Chapter Text
I was sitting on a window seat on the train on my way to my new school, Tokyo Jujutsu Tech.
I watch the people out there. Read their emotions like I always do. I pick up my light pink notebook and write down all my observations, just like I did back in middle school.
All I did back then was read emotions. If someone was depressed, happy, excited, lonely…I would recognise it all. If a chair was out of place, if a student has a specific laugh, if there’s a sticky note on the whiteboard; I’d notice it all when no one ever did.
I could even read someone’s hobbies, personality, past, future…literally anything. I wouldn’t call it a superpower…no, definitely not that…but I also wouldn’t say that it isn’t a superpower.
I remember Ayano. She was tall, beautiful, part of the drama and vocal club…dreamt of becoming a J-pop star..really wanted to enter J-pop academy…but I had an instinct she would end up joining…guess I was right.
She also had something I have always wanted.
Friends.
I would always sit alone.
Pretend I didn’t need anyone.
But deep down..all I want are friends.
So I started reading the quiet, lonely, “loser” kids emotions.
The problem was.
They were all depressed.
The thing that clung to me the most was how around every unhappy and depressed student, I saw a monstrous…thing around its neck with heavy and dark energy.
They looked disturbing. I remember how with each depressed student they looked different, yet all the more disgusting. One could have warts and green skin, and the next, one eyed with purple skin. I couldn’t tell if it was my imagination…but, after I got scouted by Satoru Gojo, the strongest sorcerer who also is a teacher at Tokyo Jujutsu Tech.
By him, I found out those demonic things with dark auras were curses. And I have potential of becoming a Jujutsu Sorcerer, a dangerous job which put my life on the line. He did mention that there weren’t many students that attended…
Perfect.
Easier to hit my goal.
Maybe in Jujutsu Tech I’ll finally fit into conversations and not be known as the creepy quiet girl who stares for too long and takes note of everything.
Maybe I could use my ability of reading people’s emotions to make friends.
I could pretend.
Fake a personality.
Y’know, like that quote that goes around.
“Fake it till you make it.”
Yeah.
I’m sure you’ve heard of that one before once in your life.
Haven’t you?
I sit in my seat in the train remembering that one quote.
All I need to do is read their emotions, hobbies, personality, and pretty much everything using that secret “superpower” I have to be able to become friends with them.
Shouldn’t be that hard.
Right?
Eventually I arrive and hear the train announcement. “Welcome to Tokyo, the doors will open on the right.”
This was it… this is where I finally get to meet my new classmates. Gojo-Sensei mentioned that there are three first-years, meaning I would be joining their class. I take one look down at my notes and my observations, making sure that they are good enough for me to recognise the emotions of my new teammates so that I can fit in better.
Finally, I get a fresh start and won’t seem weird. I exhale and tuck my notebook back in my bag. I take my suitcase and bag and step out of the train…
And there they were.
“This is our last student Y/N~!” Gojo-Sensei announced with a stupid grin on his face. The three stare for a second and then—
“Finally, a girl! I’m Nobara Kugisaki.” The girl with the bob says. By looking at her, I can tell she’s into makeup. Her hair is dyed…maybe she’s into fashion? She looks like she’s from the countryside like me.
“I’m Yuji Itadori, from Sendai!” The boy with the pink hair greets...He seems like a fast runner, kind-hearted and welcoming. Maybe he likes to watch movies…he also seems like he doesn’t do great in school.
“Itadori, shut UP. She doesn’t care where you’re from.” Nobara retorts. Her and Yuji start bickering like siblings as I stand there awkwardly. Then a voice cuts through.
“Fushiguro.”
I glance at the boy. Black spiky hair, green eyes but… I can’t read his emotions.
Wait.
No, no, no. I think to myself. I’ve studied people’s emotions for so long! I thought maybe I could finally fit in. Why can’t I understand his emotions? Where is that recognition I have connected to my soul? That was the key to becoming friends with them. And now it’s gone.
“Uhh, soo y/n introduce yourself.’ Gojo-Sensei’s voice cuts through my train of thought.
“Uh— I’m sorry”..I clear my throat and say “I’m Y/N, from the countryside.” Nobara brightens up. “Wait you’re from the countryside too?” I clear my throat again. “Uh, yeah I am.”
Nobara stares at me for a second, then smiles and says “I guess both the girls are from the countryside.”
... Wait I was right! My observations were correct.. but then my gaze lifts up to Fushiguro…why can’t I recognise him?
There’s something about him that I can’t seem to comprehend…I have to figure it out or otherwise I’ll have to go back to those torturous days at school where I can’t make any friends or fit in.
“Aww look at you two bonding~!” Gojo-Sensei says to Nobara and I. “Anyway. Y/N, I’ll take your luggage and bring it to the car.” I nod, then start following the group to the driver’s car.. I walk with my hands behind my back observing Fushiguro…
Come on brain come on… what is he like?
Think.
“So, newbie, scared for your first mission?” Nobara says with playfulness. I blink, then say, “Well, um, I am nervous. I haven’t really done one before.” She smiles. “Hah! Sucks for you, because right after your luggage is in the car you’re going straight to your first mission~” I blink, then panic, processing what information has just been said.
“Uh— but I don’t know how to fight—”
Gojo’s voice cuts through. “Don’t worry~ you’ll have a partner!” A partner? I guess that’s better than going alone. “Don’t worry, you’ve got this!” Yuji says with enthusiasm. He turns around, gives me a thumbs‑up, then continues walking.
Great… I’ll probably die to a grade 4 curse. I suck at fighting. I don’t even know my cursed technique yet. We arrive at the car, and then Gojo says, “Alright, your partner will be…” He looks between Nobara, Yuji, Fushiguro… then his gaze flickers back to Fushiguro “Megumiii~” Fushiguro blinks, then exhales. “…Where is it?”
Gojo says, “Grade 3 curse at an abandoned alleyway.”
I panic internally. No, no, no—why’d he have to be him? How am I supposed to start conversation with him when I can’t even recognise his emotions…
Then Fushiguro’s voice cuts through. “Alright… let’s get this over with.”
Nobara giggles. “Don’t scare the newbie and be too grumpy, okay~”
…Grumpy? Okay, well, that’s something I could use.
“Ijichi will take you guys to your destination. Y/N, once you arrive back at Jujutsu Tech, I’ll take you to your dorm.” Gojo’s gaze turns to Yuji and Nobara. “You two come with me~”
Nobara automatically groans. “Ugh, why do I have to be paired up with Itadori!”
Yuji’s eyebrows shoot up. “Hey! I’m not that bad!”
The two start bickering again. Alright, new note: these two have a sibling relationship and bicker a lot… but what about Fushiguro? My gaze turns to him, and I see him roll his eyes. Then he turns away and starts walking, hands tucked in his pockets… was he expecting me to follow? I give one last look to the two. Gojo gives me a wave, which was a signal to follow Fushiguro. I nod and turn the same way Fushiguro departed from.
I follow quietly, hands behind my back. Maybe I should start conversation? No, wait, but Nobara mentioned he’s grumpy… but then—
“You don’t know your cursed technique, do you?”
I snap out of my train of thought, realising he’s talking to me.
“Uh— no, not yet… I’m not that familiar with curses… I just know how they look like.” He glances towards me. “I see.”
I look at him for a second, then move my gaze forward…we were almost at the car.