PD1: IM BACK

I've always felt that the world has different ways of showing us who we truly are. For me, that mirror was cosplay. At first, I never imagined it would become such an important part of my life.

It all started simply, like many things that end up shaping us. One day, I was watching my favorite anime and asked myself: What would it feel like to be that heroine? Not just watch her, but truly live in her skin, wear her clothes, speak like her, become her. That question sparked everything. From that moment on, cosplay became more than just a hobby. It's a way to express what I feel, to be whoever I want, whenever I want. It's like giving myself permission to daydream while working hard to turn that dream into reality.

The details of each costume, the effort to make everything perfect—from the hair color to the texture of the fabrics—are where I truly feel alive. It's a challenge, yes, but it's also a space free from judgment and limits. When I put on a cosplay, I stop being just Marin. I become something greater, something I can shape with my own hands.

And it was cosplay that led me to meet Gojo-kun. I'll never forget that day. I was struggling with a costume, frustrated because the seams weren't turning out the way I wanted, and then I saw him. Well, not exactly saw him—more like heard his timid voice, full of apologies as he said sorry for staring at me for too long. He was so embarrassed… and me? I couldn't help but laugh.

From the very beginning, there was something special about him. No, it wasn't just because of his status as a sorcerer. In fact, he wasn't like the people I knew from the world of sorcerers, who always seemed so proud of their abilities and often selfish, even when they weren't all that strong. Gojo-kun was different. He was so meticulous, so passionate about what he did. His Hina dolls weren't just a hobby—they were works of art, an expression of everything he carried in his heart. There was an admirable fascination in the way he spoke about them.

When he showed me for the first time how he worked on his dolls, I realized I had found someone who understood me, even though our worlds were so different. For me, cosplay was my way of bringing the characters I loved to life, and for him, his dolls were his way of preserving a beauty that seemed to be fading away.

Gojo-kun and I didn't just share a love for the details—we also shared that feeling of being a little different from everyone else. Maybe that's why I felt so comfortable around him, so free to be myself. He never made me feel like I had to apologize for being passionate or for dedicating so much time to something others might see as trivial. It was a mutual understanding that only grew stronger over time.

And even though our lives eventually took separate paths, I'll always remember how he encouraged me to keep going with cosplay. "If you love something, do it with all your heart," he once told me as he adjusted the kimono on one of his dolls. Those words stayed with me, even when he disappeared from my life for a while.

Gojo-kun was the first person who made me feel that cosplay wasn't just a hobby—it was my way of leaving a mark on the world. And though he's no longer here, every time I finish a costume, I feel like a part of that moment lives on. After all, both cosplay and Hina dolls share something special: they prove that even the smallest dreams can come to life with a little love and effort.

However, we could never completely deny our roots. As descendants of families deeply tied to the world of sorcery, it was only a matter of time before our conversations drifted toward it, even if we tried to avoid the topic. Curiosity always had a way of winning out between us.

And of course, it was Gojo-kun who noticed. He was always so observant, but this time, he caught me off guard. We were in my room, working on a particularly complex cosplay (well, he was taking my measurements again), when he paused and looked at me with a mix of amazement and curiosity.

"Kitagawa-san," he said, using that tone he always had when he was about to say something important, "you have a cursed technique that's... a little different from the rest of your family."

At first, I thought it was a joke—but it wasn't. As far as I remember, my family's cursed technique, Karakuri no Men—or "The Puppet's Mask"—allows the user to copy cursed techniques they observe. However, it only reproduces them at 20% of their original strength and with a reduced cursed energy cost. In theory, it's enough to catch someone off guard. In practice, though, it's mostly been useful for dealing with low-level curses in remote areas.

Whenever I use this ability, my body undergoes subtle changes—my eyes, my hair, even the way I carry myself shifts. It's as though I take on a fragment of the original user. For instance, when I copied Gojo-kun's cursed technique, my hair began to turn white. At first, it was just an ashy tone since I couldn't fully replicate his innate mastery of Blue.

However, what truly surprised me was the distinction Gojo-kun pointed out between my family line and me. Apparently, my technique operated at 30% efficiency instead of 20%, and the energy expenditure was significantly lower.

He also noticed something peculiar about my eyes—they bore a resemblance to his own. Could it be a form of ocular technique? Though not as powerful as his, he decided to call it Nigan (二眼), meaning "Two Eyes." According to him, it was further evidence that the Kitagawa clan had managed to endure by aligning themselves with a powerful family through blood ties.

As soon as Gojo-kun finished explaining, he wasted no time. Once he understood what I could do, he began teaching me. He was the one who showed me how some of his techniques worked: Red and Blue, during his free time. My replica of his techniques wasn't as destructive as his, but it was more controllable—like comparing a cheap magnet to a high-quality one. That made experimenting much easier. We worked together to understand how our abilities interacted, and those little sessions became more than just training. They were moments where we truly connected, as equals in a world that often felt incomprehensible. They're memories I hold close to my heart.

However, using my ability has its limits. I can only keep two techniques active at the same time, and if I want to copy a new one, I have to forget one of the previous ones.

Even so, I never felt like I truly belonged in the world of sorcerers. My family was never particularly gifted, so my knowledge of jujutsu was basic—just enough to defend myself if the need ever arose.

But Gojo-kun always insisted—especially during our last vacation—that my ability was something special. He even suggested we join forces. And while I never wanted to actively be part of the Jujutsu Society, I can't deny how much I enjoyed exploring that side of myself with him. I never felt in danger, not even for a second. There was something almost poetic about how my abilities mirrored my love for cosplay: borrowing something, making it my own, and giving it back to the world with my personal touch.

That's why, even though our lives went separate ways, I'll always cherish those days. I'm not an active sorcerer, and I probably never will be. But in those moments, working with Gojo-kun and exploring our abilities together, I felt like I was part of something much bigger. Something one of a kind.

Or at least, that's what I thought until a few years ago.

It happened during a runway show, at one of the most important events in the world. My career had propelled me to this point—a dream opportunity: an exclusive collection, dazzling lights, cameras everywhere. I was excited and nervous, completely focused on giving my best. But then, out of nowhere, everything changed.

An ominous aura flooded the venue, and curses began to manifest. At first, they were small, almost imperceptible, but soon chaos erupted. The screams of the attendees echoed throughout the space, and the curses attacked indiscriminately.

With great difficulty, I managed to repel a few to help others. I used my technique, Karakuri no Men, to replicate what little I remembered from the abilities Gojo-kun and I had practiced. My whitish hair, which appeared when I used the technique, became an improvised camouflage. No one recognized me as the model who was supposed to be walking the runway at that moment.

But the drawbacks of being a non-active sorcerer became all too clear. My body wasn't prepared to handle so much stress, and my limited combat experience prevented me from ending the threat. I could only buy time until other sorcerers arrived to handle the situation.

That night, as I hid behind the stage, heart pounding and cold sweat running down my back, I realized how defenseless I truly was. And more than that, how far I had drifted from that part of my life—the part I shared with Gojo-kun.

That night, one of the sorcerers who arrived at the scene found me. She was a tall, blonde woman with an imposing presence and a gaze that seemed to see beyond any mask I could wear.

"Good job out there," she said, folding her arms. "Not many amateurs could do what you did. Although... it seems like you still have a lot to learn."

"Ah, right, introductions. Yuki Tsukumo, special-grade sorcerer. Pleasure."

A special-grade sorcerer? I had heard stories about that classification—how they operated in the shadows and always went one step beyond the conventional rules of the Jujutsu world.

"Kitagawa Marin, sorcerer... I think fourth grade," I said, catching my breath.

"Inactive, right? ... So, is that your real name, or are you an undercover member of the Gojo clan?" she asked, raising an eyebrow, pointing to the destruction around us along with the signs I had made in my desperate attempt to control the situation.

"No, nothing like that," I responded, still panting. I could still feel the aftereffects of pushing my technique beyond its usual limits. My hair, now a silvery white, fell in messy strands over my shoulders. "I just... tried to help."

Her eyes seemed to analyze every detail, as if trying to solve a puzzle. Then her expression shifted slightly, from surprise to curiosity.

"So, based on your last name... Kitagawa clan, huh? Hmm, Karakuri no Men, right? I didn't expect to see something like that in action. It's not a common technique, especially with that level of precision," she stated firmly.

I briefly explained why I wasn't an active sorcerer, that my life was far removed from the jujutsu world, but also shared how I had learned to use my technique thanks to Gojo.

Her interest seemed to intensify when she heard his name.

"Gojo Satoru? So that troublesome genius had something to do with you. That explains a lot. Although... it's strange. The way you used Red and Blue, I would've sworn you were from the Gojo clan. Haven't you ever thought about going back to Japan to perfect your technique? I feel like we could really use a helping hand," she offered, her smile kind but determined.

I couldn't hide my surprise. "You know Gojo-kun?"

"Of course. There's no sorcerer in the world who doesn't know him," she replied, raising an eyebrow. "But honestly, I haven't heard much about his whereabouts for a while. Even in Japan, no one really knows where he might be. But if you've known him since childhood..."

The hint caught me off guard. Part of me felt tempted, but I also knew it wasn't what I wanted. "I'm not interested in becoming an active sorcerer," I said firmly. "I just want to understand better what I can do... and maybe find some answers."

Yuki looked at me in silence for a moment before nodding. "Then, let me offer you some advice: come with me, and let's find Gojo. If anyone can help you find those answers, it's him. There's nothing like a reunion to clear up the doubts, right?"

That incident made me realize that, even though I tried to leave that world behind, it's still a part of me. A part that I can't ignore. And that's how I ended up in Japan.

So, when I arrived, thanks to a payment to an acquaintance recommended by Yuki-san, I bought the possible location of Gojo. However, I could tell this wasn't going as I had expected. His appearance was almost unrecognizable from the image I had of him. Even with all the photos and videos they showed me, it was still a surprise to see him in person.

Gojo sighed, his gaze still fixed on a porcelain hina doll, as if searching for the right words in it. At one point, he paid more attention to the doll designs than to me. "I didn't expect you to understand. I'm not even sure I understand myself. It all became... more than I could handle. The expectations, the responsibilities, the losses. I had to choose."

There he goes again. He just seems to be avoiding the real reason.

"Choose? Choose what, Gojo-kun? To be the acclaimed strongest sorcerer, or to be yourself? Because what I see now is neither of those things."

"Maybe..." he admitted. He stood up and lowered his dark blindfold; our gazes met. I shivered at the sight of his pristine eyes. It was a unique sensation. "Maybe I'm caught between who I used to be and who I have to be. But it's not as simple as you think. Strength isn't always a choice, Kitagawa-san. Sometimes, it's the only thing left."

"That sounds more like an excuse. You know what I think? I think you're still running... just running from yourself."

I'm sure of it. He's not the same person he was before. I don't mean he should be exactly how I remember him, but… this Satoru Gojo, the strongest sorcerer, had forgotten what it was like to simply be Wakana Gojo. As if it had never happened.

"Why are you here, Marin? It's strange that after so many years, you just appear out of nowhere," he asked after a moment, his tone softer, almost vulnerable.

"Because I had questions. Because I was scared. Because every time I try to forget that part of my life, I realize I'm still searching for something. And I thought... I thought if anyone could help me find answers, it would be you. I missed seeing you."

"Answers...?"

"My eyes, my technique, all of that. Maybe I don't want to be an active sorcerer, but that doesn't mean I want to... or can ignore who I am."

Gojo nodded slowly, adjusted his blindfold, and took a few measured steps toward me. Although his words felt a bit distant.

"I can't promise you that the answers you're looking for will be easy to find, Kitagawa-san."

"I know. But I'm not looking for easy answers," I replied. It didn't make sense to remain so nostalgic in front of such a happy scenario. I had to be sure. "I just want to move forward. And I also have the great Satoru Gojo by my side."

Gojo let out a loud, exuberant laugh. "You never change, do you? Always so direct, Marin-san."

"And you, always so complicated," I said, stepping a little closer. "So, what do you say, Gojo-kun? Shall we pick up where we left off? Not as sorcerers. Just as us. I have a list waiting to be completed."

"Alright. But if we're starting over, there's something you need to understand."

"What's that?"

"This won't be easy. For either of us."

"I never expected it to be. Since when have I liked easy things?"

Seeing Gojo-kun's subtle smile, I realized I had made the right decision. Ah, I feel relieved.