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Nobara walked down the busy shopping district with a couple of shopping bags in her left hand, and another slung on her shoulder. While walking, she was scrolling through her phone on the hunt for the next store on her list.
It was the 20th of December, two days before the birthday of one of her teammates and best friends. With so much that happened last year, she couldn't have given Megumi a birthday gift, much less a Christmas present. She decided this year, for sure, she will give him a present.
As she passed by couples holding hand in hand in the Christmas snow, she can't help but feel lonely and pout in jealousy, "Won’t anyone hold my hand too?” she muttered to herself.
It's not that Nobara isn't looking for a relationship. She was just too busy and too occupied to actively find someone. Even a day-off such as today seldom comes this time of the year.
Still, she couldn't help but think it would be nice to have someone hold you at the end of the day after coming out alive in a fight with curses, someone you can talk to about how the day went, someone you can kiss and hold hands with.
The more she thought about it, the more she resigned to thinking that she'd end up an old spinster. A normal person would find it hard to relate with the Jujutsu world, more so they would find it creepy.
Heh. Should I find a Jujutsu sorcerer instead? Nobara mentally gagged thinking about her options. My choices are too limited.
"It should be around here..." she wondered out loud as she rounds up a corner.
"Aha! Bingo!" she said, excitedly entering a store.
Not far from the bustling streets, there is a quaint, hidden bookstore that you would miss if you weren't paying attention. It was a very small shop with narrow spaces in between the shelves. It gave off a vintage vibe because of the wooden walls, warm lights, and hanging house plants.
The team crossed this bookstore a couple of times before, and Nobara noticed Megumi sparing a glance inside during those times. She thought it was the perfect place to get his birthday present.
Thinking about Megumi's possible reaction to a gift from her excited Nobara.
Maybe I can finally get something that's more than a "Thanks", a shrug of a shoulder, or a nod of the head, she thought. Sometimes he is very much like a child. It was an unexpectedly cute side of him that she wants to see more. Would he have sparkling eyes, or maybe a huge smile? As she was thinking about this, she herself has a huge smile on her face.
Oh! Would he…blush?
A part of her wanted him to. She wanted him to show some kind of reaction to her display of affection. Wait…Nobara, you’re giving him a gift because he’s a good friend. A great friend. Don’t expect anything more, she thought.
Upon entering the store, an elderly man greeted her, almost surprised that somebody paid the store a visit, "Oh welcome! Bit cold outside, isn't it?"
"Freezing!" Nobara giggled as she wrapped her arms around her torso.
"Well, you're welcome to pass the time here where it's warm and cozy," the elderly man offered with a welcoming smile.
"Oh, actually I was hoping to find a book as a gift."
With a look of surpise that turned into admiration, the man exclaimed that it was a wonderful gesture, "The shop may not look like much, but we do have nice collections and hidden gems. Please look around for as long as you like. I'll make you some tea to keep you warm," the elderly man offered.
Nobara thanked him and immediately looked for the nonfiction section. While looking for the right shelf, a title caught her eye.
-----
It was finally Megumi's long-awaited day-off.
He finally has the chance to go to that bookstore he always wanted to go to. He passed it by a couple of times before, but he was either too tired or his schedule was too hectic to go inside the store. A day-off like today is perfect to go check out the bookstore. Though if he knew earlier that Nobara was also going out, they could’ve gone to the city together.
He sighed internally, and as he rounds up a corner of the street he finally arrived at the bookstore. Before entering, he paused because, surprisingly, he saw a familiar head of orange laughing her head off inside.
Kugisaki? he thought. What's she doing here?
He looked at her through the store window. Why didn't he just go in? He’s not sure either. Especially on a snowy day like today, the most obvious thing to do was to go inside and ask her. Still, he stood there with curiosity and adoration in his eyes.
Nobara stood in the narrow paths in between the bookshelves as she was reading a book, "What's she laughing at?" he softly said as he looked on with fondness to the girl.
It's been almost two years since they've known each other, and he didn't know when he started getting mesmerized by her. Mission after mission and day after day, he treaded on the dangerous waters known as romantic affection. He started to see her as more than just a classmate, more than a friend.
He saw her as a woman with unshakeable character.
If Todo knew about this, would he still call him boring? Kugisaki Nobara is anything but boring. Liking her was like an adventure in itself. She is unpredictable but dynamic. Unconventional but compassionate. Unrestrained but understanding. She is full of surprises but exciting, nonetheless. All her characteristics make her Kugisaki Nobara, and all these make her more beautiful on top of her already good looks. Any man would be honored to be with someone like Nobara.
Impulsively, Megumi brought his phone out, opened the camera, and took a picture of Nobara laughing.
Wait... Aren't you being creepy? Megumi sighed. He shoved his phone back into his pocket and a mischievous thought appeared in his mind.
Megumi entered the store quietly. Thankfully, the store owner had his back turned because he was preparing tea, probably for Nobara he thought. He slowly made his way to the distracted girl, and sneakily put his mouth very near her ear.
"What's so funny?" Megumi whispered.
Two seconds.
If this was a Jujutsu battle, she could've lost her life right then and there. Nobara buffered for two seconds before she powerfully swung behind her not caring about the cramped space in between the bookshelves. She fully intended to punch the person that crept up behind her only to stop when she recognized the man towering over her.
"I almost attacked you!"
It only took a couple of seconds for Nobara to react, but in those two seconds, multiple thoughts came into her mind that made her want to punch herself instead.
This is ridiculous, she thought. Megumi's hot breath tickled her entire body causing her to have goosebumps all over. The sensation left her wanting more, but it’s something she can’t quite put her finger on. His whisper was deep and slow. If Nobara was being honest, she found it very sexy. She internally screamed, This is Fushiguro we're talking about, dammit!
Nobara was blushing hard. But what the heck was that?! My dear heart, please calm down.
Nobara isn't dense. She knows how to judge people's looks objectively, and she definitely knows Megumi is one hell of a looker. But more than that, she knows he is also thoughtful, dependable, selfless, and strong. Even though he may look cold and apathetic on the outside, he is warm and caring on the inside. He has so many good qualities and traits, his looks are just a bonus, and anyone would be lucky to have him as a significant other.
However, the idea of liking him was like an epiphany to Nobara. Deep down, maybe it was something already ingrained in her, only she is noticing now. She’s not sure yet if she should go down that path.
Megumi smirked, not really getting the hint that Nobara was having an internal breakdown, but because he successfully teased the girl and got a good reaction out of her. He only had a few chances to tease Nobara, so any opportunity is gladly taken.
"Well, thank you for sparing me a black eye."
"I can still give you one if you want," Nobara answered back sarcastically, trying to calm herself.
Before anything escalated further, the elderly store owner brought warm tea for the two, "I heard the commotion, I'm glad a friend of yours came over too. Have some tea while it's hot."
The younger ones composed themselves and gave their thanks to the man, promising to keep their volume down.
"So, what's so funny?" Megumi asked as he sipped on the warm tea.
Nobara grinned seeing a perfect opening. She turned around and pointed at her friend, “Fushiguro! How do you fix a broken gorilla?”
Before he could even think, Nobara answered her own question “With a monkey wrench!”
Two seconds.
The silence between the two friends is usually comfortable. They could sit together for hours without so much as saying a word, and it’s one of the reasons why they enjoy each other’s company. There’s no need to force anything. However, this silence was deafening.
“What?” Megumi only blinked.
“Show a better reaction, dammit!” Nobara sighed, exasperated and embarrassed, “I was reading a joke book, you see. Some of these are really corny that you can’t believe they’re considered as jokes, but there are some really funny ones too.”
Ah, so that’s why she was laughing a lot. Cute.
“Why can’t your ear be 12-inches long?” Megumi just waited since she’ll be answering herself again anyway, “Because it would be a foot!”
Megumi scoffed, "Oh please, Inumaki-senpai is funnier."
"You just don't have a sense of humor."
"I do."
"Sure, for Sukuna maybe.”
Megumi gave her an annoyed look, but a hint of a blush betrayed him. Nobara laughed at his reaction as she pinched his cheek, earning more protests from the black-haired man.
-----
The late afternoon passed by and they were talking, bickering, and joking around without any other customers to tell them off. Just the two of them in their own little world. This atmosphere is different than when Yuuji is with them. The back-and-forth chatter between the three friends was never dull. They always found a topic they could talk, gossip, and debate about. Moreover, their group dynamic has proven their trust and camaraderie for each other after winning numerous battles and overcoming near-death experiences. The three of them together mean solidarity and complete faith in one another.
Meanwhile, something about this whole situation in the bookstore feels more intimate... sweeter, dare they say. With them being in such close proximity to each other, having accidental touches, the occasional whispers of inside jokes, the sharing of warm tea, the cozy weather, and not thinking about any curses at the moment, the scenario they’re in screams borderline flirting.
This kind of feels like a date? Both of them thought. Suddenly, Megumi was overly conscious of his actions, and Nobara tried to keep a cool head to not make things awkward.
Ever since Megumi became aware of his feelings, of course, the thought of a romantic relationship with her crossed his mind. However, he didn’t act because he had reasons.
The higher the grade they have, the more dangerous the missions will be, and who knows when things become… unfortunate. It’s only a matter of time before things turn for the worse, though he hopes it won’t ever come. Dying suddenly would be devastating for the person left behind. Not to mention the possibility of a breakup. What if she doesn’t like him back romantically in the first place? What if things don’t work out?
What if in the end he’s not able to make Nobara happy? It would be one of his biggest regrets.
Megumi doesn't want to ruin the comfortable and familiar presence between them. He doesn’t want to come to a point where he can only see her smile from afar. He’ll settle for liking her in secret. Sneaking a glance at Nobara, he decided, I can be selfish in my own thoughts.
Nobara didn't want to acknowledge the growing affection she has for her friend. Does he even think about me that way? She secretly looked at Megumi to gauge the situation. Unconsciously, the more she looked at him the bigger the smile that showed on her face.
Admittedly, Nobara always feels warm and safe in his presence. It was like nothing could go wrong, and if something did, they always had each other’s backs. She’s happy and excited whenever she learns that Megumi will be joining an activity or trip. The more they spent time together, the more she learned about him. She has also wondered a couple of times what it’s like to be held by his strong arms, what’s it like to be his special someone…
Oh man, I do like him, she blushed, but internally groaned. "Limited options" my butt, he’s the option you want!
She knows Megumi is an overthinker and too selfless for his own good. If he has mutual feelings, he won’t make the first move. Typical Fushiguro, too considerate of others.
With the nature of their responsibilities and their current relationship, ignoring her feelings seems like the most practical answer, but that means she would be lying to herself. She’d rather die than not be herself.
She smiled, Alright my dear heart, you win.
Nobara decided to indulge in the feeling and see where it goes. After all, Jujutsu sorcerers don’t have the privilege of time if they’re unlucky. Whatever happens in the future, she’ll own up to it. It’s her decision and her life, she’ll choose what makes her happy.
Be honest with yourself, Nobara! It can’t hurt to try. If things don’t go well, then that’s that. But if things do go well, then it may be one of your best decisions ever.
“Hey Fushiguro, look here!”
“What –“
Click.
Nobara took a selfie of the two of them with an unprepared Megumi right beside her. It’s a stolen shot, but why does he still look good? As expected of the man I like.
“This is a nice picture, I’ll send it to you too!”
“What’s the picture for?” a surprised Megumi asked.
“Just a remembrance,” Nobara said before continuing a few seconds later, “… of my first date with you.”
It took a couple of seconds for her words to register in Megumi’s head.
“What?!”
“Oh come on, am I the only one that thinks this is like a date?” Nobara smirked.
Megumi panicked and wondered how she could say that so bluntly, and then it hit him. Wait… if she said that, does this mean she… likes me too? Do we have a chance?
By this time, Megumi was blushing, even his ears were red. The thought of Nobara possibly liking him back was the best news he had heard of in months. Right now, he’s too confounded so he’ll leave it at that and process the situation later at his dorm room.
"Ehem," Megumi cleared his throat and tried to change the subject, "By the way, what are you doing here?"
Nobara raised her brow at him.
“Did you go to a bookstore just to look at jokes?”
Nobara suppressed an urge to reply sarcastically, "I was actually looking for a birthday present for you."
It was Megumi’s turn to raise a brow. Though he is grateful she remembers his birthday, but he thought she really shouldn’t have. For him, it was just like a regular day, and she didn’t need to be bothered by getting him a birthday present. Heck, he didn't even give her a present for her birthday!
"Kugisaki..." before Megumi could continue, Nobara interjected.
"Choose any book you like! Treat it as my advance birthday present to you!" Nobara smugly said with a look on her face like she was a king granting a pardon to a common thief.
"It will also be your Christmas gift, so choose wisely," she added.
Of course. People born in December have to accept this fate, I guess. Megumi pondered. However, he wanted to decline her offer, though he knew Nobara would insist anyway. Nobara noticed his predicament with the way his brows furrowed and his lips pursed.
“It’s a special day for a special friend… your special day, Fushiguro.” Nobara said while looking at the side with a blush on her cheeks. A second later, she looked up at Megumi bashfully.
“It’s the least I can do for a special friend, right?” Nobara had the softest expression in her eyes and one of the most beautiful smiles Megumi had seen on her.
He could’ve sworn his heart skipped a beat or two. That image of Nobara was so endearing to him, and he wondered if he could see it again one day.
"Well, in that case..." Megumi grabbed the pocketbook of jokes, "I'll have this one."
"Oho... you sure there, mister? I don’t think that’s your thing.”
“… But if I can make you laugh a lot, then I’m sure.” Megumi said with a subtle but sweet smile.
Nobara got flustered at his reply, Am I the luckiest girl or what?!
In a way, the two teenagers got an answer from the dilemma in their earlier musings.
Maybe this is the right decision after all, Nobara excitedly thought.
Was I overthinking things? Will this be something more in the future? I’ll follow her lead for now, Megumi wondered but he was hopeful.
One thing is for sure, both of them felt that somehow their relationship will change for the better.
“Plus, I’ll have to see more for myself how bad your sense of humor is.”
“So you did want that black eye, huh?!”