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Yuji slowly came to awareness, a warm patch of sunlight hitting his face, the feeling of soft fabric against his skin.
Where am I?
He sat up in bed. A small, but homey room. White bedsheets. A half-opened window emitted strong rays of sun.
Yuji pushed the covers off, opening the closet curiously. No Jujutsu High uniform. Just a bright yellow t-shirt and blue shorts. Without thinking much, he pulled the clothes on, still blinking the sleep from his eyes.
He heard the sound of someone moving about the kitchen, accompanied by the smell of food. Yuji pushed the door open carefully, an unfamiliar sight greeting him.
Nanami stood at the stove, apron over his classic blue dress-shirt, frying some eggs. He turned around.
“Oh, Yuji-kun. You’re awake.”
Yuji froze for a fraction of a second, not really knowing why.
“Good morning, Nanamin… Where are we?”
“We’re in Malaysia, remember?” Nanami smiled at him, a gesture that usually brought Yuji comfort, but instead made his heart twist for a reason he couldn’t name.
“Oh. That’s nice,” Yuji replied. “You’ve always wanted to go to Malaysia.” Nanami’s eyes widened suddenly, taking a step toward him.
“Yuji-kun?” Nanami asked in concern. Has Nanami always called him Yuji-kun? “Are you alright?”
“Of course,” Yuji blinked. “Why wouldn’t I be?”
“You’re… crying,” Nanami said worriedly, reaching out a hesitant hand.
I am?
Yuji brought a hand to his face, surprised to feel it wet with tears.
“Oh…” Yuji frowned. “I don’t know why.”
He hurriedly wiped away the tears, Nanami watching him carefully.
“It’s alright to feel things, Yuji-kun,” Nanami stated quickly, lightly placing a hand on his shoulder.
“I’m sorry- I don’t know what’s going on with me right now,” Yuji apologized, fingers twisting together, stubbornly blinking back the newly threatening tears.
Nanami’s eyes softened.
“I understand. I’m really not used to this either,” he assured.
“This?”
“Vacation,” Nanami smiled slightly. Almost in reflex, Yuji twisted his own face into a small grin.
“Right.”
-----
Yuji sprawled across the couch in the living room, manga in hand. Nanami sat in the adjacent armchair, staring intently at his book. Yuji didn’t miss the concerned glances shot in his direction every so often.
“I’m fine, Nanamin, really,” Yuji groaned after he caught the man “discreetly” studying him for the 17th time. “You don’t have to worry about me.”
“I’m the adult,” Nanami replied stiffly, “It’s my job to worry about you.”
Yuji laughed. That was such a Nanamin thing to say.
“Your job?” he grinned. “I thought we were on vacation?”
Nanami huffed a sigh.
“What does that have to do with anything?”
“You’re supposed to relax on vacation. Besides, don’t you hate working?” Yuji snorted, rolling onto his stomach.
“Yes, I do. That’s why I am going to make sure you make the most of your childhood,” Nanami replied, flipping a page with excessive precision.
“You’re impossible,” Yuji pouted, but a knot of warmth formed in his chest, mixing with the discomfort he had been feeling all morning.
“On the contrary,” Nanami responded flatly, “I am completely possible.”
Yuji squinted at him.
“...That didn’t even make any sense.”
-----
The world felt impossibly quiet, even with the soft sound of the waves and the gentle rush of the wind.
Yuji carefully studied Nanami’s face as they walked along the beach. It was more relaxed than he had ever seen it.
For as long as he could remember, the man’s brow had been creased, as if the weight of the world was pressing upon it. Now, the fold was just a little smoother. He looked younger. Yuji had always forgotten that the man was younger than Gojo.
“You’ve been quiet, Yuji-kun. Is everything alright?” Nanami asked, shattering the peaceful silence.
Yuji blinked in surprise.
“Oh, it’s nothing,” he laughed softly. “You just look really happy today, Nanamin.”
Now it was Nanami’s turn to be surprised.
“...Oh,” he replied quietly. “I suppose I am.”
“So am I,” Yuji grinned. “I’m glad we’re here.”
“Me too, Yuji-kun,” Nanami said with a gentle smile.
They continued along the beach, leaving two sets of footprints in the warm sand.
-----
Sunset painted the sky hues of orange and red, fading into violet. Up above, the stars were becoming visible, painting the world into a void full of sparkling gems.
“It’s pretty,” Yuji mumbled quietly, staring into the horizon.
“It is,” Nanami agreed from beside him. “It’s hard to see things like this in the city.”
Yuji tilted his head back, looking up at the stars.
“Did you know that stars don’t twinkle when you look at them in space? It’s only when you look through the atmosphere. It distorts them, or something.”
“Huh,” Nanami replied softly. “I didn’t know that.”
“They look nicer like this, though,” Yuji commented. “More alive.”
Nanami hummed thoughtfully.
“Maybe distortion allows us to see things in a way we couldn’t otherwise.”
“...Yeah,” Yuji whispered, a gentle chuckle escaping his lips. “That sounded really wise.”
The two of them sat in silence, watching the last rays of sun dip below the horizon.
The air was quiet but full of life, the tide still turning gently, a breeze still blowing, the sounds of cicadas echoing.
“Yuji,” Nanami asked, concern in his voice. “What’s wrong?”
Yuji felt a tear track down his cheek.
“What is this, Nanamin?” he whispered.
“What do you mean by that?”
Yuji didn’t reply for a moment, only glanced up with pain-filled eyes.
“This,” he said quietly, breath hitching slightly. “This never happened.”
“I’d say it’s happening right now,” Nanami frowned.
He was met with silence.
“...I’m sorry, Itadori.”
“Don’t do that. Don’t apologize.”
“I’m sorry I cursed you. It was never my intention.”
“That- that didn’t matter. I never blamed you. I just wish things had turned out differently.”
"I know. So do I," Nanami said sorrowfully.
Yuji took a shuddering breath, wiping the tears away.
“...So, this is a dream,” he said, voice quiet and controlled.
“Yes. I’m sorry.”
Yuji smiled painfully, turning to face Nanami one last time.
“It’s alright. It was a good one,” Yuji whispered. “Thank you.”