One and Only

Ch. 3 First Years

the story onward from here will be in Mai's pov.

"And you are certain that this is what you want to do, My Lady?"
"Please reconsider this, Mai-sama. It's still far too soon! We can get you a private tutor and then you can join during your second year! Or perhaps midway through?"
I walked through the Yamazaki estate, and ignored the pleas of the footman who worked for my family. They were overprotective and only wanted to lessen the stress that I already had on my shoulders, but my mind was made up. I had just barely became the new head of the Yamazaki Clan, but the role wasn't officially mine until my 16th birthday. Usually, the inauguration for Clan Head isn't given until their 25th Birthday. So, I was busy every day, at nearly every hour. From taking care of my younger sisters, regular high school studies, jujutsu studies, exercising Curses, learning to be a proper leader, and dealing with the trades made with my family and the shaman world; my men had every right to worry about me. I didn't want to sit idly by and not get more first hand experience when it came to jujutsu and the other sorcerers. I wanted to learn all that I could to protect the family I still had left.
My mother.. she died 2 years prior. Her body was weak, she had a terrible lung disease and was bedridden for most of her life. She eventually succumbed to her illness, dying in her sleep. I was 13 at the time. My father died while on a mission to exorcise a special grade with a handful of other shaman, this was only 5 months before the entrance ceremony for the college. I was left to care for my, then, 3 and 10 year old sisters. As well as the rest of the personnel that served my family for years. I was only 15, and yet I already felt 40 from the stress and responsibilities that I had been thrown into.
I continued down the hallway of the estate, my retainers still right at my feet. I wanted to do this, I made up my mind after 2 months of grieving; I even submitted all of the paperwork that needed to be done and passed the assessment test! And now that the entrance ceremony was coming closer and closer, my servingmen had done nothing but try to change my mind.
"Please, leave me be!" I came to a spinning halt. "I understand that you're all just worried about me, but I WANT to do this!" I protested.
"But Mai-sama, there is still so much that you need to learn here, and you haven't been on any of the same missions that the students at the Tokyo school will experience!" Dazai, my personal retainer and training instructor said.
"That's right," Tatsuya, the head mother agreed, "you have gone on only 4th and 3rd grade missions, these students often go on 2nd grade or higher!" She protested. There was a chorus of grunts and murmurs of agreement coming from the other 6 staff.
"I understand, but how would I even know how I would fair against anything higher than a 3rd grade? I've never been evaluated. I've never BEEN on a mission with another sorcerer other than my father!" I spoke my case.
"Mai-sama, we understand-"
"No! You don't!" I cut Dazai off. "I am supposed to become the next head of the clan in under a year! How can I prove that I'm worthy of the position to other clans when I don't have a shred of credibility of my own skills and knowledge?" My chest rose and fell with frustration. "I was always the accessory to my parents dealings, I was never given a chance to speak or really prove that I was capable!" My voice began to become louder. I didn't even hear my younger sister, Himeko, walk up behind me.
"How am I suppose to protect not just my sisters but all of you when I barely know what I can even do? I wasn't given a chance! Am I supposed to just sit and wait for someone to sweep me off my feet and marry me? So that they can become the new clan head and maybe torment or even sell off Mafuyu and Himeko to other clans!?"
"Ah! Mai-sa-!"
"I'm going to be sold off?" My breath hitched. "Onee-san, are you going to get rid of me and Mafuyu?" I whipped my head around to see Himeko. Her face red, hiccuping and tears already streaming down her face.
"No, no! I wont ever let anythinglike that happen to the two of you," I cradled the girl who was now wailing and shouting that she didn't want to leave. "I wont ever let you go." I comforted the girl and tried my best to get her to stop crying.
"Mai-sama, I will take care of Himeko-sama." I heard Tatusya say as she took the girl into her arms. "Oh, don't you worry your pretty little head, Young Mistress, no one is going to sell you off. You know your sister loves you very much, and if anyone even dares to try they'll have to go through me first!" Tatsuya began to joke with Himeko, causing the girl to quiet her cries. "She really doesn't want to sell us to a warlord?" Where in the world did she get a warlord from? The comment made Tatsuya roar in laughter. "Absolutely not! Now come, why don't you help me tend to the garden, I'm sure there's some fresh fruit ready to be picked!" The 2 wandered off, leaving me with Dazai and the remainder of the staff.
"Mai-sama, I know that you want to do this to ensure the safety of all of us. And if you are absolutely certain of this decision, then there is no stopping you." I let my shoulders relax from Dazai's words. "But, if that is the case then I ask that you allow us to lessen the burdens and responsibility that you already carry."
"What do you mean?"
"Allow the vassals to care for the more tedious tasks, they are well versed in the common trade of the family, and I am knowledgeable in the more specialty trade for the weapons we create. I can accompany you and even take care of some business myself." I nodded my head, acknowledging his words. "Tatsuya will continue the care of your sisters, you know how that woman dotes on those girls. We can also place more personnel with them to help with other things when you are not home." I was beginning to think it all over. "This allows you more time for your jujutsu course and learning more of the etiquette and business that your family does. As well as for interacting with other clans."
"All of these would be.. more than enough. It would be a very big help!" My eyes lit up at the idea of being able to juggle my time in a better way.

The day of the entrance ceremony had finally arrived. I made alterations to the jujutsu uniform. A fitted turtleneck, the jujutsu button fastening the sweater just above my left breast. The sweater was tucked into black oversized pants. Which were also tucked into black mid calf boots. And since I had my hair long during my younger years, I always had it up in a tight bun.
I walked toward the courtyard of the school where I noticed 3 other students. A girl with short brown hair, a tall boy with puffy pants with hair similar to my own, and then another boy equally as tall as the other with white hair and black sun glasses on, even though it was cloudy out.
"Oh, it seems like the last student has arrived," I nearly jumped out of my skin at the booming voice that came from behind me. I quickly moved to stand next to my classmates.
"Alright everyone, greetings are in order. My name is Yaga Masamichi, I will be your teacher for the next 3 years. Now, starting from the right, introduce yourselves."
"My name is Geto Suguru, I hope we can all get along." The teen was honestly rather handsome, he had a tall frame and nice build. He also seemed like someone I could get along with.
"You should already know me, but the names Gojo Satoru." The other boy stuffed his hands in his pockets as he gave a cocky grin. He was also extremely handsome, and very arrogant. Of course, that's also just how the Gojo Clan carried themselves.
"It's a pleasure to meet you all, my name is Ieri Shoko." The girl said in a soft voice, she seemed very sweet.
"Im excited to get to know you all, my name is Yamazaki Mai."
"Oh? The Yamazaki Clan, huh? Aren't you guys like, dying out or somethin'?" I turned my head to the white haired teen. Staring at him, waiting for him to continue his snarky remark. I wasn't going to argue with him, because he was technically correct. The Yamazaki Clan has been dying out, the users of the inherited technique have only been growing weaker and weaker with each new generation born.
"Oi, that was uncalled for," the other boy commented.
"You should really apologize," said the girl.
"It's alright, it's not like he's wrong. We are a dying clan." I shrugged.
"Yeah, see? It was just a question," Gojo said. "Though, I was hoping for some kinda comeback. Not that boring reply."
"Sucks," I said as I turned back to face Yaga-sensei, "Guess I'm a boring person."

The rest of that day consisted of being taught the absolute basics of jujutsu sorcery, learning the school grounds, becoming familiar with my classmates, and Gojo relentlessly trying to get a rise out of me.

I stood next to the vending machines as I tries to find something to drink when I heard the familiar, and obnoxious, voice of Gojo calling out to me. I just couldn't catch a break from him.
"Hey, Mai-chan, I've been looking for you everywhere!" He said as he stopped next to me. I fished my drink from the slot of the vending machine, and stared at Gojo with a blank face. Although on the inside, I really wanted to smack him upside the head with the soda.
"And may I ask what it is you want, Gojo? And since when were we on first name basis?" I cocked an eyebrow. The man ignored the second question completely.
"I was just bored and wanted to mess with you more, that's all." He said with a smirk. I let out a sigh and opened my soda. The fall from the vending machine made it shake up, and the drink exploded all over my uniform. I stood there with the, now empty, can in my hands, uniform and hair wet and sticky from its contents. I heard Gojo trying hard, and doing a rather terrible job, to hide his laughter.
"Laugh all you want, I don't care," I said as I began to take off the turtleneck. I then noticed that although Gojo stood right next to me, he didn't have a drop of liquid on him. I looked at the floor and noticed a completely straight line between him and where the wet of the concrete stopped.
"How in the hell.." I questioned out loud. Gojo quickly taking notice.
"Oh, this?" He said as if it was the most normal thing in the world. "That's just the infinity!" I gave him a emotionless stare, clearly unammused by his antics. "Here I'll show you, try to touch my hand." He held out his palm to me.
I stared for a few seconds more before eventually sighing and giving in. I reached my own hand out to try to touch his, but found that I stopped just a few inches away from it. I was stunned for a second but then tried to push harder to touch it.
"See? That's the inifity!" He then continued to explain how it worked. "But if I want to reach out and touch you," he said grabbing my hand, "I can." His hand was much larger than my own. It almost completely engulfed my hand. His hands felt.. rather rough. Years of training more than likely the cause of his calloused hands. So, I guess his bark did have a bite to back it up.
"Thats.. pretty cool," I admitted, making the man smirk. "Can I have my hand back now?"
"What? You don't like holding hands with me?"
"No."