The rest of the trip was uneventful, they casually munched on sweet persimmons on the way back, talking about movies. The train announced Reina's stop, his was another couple stops away.
She got up, bag clutched to her hip. He pulled on her sleeve to get her attention. "When will I get to see you again?" Gojo asked, almost teasingly.
"When the time is right." She replied, running off. That's right, ambiguity was best. She didn't know what she was to Gojo, or what Gojo was to her.
Finally free from Gojo, Reina reviewed the photos she took of the canters. All of them were in languages she didn't understand. There were some hieroglyph-like illustrations depicting the human body in strange poses. She didn't have the opportunity to dig into the library either- with Gojo breathing down her neck.
She decided there was still plenty of time to learn. It was more important to get back to normalcy. For her own sanity.
Meanwhile, Mieko (stage name, Copa!) was getting antsy over her little sister's antics. It didn't help that Mieko was currently, literally tangled in Yuki's hair. Thankfully, their conversations hadn't veered towards Priestdom or her little sister.
"Mieko, you don't have to brush my hair you know, it's naturally straight! It'll get tangled in my helmet anyway..."
"Doesn't matter," Mieko cooed, "it's important you take care of it once in a while. Let me braid it, a simple French braid that'll be easy to wear. None of it will get in your face!"
Yuki stared at Mieko through the vanity mirror, grinning ear to ear, " sounds right up my alley!"
"You're lucky to have such nice hair, I gave up and cut all of mine off for all the wigs I wear onstage... But honestly, the pixie cut is not so bad."
"I think it's cute," Yuki turned around, "your little bangs draw out your pretty grey eyes."
Mieko rolled her eyes, "I know. But the point is, take care of what you got ya' flirt!"
Yuki chuckled, switching topics, "How's your sister?"
Mieko finished the last cross of the braid and grabbed a hair tie, then shrugged, "She's home now."
"She can use a little cursed energy, right?"
"She's not particularly strong, but yeah. A little stronger than me I suppose."
"Hmm. There were reports of a special grade eliminated around the time she was found nearly beat up to death, prompting Gojo to investigate. No way she'd be involved in such a rural case, right?"
Mieko frowned, "my stupidly prudent little sister forgot to rinse one of her cuts during her hike and got a bad infection, that's why she ended up in hospital. She wasn't beat up."
"It's just odd, Gojo doesn't usually go to bum-fuck nowhere, and your sister's off herself. Not to insult your family. Reina doesn't have any particular techniques that would draw Gojo to her. Her powers seem so... trapped within. Like yours."
Mieko placed the finished braid over Yuki's shoulder to inspect, "Oh I know, she's definitely not right in the head. But she just wanted some clear mountain air to rinse off the depression from those maimed curse victims. And We both have trouble using any cursed energy, it's like- there but we can't unlock or open it no matter what."
Yuki nodded in approval of the braid, "She's seen them?"
"A few were brought up to her ICU ward."
Yuki gave a pained expression, clenching her jaw, almost teeming with regret. "In the mountain... That special grade was left by the academy to research its growth over time. It seemed to feed on those with plans to end their lives. It fed on them by luring them in. A brilliant plan for a curse, in my opinion. Hopefully she wasn't one of them."
Mieko sighed, placing both arms around Yuki's neck, and kissing the top of her head gently, "All I know is that she's home safe, thanks for asking about her."
Yuki wasn't used to such a side of Mieko, calm and comforting in some way. Her head felt as though it melted into the softness of Mieko's lips. Meanwhile, anxiety brewed within Mieko, Yuki treaded a bit too closely with that inquiry.
If the Aoshima's were completely exposed to the Jujutsu world because of Mieko's feelings- even she wouldn't find a rational excuse.
At the same time, if Yuki found out, would she expose her family? What were Yuki's motives around eliminating all the curses? Would Yuki use Mieko and her family towards her goals?
For a minute, Mieko regretted hooking-up-now-dating this ridiculously hot and powerful woman.
...
Two Weeks Before October 31st
Gojo: Hey, if you happen to be out partying on Halloween, don't go to Shibuya this year.
Reina looked down on her phone, ready to text why?, but refrained. She just got back from her heinous time at that mountain, no need for that arrogant bastard to distract her from a pleasant time shopping for costumes with her friends.
Nana looked over to Reina, pressing various costumes over her body. "Hmm... I can't decide between sexy lizard or sexy hammer..."
"The hammer titties will drive all the boys wild." Hinata giggled, Reina snorted in agreement.
"Okay!! Seeeeeexy hammer it is!" Nana announced. It even came with a little hammerhead.
Reina glanced over to the other costumes, undecided on what she'd be this year. She felt removed from the whole thing. Blindly, she picked out a random costume, hoping for some stupid one piece bear suit.
"Guess I'll be this..." she pulled the costume from the rack, and frowned with displeasure.
A Sexy Nun.
Hinata scrutinized a couple costumes she laid out on the racks.
Nana excitedly chose the middle costume, a sexy book. It was a box that opened to reveal a scantily clad woman.
"You can pretend to be a bible and I'll be Reina's tool for punishing naughty children!"
"I have some leftover felt I can turn into a cross and stick in on my pages!" Hinata added.
Reina couldn't help but fall in love with the stupid premise, "I'm down!"
Late night, a picture of Mieko sprawled across a subway display. Her beautiful face advertised some expensive makeup. Mieko really leaned into the sexy boudoir image as of late. It suited her. Reina reminisced over the numerous complaints over what Mieko called "tasteless childlike costumes" when her agent forced her into loli-type costumes.
She sent a congratulatory text to Mieko, snapping a photo of the digital frame.
...
The next few shifts went without a hitch, the victims of the botched mutilations seemed to subside. Though looming over her was the warning text she received from Gojo.
What was going on in Shibuya?
Then again, he didn't owe any truth to her. He didn't insist on her reply either.
Reina figured out one of the spells accidentally, casting one off in the lunchroom alone with a tiny curse. It waded near her, the size of an eyeball (it was an eyeball). It surprised her, and instinctively, she spoke in tongues while thinking about the symbols. A pane of crystallized energy appeared in front of her. The curse barrelled into the pane. It turned into real glass, shattering all over the table.
Both blessed and cursed energy neutralized. And Reina had no headaches or flashbacks. But she had a whole bunch of glass to clean up.
She cast another pane, reflecting on what she did. It was transparent, with flecks of light webbing throughout. So upon raw cursed energy being thrown, it wouldn't be blessed, it would be neutralized into inanimate things, like glass. It reminded her of alchemy.
But how was this any different to using cursed energy to kill curses?
No, she surmised- this was using both parts equally to create things needed to sustain life. Rocks, water, dirt- all needed for life. All these things the Gods already created in abundance, according to the scriptures her family passed down until her generation.
Meaning there was a whole other layer to Priestdom- playing God.
Of course, there's never a bad or good side. No wonder the Jujutsu sorcerers wanted those priests dead. They were a threat.
Assumptions aside, Reina had glass to sweep, which would take up the rest of her break.
...
October 30th 2018
Reina was trying on her costume, slipping on her boots. She had a bad habit of not trying on the outfit right after purchase.
The outfit was corseted, bringing her breasts up. There was a large keyhole to show cleavage and her chest. The habit had a cheap incomplete rosary attached. The skirt long but slit cut high to mid hip. Maybe she'd wear shorts.
She took a step back to see how she felt and moved. It definitely felt more fetish over costume. She could probably dance. Maybe she'd bring a ruler for self defence...
The ardent working out definitely showed, her legs toned and lean, posture fantastic. Arms strong. She walked over to her full body mirror, having a true moment of self love. A luxury her mind hardly let.
In that moment, she was smoking hot.
She heard familiar tapping on her window. The confidence faded to see Gojo waving hello, asking to come in.
He saw her in some fetish nun costume. Oh God. He was gonna say something. Oh God.
She pulled a pillow from the sofa, covering her chest, cursing under her breath, and unlatched the window. Gojo let himself in.
"Party tonight?" He remarked, he appeared a bit pressed, "no need to cover up."
Reina was speechless, glaring at the man. Or rather, glaring past him in humiliation.
"Okay..." he chuckled a bit, "I wanted to chat, since it's been a while."
"I saw your text, we're not going to Shibuya, so relax."
He sighed in relief theatrically, "glad you're taking the advice, but that's not what I wanted to talk about."
"What?"
"Well, you lied to me about who those bodies were."
"What do you..." she murmured.
"They were sorcerers. Some of them, at least." He pulled out the star shaped necklace, "others were loyal followers of Tengen. A battle happened there. But who were they trying to kill? And what killed them?"
Reina slowly sat down on her sofa, feeling a wave of panic wash over her.
"They were killing priests in the name of Tengen. They chased out a young woman with priestly abilities and found her at the temple where she sought out refuge. The priests were outnumbered so they chose their own deaths. The young woman refused to die and managed to kill one of the sorcerers. The hatred and fear she felt, along with breaking the no kill vow turned her into a powerful curse overtaking the sorcerers and humans hunting her. The priest's suicides fuelled the powers of the curse and its direction."
"That's what's been replaying in your head?" He sat next to her, facing her.
She clutched at the pillow tighter, "I know you won't do anything to me or my family, but other curse users might, and I just... don't trust you. Fundamentally, we're natural enemies."
"Maybe that's why the weakened Gods used whatever powers they could to tie us together, since I hate them." He joked, "in all seriousness, that curse was centuries old. I don't think any modern curse user would see a priest as an enemy. Maybe the Gods want to unite us with their version of," he held his tied thumb up, "...matrimony."
"I've thought about that, but something tells me it's been done before. And there are curse users everywhere, especially purists. Remember when that Geto guy was preaching that all humans be killed?"
He frowned, "I remember."
"Well, he gained a following, Gojo. Not just human. Powerful curse users. Ancient curse users. As soon as they know about us, it'll be the end of the line for me and my family for sure. And you." She stuffed her head in the pillow, "I'm sorry." She said, muffled.
He took off the blindfold and sat on the floor in front of her. He gently grasped her arm, signalling to loosen the hold on the pillow. She complied. He grabbed a corner on the pillow and slid it off her lap. Reina gazed above him, shaking off the hypnotic vibes from his clear blue eyes. He sat cross legged, his hand now resting on hers, on her thigh, her bare thighs exposed. Her knees slightly apart to accommodate the pillow. The long dress thankfully covered her intimate parts.
She instinctively wove her fingers with his. The string adjusted its length- tensing up as though ready for them to... get together. Her free hand caressed Gojo's cheek.
"Reina, I forgive you... though there was nothing to be sorry for in the first place." He lowered his tone playfully, "Sister, are you gonna forgive me?" He cupped his hand over her hand on his face. Then grasped her hand gently and kissed her palm. He closed his eyes, letting his lips linger on her palm. He could feel the goosebumps on her thigh from his little kiss.
With that, he gave her a look and pulled her to the floor. She stumbled into him, losing balance due to her heels. He took control of her stumble, one hand on the small of her back and the other, her hip. She wrapped her arms around his neck for stability. He lowered her, slyly stealing a kiss from her sensitive exposed chest on her way down.
She straddled his lap, doe-eyed, a light flush across her cheeks. Lips slightly parted. He slid the habit off, revealing her long black hair, tousled by the headgear. He slipped a hand behind her head, fingers brushed through her hair. She lowered her gaze, simply melting a little more the more he massaged her scalp.
"So... No forgiveness then?" He pouted.
"I- umm..." She gave him a quick kiss on the forehead, "there, forgiven- ah!"
Taking advantage of her neck so close, he nuzzled himself in, placing light, sweet kisses that sent little tingles down her spine.
She started playing with his hair in response. "Satoru..." She cooed. He deepened the kisses on her neck in response, teeth grazing the delicate skin. He gave a long lick from the base of her neck to the crook where her jaw and ear meet.
The softness of his hair tickled her décolletage, he sighed into her ear. Then he pulled her into a hug, chin resting on her shoulder.
"I wouldn't trust me either." He lamented.
"I trust you enough to be here, but I guess some part of me will always be closed off to a Jujutsu sorcerer."
"I want to change that- for everybody."
"That's not an easy task to put on your shoulders. And I'm not gonna lie, I'm still ready to purify you if you pull anything funny. Even if it meant being mentally paralyzed for the rest of my life."
He groaned impatiently, "I accept these terms and conditions. Can I kiss you on the lips now?"
Yeah- he just kissed her neck and but asking to kiss her on the lips felt all the more overwhelming.
"Y-Yeah."
He kissed her cheek before pulling her in. He grazed her lips with his first, before deepening the embrace. He pressed her tighter against her, having full control, he got up and threw her on the sofa.
Reina let out a little yelp in surprise from the impact. He whispered sorry and then hungrily continued the kiss. Her legs wrapped around him, the vinyl of the boots let out an awkward squeak, causing them to stop and have a giggle.
Just as he went to continue, his phone rang. It only rang if it was important. But this was more important. He let it go at first. Then it rang again.
Reina could tell he was getting distressed over the phone call, "just answer. It's okay." She said breathlessly.
He nodded, checking the phone handle and his eyes widened.
He muttered a curse under his breath, "I have to go."
Reina, neither-here-nor-there, frustratingly aroused went back to people pleasing, "I understand."
He grabbed the blindfold, tying it on, then climbed out the window from which he entered. He turned back for once last glance at Reina, sprawled out on the sofa, forearms covering her face. Her chest moved up and down noticeably. His ego inflated at the sight of her arousal.
He resolved, November 1st, once he dealt with those nuisances of curses, he'd take her.
...
October 31st, 2018
Reina, Nana, Hinata, Yuki, and Mieko were out drinking in their costumes.
A tipsy Hinata was letting suspicious men open her book costume. Reina was tasked with keeping her on the straight and narrow. It wasn't even past 7pm.
They all agreed to rest at a booth in a quiet bar. They faced the TV, when the news came on with a breaking report:
Large black dome envelopes Shibuya. Thousands trapped. Those inside are heard, screaming for a Gojo Satoru.
"Reina, good call to not party at Shibuya tonight. Saitama was a idea." Nana said, in a bit of shock and horror.
Yuki glanced over in suspicion, "what made you think Shibuya would be a bad place to be tonight?"
Reina glanced far away, "Oh, you know, we've been there so many times and I wanted to go someplace less crowded..." she let her voice fade.
The bartender turned to another channel, as another man screamed about how this was some Halloween prank. All channels plastered the breaking news. People stared at the screen, gazes plastered to the unfurling of events.
Yuki frowned, kissing Mieko on the cheek, "I gotta go check on my dog..." she winked. Mieko nodded in agreement.
"Our charge nurse was hanging out with her kids in that area, I'm gonna text her..." Nana pulled out her phone.
Mieko sighed, "I'm actually gonna head home myself."
"You don't wanna hang?" Hinata asked.
"This is putting me in a bad mood, and I really wanted to dance with Yuki tonight."
"Understandable."
Reina felt a sudden wave of pressure overcome her. Like a wave of dark energy she hadn't experienced before. She sipped on her drink to try and relieve the pain.
Mieko felt it too at a lesser extent, but by then she was already out the door.
"Reina, you look a bit pale..." Remarked Nana.
"I'm just gonna go to the bathroom, save my spot..."
"Of course."
She vomited, but out came- cursed energy? It burned her throat, and her mouth tingled. It dissipated in the air.
The bar started to blast music, and a man yelled "Apocalypse Dance Party!" just outside of the bathroom.
Reina ran out the bathroom, the bar was suddenly packed. Curses appeared out of nowhere, weaving into the crowd. She got back to the booth, Nana and Hinata were nowhere to be found.
She ran out the bar, the sky's color changed dramatically. She texted the others. There was no cell service.
Would Mieko be around in the area? She must have already taken a taxi home.
Hoards of crowds seemingly appeared out of nowhere. None of them seemed fazed by the happenings of Shibuya.
...
Hey everyone! I hope you're enjoying so far. It's gonna get really intense from here on out.