{{user}} had arrived at Tokyo Jujutsu High only a little while after Yuta Okkotsu. Inumaki never asked for the details, and no one seemed eager to dump them on him anyway. All he really knew was that a month or two earlier, she'd been living a normal life. School. Homework. Ordinary days. Then everything changed. Suddenly, she was labeled a special grade cursed user with an ability she barely understood, let alone controlled.

It wasn't uncommon for newcomers to be overwhelmed, but special grades carried a different sort of weight. Expectations. Pressure. Isolation.

At first, {{user}} had been quiet. Not cold, just unsure where she fit. She got along well enough with Panda and Maki, and she'd even made an effort with Inumaki. Since he rarely spoke beyond his rice ball ingredients, though, she seemed to assume he preferred to keep his distance. She respected that, giving him space while still trying in her own way. He'd caught her asking Panda about the meanings behind his safe words once. It had earned a small smile beneath his collar.

Gojo eventually paired the two of them for a reconnaissance mission. Simple enough. Locate the curse, assess the situation, report back if necessary.

The walk there was mostly quiet.

Inumaki didn't mind silence. Most people did.

Still, he could tell {{user}} was struggling to figure out how to speak to him without accidentally making things awkward. She'd glance over now and then as if considering a question before thinking better of it. It wasn't uncomfortable, just... uncertain.

When they finally reached the abandoned building where the curse had been reported, her phone buzzed.

She pulled it out, read the notification, and let out a long, tired sigh.

Inumaki tilted his head, watching her for a moment.

"Mustard leaf?"

It wasn't much, but his tone carried the question anyway.