The air around them grew thick—weighted like a storm just moments from pouring down.
Subaru shifted uncomfortably under the pressure, his nerves flaring despite Gojo's relaxed posture.
"So uh… do I meditate? Scream a chant? Or.. like- bleed from the eyes or something dramatic?"
Gojo raised an eyebrow, expression unreadable behind his shades.
"You can bleed if it helps you feel cooler. Won't actually do anything, though."
With a light chuckle, he took a few lazy steps back, planting his feet firmly into the soft grass. He stretched one arm outward, hand relaxed but steady- not quite a fist, but not open either.
"Alright, Subaru." His tone turned sharp—curious, yet commanding.
"Attack me."
Subaru blinked. "Wait- what? Like, punch you? For real?"
"Yup." Gojo nodded without hesitation. "There's something I need to check. And don't worry about hurting me."
His smirk returned, that same insufferably confident smirk that somehow radiated both charm and quite literally untouchable power.
"You're laughably weak right now."
Subaru squinted. "Okay, rude."
"Facts." Gojo shrugged. "C'mon dude. Don't overthink it. Just hit me with whatever you've got."
Subaru exhaled sharply, steadying his breath as he raised his fists. They trembled slightly, but the determination in his eyes didn't waver.
Then- with a shout more out of instinct than form- he lunged. Each stride was wide, desperate, his fist cocked back like a spring-loaded swing.
It flew forward—
—and was casually swept aside.
Gojo's palm glided through the air like wind itself, redirecting the punch with such grace and ease that Subaru spun awkwardly, nearly toppling over.
"Eh?!" Subaru blurted out, stumbling as he glanced back.
"Don't stop now." Gojo didn't even bother to raise his voice. "You said you want to get stronger- well, this is how it starts."
Subaru clenched his teeth and charged again. Blow after blow, wild but earnest, fists flying with everything he had. A kick even snuck in now and then- none landed.
Not even close, of course.
Gojo didn't use Infinity. He didn't need to. His movements were smooth, minimal- flicking away strikes like swatting at falling leaves. His grin widened as he dodged, weaved, and parried with almost uncanny precision.
Huh.. He's not completely hopeless. Honestly, I expected way worse. He's pretty fast for a completely normal guy from Japan.
Gojo cocked his head, a playful smirk tugging at his lips.
He might even be on Suguru's level~ pff-
He almost burst into laughter at his own thought, effortlessly deflecting one final punch with a flick of his wrist- this time with enough force to knock Subaru clean off his feet. The boy tumbled backward across the grass in an ungraceful roll.
Gojo clapped his hands together, loud and sudden.
"Alright! That's enough. I've seen what I needed."
Subaru pushed himself upright, legs folding beneath him as he sat cross-legged on the grass, brushing dirt off his sleeves with a scowl.
"You get some kinda kick outta beating up the weak or something?!"
Gojo, still standing with his hands in his pockets, let out a short laugh.
"Not beating- testing. I had to see if you had even the slightest idea how to throw a punch."
He tilted his head, sunglasses gleaming.
"Good news is… you're not the absolute worst I've ever seen. So congrats."
Subaru blinked. "…That's the good news?"
"Yup." Gojo gave a nonchalant shrug.
"Which means we can skip the baby steps and move straight into the fun stuff. The real interesting stuff, forreal."
Gojo stepped forward, the grass crunching softly beneath his feet as he crouched down to meet Subaru at eye level.
"Alright, listen up. As i've said, you've got a ridiculous amount of Cursed Energy bubbling around inside you, there ain't alot you can do with it, but that ain't bad. Regardless, think of it like... a busted fire hydrant, spraying out in every direction, wasting all that good stuff you've got stored inside."
Subaru blinked, processing. "…So I'm a leaky hydrant..?"
"Yup, you've got a lot of cursed energy, but if you even tried to use it now you'd be wasting an excess amount than what is required, I guess like what I've read about the magic in this world in a sense." Gojo grinned.
"Your job now is to learn how to seal the hydrant, redirect that pressure, and actually use it. As a controlled flow not mindlessly overflowing whenever you wish to use cursed energy."
He held out his hand, palm up.
"Cursed Energy is all about control through negative emotion. And we- ..you can weaponize it!"
Subaru furrowed his brows. "So what, I get angry and then punch harder?"
Gojo clicked his tongue.
"Nooope. You get angry- and then don't let it show. You feel like crying- but don't let it spill. It's reverse logic. Control over emotion equals control over energy!"
"Of course it'll take longer for you 'cause we're just starting, but most who've trained are good at controlling their Cursed Energy so it wont be wasted with the more intense emotions."
He tapped his temple.
Subaru exhaled, trying to sit straighter.
"Alright. I can do that! So how do I start?"
Satoru grinned.
"Easy. First exercise- maintain the flow of Cursed Energy running through your body the same. No fluctuations. No leaks. You do that, and I'll know you've got the basics down."
"That doesn't sound hard!"
"You'll fail in the next two minutes." Gojo said flatly.
"Maybe one."
Subaru scowled. "Oh yeah? Watch this."
He closed his eyes, trying to focus, breath slow, body still.
Gojo watched silently, arms folded.
One second passed. Then another. Then—
Satoru flicked his forehead.
Gojo tilted his head.
"You failed. Your energy just spiked and dropped like a broken elevator or something. You've got zero control."
Subaru sighed. "So this is gonna take a while, huh."
"Oh yeah." Gojo nodded, already turning away.
"But don't worry- I'm probably a great teacher. I'll break you down juuust enough to build you back up again."
Subaru sat, still cross-legged, cursed energy faintly crackling across his shoulders like black mist clinging to the wind.
Gojo lowered himself to sit directly in front of Subaru, resting an arm on his knee with a grin plastered across his face.
"Alright, we're gonna refine that flow now. I've got really good eyes- so I'll know the exact moment you mess up."
He snapped his fingers with mock dramatics. "And every time you do it wrong? That's one flick. Right to the forehead."
Gojo held up his hand and flicked the air a few times, each one letting off a disturbingly sharp crack of displaced wind.
Subaru immediately tensed. "W-Wait, wait, wait! Your flicks hurt, dude!"
Gojo's grin widened. "Then don't fail."
Subaru groaned, closing his eyes again. "You're the worst teacher. Ever."
Flick.
"AGH!" Subaru reeled back, clutching his forehead. "I wasn't even DOING anything yet!"
Gojo shrugged, smirking. "Exactly. Cursed Energy isn't passive. You let it go dormant. That counts."
Subaru grumbled under his breath, forehead slightly reddened where the flick landed. "You're so lucky there's nothing to make fun of you about."
Satoru chuckled. "Right? Life is difficult as Satoru Gojo.. the strongest, most attractive, most badass-"
"Yeah, yeah!" Subaru grimaced, silence taking place once again.
This time, he steadied his breathing. He focused. Let the fear rise, but didn't flinch. He let anger swirl- but didn't lash out.
The cursed energy returned. Slowly. Controlled.
Gojo leaned in a bit. His smirk softened, just a little. "There we go. Keep that rhythm."
A tense moment passed. Then another. The aura pulsed, slow and steady, like a heartbeat syncing with his own.
Then—snap.
Flick.
"GAHHHH—AGAIN!?"
Gojo laughed. "That was a bit better I guess, but not consistent enough."
Subaru glared at him through watering eyes. "Why do even your compliments seem forced?"
Gojo leaned back on one hand, raising the other with a mischievous glint in his eye.
"Want another?"
"No!!" Subaru flailed, desperately trying to rein in his cursed energy again. The aura stuttered, then steadied once more, driven by desperation and resolve.
Gojo nodded, satisfied. "Good. Pain's the best motivator, huh?"
He closed his eyes again, drawing on the sensation from earlier- the fire, the weight, the grief-turned-power. It began to stir again inside his chest.
A faint wisp of cursed energy trickled up through his arms.
"Good. Hold it." Gojo's tone shifted to something surprisingly instructive, grounded.
Subaru's brows twitched- the aura wavered.
Flick.
A sharp sting hit his forehead, and his eyes flew open.
"OW- YOU BASTARD!"
Several Hours later..
The sun had started to dip low in the sky, casting long shadows across the Roswaal estate garden. The wind had quieted. It was just Gojo and Subaru- silence, save for the distant chirping of birds.
Subaru sat cross-legged again, this time with less sarcasm and more seriousness. His eyes were closed, brows lightly furrowed.
Gojo's voice broke the silence, calm but deliberate.
"Alright, I've already said, stop trying to brute force it. This isn't magic. You're not forcing energy through your veins- you're feeling for it. Emotion guides the current."
Subaru exhaled. "Yes yes… negative emotion. Anger. Sadness. Fear so on soooo forth…"
Gojo walked in a slow circle around him, speaking evenly. "Don't fake it. Think of something real. Something that cut you deep."
Silence...
Then Subaru's fists slowly clenched tighter in his lap.
I've died.
He let out a slow, shaky breath, the weight of those thoughts settling like a stone in his chest.
Over and over. Screaming. Alone. No one ever remembered. They just moved on. And I... I don't- I can't move on from something like that...
Every time I wake up, it's like the pain is fresh again, like the memories are clawing at me with cold, unyielding fingers. All the times I'd died, be it to enemies- or even those I consider friends. I can't forget it, it weighs on my mind unlike anything I've ever felt before.
Sometimes I just sit there, thinking to myself- 'Can I keep doing this?' Though I know I don't even have a choice.
I hate how weak I feel. How powerless.
I thought I was lucky at first- 'You get a second chance.' But what good is a second chance if I'm just going to fail again, and again.. and again?
I hate myself for being the one who always breaks first. The one who stumbles and falls when it actually counts.
Why me?
The question burns inside me, sharp and bitter. Anger rises, hot and heavy, threatening to spill out, but I clamp it down.
Gojo said I need to control it, shape it into power. But right now, it feels like it's controlling me.
Like a storm raging inside, tearing me apart more and more each time I die.
But now I've got a chance... so maybe..
..Maybe if I can hold it still, just for a moment, focus all of this hatred into one controllable thread...
Then maybe I won't be the weak, broken kid anymore...
Maybe I can finally fight...
Maybe I can finally live-
And then... he felt it.
A low hum in his chest. A whisper. A burn.
It crept along his spine like a coiling snake. His skin tingled, as if something deep inside him had been waiting to be acknowledged. Not magic- not of this world atleast.
But weight. Guilt. Fear. Anger. Cursed Energy.
His body began to shimmer faintly with a dark, translucent aura.
Subaru's eyes opened slowly, tears welled up but not quite falling.
"…I feel it."
His voice quivered, not with weakness — but awe.
Gojo's lips curled into a knowing grin. He leaned forward and, to Subaru's genuine surprise, wrapped an arm around his neck in a quick, almost brotherly gesture.
"Nice one, dude! I'm not even gonna lie, you did that quick as hell..."
He ruffled Subaru's hair playfully before raising an index finger like he'd just delivered some profound wisdom.
"I've always said to Suguru that I'd be a good teacher. Look at me now, eh?"
Subaru blinked, eyebrows knitting together.
"..Right...? Who's Suguru?"
Satoru's grin softened just a bit, his movements slowing as he straightened and hopped to his feet, hands slipping into his pockets.
"My friend. My best friend."
He glanced back over his shoulder, voice light but sincere.
"Anyway! I'd say that's enough for today. Remember- it's up to you to keep controlling that energy until morning. I'd rather not stay up all night flicking you like a mosquito."
Subaru let out a dry laugh, rubbing the spot where Gojo's fingers had tussled his hair.
"Noted."
Flick.
"GAH—!? YOU—??!" Subaru groaned, swinging his palms up to his forehead, tears swelling in his eyes.
"You, let your guard down. Don't forget, you want that control all the time."
Gojo just smirked and turned away, stepping lightly over the grass without disturbing a single blade, as if walking on air.
"Ciao for today then."
Subaru blinked, still rubbing his forehead, half-expecting another flick. But Gojo was already a few steps ahead, the familiar carefree swagger in his stride.
————————————————
Subaru rested on his bed, back pressed against the dark ceiling above, a small smile tugging at his lips as he stared up into the shadows.
That… felt good. It's nice… knowing I'm not the only one from Earth here. Though he doesn't feel like he's from Japan like me… He seems way too different!
Restlessness churned inside him, despite everything he'd done today. The training, the flick, the lessons- it all left a spark, but not quite enough to settle his racing mind.
Without hesitation, Subaru swung his legs off the bed and planted his feet on the cool wooden floor. He raised a hand, fingers flexing as if reaching for something invisible.
Alright... control… controool…!!
He let out a deep breath, focusing inward. His palm tensed slightly as a familiar black-and-blue aura began to shimmer, coalescing in a slow, elegant spiral. Like a river flowing quietly, serene but unstoppable, it twisted and danced across his skin.
"It's so weird… this existed on Earth. Like, the hell?"
Emboldened, he took a slight step forward, lifting that single fist and threw a jab- not with desperation, but with emotion.
This time around, however-
SWISH-!
The punch sliced through the air with a sharp, crisp force, rustling the curtains by the window and unleashing a subtle shockwave that rippled outward.
For a moment, silence hung. Then...
"So… cool!!"
Subaru's grin widened, eyes sparkling with newfound fire. For once, he felt like he could actually become something more than just the pathetic shut-in.
————————————————
"Heh…"
Satoru chuckled softly, hearing the muffled sounds of a giddy Subaru echoing a few doors down.
So I'm staying here for a little while.
Still don't exactly trust that Roswaal dude, but he let me stay—so I'll respect him. For now.
Gojo's mind drifted, turning over each face he'd encountered in the mansion.
Emilia...
Those eyes told me she's tied to a spirit of some kind. Not sure if that's good or bad. But hey—this world's different. Can't jump the gun.
The pink-haired maid, Ram, had a weird concentration of mana around her forehead. The blue-haired one, Rem, had it too—just... less. Almost like something was suppressed or stripped away.
And then—
Subaru.
Subaru, Subaru... I can't tell if he's hiding something… or if he's just completely blind to it. But there's something in him. Something dark. Heavy. My Six Eyes couldn't even pin it down, like it was wrapped in shadow deeper than I've ever seen. It took everything in me not to let my jaw hit the floor 'cause my eyes never failed me like that before.
"Haah… whatever…"
He exhaled, letting it go for now, and sank into the mattress with a relaxed sigh. His eyes closed slowly, a faint, crooked grin tugging at his lips as he drifted into sleep.