Jujutsu Kaisen: The Forgotten Clan
Chapter 8- New Beginnings Part 4
Cock-a-doodle-doo: the sound of a rooster wakes me up at 4:00 am. Happy New Year and Happy Womb Emancipation Day to me. I rub my face, take in my surroundings and catch myself by surprise…I forgot I had spent the night at my second training ground. There is nothing out of the ordinary, so I leave before trouble arrives.
Once outside, I realize it is still dark and keep my guard up. Since the barrier around the training area is still up, I am not worried about residuals; they will disappear when the barrier is dispelled. It is early quiet outside, compared to the commotion of last night: fireworks, obnoxious partying, and loud music. Oh well, at least there is not a lot of curses roaming about. Having walked for thirty minutes in the quiet town, five hours away from Tokyo, I walk past a building compound. A sign posted outside the compound reads 'Kyoto Curse Technical College'.
"Interesting, I wonder if the youngsters from yesterday attend this school?" My mouth lets these words out before I can stop them. A few security cameras are surrounding the sign, I sense out a handful of curses meandering about inside the compound and move-on. After rounding the corner, I hear something following behind me.
"Should I wish you a happy birthday, Santa-Clara, or would a Happy New Year make you feel more comfortable?" It is the blond sorcerer from last night. He is alone.
"You may call me Blaze. After all, you look to be around my age." I turn around and keep my distance between the two of us. Should he intends to hurt me, I am positioned to fight…with and without a technique.
"The youngsters you were referring to earlier, mind telling me what they look like?" Good grief, how long has this oddball been stalking me? How did I not sense him before? And his half-grin is not appealing.
"I would rather not. Now, if you will excuse me, I have things to take care of at home." Before I can turn around to leave, he grabs me by the arm and pins me against a wall. I try kicking him back, but he grabs my foot.
"Come on now, I asked you a question." His tone is low and serious. His beady eyes are squinted. "It is not appropriate for a younger person, especially a woman, to ignore a question that is asked of them."
"How about you cool it with the cocky attitude and let me go first. Then I will consider answering your questions." I am furious…who the heck is this individual to dictate my behavior.
"Hehe. I like your spunk, now answer me. Who were you…ah!" My forehead meets his, catching him off guard. I slip out of his grips, but he grabs a hold of my t-shirt, making me fall face-first onto the ground. We are now in a fistfight on the ground.
"Get off me you creep! Where did you…agh." I am kicked in the stomach and unable to breathe for half a second. It is as though my opponent ran away at lightning speed then snuck up on me with a powerful kick.
"Hee-hee, it looks like you are a weak sorcerer. Let me give you some advice, sweetheart, if you plan on surviving as a sorcerer, you must be gritty. There is no place in our community for the likes of weaklings." He is standing over me, looking me straight in the eyes while saying this. My blood is boiling but I don't let my emotions get the best of me. Instead, I start laughing under my breath.
"What is so funny?" Now his tone is flat.
"What's so funny you ask? Your crummy attitude and assumptions." I manage to stand up but keep my hand on my abdomen since it is still throbbing. I continue my speech while activating a technique. "You assume I am weak based on a narrow definition of strength. To answer your question from earlier, I don't know who the youngsters are…I make it a point to avoid sorcerers, for reasons you don't have the privilege of knowing. Technique-Release: Shadow Surprise."
The shadow of my opponent pins him to the ground. Currently, I turn around and leave. With the Kyoto Curse School around the corner, my technique activation, and this bastard causing trouble, more sorcerers will come to see what is happening. I turn away, heading for the subway, and leave my opponent with these words…
"I suggest getting up slowly in about ten minutes. You will not be able to move at this time and if you try fighting your own shadow, you may die. Have a good day." I smile with my eyes, the rising sun making their purple hue sparkle.
"Why you little, bitch. Grr. Help me up, someone." By the time I disappear around the corner, two civilians have run over to the jerk lying on the ground. They are curious about what is happening since they are unable to see jujutsu. I make it back home in one piece.
Tokyo Metropolitan Curse Technical College: Some Random Classroom
"Around 4:30 am this morning, we got a report of a male Zen'In clan member and unregistered female sorcerer fighting three blocks away from the Kyoto campus. Will the three of you explain how this is possible?"
"Umm…you see, last night she got away from us and has shown up again as of this morning." Satoru Gojo explaining what happened. His classmates, Shoko and Suguru are shaking their heads in disappointment.
"I am well aware of this, Gojo."
"Then why did you ask us to explain ourselves in the first place? We tried our best to bring her to campus, but she slipped out of our hands. Cut us some slack will you…it is a holiday after all."
"Satoru, stop saying we when referring to last night's failed mission. Shoko and I made suggestions to get our target, yet you brushed us off per usual. And don't get me started with you feeling too tired and lazy to work because of the New Year holiday." Suguru trying his best not to judge his friend too harshly. He is failing miserably. Shoko can't help but laugh at Suguru's outburst.
After five minutes of bickering between the teacher and his three students, it is decided they will no longer try and bring me to campus until school starts back up again. Yaga leaves the classroom first to go talk with the Elders and update them on my whereabouts. Most holidays are observed at Tokyo Metropolitan Curse College, but students are expected to work if there is a shortage of sorcerers.
January 8, 2007: Abitha School for Young Minds…a Civilian High School
"I do apologize, but the student you are looking for has not shown up for school since November 2006. Frankly, I don't expect her to return any time soon." My school's principal, Madam Daikon. A middle-aged woman who is the headmistress of an all-female high school. There is an all-male campus right next door and from time to time, we have co-educational classes. It seems like an odd set-up, but this is where I currently attend high school.
"That is alright, my colleagues and I suspect she will make a return."
"Suit yourselves. By the way, what did you say your name was? Why are you here looking for Santa-Clara?"
A knock on the door draws the attention of Madam Daikon, Shoko, and some other person to Norika Mizuno …the school's head bully.
"Miss Mizuno, what is the meaning of you coming into my office?"
"Madam Daiko, and new students, Santa-Clara has shown up on campus. Not sure where she is heading, but I can keep an eye on her for you."
"That would be appreciated, Miss Mizuno. Thank you." Norika smiles to her audience, curtsies, and leaves.
I am twenty minutes late for school and make it to Geometry. All eyes fall on me as I walk towards my seat, keeping my ski cap on as I sit down. My teacher takes it upon himself to educate my classmates on the importance of timeliness.
"Ahem, Miss Santa-Clara will you come to the front of the class?"
"May I ask what for?" I am being sarcastic and defensive. This teacher rubs me the wrong way and is a cocky individual who feels women don't belong in Math…or Science. We do not see eye-to-eye.
"Get up here." His voice is stern and flat. I am not in the mood for an all-out fight, so I get up and walk to the front of the classroom.
"Hehe. It looks like little miss show-off delinquent is in trouble. Ooh." Norika under her breath.
"At least I don't use my boyfriend to do my homework." My retort.
After reaching my destination, I turn around and face the class. I already know what is going to happen: my teacher will say 'now class, what is the most important rule of being a responsible citizen?'. The class will respond, in unison, 'being on time and respecting other people's time.' Something else happens instead.
"You can take your cap off Miss Santa-Clara. While you are at it, explain to us all why you are twenty minutes late today, and what you have been doing with yourself since last we saw you. Was it October of last year? Or have you forgotten you are still in school?"
He gets in my face and is staring me dead in the eyes. His tone is sarcastic and mocking. In a way, he reminds me of the sorcerer I fought off by the Kyoto Curse College a week ago. I clear my throat and stand up straight.
"I have been taking art classes at a college since October and visiting science museums during school hours." My answer is direct and true.
The entire class and my teacher are dead silent. Then Norika starts laughing and so do the rest of the students. My teacher is also laughing.
"Hahahaha! That is hard to believe Miss Santa-Clara! You are unable to manage your time for high school-level classes. And what on earth makes you intelligent enough to handle college-level courses? I have seen your report scores and they are abysmal. An individual such as yourself is on the fast track to failure. Now sit down."
I walk back to my seat with my head held high. Before sitting down, I turn towards my teacher and state
"For the record, I have the highest grade in this class. The last time I checked my score is a high A-grade. Besides, intelligence does not dictate success at the college level. Strong work ethic, an interest in learning and never giving up determine success." I take out my notebook and start sketching a rose. I can tell my teacher is furious, but the bell rings before he can say anything.
On my way out the door, I am handed a detention slip. The reason, misbehaving during class and displaying unruly behavior. I roll my eyes and head off to the theater. My acting class is meeting on the stage today.
"Your little outburst during Geometry was a tad dramatic, don't you think? Miss Santa-Clara." Norika and her mocking attitude drive me nuts.
"What do you want Norika? I am not in the mood to fight today, so leave me alone." She sits behind me with her two friends, Ren and Emi. A handful of boys from our neighboring school are joining us for class. One of those boys is Norika's partner…Ayumi. I ignore Ayumi and Norika by continuing with my sketch. Two of Ayumi's pals, Ryo and Chiko, sit on either side of me.
"Glad you decided to come back to school Lithuila. I was getting lonely while you were away. Have you missed me?" Ryo trying to hit on me. I ignore him and swat away his hand as it approaches me.
"Do not touch me without my consent Ryo! Now move your leg so I can get by." I trip over his foot when he refuses to move. How mature. The teacher walks onto the stage and gets everyone's attention.
"Good morning everyone, and welcome to Monday. Why it looks as though the runaway has rejoined us for school…Miss Santa-Clara, welcome back."
I wave to the teacher without taking my eyes off my sketch.
Back Outside in the Hallway
"She is in here. Remember, we are not to disrupt her normal schedule and approach her at the end of the school day. Got that Satoru?"
"Yes, Suguru. I hear you loud and clear."
Back Inside the Theater
The teacher is going on about the upcoming musical and how we are holding auditions today. "As most of you know, we are doing Phantom of the Opera this year and…"
I hear the doors open behind me, a few gasps come from the girls as four sorcerers enter the auditorium. Shoko and her two male friends are there…and a new sorcerer whom I have not met before. I keep my eyes on my sketch and sink into my chair. They already know I am here.
"Hey, don't mind us. We are just touring the school and sitting in on classes." It's the annoying white-haired sorcerer.
"Well, that is fine by me. May I see your visitor passes, young man?"
My face is warm from embarrassment, and I close my eyes. I am going to confront Shoko and her friends later. The teacher walks to the back of the auditorium and checks each person's visitor pass. Once she returns to the stage, class begins.
"Alrighty, everyone. Since most of the young women auditioned for parts before the holiday break, we will continue with auditions for the Phantom. You have a question, Ryo?"
"Are you going to allow Santa-Clara to audition for the part of Christine? I would love to hear her sing." He turns to me and gives me a wink. I let out a sigh and respond to him.
"Actually Ryo, I am auditioning for the part of the Phantom." I smile; my response is serious.
The class lets out a laugh and Miss Hibiscus, the teacher, starts clapping her hands.
"Please Santa-Clara. Everyone knows the Phantom is intended for males to portray. You don't have the singing voice or acting chops to pull off such a feat." This coming from Ayumi. A smug look on his face and his left arm draped over Norika's shoulders. I see Ren and Emi snickering too.
"Now, now, Mr. Ayumi that was not nice. He has a point Miss Santa-Clara."
"And what point is that Miss Hibiscus? That art is to be restricted based on gender. And for the record, I go by the name Blaze." I am at my tipping point and starting to lose my cool.
"Calm down Miss Santa-Clara. First, on the roster is Ayumi. Come on up." She dismisses my questions and calls me up to audition after seven men finish auditioning.
"And last on the list we have, Miss Santa-Clara." Miss Hibiscus sighs.
I get up from my chair and walk up to the stage. Norika and the rest of the class watch me as I hoist myself onto the stage.
"What will you be singing for us today Santa-Clara? And what part are you auditioning for?"
"I will be singing "Music of the Night" and auditioning for the Phantom. Thank you." I chose "Music of the Night" to showcase my singing range. Miss Hibiscus is beside herself.
"I told you earlier Miss Santa-Clara! The part of the Phantom is intended for males and not…" before she can finish her sentence, I turn my back to the audience and ready myself to sing.
"What are you doing Santa-Clara?" Miss Hibiscus.
"Nighttime sharpens…" I start singing and turn around to face the audience. Miss Hibiscus is still going on a rant, but I ignore her. Instead, I fix my eyes on the back of the auditorium. I see Shoko, Suguru, the annoying white-haired sorcerer and a tall individual with glasses. They are looking at me too. The two male sorcerers start talking with each other.
"She is pretty good; don't you think Satoru?"
"If you say so, Suguru. Maybe she can give you voice lessons."
"….and listen to the music of the night." I finish singing and nothing, but silence fills the auditorium. I get off the stage, return to my seat, grab my bag, and head towards the side exit door. Before I reach for the handle, I turn around and address Miss Hibiscus.
"You may try and stop me from auditioning for roles that were written for a male-identified gender. However, art is a medium where gender does not matter. Break a leg finding a Phantom who can sing better than me." I try to smile but don't. As I leave through the door and the bell rings, I hear a faint clap coming from the auditorium.