Jujutsu High

Jujutsu High

"I clenched the letter in my hand, a mix of awe and doubt swirling in my chest. Jujutsu High – the legendary school for sorcerers. I'd heard whispers about it, seen the news reports of cursed spirits and the brave sorcerers who fought them. It was real, all of it. And they'd chosen me.

Me, of all people. I'm just... normal. I don't have any powers, can't sense curses, can't do any of the things those sorcerers can. I felt like they'd made a mistake, like I was about to show up and get laughed out of there. What could they possibly see in me?"

"As I stepped off the train at Tokyo Station, the crisp morning air hit me like a slap in the face. I scanned the crowd, feeling a bit out of place.

A guy with striking white hair approached me. "Salmon" ("You're the new student"), he said, his tone straightforward.

"Huh? Yeah!" I questioned, feeling a bit awkward. And nodded.

Toge Inumaki nodded back. "Salmon" ("Let's go")."

"Toge led me through the bustling halls of Jujutsu High, stopping at a large office door. He knocked once, then pushed it open.

Inside, a very charismatic young man (Satoru Gojo) was lounging in a chair, looking like he owned the place – which, I guess, he kinda did. An old intimidating guy with long beard (Gakuganji) was sitting opposite him, looking stern as usual.

Gojo's eyes landed on me. "Who's this?"

Gakuganji cleared his throat. "Ah, she's the new student I appointed last week."

Gojo raised an eyebrow. "Without consulting me?"

Uh-oh."

"Gakuganji drew himself up. "Who are you to consult with? You're the teacher, I am the principal."

Gojo's grin never faltered. "Ah, but I'm the strongest, so I get a say."

Toge rolled his eyes, muttering, "Here we go..."

I stood awkwardly, unsure what to do amidst the sudden power play."

"Gojo waved a hand dismissively. "I'll fix everything later. Not in the mood rn."

He stood up, gave me a brief, curious glance, and left the room.

Gakuganji let out a slow breath.

"Inumaki, meet with me – with her – after this." Said Gojo the young charismatic teacher.

Toge nodded, expression unchanged. "Salmon" ("Got it.")

I was left standing there, feeling a bit like a puzzle piece that didn't quite fit."

"Gakuganji nodded at Toge. "Inumaki, you can leave. I'll talk to her."

Toge nodded and turned to go. I felt a sudden jolt of panic – I didn't want to be left alone with this intimidating principal.

But Toge just gave me a brief glance, said "Later" in his usual deadpan tone, and left.

Gakuganji watched him go, then turned to me. "So. You don't know why you're here, do you?"

My heart was still racing a bit. I shook my head, trying to look composed."

"Gakuganji's gaze pinned me to the spot. "Interesting. Most students here have a reason for being here. You... don't seem to. Yet, here you are."

He leaned forward, his voice taking on a probing tone. "Tell me, what do you know about cursed energy?"

I swallowed, feeling like I was in way over my head. "I d-don't know sir, sorcerers fight curses I guess... That's about it." I stuttered and said a bit unsure."

"But, I can do basically nothing." I explained.

"Gakuganji leaned back in his chair, a calculating look in his eyes. "Abilities aren't everything. You... you're a pawn. A pawn to play in a bigger game."

He leaned forward again, his voice low. "Satoru Gojo thinks he's above the rules. Thinks he's untouchable. But with you... I can make him dance."

I felt a chill run down my spine. "What do you mean?"

Gakuganji's smile was thin. "You'll find out. For now, just follow Inumaki's lead. And don't... don't get too attached to anything here."

Creepy."

"I stepped out of the principal's office, confused and a bit unsettled. As I looked around, Toge Inumaki was standing there, expression as usual.

"What...?" I started to ask.

Toge tilted his head slightly. " Salmon" ("He wants to see you.")

My confusion deepened. "Huh? What? Who?" I couldn't understand what he was trying to say with that 'salmon' but I just answered what I felt like I should.

Toge's gaze flicked toward the direction I'd come from. "Gojo."

Oh. That tall, laid-back teacher guy.

Toge turned to walk. "Let's go."

I followed, still trying to piece things together."

"Toge led me to a large training room. Gojo was standing by a wall, looking like he was posing for a photo shoot – which, I guess, he kinda was.

As we entered, he grinned and strode over. "Ah, you're the new one! I'm Satoru Gojo, the strongest sorcerer and coolest teacher at Jujutsu High."

He gave me a once-over. "Toge here says you don't know what's going on. Don't worry, I'll explain. Or... maybe I'll just let things play out. More fun that way."

Toge rolled his eyes slightly. Guess he's not buying the "cool teacher" act.

"Gojo leaned against a nearby pillar, looking amused. "So, here's the deal. You're here because Gakuganji decided to play a game with me. He thinks putting you here will somehow... 'inconvenience' me."

Gojo chuckled. "Thing is, he didn't tell you about the entrance exam you 'passed' – there wasn't one. He just wanted you here."

I felt a mix of confusion and unease.

Gojo's grin turned sly. "But hey, you're here now. And I know Gakuganji's plan. Wants to use you to get leverage against me. Like I'd care."

Toge made a small "whatever" noise in the background.

Gojo looked at me. "So, what do you want to do? Want to play along, or...?"

"Gojo's expression turned serious for a moment. "Thing is, Gakuganji's gonna use you. He doesn't care about you – he cares about getting something over on me. You'll be a pawn, and when he's done... you'll probably be collateral damage."

He leaned in slightly, his eyes glinting with amusement again. "Whereas, if you play with me... we could make this interesting."

Toge raised an eyebrow, like "here we go".

Gojo straightened up. "But hey, choice is yours. What'll it be?"

"Gojo grinned, like he'd just laid out a winning hand. "I'll teach you the basics – enough to survive here. Play along with Gakuganji's game... and we'll see what happens."

He glanced at Toge. "Inumaki'll keep an eye on you. Don't get too used to it, Toge."

Toge responded with a single, deadpan word: "Salmon" ("Understood.") Guess it was the only word uttered by this Inumaki guy that I could understand, at least for now.

Gojo looked back at me. "So, deal? You'll play with me?"

"Gojo nodded, like he'd expected that. "Okay. I'll give you a little time to think about it."

He jerked his head toward Toge. "Inumaki, show her where she'll stay. Get her settled."

Toge nodded and turned to me. "Mayo" ("Let's go.")

As we left the training room, Gojo called out, "Don't take too long thinking, by the way. Gakuganji's not known for patience."

Toge led me down the hall, expression unchanged."

"A week flew by with Toge Inumaki's intense training sessions – he didn't exactly go easy on me. I was getting exhausted just trying to keep up with his "yeah" this and "no" that.

Gakuganji called me into his office suddenly. "You're going on a mission tomorrow. With Choso."

My heart skipped a beat. "A mission? I... I don't think I'm ready."

And who the hell is this Choso?

Gakuganji didn't care. "Doesn't matter. Choso'll handle it. Just... don't get in the way."

Toge was his usual stoic self when I told him. "Got it." I am now kind of used to Inumaki's 'Tuna' 'Mayo' 'Rice Cake' 'Salmon'

Panda, the friendly giant of a guy I'd met in the cafeteria, gave me an encouraging nod when he heard. Maki, tough as nails but kinda cool, just said "don't die".

Guess it's mission time."