"Nothing for now, but… Hajime, try not to overuse your Technique on yourself. Accelerating your own time seems to have side effects on your body."
Kamihara Hajime frowned, considering the implications. "Wait… I won't suddenly age or grow up too fast, will I?"
Gojo Satoru burst into laughter at the mental image of a teenager with middle-aged features. When he finally stopped chuckling, he grinned and said, "Well, maybe it's not all bad, haha! But seriously—learn Reverse Cursed Technique and Technique Reversal as soon as you can. That might offset it."
Yaga Masamichi, seeing Hajime deep in thought, added in a stern voice, "Those skills are extremely difficult to master. Take things one step at a time. Don't rush."
"Exactly, exactly!" Gojo agreed, ruffling Hajime's hair. Then, turning to Yaga, he said, "Let's officially classify his Technique as 'Object Acceleration.' We'll tell others that."
Yaga nodded, immediately understanding Gojo's intent. "When he enrolls, we'll register it that way. His immense Cursed Energy should be enough to draw attention away from the real nature of his Technique."
Gojo stroked his chin, thinking briefly of Megumi Fushiguro. His Ten Shadows Technique was easily mistaken for standard Shikigami summoning by those unfamiliar with the Zen'in legacy. And even if it were leaked, he had both the Zen'in and Gojo families behind him. Hajime, though… he had no such backing. If they could keep his Technique secret for now, it would be safer.
Back at home, Gojo had somehow acquired a mix of old and new books—most from the Gojo Clan's private archives—containing knowledge on the Jujutsu world and its history.
"I know everything already, but teaching is such a pain. You're smart, Hajime, I'm sure you'll pick it up yourself. Haha!"
Hajime glared after him. "Does he not realize I'm just seven? I can barely read half of this yet…"
Then, Gojo reappeared at the door as if on cue. "Oh! By the way, your and Megumi's school registration should be complete by tomorrow. Play nice, alright?"
And with that, he was gone.
Hajime stared after him, exasperated. "What school? What's the name? Where is it? How do I get there?!"
Naturally, Gojo Satoru—embodiment of reliable and unreliable—was already long gone. Hajime sighed. He'd figure it out. If worse came to worst, he could always ask Tsumiki.
He looked at the stack of books again. After failing to understand half the terms, he shelved them for future study.
---
Elementary Years
Life at elementary school was dull. The curriculum was simple for Hajime, and most of the other kids were immature. He didn't make many friends.
Determined to understand those complex Jujutsu texts, Hajime studied hard, aced his classes, and quickly became a teacher's favorite.
The long elementary years also deepened his bond with the Fushiguro siblings—mostly with Tsumiki. Whether Megumi ever considered him a friend… that was debatable.
Ironically, their relationship improved because of a fight. Though, calling it a "fight" was generous. What kind of real brawl could two kids even have?
Hajime hadn't taken it seriously. With his Cursed Energy control, it would've been bullying otherwise.
Still, something about Megumi's cold, sea-urchin hair and constantly brooding attitude just made Hajime want to poke fun at him. Weren't their lives both tragic? At least Megumi had a sister.
Despite awakening his Technique, Megumi often muttered that he didn't want to become a Jujutsu Sorcerer. But Hajime remembered clearly—he would become one. Something must've changed in the future to push him toward that path.
Gojo had told him bits and pieces about Megumi during their "training"—if you could call it that.
Back to that first fight: Hajime decisively beat Megumi, but Tsumiki broke it up quickly.
Though only slightly older, she had the calm maturity of an adult. She didn't yell. She calmly patched up their scrapes and bruises, gently lecturing them on behaving better.
Under her soft scolding, the boys' tension eased.
Later, a group of older kids tried to harass Tsumiki. Hajime walked straight into their classroom and beat the whole lot of them in front of everyone. No Cursed Techniques—just fists.
Then he warned each one individually. No one dared touch her again.
Surprisingly, the school went easy on him. Maybe Gojo pulled some strings. Or maybe it was because Hajime had perfect grades. All he got was a token lecture and a forced apology letter.
Which Megumi wrote for him, by the way.
Although reluctant, Megumi gave in under Hajime's shameless logic and Tsumiki's soft gaze. He didn't stand a chance.
---
Middle School
The three remained classmates through middle school. They'd matured a bit. Megumi still wore that constant scowl, but rarely argued with Hajime anymore.
He had his own delinquent problems now, mostly because of the girls confessing to him. Apparently, brooding good looks attracted attention.
Megumi responded by beating up the delinquents who got jealous.
He even got a ridiculous nickname. Hajime couldn't remember it, but it sounded like something straight out of a chuunibyou phase.
As for Hajime, he handled things differently.
From day one, he acted like an arrogant, rich pretty boy. Predictably, a local gang targeted him.
He beat them into the pavement in one night.
Word spread. From then on, even the roughest students gave him a wide berth.
All the while, Gojo trained Hajime—well, "tormented" was more accurate. But Hajime grew fast, both in combat and Technique control.
"You can take anything under Special Grade now," Gojo had said. "But don't let your guard down."
It was thanks to those harsh lessons that Hajime stood where he was now.
---
Tokyo Jujutsu High Awaits
Now, in his second year of middle school, Hajime got the news: He was being admitted to Tokyo Metropolitan Curse Technical College.
"Huh? I thought I had to graduate middle school first. That was sudden. What about Megumi and Tsumiki?"
Lounging on the sofa with a can of cold soda, Hajime squinted at Gojo. His slightly long hair was tied back, now dyed white.
He'd dyed it after cosplaying Kakashi at a recent convention. The color had stuck.
He used to try every color imaginable. "With these good looks, it'd be a waste not to cosplay every cool character I like," he'd say.
Now sixteen, he stood over 180 cm tall. The once adorable boy had grown into someone who couldn't open his locker without finding love letters stuffed inside.
Gojo waved him off. "You're too smart for your current school anyway. Megumi and Tsumiki can stay for now. Megumi needs to make that decision himself."
Hajime rolled his eyes. Gojo just didn't want him around to ask too many questions.
No doubt he'd pawn off Hajime's responsibilities on Yaga or disappear entirely.
"Guess I'll just go hang with Panda," Hajime said. "He's starting this year too, right?"
Gojo nodded. Panda was a cursed corpse Yaga created that had developed full self-awareness and communication skills. Despite his giant panda appearance, he was a reliable friend—and strong, too.
Hajime had met him a few times and liked him instantly.
Just then, Gojo returned, holding a long wooden box.
"Ta-da~! Enrollment gift! A Special Grade cursed tool—just for you."
Hajime opened the box and saw a lacquered red longbow. It had a smooth, elegant finish—no bowstring or arrows, but he could feel its Cursed Energy.
"It's called Extermination. You generate the bowstring and arrows from your own Cursed Energy. With your reserves, it's perfect for you."
Hajime was excited to test it—but not indoors. He'd wait.
Before leaving, he wanted to say goodbye to the Fushiguro siblings.
He knocked on their door. Megumi answered.
"I'm heading to Jujutsu High tomorrow. Just came to say goodbye," Hajime said, walking past him.
"Could've just left. Why the drama?" Megumi muttered.
"Wrong. I'm here to say goodbye to your sister. Don't flatter yourself."
"Tch. Whatever."
Tsumiki, of course, was supportive. She even cooked him a special meal that night.
"I'll come back when I can!" Hajime called as he left.
Ahead of him was the path he'd been waiting for—the Jujutsu world, finally opening to him.
---