Convergence

Part 1 : chapter 1

Somewhere in northern Tokyo, January 2000

"Bow down. This is Gojo Satoru, the illustrious heir to the Limitless and the Six Eyes."

Utahime, slightly trembling, lowered herself to the icy ground in a formal prostration. She did not dare raise her eyes, afraid of meeting the gaze of this boy - two years younger than herself - who was said to stand at the very centre of the world's balance.

She had heard of him countless times: the white-haired prodigy who had inherited the most powerful techniques of the Gojo clan. Yet never had she imagined that she would meet him - certainly not like this.

"I am Iori Utahime. It is an honour to meet you," she said, striving to steady her voice.

Still, she did not rise. She knew her place. Her parents had reminded her of it repeatedly before her departure. She was merely an exorcist from a relatively obscure Kyoto family. Though her lineage traced back over five centuries to an ancient shamanic tradition, most of its power had long since faded. Now, only Utahime and her grandmother retained any trace of cursed energy.

This year, Utahime had been selected by the Gojo clan as a ward.

Each year, the Gojo clan chose a child from an exorcist family somewhere in Japan - offering financial support and, more importantly, admission to Tokyo's prestigious Exorcist High School. In return, the child was bound to serve the Gojo family for three years.

Before her stood not only Gojo Satoru, but also his uncle and aunt.

The air inside the house was biting cold. It was early January, yet the atmosphere here felt far less warm than her home in Kyoto. She stood in a vast, ancient Japanese residence surrounded by an immense bamboo grove. During the night, a thin veil of snow had settled over the grounds, lending the place an almost dreamlike stillness.

Long corridors stretched endlessly, connecting countless rooms. They were enclosed by delicate wooden partitions that did little to keep out the cold.

"You may rise."

The voice came from somewhere indistinct, sharp and cold.

Utahime slowly stood. As she moved to rejoin the line, her eyes accidentally met Gojo's.

For a single instant, her entire body froze.

She felt herself pulled into the boundless blue of his gaze - an overwhelming, endless expanse. Her heart pounded violently. Her breathing faltered. It was as though the world had vanished, leaving only him.

A maid suddenly entered and bowed deeply. Utahime snapped back to herself, quickly taking her place among the others as inconspicuously as possible. It was unwise to stand out - especially on the first day.

Before arriving, she had heard unsettling stories about the Gojo clan. Servants allegedly punished for trivial mistakes. Others said to have died under mysterious circumstances. Rumours clung to the family like a shadow.

Truthfully, Utahime would have preferred to remain in the quiet countryside of Kyoto, with her parents. But how could she refuse such an opportunity - one that everyone called a blessing?

To study at the Tokyo Exorcist High School was a rare privilege. It was widely regarded as the gateway to a secure and prosperous future. Governed by the most powerful clans, the institution ensured its students access to the finest universities and most prestigious positions. Many parents, blinded by ambition for their children, chose to ignore the darker realities behind such privilege.

Once the formal introductions were over, the remainder of the day passed more calmly. Utahime was introduced to the other wards and given a tour of the residence.