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Nobara Kugisaki can't forgive Yuuta Okkotsu.
Not just for the fact that he cost her a trip to Kyoto for the Goodwill Event. No, this was much worse.
Nobara Kugisaki can't forgive Yuuta Okkotsu for the way he makes Maki Zen'in smile.
***
It all started a week ago. Nobara and Maki had been returning from a shopping trip when they saw a commotion at the school entrance.
"Huh? What's going on?" asked Nobara with a tilt of her head.
Maki shrugged. "Who knows around here. Let's go see."
As they approached, Panda turned around and took notice of them. "Maki! You'll never believe who's here!" he shouted, bounding with excitement.
He stepped around to reveal someone Nobara wasn't familiar with. The guy was average height with black hair and dark blue eyes that looked eternally tired. He's got a sword holster around his back and while he's not wearing the traditional blue uniform top he still had the school's buttons on to signify he's a student. Which meant he must be…
"Yuuta…"
Nobara glanced over as Maki whispered to herself and noticed the shock on her face morph into something Nobara wasn't used to seeing on Maki: a soft smile.
Nobara told herself that it's not jealousy that welled up in her chest at that moment.
Yuuta returned her smile with his own and a wave. "It's great to see you, Maki."
Maki walked up toward Yuuta as Nobara tagged along behind her. The whole gang is gathered there: Yuji, Megumi, Inumaki, and Panda. But Maki's sole focus is on Yuuta.
"Well, so you decide to finally visit and don't even tell us." Normally her voice would sound purely annoyed but Nobara could hear the soft, almost teasing, tone in it.
Yuuta just let out a laugh as he rubbed the back of his neck. "I'm sorry. It wasn't exactly planned…" He didn't elaborate but his happy grin returned. "But I'm excited to be back to see everyone!"
Panda pulled him into a hug. "And we're excited to have you back! Right, guys?"
"Salmon," said Inumaki, mouth not visible but the smile clear in his eyes.
"Sure," said Maki, that soft smile still on her face.
Nobara couldn't help but want it to stop for some reason so she butted in. "Not going to introduce the rest of us?"
At that the four of them look toward where Nobara, Megumi, and Yuji stand.
"These are the first years," begins Panda. "I think Satoru's probably told you about them but that's Megumi Fushiguro, Yuji Itadori, and Nobara Kugisaki."
Yuuta gives the three of them a nod. "Nice to meet you all. I'm Yuuta Okkotsu."
The three of them give their hellos to the older student.
"So, Okkotsu-senpai, are you staying for a while?" asked Megumi.
"Um...I'm not sure yet."
"Then we best hang out as much as we can!" shouted Panda.
"We'll have to see if all that's training's made you stronger," began Maki with a playful smirk.
Yuuta beamed at her. "Well, I think it has but I still don't know if I'm as strong as you in weapons combat, Maki."
And then Nobara's heart tightened as she noticed something she'd never seen on Maki's face: the hints of a blush.
All the times Nobara's complimented Maki, she'd never blushed at her. And Nobara was suddenly struck with the realization that she really really wanted her to.
After all, who wouldn't want the girl they're in love with to blush at them?
Because Nobara's someone who's always sure of herself and ever since she met her she has always been sure she was in love with Maki Zen'in.
***
Which was why the next week felt like some strange torture.
Normally, whenever they both had free time the two of them hung out together. It was always Nobara's favorite part of the week.
There usually isn't a lot of free time with everything they do and for the first time ever Nobara wished for that to be the case. However, a lot of good wishing did because for some reason the week was oddly calm.
Everyday after class there was free time. Gojo-sensei told them that no missions had come up but he'd let them know when any did.
Normally, Nobara would meet up with Maki so they could hang out but each time she started hunting for her she learned that she was gone. And of course it was always with Okkotsu.
"Oh, I think all the second years went out to eat together."
"I think I saw Zen'in-senpai out training with Okkotsu-senpai."
"Zen'in, Inumaki, Panda, and Okkotsu were heading into the city earlier."
By the end of the week, Nobara didn't know whether to feel angry or depressed.
***
"Are you okay, Kugisaki?" asks Yuji after class.
Nobara is halfway slumped over her desk as she stares at her phone. She texted Maki earlier asking if she wanted to go to a cafe later but she hasn't gotten a response yet.
It's uncharacteristic of her to feel so down though, especially in front of anyone, so she immediately straightens up and shoves her phone in her pocket. "Of course! Why wouldn't I be?"
"Are you bored hanging out with Fushiguro and me?"
She gives him a frown. "No, why?"
Yuji shrugs. "Well, you're normally hanging out with Zen'in."
Nobara grits her teeth. She doesn't want to be reminded of what she'd normally be doing cause it just makes her think of where Maki likely is now.
With Okkotsu. Listening to his compliments. Smiling. Blushing.
It's then that Nobara vows she can't forgive Yuuta Okkotsu for the way he makes Maki blush.
Nobara slams her hands on her desks as she jumps up and Yuji jumps back in surprise.
"I'm going to get a drink."
Nobara exits the classroom before Yuji can respond and starts down the hallway. She stares at her phone again as she walks. Her background is her and Maki with smoothies, heads together, Nobara's showing a full tooth grin while Maki gives a laugh.
It makes Nobara's heart both swell and shrink. Maybe it's her own fault for hoping that Maki feels more than friendship toward her. Maybe she's just seeing something that isn't there and setting herself up for heartbreak. Maybe-
Thud.
"Hey watch-!"
"Oh sorry I-"
Nobara drops her phone and is about to give whoever crashed into her a piece of her mind but when she looks up she's surprised to see Yuuta.
Yuuta laughs, embarrassed. "S-Sorry, Kugisaki. I wasn't paying attention."
Nobara stares at him for a moment; he might look tired all the time but before he still had a happier energy to him. Now he seems to ooze tiredness. She wonders why.
"It's okay," she begins as she reaches to get her phone.
"Oh I'll get it." Yuuta picks it up before her and Nobara notices a surprised look flash over his face as he stares at her lock screen. He hands it back to her with a smile though.
"Thanks," is all she can say before she starts off past him. He seems nice enough but Nobara still can't help but feel jealous when she looks at him.
Before she can get all the way away from him, he calls out to her. "Wait, Kugisaki!"
Nobara comes to a stop and turns around to look at him. "Um...can I talk with you for a minute?"
Nobara's surprised by the request. What could he have to speak with her about? They barely know each other. But it feels rude to just tell him no when he's not done anything against her. "Sure."
The response causes relief to visibly wash over him and then the two of them head out toward the vending machines. No one's around. They both get their sodas - Yuuta's nice enough to pay for hers and for some reason it annoys her - and take a seat on a bench.
Nobara leans back as she begins sipping her soda, waiting for him to speak. He just sits there twisting the drink in his hands.
Why is he so nervous? She sets her soda down beside her and sighs. "You're the one who wanted to talk."
Yuuta jumps as if he forgot that she was there. Then he gives that nervous laugh of his again. "Right. Sorry. Um…" He goes quiet again but then stares up at the sky with a soft smile. "You make Maki really happy don't you, Kugisaki?"
Hmm? Nobara's wondering what brought this topic up. Part of her just wants to shrug his question off with an "of course" but the weird part of her that's been so lonely this week can't help but admit her insecurity for the first time. "Not as happy as you do."
Yuuta looks over at her surprised for a moment but then stares back at the sky. "I don't think that's true."
Now Nobara's surprised. She doesn't want him to see that though so she looks away as she runs her finger over the rim of her soda can. "Please, Okkotsu. I've seen the way she looks at you. You're the only person I've ever seen make Maki blush."
"Really?" he sounds as if it's news to him but it makes him happy. Gosh, boys are so dense. That must not last though as he gives a sigh. "Well, I'm also someone who makes her sad so…"
At that Nobara can't help herself as she whips around toward him with a fire in her eyes. "What'd you do!?"
Yuuta gulps and slides back at Nobara's rage. "N-Nothing...well...I mean…" He lets out another sigh as he stares at the ground. "I'm leaving tomorrow. Gojo-sensei told me last night and I told everyone today."
"Panda's always upbeat and just says he'll see me soon and Inumaki is always so understanding and just says he's happy to have seen me. Maki said the same thing but...maybe I'm reading it wrong... but she seemed sad."
"Well of course she would be, idiot," began Nobara. "Who wouldn't be sad when someone they love goes away?" Nobara doesn't want to admit that she's speaking from her experience of that week. She's sure it's worse for Maki since Yuuta's gone for way longer than one week. Now she feels bad for being jealous. Why shouldn't Maki spend as much time as possible with someone she cared about who wasn't going to be there long?
Yuuta's expression softens and he says something Nobara isn't expecting. "I'm glad you love Maki too, Kugisaki."
Nobara can't help but be the one to blush this time. How the hell did he realize her feelings for Maki?! It's been a long, long time since Nobara's been at a loss for words.
Yuuta just laughs. "It's okay, Kugisaki. I don't think anyone else realizes it. I can just tell by how you look at her. I know I look at her the same way. Maki's really something, isn't she?"
Nobara's own expression softens with a nod as she pictures her green-haired senior. "Yeah, she is."
"Kugisaki…" he begins and it brings her attention back to him. "You make Maki really happy. Everyday we've been out this week she always had a story to tell me about you. Her eyes always lit up when she talked about you. I don't know Maki's feelings, she's pretty good at keeping them hidden, but...I think she loves you too, Kugisaki."
Nobara blushes again at the comment. Here she was thinking maybe she was just dreaming Maki could ever have feelings for her and yet here was Okkotsu telling her he could see it. But Nobara knows she can see Maki's feelings for him too. "How funny, Okkotsu. I was thinking about how much I think she loves you."
Yuuta gives her a sad smile. "I'd love for that to be true and maybe it is but…I'm not good enough for Maki. The thought of making her sad...I never want her to be sad." That's when he looks Nobara right in the eyes with a determined stare. "That's why I want you to make me a promise, Kugisaki. Maybe I'm out of line for asking but...can you promise me that you'll always try to make Maki happy?"
The question certainly wasn't what she was expecting from Okkotsu when he asked to speak with her. But as a thought passes through her mind, Nobara just smiles to herself and then takes Yuuta's hands in her. His eyes go wide in confusion as she stares back at him, just as determined.
"Let's both promise to make Maki happy, Okkotsu."
Because if Maki loves them both and they both love Maki back, Nobara can't think of anything better than the two of them working together to make her happy. Because Maki Zen'in deserves all the happiness in the world.
Yuuta blinks at her a moment and then gives her a huge grin.
"Okay, it's a promise, Kugisaki."
***
The next day everyone gathers at the school entrance as Yuuta prepares to leave.
"Try to stop in more often, Yuuta," begins Panda.
"I'll try."
"Fish flakes," says Inumaki and Yuuta gives him a high five.
"You got it."
"You better be able to beat me next time you come back. Otherwise what's all your training been for," says Maki as bluntly as ever.
He gives her another beaming grin. "I'll do my best, Maki."
Maki just looks away from him and then he turns his attention to Nobara. She gives him a huge grin as she pokes her finger out to him, her hand on her hip. "Don't forget our promise, Okkotsu."
"I won't," says Yuuta as he holds his pinky out. Nobara wraps hers around it and the two smile at each other much to the confusion of everyone around them.
After Yuuta waves goodbye and the car pulls away, Maki comes over to Nobara.
"So, when did you and Yuuta get so close?" she asks, curious.
Nobara just grins at her. "Oh, we had a good chat yesterday. Learned we had a lot in common."
Maki titles her head, still questioning, until Nobara grabs her hand and wraps it in hers. Maki must not be expecting it because Nobara sees a blush form on her cheeks. She can't help but smile to herself. I'll definitely keep our promise, Okkotsu.
"We've got a lot of catching up to do, Maki!" she declares as she starts pulling her toward the city. "Let's go out!"
Maki gives her a sigh that turns into a soft smile. Oh you two...
***
Maki isn't one to eavesdrop but after what she's just heard it's hard not to want to hear the rest.
"I'm glad you love Maki too, Kugisaki."
Maki had been looking for Nobara to see if she wanted to go out. Her phone had been on the fritz so she'd seen Nobara's message but hadn't been able to respond.
She felt like she's probably been neglecting Nobara this week. Normally, they hung out so much that it was strange to not have been together at all this week. Because while Maki valued her time with Yuuta, she valued her time with Nobara too. They were both her close friends and, if Maki was honest with herself, she might have felt something more for both of them. Not that she expected either one to return those feelings.
But as she listens to them talk, she can't help but feel like she's the densest person on earth. Both of them were in love with her? Both of them wanted to make her happy? Both of them felt that they could see her love for the other? She can't help but blush redder than she ever has.
It should have been obvious that they returned her feelings. They both made her feel strong, admired, worthy. They both wanted to do everything they could to help her meet her dream. They'd both been two people who she'd felt comfortable enough to share that dream with.
Maki stared down at the ground as tears of joy formed in her eyes. She'd never felt so happy in her life. You two never have to worry about keeping that promise.
I'll never be happier than I am right now.
***
The next time Yuuta is back at Jujutsu Tech he spots Maki standing at the school entrance, hand in hand with Kugisaki.
They run down to meet him and before he can even get a hello out, Maki uses her free hand to grab him by his shirt and pull him into a kiss.
When she pulls away, she's smiling. Yuuta's got a dopey smile on his own face but that quickly becomes a confused expression for a moment as he looks at Kugisaki. But to his surprise she just gives him an understanding mile.
"If you're okay with it, Yuuta," begins Maki, almost shyly. "I want both of you. I love you both and I want to make both of you happy because both of you make me happy."
Yuuta just smiles as he takes her other hand in his. "Sounds great to me, Maki."
With that the three of them start walking hand in hand back to the school. Maki's leading them as she talks about where she wants to take them out on a date and Yuuta and Nobara can't help but look over at each other and smile.
They both know they'll do everything possible to make Maki, the girl they both love, the happiest person on earth.
That was a promise.