The Silent Watcher

Chapter 1: The Gaze

As I walked home one evening, I felt a sharp, penetrating gaze from some distance away. Turning my head swiftly, I found nothing but the empty street behind me. Unease gripped me for a moment, but I continued walking, forcing myself to remain calm. I knew, deep down, that the one tailing me was far stronger than I was. But there was no fear—just a keen awareness of the situation. I reached home, and as I stepped inside, the ominous gaze faded away as if it had never been there.

The house was empty. My parents had gone on a trip, and I couldn't help but chuckle to myself, thinking that I might soon become a big brother. The thought of it lightened my mood as I began to settle in for the evening. In just two months, I would turn fifteen, but those thoughts were fleeting. I had been meticulously saving my points for months, striving to reach a hundred in constitution. Yet, despite my efforts, that stubborn 99 wouldn't budge. Frustration threatened to creep in, but I pushed it away. Patience, I reminded myself, is the key.

Chapter 2: The Wait

Days turned into weeks, and still, there was no word from the Tokyo Metropolitan Curse Technical College. But the prying eyes continued, following me at every turn. I was certain the college was keeping an eye on me, assessing me from afar. Let them watch, I thought, as I went about my daily life—school, home, hunting cursed spirits, practicing my technique, eating, and sleeping. It was a routine I had grown accustomed to, yet it carried an underlying tension, a sense that something was about to change.

One evening, while I was engaged in a battle with a B-grade curse spirit group, a voice rang out, clear and confident, interrupting the rhythm of the fight.

"You're quite strong for a novice, but I can't seem to figure out your technique. Care to enlighten me, kid?"

I turned toward the voice and saw a white-haired man with a blindfold covering his eyes and a cheeky smile plastered across his face. He was watching me with an amused expression.

"No," I replied curtly, my gaze unwavering.

Unfazed by my blunt refusal, the man continued, "Announcing your technique could improve it, you know. You might even unlock its full potential, 120 percent, perhaps? And there are other benefits, too. How about you tell me, and I'll keep it a secret?"

"Space manipulation," I lied without missing a beat.

The man laughed lightly. "Well, if you don't want to share, that's fine. But I have a feeling we'll get to know each other better soon. Maybe then, you'll trust me enough to tell the truth."

I knew who he was. Gojo Satoru, the strongest sorcerer, just as the rumors said. He must have been watching me, analyzing every move I made. I used my technique frequently, pushing it to its limits whenever I could. As of now, I could only use it three times a day for a maximum of seven hours. My proficiency wasn't where I wanted it to be. So many dreams and emotions were out there, but I could only grasp a little at a time. But I wasn't disheartened. I would keep improving, step by step.

As I drifted into thought, Gojo's voice snapped me back to the present. "So, kid, do you want to become a sorcerer?"

"Yes," I replied firmly. "I want to become stronger. I believe I can learn more, and faster, with proper instruction and the systematic knowledge offered at the Jujutsu College."

A knowing smile spread across Gojo's face. "Well, I think you're qualified. Let's get you enrolled. Meet me at 11 PM at this address."

He handed me a card with an address scrawled on it. I glanced at it before tucking it away. Gojo continued, "As for convincing your parents, that's something you'll have to handle yourself. Bye-bye, my future student!"

With that, Gojo vanished, leaving me alone with my thoughts. I admired his technique—it was impressive, no doubt—but I wasn't envious. I would refine my own abilities, create something just as formidable. But for now, I needed to focus on convincing my parents. Tokyo Metropolitan Curse Technical College was prestigious, known for selecting only the most exceptional students each year, if any. In the mortal world, I could easily tell them that I applied and got accepted. Being hailed as a genius in the family would help, but the main issue was my mother. She loved me dearly, and it took my father months to convince her to go on this trip. How would she react when I told her I was leaving to study at a new school?

Chapter 3: The Decision

Night fell, and soon, the doorbell rang. My parents had returned. My mother rushed to me, enveloping me in a tight embrace, her eyes scanning me from head to toe.

"My Hiko," she murmured, tears welling up in her eyes, "you don't know how hard it's been for me without you. I promise I'll never leave you alone for so long again."

Her words made my resolve waver. How could I leave her after just a few weeks apart when she was already so emotional? But I had to remind myself that the college was also in Tokyo. I could visit on weekends, or whenever I had time.

"I'm fine, Mom," I said gently, guiding her inside. "Come in and have some refreshments."

Later that night, as the three of us sat watching a TV show, I decided it was time to bring up the topic. Clearing my throat, I spoke up, "Mom, Dad, I have something important to talk about. Can I have a few minutes?"

As soon as the words left my mouth, my mother's expression shifted to one of concern. She looked at me with wide eyes, "My dear Hiko, don't tell me you got some girl pregnant!"

A vein throbbed on my forehead. "No, Mom, you've gone too far off-topic. I don't even have a girlfriend, let alone a child on the way!"

"So you got some random girl pregnant?" my father chimed in, his voice uncharacteristically playful.

I was stunned. Did my parents really think I was the type to get involved with just anyone? For heaven's sake, I was still a virgin, in both of my lives!

"Dad, please stop embarrassing me. It's not like that," I groaned, passing them an envelope. As they read the words "Tokyo Metropolitan Curse Technical College" on the front, their expressions grew serious. It was as if they had just won the lottery. My father opened the envelope, and as they read the letter inside, their faces showed a range of emotions—shock, joy, and finally, a deep sadness on my mother's part.

"Hiko," my mother whispered, tears forming in her eyes, "do you not like your mother anymore?"

Her words jolted me awake from my thoughts, and I quickly replied, "Mom, it's not like that. If you don't want me to go, I won't. Please don't look so sad; it hurts me."

I wiped the tears from her eyes and hugged her tightly. Nothing was more important to me than my mother's happiness. I could become strong on my own if that was what it took.

After a moment, my mother's mood lightened, and she spoke softly, "No, no, dear. This is a great opportunity for you and your future. You should go. We can talk on the phone, and since the school is still in Tokyo, we can see each other on weekends, can't we?"

I looked to my father for his thoughts. Meeting my gaze, he nodded and said, "Go ahead, Hiko. Live your dreams. Do what you want to do. Don't worry about us; I'll take care of your mother."

A smile spread across my face, and I hugged them both tightly. "Thank you for being such good parents. I don't know how I'll ever repay you."

As I held them close, I knew that I had made the right decision. The path ahead was uncertain, but with my family's support, I was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead