Work Text:
Underneath the bright sunny day in the busy streets of Tokyo, you strolled along the sidewalk with a bag of groceries in hand. You hummed to yourself as you walked and enjoyed the warmth from the sun on your face. It was nice and refreshing after the chilly breeze that had greeted you.
‘What to cook for tonight’s dinner?’ You thought. ‘I hope today’s the day he’ll praise me for how delicious it is!’
Maybe something that would help cleanse his palate? You did hear from his brother and his assistant the other day that he wasn’t eating well enough that he didn’t have his usual third bowl of rice.
A feminine loud voice shouted your name across the street, breaking from your thoughts before turning your head towards the direction. Your lips curled into a smile when you saw the owner of the voice.
It was none other than, Kugisaki Nobara, your best friend along with Zen'in Maki, another good friend of yours.
"Nobara!" you happily called her name, running towards her to give her a big hug. "It's been like what? Almost half a year have we not seen each other?"
How did you meet Kugisaki? Well, You don’t remember about the details, but according to Maki, who didn't drink, you were minding her own business in the bar with Maki when suddenly Kugisaki busted into the same establishment, challenging you to a drinking contest.
You, who wouldn't say no to a challenge, happily accepted it. Both of you drank until you two started swearing at each other like sailors and could make the devil blush. However, that exchange may have resulted in the bartender kicking you and Kugisaki out with Maki in tow.
The day after that event was the same day you found out you share the same English class with Kugisaki.
As for Maki? You two were acquaintances throughout middle school, she kept herself busy with the school’s kendo club while you’re part of the going home club, indulging yourself with tv shows and manga.
It wasn’t until the first year of high school that you two became friends when Yuta, her now boyfriend, asked for directions. You, who couldn’t say no, tried your best to remember which way it was. However, the moment you saw Maki in the hallway, you clung to her shamelessly, asking for her help.
"See, Maki?" Kugisaki smirked. "She likes me better than you."
"Whatever," Maki scoffed. "She’s not my pain in the ass anymore."
Alarmed by the latter's comment, You pulled away from Kugisaki, and faced Maki, grabbing both of her hands. "But, there's only one Maki I want to be friends with, and it’s right in front of me.“
You were confused at the sight of your friend’s red face, but you winced in pain when she pulled away from your grasp and pinch your cheeks hard.
“Ow!”
“Even after 10 years since you’ve two known each other, you’re so oblivious that you’re still making Maki blush.” Kugisaki commented, amused at the sight of you two.
Maki let go of your cheeks, gritting her teeth at Kugisaki. “Shut up!”
Before you could say anything else, loud growls emitted from you and your friends’ stomachs,causing you three to laugh, Kugisaki suggested that all three of you should go to a cafe for a quick afternoon snack at a trendy cafe near the train station.
Once you got your orders, you chose to brought up the question that was lingering in your mind.
“Anyways,” You lightly stirred the straw of your iced coffee. “Did you two meet up without me?”
“Nope.” Maki glanced at Kugisaki before looking back at you. “I was looking for new clothes to wear, and I happened to run into her boutique.”
“She’s actually looking for a ring to propose to Yuta with.”
“Nobara!”
You gasped loud enough that you caught the attention of the other patrons. “Congratulations! Will Mai be the maid of honor? Will I get to be part of the bridesmaid at least?”
“Anyways, enough about me!” Maki cut in, trying to change the subject as she eyed the bag of groceries next to you. “What about you? That’s quite a lot of food in your bag for someone who lives by herself.”
“Oh? Are you seeing someone?” Kugisaki smiled coyly with her eyebrows raised.
Bashfully, you rubbed the back of your neck with a shy smile. “I’m currently seeing someone.”
Suddenly, you felt two pairs of eyes staring right through your soul, and you understood their reactions.
Throughout the years they’ve known you, there’s a certain phase in your life that you chose to dedicate yourself to admire fictional men, and you’re so far up in their two dimensional asses that they believed you opted for the single life.
Because of this, you’re unaware of the lingering gazes, or the special treatment from guys that Maki and Kugisaki had to constantly scold you for. Nevertheless, they still protected you if one of your admirers made an unwanted move on you.
Maki frowned. “Please tell me they’re real at least.”
Embarrassed, you shook your head quickly. “Of course, he is! I’m not delusional enough!”
“Right…” Kugisaki took a sip of her drink. “So, who’s the unfortunate individual who had to suffer your obliviousness for god knows how long?”
“Well, I’m sure you knew Itadori Yuji, right?” You heard your friends ‘hm’ as their answer. “I’m currently dating his brother.”
The half-eaten cookie on Maki’s hand slipped from her grasp and fell on the table. Meanwhile, Kugisaki didn’t breathe for a good minute.
You waved your hand in front of their faces, checking if they’re still with you. It wasn’t until the sound of the shopkeeper’s bell echoed throughout the establishment that brought them back to reality
“You what?!” Maki surprisingly asked.
"Are you sure you're dating the right twin?" Kugisaki asked, her brows knitted together with a frown on her face.
"Yeah?" You answered, unsure of what she meant. "Sukuna had the tattoos, while his brother doesn't have any. I didn’t know you knew him.“
“Know?” Kugisaki slammed her hands at the table. “He’s fucking infamous in our year back in college! He single-handedly made three professors quit in the same semester!”
“Don’t forget that he’s also the one who lit a car on fire that happened to belong to the dean of the business department after he received a verbal warning because of the said firing.” Maki added after drinking her smoothie mixed with protein powder.
“Really?” Your eyes widened. “I thought the police ruled it out as an accident.”
“It still is.“ Maki scratching her cheek, doubting if you’re being oblivious, dumb, or both. “But, C’mon, even someone like you could tell it’s him.”
Kugisaki let out an exasperated sigh. "What do you even see on that man?"
“Well…he’s protective for starters!” You replied. “The other day there was this co-worker who kept bugging me at work, asking for my number. When I told Sukuna about this, he told me the guy would stop the next day. And, the next thing I knew, my co-worker did stop, but I don’t understand why he would look so afraid of me, nor his mutterings with ‘I’m gonna get killed if I approach her’.”
“Did it ever occur to you…I don’t know, he threatened them?!” Kugisaki exclaimed.
“I did,” You purse your lips together, trying to remember from that specific day. “But he told me it’s about the sending a message, Nobara.”
Somehow, Kugisaki felt mentally and physically exhausted from hearing that. She needed something sweet to keep her sane.
Out of nowhere, you and Maki watched your friend downed her strawberry milk tea as if she’s drinking water. However, she started coughing, and it seemed she forgot her drink had tapioca pearls in it.
You gave quick pats on her back, hoping it would help her. Eventually, she calmed down, and when you checked the time on your wristwatch, you quickly grabbed your groceries, and dashed towards the exit without giving the chance to explain your sudden departure.
After taking the train that’s jam packed full of people, you finally arrived at your shared apartment. Despite the hefty amount of money that your boyfriend makes, he chose to move in at your small cozy one bedroom apartment.
“I’m home.” You announced as you took off your shoes.
“You are finally home, brat.”
“I unexpectedly met up with Nobara and Maki earlier.” You made your way to the kitchen before putting away your groceries into its proper place. “I thought you’d be home late today, Sukuna.”
Confused at your boyfriend’s lack of response, you carried on your current task on hand. It took a few minutes for you to finish it. After placing the milk into the fridge, you went to meet Sukuna in the living room, only for you to see his disappointed expression while sitting on the couch with an opened cookbook in hand.
“What’s with the frown on your face?” You tilted your head to the side. “Did I do something wrong?”
Sukuna’s furrowed brows became deeper. “I didn’t give you the permission to address me so casually, brat.”
Oh, right! That’s like the number one rule when you started dating him; address him with honorifics. You found it a bit weird at first when you started dating him 6 months ago. Although you didn’t mind about it now, at some point, you asked him if it’s a kink of his.
And, his reply was something that’s in character for someone like him.
If glares could kill, you would have been killed on the spot by your Sukuna. “You’re really asking for me to bury you alive, huh?”
“Sorry!” You scratched your head. “I forgot about that, Sukuna-sama.”
“Try again.” Sukuna crossed his arms. “But, this time, apologize on your knees.”
Without hesitation, you followed what he said exactly; you’re on your knees and you have to look up to maintain eye contact with him. “I’m sorry for addressing you so informally, Sukuna-sama.”
Seeing the satisfied smirk on his face and nodding at your apology, you got up from the wooden floor.
“You’re a bit later than usual.” Sukuna glanced at the clock before meeting your gaze once again. “Did something come up?”
A small chuckle slipped past your lips, earning a judging look from your boyfriend. It’s rare that Sukuna openly showed his concern for you, and once he did, it never failed to warm your heart.
“What’s so funny about what I said, brat?” He asked defensively.
But knowing him, if you told the truth, it would earn you a flick to your forehead.
“It’s nothing.” You waved your hand dismissively.