=Jujutsu Headquarters=
Y/N stood in the middle of the large room surrounded by six doors, discussing his return from the mission in Hokkaido. Despite his appearance, he had not yet treated his wounds from his previous fight with the cursed spirit. Blood dripped from his nose, his forehead, and every cut on his face.
He tried his best to hold back the pain, gritting his teeth and squeezing his eyes slightly while listening to the higher-ups without interruption.
Higher-ups #1: We never expected this to happen. We apologize for the ordeal.
Higher-ups #5: To think you managed to kill one of those cursed spirits that held the Sukuna finger by yourself.
Higher-ups #2: Agreed, you have a lot of potential compared to the others.
Higher-ups #4: Hmhm, and you're only Grade 4. We should raise your grade.
Higher-ups #6: Give him Semi-Grade 1; that should be sufficient for killing that spirit and retrieving the Sukuna finger. If you wish to raise your grade further, you'll need to undertake more dangerous missions.
Higher-ups #3: You've done well, young man. You may go and attend to your wounds. Please leave the finger here.
Y/N was about to place the finger on the table and leave the room, but a thought stopped him in his tracks. He pondered how beaten up he had been and the tiring train ride back, sparking an idea. With a smug look, he took out the Sukuna finger and playfully toyed with it, leaving the Higher-ups puzzled by his sudden change in behavior.
Y/N: You know, it seems like there's a little problem... for me at least. So, I won't place this finger unless my demands are met for all the hardship I endured getting beaten up and coming all the way back here.
The Higher-ups had mixed reactions, some angry and others disappointed. However, one of them agreed, acknowledging that it wasn't fair for him to have no reward after the mission.
Higher-ups #1: *Sighs* Very well, what do you want?
Y/N: *Smiling* Simple, I want money.
Higher-ups #1: Alright, we can arran-
Y/N: Nuh uh, I want my salary raised.
Higher-ups #1: No, we can't do tha-
Y/N: Or I'll eat this finger if you refuse my demand, mm?
Higher-ups #1: You brat- Fine, we'll raise your salary! Anything else you want!?
Y/N: Nope, that's all. Thank you for your... support.
Y/N placed the finger on the table and walked away from the room.
Higher-ups #1: Kid these day...
[A few hours later]
After having his wounds treated and leaving the medical room, Y/N was on his way to his dorm to get some rest. Along the way, he encountered his teacher, Masamichi Yaga. Y/N waved at him and walked towards him, greeting him respectfully.
Y/N: Ahh, sensei! How have you been?
Yaga stopped in his tracks, turned around, and nodded at him with a slight smile.
Yaga: Y/N, good to see you. How was your first mission?
Y/N: *Smiling* Well... Not so good, at least, hehe.
Yaga: *Nodding* I heard from the Higher-ups that you killed the cursed spirit holding the Sukuna finger, your Grade, and about your sudden behavior towards them.
Y/N: *Nervously chuckles* Yeah, you caught me there... Are you mad at me?
Yaga shook his head and chuckled before walking alongside his student.
Yaga: Not really, I think that was justified, to say the least. But don't ever do that again, okay?
The teacher playfully ruffled Y/N's hair, eliciting laughter from his student. They soon reached the dorm area, where Y/N stopped at his dorm, facing his teacher with a smile.
Y/N: *Seluting* Aye, sensei, a good student follows orders!
Yaga: *Smiling* I'm glad you understand. Anyway, I have some things to take care of. So go ahead and rest while you can.
With that said, Yaga walked away to attend to his other business, while Y/N entered his dorm to get some rest.
Just as he was about to jump onto the bed and take a nap, the phone rang. He sighed, walked towards it, and answered.
Y/N: Hello, who is this?
Ruka: Onii-chan it's me, Ruka! How's your school?
Y/N's warm smile and body relaxed a little upon hearing his sister's voice, relieved that she was okay.
Y/N: Hey, rabbit. Yeah... My first mission didn't go well, but they raised my grade pretty quickly. How about you, rabbit... Are you having a good time at the hospital?
Ruka: *Frowning* No... It's okay, but I'm scared... I saw a monster watching me.
His expression turned to a frown upon hearing his sister's words about her situation. Ruka had a serious health issue, with her breathing unstable, making it impossible for her to run in five seconds. All the bills he had paid were already gone, which was why he joined Jujutsu High for money - to help his sister's condition. The fact that they didn't have parents when they were kids made it even more challenging, but Y/N managed to pull through.
Ruka: Don't worry, Onii-chan. I don't think that monster wants to go near me, so you should focus on your school and just remember I'm always rooting for you no matter what.
He shook his head and chuckled at her words.
Y/N: Alright, alright. You should eat, study, take your medicines, and get some sleep, okay?
Ruka: Aye, captain! Love you, Onii-chan!
Y/N: *Chuckles* Yeah, love you too, rabbit.
The call ended, and Y/N yawned as he fell onto the bed, fast asleep the moment he lay down.
[Some time later]
While Y/N was sleeping, his eyes started to twitch, strange noises coming from his mouth, and he seemed uncomfortable, moving his body around restlessly. His heart beat faster, and his breathing became uncontrollable.
Suddenly, flashes of images appeared in his vision, intensifying as he tried to push them away, but they kept coming back, disrupting his sleep. Then, his entire room, furniture, and belongings started floating in the air. Y/N woke up abruptly, and at the same time, his furniture and belongings fell to the floor.
He looked around his room, sighed, and held his forehead to relax a bit.
Y/N: The vision... Why does it keep coming back?
Glancing at the clock, it was now 3:30 A.M.
Y/N: No changes, *Sighs* not a good thing, but not a bad thing either. I should go back to sleep; I don't want to be late for class.
He drifted back to sleep very quickly.
[7:35 A.M]
After waking up and having breakfast, Y/N went for a jog around the field, completing 20 laps. Sweat dripped from his forehead, and his breath intensified as the sun began to rise, casting an orange glow around the campus, with some students emerging from their dorms.
Upon finishing his laps, he walked over to a nearby bench, sat down, and took a drink from his water bottle for a break. Enjoying the silence, he sighed in relief, taking the opportunity to stretch his neck and body, cracking his fingers to relax his mind. After another sip of water, with the sun now illuminating everything, a warm breeze brushed against his face as he smiled.
Just as he was about to stand up and continue his training, a voice called out to him. Y/N turned his head to see the girl, Tsukumo Yuki, tall with a slender yet athletic build, long blonde hair that cascaded down her back, and two tufts framing each side of her face. She was the most annoying girl he had ever met.
Yuki: *Smirking* Training without me, how rude.
Y/N: *Rolls eyes* Beauty sleep, that's what you're doing. Lazy turd.
Yuki: *Laughs* Oh, don't be so mean. I'm just messing with you, hihi.
Y/N: *Eyes narrowed* Right... What do you want? Came here to make fun of me because of my first mission?
Yuki: *Shakes her head* Nah, just came to meet you and see what's up.
He looked at her for a moment before turning his head and taking a sip of water.
Y/N: It's a mixed bag. What about you? I heard that you got promoted to Special Grade.
Yuki: Pretty good, actually. Yes, the Higher-ups gave me that promotion because my curse energy is large... *Smirks* Are you jealous?
Y/N: What!? No, why would I be jealous of that stupid Grade? It doesn't really matter to me. All I want is money.
She shook her head and smiled while gazing at the sun, one leg resting on the bench and her arm placed on top of her knee, with her left hand tapping on the bench, creating a slightly awkward silence.
Yuki: And what are you going to do about that money, hmm?
Y/N: None of your concern.
Yuki: *Shrugs* Suit yourself.
He placed his bottle on the bench, stood up, and began stretching his body. Looking at Yuki, he sighed, knowing what he was about to say to her, gesturing for her to join him in his jog.
Y/N: Come on, 20 laps. I bet you can reach that far.
Yuki: *Smiling* 20 laps are not enough, let's make it 50.
Y/N: *Sighs* Alright... 50 laps it is.
And so, they both started jogging together, aiming for 50 laps.
Meanwhile, further back, Yaga watched them from a distance.
Yaga: It seems they get along pretty quickly, unlike their first meeting... *Looking at his watch* I have to go now.
[3 years later]
Y/N: A what now?
Yaga: You heard me. You're going to help your juniors, Gojo Satoru and Geto Suguru, to escort a young girl named Amanai Riko to merge with Tengen.
Y/N: Why me of all people?
Yaga: Because I trust you. This mission gives me a bad feeling, and you know how I feel. Someone will try to kill that girl.
Initially hesitant, Y/N nodded nonetheless. He understood the gamble of this mission - whether it would succeed or fail. If he was involved, there was a 60 percent chance of success.
Y/N: If my beloved sensei sends me on a serious mission, then I won't argue. A good student follows orders! It won't be easy or hard.
Yaga: *Smiling* I knew I could trust you. You'll depart tomorrow morning at 6 A.M. You'll find Nanami and Haibara at the airport.
With that said, Y/N nodded and walked out of the class. Along the way, he had a feeling... that someone would succeed in killing the vessel unless he intervened. The plot had thickened.
=End of chapter=