Chapter 18: Sister Exchange Event, Day 1

After touring the Kyoto campus, my classmates and I had the rest of the day to ourselves. I walked around the city, took in some sights, and ran. Nothing out of the ordinary occurred. Then evening came, and things got weird. It all started with a chance encounter in the hallway of the dormitories.

My forehead broke out into a cold sweat, and my heart rate shot up, causing me to clutch my chest. Thankfully, it was not a heart attack. Euphoria, calmness, and beauty I have not experienced before replaced the uncomfortable bodily sensations. I started laughing under my breath as a dark-haired came into my line of view.

"What is with the look, Miss Blaise?"

"Huh?"

"Nanami asked you a question, kid. What is with the look? Are you feeling nervous about the team battle today? Are you thinking about Simon?"

I want to throw my cup of tea at Satoru for mocking me but resist. He would expect me to lash out and can activate his Limitless Technique to defend himself. Plus, I have been making strides in counseling and refuse to regress into my old habits.

"To your question Nanami, I am thinking about someone I ran into last night." I turn my eyes to Satoru. "Gojo, I saw this person in the hallway. Kindly refrain from sharing whatever crude or dirty thoughts you are harboring. And stop shipping me with Simon."

"You have such little faith in me, Santa-Clara. Besides, you and Simon would make a cute couple."

After taking a hard sip of tea, I scrunch my face.

"I am not interested in Simon romantically, for numerous reasons. Now, if you will excuse me, I am going to freshen up before the opening ceremonies."

Roughly ten minutes later

"If I may have everyone's attention."

I perk up at Principal Gakuganji's gruff voice, making a hard line with my lips.

"Everyone, listen up! Principal Gakuganji and I have some important information to share with each of you. The sooner we get through sharing, the sooner we can move on."

The moment Yaga starts talking is the moment everyone turns their attention to the adults. Now I can hear my thoughts crystal clear.

"Much appreciation, Masamichi. As I was going to say, we are holding individual battles today."

A pin could drop, and one would hear it. Mouths gape open, eyes widen, and a few hearts skip a beat or two. I smirk to myself.

"Hold up. Today is the team event. What gives?"

"We are breaking away from tradition for accommodation purposes."

"Really? Explain why first-year students are participating this year?"

"There is strong talent in the first years", Gakuganji raises an eyebrow while turning his head in my direction, "and we want to give them a chance to shine."

I tune out the rest of the principal's chatter by watching my palms. Then I catch him walking into the room.

"Good morning, sunshine. Do you mind if I sit next to you?"

"I do mind. Please find someplace else to sit."

I turn my gaze toward the front of the room and stare off into space. Ijichi moves his eyes to the left, just in case.

"Hehehe. Nice try, Santa-Clara. For the record, we will most likely be paired up. Two strong sorcerers going at it for the sake of appearance. What do you make of this?"

"You mean one strong sorcerer beating the daylights out of a scared wimp. Sounds like an even match to me." My purple eyes lock onto Naoya's green eyes. He gulps hard while backing into his chair.

"Santa-Clara, get up here."

Spectator Viewing Area for the Event

"Lady Bonnfort. Welcome to the Jujutsu Technical 22nd-Annual Sister Exchange Event. Am I to assume you had a safe trip from France? Where are your brothers?"

"You assume correctly. I am sure Aldric is introducing himself to a student. Cyril...is not joining us today."

"The others will be here shortly. Speaking of the devil, Aldric Bonnfort, glad you made it!" Haruren embraces the dark-haired vampire.

"Greetings to you, Sir Gojo. I found them and can't wait to see what they bring to their showcase."

Aldric's fangs are hardly noticeable as his mouth opens. Fabrice Bonnfort closes her eyes, trying not to judge her brother too harshly. The rest of the seats slowly fill with more spectators.

Student Holding Area

I start pacing up and down the dimly light room when the first group of students is called to the field. The hot flashes, heart palpitations, and sudden urge to cry are out of place.

"Hey, do you want to talk about anything, Miss Blaise?"

"No. Just give me space so I can process what is going on with my mind. Thank you."

A quiet sigh escapes Nanami's lips while he drags himself to the t.v. monitor. The stove is turned off, Nutmeg is with the Ano family, and...

I jump out of my skin when the intercom goes off.

My heart threatens to beat out of my chest. The walls are slowly closing in on me, too! I put my hands on my knees, and stare at the floor.

Kiyotaka is rolled through the hallway, his right leg, broken from the patella to the ankle.

"Heal cleanly," I flash a smile, "I will visit you later." This makes him blush before passing out.

"Should not you be in the viewing area, playing host to the guests of honor? And where is Yaga-sensi?"

"How about you stop worrying about other people and head outside."

The Elder turns around and walks away. I send a silent prayer to my brothers, and involuntarily kiss the ground while heading outside.

Warning: mild swearing, violence, and blood ahead

The air in my lungs moves, uninhibited, as a gentle breeze caresses my face. A single curl covers my right eye like a blanket concealing a surprise. With my shoulders rolled back, chin in a neutral position, and face carrying a smile, I make my way to the middle of the field.

"Points are awarded by the number of attacks made toward your opponent. Killing is strictly prohibited! You can utilize the field and forest as you see fit."

Naoya and I have locked eyes, neither of us yielding. "Finally, incapacitation is an automatic victory. Any questions from either of you?"

Naoya and I both shake our heads.

"Your match starts now."

There is no doubt in my mind Naoya will try to pin me down, beat the living daylights out of me, and humiliate me. His piece of work father is watching, waiting for his heir to live up to expectations.

Five steps backward, two steps to my right, and freeze. Naoya mirrors me. He keeps his left foot pointed at me, and his right foot pointed at the forest. A quick escape stance, I admire this a lot.

"I will say Santa-Clara, you seem pretty adept at fighting. What is your secret?"

My right palm catches his left fist as I am kicked in the gut. I dig my nails into his flesh.

"I train day-in and out! Just like you, and every other sorcerer in this country." My adrenaline spikes. "Want to play hide-and-seek?"

Naoya's brow tightens, his eyes shut halfway, and wham! I get a clear punch onto his nose, drawing blood.

I have seven minutes before my technique preparation completes. As I run through the tree-tops, looking over my shoulder once in a while, a murder of crows comes into view. I misstep, tumbling to the forest floor within seconds.

Stars circle my head while my heart pounds in my butt. Then I see it! A light pink barrier, outlined with black. As I am about to touch it, a knife zips by my face...grazing my fingers. A broad grin covers my face while red fluid drips down my arm.

"Huff, huff. Thought you could get away that easily?" I turn around, cocking my head to the side and keeping my heart rate in check.

"Took you long enough to find me," I cock my left elbow back. The sudden spikes in cursed energy make my body light up like a firework.

We run toward each other. With my left hand balled up and my right palm forward, I grab his wrist...whipping him away from me. When I turn around, he has disappeared.

"Soul-Reflection, activate." My eyes turn royal blue-violet, giving me insight into all the living creatures around me.

Squawk.

"Track and follow!" I start walking forward, swaying left and right, ignoring the pounding in my head.

Deeper Within the Forest

"How did I get here?!" Naoya cowers on top of a peak overlooking running water. His body clams up, his pupils grow to the size of a dessert plate.

"How about you use that pretty little brain of yours?" I whisper, my eyes glowing more with each second.

"Huh?" The look of dread on his face makes me

"Above you, look."

"Squawk!"

The bird I found the other day swoops down, grazing Naoya's head. It is punched in the gut, making me take a few steps back. Naoya curls his hand into a ball but, another aerial attack makes him clutch to the peak for dear life.

As I step forward, my eyes return to their neutral state. I walk over to the cliff, grinning from ear to ear.

"Your hands are quite cold. Are you afraid?"

"Let go of me! Agh!"

"Very well." I sit down and lay in the gravel. The sweet swish swash of blood swims through my head. Suddenly, I jolt up from my position, as the sound of gravel kicks up from beneath the cliff. Without a second thought, I snap my fingers, feeling a cold breeze kisses my face.

"Agh, I can't..." Naoya's face turns to beat red when he turns and faces me. I throw him back onto the river bank. My body feels like it is going to melt off! I allow myself to fall into the water; the coolness of the water sends feelings of electricity through my body.

Poof.

As Naoya reaches for my limp body, I grab him by the wrists and interlace my fingers with his. I cradle his right hand in my left hand and gently place my left hand on his waist. Our eyes meet; mine are soft, the pupils, a light gold color.

"I have always wanted to tango. You know, the sultry dance of following and leading." I take a step forward, forcing Naoya to step backward.

"Listen here, Naoya, I will lead our little dance first. And if you are lucky, I will let you lead too." I jerk his body close to mine. His peppermint breath makes me want to throw up.

"I refuse to take order from..."

"Body-Soul-Puppeterring Technique: Activate."

He lets go of my hands and tries running away. I snap my fingers, beckoning Naoya back to me.

"Why can't I move? What have you done to me you little bitch?"

Crack, crunch.

"First off, you will call me Blaise or Santa-Clara."

"Why don't you make me? You know darn well the Elders..."

Smack, crunch.

"Secondly, when I am talking keep your mouth shut.

The slightest trail of blood falls from my nose. Naoya does a spit take, making a tooth fly from his mouth.

Right outside the Spectator Gallery

"Look at her, Mai! She is beating our cousin up! That is beyond cool!"

"Maki, keep your voice down. We should not be here in the first place."

"No, I don't care. Our mother is not around, and our uncle is kissing up to the Elders!"

"Suit yourself."

Meanwhile

"Stop mocking me, you low-life, half-bred, insignificant person." Naoya's high-pitched voice causes a few birds to circle me.

"Easy there my feathered friends, I am alright." The birds disperse.

"A low-life, half-bred...oh, a derogatory phrase for someone who is multiracial." My eyes flash into a faint purple. Close to the color of white. "This mix of French, Japanese, and African caught your eyes"

Naoya's face turns bright red. Water pricks at the sides of his green eyes.

"I can't access my cursed energy or control my body! What type of witchcraft is this!"

"It is a type of witchcraft you will never understand but, is important for many. Now enjoy your dreams."

I let Naoya's limp body fall to the ground.