And you—
Sitting safely at the edge now.
Wrapped in a towel.
Cheeks pink.
But smiling.
Soft.
Warm.
Sitting on the wooden engawa just outside the bath.
Cool night air brushing against damp skin.
Lanterns glowing softly.
Crickets in the distance.
Your head feels clearer.
Still a little embarrassed.
Still a little warm.
Nobara walks out behind you.
Two chilled milk bottles in hand.
She hands you one without looking.
Nobara Kugisaki:Drink.
Doctor Nobara's orders.
You take it.
The glass cold against your palm.
y/n (quiet):…Thanks.
She sits beside you.
Not too close.
But not far either.
A comfortable distance.
For a moment—
Silence.
Peaceful.
Then—
Nobara speaks, casual tone but softer than usual.
Nobara Kugisaki:You know…You don't have to shrink yourself like that.
You blink.
y/n:Huh?
Nobara keeps staring forward.
Nobara Kugisaki:Sinking into the water.Hiding.Not wanting to stand up.
A beat.
Nobara Kugisaki:You act like you're taking up space wrong.
The words hit quietly.
You look down at the milk bottle.
y/n:I just didn't want to make it awkward.
Nobara scoffs.
Nobara Kugisaki:It's already awkward. We're sorcerers. Nothing about us is normal.
She nudges your shoulder lightly.
Nobara Kugisaki:If anyone should feel awkward, it's the idiots screaming on the other side.
From beyond the divider—
Yuji Itadori:MEGUMI STOP HIM—SENSEI THAT'S NOT A WATER GUN—
SPLASH.
You both pause.
Then snort.
Nobara's expression softens again.
Nobara Kugisaki:You survived Gojo's training this week.You survived missions.You survived today.
She glances at you.
Direct.
Steady.
Nobara Kugisaki:You're allowed to exist loudly.
You swallow.
Something warm in your chest.
y/n (small smile):…You're surprisingly nice tonight.
Nobara instantly scowls.
Nobara Kugisaki:Don't ruin it.
But her shoulder stays touching yours.
And she doesn't move away.
***
The steam thins as everyone starts climbing out.
Your legs feel… unreliable.
Before it gets heavier than that—
Nobara strides over, already wringing water from her hair.
Nobara Kugisaki:Alright. That's enough wobbling for today.
She hooks her arm through yours smoothly.
Not dramatic.
Not territorial.
Just efficient.
Nobara Kugisaki: Come on.
She glances at Megumi already out standing nearby.
Nobara Kugisaki:We'll return her in one piece.
Megumi nods easily.
Girls' Changing Room
The sliding door shuts.
Cool air brushes over overheated skin.
You shiver.
Nobara immediately pushes you down onto the bench.
Nobara Kugisaki:Sit before gravity wins again.
You sit.
She hands you a towel.
Nobara Kugisaki:Dry your hair properly. Heat escapes from your head, genius.
y/n (weak laugh):You sound like Gojo Sensei.
Nobara:Don't insult me.
She helps you steady yourself while you change — nothing dramatic, just practical.
You're slower than usual.
Still flushed.
Still warm.
But steadier now.
Boys' Side (Outside)
The boys exit their changing room at the same time.
Yuji is already loud.
Yuji Itadori:I'M SERIOUS IF SHE COLLAPSES AGAIN I'M WRITING A REPORT.
Megumi:To who.
Yuji:To… the hot spring management?
Megumi:That's not how that works.
Gojo walks past them lazily, towel around his shoulders.
Girls' Door Slides Open
You step out with Nobara.
Hair still slightly damp.
Cheeks flushed.
Neck warm pink.
Your movements are careful — not dramatic, just slower than usual.
Yuji immediately points.
Yuji Itadori:SEE. STILL RED.
Megumi gives him a look.
He stops pointing.
But he is definitely still observing.
And then—
Gojo notices.
Your face.
Your neck.
Deeply flushed.
Still overheated.
Still slightly unsteady.
His teasing expression softens.
Just a fraction.
Satoru Gojo:…
Tone Shift
He crouches slightly to your eye level.
Voice calmer.
Lower.
Satoru Gojo:Hey.
Still dizzy?
The gentler tone catches you off guard.
y/n (quiet):…A little.
Nobara watches closely.
Raises a brow.
Because Gojo is being…
Suspiciously normal.
His hand lifts—
Not touching.
Just hovering near your forehead.
Checking.
Satoru Gojo:You're overheated.
y/n:I noticed…
Satoru Gojo
Soft sigh.
Satoru Gojo:Sit down before you fall down.
Preferably before paperwork becomes my problem.
Yuji Itadori:WAIT THERE'S PAPERWORK FOR PASSING OUT?!
Gojo straightens.
Smirk returning.
Satoru Gojo:There is if you're dramatic enough.
Yuji gasps.
Yuji Itadori:SHE WAS VERY DRAMATIC.
Nobara:She was boiling.
Megumi finally speaks, calm as ever.
Megumi Fushiguro:She's fine now.
A subtle reassurance.
Not just to you.
To everyone.
Gojo studies you one last second.
Then nods.
You sit.
Still wrapped, hairs slight damp.
Still glowing like a human tomato.
Gojo watches for a second longer than usual.
Eyes unreadable behind the blindfold.
Then—
That familiar grin returns.
Satoru Gojo:Honestly…
You kids are exhausting.
But his voice carries something softer beneath it.
Something almost…
Concerned.
***
Late Evening — Calm After Chaos
The dorm lounge is unusually quiet.
Soft lighting.
Windows cracked open just enough for a cool breeze.
You're curled into the couch.
Fresh hoodie.
Hair slightly damp.
Face…
still suspiciously pink.
Yuji Itadori
Sitting across from you.
Watching.
Grinning.
Clearly holding back laughter.
Failing terribly.
Yuji Itadori:Sooo…
You narrow your eyes.
Already knowing.
y/n:Don't.
Yuji Itadori (barely containing it):I'm just saying…
I didn't know humans could stay THAT red for THIS long.
y/n:It was hot!!
Yuji Itadori:It was an HOUR ago!!
y/n:My body is processing trauma.
Nobara Kugisaki
From the armchair.
Scrolling.
Smirking.
Nobara Kugisaki:Processing embarrassment.
y/n:You're not helping.
Nobara Kugisaki:Not my job.
Megumi Fushiguro
Leaning near the window.
Arms crossed.
Trying to look uninterested.
Failing slightly.
Megumi Fushiguro:…
He glances once.
Quick.
Then looks away.
Megumi Fushiguro:You do still look overheated.
y/n:Oh my god not YOU too—
Yuji Itadori
Absolutely delighted.
Yuji Itadori:MEGUMI CONFIRMED IT🤣
Megumi Fushiguro:That's not what I—
Nobara Kugisaki:Too late.
Laughter fades into something lighter.
Comfortable.
Easy.
Wind drifts through the window.
Curtains shifting lazily.
No curses.
No explosions.
No near-death incidents.
Just…
Peace.
You sink deeper into the couch.
Exhaling slowly.
y/n (soft):…Today was weirdly nice though.
Nobara Kugisaki:Hot springs again sometime.
But next time—
She points at you.
Nobara Kugisaki:No fainting.
y/n:No promises.
Megumi Fushiguro
A faint sigh.
But…
There's the tiniest hint of a smile.
Megumi Fushiguro:Troublesome.
Silence settles again.
Not awkward.
Not heavy.
Just warm.
Safe.
Outside—
Night deepens.
Inside—
Four students breathe in the rare luxury of calm.
And for once…
Nothing feels like it's about to go wrong.
Night — Dorm Rooms
The hallway grows quiet again.
Lights dimmed.
Doors sliding shut one by one.
Yuji Itadori:Goodnight, tomato 😂
y/n:GOODNIGHT, MENACE.
Nobara Kugisaki:Sleep. Your body clearly needs repairs.
Megumi Fushiguro
A brief pause.
He looks at you.
That same unreadable expression.
Megumi Fushiguro:…Rest properly.
You smile faintly.
y/n:I will.
Doors slide closed.
Silence returns.
Your Room — Later
Soft lamp glow.
Blanket cocoon.
Your body sinks into the mattress.
Everything aches.
Muscles heavy.
Limbs sluggish.
y/n (murmuring):Why does existing hurt this much…
You curl tighter.
Eyes drifting shut.
Something's Wrong
A shiver.
Unexpected.
Sharp.
You frown.
Blanket suddenly feels…
Too cold.
Then—
Too warm.
Your skin burns.
Breathing uneven.
y/n (half-asleep):…Mm…
Another shiver wracks through you.
Teeth nearly chattering.
Midnight
Darkness thicker now.
The dorm asleep.
Your forehead glistens faintly.
Heat rising.
Breath shallow.
Restless.
Blanket kicked aside.
Then clutched desperately again.
y/n (weak whisper):S-so cold…
Yet your body is burning.
Fever climbing fast.
Vision hazy even with closed eyes.
Head pounding.
Pulse erratic.
Your Tenchu mark—
Hidden beneath your collar—
Radiates faint warmth.
Reacting.
Unstable.
Half-Dream State
Fragments blur together.
Heat.
Cold.
Dark shrine echoes.
That distorted voice again—
Unclear.
Threatening.
Voice (distant, warped):"…Weakness invites collapse…"
Your breathing quickens.
y/n (fevered murmur):…No…
Hallway — Same Time
Footsteps.
Soft.
Unhurried.
Megumi Fushiguro
Returning from the vending machine.
Late-night habit.
He pauses.
Mid-step.
Something…
Feels off.
A faint ripple of cursed energy.
Unsteady.
Flickering.
His eyes narrow slightly.
Megumi Fushiguro:…
He turns.
Slowly.
Toward your door.
Inside — You Burning
Your body trembles violently now.
Sweat-drenched.
Face flushed deep crimson.
Breath ragged.
The Tenchu mark pulses—
Hot.
Erratic.
As if responding to your fever.
Your exhaustion.
Your instability.