Yuji Itadori wasn't the type to do things halfway. So when Gojo casually mentioned—no, teased—him about a certain someone's forgotten birthday, he knew he had to do something.

"Come on, Yuji~," Gojo had said, grinning under his blindfold. "She don't even remember her own birthday. That's kinda sad, don't you think?"

And it was sad. The more Yuji thought about it, the more he realized how much you carried on your shoulders. You never stopped, always prioritizing missions, responsibilities, and everyone else over yourself. You never once mentioned your birthday, but that just made him more determined.

So here he was, setting up something special.

You had barely finished your last report when Yuji practically dragged you away from your desk.

"Yuji—hey! What are you doing? I still have—"

"Nope! No work today!" he cut in, his grip firm but warm. "Just trust me, okay?"

Trust. That was easy with him.

He led you outside, where the sky had softened into deep hues of orange and violet. You expected... well, you weren't sure what to expect. But what you didn't expect was a quiet picnic setup by the lake, small lanterns hanging from the nearby trees, flickering like fireflies. The sight made you stop in your tracks.

"Yuji..." You turned to him, wide-eyed. "What is this?"

"A birthday celebration!" he said proudly, rubbing the back of his neck. "Gojo told me it was today, and, well, I figured you probably wouldn't do anything, so..."

Your chest tightened, a strange warmth bubbling inside you. It had been years since anyone had done something like this.

"You didn't have to—"

"But I wanted to," he interrupted, softer this time. 

The lump in your throat made it hard to speak. Instead, you sat down, fingers tracing the edge of the small cake he had somehow gotten his hands on.

"Make a wish," he prompted, watching you expectantly.

You hesitated. You had long stopped believing in wishes. But under Yuji's hopeful gaze, you closed your eyes and silently wished for more moments like this—where you felt seen, where you weren't just a sorcerer burdened with duty, but a person worth celebrating.

When you opened your eyes, Yuji was still looking at you, a soft smile playing on his lips.

"Happy birthday, (Y/N)," he said, and for the first time in years, the words didn't feel foreign.

They felt right.

CHAPTER COMPLETED 

--------

The idea and content wasn't much. But I felt like doing since it was a certain someone special's birthday. Honestly the best person I've met online. Only if digital hugs existed ┐⁠(⁠￣⁠ヘ⁠￣⁠)⁠┌.