present

⚠️

The idea of the never ending pain around you came to mind, while you were carrying a box of weapons in your hands up the road with hell outside. It was burning hot and you were wearing a long sleeved uniform. Today was an easy day, you only had to make sure the weapons were safe as they were moved to the school. The breakfast went pretty well, all of you extremely satisfied with the food.

So now as the sun was settling down and the class was sitting at a table in school eating ice cream, your teacher approached you. "Sooo, I kinda forgot to tell you all, but I will be gone for a few days on a trip..."Gojo says and makes a funny face. Yuji and Nobara release an annoyed sigh, Megumi looks annoyed and you just make a blank expression.

"Do these trips happen often?" you ask eating your ice cream. "Occassionaly..."he responds. Not really thinking much of it you look at Megumi who is rolling his eyes. "Well... Since you will be gone for some time... Do you all want to watch a movie in my room tonight?" All of them said "yes" in unison and you couldn't help but laugh.

"Alrighty then! Does eight pm work for everyone?" They all nod and you remember you don't have all the snacks you need in your room.

After all of you finish your jobs, everyone goes to their rooms.

But on your way to your room, you notice a strange smell coming from the stairs. Unsure of what to do you stood in the hallway debating what to do. Curiosity got the best of you and deciding to follow the scent, you walk up the stairs. When you got to the other floor, in front of you were many rooms. It was dark even if it was the middle of the day.

Still following the scent, you looked around yourself before stopping in front of the door. You were certain it was coming from this room. Putting your hand on the door knob, you twist it slightly. The door was not locked and again you thought about going in. Shaking your head, you go inside.

The room was spacious, but it felt empty. On the window were dark curtains and the walls were light grey. But in the corner of the room was a bed and a chair next to it. Now you realized the scent was coming from the person sleeping on the bed.

Slowly you walked to the bed. You didn't know what to expect but a young girl certainly wasn't it. Your eyes widened at the sight. She is so pretty... But as you observed her face more you noticed a curse mark on her forehead. The girl was cursed. But she is so young... Who would do such a thing?

The curse on her seems strong but not complex. You sat on the chair and brought your hand closer to her face, specifically her mark. Your hand started glowing with cursed energy and with using reverse cursed technique you tried to close the curse.

It took a few minutes for sure but after removing your hand and let a tired exhale you noticed the girl shift. You nervously looked at her as her face slowly comes back to life.

The girl opens her eyes and seems to be in some sort of gaze. "Megumi..."she mumbles after a couple of blinks. Then she looks at you confused. "S-Sorry I'm not Megumi, I'm Y/n... But I can call him!" you stumble to say showing your phone as proof. She weakly nods and thanks you. Before you dial Megumi you take her hand in yours and to pass some energy and comfort.

With the other hand you called Megumi. As it rings, the girl motions with her hand to give her the phone. Unsure, you pass her the phone. It was still ringing but finally Megumi answers. "Yes, Y/n?" he answers casually. Some seconds flew by and when Megumi was about to call again, the girl spoke. "Megumi...?"

This time Megumi didn't say anything. He was, in fact, afraid to. You frowned when you felt his shaky voice on the phone. "Tsumiki?" You almost whimpered at the sound of his voice. It seems like they know each other... At the sound of his the girl, who you assumed is called Tsumiki, smiled softly.

"Hehe, it really is you... I'm...glad..."she managed to say weakly. You continued to give her energy but you will grow tired soon too. "I'm coming." Megumi states and hangs up. With that Tsumiki looks at you and breathes softly. You took both of your hands in hers and massaged her to relax her. Words like "You'll be okay" or "Don't worry" or "Everything is fine" kept repeating from your mouth.

As Tsumiki was listening to your encouraging words, Megumi rushed through the door. His eyes widened and the expression on his face was something you couldn't describe. You felt his tiredness and worry as he just stood there. "Hello... Megumi..." Tsumiki mumbled quietly. He comes closer to the bed and doesn't notice your hands as he takes Tsumiki's or actually your hands. "Nee-san... H-How?" Your eyebrows furrow at the name. You were confused because you knew they are not related. Which means... Stepsister. You didn't want to interrupt their moment so you kept quiet but you were running out of strength slowly.

It was only when Tsumiki looked at you, that Megumi truly noticed your presence. He let go of your hand and looked at the energy passing to his sister. You shake your head to Tsumiki and smile. Megumi gets the hint and turns back to her. "Are you feeling ok?" She slowly nodded her head too tired to speak.

You tried, you really did but you got tired too. You weren't the best at healing as well... Megumi noticed his stepsister slowly drifting off again. Panic rose inside his chest. "I'm... happy I... saw... you again..." And with that she falls back asleep. You gently let go of her hand, small sweat drifting off your face.

When you were about to talk to Megumi he grabbed you roughly by the shoulders. You flinched at the sudden contact. "Can you do that again Y/n please?! Can you help her? Can I do that?! Please..." The questions came one after another. He was shaking you by the shoulders, worry and panic all over his face.

Megumi stopped shaking you when you put your hands on top of his. You gave him a sad expression, feeling guilty. You shouldn't have come here. "I'm... sorry Megumi... I tried my best but..." Realizing there was nothing he or you could do, he let go of your shoulders. You noticed he did his best to hold in his emotions. He reminds me of someone...

Standing up slowly, you wrapped Megumi in a warm hug. He flinched a little not sure how to react. Shaking slightly he hugged you back and hid his face between your neck and shoulder. You rub his back, helping him calm down. Neither of you said anything. After some time you feel him relaxing. "Thank you Y/n..."You smiled and patted his head. "Of course, buddy..."

"Do you want me to tell you about it?" Megumi mumbles in your neck. But you shake your head and make him look at you. "I don't want to force you into anything... You can tell me when you are ready." He looks down feeling embarrassed.

"Can you not tell Gojo-sensei about this?" You make quite an expression, knowing full well that the mentioned man is in front of the room. You wanted to scold him for listening to other people's conversations...

"I won't..." you say and once again pat his head. Even though he was taller than you it felt like the right thing to do. You were happy he didn't feel uncomfortable when you did it.

"Want me to leave you alone now?" As much as you wanted to help him, you knew you weren't the right person at the moment. So when he nods, you hug him one more time and go to the door. When you open it you throw one last glance at your classmate. Then you close the door, not looking at the man next to them.

"I wonder what would've happened if I wasn't here..."Gojo says to you first as he follows behind you.

"It's rude to listen to other people's talk Gojo-san..."you say still not looking at him. He chuckles at your response and walks up next to you. "You truly know the way to a man's heart Y/n-chan... Also... Exactly how long haven't you used your powers?"

Suddenly the ceiling looked very interesting to you.

Gojo was still looking at you expecting an answer. But you just glanced the other way. Out of nowhere he put one of his long legs on the wall, not letting you pass. You stare at the long leg and then back at him. "Answer me Y/n..."

With a blank expression, not for a second leaving his gaze, you pass through his leg like a ghost, using your technique. Again you continue going forward. Gojo gawks and quickly turns his way back to you, annoyed. "You can't just do that to avoid problems!" He yells when he gets closer to you. Gojo almost bumps into you when you stop.

"...seven years..." It seemed he didn't hear you right because he moved his ear closer to you. "S-Seven years..."you repeat. Both of you stand there, neither saying anything. It's only when Gojo hits your head karate style that the atmosphere changes. "Ouchh!"

"Are you an idiot?! Are you, Y/n?!"Gojo screams at your face. You put your hands where he hit you and crouch a little. "T-There was no need for me to use them Gojo-san... So I didn't..."you say as Gojo huffs at your response. He wasn't angry at you, but more like frustrated. It's a big problem when a sorcerer doesn't use their technique for a long time... You wanted to change the topic quickly.

"I shouldn't have come there..." As an answer to your statement Gojo pats your head. "You know that's not true. Both you and me know Megumi was happy to see her." Even though you were still unsure you nodded your head. But... Whoever put the curse on Tsumiki is truly skilled at cursing. You frown because of your selfish thoughts you weren't able to help her.

Because your thoughts were being too occupied with Tsumiki you didn't notice when Gojo stopped in front of you until you softly crushed into him. He didn't seem fazed by it and pointed to your door. "We made it to your room..."Gojo states. You blink a few times and stare at the door. You slightly bow and say "thank you" to Gojo-san before closing the door without him saying goodbye. He stood confused at your door before shrugging it off and walked back to Megumi.

As you got in your room, you take some casual clothes from the wardrobe. You still had to buy those snacks for the movie. Even if you didn't feel like it. Widening your eyes, you hit both of your cheeks with your hand. What's with that attitude Y/n?! Come on I'm going!!

Finally taking your wallet and phone you walk out of your room. The walk to the store wasn't long. This time there was an elderly lady at the cashier and, since you didn't know what everyone liked, you just took one of each snacks from chips to chocolates and biscuits. For drinks you have a special surprise.

You thanked the lady and walked out of the store. But as you were about to head back a woman stopped you. "Young lady. Do you have a moment?" When you turn around, a woman, who looks to be in her early thirties, greets you.

So here you are now, in some sort of exhibit store, with lots of photos and figures in the room. The room was simple probably to attract more to the figures and pictures to sell. In the center of the room was a vase with weird drawings on it.

"This is the vase of happiness. The unknown potter put all his heart and spirit into perfecting it, making it a very spiritual vase. The owner will be blessed just by having it in their house..."the woman explains. You knew she was lying and that it was just a simple vase but you didn't have the courage to tell her. What does catch your attention is a silver ring in a corner of the room. You felt a very familiar energy from it. The woman glares at you when you move to the ring.

The ring was made of silver and had some writings you didn't understand on the side. But on the top of the ring was a gemstone with the purest blue color you have ever seen.

The woman notices your interest and cuts in. "That's not a very special ring, but it is beautiful indeed. The gemstone on top is Paraiba tourmaline... The usual price is about 2000¥ but I am willing to make it 1500¥ for you!"

You were listening to her but your gaze was still on the ring. Your eyes got lost on the gemstone as you put a hand over your heart, feeling a very weird bubbly feeling. Somehow it felt like it belonged to you even if you never saw it before.

Ah... I see Gojo-san's eyes... It has the same color as his eyes... You subconsciously squeeze your hand over your heart. What is this feeling... I feel... when I look at this...?

You didn't notice the woman calling for you a couple of times. "I'll take it..."you mumble still staring at it.

The woman smiles and takes it out of the box and hands it to you. Even when you put it in your hands, the feeling didn't leave. The woman then puts it on your finger after you give her the money.

But then she turns you around and pushes you to the vase again. "Hey, why don't you touch it? The texture here is grainy and it feels rather nice..."she says as she puts your hands on the vase.

Out of nowhere she pushes you by the elbow and the vase starts falling down. Panic feels you and you quickly reach for it. The woman grins but as the vase was about to fall on the ground it stopped mid-space and you caught it. "That was close..."you sigh relieved.

As it was almost back on its spot, the woman tackles your back and the vase hits the part of its spot and breaks on the top. Sweat starts dropping from your face. "Ah, you broke it..."the woman states looking at the vase. "Ah, no- I..." You didn't know what to do.

"Are you saying I broke it?" Your head starts shaking no but then a man walks in with his hands in his pants. "What is thisss? She broke the vase? That will be a million yen for repair pleaseee..." the man says when he walks in front of you.

"I-I don't have that type of money..."you respond, trying to stay composed. How pathetic, Y/n. You knew what they are trying and you can't do anything. Maybe you should've just stayed in the village...

"But you have your phone don't you?" the woman asks, leaning in. The phone was in the pocket of your jacket which means they couldn't see it. "I l-left it at my room..." When you finished that sentence your phone started ringing. Great... The woman and the man grin waiting for you to answer.

Gulping, you take the phone out of your pocket. It was Gojo-san. Shaking a little, you turn around and answer it.

"Yo, Y/n! Where-"

"G-Goj-jo-s-san!" At the sound of your voice Gojo gripped his phone. Your voice was shaking and you never answered your phone like this when he called you.

"Where are you?" you flinched when you heard his seriousness. His voice was deep and demanding. It almost made you frown and look down in shame, like you did something wrong.

So when Gojo arrives to the mysterious store looking serious you don't dare to look at his face, instead face down and play with your new ring. It was noticeable to Gojo how nervous you were and he couldn't deny he was angry about it but he kept his cool... for now.

"Whatcha doing, Y/n-chan?" His tone sounded playful but you knew better. Without looking at him you point to the broken vase on the shelf. "I see..." Gojo sighs at the sight. He knew you could fix it but you thought it'd be too dangerous or you were just scared.

"Are you this girl's guardian, sir? The fixing of the vase will cost a million yen at least..."the woman explains, but you noticed she was gawking at the figure of your teacher. "Are you saying Y/n broke that cheeeeaaappp-looking vase?"Gojo asks already sounding bored.

Your eyes widen when the man steps closer to Gojo with a dark expression on his face. "What'd you say? Looks like you don't know how this world works. Want me to make sure you never work again?" the man replies, gripping Gojo by his uniform. Panic rose in you at the thought of a fight, not for Gojo but for the poor man.

But the teacher just grinned, bent his back and wiggled his arms. "Ow, ow, you totally just broke my rib cage! That will be 250000¥ for the hospital bill..."he says and extands his hand. The man stands back and looks angrily at the sorcerer. "Y-You can't be serious, asshole!" the man yells, tightening his fists.

"And now that's psychological damage, which is another 250000¥..."

"Don't screw with me, dumbass!!"

"Your breath stinks. That's another 250000¥..."

"Hey!!!"

"Your voice is loud. That's the final 250000¥. Now that's equal to what she owes you for that vase. That's the kind of business you guys are running." The man and the woman are left speechless, while you stare amazed at your teacher.

"Let's go Y/n." Gojo motions for you to follow him. You silently obey him as you grab the snacks and exit the store leaving the people inside alone.

Gojo notices your quiet figure but doesn't say anything. He should scold you, no, he knows he must scold you but whenever he even tries to glance at your face, his heart squeezes at your frown. It makes him not able to say anything.

"Thank you Gojo-san..."

At the sound of your voice his ears perk. He looks at you but you are still staring down. The way his heart stopped when he heard your voice did not go unnoticed by the tall man. Your voice sounded so weak and sad, he wanted nothing more than to hug you and say that everything is okay. But he had to stay the way he is.

"And?" He almost felt bad at his reply when he saw your frown become gloomier. He knew you understood your mistake but that still doesn't mean he can be all fine with it.

"And I'm sorry for going with strangers..."Gojo had to bite the inside of his cheek to control himself. He squeezed his hands into fists and exhaled softly. Finally he fully looked at you. He smiled and suddenly pulled your cheeks.

You yelped when he pulled your cheek and you looked confused, but happy, when you saw his smile. "Your cheeks puff when you frown. It's cute." he teases with a cheeky grin.

Gojo's eyes widen at the sight of your blushing face. His heart starts thumping and he was afraid you could actually hear it. You move his hand and look the other way. Gojo noticed that even your ears turned red. They looked so tempting to touch and it took every nerve in his hand to stop himself from doing that.

"I-I'm sorry... I-It's the first time someone called me cute..."you mumble so quietly, Gojo had to lean in to hear you properly.

Any normal person would also be bashful, tease or simply not react but not Gojo. No, he was angry. What do you mean the first time? How can someone like you not be cute? But instead of reacting to his anger, what surprised you more was the scent you learned recently.

You turn your head, confused to see Gojo frowning slightly. Oh no. Was he offended by what you said? Before you could ask him, you found yourself in front of the school. Oh... That was fast. You walk inside still unsure what to say.

"I-I'm very thankful Gojo-san! So if there's anything I could do for you-"

And Gojo stops when you say that. You stop with him still holding the light bags in your arms. An idea popped inside Gojo's mind and he smiled to himself. "Actually, there is something..."