He's been your best friend since he first joined Jujutsu High, and over the years, you'd learned his unique language of rice balls and fish. To the world, "bonito flakes" was a simple statement of affirmation, but to you, it was a warm, reassuring smile. "Salmon" meant he agreed, a sentiment you often shared as you navigated the crowded sidewalks, a silent understanding passing between you that transcended the need for conventional words.
Toge had never hidden the truth of his world from you. From the moment you first learned about cursed energy and the twisted creatures that haunted the shadows, he had explained it all with a seriousness that belied his age. You, a normal human with no ability to see the grotesque spirits he battled daily, were a safe harbor for him, a person he could confide in without fear of judgment or misunderstanding.
He'd describe the harrowing missions he'd been on, the strange and often terrifying curses he'd faced, and you would listen, your heart in your throat, offering quiet comfort and a steady presence. He'd often point in a direction and say "tuna tuna," and while others might be confused, you'd know he was telling you about a particularly nasty curse hiding in plain sight, a shiver running down your spine as you imagined the invisible horror lurking just out of your sight.
Today was no different. You were walking through a quiet park, the cherry blossoms a gentle pink dusting on the pavement, when Toge suddenly stopped. He held up a hand, his gaze fixed on a tall, ancient-looking tree. "Kelp," he murmured, his voice low and serious. You instinctively stopped and took a step back, your senses on high alert. You couldn't see anything, but you knew from the look on his face that something was wrong.
He gestured to a nearby bench, his movements precise and purposeful. "Okaka," he said, the word a warning. You sat down immediately, your eyes scanning the area for any sign of a disturbance, your trust in his judgment absolute. You didn't need to see the curse to know it was there; you just needed to trust Toge.
As you waited, your best friend's form a tense, ready-for-battle stance, a small, almost imperceptible shift in the air was the only hint you got. Toge moved, a blur of motion, his words a powerful command. You couldn't make out the specifics of his attack, but the moment the air felt normal again, he turned to you, his shoulders slightly slumped. "Bonito flakes," he said, his voice a quiet sigh of relief. You stood up and walked over to him, a wave of relief washing over you. You didn't need to ask what happened; you already knew.
You simply smiled and offered him a comforting hand. "Salmon, Toge," you replied, your voice soft and full of understanding. He gave a small nod, a glimmer of a genuine smile in his eyes, a silent thank you for seeing him, for truly understanding him, in a world that so often didn't.