[Name] had been sent on a mission the day that Kyoto school would come to Tokyo. It was one set on the outskirts of Shinjuku, across the Kanda River.

She reached there in the morning at near 7 a.m. because she was informed she had to come back early in order to welcome their sister school. Nitta, an assistant manager who was her junior by a few years, dropped her off right at the edge of the river and told her she'd be back to pick her up at 2 p.m. so she had ample time.

[Name] walked along the muddy consistency that was piled up near the river, avoiding getting her boots too dirty as she was quite the germaphobe. The morning air was crisp and burned her nose and all the way down her oesophagus as she inhaled it. The sun was still somewhat bearable as it was so early and was thankfully positioned closer to the city than the river.

She sighed to herself, scratching Kaburamaru's head as he nuzzled into her neck. Re-adjusting her bandages, she worked up her jujutsu, reading the traces of cursed energy. She noticed some residuals tainted onto the ground, leading up to a bridge that passed over the river, a highway for cars. She stalked over to it, immediately noticing a spider-looking curse that was crawling along the walls, thinking she hadn't noticed it.

She summoned one of her Shikigamis, Doku (meaning poison) who was a large snake, around 15 feet tall and 20 inches wide. He had scales the colour of the night sky that glimmered in the partial sunlight. From between its large and sharp fangs, peeked out a ribbon-like tongue, the colour of blood.

"Devour," she commanded him, voice cold and brutal as he nodded his head at her and neared the spider curse. The curse in question started panicking and tried to get away from the serpent that opened his mouth and licked his fangs. Not even giving it the chance to run, the serpent charged at the curse and bit its head off, munching happily on it as he nuzzled against the out-stretched hand of his master.

Once he was done, she released him as he transformed into a bundle of cursed energy that made its way back into her.

'That was easy...... Too easy.' she thought to herself, as she looked around for any more residuals. Out of nowhere, a horde of spiders, smaller versions of the bigger one, charged at her as she took out her sword. One jumped at her, hoping to land on her face but she cut it diagonally in half with one swing of her sword.

There were around two to three hundred spiders there that all flung themselves at her at the same time, trying to overwhelm her but she stayed calm and slashed each and every one of them. Kaburamaru helped as well, by biting any spiders that came too close.

Once most of them were down, she noticed a man at the end of the makeshift tunnel that she was exorcising curses in. Unfortunately enough, the curses noticed him too and charged at him instead, hoping to gain more power by making the man fear them. After all, negative emotions are what create curses.

'Shit!' [Name] cursed in her mind as she ran so fast in front of the man that it looked like she teleported there in a flash of black and white. The man's eyes widened as she took a hold of his hand and pulled him behind her harshly.

"Miss! What are you doing?! AND WHAT ARE THOSE?!!"

The man yelled in surprise, unintentionally squeezing her hand tighter. She scowled at him and let go of it, raising her sword again. Now, she understood that it was his first time seeing a curse, but she just really couldn't care less.

"Don't move!" She yelled back and just went on a rampage, killing and slashing every single curse that came their way. When she had finally exorcised them all, she took a deep breath and glared at the man behind her.

"Didn't I tell you not to move?! Why did you keep trying to get a good look at them?! Did you want to die that quick?!"

Looking at him in the light, he was quite handsome. A tall man, easily 190 cm. He had shoulder-length white hair that was tied back in a manbun. He had maroon eyes that slanted upwards and wore a heavily jewelled headband. He was in a white hoodie that read "Slayer of Demons", which she was sure was some anime reference she wouldn't get. Underneath were a pair of military cargo pants.

He raised his hands in surrender. "Woah woah, miss! Calm down. I was just going to meet some friends. Name's Uzui Tengen. How about you?"

"That's none of your business."

He frowned, pretending to be sad. "But I told you mine, no fair lady."

"Did I ask you?" She deadpanned at him as she started walking back out into the direct sunlight, shielding her overly sensitive eyes. Her eyes gave her better vision than others but the sacrifice was their vulnerability.

"Hey, lady!" He jogged behind her. "C'mon. Wanna go meet my friends? I wanna introduce them to the lady who flamboyantly saved my flashy ass." He said, emphasizing his words by throwing an arm around her.

She ducked, his arms passing over her head, as she kicked him from the back. "Don't touch me." She glared.

He groaned, standing back up and raised his hands, wiggling his fingers, and said, "Ooh, feisty!"

She gave him a judgmental look, taking out her phone as she looked at the time. It was barely 8 a.m. and there were still at least 5 to 6 hours before Nitta came back. After all, she herself hadn't expected to be done so quick.

"I have until 2 p.m., if it'll be done by then, sure, but if no, then no thanks."

Tengen grinned behind her. "At least tell me your name now."

"Iguro [Name]."

He hummed in thought. "I feel like I've heard that last name somewhere before."

She side-eyed him, hoping he hadn't heard of her past but he just shrugged it off, waving a hand in dismissal.

"By the way, Iguro. Why do you have your face hidden?"

Her glare intensified. "It doesn't concern you."

"No need to get defensive, Iguro. C'mon, let's go there quick."

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The two arrived at a restaurant after a walk of nearly twenty minutes. As soon as he entered, a table cheered and whooped as the group waved at him.

"Tengen! Why are you so late, bro?" Said a man with long orange and red hair that stood up in places. He looked similar to an owl, especially with his loud voice.

"Sorry, Kyo. I got a little held back. But look! I brought someone!" Tengen stood behind [Name] and pushed her to the table.

"Are three girlfriends not enough for you?" Sneered a man with similar white hair and scars everywhere the sorceress' eyes settled.

Her eyes widened hearing him. Her head whipped around, staring at the man that had successfully made her sit next to a woman with thick pink and green hair, parted into three and braided. "You have three girlfriends, you manwhore?!"

"Sanemi, did you have to say that?!" Tengen smacked the man and sat beside 'Kyo'. "Everyone, this is Iguro [Name], and she saved my life from a weird lookin' monster! Iguro, meet my friends, introduce yourselves!"

"Hellonicetomeetyou!!" The owl bowed so fast, his forehead hit the table with a loud 'bang'. "My name is Rengoku Kyojuro!"

She flinched at his loudness. "You're like an owl."

Kyojuro sweatdropped at her, while Sanemi 'pfft'ed.

Next came the sweet voice of the woman beside her. "Hello! I'm Kanroji Mitsuri, it's a great pleasure to meet you!" She smiled brightly. [Name]'s cheeks tainted slightly red, hidden by her bandages, at the lady's kindness and sweetness.

"I'm Kocho Shinobou. Nice meeting you, Iguro-san." She looked like a little butterfly that could hide under your pillow and slowly but surely eat you.

"Tomioka Giyuu." Said another handsome man with long black hair tied in a pony and deep blue eyes. But she didn't like his attitude, he talked like he was better than everyone.

"The name's Shinanzugawa Sanemi." This one was fine. Not exactly likeable but she felt that he was the only one there whom she could befriend.

"It is nice to meet you, [Name]-san. My name is Himejima Gyomei." The biggest guy said. He was kind of scary even though she knew she could easily beat him because he was blind.

"Tokito Muichiro." Said a kid with long black hair and blue tips. He looked like he was trapped in some sort of dream.

She knew she'd have some trouble remembering all their names but she honestly didn't give a damn. Besides, she was sure she wouldn't even see them ever again. Although, she wouldn't mind meeting the Kanroji girl.

All those present on the table were quite sure the lady was judging them. Hoping to change the topic, Tengen struck up a conversation.

"Say, Iguro.... How'd you kill all those spiders?"

"I am a Jujutsu sorcerer."

"Huh? What's that."

She sighed. Now, she'd have to explain to them what curses were.

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After twenty minutes of an extremely detailed explanation, [Name] had given up. The amount of questions Tengen and Kyojuro asked were diabolical.

During that time span, Kaburamaru had also peeked out from beneath her clothes and through her hair, not recognizing the new environment. Mitsuri had immediately started petting the serpent, who went from an unapproachable petty snake to an approachable and pet-able snake.

The group laughed and talked, including [Name] as best as they could and as much as she'd rather strangle herself than admit it, it was kind of fun. The food there was also super good.

Near 1:30 p.m., [Name] bid them goodbye, surprised at how quick the time had passed as she walked back to the river where Nitta was to pick her.