JJK : The Curse Devourer

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'They say hunger is the most primal instinct.'

'But sometimes hunger affects more than just the body, it may affect the mind itself.'

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It has been a few days since the first day of Ryu at Jujutsu High.

Right now Ryu was lying down on his bed with an uneasy expressions on his face.

Suddenly he jerked awake, cold sweat rolling down his face. The nightmare lingered in his mind still, endless darkness, floating in nothingness with nothing but hunger. His reflection in the dream had worn a crown, and when he'd tried to speak, no sound came..

He stumbled to the bathroom sink, splashing cold water on his face. The mirror showed his black eyes and pale skin.

'Just a nightmare. That's all.'

His stomach grumbled as he reached for his toothbrush. The stomach ache had been growing worse over the past few days, a constant problem that food couldn't seem to satisfy. He brushed his teeth, trying to ignore his trembling hands.

After getting dressed in his school uniform, Ryu prepared his breakfast, steamed rice, miso soup and pickled vegetables. A traditional, nutritious meal that was his favourite.

But today Instead, the hunger only seemed to increase.

'Maybe it's just growth spurts.

All that training and curse hunting, my body needs more fuel.'

But even as he told himself this, Ryu knew it wasn't true.

This wasn't normal.

He left his apartment, the nightmare still clinging to his thoughts like a viral song.

The dream had felt so real, the taste of nothingness, the whispers coming from everywhere...

Halfway to school, the hunger hit him again like a physical blow. Ryu doubled over, clutching his stomach as it growled agressively.

'What the hell is wrong with me?'

He walked in a convenience store, grabbing protein bars and energy drinks. The elderly clerk gave him a concerned look as he took the change.

"Rough night?" the old man asked.

"Something like that," Ryu muttered, pocketing his items.

Outside, he tore into a protein bar, but the sweetness turned to ash in his mouth. Nothing helped. If anything, normal food seemed to do nothing...

"You okay?"

A hand fell on his shoulder, and Ryu spun around immediately, cursed energy flaring, ready to throw a punch.

"Whoa!" Haibara jumped back, hands raised.

"Easy there, it's just me!"

Ryu after noticing the person, relaxed his posture while his cursed energy became stable.

"Sorry. You startled me."

"Yeah, I can see that."

Haibara's expression shifted from surprise to anger.

"Where the hell have you been? I've been calling and texting for an hour!

I was about to come drag you out of bed if you'd overslept, but..."

His rant trailed off as he got a good look at Ryu's face. The anger turned into concern.

"You look terrible. What happened? Are you sick?"

"I'm fine," Ryu said.

"Just tired. Been doing extra training at night."

"Training?" Haibara's eyebrows rose.

"What kind of training leaves you looking crazy?"

'The kind where I hunt and devour curses to feed myself.'

"Just... technique practice. Shadow manipulation is harder than it looks."

Haibara studied him, genuine concern all over his face.

"Are you sure that's all? Because you've been acting weird lately. Distant. And now you look like..."

"Like what?"

"Like you're in pain."

"I'm fine, Haibara. Really. Just need more sleep."

Haibara didn't look convinced, but he nodded reluctantly.

"Okay. But if something's wrong, you know you can talk to me, right? That's what friends do."

'Friends.'

The word felt familiar now, resonating with the bond they shared.

"Yeah. Sure."

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The classroom buzzed with quiet conversation as students settled into their seats.. Every sound seemed amplified to Ryu, the scratch of pencils, the rustle of papers, Nanami organizing of his supplies.

"You still look like shit" Nanami observed without looking up from his notebook. "Perhaps you should visit the infirmary."

"I'm fine."

"Statistically speaking, people who say they're fine when they clearly aren't are 73% more likely to collapse during physical activity."

"Did you just make that up?"

"Possibly. But the principle stands."

Haibara leaned over from his seat. "Seriously, Ryu. Maybe you should--"

The classroom door slid open, cutting off the conversation. Yaga-sensei entered with his usual stern expression, but there was something different about his posture today, a tension that put everyone on alert.

"Listen up," he announced without preamble. "Today's lesson is practical field experience. You'll be working in pairs to track and exorcise low-grade curses in the city."

A ripple of excitement went through the class. Real missions, not just training exercises.

"Before anyone gets overexcited," Yaga continued,

"These will be Grade 4 and 5 curses only. Weak enough that even first years should be able to handle them easily. The emphasis is on experience and teamwork."

He pulled out a clipboard with names and assignments.

"Haibara and Nanami, you'll take the shopping district. There have been reports of minor hauntings in the electronics stores."

Nanami sighed. "Wonderful. Technology-based curses. I'm sure they'll be perfectly rational and easy to negotiate with."

"Makoto and Ryu," Yaga continued,

"you're assigned to the abandoned apartment complex in Sector 7. Grade 4 curse, probably formed from accumulated despair and isolation. Should be straightforward."

Ryu felt his stomach clench at the mention of a curse. Not with hunger this time, but with something else, anticipation? Excitement? The line between the two was blurring.

A boy with short black hair and an athletic build turned to look at him. Makoto Sato, physically gifted but still working on developing his cursed technique. His reserves were low, but he made up for it with enhanced martial arts and determination.

"Looks like we're partners," Makoto said with a friendly smile.

"I've heard about your Shadow Grasp technique and random cursed lottery."

"It's still work in progress." Ryu replied plainly.

Yaga's voice cut through their conversation. "Remember, the primary objective is observation and learning. If you encounter anything above Grade 4, retreat immediately and call for backup. This is not a test of courage, it's a lesson in practical application."

As the class prepared to leave, Haibara stopped In front of Ryu.

"Be careful out there," he said quietly. "You're not at 100% today, and that's when accidents happen."

"I'll be fine."

"Will you? Because from where I'm sitting, you look like you're about to either pass out or punch someone."

"I just need to work off some energy. A mission might be exactly what I need."

Haibara didn't look convinced, but he nodded.

"Just... watch each other's backs, okay? Makoto's a good guy, but he's still developing his technique. He'll need someone reliable backing him up."

"Don't worry about us. Focus on keeping Nanami from analyzing the curses to death." Said Ryu teasingly.

That earned him a small smile. "I'll try my best. Although you already know how he is....sometimes."

As they walked out of the classroom, Ryu caught his reflection in the window. For just a moment, his eyes looked different, darker, hungrier. Like someone else entirely.

'Just a trick of the light,' he told himself.

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