CHAPTER 32: MEETING A TO BE FRIEND.

The warm afternoon sun filtered through the trees, casting dappled shadows on the ground as Sana wandered toward the courtyard. Questions churned in her mind—about jujutsu sorcery, her uncertain future at Jujutsu High, and the curse that had brought her here. But for now, she craved fresh air, a brief escape from the whirlwind of thoughts.

Stepping into the open space, her gaze caught on a figure in the distance—a woman with long, dark hair tied back, dressed in traditional sorcerer's attire. Though unfamiliar, her sharp presence was hard to miss, like the edge of a blade hidden in plain sight.

Sana hesitated, debating whether to retreat, but her steps faltered when the woman's piercing eyes locked onto hers. The stranger altered course, striding directly toward her.

"Hey, you!" the woman called out, her voice a blend of curiosity and command. "You're not one of the students here, are you?"

Caught off guard, Sana stopped, unsure of what to say. She was used to curious stares and probing questions, but the intensity of this woman's gaze left her unsettled. "I'm… Sana," she managed. "I'm staying here for a while."

The woman arched an eyebrow, crossing her arms. "Staying here? At Jujutsu High? And you're not a sorcerer?"

Sana shook her head, feeling small under the weight of the interrogation. "No, I'm not. I… I'm cursed."

The woman's eyes widened slightly, her posture stiffening. "A cursed person? Here? What's going on?" Her tone grew sharper, laced with suspicion.

Before Sana could explain, a familiar voice chimed in. "Utahime-senpai, back from your mission already?" Shoko strolled into view, her usual laid-back grin softening the tension.

Utahime's gaze flicked to her. "Shoko, what is this? Why is there a cursed person walking around Jujutsu High?"

Shoko chuckled, placing a reassuring hand on Sana's shoulder. "Relax, senpai. This is Sana. She's a special case. Long story, but she's not dangerous, promise."

Utahime's skepticism remained evident as her eyes darted between the two. "Special case? I leave for a few weeks, and now cursed people are taking up residence here? What's next?"

Shoko waved dismissively. "Oh, come on. She's here because Gojo practically moved mountains to get her in. You know how he is—he doesn't waste effort without reason."

At the mention of Gojo, Utahime's expression darkened. "Gojo? Of course, it's him. Why am I not surprised?"

"Typical, right?" Shoko smirked. "He has a knack for stirring the pot."

Utahime sighed, rubbing her temples. "Alright, spill it. Why would Gojo, of all people, go to bat for someone who isn't a sorcerer and is cursed?"

Sana glanced nervously at Shoko, unsure how much to reveal. Sensing her hesitation, Shoko stepped in. "Sana's curse is… unique. Let's just say it's tied to something bigger than it seems. Oh, and she's also Geto's childhood best friend."

Utahime's gaze sharpened at that, her skepticism momentarily giving way to intrigue. "Geto? Huh. This just keeps getting better."

Turning back to Sana, Utahime's expression softened, though her wariness lingered. "If Shoko vouches for you, I'll trust it—for now."

Sana nodded quickly. "Thank you, Utahime-senpai."

Utahime shrugged, her tone easing. "Don't make me regret it. And don't expect me to babysit you either."

---

As they made their way toward the common area, Utahime's curiosity got the better of her. "So, you've been living here? What's that like, surrounded by sorcerers?"

Sana offered a tentative smile. "Strange, honestly. My life was pretty normal before this."

Utahime raised an eyebrow. "Normal? Must be nice. Can't say I even remember what that's like."

Shoko laughed, tossing a wink at Utahime. "Normal's overrated anyway. Besides, Sana's adapting well, considering the whirlwind she's landed in."

Though Utahime's skepticism didn't fully fade, her demeanor grew less guarded. "Alright," she said after a moment. "What kind of curse are we talking about?"

Sana hesitated again. "It's complicated. I'm here because… I need to find a way to lift it."

Utahime studied her for a long moment before nodding. "Fair enough. Just don't add to the chaos. We've got enough of that already."

Shoko grinned. "You'll fit right in, Sana. Don't let Utahime-senpai scare you—she's all bark, no bite."

Utahime rolled her eyes but didn't argue. "Just stay out of my way, and we'll be fine."

---

As the day stretched on, the three ended up spending more time together than expected. Shoko kept the atmosphere light with her teasing, while Utahime's initial guard steadily softened. They exchanged stories—of missions, mishaps, and even a few tales involving Gojo's antics that had all three laughing.

By sunset, Utahime's laughter echoed warmly in the courtyard. "Alright," she said, standing and stretching, "you're not as out of place as I thought. Just don't make me regret trusting you."

Sana smiled, her heart lighter than it had been in days. "I won't. Thank you, Utahime-senpai."

Utahime nodded, a faint smile playing on her lips as she walked away. Shoko nudged Sana playfully. "See? She's not so scary after all."

Sana laughed, feeling a sense of belonging begin to take root. In the unfamiliar world of Jujutsu High, small moments like this were starting to make it feel like home.