๐ฒ๐๐บ๐ฝ๐๐๐ ๐บ๐๐ฝ ๐ข๐๐๐๐พ๐ ๐ข๐๐บ๐๐๐พ๐ 4
a/n: so excited to write about my fav trios. also I lowkey forgot that (MANGA SPOILERS) yuuta and gojo are related, so actually as the ruler of this universe that is not canon and youth's and mc's bloodline actually never touch ONCE.... anyways.... ENJOY!
Finally, you were officially enrolled into Tokyo Jujutsu High. Gojo had dragged his feet on the paperwork for as long as he could. โWhatโs the rush? Youโve already been training with me!โ
ย Principal Yaga finally cornered him about it. He argued, Gojo grinned, and in the end, you were given your uniform and welcomed properly into the halls youโd already come to know so well.
By then, you had grown stronger. Severance wasnโt just instinct anymore; it was discipline, precise and sharp. You sparred often with Maki and Megumi, Panda teased you like a younger sibling, and Inumaki had grown fond of handing you onigiri with the flavors he knew you liked. It felt like family in ways Gotham never had.
But like always, the darkness never strays too far.
It started small. Subtle.
At first, Tsumiki only seemed tired. Sheโd smile through it, waving you off when you worried, but you noticed how her steps slowed when walking home from school, how she lingered too long catching her breath after climbing the stairs. She brushed it off with excuses. โI stayed up too late studying, Iโve been busy, itโs nothingโ.
But you knew better. Youโd lived with loss long enough to recognize the weight of something creeping in, unseen.
One morning, she didnโt wake up.
You and Megumi found her in her room, lying peacefully, her face pale against the pillow. For a heartbeat, you thought she was gone. The fear that ripped through your chest nearly crushed you. But when you shook her gently, she stirred, weakly, sluggishly, and whispered your names.
Thatโs when you saw it.
It wasnโt visible to Megumi, but your eyes caught it immediately: something coiled faintly around her, thin threads of cursed energy clinging to her skin like blackened vines. It wasnโt like the little baby curses youโd once seen in Gotham, either. This was something deeper. Stronger. The residue of a contract she hadnโt agreed to.
Gojo examined her not long after. His usual easy grin faded into something sharper, the air around him heavy. โItโs a binding vow,โ he explained. โForced on her. The kind that keeps her alive, but asleep. Two years ago, when curses started spiking across Japan, a handful of non-sorcerers were marked. Sheโs one of them.โ
Megumiโs fists clenched at his sides. โWhy her?โ
Gojoโs expression softened, though the lines of his jaw stayed tight. โBecause she was kind. Because she cared. Because curses feed on that just as much as fear.โ
You sat by her bed that night, holding her hand. Her breathing was steady, her pulse faint but there. But the sight of those black threads, tugging invisibly at her life, made your stomach twist.
From then on, every mission, every curse you exorcised, felt like one step closer to saving her. Tsumiki wasnโt just Megumiโs reason to fight. She had become yours too.
It wasnโt just Tsumiki who was cursed. It was you and Megumi too, in a way.
Every day, you both lingered in her room, checking her pulse, brushing stray hairs from her face, whispering words she couldnโt answer. At first, you tried to be hopeful. Sheโll wake up. She has to. But as weeks passed, hope turned into something heavier. A dull ache that never left your chest.
Megumi carried it like armor, his face hardening every time someone mentioned her name. You recognized the look because you wore it too. Gotham had taken your mother, Jason, even the little scraps of family Bruce could have given you. Now Megumi was staring down the same emptiness.
The grief should have pulled you under, but instead, it pulled you closer to each other.
One night, you found him sitting on the engawa outside, his shoulders rigid, his hands clenched. You sat beside him without a word, knees brushing his, the silence heavy between you. Finally, he muttered, โSheโs all I had.โ
โI know,โ you whispered back. โSheโs all I had too.โ
He turned, surprised, but when he saw the rawness in your eyes, something softened. From that night, there was no need to explain the ache, you both understood.
It wasnโt the kind of closeness that came from laughter or lighthearted moments. It was deeper than that, forged in the fire of loss. You started watching each other the way siblings do: heโd make sure you ate when you were too drained to care, and youโd drag him out of training before he broke himself trying to forget. During missions, you moved in sync without speaking, each of you unwilling to let the other fall.
It wasnโt about blood. It was about survival. About choosing to stand shoulder-to-shoulder when the world wanted to hollow you out.
Megumi wasnโt just your friend anymore. He was your brother. And together, youโd do whatever it took to protect what was left of your family, even if it meant carrying the weight of grief on your backs until it crushed you.
You first heard his name through Gojo, who returned one night grinning ear to ear.
Gojo had been hyped about it all day. He burst into the estate with that wild grin plastered on his face, tossing his blindfold onto the couch like he owned the place.
โYouโll never guess what I found today,โ he said, rummaging through the cupboards for snacks. โA kid who swallowed a cursed object.โ
You nearly choked on your tea. โHe what?โ
โYup. Whole finger, down the hatch. Sukunaโs finger, no less.โ He said it like he was talking about someone eating the last cookie in the jar. โAnd get this. He survived.โ
That was your first introduction to Yuji Itadori: not in person, but as the reckless boy who ate a cursed object and lived.
When you finally saw him for yourself, it was nothing like you expected. You thought heโd look haunted, dangerous, maybe even twisted by Sukunaโs presence. Instead, you found a boy your age with round eyes, messy pink hair, and an expression that wavered between nervous and cheerful. He was sitting awkwardly in the courtyard, his hands fidgeting against his knees as Megumi stood nearby, watching him like a hawk.
โSo this is the kid who swallowed Sukunaโs finger?โ you asked, tilting your head.
โThis is him,โ Gojo announced, patting Yujiโs shoulder like he was showing off a prize. โThe miracle stomach.โ
Yuji blinked at you. โUhโฆ yeah. Thatโs me.โ
You raised an eyebrow, fighting a smirk. โHonestly, I thought youโd look scarier. Yโknow, fangs, horns, glowing eyes. But you just look like some random high schooler who got lost on the way to track practice.โ
His jaw dropped. โHey! Thatโs- okay, thatโs fair. But I swear Iโm tougher than I look.โ
You grinned, stepping closer. โSure, miracle stomach. Whatever you say.โ
Megumi shot you a warning look, but you ignored it. Teasing Yuji was too easy.
Yuji puffed his cheeks, muttering under his breath, then suddenly leaned forward. โWell, what about you? You donโt look scary either. Whatโs your deal?โ
You smirked, letting a flicker of cursed energy spark around your hand, sharp and crackling like shattered glass. The air between you hummed. โMy deal is that I can cut you in half before you finish that sentence.โ
Yuji froze, eyes widening. Then, to your surprise, he grinned. โCool! Wanna train together sometime?โ
You stared at him, thrown completely off. Most people flinched when you showed your cursed energy. He just smiled.
For some reason, that made you laugh. โYouโre weird, Itadori.โ
โYeah,โ he said with a shrug. โBut weird people make the best friends, right?โ
Megumi sighed behind you, clearly regretting every decision that had led him to this moment. But you couldnโt help it, already, you liked Yuji. Teasing him was too much fun.
The first evening after Gojo dragged Yuji to Jujutsu High, the three of you ended up in the training yard. The sun was dipping low, painting the sky orange, and the air felt heavy with the scent of grass and sweat.
Yuji was still bouncing with nervous energy, eyes darting around the school grounds like he couldnโt believe he was really there. โThis place is huge,โ he muttered, half to himself. โItโs like Hogwarts butโฆ creepier.โ
You smirked. โGreat. Another weirdo with no idea what heโs signed up for.โ
โHey!โ Yuji turned toward you, pouting. โI mean, yeah, I donโt know anything about cursed energy, but Iโm not that clueless.โ
You tilted your head, watching him. โYou swallowed a rotten finger because you thought it was the only way to help Megumi.โ
He hesitated. โโฆOkay, fair. But it worked, didnโt it?โ
You couldnโt help laughing, shaking your head. โUnbelievable.โ
Megumi sighed beside you, pinching the bridge of his nose. โThis is what Iโm stuck with.โ
Yuji leaned closer to you, cupping a hand to the side of his mouth like he was sharing a secret. โDoes he ever smile? Like, ever?โ
You grinned, playing along. โNot unless you count when his shikigami maul curses.โ
Megumi glared at both of you. โI can hear you.โ
That set you laughing even harder, and for a moment Yuji looked at you like heโd just scored a victory.
Later, after Megumi excused himself to deal with the shikigami, you found yourself sitting with Yuji under the engawa. The cicadas buzzed in the trees, and he kicked his legs idly.
โSoโฆโ he started, fiddling with the hem of his sleeve. โDo you ever get used to all this? The curses, the fighting, theโฆ dying?โ
The question made your chest tighten. You stared at the wooden floorboards for a moment before answering. โYou donโt get used to it. You just learn to live with it.โ
Yuji studied you quietly, and then, instead of making a joke, he nodded. โGuess Iโll figure it out too.โ
Something about the way he said it, quiet, steady, without fear, made you believe him.
The next morning, Gojo dragged you and Megumi out to the training yard. Yuji trailed behind, still rubbing sleep from his eyes, his pink hair sticking up in every direction.
โAlright!โ Gojo clapped his hands dramatically. โTime for our newest addition to show us what heโs made of. And what better way to do that than a spar?โ
Yuji perked up immediately. โWait like, hand-to-hand? I can totally do that!โ
You leaned on your weapon, smirking. โYouโre excited now, but donโt start crying when you lose.โ
His jaw dropped. โWhat makes you think Iโll lose?โ
Megumi muttered from the sidelines, โDo we really have to do this?โ but Gojo ignored him, practically bouncing with excitement.
โOkay, okay,โ Gojo said, pushing Yuji into the ring. โNo cursed energy yet, just fists. Show us how good you are at the basics.โ
Yuji grinned, bouncing on his toes. โYouโre on.โ
The fight started fast. Yuji lunged first, his movements quick but wild. You slipped past his punch easily, and jabbed him lightly in the ribs.
โToo open,โ you teased.
He spun, grinning. โNot bad! But Iโm just warming up.โ
He came at you again, faster this time. You ducked under his swing, sweeping his leg out from under him. He hit the ground with a grunt, staring up at the sky in disbelief.
You crouched beside him, grinning. โI thought you said you could totally do this.โ
His cheeks flushed. โI slipped!โ
Gojo laughed so hard he had to wipe his eyes. โOhhh, this is going to be fun. Yuji, youโve got power, but Y/Nย has control. Youโve got a long way to go, kid.โ
Yuji sat up, rubbing his back, but then his grin returned, bright and unshaken. โAlright then. Guess Iโll just have to get strong enough to beat you.โ
You arched a brow. โGood luck with that.โ
For the rest of the session, Yuji kept trying, again and again, even when you knocked him flat. And each time, he got back up smiling, as if defeat was just another step forward.
By the time Gojo finally called it, you were sweaty, a little bruised, and, though you wouldnโt admit it out loud, you found yourself grinning too.
Because Yuji was different. He wasnโt weighed down like the others. He wasnโt afraid of failing. And in some strange, reckless way, that made you want to keep fighting too.
The air smelled faintly of sweat and earth. The field where Gojo had put you all through hours of sparring was littered with scuffed dirt and stray pieces of training tape. The sun was slipping low, the sky melting into pink and orange.
Yuji was the first to drop, falling backwards into the grass with a loud groan that broke the quiet.
โUuuughโฆ this is it. Iโm done. Tell Gojo I said heโs the worst.โ
Megumi lowered herself beside him with her usual unbothered calm. Despite the scratches on hisย arms and the way his hair clung damp to his face, he looked strangely composed.ย โIโll let him know you died heroically,โ he said flatly, peeling off one glove.
You walked over slower, every muscle burning, and collapsed on Yujiโs other side. โHeroically? Megumi, he tripped over his own foot at least three times.โ
Yuji lifted his head just enough to glare at you, though the effect was ruined by the sweat running down his forehead. โThose were strategic dodges.โ
Megumi didnโt blink. โInto the ground?โ
You burst into laughter, a tired but genuine sound that made Yuji cover his face with both hands. โIt was very heroic,โ you teased.
โBrutal,โ Yuji muttered through his palms. But when you tossed him your spare water bottle, he sat up just enough to catch it. โThanks, Y/N. At least someone here has a heart.โ
Megumi, still expressionless as he unwrapped a protein bar, said, โLow bar.โ
You grinned, glancing at her. โHe says that, but he saved your butt likeโฆ twice today.โ
Yuji froze mid-sip. โWait, seriously?โ
โHe did.โ You pointed at Megumiโs arm, a new smear of dirt where heโd shoved Yuji out of the way earlier. โYou were about to get flattened.โ
Megumi shrugged, his tone casual but her eyes briefly flicking toward Yuji. โDidnโt feel like cleaning up the mess.โ
Yuji let out a startled laugh that turned into something warm. โYouโre the best, Megumi. Even if you wonโt admit it.โ
His expression didnโt change, but you caught the faintest upward twitch at the corner of his mouth before he looked away.
For a while, nobody spoke. The wind rustled the grass; somewhere behind the field, a few birds chirped their last songs of the evening. The silence wasnโt awkward. Iit was the heavy, peaceful kind that comes after shared exhaustion. You leaned back on your hands, watching the colors of the sky stretch and fade.
โYou know,โ you said after a moment, your voice softer, โweโre getting better. Likeโฆ actually better.โ
Yuji glanced at you, his eyes bright even in his tired face. โYeah. Today felt different. Stronger.โ
Megumi took a slow sip from his water bottle, then nodded once. โโฆLess sloppy.โ
Yuji laughed at that,ย short but proud. โIโll take it. Next time, we wonโt even need Gojo.โ
Megumi looked at him with the calmest side-eye imaginable. โBold.โ
You laughed, bumping your shoulder against Yujiโs. โBut maybe true. Youโve come a long way.โ
Yujiโs grin softened into something quieter. He looked at both of you,ย you, sweaty and tired but smiling,ย Megumi, calm and unreadable but somehow presentย and said, โThis was a good day.โ
Megumi didnโt look up from the wrapper his was folding, but he said softly, โNot bad.โ
The three of you sat there until the sun finally slipped below the horizon, shoulders brushing, the quiet easy and earned. For once, it felt like the world could wait.
Gojo led you, Megumi, and Yuji through the bustling streets of Harajuku, the noise and color of the district swallowing you whole. You werenโt sure why you all had to come meet the new student here, of all places, but Gojo seemed unbothered, his usual grin plastered across his face.
โWhy here?โ you muttered, falling into step beside Megumi. โWouldnโt the school have made more sense?โ
Megumi shrugged, looking equally unimpressed. โWith Gojo, thereโs never a reason.โ
โExactly!โ Gojo said, spinning on his heel. โFirst impressions matter. Besides, Harajukuโs perfect for her.โ
That was when you saw her.
Standing near a storefront, suitcase in hand, was a girl with striking orange hair and a sharp glare. A model scout was pestering her, waving a business card like it was a golden ticket.
โDonโt waste my time,โ Nobara snapped, arms crossed. โDo you have any idea how many scams start with โyou should be a modelโ? Pathetic.โ
The scout stammered, insisting it was legitimate, but she reached into her bag and let the handle of a hammer peek out. That was enough, the man blanked and bolted down the street.
โFeisty,โ Gojo commented cheerfully, waving the group over. โThis is her. Meet Kugisaki Nobara, our new first year.โ
Yujiโs eyes lit up. โWhoa, that was awesome! Iโm Itadori Yuji, nice to meet you!โ
She looked him up and down once, unimpressed. โToo eager.โ
You couldnโt help laughing, stepping forward with a grin. โDonโt mind him. Heโs basically a walking puppy, excited about everything, no brain cells to spare.โ
Nobaraโs lips twitched like she was holding back a smirk. Her gaze slid to you. โAt least someone around here has standards.โ
You smirked right back. โYouโll fit in just fine.โ
Megumi muttered under his breath, already annoyed. โThis is going to be unbearable.โ
โSo,โ she said at last, โthese are my classmates? A brooding kid, a hyperactive idiot, andโฆ you.โ
You raised a brow. โIs that supposed to be a compliment or an insult?โ
She tilted her chin up, a smirk tugging at her lips. โBoth.โ
Yuji stepped in quickly, flashing her the friendliest smile possible. โDonโt mind her! Weโre actually a really good team. Youโll see, itโll be great to have another girl around.โ
Nobaraโs eyes narrowed, clearly unimpressed. โWhatโs that supposed to mean? That you were getting lonely with just the two of them?โ
Yuji froze, hands flailing. โN-No! I didnโt mean it like-โ
You laughed so hard you had to cover your mouth. โOh my god, Yuji, sheโs going to eat you alive.โ
Megumi sighed, rubbing his temple. โDo we really have to do this here? In public?โ
โOf course!โ Gojo chimed in, utterly ignoring the tension. โHarajuku is about the atmosphere. Bonding through chaos, you know?โ
Nobara side-eyed him, then looked back at you. โYouโve known these guys for a while?โ
โUnfortunately,โ you said with mock solemnity, elbowing Megumi. โIโve been stuck babysitting him for years.โ
Megumi shot you a look, but didnโt argue.
Nobara chuckled, clearly warming up, though her voice still carried an edge. โGood. Then at least I wonโt be the only one who sees through them.โ
Yuji groaned. โYou two are going to gang up on me, arenโt you?โ
โYes,โ you and Nobara said in unison.
Gojo clapped his hands together, delighted. โSee? Teamwork already! This is going to be so much fun.โ
Megumi muttered under his breath, โFun isnโt the word Iโd useโฆโ
The detention center loomed ahead of you, dark and hulking against the cloudy sky. The building reeked of cursed energy, thick and suffocating, even before you stepped inside. Police tape flapped in the wind, and the few guards outside looked pale, muttering about people disappearing.
Gojo, of course, looked completely unbothered. โAlright, kiddos. Time for a practical test! Exorcise the curse inside. Bonus points if you make it look cool.โ
โCool?โ Nobara repeated, incredulous.
Gojo winked, then vanished, leaving you, Yuji, Megumi, and Nobara at the gates.
Yuji blinked at the empty spot where your teacher had been. โDidโฆ he just ditch us?โ
โYes,โ Megumi said flatly, already moving forward.
You sighed, tightening your grip on your weapon. โWelcome to Jujutsu High. Step one: abandonment.โ
Inside, the air was damp and foul. The corridors were cracked and rotting, cursed energy oozing from the walls like mold. Whispers echoed through the empty hallways, thin and sharp like glass against your skin.
Yuji tried to lighten the mood, glancing around. โSo, uhโฆ first mission together! We got this, right?โ
Nobara gave him a sharp side-eye. โDonโt get cocky. Try not to slow me down.โ
You smirked. โCareful, Yuji. She bites.โ
โWhy is it always me?!โ he groaned, but you could see the nervous sweat on his brow.
The first curse lunged out of the shadows not long afterโa twisted, half-formed thing with too many arms. Nobara reacted instantly, slamming a nail into the wall with her hammer. Her cursed energy snapped through it, pinning the curse in place like a bug.
โGotcha,โ she hissed, driving another nail straight through its head.
Yujiโs jaw dropped. โThat was AWESOME!โ
She smirked, hammer on her shoulder. โOf course it was.โ
Another curse slithered from the ceiling, but you were already moving. Severance gleamed in your hands, slicing upward in a clean arc. The creature shrieked before dissolving into sludge.
โWatch your blind spots, idiot,โ you called to Yuji.
โHey! I saw it!โ Yuji protested.
โNo, you didnโt,โ Megumi muttered, his shikigami growling as it tore through a curse behind him.
The deeper you went, the worse it became. Shadows writhed at the edges of your vision, whispers growing louder. And then, you found itโthe remains of the detainees, torn and scattered. Yuji froze, fists clenching.
โThese were people,โ he whispered, horror in his eyes.
You felt your stomach twist, but Megumiโs voice was steady. โFocus. Right now, our job is to make sure it doesnโt happen to anyone else.โ
And then the air changed. Heavy. Suffocating. The three of you turned at once as a hulking curse emerged from the darkness, its shape grotesque, its energy radiating the weight of a Special Grade.
Your pulse spiked. โThatโsโฆ way above our level.โ
Nobaraโs smirk faltered. โYou think?โ
Yuji swallowed, stepping forward anyway. โDoesnโt matter. We canโt run.โ
The curse roared, and the fight began.
The Special Grade towered above you, a hulking mass of teeth, eyes, and limbs that seemed to bend the air itself. Its cursed energy pressed down so heavy your knees almost buckled. The walls groaned under its presence.
โSpecial Grade,โ Megumi said tightly, summoning his shikigami. โWeโre not equipped for this.โ
โYa think?!โ Nobara snapped, nails trembling in her hand.
Your pulse thundered in your ears, Severance humming in your grip. The curse shifted, its too-wide grin splitting as it lunged forward. Instinct took overโyou swung, the blade cutting through its arm with a screech. For a heartbeat, you thought it would fall.
The limb regenerated instantly, sharper than before, slamming you into the wall with bone-crushing force. The air left your lungs in a gasp as pain exploded through your back.
โY/N!โ Yuji shouted, darting forward. He planted himself between you and the curse, fists clenched. His cursed energy sparked weakly, but he didnโt hesitate.
The Special Gradeโs claws raked down, and Yuji caught the blow, his muscles straining, blood dripping instantly. He grinned through the pain. โGo! Iโll hold it!โ
โYou canโt!โ Megumi barked, but Yuji only shook his head.
โPeople are dying out there. We canโt run!โ
Something in his voice hit you like a knife. Jason had spoken like that once. Brave. Stupid. Ready to throw everything away.
Your chest tightened. โYuji donโt you dare-โ
The Special Gradeโs hand speared through his side, blood spraying across the cracked floor. Your scream tore out of you before you could stop it.
His face twisted in pain, but he still turned his head, eyes finding yours. โIโllโฆ be okay.โ
And then you saw it, his expression shift, his features contort. Black markings spread across his face like fire, and Sukunaโs laugh echoed through the hall, cold and cruel.
โFinally,โ Sukuna drawled, stretching Yujiโs body like a puppet. โI was getting bored.โ
Every muscle in your body froze. The cursed energy pouring off him was suffocating, endless. The Special Grade that had nearly killed you? It shrank back in fear.
Sukuna slaughtered it like it was nothing.
When the last of the sludge dripped away, Sukuna turned, eyes settling on you. His grin was wide, sharp, hungry. โYouโve got potential. Sharp little blade. Maybe Iโll carve you up next.โ
Your grip on Severance shook, not from fear, but rage. If he so much as breathed wrong, youโd cut him apart, even if it killed you.
But then, just as quickly as heโd appeared, Sukuna clicked his tongue and vanished. Yujiโs body crumpled to the ground, lifeless.
You ran to him, knees hitting the floor hard. His skin was pale, blood pooling beneath him. He wasnโt breathing.
โYuji, no, no, no,โ you whispered, hands pressing desperately against the wound, even though you knew it was pointless. Your fingers trembled, slick with his blood. โYouโre not allowed to do this. Not you too.โ
Megumi knelt beside you, his face grim but steady. Nobara stood frozen, hammer slack in her grip, her eyes wide with shock.
You shook your head violently, tears blurring your vision. โHe was just, he was just here. He smiled at me. He said heโd be fine-โ
For the second time in your life, you felt the universe rip someone away from you, and the hollow silence it left behind was unbearable.
You bowed your head over him, your hands still clutching his bloodied shirt, and for the first time since Gotham, you felt like that little kid again helpless, empty, screaming against a world that never listened.
The infirmary was too quiet. Too clean. The smell of antiseptic clung to the air, sharp and suffocating, and it made your stomach twist.
You sat on the edge of the bed theyโd carried Yuji to, your hands still stained with his dried blood. No matter how hard you scrubbed, it wouldnโt come off. It was under your nails, etched into your skin, burned into your memory.
You didnโt even cry at first. You just sat there, staring blankly at the sheet pulled over his body, your chest heavy and hollow. The weight of it felt unbearable. Jason. Your mom. Now Yuji. How many more pieces of you had to die before the world was satisfied?
The door creaked, and Gojo stepped inside. He wasnโt smiling this time. His blindfold hung loose around his neck, white lashes framing eyes too sharp, too knowing.
For a moment, he didnโt say anything. He just stood there, taking in the sight of you. Then he crossed the room and crouched down in front of you, resting his elbows on his knees.
โHey,โ he said softly. Not his usual playful tone. Just a quiet word, steady and calm.
Your throat burned. โWhy does this keep happening?โ you whispered. โWhy is it always me? Everyone I care aboutโฆ they leave. They die. And I canโt stop it.โ
Gojoโs expression flickered, just for a second, pain, regret, something you rarely saw break through his endless confidence. He let out a slow breath and reached out, resting a gloved hand on your shoulder.
โItโs not your fault,โ he said firmly. โCurses take. Thatโs what they do. But that doesnโt mean youโre cursed too.โ
Tears welled in your eyes, spilling hot down your cheeks. You shook your head. โBut I couldnโt save him. I was right there. I watched him-โ Your voice broke.
Gojo squeezed your shoulder gently. โYou were there for him. That matters more than you think.โ
You let out a shaky sob, your hands clenching in your lap. โI donโt want to lose anyone else, Satoru. I canโt.โ
For once, Gojo didnโt try to make a joke, didnโt try to deflect with his usual arrogance. He leaned forward and pulled you into a hug, his long arms wrapping around you in a way that felt almost unfamiliar, soft, grounding.
โYou wonโt lose me,โ he murmured against your hair. โAnd Iโm not letting you carry this alone. Not anymore.โ
You clung to Gojoโs uniform, sobs wracking your chest until you were too tired to cry anymore. Your throat ached, your eyes burned, and still you didnโt let go. For once, Gojo didnโt push, didnโt make a joke, he just stayed there, steady and warm, until the storm inside you dulled to quiet tremors.
When you finally pulled back, sniffling, Gojo reached up and gently wiped a tear from your cheek with the edge of his sleeve. His expression was uncharacteristically serious, his sharp blue eyes fixed on yours.
โY/N,โ he said quietly. โI need you to listen to me. And you canโt tell anyone else. Not Megumi, not Nobara, not even the higher ups if they corner you. Swear it.โ
You blinked, confusion threading through your exhaustion. โSwear what?โ
โThat youโll keep a secret.โ
Something in his voice made your heart jolt. You swallowed, nodding. โI swear.โ
Gojo leaned back slightly, his lips quirking, not into a smirk, but into the smallest, faintest smile. โYujiโs not gone.โ
Your breath caught. โโฆWhat?โ
โHe died,โ Gojo admitted, his tone careful, โbut Sukuna brought him back. The bratโs alive. Right now, heโs resting somewhere safe. I pulled him out before anyone else could see.โ
Your heart lurched, tears springing fresh to your eyes, but this time, from sheer relief. You pressed a hand to your mouth, muffling the gasp that tore from your chest. โHeโs-heโs alive?โ
Gojo nodded once. โAlive. But the higher ups would kill him for real if they knew. They canโt stand the idea of Sukunaโs vessel walking around free. Thatโs why this has to stay between us for now.โ
Your pulse raced. The crushing weight in your chest lifted all at once, replaced with shaky laughter that slipped out against your will. โI thought-I thought I lost him too.โ
Gojoโs hand returned to your shoulder, grounding you. โYou didnโt. But youโve gotta act like you did. Not even a crack in your mask, understand?โ
You nodded quickly, still laughing and crying all at once. โI can do that. I swear.โ
For the first time since the detention center, hope sparked in your chest. Yuji was alive. He was out there. And you would keep his secret safe, no matter what it cost you.
The infirmaryโs silence still clung to you when Gojo finally stood, stretching his long arms above his head with a sigh. But his eyes stayed locked on you, sharp and steady.
โCome on,โ he said suddenly.
You blinked. โWhere?โ
He tilted his head toward the door, already walking. โTrust me.โ
Your legs felt heavy, but you followed him anyway, wiping at your face as you trailed behind. The halls of Jujutsu High were dim, shadows stretching across the floorboards. Every creak of your shoes sounded too loud.
Gojo led you down a corridor you rarely went through, past the storage rooms and wards meant to mask cursed objects. Finally, he stopped in front of a sliding door. He didnโt open it right away, he turned back to you, crouching slightly so his gaze met yours.
โRemember what I said,โ he murmured. โNot a word. To anyone. Youโve got to act like nothingโs changed. Can you do that?โ
Your throat felt tight, but you nodded. โI can.โ
Only then did he slide the door open.
Inside, the room was dimly lit by a single lamp. And sitting cross-legged on a futon, alive and breathing, was Yuji. His pink hair was messier than ever, his expression sheepish as his wide eyes landed on you.
โโฆHey,โ he said, voice quiet, almost guilty.
You froze in the doorway. For a long heartbeat, you couldnโt move, couldnโt breathe. The sight of him, warm, alive, real, hit you like a punch to the chest.
Then your body moved on its own. You crossed the room in two steps and dropped to your knees, throwing your arms around him. He stiffened in surprise before letting out a shaky laugh, wrapping his arms around you just as tight.
โYou idiot,โ you choked out, your voice breaking. โYou absolute, reckless idiot. I thought you were gone. I thought I lost you.โ
Yujiโs chest shook with his own unsteady laugh, though his voice was rough when he whispered back, โIโm sorry. I didnโt mean to make you cry.โ
You pulled back just enough to see his face, your hands still gripping his shirt. โDonโt ever do that again. If you die on me one more time, Iโll kill you myself.โ
Yuji grinned weakly, his eyes suspiciously bright. โDeal.โ
Behind you, Gojo leaned casually against the wall, a small smile tugging at his lips. โAlright, reunion time over. Heโs still supposed to be dead, remember? So hug it out quick, wipe your face, and get ready to keep a secret.โ
You ignored him, burying your face in Yujiโs shoulder one more time. Because for now, all that mattered was that he was here. Alive.
And you werenโt letting him slip away again.
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