**CLANK**
A plate landed softly on the table, a short woman with short, white hair sitting across from Kyofu. Her eyes were blue, and wide with shock.
Beside her sat a man with dark blue hair, his expression reserved yet his eyes were marked with the same amount of surprise as the woman.
Kyofu met the man's gaze with curiosity, "Sir?"
The man glanced down, fingers tightening around his teacup. "You've caught me off guard, that's all," he finally spoke, his voice low and steady. He shifted his focus. "There are several esteemed clans in the Jujutsu world," he began. "The Fujiwara clan, the Gojo Clan, the Fujimoto Clan, and the Hanari Clan," he recited.
He paused, "Each clan possesses its own unique talents, flaws, and vices," he explained. "What sets us apart, however, are the Five Generals...the Sun, Moon, and Stars squads," he added meeting Kyofu's gaze with intensity. "Do you understand what I'm trying to say..?"
Kyofu furrowed his brow. "I'm not sure I understand what you're getting at," he admitted.
The man's expression shifted, a hint of disappointment flickering across his features. "The Fujiwara clan's strength comes from it's overwhelming power," he explained, "But what truly sets us apart is our innate talent, our.."
Before he could continue, the woman interrupted with a disapproving tone, "You're starting to sound like him again, Shirogane," she remarked.
Shirogane paused, acknowledging her remark with a slight nod, "Ah, you're right," he said, a hand raising up to touch the stitches on his forehead. "Thank you, Uraume."
Uraume gave him a detached look and an eye roll in response.
Shirogane cleared his throat, adjusting his posture slightly. "Due to the circumstances surrounding your execution, you're indebted to serve the Fujiwara Clan until your debt is repaid."
Kyofu's eyes narrowed. "How will I know when the debt is repaid?"
Shirogane smiled slightly, "Your worth will determine when."
Kyofu looked down and pondered.
"Pay your debt and leave."
**THUD**
Kyofu was slammed against the ground, glaring up at the curse hunched over him. He swiftly rolled away as its massive arm crashed down.
Hanari watched Kyofu closely. He had improved since they found him, though still struggled with regulating his cursed energy flow.
The curse relentlessly attacked Kyofu, who focused more on evading than on counterattacking. Hanari sighed, "Put more cursed energy behind it."
Kyofu glanced at her, instantly regretting it as he was brutally slammed in his chest, flung towards the pit's wall. He groaned, clutching his ribs.
The curse grinned, charging once more. Kyofu stood and unleashed a powerful slash, cutting it in half.
Kyofu's technique, "Cleave and Dismantle," targeted inanimate objects by default. Cleave adjusted to opponents' cursed energy and durability upon contact.
As Hanari descended into the pit, she offered encouragement. "You did better this time," she reassured him.
"No. I need to do better than that," Kyofu insisted, allowing Hanari to heal his ribs.
"You don't need to push yourself," Hanari said, looking up at him. "Whatever my father (Shinogane) told you—"
Kyofu stared into her eyes. He ended up blocking whatever she was saying out. "Do you want to take a walk?"
Hanari choked on her words, "What?"
Kyofu looked at her, then diverted his eyes, glancing back to her. "I mean, if you don't want to.."
Hanari looked at him, "Why, though? Do you want to clear your mind?"
Kyofu glanced back at her. He shot her a glare before looking up into the sky. "Yeah. I would like that."
Hanari would remove her hand from his ribs, having fully healed the broken bone. "Where do you want to walk?"
Kyofu looked at her, "I didn't.." he hesitated, "The manor- through the walkways."
he iron doors at the edge of the pit. To the left, a series of doors lined the walls, with fingers creeping through the crevices as curses attempted to break free.
Kyofu glanced around at the cherry blossoms, absorbing their beauty before turning his attention to Hanari, who appeared lost in thought. He furrowed his brow; she hadn't said anything. Was she not interested in speaking?
He questioned whether something was bothering her since his arrival. Was it him? No, he hadn't done anything to provoke her. Or maybe he had, but he couldn't pinpoint what.
His thoughts spiraled, grappling with uncertainties and doubts. Why was he so concerned about her mood anyway? They weren't friends, merely acquaintances brought together by circumstance.
But then again, there was that time back at the inn when she showed genuine concern for his well-being. Did that count for something? Was there more to their interactions than mere practicality?
Stop this, Kyofu chastised himself internally.
"Hanari?" he spoke up, prompting her to glance back at him. "Are you okay?"
Hanari squinted at him, causing Kyofu to wince. "Uhm- I'm fine. Thanks," she replied.
Kyofu persisted, his mind racing with conflicting thoughts. "Err- are you sure? You've seemed distant lately."
Distant? Really? She barely knows you. How could she be distant? They weren't even friends. Well, she did seem somewhat concerned about his well-being back at the inn, but that didn't mean anything.
But that doesn't mean she's interested in you or being your friend, Kyofu reminded himself. She was probably just ensuring he was capable enough to be useful when necessary.
Hanari abruptly halted, turning to face him. "Well, since you asked," she said calmly, "My father has been disregarding me lately."
Kyofu raised a brow, his thoughts still swirling in confusion. "Do you know why?"
Hanari shook her head, her words pulling Kyofu back to the present. "No." She found a nearby bench and sat down. "And it seems like he doesn't care."
Kyofu regarded her intently, a mix of concern and curiosity swirling in his mind. "I'm sure he does."
Hanari gazed at Kyofu intently. "Sure, I guess." her eyes lingered on him for a moment, silently assessing his demeanor. "What did he say to you? About your debt."
Kyofu winced. He shifted his gaze upwards, fixating on the sky. "Well, he just said that I'd know when my debt is repaid. That my worth will determine when."
Hanari's expression softened, her gaze dropping to the ground. "Right," she murmured, her mind preoccupied.
Kyofu looked at her, "Is he usually like this?" he inquired.
"You're acting like him again."
Hanari let out a sigh, "No," she replied simply. "We should keep walking."
Kyofu nodded, "Well, before we do that.."
Hanari looked at him now. Kyofu stared at her.
"I- I think your hair is pretty," he blurted out, a faint blush coloring his cheeks.
A hint of surprise flickered across her features before she broke into a soft chuckle. "Really?" she teased, a playful smirk forming on her lips.
Kyofu nodded earnestly, his gaze softening. "Like the cherry blossoms."
Hanari's laughter rang out melodiously, "Right. Thank you for that," she replied.
As they continued their stroll, Kyofu found himself captivated by the serene beauty of their surroundings. The gentle rustle of leaves and the soothing melody of chirping birds enveloped him in his own world.
Before he knew it, two hours had passed.
A vibrant koi fish darted playfully in the crystal-clear waters of a nearby pond. Kyofu stared at it. He was in awe.
Sensing Hanari's presence behind him, Kyofu turned to face her. "Are you ready to keep going?" she asked, her gaze warm.
Kyofu nodded. "Yeah, I feel better now," he admitted. Hanari met his gaze with a tender smile and nodded.
"You know, Hanari," he began, a mischievous twinkle in his eye, "I've been thinking..."
Hanari raised an eyebrow, a playful smirk playing on her lips. "Oh?"
Kyofu looked up into the sky, "Well, I was thinking that if we were characters in a play, you'd be the mysterious heroine and I'd be the daring hero," he said.
Hanari burst out into laughter, "That's so random!"
Kyofu looked at her slightly offended that she laughed at his idea. "I mean.." he hesitated. "Well, I guess your right but I've always wanted to see a play."
Hanari chuckled, "Well, maybe you can see one soon. I'll take you."
Kyofu's eyes lit up, "Really?!"
Hanari glanced back at him, smiling. "Sure."
Wait.
Hanari paused for a moment as a realisation dawned on her.
He's just like him.