Chapter Text
2006
“... and these are the classrooms. We usually have 2-5 students each year, so it won’t be a problem to get to know everyone.”
The girl, walking behind a big and gruff looking man, didn’t say a word. She barely listened to what the man—who introduced himself as Yaga-sensei—said after she stepped into her new school.
She pushed her fists further into the pockets of her hoodie. She hadn’t put up the hood for the sake of being polite, but she regretted it since she could feel the stares.
Not from humans though.
Hikari glanced at the empty classroom next to her. The wooden interior looked like a castle from a period movie and didn’t fit well with the modern world outside. It was still a mystery to her how there was a huge chunk of land in Tokyo that could hide such a grand structure.
“I know it must have been hard for you, Hikari. But you will be safe here,” said Yaga-sensei. “Well, at least safer than being outside.”
They walked under the sun, crossing the bridge to another part of the school grounds. The barrier that protected the entire area did make her feel safer, even though she would never be as safe as before.
“Thank you… Sensei,” she said hesitantly. It wasn’t easy to suddenly acknowledge this stranger from a new world as her teacher. “I just hope I won’t be wasting your time.”
Yaga-sensei sighed in sympathy. “I know your situation is… unique. And it might be hard to accept it at first. But trust me, that brat will need you. After all, you have an amazing technique.”
Hikari looked up at the bear-like teacher, not expecting such warm words from someone so intimidating. Yaga-sensei gave her a small smile, but it was enough to make her realise her new teacher was genuinely worried about her.
She hid her moist eyes by lowering her head, refusing to look at Yaga-sensei. They walked in silence for a while, approaching a building.
“And this is the gymnasium.”
They walked to the closed hall, and Yaga-sensei opened the door. Expecting the gym to be empty, they were surprised to see two boys who seemed about to fight. Their faces were merely inches apart, and the hostility was very clear in the air, even though it only lasted for a couple of seconds.
One had black hair, and the other one looked like an angel with his white hair.
There he is, Hikari thought.
“Speak of the devil,” muttered Yaga-sensei, sounding tired. He then asked in a loud voice, “How long are you going to keep fooling around? Where did Shoko go?”
The boys immediately pretended to exercise, grinning and making random excuses.
Even though she had just been told about Satoru Gojo a couple of weeks ago and had never seen him before, it was impossible for Hikari not to recognise him immediately. Especially with his bright cerulean eyes that shone behind his sunglasses.
The Six Eyes user.
“He looks strong,” Hikari noted in a low voice. Any sorcerer would be able to notice Satoru’s huge curse energy. The boy wasn’t even trying to hide his presence, after all. “Strong enough that he doesn’t need a Shadow.”
She could feel Yaga-sensei staring at her, but she kept her eyes on Satoru Gojo.
Noticing her stare, Satoru finally turned to her and tilted his head. Next to him, the other boy was still pretending to do stretches.
“Are you playing, Teach?” Satoru asked, walking towards his teacher.
“I’m giving a tour to the new student,” Yaga-sensei ignored that silly question and nodded to Hikari, who was still staring at Satoru without expression.
“A new student?” Satoru lowered his chin, looking at Hikari from above his dark lenses. His blue eyes were unreadable yet really… captivating. “In the middle of the school year?” The boy scrunched up his nose. “You didn’t kidnap her, did you? Hey, new kid, blink twice if you need help.”
“Shut it, Satoru,” warned Yaga-sensei sternly. But Satoru made a mocking face before going back to his friend.
Yaga-sensei sighed, then turned to Hikari. “Sorry, Hikari, but this is where the tour ends. I need to talk to your seniors. The auxiliary manager,” suddenly a young woman in a suit appeared behind them, “will direct you to your dorm. Tomorrow, we will continue the tour, and I will give you your schedule.”
“Thank you, Yaga-sensei,” Hikari bowed. “I will see you tomorrow.”
“Please follow me, Takashi-san,” said the auxiliary manager.
Before they were out of earshot, Hikari could hear Yaga-sensei saying something about a mission to Satoru Gojo and his friend. She turned to see what happened, but Yaga-sensei’s built body blocked her view.
The manager brought Hikari to the dormitory building. Everything about Tokyo Jujutsu High was ancient, reminding her of an old onsen house she had visited with her family before.
Family…
She gulped down the grief that rose up in her throat. Crying here would only attract trouble. Her concern now was to do what was expected of her. Bonus points if she could come back alive. But if not… then that would be her fate.
Fortunately, she liked her room. Albeit old and woody, the room was spacious and clean. She might not like wooden furniture because they looked old and dirty, but considering the small number of students that this school had, probably not many people had the chance to use her room.
She was a bit of a clean freak anyway.
The first thing she did was check the entire room. She did notice dust and dirt in the corners and under the bed, but it was understandable. The bed, the table, and the wardrobe were intact and pretty much in good condition, so she wouldn’t have to complain inwardly every time she touched them.
Then she went to take a bath. Just like normal old dormitories, students don’t have an indoor bathroom. Meaning they have to share a common one outside of their room. Taking her toiletries, Hikari went out to look for the bathroom.
The corridor was empty and quiet, and she wasn’t sure if she liked the quietness. Usually, she would welcome the calm, but this was a new place. Everything felt foreign. Everything felt weird and out of place.
She felt out of place.
But then again, what other option did she possibly have? When everything that she knew and loved was taken from her, did she still have the privilege to do what she wanted?
She couldn’t even choose how she died, so what was the point of trying to fight this seemingly bleak future?
Should she be thankful for the roof above her head? Food in her belly? A comfy bed and a clean room?
And people who seemed to have the answers to all of her haunting questions?
But she didn’t know them. They were practically strangers. Even the idea of their existence was so foreign to her that she couldn’t understand it. If she were in trouble, would they help her?
Trying to be positive, Hikari reminded herself that feeling lonely in a new place was perfectly normal. It was only the anxiety talking.
Take Satoru Gojo, for example. He and his friend were once strangers. If they were in the same class, it was inevitable for them to be close. Meaning, she wouldn’t feel so empty inside once she met her classmates.
It was still next year, though.
Hikari turned the corner and met eyes with a brown-haired girl who stood leaning against the wall near a door. She was smoking—no, chewing a cigarette. Wait, maybe it’s a cigarette candy? But it looked like the real deal. But, hey, are students even allowed to have that here? Hikari was so confused.
She wasn’t exactly a stickler when it came to rules. In fact, she enjoyed a bit of rebellious action from time to time. Yet, a smoking high-schooler? She was worried about the girl’s health. Not only did she have to stay alive by fighting curses, but now she would end up with black lungs as well.
Should I tell the teacher? Hikari thought. She walked closer to the girl, not wanting to gawk at the cig like an idiot, and pretended that nothing was wrong.
She ended up missing the moment to actually do anything about the smoking girl. But who was she to judge what others were doing?
“Are you the new kid?”
Hikari turned. The girl, with a beauty mark under the corner of her right eye, smiled at her. She clearly had just got out of the shower, and yet somehow looked lethargic.
“Geto and Gojo told me that we have a new kid who will be staying here, but she’s not even a student yet,” the girl continued, chewing on her cig. “That’s you, right?”
“Ah, yes…” Hikari replied hesitantly. How much did this person know? And why did suddenly she strike up a conversation with her? Besides, who is Geto? “My name is Hikari Takashi.”
“I’m Shoko Ieiri, a second-year student,” Shoko smiled again, still looking tired.
A senpai, Hikari was mildly surprised. And a second-year to boot. So, she is in the same year as Satoru Gojo.
“Nice to meet you, Senpai,” said Hikari, pretending to be nice. She was still wary of Shoko’s intention but decided not to make an enemy out of the first female student that she met at Jujutsu High.
“Nice to meet you too, Hikari-chan.” Shoko pushed herself from the wall and threw her cigarette into the bin next to the door. “A piece of advice,” she turned to face Hikari who was still taken aback by the use of the first name on the first meeting, “beware of Satoru Gojo. He’s not as docile as he looks.”
With that, Shoko waved her hand and walked away, leaving the poor confused Hikari even more confused.
What was that?