Chapter Text
~August 2020~
The day had been particularly tiring. Yuuta thought about it as he slouched against the backseat car window. Even though a year and a half had passed since the fateful culling game, there was still much work to do rebuilding, or rather creating the new world of jujutsu. Just today, he had gone on two exorcism missions in the morning, and was just now returning from a meeting with the new council. There was also the fact that non-sorcerers now knew of cursed spirits. Yuuta sighed.
It can't be helped, but it's a bit of a pain. He thought. Feeling slightly dizzy watching the winding road and passing hills and trees, Yuuta took out his phone and scrolled through his messages absentmindedly. Looks like Maki-san and Panda-kun are arguing about something. He looked into the group chat of the most recent Jujutsu High graduates; and with his sleepy mind fully realized for the first time that Toge still used onigiri ingredients for texting. He read through the argument: Maki's sharp remarks and Panda's feigned clueless reflections. He allowed himself to chuckle at Toge's emoji-clad comments, egging the two on. It wasn't easy to tell since he didn't--couldn't--talk much, but Toge really enjoyed poking fun at people.
Yuuta clicked out of the chat and looked at other messages. They were mostly from various Assistant Directors, informing him of his schedule for the next week. Some from his underclassmen, kouhai, and a couple from a bored Miguel wondering what Yuuta was up to. Among all of them, one took him by complete surprise.
Okkotsu. I need to talk to you. Please stop by the school morgue once your meetings are done.
Ieiri
Yuuta took a moment to process what he read, eyes slightly widened. It wasn't as if him and Ieiri seldom spoke (as the nature of their business required them to work closely), but Yuuta couldn't recall having entrusted any dissections or examinations to her recently. Certainly not from the two missions from that morning, where any victims had not even their bones spared.
I wonder what it is. Yuuta felt unease at the vagueness of the message. Isn't Ieiri-san usually a lot more direct?
He replied a short affirmative to her; saw that she read it. He sat up in his seat and leaned forward, addressing the assistant director.
"I'm really sorry. Can we please go to the High School instead of my house? You don't have to wait for me after." He said.
"Did something happen?" The assistant--a young man with curious eyes--asked.
"Ah..." Yuuta pondered for a second. "We'll see."
The man seemed a bit confused from the reply (Understandable, Yuuta thought apologetically, feeling a light blush in his cheeks), but complied. Soon, they arrived at the entrance of Jujutsu High School and Yuuta thanked the director, waving until the car disappeared over the hill. The smile then faded from his face and he clutched his sword sling, trying to ease his nervousness as he walked further into campus.
At that point, there was no visible sun but the night was still early and non-abysmal. The persistent hum of cicadas and chirps of summer crickets were faint, and the air held a stillness to it that was easy to breathe. Yuuta felt grateful for it, and he wondered if Ieiri was still waiting for him this late.
Of course she is. He knew it. Although she was never exactly a social butterfly, he had heard from Ijichi that she had been incredibly withdrawn. Her nonchalant, ambivert nature of occasionally enjoying drinks with friends, regularly by herself, was seemingly nowhere to be found and she almost never left the school grounds. Not even to go home. It worried Ijichi and Utahime the most (although they said it was at least good she seemed to have quit smoking again). And she became this way ever since-
Yuuta cut off his thoughts. He couldn't think about it. He shook his head, tightening the cap on the memory of helplessness. Of being able to do nothing. Of doing nothing.
I don't want to think about it. He switched to a fast walk, hurrying to the morgue.
Ieiri was waiting at the entrance when he arrived, leaning on the door with her arms crossed. Her chin was tipped slightly downward and her eyes were closed as if she was dozing while standing up. She nodded awake as Yuuta got closer and gave him a cool smile.
"You look a little tired." She observed. Yuuta scratched the back of his head.
"Well, I've been here and there since early this morning." He laughed.
"Hmmm...otsukare" good work, Ieiri replied. "Sorry for keeping you up like this."
"Oh, it's no problem! But what would you need my help with, if you don't mind me asking. I...couldn't really tell from the message..." Ieiri seemed to ponder her answer for a moment. Yuuta shifted under her placid gaze. She closed her eyes and turned away and put her hands in her coat pockets.
"Well, I guess you can call it a top-secret matter" she explained.
Top-secret! An instinctive alarm went off in Yuuta's mind. Ieiri walked down the hall.
"It's easier to show you. Just follow me". Yuuta tilted his head, frowning. He was confused and admittedly a bit intimidated by the mystery, but swallowed all of it down and cautiously followed.
Ieiri led him down twisting corridors and stairs, ones that he realized he had never been through despite spending almost three years (minus when he was abroad) at Jujutsu High. He found himself darting his eyes at the walls, taking in all the cobwebs and crevices illuminated by the dim orange lights. His nose was filled with the smell of dust so old and settled into the wood that it could never be completely cleaned. Few come here, he subconsciously determined. The words "top-secret" continued to echo in his mind like a crow on a foggy day. Top-secret, top-secret, top-secret. He couldn't help but wonder if it had anything to do with Ieiri's recent reclusiveness.
At last, they arrived at a bunker. They stood facing the green double doors.
"We took the long way here." She said. "We could've used the elevators". Yuuta looked at her, eyebrow raised, and frowned. Ieiri met his eyes. "Are you ready?" Yuuta contemplated the stern tone she had asked the question with. The steel in her eyes he had never seen in her before.
"Um...probably?" He answered, immediately regretting the uncertainty in his voice. Ieiri held his gaze for a few long seconds, studying him, before turning back to the door.
"No. This isn't something you'll ever be ready for." She stated simply.
Then why did you ask!?? Yuuta couldn't hold back his dumbfounded expression.
"I'll just say this: save your questions for later. Do what I say." Ieiri's tone was rigid, almost mean. It frightened Yuuta straight. She pushed open the doors and turned on the lights, also a muted orange, allowing Yuuta to see what waited inside.
Yuuta's legs wouldn't move. It was as if the floor had raised itself to his waist. His eyes widened and mouth gaped as he processed what was in front of him. Or rather, who. Laying still on a medical bed, head propped up by a pillow, a towel over his eyes, and an oxygen mask secured to his face, was the one and only Gojo Satoru.