Curse Bound (Jujutsu Kaisen Fanfic)

18

The heavy wooden door shuddered open with a groan, swallowing the frantic pounding of Hanako's heart. A forceful shove from behind—a hand urgent and insistent against the small of her back—propelled her stumbling into the fully lit room. Her heart hammered a wild rhythm against her ribs as she looked around, her eyes darting across the three students seated there.

The world seemed to compress around Hanako. One moment she was ready to react; the next, Utahime's voice sliced through the air, sharp and laced with panic. "Wait, don't!" The single word echoed in the sudden silence, a desperate plea that sent a jolt through Hanako.

Her eyes, wide as saucers, bulged for a split second. The sound of Utahime's voice felt like a physical blow,  momentarily disorienting her. Her arms shot up in a purely reflexive motion, a feeble ward against the unseen threat. But even as she raised them, a surge of power erupted from Hanako's core. It was a tangible wave of energy that pulsed outward, momentarily pushing back the air and sending a tremor through the ground. Akki, the cursed spirit coiled around Hanako's unseen form, tightened its grip, its malice fueling the burst of power.

Meanwhile, the three students opposite her reacted with flinching alacrity. They lunged forward in a coordinated attack fueled by adrenaline and determination. Their faces, previously neutral, were now etched with a mix of anger and fear.

Satoru's signature black glasses, usually a shield over his enigmatic eyes, hung askew on his head. The reveal was startling, a vulnerability etched across his face.  Suguru called one of his cursed spirits, a writhing mass of translucent malice, hovering by his shoulder, a constant, hungry threat. Opposite him, Ieiri stood resolute in the center, her posture rigid, a silent guardian between the two boys.

"Hold on, you three," Utahime boomed, her voice laced with a sharp command. Her hands shot up in a placating gesture, her body forming a protective barrier in front of Hanako alongside Mei.

Satoru's usual playful demeanor vanished completely. His brow furrowed, a deep crease appearing between his eyes as he stared at the newcomer. "What is someone like her doing here?" he demanded, his voice clipped and devoid of its usual amusement.

The question hung in the air, heavy with suspicion. His usually bright blue eyes, which Hanako had naively admired moments before, now held a chilling glint that sent shivers down her spine.

Feeling the intensity of his gaze, Hanako flinched. Her hands, which had been raised in a startled defense, dropped to her sides. A cold dread settled in her stomach. It was then that she realized it was the first time she had felt Akki's presence since she woke from falling unconscious in the rain.

She was lost in her thoughts about this until. She dared a glance upwards, meeting the white haired boy's eyes once again, only to be met with a chilling emptiness. She quickly averted her gaze, scrambling for refuge behind Mei. 

Just as Iori leaned forward, about to respond to Satoru's question, a sharp crack on the door sent shivers down everyone's spine. A low voice, dripping with disappointment, rumbled from the other side, "What in the world are the three of you doing?"

The entire class swiveled in unison, their gazes darting towards the doorway. There stood their homeroom teacher, Mr. Yaga. His face was etched with a deep frown, like a storm cloud had settled permanently above his brow. His disappointment intensified as his eyes scanned the room. Papers, once proudly displayed on the walls, hung askew or lay crumpled on the floor. Desks were askew, pushed out of place as if in a scuffle.

"Sensei! You're finally here!" Gojo crowed, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Maybe you can explain why there's a cursed girl standing smack in the middle of our classroom."

Masamichi, perched on his desk, discreetly flicked his gaze towards Hanako. Her small frame trembled, her fingers clutching at Mei's uniform, the knuckles of her hands turning white. Her eyes darted nervously around the room, searching for an escape route.

"Suguru, Ieiri, Satoru,"  Yaga began, his voice firm but surprisingly calm. "The three of you can relax. She's not going anywhere, and don't try to attack her."

His words hung in the air, momentarily stunning them all. Satoru, usually the picture of defiance, opened his mouth to protest, but Masamichi, sensing the volatile situation, shot him a silencing glance.

Mr. Yaga turned his attention to Hanako, his demeanor softening slightly. "It's alright, Hanako," he said gently. "You can come out from behind Mei."

Satoru didn't like Masamichi's words as he stared down on Hanako and noticed the ura of dark energy emanating from Hanako, a presence that his eyes could clearly show him.

Hesitantly, Hanako peeked around Mei's shoulder. Her eyes, wide and fearful, locked with Mr. Yaga's. He offered her a reassuring smile, and with a small, hesitant step, she emerged from her hiding place.

Standing awkwardly in the center of the room, she became the focal point. Mr. Yaga cleared his throat and addressed the stunned class. "Everyone, this is Hanako Shiro. Welcome your new classmate – hopefully for the next three years."

A collective gasp rippled through the room. "New classmate?" the three other first-years echoed in unison, their faces a mixture of disbelief and confusion.

A/N: I tried my best with this chapter so I hope you all enjoy it