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It was a late afternoon, where the crimson sunlight bled through every window frame of the classroom. The space was so silent that one could hear the faint rustle of the wind outside, the rhytmic creaking of the old wood, and the persistetscratching of pens against paper. The trio sat there, drowning in a sea of tedious assignments.
"Ugh, seriously? Why did Yaga-sensei give us so much homework?! This is literally torture!" Gojo let out a dramatic wail before collapsing onto the desk. His white hair fell forward, veiling his knitted, irritated brows-not because of the papers, but because he hadn't fully mastered the control of his Six Eyes. The chaotic, gargantuan torrent of information flooding in from everything around him was causing a relentless, agonizing ache in his head.
Beside him, Geto Suguru fared no better. Leaning back in his chair, his mind was far from focused; his narrow eyes were tightly shut, and his hand occasionally tugged at his collar. His throat felt slick and wretched, stained by the lingering, revolting aftertaste of the curses he had been forced to swallow during his mission that morning, leaving him with a persistent sense of nausea.
Meanwhile, Shoko was nodding off beside them, her head nearly touching the desk, yet her hand still clutched her pen firmly. Beneath those beautiful eyes, dark circles had begun to bloom. This exhaustion came from a week of being constantly stationed in the infirmary, weaving Reverse Cursed Technique to save groups of injured sorcerers returning from the brink.
Just as the trio’s exhaustion reached its peak, a faint, crystalline sound suddenly pierced through the oppressive gloom.
Tink... Tink...
The sound of the Kagura-suzu bells began as a fragile thread of sound woven into the rustling wind outside. But following that rhythmic chime and the swaying breeze, a gentle, melodic voice drifted in-rising and falling, intertwining with the wind to seep into their frayed minds.
In the hazy minds of Gojo, Geto, and Shoko, a memory flickered - a report pinned to a file they had accidentally stumbled upon while sneaking into Yaga-sensei’s office. It was the file containing information on the abilities of their irritable 4th-year senpai: Utahime. They had only managed to read the summary before Yaga-sensei walked in, caught them, and chased the troublemakers out of the room.
"Cursed Technique: Solo Solo Kinku." The words were clearly stamped on the report in glaring, bright red ink. The summary explained that Solo Solo Kinku allowed the user to perform a ritual (encompassing dance, mudras, and song) to amplify the cursed energy output of the user themselves and any allied sorcerers within range. The technique operated through a mechanism of restructuring cursed energy, bringing a sorcerer’s state to its "ideal threshold." There was a stern warning: After experiencing the amplified state at its "maximum" output, sorcerers might develop rebellious thoughts or behaviors and defect from the system. An instruction followed: Do not use this technique on any potential assets without prior authorization.
This discovery had made the trio raise their eyebrows in surprise and curiosity.
"Huh why would singing and dancing make the higher-ups forbid Utahime from using it on people like us?"
"Hmm... the more they forbid it, the more I want to try. Hey Shoko, one of these days, you should demand Utahime do it for us."
"Whatever. I’m curious too, but Utahime-senpai's opinion is what matters most."
"Ugh, so booooring!"
"Deal with it."
And so, the seeds of curiosity about Utahime's technique were sown in their minds. Occasionally, Gojo and Geto would pester her.
"U-ta-himeee~ What exactly is your technique? Is it really just dancing and singing?"
"Do it for us once! We’re so curious!"
When asked directly, Utahime would stiffen and frown.
"It’s nothing special, you rude and disrespectful brats! It’s just a normal support technique. There’s nothing interesting about it. And for the last time, call me UTAHIME-SENPAI!!"
"Hehe, it's fine, Utahime. We'll be there to save you anyway~" Gojo would boast, patting his chest with pride, while Geto stood by with a soft smile, nodding slightly in agreement.
Utahime knew well that the two boys meant no harm; it was simply because they were both far too strong. She understood that Gojo, Geto and Shoko’s genius was undoubtedly a blessing, as everyone praised, but it was also a cruel curse. Heavy responsibilities that a hundred other sorcerers combined could not manage were placed solely on their shoulders. She always avoided mentioning her abilities, not because she wanted to hide her craft, but because in her eyes... it wasn't worth mentioning, especially to these three geniuses.
Therefore, Utahime chose to remain silent about her power.
She put in every ounce of effort. She spent sleepless nights buried in research, pouring over tattered ancient scrolls. She underwent physical training to the point of collapse so her body would be strong enough not to become a hurdle for her teammates. She refined her dances a thousand times over to ensure there wasn't a single flaw during a mission. She wanted to be a reliable pillar for her juniors and teammates to lean on - not a weakling, not a burden that needed sheltering and protection.
The bells chimed once more, waking the trio from their reminiscence. Overcome by curiosity, all three stood up to find where the sound was coming from. Gojo, Geto, and Shoko glided through the long corridors where the late afternoon light was now only a few weak streaks of gold. They passed through corners that were silent as death, with only that gentle melody and their quiet footsteps echoing on the floor. The closer they got, the clearer the sound became. They stopped in front of an old shoji doors of a traditional washitsu room, which wafted with the faint scent of incense and Utahime’s light camellia. The room sat isolated, hidden behind dense, ancient trees - a quiet place where few people ever visited. This room was much like Utahime herself: quiet and secluded. Behind the door, that rising and falling voice continued, the bells chimed with a light sound, the rustle of fabric sighed, and the sound of slow footsteps moved across the wooden floor in an ancient, rhythmic cadence.
The three looked at each other, nodding in silent agreement, and gently slid the wooden door open just a crack. Three pairs of eyes peered inside.
There, under the wooden eaves looking out over a small, lush green garden, the image of Utahime appeared clearly before them. She was in her traditional miko attire - the pure white of the kosode and the vibrant red of the hakama. Her small, pale face was now flushed; her elegant forehead glistening with beads of sweat. Her eyes were tightly closed, her long lashes trembling slightly against her cheeks from the effort. Every step she took glided naturally across the tatami floor; her body performed the dance as naturally as breathing. It was as if she had practiced these movements a thousand times, until the memory of the dance was etched into every fiber of her being.
The last rays of the dying sun filtered into the room, casting a halo over her slender figure. It was heartbreakingly beautiful. At first, Utahime merely hummed a melody. Then, she began to sing - her voice rising with a mixture of gentleness and profound reverence. Utahime’s cursed energy spread softly, draping over her and everything around her like silk ribbons crystallized from the morning dew. Gentle and pure.
Utahime continued to dance with her eyes closed, completely unaware of the three figures looming behind the door.
When the dance came to an end, Utahime slowly opened her warm brown eyes, only to find three pairs of eyes staring back at her.
Four pairs of eyes blinked at each other in stunned silence.
…
Utahime was the first to break the stillness. She shrieked, her face flushing crimson from a mix of anger and the sheer embarrassment of being caught by her juniors while exhausted.
"WHAT ON EARTH ARE YOU GUYS DOING HERE?! How did you even find this place?!"
But the teasing banter from Gojo and Geto, or even Shoko’s gentle greeting that she expected, didn't come. Instead, there was a heavy, almost eerie silence. Before Utahime could even wonder why, Gojo took the initiative to slide the door wide open and stepped toward her. Utahime startled, forcing herself not to take a step back; she frowned and looked up, staring straight into those eyes hidden behind Gojo's pitch-black glasses (after all, anyone would be startled if a boy nearly two meters tall suddenly approached them out of nowhere).
Gojo stood before Utahime and removed his glasses. Those deep blue eyes, which should have been brimming with energy and brilliance, instead revealed a soul-crushing exhaustion that took Utahime by surprise. He began to crouch down to her eye level, clinging to her arm like a needy octopus. His eyes shimmered as if he were on the verge of tears, and his voice - usually so arrogant, now sounded like a spoiled child.
"Utahimeee~ Please, just sing for me one more time. My Six Eyes are about to kill meee"
"Gojo! You disrespectful brat! Get away from me, and you have to call me Utahime-senpai!" Utahime cried out, but no matter how hard she tried to push him away, Gojo remained latched onto her arm like a suction cup. Geto also began to draw near, standing close to Utahime and... pleading.
"Utahime-senpai! Could you sing for us just once more? You really have a beautiful voice."
Before Utahime could say a word, Shoko stepped forward and wrapped her arms around that slender waist, burying her face into Utahime’s shoulder to breathe in the soothing, gentle scent of incense and camellia.
"Please, Senpai... I’m just so, so tired..."
Utahime intended to refuse immediately because her technique had been strictly restricted by the higher-ups, but when she saw the sheer exhaustion etched onto the faces of her juniors, she could only sigh "Surely a few songs won't hurt..." Utahime thought to herself. Her irritability and fatigue vanished, replaced by a profound, aching tenderness for these gifted children who, despite their youth, carried such heavy responsibilities on their shoulders.
"Urgh fine! Alright, you three... sit down. But only one song, okay!"
The moment Utahime finished her sentence, they all nodded frantically like chickens pecking at grain. Relief and joy were written clearly across their faces.
Utahime let out a soft laugh, shaking her head at the dramatic absurdity of the youngsters. She slowly lowered herself onto the tatami floor and entered a perfect Seiza posture with practiced ease, her spine straight and elegant. Her small hands rested lightly on her thighs, and her legs were tucked neatly beneath the vibrant red hakama, hiding her pale white feet-feet that were covered in a web of scuffs and scrapes, the silent marks of countless hours of relentless practice.
Utahime looked up at them. "Find a comfortable spot and sit down. Quickly now! I’m only singing one song, and then every single one of you is going back to your rooms to rest, understood-"
Before Utahime could finish, a figure suddenly lunged forward.
Shoko Ieiri, who usually wore a cold and indifferent expression, now had eyes as bright as car headlights. She moved with lightning speed to claim the "prime real estate."
To the shock of her two best friends, Shoko quietly laid down, resting her head naturally and comfortably right in Utahime’s lap. She wrapped her arms around Utahime’s waist, nuzzling into the soft hakama fabric that smelled of pure camellia, and let out a long, contented exhale.
"I choose this spot." Shoko declared succinctly, her eyes half-closed as she looked at the two boys with a lazy, teasing smirk.
Gojo Satoru and Geto Suguru stood frozen, their mouths hanging open in shock. "They could probably fit an egg in each of their mouths or... maybe two. Utahime-senpai is so warm and soft, and she smells so good..." Shoko thought to herself as she continued to nuzzle into Utahime’s lap.
Gojo grit his teeth, letting out a low growl (afraid that making too much noise would get him kicked out).
"Hey! Shoko, you cheater! You’re usually as slow as a turtle, so how the hell were you so fast today?! I chose that spot first!"
Gojo grew even more heated when he saw Shoko glance at him, give a small shrug, and return to nuzzling Utahime. Seeing that Shoko wouldn't pay him any attention, Gojo huffed and sat down, leaning his back against the wooden wall right in front of Utahime.
Geto looked at Shoko, his lip twitching slightly. He then moved to sit down, resting his head against a wooden pillar of the room, and muttered.
"Shoko, you’re usually so sluggish..."
As everyone settled into their spots, the room gradually sank into silence. There was only the sound of the wind blowing softly through the window, the rustle of leaves on the porch, and the distant chirping of birds calling each other back to their nests. Utahime took a deep breath and closed her eyes. She wouldn't use the powerful, energy-amplifying battle hymns she used on missions. Instead, she chose a peaceful lullaby steeped in the atmosphere of ancient Kyoto. At first, she hummed softly to calibrate her cursed energy to a low level, and then her voice rose gently in the quiet room.
Her voice carried cursed energy as thin as gossamer and as warm as the first rays of dawn, enveloping the room. That sound seeped into the exhausted minds of the trio, gently draping over them and soaking through their skin to soothe their weary souls.
The chaotic flood of information that had been relentlessly pouring into Satoru’s head was suddenly sorted, becoming still, orderly, and peaceful. The cursed energy that usually surged like waves in a deep blue ocean was now strangely calm. Satoru’s tense shoulders gradually relaxed; his head instinctively tilted back, his back leaning fully against the wall, and his eyes closed as he savored this peace with a smile on his lips.
For Suguru, his throat - which should have been stained with the revolting aftertaste of those loathsome curses - now felt as if a clear mountain spring were gently washing away all the impurities. Only the sweet aftertaste of the spring and the warm scent of incense remained. The persistent nausea vanished, yielding to a tranquility he hadn't felt since embarking on the path of a sorcerer.
And Shoko... she was the one enjoying it the most. Lying in Utahime-senpai’s lap, feeling the gentle stroking of her hair, the warmth of her senior, and the delicate scent of camellia mixed with incense. Everything blended with the warm lullaby, causing her heart, once chilled by the constant struggle between life and death to slowly thaw. Her mental scars began to heal and grow warm again. Shoko drifted into a dreamless sleep. No corpses. No blood. No grief. Only peace.
Utahime continued to sing, her voice rhythmic and swaying with the wind. She looked down at the three of them; their chaotic cursed energy was finally stabilizing, their exhausted expressions were softening, and their bodies were relaxed in comfort.
That song continued. Gentle and deep. It resonated from the moment the last rays of sun vanished behind the trees until the moonlight softly illuminated the room, and until their breathing became steady and rhythmic. Her voice slowly faded into silence. She sat and watched for a moment to make sure these troublemakers were sound asleep. Looking at Shoko's head in her lap, she glanced over at Gojo against the wall and Geto, who was now lying on the tatami.
"These kids... Serioustly..." She smiled, whispering softly into the quiet night.
The room was now illuminated by the warm morning sun filtering through the leaves. The space was peaceful, filled only with steady breathing and the chirping of birds in the lush trees. Gojo was the first to wake; his Six Eyes felt a peace like never before. He realized he was no longer leaning against the wall but resting his head on a small, soft pillow that smelled faintly of flowers. Instead of feeling the chill of the night wind, he felt the warmth of a small blanket over him. Gojo stirred slightly, sat up, and looked around to see his two best friends still sleeping. Both had been taken care of just as thoughtfully. Geto, who usually slept with knitted brows, now had a face that was incredibly serene. Shoko was curled up like a lazy cat, her eyes closed in satisfaction.
Gojo was debating whether or not to wake them when both began to slowly open their eyes. Geto and Shoko blinked slowly, savoring the rare peace for a moment before sitting up. Three pairs of eyes met, and without a word, they all looked around for that specific figure.
In a corner not far away, Utahime had fallen asleep while sitting against the wooden wall. The morning sun draped over her like gold leaf, making her look incredibly gentle and peaceful. Her head was tilted slightly to the side; her elegant brows twitched occasionally - likely busy scolding some unruly juniors in her dreams. Her long, curved lashes fluttered like butterfly wings, and her small pink lips were parted slightly with each steady breath.
Shoko watched silently, her gaze lingering on the small pillow and the soft blanket. She approached Utahime-senpai and knelt, her eyes fixed on her. Her gaze was intense, as if trying to capture the entire scene into her mind. A gentle smile touched the corners of her lips.
"My beloved Senpai..." Shoko thought, her usually dull and indifferent eyes now shining with a rare tenderness. "If you keep being this gentle, how are we ever supposed to let you go..."
Geto remained still, letting the peace envelop him as his eyes drank in every moment of their precious senior.
As for Gojo, he stood there silently, his Six Eyes observing and memorizing every tiny detail. He signaled for Geto and Shoko to come closer and pulled out his flip phone.
"Quick! We need evidence of Utahime being lazy-bones~" Gojo whispered softly, a characteristic mischievous smirk on his face, though his clear blue eyes were filled with deep affection for the loved one.
"Click!"
The dry sound of the camera shutter shattered the peace of the moment. Utahime startled awake, her warm brown eyes wide and groggy from being roused. Seeing the three of them huddling in front of her, Utahime sprang up like a coiled spring. Her face turned bright red, and her hands moved frantically to straighten her clothes, smoothing out the rumpled fabric.
Geto delivered a rather heavy swat to Gojo’s shoulder. Shoko, beside him, gave him a sharp glare. Gojo had clearly been in too much of a hurry to capture the moment and forgot to turn off the sound.
All three thought at once: "Damn it! You idiot!!"
"How long have you guys been awake?! Why haven't you gone back to your rooms?! Gojo, give me that phone right now! What did you just take a picture of?!"
Utahime shrieked, her face flaming. Gojo immediately hid the phone behind his back, trying to play it off.
"Hey now, Utahime! We didn't take anything. Besides, we had to stay here to protect our grumpy senpai while she napped~"
"That's right, Senpai," Geto added, his signature fox-like grin appearing as his eyes crinkled with amusement "Besides, you were sleeping so soundly you were drooling."
"I was not...?!" Utahime said, quickly reaching up to wipe her mouth only to realize she’d been tricked. She frowned and barked "Now that you're awake, go back to your rooms IMMEDIATELY!"
Shoko finally spoke up, standing and stretching. As she got close to Utahime, who was still scolding the two idiots, she leaned in to hug her waist and acted spoiled.
"Last night was the best sleep I've had all week, Utahime-senpai~ Can I come over to your room to sleep tonight too?"
Unable to scold her favorite junior, Utahime pouted at Shoko.
"You're starting to pick up their bad habits, Shoko... Haiz only for tonight, okay?"
Shoko happily nuzzled into the fragrant kosode fabric, turning back to smirk at Geto and Gojo provocatively. Before the two boys could react, Utahime spoke up.
"Alright, that's enough! It's morning already, so go back to your rooms, wash up, and eat breakfast so you’re not late for class. Move it!" As she spoke, Utahime pushed all three of them out of the room.
"Make sure you get some rest, Utahime-senpai!" "Bye bye, Utahime!" "See you later~"
She stood leaning against the door, her lips curving slightly as she watched the silhouettes of the kids walking away, their laughter echoing down the hallway.
Once they were far from the room, Gojo finally pulled out his phone to look at the single photo capturing Utahime nodding off.
"When she's not being grumpy... Utahime is actually kind of cute," Gojo muttered, his thumb gently grazing the screen.
"Who told you to keep teasing her all the time?"
"Watch it. If you tease her too much, she'll stop letting you listen to her. Don't drag me into it when that happens."
"Huh?! What did you say? I’m the most handsome, kind, and adorable junior she has!"
"Pfft!"
"Yeah, rightt!"
OMG they're so cuteeee heheh! I really love this onee~
My beloved (♡´౪`♡)