Lie 5:

"Clearly, Absolutely, Definitely Not Interested"

Megumi's Point of View

We spent the entire lunch break in the garden because we see what a mess we are after all the crying. Now that half of the school heard our wail—I'm certain of that—none of us have the energy to go all the way to the cafeteria nor any face to wear if anyone ever dare to ask. So, we eat our lunch on a bench below the Sakura tree, or what's more like Yuuji's lunch. Between the three of us, she is the only one who always wakes up before the sun to actually do something useful like going for a run and preparing for lunch.

Today's bento is simple ham and scrambled egg sandwiches. She always makes three portions so she could share them with us. Nobara is the one responsible for the beverage today because without anyone ever asking, he gives us a can of drink from the vending machine each. Yuuji gets strawberry milk and I get black coffee.

As we munch and digest our food, I remembered that I stole a big chunk of the apple pie from Lady Kimura before heading out of the house. I present it to them without thinking too much about it. They look at me funny because they know very well that I'm not the type of girl who bakes, moreover something sweet.

Then I explain to them how my dad has been kinda a whore to the ladies in our neighborhood ever since my mother died. Nothing serious like physical touching, anyway; mostly just harmless flirting with occasional muscle flexing. He said it's only for neighborly courtesy, but I think he also enjoys female attention because it boosts his ego.

This far, Tsumiki and I have been noting that there are at least twelve single ladies and widows in the neighborhood who have sent their 'warming gift' to us—each with their distinct style of decorating the pies, cakes, bentos—everything, really! —that after enough time, we can say for sure that the ladies have made this thing their own competition in some way. Three of them are pretty consistent in that I always notice something extraordinarily delicious or spectacular in our kitchen and could immediately point out which lonely ladies they came from.

"Yeah, well, I mean," Yuuji shrugs, "Can you really blame them? I mean…" She bats her eyelashes at me, pretending to be timid and innocent. "I'd send pies to your dad too if it means I can be your stepmom." She tucks a stray strand of her hair behind her ear flirtatiously.

And I drop my jaw. "Itadori Yuui!" I shout. "Don't you dare! Uh-uh, no! Not you too! Enough!"

She jokingly clings to my arm. "I can be your mommy, Gumi. Don't you want to call me Mommy?"

I pull my arm away. "No. NO. Don't give me a nightmare! NO!"

Nobara joins the chaotic scene by saying, "Nah, I don't think Toji-sensei wants to date a kid like you. You lack the allure of a grown woman! He might as well see you like his daughter if anything."

Yuuji's face immediately drops. She whines and pretends to be angry. We laugh while continuing jokingly slapping, punching, and bickering with each other. Without we even realize, the lunchbreak has ended as the bell rings from within the school building. We pack our things and walk back to the building, strolling through the garden side-by-side while talking about the subject each of us has after this.

"You got Japan Lit?" ask Yuuji to Nobara. "I got Japan Lit too!" She jumps in excitement while holding onto his hand. They talk about the teacher, Mrs. Geto Suguru, and her class last year. Then they turn to me to ask about what I got.

"English Lit," I say flatly.

"Oh, no!" Yuuji groans. She throws her arm around me and rests her head on my shoulder. "Bye-bye, Gumi. Mommy's gonna miss you."

I chuckle but then push her away a little. "Euw. Not your daughter. Nu-uh."

But as we step into the corridor, though, an announcement blasts its way throughout the school via the intercom. It's clearly the voice of Mrs. Tsukumo Yuki, the English Lit teacher. "Attention for all students from Japanese Literature Class I, II, III and English Literature Class I, II, III. Today's class will be held together in the auditorium hall. Please proceed as soon as possible. There is an important announcement to be delivered. Thank you."

We glance at each other.

"I guess you're stuck with us again, Gumi," says Nobara, grinning. He throws his arms around me the same way Yuuji does.

I squirm in their embrace. "Stop it. You make me feel claustrophobic."

"No, you don't. You love us," adds Nobara, knowing damn well that I'm very weak if they use my words against me. Yuuji laugh at that remark, and I couldn't help but smile. The three of us then walk together to the auditorium while still laughing and joking around.

As we arrive, some people have already taken their seats, but most are those goody-two-shoes type of students, preppy nerds, and the teacher's pets. They take most of the front seats so the three of us decided to sit a little further back, hoping to blend in the shadow—or crowd—so nobody would notice that we've been crying or slapping each other's faces. We fall into another silence as the teachers, who already sitting on the drama stage leisurely while chatting, wait for the auditorium to be filled.

I take this opportunity to grab my new grimoire to continue my reading, taking the risk that somebody would ever ask, because, let's be real, nobody would ever know what kind of book it is. The writing curls wildly and the language is unpronounceable. They could ask and I could lie flat to their faces the same way I did to Nobara, and they wouldn't even dare to reply. Yuuji is exactly like that; she takes a glimpse at the open pages on my lap and asks innocently, "What is that?" and I just simply say, "Latin poetry." She just says, "Oh." Then turn her head to Nobara. They are talking about the gossip around the school and for a second pretend that I no longer exist.

I was really enjoying that small escapism moment until I reach the page about necromancy. Then I remember what I was about to ask Yuuji by searching for her earlier. I turn my head to her, "Yuu, do you know if your brother is—"

But my sentence is interrupted by a loud greeting from Mrs. Tsukumo. "Welcome, class I, II, III of English and Japanese Literature!" She doesn't even shout, but her voice booms across the enormous auditorium without using any microphone. We immediately turn our attention to her, the tall blonde woman with a bright smile who stands confidently on the stage. Even from this far back, anybody could recognize her from her trademark style: biker boots, high-rise blue jeans, and a black sleeveless shirt. Then, boom, you got the hippest teacher in school.

I look around the room and just realized that almost all the seats available are now taken. Yuuji whispers to me, "What were you saying?" but I just shake my head and whisper back, "Later."

Mrs. Tsukumo continues, "You might be wondering why we put you all in here. Well, Geto-sensei will explain it to you now."

Another tall woman in an hourglass figure stands up on the stage. She is wearing all black from head to toe, but with the style of 90s high fashion runaway—corset, long brochette skirt, loose shirt, ripped stockings, and stiletto. Her long black hair is only half tied by a traditional Chinese hairpin. She wears her lipstick bloody red and her eyeshadows dark and smoky. Never in my life have I seen someone more sophisticated and alluring, except maybe for Morticia Addams. She and Mrs. Geto Suguru has been my fashion inspiration since day one, and it's likely not going to change any time soon.

Oh, and another thing. She's married to that Gojo Satoru, so legally her name is also Gojo. But because it would be too confusing for the students and staff to call two teachers with the same name, she never introduces herself at school as a Gojo. And she looks happier like this. Looking at her, I barely recognize that she already has two daughters who are just four years younger than me. She looks so free and fresh like a maiden.

Mrs. Geto then pulls a microphone closer to her mouth, first greeting us with her soft and sensual voice. Then she says, "This year, our school has received an invitation to participate in a National Theatrical Play Competition. We would like to take this opportunity to discover the hidden talents in the theatric and entertainment field, but unfortunately, we don't even have a theater club, to begin with. So, Tsukumo-sensei and I agree to combine all of our classes for this big project. All students' participation is required, and we will assess your performance to be your mid-term grade for both Japanese and English Literature."

Murmur and commotions immediately fill the air. Some are excited not to study two subjects for a couple of months ahead, some are asking and doubting every little bit of this information, some already sweating about what can they do with their current capability, and others straight out groaning in protest. The civil unrest also makes me wonder what kind of role I can do in this project, but then I just shrug because I realize there are always some backstage jobs to fill.

Mrs. Geto continues, "You might be wondering what kind of play we will be performing. Well, it's your job to decide. We are going to have an open requirement to whoever wants to write the script, being the director, and other important positions. For those who desire to do so, please come to my office after this meeting. And for those of you who want to be the actors/actresses, doing the prop preparation, become the make-up artists, or the costume designers, please stay here and give your name to Tsukumo-sensei."

Then the teachers open the Q&A sessions. A lot of hands are raised, and I'm listening until all my curiosity is satisfied. A few important notes are: 1) the performance is in two months, right on Halloween night; 2) the play could either be an original or adaptation of classic literature; and 3) it could be in either English or Japanese and therefore it is hoped that the combination of the two cultures can be included.

Then I'm back to my book because apparently Mrs. Geto and Mrs. Tsukumo wouldn't let anybody out yet; they say that we still got a lot of period time, and they wouldn't like to see students just wander around the school and make the principal mad. Which is a fair reason. I wouldn't want to be yelled at by the principal if I were a teacher either. So, I just shrug and open back the grimoire.

But I must admit, though, that it is rather a painful experience to stare back at that one page that reminds me of a particularly obnoxious individual—yes, I'm still stuck in necromancy. I take a deep sigh and try to ignore my anguish, making a mental note to certainly ask Yuuji about her brother once this period is done and she's no longer gossiping with Nobara.

But then something surprising happens: once I turn the page over, all the white swirly Latin writings are gone. The black blank spaces are filled instead with lofty handwriting in red, spanning across the page from the bottom left to the upper right.

"Still reading this trash?" it wrote. I am as shocked and bewildered as if seeing a ghost apparition for the first time. Chill runs down my spine and I get the same eerie sense as I did back in the forest. I know who it is. I just can't believe that he could do such a thing, even if technically why couldn't he? But before I can even really trust what I see, the writing disappeared like someone erasing it from the whiteboard.

Then it appears again, "You look so cute when you're surprised." I scoff, and couldn't help but drop my jaw. The writing disappears again. Then, "Anyway," it starts, "I know necromancy. I'll teach you."

And that's it. I slam the book shut. Nobara and Yuuji immediately turn their attention to me. They don't say anything, but from their gaze, I know they are wondering what's it is that so repulsive in this 'Latin poetry' book of mine that left me fuming.

I'm ready to turn my head 360, I'm ready to even stand up from my seat if that means I can know for sure where this scoundrel is hiding, I'm so ready to call the fuck out of his audacity of a man to assume I need his help! But apparently, I just need to look up, turn my head to the right, and stare across the room to find him staring back at me from a few rows ahead. He smiles at me from over his shoulder—his wolf-like grin encapsulates a pearly white fang that is visible even from here. There's a maliciousness in the way he looks at me. There's a mischievousness when he winks at me.

I swear to God that Itadori Ryou is so annoying! I could feel my face literally fuming and my heart pounding unevenly. I feel like I wouldn't get a good night's sleep until I put my hands on that neck and berates him with thousand curses. But I know I can't do that—not yet at least. He hasn't done anything yet that is worth turning me into a harasser. So, I just do the next best thing: gritting my teeth in internal rage while hissing to Yuuji, "Why do I suddenly get an urge to punch your brother?"

Yuuji, who is justifiably surprised, just takes a quick glance at the direction I'm staring. She notices Sukuna giving her the middle finger, then says, "Yeah, he does that," in a defeated tone. "You should, though. I'll support you," she adds.

As she said that, I feel like I got permission to really strut there and throw a slap across his face. Then I swear if he provokes me even just once more, I will definitely do it. One more time is my limit. One more. So, I keep staring dagger at him to monitor every move he makes. But as if he knows what I'm thinking, he just smirks again before turning his attention away.

A second later, the red-haired girl who sits next to him, the absolutely stunning and incredibly smart Makima, tilts her head in his direction, showing something to him on her phone. They look like discussing something for a minute before Makima turns her head to the other boy who sits next to her, the super handsome international student from Germany, Eren Jaeger. The two guys now leaning their whole body toward Makima, and they look like having a very serious and intimate conversation. They even smile at each other, nodding a few times, and Sukuna definitely says something funny that makes Makima giggles, before they raise their hand to a three-way high-five.

I am at a loss for words. I don't even know why I feel like I've been defeated.

Like, I mean, what was I thinking? I should've known about this—I should've predicted it! Sukuna is friends with the most charming and popular kids in the entire school, the exact two people who sit next to him. Their talents and their looks are just otherworldly. Makima simultaneously wins science competitions one after another, and Eren is widely known to be the punk-rock teenage model to some major fashion brands. They formed a band together called 'The Villains', and—even as ridiculous as the name is—they are actually very, very good.

They have won many band competitions and performed in several music festivals—even if just the high-schoolers scale ones. All three of them can sing and play more than one instrument: Makima in lead vocal, keyboard, and sometimes bass; Eren is also in lead vocal, guitar, and drum; and Sukuna in drum, guitar, bass, and sometimes backing vocal. They often swap positions for every song or performance, making them notorious for their unpredictability that keeps the viewers and listeners on their edges.

The three of them formed an untouchable, undefeatable gang, known throughout the school as people that you shouldn't mess with, or they will ruin your life in a heartbeat. I've already heard of them even before I know who they are. I made my life-long plan to avoid them because of that. I even felt safe because I was so pale and unnoticeable for any of them to even look my way. But now one of them knows I'm a witch and he keeps annoying me? What? Why is that?

Don't blame me for thinking that Sukuna only teases me for mere entertainment because… duh, what other reasons could it be? I'm just a nobody to their mighty selves and obviously just a mere past-time. I mean, I've heard what Makima has done to a boy named Denji. She flirted with him multiple times, knowing full well that Denji was head over heels for her. But once she got bored, she threw him away like nothing. Legends have it that until this day, the poor boy would immediately burst into tears whenever he catches a glimpse of Makima.

And what would make me think that Sukuna is any better? If anything, he could be worse! Just the fact that I don't even have any attraction to him, yet he still teases me proves everything! He's not doing it for just entertainment—he's a sociopath!

While I am lost in my thought, Eren suddenly raises his hand. Mrs. Geto immediately turns her attention to him—I mean, them. They always ganged up to choose one spokesperson between them, and funny enough, they always rotate it equally. Rumor has it that Eren always be the first to talk, kind of like giving the opening statement, while Makima will fill in the main issue and Sukuna will deliver the conclusion. Now, the room falls into deafening silence, and all eyes are on them.

"I hate to disappoint you, Sensei, but The Villains can't participate in this play," Eren says with his raspy husky voice, pretending to look guilty by giving the teachers his most innocent look even if it still ends up somehow sinfully hot.

Other women would be instantly melted away from that look. But Mrs. Geto doesn't seem affected—maybe due to the fact that she is married to the Gojo Satoru—and only furrows her eyebrows. "The Villains…?"

"Our band," Makima quickly says, as if had anticipated it. She calmly explains, "The day for the theater performance also so happened to be the day of One OK Rock's concert. And we are invited to be their opening act."

And Sukuna adds, "We already signed the contract so we can't back it out now."

Both Mrs. Tsukumo and Mrs. Geto are speechless for a few moments—confusions are visible on their faces. Between them, Mrs. Tsukumo is the first to break free from her bewilderment, and cheers, "Well, congratulation to you guys, first and foremost! It's an extremely massive thing! An opening act for One OK Rock? WOW." She leads a clap which is then followed by the whole auditorium. "Second of all, are you sure?" she asks, full of emphasis. "I mean, Eren! Wouldn't you like to be the main lead?"

Loud gasps could be heard immediately. They are mostly from people who, I guess, also want the lead actor position. But no one dares to protest any further, because, let's admit it, Eren is the perfect candidate to be the main lead. Even the crappiest script could look like something made by Shakespeare if they put Eren's fort and center of the stage.

But the boy in question just shrugs and laughs. He jokes, "I'd be Romeo if Mikasa wants to be my Juliet!"

Another loud gasp echoes throughout the room, this time followed by occasional cheering, whistles, and booing (the booing I guest mostly come from Eren's male friends who are also international students from Germany). People's attention—and by people, I also mean me—immediately turns to the black-haired girl in a pixie cut, who dresses in an all-black gothic style complete with smoky eyeshadow and dark red lipstick. But even her edgy appearance couldn't hide the embarrassed expression on her beautiful face.

It's an open secret that Mikasa Ackerman is in love with Eren, and vice-versa. Why they wouldn't date already is also another unsolvable mystery in this school. I mean, she would be a perfect Juliet to Eren's Romeo if the story is settled in 17th-century steampunk England, filled with animated corpses, vampires, and werewolves.

You know what, on second thought, that wouldn't be such a bad idea. I'd definitely want to watch that play.

Anyway, Mikasa doesn't say anything and just hides her face behind a blonde soft-looking boy, her best friend Armin Arlert, who instead looks back at Eren and shakes his head while smiling.

Mrs. Tsukumo immediately calms the tension down by saying, "Yeah, you could be Romeo if the play is indeed Romeo and Juliet, Jeager. But we haven't even decided on that yet. And you should be really committing to this if you wanna be the main lead."

"That's why I can't, Sensei," pleads Eren. "We also have to practice."

Mrs. Geto cuts, "Is your rehearsal a daily thing? Can we walk around that?"

"Even if we can make the time to the rehearsal and/or pre-performing production, we still couldn't make it in time for the D-day performance," Makima explains. "But we have discussed it, and we agree to help as much as we can for the pre-performing production, whether to provide some pre-recorded background music or something."

Mrs. Tsukumo and Mrs. Geto exchange glances. Without even saying anything, they seem to have agreed on something. "Yes, that would be great enough," says Mrs. Tsukumo. "Then can we assume that you guys are the ones who gonna handle the background music?"

"This is a mandatory assignment, right?" asks Sukuna. Both the teachers nod. "Then we have no choice but to do it." He says that but it's not like he really has no other choice, saying it in disappointment or regret. He says it with a faint smirk and a look in his eyes as if saying he's winning something. Noticing those small details makes me roll my eyes and almost gag.

"Okay, then. I guess it's a win-win solution," chimes Mrs. Tsukumo, quite happy, apparently. "At least we already have one division handled."

With that out of the way, Mrs. Tsukumo turns her attention to the students who actually want to be actors and actresses for the play. She gathers them in one side of the auditorium, then also orders the others to gather according to their aspiration positions—the prop kids this way, the costume kids that way, and the make-ups are in-between. Meanwhile, Mrs. Geto is seen talking casually to The Villains.

I was still looking at them when suddenly Nobara and Yuuji stands from their seats. I dumbfoundedly ask, "Where are you going?"

Yuuji immediately sits back down while Nobara looks at me like I'm crazy. He says, "Well, to the costume design team, duh! Gotta get there fast before someone takes my position as the leader."

"Uh, okay?" I just shrug him off. "And you?" I ask Yuuji.

The pink-haired girl just blush. She mumbles as she hangs her head low, "Uh… I still don't know. I think I might also try the costume team…."

And I immediately catch that she's lying. It really takes a liar to spot one. "Is that what you really want, Yuu? Tell me the truth."

Now I can see that Nobara is also putting all his attention on this. He is no longer looks like about to run off any minute. He roots his foot down and stares at Yuuji with arms across his chest. "Are you going for the costume team because of me?"

Yuuji always looks so troubled when she feels guilty. She nods, "Well… actually… I've been dreaming to be a movie director… but…."

"It's good!" cheers Nobara, patting her shoulder. "Then do it! Be the director!"

"But I don't know if I'm good enough," she cuts immediately, looking pleadingly at Nobara. "You know me. I would never order people around. I… I think I'm… more of a follower than a leader." She starts to look down and play with her fingers. "I'm not assertive like Gumi nor brave like you, Ara. I'm just… me."

And I immediately looked at Nobara, and he looks at me like we had just heard the most ridiculous thing possible. This is what you have to put up with daily if you are friends with Yuuji: her very low self-esteem that can leave us speechless sometimes.

I have to think for a minute before saying cautiously, "You wouldn't know it if you haven't tried, Yuu. Just do what you want to do. Who knows, you might be the kind of leader and director that we need."

She then looks at me with hopeful gleams in her honey eyes. "You're right. At least I have to try." She gives me the sweetest smile that infected both Nobara and I. She then continues, "What do you wanna be, Gumi?"

I shrug. "Probably some backstage job, unseen and unimportant."

And the two of them look at me like I am crazy.

Nobara puts his hands on his hips. "Gumi, are you kidding? You're worth more than that."

"You basically just said to me to do things that I want," Yuuji pouts, "and now you said that you'll settle for something mediocre?"

"What's wrong with mediocre?" I furrow my brows. "If that's what I want, then what's the problem with that?"

Nobara sighs hard. "Is that really what you want, though? I know you're more ambitious than that."

And I just lost for words. Indeed, deep down I know I'm a very competitive person, but I tend to put myself down this whole time to not attract attention or problem to myself. I mumble, "Uh… I don't know…." while moving agitatedly.

Yuuji softly grabs my hand. "How about you try the writer position? I know you're an amazing writer, Gumi. We can plan the play together!"

Before I can really discern what she said, Nobara chimes in, "That's right! If Yuuji can be the director, you can be the scriptwriter!"

And I could just stare at them like a fool, wide-eyed, completely bewildered as to where the hell they get such confidence in me. I shake my head, mumbling, "I never write a script play before…."

Mostly what I write is self-indulgent fanfiction starring Christian Yu or Jason Todd. It's definitely cringe-worthy and isn't a good example of the real quality of how good my writing actually is. But my two besties keep telling me that I'm wrong.

"I've read your Ao3 before, and it's actually pretty good! Especially that hot and steamy one where DPR IAN is actually a demon, and you found his secret, so you have to be his contract lover…."

"No, Yuu! Please stop!"

"You know that Red Hood fanfiction where Jason has gone through a tough divorce with Artemis before he met a witch in the wood? Damn, that was good! I didn't even know you can write spicy steamy things."

"Ara, shut up!"

I can physically feel my face burning and my ears steaming. I subconsciously hide my head inside my arms like a turtle retreating to its shell. Nobara and Yuuji laugh much to my dismay.

"But in all seriousness, though," says the only boy between us, trying so hard to erase the mischievousness in his voice. "You're a good writer with a lot of brilliant ideas, Gumi. You put so many of the things you like into your writing. Why don't you try it too this time? Write something that you like, that feels so you."

Yuuji suddenly perks up like there's a light bubble above her head. "Oh, right! How about you write something about women's empowerment? You like that kinda thing. I remember your essay last year about gender dynamics in Shakespeare's play…. What was it again?"

Nobara cuts in, "Oh, you mean that one about Lady Hamlet?"

"Macbeth!" I half-shout subconsciously.

"Yes, that one!" Yuuji cheers, pointing a finger at me with a huge smile. "Let's make it into a script, Gumi!" She takes my hand in hers and holds it up tight, looking at me with those big doe eyes full of stars. "With me as the director, Ara as the costume designer, I'm sure we can make your dream Lady Hamlet come true!"

I sigh. "Lady Macbeth."

Nobara grabs my other hand and mimics Yuuji in holding it. "Say yes, Gumi. Say yes in the name of Lady Macbeth!"

I am still in shock, but I couldn't help but smile. In this small time-window where I can retract to my own thought, I try to remember what was shown to me in last night's tarot reading. If I'm not mistaken, it showed me the Queen of Wands, upright, that symbolizes passion, creation, ambition, inspiration, and also self-confidence and freedom. I took it as I need to come out of my comfort zone and become more daring and passionate in order to overcome my obstacles. And there was also the major arcana card, the Strength, upright, that symbolizes direction, control, determination, success, and action. I took it as I need to be in control of what I want to do this year to achieve success.

With this context, is it safe to assume that I should take this opportunity?

I look back at my two best friends, who are still looking at me with such joyful expectations. 'Well, what do I have to lose?' I say to myself, couldn't help but imagine the million ways they could make this experience so much fun and memorable.

So, I nod. "Sure," I giggle, couldn't believe what had just slipped my mouth. But I can't take it back now, because Yuuji immediately squeals and leaps into my arms and hugs me tight. Nobara joins the bandwagon by extending his arms to me from behind Yuuji.

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To Be Continued

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CHARACTER INTRODUCTION:

MAKIMA (from Chainsaw Man)
played by Minnie (I-DLE)
- lead vocal for The Villains
- one of the most beautiful girls in school
- very intelligent
- personality: yandere
- love: control, knowledge, power, dogs, music, men
- hate: men
- dream: worshipped by men

EREN JAEGER (from Attack on Titan)
played by Christian Daloii ( /christiandaloii on IG)
- one of the most good-looking guys
- international student from Germany
- professional model as a part time
- love: freedom, bird, anything punk rock'n'roll, Mikasa Ackerman
- hate: loss/lack of freedom
- dream: anarchist

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Hi! It's Audrey Lea.

Because this is high school AU, let's agree that even Sukuna needs friends. Real ones.

For some reason, I think Makima from Chainsaw Man will be good friends with him. They both have unusual hair color and unusual taste in, well, everything. Their calm yet eerie personality also matches each other. But the main reason I put her here is because I believe Sukuna deserves a friend or two that he sees as equals. I couldn't see him respect anyone from the JJK universe, so I had to outsource it (lol).

I'd like to imagine that they met for the first time in elementary or middle school. They're basically childhood friends (I just can't imagine Sukuna went through his childhood just with Yuuji and nobody else). Both Makima and Sukuna are control freaks so it would be funny that their relationship is based on the fact that they can't control each other. Instead of getting irritated, they'd go 'Oh, so this is friendship' and continued to vibe.

Meanwhile, why Eren (Attack on Titan)? I just know he would hang out with Sukuna and Makima because he's that edgy. If you follow AoT, you know there's a time when Eren went super edgy punk rock'n'roll and cut himself off from his friends. This Eren is that Eren. He's no longer vibing with his international friends so he migrated to another peer group. He just so happened to see Makima and Sukuna sat together for lunch with their edgy punk rock'n'roll aesthetic and decided that they were his new besties. They accepted him because he could be a chaotic dumbass and it's exhilarating. But don't worry, they see him as an equal too.

They started the band just as a joke. Eren brought a guitar one day and they had an impromptu mini-concert in the cafeteria (Makima singing and Sukuna using the table as a drum). They got into detention. The counseling guidance (Mahito) told them to make the band official instead. They named it The Villains because they were playing Buzzfeed's Which Disney Villain Are You quiz when Mahito came in. On that same weekend, they start performing in underground clubs and cafes.

Notable Mentions:

Eren is still friends with Mikasa and Armin. It's just that they still couldn't get used to the 'new' Eren so their relationship is rather estranged.

You might wonder, "What about Uraume?" I get it. But for comedic purposes, I can't make Uraume friends with Sukuna. They wouldn't dare to insult him. That guy (Sukuna) is an asshole, and he needs to be insulted at least once a day.

And most importantly, there's NO sexual or romantic attraction between The Villains. They see each other as abominations to humanity while seeing themselves as someone that deserves better. Their God complex is so severe it's embarrassing.

So, what do you think of this chapter? Please be kind and share your thought in the review/comment box. You can also find some cover arts I made, the wardrobes of the characters, and their 'actors' on my Twitter and Tumblr : /ladyambrose2.

See you in the next chapter!