life was pretty simple and a little boring, living in a rural place surrounded by mountains. Of course, it was a little scary as you saw curses time to time but still, it was peaceful enough to live through. You have two pretty best friends that would keep you accompany and hangout with, a little bit tiring to keep up with them however you still love them regardless. They never left you out when it comes to fashion and trends. Honestly, you're more than thankful for their influence because you're pretty sure without them, you'd fail on normal human interactions thanks to your timidness. You'll end up being the lonely loser in your school if it wasn't for them.

Having extroverted best friends were the best you could ever ask for your sorry ass... But now, you need to say goodbye to them.

"Eh?"

"(Y/n)-tan?"

As you stood before your two best friends, Yuna and Yuria, their faces twisted with surprise and confusion, you couldn't help but feel a heavy weight in your chest. The thought of leaving behind the life you had known, your friends, and your simple, peaceful existence was difficult to bear. The two of them stopped whatever they're doing as parting words left your mouth.

"I'm sorry but I'll be moving to Tokyo..." An apologetic smile paints your lips, your voice quivering a bit as you try to not look sad.

Yuna's eyes were wide with disbelief as she stuttered out, "You're moving?"

Yuria's brows furrowed, her concern evident as she asked, "Why? Why so suddenly?"

You bit your lip, struggling to find the words to explain the situation to them. The truth was that you couldn't reveal the real reason for your departure—the awakening of your cursed technique and the responsibility that came with such powerful thing. It was a secret that had to be kept from outsiders, even your closest friends.

"I... I can't really say why," you replied, your voice filled with regret. You hate lying to your friends, but it needed to be done, "It's just something that I have to do. Something important."

Yuna and Yuria exchanged worried glances, clearly not satisfied with your vague answer. Yuna's eyes began to well up with tears, and she threw her arms around you in a tight hug. "I don't want you to go, (Y/n)-chan!"

Yuria joined the embrace, her voice trembling with emotion. "Yeah, we're like the Three Musketeers. It won't be the same without you."

Tears threatened to spill from your own eyes as you hugged them back, feeling the warmth of their friendship enveloping you. "I'll miss you both so much," you whispered, your voice choked with emotion. "You've been the best friends I could ever ask for."

Yuna sniffled, wiping away her tears with the back of her hand. "We'll miss you too, (Y/n). But promise us you'll come back to visit."

Yuria nodded in agreement. "And don't forget to keep in touch! We'll video chat and text all the time."

You managed a watery smile, touched by their unwavering support. "I promise. I'll come back, and we'll stay connected no matter what."

As the three of you stood there, embracing each other tightly, you couldn't help but feel grateful for the friends who had made your life in the rural mountains so much brighter. The path ahead was uncertain, but with their friendship in your heart, you knew you could face whatever challenges awaited you in the bustling city of Tokyo.

***

The lights of posters and light lamps illuminated the platform you stood at, ready to board the bullet train to Tokyo with Gojo, your heart was filled with a mix of excitement and uncertainty. Leaving your peaceful rural life behind was a big step into the unknown, but you were determined to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

Gojo, ever the charismatic sorcerer, flashed you a confident grin. "You ready to go?"

You nodded with determination in your eyes. "Yes!"

His chuckle was infectious, and it eased some of your nervousness. "Now that's the spirit!"

As you settled into your seats on the train, you couldn't help but think about your grandmother's cryptic response to your question about the Gozen Clan's disappearance. It was a mystery that had haunted you for as long as you could remember, and now, with your newfound connection to the clan, it felt like the right time to seek answers.

***

"Nana..."

"Hm?"

You fidget with your fingers, "Do you know the reason why the um... Gozen Clan disappeared?"

"...No." She looks away as she folds your clothes and neatly putting them in your suitcase, "No one knows the reason why... Well, I never found out the reason why."

"Oh..." You felt a pang of disappointment, but it was a long shot to expect anyone to have all the answers.

"However, I'll try to find the real cause of it. Now that I have the reason to anyway. Don't worry about it too much and just focus on yourself. I'll contact you as soon as I find out about it."

***

Suddenly a ring interrupted your memory, making you look at your soon to be teacher.

"Hm..." He swiped the screen of his phone to see the message but then groan in annoyance. He must have not liked the content of it as he cranks his neck, "Man, these old fools really trying to ruin my night huh..."

With a curious glance, you couldn't help but ask, "What's going on, Gojo-san?"

A small grin cracks a bit on his lips, "Gojo-sensei."

You were a bit flustered but still said it, albeit hesitantly, "G-Gojo-sensei..." You screamed internally as soon as it left your mouth. You don't know why it got you a bit fired up. You never got along with your teachers or got this close to them, so this is a new learning experience. Plus, your new teacher is handsome and awesome!

"Megumi," Gojo said, referring to his student Megumi Fushiguro, "is on a mission to retrieve a special-grade cursed object in Sendai City. It's a pretty important assignment, and higher-ups are making quite a fuss about it. But here's the twist—"

'Ah... Fushiguro-san... I wonder how he's doing. I haven't seen him since that night.' Your interest deepened, "What happened?"

Gojo smirked. "The cursed object went missing. Vanished into thin air. Poof!"

"Missing?" You couldn't hide your surprise. Your mind raced with possibilities and questions. "Do you know where it might be? Is Fushiguro-san, okay?" You hoped nothing bad happened to him again as your mind flash you his beaten-up state. 'It's a waste to hurt such a pretty face!'

"Relax, kid," Gojo reassured you. "Megumi's a capable sorcerer, and I'm sure he's handling things just fine. But the higher-ups are breathing down our necks about this, and I've been summoned to sort it out."

"Sort it out how?" you asked, genuinely curious.

He leaned closer, a glint of mischief in his eyes. "Well, here's the fun part. I've convinced them to let me handle this mission personally. And since we're passing by Sendai City on our way to Tokyo, I thought, why not make a little detour? Sight-seeing, perhaps?"

Your excitement mirrored Gojo's as you realized the opportunity before you. "You mean... I can join you on the mission?" You watched plenty of movie when you were young. So, a mission in your vocabulary is like doing mission-impossible scenes, where you try to bypass lasers and do parkour. (It's definitely not like that.)

Gojo nodded, "Exactly. It'll be a great learning experience for you~!" He held your both of your hands up as to show you how excited he was, a silly smile on his face, "It's not like we're going to cafes or eating some delicious mochis~!"

"Matcha Ice Cream, delicious taiyaki or Hyotanage!" You could feel yourself drooling about food, (for the first time in a while not about boys.) Your eyes sparkling at the different kinds of food you've always crave to try. If this were you 30 days ago, you'd probably have a nosebleed already or have a panic attack that a man held your hands willingly. Maybe trauma did a number on your brain, or this man is too awesome to be comfortable with.

As the bullet train sped toward its destination, you and Gojo embarked on an impromptu adventure through Sendai City. Your initial nervousness had transformed into pure excitement, and you couldn't wait to explore this new place and maybe, just maybe, uncover some clues about the Gozen Clan. Gojo had truly embraced the role of your guide and mentor, showing you the sights and sounds of the city. It was almost like a vacation, and you couldn't believe your luck.

The two of you ventured through bustling streets, explored ancient shrines, and marveled at the modern architecture. There was a certain charm to Sendai City that captured your heart, and you couldn't help but take countless pictures to commemorate the experience.

And then came the food. Oh, the glorious food. You indulged in matcha ice cream, savory taiyaki, and the unique delight of Hyotanage. Each bite was a new adventure for your taste buds, and you couldn't hide your joy.

"This is amazing, Gojo-sensei!" you exclaimed, your eyes shining with delight.

He chuckled, enjoying your infectious excitement. "I'm glad you're enjoying it, (Y/n)-chan. But remember, we're here for a mission, so don't get too carried away with the food."

You nodded but couldn't help but sneak one more bite of that mouthwatering taiyaki.

As you savored the flavors, you suddenly realized something-- something struck you. This outing with Gojo, the laughter, the shared moments—it almost felt like a date. Your heart skipped a beat, and your cheeks flushed as the realization washed over you. Here you were, alone with your incredibly attractive teacher, exploring a charming city, and indulging in delicious food. It was the stuff of romantic shoujo manga.

'Date! Date! Date! Date!'

Your cheeks flushed at the thought, and you quickly mentally slapped yourself.

'How scandalous! This is like those dramas with teacher-student relationship!' You breath heavily, hot steam coming out your ear and nose at such shameless thoughts, 'Wait, wait, wait! This is Gojo-sensei! He's my teacher! Get a hold of yourself!' you scolded yourself internally. 'Don't be so shameless!'

But then, your mind began to wander, 'Well, he is pretty handsome, and he's been so kind to me... and cool...' Your inner monologue quickly shifted into full-blown fantasizing about Gojo, you could feel your old habits coming back as you drool, 'What if we were actually on a date? What if he looked at me with those intense eyes (he got a blindfold on) and...'

But just as your thoughts started to veer into dangerous territory, another voice in your head piped up—a tiny, angelic voice. 'Hey, hey! Stop thinking like that! How dare you fantasize about your poor innocent teacher like that?! You conniving girl!'

But the mischievous devil side countered, 'Oh, come on! It's just harmless daydreaming. It's not like anyone can hear your thoughts. He is handsome, after all~!'

The angelic side argued back, 'It's inappropriate! You should be focused on your training and finding out about your clan, not daydreaming about your teacher!'

'So what? It's just a harmless little crush~! We are young after all!'

You mentally screamed at the internal tug-of-war, rapidly sweating and cheeks overheating. It's hard having a raging teenage hormone and a handsome teacher by your side. Such a dangerous combination. Now, you really miss your two best friends, they knew about your wild thoughts and understand your boy obsession but without them by your side, you have no one to rely on. You're worried about letting it out or unable to control them.

'God, Buddha, help me please.' Your silently prayed, hoping that they can ease your inner demons.

As you wrestled with your inner thoughts and desires, Gojo continued to guide you through the streets of Sendai City, completely unaware of the mental battle raging within you.

With a satisfied grin, he turned to you and said, "You know, (Y/n)-chan, it's moments like these that make life interesting. Exploring new places, trying new foods, and sharing experiences with someone... it's what makes life worth living."

You couldn't agree more, but your internal struggle made it challenging to fully appreciate the moment. 'What if he knew what I was thinking?' you worried, 'Would he be disgusted with me?!' Your felt your heart dropped at the thought, stomach starting to hurt.

Just then, Gojo's phone chimed again, breaking the enchantment of your daydreams. He glanced at it, and a sly smile crossed his face, "Alright, (Y/n)-chan, I hate to break up the foodie fest, but it's time to get back to business."

Your heart sank a little yet a little relieve at the reminder of the mission. You had almost forgotten about the reason behind your journey to Sendai City. "Of course, Gojo-sensei," you replied, trying to put on a more serious expression like you were not just totally fantasizing about him. Why does it feel like you just committed a hate crime?

Gojo grinned pulling out a bag of mochi. "But don't worry, I've got a surprise that might sweeten the deal."

You couldn't help but smile at his playfulness. "What's the surprise, Gojo-sensei?"

"We're going to meet Megumi," he said, as he handed you another bag of mochi.

'Fushiguro-san!' You straightened as you felt excited and giddy about meeting him again, 'I hope he's doing well, and injuries been healed... Also his pretty face... So emo.'

"And I'm teleporting us there right now." Gojo didn't waste any time. He reached for your hand, his grip firm yet reassuring.

Your eyes widened in surprise. Teleportation was something out of science fiction for you, and the prospect of experiencing it firsthand was both exhilarating and nerve-wracking, 'He can teleport?! So cool!' You fangirl, almost letting out a squeal.

With a flourish of his hand, Gojo activated his cursed technique, and suddenly, the world around you dissolved into a whirl of colors and sensations. It was a disorienting experience, like being caught in a tornado of light and sound.

And then, as quickly as it had started, it was over.

You found yourself standing in a school rooftop, your surroundings vastly different from the picturesque streets of Sendai City. Instead, you were in a quiet yet eerie place and the figure in front of you was kneeling as a dark shadow were ascending around him. You recognized his back, and the spiky black haired.

Your heart raced as you realized that figure was Megumi. He looked injured, his clothes a little bit torn and stained, and bleeding from his head.

'Why is he always beaten up whenever I see him?! His pretty face! No!'

Extra:

Megumi, still annoyed, muttered under his breath, "Gojo-sensei, can't you be serious for once?"

Gojo straightened up, his grin undiminished. "Seriousness is boring, my dear Megumi. Life is meant to be enjoyed, even in the face of curses." He hums as he carried your unconscious body. Both of them walking away from your school.

"So annoying..." Megumi spat under his breath.

"Fufu~ so how was it?"

"It?"

"Your first kiss."

"!?" Megumi widen his eyes before glaring at Gojo, cheeks slightly flushed, "Y-You were there?! You creepy weirdo! How long were you watching?! And why didn't you help?!"

He puckered his lips, "So mean~ I only wanted to see what would happen. And the moment I arrived you were already smooching her down--"

"Shut up! It was an accident!"

Notes:

If it weren't clear enough, (Y/n)'s friends are Gyarus.

For the 30 days that (Y/n) was absent, Tomoe with the help of Gojo made an excuse for her health condition to the school. Yuna and Yuria would try to visit her, but Tomoe wouldn't allowed visitors (for their safety) but would reassure them that (Y/n)'s fine.

Gojo was a bit shocked when (Y/n) refer Tomoe as her nana, he thought she was her mother/aunt at first glance.

(Y/n) started calling Tomoe "Nana" when she could barely walk. No one knows why she started calling nana or referring to Tomoe as grandma. Tomoe was pissed at first but then just accepted it.

Tomoe knew about curses and cursed techniques as she held and kept few books about it, which originally belonged to her grandmother.

Tomoe also revealed (Y/n)'s obsession with boys to Gojo as a warning for him to care of her closely. (You thought she never noticed but the way you would stare at any actor's abs on TV gave her a hint.)

If you're wondering where (Y/n)'s suitcase is, Gojo teleported it to her dorm already.

(Y/n) kinda forgot about her first kiss because it got overshadowed by her summoning a giant demon hand (and everything traumatic) but she'll remember it eventually.

Info Dump:

grandma

bffs

gojo stupid

***
Question! Please leave your choice on the comments!

imo

And no, (Y/n) doesn't look like that. Just think of it as a mascot or a model, hence the box head. I made it box cuz if I do the regular circle then it look like she's bald lmao... but she still doesn't have hair in the box-- u know wat whatever fhsdufhudf (but if u want to have a box head then go ahead i guess keke)

Notes:

[(A/n): all the drawings are quick sketches (except the first one) so excuse some anatomy error or if anything's off lmao]

Actions

Kudos

char_is_tuff, imacaprisun, Yuki699, KLR734, Veelasbilas, Im_a_simp556, oishitealeaf, Gxylileo, lil_hkdh, Tova_Iceborn, abbysm20, Fran11068, ning3, Vothn, jinjeeer, spriteshobi, Hybrid99Hunter, sumimyan, ashes_reborn, Chonkasaurus, Szormica, Daisydaisy99, Hopeless_delusional_lover, MiMiT99, gossamer19, Sunny_444, razorxrosary, Jisoo4President, glossjor, BubblestheBunny, Pandapandapotato, atinyaura, puffingoutdemons, jinkoobliss, Jianqxue_a, fishfan11, papiczulo, astrokarma, DarkCas, ennaliquidblue, BritishFailure1, Angryredapple, Saemirae05, ceratops, mitakasaz, nootnoothescoot, starfairer, maowyoongi, Oder_so232, cinapin, and 11 more users as well as 116 guests left kudos on this work!

Archive of Our Own

Actions

Work Header