Chapter Text
Fushiguro and Kugisaki were sitting on the stone steps leading to the main building of the college. The two were basking underneath the sunlight. L/N was several steps above them, sitting on the wooden steps covered by the shade. Despite the rain yesterday, the day was nice and warm. The three sat in silence.
Gojou had met up with them that morning, discussing the next procedures for the group not that Itadori was dead. Just hearing those words made L/N feel ill. It wasn’t the first time she had someone close to her die, but that didn’t make it even easier. The sudden death of her first friend here did not bode well with her already struggling mental health.
“’Live a long life?’” quoted Kugisaki, her hand resting underneath her chin. “Doesn’t mean much when you go and die yourself.”
L/N cringed at the term ‘die’ once again. The girl kept quiet, not having input for the other girl’s statement. In the same boat as L/N, Fushiguro didn’t bother to respond to Kugisaki’s comment.
“Is this the first time you two have had a partner die?”
“First time for one my age,” Fushiguro simply stated.
“First time,” L/N said with a shaky voice.
A sigh left Kugisaki’s lips. L/N knew she was struggling with Itadori’s death too. Despite her clear annoyance with him, could tell that Kugisaki enjoyed his childish antics since it matched her own. Reminiscing on it now was difficult but strangely soothing for the troubled girl.
“You two seem to be taking it well,” Kugisaki said, looking off into the distance.
“You too,” Fushiguro responded back, eyes glued to the floor.
“Yeah, of course,” Kugisaki blatantly lied, her lips quivering. “I only knew him for a few weeks. I’m not some weak woman who breaks down over a guy I barely knew.”
L/N stood up suddenly, startling the other two first-years. It took everything in her to not blow up. She knew Kugisaki was only saying those things to make herself feel better, but it sure hit a very, very sore spot inside L/N.
She began to walk down the steps, passed Fushiguro and Kugisaki. When she arrived at the bottom of the stairs, she glanced back at both of them and spoke.
“I’m just going to say this,” L/N whispered, scared to rise her voice in fear of crying. “I’m not taking this well. My friend just fuckin’ died.”
With that said, she began to walk away from them. Before she got too far, a second year stepped in front of L/N. She wore glasses and a high ponytail. L/N couldn’t bother to remember her name.
“What’s happening here?” the girl snapped, adjusting her holstered weapon. “This a wake or what?”
“Zenin-senpai,” Fushiguro began but was cut off by Zenin.
“Don’t call me that!” she snapped.
L/N was so uninterested at the scene unfolding in front of her. She began to walk around the girl but was stopped with her grabbing her arm firmly.
“Where are you going?” Zenin questioned, griping her arm with enough force to make L/N uncomfortable.
“Get your hands off me,” L/N growled, a spark of cursed energy materializing around her.
As soon as Zenin loosened her grip on L/N’s arm, she forcefully yanked it out of her grasp. This gave the girl the chance to finally get the fuck out of there before she went berserk. As she walked away, she could faintly overhear the rest of the group’s conversation.
“Maki! Do you not know why they’re so down!?”
“Huh? What do you mean?”
“It’s because their teammate died!”
“Bonito flakes.”
“WHAT!? You should have told me sooner!”
L/N let out a scoff. That girl is supposed to be their senpai but she was oblivious to their situation. Everything seemed to be pissing her off which means now is a good time to go out and do some solo training.
Hours passed uninterrupted which she appreciated. Fushiguro and Kugisaki knew her well enough to leave her be. When she first arrived at the school, L/N ensured to display her desire to be left alone. The only dense one to not have got that message was Itadori. Of course, she learned to not mind it but not he’s gone now…
Not wanting the depressive thoughts to return, L/N slapped her cheeks with much force. The red stinging gave her something to distract herself with. She felt her exhaustion settle deep in her muscles. It was time to go back.
She arrived back on campus right as the sun was setting. L/N didn’t expect to run into anyone but was sorely mistaken when she saw Gojou leaning by the dorm entrance. He sported his signature smile, facing her direction.
“Where have you been all day?” he asked, shifting his weight from one leg to the other.
“Training,” L/N stated flatly. “And I’m really tired so if you excuse me sensei-”
“Oh, don’t be like that. Tell me what happened earlier?”
L/N passed. He was likely referencing to the small skirmish that happened between her and the other students.
“Look, I’m going to be real with you Gojou-sensei. I’m sad Itadori’s dead,” she began, rubbing her temples. “But Kugisaki and Zenin said some insensitive comments that ticked me off so I had to go off and train to help me calm down.” The girl let out a sigh and looked at where his eyes would be if they weren’t covered. “I just want to grieve my friend’s death without judgment. This situation obviously hits too close to home.”
To say that Gojou was shocked was an understatement. It looked like he hadn’t expected her to just dump all that information to easily without convincing. He quickly recovered and gave the girl another smile. He lifted his hand and place it upon her shoulder in an attempt to comfort her.
“Have I ever said how great of a student you are?” Gojou said with a laugh. “Anyways, thanks for telling me. It’s normal to want to grieve properly. Just try to not go off on the other students, k?”
L/N gave her teacher a pout but agreed, nonetheless.
“Also,” he chimed, getting the girl’s attention again. “You’ll be participating in this year’s Kyoto Sister School Exchange Event, so make sure you make up with your fellow classmates since you’ll be participating as a team!”
“Great,” L/N sighed. “Isn’t having an event irresponsible?”
“Nope!” Gojou said with absolute authority, shutting down any attempts from the girl to criticize the event. “With that said, make sure you’re ready to talk to Fushiguro and Kugisaki so you three can start training with the second years.”
“Yes, sensei,” L/N mumbled, excusing herself from his presence. However, before she could leave, Gojou gave her one last closing remark.
“I can ensure you; things will get better.”
L/N managed to contain her scoff. Will it really though, she though as continued her journey back to her room. She proceeded to perform her nightly ritual. The moment her head hit the pillow of her bed; L/N immediately drifted into a dreamless slumber.
The following morning went by pretty smoothly. She kept her distance from Fushiguro and Kugisaki for now. Neither of the two approached her which she was grateful for. It wasn’t until midday did L/N make an effort to reach out to them.
“You two have a moment to talk,” L/N asked them suddenly, starting them. They had just finished their last class of the day.
“Yes, we do,” said Kugisaki, tugging on Fushiguro’s sleeve to snap him back to reality.
The three of them moved to a more secluded area of the campus. Her conversation with Gojou kept replaying in her mind. She knew it was necessary to clear the air. They could be thinking the worse, that she hates them and doesn’t want to stay friends.
Once they settled at the base of a tree, L/N took in a deep breath and looked at Fushiguro and Kugisaki. L/N opened her mouth to speak but Kugisaki lifted her hand up to stop her. Confused, she cocked her eyebrow up, prompting the other girl to speak instead.
“I want to apologize for my comment yesterday,” Kugisaki said sincerely. “I’m grieving too but that doesn’t excuse my insensitivity towards you.”
“We don’t blame you for leveling abruptly,” Fushiguro interjected.
L/N couldn’t help but let a small smile form on her lips. She’s thankful that these two aren’t stubborn idiots.
“You two are something else, you know that?” L/N complimented. “Thank you, I wanted to apologize for my rude behavior.”
“No need to apologize,” Kugisaki responded with a flick of her wrist. “It was my fault this happened.”
“I agree,” said Fushiguro nonchalantly, causing Kugisaki to shove him.
“Shut up!”
“But it was your fault.”
“I said SHUT UP!”
L/N laughed at their interaction, breaking the fight, and encouraging them to join in. Well, more so Kugisaki since Fushiguro’s range of emotions is limited to unamused and slightly amused. They continued to chat about the upcoming event and becoming stronger. It was a goal L/N could get behind. They made a pact to always look out for each other and train their absolute hardest for Itadori.
Soon after they were summoned by the second years to join them out in the field for practice. To make things interesting, Zenin suggested they begin practice with some sparring. No one objected the idea so the six students paired up. Kugisaki went with Panda, Fushiguro went with Zenin, and L/N went with Inumaki.
When the sparring officially began, it took only a few seconds for L/N to realize how skilled the weird boy was at fighting. For every punch or kick she made, he effortlessly blocked with his own. She couldn’t keep up with him and by the five-minute mark she had been knocked on her ass several times.
“Fuck, that hurt!” she cried to herself after being swept by Inumaki. She landed right on her tailbone. The boy ran over to her, a look of what could be concern on his face.
“Leaf mustard,” he mumbled, kneeling next to her.
“I’m sorry but I don’t know what that means,” she responded nervously.
“Salmon,” Inumaki said before offering to help here up which she accepted.
About an hour into the training, Gojou had paid the students a visit. At first, L/N thought he was just passing by to watch them train. However, that was not the case.
“L/N, let’s go for a walk, what do you say? Gojou chirped.
“Um, sure,” L/N responded hesitantly.
The two of the excused themselves from the rest. The girl managed to catch Fushiguro’s lingering look before they turned the corner away from the training ground. Once substantial distance was made from the rest of the group, Gojou began to talk.
“How you are holding up?”
“I’m okay. I talked to Fushiguro and Kugisaki, like you asked. We made up.”
“Oh really? That’s great!”
L/N don’t respond, there was no need. Part of her knew he wasn’t here to ask how she was doing. Looking at his face, she has been able to catch some of the subtle changes that could indicate when he wants to say something more or not. During her extra lessons, he seems to twitch the corner of his mouth before deciding to further elaborate on a certain topic or idea.
“I know you didn’t come here to ask how I was doing,” L/N said, voicing her thoughts. “You could have done that without pulling me away from the rest of the group.”
“Look at you, observant as ever L/N!” Gojou cooed, pulling at her cheek. The girl gawked for a moment before shyly pulling away from him. Her reaction prompted a hardy laugh from the teacher. “But yes, I wanted to ask you something…”
As L/N rubbed her sore cheek, she looked intently at Gojou. He didn’t speak right away which caused her heart rate to increase at a drastic pace.
“Can you keep a secret?”
“Huh, what? A secret?”
“Yes, just for the mean time. I need to know before I can tell you this next part.”
“Yeah, I can.
“Perfect! Now let’s go meet Itadori-kun! He’s been asking about you so much I figured it be easier if you just talked to him yourself.”
Gojou continued to walk but L/N stopped dead on her tracks. Itadori was alive? But how is that possible? The boy literally had his heart ripped out of his chest. She saw his lifeless body on the floor, bleeding out to the point where his blood reached Fushiguro’s shoes.
“This isn’t time for jokes Gojou-sensei.”
Gojou finally stopped a few feet from her spot. His hands were in his pocket, his demeanor not changing at all. He was actually serious.
“It’s not a joke. You have to remember, Itadori does have Sukuna in him. It was possible for him to come back and just like I had predicted, he did.”
With that, Gojou began walking again. He didn’t look back to see the trembling girl.
“Now let’s go.”
L/N’s legs moved on their own. Gojou’s command left no room for debate. She silently followed him to a secured location of the campus. The girl wanted to ask why Itadori’s revival needed to be concealed. After some thought, she figured it wasn’t worth asking. There had to be a reason, why else would Gojou say to keep this a secret.
They entered a building and ventured down some stairs to a basement. L/N couldn’t sense anything which meant that the area is secured by some sort of cursed energy. This only confirmed her suspicion that there was an important reason to keep people from knowing that Itadori is alive.
“Enter those door and he’ll be inside,” Gojou stated. “I’ll come back for you in about ten minutes, since I have him training in there.”
“Thank you, Gojou-sensei,” L/N whispered, giving him a small smile.
“You’re so cute! How about you call me Satoru instead?” Gojou teased making the girl blush.
“Th-that’s not appropriate,” she mumbled.
“Boo, you’re no fun.”
In that very instant, he was gone. L/N took in a few deep breaths in an effort to steady her rapid heartbeat. She felt like she was about to pass out. Deciding to just bite the bullet, L/N opened the door and entered it with her eyes closed. Once inside, she could only hear the sound of a movie playing. It wasn’t until she felt a presence did, she open her eyes.
Right in front of here was an alive and well Itadori. She audibly gasped, hands covering her mouth. In response to her gasp, Itadori began to flail his arms around as he babbled on about something. It took her a few moments to realize that she was crying.
“L/N! Please don’t cry!” Itadori pleaded. “It’s okay!”
“Ita-ita-dori!” she cried, running towards him with an embrace. “I thought you were dead for sure!”
Itadori returned her embrace with full force. He had spent the past day asking Gojou how everyone was after the incident. When Gojou said that L/N was taking it the hardest, he just needed to see her. The desire to see her and tell her he was alright was so great that Gojou had to relent to his request. Now she’s here and he was happy.
“I thought I was too,” Itadori finally replied. “That good for nothing Sukuna really is a pain in my ass.”
“I can say the same for you, brat,” came Sukuna’s voice from Itadori’s left cheek. Conveniently, it was the side that L/N’s head was placed during their on-going hug.
She felt the moisture from the mouth make contact with her cheek causing her to pull herself away from Itadori. L/N rubbed the side of her face while glaring at the cursed spirit’s single eye.
“That’s disgusting,” she whined. The damn spirit simply laughed.
“Thanks for ruining the moment,” Itadori growled, poking Sukuna’s eye in retaliation. Sukuna wasn’t too pleased with that response, prompting him to switch to Itadori’s other cheek.
“I like the girl; you can’t blame me for wanting to reunite with her too.”
“No one likes you!” Itadori barked at him. “Go away!”
“Whatever.”
After that sort escapade, Sukuna vanished much to their relief. Itadori gazed into L/N’s eyes which made her flush in embarrassment. She wiped the remaining tears from her eyes before speaking.
“I missed you a lot, you know?” she said. “Don’t go off dying like that. It hurts me and the others.”
“I’m sorry, I just wanted you all to be safe,” Itadori apologized.
“I know,” L/N responded, moving closer to him.
She came in very close to him and kissed him on the cheek, stunning the boy. She left him there shocked for a moment before using both hands to pinch the boy’s face. He cried out in discomfort, years forming on the corner of his eyes. HE pleased to be let go which she did after a few seconds of torture.
“WAH! What was that for!?”
“You do something like that again and I’ll personally be the one to revive you and kill you again!”
“Okay, okay. I’ll be more careful next time! Just don’t hurt me again!”
“Oh, is this how you two flirt?”
“SHUT UP SUKUNA!” the two first-years cried in exasperation.
Right outside the room, Gojou was waiting patiently for both Itadori and L/N to finish. He made the right call to have them reunite. It was all part of his plan of getting the two young jujutsu sorcerers to become stronger. He saw the great potential in them, all he had to do was just nurture it. They’ll soon become unstoppable.