Tranquility
But my wings don't spread like they used to But I wanna fly with you ('Til we hit the heavens) but my wings don't spread like they used to But I wanna fly with you 'Til we hit the heavens 'Til we hit the heavens-Isaiah Rashad and SZA
Ricochet
The sukiya-zukuri was a small space, simple and austere with tatami green mats on dark brown hardwood floors. With matching columns and ceilings. Along with traditional shoji doors and navy blue zabuton cushion. The building was eloquently decorated with murals and tables.
The sorcerers sat on the cushions in the residential building, eating their meals.
Panda was having Okra Aemono; A vegetable dish dressed with an uncooked dressing, and is a popular preparation technique in Japan. Okra is a popular vegetable in Japan, enjoyed for its unusual slimy texture and many health benefits. To make okra aemono, okra is diced, then seasoned with soy sauce and bonito flakes. The naturally sticky texture of the okra mixes with the soy sauce to create a delicious coating with a unique texture. That made the cursed corpse's taste buds sing.
Toge was eating Nanban-zuke; Nanban dishes are a style of Japanese fish cuisine from Miyazaki, located in Kyushu prefecture, featuring foods marinated in pungent vinegar-based sauces. Fish such as smelt, sardines, or aji (horse mackerel) are marinated in nanban sauce, then coated in flour and fried, then served in remaining nanban sauce. The result is a slightly tart yet extremely flavorful dish called "nanban-zuke". The Cursed Speaker was also enjoying his food.
Maki, who had changed into her usual jujutsu student uniform. With the exception of her long socks, which were replaced with black leggings.
She was grabbing her chopsticks about to dig into her Oyakodon; "parent-and-child donburi", is a donburi, or Japanese rice bowl dish, in which chicken, egg, sliced scallion (or sometimes regular onions), and other ingredients are all simmered together in a kind of soup that is made with soy sauce and stock, and then served on top of a large bowl of rice. The name of the dish is a poetic reflection of the fact that both chicken and egg are used in the dish. When she felt a certain pair of eyes on her.
Glancing towards her right, she saw Yuta giving her admiring peeks. Before he looked away just as fast, focusing in on his meal. Maki lightly giggled and smiled to herself, enjoying the warm feeling in chest the peeks gave her.
"I think she noticed you looking, Yuta." The Cursed Spirit told her to charge. After the events Hyakki Yagyō; Night Parade Of A Hundred Demons. And after Okkotsu helped her pass on. Rika Orimoto had somehow came back and acted like a guardian angel or (rather a guardian cursed spirit) over the developing sorcerer. Becoming a more serene and euphony pneuma entity.
"I know, I can't believe she saw me. She probably thinks I'm weirdo who can't stop staring. Even If I can't." Yuta lightly chastises himself. Doing his best to hide his blush and ignore Orimoto's faint giggling, figuring the best way to do that was to eat his food. Japanese Shrimp and Soba Noodles;A simple, delicious and versatile recipe for Soba Noodles with Shrimp. With toss edamame studded soba noodles, in a creamy peanut sauce and finish the dish with plump shrimp and sliced green onions.
"So….Gojo, about the case in Shinjuku. You've yet to go into specifics. What are they?" Maki probed her teacher. They had been eating in mostly silence, saved for a few conversations between her friends. For the last ten minutes. Long enough for the special grade sorcerer to mention something, which he didn't.
Satoru continued to munch on his double bacon cheeseburger and fries. From his expression and the way he was moaning, he seemed to be enjoying it so. This seemed to annoy the spectacle sorcerer, even more so when he put up a finger to give him another minute. He then took a long slip from his Sprite. Releasing the straw with a refreshing 'Ahh'.
"Whew! I feel recharged. Now My Dear Maki, the situation in Shinjuku is becoming quite an interesting case. So interesting that it has the higher ups thongs in a twist. And has me curious." The White Haired Sorcerer spoke, wiping his hands and mouth with a napkin.
"What is it senpai? What's happening in the city?" Yuta asked, the intrigue and concern clear in his voice.
Satoru looked at his cousin then behind himself at the Assistant Director, who was quietly standing in the corner. Kiyotaka Ijichi saw the unspoken signal, walked over and handed his superior the folder in his hands.
"Thanks for bringing us lunch Mr. Ijichi, It was really good." Okkotsu said gratefully, bowing a little at the man. Showing his appreciation.
"Yes! The meal was excellent!" Panda chimed in enthusiastically.
Inumaki nodded in agreement.
Meanwhile, The Head of the Gojo Clan was handing the folder over to the Scourge of the Zenin Clan. Who opened it, examining the contents inside. A hard to distinguish expression came over her face. After about a minute or two, she then gave the envelope to her partner.
While the swordsman was looking over the case document. The White Haired Sorcerer began to speak in a voice that was unusually serious.
"For the past forty days and nights, the city of Shinjuku has been hit with a series of murders. Some really ugly nasty shit! To the point we already sent two up sorcerers up there to check things out. But that was at least two weeks ago and we have yet to hear anything from them. We're beginning to think they are amongst some of the fatalities. Which have now reached double-digits." The Teacher said in a somber voice.
Satoru's words seemed to sync with the images that Yuta was seeing. Bisected, dismembered and butchered bodies of men and women. And the ones that weren't, were fried or burnt to a crisp. But what really disturbed Okkotsu was that some of the bodies belong to children. Feeling he looked over the document, he shut and calmly handed it back to Kiyotaka.
"The victims have been martial artists or relatives of martial artists. Even If the target is just a child. If the person is a participant in martial arts or associated by proximity. Seemed to be game for attacking." Gojo finished, voice still the same.
"This sounds more like a mission for you or a special grade. Not that me and Yuta can't handle it, because we can. But why us?" The Green Haired Sorceress asked, she had already accepted the mission internally. But she still wanted to know why she and her friend were selected. Not liking the feeling she got when Gojo's cocky smirk returned.
"Well Maki, you have always displayed a rather impressive prowess, Maki. Even before your days of joining the institution. And It only continues to grow at a substantial rate. Yuta, you have grown and improved at such an uncanny rate and after the Hyakki Yagyō. A nice size of folks believe you're a prodigious talent, me included cousin." Satoru explained in praise. Taking joy in the two flattered but awkward expressions, which only seem to grow with Panda and Toge's backing up his words.
"Oh but I'm not done. You two kittens have illustrated splendid chemistry and teamwork that has also been noticed. A duo that is gaining quite a rep out here, so much so. That some want to see If the two of you can take on Special grade cursed spirits...or users." The eccentric sorcerer finished his explanation, pointing his index and middle finger on his right hand at Maki and Yuta. Wiggling the two digits.
"When do we leave Senpai?" Yuta asked smoothly, hoping he had enough time to get some training in. He wanted to be sharp for Maki and not hold her back.
Satoru pushed down his shades, so bright blue eyes could peer into dark blue ones. He heard the unsaid meaning behind the question. Which made him let a knowing smirk grace his lips. Pushing his dark sunglasses back up over his eyes.
"You leave in fifty-four hours." The teacher told his students.
After the meeting concluded. Yuta hung out with Maki, Panda and Toge for awhile. Before taking his leave, saying he had to make preparations for the trip. Saying he'll see Maki at the departure location.
It's been four hours since then and the sun was starting to set, casting the field in Ombre hues of; yellow, orange, and red with a pitch of purple. Stars were starting to peek in the sky. But the beautiful atmospheric scene was going unnoticed by the sorcerers. Who were too busy practicing.
The swordsman was on the offensive, making the dark-skin sorcerer dodge the fast and powerful strikes from multiple directions. But he wasn't ready for the grateful spin kick that landed in his chest, Miguel stumbled a little. But recovered quickly, sending his Black Ropes to Yuta. The Cursed Tools moved at it's target with dashing accuracy.
Miguel had believed The Cursed Tools from his homeland were all but gone. Until Satoru Gojo showed up on his doorstep and presented him with a suitcase full of the tools. Of course a pleasantly surprised Miguel pressed the man on how and where he got them from. But of course, the only answer he got was that Cheshire smirk and don't worry. Before Silver Haired Man vanished.
Unfortunately for Miguel however, Yuta Okkotsu nimbly evaded and parried the ropes. And was back on the attack with; acrobatic and elaborate strikes.
"You're really aggressive in your offensive today, Yuta. Displaying an excellent balance of strength, speed, and agility. I Like It! But what brought this on!? That girl… Maki!?" Miguel probed, hoping by mentioning the girl his young student was extremely passionate about. That it might throw him off a bit, and for a second it did. Yuta faltered in his movement, giving the former curse user an opening to sling his weapon at the young sorcerer. It gave a stingful bite on his right shoulder.
Yuta recuperated quickly, replaying Maki and the others council. Especially Maki's. Ducking and rolling under the next attack by his opponent, the move gave the opening he needed. Pouncing on Miguel like a leopard, he gave the man an horizontal slash to the abdomen.
The African Sorcerer grunted and leaned over slightly in discomfort, he knew. If Yuta didn't use the back of the blade, then his guts would be on the grass. His student had improved greatly since they began their private sessions, a little over a month ago.
"This mission will be a major step in Maki becoming a strong sorcerer and I won't drag or hold her back! I intend, not only to help her the best way I can. But to keep her safe while doing so. Plus innocent people are being hurt and that's unacceptable. In order to do all of that, I need to get better. Please Mr. Miguel, help me get stronger! Don't hold back! Yuta spoke with strong resolve, he got into his stance and waited for opponent to recover.
"Sure I will kid! Sure I will...Let's Go." Miguel replied with a sleek smirk, straightening up. He too got into his stance.
And for a few moments Yuta and Miguel just looked upon one another. Before they both charged towards each other. They spared into the wee hours of the night.
Maki stood in front of the vending machines. Waiting for her second butter chicken curry flavor Jagariko to drop.
The Zenin clan member needed to make a much needed junk food run. While the lunch was good, It was a little too rabbit foodish for her. Having a feeling Gojo ordered it, knowing that.
Feeling she had enough, Maki gathered her snacks. Ranging from Twix to Yukimi daifuku; A ball of sweet vanilla ice cream encased in mochi rice cake. She started to make her way back to her room.
Panda had left a little while after Yuta. Saying he was going to take care of the favor Maki asked of him. Toge left shortly after himself. Saying he will see her later in his own unique way.
Leaving Maki alone, which she didn't mind. Knowing she probably needed the time alone, before spending the next close two weeks in close proximity with her crush. Which she couldn't help but feel both highly excited and nervous about.
"I hope Yuta is taking care of himself and doing alright. Those bags under those dark blue eyes, getting more heavy lately. I know he has insomnia, but I thought it was getting better. I wonder what's going on with him? I'll find out soon enough I suppose. Maki pondered on her friend's sleeping habits. And from what she gathered of the mission, she was going to need the swordsman in top condition.
"It doesn't matter what condition he is in. I'll protect him and exercise whoever is behind this!" Maki spoke to herself with conviction. Reminding herself to make a call when returning to her room.
She needs to see If Yuta's gift will be ready in time for Shinjuku.
Apologies for taking so long. I will try to have chapter 3 out quicker. What gift do you guys think Maki got Yuta?
