CHAPTER 31: FIRST MISSION

Sana inspected herself in the mirror, the uniform hugging her figure in ways she hadn't quite expected. Suguru had gone all out, paying attention to every detail with his signature flair. The skirt, falling just above her knees, had a small slit that added a touch of elegance without feeling over the top. She wore a crisp white shirt tucked neatly, though she'd skipped the school jacket to give it a slightly less formal look. She glanced down, noting the sneakers and stockings Suguru had picked, which elongated her legs and balanced out the outfit's style with comfort.

Suguru stood nearby, beaming with pride. "Sana, trust me, you look fabulous," he said, flashing a wide grin. She could see the satisfaction in his eyes, clearly proud of his handiwork.

"Of course," Satoru interjected, a smirk tugging at his lips. "Suguru's got a… unique sense of style." His voice had a teasing edge. "But hey, it actually looks good on you. Bet he spent forever getting every detail perfect."

Sana shot Suguru a playful glare, her eyes narrowing as she tried to keep a straight face. "It's a bit more… fitted than I'd expected," she muttered, tugging at the hem.

"You're welcome," Suguru said with a casual shrug, practically radiating pride.

Shoko, leaning back against the wall, grinned at the exchange. "You know, Suguru, you could have a future as a designer. This is actually… really good."

Suguru crossed his arms with a smug expression. "Who knew you all had such great taste? Besides me, of course."

Satoru rolled his eyes dramatically. "Alright, fashion show's over. If we don't hurry, we'll miss breakfast—and I'm not in the mood to fight over stale rice balls."

The four of them headed to the common kitchen, where Satoru was already filling his tray with an impressive variety of food. Sana filled her plate more modestly, giving him an amused look as he balanced his plate like it was an art form.

"You're gonna eat all that?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Watch and learn," he said with a grin, stacking another roll on top. "I have my ways."

After breakfast, they went to class. Yaga-sensei was waiting, his usual stern look softened slightly as he introduced Sana. Sana stood at the front, fidgeting slightly, even though they all had became good friends already. Yaga explained the workings of Jujutsu High, laying out the basics and how their daily schedule would be structured. He then took attendance before leaving, making room for the lectures.

As the lessons began, Sana found herself slipping into a familiar rhythm—one that involved mentally zoning out as lectures stretched on. The topics were technical, filled with complex theories about cursed energy manipulation and strategies. For someone like her, who preferred a bit more action and adventure, the lecture felt like a slog. 

Luckily, Satoru didn't let her boredom go unnoticed. Every few minutes, he'd lean over and whisper his own commentary, injecting humor into otherwise dull material. At one point, he leaned closer and whispered, "Do you think Yaga-sensei actually believes anyone's listening, or is he in on the joke?"

Sana stifled a laugh, trying to hide her amusement behind her notebook. Suguru shot her a look from across the aisle, raising an eyebrow as if to say *Behave*, but the corner of his mouth betrayed a smirk.

Finally, afternoon rolled around, and they made their way to the cafeteria/canteen. Lunchtime felt like a welcome break, and they all gathered together, filling their trays. Suguru seemed more relaxed now, teasing Satoru for his latest escapade. Satoru retaliated with exaggerated stories of Suguru's "fashion genius" that had everyone laughing.

But as they sat down, Yaga entered, his expression more serious than usual. "Alright, everyone, listen up," he said, gaining their attention immediately. "There's been a request for field support—a high-grade curse has emerged in the city."

A ripple of excitement ran through the group. This was it—their first real mission together.

"It's a two-team assignment," Yaga continued. "Shoko, you'll be heading to assist with medical aid. Suguru will accompany you to handle any residual curses. Satoru, you'll take Sana with you for observation on the second mission. It's a special-grade spirit, so I expect you both to handle this with caution."

Sana's heart skipped a beat. Her very first mission, and it was with Satoru—on a special-grade assignment no less. She tried to hide her excitement, nodding calmly, though Satoru's grin suggested he was more than aware of her eagerness.

As the teams split up, Suguru and Shoko left first, heading for the emergency site. Satoru and Sana followed shortly, with an assistant sorcerer tagging along. They traveled through the bustling city, which soon gave way to quieter streets as they approached their destination.

"So, how are you feeling about your first mission?" Satoru asked as they walked.

Sana shrugged, hoping to appear nonchalant. "A little nervous, but mostly excited. Are special-grade spirits really that dangerous?"

"Oh, they're worse than dangerous," he replied, a gleam in his eyes. "But that's the fun part."

They arrived at the site, a dilapidated building at the edge of town, cordoned off by the police. Satoru led the way, easily bypassing the barriers with a quick flash of his ID. As they stepped inside, the atmosphere shifted—a thick, ominous energy filled the air, heavy with the scent of decay.

"Stay close and keep your senses open," Satoru instructed, his tone now serious.

Sana felt a chill run down her spine as she followed him deeper into the building. The curse was strong—its presence oppressive and unsettling. It felt as if the walls were alive, the shadows dancing at the edges of her vision.

Suddenly, a figure emerged from the darkness, a twisted amalgamation of limbs and grotesque features. It moved toward them, the air humming with malevolent energy.

Satoru stepped forward, his expression casual yet focused. "Watch closely," he said, glancing over his shoulder at Sana. "You're about to see a master at work."

He raised his hand, and in an instant, his cursed energy flared, crackling like lightning. The curse lunged forward, but Satoru moved faster, sidestepping with effortless grace. Sana's eyes widened as she watched him manipulate his energy with precision, every move calculated and controlled.

"Impressed yet?" he called out, glancing back at her.

"Just… focus!" she managed to reply, though her awe was evident.

With a final burst of energy, Satoru unleashed a powerful attack, obliterating the curse in a flash of light. The oppressive atmosphere lifted, leaving the air feeling lighter, almost refreshing in contrast to the earlier tension.

Sana exhaled, realizing she'd been holding her breath. "That was… amazing," she said, her voice filled with genuine admiration.

Satoru shrugged, trying to appear casual, though he was clearly enjoying the praise. "All in a day's work."

On their way back to Jujutsu High, Sana's mind was still reeling from the experience. She'd studied in today's class about curses and the power of sorcerers, but seeing it in action was something else entirely. And seeing Satoru—who often seemed so lighthearted and carefree—command that kind of power was nothing short of mesmerizing.

"Hey, don't let this go to your head," she teased, nudging him lightly as they walked.

"Too late for that," he replied with a grin. "But hey, if it impressed you, it was worth it."

By the time they returned, Suguru and Shoko were waiting in the common room, looking just as worn out but equally triumphant. Suguru raised an eyebrow as they approached. "So, how was the first mission?"

Sana shrugged, trying to downplay her excitement. "It was… intense. But not bad," she replied, glancing at Satoru with a small smile.

Shoko smirked. "I think we have a new fan of the field."

Satoru leaned back with a smug expression. "Who wouldn't be? Curses practically beg to be obliterated in style."

As they all shared stories of their day's missions, the camaraderie was evident. They were more than just teammates—they were a team that supported each other, through the quiet moments and the thrilling ones.