Chapter 8: Are You Serious?

"Why are your eyes bloodshot?"

"Don't worry about it. Here, I got you a coffee." The three IVs in my classmate's arm make me choke back tears. I walk to the window, watching the people down below.

"Did Ryo and company get to you again?" I nod my head, averting direct eye contact with my company.

"I have to go. Text or call if you need anything."

"Blaise?" I stop right outside the door, turning my head slowly.

"Take care of yourself, please. And thank you." I return Lila's smile with one of my own. The breathing tube brings up memories.

Once outside, I turn left, my company is a few meters behind me.

"And how may I help you, young men?"

"One coffee with four sugar cubes for me, and a black tea for this guy."

Do not come over here. Do not come over here!

"Oh, we are going to be here a while. Thanks."

C'est juste mon chance! Ces garçons sont tres ennuyeux!

While I am mentally complaining, I sense two people approaching me. I keep my eyes on the empty booth seats in front of me, removing a faded picture from my backpack.

"You gave us quite a scare. Running off as fast as you did. Mind if we join you."

I jump in my seat, putting the picture back where I found it.

"Yes, I do mind. Please take your icy blue eyes someplace else."

My request falls on deaf ears as the white-haired sorcerer sits down, crossing his arms over his chest, and leaning back in his seat.

"Who sent you? What are your intentions?" I lean forward on my elbows, cocking my head to the left.

"I sent myself."

"Very well. You with the piercings, who sent you, and what are your intentions?"

"Satoru, how about we take our drinks to go."

"Nah, Suguru, I enjoy watching her face change. Why are your eyes red?"

"Ça ne vous concern pas. You are from Kyoto Curse College, nice uniforms and insignia." I sip from my coffee while watching Satoru.

"You are incorrect. We are from Tokyo Metropolitan Curse College. And what is your name?"

"You two should know my name since your superiors sent you to fetch me. Let me save you both some time, I am not going with you to the campus. And don't threaten me with your smirk."

"Oi, I like this one. She is feisty. Our instructor sent for you, we will be waiting outside. Come, Suguru."

I close my eyes and pinch the bridge of my nose. Before getting up, I slowly remove the picture, look at it and say, "I wish you were still here."

................

"Do you think she will run away?"

"Look for yourself, Suguru."

"There is no need to stare at me. Let's go." I hold a palm out while finishing off my coffee.

Satoru turns on his heels with Suguru walking next to him. I wait half a second before following the two.

After twenty minutes, we find ourselves in the middle of campus. And what a sight it is! Spacious grounds dotted with temples, a coy pond in the back, and trees for days. Then reality hits me like a pound of bricks as a stocky, middle-aged sorcerer walks toward us.

"Were you able to find her, Gojo, and Geto?"

Satoru and Suguru step to the side, revealing a space free of my presence. Their eyes bug out of their faces, making me snicker.

"I am over here."

I am underneath a cherry blossom tree. The middle-aged sorcerer storms over to me, knuckles clenched. He stops short of where I am standing, blinking rapidly under his shades. His heart rate slows down a bit, and his brow furrows. His fists uncurl.

"May I help you?"

Now the sorcerer looks away from me. His heart drops to the ground. I turn my attention to the yellow-chested blackbird who has been eyeing me for two minutes. It perches on my shoulder without prompting.

"Gojo, and Geto, take her to the Elders at once."

"Why are they meeting with us now?"

"I did not say they were meeting all three of you, just her. Now go!"

"On it, sir."

The middle-aged sorcerer walks away from us, glancing over his shoulder one last time before disappearing. A firm hand rests on my shoulder, causing me to turn around, fists raised.

"Easy there. I am not going to hurt you."

"Do not touch me without consent!" I storm off to the furthest building on the left.

Meanwhile

"It is 11:30 am. Where are Gojo and Geto with Santa-Clara?"

"Yaga did not specify when they would arrive. Besides, another individual is late for our meeting."

"I knew we should have done something with Shara and Jorgen while they were students! It would not have been a waste to have..."

"Might I suggest bitting your tongue? They are close."

The dimly lit hallway reflects how I feel right now: hallow, clutching to the shred of hope left in my heart. I move forward with Satoru and Suguru keeping a respectful distance.

Slide.

"And here she is, welcome to Jujutsu Technical College, Miss Santa-Clara. We have anticipated your arrival for some time. May we offer you a seat?"

"I would prefer standing in place, thank you."

"We were not asking if you wanted to sit. Get in here!" I grip my bag and stare into a face with more piercings than I can count.

I let out a quiet sigh, pulling my shoulders back before sitting across from the two Elders.

"Gojo and Geto, please see yourselves out. This meeting does not concern you."

"We would like to stay during the meeting."

"We said..."

"Leave. There is no point in escalating your words into a full-on fight. And take this with you." I hand Suguru my backpack.

"Are you sure you will be..."

"I will be alright. Thanks."

After the door closes, my mouth salivates, I keep my body posture straight, and the corners of my mouth spread out. I make eye contact with facial pricing Elder.

"How about we start with getting the smirk off your face."

"Nice meeting you as well. Please call me Blaze. And your name is?"

"Principal Gakugangi, I help run the sister school in Kyoto."

Hurried shuffling sounds draw my attention away from Gakugangi's ramblings. And then...

"Well, I should have known you would show up." My eyes bulge out of their sockets as I address someone who is not blondie. Then my brow furrows as he comes through the door.

"PIck, your chin off the floor, girl. We have a lot to discuss."

I stack one knee atop each other, leaning forward in my seat. My eyes squint as Gakugangi starts blabering again.

"Now that we are all accounted for, Santa-Clara, we brought you to campus for your safety. As you can surmise, people are looking to harm you."

"Kindly stop talking down to me."

"How about you watch your tone. By the way, my name is Naoya Zenin. I am sure you are familiar with my lineage."

"Can't say that I am. Why am I here?" I look Gaguganji straight in the eyes while talking. "You had some pretty harsh words regarding my parents not too long ago."

"Did I now? The only words I had to say regarding your parents was how spectacular they were as sorcerers." Everyone in the room, save Naoya and me, nod their heads in agreement.

Five minutes is all I am giving myself before leaving.

"What have you done with the cursed object located at Abitha School for Young Minds?"

"The only cursed object I have in my possession is a knife."

"Do not lie to us. We would hate for you to start your tenure on rough terms."

"I am starting to feel unsafe. May I leave?"

"Not until you answer our question. Where is the cursed object?"

I shrug my shoulders, clasp my elbows, and lean back. Satoru and Suguru are right outside the door.

"It would be wise for you to answer, Santa-Clara. Getting into a fight with any of us will result in serious injuries or death." Says the individual whom I assume is Naoya's father.

"Then there are the times you have cursed civilians and multiple truancies."

"I can neither confirm nor deny I committed the mentioned acts. I have an appointment in two hours and want to eat. Have a nice day."

Slide. Click, clack.

"We will continue this conversation on a later date, Santa-Clara. Don't try running and hiding."

I curl my fist and walk out with my head held high.

"Ya know, it is just like a Zen'In to take a stab at someone without prompting," Satoru states as he closes the door.