Yesterday, Gojo had dramatically announced that you were all going to the beach the next day. Yuji and Nobara were ecstatic, already excitedly planning what they would do and wear (respectability), while Megumi remained indifferent, though you swear you could've seen a microscopic smile.

For a moment, you were excited, too. A break from training, a day at the beach with friends—it sounded perfect. Until reality crept in. A bathing suit meant exposed skin. Exposed skin meant exposed scars.

Now, here you are, sitting in the shade beneath an umbrella while your classmates laugh and splash in the water. You want to join them—God, you really do. You even wore your swimsuit beneath your clothes, trying to be optimistic.

Fast forward to the present time, you're sitting in the shade under the umbrella, watching your classmates run around and play in the water together. You want to join them, you really do, hell, you even wore your bathing suit under your clothes.

The heat is unbearable. Sweat clings to your skin, the fabric of your cover-up sticking to you like a second, suffocating layer. Every instinct screams at you to pull it off, to cool down—but you don’t.

Because scars invite questions. What happened? How did you get these? When? Why? Did someone do this to you? Did you do it to yourself? Are you okay? Do you need help? So here you are. Sweating your ass off.

"Yo! What're you doing over here? "

The familiar voice cuts through your thoughts. You turn your head and see Gojo approaching, his white hair glinting under the sun, his sunglasses reflecting the light like a mirror. He stops when he reaches you, taking in your layered outfit, brows raising slightly.

“What’s with the getup? I made sure everyone had a swimsuit. You’ve gotta be dying under there”

His voice is light, teasing. You manage a small, tight smile, unsure of what to say.