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"Curfew is 10:30." Momo said plainly. Miwa sighed, "I know! That's why I'm asking for your help! I've never asked for anything."
"You should ask for more things, assert yourself," Momo Nishimiya said as she checked her nails. The two of them had went out to get their nails done (Momo's treat) and were on their way back to their dorm rooms, "But this? I can't do this. Curfew is 10:30, and there's no way I could hide you not being here from Utahime." Miwa knew she was asking for a lot, but it was worth a shot. "But Momo, you're the only person I can turn to with this." Momo sighed, "What about Mai? She's better at lying to Utahime than I am."
"I already asked… and she said no." Momo sighed again, this time longer, "Mimi…"
"Momo…" (Momo, Mimi, and Maimai were the cute nicknames they were given by Momo herself. However, Mai hates hers, claiming that her name was too short to give her a nickname. But at least once a week, Miwa and Momo call her that and avoid bullets.)
"If Maimai isn't doing it, then there's no way I'm doing it." Momo patted her cheek, "Good luck, though." She went into her and Mai's dorm room, and Miwa drooped slightly. She wouldn’t have been asking this under any other circumstances. But-
"I've got you, sister." Miwa whipped her head around and saw Todo leaning against a wall. If it wasn't Todo, it would be almost freaky. "I- what are you doing here, Todo? It's 30 minutes 'till curfew."
"I was walking, enjoying my life, and I heard your struggle. You need a free night with Mechamaru, and since it's the summer the days are longer you haven't got much time before curfew anymore. So sneaking out, right? You can't go Wednesday because that's the day Utahime checks on Mechamaru even though that's the only day curfew is extended 'till 11. How's Thursday for you?" Miwa did a double take. "I said none of that."
"But wasn't I right?" Every day, Miwa is a step closer to thinking Todo is just a collective hallucination that all sorcerers are having together. "Anyway," Todo continued, "I've got it all planned out. The only way Utahime isn't coming to check on everyone is if something big happens at her favourite place. All I need is a low grade curse, some fireworks, and some… other things that I'll think of. I'll have it by Thursday." Miwa did not ask for any of this. "Wai-"
"Don't worry sister," Todo put a (supposed to be) comforting hand on her shoulder (it does not help that his hand is bigger than her face), "I'll cover all the costs." Miwa gave a wary smile. "T-Thank you…?" Todo smiled, "Don't sweat it, anything for true love." Miwa watched with nothing but strange curiosity as Todo made his way to the boy's dorm. She went to her own room, empty without her. Miwa wishes there were other second year girls, as Mai had roomed with Momo despite being in her second year. Miwa knows that if she really wanted, she could just bring her pillow and blanket to the other room and stay the night; but it wasn't the same. Miwa smacked her cheeks lightly, she's only thinking like this because she always shared a room- first with her mother, and then with her brothers- she should be happy to have her own space. She flopped onto her bed and opened her phone camera. She snapped a picture of her nails, which were pink oval shaped and the middle one had cute art of a panda. They were a bit on the long side, but she was really liking them
[picture sent] :Mimi
Muta: how r u gonna use your sword now
Mimi: good question
Muta: I like the panda
:) :Mimi
you up for a call? :Mimi
Muta: yep
Miwa waited a few seconds, then called, only for it to say the caller was unavailable. They called each other at the same time. That's so embarrassing. Miwa called again, and the same result came about.
Muta: I'll call
Miwa waited for her phone to light up, and once it did, she answered. "Hi."
"Hey." Muta's voice was a bit gruff, as if he just woke up. Which wouldn't be uncommon for Muta. "You okay? Did I wake you up?"
"Yeah." Well he gets points for honesty. At least Miwa knows he's not gonna lie to her. "O-Oh! I'll leave you then. I didn't have anything important to-"
"No no," Muta cleared his throat, "Don't hang up. I like… talking to you. I'm not even tired anymore."
"You sure?"
"Mhm," Muta confirmed, "So how was your day?" Miwa prattled off happily about her inconsequential day. There were no jobs today, so after lessons and some training, Miwa and the rest of M3 (nickname also courtesy of Momo) were out on the town. And by the town she meant the new mall. She loves going to malls even if she can't buy anything, more than anything really. "Did you know, there's an arcade in there?!" Miwa said, smiling as she spoke. "It was so cool! I loved it!"
"You have any pictures?" Miwa nodded, before remembering this isn't a video call. "Yeah! We um, took pictures at a photo booth. Hold on lemme take a picture. Miwa turned on her lamp, and she heard Muta shuffle a bit. "You shouldn't sit around in the dark on your phone. It's bad for your eyes."
"Mhm." Miwa had half a thought to mention that Muta lives in perpetual darkness and bright screens, but she supposes he knows better than the rest. "How was your day?"
"Better than most days. Only had one headache. And I managed to make it all of two meters walking. It's extremely overrated. Thank you for the stickers for the walker, though. Sorry it's probably never gonna see the light of day."
"That's fine, I've got a bunch for the wheelchair," Miwa said, her smile returning as she took the picture of her photobooth photos, "I'm proud of you for making two meters! Did you do the math homework?" She changed the subject as she sent the picture, not knowing how comfortable Muta felt about talking about that this evening.
"Nope. And you look cute, loving the mustache glasses. I didn't know those were still in fashion."
"They're not," Miwa admitted, "But it was all they had. And you know that the work is due at 11:59, right?"
"I… well have you done it?"
"... No but I spent my time doing something other than building Legos."
"I- Wh- if you make fun of me it's ableist."
"Muta!" Miwa burst into laughter, "That's not fair!"
"Anything is fair when you're disabled." Muta was laughing at this point, too. Miwa loved his laugh, it was an uncommon occurrence so the girl savoured it when it came. "Mecha," Miwa yawned, "I've got a question."
"Shoot."
"Are you free this Thursday?"
"I'm always free for you." Miwa audibly gagged, and Muta laughed again, coughing a little bit, which made him start laughing some more.
He was happy today, and that made Miwa feel warm inside.
"I'm sorry for that one, I heard it from Todo." Miwa's mouth dropped open, "Then why would you say it?!"
"In the name of Science. But yeah, I'm always free. What's on Thursday?"
"A surprise," Miwa said while stifling another yawn, "Just be ready at sundown, okay? And do not Google things that are going on, I can feel your body language right now." There was some shifting from the other side, and Miwa knew she caught him red-handed. "Fine, keep your surprise." Miwa was actively trying to keep herself from yawning, but Muta knew her far too well. "It's fine if you're tired, you know. I'll see you tomorrow."
"Yeah but I'm not- we're going to be busy."
"Then we'll talk tomorrow night."
"Promise?"
"Yeah." Miwa knew that was of course, only if Muta was up for it. But that didn't bother Miwa, she doesn't have a problem with that. "Kasumi."
"Hm?" Miwa broke out of her thoughts. "Go to bed-"
"I haven't done the math homework!" Miwa said quickly. Muta sighed, "I promise we'll talk tomorrow."
"No no! For real, I seriously haven't done it, I said so earlier. We've got like, two hours." Muta was silent on the other end, just some clicks. And then her phone screen lit up. Muta was adjusting the camera and Miwa could see his batcave (nickname courtesy of… Todo) behind him. "Alright," He looked at her, "We're getting this done in 30 minutes."
"It's three pages long."
"We're going to cheat." And Miwa could do nothing but laugh.
🦾🗡
Miwa tugged at her shirt as she waited for Muta to meet her at the school entrance. It was a good shirt, don't get her wrong. This outfit smacked to be honest. A yellow off the shoulder shirt with a pink jacket. Except this jacket isn't supposed to go over the shoulders so now it feels like wearing shirt² but according to Momo this is how it's supposed to go. Momo also wanted Miwa to wear a pair of black heels despite Miwa clearly telling her that her and Muta will be walking. A lot. So the heels were a no-go but she appeased her friend with a really good pair of black shoes and jeans. Miwa looked at her phone. 8:12. The sun had finally gone down, the little amounts of light blue left in the sky should be disappearing soon.
"Miwa." The girl shrieked as she made a complete 180. It was the very person she was waiting for: Muta. "Oh, it's just you."
"I personally, emotionally even, think you should not scream every time someone comes up behind you." Muta said, plugging his ear. He gave a little smile, "So, where are we going?"
"You'll see when we get there. I'm not going to ruin the surprise when we're so close." Miwa watched him as he adjusted his sweater, it was a patchwork pattern with a multitude of mismatched colours. It was cute, very him. His hair was down, framing his face in a way Miwa doesn't see often. "You look nice," Muta said, "Is that a new shirt?"
"Yes- hey, how did you know this was new?"
"You own the same three shirts." Miwa would be a bit insulted if that wasn't the absolute truth. "But this one is nice." Miwa was glad that she didn't have to then admit that she bought this shirt exclusively for this outing.
"Good luck, sister." (Is everyone aiming to kill Miwa before she even gets to go on her date?) Miwa and Muta both turned, and Todo was leaning against the fence. How- what??? "Todo how did you-"
"What the fuck are you doing here?" Muta got straight to the point. Yet Todo put his hands in his pockets, a smirk on his face. "No need to thank me, I'll have it all under control, Kasumi. I was just making sure you two got out of here uninterrupted. Have fun you two." Miwa could do nothing but stare in respectable confusion as Todo walked away. She had absolutely no clue what Todo was going to do, but frankly she did not want to be implicated. "Don't forget," Todo said as he walked away, "Take the Kyoto Main Line!" And with that, Todo walked into the distance to do whatever he was about to do. Muta looked up at Miwa, "What was he talking about the Kyoto Main Line for?"
"We're taking a train! Surprise! Don't ask anymore questions please ." Muta looked suspicious, but raised a hand in surrender. "Alright, no more questions. Train?"
"Train." Miwa confirmed.
🗡🦾
"Holy shit." Was the first thing Muta said once the train pulled into the station. Miwa knew he could see their destination from the window. The ferris wheel was in view. She smiled, "Surprise?"
It was Hirakata Park. Sure, one could go to Disney, or Universal Studios, but why go there when Hirakata Park was closer, cuter, and cheaper? (And had pretty sweet accommodations on most rides for wheelchairs, she checked.) Besides, the all day passes were great, even if they were more like all night passes today. Miwa had pre-ordered the duo a pair the day before, and put on her and Muta's wristband. "I'll buy the snacks." He said as he nodded in thanks. Miwa shook her head, "You don't need to! I picked the date and everything," She mumbled that last part a little bit. Can you believe it's been three months and she's still like this? "So it would be impolite if I, you know, asked you to help pay."
"Good thing you didn't ask." Muta said as he fished out his wallet from his bag to show her. Miwa wouldn't ask for him to pay, but she'd be lying if she were to say this wouldn't be appreciated. She smiled, "Thank you."
"Mhm." Muta put his wallet back as the two of them walked through the park grounds. It was pretty open, with a few pods of families and couples around. Since Universal Studios was much more popular and pretty close by, most people would go there. But cooler people come here because it's much cuter. Or at least, that's what Miwa remembers. She's only been here once with her mother when she was about six, but it was one of her best memories with the woman. "Muta, you ever been…" Miwa stopped before she could finish her sentence. Muta looked up at her, clearly knowing where she was going with it. "I've seen it through videos and I used to look up the website all the time. Never thought I'd get to go in person." He looked around, as did Miwa. It was decorated in plenty of light blue and yellow lights, giving the vibe of summer and the beach. The two began to walk around, looking at the different lights before coming to a - fucking get this - small laser tag zone. Muta's eyes widened, "Oh my god we have to go." He flashed his wristband, "All day passes! No extra charge for games or arcade style events." That was a direct line from the website itself. "So yes?
"I'll win." Miwa responded. Muta laughed, "Good luck." And with that, Muta rolled towards the laser tag zone. Miwa power walked to keep up with him. "You- I have great aim!"
"And I'm sure you do, Mimi."
"You can not 'Mimi' your way out of this one," Miwa said, opening the door. "When I beat you, I'm laughing my ass off at you and your baby score." Both Miwa and Muta flashed up their wristbands, "Two more." and planned to go into the waiting room when the worker cleared his throat. "Ah, pardon me, ma'am," He looked to Miwa, "Is he playing as well?"
And Miwa had never made a more unhappy face in public in her life.
"She said two," Muta spoke for her, "And I'm sure she didn't stutter." Miwa watched the worker simply not say anything else, and gesture to the waiting room door. Miwa opened it, and Muta whispered, "You're going to lose."
🦾🗡
Miwa got her ass handed to. It was tragic. It was actually so bad she stood in a corner and rethought her life choices. Muta laughed at her for at least 2 minutes, (Miwa knows. She counted) but then he won her a panda plush on a ball throwing game. The two of them went on a couple of slower rides together, Muta "living vicariously" through Miwa by recording her screaming for her life on a drop ride. But when he bought her a cheese corn dog and an icee, all was forgiven. The two had taken some time to stop and look at some fireworks that went off somewhere in the distance while they ate.
As hours passed, Miwa honestly thought that they had gone through the entire park. When they had taken a break and Miwa sat on a bench (thank the lord she did not wear heels), she had gotten a message from Mai around 10.
MZ: Bruh
MZ: [picture sent]
Miwa had opened it, and it was a picture someone took of a Dior shop that was being havocked upon. It was clearly the work of one or multiple curses, but that wasn't even the part that made Miwa go insane. Utahime was there, the side of her miko outfit was visible.
MZ: Nitta sent me this from his sister
MZ: guess u guys r free for the night
Suddenly, Miwa did not feel as calm about the fireworks they were looking at.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing!" Miwa didn't realize that she was looking like she just saw someone rise from the dead. As long as she's never implicated for being the reason for the destruction of a Dior store, then she's fine. She smiled, "Nothing. We ready?" Muta nodded, and the two continued.
By 10:30, most of the slower and kiddish rides were shutting down, but they're not going back to school yet. With not everything closed, Miwa would be back to fighting for her life on fast rides that her poor heart wasn't able to handle. Today would mark the first day Miwa ever flipped Muta off.
But! She did finally beat Muta in a water gun game, which meant she may have celebrated a little bit too hard. (It would've been embarrassing if she hadn't lost at every other game the two played. This was one of the most defining moments of the night.) The two of them were a mostly quiet duo, but none of it was awkward. Just the two of them enjoying each other’s presence. They two looked at a light display that apparently looked like Palm Beach. Except Miwa's never seen Palm Beach, so she's just taking the lights' word for it. They took about 100 pictures (It was Miwa. Miwa took 100 pictures) with every piece of pretty scenery they could find.
"Let's go on this one." Muta was referring to a haunted house themed ride. There was a height limit, and Miwa looked down at Muta. He looked back up at her with faux malice. "You think this is funny?"
"Hilarious, actually." Muta held out his hand, "Come here." Miwa took it, and Muta held on tight as he stood up, absolutely towering over Miwa, even though he was slightly slouched. Once she was sure he wasn't in pain from the stunt, "You won't let me have one good thing, will you?" Muta just gave a half smile as he sat back down. Miwa looked at the attraction once again. "You sure you want to do this one? I mean, we see a bunch of way worse stuff every day." Muta didn't look at her, "Indulge me, will you?" Miwa nodded, not asking why. If Muta wanted to explain that, then he would. If he didn't, well she'll never mind going on a ride with Muta. Miwa helped him out of his wheelchair and ino the seat of the ride before sliding in. The ride started easy enough, the premise was of the riders exploring a haunted mansion for proof of ghosts. There were some jump scares here and there, nothing too bad. There was a sudden drop when the ride went into the basement portion (what mansion even has a basement??) that made Miwa yelp, that made her stomach drop. But Muta jolted , inching closer to her. Then very fake spiders came down from the ceiling on strings. Miwa almost laughed, except Muta was rapidly brushing his hair. "Maru, they were on strings."
"I-I knew that." Miwa held his hand anyway, and he held it for the rest of the ride.
Muta had a headache, after the ride. Miwa watched him as he grabbed his painkillers. Miwa knows that they don't work well, the amount Muta takes would be enough to knock Miwa out for a semester. Was the ride a bad idea? Maybe she should have nudged them to a different ride. It was bumpier than all the other ones and-
"Kasumi." Her family name being said by her boyfriend (weeeee) brought her out of her thoughts. "I'm fine. It happens, you know that."
"Do you… wanna go back-"
"Definitely not." Muta closed his eyes and leaned his head back, "Just give me a couple of minutes." Miwa could do that. She sat down on a bench and remained silent until Muta opened his eyes. He gave a nod, "Thanks."
"Hm? Oh," Miwa shook her head as they kept walking, "Don't worry about it. I know you'd rather me be quiet when you're- you know- going Through It." That was their catch all term for the pain that he felt, and it worked. "That's not what I was referring to, but that was appreciated." Oh, well that's embarrassing. Muta continued, "I was saying thanks for um… everything I guess?" His words sounded unsure, as if he was trying to figure out not what to say but how to say it. Miwa gave him time, she knows what that feels like. "I… you just- you treat me like I'm human." He let out a breath, "No one is just going to treat me like a person, just assuming I'm unable to do anything. Pitying me constantly. I wanted to go on that ride because… well I don't go out in the field the same way you do. It hurts when Mechamaru is hurt but I'm seeing things through screens. I wanted to "experience" something, I guess. Something that would freak the shit out of me, even if it's the most civilian comparison of what you go through. I just wanted to do something that would be considered normal while I'm here with you… And, no one else is going to let me whoop their ass in laser tag, because there's literally no way you're that bad at it."
"I did not let you win!" Miwa quipped. The two of them ended up laughing a little bit, and when they were settled, Miwa spoke. "You don't have to thank me for that. I love being with you so… I don't know I just treat you how I- I don't know. I just like when you're happy." Miwa didn't really know what she was saying, but she was definitely saying words. But Muta just smiled, and the two of them kept walking.
This was quite possibly the best night of Kasumi Miwa of the Kasumi family's life. And the best part was that it wasn't over yet. Miwa won Muta a purple dragon that they named Pipi and named the panda Pupu. They played darts and Muta has unreasonably good aim. The two of them didn't ride anymore rides, as Muta clearly was not down for another headache. But they were still having fun.
It was midnight, holy shit it was midnight. Miwa was grossly giddy by now. The two of them were in line for the ferris wheel, it was going to be their last thing for the night. They were waiting for one of the larger cars to come around for the two of them to get into. When they did, Muta rolled his wheelchair across from his girlfriend (weeee) in the free space. When the door was closed, Muta looked at her. "I have something for you. It's not- er- much, but I've been working on it." Miwa watched Muta dig through his bag. Did he make her another trinket? Miwa was already deciding where it would go on her desk. Muta pulled out a… tube like thingy? He clicked a button on the side of it, and poof it extended into a cane. It was like a magician's stick, but this could clearly support weight. Wait. Wait, was he-?
With difficulty, Muta stood up, and watched his feet as he shuffled over to Miwa. When the ferris wheel moved once, he stumbled, and Miwa was quick to stand up. "You are too tall to fall." Miwa murmured, and Muta chuckled. They sat down, with Miwa not at all worried looking at him. "You okay?" When Muta nodded, Miwa then smiled. "You walked!"
"Surprise?" Muta smiled awkwardly. Miwa was practically glowing, "When were you going to do this if we didn't decide to ride the ferris wheel?"
"Probably on solid ground."
"Well, I'm proud of you!" Muta's ears turned red, and he looked down. "Yeah, thank you." He looked out the window, peering down as they slowly got higher and higher. "I never thought I'd ever come here." He said, "I honestly never thought I'd go outside in person, so being in a ferris wheel was even more of a stupid dream. And going with someone that I…" Miwa watched Muta's brain deflate in real time. "Uhh… you know." Miwa laughed softly, "I know. Me too." Muta let out a shaky breath that Miwa wasn't able to decipher. Was it a sigh of relief? "Anyway, I'm just really happy? And I haven't been this happy since… I don't know." That's when Miwa noticed that Muta's shoulders seemed less tense, there was less tightness in his voice. He truly seemed so much better than any time he was at the school.
"Jujutsu High doesn't deserve you." She said it in one breath. Muta turned to her, his eyes red, "What?"
"You're too good for them. I knows it's not possible because everything you need is there but-" Now why the hell was Miwa getting all emotional suddenly? "But you deserve to be happy, as often as you can get it." Muta gestured to her, "Me? What about you? The main reason you're doing this is so you can send money home. If there's anyone, Jujutsu High - no - the fucking sorcerer world doesn't deserve you. It would tear you to shreds." Miwa knew that was probably true, and as she progressed in her abilities, it would become a more looming presence. She just wants to help people.
"I'm thinking about leaving," Miwa admitted, "Once I've made enough, and my brothers are taken care of, I'm probably going to stop, assuming there isn't something world shattering to take care of."
"What are you going to do after that?" Miwa laughed, "I don't know. Considering this is years away, I've got time to think. But I know I don't want to stop helping people." Muta nodded, and Miwa gave a smile, "You'll be stuck with me for a bit longer as your partner."
"No problems with that." Miwa and Muta were an unofficial duo of sorts. The two go on jobs together more often than alone nowadays. It paid off, too. Miwa was officially a semi-second grade as of last Monday.
The two of them went back to being quiet, at least until they stopped at the top of the wheel. "Hey, Muta?" The boy looked over, a thin eyebrow raised, "Hm?" Miwa kissed his cheek. "Thank you, for staying with me tonight." Muta widened his eyes, and put his hand on his cheek. "Miwa." Muta held his hand out. She took it, and Muta took that moment to kiss her. It was just a few seconds before they parted. They looked at each other for a few seconds before Muta looked back out the window, not letting go of her hand. "The view from here is great." Miwa smiled looking at all the lights being reflected in Muta's eyes, but mostly, she was looking at his smile.
"Yeah, yeah it is."