Chapter Text
It was Yuji’s second year of high school—nearly third. The school year was coming to an end, making room for the warm, sunny season of June.
Yuji felt quite old, knowing that he would soon enter adulthood in just a few years. To be honest, he was excited to spend his years with a couple of friends—maybe even a loved one.
Although every school year of his was filled with mistakes and regrets, he felt much better about this year’s reflection and accomplishments. Compared to past years, he felt that he had gained much more confidence in speaking to others.
For instance, during projects, he contributed by being a leader and considering every idea that was suggested. If he thought otherwise, he wouldn't fight against it—but instead, find additional touches to make the suggestion work out. Compared to last year, he wouldn’t have cared about ideas that obviously couldn’t work, setting them to the side and forgetting about them minutes later—something the new version of him would never accept.
Due to his natural leadership abilities and good-hearted personality, every person wanted him in their group. Whether it was the basketball team, a voluntary working group, or the Student Government, people have seriously considered him to join, knowing that he was able to make a positive impact on the team.
He ended up joining every group that gave him an opportunity to be involved. Sport teams, race-related groups, drama and art clubs—you name it. The boy enjoyed each experience in its own way—even if he preferred some over others. Yeah, he wasn’t as good at acting during serious scenes or fighting his opponents without encouraging them, but he did make lots of everlasting memories from each activity. In comparison to all of the other groups he was in, Yuji enjoyed one in particular the most—the track team.
On the team, he was respected and well-known for his immense speed and leadership traits. Whenever someone felt tired or unmotivated, Yuji would encourage them to keep going. If an individual needed to sit out because of personal problems or family issues, he would accompany them if the person wanted and let them vent to him about serious topics. In return, he would give them proper advice based on his past experiences. Though sometimes, there were discussions on something he couldn't relate to or truly understand, such as girlhood or substance addiction. If he did not have genuine advice for the person, he would wish them well, showing affection and allowing the person to come to him at any time.
Doing this not only helped many, but it also gave him great things in return. His teachers would always acknowledge and comment on his compassionate nature, providing him with extra educational opportunities when needed—such as additional time on an essay, or free tutoring to prepare for large tests.
Teachers and teammates weren’t the only ones who appreciated his existence, though. His selfless personality itself was an amazing quality of his—without a doubt. Along with his good heart, he was also effortlessly attractive due to his ravishing features, well-known reputation, and major talents. Girls had always laid eyes on his handsome appearance and personality—sometimes, even guys.
During track meets, girls from his school (or from other schools, although it was uncommon) would peer through the metal fences and look down to observe Yuji. They adored his luscious looks and the way he gracefully covered a mile on the track with ease.
Occasionally, his classmates or groupmates would develop feelings for him. Some would ask for his number and offer time together after school, which Yuji didn’t mind and gladly accepted. Over time, those in love realized that the boy hadn’t felt the same way and simply decided to stay friends. Others who were quieter would distance themselves from him, avoiding any contact to prevent drama. Even though it wasn’t in their favor, he found out eventually through a friend of a friend, group chats, or social media.
If the person was concerningly insane, however, he’d discover secrets of his own posted online, or weird pictures of himself hauled up in someone else’s locker, often with hearts drawn on each image. Again, it was thanks to the help of his friends that he had uncovered the strange people he had needed to avoid and report, even if it hurt him to do so.
He didn’t let any of it get to him completely, though. There were days when he would avoid conversation with others from how freaked out he truly was—even though he never said it in person. No matter how extreme the situation got, his friends and companions would help him get through it.
So, you could say he was pretty much as good at everything for his age. Working as a leader, being an amazing track star, getting over things easily, helping others—you name it. But compared to everything he had a decent amount of skill in; there was simply one thing that he was terrible at. It was something that he could never completely understand.
Studies. Gosh, the amount of hate he had for studies was actually disheartening. Out of all of his strengths, it was his uttermost weakness. He could never quite remember the right way to solve a slope-intercept form of a linear equation, or how to accurately write an argument-based essay without accidentally taking both sides.
Fortunately, he wasn’t the only one who lacked skill and strength in school subjects. During his middle school years, he met a girl who strangely had lots of confidence. Her hair contained a warm tone of orange that would complement her hazel eyes, which always reminded him of autumn. It was always down and straightened in a way that seemed natural to him. He looked up to her for her pride and ability to stand up for others, even if she received nothing in return.
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April 17, 2019
There was one time where she seemed utterly distressed during a test, and Yuji decided to accompany her—or attempted to, at least.
“Hey, you look—pretty stressed. Are you alright…?” She scowled at him and adjusted the hems of her brown leather jacket as she lazily flipped her hair, showing him some attitude.
Jeez. Maybe I shouldn’t have asked her-
His thoughts were cut short by a striking voice, catching him off guard.
“Obviously not. I could be doing better things with my spare time. But instead, I’m here taking some stupid test when I should be out there giving model judges my best looks!”
He giggled and slightly parted his lips to speak in opposition, but they both got caught before the moment he did so.
“Yuji Itadori and Nobara Kugisaki, we do not make conversation during tests. You kids should know that talking can lead you to multiple consequences, whether you like it or not. Principal’s office now.”
The whole class turned to look at the girl when she abruptly stood up, replying with a word of “Fine,” as Yuji followed along with her. They walked out of the classroom giggling to each other, making stupid jokes after another, mainly mocking their teacher’s facial expressions.
She jokingly introduced herself as “The world’s greatest blessing, Nobara Kugisaki.” She gave herself weird names such as “niche goddess,” or “long lost princess,” which made Yuji throw himself on the floor and cry tears of laughter. She felt insulted, but couldn’t fail to admit that it was a bit funny.
They’ve been inseparable ever since. Even now, they still find themselves laughing over the memory of that day.
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Yuji
June 24, 2023
The warm, breezy summer season had begun after what seemed like decades. Yuji and Nobara had planned to hang out, as they always did—ever since middle school.
The both of them had just finished seeing a movie, in which Itadori had chosen. It was a physical romance movie filled with angsty moments, named “Past Lives,” where two childhood friends grow distant over time and reunite later in life.
There was one special part of the movie that stuck with him. It was a quote said by one of the characters, being “What if this is a past life as well, and we are already something else to each other in our next life? Who do you think we are then?”
He would get goosebumps every time he thought of it. The thought of having someone connected to you in a life from the past to now—it gave him a strange sense of peculiarity, a feeling he wasn’t quite able to name.
Overall, the movie made Yuji giggle at certain humorous moments, with him whispering to Nobara about how relatable something was every other minute. Yet, he sobbed over the regret-filled finale and walked out with never-ending tears.
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Yuji wipes his remaining tears off his face as he shoves through the revolving doors of the theater. The warm breeze of air kisses his cheek. He finishes his cup of soda and turns to Nobara to give her a teary-eyed smile. “Dude, that movie was so good. I had the best time of my life.”
Nobara turns to look at Yuji and lets out an exaggerated sigh, showing clear signs that she didn’t enjoy the experience as much as he did. Ultimately, she found it quite odd, describing it as “unusual” and “confusing” from the weird conceptions of “In-Yun,” but still claiming it was an interesting watch that was worth her time.
“In my personal opinion, it was a great movie—good job on that. But it wasn’t something to cry to death about. Grow up, Itadori!”
He laughs and ever so slightly shakes his head. “Girl–you don’t get it! This is why you haven’t kissed anyone yet!”
As Itadori was chatting with an annoyed Kugisaki, he ran into some kids, looking just a few years younger than the two were. They were young girls, both seeming around the same age. One of them had black, wavy, shoulder-length hair with straight bangs, while the other had curled, amber hair that was paired with a messy bun and front bangs.
They were met with confusion just as the amber haired one said, “Aww, you two look so cute together! Are you guys in a relationship? How long has it-”
The black-haired girl frantically covers the other’s lips while quietly whispering “Nanako! Don’t do things like that!” and mouths the words “sorry,” while looking at the confused pink-haired boy.
Yuji assumes that the girl in the amber bun’s name is Nanako, mentioned by the black-haired girl.
Nobara blushes in embarrassment at the comment and gives the kid a menacing stare. “I don’t mean to drag your ego, but you kids shouldn't be judging others at a first glance, ya’ know? Do you know how awkward that can be for people?”
There’s a short moment of awkward silence, interrupted by Itadori giving Kugisaki a slight nudge and laughing softly in embarrassment. “I’m sorry about her, she gets a bit rude on these kinds of topics. But no, she’s like a sister to me—just a bit bratty at that.”
Nanako brings a palm to her mouth and drops her head to the ground in shame. “Oh, shoot—I’m really sorry!! Is there anything I need to make up for my-“
Yuji holds up a hand, not meaning to cut the young girl off, but does it anyway. “No, seriously—don’t worry about it. You just thought wrong—nothing to apologize about.”
The other one kindly replies with a “Thank you,” and reveals herself as Mimiko. She talks with them about her meddlesome sister, revealing to them that she does these things all the time. Deeper into the conversation, she tells them embarrassing stories she’s had to witness—thanks to her sister, Nanako.
Yuji finds the stories quite funny, giggling and making a comment every now and then. It’s obvious that Nobara enjoys them too—maybe even more than he does.
She slammed herself against the man every time a joke was made and burst with laughter—even when the joke wasn’t all that funny.
Eventually, the young girls said their goodbyes and trotted off, talking with each other about what had just happened. Mimiko laughs at Nanako for being an idiot, to which Nanako can only agree and laugh with her.
As Yuji watches the two stroll off, he forgets he is looking backward and loses track of his own footsteps, causing him to bump into a black-haired figure without realizing it.
He catches a groan from a man and is caught off guard before realizing he hit someone. “Dude—I’m sorry!!” There was no response from the guy. He probably couldn’t hear Itadori at all, though—since all he did was keep on running forward without hesitation, leading onto an unknown path.
He turns around to head back home but then realizes the stranger had dropped his necklace. It contained a polished, silver chain accompanied by an emerald, green charm. Wrapped around the long, rectangular-shaped charm was a silver dragon, which possessed meticulous detail to its scales and carvings. The hooks connecting to the charm were dragon-head shaped and had the same silvery color.
“Damn—Kugisaki, are you seeing this?” The boy carefully holds the necklace, gently caressing its carvings. The girl observes the object being supported by his palms, paying close attention to every hook and pattern.
Nobara pauses for a brief second and turns her attention to Yuji’s neck.
Ever so subtly, he notices and humorously in an anxious tone asks her, “What? Do I have something on my neck? Dang it, I should’ve looked at the mirror-“
“No,” she interrupts. “Your neck is absolutely fine. But I do have to mention…”
She raises an eyebrow, and points at Yuji’s neck, looking at him in pure confusion.
“Tell me if I’m crazy, but doesn’t it look like the one you’re holding right now—or is it just me?” He takes detail to her statement, and frantically grabs his own necklace with his free hand, comparing one to the other. The necklace had an eeriely similar design. The chain had the same color as the stranger’s did, and the hooks connecting to the charm were carved into dragon heads. The charm was also polished and sculpted to a rectangular shape, accompanied with a silver dragon wrapped around the gem. The only obvious difference between the two was that Yuji’s charm was orange, and the stranger’s was green.
Dang, that’s creepy. Why did that random man have a disturbingly similar necklace to mine? I’m pretty sure I’ve never even met this guy—
Or have I..?