It was just another typical day at school, with the usual background noise of teachers lecturing and students chatting during breaks. Yuji sat at his desk, twirling his pencil absentmindedly as he kept stealing glances at Ozawa. She sat three rows ahead, quietly doodling in the margins of her notebook. She was a shy girl, her long black hair falling around her face, almost like a shield. Though she often tried to stay invisible, Yuji had noticed the small details—the way she avoided people's gazes or the occasional self-conscious tug of her sweater.
Her gesture on his birthday had caught him completely off guard. That jacket she had given him was now one of his favorite possessions, but more than that, it showed that she cared. And Yuji wasn't one to leave a kind act unanswered. He had made up his mind. Operation: Help Ozawa Love Herself Again was about to begin.
When the bell rang for lunch, Yuji waited until most of the class had emptied out before approaching her. Ozawa was still seated, quietly packing up her notebook, seemingly in no rush to leave.
"Hey, Ozawa!" Yuji called out, walking toward her.
She blinked and looked up, clearly startled. "Y-Yeah?"
Yuji scratched the back of his neck. Despite being outgoing, moments like this were still a little awkward. "I, uh... just wanted to say thanks again for the jacket you gave me. It's super comfortable. You didn't have to do that."
Her cheeks flushed pink, and she quickly looked down at her desk. "Oh, it's no big deal. I just... I thought you'd like it."
"Well, I do!" Yuji said with a grin. "So I was thinking, maybe I could return the favor and help you out with something?"
"Help me?" she asked, tilting her head curiously.
"Yeah," Yuji said, sliding into the seat next to hers. "I mean, you don't seem all that happy these days. I might be way off, but... if there's anything you want to change or work on, maybe I can help. Like, I dunno, exercise or something?"
Ozawa's eyes widened in surprise, and for a moment, she didn't say anything. Then she looked away, fiddling with the hem of her sweater. "You... think I should lose weight?"
Yuji winced, realizing how blunt that must've sounded. "No, no! That's not what I mean. You're great the way you are. But if you want to lose weight, or feel healthier, I can help. Only if you want to, though!"
She stared at him for a long moment, her lips pressed into a thin line. Then, to his relief, she gave a small nod. "I... I do want to lose weight. I hate how I look, and I hate how people treat me. But I've tried before, and I always fail..."
"Well, you've never had me as your coach before," Yuji said confidently. "So, what do you say? We can start small. How about jogging together after school?"
Ozawa hesitated, her fingers tightening around her sweater. Finally, she gave him a shy smile. "Okay. But... I don't have your number."
Yuji grinned and pulled out his phone. "Here, give me yours, and I'll text you. We can figure out a schedule!"
After they exchanged numbers, Ozawa left the classroom looking a little lighter on her feet, and Yuji couldn't help but feel proud. He had taken the first step toward helping her, and now it was time to put his plan into action.
The First Run
Later that afternoon, Yuji and Ozawa met up at a nearby park. She had changed into a loose t-shirt and sweatpants, looking nervous but determined.
"Ready?" Yuji asked, stretching his arms behind his head.
"Not really," she admitted, laughing nervously.
"That's okay. We'll start slow," he reassured her. "The key is to build up stamina little by little. Don't push yourself too hard at first."
With that, they started jogging around the park. Yuji kept the pace easy, making sure Ozawa didn't feel overwhelmed. She was panting within the first five minutes, but she kept going, her face set with determination.
"You're doing great!" Yuji said, glancing over at her.
She gave him a weak smile. "Easy for you to say. You're not dying."
He chuckled. "Hey, we all start somewhere. You're already doing better than most people who quit before they even try."
They continued running in silence for a while, but Yuji couldn't help but notice how Ozawa's eyes kept darting to random spots in the park. Her expression would flicker between fear and discomfort, like she was seeing something he couldn't.
"Hey, Ozawa," he said, slowing to a walk.
"Huh?" she panted, grateful for the break.
"Are you... seeing something?"
Her eyes widened, and she looked away. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"Come on," Yuji said gently. "You've been glancing around like you're watching something scary. It's okay. You can tell me."
Ozawa hesitated, her hands fidgeting nervously. Finally, she sighed. "Fine. You're gonna think I'm crazy, but... I can see them. The monsters. The ones no one else can see."
Yuji's heart skipped a beat. "You can see cursed spirits?"
She nodded slowly. "I've been able to see them since I was little. At first, I thought I was just imagining things, but they're real. They're everywhere. I hate them. They scare me so much that I... I started eating to distract myself. It's the only thing that makes me feel safe."
Yuji's expression softened. He hadn't realized how much she was carrying. "Ozawa... that's not crazy. In fact, that's incredible."
"Incredible?" she echoed, confused.
"Yeah! It means you have the potential to be a jujutsu sorcerer. Not everyone can see curses, you know. That's a rare gift."
"I don't want it," she said quietly. "I just want them to go away."
"Well, what if I helped you?" Yuji asked. "What if I trained you to get stronger so you don't have to be afraid anymore? You could fight back. And I bet you have a cursed technique too, right?"
Ozawa hesitated again, but then she gave a small nod. "I... I think so. I've never used it, but sometimes I feel this energy inside me when I get really mad. It's like... I get stronger the more I fight, and I can save it all up for one big attack."
Yuji's eyes lit up. "That's an awesome technique! What do you call it?"
"Build Up," she said shyly.
"Perfect," Yuji said with a grin. "Okay, here's the plan. We'll keep working on your fitness, and I'll teach you how to use your cursed energy. By the time we're done, you'll be able to kick some serious curse butt!"
Ozawa couldn't help but smile at his enthusiasm. For the first time in years, she felt a glimmer of hope.
"Alright," she said, her voice steady. "Let's do it."
Training Together
Over the next few weeks, Yuji and Ozawa fell into a routine. They would run together every evening, gradually increasing their distance and speed. Yuji taught her how to focus her cursed energy, using simple exercises to help her control it.
At first, it was slow going. Ozawa struggled with both the physical and mental aspects of the training, but Yuji never let her give up. He encouraged her every step of the way, and slowly but surely, she began to improve.
One evening, after finishing their run, Ozawa managed to summon her cursed energy for the first time. It was a small burst, but it was enough to make her grin with excitement.
"I did it!" she exclaimed.
"Told you you could," Yuji said, clapping her on the shoulder. "You're gonna be amazing, Ozawa. Just wait."
For the first time in years, she believed in herself.
During one of Yuji's nightly visits to the dream world, he found himself at the familiar table, where he and Choso often met to discuss strategies for training and improving both himself and Ozawa. These sessions had become routine over the past few weeks. Yuji would relay Ozawa's progress, explaining how her cursed technique, "Build Up," worked and asking for advice on how to help her refine it. Choso, always the supportive older brother, would offer insights into improving her stamina, precision, and confidence.
"I think she's getting better," Yuji said, leaning back in his chair. "Her endurance has gone up, and she's starting to get the hang of channeling her cursed energy into that final attack. But..."
"But what?" Choso asked, sipping from a steaming cup of tea that had materialized in his hands.
Yuji hesitated. "She still freezes up when curses are nearby. I think the fear is holding her back. I don't know how to help her overcome that."
Choso nodded thoughtfully. "Fear is a powerful thing, especially when it comes to curses. Keep training her mind as much as her body. Trust builds strength. If she feels like she has someone by her side who won't let her fall, that fear will fade with time."
Yuji smiled, feeling reassured. "Thanks, bro. I'll keep at it."
But tonight, as Yuji prepared for another round of advice and strategy, he noticed something different about Choso's demeanor. The usually calm and focused older brother seemed unusually serious. His hands were clasped tightly in front of him, his brows furrowed as he gestured to the chair across from him.
"Yuji, sit down with me at the table," Choso said, his tone grave.
Yuji frowned, the unease in his stomach growing. Slowly, he took his seat, trying to read Choso's expression. "Uh... is something wrong, bro?" he asked, his voice cautious. His mind began racing, wondering if his actions in this timeline had caused something to shift.
Choso took a deep breath, leaning forward slightly. "There's something important we need to discuss. Since you're starting to spend time with girls now, it's time for us to have The Talk."
Yuji froze, his face flushing a deep crimson as the words registered. "WHAT?! Are you serious right now?"
Choso's expression remained serious for only a moment longer before he broke into a wide grin. Then, to Yuji's utter horror, he burst out laughing, his laughter echoing through the dream world.
"Your face!" Choso wheezed, tears forming in the corners of his eyes. "I've never seen you look this embarrassed!"
"Not funny!" Yuji groaned, burying his face in his hands. "I thought something terrible had happened!"
Choso struggled to control his laughter, wiping his eyes as he caught his breath. "Sorry, sorry. I couldn't resist. But in all seriousness, Yuji, you're growing up fast. It's good that you're helping Ozawa, but remember to take care of yourself too. You're carrying a lot of responsibility for someone so young."
Yuji sighed, the embarrassment finally fading as he nodded. "I know. I just... I don't want to mess this up, you know? Helping her, getting stronger—it all feels like part of what I'm supposed to do."
Choso's smile softened, his teasing replaced by genuine pride. "You're doing fine, little brother. Just don't forget—being strong isn't just about fighting. It's about lifting others up too. And you're already doing that."
Yuji couldn't help but smile. "Thanks, bro. That actually helps a lot."
"Good," Choso said, leaning back in his chair. Then, with a smirk, he added, "But seriously, we will have The Talk eventually."
Yuji groaned, shaking his head as Choso's laughter filled the dream world once more.