Chapter Text
Non-Canon AU One-Shot
2.7k words
"Be careful Yuuji!" Choso called out as he watched his little brother play at the park. The pink haired boy was a bit reckless, constantly tumbling down or scraping his elbow. Everytime it happened, Choso felt his heart clench. Seeing Yuuji in any type of distress broke his heart, even if it was a little bump or scrape. Ever since Choso and Yuuji were adopted by their Uncle Sukuna many years ago after their parents tragic deaths, Choso was constantly in stressed Big Brother Mode. Now that he was an adult, Yuuj lived with him in his own 2 bedroom apartment, that was down the street from their Uncle Sukuna. Choso took every moment he could spend with Yuuji, watching over him while encouraging the boy to live an active, happy life. As he watched Yuuji run around with his friend Megumi playing tag, Choso noticed you walking towards the playground with your sister in tow. He immediately straightened in his seat and smiled as you waved at him.
"Hey Cho! How are you doing?" You greeted as you sat beside him on the bench. "Oh um. I've been good, mostly hanging out with Yuuji ya know?" You nodded in response. "I get that, I've been super busy with Nobara lately, she's got all kinds of school events coming up and I have to attend her parent teacher conference next week. Adopting siblings sure isn't for the weak, huh?" You joked, smiling. Choso nodded, "it's not easy, but they make it worth it." You smiled and agreed with his sentiment before watching Nobara run off to Megumi and Yuuji. "I'm glad they get along. All three of them are really great kids, so we must be doing something right." Choso nodded in agreement.
"Hey, since we always seem to find each other here and the kids get along, we should trade numbers! We could plan playdates and such." You suggested, causing a blush to creep across his cheeks. The black haired man had been harboring a crush on you for the past year, ever since he met you while chaperoning Yuuji and Nobara's class on their third grade field trip. Your bright personality and fierce protection over your sister tugged at Choso's heart strings. You related to each other a lot, having been your siblings guardians for years. Although Nobara was your little sister, you behaved motherly towards her. You were always forcing her to wear sunscreen, bringing her favorite snacks and drinks to the park and comforting her if she was even slightly upset. Despite being 19, you were incredibly mature, having spent most of your life raising your sister.
You exchanged phones, typing in your contact information. When you took a selfie to display as your contact name on Choso's phone, he mentally imploded. You were smiling and holding up a peace sign, and when you deemed the photo acceptable you handed his phone back. "You took one too, right?" You asked, and Choso shook his head no with a blush. "Aw that's no fun! Here, lemme take a picture." You snapped a quick photo to use as his profile picture. You turned your phone around to show him, "It's a good photo, don't you think?" You asked sweetly, showing Choso your phone with pride. Choso nodded as the flush across his face spread to his ears. "So what have you been up to Cho?" You asked, leaning into his shoulder. "O-oh, um, I've mostly been working lately. The shop's been busy, so I've been pulling overtime lately. It sucks right now, but the money is worth it." You nodded with a sympathetic look, "I can relate, but if you ever need anything let me know. Yuuji is always more than welcome to come over and have dinner with us if you'd like. Wait, no- I mean both of you are always welcome, but if you want I can watch Yuuji while you're at work!" You seemed flustered, which was unusual for you, you always spoke confidently and from the heart.
“Really? That would be nice,” Choso responded, making your heart flutter. You thought the black haired man was cute and seeing him interact with Yuuji and Megumi endeared you to the man. He was about a year older than you and was incredibly buff, always wore eyeliner and was undeniably attractive. However what attracted you most was his kindness. His soft voice and dedication to protecting his family only made you want him more. “Yeah of course, just let me know if you guys ever need anything. I'm happy to help! I get home from work around 4:30 every day, so I can pick Yuuji up from school when I pick up Nobara and Megumi every day.” Choso thanked you with a smile, offering to pay you for watching his little brother after school. “I can't take your money Cho, plus you're kinda doing me a favor. Poor Megumi gets overwhelmed by Nobara sometimes, and she's got a lot of energy, so Yuuji perfectly balances them out. I watch Megs during the week for Toji. I'm not a big fan of the guy but his son is innocent. Did you ever meet Megumi's mom?” Choso shook his head no at your question. “She was a wonderful woman. Mrs. Fushiguro was my babysitter when I was young, and she was so excited that Megumi and Nobara would be born around the same time. Toji was a better man back then, too. After she passed away, I started taking care of Megumi. He was only 3 at the time, but the poor boy seemed to understand what was going on. “
You sighed before continuing, “Toji fell into a pit of depression for years. He had a gambling addiction and would drink himself to sleep every night. He's gotten better, but I still worry. That's why I take care of Megumi. So, don't worry about you or Yuuji being a burden, it's not a big deal. We've got plenty of room in our family”. You smiled brightly at Choso, as if you hadn't just told him Megumi's devastating back story. “It sounds like you've got a lot on your plate already, are you sure you don't mind watching Yuuji after school?” The black haired man asked, concern etched across his face. “Oh it's no trouble, really! Nobara and I would love to have Yuuji over”.
As the two of you planned a playdate for next week, Nobara, Megumi and Yuuji had been spying on you both. “Why are we watching them?” Megumi asked in a bored tone before he was hushed by Nobara. “Big Brother Choso and y/n exchanged phone numbers! We want to see what they're doing,” Yuuji explained with his trademark bright smile. "I wonder who's going to confess first”, Nobara said with a grin. Megumi rolled his eyes. Who cares if you two are dating or not? “My brother has the biggest crush on y/n. They just need to get together already.” Yuuji and Nobara continued to gossip like housewives about their siblings while Megumi just observed. When Megumi walked off to the swing sets, Nobara and Yuuji were so engrossed in their conversation they didn't notice him leaving. “Megumi! Are you okay?” Your concerned voice could be heard across the park. You were no longer sitting on the bench, as you were already speed walking towards the black haired boy. Megumi was confused as to why you were so worried. “Hey, where are the other two? Are you okay Megs? Why are you alone?” Megumi gave you his signature ‘wtf is wrong with you’ face as you began to check him over. “I’m fine, I just wanted to swing.” You nodded and ruffled his hair, “alright, I just wanted to make sure you weren’t being excluded.” Megumi fixed his hair with an annoyed glare; he knew you meant well, but all he really wanted to do was swing quietly without any drama. Megumi had no interest in Nobara and Yuuji’s “Operation Choso and Y/N” project; those two had been secretly planning ‘park dates’ for you two to coincidentally run into each other. Nobara would ask you to take her to the playground about once a week, unbeknownst to you this was entirely planned by Nobara and Yuuji.
The duo would scheme at lunch time and plan when the next time you two would “bump into each other randomly”. Megumi typically stayed out of those conversations though, as he had no interest in interfering in someone’s life. It probably didn’t help that Megumi was insecure about whether or not he was part of your family. A tiny part of him had always hoped you would fall in love with Toji, and the four of you could be a family, but that wouldn’t be possible if you were with Choso. His rational mind knew that Yuuji wouldn’t take his place in your heart or your home, but when you’re an emotional 9 year old, logic goes out the window. “y/n?” You heard Megumi ask quietly as you turned around to go back to the bench. “Yes? Do you need something?” Megumi kicked the dirt, anxious to look you in the eye as he asked you, “will you always take care of me? I know we’re not family, but….” The young Fushiguro boy trailed off, making your heart clench. “Megs, you will never get rid of me. I promised your mom that I would protect you with everything I have. If I could, I’d legally adopt you myself. I don’t ever want you to think that I don’t love you like my own, because I do. I’ve known you since you were a little baby; I’d never abandon you.” You pulled Megumi into a tight hug while you held back tears. Megumi didn’t show much emotion, so a fraction of vulnerability almost shocked you. “I love you, forever and always. You’re my family too, just like Nobara.” Your words seemed to reassure the boy. He let you hug him for a few seconds before pulling away; he did have a nonchalant reputation to uphold after all.
When you returned to the bench, Choso asked you if everything was okay. “Oh yeah, they’re fine. I’m just a bit… overprotective, ya know?” He nodded in understanding. “I always worry about Megumi being excluded or getting bullied in school. Yuuji has really been a blessing, forcing Megs to come out of his shell. They’re the perfect little trio, don’t you think?” You were watching Nobara, Yuuji and Megumi play on the swings, with little Yuuji running back and forth to push them on the swings. Their laughter filled the air, one of your favorite sounds. “They really are the perfect little friend group. I’m grateful for Nobara and Megumi befriending Yuuji. I know he can be a bit… much, but they never make him feel that way.” The two of you continued to observe the children as they played. “I don’t think there’s such a thing as someone being ‘too much’. If someone can’t handle you because you’re ‘too much’ then they can go find less. Nobara and I are ‘too much’ for a lot of people, but I don't think so. Yuuji reminds me a lot of my little sister, they’re both so passionate and energetic.” Choso hummed in agreement.
“I like that, your ‘if I'm too much, go find less’ mindset is… yeah.” You laughed at Choso's words, flushed cheeks on full display. “Sorry [Name], did I make it weird?” You tried to contain your giggles as you shook your head no. “Not at all Cho, you're just cute, that's all.” Choso's blush matched your own. You thought he was cute! Before he could even think twice, he reached out and tucked a stray hair behind your ear. You inhale sharply, leaning into his hand as if it was perfectly natural. Choso felt his heart beating fast while you locked gazes with him. The way you seemed to instinctively lean into him nearly made his heart stop. You smiled warmly at him, looking up at Choso through your lashes. Unfortunately your sweet moment was interrupted by a series of hoots and hollers. The two of you broke apart and whipped your heads to face the sound.
Nobara and Yuuji were high fiving while Megumi shook his head like a disappointed dad. Nobara continued to squeal in delight with Yuuji while you and Choso looked at each other in confusion. “What are they yelling about?” Choso asked you, causing you to shrug, “No idea”. Megumi looked at you with a deadpan stare while the duo in front of him recovered from their giggle fit. “You good?” You called out to the trio, causing Nobara and Yuuji to temporarily pause their shenanigans. “Yeah don't worry sis! You two have fun over there~” Nobara replied, sassy tone on full display. You raised an eyebrow in confusion before turning back to Choso, “do you have any idea what's going on?” Choso shook his head, “nope”. You sighed, “cool, me either…. But if I'm being honest I rarely know what the hell they're doing.” The black haired man laughed at your exasperated sigh. “At least they're having fun, right?” You nodded in response, “I guess, yeah.”
You looked down at your watch and noticed that quite some time had passed. “Oh! I'm so sorry Cho, I didn't mean to keep you so long. It's dinner time and I still have to figure out what Nobara and I are going to eat,” you sighed and raked your fingers through your hair. “Do you want to go to dinner with me?” Choso blurted out, lips working faster than his brain. “Wait, what?” You could barely process what the black haired man had said. “I mean- do you want to go to dinner with the boys and I? I'll pay for you and Nobara,” Choso offered. “You're so sweet Cho, you really don't have to do that, but we'd love to join you. Do you want me to gather the three ankle biters?” Choso laughed and nodded, “that'd be great, thanks!” Oh if there was a God, Choso was definitely his favorite, you thought to yourself. The man was gorgeous and very kind. His generosity knew no bounds; he was the type of man that would give someone the shirt off his back. “Alright kiddos! It's time to go, we're getting food!” You called out as you walked towards the trio. Nobara and Yuuji raced towards you while Megumi walked over nonchalantly.
“Where are we going?” Yuuji asked with a grin. You looked at Choso, indicating that he should answer, “we're going to the new hot pot restaurant down the street, does that sound good?” A resounding YES came from the trio, although Megumi's voice was quiet. You gathered your items and began to walk side by side to the restaurant with Choso, the gaggle of kids following closely behind. You were content, making small talk with the man beside you while he took the group to dinner. You swore that Nobara and Yuuji ate their body weight in food that night, but you were too happy to care. Choso was chatting with you the entire time, talking about work, stories from his childhood and everything in between. The two of you laughed most of the night, spending way more time in the restaurant than you had intended too. When the bill came you offered to split the payment but Choso refused. “I'm taking you out, so I'm paying.” You quit arguing, knowing it was futile. The man was stubborn, a trait he had inherited from the Kamo/Itadori bloodline.
When the night ended, you went your separate ways after planning to get together over the weekend. You both used the excuse that it was “purely for the kids!” and totally had nothing to do with your reciprocal crushes. Nobara teased you as you walked home with her, asking if Choso was your boyfriend yet. You could only sputter out a no, furious blush covering your face. She continued to push the subject until you looked at her and said, “okay why don't we stop talking.” She laughed and dropped it to your relief. Gods above, you prayed that the man would just ask you out already.