{THE ENCOUNTER} Itadori x Fem!Reader

𝑆𝑐𝑎𝑟𝑙𝑒𝑡

FLASHBACK ~ SEVERAL HOURS EARLIER

On your way to finding the campgrounds, the four of you find yourselves in a small convenience store on the edge of the woods. It's a small place, but its shelves are stocked with a good variety of snacks, drinks, and camping essentials. 

You navigate the aisles with Fushiguro, grabbing a few things you'll need for your trip. Energy bars, bottled water, and a bag of chips fill your arms. Then, you head to the checkout counter where a clerk around the same age as you stands behind the register.

Nobara seizes the opportunity to flirt with the rather attractive cashier. "Hey," she greets him, flashing a smile. "How's it going?"

"Um, it's alright," he answers, sounding a little confused. "Are you guys heading into the woods?"

"Yep! Campsite 17! You been there? Man, it's going to be sooo boring out there but you could make it a lot more interesting..."

While Nobara's working her magic, you and Fushiguro put your stuff down on the counter. You pull out the money you have from your pocket, counting it and sorting the bills.

Itadori then sets down a package of matches and a first aid kit on the counter.

"Uhh, I've got work..." the cashier then answers Nobara.

"Oh... bummer. Well if you change your mind I'll be around the campsite," she then winks at him.

"Yeah... okay..."

You then pay for the snacks and gear and then make your way out of the shop. Nobara sighs, looking disappointed.

"Don't worry," Itadori says, patting her on the shoulder. "We'll find you a new target soon!"

You look over at him and roll your eyes. "Why do you have to say it like that?"

"Like what?!"

PRESENT TIME ~ FUSHIGURO'S P.O.V.

Nobara and I go to the same convenience store from earlier today. The familiar surroundings meet us, with shelves neatly stocked and overhead lights casting their artificial glow. Nobara moves fast, snatching the first bar of chocolate she can find for our evening s'mores.

With her prize in hand, she rushes to the checkout counter, and there he is, the same cashier from earlier, still at his post. His eyes widen slightly when he sees Nobara approaching, a hint of recognition mixed with a touch of resignation in his expression. I can almost hear his internal groan.

"Hi there," Nobara says, leaning her elbows on the counter and grinning up at him.

"Oh, it's you again." He sounds less than thrilled, but there's a slight pinkness to his cheeks.

"Yep, it's me!" she answers, oblivious. "Sooo, did you change your mind?"

"I'm working," he answers quickly.

"I can wait," she insists.

"Nobara, leave the poor guy alone. Just pay for the damn chocolate so we can go."

"I'm trying to get a date," she hisses back.

"I don't care," I whisper. "Just buy the stupid candy."

"Fine," she grumbles, tossing the chocolate bar on the counter.

The cashier sighs as he rings it up. "That'll be 500 yen."

She hands over the money, and then the two of us start making our way back to the campground.

When we return to the campsite, I notice Itadori zipping up our tent. His hair is a bit messy, like he was just napping in there. But then I notice that Y/N's wearing his sweatshirt. Oh, he must've gone in and given it to her and then took a nap.

Nobara then calls out to me from the campfire where Y/N is. "Hey, can the two of you go grab some more firewood from the trunk?!"

"Sure thing," I answer.

Itadori and I make our way to the car, popping open the trunk. There's a pile of firewood already in the back. I start loading my arms up with as much as I can carry, but Itadori stops me.

"You think we need all that?" he asks.

"It's better to have too much than too little," I answer.

"Yeah, but it's not like we're using the fire to keep warm. I mean, it's pretty nice out," he shrugs.

"Is it? I think Y/N looks a bit cold," I note.

Itadori turns, his eyes scanning Y/N for a second. "She's got a hoodie on," he points out as if he hadn't noticed.

"Yeah, yours," I point out, closing the trunk and walking back over to the campfire.

Itadori follows closely behind me, the two of us returning with a reasonable amount of firewood.

Nobara starts the fire with one of the matches. We all then sit in a circle around the flames, roasting the marshmallows on the end of the sticks.

"This is fun, right?" Itadori says with a grin, holding a perfectly golden-brown roasted marshmallow in the air. "Now we just need a spooky story to complete the experience!"

"No," Y/N and I immediately answer.

"Fine," he sighs, looking a little disappointed.

Nobara laughs. "Why do you two hate horror movies so much?"

"Because they're dumb," Y/N and I reply once again in unison.

"Okay, okay. No horror stories, I get it," Itadori then says, his attention turning to the other side of the campfire. "How about that shitty weather we're supposed to get then?"

"My phone said it'll rain all day tomorrow," I confirm.

"Well, that's no fun," Nobara frowns.

"I'd take rain over a curse any day of the week," Itadori chimes in with a nod.

"Me too," I agree.

"So you promise there really is no curse then..." Itadori continues.

"We've only told you that like fifty times," Y/N rolls her eyes.

"Well, yeah but-"

"It almost seems like you kind of do want there to be a curse here," she cuts him off.

"I mean... I guess it would make for a fun story," he admits, laughing.

"A fun story? You really have no survival instincts, do you?" Y/N shakes her head.

"Hey! I have survival instincts!"

"Really?" Y/N challenges, crossing her arms. "Cause you're pretty quick to rush into battle without thinking about the consequences."

"Oh, come on, I'm not that bad."

Nobara rolls her eyes and interjects. "Will you two stop bickering like an old married couple and let the rest of us enjoy this lovely evening?"

Itadori and Y/N both freeze in place.

"W-we're not..." Y/N sputters, looking at Nobara. "Don't say it like that."

"Whatever!" Nobara laughs, clearly amused by their reaction.

Itadori clears his throat. "It's getting late," he then announces. "Maybe we should call it a night."

"I agree. We can let the rain put the fire out. Let's go to bed," I agree, getting up and dusting off my pants.

Y/N and Nobara stand as well, the four of us saying goodnight and making our way to our tents.

Once I'm inside, I start changing into my pajamas and decide to question Itadori again about the weird Y/N wearing his hoodie situation.

"So, why'd you let Y/N wear your hoodie?" I ask.

"Huh? Oh, it's nothing, really. I just didn't want her to get cold, that's all."

"But you said it wasn't cold... and it's not like she didn't have other options."

"Geez, Fushiguro, why do you keep bringing it up?" Itadori laughs awkwardly, scratching the back of his neck. "It was just a nice thing I did, that's all."

"Alright," I say with a sigh, dropping the subject. "Fine. Let's just go to bed."