Jujutsu Kaisen: The Forgotten Clan
Chapter 18- Next
"Way to stick it to Sir Shingo!" Satoru holds his left fist out, expecting me to bump it. I smile and acknowledge what he says. Something does not sit right with me. After a quick celebration of our mission, my classmates and I retire to our rooms. I get ready for bed and fall asleep before eleven.
"Mother, why are you looking at me like I have five heads?"
I have been in the hospital for three days: two broken ribs, a dislocated nose, a broken right arm, and other injuries that should have resulted in death. This is what the paramedics and doctors told my mother. Simon was discharged the day prior.
"You are my child and are seriously injured. Now finish putting your clothes on so we can go home." I do not argue with her.
Once we start walking home, I initiate a conversation with my mom.
"Has dad returned from his mission yet? It has been a year since he left, and he usually returns within a few months. I know you miss him and have been under a lot of stress between the accident at the mall, Zink's death, and…" My mother's grey eyes are starting to fog up, and I cut myself off before upsetting her further. I hug her.
Three months pass before I return to school, Simon and I never bring up what happened on that day: he does not remember much from the event, and I prefer the confidentiality between us.
Six-Months Post-Mall Incident: Santa-Clara Residence
As usual, I walk home after school, head to the kitchen for a snack, and see my mother waiting for me at the table. Usually, she waits for me outside or in the training room. My father is still absent, and I assume he is dead.
"Sit down, Lithuila. We need to talk."
"May I get…"
"I said sit down!" She raises her voice and I obey your order.
She clears her throat and rubs her eyes before talking.
"What happened to you and Simon a few months ago is not normal. Based on the medical reports from the doctors, the state of your physical health when I saw your body being taken to the hospital, and the general laws of biology…you should be dead."
I am nodding my head and keeping an open mind during our conversation. My mother continues.
"Then there is the attack from last year…when your father and I took your brothers out for a day trip."
"I did not mean for the chest of tools to get stolen. All I did was pick up the Special Grade Cursed object and put it back. May I explain my part of the story? I remember you and dad freaking out when you all returned home."
My mother remains calm and waits for me to finish talking. She nods her head and I continue with my story.
"When the sorcerer responsible for attacking me came to the house, they brought four curses and two sorcerers with them. The ringleader of the group was the same individual who followed us during the twin's belt test…." I continue talking for another five minutes.
My mother's eyes are narrowed, she is taking in every detail of my story, and I figure she knows who is behind this ordeal.
"I appreciate you sharing your side of the story, hon. Your life is more important to me than keeping a Special Grade Cursed Object or cursed tools."
She is tired, she is hurt, and she is done with this sorcery business. I don't blame her: losing her spouse during a mission, losing a child, losing a sense of peace, quiet, and privacy.
"Why did dad bring the cursed object home in the first place? If he was sent out on a mission, who dispatched him? Was he sent out on the same mission?"
"Your father and I thought it would be best to keep the item in our possession until we found a safe person to submit it to. The Sorcerer-Civilian Society of Canada dispatched your father."
She is hiding information and I want to know what it is.
"What else did you want to discuss, mom?" I am growing hungry.
"What happened with you and Simon is not to be shared with anyone outside of this household. One of your techniques kept you from staying on the other side, you will figure out the other technique as time passes. Understand?"
Her tone is serious and scary. I nod my head yes.
"Your father and I have tried finding answers regarding our lineage…"
I wake up around 2:30 am on Thursday, staring at the ceiling in my room.
"I am sorry if I have let you down and for bringing heartache to you and father. If you are listening, I am keeping myself safe and making friends. Better late than never, right? Heck, I have 'found' someone willing to share the information you were not able to discuss with me before your death. Tell Zink and Zyler hi for me."
I roll onto my left-hand side and turn my eyes to the floor. The darkness comforts me as silent tears stream down my face. Sleep escapes me.
Thursday, 5:30 am
I pack up my bag and go to the hotel lobby for a morning cup of coffee; hoping to have some alone time before breakfast and heading back to campus.
"Good morning. I thought I was the only early bird in our group until I saw you beat me to the punch. Mind if I join you?" Suguru says while walking towards my table. I assume Satoru will show up next and embarrass both of us.
"Make yourself at home." I prop my left hand under my left temple and close my eyes.
A few seconds later….
"Is there a reason you are staring at me?" I open my left eye and look directly at Suguru…who has turned red hot in the face.
"Sorry, I was looking at the wall behind you. Umm, how did you sleep last night?" I squint my eyes and giggle silently.
Our conversation is interrupted by someone yelling across the room.
"And there are my two favorite people! You got sunburnt yesterday, Suguru? And why are you half asleep, newbie? You are not turning into a vampire now, are you?"
I take a deep inhale and exhale.
"It is a tad early for your antics, Satoru. Kindly refrain from bullying me until ten, thanks." I drink the rest of my coffee.
"And the sarcasm is back ladies and gentlemen. Come on, the cars are here to take us to campus.
We are given the rest of the day off and told to report back to campus at five in the morning. I head back to my apartment to unpack, unwind, and regroup.
While fumbling for my keys, a hint of rose water travels through my nostrils. It is followed by the scent of rotting flesh. The vampire has returned…and she is waiting for me. I open the door and find her sitting on the spot where she knocked me to the ground, eyes closed.
I close the front door, tiptoe around the vampire, and walk into my bedroom. The rotting flesh smell ranks high on the scale of gross things I have encountered as a sorceress. After unpacking and grabbing a fresh set of clothing, I head to the bathroom. The spot where the vampire was sitting is empty...
I walk into the bathroom, shut the door, turn on the lights, and pull back the shower curtain. Nothing. I breathe a sigh of relief and close my eyes: there is no movement outside the bathroom door, the stairs leading up to my apartment are empty, my neighbor's child woke up from their nap, and the closet door next to the front door is slightly open…found you. And I have a few guests heading towards my place.
Ten-Minutes Later
I am standing in the kitchen, fixing up some soup, scrambled eggs, and fruit. There is a cup of blood sitting next to the tea kettle…just in case. Within a few seconds, the vampire is standing next to me, watching me cook.
"If you are going to attack me, I am holding a sharp knife and will use it. The blood is for you to consume, and the rest of the food will be done in a minute. Do you mind telling me your name?"
Her red eyes meet my lilac eyes: they are filled with angst, hunger, and pain. Whatever the vampire at jujutsu tech did to this woman is unforgivable. She takes the blood and retreats inside the closet. I rub the scar lines on my face and neck: if I were not a sorceress, my fate would be like my new roommate's fate.
Meanwhile…
"Hehe, this will get her to go out with me for sure. A new book, some flowers, and a pocket protector."
Naoya has made it to the apartment complex; Satoru and Suguru are not far behind him. Stay calm, stay collected. They are on the ground level; I am on the seventh floor.
"What are you doing here, Zen'In?"
"The same question can be said of you, Gojo. What is the curse manipulator doing here?"
"His name I Geto, Suguru…but someone like yourself can't be bothered to remember someone's name. Is not that right, Suguru?"
"Don't drag me into your argument, Satoru. And hello, Naoya. It seems like yesterday when we last met."
"Save the smug attitude for someone who cares, curse manipulator."
"What is with the pocket protector and book? Are you heading off to college or something?" Satoru asks this to Naoya, while Suguru tries holding back a laugh. Naoya's face flushes pink, and it stands out against his blond hair.
"I wanted to give Santa-Clara a gift for completing a mission, even though the two of you pulled most of the weight."
"She won't accept your 'gifts'. Give them to someone else." Satoru with a sarcastic, dramatic tone.
I turn off the stove, walk out of the kitchen, and place the food on the dining room table. The vampire pokes her head outside of the closet. I smile at her.
"Help yourself to what is on the table or in the fridge. I need to grocery shop soon. Kindly stay inside the apartment, make yourself comfortable, and don't make a huge mess."
I grab my wallet, keys, and pocketknife before walking outside. I head over to the railing and watch the entourage of men make their way to my door.
"For the record, Zen'In, Santa-Clara did her fair share of the labor."
"Pft, doubt full, curse user. She is nothing but a woman after all."
They have reached the sixth floor. I smile to myself and nonchalantly lean against the rail.
"Again, with the sexist attitude, Naoya?" I say as the trio walks onto the seventh-floor landing. The look of surprise on their faces makes me grin.
"How did you know we were…" I cut Naoya off before he can finish his sentence.
"A highly skilled sorceress can sense out an ally, opponent, curse, or another target well before they come into view. Humans have five senses, and they should not be overlooked as tools. Sensing an individual out by cursed energy has its advantages but will not work against every target. Of course, I would not expect someone at your level to understand this concept."
I smile at the three men who are now standing right in front of my door.
"I would not think too highly of yourself, Santa-Clara. As my father said, our meeting is still on the table. Now take these." He extends the gifts to me.
"No. I am allergic to roses, bullies, and your stuffy attitude. Why are you two here?" My question is directed to Gojo and Geto.
"We wanted to see if you were up to hang out with us for a few hours."
….
Back on the Jujutsu Technical Campus: A Conversation Between the Principals of Both Schools Are Discussing the Upcoming Sister-Exchange Event
"Since last year's exchange was postponed due to an influx of incidences, are we open to having the event in the spring?" Tokyo's current principal; Yaga is sitting in on the meeting as second in command for the Tokyo branch.
"Are you planning to allow the first years to participate? If so, we have two first-years of our own who are good enough to participate." Principal Gakuganji.
"I don't see why not. All three of them completed a mission recently, with high remarks from the client. They managed to bring the vampire into custody." Yaga.
"What month are we planning for this, Spring exchange? The Higher-Ups should be alright with a Spring event. I will run the information past them before our next meeting." Gakuganji.