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Chapter Text

Kouta Miwa walked with his hands stuffed deep in his pockets, his backpack slung over one shoulder as he tried to blend into the background. At fourteen, he'd already learned that drawing attention never led to anything good.

The school uniform he wore was clean but worn, with little patches his older sister had sewn on with patient care. His shoes, though polished carefully that morning, couldn't hide the marks of time and constant use. Kouta had inherited a lot of hand-me-downs, but he never complained. He knew how hard Kasumi worked to keep their family afloat.

"Hey, Miwa."

The voice stopped him cold. Kouta closed his eyes for a moment, immediately recognizing that mocking tone. He turned slowly to find Sasaki and his crew—three third-years who seemed to have made messing with his life their personal hobby.

"What do you want?" Kouta asked, keeping his voice as steady as he could manage.

Sasaki stepped closer with that smile that never promised anything good. He was taller than Kouta, with bleached blond hair and an attitude that screamed privilege from every pore. His friends flanked him like cheap bodyguards, their uniforms pristine and watches that probably cost more than the Miwas' monthly rent.

"Just wanted to have a little chat with you," Sasaki said, blocking the path to the exit. "About your future."

"I've got nothing to talk to you about."

"Ah, but we've got something to say to you." Sasaki's smile widened. "We've been thinking... why do you keep coming to school? I mean, everyone knows your family's broke. You really think you're gonna make it to college?"

Kouta felt like he'd been punched in the gut, but he kept his composure. It wasn't the first time he'd heard those words, though they never hurt any less.

"My education is none of your business."

"But it is our entertainment," chimed in one of Sasaki's friends, a chubby kid with expensive glasses. "Look, Miwa, let's be real here. Your sister works doing... what was it again? Oh right, nobody really knows. Some people say she does weird jobs around town. Point is, you guys can barely keep your apartment, right?"

Kouta's face hardened. They could make fun of him, his clothes, his financial situation, but bringing up Kasumi crossed a line he wasn't willing to tolerate.

"Don't talk about my sister."

"Or what?" Sasaki laughed. "You gonna cry? Look, I'm doing you a favor here. Stop wasting your time and everyone else's. Give your sister a break too—it must be exhausting working as a wh—"

"DON'T YOU DARE TALK ABOUT MY SISTER, YOU PIECE OF SHIT!"

The atmosphere immediately tensed. Sasaki's friends exchanged glances, and Sasaki himself dropped his mask of fake friendliness.

"What did you just say?"

"You heard me," Kouta was past the point of no return now. "Just because your parents have money doesn't make you better than anyone. Actually, the fact that you need to pick on someone poorer than you just shows how pathetic you really are."

The first punch came faster than Kouta expected. Sasaki's fist connected with his cheek, sending him staggering backward.

He didn't give up.

He lunged at him. What followed was more of a desperate brawl than an organized fight. Kouta was smaller and outnumbered, but he managed to land a few hits before the other two jumped in, and by the time a teacher finally showed up to break them apart...

Night had fallen over Kyoto when Kasumi Miwa's phone started ringing. She was sitting at her small desk, reviewing her training notes under the dim light of an old lamp, when the screen lit up with Kouta's name.

"Kouta? It's late, is everything okay?"

"Kasumi..." her younger brother's voice sounded strange, like he was talking with a swollen mouth. "I need to tell you something."

Kasumi straightened immediately, all her mental alarms going off. "What happened? Are you hurt?"

"I got in a fight at school."

"What?" Kasumi shot to her feet, knocking her chair backward. "A fight? With who? Why?"

Kouta told her everything in a tired voice: Sasaki's comments, the teasing about their financial situation, how they'd brought up Kasumi and her mysterious work. With each word, Kasumi felt her heart sink deeper into her chest.

"Kouta, you didn't have to—"

"Yes, I did," her brother interrupted. "I wasn't gonna let them talk about you like that. You work harder than anyone I know, and I'm not gonna stand by while some spoiled rich kids say otherwise."

Kasumi closed her eyes, feeling the familiar weight of responsibility crushing down on her shoulders. She worked so hard as a sorcerer, risking her life on every mission to support her family, but it still wasn't enough. The cruel comments about her 'mysterious' work at Kouta's school hurt because they knew she was sacrificing for them, but they couldn't defend themselves completely without revealing details about the world of sorcery.

"Are you badly hurt?"

"Nothing that won't heal. But Kasumi... I know things are tough. You don't have to hide it from me. I'm old enough to understand."

After hanging up, Kasumi sat in the darkness of her room for a long time. The salary she received for her missions as a sorcerer was decent for someone at her level, but supporting two brothers wasn't cheap. Kouta's school expenses, food, rent, Hiro's medical bills when he got sick (her other brother, age 9)—it all piled up into a mountain that sometimes seemed impossible to climb.

She touched the handle of her katana, leaning against the wall. She tried hard at what she did, she knew that. But 'trying hard' wasn't always enough when it came to money.

The next day at Kyoto Jujutsu High started like any other, but Reiji Kazama immediately noticed something was wrong with Kasumi Miwa.

Reiji had a habit of watching his classmates without them realizing it. Not because he was particularly social or nosy, but because he'd developed a natural ability to read people without getting emotionally involved. It was like studying them. Interesting, but distant.

Miwa was sitting in her usual spot during cursed theory class, but her posture was different. Normally she sat up straight, attentive, taking notes with the diligence of someone who couldn't afford to miss a single detail. Today, however, her shoulders were slumped, and her gaze seemed lost somewhere beyond the window.

Reiji watched her discreetly throughout the morning. Miwa barely touched her lunch, answered in monosyllables when other students spoke to her, and more than once seemed to be holding back tears.

It was strange. Reiji didn't usually worry about his classmates' emotional states. In fact, he'd perfected the art of indifference as a survival mechanism. But something about Miwa's quiet sadness bothered him in a way he couldn't explain.

Maybe it was because he recognized something in her. That quiet determination, that way of carrying responsibilities that were too heavy for someone their age. Reiji knew how that felt, though his reasons were different.

During afternoon combat training, Miwa pushed herself twice as hard as usual. Her movements with the katana were precise but desperate. Reiji watched her train until her hands began to shake from exhaustion, until sweat completely soaked through her training uniform.

That's when he decided to follow her.

It wasn't his intention to spy, he told himself it was just... academic curiosity. He wanted to understand what had caused such a drastic change in her behavior.

Miwa headed straight to Utahime-sensei's office after training. Reiji lingered in the hallway, close enough to hear but far enough not to be detected.

"Utahime-sensei," he heard Miwa's voice, usually firm but now tinged with desperation, "I need to ask you a favor."

"What's wrong, Miwa? You look upset."

"I want... I need you to assign me a higher-grade mission. Second grade, maybe even first grade if possible."

There was a long silence. Reiji could imagine the surprised expression on Utahime's face.

"Miwa, you know that's not possible. You're a third-grade sorcerer. Facing a second-grade curse would be..."

"I can do it," Miwa interrupted, and Reiji could hear desperation seeping into her voice. "I've been training harder than ever. My technique has improved, my speed, my precision..."

"It's not just about skill, Miwa. It's about experience, about..."

"I NEED THE MONEY!" The exclamation came out like a choked scream, and Reiji felt something strange moving in his chest. "My family... my brothers... Kouta got in trouble at school because the other kids made fun of him for being poor. And Hiro needs new textbooks, and the rent went up again, and I... I can't..."

Miwa's voice broke. Reiji closed his eyes, feeling like he'd witnessed something too private.

"Miwa..." Utahime's voice was soft, understanding. "I understand your situation, believe me. But sending you on a mission you're not ready for won't solve anything. If something happened to you..."

"Then what am I supposed to do?" Miwa asked, and now she was definitely crying. "Let my brothers suffer because I'm not strong enough? Tell Kouta to drop out of school because I can't afford his expenses?"

"Keep training. Keep improving. Higher-grade missions will come when you're ready, and then..."

"But when will that be? Six months? A year? Should my brothers wait all that time?"

Another silence. Reiji could hear Miwa's muffled sobs, and felt a strange pressure in his chest.

"I'm sorry, Miwa. I can't assign you a mission that could kill you. But we'll keep working together, okay? We'll find other ways to..."

"It's okay," Miwa said, clearly resigned. "I understand. Thank you for... for listening."

Reiji heard Miwa's footsteps approaching the door and quickly moved away, pretending to walk casually down the hallway. When Miwa came out of the office, her eyes were red but her expression was composed again. She walked past him without even looking, lost in her own thoughts.

That night, Reiji stayed awake longer than usual. He lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, thinking about the conversation he'd overheard. Thinking about the desperation in Miwa's voice. Thinking about how she'd sounded when she mentioned her brothers.

It was strange. Reiji had perfected the art of not getting involved. He'd learned to keep his emotions in check, to not let other people's problems affect him. It was safer that way. Less complicated.

But for some reason, he couldn't get the image of Miwa crying (obviously imaginary) in Utahime's office out of his head.

It wasn't his problem, he reminded himself. Miwa's financial troubles had nothing to do with him. He had his own concerns, his own secrets to keep. Getting involved would be... complicated. Suspicious.

But the image persisted. And with it, an annoying feeling in his chest that he couldn't name.

Reiji rolled onto his side, trying to ignore the feeling. But his mind was already working, considering possibilities. There were ways to make money fast, ways that wouldn't involve Miwa directly. Ways that wouldn't raise suspicions.

He sat up in bed, an idea beginning to form in his mind. It was risky, maybe stupid. Definitely not something the normal Reiji would do. But...

He thought about one of his old acquaintances from Tokyo Jujutsu High. Someone who had left the official system but had found... other ways to use their abilities. More lucrative ways.

The idea crystallized in his mind, and for the first time in a long while, Reiji felt something like determination.

Chapter Text

The 6:47 AM train to Tochigi was nearly empty. Reiji had deliberately chosen the earliest schedule to avoid crowds and unnecessary questions. He settled into a window seat with a small backpack on his lap and an expression that revealed absolutely nothing.

Six hours of travel. More than enough time to reconsider what he was doing.

But Reiji had already made his decision the night before, when he'd finally given up trying to sleep. The thought of having heard Miwa crying in Utahime's office kept nagging at him, and no matter how hard he tried to ignore it, it wouldn't go away.

It wasn't his problem. He'd repeated that to himself a dozen times. But his subconscious seemed to have other ideas.

The landscape began to change outside the window as the train picked up speed. Gray buildings gave way to green fields, and Reiji found himself lost in thought. Without meaning to, his mind traveled backward, to a time he preferred to keep buried.

One year earlier - Tokyo Jujutsu Technical High School

The first time Reiji saw Tokyo Technical High, he thought it was too big for the handful of students it housed. The buildings loomed imposingly against the sky, with that strange mix of tradition and modernity that characterized jujutsu institutions.

His first day had been a succession of awkward introductions. Yaga had gathered them all in the main classroom: Maki Zenin, a girl who hated her family; Toge Inumaki, a boy who communicated using onigiri ingredients and was a user of Cursed Speech; Panda, a cursed corpse created by the principal; Daigo Murase, a brown-haired boy who couldn't sit still; and Shizuku Hanamiya, a girl with gentle eyes who took notes on everything.

"From now on, you six will live, train, and fight together," Yaga had said, pacing in front of them with his characteristic seriousness. "And, as you already know, he will be your teacher."

The principal pointed to the white-haired man beside him, who covered his eyes with a white blindfold. Anyone even minimally informed about the jujutsu world knew Satoru Gojo.

"Hello there," Gojo greeted, raising a hand with a carefree smile.

Reiji had unconsciously touched the case he carried at his side. His blades. He'd had them since he was eight years old, since the day he lost everything that mattered. They were the only constant in a life that seemed determined to take things away from him.

His technique, 'Ownership,' allowed him to mark objects of his exclusive property with cursed energy. The blades responded to his call, he could alter their weight and sharpness, teleport them back to his hands if he kept the marks active. It was powerful, versatile, and completely his.

The first few months had been a bittersweet mix of discovery and isolation. Reiji excelled in theoretical classes, analyzed combat techniques with a precision that impressed the teachers, and executed practices with an efficiency that bordered on artistic. But when it came to social interactions, he withdrew.

"Hey, Kazama!" Daigo had tried to include him on multiple occasions. "Let's train together after class!"

"I can't," Reiji would invariably respond, without giving explanations.

And so it went, again and again.

The invitations became more spaced out until they disappeared completely. His classmates had learned not to bother. Reiji told himself it was better that way. People left. People died. It was easier not to get attached from the start.

But there was someone who didn't seem to understand the concept of 'leave me alone.'

That second-year was everything Reiji wasn't: loud, charismatic, unpredictable. He had a smile that promised trouble and an energy that filled any room he entered. His dreadlocks also contrasted with everything else.

"Nice blades," he had said one afternoon, appearing out of nowhere while Reiji practiced alone on the training field.

Reiji had stopped throwing and looked at the older student with his usual expression of indifference. He just nodded and continued.

"Want to make a bet?"

"What?" Reiji had answered, surprising himself.

"You know, let's bet. See if you can hit five consecutive targets from here," he had pointed to a distance that was clearly excessive for most students, but seemed to know that for Reiji it would be an interesting challenge.

Reiji had considered ignoring him and leaving, but something about that guy's challenging smile had made him stay. The bet had an air of genuine play, not mockery.

"What do I win if I accept?"

"The satisfaction of proving you're as good as they say?"

"I don't need that. I'm aware of my own capabilities."

"Hmm... well, what do you want then?"

Reiji thought about it for a second.

"You never talk to me again, ever."

The senpai blinked, genuinely surprised. "Seriously? Of all the things you could choose?" He sighed, but then returned to that confident smile. "Alright, I accept. You're not going to win anyway."

The senpai's almost arrogant confidence annoyed Reiji more than he wanted to admit.

Reiji took the blades from his case and positioned them on the ground. He activated his innate technique and the blades began to move toward the targets, guided by his cursed energy.

First. Perfect center.

Second. Right on target.

Third. No problem.

Fourth. Center again.

Reiji was already declaring victory internally. But when he launched the fifth blade, it deviated slightly and hit the base of the target. He missed by inches.

"How...?"

"Ha! I told you that you weren't going to win."

Reiji teleported his blades back to his hands, but the fifth one didn't respond immediately. The ownership mark had weakened from prolonged use, which is why he'd lost precision at the last moment.

"I've never lost a bet, kohai."

"You just got lucky. If I'd checked the marks beforehand, I would have won."

"Lucky?" The senpai smiled widely. "That's quite a compliment to me, thanks."

And he left, just like that. As time passed, he kept showing up occasionally, making casual comments or simply observing Reiji's training, even though Reiji remained as distant and reserved as always.

But none of that would matter at all—everything would change in March.

The sky was cloudy when the team arrived at the designated area. An abandoned orphanage on the outskirts of Tokyo: A few days ago, a group of workers tried to demolish the orphanage, closed since 2008 after a series of suicides and disappearances. As soon as the inspection work began, they disappeared.

A passive monitoring barrier from Tokyo school registered a sudden increase in cursed energy with an erratic and multiple pattern, indicating one or more grouped curses. Initially, it was evaluated as Grade 3.

Reiji walked silently alongside Daigo Murase and Shizuku Hanamiya, following the instructions Gojo had given them that morning. The teacher had decided to divide the first-year students into teams of three for this Grade 3 mission. A routine opportunity to gain experience.

"It's strange," Shizuku murmured, consulting her notes as they walked. "Do you think they're still alive?"

Neither answered.

"Maybe we should be more careful," Daigo responded, with his usual nervousness.

Reiji ignored them, focused on reading the traces of cursed energy. His training allowed him to detect subtleties that his companions hadn't yet developed, and something didn't add up about this mission.

"Here it is," said Ijichi, who was waiting for them in front of the rusty gate. "I'll put up the veil."

While Ijichi did his thing, Reiji remained motionless, scanning the place attentively. The air was thick. The cursed pressure could be felt on the skin. He placed a hand on the gate and closed his eyes.

"Wait," he finally said, frowning. "This isn't Grade 3."

"What do you mean?" asked Shizuku, tensing immediately.

"The energy is dispersed but not weakened. Rather... fragmented," Reiji explained, touching his blade case. "There are multiple sources, but they're connected. Probably low Grade 2... or some kind of unstable fusion."

"Should we call for backup?" asked Daigo, taking a step back.

"No," Reiji responded, calculating a strategy. "We can handle it if we follow the plan and don't make mistakes. Shizuku, stay in the rear and monitor the energy flow. Daigo, flank left when I give the signal. I'll go through the center to divide their attention."

Both nodded, though Daigo seemed more nervous than convinced.

They entered the building.

The interior of the orphanage was a graveyard of wood and the smell of death. After advancing barely a few meters, they encountered the first warning Ijichi had mentioned: the corpses of the three workers, completely destroyed and scattered across the floor like broken dolls.

Daigo and Shizuku instinctively recoiled, averting their gaze. An understandable reflex of their inexperience.

Reiji, for his part, showed no reaction at all. He simply closed his eyes and continued on his way.

"Wait, Kazama!" exclaimed Daigo. "What are we going to do about them?"

Reiji turned around, looking at him over his shoulder. "What?"

"You know, their families... they'll want to recover the bodies, right? They have a right to a dignified funeral."

"Do you think we have time for that?" he asked coldly. "Look at them. There's nothing recognizable there. Their families don't need to see this, they wouldn't accept it either, and we have a mission to complete."

"Kazama..." Shizuku murmured, uncomfortable with his tone.

Reiji simply continued on his way, following the trail of cursed energy. Daigo and Shizuku exchanged uneasy glances before following him. Reiji might be right tactically, but his complete lack of empathy was disturbing.

The creatures didn't take long to appear: three deformed entities made of residual hatred and corrupted memories, linked by a common core of cursed energy. Definitely not simple Grade 3s.

Reiji extended his hands. "Summon," he murmured, and two of the blades from his case teleported to his palms, imbued with his cursed energy.

The first curse lunged at him with a roar that made the broken glass on the floor vibrate. Reiji dodged with calculated movements and immediately counterattacked, throwing a blade toward the visible core in the creature's torso.

But the other two curses reacted instantly. The second intercepted the blade with one of its blade-arms, while the third launched an energy projectile that forced Reiji to roll to one side.

Perfect coordination. The link between them was stronger than he had initially calculated.

"Now, Murase! Left flanking as planned!" Reiji shouted while recovering his blade and throwing it again, this time seeking to separate the shared core.

But Daigo, gripped by panic, ran straight ahead instead of following the planned route.

"No! Left, I said!" Reiji shouted, seeing how his tactical formation was crumbling.

The curses, momentarily separated by his attack, regrouped immediately upon seeing the new threat. One extended its limbs toward Daigo, another prepared a projectile aimed at the center where Shizuku was. The third took advantage of the distraction to flank Reiji.

Reiji had to abandon his offensive position to intercept multiple threats. He teleported his blades back and threw one toward the area where Daigo was in danger.

"Guided Cut," he murmured, and moving his left hand, he made the blade trace a curved line that severed the curse's limb, saving Daigo by inches.

He immediately threw his second blade toward the energy projectile heading for Shizuku. The collision of cursed energies caused an explosion that sent his weapon flying, but Shizuku was safe.

When Reiji turned to face his original target, the curse was no longer there.

Shizuku screamed when the creature, free from pressure, appeared directly in front of her with claws extended.

"MURASE, THREE O'CLOCK! MOVE NOW!"

But Daigo, completely disoriented by panic, moved in the opposite direction, placing himself exactly in the combined line of fire of all three curses.

It was at that moment that something broke inside Reiji.

All the training, all the tactical planning, all the responsibility he had assumed to keep his team alive... and Daigo had ignored it all out of pure panic. Not once, but repeatedly. He had endangered not only his own life, but Shizuku's as well.

The frustration, the fear for his companions, and something deeper and darker that he had been containing for years, exploded all at once.

With a scream that resonated throughout the abandoned building, he channeled all his available cursed energy into his weapons. The blades ignited with a brutal glow, charged with a fury that made them vibrate in the air.

"TOTAL SUMMON!" he roared, and his five blades teleported to his hands, overflowing with cursed energy and a rage he had never before released.

He threw three toward each of the curses, to force them to take cover while he approached one.

Reiji launched himself at the curses with a ferocity that made them retreat for the first time in the fight. His blades, magnified by rage, extended and multiplied into projections of pure energy.

The first curse tried to defend itself, but Reiji cut through its guard like wet paper. Cut after cut after cut. He systematically dismembered each limb, each projection, each part of the creature before piercing its core from side to side.

The second curse tried to attack from behind, but Reiji had already anticipated the movement. He spun in the air and buried both blades in the center of the mass, then separated them violently, splitting the creature in half in an explosion of residual energy.

The third, which had been the group's coordinator, launched desperate projectiles, but Reiji dodged them with movements that bordered on inhuman. When he reached it, he didn't stop at the core. He tore it apart completely, reducing what had once been a curse to unrecognizable fragments scattered across the floor.

The silence that followed was deafening, only interrupted by Reiji's ragged breathing and the constant dripping of something that could have been blood or condensed cursed energy.

Reiji turned toward Daigo, his eyes burning with a rage he had never before shown to a teammate.

"What the hell were you thinking?" he hissed, advancing toward him with the blades still glowing. "I TOLD YOU LEFT! WE COULD HAVE DIED BECAUSE OF YOU!"

"I-I... I'm sorry, I got confused..." Daigo backed away, clearly terrified by the intensity emanating from Reiji.

"YOU GOT CONFUSED?!" Reiji grabbed him by the shirt collar, lifting him off the ground. "YOU ALMOST GOT HANAMIYA KILLED! AND PROBABLY ME TOO! IF I HADN'T BEEN ABLE TO INTERCEPT IN TIME...!"

"Kazama, let him go!" Shizuku shouted, but her voice came out broken with fear.

At that moment, all the composure Reiji had maintained for years crumbled completely. The memories of his family, dead for not following safety protocols. The sleepless nights planning tactics to keep his teammates alive. The constant pressure of being responsible for other people's lives when he could barely handle his own.

"YOU'RE AN IDIOT!" he roared, pushing Daigo with enough force to send him against the wall. "A RECKLESS IDIOT WHO CAN'T FOLLOW SIMPLE ORDERS!"

Daigo crashed against the remains of a broken table. A deep cut opened on his cheek and drops of blood began to fall onto the dusty floor, mixing with the remains of the curses.

"ALL YOU HAD TO DO WAS FOLLOW THE PLAN!" Reiji continued, his voice completely broken by emotions he didn't know how to control. "IT WAS SIMPLE! BUT NO, YOU HAD TO IMPROVISE AND ALMOST GOT US ALL KILLED!"

It was then that he saw the expression on Daigo's face. There was no anger, not even physical pain. Just absolute shock and a cold understanding that he had seen something that should never have been there.

Reiji blinked, as if waking from a trance. He saw Daigo on the ground, touching his bleeding cheek with an expression of pain and genuine terror. He saw Shizuku with her hands covering her mouth, eyes wide with absolute horror.

What had he done?

Yes, Daigo had made serious tactical errors. Yes, he had put the team in mortal danger. But Reiji's reaction had been completely disproportionate. He had lost control in a way that scared even himself.

"Murase..." he began, extending a trembling hand.

"No," Daigo pulled away, crawling backward. "Don't come near me."

Reiji opened his mouth to apologize, to explain, to say something that would repair what had just happened. But the words wouldn't come.

How does someone apologize for demonstrating they're capable of violence toward a teammate, even when that teammate makes mistakes?

'I'm sorry' didn't fix the fear in Daigo's eyes.

'I was worried about you' sounded like a pathetic excuse.

'Forgive me' required a vulnerability he didn't know how to show.

"I..." he finally murmured, but his voice broke before he could form a complete sentence.

Daigo managed to get to his feet, leaning against the wall while catching his breath. When he finally looked at Reiji, there was something definitively broken in his expression.

"You were right," he said with a hoarse voice. "I broke formation. I endangered the mission and put you both in danger."

Reiji felt a flash of relief. Daigo understood...

"But that doesn't justify you almost killing me for it."

The words cut deeper than any blade. Reiji wanted to explain the difference between tactical discipline and what he had done, wanted to say that he had lost control, that it wasn't who he wanted to be.

But he couldn't. Because deep down he knew Daigo was right.

"You have serious problems, Kazama," Daigo continued, touching his neck where Reiji's finger marks were still visible. "And until you solve them, you're more dangerous than any curse."

The truth in those words hurt more than any physical blow. Reiji had proven to be exactly what he had feared: someone who hurt the people who should be able to trust him.

"Let's go," Shizuku said, helping Daigo. "The mission is complete."

On the trip back, the silence was absolute and heavy. Daigo sat as far away from Reiji as possible, pressing a handkerchief against his cheek. Shizuku looked between them alternately, clearly disturbed by what she had witnessed.

Reiji remained motionless, staring out the window, but his reflection in the glass showed him the image of someone he didn't recognize. Someone capable of hurting a teammate for the simple act of making mistakes under pressure.

Every attempt to speak died before reaching his lips.

Upon arriving at school, Daigo got out of the vehicle in silence, but before walking away, he turned one last time toward Reiji.

"In combat, I'll follow your orders," he said with a firm voice. "You're a better sorcerer than me, that's undeniable. But don't ever touch me like that again, never."

It wasn't a threat. It was a simple declaration of boundaries that Reiji had violently crossed.

"And next time someone makes a mistake... find a way to correct it that doesn't involve violence. Because if you can't control your temper better than that, you shouldn't be leading anything or anyone."

And he left, leaving Reiji alone with the crushing weight of his actions and the terrible understanding that Daigo was right in every word.

That night, Reiji stayed awake until dawn, not analyzing combat techniques as he usually did, but reliving those moments in the orphanage over and over again. The sensation of his fingers closing around Daigo's neck. The expression of pure panic in his eyes. His own inability to stop until it was too late.

He had been right about the tactics. Daigo had broken formation, had endangered the mission and the team's lives. As the designated leader, Reiji had the authority and responsibility to correct tactical errors during combat.

But his method of 'correction' had been unforgivable.

The following days, whispers followed Reiji through the halls. His classmates, even those from other years, looked at him as if he were an unexploded bomb. Even those who had tried to be friendly before now maintained a prudent distance.

The interrogation with Yaga had been worse than the whispers.

"Explain to me exactly what happened, Kazama."

Reiji had told the truth without omitting details. Daigo's tactical errors, the danger he had represented for the team, his own loss of control. He hadn't tried to justify his actions or minimize what he had done.

"It was my mistake," he had said, maintaining that mask of indifference he had perfected over the years. "I allowed my emotions to compromise my judgment. As team leader, I should have handled the situation differently."

"And how do you feel about it?"

That had been the question that completely disarmed him. How did he feel?

"Bad," he had responded after a long pause. "But that doesn't change what happened."

Yaga had sighed deeply, studying Reiji with those eyes that had seen too many problematic students over the years.

"Kazama, you're one of the most talented students we've had in a long time. Your tactical understanding is exceptional, your technique is solid, and your dedication is unquestionable. But..."

The 'but' had hung in the air, feeling like a death sentence.

"But you can't work in a team without representing a risk to your own teammates. And in the world of jujutsu, that's completely unacceptable."

Reiji had nodded and kept his gaze down. "Are you going to expel me?"

"No," Yaga responded after a moment. "You'll be transferred to Kyoto."

Kyoto?

"I trust that Gakuganji can help you... find a better balance. Consider this another opportunity, Kazama. Use it wisely."

The transfer to Kyoto had been officially presented as an 'opportunity for a fresh start in a different environment,' but Reiji knew it was actually an elegant exile. A civilized way to distance him before he hurt someone more seriously.

The night before his departure, Reiji had packed his few belongings in silence. The blade case, some changes of clothes, books. There wasn't much to take.

He had walked through the empty school halls one last time, memorizing every detail. Despite everything, this place had been the closest thing to a home he'd had in years.

In his room, alone, he had cried. Not for himself, but for the lost opportunity, for the confirmation that he didn't know how to be close to people without eventually hurting them. Not much, because he had lost the practice of crying long ago. But the tears had come anyway, silent and bitter.

He hadn't expected to find anyone at the train station the next morning. That's why he was surprised to see Gojo-sensei casually leaning against a column, with that smile he always wore, although this time it seemed less... carefree.

"Well, well. Running away without saying goodbye? How rude of you, Reiji."

Reiji had stopped, surprised. "Gojo-sensei."

"You know, in all my years as a teacher, I've seen students make mistakes," Gojo approached with his hands in his pockets. "Tactical mistakes, judgment errors, technique mistakes. But there's a difference between making mistakes and hurting your teammates for making them."

Reiji kept his gaze down. "I know."

"Oh, do you?" Gojo leaned slightly, trying to see his expression. "Because from where I'm standing, it looks like you're running from the problem instead of facing it."

"I'm not running. I'm being transferred."

"Same thing, different label," Gojo shrugged. "Look, Reiji, I'm not going to give you the sermon about 'violence is never the answer' because we both know our job literally consists of violence. But there's a huge difference between violence toward curses and violence toward people who should be able to trust you."

The train was approaching, its roar gradually filling the uncomfortable silence.

"Murase made mistakes," Gojo continued, his voice more serious than usual. "Serious mistakes that endangered the team. As leader, you had every right to correct him. But the way you did it... that wasn't leadership, Reiji. That was fear."

Reiji finally looked up. "Fear?"

"Absolute terror of losing someone else. So you decided it was better to scare them so they'd never take risks again," Gojo smiled, but without humor. "The problem is you also scared them of you. And a leader whom his own teammates fear isn't a leader, he's a dictator."

The train stopped in front of them, the doors opening with a hiss.

"You lost your family when you were a child," Gojo said as Reiji headed toward the train. "I know. And I know it hurts. But you can't save people by hurting them first. That's not protection, Reiji. That's control."

Reiji stopped at the entrance to the car, without turning around.

"In Kyoto, you're going to have another chance. Use it to learn the difference between being strong and being cruel. Because if you don't..." Gojo paused meaningfully. "Next time it won't just be a transfer."

As the doors began to close, Gojo added with some of his usual tone:

"Hey, Reiji! Kyoto has good takoyaki! Try to relax a little!"

The train began to move, and Reiji finally turned to see Gojo disappearing through the window. His teacher's words echoed in his head, but he couldn't process them completely. Not yet.

As the landscape began to change outside the window, Reiji touched his blade case, making sure it was still there. At least he hadn't lost that too.

The conductor's voice through the speakers pulled him from his thoughts.

"Next stop, Tochigi," he announced with professional monotony.

Reiji looked out the window and observed how the urban landscape gradually transformed into industrial suburbs. Gray buildings and smoking chimneys replaced concrete skyscrapers. He stretched in his seat and checked the time on his phone: 12:52 PM. It had been a longer trip than expected.

Once the train stopped completely, he got off with his backpack and followed the signs toward the exit. The air here was different from Kyoto's. He consulted the directions he had memorized and set off toward an abandoned parking garage on the outskirts of the city.

Twenty minutes later, he found himself in front of a deteriorated concrete structure. The parking lines were faded, paint was peeling from the walls, and several windows had boards nailed over them. At first glance, it seemed completely abandoned. But Reiji knew better.

Hakari was always too smart... for what interested him, he thought while studying the building. If he's going to run something illegal, he'd do it in a place no one would suspect. A place that looks dead.

He approached the main entrance, passed under the barrier, and entered the parking garage. His steps echoed against the cracked concrete. What seemed strange to him was the absence of the guards he expected to find. Two metal chairs were empty next to what appeared to be an improvised checkpoint.

"What brings you here, kid?"

The voice came from behind him. Reiji turned around without altering his impassive expression. As he had anticipated: a security guard who easily exceeded six feet in height with arms like tree trunks. Beside him was a smaller man, dressed in a cheap suit that had seen better days.

"I want to talk to Hakari," Reiji said directly.

The giant guard exchanged a glance with his smaller companion before letting out a harsh laugh.

"Hakari?" He mocked. "A little kid wants to talk to the boss?" His eyes focused on Reiji's uniform. "Wait a minute... That uniform. You're from one of the jujutsu schools, aren't you? Jujutsu Technical High School."

Shit, Reiji thought. I didn't consider the uniform.

"Your type isn't welcome here, kid," the guard continued, crossing his enormous arms. "Are you from Kyoto or Tokyo? What do you really want with our boss?"

"I'm from Kyoto," Reiji responded, maintaining his neutral tone. "I just want to talk to him. This has nothing to do with the high school."

The guard stepped closer, trying to intimidate him with his imposing figure.

"Sure, and my grandmother's a first-grade sorcerer." His voice became threatening. "Brats like you only bring trouble. You'd better leave the way you came before..."

His fist headed toward Reiji's face with great speed. Reiji leaned slightly to the left, avoiding the blow by inches. The air displaced by the fist brushed his cheek.

"There's no need to get like that," Reiji said, still without altering his tone.

The guard grunted and tried a left hook. Reiji ducked, the fist passed over his head. An uppercut followed immediately; Reiji leaned back, feeling the wind from the blow.

"Stay still, damn brat!"

The guard threw a combination of wild punches. Reiji dodged them all with minimal, economical movements, almost as if he were dancing. His breathing remained calm, controlled.

When the guard tried a desperate right hook, Reiji finally acted. He caught the fist in the air with his left hand, stopping it completely. His fingers closed around the giant fist and began to squeeze.

The change in the guard's expression was immediate. Confidence transformed into surprise, then into pain.

"I just want to see Hakari to talk," Reiji said, his voice still calm while gradually increasing the pressure. "I knew him during my first year in Tokyo. I need his help with something. Personal."

The guard tried to free his fist, but Reiji's strength was inflexible. His knuckles began to crack under the pressure.

"Let me go... let me go, damn..."

"Are you going to listen now?" Reiji asked, twisting his hand to the limit. The guard let out a groan of pain.

Before Reiji could break the man's wrist, the smaller guy in the cheap suit received a phone call. He answered quickly, spoke in a low voice for a few seconds, then hung up.

"Hey," he shouted to Reiji. "Let him go. The boss says to let you through."

Reiji looked at the man for a moment, evaluating whether he was telling the truth. Then he slowly released the guard's fist, who immediately moved several steps away, massaging his aching hand.

"I'm the operations manager," the man in the suit introduced himself. "Follow me. I'll take you to the monitoring room."

As they walked toward the interior of the building, Reiji could hear the guard cursing under his breath behind them.

The interior of the parking garage was completely different from its deteriorated exterior. LED lights illuminated clean hallways, the floor was polished, and he could hear the distant murmur of voices and... applause?

Definitely, this isn't what it seems from the outside.

They went up some metal stairs until they reached a door marked 'PRIVATE.' The manager knocked three times, paused, then knocked twice more. The door opened.

A person with long hair and androgynous features greeted them. Reiji took a moment to recognize the face: Kirara Hoshi, who was always with Hakari in Tokyo. Though they looked more changed now.

"Kazama-kun," Kirara said with a smile that seemed genuinely pleased. "It's been a while. Come in, Kin-chan is waiting for you."

Reiji entered what was clearly a monitoring room. Multiple screens showed different angles of the parking garage. On the couch in front of the cameras sat Kinji Hakari. Also changed—he no longer wore his classic dreadlocks, but still had that energy.

"Kazama!" Hakari exclaimed as if he were an old friend he hadn't seen in years, not an acquaintance from barely a year ago. "Look who decided to visit us!"

Before he could say anything, Hakari put him in a headlock and rubbed his knuckles against his head.

"Let me go," Reiji said flatly, freeing himself from the grip with a sharp movement. "Just as annoying as always."

"Bah, so cold!" Hakari responded with a mocking smile, raising his hands in a gesture of surrender. "I thought after a year in Kyoto you would have missed your senpai."

Reiji observed the security cameras, particularly one that showed the place where he had been just minutes ago with the guard and the manager.

"Were you watching everything?" he asked directly.

"Since you entered the parking garage," Hakari confirmed, leaning back on the couch with his hands behind his head.

"You could have interfered before I considered breaking your guard's wrist."

Hakari laughed.

"And miss the fun? Besides, I needed to see if you still have that coldness of yours." His eyes sparkled with interest. "By the way, good self-control. The Reiji I knew in Tokyo would have broken something."

He's not wrong, Reiji thought.

"Want something to drink?" Hakari offered, pointing to a small refrigerator. "I have water, sodas, beer..."

"No, thanks."

Hakari shrugged and served something for himself.

"So tell me, Kazama. How did you know about this place? How did you know I was running it?"

"I heard rumors about two third-year students from Tokyo who were expelled," Reiji replied simply. "Presumably Kirara-san and you, since you were the only third-years I knew. Then I heard rumors about an underground fight club in this area. I just connected the dots."

"You were always too smart for your own good," Hakari commented, taking a sip of his drink. "But that doesn't explain why you traveled six hours to get here. So tell me: why did you really come?"

Reiji got straight to the point.

"I need money. Easy and fast."

Hakari raised an eyebrow but didn't ask for details. Kirara exchanged a glance with him.

"Why would you make a six-hour trip just to ask for money?" Hakari insisted. "It must be something important."

Reiji evaded the question with a vague gesture.

"It's personal."

A silence stretched across the room. Hakari studied Reiji's face, clearly trying to read between the lines. Finally, he sighed.

"Alright. I'll help you." But his expression became serious. "But I'm not going to get you into serious trouble, even if you don't care. I don't want to feel guilty if they end up expelling you too because of me."

He got up from the couch and approached a desk, pulling out a manila folder.

"I'll give you a simple job: recruiting fighters for the Gachinko Fight Club."

"Recruiting?"

"Exactly. You have to go to marginal places, forgotten neighborhoods, abandoned gyms, maybe houses. Find people that the official jujutsu world has discarded or ignored."

Hakari opened the folder and pulled out a list of addresses and names.

"You tell them there's an opportunity to make money fighting. One fight, one night, one payment."

"Really? And you think they'll believe it?"

"I don't lie. I don't sell them dreams or promises I can't keep. It's honesty. Brutal honesty."

He handed the list to Reiji along with a small card.

"This is your key phrase so they understand you're serious: 'Passion doesn't wait, but it does pay.' When they hear it, they'll know you come from me."

Reiji examined the list. There were at least twenty names and addresses distributed throughout the region.

"How much time do I have?"

"Whatever time you need, but I imagine you can't be absent from school for long without raising suspicions."

Exactly, Reiji thought. He was already thinking about what excuses he could use to justify his absences.

"And the payment?"

"Twelve thousand five hundred yen for each recruit you get," Hakari replied. "If you get ten, that's a hundred and twenty-five thousand yen. Not bad for a week's work."

It was good money. Better than Reiji had expected.

"Is there any risk?"

"There's always risk," Hakari admitted. "Some of these guys are bitter about the system, others are just desperate. A few might be dangerous. But I think you can handle it."

Kirara approached them.

"Be careful, Kazama. Not all rejected sorcerers are rejected for good reasons."

Reiji nodded, putting the list and card in his backpack.

"Understood, Kirara-san."

"You could use an honorific with me too, you know!" Hakari exclaimed.

"No."

He headed toward the door, but Hakari's voice stopped him.

"Hey, Kazama."

He turned around.

"Whatever you're doing this for... I hope it's worth it."

For a moment, the image of Miwa crying in Utahime-sensei's office crossed his mind. Her desperate voice asking for a dangerous mission to earn more money. Her siblings who depended on her.

"Maybe," he replied simply. Not being sure why he was really doing it.

As he left the building, Reiji was already mentally planning his itinerary and what excuse he would give the jujutsu school to be absent for several days. The first address on the list was only two hours away.

Time to get started, he thought, heading toward the bus station.

Chapter Text

The afternoon sun beat down hard as he stepped out of the parking garage. The list of names and addresses was tucked safely in his pocket, along with the card bearing that engraved phrase: 'Passion doesn't wait, but it sure pays.' Hakari had a peculiar taste for codes.

He walked until he found a secluded spot. He needed to make a call, and this was perhaps the most important one in his entire improvised plan.

He pulled out his phone and dialed Utahime's number. After a couple of rings, her familiar voice answered on the other end.

"Kazama-kun? It's strange for you to call at this hour. Is something wrong?"

Reiji took a deep breath, thinking through his words before they left his mouth, making sure not to say anything that would give him away.

"Utahime-sensei, I'm sorry to bother you during class hours. I wanted to request permission to be absent for a few days," he paused deliberately. "I need to go reinforce the barriers in my hometown."

There was a momentary silence on the other end of the line. Reiji could imagine Utahime frowning, surprised by the request.

"Your hometown? Kazama-kun, I don't have any records in your file of you mentioning barrier problems in that area."

"I know, sensei. It's something... personal," Reiji allowed a touch of nostalgia into his voice. It wasn't completely a lie. Reiji did hold some affection for the place where he'd lived until he was eight, before his entire world was destroyed. "The town is small, almost insignificant to the central administration, but there are some minor barriers that need maintenance. Since I'm the only sorcerer who knows the area intimately..."

"I understand," Utahime's voice softened slightly. "But this is very sudden, Kazama-kun. You should have consulted before..."

"Actually, sensei," Reiji interrupted carefully. "I'm already on the train."

A longer silence this time. Reiji prayed internally that they wouldn't ask him to return immediately.

"You're already on the train?" Now she spoke with exasperation. "Kazama-kun. You should have requested permission before departing."

"I know, and I apologize for that," Reiji remained respectful but firm. "But I received an urgent call early this morning. The barriers have shown signs of weakening, and as the only sorcerer..." he let the sentence hang in the air.

"If it's really urgent, then..." Utahime sighed. "How much time do you need?"

"Five days to a week maximum. It depends on what condition I find the barriers in."

Reiji closed his eyes, waiting. He knew he was asking for a lot, but he also knew his teacher might value the responsibility and initiative of protecting places that could be at risk.

"Alright, Kazama-kun. I'll grant you permission, but with conditions," Utahime's voice became more serious. "I want daily reports on the status of your work. And if any problem arises that's beyond your capabilities, you must contact the central administration immediately. Understood?"

"Perfectly, sensei. Thank you," relief reached his voice.

"And next time, consult before departing. I don't like finding out about these things after the fact."

"It won't happen again, I promise."

After hanging up, Reiji allowed himself a sigh of relief and immediately a moment to process what he'd just done. He'd lied to his teacher, invented a story about barriers needing repair, and now had a week free to recruit fighters for an underground fight club. All to get money he planned to give to a classmate who didn't even know he existed beyond basic academic interactions.

What the hell am I doing?

Whatever was motivating him, it was stronger than his usual instinct to stay on the sidelines.

After this, Reiji set off again toward the station.

First Address - Saitama, 4:29 PM

The apartment block looked like it had seen better days. Paint was peeling from the exterior walls and some windows had boards nailed over them instead of glass. Reiji climbed the stairs to the third floor.

He knocked on the door of apartment 3-B. A man in his mid-twenties opened it, with deep dark circles under his eyes and a stained t-shirt. His hair hung over his suspicious eyes.

"What do you want?"

"I have a proposition for you," said Reiji, immediately showing him the card.

The man narrowed his eyes, studying the card carefully. After a moment, he straightened slightly.

"Hakari?" he asked cautiously. "What's this about?"

"Hand-to-hand combat in an underground club. Nothing complicated. No rituals or cursed techniques allowed."

The man rubbed his chin, considering the offer. Reiji noticed the marks on his knuckles—this wouldn't be his first time fighting, that was clear.

"When do I start?" he said finally.

Second Address - Kawagoe, 6:31 PM

This time it was a woman who opened the door. She had short, platinum hair, and a scar crossed her left cheek. Her eyes hardened when she saw Reiji's uniform.

"I don't want anything to do with you people," she said, starting to close the door.

"Wait," he put his foot in the doorway. "I'm not here on behalf of the official schools."

He showed her the card. The woman read it, and her expression changed from hostility to curiosity.

"Hakari? That name rings a bell..." she murmured. "What kind of fights?"

Reiji explained the terms. The woman smiled for the first time since opening the door.

"Sounds better than pickpocketing. Count me in."

Third Address - Iruma, 7:38 PM

The door slammed in his face before he could finish speaking. Reiji sighed and crossed the name off his list. Not everyone was going to be interested.

Three of the first seven rejected the offer immediately. The other four, however, showed interest after hearing the numbers.

Eighth Address - Port of Yokohama, 11:53 PM

Reiji arrived at the abandoned warehouse when most of the city was already asleep. The place was surrounded by rusted containers and abandoned machinery. A dim yellow light flickered from a second-floor window.

Can someone really live in a place like this?

He climbed up a metal staircase. The second-floor door was ajar and a nauseating smell filtered out from inside.

"Is anyone there?" he shouted.

A harsh laugh echoed from within.

"Come in, come in. It's been a while since I had visitors."

Reiji pushed the door open and entered. The interior was chaos: garbage scattered across the floor, dirty blankets piled in corners, and dark stains on the walls that he preferred not to identify.

A man emerged from the darkness. He was about twenty-two, but looked older due to the deep dark circles and scars covering his arms. His smile was too wide, too hungry.

"A jujutsu student?" he said, licking his lips. "What a delicious surprise."

Reiji kept his distance—everything about this guy didn't inspire confidence.

"I'm just here with an offer for you," he said, showing the card.

The man looked at it and burst into laughter. Reiji remained impassive.

"Hakari? Yeah, I know that name. But you know what..." his eyes fixed on Reiji in a sickening way. "I think I prefer my own kind of fun."

Before Reiji could react, the man lunged toward him with superhuman speed. His nails, covered in blue, viscous cursed energy, were aimed directly at his throat.

Fast!

Reiji threw himself backward, the claws barely grazing his neck.

With a fluid motion, he drew two blades from his case. The metal gleamed under the dim light as he activated his cursed technique.

The blades ignited with a pale blue glow.

The man landed in a crouch like an animal, grinning savagely.

"Oh, how exciting! It's been so long since I played with someone who can actually fight!"

This guy isn't just crazy, thought Reiji, analyzing his opponent's predatory stance. He's hungry.

Akutsu lunged again, this time attacking from a low angle, his claws gleaming with malevolent cursed energy. Reiji jumped to the side, throwing one of his blades in a wide arc.

The man barely dodged it, but Reiji had already anticipated this.

"Guided Cut."

The blade changed direction in mid-air, describing an impossible curve toward the man's back. The edge, magnified by cursed energy, sank deeply between his shoulder blades.

"SHIT!"

A piercing scream filled the warehouse as blood splattered the dusty floor.

Reiji took advantage of the distraction to retreat and assess his opponent. This guy wasn't just a rejected sorcerer—he was completely unstable, probably a killer. No wonder they expelled him, he thought. Though I think they made a mistake not executing him. Better keep my distance and evaluate his capabilities.

But Akutsu had already turned around, ripping the blade from his back with a brutal motion. Drops of blood flew through the air as he laughed like a maniac.

"That hurt, brat! I like it when it hurts!"

"You know what," said Reiji aloud, adopting a defensive stance with his remaining blade. "Since you're so interested in fighting, I'm going to explain exactly how I'm going to defeat you."

The man stopped, confused by the apparently suicidal declaration.

"My cursed technique is called 'Ownership,'" continued Reiji, feeling the binding vow activate around him. "It allows me to mark objects that belong exclusively to me with my cursed energy."

His opponent immediately recognized what had happened. His eyes widened with surprise and a hint of sick respect.

"You're activating a binding vow? How brave and stupid at the same time!"

"These blades have been mine since I was eight—they used to be my father's," continued Reiji, feeling power flow through the blades. "I can alter their weight, their sharpness, control their trajectory after throwing them. And most importantly..."

He threw both blades simultaneously at the man, who barely managed to cover himself with his arms.

"Summon."

The blades instantly teleported back to his hands in an explosion of blue light, appearing with a blinding glow of concentrated cursed energy. The air itself seemed to vibrate from the intensity of the power.

Akutsu licked his lips, his smile becoming even wider and more disturbing.

"Interesting... but it won't be enough to save your life, pretty boy."

He lunged forward with renewed ferocity, but now Reiji was completely prepared. His movements were more fluid, more precise, every muscle enhanced by the binding vow.

He dodged the first attack and counterattacked with both blades in a crossover pattern.

Akutsu barely managed to retreat, but the magnified blades cut through his shirt like paper and left deep bleeding lines across his chest. Blood began to soak his torn clothing.

"Guided Cut!" exclaimed Reiji, throwing a blade in a spiral.

The man dodged it with a desperate movement, but didn't expect the second blade to come from above like lightning. He managed to block it with his forearm, but the blade, magnified by Reiji's technique, sank deeply until it touched bone.

The scream of pain and rage that followed echoed throughout the warehouse.

Finally, thought Reiji. His cursed technique deployed.

Akutsu's muscles swelled grotesquely, his veins stood out like ropes under his pale skin, and his nails extended like curved, sharp daggers. His smile became bestial.

Swollen muscles, hardened skin, extended claws... His technique amplifies his predatory instincts along with his physical strength. The more violent he becomes, the stronger he'll be, but also less rational. I can use that to my advantage.

"Now we'll see who's stronger, you little shit!"

But Reiji had already seen enough. He extended both hands to his sides.

"Summon."

His two blades appeared instantly. Without warning, Reiji took the offensive, running toward his opponent with increasing speed.

Akutsu tried to strike him with his transformed claws, but Reiji dodged with a fluid pirouette. He counterattacked toward the exposed forearm, but the edge bounced off the armor-hard skin.

The energy doesn't just increase his strength. It also hardens his body.

"Ha! Those little blades will never pierce my skin now!" roared Akutsu. "You've got a lot to learn, brat!"

I'll have to imbue more cursed energy into the marks...

His blades began to emanate energy more intensely, like blue flames.

Those little blades would never tolerate such intensity of cursed energy, thought Akutsu with arrogant confidence.

Once his blades were overcharged with energy, Reiji threw one toward his opponent.

Akutsu, confident in his transformation, stretched out his palm seeking to destroy the blade upon contact.

To his absolute surprise, the blade cleanly pierced his hand, going through the hardened skin like butter. The shock in his eyes was instant.

"What the—"

"Guided Cut!"

The embedded blade began to move on its own, rotating and cutting. The gash moved downward like a living saw, opening him from hand to shoulder in a perfect line of blood.

The scream that followed was deafening.

Akutsu desperately grabbed the blade and threw it away, his arm hanging uselessly.

"HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE?! A BLADE LIKE THAT CAN'T WITHSTAND THAT MUCH CURSED ENERGY!"

"Don't underestimate the power of my marks," said Reiji simply.

"DAMN YOU!!"

Akutsu staggered to his feet and ran toward Reiji with the desperation of a cornered animal. His healthy fist was tinged with cursed energy red as the rage he felt, concentrating all his remaining power into one last attack.

But Reiji had his hands calmly tucked in his pockets, a detail the enraged man hadn't noticed.

It's over, thought Reiji.

"Guided Cut."

SLASH! SLASH!

Akutsu felt simultaneous cuts to both his Achilles tendons. His legs buckled instantly and he fell to his knees on the floor. The momentum of his charge made him roll violently until he crashed headfirst into the metal wall.

A heavy silence filled the warehouse.

Reiji sighed and murmured:

"Summon."

The two blades appeared in his hands with flashes of cursed energy fading before being carefully stored in his case.

He approached and crouched down to check Akutsu's condition. He was unconscious on the floor, bleeding from multiple wounds but with a stable pulse. Reiji could have killed him easily, but had deliberately held back.

He left Hakari's card beside him. If he woke up and was still interested in fighting for money instead of killing for fun, he could look for the club. If not, at least he was no longer Reiji's problem.

He slung his case over his shoulder and headed toward the exit, feeling how the adrenaline from combat gradually faded.

One down, he thought as he descended the metal stairs. Twelve more to recruit.

Reiji's journey continued with mixed results. Of the twenty names on the list, he successfully recruited ten sorcerers. Some were easy to convince; others required more persuasion. Only one had tried to kill him, which Reiji considered a relative success.

On the third day, after crafting a false report for Utahime about the supposed barrier maintenance in his hometown, he returned to the abandoned parking garage in Tochigi. Hakari was waiting for him in the monitoring room, with Kirara beside him reviewing some papers.

"The recruiter returns!" exclaimed Hakari enthusiastically. "From the cameras I saw that some of the guys you were assigned have already shown up around here. Good work!"

Reiji nodded, feeling strangely empty now that his mission was over.

"Did you have any problems, Kazama?" asked Hakari.

"Just one, the eighth... Akutsu Gaiya, but nothing difficult. He just tried to kill me."

Kirara looked up from her papers, surprise on her face. "'Just'?"

"I like your temperament, Kazama," laughed Hakari. "Most people would make more of a fuss about an assassination attempt. It's reassuring to know I won't have to pamper you with bonuses for emotional trauma."

Reiji shrugged. After everything he'd been through, a psychopathic ex-sorcerer in an abandoned warehouse barely registered as an inconvenience. After a moment, he sighed.

"Well... my payment?"

Hakari handed him a thick, sealed envelope. Reiji opened it and began counting the bills, expecting to find exactly 125,000 yen. 12,500 for each of the ten sorcerers recruited. But as he counted, he realized there was more money than expected.

Much more.

"There's 200,000 yen here," he said, looking at Hakari with confusion. "I recruited ten, not sixteen."

"Keep it," replied Hakari with a smile. "Consider it a goodwill commission. You did better work than expected, and some of the guys you brought are already generating quite a bit of interest among the bettors."

Reiji frowned. "I don't need charity."

"It's not charity," Kirara intervened, closing her folder. "It's recognition. Kin-chan doesn't give away money unless you've really earned it."

"Exactly. Besides," Hakari leaned back on the couch, "I have a feeling that whatever motivated you to come here, to risk your position in Kyoto to recruit fighters for an underground club... well, it must be important. The person you're doing this for must mean a lot to you."

Reiji felt an uncomfortable warmth rise up his neck—it certainly embarrassed him that they knew he was doing this for someone. "Who says it's for a person?"

Kirara smiled softly. "Only someone very special could make Kyoto's star student risk everything for quick money. Whoever it is, they're lucky to have you as... a friend?"

"She's not my friend."

"Ah! So it is for a girl?" asked his senpai.

Reiji felt like he'd been caught. "No... I meant that... Ugh, nevermind."

The silence stretched for a moment as Reiji thought about Kirara's words. Kasumi and he weren't friends, they weren't even acquaintances—they were just classmates.

"I never imagined someone like Hakari would be the type to give up money willingly," he said finally, changing the subject and tucking the envelope into his jacket. "But I appreciate the gesture."

"Hey, we all have our moments of weakness," he replied with a laugh. "Good luck with whatever you're planning to do with that."

Reiji nodded and headed toward the exit. Before turning the door handle, he glanced back at Hakari.

"Hmm? What's up, Kazama?"

"I..." he paused, swallowing hard. "Thank you, Hakari-san."

Hakari raised an eyebrow, surprised, but said nothing. He just smiled, relaxed, and gestured farewell. Reiji closed the door behind him.

"Think he knows what he's doing?" asked Kirara.

"No idea," replied Hakari. "But that kid's been carrying something heavy since we met him in Tokyo. If he finally found a reason to act instead of just watching from a distance... well, maybe that's a good thing."

"I hope you're right. Guys like him usually complicate their lives when they start caring about others."

"Maybe," Hakari paused. "But that's also when they start truly living, instead of just existing," he stretched and smiled. "I think it's admirable that he decided to bet everything on one person. After all... life itself is one giant gamble, isn't it?"

The trip back to Kyoto felt different from the one going there. The night train was practically empty and Reiji had chosen a seat by the window. The envelope with the 200,000 yen rested in the inner pocket of his jacket, a weight that seemed heavier than it should be physically.

He leaned back against the seat and closed his eyes, but sleep wouldn't come. Instead, his mind insisted on replaying the events of the last three days like a movie on loop. The faces of the rejected sorcerers he'd met, the desperation in some of their looks, Akutsu's violence... And above it all, the question that had been bothering him for a while.

Why had he really done it?

The question had been circling in his mind since he left Hakari's club, but now, in the solitude of the night car, it became impossible to ignore. He had risked his position in Kyoto, lied to Utahime-sensei, traveled recruiting fighters for an underground club. All for a classmate with whom he had barely exchanged more than ten words all year.

Kasumi Miwa was... what exactly was she to him?

They weren't friends. That was clear. Reiji didn't have friends. He had learned to keep his distance after what happened in Tokyo, after seeing the fear in Daigo's eyes when he lost control. It was safer that way. Simpler.

She was a kind girl, that was undeniable. She always greeted people with a genuine smile, helped classmates who struggled with training, never participated in the cruel whispers that sometimes circulated through the halls. But there were thousands of kind people in the world, and he had never lifted a finger for any of them.

Maybe it was simply recognition. Understanding for someone who also carried the weight of responsibilities too big for her age. But even that felt like an incomplete explanation, a half-truth that failed to capture the urgency he'd felt when he heard her crying.

He pulled out his phone and began scrolling through the news, trying to catch up on what had happened while he was away. Political news, sports, something about the weather... nothing particularly interesting. But at least it gave him something to focus his mind on besides the unanswered questions that haunted him.

After several hours, he put his phone away and resigned himself to looking out the window. The lights of Kyoto were already visible in the distance.

Reiji moved through the high school grounds making sure not to be seen.

The hallway of the girls' dormitory was plunged in a dense darkness that seemed to swallow even the slightest sound. He stopped in front of a particular door.

Kasumi Miwa's room.

For an instant, he hesitated. Was he really going to enter a sleeping classmate's room to leave her an envelope with money? What did that make him? A clandestine benefactor? A pathetic guardian angel? An intruder with noble justifications?

It sounded ridiculous. Dangerous. And very stupid.

But then he remembered (he couldn't help it) Miwa's broken voice that afternoon. The contained crying. The desperate words directed at Utahime. And something inside him, something very deep, moved with an urgency he couldn't ignore.

Without further delay, he grabbed the door handle. To his surprise, it turned without resistance. The door opened with a soft click that seemed deafening in the night silence.

She doesn't lock it? he thought, frowning. Dangerous...

He had prepared a lock pick just in case, but he didn't need it. He entered carefully and silently.

The room was dark, but his eyes adjusted quickly. It was a simple but tidy space, with personal touches that spoke of who lived there: a framed photograph of Miwa with two small children. Her siblings, no doubt, thought Reiji. Books arranged neatly, her uniform prepared for the next day hanging on a chair.

He stopped for a moment, observing the scene.

Great... now I just need someone to see me and I'll look like that creep from Tokyo who sneaks into girls' dorms, he thought sarcastically. Good job, Kazama.

Miwa slept deeply in the single bed, her breathing soft, her expression serene. Even asleep, there was something about her that radiated a warmth he had forgotten existed in the world.

Reiji slowly approached the nightstand, which was barely inches from where Miwa rested. He took the envelope from his jacket and placed it carefully in the center of the table.

Then he pulled out a small note, handwritten in unidentifiable script.

"Just use it. Don't look for who's responsible."

No signature. No clue. Nothing that could be traced back to him.

He stayed one more second, just one second, watching. Then he backed away and left with the same silence with which he had entered, closing the door behind him without making a sound. No footprints. No evidence.

Tomorrow, when Kasumi found the envelope, her life would change. At least a little. Her siblings could have what they needed.

And he... he would continue being the invisible boy. Silent. As he had always been and as he always would be.

In five minutes he was back in his room, as if he had never left. He sat on his bed, allowing himself to let his guard down for the first time in three days. Fatigue crashed over him all at once, taking with it the adrenaline that had kept him going.

His shoulders relaxed, his jaw unclenched, and for a moment he felt like the seventeen-year-old teenager he technically was, instead of the survivor he had become.

He changed clothes, left his blade case next to his nightstand (he never slept without them within reach) and lay down looking at the ceiling in the darkness.

For the first time in days, he felt... calm. Not happy—he had stopped looking for happiness years ago—but calm. As if a problem that had been circling in his head had finally been solved.

He closed his eyes and, finally, slept.

The next morning, during breakfast in the dining hall, Reiji noticed the change immediately.

Kasumi Miwa was sitting at her usual table, but something was different. She no longer had that dejected expression she had worn like a mask for weeks. Her shoulders weren't slumped. And when Nishimiya made a joke, Miwa laughed.

It wasn't a forced or polite laugh. It was genuine and clear.

Reiji, sitting several tables away, stopped with his chopsticks halfway to his mouth. Something about the whole situation struck him as... endearing, maybe?

I did that, he thought, and seemed surprised by his own deduction. I contributed to making her smile like that.

Without realizing it, a small but genuine smile curved his lips. It wasn't something he did often—smiling had become something strange, forced on his face—but this time it was completely unconscious.

For a few seconds, he simply watched her laugh with her classmates. Then, when he realized he was being obvious, he returned to his breakfast and his usual indifference.

But the feeling remained. Warm. Satisfying.

Chapter Text

Kasumi Miwa's first thought upon waking wasn't about the day's classes or the training that awaited her. It was about the strange dream she'd had, where she walked through a garden full of cherry blossoms falling from the sky.

She stretched lazily between the sheets, feeling surprisingly good considering how down she'd been.

It was when she sat up to head to the bathroom that she saw it.

A white envelope rested on her nightstand, so out of place that for a moment she thought she was still dreaming. She rubbed her eyes and the envelope was still there.

Kasumi approached and picked up the envelope hesitantly. It was heavier than she expected, and when she opened it—wow, what a surprise she got.

Bills. LOTS of bills.

And she counted them: ten thousand, twenty thousand, fifty thousand... All the way up to two hundred thousand yen. A sum that, for her, represented months of work on low-grade missions.

"What...?" she murmured.

There was a small note next to the envelope. She grabbed it carefully and read it: 'Just use it. Don't look for who's responsible.'

Was this a joke? A trap? For a moment, fear took hold of her. She worried this 'gift' might hide dangerous intentions.

But as she held the bills, the fear began to fade. There were no threats, no conditions. Just a simple request: use the money and don't look for whoever left it.

She thought about calling Kouta immediately, but when she looked at the clock she realized he'd already be in class. She'd have to wait until later to tell him the incredible news.

With a smile, Kasumi stored the money in a safe place and prepared for the day, feeling as if an enormous weight had been lifted from her shoulders.

When she arrived at the dining hall, her friends were already seated at their usual table. Mai Zenin was checking something on her phone, Momo Nishimiya was next to her, and Mechamaru was there, observing the rest—he couldn't eat anything but enjoyed being with them.

"Good morning!" Kasumi greeted with her cheerful tone that made everyone look up.

"Wow, someone woke up on the right side of the bed today," Mai commented, arching an eyebrow. "What happened? Did you win the lottery or something?"

"You look different," Momo added. "You have... I don't know, more energy. Did you sleep well?"

Mechamaru nodded. "You look better compared to the last few days."

Miwa blushed slightly. "It's nothing special, just... I had a good night's sleep."

"Hmm," Mai put down her phone and looked at her with that smile she always used when she suspected something. "A good night doesn't explain that stupid grin you have. Come on, confess... Is there a guy involved in this? Did you sleep with him?"

The question dropped like a bomb on the table. Momo nearly choked on her tea, and Mechamaru... well, Mechamaru didn't react. Visibly, at least.

"What?! No, no, no!" Kasumi waved her hands frantically. "It's nothing like that, I don't... I don't have time for... there's no way I'd..."

"Oh, please," Mai insisted with a mocking smile. "I know that face. It's exactly the face someone makes when they're hiding something romantic. Who is it? Someone from here? From high school?"

"I don't think so..." Momo murmured, looking around the dining hall. "I mean, there are some guys who could, but..."

"Enough already!" Kasumi interrupted, her face now completely red. "It's nothing like that, I swear!"

Her friends' insistence and their stares made Kasumi realize she couldn't escape without giving some explanation. She looked around to make sure no one else could hear, then leaned in, lowering her voice.

"Okay, okay... But you have to promise me you won't make a scene."

Everyone nodded.

"The last few days... I've been having some financial problems. Serious problems."

The change was noticeable. The smiles disappeared, replaced by serious expressions.

"As you know, we don't always get paid very well, and between my brothers' studies, rent, and..."

"Kasumi..." Momo said with concern.

"Why didn't you tell us anything?" Mai asked.

"I had noticed changes in your behavior the last four days. I wanted to ask but didn't want to seem intrusive if it was something you preferred to keep private."

"I didn't want to worry you," Miwa explained, feeling a bit sad. "And... I also didn't want you to pity me. My brothers need a lot of things. I've been trying to get higher-grade missions, but..."

"You could have asked us for help," the Zenin interrupted. "We... I could have..."

"No," the blue-haired girl shook her head. "I couldn't do that. This is my problem, my responsibility. I couldn't drag you into it with me."

"Hey, we're teammates. Actually, more than that, we're friends. Friends help each other," Momo said.

An uncomfortable silence appeared until Miwa decided to continue.

"But that's not the most important part of the story. This morning, when I woke up, I found an envelope on my nightstand. An envelope full of money. A lot of money."

And now, instead of seriousness, there was surprise on their faces.

"Full of money?" the amber-eyed girl asked.

"Two hundred thousand yen," Kasumi whispered. "With a note that said to use it and not look for who's responsible."

"No way!" Momo exclaimed in a low voice. "That's like... Remember that movie we went to see the other day, Mai? The one with the mysterious benefactor!"

Mai nodded. "Yeah. Although in the movie it was because of an inheritance, but it's similar. Life imitating art."

"And... aren't you interested in knowing who it was?" Mechamaru asked.

"Of course I am," she admitted. "I'd like to be able to thank them in person, but there's no way to know. They didn't leave any clues."

"But it must have been someone who knew about your problem, right?" Momo asked. "I doubt it was just coincidence."

Kasumi frowned. "The people who knew...?"

"Is there anyone you told about your problems besides us right now?"

Miwa thought. "There are only two people. My brother Kouta, obviously, and..." she stopped, remembering the desperate conversation she'd had a few days ago. "Utahime-sensei. I asked her for a higher-grade mission and explained why I needed it."

"Well there's your answer," the green-haired girl said. "Obviously it was Utahime-sensei."

"Makes sense. She always worries about us," the small sorceress added.

"Well yeah... it's the only option according to what you're telling us, Miwa-san," Mechamaru said, with some relief in his voice.

"Stop overthinking it," Mai scolded her, though with a softer tone. "If what you told us is true, it can't be anyone else. Utahime-sensei must have felt a lot of empathy for your situation and decided to help you anonymously to avoid making you feel uncomfortable."

"The kind of gesture someone would make who cares about their students but wants to maintain professionalism," Mechamaru agreed.

Her friends' logic was irrefutable, and by the time afternoon training began, Miwa was completely convinced that Utahime had been her anonymous benefactor. Gratitude filled her chest and she knew she had to thank her personally.

She found Utahime organizing some documents in her office before training. The teacher looked up when Kasumi knocked on the door.

"Yes, Miwa? Do you need something?"

Kasumi entered and closed the door behind her, wanting privacy.

"Sensei, I... wanted to thank you for everything you've done for me."

Utahime seemed genuinely confused. "Thank me? For what specifically?"

"For your help," Miwa insisted, convinced the teacher was pretending out of modesty. "You really don't need to pretend you don't know what I'm talking about. No one else knew about my situation, and what you did for me... means more than you can imagine."

The confusion on Utahime's face became more evident. "Miwa, I really don't know what you're talking about. Is there something important you need to tell me? If you're having any problems, you can trust me."

Utahime's confused tone made Miwa doubt. There was no trace of the complicity she expected to see. Just honest confusion and a bit of concern. Unless she was very good at pretending...

She hadn't been.

"I... I..." Miwa felt panic. She had messed up spectacularly. "I just wanted to thank you for... for being so understanding when I asked for the higher-grade mission. I know you care about us and... and that means a lot."

Utahime looked at her for a moment that felt eternal.

"Alright, Miwa. But if there's anything else you need to talk about, you know that..."

"Yes, of course!" she interrupted. "Thank you so much, sensei. I have to go get ready for training."

Kasumi left the office with her heart beating rapidly, leaving behind a Utahime with a sea of doubts.

"It wasn't her," she announced when she met up with her friends in the training area, already changed into her training clothes. "She really seemed like she didn't know what I was talking about. She seemed genuinely confused."

Mai looked at her. Something didn't add up.

"Then someone's stalking you. And I don't like that at all."

"Mai!" Momo protested, though she also seemed worried. "It doesn't have to be something bad..."

"Really?" Mai crossed her arms. "Someone enters your room without permission, leaves money, and asks you not to look for them? That sounds exactly like something a stalker would do."

Mechamaru took a step closer to Miwa. "Mai's right. If someone is spying on you, it represents a risk to you. I can..."

"No, don't worry," she interrupted, though her friends' logic was starting to worry her. "Maybe I should listen to the note and just not look anymore. Whoever it was didn't want me to know, and maybe I should respect that."

And lock my door... she thought, a bit intimidated by her companions' theories.

Before they could continue the conversation, Utahime arrived at the training area, though Miwa noticed her gaze lingered on her a bit longer, which made her nervous and embarrassed about the fool she'd made of herself a few minutes ago.

"Good morning, everyone. Today we'll do partner training, but with a variation to make it more dynamic. Pairs will be assigned randomly so you can practice with different partners."

Utahime began announcing the pairs, and when it was Miwa's turn:

"Miwa, your partner will be Kazama."

[...]

In a corner of the training area, Reiji Kazama felt like he'd received a direct hit to the stomach. Great, he thought, fucking destiny.

Just when he most needed to stay under the radar, when it was most important to maintain distance to prevent Miwa from suspecting anything about the money, the universe decided to force a direct interaction between them. Something definitely wanted to make his life more difficult.

He saw her approach with a friendly smile, which gave him a strange reminder of the moment he met his Tokyo teammates.

"Hi, Kazama-kun!" she greeted when she reached his side. "I think this is the first time we've trained together, right?"

Reiji looked at her with apparent indifference, though inside he had something similar to nerves. He nodded silently.

"Yeah, I think so."

"I heard you're really good," she continued, not seeming disappointed by his lack of enthusiasm. "I hope I can learn a lot today."

Reiji remained silent for a few seconds while setting his case aside.

"We'll see," he murmured, preparing his blades.

Utahime gave the start signal and each training pair began their session.

Miwa unsheathed her katana and got into a defensive position. Her eyes fixed on the blades Reiji was holding.

"Ready?" she asked, a bit nervous.

He nodded and after two seconds, threw one of his blades directly at Kasumi. She dodged it with a quick lateral movement, but before she could fully regain her balance, Reiji was already on top of her, attacking with the blade he'd kept in his right hand.

The sound of metal against metal rang out when Kasumi blocked the attack with her katana.

"Summon," Reiji pronounced.

The blade he'd thrown moments before instantly appeared in his left hand and he used it to attack her from a different angle.

"What?!" the blue-haired girl exclaimed, barely managing to retreat to avoid the second strike.

Reiji took advantage of Miwa's retreat to adjust his position, ready to continue the combat.

The following exchanges were intense for the grade-three sorceress.

At one point, Miwa managed to connect a sequence of movements that forced Reiji to retreat several steps to avoid being hit.

"Good move," he admitted.

She smiled, though inside she was very excited. A direct compliment from a grade-two sorcerer who could easily be semi-first grade!

He changed tactics. This time, he threw both blades simultaneously, but their trajectories were unpredictable.

"Guided Cut," he pronounced, moving his hands to redirect his weapons.

Kasumi tried to follow both trajectories with her eyes, but it was impossible to defend against two attacks coming from such unpredictable angles. While she tried to decide which to block first, Reiji moved.

In full motion, he pronounced "Summon" again, and both blades teleported to his hands.

Miwa saw the blades disappear before her eyes.

Without losing momentum, he gripped them and slid forward, and with a quick, precise movement, struck the hilt of Miwa's katana, disarming her.

Before she could react, she felt the cold metal of a blade gently brush her neck.

"Point for me," Reiji said, immediately withdrawing the weapons.

Miwa remained motionless for a moment, processing what had just happened.

"That was... incredible," she finally said, picking up her katana from the ground. "I knew your technique had to do with blades, but I'd never seen anything like that. How...?"

Reiji was silent for a moment, as if deciding how much to reveal.

"It's called 'Ownership,'" he said. "It allows me to place marks on objects that are mine and I can do things like that..."

"That's incredibly useful," Kasumi commented, clearly impressed. "It must give you a huge advantage in combat."

"It has its limitations," he replied modestly. "It only works with objects that truly belong to me, and the control requires concentration."

"Even so, it's impressive. The way you recovered the blades and gripped them while moving... That requires a lot of practice."

There was a brief silence before Reiji pointed at her with one of his blades.

"It's your turn to start."

Miwa nodded. This time, she decided to take the initiative from the first moment. She lunged forward with a fluid movement, seeking to connect a diagonal cut that Reiji blocked with both blades crossed.

The sound of clashing metal rang out again.

"Better," he admitted, pushing the blades upward to create distance.

Kasumi took advantage of the momentum to spin and attempt a second attack from the side, but Reiji had already moved, using one of his blades to deflect the katana while the other sought a counterattack toward her shoulder.

The blue-haired girl managed to retreat just in time. She knew Kazama wouldn't truly hurt her anyway.

"That was close!" she exclaimed, but with excitement.

Reiji didn't respond.

Miwa decided it was the perfect moment to try one of her most developed techniques. When she saw Reiji preparing to take the offensive again, she sheathed her katana and got into position, concentrating her cursed energy in the blade.

New Shadow Style, Simple Domain...

Reiji invaded her attack radius. It was time.

Quick Draw!

Miwa unsheathed her sword extremely fast, the cut was very quick, but Reiji slid along the ground, passing between her legs to avoid being cut by her technique.

What good reflexes! she thought.

"Good idea, but I knew Kusakabe-sensei," he said.

Reiji countered from his low position, using the momentum from his slide to spin on himself and attack Miwa's ankles with both blades. Miwa jumped backward.

For a moment, she managed to maintain offensive pressure. Reiji retreated, blocking and deflecting, but without the tactical advantage of his cursed technique, which he was deciding not to use, he had to work harder to keep up with Kasumi's continuous attacks.

"Very good," he admitted between one block and another.

The exchange intensified. Miwa felt she could finally compete more fairly, which made her think the sorcerer was holding back.

In a particularly intense moment, both found themselves locked, Miwa's katana pressing against Reiji's crossed blades, their faces inches apart.

"Don't stop," he told her in a low voice.

Miwa pushed harder, freeing herself from the block, and continued attacking him.

Reiji had to move faster now. He tried to distance himself with a long jump backward, but she followed him. Without realizing it, a small smile formed when she predicted his movement.

Miwa took advantage of her momentum and launched a downward attack with all her strength. Reiji had to use both blades to block, forming an X above his head. The force of the impact made him retreat half a step.

The combat continued.

They were the last to finish their session (Reiji won five of the seven encounters, but Miwa had achieved two genuine victories that filled her with pride), both breathing heavily from the effort. Kasumi leaned on her katana, using it as a staff while catching her breath.

"You're truly skilled, Kazama-kun," she told him, and it was honest admiration. "But..." she hesitated for a moment. "Next time don't hold back, please. I know I can be... well, I'm not the strongest, but I can handle it."

Reiji looked at her, slightly surprised by her observation. "I wasn't holding back."

"Really?" she tilted her head. "Because I felt like you were... I don't know, adjusting your style to make it more educational than challenging. Not that it's bad, of course, but..." she stopped, worried about sounding ungrateful. "Sorry, I didn't mean to sound like I was complaining about your help."

Her perception caught him off guard. He had expected his subtle help to go unnoticed, but apparently Miwa was more observant than he believed.

"I was practicing close-range," he replied dryly.

Miwa nodded, apparently accepting the explanation.

"Well, I..." she played nervously with her katana's hilt. "I'd like to train with you again some other day, if you don't mind, of course! If not, that's fine. But I really felt like I leveled up today, and... I guess that'll help me rank up... in the future, I hope."

Her voice became softer at the end, as if she were sharing a dream she didn't believe possible.

"Does that matter a lot to you?"

"Of course!" she responded. "I need to improve. I have... I have responsibilities. My family..." she stopped, realizing she was sharing too much. "Sorry, I'm rambling. I always do that when something matters a lot to me."

Her cheeks turned a soft pink shade, embarrassed by her tendency to open up emotionally.

I already know that anyway... Kazama thought.

The invitation remained there. Reiji felt the familiar internal war that had plagued him since his transfer from Tokyo. A part of him, small, wanted to accept—he wouldn't mind having a companion.

But the other part, the part that remembered his dead family, the part that remembered Daigo's gaze, the part that knew what happened when he got close to someone, that part screamed at him to stay away.

"You'd progress more training with a dummy," he finally said.

Miwa blinked. "You think so? I think a dummy doesn't adapt or force me to adapt. I just hit it. Training with someone real is much more useful..."

"Then train with your friends. Chemistry is important," he responded, creating another excuse and avoiding her gaze.

"Hmm, maybe, but in that case, wouldn't it be good for you to forge some chemistry with someone?" her voice was gentle, without pressure, just curiosity. "You always train alone... and it's not that it's bad, but..."

"..."

She was right, of course. But Reiji couldn't tell her that without explaining why he didn't want to train with her again, and that conversation would lead to places better left unexplored.

He didn't give her a direct answer about training together again. Instead, he grabbed his blades quickly and said goodbye with a nod.

"I have to go."

He walked away before she could respond. Miwa stood there, with confusion and something that might have been disappointment, though she tried to hide it quickly.

When he was getting ready to change, he realized something was missing. His blade case.

He cursed himself internally. His nerves were making him act like an idiot.

Miwa took out her phone after Reiji left, needing to share the news with her brother. But she also needed to hear a familiar voice after that strange interaction with Kazama. Had she done something wrong? Why had he seemed so anxious to get away?

She shook her head. She shouldn't overthink it.

The tone rang twice before Kouta answered.

"Nee-chan? Everything okay?"

She smiled hearing his worried tone.

"Yeah, Kouta. Are you in class?"

"Just got out. Why are you calling? You don't usually call at this hour."

"I have something important to tell you. Something good."

There was a pause on the other end of the line.

"Good? What happened?"

Kasumi took a deep breath.

"Kouta... you don't have to worry about money problems anymore. At least not for a while."

Silence.

"What do you mean?"

"Someone... someone helped us. I received enough money to cover this month's expenses and part of next month's. You'll be able to focus on your studies without worrying about anything else."

"Someone helped us? Who? Why?" his voice became tense. "Nee-chan, you didn't do anything dangerous, did you?"

"No, it's nothing like that," she hurried to reassure him. "It was... it was like an anonymous gift. Someone who found out about our situation and wanted to help without asking for anything in return."

"That sounds too good to be true."

"I know, I thought the same thing at first. But there are no conditions, no threats, nothing. The note just said to use it and not look for who's responsible."

She heard Kouta sigh.

"And you trust this?"

"I think so. My instinct tells me there's nothing bad behind it. And honestly, Kouta... we needed this help."

"I..." his voice broke slightly. "I'm so sorry for causing you problems. If it weren't for what those idiots said about you..."

"Hey, listen to me carefully," Kasumi interrupted. "None of this is your fault. Nothing. You are the reason I work so hard, you and Hiro are my motivation to get stronger every day. Never, ever apologize for existing or for needing my help."

"But you deserve to be happy too..."

"And I am. I'm happy when you guys are well and safe. That's all I need."

A comfortable silence stretched between them.

"Can I tell Hiro?" Kouta finally asked.

"Of course."

"Thank you, nee-chan. For everything you do for us."

"You don't have to thank me for anything. Just... promise me you won't get into fights defending my honor anymore, okay? I can take care of myself."

"I promise," he responded with a small laugh.

Miwa smiled.

"That's enough for me. I love you, Kouta."

"I love you too, nee-chan."

Miwa hung up the call, pressed the phone against her chest, and breathed deeply with a smile on her face. She turned around to head to the dormitories, wanting to take a hot shower.

She stopped abruptly when she saw Reiji standing a few meters away, clearly having heard at least part of her conversation.

Their eyes met, and Kasumi felt heat rise to her cheeks. How much had he heard? Had he heard about the mysterious money?

"Sorry," he said immediately, and for the first time to her, he seemed genuinely uncomfortable. "I didn't mean to eavesdrop. I forgot my case."

He pointed to where they had been training, and Miwa saw the blade case.

"Oh," she said, feeling relieved that he had a legitimate reason for being there. "Don't worry, it was unintentional. No problem."

But internally she was mortified.

Reiji headed toward his case, but she stopped him with a question.

"Just... could you not mention what you heard to any teacher? To anyone, really..." she wrung her hands. "I don't want the person who helped me to get in trouble."

She was worried about protecting him, about making sure he didn't get in trouble for having helped her, not knowing he was exactly the person she was referring to.

"Don't worry," he replied while storing his blades. "I won't say anything."

He took his case but before leaving, something made him stop. Miwa feared it was to ask for something in return for his silence or something similar.

He turned around to look at her.

"Are you a sorcerer for them? For your brothers?"

The question completely surprised her. Reiji Kazama, the silent and distant student everyone considered inaccessible and cold, was showing genuine interest in something personal? She had expected him to leave immediately, as he had done during training.

"Yes," she answered simply. "Everything I do is for them."

Something changed in Reiji's expression, though it was subtle. He began to walk away, heading for the exit.

"H-Hey!" she called to him, with confusion and nerves. "But you're not going to say anything, right?"

"I won't. Don't worry," he assured her as he left, with a certainty that reassured her.

As he walked away, a smile involuntarily formed on Reiji's lips. It was the same expression he'd had that morning seeing her laugh in the dining hall, a silent satisfaction knowing he had contributed to that happiness. But since he was walking away with his back turned, Miwa couldn't see it.

Miwa's words had confirmed what he already knew: that his effort had been completely worth it.

Chapter Text

After a shower, Miwa headed to the common room in the dorms, where she knew she'd find her friends.

She found them scattered around the room. Mai was flipping through a fashion magazine with a bored expression, Momo was staring at her phone, and Mechamaru sat in his usual corner.

"Hey," Miwa greeted as she dropped onto one of the couches.

"Well, look who's finally here," Mai commented, looking up from her magazine. "I thought you'd gotten lost on the way back. Or maybe decided to permanently move into the dojo."

"I stayed a bit longer to train," Kasumi explained, settling in. "It was... interesting."

"'Interesting'?" Momo raised an eyebrow. "Weren't you supposed to train with Kazama?"

"Yeah, we trained together."

The silence that followed was telling. Mai closed her magazine completely, Momo put down her phone, and Mechamaru paid closer attention.

"And?" Mai pressed. "How was it? Is he as intimidating as he seems?"

Miwa thought for a moment, remembering their exchanges.

"Honestly... it wasn't what I expected," she admitted. "I mean, yeah, he's reserved and doesn't talk much, but it was good training. Though..." she paused, remembering how the session ended. "When I asked if we could train again, he turned me down."

"He turned you down?" Mai arched an eyebrow with interest. "What a surprise," she said with obvious sarcasm. "How?"

"Nothing dramatic," Miwa quickly clarified. "He just said I should train with a dummy or with you guys. That I'd make more progress that way."

"Typical," Momo muttered. "He doesn't like training with other people."

"And aside from the inevitable rejection?" Mai asked. "Is there anything else you can tell us about him?"

"I don't know, he didn't seem... bad," Miwa finished, feeling like her words didn't capture what she wanted to say. "He's quiet, sure, but when he did talk, he was... direct. Honest. And during training, I could tell he was holding back to make it more educational than brutal."

Mai frowned.

"Do you realize how weird that sounds coming from him? He's not exactly known for his... gentleness."

"What do you mean?"

"Miwa," Momo interjected. "Haven't you heard the rumors about him and his transfer?"

"What rumors?"

The three exchanged uncomfortable looks.

"Well..." Mai settled back in her seat. "We don't know all the details, but supposedly he was transferred from Tokyo because of... behavioral problems."

"Behavioral problems?"

"Violence," Mechamaru said bluntly. "Against a teammate."

Miwa blinked, processing the information.

"Violence? But he didn't... I mean, during training he was careful. Even when he disarmed me, he did it without hurting me."

"That's exactly what worries me," Mai said. "If the rumors are true and he's being 'careful' with you, what does that mean? That he's calculating something?"

"Or maybe the rumors are just exaggerated," Miwa countered. "People always make up stories about people they don't know well."

"Miwa-san," Mechamaru spoke up, more serious than usual. "I think you should be careful around him. If there's even a chance those rumors have some truth to them..."

"Be careful?" Kasumi looked at him. "Mechamaru, we trained for almost an hour. If he were dangerous, don't you think I would have noticed?"

"Violent people don't always show that side immediately," he insisted. "They can be calculating, waiting for the right moment."

"Calculating?" Miwa frowned. "That sounds like you're talking about a criminal, not a classmate."

"Maybe," Momo said. "But Mechamaru's right that you should be cautious. It's not like we're saying to completely avoid Kazama, but..."

"That's exactly what you're saying," she interrupted. "Look at yourselves. You're acting like he's some kind of dangerous criminal based on rumors you don't even know are true."

Mai sighed.

"We're not trying to be paranoid, Miwa. But we're worried about you, okay? Especially after everything you've been going through lately with... you know, the money problems and all that. We don't want someone taking advantage of that."

"And what does that have to do with anything?"

"Vulnerable people are easier targets," Mai explained. "If he knows about your situation..."

"He doesn't know anything about my situation," she lied, knowing that Reiji had overheard her conversation. "And besides, I'm not vulnerable. I'm a trained sorcerer."

"But you're grade three," Mechamaru pointed out. "He's grade two, potentially semi-first grade. There's a considerable power difference there."

Kasumi stood up, feeling frustrated.

"I can't believe we're having this conversation. We're talking about a classmate, not some psycho stalker."

"'Classmate'?" Mai repeated. "Do you think he's acted like one toward us? Because as far as I know, he barely speaks to us. That's not exactly 'classmate' behavior."

"Just... promise us you'll be careful," Momo said softly. "If anything feels weird or uncomfortable, you'll tell us, right?"

Miwa looked at all of them. She could see the genuine concern on their faces.

"Fine," she finally conceded. "I promise I'll be careful. But I also hope you guys will keep an open mind. Maybe Kazama isn't the person the rumors paint him to be."

"Maybe," Mai agreed, though her tone remained skeptical. "But rumors exist for a reason."

"Or maybe they exist because people need to find explanations for what they don't understand," Kasumi replied. "He's quiet and keeps his distance. That doesn't automatically make him dangerous."

The silence that followed was tense. Finally, Momo tried to lighten the mood.

"Well, let's change the subject. Anyone want to go shopping this weekend?"

But while her friends got distracted with other topics, Miwa couldn't stop thinking about the conversation. For some reason, the idea that Reiji was violent or dangerous just didn't fit with the person she'd met during training.

There was something about him, definitely. Sadness, maybe. A distance that seemed more protective than threatening. But dangerous... no. She hadn't felt that at all.

The next morning, Reiji woke before dawn, as was his habit. His weapon case sat beside his bed.

He prepared his breakfast on the small burner he was allowed in his room: plain rice, an egg, and green tea. He ate in silence, looking out the window toward the horizon.

While he ate, he couldn't help thinking about yesterday's training. It had been... different. It had been a long time since he'd trained with someone who showed such genuine interest in improving.

She'd also been persistent in a way that had surprised him. Not in an annoying way, but with a determination he recognized and respected.

But that was the problem.

Recognizing and respecting someone was the first step toward something more, and 'something more' was exactly what he couldn't afford. Last time it had ended with him threatening Daigo. The look in his teammates' eyes afterward, the disappointment, the fear... he couldn't go through that again.

People he got close to tended to get hurt. He wasn't going to add another name to that list.

Kasumi Miwa deserved better than the toxicity he inevitably brought to relationships. She had her own goals, her own family to protect. She didn't need the complications that came with really knowing him.

He put on his uniform, grabbed his case, and headed toward another day of keeping his distance.

It was best for everyone.

Later, at training, Reiji found his usual spot in a secluded corner. He spread out his mat and began his stretching routine.

From across the room, Miwa watched him while holding her katana and sheath with both hands, unsure whether to approach. She'd arrived early hoping to find him, but now that she saw him so focused on his routine, she wasn't sure how to proceed.

Mai approached from behind, noticing her friend's hesitation.

"Are you going to stand there the whole session?" she asked quietly. "Because if so, at least do it less obviously. You look like a stalker."

"I don't know what to do. I want to train with him but..."

"Maybe he just doesn't want company," Mai suggested. "You know, like yesterday when he practically ran away after training."

Kasumi frowned. "He didn't run away. He just had things to do."

"Miwa, just let it go. He politely rejected you. You don't have to keep making a fool of yourself by insisting."

"I'm not insisting," she protested, though her voice didn't sound very convincing. "I just want to train with someone who challenges me."

"You sound like a spoiled kid," Mai said with a mocking smile. "'But I want to train with him,' seriously?"

Miwa blushed, feeling embarrassed because Mai was right.

"You're right," she admitted with a sigh. "I should probably just leave..."

While Reiji organized his blades to start his training, he noticed out of the corner of his eye that Miwa had been watching him. He'd seen her arrive early, had noticed her hesitation, and now he saw her sigh and turn away with resignation.

His mind screamed at him to let her go, that it was best for both of them. Let her go. It's the smartest thing. The safest.

He was dangerous, couldn't afford to form bonds, people left or died or got hurt. Remember what happened with Murase. Remember why you're here and not in Tokyo. That was the reality he'd learned over and over again.

Don't get involved. Keep your distance. It's better for her, it's better for you.

But against all odds, against all logic and every instinct he'd developed, something in his chest tightened seeing the disappointment in her slumped shoulders.

Shit...

No...

Why does she have to look like that?

"Miwa-san."

Miwa stopped immediately and turned around, clear surprise in her eyes.

"Yes, Kazama-kun?"

For a moment, Reiji said nothing. Part of him still wanted to take it back, make up some excuse for calling her. But looking at her hopeful expression, the words came out before he could stop them.

"Want to train?"

The smile that spread across Miwa's face was immediate and bright, completely transforming her expression from disappointment.

"Yes!" she responded, maybe a little too enthusiastically, because she immediately blushed and added more calmly, "I mean, yes, I'd really like that."

Reiji nodded once, trying to ignore the strange feeling her happiness gave him. He pointed toward his area.

"Five minutes to warm up."

"Of course."

As he watched Miwa prepare, Reiji couldn't help feeling like he'd just made a terrible mistake and at the same time feeling like he'd just done something right.

The training was even better than the day before. Miwa incorporated some of the lessons from the previous day.

They left the training dojo together. Reiji tried to get ahead, but she caught up with quick steps.

She walked with her hands behind her back, nervously playing with her fingers. He walked with his case slung over his shoulder and his hands in his pockets, the relaxed posture of someone used to walking alone.

Miwa kept glancing at him as they walked back to the main building, a soft but persistent smile on her lips. He looked at her sideways, noticing her expectant expression. It was clear she wanted him to say something.

Reiji looked forward again, squinted slightly, puzzled by taking the initiative, and finally spoke.

"You improved."

Her smile grew wider for a second, and Kasumi had to make an effort not to seem too excited about the praise.

"Thank you."

"Nothing to thank me for..."

Their conversation was interrupted by Utahime's appearance.

"Kazama," the teacher said. "I have a mission for you. A grade 2 curse in Sendai. Do you feel ready after reinforcing the barriers in your hometown last week?"

Reiji kept his expression neutral. There it was, his lie, again.

"Yes, sensei. That didn't cost me anything. I'll complete the mission."

"Perfect. You'll leave early tomorrow morning. The details are in this file," she handed him a folder. "And good work with the barriers, by the way."

The fake reports were convincing, good, he thought.

Utahime walked away, leaving Reiji with Miwa, who looked at him with curiosity.

"Reinforcing barriers in your hometown?" she asked. "That must have been interesting. Now that I think about it, I noticed you were missing for a few days last week, but I didn't think much of it."

Reiji looked at her briefly before responding.

"Yeah, I took three days. It was... routine."

"And what's your town like?" Miwa continued, seeming genuinely interested. "Is it a nice place?"

"It's called Tōyō. Small," he answered curtly. "Mountainous. Quiet. Nothing special."

Kasumi nodded, apparently satisfied with the answer.

"Sounds nice. It must be relaxing to go home once in a while, especially after all the training and classes here."

Reiji just nodded, though the truth was completely different. Since what had happened with his family, that town brought him nothing but pain. Did he love it? Maybe. He had good memories, but they were all buried under tragedy.

"I need to prepare equipment for tomorrow," he said, abruptly changing the subject.

He picked up his pace, gradually leaving Miwa behind, who didn't lose her kind expression.

"Good luck on your mission!" Miwa called out as he walked away.

Reiji raised his hand in a farewell gesture without turning around.

As Reiji walked away, Miwa stood there for a few moments before heading toward the dorms.

Tomorrow he'd be on a mission and she'd be back to training alone.

For some reason, that prospect was more disappointing than it should have been.

Chapter Text

Kyoto Jujutsu High - Kyoto, 5:30 AM

Reiji's alarm went off at 5:30 AM, but he was already awake, staring at the ceiling of his room.

He put on his usual uniform, checked his equipment, and stored his blades. When he opened the door to leave, he nearly tripped over a small tray that had been carefully placed on the floor. On it sat a rice ball wrapped in clear plastic and a folded note.

Reiji picked up the tray and unfolded the paper. The handwriting was clearly feminine.

"Good luck on your mission!!"

At the bottom, there was a small doodle of someone giving a thumbs up with a smile. There was no doubt who it was from.

He stood motionless for a moment, looking at the note.

He stood motionless for a moment, looking at the note. He glanced at the perfectly wrapped rice ball, probably prepared the night before. How much time had Miwa spent making it? What time had she gotten up to leave it here without him hearing her?

Why does she go to such lengths? Why does she do this? Why does she want to be around him so much, both physically and... culinarily? It didn't make sense. He couldn't understand why someone would waste time on gestures like this with someone like him.

Reiji sighed and went back to his room, placing the rice ball on his desk without unwrapping it. He wasn't sure if he would eat it. He didn't know how to feel about it. The gesture made him as uncomfortable as it moved him, and the uncertainty bothered him.

Finally, he folded the note and left it next to the rice ball. He left his room, ready to head to the station.

Kyoto Jujutsu High - Kyoto, 7:34 AM

Kasumi woke up with a start, her heart pounding. She looked at her clock and realized she had slept longer than planned.

"I overslept...!" she mumbled, with a slight tone of disappointment. She sat up quickly. The idea had been to simply rest her eyes after leaving the tray at Reiji's door.

She had returned to her room around five in the morning and had thought she would just lie down for a few minutes to recover some energy before the day began.

But she had clearly succumbed to exhaustion.

I'm weak-minded too, she thought.

She quickly dressed in her uniform, running her hands through her hair to fix it as best she could. As she headed toward the door, she felt nervous and curious. Had Reiji seen the rice ball? What would he have thought?

She left her room and, although she tried to act naturally, she couldn't help but take a route that led her near the boys' wing. She walked slowly, pretending to check something on her phone while glancing toward the hallway where Reiji's room was.

The tray was gone.

Her heart skipped a beat with excitement. He had seen it! Reiji had picked up the rice ball and the note. An involuntary smile spread across her face as she imagined his reaction. Had he smiled when he read the note? Had he eaten the rice ball already?

Miwa continued on her way with a joy she couldn't completely explain. Where did this feeling come from? Why had she cooked for him? It had all started as an impulse the night before, after saying goodbye to Reiji. She had stayed awake, thinking about how lonely he always seemed.

She was certain that behind that mask of indifference he used to keep others at bay, there was hiding a good person who longed to form connections but who, for reasons she didn't fully understand, had convinced himself he didn't need them.

She had realized this during their shared training sessions, especially the day before. She had seen the faint glimmer of his real, authentic self, and however faint it was, it was very different from the facade he presented to the world.

"Miwa-san."

Utahime's voice pulled her from her thoughts.

"U-Utahime-sensei!" she said, turning around quickly. "Good morning."

"Good morning," Utahime observed her with a suspicious look. "May I ask what you're doing lurking around this part of the school? Your room is in the opposite wing."

Kasumi felt herself blush. "I... uh... I was... taking a different route to... to change things up."

"To change things up?"

"Yes, to... to get some extra exercise before training," Kasumi tried to sound convincing, but she knew she was failing miserably.

Utahime stared at her for another moment before sighing.

"Miwa, the rules about common areas and dormitories are established for a reason. If you're seen lurking around the boys' wing, your intentions could be misinterpreted, and that could bring problems for both you and other students. Please be more careful when 'changing up your route' in the future."

"Y-yes, sensei. I'm very sorry. It won't happen again," Kasumi bowed in embarrassment.

Train Station - Sendai, 4:07 PM

The train stopped, and Reiji got off along with the crowd of passengers returning from work.

Maeda Kiyohisa, the assistant assigned to the mission, was waiting for him near the exit.

"Kazama-kun," he greeted him with a bow. "The curse has been confirmed in the station's underground. It's Grade 2, as initially reported."

Reiji nodded.

"Let's go."

"Uh, well..." Kiyohisa scratched his neck nervously. "There's a problem. It's rush hour, and the area is full of civilians. Exorcising the curse right now could cause unnecessary disturbances, don't you think?"

Reiji closed his eyes. He was right. The amount of people would make an exorcism impossible.

"Couldn't you evacuate the station? Or why didn't you close the entrance before it opened? I just need some time to handle this."

"I..." he paused. "I forgot," he said with a nervous smile and a drop of sweat running down his forehead.

"...What?"

"Well, you see... I'm pretty new at this. To evacuate an entire station I would need direct authorization from headquarters. Since I forgot, the paperwork takes time and by the time headquarters notifies local authorities to carry out the evacuation, it would have already gotten dark," he paused, clearly embarrassed. "Besides, evacuating without a visible threat could generate unnecessary panic and... well, let's just say my supervisor isn't very happy with me since the last incident in Yokohama."

"Then I'll wait until dark," he said in a dry tone. "I'll stay nearby in case the curse decides to act."

"Well, that could be problematic too," Kiyohisa adjusted his bangs. "A uniformed student lurking around the station for hours would draw attention. Besides, so far, the curse doesn't usually activate during these hours of the day."

Reiji remained silent, clearly annoyed about having to wait.

"Why don't you take the opportunity to get to know the city?" he suggested with a forced smile. "Sendai has interesting places. I can send you a message when it's time to proceed."

"No. I must stay close to the mission area. Kiyohisa-san, it's a Grade 2 curse."

"Kazama-kun, I understand your dedication, but there's really nothing to do until nighttime. I know I might seem incompetent, but I would never allow anyone to get hurt. I assure you I'll contact you immediately if something unexpected arises."

Reiji observed the crowd moving around him, the noise, the typical chaos of rush hour. The idea of wandering aimlessly through an unfamiliar city wasn't appealing, but he also didn't feel like arguing with Kiyohisa.

"Fine," he conceded finally. "But keep me informed of any changes."

"Of course," the assistant seemed relieved. "See you later."

Reiji walked away without saying goodbye, disappearing into the crowd.

Sugisawa Municipal High School - Sendai, 5:23 PM

Reiji stopped in front of the main entrance of a high school, keeping his hands in his pockets. He observed the empty building. The doors were chained shut, there were broken windows, a destroyed wall, and a sign announced that the school would be closed for 'Safety repair and renovations.'

Safety renovations. What a convenient euphemism, he thought.

He knew perfectly well what had happened here. This was the place where Yuji Itadori, on a night that would change everything, had ingested a finger of Ryomen Sukuna, the King of Curses.

Reiji knew the story. Everyone in the sorcery world knew it. A high school student had managed to contain the King of Curses in his own body, becoming his vessel. The elders, including the principal of his school, Yoshinobu Gakuganji, had demanded his immediate execution.

And, as always, there was Gojo.

Always interfering, like with Okkotsu, though not as extreme. He had proposed that Itadori consume all of Sukuna's fingers and then be executed, thus eliminating both the vessel and the curse once and for all. A proposal that, in theory, made sense.

He looked toward the broken windows on the fourth floor.

What would I have done in that situation?

Reiji shook his head. There was no point in speculating about decisions he hadn't had to make. Each person reacts according to their own values, and Yuji Itadori had put his life at risk to protect a student he didn't even know. That willingness or desire to protect others beyond one's own well-being.

A willingness or desire that Reiji had lost long ago, if he had ever had it at all.

He turned around and walked away from the closed school. His stomach growled, reminding him that he hadn't eaten anything all day.

Kyoto Jujutsu High - Kyoto, 7:42 PM

"What if I accidentally get you wet? Would you short-circuit or something?" the light-blue-haired girl asked as they left the dojo.

"It doesn't work like that. It's not electricity, it's cursed energy," Mechamaru replied. "Though I prefer to avoid excessive humidity."

"Ah, that makes sense," Kasumi wiped the sweat from her forehead with a towel.

"Miwa-san... I must say you've improved."

"Really?" Kasumi's eyes lit up at her friend's recognition. "I've been practicing more since..."

Her phone began to ring, interrupting her abruptly. It was her brother.

"Kouta?" she answered quickly with a worried tone. "Is everything okay?"

"Oh, yeah... No, nothing's wrong," Kouta said. Kasumi's shoulders relaxed. "It's just that... well, there's someone here who hasn't stopped asking about you all day."

"Someone?" Kasumi sounded confused.

"Kasumi-nee!" shouted a childish voice in the background, followed by the sound of running footsteps.

Mechamaru understood this was an intimate and private moment, so he said goodbye with a gesture, which Miwa responded to with a grateful smile, and walked away quietly.

"Hiro!" Kasumi couldn't help but smile. "What are you doing awake at this hour?"

"I wanted to talk to you," replied her younger brother's voice, now closer to the phone. "Kouta-nii said I could call you if I finished all my homework."

"Oh, wait," Kouta interrupted. "Let's do a video call instead. I think you'll like to see something."

Kouta switched to video call and Kasumi's face lit up when she saw both her brothers on the screen.

"Kasumi-nee!" Hiro exclaimed, getting so close to the camera that his face filled the entire screen. "Look!"

The boy moved away and showed a sheet of paper, presumably a math test with a grade that read '98/100.'

"Ninety-eight! Hiro, that's incredible!"

"I only got one question wrong," the boy said proudly. "Kouta-nii helped me study."

"I'm proud of you... and of Kouta too, for taking such good care of you."

Kouta nodded, and Hiro came close to the camera again.

"Kasumi-nee, when are you coming home?"

"This weekend, Hiro. It's not much longer."

"Are you learning to get stronger?"

"Yes, something like that."

"Cool! When you come back, you'll be able to protect us like the protagonist of the anime Kouta is watching."

"Eh? How do you know that—"

Kasumi felt a lump in her throat. "I'll always protect you, Hiro. That's my promise."

"I know!" the boy exclaimed. "Kouta-nii says you're the best sister in the world."

"Hiro..." Kouta mumbled from behind, clearly embarrassed.

"He says that?" she asked with a small smile.

"Yes! He says you work very hard and that's why we can't be spoiled."

"Hiro, you don't have to repeat everything I say," Kouta interrupted, gently taking the phone from his younger brother.

"Hi again, Kasumi," Kouta said, now visible on the screen. "Sorry for calling so late. It's just that Hiro hasn't stopped talking about you all day, and when he finished his homework, he asked me to call you."

"Don't worry," she replied. "I like hearing from you both. How are you? How's school going?"

"Good. Much better, actually," Kouta admitted. "By the way, did anything happen with...?"

"The money?"

"Yeah."

"I still have it, nobody has come to claim it or ask me for something in return."

"It's just... I don't know, Kasumi. I know I already said this, but it sounds too good to be true."

"This weekend when I come home we'll talk about it, okay?"

"...All right."

Kasumi leaned against the hallway wall.

"How about you?" Kouta asked, changing the subject. "How are things at your high school? Are you still training a lot?"

"Yes, and lately I've been training with a new classmate," Kasumi replied. "Well, not new exactly, more like someone I started talking to recently."

"A classmate?" Kouta's voice sounded slightly suspicious. "Is he...?"

"It's just training, Kouta," she interrupted quickly. "He's helping me improve my technique. He's very skilled."

"Mm, okay," Kouta said, though his tone suggested he wasn't completely convinced. "Just... be careful, okay?"

"I always am."

A small silence stretched between them.

"Kasumi, I'd love to keep talking with you, but I think it's time for Hiro to go to bed."

"That's fine," Kasumi said. "Take care of yourselves, okay? And Hiro, keep it up at school, little genius."

"It's all thanks to Kouta-nii! And to you, nee-chan!"

"Hiro..." Kasumi murmured, feeling her eyes moisten.

"Time for bed!" Kouta interrupted, firmly taking the phone. "Kasumi, we'll talk tomorrow, okay?"

"Yes, take care."

"You too. And... thank you. For everything you do for us."

The call ended, and Kasumi stared at the black screen of her phone.

Station (Underground) - Sendai, 9:47 PM

Reiji received Kiyohisa's message and headed toward the underground entrance. The station had emptied considerably, and the stragglers and night workers who remained were discreetly evacuated.

"Kazama-kun," Kiyohisa greeted him, clearly nervous. "The curse manifested about twenty minutes ago."

"Good. Stay back," Reiji replied.

"Of course. Good luck."

Reiji went into the underground. The lighting was dim, probably due to the curse's presence.

The curse appeared at the end of the hallway.

It was irregular, like all curses. Thin and hunched, with disproportionately long limbs that almost touched the ground. It had skin black as asphalt, and on what seemed to be its head, there was a vertical crack that opened, emitting a whitish glow from within.

"Darkness... confinement... no way out..." the curse muttered. "Fear... panic... trapped forever..."

Reiji stopped, observing it with interest.

"You talk. Uncommon."

However, it didn't seem particularly intelligent. Rather, it just repeated concepts related to fear.

"Summon," he pronounced, and two blades appeared in his hands.

The curse moved first.

Its limbs whipped like lashes toward Reiji. The sorcerer slid to one side, his movements fluid and calculated. The curse's claws scraped the concrete where he had been standing a second before.

"Too slow."

The curse turned toward him, the crack in its head opening wider.

"Trapped... no escape... fear consumes you..."

Reiji didn't respond. Instead, he threw his first blade.

The weapon traveled through the air in a direct trajectory toward the curse's center. The creature raised one of its arms to block, but Reiji had already anticipated the maneuver.

He made a subtle gesture with his left hand. "Guided Cut." The blade changed direction mid-flight, curving to the left and cutting deeply into the curse's side.

The curse let out a scream and retreated several steps.

But Reiji was already moving. The second blade shot from his right hand, not toward the curse, but toward the wall. The creature, confused, followed the weapon's trajectory with its attention.

Mistake.

"Summon."

The first blade disappeared from the curse's side and instantly reappeared in Reiji's hand. Without losing a second, he launched forward and drove the blade into the creature's leg.

The curse staggered but counterattacked with a furious sweep of both arms. Reiji jumped back, avoiding by inches the claws that would have pierced his chest.

"Fear... fear..." the curse repeated. "You... you have no fear..."

"No," he replied. "I don't."

The curse launched at him again, once more with that savage initiative, with surprising speed. Its arms moved rapidly, one after another, creating a barrage of attacks that filled the tunnel's entire width.

Reiji ducked, dodging the first arm. He rolled to the left, avoiding the second. But the third caught him in the shoulder, sending him against the tunnel wall.

The impact was strong, but Reiji managed to land on his feet. A trickle of blood ran down the corner of his mouth.

"How... does it feel... the pain?" the curse muttered, renewed by having landed a hit.

The creature lunged toward him, all its limbs seeking to strike the same point where Reiji was cornered.

"Summon."

His second blade teleported from the wall directly into his left hand. In the same movement, he threw both blades simultaneously in a crossed pattern.

The curse raised its arms to block the blades. It succeeded, the blades bounced off.

However, Reiji had counterattacked directly. Running toward it.

"Summon."

Two more blades from his case teleported to his hands.

The curse, bewildered by the recent block, couldn't react when Reiji delivered an uppercut, driving one of his blades into the lower part of its head.

The sorcerer quickly composed himself and gave it a strong kick to the abdomen, sending it flying several meters backward.

It didn't end there. He took a running start and jumped, aiming to follow the curse from above. When he began to descend toward it, he pronounced:

"Summon."

A blade appeared in his free hand and he prepared to drive both into the curse's head, more precisely into the glowing crack, with a war cry.

However, the curse managed to cover itself with its arms. The blades embedded in both limbs, and Reiji also landed on them.

Howl of pain.

With a backward pull, Reiji removed his blades and jumped, propelling himself backward, taking distance again.

The curse slowly got up, its wounded arms dripping that black substance. The crack in its head pulsed more intensely, as if it were an exposed heart.

"Pain... real pain..." it muttered, and for the first time, its voice sounded different. "You... you cause more fear... than I do..."

The words sounded familiar to Reiji.

The crack in the curse's head began to expand, pulsing with denser cursed energy. As if the fear that inhabited it was now overflowing.

"Disappear..."

Reiji remained silent with the blades in hand. He stayed calm. The hit he had taken still hurt, but his eyes showed no annoyance.

The curse roared and charged with everything it had left. One last desperate attack, without technique or strategy.

"YOU MUST... DIE!!"

But Reiji had already read its entire movement pattern. He waited, measured, and at the exact instant, he slid to the left with a low step, spinning on his back foot to end up behind the curse.

In that same movement, he spun on his axis and propelled himself upward with force.

The two blades in his hands gleamed for an instant as they reflected the dim light of the tunnel. Reiji plunged them directly into the glowing crack that divided the curse's head.

The curse remained motionless, frozen in the air. Its arms fell, without strength.

A white light emerged from within, expanding in gentle waves, until it consumed it completely.

Reiji released the blades just in time to step back and watch as the curse's body slowly disintegrated in the air. Nothing remained. No trace.

Silence returned to the tunnel.

Reiji slowly stood up, wiping the blood from his mouth with the back of his hand.

Pain...? It feels like shit. But this isn't that bad.

His blades had fallen to the ground when the curse vanished. He picked them up, along with the ones scattered around.

"Grade 2..." he muttered to himself, looking at the empty space where the curse had been. "Overrated."

Reiji cleaned his blades and put them away. He headed toward the exit, where Kiyohisa was waiting with a relieved expression.

"Finished already?" the assistant asked.

"Yeah. It was less threatening than it seemed," Reiji replied. "The report can be sent tomorrow."

"Perfect. You're a real prodigy, you know that, right?"

"It's not that big a deal."

"Not that big a deal?" Kiyohisa looked at him with disbelief. "Kazama-kun, you just exorcised a Grade 2 curse in less than half an hour. Alone. And you don't even look tired."

"I just did what I had to do. Nothing more."

Kiyohisa smiled, relaxed.

"Well, if you don't need any more help, we can leave."

Reiji headed toward the underground exit, followed by Kiyohisa. Once on the surface, Sendai's night air felt refreshing after the heavy atmosphere of the tunnel.

"It was a pleasure meeting you, Kazama-kun," Kiyohisa said, making a respectful bow. "I hope we can work together in the future."

Reiji responded with the same gesture and said goodbye.

While walking, Reiji took out his phone and wrote a message:

"Utahime-sensei. Mission completed. Grade 2 curse exorcised without complications. Returning soon. - R.K"

He sent the message and put his phone away.

Kyoto Jujutsu High - Kyoto, 4:12 AM

Reiji entered the school and it was as if a weight of sleepiness had fallen on him. He sighed and kept walking.

All he wanted was to get to his room and sleep. The mission had been simple, but the return trip from Sendai had been long and tedious. His eyelids were heavy and each step brought him closer to the rest he so desperately needed.

As he passed by the hallway that led to the dining hall, a dim light caught his attention. He frowned, puzzled that someone would be awake at this hour.

He approached cautiously and saw Kasumi Miwa in front of the open refrigerator. She was wearing a light blue t-shirt and pajama pants. Her hair was slightly disheveled from sleep.

Kasumi seemed to be looking for something inside the refrigerator, moving some containers with evident frustration.

"Miwa-san?" Reiji said from the dining hall entrance.

Kasumi startled, slamming the refrigerator shut and turning quickly toward him.

"Kazama-kun!" she exclaimed, putting a hand to her chest. "You scared me... Are you back from your mission already?"

"Yeah."

Kasumi blushed visibly, adjusting her clothes nervously.

"I... uh... I was hungry and had left some edamame in the fridge, but it looks like someone already ate it," she explained, avoiding his gaze. "Probably Momo or Mai... you know how they are."

Actually, I don't have the slightest idea, he thought.

Reiji observed her with confusion. He didn't understand why she looked so embarrassed about something as simple as looking for food.

"Don't you have food in your room?"

"Ah..." Kasumi scratched her neck awkwardly. "I forgot to go grocery shopping this week. And you know, with training and everything... it completely slipped my mind."

Reiji remained silent for a moment, observing Kasumi's embarrassed expression. Internally, he knew he was about to make a decision that probably wasn't the smartest. But he saw her there, in her pajamas, hungry, and something inside him stirred.

What a terrible decision I'm about to make, he thought.

"I have food in my room," he said finally. "If you want, you can come with me. I can give you something."

Kasumi's eyes lit up.

"Really? You wouldn't mind?"

"No."

Kasumi accepted with a smile, though as they walked toward the boys' wing, her thoughts began to race.

A boy just asked me to come to his room... What am I thinking?! No, no, no. It's just food. It's Kazama-kun. He's not... he's not thinking about anything weird. Stop thinking like Mai Zenin, Kasumi Miwa!

She mentally scolded herself for letting her mind wander into territories that clearly had nothing to do with the situation.

They arrived at Reiji's room. He took out his key and opened the door, entering first.

"What do you want?" he asked from inside. "I have instant ramen, some cold curry, or I can make you a sandwich... nothing too elaborate, but it's quick."

Kasumi stayed in the doorway, not entering.

"Um... a sandwich is fine," she replied. "I don't want to cause you any trouble."

"It's no trouble."

Reiji quickly made a chicken sandwich, toasting the bread first. He placed it on a small plate and approached to offer it to her.

They stood there for a moment, her holding the plate, him watching her.

"Can I... can I come in to eat it here?" she asked suddenly, feeling the words come out before she could stop them. "It's just that... this way I don't have to bother you later to return your plate."

Reiji looked at her for a moment.

"Sure," he said, shrugging, not giving it much importance.

Kasumi entered the room and sat on the floor next to Reiji's small table, placing the plate on the surface.

"Thanks."

Reiji went to the refrigerator to look for something for himself. As he opened it, Kasumi bit into the sandwich and glanced around. Her eyes settled on the desk.

There was the rice ball she had prepared for him, untouched on the desk next to the folded note.

"Wow... I thought you had eaten it," she said softly, unable to keep the disappointment from her voice.

Reiji froze with the refrigerator door open. He slowly turned to look at her, following her gaze to the desk. His eyes settled on the wrapped rice ball he had left there that morning.

"I..." he began, closing the refrigerator. "I'm so sorry, Miwa-san."

"No, no," she replied quickly, forcing a smile. "It's fine, it's okay. I understand that maybe you weren't hungry or..."

"No," he interrupted firmly. "That's not it. It's not your fault."

Reiji walked to the desk and picked up the rice ball, holding it in his hands as he sat across from her at the small table.

"I'm the problem," he continued, looking at the wrapped rice ball. "I really appreciate your concern, I truly do. It's just that..." he paused, as if he were searching for the right words. "I'm not used to someone caring about me this way. When I found it this morning, I didn't know what to do with it. I felt... uncomfortable, I guess. Not because it was something bad, but because I don't know how to respond to kindness."

His words came out more honest than he had planned.

"But I don't want you to think I don't value it," he added. "I do value it. A lot."

Without saying more, Reiji carefully unwrapped the rice ball and took a bite.

His eyes struggled to maintain a neutral expression while he chewed. The taste was... confusing. It definitely wasn't salt that Kasumi had used. It was sweet, but not in a way that worked with the filling. It seemed like she had confused salt with sugar.

It wasn't horrible, but you couldn't say it was good either.

"How is it?" Kasumi asked expectantly, watching his expression attentively.

Reiji swallowed and looked directly into her eyes.

"It's delicious," he lied without blinking.

Kasumi's eyes lit up with relief.

"Oh, that's great!" she exclaimed. "My brothers always told me I was a horrible cook, but I was confident they just didn't have a good palate for food, unlike you."

Reiji took another bite, maintaining his calm expression while internally wondering how something as simple as rice could taste so strange. But seeing Kasumi's genuine smile, he decided it was worth the sacrifice.

"How was the mission?" she asked after a moment.

"Routine. Grade 2 in the Sendai station underground. Nothing out of the ordinary," he replied concisely. "Though the assigned assistant had forgotten to evacuate the area during the day."

"He forgot?" Kasumi raised an eyebrow.

"Apparently he was new," Reiji shrugged. "I had to wait until night to proceed."

Kasumi nodded, taking another bite of her sandwich. There was a moment of comfortable silence before she spoke again.

"Do you know when the first time I saw you was?"

Reiji looked up, considering the question.

"The first day after I transferred?"

Kasumi shook her head, a mysterious smile playing on her lips.

"No. I remembered recently," she paused. "It was last year, during the Night Parade."

The Night Parade. When Suguru Geto had attacked both Kyoto and Tokyo with his curses as a distraction to achieve his main objective: stealing Rika Orimoto from Yuta Okkotsu. That night had been chaotic.

"Ah, right," he nodded. "They sent me, Hakari, and Nanami-san to help in Kyoto."

"Of course, I had no idea who you were. I just remember seeing this unknown first-year student... and then, I don't know, I lost sight of you in all the chaos."

They continued talking in low voices. Though more than a conversation, it was Miwa asking and Reiji answering. They shared details from that night, from training sessions, from small anecdotes.

Finally, Kasumi looked at the clock on the wall and realized the time.

"I should go," she murmured, standing up. "You must be tired."

"And you have to get up early tomorrow," he said, standing up as well.

Kasumi headed toward the door but stopped with her hand on the doorknob.

"Thank you," she said softly. "For the food. And for... well, for letting me stay."

"It was nothing."

"It was something to me," she replied, and gave him a warm smile before opening the door. "Sleep well, Kazama-kun."

"Sleep well, Miwa-san."

The door closed with a soft click, and Reiji was left alone in his room. And in that moment, he felt his face heat up slightly, thinking about that smile.

He shook his head. He picked up the plates from the table, ready to wash them before sleeping.

Chapter Text

Saturday arrived. Miwa woke up early with a smile. Today she would go see her brothers, just like she'd promised Hiro during their video call, to spend the weekend with them.

As she packed some things in her backpack, she remembered the money she still had saved. For the first time in a long while, she'd actually be able to buy something special for Kouta and Hiro. The feeling of being able to do that filled her with happiness.

She headed to the dining hall for breakfast and found Reiji finishing his coffee in silence. When he saw her, he glanced up slightly. His friends weren't around yet—probably taking advantage of Saturday to keep sleeping.

"Good morning, Kazama-kun," Miwa greeted him.

"Good morning."

"Got any plans today?"

He shook his head, turning his attention back to his cup. It wasn't unusual for him to spend weekends alone—honestly, he couldn't remember the last time he'd spent one with anyone else.

"I'm going home this weekend," Kasumi began, unable to hide her excitement.

"Ah," Reiji nodded without showing much interest. "Sounds good."

"Right? I promised Hiro I'd go. But first..." She hesitated for a moment. "I'm going to the mall to buy them some stuff. Now that I have extra money, I want to get them what they need."

Reiji watched her quietly. It was... nice hearing her talk about her brothers, for some reason.

"Going alone?" he asked, almost without realizing the words had come out of his mouth.

Kasumi blinked, surprised by the question.

"Yeah, I was planning to go alone. Why?"

"Nothing."

"Come on, tell me."

"It's not important."

"Oh, come on! Now you've got me curious. You asked for a reason."

Reiji stayed quiet for a moment.

"I... was going to tell you that..." he hesitated. "I thought... maybe you might need help. With the bags," he finally mumbled, avoiding her gaze.

A pause. Then he added:

"I could come with you."

A smile spread across Miwa's face again. Reiji had to look away.

"... but..."

"Really?" she interrupted. "That would be great! Though... wouldn't you get bored shopping with me?"

"No... not at all."

"That's really thoughtful of you, Kazama-kun," she said gratefully. "Should we meet at the entrance in half an hour then?"

"Sounds good."

She quickly finished her breakfast and headed off to get ready, leaving Reiji alone with his thoughts.

It's just to help her with the bags, he told himself, though he knew it was an excuse.

The truth was he wanted to spend time with her.

The mall was moderately busy for a Saturday morning. Miwa walked ahead while Reiji followed at a respectful distance.

Their first stop was at a school uniform store.

"Kouta needs a new uniform," Kasumi explained as she checked the sizes. "The one he has is really worn out, and some of his classmates..." Her voice faded slightly. "Well, you know how kids can be."

Reiji watched as Kasumi carefully chose the best uniform within a reasonable price range, making sure it was good quality.

"How old is he?" Reiji asked.

"Fourteen. He's in his second year of middle school," she replied, holding a shirt up to the light to check the fabric. "He's a good kid, really responsible. Sometimes he acts like he's the oldest, trying to protect me and Hiro."

Reiji kept his expression calm, but he recognized that weight, that premature responsibility.

After buying the uniform, they headed to a bookstore. Kasumi meticulously searched for the books Hiro would need for the next semester.

"He's really smart," she commented while comparing prices. "Always gets good grades. On his last test he got a 98 out of 100 in math, you know?"

"Sounds dedicated for his age."

"He is. They both are," she said, looking at the cover of one of the books. "Kouta helps him study. I can't because... well, I'm kind of dumb, as you probably know."

"...That's not true."

"Oh yes it is, trust me. I'm terrible at studying," she laughed softly. "My GPA is a seven."

"That's not so bad," he replied, remembering his senpai's whopping GPA of TWO.

"What about yours, Kazama-kun? I bet you've always been an excellent student."

"Nine, usually."

"Of course. I'm not surprised."

"It's not that big a deal."

Kasumi smiled as she picked another book from the shelf.

"Anyway," she continued, returning to the previous topic. "I want to make sure they have everything they need. Their future is important and I don't want it to be limited by... by our situation."

Reiji noticed the change in her tone—there was guilt there.

"You're doing fine," he said quietly. "You don't need to feel guilty."

She looked at him surprised, as if she hadn't expected that kind of comment from him.

"You think so?"

"Yes."

After the books, Miwa went to the toys and gifts section. For Kouta she chose a figure of the main character from his favorite anime, something he'd mentioned a few weeks ago. For Hiro, she bought a drawing notebook and a set of pencils.

"I hope they like them," she murmured as she paid.

Leaving the store, Reiji automatically took the heavier bags without saying a word. Miwa protested at first, but he simply carried them and started walking.

"Thank you," she said softly.

"Nothing to thank me for," he said, not looking away from ahead.

They walked in silence for a few minutes before Kasumi broke the quiet.

"What will you do the rest of the weekend?" she asked.

"Train, probably. Read. Handle some mission if I get assigned one."

"Are you always alone on weekends?"

Reiji shrugged.

"I like the quiet."

"Mm... I get it," she murmured, though she didn't sound very convinced.

They reached the point where their paths separated. Kasumi stopped and turned toward him.

"Well, I can go alone from here," she said, reaching out for the bags. "Thanks for coming with me, Kazama-kun. It really... means a lot that you spent your time coming with me."

Reiji handed her the bags. For a moment, he considered offering to walk her all the way home, but he held back. He'd already crossed enough lines for one day.

"Have a good weekend," he said instead.

"You too!" Kasumi replied, flashing that smile again. "See you Monday."

Reiji watched her walk away, loaded down with bags but with a light, happy step. He stayed there until he lost sight of her in the crowd.

He began his walk back to the prep school. He tried not to think about how strangely useful he'd felt helping her carry the bags, or how nice it had been to have company.

He was so lost in his thoughts that he'd already arrived at school, ready to go in before a voice stopped him.

"Kazama-kun."

Reiji knew that voice. Was he in trouble?

Chapter Text

The voice that stopped him was unmistakable, though it was the first time it had been directed specifically at him with that tone.

"Kazama-kun."

Reiji turned around slowly. Iori Utahime was standing a few meters away, arms crossed and wearing an expression that looked anything but pleased. Something much worse than her usual exasperation.

She was pissed.

"Sensei," he murmured.

"My office. Now."

He had no other choice.

The walk to Utahime's office felt like he was heading straight to his execution.

Once inside, Utahime slammed the door shut and walked to her desk without inviting him to sit.

"Do you know why you're here?" she asked, trying to control her voice.

Reiji remained standing, hands at his sides. "I have no idea, sensei," he said simply—he wasn't about to rat himself out.

"You have no idea?" Obviously she didn't buy it. "How long are you going to keep playing dumb?"

Reiji stayed silent, not breaking eye contact with his teacher.

"I called the contact in your hometown to verify the barrier situation. You know what they told me?"

Shit, Reiji cursed internally but kept his expression neutral.

"That the barriers haven't needed maintenance or reinforcement in a very long time." Utahime leaned forward. "And here's the most interesting part: the Kazama family's son hasn't set foot in that town since he was a kid."

The silence stretched again.

"Well? Got anything to say?" she demanded.

He considered his options. He could lie again, make up some excuse. He could stay silent. But looking at his teacher's expression, he realized that anything he said would only make things worse.

"No, sensei."

"No? That's it?" Utahime shot up from her chair, sending it rolling backward. "You lied straight to my face, Kazama-kun. You not only violated school rules, but you put the trust I placed in you at risk."

"I know."

"You know?" her voice rose. "Then explain to me why a student who was transferred from Tokyo, who has a problematic history, decides it's a good idea to lie to his new teacher and disappear for four days. What the HELL were you actually doing?"

Reiji kept his gaze fixed on some point behind Utahime. He couldn't tell her about Hakari. The guy had given him work and money without asking questions, had trusted him. He wasn't going to betray him now. It wasn't Hakari's fault that he, Reiji, had wanted to play the generous guy. And he definitely couldn't mention the thing with Miwa.

"Sensei, I..." he began, searching for words that wouldn't bury him deeper. "I didn't want to cause trouble. I just needed to... handle something personal."

Utahime looked at him, clearly incredulous.

"Handle something personal? That's all you have to say?" her tone was cutting, and Reiji could feel the frustration radiating from her. "Do you think I'm stupid, Kazama-kun? Do you think I don't notice when a student blatantly lies to me?"

Reiji clenched his fists at his sides but didn't respond. He knew any excuse would sound hollow. Utahime took a step toward him.

"Listen carefully, Kazama," she said, lowering her voice but sounding just as angry. "You're a sorcerer with potential, but that means nothing if I can't trust you, let alone your classmates, who you barely talk to. You lied, you put your position here at risk, and worst of all, you don't even have the guts to tell me the truth. Do you think this is a game? That you can do whatever you want without consequences?"

Even if I wanted to tell her, she wouldn't understand either...

Reiji looked up for a moment, meeting Utahime's eyes. There was disappointment in them, and that, more than her anger, hit him harder than he expected. But he said nothing. He couldn't.

Utahime sighed, running a hand over her face before continuing.

"Fine. If you want to play mysterious, then you can deal with the consequences. I'm putting you under supervision—no permission to go out alone, no solo missions, nothing."

Reiji nodded without surprise. It was fair.

"And furthermore," she added, with an even more severe tone, "I'll probably have to report this to Principal Gakuganji. And trust me, Kazama-kun, he won't be as understanding as I am."

Of course not. Gakuganji was a conservative, someone who valued order and rules above all else. He hated anything that smelled like insubordination.

"I understand, sensei."

"Do you? Because now it's impossible for me to know when you're lying or when you're being honest."

Reiji stayed quiet and just lowered his head.

"Get out of my office, Kazama." she said, pointing toward the door. "And please, reflect on this."

Reiji didn't move immediately. For an instant, he wanted to say something, anything that might ease the tension, but there were no words that could fix this. Finally, he nodded, turned around, and left in silence, closing the door softly behind him.

Utahime sighed. She didn't like being this way, but she had to do it.

He walked through the hallways, feeling the weight of what had just happened. Supervision. A possible conversation with the principal. His 'delicate situation' was now even more precarious.

Maybe it was for the best. Maybe it was what a 'student transferred from Tokyo who has a problematic history' deserved, in his teacher's words.

Fine, he thought, with resignation. It's what I deserve.

It was only a matter of time before they expelled him, before his past caught up with him once again. And it was more proof of the truth that was already tacit for him. He was still the same person, the same piece of trash. Part of him wondered how much longer he could keep carrying the weight of his decisions.

At least he had managed to help Miwa before everything went to hell.

Miwa was humming softly as she climbed the stairs of the apartment building. She still had the bags hanging from her arms. Her brothers were going to be happy.

She opened the apartment door with her key and immediately heard the sound of laughter coming from the living room.

"Kasumi-nee!" Hiro ran toward her and before she could realize it, his small arms were already wrapped around her waist. "I thought you'd be back later!"

"Hiro!" Kasumi exclaimed, dropping the bags to the floor to hug him tightly. "I missed you so much, little Einstein."

Kouta, her 14-year-old brother, appeared from the kitchen, drying his hands with a towel.

"Welcome home," the teenager said.

"You're so tall, Kouta."

"You always say that," he said, scratching his earlobe, a bit shy.

"Because it's true—soon you'll be taller than me and make me feel like a dwarf," Kasumi joked, winking at him.

Hiro pulled away from her and noticed the bags on the floor. Kasumi took the opportunity to take off her shoes and leave them at the entrance.

"What's in the bags, nee-chan?" he asked, crouching down to investigate.

"Ah, no!" Kasumi laughed, gently moving his little hands away. "They're surprises for you guys."

"Surprises?" Kouta asked curiously. "Where'd you get money for surprises?"

"From the extra money I found, of course," she replied, heading toward the couch. "Come on, sit down."

Both brothers settled on the couch, expectant—even Kouta. Miwa pulled out the first bag.

"For Kouta..." she took out the new school uniform, carefully folded. "Your uniform was really worn out, so I thought it was time for a new one."

Kouta's eyes widened. He took the uniform with trembling hands, feeling the new, soft fabric.

"Kasumi... this must have cost a lot," he murmured.

"Don't worry about that," she told him firmly. "Try it on later and let me know if it fits."

"Nee-san... I... than—"

"Wait!" she interrupted him. "There's still something else."

"Huh?"

Kasumi reached into the same bag and pulled out a rectangular box. On the cover, you could clearly see the figure of a white-haired young man with an eyepatch.

"Is that Kaneki?!" Kouta shouted, sounding like the character's number one fan. "Did you really buy a Tokyo Ghoul figure?!"

"I'm glad you like it," she smiled, handing him the box.

Kouta took the box like it was treasure.

"Kasumi... I... I don't know what to say. I never thought that..." his facade of being a mature, responsible teenager cracked for a moment. "Thank you, nee-san. Really."

"What about me?!" Hiro exclaimed, looking expectant. "Is there something for me too?!"

"For you, Hiro..." she took out the textbooks, the drawing notebook, and the set of pencils. "To help you with your studies and so you can draw whatever you want."

"Waaaah!" Hiro said, his eyes shining like two stars. "For drawing!"

He launched himself at Kasumi with such force that he almost knocked her off the couch, hugging her with the intensity that only a nine-year-old can have.

"Nee-chan, you're the best sister in the whole world!" he exclaimed, burying his face in her shoulder. "I'm going to draw so many things! And I'm going to study to get the best grades!"

"If it weren't for me, you wouldn't even study," Kouta muttered, looking away.

"Shut up!" Hiro threatened to throw the pencils at his head.

Kasumi laughed, feeling her heart fill with warmth as she stroked his hair.

"Hey..." Kouta said after a moment, with a smile. "How have things been at prep school? You seem more... I don't know, more cheerful lately."

Kasumi tilted her head, thoughtful.

"Does it really show?"

"Yeah!" Hiro exclaimed. "In the video call the other day you looked super happy. And now too."

"That's because I'm happy to see you guys but... yeah, I guess things have been... better," Kasumi admitted. "I've been training more, and that makes me feel like I'm improving."

"Oh, right," Kouta straightened up, remembering. "You mentioned you had a new training partner. What's his name?"

"Reiji Kazama."

"Reiji?" Hiro tilted his head curiously, with clear interest in the boy's name. "Is he nice to you, nee-chan?"

Kasumi smiled softly as she organized everything on the table.

"When they transferred him... I barely noticed him," she said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "Always quiet and in his own world. I never saw him as someone bad, just... distant?"

She thought for a second before continuing.

"But when we trained together for the first time, I realized he wasn't like that. He was patient, even... considerate. And since then he's been different."

She remembered the onigiri and the moment in Kazama's room, but decided to keep that moment just for herself.

"Is he strong?" Kouta asked, interested.

"Very strong," Kasumi replied, her eyes shining with admiration. "He has an innate technique and it's incredible. He can control blades without touching them and teleport them to his hands, among other things. And he's very smart in combat."

"That's so cool!" Hiro said. "Is he your age?"

"Yeah, he's in my same year. But..." Kasumi paused. "Sometimes he seems very lonely. Like he intentionally keeps everyone at a distance."

"Why would he do that?" Kouta asked, frowning.

"I don't know exactly. I think... maybe he's been through difficult things. I haven't asked him so I wouldn't make him uncomfortable, but it's a little theory I have," she said, though it was actually based vaguely on the rumors about his transfer. "But today he came with me to buy your gifts, so maybe he's starting to trust more."

"Really?" Hiro's eyes widened. "That was very nice of him!"

Kasumi nodded. "Yeah, it was. I wasn't expecting it, to be honest. He said it was to help me with the bags, but... I don't know, it felt like he really wanted to be there. He was very considerate, and we even talked a little while we went from store to store. He made me feel... comfortable."

She omitted the detail about how good it felt when he said she was doing a good job taking care of them. It was too comforting.

Kouta observed his older sister, noticing something different in the way she talked about this classmate.

"He sounds like a good person," Kouta commented.

"He is," Kasumi nodded with conviction. "At least, I think he is. There's something about him that makes me think that behind all that distance, there's... I don't know, something more."

Hiro, who had been listening attentively, opened his mouth to ask a question.

"Nee-chan, do you li—"

Before he could finish the question, Kouta lunged forward and covered his mouth.

"Hiro," he hissed, clearly uncomfortable.

Hiro protested against his brother's hand, but Kouta didn't give in.

"You don't need... we don't need," he corrected himself, "to know... that," he mumbled, avoiding Kasumi's gaze.

Kasumi, completely oblivious, continued organizing the gifts. Kouta removed his hand and Hiro opened his mouth and stuck out his tongue, completely disgusted.

"Ew! It tastes like dish soap," the little one complained.

"Sorry," the older one said, scratching his neck and then patting the younger one's head.

Kasumi stood up, stretched, and smiled.

"Well, now that you're both happy, I'm going to make lunch and..."

"NO!" both shouted in unison, with expressions of genuine terror.

Kasumi blinked, confused.

"What's wrong? I was just going to..."

"Nee-san!" Kouta quickly stepped between her and the kitchen. "You... you must be tired from walking around with the bags, right? You should rest instead. I'll take care of the food."

"But Kouta, it'll just be something simple—"

"Exactly!" Hiro chimed in, nodding. "Let us spoil you for once! You always work so hard."

Kasumi looked back and forth between them, noticing the nervous smiles on their faces.

"Are you sure it's not because you think I cook badly?"

"Not at all!" Kouta lied. "It's just that... we want to... uh... return the favor for the gifts."

"Yeah!" Hiro agreed. "It's our way of thanking you!"

Kasumi narrowed her eyes, looking at them suspiciously.

"Hmm..." she stood up slowly. "Okay, but only because you're insisting so much."

Both brothers sighed in relief.

"Perfect," Kouta said quickly. "Then go rest while I prepare everything."

Kouta threw himself into the kitchen.

"Kouta-nii cooks really well," Hiro mentioned.

"Really? But not better than me, right?"

"...Of course, nee-chan."

Back at Kyoto Jujutsu High...

Utahime was back in her office, alone again. She leaned back in her chair and thought about the confrontation with Reiji.

She knew she had been hard on him. Maybe too hard. But the lies, the disappearance... all of that wasn't normal. Despite his problematic history, she had come to know him well enough to know he wasn't malicious. Distant, yes. Reserved, definitely. But he wasn't a bad person.

At least that's what she thought.

Utahime sighed and rubbed her temples. There was something more behind all this, something Reiji wasn't willing to share.

"What's going on with you, Kazama-kun?" she murmured to the emptiness of her office.

As a teacher, she cared about all her students. And she knew that Reiji Kazama, with all his facade of indifference, was just a boy who clearly carried something heavy.

Maybe it had been a mistake to threaten him with Gakuganji. The principal wouldn't be understanding, and Reiji already had enough problems.

Utahime closed her eyes.

This was definitely an issue she needed to resolve as soon as possible.

Supervision...

Chapter Text

Sunday started early for Kasumi Miwa. Used to her routine at prep school, she was already awake by the time sunlight streamed through the windows.

She slipped out of her room quietly to avoid waking her brothers. She stopped first at Hiro's room, watching the nine-year-old sleep with such a peaceful expression on his face. Then she went to Kouta's room, where he was snoring softly with his new uniform hanging carefully on a chair next to his bed.

A warm smile spread across Kasumi's face. Moments like these made everything worth it.

In the kitchen, she prepared a simple breakfast: tea and toast with cheese. While waiting for the water to boil, her phone buzzed with a message.

⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯

Mai: Good morninggg!

Mai: How's everything over there?

Kasumi: Maaaiii!!

Kasumi: Good morning ^-^!

Kasumi: Everything's good, making breakfast for my brothers.

Kasumi: You?

Mai: Bored. School's way too quiet on Sundays

Kasumi: Haha, enjoy the peace while you can.

Mai: True, tomorrow I have to deal with everyone again

Mai: Did you see the photos Momo posted yesterday?

Kasumi: Yeah!

Kasumi: She looked super cute in that new dress

Kasumi: Made me a little jealous lol

Mai: Me too! Where do you think she got something like that?

Kasumi: Next time I see her I'll ask

Mai: Good idea!

Mai: How are your brothers doing?

Kasumi: Good!

Kasumi: Kouta's trying to act all serious but I think he's excited about wearing his new uniform.

Kasumi: And Hiro won't stop drawing

Kasumi: Oh, and Kouta's determined not to let me cook and do it himself. Maybe he found his calling.

Mai: Aww that's so sweet

Mai: I bet Kouta cooks better than me

Kasumi: Lol, probably.

Kasumi: He made an amazing dinner yesterday

Mai: So jealous

Mai: I guess that's what happens when you have a sister who's a terrible cook.

Kasumi: Hey!!

Mai: I had to survive on instant ramen 'u.u

Kasumi: When you come visit me I'll ask him to cook for us

Mai: Deal!

Mai: Oh

Mai: I almost forgot

Mai: Remember that cafe I told you about last week?

Kasumi: The one with the cat-shaped pastries?

Mai: Exactly

Mai: I went yesterday

Mai: They're even cuter in person

Mai: But they're super expensive

Kasumi: Aww

Kasumi: When we have a bit more money we can go together

Kasumi: With Momo

Mai: Yes! Our girls' date

Mai: By the way... looks like Kazama's in trouble

⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯

Miwa was surprised and felt a bit worried.

⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯

Kasumi: Kazama? In trouble?

Kasumi: Why do you say that?

Mai: I don't know the details, but Utahime-sensei has been especially cranky

Mai: Since yesterday.

Mai: I heard through the grapevine that it has something to do with him

⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯

Kasumi's fingers hovered over the keyboard. She remembered how kind Reiji had been the day before, walking with her while shopping, carrying her bags.

What could have happened?

She considered sending him a message, but realized she didn't even have his number.

⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯

Kasumi: Do you have his number or email?

Mai: Huh

Mai: Kazama's?

Mai: No

Mai: But I can ask the others if you want.

Mai: Though...

Mai: Miwa

Mai: You shouldn't get involved in his business

Mai: It might annoy him, you know?

Mai: Or worse

Mai: You could get dragged into whatever he did.

Kasumi: I just wanted to make sure he's okay.

Mai: You're too nice

Mai: Seriously, way too nice.

Mai: Be careful.

⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯

The rest of Sunday passed in a pleasant family routine. All three had breakfast together. Then Kouta prepared lunch and proved to be an excellent cook. Hiro spent the afternoon drawing, proudly showing each creation to his big sister. In the evening, before Kasumi had to leave, they watched a movie together.

When it was time to go, Kasumi hugged each of them at the door.

"I promise I'll be back next weekend," she said, running her fingers through Hiro's hair. "And if anything happens, anything at all, don't hesitate to call me, okay?"

"Don't worry, nee-san," Kouta replied. "I'll take care of Hiro."

"I can take care of myself!" the younger boy protested, puffing out his cheeks.

Miwa laughed softly and gave them one last hug before heading back to prep school.

The prep school was wrapped in Sunday night silence when Miwa arrived. As she walked toward the dorms, a familiar figure caught her attention.

Reiji Kazama was standing there, looking up at the night sky with his hands in his pockets. He seemed lost in thought and hadn't seen her yet.

"Kazama-kun!" Kasumi called out, approaching with a smile.

He startled slightly, turning toward her. For a moment, something crossed his face before returning to his usual expression.

"Miwa-san," he responded with a simple nod.

"Is everything okay?" she asked, noticing the tension in him.

"I'm fine," he replied, more curtly than usual, even for him.

Kasumi wanted to ask more, but something about him warned her this wasn't the time to push. She nodded gently.

"Well, if you need anything..."

"I'm fine," he repeated, and with a slight bow of his head, he headed toward the boys' dormitory.

Kasumi watched him leave and, yeah, she was officially worried about him.

Monday morning arrived with a surprise. Miwa had barely made it to breakfast when Momo approached her.

"Utahime-sensei wants to see you in her office," her friend informed her. "Right now."

Confused and a bit nervous, Kasumi headed to her teacher's office. Had she done something wrong? She couldn't think of anything.

She knocked softly on the door.

"Come in."

Utahime was sitting behind her desk with a serious expression.

"Have a seat, Miwa," she indicated, pointing to the chair in front of her.

Kasumi obeyed. Her hands clasped in her lap showed her nervousness.

"You're not in trouble," Utahime began, noticing her anxiety. "I called you here because I need to ask you a favor. It's about Kazama."

Kasumi relaxed knowing she hadn't done anything wrong, but now she was worried.

"What happened with him, sensei?"

Utahime sighed deeply.

"Kazama lied about his absence last week. He didn't go to reinforce barriers in his hometown like he said. He was absent for personal reasons he refuses to reveal."

Kasumi blinked, processing the information. So everything he'd mentioned about his hometown was a lie?

"But... why are you telling me this, sensei?"

"Because I need someone to supervise him," Utahime explained. "I don't want to report him to the principal because it could result in his expulsion. But I can't let it go without consequences either. After an infraction like this, he can't go on missions alone or be absent without supervision. And I trust you, Miwa. You're responsible, mature, and frankly, I think Kazama respects you more than other students. Am I wrong?"

"Supervise him?" Kasumi repeated, not sure she fully understood.

"Accompany him on missions, be present if he needs to be absent for any reason. Basically, make sure he doesn't disappear without authorization again."

Kasumi processed the request. It was a big responsibility. Maybe it would be better if a more experienced sorcerer did it, but if she trusted her and she could help...

"I accept, sensei."

Utahime smiled slightly.

"I knew I could count on you. Wait a moment."

The teacher got up and left the office. Kasumi could hear voices in the hallway, and moments later, Utahime returned followed by Reiji.

His eyes widened slightly when he saw Kasumi sitting there. For an instant, panic crossed his face, fearing this was all related to the 'anonymous benefactor.'

"Sit down, Kazama," Utahime ordered, pointing to the chair next to Miwa.

He obeyed stiffly, keeping his gaze forward.

"Kazama, as we already discussed, you need supervision after your... indiscretion," Utahime began. "I've decided that Miwa will be the one supervising you."

Miwa? The person he'd done all of this for in the first place? While he would enjoy spending time with her, though he resisted admitting it, it could also be dangerous. What if she discovered the truth? What if their forced closeness ruined the fragile connection that, much to his dismay, he'd begun to build?

"Sensei, with all due respect, I don't think she deserves to..."

"Miwa has already accepted the responsibility," she interrupted him. "I expect you to work with her without causing problems. Any mission you're assigned, she'll go with you. If you need to be absent for any reason, she must accompany you."

"Understood," Reiji replied.

"Do you have any questions?"

Kasumi raised her hand timidly.

"How long will this be, sensei?"

"Until he proves he can be trusted again. It could be weeks or months, depending on his behavior."

Kasumi nodded, glancing sideways at Reiji, who looked like a statue.

"If that's all, you may go," she concluded. "Kazama, remember this is a second chance. Don't waste it."

Actually, it's more like the third, he thought.

Both stood up and bowed before leaving the office. Once in the hallway, they walked in silence for a few moments. Reiji couldn't look at her directly.

"I didn't think you were capable of lying to teachers," Miwa said softly, breaking the silence.

The words felt like a blow. Reiji clenched his fists.

"I'm sorry," he murmured. "Seems like I'm disappointing everyone lately."

...again, he added in his mind.

Kasumi stopped abruptly, turning toward him with wide eyes.

"No! I'm not disappointed," she hurried to say. "I didn't mean it that way, I just... I'm so sorry!"

And to Reiji's surprise, she bowed deeply in apology.

He looked at her, stunned. Why was she apologizing?

"You... you don't have to do that," he said awkwardly. "It's okay."

Kasumi straightened up, her cheeks slightly flushed with embarrassment.

"It's just that... it surprised me, that's all."

There was another moment of silence before Reiji, with effort, asked:

"Don't you think what I did was wrong? Lying, I mean."

Kasumi considered it for a moment, then shook her head.

"If you had your reasons for doing it, that's okay. From what I know of you, I know you wouldn't use a lie to do something bad. You must have had a good reason."

Reiji stared at her, that warm and unfamiliar sensation spreading in his chest again. This girl... she was different. Genuinely different. While everyone else judged him, feared him, or simply ignored him (and rightfully so, from his point of view), she chose to trust him. Even now, knowing he had lied, she assumed the best of him.

It was unsettling. Really unsettling.

"Thank you," he said finally, very quietly.

"Well," Kasumi said with a gentle smile, "I guess we'll be spending more time together. I hope it doesn't bother you too much."

"It doesn't bother me," he replied, perhaps too quickly.

She smiled more broadly, so genuinely pure.

"I'm glad. So, see you at training this afternoon?"

"Yes."

"Perfect! Until then, Kazama-kun."

And as both of them walked away toward their respective dormitories, neither knew that their paths were already more intertwined than they could imagine.

Chapter Text

Reiji didn't know what to expect from this arrangement, and Kasumi Miwa had no clue how to be a supervisor either. But on paper, the instructions were simple: just keep an eye on him and make sure he didn't do anything against the rules or without permission. It sounded easy enough in theory.

That morning, before breakfast, Kasumi ran into her friends in the dorm hallway. Mai, Momo, and Mechamaru were waiting for her with expressions ranging from curious to downright disapproving.

"So now you're Kazama's babysitter," Mai said with her arms crossed. "Are you seriously okay with this, Miwa?"

"I'm not his babysitter," she replied. "I just have to make sure he follows the rules. Utahime-sensei trusts that I can do it."

"It's a huge responsibility," Momo chimed in. "If Kazama-kun screws up, you'll be in trouble too."

"I know," Kasumi admitted. "But I'd rather help him than see him get expelled. He's not a bad person, you guys."

"Just promise you'll be careful," Mechamaru said.

"I promise," she said with a reassuring smile. "But I trust him. I really do."

Mai scoffed but didn't say anything else. Momo gave her a pat on the back. Mechamaru did nothing.

When Miwa entered the dining hall, her eyes automatically searched for the isolated table in the corner where Reiji Kazama always sat alone. Today would be no different, except this time she wouldn't be staying at her usual table.

She took a deep breath and walked over to him.

Reiji looked up when she stopped in front of his table, and for a brief moment, something like surprise crossed his normally expressionless face.

"Can I sit here?" Kasumi asked with a smile.

He blinked, clearly taken aback.

"It's... a public table."

"I'll take that as a yes, then," she said, sitting down across from him without waiting for further confirmation.

Reiji tensed up. From the third-year students' table, Aoi Todo and Noritoshi Kamo were watching them with obvious interest. Mai, Momo, and Mechamaru were staring from their usual table with expressions Reiji had grown accustomed to. Even some first-years, including Arata Nitta, were sneaking glances to see what was going on.

"Everyone's staring," Reiji muttered. "You shouldn't sit here."

"Why not?" she asked, picking up her chopsticks casually.

"Because it'll affect your reputation," he replied, his gaze fixed on his tray. "You're not required to associate with me."

Kasumi looked him straight in the eyes, those amber eyes that always seemed to be thinking about something.

"I don't care what other people think, Kazama-kun. Besides, I'm your supervisor now. It's only natural for us to spend time together, right?"

"But you don't have to approach me in front of everyone."

"But I want to," she responded immediately, without thinking. "Does that bother you?"

Reiji didn't know how to answer that. Not because it bothered him, but because of how quickly she'd replied. He shook his head and returned to his food, though Kasumi noticed he barely touched it.

After a few minutes of silence—comfortable for her, at least—Kasumi pulled out her phone.

"Oh, I almost forgot. Utahime-sensei assigned you a mission for today."

Reiji frowned slightly.

"I haven't received any notification."

"That's because I receive them now," she explained, showing him her phone screen. "Since I'm your supervisor, all the information about your assignments comes to me first."

He looked at the message with an unreadable expression.

"They could notify me too."

"I guess so," Kasumi said with a smile. "But this way Utahime-sensei makes sure you don't go anywhere without me knowing about it."

"You don't need to be forced to act as my manager," Reiji commented with a slightly irritated tone.

"Technically, that's exactly what I am now," she responded good-naturedly. "Though I prefer to think of us as partners."

Reiji didn't answer, but Kasumi thought she saw the ghost of a resigned expression on his face.

"We should get ready to leave," he finally said, standing up. "If we're going to do this, let's do it right."

The train to their destination was moderately full. Kasumi and Reiji found seats together near a window. He sat down, looking outside, while she organized her things.

"Is this the first time we've gone on a mission together?" Kasumi asked after a few minutes.

"Yeah, I think so."

"Well..." she said with a nervous laugh. "I hope I don't mess it up."

"You won't," he said simply. "Besides, it's my mission. I'll handle it."

Kasumi looked at him, surprised by the casual confidence in his voice. She decided to seize the moment.

"Are you upset?"

Reiji was caught off guard by the question and made eye contact with her.

"Huh?"

"You heard me. Are you upset? With me?"

Reiji quickly shook his head, though he then thought about how ridiculous he must look and sighed.

"...No," he finally answered, looking away toward the window. "I'm not upset with you. I'm upset with myself. For dragging you into this. Now you have to waste your time watching over me because of my screw-up."

"It's not a waste of time," Kasumi said immediately, leaning slightly forward. "Not to me. I like feeling useful, and..." she paused, feeling a slight flush in her cheeks, "the few times I've spent time with you, I've had a good time. Really. So don't think this is some kind of punishment for me."

Reiji glanced at her, surprised by the sincerity in her voice. He didn't know what to say to that. No one had ever said something like that to him before.

"I..." he started, but the words disappeared. "If you say so..."

Kasumi smiled, satisfied with the response.

"Kazama-kun, can I ask you a somewhat personal question?"

He looked at her with a cautious expression.

"Depends on the question."

Kasumi took a breath, gathering her courage.

"Why were you transferred to Kyoto?" She paused. "Does Tokyo like getting rid of good talent or what?" she added in a teasing tone.

Reiji's expression changed. It was subtle, but Kasumi noticed it: a tension in his jaw, a slight narrowing of his eyes.

"Sorry... you don't have to ans—"

"You don't know?" he asked in a low voice.

Kasumi shook her head.

"I've heard some rumors, but nothing concrete."

That was a lie. She knew why he'd been transferred. Mai, Momo, and Mechamaru had told her. But she wanted to hear it from him, in his own words.

Reiji was silent for a long moment, his gaze lost somewhere beyond the window. When he finally spoke, his voice was dry, factual, devoid of emotion.

"There was an incident during a mission," he began. "A mission that was supposed to be Grade 3, routine. Turned out to be more dangerous than expected. One of my teammates panicked. Ignored my orders. Put everyone in danger."

He paused, and Kasumi saw his hands close slightly on his knees.

"After exorcising the curses, I lost control. I grabbed him. Lifted him up and shoved him against a wall too hard. I hurt him."

The train car continued on its way, but for Kasumi, the world had shrunk to Reiji's voice and the words he was saying.

"He told me I was more dangerous than any curse. He was right. I hurt a teammate because I couldn't control my anger. Principal Yaga didn't expel me, but he transferred me here. A chance to start over that I didn't deserve."

There was a silence; it seemed like he wanted to say more than that.

"And no, I didn't deserve it. That's why you're here now. Because I messed things up again. Maybe I didn't hit anyone, but that doesn't make it any better."

Finally, he looked her straight in the eyes.

"So I'm not going to judge you if you think differently of me now. It would only be fair."

Kasumi looked at him for a long moment, processing his words. Then, slowly, she shook her head.

"I don't think you're bad, Kazama-kun."

He blinked, clearly confused.

"Did you hear what I just said?"

"Yes," she replied simply. "I heard that you were in a dangerous situation, that someone put your team at risk, and that you... reacted badly. That doesn't make you evil. It makes you human."

"But..."

"Besides," she interrupted, "you regret it, don't you? You're not proud of that."

"That doesn't change what I did, or that I can be dangerous..."

"But it does show who you are. And who you want to be."

"Miwa..."

"I know what it's like to feel like you've failed," she continued, speaking softly but decisively at the same time. "I know what it's like to carry the responsibility of protecting others and feel like you're not enough. And I know that better than anyone, because I'm nothing special. I don't have a cursed technique."

She paused, and it felt eternal to Reiji.

"I've seen who you are, Kazama-kun. I've seen you train with me patiently. I've seen you carry shopping bags without being asked. I saw you eat that onigiri that probably tasted horrible, and you didn't say anything so you wouldn't hurt my feelings."

Reiji was left speechless.

"You might be reserved," she continued. "You might have trouble getting close to people. But you're not cruel. You're not dangerous. And we all make mistakes when we're scared."

Reiji looked away, feeling an uncomfortable warmth in his face. He couldn't look at her directly, not after hearing those words.

"You're definitely too good," he murmured. "Too pure. Too innocent."

"I'm nothing special," Kasumi said. "I'm just seeing you for how you've shown yourself to me. And what I see is someone who deserves a second chance."

Reiji didn't respond, but Kasumi noticed his shoulders relax slightly. It wasn't much, but it was something.

"Thank you," he finally said, without looking at her directly.

Miwa smiled without him being able to see it.

"You're welcome, Kazama-kun."

I wish I could think of myself that way, he thought, seeing it as impossible.

After a while, they arrived at the mission site. The curse was Grade 3, nothing dangerous.

"Stay back," Reiji told her when they reached the entrance. "Don't put yourself at risk."

"I'm your supervisor, not a helpless civilian," she protested.

"I know," he replied, his voice softer than usual. "But I'll handle this."

Before she could object, Reiji had already gone in.

Kasumi followed closely, watching him. It was different seeing him in real action. In training, Reiji had been controlled, measured. Here, on an actual mission, he was something else.

When the curse appeared, Reiji didn't hesitate. His blades materialized in his hands, and Kasumi could barely follow what happened next. The curse barely had time to react before being cut into fragments that dissolved in the air.

Less than thirty seconds.

Reiji sheathed his blades and turned to Kasumi, his expression as impassive as always.

"Done."

"That was... amazing," Kasumi said, genuinely impressed.

Reiji wasn't expecting that comment.

"Thanks, I guess," he responded, not knowing what else to say.

"So modest."

"I'm not modest."

"Yes you are!"

"Because it's not a big deal..." he looked away.

They bought snacks at a convenience store near the station before catching the train back. Kasumi chose a tuna onigiri while he opted for a simple bottle of green tea.

The return train was emptier than the one going. Kasumi sat by the window, and Reiji, with no other options, took the seat beside her.

For the first few minutes, the silence was expected. Kasumi nibbled on her onigiri while watching the scenery pass by the window. Reiji sipped his tea slowly, apparently lost in thought.

"Kazama-kun," she said after finishing her snack. "Can I ask you something else?"

He glanced at her sideways.

"Another personal question?"

"Not as much as the last one," she replied with a smile. "I'm just curious. What do you do when you're not training or on missions?"

"Not much," he admitted. "I read, sometimes. Or I just... stay in my room."

"You read? What kind of books?"

"Technical stuff, mainly. Manuals on cursed techniques, jujutsu history... I try to understand my inherited technique and discover its full potential."

"What? What do you mean by that?"

Reiji looked down at the bottle in his hands.

"My technique, 'Ownership,'" he explained. "Most of the things I know how to do I taught myself, experimenting. My father... didn't have time to teach me about it."

There was something in the way he said "didn't have time" that made Kasumi not ask any more about that topic.

"So you read to learn what he couldn't teach you," she said softly.

"I guess so," Reiji admitted. "My family didn't have records on those things, and texts about inherited manipulation techniques are limited. So I read whatever I can find, even if it's not directly related to my technique. You never know what information might be useful."

"You're dedicated."

"Sometimes I read novels," Reiji added suddenly, as if wanting to steer the conversation elsewhere, "but it's not common."

Kasumi smiled.

"That explains why you're so good in class. You read a lot."

"I guess."

"I read too," Kasumi said. "Though I admit they're not books as serious as yours. I like simple stories, the kind that make you feel good at the end."

"There's nothing wrong with that."

"Do you really think so?" she asked, tilting her head.

"Yeah. As long as you like them..." he responded. "Though I doubt my opinion on literature has much value," he added with a barely perceptible hint of irony.

Kasumi laughed softly.

"I think you have more value than you think, Kazama-kun."

Reiji didn't know how to respond to that, so he simply nodded and looked forward again.

A few more minutes passed, and the gentle motion of the train started to have an effect on Kasumi.

"I'm tired," she murmured, covering her mouth as she yawned. "I think I'm going to sleep a bit."

"That's fine."

"Will you wake me when we get there?"

"Yes."

"Thanks," she said with a sleepy smile.

Kasumi closed her eyes and leaned back against the seat. Reiji turned his attention to the window, watching as the evening lights began to paint the sky.

It wasn't long before he felt a soft weight lean against his shoulder.

He tensed immediately, looking down to find Miwa's head resting against him. Her light blue hair brushed against his neck, and he could hear her soft, steady breathing.

For a moment, he didn't know what to do. His first instinct was to wake her, to gently move her so she wouldn't lean on him. But something stopped him.

Slowly, careful not to wake her, Reiji turned his head slightly to look at her.

Her face was relaxed, peaceful. Her lips were slightly parted, and there was an expression of complete serenity on her face.

She's... pretty, he thought without being able to help it.

The thought caught him by surprise, and Reiji looked away abruptly, feeling an uncomfortable warmth in his face. No. What am I thinking?

But it was true. And it wasn't just her physical appearance.

She trusts me, he thought, feeling something tighten in his chest. After everything I told her, after knowing what I did... and she still trusts me.

He looked toward the window, again feeling something uncomfortable in his chest. He didn't understand why she was trying so hard for him. Why she had defended his actions. Why she looked at him as if he were someone worthy of trust.

It doesn't make sense. None of this makes sense.

Carefully, so as not to wake her, he adjusted her back against the train seat.

The train continued on its way, and Reiji allowed himself to lower his guard, a little.

[...]

The train began to slow down as they approached Kyoto station. Reiji looked at Kasumi, who was still sleeping soundly against the seat back.

For a moment he considered letting her sleep a bit longer, but he knew they had to get off soon.

"Miwa," he said softly, without touching her. "We're here."

She didn't move.

"Miwa," he repeated, this time a little louder.

Kasumi stirred slightly, frowning before slowly opening her eyes. She blinked several times, disoriented, until her gaze focused on Reiji.

"Already...?" she mumbled in a sleepy voice.

"Yeah. We're in Kyoto."

Kasumi straightened up quickly and ran a hand through her hair to fix it.

"Sorry. I think I slept too much."

"It doesn't matter," he replied, getting up to grab his things. "You rested. That's good."

When they arrived at Kyoto Jujutsu High, the sun was already beginning to descend on the horizon, painting the sky in orange and pink tones.

"Kazama-kun," Kasumi said as they walked toward the main building. "I think we should exchange numbers."

He looked at her with slight confusion.

"Why?"

"Well, I'm your supervisor," she explained, trying to sound casual. "We should stay in touch. You know, in case something urgent comes up."

That made logical sense, so Reiji nodded and pulled out his phone. He didn't suspect anything. Kasumi felt a small internal victory as she saved his number.

They decided to sit on the dojo's engawa to rest before heading to their rooms. The engawa offered a perfect view of the inner garden and the evening sky.

They sat in silence for a few minutes, simply watching the sky change colors.

"Kazama-kun," Kasumi said after a moment. "Did you hear about what happened with Sukuna's vessel?"

Reiji frowned slightly.

"The kid from Tokyo? Itadori?"

"Yeah," she replied. "He died. On one of his first missions."

"What? How?"

"Apparently the mission turned out to be a special grade curse," Kasumi explained, looking toward the garden. "He was found without a heart. His teammate Megumi Fushiguro was the one who found him."

Reiji fell silent, processing the information. He remembered his visit to Sugisawa High School.

A rookie with a bad reputation who ended up on a special grade mission due to a reconnaissance error, he thought coldly. That wasn't an accident.

"What are you thinking?" Kasumi asked, noticing his distant expression.

"That it's suspicious," Reiji replied after a moment. "You know the conservatives didn't want him alive. That 'reconnaissance error' is a bit convenient for them, don't you think?"

Kasumi looked at him.

"Do you think it was planned?"

"I don't know," Reiji admitted. "What does it matter? He's already dead. It doesn't matter what I believe."

Miwa looked down.

"It's... it's terrible. He was just starting out as a sorcerer and already..."

"I know," Reiji said quietly. "But that's how it works in this world. It's not fair, but it's reality."

"Still," Kasumi murmured. "No one should die like that. So soon. He had his whole life ahead of him."

Silence settled between them again, heavier this time. Kasumi watched the sky tinged with orange. Reiji looked toward the garden, lost in his own thoughts.

Reiji turned his head slightly toward her, as if he were about to say something. Kasumi noticed and turned to look at him.

"Yes, Kazama-kun?"

He opened his mouth, but before he could speak, a familiar voice interrupted them.

"How did everything go?"

They both turned to see Utahime-sensei standing at the edge of the engawa, arms crossed but with a curious expression.

"Utahime-sensei," the blue-haired girl said, standing up quickly. "Everything went well. The mission was completed without any problems."

Utahime nodded, and her gaze moved between the two of them.

"I'm glad to hear it. And how was working together?"

"I handled it," Reiji replied, also getting to his feet. "Miwa-san was an excellent supervisor."

"Good. I hope this continues. You both can go rest now."

Kasumi bowed, and Reiji nodded before they both headed toward the dormitories. As they walked in silence, Kasumi wondered what Reiji had been about to tell her before Utahime interrupted them.

Maybe she'll ask him later.