A/N : Sorry for the delay guys. Been a heck of a month lately.
-x-
Twins
A fundamental rule of cursed energy that dictates twins are considered a single entity by jujutsu laws.
Because they are viewed as one person with a shared soul, their cursed energy and potential are divided between them, preventing either from reaching their maximum strength while both are alive.
And unfortunately, Maki was a victim of this curse. Both Maki and Mai.
Since Maki was born with a heavenly restriction which worked much like Toji, where all the cursed energy of a person was erased to the point even in the eyes of jujutsu they were considered nothing but a mere object, in return, they are graced with a very powerful body of superhuman proportions.
Maki should have been born like Toji, a born monster, if not for the bond she shared with her twin sister Mai.
And it wasn't like Maki was the only person who was withheld by this, even Mai was similarly obstructed.
Both were withholding each other back.
Maki who was not supposed to have any cursed energy and in return have a superhuman body, was born with a tiny bit of cursed energy, not even enough to let her see the spirits on her own, to hold her heavenly restriction back.
Mai was born with a cursed technique, something almost 90 per cent of jujutsu sorcerers are not born with, and not just any technique, in my opinion it was a great technique.
However, the technique was highly inefficient since her technique, Construction, could create real objects completely out of her cursed energy. Since the nature of the objects was real and completely permanent, the consumption of cursed energy was astronomical.
And as fate would have it, she was born with lower-than-average cursed energy.
One sister who needed more cursed energy was born with less of it, with a curse which specially demanded more reserves, and the other was born with a heavenly restriction and yet had a sliver of cursed energy to hold her back.
The irony was not missed here.
"They are considered as one entity in the eyes of jujutsu." I read the line again and then with a sigh closed the book.
After talking a bit with Maki, which ultimately ended up with her asking me to help her sister just like I did with her.
I ended up in the library as planned earlier, however, besides taking the earlier books on domains, barriers, and binding vows, I picked just one more.
Something regarding heavenly restriction and the twin curse theory this world has.
Using my technique on Maki back then was a spur-of-the-moment kind of decision. I had no other way out, to take all of Maki's curse energy while she willingly offered it to me, and in return she got to unlock the true power of her heavenly restriction.
We are still unaware whether what Maki had was similar to Toji, since my knowledge of this entire existence of twins is shallow.
Whether by just removing the little cursed energy she held within her truly made her another heavenly tyrant or to achieve that, the death of her sister was an integral part?
At least the wording here suggests that as long as both exist, neither can achieve their true potential.
But we have seen heavenly restriction broken before, Mahito did that to Muta (Mechamaru) in season 2, before the Shibuya incident.
So, if all that was holding Maki back was really that little bit of cursed energy inside her because of Mai's existence, and I removed that, then I can most likely help her sister out as well.
Just give her more cursed energy and it should do the trick, right?
Ever since Maki had asked me, I can't get the plea out of my mind. The possibility was there, and as much as I knew my technique, it most likely should work, given the trade is of equal value.
But that was the problem. I'm lacking cursed energy as well.
Well, technically, one possibly can't have enough of it, but still, now more than ever, I needed bigger reserves since every domain expansion from here on out is going to cost me more because of Mahoraga's presence.
Groaning to myself, I begrudgingly pushed the book away.
"I might was too hasty to say yes," I grumbled to myself.
Yeah, seeing her all emotional and all, I ended up promising her to help her sister out as well. If nothing, then I can at least give the cursed energy I got from her to her sister, at least that much I owe her.
Anymore, though, and I'll have a problem on my hands. Sigh...
Maybe, I ought to do some cursed energy farming of my own when I get some time later.
"Whatever, it's a problem for my future self, fortunately for me, her sister is not here. So the matter is not of an immediate issue right now." I snorted and straightened my head into what was the real problem currently for me.
"The freaking higher-ups."
It was already late night and tomorrow both Yaga and I have to leave to meet them. I'm already losing my sleep over what they want from me.
I knew the little peace I had was temporary. It's already been 6 days since I was in jujutsu tech, in which half of them I was unconscious.
I woke up on November 3rd.
Talked to Yaga on November 4th and then joined Maki for training.
Yesterday was much like the 4th while today Yaga called to talk.
And finally, on the 7th of November, we depart, which was tomorrow.
"Yup, not even a week of rest."
And, I doubt it's going to get any better from now on. Those barriers all over the country were erected ever since I fell unconscious.
Meaning the better part of the entire week. Gods only know what kind of chaos was happening inside them. How many people were dying.
Sooner or later, Jujutsu tech will have to take action, and considering everything, I'll be a part of that now.
I'm even surprised that Yaga and others haven't sent people in already. But, that wouldn't last for long, most likely they will take action in another few days.
I sighed just one last time before I collected the scattered books and with difficulty and aches all over my body got up to place them back to their rightful place before heading back to my room.
I better sleep tight, might as well be my last peaceful sleep here.
-x-
The next morning came faster than I would have liked, though the soreness in my body made it very clear that yesterday's training had been anything but a dream, and as I pushed myself out of bed and stepped outside, I immediately noticed that the day had already started without me.
Out on the training ground, Maki was already in motion.
"This early?"
She was sparring, and with Panda no less.
And from the looks of it, Panda seemed to be more surviving than sparring.
Not just losing, but absolutely getting his stuff handed to him, because every movement Maki made was sharp, fast, and precise, leaving no room for him to recover as she pressed forward relentlessly, forcing him back step by step. He barely had time to defend before another strike came his way, and each impact seemed to carry just enough force to remind him that she was not holding back.
"May your soul find peace, amen." I mentally stated before moving out, curious at what was going on.
"…Is it just me, or is she going harder than usual?" I muttered as I walked closer.
Off to the side, Toge Inumaki stood watching, arms folded, looking far more entertained than concerned.
I glanced at him. "What did Panda do?"
"Bonito flakes," he replied calmly.
I stared at him for a second.
"…That clears nothing up," I said flatly.
Behind us, Panda let out a strained groan as Maki swept his legs out from under him and sent him crashing to the ground once again, and at that point, I decided that whatever was going on there was probably not something I needed to get involved in.
So instead, I moved on.
As for why this was taking place, turns out Panda opened his large jaw and spread some rumors he shouldn't have around jujutsu tech.
After getting cleaned up and eating properly for once, I made my way toward Yaga's office again, already aware that today was not going to be like the others.
When I stepped inside, Yaga was already waiting.
"You're ready?" he asked.
"Yeah," I replied.
He studied me for a moment before nodding slightly. "Good," he said. "Then listen carefully."
I straightened slightly.
"When we meet them," he continued, "you follow my lead, and you let me do the talking."
I didn't hesitate. "Understood."
I was completely content being on the sidelines, to be honest.
With that settled, we left the office together and headed toward the entrance of Tokyo Jujutsu High, the atmosphere noticeably heavier than usual as the reality of what was ahead settled in.
Just as we reached the gate, however—
"Hey."
I stopped, turning slightly. I found Maki standing there, her arms crossed as she looked at me.
For a moment, she didn't say anything.
Then—
"Done beating Panda."
"Yeah!"
"Mind telling why you're after his ass first thing in the morning?"
To my confusion, her face seemed to flush a bit before she avoided the topic altogether.
"You don't need to know," she said.
Now that made me more curious, strange how things which are kept away from us are exactly what we find more interesting, isn't it!
But, since the lady said not to delve into the matter, I won't unless I wished to replace Panda, which I, of course, do not plan to do anytime soon.
"Don't do anything stupid," she suddenly said.
I let out a small breath, a faint smirk forming despite everything. "Define stupid."
"Anything which you usually would do."
Ouch…
Shouldn't have asked.
She narrowed her eyes slightly. "You know what I mean."
I held her gaze for a second before nodding.
"…Yeah," I said. "I do."
And with that, I turned and walked forward.
Only to hear her say—
"Don't die."
xXx
A/N : Unfortunately, peaceful time doesn't seems to last for our dear Yami. Of course preparation arc haven't ended yet, it will last until culling games starts.
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