Abandoned buildings in the Tokyo suburbs were usually silent—echoes of forgotten lives etched into concrete and peeling walls. But this one was different.
The ground trembled with every step of the cursed spirit stalking within.
Utahime Iori slid along the cracked corridor walls, her expression sharp beneath her bob-cut hair. Her hands were already in formation, her cursed energy faintly buzzing in the air like static. Just ahead, Mei Mei stepped calmly, her axe over her shoulder, her expression devoid of any panic or tension.
"Any idea where it went?" Utahime whispered.
Mei Mei didn't respond right away. Her eyes glimmered slightly. "It's close."
The ceiling groaned. From above them, something moved—something heavy.
Suddenly, a loud crash burst through the rotted concrete as an enormous shard of cursed glass exploded out from a top floor and impaled the stairway behind them. Utahime flinched, raising her arms out of instinct.
"Damn it!"
A familiar voice echoed casually from the side stairwell. "You crying already, Utahime?"
Utahime turned with fury, and sure enough, there stood Satoru Gojo. He leaned lazily against the rusted railing, sunglasses catching the moonlight, an insufferable smirk on his face.
"Respect your elders, you blindfolded brat!" she snapped at him.
From beside him, Suguru Geto strolled in, calm and composed as ever, his hands tucked into his uniform sleeves. "Come now, Utahime-san, crying so soon? We haven't even started dinner."
A wet squelch echoed as a large cursed spirit lumbered from the hallway behind Utahime. Its jagged limbs and bulging eyes oozed rot. Before she could react, Geto snapped his fingers and the curse froze mid-step.
"Not yet," Geto cooed at it, gently wagging a finger. "We're saving her for a full-course meal later."
"GETO!!" Utahime screamed, nearly stomping her foot. "You're the worst!"
From the floor below, soft footsteps clicked against the stairs, followed by a calm, drowsy voice.
"You're all so loud," said Shoko Ieiri, lazily scratching her head as she reached the landing.
Utahime rushed to her like a breath of fresh sanity. "Shoko! Please, for the love of everything sacred, don't end up like those two idiots!"
Gojo leaned toward Geto, whispering with a mock-solemn tone, "Please don't end up like Utahime."
"You're not subtle," Shoko muttered.
Meanwhile, Mei Mei arched an eyebrow. "Tell me something—did either of you two actually remember to put up the curtain?"
Gojo and Geto froze.
Their faces turned comically stiff.
"Of course we... uh..." Gojo began.
"...definitely were just about to," Geto finished, holding up his hand in a half-prepared hand sign.
Mei Mei sighed and tilted her head, golden braid swaying. "You're both hopeless."
"Hey, if you started crying, Mei Mei," Gojo turned to her with mock sincerity, "I'd totally comfort you."
"You wouldn't get the chance," she replied, smiling. "I'd kill the curse before the tears came."
Utahime sighed and drew her weapon again. "This is going to be a long day…"
Behind them, the cursed spirit loomed once more, screeching as it launched itself forward.
And thus began the true mission—
...the start of a cursed tale buried in the shadows of history.