(▰˘◡˘▰) — chapter five
"i found your murderer"

      IT HAD BEEN NEARLY FOUR weeks since Hiyori Hinata had arrived at Jujutsu College. The time truly had flown right by her eyes, the fall season had set comfortably in. It was a warm Halloween this year, and she scolded herself for not watching a single horror movie this far into the season. Training sessions got a bit more nippy as the days trailed, definitely showing off the fact winter seemed to be right around the corner.

But with Gojo practically down their throats with training, she didn't have much time. She'd also went on two missions so far, none of them were considered higher-grades — your standard, really. And then whatever time she did get to herself, she spent showering, eating, or sleeping. It wasn't a particularly eventful past few weeks. They did get a few days off, though.

She was warming up with her fellow first years. Yuji and Hiyori were practically stuck at the hip sometimes, doing everything in one fluid motion where they could've been considered replicas of each other. She had also tagged along with Kugisaki during one of her shopping trips after a mission.

Kugisaki wanted to go all out during the Halloween party the third years were throwing today. Getting many different accessories from a wide selection of stores. Thankfully, for Hiyori's Halloween costume, she only needed to stop by one.

She still did get stuck carrying all of Kugisaki's shopping bags, though.

      Even Fushiguro had seemed to warm up to the red-haired girl. Holding some conversations where he didn't sound like he wanted to disappear into a hole. He even let Hiyori borrow one of the books he had recently finished — she didn't peg him for a fantasy novel fan.

      "You excited?"

      Hiyori was snapped out of her thoughts when Kugisaki spoke, but the fact was she actually was excited. Perhaps the glass of shochu she had previously chugged had helped with her weary confidence. The clear-colored drink tasted rather good compared to some cheap sake she had back home, but nonetheless — got the job done. She was already beginning to feel a buzz from the high-percentage alcoholic drink she finished only fifteen minutes ago.

Kugisaki was the one who pegged the question in the first place, the girl had previously cheered with Hiyori while they both downed their glasses. Their intention was to get a little tipsy before the actual party.

Kugisaki had claimed 'parties are boring if you walk in completely sober. but if you walk in with a little bit of alcohol in you already, all the boys look appetizing then.'

Not that Hiyori necessarily had her eyes cracked open on the search for a boy to keep her occupied for the night. But, it could be fun — so she hendered Kugisaki's advice.

Yuji was getting into the last of his costume in his own room next door. While she and Kugisaki were finishing the rest of their makeup in Hiyori's room. They had even convinced Fushiguro to go, who swore up and down he would never wear a childish costume even if he had agreed to come.

Kugisaki adjusted her top, her boobs were nearly falling out. Hiyori warned that she better be careful not to get too drunk tonight, because if she does and starts flailing about, those things are jumping straight out of her costume. Plus, Gojo had warned the first years that they would be going on a mission tomorrow whether or not they were hungover.

"Guys are gonna be drooling all over you, Nobara," Hiyori teased, a little smirk trailed her lips.

      The brunette's Halloween costume was quite adorable. She was dressed a pirate, well — sexy pirate, according to herself. Her brown locks were in a wild state on purpose, a few braided pieces randomly selected. Her outfit consisted of a white shirts that tied close around her chest, with a black skirt that showed off just the right amount of butt that would surely gain anyone's attention behind her. With a leather corset tied tightly around her waist, giving her already slim and fit body more of an hourglass look.

      "That's the whole point, Yori," Kugisaki replied with a bit of sarcasm, perking a single eyebrow in her friend's direction. It was true the past few weeks the girls had grown quite close, close enough that Kugisaki felt comfortable enough to call her the same nickname that Yuji had developed for her those many years ago.

      Hiyori stood up from her wooden desk, and instead of looking at the small face mirror she used to complete her makeup — she stole a glance of herself in the full-size mirror she had hanging on her closest door.

She was wearing a tight black crop top that had a lace trim, her chest was showing ever so slightly — but never in the way Kugisaki felt comfortable with. It stopped at her midriff. Then, she had a matching black mini skirt. Her butt was perfectly shaped in the fabric, her thighs so vulnerable. Then, fake blood scattered all over her body, but mostly on her arms, chest, and face.

Hiyori was a horror movie victim.

She figured it was something easy, and didn't take too much energy to put together or take apart. Hopefully, at least, the blood comes off relatively easy. Her red hair was in a purposely matted mess, her black eyeliner smeared under her eyes. She was really trying to portray the whole 'I was murdered' bit.

"Wonder if you're gonna meet your murderer tonight," Kugisaki teasingly bumped her hip into that of Hiyori's, who rolled her eyes. "You think the boys are ready?"

Speaking of the devil's.

Hiyori heard a knock at the door, she hollered a quick response that explained they weren't naked and the boys were able to enter. Yuji was first, with his body in an excited, bubbling state as he practically knocked the door down from the entire frame. Hiyori laughed when she recognized his cowboy costume. A brown cowboy hat with a string wrapped around his jaw, a white tank top that flaunted his muscles. He was wearing a pair of dark jeans, with a matching brown leather belt. The best part was the white bandana tied in a knot around his neck.

Fushiguro was right behind him, his usual jujustu uniform was replaced with a pair of light jeans, and a hoodie. He had his headphones strapped around his neck, like he was prepared for the doom of the night and would only find comfort in his music.

"Wow," Yuji's eyes grew wild while staring down the two girls. Kugisaki flipped her hair over her shoulder in pride, knowing how perfect she looked. Hiyori was quite the opposite, now feeling the confidence sizzling away and got the sudden urge to crawl into her closet. "You guys look. . .well, really good."

"We're dressed like sluts, Yuji, you can just say that," Kugisaki's replied shortly, rolling her eyes effortlessly.

Hiyori gasped dramatically, "Nobara, I'm not entirely dressed like a slut! Just a little."

"I-I wasn't gonna say that!" Yuji instantly responded, raising his arms in defense. Even in the darkly lit room, everyone could see the heat rising on his cheeks in embarrassment.

Kugisaki wiggled her eyebrows, and she leaned forward while placing both fists on her hip. "You were thinking it."

Yuji gulped.

Hiyori rolled her eyes at the two first years bickering as if they were siblings, and switched her attention over to Fushiguro. He had his hands buried in his pockets, his eyes were on the three of them but he had yet to say anything.

"Megumi, you know it's okay to not have a stone cold expression every second of the day, right?" Hiyori rose a single eyebrow in his direction, the raven-haired boy tilted his head off to the side.

"I know that. . ." he mumbled, monotone — though.

"No costume?" Questioned Kugisaki, but she already knew the answer to the question by his choice in clothing. Plus, he warned earlier he wouldn't be doing any costumes.

Fushiguro shook his head promptly.

"Wait, I have an idea," Hiyori softly gasped, and an excited smile suddenly came to life on her face. Fushiguro immediately narrowed his dark eyes at her in a threatening state.

"No, no, no. No way. Stop thinking whatever it is you're thinking."

(ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧

"I can't believe you."

      Hiyori grinned practically from ear to ear as she heard the voice of Fushiguro grumbling. She glanced swiftly over her shoulder, flashing the boy a wide, toothy smile. In the dimly lit room, she could see a flush of embarrassment scattering his cheeks.

The group of four first years had arrived at the Halloween party being thrown by the third years no more than an hour ago. Kugisaki had surely drank her portion, where she was lingering in a dark corner of the living room space the group was residing in. Twirling some of her hair around her finger in a way-too-obvious way, she seemed to be flirting it up with a third year she stumbled upon.

Yuji was getting Hiyori and himself another drink from the kitchen area. They were in a common area similar to theirs but at a different house — theirs was slightly bigger, she was a bit jealous.

That left Fushiguro and Hiyori all by their lonesome, but hearing the raven-haired man complain about the quick makeup she did before they left their house was entertaining enough.

And what makeup could that be, you ask?

Fushiguro had the same black lined appearance of Sukuna on his uninterested face, so he was practically going as Yuji Itadori. The group couldn't believe it when he actually sat down and let Hiyori do the face paint for him. Kugisaki absolutely lost it, Hiyori had to hold back her giggles so she wouldn't mess up the painted lines.

"It's a good look for you, Megumi," Hiyori attempted to cover her laugh as a cough, and Fushiguro only deadpanned back at the girl. "I mean it, you look very charming!"

"I have face paint on, how could I possibly look charming?" Megumi narrowed his eyes into slits, because he felt like Hiyori was just pulling his tail at this point.

"I mean it, Megumi, you look cute," Hiyori replied, this time her tone of voice seemed much more sincere. Fushiguro hesitated then, when he peeled his pink lips open to surely say something sarcastic or monotone back — he just closed them right back up.

Hiyori suddenly felt a bit awkward, she wondered why the compliment towards the man had slipped so easily off her tongue. But it was true, she had always thought the grumpy pants had a handsome appeal to himself.

Must be the alcohol, then, she deemed. Hiyori had consumed quite a bit by now, she seemed to only be noticing it at this point. But the night was still young, she still had some more room for fun. That's why when Yuji offered to get more, she didn't decline his generous offer.

"I like your costume," Fushiguro quietly commented, and because the music bumping in the house was so loud — Hiyori just barely caught the compliment.

"Thanks," she faintly smiled back, and she silently thanked the fact that the house was only lit up by string lights and craved pumpkins littering the counters and tables.

Fushiguro appeared to have more on his mind, by the complex and puzzled expression he was wearing. But before he could say anything else, Yuji had appeared around the corner.

"YOOOORI, I got more drinks!"

Hiyori let out a loud, bubbling fit of laughter. Yuji's pirate costume had simply looked wrecked, his cowboy had was now resting on his back but still attached by the string wrapped around his neck. It appeared he had gotten something over his white tank from the red blotchy stain she spotted.

"My hero!" Hiyori clapped her hands together, and she jumped forward to wrap her arms around Yuji — careful of the drinks. "Thought you disappeared on me."

"Well, I was pouring us drinks. Then this girl asked me to pour her one, then another, and another. I think they thought I was a server or something?" Yuji sheepishly shrugged his shoulders, but he still had a grin planted on his face.

Had she mentioned what a light weight Yuji was?

"I even got one for you, Megumi," Yuji stated, he shifted forward towards Fushiguro to let the boy hook his fingers around the red solo cup.

He hesitated at first, so Hiyori spoke up, "You don't have to. Or, you can join the group."

She leaned forward to wrap an arm around his shoulder, their bodies rather close. Hiyori, with her own solo cup full of mysterious alcohol, started chugging the whole drink. Yuji's eyes widened, Fushiguro raised a single, slightly impressed, eyebrow.

"Ain't no way I'm missing out!" Yuji shouted, and then he started practically pouring the liquid into his own mouth.

Then, much to both their surprise, Fushiguro started gulping the alcohol from the cup. He stopped before all the alcohol was gone, he knew better than that at least, but both Hiyori and Yuji had finished theirs by the time he even stopped halfway.

"Oh my gosh! You did it!" Hiyori exclaimed with shock, and she leaned forward to excitedly squeeze her arm underneath Fushiguro's own arm — they were hooked one under the other. It was almost like she was nuzzling into his neck. "I'm so proud, Megumi."

"You do realize this isn't my first time drinking, right?" Fushiguro commented, trying to remain monotone, but it actually came across as sarcastic. So, it takes alcohol for the man to actually express emotion in his voice?

"First time drinking with me," Hiyori replied, and she finally loosened her grip around Fushiguro and distanced herself apart. She knew how the boy could be with touching, so she thought best if she didn't push her luck.

"I hear cheering over here, is it because of my make out session with the third year?"

The three first years were rather surprised to hear Kugisaki, thinking she would've stayed out with the mysterious boy until they left the party, or perhaps even departed with him for the night. But here she was, one hand on her swayed hip and an ecstatic pride written all over her face.

"Actually, none of us were interested in that," Fushiguro responded, and Hiyori had to raise her hand to cover her mouth and stop the laughter from escaping.

"You get his number?" Hiyori slyly asked, shifting her body so she could bump hips with the brunette.

"Hell yeah I did, did you get a number yet?" Kugisaki perked a single eyebrow as she pegged the question.

Yuji glanced over confusingly at Hiyori, his eyebrows scrunched. He scanned her expression, he had thought they came here to have drunk fun time together — not for the two girls to go off and make out with who knows. He wasn't sure why the idea of Hiyori on the search for a boy irritated him a little bit. Unknowingly, his grip around the plastic cup had tightened — he accidentally crushed the red solo cup into a ball.

"Nobara, I already told you!" Hiyori explained, having to raise her voice rather loud over the deafening music that was playing. "I'm not here to meet a guy."

For some reason, Yuji felt a sense of unexplained relief. He glanced down to the crumbled plastic cup, then carefully placed it on a nearby table. None of the other seemed to notice his action, except Fushiguro.

"Aw, c'mon, I thought I found your murderer," the girl aimlessly teased, and this made Hiyori's eyebrows crinkle down in confusion. Kugisaki read her confused expression, and swung a finger to direct behind the red-haired girl. "Look behind you, babe."

Hiyori beckoned to what Kugisaki said, and she glanced over her shoulder. Both Fushiguro and Yuji repeated the same action. She was still utterly confused for a second, before her eyes landed across the room on a rather tall man dressed in complete black from head to toe. His back was leaning against the wall, one hand in his pocket and the other was wrapped around a red solo cup. He was wearing a ghostface mask — which made his identity a mystery. A good costume, though.

But the interesting thing was, he was already staring at Hiyori before she even turned around.

Who was that?

a/n: a kinda long chapter so hope y'all enjoy (◕‿-)