Don't Let Go, I Need You

~4~

Itadori's face lit up like my idea was amazing. There was a bright smile on his friendly face, and it already made my heart race in delight before hearing his answer. I knew it was going to be the same as mine. Great minds think alike. "That sounds great! What about you, Fushiguro?"

Megumi's face soured, averting his eyes away from us. He didn't want to come, but he has no choice because I'm here.

"It's okay, Itadori! Megumi is coming with us no matter what. We can't leave him behind! Now let's go," I laughed, grabbing both of their hands to a nearby arcade.

We left Gojo behind, but it was okay since he's always leaving his mission to us to die.

"What games do you like to play?" I looked over at Itadori whose eyes glued at a shooting zombie game. "Hmm, I guess that's what you like. How about you, Megumi? This is probably the first time we're at an arcade together—"

Not even a minute of having fun, our venture ended before it started. "Yo, kids! Our last student has arrived. Let's go meet her!" Gojo found us, signaling us to come over.

"It's okay, Kana. Maybe next time!" Itadori reassured me as he ran up to Gojo's side. He's right. We have the time in the world to have fun. Once the new female joins us, then we can actually go all together.

Right before us was the new female student. We were about the same height and shape. She had her cute ginger bob haircut framing her face. Her physical looks told me that she wasn't going to be the average damsel in distress. The fierceness in her brown eyes says a lot. "The name's Kugisaki Nobara. Lucky you, getting to hangout with a girl like me!" She roughly said, and I took her hands into mine without thinking.

I sandwiched her hands in mine and pulled it between us. "I'm glad to make your acquaintance! I'm Ozaki Kana, but call me Kana. I'll tell you more about myself after today!" When I know a person who will stick by me throughout my life, I have to tell them about my cursed lifespan. I didn't want them to be left hanging if other people knew about it. I don't want Kugisaki to feel like I couldn't trust her with this information. I'm an open book.

After introductions and having sensei lie to the two country folks, we stood in front of a cursed building. "Kana, Megumi, you both will watch. The other two will go in. We're going to test how good they are." Gojo pushed us to sit on a bench.

"O-oh okay..." I complied, just following orders from Gojo. It kind of sucked that I couldn't join in the fight, but it is what it is.

Sitting right next to Megumi, I laid my head on his shoulder. He didn't tense up nor complained like usual. Perhaps he's gotten used to this too. "How's your family?" I forgot that I came back on campus late at night after seeing my family. Megumi was waiting for me at the front gates. It's like it was his duty to be my protector when I can already help myself. I don't understand why he's so scared. It's been like this for my whole life. Was he not tired of me?

"They're doing good. My brothers are learning how to control their cursed energy and even learn techniques too!" I told him about the fun things I've done with them. After training with Hoshi, my brothers and I chilled together as we watched movies. Taiga would poke fun at me whenever a guy with tattoos would come into the screen. He knew I had a weak spot for tattoos. Men with sleeve tattoos were very attractive, and if they have veiny but not too veiny arms were also a double plus.

"Why's your face all red? It's not even sunny." I felt his eyes staring straight at my rosey cheeks, and I turned my head away and laughed.

"Oh it's nothing! J-just some inside family joke that I remembered that's all!" I can't let him know about my weird liking towards tattoos and veiny arms. I hope he doesn't question any further. "Anyways!" I quickly changed the topic so it can leave his mind. "If I go and visit my family again, you should come. They always ask about you." Turning my head, I wanted to see his reaction since he never felt like my parents were welcoming of him. If he only knew what they kept asking...