Kairo Itsuki tightened his grip on his duffel bag and tried not to shake.
"Um… so this is it," he whispered. "First day."
Behind him, Shirogane stood perfectly still, hands in his pockets, silver eyes scanning the courtyard like a predator studying a new territory.
"Kairo," Shirogane said softly. "Your breathing is too fast. Are you dying?"
Kairo flinched.
"N-No! That's just… anxiety!"
"Should I kill it?"
"Please stop saying things like that!"
Before Shirogane could respond, voices echoed from down the walkway.
"HEY! Someone's here!"
Yuji Itadori jogged over, waving like a friendly golden retriever.
Megumi followed calmly, and Nobara strutted beside him with a hand on her hip.
Yuji slowed, blinking.
"Oh. New students?"
Kairo took a nervous half-step back.
"Um… h-hello. I'm Kairo Itsuki. I— I'm supposed to start today."
Yuji smiled warmly.
"Oh cool! Welcome! We're second-years so if you need help—"
He froze.
Because behind Kairo, Shirogane was staring directly at him without blinking.
Yuji slowly pointed.
"…Uh.
Megumi… why does this guy feel so creepy?"
Megumi's eyes narrowed.
Nobara stepped forward, glaring at Shirogane.
"Hey. You. Albino Terminator. Who are you supposed to be?"
Shirogane blinked once.
"I am Shirogane."
Kairo panicked, waving his hands.
"H-He's with me! He's harmless! I mean— no, he's not harmless— I mean— he's safe! I mean—"
Nobara raised a brow.
"You don't sound convinced."
Yuji whispered loudly to Megumi,
"Is this like… a Sukuna situation again?"
"Yuji, don't joke about that," Megumi hissed.
Shirogane tilted his head at them.
"Why are you afraid? I am not hostile.
…Yet."
"OKAY WHAT—??" Nobara angrily responded.
Kairo practically exploded with panic.
"N-No! He means he won't hurt anyone! He just talks weird! Please don't fight!"
The tension was seconds from becoming an all-out brawl when—
A strong voice cut through the air.
"Oi! Stop scaring the newbies!"
Maki Zenin strode in, carrying a long wooden staff.
Yuta Okkotsu walked beside her, offering an apologetic smile.
Yuta raised a hand.
"Hey! Sorry we're late. You must be Kairo, right?"
Kairo nodded quickly, relief flooding his face.
Yuta smiled warmly — the kind that immediately made the area feel safer.
"We've been expecting you. Welcome to Jujutsu High."
His eyes shifted to Shirogane.
"And you too… Shirogane, was it?"
Shirogane bowed politely.
"I acknowledge you."
Nobara whispered, "Why does that sound threatening?"
Yuji nodded. "It really does."
But Yuta walked right up to Shirogane with zero fear and said,
"Thank you for protecting him. We're glad you're both here."
Shirogane blinked — almost surprised.
"…You are not afraid?"
Yuta shook his head.
"Being afraid of someone just because they're different is an old way of thinking.
Besides…" His smile softened.
"Kairo wouldn't be here if you weren't important to him."
Kairo's ears turned red.
"M-Mr. Yuta please—!"
Maki placed a hand on Kairo's shoulder.
"Come on," Maki said, giving Kairo a gentle push. "Let's get you settled. You've got orientation, a room assignment, and… probably a lot of people staring at you."
Kairo glanced behind him. Shirogane was indeed staring at everyone. And they were also staring back.
Yuji waved awkwardly. Megumi sighed like he already had a headache. And Nobara, she just pointed two fingers at her own eyes, then at Shirogane.
Kairo squeaked and hurried after Yuta and Maki with Shirogane following silently.
Jujutsu High looked peaceful with all the powerful treat all gone. Kairo walked with stiff shoulders, trying not to trip over nothing.
Yuta noticed.
"Relax, okay? You're safe here."
"O-Of course! I'm totally relaxed! Kairo's voice cracked mid-sentence.
Maki snorted. "You're shaking like a wet cat."
Kairo instantly tried to stand straighter. He succeeded for about three seconds before stumbling again.
Shirogane hovered behind him, expression unchanged. "You are unstable. Shall I carry you?"
"NO! Absolutely not!"
Maki muttered, "How is this kid alive…"
Yuta chuckled softly. "Kairo, you'll get used to everyone. The second-years are good people."
"Was she being friendly…?" Kairo whispered.
Maki answered, "Oh you mean Nobara, For her?... Yes."
"…Are they always like that?"
Maki nodded. "Yep. Get used to it."
They stopped in front of a large sliding wooden door with dark ink calligraphy on it.
PRINCIPAL'S OFFICE
"T-T-The principal? I have to meet the principal?? On my first day???"
Yuta nodded kindly. "She asked to meet you.
Maki pushed the door open. "You'll be fine. She's not scary- "
Kairo stepped inside and Maki froze.
"…Actually, she's a little scary."
The office was dimly lit with rows of old scrolls, charms, and ancient documents on the walls. Incense smoke curled in the air.
Behind the desk sat Principal Kirimura Sakuya – Gojo's successor in a practical sense, though absolutely nothing like him.
A middle-aged woman with sharp black eyes, graying hair tied in a tight knot, and a calm expression that was somehow more intimidating.
She looked up slowly. Her gaze passed over Kairo then landed on Shirogane.
"I am Shirogane." Shirogane said as he bowed politely.
The principal stared at Yuta which he smiled nervously. Kairo panicked.
"H-He's with me!! I mean, he's my partner!! I mean-he's harmless!! I mean-please don't expel me I just got here!!"
The principal begun to laugh. "Why are you so tensed boy? I will not expel you because that…" She paused mid-sentence and looked at Shirogane once more. "…because he is with you. Welcome to Jujutsu High, kid."
"T-T-Thank you."
"Okay then let's get to business."
Principal Kirimura exhaled slowly, folding her hands on the desk.
"Kairo Itsuki," she said, voice level, "your file says you possess a technique categorized as Soul Manipulation. Yet your control records are… minimal."
Kairo stiffened. "I-I'm working on it… ma'am."
"He is improving. I assist." Shirogane stepped forward.
"Do not interrupt," she said.
Shirogane blinked once. "…Acknowledged."
Kairo nearly choked. "Sh-Shirogane, please stop talking until you're spoken to-!"
The principal ignored Kairo's panic and instead leaned back, studying Shirogane with sharp interest.
"You," she said quietly, "are not a cursed spirit."
"Something like that."
"So a shikigami."
"Something like that."
Kirimura sighed.
"Regardless of how you bonded, you are here now. And the higher-ups…" Her mouth twitched as if holding back an irritated sigh. "…will have questions."
Shirogane nodded. "I will answer them if necessary."
"No," she said firmly.
"You will not. I don't trust them not to dissect you."
Kairo nearly fainted.
"We'll keep him safe." Maki spoke up.
"In that case… Kairo, Shirogane – your first task is simple." She approached them, her presence strangely heavy.
"Go to Training Ground 3. The other first-years waiting. You'll join orientation and combat evaluation."
Kairo gulped. "C-combat…?"
Maki grinned. "Oh, don't worry. It's mostly safe."
Kirimura opened the door with a flick of her hand.
"Go on. Report to Training Ground 3. And Kairo-"
He froze mid-step. "…Yes?"
She gave him a tiny smile.
"You'll be fine. Your partner ensures that."
He blinked in surprise. "Y-Yes ma'am!"
Shirogane bowed once.
Training Ground 3 was huge — a massive open-air arena surrounded by tall stone pillars, reinforced barriers glowing faintly with protective seals. The wind swept across the field in sharp, cold bursts.
Kairo stepped in, trembling. Shirogane followed noiselessly, somehow making no sound despite walking on gravel.
A group of first-years stood at the center, eyeing the newcomers.
A tall girl with dark purple braids was the first to speak."…Yo. New blood?"
Kairo squeaked. "H-Hi! I'm—"
She cut him off. "Cool. I don't care."She pointed at Shirogane."I do care about that thing behind you. What is it?"
Shirogane blinked. "I am Shirogane."
"Is that supposed to answer anything?"
"No."
Two more students approached:
He had bright, curious amber eyes. Bandages wrapped both arms all the way to his elbows. He grinned."I'm Roku! Nice to meet you! Wow, your cursed energy feels SUPER weird!"
Kairo turned pale."I-It does?"
"Oh yeah! Like—" Roku squinted.
"Do not analyze him." Shirogane said as he stepped forward defensively.
Roku held his hands up. "Okay, okay! No need to look like you'll rip out my lungs—!"
Shirogane nodded. "Good."
A small girl held a closed umbrella, even though there was no rain. She stared at Shirogane with dead-fish eyes.
"…He's not human," she mumbled.
Kairo stuttered, "I-I-It's complicated…!"
She pointed the umbrella at him."You're probably complicated too."
"WHY DOES EVERYONE KEEP SAYING THAT—?!"
A loud crack echoed across the arena. Panda dropped from the upper railing, landing with a heavy thud."Alright kiddos! Orientation time!"
Kairo nearly fainted."P-Panda-senpai?!"
"Yep!" Panda slapped his chest proudly. "I'm supervising your combat eval today!"
The purple-braided girl sighed. "You're our instructor? Seriously?"
Panda leaned in."You got a problem with a highly advanced talking bear?"
"I mean— objectively? Yes."
Panda shrugged. "Too bad."
Yuta walked in from behind him."I'll be overseeing too—don't worry. You're in safe hands."
Kairo relaxed.
Then Maki showed up twirling her staff."And I'm here in case any of you start slacking."
Kairo un-relaxed. Yuta clapped his hands."Alright first-years. Today is simple."
Panda lifted a large whiteboard from nowhere.
COMBAT EVALUATION RULES
1. Light sparring.
2. Do not maim your classmates.
3. Do not kill your classmates.
4. Do not summon eldritch beings without permission.
5. Looking at you, Shirogane.
Shirogane blinked. "I do not require permission."
Everyone took three steps back.
Yuta coughed. "Please ignore rule five. That was Panda's joke."
"It was not."
Kairo froze.
Maki dragged him forward by the collar."Congrats. You're up."
"M-Me?! But I'm not re—ready— I'm not prepared— I didn't even stretch— I didn't—"
Roku cracked his bandaged knuckles. "Don't worry! I'll go easy! Probably!"
Kairo stood trembling, hands raised awkwardly. Shirogane stood at the boundary like a guard dog made of calm murder.
Yuta raised his hand."Begin!"
Roku rushed forward, fast but playful—clearly holding back. Kairo panicked and threw a desperate punch.
He missed.
He punched the air so hard he spun in a full circle and fell on his face. Roku blinked."…Bro."
Maki sighed deeply."Oh my god."
Yuta called out, "Kairo! Try focusing your cursed energy!"
"I—I can't when I'm terrified!!"
"Fair."
Roku stepped forward to gently tap Kairo's shoulder— and his fist passed through Kairo's body.
Roku froze."…Huh?!"
Kairo floated half-transparent, eyes wide."S-Sorry! My technique kicks in when I panic—!"
Kairo's soul slipped out of alignment, his body turning ghost-like.
Maki's eyes widened. "…Oh. Oh that's actually cool."
Panda scratched his chin. "That's very cool."
Shirogane nodded proudly. "He is improving."
Roku tried again—His fist went straight through Kairo's torso.
"WHY CAN'T I HIT YOU?!"
Kairo cried, "BECAUSE I CAN'T CONTROL ANYTHING WHEN I'M SCARED—!!!"
Roku stared at him. Then, very slowly, he tightened the bandages around his hands.
"Well then…" Roku muttered.
Kairo felt his stomach drop."O-Oh no— what does 'well then' mean—?"
Roku grinned — way too excited.
"It means I'll just do this."
He ripped the bandages off. Underneath, Kairo saw only a glimpse — just a sliver of what lay beneath:
His hands weren't normal.
Yuta immediately stepped forward, worried. "Roku—! Keep it at partial level, do you hear me?!"
Roku held up a thumb. "Yeah, yeah! Only twenty percent!"
He lifted his hand.
The cracks along it glowed faintly, humming with a strange resonance.
Kairo trembled."Wh-Wh-What is that?!"
Roku smiled and clenched his fists.
"Impact Redirection: 20% Charge."
A faint shockwave cracked beneath his feet.
Kairo stepped back, startled. "W-What did you just—?"
Roku blurred forward. This time, when Kairo dodged instinctively—
Roku's fist bent the air itself.
The redirected force punched out in a curved blast, following Kairo's movement like a guided missile.
Kairo gasped as it grazed his shoulder, sending him spinning.
Roku grinned wide.
"That's the thing, Itsuki—I don't need to hit you. I just need to hit something."
Another punch slammed into the ground—the stored force blasted sideways, cutting a long trench of dirt toward Kairo. Kairo barely hopped over it, waving his arms desperately.
"W-WAIT—THIS ISN'T FAIR—!!"
Roku laughed."Combat isn't fair!"
Shirogane's eyes narrowed, his presence flaring ominously.
"That is enough."
But Yuta extended an arm. "Not yet. Kairo's okay."
Kairo was not okay. He yelped as another redirected shockwave chased him in a zig-zag.
"ROKU PLEASE STOP AIMING AT MY FEET—!"
"Nope!"
Roku launched forward for a finishing palm strike—
Kairo's eyes sharpened for just a moment.
Shirogane's voice echoed in his mind:"Allow the attack. Shape the soul. Push."
Roku's hand touched Kairo's sleeve—
And suddenly Roku felt his balance shift as if gravity tilted sideways. He stumbled, tripping over air.
"Wh—WHOA—?!"
Kairo, red in the face, muttered,"S-Sorry! I didn't mean to do that! You okay—?"
Roku lay on the ground, stunned. Then he burst into laughter.
"You're weird, Itsuki. But I like you."
Kairo blinked. "Y-You do…?"
Roku stood up, brushing dirt off his shirt.
"I'm gonna figure out how your technique works. And when I do—I'm challenging you again."
Kairo smiled nervously. "P-Please don't…"
Shirogane stepped behind him. "I will dispose of him next time."
"SHIROGANE STOP—!!!"