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𝐉𝐮𝐣𝐮𝐭𝐬𝐮 𝐊𝐚𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐧: 𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬

By: AnonWriterzzzz

Chapter 6: Big Changes

Orlando, Florida, USA
September 5th, 2024
12:20 AM

Shin stares at Principal Shaw, his eyes wide and his mouth slightly open. The seconds stretch between them, the room silent except for the faint ticking of a clock. Slowly, his eyebrows draw close together, and his jaw clenches.

Shin, taken aback: "No, no, no, no, no. There is no way in hell we're going to Japan right when the school year has just started!"

Principal Shaw: "Shin, we can't afford to wait. You're not safe here, and there's only so much I can teach you on my own."

Shin: "And what about the Gojo clan? They don't even know I exist, and if they find out... they'll try to turn me into their puppet, make me the next head or something. I don't want that life!"

Principal Shaw: "Listen to me, you don't have to be the next clan head if you don't want to. They're definitely going to try, but as long as you refuse, you won't have to do anything. Either way, it's something we need to do. Rogin is preparing something, and we need to find out what it is and what he needs from you to achieve it."

Shin: "I just... I don't want to abandon my friends. Michael, the orchestra... Festival Disney is coming up."

Principal Shaw: "I know this is hard. But sometimes we have to make tough choices for the greater good."

A familiar silence sweeps across the room again as Shin contemplates his decision. He gets up and paces around, his footsteps muffled against the plush carpet. His heart pounds in his chest like a drum, each beat echoing his growing anxiety. Silence envelops the room. Shin's gaze drops to the floor, his thoughts racing. Images of Michael's laughter and the orchestra's melodies flash through his mind. His foot taps a rapid rhythm against the carpet, matching the frantic beat of his heart. A bead of sweat traces down his cheek. The weight of the decision presses upon him like an unseen force. He runs a hand through his white hair, his fingers trembling slightly. The thought of leaving everything familiar behind fills him with dread. It feels like a choice between himself and the world, a choice he isn't prepared to make.

Shin: "I don't know... I think..."

Principal Shaw watches him calmly, though there's a flicker of concern in his eyes.

Shin: "Fine, we can go to Japan, but on one condition."

Principal Shaw: "Go ahead."

Shin: "I need one more day here. To say goodbye—to Michael and the others. They deserve that much."

Principal Shaw: "Ah... I see."

That request struck deep within Shaw. Memories he had long tried to cast away resurfaced with startling clarity. It was 2006 when Satoru Gojo and Suguru Geto were entrusted with escorting the Star Plasma Vessel, Riko Amanai. Shaw had worked closely with Masamichi Yaga, meticulously planning every aspect of the mission to ensure her safety. He could still picture Riko's bright smile, the way her eyes sparkled with a mix of innocence and determination. "Just a little more time with my friends," she had pleaded, her voice tinged with a hope that was both heartwarming and heartbreaking. They had agreed, believing they could protect her, that they had everything under control. But then came Toji Fushiguro—the infamous Sorcerer Killer. Swift and merciless, he shattered their illusions of security. Shaw vividly recalled the moment they received the devastating news: Riko was gone, her life snuffed out before she could fulfill her destiny. The weight of that failure still bore heavily on him, a lingering ache that time had not dulled. He looked at Shin, seeing not just a student but a young soul standing at a crossroads, much like Riko had. The thought of denying him this simple request, of potentially repeating the mistakes of the past, was unbearable. The echoes of regret whispered in his mind, reminding him of the consequences of rushed decisions and neglected wishes.

Principal Shaw: "I understand. We'll leave after you've said your goodbyes."

Shin, distressed: "Yeah, yeah... I know."

Principal Shaw: "Go ahead and get some sleep. You can use the couch. I'm going to stay here and make the preparations."

Shin nods and exits the office, seeing Rollo fast asleep on the couch. Shin closes the door behind him and heads to the living room, where he lays down on the couch. What the hell am I doing... The thought echoed in Shin's mind as he lay on the couch, staring up at the ceiling. His chest felt tight, his breaths shallow. He rubbed his temples through the blindfold, trying to ease the dull ache forming there. Sleep seemed impossible. More bricks of responsibility began stacking on Shin's back, the pressure starting to get to him. Again, he thinks about his place in the world, why he was chosen to bear the Six Eyes.

Back in the office, Principal Shaw is dialing someone on his phone. He puts the phone to his ear, and someone picks up.

Principal Shaw: "Start making the preparations, it's time."

Orlando, Florida, USA
September 5th, 2024
6:15 AM

Shin wakes to the sizzling sound of bacon. Principal Shaw stands in the kitchen in his sleepwear—a white T-shirt and black joggers. He wears an apron to avoid grease splatters on his shirt. Shin sits up and rubs his eyes through the blindfold. His hair is messy from the night's sleep. He runs his fingers through it and takes a deep breath. Looking over at Shaw, he speaks in a groggy morning voice.

Shin, groggy: "Good morning, Cameron... Can you loosen my, uh... you know?"

Principal Shaw: "Sure thing, Shin."

With his right hand steady on the frying pan, Principal Shaw extends his free hand. A thin cursed thread expels from his finger, weaving into Shin's blindfold. The chains loosen, gently releasing their hold. Shin carefully unties the blindfold, revealing his piercing crystal blue eyes. He gives a subtle nod of thanks before turning away. The cold tiles make contact with his bare feet as he enters the bathroom. Closing the door behind him, he pauses, catching sight of his reflection in the mirror. For a moment, he simply stares. The boy looking back seems both familiar and foreign—a boy bearing the weight of a destiny far beyond his years.

Am I going to die? Is this how my destiny will play out? The question echoes in his mind. His gaze searches his own eyes, as if the answers might be hidden there. Images of Michael's laughter, Rollo's wagging tail, and Miss Slater's warm smile flood his thoughts. The idea of sacrificing his life for theirs twists his stomach into knots. He shifts his eyes away from the mirror, a tightness gripping his chest.

Reaching for the faucet, he turns the hot water knob slightly, letting the warm water flow. Steam begins to rise as he cups his hands under the stream, the water pooling in his palms. He splashes his face, the heat grounding him in the present moment. Droplets trickle down his cheeks, and he takes a deep breath. Glancing back up, Shin meets his reflection once more. This time, he notices the determination hardening in his expression—a moment of resolve against the uncertainty.

Grabbing a towel, he pats his face dry. Leaving the bathroom, he follows the inviting aroma of breakfast back to the kitchen. The sizzle of bacon fills the air, mingling with the rich scent of freshly brewed coffee. Principal Shaw stands by the stove, the morning light casting a warm glow around him. As Shin settles onto the stool at the counter, Shaw slides a plate toward him—two perfectly crisp pieces of bacon arranged with care. Without a word, Shin retrieves his blindfold from his pocket. The fabric feels familiar between his fingers as he ties it back over his eyes.

Principal Shaw: "You don't have to worry about packing. I'll take care of that."

Shin: "Thank you, Cameron."

Principal Shaw: "I also want to go over how today's going to play out, so listen carefully."

Shin begins eating his bacon, cooked to perfection as always. He nods as he listens to what Principal Shaw has to say.

Principal Shaw: "When the final bell rings, I want you to clear out your locker and head straight to my car. Once you're there, get in and wait for me to arrive. Then we'll drive to the airport and catch our flight to Tokyo. It's a commercial flight, so we won't know who else is on it with us. Stay alert. Don't worry about documents—I have them all ready. We're both Japanese citizens, so customs shouldn't be a problem. Also, I was serious when I asked you how your Japanese was."

Shin: "It's fine."

Principal Shaw: "Good, good. Any questions about how today will play out?"

Shin: "Nope."

A worried expression grows on Principal Shaw's face. He was about to steal this boy's youth from him. Satoru would not like this, thought Shaw.

As Shin finishes his breakfast, Shaw quickly cleans the kitchen, and the two say goodbye to Rollo. They exit the house and get into the BMW. Once inside, Shaw starts the car and drives to the school. On the drive, Principal Shaw glances at Shin, who wears a distressed expression. He knows Shin doesn't want this; all Shin ever wanted was a normal childhood. Shaw thinks about what to say to lighten his mood.

Principal Shaw: "You know, the Tokyo school has some really great teachers. I'm sure you'll love it there."

Shin doesn't respond. Principal Shaw sighs in worry.

As they continue driving, the sun begins to rise. Expecting to spot the ominous silhouette of a cursed spirit lurking in the dim light, Shin gazes out the window. Instead, his eyes widen at the sight of the sun emerging from the horizon, painting the sky with a palette of fiery oranges and soft pinks. He lowers the window, and a warm, gentle breeze carrying the scent of morning dew and distant wildflowers caresses his face like a comforting whisper. Resting his head against the frame, he allows the warmth of the wind to wash over him, soothing the turmoil within. A profound calm settles deep in his soul, as if the dawn itself is assuring him that he isn't alone. The wind pushes against his hair and blindfold.

He closes his eyes, and images of Michael's laughter, Rollo's playful antics, Miss Slater's warm smiles, and even Principal Shaw's unwavering support fill his mind. When he opens his eyes again, they are filled with determination—to protect the people he loves, the people who give his life meaning.

They arrive at the school. Principal Shaw parks in the faculty section, and the two get out as Shin grabs his backpack. As they approach the building, Principal Shaw speaks up.

Principal Shaw: "I am very proud of you, Shin, for doing this. I would never have forced you."

Shin nods, and they walk through the same steel doors Shin entered earlier that week. This time, he isn't alone. Shin heads toward his locker, puts away his bag, and begins cleaning out his locker, throwing away any papers he had stuffed in there and organizing it for when he has to leave. He heads to Mr. Thornburg's class, where Mr. Thornburg greets him with his usual smile.

Mr. Thornburg: "Ah, Shin, glad you're joining us today. You had Mr. Shaw running around like a madman yesterday!"

Shin, sheepish: "Uh, yeah... That's my bad. I thought I found a new shortcut to school but ended up getting lost."

Mr. Thornburg, confused: "How do you get lost like that?"

Shin: "Don't worry about it, Mr. Thornburg."

They chuckle, and Shin enters the classroom, putting his things down at his seat. Suddenly, he remembers something important. That's right, I missed yesterday's lesson... Who should I ask? Shin looks around. He can't afford to miss a lesson in Mr. Thornburg's class, so he needs a crash course from someone. He spots a girl at her desk, looking at him, but when they lock eyes, she looks down. Miranda's smart, Shin thinks. Maybe she can help.

Shin makes his way over to Miranda's desk. Miranda, giving him side glances, clenches her fists. Miranda is a white girl, about 157 centimeters tall, with long, straight brown hair and green eyes. She wears a soft, light blue long-sleeved midi dress paired with a cozy beige cardigan, black tights, and simple ankle boots. Her outfit is completed with a delicate silver necklace. Shin waves, and Miranda waves back, trying to conceal her smile. Oblivious, Shin starts talking.

Shin: "Hey, Miranda, I need some help with what I missed yesterday. Can you walk me through it?"

Miranda: "Wait... You know who I am?"

Shin: "Of course I do, you're Michael's sister. Duh."

Miranda, tucking her hair behind her ear: "Well, of course, I'll help you with yesterday's lesson, Shin."

Shin: "Thanks, Miranda, you're a lifesaver. I'll make sure to tell Michael you helped me."

Miranda: "Uh... Better if you don't!"

Miranda starts giving Shin a crash course, but her nerves get the best of her, and she keeps stumbling over her explanations.

Miranda: "So, the... uh, mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell—wait, wrong subject!"

Shin: "Miranda, this is Algebra."

Miranda keeps stuttering and mixing up the lesson. Eventually, Shin pieces together what she's trying to say and thanks her. He heads back to his desk, noticing Miranda with her head buried in her hands, seemingly in defeat. Confused, Shin shrugs and waits for the bell to ring. Mr. Thornburg closes the door and begins his usual morning announcements. Class proceeds as normal, and when the bell rings, Shin heads to orchestra.

As he walks down the hall, Michael appears, greeting him with his usual smile. Shin offers a weak smile in return, his eyes darting away as they walk. His shoulders sag under the weight of his backpack. Michael notices this and drops his upbeat demeanor.

Michael: "Hey, bro, what's wrong?"

Shin: "Listen, Michael, we need to talk."

Michael: "I don't like where this is going, Shin."

Shin: "There are some really big changes coming, and I wanted to tell you so they don't take you by surprise."

Michael: "I'm listening...?"

Shin: "I can't go into details, but I'm dropping out of school."

Michael, confused and frustrated: "You're what? Can you even do that? What are you talking about?"

Shin: "I'm going to be out of town for a while. It could be a short time or a really long time—I don't know."

Michael: "I have no idea what I'm gonna do without you, bro."

Shin, chuckling: "Trust me, if I didn't have to do this, I wouldn't."

Michael: "Alright, bro... Fill me in with more details tomorrow. I still have a billion questions."

Shin, distressed: "Yeah... For sure."

The two boys continue their walk to orchestra in silence. They enter, unpack their instruments, and Dr. Gerver gives his announcements before starting rehearsal. After the session, Shin packs his violin and heads to his other classes.

At 2:45 PM, when the day ends, Shin heads to his locker, removes his backpack, and closes it for what's likely the last time. He lingers for a moment, watching as students laugh and chat, their faces alight with carefree smiles. A group of friends huddle together, making weekend plans. Shin tightens his fist around his backpack strap, his knuckles turning white. Then, turning away, he heads to the back exit. Outside, he makes his way to Principal Shaw's car, where Shaw is already waiting.

Principal Shaw: "Hey Shin, how was school?"

Shin: "It was good."

Principal Shaw: "Great, let's make our way to the airport. We board at six."

End of Chapter 6

Character Profiles:

Miranda Hill:
Age: 15
Height: 153CM
Weight: 47 KG
Hair Color: Brown
Eye Color: Green
Cursed Technique: N/A

Authors Note: Super sorry for the week wait, I got college apps, so thats been eating up a chunk of my time! Please refer to my profile to check out the AI interpretations of my characters.

Update Log:
9/22/2024: Added Miranda Hill's Character profile