#utahime

Also welcome back

Giving Nobara, Maki and Utahime the silent treatment

A/n: I don't think I could give someone the silent treatment. Not because I don't think I'm capable of it, but because I barely talk anyway. Thank you for requesting, I hope you enjoy!

Nobara Kugisaki

In private, Nobara is actually very receptive of your affection and is more than happy to reciprocate...for the small fee of some praise. The two of you often spend your evenings cuddled up together while you shower her in praise.

In public, however, it's a different story entirely. It's not that she necessarily dislikes being hugged in public, she just doesn't like how Yuji and Megumi treat her when you do.

She's not sure what she hates more, Yuji's constant questioning about her relationship with you, or how much Megumi tells her to "stop making out with your partner and focus on the mission".

That's why, after one particularly stressful exorcism, she snapped at you when you suddenly pulled her into a hug.

"Great job, Bara! That curse was no match for y-"

"Stop it."

"...Huh?"

Nobara pulls out of your grip as she looks away from you.

"I'm tired of you acting all clingy around me. I already know how great I am, I don't need you constantly clinging to me every second of the day just to remind me."

"But...I thought you liked it."

"I don't, so just cut it out, ok?"

"...Okay."

As you walk away, Nobara lets out a sigh. She didn't completely mean what she said, she just wanted you to not wrap yourself around her so much so that the boys would finally leave her alone.

Unfortunately, you seem to take her advice a little too well.

That night, you two walk through the dormitory halls together. Nobara stops at the door to her own dorm, expecting you to be right behind her. However, when she turns around, she instead sees you enter your own dorm.

Confused, Nobara knocks on the door to your dorm, only to be slightly scared by what she sees. Rather than the wide, sparkly eye expression you usually have, all she gets is a stone cold stoic stare from you.

"What do you want?"

"Uuuhhh...*ahem* I was just wondering if you're coming to bed with me. I don't want you whimpering at my door in the middle of the night beause you miss me."

"That won't be a problem."

"I-"

Before she can get a reply out, you shut the door in Nobara's face. Slightly annoyed now, she stomps her way back to her dorm, slamming the door behind her. As she lies in bed, she can't help but hold a pillow close to her as she tries to sleep, missing the warmth and feeling of your body cuddling with hers.

Nobara makes her way to your room again, much more begrudgingly this time, carrying a pillow and blanket with her. She knocks on your door, and you open it. At first, you're just as emotionless as before, only to become a little confused by the things Nobara is carrying and her face being lowered.

"What's all this?"

"I'm...sorry, okay? I didn't mean to snap at you like that. I just wanted Megumi and Yuji to stop bothering. I never wanted to hurt you. So, please, come cuddle with me."

"...Are you only apologising because you're actually sorry, or because you can't sleep without me?"

Nobara's face blushes a light red, though she tries her best to hide it, only for it to deepen when you pull her into a hug.

"It's ok, Bara, I forgive you. And, if it'll make you feel better, I'll try not to cling to you so much in front of the others. Now, c'mon, I'm getting sleepy."

Nobara smiles at you and enters your room, putting her stuff on your bed as you shut the door. As you sleep against her, Nobara can't help but smile and gently stroke your back.

"Good night, Y/N. You're the best."

Maki Zenin

Unlike Nobara, Maki isn't nearly as responsive to your affection. She doesn't mind you hugging her, she just isn't one to hug you back except on rare occasions.

One day, you and Maki were sparring for practice while Inumaki and Panda watched from the sidelines. At first, everything goes as normal, with Maki not holding back against you at all as if she saw you as just another Cursed Spirit.

However, what happened next shocked Inumaki and Panda to their four combined cores.

"Hey, Maki, cool it down a little, would you?"

Maki only responds with small blush that only you can see as she switches back to her starting position. Another round starts, and rather than going at you full strength, her movements are slower and lack their usual punch, to the point where you're actually able to keep up with her.

Panda and Inumaki don't fail to notice this, or the way you cling to Maki's arm when you're done training together.

"Huh, I guess Maki does have a soft side after all."

"Salmon."

Overhearing this, Maki turns towards the pair and stares daggers at them.

"You two better not be getting any dumb ideas."

As if it's a reflex from the number of scoldings they've received from the green-haired girl, they both immediately turn away with the msot unconvincing innocent whistle imaginable.

Maki scowls and faces forward. She pulls her arm out of your grip and starts walking just a little faster, with you left behind staring at her back in confusion.

Later that night, you look out your dorm window to see Maki still training. Not wanting her to overdo it, you go outside to confront her. When she notices you, she has the same stern expression she had with Inumaki and Panda.

"You should be in bed, it's not healthy to be up this late."

"I could say the same for you, why're you still training at this hour?"

"If I'm going to spite the Zenin clan, I have to get stronger. I can't afford to let up."

"Maki, you aren't going to get better if you don't sleep. You need to rest."

You try to put a hand on her shoulder, but she immediately slaps it away and goes back to focusing on her training.

"Stop being so soft all the time. You said you wanted to help me become head of the clan, right? Then act like it and quit bothering me."

Not wanting to anger her any further, you leave Maki alone and go back to your dorm. Though she only said those things because she was stressed out and tired, you can't help but reflect on them as you fall asleep.

The next day, having finally calmed down after some sleep, Maki finds herself regretting how she spoke to you, and decides she'll make it up to you the next time she sees you. Just as she comes to this decision, she sees you approaching at waves at you with a smile.

"Hey, Y/N. Let's hang out today. My treat."

Rather than answer her, you merely walk by her without even acknowledging her existence. She notices your expression as you pass her. It's not as serious and strict as hers was last night, or as bright and cheerful as yours usually is. Rather, it's cold and distant, not unlike some of the looks she'd sometimes get from other members of the Zenin clan.

As you walk away, Maki sees Inumaki and Panda following you and stops them for questioning.

"What's going on with Y/N?"

"They didn't tell you? Then, I don't think they'd want us telling you either."

"Bonito flakes."

Maki grabs Panda's fur and gives an even angrier face than the one she had when she scolded them yesterday.

"It's your fault I acted that way to begin with, so tell me what's wrong with them!"

"T-They said they didn't want to get in your way, so they'd leave you alone so you could train more."

Maki groans and lets go of Panda's fur to rush after you. Panda and Inumaki both let out a sigh of relief.

Maki notices you up ahead and speeds up to catch you.

"Y/N! Y/N!"

With you still ignoring her, she runs in front of you and stops you.

"C'mon, just talk to me."

"You said you wanted me to stop being soft with you."

"I...I didn't mean it. I was just tired and annoyed from those two idiots. I don't want you to ignore me, just...tone it down a little."

"How do I know you won't just go back on your word the next time they call you soft?"

Maki clenches her fists and blushes a little, already flustered by what she's about to do next. She wraps her arms around you, resting her head on your shoulder. While she'd occasionally hug you back if you hug her first, Maki's never actually initiated a hug herself before, making this a rare, but more than welcome, surprise.

"I love you, ok? Don't forget that."

As you hug her back, Maki looks over your shoulder and sees Panda and Inumaki, both giving her a teasing look. She glares at them once more, silently threatening them if they dare spill a word of this to anyone.

The two of you pull back, and she looks at you with a grin.

"Now, like I said before, let's go see a movie. My treat."

Utahime Iori

Utahime is somewhere between the other two when it comes to receiving affection. She's not exactly as cuddly as Nobara, but she also reciprocates a lot more than Maki does. She's also more open to small acts of PDA like handholding, just not more showy stuff like hugging or kissing.

That is, at least, when it's not done around Satoru Gojo.

Utahime's dislike towards Gojo is an open secret between you two. She's never told you directly, but with the way she always reacts to his teasing, you don't really need her to state the obvious. And when he found out the two of you were dating, the teasing only seemed to increase tenfold.

Any time he so much as sees you two holding hands, he always makes some sort of comment about how lovey dovey you both are.

"So, when are you both getting married?"

"Satoru, for the last time, we were just crossing pinkies."

"Probably so they could figure out what size your finger is for the wedding ring."

Utahime throws her drink at Gojo, which he easily blocks.

Sometimes, he even hides near certain spots where you two agreed to meet up just so he can catch you hugging when you think he's not nearby, often surprising both of you.

"Satoru, what are you doing?!"

"I heard you were having dinner here together, so I thought I'd join you."

"You can't, we only made a reservation for two."

"Well, I'm sure they wouldn't mind making it three for the great Satoru Gojo."

"No, but I would. Go away."

Eventually, it got so bad that Utahime felt the need to take more...extreme measures. One day, while you're relaxing at home, Utahime calls you into the bedroom, asking you to sit next to her. You go to put your hand over hers when you sit down, but she moves it away.

"What's going on, Hime? It's not something serious, is it?"

"It's...most likely not as serious as you think it is. I need you to stop being so affectionate with me in public."

...Do you not like it?"

"I-I do, I'm just tired of Satoru constantly teasing me over it, and I feel like this is the best way to stop it."

She prepares for you to argue back or to outright refuse, but instead you just move your hand away from her, your face lowering.

"If that's what you want."

Before she can say anything, you've already left the room. When she follows you, you're already lying on the sofa in the living room with a blanket draped over you, ready to sleep. She wants to say something, but decides she's already asked enough of you today and leaves it be for now.

The next day, while you two are out on a date, she can't help but notice you ignoring her. From what she can tell by your face, you aren't angry with her, yet you don't seem as happy as usual either. It reminds her a little of Nanami.

She gently bumps your hand with her own, an attempt to get you to hold her hand without aksing for it, only for you to press your hand against your side instead.

"Y/N, did I do something to upset you?"

"I'm not upset."

"Then why are you ignoring me?"

"Isn't this what you wanted?"

"What are you talking abou-"

She's cut off by Gojo suddenly wrapping an arm around her neck.

"Utahiiiimeeee~"

She isn't sure if you knew Gojo was following you both, or if it was just a coincidence. Though, with how he seems to invite himself on practically every one of your dates, it wouldn't be hard to guess.

"What do you want, Satoru?"

"I just stopped by to see how my favourite couple's getting along. Though, from the way your partner's already leaving, I guess I don't have to ask."

Utahime looks away from Gojo to see that he's right, you've already walked ahead while she'd slowed down to talk with Gojo, as if you weren't even aware he'd shown up.

"So, what did you do to them, huh?"

"I didn't do anything! It was your constant teasing that made me ask them to stop hugging me."

"You mean you made them stop completely? My, I didn't know you could be so cruel, Utahime."

"...What are you talking about?"

"Well, suppose they asked you to go cold turkey on that beer you love so much. I bet you'd be just as upset as they are now, wouldn't you?"

She holds back the urge to punch him for insinuating she has an alcohol problem for the time being.

"I wouldn't have had to make them quit if you didn't pick on me about it so much."

"C'mon, you know me by now. I'd tease you even if they didn't act that way with you."

As much as she hates to admit it, Gojo has a point. She moves his arm away and hurries to catch up with you. She pulls on your arm to get your attention, making you stop and look at her.

"Y/N, I'm sorry about what I said, and I take it back. I don't care what Gojo says or does, if you being affectionate with me is what makes you happy, then I never want you to stop."

"Are you sure you should be saying something that sweet when he's stood right there?"

Utahime turns to see Gojo making kissy faces at the two of you, and she lets out a sigh.

"Well, if he's going to see no matter what, then we may as well give him a show."

"What do you mea-"

Utahime cuts you off by placing her hands on your cheeks and pulling you into a kiss. You're caught off guard at first, but you quickly reciprocate. The world around you fades away as your lips press together, and just for a moment, Utahime forgets Satoru even exists...although he's very quick to remind her.

"Ahh, young love. Well, maybe not so young in your case, Utahime, but still."