Leaving for Jujutsu High

Seven years later.

The Zenin Clan's maple leaves had turned red again.

Sixteen-year-old Zhiyan stood in his courtyard, looking at the old tree that had been with him for all sixteen years of his life. A sudden wave of emotion washed over him.

It was time to leave.

Although he was only leaving for school, although he could come back whenever he wanted, this time was different from all the others.

Jujutsu High.

The most prestigious school in Jujutsu Society, where jujutsu sorcerers were trained. He, Satoru Gojo, and Kamo Xian Di had all reached enrollment age. They should have entered Kyoto Jujutsu High as a matter of course-after all, children of the Three Great Families had always done so.

But a conversation a few months earlier had changed that decision.

"Jujutsu Headquarters has too many eyes at Kyoto Jujutsu High." In a rare moment of seriousness, Naobito Zenin sat in his study and looked at him. "If you three go there, those old fossils will watch you every single day. Today they'll find a reason to put you in your place, tomorrow they'll find an excuse to make things difficult. The sheer hassle will drive you mad."

Zhiyan stayed silent.

He knew his father was right. Over the years, as his reputation and those of Satoru Gojo and Kamo Xian Di grew, Jujutsu Headquarters had paid increasingly close attention to them.

Especially him-because of Shoko, Jujutsu Headquarters still resented him for "keeping a Reverse Cursed Technique Sorcerer to himself." Although the engagement kept them from acting openly, their underhanded tricks had never stopped.

"What about Tokyo Jujutsu High?" he asked.

Naobito Zenin looked at him and smiled.

"Jujutsu Headquarters has people at Tokyo Jujutsu High too, but there's still the distance to consider. If they want to meddle, their reach has to extend that far first."

He paused.

"Besides, Tokyo Jujutsu High's principal is an interesting man. He won't let those old fossils get too carried away."

Zhiyan thought it over, then nodded.

"I understand."

And so the matter was settled.

When Satoru Gojo heard, he was the first to jump up.

"Tokyo Jujutsu High? Sounds great! I've been hearing for ages about all the good food in Tokyo!"

Kamo Xian Di remained as calm and unruffled as ever.

"Tokyo Jujutsu High sounds good too."

Just like that, the three decided to head to Tokyo together.

Naturally, Shoko would go with them. Although her identity as a Reverse Cursed Technique Sorcerer was already public, she had been well protected over the years as the Zenin Clan's future daughter-in-law. At Tokyo Jujutsu High, she could continue her studies while avoiding the open hostility and covert attacks in Kyoto.

It was the best choice.

His packing was almost finished.

Zhiyan didn't have much: a few changes of clothes, some books he often used, and a cursed tool his father had insisted he take-"just in case."

He stored everything in his shadow space.

Over the years, his mastery of the Ten Shadows Technique had grown increasingly refined. Using his shikigami's abilities without summoning them had become routine. Storing belongings in his shadow space to carry them around was another little trick of the Ten Shadows Technique-though Satoru Gojo had dubbed it his "cartoon pocket."

"Big brother!"

A bright voice came from the courtyard entrance.

Zhiyan turned and saw Wana standing there.

At fifteen, Wana had blossomed into a graceful young woman. She wore a pink kimono, her hair tied in a high ponytail, and a radiant smile lit her face.

She had changed a great deal since seven years ago.

But her lively, mischievous spirit hadn't changed at all.

"Big brother! Shoko wants you to come over!"

Zhiyan looked at her.

"What's wrong?"

"No idea." Wana blinked. "She's packing in my courtyard. She said to come help her."

Zhiyan nodded.

"Let's go."

They walked through the covered corridor together toward Wana's courtyard.

Along the way, Wana chattered away.

"Big brother, do you think Tokyo will be fun? I've never been there!"

"It should be."

"I heard there's loads of good food there! And loads of fun things to do!"

"...Yeah."

"Do you think I'll make new friends when I go?"

"You will."

Wana nodded in satisfaction, then remembered something else.

"Oh, right, big brother. Is that white-haired idiot going to Tokyo Jujutsu High too?"

Zhiyan's steps faltered.

"He is."

Wana's expression immediately grew complicated.

"Ah... doesn't that mean I'll have to see him every day again?"

Zhiyan glanced at her.

"You don't have to see him."

Wana thought for a moment, then sighed.

"Forget it. I can't avoid him anyway. That white-haired idiot always manages to find me."

Zhiyan didn't reply.

But the corners of his mouth curved slightly.

Over the years, the "war" between Satoru Gojo and Wana had never stopped. They argued whenever they met, made a fuss after arguing, then met again after making a fuss. They plainly couldn't stand each other, yet always found their way back into each other's company.

Who knew what was wrong with them?

When they reached Wana's courtyard, Zhiyan found Shoko standing in the room, fretting over several open boxes.

Seven years later, Shoko was no longer the little girl she had once been.

She had grown taller, her figure slender and straight. She wore a simple, elegant kimono, her hair falling loosely over her shoulders. The beauty mark at the corner of her eye remained, making her look especially endearing as she frowned slightly.

But her demeanor hadn't changed. She was still as reserved and composed as ever.

Hearing footsteps, she turned. At the sight of Zhiyan, her eyes suddenly lit up.

"Zhiyan! Perfect timing!"

She hurried over, caught his hand, and pulled him into the room.

"Come in, come in!"

Zhiyan let her pull him along, feeling rather helpless.

"What's wrong?"

Shoko pulled him over to the boxes and pointed at their contents.

"Help me put these in that cartoon pocket of yours."

Zhiyan looked down and froze.

Neatly arranged inside the boxes was... alcohol.

Bottle after bottle, in all sorts of colors and packaging, large and small. There had to be at least twenty or thirty.

"This is..."

"Alcohol," Shoko said matter-of-factly. "I've collected it over the years. I'm taking it all to Tokyo."

Zhiyan looked at her, momentarily at a loss for words.

He knew Shoko had developed a taste for drinking over the years.

He wasn't sure when it had started. Probably when his father had coaxed her into trying a sip of fruit wine. After that, there was no stopping her. At every family gathering, she would share a few drinks with his father, the two of them chatting and laughing while Zhiyan could only shake his head.

Fortunately, Shoko knew her limits. She never drank too much and stuck to low-alcohol fruit wine.

But wasn't this a bit much?

"Shoko," he began seriously, "you can't take all this alcohol."

Shoko's brow creased slightly.

"Why not?"

"It's too much," Zhiyan said. "You can't drink all of it by yourself."

"I can take my time."

"Besides, Jujutsu High might not allow students to drink."

Shoko blinked.

"Then we can drink in secret."

Zhiyan: "..."

He took a deep breath.

"No. Five bottles at most."

Shoko pouted.

It was an expression she rarely made.

She was usually so reserved and composed. She rarely showed this sort of... girlish petulance.

"Five isn't enough."

"Then ten."

"Ten isn't enough either."

"Ten at most."

Shoko looked at him, taking in his expression that left no room for negotiation. Suddenly, she reached out and clasped his hand.

"Zhiyan..."

Her voice was soft, with a coaxing little lilt.

"Let me take them all. It took me so long to collect them."

The tips of Zhiyan's ears reddened slightly.

But he didn't give in.

"No."

Shoko pouted even more.

She gently shook his hand.

"Zhiyan..."

Zhiyan's ears grew redder.

But he still held firm.

"No."

Shoko looked at him, and a sly gleam suddenly flashed in her eyes.

Looks like I'll have to use that trick.

She released his hand, stepped forward, and suddenly wrapped her arms around his neck.

Zhiyan went rigid.

"Sh-Shoko?"

Shoko rose onto her toes and leaned closer.

Her face was right before his, close enough for him to see the beauty mark beside her eye and feel her warm breath.

Then she lightly kissed his chin.

Very, very lightly.

Like the brush of a feather.

It couldn't be helped. He was too tall.

Standing on tiptoe, that was just as far as she could reach.

Zhiyan turned to stone.

He flushed from his ears down to his neck, then up to his cheeks, as red as a cooked shrimp.

"You-"

Even his voice cracked.

Shoko stepped back, her eyes curving with amusement as she watched him.

"Can I take them now?"

Zhiyan opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but no words came out.

He could only look at her-at those smiling eyes, that tiny beauty mark, that face wearing a sly smile.

His heart raced.

It took him a long while to find his voice again.

"...Yes."

His voice was hoarse, tinged with helplessness and something harder to define... indulgent affection.

He raised his hands in surrender.

Complete surrender.

Shoko nodded in satisfaction.

"Good."

She turned and went back to packing the alcohol as though nothing had happened, privately thinking that her Zhiyan was still so easily flustered.

Zhiyan stood where he was, watching her busy figure from behind. He took a deep breath, then another.

His heart was still pounding.

Suddenly, he remembered that moment seven years ago when she had asked him, "What about you? Are you willing?"

He had known then that there was no escape.

Not for the rest of his life.

"Zhiyan?"

Shoko's voice came from beside him.

He came back to himself and saw Shoko looking at him, her eyes crinkling.

"What are you spacing out for? Come help me pack."

Zhiyan walked over and stood beside her.

He looked at the bottles of liquor, then at her.

"Shoko."

"Hmm?"

"Just now, you..."

Shoko tilted her head, pretending not to know what he meant.

"What?"

Zhiyan's ears reddened again.

"...Nothing."

He raised his hand and began putting the liquor into his shadow space.

One bottle, two bottles, three...

He packed them all away.

Shoko watched from beside him, her eyes bright.

"Nice. Having a pocket dimension sure is handy."

Zhiyan didn't answer.

He just kept packing the liquor, pretending his heart was beating normally.

But Shoko clearly wasn't about to let him off.

She leaned closer and whispered in his ear.

"Zhiyan, your face is so red."

Zhiyan's hands paused.

"...No, it isn't."

"It is." Shoko's voice held a smile. "You're red all over..."

Before she could finish, a sudden tug pulled her toward him.

By the time she realized what was happening, Zhiyan had gathered her into his arms.

The distance between them vanished in an instant.

She was so close that the tip of her nose nearly brushed his clothes.

So close that she could smell the faint scent of ink and fresh bamboo leaves on him.

Shoko froze.

She looked up and met Zhiyan's eyes.

They were beautiful eyes.

His irises were very dark, as though too many emotions had settled in their depths. Usually, they were still and unreadable, giving no hint of what he was thinking. But now, her face was reflected in those dark eyes, with a faint smile lingering at their edges.

His brows and eyes were striking, with a prominent brow ridge and slightly upturned outer corners. When he wasn't smiling, he seemed cool and distant, but when he smiled, he was so gentle that she couldn't look away. His nose was high and straight, its lines clean and sharp, as though carved stroke by stroke with a blade. His thin lips were lightly pressed together, yet the faintest curve lingered at their corners.

His face had well-defined contours and a sharp jawline, but those gentle eyes softened their edge, making him look both composed and handsome.

The Zenin Clan really did have good genes.

Her Zhiyan really was handsome.

Now those beautiful eyes were smiling at her, drawing closer and closer.

Shoko's mind went blank.

"You..." Her voice caught in her throat, and she couldn't get another word out.

She could only stare at him, watching his face come closer.

Then her face turned scarlet.

The flush spread from her cheeks to her ears, then down her neck, far worse than Zhiyan's had been moments ago.

Since when... had he become so bold?!

She instinctively closed her eyes.

Her heart raced as though it would leap out of her chest.

She waited.

Waited for what would happen next.

One second.

Two seconds.

Three seconds.

...Nothing happened.

Shoko cautiously opened one eye and saw Zhiyan watching her with a smile.

There was a little mischief in his eyes, a little triumph, and a whole lot of tenderness.

He hadn't intended to do anything at all.

He just wanted to see her like this.

Shoko froze.

Then she caught on.

He was... getting back at her!

"Zhiyan!" There was a hint of embarrassment and indignation in her voice, but mostly she didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "You-"

Zhiyan released her and took a step back, looking as composed as ever.

"What is it?" he asked, sounding so innocent that it was as though nothing had happened.

Shoko looked at him, at that "I didn't do anything" expression, and suddenly laughed.

Her smile held resignation, amusement, and a little indescribable... sweetness.

"Fine," she said. "You win."

Zhiyan spread his hands.

"I learned from you."

Shoko shot him a glare, but there wasn't a trace of anger in her eyes, only laughter.

She reached out and gently poked his chest.

"Just you wait."

Zhiyan took her hand.

"All right. I'll wait."

They exchanged a smile.

Sunlight streamed through the window and fell over them, warm and soft.

Just then, an argument broke out in the courtyard.

"White-haired idiot! What are you doing at my house again?"

"I'm here to see Zhiyan! What's it to you?"

"This is my house! You're not allowed in!"

"I'm coming in anyway! What are you going to do about it?"

There was no need to guess who it was.

Wana was arguing with Satoru Gojo again.

Shoko's eyes crinkled.

"Those two really are..."

Zhiyan shook his head helplessly.

"Come on. Let's take a look."

They left the room together and headed toward the courtyard gate.

In the courtyard, Wana and Satoru Gojo were wrestling again.

Wana had hold of Satoru Gojo's hair, while Satoru Gojo was pulling her cheek. Neither would let go. It was the same old routine.

"Let go, kid!"

"You're the kid! Why don't you let go first?"

"Oww- I don't get it, kid. Why do you love pulling my hair so much? It's been years, and you use the same move every time!"

"You've got some nerve saying that! You always pull my cheek too!"

Kamo Xian Di stood to one side with a cup of tea, quietly watching and playing his part as a spectator.

When he saw Zhiyan and Shoko come out, he gave them a slight nod.

"Mr. Zenin, Miss Ieiri."

Zhiyan nodded in return.

"Mr. Kamo."

Shoko looked at the two people wrestling and sighed softly. Honestly, how old were they now?

"Wana."

Wana paused and turned to look at her.

"Shoko?"

Shoko beckoned to her.

"That's enough."

Wana looked at Satoru Gojo, then at Shoko, and reluctantly let go.

Satoru Gojo let go too, smoothing his disheveled hair.

"My damn hair! How many strands did you pull out? Hey, Shoko, can you restore it for me?"

As he spoke, he walked over to Zhiyan and slung an arm around his shoulders.

"Hey, Zhiyan, have you packed everything?"

Zhiyan nodded.

"Yeah."

"Then let's go!" Satoru Gojo's eyes shone. "I've wanted to leave Kyoto for ages! Tokyo's got to be more fun!"

Kamo Xian Di set down his teacup and spoke unhurriedly.

"Mr. Gojo, we're going there to attend school, not to have fun."

"We can have fun at school too!" Satoru Gojo declared without a shred of shame. "I'm going to be the strongest anyway, so it doesn't matter whether I study!"

Zhiyan glanced at him.

"Then why are you going?"

Satoru Gojo blinked.

"Because you're all going."

He said it as though it were obvious.

"If all of you went and I stayed behind on my own, how boring would that be?"

Zhiyan fell silent for a moment.

"Let's go."

The five of them headed toward the gate together.

Behind them, maple leaves drifted slowly down throughout the courtyard.

Ahead lay an unknown journey.

But that was all right.

Because they were together.

And that was enough.