The Second Strongest Sorcerer (Jujutsu Kaisen x Male Reader)

As (Y/N) and Shoko exited a room after treating the last patient in their fifth hospital of the day, Shoko straightened up, stretching her arms with a satisfied sigh.

"Alright, that's five down. One more to go," She said, her tone lightening. "What do you think so far?"

(Y/N) stood there with his mouth open, giving her a thumbs-up. Shoko had displayed an incredible array of skills throughout the day, and (Y/N) couldn't help but be in awe.

Shoko tiptoed and draped her arm over (Y/N)'s shoulders, bringing him down to her height and side-hugging him. The sudden physical affection caused him to tense up slightly, but her warmth was infectious.

"It's so good to have you here with me," Shoko grinned, pulling him closer.

(Y/N) laughed awkwardly, feeling a bit flustered. "That came out of nowhere."

"Yeah, I know," Shoko answered nonchalantly, her grin still present.

"Shoko! Is that you?!"

Suddenly, a loud voice called out from nearby, breaking their moment.

They turned to find an old lady in patient clothes fast-walking toward them.

"Oh, Miss Tanie! How have you been?" Shoko's expression shifted from confused to pleasantly surprised.

"Shoko! I missed you so, so much. It's been months since I last saw you," the old lady, named Tanie, said as she held Shoko's hands, her grip as affectionate as a grandmother's embrace.

"Yeah, sorry about that. If only there were a faster way to travel between Kyoto and Tokyo... Anyway, how's your stay going? You seem much healthier than last time," Shoko replied, her tone genuinely happy.

Miss Tanie's smile didn't waver as she continued holding Shoko's hands. "Just like you told me, I've been eating well and taking more walks. I'll be out of here in no time—Oh! Who might this be?"

The lady finally took notice of (Y/N), her eyes examining him from top to bottom.

Shoko turned to (Y/N) with a smile. "Miss Tanie, this is (Y/N), my bodyguard for the day."

(Y/N) bowed slightly, feeling a bit shy under the old lady's scrutinizing gaze. "It's nice to meet you, Miss Tanie."

Miss Tanie's eyes sparkled with amusement. "A bodyguard, you say? Well, you must be quite skilled to be guarding our dear Shoko."

(Y/N) rubbed the back of his neck, laughing softly. "I try my best, ma'am."

Shoko chuckled, giving (Y/N) a light pat on the back. "You don't need to worry about that, Miss Tanie! I've known him for some time now, but I can trust him with my life." Shoko grinned, clearly proud to introduce (Y/N).

(Y/N)'s eyes widened slightly as he didn't expect Shoko to entrust him that much.

"Hmm... Well, Shoko dear, if you have a moment, could I give you some of the cookies I baked? They're in my room. I'd love for you to try them." Miss Tanie finally took her hands out of Shoko's and gestured down the hallway.

"Cookies? Yeah, absolutely. (Y/N)?" Shoko glanced towards (Y/N).

"Sounds good to me." (Y/N) responded.

Miss Tanie smiled warmly and started heading towards her room, her steps quick and eager. Shoko and (Y/N) followed suit.

"So, uh, how do you know this person?" (Y/N) whispered to Shoko as they walked down the hospital hallway, the polished floors reflecting the overhead lights.

"Last time I was here, we talked about some books and quickly became friends. She's just recovering from a car accident, and looks like she's feeling much better now." Shoko smiled, happy to see her friend's improved condition.

(Y/N) nodded as they reached Miss Tanie's room and stepped inside.

The room exuded a warm, grandmotherly charm, filled with knitting supplies, candles, and stacks of books.

"Let me give you a book as well. You can read it on your way back to Tokyo. I'm sure you'll love it." Miss Tanie said, heading to her table with a slight shuffle in her step.

"Oh, thank you! You're so nice." Shoko clapped her hands together in excitement.

Just then, a phone began to ring.

They all checked their phones, and it was Shoko's that was buzzing.

"Ah, I gotta take this one. Be right back." Shoko said, excusing herself and leaving the room.

The door closed softly behind her, leaving (Y/N) alone with Miss Tanie.

(Y/N) felt a pang of nervousness at the sudden change in company. He worried that the atmosphere might grow awkward, but Miss Tanie was the first to break the silence.

"Men really are always so dull..." She muttered.

"Huh?" (Y/N) tilted his head, confused by her sudden comment.

"I can already tell that you won't catch on for a long time, so listen up, young man. Don't break her heart." Miss Tanie said while picking up a book from her shelf.

(Y/N) tilted his head even more, clearly not understanding. His brow furrowed as he tried to decipher her words.

The old lady turned around, saw his confused expression, and sighed deeply.

"Shoko clearly likes you. It's obvious in another woman's eyes."

(Y/N) continued to tilt his head until he lost his balance and fell down with a thud.

"S-She does? She likes me?" His face brightened slightly as he tried getting back on his feet.

Miss Tanie smiled warmly as she went on, "Well, from the look on your face, I can tell I did the right thing by telling you. You know, you two are still so young, so if you also have feelings for her, don't waste any time. Life is too short to hide your true selves. Enjoy your youth and make the most of it."

"Don't waste any time as in...?" (Y/N) asked, already knowing the answer but needing to hear it.

"Start seeing each other, of course." Miss Tanie chuckled and started packing her cookies into a tin.

"I..."

(Y/N) muttered, trying to calm himself as he stood back up, his mind racing with the revelation.

That's when the door creaked open, and Shoko walked back in, causing (Y/N) to tense up.

He wasn't ready to meet her eyes just yet, still processing what Miss Tanie had told him.

However...

All his thoughts about romance were abruptly pushed aside as he saw Shoko's trembling form.

Her hands shook as she held the phone, her face a mask of worry and sorrow—an expression (Y/N) had never seen on her before and couldn't have even imagined.

"Shoko. What's wrong?" (Y/N) asked, his tone completely serious as he approached her.

Without a word, Shoko handed him the phone. She was still on a call, her hand shaky as she transferred the device to him.

(Y/N) took the phone, his own hand steady, and pressed it to his ear. "Hello, who is this?"

"(Y/N)... We need your help..."

The voice on the other end was filled with urgency and concern. It was Masamichi Yaga, the teacher from Tokyo.

"Something horrible has happened."