🥵

"Baseball!?" I whined. "No fair!! Why do we finally do something fun the moment I'm no longer a student!?"

Satoru laughed, "You suck at sports anyway!"

"Not true!!"

"Remember when we went ice skating? You literally couldn't leave the wall without falling."

I huffed as I crossed my arms, "People aren't made to be on ice! That's different!"

"Y/n, you should still play with us anyway!" Yuji yelled.

"Really!?" my eyes sparkled.

"No!" Yaga commanded. "This is not a game. This is the Kyoto Exchange Event! Y/n, you're a teacher now, start acting like it!"

"Are you kidding me!? What about Gojo! He's the childish one!"

"Hey!! Why are you bringing me into this!?" he whined out.

Yaga sighed loudly, rubbing his temples, "I can't believe we're actually letting you two work together."

"She's literally the girl version of Gojo-sensei," Kugisaki mumbled with wide eyes as she watched us continue to bicker.

"Come on Gojo! I'll take you on right here!" I yelled at him, getting into an attack stance.

He smirked, "You threaten to kill one person and you think you're tough now?"

"You're both children," Maki huffed.

"Maki!! You're ok!" I ran up and gave her a hug. "You are just as incredible as ever!"

"Can we just get this over with?" Noritoshi sighed.

"Let's do it! First batter, you're up!!" Satoru announced as he took his place as umpire.

I stood on the sidelines and watched my friends enjoy their game. They were all taking it seriously but were still just having fun too. It was the perfect break that they all deserve.

As each of the Kyoto students stepped up to the plate, I couldn't help but enter Yuuji's mind so I could overhear his conversations. I wanted to know what the other students now thought of him since he had backed them up in battle and truly helped take down a special grade curse.

As Sakuna's vessel he was going to need all the friends and allies he could get, especially with the amount of trials that were sure to come his way.

"Itadori, why did you want to become a jujutsu sorcer?" Noritoshi asked.

"I'm a loner, Kamo. I want to help a lot of people, so that when I die, I'll be surrounded by a lot of people," Yuuji answered honestly.

My heart broke as he spoke those words. I knew how alone he felt since his grandfather died and then when Junpei was killed. He hasn't told me any of that, I had only seen it all when I connected with him, so I doubt he even knew that I knew.

But, either way, I wanted to help him. And I wanted to protect him... more than I wanted anything else.

"I see. That's a great reason," Noritoshi responded, not even swinging at the pitch that was just sent his way.

Did he just win over Noritoshi!? The first one who was on board to kill him!? This is good. So very good.

"You ok?" Yaga smiled as he approached me. "You look a little lost."

"Hmm? Y-yea, I'm fine," I stuttered out as I broke away my eyes from Yuuji.

He smirked, "I thought you only used your mind reading technique when you had to?"

"You know I hate when you call it that," I huffed. "It's not mind reading."

"I know, I know... it's a joining. A connection," he teased.

"I'm just trying to keep an eye out for Yuuji. During the Event, Gakuganji put a hit out on him and all the Kyoto students were much too willing to try and kill him."

I continued, "If he's going to survive as Sakuna's vessel, I need to know where he stands with everyone else. Maybe make some allies for him in the process."

Yaga sighed, "Shouldn't you be worried about yourself?"

"Mm, if they were going to kill me, they missed their chance. Besides, I'm a teacher now. You know I never do anything half-assed. Those first years are my responsibility and my priority."

"Come," he ordered as he began to walk away. "Let's go sit with Gakuganji."

I was a bit annoyed with his demand, but I followed him anyway. He sat on the bench with Principal Ganji, and left an open spot for me between the two.

"Let's talk," Yaga called out softly as we sat there observing the game.

"Whoa, Inumaki is so fast!" I yelled out completely distracted by the last play.

Gakuganji huffed, "Is that what you want to talk about?"

"Obviously not, old man," I crossed my arms. "I want to know what the hell your problem is."

"You are my problem, Y/n. And so is Sakuna's vessel."

"Oi. You're getting on my last nerve, you know that?" I glared at him.

Yaga quickly interjected, "Please. Let's just focus. Gakuganji, do you still hate Itadori?"

"It's not a matter of hating him or not. According to jujutsu rules, his mere presence cannot be tolerated. The only reason he's alive is because of Gojo's ego. And now Y/n's obsession."

"Fuck your rules," I spat.

He smirked, "Yes, you would say that. Because if we followed the rules, you'd be dead too."

I looked at him with wide eyes. I knew they wanted control over me, but I never realized they wanted me dead. Why would they want me dead?

"D-dead?" I stuttered out.

Gakuganji ignored me, "Bending the rules for an individual is not ok. And the fact that Itadori is alive could result in mass death."

"Lives have been saved because of him as well," Yaga countered. "We can't ignore that. Plus, he survived against a special grade."

"Only because Y/n and Todo were there," Ganji added.

"Didn't you only beat that cursed user because Gojo was there to help?" I asked him. "Does that mean we should kill you too?"

"Y/n," he looked at me. "Is there any specific reason you won't kill?"

I froze at his question. I didn't realize he knew about my internal pact to not sacrifice anyone under the false pretense of some abstract greater good.

"Did you think I wouldn't notice?" he smirked. "I'm sure you know how closely I've watched you over the years."

He continued, "Is it because of the draw you feel towards the darkness? Is it because of the rush of excitement and fulfillment you feel whenever you're in battle? Do you fear your own bloodlust?"

My palms were sweating and my heart was pounding. No one had ever called me out like this. I didn't think anyone would ever know...

How does he know?

"That's enough," Yaga demanded. "We're here to talk about Itadori. Y/n is a special grade sorcerer and a teacher. She is one of us, Gakuganji."

"Yes, but for how long?" he retorted. "But nevermind that, I suppose. Say what you must regarding Sakuna's vessel."

For how long? What is he talking about? How come it feels like they both know something I don't?

"Itadori will experience many regrets, as do all of our students. But regret isn't limited to only the students..."

"Whether the decision about Itadori was correct or not, I can't say for sure. But for now, why don't we support him as we watch over him? Our regrets as adults can wait," Yaga finished his spiel.

The game had ended, and Tokyo won. Gakuganji remained silent as he thought over Yaga's words.

"Yaga, these regrets, do you mean Geto?" I asked softly.

He sighed, "He's one of many. But it's my biggest regret..."

"Oh Y/n!!" Satoru called as he ran over to me. "Did you enjoy the game!?"

I smiled at his playfulness, "I did."

"Good!" he glanced between Gakuganji and Yaga. "What are you two doing with her?"

"She's mine!" he yelled again as he swooped me up and carried me bridal style.

"Gojo!" I squealed.

"Yaga, do something about them. Or at least keep an eye on them," Gakuganji huffed as Satoru carried me off.

"You're going to get us in trouble!" I cried as I looked up at his beautiful eyes hidden behind small-framed black glasses.

I licked my lips softly as I stared at him. He always looked so handsome when his hair fell down and swept across his face. I hadn't spent any time alone with him yet, and being this close to him, wrapped in his arms, it was driving me a little crazy.

"You shouldn't look at me like that," he whispered with a small smile.

"S-sorry," I stuttered as I quickly looked away, my cheeks turning pink.

He finally set me down, and wrapped his arms around my waist, holding me closely.

"Can I kiss you?" he asked softly as he continued to flash his breathtaking smile.

"T-the students," was all I could mumble out, and I knew I didn't sound very convincing.

"Mm, they'll learn sooner or later," he chuckled as he pulled my mask down a bit and gave me a gentle kiss.

"When am I finally going to get you alone?" he breathed out as we pulled apart.

"Not anytime soon," we turned to see Yaga staring us down with his arms crossed.

My eyes widened as I pushed Satoru away and quickly replaced my mask. Meanwhile, Satoru just laughed loudly.

"Y/n, we're sending you on a mission with the first years. They're to take the lead. Your only job is to observe," he ordered.

"R-right. Of course."

"Oh come on Yaga," Satoru put his arm around me. "I just got my girl back. Do you have to interfere like this?"

"Yea, about that," he grumbled. "Keep it in your fucking pants around the students. You got it?"

I was so grateful for my mask because my face had turned a bright red as Satoru just laughed it off.

His girl? I don't think we established being back together... but I did say I still loved him. And it's not like I didn't want to be with him. But there was still so much to talk about.

But I guess all that would have to wait.

"She's the one you have to worry about. Not me," Satoru smirked as his hand traveled down my back.

"Oi!" I yelled as he grabbed my ass, and I quickly pushed him away from me.

"Ahh! Just as cute as ever!" he giggled.

I rolled my eyes and looked back at a very annoyed Yaga, "When do we leave?"

"Hurry and get your things. You leave as soon as you can," he ordered. "And remember what I said. No interfering."

"Yea, yea," I waved him off as I walked away.

"Bye my love!" Satoru called. "I'll be waiting for you!"

I shook my head as I approached the first years, "Looks like you guys are stuck with me for a bit."

"Yay!!!" Yuuji yelled as the other two groaned.

"You have 30 minutes. Hurry up," I demanded before heading out to the front of Jujutsu High.

It's been awhile since my last mission... I guess I was even feeling a little excited.

Time to see how well these 3 work as a team when they're actually out in the field. Should be interesting.