Jujutsu Kaisen: The Forgotten Clan
Chapter 29- Re-Connection
Trigger Warning: Conversations of depression and bullying will be in this chapter
Get up, get up and fight! What, I am not getting out from under these rocks. If I do, I am toast! Crud, someone is already unearthing my safe spot. No, it is the really cute guy with pierced ears! Collect yourself, you are in a relationship already!
"Good, you are not seriously injured. Why are you blushing?"
"No reason, just, stunned from being buried under rocks. Mind helping me up?"
"Hehe, not at all."
"What direction did the opposing students run? I would very much like to speak with them."
We agreed to keep her out of the line of fire, yet, there shouldn't be any harm in letting her have a little fun. Hehehe.
"Are you going to answer my question or not?"
I might as well have a little fun while I am here. And make myself useful for once. Hurry up and answer.
"Right this way, Blaze. Right, this way."
Inside the Viewing Area
I must say, the students are acting rather strangely today. Two of the Kyoto students attacked Santa-Clara, she did not retaliate, and young Gojo is acting protective for once. Excellent! Now to stay calm and watch how the rest of today unfolds.
"Cyril, what are you thinking?"
"Nothing, my dear brother. Just taking in how amazing the batch of sorcerers is this year. Say Principal Gakuganji, what happened with the two vampires Jujutsu Tech apprehended a few months ago?"
"One of them has escaped and we are unable to track them down. The other is in a maximum-security cell. Would you like to talk with him?"
"Lord Cyril, I would not recommend having a conversation with the vampire in question. He has already killed two employees and..."
"With all due respect, Lord Kamo, I was not directing my question towards you. Lord Gojo, care to explain why you are quiet today?"
"I am simply tired. Much appreciation for your concern, Lord Cyril."
"Cyril, we will take the vampire back with us. If you insist on talking with them, I am certain arrangements can be made. Is my assumption correct, Principal?"
"Lady Fabrice, I will see what we can do."
"While you are at it, Principal Gakuganji, I would like a meeting set up with Santa-Clara. Thank you."
I knew it would be a pain to invite the vampires! But of course, Gojo had to tip them off and press for them to be here. Only a few more days then they will be gone.
"I will make sure she gets your invitation, Lady Fabrice."
On the Train to Kyoto
Rimo: Let me know when you arrive and sorry I am not able to come with you. You know how my parents can be, last-minute teenage shenanigans...enjoy yourself. Plus, I am cramming for an English test tonight. Should be fun.
Simon: I appreciate the apology and understand how my asking you for a spontaneous outing would not work out. I should be arriving in an hour and will update you accordingly. Have a nice night, and I enjoyed our date this afternoon.
I am happy for you dude! You lucked out finding a partner who respects your boundaries, communicates clearly, and stands up for you. Strange, the hair on the back of my head and arms is standing erect. And the scent of blood... footsteps are heading towards me.
"Excuse me, young man, may I see your ticket please?"
"Of course, sir, here you are."
Grr. I did not get a visual of the person that just walked past us. Hurry up and scan my ticket Conductor!
"Thank you. Enjoy the rest of your trip, young man."
"Have a good evening, Sir."
Back on Campus
"The score is tied at three points, it is thirty minutes till sundown, and non of the students have been removed from the game."
"Why is this concerning, you Gojo?"
"I am pointing out the facts, Nanami."
"Hey, umm, this information might upset you Gojo."
"Spit it out Haibara."
...
"The Grade-1 curse is on the westernmost corner of the forest, where the three of us just came from, and all the Kyoto students are heading this way."
"You are hiding information... never mind. I answered my question."
Kyoto Train Station
Click: "Attention passengers, we are approaching our final stop. Please put your trays in the upright position, and make sure to take your belongings upon exiting the train. Have a peaceful evening."
Looking outside the window, I notice the smallest bits of orange, pink, and purple dancing towards the ground. My moment of bliss is interrupted by a familiar presence...the individual from before just walked past me. There is no harm in playing a game of follow-the-leader, it will give me time to hatch up a plan to get Simon and I sorted out. Now then, where are you headed?
Once outside the train, I take a hard left and walk. I am not picking up on cursed energy but, I see the outline of a brunette-haired person, wearing a black sweater, dark wash blue jeans, and ballcap. Perfect! The afternoon rush of people going home puts enough distance between me and the brunette. We make it to the street level. Buzz, buzz.
"Hey, watch it, kid!"
"Sorry."
I say this right as a woman and her toddler nearly crash into me. The brunette looks over their shoulder, I catch a glimpse of their eyes and avert my gaze in a heartbeat. There is no way in the heck...I am seeing things. I glance over my left shoulder and the target has disappeared. It feels as though a pile of rocks is sitting in my stomach, a cold sweat breaks out over my brow, and I forget to breathe for a split second: it is time to split.
Having blindly walked deeper into the alleyway, I come face to face with a brick wall. I take a sharp right, then another right, and finally, make a left-hand turn. Crud! Where is my hideaway spot? Right...I need to head back to the main drag and stay calm. By the time I retrace my steps, the last bit of light has disappeared, creating an ominous environment. A twenty-minute game of searching leads me to my destination.
I duck behind the abandoned building after a pair of patrol officers pass by. Prying the metal door open feels like lifting an elephant off the ground with my bare hands...come on Simon, we will need to get you a tad stronger. Climbing up the three flights of stairs takes the last bit of breath from my lungs and forces me to sit cross-legged on the third-floor landing. The phone in my back pocket buzzes three times before I pick it up: I don't recognize the number and press the red phone button.
Kyoto School Dormitories: Satoru's Temporary Room
"Come on, pick up the phone, will you?"
Knock, knock.
"What do you want, four-eyes?"
"Gojo, gulp, the rest of us are wondering when you are joining us in the dining hall? And what are you doing on the phone?"
"Hehe, how about you bring Geto and Santa-Clara in here and tell the others we are not eating in the dining hall. Goodbye."
"But Gojo!"
"I said bye!"
Kyoto Dormitories: My Temporary Room
Buzz, buzz, buzz. Buzz, buzz, buzz.
Odd, why am I calling Santa-Clara at this late hour?
"Hello?"
"Simon, where are you?"
"Huh? Blaze? Where are you?"
"I asked you first, please answer me. Are you safe?"
"Ugh, I am at a school and...I have a lot of questions to ask you! What..."
"I don't have time to explain right now, and I am getting a text message. Listen, I will answer your questions to the best of my abilities when we meet up. Are you able to get off the campus right now?"
"Blaze, I don't know. Half of the people I have met today are freaking me out. And I was buried under rocks during some battle or whatnot. Also, there is this creepy blonde person who threatened me, I mean you. Agh! I don't know how to explain..."
"Simon, have you been in contact with a person who has white hair or a person with pierced ears?"
"Yes, I have. Why?"
"You sound awfully happy. Here is what I need you to do..."
Outside the Dining Hall
"Where is she?"
"I don't know, Suguru. I just got her message telling us to meet her outside in five minutes, and oh look who made it."
"Sorry for keeping the two of you waiting. Are we ready to go?"
"We have been ready for five minutes, kid."
"Alright grumpy cat, no need to hiss at me."
Seems like their personalities are starting to change. I am going to grill the kid when she is back.
Meanwhile
The time is nearing eight..and this place closes at, no wait, it is a 24-hour market. Good gravy I need to calm down. Alright, I can trust Geto and Gojo...and Simon...of course. It is the Elders and Clan leaders I am eery of. I am pretty sure they have some laws in place that prohibit tampering with the soul. Wait a minute, I did not initiate whatever has happened with Simon and...
"If you squeeze the sandwich any harder, the jelly and peanut butter will burst out of the bread."
"Haha, very...you are the same person I saw leaving the train earlier. What do you want?"
"Nothing, I just wanted to get a good look at your face. Try to stay out of trouble and keep the number of people you trust to a minimum. Finding out who is worth keeping close and letting go, is a necessary skill in our line of work. Have a good evening."
Ten-Minutes Later
"Are you sure this is where we are meeting her, or you?"
"Yes. I called myself to confirm...and there is the person we are looking for! Why the long face?"
Rather than moving outside to meet my counterparts, I stood in the isle: a dumbfounded look plastered on Simon's face.
"Simon, Geto, Gojo follow me."
"Is everything alright, kid? It looks like you have seen a ghost."
"No. Everything is not alright."
The four of us make it back to Base
"Come on in, the coast is clear."
"Where are we, Blaze?"
"An abandoned hospital. It is my haven and training ground. Take a seat."
Silence. Simon sets the mood for our conversation.
"Why are my knuckles bruised up? And who are you texting?"
"I beat up your bully after he called you pizza face. And I am texting your partner."
"How do you know I have a boyfriend, Blaze?"
"Today was date day. Yes, he is aware of you punching your bully and is proud of your milestone."
This makes Simon blush: it is odd seeing my face turn tomato red.
"Before you start freaking out, your parents are aware you are in Kyoto for the night. You are welcome to stay here if you want. I can fix up a bed and sleep in another room."
"I want to know what is going on between the two of you. I have my assumptions but would like confirmation or for you to discredit them."
I take a sharp inhale and exhale.
"Our souls switched bodies last night."
"Huh? Do you mean we had a Freaky-Friday type of switch oh roo?"
"Correct, Simon."
"Then how do we switch back? And it looks like you are about to cry."
"I don't know. I don't know what caused our souls to switch in the first place. This is not my crying face, this is my thinking face."
"What are you thinking about, kid?"
"Stop calling me kid! Just because I am in someone else's body does not give you the right to disregard my boundaries!"
"Oh good, you are still yourself."
"Satoru now is not the time."
Let me see if Simon's soul has been inside my body, does he have my curse technique abilities? How did the exchange-event end? Why do I have this feeling of dread residing in my chest? I have been able to see curses while my soul is inside his body, but I can't manipulate cursed energy.
"Simon, before we switched bodies, how has your mental state and well-being been?"
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"How have you been feeling lately? My understanding is you and your family moved from Canada less than a year ago, you have started at a new high school, and you are in a romantic relationship."
"Wow, coming straight for the jugular vein eh. If we are going to talk, do you want your classmates here or not? I remember you being a very tight-lipped person when we went to school together and it was difficult for other people in our class to get you to open up."
"I trust them enough that they can choose to stay or leave. What do you want to do Satoru and Suguru?"
"I want to stay. Satoru?"
"I am staying too."
"Alrighty then...one more thing, you have to share how you have been feeling too. When I asked you over coffee a few weeks ago, you gave me a vague answer."
"Deal. Start talking, please."
My response causes my purple eyes to light up and lips to spread apart. A genuine feeling of giddiness plastered on my face.
"The move has been smooth for the most part. It stinks having to move to a new country and all, but I see it as an opportunity to learn more about myself. I did not understand why my parents relocated us to Japan at first, then my mom explained my dad had been offered a new job at the Embassy. Other than the bully, I have been blessed in terms of transitioning.
In short, I have started feeling less depressed as time goes on, my partner has helped me meet new people and get a better understanding of Japanese culture, and reconnecting with you has been the highlight of my move."
"What about the bullying?"
"I am learning to deal with bullying and stand up for myself. Now it is your turn to share, Blaze."
Now I have three pairs of eyes looking at me. A promise is a promise.
"The last couple of years have been trying for me: between transferring high schools three times, dealing with a few deaths, and juggling the demands of a job with school work tare what I have been facing. On most days, I can get out of bed and be thankful for seeing a new day. Then there are days when I feel empty inside. As if, what I am doing with my life does matter; that I don't matter."
There is more to my story but this is not the time to share every detail.