On the bus ride home from the graveyard, you shifted your body away from Yuji. You still didn't want him to look at your swollen face after crying so hard. You even brought dark sunglasses to hide your bug-like eyes. Even though you spilled your deepest feelings to him, you still weren't comfortable being vulnerable.

"Y/n, do you have to turn away? I've seen your face before."

Rolling your eyes, you stiffly stared at the window, viewing the darkening sky falling down on the world. "Yes," you mumbled. "It's going to take me a long time before I can openly express my feelings like that. You're just lucky that today I was very very emotional."

Your eyelids were getting heavy after crying your eyes out, but you knew you weren't going to sleep long.

"So you killed the woman?" You were curious about that since Yuji let you pour out your feelings earlier.

Yuji inhaled sharply, remembering the details very clearly. He never dwelled on it; he knew what he wanted—he wanted to save your life. His actions to save you was like him eating Sukuna's finger to save Megumi. He will protect the people he cares about and if killing is the last resort, he won't hesitate for his friends. "Of course! Why would I let you suffer?" He twinkled a smile as you saw it through the reflection of the window.

A big groan expelled from your mouth. "I hate her technique. She conjures your regrets and fears to haunt you… Since you already know what's mine, you can guess what happened."

"Yep. She did that to weaken your soul so she could kill you which is scary to think about…. Is that why you were crying?" Yuji bluntly spoke with no filter.

You clicked your tongue as you didn't know he saw that part of you. He basically knew I was going through something all along but respected my choice to tell him right now or later. You concluded by the way he acted towards you.

"Yeah… Can we not talk about that? I'm trying to be a happy person now!"

Then a few minutes passed as you both were in silence, still on the bus. "Yuji," you called out through your groggy voice, not looking at him.

"Hm?" He wondered what you wanted to say.

You sighed heavily as your shoulders dropped. You're only saying this with good intentions to help him in the future. "Remember how I looked down upon your conviction?"

"Yeah, what about it?"

Yuji didn't know why you brought it up now after it's been a long time since you guys met. If he were honest, he kind of forgot about the conversation. Nonetheless, he's curious so he'll listen to what you have to say.

"I only said that because jujutsu society is a harsh world. Me and other sorcerers have experienced it. The reason why I'm the way I am is because of them. Nobody should have to lose people they care about, nor shouldn't forget how to be human. There's many things that sucks about being a sorcerer, Yuji." Turning your head, you stared at Yuji as you locked eyes with him. A firm frown tugged your lips downwards. As much as you don't bat an eye at anyone's direction, you knew too well that someone as bright as him will wither away. "This path will dull you, making you feel empty and frustrated with life. No matter how much guilt you carry in your heart…never lose your shine and smile." You wholeheartedly said.

Yuji felt his heart swelled from your kind and wise words. He really appreciates whenever you give him any type of talk. He knows you don't mean harm, rather you're trying to help him get through his cursed life he's living. "Thanks, y/n! I'm grateful to have you as my friend!" Yuji suddenly patted your head out of nowhere.

Swatting his hand away, you snarled back. "I'm not a dog…!"

"Y/n, don't forget that I'll always be here for you too!"

Your heart skipped a beat as your previous demeanor disappeared, and you felt his positive vibe attaching themselves on to you like a leech.

No matter what you do, you can't rip it off. A small smile curled your lips.

"If you ever have troubling thoughts, come talk to me. I'll always be here to listen… I'll help you accept your past and move forward with your new life. Also, don't forget about loving yourself too!" Yuji blabbered on about how that's the first step. "Keep the plant, y/n! We're going to take good care of it."

"Of course!" You couldn't counter his say or else it'll make matters worse. At this point, you'll do your best to take care of the flower. You just hope that this time, the flower will create new memories blossoming between you and Yuji since you both are going to take care of it.

After arriving at home, it was time to go to sleep; however you didn't want to sleep. You felt paranoid about your parents' figures haunting you. It made you restless and on edge to even close your eyes in the dark. The reason why you didn't sleep with your lights on is because you tried and it didn't work. The nights hit differently compared to the mornings.

Since you didn't want to tell Yuji about it—you were afraid he'll make fun of you—you decided to stay in the living room and watch movies.

"Y/n, you're not going to sleep?" Yuji asked, looking over his shoulder as he was about to walk to his room.

You shook your head. "No, I'll watch some movies before I go. I'm not tired right now." You chuckled, concealing your nervousness in your voice. You couldn't let him know despite being extremely tired for the past few days of not sleeping properly. It's best to not let him know even though he had told you to be honest with him. In your head, it's a personal matter that Yuji can't even solve.

Yuji thought if he wanted to sleep or stay up with you? But in the end, he chose to stay up before going to bed. He hopped to you and planted right beside you, making the cushion sink. "So what are we watching?!" He brightly smiled as his eyes twinkled in your direction. He viewed this as a bonding experience whereas this was a way to stall your sleep.

You guys were watching a horror movie in the dark as it was making you surprisingly sleepy rather than scared. It didn't faze you because it wasn't real. Cursed spirits were real instead of humans dressing up as ghosts. Turning your head to the side to check up on Yuji, you saw he was a bit scared in his seat. He held a pillow very close to his chest while his eyes were intensely watching the movie. His body fidgeted each time a suspenseful scene was coming up. You weren't sure if he was preparing himself for the jump scare or he wanted to watch it because the pillow kept moving back up to cover his eyes.

"Are you that scared?" You yawned, throwing your arms in the air to stretch your tight muscles. "You're a sorcerer."

Yuji's shifty eyes gazed from you to the tv, slowly answering. "...m-maybe," he muttered, admitting to being a little chicken. "I know it's not real but the plot and suspense of the story gets me all the time! How can this movie not be good if it doesn't scare me?!" Yuji, the movie enthusiast, was detailing to you the components of what makes a great scary movie.

As the movie went on, you were slowly falling asleep even though you didn't want to. You leaned back, laying your head on the arm of the couch as you felt your eyelids drooping down. Your body was ready to get a full night's rest, but your mind knew it wasn't going to last long. Your mind was clearly traumatized by the woman's technique, and you didn't know how to even solve it. Your body is asking for a long peaceful sleep but you couldn't give it. It's just too hard to sleep with a clear head.

"Fuck the woman's technique… Now I can't sleep even though I want to!" You uttered loudly, then you realized you didn't say it to yourself but to Yuji as well. This was the consequence of being sleepless. You couldn't even think right without messing up like you did just now.

"Huh?" Yuji looked over at you with an agape expression.

"Huh?" You replied back as if you didn't know what he was talking about.

"What'd you say?"

You knew his ears heard what you said and you couldn't deny it either or else it'll make him sad. "You see…" There's no way to hide it so you had to come clean. Explaining your restless nights was easy, but the hard part was for Yuji to not jump on you. It's obviously clear that Yuji loves to help people, but you weren't sure how he's supposed to help you sleep. It's not as if he can control your dreams and make you sleep better.

"Why don't I stay in your room?!" Yuji suddenly brought up an idea.

"What else do I have to lose? I don't wanna knock-out at random places in my house or at school."

Yuji turned off the movie, and you both headed straight to your bedroom.

You snuggled tightly in your comfy bed as Yuji pulled your rolling chair from your desk and sat next to you. Your eyes shifted to him, wondering what he was thinking since his facial expression was unreadable.

"Are you okay with this?" You asked.

A tiny feeling of guilt took over your heart. Now he had to push back his sleeping schedule for you. You really dislike being selfish because others are using their time and energy to help you.

"Yeah! It's totally fine. If I wasn't okay then I wouldn't have suggested or even cared to help." He gave you a toothy smile.

"Are you sure-sure? You don't feel pressured or anything?"

A small chuckle slipped from his lips, seeing how you needed to be reassured even after Yuji consented. "Yes, y/n!" He ruffled your hair out of nowhere as you rolled away from his touch. You didn't want your hair to be messy. "I really mean it. Remember when I said I'll always be there for you? Well I am. I want you to be better, that's all I can ask for. Now go to sleep, y/n. I know you're exhausted."

You closed your eyes and tried to sleep the best you could before the monsters came waking you up.

Meanwhile with Yuji,

He watched over you like your guardian angel. You had informed him about how long and short you slept so he timed you.

It seems like she's sleeping just fine. It's already been 42 minutes and it's almost 12am.

Yuji leaned back in his seat and stared up at the ceiling. He did feel tired but he was going to push it back just for you. He would do anything in his power to make you feel better if you weren't.

SHUFFLE SHUFFLE

Yuji heard your body twisting and turning in bed while he snapped his head downwards to see you looking uncomfortable. Your face scrunched, resembling a person who's having a terrible nightmare. Grunts and heavy breathing slipped out from your mouth. It looked like you couldn't wake up from it, and this made Yuji panic just a bit. He didn't want to wake you up so can snap out of it. It would solve your issue if it comes again. He needed you to fight through it. Yuji knew how strong you really were.

"Y/n, you know what you're dreaming isn't real. Fight through this. Don't let some phonies get to you!" He laid a hand on top of yours, giving you moral support through your bad dream. "I'll make sure you sleep throughout the night. I'll be here until you wake up."

Once he said that, Yuji saw how calm you were getting. Your body stopped twitching and turning as it slowly rested, and your breathing was quiet and smoothed. You looked at peace in his eyes.

"That's your first step to extinguishing the monsters," Yuji smiled to himself.