An Ordinary Person in the World of Curses

Kazumi thinks life is a curious thing. Not just wonderful, but weird.

If life were a fish, then Kazumi's fish would have been chopped into several pieces: one steamed, one braised, and one boiled.

First, at the age of six, the mischievous little sprite called Fate kicked her into the Gojo family. She went rolling into that pit, hit her head, and recovered her memories of a past life. To her horror, she discovered that she'd not only changed countries, but worlds too, and been sent all the way back to the feudal era.

Then, at ten, her studies and grades helped her climb out of the Gojo family's bottomless pit, with a helping hand from Gojo the cat. That's when she got to see how wonderful this world could be.

At twelve, Kazumi didn't want to be tied down and was already fretting about how to pay her university tuition. The Woof-Woof Squad coaxed and tricked her into the world of bands, starting her on a strange new chapter.

At sixteen, she started university and was halfway to adulthood. With nothing but desolation ahead and curses nipping at her heels, Kazumi cursed Fate, that mischievous little sprite, and resolutely turned back to the world of jujutsu.

Work is shit!

Society is shit!

The jujutsu world is shit too!

It's all shit, so Kazumi chooses the place that pays best.

This time, she's no longer a helpless orphan. She's a warrior with cheat abilities.

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In other people's eyes, Kazumi is a mysterious campus legend.

A genius, a top student, a beauty, and possibly the heir to a powerful family. No one knows where she comes or goes. She disappeared for years after graduating from university, and when she reappeared, she was a prominent figure in the Gojo conglomerate.

In Kazumi's eyes, she's just an ordinary reborn person without much of a golden finger. She hasn't even had a chance to stand tall before a Gojo clan heir appears out of nowhere, followed by a young master from a financial dynasty. And now she's merely the Gojo family's second-in-command. Nothing worth mentioning.

Kazumi: This world has curses, so I'm wielding the divine weapon "Strongest Jujutsu Sorcerer." One slash deals 9,999 damage. If you're a curse, you're getting slashed!

Kazumi: What? You're a curse?

Kazumi: Then tell me, would you rather have this legendary weapon, "Curse Manipulation," this promising gold-rank weapon, "Ten Shadows Technique," or this silver-rank weapon, "Simulated Jujutsu"? As a bonus, anyone who picks "Simulated Jujutsu" gets the buff "The Jujutsu Queen's Hatred" for free. It'll help you ascend to immortality and vanish into thin air in no time.

Geto: Aren't you going to say something?

5t5: Say what? I think Kazumi's right~

Haibara: Senpai is so cool!

Nanami: Nothing wrong with that.

Shoko: What's the problem?

Geto, the only one still thinking clearly, turns around to find a crowd of mindlessly supportive little brats behind him:

Megumi, after being glared at, quietly looks away: ...Whatever?

Tsumiki, clenching her fist: I-I'll do my best to help you, Sis!

Yuta, softly: I'll work hard until I level up to gold rank...

Nanako, waving a light stick: Sis is the best!

Mimiko, waving a cheer banner: Sis is always right.

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A quick plug for my upcoming story: Onmyoji, But I Play in a Band. Set in the Natsume universe, with bands, yokai, everyday life, and a crossover cast.

Akima Shigure is a rare case of ancestral blood returning in the Akima family. Forced to undergo a full onmyoji education from childhood, he spends his days crying in the arms of the family's yokai.

At long last, he's finished his onmyoji training and is allowed to attend middle school like a normal kid. His rebellious streak flares up, and he joins his senpai and friends in a band.

"I want to play in a band! I'm done taking on missions!" the chuuni boy declares to his grandfather.

The old man gives a cold laugh. "You want to play in a band? Do you have any money?"

Shigure's pockets are completely empty. He can't afford a single instrument, tuner, or everyday care item.

The boy has no choice but to take on commissions to support his hobby.

"You're my true love!" Shigure says, hugging his guitar.

The yokai outside hear him and run off in tears. "Waaah! Shigure loves that hunk of wood, not us anymore..."

Shigure: "...That's not true. I love all of you."

The mature, beautiful fox yokai says, "Not bad. You've learned how to act like a player at such a young age."

Shigure cries out in protest. "I'm not! I mean it!"

Everyone pipes up in response: "That sounds even more like something a player would say." "If Shigure's a player, can I drag him back to my room?" "Oh my, has our young master finally grown into a player? Wonderful!"...

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Akima Shigure has been in the spotlight since birth. His beautiful silver hair marks him as someone with the powerful blood of his ancestors. Everyone expects this heir to become a powerful onmyoji and restore the glory of the Way of Yin and Yang. But then...

Shigure: "Yokai are nowhere near as fun as playing in a band! It's show time!"

Everyone: What?!

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You want to know about the Akima family?

It's an ancient clan, with records dating back to the Nara period. There are many legends about them. Some say they are descendants of Tsukuyomi-no-Mikoto, some say they serve great yokai, and some say they are traitors to humanity.

You want to know what I think of the current heir's silver hair?

Silver hair doesn't prove anything. Not only descendants of Tsukuyomi-no-Mikoto have it. Many great yokai have unusual silver hair too.

But either way, the Akima family runs the Akima resort. What difference does it make whether they're descendants of the gods or have yokai blood?

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A yokai world set against the backdrop of Natsume's world, with bands, yokai, and a lighthearted slice of life.

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1. The author wrote this for fun, so please don't scold the kitty. The cat's master has a hard time earning a living!

2. This is the long-form version of The Gojo Family's Second-in-Command Diary. The female lead narrates in the first person with plenty of snark. She doesn't attend the technical college, isn't a jujutsu sorcerer, and is just an ordinary person.

3. Everyday life for an ordinary person in a high-risk world. A light, sweet slice-of-life story.

4. Stay or leave as you like. No need to announce it. Perhaps we'll meet again someday.

5. The female lead is perfectly happy on her own. There's no official pairing, but there are one-sided crushes.

Theme: Be independent and strong, and never compromise. A girl's coming of age