a touch | inumaki x reader

eighteen

Lulling Delight

As the click of the door behind you sounded, you could feel yourself grow confounded and warm. Your heart pounded loudly against your chest, deafening the soft crickets outside.

Too close.

Shaking your head, you hastily set aside the warm white plastic bag next to your phone on a wooden table, jumping into the soft mellow sheets of your bed. Snuggling your face against the pillows, Inumaki's voice echoed in your head,

"Have a nice meal."

You let out a silent chuckle, a tint of rosy pink blooming into your cheeks. Rolling on the bed, a sense of euphoria overcame you.

Maybe living isn't so bad, after all?

Your lips curled into a smile as you glanced at the plastic bag Inumaki had handed over to you. Grabbing it, you opened the tied up knot, sneaking a peek inside.

Inside was a clear plastic container and a small closed bowl. Careful not to spill it, you reached out for it, a soft rumble from your stomach once you saw your dinner.

Sealed with tape, the plate made you ravenous, craving for the egg-coated, fried chicken that settled on top of the seasoned rice. You took off both the tape and plastic lid, watching in awe at the unveiled sight.

Shredded green slices of cabbage were scattered across the sprinkled seasoned rice, served along with a dark bowl of fragrant miso soup. The chicken katsu's eggs were sauced with tonakatsu, enveloped with a vivid yellowish orange coat.

Setting the timer for the microwave, you waited as you warmed your dinner up. Emitting a luminous orange light, the plate spun around, resembling a showcase.

With the soft ding of the microwave, you opened it, taking out the warm chicken katsu. As you set it on the small wooden table in front, you glimpsed around the cabinets for a pair of chopsticks. Finally finding one, you ripped apart the new wooden pair, taking a seat.

The dining room was not that brightly lit, slightly dimmed. Turning off the lamp across the room, your mind felt at ease at the calming dorm.

As response to your growling stomach, you softly whispered to yourself, "Thank you for the meal." before finally enjoying your dinner.

Taking a sip from the bowl of miso soup, the flavorful combination was ambrosial, its fragrance and taste leaving a satisfying aftertaste.

I should ask Inumaki what store he'd bought it from.

You stretched your arms, yawning as you were left stuffed from your dinner. Placing back the plastic lid on top, you threw the container with your chopsticks into your trash bin before washing your hands.

Suddenly, a faint buzz rang from your phone. Picking it up, its bright screen illuminated your face as you unlocked it. You scrolled through clusters of notifications, both social media and reminders messily packed together.

Oh, a message from Inumaki.

Reading aloud the message he'd sent you, you leaned back against the dining wooden chair,

"Since you're gonna be given a week off for recovery, what do you think you'll do?"

You pondered over the question, closing your eyes at the thought.

"I wanna go somewhere! But it'd be boring alone," You muttered as you replied to his message.

"I see. ( ˊ̱˂˃ˋ̱ )"

You chuckled as you read Inumaki's text. He would sometimes use adorable emoticons and you had found it amusing.

Suddenly, an idea flickered across your mind. Typing your message out, a feeling of delight rushed into you when Inumaki agreed.

"How about you join me?"

"Where to?"

You thought about it for a while, before remembering something.

"Inokashira Park."

Although you would have to ride a train there, Inokashira Park wasn't a far place. Packed with a beautiful scenery and a park, you and your friends had always wanted to hang out there. Although you never did since you became a Jujutsu sorcerer, tasked with hunting down curses.

"Inokashira Park? It looks pretty."

"Have you been there before?" You asked Inumaki over text.

"Not yet, but I've seen it in brochures."

Suddenly, you felt the room heat up. You could hear your heart pounding loudly again, just like before. Within those few seconds, you'd realized something... Weren't you basically asking him out on a date?

Embarrassment was written all over your face as  breathing grew harder for you, thoughts scattered all over.

Clapping your blushing cheeks with your hands, you shook your head. No, I shouldn't get carried away.

"Are you free on Saturday?" You asked, remembering that it was only in two days.

"Saturday? Yeah."

"We can leave for the train station on around 8am," You suggested, Inumaki agreeing.

You could hear birds chirping, their fluttering wings passing by your dorm window. It's already 1am? You were surprised at how fast time passed, not noticing.

"Inumaki, I'm gonna go sleep now. It's already late. You should sleep too," You typed out, noticing your eyelids grow droopy.

"Okay. Goodnight."

You smiled to yourself, typing as you walked towards your bed,

"Goodnight."

You set your phone aside, sliding it across the wooden table. You'd always enjoyed Inumaki's company, but for it to turn into something more...

Is this something more? What is this?

You weren't sure of the beating sensation of euphoria that enveloped you. It felt like a tether to the plane of reality, a blessing from the heavens above.

You tightened your grasp around your pillow, snuggling your face into it. Savoring the moment of pure internal joy, it wasn't long before you lulled into sleep; a peaceful and mellow rest from such a blissful day.

...Do I like Inumaki?