In the gentle embrace of spring, cherry blossom petals danced on the breeze, their delicate pink hues a stark contrast to the urban landscape that surrounded the traditional dojo. Amidst this tranquil scene, Yuno Rentaro, a young man with chestnut brown hair, sat cross-legged on the polished wooden floor, his hands cupped around a steaming cup of tea. He savored each sip, allowing the warmth to spread through his body and calm his mind.
Suddenly, the serenity was shattered by the abrupt entrance of a large, muscular man. "YUNO!" he bellowed, his voice reverberating off the dojo walls.
Yuno, unperturbed by the intrusion, slowly exhaled and adjusted his glasses. "What is it, Sawada?" he asked, his tone even and measured.
Sawada's face was a battleground of emotions - irritation and agitation warring for dominance, as if Yuno's very presence was a thorn in his side. "It's been 12 years," he began, his voice gruff. "12 years since your parents died and I, as your father's mentor, took on the responsibility of raising you."
Yuno arched an eyebrow, a glimmer of curiosity in his eyes. "What are you on about, Sawada?"
"Today, finally, after all these years, you're leaving my dojo," Sawada declared, his voice catching with emotion. "You're heading off to the school for sorcerers, just like your father once did."
As he spoke, Yuno noticed the tears welling up in the stoic man's eyes. "Okay, sure," he said, a hint of amusement in his voice. "But why are you crying?"
Sawada hastily wiped at his damp cheeks. "Because I'm so proud of you," he admitted, his voice softening. "But also sad that you're leaving me."
A wry smile tugged at the corners of Yuno's mouth. He adjusted his glasses once more and let out a sigh. "You do realize the school is only a 30-minute trip from here, right?" he pointed out. "I'll probably come back to have dinner if I don't like the food there."
Sawada's eyes lit up, a glimmer of hope amidst the sadness. "Promise?"
"Promise," Yuno assured him, his voice steady and sincere.
Somewhat mollified, Sawada collected himself. "Alright then, Yuno," he said, his tone growing serious. "Just be sure to become an excellent sorcerer, you hear?"
Yuno's expression remained impassive. "I don't really want to be one, you know," he replied, his voice tinged with indifference.
Sawada shook his head, a mixture of exasperation and understanding in his eyes. "You've been blessed with tremendous power, Yuno," he reminded him. "It's your responsibility to use it to protect others."
Yuno met his gaze, boredom evident in his expression. With a sigh, Sawada relented. "Well, you're only 15," he conceded. "You still have a long journey ahead of you."
Draining the last of his tea, Yuno rose gracefully to his feet, his movements fluid and precise. He reached for his suitcase, the weight of his decision settling on his shoulders. "I'm heading out now," he announced, his voice calm and resolute.
Sawada's eyes widened in surprise. "So soon?"
"Yeah," Yuno replied, a hint of determination in his voice. "I want to see what there is to eat. If I don't like it, at least I'll know to come back here for dinner."
Sawada nodded, a flicker of understanding crossing his face. "Alright then, my boy," he said, his voice warm with affection. "Take care of yourself."
With a final nod of acknowledgment, Yuno turned and strode out the door, his footsteps echoing on the polished wood. As he stepped out into the spring air, the cherry blossom petals swirled around him, as if in farewell. He inhaled deeply, the scent of new beginnings filling his lungs.
After a half-hour walk, Yuno finally found himself standing in front of the prestigious school. He sighed, his eyes betraying a hint of reluctance. "I really don't want to do this," he muttered, his voice tinged with annoyance.
As he stepped through the gates, Yuno took in the sprawling grounds, his gaze sweeping over the meticulously manicured gardens and the impressive architecture of the buildings. The sheer size of the campus was overwhelming, and Yuno couldn't help but think of the countless daily walks he would have to endure. The prospect filled him with a sense of tedium.
Pulling out a crumpled piece of paper from his pocket, Yuno glanced at the room number assigned to him. He had skipped the orientation tour for new students, finding the idea of mingling with his peers unappealing. Yuno had always been the type of person who preferred to stay within his comfort zone, finding most things boring and relying on logic and reasoning to navigate life.
Lost in thought, Yuno looked around, his eyes searching for any signs of the dormitories. He spotted a boy engrossed in his phone, his hair tied back with a single strand falling across his face. "Excuse me," Yuno called out, approaching the boy. "Do you know where the dormitories are?"
The boy looked up, a hint of annoyance flashing in his eyes. "Huh? How am I supposed to know?" he retorted, his tone dripping with arrogance.
Yuno's brow furrowed, a flicker of irritation crossing his face. "Well, aren't you helpful," he muttered sarcastically. As he turned to walk away, he couldn't resist a parting jab. "By the way, that strand of hair looks ridiculous."
The boy's hand shot out, gripping Yuno's shoulder tightly. "Who do you think you are?" he growled, his eyes narrowing.
Yuno met his gaze, unflinching. "Someone who doesn't stay silent when faced with rudeness," he replied coolly.
The boy arched an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Oh yeah? How about I teach you a lesson then?"
In one swift motion, Yuno removed his glasses, his crimson eyes gleaming with an otherworldly light. His unique ability allowed him to see into the past or future of the person before him, and he focused his gaze on the boy, delving into his history.
A knowing smile played on Yuno's lips as he spoke, his voice laced with amusement. "So, your name is Suguru Geto. Tell me, why did you wet the bed until you were ten?"
Geto's eyes widened in shock, his grip on Yuno's shoulder loosening. "What the hell are you talking about?" he sputtered, his face flushing with embarrassment.
Yuno brushed off his shirt, his expression nonchalant. "Why would I lie about something like that, Geto?"
Geto's eyes narrowed suspiciously. "Oh yeah? Prove it then."
"Your mattress had a space ship pattern on it," Yuno stated matter-of-factly, adjusting his glasses.
Geto burst out laughing, his earlier hostility forgotten. "What are you, some kind of spy?" he asked, his tone light and teasing.
Yuno shrugged, a hint of a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Just a first-year student, like you."
Geto's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Wait, you're a first-year too?"
Yuno nodded, adjusting his glasses once more. "Of course. Why else would I be asking for directions?"
Geto chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly. "I thought you were some crazy senior trying to prank me or something."
"You're a bit paranoid," Yuno observed, his tone dry.
"And you're way too serious," Geto countered, grinning.
Yuno merely arched an eyebrow in response, his expression unreadable.
"Come on, I was heading to the dormitories too," Geto said, motioning for Yuno to follow him.
An hour later, Yuno found himself standing in front of his new classroom. He slid open the door, taking in the scene before him. The room was spacious, with large windows that allowed natural light to filter in, casting a warm glow on the polished wooden floors. Three students were already inside, each lost in their own thoughts.
Geto was among them, greeting Yuno with a friendly smile. A girl with chestnut brown hair and warm brown eyes sat by the window, absentmindedly twirling a lollipop in her mouth as she gazed outside. In the back of the room, a boy with stark white hair and piercing blue eyes reclined in his chair, dark sunglasses perched on his nose as he chewed on a pencil.
"Good afternoon," Yuno said politely, his voice breaking the silence.
No one responded, and Yuno simply shrugged, taking a seat and pulling out a book to read. Geto approached him, a quizzical expression on his face. "What was that all about? 'Good afternoon'?"
Yuno glanced up from his book, adjusting his glasses. "I was being polite," he stated matter-of-factly.
Geto burst out laughing, finding Yuno's serious demeanor amusing. Yuno merely arched an eyebrow, not quite understanding what was so funny.
The door slid open once more, and a tall, muscular man with a shaved head entered the room. "Hello, everyone. Welcome," he greeted, his voice deep and commanding. "I'm your professor, Masamichi Yaga. Some of you might know me if you had attended the orientation tour."
He rubbed his temple, his expression slightly exasperated. "Well, let's start with introductions. We'll begin with you," he said, gesturing to the girl by the window.
She stood up, a friendly smile on her face. "I'm Shoko Ieiri. Nice to meet you all."
Yuno observed her, thinking to himself that she seemed relatively normal.
Geto stood up next, a wide grin plastered on his face. "I'm Suguru Geto. Pleasure to meet you."
Yuno couldn't help but think that Geto was at least somewhat friendly, even if he could be a bit much at times.
The white-haired boy rose to his feet, a confident smirk on his lips. "You should all consider yourselves lucky to be in the presence of the great Satoru Gojo," he declared, his voice dripping with self-assurance. "The one from the legends, the wielder of the Six Eyes. Aren't I amazing?"
A moment of awkward silence followed his proclamation. Gojo simply laughed and sat back down, seemingly unfazed by the lack of reaction.
Yuno closed his book, a flicker of annoyance crossing his face. This guy was going to be a handful, he thought to himself.
Professor Yaga nodded, turning his attention to Yuno. "Your turn, young man."
Yuno sighed, standing up reluctantly. "I'm Yuno Rentaro. Nice to meet you all," he said, his voice even and measured. He sat back down, not feeling the need to elaborate further.
Yaga clapped his hands together, a smile on his face. "Well, that's everyone. As you know, sorcery schools typically have small class sizes, so you won't have many classmates. Make sure to get along with each other."
Yuno glanced around the room, taking in the eclectic mix of personalities. He had a feeling that his time at this school was going to be anything but ordinary. With a resigned sigh, he opened his book once more, immersing himself in the pages and trying to ignore the chatter around him.
Several days had passed since Yuno's arrival at the prestigious school for sorcerers. The spring weather had brought with it a sense of renewal, but for Yuno, it also meant dealing with the daily antics of his lively classmates.
One particularly memorable day, during a philosophy lecture, Professor Yaga posed a thought-provoking question to the class. "Can anyone explain the concept of existentialism and its relevance to modern society?"
A heavy silence fell over the room as students averted their gazes, hoping to avoid being called upon. Yaga's eyes scanned the sea of faces, finally landing on Gojo, who seemed more interested in doodling in his notebook than engaging with the lesson.
"Satoru, care to share your thoughts on the matter?" Yaga asked, his voice tinged with a hint of exasperation.
Gojo, caught off guard, looked up with a startled expression. "Uh, well, existentialism is about, um... existing, right?" he stumbled, trying to piece together a coherent response.
Yaga sighed, shaking his head. "Not quite, Satoru. Existentialism is a philosophical theory that emphasizes individual existence, freedom, and responsibility." He turned his attention to Yuno, who had been quietly absorbed in a book throughout the exchange. "Yunichi, perhaps you could enlighten us with your perspective?"
Yuno, marking his page, closed the novel and met Yaga's gaze. "Existentialism, sensei, is a philosophy that grapples with the fundamental questions of human existence. It suggests that we are born into a world devoid of inherent meaning, and it is up to each individual to create their own purpose and essence through the choices they make and the actions they take. In a modern context, existentialism challenges us to confront the absurdity of life head-on, to embrace the freedom and responsibility that comes with being the architects of our own destinies. It is a call to authenticity, to live life on our own terms, and to find meaning in the face of an indifferent universe."
Gojo, feeling a twinge of envy at Yuno's eloquent response, blurted out, "Hey, that's not fair! Yunichi is just reciting from some dusty old book!"
Yuno, unperturbed, held up his novel. "This, Satoru, is a work of contemporary fiction. It has nothing to do with the topic at hand." He paused, a hint of annoyance in his voice. "And I've told you before, my name is Yuno."
Gojo, undeterred, pressed on. "Anyway, why are we even having regular classes? Aren't we supposed to be learning cool sorcery techniques, not debating the meaning of life?"
Geto, ever the mediator, intervened. "Satoru, a well-rounded education is essential, even for sorcerers. We can't neglect our academic responsibilities."
Professor Yaga, noticing Yuno's lack of engagement, addressed him directly. "Yunichi, why are you reading during class? Is my lecture not stimulating enough for you?"
Yuno, unfazed by the accusation, met Yaga's gaze with a nonchalant expression. "To be honest, sensei, I find the material rather dry. I prefer to engage in more intellectually challenging pursuits during my free time."
Shoko, amused by Yuno's brazen honesty, couldn't help but chuckle. "Yunichi is quite direct, isn't he, sensei?"
Yuno, sighing heavily, turned to Shoko. "Not you too, Shoko. When did you jump on the 'Yunichi' bandwagon?"
Geto, sensing an opportunity to lighten the mood, interjected. "Hey, Yunichi, why don't we hit the arcade after class? I bet I can finally beat Shoko's high score in Tetris!"
Yaga, growing increasingly frustrated with the class's lack of focus, slammed his hand on the desk, causing everyone to snap to attention. "Enough! Pay attention to the lesson, or I'll have you all writing essays on the history of existentialism!"
Yuno, glancing at the clock, calmly pointed out, "Sensei, it's already 3 o'clock. Class is over."
Yaga, realizing the time, let out a defeated sigh. "Very well, class dismissed. But I expect better participation next time!"
Gojo, wasting no time, leaped from his seat, pumping his fist in the air. "Yes! Freedom at last! Let's go have some fun, guys!"
As Yuno gathered his belongings, Geto approached him, a hopeful gleam in his eyes. "So, Yunichi, you coming to the arcade with us? It'll be a blast!"
Yuno, shouldering his backpack, shook his head. "Thanks, but I think I'll pass. I have some reading I'd like to catch up on."
Shoko, not one to take no for an answer, latched onto Yuno's arm, pulling him towards the door. "Oh, no you don't! You're coming with us, whether you like it or not!"
Yuno, resigned to his fate, allowed himself to be dragged along, muttering under his breath, "Why do I always let myself get roped into these things?"
Gojo, grinning from ear to ear, threw an arm around Yuno's shoulders. "Because deep down, you know you love hanging out with us, Yunichi! We're the best friends you could ask for!"
Yuno, rolling his eyes, couldn't help but smirk. "I wouldn't go that far, Satoru. But I suppose your company is marginally better than sitting alone in my room."
______________
Gojo sighed, once again defeated by Shoko in Tetris. Geto, leaning against the arcade machine, laughed, while Yuno continued reading his book beside them.
"Hey, Yunichi," Gojo said, "why don't you use your powers to see into the future and tell me if I'll ever beat Shoko?"
Yuno adjusted his glasses and replied, "Satoru, that's not how my ritual works."
Gojo tilted his head, intrigued. "Then how does it work?"
With a sigh, Yuno closed his book. "When I take off my glasses, I can see the past or future of that person, but I don't control it. I might see years or minutes into the future or past, but I don't control which fragments I see."
Shoko chimed in, excited. "That means you could see what we'll do in the future. Sounds fun!"
Yuno shook his head. "I'm not a fortune-teller or anything like that."
"Come on, read my future," Gojo insisted.
"Satoru," Yuno warned, "seeing the future can involve many things, putting continuity at risk, or causing serious changes. We don't know the repercussions."
Gojo pulled out a bill and waved it in front of Yuno. "I'll give you a thousand yen."
Without hesitation, Yuno snatched the bill. "Deal."
Shoko laughed. "Yunichi, you sell yourself too cheap."
"Well, his books are expensive," Geto joked.
Yuno removed his glasses and stared intently at Gojo. The memory of something that had not yet happened traveled through Yuno's eyes, a fragment of Satoru's future. In this fragment, an adult Satoru could be seen expanding his domain in front of a volcano-headed curse. The vision ended, and Yuno put his glasses back on.
"So? What did you see?" Gojo asked, excited.
"Nothing interesting," Yuno replied. "You'll fight against a curse and expand your domain."
Gojo grew even more excited. "So I'll master my domain? How fortunate am I! Was there anything else?"
Yuno thought for a moment before responding. "There was a pink-haired boy wearing the school uniform."
"Eh? How boring, I thought you could see more," Gojo complained.
"I told you, I don't control what I see or for how long," Yuno reminded him.
Shoko interjected, "Could you see my past and tell me where I left my headphones?"
Geto laughed while Yuno sighed. Shoko extended a bill towards Yuno. "Yunichi, get me something to drink."
"Why me?" Yuno protested, taking the money reluctantly.
"I'll go with you," Geto offered.
"Me too," Gojo added.
The three of them headed towards the cashier to pay, standing in line. Yuno glanced back at the Tetris machine and saw Shoko, but also two unfamiliar men.
One of them said to Shoko, "Come on, why don't you come have some fun with us?"
Shoko, seemingly calm, responded without looking up from her phone, "No, thanks."
The other man touched her shoulder. "Come on, you'll have a good time."
Still calm, Shoko warned, "You'd better let go of me."
The man smiled, but suddenly, a coin struck his forehead. Growling, the man looked around. "Who threw that?"
Gojo and Geto cracked their knuckles, ready for action. "What should we do with them? Give them a beating?" Gojo asked.
Geto, somewhat more cautious, questioned, "Won't we get in trouble?"
Gojo turned to his friend. "What do you say, Yunichi?"
Yuno closed his book and sighed. "Yes, we'll get in trouble for a stupid brawl... But they touched Shoko, and that's unforgivable."
Gojo and Geto grinned, grabbing the two strangers by the collars of their shirts and dragging them outside.
Shoko, addressing Yuno, asked with a teasing tone, "So it's unforgivable for them to touch me?"
Yuno adjusted his glasses and followed Gojo and Geto without responding.
With a smile, Shoko murmured to herself, "You don't have to be so cold, Yunichi."
_____________
In a dimly lit room, a young albino boy sat hunched over a chessboard, his pale fingers delicately moving the pieces with calculated precision. The walls around him were plastered with photographs, each one meticulously placed, creating a mosaic of faces and places that seemed to watch his every move.
The boy's crimson eyes flickered in the soft light as he spoke, his voice eerily calm for someone so young. "Life, in its essence, is meaningless," he mused, capturing a pawn with his knight. "It's a blank canvas, waiting for someone to paint upon it."
He paused, studying the board intently before continuing, "And I, I am the artist who gives life its meaning. The world is my chessboard, and every person, every event, is merely a piece to be moved at my discretion."
Rising from his chair, the boy approached the wall of photographs. His pale hand traced the outline of a face, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "Look at them all, so blissfully unaware of their role in my grand design. They believe they have free will, but in reality, they dance to the tune I compose."
Returning to the chessboard, he toppled the white king with a gentle flick. "Chaos and order, good and evil - these are just constructs created by small minds to make sense of a senseless world. But I see beyond such petty distinctions. I am the arbiter of fate, the puppeteer pulling the strings of humanity."
His eyes narrowed as he focused on a particular photograph, partially hidden behind others. "But there's one who threatens to unravel my carefully woven tapestry. Yuno Rentaro..." The name rolled off his tongue with a mixture of fascination and disdain.
"He possesses a power that could disrupt my plans, a gift that allows him to peer into the very fabric of time itself. How amusing, to think he believes he can change the course I've set."
The boy's serene demeanor shifted slightly, a flicker of excitement dancing in his eyes. "Yuno Rentaro wants to ruin my fun, to derail my grand experiment. But he fails to realize that even his attempts to thwart me are part of my design."
Returning to his seat, the young albino reset the chessboard, a placid smile gracing his features. "Let him try. Every move he makes only serves to make our game more interesting. After all, what's the point of being a god if there isn't a worthy challenger to test your divinity?"
With that, he made his opening move, the white pawn advancing two spaces. The game had begun anew, and in his mind, the world would soon follow suit.