Work Text:
Miwa couldn’t sleep.
The second year student tossed and turned, trying her best to close her eyes so that she could set off to dreamland.
She has a mission tomorrow; apparently another special grade is seen somewhere around the outskirts of Kyoto. She wasn’t going alone—oh, heavens no, she shivered at the thought alone—the other sorcerers from the Kyoto Metropolitan Curse Technical College are coming as well.
Furthermore, since it was such a sudden mission, unfortunately their instructor; Iori, couldn’t make it to provide them her guidance-- something about handling a few pressing matters with the famous Gojo Satoru; although both Todo and Kamo assured them that— in Todo’s exact words, Miwa quoted—“Bah. We don’t need guidance. You guys have me! Besides, this isn’t the first time we ever handled a special grade curse before.”
Miwa’s breath hitched when he said that. In all honesty, she was still scared of her upperclassmen; mostly, Todo and Kamo though, Momo was sweet and considerate at times, but she couldn’t deny that sometimes the blonde could be a little bit intimidating.
Said girl ate her leftovers with her other classmate numerous times before without blinking an eye.
And that’s not all. They weren’t provided any intel whatsoever apart from the grade itself. Oh how it made her stomach churn. Perhaps, that is why she was walking aimlessly through the wooden corridors in the dead of the night.
Miwa let out a sigh, looking up, she looked at the ticking clock hanging beside the door to the kitchen.
She squinted her eyes, rubbing them. The blue haired girl didn’t even jump at the time. She just wanted to sleep before another exhausting day.
But, alas, the sounds of the night creatures outside and the chilly weather wouldn’t let her.
A creak of the wooden flooring gave her heart a small leap. A hand coming up to close her mouth from gasping too loud.
Miwa silently hoped that it wasn’t Mai and Momo stealing her leftovers again. She was hoping to drink the strawberry milk she bought the other day before attempting to sleep again.
She squinted at the tall figure sitting near the corner of the room. If she had a bad eyesight, she could’ve thought it was a ghost or something. Thankfully, it was somebody she knew and fond of.
The tall figure looked up at the sound of the door sliding open. An air of silence surrounded the room.
It was quite a chilly night indeed.
“Ah, Mechamaru!” Miwa cheered.
The student’s shoulders stiffened at his classmate’s sudden appearance.
“Miwa, why aren’t you sleeping yet?” The girl in question sidled over to Mechamaru’s table, standing in front of him with those wide innocent gaze of hers. “I didn’t think anybody is up at this hour. You are awake, right, Mechamaru..?” Miwa asked, inching her face closer to him, brows furrowed in a curious gaze.
If Mechamaru— Kokichi —was not in his puppet form, he would’ve blushed outwardly and the deepened shade of his human skin would’ve given everything away; including his true feelings towards the blue haired maiden. So, Kokichi, in his hideaway, tried to suppress his growing feelings and tried to answer her question without stuttering. Because, why would an advanced puppet be stuttering in front of someone?
“Couldn’t sleep.” He stated. Miwa blinked twice before nodding her head in understanding. A simple and short answer. “You didn’t answer my question.”
Miwa blinked again, seemingly startled by the statement, but she smiled
“Same here.” looking down at the only chair in front of him, she asked, “Can I sit here?”
Mechamaru doesn’t know what gave it away. Perhaps it was the twinkle in her eyes, or maybe it was because of the sincereness in her words, but it made his heart beat faster than it should. He only hoped it wouldn’t explode.
Or maybe, just maybe. He enjoyed the blue haired girl’s company. Nothing felt out of place, or awkward when he’s with her. All conversations were of light topics and mundane things.
Small things. It made him happy.
So he nodded. And she sat, slurping the cardboard milk between her hands.
It was serene at first, the silence was comfortable for the both of them. Miwa couldn’t help but break the ice by asking, “...um, I didn’t mean to pry. But, why couldn’t you sleep?”
It was such an innocent and harmless question, were it was anybody else, he would’ve waved a hand and dismissed them. However, this was Miwa. The one girl he had grew fond of.
“I have insomnia. It’s quite a nuisance really, not to mention the wind is very cold tonight.” The second year explained. Miwa’s expression turned from curious to worried ones, she finished drinking the last drop of her drink, clutching the empty drink with both hands.
“I didn’t know that, is there anything I could help with?” Miwa questioned, staring at the puppet’s still but glowing eyes.
Mechamaru shaked his head, “No, it’s fine. It’s not like this is the first time it happened. Some nights, I grew weary. And some, I slept like a baby,” Mechamaru drifted his eyes towards Miwa’s hands— Were they always that small?— “Perhaps, it is the cold weather that’s keeping me up.” He shrugged.
The girl could only stare at him, pursing her lips she nodded, “I see.”
“And you, I’m guessing you couldn’t sleep because of tomorrow. Am I correct?” It was Miwa’s turn to stiffen.
Letting out a breathy chuckle, she winced, “Is it really that obvious?”
Cute. He thinks.
“Quite so.”
“I should really stop thinking too hard, huh.” Miwa’s lips turned into a pout, “But, I couldn’t help it, aren’t you nervous as well?” She asked looking down at her hands. "I mean, we don't really know anything about this curse. Plus, Iori-sensei isn't coming with us this time. I couldn't help but worry."
It was a habit, he noticed, when she’s feeling conflicted or nervous.
“We’re facing a special-grace curse. I think it’s normal to feel that way, Miwa.”
He reassured her. He could tell from the way her lips quivered, and from shaking hands that she was afraid. It was normal. He only wanted to take her hands into his and hold it, he wanted to protect her. But, he knew he doesn’t have the courage to do so.
Maybe, someday...
“..and you?” She asked, lifting her face up, staring at him beneath her lashes, small smile evident in her lips, “You didn’t exactly answered my question, you know.” Her lips threatening to turn into another pout.
“Hm.” Mechamaru sighed, hands on the table. Huh, that was weird, he didn’t recall putting them there.
Nor did he notice the way their hands grew closer every single minute, fingers grazing leaving him with a tinkling sensation that he couldn’t really put a finger on. What is this foreign feeling? And why does it feel fluttery?
“Is that a yes...?” Miwa tilted her head in a teasing manner. She couldn’t help it, Kokichi was the only one she could communicate and tease well enough without having to worry about being intimidated.
Mechamaru grunted underneath his breath, “...yes.” Miwa giggled with glee, “Hm..? I didn’t quite catch that, Mechamaru.” Was she a terrible person to be enjoying this? She hoped she wasn’t though, because she genuinely wanted to know what he feels. The man rarely shows any open emotions, but she is willing to do anything to see him show his true self.
“Yes, I am. I’m afraid of what will happen if i failed to protect you and you got hurt.” Like last time. Kokichi hadn’t forget about the day a vengeful cursed spirit tried to attack Miwa when she was occupied with another spirit. Even though, she managed to deflect the attack, she still got hit by a strong blow of cursed energy. She had been hurt quite badly after that, a fortnight at the nurse’s office was the result.
Miwa’s smile disappeared, as she was turned speechless by Mechamaru’s confession. “I-i’m sorry...” guilt covered her features.
“Why are you..?”
Miwa paused, chewing on her lip, “I didn’t know that I made you worried.” Mechamaru’s thumb grazed her knuckles, “You shouldn’t be sorry. I only wished I could protect you back then.”
Miwa’s eyes widened a little, startled. If it weren’t for the dim lighting of the kitchen, one could easily tell that the blue haired sorcerer was blushing a shade of red.
A smile quickly replaced her saddened expression, “I want to protect you too!” She exclaimed.
It made his heart skip a beat.
After that, they didn’t say a single word. Another silence engulfed the room, it was a mutually comfortable one.
The faint sound of Miwa’s snore snapped him out of his gaze. The girl was only wearing a thin oversized shirt with pajama pants, no sandals or socks evident.
Kokichi frowned. He looked down at his school jacket. He got up and gently placed it on Miwa’s shoulders. She looks adorable like this, figure drowned by the blackness of his jacket. He didn’t feel any chill in his puppet form anyways. So, he sat back, gave Miwa another fond gaze and drifted off to sleep.
For the first time in awhile, he dreamt in his sleep.
And Miwa smiled in hers.