Time flowed by in the blink of an eye. I was now twelve years old, and Utahime had reached fourteen. Since that first fateful day we met, Utahime and I had become close friends, exchanging letters frequently. Whenever the cherry blossom festivals came around, we would meet, wander through the falling petals, and pass the time in deep conversation.
'There were times I had to read her letters in segments because the word count was so staggering.'
Today was the day we had promised to see the cherry blossoms for the first time in a while. I woke early and allowed the attendants to dress me in a formal hakama before taking one of the clan's cars to the park where the festival was held.
"Thank you for the ride. I shall contact you separately later. Please, take some rest until then."
"Understood, Young Master. I hope you have a pleasant time."
I bowed my head slightly as the attendant departed, then turned to admire the cherry blossoms blooming in exquisite pink hues all around me.
"It has already been three years since we first met here. Time really does fly."
A familiar voice answered my idle musings.
"It certainly does. You've grown so much in such a short time, haven't you, Touya?"
I turned around to find Utahime standing there, watching me with a warm smile. Seeing her, a smile tugged at my own lips as I spoke.
"Sister Utahime. It's been a while. How have you been? You seem to grow taller every time I see you. I think you might already be taller than the average woman."
Though I was only twelve, Utahime was in the middle of a growth spurt. There was only a slight height difference between us now, and as our eyes met at nearly the same level, I felt the steady march of my own physical growth.
Utahime's face flushed red, as if the way I addressed her made her bashful. She let out a small sigh and spoke.
"I told you not to call me that. It's embarrassing... I'm about 164 centimeters now. I honestly wish I'd stop growing. Isn't it a bit unseemly for a girl to be too tall?"
I fell into step beside her, walking slowly and maintaining eye contact as I replied.
"Why would it be unseemly? Personally, I find tall, elegant women much more striking than shorter ones."
'To be honest, short women were never really my type in my previous life either.'
"Really? ...W-well, let's just go."
Her face reddened further as she quickened her pace. I easily kept up with her.
"Wait for me, Sister. So, what about you? What is your type? What kind of man do you like?"
Utahime's blush deepened, and she slowly began to list her preferences.
"Me? I haven't really thought about it... but I suppose I like someone who looks me in the eye and listens when I speak. Someone mature, kind to others... someone who smiles often and has a cute face."
Watching Utahime occasionally steal glances at me as she spoke, I couldn't help but think.
'You said you hadn't thought about it... so why is that description so specific?'
I was slightly taken aback, but I kept my composure as I answered.
"Heh... does such a man even exist? That sounds like a rare find. It might be quite difficult for you to find your ideal match, Sister."
Upon hearing my words, Utahime let out a small chuckle and shook her head.
"It's not as difficult as you think. Anyway, enough about my ideal type. Let's talk about something else. How have you been spending your days lately?"
"The same as always, really. I spar with my father, play with my sister, and we always have dinner together as a family in the evening. Occasionally, I'll write a letter to you when you cross my mind. That's about it. What about you?"
Utahime's expression softened into a silly grin before she quickly composed herself to answer.
"Hehe... I see. Well, my days are quite repetitive too. My father oversees my training for my Cursed Technique. I train with him and practice the Kagura dance with the other children of the clan. Just because I'm a sorcerer doesn't mean I can neglect my duties as a shrine maiden. And in my spare time... I write letters whenever I miss you."
Her voice trailed off toward the end, making the last part difficult to hear, but it was clear that Utahime was living a busy life.
"You really are busy. That reminds me—as a daughter of a prominent family, you must receive countless marriage proposals. Has there been any talk of that?"
Out of sudden curiosity, I asked. Utahime replied immediately.
"Oh... my father said there used to be many. But after I met you for the first time three years ago, he hasn't brought up the subject of an arranged marriage once."
"Eh? Since you met me?"
"Yes. I've always despised the idea of political marriages anyway. I think my parents are respecting my wishes."
"Aha, I see. I felt this last time, but your parents seem like truly wonderful people. The world needs more adults like them."
"Right? I love my parents so much. Hehe... Oh, more importantly, Touya, there's something I need to tell you."
Her playful demeanor vanished, replaced by a sudden, heavy gravity as she looked me in the eye.
"Yes? What is it?"
"The truth is... I'll be enrolling in Jujutsu High soon. I'm not sure if it will be next year or the year after, but my family is currently discussing the timing of my admission."
'So the time has already come. That means I'll be enrolling in Jujutsu High in three years as well.'
"I see. You mentioned it before, didn't you? That you'd enroll to refine your technique once you were older."
"Yes. To be honest... my Cursed Technique involves performing a Kagura dance and singing. It temporarily amplifies the total Cursed Energy reserves and output of the sorcerers around me."
'What? No way... Such a broken technique exists? Was there anyone with a pure buffer-type technique in Jujutsu Kaisen? Regardless, that's an incredibly powerful ability.'
"Really? That sounds like an incredible technique! You'll be an invaluable asset to the sorcerers fighting alongside you. You're amazing, Sister!"
Utahime gave a bitter smile and shook her head.
"No, it's not like that. The technique doesn't activate until the entire Kagura is finished. During that time, I'm completely exposed to attacks from Cursed Spirits. I'll just be a hindrance."
"How is that being a hindrance? If you have the power to amplify Cursed Energy, you could make a Grade 2 sorcerer punch like a Semi-Grade 1, or even a Grade 1. It's only natural for others to cover for you until you finish your dance."
Utahime's eyes began to brim with tears as she listened to me.
"But... everyone else who has seen my technique said otherwise..."
"Then they are fools who understand nothing. A technique that aids others should never be looked down upon; it should be cherished above all else."
"But... I'm not strong enough to exorcise powerful curses on my own. If we encounter a strong enemy during a mission, I'll just be dead weight..."
"You don't need to be on the front lines. If the situation ever requires you to stand in the vanguard, it means everyone else has already been defeated. You aren't dead weight—you are the highest-priority target to be protected."
"Why... why would you go that far? I was born with this technique, but I have no talent for combat. I'm just a half-baked sorcerer."
"Because... I despise it when people hate themselves for how they were born."
Images of Toji flashed through my mind. I wondered how he was doing. Since he rarely wrote and kept his whereabouts hidden, I had no way of knowing. Pushing those thoughts aside, I continued.
"And... your technique will save far more people than it will ever kill. Instead of thinking of yourself as a burden, think of the comrades who will become stronger because of you—the people they will be able to save because of your light."
Overcome with emotion, Utahime suddenly lunged forward and threw her arms around me.
"Ugh... Touya... thank you. Thank you for saying that... I'm so happy. Thank you for seeing the value in me that even I didn't know I had..."
I held her tightly as she sobbed into my chest. I continued to pat her back gently, losing track of time, until Utahime finally lifted her head. When our eyes met at such a close distance, she practically jumped back in surprise. Covering her face with her hands to hide her swollen, red eyes, she whispered softly.
"I-I'm sorry. I showed you such a pathetic side of myself, didn't I? Crying like an ugly mess..."
"Not at all. I'm actually glad that you feel comfortable enough around me to show those feelings."
I gave her a reassuring smile, which only made her cover her face more fiercely in embarrassment.
"Ugh... I'm hungry. Aren't you? Touya, let's go eat. Right now! Don't say another word."
Despite her embarrassment, she took my hand and led the way. I allowed myself to be led quietly.
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After we finished our meal and shared more stories, it was finally time to part ways. I waited with her until her family's car arrived.
"Sister. Go on to Jujutsu High first. I plan to enroll there as well once I'm fifteen, so just wait for me. Be careful not to get hurt on your missions."
"Yes. About earlier... thank you. For what you said. I think I can believe in myself a little more now. Grow up fast so you can protect me. I'll be waiting for the day we go on a mission together."
I smiled at her newfound positivity.
"I will. Just wait a little longer. I'm looking forward to working with you too."
Just then, a vehicle from the Iori clan arrived. We exchanged our final goodbyes.
"Sister, get home safely. I'll write to you."
"You too. Next time we meet, you'll be even taller, won't you? Probably taller than me. Hehe... I can't wait. See you soon, Touya."
Utahime made to enter the car, but hesitated for a moment. Suddenly, she rushed back toward me. My vision was obscured for a split second as I felt something warm and soft touch my cheek. Before I could even process what had happened, Utahime had scrambled back into the car with a face as red as a ripened tomato. The vehicle sped away in an instant.
'Uh... so that... she just kissed me, didn't she?'
It took quite a long time for the heat in my face to subside once the reality of the situation dawned on me.
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Upon returning to the Zenin estate, I was greeted with a piece of news.
"You're saying my uncle... is expecting a child?"
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