February 11, 2013, Monday, 11:00 am JST, Nakameguro High School Yard, Outdoor Running Course...
A chill swept through the campus, the cold morning hours clinging to the school like an unwelcome fog. The sinister laugh that had echoed moments earlier sent ripples of unease through Classroom 3-4. Even the boldest students instinctively froze, their confidence faltering as the source of the sound emerged.
Hajime Onizuka, the gym coach, strode onto the running course with a menacing swagger. Broad-shouldered and towering, his presence was as oppressive as the clouds above. His sharp eyes, hardened by years of domineering control, swept over the gathered students, his smirk curling with disdain.
"I heard a lot of ruckus coming from the running course. Care to explain what's going on?" Onizuka's voice, low and gravelly, cut through the tense air.
The students from other classrooms, scattered nearby, immediately fell silent, retreating as if speaking might draw his ire.
"Coach Hajime Onizuka?!" Riku Takahara, a delinquent known for his cocky demeanor, muttered, his usual bravado replaced by confusion and unease.
The name alone stirred something in Elric's mind. He recalled Principal Takamori's stern warning about the dangers this man brought to the school, a figure untouchable due to his connections, feared even by staff.
Onizuka's gaze shifted, landing on a trembling figure at the back of the group. His smirk widened. "Oh, Aoi-chan. I forgot you were in this pathetic excuse of a class. Why not come with us? I'll have you transferred to my classroom. You'd be better off there."
Elric turned, his expression darkening as he saw Aoi Matsunaga. She stood frozen, her face pale, her body trembling as if facing a nightmare made flesh.
Suppressing his anger, Elric subtly signaled Miruko and the Muto twins to shield Aoi. They stepped before her without hesitation, blocking her from Onizuka's view.
Onizuka, however, didn't seem deterred. His predatory eyes shifted to Miruko, and his tone took on a sickeningly suggestive edge. "And you," he said, pointing at Miruko, "you've got quite a fit build. Why not transfer to my class, too? I could make it worth your while."
Disgust flickered across Miruko's face. Before she could respond, the Muto twins, Ichiro and Hiroki, stepped forward. Their athletic frames loomed protectively in front of her, arms crossed, their muscles tensing as they glared at the coach.
"If you want to get to them," Ichiro growled, "you'll have to go through us first."
Hiroki nodded, his voice steady but edged with defiance. "We won't let you touch them."
Onizuka's smirk disappeared for a moment, replaced by an ominous intensity. The air around him grew heavier, and his presence became suffocating. The twins' confidence wavered as they realized the sheer weight of his dominance, their earlier bravado teetering on the edge of doubt.
Before the tension could escalate further, Elric stepped forward, his voice calm but firm. "That's enough."
Onizuka's sharp gaze snapped to Elric, and he sneered. "Who the hell are you, shrimp? Think you can stand in my way?"
Elric adjusted his glasses, his expression unflinching. "I'm their teacher. These students are under my care, and I won't let anything happen to them."
The aura around both men began to shift, an invisible clash of wills radiating outward. Students instinctively stepped back, the oppressive energy pressing against them like a physical force. Miruko, her eyes wide, couldn't help but wonder if the confrontation would erupt into a full-blown battle.
But then, just as suddenly, Onizuka's demeanor shifted. His smirk returned, this time more calculated than cruel. "Oh, now I remember. You're the new substitute teacher, aren't you?" he said, his tone taking on a mockery of cheerfulness.
He chuckled, waving off the tension like it was nothing. "Relax, teach. I'm not here to cause trouble. Tell you what. How about you transfer a few of your students to my class? I can make it worth your while. Incentives, you know?"
Elric's jaw tightened, his eyes narrowing as he stared down the man before him. The students held their breath, waiting to see how their teacher would respond.
However, Elric's stance didn't waver. He remained steadfast, his calm and unyielding demeanor only fueling Onizuka's frustration. The gym coach's smirk faltered momentarily, but he refrained from acting rashly. Their tense conversation came to an abrupt close as Onizuka's class approached.
The sight of the coach's students silenced everyone. The group of teenagers looked battered and broken, their bodies riddled with fresh bruises and swollen limbs. One particularly large student stumbled slightly, his face pale and sweat beading on his forehead.
"You don't have to worry about them," Onizuka said with a casual wave of his hand. His tone was dismissive, almost mocking. "They were just playin' dodgeball."
A murmur rippled through the problem students of Class 3-4. Whispers of disbelief and unease filled the air as they stared at Onizuka's students.
"That's from dodgeball?" one of the delinquents muttered.
Elric's sharp eyes scanned the injuries from a distance, his mind working quickly. The bruises weren't consistent with anything that could happen in a game of dodgeball; they were the result of punches and kicks. These students hadn't been playing; they'd been beaten.
"In case you change your mind," Onizuka added, his tone laced with false politeness, "my offer still stands."
Without waiting for a response, the coach motioned for his students to follow him. The battered group trudged after him, disappearing around the corner.
The tension lingered long after Onizuka was gone. Miruko and the Muto twins cursed under their breath, seething at the coach's audacity. Meanwhile, the delinquent boys and gyaru girls exchanged uneasy glances. They had never seen anyone face Onizuka so directly and survive.
They noticed something unusual when they turned their attention back to their teacher. Elric stood perfectly still, but his clenched fists and bulging veins betrayed the fury he struggled to contain. His normally composed expression was tight with restrained anger.
"Sensei?" Miruko asked hesitantly as she stepped closer.
Her voice snapped Elric out of his trance. He took a deep breath, his tense shoulders relaxing as he turned to his students. "I'm sorry you had to see that," he said softly, calm but heavy with conviction.
Aoi, trembling throughout the ordeal, let out a shaky breath. Relief washed over her face, though her unease lingered.
"Matsunaga-san," Elric said, his voice gentle as he addressed her. "You don't need to help out with the lunchtime reward today. Just take it easy and relax."
Aoi nodded quietly, grateful for the reprieve.
Then Elric turned his attention to the delinquent boys and gyaru trio, his expression sharpening. "The rest of you, come here," he commanded firmly.
"Sensei? W-what do you want?" Takahara stammered nervously.
Without a word, Elric moved his hands in swift, fluid motions. The students blinked in confusion, momentarily seeing him as a figure with countless arms, like a thousand-arm Buddha. When they registered what had happened, they realized something horrifying; he had taken their ornaments.
"These violate the school's dress code," Elric said, holding the trinkets. His tone was stern, leaving no room for argument. "You won't be needing these anymore."
Before anyone could protest, he crushed the items in his hand, letting the remnants fall as dust.
"My limited-edition bling-bling earrings!" Miyu wailed.
"No! My metal rock band pin!" Riku groaned.
"My... my limited Neko-Neko-chan keychain!" Takeshi shrieked.
The others froze, staring at Takeshi in stunned silence.
"Seriously? A girly keychain?" one of the delinquents muttered, shaking his head in disbelief.
Elric ignored their protests. "These things are just distractions," he said firmly. "You'll think more clearly without them."
Elric clapped his hands with a bright smile as the students continued grumbling. "Now then, let's head to the cafeteria!"
The abrupt shift in tone left the students bewildered. The mention of the cafeteria only added to their confusion, knowing the situation was far from ideal.
Miruko and the twins took the lead, glancing back to make sure Aoi was following. Elric's phone buzzed in his pocket as they started toward the building. He paused, checking the screen before answering the call.
Elric answered the phone, his expression neutral as Ryosuke's familiar voice barked through the receiver.
"Ah, Ryosuke-san," Elric said, his tone light but with a hint of caution. "I was just about to call you. I've got some good news and some bad news. Which one would you like first?"
The pause on the other end of the line was heavy, the tension palpable even through the phone.
"Do you have any idea what you've done?" Ryosuke's voice was low and seething, like the growl of an animal ready to pounce. "Did you use your curse technique?"
Elric's mind quickly replayed the events of the morning. He had used his curse energy enough to annihilate a curse and crack the classroom's blackboard. He frowned slightly, his tone measured as he replied, "If that's what this is about, I didn't use my curse technique. I only used curse energy."
"You idiot!" Ryosuke snapped, his frustration boiling over. "Do you know the chaos you've caused? The cursed community is in an uproar because of the noise you made! And to top it off, Jujutsu HQ caught wind of it. They're sending a pair of sorcerers to investigate, in a few days! Do you even have a plan for this mess?"
Elric's brows furrowed at the mention of Jujutsu sorcerers. Their involvement would undoubtedly complicate the situation at Nakameguro High. Still, he kept his tone calm. "No need to panic, Ryosuke-san. That's where the good news comes in."
Ryosuke exhaled, still brimming with frustration, and came through the line. "Fine. What's this good news of yours?"
Elric smirked faintly. "Good news: I've neutralized some cursed objects that were brainwashing my students, identified a possible culprit behind the school's deteriorating state, and ensured the young lady, Matsunaga-san, is safe. For now, at least."
Ryosuke sighed a long sigh of relief, but his sharp instincts quickly caught onto the phrase. "Wait a minute. What do you mean, 'for now'?"
Elric's expression darkened, his voice dropping to a grave tone. "That's where the bad news comes in. The young lady is now a direct target of the culprit. And that culprit..." He paused, his jaw tightening. "He is connected to people in high places, connections that keep the principal and teachers powerless to act. And worse..."
He hesitated momentarily, then continued, "The young lady can see them."
The weight of his words hung in the air, thick with unspoken implications. The other end of the line was silent for a moment, broken only by the faint sound of Ryosuke muttering curses under his breath. His anger was like a strong and inevitable storm building on the horizon.
"That bastard," Ryosuke growled, his voice seething with venom. "How dare he...!"
Then, his tone shifted slightly, edged with uncertainty. "Wait. Are you saying... the young lady can see curses?"
Elric's eyes narrowed as he leaned against the nearby railing, his tone unwavering. "Yes. Matsunaga-san can see them. She has been hiding it, but she is clearly sensitive to their presence, and they are drawn to her."
Ryosuke's voice grew tense, the weight of this revelation sinking in. "So that is why she has been suffering so much. That explains the bruises, the fear. She was not just a victim of bullying; she has been a magnet for curses all along."
Elric nodded, though Ryosuke couldn't see it. "Exactly. And now that the culprit knows she can see them, he will exploit that to his advantage."
Ryosuke's confusion was evident in his tone. "Wait... what do you mean the culprit knows?"
Elric's gaze hardened as he explained, "The culprit can manipulate curse energy. I felt the curse energy emanating from him earlier; it was faint but unmistakable."
Ryosuke exhaled sharply, his anger momentarily giving way to frustration. "Dammit. This makes everything more complicated. You had better have a solid plan, Elric-san. If we fail to protect her..."
"We won't fail," Elric interrupted firmly. "Not this time."
Ryosuke was quiet for a moment, then finally spoke. "Alright. I'll make sure the others are ready for tonight. But Ho..." His voice dropped, low and serious. "You had better be prepared for what is coming."
Elric nodded to himself. "Of course. For now, I need to catch up with my class. I'll meet you and the others tonight."
There was a pause, followed by a reluctant grunt of agreement. "Fine. I'll see you tonight."
The line went dead as Ryosuke hung up, leaving Elric to tuck his phone away. He took a deep breath, steadying himself for whatever the rest of the day had in store.
Nakameguro High School Cafeteria, 11:15 am
The cafeteria was a dismal sight. Only a handful of students sat scattered at their tables, picking at cold, homemade meals with little enthusiasm. The air was heavy, with an unpleasant, sour odor that grew stronger as they approached the kitchen.
Elric and his students stepped closer, and the scene before them was nothing short of appalling. The kitchen looked more like a battlefield than a place for preparing food. Piles of dirty dishes teetered precariously on countertops, and half-eaten leftovers, long past their expiration, were strewn about. Pots and pans were caked with mold, their once-metallic sheen obscured by grime and decay.
"Holy shit!" one of the delinquents blurted out, recoiling at the sight and immediately covering his nose.
"Damn!" Elric muttered, surveying the grotesque state of the kitchen with a grimace. "I had heard the cafeteria was bad, but the kitchen... this is something else."
One of the gyaru girls gagged, struggling to hold back the contents of her stomach as the stench hit her full force. Miruko and the twins stood frozen, their expressions twisted in shock and revulsion at the horrifying scene before them.
He stepped closer to inspect the mess, the rancid stench assaulting his senses. Shaking his head, he added dryly, "This is a classic chef's worst nightmare. Even calling it a health hazard does not do it justice."
The students exchanged uneasy glances, the weight of the neglect sinking in. It was clear that this cafeteria, like the rest of the school, had fallen victim to the rot of the administration's indifference or, worse, deliberate sabotage.
"Alright, students, listen up!" Elric said, clapping his hands to get their attention. "We are officially on cafeteria duty."
He turned to Aoi, his tone softening slightly. "Matsunaga-san, you handle wiping down the tables outside the kitchen."
Then, addressing Miruko and the Muto twins, he added, "Miruko, Ichiro, Hiroki, you three are on cooking duty. Start prepping whatever usable ingredients we can find and make something decent."
Finally, his gaze swept over the rest of the group. "The rest of you are on cleaning duty. Scrub every inch of this place: grime, mold, and whatever horrors are hiding in the kitchen corners."
The problem students groaned in protest, their faces twisting in agony. The idea of tackling the filth lurking in the shadows of the kitchen was clearly not appealing.
Elric-sensei raised an eyebrow, his tone sharp yet playful. "Hey! Do not forget that you all failed to complete the challenge. Losers do not get to complain; they handle the dirty work."
His words struck a chord, silencing the complaints as the students exchanged reluctant glances.
Elric then continued, his voice more encouraging. "Once the kitchen is spotless, you can help Miruko and the twins cook."
His positive yet commanding tone left little room for complaint, and the students exchanged uncertain glances before reluctantly nodding in agreement. Elric-sensei changed into the cafeteria clothes, which included a mesh hat, goggles, and mask. His new appearance was similar to his shaggy teacher outlook.
"Let's get to work!" Elric encouraged, rolling his sleeves as he prepared to join the effort.
While everyone busied themselves with their assigned chores, Elric took the opportunity to approach Miruko, his curiosity piqued by the kitchen's deplorable state.
"Miruko," he began, keeping his voice low so the others would not overhear, "how did the kitchen end up like this? It is like something out of a horror movie."
Miruko paused her task, glancing over her shoulder before responding. "It all started because of the big brute."
Elric raised an eyebrow, clearly confused. "Big brute? You will need to explain."
She sighed, setting down the kitchen utensil she had been cleaning. "Do you remember that hulking guy who was with Coach Onizuka earlier?"
Elric nodded, his expression sharpening.
"That is him," Miruko continued. "When Onizuka arrived at the school, he brought a transfer student. At first, the kid seemed normal, maybe even a little shy. But within a month, something changed. He started growing fast. When anyone realized what was happening, he had turned into that hulking brute you saw earlier."
Elric's eyes narrowed as he listened intently.
"But that is not the worst part," Miruko added, her voice dropping. "He became a glutton. Every day, he would raid the cafeteria, devouring everything in sight. I mean, everything. Not even scraps were left behind. The chefs could not handle it. They either quit or just stopped showing up. That is when the kitchen started to fall apart."
Elric frowned, the pieces beginning to fit together in his mind. "So his presence did not just bring chaos to the students. It drove the entire cafeteria staff away."
"Exactly," Miruko confirmed, her voice tinged with frustration. "And now we are left cleaning up this mess."
Elric nodded thoughtfully, his gaze shifting toward the rest of the group as they worked. This was no ordinary neglect. This was deliberate destruction, a symptom of something much darker at play.
The big, brute student reminded Elric of someone he had faced long ago. Nikolov Tymon, the crazed, drugged boxer he handled before coming to Japan. Could the big student's case be similar to the crazed boxer? Does someone have access to the experimental drug? More questions were stacking.
The big, brute student lingered in Elric's mind, his hulking frame and mindless aggression stirring a sense of déjà vu. He was reminded of Nikolov Tymon, the crazed, drugged boxer he had confronted before coming to Japan. That man had been a force of chaos, fueled by experimental substances that stripped him of humanity and reason. Could the student's case be similar? Did someone at the school, or worse, beyond it, have access to the same experimental drug? Questions began to stack in his mind, each more troubling than the last.
Meanwhile, the chores continued, but not without tension. Riku Takahara scrubbed the filthy floor alongside Shoji and Takeshi, muttering complaints. The sponge in his hand was grimy, its edges fraying as he pressed it into the grime. Frustration bubbled up, and it boiled over as he saw Elric walking back into the kitchen with boxes of ingredients.
Unable to stand it any longer, Riku tightened his grip on the sponge and threw it at Elric's back. Before he could release it, Shoji caught his wrist mid-throw.
"Hey! What gives!?" Riku hissed, glaring at his friend.
Shoji kept his voice low but firm. "Why are you throwing that disgusting sponge at Sensei? That doesn't make any sense. He's helping us."
Riku froze, Shoji's words hitting him like a bucket of cold water. The sponge slipped from his grip, and his expression shifted from anger to confusion.
"Why did I stop, brother Riku?" Shoji muttered, equally puzzled.
Riku stumbled backward slightly, shaking his head. "Why was I even trying to throw that at Sensei? What is wrong with me?"
The so-called delinquent trio exchanged bewildered glances, their earlier rebellious energy replaced by an unsettling sense of disorientation.
The gyaru trio handled dishwashing at the sink, their chatter unusually subdued. Miyu, the self-proclaimed leader, moved quickly and efficiently, scrubbing dishes with practiced ease. Her speed caught the attention of the others.
"Miyu, you're fast at this," one of the girls remarked.
Miyu shrugged, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "I used to work at my parents' Chinese restaurant. I cleaned dishes like this all the time when it got busy."
As she spoke, a thought struck her, her hands pausing mid-scrub. "Wait... why didn't I remember that until now? Why am I even like this? I should be helping my parents out..."
The realization simmered in her mind, and as she glanced toward the delinquent trio, she saw similar confusion written across their faces. The tension of unspoken questions hung heavily in the air.
Breaking the silence, Miyu's gaze dropped to Riku's sponge. Something odd caught her eye, and her stomach twisted.
"Takahara-san..." she said cautiously, her voice trembling. "Your sponge... there is something in it. It's... moving."
Riku froze, glancing down. His eyes widened in horror as he saw the wriggling form of a worm burrowed inside the sponge.
"Fucking hell!" Riku shouted, flinging the sponge away in disgust. His voice echoed in the kitchen, drawing everyone's attention.
"Language," Elric said sharply, his voice cutting through the commotion.
The students froze, immediately silenced by their teacher's stern presence.
"Yes, Sensei," they muttered in unison, their earlier rebelliousness replaced by uneasy compliance.
Miruko approached Elric, concern evident in her voice. "Sensei, what is happening to everyone? I noticed they are hesitating, like something is holding them back."
Elric nodded thoughtfully, observing the students as they worked. "Their true selves are starting to resurface," he explained. "Do you remember the explosion bracelet incident? That bracelet had a brainwashing effect. It is similar to the cursed ornaments those kids were wearing."
Miruko's eyes widened briefly before she sighed in relief. "I remember now. So that is why you destroyed those items. Does that mean they're free?"
"Not completely," Elric replied. "They are slowly recovering. The cursed influence is weakening, but they will take time to fully break free."
As he watched the students, Elric-sensei noted the subtle shifts in their behavior. The tension that had once defined their interactions was beginning to fade. The effects of the cursed items were waning, and with each passing moment, their true personalities began to shine through. Soon, they would be free from the chaos that had plagued them.
Lunch Time, 12:30 pm
The students of "Classroom 3-4" finally took a well-deserved break, their energy drained from the grueling chores. Miruko and the twins sat at one of the clean tables, relieved to see steaming plates of food ready for them in the cafeteria. However, as they took their first bites, their faces contorted slightly in surprise.
The students exchanged comments as they examined the spread: mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, fried noodles, and other simple yet satisfying dishes. Despite their initial skepticism about their abilities, they had managed to prepare a decent meal under Elric-sensei's guidance. On the other hand, Aoi was thanked by the teacher and a few students for cleaning the tables.
However, the spotlight was stolen by the dishes their teacher had prepared himself. Plates of Yangzhou egg fried rice, salted beans with soy sauce, and an unusual creation labeled "volcano lasagna" caught everyone's attention.
"This is... really spicy," Miruko murmured, fanning her mouth.
Hiroki nodded, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. "Yeah, Sensei, what did you put in this? It feels like my tongue's on fire."
Ichiro gulped down some water and chimed in. "You call this food? It's a challenge!"
"Wait... volcano lasagna?" Riku Takahara muttered, eyeing the dish suspiciously. One bite revealed the reason for its fiery name, and he let out a small yelp, his face flushing red. "It's so spicy!"
Elric-sensei leaned casually against the counter, crossing his arms. "What can I say? I like a little kick in my cooking. Although..." He sighed dramatically. "It's disappointing I couldn't find any ghost peppers. Now, that would have really spiced things up."
Miruko and the twins exchanged a look, already accustomed to their teacher's eccentric remarks. Still, the rest of the problem students stared at him in bewilderment.
"Ghost... pepper?" Riku Takahara asked, his expression confused. "What the hell is that? A haunted chili?"
Miyu rolled her eyes, clearly unimpressed with his ignorance. "Ghost pepper is one of the spiciest peppers in the world," she explained matter-of-factly. "Compared to red peppers, it's like a volcano versus a campfire. The pepper got the name due to the delayed effect of the spiciness. If Sensei used those, we'd probably be running for the nurse's office."
Riku shuddered at the thought, muttering, "Why does that sound like something he'd do on purpose..."
As the delicious aroma wafted through the cafeteria, more students gathered at the door, their curiosity piqued by the smell of freshly cooked food. Slowly, they trickled in, hesitant at first but visibly hungry.
Elric-sensei clapped his hands to get their attention, his voice booming.
"Alright, everyone! The cafeteria is officially open again. Today's meal is on the house, so don't be shy. Dig in!"
The announcement sent a wave of excitement through the students. As they swarmed the counters, the once-empty cafeteria came alive with chatter, laughter, and the clinking of plates.
For the first time in what felt like ages, the cafeteria wasn't just a place of neglect and despair. It was a hub of warmth and community, a small but meaningful step toward restoring Nakameguro High.
Moments later, the thumping noise grew louder as it approached the cafeteria entrance. A tall, bulky figure shadows through the door. More trouble was coming.