Beyond the Veil | Yuji

9

┏━°⌜ 呪術廻戦 ⌟°━┓
CHAPTER 9
MORNING
┗━°⌜ 呪術廻戦 ⌟°━┛

The insistent buzzing of my phone disrupts my dreamless sleep, dragging me reluctantly back to consciousness. I groan softly, shifting lightly in my position as reality slowly reasserts itself.

As my senses return, I become acutely aware of a weight on my head and something warm around my waist. My eyes fly open, and I realize the position I'm in. My head is nestled against Yuji's neck, his own head resting gently on top of mine. His arm is draped securely around my waist, holding me close to his side.

My heart races, and my cheeks burn hotter than they did when I got a sunburn last year. The intimate position we're in sends a rush of warmth through me, a mix of embarrassment and something else I can't quite name. I can feel the steady rise and fall of Yuji's chest against me, each breath he takes a gentle, soothing rhythm that contrasts sharply with the erratic pounding of my heart.

I glance around the room, taking in the soft morning light filtering through the curtains. The film we were watching has long since ended, the television now displaying the silent menu screen. The small table in front of the couch is where my phone keeps vibrating, moving slightly with each buzz. The persistent noise is irritating, and I fear it will wake Yuji.

I bite my lip, torn between the desire to stay in this comforting embrace and the need to stop the phone from making that annoying sound. How exactly did we end up like this? The last thing I remember is feeling his hand rubbing soothing circles on my back, his warmth lulling me into sleep.

The phone vibrates again, and I glance at it, wishing I could throw it out the window. The caller ID is just out of sight, and I can't see who's trying to reach me. But right now, I don't care. The last thing I want is to move and risk waking Yuji.

His scent fills my senses. Every breath I take is imbued with his comforting presence. I can feel his warmth seeping into me, the solidity of his body grounding me in a way that makes me feel safe and protected.

The phone stops vibrating momentarily, only to start again with renewed urgency. I groan softly, trying to shift slightly to grab it and see who's calling. As I move, Yuji's arm tightens around me instinctively, pulling me closer. His head shifts, leaning back against the couch, and I almost fall on top of him. My heart skips a beat, and I freeze, marveling at how strong he is even while sleeping.

Yuji stirs slightly, mumbling something incoherent. I hold my breath and close my eyes, praying he doesn't wake up. I can feel the heat rising again to my face, probably turning the same color as an aubergine, and my heart feels like it's going to burst out of my chest. The idea of him waking up to find us in this position is too much to handle.

Reality beckons relentlessly as my phone keeps vibrating. With a resigned sigh, I gently extricate myself from his hold, careful not to wake him. My fingers brush against his chest as I move, sending shivers down my spine. Calm down, Rei, for heaven's sake. I scold myself silently, trying to regain some composure.

I get up and tiptoe to the coffee table, where my phone continues its incessant buzzing. The screen flashes with Nanami's name, and I realize with a jolt that I disappeared without saying anything. Shit. The phone stops buzzing for a second, and I see 33 missed calls from Nanami, 11 from Gojo, and 4 from Megumi. Fuck.

Panic sets in, and I practically run to Yuji's bathroom as the phone starts buzzing again. I close the door behind me, my heart still racing. I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself before answering the call. The last thing I need is to sound panicked and draw even more attention to myself.

"Nanami?" I say, my voice trembling slightly.

"Reina," he snaps, his voice a mixture of relief and fury. "Where the hell are you? We've been trying to reach you for hours!"