Unmatched | ᴍᴀʜɪᴛᴏ

Chapter 3

The second years were all absolutely incredible. Maki-san was unbelievable. She could bring everyone (including a very disgruntled Fushiguro) down in a matter of seconds. Panda-senpai was so nice it was almost scary. His voice was so calming, and he always told it how he saw it. And don't even get me started on Inumaki-senpai. I quickly learned to somehow understand what he was saying, even if he was only using ingredients. At first, I had admired Kugisaki and Fushiguro for that, but now I knew that it wasn't actually that hard. I still had trouble, of course, but he seemed so kind. Using cursed speech was simply just amazing.

Training with them and the other two first years made me realize how much I still had to catch up. When I told Gojo about that one evening, he told me not to worry and that I was taking big strides. It was a weird feeling to be training with them while being the only person who knew that Itadori was still alive. But having to train with them only a few hours of the day made it easier for me to actually keep that secret to myself. My days up to the event started at six in the morning with private training with Nanami. He taught me about his technique and tried to get me up to speed. Then, I had a short break to eat, drink, and shower. After that, I was training with the other students for a few hours. My days ended with private training from Gojo-sensei that often went until deep into the night.

Only the day before the exchange event did he let me get to bed around ten because he wanted me to be at the top of my game tomorrow. I checked in on Yuji before going to bed, and he told me about Gojo's plan for unveiling him tomorrow. It was good to talk and laugh with him even though I was exhausted. When I lay down, I fell asleep in a matter of seconds.

-

With the shocking first part of the exchange event over, Kugisaki, Itadori, and I were sitting around Fushiguro's bed. They had eaten a pizza for lunch, but I knew better by now and brought him a salad for dinner, which he very gratefully accepted.

"So, you knew about this?" he asked me, pointing with his fork at Itadori.

I nodded sheepishly. "I did. I wasn't allowed to say anything. But this boy is actually the reason I'm here."

Itadori's face lit up when he heard me say that. He was so cute. It was such a relief to finally be able to tell them about it. They were asking him tons of questions that I already knew the answers to, so I only sat and listened. While Itadori told them about how great Nanami was and how much he had seen, my eyes fell on Fushiguro. He never smiled. He didn't smile at me or Kugisaki, or any other student. He didn't smile when Gojo made everyone else laugh. He never smiled. Except for now. It wasn't a big smile, so it wasn't all that noticeable, but in contrast to his usual scowl, this was a lot.

I furrowed my brow, confused as to what made him smile. But when I followed his gaze and my eyes landed on Itadori, making an absolute fool of himself, I widened my eyes. Fushiguro's smile, paired with the fact that he himself had said he wasn't interested in women at all, made me think that it was Itadori he was interested in.

So when Kugisaki and Yuji left to go to bed, I stayed and scooted a little closer to Fushiguro, who was sitting on his bed. He glared at me, begging me to leave. But I wouldn't have it. I needed to know. For my own peace of mind.

"So," I said, "No women, huh?"

Fushiguro furrowed his brow, but I could see his jaw tightening.

"Do you like Itadori-kun?" I asked.

His forehead smoothed out again, and he blinked at me wordlessly. My lips stretched into a wide grin. I got up and patted him on the leg that was hidden beneath his blanket.

"That's answer enough," I said. "Goodnight, Fushiguro-kun."

I was out the door before he could gather himself and stop me. Closing the door behind me, I leaned against it and breathed out. I suddenly remembered when Itadori had told me he didn't like me like that. I wondered for a moment if he liked Fushiguro back. Maybe he did. I closed my eyes, thinking about what it would be like if I found someone I liked like that for myself.