The strange ongoing situation with the Shunryu branch family started when Gojo Minako returned to the Tobiume after a heated disagreement with her in-laws, bringing her two children along with her.
To be more precise: It started when her husband, Gojo Morikazu, decided to follow and stay with his wife and children in the Tobiume, instead of collecting them and bringing his small family back to the Shunryu. Which then somehow snowballed into a good half of the younger Shunryu generation all moving into the Tobiume side of the compound as well.
"From what I understand, the Shunryu side of the family didn't approve of their marriage to begin with," Kiyohira-sensei continues explaining. Shiki and Kiyohira-sensei had moved into the house from the backyard porch earlier; currently, his fingers drum restlessly against the low table that they are seated at. "So there was already pre existing friction between Minako and her in-laws. The final straw was when Minako overheard them speaking ill of her children, and after she openly confronted them about it… well. It devolved into an ugly argument, in the end. Minako left that very same day."
Gojo Minako only possesses blurry sight in terms of sorcery ability, while Gojo Morikazu is one of the clan's few Special Grade One sorcerers. It makes sense why her Shunryu in-laws would not be satisfied with their Special Grade One son marrying a woman like her. From that perspective, it's rather surprising that the marriage even went through in the first place.
… Or not, maybe. Considering that Gojo Morikazu was a Special Grade One sorcerer, of which there were currently five total within the Gojo Clan, if he insisted on marrying Gojo Minako, then it's likely that the Shunryu would not refuse his request in order to keep him happy. Which meant that the bulk of their displeasure had a very high chance of being redirected towards Minako-san instead.
Towards Minako-san and her children, if what Kiyohira-sensei said was true.
Which was interesting in its own way. If Gojo Morikazu was a prized son of the Shunryu branch family, then why would his children be mistreated? … Unless they took after their mother in terms of sorcery talent?
Shiki pauses for a moment, attempting to recall the information. She's fairly certain that she's seen this in the Tobiume reports at some point. "Minako-san has a pair of twins, doesn't she?"
"Twin girls, respected branch head," a new voice sounds by the doorway. Feminine, and firm. "It is an honor that you remember them."
"… You're here," Kiyohira-sensei lifts his gaze towards the door that Choki is currently holding open. "A bit earlier than I expected, I admit."
Due to his concerns for Tsumiki, most of Kiyohira-sensei's clan-related work was being conducted from the house these days, instead of from his office in the clan compound. Which meant that certain meetings had also been moved to take place here, rather than the Gojo compound.
Such as a meeting with the young Shunryu couple, before another one was to take place later this week with the Shunryu branch head.
"I would not dare to be tardy before the respected branch head, Kiyohira-sama."
The one who speaks is a young woman dressed in a dark tomesode embroidered with violet bellflowers, raven-black hair bundled up neatly with a matching bellflower hairpin. Beside her stands a young man wearing a similarly dark-colored formal kimono, with ashen-colored hair in a particular shade that reminds Shiki of Yuzuki.
There's no mistaking him for Yuzuki, however. Whereas Yuzuki's demeanor was mild and gentle over the distinct sharpness beneath, this man openly wears his sharp edges like a second skin. The gaze that cuts towards Shiki is openly assessing for all of a scant few seconds, before he stiffens and lowers his head in deference.
Shiki maintains her own gaze for a moment longer, watching the man remain deathly still, before silently withdrawing her own gaze without a word.
"Sit." Kiyohira-sensei waves a hand towards the empty seats on the other side of the table, either having overlooked or deliberately choosing to ignore the brief byplay. "Gojo Minako, Gojo Morikazu. I'll dispense with the pleasantries; we all know what this meeting is about. The influx of Shunryu clansmen living with the Tobiume."
Minako-san gracefully sits down following his gesture, and her husband also takes a seat slightly less gracefully beside her. "Morihiko-sama is pressuring you, Kiyohira-sama?"
"He's not wrong in that there needs to be some form of resolution to this," Kiyohira-sensei folds his arms across his chest. "That there are so many of the Shunryu family here right now… it goes without saying that this is a highly unusual situation. Highly concerning, too, especially for the Shunryu head"
"We didn't order anyone to come along with us," Morikazu-san mutters.
"Yes, I'm aware of that," Kiyohira-sensei says dryly. "If that was the case, then Morihiko would be accusing you of attempting to suborn your fellow clansmen and supplant him as the new branch head, instead of accusing the Tobiume of poaching people from his branch family."
"… Sorry." The apology, at least, appears to be genuine. Faintly sheepish, too.
"We're very sorry for the trouble we've brought to the Tobiume." Unlike her husband, Gojo Minako is far more eloquent. She bows towards them, sharply poking her husband in the side when he fails to follow her immediately. "Neither of us intended for this to happen… although in hindsight, I wouldn't say that it's surprising."
Kiyohira-sensei sighs, and nods. "Because not everyone agrees with the way Morihiko does things, do they?"
"Precisely." Minako-san's hands curl slightly into themselves on her lap. Her husband silently reaches over and lays his hand atop her own; the woman gives her husband a small smile. "Morihiko-sama… shares several sentiments that are more predominant in the Kamo Clan than anywhere else."
Shiki blinks. That's an interesting choice of words, and also an interesting comparison to make. If it's the Kamo Clan, then this is probably a very unsubtle way of saying that Morihiko places great importance on bloodlines. More so than the average conservative Gojo clansman, is the unspoken implication here beneath those words.
Kiyohira-sensei folds his arms across his chest. "… Regardless of his views and policies, that's not the point of this conversation."
"I understand," Gojo Minako bows her head again. "As you've requested, my husband and I have spoken with our fellow Shunryu clansmen. If at all possible, we… do not wish to return to the Shunryu, Kiyohira-sama."
"You don't–" Kiyohira-sensei cuts himself off in the middle of his words, fixing the young woman with a stern look. Though her eyes are still lowered demurely towards the folded hands on her lap, there is no mistaking this woman for demure, not with the words that she'd just spoken. "Gojo Minako. Do you realize what you're saying?"
"I understand that this situation is unprecedented," she says calmly. "And I… I also understand that this places you and the respected branch head in an awkward position, Kiyohira-sama."
"If you know that, then–"
"But this is our earnest desire." Once more, Gojo Minako prostrates herself before them. A beat later, her husband slowly copies the motion. "Please at least consider it, respected elder and respected branch head. There are seventeen of us who wish to stay; two of whom show budding promise in sorcery, and one of whom is my husband –one of the only five Special Grade One sorcerers in the clan. We'll definitely prove ourselves as useful assets to the Tobiume, I promise."
Kiyohira-sensei pauses, brows creasing in thought. Because what the woman says isn't wrong; seventeen is a sizable number, and a branch family's status relies on the strength and number of its sorcerers. There are twenty-three members of the Tobiume family total, Shiki and Kiyohira-sensei included. Though there might be some friction from the large influx of people, if the integration goes smoothly then there's no doubt that it would be beneficial to the Tobiume as a whole.
Shiki understands this.
She also doesn't particularly care for it.
As the head of the Tobiume, Shiki is responsible for ensuring the overall wellbeing and happiness of her Tobiume clansmen. Not for expanding the branch family.
If Gojo Minako were saying this to another more ambitious clan head, then there's a high chance that they would jump at the opportunity. The chance to acquire a Special Grade One sorcerer for themselves isn't one that comes easily. Even though it was a given that the Shunryu branch family, being only forty-odd people strong, would fight tooth and nail to retain custody of these clansmen, so long as they all actively desired to leave –what branch head would pass up on the rare opportunity?
… Aside from Shiki, probably.
"I don't care about that," she says bluntly when Kiyohira-sensei turns a questioning look towards her, silently asking for her opinion.
The man blinks in surprise. Then snorts, shaking his head. "Ah, I should've seen that coming."
Unlike her teacher, the young couple sitting across from them instantly tense at Shiki's unaffected response. Gojo Minako jerks upright, eyes wide in a visible loss of composure. As if Shiki's response was a wholly unexpected one.
"R-respected branch head? This…" she falters. "This would be beneficial for the Tobiume, bereft of those possessing talent among our number as we are. And it would also greatly ease the pressure of you being the Tobiume's sole sorcerer. I-I understand that you do not wish to force those like me who are not suited for sorcery to walk upon a path that would result in our deaths, and I am grateful for your kindness. But bearing such a burden alone…"
There seems to be a severe misunderstanding here.
It has nothing to do with kindness. Shiki is not a kind person. She does not force the Tobiume to adhere to the traditional expectations of a sorcery family simply because there's no point in it. That's all.
From what she has observed so far, most of them seem to prefer being alive and living safely over following age-old traditions. Currently, there's only one among their number who is currently learning sorcery, and that's seven year old Gojo Tetsuro. A young boy who has just started working on meditative exercises. Which was a slow-going progress, given that this was an excitable child who liked running around in the gardens and bothering the koi more than sitting down and meditating.
That's fine. No one in the Tobiume was even close to approaching Shiki in strength, anyways, so it was of little relevance to her what they chose. Whether they wished to pursue sorcery, or seek out alternative paths in life.
"The Tobiume doesn't need sorcerers."
Gojo Morikazu frowns. "You might be strong, Shiki-jousama, but you're the Tobiume's only sorcerer. Long-term, that's going to cause issues if nothing changes."
"So?" Shiki doesn't bat an eye. It's not as if she doesn't understand that the Tobiume's current newfound status relies solely upon her, which is quite precarious from the perspective of a branch family. But unless the Tobiume can acquire another sorcerer who is as strong as she is, then it's only inevitable that they will experience some form of decline once Shiki is gone.
If they can garner the strength to maintain their status as a branch family, then that's all well and good. If they can't, then that simply means that they truly no longer possess the qualifications to be considered a branch family. They'd just be returning to the very same state that they'd been in before Shiki unexpectedly came into the equation.
Power and status go hand-in-hand with each other. If one does not possess enough power, then overreaching themselves for status and influence is something that will only invite ridicule and disaster instead of respect. Should that come to pass, then letting go of the Tobiume name and quietly dispersing into other branch families would see them living better lives than stubbornly clinging to their lineage's past glories.
That would be where Shiki's perspective differs from Gojo Ima's regarding the Tobiume.
Gojo Ima would have the members of her branch family uphold their family honor and restore glory to the Tobiume name even if sacrifices must be made. In Shiki's eyes, something as meaningless as 'glory of the branch family' isn't worth dying for.
"… As branch head, is it not your foremost duty to ensure the prosperity of the Tobiume?" the man asks when Shiki does not elaborate, his words slow and obvious. "To consolidate the lineage's strength and status, and bring it to greater heights?"
"As branch head, my duty is to ensure the wellbeing of the individuals within the Tobiume," she corrects. Perhaps a more dedicated and ambitious branch head might focus on bringing greater glory to their line under their leadership, but that was not Shiki. And even then, something like that would –should– come secondary to taking care of their people's wellbeings first.
Gojo Morikazu stares at her. It's an odd sort of expression, almost as if he's seeing her for the very first time. Beside him, his wife also stares at Shiki –but instead of the strange expression that Gojo Morikazu wears, Gojo Minako's expression seems more… emotional, somehow?
Shiki arches an eyebrow at the strange couple.
The woman straightens, and sucks in a deep breath. "You humble us, respected branch head. We apologize for our assumptions."
… Their assumption that Shiki would formally add the Shunryu members to the Tobiume simply because there were sorcerers among them? It was a normal, reasonable assumption to make. Why was that something they needed to apologize for?
Kiyohira-sensei coughs lightly. "You intend to reject their request, then, Shiki?"
"There's no particular reason for me to accept." The Tobiume branch family is Shiki's responsibility. However, the Shunryu branch members aren't. She doesn't mind the Shunryu spending time with their Tobiume cousins as they're currently doing, but this does not mean that she's exactly eager to throw herself headfirst into clan issues to defend them over this.
Kiyohira-sensei seems to understand her thoughts. He nods slowly, albeit with a slight frown. "This matter indeed is… troublesome. But rejecting the Shunryu from the Tobiume would put them into a difficult spot as well, and it might also negatively affect your reputation within the clan."
"My reputation will be negatively affected either way." If Shiki accepts these Shunryu members into the Tobiume, then she is poaching talented clansmen from another branch family. If she doesn't, then even if others will agree that her inaction is appropriate, there will undoubtedly still be whispers of her being cold-hearted and cowardly behind her back. Negative rumors are nothing new by this point, so she might as well go with the option that's less headache-inducing.
… Although, Kiyohira-sensei has a point. If Shiki's reputation was that of someone who was protective of those she considered hers, instead of an unfeeling sorcerer who cared little for others… would that have reduced the chance of Tsumiki being maliciously targeted?
"If people are going to talk, then let it be something that will inspire fear and wariness, rather than condescension," is Kiyohira-sensei's advice on this. Which makes it quite clear what he's in favor of.
For a moment, Shiki falls quiet in thought.
"Respected branch head," Gojo Minako breaks in and bows again, this time solely towards Shiki. The woman lowers her head to the ground, and holds the position for a long moment. "I understand that you do not seek power for the Tobiume. But even aside from sorcery, there are still other ways that we of the Shunryu would be able to contribute. Please give us a chance to prove ourselves."
The young girl tilts her head at the woman's oddly stubborn persistence, frowning slightly. "Why are you so set on joining the Tobiume?"
Was Gojo Morihiko really doing that bad of a job as the Shunryu branch head, to the point that a good number of his clansmen all wanted out, including their only Special Grade One sorcerer?
"I was born a Tobiume daughter, respected branch head," the woman responds. "I remember the days when the family was slowly destroying itself in an attempt to live up to what the Tobiume name demanded of us, to live according to our traditions. But since you succeeded Ima-sama, all of that has changed completely. One who is a Tobiume is free to choose their own path, without fear of being censured or judged for it. Such freedom is rare within the Gojo Clan, and I… I wish to live as a Tobiume, not a Shunryu. Those who've chosen to stay with us have also come to the same decision."
… At most, Shiki had thought that the answer might've been something along the lines of, 'because you would make a good shield against the Shunryu branch head,' except in far politer and more respectful wording.
Did the Shunryu branch head know about this? Even if he managed to call back his wayward branch family members, Shiki gets the feeling that the man is not going to have an easy time getting them to submit to his authority once more.
She glances towards Kiyohira-sensei. Clearly, the root of why they have this problem on their hands at all to begin with is because Kiyohira-sensei is doing too good of a job looking after the Tobiume.
Her teacher side-eyes her straight back and gives her a few slow, pointed claps. "Good work, branch head."
"…"
Shiki sighs softly.
She's responsible for the Tobiume branch family, not the Shunryu. So, strictly looking at this situation, the wellbeing of Shunryu branch family members should not be something that falls under her purview.
Gojo Minako is –was?– a Tobiume, though. So if she was unhappy in the Shunryu, then Shiki is obliged to do something about it. However, that obligation shouldn't extend beyond Gojo Minako herself… but it doesn't seem like the woman wants a divorce, nor would that account for all the other Shunryu that she and her little family had brought back with them.
If the problems are as serious as she implies it to be, then it's only a matter of time before she and her clansmen start looking for a way out from the Shunryu. This issue would've landed in front of Shiki, eventually, so simply turning away from it isn't a good way to resolve this situation.
Which circles back to the question of: Does Shiki accept these Shunryu clansmen into the Tobiume branch family or not?
If she only considers her personal feelings…
To be honest, Shiki doesn't particularly care whether they stay or go. The main reason she has for wanting to refuse is simply because she doesn't want to deal with the politicking and clan drama that 'poaching' a number of Shunryu clansmen would doubtlessly stir up.
… Then again, if Shiki acted solely based on her own personal feelings when making decisions, then she wouldn't even be the head of her branch family to begin with.
I'm sure you'll be a good branch head.
But what does it mean, to be a 'good branch head?'
It's been years since Shiki was appointed as the Tobiume branch head, and she still doesn't know the answer.
She just knows that being the Tobiume branch head means being responsible for making lives better for the members of the Tobiume branch family. Shiki can't say with one hundred percent certainty that casting aside the traditions of a sorcery clan the way she does is right, but even if the Tobiume disagree with her methods –well, at least they'd be alive to complain about it. Thus far, there have yet to be any complaints to reach her ears.
She doesn't enjoy being responsible for other people. If Shiki had her way of things, then someone else would be sitting in the position of Tobiume branch head right now. But there had apparently been no one else more suitable for the position than Shiki, when Gojo Ima had been deemed unfit. Thus, the myriad responsibilities of branch head were then passed into Shiki's hands.
Suffice to say, Shiki is not particularly inclined to add to her responsibilities.
She has every right to refuse this request from the Shunryu clansmen. But… ultimately, that's no different from burying her head in the sand. The problem might not be hers anymore, but it's most certainly not going to go away if she ignores it hard enough.
If it's not handled properly… in the worst case scenario, it could potentially become a destabilizing influence within the Gojo Clan, even assuming that the Shunryu branch head managed to force his clansmen to return to him in the end.
That would not be ideal. Because turmoil within the clan would be troublesome for Satoru-niichan. Moreover, this would also make it more difficult to find the potential 'traitor' that they were about to search for.
…
"The Shunryu can stay."
Gojo Minako's eyes widen, and shimmer –and then Shiki can see nothing of the woman's face, when she hurriedly presses herself to the ground in another bow once more.
"Thank you, respected branch head." It is only now that there is a faint tremble in her voice. Relief, exhaustion, hope. "I promise, you will not regret this decision."
Gojo Morikazu, too, bows as his wife does, "Respected branch head. Thank you."
There's a half-smile playing at the edge of Kiyohira-sensei's lips at the sight, but he does not say anything as the Shunryu couple express their gratitude in this moment.
"I'd wondered if I'd have to work to convince you," he says, after the couple have left. "But it seems that wasn't necessary. I know you might not care for it, but there are several tangible benefits from accepting them, even if it comes with its own share of troubles."
It's not so much the benefits as it was the drawbacks of what might've happened instead if Shiki remained impassive that convinced her, in the end.
Her old teacher watches her silently for a moment, then reaches out and gently pats her on the shoulder. A clumsy gesture of affection, nothing like the smooth fluidity with which he wields his sword. "You could stand to look a little more enthusiastic, y'know."
"Why?"
"What you're doing is a good thing," the man says. "It will be good for the Tobiume, and what Minako mentioned earlier wasn't wrong –having an active Special Grade One around will help ease off some of the pressure on you. Although there will be several people I can think of who won't be happy with the Tobiume's leap in strength."
They will have to live with being unhappy about it, then. "How many within the clan do you think will oppose the Tobiume adding these Shunryu clansmen to their number?"
"Many," Kiyohira-sensei responds dryly, like it's a given. "The other branch families won't like the upset in the current balance of power. Yes, the balance changed when you took up the position of branch head, but that was more in terms of… 'intangible benefits,' shall we call it. The prestige of the Tobiume returned due to the presence of a powerful sorcerer, but it wasn't as if the Tobiume suddenly demanded more resources, or more positions of influence within the clan. Aside from you, they were still the same fallen branch family with no noteworthy individuals to improve their standing."
Shiki pauses, "And things will be different once the Shunryu are included."
"Things will be different," Kiyohira-sensei nods. "There's a Special Grade One sorcerer among them, not to mention all the others that they brought along. With the increase in clansmen, we'll also need to request more resources for the Tobiume, and that's not something other branch families will be willing to loosen their hold on so easily."
Shiki figured as much. "They might side with the Shunryu branch head in calling his clansmen back to the Shunryu section of the compound, then."
"That's entirely possible," her teacher agrees. "The branch families won't like that the Tobiume show signs of rising to prominence in truth –not when it comes at cost to themselves. It also doesn't help that you are already one of the clan's more notable sorcerers, and another Special Grade One is joining in."
And because the hierarchy in a sorcery clan is ranked accordingly on strength, this means that there are several parties who might be displeased with this sudden upset.
Is there a way to avoid that?
… Unlikely. So long as Shiki remains the Tobiume branch head, then for all intents and purposes she is the 'face' of the Tobiume family, whose actions represent the will of the family. And if she portrays herself as a branch head who poaches talented clansmen from other branch families to add to her own family's strength, no matter the truth of the matter that Shiki really hadn't done any poaching at all…
It is, admittedly, not the best image.
There might actually be less of a reaction if it wasn't Shiki doing such a thing. Young, female, and a talented sorcerer –all of these are factors that will actively work against her in negotiations with other branch heads, who will undoubtedly see this as something to be wary of.
She looks towards her teacher. "If I make you the branch head, do you think the other branch families would be more accepting?"
Kiyohira-sensei blinks. "Shiki, the Shunryu want to join the Tobiume because you are the branch head."
Shiki waves a hand dismissively, "There's more to it than that. Besides, you're the one taking care of the Tobiume in most daily matters."
"Yes, but you're the one who changed the policies–"
"Would you have done differently, in my place?" she cuts him off and asks.
"… I wouldn't have thought to," the man exhales slowly. "In many ways… I suppose I've grown accustomed to the way the clan does things. Shiki, the fact that you're the Tobiume branch head is… is perhaps a complicating factor in this situation, but it isn't a problem. It would be more of a problem if you didn't hold a position of influence to lend weight to your words. The other branch families might put up a fuss because you are representative of the Tobiume branch in this matter, but that's something unavoidable. Not unless you're the clan… heir…"
Kiyohira-sensei trails off into silence, staring at Shiki with a slightly slackened expression, eyes wide with dawning realization.
Shiki, too, also stares silently back at her teacher, albeit significantly less stricken and increasingly more dismayed instead.
Because it's not like she can't follow the thought process here. Kiyohira-sensei acknowledges that other branch families might try to intervene on behalf of the Shunryu if Shiki, Grade One sorcerer and Tobiume branch head, takes talented clansmen from the Shunryu branch family. The disruption and upheaval of the balance of power is what they're most concerned about here, and it's something that they have a vested interest in preventing.
But if Shiki is not the Tobiume branch head but instead the Gojo clan heir, then that paints the situation in a slightly different light. At the very least, no one will be able to accuse her of being a branch head overstepping her bounds.
Furthermore, if Shiki becomes the clan heir, then she will be associated more with the main family than her own branch family in the eyes of her clansmen. Practically, Shiki will still be a Tobiume as long as she does not officially inherit Satoru-niichan's position or marry out, but from the perspective of the wider clan she would be affiliated with the main family.
If she becomes the clan heir, then it means there will be new responsibilities that she's expected to fulfill. But it also means that there will be more ways for her to officially help Satoru-niichan, and the position would be convenient and useful in various ways.
Shiki… doesn't particularly want to be the clan heir. The Gojo Clan and its myriad problems, and the problematic individuals within it… she has zero desire to actively involve herself with that any more than necessary. Even though there are people here whom Shiki is attached to, by and large she remains indifferent to most clan members. That's definitely not a good sign for a clan heir, is it?
Moreover, there's also the rather important issue of how there are most certainly a number of people in the Gojo Clan who would prefer for Shiki not to be the Gojo heir, too. Something which comes with its own host of problems.
Yet… Shiki taking on the position of clan heir is an event that would definitely overshadow the ongoing Tobiume-Shunryu debacle. Anyone opposed to her becoming clan heir would undoubtedly focus their attention towards this pressing matter and attempt to obstruct it, instead of allowing themselves to be distracted by a minor conflict between two branch families that was of comparatively lesser significance which would…
… Oh no. "I don't think I like where this is going."
.
.
Extra.
.
Gojo Minako slowly lets out a long breath, sinking down into the soft car cushion.
"Are you feeling alright?" Morikazu asks, concerned. His hands hover over her shoulders uncertainly.
"I'm alright," Minako smiles at her husband. She also reaches up and tugs his hand down so that it lands upon her, which causes the incorrigible man to lean into the motion and hug her against him.
The young chauffeur in the driver's seat coughs lightly. Minako gives a small start and blushes, attempting to sit upright properly –but Morikazu refuses to let go of her, instead tightening his grip on her.
"Husband–"
"Your branch head is terrifying," he says. "… She's also not what I expected."
"She's your branch head now, too," Minako reminds the man. She understands what he means. When Gojo Satoru looks at you, he has a way of making you feel like you've been stripped of all secrets beneath his gaze. When Gojo Shiki looks at you, it feels as if someone is standing over your grave. "… I know what you mean. She's surpassed my expectations, too."
Minako had been worried about the possibility of being rejected because the Tobiume weren't ready to enter into conflict with the Shunryu. She hadn't thought that she would be rejected because of a reason such as 'the Tobiume doesn't need sorcerers.'
… But in retrospect, perhaps she should've expected this from Gojo Shiki.
This was, after all, the young sorcerer who decided that the health and happiness of individuals within her branch family was of greater importance than living up to the clan name. A rare attitude, within a sorcery clan –especially a place like the Gojo Clan. One of the Three Great Families, and all its scions were expected to conduct themselves properly so as not to tarnish the name of their ancestors, who fought bravely and tirelessly against curses throughout the centuries.
"I don't need any of you to be involved in sorcery."
Those were the first words that the inhumanly beautiful ojou-sama had spoken to Minako. Well, not to Minako –there had been other members of the Tobiume present at the time– but the fact that she had said these words to them and meant it…
Minako remembers the surprise she'd felt at the time. Shock, and relief, mixed with tremulous hope… and shame. Shame for knowing that she possessed no talent for sorcery despite being blessed with clear-sighted eyes, and shame for being relieved that she would not be forced to die like Machiko-san and so many others during Ima-san's reign.
Shame, for leaving the dangerous work of a sorcerer in the hands of such a young girl.
But Gojo Shiki was not any mere girl. She was a sorcerer, and a powerful one. Blessed with cursed eyes that revealed the weakness in all things, and a potent cursed technique that granted invulnerability to harm in battle. There was no point in even attempting to compare herself to the blessed child.
So Minako didn't.
When the respected branch head allowed those of the branch family not only to be free from the perilous path of sorcery, but also to seek new futures outside the clan –Minako heeded those words. She might not make a good sorcerer, or much of one at all, but if their young branch head was working so hard to grant these opportunities to useless, worthless people like them–
Then surely, that meant they were worth something.
The first half of Minako's life had been filled with nigh-endless days of alternating fear and self-loathing. She wouldn't allow the rest of her life to stay that way, not when she had the precious chance to make something new out of it.
As it turned out, even though Minako didn't have much of a talent for sorcery, it seemed that she had a talent for the administrative side of things. She'd found herself an accounting job, and between taking classes to make up for her failings and working hard to prove herself, she'd found herself being complimented for her work and promoted.
Validation, and acknowledgment.
Minako ended up meeting her husband at a nearby coffee shop next to her workplace. Funnily enough, neither of them had realized they were fellow members of the same clan until a particularly memorable date where Morikazu casually crushed a Grade Four cursed spirit underfoot without batting an eye, pretending there was nothing amiss.
They'd gotten married a year later.
Minako moved back into the clan compound with her husband –and maybe that was where things had started going wrong.
Because Minako had grown used to the freedom offered in the Tobiume family. A branch head who did not care for her members paying fealty to her, and only occasionally showed up to attend clan meetings and resolve various issues. Who clearly refrained from involving herself in their lives, and yet her tacit influence remained something that was felt all the same, as subtle as it was.
Gojo Morihiko was different.
A man who kept close track of each family, and the progress of its sorcerers and sorcerer-hopefuls. Who would punish those he saw as challenging his authority, even for minor or unintentional slips of tongue. Morikazu did not get along well with his branch head cousin at all.
Morikazu's parents, however, were ardent supporters of the Shunryu branch head.
It… hurt, knowing that her in-laws would never accept her. Because Minako was a non-sorcerer, because she wasn't a proper clan woman, because she refused to stay put like a proper housewife–
What gave them the right to lecture her about 'a woman's place being in the household' one moment, then turn around and accuse her of 'lazing about in the house' the next?
Minako tried to get along with them. But they always found fault with her no matter what she did, and then Morikazu started arguing with his parents on her behalf, and then they only treated Minako even worse for 'turning their son against them' and–
And briefly, becoming pregnant was a blessing.
Until Minako gave birth to twin girls.
Minako loves her girls. Morikazu, too, had been enraptured by their children the moment he'd seen them.
"I hope they grow up to be as gorgeous as their mother," he'd said to her with a dopey smile.
"Flirt with your wife somewhere that's not my clinic, you rascal!"
Morikazu had managed to sneak in one last kiss on her cheek, before being chased out with a broom.
But her happiness had been short-lived, because Morikazu's parents had most certainly not been pleased to see twin girls. Cursed twins, two halves of a whole, forever incomplete.
Minako could weather abuse aimed towards her. But she couldn't accept it being aimed towards her daughters. Gojo Morihiko-sama was not to be bothered with trifling domestic matters.
Eventually, Minako hit her limit.
When she returned to the Tobiume, it was with the mental preparation of being stopped at the doorway. For being treated as Shunryu, rather than Tobiume. But the most that had happened was Kiyohira-sama dropping by to ask her why she was back, nodding when she stuttered about a disagreement with her in-laws, then heading back out as soon as he made sure that she was settled back in her old home.
"I apologize for the trouble, respected elder–"
Kiyohira-sama had waved a hand. "The houses here are empty, anyways. Stay as long as you need."
Minako stayed.
…
Morikazu following her was expected. So many of his younger cousins subsequently following her husband, however, was not. But all of them had their own reasons to be dissatisfied with their lives in the Shunryu family, and with the way that Gojo Morihiko dismissed their troubles. When the Special Grade One sorcerer who was a pillar of the branch family left and showed no signs of returning –well, why wouldn't they follow?
And upon seeing how things were run in the Tobiume…
Minako and Morikazu might be the chosen spokespersons here, but they weren't the first to raise the idea of collectively leaving the Shunryu branch family to enter the Tobiume instead.
She hadn't been sure if Gojo Shiki would heed their request. Despite doing her best to take care of the Tobiume… the ojou-sama was a remarkably detached person, who was really only close to Kiyohira-sama. Minako knows that there's no way her young branch head would agree to take on so many Shunryu clansmen for her, so she needs to approach this dilemma from a practical standpoint instead. What would convince Gojo Shiki to accept them?
The Tobiume doesn't need sorcerers.
…
Minako doesn't know what really changed the respected branch head's decision in the end. But no matter her reasons –Minako is grateful.
Having someone like Gojo Shiki as their branch head is a blessing. If she were to be named heiress to the clan, then Minako would be all in favor of such a decision. It's a bit perplexing that this hasn't happened yet –female or not, Gojo Shiki is likely the most powerful sorcerer in the clan following their honored clan head, which should make the position hers by default.
Selfishly, though, Minako is glad for it, if it means that Gojo Shiki will continue to watch over the Tobiume.
Who would've thought? If word through the grapevine was to be believed, this was the girl whose reaction to being named branch head was 'No thank you.' But Minako is of the opinion that there's no one better suited to the role of a branch head than Gojo Shiki. And if she were to be named the clan heir, then it would be a blessing for the clan as well.
…
No matter where the future leads us, may your path ahead be a blessed one, ojou-sama.
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