ƚԋҽ Ⴆʅҽʂʂҽԃ ƈυɾʂҽ

Chapter 11

"How was the dinner?" The first thing he asked after I arrived at the yard. "Went out smoothly" I lied taking a sit on the stair, fixing the way I handle my umbrella.

"How did it go?"

Please stop asking

"I just show myself. Lady tried to impress me but I am not that easy to impress. So she went home broken-hearted" Nobara is being chased by Panda and Inumaki on the grounds.

"Why aren't you training? Where's Maki?"

"She went to the storage room to take some weapons" he answered taking a seat beside me. He held my umbrella and now we two are sharing my umbrella.

"You two! Stop resting there! Is this some picnic for you both?! Switch up with me!!" Nobara shouted and Panda caught her, Inumaki catching her after Panda threw her to the air.

"Did something exciting happen last night?"

"Huh?" I blinked my eyes. "You look relieved, happy. You still look stressed but not that stressed anymore" he mumbled.

Does it have to do with me finding out that Yuji is actually alive? Probably

"Well, it was the other day just sink in yesterday" I whispered staring at our shadows. "Will you hate me if I keep secrets from you?" I glanced at him and he glanced at me, now the two of us are staring at each other.

"It's normal for us to keep secrets to each other. But it depends on how secretive is that secret"

"Depends if that is important? Harmful or harmless kind of secret?" He nodded his head. "But if you keep a really important secret from me then I'll understand it. Just so you know I'll be waiting for you to open up with me. I won't force you to tell me what it is" I sighed in relief and looked in front of us, me leaning to him.

"Blame Gojo for it"

"So he's the source and reason?"

"Yeah"

It didn't take that long for Maki to arrive. Training started between us all and it was tiresome. It just ended up quickly for me after I made a bet with her again.

If I win training is over for me. If she wins my training will be two times harder than before and of course, I win it.


"Eh Roi?!" I wave my hand at him. "Why are you here?!" I raised an eyebrow. "You don't want me here?" He waves his arms in the air defensively. "No! Of course not! I want you here! Just confused about why you're here today. Don't we have training tomorrow? Shouldn't you be training with the others right now?" He approached me and curiously looked at the bag paper bag I'm carrying.

"I finished my training early so I can have time with you" he stared at me with his eyes slowly widening and despite the lack of light here in the basement. I can tell his face is slowly turning red.

"Y-you finished it early for me?" I nodded my head. "I need to train you" he slumped his shoulder. "You're only strong when it comes to average people but in sorcerers your just in between for my opinion only" now he crouched down like a kid sulking.

"If you managed to land ten hits on me I'll give you a prize" he stood up and looked at me with complete curiosity and anticipation. "What's the prize?" He asked following me.

"This bag is the prize" I placed the bag on the table and before he can take a peek inside I kicked him away. "We're going to train in two ways" I pulled the hair tie in my wrist and tied my hair.

"First hand-to-hand combat. Second with weapons. So you basically have two chances. Land ten hits and you'll get the prize. If you didn't land ten hits then you still have a second chance in the second type of training. Training will end after ten minutes" I held his ear and pulled him away from the table after he tried to take a peek again.

"Any injuries you will receive won't be my fault" he pouted. "Last night was only your luck! I was tired already by that time!" He angrily said with a pout.

"Then let's see if this I still have that luck" I nonchalantly said throwing him the gloves. "Also it doesn't mean I am your friend and I am a female you will hold back on me" he flinched.

"If I see you holding back I will break your bones and I am not kidding. The human body has 206 bones and breaking half of it won't probably kill you" his face turned pale.

"So don't hold back because I won't be holding back on you" I smirked popping the bones in my fingers.


"One hour time out please!" He groaned after the timer rang. "10 minutes" he sat on the floor and catch his breath. I took two towels from my bag and I throw the other one to his head.

"I didn't see you as the type of person to know how to fight. Man, you hit like a damn fighter!" I rolled my eyes and walked to the fridge. "Are you this really good when it comes to hand-to-hand combat?" I nodded my head and he catches the bottle I threw.

"I don't like to rely on my technique that's why I trained myself with combat" I took a sip while I wipe my sweats. "Most people who can use Shikigami's only rely on it. In my case and Megumi's case, we two don't like to rely on it. We both like engaging ourselves together with our shikigami" I explained and I raised my eyebrow when he started to shine.

"Can you summon your dogs?!" He looks like a kid asking for candy. "Please! I want to cuddle with them. Well, last night they almost bite me well maybe because they are protecting you. I want to establish a good relationship with your dogs so please summon them!" He begged, making me deadpan.

With a loud sigh, I placed the bottle on top of his head and I am quite amazed I balanced it on the first try. Clasping my hand two black dogs emerge from my shadow.

"Aren't you two cute!" I took the bottle from his head and sip, watching him cuddle with the dogs. "Neh Roi, why isn't the other one white?" I shrugged my shoulders.

"All my shikigami's are black with white marks on them" the other one approached me and I raised my hand giving his head a scratch.

Within those 10 minutes, we both cuddled with my divine dogs before training resumed.

Knowing how he easily gets worried and how much he doesn't want to hurt me. We both trained with rubber knives.

"The prize" he slumped on the floor crying dramatically. "Stop being childish. What are you? Gojo's secret child?" I groaned but he continues to sulk.

"Hey stand up and let's eat. I'm hungry from the training" he stood up. "Where are you going?" I asked when he walked to the door. "You said your hungry right? You don't know how to cook so I'll cook for us" my eyes twitched when he brings that up.

"Get here" I ordered and he walked to me. Holding his hand I dragged him to the table where the paper bag is. "Eh but isn't this my prize which I didn't manage to get because I lost?" I took out the contents of the bag.

"Yeah you lost but because you did a great job you'll still receive it" I open the lid and I am glad the food is still warm. "Steak!" He exclaimed. He looked and me back and the food back and forth with a confused expression. "Win or lose you still show some nice improvements to me" I mess his hair and smile.

"So keep up the good work, Yuji"


Time runs so fast when you're enjoying it.

It's already been a week.

Things changed between those days of that week.

And of those is Yuji acting really strange around me after that day.

"Roi, this has been bugging me since I saw you again but how did you manage to find me— you just ate noodles last night!!" I stared at him and slurp the noodles.

"Stop eating instant noodles! They're bad for your health!" I'm glad I already finished the noodles that's why I quickly drink its soup. "About your question" I throw the cup into the trash and walked to the fridge to get my dessert.

"I only found you by mere coincidence" I opened the pudding. "How?" I ate the food first before answering his question.

"By your shadows" I pointed at his shadow on the floor. "I can travel through the shadows. I can get inside my shadow but I can't get out. The only way I can get is to use another shadow" I can see the amazement in his eyes.

"I saw a shadow which is yours under the school, one of the underground training rooms. I actually don't have any plans to pop out but your shadow caught my interest" I licked the spoon and throw my trash into the bin.

"Actually I never saw a shadow with color. Yours has a red color on the center. Guess is I think that was Sukuna because you are hosting him inside of you" I'm sure Sukuna is listening to us from his territory.

"I'll show you a demonstration" my shadow engulfed me bringing me to the other realm. I stood right behind Yuji, standing in his shadow.

"Wow, that was cool! Wonder where she went. I wish I can do that too" he mumbled staring at my seat. I was about to surprise him when I tripped. Then he turned his body and because I tripped myself I hit him. Bringing him down to the counter.

What in the cliche scenes is this?!

My eyes are wide so is his. My hair served as a curtain for the two of us. I can feel that I am blushing right now because of the heat crawling to my neck and face.

Because of how close we are I can feel his breath fanning my lips. His eyes suddenly travel down and I saw him gulp before his eyes went back to my eyes.

When did Yuji become cu—

"Ehem!" I instantly move away from him. "What the hell are you doing there?!" I hissed calming my heart, taking deep breaths to slow its rhythm. "I'm going to ask you that too. What the he—" he didn't manage to finish his sentence when Yuji sprinted away with a complete beet-red face.

"Did you two kiss?" My jaw drops at that. "Why would we kiss?!" I hissed, glaring at him. Gojo lowered his head looking at me from the top of his glasses. Giving me that look that says.

"I saw it don't lie to me or who are you kidding, young lady" with an accent.

"I just pushed him to the counter after I accidentally tripped on my feet. We didn't kiss so stop giving me that look! It doesn't mean you didn't see shits because of my hair you're going to make shits based on what you see!" I probably look defensive right now but I don't care. I'm just saying the truth to him.

"I never saw you this flustered before, Noroi" I groaned brushing my face. "Who wouldn't be flustered when you got caught into some weird situation?" He scoffs crossing his arms, removing his glasses.

His eyes narrowed at me and I glared at him in return.

"Noroi, be honest with me. Do you like Yuji?"

"Of course I like him because we're friends!" He gave me a blank stare. "I mean romantically," he asked seriously. "No. We're friends. We're just friends, Satoru" I clarified.

"We see each other as friends. Yuji likes tall women with big ass. Jennifer Lawrence. I can say I prefer fictional boys because they are fictional. Don't put meaning behind our friendships, Satoru" I sighed tiredly using my shadow to get out.

And that is how Yuji started to act strange around me.


"Hey Noroi, let's go out" we just stared at each other and Megumi dragged me out from my bed. "Stop caving in inside your room. What are you a turtle?" I'm glad I am wearing appropriate clothes for going out.

"Hey what does it mean when someone is avoiding you?" I mumbled and he looked at me behind his shoulder dragging me by my ankle.

"Depends on what you did. Who is avoiding?"

"I am annoyed at the book I read because some idiot started to avoid his best friend" I just manipulated the story a little bit to him. "Is that why you're stuck in your room?" I hummed nodding my head. He stopped right in front of the building's dorm.

"What did the idiot best friend do?" He let my ankle go and carried me like a sack. I let out a small off after he placed me on his shoulder. "Best friend turned stupid. Accidentally pushing him to the counter" I answered.

"Well, maybe he's avoiding that person because he got pushed on the counter. Did his best friend apologize?"

"No"

"Well, maybe that's the reason why he's avoiding his best friend" I stared at the shadow and ponder for a minute. "When did you become so slow in knowing what the reason is on books?" I was tempted to smack his butt but because he is holding me I stop myself.

"The character stupidity is rubbing on me" I sighed, not believing that I becoming stupid.

Is it starting to get contagious? Or it's just a late side effect?


"Noroi, I have been looking for you for five mi— what the hell are you buying?" His face resembles a judgmental grumpy cat and I will admit he is a judgemental grumpy cat.

"Can't you see what I am buying? Do your eyes don't have any purpose anymore?" He glared at me.

"Itadori, if you're possessing her body get out now"

"Be thankful we're on public right now, Megumi" I carried it to the counter and he followed me. "Why are you buying posters like that?!" He hissed.

"When did you become a Jennifer Lawrence stan?!"

I am not a stance I am just giving this to apologize to the fanboy

"I am not a fan of her. I just feel like buying it to spite Yuji's soul" I answered paying for the poster. "You're childish" I scoff. "I am taken care of a very childish person. Of course, I will adapt some of his traits" I carried the poster and drag him out of the store and he started to complain at me after I forced him to store the poster inside his shadow.

"Come to think of if you can store things can you also store living things on it like a human?" He opened his mouth and close it and he did for a few seconds before sighing.

"I don't know. But can you transport other people with your shadow?"

"It's not possible I think?" He raised an eyebrow. "You think?" I nodded my head. "I mean I can try it but chances of it are low. The entrance to the other shadows is my shadow. Only my shadow and because it's my shadow the only one who can get transported is me" I mumbled.

We continue to hang out outside and just go back to the school after taking dinner outside.

Holding the bag where the poster is. I took my time to walk to Gojo's house through the shadow.

I saw his shadow in the basement and I went there. I appeared behind him and Yuji was punching the sandbag.

I don't want to make the same mistake twice so I spoke. "Yuu—" I caught his fist. "Ji" I bring my hood down. "I am so sorry! I didn't expect that you'll appear behind me!" He apologizes and pulled his hand but I didn't let it go.

"Uhm Roi" I dragged him to the couch and forced him to the seat. "Stay" he looks nervous but complied with my orders. Placing the bag on the floor. I walked to the tv and crouch down. I opened the drawers to look for the kit. Finding it I walked back to him.

"I can do i—"

"Shut up and give me your hands" he gave me his hand and I started to mend his wounds. The atmosphere between us was quiet, no one between us dared to utter a single worse. Even the curse who loves to torment us is quiet.

Wrapping it with bandages I fix the kit and placed it on the coffee table. I stared at him and he looks away, slightly fidgeting.

"I'm sorry"

"Huh?" I finally have his attention. "About what happened back at the kitchen. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable" I blame myself for making him avoid me.

"I should have moved away"

But why didn't I move away? Why did I get rooted? Why didn't I do anything?

"W-what are you talking about?" I wanted to smack him but I remember I came here to apologize because of my mistake. "You're avoiding me because I made you uncomfortable after I accidentally pushed you to the counter. I'm sorry I didn't mean to do that. I'm also sorry for not moving away. I'm also sorry for taking so long to apologize because I didn't realize about it not until today" I mumbled sighing.

"Once again I'm sorry—"

"Stop apologizing!"


Noroi will admit it. She got startled and caught off guard when Yuji screamed. "It wasn't your fault! So stop apologizing, Roi! It was my fault, not yours okay?! I was the one who avoided you and made you feel like—"

"Because I made you unco—"

"You did not! It's because of my own emotion that's why I avoided you! I didn't avoid you because of what you did! I avoided you because of myself!"

"I-I realized things and I am scared. I am scared, Roi" Yuji gritted his teeth lowering his head. He doesn't want to look at her, because if he did she will see his emotions.

"What are you even scared about?"

'A lot. A lot of things'

And of that is losing the friendship he has with her. He finally admits that he likes her. All those mangas he reads when the female character falls in love with the main lead. He's experiencing it.

He's experiencing and seeing the signs.

"No. We're friends. We're just friends, Satoru"

"We see each other as friends. Yuji likes tall women with big ass. Jennifer Lawrence. I can say I prefer fictional boys because they are fictional. Don't put meaning behind our friendships, Satoru"

But Itadori Yuji doesn't see her as a friend anymore. He blames the curse inside of him and Nobara for igniting this feeling. He also blames himself for getting caught with his feeling. For being in denial. For being stupid.

"Yuji, be honest" the tone he used made him nervous. "Does whatever happening to you right now? The way you avoided me, the way your acting now. Does it have something to do with me in some way?" Noroi questioned and he bit his lips.

'She is the cause. The reason'

He didn't answer her question and chose to stay silent making her sigh.

'They say silence means yes. Action speaks louder than voice. But I need voice, words for confirmation'

But the first two sentences match him and Noroi thinks that is already enough confirmation for her. Her heart twinge and she hates it. She hates how it is affecting her.

Gojo happily arrived at the basement and he was about to scream to declare his arrival when he felt the tension in the air.

He rested his glasses at top of his head starting at his students sitting on the couch. None of them noticed him.

"Hey what happened here?" Yuji flinched and Noroi looked at him. "Noroi, are you back on bullying people again?" He felt uncomfortable under those sharp eyes of her but he didn't show it.

"I'm leaving"

"If you let her leave without giving her a proper answer this will stain whatever you have right now with her"

Sukuna finally spoke after witnessing things around him.

"You won't be able to see her again, Itadori"

Before her shadow swallowed her whole Yuji held her arm and Noroi stop. "G-Give me a day. Give me one day and I'll tell you" he whispered now finally looking at her.

Noroi's heart leaped and it beat fast when seeing the close approximation she has with him. Yuji unconsciously leaned to her to say those words. He just noticed it seeing her face slowly turning red. "I'm sorry!" He apologizes, letting her go and putting a distance between them.

"Fine. One day" she told him raising her arm to cover her lower face. Yuji found her actions cute and Noroi also finds his flustered expression cute.

"I'm taking my leave. This time seriously" she mumbled and before the two can say a word she has been swallowed by her shadow.


"Maki-san, is it just me or lately Noroi has been acting a little bit weird" I mumbled. "She's always weird but yeah. This time her weirdness is a whole new level" she sighed pushing her glasses up.

"I'm really worried. Ever since Itadori she kinda turned more gloomy but after a week her gloominess lessened but then she turned gloomy again after a few days" I frowned. "Do you think it's a boy problem?" She gave me an unimpressive look.

"Noroi doesn't have any other friends other than us. It can't be a boy. But if it's a boy then it's probably Itadori. Those two are close both have weird chemistry between them" my eyes turned side. "I know I'm not the only one who noticed that too! They're opposites but opposites attract!" I grinned.

"You're not making any use—" Maki-san quickly pulled me back and placed her finger in her life signaling me to stay silent. "Why?" I whispered and she gestured me to take a look on the corner.

I took a look and saw Noroi and Ieiri-sensei. Standing in the hallway. "What are they talking about?" Maki-san whispered the two of us peeking at them.