Special Grades and the Commissioners of Ginza:
Color Theory Part 1
Summary:
Gojo and Miura are sent to investigate Suguru's sudden disappearance after being sent on a solo mission.
They meet a young artist with a very unique cursed technique and find themselves trapped in a large domain where they meet the Scrybe.
Suguru has some deep realizations during his time in captivity at the time lapse. Reflecting on his conversation with another special grade, he takes time to really assess his options and determine what his real purpose is as a sorcerer.
AN: Hello! Sorry it took a while to update, I had sprained my left arm and shoulder and am still recovering. Also, things have been quite hectic in the clinic so, yeah. Anyway, I'm feeling better and am able to type with two hands now haha.
Update schedule: Usually every 1-2 weeks (hence the length)
It's my birth month so I hope I can produce more content and even some side-chapters for you guys :)
Shout outs to: VampireSiren (my new buddy ^^ and whom throughout our conversations, I've probably spoiled a lot of things already haha), Fushi9urou and Jujutsustroller! You guys are so sweet! Your comments and interactions keep me so motivated to write. ILY all sincerely ^^ To new readers, I hope you enjoy!
Let's be twitter buddies: MiuraChronicler
This is probably one of my most ambitious chapters yet. But I enjoyed writing it so much. There's a lot of research that was involved so if I did miss anything or you can't seem to quite understand, message me or put it in the comments. It's visual heavy so if you want to check out the commissioned art and as swell as the art works featured on this chapter, you can visit my AO3 page under the same Pseud.
Leave me a comment or follow if you wish ^^
~Yuki Tsukumo's intentions were barely questioned, if not for any other reason that she had bluntly declared that she had no such loyalty for anyone or anything other than herself. Her special grade status for her was merely a factual obligation granted by the higher-ups in conjunction with her ability to hunt higher-class curses. If only she would use her strength for its very purpose as a Jujutsu sorcerer.
She rode her bike a little bit carelessly that day, swooping through tight corners of traffic after confirming one of the other high rankers' location. The wind that swept up her long pale hair whipped ferociously back on her thick helmet, the few seconds of visual impairment only escalated the thrill that she felt as she revved up her motor.
It was great to be back in Japan. Though she loved the perks of traveling, there was nothing like racing through the outskirts of her own home-her curse-filled country.
Exhausted, to say the least, was something she had always felt after being sent on a mission. Even if she was just a stand-in or an inactive part of a team. Sure, she would but in if they forced her to but the endless cycle of killing this, sealing that, was just too tiresome.
She'd spent more time thinking about retirement that ultimately her own selfish thoughts birthed a rather brilliant idea or rather ideal, if she said so herself.
And who better to share those crazy thoughts than with the people in the front lines?
What she didn't expect though, was the first person she would encounter, would be the most unpredictable of all.
"Humor me, Getou. What are cursed spirits in the first place?" Yuki's tone was rather inconspicuous even if her question wasn't. There was a keenness in the way she observed the younger boy. The confidence that she had expected from the other legacy wasn't present in this one. Still, his answer could prove vital to her own understanding of her stand as a sorcerer,
Suguru replied lazily, "Curses are born when cursed energy generated by humans are leaked and remnants are morphed until it takes form." he didn't quite see the need to explain a basic principle to an experienced sorcerer, but he just went with her questioning just to see where it was going.
"Excellent," she commended, "If that's the case, there are two ways to create a world where they no longer exist. One, eradicate cursed energy from all of humanity or two, teach humans how to control it."
She extended her head as she skimmed through her thoughts but Getou remained in the same slumped position of disinterest, "The first one's not a bad idea," she sneered, "There was a model case for it after all,"
Suguru cocked a brow, "A model case?"
She giggled, "Someone you know, Toji Zenin,"
Suguru was irked at the mention of the sorcerer slayer's name, making him clench his jaw shut as he listened in. Whenever that name was mentioned, he would always develop a sour mood. Nothing about his experience as a vessel-guardian improved his demeanor.
"There have been several cases where heavenly restriction has reduced a person's cursed energy to normal levels," she looked through the periphery of her eyes, trying to see if she elicited a response from him at the clear reminder of his Kitsune friend.
Suguru merely retained the straight line of his mouth, burying his already rising temper as Yuki pressed on.
"But to eradicate one's cursed energy completely, I've searched all over the world and he's the sole person who's ever done it. Though, that may be the only notable thing about him honestly. He didn't have cursed energy, but his five senses were heightened like crazy making him sensitive to curses."
"He was truly superhuman," she nudged at his shoulder, "Don't feel bad about losing to him. I wanted to research him, but he never showed. Too bad he died," she said rather tactlessly.
Tsukumo rested her arms on her thigh, "Cases of heavenly restriction are far and between. So, my focus is on the second option. Even the Miuras aren't quite sure about how theirs worked exactly," she jerked her head sideways and grinned, "You think you can help me schedule a talk with her? I'd love to discuss stuff with your friend,"
Suguru's frown deepened. At that time, he was probably the most informed about her restriction. Spending weeks in and out of various libraries even going out of his way to speak with clan elders. At one point, he even considered asking his best friend if he could lead him inside Tengen's library but he knew that if that were the case, he'd also need to ask for help directly from his other sighted friend. Tsukumo's eerie curiosity and her statement regarding how the Miuras themselves aren't sure about her predicament made him doubt if he'd really find something that could help Sachiko.
Yuki decided to change the topic as the deafening silence from Getou's expressionless breathing grew. She knew from the get-go that he wouldn't just agree to her request, still, it was worth a shot to ask him anyway, "Did you know? That Jujutsu sorcerers don't give birth to curses?"
Suguru forehead creased.
"Of course, that's excluding cases where sorcerers become curses after death which may be the reason why sorcerers such as your friend is heavy on the radar. But anyway, the amount of cursed energy that leaks from sorcerers compared to non-sorcerers is low, difference is we are able to consume and use cursed energy but more so because it flows through and within us."
"So technically," she gave Getou a relaxed smiled now followed by a wink that didn't seem to illicit any response from him but she knew, the words that would follow, would probably make him a little more attentive to her sentiments.
"If every single human became a jujutsu sorcerer, no curse would ever be born again,"
Her words struck Suguru at a personal level that he felt his stomach churn and his breathing slow in pace. The pricking sensation that crept up his torso where a blade once sliced across his chest felt fresh and almost tangible that his eyesight blurred from the pain. Yuki Tsukumo had just said something that could serve as a vital part of a solution he couldn't find. An answer to two important questions that consumed his nights like a novena prayer echoing for countless days.
It made him quite hopeful yet also constricted and cautious about her statement.
If such a world without curses existed then that world might be suited for his new ideals but most of all for the person he so desperately wanted to save.
All humans would be gifted.
The burden for us would be lightened.
But,
There was something dark that stirred within himself. The same heavy feeling that plagued him for months especially in his moments alone. The nightmares that kept him awake at night crawling through a half slumber during the day.
The same voices, the same faces, the same sound of a huge applause.
The same reverie of a purposeless death.
He looked down now, in between his hands that hung low, casting shadows over his features, every inch of him contracting as his anger grew that Yuki Tsukumo could only increase the distance between them.
Getou finally spoke in half-a whisper, "Can I ask you something? In the world you pictured, what would happen to the cursed-spirit-human hybrids?"
Yuki rested her chin on her knuckle and shrugged, all too aware of the person he was pertaining to, "I dunno, they'll probably stop existing, or they could turn as normies, who can really say?"
It wasn't the answer that Suguru had hoped for but it wasn't a statement that surprised him either. Deep inside, he was a mess. It dawned on him that Sachiko's predicament may have been a sad but very good excuse to strengthen his own twisted ideals, still, it didn't change his desire to change her fate.
Getou blinked, "Hm, I see, then," he lifted his chin and looked forward with such intense eyes, as if a physical object was meant to be glared at and broken by his lilac eyes, "Why not just kill every non-jujutsu sorcerer?"
Yuki Tsukumo wasn't bothered by his statement so she only went on to contemplate, "Getou, that is an option," she snickered, "In fact, that might be the easiest route,"
Getou knotted his brows and allowed the sweat that formed in his forehead to drip, "What? Um,"
Disbelief at the words that he had just released quickly came. It wasn't something he wanted to vocalize. It was a grave statement and a very irreputable one that would make anyone think that he was anything other than an ally.
Yuki grimaced, "Weed out the normies and make them adapt to our-sorcerer-based society. In other words, forced evolution," she cocked a brow, "Fear and danger as catalysts,"
She clapped her hands and raised them in surrender as she closed her eyes to compose herself abetting the strange atmosphere that she and the younger sorcerer made, "But, I ain't that crazy,"
Yuki turned to the boy beside her now, "Do you hate non-jujutsu sorcerers Geto?"
"I don't know," there was no hesitance in his tone, this was the question that he refused to give a definite answer since the day he returned from Tengen's temple, "I used to think Jujutsu sorcerers existed to protect non-sorcerers. But recently," he took a moment to try and filter out the horrid images he remembered so vividly. Each detail carved into his soul that it slowly began to change how he visualized the world but, it was so difficult to do so.
So fucking tiring.
He sighed, "I've been doubting whether non-sorcerers are worth fighting for,"
Funny, I used to lecture Satoru about this and now I'm just a fucking hypocrite.
Suguru's purple eyes traced over his lifelines, "The preciousness of the weak, the ugliness of them…I can no longer tell the difference," he forced his palm to one side of his face and gritted his teeth, "The part of me that looks down on them…the part of me that tries to resist that feeling…" he heaved as his fingers created creases on his hairline, stray locks, interweaving in between the spaces of his hand in attempt to alleviate his headache, "If being a sorcerer is like running a marathon, then the finish line is too unclear. I don't know how I really feel…"
He sounded so broken that Yuki couldn't help but feel a little bit of sympathy for the boy, "Me neither," she said, "You're not at that stage yet," she lifted herself up and began walking away with Suguru idly trailing behind him. She figured that the conversation had already ran its course and it would be detrimental to have them both ponder it for too long.
Yuki lifted her index fingers and turned to conclude her speech inside the cafeteria, "Looking down on non-sorcerers, resisting that feeling, those are just possibilities you've thought of. Whatever your true feeling is, you still have to decide," Yuki slapped his shoulder twice and made her way to her motorcycle.
She began revving its engine as she fastened her helmet around her chin, "I'll see 'ya Getou! Hoping to say hi to Gojo and my past sparring partner, Sachiko, is it, as well," she waved, "Bad timing I guess, "Let's all four of us get along, okay?" she winked then gave him a salute.
Suguru gave her a small but uncertain smile, "I'll send your regards to my friends,"
She flipped her goggles over her eyes and placed both feet on each pedal but before she left, she turned to him once more, "Oh, right, forgot to tell you. Don't worry about the star plasma vessel. Either they already found a replacement or a new one has been born. At any rate, Tengen-sama is stable,"
Suguru was once again left shocked and frozen by her utterances. She had said those statements so casually as if the fate of the poor girl was an inevitability.
Just another fucking mission.
"I figured," he said under his breath.
Suguru decided that it would be the worst possible time for him to be alone with his thoughts. He was already digging through the numbers on his phone in attempt to seek asylum in the company of his trusted friends but before he could even have the opportunity to speak with his best friend, Yaga's silhouette was already waiting for him on the other side of the establishment.
Suguru dropped the hand that held the phone to on his side and exhaled, "Well, that's one way to distract me I guess,"
I'll protect her future. I promise, I will.
Kimuraya Bakery, Ginza
The white walls of the three-story historic bakery was ambiently lit with yellow, umbrella-like lights and dainty interiors. At the first step inside, customers would already be greeted by fresh smell of baking bread and butter, gurgling sounds of the coffee machine and happy exchanges of the staff that no one would've thought that the establishment used to be owned by a Shogun Samurai, who, coincidentally, was also a sorcerer himself.
It was a little around mid-morning when the Kitsune-hybrid and the boy with who slayed the sorcerer killer found themselves settling on the second floor, sitting comfortably at the far side of the coffee-shop where they could oversee the busy streets.
Satoru had begun to empty the tray of different kinds of pastries followed by setting down the cup of Sachiko's lightly sweetened Kori-Kohi and his hot crème brulee flavored drink before setting the tray aside and peering back towards the window. The glass of it was cleaned so well that the morning frost that crept on it was quickly wiped away allowing them a good view of their prospect.
From across, Satoru easily spotted the cursed energy emanating from a boy, frantically running around with his half-opened back-pack, skipping on one foot to adjust the hold of his sole. He was wearing a collared t-shirt and a knitted sweater with school sigil embroidered on it over his blue gingham pants.
"That's the medium? A kid?" Satoru's light eyes were only slightly covered by his dark-shades, even as he chomped on his custard-filled breakfast, he tried to focus on the younger sorcerer.
Sachiko took a sip of her drink as she turned her attention on the person Satoru was pointing to, discerning him from the rest of other middle-schoolers wearing the same uniform, taking note of his light grey hair, a little darker than her companion's which was cut just below his ear but had a long tail that edged further down his neck.
She turned to the boy beside her now, "He's the same one that Yaga had Suguru trail, looks like a middle schooler and I think I don't need to tell you that his cursed energy is quite strong,"
"Hm, erratic though," Satoru rested his chin on one hand and continued gobbling his bread while casually offering the red-bean flavored mochi to Sachiko, "We're gonna have to wait what happens after school hours,"
Satoru knew that it would require a lot of effort to get the mission done, so he did his best to keep Sachiko well-fed and rested, like a fragile little child under his care which he believed was something any significant other would care to prep for. Whatever means he deemed necessary, he didn't think he'd need to make her hyperaware of it. He was a doer after all.
I'll just think of this as a date or whatever.
"Mm-hmm," she agreed, mid-nibbling. She found herself side-eyeing the melon-pan that Satoru was uncovering. Her eyes floated upwards, trying to recall where she had seen the familiar design of the logo.
"Want some?" he asked noticing her sudden stare, holding out the half-eaten bread to which she politely declined.
"Oh no, I just remembered something 'cause of that bread," she said in passing.
He took another bite then sipped on his drink. He couldn't help but be pry a little. She never said something randomly if it didn't have any meaning to it, "What is it?"
Sachiko bit the end of her straw before setting the cup in front her,"Oh, um, I think this is where Nanami bought the pastries he gave the Metro Dojo staff. He did mention that he dropped by Ginza a few weeks back,"
The mention of the sophomore's name including the Dojo made Satoru narrow his eyes at the window and downturn his lips. They had just made some very big progress in terms of their relationship as an unofficially labeled couple so hearing some dude make strides to capture her attention wasn't something he welcomed.
Satoru slumped back and dropped the bread on the tray, "So, he brings you sweets too?" his tone edged in contempt. Not towards Sachiko but his blonde junior.
He hated that he was so fucking petty but this was his turf and his girl. Bringing her tooth chattering snacks was his specialty and for a junior to cross that line was unacceptable.
Sachiko's brows shot upward, a little worry mounting on her chest, "Sometimes? When he visits the estate, I think it's his way of being polite as our guest?" she was a little concerned that Satoru's mood was shifting so fast that he couldn't even look at her straight as his leg kept on shaking.
Is he, mad?
His face contorted tighter as he spoke through taut lips, "Suuuuure,"
Sachiko sighed and tugged on his arm sleeve playfully, letting out a shaky laugh, "Don't tell me you're bothered by that…"
Satoru clicked his tongue and jerked his head to the side, his icy eyes becoming colder with each word that he spoke, "I told you before, he has a big fat crush on you, I had Haibara confirm that,"
Sachiko tugged on his sleeve once more and adjusted her chair so she could sit closer to him in an attempt to remove some of his worries even though she felt that she didn't need to, "Our relationship is nothing like that, besides, I don't like him that way,"
Satoru remained unenthusiastic, "Huh,"
Sachiko felt jittery as she held on to Satoru's unmoving arm that the only way she thought she could disarm him was to poke the side of his puffed cheek but being as stubborn as he was, she couldn't help feel a little irritated herself, "Seriously, over anpan? "
He was clearly jealous. She didn't even think to consider him as the type who would get jealous. If anything, she was concerned that she'd be a little too clingy or too emotional if he'd be all Gojo with other girls. But she didn't want him to get the wrong idea. Even if he was just messing with her, she knew it was best to just reassure him but she wasn't exactly sure how.
Folding her lips together and lacing her hand around his arm into another soft tug she spoke, "Um, are you mad?"
Satoru's expression softened upon noticing her worried look. Being a sucker for her very expressive eyes and the cute quivering of her lips as she struggled to speak out comforting words to him, he decided to fold. He didn't want to have that languid kind of effect on her even though it was a little cute that he was able to make her look like that.
Satoru huffed lightly then patted the crown of her head. His gesture made her relax a little which also removed the lines he made on his face "I can be a tsun-tsun sometimes,"
He lifted his shoulders and withdrew his hand to cross it, "I dunno, just I don't want him to get the wrong idea especially since, it's you," he placed his hands on the stool and leaned forward so that his nose almost pressed on hers. Without any reservations, he continued, "I'm selfish,"
Sachiko began to giggle making Satoru wince, "Tsun-tsun?"
"Laugh all you want. I'm not letting him cross any boundaries," he said monotonously.
She nudged at his shoulder, "Satoru, he's just a friend. You're the one I-"
He leaned in once more this time, a little too excitedly, "You what?"
Jabbing her finger into his temple to create space, her mouth and brow twitched, "You really think after everything we've done and been through, I'd see someone else?" She frowned now and moved a few inches away from him making him flinch, "Give me a bit of credit,"
Gojo couldn't help but snide back and implant her cute expression inside his memories. He covered his mouth to hide his laugh and reached out to pinch her cheek with his freehand. A little bit of panic went over him that he began blurting out his reply, "Alright, sorry. I know what you mean. As long as it's me you like, it's fine,"
She nodded robotically, "You're a meanie," she whispered.
He grimaced, "And you're mine, don't forget that,"
She squinted her crimson crescentic eyes at him and lowered her tone, "I am no one's property, Satoru,"
Satoru waved his hands in defeat to dismiss the tension. His confidence crumbling with each blink, "I just meant that you're-"
She laughed to end her jest, "Kidding, I know what you meant,"
He stood up now so that he was directly behind her, his sudden movements making her shuffle in her seat but before she could turn, her back was already resting on his chest, her arms straddled by Satoru's making her flush as her heart beat faster upon gazing upwards at his expectant look.
She still wasn't used to this kind of public display of affection, not that she didn't allow him too. There was already a silent understanding of their status but still, it was different when it wasn't just the two of them.
Satoru lowered his face so that his mouth aligned in her ear, "Chi-chan, you're not my property but you're my person, Tsuki-" before he finished his sentence, Sachiko was already covering his mouth and jumping up off her seat, making the rest of the customers turn them and snicker, whispering how cute the young couple looked.
Sachiko, too flustered about how they acted, already excused herself to go down and left a rather confused Satoru to clean up after them both.
"Hey kid!" one of the couples waved towards the blue-eyed Tokyo Jujutsu third year, "You've got a shy one, but don't worry, it's always awkward at the start,"
The girl beside him nudged his side, "Stop it, you're making the kid uncomfortable,"
Instead feeling like his privacy was invaded, Gojo skipped to their table and began pointing to himself, "Is it obvious that I'm new to this?"
The guy laughed, "You two give off that vibe easily, but anyway, just saying, it's normal but tone the teasing down a bit,"
Gojo just idly nodded, "Ahhhh, okay then,"
His girlfriend sighed, "More importantly, shouldn't you run after her?"
"Eh?" Gojo blinked.
I The bell chimed at the entrance as soon as Sachiko reached the first floor. Setting aside the events from a few minutes ago, she focused now on the customer that just walked in. She recognized the slim-looking kid with the faded tailed-hair almost immediately.
She hid behind one of the long tables that were placed in between a small divider and waited to catch a glimpse of his face, his cursed energy was quite intermittent, not that he aware of it but it did seem to affect the way he maneuvered himself during his daily tasks. The middle-schooler was fumbling as he took a random piece of bread and dug through his plaid bottom-wear pockets to get change.
The coins dropped on the floor, making him scramble to pick them up one by one. Sachiko was already preparing to step in and help the poor kid, when a hand went to her shoulder.
"Are you thinking about approaching him?" Satoru asked, snooping branded in his eyes.
She nodded, "It's best if I make a good first impression so that when we approach him later, he won't think about running away,"
"Hm, I already have a different plan in mind, but I guess that's not a ba-"
She was already beside the boy, picking up the coins that was played on the floor. Gojo realized right away that she wasn't really asking for his permission that all he could do was sit back and do as she has said.
Sachiko was in civilian clothing-a pastel colored sweater dress paired with her favorite knee-high boots. She changed the way she looked a little, donning spectacles and fastening barettes on her hair to keep them tidy as her hair flowed freely on her shoulders. It was a good disguise to make it seem like she was a regular, harmless girl.
The boy was surprised by the stranger who went out of her way to help him, that when he lifted his azure eyes to peek at the girl in front of him, he couldn't help but blush at the sight of her peculiar but pretty features. Sachiko was already handing him his coins when he spaced out and just stared at her.
"Oh uh, are you okay?"
He stiffened as he whipped his eyes away before giving her an apologetic bow, "Uh, y-yes, thank you for helping me Miss," he handed the money to the cashier and turned to the girl with the red eyes.
She gave him a small smile, "No problem," she was already making her leave when the boy planned to approach her and ask for her name. There was something about Sachiko that made him jump, it was probably due to her cursed energy which he was unintentionally sensing.
Why does she look familiar? I'm sure I've seen those eyes before.
He hurried towards the door but was soon overtaken by a grinning Gojo quickly moving to her side.
"Wait for me!" Satoru said.
The boy's shoulders dropped, "That must be her boyfriend. She must be in high school anyway so," he zipped his back-pack to a close after stuffing his bread inside and made his way, but he couldn't help but try and look for the dark-haired girl with the pretty red eyes.
He found himself stopping just in front of the entrance of his school as he felt a sudden chill go through his spine and then an image, a bright blue image clouded his thoughts.
It was that guy's eyes…was he glaring at me? But he was grinning…
He crossed his arms to steady himself as he continued to run to reach his first class. The two people he passed by earlier had a strange feel to them.
But nothing is stranger than what I am forced to do after school hours.
The middle schooler could hardly concentrate on his classes. Each one passing by with muffled sounds from the front desk. He wasn't a bad student. In fact, he was far from it. He had done everything in his power to make things easier for his single mom who worked tirelessly to support him in the private institution.
But ever since that day he joined the contest, his already complicated life had turned abyssmal.
He pasted his eyes outside the window, taking in the gradient of blues and whites hanging above the sky, vividly tracing each fluff and movement of the clouds and the shifting rays of the ambient trees and birds providing an array of textures that filled his senses. Soon, his fingers began to sketch out the scenery on the wood on his desk. Engraving the outline in his imagination gave him a sense of relief and temporary displacement from the impending events of the day.
When was locked in his creative process, he was in total focus and control. It was on days like these that he appreciated his mother more. Despite having enrolled in a science school, she still allowed him to venture into his other passion-art. She would buy him materials he didn't ask for, taking photos of his finished pieces, always finding places where she could display them and brag about her talented son.
He smiled at the recollection.
It was so rare for him to feel at peace, pretending to be okay despite having his life turn upside down just a few months ago.
He didn't feel inspired anymore, by anything. Everything felt saturated, bland and dim. Shapes were just shapes; lines were becoming skewed each day that passed without his mother.
He promised his mother that he would a good son. But, after school, he was the complete opposite of his mother's treasured child.
If only, I didn't join that contest. If only, I didn't dream about winning that money. If only, I was smarter…
Afternoons used to be spent in random places-the park, the museum, the café and even home. It was just him, his fine point pen and his favorite water-color set.
Most of the time he liked drawing celestial bodies and because of his father's work, he enjoyed creating time-related pieces but not the Dali surrealism type, more of the actual depiction of it.
He wasn't sure if time and space were his favorite subjects or if just didn't know how to really draw people or faces since he didn't have any references for different expressions since he was a bit of loner.
The only real connection he felt was with his sketch book and his mother. Not that he didn't mind the solitude, but it was hard for him to find people with the same interests.
Even if his life was less eventful before, he wished he could turn back time to his usual routine.
It was more colorful then, the spectrum was more visible despite his limited spaces.
Ambition only dimmed his inner lighting.
Jan moved his wrist to peer at his watch, listening intently to the ticking sound as the rest of his classmates faded in the background as the clock struck at four.
It was time for him to work.
I don't want to go back to that place…but if I don't, they won't return my mom…I wish someone would help me…
He had just left the school and already, his burner phone had been ringing non-stop. His bosses from the underground club had been pressuring him to recruit more sorcerers and other curse-users. As a charming kid with innocent features, he was able to convince already a number of them to check out their area. Not that he was happy about it. He wasn't even sure how to distinguish them-curse-users, sorcerers, windows. To him, all of them were the same greedy single-minded jerks who wanted to get ahead.
He had eyes all around him. The posters he passed by, were enchanted. The graffiti he passed by on his way home, also cursed. Every single material that had a face drawn in it, leered over him like a hawk. Assessing each movement he made that at any point in time they felt suspicion coming from his end, emissaries from the Scrybe would come berating him.
He felt like dog on a leash, and it was getting extremely suffocating to have all movements dawned over by such scary faces.
It was partially why he never drew them again. He didn't want to create something that would haunt him all his safe places.
I just want to see my mom and go back to my old life.
And the only way I can do that is if I keep on doing what they want.
As he neared his house, the trail of voices began. The static and varying intonations making his ear ring as he walked. The still pictures animating one by one, reminding him of his deal to work for the Scrybe's pub. He began increasing his pace, covering his eyes as he ran across the familiar streets, trying his best to create a void just until he reached his doorstep.
He was promised that he wouldn't be bothered at home but if they find out in the slightest that he was a traitor, his mother would be killed. But the voices seemed to get louder as the days passed by, the faces on the illustrations becoming more and more distorted that it became the stuff of his personally curated nightmares.
His hands went to cover his ears as his bag slapped against back from speeding towards his house but there were too many whispering spies around him.
"Aaah!" he yelped.
He had tripped, scattering the contents of his half-opened bag, scrambling to return his things but stopped when he chanced upon a clean piece of paper. He grabbed one of his ball-point pens and stared at the flex of white in front him and then he felt it, the sudden surge of cursed energy coursing through his fingers as he began to create the image of his walkway and the flyers that were yelling back at him were crossed out.
Instantly, the voices faded one by one. He was destroying the images that haunted him by imitating the scenery before him. Lighting each flyer in blue-flames with each line his pen made on the parchment. The boy's hands were trembling from the repetitive strokes, himself, panting at the tension that surrounded him. His other hand was clenching his hair, pulling at the strain of the unending loop of threats he had been receiving daily.
Sachiko tugged on Satoru's back as they observed him from a distance. Her kitsune sight magnifying the struggle that he was going through making her ask the boy beside her to come and help him.
Satoru's brows twitched upwards as Sachiko's expression became a little despondent. He soothed her arm and relaxed the fingers that knotted his jacket before giving her a reassuring smile, "Alright, time us to strut!" he cracked his fingers when he was about to leave when Sachi pulled him back.
"Wait!" she whispered, "We can't be seen by those posters. They're tracking him..."
"Right," He pushed his glasses a little toward the bridge of his nose and fixated on the some of the flyers surrounding the kid. Sachiko, mimicking his movements, released cursed energy to destroy the stalking images that surrounded Jan making him lose balance and frantic at the sudden breach of his privacy.
Jan scrambled towards his door now, he leered behind his shoulders and saw two figures whose faces were covered with masks run towards him that he lost his footing.
Gojo was quick to help him up before he landed on his back, but Jan was too scared of him and quickly pushed him away, "Please! I don't know anything!"
"Kid! Calm down! We're here to help!" Gojo placed his hand on his shoulder, but the kid wouldn't stop trembling. Sachiko was still setting the regenerating pictures on fire when Jan folded his knees and rocked back and forth with both eyes shut making her forcibly destroy the haunted images in an attempt to calm him down.
Gojo crouched to his side and raised his hands to show him that he was unarmed, "Hey, it's alright buddy, we're one of the good guys,"
Jan opened his eyes slowly and finally saw the familiar faces which he saw earlier at the bakery-well to be more specific, familiar eyes.
He knew how to distinguish between details. He saw the complexities even if he saw only fleeting details.
The boy with the sky-prism eyes.
The girl with the blazing crescents for eyes.
Two different sets of colors-both emanating a unique spectrum of cursed energy.
Jan felt himself relax a little but still couldn't bring himself to stand. They had just helped him for whatever reason and he was finally safe.
Sachiko went to their side now, making double checks at their surroundings giving Gojo a singular nod to clear their faces of the mask they wore.
"Y-you were-the bakeshop couple?"
They both nodded.
"Let's go inside and talk, okay?" Sachiko reassured.
"So, you're both from a school that teaches you about this magic stuff?" Jan and the two Jujutsu high juniors sat quietly in his mother's room where all photographs, illustrations and even take-home menus were kept hidden. As a precaution, a veil was placed over his house allowing them to a few moments to ask questions from their informant.
The middle schooler looked frail and anxious. He was unable to retain eye contact and his leg kept on shaking as they spoke.
Gojo grinned as he explained, "Something like that. We're Jujutsu sorcerer trainees and you're just like us,"
"So, there's a place where I can go-where I can understand this?" he looked at his roughed-up hands now. His left ring finger was bandaged from the hours he spent creating illusions and cursed ink-patches for the Scrybe. He didn't understand what he could actually do, all he did was use his power as directed by the people who entrapped him, so Gojo's statement gave him a sliver of hope.
They can help me. But I want my mom back first.
"Yup! We can take you to the school and we can offer you protection," he tried to make light of things but found in hard to spark some enthusiasm form the kid. Clearly, he's been through quite a drabble.
Jan looked up at the older boy with the wide grin and glassy eyes and frowned, "But first?"
"Eh?" Gojo turned to Sachiko now who was quick to interrupt and dispel the pessimistic tone of their junior.
"Oh, see, Jan-kun, we can really offer you all of those since it is your right as a jujutsu sorcerer and yes, we're sorry but, we do need your help first,"
Jan's azure eyes looked away from Sachiko, "What can I do? I'm not much of anything,"
"We're looking for our friend," Gojo flipped his phone open and directed towards the gallery afterwards showing the kid a photo of Suguru, "Know him?"
One look at Getou's photo was enough for sweat to trail down on Jan's forehead. He was his latest capture. The latest addition to the Scrybe's personal gallery of sorcerers and pawns.
"I-I do…I-"
"Is he okay? Where is he now?" Sachiko asked, sitting beside him.
"I-I'm sorry!" Jan kneaded his waterfilled eyes with his palm out of the outpouring guilt from the events that led to Suguru's capture. Suguru saved him from his tormentors and had promised that he would help him with his mother once he gets rid of the boss but in a twist of events, he ended up helping with his imprisonment.
Sachiko grew a little worried from his reaction. At the mention of Suguru's capture, she knew right away that Satoru would be the most adamant to get him out safely, "What's wrong? What happened?"
Jan was welling up now, the panic making him tremble that Gojo had to shake him to calm down, "OI! Get a hold of yourself!"
"I-It was my fault that he got caught! I helped him inside the Club! And h-hhe, beat the curse and the Scrybe took an interest in him and so-" his hands dropped to his sides and hung his head low, "If only I didn't join that stupid contest…n-now, I'm just their lackey…"
Satoru and Sachiko knew enough about the underground Club. It was basically a hideout for curse-users and freelance sorcerers to gather not just for drinks and gambling but to play very dangerous games. Mei-mei had associates who frequented the Scrybe's club activities. The rumor was, once he takes into a liking to certain sorcerer's techniques, he finds a way to side with him either willingly or forcibly.
All they needed was a way in. Jan was their ticket. Even though, it didn't seem like a safe choice for the kid, they had no other choice.
Suguru's safety was on the line too.
"What happened Jan?" Sachiko asked.
Jan let his weight fall on the floor and deviated his eyes away from them, "I-I think it was a week or more ago when I met Getou-san. He was one of the new sorcerers who inquired about the Scrybe at the club and he-he eventually got the Scribe's attention with his technique so the Scrybe imprisoned him," he began crying now, "I'm so sorry! I had to help them capture Getou-san or else they'd hurt my mom!"
Sachiko tried her best to comfort the kid by placing her hand on his arm and soothing it but Jan was really guilt-stricken that even Gojo didn't have the courage to criticize him, "I had to put him inside the loop or else, they'd kill her…" he dropped on his knees and bowed in front of the two, making them uneasy and quite distraught from his action.
"Jan-kun," Sachiko softened her tone and helped him up, "It's not your fault, you have us now to help you set things right,"
Satoru took Jan's other arm as they helped him lie down on his bed. For a while, they allowed him to flood his sheets with the tears he kept buried all this time. The kid probably didn't get the chance to think about how to best take care of himself in light of his situation. The underground society sorcerers were ruthless and forcing the kid to become a recruiter didn't come without difficulties.
Satoru rested his back on the bed and waited a few more minutes before speaking but as soon as Jan had ceased crying, he had to start his own investigation, "Hey kid, how did you even end up working for the Scrybe?"
He felt bad for him. Having responsibility thrown in his direction at a young age could do some serious damage not only to his confidence but to his mental health. He, of all people, knew how that could become burdensome and exhausted, still, he had to set aside his pity for the sake of his friend.
"It was all because of a stupid contest…I wanted to win so that I could get money for living expenses…" the boy shifted his position so he could sit while he talked to his upperclassmen,
"There was an ad online asking for anonymous entries. I didn't expect to win. There were so many entries and a lot of them were experienced artists. So, when I received the message that I had won, they invited me to view my artwork in a gallery. When I got there, I was already doubting if the contest was real or not but when I saw my work being lauded by people…it really made me happy that me, a kid, a nobody…could be called…an artist…"
"Did, you at least get the money?" Gojo asked casually, earning him a slight glare from Sachiko, "I-I just meant, was it a legit contest?"
Jan nodded, "It was. At that point, I should've just walked away after the money had been transferred to my mother's account but, there was this man, who approached me and told me that he wanted to buy my work for at least twice the contest-money…" his lips began to tremble now, "So, when he asked me to go with my mom to negotiate at his office, that's when everything turned bad! He captured my mom and told me that he knew about my secret…"
"Secret?" Sachiko murmured.
"Yes…I didn't know it yet but…when I was creating my piece, all I could think about was winning. Hoping that my desires would get through the judges with each stroke of my pen. With each layer that I embedded…and he explained that I was actively using my technique then…which was a big part of why I won…according to him my technique has something to do with entrapments and illusions and so…I may have indirectly influenced their decision…" he laughed nervously, "It's funny right? I thought I finally amounted to something, but it wasn't really even me…all for some cash…"
His pained expression made Sachiko and Satoru sympathize with the child whose self-doubt ate him up daily. It was tough enough to come to terms regarding the guise of his victory but to have his number one supporter taken away from him just ate up whatever self-assurance was left in him.
Satoru turned his cyan eyes at him but removed the splinter of anxiety that was building up in his expression. Jan had just told them that his cursed technique involving illustrations could potentially create illusions and entrapments. Which meant that at his raw form, he could easily be classified as a second-grade sorcerer. But with proper training, he could rise into a very able first-grade. It wasn't surprising that the Scrybe would want to have someone like him in his roster.
I just wonder why he's allowed to walk free? Is he afraid of the kid?
"What did he make you do Jan?"
"He made me recruit people. I would go around and hype up visitors of his club and then he'd pick-out people and have me meet with him. If anyone displayed any hostile behavior, he'd make me trap them…others though, the Scrybe would entice using his divination sorcerers…it's a very dangerous process,"
"Are all sorcerers who work for him under his influence?" the older girl raised her palm.
Jan shook his head, "Not everyone…some of them, are like me,"
"And our friend?" Sachiko followed.
"The Scrybe was intimidated by him. He refused to be inked by the Scrybe to prove his loyalty and he-he was really strong so I-" he cut off his statement to examine the expectant faces before him but the two older teens just calmly waited for him to continue, "Like I said, he's alright…but, I'm not sure what the Scrybe intends to do with him,"
Gojo rested his thumb on his lips, "Suguru wouldn't just let that slide, something else must've happened for him to just stay there and do nothing,"
"Jan, do you think you can help us meet with the Scrybe?"
Jan nodded towards Sachiko, "I-I think I can at least get you to the club but you will have to pass the Scrybe's screening process,"
"He likes recruiting sorcerers with very unique techniques. He calls them masterpieces but really, they're just his pawns…you need to be able to impress him during the screening if you want to meet him,"
Gojo looked more confident now as he replied, "Ah, don't worry about that. You just get us one foot in front of the door, and we'll take care of the rest,"
Jan was still doubtful about his said advantage that he didn't acknowledge the older boy's grin, "He's very strong…the Scrybe…once he imprints on you, it will be hard to break from his spell," he warned.
Gojo gave him a thumb's up, "We're special grades, including the tall idiot who got tricked inside the club. You see, Chi-chan over there is currently the number 1 sorcerer at our institution but Suguru and I come in close second. He's probably already up to something so don't worry too much kid,"
"We're going to help your mom too," Sachiko reassured, "For now, for your own safety, once we get out of your place, pretend you don't know us or about the Institute,"
Gojo interjected, "We're kinda known in the Jujutsu realm so if you could also use your technique to help with our cover, that would be great!"
"Okay…I'll need to go to work like nothing has changed to get you two invites,"
After finalizing their plan, Gojo went on ahead to check if it was safe for them to leave, giving some time to get Jan to ask a curious question off his chest, "Onee-san?" he peeked towards Gojo and began to whisper, "Is Gojo-senpai your boyfriend? Or is it Getou-senpai?"
Flustered at his out of place question, she leaned to whisper back, "Hmm? W-why do you ask?"
It had just occurred to her that the answer to his first question was actually, a definitely-maybe- an I guess-sorta thing. They haven't labeled themselves yet nor have they talked about what had happened between them during his last visit. After he left, the first time that they talked face to face was when she was asked to return to the school. Gojo didn't seem to act too differently with the way he treated her but she kind of assumed that they were a little way past being just friends.
I need to ask Shouko about this later. I don't know how to talk about stuff like this.
Jan shrugged and placed a hand behind his head, "I only asked because Getou-senpai, he drew a lot of pictures of you. Well, you, Gojo-senpai and another girl. He told me they were his friends but when I looked closer, he drew you differently,"
Her pupils dilated at his remark, "What do you mean?"
"He must like you. I mean from the bakeshop, I kind of recognized your face, and I just realized it now that it was because of his sketch,"
The two weren't too far from Gojo's earshot. Of course, what the kid said wasn't surprising. But it did still make him uncomfortable especially since he and his best friend liked the same person.
Gojo opened the door and did a one-over before giving the kid one last nod, "Sachi? Shall we go?"
Sachiko bowed to excuse herself, "Please reassure him that we're coming to get him. And you take care as well." Returning their masks as they lit up the posters on the walkway, they began their leave.
Jan watched as the two removed the veil that protected him from strange eyes but little did he know that the same people left their own to watch over him.
As soon as they got back to the safehouse, Sachiko had allowed Gojo to stay a little while in their room to discuss their plan but before she could initiate the conversation, she couldn't help but reminded of how the kid looked so lost and just empty. As soon as they found comfortable spots around the room, she blurted out, "I feel bad for him, but he was so adorable,"
Gojo was staggered at her sudden statement that he couldn't help but snort back his laugh. But in his attempt to make light of things, his buried remark poured over with his jealousy, "Do you think every guy you meet is cute?"
She glared at him now,, "I just meant that he looked like he could use a hug or something. And hey, the fact that he had azure eyes and pale hair, hmm, I wonder why I thought that he was adorable?" she crossed her arms now, crimson eyes burying into his very core, forcing him to take a hint at her sarcastic albeit true, remark.
He mimicked her posture and squinted his cyan eyes at her before lifting his chin, "You're teasing me on purpose, aren't you?"
She cocked a brow, "Jealous yet?" she laughed but immediately shook off that statement upon realizing how embarrassing it was to assume, "Ahh, just kidding, it's so weird to joke about that, sorry," she turned her back now to hide her flushed face, internally debating on whether or not she should've hidden that remark to herself.
Gojo was delighted that Sachiko's level of comfort towards him was improving. He rested his chin on his palms and grinned at her as she looked away. He had been waiting for her to come back from the Metro Dojo just so he could sort out things with her especially since they made serious strides. And he, Gojo Satoru, a know-it-all and pompous prick had broken down and declared his true feelings, even though this was very new to him as well.
He didn't regret it. He was glad it happened.
She didn't reject him. In fact, she welcomed his gesture.
He felt his heart race a little at the vivid recollection of their first-kiss, the way it felt natural for him to hold her in his arms and keep her close and the way she tasted so sweet and soft against his lips that he didn't even realize that his face was turning bright red and his mouth had been pooling water making him very thankful that she had her back towards him.
He cleared his throat as he shielded his own face now with his palms, holding back the large smile and snicker that was creeping on his face that all he could do was act cool about it,
"Nope, keep trying,"
The following day started smoothly. After a good night's rest, the two special grades were kept on high alert. Jan stealthily dropped the invitations and the glamour he had created for his two new friends as he pretended to tie his shoelaces in front of their table and casually slid the objects towards their shoes.
It was the safest and easiest way for him to hand them over despite having some club-members tailing him. If they asked, all he had to say was that they were new recruits. No one would be the wiser.
Sachiko and Satoru went on to prepare for their infiltration. Mei-mei had generously prepared their whole wardrobe and had given very specific instructions on how they were to wear their pieces together. They had removed all traces of their Jujutsu High uniforms as well as the clothes they had worn for the past few days.
Mei told them that the club was filled with socialites, so it was important in this case for them not just to blend in but also stand out. Gojo shed his uniform and put on the rough-ed up faded black denim pants that was at least the correct size. He was on edge on how a ridiculously metallic the belt even matched the jeans, but he wore it anyway. He was relieved that the next piece of clothing was a very soft and very loose but a little too bright to his liking hoodie. He knew it was one of those designer ones that the spoiled brats in prep schools would wear and trailing his hands to test the fabric made him understand why.
But Mei wasn't done, he still had the very long wool grey scarf and a cotton-clad button-up coat that he needed to layer over his clothing. As he checked if there were any hidden pockets inside, Gojo snarled at the additional pieces of clothing he had to don-a new pair of differently shaped shades and a pair black leather fingerless gloves.
"Where the hell did she get all of these from?"
He dropped the items on his bed and sat down to check on his phone for any new messages. He had left Suguru a few in hopes that he would reply and tell them that he was okay, but his phone had been silent for the period that they were away from the institute.
Mei however sent a long text that morning reminding him about how he should make efforts to not let himself be too recognizable. Cover your pretty eyes and fix your hair, she emphasized.
"She wants me to slick back my hair?" he kicked himself off the bed and went to get the nearest mirror to assess his rather unruly silver strands. Raking back the ones that hit his forehead only to have them fall back to cover a part of his eyes. He groaned, "Why can't I just retain it? No way I can make this any different,"
He tried pressing back the strands that fell in front of his eyes but doing that made his eyes more prominent. Everyone in the Jujutsu realm knew about the boy with the Six-Eyes so there was no way that his clothes and ocular accessories would be enough to make him seem like a different person.
He grabbed the piece of paper that Jan had dropped off along with their invites
"Rakugaki?" he read the scribble below the illustration.
As he unfolded it, he traced over the detail with his fingers, following the curvature of the lines that met to create a pair of differently colored eyes as well as a distinct pattern of piercings that hung over his left brow. The kid's cursed energy was embedded in the illustration, though he wasn't exactly sure how it worked so instead he waited for Sachiko to finish dressing up.
Grabbing the other invitation and glamour illustration, he headed towards her door and made three distinct knocks, "Chi-chan? Are you done dressing up? Can I come in?"
He heard a rustle inside, but Sachiko allowed him to enter. She was still inside the bathroom when he closed the door. Carefully and consciously looking at the way she looked so different from the usual image she saw in the mirror. She wasn't sure if Mei-mei was pranking her or if she really took to heart the instructions to not make her look like her usual self.
She agreed to changing the way she tied her hair and even to her instructions on how to put on her make-up to make her look more mature and more appealing to the club members. Her fingers danced over the ridiculous amount of accessories that dangled on her ears and neck, including the cuff at her right pinna that was meant to be an energy dampener.
"This is a little too much," she grated.
The cut of her dress was something that she didn't even think about buying for herself in any style. It was a square-neck puffed sleeved dress that not only highlighted the ivory skin on her chest but also her clavicles. She thought that it was probably something she could deal with since she wasn't exposing her cleavage. She gave out a loud sigh as she looked down towards the hem of her dress. It really molded into her body but not in a comfortable sense especially since it barely touched her knee. She hoped that Mei-mei would've at least given her another choice for her dress, but she was pretty adamant about the design she chose.
She heard the sound of the door close which meant that her fr-her Satoru was already inside. This made her jump up and head outside to meet him with her bare feet strutting carelessly in her ridiculous outfit, "Wait Satoru! I'm not-"
"Eh?" Gojo's glassy eyes dilated at the sight of the girl in front of him. His long lashes fluttering upward and his mouth slowly widening to let a small gasp escape. The layers of clothing that added some weight on his body only intensified the warm feeling that began to build up from his core to his face.
He knew that it was his Sachi that wore the insane form-fitting dress that hugged too much of her curves. It was the same Sachi with a differently styled hair and extravagant accessories except this Sachiko was too dolled up and was too bright that he had to blink a few times to protect himself from the shine.
She's so…pretty…I want to-
She crossed her arms and turned sideways to avoid his direct gaze. He had been staring too long for her comfort and she wasn't exactly sure what he thought about her at that moment. She thought that she saw him pink-up a little, but he was making this face that looked like he was unsure if he wanted to laugh or grin.
This made her feel so self-conscious even though Satoru actually, in all his might, wanted to just compliment her and keep her in his pocket so that no other guy could look at her the way he did.
I can't stop starting. No guy could-wait.
His thoughts became a little grim and a little dark and selfish that at the back of his head, he could already picture how he would maneuver himself around the club or extend his Infinity towards her so that no would even think about breathing the s-
"Satoru? Could you please, uh, not stare too much?" she said, voice restrained, eyes on her toes.
He shook his head and took a deep breath before taking a few steps towards her, "Uh, sorry, I was just surprised," he let out a nervous chuckle. But before he spoke another word, Satoru lifted his phone and opened his camera, stealthily focusing on Sachiko and readjusting the angle so that once he snapped the photo, he could get a clear picture of her face.
Of course, his too excited self was dumb enough to leave the flash open, making Sachiko jerk back and come running towards him, tip-toeing to reach for his phone.
Gojo was still smirking as his eyes shifted from his phone to the now flustered girl who was holding on to his shoulders and raking her fingers against his playfully. Gojo's face was plastered with a wide grin and his eyes remained locked on the girl, taking in the minute details that separated her from her usual self but also stripping away those difference to remind him that he still saw through her disguise. Nothing could ever miss his sight. He was still the girl he liked-just in different clothing.
Sachiko dropped her hands to the side and groaned, "Why did you take my photo?"
Gojo placed the phone in his coat pocket and continued eyeing her with much amusement, "Because you look pretty,"
She briefly covered her face with her palms and sighed once more. She was a little taken aback by his statement. He was always blunt but to receive that kind of compliment out of the blue like he was just stating a fact about the weather made her heart flutter a tiny bit.
Still as someone who was still getting used to that kind of treatment from a boy, she just said the first thing that popped inside her head, "Um…I'm not comfortable with wearing this," she tugged on her dress in an attempt to extend the seam and this made Gojo feel a little bad that his crassness made her uneasy.
Sachiko continued, "I feel so exposed, but Mei said that we can't look like ourselves if we want to get the Scrybe's attention so-"
Gojo placed one hand on her shoulder and tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. He carefully unfolded her hands to unveal her rather bashful expression as he forced her to look at him. This made Satoru snicker once more, "Chi-chan, you look great! I promise!"
"I don't look, weird?" her brows quivered upward but Satoru traced over them with his thumb to relax her expression.
He nodded, "No at all! Buuuut," he held out his pointer finger and grinned, "Since I already took your photo, you can change if you want. I mean, I don't want other guys to hit on you but it's your decision," his eyes slighted on her smooth and shiny legs now, blinking a few times before forcing himself to turn away to hide his blush, "Really, it's fine," he muttered under clenched teeth.
Sachiko took that as her cue that even he was made uncomfortable by too much of her skin exposure, "I'll go see if I can find something else to wear. Mei really didn't skimp on her preferences…anyway, I'll be right back,"
She was about to make her leave when Satoru tugged on her shoulder and cupped her chin so she could face him directly. His expression was quite thoughtful, very intuitive even and when he spoke, he only allowed honest words to escape his mouth,
"Wear whatever makes you comfortable, you look beautiful in whatever you wear anyway," he pinched her cheek before scurrying her over back to the bathroom. Initially, he wanted to kiss her cheek instead but with the kind of raging hormones he had to repress at that moment, that was the safest move.
Before she closed the door, she gave him a small smile behind her feverish expression, "Um, Satoru, that was very sweet of you to say,"
Satoru adjusted his lenses then lifted his shoulders, "Just being honest Chi,"
She opened the door a little wider and tilted her head, the side of her mouth quirking up as she looked at the boy with the unique eyes, "Are you waiting for me to reward you or something?" she mused.
Gojo dusted off his jacket and made a turn to the couch, "Naaah,"
After a few minutes of rummaging through her own clothes all she could manage to find to improve her comfort was to wear opaque black leggings which thankfully paired well with the short cover-up that wound around her sleeves. It was practical in a way since some of her Kitsune markings were present and it would be bad if anyone would recognize those distinct Kitsune features.
When she finally finished dressing up, she found Satoru leering outside the window, watching the sun set, rays of orange that streamed through the blinds slowly being replaced by shadows of the moon. He looked very tranquil, yet his gaze grew sharp as an eagle as he scanned the city-scape to find traces of their friend. Their mission was about to commence and this time, she would be there to ensure that they all returned in one piece.
Blanketing his form with another layer of warmth. Sachiko's arms were long enough to meet with the ends of her tiny fingers as she hugged him from behind. Pressing her tiny figure on his back, catching him by surprise.
It was a great feeling to be held, willingly, by someone you had admired for so long. For the person you felt most comfortable with to return the affection he had bravely given her. He knew that she wasn't the type to easily do so. She was too reserved to be as forward as he was, so he knew that it was a little difficult for her which made it even more meaningful.
He couldn't help but smile as Sachiko unlaced one hand to reach for his hair, tiptoeing to ruffle his pale locks, making him feel a little giddy each time her fingers met his scalp. When she finally returned to hug him, she nuzzled her face behind his back, burying the bright red color that covered her whole face before speaking, "Don't' say that I don't appreciate your compliments. I'm just new to this, okay?"
He looked over his shoulder now, but Sachiko was still hiding her face that he couldn't help snicker.
"Satoru, I really appreciate what you said and for the record, you look pretty good yourself,"
His eyes creased, "Yeah? You think that?" he turned to her now and observed the improvement of her outfit. To be honest, there wasn't much that changed except for her demeanor and that was more important than any dress.
She crossed her arms, "Don't make me repeat myself, you heard me,"
He sighed in defeat, "You know, even if you wore something that covered every inch of you, I still fear that other guys would hit on you at the club, I'm a jealous wreck, I told you."
She gave a soft chuckle, "I can handle myself. Besides, I'll just point them towards the guy with the scary eyes if someone tries to mess with me, okay?"
She's treating me like her boyfriend, isn't she? I'm clearly sending her the 'you're mine,' vibes so I think she gets it. Though, I don't think she likes being treated like a possession…argh, I have to talk to Shouko about this. Wow, did I just use boyfriend?
Since he didn't respond right away, Sachiko proceeded with directing him towards the dresser to fix his hair. Again, the subtle massages through his scalp as she placed some product to keep his hair a little slicked back made him relax that soon, he noticed that he no longer looked at his reflection and instead steadied his look on the girl with the crimson eyes.
He didn't tire at looking her face, especially when she smiled. It was funny to think that there was time that he couldn't even bare to look at her directly due to her brandished aura but now, it's all that he wanted to do, marvel at her with nothing else in mind.
Pulling her arms slightly so that she could rest her chin on his head, Satoru looked up to give her another grin. He had hoped that the proximity of her face would signal his desire for a kiss but as Sachiko quickly realized that, her heartbeat was now audible, she blinked profusely to break the tension, "Come on, let me go! We shouldn't be flirting in the middle of a mission!"
Satoru dragged her a little further down so that she could align her head above his shoulder, "Suguru will be fine!" he said, half-exasperated at her unwillingness to show a bit more of affection.
Her eyes squinted at him now, "And you? Will you be if we don't get to the bottom of this soon?"
Satoru lightened his hold and tilted his head so that her own supported his weight, "You see through me well now? Huh?"
"It's your brother we're talking about so, of course I know," she tugged on his opposite ear to lighten the mood, "Let's have you two reunite now, yes?"
"Hai-hai…"
Sachiko shifted the chair so that she could make a few adjustments to the style, tucking out strays of his unruly hair and parting them differently so that he would look edgier than normal. She took a step back to reexamine the boy under the glamour. Jan had done a great job into changing his eye color to match her own and the piercings above his brow actually made him a lot more attractive that Sachiko had to remind herself that this was the same boy she was hugging a few minutes ago. A scarlet band spread through her cheeks making Satoru smirk as he leaned in.
"How do I look? Did you fall in love again?" he teased.
She snorted as she wiped off the excess product with a towel, "Y-you look, really different…but good,"
This was enough for Gojo to release some of his inhibitions as he gave her a quick peck on the lips making her cover her mouth with one hand but before she could retaliate Gojo was already taking photos of himself in his disguise that she just let it go.
It's not like she didn't like the way he expressed his feelings but she liked it better if she could brace for it.
But I guess, that would kill the vibe.
Satoru didn't make it obvious but even he felt unsure about his advances only because he knew how shy she was. Satoru didn't like holding things back especially since he only wanted the best for her so everytime he did something, he meant it. It was pointless to hold too much back since-
I don't know how much time I have with her left…at least, until I can find a solution.
She nudged at him to make space, his weightlessness easily giving in as he stumbled sidewards, eyes still fastened on her every movement and feature. She was already putting on her glamour. It was a curious choice, having their eye colors switch that Satoru was bewildered at how his sky-eyes actually suited the crystalline glow that she now possessed. She noticed that a flare of cursed energy that came from the parchment went to the side of her clavicle, the flash of blue and black slowly inking a pattern of branches on her skin like some sort of a brand.
Satoru's eyes left the mirror and went on to the side of her neck that was being imprinted on by Jan's technique. He was a little bothered by the amount of cursed energy that the technique emanated but was relieved that she didn't look like she was hurt by the process.
He placed the tail of her hair that covered the tattoo behind her nape. Sachiko began followed the lines the nordic design of the flowers and branches that went from her shoulder and all the way to her midclavicular line with her finger. It looked very real. Much like the piercings above his brow that felt like it actually attached in between his skin.
Rakugaki. My pops told me about this technique. Scribbles or rough sketches that had more contextual power that it seemed. The kid really is a wonder.
Sachiko couldn't stop looking at the pretty pattern that embedded on her skin, "Jan really went all out with the glamour. What do you think Satoru?"
He was quite vexed at her new feature that his hand hovered over the design but didn't dare to touch it. He was torn. In the mirror, her altered features made her even more attractive. Her peculiarities were a part of what attracted him to her after all and if he thought that she looked like a very delicate, mysterious, and pretty doll that night, surely, he would share the same sentiment with others.
Gojo dropped his head and turned her away from the mirror so that he could look at her face to face. He had a blank expression now. His crimson eyes looked fierce though, much like how she would look normally when she was in battle.
"Satoru?" she said, confused.
"Chi…" he began voicing out shakily, "Don't forget, you're mine," he forced himself to smile. Apprehension overcoming his core as the time for their departure neared and he knew right then and there that he was officially acting like he was in a relationship.
Part of their disguise was to act as very different people. Jan's glamour worked incredibly well that even the middle-schooler had a tough time looking for them among the crowd.
Jan and other recruiters had brought with them other sorcerers and curse-users from their Roponggi faction. The bar was very crowded, cursed energy-emanators easily outnumbering the mundanes.
The Bar High Five in Ginza was pretty famous especially for travelers that foreign sorcerers couldn't help but to satisfy their curiosity with the supposed exclusive club. Mei-mei had been interested in being a member just for the sole reason of sponsorship but upon assessment of her future colleagues, she took it upon herself to remove any connections from the club members.
The door was painted in a very peculiar choice of paints, bright yellow against a gradient of blues and black, reminiscent of Van Gogh's Café Terrace at Night. Other than that, nothing looked out of the ordinary.
The pub that served as the waiting area to the secret club house wasn't as spacious nor flamboyant as they had expected. Sure, the wooden interiors and the vintage lights looked every bit as expensive as the gallery of booze that was displayed in neatly organized open shelves behind the baristas' counter but the rest of the interiors looked pretty standard.
There was a very long cherry and oak countertop that spread the same length as the alcohol cases. Different colors and sizes of bottles and spirits were being hand-picked by the experienced barkeeps servicing each customer every five minutes.
There was nothing particularly odd about the clear glasses and the objects on display. The staff didn't have cursed energy pulsating through them but seeing as they were connected to the Scrybe, they were more or less windows.
Sachiko and Satoru had agreed to swerve from the Mei's initial suggestion that they pose as lovers once they enter the club. Despite some hesitation on Gojo's part to investigate the area separately, it made sense that they broaden their chances of getting through the screening process. Though he was confident that she could fend for herself, he remembered how much she hated crowds and mingling with strangers. Good thing about having a good sense of sight was that he would be able to keep eyes on her even behind his back.
Satoru agreed to enter the bar first, nodding towards the bouncer through his fogged-up shades and showing him the invite.
The brutish man with the mohawk took his invite and lit it up with his cig, making Gojo momentarily pause breathing to escape the fog that he exhaled. Casually giving him a salute, he made his way through the crowd. It was easy to pick up some energies from around him, though none of them posed any immediate threats.
Satoru spotted Jan from across the bar. He was wearing the same vest and bowtie as the servers, but he was made to position himself near the staircase that led to the upper VIP rooms.
Jan is really a vital player in this scheme.
The kid was doing a good job with pretending that he didn't know him, but Gojo made his presence known to him even subtly. If not, he'd panic and even blow their cover.
Gojo unbuttoned his coat and pushed his square shades towards his nose before dropping his weight on the stool where Mr. Ueno, the famed owner and barista catered to his guests.
The old man looked very pleasant and welcoming as the creases on his face stretched with his smile. His graying hair was kept tidy by pomade, and he blended with the rest of the staff donning the same uniform. He was running the towel over the used glass to dry it before setting it aside.
Gojo jerked his head towards Ueno, and he acknowledged the customer by setting a coaster in front of the special grade boy in disguise and rested his palms on the counter.
"Good evening young man, you seem to be new here,"
Gojo rested his elbow on the cold wood and smirked, "Your place has quite the reputation, I wanted to see for myself what the fuss was all about,"
"I hope you find my humble pub satisfactory," Ueno gave an airy chuckle, "So, what shall I call you young man? I can't possibly make a drink for a nameless patron,"
Gojo flicked the tip of his nose and gave him a half-bow so he could check with his own eyes if Ueno registered as a sorcerer himself.
Nothing. Must be just a run of the mill co-conspirator or whatever.
"Shuichi, Junji Shuichi," he said in introduction.
"Ahh, a fine name for a young man. Your name, it means hardworking, suited for a first born,"
"Excellent guess," Gojo retorted, "Though, not sure about hardworking, I wouldn't be out messing around in your pub if I were,"
The owner gave him a filtered smile, "Well then, Shuichi, what can I get 'ya?"
This was a pivotal part of the test. Jan told them that Bar High Five didn't have a menu and everything was tailor made but real patrons and serious club member wannabes never asked the owner for a suggestion.
Jan had tipped them off with the correct orders. His days as a bar server finally bore fruit. The cycle of cleaning glasses and unintentional eavesdropping made him akin to the process.
Here goes nothing.
Jan did caution that one of the windows they described who tailed for Suguru was already caught and disposed of so the day that they met him, the kid made sure to keep his ears open for them.
Satoru didn't have any vices though his friends did consider his love for sweets a little too excessive, there was nothing else that he took to a particular liking to except some anime and well, the girl with the six-tails.
He never tried alcohol before except for the required sips of sake during occasions or New year's and he didn't care much for the taste. He and Sachi did some research about the decipher the ingredients that Jan had enumerated and lucky for them, online reviews of the bar helped them with the pattern.
Gojo cleared his throat and etched a confident brow as Ueno listened in on his order and in one breath he began, "How about, a White Lady?"
Ueno clapped his hands and gave a rather animated nod towards his new customer. He turned his back on Gojo and grabbed a chilled martini glass that reflected a prism of rainbows as it caught light. Ueno placed it in front of him and assembled the shaker but before he poured in the gin.
Gojo continued,
"I want a White lady and I want to picture the moment forever," his voice was steady as he reiterated his last statement. It was Ueno's first cue that he wanted access to the Scrybe's club.
"Certainly," Ueno replied. He swiftly poured a few ounces of the gin on the metal shaker, following it with a contreau that was overlapped by a fresh lemon squeezed. His fingers expertly catching the seeds before it landed on the juice, the then scooped a few symmetrical cubes of ice before briskly covering it with the lid.
Finally, Ueno raised the bottle and began mixing the ingredients with a few shakes before transferring the contents on the glass in front of Satoru. The white and cloudy liquid flowing out of the spout until it stopped three fourths of the way.
"Here you go Master Shuichi, one White Lady," his hand directed towards the glass as he gave a slight bow, "Dozo,"
It was time for Satoru's next and final test from the Ueno. It was time for him to reveal that he was a sorcerer, but he had to do so without giving him any hint about who he truly was.
He raised his glass like how he and Sachiko had practiced in their hideout and thanked Ueno. He adjusted his wrist and balanced the rim with his fingers so he could give the contents a quick swirl, then he aligned the glass towards his eyes and allowed the shades to slide off his nose so his crimson-glamoured eyes would flicker and catch Ueno's attention.
The old man watched as Shuichi released a small amount of cursed energy towards his glass before he Gojo forced himself to finish every drop of the drink in one go. Ueno was an experienced window, so any trick would've been easy to disillusion but Gojo handled the controlled release of his cursed energy thanks to Sachiko replacing one of his fake eye-brow piercings with one of her energy-dampening accessories.
He set the empty glass down on the coaster and grabbed the fancy napkin that Sachiko had tucked on his coat pocket and dabbed his mouth like the refined gentleman he wasn't and waited for Ueno to finish cleaning his glass.
He took a quick scan of the people behind him, Sachiko was already inside, doing her best to collect information and observe how he was doing. Gojo needed to hurry up, she was already beginning to feel anxious as a crowd of men and women had already taken an interest on the blue-eyed fairy with the shoulder tattoo.
Sachiko didn't seem too disturbed by the stares, but she was also adamant to get through the other side of the room.
Gojo had to force himself to remain calm and turn his attention back on the barkeep. Ueno had set another coaster in front of Gojo but this time, instead of a new glass, he placed a silver coin on top of it and with the same gesture, he said, "Dozo,"
Gojo gave Ueno a salute after picking up the shiny circular object from the table. He fiddled with the coin in between his knuckles and turned a little to the side to flip it in the air. It was meant to signal Sachiko that he was done with his test.
Jumping off his seat, he gave Ueno another bow and headed towards Jan and the guard by the covered staircase.
He took one last look at Sachiko who already took his place on the stool. She looked confident. Nothing about her seemed unshakable as she poised herself in front of Ueno.
I guess I have nothing to worry about.
Good job, Chi.
"My, my, aren't you an exquisite lady?" Ueno began, slyly shooing away the younger bartenders who were ogling the Six-tailed Kitsune in disguise.
She stood out for two reasons, her doll-like features that matched her curated outfit and her crystalline eyes, similarly outlined like Satoru's own. Despite feeling so guarded upon entering the bar, she managed to create a confident air around her largely because she knew Satoru was only a few feet away.
"Why thank you sir," she batted her curled lashes at him and sneered, "I see your reputation is well founded, you have a lot of guests. Is there any occasion?" she said lightly.
Ueno wiped the countertop and nodded, "I am very lucky that my business is improving though may I say, I have never met anyone like you, what shall I call you?"
Sachiko crossed her legs and rested her chin on one palm. Her painted nails drummed on her chin as she indulged, "My name is Kirie Ito, nice to meet you at last, Mr. Ueno,"
Ueno pursed his lips and looked upwards to contemplate, "Ahhh, Kirie, how appropriate for you to be named so. It means light. And that brightness truly reflects in your eyes," he snickered then clapped his hands, "So, what would you like Ms. Kirie? Would you like me to suggest something for you?"
Sachiko grinned. This was her first test. Knowing that Satoru had chosen the White Lady she had to gamble with her own choice of liquor. She shook her head slightly then tapped her hands on the table, "I would like a Hunter, please,"
Ueno's face lit up in excitement upon hearing her order. It was a bold choice for first timers which was perfect if she wanted to a free pass to the club.
Ueno began mixing the cherry herring liqueur with the bourbon, pouring very drop of the chilled rouge liquid into the clear glass in front of Sachiko.
The sweet bubbly smell was quite overwhelming. As a Kitsune, her body couldn't tolerate alcohol because it registered as a toxin. But, to keep up with the ruse, she had to do her best to allow her system to accept the contents of custom drink until she got a pass.
Ueno gestured for her to drink.
She slowly lifted the glass towards him and finished the drink half-way before wiping the sides of mouth. She fought the uneasy sensation that she instantly felt as soon as the liquor made contact with her palate.
It felt hot and very acidic as it slithered down her throat that she had to control her facial muscles from contracting in displeasure.
Setting down her glass, she smiled at Ueno and began tracing the rim with her index finger, slowly releasing a bit of her cursed energy with each rotation, "That, was lovely," she told him, her blue eyes squinting toward him, and directing him towards her hand.
Ueno bared his teeth as he caught sight of the blue and black flame that covered the glass. He knew what it meant and made it easy for him to decide what to do with her message.
Sachiko lifted the glass once more and aligned it with her lips, "This is a very beautiful drink. I'll picture this moment, forever,"
Finishing the contents of the glass became easier for her as she covered her whole mouth with a little bit of cursed energy to reduce the alcoholic contents that would otherwise make her nauseous.
Ueno set aside the used glass and swiped the damp cloth in front of Sachi before wiping his hands. He offered his right hand towards Sachiko to which she took for a short shake. She felt something cold press in her palm as Ueno gave her a half bow, "It was lovely to meet you Ms. Kirie, please give my compliments to the Scrybe,"
Sachiko tucked the silver coin in her palm and thanked him before she left.
She let out a breath as soon as she made some distance from the bar. He may not have been a sorcerer but Ueno was very sharp. Keeping the ruse of confidence was important.
The silver coin was a cursed object and reacted immediately against her palm. It was finally time to enter the club.
Jan was already side eyeing her, sweat dripping below his chin as the bouncer stood whispered, "Hey kid, we got another one, how many so far?"
Jan flinched and watched as Sachiko approached, "She's the 8th player to pass sir,"
The bouncer grimaced, "Only 8 huh? Looks like the boss is being stingy tonight,"
"Excuse me," Sachiko began and shifted from Jan to the bouncer and crossed her arms with one hand swaying the silver coin in front of them, "I believe I get to be escorted somewhere?"
The bouncer lifted the curtains to reveal the long staircase, before she took a step inside, Jan halted her and asked for her name, "Kirie," she winked then subtly adjusted the side of her sleeve to point to the tattoo glamour he made for her.
This put Jan at ease. She was going to join Satoru for the second screening and after that, they could finally do something about the Scrybe and save their friend.
Now all Jan had to do was get himself invited in the second round.
As if luck was finally turning around for him, Ueno approached the young sorcerer and gave him a pat on the head, "You are needed at the divination area young man, let us handle the rest here,"
Ueno may have looked like a very kind old man but what he had in mind was something more sinister than Jan could've imagined. He already knew that his presence probably hinted of something that was part of their plan but any excuse to join his two new friends was something he didn't want to miss.
As soon as the middle-schooler left, the bartender's kind face was erased. Eyeing the bouncer with a cold glare he warned, "The Scrybe better not trash this place or else he'd better be ready to make transactions elsewhere,"
The owner of the pub watched as his new young patrons, Kirie and Shuichi disappeared upwards the geometric red, white, yellow and blue tiles that adorned the staircase, looking at them with much caution and disdain as if he knew that tonight would not be the same as any other happy hour.~
Part 1 To be continued…
Author's Note:
Hope you guys enjoyed part 1 of this Art-themed chapter. AGAIN! Sorry it took a while; I'm still recovering from my injury and got exposed twice to COVID at work, so I had to get tested and be sent on isolation. Thankfully, I tested negative twice.
Leave me a comment/DM or even a twt if you want ^^
Shout out to my artist friends whom I had sneakily surveyed and injected into this chapter. They are my real inspirations. Also, these are character profile based and not actually based on the artists' real-life appearances and preferences, okay? They are loosely inspired by the artists but not the artists themselves.
Thanks especially to Saya for patiently answering the N-number of questions I had about art.
I took an art appreciation course way back in college (though that wasn't too long ago) and haven't picked up a paint brush for a long time (I miss painting) so I felt the need to freshen up with research and some interviews. Also, I read a bit of Blue Period. It's really good!
Pictures of famous artworks, places and others referenced on this chapter was borrowed from public websites. All rights reserved to the owners.
MY JJK-WORLD ART LORE FACTOIDS AND OCs:
Sachiko chose the aliases Shuichi and Kirie in an attempt to give Suguru some sort of signal that they were there. The names were taken from one of Junji Ito's novels called Uzumaki, whose protagonists are a couple with the same name. Kind of also hinted something else to him, sorry. If you can recall in one of the Good Jujus, Getou lent the Ito books to Sachi.
OC-Feature: JAN KAZUHA
"The Prodigy"
Physical description: Male, slim built, around 5 feet +, has gray hair cut neatly below his ears but has a long lock that courses past his nape and just below his scapula. He has very notable azure eyes.
Position on the Wheel: Outlier, no offIcial colors
Classification: Unofficial Jujutsu Trainee, likely a Second Grade but has potential to ascend with training.
A middle-schooler who got special admission to a science school and latest discovery of the Scrybe. He won an art contest but unknowingly left remnants of cursed energy in his finished piece. Much like the seers he entrapped, Jan's cursed technique is heavily reliant on his artistic skills. His forte is creating illusions. When he paints other subjects, he can influence the perception of other people if he embeds his emotions and desires using his cursed technique similar to how the blue star, he drew on Getou's hand made him go into a trance. Only he can dispel his own technique actually making him more powerful than he knows, and which is the reason why the Scrybe didn't ink him yet.
He has an innate technique called a Glamour. He drew particular features (Gojo's red eyes and brow piercings, Sachi's collar bone tattoo and blue eyes) on a clean piece of drawing paper which was seemingly painted on their faces completing their disguise. He used another technique common to art-led sorcerers called Rakugaki (RKGK), where scribbles or doodles work the same as finished pieces by using twice the amount of cursed energy in their illustration. They are seemingly harmless drawings which only sorcerers are able to distinguish from uncursed objects.
He was recruited primarily to help in trapping and tricking sorcerers into servitude by the Scrybe.
The Seers also commissioned him to make the calligraphy that completed the divination table allowing them access to his illusion techniques thus tricking players that they had summoned the real Kokkuri.
Part 2 of Color Wheel will be uploaded next week (Monday would be the earlier ^^)
