READER'S POV

,,Alright", Yuji said cheerfully as we walked out after the lecture has ended, ,,I'm heading to the gym. Anyone wanna join?"

Nobara waved him off:,,Hell nah, I have to get my sleep back because a certain person woke me up too early today." I met her gaze and shrugged, looking at Megumi who met my gaze but then looked at Yuji.

,,I'll go eat something now and then I have stuff to do", Megumi shoved his hands into his pockets. We walked out of the building and I froze when all three started to split off, panic rising in my chest. Why didn't Yuji ask me?

If I was left alone, I'd spiral and the last thing I needed was more time to think about Sukuna. Before I could stop myself, I ran into Megumi's direction and grabbed his hand. He looked back at me, raising his eyebrow:,,What?"

,,Uh...Spend time with me?", I blurted, my voice almost pleading. Nobara and Yuji paused, turning around to look at me. ,,What's wrong with you today?", Yuji asked, ,,You were always fine with doing your own thing."

,,I just...", I hesitated, ,,I just want a break. Just... some quiet time with someone who won't drag me into something crazy." Megumi looked at me skeptically and slapped my hand off before turning around and walking away:,,Fine. I hope you're okay with ramen."

Relief flooded through me and I nodded quickly, walking after him:,,Yes. Ramen sounds great."

,,Have fun on your little date!", Nobara called after us with a teasing grin. ,,It's not a date...", I muttered, my cheeks heating as i hurried to keep up with Megumi.

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The ramen shop was cozy and smelled of rich broth and spices. I exhaled, relaxing slowly as Megumi and I sat down on a table near the window and ordered ramen. Finally I can be at ease...

,,Thanks", I said once our food arrived. Megumi shrugged and picked up his chopsticks:,,You looked like you needed it." I gave him a small smile before grabbing my chopsticks and twirling the noodles in my bowl. I brought the noodles to my mouth, savouring the taste and letting out a soft hum.

Then, my gaze wandered across the shop until it landed on him.

Sukuna was sitting at a big table in the corner, surrounded by a big group of guys who looked just as cocky and intimidating as he did. He was leaning back in his chair, one arm lazily draped over the backrest as he laughed at something one of his friends said.

I froze, my chopsticks in my mouth and I stopped chewing. Oh.. Perfect timing...

Before I could look away, Sukuna's crimson eyes found mine and his smirk widened, giving me a slow, deliberate wink. My heart skipped a beat and I tried to act nonchalantly but I breathed too quickly in, choking on the noodles I just had in my mouth.

This can't be seriously happening right now...

,,(Y/N)?!?!? Are you okay?", Megumi leaned closer and slapped his hand against my back as I continued to cough violently. My face was burning and all I wanted to do right now was to disappear and never face those who witnessed this ever again.

,,Here, take this", Megumi grabbed his glass of water and handed it to me and I gulped the water down until my throat finally cleared. ,,Thanks", I muttered, my voice hoarse. ,,You gave me a heart attack", Megumi sighed but I could see the concern in his eyes. ,,I'm fine", I lied and looked up to Sukuna's table.

He and his friends were laughing uncontrollably and I had the sinking feeling that they were making fun of me. Quickly, I averted my gaze from them, sinking lower in my seat as i continued to eat my ramen in silence.

By the time, Megumi and I left the shop, I was exhausted. I tried to shake the memories of what happened off but everytime they would return, haunting me. I will never recover from this..

,,Will you be able to get home without dying on your way?"

Megumi's voice brought me back to reality and I looked at him:,,What..?..Uh..Yeah, sure..." He raised his eyebrow and shook his head, running a hand through his hair:,,Be careful. If anything happens to you, I'll haunt you in your afterlife."

I let out a soft laugh and shook my head:,,I will be careful, don't worry."

Megumi nodded and our ways parted. I went to the bus station, feeling too lazy to walk back home. At least I have made it out of the shop without another direct encounter...For now...

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to be continued...