Chapter Text
“Hey Ijjchi did you want...” Yuji entered the office not at all concerned about the noise he made until he saw what waited for him inside.
Ijichi needed him to sign a few reports before the end of the day. Around dinner time, the student finally got to the office, freezing when his eyes landed on the head manager. His head was resting on a set of arms neatly folded on the desk as a makeshift pillow. Glasses crooked as he slept in an uncomfortable position. A bowl of instant noodles next to his head, ready to be made along with an unopened bottle of cold tea. Yuji should have either woken up the man or left the room. He did neither. His hand landed on the noodle bowl, raising the cup, then he carefully placed it on top of dark hair.
The manager didn’t stir in his sleep. The man was completely out. Weeks of late nights was finally catching up to him.
The bottle of tea was placed on the top of the noodle cup, somehow perfectly balancing. Yuji appeared impressed by his newfound skill. Looking around the desk, he found another box of snacks. Just as he was about to set it on the unsuspecting victim, the door opened. Brown eyes landed in his direction judging his actions.
Crossing her arms, Nobara studied the scene. He paused, hand hovering, waiting for her to react. Silently she took the snack box from his hand and the bottle of tea off the cup of noodles. Switching their placements, she gestured at how far more balanced the new arrangement was. He nodded, agreeing with her, face bright from their new game.
The snack vending machine in the hallways was a popular spot. Both students had stopped by before going to the office. More boxes came out from their pockets almost in a threatening manner. They wanted to see just how high the snack tower would get. When they ran out of materials, a new person opened the door. A look of disgust on his face. How was he the same age as these two children?
Grabbing him by each arm, Megumi was dragged away down the hallway and pestered into giving up his pocket change for more items.
Almost an hour went by as they carefully re-arranged the boxes and noodle cups. Yuji needed to drag the coffee table next to the office chair to reach the top of the leaning tower they were creating. The entire time Ijichi slept unaware of what was going on around him or the new weight resting on his head.
They were honestly impressed by how he hadn’t woken up. Even Megumi wanted to see if they could stack the items to the ceiling.
Their fun was ruined when an adult knocked on the office door before opening it. Pausing, he took in what was going on inside. A flashback to his student days came to him for a brief second.
“What are you doing?” Nanami asked, eyes hidden behind his glasses.
Jolting awake, Ijichi flew out of his chair face startled as if he was a prey animal about to be eaten. Items scattered around him without the manager noticing at first. He was more worried that he’d fallen asleep at his desk and was caught by the last person he wanted to see him slacking off.
“N-Nothing sir! I’m-” His words faltered as he took in the scene around him.
The students stood ready to run from their punishment. Bending over, he picked up a box of cookies confused on why there were so many things on the floor.
“I’m very disappointed in you.” Nanami said, arms crossed, sounding like a parent who just caught their child doing something stupid.
“Why is that directed at me?” Megumi asked when he realized the man was only looking in his direction.
“I expect more from you.” He admitted which caused the other two students to grin.
“Yeah, Fushiguro. You should know better. Teasing Ijichi like this, how could you.” Yuji said in a voice that got on his friend’s nerves.
“Could you both hold still for a moment.”
Megumi raised his hands as if he was about to summon one of his shadows. The pair shrieked then wisely fled the room.
“The reports!” Ijichi shouted after them.
“We already signed them. And keep the snacks.” Megumi said.
He ran after his friends ready to punish them for dragging him into their nonsense yet again.
Ijichi started to clean the boxes off the floor looking them over. Each one had been picked based on how well they stacked and not was inside. He offered some to Nanami, the manager’s arms full of items unsure of what to do with all of them.
“They’re starting to take after Gojo more.” Nanami sighed, feeling a headache starting to come on.
“That’s not really a bad thing.” Ijichi commented with a warm smile.
With some help, the coffee table was put back into place. Seeing that his dinner was a bowl of noodles, Nanami stopped by the door to pick up the suit jacket and offered it to his friend.
“Let’s go out. I know of a good place nearby.” He suggested.
“My work...” Ijichi started his eyes landing on his paper covered desk.
He took a nap which put him behind. He already felt guilty for slacking during work hours.
“It’ll be here when you get back. You’re not doing yourself any favors by not eating a proper meal.”
Nanami was right. How long had it been since Ijichi ate a warm dinner that wasn’t microwaved? Taking his jacket, he accepted the offer to go out for dinner. At least he didn’t get lectured for falling asleep. Only a minor one over his poor eating habits. He wondered if Ino was busy and would join them. The younger man jumped at any chance to go out to eat, or drink with his mentor. Then again, he didn’t think he would mind it if it ended up just being the two of them that night.