Shadows Of The Honoured One

Prologue

The night air was cool against her skin, the only sound the distant hum of Tokyo. Yumi stood on the rooftop of Jujutsu High, her gaze fixed on the glittering cityscape. She didn't need to turn to know he was there.

"That's your third time checking on the barrier tonight. Getting paranoid?" Gojo's voice was a low murmur, devoid of its usual theatrical lilt.

"You're the one who always says it's better to be safe." She turned, finding him leaning against the railing, his six eyes hidden behind his blindfold. In the darkness, she could almost feel the weight of his gaze.

He smirked, but it didn't reach his voice. "A new curse user was spotted in Shinjuku. A special grade."

"And you're here, telling me this, instead of already being there?"

He shrugged, a lazy, elegant motion. "I figured you'd want to know. Thought we could go together."

It was an excuse, and she knew it. He didn't need backup. He never did. But in that offer was a sliver of vulnerability, a rare admission that he didn't want to face the world alone.

"Let me grab my weapon," she said, her voice softer.

As she brushed past him, his hand reached out, his fingers lightly catching her wrist. The contact was brief, almost tentative, a shocking intimacy from someone who kept the world at arm's length.

"Hey," he said, his voice uncharacteristically quiet. "Thanks."

She didn't ask what for. She didn't need to. She just gave a single, small nod, her heart hammering in a way she would never admit. She couldn't say the words back, not yet. The heir of the Takahashi clan and the strongest sorcerer in the world couldn't have such simple things. So she simply walked away, the ghost of his touch still on her skin, and let her silence be her response. The battlefield was the only place where they could truly speak.

B-bye 🌺