Don't Let Go, I Need You

~3~

"I'm good, sister!" Taiga smiled. "Brother and I have been training every day to be just like you!" His enthusiasm was cute.

I ruffled his black hair and then pinched his cheek. "You don't have to be like me. No one is telling you either. Don't use me as an example and burden your shoulders. I'm only like this so you don't have to see me die so soon. I love you two so much that I don't want to leave this world just yet!" I can't have my little brothers be a carbon copy of me, yet I can't stop them pushing themselves nor my parents who want them to be a fine sorcerer in the future. If I didn't have this cursed cycle, then they wouldn't have to feel pressure of any kind on them. Neither would I want them to go through this unknown path of when you're going to die. I would do anything to lessen their stress.

"Come on, mom and dad are waiting for you!" Taiga pulled me inside the house that I used to live in.

The modern, neutral interior still looked the same from a few months ago when I moved out to live on campus.

"Kana, you're finally here!" My parents greeted me warmly as they hugged me. It's been too long since I last saw them.

"Yes, I am! I've brought some brownies that I baked."

"Oh, great! We'll eat it for dessert. Come, let's have some lunch together." My mom gestured to me, and we had a family meal for the first time in forever.

During the home meal I miss, my parents suddenly brought up a topic which made me choke on my food. "So when are you and Fushiguro going to date?" My mom bluntly asked without hesitation.

"Here, sis, drink some water." Hoshi handed me a tall glass of water as I drank it down. The water soothed down my throat.

"Honey, you shouldn't have asked that. You already know Kana doesn't want to have any attachment when she hasn't surpassed 18 yet." At least my dad understood my side more than my mom. He's actually the one who let me train, whereas my mom wanted me to be a regular girl without any knowledge of the jujutsu world. I feel like even if I didn't involve myself in the jujutsu world, my fate would still be the same. I can't escape from this, but I want to change it if I can.

Calming down from her sudden question, I composed myself. "I'm not interested in having a romantic relationship with anyone. The future of mine is in the unknown, so I would rather not have more baggage than I need." Having friends and family to worry about was already heavy on my plate.

Our topic at the dining table changed a lot until we finished lunch.

"Hey sis, can you help me with my technique?" Hoshi asked, and I agreed to help since it'll be a nice way to bond with my brother.

"Sure. What is your technique? I know it differs between siblings." Mine was a third eye illusion technique where I can cast anything to fool my opponent.

"I found out that I can stop any opponents from using their cursed energy for a certain amount of
time!" Hoshi smiled from the thought of being very useful in difficult circumstances. That was a good technique he developed.

"That's awesome! You're going to be one talented sorcerer after me." I'll die without worries for my brothers. My family were strong warriors even if a curse lingers in our blood. Maybe in another lifetime, I can be their sister again.

"Kana, I don't understand you."

"What do you mean?"

We walked to the dojo room for his training.

"You can live a life without having to worry about saving humanity." Hoshi stopped in the hallway and turned to look at me with a serious expression. "You can spend your time exploring the world, living your best life! But you choose to spend it on this... Sis, it hurts me more to know that you might die on a mission," His face stiffened as if he didn't want to cry in front of me.

Placing my hands on his shoulders, I spoke the truth to him with a big smile. "It's because I don't want to die with regret. What's the fun of being normal when I can do both? Be a regular girl with jujutsu abilities. If I am destined to die tomorrow, you will already know I died happily. I wouldn't trade places with you or Taiga." I don't want them to suffer the same path as I did. I had recurring nightmares of dying—losing the people I love because I was too weak. I cried myself to sleep because I hated my life. I asked the heavens why I was born; I was very miserable inside my room when I was younger. I've gotten much better over time of acceptance.

"...if-if that makes you happy then I'll respect that...but promise me that you'll return, or try to return alive." Dark clouds covered his youthful eyes. Although he's very young, he feared for my death and wanted me to come back safe and sound. I can't keep promises that I'm unsure about, but me and I know that I wanted to live another day.

I gave Hoshi a bear hug, letting him know how much I love and care for him. My arms squeezed his body tightly as I felt his bones. "Yes! You and others will be the reason for me to keep on fighting for my life. I have to see my brothers grow up to be fine young men!" I teased, changing the atmosphere. "Come on, let's go inside the dojo."