Three words I couldn't say

Part 7 - New student

"You're beaten up pretty bad. Mind telling me what happened?" Ieri-san asked while she healed my wounds.

"Just a mishap in work."

"... Fine." She quietly healed my wounds then she just left me there.

I think I just angered Ieri-san.

Getting up with my sore body, I took my clothes from the chair and wore them. Good thing I was already done when a knock came from the door.

"Aiko-sensei. Principal Yaga was calling for you." Maki's voice rang through the door.

"Got it. I'll be there in a few minutes."

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"Aiko. Good to see you well." Yaga-sensei welcomed me into his office.

I sat in front of him. "Well, gotta thank Ieri-san for that."

"I'm not going to beat around the bush. Gojo found another student. But since he's already busy, I want you to supervise him when he's not here."

My brows instantly glower themselves together. "Why can't he join the others?"

"He's in special circumstances. Well, you'll know when you see him."

"What about my missions?" I ask in worry. Even if he's a special case, taking a kid everywhere and letting him see the kind of curses I exorcise will take its toll on him. And it's not even all curses.

"You're due for a break, Aiko. Your recent 'mishap' is a great excuse for one."

"When will I get back?"

"Until I deem you ready for work."

I thought about it over and over but I don't really think dumping a student on me, just because, is gonna work. "Just why would you hand him to me? Isn't he under Gojo's supervision?"

Yaga-sensei sighed and caressed the head of one of the dolls. "The kid's broken, Aiko. We both know Gojo isn't the best in emotional support. And I was hoping you'd do it."

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The day I came to meet the boy, Maki was having a spar with him.

He's too much of an amateur. And the way his cursed energy is flaring around in the process means he is a complete amateur. But honestly, that's the least of my concerns.

The way he has no confidence in his whole body, the way his face looks like a worrywart, the way his eyes dart around too much. There's too much work this boy needs. And I'm already listing them in my head.

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"I'm Aiko Sasaki. Call me Aiko-sensei from now on." I smiled at the worrywat kid that just entered the classroom I was staying in.

"A-ah Yu- Okkotsu Yuta."

"Yeah. Nice to meet you." I stood up from my seat and walked past him. "Let's go."

"Ah- where are we going?" He followed me through the halls.

"I want to see how you'll do in an actual mission. You don't have to worry. I'll be with you."

=====

"Uh... Uhm. Aiko-sensei. Wh-what should I do with this?" Yuta pointed at my sword that I let him borrow.

"What else? Swing it at the curses." I said with a smile but the kid was almost in tears.

"Eh?! But-

"Maki taught you the basics and you'll apply everything you learned from her. Best to focus than watch me, Yuta-kun." In a moment, a curse came charging him, ready to kill him.

"AHH!!" But he came out of it unharmed.

"Heh~" I exclaimed as 'Rika-chan' came out and protected him. I tried to get close to him and Rika glared at me. It was clear as the sun that she was watching me. Even without eyes.

"Ah-Aiko-sensei!! Please don't get closer!"

"Yuta-kun." He looked at me, all worried.

Gosh, kid. You're the student here.

"Have she ever harmed anyone that meant no harm to you?" I could practically see the gears trying to work in his head.

"I-I think not..."

"Then, " I walked past Rika and patted his shoulder. "Let's find more curses. I need you to kill them on your own, and not rely on her. Don't worry about it. She won't kill me. Because I'm your teacher."

He hung his head down, the same dumbfounded expression when I walked past Rika. "Yes..."

I've thought about it over and over. Even before I met the kid.

The best way for him to heal is self-awareness.

I looked back at Rika who was disappearing.

Though I doubt he's gonna like every bit of them.

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