JJK: Hourglass - CH12

[Panda POV]

I liked Nanashi-kun.

Nanashi-kun liked pandas, therefore I liked him.

He was weird though, like Yuta, but different. Yuta was weird as in he was weirdly good at everything, no matter what he was put to learn, he would.

Nanashi wasn’t like that.

He was actually somewhat slow when it came to learning, but at the same time… he was fast.

He was a confusing guy.

Both of them were for that matter.

Both of them were terrifying, their curse energy was unnaturally large.

But I liked them.

Terrifying or not, they were my friends.

“Panda, what are you doing?” Maki asked, as she entered my room.

“Thinking about your two possible boyfriends,” I teased, only to get hit by a broom Maki pulled out of nowhere.

"Keep your shipping thoughts to yourself," she retorted, crossing her arms.

I couldn't resist chuckling, even as I dodged another playful swipe. "Ah, but it's hard not to notice. The way Yuta looks at you with those puppy dog eyes, and Nanashi's awkward attempts at humor. It's like watching a live-action romance drama, but with more curse energy and less kissing, way less kissing, would it kill you to kiss one of them?."

“Keep talking and I’ll shove the broom up your furry ass,” Maki replied, glaring at me.

I pouted, crossing my arms. “Those poor kids will suffer in your hands.”

Oh well, no one ever said shipping your friends was an easy job. It requires a strong heart, and a perverted mind, and I had both!

And with those two unfathomable powers! I would ship them! I would! I WOULD!

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[Maki Zenin POV]

As I left Panda's room, his words lingered in my mind, a mix of amusement and irritation swirling within me.

Nanashi and Yuta. The two newest monsters in our world.

I envied them, in a way.

Both of them were prodigies in their own right, each possessing a depth of cursed energy that was both awe-inspiring and daunting. Yuta, with his innate talent that seemed to make every challenge a walk in the park, and Nanashi, whose potential was a slowly unveiling mystery, unpredictable and boundless.

Unlike them, my path had been a constant uphill battle, fighting against the limitations imposed on me, proving time and again that I belonged here among Jujutsu sorcerers. My strength wasn't handed to me; it was forged through relentless effort and sheer willpower.

And yet, watching Nanashi and Yuta, I felt a pang of envy. They had something I'd never have, a natural affinity with cursed energy that allowed them to tap into powers and possibilities I could only dream of.

Their growth was exponential, a testament to their extraordinary abilities.

But it wasn't just their power that stirred these feelings within me. It was their innocence, their untainted view of the world and the battles that lay ahead. They fought with the belief that they could make a difference, a belief I once held before the harsh realities of our world tempered my optimism.

Deep down, I wondered what it would be like to see the world through their eyes, to possess their strength and their potential. Would I still be the same person, driven by the same goals, or would such power change me in ways I couldn't predict?

Shaking my head, I pushed those thoughts aside.

Envy was a dangerous path, one that led to dissatisfaction and bitterness. I had my own strengths, my own path to walk. My journey might not be as meteoric as theirs, but it was mine, and I had carved it out against all odds.

"Focus, Maki," I murmured to myself, stepping onto the training field. "Their journey is theirs, and yours is yours. The only thing that matters is what you do with the hand you're dealt."

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[Nanashi - POV]

Even with curse energy, I had lost again.

It made sense though, curse energy or not, I lacked the necessary experience to apply it in a fight, and Maki was like a fucking ninja, seriously, the woman was terrifying.

Though I had to admit this time her ass kicking had hurt considerably less.

In fact, some of her hits at times felt like I was getting hit by a pool noodle.

Not to say getting hit by a pool noodle by a ninja wouldn't hurt; I imagine Maki could make that painful too. But there was something about the way my curse energy cushioned the blows that fascinated me. It was like having an invisible shield.

I couldn’t help but wonder what my curse technique would even be.

I chuckled at the thought. A month ago I was nothing but a common guy with no memories of his past, scared and confused.

Now, I was a sorcerer in training, still very confused and with no memories, but hey, at the very least I was having fun now.

I was glad Gojo had kidnapped me.

….

He must never know that.

As long as I live, that blindfolded bastard excuse of a teacher must never know.

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[Satoru Gojo - POV]

I knew.

Nanashi might think he’s good at hiding his intentions and emotions, but he wasn’t. He was a talking-walking emoji, and I knew he was glad that I! His FABULOUSLY HANDSOME teacher had kidnapped him.

And because I knew that, it was my duty to never let him forget that I knew, without actually telling that I knew. It was all about making him suffer, really.

Being a teacher was about more than teaching your students, I mean, sure a big part was about guiding them, challenging them, and stuff, but more importantly it was about tormenting them for their own good.

And I would torment them, for their own goo— who am I kidding, I do it for my own amusement.

“I wonder if I should teaching him how to apply his curse energy,” I hummed, for one part, he had barely just tapped into his curse energy, for the other… he was already behind in many parts.

Oh well, I suppose I just see what happens next.