**Nanami POV**
There was a small patio outside of the showroom, so I went out back and leaned against the railing. I really needed some fresh air. I don't usually mind crowds, but tonight I was in a much different headspace than normal.
Hana was off with her friend for some drinks, so I decided to take advantage of that.
"Having fun?" Y/n walked up and leaned her hip against the railing, her body turned towards me as she held a glass in her hand.
"Yes, really, thank you for inviting us."
She smiled as she took a sip of her drink, never breaking eye contact.
"Cute date," she smirked.
I quickly looked away, feeling a little more bashful than I was accustomed to, "I just met her tonight, actually. Gojo invited them without telling me. I was expecting to come alone."
She laughed softly, "Why am I not surprised?"
I watched as she turned to look out onto the city lights, taking another small drink.
"I have to say, I was a bit disappointed when Gojo told me you were bringing a plus one," she glanced over at me. "I was hoping I'd finally get a chance to talk to you some more. Alone."
My eyes widened as she spoke. I couldn't believe she wanted to spend time with me. My heart was racing, and I felt that same heat wave rush through me.
I really didn't like how flustered she made me feel, but it was starting to seem as though I'd better get used to it.
"There you are!" Gojo called out.
I looked over to see him walking outside with both Hana and Jun. He was really starting to piss me off with his games and his terrible timing.
She turned around to face the group approaching, "So Gojo, find anything you want to buy?"
He smirked, "You're a true salesman, dear."
"I understand if they're a bit out of your price range," she said in a flirty voice. It was actually funny how she already knew how to mess with his ego.
"There's nothing inside there I can't afford. Just nothing in there I want," he flirted back.
"Guess I better go back inside then. See if that changes your mind," she winked before laughing and heading back towards the door.
This woman was definitely going to be the death of me. I was almost sure she had no interest in Gojo, and then she pulls a little stunt like that.
Maybe she just found it amusing... Hopefully that was all it was.
Gojo wasn't even trying to hide the fact that he was checking her out as she walked away. I felt a little bad for his date honestly.
"Nanami," he said before taking his eyes off Y/n. "I think there's a painting you may be interested in."
"Mmm," I mumbled as I looked back out over the city.
"Will you come take a look with me? Ladies, excuse us." With that, he pulled me inside the showroom once again, leaving the two girls to stay and chat outside.
"What is it?" I asked him annoyed.
"I think our dear Y/n has a secret."
I eyed him carefully, "A secret?"
"See for yourself," he gestured to a painting on a stand-alone wall in the middle of the room. I hadn't noticed it before, but looking at it now, I was more than confused.
"Is that?..." I trailed off as I tried to make out the somewhat abstract figure.
I felt crazy, but it looked like...
He nodded, "Hanami? The special grade cursed spirit. I believe it is."
The painting was more delicate than what it looked like in real life, but there was no mistaking it. The branches that came out of the eyes, the markings across the body.
The fact that he was painted in a small forest meadow. It was definitely the cursed spirit that attacked the Kyoto Exchange Event.
"How?" I mumbled in confusion. "She can't be a sorcerer can she? Do you think it's a coincidence?"
"I've never been one to believe in coincidences Nanami, but I also haven't felt any heightened cursed energy from her."
Y/n walked up to us, "My most popular painting of the night."
"Really?" I asked her.
"Mm," she smiled proudly. "The bidding is quite high for this one."
"Bidding? But the price is already listed," Gojo looked at her.
"Yes, but if someone decides they really want it, they can offer above asking price and start a bidding war."
"Is that common?"
"At these types events, yes."
"So, Y/n," Gojo smiled at her. "Tell us, where did you get the inspiration for such a popular painting?"
I listened carefully, but tried not to make it too obvious that we were not only intrigued but also very concerned.
"Well as long as you both don't think I'm crazy," she laughed a bit. "I saw this spirit in a dream. Multiple dreams actually."
"It wouldn't leave my head, so I decided to just paint it," she stared carefully at the canvas.
"Spirit?" Gojo asked.
She cleared her throat, "In my dream, he introduced himself as the spirit of the forest here to protect the earth."
She glanced over nervously at us, "I know you must think I'm insane... It's not like I really believe it exists. It was just a dream that wouldn't go away."
"Not crazy at all," Gojo smiled before looking at the painting again. "You called the spirit a he? Does he have a name?"
"His name was Hanami. Quite beautiful for the spirit of the earth, don't you think?" She sighed, "My imagination really gets the better of me sometimes."
Gojo chuckled, "Oh, Y/n. You just get more and more interesting every time we meet."
I was so confused. How could she see a cursed spirit in a dream? Let alone meet a spirit in her dream?
And she seemed to believe the spirit was a positive one...
Was she telling us the full truth? It didn't seem like she was lying. But none of it made any sense.
It worried me more than anything. I just wanted her to be safe.
"Do you guys have a favorite piece from tonight?" she looked at us with bright eyes. "It doesn't have to be mine!"
"Mm," I spoke up first. "Actually, the one of yours where Hana asked you what it meant. That one. I can't quit thinking about it."
Her eyes stayed on me as Gojo spoke, and I couldn't focus much on anything else. Why was she looking at me like that? And why did I all of a sudden find it so difficult to breathe?
"Nanami, should we get going?" Gojo rested his hand on my shoulder, breaking me out of my trance.
"Hmm? Oh, uh, sure."
"Great, I'll go get our dates and then we'll go."
He walked off to head back outside, leaving me and Y/n there by ourselves.
"You know, Nanami," she walked up to me, stopping so close I could lean down and kiss her if I wanted. "That painting is my favorite one I've ever finished."
"It's lovely."
She looked at me with a soft smile, "It's sad."
"Sadness can be beautiful too," I spoke softly to her.
She licked her lips gently as she held my gaze, "I'd like to see you again Nanami, so don't keep me waiting this time."
I took in a deep breath as I tried to compose myself. She was driving me absolutely wild.
The way she smelled like fresh flowers with just a slight tint of alcohol from the night. Her long eye lashes that fluttered so carefully as she stared at me. Her lips that looked so inviting...
She took a small step back and smirked before I realized that everyone else had just come back inside. How she noticed them I have no idea, but it didn't look like they saw us.
I was glad about that, I didn't need Gojo making a big deal out of it. Or worse, trying to interfere.
Hana linked her arm with mine, "Thank you so much, Y/n. Tonight was beautiful."
"It sure was," Gojo added with a smile.
"Of course," she raised her glass just slightly as she chuckled. "Thanks for coming."
"Have a good night," she stared at me as she spoke and then turned and left, making her way towards another small group of people.
"How about you come over for a drink?" Gojo purred to his date as we walked out of the showroom and back onto the sidewalk.
It was late now. Almost midnight. And really all I wanted to do was be with Y/n. But since I couldn't, the next best thing was to just go home.
As Gojo and Jun made their way down the street, I politely thanked my date for a fun night and called her a cab.
She looked disappointed that I didn't invite her over, nor did I ask to see her again. But I had no interest. No point in pretending I did.
I walked slowly down the streets that were still pretty full with all the night-owls of the city and made my way towards my apartment.
One thing was for sure, I had to see Y/n again. And there was no way I'd be able to wait very long to do so.