note: so, freaked out nerdjo is fantastic and all, but I need GEEKED out nerdjo. because its nerdjo. awkward, sweet, flustered, UGHHHHH. anyways enjoy. im on my jjk griiiind
ps. its short, excuse me
"I thought I'd find you here." you mused, stepping into the quiet space of the library. nobody was around, the booths long cleared out after classes came to a close. the only other occupant besides your intended person being the elderly librarian, deaf in one ear and far too busy reading ancient novels you've never even heard the name of to notice your entrance.
startled by the sound of your voice, something he's heard filtering throughout campus countless of times before, Satoru looks up from the physiology book he was studying. he looks left, then right, then pin straight at you--oddly like a startled deer caught in headlights.
when he sees you, he does a double take. "[Name]?" he mumbled, blinking behind his thick black rimmed glasses. his white hair falls in tousles against his forehead, messy, finger brushed like he's spent too many hours combing through the strands while he studied.
and, of course, he'd be here way into the afternoon, studying dutifully even when the campus cleared out and people returned to their dorms. somewhere you would normally be by now.
"satoru." you smiled, offering a half assed wave of your hand as you approached the cozy booth he occupies. It was tucked away, off to the left, somewhere you're sure he always sits at.
the large physiology book sits most prominently in front of him, and scattered around the table were loose pieces of paper. some scribbled with neatly written notes, others messily scribbled with interpretations and diagrams. chaotically organized in his own way.
satoru scrambled to neaten everything.
"i.. wasn't expecting you [name]. well--not saying that you don't come to libraries, or anything like that. but it's pretty late, so I thought you'd be with my brother--"
"yeah, you'd be right." you shrug easily, charmed by his fluster, lingering by one of the seats. "I usually would be, but I was looking for you."
his jerky motions to clear up his study space halts. cerulean blue eyes dart up to you in astonishment. you? the girl that was always within five feet of his twin brother? who laughed like nobody was around, and was fond of making a statement. the same girl that was tight-knit with shoko? the frat sweetheart?
smoothing out his papers like there was a crinkle in them only he could see, he tucks away his analytical rambles manifested on paper. he clears his throat, his free hand pushing his glasses back up the bridge of his nose.
"oh, is that so?" his voice wavered.
you let out a low hum, sparing a glance around the library as you take a seat in the chair you were idling by. dull yellow lighting, shelves lined with messily stacked books. the topmost shelves coated in a thin layer of dust--since the old librarian couldn't get to those places anymore. but the thin layer suggested it was at least maintained every now and then.
satoru cleared his throat again, out of nervousness more so out of the intention to gain your attention. he got it anyway.
"say satoru, you're good at physics right?" you ask, coyly drawing your pointer finger against the polished wooden table.
it took a moment for him to register the question, too distracted by your finger tracing unknown patterns and the gaze that held steady against his own. jittery nerves coiled in his gut, mouth parting in shock that, for one, you were actually sitting here and talking to him.
nobody ever really paid attention to him, not when his brother shined far brighter in comparison. gojo was a frat brother, closely knit with the popular students. he had the potential of a football star. so no, satoru never really got used to the eyes of others, or the singling attention of girls like his brother was so used to.
he was used to the quietness of the shadows, slipping through with astonishing grades, praise of their professors, and the secret studious help in gojo's dorm when big exams were coming up.
you were on the same level as gojo. popular, or as popular as a witty mouth and sly grin could get you. you were the type of person to be known by everybody, not particularly liked, especially with your close relation to the gojo, but still within the spotlight. there was a drive to you, an academic mind that a lot of people seemed to gloss over.
slowly, satoru nodded. he mentally shook off his thoughts to finally zero his attention on your question. "uh, yes, I am. it's one of my favorite subjects, actually."
his utmost favorite subject.
satoru was internally excited about the way this conversation was going. talking about physics, something he enjoyed a lot, with the person he admired from afar.
you smile, pleased. "that's great. my degree requires me to do a semester on physics, so would you mind helping me out? I don't really understand it and Gojo isn't any better off than I am."
the nerves seem to melt off his shoulders the more you talked, like the topic of studying was enough to crack through his shell, even by a bit. he nods again, dutifully agreeing with your sentiment. gojo was near impossible to teach.
"I've explained the concepts of physics to him all the times he's asked, none ever stuck unfortunately. so.. I guess if you're a better student than gojo, I think I can make it work."
a light redness spreads across his cheeks when you beam.
"thank you so much! this really means a lot."
he stammers for a response. "of--of course! anything for a friend of my brothers'." anything for you.