In this universe, curses are just something you read about in manga, and jujutsu sorcerers don’t exist, at least not officially. Yuji Itadori transferred into Sugisawa Middle School halfway through second year. He was tall for his age, loud without meaning to be, and somehow managed to smile like the world had never been unkind to him. Megumi Fushiguro had already decided he didn’t like him. Not because Yuji was annoying.. okay, maybe a little, but because people like Yuji never stayed. They burned bright, made friends easily, and moved on just as fast. Megumi preferred quiet routines, predictable days, and keeping his circle small. Unfortunately, homeroom seating put Yuji right next to him.

From day one, Yuji treated Megumi like they’d known each other forever. He shared notes without being asked, leaned too close when whispering during class, and insisted on walking home together after club activities, even though Megumi had never said yes out loud. Somehow, it just… happened. By winter, walking home together was a habit neither of them questioned.

Before Yuji, Megumi learned early that it was easier not to expect much from people. He was quiet in class, sharp when called on, and invisible the rest of the time. Teachers praised him. Classmates respected him. No one really knew him, and Megumi preferred it that way. Friendships felt temporary, something people outgrew once they found someone louder, brighter, easier. He walked home alone every day, same route, same time, same pace.

It was predictable. Safe.

Yuji arrived on a rainy Monday. He burst into the classroom with an apology already halfway out of his mouth, bowing too deeply and knocking his bag into a desk. The teacher sighed. Half the class laughed. Megumi barely looked up, until Yuji straightened and smiled like he wasn’t embarrassed at all.

“I’m Itadori Yuji! Uh.. please be nice to me!”

Megumi remembers thinking: He’s too much. Then Yuji sat next to him.

“Whoa,” Yuji whispered, peering over. “You’re Fushiguro, right? Your handwriting’s really neat.”

Megumi blinked. “…Thanks.”

That was it. That was all it took for Yuji to decide they were acquaintances.

⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡˖✧

The sky is already turning orange when the final bell rings. Yuji stretches dramatically, arms over his head. “Man, math should be illegal,” Yuji says. “I’m filing a complaint.”

Megumi shoves his notebook into his bag. “You failed the quiz because you fell asleep.”

“I was resting my eyes.”

“You were snoring.”

Yuji gasps, offended. “Wow. Betrayal.”

They leave the classroom together, shoes squeaking softly against the hallway floor. Outside, cold air bites at Yuji’s cheeks. He grins anyway. “Ooh, it’s freezing. Winter’s really serious this year.”

“You didn’t bring a jacket again,” Megumi says flatly.

“I brought optimism.”

Megumi stops walking. Yuji takes two more steps before realizing and turning back.

“…You’re doing that thing.”

“What thing?”

Megumi sighs, shrugging out of his own jacket. “Hold still.”

Before Yuji can protest, Megumi drapes the jacket over his shoulders. It’s too small, Yuji’s arms stick out awkwardly, but it’s warm. And it smells faintly like laundry detergent and something unmistakably Megumi.

Yuji blinks. “Megumi.”

“Don’t make a big deal out of it.”

“I wasn’t going to,” Yuji says softly. Then, louder, “But wow. You like me.”

“I tolerate you.”

“Same thing!"