Chapter Text
August 2006
Tokyo Jujutsu High
“One of you four said they would cast the veil themselves, and left your assistant supervisor behind, didnt you? And then you forgot the veil. Come forward.” Yaga Masamichi’s harsh tone had Hakuchō Hikari flush bright red with embarrassment and bow her head lower… as she shot a look at Gojo Satoru, the culprit in question. Almost immediately, Hikari, Ieri Shoko, and Geto Suguru pointed at Gojo, as the cocky idiot opened his mouth and raised his hand to yell out. “Sensei, I’m asking you to stop this hunt for the culprit!” “So it was you!” Their sensei’s fist struck the back of Gojo’s head, making him whine out.
Gojo shook his head and pouted as he pointed at Hikari. “Oh, come on, she’s the boring responsible one of the group. Why is she not getting blamed?” Hikari rolled her eyes in exasperation. Although she usually took Gojo’s jabs with grace, she could feel her endless well of patience running dry with the ridiculousness of the situation, and it was a struggle to keep her voice calm… and not let out an annoyed shriek. “Because I can’t cast veils, Gojo, you know that. Besides, you were the one who volunteered to do it, so you should have been more responsible.”
Hikari was born with a Heavenly Restriction that prevented her body from channeling or using Negative Cursed Energy, which kept her from casting veils, making Binding Vows, or reinforcing her body to fight and protect herself. In exchange, her body converted that Negative Cursed Energy into Positive Cursed Energy, making her a natural talent at using Reverse Cursed Techniques to heal herself and others, as well as learning how to use it against cursed spirits. Gojo always seemed to have a problem with her, but she believed it was because she could do something that he couldn’t.
Gojo rolled his vibrant blue eyes and continued to pout. Hikari couldn’t stop a small smile from forming on her lips. She had expected him to continue being a bit of an asshole about the situation, but for once, he seemed content to throw a quiet tantrum. Her momentary feeling of triumph lasted a good two seconds before Yaga announced they’d be going to the gym for detention… all four of them, and all four teenagers groaned in despair.
# # #
“Looking out for the weak is so exhausting, honestly.” Hikari rolled her eyes at the book she was reading as she heard Gojo continue to be an arrogant asshole. She and Suguru both replied in unison: “Survival of the weakest.” It was the most basic founding tenant of any benevolent society, where the weak can survive to help each other, and discourage any malevolent action from those who are too strong. Hikari was glad that at least one of the strongest sorcerers in her class had a reasonable head on their shoulders.
Hikari and Shoko were close friends already, having known each other growing up, but she was pleasantly surprised when Geto Suguru ended up being someone else she could call a friend, even though they didn’t really know much about each other. Their gentle, level-headed personalities acted as a rather pleasant foil to Shoko’s brashness and Gojo’s sheer arrogance. She had hoped to be friends with Gojo when they first met… and then, during their introductory sparring match in their first year, he said, “I don’t want to waste my time with a weakling. Can’t I just have Geto tap in? That would be an actual test for me.”
That had effectively crushed any of Hikari’s hopes that she’d be friends with her entire class. Since then, Gojo had continuously made it his mission to point out her perceived weaknesses, and she made it her mission to let the jabs wash off her like water on a duck’s back. She wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of seeing how upset they made her. She’d find a way to be strong and useful in her own way.
“Oh, of course you’d be all in favor of that bullshit moral argument, Hikari, you’re weak. It just seems to me that the strong should take charge and focus on themselves.” Hikari took a deep breath as she noticed that Suguru and Gojo were about to come to blows…again. She should just mind her business, hold her tongue… but where’s the fun in that? She raised an imperious brow and flicked her hazel eyes down to look into Gojo’s Six-Eyes as she spoke serenely from her seat atop the bleachers, looking down upon him, her voice clear and calm. “It seems that way, Gojo-san, because you are ignorant. Perhaps I could recommend you read a history book… or ten. I find reading to be a rather illuminating activity that expands one’s understanding, don’t you?” Shoko coughed on a laugh and started making her way to the exit, as she muttered to herself, “Time to run away.”
Gojo’s cursed energy started to flow around him, her barb hitting its mark. “You calling me stupid, Hikari?” His voice sounded almost…excited, like a purr. Hikari tilted her head and smiled serenely in response. “Of course not, Gojo-san, that would be rude. I was only trying to assist my classmate in his studies.” Gojo, for once, was silent, looking almost disappointed, and she smiled sweetly as she stood from her seat, making her way to the exit.
“Speaking of studies, I have to train. I hope you both have a great rest of the day, Gojo-san, Suguru! Try not to beat each other up!” Just as she exited the gym, she could hear Gojo petulantly whine. “How come she calls you by your name, Suguru?” “Because I’m not an arrogant asshole, Satoru.” Hikari could only laugh to herself as she walked away from the gym, hoping to meet up with Shoko, then jogged to meet up with her nearby.
Shoko noticed her and raised a hand in greeting before calling out in a teasing laugh. “Here comes sexy school marm Hikari, ready to smack Satoru’s knuckles with a ruler!” Hikari laughed and rolled her eyes before she waved off the teasing as she met up with Shoko, linking arms with her as they made their way to the medical wing to practice their Reverse Curse Techniques by healing injured students, and the occasional professional sorcerer. Shoko let out an ever suffering sigh and nudged Hikari with her shoulder. “You doing okay, Hikari? As fun as it is seeing you grow a backbone, you don’t normally rise to Satoru’s bullshit.” Hikari sighed and shook her head, an embarrassed flush on her cheeks. “Not really… it’s just… family stuff…and Gojo being so…well…Gojo, isn’t helping.”
Hikari had come out as a trans woman at the beginning of Year 2 to her class and her family. Her classmates had been supportive, if not nonchalant, about it. Yaga had even gotten her a new uniform, a blue midi-dress instead of the standard suit, but other than that, there wasn’t much fanfare… and she was eternally grateful for that. Her family, on the other hand, had met her revelation with disdain and disappointment, opting to excise her from the Hakuchō clan, treating her like a dirty secret.
The Hakuchō clan was a very minor sorcerer clan, yet they were very proud, conservative, and made it quite clear her existence was considered shameful in their eyes. Hikari felt devastated and confided in Shoko, who then informed Yaga. Yaga made the decision to support Hikari's continued education and her place at Jujutsu High. No one else knew of her circumstances, at her insistence, not even her other classmates. She didn’t want anyone’s pity, she just wanted to focus on graduating from school and becoming strong, if not for herself, then for others.
Shoko put an arm over Hikari’s shoulder and gave her a knowing look. “You could tell them, ya know… Suguru and Satoru, I mean. Just because they’re trash doesn’t mean they’re trash like your dad. Maybe it’ll even get Satoru to stop poking at you for once. I think he just wants a chance to get to know you…in his own asshole-ish way. You kinda keep your shit locked up tight, makes it hard for people to get to know you.”
Hikari stopped their walking before softly speaking. “I’ll… I’ll think about it, Shoko. I don’t want to burden everyone with my family troubles…and a part of me is afraid Gojo will just hold it over me, like he does everything else.” Shoko gave a nonchalant shrug in response. She gave her advice, Hikari said she’d think about it, so that’s what she’d accept.
As the two young women worked through the rest of the day in the medical wing, Hikari couldn’t stop thinking about what Shoko told her, and realizing she was right. It could be a way for her to forge stronger bonds with her classmates. She decided she’d hunt down Gojo and Suguru after her shift, and tell them about her family situation, hoping her vulnerability would inspire a deeper bond with her classmates. Hikari could feel a sudden surge of excitement running through her. Maybe, just maybe… she and Gojo could end up being friends.
After their shift, Hikari and Shoko were informed that Gojo and Suguru had been sent on a mission to escort the Star Plasma Vessel, Amanai Riko, to Jujutsu High for assimilation with Tengen-sama. Hikari’s plans to open up to her classmates that day fell through, and though she was disappointed, she resolved herself to tell them when they came back, hoping to bring them closer together. She’d even forgive Gojo for what he said during their first meeting, and hell, she’d even start calling him by his given name, like she does with her other friends.
A few days later, everything had changed. Amanai Riko's death had caused Suguru to withdraw from everyone. Whenever Hikari checked in on him, he would politely wave her off, insisting that he was fine. However, the prominent bags under his eyes and gradual weight loss hinted at a different story. Gojo had died, then he came back to life, becoming more arrogant than ever before, having finally been able to use his Reverse Cursed Technique. He was so engrossed in honing his abilities that he didn't notice much else going on around him. Although Hikari wanted to talk to them both about her own vulnerabilities and open up to them, or even ask to train with the two of them, it just never seemed like the right time.
Hikari never ended up being able to deepen her bonds with Gojo and Suguru. As Year 3 came and went, she and Shoko were spending most of their days in the infirmary, healing wounded sorcerers… or in the morgue, purging the victims of curses of the negative cursed energy tainting their corpses. Hikari dove into her studies with abandon, hoping they would distract her from Suguru’s ever growing distance, and Gojo’s ever constant arrogance. Shoko remained much the same as she ever was, but Hikari could see just how taxing the long, hard hours in the infirmary were for her friend.
Hikari loved healing people, that feeling of satisfaction when she’d make a wound close, and she wondered how far she could go. Maybe she’d be able to one day regenerate people’s limbs, or bring people back from near death. But she also wanted to do more than heal. She wanted to fight, to be useful in more than one way. She knew she’d never be a powerful fighter against another sorcerer. Her Heavenly Restriction put her at a great disadvantage since she couldn’t reinforce her body with negative cursed energy.
Cursed spirits, on the other hand, were weak to positive cursed energy, which was all she could use because of her restriction. She wanted to learn how to channel that energy into her martial arts, so she could make herself strong in her own way. So, one day, she begged Yaga-sensei to help her train, even when he told her she’d still never be a graded sorcerer, and her primary duties would still be in the infirmary, she understood, and insisted, saying she wanted to be strong.
“Your strength won’t be like that of Gojo or Geto’s, Hikari. You’ll never have the strength of the mountain or storm. So what kind of strength do you want, hm?” Yaga had asked her. That was one thing Hikari liked about her sensei. He was strong, blunt, but not unkind, and cared about his students. He wanted to give her the cold hard facts, but still wanted to help her grow into the sorcerer she wanted to be.
Hikari had thought for a moment, taking time to consider her answer before responding. “I want to be like the river, Yaga-sensei. I want to nourish the lives of those around me, yet still be able to wash away those who’d harm them. And who knows, someday… with hard work and dedication…” her eyes sparkled with determination, a stubborn look on her face. “…I can wear down the mountain.”
The training was hard and grueling work, and when she wasn’t working in the infirmary, she was training with Yaga or resting. He helped her hone her Baguazhang martial arts skills by channeling her Reverse Cursed Technique into her strikes, making them deadly for cursed spirits, since their bodies couldn’t tolerate Positive Cursed Energy.
Yaga was right. She’d never be strong like other sorcerers, but she’d eventually become a force to be reckoned with in her own right. As her skill as a fighter grew, so too did her skills as a healer. Hikari felt that she was on the cusp, the precipice, that this year would be the best year yet! She’d prove to herself, her friends, and Gojo that she was truly useful, and would earn her place among them.
The year took a turn for the worse though, as Haibara Yu, the sweet underclassman from the grade below them, was killed while out on a mission. Haibara’s death began to feel like the end of everything. A few days after that, Suguru went on a mission to his village, only to end up slaughtering everyone there, including his parents. Overnight, Hikari’s kind-hearted friend had become a curse user, as well as public enemy number one, in the eyes of jujutsu society. Hikari knew she’d likely never see her friend again…or so she had thought.
One afternoon, Shoko had dragged Hikari out to Shinjuku, telling her; “If you don’t escape from the infirmary with me for an impromptu girl’s day out, I’ll cry, and I’ll tell Satoru that you think he’s an uneducated, ill-mannered idiot who’s got basic fashion sense.” Naturally, Hikari complied, hastily . It had been a relaxing, and much needed day out, and the two girls were enjoying the fresh air… well, Hikari was, Shoko just kept trying to light her cigarette. “Shoko, you really shouldn’t be smoking, it’s not healthy.” “I don’t care about being healthy, Hikari, I care about having fun.” Hikari winced, seeing that Shoko was getting a little testy about her lighter not working.
Before Hikari could apologize, she could sense a familiar presence behind her, and turned quickly as her eyes fell on Suguru, who had been reaching into his pocket for a lighter. Suguru smiled and waved at Hikari and Shoko, his voice friendly and warm. “You’re getting better, Hikari. I’m surprised you could sense me that quickly. Yo, Shoko, need a light?”
Hikari was silent for a moment as Shoko happily accepted the light, her eyes cataloging Suguru’s appearance. He looked healthier, more vibrant than he had since the Star Plasma Vessel Incident a year ago. She knew that she should be afraid, or angry seeing him again. Instead, she only felt conflicting feelings of happiness and regret. She moved forward and gave him a hug before backing away to greet him, her voice gentle. “Suguru, you look well…are you doing okay?” Suguru smiled brightly, patting her on the shoulder. “Never better, Hikari.” Shoko took a long drag of her cigarette and exhaled. “So, it’s the criminal. Need something?” Shoko’s voice was nonchalant, almost as if seeing their friend turned murderer was no big deal.
Suguru smiled before he replied. “Just testing my luck, I guess.” It was quiet for a moment before Shoko asked what was running through Hikari’s mind. “Any chance the charges are false?” Hikari could feel her hope rising, that things would go back to normal between them all again. Maybe it really was a misunderstanding, maybe there was an accident. Surely Suguru wouldn’t have slaughtered an entire village, right?
“Nope, unfortunately not.” Just like that, Hikari’s hopes were dashed. Hikari’s voice was soft, shocked. “Why, Suguru?” “I’m going to create a world of only jujutsu sorcerers.” Shoko chuckled, pulling out her phone. “I don’t get it.” Hikari was just shocked, the implications of what her friend said ringing through her head, lost in her thoughts until Shoko’s voice cut through her spiral.
“Hey Gojo, Hikari and I found Geto…Yeah, Shinjuku…No way, I don’t want us to get killed.” Hikari blinked owlishly at Shoko as she called Gojo. She then looked at Suguru again. “Are you going to be okay, Suguru?”
Even after knowing the horrible thing he’d done, Hikari couldn’t reconcile the monstrous actions with the kind friend who had been there with her for the past two years. The friend who had helped her study and train, who would help her bake cupcakes for everyone’s birthdays, who would help her keep Gojo on his toes. Almost as if he sensed her inner turmoil, Suguru spoke softly, kindly. “You could come with me, Hikari. You’d be able to do a lot of good, and it would be nice to have a friend at my side.” Hikari froze for a moment before sadly shaking her head. Even though she loved her friend, she couldn’t support his actions.
“I can’t come with you, Suguru. I’m sorry…” she then wiped an errant tear from her eye, knowing she’d likely never see him again, before she teased him lightly, her voice slightly wobbly. “... Besides, someone has to stay behind and keep Gojo-san on his toes. His ego would be unmanageable if the both of us were gone, yeah?”
Suguru chuckled and gave her a hug. “You know, one day, I think Satoru is going to surprise you, and you two will end up becoming the closest of friends. I hope I get to see that one day.” He then stepped back and gave her a smile before he walked away, waving his hand at her and Shoko. “You two take care of each other, okay? I look forward to seeing you in the new world!” Hikari and Shoko waved back, then walked away, supporting each other with their arms around one another.
After their last encounter with Suguru, Hikari threw herself religiously into her studies and training, really only ever being able to see Shoko. The few times she saw Gojo before graduation, she could feel him hurting over the situation with Suguru, and she’d consider saying something, anything, to comfort him…and then changed her mind when he’d be his usual rude self, and she’d have to bite her tongue to keep from snapping back, knowing he was in pain, knowing he was lonely and chasing what was the familiar banter between them to get some sense of normalcy.
But it wasn’t the same, things would never be the same with Suguru gone, and she knew that she and Gojo just couldn’t be friends, not with the way things were. She’d only respond to his taunts with calm politeness, never letting him get a rise out of her.
Graduation came and went, and Hikari, Shoko, and Gojo branched off to pursue their own goals. Gojo just started working as a Special Grade sorcerer full-time, occasionally involving himself in clan business, only when he had to, of course. Shoko and Hikari went into medical school together. Though Shoko eventually got bored and graduated from medical school in two years by lying about her exam qualifications.
Hikari, however, stayed the full six years, making friends, even dating a little, but she mostly focused on absorbing as much knowledge as she could. She’d also persuaded Yaga to let her take on Grade 3 and the occasional Grade 2 missions on her own, her Reverse Cursed Technique making short work of any curse she encountered, and healing those in need, dedicated to her goal to one day be strong enough to help all she held dear… and to wear down the mountain that was Gojo Satoru.
# # #
Hikari awoke in her apartment, the memories of the past still clinging drowsily to her mind. She blinked her eyes sleepily, taking her time to stretch and shake the sleep off of her. I guess I’m feeling a little nostalgic today; she thought to herself. She opened up her phone, and looked over her calendar, and saw she had one appointment reminder: Today, April 29, 2013; Meeting with Principal Yaga @10:30am. A bright smile shone on Hikari’s face, and she did an excited dance as she stood up. This is it! Today’s the day Yaga-sensei finally gives me the news on my request for a Grade! She ran to the bathroom to get ready, noting that she had about three and a half hours before her appointment with Yaga-sensei.
Once she had finished getting ready, she couldn’t help but admire herself in the mirror. The twenty-four year old trans woman had truly blossomed since she’d graduated from Jujutsu High. She was 5’8”, her soft curves around her hips, slightly broad shoulders, and long legs gave her a rather lovely, balanced figure. Soft, yet wild brown curls fell freely down her shoulders to the top of her back, framing her face, with elegant high cheekbones, yet soft cheeks, kind, enchanting hazel eyes, and lovely pink lips. She looked over her new uniform; a mint-green, high-necked, fit-and flare midi-dress with long sleeves and buttons up the front, a cream silk sash cinching her waist. Cream leggings tucked into lace-up brown heeled boots finished the look, giving her a sophisticated look. She was no longer that weak, gangly young girl who was just discovering the truth of herself. Now, she was a grown, strong, beautiful young woman, with confidence in her own skin and abilities.
When she finished looking herself over, she smiled and flipped her hair over her shoulder, pleased with herself. She checked her phone, and found a text from Shoko: “You’ve got this Hikari, drinks 2nite? ;)” Hikari smiled and rolled her eyes before responding: “Shoko, my luv, it’s Monday…absolutely, see you at 8pm.”
Hikari could feel her mood rising as she walked out of her apartment and made her way to Jujutsu High. Finally, being able to become a graded sorcerer as well as grabbing drinks with her best friend that night? It looked like things were looking up for Hakuchō Hikari!