For Tomorrow's Sake | Various!JJK x Reader

33 | desperate maneuver

You're honestly not even sure what to expect, because Haibara's death was never shown in the series. You don't know how he died. You just know that he ran into a powerful opponent, and ultimately, he didn't make it.

Which is why you're going to protect him. You're going to protect everyone within your reach. No, you can't save every single person who's suffering. No, you aren't some kind of all-powerful deity who can restore balance to this cruel world, but if there's one thing you excel at, more so than anyone else, it's that you will never, ever give up.

It isn't jujutsu. It's a power that everyone can have, so long as their willpower is strong enough.

And yet, it is arguably your greatest strength of all.

"I can't believe I get to share my first time with [Name]," Naoya gushes, resting his head upon your shoulder.

Nanami sets his book down and turns, with a look of horror painted across his face. "I'm sorry, what did you just say?"

"A special experience. This is my first time being on a plane! And I get to do it with [Name]!"

"Was there really a need to phrase it like that?"

"Phrase it like what?"

Naoya innocently tilts his head to the side. He's not even playing dumb right now. It's cute that his mind didn't even go there. Truly, such a stark difference from the sleazeball everyone loved to hate in canon.

While Nanami lets out a heavy sigh and faces forward again to continue reading his book, a wobbly smile spreads across Naoya's lips-coupled with a distinct redness in his cheeks.

Although he wasn't thinking anything inappropriate to begin with, now, he can't help but be reminded of the actual first time he shared with you. His first ever kiss.

"I hope it happens again soon," Naoya sighs dreamily. "First times are great, but I definitely wouldn't complain about a second time, or a third, or-"

"Please be quiet. I'm trying to read."

You chuckle softly. The remainder of the plane ride isn't really much to write home about. Haibara continues happily staring out the window, for pretty much the whole time, while Naoya ends up drifting off at some point and falling asleep against your shoulder. Nanami makes sure to read for as long as the silence will permit, but now and again, he turns to look back at you-and every single time, without exception, you smile.

Finally...

"Yes!" Haibara cries out, pumping both of his fists in the air once you disembark and step outside the airport. "We're actually here! Okinawa! And the weather's great!"

"I want to go down to the beach," Naoya grins. "[Name], you want to go swimming too, right? We can even build a sandcastle together!"

"Have you two already forgotten why we're here?" Nanami sighs. "This isn't a leisure trip. We need to remain vigilant in case we spot any curse users. There's even a chance they might target the airport, so that Gojo and Geto can't leave with the vessel. They could very well be looking to ambush them when they least expect it."

You pat his shoulder a few times. "It's fine. I don't blame them for being excited. It's really nice here. Let's drop our things off at the hotel first, and then we can start patrolling, okay?"

Nanami nods in agreement, but you catch him side-eyeing Naoya and Haibara, who are already standing in front of an ice cream stall. They really didn't even hesitate to jump into vacation mode. Not that you're against that or anything. Hopefully it stays like this. If you're lucky, maybe this really will just be a trip to the sunny beaches of Okinawa, and nothing more.