Chapter Text
- Could you please stop being so annoying? - Megumi mummbled while trying to concentrate on the lesson. Meanwhile, Nobara, feeling incredibly bored, tried to pass the time by poking him in the back. - It would be good for you to take a look at the board for once and try to figure out what's going on. - Fushiguro was always the one that had to explain classes to his friend when exams were coming, so his annoyance was understandable.
-Yeee.. but it's so god damn boring. How are you able to just sit for an hour and listen to this shit. Really impressive. - She picked up a pen and then put it in her mouth, biting it gently. - Oh you reminded me about something - Nobara straightened up and leaned forward slowly so that Megumi would definitely hear her from that distance. - You saw that new photography club? I'm thinking about participating in it.
Megumi giggled. - And since when have you been interested in photography? I don't think selfies counts as professional photography. - He knew, that it was not about photography, but about a girl that is there.
- Since.. yesterday..? - She sank back into her chair, knowing that Megumi had figured out her intentions regarding the club—or rather, regarding that girl. - Okay, at least i have some interest in other people. You just sit in your house, listen to music, study and sleep. It would be good for YOU to join some sort of club to just spend time with someone our age that is not me. - Fushiguro could hear that she is not trying to be mean. Unlike him, she had many friends from school and outside.
- I'm fine. I don't need a love interest in my life right now. It's the end of the school year, you should focus on your studies too. - Still, Fushiguro felt embarrassed, knowing she was right.
Just as he was trying to focus again on putting his thoughts down on paper, the teacher, who had entered the classroom a few minutes earlier, approached him. - Fushiguro, could you please take these papers and bring them to Mr. Nanami? I think he just went to the photography club classroom. I would be grateful.
- Of.. course.
- Thank you.
Megumi turned around to Nobara and whispered. - Speaking of the devil. - He got up, a bit unsteadily, and left the classroom, looking up the room he needed to go to on his phone. Despite the simple task, Megumi knew that most of the Seniors attended clubs like this one, which caused him an inexplicable amount of stress. Unfortunately for him, the classroom wasn't too far away, so he didn't have much time to think about how he should act when he saw a large group of peers older than him. Without prolonging his agony, he opened the classroom door and stepped inside with an uncertain, unsteady gait.
── .✦
- Ayy, i give it to you, yours is better.
- I know right? This angle is peeerfect. - Itadori Yuuji, a Senior and photography enthusiast was sitting on a stool, comparing his photo with that of Maki, another senior. - Next time maaaybe i'll give u some tips how to be so good, just like me. - he giggled, knowing he was pissing her off.
- You never know when to shut up do you? - Maki hissed annoyed, trying not to punch this asshole in the face.
Itadori had already opened his mouth to say something, but the sound of the door opening distracted him. It made sense, because a dark-haired boy leaned out the door, holding some papers in his hands. A boy who, in Itadori’s eyes, looked like the most delicate and inspiring person in the world.
- Mr. Nanami? I have some papers for you. - 'his voice is just as delicate as his appearence' he thought.
- Dang, u blushin? - Maki snapped her fingers in front of Yuuji's face, who looked as if he was mesmerized by the stranger’s look.
- Huh? - he turned to her. - He has a perfect look for photos. Especially my type of photos. - Again, he turned toward the boy, who was already on his way out of the classroom. He tried to remember distinctive features of his appearance, so that he could spot him later in the hallway. His main goal now was to become friends with him and then ask to be a model in his pictures. - You know him, Maki?
- A little bit yeah. I mean, i saw him a few times with Nobara, y'know, that girl that i told you about.
- So he is a Junior, ye?
- That would make sense, yes.
That was the moment when Itadori started thinking of a way to strike up a conversation without coming across as weird.
── .✦
By the time Fushiguro returned to his classroom, the lesson was already over.
- So? Did you see anyone cute? - Nobara asked while packing her stuff.
- I didn't really pay much attention to anyone - He lied. To be fair, he couldn’t help but notice the pink-haired boy his age who was staring at him while he tried to strike up a quick conversation with Mr. Nanami. He couldn't even tell if the look was one of contempt, indifference, or curiosity. “I think I'd rather not know...”.
- Are u..sure?
- Yes..? Why are u talking like tha- - Megumi stopped when he looked up and saw someone standing in front of him. Someone with pink, tousled hair. "What is happening today.." he thought as their eyes locked.
The first thing he noticed about the stranger were his huge, dark brown eyes. They were slightly narrowed, as a smile played across his face. His whole demeanor was very innocent. He looked like a lamb, even more delicate. At least that’s what he thought, until his eyes drifted down to his body. He was wearing a sweatshirt, but it didn’t hide his rather muscular build. He reminded him of someone who might play sports, but the camera in his hand and his not-very-athletic attire threw him off. Overall, Fushiguro could tell that he is a.. cool guy. Ye, cool.
- Hi, I'm Yuuji Itadori, and you? - he shook Megumi's hand, still smiling.
- Megumi.. Fushiguro Megumi. - he replied, stuttering slightly. He had no idea why, a dozen or so minutes after staring at him, he had suddenly come over to say hello. The thought of being made fun of immediately crossed Megumi’s mind. There had already been a few instances where someone had been nice to him but then insulted him behind his back. That was also why he didn’t really want to get to know new people. He was content with solitude or Nobara’s company.
- I noticed you earlier in my class. I thought it would be cool to come and say hi. - He stepped back a little when he saw that Megumi was about to get up and grab his bag. - Oh, and I remember Maki saying something about you - he pointed at Kugisaki - You’re Nobara, right?
- Huh? Maki? - She blushed immediately upon hearing the name of her current love interest, crush.
- Yeah, I think you can still catch her in the hallway, she was just following me a moment ago. - He pointed to the door, and as Nobara headed that way, he turned to the black-haired boy, smiling gently. - I can walk you to class if that's okay with you.
- You can.. i guess. - He slung his bag over his shoulder and headed toward the door, leaving Itadori behind. - Why were you staring at me?
- No particular reason. I just thought you were.. cool. And alsooo.. - He dragged out the sentence a bit, still following Megumi. - As you know, I'm interested in photography, and I thought it would be a great idea to ask you.. if you'd like to be in my photos. - He said it so calmly, as if it were the most normal thing in the world. Fushiguro, in shock, froze in his tracks and turned toward him. It knocked him off his feet so completely that he couldn’t say a word for a few seconds.
- What.. are you talking about? - Without realizing it, Megumi’s expression turned annoyed, as if he had once again sensed something was off. - Are you here to make fun of me? If yes, then please leave me alone. - He turned his back on him again, feeling his irritation grow.
- No, no, don't take it that way. - Itadori gently took the black-haired boy by the shoulder, not wanting to scare him. - I know it’s really… weird to ask this after knowing you for just a few minutes, but I’ve been looking for someone like you for a really long time. You have the kind of look that fits perfectly with the concept of my photos. I know it sounds really stupid, but that’s why I was staring at you when you walked into the classroom. - When Megumi turned around, Yuuji looked him straight in the eyes. He didn’t look like he was lying—quite the opposite. He looked like he really cared deeply about what he was saying. - I don't need your answer right now, but please think it over - He turned around, scribbled something on a piece of paper he'd pulled from his pocket, and handed it to Megumi. It was his phone number. - I have to go now, but let me know once you've made up your mind. - In the blink of an eye, Yuuji left the classroom and headed for the stairs.
"What the fuck is happening today? Am i dreaming? If yes then please let me wake up"
Just in time, Nobara walked into the classroom, beaming with joy. Her smile, however, faded slightly when she saw Megumi standing motionless, holding a piece of paper.
- Is everything okay? - she asked, approaching him hesitantly.
- This guy just gave me his number, and asked if, i want to be in his pictures. - Fushiguro looked at Nobara, his expression suggesting he really couldn't believe what had happened. - He is either making fun of me, or.. - He hadn't finished speaking when the brown-haired girl interrupted him.
- Trying to hit on you?
- Yeah, right. You looked at his face and decided he was trying to hit on me? You couldn't have said anything more stupid. - With so much happening in just 15 minutes, Megumi left the classroom without even waiting for Nobara.
- You'd be surprised.
── .✦
After that long, truly exhausting day, Fushiguro finally made it home. He immediately tossed his bag into the corner of the room, pulled out his phone, and lay down on the bed.
- He’s seeing me for the first time and he’s asking me something like that… either he’s very forward, or something’s really wrong. - he whispered to himself, finally able to do so now that he was alone. He laid down on his side, his mind still on what had happened at school. It had never happened before that someone like that... cool, had asked him such an big question. Maybe it wasn't a big deal to him, but for Megumi, being a role model of sorts to someone was something he had never thought about in his life, considering that he wasn't very confident about his appearance. It’s obvious he wasn’t a professional photographer—judging by his camera, among other things—but the very idea that someone would take pictures of him strikes him as strange.
Megumi closed his eyes for a moment, imagining himself through the lens of an old camera. It was actually… interesting. The other part of his mind, however, suspected that the guy’s intentions weren’t genuine and that he just wanted to make fun of him while taking pictures. His constant distrust of people led to situations like the one he was in now. It was hard for him to take a risk and trust him, even though he was tempted to agree.
Fushiguro was content with the life he led. He was studying, going to school, sleeping, listening to music, or chatting with Nobara. Every day was the same, so most of the time he didn’t even notice how the days and months passed. From time to time, he went through various episodes, but they eventually ended, and he returned to his routine. For this reason, any deviation from his routine gave him a slight sense of discomfort.
As his mind began to wander, his phone suddenly rang. It was Nobara. He sat up slowly, holding the phone to his ear.
- Ye?
- I talked to Itadori. - He could hear a hint of excitement in her voice. - I was a little worried that this walking unicorn might... not have good intentions, but as it turned out, he really means what he says about those photos. - her voice changed to more serious. - Maybe give him a chance, Megumi... It would be really cool if you became a mini-model and made a new friend along the way. He seems like a really nice guy. And I'm saying this, Kugisaki Nobara, so you know he's not a jerk.
- Why did you even talk to him? How did you do it? - He asked, a little surprised that Nobara had been so worried she’d even gone so far as to talk to Yuuji.
- I talked to Maki for a bit today, and she told me he’d asked her about you. Later, setting aside… our stuff, she admitted that Itadori had often mentioned to her someone he’d be able to capture with his camera. Apparently, he’s already found them.
- Nobara, i’m really not sure.. it’s so random and sudden. - he said in a slightly quieter tone, rubbing his forehead with one hand, overwhelmed by too many thoughts at once.
- I said what i said. Do whatever you want with it, Megumi, but it's a really good idea. Think about it. - She hung up, leaving him with a flood of thoughts.
After thinking about it for a while, Megumi finally picked up his phone, typed in Itadori’s number, and wrote:
”I can try.”