For Tomorrow's Sake | Various!JJK x Reader

04 | prove everyone wrong

You grin confidently, and Toji can't help but marvel at your idiocy. Or perhaps it's lunacy. Either way, it doesn't make much of a difference.

"No," he replies, watching as your expression drops. "Why should I train some brat I just met? You must have lived a very sheltered life until now, if you feel comfortable going around asking others for favors."

Satoru furiously grinds his teeth together. "How dare you. You don't know anything about her. Rotten old fart. [Name]'s life has been anything but sheltered. If you don't shut up, I'll kick your ass."

"I'm nowhere near as old as you seem to think I am," Toji scowls.

Whatever. He's had enough foolishness for one day. He already did what he set out to do. He came here to steal a glimpse of Gojo Satoru, and all it did was sour his mood even more. He's better off walking away before he loses his temper.

And so, he leaves. Or at least, he tries to.

You've grabbed onto his arm and are refusing to let go.

"Please at least hear me out, mister," you insist. Toji stares down at you in stark disbelief, and meanwhile, Satoru outright gasps. Honestly, he kind of looks like he's about to pass out. Your never-ending antics really aren't good for his heart.

It's absurd. Two little kids are basically playing tug-of-war at Toji's expense. Of course, he could push you back with ease, although something tells him the strongest jujutsu sorcerer wouldn't take too kindly to that. Which just makes it even more tempting, truthfully. Toji already resents the world of jujutsu as it is. Perhaps purposefully angering Gojo Satoru, even at the risk of his own life, might give him some relief.

He could do it. He could pick a fight if he really wanted to. Also, there's no guarantee he'd lose. Maybe he should give it a try. If he were to somehow win against this spoiled brat who's been blessed with everything he could ever dream of... maybe finally, the Zen'in Clan would acknowledge him.

The longer Toji stares into Satoru's pale, blindingly blue eyes, the more he feels like testing his luck. The more he itches to bring the world of jujutsu sorcerers, and everything it stands for, crumbling into pieces.

But he doesn't.

Your next words resonate with him more than he could ever have imagined.

"My family hated me because I was so weak," you say, keeping your little hands tightly wrapped around Toji's arm as you stare up at him, gaze solemn and determined. "They told me I was worthless, and that I would never amount to anything. My dad beat me really badly one day because he was so embarrassed of me. I'm sure it would have kept happening if Satoru hadn't offered to let me live with him instead. I might not have zero cursed energy, like you, but I barely have enough to qualify as a sorcerer, and everyone always looks down on me for it. I think it's unfair how some people get judged and cast aside, before they get the chance to prove themselves. Even if you don't have any cursed energy, it's obvious to me that you're really strong. And it makes me feel like I could maybe be strong one day, too. I know it probably sounds like a hassle, but is there even a chance you might consider it? I could-oh, I know! I could pay you. Would you do it then? If I paid you enough?"

Yet again, Toji finds himself at a loss for words.

"Um... unfortunately, this is all I have on me right now." You dig into your yukata and pull out a few wrapped candies, then gently place them into Toji's open palm. He blinks, incredulous, as you smile once more. "I'll pay you with real money, of course. Think of these candies as a promise, or like a down payment. I live with the Gojo Clan, and they've got a lot of money. If you agree to help train me, you might even become rich."