Kazuya lifted his eyelids sleepily, revealing his heterochromatic eyes. One of them shone in a crystalline blue, comparable to the brilliance of a sapphire or the purity of a clear sky.
The other, in stark contrast, was black, deep and silent as the void.
They were undoubtedly beautiful eyes, almost angelic, were it not for his dark circles and lifeless gaze, like someone who had seen too much for his own age.
"That dream again..."
Kazuya sat up in bed, his hands trembling slightly, his expression equally lifeless, betraying a hint of melancholy that he did not normally show.
"Those were good times... I was young, only a few centuries old. My third life, if I'm not mistaken, the life in which I was the emperor of humanity."
Shaking his head and composing himself, Kazuya got up and dressed in a completely white kimono.
"White... the color that symbolizes purity, peace, cleanliness, innocence, and a new beginning. How ironic, considering that it's my favorite."
Kazuya couldn't help but smile sarcastically, thinking that this symbol contradicted everything about him, not him currently.
Knock! Knock!
"Kazuya-sama, are you awake? Gojo-sama asked me to come and check on you. He is concerned, considering that the young master always gets up early."
A female voice came from the other side of the door, sounding a little worried.
"Ah! I'm fine, I just slept a little too long today."
After a few seconds without a response, the voice came again, visibly relieved.
"Understood, do you need help getting dressed?"
"No, no need. I'm dressed."
"Ah, understood. Mrs. Gojo requests that you hurry, otherwise he will take care of your lunch himself."
Kazuya stood at the door for a few seconds, listening to the maid's footsteps receding.
"Seriously... this older sister is a little frustrating."
The Gojo Clan is one of the three great wizard families, alongside the Zenin Clan and the Kamo Clan. Known for possessing the innate technique of the Unlimited and the Six Eyes, the Gojo Clan is considered the most powerful of the three.
Kazuya was the second son of the clan, two years younger than Gojo Satoru, the future heir. This made them half-brothers.
Despite this, Kazuya had long seen himself as just another member of the clan. In addition to sharing blood ties with the future leader, he also carried the heritage of an unknown mother from the Zenin clan, inheriting characteristics from both families.
However, the rivalry between the clans sealed his fate: his parents were executed, and he, rejected by both sides, ended up in the care of a random woman.
Ironically, that same outcast, an archive since birth, possessed an overwhelming amount of cursed energy, even greater than that of Gojo Satoru.
When Kazuya was only eight years old, his immense power of cursed energy and his talent were finally discovered. The revelation caused both clans to try to claim him for themselves.
The pride of each side almost erupted into direct conflict, but in the end, an agreement was reached: Kazuya would be considered part of both the Zenin clan and the Gojo clan, albeit only as a symbolic "member" of each.
This arrangement was only possible thanks to one condition. In the future, Kazuya would have to officially choose which clan he wanted to belong to and be recognized as a legitimate heir. Another decisive factor was Gojo Satoru himself, who found the situation interesting and supported Kazuya's permanence in both families.
That is why Kazuya is known only as Kazuya, without a surname.
In any case, Kazuya had already arrived at the boarding house's dining room. There, sitting on a tatami mat in front of a traditional low table, the chabudai, was a young woman of stunning beauty.
Her beauty bordered on the divine. Her long white hair fell to her hips, shining in the soft light of the room. She wore a feminine top that accentuated her generous cleavage and showed off her toned abdomen, while her pants perfectly molded her curves.
Her eyes, covered by bandages, hid what many considered her greatest charm: a pair of eyes similar to Kazuya's.
"Good morning~~! Did you sleep well, sleeping princess? I was about to kiss you to wake you up~~!"
With theatrical gestures, he pretended to hold a fragile maiden and leaned in to kiss her. Kazuya, expressionless, simply stared at her as if she were a complete imbecile. Silently, he sat down on the tatami mat next to her, where his plate of food was already waiting for him.
"...Are you done? If you want, you can kiss me anytime, neechan."
"Aww~~! How cute! If it weren't for that expression of yours that makes it look like you'd rather be dead... But nice try. I'll give you a 6/10 just for trying~~!"
"Why do you insist on flirting with me? This is beyond the line of conversation between siblings, you know?"
"Half-siblings~~! We're half-siblings! So it's okay, right?"
"Hai, hai... as long as you're happy."
"Fufufu... I'm very happy!"
"Haaah..."
Her name was Gojo Satoru, heir to the Gojo clan. Despite her behavior, which was not befitting of a noble lady, she was recognized as one of the most powerful sorceresses of the modern era, if not the strongest.
She was also Kazuya's half-sister on their father's side. Even after his execution for getting involved with an unknown woman from the Zenin clan, Satoru never blamed him. To her, it was just the responsibility of a weak man, and in any case, they had never been close.
Apparently, Satoru had feelings for Kazuya that went beyond what half-brothers should have. What started out as playful teasing gradually turned into increasingly serious flirting and, to Kazuya's surprise, genuine feelings.
It would be a lie if Kazuya said he was against it. Deep down, he had already crossed all the moral boundaries that would make even the most wicked and heinous being feel disgust.
Still, he couldn't help but be surprised at how naturally such things were accepted within Jujutsu society. Not that it was common, but rather a privilege reserved for the strongest.
Well, come to think of it, it wasn't that surprising. The strong had always done whatever they wanted, in whatever world or reincarnation Kazuya had lived in.
"You know, nee-chan... you're always teasing me with suggestive phrases and wearing clothes that leave little to the imagination when you're with me. But even when I give my consent and reciprocate, you always back off. Isn't that cowardly?"
Upon hearing this, Gojo Satoru immediately stood up, feigning anger and pouting as he raised his fist.
"Huh!? I'm the strongest! How could I be a coward? Let's fight, I'm ready when you are!!"
"Baka! Why did you bring up something that has nothing to do with the context?"
"You're the baka! The only reason I never went ahead with you was because I thought you weren't interested in me! I thought you only saw my teasing as jokes and never took it seriously!"
"...And why would you think that? We literally talk and do things that go far beyond what would be normal between siblings... even if we're just half-siblings!"
Those words made Satoru fall silent for a moment. His expression became indifferent, but those who knew him well could notice the slight trace of melancholy and frustration hidden in his face.
"It's not my fault, you know? You always have that lifeless, bored expression, as if everything around you is just a nuisance. And your voice... so dead, so empty, that sometimes it doesn't even seem to come from someone who's really alive. Even when you teased me back, it sounded like you weren't really here... like nothing mattered to you."
It was the first time Kazuya had seen her so vulnerable. Even though she tried to hide it, there was something in her expression that made her... cute. But it didn't seem like the right time to say that. All he could manage to say was:
"I'm sorry... I didn't know it affected you so much."
"Hai, hai. I know it's not your fault. You're just like that, aren't you?"
"... "
Pulling himself together, Satoru finished eating and stood up with an amused smile.
"Sorry~~! I have to go, the old folks have been bothering me for a while, saying they have a mission for me~~! I'll go check it out and find out what they want. Sayonara~~!"
Then she turned and activated the cursed technique Lapse: Blue, moving short distances instantly, albeit in a limited and imprecise manner.
Kazuya was left alone, staring at the place where she had been a few moments ago. The plate in front of him had already grown cold.
"Haah..."
He could have said something else, but he knew that no matter what words he chose, they would only sound like excuses. Satoru would realize it, she always did, especially when it came to him. And deep down, what she had said was true.
I'm sorry, but you're right about almost everything. I would never say that I wasn't interested in you, but it's a selfish and disgusting interest.
Everything around me bothers and bores me, and that's why I stay close to you, Satoru. You're fun, your emotions, your personality, your behavior, your powers, and your body... all of it amuses me. You are a perfect toy to use, care for, abuse, and when you break, simply discard.
I'm sorry for not being the pure and innocent interest you desire... Oh, no, that sounds bad. Not even my apology is sincere. No matter how hard I try, it seems I still need to improve my "sincerity."
As Kazuya reflected on himself, he didn't notice the smile forming on his face. But it wasn't a beautiful smile, capable of charming someone. It was grotesque, inhuman, a smile that would make even the demons of hell feel inferior.
I hope you don't break so soon, onee-chan... your younger brother will be very sad if you break so easily.
🔷🔷🔷
I don't have much to say, just sorry for the delay. I've been very busy and didn't have the energy to continue, but I'm back.