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it was just another day spent sparring and training for the first & second years of Tokyo Metropolitan Curse Technical College. they just finished the sister-school exchange event with Kyoto Metropolitan Curse Technical College, and although the event didn't end smoothly and no winner was actually announced, they soon were informed that they managed to exorcise more curses than the other school. nothing to brag about, really. if anything, it just urges them to train even harder to get stronger.
you wiped the sweat running down your face with the sleeves of your tracksuit, already feeling the cloth dampening. it's uncomfortable, but the practice is not ending anytime soon.
"tired much?" you turned to see yuuji offering a bottle of cold drink to you, which he probably bought from the vending machine and shared with everyone. smiling gratefully, you took it from him.
"thanks, yuuji." he nodded, then walked away to distribute the drinks to the others. you watched him walking away, wondering to yourself how could he always keep a high spirit, carrying it around. sure, the dynamics of your team combined with the second-years are great, but yuuji is the sunshine among all of you. always smiling and caring for others, that one would never expect the King of Curses resides within him.
you sigh after dawning the drink down your throat, not ready to get into another serious thought in your head. it's only your first year here, and you already feel like death is really just another step away from you. thankfully, before your thoughts could travel further, maki-senpai came into view and flicked your forehead.
"don't space out now, grab your spear." she urged, and without further ado, you took the weapon with ease. your cursed technique advantages you in ranged combat, and therefore to cover up for the close combat, you asked her to help you. she has been a great mentor but merciless, always emphasizing that you should see sparring like this as a real fight.
maki-senpai strikes forward, and skillfully you dodged her attack. the sound of the wooden spear hitting one another echoes through the air, followed by the low grunts and dust rising from the two of you's feet. she smirked proudly at how you have improved from the last sparring, now able to utilize your weapon for both defense and attack. but before you can counter, a voice piped in and gained everyone's attention.
"ah, I'm the happiest teacher alive," gojo placed a hand over his hand dramatically upon seeing his students practicing so diligently under the burning sun. fushiguro snickered, "of course you're the happiest since you don't have to teach us."
everyone laughed at his blunt comment, even gojo himself. it's nothing new. gojo clapped his hands to gain everyone's attention, now sounding a little bit serious. "I have an announcement for you guys." instantly, all eyes and ears were focused on him. it better be good news because if not, you're sure someone will throw a fit.
"after what happened, I proposed an idea to give you guys a time off, and voilà," gojo grinned. "it's two days off, children."
yuuji and nobara were, of course, the first ones to react. panda joined the feast, the trio now circling doing a happy dance. you chuckled at the sight, feeling relieved. it's currently a Thursday, so actually, there are 3 days off since Sundays are off days (well, as long as no urgent matter rise and you sure hope for the best).
afterward, everyone packed up their weapon and personal belongings. as you guys walked to the dorm, nobara was already planning out loud about which shopping mall she'll visit this time, of course inviting fushiguro, yuuji and you along for specific reasons.
one, she needs yuuji to carry her stuff because fushiguro would never do it. two, she needs fushiguro because in her opinion the boy doesn't know how to have fun for someone their age, and three, she needs you for helping her choose what to buy and have a girl talk with. I can't talk about make-up with these troublemakers, can I? she had exclaimed once you denied her request.
so long story short, if it's a day off and nobara had decided to go somewhere, the three of you will tag along.
bidding goodbyes to the second year, the four of you enter the dorm with yuuji and nobara in the front, already bickering about the plan. beside you, fushiguro sigh loudly. "I want to sleep." he mumbled and you chuckled. "you can always say no, you know," you replied, and he shook his head.
"I can say no but she'll nag me so it's just the same thing." you gave him an apologetic smile before an idea popped in your head. grabbing nobara's shoulder, you sling an arm over her figure and whisper something into her ear. almost immediately her eyes widen, and she stopped in her tracks.
"you know what? forget it. the two of us will go alone tomorrow." she stated, and continued walking down the hall to her room still with your arm over her shoulder. you took a peek behind, to see yuuji sending you two thumbs up, mouthing 'i'll treat you later!' while fushiguro just smiled. you winked, and bid goodbyes with nobara saying you'll visit her later tonight.
***
after a nice hot bath and a little nap, you woke up to golden rays of sunlight upon your face. sitting up and rubbing your eyes, you eyed the clock in your room and it reads half past four pm. you yawned, already feeling better than before. slipping out of bed you walked to your cupboard and grabbed black sweatpants and changed into them. the weather is nice to bask in the warm sunshine and that's what you're about to do.
after locking your room, you walked quietly along the halls. hands stuffed into the pocket of your sweatpants with slow music playing through your airpods, you almost scared yourself when suddenly fushiguro's door opened. he emerges from his room and stared at you stopping midway. "what are you doing?" he questioned, clearly oblivious to the shock he caused.
"you scared me," you stated as a matter-of-factly, and he turned after locking his door. "can't believe I'm hearing that from someone who's a sorcerer," he replied in a teasing tone and you rolled your eyes. noticing his similar outfit to yours, with a grey t-shirt and black sweatpants, you beamed. "hey, we match."
fushiguro's brows knit before realizing what you meant, seeing your current white t-shirt and yeah, black sweatpants. he rubbed the back of his neck. "I'll change, then."
you thought he was being serious since he fished for keys in his pocket, but he surprised you by flicking your forehead. "don't be stupid. let's go."
then he proceeds to take long strides away from you out of the dorm. with a confused look upon your face, you followed beside him and asked another question. "where are you even going?"
he kept walking, glancing at you before answering. "the weather's nice to sit under that tree." he answered, and your mouth formed a small 'o'.
---
one week after enrolling in this school, you find yourself looking for a hiding spot. since you came from the countryside, the bustling crowds and tall buildings of Tokyo don't always sit well with you. so you wanted to find a place that could remind you of home even for just a little bit. and when you did found it, turns out it was fushiguro's hiding spot as well. it was still located inside the school ground, hiking a bit to the small hill behind the buildings. there's a small open area there, with a tree standing tall by the end of it, giving a perfect view to the west horizon afar. perfect spot for watching the sunset, to be honest.
you thought it was yours back then until the next day you found him there, leaning against the large tree with his divine dogs sitting beside him. if it wasn't for the dogs suddenly turning around with wagging tails because they heard your footsteps or maybe smell you, fushiguro wouldn't have noticed your retreating form.
"where are you going?" he had asked you back then, stopping you from walking away. you had answered honestly, then apologizing for intruding his moment. you barely knew him, having only known each other for a week. but he surprised you by saying that he doesn't mind, saying he doesn't own this place after all so it's not a problem. the sunset that day was too beautiful to miss, so you braved yourself to walk forward and sit on the grass beside his divine dogs.
fushiguro said nothing as he watched his shikigami warming up to you, nudging your arm with their snout. you chuckled softly, patting their heads and rubbing their bellies, and yelped in surprise when they licked your cheek. with a sheepish smile and the sunset shining behind your form, you turned to fushiguro, once again apologizing if you're being too loud.
he had been feeling quite gloomy that day, having thoughts plaguing his mind. he looked for solitude up here, having already explored the area before the other first years. so when he felt another person coming up to this hill -yes, of course, he noticed- he was already bracing his mind to ignore whatever gojo was about to say. because who else would it be?
but when the person didn't approach him, and his divine dogs alerted him on their retreating form, he was surprised to find you; another first year just like him, but with a personality a little timid compared to kugisaki and itadori. not that he doesn't like the duo, it's just, there are times where he just wanted to be alone. and so he surprised himself by saying it's okay if you wanted to be there as well. he thought he was just being polite, because who was he to forbid you?
he clearly didn't expect the comfortable air around the two of you that day. you playing with his shikigami around, even to the point you laid down on the grass using their body as a pillow. he only summoned them to keep him alert of his surrounding, and also to train his cursed energy in the process. this sure wasn't the outcome he expected. but seeing you enjoying your own company and not minding him, turns out to be therapeutic for him. he appreciated how you didn't strike up a conversation just because, totally just enjoying each other's presence in silence.
fushiguro remembered how you fell asleep with his shikigami, face so relaxed as the sun set. he couldn't even bring himself to wake you up because of how peaceful you looked, but it's getting darker. so he pokes your shoulder softly, waking you up. he remembers how the redness crept to both of your cheeks, but ignored how it made you look cuter than you already did. you were about to apologize once again out of embarrassment before he beats you to it.
"feel free to come whenever you want, this place is not mine." and only then he freed his shikigami, after you stood up yourself. the apology died down in your throat because you don't want to bother him, so instead you thanked him. and in silence, the two of you walked back to the dorm. that night, fushiguro ignored the slight tiredness he felt after summoning his shikigami for quite a long time, to the point they even fell asleep altogether with you. at least, his dark thoughts are controlled once more and this time, he felt better than he ever did before.
---
just like always, the two of you barely speak to each other. you hummed softly to the tunes in your ear and fushiguro with whatever running inside his head. you peeked at his taller form, eyes staring to the path ahead. it has been around four months since you first meet each other, and during that time never did the two of you actually went together. today was a first, and you wondered why.
after that day, you were ahead of him. the next him, and then him again. you both don't talk much, simply greeting each other before falling into silence then going back together or on your own. the unspoken rule was the first one to come gets the spot under the tree since there wasn't any other object to lean on except for it. and somehow even when he was ahead of you, you'll always find him there with his divine dogs, both of them now already familiar with you. you figured that he summoned them to stay alert, but the third time it happened a small voice asked if maybe he did it so you can lean on as well. you threw that idea away almost immediately.
therefore you wondered, who's gonna get the tree now? you also wanted to ask him how he knew you were headed there, but decided to keep your mouth shut. it felt like a rhetorical question after you give it a second thought. you keep walking until finally, the hill came into view. brushing the uncertainty in your guts, you plopped down under the shades and laid down without saying anything else. you used your left arm as a pillow, while your right hand swiped through your phone, skipping to another song.
but before you can close your eyes and hope the little awkwardness you're feeling right now disappear, fushiguro's face came into view above you. his face was as plain as ever, and you raised your eyebrows at him. "get up, you'll get all itchy that way." he said, and you frown. sitting up, you watched as he sits right under the tree and patted the spot next to him.
you tried to keep your face and tone neutral as you reply. "that bark won't fit the both of us," you reasoned, then immediately cursed mentally as you saw fushiguro's eyes slightly widen and hoped he didn't get the wrong idea, that you don't want to be around him or such. you were just as surprised as he was, if only you knew. that bark could fit two people, but with their sides pressing against each other, for sure. his wide shoulders are not helping either and you're just not sure if you could handle such proximity right now.
if fushiguro was offended or embarrassed or anything else, he showed no sign of it. instead, he casually folds his palms together; ready to summon his shikigami. you don't know what came over you, because he did that probably just to stay alert like always and of course not for you, but you stopped him before he could beckon them over.
"wait," you said, stopping him from saying the incantation. you scooted over to him, and leaned against the bark. just like your prediction, your sides were brushing against his and carefully you adjust your position so that the two of you are still comfortable. to be frank, this is not the first time you sit this close to him. during missions, nobara would call shotgun when ijichi picked them up. in the back seat, yuuji doesn't like sitting in the middle, and neither did you, so fushiguro gave in. or when during training he is paired against you, where often hand-to-hand combat is involved.
but that was different. in that case, you had to. while now there is plenty of space around and he could summon his shikigami, but here you are. you expected him to say something along the lines of 'I'll still summon them to stay alert', but when he didn't, you tried to calm your racing heart. heck, you don't even know why they're doing it. fushiguro is your friend, for god's sake. you shouldn't be feeling this way, so you blame it on how gorgeous he looked right now.
no. he has always been gorgeous. you knew it from the first time you met him.
if yuuji gave you a sense of a big brother from the very first time you met him, that the two of you were immediately on first-name basis, then fushiguro is the total opposite. even after spending time together like this for the past months, you still couldn't put a finger on it. he is a friend, for sure, but not in the same way as your relationship with yuuji. one word came into your head and you brush it away. there's no way it is.
the two of you fell into the same routine again. even when you're right next to each other, he didn't say a word. when you peeked over, he was already closing his eyes, enjoying the soft afternoon breeze. so you figured that those lingering questions should be answered later, for now, you just want to enjoy this peaceful moment. the soft tunes from the songs playing through your airpods lulled you to enjoy the scenery even more, and somehow you kind of miss the divine dogs. they were always there to keep you company, often napping together, even.
but today you stopped fushiguro from doing so because you're worried for him, worried for his well-being. no matter how much he has grown stronger, today and the next 3 off days are for you guys to rest. except for nobara, you chuckled to yourself. as you did, you felt the tension in your muscles relax. you sigh internally, mentally scolding yourself for thinking too much about what just happened.
you hummed softly to the songs in your ear, not knowing it also comforted the boy beside you even though the noise you made was barely a whisper. it was soft, and he knew you did so as to not bother him and he couldn't bring himself to tell you that it's okay if you want to sing. he has let his guard down around you enough, and fushiguro has learned from a little age that it never ends well, showing vulnerability. but if it's her, wouldn't it be okay? a voice questions inside his mind and it wasn't anywhere near first. he ignored them like always.
"say, fushiguro," you spoke, breaking the silence. for the first time during your hangouts together, someone finally mustered the courage to start a conversation. fushiguro opened his eyes, blue eyes now meeting your (e/c) ones. you felt your heart hammering inside your chest, mentally scolding them for doing so. you took a deep breath, voicing your question as you took off your airpods.
"if you weren't a sorcerer, where would you be right now?"
you didn't miss the surprised look on his face, and fushiguro didn't seem like he was trying to hide it. he leaned back against the tree, closing his eyes.
"take a guess."
hearing his answer boosted your confidence since he didn't ignore you. so you started to guess.
"I feel like you'd be a vet," you said, and he snickered. "because of my shikigami?" he didn't have to open his eyes to know that you were nodding, but he did anyway.
and indeed you were nodding as you reason. "yeah. you may not realize but you're very fond of them." you stated, so sure of your answer. fushiguro was surprised at the boldness since you rarely did so. as time rolls, he learned that you're actually pretty loud yourself once familiar with your surroundings. but you know when and how to act around who. always so considerate of others, that every time you exorcise a spirit, he'll always find you close your eyes for a moment. when yuuji asked you about it, you simply said that you were praying for them, hoping they'll be happy wherever they might be.
he found the idea silly because curses have no emotion. they were the projection of emotion, so if someone's gonna pray they better pray for the humans causing it. but no matter how beaten up you got after a fight, or no matter what grade the curse was, you'll always do that. he can't get his head around it, but he respected your choices because that's what you do to others.
you never question why he's often silent and liked to be by himself. you never asked itadori if he's okay when the strawberry head is quiet, choosing to just sit beside him and pat his back or ruffle his hair because you know he likes it. you never asked why nobara loves shopping so much or complain about her bossy behavior. you never question anything about inumaki-senpai's weird collection of vocabulary, immediately adjusting to his option of words. you never asked panda if he was a panda or something else, treating him as an equal, as a respected senior. and lastly, you never asked maki-senpai about her condition, instead looking up at her for her wonderful skills regarding cursed tools.
fushiguro felt like using your words against you, you may not realize, but you're very fond of them. but again, he didn't.
"I don't think I can be a vet, though," he responded.
"I don't like seeing injured animals."
"you don't like seeing injured animals."
this time, he was really surprised to hear you continuing his words the exact way. for the umpteenth time, he's struck by your personality trait. he didn't bother to ask how you found out. instead, he smiled. like, really smiled, the ones that reach his blue eyes and you thought you were going crazy.
"you're really kind, you know." fushiguro said, and you were glad you paid enough attention to see the tip of his ears going red, hid under his erratic hair. you unconsciously tuck a strand of hair behind your ear, shrugging. "I'm just observant," you mumble. fushiguro chuckled, and for the second time, you think you're going crazy. for the first time in months, this is the first time you see him this carefree, this happy. and it kinda gave you butterflies in the stomach when you realized it was your doing.
"So is that your guess?" he asked, and you were pulled out of your thoughts about how heavenly he looked just now. you blinked twice, before nodding.
"I thought because you don't like seeing them injured, you would do your very best to help them get better."
and once again, you're right. fushiguro smiled again, and you wanted to throw yourself away. not to mention the close proximity that you think he could hear the drumming of your heart.
"correct." he answered, "what about you?" and now, it's your turn. you didn't tell him to guess.
"honestly, I don't know," you said, and it surprised fushiguro. but at the same time it didn't, given how you seem to really enjoy your work as a sorcerer, always wanting to help. in this case, he thinks that you and itadori are alike in some way.
"I like being a sorcerer even though I'll probably die during the process someday," you mumbled, voice suddenly tiny compared to before. fushiguro frowned. is it possible that this bright ball of sunshine in front of him is having the same raging storm as he does? "but there are some things I want to try out." and as if it was his illusion, your cheerful expression is now back. he adjusts his position, now facing you.
"and what are they?"
feeling happy that he's interested in your thoughts, you continue. "I want to go to an amusement park, a picnic by the beach, hiking, bungee jumping, and visit other countries. South Korea seems beautiful," you spoke excitedly, and it reminded fushiguro of a kid's innocence. he smiled softly through the whole process, your voice music to his ears.
"you do realize that you can still do that, right?" he asked, and you nodded.
"but I don't know if I'll have the time for all that," you spoke with a smile, but it was a sad one. fushiguro decides he hated that look on you.
"you will." he replied, and you laughed, "I hope so. thank you, though."
he visibly frowned, making you tilt your head. "is there something wrong?" you turn to look around you, if maybe a curse just showed up or something. fushiguro continued to surprise you as he asked for your phone. without asking why you unlocked and gave it to him. you saw him open the notes app, and without pausing to ask you, he typed down your previous wishes. things you wanted to do, just like what you said, all in order.
"is there anything else you want to do?" you were taken aback by his question, that you couldn't even answer. you shook your head. fushiguro saved that note and handed it back to you.
"that is your wishlist, and we'll make them come true."
your heart swells at his words, never once you expect him to do this. but it gave you relief, it made you happy, that someday, you'll get to do it. that you'll survive working this job. you stared at the note on your screen, eyes slightly blurry. droplets of water fell upon your phone and your hands, and fushiguro panicked, did he cross the line? or maybe was it wrong to say we?
but those worries wash away when you looked at him, smiling so wide that he was sure you're an angel of some sort. with the golden rays painting your face, the warm breeze yet the slight chill from the shades, he was sure of it. because no one has ever been that beautiful, so mesmerizing.
"thank you so much, fushiguro." you spoke, puffy eyes staring straight into him. he felt something tug inside his chest, and he wondered if this was the confirmation of all questions he has ever asked these past four months. for the first time in a while, in his whole life, maybe, he felt happiness swarming his senses. and it felt so blissful.
"megumi," he said timidly, red adorning his cheek that you of course didn't miss. "call me megumi."
you burst into tears -happy ones for sure- as you lean forward and hugged him, feeling his warmth engulfing you. no words needed, everything is crystal clear.
+++
bonus
"What did you suggest to kugisaki earlier?" yuuji had whispered to you during dinner, eyes carefully trained on the brunette. you motioned for him to come closer, whispering in his ear.
"a full spa treatment, facial, manicure and pedicure, and maybe a bath at an onsen for the closing," you told him, and yuuji's eyes went wide.
"I would like some of that too!" he didn't even bother to whisper, but luckily nobara paid no mind. someone else sure did, though. they approached from behind you, and bent down to whisper at your ear.
"what are you guys whispering about?" you jolted, clearly not anticipating the sudden surprise. turning around, you looked at him annoyedly.
"what was that for, megumi?" you exclaimed, and suddenly the whole room was silent. you waited for him to reply but suddenly grew conscious of the stares you're getting. by the time you're about to ask them what is wrong, yuuji shrieked.
"DID YOU JUST CALL FUSHIGURO BY HIS FIRST NAME?!"
and chaos ensues. nobara strangled you, asking what happened, demanding full details. yuuji clung into megumi like a koala, wailing something about 'what about the times we had together, fushiguro-kun?' which megumi responded with a smack to the face. panda gave him finger hearts alongside inumaki, while maki shook her head in the back, not believing whats unraveling before her.
meanwhile, gojo strutted down the recreation room, hands in his pocket and whistling a happy tune. "ah, young love."