miso

As a fellow dispatcher, there weren't many times you could interact with Waterboy, now that he upgraded to be a hero in the Z-team. But the times you had, he was sweet and awkward, lacking the confidence that could really do him well.

So you held it back all this time -- your strange impulses and fantasies would only scare the guy away with your nonsense.

However, today was a bit different.

You approached him as he continued his window duties, waiting patiently for him to notice you. After a solid minute, he jumped in fright, sputtering helplessly and knocking his goggles sideways. Gray eyes met yours, surprise coloring them.

"[Name]...?" he uttered.

"Hi Waterboy," you said, eying the other workers in the room. "Can I pull you for a quick chat in the breakroom?"

"Oh.. um.. I- well, s-sure!"

You led him past the office and towards the hallways that would eventually lead the two of you to the breakroom. Relieved to find no one else there, you shut the door behind you and stopped at the corner. Good. There would be no prying eyes here.

Clearing your throat, you frantically scrambled in your mind to think of how to even approach the topic. His curious gaze on you and fidgety behavior was not helpful either.

"I... have a weird favor to ask of you," you told him.

"S-Sure, I'll help to, um, my-- the best of my abilities!"

You shook your head. "Don't accept it so eagerly. You don't have to say yes if you don't want to."

"Okay..."

"So, to explain, I kind of admire your water ability."

His eyes shined suddenly at your comment, face reddening in a state of fluster and confusion. "You... l-like my ability? N-No one has ever said that t-to me before."

You nodded. "I think it's wonderful. Thing is, for some reason... fuck-- this is so embarrassing, but I have always wanted to taste your ability."

He tilted his head, not at all understanding your request.

It was your turn to be a jumbled mess, terrified by his reaction. "Iwantyoutoshootyourwaterintomymouthtoseehowitwouldfeellike!?"

He processed it slowly, realization soon dawning upon him. "Y-You... want me to shoot water into your m-mouth?"

You mutely nodded, now too ashamed to meet his gaze.

"S-Sure!" he responded, face brightening.

You reeled back in shock at his response. "Really?"

"W-Why not?"

"Okay... well, can you stand over there, I'll stand over here, and then you shoot?"

He followed obediently, following your directions like a lost dog. As you stood a meter apart, you prepared yourself, ready to watch the stunning stream head towards your way and directly into your mouth, feeling the movements in explicably fashion.

This was insane. You knew you were insane. But this would fulfill one of your all-time fantasies. Once this was over, you could finally live in peace--

That was it?

A slow steady stream of water and saliva entered your mouth, nothing too out of the ordinary like drinking out of a water bottle. You were stunned, shoulder shagging in disappointment.

"Can we do something more direct?" you asked him.

"D-Direct?!" he yelped. "Like a k-kiss?"

Oh. That would be what that meant, wouldn't it? Surely, he was weirded out by you now, if he wasn't already weirded out before. "Forget about it. I wouldn't force you in a situation you clearly don't want," you said, smiling. "Thanks for doing my weird request, I'll see you around--"

A damp gloved hand wrapped around your wrist, stopping you before you could fully leave.

"W-Wait!" he insisted. "I-I, um, w-would love to kiss you!"

You whirled around, shock filling your entire being. "Seriously? I'm weird but you're also weird to follow through with this."

He fumbled with his fingers for a bit. "W-Well, your lips look like they would n-nice to... kiss."

"Don't say you'll regret it," you murmured, pulling into him to the point he was pressed against the wall. From here, you could see how abundantly nervous he was, sweat running through his ginger hair and down the nape of his neck.

You kissed him fervently, making contact with his moist lips, sucking at it dry. Cornering him like a cat would a mouse, you pressed deeper, fingers clenching against his infamous wetsuit. Your tongue slipped through the gaps of his lips, connecting well with his, riding the waves as his power shot out. A thrill of feeling raced through you when you could feel his water ability rush its course through you, the current of water and saliva sloshing strongly in your mouth.

That was, until it went down the wrong hole. You peeled away to go into a coughing fit, swiping the drool from your face easily.

"A-Are you o-okay?!" he asked in worry. "Did I release too much?"

You shook your head, grinning. "This was exactly what I was looking for. Besides, I just need to get used to it."

"G-Get u-used to it?! But t-that makes it s-sound like, um, y-you want to k-kiss me more..."

Otherwise, he would still be stuck in a janitorial position, where he belonged.

"Hey Wetfartboy," said Flambae, swinging his arms all buddy-buddy like around the lanky hero. "Go squirt and break Robbo's monitor, eh? He got too many hoes and getting too comfortable now. If he breaks his monitor, maybe we'll all have a day off!"

"W-What...?" Waterboy said, freezing up. "I can't do t-that. Robert helped me so much already!"

"So?" Flambae said, frowning. "He not doing his job correctly, tch." Flambae suddenly noticed you staring from the distance. "What you glaring at, [Hero Name]?"

Waterboy's gray eyes swiveled towards your direction, surprise coloring his expression at your presence. His already nervous face suddenly grew redder, the tinge of cheeks blossoming brightly.

"Nothing," you sneered. Even Flambae was on friendly terms with Waterboy. Why was everyone so accepting of this dude?

You turned around and stomped away. What was more aggravating to know was that you were a hypocrite for these stubborn beliefs: there was no room for you to judge when like the rest of Z-team, you were just a reformed villain.

At least Waterboy hadn't ever been a villain.

In that sense, he was better than you in every way.

Throughout the day as you went through mission after mission, with Robert's grating voice ringing in your ears, you were finally on the last one for the shift.

"[Hero Name], Waterboy, head down to the park to save the cat stuck in the tree," Robert said through the ear speaker.

"I can go on my own," you responded. After all, with your abilities to climb trees swiftly, this could be done easily. There was no need for anyone else to accompany you, especially not some pipsqueak man.

"No can do. He's on the way."

"Why the hell would we need two heroes just to save some cat?" you argued.

"Because you'll scare the cat away."

"Hah?!"

"W-Well, i-if [Hero Name] does not want to go, I-I can go alone," Waterboy joined the conversation.

"You're both going. That's final," Robert responded, leaving no more room for arguments.

You gritted your teeth and continued your run through the city, the setting sun reflecting against the orange and pink hues of the sky. You refrained yourself from letting out a wave of curses. Robert's decision made no sense for this mission at all. What was so necessary to have two on a simple job like this one?

Blinking for a moment, you came to a realization. Robert noticed the strained relationship between you and Waterboy, didn't he?

That motherfu-

As you rounded the corner to reach your destination, you found the other hero already there beneath the tree, trying to beckon the cat down from the hanging branch, though clearly failing. Without greeting Waterboy, you easily climbed up the bark and narrowed towards the orange, frightened cat. "Here kitty, kitty," you cooed at it, gently clicking your tongue, your gaze softening at the poor creature.

Contrary to Robert's belief, it leapt straight into your arms, the fuzzy feeling of it becoming a touch of heaven. You melted instantly, a grin slowly making its way to your face. Wow. It was so adorable.

So, so adorable.

You jumped down from the branch without thinking, your mind becoming a blur. It caused you to bump into something, and you crashed towards the ground, your head cushioned from the hard road.

You looked down to see the orange cat mewing and staring up at you. Thank god your grasp was tight on the cat -- no harm was done to it.

With a start, you realized the cushion beneath you was a someone, not a something.

You whirled around and then also realized it was just Waterboy.

"Why did you not move out of the way?" you sighed, moving your weight from his body and getting up.

"S-Sorry," he mumbled. "I-I c-couldn't react fast enough."

"Whatever," you said, shaking your head. Your attention returned to the cat, petting it gently as it purred under your touch. Dopamine rushed through your veins at the interaction, leaving you unable to pull away and too addicted to care whether anyone would witness you in such a manner.

Unfortunately, the cat owner had arrived before you knew it. The lady yanked it from your grasp, disappearing without a goodbye. Your shoulders sagged instantly, smile fading into sadness and withdrawal. That was way too short-lived.

"Do... do you like cats, [Hero Name]?" Waterboy's voice snapped you out of your daze.

"What do you think?" you said coldly.

"W-Well, w-we have c-cats if you're, well, sad about s-saying bye to that o-one."

Ears perked at his statement and as if on instinct, you found yourself drooling at the prospect of spending more time with cats. "You do?!" Waterboy blinked in astonishment at your reaction, and you became aware of your actions yet again. You cleared your throat. What was wrong with you? But... at the same time, you really... really wanted to see cats. "If you don't mind, I'd be willing to see your cats."

"I shall... I'll bring you r-right over!"

Waterboy's house was like any other suburban home, normal and boring to boot.

You entered the home, greeted by an old lady at the door.

"Herm, who's this?" she asked the other hero, eying you curiously.

"Grandma! This is... um... this is [Hero Name], a fellow member of my team," he explained."

"Oh why, it's nice to meet you, [Hero Name]! Thank you for looking over my boy here."

"G-Grandma!" he protested in embarrassment.

Your heart sank slightly in guilt, but you kept smiling regardless, nodding. You didn't deserve to be thanked, not after treating Waterboy in such a manner after all this time. "Of course. It is nice to meet you."

Waterboy's grandma returned to the kitchen to continue her cooking session, leaving the two of you alone.

"Your name is Herm?" you asked him suddenly.

He nodded. "It's Herman, but m-my grandma calls me Herm."

"I see... well, I'm sorry for lying to her."

He blinked in confusion. "Lying about what?"

Was he dense? You sighed. "Obviously for looking out for you and stuff. Sounds like I stole credit from Robert or something."

"But y-you do."

You squinted at him, growing annoyed by his antics yet again. "When have I ever?"

"Um... well, i-it's like you give, tough love, I think! You're always g-giving me advice and y-you're always honest to me."

You grunted. "Not sure how you're interpreting it in that way. You're too nice, Waterboy." However, he was not necessarily wrong, per say. There were times where you were there to criticize him harshly, but you weren't the type to crack jokes behind his back like how some of the other Z-team members used to make, giggling over his janitorial skills. Still, that didn't mean you were kind enough to 'look over him'.

"Y-You said that to me before too," he pointed out.

Surprised, you stared at him for a moment. He sure remembered things you could barely bother to remember.

Without thinking, you inched closer to him, nearing the warmth and moist that embodied Waterboy. Your fingers hung in the air as they pulled at the blue goggles. With the goggles in your right hand, a clear look of his face was granted. You could feel his body tensing at your action, his figure frozen in one place.

Gray eyes tainted of swaying lashes to fit like a puzzle, finally accompanying the nose and lips that always seemingly scrunched or stutter in discomfort.

"You know, your eyes are actually really nice to look at, without these dumb goggles," you stated. He flustered at your comment, face red and mouth agape. Sweat seeped down his soft skin and matted the thick of his ginger hair. You grabbed his chin, turning his jaw around in fascination. "Do you... usually sweat this much?"

"I um... well... n-no. I sweat a lot but n-not, um this much," he squeaked. "It's um, b-because of you."

What? Blood rushed towards your face and now it was your turn to be a flustered mess. Immediately, you released your hold on his chin and took a step back, feeling the race of your heartbeat.

Why were you reacting this way? And what the hell did he mean by that?

Unable to confront his honest words, you decided to ignore it.

Even then, Phenomaman regarded you. Which was strange, in its own way.

However, this all changed when a shocking breakup overturned the hero, tearing him at the pieces.

Whispers had filled the office at SDN, hushed coworkers gossiping beneath their breaths upon the topic of Phenomaman and Blonde Blazer. They then proceeded on to talk about the scandalous crash out that the super alien was going through, disrupting traffic and hindering people's lives in an uncharacteristic way.

Phenomaman was supposed to be a good role model, they would say.

That was when you saw him again, that fated day.

As janitor, you were ordered to clean up the mess that was made in the parking lot. Apparently, someone had ruined Flambae's car, glass shards all over the place and the vehicle practically unusable. It made you wonder who would be brave enough to face Flambae's wrath, who could really just burn anyone if he wanted to.

Cleaning up the glass on the ground and scooping it into a bucket, you suddenly heard a rustle from behind you.

You whirled around, wide-eyed to find yourself staring at Phenomaman, who had appeared from behind a nearby tree. There, in his broken glory, stood the hero, dark circles prominent beneath his brown eyes, hair tousled messily, and a gaunt but still handsome face.

"Why, if it isn't you," he said, with a gentle, raspy voice.

It was the first time he ever conversated with you, as you him. Shocked by this realization, you froze for a moment. Perhaps the breakup did a number of damage on him.

And when you thought about it, even though it really should not be your business, you couldn't help but feel bad for the guy.

"Were you the one who damaged this car?" you asked him, nudging your head at the sight beside you.

"What? Oh... Oh, yes. It appears you are here to clean it up. I apologize."

You shrugged. "Just here to do my job. If anything... you may wanna apologize to Flambae. He's throwing a tantrum right now."

"Ah, the one seared off eyebrows," he said. "How... frightening"

He sure was honest with things. Perhaps it was the alien inside of him.

"What is your name?" he asked suddenly.

You blinked at him in surprise. Not many people here cared to know your name. How strange it was indeed. Chest constricted by such a little thing, you wondered why you were so moved by his gestures. They really weren't much. But somehow, he always looked at you as something more... not some background character to fill the noise.

"[Name]," you told him. For some reason, you wanted to return this favor... if you could even call it one. "Hey, if you ever need someone to talk to, I'd be willing to hear you out."

"[Name]!" Arms wrapped around your body, the body heat of his worn suit against your skin. The slight musk of his scent, being pressed against his sturdy chest, and the fact that you were currently being hugged by one of the most powerful heroes left you dazed. Your chest pounded heavily at the close proximity, but the grateful smile on his lips drowned almost everything away. "What a kind fellow you are. Good."

That was, until he was squeezing you a little too hard, nearly breaking your bones.

You wheezed out, doubling over in pain.

"Oh my, you are a weak little thing."

You blinked at him, teary eyed. He was indeed too honest.

With that, the two of you formed a connection.

He became a source of motivation for you to come into work. As the two of you hung out in the backroom closet, you continued to truly learn who Phenomaman was, behind the exterior of his hero self.

But you preferred it actually, unveiling his layers towards the core of his being. You wanted to know more about him, know his thoughts and feelings, his fears and weaknesses, his wants and wishes.

He was more than just a hero.

His head laid down on your lap, and your fingers were woven along the strands of his soft, brown hair. He stayed there so comfortably, and you wished it would last forever.

"... It just feels hard to get back out there. Being in the same industry as Blond Blazer is quite difficult. Alas, some days I wake up, I could hardly get out of bed," he muttered, staring at the ceiling sleepily.

"You know, you'll find someone who'll love you the way you are." It was cheesy and you would usually never say such a thing, but when it came to Phenomaman, there were a lot of boundaries you were willing to cross. His own honest self began to unravel your truths as well, breaking the walls that used to tower around you so.

He stared at you for a moment, brown, warm irises glowing beneath the iridescent lightbulb of the closet. "Do you think so?"

Perhaps he was always known to be a beacon of hope. But then who should give the hope to him?

You wanted nothing more than to relieve him of his pain. So, you nodded.

He suddenly sat up, sitting across from you. Hands out and smushing your cheeks together, he grinned, a sight you could never pull away from. He was... beautiful. And though you knew he would hate a compliment from anyone, it would always be true.

"Would you like to know my name?"

You blinked in confusion. "Your name?"

He nodded. "It's Katon-Ur."

"Katon-Ur," you repeated back at him, the name rolling smoothly from your lips. What a fitting name for him.

But you were thrilled he told you his name.

That singular night was still vivid in his mind to relive through, over and over again. From the strobing lights to the taints of her blue hues glimmering mischievously, he could just about see it if he closed his eyes. She was so close to him, so beautiful in a white, pure dress that he could not look at anything else. Her cute little dance moves that slowed down time for him and the sway of her short blue hair. Just a reach of his arm... would he be able to feel her warmth?

Of course not. It was now a memory to be tucked away. In this cold, sad world that he fought to survive in, he could not save the one he desperately wished to.

Ekko raised his arm toward the stars in the sky, laying there. So far yet so close. The stars represented her, burning bright until the very end.

When he first heard news that Jinx was gone, his gut dropped down to levels of hell, a torment of agony and lament drowning him in waves. How could it possibly be? She was the one that always came back from the dead to haunt him, a thorn to his side he could not get rid of. But now, she was gone, the moment he tried to reach out to her again.

He wondered.

He wondered so bad.

Boy Savior she called him. It made him so angry back then. So angry he turned his back on her, accepting the fact that he would never see the same girl he once was so close to.

But now he wondered if he gave up on her too soon.

Deep down all along, Powder was in there. The pain that she endured to live the way she had, she did everything to survive. But his cowardice could not face that. He could not see the suffering or the light that had disappeared from her gaze. The glimpse of her scared face beneath his grasp during their fight looked so much like... Powder. And yet, he still could not save her. Instead, he watched Silco carry her away, for her to continue the path of destruction.

When he found her there in her hideout, prepared to end it all, he could finally see the scope of it all. No longer was he shrouded in an endless cycle of rage and resentment, and for once, he could see it with a clear vision.

He should have tried harder -- to be at her side, save her of the demons that chased her.

She had painted him of her colors, her touch tickling his skin as he watched the furrow of her concentrated brow. Jinx was different from Powder in the other timeline, more rough and shrivel, her scowl imprinted on her lips. He realized he didn't mind it though.

Then they went off to war, only for one of them to return.

He... missed her.

Now all that was left of were his spiraling thoughts, of what ifs and regrets.

He pressed his fist against his forehead, feeling the heat of tears swarm from the corner of his eyes. Where he had been with Powder in the other universe on the same rooftop overlooking Piltover, he was now alone, the quiet unbearable.

Powder's words rang in his mind, a push for him to keep going.

"What are you doing?" he asked, with an almost offensive tone in his voice.

You shrugged. "You looked like you needed one." Without asking for permission, you slipped into the chair across from him and cracked open your own beer, listening in to the delicious foam created at the top.

"If you're a fan, you could just ask me for an autograph instead of being rude and bothering me like nobodies' business."

"Not a fan. Just thought you could use the company."

He scoffed. "I'm the one and only Ken Sato! I don't need company from some rando on the street."

"If you say so... you do look more sad sipping on beer alone though," you relented, getting up from your seat.

He hesitated, running his fingers through his hair in slight frustration. "Fine... sit down."

You plopped back down with a grin. "I must say, you look quite different in real life compared to the big screen. A little worse for wear."

Instead of rebuking like you imagined, he sighed and drooped his head. He took a large gulp out of the can, slamming it down the small table. "Just dealing with some personal things right now."

"Ah, that explains the recent plays you've done."

He shot you a glare and shook his head. "I... just need to get warmed up. I'll be back in no time."

"Right..." you said, sniffing.

"What's your name anyway?" he asked, raising a brow at you. In his typical black tee and jeans, he draped himself against the chair, the muscles rippling shamelessly. Indeed, the years spent training on baseball paid off, shaping his physique majestically. Perhaps that was why he had so many fangirls, not for his plays but for his attractive looks.

"[Name]."

"And who are you to be sending insults my way every so often?"

"I'm not." You lifted your arms up defensively. "I'm just stating facts. But funny enough, I get you. It's not like my life's going perfect either."

"Are you another reporter? Trying to dig up my deepest darkest secrets?"

"I'm not. But what is your deepest darkest secret?"

"..."

"Sorry. But yeah, no reporter here. Just your average day in the mill office worker."

"Is that supposed to comfort me?" he groaned, rubbing his face in exhaustion. "That an average office worker relates to me?"

"Y'know, with that attitude, no wonder you don't have friends."

He grew silent, sipping more of his beer as if it was the most interesting thing in the world. His silence was your answer. But it also made you wonder. There had been a lot of rumors and gossip circulating around the Ken Sato. Was any of it real? And did some of it hit too close to home? Why was this man such an anomaly? Why had he not won any championships yet despite how impressive he was? Nothing added up.

"Struck a nerve?"

"I have friends," he said, averting his gaze. "They're just busy all the time."

"I see..." you responded, fighting off the smile from your lips. It was clear as day that he was lying, but you supposed you had been hard on him enough. "I'll be your friend."

"You?!" He eyed you up and down in dismay, before a lightbulb struck him. "Actually... yes! Are you good with babysitting?"

You choked midsip, confusion warping your features. "Babysitting?"

HIGURUMA HIROMI

In the world of law, strict boundaries were set, whether on the job, in relationships, personal life, and everything that surrounded you as a core of a person. You were there during his aspirations as a defense attorney. The goodness in his heart shone the brightest among the corruption that wormed its way around the courthouse.

It was what led you to fall for him -- a boundary that should never have been crossed as a fellow colleague.

You were then there at his downward spiral, his expression growing darker at the injustice that became so obvious. The moment his curse technique awakened, he had done the deed -- murder the prosecutor and the judge.

And now, here you were, in this Culling Game with Higuruma Hiromi.

"Are you not afraid of me?" he asked you, after you watched him defeat an enemy from the corner of the deserted theater.

"Why should I be? If you were going to kill me, you would've already done so. My death would give you another extension. Besides, are we not colleagues?"

He nodded, his dark eyes softening slightly. "Yes. For the longest time now. You should leave this game, [Name]. Leave and never turn back. You don't have a technique."

"But..."

"What are you sticking around for? Is it because of your feelings for me?"

Your face blossomed in heat as you fumbled with your words. "H-How? How did you know?"

"I'm a lawyer. As are you. We are quite the perceptive people."

You nodded, ashamedly averting your eyes to the dingy floor of the stage. "Well, yes. I have feelings for you. But no, that's not the reason why I'm still here."

"If it's because of this game's rule of being unable to leave, I can change it."

You shook your head. "I can't leave you here alone."

He approached you, in his suit and disheveled look. Worn out at the roots, and his passion in law failing him, you still held comfort around him. He was like a fallen angel -- the devil, simply misinterpreted and unfortunate. You wanted to save him. Wanted him to know that you were by his side, even if the world wasn't.

"Thank you for loving me," he whispered into your ear. He then curved his face, his warm breath hitting your cheek. With that, he leaned in, soft lips pressed like a kind reminder.

A kiss marked by goodbye.

"But don't love me anymore." His smile was bittersweet, but there was no regret in his eyes, for a newfound freedom had reached him. A fallen angel he was, granted by a new set of wings. "I have no place in the court anymore. You... You still have a life outside of this game."

"No one has to know what you've done!" you argued. "You can still continue!"

He shook his head. "I wouldn't be able to live with myself in a sea of lies. This... This is my path."

Your hands fell to your sides, unable to speak, because the second you would, your words failed you. He was not going to budge -- he had already made his mind a long time ago. He was going to play this damn game until the very end. With or without you.

GETO SUGURU

A destiny as dark and grim as his, many could not withstand it. Many could not deal with his thoughts on humanity and beliefs for his version of a better world. Time and time again, he was left and forgotten, a remnant of an unspoken memory that haunted jujutsu society.

Or maybe, he was the one to leave first.

He thought you were a strange sorcerer, the first time you met. Having met on the battlefield, he expected to fight you to the death, assuming you were on the other team, beliefs that were so morally safe that it made him sick to the stomach.

Instead, you threw your hands up in surrender and invited him to tea. He had never been so dumbfounded.

The more he spoke to you, with your open mind and heart, the more he wanted to understand you.

But now... it was time to let that go. It was time to wrap these silly discussions of what ifs and dive into a world of reality. His plan of action, almost after all these long, long years, was finally underway. If he had to sacrifice everything, then so be it.

"We can't meet anymore," he told you.

You blinked in surprise, nearly choking on your cup of tea. "What? Why?"

He smiled calmly, crossing his legs. "It'll be too dangerous to meet."

"And how does that concern me? I'm a sorcerer."

"You will be put in a position you'll regret. Society will be onto you... onto your relations with me," he said. "So forget about me."

You stood up, slamming your hands down on the table, nearly knocking over the cups of tea. "How could say that? After all this time, you're just going to leave?"

It was nothing new. Not the first time he left someone. He had left Gojo Satoru, Shoko Ieiri, everyone at Jujutsu High, and now, you. He shouldn't have gotten close to you in the first place, knowing that his destiny was sealed. So why did he have to go around and be selfish again? Did he miss all those old days with his former best friend? The days that could never be returned?

There was no point reliving the past.

You grabbed his hand, desperation at length. "Fine. Say you do go through with this. Come back alive."

He grinned, the corners of his creasing. "I cannot promise you anything. I am going up against the strongest sorcerer of all time."

His hand dropped to your head, feeling the rustle of your [h/c] head. Your expression darkened, stressed lining your usual carefree face. Upon seeing it, he fought tooth and nail from wanting to comfort you, to whisper you words of assurance. Instead, he pulled away, preparing himself mentally to harden himself again. If he was able to do it once, he could do it again. It would be no different.

"Forget me. And stop being a halfhearted sorcerer."

GOJO SATORU

As the most powerful sorcerer, nothing could stand in Gojo Satoru's way. If so, then why did you have this uneasy feeling at the mention of the ongoing plan for Shibuya?

Being called on deck to help out the sorcerers, he was beginning with his preparations. He was going to leave. Leave you here to your worries, like the selfish being he was. With his overconfidence that nothing could go wrong as long as he was there, he often overlooked the small things that could trigger a domino effect.

His all-seeing eyes still had a blind spot. You knew that better than anyone.

"You're staying here," he said to you. His reminiscent blues eyes stared intensely at you, swirls of storm washing at bay. They spat back at you, mocking you, for your lack of strength. A finger crept up to the blacks of his blindfold, slipping it downward to cover said hues in slumber.

"No... Let me go."

"You'll only get in the way."

You bristled, poking at his chest, which was a little too solid for your liking. "You didn't have to say it like that."

He sighed and then reached his hand out, ruffling your hair into a mess. "I'm just saying. There's a lot of non-sorcerers to deal with. Your technique won't be useful there. And you need to rest up. You just came back from a different mission."

"I'm just getting a bad gut feeling about you, Satoru."

He snorted and pointed at himself for the dramatics. "Me? We're talking about me over here. I will be fine. Aw, so cute though... my little [Name] is worrying about me!"

Pulling you into a hug, he wrapped his arms around you tightly. The familiarity of his soft cologne, earthy and sandalwood, wafted through your nose, spreading past your mind the memories you had with him. The days had flown through like quicksand, too fast for you to catch on.

You were tired of it. Of Gojo Satoru being the strongest. And the burden that came with it.

"Just sit this one out, hmm? I'll be back before you know it."

"What if you also stay out of this one? It could be a trap they had set up."

He stared at you incredulously, his smile dropping instantly. "Don't joke like that. I cannot afford to sit out. This is my responsibility. The fate of Tokyo relies on me."

You hated it.

Gojo Satoru

In all his days of living, he had never met someone like you. In his 28 years on this planet, he experienced a lot, but somehow, none of them compared to the person whose name melted at the tip of his tongue -- yours, [Surname] [Name]. And he wasn't sure what to do about it.

He was Gojo Satoru. The strongest jujutsu sorcerer, and he always knew that. So why was he getting caught up by a nobody like you?

Well, you weren't exactly a nobody. You were a fellow sorcerer, a grade 1 sorcerer actually. You were quite capable in this society, withholding enough support during missions and ensuring everyone's safety.

Somehow, even though you weren't the strongest sorcerer, like him, everyone always grew more confident and comfortable when you arrived to the scene of the battle.

He wondered how you did that.

He actually hated you at first, annoyed by how bossy and sure you were at your job. But somewhere in the lines of hate, he found himself thinking about you, his interest never once waning. He found himself thinking about your smile, your optimism, and your quiet strength. He would worry when you would not show up for a while after a certain risky mission, and feel his bones itch to go try and save you. Then, he would feel stupid as shit when you do end up showing, safe from harm and carefree as day.

Thus, the cycle repeated.

"What? Are you here to try to tell me to do my job again?" you asked him, standing there in the dark alley to exorcise curses. Your words didn't attack him necessarily -- actually, you seemed to be quite amused, your lips curved into a lopsided smile.

That was the thing. His disdain for you in the beginning was not met. You always greeted him kindly, not at all offended by his petty behavior. Maybe it was because you kept it up professional, drawing this invisible line to stop him. After all, you were the bigger person.

"Now why would I do that? I would never do that to you," he said, scoffing.

"Okay buddy." Your brows raised.

His body moved on its accord. His fingers hovered in the air for a moment, before reaching your [h/c] hair.

"What is it?" you asked, eyes growing wide.

He didn't realize how close he suddenly got to you, your breath intermingling, one and the same. "There was something in your hair."

Your lips were close -- the very same lips he envisioned kissing. Just one lean in and the gap would be closed. His heartbeat pounded in his chest, so loud he could swear you would hear.

No, no, no. He could not let these feelings be known.

He was the strongest sorcerer -- you were a nobody... his nobody.

That was a recipe spelled for disaster.

He pulled away, only wishing to be pulled in by your warmth again. He wished... oh how he wished. What was the point of being the strongest if he couldn't give into his desires? What was the point of it all if he couldn't be embraced by you? There were too many expectations... too many rules... that he never used to mind, but now, all was changed.

"Thank you," you told him, grinning as bright as the sun.

His ears felt hot, so he turned his head away. He wished you didn't grin brightly as such. It was undeserved.

Geto Suguru

The woes of his technique were having to sink to the ocean floor, buried in the mass of curses he was forced to ingest. It was a dark and lonely atmosphere, lack of life and companionship.

And that was when he let it loose, exhausted of the bonds that kept his down as a jujutsu sorcerer.

Because why... must he serve to these monkeys? All they added to this world was the endless mounds of curses. It was disgusting.

But you...

How did you sneak up on him like this? He could not, would not, dare not give into the temptations that you had caused him. What kind of torment were you dealing him with?

You were not a jujutsu sorcerer. You were a mere human, a catalyst for curses. He should hate you. And he would hate you.

The few times he tried to kill you, for the sake of his lifelong dream, he could not. What made you different than any other? So what was stopping him from doing the deed? It was despicable, making him sick of himself, from how weak he was.

"Suguru..." you said, smiling softly, your voice a gentle melody to his ears. Your fingers wove into his long, dark strands, twisting them into one another, into a braid. "Did you have a good day today?"

He nodded slowly, thinking back to the process he made with Yuta. It was getting closer and closer, though not quite there yet. And he was fine with that. He was a patient man. "It's been fine." He glanced your way, imagining the curve of his fingers wrapping around your neck to squeeze the life out of you. Then it flipped like a switch, and suddenly he found himself imagining himself kissing you and cradling you into his arms.

Fuck. Hurling his head away, he clenched his hands so tight his knuckles grew white.

That one fateful day. Where you arrived at his front steps, pleading, begging for a place to stay. You were near homeless, going through it with the loss of your job and home. He should have killed you then and there. But the look in your eyes... they reminded of his... this longing and desperation to escape your doom.

And still, no curse brought upon you, because for some reason, you didn't let the past catch up to you, thankful for each and every day.

You were even thankful to him.

He wished he never took you in, thinking it would make no difference, considering he was going to use you and then kill you.

Because that had left him a dilemma.

Trey Clover

Trey thought you were quite alike to him. He sometimes caught himself thinking that you were... mature... thoughtful... resilient. It was strange. He had never thought of someone in that way, but the way you spoke of things, it would always strike a chord in him.

So when he saw you there on the balcony, gazing upon the views of Night Raven College, he knew. He knew he wanted to speak to you.

Your [h/c] hair furled along the slight breeze, and your eyes were distant, in a world unimaginable from here. As he approached you, he stared upon you with a soften gaze, never before seen with anyone else. He wondered why he held such a soft spot when it came to you.

You finally noticed his presence, glancing over to see his familiar dark green hair and gold-hazel eyes behind those rims.

"Trey," you said with a gentle smile. He found it very nurturing somehow. Really, a simple smile from you was nurturing.

"What are you doing here all alone?" he asked you, coming up right beside you.

"Been thinking of some stuff..." you trailed off. It left him intrigued, it really did. Oftentimes, it seemed you had much more to say, but you would not elaborate, as if you didn't wish to burden anyone else. But he wanted to hear it. He wanted you to know that he did.

"What's on your mind?"

You blinked at him, somehow surprised by his response. And for whatever reason, whether it was just the two of you, or you were feeling nostalgic in this moment, or he was watching you with such patience, you wanted to tell him of the weights on your shoulders. You gave him a smile in return, a mixture of slightly sad and content. "I was from an orphanage and back then, I had to take care of the little ones. They were practically my brothers and sisters, to which I love them. But... it's changed so much. Being here at Night Raven College, I finally figured something out."

He stayed there, listening, being the perfect one to bear your problems.

You took a deep breath. "I missed out on a lot as a kid. I was a kid raising other kids, so I never had the chance to live as a kid myself. So I'm realizing I need to start living for my past self, starting now. There's so much I wish to experience, so much that could fulfill my child self's dreams."

He believed you beautiful. So beautiful and strong as you spoke of your hardships and regret. But there was no regret. Just a determination to redeem to yourself. He now knew why he saw so much of himself in you.

"I'll help you with this."

"You don't have to do anything!" you said, shocked by his offer. "I'm already so grateful that you're hearing me out."

"I want to," he stated, leaving no room for protest. "What do you wish to experience first? I will do anything to make it possible."

You cracked a grin, this time not as melancholy and bittersweet. "Can we prank Riddle?"

He pushed his rims up his nose bridge and looked down seriously. "I said 'everything'... but, this... this... absolutely not."

Truly, the two of you were like the parents of the dorm of Heartslabyl.

Vil Schoenheit

You had this presence that Vil could never put a finger on. Quite different from the rest of the student population at Night Raven College. Was it because you came from this... other world?

Today, he had the honor of putting on makeup to your face. He had always wanted to; the structure of your face and your features was his perfect canvas. He could see much potential within you, a whole vision. By the end of it, he expected you to be glowing.

His face neared yours, his attention focused on his job at hand. He could see your blemishes, your flaws, your pores, but he loved it. He loved it when it came to you, because it made you feel more human -- more connected to him. "This will come together, I know it," he whispered to you.

And to those words, for some reason, it made you burst into tears.

Vil had never been so disrupted.

"What's wrong?!" he said, frantically grabbing tissues to blot the tears before they ruin your makeup.

"Sorry..." you murmured. "I'm just really happy."

He raised his brows, his light purple eyes shadowed in confusion. "Whatever do you mean by that?"

"I've never had a makeover like this before and I just remember wanting one so bad. Here I am now, thanks to you, Vil."

He crouched down to meet your sitting level, his warm hand grabbing onto yours. "Explain to me."

"I grew up in an orphanage and because I was older than most, I took care of the others. I didn't have the time to dress myself up or have friends who would do makeovers with me. And there was a time when I saw this most stunning lady from the street. I was amazed by her makeup and outfit, but overall, the aura she carried. You're like her too, Vil. You carry a confidence that I aspire to be."

His fingers came up to wipe at your tears, so tender and caring. "You will be, [Name]. So don't cry anymore. I will turn you the fairest of them all. You will live your dreams, no matter what. I can guarantee that."

Your tears stopped and you started to laugh. He watched you, astonished, feeling his heart racing at the sight. Indeed, you really were glowing... and it was not just the makeup.

Rook Hunt

He watched you for a while now, sensing the troubles that had been bothering you. But Rook couldn't seem to figure out what the troubles were. It certainly didn't seem like it came from school, the other students, or the blotting situations occurring here at Night Raven College. Rather, it was something else.

A hat was plopped over your head, blocking your vision. You tilted your head back to finally see a blonde bob and a grin. "Mademoiselle, you are looking radiant today!"

"Rook," you said in surprise. "How are you today?"

"Kindhearted as always, I see," he responded, smiling. "But I'm worried, my dear."

"Of what? What's wrong?" You furrowed your brows.

"Of you, of course. Are you alright?"

You blinked in surprise. "You noticed?"

"I notice everything when it comes to you."

A small chuckle left your lips, followed by a sad smile. "I guess you do. Sorry, yeah, I just... I've been feeling weird lately. Like I'm missing out on a lot. My childhood experience was not... the best, to say the least. I had to help out the orphanage and take care of the kids. Being here at Night Raven College might be the first chance for me to live out my childhood dreams. Is this silly? It is, isn't it?"

He shook his head immediately, his heart squeezing in pain at your truth. Was this why he kept such a close eye on you? There was so much more he wished to learn from you. Indeed, you were the enigma to the enigma himself, Vil. "Non. Not at all silly. In fact, come with me! Why don't we live out your dreams together?"

His outreached hand was in front of you, waiting.

You grinned, pushing the burn of oncoming tears down. "Okay."

Jamil Viper

"Can I braid your hair?" you asked Jamil one day. There was something so eager to you today that it nearly tempted him to say yes.

Instead, he made a face. "What? No."

Your face was immediately down casted, more disappointed than he expected to see. He was shocked as guilt flooded his system. Why did you want to do this so badly? Was braiding someone's hair that big of a deal?

"Okay, fine," he sighed, turning his back against you.

"I didn't mean to pressure you!" you said, holding your hands up. "I wanted to try braiding someone else's hair for once."

"You've never braided hair?"

You took in the gorgeous, brown strands that Jamil honed. They were so healthy and long, accentuating his darker skin and figure. You knew he took great care of his hair.

"No... my orphanage was pretty strict when it came to how us girls styled our hair." Your fingers slipped through them, soft to the touch. Something about holding his hair was so vulnerable; it was like a strong piece of him. "So I've always wanted to braid someone's hair. Thank you for letting me do this."

"Orphanage?"

"Yes. I was kind of like the mother to the other kids. I didn't have the time to do anything for myself. Am I doing this right?"

He swept his braided hair over his shoulder to look at it, only to burst out laughing. Your cheeks warmed in embarrassment, though smiling slightly at his amusement.

"Come here," he said eventually. There was no way around it. Hearing your story made him want to do so much for you. He was sincerely ready to give it all to this person, you, and he couldn't understand why. He grabbed at your shoulders and turned you around this time. "I'll braid your hair."

Your eyes started to mist, and you looked over your shoulder. "Thank you. Seriously."

Vil Schoenheit

When he first met you, he was intrigued and liked your confidence. He did not see it as rude and as someone who held much effort himself, he had a good first impression when it came to you.

He heard about your unfortunate reputation and somehow could relate himself to you. From the time when he took roles for shows and dramas there had been assumptions about him from the start. It was frustrating back then, so knowing made him feel less alone in his experiences.

For some reason, meeting him left you restless and shy. He was the housewarden and was indeed beautiful. Was that the reason why you felt like this or was it something more?

Sometimes he would notice the darkening in your [skin color] cheeks. He would question you whether you wore blush that day and would obliviously touch your face. This only caused you to warm in the face even more, pulling away as your heartbeat pounded.

"My my, what a beautiful shade. What blush are you wearing?"

And you would reply, "I-It's not a blush."

His presence also made you want to dress better as well. Almost as if you wanted to impress him. You would stand embarrassed in new clothes, waiting to hear a remark. And he would be satisfied.

"This is quite well. You don't look half bad, [Name].

Rook Hunt

Your loud personality had caught the attention of Rook and from then on, he had watched you from the distance, curious about the person you were.

It did not take you long to notice him observing you, especially from his unique aura and the way he presented himself, including the hat. When you first caught him, you were not pleased, giving him an earful.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" you said to an unfazed Rook.

Somehow, his casual answer to your threatening tone brought a change: from then on, he would come to you with questions and also just to talk to you. This led you two to get closer, leaving you to unshell yourself and you realizing Rook was someone you genuinely enjoyed being around with.

No longer were you so rude to him as you often were to others, you were soft with him, laughing with the enigma that was Rook. You started to feel shy towards him too, embarrassed by the compliments to you that often slipped from him all the time.

"Quelle beauté! You are, that is."

You would avert your eyes. "No, I'm not." And with that, he would only continue to shower you with more compliments until you stopped protesting self-consciously.

Epel Felmier

Epel didn't really liked you as first. He noticed how straightforward and sharp you were and was annoyed by it. Maybe it was because your personalities could be so similar. After all, two lefts don't make a right.

But when you had overheard someone calling him 'cute' one day and confronted the person for making unnecessary remarks, he saw you in a new light. You had seen through his frustrations, when not many had. And once again, perhaps it was due to how similar you two could be. You had a fair share to other labeling you as well.

His quiet character approached you and surprisingly, the two of you connected wonderfully.

You grew fond of him and found his strong spirit and temper familiar. His insecurities of his looks only made you hold him in higher regards, because you thought him wonderful.

He would sometimes stare at you for a moment, kind of analyzing you and that made you flustered. You would break away with pounding in your ears, confused by your uncharacteristic actions.

It was difficult to look at him without feeling so nervous now. Something about his mysterious aura but him slowly opening up to you was driving you insane.

"S-Stop staring at me," you would say to him.

LeonaKingscholar

Leona would be a surprisingly attentive caregiver despite his gruff demeanor. He would make sure you take your medication on time and would always check on you to see how you're feeling. He may be lazy to all else, but for the things he truly cares about, including you, he would exert his every energy for.

He would try his best to cheer you up when you're feeling down, and if you need to rest, he would make sure you're comfortable in bed and bring you books or movies to keep you entertained. Of course, in a roundabout way, he wouldn't want to make it seem like he cared too much.

When you're feeling better, Leona would take you on walks around the school or the forest to help you regain your strength. It almost feels like you would be walking around with a leashed pet, with him stuck to your side.

He would never do anything to make you feel inadequate about your position and your sickness. He would not talk down and instead talked to you as every other person, because he believed in equal levels and fairness.

"Ya feelin' stuffy in here, [Name]? Let's get out and into the sun."

Vil Schoenheit

Vil would be a very meticulous caretaker, making sure that everything is clean and organized to avoid any triggers for your illness.

He would also be very strict with your medication schedule and would make sure you take all the necessary vitamins and supplements to boost your immune system.

Vil would be very gentle and comforting when you're feeling down or in pain. He would read to you, play soothing music, or simply hold your hand to make you feel better.

He would also try to find alternative remedies and therapies to help you feel better, such as aromatherapy, acupuncture, or herbal medicine. Each day he would come in offering tips and advices.

"Oh dear, do not try and sneak out of this. Come here and take your medications, [Name]. Now."

Jamil Viper

Jamil would be a very nurturing caretaker, always making sure you're comfortable and well-rested. He would bring you tea or soup and would cook healthy meals to boost your immune system.

He would also be very empathetic and would listen to your concerns and feelings, trying to offer comfort and support.

When you're feeling better, Jamil would take you on little adventures around the school, showing you his favorite spots and introducing you to his animal friends. He would also teach you some of his favorite spells to keep you entertained.

Leona

He would listen patiently: Leona may not be the most talkative person, but when you need someone to listen, he'll be there. He has a natural ability to read people, and can often pick up on when something is bothering you, even if you don't say it out loud. He'll sit quietly and let you vent, offering words of encouragement when needed.

He would provide physical comfort: Leona isn't afraid of physical touch, and he understands that sometimes a hug or a hand on the shoulder can do wonders for someone who's feeling down. He'll wrap his arms around you and hold you close, providing a sense of comfort and security.

He would use humor to lighten the mood: Leona has a dry sense of humor that not everyone appreciates, but when you're feeling down, he'll use it to make you laugh. He'll crack a joke or make a sarcastic comment, knowing that sometimes laughter really is the best medicine.

He would offer practical advice: Leona may not be the most emotionally expressive person, but he's practical and level-headed. If you come to him with a problem, he'll offer solutions and advice that are grounded in reality. He won't sugarcoat things, but he'll help you come up with a plan to move forward.

He would show his support through actions: Leona is a man of action, and he believes that sometimes the best way to show someone you care is by doing something for them. If you're going through a tough time, he might cook you a meal, help you with a project, or even just offer to spend time with you doing something you enjoy.

“Just say the word and I’ll do it. ‘Cause you be worth it. No one else but you.”

Azul

Azul would use his words carefully and thoughtfully. He has a talent for manipulating language to achieve his own goals, but he can also use this skill to comfort someone. He would listen carefully to the person's concerns and then choose his words carefully to offer reassurance and support.

Azul would also use his charm and charisma to put the person at ease. He has a way of making people feel comfortable around him, and he would use this to help someone feel more relaxed and open up to him about their feelings.

Azul would likely use physical touch to offer comfort. He's not afraid to be close to someone and would probably put an arm around them or hold their hand to offer reassurance.

He might offer to use his magic to help the person feel better. Azul is a skilled magician and would likely have some spells or potions that could help someone feel more at ease.

Azul would also likely use humor to lighten the mood. He's known for his quick wit and clever comebacks, and he would use this to make someone laugh and forget their troubles for a moment.

“I can grant you any wish you’d like. Your happiness will be at my command.”

Ace

Ace is a great listener. Whenever you're feeling down, he'll give you his full attention and listen to what you have to say. He won't interrupt or judge you, and he'll provide a safe space for you to express your feelings.

Ace is very empathetic. He's able to put himself in your shoes and understand how you're feeling. This allows him to provide comforting words that are genuine and meaningful.

Ace is a physical person. He'll often use physical touch to comfort you, such as a warm hug or holding your hand. He knows that sometimes words aren't enough, and a reassuring touch can go a long way.

Ace is good at making you laugh. He knows that laughter can be a powerful tool to lift your mood and make you feel better. He'll crack jokes or tell funny stories to help you forget about your troubles, even if it's just for a little while.

Ace is a problem-solver. If you're facing a difficult situation, Ace will try to find a solution to the problem. He'll brainstorm ideas with you and offer his support to help you overcome any obstacles.

You had been studying in the library all day and were feeling exhausted. As you made your way back to your dorm room, you couldn't help but think about how nice it would be to take a nap. Maybe you could even convince Leona to take one with you. You knew how much he loved his naps. 

As you made your way to the dorm, you had suddenly crossed paths with the devil, Leona himself! He was flipping through a book with a bored expression on his face. He looked up at the sound of your footsteps, and you couldn't help but feel your heart skip a beat at the sight of him. 

For some reason, as if your mouth had a mind of its own, you asked him the question. The all nighters were getting to you. 

"Hey, Leona," you said, trying to keep your voice casual. "Do you want to take a nap with me?"

He raised an eyebrow in surprise and let out a grunt, but didn't object. 

The next you knew, you were in his room. 

As if you had been possessed, you climbed onto his bed and snuggled up next to him. Once again, to your pleasant surprise, he made no complaint. You could feel his warmth next to you, and you closed your eyes with a contented sigh.

For a few minutes, you both lay in silence, enjoying the feeling of each other's presence. You could feel your breaths slowing down, and you knew that you were both starting to drift off.

As you fell into a deep sleep, you felt Leona's arm wrap around you, pulling you closer to him. You snuggled in even closer, feeling safe and content in his embrace.

When you woke up a few hours later, you found that Leona was still asleep next to you, his breathing slow and even. You couldn't help but smile at the sight of him, feeling a sense of closeness that you had never felt before.

As you gently extricated yourself from his grasp, you felt a pang of sadness at leaving him. You wished that you could stay with him forever, just like this, in a state of blissful contentment.

But you knew that you had to leave, and so you got up and left the room, feeling grateful for the brief moment of intimacy that you had shared with Leona.

Over the next few days, you found yourself unable to stop thinking about the nap that you had taken with Leona. You couldn't help but feel a sense of longing whenever you saw him around campus, and you found yourself daydreaming about what it would be like to be with him again. It was weird. You thought you were going crazy. 

Suddenly, you felt a warm presence next to you, and you looked up to see Leona standing next to your desk. You blinked in awe. Maybe he was going crazy too. 

"Hey," he said softly, his voice surprisingly gentle. "I heard that you've been studying all day. Do you want to take a break and nap with me again?"

You felt your heart race at the sight of him, and you couldn't help but nod in agreement. It was seriously kind of out of character of him, but perhaps he actually enjoyed your presence. You followed him out of the library and back to his dorm room, where he led you to his bed and pulled you into his arms.

For a few minutes, you both lay in silence, enjoying the feeling of each other's presence. You could feel your breaths slowing down, and you knew that you were both starting to drift off.

As you fell into a deep sleep, you felt Leona's arm wrap around you again, holding you close to him. You could feel his warmth radiating against your skin, and you couldn't help but feel a sense of safety and comfort in his embrace.