"Sorry, Jenny. I'll always cherish the memories we've made." Yuuji rolled the poster of the famous actress and tucked it under his bed.
Megumi watched as Yuuji pinned a frameless photo of Ciel onto the wall. The picture seemed to be taken at an angle, as if to hide the phone while Ciel was happily eating curry.
"...How are you doing?"
Megumi wasn't referring to the relationship upgrade, but something else.
"Better," Yuuji answered. "...A lot has happened, but it made me realize something."
Yuuji pinned another photo. An unofficial group-selfie with Ciel, Gojo, and Nanami in the background of the dojo.
"I depend on people a lot. I'm not ashamed of that, but it does make me want to get stronger - make sure I'd never lose again."
Yuuji's expression was neutral as he added, "I'm sorry I've let you guys down. I can't change the past. But I will take responsibility, and answer every wrong I did with something right."
Thinking of Elesia's warm smile, he'll make sure her efforts and faith in him won't be in vain.
"I'm not looking for an end to it, just a way to keep the ball rolling for you guys." He'll show everyone how far he's come. Then maybe, he won't feel so bad standing by their side again.
Megumi went quiet for a moment. "...Idiot. You-"
CLAP!
"-?! Itadori-?!"
Megumi's call met only an empty bed, where Yuuji had vanished.
Aoi Todo was what some would call "unique". Kyoto would call him "aggravating." But if one were to ask Todo what he would call himself, it would be "an interesting guy" (Also "number one fan").
It was that interesting side of him that brought the attention of his teacher, and led to him becoming a jujutsu sorcerer. Now Todo sought other interesting guys like himself (girls too). He had met many, but none met up to his standards. Until recently...
It was like his soul rung the moment he saw Yuuji jump between his school and the executor. He felt a connection there, and he knew he must speak to him - one on one.
Yuuji's status was irrelevent. His condition was irrelevant. It all comes down to not only his preferences, but what led him to his current partner.
What type of woman is your girlfriend?
It was an adjusted version of Todo's usual question, but nevertheless, it should offer the same results.
Who starts off like that…? Yuuji was more bewildered by the question than being suddenly transported here. He hoped Megumi was alright.
"Don't be shy!" Todo said. "A man's character is defined by his taste in both men and women. You've shown plenty back then, but I want to hear the words out of you! Now answer! What do you like about your woman?!"
"…I don't get it. But if you really want to know…"
There was a lot Yuuji could say about Ciel. How strong she was. How smart and kind she was. What a great baker she was. Better he starts off with the best parts of her, though.
Yuuji clasped his chin and looked up in thought. "She stands pretty tall, even without heels. And she's got a big ass too. I really like that about her. It's the first thing I've noticed when we first met."
-! Todo's eyes widened.
"She kind of reminds me of Jennifer Lawrence, now that I think about it. I'm into girls like that, but Ciel? She's like… S-Tier." Yuuji was definitely aware Ciel would hit him if he said that around her.
Ass-Tier…!
Todo was convinced he did not misheard. ASS-TIER...?!?!
Yuuji looked aside. A hand over half his mouth as he was in deep thought, and he smirked.
-!!!!!!!!!!!!
A guy would only smirk like that if he got a handle of the real thing.
This is a man!
Todo was ascending.
In the mind of Aoi Todo, "The Past"...
"Cheer up, man. There'll be other girls out there," Yuuji Itadori, long-time best friend and forever brother of Aoi Todo, gave his buddy a pat over the shoulder.
Todo slumped over the table of a fast-food restaurant, emotionally recovering from his rejection by his one-true love. "That may be true, brother. But none of them will ever be her."
"Hey now-"
They heard giggling through the opening door of the restaurant. The girls of Todo's and Yuuji's school walked right in, following the most recognizable student of them all.
"Ah-! It's Takada-chan!" Todo quickly got up and hid behind Yuuji, despite his bulky figure being bigger than his brother. "I'm not ready to face her yet. Brother-! Brother...?"
Todo looked at Yuuji who seemed distracted. Yuuji's eyes were fixated on one of the girls. A blue-haired beauty with spectacles, chatting and smiling amongst her classmates. Todo recognized her as one of Takada's closest friend, an upperclassman by the name of Ciel. However, his brother seemed to recognize her as something more. Something like he'd been missing a part of.
"Hmmm..."
A little after they snuck out of the restaurant without being spotted, Todo followed Yuuji from behind. They walked alongside a fence as Yuuji was silently lost in thought.
Todo declared, "You're in love with Ciel-senpai."
"Huh?! Who told you?! I'll beat them up!" Yuuji said, stopping immediately to face Todo as if caught red-handed.
"No one told me, brother. It was that obvious."
"O-oh. Yeah?"
They settled at a nearby park, sitting on the same bench in front of a water fountain.
"You've liked her for a while, haven't you?"
"Yeah..."
"Why didn't you tell me?! I would have helped you!"
"It's not a big deal. Besides, I'm not looking forward to getting rejected like you." (Todo: "Hey-!") Yuuji's head hung low as he rested his elbows against his knees. "I mean, have you seen those hips? I'd fumble as soon as I talk to her."
"Mmm..." Todo grumbled in understanding. They both knew Yuuji's tendency to blurt out anything that came to mind. It's an attribute Todo admire, but not one everyone else might appreciate.
"I doubt I'd be the only guy who'd ask her out anyway," Yuuji sat up straighter with a soft smile. "Don't worry about me. I'm fine with just admiring her from afar."
"No! I won't accept that!" Todo stood up. "Come on! There's got to be a way for her to return your feelings-!"
A cold drop of rain landed on top of his head. "Ah."
Several more drops fell. The park was overcome with a light rain that grew heavier and heavier.
"Damn. I forgot my umbrella," Yuuji lifted a hand over his head.
"Me too..." Todo used his school bag to shield his head.
"-Yuuji-kun? Todo-kun?"
The boys heard their names called out and turned. "Ah-! Ciel-senpai!"
Ciel stood there under the rain, carrying a red umbrella that shielded her from the weather. "What are you doing out here? You'll get sick!"
"Oh. We were just-" There was a dash of pink on Yuuji's cheeks when Ciel got close, holding out her umbrella for him and Todo.
"Hurry! You two need to get inside somewhere," Ciel's hand grabbed hold of Yuuji's elbow, ushering him to move. "You shouldn't be standing out here like this. Look at you, you're already wet! If you don't have an umbrella, you can take mine. Just please find shelter!"
She was on her tippy toes to reach over Todo's head as she tried to give cover for both students. Despite her warning that they'll catch their death out in the cold, Ciel's back was already beginning to drench as she held out her umbrella. Watching her struggle to help her fellow students, all at the expense of herself, it's no wonder to Todo why Yuuji liked this girl.
"Whoa-! Take it easy! You're getting caught up in the rain too, you know?" Yuuji said as he tried to return the umbrella. "We'll find someplace. Right, Todo-?"
Todo pushed Yuuji's back. Yuuji nearly toppled over Ciel but he was able to save himself, with Ciel holding him back as support.
"T-Todo-?!"
"Go, brother."
Soaked under the pouring rain, Todo raised a thumb, and smiled through the terrible cold. "You two should get out of here. I'll see you at school tomorrow."
"What?! Todo-!"
Something caught Ciel's eye as she looked away. She yanked Yuuji's arm a little more. "Let's go! There's a store nearby. Quickly!"
"O-Oh. Uh..." Yuuji looked back at Todo. "...Right. Thank you."
It was a gratitude meant for two people.
Todo watched with a smile as his best friend and Ciel ran through the rain, the two sharing the same umbrella with their shoulders pressed together.
"...This is for the best," Todo closed his eyes. "There's no need for the both of us to suffer through this cold."
With a brisk turn of his body, he pocketed his hands into the water-filled pockets of his school overcoat, and walked.
I will not hold you back from your happiness, brother.
His tears were hidden in the rain as he walked towards home. Alone, but satisfied.
After a moment, a blue umbrella hovered over his head. Todo was surprised and turned around.
"You could have followed us, man. You didn't need to be so dramatic."
Yuuji smiled as he held out the newly bought umbrella, with Ciel holding hers beside him, still shielding themselves from the rain. They held hands to carefully ensure they didn't slip on the wet stone underneath their feet, and looked at Todo with comforting expressions.
"Right, right!" Ciel said with a proud smile. "I only meant to lead you inside and buy you another umbrella. It's a senior's duty to look after her juniors, but Yuuji-kun here was especially adamant."
"As if I'd leave my brother out here by himself," Yuuji grinned widely.
"B-Brother...! Senpai...!" Todo's eyes watered, emotion overcoming his face.
Together, the three students walked under the rain, under their umbrellas, with two of Yuuji's most important people in his life.
Todo faced the sky in total bliss, his tears and snot drip glistening under the sunlight.
He proclaimed proudly. "It seems we're best friends!"
"I don't even know your name, dude." Although, Yuuji won't decline the offer.
"What do you mean Ciel can't attend the event?!"
Nobara shouted in anger at the news delivered by her teacher. Most of Gojo's students - with the exception of Yuuta who was still currently out of the country on sorcerer business, Yuuji, and Megumi - were gathered in the classroom to further discuss strategy regarding their newly additional players.
"It's a "new rule" the higher ups decided to push through." By far the fastest decision making those geezers ever made. If only they could keep up that speed with everything else. "Anyone who's affiliated with an organization outside of ours is barred from competing. Even if we can claim she's severed ties with the Church, I get the feeling they'll use the "late registry" excuse to keep someone like her out of it."
"Late registration? That's so bullshit!" Nobara had a mind to step into those geezers home and give them a what for.
"On the other hand," Gojo continued. "Itadori's more than legible to enter, funny enough. Since all we had to do for his file is remove the "deceased" label. Everything else is already there for him."
How curious that they would forbade a mage-hunting exorcist, but be fine with letting a "cursed" vessel in. Seemed like Ciel had the right idea, but Gojo wondered how the elders will pull off another assassination attempt this quick? Unless they really are relying on just Kyoto to do the dirty work.
No doubt they heard it from Gakuganji, Gojo believed. How else would the elders find out this fast?
No matter. Gojo will just have to pay those old men another visit. If he moved quick enough, he could-
"Very well. I've no objections to this."
Everyone in the room was surprised by Ciel's response. Gojo tilted his head at her, "You sure? I can change their minds. Heck, we don't necessarily have to listen to this. Sure it might get us disqualified, but it's not like they can't expect any backlash."
"It's fine. To go against it would only cause more trouble, wouldn't it?" Ciel was composed as she spoke, "Besides, aren't we as sudden? I'm sure they'll reason this as a precaution to conceal any suspicious activity, but I foresaw this coming."
Better to back down now than poke the bear some more. Ciel wished Noel could take this to heart more often.
"If they're willing to act in this manner, then if we confront the issue now, there's no telling what they might plan for next time. Wouldn't you agree?"
Ciel alluded to her and Gojo's conversation from back then. After their "fight" when the topic of Yuuji's premature execution was touched upon. If those who wanted Yuuji immediately dead didn't exhaust their bloodlust now, there's no telling what next incident will occur the longer it's left to simmer. An animal was at its most dangerous when it feels it's cornered, after all.
By agreeing to the terms, then some semblance of control would be satiated, and they would not need to lead further violence. Besides, should it fail a second time, that would only question their compentency, especially in the presence of the Church.
Neither side should look for a reason to instigate conflict, unless they want a bloodbath here and now.
Gojo hummed as he stared through his blindfold in thought. "...If you say so. I would have thought you'd do anything to stick with Itadori."
"I'm not worried." Ciel smiled. "He's come a long way. With him on this team, there's really no need for me to be there in person."
Just then, the door to their classroom opened.
"Hey! Sorry we're late!"
Yuuji waved at everyone while he had a bulky arm over his shoulders. Todo towered beside him in a side hug and a huge grin on his face. Behind the two was Megumi, sweating and breathing heavily as if he'd been searching all over the school for someone.
"Yo! Nice to meet my brother's classmates!" Todo happily greeted his school's rivals.
...
...
...
"...what?" Ciel was amongst those who asked this, surprised to see Aoi Todo, one of their sure to be toughest opponents for the event. Gojo turned away and let out a contained chuckle.
"Hey! What do you think you're doing hanging out with Kyoto?" Maki demanded.
"Don't worry! I have come in peace," Todo approached Yuuji's classmates. Despite sensing most of Tokyo's students guards up, he proceeded with confidence. "I'm only here to give a message."
Saying that, he walked up to Ciel. Megumi gulped down his exhaustion and was on immediate alert. Nobara, who stood closest to Ciel, touched her holstered hammer and held out her arm in front of the girl, ready to assist if necessary.
Ciel never expected to meet Todo already, but although she was surprised, she remained stoic and vigilant as the tall, muscled teen stood in front of her, sensing no hostility from him.
Leaning forward, Todo gently grabbed Ciel's hand. With her hand cupped in between his, he looked at the executor in the eye.
"Please take good care of my little brother. He's a gentle fella."
"...I don't believe you two are related."
"Just go with it. He kind of surprised me too," Yuuji said. Ciel just looked at him with a face that reads "you're going to explain this."
Gojo had not yet stopped laughing.
Author's Note: must... keep... typing. Working... on phone. Stuff... on table. Don't wanna... move it. To use... laptop. *exhale*
Wellp! That's it! Here's the second part of the last chapter! Hopefully this was a fun read, as we etch closer and closer to the Goodwill Event and all its bound to be crazy happenings!
sidenote: I'm in the midst of watching Transformers Prime. I may or may not becoming a Transformers fan as I've looked into G1. Seeing that Transformers is owned by Hasbro, I'm looking forward to the day that I may add it to my (currently on pause) House of Princesses fanfic. So many cool moments to include, and also I'm kind of glad for the hiatus cause there was some crazy ideas i had and while I may at least include one of them, maybe not all of them.
I hope everyone's weekend was good! I'll see ya'll later. Next fic I think I'll work on while I take a breather from this story: A Knight's Tale as Inquisitor. Maybe. Just maybe...
take care!