𝗟𝗜𝗧𝗧𝗟𝗘 𝗗𝗔𝗥𝗞 𝗔𝗚𝗘

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐑𝐓𝐘-𝐒𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐍 - DISPLEASURE

The train chimed, a few repeated phrases of our location and the exact stop we had stopped at. "This is it... Yokohama." Yuuta looked a little weary — perhaps the long ride had made his stomach a little queasy. I felt much of the same, but I'd assume it's from different reasons — no, I knew it was because of a different reason.

"Yeah..." My exhale was quiet, my words almost inaudible, tainted with a nervous wind that passed my lips, eyes shaking with unsettlement.

"Are you alright?" He asked me, looking at me as if he needed permission to even speak. I just blankly stared at the building, giving him acknowledgment through my voice rather than my eyes. "Not really," I had quickly said, no hesitation there but my reluctance was much greater in my actions. "...But I don't want to give this up." I added, looking to him for the support I needed — watching carefully as he took in the vast city for a moment before returning my gaze, brows turned downwards in a pitiful way. He didn't feel pathetic — he was just managing that expression because of me.

"That's good." His smile broke the caution in my body and I had to pull my eyes away forcefully to hide from such a heavenly expression. I've found myself fond of many looks — many guys have been attractive in my eyes... but he's handsome. Maybe I've just discovered a new standard: pities me and deprived of sleep.

I pulled up the address I was given by Gojo and shared the information with my partner. We walked around the city, following the map until we neared a building. The lights of the buildings were dim compared to the sun above — it showed me there was still people living in it...

Due to my father's wealth, he had lived in a large amount of places from mountains to large cities — he had bought out many places for rent or 'caution' (it should be noted that this information is all from Gojo, how he gained these details is beyond my knowledge... but I know that he's trying to help me and that had relieved me a little).

Gojo also said that he'd be in this apartment in particular — which, looking at the large building now, seemed really expensive and made sense. The walls almost seemed freshly painted, no chips or cracks from old age and all the windows faced a large courtyard. The property value was probably beyond anything my wallet could dream of containing. Its size almost intimidated me but that's not very surprising.

What's surprising was the ringing in my ears. Sure, that was common among people, but I only found that it happened around curses. Prayers replayed in my head as I hoped that this property was not infested with those filthy beings. It's been a bit since I've seen one — and I'd like to keep it that way.

Choosing to no longer avoid the issue, Yuuta and I headed to the main door — it was automatic and brushed us with a warm breeze as we entered. The place smelled rich... even Yuuta seemed to be a little surprised by its quality. He looked to me almost instantly after we entered as if asking a question — I looked away towards a check in counter and he mumbled out my name softly. "...If you'd like for me to wait down here, I can." He acted like I knew what I was doing when in actuality, this was just a shot in the dark.

I've never met this man (at least, not at an age that would hold a memory of), I could only hope he'd spare answers to abide for my long journey. He left my mom with no reason; he left me with only loneliness, and he had started anew.

Welcomed into the world of jujutsu, I had no idea what to expect and was only often reminded of the common unexpected. I didn't know what to do, other than run, but I'd only known to do that— it wasn't right, but it was the decision my foolish mind made. It was all about escape for me — I didn't like danger or getting hurt, how could anyone?

I had run for a while — but now, I'm inches away from the doorstep of a man that abandoned me and my mother. It was then, I knew that fearful mindset needed to end. There wasn't any going back, not a single shake in my heart or hand that would make me turn around.

"Hey," Yuuta spoke up calmly, my eyes still on the ground as he mumbled out a few more words. "Look at me." Despite the small grin that pulled at my face, I still had to keep my seriousness present. It was proper, and I was still worried — I couldn't brush off the ringing in my ears. "You've made it this far." He started, eyes meeting my own with a look of worry — he was concerned for me. As per usual... no matter what I did, I seemingly could only make my life difficult for others...

"But no one's pressuring you to continue." He finally said, obsidian eyes wandering every part of my face — outlining every inch of my expression and reading me as though I were a book. I was curious to see if he was judging by the cover or actually reading the lines.

I found a bit of difficulty with letting this journey falter. "But then I had wasted your time." I answered him with a pinch in my brows — why was he so okay with whatever decision I made?

"I can miss a few practice hours without feeling to bad about it." He shrugged it off, hands by his side until he began to play with the strap of his sword's sheath. I watched him curiously wondering a few too many things about his character before finally formulating a question in my mind — speaking with only an intention I knew of. "...Why did you want to come in the first place?"

"I think... it's better to have company when facing an important moment like this."

"Is that all?" I asked again, pressing further as if he might've had another reason. I hadn't known why I wanted to hear another answer — but I found myself a little disappointed with his easy response.

After a few short breaths he nodded. "...Yes." His reply seemed almost hesitant, but I couldn't blame him — I was practically interrogating him now... "(Y/N)." He called out, his voice was a low hum from his throat — almost like he hadn't thought about his words and simply wanted to say my name for the heck of it. "I don't care what we find out, what you discover... I will never think of you differently."

"What do you think of me now?"

"You're a tough person. You may not believe it, but I know you're strong."

I looked at him almost astounded by his confidence in his answer — but he seemed to take it differently. "And Maki — she knows it too... and Panda, of course... Inumaki also supports you." His response was a little more awkward than what I was used to, but he was trying. And that's what really mattered. "The point is, where you are now proves your growth — that's something to be proud of."

After his words, I had let out a relieved breath — I had to calm the race in my heart and preserve my composure. I turned my attention away from him with a mumbled "thank you" before raising my fist and sending a stern knock on the surface of the door. It was wooden and dense, and the moment I touched it my hand started to ache — I withdrew my fist as quickly as I could, pulling it into my chest. It burned, oddly enough, and I wasn't able to believe the stingy pain shocking the veins in my hand until it almost became unbearable.

"(Y/N) what's — are you okay?" He seemed to stumble over his words, confused by what was happening, he held my shoulder and looked for some kind of reason for the pain. I wasn't on the verge of blacking out, but it felt like all the blood in my palm had attempted to break my blood vessels open. Yuuta reached out to the door curiously, placing his hand on the surface and having a moment to himself. "It's... like fire." He said, pulling his hand away. "But very faint — I can hardly feel pain, it's more..." He trailed off, gazing at the ring on his finger for only a second.

My arm had no visible swelling or bruising — it was just something there and horribly bothersome. The ringing in my ears became noticeably louder until the door slowly creaked open.

There stood a women, a brow raised and noticeable distaste in her face. She had dark hair and dark eyes, narrowed into slits in our direction — the material of her clothing was silky and rich to look at, I was almost convinced we stopped at the wrong apartment. "Can I help you?" She eyed me with suspicion and cut off Yuuta as he tried to respond. "Oh. It's you." I couldn't describe the displeasure as she said that — but it became scarily apparent to me that she had also been in on this 'kill the daughter' thing my father had enforced. Yuuta seemed to pick up on that too, even pulling me near his side with a firm hand on my shoulder.

"This door is covered in talisman preventing the cursed from nearing it. I suggest you vermin stay back or we'll have problems." She threatened making Yuuta's brows curve down — he seemed to be unhappy with her words.

"Now, now, calm down..." A voice slithered out from the room behind her, crawling out of the darkness like a snake prepared with venom. "That's my daughter you're talking to..."