At our worsts ; Nanago [Nanami X Gojo]

CH.10 GOJO

I felt like crap, not because of my current state, but because I had let my anger loose on someone who didn't deserve it. It was a familiar pattern, hurting those who genuinely cared for me. Nanami had been trying to help me find my balance, and I had messed it all up. Despite his attempts to hide it, his kindness was evident, but I couldn't shake off the feeling that I didn't deserve any of it. I regretted not going after him, just watching as he walked away.

My thoughts were interrupted by the insistent ringing of my phone. "Dring Dring Dring." I checked the caller ID, "unknown number," but I decided to answer anyway.

"Yes?" I said, my tone cautious.

"Gojo!" A voice I recognized came through the device. I brought the phone closer to my ear.

"Who's this?" I asked, a bit wary.

"It's Megumi. Why haven't you been picking up my calls for the past few hours?" There was annoyance and concern in his voice.

I couldn't help but tease him a bit, "Wow, Megumi, worrying about me already?"

Silence followed, and I sensed something was off.

"M-Megumi? You there? Hello?" I called out, but he hung up. I caught a faint sob before the call ended.

He must have been embarrassed about crying in front of me. It sucked that he felt that way. But I didn't want him worrying about me instead of focusing on his debate competition. I knew I had to send him a message.

"Megumi, sorry for making you worry. I'm fine, so just rock that competition. My phone was charging, so no need to overthink it."

I stared at the text, feeling like it was too serious for me. I decided to add my usual touch.

"I'm all good and handsome as usual, so quit stressing. Just nail that debate, and hey, grab me some sweets while you're at it!"

I grinned as I hit the send button, imagining his reaction on the other end.

After a while, the unease that had settled within me didn't dissipate. I tossed and turned in bed, the shadows on the ceiling dancing as if mocking my inability to find solace. I sighed, realizing that sleep was evading me, my mind restless and thoughts tangled.

With a resigned huff, I decided to give Nanami a call. Maybe talking to him would help alleviate the lingering unease. I dialed his number, the familiar tone of ringing filling my ear. Would he even answer this late?

"Hello?" His voice, somewhat raspy, cut through the silence.

Surprised that he picked up, I hesitated for a moment. "Hey, it's me," I said, my tone softer than usual.

"Yes, Gojo. You calmed down?" His voice was steady, as if he had been expecting my call.

I hadn't anticipated his straightforward response. "Yeah, I guess," I mumbled, my unease momentarily replaced by mild surprise.

"Good. It's late, Gojo. You should get some rest," he advised.

"I actually called to apologize about earlier..." I confess guiltily.

"It's okay, I didn't take anything you said to heart."

Huh? Was it because he was understanding about my situation or I wasn't relevant enough to him for my words to hurt?

His concern, though not overt, was palpable. "Oh OK good then but yeah, I was trying to sleep, but it's not working," I awkwardly chuckle in mission to change the subject.

"Sometimes, a restless mind can be settled with time," he remarked.

His words struck a chord, and for a moment, I found myself lost in thought. "Thanks, Nanami."

A soft sigh from his end told me he understood. "Rest, Gojo. We'll talk tomorrow."

"Sure thing," I replied, a sense of gratitude warming me. It was a relief to know that even in my moments of unease, Nanami was there, even if it was just a phone call away.

As I was about to hang up, a thought crossed my mind. "Hey, Nanami, do you have any movie recommendations? Something boring, you know, to help me fall asleep?"

There was a brief pause on the other end before he responded, "Any Marvel movie?"

I chuckled, surprised by his suggestion. "No way!!! Marvel movies? You find those boring?"

"They're formulaic and often rely on visual effects and explosive action rather than a compelling story," he retorted.

I couldn't help but defend my stance. "Well, they're entertaining! The action, the humor, the characters—they all come together to create an immersive experience."

"But they lack depth. It's the same structure repeated over and over again," Nanami countered.

"Depth? Come on, Nanami, they have intricate character arcs and themes of heroism and sacrifice," I argued.

"They might be entertaining for a casual watch, but in the grand scheme of cinema, they're not noteworthy," he maintained.

I grinned, realizing we were in the middle of a friendly debate. "You just don't appreciate their brilliance."

"Or maybe you're just blinded by the flashy visuals," he shot back.

The banter continued for a while, neither of us willing to concede. It was a lighthearted argument, one that momentarily pushed aside the unease that had been plaguing me. Eventually, our laughter subsided, leaving behind a sense of camaraderie.

"Alright, alright, Nanami. I'll take your recommendation. A Marvel movie it is," I conceded.

"Enjoy your explosions," he teased.

"I will, and you enjoy your 'boring' movies," I replied, my tone playful.

With a chuckle, he bid me goodnight. I hung up, a smile tugging at the corner of my lips. The simple call had indeed managed to distract me from my restlessness.