Your Life As A Tokyo Jujutsu High Background Student

Chapter 25 - Indulgences

The savory aroma of miso ramen made your mouth water as soon as the steaming bowl was placed before you at the bustling ramen joint in downtown Sapporo. Nanami had ordered for both of you, as usual – shoyu for himself, your favorite miso for you. He knew your tastes intimately after sharing countless meals after missions together.

"Finally!" you chirped, reaching for your chopsticks only to find Nanami had already separated them for you and set them by your bowl. His lips quirked in a soft smile.

"Easy there," he cautioned as you pounced on your bowl. "Let it cool a bit unless you want to burn that smart mouth of yours."

"As if a little heat could keep me quiet."

Rolling your eyes, you resisted the urge to dive right in, instead tearing off a piece of seasoned nori to nibble while waiting for the miso to stop fervently steaming. The busy clatter of the restaurant made you relax after the tension of today's assignment.

Nanami carefully tucked into his shoyu ramen, asking between small bites, "Find any bakeries you like on this trip?"

Deflecting work matters for now – you appreciated his care in keeping things light. "One or two, but that cake shop in Kyoto is still unbeaten," you replied with a grin. "I did spot an amazing anmitsu dessert a block away from here though, if you're buying..."

"Don't push it," Nanami cut you off, but his smile said you would totally have whatever you wanted from that little shop later.

You snickered, about to dig into your own ramen when he caught your eye, using his chopsticks to pluck the soy-marinated half egg from his bowl and deposit it in yours.

"You always steal it anyway," he said by way of explanation at your raised brow.

"I would never," you protested with a hand over your heart, even when you greedily devoured the soy-marinated egg Nanami had surrendered. Rich yolk coated your tongue as you made a show of relishing every bite, just to be a brat.

A few tranquil moments passed. You savored the umami broth – sipping it slowly to make this ramen haute-as-hell experience last. Nanami's deep voice finally broke the comfortable silence.

"That stunt you pulled for Ieiri-san was reckless."

Oh, here came the dad lecture. You tensed instinctively. But Nanami must've sensed your defenses rising like a riled porcupine's quills. He shook his head, blond hair glinting under the warm lighting.

"The High Council isn't forgiving when it comes to things like that. Gojo can't always bail you out."

You gulped, the rich broth taking on a bitter tang. If Nanami thought that whole Shoko Incident was reckless, he'd straight-up pass out once he learned about the batshit crazy scheme you were plotting next. Still, you appreciated that his reprimand came from a place of caring about your unhinged ass, so you tried for a reassuring tone.

"I know, I know. I'll be more careful next time."

Nanami grunted, but the slight crinkle around his eyes said he was temporarily appeased as he slurped another hefty mouthful of noodles. "Your promotion to first grade was... unusual, for lack of a better word. I've been appointed as your supervisor for all trial assignments going forward."

He fixed you with a pointed stare. "So don't go around taking any missions without me there to keep you out of trouble, got it?"

You blinked at him. "Pretty sure that's not something I get a say in. Headquarters Command makes those calls."

Nanami shrugged, not looking remotely abashed at overstepping his boundaries as your supervisor. "Think of something. Put your crazy to good use, for once. I don't feel good about letting you run around alone." His eyes bore into you with an intensity that made you shift in your seat. "Not with everything that's been going on."