[Author's note: I did some reflecting, and flirting without taking responsibility really is a little scummy... I got carried away writing otome short stories before, and some of that spilled over... It's hard to change what I've already written, but I'll try to avoid ambiguous flirting from now on. I'm a woman with an outline and panties (cross that out)!]
I sidled up to his ear and whispered, "Junpei, you absolutely can't tell anyone what happened today!"
"Okay, but... were you using superpowers just now?"
"Oh, that was Cursed Speech, my cursed technique. And I'm not Superman, I'm a jujutsu sorcerer! You're a jujutsu sorcerer too, little Junpei. You just need something to set things in motion!"
Yep, that something was Mahito. Once Junpei learned to use a shikigami, I'd kill Mahito. Oh yeah!
Junpei Yoshino looked bewildered, but his eyes shone. "Really? I can become someone like you, Edano?"
I patted his head. "Yep. I'm sure you'll be joining my class before long. We have a few other classmates too, and they're all really, really good people!"
Seeing the hope for the future in Junpei Yoshino's eyes and the happy smile on his face, I couldn't help breaking into a huge smile too.
"Oh, right, Junpei!"
"What is it, Edano?" After waiting a while without hearing anything more, Junpei looked at me in confusion.
"Well... can you let me see your injuries?" I pursed my lips toward the area hidden beneath his bangs.
"Oh! These..." Junpei Yoshino shrank back a little and pressed a hand firmly over his forehead.
I gently rested my hand on his and looked at him earnestly. "Trust me, Junpei. I can heal them."
"I..." Junpei Yoshino's gaze flickered, and he pulled away from my hand.
I sighed inwardly. It looked like it was time to put my acting skills to work again.
My expression instantly turned aggrieved. With my brows slightly furrowed and tears in my eyes, I looked at him as though he had hurt me. "You don't trust me, Junpei...? I guess that makes sense. I do look pretty weak..." Then I lowered my head, covered my face with both hands, and whimpered like a little animal.
"N-no, that's not it! I trust you, Edano! You were amazing just now. You punished those bad people and protected me in an instant. You're not weak at all!" Junpei Yoshino frantically tried to comfort me.
"Boo-hoo... then why won't you let me see your injuries? Boo-hoo-hoo..." I cried even louder.
Junpei Yoshino grew even more flustered, circling helplessly beside me. "No, no! My scars are just so ugly. I was afraid they'd scare you!"
At that, I raised my tear-filled eyes to him, looking ready to keep crying if he refused. "Then let me see your injuries. I can heal them."
"...Okay!" Junpei Yoshino gritted his teeth and agreed.
I slowly brushed his hair aside.
...His forehead was covered in cigarette burns, some deep and some shallow. One glance told me he'd been hurt for a long time. The sight was horrifying.
"Junpei, it must have hurt so much..." As I spoke, tears streamed down my face.
"Huh? No, no, they don't hurt anymore!" Junpei Yoshino hurriedly took out a tissue to wipe my tears. As he did, he couldn't help gently chiding me, his voice tinged with concern. "See? I told you they'd scare you, Edano..."
"No, no. I'll heal you right now."
I took a deep breath and reminded myself that those people would die sooner or later. There was no reason to get blood on my hands over them and end up wanted by the higher-ups.
I gently placed my hand over his injuries. A white orb of light appeared in my palm, holding an immense amount of energy without being blinding.
"[Reverse Cursed Technique]"
So warm... and a little itchy... The skin beneath the girl's soft, delicate hand burned hot, and Junpei Yoshino lowered his eyes, blushing.
A moment later, I said, "All done! Take a look, Junpei!" I conjured a mirror and held it out in front of him.
Junpei Yoshino cautiously looked at his reflection and lifted his long bangs with one hand. Sure enough, the skin beneath them was smooth and unblemished, as though he had never been hurt.
He stared blankly into the mirror. He had already prepared himself to live like that for the rest of his life...
"Edano."
"Hehe, what do you think? Aren't I amazing? Come on, praise me!"
"Uh." He suddenly pulled me into a tight hug.
"Thank you!" Oh, the back of my neck was wet.
I patted his back soothingly. "It's okay."
After we had hugged for quite a while, the person in my arms suddenly grew hot.
Junpei Yoshino hurriedly pulled away from me, even his neck red now. "Ahem, um..."
"Hey, it's fine, it's fine! It was just a hug! Boys can cry, so let it all out!" I gave his shoulder a hearty pat.
"Mm..."
Oh, look at him acting like a shy little bride. How were you this cute, little Junpei? Now I hated Mahito a little more than I had yesterday!
"By the way, you can't tell anyone that I healed you. And I mean anyone! This is our little secret!"
"A little secret..." Junpei Yoshino lowered his head, his voice too quiet for me to make out.
"Huh? What did you say?"
"Nothing. Got it!" Junpei smiled as though nothing had happened.
"Aww, fine~ Little Junpei's getting naughty~" I looked at him reproachfully.
"Never mind, never mind. I haven't explored this place yet, so you can be my tour guide today, Junpei!" Brimming with energy, I took his hand and headed out of the alley.
After lunch, Junpei Yoshino and I wandered aimlessly down the street, one behind the other. Every so often, we went into a gift shop to look at the delicate little trinkets. We also stopped at a few dessert shops to buy some newly released treats, and I specifically asked for one portion to be twice as sweet.
When I spotted the digital clock hanging on a shop, I stopped.
"Junpei, let's exchange contact details. It's getting late, and I need to go back to school."
I glanced at the 99+ unread messages on my phone. If I didn't go back soon, I was afraid Satoru Gojo would fire off a few blasts of [Blue], clear away the ground, and dig me out.
Good grief, how long had I even been out?!
Junpei Yoshino and I exchanged contact details. I happily saved a name for his contact, then opened his feed and liked every one of his posts (though there weren't many to begin with).
"All right, I really have to go now. Don't go to school for a while, Junpei. I'll come hang out with you when I have time! Call or message me if anything happens!" I waved my phone in its white case.
"Let me walk you part of the way!"
I thought about it for a moment, then smiled and nodded. "Okay!"
"You can leave me here!" Any farther ahead, and we'd reach a deserted area. I was worried he'd have trouble getting back. "Sorry for making you carry my things. Bye, Junpei!" I took the bags from his hands.
"Get home safely! And, goodbye!"
I waved. "Keep in touch!"
Junpei Yoshino watched the girl's figure grow smaller and smaller until she disappeared completely from sight.
They had only just said goodbye, yet he was already looking forward to seeing her again.
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