It was Friday after school, with less than two weeks left until the midterm exams.
Arisu was having another group discussion today, so Mamoru walked down the hallway alone, his expression clouded with unease.
The reason for his anxiety came from a message he received earlier from his homeroom teacher, Mashima.
"Now the scope for all subjects on the test is changing…"
It was an abrupt shift in the midterm exam content. While Mamoru wasn't particularly concerned about his own grades, his frown deepened.
What really worried him… was Class D.
He'd recently heard from others that Class D had been making a real effort—holding study sessions, showing signs of improvement. For a while, it seemed like things were finally turning around for them.
But now, with a sudden change in scope?
(It's hard not to think this was done to shake off the low performers…)
If it were just one or two subjects, that would be one thing. But all subjects? That had to be intentional.
Class A could afford to take it easy, but for students in the lower-ranked classes, this was nothing short of cruel.
Still, no matter how much he worried, there wasn't anything Mamoru could do about it.
Deciding to shake off his thoughts, he headed for the dorms. But just as he reached the entrance and opened his shoe locker, something fell out with a small thump.
"A letter?"
He picked it up and saw that it was written on elegant letter paper.
A cursed letter? A love confession? A challenge? A threat?
Several possibilities flashed through his mind, but instead of guessing, Mamoru simply opened it and began to read.
Dear Sir or Madam,
I hope this letter finds you well amidst the dazzling greenery of the season.
You may be confused receiving a letter so suddenly.
You likely don't know me, but I've known about you for some time.
The thrill I felt the first time I saw you still lingers. And with each passing day, that feeling has only grown stronger.
I write to express my desire to meet with you in person to discuss something important.
I will be waiting at the location marked on the enclosed map at 4:00 p.m. today. Please come alone.
Sincerely,
P.S. — I know your secrets.
"…Huh?"
After reading the whole thing, Mamoru raised an eyebrow and tilted his head, uncertain how to react.
The first half of the letter read almost like a love confession.
But the P.S., written with exaggerated emphasis, was clearly a threat.
(Is this for real? Or just a joke?)
He leaned toward the latter—but if it was the former, the sender's mental state had to be dangerously unstable.
(Would someone like that even make it into this school? Probably not…)
Still, the part that bothered him most was the P.S.—and it was probably the real point of the letter.
(The phrasing is too roundabout for someone truly involved… maybe just someone observant?)
When someone says they know your "secrets," it's natural to think of curses.
But without any proof or context, there was no way to be sure.
In the end, the only way to find out was to go see for himself.
Mamoru checked the attached map and set out toward the designated meeting spot.
(If they're dangerous, I'll just run.)
He could only hope that, against all odds, it wasn't some mentally unstable stalker.
***
The meeting place was behind the school building, in a secluded corner rarely visited by students.
Thick trees blocked the view of nearby security cameras, making it the perfect spot for a secret conversation.
A lone female student stood waiting, her back resting casually against a tree trunk.
"You're here?"
She was tall for a girl, with long silver hair and a piercing, confident gaze. She turned to face Mamoru and introduced herself.
"Nice to meet you, Gojo Mamoru. Second-year, Class B. Fuka Kiryuin."
I wanted to believe this was a case of mistaken identity, but hearing her call my name dashed that hope instantly.
"Hello. As you probably already know, I'm Gojo Mamoru from Class 1-A.
Just to confirm—were you the one who sent that... strange letter?"
"I'm a little hurt you found it strange. That was the honest expression of an innocent young girl's feelings."
"I might've believed that, if not for the postscript threatening to reveal my secrets."
"Threatening? Please. I merely mentioned something I thought might pique your interest.
If I'd been ignored, I might've cried myself to sleep."
Kiryuin's tone was innocent, but her faint smile betrayed her amusement. Mamoru sighed and cut to the point.
"So, what do you want?"
"Just what I wrote—I wanted to meet and talk.
About your secret... or rather, the things only you and I can see."
I figured as much. At least it's simpler this way.
In a sense, Mamoru felt relieved. This was within expectations.
"...You haven't known about them for long, have you?"
"Not at all. This is the first time I've seen anything like it—since coming to this school, that is.
I was honestly shocked. I thought I'd lost my mind. A top-tier school in Japan, infested with monsters. I wasn't ready."
Sounds like she got caught up in the school's curse.
Sometimes, a person who couldn't see spirits would suddenly gain that ability after being exposed to a strong curse.
Given the school's environment, it wasn't surprising someone like her had appeared.
"That must've been... tough."
To suddenly have your reality shattered and find yourself surrounded by monsters—Mamoru, who'd grown up in that world, couldn't fully grasp her mindset. But the mental burden must've been immense.
Even knowing that, it was hard to offer any comforting words.
"Well, it wasn't all bad. I got to meet someone interesting—like you."
Her voice carried a touch of genuine curiosity—or perhaps joy. She didn't seem to be forcing a smile.
Mamoru felt the same unease he had when he first met Arisu. This girl had set her sights on something troublesome.
"...How did you figure out I was involved?"
He had his guesses, but he wanted to hear it from her.
Even as a guardian, Mamoru was always careful to use spells discreetly, avoiding detection. From an outsider's view, it would only seem like a strange box appeared and disappeared. That alone shouldn't be enough to pin it on him.
"When the new school year started, I noticed a sudden drop in their numbers. I figured it had to be due to the new first-years or a new teacher, so I did a little digging.
Every time a cursed spirit vanished, you were nearby.
And that strange box—yeah, I noticed that too."
"...I see."
"So now I want answers. What is that thing? Who are you, really?"
Mamoru took a moment to think. Since she could see them, there was no harm in explaining the basics.
"That's a curse. A cursed spirit, born from the buildup of negative emotions—like ghosts, in a way. I'm a sorcerer. My job is to exorcise them."
"...You're surprisingly upfront about it."
Kiryuin raised an eyebrow, placing a finger on her chin.
"If you can see them, there's no point in pretending."
"I see... Still, a curse, huh? It definitely wasn't something I wanted to keep seeing. So, I assume you're a bodyguard hired by Chairman Sakayanagi to protect his daughter?"
"...Huh?"
That word—bodyguard—genuinely caught Mamoru off guard.
"Oh? Was I wrong? Rumor has it you're always with the chairman's daughter on campus. It seemed obvious."
"You've heard that? Even in the second year?"
He hadn't expected gossip about him and Arisu to spread that far.
"True, but I've also done some personal research.
A frail maiden like myself had to make sure the man with mysterious powers wasn't dangerous.
Did I offend you?"
"It's not flattering, but I'd call it a smart move."
From the beginning, Mamoru had sensed that Kiryuin, though outwardly relaxed, was carefully observing him—measuring him.
Her wariness was justified, and Mamoru respected that.
"But even with all that, how did you figure it out?"
If she'd been tailing him, it meant he hadn't noticed—a careless mistake for someone in his position.
Kiryuin's answer, however, blindsided him.
"Simple. I bought some info from a first-year teacher using points."
"...They sold personal information?"
(ARE THEY DRUG DEALERS?!)
Mamoru couldn't hide his shock.
He had assumed any information gathering would come through gossip, not actual data sales by teachers. Kiryuin found his reaction amusing and laughed softly.
"Don't take it so seriously. In the real world, personal info is a commodity.This is probably the school's way of preparing us."
"You're making it sound like the teacher's the only one at fault, but the student who bought it is just as bad."
"Aww, don't compliment me like that. I'm blushing."
"I wasn't complimenting you!"
Her overly cheerful demeanor reminded Mamoru of his older brother—annoyingly hard to deal with.
"...I also talked to a lot of people besides the teachers. If I'd asked first-years directly, I would've stood out too much. It was a roundabout way, but effective."
Guess I'll just let it slide. No point arguing.
When dealing with someone like this, overreacting was exhausting. Based on experience, Mamoru simply motioned for her to continue.
"So, after all that trouble, what exactly do you want? A self-defense lesson? Advice on cursed spirits?"
"To be specific, I'm interested in the techniques you use. Think you could teach me?"
"No."
Mamoru answered instantly, without hesitation.
"...Wow. Not even pretending to consider it? Is it some kind of secret family art?"
"No, it's not passed down or anything. It's something people are either born with or not."
Technically, with enough effort, some could learn basic barrier techniques. But what Mamoru used as a guardian was innate—no amount of imitation would recreate it.
"So you're saying... I don't have that talent?"
"Pretty much. This isn't something you can develop through effort. Just to ask—have you ever felt like you had any strange powers?"
Most children with potential became aware of it early. Late awakenings did happen, but they usually came with symptoms.
"Nope."
"Then you probably don't have it."
"...tsk"
Kiryuin's smile vanished. She covered her face with her hands, clearly troubled.
"...So I have no way of dealing with them?"
"You could train your body to use cursed energy.
If your vision isn't temporary, you might have some affinity. With enough work, you could probably handle low-level spirits."
"You mean it?"
Ah. That was a mistake.
As soon as Mamoru saw her eyes glinting through her fingers—sharp like a hawk locking onto prey—he regretted opening his mouth.
"So cursed energy is the source for all your techniques... Can you teach me how to control that?"
"...There are people who aren't suited for it. I can't promise anything."
"As long as the chance exists, that's enough.
So how about it—teach me?"
"No."
He refused again, just as quickly.
Kiryuin, however, didn't seem fazed.
"You're not saying it's impossible this time. So why not?"
"There are a lot of reasons. But mostly, I'm busy."
Mamoru didn't necessarily mind introducing someone to the world of sorcery—if they had potential and the will for it.
But time was a problem. Even when things were quiet, outside jobs came up often.
"If you're serious, I could refer you to a school that specializes in this kind of thing. You could transfer."
"That's a problem. I actually like it here.
I'd prefer to graduate from this school if possible."
"Then go after you graduate. While you're here, you'll be safe. I'm still around."
"But you can't guarantee I'll always be safe. That's why I want to learn at least the basics—some form of self-defense."
"Even so, I'm just a student, not much older than you. Wouldn't that make you nervous, learning from me?"
"From my perspective, this is an unfamiliar world.
I'd trust a young, capable person like you over a stranger I've never met."
She wasn't going to back down.
"You mentioned an institution, but you're clearly not attending one. I assume you're stationed here to guard the school. That must mean you're already recognized as a full-fledged sorcerer. I don't think you're lacking in qualifications."
She's sharp.
Although she didn't seem to know much about the sorcerer world, she was able to accurately assess Mamoru's situation from fragmented clues alone.
As expected from someone at this school—her deductive abilities were sharp.
"Well, if you're willing to teach me about curses," Kiryuin offered, "I'll help you out."
"…Help?"
"I don't know anything about curses, but when it comes to this school, I've got the upper hand.
From what I've heard the teachers say, you're concerned about dropping out, right? In that case, wouldn't having an upperclassman's cooperation be a big help?"
Mamoru narrowed his eyes. "What kind of cooperation? I'm not interested in vague promises like 'maybe I'll be useful.'"
"That's fair. Then, here's something concrete: did you know that for the midterm exams, they reuse the same questions for first-years every year?"
"…What?"
Mamoru was genuinely stunned. That was something he hadn't expected at all.
At the same time, several things that had been bothering him clicked into place.
"…Ah. So that's why the test scope suddenly changed."
"You're sharp," Kiryuin said with a smile. "Just what I'd expect from someone who knows how to read between the lines—like the teachers."
From the beginning, Mamoru had felt that the idea of awarding class points based on midterm performance was strange.
If grades alone decided the points, the top classes would always dominate.
Most likely, this test was originally designed to give Class D a chance. Higher classes wouldn't question the format—because they'd pass regardless.
Meanwhile, Class D would be challenged to spot the changes and overcome them.
The questions are tough. The scope changed without warning. Can you notice? Can you adapt?
That was the real test.
"…Is this really okay? Normally, upperclassmen wouldn't be allowed to say this kind of thing."
If word got out that exam questions were shared between years, it would completely defeat the purpose of the system.
"That's true. If anyone found out, there'd be consequences for sure. But… don't you think this is a good way to show my sincerity?"
Seeing the grin on her face, Mamoru realized she'd timed this approach specifically to coincide with exam season.
And honestly, it made sense.
Having Kiryuin on their side would be a huge advantage—not just in everyday life, but especially in emergencies.
Even for routine patrols, she could cover what Mamoru alone couldn't manage.
And more than that—he could already tell she was sharp.
In the future, she might rise to a high position in society. Doing her a favor now might prove useful later.
Mamoru weighed these things silently.
Noticing this, Kiryuin gave a faint, confident smile—convinced she was getting through to him.
Finally, Mamoru opened his mouth.
"…No."
A clear and immediate refusal.
Kiryuin's cheerful expression vanished, replaced by a more serious one.
"…Still a no, huh? Can I ask why?"
"You said it was for self-defense earlier—but that's not your real motive, is it?"
Mamoru hadn't missed the glint of curiosity in her eyes when he explained the existence of curses.
"Were you intrigued? Excited by the idea of supernatural powers suddenly appearing in your world?"
"…So my motives aren't pure?"
Mamoru slowly shook his head.
"Everyone has different reasons for becoming a sorcerer. Money. The thrill of fighting. A desire to protect others. A sense of justice.
But what really matters…
Are you prepared to risk your life for those reasons?"
In that moment, rectangular barrier segments materialized around Kiryuin's body—at each joint, around her torso, even clamping over her mouth.
"…!?"
Her limbs were locked in place. Her jaw was fixed shut. She couldn't move or speak.
As Mamoru calmly walked toward her, he continued.
"You were cautious at first. But deep down, you were confident—certain I wouldn't resort to violence. You let your guard down."
"mpph!"
He placed his fingers lightly on her forehead.
At that moment, a dense wave of cursed energy surged from Mamoru and engulfed her entire body.
To someone without cursed resistance, it was overwhelming. The presence alone could feel like standing on the edge of death.
Kiryuin's eyes widened, and color drained from her face.
"If you're a sorcerer, unjust death is just part of the job. You can die at any moment—without reason, without meaning. I could kill you right now."
He stared down at her as she trembled in place.
"Still sound fun? Still sound interesting? If you're going to step into this world, you'd better abandon those fantasies."
If Kiryuin decided to enter this world on her own, Mamoru wouldn't interfere—no matter what happened to her.
But if she wanted his guidance, he couldn't be that irresponsible. If she thought she could live without regrets, then first—he'd crush her expectations.
He kept his gaze locked on her.
And yet… something was off.
Mamoru narrowed his eyes and removed the barrier covering her mouth—carefully, ready to restore it in an instant.
"…That was kind of you, Gojo."
Even though her face was pale and drenched in cold sweat, her voice was steady.
Mamoru blinked.
"You really think that?"
"I do," she replied. "Because if you truly meant harm, you wouldn't have warned me first.
This was your way of showing concern, wasn't it?"
"…Seriously?"
"I mean it. And since we're being honest, let me say this:
You talked about sorcerers—but unjust death isn't unique to your world. An earthquake could hit today. A mugger might strike tomorrow. Instead of living in fear of what might happen,
I'd rather live without regrets."
"…Even if it means facing things worse than death?"
"Let me ask you something in return," she said. "Even without curses involved, can we ever be certain we're safe?"
Mamoru had no answer.
In Japan, over ten thousand people disappear or die mysteriously each year. Most are victims of curses.
Being a civilian didn't make you safe.
"I don't want to live my life not knowing when something might strike— or just sitting around afraid."
Mamoru's cold gaze met Kiryuin's unwavering one.
"…I see."
He slowly raised his hand in front of her eyes, fingers poised like a judge about to deliver a verdict.
In a single motion, the barriers vanished.
Her joints freed, Kiryuin's body went limp and collapsed.
Mamoru brushed her hair aside and spoke in a normal tone.
"…Was my acting really that bad?"
"Acting…? That was acting? Haha. I was seriously ready to die."
"Didn't you say you weren't interested in me?"
"I did. But honestly, I didn't believe half of it. Even if I was wrong—I was ready to accept that."
Are you prepared to risk your life for your beliefs?
According to Mamoru's brother, Gojo Satoru,
people suited to become sorcerers… tend to be a little insane.
In that sense, Fuka Kiryuin might just fit the bill.
"…Give me a bit of time before I respond," Mamoru said as he helped her to her feet.
"I can't just decide on my own to involve a civilian in this."
Hearing that, Kiryuin smiled.
"Sounds like you've acknowledged me."
"I'd rather not admit it. But if I refused, you'd probably just stick your nose into it anyway."
"Smart boy."
Taking Mamoru's hand, Kiryuin stood up with the same confident smile she'd worn at the start.
(First, I need to talk to my brother.)
Mamoru sighed, already bracing for the chaos to come.