dailyutahime

scar origins

when mei-mei departs from the school to work independently, utahime begins to step up at the kyoto campus. graduating as a grade two sorcerer, iori's goal was to achieve the grade one status like her peers. she began training and planning relentlessly despite the pleading from principal gakuganji to not over exert herself. while the faculty and higher ups disagreed with her tireless pleading and often voiced that she was simply too unequipped for the task and grade level, utahime refused to cease her attempts. after a year of preparation and convincing, she is permitted to go on her very first solo mission against a semi-grade one curse. this event is how utahime gets her scar at 21 years old.

upon arrival, she immediately notices she is not within her capabilities. her hits land but do not do nearly enough damage to fully subdue the curse. in a fit of panic and embarrassment her own failed attempt at slaying the curse, she prepared to activate her cursed technique. due to her own frazzled state of mind, she could not completely focus and as a result, solo forbidden area did not reach a level of input sustainable to protect her from the curse's defense attack against her. iori's face was slashed violently. the shock and pain caused her to faint and out of consciousness, her veil automatically ceased allowing the curse to flee. she remained there until she was found later in the night by a concerned gakuganji.

after she is patched up and healed as best as she can be with the assistance of shoko ieiri, utahime refuses to explain what occurred. gakuganji makes the assumption that she did successfully handle the curse and utahime impulsively does not correct him. the aftermath of this ordeal results in her being promoted to semi-grade one at his insistence and subsequent pity. for utahime, it does not feel like a well earned victory but a participation trophy at best.

much to her family's disappointment, utahime's brash and rebellious ways cause her to be unmarried at the age of 31. while everyone around her finds this predicament to be a tragic case, she takes it in stride. iori spends her time reading romance and battle novels as well as writing her own stories revolving around women as thrilling protagonists who find true love on their own terms.

in the year 1698, utahime is taken by a group of samurai and kept as entertainment for the emperor, shoguns and other high ranking officials. during these five years, she grows resentful and after an unsuccessful escape attempt that leaves her beaten and left to die, this accumulation of the negative and pained energy causes her to transform into a yōkai. iori spends her eternity feeding on humans she deems unworthy of living.

with both a psych and journalism degree, utahime is never at one place for too long, a freelancer with a taste for the controversial and underreported cases and events, this field leaves iori often at the center of several dangers.

raised in the industry, utahime's parents entered her in pageants, recitals, and competitions since she was old enough to walk. she attends a ballerina academy and secures a contract to travel through several countries and cities to perform. being able to get a glimpse of different cultures and lifestyles, she begins to wonder if this is truly the life she loves or if it is just the one she was forced into.

after being discovered at a high school talent show, utahime iori climbs the ranks quickly as an up and coming idol. then at the height of her career, after the final show of her tour, her driver swerves their car to avoid a crowd of fans. this accident results in a street sign going through the windshield and permanently scarring her face. she not only deals with the aftermath of survivors guilt, but the anxiety of having to be seen as no longer pristine and "beautiful".