Jujutsu Kaisen: The Forgotten Clan
Chapter 26: Sister-Exchange Event, Day 1
After a day of resting and touring the Kyoto campus, my classmates and I had the rest of the day to ourselves. I walked around the city, took in some sights, and ran. Nothing out of the ordinary occurred. Then evening came, and things got weird. It all started with a chance encounter in the hallway of the dormitories.
My stomach churned and rumbled as though I had not eaten in days. I figured my body was tired from the five-mile run I completed. My forehead broke out into a cold sweat, my heart rate shot up, causing me to clutch my chest. Thankfully, it was not a heart attack. The stomach pain, cold sweat, and heart palpitations ceased two minutes after they started. Euphoria, calmness, and beauty I have not experienced before replaced the uncomfortable bodily sensations. I started laughing under my breath. My body felt as if it was floating, and I started craving lemon drops.
A figure, dark-brown hair pinned at the nape, and pointed features came into view. Their presence screamed royalty and importance. As they walked closer to me, the euphoric sensations grew more intense. Then, they smiled and bowed at me before heading on their way. I smiled in return and felt safe in their company.
"What is with the look, Miss Blaze?"
"Huh?"
"Nanami asked you a question, kid. What is with the look? Are you feeling nervous about the individual battles later today? Are you thinking about Simon?"
I want to throw my cup of tea at Satoru for mocking me but resist. He would expect me to lash out and can activate his Limitless Technique to defend himself. Plus, I have been making strides in counseling and refuse to regress into my old habits.
"To your question Nanami, I am thinking about someone I ran into last night. They seem important. And no, Gojo, I saw this person in the hallway. Kindly refrain from sharing whatever crude or dirty thoughts you are harboring. And stop shipping me with Simon."
"You have such little faith in me, Santa-Clara. Besides, you and Simon would make a cute couple."
After taking a hard sip of tea, I give a blunt response to Satoru.
"I am not interested in Simon romantically, for numerous reasons. Now, if you will excuse me, I am going to freshen up before the opening ceremonies."
Roughly ten minutes later
"If I may have everyone's attention, please."
Principal Gakuganji is making efforts to control a group of twenty teenagers. Most of us are chatting like there is no tomorrow. The only exceptions are Nanami, Ijichi, and myself: the three introverts in a sea of extroverts. Need I say more?
"Everyone, listen up! Principal Gakuganji and I have some important information to share with each of you. The sooner we get through sharing, the sooner we can get to the events."
The moment Yaga starts talking is the moment everyone turns their attention to the adults. Now I can hear my thoughts crystal clear.
"Much appreciation, Masamichi. As I was going to say, we are holding individual battles today."
Dead silence fills the room. A pin could drop, and one would hear it. Mouths are gaping open, eyes are wide, and a few hearts skipped a beat or two. A Kyoto third-year raises her hand and asks for clarification.
"Hold up. Today is the team event. What gives?"
"We are breaking away from tradition for accommodation purposes."
"Really? Explain why first-year students are participating this year?"
"Again, we have decided to break away from tradition. There are strong sorcerers among the first-years, and we want to give them a chance to showcase their talents. Enough with the questions. When I call your name, draw a slip from this bucket. This will help us determine pairings for the individual trials."
(Oh great, my favorite human on earth is weaseling his way towards me. Stay calm Blaze he is not a threat.)
"Good morning, sunshine. Do you mind if I sit next to you?"
"I do mind. Please find someplace else to sit."
I turn my gaze towards the front of the room and stare off into space. Trying to ignore the pain in the butt, Zen'In brat. He sits in the empty chair next to me and continues talking. Ijichi moves his eyes to the left, watching what is going on.
"Hehehe. Nice try, Santa-Clara. For the record, we will most likely be paired up. Two strong sorcerers going at it for the sake of the appearance. What do you make of this?"
"You mean one strong sorcerer beating the daylights out of a scared wimp. Sounds like an even match to me. I was under the impression members of the dominant clans were not obligated to partake in the Exchange Event. Yet, you seem like the type who enjoys poping his mouth off with nothing to show."
"Santa-Clara, get up here."
Spectator Viewing Area for the Event
"Lady Bonnfort. Welcome to the Jujutsu Technical 22nd-Annual Sister Exchange Event. Am I to assume you had a safe trip from France? Where are your brothers?"
"You assume correctly. I am sure Aldric is introducing himself to a student. Cyril...is not joining us today. Will we be joining up with the other Clan Heads and the Higher-Ups?"
"The others will be here shortly. Speaking of the devil, Aldric Bonnfort, glad you made it! Your sister was telling me you were looking for a specific student. Any luck with finding them?"
"Greetings to you, Sir Gojo. I found them and can't wait to see what they bring to their showcase."
Aldric's face shines brightly as he responds to Grandpa Gojo. His fangs are hardly noticeable as his mouth opens. Fabrice Bonnfort closes her eyes, trying not to judge her brother too harshly. The rest of the seats slowly fill with more spectators.
Student Holding Area
I start pacing up and down the dimly light room when the first group of students is called to the field. The hot flashes, heart palpitations, and sudden urge to cry feel out of place.
"Hey, do you want to talk about anything, Miss Blaze?"
"No. Just give me space so I can process what is going on with my mind. Thank you."
A quiet sigh escapes Nanami's lips while he drags himself to the t.v. monitor. Someone has found their way inside my house! Fluffer Nutter is hiding in a closet hissing and scratching at the intruder. Stay focused Blaze, your name will be called any...
"Hey, kid! You may want to come and watch the current fight. It is getting pretty graphic and high energy."
Click, buzz. I jump out of my skin when the intercom goes off.
"Will Santa-Clara, Lithuila please report to the main hallway. Santa-Clara to the main hallway."
My heart is going to beat right out of my chest at this rate, my lungs have forgotten how to expand properly, and sweat is racing down my face. The walls are closing in on me, too!
Outside In the Main Hallway
As Principal Gakuganji is about to say something, Kiyotaka is brought through the hallway on a gurney. His right leg is broken from the patella to the ankle. His nose is dislocated, glasses are destroyed, and his breathing is labored.
"Heal cleanly. I will visit you later." This makes him smile before passing out from exhaustion.
"Should not you be in the viewing area, playing host to the guests of honor? And where is Yaga-sensi?"
"How about you stop worrying about other people and head outside."
The Elder turns around and walks away. I send a silent prayer to my brothers, and involuntarily kiss the ground with my face while heading out to the field.
Outside on the Field: Warning, violence, and blood ahead
My heart has reached a normal rhythm once more. The air in my lungs moves, uninhibited, as a gentle breeze caresses my face. A single curl covers my right eye like a blanket concealing a surprise. I look ahead and notice the silhouette of my opponent, and an Elder: the same dude who interviewed me alongside Principal Gakuganji. Taping more into my technique, I sense out the spectators roughly 50 meters from the field, behind a shelter.
"Miss Santa-Clara, if you would join us in the middle of the field, we would appreciate it."
With my shoulders rolled back, chin in a neutral position, and face carrying a smile, I make my way to the middle of the field. Naoya's smug face and dark green eyes stare a hole into my face.
"If the two of you are finished sizing each other up, I have a few rules to go over. Points will be awarded by the number of attacks made towards your opponent. Killing is strictly prohibited! You can utilize the field and forest as you see fit. Finally, incapacitating your opponent is allowed: doing so is an automatic victory. Any questions from either of you?"
Naoya and I both shake our heads no.
"Very well, your match starts now."
There is no doubt in my mind Naoya will try to pin me down, beat the living daylights out of me, and humiliate me. His piece of work father is watching and a few important people too. It is time to give the crowd what they want.
Five steps backward, two steps to my right, and freeze. Naoya mirrors my moves. He keeps his left foot pointed towards me, and his right foot pointed towards the forest: a tango of witts, that's what this is. He is a fast runner with a wicked kick, that much I recall from our first fight.
"I will say Santa-Clara, you seem pretty adept at fighting. What is your secret?"
I take three steps backward, Naoya takes three steps forward and takes a swing at my face. My right palm catches his left first, but thump...I am punched in the gut by his left fist. I do not falter and draw two, discrete exes with my foot.
"There is no secret, I train day-in and day-out! Just like you, and every other sorcerer in this country. I got a question for you dude. Want to play hide-and-seek?"
Naoya's brow tightens, his eyes shut halfway, and wham! I get a clear punch onto his nose, drawing blood in the process. He covers his face, I bolt for the forest, leaving a few drops of blood on the ground as I go.
Since his technique is based on speed, I need to create an advantage for myself. I have ninety seconds to put as much distance between myself and Naoya: he is searching around the field, his blood is starting to boil, and he will have a nice black eye come tomorrow morning. Looking seven meters ahead, three blackbirds perched on a tree. A smile grows inside my heart!
"Huff, huff. Where is that brat? I know she headed in this general direction based on her cursed energy trail! But, the trail ends here."
"Squawk, squawk. Caw."
"Quit mocking me you darn birds!"
Back Inside the Student Holding Area
"Hahaha. I was not expecting that type of move from her."
"Huh? What do mean Satoru? All that she did was teleport to the river."
"There is more to it, Suguru, keep watching."
Back to the Forest-At the River's Edge
"Show yourself Santa-Clara. It is not proper etiquette to run from a fight without bowing out. Did your parents not teach you how to be a proper lady?"
(To answer your question, my parents raised me to be independent, strong-willed, and resilient.)
"How about you turn around, Zen'In."
"Huh?"
"Above you, look."
"Squawk!"
I dive towards Naoya and use my talons to graze the top of his head. I am punched in the process and flap my wings frantically; barely making it back into the thick brush. He steps into the river. His eyes start burning red, his heart rate increases, and his hands curl into fists.
"What is this! You have turned yourself into a bird! How childish, come out and fight like a real sorcerer."
Poof. We are back to back.
"Rule number one when fighting someone, do not turn your back to them!" My purple eyes are shining in the sunlight. My teeth make an appearance between my lips, and I am feeling feisty.
"Got you now."
As Naoya reaches for me, I grab him by the wrists and interlace my fingers with his. I cradle his right hand in my left hand and gently place my left hand on his waist. His right-hand finds its way to my waist. All of this happens in thirty seconds.
"I have always wanted to tango. You know, the sultry dance of following and leading."
I make direct eye contact with my opponent while saying this. My eyes are smiling, his eyes are threatening to pop out of their sockets. I take a step forward and force Naoya to step backward.
"Listen here, Naoya, I will lead our little dance first. And if you are lucky, I will let you lead too."
"I refuse to take order from..."
"Body-Soul-Puppeterring Technique: Activate."
He lets go of my hands and tries running away. I snap my fingers and beckon Naoya back towards me. He flies throw the air, and lands in the same place he just left.
"Why can't I move? What have you done to me you little bitch?"
Crack, crunch.
"First off, you will not call me a bitch. You will call me Blaze."
"Why don't you make me? You know darn well the Elders..."
Smack, crunch.
"Second, when I am talking to you, do not interrupt me. You want me to explain my technique or not?"
The slightest trail of blood falls from my nose, and a bruise is starting to form on my right bicep. Naoya does a spit take, and a tooth flies from his mouth.
Right outside the Spectator Gallery
"Look at her, Mai! She is beating our cousin up! That is beyond cool!"
"Maki, keep your voice down. We should not be here in the first place."
"No, I don't care. Our mother is not around and our uncle is too busy kissing up to the other adults. Let me enjoy myself."
"Suit yourself."
Inside the Spectator Gallery
"What is so funny, Gojo? Your grandson's classmate is making a fool of my son."
"I have to agree with Gojo on this one. Watching Santa-Clara and your son fight is entertaining, to say the least. He has a grudge against her, she does not want anything to do with him, and I can tell she is the type of individual who thinks on the fly. In addition, she can strategically think her way through a situation."
"You are agreeable with most individuals, Aldric. Don't get your hopes up with this one."
"Fabrice, my sweet sister, you are not wrong with me being agreeable with most individuals. However, I will keep my hopes up with this one."
Meanwhile
"I don't want you to explain your technique! That will only make it stronger. Agh!"
"Oh, am I hurting you, baby Naoya. Should I soothe your wounds and stroke your ego a little bit?"
"Stop mocking me, you low-life, half-bred, insignificant person."
At this point, Naoya is rendered to his knees. I can hold my technique for ten minutes before he falls asleep.
"A low-life, half-bred...oh, a derogatory phrase for someone who is multiracial. I get it now. You are right, I am a half-bred individual! A mix of French and African. How are you feeling, by the way? From our connection, I am picking up an escalated heart rate, dilated pupils, a cold sweat, and the urge to pee."
Naoya's face turns bright red. I sit on the riverbed, the cool water touches my toes. A crow perches itself of my right shoulder.
"I can't access my cursed energy or control my body! What type of witchcraft is this!"
My opponent is on the verge of tears, and his words reach deaf ears.
"Go to sleep and enjoy your dreams."
Snap. Naoya's body goes limp. His face plunges into the river. I get up from my seat, scoop my opponent's body into my hands, and teleport us back to the field.
We are met by the Elder who initiated our battle. I gingerly place Naoya on the ground and face the Elder. His eyes are squinted and boring into my soul. Another meeting with the Elders will be called soon enough.
"The winner of round two goes to Tokyo. See yourself to the infirmary or the student holding area, Miss Santa-Clara."
I turn on my heels, hold my head high, and smile to myself. The crow flies away.