You ran out of Yuji's room and straight to the courtyard where you laid on the green grass, staring at the blue cloudy sky. You don't care if you're in your pjs outside. They're the most comfortable clothes to wear. You needed fresh air to forget what happened earlier. Luckily, you didn't see anything but you wished you didn't have to be stuck in that position.
"I wish I was a baby now…" you sighed, feeling your face cool off as your body temperature dropped to normal.
Y/n, think about something that's not related to Yuji because it'll make your brain fry! You told yourself, convincing yourself to think about irrelevant stuff to take him off your mind.
Shortly, a voice entered your personal bubble and you knew who it was.
"Y/n!" Yuji stood behind your head as he stared down at you. He blocked your view of the sky with his concerned eyes bulging out.
"Yes?"
Yuji's face grew increasingly red in the blink of an eye. "Did you see—"
"No," you coolly said since you prepared for this moment. "Don't worry about it because I chose to forget it ever happened this morning."
Instantly, Yuji felt reassured and mentally wiped off his sweat. Thank goodness. I wouldn't know what to do if she saw my junk. It'd be hard to act normal with her.
Then a question popped in your head to change the subject, "When you were in your baby form, did you retain your adult brain? Or were you a complete baby?" You prayed he didn't remember how affectionate you were with him. You acted like a whole new person and it's hard for you to unsee it.
A gentle smile appeared on his face and his eyes looked at you with warmth and appreciation. "You'll be a great mom one day,"
Your eyes widened from the fact he remembered everything and you got embarrassed. Your ears couldn't tell whether he was joking or being genuine but it didn't matter that much because you don't want kids. Sitting up, you could barely force yourself to lock eyes with him to say this, "I'm not too sure about that!" You dryly chuckled, trying to sound as normal as possible. "I tried my best taking care of you." You planted your eyes on the ground.
Yuji shook his head and refuted your statement. "No, you did well! I'm satisfied with how great you were taking care of me. You fed me, changed me, played with me! Don't doubt your ability, y/n! I'm proud of you!" His words lightened your chest from the fact you weren't a terrible caretaker. If he believed you did great, you trusted him. It caused your heart to skip a beat from how comforting it was.
"Thanks,"
"Yeah. I remember how ecstatic you were whenever you squished our faces together—hmphhh!"
You clapped your hand over his mouth, refusing to hear what you did with him as your ear flared up. You don't want to hear it.
/
In the student lounge with the trio, you were eating grapes when Gojo popped inside the room in his swim trunks and a red floral button down shirt with his black sunglasses on.
The room was dead silent as nobody knew why Gojo was dressed like that and what he wanted too. Neither you nor Megumi wanted to speak up. You guys always encountered weird things with him ever since you and Megumi were little. It's better not to know. However, Nobara and Yuji were the brave souls who dared to ask why he was wearing that in autumn.
"Sensei, aren't you cold?" Yuji asked.
"Why do you look like you're going to the beach?" Nobara added, scanning him up and down with a puzzled look.
Gojo threw his head back and laughed as his shoulders bounced up and down, causing you and Megumi to turn your backs against him. You guys knew something weird was coming out from Gojo, and you and Megumi weren't eager to know compared to the other two. "Hahaha! Your best sensei is taking you all to the beach! It's a reward for taking care of Yuji and Megumi when they turned into babies."
"What?" This left everyone baffled as it wasn't inclusive to yours and Nobara's wishes but Gojo's.
"But why the beach?" Nobara questioned since the weather has gotten colder. She didn't think going to the beach was a good idea because everyone would just freeze and get sick.
"Becauseeeee," Gojo clicked his tongue in emphasis. "Hoes don't get cold."
"What the fuck?" You turned around and gave him a weird look, showing him how lost to you were from his decision making to his wordings. "Are you twelve?"
This shouldn't have confused Yuji but it did somehow. "But sensei, we're not hoes."
"So he's admitting that he is one," Megumi unenthusiastically gasped, burning his sarcasm into Gojo's open wounds that he created just now. "It makes sense why you're still single and your parents can't force you to settle down."
Glancing at Megumi, you wondered how he knew that information. "Who told you that?" You wanted some dirt on him so you can also throw Gojo under the bus too.
"He did. I didn't want to listen but you know how he loves to talk even if you're ignoring him." Megumi replied as you nodded. It happened so many times.
"Sensei, when will you act like your age?" Nobara revolted as she shivered in her spot. It's not something Nobara has never seen, but she feels like it gets worse every day. She knows she does have a cool teacher yet she can't respect him because of his childish actions.
"Fine, fine." Gojo decided to rephrase what he said earlier. "It's thotumn season,"
Gojo's new correction made you, Megumi, and Nobara glare at him ten times harder and nastier than before.
"I'm leaving," You held the bowl of grapes and walked out because you couldn't take this anymore. You're going to be brain dead in a matter of seconds.
"Same here," Megumi followed along as Gojo called you two back.
"Don't leave!"
/
Somehow, everyone was dragged to the beach. Luckily it was a warm day to go to the beach, and surprisingly it was packed.
You and Megumi were sitting underneath the big umbrella, sipping your coconut water. Nobara forced Yuji to help her take good pictures. She instructed him how to angle the camera to get a good shot of her. She struck many poses until she was ready to stop. Meanwhile, Gojo was getting chased by many women from young to old. They just threw themselves into his way to gain his attention. Gojo loved being showered with compliments, boosting his ego and making him very shameless about it.
SLURRRRRRRP
You killed the drink and put it on the sand as you'll throw it away later. "So how's your sister?" You wanted an update on her condition to see how she's doing.
"She's doing just fine. She woke up a week after you helped her and now she's going to therapy."
Then a big awkward silence filled the air between you two. Most times you wouldn't care, but it's bothering you for some reason and you wanted to continue the conversation for your own sanity.
"Is your hair waterproof?" You asked him the dumbest question, but you noticed that it doesn't flatten at all. It's as if his hair is defying gravity on purpose, or he puts a lot of hairspray so it's out of his eyes.
Megumi had a dumbfounded look on his face like he's talking to Yuji who messed up a simple task that a child can successfully accomplish. "What? Are you Itadori now?" He never expected you to say something as random as that.
"Uh, possibly. He's grown on me so maybe," you shrugged your shoulders. "But you never answered my question. Your hair is weirdly spiky. You look like a sea urchin."
A tick mark grew on Megumi's forehead. He didn't know how to handle you at the moment. He opened his mouth then shut it. He just couldn't reply back to you because it wouldn't be worth it.
Suddenly, Megumi's saving grace: Gojo intervened and stood in front of you and Megumi. He had a shitty grin, plotting something bad and you guys didn't want to be a part of it.
"I put us in a beach volleyball competition and even wrote your names in there too! So now you guys can't back out!" Gojo manically laughed because his plan was bulletproof. There's no way you two can back out. He trapped you guys.
"But there's only five of us. We need six to play." Megumi knew Gojo had his calculation wrong. He's missing one more person. Who else would join his team that Gojo trusted to take first place?
A sinister aura emitted from Gojo's body. Although he didn't have an evil plan, his grin and body language said everything. "Oh, I have someone!"
That 'someone' was none other than Nanami Kento.
How did he trick Nanami? That dude doesn't even acknowledge or respect Satoru, and he's even wearing swim trunks too! Gojo's magic amazed you. Normally he's not able to convince Nanami to even listen to him. What in the world did Gojo say to make this work?
"Nanamin!" Yuji cheerfully and excitedly called as he didn't expect to see Nanami here. His bright expression casted away Nanami's gloomy face. It's like the sun casting away a terrible storm to bring down sunshine and rainbows. "Why're you here?!" His big brown eyes stared at his mentor. He's very jovial to have Nanami here because he hasn't been in contact with him for a while so today was the day to catch up.
An exasperated sigh left Nanami's lips. "I was lied to by you-know-who. He said there was a mission to investigate a beach…"
Listening from afar, you could hear Nanami's wrath brewing in his voice. He's been lied to and manipulated, all because of Gojo's antics.
"It's okay, Nanamin! You have me! We're going to have so much fun together!"
/
Before the game started, Gojo told everyone to not use cursed energy since they're playing against non-sorcerers. He didn't want anyone to die on his shoulders nor did he want to be responsible for cleaning up everyone's mistakes.
"Play nicely! We're going to win fair and square." Gojo encouraged, trying to pump the thrill of winning into everyone's system. Half were ready to crush all the teams while the other half didn't care. They'll put effort if needed.
Once your team had to play off, everyone was crushing it. Gojo and Yuji were spiking it over the net and scoring points. The best setter was Megumi as he effortlessly passed the ball to anyone. Nobara was very competitive and in the zone but she didn't take one position as she switched around. While everyone else was putting in effort, you and Nanami put in energy and supported the team when needed. It's not like you didn't like the sport, your body wasn't prepared for this since you're a couch potato. Running and bumping the ball tired and hurt your arms. Unlike you, Nanami didn't want to be here because he was tricked by Gojo. His source of effort fueling him was watching Yuji being a child. As long as Yuji has the freedom to live a normal life in the moment, he wants to see that since being a sorcerer removes you from a normal life.
Gojo's team took a break due to another team playing against their bracket opponent.
Laying on your stomach underneath the umbrella, you rested and hydrated your body. You could still feel the stinging sensation pricking your skin even after the game has ended. The tenderness ached as it caused you to be more sensitive while playing. You avoid receiving the ball if it's from the opponent because they spike hard. Even if you're a sorcerer, those deadly spikes could break your bones.
You stared at your reddened skin. Your whole forearm was completely red with purple spots sprinkled in the mix. "Oh do I love pain," you sarcastically joked.
"Y/n, are you okay?" Yuji sat beside you, noticing how you didn't play much during the games. He knew something was up when he saw your pained expression peaking through your deadpanned face. "Does your arms hurt?"
It wasn't shocking that Yuji noticed it. He's perceptive in different ways and you can't hide it when it's clearly going to show after the break. "Yep! Maybe I should forfeit because I didn't sign up for this physical pain."
"But you're a sorcerer y/n!" Yuji laughed at the irony and the excuses you like to make. "Let me see your arms." He gently examined your arms, taking notes that it'll be okay. They're not on the verge of breaking off. "I'll massage it to soothe out the pain."
"No, it's okay!" The moment you were going to retract your arms, he firmly gripped it harder so you couldn't escape.
Yuji shook his head. He's not going to take your answer. "Just relax and trust me!"
Your heart rate quickened for no good reasons. His determination for you was always weird yet reassuring that others care about you. "O-okay," Your arms loosened up as his fingers had enough pressure to pinpoint the soreness. Your nose scrunched up from the slight pain but it was bearable. You loved how gently he was taking care of you, and it caused your ears to get hot.
From afar, Gojo and Nobara watched you two.
"Too bad they're both dense to see that they like each other." Gojo commented, amazed how much you changed. He doesn't know who you are anymore. Nonetheless, he's happy that you came out from your shell and blossomed.
Nobara agreed. "I know. It's painful. I just wanna say it for them, but it's better if they discover it. I can't wait to find myself a partner."
"Eh, I like my single life. I don't have anyone getting mad at me."
/
Once the tournament ended, the announcers declared the winning team.
"First place goes to… I'm-the-chosen-one!"
Nobody could get over the fact that he gave his team a terrible and corny name. He sounded like a kid who was trying to make a bomb ass username on those multiplayer role playing games.
A proud Gojo slowly walked up to the announcer, who's holding a coupon for a big free meal and delicately took it. He wanted to look humble even though his cockiness was trying to take over.
"All of this for a free meal… I hope that includes all of us." Nobara prayed as defeating all 10 teams was a hassle. It felt like it was back to back though there were breaks in between.
"Don't worry! I'm treating you all out for dinner!"
Then everyone decided to head to the water for a cool down besides you and Nanami.
"I'm going to rest instead of swim." You said, making your way to the umbrella where your seat was.
"I'm going home," Nanami got roped in here and now it's his time to leave. His work here was done. He's going to destress at home.
However, someone didn't want you two to stray away from the group.
"Y/n, Nanamin. We came to the beach, we might as well enjoy it before it starts to snow!" Yuji kindly suggested as his eyes resembled cute little puppy eyes that nobody could resist.
You turned away, scratching your head as you're unsure if you want to dip in the cold water. Whereas Nanami didn't have anything on his agenda but didn't want to be near Gojo at any cost.
"Come on! Let's go!"
Immediately, Yuji grabbed both of your hands and dragged you into the ocean. You and Nanami couldn't stop running with him. It's like there was a force compelling you to do what he said. Then the icy water cooled your warm skin once you guys were all fully submerged.
"Ah! It's so cold!" You shivered, hugging yourself. You knew it wasn't going to do anything but your brain associated hugging to being protected and warm.
"Y/n!" Nobara screamed your name and you turned around to quickly sink inside the water. Nobara's surprise attack took you from behind. You didn't have time to react or move so you just drowned in the process.
Later, you stared at Megumi because his hair didn't flatten down even after he dived in the water.
"Why're you staring?" Megumi felt uncomfortable as he shot a glare in your direction. He wondered if he had something weird on his face or not, so he subtly touched his cheeks and forehead.
"Because of your hair," you motioned at his sharp spikes. "It is waterproof. Can I have that hair too?"
"Shut up," He grunted as you laughed from his response.
Then Yuji grabbed your attention, waving his hand so you could look in his direction. "Y/n! Get on my shoulders!" He tapped his toned, broad shoulders with a gleeful grin.
"Why?" You didn't understand what he wanted to do with you. There's nothing much but to swim or play in the water.
He rapidly gestured to you with his flickering wrist. "Just come!"
"But what if I break your shoulders? I don't want to hurt you."
"I'm indestructible! Nothing can break my bones!" Yuji laughed, pulling you closer to him and helping you get on his shoulders.
You struggled lifting a leg above his shoulder even though he was bending downwards for you. Yuji squatted in the water. His mouth was bubbling in the salty sea whereas his nose was inhaling and exhaling oxygen. Yuji even let you hold his large callus hands. You felt how warm he was despite being in the chilling water.
Meanwhile, Nobara and Megumi discreetly watched from afar.
"What are they doing?" Megumi mumbled to Nobara.
"I don't know, couple things?"
"But they're not dating," Megumi never noticed anything different in your relationship with Yuji. You two looked like great friends but that's it.
Nobara gave him a weird looking face that said 'are you for real?' "Gosh you're dense or you just don't care, but you can clearly see their bond for each other is on another level. Even Sensei can tell they like each other. It's obvious to us but not to them!"
In the end, Megumi took a mental note but didn't care to think too much since either you or Yuji made big moves on each other.
"Okay…! I think I got it!" Once you had one leg on his shoulder, you hopped the other leg around but unfortunately, your unstable body movement caused you guys to faceplant in the water.
SPLASH!
You were flapping your arms and legs underwater so you could come back to the surface faster, but it was taking you some time to get there until Yuji hooked his arms underneath yours and pulled you up.
You both gasped for air. Thirty seconds felt like forever when you're underwater. Then you coughed for a bit while you're still in his arm against his toned chest.
"Are you okay?!"
Blinking a couple of times, your vision cleared up and you were perfectly fine. "Yeah…! Let's not do that again!" You laughed as you knew you embarrassed yourself in front of many people and you don't want to experience the mini drowning attack either.
/
Gojo took everyone out except Nanami to eat at a seafood restaurant.
After the plates were placed down on the table, you were already falling asleep before you ate. Your heavy eyelids were drooping down and your head kept bobbing. You were at your limit: swimming and playing beach volleyball tired you out.
"Y/n, don't knock out on us!" Gojo loudly called to gain your attention, but it wasn't working because your ears were turned off.
"…I want to go home…" you sadly frowned, dropping your eating utensils next to your plate. Your body had no energy to stay awake. You were so close to passing out.
Gojo felt bad since you looked extremely worn out. He's afraid that if you passed out right then and there, you would get a massive bruise on your forehead because you'd knock your head on the table if no one caught you.
Just when Gojo was going to ask the waiter for some take out boxes, Yuji spoke up first. "I'll take y/n home! You guys can pack our food."
"Are you sure about that? We can all go home." Gojo replied. He knew all of his students were tired too. It's been a long day for everyone.
Yuji shook his head. "Nah, it's fine. Y/n, hop on my back!"
You did what you were told because you didn't want to walk. You just wanted to pass out right now. "Mmm," you sluggishly climbed on his back, wrapping your arms around his neck as he secured your legs.
/
Yuji carried you on his back underneath the crescent moon. It got chilly once nightfall came. He walked on the sidewalk to protect you from danger. "Y/n, did you have fun today?"
Your cheek was laying on his shoulder and your eyes were closed. "Mhmm," you tiredly replied as your consciousness slipped in and out. You're so ready to knock out but you couldn't because you were on Yuji's back.
"Do you want me to take you to your house?" Yuji sensed you were on the edge of falling asleep and your soft, stable breathing gave him more evidence.
"Mhmm," you nodded, pressing yourself closer to him so you couldn't loosen and fall backwards.
A small smile appeared on his face as he recalled today's event. Yuji had a lot of fun playing volleyball and having small moments with you. It caused his heart to swell, remembering when he was massaging your forearms and when you two fell in the water together. "I had so much fun with you, y/n." He knew you were already sound asleep as he spoke. "You're so funny when you get scared of trying something new that's out of your comfort zone. I guess you can't swim because of how long it took you to get to the surface. I'm so glad I met you when I was 'dead'. I really wonder how we would've been if I only met you through the school. I know for sure we wouldn't be this close. I won't forget you when I'm gone," his heart clenched by the thoughts of leaving this earth and never seeing you again. "Goodnight, y/n."