I Don’t Want to Be a Heroic Spirit

There were always flames.

Red, snarling, clawing flames stretching from one edge of the sky to the other.

These scenes visited her dreams often.

If a purgatory had ever existed in the past, it probably looked like this.

If an apocalypse arrived in the future, it might look like this, too.

Once, her mother had a book on the shelf that said both sinners and saints would pass through purgatory, their sins burned away by scarlet flames before they could ascend to heaven.

Now, I believe those words completely.

After all…

I find myself standing in warmth—heaven.

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Golden sunlight spilled through the glass windows, warming the room. It looked like another perfect day for hanging clothes out to dry.

A dusty gray cat slipped through the open gap of the wooden door, striding with an attitude that disregarded the world. It jumped onto the bed, its soft little paws pressing on the face of the sleeping girl.

"Meow~~ meow~~"

"Mm…"

Long lashes fluttered as the girl struggled to open her eyes, her vision immediately filled with the sight of the gray cat's face.

"Koko?"

Her golden eyes still hazy, she took a few minutes to gather her thoughts.

Then—

"Ahh! Koko! What time is it?!"

"Meow~"

The gray cat, flung off by the girl who'd bolted up, performed a graceful flip mid-air, landing perfectly before giving her an annoyed "meow," as if to say, You're asking me? Who am I supposed to ask?

"Oh no—! It's so late! Koko, why didn't you wake me earlier? I need to make breakfast for Sister Baobhan!"

The gray-haired girl dashed out, not even stopping to change out of her nightgown, shutting the door behind her.

The gray cat casually licked its paw, then with a few jumps, hopped onto the cabinet beside the door, opened the door handle on its own, and elegantly trotted out, tail swishing in satisfaction.

The wooden floor beneath its paws made light "taptaptap" sounds as it walked, and the hurried, clacking footsteps from down the hall revealed its owner's anxious state.

Coming down the staircase to the living room, the gray-haired girl immediately spotted the glamorous figure already seated on the couch, watching TV.

"Don't run in the hallway, Jasmine—you might trip."

The vivid, almost showy red off-shoulder dress, paired with long legs clad in sheer black stockings, left a captivating image. Her round toes and perfectly shaped soles invited more than a few guilty fantasies.

Even as another girl, Jasmine couldn't help occasionally being distracted by those criminally alluring feet.

"I—I'm so sorry, Sister Baobhan…"

Flustered, Jasmine lowered her head, bashfully staring at her toes.

"I… I'll go make breakfast right away."

"No need, I've already gone out to buy some." Baobhan gestured to the bag on the table. "An apple pie from that shop two streets down. It's pretty good. I think I'll go there again sometime."

"I—is that so? That's wonderful…"

Though Jasmine said this, her voice carried a touch of unmistakable disappointment.

Baobhan stole a quick glance at her, then raised her voice in exaggerated "self-talk": "Ah, this apple pie is a bit sweet. It would be so nice to have a cup of tea with it."

"Got it! I'll get it ready right away! Just wait one moment!"

Taptaptap—her hurried footsteps echoed again. Even though Baobhan had just told her not to run indoors…

"…Forget it."

It had taken so much for her to perk up, no need to dampen her spirits now.

It had been a few years since she'd come to this world.

And she could now be sure that this was the world of Jujutsu Kaisen, an anime that had been wildly popular in her past life.

Baobhan had to admit, up until Gojo Satoru's death, it had been a fantastic story.

In this world, the main characters were a group called Jujutsu Sorcerers. Using jujutsu techniques, their job was to eradicate cursed spirits that threatened the balance of the world.

In terms of power, this world's sorcerers could generally be split into three categories:

Gojo Satoru, Sukuna, and… everyone else.

A few years ago, through a twist of fate, Baobhan Sith had managed to destroy the Arahito clan completely. Afterward, she arranged for the handful of children she'd rescued to be cared for.

After all, she herself was still muddling through this strange new world, much less prepared to raise five kids. Why should she have to skip finding a partner and jump straight to child-rearing?

Though it hadn't been smooth sailing, she had managed to find decent homes for four of the children.

Not that she'd admit to the occasional check-in to make sure they were doing all right…

She absolutely would not admit to it!

One child, however, was different from the others.

A girl named Jasmine had shown a strong resistance when Baobhan said she would find her a good home.

She hadn't said a word, but her trembling hands had clutched tightly to Baobhan's skirt.

Ah, what had made me so reluctant to turn her away that day? When I couldn't even be certain of my own future.

I could get by without food thanks to being a Servant, but she was still so young—was I really going to let her suffer with me?

Maybe it had been a moment of moral weakness, or maybe her usual submissive personality kept her from saying no.

But in the end, the girl had followed her.

And so, Jasmine had stayed by her side, sharing these past few years.

"Sister Baobhan, here's your tea. I just brewed it; please enjoy."

By the way, Jasmine was probably going to be a housekeeper. Not only did she cook well, but she also made a great cup of tea, handled chores, and did the laundry.

Jasmine single-handedly kept the entire house spotless.

…Okay, I know making a kid do all the heavy work isn't exactly ethical, but what other choice did I have?

One time, I offered to help with the chores, but Jasmine looked at me with tear-filled eyes, asking if she'd done something wrong, if she could have another chance to improve, promising to do better next time. She was on the verge of tears.

I'd just wanted to help out a bit. Why did it feel like I was about to kick her out?

I feel like this little girl might just spoil me into helplessness…

Determined to prove that she could survive without a little girl caring for her, Baobhan decided to teach Jasmine jujutsu.

Although Jasmine's parents had supposedly been ordinary people, if the Arahito clan had taken an interest in her, she clearly possessed some unique jujutsu talent.

Magic from the Fate world was incredibly diverse, and with the near-omniscient genius Da Vinci to assist, teaching a young girl shouldn't be an issue.

Baobhan lifted her chin proudly, humming a tune as she took a sip of the tea Jasmine had placed on the table.

Mmm, this tea was really good.

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T/N: NOW HERE ME OUT I KNOW ITS THE WRONG CLAN NAME (i think) BUT ISNT IT IN CHARACTER FOR HER TO FORGET? THE RIGHT ONE? (it just seems like it is but if it isnt ill go change it...)