chapter 19, Sumiko past

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1700 words

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( My unique highschool life)

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As hope had arisen, despair swiftly swallowed it. It had been a day since they started fighting the spirit, and it had finally evolved. Only Hikari was left standing; Sumiko couldn't move an inch, completely drained. The cursed spirit let out a triumphant roar. Sumiko lost hope, feeling disappointed in herself.

In the midst of her despair, Hikari came up with a desperate plan. He gently hugged Sumiko, covered them both with his barrier, and jumped into the swamp. The swamp had risen a thousand feet, engulfing the temple top. As they dove into the dark abyss, the spirit ignored them, considering them defeated and storing them as fresh food in its swamp. It was ready to wait for more foes to challenge.

As Hikari and Sumiko descended deeper into the swamp, darkness enveloped them. Sumiko had already lost consciousness before Hikari hugged her. Hikari was on high alert, aware that his plan had only a one-third chance of success. If the cursed spirit followed them, he would have to keep his barrier active around the clock. Sumiko could survive for about a week, but if reinforcements arrived in time, they might have a chance.

Every second felt like an eternity in the pitch-black swamp. Hikari, holding Sumiko tightly, tried to keep his thoughts focused. He whispered to her unconscious form, "Hang in there, Sumiko. Help is on the way. We just need to survive a little longer."

The weight of responsibility pressed heavily on Hikari's shoulders. He was determined not to let Sumiko down, no matter the odds.

As darkness enveloped her consciousness, Sumiko's mind drifted back to the day she was born. It was a cool spring morning, with cherry blossoms painting the world in delicate shades of pink. Her mother had always recounted the tale with fondness—the joyous cries that echoed through the hospital room, the first touch of her tiny fingers grasping hers. Sumiko's father, a stoic man with eyes that sparkled whenever he looked at her, had whispered a name filled with hope and pride.

Growing up in the shadow of her elder brother, Sumiko had felt both the weight of expectation and the warmth of unconditional love. Her training as a sorcerer had begun early, spurred by her determination to prove herself worthy of her family's legacy. Countless hours were spent mastering techniques, forging bonds with spirits, and learning the intricacies of battle. Each step was a testament to her resolve, each victory a testament to her spirit.

Yet, amidst the trials and triumphs, Sumiko cherished moments of simplicity: the laughter shared over family dinners, the quiet conversations under starlit skies. Her father's gentle encouragement and her mother's unwavering support formed the bedrock of her strength. They taught her that true courage lay not just in fighting battles but in embracing the bonds that sustained her.

As Sumiko slipped deeper into unconsciousness, fragments of memories flickered like stars in the night sky. Her journey as a sorcerer had been defined by challenges and sacrifices, but it was also illuminated by moments of joy and camaraderie. In her heart, she carried the echoes of her family's love, a beacon that guided her through the darkness of uncertainty.

As Sumiko grew older, the shadows of her family's expectations cast a long, oppressive shadow over her life. The once vibrant girl who felt like the happiest in the world now found herself navigating treacherous waters of familial scrutiny and disappointment. Elders within the clan, once kind and respectful, now whispered behind her back, their disapproving glances and hushed tones a constant reminder of her perceived inadequacies.

In the corridors of the clan's estate, maids who once doted on her now avoided her gaze or muttered under their breath as she passed. They no longer saw the bright-eyed girl with potential; instead, they saw a disappointment, someone who had failed to live up to the clan's lofty standards. Sumiko endured their thinly veiled scorn with a heavy heart, feeling increasingly isolated and misunderstood.

Her once carefree spirit was now burdened by the weight of their expectations and the sting of their disdain. She yearned for the warmth and acceptance she had once known, but it seemed forever out of reach. Even within her own family, the distance grew, each passing day marked by unspoken tension and unfulfilled hopes.

Her mother's embrace had always been a source of comfort, but even that solace was taken from her when her mother passed away. Sumiko felt the loss keenly, her grief amplified by the growing distance between her and her father. He, consumed by his own responsibilities and disappointment, seemed to ignore her presence more and more.

Gojo's reluctance to engage with the clan's traditions and expectations extended to his relationship with Sumiko. Despite his deep love for his sister, he distanced himself from her for years, influenced by his own rebellion against their family's constraints. The mere one-year age gap between them amplified this divide during their childhood. Only later did Gojo realize his mistake and seek to mend their relationship by urging Sumiko to join Jujutsu High.

Sumiko, despite her inherent strength by normal standards, found herself constantly under the clan's scrutiny and high expectations. When she inevitably faltered or failed to meet these unrealistic standards, the clan's disappointment was palpable. They withdrew their support and acceptance, treating her less like a cherished family member and more like an outsider or even an inconvenience.

This rejection left Sumiko feeling dehumanized and isolated within her own family. The clan's shifting attitude toward her reinforced her growing sense of alienation and loneliness. Despite her efforts to prove herself and live up to their ideals, she found little solace or recognition in return. It was a harsh lesson in the limitations of familial love and the price of defying tradition within their rigidly structured clan.

Yet, amidst the shadows and whispers, Sumiko found a quiet resilience. She refused to be defined solely by their judgments or restrained by their limitations. In the depths of her heart, she clung to the memory of her mother's love and her own inner strength, determined to carve out her own path despite the obstacles stacked against her.

Realizing his past neglect and the impact it had on Sumiko, Gojo became fiercely protective of her in the years leading up to her enrollment at Jujutsu High. Throughout her first year at the school, which symbolized freedom and the pursuit of her own ambitions, Gojo served as her guiding light. His presence and support became her anchor, offering hope and encouragement in her struggle to earn affection and recognition.

For Sumiko, what she craved most now was love—unconditional and abundant. The fleeting moments of love and the feeling of being needed that she once experienced were now a consuming desire. She yearned for that sense of belonging and validation, willing to sacrifice anything to regain it. This longing fueled her determination and shaped her resolve as she faced the challenges ahead at Jujutsu High and in her personal journey to find acceptance and affection.

Realizing his past neglect and the impact it had on Sumiko, Gojo became fiercely protective of her in the years leading up to her enrollment at Jujutsu High. Throughout her first year at the school, which symbolized freedom and the pursuit of her own ambitions, Gojo served as her guiding light. His presence and support became her anchor, offering hope and encouragement in her struggle to earn affection and recognition.

For Sumiko, what she craved most now was love—unconditional and abundant. The fleeting moments of love and the feeling of being needed that she once experienced were now a consuming desire. She yearned for that sense of belonging and validation, willing to sacrifice anything to regain it. This longing fueled her determination and shaped her resolve as she faced the challenges ahead at Jujutsu High and in her personal journey to find acceptance and affection.

Growing up, Sumiko had felt like the happiest girl in the world with her loving mother, caring father, and strong brother. However, as she matured and the pressure of her clan's expectations weighed upon her, everything changed. The elders and maids, once supportive and nurturing, turned cold and distant when they realized she didn't possess the rare Six Eyes technique. Their rejection left Sumiko feeling isolated and abandoned, with only her mother's embrace providing solace until her untimely death. Even her brother, whom she adored deeply, became increasingly distant as he pursued his own path apart from the clan's traditions.

Though Gojo loved his sister, his disdain for the clan's ways kept him at a distance for many years. It wasn't until he recognized the impact of his neglect that he sought to protect Sumiko and guide her toward Jujutsu High. Despite Sumiko's inherent strength and resilience, the weight of her clan's expectations crushed her spirit, leaving her yearning for the affection and recognition she once knew. This longing for love fueled her determination to succeed at Jujutsu High, where she hoped to find a place where she could be valued for who she was rather than for her lineage.

Realizing his past neglect and the impact it had on Sumiko, Gojo became fiercely protective of her in the years leading up to her enrollment at Jujutsu High. Throughout her first year at the school, which symbolized freedom and the pursuit of her own ambitions, Gojo served as her guiding light. His presence and support became her anchor, offering hope and encouragement in her struggle to earn affection and recognition.

For Sumiko, what she craved most now was love—unconditional and abundant. The fleeting moments of love and the feeling of being needed that she once experienced were now a consuming desire. She yearned for that sense of belonging and validation, willing to sacrifice anything to regain it. This longing fueled her determination and shaped her resolve as she faced the challenges ahead at Jujutsu High and in her personal journey to find acceptance and affection

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