Nobie: wait the guy from the mall? he's in your class? Wtf. eat with him. I'll introduce you to maki later.

Muna: are you sure? I wanted to see your outfit! You went on and on about it

Nobie: you'll see me later, remember? eat with him. And don't do that scary shit you did before. Just tell him you want to eat with him

'She's certainly got a way with words.'

As the class packed up for lunch, Muna noticed Satoru looking at her. She zipped up her bag and swung it over her shoulder.

"New girl." Satoru said, in a sing-song voice.

Muna's stomach filled with butterflies. "Yeah?"

"Where'd you transfer from?"

"Tell you over lunch."

"Oh?" Satoru grinned, "Sure. I know a spot."

As he led her down the crowded halls, people parted way. At first, Muna thought it was due to their wider berth, but as they continued on she noticed the shocked gasps and the incredulous looks. People pointed as if she couldn't see them, speaking in hushed whispers. The sensation made the hairs on her arms prickle and it reminded her far too much of the school she left behind.

'Do they know about what happened at my old school? Why are they staring so hard? I came here to start over and now it's happening all over again.'

Muna cleared her throat, "So, what's this spot?" She focused on the brown double doors that were directly ahead, in an effort to ignore the suffocating swarm of eyes on her.

Satoru held the door open for her, "Southern patio. There's a big juniper tree surrounded by a brick wall. I like it 'cause it's away from all the noise and I can just think. There's a sort of… freedom in solitude, y'know?"

"Yeah." Muna looked over at him. "Is your life really stressful?"

"Kinda. I live… an interesting life." Satoru smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. "It's hard to explain."

They sat down on a low weathered brick wall underneath the juniper tree's protective limbs. The winds tussled the evergreen boughs, sending the scent of spring twirling through the air. It was a lively, enchanting aroma that invigorated the young girl. A chance to begin anew.

"So… try." Muna eyed him curiously.

Satoru leaned back on the wall, "Well, my parents expect way too much of me. They both found success in life, y'know? They want that for me, like any decent parent would, but who they want me to be, isn't who I am."

'I know the feeling.'

"And who are you?"

He shrugged, "I don't know. I feel trapped. I live a sort of double life, you know?" His face began to redden. "But enough of my sob story! Where'd you transfer from?"

"Keio." Muna opened up her bento and ate a sushi roll.

Satoru's eyes widened in awe. "Ah, so that's where your bad attitude comes from. Your parents spoiled you rotten. So sorry you have to slum it with us."

"Ha!" Muna threw her head back, "It wasn't my choice."

"What's your story? Bet it doesn't beat mine."

"Maybe not." Muna said. "But it's not worth telling. My parents thought I would fare better here is all."

Satoru rolled his eyes, "Right."

"I'm serious!" Muna hit his arm playfully. "Keio's for losers."

"So, what's your career gonna be? I can't quite place you."

"I know what I'm here for, but I don't know if it'll be my career. Or… maybe I'll just do what my dad does. I don't know." Muna stared up at the juniper tree. "What's your job? Since you were able to send me money like that."

Satoru's head jerked slightly and he smiled. "Uh, retail management. Sales, client outreach. Stuff like that."

"Sounds boring as hell." Muna put a leg up on the bricks. "Is that where the conflict is? Your heart's in business, but your parents want you to be like them?"

"The thing is, my heart isn't even in it. I fucking hate it." Satoru narrowed his eyes. "I got into it because I had to. There was no other option. You ever been in that sort of situation before?"

Muna put the top on her bento, "Yeah. One day, everything was as normal as it could ever be. Then the next, the world's upside down and I didn't even do anything. It felt out of my hands."

"I've felt exactly like that." He whispered. "Exactly like that."

A warm feeling washed over Muna's chest and dissipated into her arms. She felt looser. Calmer. At ease. As if she'd found water in the desert. Maybe, the melancholy would never leave and would flood the skies with darkness. But when she was with him, she felt as if the sun finally succeeded in shining through.

"What would you do if you weren't in management?"

Satoru looked at her, "I don't know. What would you do if you weren't gonna follow after your dad?"

Before she could answer, her phone vibrated erratically and she checked the screen. Four messages from her younger sister popped up.

Satoru glanced at the screen, "Who could be more important than me?"

Muna grinned, "It's nothing. Just my sister."

"Oh. What's her name?"

"Michiko." Muna looked away and over at a group of birds congregating on a patch of grass. "You have any siblings?"

"No." Satoru caught himself. "Well, I do. Kind of. I moved when I was younger and didn't know anybody around, so my parents signed me up for this mentorship program to meet other kids. I ended up being a mentor to this kid and long story short, we're like brothers, yeah. Love him to death, but he can be a dumbass."

'At least he's not as useless as my sister.'

"What's his name?"

"Yuuji."

"Wait." Muna scoffed, "That guy that was at the mall with you? He looked like he was gonna kill me."

Satoru grimaced. "Sorry about that. He means well. He's just very protective. A little too reactionary at times."

"Right." Muna studied his face, seeing his empty eyes and twisted brow. "Do you not want to talk about this? It's okay if you don't."

Satoru fidgeted with his fingers, "No, it's fine. It's just sometimes I feel like I'm all he has."

The wind swirled through the patio with a sorrowful sound and the birds took flight.

"Yeah, you're right." Satoru clenched his jaw. "I don't want to talk about this."

–– * ––

"Sounds like you two bonded." Nobara sipped a dark green milkshake. "I'm surprised you actually did it, though. You seem like you're afraid of love."

Muna almost spit out her drink, "Really? I'm not afraid of it. I'm just in a weird headspace right now. I recently got out of a relationship, so."

Muna and Nobara sat in a booth in a far off corner at a trendy desert bar. Nobara picked the place based off of the kitschy vibe, with its live plant walls, disco ball lights and checkerboard tile. Despite the business of the restaurant, the music was a soothing mix of Bossa Nova classics. Nobara didn't seem to mind the severe clash of stylings. Muna was a bit put off by all of it, especially the flamingo straws and coasters, but she was willing to try anything once.

"Oh… so this Satoru's a rebound?" Nobara twirled her straw around.

"No. I don't know what it is. I just like being around him is all."

Nobara laughed. "Anyway… I heard about this rave coming up. They're only gonna release the address an hour before. You wanna go?"

"I should probably stay in. Party's aren't my scene."

"Come on! Live a little. Besides, we can wear fun outfits." Nobara pouted. "Please? I wanna show you a good time."

Muna covered her mouth as she laughed. "Okay. Sure."

"Just… don't bring your sister." Nobara sprinkled pink powdered sugar on her funnel cake.

Muna tapped the rim of her glass, "Yeah… can't argue there."

Suddenly, her eyes popped open and she checked her messages from earlier.

Michiko: so I heard you're talking to satoru gojo and I'm shocked I thought you didn't like guys like that

Michiko: just last night you were judging me for texting a guy I hadn't even met

Michiko: but you're hanging around a literal scumbag

Michiko: you sure know how to pick em

'Fucking cunt.'

"Nobie…" Muna started, looking at her messages. "Have you heard anything about Satoru? Like, what do you know?"

Nobara furrowed her brow and leaned in, "What's his name?"

"Satoru Gojo."

Her face relaxed and she leaned back. "Oh. You're talking to that Satoru."

"What do you mean?"

"If I'd known it was him, I'm not sure I would've told you to text back." Nobara threw her hands up. "I don't know anything for certain, you know. It's all rumors. They say he's a guy you go to for a good time. He's got an edge. Some girls like that. From hanging around you, you don't seem like that kinda girl."

"What are you talking about?" Muna asked, laughing nervously. "I feel like you said a lot without saying anything."

"Just be careful. It's rumors! I don't know anything for sure. Some people think he's shady." Pity seemed to drip from Nobara's eyes. "I've met him a few times. I think he's a bit weird, but not in a bad way. He's like… kooky. I feel like I'm scaring you."

"No, I'm just… I'm just wondering. That's all."

Nobara's eyes narrowed. "Why? You were just looking at your phone. Did he text you something strange? I'll fuck him up for you."

"No," Muna raised her hands. "Thanks? That's not necessary. Uh, my sister texted me about him."

Nobara nodded her head slowly, "Okay. Now I get it. Listen. Consider the source. Akuma is a bitch. I would bet she wants you to feel bad just because she's evil like that. What did she say about him?"

"She didn't say anything concrete." Muna locked her phone.

"Fuck it." Nobara bit her lip and shrugged. "It's a guy you just met. He's cute. It's not serious. So, have fun, but be safe, yeah?"

"Thanks."

"Of course."

'Why isn't Michiko ever this supportive? Why does she only ever try to fuck me over?'

Nobara scrolled through her phone, then suddenly stopped. Her eyes were alight. "Shit. Our show's almost on. We gotta go!"

"Alright! Come on." Muna laughed, pulling out her keys. She slid out of the booth and stretched her arms up towards the limitless sky. And for the first time in awhile, she felt like she was alive.