16 May 2005
Approximately 8:45 A.M.
Yokohama, Japan

“This way!”

Being a Grade 4 sorcerer meant you were put with higher grades on missions. Some said it was for the experience, others said it was for the backup. You said it was for entertainment. Like right now. Yaga had come up to you early this morning, before classes even started, and told you you’d be accompanying another sorcerer to a mission in Yokohama. Sounds exciting, right? Being able to see cool sorcerers in action?

Wrong.

The sorcerer you were placed with lay on the ground, in an unconscious heap, ass in the air and face pressed against the concrete, snoring. Unbelievable! And here you were, left with the auxiliary manager as you tried to evacuate everyone in the area, and try to keep the raging curse away. The curtain was up, and you were rushing to get everyone to safety before someone got seriously hurt.

“Hurry! Get outside of the curtain!” You called, ushering the group of people out. They were the workers from the inside of the factory the curse was attacking. Your guess was an angry worker who died in the last explosion not too long ago. You read about curses like these before.

“Someone! Please, help!”

“Get everyone out!” You said, facing the auxiliary manager. He nodded. You ran forward, pulling the chain from your side. It wrapped around the woman’s ankle and you were quick to yank her back before the curse could slam its hand over her.

“Sorry!” You said, knowing that the road burn would sting. But it was better than dying. “That way! He’ll get you out!” You said, pointing to the auxiliary manager.

“Th-thank you!” She cried. You smiled and ushered her off. Sensing the curse, you jumped out of the way, rolling into your shoulder before back onto your feet. When you jumped up, the curse smacked its palm where you would have been.

The thing was way bigger than you, maybe the size of a school bus. Its body was a mix of twisted limbs and red and black burned flesh, and its cries were distorted and of agony. You felt so bad for the poor soul that turned into this. So you wanted to end it quickly.

You used the Kusarigama and threw it up, successfully wrapping it around the curse’s arm. With all your strength and a grunt of force, you pulled it down. With your free hand, you did the same.

“Cursed Chain Technique: Bound By Shackles!”

The chains returned to your hands, the handle of the Kusarigama falling into your palm. A light formed around the curses wrists, pinning it down to the ground. Its scream was ear-piercing and loud, making you wince.

“Chain Technique: Execution!”

The Kusarigama shot from your hands, curling around the curse’s neck. You wrapped your arm around the chain for a better grasp before pulling, making the chain tighten. The curse cried again, but this time, it was cut off as its neck snapped, the loud pop filling the air. Soon, it began to decay. You pulled the chain back, panting.

“Okay, now that that’s finished,” You muttered to yourself, looking towards the still sleeping sorcerer. “Let’s go back.”

Throwing him over your shoulder, you were given many odd stares by the civilians as you walked past. Some of them thanked you, others just stared, amazed by your strength. The manager opened the door, allowing you to place the man inside.

“Good job, L/n-san. I’ll be sure to give my report to the council.”

You bowed. “Thank you, very much.”

…

“Not only did you fall asleep, leaving a first-year student alone, but you also endangered the lives of hundreds of people!”

You awkwardly stood in the room, hands behind your back as the older man beside you was getting his ass ripped by your superiors. The man yelling was so fired up his face was beginning to turn red from how much he was screaming.

“But of course,” The man said, much softer as he looked at you. “None of this was your fault, sweetheart. You did an excellent job of exorcising the curse and evacuating everyone through the curtain. Simply magnificent work. Unlike this stupid oaf!”

Ah. There it goes again. Poor guy. Hope he wouldn’t lose his job over this. You waited until the man was finished screaming, and when he eased himself back into the desk chair.

“L/n Y/n, that’s your name?” He asked, his attention turning to you. Oh, you hope he wouldn’t yell at you. You’d probably start crying.

“Y-yessir.”

“And you defeated this curse all by yourself?”

“That’s correct.”

The man stroked the stubble on his chin. “What’s your school again? Kyoto?”

“Tokyo Jujutsu High, sir,”

“Ah. Yaga-san is your teacher, correct?”

“Yessir.”

“Well, I think he’ll be pleased to know one of his students was just promoted to a Grade 2,” He said, scribbling his pen across some papers.

“H-huh? Si-Sir, I’m only a Grade 4!”

“That curse you executed so easily would have been classified as a Grade 2, one that only a Grade 1 or 2 could have exorcised. You have a very promising future ahead of you, L/n. You are dismissed to return to your classes. Oh and, congratulations.”

“Y-yeah. Thank you, very much!”

You bowed before turning to leave. When the door was shut, you silently pumped your fist into the air with a quiet: “Hell yeah!”

After collecting your bag, you slung it over your shoulder before pulling your phone out. You called your father when you were settled in the back of the car transporting you back to Tokyo. You couldn’t help but smile when you heard your father’s voice.

“Hey, Chichi, guess what?”

“I-I’d love to, pumpkin, but I’m kinda swarmed with paperwork right now! I can’t really talk right now! But, I can pick you up after school and you can tell me everything, okay? I gotta go! Love you, baby!”

You didn’t even get another word in before the dial tone was beeping in your ears. You slowly removed the phone from your ear, closing it with a snap. The keychains from it jingled as you let your phone rest in your lap. You turned your head to face the window, letting your forehead fall against the cool glass.

“Yeah. Love you too.”

When you arrived back at the school, you were first met with Geto and Gojo sparring in the field. Ieiri was the first to see you, jumping to her feet with a call of your name. She skipped towards you, wrapping you in her arms.

“We heard about what happened! Congrats!”

“You’re now a higher level than all of us,” Geto said, knocking Gojo to the ground. The white-haired boy groaned, holding a thumbs-up in the air.

“G-great job, Y/n-chan.”

“Congratulations, Y/n,” Yaga placed a hand on your shoulder as he walked by, shooting you a rare grin. “Your hard work is beginning to pay off. Unlike these idiots.”

“Sensei! That’s mean!” Gojo whined.

You glanced back at your phone, reading the message your father sent you.

I’m sorry, pumpkin. I can’t make it tonight. I’ll come by in the morning, so be ready to get breakfast with me! Love you so much, kiddo! Can’t wait to hear what you have to tell me.
-Chichi

You sighed.