ShoJichi

"...Shoko is a solace for Ijichi."

- Jujutsu Kaisen, "Thorny Road to Dawn"

ShoJichi is the het ship between Shoko Ieiri and Kiyotaka Ijichi from the Jujutsu Kaisen fandom.

Manga
Kiyotaka Ijichi and Shoko Ieiri were once students at Tokyo Metropolitan Curse Technical College. When Kiyotaka started his first year at college, Shoko was in her last third year. It is not known whether the two were friends back at the time, however they were depicted on the cover for charper 100 together, meaning they knew each other. Now Ijichi and Ieiri are 27 and 28 years old respectively, they both work at Tokyo College – Shoko is a doctor (the only known one at college), and Ijichi is the assistant manager (handling barriers, attending tiresome meetings, supporting sorcerers, and giving out instructions). Both are quite serious and business-like people.

The two are seen together right after Yuji was proclaimed dead and sent to the morgue for post-mortem inspection. Ijichi and Gojo are caught up in conversation, and Gojo announces to slightly frightened Ijichi that maybe he should have murdered the higher-up sorcerers, when Shoko arrives. Ijichi quickly bows to greet her and says it’s good to see her. Twirling a lock of her hair between her fingers, she tells Gojo to ease off on their colleague. Ijichi’s eyes lighten up, and, as if in a trance, he internally asks her to keep saying nice things about him. Shoko mentions that Gojo shouldn’t pick up on Ijichi, as he is just performing his job, being caught up between them and the higher-ups. As Shoko and Gojo talk, Ijichi keeps looking at Shoko and internally begging for more praise from her.

Apparently, the two have to work together closely, as Ijichi, being a manager, is a mediator between college teachers, students, contracted sorcerers, and higher-ups. After Ijichi is heavily wounded in a fight in Shibuya, he is delivered to Shoko’s treatment camp, and she heals him. He can be seen sleeping on one of the cots. Principal Yaga tells Shoko that her talent is valuable, since Ino and Ijichi would have been dead without her. When later Maki comes to Shoko, and they discuss the rules of the culling game, the doctor shares her theory about cursed technique removal, and Ijichi is seen there, either being in her office in person, or signifying she remembers him at the moment.

Light Novel
In the second light novel, Ijichi appears as the main character of the third chapter "Asakusabashi Elegy". Ijichi feels a stomach pain and goes to doctor Ieiri for a checkup. After the examination she prescribes him medicine. Ijichi thinks about his haphazard way of life, and how Shoko is the only normal person who doesn’t cause him any stress in his life. He notes her thoughtfulness regarding other people, and the way she never gave him any crazy requests, like other sorcerers and college members.

Kiyotaka notices how despite her overall paleness, Shoko is rather beautiful and has “a mysterious charm” to her. Moreover, that day, she seemed even kinder than usual, making light jokes after providing the usual medical consultation. Ijichi admits to himself that the stomach ache was not the only reason he came for a visit – he also had nothing else to do, so he stopped by. Shoko asks Ijichi if he is free that night, and he seems taken aback. He stutters, but manages to say that he is (four times in a row, to Shoko’s amusement). Shoko asks him out for a drink and adds that he should get some fresh air, too. Ijichi enthusiastically agrees and after bowing to her takes his leave.

When Ijichi arrives at izakaya, he thinks about how he’s lucky since it’s not often that he sees Shoko without her medical coat and not fiddling with corpses. Despite Ijichi’s hopes for a quite tête-à-tête with Shoko, he finds Gojo at their table. Ijichi’s shock and disappointment is palpable, when Shoko invites him to their table. With a sinking heart, Ijichi notes that his “sweet dream had just fallen apart”. Shoko orders whickey with soda, and Ijichi reserves to beer. Ijichi notes that that Shoko drinks elegantly, despite already having taken in a certain amount of alcohol. Ijichi internally describes her as a “cool adult”.

When the waiter comes to get an order, he calls Ieiri “Shoko-chan”, which irritates Ijichi. He thinks to himself, that he would also like to call her that. After a chaotic conversation with Gojo, Ijichi turns to Shoko, and they talk about the izakaya’s specialties, and what drinks go well with certain dishes. When Ijichi’s food and drink arrive, Shoko gives him recommendations on how to take it. Ijichi compliments Shoko’s choice of the place, since he enjoys the menu greatly. Ijichi thinks that for the first time in many years he feels good. Shoko and Gojo tell Ijichi how his daily overworking and stress caused his stomach ache and overall fatigue. Shoko asks him to go home afterwards, and then to take a day off to rest, advice that he follows.

Fanon
The ship is considered a rarepair, with ShokoHime being a more popular ship for Shoko. Ijichi’s flustered reaction to Shoko’s appearance in episode 5 is the main reason fans think these characters have potential. Realistically, Shoko’s initial comment about Ijichi meant that she was either teasing him or quietly warning Gojo not to overstep with his subordinate as Ijichi looks like someone easily subjected to anxiety. This interaction led some to believe Ijichi might harbour feelings for her. The way he is depicted in the official art piece (see below), shyly sitting by her side, made fans to believe Ijichi thinks Shoko to be too “cool” for him, so he, afraid to make his move, quietly simmers with his affection for her.

The content of the second light novel makes it apparent that Ijichi has a crush on Shoko: he happilty agrees to go out for a drink with her, notes her beauty, feels disappointed when the outing doesn't turn out to be a date, feels jealous over a waiter calling her "Shoko-chan". Considering the Jujutsu Kaisen light novels aren't as popular as manga and anime, many JJK fans don't know about those interactions at all, which diminishes the ship's overall popularity.

Fandom
FAN FICTION

TUMBLR

TWITTER

Trivia

 * Shoko is 1 centimeter (roughly 0.39 inches) taller than Ijichi.
 * For both Shoko and Ijichi, stress comes from work: for Shoko it's the night shifts, for Ijichi it's working with Gojo and other senior members.
 * Volume 9 extras reveal that first-year student Ijichi admired his senpai (among whom was Shoko) greatly.