Chapter Text
With his grandfather falling ill, Yuuji instantly fell into a certain routine of attending school and immediately checking in on him the moment the last bell rang. It was a constant struggle avoiding the grand lectures his grandpa would monologue every day because apparently there were better things to do than take care of an old man like him. Yuuji understood what he meant, but his social life could wait. He talked to his classmates when in school and was active pretty much all of the time. He did promise to look for some after-school club, though.
His grandfather was a stubborn old man, but he loved him regardless.
Yuuji bought flowers every Friday after school from this little shop on the corner of the block. They made good money with teenagers ever so often buying roses for their partners and the lines would be even larger in special holidays. Considering he went every week at some random day, he wasn’t held back very long. Only when he would buy a brand new flower type and would learn their meaning. The botanist was a kind old lady by the surname of Tomoyu who would share stories about her beloved late wife and their love for plants. She took her time explaining the representation and meanings of different flowers which always captivated him.
This time he held a bouquet of three different flower types: daffodils, petunias, and irises. The old lady had laughed when he described meanings rather than actual flowers, but had done as he requested. She explained their significance. Of the spring-related flower representing new beginnings and hope for the future. The beautiful irises symbolizing faith and wisdom with the bright and colorful petunias around the batch signifying healing.
His grandfather would absolutely hate it, but Yuuji would reply back what he always tells him, ‘These are for the nurses, old man!’
He stepped away from the sidewalk and wandered off toward the little downside hills that led to a stream if gone deeper in. It was a sight full of greenery despite the buildings not being too far from view. Though his thoughts didn’t really focus much on nature most of the time, Yuuji appreciated the times when he did. His eyes trailed the whistles from the birds and the breezes of the winds rattling the bushes and trees. He stepped carefully down the hill to walk on the growing grass and tightened his grip when following down the riverbank.
Yuuji ran a hand through his light pink hair and fixed a couple of the strands sticking too far out by looking down at the black-screen of his phone. He rubbed slightly at the lines beneath his eye before placing his phone back on his pocket. Maybe after visiting his grandpa he should head to a pharmacy store to buy some packaged foods. He didn’t feel like cooking anything for the day and a cold sandwich sounded pretty good. His tongue swept had licked his lips in anticipation for the dinner he would have. Hospital foods were not pleasing at all, except for their coffee and teas.
He stretched his free arm and sighed before pausing when he spotted a figure ahead on a bench. It was surprising to see someone there considering the route was pretty, but also rather lonely.
There was a lone dark-haired man gazing out onto the glistening river. In all other instances, Yuuji would have told himself to walk straight away and let them have their silence, but his feet wouldn’t move and his heart called out instead. Truth be told, he was never one to think logically either, and so he took a step forward.
They were rather slow steps and though the man did not turn his head or acknowledged that he heard him, Yuuji had a feeling the man knew he was there. There was something off about him which explained why Yuuji didn’t immediately go anywhere near him. It was a sort of gut-feeling, where he knew that being too close to the man would end up horribly. He felt watched and exposed, as if multiple eyes stared at him despite the only person there was staring ahead of him and nowhere else.
Yuuji kept his distance and stopped before reaching the bench. With that, the man’s gaze wavered briefly, noticeable through the way his shoulders stiffened from their relaxed position. He looked out into the river wondering if he would see the same things the man did, but to no avail. It was a sunny day and the river glistened beautifully, so what thoughts did the man have that made him look gloomy? Yuuji was a fourteen year old boy and he didn’t consider himself intelligent by all means, but he also hated to see others upset.
”Do you come here often, sir?” Yuuji asked, finally having the guts and realizing he only had been standing in complete silence.
There was a sudden strong spike of hostility that ran through Yuuji’s spine. He was crossing on dangerous territories and maybe it would be a good idea to just continue walking, but if his grandpa heard about him ignoring a man in need of help then… Yuuji stayed in his place and held on to the bouquet even tighter. He was a pretty hyperactive person, talking to others or at all came naturally to him.
”Do you have a specific type of person you’re attracted to?” Yuuji wondered out loud. He failed to notice the way the man’s entire body fell into a rigid stance. Instead, the pink-haired merely leaned back on his own feet and glanced up at the blue clear sky, his index and thumb finger on his chin. “See, I’m a big fan of Jennifer Lawrence. Her in the Hunger Games franchise? She’s gorgeous. I’d say my type would be tall girls with big butts. Though, I wouldn’t be opposed to a guy with the same or similar features… huh.”
He narrowed his own eyes thoughtfully. Yuuji hadn’t considered that before but the words said out loud came naturally. His eyes widened briefly and he whispered, “Wait, I can like guys too?”
“Of course you can, filthy monkey,” the man finally uttered out some words. Yuuji wasn’t surprised by the hostility aimed at him, but definitely did not anticipate the insult. He didn’t like being insulted, but Yuuji took the fact that the man spoke a win. Instead he focused on the answer.
”Does that mean you have a type?” He asked, tilting his head to the side as he stared at the man from peripheral vision. Yuuji hated to admit, but he was getting tired of just standing there trying to have a conversation. Unfortunately, he also knew that the man would still not be happy and would likely do something if he sat on the bench with him. Instead, he ended up situating himself on the grass, placing the bouquet on his left side.
”…What the hell are you doing?” The man replied with a question, finally turning his gaze toward the fourteen year old. It was a cold and scary stare filled with complete hatred that Yuuji did not understand why it existed. If anything, it was incredibly sad to see more than it is frightening.
What had the man experienced that made him hate even strangers that never crossed paths before?
Yuuji wouldn’t call himself a coward, however. He forced himself to turn his head toward the man’s direction, head still tilted somewhat before he smiled kindly. The man’s eyes before him flickered briefly, something similar to grief and confusion before it returned back to its hostility.
”Sitting,” Yuuji answered. He would not be like the man and ignore others questions. His shoulders rolled back and he cracked his head slightly before he continued, “I’m Itadori Yuuji. I also don’t appreciate how you called me a ‘filthy monkey’.”
The man chuckled bitterly and said, “Isn’t that what all humans are?”
Those words didn’t make sense to Yuuji. His smile dialed down and instead he put himself in thought. Scientifically, he supposed, it might make sense if his mind recalled the material they taught in school correctly. He was horrible at his studies and all, but some things were interesting enough like how humans came to be. He wasn’t entirely sure of the whole biology and nonsense that came along with it, but there might have been something about monkeys and humans being related.
”Then you’d also be a monkey if you’re human too then?” Yuuji wondered in confusion.
The man’s lip twisted in clear disgust. He glared at Yuuji even harsher as he corrected, “No, I am not a monkey. Only people like you, but you wouldn’t understand since you can’t see. Whatever you have going inside you is just stupidly strange.”
He also wasn’t sure what that meant either. The man really must hate everyone in the world then. Yuuji’s brain was starting to hurt from all that thinking. He pressed both index fingers on his temple. The unnamed person simply scoffed at him. It was starting to get on Yuuji’s nerves, but he also had to remind himself that the man was angry at the world and it was likely he would get beaten up. Yuuji had a strong punch and he knew that well enough, but he wouldn’t try that on a person if he could avoid it. His grandpa always made sure he knew to have control over himself.
”I think I have great eyesight?” Yuuji hummed confusedly. “I rely a lot on my senses, ya know? So, I wouldn’t say I have bad eyes. It’s like I know you’re a pretty weird man and I shouldn’t be too close to you for some reason, but I also just can’t ignore you because you look really sad. I was taught never to ignore those that look like they need help. And I’m a very curious person so I would love to ask what’s wrong, but you wouldn’t tell me anyway so instead I’m just gonna stay here and talk to you until you feel a little bit better.”
”Huh,” the man hummed thoughtfully. His hostility was still there, but there was a growing stare of curiosity taking place. “You know you shouldn’t get close to me? Don’t you want to sit on the bench? Maybe I’ll start talking then.”
There was a suspicious smile on the man’s lips that Yuuji definitely did not trust. His grandpa also always told him to make sure to follow his guts when it was especially very absolute in a decision.
He opted with the same words as his thoughts, “My grandfather always told me to trust my guts, so I’m sorry, but no thanks.” Yuuji stared out onto the river and scratched at the lines under his eyes. “Like I said, you don’t have to tell me anything. I have a lot of thoughts in my own mind.”
There was silence once more that Yuuji took advantage of and continued, “That Old Man can be really mean and strict, ya know? He’s always yapping about how I should go out and play in some slides and all as if I’m not fourteen already. And I mean, I love playing, but I appreciate him a whole lot more, right? He always gets mad that I visit him, but he’s the only I got left and I owe him for so much.”
”I’m really worried about him,” Yuuji revealed. He clenched his jaw and stared even deeper at the river, watching as a couple of fishes swam past with another. It was a sweet view considering the fishes trailed one after the other. Instead of wavering in despair, Yuuji found himself clinging onto hope and at the brighter side of certain scenarios. He smiled once more, unknowingly shocking the man, and said, “But it will all be okay.”
The man let out a bitter chuckle and repeated, “It will all be okay? Ha, apart from filthy, you’re a clear idiot. That old man of yours will die soon enough and then you’ll be suffering in despair, only creating a curse that potentially ruins other lives. Typical.”
Yuuji frowned, “You’re really mean.”
”Ah, did you barely figure that out?” The man mocked.
Instead of answering that particular question, Yuuji replied to the other, “If he were to die, and I know that he will someday… I would be really sad, yeah. Why wouldn’t I be? But I also know that my grandfather wouldn’t want me to despair forever. He would smack the shit out of me if he thought it would be something I’d do. I don’t know how I’ll actually be, but if my despair would ruin other people’s life, then I would make sure not to!”
”You’re foolish,” the unnamed person commented with a scoff. Yuuji was slightly terrified at the way a thoughtful and sinister look crossed the man’s face but he stayed where he was. “Hmm, why don’t you come with me to my place? I happen to give out luck.”
Yuuji laughed which shocked the man because it was genuine and carefree. The pink-haired couldn’t help it and admitted, “Apart from not trusting you at all, unnamed sir, I wouldn’t be able to anyway. I’ve got an old man to annoy with my presence like I did yours.”
”Hmm,” the man hummed again before he introduced himself, “Getou Suguru. Feel free to visit my place. It might serve your dear grandfather wisely with some good luck. I’ve made miracles happen that way.”
”Thank you,” Yuuji nodded.
He stood from his spot knowing the conversation would end at any moment. He wasn’t sure he made the man feel better, but at least he wasn’t wallowing in his own despair and was instead annoyed at his presence. Yuuji eyed the bouquet he picked up before a choice was made. He stood the appropriate distance away from the man where he didn’t feel the danger and then knelt down, placing the flower bouquet down on the floor. Yuuji didn’t notice that the small leaf that reached past a certain point disintegrated into ashes.
When he stood up, Yuuji began walking away. He paused slightly and said, “And does that help you, Mr. Getou? Do you cause miracles for yourself as well?” He let the words hang in the air before he sighed out, “Well, I hope you have a better day, sir.”
He forced himself not to shudder, when he felt more than one pair of eyes staring at his back. That man was something else entirely, but he was interesting if not confusing. Yuuji shook all thoughts about him out of mind and instead put on his hood as he made way to the hospital. It was a quiet walk and with no more interruptions, Yuuji saw sight of the hospital in moments. He was a fast walker, always being pushed into sports at school because of his athletic abilities. Yuuji liked exercising, but he didn’t want to play a sport for school.
Maybe he would join a club soon, especially with his grandpa continuously pushing him onto one.
He greeted the nurses as usual and signed up as a visitor. With him heading there daily, it was no wonder he knew the directions quite easily. Yuuji spotted his grandfather’s room in no time and knocked once before barging in.
A grand smile shined on his lips when he spotted the familiar annoyed glare sent his way. Yuuji made himself at home as he greeted loudly, “Hi Grandpa~!”
There was no mistaking the tired sigh that escaped his grandfather’s mouth as he said, “Yuuji. You’re here… again. And not someplace else like at a playground with friends.”
Yuuji waved that off and commented, “I can hang out with friends later, old man. You should be surprised I don’t have flowers instead.”
His grandfather glared at him before he looked taken back, straightening his sitting position while he checked over his grandson only to find that he was speaking the truth. Eyebrows rose up to his hairline which made Yuuji chuckle amusingly.
”I was bringing some over, for the nurses of course, but I actually ran into someone before coming here,” Yuuji started to explain. He took a stance near the window and leaned against it. His grandfather’s attention was all on him. “There was this man sitting on the bench near the river, ya know the area? He was just staring out into space or something, I don’t know, but he looked sort of empty, I guess? It was like he had no hope for the future, but he also was very scary.”
”Hmm? How so?” It was easy to gather his grandfather’s attention to something else. Maybe he was a gossiper in his prime time?
”Well, I didn’t get too close to him cause I feel like if I had, I probably would have needed the hospital myself,” Yuuji answered. He pouted slightly and continued, “He was also mean, but it was kind of sad how he hated everything around him.”
His grandfather nodded and assumed correctly, “So you talked to him then.”
Yuuji nodded mindlessly. “Yeah,” he sighed, “but I wish I could have done more. Do you think I’ll see him again?”
”Do you want to?” His grandfather questioned.
He didn’t think much of his answer as he replied, “Well, yeah. He invited me to some place, but like I said, he was kind of scary. I just mean that I would like to see again like today.”
Preferably at a distance, and at least out in the open instead of wherever the man resided in. For all he knew, he could have been a murderer of sorts. Yuuji would prefer not attending the place even for some good luck. It felt like something that came with a consequence.
His grandfather gazed at his grandson curiously, eyes filled with recognition and pride though it would go unannounced. He chose to listen Yuuji tell another story about how his day went leaving the upcoming lecture about getting a life instead of worrying about him for the next day.
The first time Yuuji heard about the weird man apart from actually seeing him happened by pure chance. He was at school and it started off normally. Breakfast was consumed, he walked toward the school’s entrance, met up with a couple of his friends who were busy trying to set themselves up with some girls in their class which led to him talking to Ozawa about her handwriting, and so forth. During physical education, one of the coaches continued trying to get Yuuji on any of the sport’s team but had dialed down. Though, only because he seemed pleased that Yuuji was actually participating in ball-throwing with some of his classmates.
It was that situation that led to Yuuji accidentally adding too much force on his throw that it went through the fence and beyond. Many of the students were already aware of how crazy his strength happened to me, but they were still left mouth wide open. Yuuji winced at the sight before raising a hand, numbly being called on by the coach.
”I’ll go get that,” he volunteered. Especially because there were not that many balls left in their station because of him. One day they should learn that he wouldn’t waste their balls if they just left him on the sidelines.
Yuuji ran toward the fence, grabbing onto the top before holding onto it to lift himself over it. He continued on his path by following the direction the ball flew by and made it quite easily with his unusual speed. He saw it land near a couple and apologized as he grabbed the ball. Yuuji was about to leave immediately before pausing when the couple just waved it over and continued their conversation. It wasn’t a normal conversation and he only paused for one reason.
They were talking about visiting a place that supposedly would give them good luck.
”Come on, I think it would help us,” the woman sighed, pulling onto the sleeve of her boyfriend or husband’s arm. Yuuji scooted over and stayed on his spot while he listened.
The man didn’t seemed fully on board, but he sighed, “Fine. We’ll go that man’s place for help, but only because we are in the need of luck if we need to pay for our future newborn’s items and food.”
Yuuji finally noticed that the woman had a huge bump over her stomach. His eyes crinkled with happiness at the thought of the little family they would soon have. Though, he could have sworn he heard about such place… His eyes widened in realization when he remembered about the new man he met recently.
”Ah,” Yuuji cleared his throat and grabbed the couple’s attention. They looked over at him with curiosity and suspicion. The man stepped closer to his wife protectively which Yuuji could not help but respect. He smiled warmly to show his intention before he continued, “That place you two mentioned… is it owned by a man named Getou?”
The man looked taken back by the question and shrugged unknowing luck while the woman brightened and nodded affirmatively. She stared at Yuuji with wonder and answered, “Yes. Do you know him by chance?”
Yuuji laughed in embarrassment, scratching the back of his neck as he replied, “I met up once and I hoped to see him again.”
”You can go to his place, it’s said to be a wish for miracles,” the woman informed happily.
”Thank you,” Yuuji commented. He didn’t want to explicitly say that he would rather not go to the man’s place because he’d likely die. His eyes trailed around their surroundings before it befell on the flowers sprouting from the ground. He knelt and tugged at their roots, internally having apologized for removing them, but hoping the man would understand his meaning.
Yuuji stood up again and handed the woman five daisies while he requested, “Please, leave this with him for me if you go to his place. Tell him I wish him the best.”
The woman’s eyes sparkled and she gushed, “How adorable! Of course.”
He smiled brightly once more before he said his own goodbyes. When he got back to school grounds, he was berated lately by the coach for running off while it was school time.
Getou Suguru had a very detailed plan in mind revolving around the pesky filthy monkeys and the word of jujutsu. It existed for more than ten years after his eyes finally opened and he understood that non-jujutsu were the worst of the worst. They were the reason many lives of jujutsu-sorcerers were lost. He was deemed a villain by them now, banned from his former high school in ever stepping into their grounds, but that was because they didn’t understand. That was okay. He would make them a better world. One where non-jujutsu did not exist and so neither did their filthy curses.
It was both amusing and annoying having met that useless pink-haired child a while back. He did not kill him immediately for one reason only. The boy had a different presence than most, but he wasn’t a sorcerer nor had any cursed energy. He was in any case simply just strange. There was something weird with him, but it didn’t dealt with a curse nor was he even aware of their world. That was obvious with the fact that he failed to see the curse that sat around Suguru’s shoulders.
He hated his presence immediately and without thought, but he was certainly interesting. Even despite not seeing any curses, the kid knew to stay away from him. Was it merely that instinct humans have for survival? Even with permission, though mostly just to rid himself of the child, the pink-haired stayed away.
His smile was disgusting in the worst ways. It seemed genuine and kind and very trusting, similar to a smile he had last seen years ago before it was destroyed due to the fault of non-jujutsu’s curses. The fact that a random and annoying teenager that couldn’t mind his own business had the same smile was insulting.
(Haibara would have loved the kid merely by their similarities. He would have dragged him to meet his best friend and said best friend would be revolted at seeing two bright faces).
Suguru should kill him the next time they cross paths. It was unfortunate the boy was smart enough to deny his request for him to visit his place. Though it was true that they would receive good luck, that luck wouldn’t last. Their filthy selves would soon die with his plan in mind. People have already gathered and by the day, many more arrive in hopes for a miracle.
It was ridiculous to witness and he couldn’t wait to get rid of them.
His attention withdrawn from his own thoughts and he eyed the doors that were pushed open. He smiled graciously when he spotted two new customers. They appeared to be a couple, apparently married by the way their hands clutched one another and the rings evident. Suguru enjoyed when people came in pairs or groups. It became evidently better for his plan, adding only more to the thrill.
He greeted the two of them, the hatred in his eyes dialing down to not make it so apparent. How that one kid managed to spot it despite trying to hide it was a mystery, but oh well. Suguru glanced down at the woman’s free hand and noticed a batch of daisies being carried. The way this clueless couple were in love was fascinating, especially since they’d likely die together. It looked like he could be romantic if he wanted… his daughters would be incredibly proud. He made a mental note to tell them about it.
Likely noticing his own stare, the woman looked down at her hand before her eyes widened. “Oh,” she gasped out loud, which was unexpected for Suguru to hear.
He narrowed his eyes suspiciously when she took a few steps forward, letting go of her husband’s hand, and then held out the flowers ahead of her. She bent slightly into a short bow as she revealed, “These flowers are meant for you, kind sir.”
Suguru calmed his breathing and simply stared at the woman. It seemed like she wanted to die then and there rather than have her precious little miracle. His fists tightened and he smiled forcibly.
”Are they?” Suguru had to mentally clap himself for not immediately lashing out. Instead, he took his own steps forward and grabbed the daisies. He couldn’t wait to destroy their stupid innocent connotations.
“Yes,” the woman agreed and stepped back to be beside her husband. She didn’t seemed to notice the growing hostility and neither did her husband. Further example to how the kid was interesting in at least noticing that. The woman continued, “They are from a sweet boy with pink-hair. Funnily enough, he almost crashed into us and probably heard our conversation about this place, but once he knew we were talking about you, he gave us these flowers and asked for us to tell you that he wishes you the best.”
Suguru tightened his grip on the daisies, crushing their stem while he kept the smile on his face. His head tilted curiously while he commented, “Ah, I see. Yes… that kid.”
That damned non-shaman child who thought it would be fun to get into his business. He didn’t actually think he would ever see or hear about that specific child again. Suguru should have killed him when he had the chance. There was something about him that he didn’t like. Though, he supposed that meant the couple could live for now until it would be time to end their pathetic life.
”You may leave,” he ushered them out. When he heard the click of the door, Suguru immediately fed the daisies to his latched curse. He stared at it with reluctant. That stupid curse left behind by the worst monkey to exist. The one who changed his route in life, so maybe Suguru shouldn’t be so hateful toward that man. His ideals all started to form because of him, after all.
”Hmm, Master Getou,” the gentle and familiar voice of Mimiko called out his name curiously.
Mimiko was his adopted teenaged girl with short black hair set in a bob cut. She wore a black sailor uniform with a light-colored scarf, a black skirt, and black shoes. She also carried with her a doll that had multiple stitches and a noose around its neck. Her twin fraternal sister was named Nanako. She, on the other hand, had long caramel hair that she tied back into a bun, her eyes the same brown shade as Mimiko. She wore a beige cardigan over a white button down shirt, and an indigo skirt. It was no surprise to see her behind the black-haired girl.
”Yes, Mimiko?” He questioned, placing all his attention toward the two.
Mimiko tightened her grip on her doll as she glanced down to what left of the daisies. Her eyes burnt with curiosity and she asked, “Who were those flowers from? Were they like the bouquet from last time?”
”Ah, yes,” Suguru responded. He did recall destroying that bouquet after arriving here. They must have been watching it from the side but he hadn’t noticed out of pure shock and disgruntlement. He also had noted that time that the kid was probably close in age to his children.
Nanako hummed thoughtfully, “They were cute. You should have given them to us!”
Suguru blinked. Then he sighed, “Maybe next time. It was just some kid I met near the river by some hospital.”
He made sure to give vague details in order to not let the children’s curiosity win the best of them. Suguru conjured another curse and forced it to clean up the mess. His eyes landed on the view of the ceiling and something told his gut to anticipate something else from that specific child.