Hanako stirred awake, a sliver of sunlight slipping through the blinds and tickling her eyelids. A melodic call, tinged with a hint of impatience, sliced through the morning fog in her mind. "Hanako," it lilted, pulling her fully into consciousness.
Creaking her eyes open, she was met with the sight of Iori and Mei framed in the doorway. Sunlight glinted off the stern lines of Iori's face, while a playful glint danced in Mei's dark eyes.
A sleepy groan escaped Hanako's lips as she dragged a hand across her face, the remnants of sleep clinging stubbornly. "Good morning," she mumbled, her voice thick with drowsiness. She attempted to prop herself up on her elbows, the rumpled sheets whispering a protest.
Utahime's lips curled into a rare, almost hesitant smile. "Good morning!" she boomed with uncharacteristic cheer, the volume jolting Hanako fully alert.
"Morning, Utahime," Hanako said back, her voice barely a whisper next to Iori's. Mei offered a curt nod in greeting, her expression unreadable.
"It is time for you to rise, Hanako," Utahime declared, her posture imposing. "Today marks your first day at Jujutsu Tech." A flicker of amusement crossed Mei's face at Iori's dramatic phrasing.
Hanako's brow furrowed in confusion. "Classes?" she croaked, the remnants of sleep finally dissolving. A spark of memory ignited—Jujutsu Tech. Right, school.
"Classes?" she echoed once again, the question tinged with a sliver of disbelief.
With a resigned sigh, she pushed back the covers, her legs dangling precariously over the edge of the bed. Utahime materialized beside her, a folded set of clothes held out like a ceremonial offering. Hanako took them with a murmured "thanks," her fingers brushing against Utahime's cool hand in a fleeting moment of connection.
"What were these for? A uniform, perhaps?"
As if reading her mind, Mei spoke up, her voice a low contralto. "Your school uniform. You'll wear it for classes and missions."
Understanding dawned on Hanako's face. "Oh, right." A nervous flutter danced in her stomach, but beneath it, a spark of anticipation ignited.
Iori placed a hand on her shoulder; her touch was surprisingly gentle. "Get yourself dressed and presentable, Hanako. First-year jitters are a natural part of the experience, but fear not; you'll meet your fellow first-years today. A chance to make some new... allies." " A reassuring smile softened her usually stoic features.
"Let us know when you're ready," Mei added, her voice devoid of emotion.
Nodding mutely, Hanako watched the two sorcerers leave, the click of the door echoing in the sudden silence. Taking a deep breath, she steeled herself. Today was the day her new life began.
...
The fluorescent lights of the classroom buzzed overhead, casting a sterile glow on the first-year students already dutifully hunched over their desks. Ieiri slumped in her chair, and her backpack slumped to the floor like a deflated balloon. "Ugh," she groaned, I swear, if Principal Yaga decided to schedule a pop quiz today after that cursed mission..." Her voice trailed off, a longing for a day of uninterrupted sleep clinging to each word. dropping her head with a thud. "I can't believe we don't have a day off.
Satoru, sprawled across his chair with an air of practiced nonchalance, chuckled. "Preaching to the choir, Shoko-chan. But hey, on the bright side: "His voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper: "Did you hear about the rumors floating around?"
Ieiri lifted her head, a flicker of annoyance battling with exhaustion in her tired gaze. "Rumors? You mean you actually have the energy to pay attention to gossip after that mess?"
A playful smirk stretched across Satoru's face. "Of course I do, and better yet,"the juiciest ones!"They're saying this new student possesses a power unlike anything we've ever witnessed. Like... reality manipulation on a whole new level."
Ieiri's skepticism was etched on her face. Her brow furrowed, and a scoff escaped her lips. You're just exaggerating, Satoru, as usual."
From the corner of her eye, a sardonic chuckle cut through the tension. Geto, who had been silently observing the exchange, had a sly smile playing on his lips. "Maybe the rumors are about you, Satoru. You did just single-handedly dismantle a Special Grade curse with a broken arm last week."
Satoru shot Geto a playful glare before turning back to Shoko, his voice dropping to a hushed whisper. "Trust me, this is serious. There have been reports of strange occurrences happening around this student. People disappearing for minutes that felt like hours, memories being rewritten... even claim they can alter the flow of events themselves."
Ieiri lost in thought A flicker of skepticism crossed her face. While the idea seemed fantastical, even bordering on ludicrous, she couldn't completely dismiss it. After all, in their line of work, the impossible happens on a daily basis. "It's still far-fetched," she conceded, her voice tinged with a grudging acceptance.
"True," Geto drawled from his seat, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "But considering we spend our days exorcising walking nightmares, who are we to judge a little reality-bending, right, Shoko?"
Shoko mumbled a half-hearted, "Yeah, I guess..." Her voice, barely above a whisper, seemed to shrink further as she slumped deeper into her desk, burying her face in the worn wood. The defiant glint that usually resided in her eyes had dimmed to a flicker.
Then, a sharp rap on the classroom door shattered the tense silence. Ieiri's head snapped up like a startled doe, eyes wide with a flicker of apprehension. Both Geto and Satoru swiveled their chairs in unison, their gazes locking on the door.
...
Hanako shuffled down the hallway, her freshly polished shoes squeaking nervously against the polished floor. Mei and Iori flanked her, a comforting presence on either side, but their hushed tones did little to quell the churning in her stomach. With each step closer to the first-year classroom, the silence of the hallway pressed in on her like a physical weight. Questions hammered at her temples.
What were the other students like? Would they be welcoming?
Across from her, Mei walked with a practiced indifference, her face a cool mask. Iori, however, wasn't as adept at disguise. A crease marred her brow, and her usually bright eyes flickered with concern. Finally, unable to ignore the storm brewing on Hanako's face, Iori spoke.
"Hey, Shiro," Iori said, her voice a gentle counterpoint to the pounding in Hanako's ears. "You'll be okay. Just give it your all."
Hanako tore her gaze from the hypnotic pattern of floor tiles and met Iori's eyes. They held a reassuring warmth, but the worry lines remained. A shaky breath escaped Hanako's lips. "Yeah, you're right," she forced a smile, the gesture thin and unconvincing even to her. "It's just... I'm not used to this whole school thing yet."
But the most prominent worry gnawed at her from within. Akki's silence stretched on, a void that echoed louder with each passing moment. A tendril of unease snaked through her, twisting into a knot at the base of her skull. The insistent throb that had become an unwelcome companion in recent days intensified.
Iori's brisk pace brought them to a halt before the imposing oak door of the classroom. A cacophony of youthful chatter seeped through the crack, each syllable a tiny hammer at Hanako's already taut nerves. The dull throb in her head intensified, resonating with the pounding of her heart. Instinctively, she reached up, pressing a palm against her throbbing temple, a gesture that mirrored Utahime's sharp glance in her direction.
"Are you alright?" Mei, usually with an indifferent demeanor, held a hint of concern.
Hanako forced a thin smile, her lips barely brushing her clenched teeth. "Just a headache," she rasped, her voice tight. "Maybe I let my anxiety get the best of me."
Iori expression softened a fraction. "Okay, then," she said, her tone laced with a touch of understanding. Mei offered a silent nod of support.
Iori hand hovered over the brass doorknob. "Ready to make a grand entrance?" she asked, a playful glint in her steely gaze.
Hanako despite the furrow in her brow, managed a hesitant nod. Iroi's lips quirked into a brief, encouraging smile. "Remember, introductions first," she reminded, her voice firm yet not unkind.
With a decisive twist, Iori, ever the eager one, flung the door open.
A/N: I am finally back with a new Chapter after a few months. I'm going to try to be more frequent with my stories; I've just been really busy. I hope you all enjoy this chapter, and please leave a follow or comment.