Jujutsu Kaisen: The Forgotten Clan
Chapter 30- DreamScape
"It would appear our newest student is in a crises situation and unable to meet with you all, Lady Fabrice."
"I find that hard to believe, gentlemen. She seemed perfectly healthy and capable during today's events. Have either of you spoken with the young lady, or are you assuming she is unwell?"
"That is the problem we are facing, your majesties. We can't find her on the campus."
"Yaga, do you mind explaining to me what happened and where Santa-Clara has gone?"
"Lord Aldric, if I knew where she was, I would have dragged her into this meeting myself."
"If I could add a suggestion to the present problem."
"What is it, Principal Gakuganji?"
"Why don't we hold off on meeting with Miss Santa-Clara until tomorrow or the day after? Surely she will be in a better state of mind and able to hold a civil conversation. We have noticed here adjustment to Jujutsu Tech has been rough. I would hate to put her in a situation that causes her more distress and anguish.
Would you not agree with my statement, Yaga? As her primary instructor, you spend more time with Santa-Clara and have a better understanding of her life as a student."
...
"Lady Fabrice, Lord Aldric, and Principal Gakuganji, I am not at liberty to discuss the well-being of my students without them present. I do agree on holding off the meeting until we get a hold of Santa-Clara. May we disband for the night?"
Meanwhile...
As I wave Simon, Geto, and Gojo off for the night, the events of today hit me like a wave of cold water to the face. I have put Simon and his family in danger, switching back while awake is not possible, and there might be long-term effects if we remain switched. Then there is the mysterious sorcerer I met in the convenience store three hours ago. Mysterious is not the correct word; he seemed familiar and distant.
A chill runs down my spine as I turn the handle on the back door. While my ability to sense out opponents and curses is diminished, I can pick up some information on whoever is upstairs. They are roughly Simon's height, lack curse energy, smell like roses doused in vinegar, and have a nearly undetectable heartbeat. Another vampire? Why are they here? If they are looking for the real me, they should head back to campus.
I stay by the door for what feels like an eternity before heading towards the stairs. The individual upstairs has made it to the third floor. I bolt towards the end of the hallway while echoes of shoes bounce off the floors and walls. As I round a corner, the emergency exit door insight, a pair of red eyes catch me off guard, and the environment turns black.
Swish, swish, swish.
Why does it feel like my body is bobbing up and down? And this breeze! It is saturating my bones with a cloak of winter frost. I have never consumed a drop of liquor in my life, but the pit in my stomach and buzzing in my head are symptoms of drunkenness. It is time to swim to shore. Forget it! I want to float to shore! I can't distinguish where the heck I am or what direction I should head!
I hold my breath and dive back into the water, swimming under the surfaces. When I spring back from my little escapade, I open my eyes and see nothing. Then, I am pulled underneath the water so quickly my heart rate shoots up! My arms punch upwards as the surface grows further and further away. A soft pair of arms hug my torso, their weight crushing my lungs into my chest. Giant bubbles float towards the sky, panic and tears radiate from my body as my eyes close.
Suddenly, I feel light as a feather. Butterflies and fear still have a firm grasp on my reality. Think of Me from Phantom of the Opera dances in my ears. I can't help but whistle to the music as my body drops to the hardwood floor.
Let me get myself ready for the day before everyone else wakes up. A morning walk should do the trick!
4:30 am
"Why am I in the middle of a staircase?"
"I was running away from something last night while you were sleeping. Oh, I got these for you. Please meet me outside in five minutes."
...
"What are you planning to do, Blaze?"
"Escort you back to Tokyo. Unless you want to hang out in Kyoto and miss school. The choice is for you to make."
...
"Hey, I told your parents you would be spending one night here. I did not specify whether or not you would be missing school. Could you stop looking at me with a furrowed brow? It is not like you."
"Can we get a coffee or tea on our way to the station? And why do you insist on escorting me?"
"Yes, we can get coffee, and I can explain my reasoning on the trip back. Hurry up. The first train leaves at six."
Train Ride: Destination, Shibuya Station
"Start talking. You owe me an explanation."
What is there to lose or gain?
"I am a sorceress, Simon, and have different abilities involving magic."
"Keep going."
"As you witnessed yesterday, I can see things that other people are not able to see. Those are called curses. In addition, I can use this source called curse energy to kill curses. Curse energy helps me perform magic spells too. The school you spent the night at is one of two facilities in Japan that educate people who can see curses.
I am taking you back to Tokyo because someone tried attacking me last night at the abandoned hospital. The attack happened shortly after you, Geto, and Gojo left. There are no visible injuries on your person. Whoever attacked did not accomplish their goal. What is your question?"
"What is a curse? Am I in danger because of you? Why did we switch bodies?"
"A curse is a monster that is created from negative emotions and can take on various forms. Do you feel as if you have seen a curse?"
He does not answer my question and presses me for more information. I explain he may be in danger because of our relationship, that our accident from eight years ago is the catalyst for the body-switching, and that I am still researching for more concrete information. His eyes sink deep into their sockets as he grinds his teeth. Once we reach our destination, we give each other silent nods while exiting the train.
After ensuring Simon reaches his taxi in one piece, I take out my phone and turn it on. Seven messages pop onto my screen.
Gojo: Where are you? Suguru and I have been searching the campus for thirty minutes. We can't find Simon either.
Geto: Good morning, Blaze. Satoru and I are trying to find you. What is your location?
Gojo: Seriously, where have you gone? Yaga is starting to get ticked off and wants to see you as soon as possible. Call me!
Anonymous Number: Hello, Lith. It was a pleasure seeing you last night. The next time we cross paths, perhaps we can spend a little more time together. The next time you have a peanut butter sandwich, try not to squeeze it too hard.
Gojo: You are ignoring me because I am annoying. Well, Yaga is furious, the Principals are worried, and one of the Kyoto students is looking for you too. Get it together and call someone!
Geto: Sorry to bother you but, please call someone when you are able.
Simon: Hey, thank you for explaining what happened yesterday. I still don't fully understand what is going on or what curses are. I made it home safely and will call you later today. My parents bombarded me with questions regarding you. Stay safe.
Send me to Kyoto Curse Technical College!
8:30 am- Kyoto Curse Technical College, Dorm Hall
"Satoru, Blaze got back to me. She says she is outside her room waiting for us."
Once my classmates come into view, I put on a smile. Today will be a long day, and I want as much moral support as I can get.
"Good morning, everyone. I do apologize for not responding to you all's texts in a more timely manner."
"Mind explaining to us where you have been this whole time?"
"Sure, I escorted Simon back to Tokyo. I have been up since 4:30 and teleported back here. Shall we catch up over breakfast and coffee?"
"You all may catch up on the ride back to Tokyo. Santa-Clara, come with me. Do not argue, and do not run away."
Like magic, Yaga appears next to us and all but strong arms me into following him. I shrug my shoulders and wave goodbye to my peers.
"Do you mind telling me where we are heading?"
Meeting Place
"We appreciate your patience, Lady and Lords Bonnfort. Miss Santa-Clara should be joining us any minute."
"For our sake, we hope you are correct."
Before walking through the double doors, the same uneasiness and euphoria hit me like a wave. I grit my teeth and take a few breaths, trying to calm myself down.
"And here she is!"
The amount of energy inside the room causes my eyes to change color three times. And I start growing restless. An individual wearing a pair of dark wash jeans, a pressed linen shirt, and sunglasses puts me in fight or flight mode. I recognize the other individual, presumed male, from day one of the exchange events.
"Thank you all for waiting. What are we discussing? And if I may ask, who are you?"
The individual with sunglasses eyes me like a hawk as I sit down. His counterparts speak up first.
"You can relax, my dear. My name is Lady, Fabrice Bonnfort and these are my brothers: Cyril and Aldric Bonnfort. We assume you have heard of us?"
I shake my head no. And stay quiet while Lady Bonnfort continues talking through gritted teeth.
"Very well then. I will keep this brief. My brothers and I were impressed by your performance during the individual battle the other day and would like to discuss your future. However, it seems you are not up to date with the Bonnfort lineage and should do your homework before we discuss anything further."
"I could not agree more, your Majesty."
The second the words leave my lips, I die on the inside. It is clear theBonnforts are a family of vampires with a lot of power. And based on the tension building inside the room, someone else has withheld information from me on purpose.
"Lady Bonnfort, thank you for the introductions. As you can tell, Miss Santa-Clara here is a bit under the weather. Perhaps, Yaga and I can bring her up to date and set up a meeting for another day. We would hate to see you miss your flight back to France. Would you not agree, Yaga?"
"I can't argue with your reasoning. Santa-Clara, you may leave."
I get up without a second thought and high-tail it to the door. As I reach for the handle, the individual named Aldric says something to me.
"Miss Santa-Clara, there is no need to worry about the young woman from Kyoto or the young family you took care of a few missions back. Please enjoy your time at Tokyo Curse College while you can. We will be in touch."