Chapter Text
Things have been considerably calm as they could be after the defeat of Ryomen Sukuna and his allies nearly two years ago, but it didn't mean anything and everything stopped moving.
Curses still ran amuck, waiting to be exorcised and reforming from the ever flowing despair that is life. As long there was misery and heartbreak, curses would be born.
Curses and curse users.
Kenjaku may be dead, but their actions lingered. Those who survived the game had either made the choice to go back to their lives and try to live as they did before or embraced their newfound abilities.
When they didn't side with the sorcerers, they became outlaws of jujutsu society. Some were more discreet than others who were stupidly brave to make their misdeeds unknown through arrogance and the high of having powers.
Yuji wondered what he would be dealing with today, watching Ijichi walk into the lounge room with a folder in his hand.
"Assignment?" The now second-year questions, setting down his phone and crossing his arms.
Ijichi nods and hands over the contents. He takes a seat at the table while Yuji opens the folder and begins going through it. "Grade level one mission in Nikkō. Missing people that reappear with no collection of what happened to them."
Yuji is quick to notice something about all the victims after a quick scan of the five pictures given.
"They're all women." His eyebrows nearly touch his hairline at the realization.
"Precisely. Fortunately, yet strangely, while each woman have been gone for two days at the most and a couple of hours at the least, none of them obtained an injury of any kind. Just memory loss."
Yuji closes the folder and sighs. He is relieved about the victims returning safely, but their memory loss bothered him. Why the memory loss? And what could be the reason for them to have gone missing in the first place?
"Hm. Has there been any other missing woman?"
"Nothing reported yet. But still looking into it."
Yuji stands up and picks up the folder. He begins to walk away with Ijichi following after him. From then, he starts to mentally and emotionally prepare for whatever to come from this mission. Ijichi didn't have to tell him. He knew that he would be shouldering this mission alone. Which was fine. Lately, he had became accustomed to it. The new appointed Higher-Ups an other members of staff had acknowledged that Yuji and his peers have grown in strength enough do to solo missions, but only if necessary. Yuji knew this is a case given how busy the others were at the moment.
Nobara and Maki had taken a case near the former's hometown. Toge is being accompanied by Megumi in Okinawa somewhere, they had left days ago. Yuji isn't sure if Yuta is on a mission though. If he isn't, most likely he was busy with other tasks. Future Gojo head and all.
He shivers at the thought. Being a sorcerer is consuming in both energy and time enough for Yuji.
The journey to Nikkō had been fairly quiet and long, but it had allowed Yuji the space to think over all he knew about the case. He makes note that all the victims were found in the same area. It was a forest area with just a few residences that made a small neighborhood, small streams and hiking trails. Yuji had found out more once he arrived in Nikkō through asking some locals and doing a little online research himself. Nothing out of the ordinary had been occurring until the past month.
The picking of the women seemed to be at random as Yuji didn't see any pattern. They were all different ages and physical features. When they disappeared, none of them were no where near the area they all were found at.
One woman had been last seen at home. Another at a library one late afternoon. Another just outside a grocery store and so on.
The only other thing Yuji does know that they all had in common, besides all of them being women, is the lack of cursed energy.
It wasn't really piecing together as it should, even with all the repeating cycle of the information in his head.
All were found in a wooded area, disappeared at random places and times, different ages, all women and no cursed energy.
What could be the motive behind this? Could this be the work of a curse or a curse user?
Yuji sighs, walking into a konbini. He needed a snack to replenish his energy and to satisfying a craving he had. He quickly makes his way over to the array of sandwiches, passing by a duo of men who looked a little older than him.
He had no idea that what he was about to hear would give him a lead of sorts. Yuji had stood the aisle over, zoned out as he eyed the choices of sandwiches. He isn't a nosy person by any means, but his ears had picked up on some interesting words that day.
"It's real! I'm telling you, it's real!"
There was a chuckle. "Oh, please. That's a bunch of bullshit."
"He really did it, you know. Went up to that abandoned temple and asked that deity for love. Then hours later, Aikawa disappears and shows up again? It's real!"
Yuji thinks back to his upperclassmen from his old high school. Whatever this guy is spouting about, they surely would get a kick out of it. He wonders if they're okay. Last time he went to Sendai, he didn't see them.
"So did Aikawa come back loving him or something?"
"No, nothing really. She came back with memory loss though."
Yuji realized the familiarity of that name. That was the surname of one of the victims from the report.
"Guess it is all a bunch of fake, huh?" The man laughs. "Ridiculous."
"But---"
"I'm going to go grab something from over there and then we can get out of here."
He picks up the sound of retreating footsteps followed by a heavy sigh. Hurriedly, he rounds the aisle back over to where the two men were and found that one is still standing there. He approaches him.
"Excuse me, you wouldn't mind if I ask you a question?"
The man turns around, concern etched on his face. "What is it?" It's a look Yuji had gotten used to. Almost everyone who have seen his face would be a little uneasy seeing a pink haired teenager with scars on his face.
"I didn't mean to be nosy, but I overheard you about some 'deity of love'? Am I right? I didn't mean to be intrusive, honest. I just happen to have an interest in the paranormal and myths. The like, you know? If you don't mind telling more about it?"
As if like a switch flipping on, excitement sparkled in the other's eyes. "Really? You want to know?"
Yuji nods. He isn't exactly lying. Since having been in the Occult Club, Yuji did find himself intrigued with everything from ghosts to other unexplained phenomena. Being a sorcerer enhanced that curiosity.
He doesn't mind sitting through a lesson and does so, listening to the man's explanation about this deity.
It had been long ago that the deity had once been a nobleman from the Edo era. A cruel, yet fair man who people both feared and respected. He had sought to have a wife and an heir. No woman, no matter how rich and powerful her family had been or how beautiful herself was, had interested him enough for her hand in marriage. He, eventually, had chosen his wife after rejecting nineteen women. She given him an heir after a decade of marriage and nothing more. It had been told that the nobleman and wife did not love each other and never came to. While the wife and their child came to thrive, the nobleman had begun to resent them both. Some believe this came from not knowing what love felt like. True love that he yearned for. It never came to him. He never knew the taste of it, the touch of it. Not even on his last day. His death was a violent one at the hands of a scorned father of a rejected bride. After his death, in those mere hours that followed, the estate had fell completely into ruin. Anyone who resided there, from servant to even the matriarch were found brutally torn apart, their blood stained every surface of the halls and rooms. The nobleman's body and son had even gone missing. Since that day, the estate had been abandoned until one traveler found himself walking up to the stairs to the entrance many decades later. He had been looking for shelter. He had not been prepared for a creature that lurked the halls. He had pleaded to it, begging for it to spare him and allow him a safe journey back home to the love of his life. He offered all that he could, even a poem he had written out of that love. It was believed that the deity had been so moved, he allowed the man to go. The traveler had told others of this and soon the desolate residence would had visitors who told of their similar experiences, many of whom also loved deeply for another. They would have a lifetime of happiness with their loved one after meeting this deity.
"I'm guessing that whatever haunts that place became jealous of those who felt love and started to kidnap women to find a bride for itself?" Yuji questions.
"That is what is told."
"Ah, I see." Seems like a plot to a movie. He would watch it though. "Thank you for telling me." Yuji leaves just as the man's friend returns, returning to the sandwiches and grabbing a fruit and cream one. He gets and purchases a few other things before leaving the store and making his way back to where Akari was waiting just down the street. She had been the one to accompany him on the mission.
"Nitta, I got us a few snacks! And some maybe useful information."
She lets out a sigh. "Oh, that's good. I asked a bit more around and didn't get anything really new." She thanks him for the bag he offers. She takes out a sandwich and opens it. "So, what did you learn?"
Yuji relays to her what the man at the store told him as they got settled in the car. She takes in each detail, nodding along once in a while. She opens a ramune to wash down her sandwich, taking a couple of sips before speaking. "You think that is connected?"
"I thinking that whatever is responsible is what the legend may be talking about. Maybe this nobleman did die, but he never really went away. It was said he was killed, right? I'm guessing one of two things." Yuji holds up one finger. "One, the nobleman was a sorcerer and wasn't killed by cursed energy and turned into a Vengeful Spirit." He holds up another finger. "Two, he was a non-sorcerer and the place overran with negative emotions. Enough of it conjured up spirits capable of holding their own techniques."
Akari crosses her arms, lightly shaking her beverage. "Hmm. That seems about right. Either way, we have to tread carefully. There has to be a technique at play here. Or multiple." She sighs. "You think you can handle it or...?"
Yuji nods, giving her his best winning smile. "I can handle it, Nitta! Besides, I don't think it would be wise to wait around for extra help."
"You're right." She finishes her ramune and places the empty bottle in her bag, reminding herself to get rid of her trash later. "So, we have a clue what may be going on and we know the area. Any plan or going straight in?"
Yuji huffs through his nose and bites at his bottom lip. "Uh... I think it would smart to have a plan this time around. Maybe..." He taps at his forehead. "Maybe... I'm thinking... if we go by the legend, maybe some bait will do. A bride is wanted, right? Let's give that curse a bride!"
Akari chuckles. "I'm not that good in heels."
"Who said anything about you in heels?"
The assignment wasn't as tiring as he thought it would be. May have been because it was a team effort between him and his upperclassman. Toge always did do his on-field work efficiently. They managed to locate and got rid of the curses within a matter of hours without injuries. Shoko had applauded them for that before sending them off. Megumi had been relieved to get a hot shower in, a clean change of clothes and some food in him. After, being that he wasn't that exhausted, he opted for a walk around campus for some fresh air and to stretch his legs. A trip back home that took nearly two days to return after exorcising curses can really do something to you.
He also takes the time to see if there were any messages or calls he missed for that day. He saw that Nobara should also be returning soon with Maki. And that Yuji is on a mission. He shoots them both a quick text. Yuji surprises him with replying back in minutes, in turn prompting Megumi to answer to him once more.
🐺: aren't you on a mission?
🐯: yeah I just told you that
🐺: just surprised you answered back so fast.
🐯: we're just having a small break right now
🐯: which is about to end, something came up
🐺: alright, be sure to let me know if you need any backup
🐯: talk to you later!
Yuji pockets his phone while opening the door for both him and Akari to enter into the establishment.
"Welcome," a friendly voice had called out, "I'll be there right with you to help!"
"Take your time!" Akari responses as she walks over to a display of hung clothing. Each attire is colorful and decorative. Which isn't what they're going for their plan. "Hm... That's a no. That one, too." When Yuji comes up to her side, she places a hand on his shoulder and gestures to the choices. "You think any of these could work?"
He pouts, crossing his arms. "Uuuuhhh... no, the colors are wrong."
It was then the employee pops up, smile bright and looking a little disheveled. "Hi, sorry! Putting away some boxes, but I'm here to help!" She offers. "Is there anything particular costume you're looking for?"
Akari turns to her, nodding. "Yes, thank you! We're looking for a bridal costume!"
The employee tilts her head and crosses her arms. "A bridal costume, hm?" She drums her fingers against her opposite arm. "Bridal... traditional or modern?"
"Traditional, hopefully?"
"I think we might have something!" She leads them to another wall of assortments, heading to the section labeled "WEDDING" in bold kanji. She fingers the different white colored attires before pulling out an ensemble. "How about this? Will this do? We have dressing rooms if you would like to try it on?"
"Great! Itadori!"
Much to the employee's surprise, it's Yuji who reaches for the clothes. "I would like to try them on."
She blinks. "Oh! I wasn't expecting that!" Nonetheless, she hands them the clothes and points to the back. "Just go right that way and turn to the left. You'll see the sign! And don't feel shy. If you need anymore help, just call me." She offers.
"Thank you." Yuji heads into the direction she instructed them to. It was easy to see the sign for the dressing rooms and he gets into the first one that was open. Akari waits outside, busying herself on her phone and getting her messages and such.
A few minutes later, Yuji calls for her as he steps out.
She had not been ready.
Yuji isn't used to wearing kimonos or more than two layers, but he somehow made it work. He had to pick up the material to not trip over it as he walks into view.
"It fits." Came the simple statement, his arms winged out. "Comfortable, too. Pretty nice for just a costume."
Akari didn't say anything for a while, eyeing Yuji up and down. Under her intense stare, he began to feel a little embarrassed.
"Nitta? Um... Does it look bad or...?"
She stands up and claps once, eyes sparkling.
"You make the perfect bride bait!"
He drops his arms and makes a face. "You... Don't say it like that, please."
Akari chuckles and walks over to him to help adjust the attire better. "Sorry, Itadori. But white really is fitting for you. You should wear it more often."
He shakes his head. "No, thanks. Seems to be Okkotsu-senpai's color. Besides, I've become quite fond of other colors."
"She's right though. The white does look good on you!" The duo to see that the employee was approaching them, holding another costume. "Sorry, it's just you two in the store right now and I just want to make sure everything was going okay! Oh, I also found this bridal costume! It's white but it also has some color to it. A bit shorter, too, so you don't have to worry about the material dragging and getting dirty. Is that fine?"
"You are wonderful, you know that?" Akari praises while Yuji gives her a smile, nodding along.
The employee chuckles, pink coating her cheeks. "Aw, shucks, you flatter me!"
A heavy sigh fills the room as he comes into it, making quick strides to the sofa before flopping down onto it. He spreads his legs out and rests his hands on his stomach.
Megumi and Toge, who came into the rest area earlier, glanced at each other before looking at Yuta. He looked more exhausted than usual, which said a lot since they didn't think the discoloration under his eyes could get any darker.
Before either of them could say anything, Yuta sighs again before slowly turning his head to them and offering a small smile.
"If I fall asleep, I would like to sleep for the rest of the week. Like in a coma."
Megumi hums. "That bad, senpai?"
"Uh huh, like you wouldn't believe. I didn't think the Gojo clan would be this... Would be quite the handful. Can I sleep forever?"
"Just close your eyes." Megumi says, Toge getting up and fetching a blanket from a nearby storage closet.
"Mm. Okay. Good night." Yuta slumps further into the sofa once the blanket was spread over his body, tucked from under his chin and covering his feet.
Megumi pats his head gently before turning back to his book. "Good night."
The drive to their destination had ended just at the end of road. The car couldn't go any further into the woods pass the trail which meant...
"Looks like I'm walking from here." Yuji says, opening the car door. He doesn't get out right away, taken back by the amount of cursed energy he senses. He knew he had quite the walk. Not that it was much of an issue.
"I'll walk with you there." Akari offers, unbuckling her seatbelt.
Yuji holds up his left hand and shakes his head. "No, I'll take it from here, Nitta-san."
"Are you sure? I know it's your solo mission, but..." She sighs, shaking her head. "Sorry, I just worry."
"It's okay to do that." He assures her, lowering his hand.
She eyes it a bit, then looks back at him. "Your hand been doing alright?"
Yuji wiggles the stump where his pinky used to be, then the one where his ring finger has been. There has been a time where he couldn't really look at his left hand, even when he felt pain. Now, he came to accept the phantom feelings.
"Yeah, I've been fine."
She reaches forward and gives his shoulder a gentle squeeze. "Good. You be careful, Itadori. Please. I'll give you two hours. If you're not back by then, I'm calling for support and going in myself."
"But---"
"No arguing, young man! Two hours!"
Yuji suppose he couldn't argue. She knew he is capable of defending himself. Her words weren't of doubt, but of concern. Each day, Yuji grew stronger, but he was still cared for.
"Okay, two hours. But don't run into that place."
"I'll take it." She adjusts his wataboshi and pats his cheek. "Alright, now you're set, you pretty bride!"
"You're embarrassing me!"
She laughs, watching Yuji scurry out the car, holding onto his outer kimono. Once he gathers his footing, he begins his surely long journey.
"I can't believe you're wearing those shoes, Itadori!" He hears Akari tease.
He stops, looking over his shoulder at her.
"It wouldn't be so easy to fight in sandals!"