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#1 — Salted caramel cheesecake has always been your favourite dessert. It was a decadent craving that never failed to satiate your sweet tooth. Alas, you could never find a cafe that sold a good one.

Fortunately, your prayers for a sweet treat was answered by the opening of a cafe that was not even a five minute walk from your home.

The cafe was quaint and cozy; business was slow enough which allowed the usuals to take more time to peruse and chat with the workers.

You savour the flavour of the masterfully baked cheesecake as you cozied up in a tucked away corner of the cafe. Your eyes move around the cafe, boredom evident on your satisfied face as you lazily ate.

It was near the end of the day and exhaustion was starting to creep its way into your mind. This short visit to the cafe was just supposed to be a quick pick-me-up before heading home and collapsing onto bed.

Ding!

The small bell of the cafe door rung quietly, alerting the workers of a new customer. Your eyes naturally gravitate towards the source of the sound. A tall man walks in, perhaps in his 20s or 30s, with blonde hair and the oddest tie you had ever seen. You chuckle to yourself staring at it before coming to pick apart your cake again.

He was quite a sight for sore eyes for sure.

You had never seen him around before, you wouldn't mind having him become a regular here. Maybe both your tongue and eyes would get something sweet to gouge out on.

The man stood at the counter and ordered. He was standing as straight as a line, his posture was phenomenal. Bewitched, you continue to sneak small glances at him. Between him and the cake, you weren't sure which one to focus on more.

Through your peripheral, your eyes continue to take in his appearance.

Oh crap.

He stood there at the counter, directly meeting your gaze.

He was staring right back at you. An unreadable expression decorating his face, no shame behind his eyes. His mouth twitched upwards ever so slightly, humoured by the fact that he had caught you in the act.

You immediately turn back to your cake, flushed. Heat starts to rise to your neck and cheeks, embarrassment coursing its way through your veins as your mind continuously mocked you. You cleared your throat, shakily starting to finish your meal at a rate you were sure he would find unappealing.

The taste of the cheesecake lingered in your dry mouth as you quickly packed up. You eyed the floor, commanding it to swallow you whole but it never did.

You rush out of the cafe, not noticing the man staring at you with a small smile on his face

#2 — If telepathy was real, you were sure that whoever was reading your mind right now would be shell-shocked by the amount of swear words you were dropping like bombs in your head.

You shift nervously in the line, leaning to the side to see how many more people were in front of you.

Though a small business, some days the cafe would have surges of customers. Today was unfortunately one of those days, and you had the utter misfortune of standing directly in line in front of him.

You swallowed your saliva, tapping the side of your thigh nervously as you watch him from your peripheral.

He was wearing the same unique outfit as last time. His hair was neatly combed back, eyes tired from what you assumed was a corporate job.

The man looked down at you and smiled, noticing your gaze.

God, not again.

Why do you always have the misfortune of having a staring problem and getting caught for it?

You look away, trying to ignore the shameful feeling building up in your chest but he quickly interrupted your thoughts ; he said in a calm and collected voice,

"Excuse me, but what would you recommend here?"

...

You turn your head slowly, eyes moving up to meet his. His eyes were calm and collected, crows feet evident. There was no hidden expression behind his eyes, they were nothing less than kind and calm like the sea. You feel your chest tighten as you meet his eyes, clearing your throat.

He stares at you thoughtfully, not pressuring you to speak, just waiting patiently.

"Uhm.." You start, growing nervous. "The salted caramel cheesecake is good," You say, your voice barely above a whisper.

The man nods hearing your suggestion, standing straighter than before. He utters a quick thank you before going back to his devices. You nod politely, turning back and getting lost in your thoughts.

The man was striking. Not in a brazen way that caught everyone's attention, but he commanded attention. When he asked a question, you felt forced to answer. He was patient and thoughtful, waiting for an answer but not relenting until you give one.

It took a while, but you had finally reached the front of the counter. As per usual, you ordered your cheesecake and drink, making small talk with the young woman behind the counter. You try to quicken your conversation, vehemently aware of the tall man behind you.

You flip through your purse, trying to find your card before feeling an arm move beside you. Your eyes move towards the movement, seeing the man behind you's arm reaching over, card in hand and tapping it on the scanner.

Your eyes widen, turning back to face him directly. Your mouth opens, agape whilst trying to find the right words to say.

"Thank you..." You say meekly, "but you really don't need to."

"It's no issue..." He says, leaving space open for you to introduce yourself to which you do. A satisfied look flashes over his face before he masks it.

"Nanami." He introduces, the words rolling off his tongue and ringing in your head.

You smile at him and nod.

"Thank you... Nanami," You test, the name rolling of your tongue much easier than you expected.

"It's my pleasure."

#3 — "Mind if I sit here?"

You look up from the book in hand, catching Nanami's gaze. He leans on the chair in front of you, arm resting on its back. Hesitantly, you nod, closing your book.

He shuffles down awkwardly, sitting directly in front of you.

There was a silence between you, as you both stared at each other; soaking in each other's presence.

He gestures towards the surrounding cafe which was packed to brim. You follow his movements, staring at what used to be a quaint, small, unknown cafe to the now blooming business that was slowly becoming a hussling business every weekend.

You give him an awkward smile, unsure of what to say. The silence was unexpected and usually unwelcomed but it wasn't a terrible guest. He stares back, gracing you with a small smile too. He clears his own throat, opening his mouth, "I apologise for the intrusion but there's not really any place for me to sit, you know?"

"I can't help but notice, but you're reading Pride and Prejudice."

You raise an eyebrow at his comment, "Yeah, you read it?"

"Mhm, just reread it a week ago," He confesses.

You nod, a sudden interest building up in you. You would never have taken him as someone who read romance novels, yet it would make sense. His whole allure screamed male love interest ; the type of man people would write fanfictions of.

"So, what book are you currently reading then?" You ask, intrigued.

"Surrounded by idiots."

He says it simply, matter-of-factly, like the title was not amusing in the slightest. You stifle a laugh, running a finger on the rim of your glass.

"You surrounded by a lot of idiots?" You ask teasingly.

"Unfortunately so..." He answers almost instantly. "Well, I'm specifically surrounded by this one white-haired idiot but his lack of.... well, it can make up for 3 idiots."

You laugh boisterously, head thrown back at the comment ; he follows suit and you fall into easy conversation with the blond man.

He was rather easy to talk to. His dry humour tickled you but it wasn't overwhelming or forced like the ones from guys who were trying to impress you.

He was sweet in his own way, you could see yourself befriending the man.

#4 — The both of you had fallen into a steady rhythm.

Every Friday, you would catch him at the cafe momentarily. You'd buy your favourite drink and two slices of salted caramel cheesecake to share whilst he got a plain latte. He'd sit across from you as you read, or sometimes talk ; he'd listen like you were the only person in the world. At times he'd stare at you like you were his universe. Fleetingly, his gaze held more that platonic endearment ; you didn't quite notice it under his blue tinted glasses.

What you did notice, was how he looked more exhausted as of late. His prominent cheekbones stood out more, his eyes were droopy with tiredness and fatigue, eyebags lining the bottom. He didn't acknowledge it, and when you did he'd smile and reassure you it would be fine. You didn't believe him but he always shut you down when you tried to bring it up.

You tried forcing him to rest, telling him to go back to the comfort of his home instead of coming to the cafe but he refused.

"You're all the comfort I need," He said plainly, taking a sip of his coffee. "I'm more comfortable and relaxed spending my hours with you then by my lonesome."

"If I die tomorrow, I'd rather die knowing I spent most of my time with you than isolated in my empty apartment," He added, a forced smile etched on his face as he chuckles. You saw the sadness in his eyes though.

He had left the cafe shortly after, excusing himself. You said your goodbyes as your eyes lingered on his back as he walked off into the cold outdoors.

#5 — He wasn't usually this late.

Kento was a punctual man.

Everything about him was prim and proper, there was an air of elegance about him. He hated idiots, corporate soul-sucking work and being late. Yet, here he was being late to your weekly meet ups.

Perhaps he had taken your advice and taken a rest day.

Still, you sat in your usual seat, two uneaten slices of cheesecake in front of you. You tap your feet to the slow beat of the jazz that played religiously in the cafe. He always commented on it, explaining its origins and how it was composed.

Your eyes look at the clock, he was almost 20 minuted late. A sense of unease squeezes your chest. You wanted to call him, text him but your hands stood still.

"Miss?" A small voice calls out.

You look to the side, eyebrows raised at the young waitress who stood at your side. You hadn't even noticed her arrival.

"Yes?"

The woman looks at you meekly, handing you an envelope with both hands. She bowed down slightly. Your eyes flicker from her to the envelope. Hesitantly, you reached out and took it. The woman nodded at you, staring.

"A man with blond hair asked me to give this to you if he hadn't arrived by 5:20... He also paid for your meal in advance."

Your grip on the envelope tightens. You clench your jaw, looking down at the later. You whisper a small thank you and she walks away.

The letter laid in front of you on the table. A thousand questions forming in your mind. You swallow your saliva, the sour taste in your mouth causing your stomach to churn nervously.

You rip the envelope open, a handwritten letter delicately put in it.

To my dearest,

Regrettably, if you are to read this letter it means that you and I will never meet again.

I cherish all our times together and I wished that I had said that sooner. Perhaps if this letter reaches you years in the future where I am still with you then you would know my true feelings. Nevertheless, it's never good to harp on the past is it?

I apologise for leaving so soon; know that it's not on purpose. What happened was truly out of my control.

Just know that every single moment we shared, every silence, every piece of cheesecake, it was a moment that brought back a light that had long dimmed in me.

Please, continue eating those overly salty cheesecakes for me.

love,

Kento.

Your eyes glaze over as you read the message over and over. Throat closing up as your mind tries to decipher his words. Through your grief, a small smile blooms on your face. The letter was so... him.

A piece of your heart will forever lay empty and barren, searching for its missing piece that had left too early. Yet, it will heal; with every step taken to the cafe, every book read, every piece of cheesecake eaten.

Kento may have gone, but he was still with you.

That blond haired man with his serious expression would still be with you as you visited the cafe every coming Friday. It would be disservice to him if you stopped going.

Ring!

Sukuna furrows his eyebrows at the irritating sound, pausing the gory movie in front of him. His fingertips touch the screen, a scoff escaping as the phone continued to buzz, flashing an unknown number.

"Hello?" His bored voice says as he picks up, eyes moving back to the TV.

"Hi, Are you Ryomen Sukuna?"

"Yea?"

"Ah okay! You were listed as an emergency contact for Itadori Yuji. Um... It seems that Yuji has gotten into a bit of trouble today at school. Can you come in and handle this?"

Sukuna scoffs at the statement, rolling his eyes. He sucks his teeth as the words soaked into his mind. Yuji got into trouble? Was he trying to ruin his day off?

"Do I need to?" A stupid question Sukuna knows, but he really hoped that the person on the other side would say no.

"Um... yes?"

great.

"okay. I'll be there soon."

The call ends with a click and Sukuna grumbles, pinching the bridge of his nose as he leans back against fhe plump couch. What a way to spend his day off.

☆

Your eyes move from the phone to Itadori who had been sitting in front of you for the last half an hour. It had been 20 minutes since you called his brother. His eyes don't meet yours, gaze firmly on the floor as he grips his pants leg tightly.

He didn't say anything. Shame obviously filling his head as he avoided eye contact. The normal chatter that filled any room he was in was gone. His face battered and bruised from the fight and his knuckles red and purple.

"Your brother is on the way," You repeat ; and he nods, not even looking up. You frown. The boy was almost your age and you felt terrible for him. It wasn't his fault. Yuji was always in trouble yes, but never for things like this... He was defending a classmate, yet he's the one to be punished over winning the fight another person created? It was stupid.

"I'm not mad at you," Your voice barely above a whisper, softness radiating off your tone. His eyes finally tore off his feet. A pang of guilt hitting you as he stared back with reddened eyes that shook rapidly.

He was crying.

"What the hell happened?" A harsh voice interrupts before you could even move to comfort the boy.

Your eyes widen, immediately moving to the door to see a tatted man leaning at the doorway. His gaze moves from his brother to you, eyes softening as he took in your appearance.

It was obvious that Itadori and the man in the doorway were siblings. The light pink hair was a dead giveaway. Yet, the man and Itadori were like the sun and moon.

The soft and caring features of Yuji were nowhere to be found on him, being replaced by a harsh and intimidating gaze that pierced the soul. His defined arms were littered with tattoos, no doubt continuing under his baggy t-shirt.

You feel your face heat up as your eyes lingered on him. Clearing your throat as you turn away, "Um, Yuji here, got into a fight."

Sukuna enters the room, his dark and clunky boots slamming against the wooden floor.

"Did he now?" He asks, pulling up a seat next to you. His tone calm though a hint of annoyance lingered in the air as he spoke. You nod, quickly rambling and explaining what happened to the tatted man.

Sukuna stares at your features as you rambled, eyebrows raised as he listened to your voice. A small smirks plays on his face as he watches your downturn eyebrows. Your concern, worry and care obvious from the way you described Yuji.

You couldn't have been any older than him, perhaps the same age. What was a beautiful person like you doing taking care of teenagers? You should've been going out with friends, chilling, clubbing and yet you reserved yourself to teaching? Sukuna could barely believe it.

"I'm sorry, did you catch what I said?" Your voice interrupts his train of thoughts as your eyes meet. He stares at you with a plain expression, a glint of mischief shining through under the calm guise he wore.

"Yea," He says, leaning back on his chair, looking at Yuji whose ears pinkened under the embarrassment. "This one always cause you trouble, huh?"

"What? No! no he-" You stumble on your words, jumping to defend the boy. Sukuna's eyes crinkle, humoured by your eagerness to defend the boy like he was your own brother.

"It's alright," Sukuna waves off, "Yuji, leave the room. I want to talk to your teacher, privately."

Itadori gives a confused look, staring dumbfounded at his brother who jerked his head towards the door. Hesitantly, he stood up and stepped out, casting a concerned look to you as he shut the door.

The silence echoes around the room and you shiver into yourself under Sukuna's heavy gaze. His eyes linger on you, moving his chair closer.

"I'm so sorry about my brother," He states slowly, not an ounce of remorse in his voice. "I think.. perhaps we should keep in contact just in case he starts any trouble again."

Your eyebrows shoot up at the words. Was he..?

"Excuse me?"

A smug smile creeps onto his face. "I mean, my grandfather is... senile at this point, and I'm the oldest in the family besides him, so.."

You raise your eyebrows at him, unimpressed by his words. You had met Itadori's grandfather before and to call him senile was an insult and a falsehood at its core.

"uhuh..." You hum, crossing your arms

You look him up and down, taking in his whole appearance. He wore a pair of baggy black jeans and a an oversized wrinkly grey t-shirt. His shirts wasn't low cut but you could practically make out the long tattoos that detailed his chiseled neckline.

"I don't know if that's quite professional," You say softly, feigning ignorance. He scoffs.

"Professional? What do you mean? I'm purely doing this for my brother's best interest," His lies coming off as sweet concern as he spoke.

What a liar.

You hold yourself back from rolling your eyes, a smile ghosting your lips. You eyed him for a while, thinking on the best course of action.

The man in front of you was awfully good-looking, it was practically sickening. Yet, he was your student's older brother... was it really the best idea to give him your number?

You frown at thought as he pushes his phone towards you, the empty contact staring at you expectantly.

You sigh, taking the phone into your hand.

☆

Itadori looks up as he hears the door click open. Sukuna's heavy boots click on the ground, a proud smile decorating his face as he stared at his phone. His eyes move to Itadori, gesturing for him to follow him as he walked off towards his car. He shoves his phone into his pockets, head held high as he walked. Itadori scrambles behind him, stumbling as he moves to catch up with his older brother.

"What's up with you? Why are you so happy?" Suspicion laces Itadori's voice, eyes narrowing at the abnormally happy man.

"Can't a man be happy?" Sukuna retorts harshly, rolling his eyes at Itadori. His hand reaches to the younger boys hair, pushing his head down as he ruffles it. Itadori didn't say anything, still eyeing him suspiciously.

Sukuna didn't say anything, his grip tightening on his phone that stored his now prize possession.

Thanos is definitely oblivious at first

He chalks up your lack of eating and frequent runs to the bathroom to nerves.

You were all in a life or death situation, so it was only natural to not have an appetite or to have to relieve yourself a lot!

Yet, he started to get suspicious after the second game after Se-mi and Nam-gyu mentioned it to him

It was dinner time and Thanos noticed that you weren't eating a lot, giving more than half your portion to Min-su

"Hey, aren't you hungry, senorita? You keep giving your portions of food to Min-su! You need to eat more if we're going to win that money!" - 🎤

You smiled politely at him, saying thay you just weren't hungry after witnessing all that death

He just frowns, asking Min-su to give back the portion of food he had received from you.

He was practically watching you like a hawk as you ate, his eyes never leaving you until you finished your portion.

His grin was so wide when he saw your empty food box.

"See! There you are finishing all the food! The food's good right? With you on full energy, we'll 100% win the next game!" - 🎤

You sorta laugh awkwardly at him, unsure of what to say.

Thanos could sense something was wrong but he continued to smile as you reassured him that everything was fine.

Usually during lights out, you would head to the bathroom to purge out everything you had eaten for the day.

It was quiet, and empty. No one would've suspected anything.

So, as usual, you quickly slept out of bed, walking quietly towards the door to do your nightly ritual.

You barely even noticed the purple-haired man that watched and stalked you all the way to the toilet.

He noticed you had been doing that every single night.

He was a light sleeper and after vehemently deciding that he wanted to sleep next to you, he started to noticed your nightly bathroom runs.

He waited outside the bathroom for a while, but after maybe 10 minutes pass by and you hadn't emerged, he went in.

He opened the bathroom door slowly, creeping his way in, as he tried to find you. His eyes widen at the sound and smell.

Without thinking, he rushed forwards to the source of the smell and threw the stall door open to see you hunched over the toilet, vomiting.

He immediately rushes to you, questions of are you sick, are you okay, escaping his mouth as he holds your face looking at you. You don't answer him as you look away.

His eyebrows furrow as he notices your index finger that was vomit covered. Were you purposely trying to make yourself vomit?

It all clicked in his head.

He wasn't sure what to do. He wasn't used to comforting or even helping people so he just sat there with you on the bathroom floor, holding you as he whispered praises and compliments in your ear hoping to let your insecurities subside and let the truth prevail.

After that incident, he always tries to make you feel comfortable.

Having been in the music industry, he knows some popstars do what you do to stay skinny and he knew that they needed patience and time.

He wouldn't force you to eat but he'd definitely encourage you a lot!

He immediately tells off anyone who talks bad about your body and sings praises and compliments to you.

He also definitely moved from sleeping in the bed next to you to sleeping in your bed.

At night, he holds you tightly, so tightly that he knows you won't be able to go to the bathroom at night.

Even if you want to, he'll either go or force Se-mi awake to accompany you because "it's not safe to be here alone"