Crash

Shock

YUKO'S POV:

It was 8:30. I woke up to the repetitive strum of a guitar as my alarm went off. Usually, I remain sound asleep as my alarm rings perpetually, often annoying my family, but today, I turned it off immediately. I struggled to sleep last night, as the sinking feeling of my relationship with Itadori potentially coming to an end, nagged in my brain. I could be mistaken, but he seemed to be acting strange yesterday. Usually, Itadori is so bubbly. His smile lights up the room, one of his many qualities that makes him so attractive in my eyes. Whenever Itadori's around, the mood is always fun and positive. But yesterday, he seemed..closed off. I don't think he was present, mentally. I tried to ease the tension by starting various conversations, but much of his replies were quite unenthusiastic, and he seemed disinterested in me. I hope I didn't do anything wrong. I really like Itadori, and I wouldn't want to jeopardise our relationship.

That morning, I texted Yuji's friend, Nobara Kugisaki. I had arranged for us to eat at the same restaurant where I first reunited with Yuji after going our separate ways at our graduation. Nobara was there that day, so she knew where to meet. Nobara's a nice girl, maybe a little eccentric, but I think going to her for advice on how to handle my situation with Itadori was a good idea. I was quite lost, I hoped I was just being paranoid, or that I was simply overthinking things, but if anyone were to know what was wrong with Itadori, it would've been his best friends.

"So Yuko, you wanted to speak with me?" Nobara asked. We had just ordered our food, so I thought now would've been the best time to come clean and initiate the somewhat uncomfortable conversation we were about to have. "Yeah, uh..." I was reluctant to reveal the true reason why I invited Nobara to lunch, but soon I spoke my truth, "I wanted to ask you about Itadori." "Itadori huh? What? Has he been to hyper around you?" she said jokingly. "No it's...actually quite the opposite. Yuji has been distant, cold and not like his usual playful self." "Yuji? Cold and distant? Well that's definitely unlike him. His overly positive attitude can sometimes be a little jarring, but why do you say so?"

"Well, we went on a date yesterday, a walk in the park as the sun set. Our conversations weren't flowing very well, and Yuji seemed reluctant to hold hands with me. I mean, he bought me ice-cream but, it seemed he felt obligated to pay, rather than performing the act out of love for me. I don't want to sound self-absorbed, I'm just confused and worried," I explained.

"Maybe he was just having a bad day? There are many possibilities that could explain Yuji's behaviour. Although, if I'm being honest, I think he might have feelings for someone else." My eyes widened and my heart sunk as Nobara stated her theory. Another girl? Yuji likes someone else? God, she's definitely way prettier than me. No Yuko, you must be calm, Nobara doesn't know for sure. "But don't worry, it's just a hunch. I'm probably wrong it's just that, he always seems happiest whenever he's around one of our friends, and he would never appear cold or unhappy around this person."

"I understand" I replied before a brief silence ensued. I could tell Nobara felt bad for speaking her mind, she was uncomfortable, as was I.

I turned to my right to avoid eye contact with Nobara. I wasn't sure how to continue the conversation, especially because my nightmares might become a reality. Yuji really might not like me romantically. I noticed an elevated TV mounted above the bar at the restaurant. A middle-aged man was sitting there, staring at the TV, completely engaged. The news was on. "Poor boy," he muttered. Nobara and I both overheard him, and began to pay attention to the TV.

"Earlier today, a deadly car accident  occurred outside Ameya Yokocho, with 38-year old taxi driver Udo Suzuki found dead after experiencing the blunt of the attack from the opposing car, and 16-year old Megumi Fushiguro has been transported to the Tokyo Medical University Hospital, in need of urgent care. While not dead, we have the teenager in our prayers as he awaits a recovery."

Nobara and I sat in shock, facing one another. Soon, she broke our eye contact as she began frantically searching through her hand bag to find her phone. "SHIT!" she shouted. She had received several texts minutes ago from Itadori. I presume her phone was on silent as she hadn't reached for her phone at all since we had been at the restaurant. "I'm at the hospital, where the fuck are you?!" Nobara read. Itadori was incredibly worried about Fushiguro. "Okay, sorry Yuko but I really gotta go. My friends need me." "It's fine I'll come too."

Nobara and I rushed to her car, hoping to check on Megumi soon.