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She stares out the window, watching as raindrops begin to patter against the glass. They slowly drip down, licking at the surface with their thick drops. Utahime didn't expect rain, but that's her own fault for not checking the forecast.
The curse is located at an abandoned high school. It caught fire a few years ago, and instead of fixing the place up, they'd simply moved locations, leaving this one to be overgrown and worn down. It's no surprise to Utahime that curses were thriving in a location like this. Flipping through the file, she notes a few deaths which occurred during the fire. Never a good sign. They claim the curse is a level 2, but she's starting to wonder if that's really the case.
Something about this makes Utahime feel uneasy.
She likes to think of cursed energy like water. It flows naturally, like the drops falling from the sky, and she wonders how much will be around this school. Will it have been engulfed, swallowed up by an ocean of curses, or protected by a moat? Perhaps it will be more like puddles, gathered in small areas that sink toward the ground.
The rain trickles down the window, and she focuses on the sound of the tap, tap, tapping on the hood of the car and she can almost hear Gojo Satoru's nasally laugh cackling above the gush of wind.
"Utahime! Don't cry!"
She can remember when missions used to make her heart pound, her mind race. Scenarios would run through her mind, worries and thoughts of what might happen constantly plaguing her before she went off with her manager. Now, she wonders how long until the mission is finished. She supposes that goes hand in hand with getting older, being more confident.
She most certainly is not going to cry on this mission; she will leave the tears to the clouds in the sky above.
Utahime pulls air in through her nose, brushing her finger over the file. She's never been very good at reading Gakuganji; his expression is often stoic and unmoving, and she never quite knows how to take him. She doesn't exactly trust his judgment of her, given that he is one of the older members of Jujutsu society, and Utahime is well aware of what that means for her.
It's another reason this mission makes her all the more uneasy.
The aura in Gakuganji's office had been tense, the elderly man staying quiet while Utahime smoothed out the pleats on her red hakama.
The breath Gakuganji exhaled was drawn out, the air trembling between his lips. It was as if it physically pained him to explain this particular situation, and honestly, given his history, Utahime wouldn't exactly be shocked.
"There's a mission," he had grumbled, his expression covered up by his long bushy eyebrows.
Her eyes widened, her fingers curling around each other as she kept them placed behind her back. She squeezed her hands, pausing to process his words. "A mission?" she asked, pushing the old man to give her more information.
"Mm." His head barely moved, a weak nod. "We have to send you."
She wasn't surprised by his choice of words. 'We have to send you.' Because there is a shortage of sorcerers and really, they have no other options. Or it's a low level, despite her semi-grade 1 sorcerer status.
Which really, her status should be higher, but that's definitely a battle she let go of a long time ago.
"You know we don't normally like to send the teachers." He coughed after that, as if choking on his lie.
She bowed her head politely. "The students are my top priority, and I will make certain they are not left in the dark about this situation."
"Please come back safely," he said, his voice quieter. Utahime wondered if he meant the words, or if it would just be inconvenient for him to have to find a new teacher.
"I will do my best to honor our school." Then, she was dismissed, a numbness settling over her body.
She doesn't really have a choice in the matter. If she's asked to go on a mission, she will go. The only one brave enough to go against the higher-ups is Gojo, and she's absolutely nothing like him. It's not as if she doesn't want to help people, it's why she became a sorcerer. However, there was a time when Utahime believed she could be something more in the Jujutsu world.
Something special.
What a joke. Besides the fact that she's a woman, she's not from any of the big clans, so why would the higher-ups ever put any trust in her. She's resigned herself to her status. The Jujutsu world has never been kind to females, herself included. Mei Mei and Shoko are the two women she is closest to, and neither have ever been treated with as much respect as they deserve. Mei Mei has never cared, as long as she was paid, and Shoko, despite having an incredible gift, had always been pushed aside for her stronger classmates, Geto and Gojo. At least, until one of them was gone.
And as much as Utahime ‘dislikes’ Gojo Satoru, she supposes she's happy he seems to constantly fight the higher-ups. He wants to change their world for the better, even if he goes about it in strange, awful ways she doesn't necessarily agree with.
She certainly never expected him to become a teacher. Then again, she never expected either of them to become teachers. She was never so naive to think she would ever be as strong as he was, however, she wanted to believe she could've been a strong sorcerer in her own right.
Maybe, in a way, she is.
The car comes to a stop outside the school and she bows to her manager, stepping out of the car. He offers her an umbrella, but she refuses. She won’t be here long.
The school is more than dilapidated, and it's amazing what nature can do to a man-made structure in a few short years. Vines curl up the side of the building, glass shards scatter the ground where rocks flew through. Unruly teens probably stirring up a bit of trouble.
For a brief moment, Utahime wonders what it would've been like to be a normal teenager. Would she have snuck into abandoned buildings without a care in the world? Curses would've been a thing of myth and mystery, not a reality. Maybe she would've trespassed, stole alcohol, kissed a boy, and who knows what other teenage shenanigans she could've gotten up to.
Her teenage years were very different, and momentarily, she thinks about the girls in her class.
Before leaving, she saw Miwa, Mai and Momo in the courtyard, eating lunch. As per normal, Miwa looked distressed about something, while Mai and Momo calmly ate their small bentos.
A warmth washes over Utahime. Perhaps she likes the idea of coming home to her students, focusing on them and cultivating their knowledge, and early sorcery careers. As much as she wonders what her life would've been like had she focused on missions, or been an average human, she no longer can imagine not having students. The girls especially always ignite memories inside of her, recalling her own teenage years.
"Utahime-sensei!" Miwa called out, waving her hand frantically, her blue ponytail swishing behind her.
Miwa is hardworking, though she's not very strong. While Momo and Mai have natural talent, Miwa has built herself from the ground up; Utahime respects her more than the girl realizes.
"Good afternoon, girls," Utahime had said, stepping over to the table.
"Care to join us for lunch, Sensei?" Momo offered, her round cheeks puffed out with her smile, her face eager and excited.
Admittedly, Utahime doesn't recall ever being so kind to her own teachers.
Utahime cupped her hands in front of her and slowly shook her head. "Unfortunately ladies, I have to go on a mission today," she had explained.
Miwa immediately pouted. "Aw man, that means we'll have that substitute teacher. He's awful," she groaned, letting her head fall back. "Promise you'll be back soon?"
Smiling, Utahime nodded, gently squeezing Miwa's shoulder. "Of course," she said, without hesitation.
She supposes she should've been more cautious about making those sorts of promises. At any moment, in the field, a sorcerer could die. She actually thinks it's a bit of a miracle she's made it to the age of 31.
"Good!" Miwa smiled, not a lick of doubt in her voice.
"It definitely won't be the same without you," Momo sighed, leaning on her palm. "You're the only one who actually teaches us."
Utahime doesn't consider the girls to be naive; they've already experienced plenty in their lives, enough to know what it means to live the life of a Jujutsu sorcerer. However, they are often filled with a great deal of hope, their minds and bodies eager to prove themselves.
"Well, take a small break," Utahime winked. "Just for a day."
Mai had scoffed and rolled her eyes. "We don't need to take a break, Sensei."
Utahime paused for a moment, then. She can be a bit over-attentive, especially when it comes to her students. She pushes them, especially the girls, because she, of all people, knows how difficult it is to be a woman and make it in the world of sorcery. However, she hadn't expected them to be so disappointed.
When she was a student, she certainly wouldn't have been bothered by having a day to slack off.
Maybe she was just never as dedicated as they are now.
"Eh," Miwa sighed, an awkward smile on her lips. "I wouldn't mind a day off!"
"Of course you wouldn't," Mai snorted.
The Zen'in girl has always been testy compared to the others, though Utahime expects it from her. She's had the displeasure of interacting with a few of the Zen'ins before, Naobito and his horrid son, Naoya. She tries not to blame Mai for her behavior. Utahime can't imagine what it was like growing up in the clan, among men like that.
"Mai," Utahime had explained softly. "It's important to rest, too. It's far easier to build up your strength when you take some time to yourself."
She scoffed again but didn't answer. Perhaps she knew Utahime was right.
"Be safe then, Sensei!" Miwa smiled, the other girls nodding along with her.
"Let the boys know I'll be back in a day or two, okay?" She waved, leaving the girls to finish their lunch.
Hopefully, they finished before the rain began.
She stares at the waves of dark purple and blue energy emanating off of the school. It's impossible for her not to see it, it's impossible for her not to feel it, and the scar on her face stings.
She's glad they’re choosing to send her and not the girls. As much as she wants the girls to experience field work and be given missions, she doesn't want them to take things on before they're ready.
Pulling in a deep breath, she makes her way toward the school, stepping over a pile of rubble in the front entryway. Blue paint is faded on the walls of the hallway, scraped away by time and no maintenance.
The stench is the first thing she notices, something akin to moldy, rotting wood, and she gags, trying to keep the noise quiet. The longer she can go without alerting any curses to her presence, the better.
She brushes her hand along the wall, the energy growing stronger the deeper into the school she walks. Graffiti and various silly character drawings line the hallways, and in one classroom she sees tallies marked on the chalkboard. In big letters it reads: Test of Courage.
Of course. Anytime local teens hear about a haunting, it's like they have nothing better to do than to go explore the scene themselves. "Tch," she clicks her tongue. "No wonder this place looks like crap."
A noise at the end of the hall makes her gasp, and she presses her back to the wall, slipping into the classroom. She reaches her hand into her kosode, wrapping her fingers around the handle of the microphone, knowing she'll have to sing to beat the curse.
Peering down the hallway, it's impossible to miss the hulking curse which meanders through the space. Its slug-like, mustard-colored body takes up the expanse of the hall. It groans, multiple eyes popping out over its head. Utahime doesn't look at it long enough to count how many it has.
She stands against the wall, her chest heaving. The energy is heavy in the room; the curse is far stronger than the file let on. How long has it been left to roam free? How many years has it grown stronger and stronger with negative human emotions seeping into its pores.
It has been a long while since Utahime has had such a formidable opponent, and she sucks in a breath of air. With how big the creature's body is, she knows she will be able to outrun the thing, but more importantly, will her cursed technique be enough to defeat it?
Swallowing, Utahime purses her lips and pulls the microphone from her shirt. She sucks in a deep breath and steps out into the hallway, facing the creature down. Its multitude of eyes turn toward her, immediately homing in on her presence by the classroom door. It lets out a loud screech, slinking toward her faster than she anticipated. The moldy smell of the curse wafts into her nose and she covers up her face to breathe, trying not to cough and dry out her throat.
Holding the microphone up to her lips, she lets out a long high note, the sound reverberating. When she sings using her cursed energy, it always sounds hollow, a high-pitched, ringing, empty sound which has the power to destroy curses. She can also use it to lure curses in, a nifty skill when she wants to brainwash low-level curses for her students to practice against. However, she currently has no desire to bring this disgusting monster closer to her.
The sound echoes through the school, her cursed energy wrapping around the creature, penetrating the noise into its skin, like sharp arrows from a bow. It freezes in its tracks, and lets out a loud yelping noise, wriggling around and smashing its body against the wall, cracks creaking up through the foundation, pieces of the ceiling crashing to the ground. A large chunk of concrete hits its tail and it wails, moving down the hallway faster toward her.
She has to try a higher note, something sharper that she can aim directly toward its chest. Swallowing, she kicks herself for not bringing water to coat her throat with.
Supporting her breath deep in her diaphragm, she can feel her cursed energy flowing through her body, collecting in her throat. She lets out a piercing high note, as high as she can possibly muster, the sound shrieking in the derelict hallway.
The monster's cry is heard through the school, it makes her ears sing and she covers them, doubling over from the pain throbbing in her head. It screams, wiggling against the wall as it breaks itself free enough to slither down the hallway faster.
Immediately, Utahime steps back, making her way back toward the entrance.
She cannot let this thing win.
Utahime clenches her microphone, slamming her eyes shut. Pulling in a deep breath, she steadies herself to sing again. Her throat is tired, her body too. It's been a long while since she's had to expend so much cursed energy in one sitting, but she wants to believe she can do this. For herself, for her students. She opens her mouth, about to sing once more and-
A loud explosion rings in her ears, her body flying backward until a hand steadies her, gripping her shoulder hard. She gasps, grunting from the force of the motion, and she slowly opens her eyes, her ears ringing. Purple static glistens down the hallway, the place completely destroyed.
Utahime immediately knows who the hand on her shoulder belongs to.
"Gojo-" She growls, and jerks away from him, stumbling backward.
"Hi hi, Utahime!" He waves cheerfully, blindfold draped around his neck. Given the use of his powers, she's not surprised his bright cerulean eyes are uncovered.
Her brow twitches and she stares at him. "I could've handled that."
"Ah, Utahime! Is that any way to thank me for just saving your life?" He chuckles, folding his arms behind his head. He leans in, his bright eyes staring into hers. "I was impressed to see you handling this so proudly, no tears at all!"
"What. Are. You. Doing. Here," she snarls through grit teeth, stepping back from him. She knows better than to try and push him away; he'll simply keep Infinity up.
Gojo shrugs. "I was on the lookout for a high-level curse in this area. Imagine my surprise when I heard the high pitched voice of an absolute angel~" He hums, rocking back and forth on his feet.
"Shut up," she snaps, glancing back down the hall. She supposes she is grateful. Normally a curse like that would exorcize when she sang her highest note, however... Perhaps this one was a little out of her league. Folding her arms across her chest, she huffs out a long breath of air, her throat feeling scratchy and dry. "...but thanks."
"Of course, of course!" Gojo says, waving his hand nonchalantly. "I'm surprised to see you away from your students. How unlike you!"
Utahime nods, pressing her teeth into her lower lip for a brief moment. "Indeed. I was surprised Gakuganji sent me on a mission. Apparently they're really low on sorcerers at the moment." Still, she's not certain how true that is.
"I see~" Gojo hums softly, a dark look crossing through his eyes. It's rare she sees him so serious, but she supposes he's not thinking anything she hasn't thought herself. "Let me know if they send you on more missions. I'm always happy to help a fair maiden in distress," he says, bowing to her.
She snorts, folding her arms across her chest. "Yeah, right. Like I said... I could've handled it."
"Right, right. Of course~!" He pulls the blindfold back up over his eyes, smiling at her. There's something so unsettling about looking at him like that. He pauses, tucking his hands into the pocket of his pants. "I’m glad you’re okay," He’s quieter when he says it, and Utahime’s heart skips a beat in her chest. It’s embarrassing to admit she needed help, but she’s honestly grateful he showed up.
"Yeah," she mumbles. "Thank you." Stepping closer to him, she almost reaches to take his hand, but pulls back. This isn’t the time or place for things like that. "Gojo, why did you choose to become a teacher?" she asks instead.
"Ah, that's easy," he chuckles. "I wanted to shape the future of our society. No more of the old Jujutsu world. Things need to be better. I want to be free of these higher-ups," he smirks. "The best way to do that is with strong allies of course! And who better to train them than me."
It's a shockingly honest answer from him, a rarity, but Utahime appreciates it nonetheless. She, too, hopes to shape the future of Jujutsu into something better.
"I see," she nods.
"Why do you ask?" Gojo tilts his head, his eyes trailing over her face. She knows he’s following the outline of her scar.
Utahime sighs, "It doesn’t seem like something you would do."
A large smirk pulls across Gojo’s lips and he winks playfully. "I’ll have you know I’m full of surprises, Utahime-senpai~!" he hums, and she immediately pushes past him, rolling her eyes.
"Don’t be like that!" he whines and she flicks her hand back and forth.
"Sorry, can’t hear you! I’m in a rush! My students need me!" Peering over her shoulder, she watches him follow her casually.
"That’s okay!" he calls out, zipping to her side. Leaning down, his lips brush against her ear. "We can talk later. Tonight?"
Utahime’s cheeks flush, her heart pounding in her ears as a shiver rolls down her spine. She recognizes his tone, knows what it means. She knows she won’t say no, she never can to him. "Fine," she huffs. Besides, regardless of what they might do, they have other things to discuss; these high level curses, Gakuganji. And if Gojo kisses her like he was terrified for her life today, Utahime certainly wouldn’t mind. "Tonight," she says, swallowing hard before Gojo teleports away and she makes her way back to the car, hoping no one saw how close Gojo was to her.
Utahime arrives back at the school to find the girls training, despite urging them to take their time to rest. Momo zips through the air, floating behind Mai who has bested Miwa, now sitting on her butt. She's laughing, in good spirits as always. Utahime can imagine she'll be jealous she worked with Gojo. And if she knew what they would do later, Miwa would probably pass out.
"Hello girls!" Utahime calls out. "Working hard, I see!"
They all freeze, looking sheepishly at their teacher.
"No, no," she shakes her head. "Don't let me stop you."
Immediately, they all begin their training once more, Mai holding out her hand to Miwa. Her students have always been full of energy and determination.
Looking at them, Utahime has never been more certain she's made the right choice. She will make sure they train to shape their future into a better Jujutsu society, a place where they can flourish and carve out their own paths. Utahime is happy to lead them in the right direction.