Untitled

𝕂𝕠𝕣𝕚

Chapter - 3:

The Kori clan had always been a cult posing as a clan. Operating in the deep shadows of the jujutsu world, their existence was known only to corrupt higher-ups and the members sworn to their secrets. They practiced various rituals forbidden in the jujutsu world. Prohibited because they were used entirely for self-interest, which included aiding others only in exchange for something greater. A deep sense of superiority permeated the clan; after all, they held knowledge that most of society remained blind to. In order for the rituals to work, the clan needed an heir capable of absorbing negative energy. It was a hereditary trait, and only through such an heir could the rest of the clan achieve the ability themselves. Most members possessed weak and unstable absorption. They could perform simple rituals, but the more significant ones remained entirely out of reach. Even basic rituals demanded grueling effort and constant practice. None could compare to Hina and her younger twin brother, Hikaru; The heirs of the Kori clan in the modern era.

Rituals were not the only thing their absorption could accomplish. Birth of local curses could be suppressed, though it was nowhere near enough to combat the overwhelming number of curses in the world. It barely made a dent. Still, their absorption possessed a secondary, involuntary effect: they acted as emotional sponges, inadvertently soaking up the misery of those nearby and leaving them with a hollow, fleeting sense of peace.

For Hina and Hikaru, the ability came naturally.

Yet the gift was far from a blessing.

It was forbidden for a reason, wreaking havoc on both the mind and the body. Unless one could utilize the Reversed Cursed Technique, the ability was essentially a slow poison— and even then, it was a harrowing power to possess. Although absorption came with a healing factor, it was like a dimming light fighting against the wind; a constant struggle to endure the filth. Clan members had to go through it too. The only reason they survived it at all was because of their heirs. Not only did they gain power through them, but they also relied on them like a renewable source, their own negative energy continuously drawn in by the heirs like a vacuum. Once the inheritors died, however, the clan would not lose their abilities immediately. Instead, the accumulated negative energy would slowly consume them from within.

Agonizingly.

*** The Kori clan is governed by a strict triumvirate: the Executor, the Advisor, and the Overseer to ensure everything remains in order. They genuinely believe they will rule jujutsu society one day. Hina harbors a deep resentment toward their objective. Well, it doesn't really matter what grandeur they promise when it strips you of your rights, or of the things that make you feel human, reducing you to a mere source for others' gain. She tries her best to keep her brother from falling into their twisted ways.

Even though she possessed the hereditary technique and traits, she was never considered a candidate for heirship, simply because she was a woman. Hikaru met enough of their requirements for them to eagerly shape him into the future face of the clan. There was only one problem: Hikaru was weaker. Being twins only made things worse. In jujutsu society, twins were considered a bad omen—two souls dividing what should have been one. As a result, neither could ever reach their full potential. Because of this, it was initially proposed that Hikaru be executed. Their mother was the one who begged endlessly for her child's life to be spared, pleading a case to compromise and use them both for different purposes: Hina would act as the official powerhouse and heir, while Hikaru would handle the clan's operations from the underground.

Even so, growing up Hina and Hikaru didn't receive much of their mother's love. Yet, not even for a second did Hina truly blame her. Their mother had been forced into this life at a young age, her own years sacrificed for children who couldn't even relieve her of her pain. Ungrateful children. Hina had thought many times, "well she's a human too right? Or...?"

No human deserved something so cruel.

Abuse was not always direct violence: sometimes it was being forced to harm others. It could be handled by both: a human and a weapon. The only difference is that a weapon could not confess the sins it had witnessed nor speak of the atrocities it had committed, willingly or not. Complaining was not an option. It was a curse.

So what did that make her mother? A weapon, or a human? The answer was not clear. She only knew her mother deserved better.

Being a human is much nicer, though. That way, feelings are not a weight you must carry. As someone's tool, however, you must face whatever nature they wield to defend themselves with. Their true selves.

𝔽𝕠𝕣𝕘𝕖𝕥-𝕞𝕖-𝕟𝕠𝕥

Chapter- 2 :

Gojo had thought about it more times than he cared to admit. Human connection had always felt distant to him. Impossible, even.

The title of "the strongest" had been forced onto him long before he understood what it meant to be seen as a person. It was like an empty canvas stretched endlessly around him, with only himself at the center.

***

Gojo didn't care much about most things, but he wanted to thank Hina. It wasn't the first time she had protected him. He also knew she liked flowers.

The Kori and Gojo clans were friends on the surface, but at each other's throats in secrecy. Back when they were younger, Hina would come over often with her clan elders. She wasn't technically allowed to wander, but she was... insistent. Extremely so. The only reason she ever visited was to play around in the Gojo clan's massive garden.

Gojo would sometimes sneak peeks at her from around the corners. She'd pluck the flowers and tuck them into her hair. "What a weirdo..."  he'd thought at the time. Because in his young mind, a person as perfect as him could never be such an oddball.

It had never caught his attention, what kind of flowers she specifically liked. Yet, he found himself buying a bouquet of forget-me-nots and white tulips. Why?

Oh well it looked like him.

A gift should be something that reminds the receiver who it came from, right? And who doesn't wanna think of the great Gojo Satoru?

Besides all that though, he genuinely hoped she would like his flowers. Although, he is giving them platonically, as a form of gratitude. Even so, this is the first time he's giving flowers to a girl.

***

Gojo always arrived at Jujutsu High earlier than the others. Luckily for him, Hina arrived right after. The first thing he did was approach her and extend the bouquet.

"...For you."

Hina looked taken aback. "Flowers? For me?"  Her confusion didn't stand a chance against her lifelong weakness for flowers and pressing them into books. She hesitantly accepted the bouquet, her gaze drifting from the petals up to his face.

"Thank you... what's this for, anyway?"

She gave him a neutral face. Happy on the inside, yes, but she had a reputation to keep. Plus, it hit her that she was supposed to be annoyed at his antics.

"Eh, well... I wanted to thank you for protecting me," he said sheepishly.

The face Hina gave Gojo in the next moment was unforgettable.

Her happiness dissolved in a second. She eyed him like a strange biological specimen. Hina's head didn't just tilt; it recoiled. Her nose crinkled as if he'd suddenly started smelling like expired milk, and her upper lip pulled back in a look of pure, unadulterated judgment. She looked less like a grateful person and more like she'd just watched him eat a crayon.

"What is wrong with you? Why are you making that face? You look like you're trying to be romantic— it's gross. Don't tell me you let yourself get beaten just so I'll protect you every day? Are you some obsessed idiot who's after me?" Her face didn't change.

Gojo panicked and stumbled over his words, "W-what! No! What is wrong with YOU?! Why'd you even think that?"

"Well, who the hell likes getting beat up?! Especially a guy who thinks he is above everyone!" she yelled out.

"I have my reasons!" he shot back with the same energy.

They went back and forth like that for a while before he huffed, "Hmph, as if I'd ever date you anyway... you're not my type, y'know. Talk about having a huge ego...It's like bleghh" Gojo stuck out his tongue, mocking her.

"Well, duh! That better be it," she mumbled, clutching the bouquet a little tighter than necessary. "And don't you dare go around having a crush on me, either" "Yeah, yeah. noted!" He waved a hand dismissively, already looking bored; making Hina roll her eyes. Gojo pulled a bratty face before they both turned in opposite directions, each thinking the exact same thing: 'What a weirdo...'

𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝔹𝕝𝕦𝕖𝕡𝕣𝕚𝕟𝕥 𝕠𝕗 𝕎𝕒𝕣𝕞𝕥𝕙

(Guys, English is NOT my first language. SO, it won't be the best. It could be overexegrated too because I dug into a lot of words and stuff to make it sound fancy or whatever.😭)

***

Jujutsu High wasn't taking in enrollments at the moment. However, they made exceptions for training heirs from influential clans. The higher-ups, after all, had to maintain their standing with the families. That's where Gojo Satoru and Kori Hina come in. Being a sorcerer meant learning how to call devotion by a different name: Weapon.

Gojo Satoru had the six eyes and Limitless technique. Hina had Redaction.

They met when they were children. Never talked much though.

June, 2003.

Gojo had a reputation for getting beaten up often by the second and third-years. He never fought back, even though he easily could. Hina, who was well-known around the school, saw him getting bullied frequently.

He was called a freak and worse; "albino weirdo" was one of their favorite names for him. Hina found it odd. So what if he had white hair? It suited him. Besides, everyone's characteristics were unique to themselves.

But he never fought back. That was the thing Hina noticed most, and it pissed her off. He was the Gojo Satoru. No one would bat an eye if he taught those punk-asses a lesson. So, what was wrong with him?

Maybe it was because of how long they had known each other, but she felt a strange obligation to intervene. Usually, her "help" consisted of simply passing by while he was getting beaten, muttering for them to stop, and walking away right after.

It was no surprise when Hina heard the familiar sounds of mocking laughter on a random Saturday. Following the noise, she found him bleeding. It had never gone this far before.

Ironically, Gojo looked like the crazy one here.

Hina had finally had enough.

"Fuck off, yeah?"

The second-years didn't even have time to react before she was kicking their asses. They fled as fast as they could. Hina rolled her eyes, muttering under her breath, "Fuckasses..."

She extended a hand to help Gojo up. He stared at it like a dumb chicken for a while before finally taking it. The cold touch of his skin contrasted sharply with her warmth, grounding him more than words ever could.

She was too annoyed to even ask, yet the question slipped out anyway. "Why wouldn't you defend yourself...?"

Before he could answer, she turned on her heel. As usual, she left.

***