𝑴𝒖𝒕𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑪𝒖𝒓𝒔𝒆 (𝑺𝒂𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒖 𝑮𝒐𝒋𝒐 𝒙 𝑶𝑪)

1.7 Eyes of Infinity

The sun was rising gently over Jujutsu High, bathing the buildings in a soft golden light. The morning rays streamed through the classroom windows, casting light patterns on the wooden floors and warming the still-quiet rooms. Birds sang joyfully in the trees in the garden, their harmonious trills mingling with the gentle rustling of the leaves stirred by the breeze. The freshly cut grass emitted a sweet, grassy fragrance, while the water of the nearby river glistened under the first rays of the day.

In one of the classrooms, Chihiro sat at her desk, focused on her notebook. The sunlight caressed her black hair, making it shine like silk in the morning glow. She wrote carefully, her slender fingers holding the pen firmly as she filled the pages with small notes and observations. Her gaze occasionally wandered to the garden outside, capturing the tranquility of the scene before returning to her notebook.

She was jotting down the little things her mentor, Satoru Gojo, tended to forget. The offhand remarks he let slip, the habits he didn't realize he had. Like how he often forgot to have breakfast or how he liked the arrangement of books on his shelf—always slightly disordered but in a way that seemed intentional. Chihiro would smile sometimes as she wrote, a gentle tenderness illuminating her features. It was a small secret ritual she had developed, a way for her to better understand this complex man, to decode the subtleties of his actions and words.

She turned a page in her notebook, rereading some notes she had taken on Satoru's advice regarding cursed energy. His words, always so precise and clear in his explanations, echoed in her mind. She ran a finger over the lines of ink, recalling each lesson, every moment spent learning under his watchful eye. There was a depth to his teachings that had always fascinated her, a balance between rigor and lightness that she strove to achieve herself.

Chihiro stood up from her chair, gently stretching her arms above her head. She felt nervous but also excited. Today marked her first solo mission. She took a deep breath, trying to calm the butterflies in her stomach. Before leaving, she decided to leave a little note for Satoru, a gesture of gratitude and encouragement.

She walked over to Satoru's desk and tore a small piece of paper from her notebook. With a delicate hand, she carefully wrote a few words: "Good luck with your day, Gojo-san. - Chihiro." Her handwriting was fine and slightly slanted, reflecting her reserved yet attentive personality.

She added a special touch by placing a drop of her favorite scented oil on the paper, a subtle fragrance of jasmine and bergamot that reminded her of the school gardens. Then, she went to the garden and picked a small flower, a simple yet elegant white daisy, and gently placed it on the note as a final touch.

Chihiro smiled softly as she looked at the note, hoping it would bring a bit of joy to her mentor, even though he probably wouldn't show it. She left the classroom with a certain lightness in her step, closing the door behind her with a final glance at the desk. She descended the stairs and stepped out into the morning light, ready to face her first solo mission.

The birds continued to sing joyfully above her head, and she felt the coolness of the grass under her sandals as she walked toward the school gate. The river's water sparkled, clear and bright, and the soft murmur of its current provided a soothing background sound. She knew this day would be a test, a challenge of her skills and learning, but she was ready. Chihiro took one last look at the school behind her, feeling both nostalgic and hopeful. The sun shone above her, and she felt that this was the beginning of something new, something great.

The bustling heart of Tokyo was alive with its usual symphony of sights and sounds: neon lights flickered with vibrant energy, illuminating the streets below; the hum of conversations and the occasional shouts of street vendors filled the air; cars honked in the distance, weaving through the throngs of people. But today, a section of this commercial district was noticeably different. A perimeter had been set, cordoning off a portion of the shopping area, its usual foot traffic diverted away by hastily erected barriers and caution tape.