A CROWD OF PEOPLE STOOD AND STARED / THEY'D SEEN HIS FACE BEFORE

"Train was late," Jaewon stated, as she flung her suit jacket on one of the office chairs. "Sorry, Amtrak's being a little bitch today. The others are down at the caf' getting breakfast."

"It's fine," James said, not looking up from his computer as he wrote. "They'll probably run into Haoyu there… I take it you already grabbed something?"

James didn't even have to look behind him to know that she was probably standing next to the chair, hand on her hip as she rolled her eyes and ran a hand through her wavy mop of hair that she didn't bother to style. Very typical of that kid.

"Yeah, made myself a pork roll breakfast sandwich," she sighed, and James could hear the creak of the office chair behind him. "Gives me strength to deal with the twin threats. Amtrak and bullshitting this damn report."

"You're not alone in that regard," James said, running a hand down his chin. "Try not to bullshit it too much though, our funding rides on this stuff."

Jaewon groaned, then by the sound of it slammed her head against the chair three times. You would think a history major would revel in the chance to write more reports, but he digressed.

To be fair to her, Jaewon wasn't as knowledgeable as Haoyu or he would be on the subject of discussing the cursed spirit itself. She and the other two newbies have been tasked with describing their actions during the events. What they said to the students, what they did before the fight, how much ammunition was discharged, and so on and so forth. With no embellishments.

It seemed simple enough, and when James looked over their drafts the three had enough sense to be honest. You never know with those theater types sometimes…

That left Haoyu and him to theorize about the cursed spirit's origins. Of course, there was the murder-suicide, Haoyu had found several articles about it a day after their mission, and then they'd been approved to view the police report from 1978. The events written down were graphic, as expected from such subject matter, but the amount of media attention and general collective memory of the incident would only point to at most a grade-two curse being born. And then, it would've long been exorcised by another sorcerer long before any of them were even a thought.

So what was with its state back there? It resembled a special grade, but it seemed immobile, lacking any technique or serious innate domain. It only seemed to attack randomly, throwing and punching like a child throwing a tantrum… Was it one? Could it be considered a newborn?

He and Haoyu had exorcised a special grade like that when they were still entrenched in that world. It had a domain, a technique, and had nearly killed them, taking a considerable toll. Haoyu still had a scar from that day, reaching from his shoulder to his chest, nearly a perfect diagonal cut. In comparison to that, the one at the hotel was weak, only taking a few hits, and the worst damage it did was breaking bones. Sure, if the trio hadn't intervened the students would've likely died, but…

James sighed, leaning back against his office chair. He looked up at the ceiling, rubbing the bridge of his nose with his thumb. There was one option that made sense, that the curse had been artificially created or inflated with cursed energy to get it to special grade, but he had no proof of that. How would that even occur? By forcing a rumor about the event? Social manipulation? That would be possible in this day and age with social media, but nothing was showing up anywhere he looked.

"Hey," Jaewon said suddenly, and James turned to face her. She wasn't looking at him, eyes still on the computer.

"Hey, what?" James replied. "Need help?"

"No, been meaning to ask you about this," she said while typing. "That 'Megumi' kid, with my technique. How'd you know about him?"

James rubbed his chin. He'd be lying if he hadn't expected a question like that from her eventually. The two of them had mainly used documents from the boy's clan for her technique, after all.

"I met him, once," he said. "When he was about six, on one of my trips to Japan."

"Before or after you joined the FBI?"

"Just before," James said, tilting his head slightly. A smile grew on his face, despite himself. "Do you want me to tell you about it?"

"Go nuts," Jaewon said. Despite her dismissive comment, her eyes kept flicking over to him.

James had been to Tokyo Jujutsu Technical College a few times before this final trip of his, mainly for larger scale Goodwill events between the Japanese schools, Chinese schools and so forth. This year, however, he and Haoyu weren't fighting in it, mainly advising the American students. Fourth years like them couldn't participate, only advise or train.

Most of the students seemed to gravitate more towards having James as their trainer, compared to Haoyu. James, unfortunately could see why, Haoyu was…

"Bitchy?"

"I wouldn't put it like that, Jaewon. He was…"

…in a bit of a depression, to put it mildly. They had nearly lost a pretty bad fight against a curse that killed a lot of their classmates. Five of them, to be exact. He wasn't in the mood to be making friends with anyone. His face looked sunken, as if it was beginning to collapse in on itself, and his eyes had this glassiness to them, the kind James had only seen on dead fish. He'd forgotten to shave, and his hair had grown to the base of his neck, unkempt. At least he still managed to shower and brush his teeth.

Every interaction with someone other than James gave the impression that the person was talking to a husk of a person. Haoyu would make the vaguest attempts of responding, but nothing besides 'uh-huh' or anything beyond one word. He wasn't well-liked before that mission, but people would at least try to talk with him. Now, everyone gave him a wide berth, like he was radioactive.

In contrast, James seemed like the better mentor. He still managed to talk and smile and keep himself looking tidy, his dreadlocks pulled back into a loose ponytail. And the training and sparring he did with the other students gave him an escape.

Anyways, the campus of Tokyo Jujutsu High was ornate, and old, resembling a Buddhist temple ground in structure and scale. White stone buildings with black thatched roofs, it seemed to blend into the forest surrounding them. It felt like whenever he walked through the gate, he was entering some sort of time warp. Of course, until he walked the grounds and saw something like a vending machine or a kid on a cell phone.

Suddenly:

"Jaaames!" A girl called out, and James whipped his head around to see a black-haired girl dressed in a red-and-white miko outfit. She was beaming from ear to ear, hands clasped in front of her.

"Utahime, hello," James said with a smile, as he was pulled into a hug. "How have you been?"

"Good," she said, grinning. "God, I missed having you around! You're the only special grade who doesn't act all high and mighty…"

Haoyu made a strange huffing noise from beside him, but his expression didn't change much. Whatever it was, Utahime didn't seem to pay much mind to his partner's disheveled state.

"Heh," James shrugged, hands in his pockets. "I try my best."

Despite Utahime's chipper nature, a strange sort of depression hung over the campus. Like a dark curtain had been drawn over the campus…

"I guess Haoyu fit right in."

"Yes, very much so."

…James had wanted to ask the sorcerer if something had happened but decided not to. He had a gut feeling, something ugly swirling deep in the pit of his stomach, that it was something similar to what happened to him and Haoyu. Deaths were common in this field, so it wasn't out of the realm of possibility. Drudging it up wouldn't solve anything.

Regardless, the three walked through the school grounds, James fidgeting with his hands all the while. When he looked over at Haoyu, while talking with Utahime about Tokyo and the differences between cultures, he noticed that his partner seemed as emotionless as ever. Perhaps the change in scenery would help eventually…?

Finally, the gymnasium poked out from the tree cover, and the three hobbled up the steps toward the door. He always forgot how much of a pain it was to get around this school until the moment he was in it. How did these other kids manage?

Much like the rest of the school, and many such jujutsu schools, the gym seemed dated, from several decades ago. It gave it a retro feel, but James couldn't help but feel as if the headquarters of the jujutsu world should look a little less run down. It seemed as if the American schools were the first to arrive for once, with their underclassmen milling about.

From where he stood, James could make out the short form of Shoko Ieri, standing off to the side. She looked the same as she did the last time he saw her at one of the goodwill events, brown hair cut into a bob, but there were dark bags under her eyes, and she seemed to be fidgeting with something in her back pocket.

Of course, surrounded by people, was Satoru Gojo, in his six foot whatever glory, striking white hair and blue eyes, basking in the glory of being the strongest, as he always did. He seemed off today, though, not as smug as he usually was. And…

"Where's Suguru?" Haoyu said, glancing over at Utahime.

Instantly, the girl bristled, crossing her arms to her chest. Oh, James thought to himself, that was bad. He'd only met him once before, but they had gotten along pretty well, what a shame to lose him, especially when he was a special grade. Still, if Suguru Geto died, why wasn't he informed…?

Before Utahime could break the bad news, James heard loud heavy footsteps approaching them, and he looked up to see Satoru walking closer, a grin on his face. Almost instantly, James heard Utahime groan, and start cursing underneath her breath. Now, with the crowd of people thinning, he could see a small boy, only about five or six, approaching him. He stood by Satoru's side, not clinging to him like a shy child would, but still close to him, with his dark hair spiky and all over the place. The boy stared up at James with a glare, as if he were studying him. Unnerving from a child as young as he was.

"He had that iPad kid stare."

"...Sure, Jaewon."

"Well, if it isn't Yi Haoyu, come to bless us with his presence," Satoru jeered, slapping Haoyu on the shoulder. "It's a shame you can't compete this year, can't cheat yourself into getting another victory now, can you?"

Haoyu didn't react, just looking over at the child. His eye twitched for a moment before he blinked, and it was gone.

"Uh-huh," he responded.

Satoru grimaced, then huffed, hands on his hips. He adjusted his sunglasses slightly with one hand.

"Shut up!" Utahime exclaimed, stepping closer. "I bet you're just mad that he won! Still mad after two years!"

"Did Haoyu actually cheat?"

"Oh yeah, of course, but that's beside the point."

Before the two sorcerers could engage in a squabbling match, one that was probably going to be one-sided on Satoru's side, James decided to speak up.

"Hey," he said, pointing to the child. "Who's this? Why's a four-year-old here?"

"Oh, him?" Satoru replied, not bothering to look over at James, acting as if Haoyu had asked him that. "That's Megumi Fushiguro."

James' lip curled, and he crossed his arms to his chest. Why wasn't Satoru looking at him? A year ago, two years ago, he could look him in the face and talk. What's with him now…?

"Why is he here…?" Haoyu said, his voice low.

"Well, he's a Zenin," Satoru continued a smug smile on his face. "Has the Ten Shadows technique. I've been stepping in since his dad went away, training him, taking him on missions… It only makes sense to have him watch the Goodwill event, since he'll be a sorcerer when he's older."

Haoyu's eyes went wide with some crazed emotion, lips pulling back in a grimace. He stood up straight like a wire, fists clenched tight against his sides. Utahime and James both stepped back, James' hands trembling slightly.

"What the fuck is wrong with you, Satoru?" Haoyu sneered, his voice suddenly booming. Heads turned to face them, and the smile dropped off of Satoru's face. "You brought a kid here? Bringing a kid on fucking missions!? Are you fucking serious right now?"

"Haoyu," James said, resting his hand on his shoulder. Haoyu didn't shrug him off but continued regardless.

People were staring at them, their eyes wide with shock, or just watching intently. Shoko was one of them, her eyes wide and mouth tight. Megumi slunk back, distancing himself from the two older boys and looking at his shoes.

"What's the issue?" Satoru replied, a smile back on his face like nothing happened. "You mad that an asshole like me can be a mentor, and you can't?"

"You-" Haoyu shouted, gnashing his teeth. Then, inexplicably, his lips twitched into a grin, and he laughed, high and hysterical. Just for a moment, then he stopped, rubbing his face before looking Satoru dead in the eyes, still smiling.

"You're not even worth it. You're not even fucking worth it."

With that, Haoyu turned and walked out of the gymnasium. James quickly turned to watch him and turned back to Utahime, who was staring with her mouth open. Quickly James bolted after him, then…

"Then?" Jaewon asked, tapping her finger once against the keyboard.

"That's all," James said with a smile.

"Asshole," she snorted, shaking her head. "That's not how you tell a story, this isn't a fucking Marvel film."

"I'll tell you the details some other time," James hummed, typing his report. "All you need to know is that we met a friend in Japan who gave us the idea for this project. Maybe you'll meet her someday, she tends to travel around…"

Jaewon scoffed, her head falling against her hand. There was silence between them for a moment, before a familiar voice, a woman, much older than Jaewon, spoke:

"The child is right. That's no way to be telling stories, Mr. Coleman."

James swiveled around in his chair to face the intruder, who was standing in the doorway, and knew instantly that it was Mrs. Areti Nakamura, assistant director of the Central Intelligence Agency.

It was hard to mistake her, with her stiff, almost perfect posture, and towering height, her dark brown hair cropped in a bob. She wore her black suit jacket on her shoulders, giving it the appearance of a cape flowing down her back. When she moved, whether it was for formal occasions or just at get-togethers, one had the impression of watching a general, someone who could lead, who had done so for decades judging by the wrinkles and lines on her face. It was bone-chilling, and it didn't shock James that even Jaewon stood up straight.

"Mrs. Nakamura, what a pleasure," James said with a smile, placing his hands in his lap. "It's nice to see that you're well. What brings you to our neck of the woods?"

Areti's expression was unmoving, stoic. Her brown eyes gazed only at Jaewon, and she crossed her arms. One of her brown hands briefly reached over to tighten her tie.

"I was in the area for a few errands already, so I decided to visit," she said eyes still fixed down at Jaewon. "And I heard an interesting rumor the other day, that I wanted to see if it was true."

"Oh?" James said, even though he had a feeling he knew what this was about.

"One of my subordinates heard from someone in Counter-Terrorism that a certain… 'X-Files' division, that's what everyone over there calls it, gained a few new members, three in fact."

Areti's glance finally flitted over to James, and he watched as Jaewon wilted a little, shoulders slumping.

"Normally, I wouldn't care," she scoffed, lip curled. "Your division is nothing but bullshit to me, like dowsing or astrology that has somehow gotten funding through some rider. It's not worthy of my thoughts or time."

Ouch, James thought to himself.

"But then, I heard from that subordinate that those three members were thieves, big-time ones. That this was their way of penance, commuting their sentences to work here, chasing UFOs, or whatever it is that you five do."

Her eyes were wide and fixed on the thief in question again. The color left Jaewon's face, and she stood stock still as Areti walked forward with booming steps, before standing behind her.

"Child," she said, voice low. Jaewon's hands trembled. "I do not care what you did before working here. The money, the jewels, the artwork is all back in the hands of the respective parties, and one cannot always be picky with their recruits if they are skilled enough."

The woman leaned her face close to Jaewon.

"But do not forget your position. Everyone in this agency, and even my agency, are watching you three. Do not delude yourself for a second that you can outsmart all of us. Behave yourself."

Jaewon swallowed, licking her lips for a moment.

"I understand, Ma'am," she managed, her voice trembling.

"Good," Areti replied, a stilted smile on her face. "May we meet again."

With that, she walked out of the room, dress shoes clicking down the hall. James took a deep breath in, then out, before rubbing the bridge of his nose.

"Jeeesus Christ," Jaewon sighed, head in her hands.

"I didn't know she was coming by," James said, his shoulders relaxing. "If I did, I would've warned you. You behaved well, though."

"Thanks," she sighed, leaning back in her chair, deflating like a balloon.

He imagined that Areti was going to track down the two others, to give them the same stern talking to. Or she just has business somewhere else, and scared Jaewon in order to spread the message to her cohorts…

"To be honest," Jaewon said, rubbing her chin. "She's kinda a MILF, you know."

"Can't say that I know, no," James replied, eyebrow raised.

authors notes

chapter title is from a day in the life by the beatles

pork roll is a popular cut of meat in the PA/NJ/NY area. i call it taylor ham, but jaewon would call it pork roll most definitely

chapter may be late next week its Canada day weekend