Jujutsu Kaisen: The Forgotten Clan
Chapter 11: Say That One More Time
If I wanted to run away, I would have already Hotshot. I have led the sorcerers of this country on a wild goose chase the past three years. Why the urgency to enroll me in Jujutsu Tech? I am feeling uneasy and hungry. The object in my bag reminds me of the attacker who stole my family's chest of cursed tools.
I look at my wrists and notice four, thick black bands have formed around them. Two bands on each wrist. The butterfly tattoos on my right wrist appear on their own. I covered the butterflies with makeup to avoid ticking off Madam Daikon.
Inside the café while waiting in line to place an order…
"Are you going to aggravate Santa-Clara on our way to campus?" Suguru to Satoru as they order drinks before we head off.
"Hehe, I may have a little fun with our new classmate. I want to test her limits."
"I don't think that is a wise decision, Satoru. She seems worked up enough and capable of handling anything that is thrown her way. By the way, you owe me. The last time we went out, I spotted you after leaving your wallet on campus."
"Yep, I am aware…" Satoru does not finish his sentence, but Suguru knows what he is thinking.
"The object is in Santa-Clara's possession. I am surprised she located it before Jujutsu Tech did. My understanding is, the Higher-Ups had been searching for the object for three years now."
"That is concerning to me. Do me a favor Suguru, and don't mention the object to Santa-Clara unless she brings the subject up herself. I need to run something by Yaga and a few members in the Gojo Clan." Satoru's voice is serious.
"Ha-ha. Look who has decided to think of others before himself. I will keep my lips shut."
"And who says I am thinking about someone other than myself? Hmm? That is your area of expertise and not mine. Also, make sure she does not submit it to the Higher-Ups just yet." The same lazy smile dresses Satoru's face like an ornament.
"I have an order for Gojo up at the bar. One hot chocolate with extra whipped cream and two coffees without room for milk. And a hot tea." A barista in his mid-twenties.
On the sidewalk by the Café…
I am growing more impatient and startled when my phone starts ringing. Looking at the number, I can tell it is my caseworker. What the heck does this individual want? I answer the call.
"This is Santa-Clara." My tone is flat and unamused.
"Santa-Clara, I received a message from an individual named Rubitha Daikon from Abitha School for Young Minds. What is going on?"
"You tell me Alexa you are my case manager remember?" I am salty as can be with my caseworker. She has never checked in on me and has ignored my requests to be reassigned to someone else.
"I don't appreciate your tone of voice. Talk with me, what is going on?"
"I am transferring schools again and don't want your assistance. I have been living on my own the last few years and doing just fine." Doing just fine is a stretch.
"What? What do….you ran away from the group home again." Alexa's tone is laced with exhaustion and frustration.
"Correct. Had you listened to me before and…hold on let me place you on hold."
"Santa-…." I pause our conversation since Suguru and Satoru have exited the café. I wave towards them and say something before getting back on the phone.
"See, I told you I would not runoff. Now if you will excuse me, I am in the middle of an important phone call. You two lead the way since I have not been to you all's campus before."
"What a relief, we can trust you. This guy here got you a drink…take your pick." Satoru says in a sarcastic tone while pointing at Suguru. Suguru glares at his friend and shakes his head before talking to me.
"Would you prefer coffee or tea? We were not sure what to get you and want to make you feel welcomed at Jujutsu Tech." Now Suguru is giving me a toothless smile. His eyes are closed, and his cheeks are slightly pink.
"I will pass for right now thank you." I get back on the phone and continue my conversation with Alexa.
We arrive on campus twenty minutes later. I am taking in my surroundings: there is a Buddhist Temple towards the front of campus, a lake near the middle of campus, and an endless number of trees separating smaller buildings. A truly breathtaking sight that makes my mouth drop open.
"What is with the look? See something you like?" This coming from Satoru.
"I am taking in how nice the campus looks. Where are we going?" I am starting to feel nervous but, dismiss my worry as a middle-aged man dawning sunglasses and a haircut with buzzed sides approaches.
"You are on time for a change, Satoru. Have you brought Santa-Clara with you this time around?"
"I am right here. Who are you?"
This new sorcerer looks at me with a puzzled look. Then his eyes widen in surprise…
"What? Do I remind you of someone?" I say this with a mixture of curiosity and dismissiveness.
"No. I am Masamechi Yaga, your instructor. Satoru and Suguru, take Santa-Clara to the Elders. They are waiting for the three of you in the third building from the right." The way Yaga says 'no' tells me he is hiding something. I will investigate later. The uneasiness has snuck back into my mind. Like I told the blond sorcerer, I actively avoid sorcerers due to what my family endured in Japan and Canada. Now I am on a campus run by and for sorcerers.
I take a deep breath in and out. After the merry-go-round conversation of 'you should have talked with me before running away' with Alexa, I need to calm myself down. Plus, I have not eaten today…woke up late and forgot to grab a piece of fruit on my way to school. A tug on my bag shakes me from my thoughts.
"Huh? What…why are you two staring at me?" My walls are back up. I walk in the direction Yaga pointed but stop short of the door leading into the room where the Elders are. Something feels wrong, yet, I can't pinpoint what is off.
"Come on, go inside the doors already." Satoru impatiently holding the door open. I walk inside with Suguru behind me. There is a hallway lined with lanterns (unlit since it is daylight), tile flooring, and a few decorations adorning the wall. The door closes and I jump in place.
"Agh. Please don't do that again!" My heart is racing.
My escorts look at me, then each other, and back at me. I let out a sigh and start walking towards the room at the end of the hall. Two sorcerers are waiting for my arrival. A low mumbling of voices tells me they are speaking with each other.
"They had better show up with her. The last thing we need is for her to slip away…again. I knew we should have done something with Jorgen and Sharah while they were students!"
"Might I suggest not talking so loudly? Yaga never specified when his students would show up and you know how the Gojo brat can get."
"I am just saying, had the two of them been separated or taken care of while they were students…they are here with Santa-Clara."
Satoru opens the door and I walk inside the room. I have already mapped out an escape route should anything go awry during this meeting. I stand at the entrance with my classmates flanking either side of me. There are two couches with a small coffee table between them.
"And there she is. We have awaited your arrival for some time now, Miss Santa-Clara. May we offer you a seat?" This Elder has a lot of piercings on his face, including his eyebrows. He is using a cane to support himself while standing up. He is dressed in traditional robes.
"I would…" The Second Elder cuts me off before I finish my sentence.
"We were not asking if you would prefer to stand up. Come all the way in here and sit down so we may talk." This Elder has on a white robe with a black high-neck shirt underneath. The shirt's collar bulges out the top of the robes. Their hair covers part of their face, and their right hand is pointing to the open couch.
I close my eyes and smile to myself. I take a few steps forward and sit down with my left foot crossed over my thigh. My arms are folded across my chest too.
"You two may stand outside the doors. There is no need for you to stick by Santa-Clara's side during this…interview." Face piercings elder says in a low voice while glaring at Satoru. Tension is building up between him and Gojo. I can almost taste it.
"I don't think so. Suguru and I would much prefer staying in here to support our classmate." Satoru stares back at the Elder and smiles. Suguru maintains a stoic expression, but his eyes share the same preference as Satoru.
"We said to wait outside, Gojo." The Second Elder is not letting the subject go.
"Satoru and Suguru, I would appreciate having the two of you wait outside. There is no need to escalate the Elder's wishes into a full-blown argument." I am calm and collected on the outside. On the inside, I am feeling uneasy about what type of information the Elders want from me.
"Are you sure about that Santa-Clara?"
"I am positive, Suguru. While you are outside, take this." I hand my bag to Satoru without opening my eyes.
My classmates leave the room, and the Elders take their seats. After taking a deep breath in and out, I open my eyes and smile. I address the Elders, making direct eye contact with both individuals.
"Shall we begin our interview?"
A Few Steps Down the Hallway Out of Earshot
"Why did she hand her bag to you, Satoru? I thought you confiscated the item before we came inside!"
"Will you keep your voice down. Geeze. I tried getting the object while we were outside. Santa-Clara pulled away after I grabbed her bag. Let me see…here it is!"
Satoru rummages through my bag and finds the sealed finger. He puts it in his pocket and closes my bag back up.
"What do you plan on doing with that, Satoru? At some point, the Elders will come looking for it."
"Hehe, so? I am calling an emergency meeting with the Gojo clan later today. Once we have talked, I will decide what to do with this object. I have a feeling of why the Elders wanted us to bring Santa-Clara here. You understand where I am going with this conversation, right?" Satoru, no sign of contempt or sarcasm in his voice.
"Hmph. Of course, I do, they want to keep a close eye on her and her strength. There is no doubt in mind they will try to use her for their own purposes." Suguru states with a heaviness to his voice.
The Interview Room
"You can start by dropping the attitude and sitting up straight. This is no way to treat your Elders." Dude with facial piercings states.
"I would appreciate not being told how to behave or what to do."
"Are you always this confrontational and defensive, Miss Santa-Clara?" Elder two asks.
"To answer your questions, I am not opposed to being confrontational. I get defensive when I am put into situations where I feel threatened or talked down to. Before you ask, I feel generally uncomfortable when I am around other sorcerers." I unfold my leg and arms and put my hands in a steeple gesture.
"Well, that is a shame seeing as you are on the grounds of a prestigious sorcery school. We…" I interrupt the Elder before he finishes his sentence.
"Why am I here?"
"We want to know more about your technique. Start talking." Face piercings dude with a sharp tone in his voice.
I am about to answer the question when a commotion starts up outside the doors. The three of us turn our attention to the door.
"And what is the meaning of starting the meeting without us present?" Unknown male voice #1
"How am I supposed to know father, I was not expecting a meeting to take place in the first place." Familiar male voice #2
"Who invited the two of you? The meeting between Santa-Clara and the Elders does not necessitate your presence!" Satoru almost yelling at the two males.
"Get out of our way, Gojo. This meeting has nothing to do with you. And what is with the green backpack?" Unknown male voice #1
I suddenly break out in laughter after realizing the familiar voice belongs to….
"Why hello there, blondie. Long time no see, eh?" I am saying this as a man with a square build, grey eyes and a pointed white mustache walks through the door. Behind him is the blond sorcerer who attacked me near the Kyoto school. The smile on my face is not due to happiness, it is due to the amount of bologna I am going to have to tolerate during this meeting.
"Hmph. My son has a name, and it is not blondie. Naoya get in here! And shouldn't you be standing up when others enter a room?" This older dude yells at the top of his voice.
I lick my lips and remain silent. I notice Satoru and Suguru follow behind Naoya. As the saying goes, the more the merrier. My guess is Satoru and Suguru are present to protect me. I am not familiar with the Elders or Jujutsu Tech. And something tells me this Naoya character, and his father is not to be messed with.
There is a short back-and-forth shouting match between Naoya, his father, and Satoru. The Elders chime in now and then. Suguru and I remain quiet. Once everyone has settled into their respective positions. I clear my throat.
"What would you like to say, Santa-Clara?" Elder without the piercings.
"To answer your question regarding my technique…you already have your answer. If anyone in this room was not aware of my technique, I would not be on this campus. I have been in Japan for four years now and you lot are suddenly interested in me. There have been several instances where I have evaded capture, death, and other unmentionables by the hands of sorcerers both here and abroad. I am sharing this to illustrate that my techniques are a hot ticket item. The highest bidder gets the prize." My voice is laced with sarcasm, defensiveness, and a hint of sadness. My parents started telling me more about what happened in Japan before we moved and my inherited techniques...our conversation never finished.
The Elders do not say a word but Naoya says something that makes me laugh.
"The near capture, death, and other unmentionables you listed are all of your own doing. You see hardships make a sorcerer grow and develop. And based on our fight a few weeks back, you have a lot of growing to do in regards to sorcery. So consider your attacks a blessing." He is smiling from ear to ear and it makes me want to punch him.
"Hehe, hee-hee. Agh, you are so funny I can't help but laugh! Do you mind mansplaining some more to me, Naoya?" My eyes turn from lilac to royal purple, and back to lilac in a split second. My jab and eye color change cause Naoya to jump backward in his seat.
I notice Satoru squinting his eyes, despite the dark shades covering his angelic blue eyes. Suguru has a concerned look too. Both of them are hiding information that I want to know.
"That is enough from you Santa-Clara. It truly amazes me how rude young sorcerers are these days. Especially young female sorcerers." Naoya's father.
"Enough Zen'In." Suguru, getting defensive and finally speaking up. I get up from my seat and adjust my shirt before addressing the room.
"I have said my bit and feel we are done here. It has been a long day for me and I will be leaving now. Should anyone try to prevent me from leaving, I will use physical force to protect myself. After all, my gender does not determine my strength or place in the sorcerer community."
As I stand up to leave, the facial pricings Elder speaks up.
"We are aware of your questionable habits and history with schools, Miss Santa-Clara. Attacking other students, beating up instructors, and skipping classes are just a few things we are aware of.
It has also been brought to our attention you cursed a student before running away from Abith School for Young Minds...since this is your first offense in cursing a civilian, you will receive a light punishment. For the record, I am the principal of our sister school in Kyoto. You will refer to me as Principal Gakuganji from here on out."
I narrow my eyes and know exactly where this conversation is heading. These people are trying to leverage my past and get me to obey their orders. Satoru and Suguru share the same thought as me. I give my response while sitting down.
"What is with the smug look, Naoya?" I sit down and turn my gaze to Naoya while saying this.
"My, what a mouth you have Santa-Clara. If you must know, your cockiness, pitiful behavior, and attitude will get you killed if you are not careful. Besides (he gestures to everyone in the room) you are surrounded by four Grade-1 Sorcerers and two Special Grade Sorcerers. You would not stand a chance in a fight with any of us." Naoya's response to my question. I smile and chuckle to myself.
"What is so funny?"
"Tell me Naoya, after our little grapple a week ago, you expect me to believe you would beat me in a fight?" I have a lazy smile on my face and enjoying the embarrassment on Naoya's face.
"Why you little, brat! I will put you in your place faster than you can blink. Wipe that smile off your face or else..."
"Or else what?"
"That is enough Santa-Clara and Naoya. Stop bickering with each other." Gakuganji speaks up. The second Elder speaks up too.
"Geto and Gojo, take Santa-Clara out of here. Make sure she receives a uniform, give her a tour of campus, and inform her of the safety protocols and rules."
I get up and head towards the door without a second thought. Before I make it out into the hallway, Naoya's father says something.
"If you think we are done with this conversation, Santa-Clara, you are mistaken. Just because you have been accepted into Jujutsu Tech, does not mean have been accepted as a sorcerer. We will continue this conversation on a later day."
"Ya know, it is just like a Zen'In to take a stab at someone without prompting." This comes from Satoru as he closes the door.
Once Satoru, Suguru, and I are outside the building I start talking.
"Do you still have that tea, Suguru? I am feeling lightheaded and irritated.