There was just something about the rush of a successful hit gone right that had Yuuji Itadori walking lighter, almost dancing along the late-night sidewalk. Everything was perfect. A clean job with no witnesses, under a clear starry night, those heavenly orbs winking back at him a job well done. 2010 was starting off on a high! He enjoyed taking a pleasant walk after a job to let his adrenaline rush come back down. The late evening air was filled with a city’s soothing silence. An occasional rustle of a hedge, or wind through the trees that lined the suburban street he passed through. A distant car or possibly bar goers arriving home at 2 am. Yuuji stopped walking and simply… looked up, smiling as he took in that breathtaking starry sky.
Most if not all the houses on the block were filled with sleeping people, the only lights on an occasional security light tripped by a neighborhood feline stalking its prey. But there was one solitary light coming from an upstairs window. The home of a writer working into the late-night hours on his latest book. He too found the depths of nightly darkness to be his muse, of mystery, of murderous lovers, of intrigues… speaking of intrigues. Who was was strange man walking past his home at such a late hour?
This is exactly why he kept his desk facing the window, to watch, to peer through like a skylight into a rarely observed world. Most nights were quiet, maybe a cat fight in the distance, or a late-night party going on somewhere nearby. Perhaps a teenager with a loud muffler driving through, ugh those were so annoying! A group of drunks walking home from a bar a few blocks away, and occasionally stranger, creepy hooded singles who looked like they were up to no good. But this guy— this pink-haired or maybe orange, he couldn’t quite tell because of the amber streetlights. Who was this smiling man just staring at the sky?
The homeowner rose slightly from his seat to watch the man. The writer in him was peaked of curiosity. It was the most interesting thing he’d seen around here in quite some time. A serene scene, the sky was truly a beautiful one, and the weather perfect for a late-night stroll. What was the man up to? How long had he’d been standing there before he’d noticed? The guy was young, early 20’s with a toned build sporting a two-toned haircut where the bottom was shaved and tapered and a messier style on top. He couldn’t tell if the bottom portion was black or dark brown, but it definitely didn’t match any of his neighbor’s. So, this guy probably wasn’t from this block. A passerby? Where’d he come from? Where was he going?
Was he just clearing his head after a fight with the missus? Could he be a happy drunk just enamored with the stars? Or taking the long way home after a stressful night of work? The man’s clothing had nothing special about it. Just jeans and boots, and a long-sleeved shirt, not quite baggy or form fitting but somewhere in between. It was difficult to figure out the exact color, maybe blue, no green, lighter like a forest green. Maybe if the guy moved close to the streetlight, he’d get a few better details. Well, whoever the stranger was looked innocent enough on the surface, but the jaded writer within him couldn’t help and wonder.
Down below on the sidewalk, Yuuji took one last deep inhale of the sweet, crisp air, closing his eyes as he relished in its sedative spell. His car was just one more block away, and it was off to his home to finish cleaning up. Should he call Nobara now? Nah, he’ll call in the morning to follow up. When he opened his eyes again, there was a prickle on the back of his neck. Yuuji looked around and finally noticed a dark-haired man staring at him from a window. ‘Wow that guys hair is a mess! But he’s kinda cute.’ He chuckled to himself for not catching it sooner. Not like it was a big deal anyway.
Yuuji smiled brightly and waved at the man in a friendly gesture, then continued his nightly stroll. It was always nice to see a fellow night owl… perhaps one day they’ll cross paths again.
As Megumi noted the date on his phone with a quiet sigh, he clicked out and logged completely off for the rest of the day. He didn’t care if he missed any calls, because he just wasn’t in the mood to talk to anybody today. The stars seemed to align, for the school was devoid of life. Yuuji was on a mission with Nobara, and Gojo was dealing with a case in a different city. Megumi wasn’t sure where the other students were exactly, but they didn’t appear to be on campus either. Fine with him, he threw himself back onto his bed ready to sleep away the day. The faster it was over the better.
Several hours later, a knock came to Megumi’s door. He stirred but didn’t feel like getting up. Maybe they’ll take the hint? Then a second knock followed by the sound of his door opening. Guess not. So, he turned over and saw Yuuji in the doorway.
“It’s dinner time Megumi!”
Even through the fading light of the early evening hour, Megumi could see Yuuji’s damn grin. “I’m not hungry.”
“But I brought back some good stuff from our mission.” Yuuji pouted. “Please… it’s really yummy.”
Megumi sighed. “You’re not gonna drop this, are ya?”
“Nope,” Yuuji’s grin returned in triumph.
“Ugh, fine. I’ll be right out.”
“Cool! I’ll be in the common room. Don’t take too long or it’ll get cold.” Yuuji closed the door behind him.
After everything had finally settled and damages were assessed to Tokyo jujutsu high following the Kamo incident, the faculty decided it was time for a full renovation. They would fix the damaged areas but also update other undamaged parts. Including the dorms according to their teacher. The students were given a schedule of when each of their rooms would be worked on and given boxes to pack their belongings for temporary storage.
“Don’t worry,” Gojo grinned. “Shouldn’t take more than a day or two per room.”
“Yeah, okay,” Megumi stared back up at his teacher after reading the information. “But where are we supposed to sleep if our room is being renovated?”
“Oh, well since the unoccupied rooms will also be renovated during this process…” the man tapped his chin. “Got it! You bunk with Yuuji, then switch when it’s his rooms turn.”
“Cool! A sleepover!” Yuuji pumped his fists in the air. “We can hang out and watch movies and eat junk food and just crash from a food coma.”
Megumi swallowed thickly with a groan. “I’d rather you give me your credit card,” directing his comment to Gojo, “so I can get a hotel room.”
“No, can do buddy. Come on, it won’t be that bad.”
Yuuji threw an arm over Megumi’s. “It’ll be fine,” his brilliant smile causing the man’s cheeks to redden. “Movies and food, we’ll have fun.”
Megumi looked away and crossed his arms over his chest. “Ugh! Fine!”
“Good.” Gojo patted his student on the shoulder. “Now that’s settled, get packing young Megumi. Tomorrow we’ll be starting with your room.”
Bang Bang Bang “WAKE UP!!” Gojo cackled in the dorm’s hallway. Bang Bang Bang “RISE AND SHINE!!”
Slowly, but surely two grumpy faces shambled out from their rooms, each using the doors threshold to hold themselves upright. The sun had barely cracked the horizon, and neither were thrilled by the early morning wakeup call!
“What the fuck do you want?” Megumi spat out as he rubbed his eyes. “It better be good!”
But Itadori…
“Oi!” Gojo clapped his hands loudly in front of the man. “Wake up!”
… Itadori was sleeping where he stood. “Huh?” One eye cracked open. “Ye-yeah I’m up. What’s up?”
“Today we’re going on a special field trip to the mountains!” Gojo clasped his hands in front of himself with a mischievous grin. “You’re growing too soft, so a lo—ng hike is just what you need.”
“Are you crazy!” Megumi snapped to attention.
“Of course, I am,” Gojo’s smile never faltered. “Isn’t that obvious by now?”
Megumi crossed his arms in a huff. “Well, I’m not moving until you give me a damn good reason.”
“Megu—” Gojo reached out with a whiny voice, and pulled his hand lose, throwing on his saddest, please, for me smile. “Be a good boy for me, Megu…”
Yuuji quickly straightened up stiff as a board in annoyance and smacked Gojo’s hand away from Megumi. “Stop it with that cutesy stuff, just answer the question.”
“My, my, Yuuji, such a morning grump,” Gojo teased knowingly. “Fine. It’s a bonding exercise, so dress for a hike, pack a backpack with water, a towel, and be out front in 20 minutes.” But still when nobody moved. “Chop, chop!” He clapped his hands condescendingly. “It’s best to get an early start before the sun is high.”
