Megumi and I arrived at our destination, which was in my opinion the most beautiful place I've ever seen. Not that I've actually seen much though, because I haven't traveled that much. Mostly because of school, and the fact that my parents had work most of the time. They still made time for me and Mirei, which I knew exhausted them since it took from their time to rest, but they never cared.
'Stop!'
I wanted to cry again, but I couldn't. I could cry once I was alone, but for now, I needed to learn. There was just so much that I didn't understand. My whole worldview had flipped upside down.
Anyway.
Traditional torii gates stood tall at the entrance, their old wood faded and worn with age but still proud. Lush trees lined the path, their branches arching overhead like a natural tunnel, filtering the sunlight into soft, golden rays. The scent of fresh grass mixed with something faintly smoky—like old incense or charm paper burned too long ago to trace.
Stone lanterns dotted the walkways, moss creeping up their sides, and the buildings ahead looked like something between a shrine and a dojo. Sliding doors, wooden beams, and tiled roofs all stood firm in dignity.
"Welcome to Tokyo Jujutsu Tech." Megumi's energy was much more boring and stiff than Gojo-sensei's. I didn't mind at all since it was probably just his edge-lord phase.
"What exactly does this place do? I figure it has to teach about this cursed energy along with those grotesque beings I've always seen. Also, judging by the way you were beat up and how Gojo-sensei dealt with the situation, I guess this place teaches combat as well?"
I felt the urge to say mongrel again, but this time I could resist it. It was similar to when Yuji swapped personalities. It was quick and fleeting like a heartbeat.
Megumi stared at me with his mouth slightly open.
"Megumi-san?" I tilted my head in confusion. I didn't see why he was acting so weird now.
"Nothing. Your conclusion is pretty much accurate aside from other things."
"Figures as much."
"Tch. Another cocky one."
"I wouldn't say I'm cocky, I just believe in my own intelligence." I've always been good at piecing things together pretty quickly as long as I had enough information to work with.
"Then do you want to take a guess at what Cursed energy is and how those grotesque beings, as you put it, are born?"
"Based on how you phrased your question, I'll assume that these beings are born from cursed energy or more accurately need it to take form. I assume from my own experience that cursed energy is some type of negative energy that builds off trauma or negative experiences." I paused for a brief second. "I don't think I can guess more than that."
"..."
"Megumi-san?"
"I'll leave the rest to Gojo-sensei. I'll just give you a tour."
"Alright then."
He brought me around, showing me the dorms, the classrooms, the showers, etc. It seemed like such a normal place besides the clearly visible barriers and other energies I could sense. I should ask if this is normal.
"Megumi-san, one question."
"What?"
"Is it normal to be able to sense so much when one awakens Cursed energy? Like, I can see the barriers and all of the cursed energy in this school. I can even identify what seems to be their quality and amount."
"Gojo-sensei, you weren't lying." Megumi once again didn't explain anything. This dude was seriously no help! At least I could tell from how he acted that this wasn't normal.
"Hey, Megumi! Who is the new guy?"
A sharp feminine voice cut through making the both of us look in the direction it came from. A girl with glasses, dark green hair, and an expression that could cut steel. She was taller than I expected, arms crossed like she owned the place.
She wasn't alone either.
A huge ass panda and a smallar dude were to her right and left respectively. My gaze lingered more on the panda which it seemed to notice.
"Yo."
'HE TALKS!'
I coughed, "Hey." I addressed the panda directly.
"Yeah?"
"You wouldn't happen to be the dragon warrior, right?" My expression was dead serious. Honestly, I was just trying to make myself stand out so I didn't seem like Megumi. I didn't want people thinking I had a stick up my ass.
"Pfft~!"
"U-Uh?"
"Salmon."
"..."
Megumi covered his mouth from laughing. The panda look awkward. The other guy who covered his mouth just talked about food for some reason. The girl was silently staring at me but I noticed her eyebrows twitch.
'I thought the joke was funny...'
I felt like I made things more weird.
"Let's go, Tatsuya. I'll introduce you guys later."
Megumi really seemed to be the type to follow directions to their last letter. Though, it seems he had some adaptability when he got aggravated. I wonder if he has some technique that lets him adapt during fights. That would be pretty strong!
We finished the tour and I got my own dorm room. Gojo-sensei never returned and the night passed. The next morning a letter was slid under my door. I opened it and was a little speechless.
'Already?'