Chapter Text
There's a bright light shining down upon you. You're not sure what it is, but when you squint, it feels as though it's awfully distant. The light must be coming from somewhere far, far away, despite the comfort it brings you.
Then again… who even are "you"?
You blink a few times, slowly turning your head in every direction. You don't know where you are. You don't know how you got here, or what in the world is even happening right now. It's as if you've only just now tapped into your senses. You don't remember anything that came before. This moment is all you have.
There are people passing by, that much you immediately realize. You have a vague understanding for how things work. Everyone here is preoccupied with their own matters, attending to this and that. You're in the middle of some kind of city, evidently. A neighborhood, even. Do you live here? It's odd, however, that you don't recognize what you're seeing, and you feel certain you wouldn't be able to describe your home, no matter how hard you tried.
Maybe someone can help me.
"E-Excuse me," you call out, and you flinch, surprised by how hoarse your voice sounds. It feels unnatural, weirdly enough. Why does it feel so unnatural?
Nevertheless, you're sure you spoke loudly enough for someone to hear you, yet no one even bothers to turn your way. In fact, they all just walk right past you, without so much as sparing a single glance. They're completely ignoring you. They're not even willing to give you the time of day.
Confused beyond measure, and feeling more panicked than you'd like to admit, your gaze finally pans downwards, and you let out a startled gasp.
You immediately move to cover yourself up with your arms, as best you can manage. You're exposed, and something instinctively tells you that you should feel embarrassed, but when you take another moment to reassess, you realize what's actually happening.
It's not that you're being ignored. It's not that every single person is pretending like you don't exist—because after all, in your current state, you're quite confident that someone would outwardly react at least a little bit.
But no, not a single person has so much as even glanced towards you. In fact, someone nearly bumps into you without realizing it, and you hurry to sidestep them, while they continue along, completely unbothered.
Arms still wrapped around your sides, you clear your throat, then try, one last time.
"If you can hear me… please, someone. Say something. Say anything."
No one responds.
Your gaze slowly lowers to the ground. None of these people… can see you? But why? How? You just don't understand. You don't understand what's going on, and you're desperate to find a solution. You don't remember anything prior to this moment. You don't have a single memory to guide you. The thought of remaining unseen and unheard while shouldering such loneliness… it terrifies you.
And yet again, you ask yourself:
"Who am I?"
Nanami rolls up his sleeve ever so slightly to check his watch. Good. It's not even a quarter to six o'clock yet. He was worried things might drag on needlessly when he got called in so late, but as luck would have it, he managed to finish the job much sooner than expected.
Even though Nanami no longer works as a salaryman, there's a certain monotone that exists for jujutsu sorcerers as well. The danger is far more present, obviously, but his days are structured simply enough for the most part. In fact, he should be relieved that it's all become so mundane to him, especially as of late. Mundane means boring. And boring means that people are less likely to die.
Several months ago, back in December, he wouldn't have been able to have such complacent thoughts. Geto Suguru was once his ally—an upperclassman, even—back during his Jujutsu Tech days. Even now, it leaves a bitter taste in Nanami's mouth. The world of jujutsu sorcery is so vile, so ugly and twisted, but he still can't find it in himself to turn away from it. It's not like the ordinary world is much better either. No matter where he is, no matter the time or place, people will always suffer. If nothing else, he may as well try to save as many of them as possible.
Nanami exhales tiredly. He's not sure what he's getting so sentimental for all of a sudden. It seems like he's even more tired than he realized, despite having an arguably short work day for a change. Well, at least he'll be home soon. He just wants to sit down, catch his breath for a moment, maybe start a new book—
Ah. No. It's unfortunate, very unfortunate, but it appears as though his work day has yet to come to an end.
He can sense the pulse of cursed energy coming from the distance. It's rather distinct, from what he can tell. Certainly not a low-level cursed spirit. It's difficult to quantify exactly how powerful the curse is, without assessing it with his own eyes, but he'd do well to keep his guard up.
Dammit. It had to be here, of all places? In a neighborhood not too far from his own home?
Nanami exhales once more, except this time, he feels more frustrated than anything else. He should've known there's no such thing as a "light" work day. Really, he was a fool to even dare get his hopes up.
That's hardly the worst part of it, though. This could be bad. There are quite a few people nearby, and if the cursed spirit is in fact equal to him in power, he needs to act quickly, before anyone gets hurt. Assuming it's not already too late.
It's too early for his Binding Vow to take effect, but he should be able to hold out until then. As a matter of fact, if the fight happens to take that long, it would be cause for concern. It would mean the cursed spirit is even more powerful than he expects.
Nanami doesn't waste any more time deliberating. He'll need to actually locate the cursed spirit and isolate it first before raising a veil. He charges straight ahead, wrapping his tie around his hand as he does. He also makes sure to send Ijichi a quick message, informing him of the situation. Ideally, he'll be able to deal with it on his own, but in the worst-case scenario, someone else will need to finish the job.
Several people turn their heads as he runs past them. Fortunately, they seem unharmed, and they're coming from the direction of where the cursed spirit should be located. That likely means the cursed spirit has yet to act. Either that or it's being very subtle in its approach, which would imply higher intelligence—yet another mark of a powerful spirit.
He's getting closer now, and there are still civilians passing by, chatting and laughing with carefree expressions. What exactly is happening here? The spirit can't be weak, not based on the amount of cursed energy it's giving off, yet for some reason, it's… strange. There's a distinct lack of that sinister, unsettling sensation powerful curses evoke.
When Nanami turns the corner and lays eyes on the cursed spirit at last, he's momentarily lost for words.
There's a young woman standing completely still, with her head raised as she stares blankly at the sky. She's bare, and yet, no one takes note of her. Not a single person thus far has been able to actually see her. To see you.
At least, until now.
Nanami frowns, feeling the way his tight fist slowly unclenches. It's you, isn't it? You're the cursed spirit. But you look… human. Not even partly, as some cursed spirits possess more human-like qualities than others, but completely human. Supposing cursed spirits were visible to everyone, not just sorcerers, and supposing your cursed energy wasn't notably stronger than the average person's, he might have honestly mistaken you for an ordinary woman. You're not even moving. All you're doing is standing there, motionless, and you almost look sad.
…no, that's wrong. There's no doubt about it. You are sad. Indisputably.
When you finally lower your gaze and pause for a moment, Nanami watches as you sniffle before wiping your eyes. Those are tears. You're crying. Since when do cursed spirits cry?
Since when do cursed spirits look so vulnerable—so lost and afraid?
Nanami has a great deal of questions, but no answers. It's a fact that you can't be perceived by regular people, and based on everything he's ever known about the world of jujutsu, that classifies you as a cursed spirit. By definition, you need to be exorcized. You're not just a harmless, inoffensive curse, such as a Fly Head. Your cursed energy is vastly more powerful, which makes you a threat.
Even though, truth be told, you really don't seem like one.
Nanami takes a slow, steady breath. This has to be some kind of manipulation tactic. He's never seen a cursed spirit like you before, but you must have sensed he was nearby, and therefore, this is all a ploy to make him let his guard down.
Yeah. It has to be. It's the only logical explanation. He can't allow himself to be misled. By now, he should know better than that. Not to mention that there are still people nearby. He needs to act as soon as possible—
"Can you see me?"
Nanami tenses up without meaning to. You just called out to him. Before, you were quietly crying all to yourself, but now, you're fully making eye contact. He took too long to deliberate the situation. He made the mistake of hesitating, and now, he's going to pay the price.
"Y-You can see me, right?" you repeat, and strangely, your expression brightens, as if you're overjoyed. "I can't really tell because of your glasses… but you're looking at me, aren't you? You can hear my voice? You can see me—oh!"
Your arms suddenly hug your sides, and you drop to a crouch, chuckling sheepishly. You look embarrassed. You look like you're flustered over how you've been seen, but again—since when do cursed spirits feel such emotions? Since when do cursed spirits care?
Nanami has never considered himself to be a fool, but right now, he feels more foolish than anything else. He's honestly astounded by his own naivete. He can't believe that after all this time, after all the horrible tragedies he's witnessed, he would even dare to act so stupidly.
"You're the only person who's ever been able to see me," you mumble, eyes heavy and downcast for a moment, but then they light up like stars. "I'm so happy! What's your name? I don't actually remember my own name… but I really hope that soon, I'll be able to."
Nanami wishes he could say he's made up his mind to do what needs to be done, but he doubts he'd be able to come up with a response right now even if he tried. He just can't comprehend what's happening.
But… you're still a cursed spirit. A methodical, highly intelligent cursed spirit, but a cursed spirit nonetheless.
He can't falter anymore. There are simply too many lives at stake. Too many potential losses that would fall upon his shoulders.
Nanami can see that you're preparing to say something else, but he doesn't give you the chance. He lunges towards you, fist bared, ready for his technique to take effect. If you're at all as powerful as he presumes you to be, now is when you'll show your true colors. You wouldn't be struck down in a single blow. You'll likely be forced to reveal your own technique.
"…please, don't!"
Your outcry is what freezes him in his tracks, and he manages to pull his punch at the very last second. Nanami's eyes widen as he looks down at you, where you're still stooping to a crouch, except your arms are now raised protectively above your head. Not only that, but you're trembling. You're facing away from him, eyes squeezed shut, and shaking from fear.
"I-I don't understand," you stammer, nervously opening your eyes to look up at him. "I'm sorry, I'm just… scared. I'm sorry. I don't understand why no one else can see me. Please tell me what I did wrong, so that I can fix this…"
Once again, Nanami is at an utter loss for words.
He slowly lowers his fist, and he waits for a moment, just to see how you react, but you're still trembling all over. You aren't showing any signs of attacking him. You could easily have defended yourself just now, or even tried to fight back, but you didn't. You didn't make any attempt to attack him whatsoever. How could you possibly benefit from putting on an act right now, when you've already had countless opportunities to strike?
"You're a cursed spirit," Nanami tells you, breaking his silence at last.
Under ordinary circumstances, he shouldn't have to say this. Cursed spirits innately know what they are and what they're meant to do. They act simply, by attacking humans and causing them misfortune. It's instinctive and natural for them. From the moment they appear, they just know.
But it's clear that in your case, you have absolutely no idea.
"A cursed spirit?" you blink. You still look scared, like you're afraid he might attack you again, but you take a few moments to slowly lower your arms and cover yourself again. "What does that mean? Am I… bad?"
For a while, Nanami doesn't say anything else. The fact that he's even having this conversation right now is, by all accounts, absurd. And yet he just couldn't follow through. All the years he's spent as a jujutsu sorcerer, and his resolve crumbled, just like that.
"No," Nanami answers, his gaze softening slightly. "No, I don't think you are."
You blink again, a few more tears rolling down your face as you stare up at him, wide-eyed and clueless. Nanami proceeds to remove his blazer, so that he can drape it around your shoulders. It should do a better job of covering you up, and you realize so as well, which is why you quickly button it shut.
"Thank you," you say, expression brightening once more.
Nanami considers telling you that you have nothing to thank him for. After all, this is clearly abnormal. He can't give you the answers you seek, and he's not even sure if this is the right call. He still wonders if you're deceiving him for whatever reason, despite how unnecessary the whole thing seems.
"…Nanami Kento."
"Huh?"
"You asked my name earlier, so I'm telling you," he says, and then he turns away, while keeping you fixed in the corner of his eye.
The truth is, he can't help but wonder about a lot of things.
But mostly, he wonders why a cursed spirit has such a warm smile.