Yuji knelt on the cold pavement, his body battered and his spirit weighed down by failure. The silent night wrapped around him like a suffocating blanket. His ears caught the sound of approaching footsteps, but he paid no mind to them.
"Yuji?" a familiar voice called out. Gojo's unmistakable tone broke the heavy silence, but Yuji didn't bother turning around. He remained still, eyes fixed on the void in front of him.
Gojo sighed and walked closer. "Look, I know you're beating yourself up right now, but can I tell you something?" Yuji continued staring blankly, offering no response. Gojo crouched beside him and spoke anyway. "Don't be so hard on yourself. You fought Geto and whoever that other guy was. Trust me—most people wouldn't have survived that, let alone held their own. Plus, you did a number on Suguru. That's not something many can say."
Gojo paused, waiting for a reaction. When none came, he continued, "And you learned, didn't you? How they fight, how they move. You're a prodigy, Yuji. You can use that knowledge for next time. And there will be a next time—you'll get your chance at winning."
Yuji's lips pressed into a thin line, his face stoic. Gojo sat beside him, nudging his shoulder. "Also, here." He pulled a slightly burnt, folded piece of paper from his pocket. "Your grandpa wanted you to have this."
Yuji's eyes flicked to the paper, his breath catching in his throat. His hands trembled as he took it. Tears welled up in his eyes as he whispered, "I couldn't finish him off... I failed."
Gojo's expression softened. He placed a hand on Yuji's shoulder, letting the boy vent.
"All Gramps ever did was the best for me. He never upset me, but all I ever did was make him worry because of my recklessness."
Gojo squeezed Yuji's shoulder gently. "Just read the note. Yuko was supposed to give it to you, but I ended up saving her from a special grade instead." He grinned. "Can you believe that?"
Yuji's brows shot up. "Wait—Yuko? She was out here?" Panic flared in his voice.
"Relax, she's fine. Ijichi let her and the other first-years know what was happening, and she brought this note with her. It was on your grandpa when he died."
Yuji let out a small chuckle. "Didn't know they cared that much. We barely know each other."
Gojo's grin turned mischievous. "Oh, Yuko cares, alright. She's got the big hots for you, kid."
Yuji deadpanned, "I'm just gonna read the note now."
Gojo laughed. "You do that, lover boy."
With trembling hands, Yuji unfolded the letter and read:
"Yuji, as I'm writing this, I've noticed cursed spirits watching me for about a month now. If you're reading this, I'm dead. Just know I'm proud of you—you're like the son that was taken from me. I'm sure you know of Geto by now. Be careful; he's dangerous, especially with Sukuna and Kenjaku around."
Yuji's breath hitched as he read on. Most of the remaining information was about Kenjaku and his parents—things he already knew. But it was the heartfelt words that stuck with him. His vision blurred with tears as he whispered, "I'll make sure to make you proud... Dad."
Gojo sat quietly, respecting the moment. When Yuji finally looked up at the sky, Gojo spoke softly. "You ready to head back? We've got schooling to deal with and the other kids to look after."
Yuji wiped his eyes and stood. "Yeah. Where are the others?"
Gojo rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "I told them to head back to the dorms after I brought Yuko to them, but... something tells me they didn't listen."
Yuji was about to ask what he meant when he heard several footsteps approaching—one set faster than the others. He turned just in time to see Yuko barreling toward him.
"Uh—" Before he could finish, she slammed into him, wrapping her arms tightly around his torso.
"Never do something that stupid again!" she cried, tears streaming down her face. Her voice wavered between anger and relief.
Yuji's heart skipped a beat as he looked down at her. Dirty and bruised from the fight, she still looked beautiful to him. His face softened. "I'm sorry, Yuko. I didn't mean to worry you and the others." He gently tilted her chin up to meet his eyes. "I won't do it again, alright?"
Behind them, Gojo leaned toward Panda with a mischievous grin. "Told you—real lady killer, that one."
Panda's expression hardened. "I completely agree."
Yuko stared up at Yuji, her heart racing. She'd always been drawn to him—his kindness, his strength, even his recklessness. Everything about him pulled her in. Her breath hitched as she leaned in, her eyes narrowing slightly. Yuji's face inched closer to hers.
But suddenly, loud claps echoed through the group.
"Alright, lovebirds! We've got work to do!" Gojo's voice boomed, effectively shattering the moment. "We need to clean this place up, but I'll dump that on the higher-ups. For now, let's head back to Jujutsu High and make sure Yuko and Yuji get enrolled without any problems!"
Yuko and Yuji jumped apart, their faces burning with embarrassment. They both nodded quickly, avoiding eye contact.
Panda, carrying Inumaki, laughed heartily while Maki—stoic as ever—allowed herself a rare smile.
Gojo had finished all of Yuji and Yuko's paperwork for their enrollment into Jujutsu High when the higher-ups gave him a call....
Gojo sighed, staring at the unconscious girl slumped in the chair in front of him. Her long black hair hung over her face, obscuring her features. Cursed chains bound her tightly to the chair, a necessary precaution given what she'd done.
He rubbed the back of his neck, muttering to himself. "Yuta, huh? Why does a girl like you have a boy's name? Whatever. Not like I'm the one who named you." He leaned back in his chair, waiting for her to wake up.
Meanwhile, Yuta's thoughts spiraled into chaos. Memories she wanted to bury clawed their way to the surface.
"Long time no see, Okkotsu."
"Don't come near me."
"Oh, come on. Don't be so cold."
"I said don't!"
The voices blurred together, pulling her back to that moment. The bullies' laughter, the way they cornered her, and the rage bubbling beneath her skin.
"Do you know how much I've wanted to slug you?"
"Stop it."
"If you keep me on edge like this, I might just kill you."
"Don't come near me!"
And then Rika appeared.
The cursed spirit, the thing that wouldn't leave her side. Protecting her but ruining her life in equal measure.
"Rika-chan!"
She remembered their screams as Rika tore through the four boys who had tormented her. Their blood, the sound of their bones breaking, and the look of terror in their eyes replayed endlessly in her mind.
Gojo's mind raced as he sat across from the unconscious girl. The situation was absurd. A complete cover-up and a secret execution? Ridiculous. He tapped his fingers on the armrest of his chair, frustration bubbling beneath his composed exterior.
The higher-ups at Jujutsu Headquarters were predictable in their paranoia, but this? It was excessive, even by their standards. They wanted this girl—a mere 15-year-old child—eliminated. Their justification? The curse attached to her was too dangerous, and they didn't know how many more people she might curse to death. Her consent to the execution only made the situation more tragic. Gojo clenched his jaw.
"Idiots," he muttered under his breath. "Just throwing away talent because they're scared of something they don't understand."
The girl had already turned the tables on three Grade 2 sorcerers and even a Grade 1 sorcerer. That alone was impressive—terrifying for most, but impressive to Gojo. Her potential was undeniable. What the higher-ups saw as a threat, he saw as an opportunity. That was the difference between them.
He sighed heavily, leaning back in his chair. "That's why they turned to me," he mused. "Have they forgotten who I am? No, they just don't have any other options."
His lips curved into a wry smile. "And they're actually stupid enough to think I'd agree to this execution nonsense." He tilted his head, staring at the girl bound to the chair. Her breathing was steady, but her body was tense, as if she was fighting off nightmares even in sleep.
"Okkotsu Yuta," Gojo muttered thoughtfully. "She's got the potential to be one of the strongest sorcerers of her generation." He shook his head. "No way I'm letting them snuff her out before she even gets a chance to learn."
"I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry..."
The words repeated like a broken record as the events of that day haunted her. Yuta's breath hitched as she stirred, slowly opening her eyes to the sight of a man in a blindfold sitting casually in front of her.
"Finally awake?" Gojo asked, tilting his head slightly. His voice was light, but his eyes, hidden behind the blindfold, seemed to pierce through her.
Yuta's gaze dropped to the bent metal object on the floor.
"What's this, Okkotsu Yuta-kun?" Gojo asked, pointing at it.
"It used to be a knife," she replied flatly, her tone devoid of emotion. "I tried to die, but Rika-chan interfered."
Gojo raised an eyebrow. "That's dark."
Yuta looked away, dreading what was to come.
"You're starting at a new school today," Gojo announced, his tone casual but firm.
"I'm not going," Yuta replied immediately, her voice trembling. "I don't want to hurt anyone anymore. I'm not going outside."
Gojo leaned forward, resting his chin on his hand. "Living alone gets lonely, don't you think? The curse placed on you is powerful, but it doesn't have to destroy people. It can save them too, depending on how you use it."
He pulled out his phone and showed her a picture of Tokyo Jujutsu High. "This is Tokyo Jujutsu High School. You can learn to control your power here. If you want to throw it all away after that, fine. But at least give yourself the chance to make things right."
Yuta stared at the photo, her lips trembling slightly. For the first time in a while, she felt something stir in her—hope, or maybe just curiosity.