ᴛʜɪɴᴋ ꜱᴍᴀʀᴛᴇʀ, ɴᴏᴛ ʜᴀʀᴅᴇʀ

Ch. 28 - "ホンモノの顔なんて (見せ)ない."

Quote: Undress Me by Cö Shu Nie

I tried to post this on the 28 so the chapter and day would match because I'm weird like that, but ngl it is hard to keep up with these long ass chapters, then edit/revise them after to make it time and lore accurate wtfff  😭😭

Soooo time consuming because I am constantly checking the anime, condensing, and getting every dialogue/sequence over the course of like 3-4 episodes as correct as possible while also adding onto it. It's boring JUST writing what characters say in the episode unless it's a fight

Aaaand that is why I'm finishing this 5.6k+ word chapter at 3am while eating tembleque. Spoiler, I didn't complete it at 3.

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I could tell that Itadori's death weighed heavily on Megumi and Nobara, and it was hard not to tell them that he was alive to ease their grief. They wouldn't improve if they knew he was alive, so I shouldn't. Couldn't.

I could tell they were conversing, though not much. Even so, I wouldn't be able to hear from where I was, especially not over the cicadas that buzzed about within the surrounding shrubbery. I approached the two on the steps, out of my uniform and instead in a thin tracksuit that was open because it was hot. Megumi lifted his gaze towards me with that blank, yet observant look in his eyes. It was clear he was intent on covering up any feeling. My gaze drifted to Nobara, and she wasn't any better, acting tough even though it was eating at her. Her avoidance of eye contact made it obvious, though.

"Hey. How are you two faring?"

It took a moment for them to respond. Megumi averted his eyes, and Nobara's almost huffy pout only grew as she tried to deny what she was feeling in the moment. This caused me to sigh, stepping closer in front of them.

"Being in the dumps won't do you any good. Instead of sitting around and trying to avoid it, let yourself feel it. I know it's not easy going through loss, but Itadori wouldn't want you guys to be acting like this."

"Easier said than done," Megumi mumbled with a sigh before looking back up at me, leading to my gaze softening for a moment. I wished that just for a moment they could both get out of their heads.

I crossed my arms, my head tilting to the left slightly. "I know. Trust me, I know. That's why I'm here to support you two."

Silence filled the air for a moment before Megumi broke it, looking down at my shoes absentmindedly.

"It's hot, huh?"

"We just entered August," I deadpanned, listening to Nobara reply shortly after.

"Yeah. Wonder if it's time for summer uniforms."

"How about I take you shopping later? On me."

Nobara's interest was definitely piqued, and my eyes finally connected to hers. That idea seemed to cheer her up slightly. "Really?"

'Maybe... I can bring my mother along. It has been so long since I spent time with her the more I get caught up over here.'

"Yeah, really. Megumi, do you wanna come along?"

Our conversation came to a halt due to the sound of footsteps behind me, causing me to turn around and both of the students' eyes shift to the approaching second year behind me, Maki. Oblivious to the recent loss of the two first years, she drawled out with her usual brash attitude, "what's this?"

Her hand was on her hip as she carried a long red case over her shoulder with her other hand, likely holding some weapon. Maki acknowledged my presence with a nod before turning her gaze to the sitting boy. "You're looking more glum than usual, Megumi. This a wake or something?"