Akira walked towards a vending machine stationed around the compound by Tokyo Jujutsu High, his hands in his pockets. Following him were Yuka, Maki, Panda and Inumaki.
"So what's up with Inumaki's speaking habits? Does he always speak like that, or is it related to his technique?" Looking to the side over his shoulder, Akira asked Panda curiously while watching Inumaki's throat.
His X-ray already told him all the answers he needed, and Inumaki had an additional part in his brain related to a cursed technique. So those markings must be related.
Akira couldn't help but feel a slight pity for Inumaki, as he couldn't speak freely as he wanted, restricted by a couple of words he could only utter for the rest of his life without the activation of his cursed energy.
Yuka and Maki also looked back at Panda and Inumaki, curious about why he couldn't speak normally.
"Inumaki's cursed technique is called Cursed Speech. This technique causes whatever he says to happen. Still, the power is limited by his cursed energy and how much damage he can take without blowing his throat apart."
"Oh, and Inumaki can also only speak with sushi ingredients," Panda continued.
Panda raised one of his soft and gentle paws before patting Inumaki on the back with reassurance. Inumaki raised an eyebrow before shrugging without a care.
He was already used to not speaking, especially since he awakened his cursed technique before even turning six years old. He also wasn't secretive about his technique since Cursed Speech is a clan technique of the Inumaki Clan.
Every sorcerer basically knows about it since a clan with a cursed technique that could be inherited is rare.
"Wow, I couldn't even imagine how that must feel..." Yuka muttered with a hint of pity in her tone. The thought of never being able to say Akira's name or speak with him made Yuka shiver in denial.
Inumaki stared at Yuka with dead fish eyes. He was right behind her; she could have at least pretended to not care. Still, Inumaki shrugged, not bothered.
Akira looked back to the front, reaching the vending machine pushed against a wall. He went and placed a bill inside before buying three drinks. One for himself, and the other two for Yuka and Maki.
Akira looked at the beverages stored inside the vending machine, and a bottle of Coca-Cola was calling his name. He rpesesed it, and then he brought two more Cokes.
No one would say no to a bottle of Coke, its temperature cool to the touch. Anyone who would say no to that is a Pepsi lover and hates Coca-Cola for no reason.
"Here, catch." Taking the Cokes out, Akira threw one to Maki, who caught the drink with a thankful nod. Akira gave one to Yuka as well, earning a smile from her.
"Wow... Really making us feel like we are the third wheelers here, aren't we?" Panda watched everything with a grin before turning to Inumaki with non-existent sweat sliding down his temple.
"Salmon..." Inumaki agreed.
[Meanwhile...]
"W-What?"
Utahime looked up at Principal Gakuganji with wide eyes, her lips quivering in her ever-fearful nature towards Cursed Spirit. She backed up a couple of steps, looking at Gakuganji wiht blame.
Gakuganji sighed, his eyes slightly colder as he looked at Utahime with a sorry expression. If nothing unexpected happens, Utahime will end up dead by the end of tomorrow.
"H-How do you expect me to go and search an entire abandoned prison facility, wiht a suspected grade 1 Cursed Spirit hiding there?!" Utahime suddenly became angry, baring her white teeth at Gakuganji, who did not blame her.
"I am sorry, Utahime. This order came unexpectedly. I tried to have Mei Mei go with you, but the Higher-ups, for some reason, refused, saying this is a mission suited for you... I'm sorry,"
Gakuganji gripped the head of his staff, veins exploding outward on his wrinkly skin and pale hands. He was not happy with this outcome, but he was loyal to the higher-ups and would not go against their wishes.
He is not happy with this order, but if the higher-ups say so, it shall happen.
"You gotta be kidding me... M-My life is over..." Utahime looked mortified as she turned and walked towards the couch, before slumping into it like a corpse, holding her head from stress.
"This is a secret mission, so no one expects me, you, and the higher-ups to know about it currently.... But if it makes you feel any better, I heard that the students of Satoru Gojo will be doing a mission close to your area," Gakuganji looked up, a glint passing in his eyes as he retold the news he heard from Principal Yaga.
"And one of those students happened to have Special Grade strength..." Gakuganji finished with a low voice as slight jealousy seeped into his tone. If only he had brought the kid to Kyoto...
Standing up and walking to the door, Gakuganji left Utahime to her thoughts. With a slide, the door opened, allowing Gakuganji to leave the conference room.
With the door closing, a tense and loud silence filled the entire room. Utahime was still slumped against the couch, her black hair, with a hint of purple shine to it, covering her eyes with her bangs.
"Am I going to die this time?" Speaking to herself with a barely audible voice, Utahime reached up with a shaky hand, the tip of her soft finger tracing the scar on her face gently.
"Ugh!"
Utahime clenched her teeth, grinding her molars with force as his fists clenched. She sat up straight, her brown pupils turned into pinpoints from her anger and annoyance at her weakness.
Minutes passed in silence as Utahime came to terms with what was happening. She let out a deep breath, calming herself as much as she could, before speaking to herself.
"The new studnets of Gojo... The destruction he caused with Hakari Kinji was massive... If he could help, I could probably live... But he probably won't," Utahime sighed as she realised she was done for this time.
She probably couldn't even tell anyone about this mission since it's a secret. And worst of all, Utahime could already feel a pair of sharp eyes locked onto her from the shadows.
If she so much as took a phone and clicked a contact named Satoru Gojo, she would be done for, and Utahime knew it wasn't a fluke.
"Why would they give a mission like this to me?" Utahime asked herself in confusion. She was a semi-grade 1 sorcerer, sure. But her strength itself is only at the peak of a Grade 2 sorcerer. With her cursed technique, she could reach semi-grade 1.
There is no way she could exorcise a grade 1 cursed spirit.
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