How to replicate the cursed speech technique? By Okkotsu Yuuta

Discussion: The results denied...

The next day, Maki decided to look for Yuuta in the morning to check if his health was better. However, she found the young man wrapped in several sheets and under his eyes two dark circles.

"Are you trying to be weak once more? I understand that you need to rest, but being like this is not acceptable," Maki commented as she closed the door of the room. 

In her hands she carried a plate with a lid, which looked like warm soup to support her friend's recovery.

"It wasn't my best night," Okkotsu whispered before lifting his body from between the sheets, trying to settle into a better position to not look so pitiful. 

The young man knew he had to look pathetic. But how could he prove he was a special grade sorcerer if he could not deal with an emotional situation?

"Maki-san... Is there any way to eradicate love?" Yuuta unconsciously asked, getting a glance of confusion from the young woman. 

Noticing her expression, the sorcerer cleared his throat, trying to deflect the topic as his cheeks blushed. "I mean, is that broth?"

"Do you like someone?" Maki interrupted him; however, she did not wait for an answer and put the plate on the nightstand. "From what I see, you're always unlucky in love."

Yuuta was embarrassed, so he averted his gaze to his own hands. "I wasn't born to..."

"Shut up," Maki interrupted him again, catching his attention, but the young woman remained thoughtful for a few seconds before returning her gaze and smiling at him. "I understand that you're confused and terrified of dealing with things you've never felt before."

Yuuta nodded. "It's strange. When I think of that person, many emotions flood into my mind; I want to protect him, but I also want to set him free. I admire that he is strong, and it motivates me to grow. However, I don't want to ruin what little we have so far. I'm really confused about what I should do... Even, yesterday, I..."

"Yesterday I ran away," Yuuta thought.

But he could not tell her. 

Not because he was a boy, but because he did not want to destroy his friendship. In the end, they were his only group of friends.

What was left if they abandon him? Yuuta had no desire to be alone once more.

"I screwed up."

Okkotsu hid his head in his arms, mentally berating himself for what had happened earlier. 

The day before, he had escaped from Toge's room after he had forced him to kiss him. 

It was even horrible to think that he had managed to lean back against the other's body and his hands unconsciously touched more than the friendly limit.

"And you don't think Inumaki feels the same?" Maki asked nonchalantly, earning a surprised look from Yuuta. "Did you think I didn't know who she was? He'd be really stupid if he didn't notice the way you behave when he's by your side."

Yuuta felt his heartbeat quicken as he listened to her. 

He knew he could have a slightly preferential treatment towards Inumaki. He always was attentive to Inumaki, asked him about whether he wanted to eat, carried his water bottle in training...but Yuuta thought that was what all friends did.

"No, Yuuta, friends don't go that far," Maki interrupted his thoughts as if she could read the confused expression on his face. "Stop beating around the bush. Whatever happened between you two, you should fix it. In the end, Inumaki is in love with you."

His last sentence was the one that surprised the young man the most. 

Did Inumaki also feel something more than friendship for him? Was it mutual?

"W-wait, how do you know Inumaki feels that way about me? Maybe only his way of expressing is..." Yuuta could not accept it. 

Even his head was starting to hurt from thinking about everything that had happened with the young man. 

Missions, shopping trips, bad movie nights... Their history was complicated to define.

At first, he had a lot of fear and respect for the bearer of the cursed speech, then he began to develop a friendly relationship where they could even talk about their families as if they had known each other for years. 

Even Okkotsu's sister met Inumaki on a late-night video call.

"But... Am I in love?" Yuuta thought. It was hard to describe how he felt in that crush mode. It had been years since he had felt that. 

So, there was a small chance that he was just confusing his desires and emotions.

Okkotsu denied, raising his hands to hold the bowl of soup Maki had brought him. "I think saying in love is a strong thing to say. Inumaki is a person who treats everyone with affection and kindness. I do not want to rush things and ruin what we have."

Maki was almost convinced that the damage Yuuta suffered on his last mission had damaged his brain. "Inumaki always plays pranks on others. Did he play any of those on you after the first missions? He even taught you his cursed technique, do you think that would do with someone else?"

This time the young man felt a sharp sting on his lips. 

It was true, Toge had gone to the end of his patience to show him how his technique worked, teaching him his marks every day and yet he still treated him in that unique way.

"I would never do that... And I would hate it if I did," Yuuta replied honestly, grabbing the spoon to begin slurping the soup. 

He suddenly felt powerful, little by little hope had returned to his soul. "That's right, Toge would never go that far with anyone else, and even with you guys either. If anything, I should tell him how I feel, and if he doesn't want me..."

But just as quickly as his spirits rose, his smile faded.

"If he doesn't love me, I'll still love him... In the end that's what love is, isn't it? Sometimes it's reciprocated and sometimes it's not."

Maki could not stand the change in his words, so she smacked the back of his head, eliciting a groan from Yuuta. But Maki interrupted him before allowing him to complain.

"You are a coward. You accept defeat without trying. Is that what you've learned in these months? If so, it must be from Gojo-sensei. However, we students are better than that good-for-nothing. So, why do you keep coming up with fake scenarios? Just go tell him, I know he must be waiting for you right now," Maki mentioned seriously before getting up from the chair and walking towards the door.

Yuuta was slightly taken aback by her words, but as he was about to thank her, the young woman turned to him and bestowed an honest smile. "In the end I want my friends to be happy, so why deny the inevitable?"

Everything and nothing had been expressed that morning. 

Maki knew it was hard to find someone like Okkotsu; however, she would be fine. 

If everyone else was happy, she would be happy.

"Thank you, Maki-san!" Yuuta commented cheerfully. 

It wasn't just thanks for the broth or her words, but for all the support and encouragement the young woman bestowed upon him. "Thank you for all!."

Maki only waved her hand and left the room, closing the door to sigh heavily before walking towards her room.

"This is the best thing for him."