Goosey

The cool night air hit my face as soon as we stepped outside. It was spring, but it was still cooler than expected. I pulled my hoodie tight against me as I kept my eyes on the sidewalk. We walked in silence for a couple of blocks, but not the awkward kind. Just two people who are comfortable with each other's presence. Yuji's hands were placed in his pockets as he walked slowly to match my pace. 

“You didn't have to come get me,” I say once again. 

“I know.”

Then wh—" 

“Because I wanted to.”

I looked at him as he stared straight ahead. His jaw was clenched as if he were daring me to argue, so I stayed silent. The rest of the walk was silent. We passed familiar streets like the corner we used to get candy or the park we used to play at. Slowly, his house came into view. Two stories with amber light peeking through the windows. As we approached the house, Yuji took out his keys to unlock the door. 

Pushing the door open, Yuji called out, “We’re home.” 

A voice from the living room—low, lazy, and gruff—said, “You bought company; how cute.” 

I stepped through the door and spotted Choso sprawled out on the couch. One arm was draped over the side, and a girl was tucked into his side. She was pretty. Sharp eyes, short dark hair. 

Choso’s eyes lit up when he recognized me. “Y/N. Been a minute.”

“Choso.”

He grinned. “You look like hell rained onto you.”

“And you look like you haven't changed.”

He let out a low, genuine chuckle. And the girl beside him tightened her lips. 

“Right,” Choso said, glancing down at her like he'd forgotten she was there. “This is Mai, Mai, this is Y/N. my annoying little sister.” 

“I'm not your sister.”

“See? Annoying. 

Mai didn't respond. She looked at me quietly as her eyes were cold. I had a feeling she didn't like me, and the feeling was mutual. 

“So, what brings you to our humble home?” Choso sits up slightly, checking his phone. “It's almost eleven. Got tired of your boyfriend?”

“Something like that.” 

An expression flickered across his face, but it was gone in an instant. 

“Hey, I'm going to go ahead and put your stuff in my room,” Yuji said, patting me on the back. “And Choso, leave her alone.” 

“I'm not doing anything.”

“You’re breathing. That's enough.” 

Yuji disappeared upstairs. The floorboards creaked under his weight. And then it was just me, Choso, and Mai, who was pressed up against him as if she were making a statement. 

Choso sits up completely and shifts Mai to the other side of him. He proceeds to pat the cushion next to him. "Sit." 

“I’m fine with standing,”

“I wasn't asking.”

I stared at him as he stared back with that stupid smirk on his face. After a moment I gave in and dropped onto the armchair across from him, far enough to breathe but close enough for him to study me like he used to.

Mai shifted, “Choso are we gonna-”

“In a minute.”

She went quiet. She sighed as she looked at me with anger in her eyes, as if I interfered with her plans. I ignored it.

“So,” Choso said, leaning forward, placing his elbow on his knees. “Are you gonna tell me what happened, or do I have to start guessing?” 

“Nothing happened.” 

“Bullshit.”

“Choso.”

“Y/N,” he said my name the same way I said his - teasing, but underneath it was something careful.  “You showed up at my door at eleven on a Tuesday, wearing Yuji's hoodie, looking like you haven't slept in forever.”

His expression shifted. The smirk faded. For a second, he looked at me -  really looked - and I saw the overprotective person he pretends not to be. 

“Mahito,” he said. Not a question.

I didn't answer. 

He exhaled slowly and balled his hand up into a fist, “One day, Y/N, I'm gonna find that guy and kill him.”  

“You're not the only one”

“Good.” His smirk returned as if he was putting a mask back on. “At least I'll have some company.”

Mai cleared her throat, “I think Ima head out.”

Choso looked at her like he had genuinely forgotten about her. “Oh, you don't have to-”

“No, it's fine.” She said, giving him a quick kiss on the cheek.

She walked past me as her heels clicked against the floor. The sweet scent of her perfume filled the air until she left. The room suddenly felt bigger. Quieter. The only sound filling the room was the hum of the refrigerator and Yuji's footsteps upstairs. Choso looked at me with his head tilted. The lamp light caught his eyes, making the gleam. He didn't speak for a while and instead just looked.

Then, quietly, “You scared her off.”

“Good”

He shook his head, “Still a menace.”

“Learned it from someone I know.” 

He let that hang in the air. His eyes stayed on me, unreadable. The silence was stretched out but not uncomfortable. More like something was encouraging it. 

I finally said, "You're insufferable.”

“And yet, here you are.”

I didn't have an answer for that.

The silence came back only thicker this time; I could hear my own breathing. He's too. The lamp buzzed, but neither of us could look away. Upstairs, Yuji's footsteps crossed the floor. A door opened, and his voice drifted downstairs, “Y/N, I set up the futon. Come up whenever you're ready.”

I didn't move. 

Choso stood up from the couch, closing the space between us within two steps. He was close enough that I could smell the faint scent of his cologne - warm, woody, familiar.  He reached over my arm, brushing my shoulder. His fingers find the remote on the shelf behind me. He didn't move right away. For a second, he was just close enough that he could see a faint scar on his neck. He pulled back, holding the remote in his hand, hovering over the power button, eyes remaining on me. “Stay as long as you want or dont im not your keeper.”

“Couldve fooled me.”

He smiled, which was soft and different from his usual smirk. “Someone's gotta make sure you're okay, might as well be me.” 

I looked at him. The amber light carved shadows across his face. His posture was lazy, but there was something there as if he was alert underneath. Like he was waiting and meant every word.

I didn't say thank you. More like I didn't have to. He just knew.

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“Y/N, I can't." He snapped.

I flinched at the sound of his voice. I wasn't scared of him; it's just not a tone someone hears often from him. 

“What?” I questioned.

“You know what, I’m not gonna keep letting that bastard treat you like that.” His voice is now stern. 

“Mahito was just mad. That's how he gets sometimes,” I defend.

“Thats enough, I'm not gonna sit here and listen to you defend him.” He places his head in his hands, “Look, I'm not trying to see your life go downhill because of him.” 

“I’m sorry,” I say quietly as I lower my head. I know he's right, I just can't bring myself to leave him. 

The morning felt heavier than it should have. 

I shut off my alarm and didn't move right away. Just stared at my ceiling, hoping that if I just waited, everything outside my door would eventually go away.  My phone continued to buzz on the nightstand, but I ignored it, assuming it was Mahito.

Unfortunately, I knew I couldn't stay here forever, so I reluctantly got up. I left my phone on my desk while I moved to the mirror to get changed, and I fixed what I needed to.  I sigh as I grab my things and leave my empty room.

I stepped outside my dorm and began walking down the busy hallways. Everyone is getting ready for their next class. By the time I make it to the dining hall, I spot Nobara and Yuji waiting by the door. I let out a sigh of relief as I smile and walk over towards them.

“Hey guys,” I said as I reached them.

“Hey! Did you hear what happened?” Nobara looks up from her phone.

Yuji rolls his eyes, already irritated, “Have you even looked at your phone?” 

Questioning, I look at my phone and see several notifications.

Three messages from ‘YUJIIIII’

Ten messages from ‘My Love’ 

One email

My stomach dropped as I saw Mahito’s name. I didn't open it. Instead, I opened the email. 

Hello, History class 124. 

I'm sorry to announce that Professor Utahime will no longer be teaching you; your new teacher will be coming in today. If you need anything, come to the front desk. Thank you.

I stare at the email screen for a second longer, then a notification pops up. ‘My love,’ I finally shut off my phone and looked back up.

“Utahime got replaced?” I questioned 

“Yeah, and no one knows why.” Nobara answers. 

Yuji sighs, “Maybe she just found a better job.” 

I nod as we begin to walk through the bustling hallways. I stare at the ground, silent, as my thoughts drift between the next class and…Mahito. A loud noise snaps me out of it, just a locker slamming shut. I sigh and look up, only to find Yuji observing me. At that moment, I knew he saw my phone. I quickly looked away, pretending I didn't see it as we approached the classroom door. 

I pushed the door open and immediately noticed Utahime’s desk was untouched in front of the room. Students continued to talk amongst themselves, unbothered by the unfamiliar atmosphere. 

I quietly take my seat between Yuji and Nobara, setting my bag down underneath the table. Once I sat down, the sound of the door opening silenced the room. A man stepped out of the side office, quiet but confident.  He wore a perfectly fitted suit, his tie was neatly straightened, and his glasses reflected the light as he scanned the room. 

Students looked around out of curiosity but remained quiet. The room carried a heavy, awkward atmosphere as everyone shifted in their seats. My eyes stayed fixed on him as he set his briefcase beside the desk before looking up at us.

"Good morning," he said calmly. "My name is Kento Nanami. I'll be teaching this class from now on."

No one responded. It was as though no one knew what to say. A few students straightened in their chairs, but the heavy silence remained.

Nobara leaned toward me and whispered, "He's kinda intense."

I didn't answer, but she was right. There was something about him that commanded attention. My gaze shifted to Yuji, only to find him watching Nanami just as carefully.

Nanami picked up a piece of chalk and wrote one word across the board 

HISTORY

The sound of the chalk echoed through the silent classroom. 

“History,” He started. “Is often talked about when it comes to victory or defeat. That's not what's important; what's important is the decisions that led up to it.” He faces the class,  “All of our actions have consequences. Some are immediate. Some that aren't until later.” 

Nanami held his gaze for a moment, waiting to see the reaction. He subtly turned back towards the board and started writing. I watched the chalk swiftly move across the board with precision; his handwriting was clean and organized. Everything about him seemed organized. 

I realized I should've been taking notes. I reached for my pen, but my hand stopped when I saw my phone light up, faced down on the desk. Once it lit up again, I didn't need to turn it over to know who it was. Instead, I slid my phone into my bag, keeping it faced down. I put my attention back on Nanami as he turns around. 

“Decisions,” he began. “Decisions shape everything. Who we are, where we go, and who we become,” he observes the class, letting the words settle. “Think about the last decision you made that changed something. Maybe that change was small, or maybe you didn't even notice the change until later. What was the moment that everything shifted?” 

He stepped forward, crossing his arms.

“I'm not asking you to tell me your life story and what happened to you. I want to know what you did. That's the part that most people don't take accountability for. Its easier to blame whatever circumstances it was or the people around you. But the truth is, we choose.”

His eyes scanned the room.

“That is your assignment. Write about a decision that you made that changed your life. One choice and then what followed after that.” 

The room was almost quiet aside from whispers here and there. He picked up a stack of papers from his desk and put them in the corner. 

“Here is the rubric. Grab one on your way out.” 

The bell rang. Chairs scraped against the floor, and bubbly chatter filled the room. I stayed seated as I watched everyone leave. 

“Y/N?” Yuji's voice broke through my haze. He was standing by the door, Nobara already halfway out into the hall. “You coming?” 

I blinked, “Yeah, sorry.”

I stood up, grabbed my bag, and walked to the front desk. I greeted Nanami with a smile, and I picked one of the papers up from the pile. I slid it into my folder and continued toward Yuji and Nobara. I stepped out into the hallway, then I stopped cold.

He was there. 

Leaning against the wall, across from the door. Arms crossed, with a familiar smirk on his face. The stitch-like marks across his jaw caught the light. Mahito. My stomach dropped. 

“There she is,” he said, pushing off the wall. “It took you long enough. I feel like I've been waiting for an hour.” 

Yuji's expression dropped quickly. His jaw is tightening. 

“Mahito.” His voice was flat and stern.

Mahito's smirk grew. “Itadori, didn't expect to see you. Latching onto my girlfriend every chance you get.” 

“What do you want?” Yuji stepped forward, putting himself slightly between Mahito and me. 

“I'm here for my girlfriend. Is that a problem?” Mahito's eyes drifted from Yuji to me. “You’ve been ignoring me. Six calls, Y/N, six. And my other messages too.” 

I gripped my backpack strap tightly. “I was in class.”

“Bullshit. I texted you yesterday as well, and class ended 15 minutes ago.” 

Nobara stepped beside Yuji, arms crossed. “She’s with us right now.” Mahito laughs. “Nobara, do me a favor and shut up. Y/N, let's go.”

I didn't move.

Yuji's hand found my arm and held it close. “Shes not going.”

Mahito's smirk dropped, and something shifted in his eyes. This isn't your business. Stay out of it.” 

The air felt heavy as the tension grew. Mahito held Yuji's gaze for a long moment. Then he let out a short laugh. “Fine.” He looked at me and placed a smile on his face. “See you later, Y/N. " Don't keep me waiting too long,” he turned and walked away, placing his hands in his pockets without urgency.

I stood there with my heart pounding and my stomach beginning to feel sick. Yuji's arm was still gently holding onto mine. “Y/N,” He said quietly. “Are you okay?”

I didn't answer. I sat and watched Mahito disappear around the corner.

“You’re shaking,” Nobara said with sympathy.

“Come on,” Yuji said. Tugging my elbow gently. “Lets get out of here.”

I let him guide me forward like my legs are moving on autopilot.

Inside the classroom, Nanami remained seated at his desk. The stack of papers was untouched beside him. Through the open door, he watched the three of you disappear with an unreadable expression. He didn't move, nor did he call out. Just watched. Then he adjusted his glasses, picked up his pen, and wrote something down in his notebook.