A/N at the end of the chapter


CHAPTER 7

{POV: Satoru Gojo}

Satoru glanced up as Shoko entered the teachers' lounge, her usual detached demeanor evident, underscored by the dark circles under her eyes. She moved with the practiced ease of someone who had spent many early mornings here, circling the table before sitting down across from him with her ever-present morning cup of coffee. He didn't need to look directly at her to know it was her; her presence was as familiar as her dry, sardonic remarks.

«Haven't you left yet?» Shoko's voice was as dry as her usual demeanor, but there was an underlying curiosity.

Satoru lounged comfortably in his chair, feet propped up on the table, rocking back and forth. «Can't wait to get rid of me, huh?» His tone was playful, but his eyes revealed a hint of wariness. The news of his new mission had evidently spread quickly, a sign of his often turbulent relationship with the higher-ups.

Shoko's sarcastic smirk was quick to appear. Her eyes narrowed slightly as she took a sip of her coffee, signaling that she was engaged, despite her nonchalant exterior. «So, what's this about?» She was interested after all. He could see the curiosity flicker in her eyes despite her nonchalant demeanor.

«Some remote mountain in the Hokkaido region. Seems like some curse users are hiding out there after causing some trouble.» He rocked back further in his chair, knowing exactly what her reaction would be since he had had the same one himself.

«...That's it? Man, they really hate you.»

Exactly what he thought.

Shoko's reaction was as expected: a trivial mission for someone of his standing, indicating that the higher-ups were eager to sideline him. It was clear that they had orchestrated this mission to get him out of the way, possibly to execute their plans at Tokyo Jujutsu High without his interference.

But if they thought getting rid of him would suffice, they severely underestimated the other crazies in that school, both faculty and students. Satoru had built up a network of reliable allies and students specifically for situations like this. Even in his absence, he was confident that his team could handle things.

Still, a nagging sense of unease lingered...

His thoughts instinctively went to Suzue: she was now part of his circle of trusted allies, but Satoru couldn't help but wonder if this sudden mission was connected to her not-so-secret assignment from the higher-ups. He trusted her, her judgment, and her loyalty to those three kids. It wasn't that he doubted her, but he hoped she wouldn't get into trouble with the higher-ups or the Zenin clan while he was away. The Zenins grip on her was tight, and he knew they wouldn't hesitate to exploit any opportunity to manipulate her.

And she definitely wouldn't be happy about being left to handle those three kids alone, knowing her. He'd have to make it up to her somehow.

«You know,» he began, his tone more serious now, «I can't shake the feeling that this sudden mission is more about getting me out of the way than dealing with curse users. Something feels off.»

Shoko's curiosity was piqued, evident from her raised eyebrow and the slight shift in her posture. «You think it's related to Suzue's situation?» Her tone was more probing now. «You really care about her, don't you?»

Satoru shrugged, trying to downplay the significance of her words. «I look out for my own.» he replied, though it was clear Shoko's observation had hit a nerve. Suzue had indeed gotten under his skin in ways he hadn't anticipated.

Speaking of Suzue...

«Ever heard of sorcerers who can have visions? Visions of events from centuries ago, maybe?» Satoru's attempt at sounding casual was a strategic move to gauge Shoko's knowledge without revealing too much about Suzue's situation.

Shoko took a moment to consider before responding, her gaze fixed on him with a mix of skepticism and curiosity.

«No? Sorcerers with visions, sure, but they usually involve current events. Cursed techniques track present cursed energy, not past events. Events from centuries ago? Never heard of it.»

She downed some coffee, still eyeing him suspiciously. Her response was insightful but not entirely reassuring. It confirmed that Suzue's situation was unusual, even within the realm of cursed techniques. Satoru pondered her words, realizing that Suzue's experiences were not easily categorized and might be more complex than he initially thought.

«Why are you asking? Does it have anything to do with what I saw in the cafeteria yesterday?»

Shoko prodded with a mischievous grin, but unfortunately for her, Satoru had finished speaking seriously and had resumed his sarcastic and arrogant demeanor.

He feigned ignorance, redirecting the conversation to avoid further scrutiny. «What did you see in the cafeteria yesterday?» he asked, rolling his eyes and looking at the ceiling, trying to downplay Shoko's obvious interest in gossip.

«...Absolutely nothing. But I'll tell you what I saw at the training field: a big burned patch of ground. And I'll also tell you that Yaga didn't believe for a second that you caused it.»

Satoru sighed dramatically. «Perfect, he can take it out on my cardboard cutout while I'm gone!»

Then, for just a moment, he turned serious and looked Shoko in the eyes. «Keep an eye on Suzue for me while I'm away.»

Shoko sensed the seriousness in his words but couldn't resist taking one last jab.

«Sure, I'll take care of your girlfriend.»

He shot her a sideways look but then someone knocked gently on the door behind them and entered. Though Satoru knew exactly who it was, this time he turned to meet her gaze, trying to ignore the doctor muttering something behind him.

It was Suzue. And Satoru noticed she was not happy.


{POV: Suzue Kujou}

Suzue's pulse quickened as she made her way down the hallway, the news from Ijichi still fresh in her mind. She knew it was coming, but hearing it confirmed was a different matter altogether. The tension in her stomach tightened as she processed Ijichi's words: Satoru was assigned a mission and would leave immediately for a few days.

Those were the exact few days during which the higher-ups expected her to complete the mission and eliminate Yuji, Sukuna's vessel.

She had become so accustomed to life at that school, with them, that for a moment she had forgotten that her presence there hung by a thread and for a very specific and terrible reason.

"Why is he going anyway?!" she thought furiously, her heart pounding.

Didn't he know it was a trap? Didn't he see that the higher-ups were just using this mission as an excuse to get him out of the way? Did he trust them all so much that he believed his presence wasn't necessary to ensure Yuji's safety? Did he trust her that much...despite all?

She stormed towards the teachers' lounge, determined to confront him, to convince him to stay. She had to tell him everything: about the mission from the Zenin clan, the binding vow... everything. But as she got closer, she started to doubt herself. Maybe he already knew. Maybe he suspected. And yet, he was still leaving.

Suzue slowed down and eventually stopped, her mind a whirlwind of anger, frustration, and insecurity. Did she really want him to solve her problems for her? Now that he had shown her trust, did she want him to doubt it?

Maybe she was relying too much on him. Maybe she needed to stand her ground and prove she could handle things on her own. When he returned, she would ensure everything was as he left it, including Yuji. Then, they could talk.

With renewed determination, she continued towards the teachers' lounge, her pace slower but more resolved. She reached the door, knocked gently, and entered.

She immediately noticed Shoko staring at her while sipping her iconic coffee, and then... Satoru, who was looking at her with a somewhat innocent expression.

And with his feet up on the table.

Incredible: while she was restless about the obvious trap the higher-ups had set, he... was relaxed and sprawled on a chair.

«Gojo-sensei, you should take your feet off the table,» Suzue remarked, frowning slightly as she closed the door behind her and stepped further into the room.

He, like a child caught with his hand in the cookie jar, immediately smiled and took his feet off the table, standing up and approaching Suzue.

They watched each other in silence for a few seconds, then, surprisingly, she spoke first.

«So...you accepted that mission?» she asked, trying not to show her anger and hiding the tension in her voice. Every fiber of her being wanted him to say no, that he had found an excuse to stay.

«Could I refuse?» he replied with irony, a hint of resignation in his tone.

No, of course, he couldn't. Or at least, if he had, the relationship with the higher-ups would have become even more complicated, and their power plays even more blatant.

His response reflected the delicate balance he had to maintain with the higher-ups. Satoru understood the power dynamics at play, recognizing that refusing the mission would only escalate the internal conflicts within the sorcerer society. Sometimes, maintaining peace required making concessions, even if it meant stepping away from situations where his presence was critical.

Satoru knew that well.

«Think you can survive those three crazy first-years on your own for a few days?» he asked, his voice light but laced with poorly concealed worry.

Suzue pouted, trying to mask her concern behind a facade of irritation. Even in such a serious situation, he couldn't drop his teasing attitude. But, she had to admit, it was somewhat reassuring. It made the situation feel a little less dire.

She nodded confidently. «I think I can manage, if it's just a few days.» Suzue looked him in the eyes, her gaze full of determination and unspoken words.

Despite the resolve in her voice, she couldn't shake the gnawing feeling that something would go wrong if he left. She bit her lip, holding back the urge to beg him to stay, feeling almost pathetic for even considering it.

Satoru, sensing her internal struggle, smiled in that infuriatingly charming way he had, and placed a hand on her shoulder. He leaned in closer against her ear, making her jump slightly

«Try not to burn the school down while I'm gone!» he teased, his tone light and playful, though the concern was still there, hidden beneath the surface. He smiled mischievously, and Suzue blushed, feeling the heat rise to her cheeks as she glared at him sideways. It was his way of lightening the mood, she knew, but she wished he would take the situation more seriously.

"He always finds a way to be inappropriate..."

He moved on, clearly amused by her reaction, and opened the door, ready to leave. She was about to let him go, but an impulsive thought stopped her. Gathering her courage, she called out, her voice barely above a whisper. «Satoru...»

Satoru turned, raising an eyebrow in curiosity.

«Could you bring me back something from Hokkaido? As a souvenir?» she asked, her voice wavering slightly. It was not just a souvenir; it was her way of saying, "When you come back, I'll still be here and everything will be the same, I don't intend to follow whatever order from the higher-ups."

For a moment, Satoru looked surprised, as if he hadn't expected her to ask for something so... normal. He seemed to understand the deeper meaning behind her words, and a softer expression crossed his face. «A souvenir, huh?» he echoed, a teasing smile tugging at his lips.

«Got it,» he agreed, the teasing edge in his voice giving way to something more genuine. He reached out and ruffled her hair gently, an affectionate gesture that sent a warm flush through her. «I'll bring you something!»

Suzue's cheeks turned an even deeper shade of red, and she cursed him mentally for always managing to fluster her so easily.

He laughed, the sound full of sarcasm, then put on his blindfold, preparing to leave. Just before stepping out, he glanced back one last time, offering her a reassuring smile. «Take care of things here, Suzue. I'll be back before you know it!»

Suzue remained staring at the door for a bit longer, wondering if she had done the right thing.

A small part of her was still torn, questioning whether she should have pushed harder to make Satoru stay. But deep down, she knew she had to trust him and, more importantly, herself. She replayed the conversation in her mind, feeling a mixture of relief and apprehension; she had managed to maintain her composure, but the undercurrent of anxiety hadn't left her.

Suddenly, she remembered Shoko. She turned to see her colleague watching with a cynical expression, still seated at the table with her coffee cup in hand.

Her tone was casual, but Suzue could sense the underlying amusement.« Yes, I've been here the whole time. You were too wrapped up in your own world to notice.» Shoko finally set down her coffee cup and started working through some files, her eyes never leaving Suzue's face.

"Of course she saw everything," Suzue thought, feeling a mix of frustration and embarrassment. "Just my luck."

Suzue felt her cheeks flush again, the embarrassment creeping back up. She had completely forgotten about Shoko's presence during her interaction with Satoru. Now, she felt like she had an audience for her most vulnerable moment.

«Ah Suzue, do something, please...you're as red as a tomato.» Shoko's voice was filled with teasing, but there was also a hint of genuine concern.

Suzue closed her eyes and sighed in exasperation. The morning had already been emotionally draining, and now she had to deal with Shoko's teasing. When she opened her eyes again, Shoko was still watching her, that amused glint in her eyes.

«It's just... he's leaving, and...I didn't expext him to like... really leave things to me.» Suzue tried to explain, though she wasn't sure if she was convincing herself or Shoko.

Shoko raised an eyebrow. «You don't have to prove anything to him, you know. Satoru's not the type to trust just anyone. If he trusts you, it's because he knows you can handle it.»

«I guess... I just needed to make sure he knew.» Suzue said quietly, more to herself than to Shoko, but she heard her.

Shoko's tone was half-mocking, half-serious. «Knew what? That you can handle things on your own or that you're-»

Suzue's eyes snapped open, and she looked at Shoko in shock. «Don't!»


Suzue stared at the small wooden door of the first-year classroom, a mix of contrasting emotions swirling within her. She had managed to keep herself together in front of Satoru, but now, with him gone and the responsibility squarely on her shoulders, the enormity of the task before her felt overwhelming.

"How do you entertain three kids for days on end?" she thought, feeling the weight of her new responsibilities. Suzue knew this was about more than just keeping them occupied—it was about protecting them, and making sure they all came out of this unscathed. But with the higher-ups' machinations lurking in the background, she feared it wouldn't be that simple.

Animated voices came from inside the room; Taking a deep breath, she pushed the door open, stepping into the room with as much composure as she could muster. Her entrance was met with sudden silence; Yuji and Nobara halted their heated conversation, while Megumi turned his watchful eyes toward her, his usual irritation barely masked.

The three students straightened in their seats, their sudden attentiveness catching her off guard.

Definitely...strange.

The weight of their expectant gazes bore down on her, and Suzue felt her resolve waver slightly. She took a few steps forward, her movements deliberate but slightly hesitant. Standing before the three desks, she tried to maintain a steady gaze, though her heart was pounding in her chest. «So... Gojo-sensei will be away for a few days on a mission,»

Suzue began, her voice softer than she intended. The students listened intently, their eyes fixed on her with an intensity that made her stomach twist. She could see the curiosity and concern in their expressions, and she knew they were waiting for more than just an explanation—they were looking for reassurance.

«So I suggest you do some practical training... self-directed until he returns. I'll accompany you to the training field, and if you need anything, you can ask me.» The words came out more confidently this time, but inside, she still felt the gnawing insecurity.

There was a moment of silence, a tension-filled pause as the students continued to study her. Suzue could sense their hesitation, their questions bubbling just beneath the surface. Nobara, in particular, seemed ready to burst with energy, her enthusiasm barely contained.

«...Any questions?» Suzue asked, though she dreaded the answer.

Before she could even finish the question, Nobara leaped to her feet, her eyes shining with excitement.

«Kujou-san, can you show us your cursed technique again? Damn, you're exactly who I aspire to be, you're a beautiful and freakin' strong woman—»

The barrage of compliments caught Suzue off guard, and she felt her face heat up. Nobara's exuberance was overwhelming, and Suzue struggled to maintain her composure.

«Nobara, I appreciate the enthusiasm, but no questions about yesterday's incident,» she interrupted, her voice wavering slightly as she blushed deeply.

Yuji seemed about to speak, but to her surprise, it was Megumi who chimed in with his usual pragmatism.

«Kujou-san, from what I've seen, you could aim to be more than just an assistant.»

The observation struck a chord with Suzue. Megumi's sharp, honest assessment was both flattering and unnerving. But she couldn't afford to let them see her falter.

«No questions or comments about yesterday's incident.» she repeated, this time with more conviction, hoping to shut down the topic once and for all.

The students exchanged glances, clearly frustrated but unwilling to push further. Suzue could feel the weight of their expectations, but beneath that, she also sensed a subtle respect. They were disappointed, yes, but maybe they trusted her to lead them.

"Teenagers," Suzue thought, suppressing a sigh. They were stubborn and inquisitive, but she was determined to protect them, no matter the cost.

The standoff between Suzue and the students was interrupted by the sudden entrance of Ijichi, who looked as though he had just run a marathon. His worried expression only added to the tension already thick in the room. Suzue greeted him with a nod, her heart sinking as she anticipated more bad news. Ijichi approached her cautiously, handing over a file with a grim expression.

«See, this just arrived from headquarters. A mission for the first-year students. A trivial matter! Just an evacuation of a prison, no curses to exorcise—»

Suzue didn't let him finish. Her patience was wearing thin, and her nerves were frayed. «Their teacher just left. Tell them to send someone else.»

Suzue cut Ijichi off abruptly, adding more stress to the man's already heavy mental load, unconcerned that technically he was her superior within the school. The sharpness in her voice took Ijichi by surprise, and he faltered, clearly flustered. Suzue didn't care. She couldn't allow these students to be sent on a dangerous mission without proper guidance, especially not under such suspicious circumstances.

The coincidence was too suspicious: Satoru Gojo is sent away, and immediately the three students under his supervision are assigned a mission. The higher-ups were really... shameless.

«Well, I don't think that's possible... Missions like this are usually assigned to students, and right now, only the first-years are at school...»

Ijichi wiped sweat from his forehead, increasingly flustered. Suzue frowned as she opened the file, quickly scanning the details. On paper, the mission seemed straightforward, almost too simple. However, the reason for the evacuation made Suzue's skin crawl: above the prison, a cursed womb had been detected, potentially housing a special-grade curse.

Her heart sank. This was no ordinary mission—it was a trap, a setup by the higher-ups, designed to push the first-years into a situation they weren't prepared to handle. The thought made Suzue's skin crawl. If that womb released the curse... three first-year students could do very little. It was madness. Full-fledged sorcerers were needed to handle such a situation.

Ijichi's voice was a distant buzz as he continued to justify the mission, but Suzue's mind was racing. She couldn't send the students into such a dangerous situation alone, but she also couldn't defy direct orders without raising suspicion.

"I should have stopped Satoru from leaving." she thought bitterly. He would have known exactly how to handle this, how to protect the students without tipping their hand to the higher-ups. But he was gone, and she was on her own. Suzue felt without a point of reference, and the weight of the expectations placed on her was crushing her.

«The cursed womb is still under control and doesn't seem to show signs of instability. Unfortunately, at present, we have no available sorcerers to take this assignment...»

Ijichi tried to justify the mission, but Suzue could sense the man's tension behind his words.

She observed him sideways: the man had nothing to do with the higher-ups' machinations; taking it out on him was senseless. On paper, the mission didn't raise suspicions, making it difficult to oppose. She furrowed her brow, undecided on what to do: this wasn't mentioned in Naoya's communication, but the message was clear enough.

"If you can't handle it yourself, let that special-grade curse do the dirty work," essentially.

Suzue bit her lip, trying to mask her insecurity, and looked at the three students. Those three, the way they looked at her... they really counted on her. On one hand, this gave her a bit of strength; on the other, it terrified her. She clenched her fists, feeling her hands tremble slightly, and sighed, realizing she didn't have many options. She had to make a decision.

«I'll accompany the students.»

Ijichi looked at her, a bit confused, but nodded. «Yes, sure, there's no problem if it's just accompanying them to the building...»

Suzue knew the rules. As an assistant, her role was supposed to be limited to support tasks, not active involvement in missions. But this was no ordinary situation. She would accompany them to the building, assess the situation, and be ready to intervene if necessary. Meanwhile, from outside, she would continue to monitor the stability of the cursed womb; if the worst happened, she would be ready. She fervently hoped it wouldn't come to that, but she prepared for the worst.

She turned to the students, her expression serious. They listened intently as Ijichi explained the mission details, their curiosity piqued but tempered with caution.

She gathered all the strength needed to convey confidence to Yuji, Megumi, and Nobara. She gave one last thought to Satoru.

«...Well, I suppose. Get ready as quickly as you can.»

But as they headed out, a small voice in the back of her mind whispered that this was only the beginning.


The late afternoon sun dipped lower on the horizon, casting elongated shadows over the prison's grim facade, adding an eerie intensity to the already tense atmosphere.

The golden rays that should have brought warmth and comfort instead seemed to stretch the building's ominous silhouette, making the structure appear even more foreboding. Suzue's breath hitched as she surveyed the scene, her eyes taking in the crowd of anxious relatives gathered outside the prison walls.

Their faces were etched with fear, the kind of fear that only grows when your loved ones are in danger, and you're powerless to help them. The air was thick with their unspoken prayers, their desperate hopes hanging like a palpable cloud over the area.

Suzue's heart clenched at the sight, each plea, each tear-streaked face pulling her deeper into the well of responsibility she bore. She could see it in their eyes—the blind trust that somehow, she and the students would bring their families back to them safely.

The assistants worked diligently, their voices calm and composed as they tried to reassure the crowd, but the tension was infectious. Suzue could sense the unease spreading to her students. She glanced at them—Yuji, Nobara, and Megumi—all of whom were watching the scene with a mixture of concern and determination. This mission, which had seemed almost routine in the briefing, now carried a weight they hadn't fully grasped until they were standing there, faced with the raw emotions of those waiting outside.

Suzue forced herself to look away from the crowd, refocusing on the prison and its looming structure. Her perception extended outward, brushing against the malevolent energy of the cursed womb that sat ominously on the rooftop. The cursed energy it emitted was a dark, throbbing presence, like a heartbeat that echoed through the air, heavy and full of malice. Though contained for now, it was like a ticking time bomb, threatening to unleash a special-grade curse at any moment.

The sight of it sent a chill down her spine, but she suppressed the fear that bubbled up within her. She couldn't afford to show any hesitation in front of the students. They were relying on her to be strong, to guide them through this perilous mission. She steeled herself, taking a deep breath to steady the nerves that fluttered in her chest.

Nearby, Ijichi and another assistant began setting up the veil, their movements quick and efficient. Suzue watched them for a moment, then turned to her students, her expression serious. She couldn't let them go in without knowing exactly what they were up against.

With a nod, she called them over.

«Your only task is to get the prisoners out of that building. Remember that you're a team; you need to work together,» she began, her voice calm and authoritative. But there was an urgency beneath her words, a plea for them to understand the danger they were walking into.

She paused, her eyes locking onto each of them in turn. This wasn't just another lesson or exercise—this was real, and it could turn deadly in an instant.

«If that cursed womb releases the curse inside it… I want you to get out of there as quickly as possible. Under no circumstances should you engage that curse. If the worst happens, your lives become the priority

The gravity of her words hung in the air, sinking into the students. She could see the shift in their expressions, a seriousness that hadn't been there moments before. The bravado and casual confidence they often displayed were replaced with a clear understanding of the stakes. They were smart; they knew this wasn't a game.

«Was I clear?» Suzue's voice was firm, but inside she was trembling. She needed them to fully grasp the seriousness of the situation. She needed to make sure they would listen.

They nodded, their resolve evident. Suzue felt a flicker of relief, but the worry gnawed at her still. She caught Ijichi's eye, noting the same concern mirrored in his gaze. It was a small comfort to know that she wasn't alone in her anxiety.

Suzue cast one last look at the building, her senses fully attuned to the cursed womb perched above. For now, it remained stable, but she knew all too well how quickly things could change. The calm before the storm was often the most dangerous, lulling everyone into a false sense of security.

Ijichi signaled the students, and with a final glance in Suzue's direction, they entered the building. She watched them go, a wave of unease crashing over her as their figures disappeared into the darkened corridors.

Everything in her screamed to follow them, to protect them from whatever might lurk inside. But she forced herself to stay put, knowing that barging in would only complicate matters. She had to trust them, trust in their training, and trust in her ability to support them from the outside. It was the hardest thing she'd ever done.

The minutes dragged by, each one feeling like an hour. Suzue kept herself busy, alternating between monitoring the cursed energy and performing short meditation exercises to keep her own power in check. The cursed womb on the roof remained stable, its presence a constant source of tension.

But then, just as she began to think that maybe, just maybe, they might get through this unscathed, everything changed.

The cursed womb's energy spiked suddenly, violently. Suzue's breath caught in her throat as the oppressive, suffocating power of a special-grade curse flooded the area. She felt it before she even saw it, the sheer malevolence of the entity nearly overwhelming her senses.

Ijichi's eyes widened in fear, confirming that he too could feel the shift, despite his less refined perception of cursed energy. The air around them thickened, charged with danger. Suzue's heart pounded in her chest, her worst fears realized as she turned her gaze to the building. A cold sweat broke out on her forehead as the horrifying reality became clear.

This was it—the moment where everything could go wrong.

The building, now transformed into the special-grade curse's domain, was a death trap, and her students were trapped inside.


A/N

This story is originally posted on AO3, where I've currently reached chapter 20. Once I catch up, updates will become weekly here as well!

Facts

What does Shoko mean? Well, I imagined that in the vast world of *Jujutsu Kaisen*, sorcerers who possess a cursed technique capable of "seeing things" could exist, but how would it work? They might be able to analyze a residue of cursed energy and see a vision connected to it, maybe? So, it would be difficult to find residues of cursed energy that are centuries or millennia old. That's why Satoru concludes that it's not the case with Suzue.

I have no idea how missions are communicated or assigned; I imagined it happening this way, with communications to the assistants, who then relay them to the relevant sorcerers.

It's not that Suzue particularly cares about maintaining her cover, but since it's allowing her to stay there, away from the Zenin clan despite everything, if she can avoid blowing it, all the better.

And with this information, I'll leave you! ❤️