READER'S POV

By the time the sun began to set, I was in desperate need of a break. My brain felt like mush, worn about from grappling with Einstein's postulates and the relentless march of deadlines- not to mention Sukuna's earlier interruption.

So, when Maki texted me, asking if I'd like to meet up for dinner with her, Toge and Yuta, I immediately jumped at the chance.

The restaurant they had picked was cozy, with dim lighting and the comforting smell of sizzling food wafting through the air. The soft hum of conversation filled the space and as soon as I sat on the chair next to Maki, I felt an overwhelming sense of relief.

,,Finally. I thought you forgot about us", Maki said, raising her eyebrow at me as she took a sip of her drink.

I sighed:,,I'm sorry.. I missed the bus."

When the waiter came to our table, I quickly ordered something for myself since the rest already had their food.

,,So... How's university going?", Yuta asked after the waiter left, giving me a smile.

,,Well...", I started, ,,Exams have been taking over my life. I barely have time to breathe."

Yuta nodded:,,Poor you. But I can relate- medicine isn't easy either and actually... It's a miracle that I'm sitting here right now but I have missed you guys."

Warmth spread across my chest and I smiled:,,Awwww. I have missed you guys too."

,,Okay, enough of this sentimental moment...", Maki took a bite of her chicken katsu before continuing to speak, ,,You guys don't want to work either. So enjoy your lifes as students before the real life starts."

,,You're literally working at one of the biggest companies here in Tokyo. I can only dream of getting so much money like you do", I said, thanking the waiter as he placed my bowl of ramen in front of me.

,,Ramen? Again? You always order ramen. It's not even that good", Maki pointed out, not even commenting on the words I've said before.

I gave her an insulted look and pouted slightly:,,Hey. That's mean."

,,Ramen is good."

All our heads turned toward Toge who hasn't said a word yet and I smiled when I looked down at his bowl and saw him eating ramen as well.

,,Whatever", Maki chuckled and we continued to eat in silence but I enjoyed it, savouring the taste of my ramen. Ramen and boring? I could never get bored of it.

After a while, we continued to talk, sharing stories of our daily life, the conversation flowing easily and for the first time in a what felt like forever, I didn't feel the weight of stress or tension pressing down on me.

When I took the last sip out of the ramen bowl, I leaned back in my chair and sighed:,, This is exactly what I needed."

Maki smirked:,,We know. That's why we dragged you out."

Toge nodded and Yuta smiled warmly:,,You're welcome, (Y/N)."

I chuckled, shaking my head but I still felt the pang of disappointment at the thought that the evening will now end:,,I owe you guys one."

,,Nah, it's okay", Maki said and we all paid for our meals before putting on our jackets and leaving the restaurant.

The sky was a deep indigo blue as we walked out, and the cool evening air felt refreshing against my skin. Maki slung an arm around my shoulders as we walked down the street, Toge and Yuta trailing behind us.

,,Don't let exams kill you, honey", Maki said, her tone half joking but still laced with genuine concern.

I opened my mouth to form a response but my eyes caught familiar reddish-pink hair and crimson eyes. My breath hitched as I watched Sukuna walking toward us.

Why exactly now? God, this can't be happening right now...

But it seemed as if he was lost in thoughts because he was staring straight ahead and his whole body was tense. When he walked past us, my eyes couldn't stop following his every step.

His profile was chiseled, every line of face etched with tension. A muscle ticked in his jaw and his eyes burned with a dangerous gleam, as if he were a storm contained in human form.

What happened? Is he okay...?

I shook my head, focusing my attention back on my friends. It's none of my business.

Yet no matter how hard I tried, my thoughts kept circling back to Sukuna-his tense demeanour and those unyielding crimson eyes. What could have left him so lost in thoughts?

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to be continued...