Another chance Book I - Y/N

Chapter 57: Just for today.

Date: 18. August 2005, Thursday

The next morning, the soft rays of sunlight creep through the curtains as you stir awake. You stretches, still feeling the weight of yesterday, but there's a calm in the air now. As you make your way downstairs, the smell of breakfast wafts through the air, guiding you to the kitchen.

Mikey is already at the table, sitting silently while flipping through an old magazine. A magazine? Oh right, it's 2005. Kinda strange without smartphones around... . You think with a small smile. Draken leans against the wall with his arms crossed, chatting casually with Emma, who's making sure everything is ready.

"Good morning.", you greet quietly, your voice still soft from sleep.

"Morning.", Emma chirps back with her usual energy. "We're having pancakes today!"

"Nice.", you mumble while sitting down, your gaze briefly meeting Mikey's. He offers a slight smile, though his eyes still seem distant, as if he's not fully present. Draken watches the two of them with a raised eyebrow before pulling out a chair and sitting next to you.

As they all start eating, Emma glances at Mikey, then at Y/N, before suddenly breaking the silence. "Oh, by the way, Mikey's birthday is coming up this Saturday! We're planning something fun. Y/N, you'll be there, right?"

You blink, surprised. "Uh sure. I wouldn't miss it.", you reply, though your mind briefly flickers back to the whirlwind of emotions you felt yesterday. You still feels conflicted about everything — your reuniting with bf/n, the tension with Kazutora, and the momentary comfort you found with Mikey. But today, you want to keep things light. Hopefully.

Emma beams. "Great! We were thinking of doing something simple but special, like a small gathering with just friends."

Draken, always the voice of reason, cuts in. "Just make sure it doesn't get out of hand, Emma. You know how things tend to go when everyone's together."

Emma sticks out her tongue at him. "I know, I know!"

You watches them interact, feeling a warmth rise inside you. It's comforting to be surrounded by friends who are so familiar with each other. You hadn't realized how much you missed this kind of normalcy.

Later that day, you walk to school with Emma and Yumi by your side. Yumi, your new and shy friend, sticks close to you, offering small smiles but mostly listening to the conversation.

"Hey, Y/N.", Emma starts, skipping beside her, "So, about yesterday... . How are you feeling now? You seemed a little off last night. Uhh... , said Mikey."

You bite your lip, carefully choosing your words. "I'm okay.", you mutter, glancing at the ground. "It was just... overwhelming, you know? A lot happened, and I'm still sorting through it. So... ." You glance to the side unsurely.

Emma nods understandingly. "I get that. You don't need to force it. But if you want to talk about anything, we're here for you, okay?"

Yumi pipes up quietly, her voice almost a whisper. "Yeah, we're here, Y/N."

You smile at both of them, grateful for their support. But you don't feel ready to spill everything just yet. The tension between Kazu and Takeomi, the chaos at Gojo gym — it's all too much, and you still need time to process it. And the thing about bf/n — how to explain all that to Emma is a big problem that still has to be solved.

Throughout the school day, you try to focus on your classes but find yourself thinking about the people in your life. Mikey was strange yesterday, and this morning too... . I need to ask him later if something's wrong.