Chapter Text
Oikawa walked leisurely towards the school, trying to contain his excitement over the reason for his summoning. After waiting for two months he was finally getting more details about his promotion. He wondered who would be accompanying him for the three mandatory missions. There weren’t many names from where to pick; after all, it wasn’t easy to become a sorcerer grade 1. Only four sorcerers held that title in Japan, and soon, Oikawa will be joining them.
Since Ikoma, his mentor, was the one to recommend him, she was not allowed to accompany Oikawa on the missions. Which left Kaneko, Nanase and Ushijima as his only options. As far as Oikawa knew, Ushijima had traveled to Shimane. With a bit of luck, he was still there and therefore wasn’t a candidate to accompany him. Oikawa couldn’t think of a worse way to spend his promotion than working with Ushijima.
Unbidden, a pair of blue eyes came to Oikawa’s mind. Fine, there was a worse option. Thankfully, that person wasn’t even on the list.
Or he wasn’t supposed to.
“What?!” Oikawa’s yell could be heard throughout the corridor. The principal raised an eyebrow, but Oikawa wasn’t chidded by it. Honestly, they should have given him a medal because the only thing he had done so far was raise his voice a little.
“As I said,” the principal continued as if nothing happened, “Kageyama-san will be supervising your promotion.”
Oikawa shook his head. “This is a joke, right? There is no way you’re sending him with me!”
This is it , Oikawa thought with bitterness, the principal had lost it. How could they even consider this? A special grade sorcerer like Kageyama surely had other priorities. Whose idea was this? Oikawa was going to tell them how stupid they were if he ever found out.
“We recognize this is. . . an unorthodox situation.” Oikawa suppressed the urge to roll his eyes. He needed to keep his composure if he wanted to somehow salvage the situation. “But since no other grade 1 is available—”
“I can wait,” Oikawa cut in.
He didn’t want to, not really, but he would choose waiting if that is what it took to avoid working with Kageyama. At this point even being paired with Ushijima would be preferable.
“But, we can’t.” The words carried an air of finality; this decision had been made long ago. “Besides, Kageyama-san has been informed and he accepted.”
Oikawa noded. Of course the brat was consulted before him, and of course he agreed. It was no surprise that Kageyama had jumped at the opportunity to tower over him. All the excitement that Oikawa had for his promotion was gone, leaving only a sour taste in its place. He was sure the change reflected on his face because the principal was looking at him with a little bit of remorse. Still, it was not enough to make her take Oikawa’s side.
“The details of your first mission are here,” she handed him a folder. “Check it before tomorrow. The car will be waiting for you at 11:00 am outside the school gates.”
“Anything else I should know?”
“Taking into account the uniqueness of the situation, it’s been decided that Kageyama-san must not intervene unless you’re under serious distress.”
Oikawa clenched his jaw, the reminder of the disparity of their skills still a sore spot for him. Normally, the two sorcerers would work as a team, exchanging opinions and executing plans. Through this, the higher ranked sorcerer would gauge the abilities of the other, and decide if they were capable of dealing with this type of threat by themselves. Only then, they would be allowed to have a solo mission. Oikawa had been looking forward to this collaboration, to get an insight on another sorcerer's technique was a privilege. But now that possibility was also off the table.
The day Oikawa’s new life at Jujutsu High began was also the day he met Kageyama Tobio.
Oikawa arrived at the school with Ikoma. The woman had self-named Oikawa’s mentor and declared she would help him navigate the Jujutsu world. Under other circumstances the action would have irked Oikawa, but this was the person who had saved his friends lives, the person who recognized the potential in him, and showed him that the scary monsters weren’t a figment of his imagination.
Now, as Oikawa waited in the courtyard, he realized how much his life was about to change. This place, miles away from Miyagi and from everyone that he cared for, was going to be his residence for the next four years. He was expected to train and develop his technique in order to become a powerful sorcerer. It was a lot to take in, particularly because only a few months back Oikawa had no idea this world existed.
In retrospect, Ikoma’s help was very much needed. So far, she had explained the origin of curses and how sorcerers could use their cursed energy to fight them. Until that point, everything seemed very straightforward, then Ikoma went into more detail about cursed techniques. She said something about how innate techniques weren’t that different from inherited ones as the higher ups insisted, that’s where Oikawa stopped listening, he knew when someone was just ranting.
Maybe if Oikawa had paid more attention, the next encounter could have been avoided. Instead, he wandered through the school grounds until he arrived at the east entrance where a child—dressed in a traditional attire right down to the geta—was waiting under the green canopy. What was he doing here? The school was supposed to be off-limits for non-sorcerers.
The child turned to face him and the look in those blue eyes stopped Oikawa right on the spot.
A shiver ran through his spine, this was the same unpleasant feeling he had gotten when he faced a curse for the first time. Oikawa didn’t comprehend his reaction. On that occasion the overbearing sensation was the result of the cursed energy, this time there weren’t any threats,it was just a kid.
Oikawa swallowed his uneasiness and asked.
“Are you lost?” That would explain his presence at the school. When the kid didn’t answer, Oikawa tried again. “This is not a place for kids, so if you tell me where you live I can take you home.” The proposal got him an incredulous stare.
He sighed inwardly, this was going to be more difficult than he expected. Surely the kid’s parents had advised against talking to strangers, which Oikawa applauded (he had given the same indications to his nephew), but right now (since Oikawa was that stranger) it only complicated the situation. He needed another plan.
“It seems I forgot to introduce myself, I’m Oikawa Tooru and I’m a student here.”
“You’re not wearing the uniform,” the other finally answered.
As Oikawa looked down at his plain shirt, the meaning behind the sentence registered.
“Wait, how do you know that?”
“Because I’m a sorcerer.”
“Really?” Oikawa couldn’t conceal the disbelief in his voice. The annoyed glare the boy shot at him only helped to increase his skepticism. He couldn’t be fifteen, could he? Well stranger things had happened, so Oikawa ventured, “Uhm, it’s just that you don’t look like a student.”
“I’m not.”
“But you said–”
“Sorcerer, not student.”
“That’s not how it works.”
“Really?”
Oikawa groaned. This kid was really being difficult on purpose. Why did Oikawa have to be the one dealing with him? Well, since the child was apparently a sorcerer (not that Oikawa truly believed that) he could be left alone in the school, right? Oikawa’s thoughts were interrupted by a new arrival.
The young woman, who was dressed in a kimono of the same shade, walked past Oikawa and focused solely on the boy.
“Tobio,” she admonished him, “what did I say about leaving?”
“I was bored.”
“That’s not–” She cut herself, realizing it was useless arguing. Oikawa sympathized with her, but then she turned to look at Oikawa and a mischievous grin appeared in her face. “Oikawa-san, thank you for taking care of my little brother.”
“I don’t need supervision.”
“Your recent behavior indicates otherwise.”
“Wait, how did you know my name?” he asked the girl, but it was the kid, Tobio, who answered.
“Ikoma-san is waiting for you in the courtyard.”
“And the principal is waiting for us. Your admission won’t do by itself.”
“So, you’re going to study here, after all?” Oikawa pointed out, drawing attention to himself. He didn’t exactly know why, but he felt the impulse to end the strange encounter on his terms. “I’ll look after you when that happens.”
The words were sincere, yet they were also said in a teasing manner. For a moment none of the siblings said anything and Oikawa feared he had crossed some boundary. Then the girl laughed, while Tobio simply turned around and walked towards the school.
“I look forward to seeing you again, Tobio-chan!” He yelled at the retreating figure.
It would be another two years before they met again, but by then Oikawa’s attitude would have changed.
Oikawa looked through the car window. Usually he tended to talk about the mission, sharing his plan helped him to focus and evaluate the situation better. This time, however, Oikawa only gave a short greeting to Kazato after hopping in the car.
If only that person wasn’t waiting for him, Oikawa’s mood would be very different. But he was, and nothing will change that. To get his promotion, Oikawa needed to withstand Kageyama’s presence for the next three missions. Oikawa hadn’t been given another option, but why had Kageyama accepted this? Their relationship during their two years at the academy wasn’t exactly good. And yes, most of the bad blood between them had come from Oikawa’s side (he was finally able to admit it), but still.
He tried to focus. This didn’t have to be any different from other missions. Oikawa was a professional sorcerer, he wasn’t going to be disrupted by an old acquaintance. Or so he wanted to believe. Yet, his resolve vanished when he spotted Kageyama outside the building. His figure was unmistakable, his white kimono paired with a black hakama made him stand up in the crowd.
The main clans preferred that type of clothing, it was their way to remind everyone of their lineage and power. Oikawa found it pretentious. Especially when white was involved, why choose that color when you were going to end up covered in dirt? Oikawa preferred black, it was easier to look presentable after a battle. But, as always, things like this never applied to Kageyama. Limitless really came handy in those types of situations.
As he got closer, Oikawa noticed the little changes in Kageyama’s appearance. His height being the most obvious one. When he was only a few steps away, Kageyama spoke to him.
“Hello, Oikawa-san.”
The greeting was said with ease–as if this were a common occurrence, as if this wasn’t the first time they were seeing each other after Oikawa’s graduation. Kageyama’s apparent aloofness bothered Oikawa more than he expected. Was he the only one who spent the night agonizing over this encounter?
“It’s been a while,Tobio-chan.”
“Four years.”
“That few? Well, if it were on me, it would have been longer but some matters can’t be postponed.”
“I want to be here as much as you do.”
“Well, it seems, even special grades must follow rules. Anyway, the sooner we end this, the better for us, then.” Deciding the conversation was over, Oikawa walked towards the entrance of the school, but Kageyama didn't follow. Oikawa turned, annoyed. “Now, what?”
“We need to establish–”
“I’ve been informed of the changes.” Oikawa interjected. “You’re here just to watch, so let me do my job.” The more he thought about it, the less sense this arrangement made. What was the point of Kageyama’s presence? He was here but could only intervene if things really went south. It was unnecessary. Oikawa returning alive from the mission should be proof enough.
“Yes, I'm here to watch,” Kageyama said, “but also to assess your abilities.”
Without realizing, Oikawa had fallen into his usual role. But he wasn’t the higher ranked sorcerer here–he had never been when Kageyama was involved, hell, not even when they had met. And this time not only Kageyama outranked him, but he also held Oikawa’s future in his hands.
“As wonderful as my cursed technique is, it doesn’t allow me to read minds.” Kageyama continued. “Which means you have to talk to me about the mission.”
“You want me to share my plans? Fine. The report said 5 people had disappeared in the west building where the old gymnasium is located. That’s my first stop.”
Oikawa closed his eyes and activated his cursed technique: black bird manipulation. As their name suggested, the crows imbued with his energy were bound to follow his command. He could control their movements, and more importantly, he was able to see through their eyes. He was still standing in front of Kageyama, still aware of his surroundings, but at the same time he was inspecting the inside of the building where their target was.
The gymnasium was like any other. It reminded Oikawa of the one back at Miyagi, where he spent countless hours training with his middle school team–those memories have never felt so far; they belonged to another life, a luminous room filled with laughter. This place, though, had clearly been abandoned: windows patched up, furniture in disarray. Even if the students couldn’t see the curse luring inside, they had suffered at his hands and decided to leave. Smart move, this was not something they could fight on their own.
His crow flew towards the steps, the shift in the atmosphere was immediate, he had found his prey. Before losing the connection, Oikawa was able to get a glimpse: three limbs that ended in spikes attached to a conic body, in the center, two pairs of eyes contorned as if crying. But none of that was as important as the fluctuation in its energy. They arrived just in time: the curse was still tethered to its birth place. This will make the confrontation more easy.
Oikawa blinked twice, the scenery changing in front of his eyes.
“It’s bound,” he announced.
“As useful as I remembered,” Kageyama commented which in turn made Oikawa grimace.
Under different circumstances, Oikawa might have considered the observation a compliment. But since these words came from Kageyama, Oikawa couldn’t accept them without looking for the catch. It was difficult to take a compliment from someone like him. There was no way Kageyama could actually mean it. Why would he appreciate something he could do better?
“But you already figured that out,” Oikawa snapped, “didn’t you?”
“Obviously, but that’s not the point.”
“Forget it, let’s get this done.”
They walked towards the gymnasium in silence. Only when they reached the main door, Kageyama stopped. This was as far as he went, he wasn’t going to be of any help. Oikawa wasn't sure how he felt about this. It was disheartening knowing he had lost the opportunity of working side by side with another grade one. If Kageyama noticed Oikawa’s gloomy mood, he didn’t show it.
The mission went fine, except for the part in which the curse started to spray a type of acid from its four eyes. Not a good moment to be close to it. Ruined clothes aside, Oikawa managed to exorcize the thing. He would have liked a more clean work, especially with Kageyama watching the whole fight. But beggars couldn’t be choosers; a victory was a victory and that was all that mattered.
Still, it was too early to celebrate. Two more missions awaited Oikawa before he could be freed of Kageyama’s presence.