They both stared at one another.
The pariah of the Zenin Clan.
And a man who was five crayons too short of a kindergartener.
But perhaps that was being too generous.
After all, who in their right mind would eat a cursed spirit?
Though, perhaps there was also bliss in the absurd ignorance.
In one instance to the next, Kota seemed to understand what he was doing, and immediately wretched in disgust.
What was he doing?
It tasted like vomit.
And yet, for a split second of delusion, he could remember the texture of those hand pulled noodles at his favorite udon spot. The same kind he and his mom used to go to.
"Can I say I'm not quite sure?" Kota asked, the remnants of the curse's remains still stuck on his cheek. "And preferably after I wash up. It does not taste pleasant!"
The girl look confused, disgusted, and annoyed at the same time.
Like dealing with his issues created more questions than they answered.
And that he was more trouble than what was worth it.
For a moment she seemed to contemplate something before allowing Kota access to the kitchen sink.
To which he kindly obliged, washing his face and mouth until none of the remnant taste remained.
Putrid as it was, Kota really didn't feel like vomiting.
And maybe he was tempted to take a few more bites, if the curse didn't disappear while he was washing.
"Hey, do you know wher-"
"You don't get to ask the questions until you answer a few of mine." The girl demanded, a hand on her hip.
Kota looked a bit hurt by the remark, but put on a brave face as he allowed her to continue.
"What are you doing here?" She asked, poking a finger at his chest. "Nobody's supposed to be here. Not after the manager put up the barrier."
"And clearly, you aren't supposed to be here!"
Each word was like a nail striking at his heart.
"Well, I kinda just… followed you?"
Whatever response the girl had died in her throat.
"This is going to be a long day, I can already tell," She said beneath her breath, while pinching the bridge of her nose. "Okay then, why did you follow me?"
And that… That right there was a question Kota did not want any part in answering.
After all, only embarrassment and death lied down that route!
On the other hand, with the way the girl's face was scrunching up, perhaps it was better to tell the truth than to lie in this situation.
Kota wasn't an expert with people, he was always the type to fumble conversations.
Then again, just like his choice following the girl, he had to do it with all the confidence he had.
Just so it didn't sound like he was a creepy stalker!
"Because I saw you were going to the haunted house. And I heard people who experience scary or stressful situations often feel like they were reborn… So I thought maybe I could be reborn as well."
Kota looked apologetic. How couldn't he? He dragged her into his mess!
It wasn't fair to either of them that it happened. But Kota would make sure to own up to his mistake, because it was his fault they were in this mess.
Well, the bigger mess was cleared up, he just needed to clear up the multiple smaller messes first.
Although, the girl didn't seem to buy his story at all. An expectant look on her face, like she knew there was more…
"Well, guess I will only be able to say this once…
"Say what once-"
"I also followed since I thought you looked kinda cute. So I entered the haunted house since you also looked fairly nervous. And I thought 'Hey, why not support the girl, maybe show how much of a man you are.' But suddenly all of this happened, and I don't know how to take it. It's very confusing, and tiring. But I felt super good when I ate that.. Curse thingy. Yeah, curse thingy. But when you arrived, I was like, 'ew gross!' and stopped eating it. And now we're here."
Kota was getting that look again.
The one people usually gave him when they thought his words sounded funny.
The kind that usually followed social exile. The mark of shame for being very different compared to everyone else.
Sure he was different, but he just wanted to feel… wanted. It was quite weird to want to be wanted. However, it was a unique feeling for Kota, who barely had interactions outside of school.
It felt like he was alone on a mountain all the time.
There were often moments too where he'd thought he'd be alone forever, dying alone, living alone.
Feeling alone.
That weird sensation poured out of him once more, a blueish aura pouring out from his body.
Before the girl could speak, Kota raised his arms tiredly. Like he expected a tirade. "Please don't judge me too harshly. I know what I did was wrong. And was for the wrong reason. If you feel the need to punish me, then do so. I will never stalk another person ever again. I swear, I'm not a freak!"
Holy mother of sentences!
Kota's lungs felt like they were burning. But he felt like he needed to add the last warning or experience dire consequences.
He didn't want his last memory of her to be tainted by a really bad experience.
However, instead of replying, the girl just pinched her nose again. "Know what, let's just get this in the car. I really can't be dealing with this right now."
The girl pulled out her cellphone, dialing a number in.
"Yeah, I'll meet you right by the familymart. Hmn. I'll be bringing a tag along though. Yeah, uhuh. Loud and clear… No, he just followed me apparently. That's what I thought too, but I'd be too harsh to say it."
SHe said everything within clear earshot.
And with each word, Kota's face lit up more and more like christmas lights.
The urge to just stick his head in the wall felt heavier and heavier.
And eventually, he couldn't take it anymore!
Grabbing both ends of a nearby wall, Kota shoved his head into it.
But he didn't feel the concrete on his head.
Better yet, he didn't feel anything on his head but the crisp night air!
Looking at the damage, he was surprised to see that a door manifested where his head was suppose to be.
"And make sure to call the Jujutsu High Principal," The girl added, looking back at Kota in amazement. "I think the boy's an unregistered curse user!
"Cursed what now?
A/N:
We are back with more brain and rotting.
I'll try to update the previous chapter. But no promises. I'll just improve the bits where it was clearly done with tomato paste and a dream.
This will also be a sort of side project between my chaos gacha fic since that will be my main slice.
If you want to show support and force me to make more chapters, there is always p-a-t-re-o-n where you can give you hard earned dollar so I may purchase more coffee so I can write faster. There is currently 1 (that's so much!) advanced chapter on there.
.p-a tr-e-o-n-.com/c/balls1124
Thank you