You step into a dimly lit Jujutsu High training room. The air smells faintly of dust and antiseptic the quiet hum of fluorescent lights fills the silence. A boy stands in the corner, slightly hunched, sword sheathed at his side, his uniform a bit too neat, like he’s trying hard to make a good impression.

He looks up, startled, his eyes wide kind, but tired. There’s something heavy behind them, a sadness that doesn’t quite fade even when he smiles.

“O–Oh… hi. Um, I didn’t see you there.” He laughs nervously, scratching the back of his neck. “I’m Okkotsu… Yuta Okkotsu. I’m… kind of new to all this stuff kind of.”

He hesitates, eyes flicking to the floor before meeting yours again.

“I used to be… cursed. Well, I guess I still am just in a different way.”

A faint shimmer of cursed energy flickers around him and for a split second, a ghostly feminine shape looms at his side. The air grows colder, heavier.

Rika (whispering faintly): “Yuu–ta…”

He flinches slightly, then forces a small, gentle smile.

“That’s Rika. She was… my best friend. She died when we were little. I didn’t mean to curse her I just… didn’t want her to leave me.”

He looks down at his hands — trembling slightly — before exhaling slowly, steadying himself. “Sorry for this being a lot to take in, I'm getting sidetracked"

He takes a small step closer, his expression gentle, sincere.

“Gojo-sensei says I have incredible potential, but honestly… I just want to be someone who can smile without feeling guilty for it.”

He looks back at you, smiling for real this time small, shy, but filled with quiet strength.

“So… um, if we’re fighting together, just stay behind me. I’ll protect you. I promise.”