The next day, the four students were sitting in class.
Nobara sat at her desk, arms crossed, refusing to look at Aiden. She hadn't spoken to him since last night. The tension was so thick you could choke on it.
Yuji was still giggling whenever he remembered. "Can you guys believe that? He just *walked past*—"
Nobara's pencil snapped in her hand. "SHUT. UP."
He Leaned in to whisper in her ear. " you wished I kissed you."
Nobara went absolutely rigid.
Her pencil snapped completely in half. Her eyes blew wide, jaw dropping open, and her entire face turned an impossible shade of crimson. "You— YOU—!"
She immediately slapped a hand over his mouth, cheeks burning hotter than the sun. Yuji and Megumi instantly choked on their laughter. Junpei covered his mouth with a squeak.
Nobara froze. Completely dead.
Her face was so red that the color was visible across the entire classroom. She didn't move a muscle—didn't breathe—didn't even blink.
Gojo walked in, scanning the room with his usual smirk. "Alright, everyone—" He stopped, his eyes landing on Nobara's frozen form. "... Nobara?"
Nobara looked like a statue that had been painted bright red. Her hand was still hovering over her cheek where his lips had been, her mouth slightly open.
Yuji was biting his fist so hard he was shaking. Megumi was staring at the ceiling, praying for divine intervention. Junpei looked like he was about to pass out.
Gojo grinned instantly.
"Oh my god," he cooed, bounding over. "What happened to this one? She's broken." He poked Nobara's cheek. No response.
Nobara blinked once—slowly—then her head swiveled toward Aiden with terrifying speed. "I will MURDER you," she whispered, voice barely audible but absolutely lethal. Her eyes promised death.
He gave her a wink.Nobara made a strangled noise in the back of her throat. It sounded like a kettle screaming.
She immediately slammed her face down onto her desk, burying it in her folded arms to hide the nuclear explosion happening on her face. Yuji fell out of his chair laughing. Even Megumi cracked a smile.
Gojo then started speaking. " anyways we got two months before the Kyoto Sister-School Goodwill Event so you guys are gonna have to increase your training which means more training with the second years."
"And we still have to figure out what junpei's Cursed technique is."
Junpei visibly tensed.
Gojo looked at him thoughtfully, tapping his chin. "Yeah, that's been bugging me. What's your technique, kid? We've gotta figure it out before Kyoto."
Junpei fidgeted. "I... I don't know. I haven't felt anything weird."
"That's what training is for."
"Exactly," Gojo chirped, pointing a finger gun at Aiden. "Training isn't just about beating people up, it's about figuring out your domain. We stick you in situations, force your body to react, and—boom—technique."
Megumi spoke up. "It usually manifests under stress or emotional extremes."
Yuji grinned and clapped Junpei on the back.
"Or you just trying hard enough That's what worked for me."
Gojo raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. "That's... not how it works. Techniques don't just appear because you try hard."
Megumi nodded sharply. "Hard work develops skill, but cursed techniques are biological. They're innate."
Yuji laughed, shaking his head. "Dude, I literally just started punching shit until things exploded. It works."
"Anyways, I presume the second years are already on the training field."
"Sharp," Gojo said, snapping his fingers. "Yep, training started twenty minutes ago. Toge and Mai are warming up—"
Nobara WHIPPED her head up, face still red, eyes blazing with murderous intent aimed solely at Aiden. "You," she hissed through clenched teeth. "We are NOT done."
They appeared instantly at the sprawling outdoor field. Maki was already whipping a wooden staff around, Todo was stretching his biceps with a terrifying grin, and Toge stood quietly off to the side.
Before Aiden could react, something heavy hit him in the back of the head.
"OW!"
Nobara had kicked a training dummy right into his spine. "Payback,"
"Was that necessary?"
"FUCK NO," Nobara hissed, running over and slamming into him, tackling him to the ground. She was on top of him instantly, pinning his arms with her knees. "THAT WAS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY!" She screamed in his face. "I WILL MURDER YOU IN YOUR SLEEP FOR THAT WINK!"
"you know I can easily Break your hold right?"
"TRY ME, ASSHOLE!" Nobara's face was inches from his, her grip tightening like a vise. "I'll break YOUR neck before you even think about breaking this hold!"
Behind them, Maki and Todo exchanged amused glances. Yuji and Megumi covered their ears to block out the screeching.
"WHAT—?!" Nobara yelped, her arms and legs flailing as she was suddenly picked up off the ground. She was no light weight, but Aiden lifted her effortlessly. "PUT ME DOWN NOW, YOU—!"
"Don't pretend you don't like it."
Nobara went instantly rigid, her face turning a shade of red that rivaled a traffic light. Her mouth opened and closed like a fish, completely failing to come up with a comeback because she *did* like it.
"I— I HATE YOU!" she shrieked, slamming her hands over her burning face to hide her expression.
The entire training field exploded into laughter.
"SHE DOES!" Yuji pointed out, howling. "Look at her face!"
Nobara tried to kick him, but being held bridal style made it impossible. She was just flailing uselessly while everyone watched. Maki shook her head, smirking. "first years have no patience."
Todo nodded solemnly. "Salmon, Bonito flake."
"PUT. ME. DOWN." Nobara seethed, trying to maintain dignity while literally being carried like a princess. The second years were staring—some amused, some pitying.
Mai scoffed loudly. "Second hand embarrassment."
"She's blushing," Maki observed flatly.
"I AM NOT—" Nobara shrieked.
"OK, I'll put you down."
Aiden put Nobara down abruptly. She wobbled, caught off guard, then immediately tried to punch him. He caught her fist mid-air, his hand completely enveloping hers. She glared up at him, sparks flying between them. "You're dead," she muttered dangerously. but that's when Gojo popped in. " sorry but I'm going to have to interrupt this yuji you aren't going to be training with the second years you're going to be trained with me and one other person."
The group blinked. One second Yuji was there, the next he was GONE.
"Wait—" Nobara muttered, still staring at Aiden's hand around hers.
Maki raised an eyebrow. "Huh. Gojo actually keeping his schedule today." Todo nodded approvingly. "tomo. salmon"
Maki rolled her eyes.
"Anyways, Maki how have you been since I gave your heavenly restriction a boost, how have you been feeling?"
Maki paused, instantly looking genuinely appreciative. "Honestly? Incredible."
She stretched her arms, her joints popping perfectly. She moved with fluid, flawless precision—no hesitation, no struggling against her body's limits. "The zero cursed energy is absolute now. My senses, my strength, my speed... it's perfect. It feels like my body finally matches my will."
"That's good anyways this is our new classmate Junpei We are still trying to Figure out, his Cursed technique."
Maki's eyes narrowed, scanning Junpei up and down with a surgeon's precision. "Pathetic posture. Weak gaze. Nervous hands." She stepped closer, towering over him. "You look like a boy who's never thrown a punch back."
Junpei swallowed hard, shrinking.
"Perfect," Maki smirked.
"Newbies need stress testing," Maki declared, cracking her knuckles. "Techniques don't manifest from sitting in a classroom. They come from survival."
panda leaned against leaned against a tree, smirking. "Translation: Maki is gonna beat the absolute shit out of him until something snaps."
Todo nodded seriously. "Tuna. Mayo."
"That might actually work."
"Usually does," Panda agreed, scratching his head. "Trauma or extreme physical stress triggers dormant techniques. It's basically how the Zenin clan weeds out failures."
Maki tapped Junpei's chest with a wooden staff. "No dying. I'm gonna push you until your brain screams, and whatever comes out—punches, energy, something physical—is your technique."
"just in case I'm going to summon the Round Deer." he said activating the 10 shadows technique.
The massive, majestic spectral beast manifested instantly. The Round Deer floated gracefully, its oversized antlers glowing with soothing blue energy. It immediately lowered its nose toward Junpei, blowing soft healing mist over him.
Smart move. This guaranteed Junpei wouldn't accidentally die or suffer permanent injury during the "stress testing."
Maki smirked. "Backup plan. Good boy."
"Don't call me that but you're welcome."
Maki scoffed, rolling her eyes. "Whatever. Now if you'll excuse me—" she turned her full attention to Junpei. "—I'm going to break this boy."
She lunged, not holding back at all. Her wooden staff whistled through the air, aimed at his ribs.
Junpei yelped and jumped back, tripping over his own feet.
"Too slow," Maki mocked, already launching a second strike. This time aimed at his face. She wasn't pulling punches—not even slightly. Panda winced, covering his eyes with a paw. "Too hard..." he muttered. "She's gonna actually hurt him."
"it's the only way unless someone else here knows a better way to awaken a curse technique."
"Physical trauma works for most," Panda admitted, but then paused. "Well, except for Megumi. He just... manifested his."
Maki's staff cracked against Junpei's desperate block—his arms crossed, shaking violently as he barely held on. "Good!" Maki encouraged sadistically, immediately spinning into a leg sweep that sent him crashing face-first into the dirt.
Junpei groaned, face buried in the ground. Maki didn't give him a moment to recover. She grabbed his collar and yanked him up, slamming him against a tree trunk.
"Stand. Up." She growled, dropping Junpei's collar. "And FIGHT. Don't just defend like a scared little shit." She paused, adding venomously, "Or do I need to beat you unconscious and hope for the best?"
The Round Deer floated closer, ready. Junpei spat dirt, trembling, eyes wild with a mix of fear and something else—desperation, maybe rage.
Maki waited, watching him crack.
A jellyfish shikigami materialized mid-air with an eerie blue glow, pulsing like a living lantern. Its trailing tentacles shimmered, releasing a faint mist that made the air taste metallic.
Maki's eyes widened—actually impressed. "Now we're talking." She immediately changed her stance. "So you can summon a living shield and poison gas. Cute."
"I wouldn't recommend getting closer you don't know what kind of poison it is."
Maki skidded to a halt mere inches from the translucent creature, her instincts screaming at her to back off. She smirked, lowering her staff slightly but keeping her guard up. "Fair point. I value my lungs."
The Moon Dregs pulsated, releasing a faint shimmer of vapor that drifted toward her. One drop of that venom could likely paralyze her limbs instantly.
"Smart summon," Panda observed, backing up significantly. "Physical durability, paralysis toxins, and knockout capabilities. That's a terrifying defensive and offensive package."
Maki stayed absolutely still, respecting the invisible line drawn by the jellyfish. The creature's tentacles drifted lazily, radiating lethal venom. One touch and her Heavenly Restriction-enhanced limbs would turn useless instantly.
"Try turning it off."
Junpei flinched, clearly not used to controlling it. He squeezed his eyes shut, concentrating hard. The massive bioluminescent jellyfish pulsed one last time, then dissolved into harmless cursed energy particles, fading away.
The terrifying venom mist vanished instantly.
Maki immediately lowered her staff, exhaling sharply. "Good boy. Dangerous fucking technique." She tapped Junpei's shoulder.