DISCLAIMER, JJK does not belong to me, all rights go to Gege Akutami

[Ignore the bad grammar and coherency in certain parts of this chapter, I'll come back to edit it all later. ;]

"Hello, Yuji." Olga greeted immediately after locking eyes with the boy as she opened the room.

"Morning, Sister Olga!" He returned cheerfully, as he waved a hand.

The curtains were rolled up revealing the early natural lights that spilled into the corners of the room. Her eyes particularly turned towards a bouquet of flowers that had sprouts of white flowers.

"Did you get those?" Olga inquired.

To her knowledge, there were no flower shops on campus and that Yuji couldn't quite go into the city as he was still "dead" officially.

Other than Yuji and her, there was no one else that was close enough to Junpei to bring him flowers in Jujutsu High.

"The flowers?"

Yuji's face lit up. "Ieiri-san brought them."

"That's… it's very thoughtful." She remarked, moving closer beside Yuji.

Yuji's expression shifted subtly. "You know… Ieiri-san also just visited to check in on Junpei. She didn't say much and left after putting the flowers. If you ask me, I think she's been quite worried about him since... well, you know,"

Olga approached the bouquet, carefully examining the flowers.

The bouquet was medium sized, with several lilies arranged in a lush, round shape. The green stems and leaves provide a lovely contrast to the pristine white lily blossoms.

While the flowers in front of her were meant to be a get well soon gift, her mind strays as she thought of the kind of flowers Junpei would handpick when they get to planning his mother's funeral.

"Have you spoken to him yesterday?"

"Yep, he seemed a little tired so we didn't say much,"

Her eyes trailed toJunpei's sleeping figure on the bed.

"Hmm~"

Olga was debating whether to get involved in the funeral rite.

By right, as Junpei was now orphaned and still a minor, his next eligible guardian would be responsible for taking him in.

However, it was already established that no one else in his family was eligible to be responsible for him.

That problem would have been easily solved if Jujutsu took complete custody of him as they did the same for Yuji.

Yet, Olga pondered if that was the right course of action for him as it would've meant that he would be forced into becoming a jujutsu sorcerer.

If Junpei was willing to follow that path, then there was no problem, but people are not simple. The problem here is that he may not want that and that such choices would not be available for him if they were to just follow that path.

And if he doesn't want anything to do with that life, it would be difficult for him to get out of that life.

Besides, Olga has already declared herself his main guardian, making him her responsibility even if it was not official. She would do whatever it takes to ensure that his life is his own.

Most importantly, she's already cemented her position which was something the jujutsu higher ups or anyone else could not easily oppose.

She sighed, thinking about how the paperwork for this would be hell. And the fact that she was roping Nanami in her plan doesn't make this any easier.

"Oh, it's you… What brings you here, Ms?"

Olga turned her attention to Junpei, who was now gazing at her with a mix of confusion and drowsiness.

"Good, you're finally awake. We have much to discuss." She pauses momentarily to allow him to absorb.

Junpei blinked slowly, the haze of sleep still lingering in his eyes as he adjusted to the early morning light. He sat up in bed, rubbing his eyes before focusing on Olga.

Their first meeting was a brief one but it certainly left an impression on Junpei about her.

She didn't even introduce herself properly, so he didn't get to know her name until much later when Yuji came running all teary-eyed before pulling him into a tight embrace.

.

.

.

"H-hey! Can't- can't breathe!" Junpei squeezed the words out as he tapped on Yuji's shoulder to have him let go.

Hearing his friend's plea, Yuji immediately stops and pulls away from him to give him space.

Right boundaries!

"You holding up alright? If there's anything you need I'm here, you know?" Yuji said in a concerned tone.

Junpei was touched by his words, yet, he didn't instantly respond to his question. He turns his head to the side, staring at dead space as he collects his thoughts.

He turns back to Yuji with a small smile, unsure of how to react and go about this unfamiliar sensation.

"Yuji, thank you for believing in me. And also for beating me up. I needed it."

"Yeah, well that's what friends are for. I'm here if there's anything you need."

Anything?

Junpei doubts that there was really anything Yuji could do for him now—

Or perhaps…

"By the way, there was a gloomy woman that came–

.

"First of all, you may call me Olga, forget about asking for a surname. And I know that you're aware that you have died," Olga continued with a calm and dissociating tone, "Though as you also know, you're now alive."

Beside him, Yuji shifted uncomfortably, sensing the depth they were about to plunge into in this conversation.

He too had "died" but was revived after making some sort of deal with Sukuna.

But this and that was an entirely different matter.

Olga was a person capable of resurrecting Junpei from death without having any particular connection prior with him.

While he still had many questions, Yuji didn't want to delve into Olga's secret because of the fear of Sukuna. He didn't know what exactly it could be but he's been oddly silent recently, so there has to be something that the demon in him is plotting.

The older woman continues her explanation. "And now, bringing you back from the dead has complicated things. Firstly, as you know your mother… Is no longer here with us. So there's an issue with your guardianship. Upon looking into your family history we can tell that that you don't really have any immediate family member to take care of you,"

Hearing this, the edge of the blanket tightened. There was nothing worse than to know that the person that had cared for him the most was dead.

"You'll need to be under someone's guardianship. But… Let me be clear with you that you have a choice in how you want to live your life. I'll do whatever it takes to make sure that choices will be available for you,"

Olga's words about his mother's passing dug into him, and he couldn't help but feel an immense guilt for his actions. He had been through so much already, and now he had to confront the reality of his circumstances.

Olga's reassurance that he had a say in his future gave him a glimmer of hope.

He spoke with a voice tinged of hurt, "Then… There's more, isn't there?"

Without missing a beat Olga continues. "We have to consider your recent involvement with Mahito and also your initial attack on SatoSakura High School. While there will be a punishment for your actions, I assure you that there will be no death penalty for you. I'll make sure of it."

With a deep breath, he finally looked back at Olga and Yuji, his eyes filled with a mix of vulnerability and determination. "I appreciate that, Olga-san," he began, " I want to make the best of what I have now. And I don't want to be a burden to anyone."

Yuji, who had been quiet, finally spoke up with an encouraging tone. "You're not a burden. We're here to help you, Junpei. We'll get through this together no matter what."

Olga nodded in understanding. "Lastly, you must've remembered the words from our first meeting and concluded I am the reason that you're still with us. Well, don't stress about that. I willingly made you my ward and responsibility. And for foreseeable future, I hope to lead you onto your own path."

What even is the foreseeable future?

Olga was unsure but the future was also the same for every mortal;

It was never set in stone.

"We'll have to make do with what we have."

Junpei sat in contemplative silence, absorbing the weight of the situation. The reality of his circumstances was overwhelming.

Nodding slowly, he finally spoke, "I trust you, Olga-san. If there's a way for me to make amends and find a path forward, I'm willing to do whatever it takes. I don't want the same thing to happen again."

Olga appreciated Junpei's willingness to cooperate.

This was the first step to change.

Following that, a leap forward onto a better ending.

"Very well. I won't bore you with the legal. I just need you to make a decision, and that will be all for today."

Yuji's visage turned anxious. In a way, Junpei's situation was similar to his own. Being plunged into a world of jujutsu sorcery compared to how they had normally lived was a huge change.

He had choices, but the choices available to him were only bearable because of Gojo-sensei.

If not for him, he was aware that he wouldn't be as comfortable as he is now.

However, Yuji was also aware that Olga was an outsider in this community.

His case when compared to Junpei's was a big difference as Junpei had voluntarily assisted Mahito. Provided, Junpei was tricked by Mahito, still, Yuji was sure that the higher-ups wouldn't care and pressed harsher charges than intended.

"Tread carefully. You can go back to your old life and live normally. I know of a way to remove that capability of seeing those wretched things. And that you're not allowed to practice your abilities. Or, you can become a student in Jujutsu High and learn to exorcize those curses along with Yuji and the other students in this school."

Junpei listened carefully to Olga's words, weighing the gravity of the choices before him. The options presented were starkly different, each carrying its own set of challenges and implications.

He turned to Yuji, who had been through a similar ordeal and had made the decision to become a jujutsu sorcerer. There was a sense of camaraderie between them, having both faced death and the supernatural.

"But…" Olga added lastly.

"This is an option that I can give to you. You can come with me, and do whatever you want. You have my full support. I'll teach you how to use your abilities, if you want, and if there's any aspirations you have before this, I'll do whatever it takes for you to achieve your goals."

Junpei's mind was a whirlwind of thoughts as he considered the three options laid out before him. The weight of his past actions and his newfound abilities bore heavily on his shoulders, making the decision even more crucial.

Olga's final offer, however, added a new layer of complexity. The possibility of forging his own path, free from the confines of the jujutsu world, was tempting. It was an opportunity to live a normal life, achieve his aspirations, and break free from the darkness that had ensnared him.

Yuji was slightly envious and it was evident by his shocked gasp.

Olga simply patted his pink hair.

Junpei turned to Olga, his eyes reflecting his uncertainty. "Ms Olga, thank you for giving me these choices. I need some time to think, to weigh my options. This is a lot to take in, and I want to make the best decision for myself. Can you give me some time to consider everything?"

Olga nodded understandingly. "Of course, Junpei. This is a decision that will shape your future, and it's important that you make the choice that feels right for you."

Yuji chimed in with a reassuring smile. "We'll be here for you, no matter what you decide. Just remember, you're not alone in this."

With those words of support, Junpei was left with the weight of a life-altering decision on his shoulders.

" I'm heading out for a smoke. Do whatever you want, but please seriously consider your decision. When I come back I expect a proper answer," Olga said sharply, before striding to the door with haste.

Junpei watched as Olga left the room, leaving him alone with Yuji. The weight of the decision hung heavy in the air. He turned to his friend, who had been through his own share of challenges in the jujutsu sorcerer world.

"Yuji," Junpei began, his voice filled with uncertainty. "What would you do if you were in my shoes?"

Yuji leaned in, offering a reassuring smile. "It's a tough situation, Junpei, no doubt about it. When I had to make my choice, it was different, but I knew I wanted to be a jujutsu sorcerer. I wanted to help people, even if it meant facing curses. But it's not the same for everyone. I've accepted that I'm just a cog in this machine that's the jujutsu society, I want to contribute by helping as much people as I can, "

He continued, "I think the important thing is to think about what you truly want. What kind of life do you see for yourself? It's okay to be afraid or unsure, but this decision has to come from your heart."

Junpei nodded, absorbing Yuji's sincerest words. It was evident that his friend genuinely cared for his well-being.

Junpei was grateful that before knowing death, he managed to meet someone as kind as him.

A plume of smoke danced in the air as Olga exhaled.

Lately things have gotten to be quite chaotic, more so than she would care to admit.

Junpei was a special case as he is now someone who is now connected to her in more ways than one.

If there's nothing else, she'd leave him to his devices once he knows what he wants to do.

"Hello, Olga-san," A smooth voice greeted her.

She lets out another exhale before turning in the direction of the voice. Shoko, who had her hands tucked into the pockets of her white doctor's coat, was approaching her.

"Hello…" Olga acknowledged.

She pulls out a pack of cigarettes, sticking one stick into her mouth before returning the box into her pocket.

"You won't mind sharing a light? I forgot my lighter," She asked, referring to Olga's lighted cigar.

Olga took out a lighter and flicked it on Shoko's cigarette's tip.

"Thanks." Shoko retracted her hand, and began enjoying her cigarette.

As Shoko took a deep drag from her cigarette, the two women stood in silence for a moment. The distant hum of the city and the occasional footsteps of people passing by filled the air. The fragile tendrils of smoke from their cigarettes swirled and merged, creating a dance of its own in the calm between them.

Shoko finally broke the silence. "How's the situation, Olga? Have you made any progress with Junpei?"

"I was going to ask you something similar about Junpei's condition. But yes, Junpei's gotten better. Will he be discharged soon?"

"Yes, I'm thinking… first thing tomorrow. But what are you planning to do with him?"

"It depends on his answer." Olga paused to blow out smoke. " I gave him three choices. To live normally as he used to; become a sorcerer; or follow me and do whatever he wants," she elaborated.

Shoko took another drag from her cigarette, the soft glow of the ember casting fleeting shadows on her face. She exhaled slowly, the smoke mixing with the cool air of the early morning.

"The third choice is the best. It is a privilege." Shoko commented, though despite the nature of her remark, held little animosity.

Olga took another drag from her cigar, the smoke drifting away into the quiet surroundings. "I believe in giving people a choice. It's not for me or anyone else to dictate his future."

Shoko's gaze was thoughtful as she listened to Olga's words. "It's important to guide him, especially if he has cursed energy. But I sense that there's more to this than that. But I don't really care, either way. I'm just his doctor and he's my patient. It's just the typical doctor-patient concern. The flowers were just a small gesture,"

Olga took out the cigar and twirled it along her fingers. "It's… nice. May I ask, is it possible if I bring Junpei out for a while?"

She remembers the Reverend holding a choral dedication at the church this early afternoon and thinks that it might be a good idea to bring Junpei along with her. She also considered bringing Yuji along but he has a "dead" status to maintain for now.

"Oh?".

"I decided to give him a little more time to decide from those three choices. And as you've pointed out, it is indeed a privilege."

.

.

.

"You're sneaking him out?!" Yuji exclaimed, his voice filled with surprise and a hint of jealousy.

Olga turned to Yuji with her usual stoic expression, her cigar smoldering between her fingers. "I'm not sneaking anyone out, Yuji. I've got permission to do so. I'm giving Junpei some more time to make his decision. We're also going to meet with acquaintance,"

Yuji's eyes darted between Olga and Junpei, who had been contemplating his choices upon Olga's earlier instruction. But, Olga was really being considerate of Junpei if she's giving him more time over his decision.

Junpei, still deep in thought, finally looked up at Yuji. "Sorry, Yuji, I didn't mean to cause trouble."

Right, this wasn't anyone's fault.

"Yeah, yeah, I get it. I just wanna come with you guys. It's certainly better than being stuck here." He said a little downcasted.

"Yuji…" Junpei said with a hint of concern in his voice.

Watching their interaction like this, Olga pitied Yuji's situation, understanding that he was to remain in the building as everyone else was unaware he was alive.

But circumstances like this couldn't be helped.

"We'll… get you a souvenir," Olga added despite her unchanging expression.

His expression immediately lit up.

.

"Where are we going?" Junpei inquired.

Now dressed in a hoodie and sweatpants that was lent by Yuji, Junpei trailed behind Olga as she led them to their destination.

"We're going to church,"

Junpei took a mental pause.

The church?

"I'm not even Christian, so why are we…?"

She permitted silence as her response.

Olga continued to walk in silence, her steady pace. The city streets were bustling with people going about their daily activities, their conversations and laughter creating a lively backdrop to the duo's journey.

The idea of going to a church seemed unusual, especially given his lack of religious affiliation. He hesitated for a moment before realizing that Olga was unlikely to share her intentions until they arrived.

He did hear from Yuji when asking about Olga if she was really a holy woman. When he found out that she was the strongest holy exorcist from the Secret Church which was another organization dealing with curses outside of Japan, he couldn't help but feel queasy.

He'd never forget the words she'd told him before leaving him by himself after their first meeting. It meant a lot to hear it from someone saying he had a second chance and not to waste it, even if they were a total stranger.

Despite the indifference she held, Junpei was truthfully grateful to the stranger who saved him.

He had known lost from his mother. He endured betrayal from Mahito and from this world who turned a blind-eye to his suffering and hardships.

But in the end, two strangers came into his life and guided him out from that darkness.

Yuji's light was inspiring while the chance given by Olga was like a lifeline in the stormy sea of his existence. Choices were available now, and he could reshape his life in ways he had never imagined.

As they approached the church, Junpei noticed the grandeur of the building. Its towering spires reached towards the sky, and the intricate stained glass windows depicted scenes from religious soft, filtered light created a sense of serenity.

They entered through the main gate, and the heavy wooden doors creaked open, allowing the warm light from inside to spill onto the stone pathway. The scent of incense filled the air as they stepped into the hallowed space.

Junpei followed Olga down the aisle, his footsteps echoing softly in the cavernous chamber. However, their presence went undetected as a choir was in session, covering the sounds of their footsteps. He contemplated if he should really be there as he wasn't a Christian, and couldn't help but feel out of place in this sacred setting.

As they were at the back of the chapel, they took the last rows of seats so as to cause little disturbance then to seat in the rows closer to the stage.

Once seated, Junpei immediately questioned Olga. "Olga-san, what are we doing here?"

She inclined her head slightly forward with closed eyes.

"Listen properly. It's about to start,"

The choir finishes their current piece before taking a short break to readjust. Once they are set and ready, the conductor raises his hands, signaling the beginning of the next hymn.

~Amazing grace—

Junpei scanned the seats, realizing that aside from the two of them, there was an older man sitting at the front in religious robes. He seemed to be invested in the song as he watched with utmost reverence.

Turning to Olga, Junpei saw that her eyes were still closed, but it was clear that she was also listening intently.

— how sweet—

"This is a choral dedication about the solved case regarding the disappearance,"

— the sound~

"You mean… The situation with…" Junpei trailed off, hunching forward as he thought about his recent involvement with Mahito.

"I'm sorry…" He apologized, looking despondently to the floor with regret.

~That saved—

Olga sighed. "Ease up. I didn't bring you here to make you confess about your past. In fact, I wanted to give you some advice,"

—a wretch—

"I'm a cruel woman. What I do now doesn't bring me joy. I don't like people intruding into my life. Most of the time, I'm bored so I try finding new things to keep myself entertained." She flatly stated about herself.

—like me~

Was this a confession?

"The only reason I came back to this country was because I sensed a big event coming soon. I wanted to see it for myself when that happens. And along the way, I decided to save you,"

~I once was lost—

He sunk in her words and regarded Olga with a careful expression.

"What did you see in me? I've got nothing now,"

Olga shook her head.

—but now I'm found—

"I don't believe that people are worthless. We take whatever action we can and it's up to us to justify the meaning behind them. Whether right or wrong, we all have our own views." She glances at Junpei with her dead eyes. "Do whatever you think is right, Junpei. If you want to do something, then go ahead and do it. I won't hold you back. At where I am, supporting and guiding you is all I can offer,"

~Was blind—

Junpei was hit by a sudden revelation. The woman sitting beside him was more complex than he had initially thought. Her stoic exterior hid layers of experiences, regrets, and a peculiar sense of firmness and even empathy.

Olga was not seeking a pardon from her past, but she held a deep-seated belief in the potential for change and growth in others.

— but now—

His eyes were fixed on the mesmerizing play of light and color from the stained glass windows, each one telling a different story. They seemed to come alive as the choir's voices soared, their song filling the sacred space.

Her life was something he didn't know, but under a new light, there was definitely a long story carefully hidden which had shaped her into the person she was.

—I see!~

Of the three choices, he's made up his mind about where he intends to stir in this life.

(A/N) Hello my favorite audience! The chapter is finally out and I hope it moves you!

Junpei was done dirty in the original work. And I'd like to highlight that Olga is not exactly a savior type.

I'd love to hear predictions about how it will be like from here on out with Olga's journey and the new characters I've added/ saved from their og fates.

Anyways, I'll be on a hiatus for a while before I can confirm a consistent update on the next stream of chapters.

Toodles and I hope you enjoy reading~!