Chapter Text
Since you graduated from high school, studying was all you know. You even took a gap year to focus on preparing for the university entrance test. Every weekday, you wake up early for an extra tutorial study course or additional lesson that your mom spent so much money on. The comprehensive course focused on preparing students for university entrance exams. It started at 8 am to 1 pm.
But on some days, they would provide students with course counselling outside the main hours which you took the opportunity of and lasted until late afternoon or even evening. On Saturday, you went for tryouts and mock exams. Sunday was your only rest. It felt like a marathon race. You could never have enough breaks. These months are relentless and never-ending.
The thing with a gap year is it wasn't just about the academic stress and tiring chase. But it also shows how you were still studying for next year's entrance exam when all of your friends from your batch were already celebrating their successful admittance and being busy with university orientation assignments. Or how they had been accepted into the Ivy League; made money after inheriting their parents' ramen restaurant or izakaya; and even got married.
It was confusing, lonely, and anxiously rushed. Everything felt competitive and personal. Then time moved on as they were busy with semester exams, presentations, practical sessions, serving customers, cooking delicious food passionately, and making money. Meanwhile, you were waiting for the long-awaited university entrance exam next week.
But you felt lucky for Megumi and Nobara who willingly took a gap year with you. When they first brought it up, you were baffled at their decision. This was their future after all. How could they be so willing to accompany you throughout the gap year? But they came up with good reasons.
Nobara said that she needed more time to study and understand the exam subject, asking for your help in tutoring her. So you studied together at the same course tutoring place. On the other hand, Megumi said he needed more money because he thought a scholarship alone wouldn't be enough with which I agreed. So you took part-time jobs that generally started in the afternoon. Aside from them, your mom and your piano teacher, Sara, were also people you felt lucky to have.
"You're cheating," You glared at the person sitting crisscross in front of you across the coffee table.
"No, dear. You're the one who counts cards," Your mother laughed, holding her cards close to her chest.
"Even with your 180 IQ, you just can't beat someone from Vegas, (Y/n)," Your piano teacher chirped in, raising her stakes with the pistachios peanuts scattered on the coffee table in front of her.
"That's right. You have to think outside the box," Your mom nodded with a smirk on her face.
"Tch, annoying," You muttered. Then, the oven's alarm sounded, making you slam your cards on the table. You got up so fast that you stumbled a little and quickly dashed toward the kitchen.
"Slow down, kid! The cookies aren't going anywhere!" Your mom called you out from the living room as you grabbed a mitten to take the cookies out of the oven.
"The cookies are going into my stomach, Mom," You yelled back. You put the hot tray on the counter as your mom entered the kitchen.
"Let it cool, gosh!" Your mom slapped your hand away as you were about to reach for one of the cookies.
"Aw, come on. It tastes better when it's hot," You pout.
"You're gonna die of diabetes, I swear," Your piano teacher, Sara, said as she joined you in the kitchen.
"I'm not Toru," You giggled, recalling your cousin. "Can I please have it now? Pleaseee?"
"Alright," Your mom said as she shook her head in disbelief.
"YAY!" You exclaimed happily, taking one of the cookies. You took a little bite on the edge, the melted chocolate chips smeared the edge of your lips.
"Still a messy eater," Your mom complained, wiping the stain off your lips.
"Don't baby me," You grumbled.
"You are a baby," Sara and your mom said simultaneously, making you roll your eyes at them.
"I'm going back to studying," You plated some cookies and poured a glass of milk to take them upstairs.
"You're gonna be a shrimp from the amount of time you spent sitting down in front of your thick books, nerd," Your mom teased.
"Stop it," You laughed, with a glass of milk in your right hand and a plate of cookies in your left.
"Huh? But didn't you take the entrance exam last month? Aren't we waiting for the result announcement next week?" Sara frowned in confusion, trying to recollect her memories.
"Yeah. I'm studying a different subject. Psychology. I wanna have a head start if I get in," I blushed.
"What a nerd. Don't forget to let loose. I'll be here if you wanna have some fun," Sara reminded you.
"Right. I'm gonna cook you a lot of nabe and katsu curry as much as you want," Your mom said lovingly.
"I know. Thanks, Mom, and Sara," You awkwardly smiled, disappearing into the second floor.
***
"This is it," You took a deep breath, accessing the announcement website with your laptop.
"No matter what. I'm proud of you. And daddy would also be proud of you too," Your mom said, gently squeezing your shoulder in reassurance. You smile softly at her, reminiscing the memory of your deceased father.
"Alright. I'm clicking it," You shakily said, taking a deep breath before clicking the test result. Your heart beat faster against your ribcage as the web loaded the screen. Green colours filled one of the boxes with the most anticipated word written on it.
"Aaaaa!" Your mom squealed, shaking your shoulder a little too hard.
"M-mom!" You grabbed her wrist, laughing to the max.
"See? Called it. I knew you could do it. I told you," Sara ruffled your hair with a big grin. Her curly brown hair tickled your face.
"Yeah, yeah. Thanks, guys," You smiled widely at the two women who supported you all these years.
"Time for a party. We gonna party, uh-huh, we goin' party," Sara moved her body like a wave as she wiggled her hands in the air. You always generalised that some people from America like Sara would like to party although not all of them.
"Sara..." You groaned.
"Oh, come on, you deserve it," Sara argued. "You worked so hard for this."
"She's right. It'll just be your closest friends and your family. That's it," Your mother pointed out.
"Fine. Just a small dinner party at home," You gave in.
***
"Megumi! Nobara!" You excitedly opened the front door for two of your best friends. They instantly engulfed you in a group hug, holding you tightly. Guess what? They got accepted into the same university as you. And this was the first time you met again after the result announcement. That must be why Megumi was willing to hug you as a pat on the back after all the hard efforts and stressful times.
"We've missed you," Megumi muttered in your left ear. His messy spiky black hair tickled your neck.
"So much. Sorry, my parents couldn't make it, they're busy," Nobara added, kissing your right temple. The orange-haired girl rambled about how excited she was to finally go to college with you.
"I missed you guys so much too. And it's fine," You sighed, relieving the warm hold your dearest friends gave you. "Well done, you two."
"Good work, (Y/n)," Megumi pulled back to give you a proud liiiitle smile.
"You too, girl. I'm so proud of us," Nobara sighed, pulling from the hug.
"What about your uncle? Do you miss me too?" A deep voice sounded from behind your friends. The raven-haired bulky male leaned on the door frame with a smirk on his face. His attractive scar and green eyes charmed you like they always did.
"Um- Uh..." You stuttered, not knowing how to answer. Toji walked closer to you with a chuckle. Instantly, red blush occurred from your neck to your ears, colouring your face like a tomato.
"Oh, you broke her again," Nobara snickered. Megumi clicked his tongue in annoyance.
"What did I say about teasing my poor daughter, Toji?" Your mom joked as she walked into the living room. "You knew she had the biggest crush on you." Your mom said with a smirk, erupting a burst of laughter from Nobara. She wheezed, clutching her stomach.
"I'M NOT! AND WOULD YOU PLEASE SHUT UP?!" You yelled, grabbing your orange-haired best friend with a death grip on her neck and stomping into the dining room followed by Megumi.
"Cute and feisty as always," Toji chuckled, sitting across from your mother. Your blush worsened at his comment.
Toji. Megumi's dad. For all the time you knew Megumi and Nobara and hung out with them since elementary school, you and Nobara never met Megumi's dad because he wasn't in the picture until later. Megumi has lived with his step-sister, Tsumiki, since he was 5. His biological mother died not long after giving birth to him. When she died, Toji left to marry Tsumiki's mom and abandoned the two siblings.
The death of Megumi's mother broke the man, giving him gambling and drinking problems. Tsumiki's mom institutionalized Toji for a long time. That was why he was never around. But now that he was better, he came back. That man made you want to disappear into a remote hole somewhere on Earth. It wouldn't be a problem if it weren't for the accident when you went to celebrate with a drink at a bar after finishing the college entrance exam.
It's not that you knew what Toji looked like before, but you first met him in a drunken state. You fell asleep on the sidewalk outside the bar, found by Toji, not knowing he was your best friend's father when Megumi walked out of the bar to 'catch up with his dad'. The spiky-haired boy was deadpanned because he was weirded out by it.
Nobara laughed on the floor when she found out, along with your mom and Sara. It wasn't charming. But that didn't matter as it was all history now. You were embarrassed and grossed out at first, to be found by Toji, the police detective on the street and wasted. Now everyone teased you about it as a joke. Note to everyone: always bring someone when you're drinking.
"We're about to be in the same school again. I'm so excited," Nobara squealed.
The three of you shared the same elementary and high school. But, Nobara left for women's junior high school while Megumi, Tsumiki, and you went to the same junior high. Tsumiki was the pillar and shield when you and Megumi got into trouble. You both fought a lot it felt like Suzuran High School from Crows Zero. You and Megumi were hella good at it, dominating the school food chain. And when the two of you were together, nothing could stand in your way. Sadly, Tsumiki was in a coma due to a hit-and-run accident that happened at the Yasohaci Bridge soon after we entered 9th grade.
"God, (Y/n), you better not start any trouble again," Your mom groaned.
"What? (Y/n) got into trouble?" Toji lifted one of his eyebrows in amusement, drinking wine. Megumi and you averted your gazes from the table, hiding your blush with a frown. Toji eyed you both suspiciously. "What is this?"
"Uhm. Megumi and (Y/n) became a delinquent fighter duo who ruled the whole school, punching and kicking everyone who picked on them and the weak," Nobara explained with a smirk. Toji laughed in his deep voice.
"Is that so?" Toji smirked at you.
"Well, you did teach me about that," Megumi muttered to his dad. Then, the doorbell sounded again.
"Saved by the bell. I'll get it," Sara excused herself from the table to open the door. Footsteps approached the dining room, making you turn your head at the source. A white-haired man with blue eyes smiled playfully at you. He took off his black bomber jacket and hung it on the coat rack. The blonde man in a grey sweater and white shirt beside him greeted you with a smile.
"TORUUU~" You squealed, getting up from your seat and running to your cousin. You jumped into his arms and circled your legs around his waist. He cupped your cheek and showered you with kisses all over your cheeks and forehead.
"My favourite baby cousin," He cooed, making you giggle. "I brought you your favourite dessert, baby." He lifted one of his arms to show you a fancy-looking white bag from your favourite bakery.
"Thank you!" You got down from his body and took the bag from him. "Kento-san, thank you for coming." You bowed to the blonde man beside Satoru, contrasting the shameless hyperactive treatment you gave to Gojo.
"I brought you a gift too, (Y/n). Congratulations on being accepted to our university," Kento smiled warmly, handing you a wrapped gift. Kento and Satoru worked as professors at the university you went to. Satoru was your older cousin but Kento was his boyfriend.
"Oh, thank you. You don't have to," You smiled gratefully at him, taking the gift from his hand and putting it away on the coffee table. "Please, join us." You welcomed them to the dining table.
"Hey, man," Satoru greeted Toji. "Doing okay?"
"Yeah. Great," Toji smiled at the white-haired man. Toji was also one of Satoru's best friends. He made Satoru Megumi's godfather. And Satoru had been taking care of Megumi and Tsumiki since Toji left. But since he came back, Toji insisted that Satoru didn't have to support Megumi financially again. He wanted to make amends and be responsible by giving Megumi the proper care and allowance. Well, the best that he could as a gang specialist police officer at least. Hence why Megumi took part-time jobs.
"Now that everyone's here, let's start," Your mom smiled, starting the feast as she distributed chawanmushi to everyone as an appetizer.
"I'm curious. Why do you choose law school, Megumi?" Sara started the conversation.
"Fitting, isn't it? With all the fighting he got into," Nobara snorted, making Megumi click his tongue. But Toji, Satoru, and I laughed in agreement.
"Actually, yes. I used to hate bad people with unearned respect as much as I hate good people who were too merciful to the former. But... Aneki taught me that my lack of forgiveness is how I show kindness. So I want more kind people like Aneki to be treated fairly, at least in front of justice," Megumi explained in his characteristic flat voice. The atmosphere grew a bit mellow and gloomy when he mentioned Tsumiki. Toji was looking at his son with slightly widened eyes as if Megumi's sharpened sense of justice and kindness was a revelation to him. But then the pair of fresh green dulled a little, remembering his stepdaughter. Everyone in the room had the same expression but Satoru handled it to reset the ambience of joyful celebration.
"Heh, still the same Megumi, taken me by surprise when I first met him because of his maturity. What about you, Nobara? Why psychology?" Satoru asked Nobara who caught on quickly. She swallowed her chawanmushi before starting to speak.
"I'll get the steak," Sara got up from the table to leave for the kitchen.
"Pragmatically, I'm good with human behaviour and it makes enough money. I just wanna stay true to myself," Nobara started. "But I realised I want more people to be able to do that to themselves. To stay true and love themselves."
"That's good. And what about you, (Y/n)?" Kento asked me as Sara returned with a tray cart that carried plates of steak. My mother helped her by serving the steak to everyone.
"Maybe because I already loved it since Satoru gave me a psychology textbook in childhood. But I also developed an inquiring mind about the deepest and darkest side of humanity. And quite contrary to Megumi, I wonder if it's possible to treat people who involved themselves with the darker self, either intentionally or not."
"That's thoughtful," Kento, a lecturer and professional in forensic psychology, commented as we ate the main course. The rest of the evening went smoothly with the main conversation about university freshmen prep and tips from the university lecturer couple. In addition, Sara and Satoru shared their eventful college experience from their youth.
***
"You got it?" You whispered to Nobara. She smirked at you.
"Of course. Let's do it now," Nobara whispered back, pulling you to your room. The older adults were chatting in the living room while watching TV. Megumi helped Sara clean up the dishes. You and Nobara sneaked into your room to do your big plan.
"The flash disk," You held out your palm to Nobara as you sat before your PC setup. The double monitor's light glared at you, showing you numbers and codes.
"Top secret information by yours truly," Nobara handed you the flash disk. You plugged it into your PC and started to access the database.
"So, these are the names?" You confirmed, swiftly tapping your fingers on the keyboard.
"Yup," Nobara smirked.
"And... We're in," You smirked as you breached into the campus's system. You started to change the occupants of your dorm into Nobara's list, saved it, and covered every trace. "Voila. We're gonna live with the hottest people on campus in the same dorm. And you're gonna be my roommate."
"Atta girl," Nobara chuckled as you did your signature high-five and fist bumps.
"You better not do anything crazy," Megumi walked into your room unannounced. You and Nobara immediately stood up straight with your backs facing and covering the screen. You stretched your hands behind you as you stealthily typed some hotkeys on the keyboard without looking, activating the screensaver.
"Haha, of course not," You chuckled nervously. Megumi just sighed and rolled his eyes at you.
"Dad and I are going back. See you two at school?" Megumi smiled.
"Okay," You smiled at him, following him outside with Nobara.
"Be good," Toji eyed you.
"Y-yes, sir," You stuttered, making Nobara and Megumi chuckle.
***
(Y/N)
Many stares were thrown our way as Nobara and I walked in the direction of our room, pushing four platform trolleys with a tall stack of big boxes loaded on them. But we paid them no mind as we nonchalantly dragged the almost obstructing boxes to our rooms.
We already moved our essential stuff. This one was filled with acoustic foam panels and other tools to soundproof our room. Cause we knew how loud dorm neighbours could be. Once we reached our dorm room, we quickly unboxed the materials and tools and started to work on panelling the walls.
"What do you think we should do tonight? Call of Duty again?" I asked Nobara, glueing the panels to the walls of the main living room interjoining Nobara and I's bedrooms. It was a suite with a kitchen, a living room, a balcony, and two bedrooms with built-in bathrooms inside.
"I heard that there's gonna be a freshmen party tonight at the student council building. We should go," Nobara suggested, finishing the living room.
"Hmm... Alright," I answered, wondering which clothes to wear.
The whole panelling took about six hours to finish, including some nap rest, snacking, and silly goofy jokes. It wasn't that exhausting so we decided to prepare early since it was already five in the afternoon. We went to our respective bedrooms to get ready.
I washed my hair and used a hair mask, scrubbed my body and put on lotion after the bath. With light eye makeup, I matched it with nude milky pink lipstick. I blew dry my hair and kept it down. My red halter crop and black jeans were paired with matching shoes and jewellery. Then, I finally finished it with a spray of cologne. When I went out of my room, I saw Nobara already waiting for me on the couch in a lime green cropped sweater and blue boyfriend jeans.
"Looking good, girl," I complimented her.
"You too, sis," Nobara smirks, getting up from the couch.
"Let's go," I said, walking outside our dorm room and locking the door behind us.
***
The moment we stepped into the student council building, loud dancing music rang in our ears, sending a beat of vibration through the wall. The dark room was illuminated with changing and blinking colourful lights. A lot of students were already dancing in the middle of the hall with alcoholic drinks in their hands. Some students were making out on the couch or in the forgotten corner of the room. Some smoked cigarettes or weed. We won't find Megumi in a situation like this, considering how the boy loved solitude and peace. So, it was just Nobara and me.
"Let's get a drink," I half-yelled to Nobara, pulling her to a bar.
"Hey, ladies. What can I get you?" A brown-haired bartender asked. His soft eyes greeted us warmly.
"Best cocktail you got," Nobara ordered.
"Whiskey on rocks. And 5 shots," I said, earning a lifted eyebrow from the bartender.
"You surprised me," The bartender smirked.
"She has a strong old soul," Nobara joked.
"Whatever," I chuckled. The bartender soon delivered our orders. We joked around, taking shots and sipping our drinks.
"To college life!" Nobara cheered, raising her cocktail.
"To atrociously ghastly phase of young adult life with statistical alcohol-related unintentional injury death in the thousands per year," I clinked my whiskey glass with her cocktail. As I sipped my whiskey, Nobara was speechless with her glass still raised in the air.
"I'm drunk," Nobara smiled widely, almost looking unnatural.
"I know," I stated matter-of-factly, heedless and unaware of her sarcasm. Nobara put on a forced polite grin with a disbelief exhale of a small chuckle.
"Wow," Nobara muttered.
"You got a lot of stares tonight," The bartender commented as he looked at me. When I looked around the room, there were indeed a lot of stares thrown my way.
"She tends to get that," Nobara affirmed.
"Watch out for a particular pink-haired man with tattoos," The bartender smirked. Pft, as if boys could affect me.
"Ooh, I'm scared," I rolled my eyes. The bartender chuckled.
"I wouldn't mess with her. Ask anyone from her middle school, especially the bullies," Nobara added.
"You continue to surprise me," The bartender laughed, then diverted his attention to other orders.
"Let's dance," I smirked at Nobara. She and I hurriedly walked to the dance floor and started to move to the music.
"Get that groove thang going," Nobara said, making me laugh. I swayed my hips to Nobara as she did the same to me. We danced for a little while. Got some greetings and introductions to some people throughout the time. Then, I heard a glass breaking and a big thud somewhere from the back. I had a heightened sensory perception so I could hear it. Curious and a little bored from dancing, I decided to step away.
"Hey, I'll be back," I told Nobara. She nodded at me, going back to dancing. Although I'm not sure if she heard or understood me, considering how drunk she was.
I went out of the back of the building. The quiet and darkness of the night were a gentle fresh air from the crowded and stuffy atmosphere inside. I walked further to the park, hearing the voices of people arguing and getting louder. When I reached the parking lot, I saw three men standing with a clear aggression sign on their body language directed to the two leaner guys in front of them. The two guys seemed to be beaten up pretty badly. Oh, no, not on my watch.
"I'm warning you. Or tell that to Hiro," A light blue-haired man threatened. His long hair reached his back. There were fading surgical suture marks on his face.
The two guys seemed scared shitless but their eyes were filled with hatred and anger. The leaner guy with blonde hair spitted on the face of the blue-haired man, angering him. Then, a pink-haired man with an undercut was about to launch his punch at the blonde boy. A shadow covered half of his face as the dim light of the parking lot lamp shone behind them.
But I stopped him by sending a turning kick to his face. The man stumbled backwards a little but quickly regained balance. My eyebrows lifted in amusement. Never in my life, have I seen someone recover quickly from my kick except for Satoru who was my martial arts teacher. Usually, they were either thrown across the room until the wall cracked or they immediately passed out. His friends had a shocked expression on their faces. Instantly, they turned their attention to me, alarmed at my sudden aggression.
"Stay out of this, bitch!" The blue-haired man shouted at me as he launched a punch at me. I quickly dodged it and punched his cheek with a right hook, blasting him into the car behind him with a loud bang and crack. I think I broke some bones, judging by the broken exterior of the car.
"I can't. I have an impulse to punch people who pick on the weaker in the face," I shrugged lazily. "Why don't you two run now?" I smiled at the two beaten-up guys.
"T-thanks," The blonde muttered, running off with his friend.
"So what? You're trying to play a hero? Listen, you don't know what you're doing. So back off," The blue-haired man sighed.
"I'm pretty sure know what I'm doing," I said, glaring nonstop at the blue-haired man.
Then, a deep husky chuckle sounded from the tall pink-haired man. That was when I finally looked at him as he stepped out of the shadow. His deep crimson eyes stared in amusement at me. He had a super sexy and attractive smirk on his handsome face. Are those tattoos on his face?
The unique black patterns charmed me, each stroke bringing out his defined features. His sharp jaw looked very masculine. He wore a black shirt that had been unbuttoned a few at the top, showing a peek of his muscly pecs with a tattoo on it too. My eyes trailed down his body. His clothes hugged his muscles perfectly, showing the bulge of his bicep and his fine tight abs. His jeans did not hide his thick strong thighs. Damn, he was drop-dead gorgeous. Hot as hell.
"Hello, doll," The pink-haired man greeted. His voice was so deep and husky, that it had a slight gruff at the lowest note. It was the best thing I had ever heard in my life. Too bad he was a good-for-nothing piece of shit. "Are you done checking me out?" The man's smirk widened. My frown deepened as I glared at him.
"Done and disappointed. Turns out you're not worth checking," I retorted in a monotone voice. The blue-haired man stifled his laugh. But the light purple-haired man beside him already laughed.
"Such a smart mouth. Listen, sweetheart. You have no idea what you got into. So, I suggest you stay away from our business," His voice turned serious.
"It's not like I want to meddle with you cupcake cack clowns in the first place. I'll stay away if you stop hurting students and actually face your underlying problem and deal with it," I turned around and waved at them. I could hear the pink-haired man chuckle at my remark as I walked away from the group.
***
My excitement grew as I sat in the class beside Nobara. With a huge grin on my face, I unlocked my iPad to open a note app, readying myself to jot down some notes. Even though I already read every major textbook of psychology since I was a teenager, this would be the first time I experienced a college lecture on the subject. This had always been my dream. I thought even Nobara could sense my happiness since she was smiling warmly at me. I grinned widely at her as I rested my cheeks on my palms.
"Can't wait to see you argue with the professors like you always did with our teacher back in school," Nobara chuckled, opening her laptop.
"I probably wouldn't hold back if it was Toru. We've always been arguing on the subject since I was a kid," I smirked. Nobara sighed.
"Just don't prolong the class. I hate overtime," Nobara groaned.
"You sound like Kento-san," I chuckled. It was Kento-san's schedule this morning. The Introduction of Forensic Psychology.
Then, the door was opened to reveal a familiar pink-haired man with tattoos on his face. He had a neat white shirt with a few unbuttoned buttons at the top, revealing his collarbone and chest with a black suit jacket draped over his shoulder. I instantly scowled at his entrance, different to the squealing he received from the majority of female students in the class.
He flashed me a dashing smirk as the crowd gushed over how handsome he was. Is he a psych student? You gotta be kidding me. I'm gonna be stuck in the same academic batch as him. But, instead of sitting in rows of students, he took a seat at the lecturer's chair in front of the class like he owned the whole damn place. WHO DOES HE THINK HE IS?!
Do you know what annoys me more? It was when the man had his left hand in his pocket and his right hand was raised shortly to silence the class with a sharp stare. And the class, did, fall silent in an instant. Like... How?! How did he do that? As if the oozing power and authority weren't shown enough through his deep, firm, and assertive voice. His entire persona, body language, and presence exude leadership charm and dominance. Like royalty. No, like a king. And he knew. He had influence and power over people and he knew that.
"I'm Ryomen Sukuna, your teaching assistant covering for Nanami in Introductory Forensic Psychology. If you're in the wrong class, leave," He stated firmly. No one dared to make a move or sound. But my jaw dropped at his introduction. HE'S A TA?! HE'S A FUCKING TA?! "I will be the one going over today's schedule. Pay attention as I go over the curriculum overview for the year," Sukuna explained. I scoffed at the ludicrous event. Nobara lifted her eyebrows at me in wonder.
"What's wrong?" Nobara whispered, leaning closer to me.
"I'll explain later," I whispered back.
"Stop whispering or leave my class," Sukuna's sharp voice startled me as he sent me a bored gaze.
I immediately felt nervous under his gaze. His intense presence always made my heart beat so fast. He might not do it intentionally but man, the guy was terrifying. I heard gossip that Kento-san's TA was strict as hell, mean, and forward. But I didn't know that it would be him. Sukuna averted his gaze from me and scanned the crowd to see if anyone stood up to leave for being in the wrong class. He hummed in satisfaction at the fact that no one left.
"Nanami already sent the syllabus and curriculum to your academic emails. Is there anyone that didn't get it?" Sukuna asked the class, keeping his serious face. No one said anything. His audacity to address Nanami without sensei... "Good. Then, raise your hand if you haven't read it." He ordered. Some students raised their hands. Some others could be lying to save themselves. I wouldn't blame them.
"Maybe you've heard I'm a tough grader. It's true. So does Nanami. I expect better from you. This is college, not pre-school. I wouldn't hold your hand to teach you how to walk. While I have a responsibility to teach and offer guidance or counselling, you also have to work for yourself. Make an effort. I'll allow it once. There won't be a second time. Know your place as a student, brats," Sukuna lowered his voice, sending a shiver down my back. The atmosphere was a little tense. "Relax. Just stay focused and be active. Ask questions. Search for additional study materials on your own. That's your responsibility as a student. The faculty members and seniors will be available to give you help if you need it. Any question?" He asked. No one answered. "Let's start, then. Can you tell me what forensic psychology is?"
Sometimes, his crimson eyes landed on me, lingering a few seconds longer to give me a smirk. I glared at the man, listening to his voice. Throughout the time he was teaching the class, his eyes went back to give me an annoying smirk a few times. It was so obvious that he was trying to annoy me. My eyes would twitch in irritation at his action. But, I tried my best to ignore him and wrote down important notes. One time, he didn't avert his gaze from me, staring directly into my eyes. I refused to show him any fear, glaring back at him with hostility. Once class was over, Nobara and I went to the dining hall of the cafeteria for lunch.
"Okay, will you please explain what's going on? I could feel his stare on you it's hard to ignore," Nobara asked me quietly as we sat down at the long table to eat our lunch. But, she had a big teasing grin on her face when she asked me.
"I... I kicked him," I whispered timidly.
"What?!" Nobara shouted in surprise. I instantly shushed her as some people around us gave us a stare.
"Keep it down," I whisper-yelled at her.
"But, why?" Nobara had a concerned frown on her face, replacing her grin.
"I saw him about to punch some poor students who are already beaten up," I explained, eating my curry rice. Nobara gasped in disbelief.
"That's horrible. What a waste of a good look," Nobara clicked her tongue in annoyance.
"Agreed. And now I'm worried whether it will affect my grade," I sighed. "TA usually helps to grade tests."
"Don't worry. Kento-san and Satoru-san won't let it happen," Nobara reassured me. She's right.
"You already decided which club and organization to join?" I asked Nobara, finishing my plate. She took a sip of water as she seemed to think about her answers.
"I'd probably join the student body organization of the psychology student association," Nobara answered. "Their projects are mainly in the Tokyo area so... I could take this chance to walk around the city!"
"Me too. But I also considered student council actually. Plus, music club. Band," I said.
"Let's visit the student activity fair stand that's being held at the park then. They're opening recruitment," Nobara said, getting up from her seat and taking her dirty trays with her. I followed her outside the dining hall after dumping our trays.
"You know what, I'll catch up with you. I need to talk with Megumi," I said, waving to Nobara and quickly leaving her.
"Just... Don't leave me for too long," Nobara pouted.
***
"Come in," Megumi said after opening his dorm room door for me. He wore an oversized black t-shirt that looked good with his hair.
"Megumi," I greeted him as I walked inside his room.
"What is it?" Megumi asked me, sitting on the couch of his living room. I sat beside him and turned my body to face him.
"I'd never thought I'd see something like this again. Let alone in college. But, I saw my TA on the night of the party about to land a punch on a leaner guy that's already beaten up badly," I explained. Megumi frowned at this. Then, he sighed. The both of us had always been like this since we met. We stood up to people who abused their power, like bullies. We hate bad prideful people with big egos. So, we bully the bullies.
"A TA? Are you sure?" Megumi asked me.
"Yeah. I kicked him before he could land that punch. And this morning, he filled in for Kento-san. I had to listen to the jerk's lecture for hours," I clicked my tongue.
"(Y/n), a TA harassing someone is serious. Why didn't you just report it?" Megumi asked.
"He said something about not knowing what I got myself into. Or that I shouldn't mess with their 'business'," I explained. "I could still report to Toru or Kento-san."
"Hmm..." Megumi hummed, pondering over my words. "His words could imply a lot of things. Like, how he might come from a powerful background that backs him up. If we only tell just Satoru or Kento-san, it would probably be okay."
"That's what I thought. But, there's just something about the way they behaved that doesn't necessarily mean that they are bullies," I gripped my chin in thought.
"Like what?" Megumi lifted one of his eyebrows.
"Bullies are usually so scornful and confident. You know, their haughty grin and smirk we usually see before we beat their faces?" I started, and Megumi nodded at me. "And they usually have repeated targets. True, they might assert dominance if someone threatens their sense of self-esteem, position, ego, or whatnot. But, that night, I can only see anger and hatred. And warning the beaten student to back off."
"What are you saying?" Megumi caught on to me.
"Anger and hatred could be their secondary emotion that comes from their insecurity or anxiety. And bullies can be revenge-driven. Maybe the beaten-up students did something," I explained.
"Maybe they're like us," Megumi added, making my eyes widen.
"What? Which one of them? The beat-up ones or the supposed bullies?" I asked him.
"The supposed bullies," Megumi explained. My mouth opened in realization. I didn't think about it that way.
"This is why I like talking to you. You always give me another perspective," I chuckled. Megumi smiled warmly at me.
"Then? What are you planning to do with it?" Megumi asked.
"Um, I was going to join the student council to dig deeper into the issue. I feel like there's something bigger being played. Would you join me for this?" I asked Megumi, making him smirk.
"Wouldn't miss it," Megumi answered. You smirked back at him.
"Great. Let's apply for recruitment," I said.
"What are you guys talking about?" A boyish calming voice sounded from the door leading to one of the bedrooms in Megumi's dorm. A pink-haired man with an undercut, big brown eyes, and a soft cheerful smile walked out of his room. He looked a lot like Sukuna without the tattoos. Sukuna had more defined features and a masculine figure. Taller and more muscular too. This one looked like a baby ball of sunshine you had to pinch your eyes from the brightness of his light.
"Y-you... Sukuna? Huh?" I muttered in confusion.
"Ah. You must've met my older brother already. I'm Itadori Yuuji. You can call me Yuuji," The boy grinned, sending warmth to you.
"You're his baby brother?!" You raised your voice in surprise. "You don't seem to share the same menace and evil."
"I get that a lot," Yuuji laughed, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Megumi, Yuuji is that bully's brother," I whispered to Megumi.
"What's your brother's name?" Megumi asked Yuuji.
"Ryomen Sukuna," Yuuji answered with a closed-eye smile.