Chapter Text
Exhaustion ran deep into Megumi's bones.
The mission they were just on wasn't life threatening, but the curse didn't exactly make things easy for them. The cursed spirit was a Second Grade, and shot leeches at them. The mission was mainly spent dodging rather than exorcising, which is why he is so tired.
Kugisaki shares his sentiments. She keeps stretching her arms in the cramped car, and giving small rubs to her calves.
On the other hand, Itadori was completely fine. His stamina made him the perfect beast to go up against in a stamina match. He was actually the one to exorcise it in the end. He seemed rejuvenated more than anything, and was talking a million miles a minute.
“We should go do something in town!” Itadori exclaimed.
“Can't we just go back to school. I need a muscle relaxer, right now,” Kugisaki drawled out. Her country accent became thicker when she was tired, and it was in full force currently.
“It's only 2 in the afternoon,” Itadori said, dejected. Megumi then saw an idea pop across his face. “I'll buy you those sunglasses you want!”
Kugisaki's eyes widened, and then narrowed. She glared at Itadori. It seemed like she was nonverbally reprimanding him, but, in reality she was thinking if she would agree or not.
“You, also, have to rub my feet!” She negotiated.
“WHAT! That's so gross!” Itadori whined.
“Hey! You are the one who wants me to go out with you! Besides, who are you to tell me my feet are gross!”
“A pretty good expert since you want me to rub them!”
Megumi zoned out from his seat in the middle. It was a talent he had developed in the few months he had known them. Honestly, he wanted to go home, but he will go out if it's what Itadori wants.
Megumi never really had friends his age. When he was younger, Tsumiki's friends were his friends, but as he got older, he drifted away from her. He was never good at trying to be social with others, so no matter how many people he talked to (read: glared at) he never made a friend.
Talking to Kugisaki and Itadori was as easy as breathing air. They were sociable, but also had each other, so whenever he wanted to stare off into the distance, he was able to do so, as they had the other to keep themselves entertained. It was like they could tell when his social battery was drained, and left him alone while also making sure he was included in things. It was hard to describe, but he enjoyed his trio.
He was shaken from his thoughts as Ijichi stopped the car in the middle of the bustling city. They were in front of Kugisaki's favorite store. Out front, were the stands that held those sunglasses she so desperately wanted.
The three of them got out. He saw Itadori's eyes bulge at the price tag, and had to suppress a smile.
Kugisaki then started looking around the store to see what other goodies she would want (on her own dime this time).
Megumi was more than ready to fall asleep on his feet, but he wanted to hang out with his friends. Kugisaki did take a long time to shop, they probably wouldn't even notice if he quickly went to the coffee shop next door, and ordered a coffee.
Megumi made his way over to Itadori, and gave him a light tap on the shoulder. “I'm going to get a coffee next door.”
“Okay! We'll meet you over there when we are done.”
“Are you sure? You could just stay in here, and I'll come back-”
“Nope!” Itadori interrupted a little too quickly. “We will meet you over there as soon as possible.”
Megumi gave a small smile to himself. Itadori was using him to try, and stop Kugisaki from buying the whole store, and waste everyone's time for the next three hours.
“See you soon,” Megumi softly said.
Itadori flashed one of his award-winning smiles, and turned back to see Kugisaki comparing two different shoes.
Megumi made his way out of the shop. He didn't move as quickly as he could have, due to his sore muscles. When he exited the shop, he blinked rapidly to adjust his eyes to the sun quicker, and looked to see how far the coffee shop was from his starting point.
30 feet.
The shops had a bit of a gap in between them, making the walk slightly longer.
25 feet.
His sore muscles ache in a way that feels good yet was exhausting. He knows that he will get a good night's sleep tonight.
20 feet.
Maybe he could take a nap when he gets to the school?
15 feet.
No, that will ruin his sleep schedule. It's already a mess, he doesn't need it anymore fucked up.
10 feet.
Should he-
“Megs?”
A voice makes him stop dead in his tracks. It's one that he hasn't heard in nearly 10 years.
Its the same voice that hugged and kissed him goodnight. The same voice that read him bed time stories. The same voice that would call him when dinner was ready.
It was also the same voice that shouted. Yelled so loudly that the neighbors would bang on their ceiling with a broom, and tell them to “shut up” through the walls. The same voice that said they would be right back, but never did. The same voice that once made him feel depths of parental love now made red, hot anger run through him.
He couldn't feel any of those emotions at the moment. He could only feel pure shock run through his body, and it forced him to freeze. He couldn't help his head slowly turning to look in their direction, wanting to make sure that it was the same person.
After all, only one person ever called him ‘Megs.’
To Gojo, he was Megumi or Gumi. Tsumiki only referred to him as Megumi or Memi.
His body had fully turned around when he was finally able to confirm it with his eyes.
Their deep brown hair was the same, except now it fell to the middle of their back instead of being cropped short. The uncolored tattoos that he and Tsumiki use to draw in were the same, if a few more were added. Their nails were chipped, and uncared for. They stood at 5’8, like Tsumiki did when she fell asleep.
“Mom?”