Shadows unseen

11-Fondness

The morning after the mission came with an unusual quietness. The atmosphere at Jujutsu Tech felt calmer, the tension from the day before now dissipating into a peaceful silence. Gojo had told them they'd have a couple of days off to recover, and Y/n couldn't help but be thankful. After everything that had happened, the break was much needed.

Y/n sat on the edge of her bed, absently staring at the katana that rested against the wall. Her brother's katana. Its presence was a constant reminder of the battle she had fought the day before—her first real test as a Jujutsu sorcerer. The cursed spirit, the fear she had felt when it lunged at her, the way she had hesitated. It all lingered in her mind, replaying in vivid detail.

Her hand drifted to her cheek, where the cut from the curse still stung. It was healing, but every small twinge reminded her that she had been so close to failure. What if she hadn't been able to hold her ground? What if her blade hadn't struck true? There were so many moments where she had doubted herself, so many instances where the fear had nearly overwhelmed her.

But she had survived. She had won.

As Y/n stood up, she winced slightly, the ache in her muscles making itself known as she moved. Bruises lined her arms and legs, and every step felt heavy with the remnants of yesterday's exertion. But as the morning light streamed through her window, bathing the room in a warm glow, she couldn't help but feel a quiet sense of pride. No matter how much doubt lingered, she had fought her first curse and walked away. She had made it.

The quiet outside her dorm contrasted with the distant sounds of laughter and conversation coming from the common area. Her teammates were already awake. Even from her room, Y/n could hear Yuji's animated voice, his usual enthusiasm filling the air.

It was strange how quickly things had changed. The day before, they had been tense, focused on survival, with the weight of their first mission hanging over them. Today, that tension had dissolved, replaced by a lighter, more relaxed atmosphere. The mission had tested them, but now it felt as though a barrier had been broken. They had survived, and it was like the weight of that had drawn them closer.

As Y/n made her way out of her room and down the hall, she could feel the lingering soreness in her limbs, but the peacefulness of the morning was enough to push it to the back of her mind. She needed this time to recover, both physically and mentally.

When she reached the common area, she found Yuji sprawled out on the couch, clutching a cereal box like a lifeline, halfway through what was likely his second or third bowl. Nobara sat across from him, feet propped up on the coffee table, lazily scrolling through her phone, though she occasionally shot him a playful glare.

"Morning!" Yuji said through a mouthful of cereal, his grin wide and contagious. He waved the cereal box in her direction, offering it as if it were some kind of prize.

Y/n smiled, easing herself into one of the chairs nearby. "Morning," she replied, her voice a little more relaxed than it had been in days.

"You want some?" Yuji continued, shaking the box again. "It's pretty much the only thing left in the kitchen, but it's got marshmallows, so... it's practically gourmet."

Nobara rolled her eyes, still glued to her phone. "How are you not sick of that yet? Didn't you eat two bowls already?"

Yuji shrugged, his grin only widening. "Maybe, but it's not every day we get to kick back like this. Besides, it's scientifically proven that cereal tastes better after a hard-fought victory."

Nobara snorted but didn't respond, a tiny smirk pulling at her lips. It was clear the tension between them had eased since the mission. Their bickering, which had been more biting before, now carried a playful edge.