They spent this New Year together with Mr. and Mrs. Minamoto as well.
First day after New Year.
The family went to a shrine to pray.
Clap, clap.
Soujun pressed his palms together and stood quietly for a moment.
"Brother Chun, what did you wish for?" Mr. Minamoto leaned in, curious.
"I wished for everyone's good health and daily happiness. I wished for Mrs. Minamoto to stay forever young and beautiful. I wished for Mr. Minamoto to be mature and steady." Soujun glanced at him. "That is all."
Mrs. Minamoto was delighted. She took Soujun's arm, then suddenly changed expression and snapped at Mr. Minamoto, "Saying it out loud makes it not come true. This is your fault for asking nonsense."
Mr. Minamoto hurried to placate her with a fawning look.
She would not let it go easily.
Helpless, he kept signaling to Soujun with his eyes. When that failed, he nudged him with an elbow.
"It is fine. I made the wish twice," Soujun said with a smile. One of them he had not said out loud, so it should still be effective, right.
Mrs. Minamoto smiled again.
Mr. Minamoto gave a thumbs up.
None of the three actually believed in such things.
What mattered was the feeling of being together. Doing the same activity. Sharing favorite foods. Quarreling over small things and then immediately thinking about how to make up.
—
"Happy New Year, Teacher." Soujun turned to Yaga Masamichi, who had arrived, and offered his greeting.
He had come early as usual, but the first day of the year always felt special.
"Here." After greeting Mr. and Mrs. Minamoto, Yaga handed over a notebook.
Soujun did not need to open it to know it was New Jujutsu Learning Standard, Advanced Part 2.
"This is the last one," Yaga said, voice heavier than usual.
Starting when Soujun was ten, he had received a total of nine volumes, about one every six months.
After this New Year he would be fifteen. Yaga had taught him for almost five years.
"I have nothing left to teach you." Yaga sounded both gratified and regretful.
When they first met, the kid had been a tiny sprout, barely to his waist. He had shot up over these years. Now Yaga had to tilt his head up a bit to meet his eyes.
Yaga could not help sighing. He glanced at Minamoto Kiyoaki, then back at Soujun.
There were few members of the Minamoto line, but they were outstanding. Either exceptional in presence or in form, since their hereditary techniques guided soul or body toward perfection.
The person before him was more unusual still. He had both. At times Yaga even felt a pressure from him, or rather a strange aura that could easily stir people's hearts.
A chill went through Yaga. If Soujun ever went to extremes. He needed him at Jujutsu High where Yaga could keep watch.
"You finished high school material already. What are your plans," Yaga asked, collecting his thoughts.
"I will stay home and develop my technique for a few years. When I am old enough I will go to university," Soujun said. Then he added, "I can also take more missions and make some money."
He spun the pen around his fingers, speaking casually.
His goal and his hobby had always been one thing. Become stronger. Everything else was built around that.
University was for exposure to new biological research to help develop his technique. If all went well he would continue on to higher study.
Two heads think better than one.
Where else has a stronger academic atmosphere and is better for experiments and research than a university or research institute.
"Have you considered coming to Jujutsu High," Yaga asked evenly, then explained:
"There are two specialized schools in the jujutsu world. Tokyo Metropolitan Jujutsu High and Kyoto Prefectural Jujutsu High.
"The former values talent. The latter is relatively conservative.
"You can come study at Tokyo Jujutsu High. After four years you can graduate and transfer directly into a normal university as a third-year. Or you can operate under the school for now and enter regular higher education at eighteen."
He gave a brief comparison with a clear tilt in his wording.
He offered his recommendation. Seeing that Soujun did not seem moved, he added:
"Jujutsu High is not only education. It also runs missions and provides support. It has an important position in the jujutsu world.
"People gather by kind. You will have to engage with this circle sooner or later.
"Many sorcerers choose to use the school as a base after graduation. Intelligence collection, mission postings, bounty payments. The system is complete.
"You can already handle work on your own. Rather than fight alone, come to the school. There are many support staff who can remove a lot of friction for you."
"So. Will you come."
It was almost a direct invitation.
Soujun fell into thought.
He had been asked this before.
Should he go to the school.
Back then he had reservations and politely declined.
His impression of the school was not good.
Outside, danger came only during exorcisms. Daily life was fairly safe, especially in this time period.
Inside the school you faced not only the risk of curses but also the scheming of the upper echelons. You had to guard against a stab in the back at any time.
There is no such thing as guarding against thieves forever.
At his previous power level, he probably would not have drawn attention, but only if he had no connection to Yaga.
Yaga was his teacher and also his uncle. If he entered the school, he would be seen as part of a faction by default. With insufficient strength then, he could not afford to enter that arena.
Now Yaga had brought it up again. His tone was different and he said much more. It was likely the last time he would ask.
Soujun did not want to dodge any longer. He had to give a clear answer.
He weighed the pros and cons.
Yaga was a true educator, dedicated and selfless.
True to his name, a night moth pursuing the right path. Like a moth to a faint light, he pressed on in the dark jujutsu world. Even at the cost of himself he would fly into the flame.
Teaching was his flame.
Soujun respected men like that.
He considered carefully. With his current strength he could protect himself. At the very least he would not become Yaga's weak point or be used against him.
So he decided to go. "I can."
Yaga's position was not good lately. Having someone he could trust completely would give him room to maneuver.
As far as he remembered, the two Jujutsu High schools held exalted status. He was genuinely interested.
Also, he badly needed money.
Missions paid well, but he spent even more.
Without Yaga making introductions, as a freelance sorcerer it was hard to pick up jobs independently.
He would go to the school, but not as a student. He would go as a bounty sorcerer.
—
Mr. and Mrs. Minamoto brought the dishes to the table.
They ate together.
During the meal Yaga mentioned the school. The parents did not think much of it and told Soujun to decide for himself.
He had had sound judgment since childhood. They rarely had to worry.
Their family dynamic was unusual.
Yaga did not understand that, which was why he made a point of asking their opinion.
Soujun kept eating while his bowl piled up with dishes Mrs. Minamoto kept clipping in.
Who gets it.
He too had times when he was just a kid.
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