Deep Blue Sea

ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɴɪɴᴇ

Despite having difficulties talking to strangers, you never asked anyone to help you. You couldn't ask Okkotsu even when you knew he would be happy to help since he's your kouhai; Ieiri is always busy so she doesn't have time for you; Gojo is definitely out of the question because, well, he's Gojo. Nanami was the last person you expect to get help from. He is usually quite strict with you, he would do such as from telling you to be more serious about your work to spamming you messages to tell you to stop using your phone before you sleep(I am looking at you). There were a few times where he would go as far as coming to your house and banging on your door just to make sure you wake up in time, in which your mother used to be happy to invite him in. Regardless of being that, he was never harsh and would praise you generously when you did well. Even when he was too hard on you, he would acknowledge that and apologies after. However, things altered after the Hyakki Yakou. He seemed to understand that you were having a hard time and stopped bothering you, only stopping by to check on you every so often. Later on, you moved to another apartment and even switched to a new phone. After that, a glass wall had formed, it was not visible, yet you could feel its presence. You would still encounter him every once in a while during your missions, but you would both only give a simple greeting, nothing more, nothing less.

And now here you are, swinging from side to side like a happy penguin following its feeder. He turned around to tell you to walk properly, but you only grinned back and continued doing it. Sooner or later, he had decided to just let you do what you want, it's not often that he could see you this lively anyway.

When he was making a payment, the cashier noticed your actions behind him and let out a small laugh, "your sibling is so cute," she said in a hushed voice.

He glanced at you briefly before replying, "that's not my sibling," though he tried to hide his lips that were curving up by pushing up his glasses, he then added, "can I have that one as well?" He gestured at a shortcake.

When you both exited the shop, Nanami handed the extra shortcake that he ordered to you, "this one is for you."

You blinked, you looked at him, then back at the box, then back at him, "what?"

"This shortcake is for you," he repeated.

"What's this?"

"A shortcake."

"What is it for?"

"For you to eat."

"For who?"

"You."

"What you?"

He sighed, "just take it, I already paid for it."

You sniffled, "thank-" this touching moment was interrupted by your stomach grumbling.

He frowned and asked, "are you skipping meals again?"

"...Maybe," you looked away, not daring to meet his eyes, "anyway, I should go now, thank you for-"

"No," he moved all the bags and boxes out of your reach and said sternly, "we're getting dinner."

"But the cakes-"

"I already asked them to put ice packs in them."

"But I might not have enough money-"

"I can pay for you."

"I just..." You looked down and mumbled, "I don't want to cause any more trouble for you."

Hearing that, he sighed, "even if you're not a kid anymore, you're still younger than me," his furrowed brows eased a little, "it's not just the matter of responsibility, I choose to take care of you on my own will," taking your silence as an agreement, he spoke again, "let's go."

Without further objections, you followed him and muttered, "why don't you just adopt me at this point?"

"I wouldn't mind if that's what you wish," he replied, there was a slight change in his tone as if he was trying to press down a laugh.

"I'm joking!" You shook your head frantically, "don't take that seriously!" You heard him cough to hide his laugh, so you saw this as an opportunity and asked carefully, "can I at least take some bags for you?"

"No," his tone shifted back within a second.

"Come on," you poked his back and persuaded him, "pretty please?"

"No," he repeated.

You continued poking his back and whining the whole walk to the restaurant, halfway through he just stopped responding to your silliness.

"We're here anyway, you don't need to help," he suddenly said.

You paused and looked at the restaurant, your smile was fixed on your face once you saw it. It was the restaurant where your mother used to take you and Nanami there whenever he came over to watch you do your homework.

He quickly noticed your reaction and apologized, "Sorry, I should have been more mindful."

"It's fine," you responded absent-mindedly. Just as you thought the barrier between you and him was gone, you bumped into it like a fish not knowing that the glass wall exists.

"We can go to another one," he said, concern lingered in his voice.

"It's really fine," you gave him a grin and pushed the door open. The familiar yet outlandish sight greeted you. The posters on the wall were a bit worn off, and some of the decorations had changed. The many small differences you instantly noticed are the traces that time had left behind, and you didn't know what to feel about it. Slowly and hesitantly, you stepped inside.

"Welcome!" The same usual voice greeted you. Even though you visited often, he didn't recognize you, there are many faces that he had seen after all.

"(Name)," Nanami's tone softened, "we can leave if you don't feel comfortable."

"Don't worry," you smiled at him, "I'm starving anyway."

You both took a seat, no one had spoken anything since you have sat down. You ordered the same food you always liked, and it seemed to be the only thing that didn't change. The steam and scent hit your senses when it was placed in front of you, it was just the way you remembered. You took a small bite, then another bite. You couldn't tell if it was the spice or were you about to cry, your nose was starting to clog.

"You got something on your face," Nanami's voice brought you back to reality.

"Oh," you wiped your face sloppily, missing it completely.

He sighed and turned your face to him, "here," he cleaned your face with his napkin, studying your expression as he did so. He then added, "don't repress your emotions, it is not healthy."

"Sorry," you mumbled, averting your gaze. You didn't like it when people look into your eyes, it felt like they were looking into your soul and judging you.

"Don't apologize," he responded, his expression softening, "just don't push yourself."

"...Alright," you replied.

He let out a puff of air before saying, "I'll send you back."

"...Do I get to decide?" You gave him your puppy-dog eyes.

"No," he replied right when you asked, he then stood up and said, "let's go then."

Nanami drove you back to the place where Gojo hid Itadori. He gave your head a pat before driving away, leaving you there to watch his car disappear around the corner.

Letting out a sigh, you turned around and opened the door, "Gojo-san, I'm back."

You saw Itadori and Gojo there, before you could call for them again, they poofed. You blinked, then you rubbed your eyes. Then you went out the door, you closed it and opened it again, hoping by doing that you could fix the 'bug.'

Am I hallucinating? You thought to yourself, maybe he will materialize I finished his desserts...