Disclaimer: I do not own Jujutsu Kaisen or any of its characters. This story is merely for entertainment purposes only.
Note: The story will not follow the path of the manga since the main characters have very little interaction there but this is more of an exploration of what might have been. Enjoy!
Main Characters: Nanami Kento & Kugisaki Nobara
Summary:
Chapter 1
Nobara is not the type to be easily swayed by good looks. For her, physical attributes are important but that alone will not gain her respect or sway her heart, no matter who that person may be.
She remember that time when Megumi said, "the most important part is a person's unwavering character". She did agree to that answer, as she has the same belief. Yuji may seem dumb but based on her judgment, he's a good boy and probably the type to be attracted to respectable people as well. After all, they are bestfriends, aren't they?
As Nobara climbed up the steps, on her way to the main building of the school, she found Yuji talking to Gojo-sensei. She smiled, about to call out to them when her eyes caught another person to their left. He's a tall, blonde guy wearing a business suit. The man is facing both Yuji and Gojo-sensei so it's quite difficult to see his face but she could tell from his stance that he's the type to get attention easily. Probably a person of authority?
As she slowly approached, Gojo sensed her presence and acknowledged her loudly, to her dismay.
"Ah, Nobara! There you are! You're the last person to arrive!" Gojo waved, gesturing for her to approach their group.
Yuji greeted her just as loudly. "Yo, Nobara! Have you met Nanamin yet?"
"No, I don't think so." She gave the other person a glance. "Gaijin?" She couldn't tell if the person is looking as he is wearing some kind of goggles but she slightly bowed as a sign of respect. The man bowed as well, confirming that she is being watched.
Gojo cleared his throat to catch Nobara's attention. "Nobara, I would like you to meet Nanami Kento, he was my junior back in high school."
"Eh, junior? He looks older than Gojo-sensei." Nobara spoke up. "Kugisaki Nobara. First year. It's a pleasure to meet you."
"Likewise, Kugisaki-san." Nanami replied with another bow.
"Nanami is an ex-salaryman. Now, he is here to support us with our missions." Gojo is still cheerful and loud as ever. He put his arms around Nanami's shoulders but Nanami seems displeased.
"Oh, will you be joining us in all of our missions?" Nobara asked carefully. She cannot easily read the man's expression but it all looks the same to her: Annoyed.
"No, only when necessary." Nanami is a man of few words.
"Nanami-san is a Grade 1 Sorcerer. He will be watching over us whenever Gojo-sensei is away on a business trip!" Yuji said excitedly.
"I see." Nobara is not comfortable. She doesn't know how to act around this man who will be their substitute guardian. "I wonder if Megumi knows about this."
Nanami is watching the young lady's expression carefully. She is different from how Gojo described her as his student. "If she is not as aggressive and crazy as Gojo said, then it means my job would be easier as expected." Babysitting teenagers is the last thing he wants to do after quitting the corporate world. He was hoping he could just exorcise curses every now and then.
"Very well, now that introductions are over and done with, we should proceed to class! Nanami, I will meet you later for dinner?"
"No, thank you. I plan to go home as early as possible." Nanami replied, his voice determined.
As Gojo whined childishly, both Nobara and Yuji walked away together to class. Yuji noticed Nobara's lack of enthusiasm.
"Nobara! Anything wrong?" Yuji asked, obviously concerned.
"Yuji, how long have you known Nanami-san?" Nobara asked.
"Nanamin? For awhile now. Remember that time you thought I was dead? He's been mentoring me while Gojo-sensei is away." Yuji glanced at Nobara again. "Do you not like him?"
"Do you?!" Nobara challenged.
"Ehh.. he's not so bad. He is different from Gojo-sensei because he's all business and he treats me like a kid but I don't know. I mean, he's the type of adult you can depend on, i guess."
"You didn't answer my question!" Nobara said, irritated.
"Well, it's a difficult one!" Yuji replied, defensively.
"What are you talking about? It's an easy question!"
The two continued to bicker as they get to class, abandoning all other serious talks about Nanami Kento.
After he left, Nanami went over to the convenience store which is a few minutes away from the school grounds. He was hoping to find his favorite bread as it has been difficult for him eversince he stopped visiting the bakery near his old company office.
As he went through all the varieties available, Nanami sighed and decided to pick up an Egg Salad Sandwich and Chow Mein Bread. Those are not his first choice but it will have to do for now.
He dropped his purchase at the passenger seat of his car and began to drive home. There is not much he can do for today since Gojo is around, maybe he can start reading those books he bought a month ago before his new schedule catches up on his free time.
Inside his apartment, he prepared a cup of his favorite tea (an old recipe from his grandmother), and took out the bread from the paper bag. He opened and began reading one of his books.
Nanami was almost done with his sandwich and tea when his phone rang. It was Gojo Satoru.
"Hey, Nanami! So, how is it? What's your initial impression of my third student?" Gojo asked excitedly the moment Nanami picked up his call.
A vein appeared on Nanami's temple. "Nothing. Your student, Nobara, is nothing like how you described her."
Gojo laughed. "What are you talking about? You know how women are when meeting men for the first time. It's not like you never dated before!"
Nanami gritted his teeth, trying hard not to break his phone at Gojo's irresponsible remarks. "She's a child and your student, Gojo. Stop this idiotic statements. To be honest, she might be uncomfortable with me, thinking I am anything like you!"
Gojo laughed again, but a little more loudly this time. "No, i think it's your stiffness that threw her off. When I met her, she's so comfortable around me that she practically begged for me to give her a little tour around Tokyo!" Gojo left the part about Yuji being there too.
"She what? Are teenagers nowadays lacking any sense of danger?" Nanami thought, trying to picture what Nobara's father could have done if what Gojo said were true.
"I am busy. I will see you soon." Nanami ended the call abruptly, cutting off Gojo's attempt to prolong the conversation.
After ending the call, Nanami thought about Yuji and Megumi during their first meeting. Yuji was eager to please and prove himself, while Megumi is just as quiet as Gojo described him. He just hope the female student wouldn't be a problem.
Nanami could feel a headache coming as he leaned his head at the back support of his couch, trying to get some rest.
To Be Continued...