Beyond the Veil | Yuji

5

┏━°⌜ 呪術廻戦 ⌟°━┓
CHAPTER 5
BEST FRIEND
┗━°⌜ 呪術廻戦 ⌟°━┛

The morning sun casts a warm glow over the schoolyard as I walk with my headphones on, the music drowning out the background chatter of my classmates. I'm lost in my own world when I suddenly feel an arm drape over my shoulders, causing me to stumble slightly.

Startled, I turn around, my heart skipping a beat. I'm met with Yuji's big, infectious smile. His eyes twinkle with mischief as he greets me, his presence instantly lifting my spirits. I quickly remove my headphones, feeling my cheeks warm slightly. "You scared me, Yuu," I reprimand him, though I can't help but smile back.

He laughs, a sound that never fails to make me feel lighter. "Sorry, Rei. Couldn't resist," he says, his tone playful.

We start walking towards our classroom together, the familiarity of his company soothing. Yuji suddenly pinches the skin of my arm gently, a pout forming on his lips. "Why didn't you answer any of my texts these past three days? You disappeared so suddenly."

For a second, I get lost in the memories of the mission I just ended. The echoes of curses and the adrenaline of combat flash in my mind. I shake my head, pushing those thoughts aside, and manage an easy lie. "I wasn't feeling very well," I say, trying to sound nonchalant.

Yuji's expression shifts to one of concern. "What did you have? Are you okay now?"

I force a reassuring smile, though it feels like a mask. "It was nothing serious, Yuu. I just needed to relax, that's all. That's why I didn't answer."

He seems to accept my explanation, though the worry doesn't entirely leave his eyes. "You should have told me. I would've come over with some soup or something," he says, his tone earnest.

Guilt twists in my stomach. I hate myself for having to lie to him because what I do is a part of me. And I don't want to hide things from him. But I know it's for the best, this way he's safe.

"I appreciate it, but it's okay. I'm better now," I assure him, patting his arm lightly.

We reach our classroom, and as we settle into our seats, I can't help but glance at him, wishing things could be different. Yuji is still talking, now animatedly sharing a story about something funny that happened to him recently.

He suddenly stops talking mid-sentence and looks at me with a mock-serious expression. "You're doing it again," he says, shaking his head slightly.

I blink a few times, trying to pull myself out of my thoughts. "Doing what?" I ask, feigning ignorance.

"Spacing out and not listening to me," he replies, his tone teasing.

A blush creeps up my cheeks, and I quickly shake my head. "That's not true. I was listening."

He grins, leaning in closer to my face, forcing me to move my head backwards. My cheeks feel like they're on fire. "Oh yeah? Then what was I talking about?" he challenges, his face so close that I can see the tiny freckles dotting his nose.

I lift my hand and put pressure on his nose with my finger, gently pushing him back to regain my personal space. "You were talking about the new ramen place that opened near the hospital where your grandfather is," I say confidently.

Yuji's grin falters for a moment, replaced by a look of genuine curiosity. "How do you do that?" he asks. "Every time you space out and seem in another world, you still know what I was saying."

I turn to look out the window, hoping the cool air filtering through it  will calm the heat in my cheeks. When I glance back at him, I manage a smirk. "It's because your voice is so annoying, I can't block it out," I retort, trying to sound playful.