Chapter Text
You take a deep breath of cold air.
This was not the plan for your Friday afternoon.
You close your eyes and start working on setting up your cursed technique.
You do a few hand motions, and concentrate as best you can, but you keep underestimating the size and have to make it bigger. You also keep on getting the feeling that you’re being watched.
Because you are.
“You got this, girl!” Gojo says in an equally sarcastic and exited tone, while wiggling his fingers inches away from the side of your face. Probably trying to “Inflict his greatness upon you” or whatever he said that one time.
“You’re not helping, Satoru.” You mummer, trying to ignore him.
It’s not working.
“So unappreciative. I’m trying my best over here.” He pouts slightly and turns away, muttering something about you taking him for granted. He then leaves to go bug Suguru.
You ignore his whining and instead continue trying to set up your cursed technique.
You’re trying to do it on a scale you’ve never tried before, and so far its not going well. Plus, you’re doing it in front of everyone at a packed out store.
The Costco right outside of Tokyo, to be exact.
Apparently there’s a grade 1 cursed-spirit that’s been hiding out here and causing some problems (Problems being murder), and you and your technique is needed, no matter how much you pleaded to have one Friday to yourself.
Why must you, the tired 16 year old that’s only a 2nd grade deal with this, instead of the honored one? Because the cursed spirit is invisible, silly.
It’s able to, y’know, be invisible because it distorts the matter in front of it allowing it to seemingly disappear. It’s able to hide its cursed energy output fairly well, so unfortunately Gojo on his own would have a hard time finding it.
It’s been a nuisance, so you were called on a last minuet mission to go exorcise it.
Your cursed technique involves setting up a barrier-like area that when you’re in, you can sense everything that moves, including cursed spirits. You call this ability Mirror Move. Cursed spirits are much harder to detect because your technique mainly detects movement. You can detect cursed energy, but you have to be in much closer proximity. And curses, for the most part, like to stay still until prompted.
This means you’re going to have to search this whole store in hopes you can get close enough to detect its cursed energy.
You’re going to be able to feel everything that moves. In one of the biggest, most crowded stores there are. Every. Single. Person.
Yikes.
They sent out you to find it, Gojo to exercise it, and Getou to keep Gojo in check.
You have all been banned from far to many places because of him.
You finish setting it up around the building, and activate it.
Immediately you shiver. This is the most amount of people you’ve ever had in your little bubble, and it shows. Someone just moved their shoulder. Someone just waved. Shoulder guy is now walking. Someone just bent over. This is getting tiring.
Your eyesight starts betraying you, your balance is atrocious, and you have the intense urge to vomit.
But that’s not it your mission description, so you pretend like everything is fine. You walk over where Gojo and Getou are arguing with the person that takes your membership cards.
This is going to be a long day.
*
“What can I say, she was refusing to let us in!”
“She was just doing her job, Satoru. She’s not usually supposed to let people in without a card.” Getou says.
“That’s why I tried explaining it to her!”
“Your method of explaining involves bragging to her about how you’re the strongest? Poor lady looked so confused.” You add.
“Its not my fault she didn’t understand my greatness!”
“Just be glad the manager stepped in to clear things up.” Getou says with a slight chuckle.
“Whatever.” Satoru mumbles.
You all walk in a comfortable silence for awhile, taking in the building. The first thing you notice is how huge it is. Its at least 15 acres big, and it was so large there was a multi level parking garage.
There were televisions and other electronics when you first walk in, followed by snacks and vitamins.
The building was so packed there was at least 200 people in there. 200 people who’s every movement you felt. It was pretty disorienting. You basically needed to be constantly holding onto something or someone to not fall over.
There was a food court to your left, with a ton of classic food stocked. And the food was so cheap!
After a small argument you agreed if you were still here after a hour that you would all get a coffee.
But the thing that shocked you the most was the free samples.
They gave you food. For free.
Satoru immediately lost control.
You almost got kicked out on three separate occasions because he ate there entire stock of samples (Not like you didn’t help).
Suguru was fighting a loosing battle trying to stop you and Satoru from getting removed from the store for harassment.
The whole situation would be a blast, eating samples with your two favorite people and annoying Getou, but you’re constantly on the verge of a panic attack because you’re feeling everything.
Every step someone takes, every time someone adjusts there posture, waves there hand, tilts there head, etc…
It’s enough to drive anyone mad.
On multiple occasions you caught yourself walking the wrong direction because on instinct you were trying to mirror some old mans movements, like he was a national threat.
All that plus Satoru being, well, Satoru, you were far from okay.
Not to mention how much energy creating a “Bubble” (as you call it) this size takes.
You try your best to ignore it and act normal, laughing with Getou, prying Gojo away from the samples so were out of here by midnight, stopping Gojo from harassing people, stopping Gojo from getting girls numbers, etc...
Why did we bring him again?
*
After around a half hour of wandering around a store aimlessly (Or more like Satoru aiming us towards the next sample), You started getting a little tired.
Tired from walking with no point, tired of feeling terrible, and tired of Yaga sending you on missions on a Friday afternoon.
You chew your lip with anxiety and fidget with the buttons on your uniform.
Satoru has tried cheering you up a few time's with his stupid jokes and comments, but it does nothing to lighten your mood.
The thrill from your first Costco experience is starting to fade, and the panic is starting to set in.
Too many laps of the store, to many almost falls, too many arguments trying to bring down Gojo’s ego.
And not enough cursed spirits.
“I should have felt some cursed energy by now..” you say, a deep frown piercing your face.
“Have you really felt nothing?” Suguru asks.
“Nope. Only people, and they feel wayyy different then curses.”
“How long is this going to take? I’ve tried all the food already.” Satoru whines, but you and Getou both ignore him.
“I don’t know how much longer I can keep this up. It’s kind of driving me insane.” You sigh.
“You have gotten turned around more times then I can count.” He says with a chuckle
“Hey! You don’t know what its like!” You tease.
“I suppose you’re right.” He smiles, and you leave it at that.
*
Its been an hour and 15 minuets. You are exhausted. The whole place is spinning, your balance is that of a newborn fawn, and keeping a bubble this size with this many people for this long has drained your cursed energy almost completely.
And still no sign of this alleged cursed spirit.
Getou has remained calm but you can tell he’s concerned. Gojo is bored out of his mind and keeps complaining. And your just trying not to have a panic attack.
What if there is no cursed spirit? You wonder.
And every minuet that possibility becomes more of a reality.
You got that promised coffee, and it still did nothing to fix your exhaustion.
You reach the back of the store. For the fourth time. You headbutt the wall on accident.
You don’t even process it.
“We might have to call it quits.” Getou says calmly, but there’s a hint of disappointment and concern in his voice.
“Lets do one more lap around the store, but this time stick to the edges this time.” you say as a last ditch effort.
No one argues.
But if you’re being honest, you don’t know if you can make it a whole other lap.
*
An hour and thirty minuets. That’s how long its been. No sign of this cursed spirit.
You blink heavy a few times. You’re another Satoru comment away from throwing up. You’re lightheaded, and the employee’s are giving you looks for walking around the store not buying anything for this long.
There’s a headache pounding in your skull, you’re extremely jumpy, you cant even hold your hands out without them shaking like hell.
You want to go home so bad. You want to enjoy your Friday, but instead you’re enduring Medival torture.
You run your fingers through your hair and cling to Getou’s arm like if you let it go you’ll let go of your sanity.
Which honestly, you might.
You’re another trip-of-your-feet-where-Satoru-had-to-catch-you away from going home, but then you feel it.
Not just another person.
Not a service animal that made you jump for joy, only to lick your face instead.
Cursed energy.
And its not Getou's or Gojo’s either.
Its unmistakably the cursed energy of a cursed spirit.
Finally.
You relay the information to the losers following you around, pointing to the direction you felt it from, and you start heading that way. You trip over your feet the whole way there.
You would feel embarrassed, but right now you genuinely couldn’t care less.
*
You’re staring at a door. Its the employee break room.
You stare at it for a moment, your vision fading in and out. In and out, in and out...
Your breath catches.
Your head is pounding. Your stomach is threatening to empty its contents at any given moment.
“Well well well, this it?” Gojo asks. The sound of his voice feels like nails being pounded into your skull.
You don’t answer. You want to, but you cant. The words cant even get out of your throat.
You shut your eyes tight and stumble around.
“You okay?” He asks with genuine concern.
Your mouth is dry. Your knees are shaking so bad.
“Satoru.” you barely are able to say.
He looks at you with his eyebrows raised, a look of panic slowly making its way onto his face.
The sound is to much. People walking by, people minding there business, with no idea how much pain they cause you.
They don’t care.
“I don’t think I’m…"
Your knees give out.
The last thing you remember is the ceiling spinning and the feeling of being held.
*
You’re awake.
At least, you think you are.
You’re in that half-asleep-half-awake state where you’re not fully concise, but you’re still forming thoughts.
You think about how much you want a cat. What to get your mom for mothers day—Wait, you don’t have a mom. Right.
You wonder what your mom would think of you if she was still here.
You think about Gojo, then about dinner and then spring.
You nuzzle your face into some fabric. Are you on your bed? Yeah, that must be it.
Your beds cozy.
You don’t question the sound of arguing, or why every so often a gust of wind flip your hair around.
You just think about the next time you’re going to eat ramen.
You stay that way for a while, before one thought creeps into your head.
The mission.
The last thing you remember was passing out, and a lot of incoherent talking and arguing.
But hey, you don’t feel like dying anymore.
You open your eyes, and take in your surroundings.
You’re being held by who you think is Gojo, and you’re on the side of a highway.
You’re not in your comfy bed.
You’re on the side of a highway?
You glance up at Satoru, and he has an expressionless face.
His glasses are tucked into his uniform, and he’s staring at something to the right.
You feel the wind as a car rushes past.
You wriggle in his arms and I guess he noticed you.
He looks down at you and smiles in a way that’s supposed to look casual but you can tell he’s stressed behind it.
“Ah, sleeping beauty is awake now!” he says in an overly happy tone. “Took you long enough.” He adds in a considerably less cheerful tone.
“Where the hell are we?” you say while squinting at him, trying to sound annoyed but you probably just sound tired.
“Oh! Were broken down on one of the busiest highways!” He says with the same fake-happiness
You blink a few times.
“Oh.” you say. Genius.
“What happened?” You grumble, trying to salvage your response.
“Easy! After you dipped on us Suguru was allowed in and totally didn’t get his ass beat by the curse and I definitely didn’t have to step in. Then because Yaga insisted we use a car instead of the train, we broke down!”
He adjusts his grip on you, instead of one hand on your back and one under your knees, now he just has one hand on your lower back purely so hey can give you jazz hand(s).
There’s a beat of silence where you process what he said and the so annoyed tone he said it in, before you ask: “Well that sucks and all, but can you let me down?”
He obliges and sets you down, although you have to lean on him because your balance is so screwed.
You totally overdid yourself today.
You make a mental note to never have more then like, 10 people in your technique ever again.
You peak your head around him and notice Suguru talking on the phone while leaning against the broken down car.
Before you can even ask, Satoru already answers.
“He’s trying to get us help, but it will probably be at least an hour before anyone gets to us.” He says and clicks his tongue. “Although, there is a super secret possibility that we get there faster.” He says while giving you a grin, peeking at you from underneath his glasses.
His eye’s were stupidly blue, this was a fact you knew, but seeing them as the sun sets in the golden light is just ridicules.
“And what would that be?” you ask flatly.
“Well apparently because I’m THE Satoru Gojo, they can make ‘Accommodations’ for me.” he says with a little finger wiggle and a smile.
“Oh yeah? I’m blessed to be in your presence, please forgive me your honer.” you say with a little bow, the sarcasm dripping from your voice.
“Yup. Bow before me, mere mortals.” He says, fluttering his eyelashes. “Anyways, there’s this chic in Kyoto school who’s cursed technique is teleportation, and they might be able to send her out, according to Suguru.” He says with a shrug.
Someone whose cursed technique is teleportation? Strange you haven’t heard of her until now.
You sigh, realizing there’s not much you can do until he figures it out, and sit down watching the cars zip by.
Satoru sits down with you, sitting like, two inches away. That’s his biggest flaw. Always so close and touchy.
Rather annoying
You fill the void with conversation. “How long has it been since I passed out?” you ask.
“Eh, two hours, maybe? I don’t really know.” He replies. “All I know is that my arms are going to be sore tomorrow.” He adds while stretching out the last two words.
You feel slightly embarrassed, because you did kind of pass out, and he did have to carry you.
“Sorry ‘bout that. I guess feeling every single movement from every single person in a huge store kinda wore me out. My bad.”
“It’s alright, I’m so kind I’ll forgive you.” He says and you laugh. You cant help it, this whole situation sucks right? Why not laugh a little?
Being mopey isn't going to do anything, so why pass up the opportunity to smile?
“At least you got a good arm workout.” You say and give another small laugh. It’s not even really funny. You're painfully aware of that.
You’re exhausted, and probably not in the best mental state to be making remarks, but its just part of who you are.
What can you say, you like to try to be funny.
“You make good points, I’ll admit.”
You both fill the time making jokes and laughing about nothing, while Suguru deals with everything else.
He truly is the babysitter.
*
Suguru interrupts your fun to relay to you the plan. “Miss Teleportation is currently on a mission and cant make it, so a taxi should be here in fifteen minuets. They’ll take us to the train station and we’ll ride back from there. Sound like a plan?” Getou asks.
Gojo pouts a little and shrinks already anticipating the inevitable.
You quickly give Getou a thumbs up before elbowing Gojo and teasing him.
“I guess you just aren’t special enough for ‘Accommodations’, huh?”
“She would’ve totally came out if she weren’t on a mission!” He replies and pushes you away.
Getou looks at you both confused, (which checks out cause’ he has no idea what you’re talking about) before sitting down and deciding not to question it.
You and Suguru talk for a bit with Gojo occasionally chiming in, and then you all laugh about something.
It was easy.
It was nice, to just hang out and talk.
Time flows when you do that.
You didn’t get that enough.
*
The taxi rolls up and you all get in. You and Gojo almost got into a fistfight over who gets the front seat, but Getou pulled you aside and talked some sense into you.
Its best not to interfere with Satoru and his confusing ego.
Gojo got the front and Getou and you were stuck in the back.
Gojo had started making small talk with the taxi driver, and older man—maybe fifty or so— and you decided it be more interesting to talk with Suguru instead of listing to their conversation.
You start it off with an apology
“Sorry about passing out on you.”
“Its alright, I understand. I’m honestly surprised you didn’t pass out sooner.”
“I guess that’s true.”
A beat of silence passes.
“I don’t think I could do it.” He says in a slightly quieter tone
“Do what?”
“Feel all that, for over an hour. I mean, from how you’ve described it, it sounds miserable.”
“That’s because it is.” you say flatly, like your discussing the weather.
“Exactly.” he says with a slight feline smile.
You leave the conversation there. Nothing is said because nothing needs to be said.
The rest of the drive is mostly silent, besides Gojo occasionally trying to stir a reaction out of you, a habit he does when he’s bored.
You don’t pay him any mind.
You stare out the window at the city lights as you enter Tokyo.
You honestly don't get to be in the city as much as you would like to.
Jujutsu High is in the countryside of Tokyo, but you much prefer the city.
Maybe once you graduate you could move there.
A mix of emotions stir inside you.
Anxiety, happiness, a strange feeling of being hollow.
You turn to look at your friends and there's a tug at the corner of your mouth.
You wouldn't trade them for the world, no matter how much you hate them sometimes.
*
You’re on the train now.
It should only be another 15 minuets until you’re home.
It’s currently around 9:00, but it feels more like midnight.
Satoru teased you for yawning, saying how you shouldn’t be tired after taking a nap like that.
You gave him a little punch for that, but it just bounced right off his Infinity.
“Resorting to attempted assault, are we? Thank god my defenses are up.” He says putting an arm up to his chest and pretended to faint.
“So sad I wasn’t aiming for your head. A missed opportunity, honestly.”
He grinned and you kept on walking till you found some empty seats.
You and Gojo snagged two seated together, and poor Getou had to find one a few rows over.
Some time had passed while you were texting Yaga on your crappy flip-phone, letting him know you were on the train. That job was supposed to be Suguru’s, but you peeked over a few people and saw him asleep.
Satoru did say he “Got his ass handed to him.” so I guess it makes sense.
The train was pretty busy, but nothing compared to rush-hour.
It was shockingly silent for how many people there were.
You looked back at Gojo, and this was a pretty rare time where he was contempt. He just sat there with his arms behind his head and a look that told he was deep in thought, staring off into the distance.
You tried letting him stay that way, but your curiosity got the better of you.
“What are you thinkin’ about?”
“Hm?” he mutters while looking at you.
“You heard me. What’s got you so deep in thought?”
“I-” He stutters. “I uh, don’t want to.. Y’know, kill the mood..”
Your interest is most-definitely peaked.
“There’s not much mood to kill, plus, I’m curios.”
He sighed.
“I just… I wonder how many more missions were going to go on.” He looks away and taps his fingers on the arm-rest.
“What do you mean?”
“I… I don’t entirely know. I don’t like to think about it, but what would happen if say, you went on that last mission by yourself. What if you couldn’t exorcise the curse.”
His tone is low and unnatural. Like a glimpse into something you’re not supposed to see.
“I’m… Not sure I understand.”
“It’s nothing, really. I promise.”
“If you say so.”
a long moment of silence passes before anyone says something.
“Hey.” he says, meeting your eyes this time.
“Hey?”
“Don’t die on me, ‘kay?”
You don’t entirely know how to respond to that.
“Okay.” is the best you’ll manage.
*
You’re finally back home at Jujutsu High, at around 10:00.
Principle Yaga said they’d discuss the transportation issue in the morning, so you get to head back to your dorm for now.
You had to wake Suguru up on the train, and almost missed your stop.
It was pretty funny watching him slouch-walk his way up the stairs to Jujutsu High, though.
Satoru walked you to your dorm and you said goodnight.
You looked around in your quiet room, the only sound being the fan you couldn’t sleep without.
It smelled like lavender and coffee.
Finally home.
You threw yourself onto your bed that you hadn’t had time to make, and curled up under the covers.
You shut your eye’s tight, but the conversation you had with Satoru on the train still haunted you.
I wonder how many more missions were going to go on.
The words lingered in your head, because part of you knew.
He was right.
How long was it going to take for something to go wrong.
How long was it going to take for someone to die.
You slip into a deep, dreamless sleep.