You remembered it like you could still hear the door clicking shut. Yuta sat on the floor of your dorm room, knees pulled tight to his chest, hands fidgeting in his lap like he didn't know what to do with them.

It was late. The air smelled like old textbooks and half-finished ramen cups. The whole building felt too big and too quiet without the usual noise of training drills and Gojo’s obnoxious yelling.

"I have to leave," Yuta said finally, barely above a whisper. Africa. They needed him there. You were already shaking your head before he could finish.

He laughed — small, broken — and rubbed his hands over his face. "I don't wanna leave you. I don't wanna go at all." Then he hesitated. Fumbled something out of his pocket.

It was a simple little band — string and a single cheap bead, tied into a messy loop.

He pushed it into your hand like he was scared you'd refuse it. "I’m gonna come back. I swear it. And when I do..." He ducked his head, ears burning red. "I’m gonna marry you."

You didn’t even get to say anything. He was up and out the door before the words could find your mouth.

---

Now — Gojo’s voice droned through the classroom, way too loud for a Monday morning. "And now, our returning prodigal son! Fresh off his Eat, Pray, Curse tour!"

The door cracked open.

Yuta stood there. Older. Broader. His uniform jacket hung open, sleeves shoved up to his elbows. His sword bounced lightly at his hip, but his eyes — those stayed the same.

Locked straight on you.

You didn’t even breathe. Neither did he.

In two big strides, Yuta crossed the room, not even looking at the others. Gojo started another joke — and Yuta ignored him completely.

Without warning, Yuta grabbed you, dragging you straight into a hug that knocked the air out of your lungs. You stumbled back a step, back hitting the wall, arms trapped between your bodies.

He clung to you. No words. No excuses. Just raw relief like he was scared you’d vanish if he let go. You felt the scratch of the old string bracelet still tied around your wrist, like a promise humming against your skin.