Chapter 12: Iori-chan
Authors note here. Ima drop a chapter occasionally just to make sure this story doesn't lose too much traction. Already have three chapters done, and I'm rearing for more. Also, Utahime was Utahimes furst name so I'm doing a little change here.
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POV Ryoko, present, age 15
The pain that shot through my head disappeared the instant I finished the memory of both 'first' uses of reemergence.
I wryly smiled, so the reason I hadn't used my cursed technique for nine years was because of 'Stranger Danger'?
Well, it was horrible the way I killed those two men. But that shouldn't, and wouldn't, have been enough to stop me. I don't want to imagine what they might've done to that woman.
Speaking of which…
I guess in this timeline I had saved Utahime from her presumable death instead of the rape and extortion of that woman.
And that, made me feel good. Good that I had saved Utahime's life because of a domino effect of me meeting her in 2001.
The effects of my power were already showing. Instead of saving that woman, I had saved Utahime.
And these effects would continue to magnify as I used my curse technique. Although my past self may feel immense suffering, it was just that, my past self.
I, personally, don't feel any pain and get gains. Screw you, gym bros! No pain but gain!
Feeling Utahime's hand still on my face, I backed away. It was a little bit uncomfortable having someone's hand on your face.
And also Utahime's nail was slightly digging into my forehead. Classic Utahime clumsyness.
Utahime slowly retracted her hand from the empty space that was where my face was. Still reminiscing about when I saved her life and healed her of her wounds.
Coughing to draw Utahime's attention, she was shaken out of her trance state. "So?" She looked questioningly at me.
"So?"
Utahime continued her question, "So, do you remember? Saving my life?" Utahime smiled, going back to remembering six year old me saving her life.
"Yeah, I remember that. I especially remember your expectant expression when I healed you. Not quite the knight in shining armor you were expecting?"
Utahime blushed slightly, but it quickly faded. "Well, what do you expect my expression to be?"
"I dunno, Iori." I said, trying my best to embarrass her.
*snort*
Utahime snorted loudly at my attempt to embarrass her. She was a full grown woman after all. Holding her hand behind her back, she closed her eyes and tilted her head.
"I guess that means I can call you Ryoko from now on?"
My face matched the color of my hair, as I continued my attempt to tease her from earlier, "Only if I can call you Iori."
My teasing, apparently still not working, only made Utahime snort more. "Fine by me Ryoko."
As me and Utahime blabbed on about said topic, the door to the room opened and a very annoying Nitta came through to spot me and Utahime in our back and forth.
Noticing Utahime was in a different shirt and her pants thing was all messed up from changing, plus how my face was very red, while Utahime's was slightly red, he put together a conclusion in his mind.
"Sorry for interrupting!"
Closing the door, he left before me or Utahime could say anything. Both of us paused before we heard Nitta make his escape down the hallway loudly.
At the exact same time we both turned our head towards one another, Utahime's and my eyes meeting. Finally a more pronounced blush was on her face compared to my teasing.
Although I wasn't happy that Nitta was the one to do it, I felt a sense of victory now that her face was as red as mine.
"He really did interrupt us, Iori-chan." A lesson that Utahime had taught me was strike when your opponent is down and take advantage of every little thing.
The blush on Utahime's face intensified.
"You…" she trailed off while trying to think of a comeback.
"You? You what? 'You are so right Ryoko-kun'?" I added gas unto the flames.
Utahime, in contrast to my expectations, calmed down. "Fantasizing about me calling you Ryoko-kun? You should really just ask me."
Damnit! Why was she so good at pushing my buttons? It's like she had experience or something.
Calm down, I need to think logically. What would really piss her off? As if divine intervention, a brilliant idea that could not possibly backfire entered my mind.
"No no, you are just projecting your fantasies unto me. Iori-chan, how's your love life? I really care about your mental wellbeing, Iori-chan." Right as the words left my mouth, I knew I had fucked up.
A pressure engulfed me, it wasn't cursed energy, but the killing intent of a wounded beast. One that wouldn't let me escape unscathed.
Utahime smiled.
"Quite presumptuous coming from you. Ever had a girlfriend yet? No? How devastating. You should really not project that I'm projecting. I'd bet everything I own that you will stay single for the next… 10 years, minimum." Utahime's smile cracked slightly, revealing the injury I had given her.
Silently sucking up my tears, I began my final attack. I had clearly wounded the beast, so this would be my only chance to win.
"Speak for yourself. When was the last time you went on a date? When was the last time you were alone with a man? 2001 when I was with you? When was the last time you managed to even talk to a man in your dating zone? You are projecting the projection on the projection."
Deathly silence overtook the room. And once it reached a breaking point, Utahime uttered a few words to me. Barely managing to push them out of her mouth.
"The last time I went on a date… was 2005."
Although this would assuredly win me the dispute. I suddenly didn't feel so good arguing with Utahime.
"…I didn't mean to bring up something that hurt. Let's change topic, ok, Utahime-sensei?"
Utahime looked up from the ground, a large smile on her face.
Uhroh.
"HA! Fooled you! I haven't been looking for a date all these years. You really care about your Iori-chan? Your only friend, the teacher double your age? Yet ten times more youthful?"
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POV Narrator
This bickering continued for many more minutes, eventually it was late into the night before they came to one conclusion.
Utahime was the FAR better teaser. Perhaps this was due to her being teased by Gojo, or maybe she had a talent in it. Or perhaps she just had a knack for teasing Ryoko.
But Ryoko was no slouch either. Although he was worse at it than Utahime, he was only worse because of his lack of life compared to Utahime.
Don't ask why I didn't say Utahime was older by leaps and bounds? women are scary. As demonstrated by Iori-chan, the teacher double Ryoko's age yet ten times more youthful.
But, all good things must come to an end. As Utahime and Jikan, no, Iori and Ryoko parted ways to get some fucking sleep, Ryoko wishing Utahime a safe travel home, making her laugh hysterically at his stupid worries. But he waved it off as a bad feeling of his, and that he simply cared for his Iori-chan.
But, maybe his worries were founded, as a sorcerer from the golden age of jujutsu sorcery, was watching over them both.
The backshot taker himself, Kenjaku.
POV Kenjaku
This was an interesting development. A new special grade sorcerer? And one with an unknown technique, why it should be fun to figure it out!
Perhaps it could play a vital role for future plans? Perhaps it is even stronger than some of the 6 disaster curses? Most definitely stronger than Dagon and Hanami's techniques. But most likely weaker than Mahito and Teke's techniques.
But it was most definitely weaker than Kyozetsu's technique. Even I get chills when I think about that monster's technique.
I wouldn't hesitate to take their body, even with the dire weakness to reverse curse energy and lack of ability to use reverse techniques.
But, I couldn't because their body would dissipate, and quite frankly, I was… afraid. Afraid not only for my life, but my work. My plans. With a use of their ability, all my plans would fail.
Kyozetsu was the oldest of the disaster curses. In fact, he was around 15 years old. Old enough to be a first year in Jujutsu high. His power was immense, not on the level of Satoru Gojo, but with him and a few others?
Infinity, was only good if it worked.
Back out of my tangent, I should find out about this boy's technique. It might be useful for my plans. If it was something useful, he would take it directly. Only after he had sealed Gojo, of course.
Anti-gravity, although powerful, wasn't incredibly useful. The only reason he had kept it was because of Yuki Tsukumo, in case she blew him up alongside herself.
Watching as the boy departed from… what was her name Itahime? Itahime Ori? Oh well it didn't matter much.
It was time to have a little fun! Let's see what a Semi-first grade sorcerer can do.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone