Chapter Text
His first few days in Jujutsu High pass in a blur. Junpei feels as if he’s not really present, as if he’s drifted out of his body to watch himself go through the motions of trying to adjust to a new place and new people while simultaneously grieving the gruesome death of his mother.
The grief that made him do inexplicable things. His pain blinded him to all the wrong choices he’s made. And while he was insanely lucky that no one had lost their lives over his thirst for revenge, it still didn’t make his guilt or shame any less.
If his mother is somewhere watching him, he hopes she will be able to forgive him for letting his emotions get the better of him. She didn’t raise him to become violent, and sure as hell not murderous. Most nights he despises himself thinking about the things she’s had to witness because of him.
Had it not been for Yuuji who came rushing in to help him get out of that state of mind, things would not have ended well for anyone involved. He still doesn’t know what he’s done in life to deserve a friend like Yuuji, but after all the shit he pulled at his old school, he sure as hell won’t take this bond for granted anymore.
Keeping everything a secret from his newly made friends is almost as difficult as befriending them in the first place. Back when Gojo dropped him off in class and introduced him to everyone, he was sure that his personal hell would come to greet him again.
He would be shunned again.
Ruthlessly bullied and made fun of.
He would not belong. He never did. So why should this time be any different?
But you proved him wrong. You took his hand and gently guided him into your inner circle, calmed his anxious heart by making silly jokes and sharing your food with him. You showed him around campus, made sure he knew who everyone was and where to find whatever he might need, and throughout all of this, you did not let go of him once.
Warm, radiant, and so incredibly kind, you’ve been nothing but an unbreakable pillar of support. So when on top of all of this, he found out that you had been the one to save and bring him back from that monstrous state he was put in, it was impossible for him to not be affected by you. There was nothing more you really needed to do for him to grow immensely attached to you.
He couldn’t help it. You were just like the sun. And Junpei happened to really like the sun.
And this bothered Megumi – someone whom he’s still wary around – a lot. Junpei could feel the ice in his veins anytime Megumi so much as looked at him and shuddered from the sting in his chest whenever he directly spoke to him.
He was convinced that he hated him. Although he couldn’t quite figure out why. Maybe because he was the new guy who was able to forgo entrance exams, if there even were any. Or maybe it was simply because of the way their personalities clashed.
Megumi was hard and cold, whereas Junpei was soft and warm, so it only made sense that they wouldn’t get along. And while he was a bit hurt by the way he acted, Junpei tried to not be offended by it. After all, he didn’t have to get along with everyone all the time. Right?
But you constantly rebutted this thought process of his and reassured him that “Megumi is just Megumi” and advised him to not take it personally. Which was easier said than done at first, but after he witnessed how brashly Megumi spoke to Nobara and how insulting his words were whenever they were aimed at Gojo, he felt a little less unwanted in his presence. Maybe Megumi truly was just Megumi, as you had put it.
Meeting Nobara, the only other girl in class apart from you, had been an experience in and of itself as well. Everything about her reminded him of all the girls who used to pick on and make fun of him. The way she dressed, the way she talked, and the way she presented herself radiated pure confidence and this intimidated the shit out of him.
However to his pleasant surprise, while her words were harsh most of the time, they were never malicious. She acted with conviction and always remained true to herself and her beliefs. She was the complete opposite of him. She was what he had never been and most likely would never be.
And that was one of the most fascinating things about her. He quickly warmed up to her ways and started admiring her, which to Megumi’s demise and your amusement fed her already explosively large ego. It was safe to say that Junpei had successfully been adopted by the first years and become a crucial part of their little family.
With all the shenanigans he experienced every day, there was no time to focus on much else. Trying to get into the world of curses and getting used to his newly acquired powers made sure to keep him busy enough. It helped him process the sudden loss and absence of his mother because he was surrounded by people who knew death better than anyone else. He felt less alone here. Less misunderstood.
The only thing he truly struggled with was keeping Yuuji a secret from everyone. He could see the traces of grief that was still clinging to everyone who didn’t know the truth. And he so badly wanted to ease everyone’s suffering by telling them that their friend was not dead. That he was in hiding, safe and sound, and very much still alive. But his previous conversation with Gojo kept him from saying even a single word about it.
“The higher ups are people you don’t want to mess with, Junpei.” Gojo had said when he had first expressed his wish to let the first years in on the secret. “They will snuff out your life before you can even blink. They managed to kill Yuuji before. They will manage again. Trust me and let me handle this.”
And when the strongest sorcerer in the world tells you to keep your mouth shut, well, you keep your mouth shut. So Junpei remained silent.
Even if it killed him on the inside.
The hallways of his new school have become a familiar sight for Junpei. He walks to class with a jitter in his stomach, both excited and nervous as usual. Today Nanami will be teaching them about the history of curses and for Junpei, these are his favorite classes. Unlike Gojo, Nanami keeps a neutral tone and explains everything in a very simplistic manner. And simple is exactly what he needs when it comes to the technicalities and the more advanced stuff.
There’s still a lot of things he doesn’t understand about this new world he was thrust into, but thanks to all the patient teachers and one very enthusiastic teal eyed girl, he thinks he’s got most of the basics down. At least enough to not befriend a curse again. That… was one of his more idiotic choices he wasn’t particularly proud of.
All of the first years had been clued in as to how he had stumbled into the world of curses, sans details regarding Yuuji that is, and shockingly, no one had judged him. There wasn’t a single trace of distrust, shame or pity in their eyes when they listened to him recount the events of his life before he joined Jujutsu High.
However, that isn’t all. It fascinates him how tireless you are when it comes to him. Under normal circumstances, Junpei would feel embarrassed to be so dependent on someone else, but you have made the impossible possible and managed to not make him feel like a burden.
Quite frankly, you deserve a medal for this. Knowing you, he’s sure you would laugh it off if he ever mentioned it out loud. Besides, something tells him you’re already fully aware of his feelings of gratitude. Not wanting to put you on the spot or make you feel possibly uncomfortable, he decided for himself long ago to not speak of it, but rather show you how thankful he was.
Just a few weeks ago he was avoiding going to school, waking up in the middle of the night drenched in sweat from his nightmares, and feeling more alone than ever.
He stops in front of the door of his new classroom, hearing your melodic laughter reverberate through the thin walls as Nobara loudly speaks. The sounds of Megumi groaning follow soon after, an image of him rolling his eyes flashing in Junpei’s mind.
This is his life now.
He’s no longer alone. He has friends now. A family to call his own.
A place to come back to.
Junpei opens the door and steps in, the very first thing he sees being a radiant smile and bright green eyes to match.
A home.
“You should have seen him,” Mahito recounts with a sweet smile, “Poof.”
Geto turns to him curiously. “Poof?”
“Poof.”
“Ah.”
“It was beautiful. The despair in that brat’s eyes when I turned his friend into my puppet right in front of him. Ah, I’m getting excited just remembering it.”
“Hm…”
“And then he begged Sukuna to help him save his friend. Sukuna!” He throws his head back in boisterous laughter, “I don’t think I’ve seen anything this funny before. The guy’s an idiot! Did he really think the Sukuna would care about some human brat? A shame you missed this masterpiece of a comedy, Geto.”
“I see. What happened next?”
“To the child? He died, obviously. His mortal body couldn’t handle the transfiguration. A shame, really. I was hoping for more entertainment that night. Alas, I had to settle for less. But that’s okay, I’ve already found someone new.”
“Someone new?” Geto squints suspiciously. “Elaborate.”
“Well, there was this girl- “ He shares his encounter with you and how you unconsciously resisted his cursed technique. This seems to pique Geto’s full interest and he squints even more, listening with rapt attention to how you saw and interacted with him without being aware of him being a curse. He makes a mental note to check out the student body of all Jujutsu schools to get a name for the face he was just described.
Having someone among the sorcerers who can resist Mahito’s technique would be a real thorn in their side. If they can eliminate the threat by nipping it in the bud, they will have to act fast.
A few moments pass in which Mahito hums to himself, delighted by the prospect of a possible new toy. He doesn’t see the pensive expression on Geto’s face until he finally faces him. “What? Don’t tell me you feel sorry for them.”
“I don’t. Because there is nothing to feel sorry for.”
“Exactly!”
“Because the boy still lives.”
“Exact- What?”
“The boy still lives.” Geto pronounces each word with intent. It sounds like he’s talking to a child, which – considering Mahito’s real age – is not that far fetched of an assumption. “And has been taken under the school’s wing, much like the other boy you were supposed to have brought with you.”
“I- “
“Failed. You have failed.”
“Wait, wait, wait, that doesn’t make any sense.” Mahito’s mismatched eyes dart around frantically, trying to recall the exact events of that day. “I saw him die. He stopped breathing and fell in front of me.”
Geto regards him with a long, cold look. Now the cat is out of the bag. Whatever advantage they had when their existence and intentions were still hidden is gone. Part of him wants to rip his head off his neck for his carelessness. He has no need for useless spawns.
But another part knows that this is just the beginning and that patience always yields results. Mahito has great power that might still come in handy in the future. And right now he needs as much power as he can gather if he wants to have even a shot at sealing Gojo.
So he swallows his rage and sighs. “Next time, do not dare to be lax again.”
“Next time?” Mahito looks up in surprise. Is there already a new plan in motion?
“The exchange event.” Geto waits for a reaction but remembers that the Curse is not as well versed in the traditions of the schools as he is. “There will be another chance to capture the boy, along with Sukuna. I will have Hanami deal with him.”
“Wha- Why not me?!”
“You and Jogo have both failed. Besides, I need the two of you to retrieve the remaining fingers of Sukuna the school is hiding.”
At that, Mahito’s eyes grow and glisten. With the way things are now, Sukuna would refuse to join them. However once they acquired all of his missing parts, he would not be able to resist. After all, why should he continue to stay confined in the weak body of a reckless, stubborn teenager when he could have his former glory back?
And to think that Mahito himself would be part of his return… it makes his heart beat faster and his blood run warm. He smiles to himself like a giddy little boy, unaware of the look on Geto’s face.
As if summoned, Hanami appears behind them with Jogo’s head in his hands. The latter doesn’t seem to be too excited to be present, visibly still ashamed to have lost against Gojo. Not to mention that his body still hadn’t regenerated, so he was still stuck having to be carried everywhere like a helpless child.
“Do you just want the vessel?”
Geto already knows what the Curse is trying to imply. He smirks, the lift of his lip barely visible. “You are free to do as you please. As long as the boy remains unharmed.”
Hanami smiles. Despite the brutal images coursing through his mind, he looks peaceful.
Relieved, almost.
“Ah… Finally, I will be able to cleanse the world again.”
When Nanami first called Yuuji and asked him to be prepared to go out, the boy had thought that today would finally be the day on which he would be revealed to his friends. He took a shower in record speed, wolfed down his breakfast and jumped around giddily as he practiced his control over his cursed energy.
Even Sukuna’s usual taunting words didn’t faze him. He was far too excited to see everyone again, so every word Sukuna muttered through the back of his palm was brushed off effortlessly. So when all they did was literally just go out, he couldn’t hide his disappointment.
With droopy shoulders and a frown tugging at his lips, Yuuji loudly complains, “How much longer do I have to be in hiding? It’s so boring. I feel like I’m slowly going insane.”
“It’s safer this way,” Nanami responds apathetically. “For everyone.”
“What if I just don’t leave Gojo’s side? Wouldn’t that be safest?”
The unimpressed stare he receives has him wilting. He was probably the only person who was able to shut someone up with a single look. Megumi’s glare came as a close second. He wonders if his friend picked it up from their teacher.
But then again, according to you, Megumi has always been a grump, so that option is off the table.
“That clown has more important things to do than to babysit you.”
Taken aback by his harsh words, Yuuji’s mouth falls open, appalled. “Babysit?! I don’t need a babysitter! I can help him out with whatever he’s doing. I’m strong and can hold my own! Plus I’d be learning more if I was out there actually witnessing stuff and practicing it!”
“Don’t waste your breath, kid.”
“But, Kenny!”
“No buts.” Nanami stops in his tracks, glancing back at a pouting Yuuji. “Remember our rules?”
“…”
“Yuuji.”
The boy’s voice merely comes out as a mutter. “Keep my mask up and my mouth shut, yeah yeah, I know the drill.”
“Good. We don’t want to risk anyone recognizing you. I trust you won’t fall behind?”
Yuuji sighs, still dejected. As much as he wants to be surrounded by his friends again, he also knows he has to take these outings seriously. If he truly wants to become strong enough to protect not only himself, but also his loved ones, he has no choice but to elbow his way through this incredibly boring and lonely time. He just hopes that this won’t become a permanent sort of thing. Yuuji’s never been known to be patient.
Lifting his face mask and covering his hair with his hood, his eyes begin to shine in determination. “I won’t.”
As brash and cold as Nanami can sometimes seem, he’s not heartless. And it turns out Yuuji’s pitiful wailing over how bored and lonely he’s been feeling has left an impression on him. Because only a few days after their last excursion, there’s a series of knocks on Yuuji’s door.
Well, the door in the room he was hiding in. Gojo never knocks when he just materializes into the room with no warning. And Nanami is on a business trip. Yuuji freezes mid-movement, alert and cautious. No one else knows about this place, at least to his knowledge.
What if someone had grown suspicious and this was a test? If Yuuji was to open the door, would he be faced with the principal because someone talked? Or worse, one of the higher ups?
There’s no one present to protect him and as much confidence as Yuuji has in his strength, he’s not completely idiotic. He’s fully aware that in the Jujutsu world, he’s a far cry away from being independent.
So he stares at the door, not moving a single muscle, not even breathing, and hopes whoever is standing on the other side of it thinks it’s empty and leaves. But instead, another series of knocks break through.
Should he tip toe toward his phone and shoot Gojo a message? His teacher would be able to stand next to him in the blink of an eye and surely he would have a solution to his current problem.
Just as he lifts his foot off the ground, a meek and very familiar voice floats through the wood, “Yuuji, it’s me. Junpei.”
“Junpei?!” Yuuji rushes to the door and rips it open with a surprised, but overjoyed grin. “Dude, what are you doing here?”
Junpei’s lips rise to match his level of enthusiasm. “Surprise!”
He’s quickly engulfed in a big, warm hug that lasts long enough for him to get over his initial awkward frozen state and returns the gesture. Yuuji was aware that his friend survived the attack. Gojo thankfully had the decency to inform him that he had indeed not died but made it out alive. However up until now he had been forbidden from meeting him.
His own existence was still a strict secret from everyone but a select few and while Junpei was one of these few people, he still had not been given the permission to see and spend time with him.
“Why didn’t you come sooner? It was so boring here,” Yuuji complains as he sips on his can of soda once they settle down on the couch. In the background some random horror movie is running — courtesy of Junpei.
“Well… they were worried I would accidentally talk about you when I’m with the others. So I guess it was a precautionary action. Sort of.”
“Hm… would you have?”
“What? Talk about you?”
“Yeah.”
Junpei purses his lips in thought, swirling around his own can with what little bit of soda is left inside. “Probably. Accidentally, obviously. But like, if Nobara would have ever gotten suspicious for whatever reason and pulled me aside for questioning, I would have snitched.”
At that, Yuuji laughs out loud. “What? Dude, don’t tell me you’re scared of her.”
“Are you kidding? Of course I am! Have you not seen her guns?”
“Okay, valid, she packs a serious punch, but still. Come on.”
“She’s terrifying!”
“She’s a chihuahua!”
“A what?”
“A chihuahua. All bark and no bite.”
Junpei’s mouth snaps open in disbelief. He shivers just thinking about her reaction if she were to ever hear anyone speak about her like this. The courage and audacity coming from Yuuji renders him speechless.
“I’m telling you, she wouldn’t hurt a damn fly. Too soft for that.”
“I… don’t know about that. She intimidates the hell out of me.”
Yuuji snorts with a glance from the side. “That’s because everything and everyone intimidates you.”
“Suki doesn’t.” His retort comes too fast for him to stop himself. He bites his lip, hoping his cheeks aren’t as red as they feel. Gojo’s relentless teasing is already enough for him. He doesn’t need nor want his friends badgering him about his crush on his friend.
“Nah, that doesn’t count.” Yuuji waves it off, not even looking at Junpei, “Suki’s a saint. Show me one person in the world who’s scared of her and I’ll run around the campus naked.”
“Wha- Why naked?”
They exchange a look. Junpei confused and mortified, Yuuji nonchalant.
“Um, don’t know, it just, you know, popped in my head?”
“The first thing that popped into your head was you running around the campus naked?”
Yuuji shrugs, like it’s the most normal thing in the world to suggest. “Yeah.”
Am I the weird, prude one? Junpei wonders to himself. He’s seen these types of dares or punishments in a few American movies where such things were showcased in the life of college students, but he’s never actually heard about it happenings here in Japan. However he’s also never really had much of a social life prior Jujutsu High. Maybe he is the one left behind on the trends.
He settles with responding, “Okay, sure.”
Sometime later that evening Yuuji finally has the sense to ask him what caused their teachers to change their mind about letting the two meet. He reveals that Nanami spoke with Gojo and whatever he said must have been really convincing because only a few minutes after his call, Nanami was ringing up Junpei and asking him to come down the hallway without telling any of the other students about it.
“Wow. Really? Kenny did that?”
“Yeah. He made me double promise to be extra careful and not tell anyone.”
“I mean, duh.”
They smile at each other, both ecstatic to be able to hang out again. It feels like nothing has changed, like the past weeks of isolation never really happened. One hour bleeds into another, and soon they’ve gone through the small collection of horror movies Junpei brought with him.
Empty bags of chips lie scattered across the coffee table and they’ve lost count of all the soda cans they’ve drained. All in all, it was a successful evening for both of them.
Yuuji was able to get caught up with everything that’s happening in his class and thanks to all the photos Junpei provided, his longing to reunite with them felt a little less suffocating.
Meanwhile Junpei was finally able to apologize in person for all the things he’s done. For all the pain he’s caused and all the things he’d taken for granted. Obviously Yuuji didn’t want to hear any of it but it still felt good to get it all out of his system. Now he would finally be able to move on and focus on the next stage of his life.
Yuuji exhales with an exhausted, but relieved smile. The loneliness still hit him the second Junpei walked out of the door and left him back alone. But now it was more bearable.
Just a bit more, Yuuji, he tells himself as he brushes his teeth that night, gazing at his reflection in the mirror. He can’t stop himself from smiling. Just a bit more.
A few days after reconnecting with Yuuji, Junpei makes his way to the communal kitchen to fill up his water bottle. He finds you there, teal headphones with cat ears snug over a high, messy ponytail. You’ve skipped the uniform today, opting to wear an oversized hoodie and loose sweatpants, both adorned with cute little pandas.
Unaware of your surroundings, you hum a tune as you whisk something in a bowl, occasionally swaying from left to right to what Junpei can only assume to be the song you’re listening to. He doubts — or rather hopes — you’re not listening to yet another true crime podcast. He doesn’t think he can live with the mental image of you humming and dancing while someone is reading out a brutal murder case in your ears.
Junpei clears his throat, hoping to catch your attention so as not to startle you. But you seem to see his reflection in the window before you hear him.
Lowering your headphones to let it rest around your neck, you give him a big smile as you greet him, “Sup Junie?”
“Ah, hello, hi,” he smiles back shyly, not yet used to the newly acquired nickname. Lifting his water bottle to shake it, he adds, “Needed a refill. Um, what are you up to?”
You glance from his empty bottle back to him and take a step to the side to reveal the contents of the bowl you’ve been whisking. Mashed bananas begin to blend into the liquid mixture of butter, eggs, flour and brown sugar, and it doesn’t take a genius to figure it out.
Banana bread.
Of course. On brand with your current addiction to all things bananas. According to Nobara, who heard it from Megumi, you were obsessed with finding the perfect banana bread recipe after your favorite coffee shop closed down.
So far, you’re still searching.
“I have a really good feeling about this one,” you gently fold in the banana using a spatula, careful to not overmix it this time – last time your dough was too tough and chewy, which is not the texture you’re looking for at all. “This recipe uses both brown and white sugar and a heaping load of cinnamon too, so I’m really excited to see what it will taste like.”
Junpei turns the faucet on and watches the clear water stream into his bottle. “If it’s anything like the previous times, it’s going to be heavenly I’m sure.”
He doesn’t miss the flush on your cheeks when you thank him with a giggle. Nor the way your bangs fall perfectly to frame your face. Part of him wonders if you’re aware how pretty you look from the side. Maybe it’s the sunlight filtering in from the window or maybe it’s just you but for some reason he’s incapable of deciphering, you’re glowing. And he can’t tear his eyes from you.
Only when the cold water suddenly trickles down his fingers does he realize he’s been staring for far too long. Lucky for him, you don’t seem to notice and only merrily go about your way of pouring the mixture into a pan.
“I hope it won’t stick… I didn’t butter the pan.”
Junpei glances over your shoulder, making sure to keep his distance. “There’s butter in the dough though, right?”
“Yeah.”
“I think it should be fine then.”
You hum as you tap the pan on the counter twice, keeping your eye out for any air bubbles that might have survived the attack. “The first time I made banana bread, we couldn’t get it out. Yuuji had to eat it straight from the pan.”
Junpei stiffens, unsure how to react.
“But he loved it so much he ate the whole thing in one sitting.” You can’t keep the smile out of your voice as a familiar warmth settles in your chest at the memory. “Suffered the consequences though. He looked like he was going into labor any minute.”
You speak so fondly of him, Junpei feels himself relaxing and leaning in closer to hear more about it. The last thing he wants is to break the bubble of tranquility that surrounds you. It’s the first time you speak about Yuuji to him like this.
“By the time he joined our class, the café had already closed. I really wanted him to try the version that made me fall in love with this dessert in the first place. I guess the man upstairs had different plans.”
Your laughter lacks any humor. Still, it doesn’t sound bitter. Just disappointed.
“I’m sure he would have loved any version you made,” Junpei finds himself saying. His eyes find yours and stay. “You made it, after all.”
There’s a long, quiet moment in which you stare into each other’s eyes, not needing any words to communicate. His presence is comforting, the warmth of his eyes a reminder that you’re not alone in this. That you have never been alone.
“You would have loved Yuuji.”
His eyebrows shoot up and he blinks, surprised. “Hm?”
You merely smile softly, breaking his gaze to turn back to the oven. If your eyes begin to water in melancholy and grief, then that’s only for you to know. In the span of a few seconds, you insert the pan and shut the door, turning the little knob to adjust the temperature.
Now you just have to wait.
“It’s gonna smell like heaven in here soon.” You turn around, excited at the prospect of getting to eat the leftover dough from the bowl. “Hey!”
Junpei freezes, hand raised and spatula half-way in his mouth, looking like a deer caught in headlights. A heap of the dough slides onto his waiting tongue and having the audacity you would never have expected of him, he simply closes his mouth and swallows.
“Dude, what the heck!” You’re by his side within two strides, reaching for the bowl when suddenly, purely out of instinct and even surprising himself, Junpei swiftly pulls it behind him, away from your hands. “Junie?”
“Oh, uh,” at least he has the decency to look apologetic, “I’m sorry, I don’t know why I just did that.”
“Well… give it back then.” You walk around him, stilling in bafflement when this time his arms lift themselves up and the bowl stops over his head, far out of your reach.
“I, um, love leftover dough.” He says it like it justifies his actions.
It doesn’t. “I love it too. I specifically left enough so I could still have some! Give it back!”
“I can’t.”
“Huh?”
“I’m sorry.”
“What? Junie! Give my bowl back!” All the while, you’re hopping around him, trying to grab what belongs to you. A futile attempt, really, because much to your demise, he is still taller than you.
So all he needs to do is to stand on his toes, lift his arms just a bit higher and even your cute little jumps don’t stand a chance. He can’t hide the adoring lilt in his voice when he offers, “I’m sorry, Suki… We can share though?”
The click of your tongue and the end of your ponytail that hits him in the face when you abruptly turn around and stomp away has his heart dropping down to his stomach. Oh god. You’re not seriously upset with him right now… right?
To be fair, if he was in your shoes, he’d most likely be put off as well. He needs to apologize and give you back the bowl. He needs to-
His face comes into contact with your chest and in a panic from the sudden softness pressing into his nose, he loses his grip on the bowl. It drops from his hands as he takes hurried steps backward until the counter stops him all too soon. Banana bread dough drips down all over his face, his shirt, and the floor below him.
In his haste to make sure you weren’t angry with him, he failed to see you sprint towards him with a running start, attempting to jump higher this time. If it wasn’t for him getting, quite literally, knocked back by your very own knockers, you would have successfully retrieved your well-deserved post-baking snack.
Instead, you stand across from him, horrified to see what’s supposed to be in your mouth, cover the ground instead. Meanwhile Junpei’s heart is pounding inside his skull, all the blood rushing from his face straight into his stomach and other areas he would rather not disclose. Holy fucking shit.
He whips around and rips open the faucet, splashing his face with ice cold water repeatedly, uncaring of the mess he’s leaving. His hair, his neck, his shirt, all of Junpei is dripping wet when he comes back up for air, gasping like he just swam a marathon.
“Oh my god, I’m so sorry!” Your guilty voice tugs at his heart, but he can’t bring himself to turn around to reassure you that he isn’t mad. He can’t risk it. “I’m so sorry, Junie, I didn’t mean to- “
“What the hell are you two doing here being so noisy?” Megumi’s gruff voice pierces through the tension in the room, taking away what little bit of air was left. Judging by his tone, he knows exactly what just happened.
“Gumi- “
“Ieri was looking for you. She needs you for something.”
“Huh? On a Sunday?”
His grunt is the only reply you get.
“Oh… okay. Let me help Junie clean up first.”
“Now.”
You halt mid-step, thrown off by the unexpected command. He doesn’t correct himself or wilt when you frown at him. It’s very clear you don’t appreciate the tone with which he addresses you. Your jaw clenches. “I’ll catch up with you later, Junie.”
Megumi watches you leave the kitchen from the corner of his vision, waiting until you’re out of earshot before he levels his piercing glare to the back of his classmate’s head. The sudden stiffening of his shoulders is enough for him to know that the message has come across.
He turns around and leaves as well, fists clenched by his side as he recalls the way Junpei’s body reacted when you fell against him. Intentional or not, there’s just something about this scenario that rubs him the wrong way.
Something, that infuriates him.