Chapter Text
“Good morning class! Natsuo, sit down right now!” The teacher glared at Natsuo, who immediately skedaddled off to his seat. The teacher sighed, “Great to see you kids still have energy after the long spring break. Save it for all the assignments I’ll be assigning to you.” The class erupted into protests. “Quite down! Now, let me introduce you to the new student we have. I hope you all make her feel welcome.” The teacher gestured to you. “Natsuo, you’ve been getting real friendly and chatty with your assigned seatmate. I can’t have a repeat of last year happening all over again. Come sit on the first bench, your seat will be the new student's seat now.” Natsuo groaned but complied.
You smiled apologetically at Natsuo. “Go ahead and introduce yourself.” The teacher encouraged. You quickly greeted everyone and introduced yourself with just your name. Everyone returned your greetings, making you smile as you made your way to your seat. That wasn’t so bad.
You’re going to enjoy normal school so much! Well, not as much since you’ll miss me, Gojo had told you arrogantly, but it’s still a new experience! I bet you’ll probably smile that pretty smile of yours and everyone will want to become your friend right away! Your smile dropped when you remembered Gojo sensei’s words. You won’t be proving him right. You’re gonna be miserable and hate every second of this, you’re sure of it. After all, he was the one who coerced you into attending the school in the first place. You mentally scoffed, a Jujutsu special grade sorcerer attending a normal school? Get a load of that bullshit!
You weren’t supposed to be here in the first place. It was the lack of planning on Gojo sensei’s end and he liked to make it everyone’s problem. He was told to go on two missions ages ago but chose to ignore it just to mess around with higher-ups. Until it piled up. And then, when a special mission popped up, he decided to deal with the missions before returning and taking care of the special one. He was also the reason the higher-ups decided to send you in his stead. Keep an eye on Okkotsu for me, won’t you? I’ll be right back in a jiffy, I swear! I’ll also get you your favorite burnt basque cheesecake! Later that day, you felt pathetic when you realized the cheesecake was your selling point. Like a donkey following a carrot, you’d fallen into Gojo’s trap.
Whatever! you were getting paid handsomely just to keep an eye on Yuta and the supposed curse thing he had going on. Your job was to be his bodyguard until Gojo returned. And then, his fate lies in the hands of higher-ups. Until then though, not a single higher-up would be able to lay a hand on Yuta. Not until they want to incur Gojo’s wrath or whatever.
You could also try and make him your friend! Wouldn't that just make everything easier for you? Gojo had told you. Who knows, maybe he’ll become your best friend!
Yeah, right. And his curse would disappear because of the power of friendship, wouldn't it? You'd quipped to which he just grinned annoyingly and ruffled your hair.
You knew Gojo was strong enough to finish all the missions plus this special mission in no time at all. However, you also knew Gojo was a menace, and he would not have left you as his stand-in if he did not believe you were capable enough to handle Yuta’s curse. You also knew he loved to delegate his missions where he could, so his students could ‘learn’. Learn, my foot, he just loves concocting weird plans and hoping for the weirdest results.
“We’ll be reading a literature poem on page 62,” You grabbed your textbook out of your (very expensive) bag- a gift from Gojo- and turned to page 62 “Whoever does not have a textbook can leave my class. I won’t tolerate lazy students in my class!”
There was pin-drop silence, followed by a chair screeching. Everyone, including you, turned your head. The only student standing was- Okkotsu?! Dark hair, lanky figure, eyebags, that was definitely- “Okkotsu Yuta! This is the third time this week! Get out before I-”
This was bad! You can’t let his negative emotions fester, you don’t know what kind of trouble his curse will bring yet. You quickly stood up, “I am so sorry! Today’s my first day in the class and I did not know we had to bring our textbooks! I borrowed this one from Okkotsu-san, I apologize for the trouble!” Okkotsu, whose head was down, quickly shot up. He stared at you in confusion. When you made eye contact, he quickly dropped his head again in favor of staring at the table. You quickly bowed your head to the teacher apologetically and asked your neighbors to pass the textbook to Okkotsu.
“But isn’t this your-” your neighbor started but you cut her off, “No! It’s Okkotsu-sans!” You glared at her. Your neighbor's eyes widened in realization. She couldn’t believe how kind you were to someone you did not even know yet! She nodded before asking your other classmates to pass the book to Okkotsu.
When the textbook reached Okkotsu, he hesitated before grabbing the textbook and softly settling it on his table. You grabbed your bag, ready to leave the class, when the teacher stopped you with a sigh, “Since you’re new, I’ll let it go this one time. Sit down.”
Oh, thank god! You smiled and settled back into your seat, happy that you did not have to stand outside for an hour straight. You glanced at Okkotsu but if he felt your gaze on him, he did not lift his head. Now and then you glance at him, however, you find that he has not moved a muscle ever since. Is this how he is every day? The reports said he had a very powerful curse, but wouldn’t it make sense for him to be like Gojo? Talkative, arrogant, bossy, etc… Well, only one way to find out! It wouldn’t hurt to be his acquaintance now that you’re here for a few months.
As soon as the bell for lunch rings, you turn around, fully hyping yourself up to go talk to Okkotsu. But the seat he was sitting on was empty. You scoured the classroom, hoping to catch a tuft of black hair or a lanky figure. You sigh, maybe he has friends in other classes?
Your neighbor quickly turns to you and grabs your wrist, startling you. She apologizes upon seeing your reaction and introduces herself as Sasaki. Both of you grab your lunches out of your bags and sit down on your seats. You smile at her and she gushes about how pretty you are- to which you smile warmly and thank her- before she goes on to talk about how nice your gesture in literature class was. She talks about everyone in the class, and you find out plenty of useless information- but you were invested regardless. “So Mirin was rejected?” you gasped, looking around to make sure Mirin wasn’t in hearing range. “Yeah! Good for her though, She’s waaaay out of Kishimoto’s league. Kishimoto is a bully! He’s the one who hid Okkotsu’s textbook. Ugh, can you believe the audacity of this guy? He enjoys tormenting people!”
Your eyebrows furrow, “He.. did that to Okkotsu? So why didn’t Okkotsu say anything in class today?”
“Of course he did not, silly! He’s a troublemaker too. Teachers are wary of him.” She leans forward as if she’s exposing Victoria’s secret, “He does not seem like it, but trust me, he’s beaten people up too before. Can you believe that Kishimoto’s friend- Tamaki- spent a week in hospital because Okkotsu beat him up? He stuffed him into a locker! The school investigated and found out that Tamaki instigated the fight by landing a hit on Okkotsu. It’s why the parents decided to not press charges since it was Tamaki’s fault too and Okkotsu could press charges back and his actions could be regarded as a defense.” She subtly nods her head towards a boy sitting in the last row, quietly munching on chips. “That’s him now. He’s as docile as a lamb. He doesn’t even harass juniors anymore. I guess the school is glad he’s learned his lesson. That’s probably why they haven’t punished Okkotsu.”
You hummed, already having read the report. The curse obviously put Tamaki in place. You remember reading that the curse was awfully protective and possessive of Okkotsu.
You don't see how anyone would assume Okkotsu could pick that guy up and stuff him into a locker though. When you’re in the Jujutsu world for long enough, you start to read into people’s intentions and capabilities as easily as ABC. But even if you were a regular student, you’d be able to see who’d win an Okkotsu vs Tamaki faceoff. This class needs a bucketload of free critical thinking skills distributed to them, you think to yourself, annoyed at the obvious judgment and shallowness.
You chewed your eggroll contemplatively, “Is that why Kishimoto decides to mess with Okkotsu backstage? So that no one has any proof to hold him accountable?” Sasaki nods, “Pretty much! And Okkotsu has no one who’d back him up anyway, he’s always been a loner. Even now, he’s probably eating lunch near the dumpster behind the school. He’s always so skittish, and when someone approaches him, he acts like they’ve murdered his dog! It’s kind of offensive how he acts. That attitude paired with his troublemaker side, of course, no one wants to talk to him.”
You frown. You did not know Okkotsu was a loner. It wasn’t mentioned in the report. You were glad you talked to Sasaki, having found out so much (useless and useful) information. You sympathized with Okkotsu, remembering the little detail you read in the report which said he had no idea what curses are and had no idea about the Jujutsu world. This was quite a sensitive mission. If it were Gojo sensei, he’d probably drop bomb upon bomb on Okkutsu, overwhelming him with information and not really give a shit about his mental health- typical Gojo sensei style. Maybe you could hinder that…probably soften the blow a little? Is that why Gojo sensei chose you out of all the other first years?
You excused yourself, wanting a quick bathroom break. When you come back, you see your textbook on your desk and Okkotsu in his seat, his eyes finding his lap as soon as you turn around towards him. You grab the textbook and make your way to Okkotsu.
“Hi Okkotsu-san,” You smiled warmly as you stood beside his table. “I accidentally bought two of these textbooks. They said I can’t return this textbook anymore.” You lied cleanly, “Do you think you could keep it?”
You waited for his answer, but it never came. He did not even lift his head up to look at you. Ouch. Sighing, you deposit the book on his desk and make your way back to the table. You have to get Yuta Okkotsu to acknowledge you first.
With steel-like determination, you decided there's only one way to get him to acknowledge you- you're gonna have to be his friend! Besides, it's only for a few months. When you felt a gaze burning into your back, you excitedly turned around…only to find Kishimoto staring at you. When your eyes meet, he smiles at you. But when you think of what he’d done to Okkotsu, you could not even find kind pretense within you. So you ignore him, the same way Okkotsu ignored you.
When you enter the class the next day, your eyes automatically find Okkotsu, who’s currently sitting in his seat with his head down as always. That’s surprising. The class starts at 8 A.M., but he’s here at 7:00 A.M. Well, you were too, but you had your own reasons. You wanted to investigate the lockers Tamaki was stuffed in, hoping to find lingering cursed energy there. Whatever, there’s always lunchtime for that.
You throw your bag in your seat and settle into the seat next to Okkotsu’s.
You opt to silently observe him, hoping he’ll give into the pressure of your stare and talk to you first. Your eyes trace his messy hair, the slope of his nose. The slight curve of his ears, the bob of his adam’s apple..
“...-from me…” He whispered.
“Huh?” You mentally fist-pumped, he talked to you first! Victory for you!
“Get away from me…” He said lowly, his voice a velvety rumble in the otherwise quiet classroom. “Rika.. she won’t like it.”
Rika… that must be the name of the curse. You choose not to respond to him. You knew Rika wouldn’t attack you unprovoked. Curses can read emotions, that’s how they are born in the first place. Rika is probably observing you in her sedentary state right now, gouging your intentions and capabilities. You supposed that’s what makes you and her a bit alike.
You were most definitely capable of giving Rika a run for her money (that’s just your overconfidence speaking, learned from yours truly Gojo Satoru), but you’d rather not test her today. You kept your mood light and positive, hoping to radiate only friendliness.
“No, not unless Rika tells me to go away.”
“Wha-” you smiled warmly at Okkotsu- hoping it did not seem as fake as you felt it was- before cutting him off and going off on a vent about how you got lost yesterday at school while on your way to class, and how you met the rudest teacher there who thought you were skipping class. You watched Okkotsu closely, his expression terrified. If you weren’t so nervous, you would’ve laughed at him. You needed to lure Rika out, needed to check her out for yourself.
You stopped talking and watching the space behind Okkotsu where Rika was materializing.
“Yuuutaaaa Dooess Nooot Waaant Too Taaaaalkk” She growled, before swiping at you. You were thankfully quicker, dodging her swipe.
“Is that right Okkotsu-san?” You glanced at Okkotsu- who was currently as pale as a white sheet and sweating bullets. This guy was definitely contributing to Rika not wanting to speak to you. You made a mental note to teach him to keep his emotions in check.
You put your palms up, quickly giving in before she decided to turn you into a banana split. “Okay, okay! Geez, I’ll go Rika.” You hoped your retreat and friendly vibes would please her, quickly going back to your seat. That was fucking terrifying. Her cursed energy was suffocating you, but you pushed your unease down. You grabbed the rubber band off your wrist and threw your hair into a quick bun. Although buns were not allowed in Japanese schools, there was no one around to judge you for it.
Rika stared at you in confusion. Okkotsu whispered sweet nothings to Rika, hoping it’d calm her down. This whole situation was comical. Okkotsu trying to do damage control while shaking in his seat, the curse sizing you up and your entire body stuck in fight or flight mode. If Gojo sensei was here right now, he’d click 70 pictures of you from different angles and send them to the first years and probably laugh his ass off as you fought for your life. He'd even tease you for heeding his suggestion and wanting to be Yuta's friend.
You shivered as you felt the cursed energy levels deplete in the room. On turning around after a 30-second countdown, you visibly relaxed when there was no sign of Rika. You sighed. You wanted to address this whole thing, but you also did not want to risk Rika popping up again lest Okkotsu let his emotions get out of control again.
It was almost 7:30 when students started pouring into the classroom. Kishimoto stopped by your seat to say hi to you. You did not receive his greetings as energetically as you usually do with others. This annoyed him to a great extent, but he did not want to lose his shot with you, so he instead opted to ignore your dull greeting and smiled at you. When Sasaki entered the classroom, you were greeted with a jump and a warm smile. You returned her greetings just as enthusiastically. She bemusedly tilted her head towards the unwanted presence, silently questioning what you also wanted to ask. He rolled his eyes and stalked back to his seat.
“Why’s he trying so hard to talk to you? You think he has a crush on you?” Sasaki asks, yanking her bag open and grabbing her notes
“Too bad, my type isn’t bullies,” you replied with a wave of your hand, wanting to dismiss even the idea of Kishimoto liking you.
“What’s your type then?” Sasaki wiggled her eyebrows.
“Not anyone from this class, that’s for sure.” You replied in a heartbeat.
Sasaki burst out laughing. “That itself is a sign of a great taste.” You chuckled.
The rest of the day was uneventful. When lunchtime rolled around, you grabbed your bag and informed Sasaki you were going to grab lunch from the canteen. That was a lie though.
Sometimes, you wondered if you were a pathological liar.
You decided to look for Okkotsu. According to Sasaki, he eats his lunch behind the school.. Near the dumpster. Ugh. Your lips curled up in disgust. Yet you charged toward the corridor at the back, hoping to find the spare exit. When you finally found the exit, you found yourself in the area Sasaki had described. It did not take you long to spot Okkotsu. He was thankfully not sitting near the dumpster, just in the same area. If Okkotsu noticed you, he did not bother acknowledging you.
You sat at a reasonable distance from him- far enough so Rika was content but close enough so Okkotsu could hear you out.
“Okkotsu-san,” you call out softly. He freezes, sandwich in the air. “I swear I don’t want to give you any trouble... I just want to talk to you. About Rika.”
Rika stirs slightly and both of you feel it. Okkotsu gathers his lunch hastily, ready to leave.
“Hey, hey, hey. Don’t go yet. Please.” You plead. You don’t know when or if you can ever talk to him without an audience again. Considering the kind of person he is, he’d probably find a new spot just because you found his current one. Okkotsu hesitates. “Look, she’s still dormant. You don’t have to sit down, just hear me out.”
Taking his hesitation as an opportunity, you speak, “I’m sure you are confused about why I can see Rika. Heck, I think she’s confused too. I am like you Okkotsu-san. Nobody else can see her except me. I.. can’t tell you too much except that you and I were born this way. I just really hope you try to keep your emotions in check. Your emotions and Rika are directly connected.”
Okkotsu’s doubtful eyes slightly narrow, contemplating your words. You continue “Rika materializing is probably because you did not want to talk to anyone because of your fear of Rika hurting someone, and since Rika is connected to you, she follows your wish. It’s like an abusive relationship if you will. You are doing everything to avoid an accident that Rika might cause and Rika doing everything to please you. Rika can feel what you feel towards a person. When you wanted me to go away, she did too.”
Okkotsu’s eyes widen slightly as the wheels perfectly fit into the cog.. That.. makes so much sense. But he wants to know why you know all of this. How can you even see Rika? He’d never met anyone who could see Rika before. He hadn’t given it much thought in the morning since he was still pretty shaken up from Rika’s sudden arrival, but now he’s got a ton of questions. Were you both the only ones who could see Rika and other such creatures? Were there more people? His anxiety shot through the more he scrutinized the new situation.
When you noticed he was overthinking into oblivion, you panicked. What do I do?
You see a curse next to him. A small fry that Rika hadn’t deemed a threat.
You unscrewed the cap of your water bottle and threw water over a curse near him while chanting a mantra, dissolving it immediately. His train of thought came to an abrupt halt when he noticed what you’d just done. He stared at your water bottle wide-eyed, watching as you calmly took a sip. You hold it out to him.
“Would you like some? I think you need to cool your overheated head anyway.” You glare at him playfully, glad you managed to divert his attention. He shakes his head, still looking absolutely awe-struck.
You shrug. When you hear the bell going off- signaling the end of lunch- you throw a long speculative look at Okkotsu, gauging even the minuscule movement in his facial muscles. He can barely hold your gaze, barely even hold himself together, looking away to the side where the wet puddle of water sank into the concrete. You lazily grab your bag off your lap, standing up and dusting your skirt. You smile at him before making your way inside.
Okkotsu slowly slides back to the ground, his brain running kilometers per hour.
He pathetically sobs into his hands.
It’s like an afflicted person who has been turned away from every doctor, been told it’s normal to take the pain, and finally ends up getting diagnosed after years.
A name they can finally put to the suffering they’ve silently endured while silently hoping for the sweet relief of death.
An acknowledgment that can slightly make the pain more tolerable- knowing you’re seen and heard.
Everything makes so much sense now.