Gojo's Sister With Cursed Blood

Chapter 8: A Close Call

Yuji woke up in Shoko's office. After passing out while battling the special grade behind the transfigured human case with Nanami, Yuji was taken to Shoko, Jujutsu High's onsite doctor for treatment. Shoko performed the Reverse Curse Technique (RCT) on Yuji before Nanami took Yuji to the morgue so he could pay his respects to Junpei Yoshino, a 17-year-old curse user in their case, who was being manipulated by the special grade into thinking they were friends after being a victim of severe bullying. After Yoshino was slaughtered by the special grade, Yuji had gone on a rampage and now blames himself for Yoshino's death and the escape of the special grade. Nanami sighed as the two had a conversation about Yuji's desire to lead people to a good and peaceful death.

"It's impossible to do such a thing considering death comes for all equally no matter what. I do not suggest you use this mindset as your motivation...though knowing you...you're going to do it anyway...Just don't kill yourself in the process. Just as I would've died today if you hadn't been there, you'll see that there are plenty of people to come that need you too...because you are now a Jujutsu sorcerer." With those words, Nanami left Yuji alone in the morgue and waited outside for him to process his emotions. Soon Yuji came back out of the morgue with puffy red eyes to greet Nanami. Out of courtesy, Nanami decided to take Yuji out for a late snack rather than let him stay in the basement wallowing in depression. It was around 10 pm when the duo walked to the back exit of Jujutsu High. As they reached the red arch that stood above the stairs, Yuji saw something glow in the pale moonlight which was accompanied by shuffles and light staggers. Yuji's eyes widened as he recognized who was slowly making their way up the exit.

"Unik!" Yuji calls out, his heart relieved she is back and yearning to hear her voice after a miserable day. Yuji runs and meets her at the top of the steps but upon closer inspection, he feels his heart stop. Unik's breathing was harboured and ragged, she clutched at her ribs and limped towards him, what looked like purple blood was staining her white hair and dripping down to the floor making little marks everywhere she stepped. Though she was covered in an oversized rain jacket, Yuji could tell she was badly injured. Yuji reaches out, takes Unik's face in his hands and looks into her uncovered blue eye. Before he could say another word, Unik lurched forward, blood spilling from her mouth as she fell. Yuji managed to catch her and he lowered her gently to the ground. Nanami was instantly by Yuji's side as Yuji frantically shook Unik, calling for her to wake up. A pool of Unik's purple blood was already forming around them, her body was cold and Yuji instinctively drew Unik closer to his chest, hoping to keep her warm. Without wasting any more time Nanami removed his outer jacket and draped it over Unik. Scooping her out of Yuji's arms he begins to dart back into the school.

"We need to get her to Shoko, now!" yells Nanami as he sprints away with Unik in his arms. Yuji followed closely behind him, watching as Unik's head bobbed lightly against Nanami's shoulder.

"Shoko!" yells Nanami bursting into the doctor's office. Shoko stands up from her desk and races towards Nanami who places Unik on the bed Yuji was lying on earlier. Tears were building up in Yuji's eyes as Shoko and Nanami removed Unik's oversized jacket to reveal a deep burn wound that had scorched the fabric off of Unik's uniform and left her flesh looking bloody, seared and crisp. Yuji was also able to see a stab wound that went through the right side of Unik's abdomen and out her back. Unik was still unconscious as the two adults worked to bandage her up. The only form of response was the sound of Unik gasping as she struggled to intake air. Nanami then walked in front of Yuji, blocking his view as Shoko used RCT.

"It might take a bit," says Nanami as he purposefully forces Yuji to pay attention to him. Unik's choking can be heard in the background as Nanami starts to pull Yuji out of the office. Before Yuji was forced out completely he noticed that Shoko's RCT was working but very slowly on Unik, whose unconscious face was contorting in pain. Tears were starting to pour out of her eyes just as Nanami closed the door to Shoko's office behind them. Yuji looked up at Nanami.

"Nanamin" whispers Yuji, his eyes round with pain and tears. Namami sighed "She's a slow healer," he said "We'll wait to hear what Shoko has to say okay?" Yuji nodded and he took a seat on the floor outside the office, his mind racing and his vision blurred with more tears. The two waited for about half an hour. During this time Yuji had zoned out and Nanami had texted Gojo about Unik. Finally, the door to Shoko's office was opened.

"She's okay, but she's still unconscious," says Shoko as she leads the two men into the room. Yuji dashes to Unik's side. Shoko had cut her out of her uniform and placed her into soft pajamas. Even under the pajamas and blankets though, Yuji could see that Unik was covered in bandaids, from her chest to her arms. He took her hand in his, even through the bandaids her hand felt cold. Gripping her hand firmly but gently Yuji tried to warm her hands back up with his. The two adults continued to talk as they watched Yuji and Unik.

"Not surprised," says Nanami, "I've never seen her so banged up...even on normal occasions she would be out of commission for a few days...but this time...I hope she wakes up after a few days." Shoko handed Nanami her Ipad. "Nitta sent me the report of what Unik was doing during her mission...it seems as though assistant directors were sent back to re-evaluate the scene and found that the curse had likely evolved into special grade." Yuji listened intently to Shoko and Nanami, tightening his grip on Unik's hand. He studied her sleeping face which looked more relaxed, her breathing was soft and steady.

"If anything, we should move her back to her room. I'll check up on her every hour or so over the next few days." Shoko walks over to Yuji and puts a hand on Yuji's shoulder, "can you and Nanami help me put Unik back into her room?" Yuji nodded and the trio gently moved Unik onto a stretcher and wheeled her to her room where they settled Unik into her bed.

"Can I stay here?" asks Yuji. Nanami and Shoko nod, knowing that pulling Yuji away from Unik now would just give him more to worry about later. The two adults retired to their respective rooms and Yuji was finally left alone with Unik. Grabbing a chair, Yuji sits beside Unik, holding her hand as he watches her chest rise and fall. Drowsiness begins to hit him as the relief of Unik's safety and health finally wash over him. Laying his head down on Unik's soft mattress he then takes her hand and places it on top of his head, soon enough Yuji lets sleep wash over him.