𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐈𝐒𝐓. 𝗷𝘂𝗷𝘂𝘁𝘀𝘂 𝗸𝗮𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗻

─ 𝟎𝟎𝟖.

CHAPTER 008 // SHOOTING STARS

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NIGHT // TOKYO JUJUTSU HIGH

The fireflies painted trails of light through the night air, their luminescent dance casting a fleeting glow against the delicate blooms of the garden. The moon, high above, bathed the petals of nearby trees in its silvery light, lending beauty to the peaceful surroundings. In the distance, the rhythmic chirping of crickets composed a gentle melody that filled the warm night air around the dormitory.

Okkotsu, exhausted from the day's mission with Gojo—an extra session to improve his control over Rika—yawned restlessly, his sneakers scuffing against the concrete as he stumbled along. Heavy with fatigue, his body swayed as if he were a puppet held by the thin strings of weariness, struggling to find a steady footing. He aimed for the dorm steps but miscalculated, his legs giving way beneath him, and he tumbled into the soft grass below.

A groan slipped from his lips as he stared at the star-filled sky, his eyes blinking blearily. Though beautiful, the stars offered him no comfort, and slowly, his exhaustion pulled him into a restless sleep.

His breathing softened, but within moments, the peace of slumber shattered.

His dreams turned against him, weaving a tapestry of unease—memories of the last mission with you, lingering regrets, and unresolved tensions haunted his subconscious.

His brows knitted together in distress, and his fingers dug into the blades of grass.

The nightmares grew darker, the sensation of falling deeper into regret suffocating him—until a voice sliced through the thick fog of his dreams, teasing and sharp.

"Nightmare~?" Your tone was light, almost mocking, your presence unexpected but unmistakable.

Startled, Okkotsu's eyes shot open, his heart pounding as panic surged through him. He clamped a hand over his mouth to stifle an instinctive scream, blinking rapidly to make sense of what was happening.

But there you were, looming over him, your turtleneck mask pulled just enough to obscure your face.

"It's 11:07 PM. Do you plan on waking the others?" you scoff, removing your hand from his mouth as his senses snap back into focus.

Okkotsu's mind raced between the residual fragments of his nightmare and the reality of you standing before him. His hands immediately flew to his body, patting himself in a half-conscious panic as if checking whether you had done something.

"Relax, I didn't do anything, jeez," you groaned, your irritation palpable as you sat beside him.

You draped your arms over your knees, the wind softly tugging at your clothes.

Despite your casual posture, Okkotsu sensed something beneath the surface—a flicker of something that kept him on edge. Perhaps it was your sudden appearance in the dead of night or how you carried yourself, always with that hidden intent. Whatever it was, his curiosity was piqued, though his guard remained up.

"What are you doing here?" he demanded, voice sharper than he intended as the remnants of his vulnerability and the strangeness of the situation weighed on him.

Your response came swiftly with sarcastic playfulness.

"I could ask you the same. You couldn't even make it back to your dorm," you retorted with a slight shrug. "I was thinking about drawing something fun on your face before I left, but then..." You trailed off, a blank smile hidden behind your mask. "I stayed."