Chapter Text
Yuuta frowns at the latest photo from Inumaki in their message history.
The Tokyo kids are all suited up in baseball gear, cheeky smiles adorning everyone’s expressions, and though he can’t see it under Inumaki’s mask, he’s memorized the shapes and lines of his classmates’ face and can tell from the light crinkle of his eyes that the sorcerer is surely grinning too.
As always, his friends are a sight for sore eyes -- he drinks in the image of them, letting it soak into his bones like a sun shower, Inumaki’s signature peace sign, Maki’s casual smirk, Panda’s huge arms encircling them all. He saves the image to his phone, twice, one to keep and one to crop down to just Inumaki, as he has made a habit of doing these past months he’s been away.
This time, however, there are two people he doesn’t recognize; a brunette bob and a pink shaved undercut -- new students, he assumes, though his excitement and curiosity is dampened by the distance (or lack thereof) between the pink haired guys’ face to Inumaki’s.
Too close. Yuuta’s throat feels tight. If Inumaki angled his head just so in the other direction he could be kissing the boy’s cheek.
Who is he to you, Yuuta thinks, but doesn’t type out. Instead, he asks who the new faces are, and how is everyone doing, and are you taking care of your throat.
He gets a reply a few minutes later, the chime of bonito flakes has him rushing to unlock his phone despite Miguel’s scolding to pay attention. And usually he does, is good about separating his work and personal life, but apparently not when it comes to Inumaki, and that probably says something, that he has a custom ringtone specifically to set apart Inumaki’s messages from everyone else.
Inumaki says yes, everyone’s doing okay, but they all miss him a lot, and his throat is a bit sore after the fight with the cursed spirit yesterday but he heals fast, remember? Yuuta does remember, but he can’t help but worry all the same, and he hopes Inumaki still carries a spare cough syrup on him. He learns that the brunette is Kugisaki Nobara and she has a wicked way with the hammer -- seems to worship Maki on a pedestal, too. Pink-haired boy who has no sense of personal space is Itadori Yuuji.
he reminds me of you, Inumaki adds at the end, and that makes all sorts of weird emotions bubble in his chest.
You aren’t replacing me, are you? Yuuta types it out and hits send, only half joking.
Inumaki texts back quickly. lmao dw ur irreplaceable <3
And even though Yuuta knows that Inumaki always talks like this whether it’s Maki or Panda or him, has a subtle teasing, flirty quality just inherently embedded in his personality, it makes his cheeks flush all the same, heart pounding with a heady feeling that’s almost dizzying.
“Yuuta, hurry up!” Miguel hisses, patience wearing thin.
Gotta go now, Yuuta types out with one hand, the other drawing his katana. I’m glad you’re having fun. Talk to you later, and he hits send at the same time his sword comes crashing down against some poor curse’s head.
He gets an almost instantaneous reply, kick some french curse ass for me, oui?
Yuuta smiles at the text on the screen before sliding his phone back in his pocket. He will, for Inumaki. Anything for Inumaki.
~
They’ve been in the city of love for five days now, exorcising curses and sightseeing and sometimes doing both at once, like when a grade two was causing a ruckus on top of the Eiffel Tower. Paris is beautiful, but all he can think about is how much more beautiful it could be if a certain cursed speech sorcerer were by his side.
Gojo drops by for a visit once, bearing gifts and letters from his classmates; a little stuffed cat from Panda with a curse that will apparently help him sleep at night, brass knuckles from Maki decorated with little snakes because she’s undeniably the smartest of them all and picked up on Yuuta’s own feelings long ago.
From Inumaki, he gets a lunchbox piled with his favorite food, salted cabbage and sesame oil, two rice balls sitting in the corner.
“He made me teleport here immediately, you know,” Gojo says with a grin. “Said he wanted the food to still be fresh. So demanding.”
Yuuta smiles at the thought of Inumaki in front of Gojo, arms crossed, commanding the most powerful sorcerer in the world to skip across oceans and deliver cabbage and rice balls.
“Oh yeah,” Gojo says suddenly, snapping his fingers. “You’ll be going back by the end of the year.”
Yuuta turns so fast he almost gets whiplash. “Really?” he asks, stomach bubbling with anticipation.
“Really! When have I ever lied to you, Yuuta?”
“Um, actually just last week --”
Gojo pretends not to hear him. “Anyways, it’s been long enough that I’m sure the elders have forgotten about your sentence, and hey, you can start the new term together with everyone!”
Yuuta seriously doubts that the elders forget anything, but he’s too happy about the news of his return to question it.
“I’m looking forward to it,” Yuuta says, smile stretching wider.
His hand itches to reach for his phone and let Inumaki know right away, but as if sensing his intentions, Gojo claps a hand onto his shoulder.
“Let’s make it a surprise, huh? They’ll be so shocked! It’ll be hilarious and heartwarming at the same time, everyone’ll love it!”
Gojo is impossible to argue with, so Yuuta just sighs and agrees, and tells himself the look on Inumaki’s face when he shows up out of the blue will be worth it. Gojo beams and ruffles his hair unnecessarily. As Yuuta’s trying to pat it back down, Gojo starts rambling again.
“Since I’m in Par-ee, I thought I’d go get some real French crepes,” his teacher grins. “You want anything?”
Yuuta shakes his head. He’s a bit tired of French cuisine now, if he’s being honest. “I’m fine,” he says, pointing to the lunchbox from Inumaki.
Gojo’s grin slides into a smirk. “Figures,” he laughs. “Well, I’ll see ya later!” He doesn’t wait for a goodbye before teleporting out of the room, leaving Yuuta alone with his favorite food from his favorite person and a darkening blush on his cheeks.
~
You: Happy birthday Inumaki!!
I wish I could celebrate with you.
How is your day going?
Inumaki: tyyy <3
i wish u were here too
maki and panda and the first years all threw me a surprise party but its not the same without u ya kno
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You: That cake looks good :)
I’m sorry I can’t be there. Did you get my present? I asked Gojo to bring it over
Inumaki: the first years made the cake lmaoo well mostly itadori made it
idt the others really know how to cook
You: Oh
Inumaki: and yeah i got ur present!
thank you so much u absolute legend im wearing it forever
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You: I’m glad you like it :)
It looks good on you
Inumaki: 🙈🙈🙈
~
A week later, Yuuta gets a summons from the jujutsu elders.
“You are appointed executioner of Sukuna’s vessel, Itadori Yuuji.”
