Chapter 9: Ramifications

                                    

                                          
Gojo came back to Jujutsu High around 5 in the morning. Having been kept up to date about his sister's condition through text he felt relieved that his sister was already making a steady recovery. However, he can't help but feel enraged against the elders for assigning such a large task as a solo mission. Even if the first-grade curse did not evolve, even if this was to test which curse grade she is in, Unik should not have gone alone and he blames himself for not saying something earlier. In addition to this frustration and worry for his sister, Gojo was informed of Yuji's mission with Nanami and the loss of a friend that Yuji had faced, making Gojo feel guilty for leaving Yuji and Nanami for their mission. Walking up the steps leading to Jujutsu High's entrance, Gojo removes his blindfold and puts his sunglasses back on. Arriving at Unik's closed door, Gojo takes a deep breath before lightly knocking and entering his sister's room. He smiled, seeing that Unik was not alone. Beside Unik's head lay Yuji, asleep in his arms while the rest of his body slumped onto the side of the mattress from his chair. Walking closer to Unik he saw that she was still covered in bandaids but was breathing softly and with ease. Gojo taps Yuji on the shoulder.
	"This is becoming an odd pattern," says Gojo with a smirk, "how often will I find you and my sister near or in each other's rooms?" Yuji slowly opened his eyes and looked up at his teacher, blinking several times before acknowledging his teacher's presence. 
"Good morning," whispers Yuji, relieved to see Gojo was finally back from his mission. So much has happened and seeing Gojo's goofy expression helped Yuji feel a sense of comfortable familiarity. Gojo placed a hand on Yuji's shoulder, "I know you went through a lot...but thank you for taking care of Unik...maybe you guys can include this moment in your vows?" A little groan sounded out before Yuji could respond to Gojo's light jab. Looking over to where the sound came from, the two men find Unik's purple and blue eyes staring at them. Though exhausted still, Unik manages a warm smile. Yuji instantly launches himself at Unik.
"Unik you're awake!" Before Yuji can land on top of Unik Gojo pulls Yuji back by the hood of his yellow sweater. "Maybe jumping on her to show your relief is not the best," says Gojo, laughing. Unik smiled weakly at the noisy duo, "I did it," croaks Unik "I took down a special grade." Gojo's smile tightened while Yuji sat there amazed. 
"You really are strong like your brother!" says Yuji, excited that Unik is levelling up. Gojo silently observes Unik, his eyes could tell she indeed has gotten stronger but he couldn't help but feel even more resentment for the elders. Could it be they are trying to kill Unik just as they had tried to kill Yuji? Unik notices that her brother has gone silent and peeks over at Gojo. He was deep in thought while staring intensely at Unik. Maybe he's upset I didn't call for backup wonders Unik.
"Oh yeah the School Goodwill Event is happening next week" exclaims Unik, trying to prop herself up, interrupting Gojo's thoughts, "I can't wait to challenge myself even more!"
"Nooooo, nope." says Gojo, cutting off Unik's excitement. "You need to rest." Unik jolts her head back offended by her brother's words. 
"Rest?" She says, "I'll be better in time, I just have to train a bit." Gojo's lips tightened into a straight line. Yuji shrunk down into his chair while the siblings locked eyes. Despite having been coughing up blood a few hours ago and being covered in bandages, Unik's aura was menacing. Mixing in with Unik's stubbornness was Gojo's uncomfortably calm demeanour that masked a scent of disappointment and rage. 
"I know you're mad that I got hurt, but in the end, I proved that I was strong enough to defeat the special grade and if I want to get stronger I shou-"
Gojo cuts Unik off, his wrath slowly breaking his composure, "The reports that Shoko and Nitta shared with me noted that this mission had many unexpected developments...from the change in curse grade to the irresponsible actions you took." Gojo's voice slowly rose in volume, "You knew that your mission was supposed to be for a first grade, you were not meant to take down a special grade, you did not let Nitta know that you were severely injured after the mission, you did not retreat and regroup when you saw that the curse had turned into a special grade, you did not call for backup and you ditched Nitta after you arrived back to Jujutsu High just to detour into the school from the back entrance instead of going to Shoko right away! Like why? Were you trying to head straight to Yuji and Nanami while dripping in blood? None of this," Gojo gestures to Unik's injuries, "should have happened. You may have defeated the special grade, missing death by a hair, but your actions show me that you are not ready to make decisions on your own! So until I know I can trust you to make responsible choices, to be a leader, to be a sorcerer that will live long enough to make a change in this society. As your brother I say; You. Will. Not. Be. Participating!" 
Silence filled the room. Yuji glanced back and forth between Gojo and Unik as Gojo's words settled into the tense atmosphere. Unik's eyes were wide with shock, she stared at Gojo, digesting the words her brother had hurled towards her. Gojo lets out an irritated sigh. Breathing deeply he calmed himself before speaking again. 
"Unik, listen..." Before Gojo could say another word, Unik turned away from Yuji and Gojo.
"Can I have a moment alone please," whispers Unik with a slight quiver in her voice. Gojo balled his hands into fists before turning around, "I'll check on you in a bit...please call for me if you need something." With that, Gojo walks out of the room leaving Yuji sitting awkwardly in his chair.
"Yuji...thank you for staying with me and taking care of me...I know you just came back from a difficult mission..." Unik's voice was barely a whisper, Yuji leaned in close to hear what she was saying and noticed a tear slowly rolling down Unik's cheek as she continued to look away. "Can you please leave me alone for a bit too?" Yuji reached out and whipped the tear of Unik's cheek, "Text if you need me," and with that, Yuji left Unik's room as well.
Unik sat there in silence for a little while longer before bursting into tears. Her sobs fill the room as she winces from the pain of her injuries. She hasn't cried like this since Geto's death. Unik covers her eyes with her palm, tears spilling from her hands and onto her blankets adding a drumming rhythm to the beat of her sobs. 
In his room, Gojo could hear Unik crying. He sits on his bed, guilt weighing down on his chest as he reflects on the words he used. Ever since Unik reunited with him over a year ago, he wanted nothing more than to pretend they were never apart. He didn't want to think about what she learned from Geto or why she never came back to him. Clearly, this laid-back approach did not help their relationship and it was only recently the two were beginning to act like siblings again; and it was only because Unik couldn't handle Gojo's lack of curiosity over the actions and places she's been since they were apart. Now Gojo finds himself in unfamiliar territory, he feels threatened by this conflicting desire to let Unik do whatever she wants and to hide Unik from the world, to protect her from any harm, physical or emotional. It's impossible though... you can't be the sister of the strongest sorcerer, and be safe from emotional and physical harm. It's impossible when you are strong and nothing but a tool to Jujutsu Society. Gojo clenches his fists, angry at himself and the world. 
I just want to be a good brother.