"So, let me get this straight," Sakura said, turning to Ren with that look she always got when she was about to tear into someone. "You decided to just pick up a random amulet from your grandpa's stuff because, what? You thought it might be shiny and cool? Did your brain just completely shut off, or do you actively try to find cursed objects?"
"It wasn't like that!" Ren protested, running a hand through his pink hair in frustration. "I thought it was just some old trinket. It was sitting there in a dusty box, looking totally harmless! How was I supposed to know it was cursed? It's not like it came with a warning label saying 'Warning: Contains one angry spirit, handle with care.'"
"Well, you should've known better," Testuya said bluntly, his dark eyes showing that familiar mixture of exhaustion and resignation. "This is you we're talking about. Trouble finds you faster than Tenmei-sensei finds excuses to skip meetings. At this point, I'm convinced you could find a cursed object in an empty room."
"Wow, Testuya," Ren muttered, slumping against the wall. "Thanks for the support. Really feeling the love here."
"Don't pick on him too much," Mizuki cut in with a small laugh, though her smile was laced with teasing. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, trying and failing to look sympathetic. "Though, Ren, if this were in a horror movie, you'd absolutely be the first one to die. You know, the guy who says 'I'll be right back' and never is?"
"What?!" Ren exclaimed, feigning a hurt expression while clutching his chest dramatically. "You're supposed to have my back, Mizuki! We had a pact! Remember all those times I shared my lunch with you?"
"I do," she replied, patting his shoulder lightly, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "But I'm also realistic. And realistically speaking, your self-preservation instincts are... well, let's say they're working part-time at best."
Sakura burst out laughing, slinging an arm around Mizuki's shoulders and giving her a squeeze. "I like you, Mi-chan. You get it. Ren's definitely the guy who hears creepy noises and decides to investigate. Probably walks toward the scary music too."
"Why does everyone think I have zero survival instincts?" Ren asked, throwing his hands up in exasperation. "I survive stuff all the time! I'm literally standing right here, surviving!"
"Because you don't," Testuya said simply, not even bothering to look up from his phone. "Surviving despite your best efforts doesn't count as having survival instincts."
Before Ren could fire back with what he surely thought would be a devastating comeback, a voice interrupted their banter. "Are you all usually this loud, or is today a special occasion?"
The group turned as a tall figure stepped into view, a man with jet black hair tied loosely in the back. His eyes were just as dark, glinting like obsidian stones beneath long lashes. Peering closer, Mizuki noticed a scar on the man's neck. Upon noticing this, she gasped out of surprise, and shot up an accusatory finger at him, "You!"
"Me," the man replied with a handsome smile. "Fancy seeing you here, Mizuki Uehara."
What was he doing here? Why now? And how, of all people, had their paths crossed again so soon? She could feel the confused stares of her friends on her, but her eyes remained locked on him, unable to look away. "Wait a second," Sakura said, pointing a thumb in his direction. "You two know each other?"
Mizuki glanced at Sakura before nodding, "Yeah. We met the other day." Her cheeks flushed red at the memory, her embarrassment resurfacing. She wasn't exactly keen on revisiting the moment. The only thing that could possibly make it worse was if—
"She fell over, and then she grabbed onto me for support," the man explained, flashing a smile and giving a small wave. Of course he'd bring that up. Of course he would. Mizuki could feel her face burning, the heat spreading down her neck and into her collarbones.
"I did not fall! I... gracefully stumbled," she protested, crossing her arms defensively. "And you were just... conveniently there."
"Oh my god," Sakura wheezed, doubling over with laughter. "Mi-chan, you actually fell for him? Like, literally fell?"
"That's not—I didn't—" Mizuki sputtered, her face growing even redder. "Can we please talk about literally anything else?" Mizuki groaned, hiding her face in her hands.
"As entertaining as this is, it's getting late. I should head back." Testuya was already exhausted from an earlier mission, and he didn't want to spend any more time than necessary hanging out at Jujutsu High. Sakura frowned, not wanting the fun to end. "Aw, come on, Kiryuu!" she protested, still wiping tears of laughter from her eyes. "The night's just getting interesting!"
Renji reached into his pocket and pulled out a key, tossing it in Ren's direction. The pink-haired boy fumbled for a moment before managing to snatch it from the air. "Room 205," Ren read aloud, a nostalgic smile crossing his face. "Just like old times, huh?"
"Right. I'm out," Testuya said, putting his hands in his pockets. "Try not to cause too much trouble." He gave a short wave before heading toward the exit.
"Party pooper!" Sakura called after him, but her attention quickly shifted back to Mizuki and Renji. A devious plan was brewing in her mind, and she couldn't wait to see it come to fruition. "Hey, new manager-san, why don't you hang out with us for a bit? I want to hear more about how Mizuki swept you off your feet."
"That is NOT what happened!" Mizuki protested, but Sakura was already dragging Renji toward Ren's dorm room, ignoring her friend's embarrassed objections. Ren fell into step beside Mizuki, nudging her with his elbow, "Look at it this way—at least now we know you can get any guy you want."
"...I hate you guys."