The Waning (GojoHime) - Part 2

Fortune Comes to the Laughing Gate

30th December 2017

Ganbatte!

Utahime swung open the squeaky doors of the kitchen cupboard to reveal an array of cleaning utensils neatly organized within—it was time for osouji, the traditional New Year's cleaning. She aimed to purify her home, making it a welcoming space for Toshigami, the deity of the new year, who would bring blessings and good fortune. Or so one could hope.

In preparation for the great cleanse, Utahime donned a worn-out gray tracksuit from her school days. The sense of accomplishment at how well these old clothes still fit her was quite ridiculous but a woman was occasionally allowed such vanities, no? With efficiency in mind, she gathered her hair into a no-nonsense ponytail. The bracelet of bells tightly secured around her left wrist might have been a bit much, but she didn't mean to clean only: This was going to be a ritual.

She desperately needed to exorcise the lingering terror of her strangely vivid nightmare from a few nights ago. The feeling of cruel fingers crushing her windpipe had etched itself into her consciousness, its presence lingering on her skin like a ghost's persistent touch. Despite Gojo's assurances that there was no cursed energy in her apartment, she sensed the remnants of a malevolent aura, akin to a distant, off-tune screech just out of earshot.

Besides, ever since that night she felt watched. It was an eerie sensation, like the elusive caress of a chilling breeze on naked skin, creating an almost-but-not-quite shiver. Gojo's words about calibrating his Six Eyes to always know her location echoed in her mind, but this didn't feel like him. Perhaps it was just her fears acting up, perhaps it was related to that nightmare—in any case, it really creeped her out and she wanted it gone.

She had taken the day off at short notice when she had realized Gakuganji wouldn't be at school. Apparently, he had urgent business in Tokyo. Again. All these meetings at headquarters didn't bode well, but Utahime was determined not to ponder on things that did not concern her.

And no, Gojo and his well-being did not concern her. At least she kept telling herself that with the force of a new year's resolution that carried the weight of a binding vow. What Utahime needed was a ritual of purification, a cleansing of both her living space and her spirit. And a cleansing of her impure thoughts.

"Can I please ask you to stay away from him?"

The phone call with her parents yesterday was the last they'd have for a while. Her mother and father had since left on a cruise to Jeju Island—a first prize in a competition her mother had won a few months ago. Utahime had urged them to stick to their plans despite their reluctance to leave her alone after "The Great Calamity". There was no use in them staying. It wasn't just about enjoying a well-deserved vacation; it was a kind of rebellion against the negativity hanging over everyone. They couldn't put life on hold and they shouldn't let the chaos dictate everything.

"Fortune Comes to the Laughing Gate", a proverb said. Face the world laughing and you will be blessed.

Utahime didn't need to ask who her mother was referring to. Her parents had never asked any questions after it had become clear that she and Gojo were no longer seeing each other though Utahime had always assumed that they were relieved it had ended. Really: A low-level Iori-nobody and the head of the Gojo Clan... it had no future.

"Yes, mother," Utahime said resolutely. "I will stay away from him."

"Will you be alright?" Of course, her mother sensed her turmoil even over the phone.

"Don't worry, Mother. I'm fine."

It was a lie and both of them knew it. Utahime wished nothing more than to spend New Year's Eve at her parents' house, sprawled in front of the TV, watching a silly singing competition and eating snacks until her belly hurt.