Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

Mai had planned on having the whole day to herself.

No work calls, emails, spam messages, or going outside of her apartment. That sentiment didn’t last long, not when Maki texted her. 

Mai rolled over in her sheets when she heard her phone vibrate. She put all her messages on ‘do-not-disturb’ after she went out to drink with her friends last night. Mai was not interested in dealing with anyone today. The only contact on her phone that could by-pass her ‘do-not-disturb’ mode was Maki, so it made Mai perk up when she heard the notification ping from her phone.

Mai swiped her phone from her nightstand, stretching quite far from her comfortable position on her bed. She tapped the screen once and thankfully wasn’t too put off by the brightness. The time read ‘11:03’, she’d really slept in hadn’t she? Mai scrolled until she found Maki’s message on her lockscreen.

‘Hey, wanna hang out today?’

Mai let out an audible groan. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to hang out with her sister, she was just hungover. Mai wanted a day to herself, to destress, and most of that involved being lazy and selfcare. ‘Hanging out’ with Maki usually meant an exhausting hike up Mount Fuji followed by a ten kilometer sprint right after. That is what her sister seriously considered fun. Sometimes Mai genuinely couldn’t believe that Yuta regularly participated in Maki’s workout routines. 

Her fingers hovered over her phone. It was rare for Maki to reach out and it was not because she didn’t want to hangout, she was just always so busy lately. Maki had been particularly overworking herself, like it was her last week alive and she has a bonus pending tomorrow. Every time Mai would reach out, she’d always get a ‘on a mission’ or ‘can’t, got a job’ text. It initially made Mai pretty concerned, how understaffed was Jujutsu Society that they needed Maki to work as often as she was? When Mai voiced her concerns, Maki revealed that it was her prerogative to work as much as she was. Maki said it was just for a bit, a couple weeks, but none of it made sense to Mai.

Yuta wasn’t working nearly as much as Maki, it honestly seemed like he started working less. Something was definitely going on, at first Mai thought there was some trouble in paradise, and was ready to extend a helping hand to her sister. This was quickly disproven however, if anything it felt like Yuta and Maki were even more obsessed with one another. Especially Yuta, he practically clinged onto Maki even more now, like a starved man. It sometimes made Mai a little uncomfortable, she just wasn’t used to that amount of PDA. Though she is happy that Maki is still in a passionate marriage even after five years. 

The only thing that didn’t make sense to Mai were the work schedules, it felt too disjointed. Mai would never compare her sister’s strength to any other sorcerer, in her eyes her sister was the strongest. However, it did feel strange how Yuta was not only taking less missions, but being assigned less work by the higher ups too. He was the Special Grade sorcerer after all. Thinking about that made Mai think back to their school days, even when they barely knew each other. Yuta was practically a blood hound for the higher ups back then, though she supposes that Maki fits the description of an elite assassin for the higher ups more than Yuta now. Mai felt herself shiver, Maki had promised that she wasn’t doing any dangerous work like that. Mai was choosing to believe her sister, even if it didn’t explain the sudden change.

So safe to say Maki texting Mai asking to hangout was a rare opportunity indeed. Mai finally decided on what she should do as she opened the message to text back.

‘Sure, wanna relax. Hungover.’

Mai didn’t bother to use proper grammar or spelling, it was good enough to get the message across. Mai hopped off her bed and immediately regretted it as her body immediately started to feel the nausea and migraine her activities from last night promised her. She staggered to the bathroom with her phone in hand as she numbly reached for the toothbrush. She really hoped Maki didn’t suggest they do some crazy athletic activity, that’s the main reason she informed her sister she was hungover. Mai wanted to be lazy. 

She had just finished rinsing her mouth when her phone vibrated on the counter, it was from Maki.

‘Haha, no problem! You should come over and we can relax in the hot springs. I didn’t want to do anything crazy either.’

Mai felt herself smile at this, now she was excited. She has enjoyed the hot springs on the Gojo Estate property only once, and that was over a year ago. Mai just didn’t feel right abusing her brother-in-law’s home without her sister participating with her, but that one time they did felt heavenly. The springs were all natural, which made sense since the Gojo Estate was located in a mountain range.

‘Cool. When you want me over?’

Maki’s message bubble popped up for a few moments before finally sending her message through. 

‘Don’t worry about it, come whenever. Have you eaten?’

Mai woefully thought back to her very empty fridge. 

‘Noooo, whhyy, you offering?’

Maki’s reply was almost instantaneous. 

‘Yeah I actually am. We’ll have brunch here.’

Mai let out a small ‘yes!’. Her sister was awfully generous today, not that she usually wasn’t. She just seemed to be going out of her way for Mai today, it was touching. Maybe she felt guilty about brushing her off so many times recently and this was her way of patching things up. Mai hopes Maki wasn’t beating herself up, Mai is understanding, she knows Maki isn’t pushing her away. There was just something going on, something Mai didn’t completely understand. She would get to the bottom of it today.

‘I’ll be there in thirty’

With that, Mai finished her morning routine as quickly as possible. She didn’t bother doing her hair or makeup, she was going to be relaxing in the hot springs soon enough anyway. Just the thought made Mai excited. She really couldn’t wait! Mai didn’t bother to organize her room or wash the mountain of dishes sitting in her sink, because she was going to have a girls day with her sister! Maki hated it when Mai would call their hang outs ‘girl days’, saying she does these things all the time. Mai heavily disagrees though, relaxing the springs and braiding hair is not the same with your husband over your sister and female friends. Female solidarity is no joke!

With one quick check Mai was able to determine she had all the necessities in her purse. Her phone, keys, lipgloss, wallet, and pocket knife. You never know! She would bring her firearm around more for self defense if it wasn’t extremely illegal, she used to have a special license as a sorcerer, but those days were long behind her.

As Mai walked out the door and gave a strong tug on the handle to make sure her apartment door locked, she felt a confidence bubbling in her soul. She had a feeling today was going to be a good day.

Mai had texted Maki that she was almost at the Estate, and to meet her at the gate. The Gojo Estate was still beautiful and expansive, located in a mountain range and surrounded by a bamboo forest. She had first been here years ago, for Maki’s engagement dinner. Mai initially thought that the Estate was well covered, almost hidden. Like the Gojo Clan didn’t want to be bothered by the outside world. 

A part of Mai thought it felt a little pretentious at the time, like they didn’t want to associate themselves with civilians. Some critical thinking and a quick bootcamp lesson on Jujutsu History were all she needed to snap herself out of this biased way of thinking, really Mai should’ve known better considering she also came from a major Clan. There was a logic behind why the Gojo Clan secluded themselves so much. Back when there would only ever be one extremely powerful sorcerer born every few generations, they had all the reason to closely guard their family secrets. They couldn’t risk news of a baby born with the Six Eyes and Limitless being leaked. Mai could recall reading that the previous wielder before Satoru Gojo was a girl born hundreds of years before. She was assassinated only a few days after her birth. 

The Gojo Clan had every reason to build tall walls around their home. To isolate themselves in a bamboo forest in the mountains. There was something so eerily charming about it all now, like there was something underneath their quiet luxury. Sometimes Mai was tempted to ask Yuta how the Gojo Clan stayed in power as one of the big three Clans with so few sorcerers, only ever producing a god every few generations. She doubts she would get an answer though, Yuta wasn’t raised in the Gojo Clan, and even if he knew, he would never reveal something so personal about his Clan to Mai. Maki was out of the question, she would never put her sister, the Lady of the House, through such an awkward request just for Mai’s curiosity.

As Mai finally saw the outer gate and walls come into view she couldn’t help but let her thoughts drift towards her sister. The twins had recently both turned twenty eight a couple months ago. They both have been through so much over the years, and Mai was proud to say this last decade has given her more joy than grief. Despite how out of touch Mai and Maki have been recently, every call Mai has with her sister leaves her happier and happier. Maki just sounded so content, every call she had something else on her mind, something exciting. Maki always had a deep exhaustion in her tone, which Mai couldn’t lie, it concerned her, but her words were always so genuine. She was really happy! Mai was able to excuse her sister’s tone if she was so cheerful. She wouldn’t lie and say it didn’t make her a bit upset that Maki was hiding her tiredness from Mai. Just why wouldn’t she talk to her about it?

Mai’s thoughts were interrupted when she finally got close enough to the gates to hear the wind make the wood and metal creak and groan. She heard the metal hinges on the main gate let out a squeal before revealing her sister peaking out through the small crack of the open gate.

“Mai!” Maki exclaimed, excitement written all over her face. Mai sprinted forward at the sight of her sister and Mai wasted no time in moving forward as well. They crashed into each other with a crushing hug. It felt so good to hold Maki again, to be held by her. It would be a lie for Mai to say she didn’t love it when her sister would hug her like this, like they were kids again. The twins held onto each other for a few more moments, not having to worry about people rushing them along. 

When they finally broke, their hands remained interlocked. Maki giggled as she squeezed her sister’s fingers. “I’m so happy to see you!”

Mai smiled and returned the sentiment. “I’m more happy to see you! It’s been forever!” Mai took a moment to take Maki in. She was wearing a plain yukata underneath a thick haori, which was a strange fashion voice to say the least. It was probably a man's with the way she drowned in it. Something stranger was Maki’s hair. Maki had recently cut her hair pixie short again after having it long enough to reach her lower back. Now her hair had miraculously grown past her shoulders in just two months! 

When Mai focused her attention back on Maki’s face, she looked a little guilty. Mai certainly didn’t want that. “But hey! We all have our busy schedules, just glad you’re doing okay…”

Maki softly smiled at that, her previously furrowed brows evening out. “Thank you, Mai… I’m more than okay, I promise.”

When Maki didn’t elaborate, Mai determined that she wasn’t going to get a clear answer from her, at least not now. She’d squeeze it out of her sooner or later.

Mai gently let go of her sister’s hand and brought her fingertips to Maki’s hair. She ran her long fingers through the silky strands. “More importantly, tell me about this hair! It’s so long now!” Not only was it long, but healthy, extremely so. Maki’s hair had always been on the thinner side, but now there was a renewed vitality that made her hair thicker. It was still pin straight, but there was an increase in the volume and sheer amount of hair on her head. It was incredible!

Mai tried to bring her hand to Maki’s roots and she flinched away from the motion. Mai raised an eyebrow at her sister and Maki darted her eyes away to avoid Mai’s gaze. Maki anxiously took a step back and away from Mai, she ran her finger through her hair and brought the fabric of her oversized haori to wrap around her front.

Maki finally gave Mai a nervous wave of her hand with her eye contact. “Sorry! I just washed my hair, hate it when people run their hands through it and get it all dirty!”

Mai wasn’t buying it. Why was Maki acting so strangely about her hair of all things? More importantly…

“Why would you wash yourself right before we go into the springs? We’re going to take a shower anyway!” 

Maki blinked in surprise at Mai’s sharpness before bringing her hand to rub the back of her neck. Maki blushed with embarrassment before averting her eyes. She practically whispered her next few words.

“I was just shaving!”

Mai’s eyes widened in shock and amusement. “Really?! That’s what you were so cagey about just now?! Shaving?! Who gives a rip!”

Maki’s face contorted with anger and embarrassment. “I’ve been meaning to shave for forever, I just used this as motivation to get it done!” She pointed an accusatory finger at Mai, waving it around with a vice. It wasn’t like Maki to care about her body hair, if anything she only ever shaved because of how much she worked out and sweated. It was certainly strange, especially if she cared so much in front of Mai. Her twin sister.

Mai rolled her eyes. “If anything I’m a little offended you felt the need to shave for me! I am your sister, not like I haven’t seen everything there is to see.”

Maki groaned and turned her head, refusing to entertain this conversation any longer. “Whatever! I’m done with this! Let’s stop talking for the rest of the day!”

Mai giggled as she walked over to Maki’s side as they started walking through the main gate. “Okay okay! I’ll drop it.” She gave Maki a playful shove. “For now!”

Maki turned and gave Mai an even harder shove, almost plummeting her towards the ground. “Shut up!” Mai let out a loud laugh as she watched her sister stomp towards the Estate. 

Mai mused to herself as she trailed behind. Something certainly seemed to be bugging Maki, something she was not keen on sharing. If she keeps up with her current tempered attitude, then she’s sure she’ll be able to crack down on the real reason Maki’s been so distant. Today was going to be a good day, maybe not for Maki, but definitely for Mai.

“Do you want to eat first?”

Maki’s voice broke Mai out of the trance she was in, numbly following her sister through the many halls of the Gojo Estate. It wasn’t like Mai hadn’t been here many times, she just never internalized the layout of the Estate. She would always find herself staring outside into the garden or courtyard, admiring the well kept bushes and flowers. The Estate was certainly very beautiful, there was no doubt. Everywhere she went there were personal, and very feminine touches. The women of the Gojo Clan were certainly very influential in the walls of their own, very expansive home.

“Mai? Are you listening?” Maki’s voice was louder now.

Mai perked up and lifted her head to see her sister had stopped walking to stare at her, “Oh! Um…” Mai did really want to soak in the springs, but she hadn’t eaten anything all day.

Mai’s stomach suddenly growled and answered Maki’s question for her. Her sister laughed and lightly clutched her stomach, giving it a small rub. “Let’s eat then, we have plenty of time to soak.”

Maki led Mai to the small mini dining area kept for just her and Yuta. Even though the Gojo Clan regularly participated in communal dining, there were still small rooms like these for nuclear families to use together. It was so unlike the Zen’in Clan, everything was communal, especially for the women. Like it just didn’t matter if they had their own spaces. Mai was glad Maki could enjoy time with the whole Clan while also having private spaces like these for more intimate moments. 

A quick examination revealed that this room was just as personalized as the rest of the Estate. There was a framed photograph hanging on one of the walls separating the kitchenette from the dining area, it was a photograph from Maki’s wedding. More specifically it was the formal photo taken of Yuta and Maki after the ceremony. Maki was seated on a stool while wearing her beautiful white shiromuku, a dainty smile curled up on her lips. She had a slight blush on her face and her eyes were narrowed in a way she only ever did when she was truly smiling. She looked like such a proper lady, not that she usually wasn’t, of course!

Yuta was standing directly behind her in a traditional black wedding kimono. He sported an even wider smile, his hair a little shaken out of place. His left hand was softly placed on Maki’s shoulder, and she leaned into him. It was a beautiful photo, a beautiful memory really. To think that five years ago Mai was so against the idea of Maki marrying, and now look at her. She created herself a home. Mai scanned the rest of the private room. There was a vase with fresh purple tulips placed in the decorative space meant for displays in the dining area. Maki loves tulips, Yuta probably got them for her. 

There were also little recipe cards and handwritten notes strewn about the kitchen area. Most of which were in Maki’s handwriting. It was sweet, seeing her small touches all over her home. 

Before either of them could sit down, a servant popped their head in. If Mai could remember correctly, that was Hiro. His family has served the Gojo Clan for generations. He always had a happy go lucky attitude around him, it made Mai want to puke sometimes. Hiro did a quick scan of the room before his eyes landed on Maki.

“Can I get you anything, my Lady?”

Maki smiled warmly at Hiro before ushering him over. Hiro walked into the room and leaned his head down for Maki to whisper into his ear when she motioned him with her hand. He closed his eyes intently as she whispered what Mai could only assume was a lunch order. He would occasionally nod his head in understanding. Finally after a few moments Maki and Hiro pulled away from each other. “And just the usual for me. Thank you, Hiro.”

Mai was a little surprised at that. That whole interaction was just Mai’s food? She felt a little touched at her sister’s care and generosity. 

Hiro nodded with a passion before bowing deeply in both Maki and Mai’s direction. 

“I’ll get that for you two as soon as possible!”

He practically sprinted out the door with an enthusiasm even the most well trained puppy couldn’t have. Mai didn’t wait to sit down comfortably at the low table, pulling up a plush pillow to rest her knees on. 

“What did you ask for?” Mai questioned as Maki began to mirror her own actions at the table.

Maki shrugged. “Just my usual stuff. But for you I got some sushi, I was saving it for today.”

Mai felt her eyes widen and her jaw go a little slack. She rarely ever got to treat herself to nice food, eating with her sister was one of those rare moments where she knew she was going to eat like royalty. In a way her sister was kind of royalty. 

“Sushi! You didn’t have to do that!” On the other hand, Mai felt a little wary. Like Maki was cushioning her for something. She was an amazing sister, that was never a doubt, but Maki never sheltered her, at least not now. It felt like there was something Maki was trying to prepare her for, and it made Mai a little nervous.

Maki scoffed and waved her hand in a ‘shoo’ motion. “Don’t be stupid with me right now.”

Mai rolled her eyes, there really was no arguing with her sister. 

They continued their idle chatter about nothing and everything. Maki looked so happy talking about her missions and daily life within the Gojo Clan. When the topic of work came up, Mai couldn’t help but question her sister.

“So why have you been working so much?”

Maki blinked a couple times, not expecting that question. She rubbed her hands together before giving Mai a wary look. “I’m weaning off now, I promise! I'm going to take a break for the next couple months, so we have plenty of time to hang out!”

This only made Mai even more confused and frustrated at her sister’s evasiveness. “I asked why you’ve been working so much! Not if you’ll be waning off. And why are you taking a break anyway? You never take breaks!”

Maki looked like she was going to break out in a sweat any minute now. Mai smiled, she’s finally cornered her. 

“Listen Mai! I just needed some time to figure some things out with work and the Jujutsu Higher ups, that’s all! I’m just taking a break now because I want to!”

Mai furrowed her brows, she didn’t like the idea of her sister tussling with those big wigs. Was that what Maki had been struggling with silently in the background for these last few weeks? Is the reason she hadn’t said anything to Mai because she wasn’t a part of Jujutsu Society anymore? She hated it. She hated it when her sister would hide things from her.

Maki reached her hands over the table and clutched Mai’s own. “Please Mai. Please understand that I am alright, and everything will continue to be.” It's like Maki could sense the panic beginning to consume Mai. “Just trust me. Everything will make sense after today.”

Mai wanted to ask what Maki meant, but her thoughts were interrupted by the screen door sliding open. The smell of warm rice, fish, and miso soup of all things filled the air.

Maki was more than eager to redirect her attention. “Food, wonderful! Just leave it here, we’ll distribute it.”

Hiro smiled as he left the huge tray on the table, forcing Maki and Mai to let their hands break apart. “Just let me know if you need anything else.”

Maki smiled. “Of course. Thank you, Hiro.”

Hiro smiled and bowed deeply before exiting the room. Mai turned to examine the tray in front of her. She was shocked by the sheer amount of food piled on it. There was sushi of course, tons of it. Mai immediately recognized her favorite fish and pieces among the display. It almost made Mai feel inclined to pay her sister back somehow, no doubt eating like this is expensive. That thought was quickly brushed away when Mai remembered where she was, and who her sister married. Yuta had plenty of money and wealth to throw around on sushi if that’s what his wife desired, even then Maki wasn’t the type to spend money frivolously, even her husband’s. 

What intrigued Mai even more than the sushi display was the multiple and numerous bowls of rice. So much rice. They weren’t even rice dishes, just plain white sticky rice. That itself wasn’t too strange, Maki loved rice in all its forms and many different dishes, but it was a little odd for there to just be multiple bowls of plain white rice. 

What Mai found even crazier were the miso soup bowls. There was more miso soup than rice, and that definitely surprised her. Maki didn’t drink Miso soup, she barely tolerated it. Maki always used to gag at the smell and say it was such a plain flavor. Now she was looking at it like a starved man. Mai watched with a shocked and put off expression as Maki poured a bowl of miso soup onto her rice. It wasn’t uncommon to do, but it was a bit of an etiquette thing. Something you only ever do at home, and they were at home, Maki’s home, but still…

Miso and rice. That was her entire meal.

“Since when did you like miso?” Mai couldn’t believe what she was seeing with her very own eyes.

Maki brought her soup spoon and took a generous scoop of soupy rice. “Just recently actually, it’s all I’ve been eating these last couple weeks.” Maki was unfettered as she brought her spoon to her mouth and let out a satisfied hum as she absorbed the flavors of her dish. If you could even call it that. Mai blanched as she noticed Maki didn’t even blow on her spoon to cool it down.

Maki let out a laugh as she noticed Mai still staring at her in shock. “You should’ve seen me this morning, it was bad. I dipped my onigiri into miso soup, I’m obsessed.”

“What is wrong with you?!” Mai squealed.

Maki just shrugged and ate another spoonful of the rice and miso mixture. “I’ve been having all kinds of crazy cravings lately, but miso is by far my favorite.” Mai held her head in her hand as she stared at her sister. Maki was staring back with just as much intensity, there seemed to be an emotion swirling in her eyes, inviting Mai to figure out what it was, to come to her own conclusion. 

It was frustrating not being able to completely understand what Maki was waving in her face. Did it have to do with what was bugging Maki so much these last few weeks? Why would her eating habits even matter here? No matter how weird they were.

Mai rolled her eyes, not wanting to entertain her sister anymore. She wasn’t going to take whatever bait she was throwing. “You’re nasty!” Maki’s eyes and smile dropped just a fraction, before finding their place again. What was that about? 

Mai pushed some sushi from her side of the tray in Maki’s direction, “Here, have some, to diversify your palate.” It was always Mai’s way of easing tension since they were kids, offering and sharing with her sister.

Maki gave Mai a small frown and gestured with her spoon for her to take it away. “No thanks, can’t eat sushi.”

“What do you mean you can’t?” More and more surprises and unanswered questions.

Maki stirred her spoon around her bowl, growing a little annoyed at Mai’s persistence as she stared into it. “It’s not that I can’t, it’s just that I shouldn’t.”

“What are you talking about?” Mai was starting to feel her own frustration bubbling up. “Since when shouldn’t you eat sushi?”

Maki loudly sipped on a separate bowl of miso soup before setting it down after a few moments. “Since a few months ago, and it’s not sushi I shouldn’t eat, just raw fish in general.”

“Well what changed a few months ago?!” Mai waved her hands around with exasperation, she hated this guessing game. Why were they tiptoeing around the building that holds the bush they want to beat around?

“I don’t know, Mai! Use that big brain of yours and think!” Maki rolled her eyes with a laugh, like she wasn’t taking this seriously. 

“I’m not a mind reader, Maki!”

“I never said you were!”

Mai slammed her hands on the table in irritation, reaching for her chopsticks to grab a piece of sushi. “Whatever! Have it your way! I tried!”

Maki just smirked as she stacked her empty bowls on top of one another, how had she eaten so much already?! “You do things all the time that make me doubt your intelligence.”

Mai nearly choked on the sushi she had in her mouth. She took a few moments to properly chew and swallow all the while giving her sister a hard stare. Maki just smiled, waiting for Mai to rip into her.

Mai slammed her chopsticks on the table, “Fuck you!! I’m done playing your games and riddles! Tell me straight or not at all!”

Maki let out a loud laugh at that, tears pricking from her eyes. She brought her dainty fingers to gently squeeze and wipe at her eyes, removing any and every trace of tears from her face.

“I love you too, Mai. Let’s just eat, hmm?”

Mai let out a huff and stuffed her face. “Something we can finally agree on.”

Mai stretched her arms in her yukata. Maki was nice enough to offer a cute, freshly washed one for Mai to wear to the hot springs. If she remembered correctly, it was a very short walk uphill, and there were amenities already built for them to use in the form of a small bathhouse. Mai wasn’t going to deny she was so excited, she didn’t even care about Maki's weird attitude earlier! She was going to take a nice, long soak!

Right now Mai was blindly following Maki through the halls of the Gojo Estate. They were walking along the engawa, taking in the afternoon sun’s warmth from the comfort of the shade provided by them by the roof above their heads. It was a beautiful day, warm and crisp. Initially Mai was worried about it being a bit too hot for the natural springs, but Maki insisted it was fine. She said that the temperature drops dramatically near the hot spring region, making year-round hot spring visits a viable option for the Gojo Clan members. Mai almost felt a little jealous that Maki enjoyed such luxuries all the time.

Mai almost crashed into Maki with the way she was so distracted. She didn’t even notice Yuta turning the corner and walking their way, causing Mai to nearly topple into her sister’s sturdy back when she suddenly stopped.

“Ah! Hello, ladies!” Yuta waved in their direction as Mai was still reeling from the sudden change in pace. 

Yuta seemed just as starstruck, obviously just as lost in the clouds as Mai was just a few moments ago. He was sporting some new dark circles under his eyes, being Clan Head must be a taxing job. It almost made Mai feel a little bad for him, he was so young yet given so much responsibility. To think he was barely twenty nine.

His back straightened at the sight of his wife. Mai knew he had a slouching habit, but it was moments like these that she was reminded of how terrible it was. She swears he grew like three inches in height just by straightening his back alone.

Maki gave her husband a light but genuine smile, she was always so quiet in her affection, but it still spoke volumes for someone like Maki. “Hello, dear.” 

She leaned in to give Yuta a light peck on the cheek, at which he sighed with appreciation for the sweet gesture. 

Yuta hummed as Maki pulled away, only to follow her to give her a kiss on the cheek of his own. His hands slipped underneath her haori and gently pressed against her abdomen. Maki let out a noise of surprise, pulling his hand away as she nervously glanced towards Mai. Yuta didn’t seem to notice her small protest as he moved his lips from her cheek to meet with Maki’s own. His hand traveled up to cup Maki’s face and she hummed into the kiss, her previous protests at his affection gone.

Mai averted her gaze from the couple. As much as she loved how loving her sister’s marriage was, moments like this truly killed Mai. She just never knew what to do with herself whenever Maki and Yuta would share affection. Mai felt like she was impeding on an intimate moment despite the fact that it was most often Yuta who inserted himself where he wasn’t in the first place, that really annoyed Mai sometimes, the way he was so attached to Maki. Physically at least. He was always grabbing onto her and squeezing like she’d disappear at any second.

Mai turned her face back up when she heard them whispering. She couldn’t make out all that they were saying, but the two of them were loud enough.

“Have you not…?” Yuta was darting his eyes between his wife and Mai.

Maki hissed. “No!”

Yuta’s face went white with understanding and he immediately pulled away from Maki. Her sister wasted no time in covering herself back up with her overly thick haori, hiding her figure. It was a stark contrast to the way Yuta wanted to rub his hands all over Maki just a few moments ago. Now he was stepping away and avoiding Maki’s gaze like the plague.

Seemed private. Mai shouldn’t pry. Even if she wanted to.

Yuta cleared his throat before speaking loudly enough to address both Maki and Mai.

“So I take it you ladies are going to the hot springs now?”

Mai and Maki both nodded. Yuta smiled before turning to face Maki again, gently reaching for her hand and lifting her fingers slightly. It was such a small and gentlemanly gesture that never failed to make Maki melt, just the way he would hold her hand. “Well I hope you two have a good time.”

Maki’s eyes softened as Yuta brought her hand to his lips and grazed her knuckles in lieu of a kiss. Her wedding ring was glittering in the sunlight. “Just don’t work too hard while I’m gone, okay?” She teased, but it was genuine.

Yuta gave a weak laugh, his breath tickling her hand. “No promises.”

Yuta then dropped Maki’s hand slightly and gave her a serious expression. “And remember, don’t soak-”

“-too long at a time I know. Twenty minutes. I’ll take breaks.”

Yuta smiled, Maki really did know everything. He finally turned to address Mai fully. “Hope you enjoy the springs, you’re always welcome here, Mai.” His voice was soft and kind, like everything about him. At least on the surface.

Mai nodded and smiled politely. “Thank you, Yuta. I’ll make sure to remember it.”

With that, they all waved each other off as Mai followed her sister down the engawa again and Yuta walked off in the opposite direction. There were so many questions swirling in her head, maybe the whole ‘trouble in paradise’ guess she made awhile back wasn’t too far off. It was strange to see Maki so jittery around her husband’s touch. She was usually indifferent to his more public displays of affection, preferring more private settings to reciprocate.

But the way she lurched away from Yuta when he pressed against her stomach was definitely strange. It wasn’t even in a ‘not here’ way but a ‘stop now’ kind of attitude. Maki never rejected Yuta in front of others, at least not so harshly. What were they whispering about? Maki did seem awfully peeved, and Yuta did make a quick turn on trying to change the subject. It made the gears in Mai’s head turn, were there really problems?

Mai couldn’t help but think about how affectionate all their other interactions had been. The way Yuta held Maki’s hand, the kiss on his cheek, the soft concern they voiced over each other’s well being… That also reminded her, what was all that about taking breaks from the hot spring? Only soaking for twenty minutes at a time? Mai knew it was healthy and important to take breaks as you soak, mostly for dehydration, but twenty minutes seemed a little short of a time frame.

What in the world was going on with her twin sister?!

Maki continued walking in front, completely oblivious to the mental turmoil Mai was currently under. The twins finally got to the edge of the Estate, and exited the main walls through a small back door engraved with the Gojo Clan’s crest. There was a well maintained stone path with unlit lanterns leading further up the mountain to the hot springs. The memories on how to navigate there are finally returning to Mai.

Maki had also changed out of her formal kimono into a more comfortable yukata, they were actually matching. Even from here, staring at her back, Maki looked beautiful. Her medium length hair was down, flowing behind her. It was so shiny and glossy, how did she get it like that?!

Mai started doing some mental notes in her head. Maki’s hair growth, weird cravings and eating habits, not being able to soak in a hot spring for too long, having to take a break off missions for the next couple months… What could it be?! It felt like it was on the tip of her tongue, just waiting for her to finally taste it. 

Mai rolled her eyes and banished her thoughts. She had said it herself, she wasn’t going to worry about this until her sister actually told her. She wasn’t going to play a guessing game and try to figure out what could possibly be happening in her sister’s life. If it was really that dire, Maki would tell her. Right? The thought that maybe it was some Clan issue that Maki couldn’t talk about was definitely a possibility. Maybe she needed Mai to figure it out. Mai reassured herself that if that were the case, Maki would be dropping much more serious hints.

Mai could finally see the bath house come into view. Just in time too, Mai had thoroughly started shivering at the mountain’s cold and the wet fog surrounding them. Maki walked along with confidence as if nothing could ever phase her, she supposes nothing really could. 

Maki turned to face Mai as they stood in front of the main door, her eyes widened at Mai’s pitiful state. “Oh I’m sorry, I should’ve gotten you a haori to warm yourself while we walked.”

Maki fidgeted with her own haori, probably questioning whether or not she should give it to Mai. She eventually decided to just drag Mai into the bathhouse with a sharp tug of her wrist instead.

“C’mon! Let’s just get inside and warm up!”

Maki was practically sprinting along, almost like she was in a bit of a panic. 

Mai barely had any time to protest before she was enveloped in a pleasant heat. The inside of the bathhouse was warm and inviting. It wasn’t the kind of warmth that was suffocating, but comforting. Which made sense since they had just come inside from the chilly mountain air. 

There were no attendants or servants like she would usually expect to see. It made sense, this was a private spring to be used only by Gojo Clan members. Women and men were separated through two different doorways to the shower and changing rooms. Mai could recall Maki mentioning once that there were mixed springs, but that was a bit of a farther walk down, and only ever utilized by couples within the Clan. It was nice that there were multiple options for people to choose from.

Maki was strangely still, anxiously fiddling with her hands. What was she so nervous about? Did it have to do with what was bothering her earlier? Mai gestured towards the door leading to the women’s changing and showering area.  “Let’s get changed?”

Maki jumped a bit, like she had been broken out of a trance. “Yeah, let’s do it!” Her brave and somewhat arrogant persona was back on again as she confidently placed her hands on her hips. It didn’t feel natural though, almost like she was performing more for herself than anyone else.

Mai chose not to mention anything. Maki was obviously at some sort of breaking point with her anxiety and not being able to say anything. Mai wishes she would just communicate with her! 

The two women walked through the door and were enveloped in a light steam coming from the shower area. They first needed to strip out of their clothes and replace them with bath towels before being able to proceed. There was a shelf of freshly washed white towels for the women to grab before heading into the showers. Mai wasted no time in grabbing her own towel and finding a cubby to store her clothes in. 

Mai pulled on the ties of her obi, loosening the knots that held her yukata together. Mai didn’t feel uncomfortable in the slightest when it came to undressing in front of her sister, they grew up together after all. 

Mai had already shimmied out of her yukata and was neatly folding it into a small enough square to fit into the little wicker cubby she claimed to hold her clothes. She was about to start taking off the last bits of her underwear when she glanced to her left to see Maki still completely clothed. Maki was turned away from Mai, folding and unfolding the haori she was wearing repeatedly. 

Mai raised her eyebrow in suspicion. “Are you just going to stand there the entire time or get undressed?”

Maki just let out a huff of annoyance, or maybe it was of amusement. Maki finally began to undress by undoing her obi-knot, still facing away from Mai. It was odd for Maki to suddenly be so private, it filled Mai with anticipation and anxiety. 

Mai just turned away and focused on her own clothes, finally getting rid of her bra and underwear and folding them under the yukata in the cubby. The idea of Maki suddenly feeling bashful around Mai made her a little sick. They have shared everything since they were little girls, and even if they weren’t as attached to the hip as they were back then, Mai didn’t want that familiarity and trust to go along with it. 

Mai could hear the rustling of fabric and the scrape of the cubby being dragged against the wooden shelves. Mai worried her lip as she wrapped her white bath towel around her chest, ready to make her way towards the showers. 

Mai was trying hard to fight the bile rising in her throat, Maki was being so distant and weird. Her words from earlier echoed in her head.

‘Just trust me. Everything will make sense after today.’

So far, nothing was making sense. All Mai felt was alienated and confused. What was Maki hiding that made her so distant?

Mai finally turned to face her sister, and was surprised to be met with her bare form. Maki hadn’t bothered to wrap the towel around her body yet, holding the white fabric in her right hand. 

Maki looked… different.

Her scars still spread across her arms and shoulders, and her muscles were still sharp and defined, but there was something else. Her hips seemed rounder now, softer. Her skin had a soft glow to it, making it glisten under the soft light of the changing room. If Mai didn’t know any better, she’d say Maki has gained a bit of weight. It wasn’t a bad thing at all, quite the contrary. She looked fuller and more shapely, something she lost a bit when she started lifting heavy weights. 

Mai used to be a bit jealous of Maki when they were teenagers. Maki developed much more womanly than Mai a lot earlier when they were younger. It made Mai jealous, especially since Maki showed very little interest in fashion or expressing her femininity. She was always so focused on training, and grew frustrated when anyone would try to force her to ‘act like a girl’.

She was a little surprised after she met with Maki again after she left the Zen’in Clan months later, she styled her hair and started wearing light makeup. She was finally given an environment where she felt comfortable embracing her femininity, and she’d only gotten even stronger as a sorcerer.

Seeing Maki now as she nervously fiddled with her white towel, avoiding Mai’s gaze, was certainly a bit out of character for her. 

Maki brought her left hand to gently rest on her abdomen. “Can you say something instead of just staring?” There was a blush on her cheeks now, and she was staring bashfully at her stomach.

Mai was even more confused now. She cast her gaze at Maki’s hand, which was resting on her stomach. What was Mai supposed to be saying here? Maki had eaten a lot of rice and miso soup, so it was only natural she’d be a little bloated-

Mai’s eyes suddenly widened with realization. She watched as Mai rubbed her hand over her abdomen, a mannerism she’s only ever seen around a specific kind of woman.

“Wait… No way-”

Maki finally lifted her gaze to stare intently at her sister. Maki shifted her hand down to rest on the bottom half of her abdomen, no, her bump. It was still small, Maki probably just started showing, but it was undeniably there. 

Everything made sense now. Maki’s unprecedented hair growth, her peculiar eating habits, her sudden love and craving for miso, being unable to eat raw fish. Even the way she would cover her body with that thick haori. 

Suddenly Yuta’s reaction to seeing his wife earlier made a lot of sense. The way his palm immediately gravitated towards Maki’s abdomen and his growing affection for her over the past few weeks. Even the way Maki immediately recoiled at Yuta trying to feel for her, it was because she hadn’t told Mai yet.

Mai felt so stupid! How could she have not noticed all the little hints Maki was throwing! It took Maki stripping bare and caressing her baby bump right in front of her for Mai to finally get the hint.

Mai wrapped her towel even tighter around her body, she felt like shaking. Tears threatened to prick from her eyes. Scratch that, they already were. Mai was suddenly overcome with a strong desire to crush her sister in the biggest hug, but she didn’t want to accidentally squeeze something she shouldn’t.

Mai couldn’t help but let the wobble in her voice come through, she sounded almost a little disbelieving. “You’re pregnant?"

Maki gave a soft smile as she brought both of her hands to softly caress her abdomen. “Took you long enough to figure it out.” Her voice was still light despite the mocking tone she intended to use.

Mai let out a small wail, she was just so emotional! 

She wobbled a little bit closer to her sister, fighting every urge in her to immediately crowd her with love. 

“How far along are you?” Maki had to be at least three months, her bump was noticeable. She’s sure her thin yukata did nothing to hide her bump, which is why she went out of her way to hide her body with her haori around Mai. There was also the way she undressed with her back turned.

“Sixteen weeks.” Four months! She had waited four months to tell her twin sister she was pregnant? A small pang of hurt pierced Mai’s heart, why had Maki hidden such a life changing development from her for so long?

As if reading her thoughts, Maki followed up. “I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you earlier, we were forbidden from sharing the news with anyone for the first few months.”

Mai immediately understood. Maki was going out of her way not only to protect herself, but to protect her unborn child.

“Who else knows?” Mai questioned.

“Just the rest of the Clan. You’re the first person I’ve told.”

Mai felt her heart ache, to think that she was the first person her sister thought of. It made Mai want to cry.

“What about work? You aren’t planning on working like this are you?” Mai couldn’t imagine it was very safe for Maki to be working as a sorcerer in her current condition.

Maki shook her head. “No! Absolutely not. But I did want to work for as long as possible, that’s why I’ve been so busy these last couple weeks. I knew I would have to stop working eventually, especially after I started showing.”

Maki wrapped her towel around her body and affectionately rubbed her bump over the fluffy towel. It made sense, Maki was not the stay at home mother type, she would miss working as a Jujutsu Sorcerer. She wanted to get as much work in as she possibly could before she was forced on maternity leave.

“What about Yuta?” Mai could recall he was working a lot less now.

“He’s staying home more often to take care of me and eventually the baby.” Maki voiced with a soft smile. There was a light pink blush on her face and Mai couldn’t help but stare in amazement at the sight.

Maki was practically glowing with pride and a sweetness Mai had rarely ever seen on her sister before. It made her heart melt. She recalled that touching conversation she had with Maki the day before her wedding. When Maki silently confessed how badly she yearned for marriage and a family, but thought she was undeserving of it for years.

Seeing her sister’s dreams and desires finally come to fruition meant so much to Mai. She was a strong sorcerer, married to a man she loved, and he loved her back, and now she was finally starting her own family. Mai couldn’t be happier for Maki.

Mai reached out her hands in a small question. “Can I hug you?” She didn’t want to step over her boundaries. 

Maki rolled her eyes, “I’m not made of glass! Of course you can!”

Mai didn’t pay attention to her sister’s antagonizing tone as she focused on enveloping Maki in as tight of an embrace as possible. She was careful to avoid pressing against her sister’s bump though, she didn’t want to accidently hurt her.

Maki wrapped her arms around Mai’s back and gave a small rub. Maki even smelled different, sweeter, maybe it was a hormonal thing. It brought Mai comfort.

As the two sisters finally broke apart, Maki asked a question. “Could you organize my baby shower?”

Mai’s eyes grew wet. “You want me to do that?” Normally Mai would question why Maki would even want something like that, but all she cared about at this moment was that it was Maki asking her to do it for her.

Mai wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. “Of course I can!” It didn’t matter, her tears were spilling all over her hot face. 

Maki smiled and wiped the tears flowing from Mai’s eyes. It was a sweet gesture.

It only took a few more minutes of gushing and fawning for Maki and Mai to finally begin making their way towards the showers. They practically raced through washing their bodies and hair. Mai helped Maki pin her long hair back and clip her fringe. The girls folded their towels into small rectangles to put onto their heads while they soaked.

The cold air of the outside springs suddenly hit Mai, making her shiver as she stepped outside. The natural steam of the hot spring was rising and would warm Mai’s skin every time it brushed against her skin.

Mai could see there were a few Clan’s women already soaking and idly chatting away. Mai recognized Junko among their bath peers. She was an Elder of the Clan despite only being in her forties. She was also always very kind to Maki and Mai, readily accepting Maki into the Clan when she got married a few years ago.

Junko waved her hand to catch their attention when she spotted the two sisters. “Maki my dear! You’re looking beautiful!” Maki blushed as some of the other women echoed Junko’s compliments, she rubbed her bump in a bashful gesture as she walked along the edge of the spring. It was cute the way Maki’s hands would always gravitate towards her baby bump whenever she was conversing, like she didn’t know what to do with her hands otherwise.

“And Mai! A pleasure to see you!” Mai waved her hand in lieu of a greeting. These women were always too energetic for Mai, it made her feel out of place and silly. 

Maki and Mai finally found a spot they felt comfortable sitting in and they dipped their toes before slowly submerging themselves into the water.

They both let out a sigh of relief as the hot water enveloped them. “This was an amazing idea.” Mai voiced her thoughts out loud.

Maki hummed. “Don’t I know it.”

Mai turned her head towards her sister. “Should you be soaking here?” 

Maki nodded. “It’s safe after fifteen weeks and at a certain temperature. Just can’t soak for longer than twenty minutes at a time.”

“Oh, that’s good…”

Maki continued. “I plan on using the springs quite a lot, it’s really good for my back, especially as I start to get bigger. Relieves pain and tension.” Maki was awfully informed about all this, but it made sense, she was pregnant and preparing to deliver a baby after all.

Oh my God… Maki was going to be a mom!

Maki reached for her sister’s shoulders and leaned her head into her. “You’re going to be a mom!”

Maki let out a light laugh, moving her hand to clutch Mai’s own. 

“I know… I can’t wait.”