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Megumi felt a building headache in his temples. He sighed tiredly. How could they even go on that for almost fifteen minutes?
“I am telling you! You wouldn't be able to do that so easily!” Kugisaki said, pointing at the display. “Don't underestimate pole dancing!”
They were at the mall just passing some random dance studio with a big ass window that let you take a look at what's going on inside. More or less fortunately, this time a group of women were pole dancing. For the last quarter of an hour, Kugisaki was arguing with Itadori about the difficulty level of this type of dance while standing outside and making the participants nervous, which the two obviously didn't realize.
“And again, I am telling you that I could!” Itadori raised his voice with frustration.
Megumi sighed again. Why was he here again? Ah, right. Gojou promised to buy them dinner, and they were waiting for him to finish his work.
Kugisaki scowled, and then a Cheshire cat grin bloomed on her face.
“Then prove it.” She taunted.
Itadori sent her his own smile in response. Which was mostly cute. Not that Megumi thinks Itadori is cute, just his smile. That's it. Yes.
“Okay! Let's make a bet, then! I'm gonna go there and show you it's not that hard, and if I win, I will choose where Gojou-sensei will take us for dinner tonight.” Itadori settled and held his right hand expectantly.
Megumi rolled his eyes. Kids.
Kugisaki snorted and took Itadori's hand.
“But if I'm right, you are gonna be my errand boy for the entire weekend.” She decided.
“You okay with that, Fushiguro?” Itadori apparently remembered that he was still standing there.
Megumi was almost moved by the sudden acknowledgement.
“Yeah, whatever. Just end it quickly, so Gojou won't complain when he gets here.” He winced at the thought of annoying whines.
“It’s a deal, then.” Kugisaki said with a big smile, and they shook their hands in agreement.
Megumi suddenly felt a shiver running down his spine. He's gonna regret being a part of this, isn't he?
He took out his phone, sent Gojou a message to let him know where they were, and resigned himself to his fate.
♪♪~♫~♪♪
Mao liked her job. Teaching dance has been something she has been doing in her life for almost eight years now. The woman was happy to show others how fun dancing can be. How satisfying it is to learn choreography for your favorite song and perform it without trouble!
She was always making sure to not discourage her students or judge their attitude. People were different; they all learned at their own pace, and some of them put more work into things than others. Some needed more praise and kind words, and some needed challenges and motivation. She liked the hard-working ones. Mao could easily see which person took her advice to heart or who spent extra hours on practice. What she didn't like were the arrogant and confident students who tend not to listen and then blame her for a pulled muscle or a different injury.
Today she had her usual group of ten women practicing a new choreography on the poles. Mao went with them through the basics some time ago, and now she was trying to teach them the first moves to the song, empathizing with the “trying” part. Two of her students were having some difficulties with the moves. Also, what didn't help was the trio of teenagers standing outside, which normally wouldn't be a problem because her students were used to being watched in a busy mall. But the two of them were apparently arguing with each other, and her students began to be more focused on the exchange than on her classes. Mao sighed and decided to end it for today.
She clasped her hands, turned off the music, and gathered their attention. The woman thanked them for their hard work, promising to continue the lesson next time.
Now, when her students scattered, some of them immediately bolting from the studio and some going for the locker room, she planned to go outside and ask what the commotion was about, but the trio surprised her by heading inside.
She went for a towel and water to refresh herself quickly. The trio let her students pass first through the door, and then the girl with short hair and the pink-haired boy with unusual markings under his eyes came in enthusiastically, with the dark-haired boy hesitantly trudging after them. She immediately approached them with a polite smile.
“Hello, my name is Sanada Mao, and I'm a dance instructor here. What can I do for you?” She asked, slightly intrigued.
“Um, we are sorry for bothering you, Sanada-san, but, um… I have a small favor to ask.” The pink boy said it with a friendly smile, and Mao couldn't help but smile back.
“Do you want to sign up for lessons?” Mao offered.
“Actually…” The pink boy started and paused, so she made a hand sign to continue. “I was hoping Sanada-san could let me use one of the poles to show my friend,” and he looked at the girl pointedly, “that it's easier than she thinks to dance on it.” He ended, and Mao raised her eyebrows, perplexed.
“Like, here and now?” She had to make sure she understood him correctly.
He nodded.
“Yes, if it's not a problem.”
Mao glanced at his friends and raised her eyebrows higher at seeing their sudden serious expressions.
“Do you have any experience with pole dancing?” She asked, shifting her attention back to the pink-haired boy.
He shook his head.
“Not really.”
She pursed her lips, disappointed with the answer. Mao took some moments to consider it.
“I'm not against you using the pole since my classes ended today, but I need to warn you; pole dancing isn't as easy as it seems.” She responded slowly, assessing his body, and the girl with short hair grunted in agreement. “You need certain muscles, and I'm not sure you can dance without proper guidance.” Mao added, still smiling politely.
The boy hummed.
“Can Sanada-san show me then?” He asked, and Mao blinked several times, taken aback at the boldness.
She chuckled.
“I am usually paid for that, you know.” She responded jokefully, and the pink-haired boy gaped.
“Oh my god, of course, I'm sorry I haven't thought about it!” And he turned to the gloomy boy. “Fushiguro, can Gojou-sensei pay for it?” He asked hopefully.
The black-haired boy, Fushiguro, scoffed.
“This failure of a man would gladly spend his fortune on you.” He uttered it tiredly, and Mao pointedly ignored the comment to not dwell on it too much.
She smiled. Extra money always sounds nice.
“I don't see a problem then. I could assist you.” Mao agreed, and the pink-haired boy beamed.
“Really?” He asked excitedly. “Thank you so much, Sanada-sensei! I am Itadori Yuuji!” He introduced himself with a big smile.
Mao chuckled lightly at the reaction. The boy seemed very sweet.
“Okay then, Itadori-kun. I guess you don't have anything to change, but we can still work with that. It would be easier for you to at least take off your top.” She advised walking to the pole.
Mao turned and jolted when she realized the boy immediately took off his hoodie and top underneath. And gods, where did he get those lined muscles? Itadori-kun seemed to be like, sixteen? Maybe eighteen? She blinked for a moment. Well, she guessed it really might help with pole dancing.
“We should start with a little warm-up." She recovered quickly, and Itadori-kun nodded. “Do any of you want to join us?” Mao asked, looking at the rest.
“Oh, no, thank you. I'm fine with observing.” The girl said this, smiling mischievously at the pink-haired boy, and he stuck out his tongue.
The other boy, Fushiguro, just shook his head. Mao smiled and started to do simple stretching. Itadori-kun immediately joined her, with the woman silently observing the boy's flexibility and posture while exercising. Just by the warm-up alone, she could see he was used to physical training.
“Are you doing any sports?" She couldn't help but ask.
Itadori-kun raised his head from the stretching position and chuckled.
“Not really. But I am pretty fast, and I do fight a lot?” He responded, uncertain at the last words.
Interesting.
“Fight? Like, martial arts?” Mao wondered.
Again, a chuckle.
“Yes, something like that.” Was the answer.
She nodded to herself. It made sense. She clasped her hands to gather attention, which was more of a habit at this point, and she smiled.
“Okay. I will show Itadori-kun the basics now, and we will go from there according to your skills.” She decided, and the boy agreed.
Mao explained everything with her words and by showing how to properly do every figure. She observed that the girl was also listening with her arms crossed, while the other boy was mostly doing something on his phone.
Then it came time for Itadori-kun to repeat all the moves, and her eyes went wide. Of course, she gave him the easiest ones since he claimed to be a beginner, but this? Every figure was performed perfectly, without issue. Huh. So maybe the boy was on something here.
“Are you sure you have never tried it before, Itadori-kun?” She had to make sure.
The boy paused and furrowed his brows.
“Yes, it's my first time.” He said. “Am I doing something wrong?”
“No, no! It's the opposite, actually! Itadori-kun might be a natural!” Mao was quick to reassure him, and the boy grinned.
She smiled back. Those students were rare, but working with them was always a pleasure.
“Tch, even I can tell he's good.” The girl with short hair admitted, sounding irritated.
“I told you before, Kugisaki! It's my win then.” He stated it happily, and Mao raised her brows.
“Not yet. You are just doing the figures, but you are supposed to dance. With music, choreography, and everything.” The girl, Kugisaki, scoffed.
Oh. So that's what it was about. It was a bet! The woman giggled quietly.
“Itadori-kun. I will show you a simple choreo, and you will try and repeat it step by step, okay?” Mao offered, and the boy nodded, determined.
She turned on the music. The choreography for this song was made for her beginner students to fit their skill level. Mao finished her performance and got a small applause in response. She chuckled.
“Now, let's focus only on the first verse and chorus, okay?” And they did.
She showed him every step without music, counting to eight. Itadori-kun went through every move with her almost without problems, and Mao was proud. For a beginner, he was making such great progress that the woman was positively surprised. His muscle memory was good too. The boy made smooth transitions between figures and knew how to properly show every move. Mao observed a little crowd gathering outside the window, and she smiled. They repeated the choreo until Itadori-kun made it two times without mistakes.
“Let’s try with the music now.” Mao decided.
And there appeared to be a problem. With her counting in the background, Itadori-kun danced almost perfectly. With just music, he seemed lost. He still performed great, and his moves were on top, but something was amiss. He couldn’t feel the song itself, and it visibly affected his dance.
“You are slacking.” The girl, Kugisaki, commented, and Itadori-kun scowled at her.
“Isn't it good enough?” Asked the boy, Fushiguro.
“No!” Came the answer from Itadori-kun and Kugisaki.
A black-haired boy sighed again.
“Hmmm. Maybe try not to focus so much on the figures but enjoy the music instead, Itadori-kun.” Mao advised, and the pink-haired boy pondered.
“Honestly, I don't really like this song, so maybe that's why I can't seem to find the rhythm.” He said it sheepishly.
She nodded, humming.
“Okay, let's go through the different ones then. Tell me when to stop, Itadori-kun.” She started to shuffle the playlist.
“Oh, I like this one.” He picked ‘I feel like I'm drowning’ and Mao raised her brows.
“The choreography I taught you wouldn't really go with this song, Itadori-kun, but I guess we can change some things.” She said hesitantly. “It's definitely more advanced.”
“Can Sanada-sensei show me?” He asked.
She blinked and then smiled.
“Of course.” And she showed him her choreography for the entire song.
He nodded multiple times to himself after she finished. The boy had this thoughtful expression, and Mao immediately sensed something interesting was going to happen.
“Sanada-sensei, can I hear the song one more time, please?” Itadori-kun made a request, and she grinned.
Oh, does he want to come up with his own choreography at this level? That would just make him a genius at this point. She turned on the music again and observed how Itadori-kun was making those small moves with his fingers while staring at the pole. Oh, gods, this is going to be good; Mao could feel it!
The song ended, and the pink-haired boy turned to her with an excited smile.
“I think I've got it, Sensei.” He declared this with confidence, and Mao smiled back knowingly.
“You’ve got what?” Kugisaki grumbled, but they both ignored her.
“Show us, Itadori-kun!” Mao said, thrilled.
Itadori-kun went to the pole, took a position, and nodded. Mao played the song, and with every Itadori-kun’s next move, her eyes opened wider. It was almost like an entirely different person dancing! He looked so hot and mature! Mao was so proud.
Yes, she decided. She's going to teach him more!
♪♪~♫~♪♪
Satoru was having a boring day. No, not boring. Typical, maybe? His days were constantly the same for a long time now. Wake up, go to the mission to kill a high-grade curse, eat something sweet, take a nap, next mission, sweets, dinner, sweets, mission, nap, eat, mission, higher-ups, sweets, nap. Satoru sighted. Being The Strongest sure was boring with a full schedule and without real challenges.
At least now he had his students to spend some time with. Satoru smiled at the thought. His adorable and young students. Especially Yuuji, his favorite! This boy is so bright and full of light. So simple at heart and mind. Satoru chuckled lightly. Yuuji is like the sun, warming everyone around him. He is sometimes too bright to even look at. A sun who ate the cursed finger and who can control the King of Curses, apparently. Yuuji had a long way in front of him, but Satoru will help him become stronger. He will protect him.
Oh, right. Satoru is going to see his precious students soon! He promised them dinner, after all. Eating with someone sure is heartwarming. Satoru didn't even realize he missed it until he tried it again. The times when he was in high school...Well, better not go there. Satoru started wondering where to take the trio to eat instead.
He quickly dispelled the veil and went to Ijichi’s car.
“I'm over for today!” He exclaimed cheerfully. “Now I want to see my cute students!”
“Uh, of course, Gojou-san. Where to?” The man asked.
Satoru checked the phone and raised his eyebrows at Megumi’s message. He told Ijichi the address of the mall but couldn't help but ponder why the trio were in the dance studio. Do any of them even dance?
Well, Satoru quickly found out that, indeed, one of them could dance. On a pole. Half naked. With the audience. Completely unbothered by it. Fuck.
Satoru didn't even have to look at the mall map to find out where the dance studio was. Almost immediately after entering the mall, he overheard a group of excited girls gossiping about a hottie and pole dancing, so he followed them. Satoru then came across a little crowd of young people observing, commenting, or simply squealing at the performance, fully visible through the big window, so he took his blindfold off and gaped.
Now, the music from the inside was muted, but just seeing it was enough of a sight. And what a sight it was. His student, his sunny, cute Yuuji, was pole dancing with ease, doing complicated moves on the pole while looking sexy as hell. A child. Sexy. Give him back his innocence! The way he was sliding on the pole... Oh, gods, Satoru's Six Eyes gave him a really good input on those flexing muscles. Oh, fuck. He licked his lips subconsciously. But he mustn't! He's a teacher! And Yuuji is his cute, innocent stu… Oh shit, is that a split?!
Satoru finally noticed inside a visibly annoyed Nobara and furiously blushing Megumi. There was also a woman, probably a dance instructor, looking at Yuuji with stars in her eyes. He smirked. Well, if that's how it was, there was only one thing he could do now, couldn't he?
Satoru took out his phone and started recording.
And if afterwards he had to pay extra for Yuuji's pole dancing lessons, he didn't bat an eye.