GLASS BEAD [JUJUTSU KAISEN X OC]

EP 23 - "Please sleep"

GLASS SHOES. 0

0-2 SOMEBODY TO LOVE

EP 23

_ _ _

Kamo Noritoshi was used to picking up tiny gestures and habits from his father, extended family, as well as servants. Whether it was the sudden change in cursed energy or how their eyes would or wouldn't flicker at the sight of him and suddenly carry themselves away--the same applied to his fiance as well. But it irritated him. Not the fact they always decided on dining at a random coffee shop, or even the fact that she arrived late on rare occasions. It wasn't even her presence, which was nearly casual (if he had to comment).

They were currently in a cafe (different from the previous chapter), doing homework.

It was the way she seemed apprehensive about something--gripping the edge of the table (as if she was about to fall), swinging her legs or kicking the back of her heel against the leg of a chair, and if she was sitting on the floor she would hide and numb her hands beneath her legs--which technically made her restless. But why? That's what plagued him.

Without warning, her head rested itself. Suspended as if a noose was there. Eyelids shut. But shoulders still tense. He decided to snatch her worksheet and saw that she was doing some decent progress on some simplifying linear equations. A few problems but compared to her cluelessness from their 2nd meet, it was better than he expected. Content with it, he placed it back where it was; Taking out a small novel to pass the time. And time ticked... and ticked... and ticked...

BANG! Startled, the blouse-wearing girl's head had slammed onto the wooden desk. Consciously, she hissed as he stood up. "You hit your head badly. Should I get an ice pack?" She dismissed him; disgruntledly muttering almost inaudibly, "not again... not again," hissing lowly as she held her forehead. He only applied a cold plastic cup (he got iced coffee this time) which caused her to instinctively emit more cursed energy. 'She's...'

"Oh," noticing him, she gripped onto her skort tightly. "Sorry for that Noritoshi-san. Do you want to go anywhere after this?" A softer expression fell on her face, attentive towards him in particular. Doe eyes bore deep into his soul. Dark circles pooled below her eyes.

It was obvious what it was.

Sleep.

"No."

She didn't sleep.

_ _ _

It's been 6 months since they've met each other, a month since he realised what had bothered him about her. They decided to arrange a day's worth of discussions and 'hanging out' at the Old Annex in the Ohara Estate. It would be his first time at the Ohara Estate, a hollow, and silencing place. There were only 2 people (excluding Yuri) who resided at the Ohara Estate.

Ohara Masaki and her prized maid Lena. "Please enjoy your stay, Noritoshi-san." And he only thanked them. It was such a contrast. The Kamo Estate bore eyes and ears in every nook and cranny; servants standing at nearly every room; whispering ruthless rumours about any member of the family. Here--gazing at the 2 storey house with large transparent panels as the two were led to a wooden house--there wasn't anyone to do that.

Quickly flicking open the switch, it revealed a simple place. She toured the annex, showing him the necessities, washrooms, kitchen, the outside. "If there's any small things missing we can ask if Masaki-sama has it in the house." Alright then.

"Anything you want in particular?"

"Water will do," to which she went and tossed him a bottle. He caught it (thankfully) before proceeding to sit on the couch facing the TV. He began to turn on some random drama, a young girl went missing in the story. And he felt the couch sink a bit more, the brunette sat beside him; feet on the couch with a jar of cookies (rectangular in shape) cradled in her legs. Holding out the jar towards him without batting an eye, he decided to take one and eat. It was a butter cookie. "Do you like butter cookies?"