Gojo Satoru set the boy down and said with a wide grin, "Welcome to Tokyo Metropolitan Curse Technical College. You'll be studying here someday."
Kamihara Hajime looked around. Lining both sides of the stone-paved path were tall, evenly spaced trees and stone lanterns. In the distance, traditional-style buildings with sloped eaves and layered rooftops blended into the surrounding mountain forest.
Gojo walked leisurely beside him. "This place is hidden by a barrier. Normal people can't see it, and Curse Users won't find it easily either. You'll be safe here for now. I've got a few things to take care of, but I'll sort everything out for you soon."
After passing several buildings, Gojo finally stopped in front of a tall, muscular man. He had short, neatly trimmed black hair, a beard along his chin, and stern eyes—like a walking poster for "tough but dependable."
"Satoru?" the man asked, raising an eyebrow. "What's with the kid?"
"This is my old homeroom teacher—and the next principal of Jujutsu High—Yaga Masamichi," Gojo explained. "Teacher Yaga, I'll leave him with you for now. Be right back."
Gojo vanished as quickly as he'd arrived, leaving Hajime and Yaga standing awkwardly across from each other. The boy barely reached the man's waist, and the silence between them dragged on uncomfortably.
"Ahem…"
Yaga broke the silence first, folding his arms. He wasn't exactly great with kids, but he gave it a shot. "Uh… do you like toys? I've got some that move on their own. Want to see?"
Hajime's eyes lit up. He remembered Panda—Yaga's most well-known creation. That meant this man was skilled in creating Cursed Corpses, constructs infused with Cursed Energy that could act independently. That piqued Hajime's interest, and he nodded.
Yaga led him into a room packed with various puppets and animal-themed constructs. Tools and materials were stacked on shelves around them.
He picked up a round, fluffy, white orb with cartoonish eyes and a stitched-on mouth—no limbs. He handed it over. "Gojo said you have Cursed Energy. Just hold this, focus on making it move, then throw it at the ground."
Hajime gripped it with both hands. It was smaller than a basketball and soft to the touch. Following Yaga's instructions, he infused it with Cursed Energy.
The eyes on the plush sphere lit up.
It started to tremble violently.
Then, Hajime hurled it to the floor.
The ball shot off like a bullet, bouncing against the walls and ceiling, leaving faint cracks wherever it struck. Its speed was incredible—far more than Yaga expected.
His eyes widened.
That thing's just a prototype. No power, just speed... and it's never bounced like that before.
Just as he stepped forward to intervene, Hajime calmly reached out—his hands a blur—and snatched the ball mid-bounce. He held it tightly, grinning.
Despite being mature beyond his age, there was still some childlike joy in him. He played with it again—tossing, dodging, catching. It was like a souped-up version of a bouncy ball, and it genuinely amused him.
Yaga said nothing. He just watched the boy have fun. Eventually, he brought out a few other harmless Cursed Corpses for Hajime to test.
---
When Gojo returned, he found Yaga sitting cross-legged, watching Hajime throw the white ball. A husky-like Cursed Corpse chased it enthusiastically, skidding and tumbling on the wooden floor before proudly bringing it back.
Gojo raised an eyebrow. "Uh… What am I looking at?"
Yaga stood up and greeted him. "You're back."
"I leave for a bit, and you're running a puppy daycare."
Yaga waved it off. "The kid was bored. I gave him a few Cursed Corpses to play with. That husky? It's one of my failed attempts at giving autonomous consciousness. Not very bright, but loyal."
Gojo stroked his chin. "Where'd you get that thing again?"
"Made it. Like I said—failed experiment."
Yaga turned serious. "This kid has talent. Raw, instinctive talent. Where'd you find him? What's the plan?"
Gojo gave a vague grin. "Didn't I tell you already?"
Yaga frowned. "No."
After Gojo explained the situation in more detail, Yaga exhaled. "That's… a lot."
Gojo casually watched Hajime playing with the husky. "I've already handled the orphanage paperwork. Next, I'll find him a place to live. Or a nanny. He can live on his own, right?"
Yaga gave him a look. "He's seven. Precocious or not, he's still a kid. Weren't you already raising another one?"
Gojo blinked, then lit up. "Right! I'll have him live with Megumi and the others! They're about the same age—perfect!"
Yaga just sighed. "You're impossible."
He turned and waved. "Hey, Hajime. Come here."
The boy walked over, holding the white fluffy ball and hugging the husky. Gojo grinned. "Good news! You're officially out of the orphanage, and I've found you a new home."
"Thank you," Hajime said politely.
He offered the white ball back to Yaga, but the man shook his head. "Keep it. That one's harmless, and the dog might actually be useful someday. I call him White Wolf."
Hajime looked at the dog wagging its tail and bowed slightly. "Thank you."
Despite his intimidating exterior, Yaga was surprisingly kind. Hajime could feel it.
"Alright, let's get moving."
Gojo—completely ignoring Hajime's preference—scooped him up again. White Wolf and the fluffy ball were bundled into his arms. In an instant, they vanished.
---
They reappeared on a quiet residential street. Gojo pointed to a nearby house. "This'll be your place from now on. I'll arrange a nanny later, but first, let's visit your new neighbors. You'll be living next to some of my students."
He knocked on the door next door, calling out in a singsong tone, "Megumi~ Tsumiki~ It's meee, Gojo Satoru!"
The door clicked open. A polite girl with long hair stood at the entrance.
"Where's Megumi? I brought a new friend."
"He's in his room," she replied, eyeing Hajime curiously.
Gojo strode up the stairs, hands in his pockets, ready to burst in.
Before he could knock, the door opened.
A young Megumi Fushiguro stepped out, hair spiky like a sea urchin, wearing an annoyed expression. "Gojo-sensei, maybe knock next time?"
"I did," Gojo lied easily. "Just… not this door."
Megumi sighed. "Whatever."
Gojo tousled the boy's hair. It sprang back into place immediately.
"Ta-da! Meet your new companion—Kamihara Hajime. He's a Jujutsu Sorcerer like you. Already awakened a Technique. You two might even end up in the same class!"
Hajime studied Megumi. He looked just like he remembered: stoic, blunt, and young—but still carrying that same quiet intensity. He had the face of a kid, but the eyes of someone older.
A bit punchable, Hajime thought. But I'm a good kid. I don't hit people.
Meanwhile, Megumi gave him a side glance.
"…I don't want to be a Jujutsu Sorcerer," he muttered flatly.
Gojo pretended not to hear. "Anyway! You'll be seeing each other a lot. And unless something crazy happens, you'll start elementary school together too."
Then, with a wave, he disappeared.
Leaving the three kids behind.
---