🧪 Welcome to my little story laboratory. ✨ A writer trying to tell stories that hurt a little and make you think. 🌟 I upload to Wattpad first, then here. ✨Wattpad profile: https://www.wattpad.com/user/The_Creator_00
Somewhere only we know (No magic AU!Young! Nanami Kento x Fem! Reader x Young!Hiromi Higuruma)
Chapter 3: «Loser»
"Uh... I... I..." He swallowed hard when he saw the fear in her eyes. "I have a really good explanation."
Hiromi felt his nerves getting the better of him. The audience's silence wasn't helping, and neither was the terrified look on Y/N's face. She clearly thought he was some kind of creep. Still convinced he was about to expose her, Yu grinned. He stepped forward and pulled off her cap, revealing her face. The audience gasped at the revelation, and within seconds, phones were out as people began taking pictures and recording videos.
Gasp!
"I knew it!"
Ooooh!
Yu broke into a little victory dance, swaying from side to side. Nanami groaned and facepalmed yet again. Higuruma finally snapped out of it and helped Y/N back to her feet.
Click-click-click-click! Flash! Flash! Flash!
"I'm so sorry... I'm so sorry..." He bowed over and over again.
Y/N hurried off the stage toward the side closest to the emergency exit. Yu didn't hesitate to chase after her.
"Stop, you idiot!" Hiromi shouted, trying to grab him by the shirt, but Yu didn't even slow down. Instead, he kept running with such force that Hiromi was left holding a torn piece of his shirt.
"Let's stop him before he ends up getting arrested for stalking."
Nanami watched as Hiromi held up the ripped piece of fabric and rubbed the bridge of his nose. The three of them decided to leave as well, but the exits were already jammed with people trying to get outside and snap a picture of Y/N.
"Does that commercial band really draw a crowd like this?"
"Apparently so."
"Y/N is considered one of the best vocalists of her generation. It's not because of her technique—that's actually what her haters criticize the most—but because every performance is filled with genuine emotion and raw talent."
Higuruma and Kento turned toward Ino at the exact same time, wearing identical expressions of surprise. Ino shrank back self-consciously, darting nervous glances around him.
"Her album Shattered Midnight is a masterpiece. It stayed at number one on the music charts for three consecutive weeks."
Taka-taka-taka-taka!
Y/N was still running. Panic coursed through her as she realized she couldn't shake him no matter what she did. That guy's speed was inhuman. She pushed herself even harder, her anxiety rising as she noticed that, despite the crowded streets, no one came to her aid.
I have to lose him. If I can't find a police station, I'll call the police. Then I'll text Utahime so she can walk me home.
Her thoughts came and went as fast as lightning while she kept running in search of somewhere safe. Yu, on the other hand, was completely absorbed in his own chaotic plan.
Pof-patas-pof-patas!
"Why is she running? Is someone chasing us?" He picked up the pace, steadily closing the distance between them. "Is that a new pastry shop? I should buy some cakes to have with tea. Then Y/N will agree to join the band." His mouth began to water, and he slowed down. "I should have some money in my wallet..." He patted his right pocket, where he always swore he kept it, but couldn't find it. "Oh no! I left it at home!" He looked around and realized Y/N was gone. The realization didn't last long, though. Sweeping his gaze across the street, he spotted her lilac ponytail swaying as she turned into a side street leading to an alley. "I know! I'll borrow some money from Y/N and pay her back later. That way she won't be able to stay away from the band, and I'll be able to convince her to join." He gave himself a pat on the back. What a brilliant idea. That's it, Yu! You can do it, Yu!
Rrun-rrun-rrun!
Thanks to running into Ino's mother, they managed to get into the car. The only problem was that Yu was nowhere to be seen. Nanami was clutching his stomach, a sharp pain stabbing through it, while Ino kept trying to reach Yu. Hiromi chewed on a piece of nicotine gum.
"Did you guys get separated from Haibara?"
"He just took off running without thinking. Nothing unusual for him."
Rrun-rrun-rrun!
"We have to find him."
"He's not answering. Should I send him another text, or try calling again?"
"I don't think he's going to answer."
"Here..." Ino handed Nanami his backpack.
Rrun-rrun-rrun!
"Thanks..." he murmured as he searched for his stomach medication. He took a pill before washing it down with a sip of water.
"I see him!" Hiromi exclaimed, lightly tapping Ino.
"Mom, can you pull over here?"
"No, I can't. This is a loading zone."
"Then unload us."
"A little farther up there's a place where I can park. You can just walk back from there."
"Ma'am, we understand it wouldn't be right to park here, but this is an emergency," Higuruma tried to explain, but she simply shook her head.
"Mom, please. Nothing's going to happen just this once."
"Is that really the kind of manners I raised you with?"
"It'll only be this once."
"I said no. You're all overreacting."
Nanami tightened his grip on the bag. The truth was, he had already made up his mind. He had to stop Yu before he got himself into serious trouble. He unbuckled his seatbelt and reached for the door handle.
"Nanami!" Ino exclaimed, quickly pulling the door shut.
"Either park here, or I'll jump out."
Ino's mother stared at him in stunned silence before reluctantly nodding and bringing the car to a stop. The boys rushed out and immediately took off running down the street.
"You okay?" Hiromi asked Nanami.
"I will be once Yu starts acting like a rational human being."
Aaaah!
The three of them froze, turned toward the sound, and rushed inside. It didn't take them long to find Yu cornering a frightened Y/N, who was clutching her phone in one hand.
"Stop it already!" Nanami and Hiromi shouted in unison as they pulled him back.
"I just wanted to ask her to join our band."
Y/N blinked in surprise as Yu suddenly looked like a puppy being scolded all over again. Nanami lectured him for being so persistent and crossing the line, while Hiromi apologized without pause.
"A band?"
"Yeah! We have an awesome band! We just need a vocalist."
"What's it called?"
"It's called—!" Kento quickly covered Yu's mouth before he could blurt out another ridiculous name.
"It doesn't have a name."
"And what songs do you have in your repertoire?"
"None." Hiromi answered before Yu had the chance.
"Then... where's the band?"
"Right here!" Yu threw an arm around Nanami. "This is Nanami, our guitarist and, for now, our vocalist." Then he pointed at Hiromi. "Higuruma, our bassist!" Finally, he pulled Ino closer. "Ino plays the keyboard, and I'm the drummer!"
"And who's the leader?"
"All of us." He pulled out his phone and showed her one of the covers they had recorded. Y/N smiled as she listened to the music. They played well, and it was obvious they genuinely enjoyed performing together. But when the vocals came in, she immediately understood where they were falling short: ridiculous lyrics and a voice devoid of emotion.
Nanami repeatedly banged his forehead against the wall, utterly mortified. Hiromi gave him a sympathetic pat on the back.
"Guys... Even if you play well, there's no organization. All you have are covers and lyrics that just aren't suitable for serious music." She gave them an apologetic smile. "Being in a band is about more than playing well together. You're a team—a family. Even when there's trust between everyone, you still need someone dependable to lead the rest."
Y/N walked past them, ready to leave. Yu stared at the ground, tears welling in his eyes. Their dream had come to an end in that very moment. Kento started toward Haibara, intending to comfort him. After all, he had been the one to set that condition, but even he couldn't bear to watch the band fall apart.
"Wait, Y/N!" he called, gently taking hold of her wrist. His hands were sweating, and the furious pounding of his heart echoed in his ears. She turned to look at him, confusion written across her face.
✨ Banner diseñado por @alebrasil0101 para esta historia ☺️.
🙅♀️ Please, if you're going to leave negative comments, don't just use two words. If you don't like it, just ignore it.
Somewhere only we know (No magic AU! Young! Nanami Kento x Fem! Reader x Young!Hiromi Higuruma)
Chapter 2: «Winter Sleep»
Clack, clack, clack, clack!
"One, two..." Yu counted them in, tapping his drumsticks together to set the tempo.
Ino played the opening notes while Hiromi came in on bass. Nanami gripped the microphone tightly before closing his eyes, wishing he didn't have to be there.
"Give me pizza for lunch and dinner. I'd even eat the leftovers from yesterday."
He sang in a rough, emotionless voice. The audience fell silent at first, as though they couldn't believe how ridiculous the lyrics were. Then the entire bar erupted into laughter.
"Boooo!"
"Go back to the kindergarten you came from!"
"Who wrote those lyrics?! Your moms or a bunch of five-year-olds?!"
The music came to an abrupt stop. Nanami, Ino, and Hiromi all looked at Yu, who signaled the next song with his fingers. Hiromi sighed and started the rhythm on his bass this time while Ino joined in on the keyboard.
"Fried chicken... It's what I love more than anything. Fried..."
Nanami coughed, mortified by the lyrics. He wasn't the only one—Higuruma and Ino felt exactly the same way. Yu, meanwhile, was giving it everything he had on the drums.
"Do you guys only sing about food?!"
"Boooo! Go home and sleep already!"
"Who are these brats?"
The boos quickly turned into outright mockery as people began throwing food, trash, and whatever else they could get their hands on at the band.
"We should just leave." Hiromi was already walking off the stage as he said it. Nanami and Ino were quick to follow. Yu, meanwhile, had stayed behind to pick up some French fries from the floor.
"What are you doing?"
"Not wasting food."
"Get over here. We're leaving."
Yu ran over to Nanami, leaving the jeers and insults behind. It would have been nice to say it was their first time going through something like this—but it wasn't. It had been their first time performing live in front of an audience, yes, but they'd already uploaded videos to YouTube, and all they'd gotten in return were memes and hateful comments.
"I'm calling my mom to come pick us up."
"Yeah, good idea. Ino, tell her not to take too long." Hiromi lit another cigarette before glancing sideways at Nanami, who looked completely devastated, his breathing still uneven.
"Don't let it get to you. The first time always goes badly."
"Yu, shut up. Every 'first time' you talk about ends in humiliation."
"He's right. We're just not good enough."
"No... The problem is our vocals. We play well."
"I never wanted to be the singer. I didn't even want to be in the band, but you keep dragging me into your stupid plans."
"I'd sing myself, but when we tried out, you were the best one."
"I don't want to hear another word from you." He covered his face, his body still trembling.
"My mom will be here in five minutes. She was already nearby."
"Good... I just want to go home, eat dinner, and get some sleep before I study."
The smoke from Hiromi's cigarette formed perfect rings as he exhaled them absentmindedly, saying nothing more. Silence settled over the group. Ino stepped closer and handed him a bottle of cold water.
"Thanks..." he whispered as he opened the bottle and took a drink.
"I've got it!" Yu suddenly shouted in the middle of the street, startling the people passing by. Hiromi instinctively took a few steps away from him.
"Now what's wrong with you?"
"I know where our vocalist is."
"I thought you'd given up on Y/N. You do know she could start a solo career whenever she wants, right?"
"You guys don't get it. I read my horoscope, and it said I'd find the path to success."
"Yu, that horoscope was for Pisces, and you're a Libra. Besides, horoscopes don't work, and there's no way Y/N would agree to join a band."
"Didn't Y/N disappear after leaving Velvet Eclipse?"
At Ino's question, Yu grinned and held up his phone. Hiromi leaned over to take a look while Nanami groaned at his best friend's stubbornness.
"What's this?"
"Ino, read it carefully. 'Lost Stars Finder' is a blog where people report places they've spotted celebrities who have disappeared from the public eye."
"That's stalking." He flicked the ash from his cigarette onto the ground without a second thought.
"Is it really stalking if a group of fans always knows where their favorite singer is?"
"Yes. That's exactly what stalkers do." Nanami had gone pale as he pressed a hand against his stomach. Hiromi gave him a few reassuring pats on the back.
"Ino, tell your mom we won't need a ride anymore. We're going to Seven Karaoke."
"You can go by yourself."
Nanami started walking away toward home, but Yu stepped into his path. Irritated, Nanami shoved him aside. Even so, Yu didn't move. He met Nanami's gaze with unwavering determination.
"I know you're mad at me for putting you through something so humiliating. Even if people laugh at us or we make complete fools of ourselves, we never give up."
"I do."
He pushed past Yu again, leaving him momentarily stunned. Most people would have gotten angry or begged the band's guitarist to stay, but Yu wasn't that kind of person.
"That's why we're friends, isn't it, Kento?"
Nanami stopped and turned around to look at him. Yu flashed him a broad smile and walked over with determined steps. He rested a hand on Nanami's shoulder.
"A reckless fool always needs a strict realist. We've been a team ever since we were kids, haven't you forgotten the time we rescued our neighbor's cat and I ended up breaking my leg?"
"I told you not to climb that tree. It was obvious the branch wouldn't support your weight."
"Even so... I saved the cat, and you were the one who called my parents. If you leave now, Kento, you'll never see the rainbow after the storm."
Kento took a deep breath, filling his lungs. His mind was telling him to go home and forget all about this music business. His heart, however, was urging him to stay and see what could come from enduring the hard times.
"But if she says no, we disband."
"Deal. This will be our last chance to shine."
Seven Karaoke was a few blocks down the street. The stage lights were dim, washed in shades of purple. The audience stood in complete silence, mesmerized by the performance unfolding before them.
"Can you hear me out there?"
The voice was gentle, yet carried effortlessly through the microphone. There was no mistaking the sorrow and pain woven into every note, reaching straight into the hearts of everyone listening.
"Will you hold me now…? Hold me now, My frozen heart. I'm gazing from the distance and I feel everything pass through me. I can't be alone right now."
Nanami came to a stop in front of the stage while Ino and Yu searched for Y/N. He couldn't take his eyes off the mysterious woman singing with such raw emotion. Kento placed a hand over his heart as it suddenly began pounding in his chest. His first thought was that he was having a heart attack, but the pleasant warmth and the fluttering in his stomach only made his face flush.
"Will you hold me now…? Hold me now, My frozen heart. I'm lost in a deep winter sleep. I can't seem to find my way out alone. Can you wake me?"
Higuruma had come in later after staying outside for a cigarette. The moment he stepped inside, his reaction was no different from the others'. Spellbound by the voice filling the room, he stood staring at the stage, unaware that a single tear had quietly slipped down his cheek.
It was a beautiful moment, and the song was about to reach an emotional ending that would have left everyone in the karaoke bar in tears... if it weren't for Yu standing off to one side of the stage. Nanami and Hiromi's eyes widened in alarm. Higuruma moved closer to Nanami.
"How did he get over there?"
"I have no idea." He glanced beside him and noticed Ino watching nervously. "What's he planning this time?"
"We were looking for Y/N around here. When we couldn't find her, Yu decided to find out who that woman was."
Nanami caught Yu's eye and shook his head, taking advantage of the fact that neither the singer nor anyone in the audience had noticed him. Haibara nodded vigorously in response, but Hiromi wasted no time rushing over to stop him.
"So he actually wants to get himself accused of stalking?"
"I don't know. I tried to stop him, but he insists it's suspicious that she's wearing a baseball cap."
Nanami facepalmed before pointing out that there were plenty of girls—and even a few guys—in the room wearing some kind of hat.
"Get back here."
"I'm just going to wait until she comes over so I can take her cap off."
"You're going to scare the poor girl. Besides, Nanami's going to be even angrier, and I don't think you'll have one of your inspiring speeches to get yourself out of this one."
"I'm not going to do anything bad."
"No. You're going to do something insane."
Y/N lowered her cap a little further as she continued singing. Her fitted black top left her shoulders bare, revealing a lotus flower tattoo on her right shoulder. Yu pointed at the tattoo, but Higuruma simply grabbed him and tried to drag him away. Haibara resisted.
"Look at her baggy jeans. They have stars on them."
"So what? That's in style."
"Because the star was her symbol on her latest album."
"Let's go."
Haibara struggled even harder against Hiromi, who was doing his best not to let go. As the two shoved and pulled at each other, Yu ended up pushing Hiromi onto the stage. He stumbled over a thick amplifier cable and, with terrible luck, fell right on top of Y/N. His dark eyes locked onto her lilac ones, leaving him completely disoriented.
"Uh... I... I..." He swallowed hard when he saw the fear in her eyes. "I have a really good explanation."
✨ Banner designed by@alebrasil0101for this story ☺️.
🙅♀️ Please, if you're going to leave negative comments, don't just use two words. If you don't like it, just ignore it.
Somewhere only we know (No magic AU! Young! Nanami Kento x Fem! Reader x Young!Hiromi Higuruma)
Chapter 1: «A Little Pain»
Sniff... Sniff...
The morning sun filtered through a narrow gap between the curtains. The room was a mess, with clothes scattered across the floor and broken CDs strewn about on the other side. A Velvet Eclipse poster hung on the wall, torn right across where the guitarist stood.
Hurried footsteps echoed up the stairs. The door flew open with a sharp bang. Light flooded the room, revealing a fragile figure curled up in bed, clutching the bedsheets tightly.
Sniff... Sniff...
"Stop crying, Y/N."
The room looked even worse now that it was no longer hidden by the darkness. Utahime shook her head and pulled the curtains open.
Sniff... Sniff...
"Crying won't bring him back, nor will it bring back the life you used to have. Dwelling on it won't change anything. You have to move forward."
Another sob escaped her. The alarm on her phone had been set to the duet the two of them used to sing together. Utahime let out a sigh and turned it off.
"You're such a masochist."
"Go away..." She buried herself even deeper beneath the blankets, leaving only a glimpse of her lilac hair visible. "I just want to disappear from this world."
"And that's how you plan to do it...? Crying into the sea of eternity until you become nothing but foam born from pain?"
"He never deserved you. He's always been like that, Y/N. You need to start living again. Meet new people."
"No..." Her voice trembled, weak and hoarse from crying every night since that tragic day. "Without him... nothing makes sense anymore... My lyrics... my voice... they're worthless."
"That's not true!" she shouted, stomping her foot. "You sang beautifully long before him, and you were an incredible songwriter. They're the ones who can't be good without you."
Another sob interrupted the conversation. Utahime leaned against the doorframe and lowered her gaze to the floor—to the poster where Gojo's image had been ripped apart and soaked with tears.
"A broken heart hurts. You can cry, and you can wish for him to come back." She picked up the poster. "After so many years, everything he was to you won't disappear overnight, but..." She unfolded it, revealing Y/N standing out more than anyone else in the band. "If you let a broken heart make you abandon your dreams and your passion... then one day, when you look back on all of this... you'll regret it..."
Y/N's lilac eyes slowly opened. No tears remained—she simply held her breath. One of her hands rose to her throat, gently gripping it.
"You decide how to move forward... Not Gojo... Not Geto... And not Velvet Eclipse."
Utahime quietly closed the door behind her, leaving Y/N alone once again.
Viiin, viiin.
"Good. Keep going."
Viiin, viiin... Plink, plink!
"Now the part we practiced in our last lesson."
Fwee... Fwee... Viiin, viiin... Screeech!
"Terrible. At this rate, you won't pass the conservatory entrance exam, Hiromi."
"I'm sorry. I'll start over."
"Forget it. Class is over. If you don't practice on your own, you'll never improve."
"I'm sorry." He bowed apologetically. "The band is still looking..."
"You're still wasting your time with those boys?" the violin instructor asked. "They're nothing but a distraction and a foolish dream. You should be focusing on getting into the conservatory. Didn't you promise your father that if he let you study law, you'd pass the violin entrance exam just like he did?"
"Yes. I'm sorry." He bowed once more in apology.
"Tomorrow, I expect you to play today's passage correctly, along with tomorrow's. I don't intend to waste any more of my time."
"I'm sorry. It won't happen again."
Hiromi finally straightened up once the violin instructor had left. He let out a sigh and placed the violin back inside its case. Just then, his phone vibrated with a new message.
"You need to come to Jackson's Bar right now. Don't be late. I did it 8-). Bring your bass (^_-)."
Higuruma set the violin case down on the bed and picked up the one containing his bass before heading out. He quickly came back to grab his jacket, then finally left.
¡Dran, dran!
"Kento!"
¡Claun, claun!
"Nanami! Come downstairs, lunch is ready!"
¡Dran, dran!
"Kento!"
Kento's mother knocked on the door once more, hoping for some sign from her son, but all she could hear was the sound of a guitar. She opened the door and found him wearing headphones, guitar in hand, tapping his foot to the rhythm. Mrs. Nanami smiled warmly and folded her arms. Nanami opened his eyes, startled to find his mother standing there, and quickly set the guitar down on the bed.
"Ever heard of knocking?"
"I did, but you couldn't hear me." She gave him a gentle smile. "I thought you were studying, but it looks like you really do enjoy playing the guitar."
"The guitar is pointless. I was just tired of studying."
"I hope your concert goes well tonight."
"What concert?" He took off his headphones and let them rest around his neck.
"Haibara's mother told me about it. Apparently, Haibara is very excited."
He got up from the bed when he felt his phone vibrate. Nanami flipped it open and saw a message from Yu.
"Come to Jackson's Bar right now (^o^). I have a surprise. Don't be late."
Nanami closed his phone. He picked up his guitar and slipped it into its case, along with a notebook where he kept the unfinished lyrics that came to mind.
"I'll eat with my friends."
"Hm?" She blinked several times. "But... I made your favorite meal, Kento."
"I'll have it for dinner. I need to stop Haibara from making a fool of himself."
Nanami stepped out of his room. His father was sitting at the kitchen table, reading the newspaper. He peeked over the top of it as he watched Nanami put on his shoes.
"I'm heading out."
"You're not staying for lunch?"
The only response was the sound of the front door closing. Nanami's father looked at his wife for an explanation, but she merely smiled and shook her head before heading into the kitchen to serve the meal.
Tchinnn!!
Click, click, click-click!
Puuu-uum...!
"Whaaat?!" Yu exclaimed after losing at Tetris yet again.
"Why didn't you tell us?" Hiromi asked, leaning against the bar with a cigarette between his fingers. "Don't you realize we have nothing?"
"He's right, Yu. We don't have any songs, let alone anything rehearsed for a live performance."
"You're kidding, right, Ino?"
"Well... the truth is... We do have songs."
Nanami and Hiromi stared at Ino in disbelief while Haibara flashed a triumphant grin. He stood up and stretched before turning to his backpack and pulling out a folder stuffed with papers.
"Yu, please come to your senses."
"Ta-da!" He proudly held up the lyrics he had written before handing them over.
Nanami looked through them while Hiromi read over his shoulder. There was only a single chord sheet for five songs. Ino tensed up and looked away.
"'Pizza Friday?' 'Fried Chicken Every Week?' 'A Sweet Cake, a Sweet Snack?' 'Dorayaki for Two?'"
Hiromi burst into laughter at the absurd song titles. Nanami, on the other hand, shot Yu an icy glare before turning to Ino.
"You knew about this, didn't you?"
"For the most part, yeah," Ino admitted, breaking into a cold sweat. "I thought he wouldn't even finish one song, but somehow he ended up writing five."
"I'm leaving." Hiromi dropped his cigarette onto the floor and crushed it beneath his foot before slinging the bass case over his right shoulder. "That was good for a laugh."
"You can't leave." Yu stopped him before he could walk away. "We're performing."
"Do it without me. I'm not making a fool of myself."
One of the waiters gestured to Yu, signaling that it was already time for them to take the stage. Yu spun Hiromi around toward the stage and urged everyone else to get moving. Nanami rolled his eyes before casually draping an arm over Hiromi's shoulders.
"Come on."
"So you've already given up?"
"There's not much else we can do."
"Tonight, we have a brand-new band making their very first live performance in front of an audience!" the announcer said, trying to hype up the crowd. "Please welcome, here at Jackson's Bar..." He paused dramatically. "...'Mom, I Don't Want Bell Peppers, You Know I Hate Them'!"
Nanami, Hiromi, and Ino all slowly turned to look at Yu. He scratched the back of his neck in embarrassment and let out an awkward laugh. The audience erupted with laughter.
"There's a perfectly good explanation. When I signed us up, I was on the phone with my mom, and... hahaha..."
"He quit the band after that," Nanami said flatly.
"Come on, Nanami. The band's name doesn't matter, and neither does what we're singing." His voice was steady and unwavering. "What matters is the potential and talent we have. Let's walk out there as a band, play with everything we've got, and shine together."
He held out his hand in the center. Ino, genuinely moved by his words, was the first to place his hand on top. Hiromi glanced over at Nanami. The two exchanged a weary look, but they both knew it. They might never get another chance to perform in front of a live audience. At the same time, they placed their hands atop those of the other two members.
"Let's do this, guys!"
They shouted in unison as they threw their hands into the air. Then, one by one, they stepped onto the stage, where the audience watched them with eager anticipation.
✨ Banner designed by @alebrasil0101 for this story ☺️.
🙅♀️ Please, if you're going to leave negative comments, don't just use two words. If you don't like it, just ignore it.
Somewhere only we know (No magic AU! Young! Nanami Kento x Fem! Reader x Young!Hiromi Higuruma)
Y/N's life shone brightly alongside her band, Velvet Eclipse. The tours, the concerts, the recording studio, her fans, and her bandmates have all been left behind since her sudden departure seven months ago. Consumed by a lack of motivation and left heartbroken after being betrayed and abandoned by her boyfriend, Y/N barely leaves her bed anymore—except when it's time for the open mic night at her favorite karaoke bar.
Meanwhile, a group of friends dreams of making a name for themselves in the music industry, but they can't seem to catch a break. Nanami is a university student who dedicates himself to his studies but has yet to find something he's truly passionate about. Hiromi, the oldest member of the band, is juggling an internship at a law firm while preparing for his violin conservatory entrance exam. Their lives become intertwined with Yu's plan to recruit Y/N as their lead vocalist and have her guide them.
Y/N agrees, even though her lack of confidence in her own talent holds her back, unwilling to let the chance to stand beneath the spotlight once again slip through her fingers. However, what begins as a yellow brick road soon becomes clouded when she learns that her former band is returning to the stage with a new lead vocalist.
The life Y/N believed she was reclaiming begins to slip away as she finds herself caught in a love triangle between Nanami and Hiromi. Fate is like a thorny vine that burrows deep beneath her skin, while her past threatens to tear everything apart with the help of rumors.
Will Y/N be able to find her happy ending alongside her new bandmates, or is she destined to walk a path of suffering from now on?
⚠️ Warning ⚠️
This is a Reader Insert fanfiction; however, Y/N is given a physical description throughout the story. References to her appearance, body type, and other physical traits may appear in various chapters.
If you prefer reader inserts with a completely customizable appearance, please keep this in mind before reading.
⚠️ Content Warning⚠️
This fanfiction is heavily inspired by Nana and aims to capture a similar atmosphere through its portrayal of the music industry, complex relationships, and emotionally driven storytelling.
Throughout the story, themes such as grief, betrayal, emotional manipulation, toxic relationships, mental health, anxiety, depression, alcohol and tobacco use, the pressures of the music industry, rumors, abandonment, loss, infidelity, unrequited love, and other challenges of adult life will be explored.
Some chapters may contain strong language, emotionally intense situations, and content that could be distressing to some readers.
This story does not intend to romanticize or justify harmful behavior. Instead, it seeks to portray the characters' personal growth, the consequences of their choices, and their journey toward healing and self-discovery.
Reader discretion is advised 👀 . I hope you enjoy this journey as much as I've enjoyed writing it.
✨ Special thanks to @alebrasil0101 for the idea.
✨ Only on Tumblr.
✨ If you're interested in the fanfic, check the masterlist to find out when the episodes will be released.
🙅♀️ Please, if you're going to leave negative comments, don't just use two words. If you don't like it, just ignore it.
Intertwined Souls (Past lives AU! Hiromi Higuruma x Fem! Reader)
Chapter 2: «Reunited in Saitama: Joining Forces»
"Hey!"
A man's voice shattered the horrifying scene before her. Y/N was still staring ahead, frozen in shock and traumatized by what she had just witnessed.
"Are you okay?"
Hiromi held out his hand to her. He caught his breath the moment he felt the softness of her skin against his. He pulled, intending to help her to her feet.
Instead, Y/N drove a kick straight into his stomach, knocking him to the ground. In an instant, she pressed Slaughter Demon against his neck.
"What did you do to that girl?"
"What girl?"
"Don't play dumb. I knew you were here. I don't care if you broke my friend's Curtain, but I won't let you prey on innocent people or take advantage of women, you pervert."
"Wait..." He let out a weary sigh. "You've got the wrong idea."
"I've got the wrong idea?"
Y/N let out a dry laugh before raising Slaughter Demon. Hiromi seized the opportunity to draw his gavel and swing it upward. Y/N instinctively raised her guard, but the strike hit nothing but air.
A burst of cursed energy erupted from Hiromi, sending Y/N tumbling across the ground. When she stopped rolling, the grass beneath her had vanished, replaced by a polished wooden floor.
She found herself inside a courtroom. Two counsel tables stood on either side, with a guillotine looming at the back of the room. Above them floated a black shikigami, balancing a set of scales.
"Just let me explain..."
Judgeman stood behind Hiromi.
Y/N got to her feet. Nothing happened as she approached him, but the moment she tried to throw a punch, she felt an invisible force stopping her. She strained against it with all her strength, but couldn't move.
"What kind of Domain is this?"
"The rule of nonviolence. You can't attack me, and I can't attack you."
"Y/N Zen'in stands accused of the following crimes: aggravated failure to render aid, unlawful confinement, psychological torture, robbery for financial gain, the manufacture and possession of explosives..."
Judgeman continued listing every crime Y/N had ever committed while she repeatedly tried to punch Hiromi. Each attempt was stopped by the rule of nonviolence, either freezing her in place or forcing her away from him.
"How the hell are there so many?"
"I didn't make the explosives on purpose. I accidentally mixed some things together and... that happened."
She rolled her eyes before shooting Hiromi an irritated glare.
He raised his hand to speak, but Judgeman continued reading Y/N's list of offenses.
"I'm not prosecuting her."
"Why not?"
"What?" Hiromi stared at Judgeman in surprise. He'd never questioned him before. "Uh... Because I'm not."
"Insufficient argument. A trial will proceed. Prepare your arguments."
"Oh, for God's sake, why do I have to put up with this?" She sighed and shot Hiromi an annoyed glare. "Let's settle this with our fists. I knew you were here. You must be the one controlling the curse that's targeting those missing girls."
"Wait... Just let me sort this out."
"No. I'm not waiting, and I'm not doing anything you tell me to. I'm going to kick your ass until you're begging for forgiveness for what you did to those victims."
"Nonviolence. Arguments only."
"What's that thing?" She pointed at Judgeman.
"Judgeman. That's my shikigami."
Y/N tried to throw her knife, but the invisible force stopped her once again. Her hand trembled violently as she fought against the restriction.
"Let's take this one step at a time." He turned toward Judgeman. "Let's get this over with."
He cleared his throat, cracked his knuckles, and stretched for a moment before beginning.
"She refused to provide first aid to a stranger. However, Article 218 only establishes a duty of care toward certain individuals, not strangers. Therefore, she committed no offense under the law."
"That bastard was a murderer. He killed his own daughters, four and eight years old, just to get back at his wife for divorcing him. I did the world a favor."
"Please, Y/N."
She narrowed her eyes suspiciously when he said her name.
"Unlawful confinement and psychological torture... Hmm... My client invokes her right to remain silent."
"I'm not your client, and I'm not keeping my mouth shut." She crossed her arms. "He was an abuser and a thug who extorted a family into paying outrageous rent. I only questioned him for three weeks, and he practically forced me to knock his teeth out. In the end, I delivered the justice the system never could."
"What my client means is that she acted out of necessity."
Judgeman's scales gradually began tipping in Y/N's favor.
"Robbery for financial gain."
Judgeman seemed determined to tip the scales back the other way, prompting Hiromi to glare at him.He was acting strangely today.
"It was the yakuza, and I needed the money, okay?"
"Don't you work as a model?"
"First, that was before I became a model. Second, why do you know my name and everything about me?"
"You're famous."
"Yeah, among young women. And you're clearly neither. You're obviously some incel who kidnapped and tortured those women with a curse. You're disgusting."
"It's... complicated to explain why I know those things while we're in the middle of a trial."
"There is no trial. Just two weirdos who are going to end up colder than a corpse the second we step outside your Domain."
"What was the other charge again?" He shook his head. "Just hand down the verdict, Judgeman."
The Domain collapsed, returning them to the vacant lot. Y/N immediately tried to kick him again, but Hiromi blocked it with his forearm.
"Ow... That actually hurt."
"And why should I care?"
"Y/N... Please, listen to me..."
She threw a flurry of punches at him. He dodged every single one—except the last. It struck him square in the nose. Groaning, he clutched it in pain.
"Please, listen to me. I have nothing to do with those missing or murdered women."
"Then what were you doing here?"
"Hunting the curse."
"Are you affiliated with a jujutsu school?"
"Uh... No."
"Then you're a curse user."
"What?" he asked, visibly offended. "No! I'm nothing like them. I work alone."
Y/N stared at him before rolling her eyes with an exasperated sigh. She believed him. Besides, someone whose own shikigami argued with him probably wasn't capable of controlling curses.
"Hey, the playground's that way. Leave this to the professionals."
Hiromi smiled, relieved that Y/N hadn't changed all that much. He reached out and gently grabbed her arm. She turned to face him. Seeing the blood running from his nose stirred an unfamiliar feeling of sympathy inside her.
"You're bleeding."
She pressed her handkerchief against his nose, making him blush.
"I'll believe you're on my side... even if you are my stalker."
"I always have been."
"You're weird."
She stepped away from him and closed her eyes.
A moment later, she scanned their surroundings and gestured for him to follow. Instead, Hiromi stepped in front of her, shielding her with his body.
"Don't get in my way."
She tried to push him aside, but he refused to move.
"Let me be your shield. If that curse attacks, I'd rather take the blow for you and die than lose you in my arms..."
Y/N's green eyes widened at his words.No one had ever been willing to suffer in her place. Yet Hiromi sounded completely sincere.
"Hiromi..." she whispered before quickly frowning. "What?"
"You remember me."
He turned toward her with a joyful smile, causing Y/N to instinctively take a step back.
"Why would I remember a complete stranger? I don't even know why I just called you that."
"A reminiscence."
"So you're not just a law nerd—you're into Platonic philosophy too?"
"Y/N, our souls have lived for hundreds... thousands of years. They've been reborn in countless different bodies, yet we've always found each other. In this life, and in every one before it."
"We're bound by the Red Thread of Fate."
Silence settled between them.
Hiromi gently took both of her hands and pressed a tender kiss to them.
Y/N nodded.
"Right... My horoscope did say I'd meet the love of my life."
"Well... I'm not sure I believe in horoscopes, but... we've finally found each other again. My beloved, my sweet lady... I've waited so long for this moment, and now even saying I love you doesn't feel like enough because—"
Y/N burst into laughter.
Hiromi blinked in confusion.She pulled away, covering her mouth as she struggled to stop laughing.
"I was messing with you. Obviously, all that reincarnation stuff is just a fairy tale for gullible people like you. I've only lived this one life, Cleopatra."
"You're so cruel."
"You really haven't changed."
"Focus, or leave."
Hiromi immediately became alert again. The special-grade curse still hadn't appeared, and neither of them could pinpoint its location.Yet its cursed energy lingered throughout the entire vacant lot.
"Let's go. It's not here."
Hiromi had barely taken a few steps before he tripped and crashed to the ground. Thorny vines wrapped around his foot and ankle, their sharp thorns digging into his flesh.He groaned in pain.The harder he struggled, the tighter they constricted.
Y/N sensed a different cursed energy from the one they'd been tracking. She turned around and spotted Hiromi. With a weary sigh, she watched the thorny vines rapidly coil around him. As soon as she approached, the vines recoiled at incredible speed, tearing away from him and leaving behind a sharp burst of pain.
"Hey, Cleopatra." She held out a hand to him. "Don't tell me you can't even defend yourself. At least tell me you know how to heal yourself."
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Your only option (No magic AU! Hiromi Higuruma x Fem! Reader)
Chapter 12: «A Day Off, a Date, and a New Case»
Hiromi felt strange. He was wearing casual clothes, the ones Y/N had bought for him when they first went to Coffee Fever. Y/N was holding onto his arm, and he was sweating a lot.
"Should we keep walking?"
"Uh... I didn't really think about where to go... Do you want to take a break?"
"It's not that I'm tired. I just thought we could do something."
"Do you want to go to the aquarium?"
Y/N's eyes lit up, and she nodded enthusiastically.
"Then... let's go to Ikebukuro."
"I want to see jellyfish."
"You like them?"
"They're elegant and let themselves drift with the current. It's a good way to live, isn't it?"
"You're energetic even when you're talking." Hiromi let out a tired sigh. "It's exhausting."
"You promised to leave the old Hiromi behind." She laughed and rolled her eyes. "Let's take the train."
On the train, Hiromi was once again shielding Y/N while looking around. Y/N wasn't even holding onto the hand straps; she was holding onto Hiromi instead. An elderly woman stared at him.
Her eyes followed the same path as his, from left to right. From right to left. Then she noticed Y/N. Smaller and more fragile-looking.
"Chikan!"
The elderly woman shouted at the top of her lungs. Higuruma immediately became alert and looked around, along with several other passengers, for the person being harassed.
"Chikan!"
The woman shouted again, but this time she struck Hiromi with her cane.
"Ma'am, please stop." Hiromi grabbed the cane when she raised it for another hit.
"You're harassing this young lady."
"Oh, no, no." Y/N spoke up quickly. "He's with me. We're together."
"Oh."
The woman looked surprised and took another look at Hiromi. He rubbed the bridge of his nose where he'd been hit. Now that she was looking at him more closely, she recognized him.
"You're that lawyer who's against traditional values."
"Oh, not this again." Another tired sigh escaped him. Y/N already knew what that meant: he was going to withdraw into himself again.
She took Hiromi's hand and led him into another train car. He blushed when he felt her fingers intertwine with his.
"What's your favorite sea animal?"
"Huh?"
"Which one do you like?" she asked again without letting go of his hand, even though there was no longer any need.
"You."
Y/N laughed, blushing, while Hiromi looked away. His grip tightened, keeping her hand closer.
"I meant sea animals."
"Right..." he murmured. "I prefer... hmm... blue whales."
"They're beautiful."
"Like you."
"That's enough." Her voice turned more shy. "It's our first date, and you're flirting way too comfortably. Are you used to this?"
"No. I've never done it before."
Hiromi laughed, and Y/N looked at him in confusion. He tapped her lightly on the nose.
"You make funny, very expressive faces when I talk."
"Are you laughing at me?"
"With you."
"I don't think so. I think it's at me."
"I'd never do that. You know that."
A pink-haired boy got on the train with another young man, talking loudly about movies—or at least one of them was. He wasn't paying attention to where he was going and bumped into Hiromi, causing him to end up hugging Y/N.
"Whoa, a couple on the train."
"Yuuji, don't talk so loudly about other people."
Hiromi grumbled, but then took advantage of the situation to stay like that with Y/N. More young people got on, making noise. Hiromi definitely hated train stops.
"Move, old man."
Higuruma grumbled at the hard shove and closed his eyes. He counted to three. It didn't calm him down; he had to see Y/N glaring at the teenagers before rolling her eyes.
"Ignore them. They're stupid."
"I'll listen to you."
Hiromi's eyes fixed on her before drifting down to her lips, but Y/N gently pushed him back, blushing.
"And to think you used to be prickly."
"No, I..."
The noise the teenagers were making annoyed Hiromi. He was about to turn around, but Y/N guided him toward the exit.
"Good thing we've arrived."
"I was going to..."
"Get yourself into trouble on our date." She cut him off and lightly tapped his nose. "You can't. We have to see the aquarium."
"I promise I won't get into trouble."
That promise was made out on the street. Inside the aquarium, Hiromi was even more nervous. Y/N looked at everything with excitement. However, the dim lighting in some areas made Y/N look beautiful, and the defense attorney kept one hand in his pocket.
At the entrance, there was a clear rule:
No flash photography.
He told himself not to take any pictures, but Y/N standing in front of the tank, illuminated by the soft light, looked beautiful.
"Look, Hiromi."
Click!
Y/N blushed when she realized Hiromi had taken a picture. The problem was that he hadn't turned off the flash. The fish got startled and swam away.
"Sir, flash photography is prohibited."
"Uh... yes, I know." He bowed apologetically. "I'm very sorry. I didn't mean to. I forgot."
"How bad. You're breaking the rules."
"Y/N... this isn't the time to tease me."
"Sorry. You're cute when you're embarrassed."
Hiromi covered his face and used his other hand to pull Y/N away from the area. She clung to his arm.
"So, what do we do now, Paparazzi?"
"I'm not your..." His voice stuttered, and he chose to stay silent for a few seconds. "It was for the memory."
"Your memory or mine?"
"Our memory."
Y/N laughed and shook her head. Hiromi frowned.
"Now who's teasing who?"
"I didn't expect you to be so..."
"So what?"
She stopped walking when she spotted a café. A cat café. Hiromi Higuruma stopped as well.
"Do you want to go in?"
Y/N nodded, and Hiromi couldn't refuse. They entered and sat at a table. Cats wandered from table to table, interacting with various customers.
"Thank goodness they're not coming near us." He tapped the table repeatedly with his fingers.
"You don't like cats?"
"It's not that. It's just... I've never been around animals."
"You never had pets?"
"No, I did." He corrected himself while watching cats move around. "A goldfish."
"That's cute."
"He was very calm. Ate normally and swam around all day."
A purr made Hiromi turn around almost dramatically. He tensed when he saw that Y/N already had five cats gathered around her.
"Do you want to hold one?" she asked happily.
Hiromi shook his head.
A Persian cat stretched beside him before jumping onto his lap and settling there to sleep. The defense attorney stiffened even more before carefully petting it and hearing it purr.
"Oh, this isn't bad."
"They're not going to hurt you. Relax."
In the end, Hiromi always let Y/N talk him into things. After the café, they watched a movie and visited a pastry shop that was trending on social media. To finish the date, Y/N wanted to go to karaoke.
Hiromi wasn't used to going out. He never really had, since he devoted himself to studying when he was young and, once he grew older, only worked. Singing a duet with Y/N was embarrassing, but she made everything feel comfortable and fun.
"Y/N, I think we should spend this break together."
"Did you hear that?"
Hiromi shook his head before hearing a loud commotion.
"Must be some young people."
"And that's why they're running around making that much noise?"
He merely shrugged, and she gave him a bright puppy-dog look. Hiromi shook his head, but her insistence made him step outside. Y/N followed him.
Outside the place, everything seemed normal until a group of young people came out of an alley.
"Juvenile delinquents getting into fights."
"Shouldn't we check if everything's okay?"
"That would just get us involved in another problem. They probably beat up another gang member."
"Hiromi."
She made him keep walking. In the alley was an ordinary-looking young man who had been brutally beaten. Y/N looked surprised and turned to Hiromi.
"I'll call an ambulance."
"Yeah, do that."
He approached to see whether the young man would respond.
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Painting Our Memories (Medieval AU! Erwin Smith x Fem! reader x Levi Ackerman)
Chapter 5: «Being with Your Own People»
The situation between Erwin and Levi was getting worse by the day. Soon, neither of them could be in the same room without another argument breaking out, each one worse than the last.
Y/N was in the garden near the royal fence. Sasha and Connie missed her so much that they decided to make their way to the royal grounds.
"Do you see her?"
Connie asked while supporting Sasha's weight on his shoulders.
"I see a vegetable stew with three large pieces of smoked meat that were previously seared."
"What?" His mind went blank.
"And sweet-and-sour sauce on top of the meat!"
"Sasha, focus!" he shouted before dropping her to the ground.
"Hey! That hurt."
"You were looking at the kitchen. Weren't we supposed to be looking for Y/N?"
"That's true..." She scratched the back of her head. "I got a little distracted..."
"Sasha, we need to find Y/N."
A noise alerted Sasha and Connie, who immediately assumed the crane stance, ready to attack. However, the sound had only been caused by Connie stepping on a small branch.
"Idiot!"
"What?" he asked, offended. "You're the idiot!"
Soon, the two of them were wrestling with each other. Upon hearing the noise, Y/N decided to see what was happening. Her eyes lit up when she saw her friends.
"Guys!" she shouted excitedly when she saw them.
"Y/N!" they shouted back, clinging to the fence.
"What are you doing here?"
"We came to see you. Sasha wouldn't stop crying."
"Y/N, we need to see each other more often. You've been locked up in here for weeks."
"I've had a lot of work to do, but I miss you too."
"What if you tell the king that you need your partners in crime?" Connie asked.
"I'll talk to Erwin. I'm sure he'll agree to let you stay here too."
"Eating in the palace?" Sasha's eyes sparkled until Connie smacked her on the head.
"Are you serious? Is food the only thing you think about?"
Y/N laughed together with her friends. Erwin watched the entire interaction through the window, even though Mike was speaking to him.
"You need to improve your relationship with Levi," he repeated once again. "If the army learns there's tension between you, people will eventually start choosing sides."
"Mike, I appreciate you as my best friend, but..."
He growled when he saw Y/N laughing with another man. His heart tightened. He shook his head.
"Everything is under control."
"I trust that you know what you're doing, Erwin. Even so, I wanted to warn you. I was thinking it might be a good idea for the next speech to the army to be delivered by both of you together."
Erwin quickened his pace, with Mike keeping up beside him.
"If you show unity, the rumors that have started spreading will eventually be forgotten."
"Mike, rumors are the least of my concerns."
"Nanaba already told me that a small faction is forming, unhappy with how you're wasting time on art and knowledge."
Erwin walked down the stairs. When he reached the garden, with Mike still speaking and following him, he immediately wrapped an arm around Y/N's waist as soon as he was close enough.
"Y/N."
She jumped slightly before smiling when she saw Erwin.
"These are my friends, Sasha and Connie. They were at the competition."
"I remember them. A pleasure."
He pulled Y/N closer and began walking with her.
"Y/N shouldn't be over there."
"I know you don't want anyone around the grounds, but they're my assistants for my paintings, and I was wondering if they could stay here or come inside."
"I understand, but Y/N, right now you're a royal artist. You have privilege. Luxury. Money. Anything you could want."
Smith tilted his head toward Mike. Mike nodded.
"I know. My wardrobe is still empty even with all my clothes."
"I'll fill it."
"That's not necessary. I can share a wardrobe with Sasha."
Royal guards grabbed Sasha and Connie and dragged them away from the royal fence.
"Let me go."
"Hey! Leave her alone."
"Y/N!" Sasha shouted.
At that moment, Y/N turned around, surprised by the rough treatment. Erwin raised his arm, using his red velvet cape to block the scene from view.
"You're not like them anymore. You're privileged. You're an artist."
He took one of her hands and kissed it softly, lingering longer than necessary.
Then he spun Y/N around as if she were a princess. Her extravagant pastel-blue dress made her look beautiful beneath the radiant morning sunlight.
"You paint beautifully. It must be because you are beautiful."
He pulled her closer while humming a waltz.
"Why are we dancing?" she asked, forgetting what had happened moments earlier as she felt as though she were in a dream.
"And what does it matter? Does everything have to make sense?"
"No."
He spun her around again, and she laughed.
"The weather is nice, and we're here. We're dancing together. Don't think about it too much."
"Erwin, you're so brilliant."
Erwin's blue eyes stared at her in surprise. It had been a long time since anyone had complimented him.
"Why do you think that?"
"Well, I don't think it. You are."
She hugged Erwin and closed her eyes.
"You create good strategies, and you've donated so much money to art. If you had never done that..."
"You wouldn't have painted?" he asked, watching her nod.
"I doubt it. I doubt that very much. Art isn't only technique. It's also natural talent, and you have that."
He spun her around once more.
"You always convey feelings... desires... There's always something captivating in those paintings..."
"Thank you, Erwin. That means a lot to me."
"Using fabric in the painting to recreate the sky..."
He closed his eyes as he remembered the painting.
"It was a wonderful idea."
Y/N suddenly stopped.
She stepped away from Erwin, leaving him confused. When he saw her turn pale, he placed his hands on her shoulders, concerned.
"Are you alright, Y/N?"
Suddenly, the rapid sound of a horse's gallop echoed nearby. Levi was riding his jet-black horse, as he often did. In Erwin's palace, there was a strict rule against leaving the grounds, as the king had an intense fear of being betrayed.
"So this is where you're hiding now?" he asked coldly.
"I'm not hiding. I simply came to see how Y/N was doing."
"Tsk..."
He clicked his tongue irritably before dismounting.
"An annoyance during my ride."
"I don't have time to argue, Ackerman."
"Neither do I, Smith."
The two men stared at each other with tension and anger.
Y/N noticed Levi's black cape.
"Thief."
"You're a damn thief!"
"You don't deserve this!"
Jean's words from weeks ago still echoed in Y/N's mind. The argument and the black fabric of Levi's cape made her stomach churn.
She covered her mouth and ran away from them, leaving both men confused.
Intertwined Souls (Past lives AU! Hiromi Higuruma x Fem! Reader)
Chapter 1: «Reunited in Saitama: The Beginning of the End»
A spacious photography studio with a white cyclorama and a red sofa placed in the center. Light modifiers stood along the sides, while several camera tripods and the tethering station were set up in front.
"Y/N, please have a seat on the sofa."
She sat down, crossing one leg over the other. The makeup artists stepped in to touch up the final details while the photographer switched camera lenses.
"Your phone's ringing."
Y/N picked up her phone and saw that Ichiji was calling. It had been months since he'd last called her. Normally, he just texted her the locations of curses, so if he was calling now, it had to be something serious.
"One second."
She called him back. The first attempt went straight to a busy line.
"Thank goodness you called back. You might be the only one who can handle this."
"I figured it was urgent. Looks like with Gojo sealed away, I have to pick up the extra work."
"I'm really sorry. I know you were probably busy today, but this curse is special grade."
"Special grade? King of Curses level?"
"No, not that level."
"Then I'm hanging up."
"Y/N, please. You should look at the news articles I sent you."
"I'm in the middle of work..." She let out a sigh before ending the call. Even if she acted tough around Ichiji, she'd been itching to exorcise something after months without taking on a major curse.
She opened his messages and found several screenshots of news reports.
"22-Year-Old Woman Found Dead in an Empty Lot After Going Out for a Run."
"Heartbroken Parents After the Disappearance of Their 26-Year-Old Daughter."
"Miyamoto Shizuka, 24, Found Seriously Injured After Being Missing for a Month and a Half."
She stood up. The makeup artists looked at her in surprise, as did the photographer.
"We're about to start the shoot."
"Something came up that I can't put off."
She disappeared behind the changing screen. It took her less than a minute to change into her sorcerer's uniform—a modern gray cheongsam dress paired with fishnet tights and platform boots.
"Ichiji." She called him again. "Send me everything you have and a meeting point. I'll be there in an hour."
On the other side of Japan, Hiromi walked through the city streets. He'd traded in his suit for a loose hoodie, jeans, and comfortable sneakers.
He scrolled through the news as he continued walking. Saitama. Every disappearance over the past several weeks had happened there.
"Y/N, you should be careful."
Higuruma froze the moment he heard that name and turned around. His eyes widened at the sight of the stunning woman with bronzed skin, short dark green hair, and piercing green eyes.
"Relax. I know what I'm doing."
"I'll stay here. I'll keep the Curtain up the entire time, and I've got Shoko on speed dial."
"Ichiji, you're more nervous than I am."
Ichiji accidentally bumped into Hiromi, causing Y/N to glance in their direction, though she quickly grabbed Ichiji by the arm.
"Sorry, I wasn't watching where I was going..."
Y/N tugged him forward, urging him to hurry.
"Come on, Ichiji. We've got work to do. If you stop to apologize for everything, we'll never get there."
"Do you miss the school?"
Y/N laughed and shook her head.
"I couldn't stand being controlled by the clans. Did you really think I'd enjoy taking orders from the higher-ups?" She rolled her eyes.
"Following Geto's path isn't—"
"No." She came to an abrupt stop. "I'm not like him. I don't want to wipe out non-sorcerers, but I won't stand by and let scum roam free while they keep hurting innocent people."
"Are you still in love with him?"
"Oh, for God's sake..." She resumed walking without giving it much thought.
"Well... I remember how you used to follow him around. You cried the hardest when Geto left."
"You're remembering it wrong. I didn't cry."
"You did. Even more than Gojo."
"So you've imagined some kind of love triangle?"
"No. I..." He swallowed hard and loosened his tie. "I thought... well..."
"Wait..."
The two of them came to a stop in the vacant lot. Y/N could already sense the curse's presence. The oppressive pressure was far stronger than usual, a clear sign that it was a special-grade curse.
"Get ready to raise the Curtain."
"Emerge from the darkness, blacker than darkness itself. Purify that which is impure."
She raised her index and middle fingers toward the sky.
The sky gradually darkened, though halfway through, a patch of blue still remained overhead.
Y/N looked at Ichiji just before his Curtain suddenly shattered.
"There's another sorcerer." She shoved Ichiji outside the Curtain's boundary. "Get out of here. I'll call you later."
Ichiji hesitated. He opened his mouth to argue, but in the end, he decided to trust her.
The other sorcerer's Curtain swallowed every trace of light.
Y/N carefully surveyed the area. The barrier covered a wide perimeter. As soon as she found the other sorcerer, she'd strike.
She followed the trail of cursed energy. The air was cold and heavy.
She spun around after sensing something dart behind her, then looked in the opposite direction.
Footsteps.
Children's laughter.
Terrified screams.
Movement from every direction.
Y/N kept moving, though staying alert to everything around her made it difficult to concentrate. She stumbled and fell, scraping her knee against a piece of wood lying on the ground.
"What is this?"
She picked up a lip gloss and looked at the brand. She recognized it immediately—she'd once been the face of that cosmetics company.
As she tried to stand, she suddenly felt a hand grabbing her leg and dragging her down into the earth.
"What the hell is this?"
She kicked wildly, slamming her foot against the hand. It didn't seem to take any damage whatsoever. Her green eyes darted to the side, where she spotted a young woman in her early twenties wearing workout clothes, sprawled across the ground and trapped by another hand just like it—skeletal, raw, and stripped of flesh.
"Help!" she screamed in terror, desperately struggling to break free.
"Calm down. I'm going to get you out of there."
Y/N was about to use her cursed technique, but she shook her head. She refused to rely on anything she'd inherited from a clan.
Changing her approach, she drew Slaughter Demon, the knife that had originally belonged to Maki and that she'd given to Y/N after she decided to sever her ties with Jujutsu High.
"Die, you filthy piece of trash!"
She shouted as she slashed through the hand, but it had no effect.
Before she could attack again, she watched the young woman being dragged deeper into the earth.
At the very last second, Y/N grabbed her hand and pulled with all her strength. She felt one of the woman's legs come free, giving her a little more room to fight back.
"I'm not letting you go."
"Thank you... Thank you..."
The woman repeated the words through tears.
A pained groan echoed out, followed by a sickening crack.
Y/N pulled even harder.
"You'll be somewhere safe soon, okay?"
Only silence answered her.
"Can you hear me?" When she looked up, she saw the young woman's pale face and lifeless eyes. An icy chill shot through Y/N's entire body with the force of a lightning bolt striking the earth.
She was only holding the upper half of the woman's body now, a trail of blood marking the path behind it.
The earth had swallowed the rest.
Y/N stood frozen in shock.
"Hey!"
A man's voice shattered the horrifying scene before her. Y/N was still staring ahead, her expression filled with shock and horror.
"Are you okay?"
✨ Banner designed by @alebrasil0101 for this story ☺️.
🙅♀️ Please, if you're going to leave negative comments, don't just use two words. If you don't like it, just ignore it.
Forever in Malaysia (No magic AU! Nanami Kento x Fem! Reader)
Chapter 7: «Reset»
When we decided to get married, I didn't get down on one knee.
It wasn't a surprise, either.
I did it the only way I know how: by planning it.
That morning, I left your coffee ready, and you had only recently woken up.
"Are you working on Saturday?"
"Yes, Nanami. Mr. Higuruma said he wants the entire team in the firm's meeting room. This case has become more complicated because of the prosecution."
"Wasn't your argument about the need for jobs at that factory good enough?"
"Mr. Higuruma said it was good, but new evidence came from somewhere else. I can't say anything more, Nanami."
"I see. Trials are very confidential, especially when two major companies are involved."
I took out the ring box, opened it, and placed it on the table in front of you.
"Let's get married."
"What?"
"Let's get married. Don't you want to?"
"Yes. Yes, I want to marry you. I just wasn't expecting you to ask me right now."
"Well... I know people usually do it differently, but we're busy with work, and this way we can be more practical."
I never thought a marriage that began like that would become an even greater disaster.
The honeymoon was postponed until we had more money.
Our schedules began drifting further and further apart.
Stress, routine, and going to bed every night thinking about Haibara's accident eventually led me to notice her one morning when I stopped, as usual, to buy coffee and croissants for breakfast.
"Good morning, Mr. Nanami. I saved the last two croissants for you."
It was obvious she had put on makeup.
Her hair was curled.
She was wearing nicer clothes, even if the apron hid most of them.
The blush on her cheeks.
The slight stutter.
It was easy to tell.
"Thank you. I was wondering if you were free tonight..."
"Uh... Yes. Yes, I am."
"What time do you finish work?"
"Eight p.m."
"I'll pick you up then."
I left after watching her heart race frantically.
Then I returned to work.
I worked.
I put up with my boss.
I did what I had been doing for years at that company.
That was where the affair began.
I wasn't interested.
I didn't like her.
Besides, she exhausted me because she kept insisting on going on dates.
You weren't there.
And then you disappeared completely.
The clothes hanging in the closet were things you no longer wore.
You hadn't changed your toothbrush in a long time, and it still looked brand new.
Your makeup case was no longer left open beside the sink.
Your shampoo, body wash, and creams looked untouched, as if they had just been bought.
When I woke up, you were in bed wearing your work clothes, and your side of the bed wasn't even messy.
You had probably gotten home only an hour earlier.
It didn't take me long to realize that, just like me, you had someone else.
I didn't even follow you.
I simply waited outside the law firm where you worked and invited you to dinner.
"Why did you order spicy ramen if you can't handle spicy food?"
"I thought..."
Your boss laughed while his hand rested on your waist.
"I wasn't thinking. I never thought the broth would come out through my nose."
"That was so disgusting."
You pulled away and playfully hit him on the shoulder.
"I'm never going out with you again."
"You're lying."
"No, I'm not."
"Yes, you are. I bet we'll have dinner together again tomorrow."
"Never again."
"You thought it was cute."
You shook your head.
"You thought it was a little cute."
"It was kind of cute when you looked surprised and embarrassed. I'll admit that."
You kissed each other.
Not a gentle kiss.
Not a brief peck, the kind we occasionally shared during those rare moments when we happened to be awake at the same time.
You kissed him with passion and love.
Right there in the middle of the street.
Without caring how badly people might judge it.
Over the following weeks, I became obsessed.
I noticed that you were coming home later.
And when I returned home, you had already taken another one of your essential belongings to his house.
We stopped being a married couple living like strangers.
We became two strangers living in the same place.
I searched your boss's name more than ten times a day.
Hiromi Higuruma.
Brilliant student from the University of Tokyo.
Top honors.
One of the highest scores on the bar exam.
It wounded my pride that my wife had chosen a man who could provide more than I could.
"Nanami, you need to revise all of these documents. And redo these financial reports. I also need you to prepare a detailed budget for the meeting I have after lunch."
"That means I'd have to skip lunch."
"Uh... yes, I know..."
My boss dropped the papers onto my desk.
"But isn't it great to work this much?"
"And do nothing else?"
I muttered under my breath as he walked away.
My wife was leaving me for someone else.
That someone else was better than me.
My best friend died because of me, and I blamed the only person who ever cared about me.
I worked more hours than I should.
I was never on vacation.
Those thoughts never stopped circling through my mind.
"Vacation..."
I stood up.
I picked up everything my boss had left on my desk.
I walked into his office without knocking.
I don't remember whether he looked surprised or not.
"Finished already?"
"Yes."
"That fast?"
He laughed loudly.
"You're a machine, Nanami."
"No. I'm a human being who has worked as your slave for years."
"Huh?"
He slammed a hand against the desk.
"Don't be so ungrateful! I'm the one paying for your family's meals. Do you think you deserve more money for overtime? It's the least you can do."
"No. I deserve a vacation."
I dropped the folders onto his desk.
"I quit."
"What?"
"I said I quit."
"You can't just quit like that. You still have work to do."
"No. I'm going on vacation with my wife."
I was about to leave, but suddenly felt the urge to throw all the folders I had just placed there.
I scattered the unfinished work across his office and walked away, leaving him shouting in anger behind me.
"Nanami?"
You asked from the other end of the line.
"Did something happen, Nanami? I don't know why you're calling me during work hours. You never do."
"I..."
I sighed as a waitress set down my black coffee.
"I missed you. That's all."
You gasped in surprise.
"You're calling because you missed me?"
"Yes. I just wanted to hear your voice. It's beautiful."
"I'm in the middle of a trial."
"I'm sorry, but... can't you talk for a little while?"
"Nanami... it's complicated."
"Please."
There was a brief silence.
Then you laughed.
I heard your heels clicking against the floor.
Then the sound of a heavy door closing.
"So what am I supposed to talk about?"
"I don't care. I just want to hear you speak, Y/N."
"Well... the inheritance case is going in our favor. I'm giving the closing argument."
"Not work, please."
"Well..."
You hesitated.
"I tried a new coffee shop. It's a really popular café in Shibuya... I think you'd like it. It's your kind of place."
"I'll take you there. I'll order whatever you liked so much."
"I have to go, Nanami. I'll have dinner with you tonight."
A small pause.
"I love you."
The call ended.
The last thing left in my mind was your declaration of love, while I sat there blushing like an idiot.
I glanced impatiently at my Rolex.
I took a sip of my black coffee.
Then clicked my tongue in annoyance.
I was supposed to meet Hanako at five o'clock.
I had already decided to end the affair.
That girl was always late, and I didn't want to waste any more time.
"Then it'll be over by text. That'll be easier."
I was ready to leave when the café door chimed.
I turned and saw Hanako.
She had dressed up.
A long summer linen dress complemented by a worn leather belt.
"Kento, I'm sorry I'm late."
I didn't look at her.
I simply sat back down.
I watched Hanako notice my wedding ring.
I almost never wore it.
Today, I did.
She sat down timidly and lowered her gaze.
"I missed you, Kento."
"It's Nanami."
I looked at her coldly.
"Taking liberties with strangers is rude."
"Well... we're not strangers."
"Yes. Yes, we are."
I gave her an icy stare.
"I don't know who you are, and I don't care. I'm not here for conversation. If I wanted that, I'd go play bingo."
"Did I do something wrong?"
Her voice trembled, tears already gathering in her eyes as I stopped being the gentleman she thought I was.
"Getting involved with a married man doesn't seem bad enough to you?"
"I didn't know. You never mentioned it."
"I'm not here to argue about whether I kept things from you or whether you only saw what you wanted to see."
I finished the last of my coffee.
"I'm married."
I held up the ring.
Y/N's name was engraved inside it in elegant lettering.
"My wife is at work right now. She'll get home earlier today and we'll have dinner together."
I paused.
"Maybe we'll have sex afterward. The truth is, I want to have children with her."
"Why are you telling me this now?"
Her voice broke.
"You're breaking my heart... I..."
I showed her my phone wallpaper.
A photo of Y/N smiling happily beside a deer.
I had taken it at Nara Park.
"This is the woman I'm hurting by being with you."
I looked at the photo for a moment.
"She doesn't deserve this."
Tears rolled down Hanako's cheeks.
I put my phone away, paid for my coffee, and stood up.
"Kento, don't."
She grabbed me.
I pulled away from her grip and left.
I just wanted to go home.
I wanted a reset button.
Or a time machine.
Anything that would let me undo all of these mistakes.
✨ Banner designed by @alebrasil0101 for this story ☺️.
🙅♀️ Please, if you're going to leave negative comments, don't just use two words. If you don't like it, just ignore it.
Written in blood (Victorian AU! Yelena x Fem! Reader)
Chapter 2: «A Necessary Journey»
Yelena was packing her belongings to leave London and return home. She closed her eyes, thinking of Y/N and how sweet she was. Then she looked at her husband and noticed that his suitcase still hadn't been packed.
"Hey, pack your things."
"My beloved, do it for me."
"Not a chance."
Yelena closed her suitcase and shot him an annoyed look.
"I'll call a maid."
Zeke rang a small bell.
"Why is Pixis's daughter coming with us?"
"Well, she wants to see my homeland. I like it when people appreciate where I come from."
"I know, Yelena. But I don't like it, and you know why."
"And I don't like leaving Saint Petersburg and interrupting my writing because you need to do your job and want me by your side."
"It's important that people see me as a respected man accompanied by his wife, who supports him."
He adjusted his tie.
"Besides, you can write anywhere, can't you?"
"No, I can't. Saint Petersburg is magical and inspiring. Here there's nothing but..."
She pointed toward the window, revealing a gray and rainy sky.
"And Russia is far too cold."
"Uncultured. Russia is inspiring in every way. Y/N understood that very well. Besides, your pride depends on your wife supporting you, but I've been sleeping in a different bed for years."
"Yelena... Do whatever you want, but don't ruin the plan."
Meanwhile, Y/N was sitting on top of her desk while Mike kissed her neck.
"You won't miss me that much if you're going to France."
"I'll miss you a thousand times more knowing you're far from home."
"Think of it this way: by the time you come back, I'll be coming home too. I'm only going for a few weeks to learn about the culture and literature there."
"And who's covering your classes?"
He placed more kisses along her neck, making her laugh.
"Hana will take over for me. The children will be fine. They didn't make any mistakes with the multiplication tables today, so they'll have no trouble multiplying."
"Good. As long as you're happy, I am too."
"I love you so much, Mike."
Mike kissed her passionately, and Y/N wrapped her arms around him. When they heard footsteps coming up the stairs, they quickly pulled apart.
Mike picked up Y/N's luggage while Dot Pixis opened the door.
"It's time for you to go."
"We'll be down in a moment."
Dot nodded and left.
Mike carried the suitcases downstairs while Y/N put on her coat. She was surprised to see that Yelena had already arrived.
"Y/N, looking as beautiful as ever."
She took Y/N's hand and kissed it. Mike immediately guided Y/N back to his side, eyeing Yelena with suspicion.
"Thank you, Yelena. I didn't know you'd be coming to pick me up."
"My husband insisted that the three of us take the train together. He's waiting in the carriage. In the end, it could be dangerous to leave you alone without your fiancé."
"How thoughtful of your husband."
"That's one of the reasons we fell in love. I should tell you the story of our romance sometime."
She leaned closer to Y/N.
"And the secret to making love last for so many years."
Mike relaxed when he heard the friendly conversation. Then he smiled and kissed Y/N's forehead, a tender and silent farewell typical of him.
A few of Yelena's servants loaded Y/N's luggage into the carriage. Yelena climbed in first and then helped Y/N inside.
"And Mr. Jaeger?" Y/N asked when she didn't see him in the carriage. Yelena's expression remained serious. "I thought he was waiting here."
"He already took a train to Russia. He's heading to Moscow to oversee his businesses."
Silence settled between them. Feeling awkward, Y/N decided to break it.
"How did you and Mr. Zeke meet?"
"How did we meet?"
Yelena glanced out at the scenery with little interest.
"It would be a very boring story for your sweet ears, my dearest friend."
"I'm sure it isn't that boring."
"Believe me, it is."
Yelena looked directly into her eyes and smiled.
"It's cold in Russia this time of year. Did you bring warm clothes? I can buy you some."
"Don't worry. I'll be dressed warmly enough."
"I'll buy you clothes. I'm sure you'll be cold in what you brought."
"Yelena, I don't want you spending your money on me."
"Don't be silly, dear."
She smiled sweetly.
"I'd buy you any indulgence you desired if it made you happy. Ask me for anything, and you'll have it."
She moved a little closer, making Y/N blush.
"Yelena, thank you for your hospitality."
"Don't thank me."
She kissed her shoulder, causing Y/N to flinch slightly at the unexpected gesture, though she didn't pull away.
"There is nothing I wouldn't do for you, sweet lady. The train journey may be tiring and dull, but once we arrive and you see Saint Petersburg, you'll understand that it's worth it."
"You're already making me eager to be there."
Yelena laughed softly before pulling Y/N closer and wrapping an arm around her.
"How can you be so adorable, little lady?"
She asked before looking at her as though she were her next prey.
"I don't think we'll make it to Saint Petersburg if you keep being this adorable."
Y/N pulled away and looked out at the scenery.
This time, Yelena stayed where she was, aware that she had gone too far. Y/N was clearly uncomfortable. Perhaps, even if she seemed excited and eager to reach Russia, being separated from Mike still made her feel uneasy.
Yelena could only stare out the window as well, her hand clenched into a fist.
Suddenly, she ordered the carriage to stop.
Y/N watched as Yelena stepped outside.
She saw her walk over to a blond man leaning against a nearby wall in an alleyway. They exchanged a few words before the young man left. Yelena returned looking irritated, muttering under her breath in Russian.
"Is everything alright?"
"Yes, everything is perfectly fine, sweet lady."
Her voice was icy, but Y/N moved closer and rested her head on Yelena's shoulder in an attempt to comfort her.
Yelena smiled. This time, however, she wasn't intrusive. She simply allowed Y/N to decide whether to remain there or move away.
The rattling of the carriage and the comfort of Yelena's presence eventually lulled Y/N to sleep.
When Yelena noticed, she let out another soft laugh. She could already imagine Y/N tossing and turning in bed the previous night, too excited about this trip to sleep properly.
Intertwined Souls (Past lives! Hiromi Higuruma x Fem! Reader)
In Japan, there is a legend that says every pair of soulmates is bound together by the Red Thread of Fate, its ends tied around the pinky fingers of each destined lover throughout every reincarnation.
Y/N has never believed in such nonsense. Ever since childhood, she has been caught in a tug-of-war between two powerful clans: the Gojo Clan and the Zen'in Clan. Growing up, she constantly felt the need to work twice as hard to keep up with—and surpass—Gojo, while the abuse she suffered at the hands of the Zen'in Clan only grew worse with each passing day. After severing all ties with both clans and abandoning the methods imposed by jujutsu sorcerers, Y/N chooses to live life on her own terms, by her own rules.
Meanwhile, four months ago, Hiromi began dreaming of his previous life as a samurai during the Heian era after awakening his cursed energy. As he learns the ways of jujutsu, he also searches for Y/N, who, in that past life, was the daughter of a feudal lord entrusted to his protection.
By a twist of fate, Y/N and Hiromi both end up in Saitama after receiving word of a special-grade curse whose appearance threatens to awaken a danger carried over from their previous lives. After centuries apart, two souls bound by a cruel destiny finally cross paths once again.
Will Y/N and Hiromi finally find their happy ending together this time, or will fate tear them apart once more?
⚠️ Warning ⚠️
This is a Reader Insert fanfiction; however, Y/N is given a physical description throughout the story. References to her appearance, body type, and other physical traits may appear in various chapters.
If you prefer reader inserts with a completely customizable appearance, please keep this in mind before reading.
⚠️ Content Warnings⚠️
This story contains or may contain the following themes:
Child abuse
Child neglect
Bullying and harassment
Emotional and psychological abuse
Self-harm
Suicide and double suicide
Murder and violence
Death and grief
Forced or arranged marriages / marriages of convenience
Trauma and traumatic memories
Past-life memories and reincarnation
Warfare and armed conflict
Injury, blood, and depictions of wounds
Social discrimination and mistreatment
References to feudal-era customs and practices that may be disturbing to modern audiences
Reader discretion 👀 is advised.
✨ Special thanks to @alebrasil0101 for the idea.
✨ Only on Tumblr.
✨ If you're interested in the fanfic, check the masterlist to find out when the episodes will be released.
Coin Operated Boy (Futuristic dystopian! Kiibo x Fem! Reader)
Since his creation, Kiibo has spent his life confined to a laboratory, gazing at the outside world through its windows. Every morning, he receives new lessons from the scientist Idabashi, whom he has come to regard as a father.
However, everything changes when Y/N, Idabashi's stepdaughter, enters the laboratory following the unfortunate death of her mother, completely ignoring her stepfather's warnings. Surrounded by cuckoo clocks and failed experiments, she stumbles upon Kiibo. Curious, she approaches him and examines him closely. Despite her repeated attempts to get him working, nothing happens—until a quarter slips from her pocket.
That single coin is enough to spark a friendship between them. Kiibo's understanding of the world extends no further than the books he has read and the thoughts shared by Idabashi. Y/N, on the other hand, possesses a warm and compassionate heart that fascinates the young robot.
As Y/N grows older, Kiibo begins to learn abstract concepts he never even knew existed. More and more, he finds himself longing to accompany her to all the places she describes at the end of each day. Yet everything takes a turn for the worse when, without warning, Y/N suddenly stops visiting him.
For the first time, Kiibo dares to leave the laboratory. What he discovers is that Y/N has hidden the cruelest aspects of the outside world from him. Even so, he sets out to bring back her lost smile, only to uncover Idabashi's sinister secret.
Will Kiibo learn to understand human emotions, or will the dangerous data stored within his memory ultimately consume them?
⚠️ READER NOTICE ⚠️
This is a Reader Insert fanfiction. Y/N's physical appearance is intentionally left undescribed, allowing readers to imagine themselves however they wish. No specific features, body type, ethnicity, skin color, hair color, eye color, or other defining physical traits are assigned to the reader.
⚠️ Content Warning⚠️
This story contains themes of bullying, emotional distress, discrimination, and psychological manipulation. The protagonist experiences school bullying, and the narrative explores prejudice, self-worth, and the impact of social exclusion. The story also includes discussions of violence, unethical experimentation, and plans involving the systematic targeting of individuals based on perceived worth or talent.
Reader discretion 👀 is advised.
✨ The Spanish version will be available soon on Wattpad.
✨ If you're interested in the fanfic, check the masterlist to find out when the episodes will be released.
👉 Cover design made by me. Graphic resources and artwork used belong to their respective creators. No copyright infringement intended.
Your only option (No magic AU! Hiromi Higuruma x Fem! Reader)
Chapter 11: «News About Hiromi, a Controversial Lawyer»
The trial had ended three days ago, and the verdict would not be delivered for another six months. Hiromi had not called her to come to the law office, and she assumed he was taking a break.
She got up early.
As usual, she checked her phone and saw that she had no notifications. She poured herself a coffee her mother had prepared and then went to the living room, where her father was watching the news.
«Three days ago, the trial regarding the Shibuya café Coffee Fever took place, and the court is currently awaiting the verdict. The owners of the café declined to make any statement regarding the case. Meanwhile, defense attorney Higuruma Hiromi has once again demonstrated that he stands against traditional values.»
Y/N set her coffee cup down on the table when footage appeared on the television showing Higuruma covering his face and trying to avoid the press.
«We attempted to obtain a statement from him, but he refused to comment. We should remember that Higuruma was the lawyer who, earlier this month, proved himself to be an attorney interested only in money rather than justice. Relatives of the victim, Suzuki, stated that the defense attorney has shown neither remorse nor offered any apology for attempting to defend a murderer.»
She turned off the television and left her coffee untouched. She quickly went upstairs, took a fast shower, got dressed, and headed to Hiromi's law office.
On the subway, Y/N was pressed against other passengers due to rush hour. Without meaning to, but unable to avoid it, she caught sight of a news article on a young woman's phone.
«Attorney Higuruma Hiromi has become a greedy public controversy; his new strategy: queerbaiting.»
When she arrived at the office, she entered using the spare key Higuruma had already given her. However, Hiromi was not there. It didn't look like he had been there at all during the past three days.
Y/N sat down in a nearby chair. She searched online and found dozens of hateful posts directed at Higuruma.
Hiromi was still in his pajamas, lying on the sofa, curled up in a corner. Every blind in his apartment was closed.
The doorbell rang.
Once.
Twice.
Four times.
Ten times.
"Hiromi?"
Higuruma got up when he heard Y/N's voice. He opened the door and returned to the sofa.
Y/N gently pushed the blinds aside, letting a little light into the room. Then she stepped inside and closed the door behind her.
"Are you okay, Hiromi?"
There was only silence.
She walked over to the sofa and sat down. She didn't need an invitation; she just needed to see that Hiromi was alright.
"Hiromi..."
He moved closer and hugged her tightly.
Y/N was surprised to see a thirty-six-year-old man like this. Her hand gently stroked his back up and down.
"Thank goodness you came..."
"I thought you were resting... I should've come the day after... after all that..."
"I studied harder than anyone and worked harder than anyone. And even then, it wasn't enough. You lose one case, and suddenly you're on the news every day as some controversial figure."
"Things will get better."
"No."
He pulled away and moved to the other corner of the sofa.
"They won't. I should leave Japan..."
"And where would you go?"
"South Korea or Thailand."
"Hiromi, you can't leave."
"And why not?"
He covered his face.
"I have savings. Not much, but I do have savings, and I could take out loans."
Y/N moved closer and hugged him.
He simply settled into the embrace, letting her hold him. His hand played with a strand of her hair.
"What is stopping me from leaving?"
"The promise we made."
"Y/N, you're beautiful and you know how to take care of yourself. You adapt better than anyone and learn quickly. You were the most brilliant employee I've ever had, and we barely worked together. You'll be fine."
"Fine."
This time, she pulled away and crossed her arms.
"If what you need is to leave, then go. I'll be fine on my own. I'll get back together with Gojo."
Hiromi stared at her in horror.
He pulled her back against him and let her curl up against his chest.
He shook his head.
"I'm not leaving. I won't let you go back to him."
Y/N smiled and closed her eyes.
"Why not?"
"In the promise we made... that was one of your requests."
"I don't remember that part."
"Then remember the promise. You said you wanted a partner who would love you, and I told you I'd find someone for you. I'm looking for the right man."
"That's true, we did say that."
She lied, even though she knew that had never happened. She just liked seeing him jealous.
"You can't go to South Korea or Thailand."
"I'm not leaving."
He looked her in the eyes.
"Stay at my place... I'm overwhelmed by everything that's happening. Besides, you don't have a home right now, do you?"
"It would be nice to stop living with my parents. I'd like some privacy."
"We could be roommates."
Hiromi rubbed his nose against hers.
"You can have the entire closet."
"You really know how to win a woman over."
Both of them laughed and hugged each other more tightly.
"You do too much for me."
"You deserve the best, Y/N. Never settle for anything less than the best."
"Are you sure you're single? You're not secretly hiding a mistress, are you?"
"I'm more than sure that you're the only woman in my life."
Y/N blushed, making Hiromi laugh.
He gently caressed her cheek.
"Shy?"
"No. It's just hot in here."
"Do you want to go out? I mean, we could go somewhere and spend some time together."
"Are you asking me on a date?"
"No. It's not a date."
His cheeks felt warm. He tugged at the collar of his pajama shirt, pulling it away from his neck as he swallowed hard.
"I mean we could hang out, eat something, go to the movies, have dinner, whatever you want."
"That's a date."
"Let's call it friends hanging out."
"No, hanging out is when there are more people, but it'll just be us, right?"
"Yeah. It's not like I have many friends... right now."
He looked at her and then, embarrassed, looked away.
"Not even my parents want to see me right now."
"Oh... are you okay?"
"Don't worry so much. I'll get over it."
He looked into her eyes.
"Let me go get ready for our date."
"So now you're admitting it?"
"I only called it that because you did."
Hiromi went into his bedroom and came back out carrying a clean change of clothes.
"I won't be long. Don't go sneaking into the bathroom to spy on me."
He laughed at Y/N's expression.
She frowned and turned away, more embarrassed than annoyed.
He went into the bathroom and turned on the faucet, waiting for the water to warm up while thinking about what plans he could make with Y/N.
This would be his first date with a woman, and he had absolutely no idea what he was supposed to do.
✨ Banner designed by @alebrasil0101 for this story ☺️.
🙅♀️ Please, if you're going to leave negative comments, don't just use two words. If you don't like it, just ignore it.
This is a Reader Insert fanfiction; however, Y/N is given a physical description throughout the story. References to her appearance, body type, and other physical traits may appear in various chapters.
If you prefer reader inserts with a completely customizable appearance, please keep this in mind before reading.
Chapter 3: «A Harsh Nation in the Process of Change»
Y/N had been walking for several minutes without knowing where she was.
There were food stalls, houses, families spending time together, people going about their daily routines, and eventually, exhausted, she came to a stop.
Katara watched her.
"This is impossible." Y/N brushed a blonde strand of hair away from her face.
"Y/N, let's go back to the others."
"I already told you no."
"Did something happen that made you change your mind?"
"Look... it's not about whether I go out there and dance. It's that I can't."
"Are you hurt?"
Katara quickly stepped closer, concern evident on her face.
Y/N shook her head.
"No, there are no injuries or wounds. It's a lack of passion."
"A lack of passion?"
Y/N rolled her violet eyes.
Giving explanations. Continuing an argument.
She didn't have the time or energy for it.
All she wanted was to figure out where she was.
She turned toward Katara, searching for her name.
"I'm Katara, don't you remember?" she sounded more worried with every passing second.
"Katara, I remember you." She lied. "Could you tell me something about this place?"
"You mean the Fire Nation? We've been here many times, Y/N."
"Yeah, yeah. I just mean... why are we here again?"
She started walking again, watching people manipulate fire and instinctively moving away in surprise.
She saw tea shops everywhere, clothing stores, homes, furniture shops...
It was like a normal city filled with people who could manipulate elements.
"We're going to perform at the palace of this nation. Wasn't that your dream?"
"Do I look five years old to you?" she asked, offended. "At five, you think dancing is something you do to show off to other people. At thirteen, dance becomes your life. At eighteen, you just want to stay at the top. And I'm already at the top."
"Alright, calm down. Let's have some tea."
Before Y/N could protest, Katara dragged her along.
Y/N wasn't about to fight it.
The tea shop was comfortable, welcoming, and elegant.
Polished oak tables.
Padded chairs with red cushions and golden trim.
Soft lighting and relaxing music filled the room, while the air carried the scent of freshly brewed tea.
A waiter greeted them as soon as they entered, guided them to a table, and took their order.
Y/N simply waved a hand, letting Katara order for both of them.
"Do you really think tea is going to fix anything?"
"We're just going to relax. Two friends sitting down and talking. It's a shame Toph isn't here."
Y/N knew she had to lie. Otherwise, Katara would keep watching her like a hawk.
"And irritated. Sorry. This is all getting to me."
"It's okay. We've been traveling across the different nations, and as the lead dancer, you're carrying all the pressure."
"Yeah, that's true. A lot of pressure."
She fell silent as another memory from this life surfaced.
She was dancing in different palaces.
Being booed.
"What pathetic technique."
"What?"
"The technique in those last performances was bad."
"No, it wasn't. You did the best you could."
"There was poor technique and incomplete movements caused by weak balance and support. That's basic dancer training."
"Y/N, I think you're being too hard on yourself." Katara placed a hand over hers.
Y/N immediately stopped her.
"I get it. You're one of those friends who insists everything is fine even when it's a disaster, and helps the other person believe the excuse that they did their best just so their feelings won't get hurt."
"No. I just... I just don't want you letting it affect you."
"What? The booing? Please. If it was bad, it's because there wasn't enough practice. You don't throw tricks into a performance just to distract people from your mistakes."
She sighed again and rolled her eyes.
"You practice the same step a thousand times if necessary. That's how you improve. They boo you, you get back up, and you do it again and again until the people who despise you have no choice but to admire you."
"Y/N, you shouldn't put so much pressure on yourself. I know dancing for him stresses you out."
"For who?"
"You know..."
"No, I don't know. I have absolutely no idea."
She closed her eyes, annoyed by the lack of direct answers.
"In a few hours, we'll be performing for Zuko."
"Zuko?"
Suddenly, the calm conversations around the tea shop stopped.
A long silence settled over the room.
The waiter who had been bringing their order dropped everything onto the floor the moment the Fire Nation king's name was mentioned.
"What's wrong with this Zuko guy?"
"He's Ozai's son. Ozai was a tyrannical ruler. Even though Zuko helped end the Hundred Year War... we could fall under another tyranny at any moment."
"Another tyranny?"
"He burned entire villages, betrayed his own uncle, and even allied himself with Azula... Even if he's done good things since then... it doesn't erase the past."
"Hmm..."
Y/N stood up.
"Let's perform at the palace and get out of here."
She motioned toward the exit.
Katara paid for the tea they hadn't even touched before following after her.
"Calm down."
"No. I won't. Break time is over. The remaining hours will be spent learning a new routine."
"What?"
"We're changing the dance. We'll add more technique, and I hope all of you can keep up with me. Do you know what our costumes are like?"
"Toph handled getting them."
"What do you mean she handled getting them?" Y/N stopped in horror. "Costumes are supposed to be tailored individually."
"That would be too expensive. We don't have that kind of money."
"At least you're not charging a high price for such a pathetic performance."
"You're being cruel, Y/N."
"Katara, dance is survival. Only one person gets to stand at the top, and I refuse to be replaced."
"But... I thought you'd loved dancing ever since you were little."
Y/N fell silent.
She remembered being a child.
A children's TV show about a dancer laughing with her friends at a dance studio.
The door opening.
Her mother turning off the television.
Dragging her to dance class until nightfall.
Then dinner.
Then bed.
"I haven't enjoyed dancing in years."
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Forever in Malaysia (No magic AU! Nanami Kento x Fem! Reader)
Chapter 6: «Picking Up Where We Left Off»
You were lying in bed. You hadn't left it in five days.
You had no strength for anything, and nothing seemed able to lift your spirits.
I remained seated on the edge of the bed. I knew it had all been my fault.
My hands rested on my knees, still and quiet, not bothering you.
I was never someone who showed his feelings, and my first mistake was probably that I never learned how to change that. Even so, I was selfish with you.
Dating you was exhausting, but it also cheered me up.
We could disconnect from our studies, from our friends, and make it feel as though only the two of us existed in the world.
I still remember when we were young.
That weekend was supposed to be unbearably hot, and what you wanted most was to go on romantic dates.
Even though I already had plans with Yu to go to Hakushaku.
"Huh? You're not coming with me?"
"No, not this year. I want to spend the weekend with Y/N."
"Ooooh..."
He jabbed me hard with his elbow, making me complain in pain.
"So... you're a ladies' man now, Kento?"
"I'm just doing what boyfriends do."
"Fine, fine. I don't care. Y/N is a beautiful girl. If you neglect her, someone else will come along and steal her from you."
"Are you looking for trouble with me?"
"I'll steal Y/N if you let your guard down."
"Stop talking nonsense. And don't do anything reckless tomorrow."
"No, I won't do anything like that. But on Sunday, we have to hang out and play video games together."
You'll say you'll play against Gojo and Geto while I watch.
"Yeah, but you like being there in the end, don't you?"
I laughed at the ridiculous face he was making.
Then he stretched lazily.
"Let's go eat."
That Sunday never came.
He couldn't help himself.
He got into trouble.
He died.
At sixteen years old.
Yu was returning from Hakushaku with his younger sister and his parents.
He saw a ball roll into the road.
When he noticed a small child about to run after it, he stopped him and went in his place.
He picked up the ball and tossed it back to the father accompanying the child.
Before he could get out of the road, a truck that couldn't stop in time hit Haibara.
You came to my house on Sunday despite the rain falling as though it were the end of the world.
My mother let you inside.
"Kento?"
You knocked gently on my door.
"Can I come in?"
"No."
"I came to see how you're doing."
"I'm fine."
"It's okay if you're sad. We can talk about it."
"I don't want to talk about anything. Go away."
"Kento... can we talk about it?"
"No. I don't want to. I don't want to talk about Yu or anything else with anyone."
"Then at least let us stay together."
"Stay together? Like Friday and Saturday? Like Monday? Tuesday? Or Wednesday?"
"Kento..."
"No. Stop calling me Kento."
I opened the door abruptly and saw you.
You were soaked. You hadn't even brought an umbrella.
"I was supposed to spend Saturday with Yu. If I had gone, I would've told him to stop. I would've told him not to be reckless. But you wanted to be a nuisance."
"I told you we didn't have to spend the weekend together..."
"If Yu died, it was your fault. You're so selfish. So unbearable. You demand and demand and demand..."
My voice broke.
"All I can feel is disgust for you!"
Your eyes widened as you stared at me for several long seconds.
Then you turned around and left.
I punched the wall and returned to my bed.
After that, I shut myself away from everyone.
You drifted away.
The following year, the teachers decided it would be best for me to transfer to a different secondary school.
That was the first time we broke up.
During my first year of university, I saw you on campus while I was heading home.
Same university.
Different faculty.
You looked beautiful.
I was about to approach you when I saw Gojo.
He stepped out of his expensive car and walked over to you, leaving girls staring after him.
That hadn't changed.
Gojo approached you and kissed you, but you pulled away.
Had Gojo disappointed you that quickly?
We didn't see each other again until a few days later in the university library.
"Let me get that book for you."
I took the law book and handed it to you.
You turned around and looked at me.
Neither of us spoke.
"Wasn't this the book you were looking for?"
"It was. Thanks, Nanami."
"What a surprise seeing you here, Y/N."
"I go to this university. I'm in the..."
" Faculty of Law."
"How do you know?"
"The book. It's *Introduction to *Kihonsho, isn't it?"
"Yeah, that's the one."
You smiled slightly.
"What faculty are you in?"
"Economics."
"That suits you and your stingy side."
"You remember?"
"It feels like you have a bad image of me."
"No, I don't."
You looked at your watch.
You were uncomfortable.
"I should go."
I stepped in front of you, blocking your path.
You looked surprised.
I looked at you.
I moved closer.
We were comfortable with the closeness, but uncomfortable because of the last time we had seen each other.
"I'd like to stay in touch. Is your number still the same?"
"It is. You just have to call the same number."
I stepped aside and watched you leave.
But you looked back.
Over time, things became comfortable again.
We spent time together.
Went on dates.
Before long, you broke up with Gojo, and I began waiting outside your last class so we could walk home together.
It was as though we had resumed our relationship without ever discussing what had happened in the past.
"Nanami..."
You wrapped your arms around me while I continued working on a class project.
"I can't right now."
"Come on. You've been sitting in front of that computer for three hours. Come sleep with me."
"No. I need to finish this."
"You don't have to hand it in until the end of next month. You still have time, and you're already ahead."
I kept typing while reviewing the notes I'd gathered from my research.
I shook my head and pushed you away abruptly.
"Stop insisting. Whenever you insist on doing things your way, someone ends up getting hurt."
I froze.
I looked at you.
Pain crossed your face.
I had blamed you for the same thing again.
Maybe because I still hadn't gotten over Yu's death, and the guilt was so overwhelming that I took it out on you.
I sighed and covered my face.
"Y/N. That wasn't what I meant. I didn't mean to say that. What happened that day..."
I never got the chance to finish.
You left.
But this time you weren't crying.
No.
This time you left with your head held high, as though you'd promised yourself never to let anyone treat you badly again.
And that was the last time I saw you while we were both at university.
I waited outside your classroom every day.
You always managed to avoid me.
During my third year, I found out you had gone abroad on an Erasmus program.
That was the second time we lost contact.
I graduated near the top of my class and quickly started working for a company.
Being a salaried employee paid well, but from the end of university onward, my life revolved around the office.
Long hours.
Entire nights.
Typing.
Reviewing accounts.
Correcting my supervisor's mistakes.
A routine that never ended.
After years without hearing from any of us, Gojo called me repeatedly.
During five precious minutes of free time, I answered, using the call as an excuse to take another five-minute break.
"Nana!"
he shouted loudly from the other end.
"Senpai... how did you get my number?"
"You'd be surprised what Mei Mei will do for a million yen. And you still call me by that honorific? It's not like we're in secondary school anymore!"
"You're already giving me a headache."
"That fast?"
His teasing tone annoyed me.
"You don't hesitate anymore, even though you're younger than me. I just wanted to know how you're doing, but apparently you're too busy."
"I am too busy. Those of us with real jobs try not to stop working so we can save money and live decently."
"Are you using being stingy as an excuse because you're broke?"
He laughed loudly.
"Mei Mei said something similar, you know what I told her?"
"I don't care."
"'Mei Mei, you're a businesswoman. You ruin people's lives!'"
"I'm hanging up."
"Wait, wait! I thought it'd be nice if things were like before. A reunion. For old times' sake."
"A reunion?"
"Yeah. You know. Shoko, Suguru, Ijichi, Mei Mei, Utahime, you, me..."
He fell silent for a few seconds.
"Y/N..."
"You want me to go to a class reunion?"
"It'll be fun."
It's easy to think about laughter and good times when I was the only one who suffered.
"It wasn't easy for the others either, Nanami."
He hung up.
I couldn't stand it.
I couldn't stand knowing that Yu would have been twenty-four that year.
He would've graduated.
Found a job.
Married a beautiful woman with a healthy appetite.
And in another year, he probably would've had a child just like him.
All those moments we could have lived.
Gone.
All because of that day.
I turned off my phone.
I knew Gojo was capable of calling again.
So I kept working.
It was the only way I could avoid thinking about what might have been.
For him.
For me.
For you.
For us.
I checked the time.
Ten at night.
I shut down my computer, gathered my things, and left.
I took the same route as always.
It was the fastest and most efficient one.
As I passed an izakaya, I saw all of you inside.
I stopped.
You looked beautiful.
Your eyes met mine.
And at that moment, I continued walking.
"Nanami."
You took my hand and stopped me.
"Y/N?"
"Come on. Gojo told me you were coming, and I thought it was a good idea."
I saw no anger.
No resentment.
Not even pain over everything I had said.
Once again, we continued as though nothing had happened.
I sat with all of you.
We drank.
We laughed.
There were no accusations.
You didn't curse me in a hundred different ways.
We simply moved forward.
And picked up where we left off.
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Your only option (No magic AU! Hiromi Higuruma x Fem! Reader)
Chapter 10: «First Case: A Tough Trial»
It was 5 a.m. Y/N was sleeping on top of the table while Hiromi had been writing nonstop for quite some time. Thanks to Y/N's almost stalker-like investigation, he had been able to write several useful defenses and arguments.
He typed the last word and placed the final period.
He stretched in his chair.
He looked beside him and saw Y/N completely asleep. He stood up, took off his jacket, and placed it over her shoulders to cover her. He looked through her notes and Google searches, all related to the case.
He was surprised to see her phone still on and open to a messaging app. His eyes widened when he noticed a conversation in a group chat of employees from Kirara and Kinji's business.
"You worked harder than anyone else, didn't you?"
he whispered before kissing the top of her head.
He turned off her computer and phone while smiling proudly.
At 9 a.m., they were already inside the courtroom. Hiromi was wearing the same suit as the previous days. Meanwhile, Y/N had gone home to shower and put on more formal clothes for the trial.
They were still waiting for the judge to arrive, and Hiromi was already close to having a nervous breakdown.
"Relax. I'm sure Kirara is hurrying Kinji along."
"If they don't arrive within ten minutes..."
"No, Hiromi..."
She took his hands and brought them to her chest before smiling at him.
"They'll come, and we'll give it everything we've got to win this trial."
Hiromi looked at her.
He had never looked at or felt this way about someone before. Y/N had held Hiromi's attention from the very first day; over these days, his attraction toward her had only grown.
At that moment, Hiromi blinked and nodded, relaxing.
"I trust your intuition more than my own."
Hiromi moved closer with the intention of hugging her. Y/N also seemed ready to return the embrace, but the courtroom doors suddenly burst open.
"Damn it. Can't I watch my favorite anime?"
Kinji entered wearing a neon pink puffer jacket that stood out immediately and heart-shaped sunglasses. Kirara was dressed like a model, wearing a dress that exposed her back and silver belt chains.
"Y/N, please tell me those aren't our clients."
"I'm sorry, Hiromi. They are."
Kinji walked in holding Kirara's hand, followed by a crowd carrying various LGBTQ+ flags.
"We've arrived," Kirara said with a smile as she sat on Kinji's lap. "Good thing we made it in time."
"Are you trying to provoke them?"
"Defense attorney, you still don't get it."
"No, I don't understand why you've brought so many people and why you've come dressed so casually to a trial."
"Attorney, this is formal clothing."
She gestured toward her outfit.
"The more they try to hide us, the more we'll come out into the open, and the more extreme we'll become."
"That's how you end up getting sued."
Y/N elbowed him, and Hiromi raised his hands in surrender.
He pulled out some papers and moved his chair closer to Y/N's.
"I'll use your evidence. I've numbered everything. When I present my arguments, you'll just need to switch to the correct exhibits..."
"Okay."
"It's a saiban-in trial."
"Saiban-in?"
"A mixed jury trial. There are three professional judges and six citizen judges. Normally they're only used for serious crimes such as murder."
"Then why is it being used for this case?"
"They argued that it was a moral attack against traditional Japanese values. They're taking it seriously. They're going straight for the jugular."
"Are you worried Hakari and Hoshi won't be up to the task?"
"They're the least of my problems."
The judge entered.
Everyone stood.
The first phase, the opening procedure, began.
The judge reviewed the defendants' information and read the charges aloud. Then, as always, he reminded them that they had the right to remain silent during questioning.
"I plead innocent," Kirara said with a smile.
"So do I. Innocent."
"We contest the accusations. The crimes my clients are accused of are nothing more than prejudice and intolerance."
At that point, the trial was adjourned until the following month.
Y/N and Hiromi worked side by side to gain an advantage. Sleepless nights and weekends filled with work followed, along with preparing and advising the couple for possible questioning.
At the next hearing, Hiromi had begun questioning the leader of the neighborhood association.
"Tell me, Mr. Gakuganji, why do my clients threaten morality?"
"As a retiree, I volunteer to make sure kindergarten children travel safely. Whenever we passed by their café, we witnessed inappropriate behavior."
"For example?"
"Behavior that is not considered proper: excessive noise, public displays of affection, vulgar language... We always practiced Mizaru, Kikazaru, Iwazaru in pursuit of peaceful coexistence."
"I understand that you visited repeatedly during the first months after the café opened, correct?"
"I wouldn't say repeatedly. I simply passed by many times."
Y/N switched to a slide displaying photos taken from social media posts of regular customers, and Gakuganji could be seen in the background.
Hiromi pointed at the screen.
"Do you deny being the person in the background of these images?"
"Objection, Your Honor. We challenge the admissibility of this evidence. Nowadays images can easily be edited or taken out of context."
"Your Honor, there are witnesses who can verify the authenticity of these images."
"Objection overruled. Continue, Mr. Higuruma."
"Do you deny being in those photographs?"
Gakuganji remained silent, clearly refusing to answer.
"That's all."
Hiromi sat back down beside Y/N.
The prosecutor stood and approached his witness.
"Mr. Gakuganji, is it true that you were violently confronted by Mr. Hakari on September 23rd while walking with your grandchildren and family?"
"Correct. On September 23rd, while I was going to the park with my grandchildren and family during a family outing, he approached me and attacked me without reason. He hit me with a right hook, shoved me, and threatened my life."
"That concludes my questioning."
Hiromi glanced at Hakari for having kept that detail hidden this entire time.
"Relax. You're doing well."
Y/N took his hand and squeezed it, making Hiromi release the breath he had been unconsciously holding.
This couldn't become another Mr. Tanaka case.
This time there was a chance to win.
Hakari took the stand.
"Very well, Mr. Hakari. What was the reason for your assault that day?"
"Because he's a dirty old man."
"Could you be more specific?"
"Your Honor, I demand that he be reprimanded. He's attacking my client's dignity."
The prosecutor immediately objected.
"Mr. Hakari, refrain from making offensive remarks."
Hiromi wasn't sure what to do.
He looked back, and when he saw Y/N's smile, he cleared his throat and turned back to his client.
"Can you explain what happened?"
"He came around a lot at first. We didn't pay much attention because we thought he came for the tea and pastries he always ordered. But he kept crossing the line with my girl, and one day..."
Hakari clenched his teeth and slammed his fist against the witness stand.
"I already told you!" he shouted angrily at the man. "I'll kill you, bastard!"
The entire courtroom fell silent.
Hiromi could have sworn his blood pressure dropped and he was about to faint.
Once again, Y/N's gaze kept him standing.
"Mr. Higuruma, I won't repeat myself. Control your client."
"Yes, Your Honor."
For the sake of the trial and Hiromi's defense strategy, Hakari left the stand and Kirara took his place.
She was calm, and Higuruma immediately felt calmer as well. Without a doubt, she knew how to keep her composure.
"Do you admit that what your partner said is true?"
"Yes. It's true."
"Why didn't you report it?"
"I didn't want rumors spreading around the café, and I knew nobody would believe me."
"Perhaps you were the one who seduced him, and after being rejected, you decided to lie to your boyfriend."
"Objection, Your Honor. Counsel is making assumptions unrelated to the case."
"Sustained. Prosecution, rephrase your question."
"No need."
That concluded the questioning.
Hiromi had to stop Hakari from throwing himself at the prosecutor.
The judge called for a five-minute recess.
Y/N was comforting Kirara, who was visibly affected.
"He did that to plant doubt in the minds of the citizen judges."
"Hiromi, I'm sure your closing argument will tip the scales in our favor."
Hiromi turned and looked at Y/N.
His heart started racing again.
No one had ever believed in him this much.
He pulled her into a tight embrace.
"I'd like you to be beside me during the closing argument."
"I'll be by your side."
"Even closer. Having you beside me isn't enough anymore."
"I'll be closer."
She hugged Hiromi and closed her eyes.
She was blushing, and all he could do was hold her as he let go of the stress he had carried for so long.
Soon, someone knocked on the door, letting them know that the recess was over.
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🙅♀️ Please, if you're going to leave negative comments, don't just use two words. If you don't like it, just ignore it.
