The Mugen Manga Academy was teeming with life as the car finally rolled to a stop in the expansive parking lot. Students bustled around, snapping photos with parents, recording live videos on Twibbler, and chattering excitedly.

All around, the academy’s strict dress code gave the crowd a uniform, disciplined air. Boys wore black blazers adorned with the silver Academy logo pin, crisp white shirts, slim black ties, and dark gray slacks, their polished shoes clicking against the pavement. 

The girls matched in black blazers and white blouses, ribboned ties, and pleated skirts paired with knee-high socks or tights. Yet small hints of individuality flickered through: a ribbon here, a hairpin there, subtle sparks of personality hiding beneath the rigid formality.

Damian and Senji stepped out of the car, surveying the lively scene. Damian’s sharp eyes swept across the courtyard, and then they fell on a lone figure standing at the gate, hesitating. The boy wasn’t moving forward with the crowd and that piqued his curiosity. 

Damian’s gaze sharpened as he observed the student’s stance and how he observed everything around him..A mischievous grin spread across Damian’s face the moment he recognized who it was. 

Senji followed his friend’s gaze, and when he saw the boy, he couldn’t help but smile, too.

It was Gojo Masaki.

It had been two years since they last saw him and it seemed that those two years had changed him. 

He no longer wore his glasses that once framed his cautious, uncertain eyes. His hair now fell in stylishly messy strands that suggested a casual confidence and both of his ears were adorned with small, tasteful piercings. Even standing still, he looked more like an adult than a teenager and held the kind of presence that made Damian and Senji question how he could only be nineteen.

What immediately set Gojo apart from the others, aside from his appearance, was the way he wore his blazer. He had layered it over a hoodie, with the hood hanging loosely at his back. Every other student conformed perfectly, but Gojo’s subtle defiance broadcast something Damian recognized instantly: creativity that went beyond the page.

Damian’s grin widened. 

Damian: Looks like he’s already showing us what kind of artist he’ll be… and not just in his drawings. 

Senji chuckled. 

The two longtime friends shared a quiet smile before turning and walking toward the academy’s grand entrance to prepare for the ceremony. 

Meanwhile, Gojo remained at the gate, silently taking in the scene as a mix of curiosity and determination filled his every being and as he stood there, the memory of the day he met Damian and Senji in that office two years ago flashed in his mind. 

*******

Damian: Then... How about you enroll into the Mugen Manga Academy?

Dominic and Senji were caught off guard by this statement but for different reasons while Gojo was more puzzled than surprised.

Gojo: Manga Academy?

Senji: Damian, you're telling him about that now?

Damian: Yes, since I was going to make the official announcement soon anyways. 

Dominic was puzzled by this.

Dominic: Announcement? 

Damian: Yes. The academy itself isn't officially ready yet but we've begun to develop it behind the scenes and I was planning on making the announcement next week.

Gojo: So… it isn't a thing yet. 

Damian: Not yet but soon it will. Which is why I'm telling you that when that time comes, you should enroll into the academy.

Gojo frowned.

Gojo: I don’t know… Am I really worth it? If I can’t come up with a story to draw, can I really work in that kind of environment?

Damian’s eyes narrowed at Gojo. 

Damian: You think the world cares whether you’re ready? It doesn’t. Talent doesn’t matter if you’re too scared to face the challenge. Potential is worthless if you hide behind excuses.

You don’t get a free pass for being uncertain. You either step up or you stay stuck drawing nothing, wasting your time, and letting everyone else pass you by.

Damian’s straightforwardness shocked everyone except Senji who knew his friend was always like that..

Damian: I’m offering you a chance to fix that and force yourself to grow and stop being a boy who doubts and start being a creator who delivers.

Gojo blinked, feeling the weight of Damian’s brutal but true words.

Damian: The academy will teach you to stop asking if you’re ready and make you capable whether you are or not. That’s what I built it for. The question is do you have the guts to take it?

*******

Gojo remembered that moment and also remembered not giving Damian an answer. Not with words though. The look of determination on his face at that moment was a good enough answer for Damian then.

Now he was here, two years later ready to face the problem which had come up when he was 17. 

Just then, his phone rang and when he looked at the caller ID, it was his mother calling. He immediately answered the call.

Gojo's Mother: Gojo? 

Gojo: Hey Mom.

Gojo's Mother: Have you gotten to the opening ceremony yet?

Gojo looked at his feet and noticed that he stood in front of a line that stood between him and the school premises. 

Gojo: I'm standing right outside actually. I'm just about to go in. 

Gojo's Mother: Okay. I wished we could've been there but you know how far that place is. 

Gojo: Yeah, I know. And you don't need to worry about it. It's fine. I'll do fine on my own. 

Gojo's Mother: Make sure you make friends and take a lot of pictures, okay?

Gojo sighed when his mother mentioned the word “friends”.

Gojo: I'll try. 

Gojo's Mother: Good. 

She sounded happy and that was enough for Gojo.

Gojo: Hey mom. Can I speak to Vera? She no longer picks my calls.

Gojo's Mother: Ooh dear. She's here with me right now and… She just went upstairs. 

Gojo sighed.

Gojo: She still doesn't want to talk to me, huh? (pauses) It's fine mom. I gotta go. The ceremony is about to start. 

Gojo's Mother: Okay Gojo. Love you.

Gojo: Love you too. 

The call ended and Gojo looked into the school and the line at his feet. After taking a deep breath, he took his first step into the academy that would change everything.