Chapter Text
It was raining.
Pouring, in fact.
The forecast had been bright and sunny. Sunny when you’d gotten up that morning after missing your alarm. Sunny when you chose your outfit and ate your breakfast. Sunny all the way till you stepped foot outside your dorm. And suddenly, drops of water begin pelting at you from the sky.
Only I would have this luck, you grimly thought to yourself, trudging through the open buildings. Jujutsu Technical University, more popularly known as JTU, was home to the most remarkable and wide-spread alumni group in the entire country. That, along with its world-renowned research facilities and plethora of networking events, made it the prime location to transfer to after the incidents that occurred at your last school. If only you didn’t transfer mid-semester, when everyone had already formed friend circles and study groups.
You sighed inwardly as you finally found the building you were looking for. You’d been lucky enough to find someone in need of a roommate, and even luckier that the dorm location was so close to your classes. However, coming mid-semester meant that you were, to put it plainly, lost. No orientation groups to help you settle in. And that was how you found yourself staring at the campus map outside the science building, deeply contemplating your life choices when
“Physics 201 is on the third floor. The sign’s misleading.” A soft voice sounded from behind.
Startled, you turn.
And suddenly, you forget how to speak.
He was holding three textbooks of varying sizes against his chest, fogged-up glasses slipping down his nose and white hair evidently flattened due to the rain.
“Oh,” you finally managed. “Thank you.”
You knew JTU was also partially known for the…eye-candy. The frats and sororities played a prominent role in campus social life, and you’d find hundreds of social media campaigns featuring the attractive athletics department. You didn’t expect to run into someone who fit your type so perfectly on your first day.
He’s a nerd.
Get a hold of yourself.
He wears glasses.
Holy shit.
His eyes— And there it was. The killer of it all, the reason why you couldn’t take your gaze off him. A pair of bright blue eyes, partially hidden behind glasses but prominent enough to notice.
He hesitated.
Then— “You’re new.”
It was not a question. You nod.
He shifted his weight, almost like he was debating something. “If you want, I can show you?”
Your mind blanked. “Show me?”
He blinked in response. “To the physics class. I have a lab there.”
Your face burned as you hurriedly agreed, keen to avoid further embarrassment.
“I’m Satoru,” he said as the two of you walked up the stairs. The name felt simple. Easy. You tell him yours. And for a second, he just looked at you. Really looked. Like he was trying to remember every detail.
The two of you made small talk, discussing the campus layout, unexpected weather, and general science courses. It was nice. Refreshing. Until you’ve come face to face with the lecture hall door, and your conversation is cut off all too soon.
“Well, this is where I leave you.” He said, smiling down at you. “The Prof for this class isn’t that bad, just strict with granting extensions.”
You didn’t know how to thank him enough. For showing you around. For keeping you company. For being kind.
Before you could reply, he’s already turning to leave.
He stopped after a few steps, glancing back over his shoulder, and added, almost as an afterthought. “I hope I see you around.”
And then he’s gone. You found a seat inside the hall as you waited for class to begin, staring at the door he walked through.
You didn’t notice you were smiling until someone coughed nearby.
“Come on! I promise, it’ll be fun.”
“I don’t think watching a bunch of sweaty jocks and cheerleaders go at it in a poorly lit room is my idea of fun.”
The argument had been ongoing for the past twenty minutes. Your roommate, Nobara, was insistent on dragging you out to a party hosted by the university’s biggest frat for your first night.
“It’s to celebrate the start to a wonderful university experience!” She had said, borderline forcing mascara and heavy eyeliner onto your face. It wasn’t as though you were a total homebody; from time to time, you enjoyed drowning out the thoughts in the blasting music and vibrant club lights. But after a long first day, all you wanted to do was curl into your bed and sleep.
“You’ll never make new friends if you're sitting alone in your room all the time,” she rebuked. “Plus, there are some people I want you to meet that are going to the party.”
Letting out a long-suffering sigh, you lifted your head. “If I go this time, will you promise to leave me alone for the rest of the week?’ You reluctantly asked.
Instantly, her smile stretched into a wicked grin. “Yes!”
You inwardly sighed, already regretting your choices.
Nevertheless, the two of you got dressed and ready in record time; just as the last streaks of sunlight vanished from the sky, you left the dorms, ready to party.
“I can’t believe I let you talk me into wearing this skirt.” You grumbled, trying to adjust your clothes as you neared the party. You wore a plain black mini skirt and matching black sneakers, with a tight-fitting crimson top that accentuated all the right places. Nobara wore the opposite; dark red shorts with a black tank top. “I can’t believe you actually said yes.” She replied with a smile.
The music shook the walls as you entered, people belting miscellaneous song lyrics in the background. You were deeply regretting your choices.
Nobara, sensing your unease, took your hand in her own and led you through the crowd. “Come on, my friends are this way!” Eventually, the two of you made it to the far side of the house; the music was quieter, lights were dimmed, and vibes much lower. Nonetheless, your nerves were continuously going off as you got closer to Nobara’s friends. What if they don’t like me? What if I’m too annoying, or quiet, or—
“Megumi, Yuji!” Nobara waved and called towards a pair standing near the walls.
Suddenly, a tuft of pink hair bounded towards you. “I’m Yuji Itadori!” He said, brown eyes crinkling as he held out his hand. “You must be her new roommate!” You hesitantly shook it, introducing yourself in the process. Nobara wrapped an arm around your shoulders, pushing you towards another figure you didn’t even see.
“This introverted sea-urchin is Megumi Fushiguro. He doesn’t talk to anyone, don’t take it personally.” She said, the black haired boy merely nodded towards you in greeting and opting to stay silent.
And just like that, your nerves disappeared. You stayed relatively quiet as Nobara updated Yuji and Megumi on her day—Yuji, listening with rapt attention and gasping at all the right parts, while Megumi’s only indication of listening was the occasional scoff. The four of you formed an odd yet endearing group dynamic. At one point, you found yourself almost bursting with laughter at Yuji’s anecdote about escaping his R.A. after being out past curfew.
After a bit, you excused yourself, in need of something to drink. “I’ll get a drink and be right back,” you told Nobara and the others, heading back towards the noisy hall.
The walls felt like they were pulsing with music. People shouting at beer pong matches, lights blaring in tempo with the songs. You were considering retracing your steps back to your friends when—
“Careful.”
A hand caught your waist before someone barreled into you.
You look up.
And your brain short-circuits.
It was him.
White hair and blue eyes.
No glasses.
Different smile.
Wilder. Dangerous.
“You’re staring,” he said, blue eyes twinkling with amusement.
“I…” Your mind scrambled to catch up. “You walked me to Physics this morning.”
He blinked.
Then laughed. Loud and bright and completely different from the quiet hum of this morning.
“Nah,” he replied, finally quieting down. “Wasn’t me.”
Your stomachs dropped, head tilted in confusion. “What?”
He leaned a little closer, till his cologne filled every inch of the suddenly tight hallway you found yourself in. “I would remember meeting you,” he said. “Trust me.”
The confidence (or cockiness, you weren’t sure yet) in his voice was overwhelming. You open your mouth, close it again, and try to process what your seeing and hearing. “But you look—”
“Exactly like him?” He finished with a smirk. “Yeah, I get that a lot.” Abruptly, he held his hand out in greeting. “Satoru.”
The same name.
What the hell?
You hesitated for a moment before shaking it. His grip was warm. Firm. He doesn’t let go right away, instead opting to hold your hand lightly for the rest of the conversation.
“So,” he started, eyes flicking over your face like he was already memorizing it. “You met my brother first, huh?”
Brother.
The word landed slowly.
Brother?
There were two of them.
It clicked, all at once.
“Don’t worry,” he leaned closer, voice low, “I’m the fun one.”
And finally, he let go of your hand. Before you could even respond, someone called his name from behind.
He started to turn, then paused to look back at you. “Hey.” Your eyes met. Blue gaze colliding with your own.
“You’re new, right?”
You nod, getting a distinct feeling of déjà vu.
His grin sharpened. “I’ll remember that.”
Then he disappeared into the crowd like he belonged at the center of it. He probably did.
And you stood there, heart racing, trying to make sense of it all.
Satoru.
You swirl the name inside your mouth, sounding out each of the syllables.
The Satoru with the cute glasses and pile of textbooks, who kindly walked you to your first class on campus.
The Satoru with a sharp smile who stood out despite the overwhelmingly chaotic party.
Same eyes. Same name. A completely different person. And somehow, you already knew this wouldn’t be the last time you ran into either of them.