Beyond the Veil | Yuji

17

┏━°⌜ 呪術廻戦 ⌟°━┓
CHAPTER 17
PROMOTION
┗━°⌜ 呪術廻戦 ⌟°━┛

I awake with a start, a sharp inhale breaking the quiet of the early morning. Groaning softly, I reach up to rub my eyes, the remnants of sleep clinging stubbornly to my consciousness. The clock reads five in the morning. I groan again, rolling onto my side and willing myself to fall back asleep. Fifteen minutes of futile attempts later, I surrender and sit up in bed.

With a resigned sigh, I reach for my uniform. The outfit consists of a sleek, dark navy jacket that buttons up the front, the fabric catching the light with a subtle sheen. The sleeves are wide, flaring out slightly at the wrists, giving it a traditional yet modern appearance. The jacket fits snugly around the shoulders and chest.

Underneath the jacket, there's a small, dark skirt that reaches mid-thigh, providing a subtle contrast to the length and flow of the jacket. The skirt allows for ease of movement.

I pair the outfit with dark brown tights, ensuring warmth and comfort. They fit snugly and smoothly against my legs, completing the look with a practical yet polished finish. The tights tuck neatly into a pair of knee-high boots. The boots are a matching shade of brown, with sturdy soles and a slight heel for added height. They lace up the back, securing with a tie that dangles just below the knee.

Fully dressed, I glance at myself in the mirror, smoothing out any wrinkles and adjusting the collar of my jacket. Satisfied with my appearance, I exit my room and make my way down the quiet hallway towards the common area. The dormitory is still and silent, the only sound being the soft padding of my boots against the floor.

Upon reaching the common area, I head straight for the coffee machine. The familiar, comforting aroma of brewing coffee fills the room, helping to shake off the last remnants of sleep. I pour myself a cup, the warmth seeping into my hands as I cradle the mug. Taking a seat by the window, I look out at the still-dark sky, mentally preparing myself for the day ahead.

The common area is dimly lit, the soft glow of dawn just starting to filter through the windows. As I sip my coffee in peace, the warm, bitter liquid doing little to chase away my exhaustion, the door creaks open, and Megumi enters the room, already dressed in his uniform. His dark hair is slightly tousled, and there's a familiar tiredness in his eyes.

"Morning, Gumi," I say, giving him a small smile.

"Morning," he replies, his voice gruff with sleep. "Why are you up so early?"

I raise an eyebrow at him, "I could ask you the same thing."

He rolls his eyes, grabbing a mug and pouring himself some coffee. He takes a seat across from me, and for a few moments, we just look at each other in silence, the unspoken understanding between us filling the space.

"Couldn't sleep," we both say at the same time, breaking the quiet. I laugh softly, and he almost smiles, shaking his head.

We finish our coffees in a companionable silence. I get up and slump down on the couch, closing my eyes and trying to relax. After a few minutes, I feel the couch shift, and I open one eye to see Megumi sitting beside me. He's close, but not too close.

I shift on the sofa so that my head rests on his shoulder. He immediately goes rigid and stiff, clearly uncomfortable with the sudden contact. I chuckle softly, shaking my head.

After a moment, I feel him tentatively start rubbing soothing circles on my back. His touch is awkward at first, but he gradually relaxes into the motion. I close my eyes in pure bliss, appreciating the rare moment of comfort from my usually reserved friend.