Chapter Text
Chapter 1: The Barbenheimer Phenomenon
The rain came down hard in Tokyo today as the entire city was covered with dark skies and 24/7 showers. For most people it would've been a dreary/gloomy day as it was July and most students would've wanted to be out and about during the summer. Most students did want to be out and cursed this sudden downpour as an event that literally rained on their parade. However for Itadori Yuuji it was not that bad at all. In fact today, he was feeling pretty good because today was July 21...a day that will be forever remembered as the release of Barbenheimer.
For context: two very opposite movies are being released on the same day. Barbie directed by Greta Gerwig will feature a look into a Barbie girls world filled with an all star cast, bright pink colors, and catchy songs. Oppenheimer will feature a star studded cast as well but with a completely different vibe and feel. A look into a dark and depressing time in humanity where a scientist made a bomb that changed the world plunging the course of humanity into it's own self destruction. Two very different movies with a total of 5 hours and 30 minute all in one good night. The hype was through the roof.
Yuuji could barely contain his excitement. He specifically bought tickets for the Oppenheimer screening with Imax features and Barbie had the director's club feature complete with reclining chairs and free popcorn. But what made this day extra special was the fact that his two friends from the occult research club in his old high school were coming. They were both into movies and when Yuuji invited them for the Barbenheimer Phenomenon the could not resist. Him, his two occult research club friends, 5 hours and 30 minutes of pure Barbenheimer awesomeness. What could go wrong. Yuuji's thoughts were interrupted by a text- "Hi itadori..we're really sorry but we cannot make it..the rain cancelled all the trains to Tokyo. Let's see each other soon though :("
The Rain seemed to hit harder after that
Itadori collapsed on his bed. He wanted to tell them he bought tickets..a week in advance. He wanted to tell them he wished they were him. It's been a crazy summer filled with curses and sorcery and all he wanted was to not be alone for one night and watch a movie with normal people..not Jujutsu Sorcerer's. In the darkness of his own mind...Sukuna whispered in.
"Poor Itadori...no friends..no family...all alone."
"Shut up"
"You will always be alone brat and you will live a cursed life..no friends will come for you even for your pathetic hobby. You will always live a life of- "
"Itadori? why are you crying?"
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Yuuji looked up to see who was speaking. It was Fushiguro and right behind him Nobara looking concerned.
What's going on idiot?- Nobara asked with a condescending tone but the look in her eyes betrayed her. She was worried to.
"It's nothing...nothing important" replied Itadori.
"If It's not anything why are you crying" inquired Fushiguro
"It's Stupid"
"Try us"- said Nobara
Yuuji then spilled the beans. Everything came out. The movies, the rain, the loneliness that hit today of all days, and the need for friends. By the end of it he honestly half expected Megumi and Nobara to laugh. To slap him on the back and say to get over it and go train. But surprisingly they both sat down on the bed and after a few minutes..Megumi asked
"is watching this "Barbenheimer" really that important to you?"
"It's not really important..I just wanted to watch with friends."
"But we are your friends..idiot"- Nobara chimed in
"Yeah..but you do not like movies..you both practically avoided me when it comes to that."- Yuuji responded
"Yeah because I thought all you watched were those gross b rated horror films or that Marvel comic book nonsense that you keep on blabbing about. If you told me you wanted to watch Barbie? I would've said yes. The fashion style in that movie is insane and I love Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling." - Nobara said with a smile
"I actually want to watch Oppenheimer. It's a fascinating look into that time in history plus I do like some of Christoper Nolan's filmography"- Megumi chimed in
"For real? you'll watch two movies with me?"- Yuuji asked his eyes gleaming with hope.
"For the last time idiot..yes!! now give us the damn tickets before we change our mind" replied Nobara
and suddenly the rain did not seem so bad anymore
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Ramen
That's what the trio were having after their Barbenheimer phenomenon. Oppenheimer ended late so all the family restaurants and mall restaurants were closed leaving only late night shops like ramen stops open.
Yuuji stirred his noodles awkwardly..Nobara and Megumi were dead quiet since the end of Oppenheimer. With their silence, Yuuji started to wonder..what if they hated it? What if they did not like the movies? What if they hated him because he brought them? His thoughts were broken by Nobara who also broke the silence.
"Well I liked it!! I liked both!! But let's be real..Barbie won that competition"
"Huh? are you stupid? Oppenheimer won!! What an amazing technical and visual masterpiece!! The cinematogrpahy was amazing? and the way that bomb blew up?? That sounded so good in Imax!!- Megumi said in a rebuttal
"I do not know if we were watching the same movie but Oppenheimer was just ok. It was way too long. It should've ended after the bomb which while impressive took way too long to get to." replied Nobara
" You're missing the point...the point of the movie was about Oppenheimer it was his life..not the bomb he made." said Megumi
"His life must've been boring then and what was with all the time changes and the back and forth? It was too confusing!! Music was good though."
"It was the way Nolan intended. Have you not seen Tenet? and yes the music was incredible ?"
"I do not want to now!! If it's anything like this!! I want a straight forward story like Barbie and it had an amazing message about women as well. Did you not like that message Megumi? "
"I've seen it done better in other films."
"How about fashion and costumes? Barbie nailed that."
"Well duh...it is a movie about dolls."
"How about Ryan Gosling as Ken?"
"He was good but he reminded me too much of Todou"
"Ah..fair"
"Barbie had the best cameos though you can't deny that Megumi. John Cena was amazing as Mermaid Ken."
"Your country girl ass must have not gotten cable because Josh Peck from Drake and Josh as the scientist assistant of Oppenheimer was legendary!!"
Nobara stood up and took out her hammer and nails which brimmed to life with cursed energy.
Come on Megumi!! Let's go!! I'll fight you for this !! Barbie is the better and superior film.
Megumi responded in kind standing up as well and making the hand signal for the divide dogs. The shadows melted around him and the dogs appeared growling.
"Try it Kugisaki...Oppenheimer is the better film!!...actually you know what this can be settled easily. What is the better film Itadori?
yeah...is it Barbie or Oppenheimer?
Itadori looked at both of them and smiled saying "honestly? I am just happy I was able to watch movies with you guys."
Sometimes...the best activities are in the rain.
End Chapter 1