Chapter Text
I detach from my surroundings while the song playing in my ear blurs into noise.
I tighten my grip on my tote bag, my other hand wrapped around the train’s pole as I feel its vibrations toward Tokyo.
My chest tightens at the thought of meeting professional sorcerers. The idea of Jujutsu Tech High School, a place filled with people like them, the thought alone sends a shiver down my spine.
I rummage through my bag, desperate for a distraction, until my fingers brush across a lollipop. I take it out and unwrap it before popping it into my mouth; the burst of lemon flavor was enough to ground my thoughts.
After a few more minutes, the train stops. The doors open, and a rush of cold air hits my face, sending my hair flying behind me.
I look around, taking in the beauty of the outskirts of Tokyo before pulling something out of my bag: the directions to the school. I knit my eyebrows together at the sight of the scribbled lines on the paper.
Fuck me. It’s illegible.
✫✫✫
I was told that Jujutsu High School grounds were concealed from the general public, making it an inaccessible area to civilians.
It took me hours before deciphering it, but finally, I crumbled the paper directions into a ball and shoved it in my bag.
I reach the series of torii gates on Mount Mushiro, facing the long stretch of stairs ahead of me, and at the very top, near the school’s entrance, a lone figure stands on the final step.
"I see to it that you have made it despite my colleague's horrible directions," the sorcerer says. "Welcome to Tokyo Metropolitan Curse Technical College, Akemi."
I squint my eyes to shade my vision from the sun shining behind him, then offer a quick smile. "Thank you."
My foot hit the last step, leveling myself with him. I straighten my posture and ask, “Where to now?”
“We,” he says, “are going to interview you.”
“We?”
“The principal of the school wants to meet you,” he replies before putting his hands in his pockets, leading me into the school premises.
I leave space between the two of us as I follow his lead. “Who are you?”
“Masamichi Yaga.”
“And you’re one of the teachers here?”
Yaga slouches, taking light steps toward the building I assume is the principal’s office. “Unfortunately, yes.”
I furrow my eyebrows at the word unfortunately, as I look around, taking in my surroundings. “Am I gonna be under your supervision?”
Yaga sighs. “Yeah, yeah—if you pass the interview.”
I knit my eyebrows deeper.
“Alright, we’re here.”
Yaga clicks his heels on the wooden platform, waiting for me to stand next to him.
I scan the wooded area before my eyes fix on the figure standing about fifteen feet ahead, his back turned.
I give Yaga a glance, and his slight nod gives me confirmation that the person in front of us is the principal.
“Akemi Shizuko?” The principal’s voice shakes the ground beneath me. It’s rough and rusty, probably in his thirties or forties.
“Yes.”
He took a deep breath, still facing away from us. “Why’re you here?”
I glance at Yaga once again, but his face is stoic.
My heart hammers—blood rushes to my face.
“I was suggested by a sorcerer.”
The principal hums, his voice deepening. “I meant—what are you doing here…as a sorcerer?”
Don’t say something stupid, Akemi
“To exorcise curses,” I say.
No shit, Sherlock.
“That’s a half-assed answer,” the principal says, clasping his hands behind his back.
I fell into silence, succumbing to embarrassment. I’m the world’s biggest idiot.
“You’re not taking this seriously, are you?” His voice booms in my ear, causing a slight ringing in my head. “What are you doing here in Jujutsu Tech?
My jaw tightened as I gritted my teeth, enough to give me a slight headache. I clench my hands, ready to answer him seriously.
Closing my eyes, I inhale deeply.
“I’m tired of seeing non-sorcerers suffer without knowing the causes.” I unclench my hands and continue, “I want to be able to help them, and… I don’t want any more suffering.”
“People suffer either way. You’re not a hero,” he says.
I straighten, puff my chest out, and speak louder than before, “I might not be. But it’s better to save a person, even if it's only one, than none at all.”
The principal huffs out—a scoff?
“Then prove it to me.” He turns around, revealing his face; black eyes pierce through mine, his skin smooth except for a healed slash through his right eyebrow. “Don’t make me regret my decision.”
My breath hitches before a sigh of relief escapes my mouth.
I give him a quick smile. “You won’t.”
A couple of pats land on my shoulder. I look up to my side. Yaga gives me a little proud smirk. “Good job. I’ll show you to the dorms.”
I bow politely to the principal before following Yaga to the dorms.
“You have to call me sensei from now on,” he says.
A chill of excitement runs down my spine as a smile creeps onto my face.
I passed.