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"Get me some fresh clothes, Ijichi,"

 you instructed firmly, your voice carrying an air of authority as you addressed the assistant who had accompanied and driven your three students to the mission site.

Your gaze remained steady, focused solely on the task ahead, not sparing even a glance for your students. They were all too aware of your unshakeable calm demeanor and your calculated approach to everything. The bloodstains from your earlier encounter could wait. This mission was far more pressing.

Ijichi, ever dutiful, nodded quickly, his demeanor slightly flustered but eager to fulfill your request.

"Of course, Miss Y/N. I'll have them ready for you right away," he said, and you could hear the slight tremor in his voice—a product of his admiration and respect for you, but also a reminder that he knew what was at stake.

With a small but satisfied nod, you dismissed him with a wave. "Go ahead. I'll be here."

As Ijichi left, the silence between you and your students grew thicker. You could feel their eyes on you, their curiosity evident despite the lack of words. Their gaze was filled with a mixture of concern and unspoken questions, and it wasn't long before the silence was broken.

"So, where's Gojo?" Yuji asked, his voice cutting through the tension. It was a simple question, but his tone held an underlying curiosity and a hint of concern.

"Away on some business trip," you replied casually, your tone unwavering, almost too calm for the gravity of the situation. You could feel the questioning eyes on you, but you weren't about to offer any more details. Gojo's absences were frequent and often shrouded in mystery, and you were used to deflecting questions about his whereabouts.

"It happens quite often, so you should get used to it. But don't worry, I'll always be there for you guys," you added, reassuring them, though part of you knew that wasn't entirely true. You weren't about to go off on some high-risk mission like Gojo—your responsibility here was different. You were their guide, their protector from the shadows.

Your words were meant to be comforting, but you could see the doubt flicker in Yuji's eyes. He wasn't convinced. Nobara, always keen on pushing for answers, was quick to speak up.

"What kind of business trip?" she asked, leaning forward slightly, her voice sharp with curiosity.

You chuckled softly, appreciating the way your students' curiosity mirrored your own when you first started working under Gojo. The questions never really stopped, even if the answers didn't always satisfy.

"Ah, you know Gojo," you replied with a smirk, your voice light and teasing. "He's probably off causing trouble somewhere. You know how he is."

The playful tone in your voice seemed to ease their worries momentarily. Megumi, who had been quiet up until this point, cracked a small smile in response. He didn't say anything, but his amused expression spoke volumes.

"Typical," Nobara added, rolling her eyes with a grin. "But we've got you, Miss Y/N. That's more than enough."

Before the conversation could devolve into more teasing, Ijichi returned, his presence signaled by the rustle of fabric. His arms were loaded with a neatly folded set of fresh clothes.

"Here you go, Miss Y/N. Fresh clothes, just as you requested," he said, his voice tinged with professionalism, though the subtle red tinge to his face indicated he was still somewhat flustered by the entire situation.

"Thank you, Ijichi. I appreciate it," you replied, accepting the clothes with a graceful nod. Despite your usual detachment, there was a certain warmth in your voice when acknowledging his efforts. It wasn't often you got to show gratitude, but you made sure it didn't go unnoticed.

You unfolded the clothes, quickly assessing them before looking back at your students. "Now, let's focus on the mission ahead."

Ijichi, however, wasn't done. His expression turned serious as he stood before the group, the weight of his next words palpable.

"Before you start your mission, I want to clarify a few things," he began, the gravity in his voice pulling the attention of everyone in the group.

You could feel the shift in the atmosphere as he addressed your students, the seriousness of the mission becoming more evident with each word.

"You'll often have to undertake missions beyond your current power," Ijichi continued, pausing to gauge their reactions. "This particular case, however, is an abnormal one and most urgent."

The weight of his words was like a cloud that suddenly settled over the group, and you could sense the tension rising.

Nobara crossed her arms, narrowing her eyes as she processed the information. Megumi's gaze grew more focused, his lips pressed into a thin line as he considered what Ijichi had said. Yuji, always the one to speak up, seemed a little more unsettled now.

"Do not fight under any circumstances," Ijichi said, his voice dropping lower, laced with intensity. "When confronted by a special-grade curse, you either run, or you die."

The silence in the air grew thick, and you could see the subtle fear creeping into their expressions. Ijichi had never spoken so seriously before, and it was clear he was trying to impress upon them the sheer danger of the situation.

Nobara, ever the skeptic, shifted her weight uncomfortably. "But we're supposed to handle it, right?" she asked, voice slightly quivering, but her determination was still visible in her stance.

You shot her a knowing look. "Don't forget that your mission here is strictly the verification and rescue of survivors," you added, cutting through the rising tension. You weren't trying to undermine Ijichi's warning, but you needed them to remember their priorities. "It would be a pity if you all died on me."

Your words hung in the air for a beat before they were interrupted by a commotion. The sound of frantic cries reached your ears—loud and sharp, breaking the fragile silence.

You turned, noticing a woman being restrained by security. Her face was a mask of desperation as she screamed for information about her son, her voice cracked with panic. The sight of her added a sense of urgency to the mission, as if fate itself was pushing them toward something greater.

Yuji stepped forward, his jaw set with resolve. "Miss Y/N, Fushiguro, Kugisaki. We're gonna save them," he declared, his voice unwavering, despite the uncertainty that still clung to his features.

Nobara and Megumi nodded in agreement, their expressions serious but resolute.

"Hm? Me? I'm not joining you," you said matter-of-factly, your smirk barely concealed as you dropped the bombshell.

The shock on their faces was immediate. Yuji blinked twice, his brow furrowed in confusion. "You're not coming with us?"

"My job is to wait outside until you're all done," you explained, the smirk on your face turning more amused at their surprise. "I know it sounds unfair, but I'll make sure to reward you all once you come back alive."

Yuji, ever the optimist, looked uncertain for a moment before shaking his head, frustration simmering beneath his words. "You're not joining us??"

You shook your head, a simple and final gesture. "Nope. It's better this way. You're the ones in the field. You're the ones who need to show what you're made of."

"Dammit. That reward does seem really tempting, though. Alright, let's do this," Yuji said, rallying the others with his unwavering enthusiasm. Even if he didn't like the decision, he wasn't going to back down.

You gave a small, approving nod. "Listen up, you three," you began, voice taking on a more serious tone. "This mission is crucial, and you need to be prepared for anything."

Your gaze swept over each of them, ensuring they understood the weight of what you were saying.

"Remember, your safety is your priority," you reminded them, voice firm. "Stick together and stay vigilant. If you split up, the chances of survival drop significantly."

Nobara, now more serious than ever, nodded. "Got it, Miss Y/N. We won't let you down."

Yuji's expression was just as determined. "We're ready for anything."

With that, Ijichi cast a protective veil over your students, and they entered the building with resolve in their eyes.

As you watched them disappear into the darkness, your heart felt heavy. You couldn't follow them into the depths of danger, but you knew the next few hours would determine their fate.

Turning to Ijichi, you took a deep breath, trying to steady yourself. "Thank you for arranging the clothes," you said quietly, offering a nod of appreciation.

Ijichi, ever the professional, blushed slightly at the gratitude, but his posture remained straight as he bowed. "Of course, Miss Y/N. I'll be monitoring their progress closely and will inform you of any developments," he said, his tone earnest and reassuring.

Time seemed to stretch endlessly as you waited. Each second felt like an eternity, filled with anticipation and the looming unknown.

Your thoughts were focused on your students—on the mission they had undertaken. 

You couldn't protect them directly, but their survival depended on everything you had taught them.

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funfact: i wrote this chapter drunk, the original draft looked nothing like this 💀

also i accidentally named the chapter 07 instead of 08 first oopsies