Nanami SMAU - A Verdict Of Us

Toji SMAU - When love was always there.

Chapter One - The Chase

Summary: You see him again on your first day of college. Fuck. Toji Zenin has been the bane of your existence since your first day of kindergarten. Over the 15 years you’ve had the “pleasure” of knowing him, he’s made it his personal mission to make your life a living hell. From chopping off your hair in kindergarten to pushing you into a pond on your first day of high school, Toji has done it all. You’d always thought he would choose a college far away from you, but as it has always been, fate came to kick your ass. Hard.

{introduction} ; {Chapter 2}

Warnings: Cursing, Sexual language, mentions of suicide, toji being an ass, angst (???)

—————————————————————————————————————

You don’t look back as you dart through the party, weaving through clusters of people and dodging poorly placed furniture. The music thumps in your ears, but it’s not loud enough to drown out the sound of Toji’s footsteps behind you. He’s faster than you remembered, and the realization sends a jolt of panic through you.

“Keep running,” his voice calls out, low and sharp. “You won’t get far.”

You bite back a curse, turning a corner and slipping out through the back door. Cool air hits your skin as you step onto the patio, your eyes scanning for a place to hide. Your heart is pounding, but adrenaline keeps you moving, your legs carrying you toward the garden. The party lights fade behind you as you push through the bushes, stumbling into a secluded clearing surrounded by trees.

You pause, catching your breath, thinking for one hopeful second that you might have lost him. But then—

“Gotcha.”

His voice is closer than you thought, and before you can react, Toji steps out from the shadows, his hands stuffed casually in his pockets, like he wasn’t just chasing you at full speed. His dark eyes glint under the faint moonlight, and the smirk on his face is nothing short of infuriating.

“Running away doesn’t really work when you’re this predictable.”

You glare at him, backing up slightly as he closes the distance. “What do you want, Toji?”

He shrugs, the picture of mock indifference. “Just making good on my promise. You said something stupid—again—and I had to remind you who you’re dealing with.”

“Oh, please,” you snap, straightening up despite the burn in your lungs. “Is this what you do for fun? Chase people around because you’re too boring to enjoy a normal party?”

He steps closer, and you instinctively take a step back, only to feel the edge of a low stone bench behind you.

“I don’t have to enjoy anything,” he says coolly, his voice sharp enough to cut. “Especially when you’re around.”

The words hit harder than you expect, and for a second, you can’t think of a clever retort. He notices your hesitation, of course, and his smirk deepens.

“What’s the matter?” he taunts, leaning slightly closer. “Cat got your tongue? Or maybe you’re finally realizing you’re out of your league.”

The heat of anger snaps you out of your silence. “Out of my league? Please, Toji. You’ve spent 15 years chasing after me just to be annoying. What’s that say about you?”

His expression hardens for the briefest moment, and you can’t help but feel a small sense of victory. But instead of biting back, he just shakes his head, his smirk returning as he turns to walk away.

“You’re not worth it,” he mutters over his shoulder, his tone dismissive.

The words leave you standing there, heart pounding, equal parts angry and unsettled as he disappears back into the party.

You get back to your dorm around 4 a.m., already regretting going to that stupid party. Thinking about Toji and his stupid face only makes you more agitated, so you head straight to bed after quickly taking off your makeup and getting ready. As you lie in bed, your phone buzzes with a text from Leiri, letting you know she’s on her way back to your shared dorm with some guy she met at Gojo’s party. You reply with a thumbs-up emoji, then place your phone on the bedside table with a heavy sigh.

Characters (added):

just read the nanami smau fic and GOD it's so good, thank you for writing such a gut-wrenching fic 🫶🏼

it’s my pleasure 😁

Added my newest fic! :3

JJK MASTERLIST ˶ᵔ ᵕ ᵔ˶

Toji Fushiguro/Zenin

•Toji SMAU - When love was always there

Kento Nanami

•Nanami SMAU - A Verdict of Us

Satoru Gojo

Suguru Geto

Ryomen Sukuna

Choso Kamo

Toji SMAU - When love was always there

Chapter 3 - A Deal with the Devil

Summary: You see him again on your first day of college. Fuck. Toji Zenin has been the bane of your existence since your first day of kindergarten. Over the 15 years you’ve had the “pleasure” of knowing him, he’s made it his personal mission to make your life a living hell. From chopping off your hair in kindergarten to pushing you into a pond on your first day of high school, Toji has done it all. You’d always thought he would choose a college far away from you, but as it has always been, fate came to kick your ass. Hard.

warnings: cursing, sexual language, mentions of bullying

{chapter 2} ; {next}

an: feeding y‘all because you guys gave me amazoing feedback 😜 BIG SMOOCH 💋 Also… Does anyone want me to add them to a taglist??

“You look pissed already,” he said, dropping into the seat across from you. “Nice to know I haven’t lost my touch.”

“You’re three minutes late,” you snapped, pushing your laptop open. “Let’s just get this over with.”

Toji leaned back in his chair, completely ignoring your attempt to start. “Relax. I’m here, aren’t I?”

“Barely.”

“Damn, you’re wound up. This project really got you that stressed?” He grinned lazily, watching as you bristled.

“No,” you said through gritted teeth. “It’s you that stresses me out. Now focus. We’re doing the slides on how memes influence modern communication.”

“Sounds boring,” he muttered, pulling out his phone.

You snatched it off the table before he could unlock it. “Not today, Toji. You’re actually going to help for once.”

His eyes flicked up to meet yours, sharper than usual. “You’re lucky I’m even here,” he said, voice low.

“And you’re lucky I haven’t strangled you yet,” you shot back.

For a moment, neither of you said anything, the tension hanging in the air. Then, to your surprise, Toji’s lips twitched into a faint grin. “Alright, princess. Show me what you got.”

It wasn’t much, but it was something. You exhaled, dragging your laptop toward him.

The next hour passed surprisingly smoothly. Toji’s attitude was still there—rolling his eyes at your suggestions, tossing in sarcastic comments—but he actually contributed. He had ideas, sharp and clever ones, even if he acted like they weren’t a big deal.

“See? Was that so hard?” you said, leaning back once you’d saved your progress.

“Not as hard as dealing with you,” he replied, but his tone lacked its usual bite.

For the first time, you noticed he looked almost…relaxed. It was a strange sight, and you weren’t sure what to do with it.

“Same time tomorrow?” you asked cautiously.

“Depends,” he said, standing and throwing his bag over his shoulder.

“On what?”

“If your friend’s gonna be around,” he said, his smirk returning full force.

You groaned. “You’re impossible.”

“Yeah, but you’re still stuck with me.” He winked and walked off, leaving you to wonder if maybe—just maybe—working with Toji wouldn’t be the absolute nightmare you’d imagined.

Nanami SMAU - A Verdict of Us

Chapter 12 - Dismissed

Summary: Kento Nanami was perfect—disciplined, untouchable, and entirely focused on his future. Emotions didn’t fit into his plans. You were everything he avoided—bold, warm, and impossible to ignore. You told yourself he didn’t matter, but you couldn’t stop watching him.

He never looked your way. Not until the day his perfectly controlled world unraveled, and you were at the center of it.

an: LOREEEE! Nanami rarely uses his phone! The contact photo he has for Haibara was pre selected by Haibara but the one he has for reader is a candid photo he took of her at the charity ball her parents organized 😗😗😗. SMOOCHES 💋💋💋

{chapter 11} ; {next}

taglist: @giasssslife @getovibesonly @inthedarkshadows000 @burpzz @sleepykittyenergy @fuzzycollectiondeersblog

࣪˖ ִ𐙚 𝜗𝜚 ࣪˖ ִ𐙚 𝜗𝜚 ࣪˖ ִ𐙚 𝜗𝜚 ࣪˖ ִ𐙚 𝜗𝜚 ࣪˖ ִ𐙚 𝜗𝜚 ࣪˖ ִ𐙚 𝜗𝜚 ࣪˖ ִ𐙚 𝜗𝜚 ࣪˖ ִ𐙚

Nanami SMAU - A Verdict of Us

Chapter 10 - Law, Legacy and a Dinner Deal

Summary: Kento Nanami was perfect—disciplined, untouchable, and entirely focused on his future. Emotions didn’t fit into his plans. You were everything he avoided—bold, warm, and impossible to ignore. You told yourself he didn’t matter, but you couldn’t stop watching him.

He never looked your way. Not until the day his perfectly controlled world unraveled, and you were at the center of it.

an: I noticed that the engament on my posts is getting lower and lower each time I post.. ARE Y’ALL GETTING BORED??? AHHHHHHHHH!!!! SMOOCHES 💋💋💋

{chapter 9} ; {next}

taglist: @gigiiiiislife @getovibesonly @inthedarkshadows000 @burpzz @sleepykittyenergy @fuzzycollectiondeersblog

࣪˖ ִ𐙚 𝜗𝜚 ࣪˖ ִ𐙚 𝜗𝜚 ࣪˖ ִ𐙚 𝜗𝜚 ࣪˖ ִ𐙚 𝜗𝜚 ࣪˖ ִ𐙚 𝜗𝜚 ࣪˖ ִ𐙚 𝜗𝜚 ࣪˖ ִ𐙚 𝜗𝜚 ࣪˖ ִ𐙚

hello!! Much love author, your writing skills are magnifique 🛐

I was reading 'A verdict of us', and i must emphasize on the texts, alongside paragraphs pattern that you have. The texts attract readers (like me) with its 'quick to end' vibe but the context forces us to stay and enjoy the fics to it's fullest. I'm so excited to be waiting for the new chapters because (secret- I myself am interested in law) your writing style is rather attractive. You make sure each character has it's own distinct persona and hardly ever let it be unbalanced! [ EVEN during intimate or ironically contradictory cold moments ]

I hope I could convey it well!! And perhaps not just yapped around- I hope you have a good week <33 mwah!

Oh and-, this from ch 12-

......the fact that I said exactly the same to myself when I was in love with my partner but a part of me couldn't allow myself to be distracted because I've got a goal Q-Q

first of all, thank you so much for your incredible feedback. It’s reader’s like you that make the process of creating the stories and publishing the stories so beautiful and fulfilling. As for “A Verdict of Us”: I don’t know anything about law lmaoooo and as the story progresses I think it’s going to become more and more noticeable 😅. I’m at a loss for words actually! This really made my day. Thank you so much and I hope you continue to enjoy this story and hopefully the other stories I’ll be creating in the future! 🩷

Welcome to my blog! I’m here spinning fanfiction that’s all heart, drama, and the stories we really want to see. From slow burns to messy situations, I’m all about keeping it real and making it hit.

Stay, read a little, vibe a lot, and don’t be shy—let me know what you think. We’re building something here.

Taglists: OPEN!

Requests: OPEN!

Rules!!

•JJK Masterlist

MHA Masterlist

(coming soon)

Toji SMAU - When love was always there

Chapter 19 - Heat of the Moment

Summary: You see him again on your first day of college. Fuck. Toji Zenin has been the bane of your existence since your first day of kindergarten. Over the 15 years you’ve had the “pleasure” of knowing him, he’s made it his personal mission to make your life a living hell. From chopping off your hair in kindergarten to pushing you into a pond on your first day of high school, Toji has done it all. You’d always thought he would choose a college far away from you, but as it has always been, fate came to kick your ass. Hard.

warnings: cursing, sexual language, mentions of bullying

an: Do you guys want full on smut or should I just keep it like this??? SMOOCHES 💋💋💋

{chapter 18} ; {next}

taglist: @jinxiewritings @actuallyvalerie @clp-84 @stickystay @reneinii

࣪˖ ִ𐙚 𝜗𝜚 ࣪˖ ִ𐙚 𝜗𝜚 ࣪˖ ִ𐙚 𝜗𝜚 ࣪˖ ִ𐙚 𝜗𝜚 ࣪˖ ִ𐙚 𝜗𝜚 ࣪˖ ִ𐙚 𝜗𝜚 ࣪˖ ִ𐙚 𝜗𝜚 ࣪˖ ִ𐙚

The party was in full swing by the time you arrived with your friends, the bass from the music vibrating through the floor as costumed students filled every corner of Gojo’s massive penthouse. Halloween decorations covered the place, from fake cobwebs to eerie glowing lights, and the air smelled of alcohol, perfume, and the faintest hint of weed. You adjusted the ears on your head, smoothing down the tight and form fitting top of your Lola Bunny costume as you scanned the crowd.

It didn’t take long to spot him.

Toji stood near the drinks table, pouring himself a whiskey into a red Solo cup, the black and white Ghostface mask lazily pushed up onto his head. His bare chest was fully on display—his excuse for a “costume” being nothing more than black sweatpants and the mask. The defined muscles of his torso flexed as he moved, tattoos standing out against his tan skin, and you could already see girls eyeing him from across the room.

A smirk pulled at your lips as an idea formed in your head.

You weaved through the crowd and crept up behind him, waiting for the perfect moment before leaning in close. “Boo.”

Toji tensed, his hand twitching around his cup as he turned sharply, his usual scowl in place—until his eyes landed on you.

His expression froze, mouth slightly parted as he took in your costume. His green eyes darkened, gaze trailing over your body, from the fluffy ears on your head to the dangerously short shorts that barely covered anything. His tongue swiped over his lips as he blatantly checked you out, and for a second, you swore he forgot how to speak.

Then, just as quickly, his expression twisted into something irritated. “The fuck are you wearin’?”

You blinked, taken aback. “A costume?”

He scoffed, his eyes flickering to the guys around you, lingering on the ones that had been stealing glances your way. His jaw tensed, and before you knew it, he was yanking his hoodie from where it was tied around his waist and tossing it at you. “Put that shit on.”

You caught it, brows furrowing. “Excuse me?”

“You heard me.” He crossed his arms over his chest, biceps flexing. “Walkin’ around damn near naked—everyone’s starin’.”

“Oh, so what, you’re allowed to be shirtless, but I have to cover up?” You put a hand on your hip. “That’s rich.”

“That’s different.”

“How?”

He scowled. “It just is.”

You grinned. “You’re jealous.”

“Jealous?” He let out a dry laugh. “Of what?”

“Of all the guys looking at me right now,” you teased, stepping closer. “Bet you wanna fight every single one of them, huh?”

Toji’s eye twitched. “I swear to god, Y/N—”

“Relax, big guy.” You threw his hoodie back at him with a wink.

Toji opened his mouth to retort, but before he could, a familiar figure brushed past the two of you.

Gojo.

You both immediately turned your attention to him, watching as he strolled by, one arm lazily slung over the shoulders of a girl. She was dressed in a police officer costume, tight-fitting but understated, a stark contrast to Gojo’s usual flashy preferences. His criminal costume complemented hers, a lazy attempt at “matching,” but what caught your attention was the way she clung to him—not in an attention-seeking way, but in a way that made it clear she was anxious and had her guard up.

Toji let out a low whistle. “So he really got a girl, huh?”

You crossed your arms. “Guess so.”

“She don’t look like his type.”

“She’s not.”

Toji glanced at you. “You met her?”

“Yeah, yesterday.” You sighed, shifting on your feet. “I might’ve been kinda mean to her.”

At that, Toji’s expression shifted. His brows furrowed slightly, lips pulling into a pout that he’d never admit was a pout. “Why?”

You shrugged. “I dunno. I guess…I was just surprised. I thought he’d go for someone different.”

“You mean someone like you?”

Your eyes flickered to his, and you could see the irritation swimming beneath them. He didn’t like the idea that you might still care.

You smirked. “Maybe.”

Toji scoffed. “You’re full of shit.”

You only laughed before turning on your heel and disappearing back into the crowd.

As the night went on, you could feel Toji’s gaze on you, your eyes meeting across the room every so often, a silent tension building between you. The occasional glances, the way his lips quirked up whenever he saw you laughing, the way you’d purposely sway your hips just a little more when you knew he was watching—it was a game, a dangerous one, but neither of you wanted to stop playing.

By the time 2 AM rolled around, you were tipsy, the alcohol buzzing through your system as you stepped out onto the balcony to get some air. You leaned against the railing, enjoying the crisp night breeze, when a familiar voice rumbled behind you.

“Coulda sworn I told you to cover up.” His voice was rough, low, edged with something that sent a shiver down your spine.

You turned, crossing your arms as you met his gaze. “You’re still on that?”

He smirked, stepping closer, his presence impossibly heavy. “Nah. Just figured I should remind you.”

“You’re annoying.”

“You love it.”

“Do I?”

“Mhm.”

You stared at each other, the air between you charged, thick with something unspoken. The tension had been simmering all night, bubbling under the surface of every lingering glance, every brush of your fingers when you passed each other.

And now, it was spilling over.

Your heart pounded as you tilted your head, voice softer now. “What are we doing, Toji?”

He didn’t answer right away. Instead, he let his gaze drop, slowly trailing down the curve of your neck, past your collarbone, over the fitted top hugging your chest. His tongue flicked out to wet his lips before he met your eyes again, darker this time, the green nearly swallowed by black.

“You tell me,” he murmured.

Your breath caught.

Something shifted.

Before you could second-guess yourself, you closed the space between you, your hands hesitating for only a second before grasping the waistband of his sweatpants, tugging him just a little closer. His chest brushed against yours, and the heat radiating from his skin was almost overwhelming.

His fingers brushed along your waist, barely there, a teasing touch that made you tremble.

You tilted your chin up, while he lowered his head to lean in closer, lips just inches from his. “I think you wanna kiss me.”

Toji huffed a quiet laugh, but it was strained. His fingers flexed against your waist, gripping you tighter, as if to steady himself.

“Yeah?” His voice was husky, a challenge laced beneath it.

You nodded, your nose brushing against his.

“You gonna do something about it?”

Toji’s patience snapped.

His mouth crashed onto yours, rough and hungry, like he’d been waiting all night for this moment. His hands found your hips, pulling you flush against him, and the heat of his bare chest burned through the thin fabric of your top. His lips were soft but demanding, his teeth nipping at your lower lip before he soothed the bite with his tongue, tasting the faint trace of alcohol on you.

You whimpered against his mouth, fisting the fabric of his sweatpants as his hands roamed your body, fingers digging into your thighs, your waist, anywhere he could touch. He kissed you like he was starving, like he needed to memorize the shape of your lips, the way your breath hitched when he tilted your head back to deepen the kiss.

His hands moved up, fingers slipping into your hair as he tilted your face, pressing deeper, devouring you. You felt the rough scrape of his stubble against your skin, the sharp contrast between his firm grip and the lazy drag of his lips against yours. He was overwhelming, intoxicating, and you couldn’t get enough.

You tugged at his waistband, making him groan against your mouth, his hands squeezing your hips in response. He pulled away just enough to mutter, “Keep doin’ shit like that, and I ain’t stoppin’.”

Your lips were swollen, breath shaky as you stared at him, both of you panting, drunk on each other.

You licked your lips. “Maybe I don’t want you to.”

Toji grinned against your skin, his teeth grazing your jaw before he kissed you again, slower this time, savoring every second. His hands slid under your hoodie—his hoodie now draped over your shoulders—fingertips tracing the bare skin beneath it.

“Fuck,” he muttered against your mouth. “You’re dangerous.”

“You like it.”

“Damn right, I do.”

And then, with a heated pull, he had you back against him, pressing his lips to yours with a force that left you breathless.

It was the last thing you remembered clearly.

The next morning, you woke up in unfamiliar sheets.

Your heart pounded as you blinked against the morning light, the events of last night hazy in your mind. Your head was killing you, and your limbs felt heavy as you slowly turned your head—only to see a very shirtless Toji sleeping beside you.

Your stomach dropped.

Oh, shit.

Panicked, you sat up, heart racing as you looked down at yourself—no clothes. No fucking clothes.

Your hands trembled as you quickly got out of bed, scrambling for your outfit. Your thoughts were jumbled, memories a blur, and you couldn’t even piece together how you’d ended up here. The only thing you knew was that you had to get out.

Toji stirred slightly, his brows furrowing in his sleep, but he didn’t wake up.

Holding your breath, you grabbed your heels and tiptoed to the door, slipping out as quietly as you could.

You didn’t stop moving until you were outside, the morning air biting against your bare skin.

And then, finally, you let out a shaky breath.

What the hell did I do?

Nanami SMAU - A Verdict of Us

Chapter 9 - Under a Starlit Veil

Summary: Kento Nanami was perfect—disciplined, untouchable, and entirely focused on his future. Emotions didn’t fit into his plans. You were everything he avoided—bold, warm, and impossible to ignore. You told yourself he didn’t matter, but you couldn’t stop watching him.

He never looked your way. Not until the day his perfectly controlled world unraveled, and you were at the center of it.

an: I’m so sorry y’all… SMOOCHES 💋💋💋

{chapter 8} ; {next}

taglist: @gigiiiiislife @getovibesonly @inthedarkshadows000 @burpzz @sleepykittyenergy @fuzzycollectiondeersblog

࣪˖ ִ𐙚 𝜗𝜚 ࣪˖ ִ𐙚 𝜗𝜚 ࣪˖ ִ𐙚 𝜗𝜚 ࣪˖ ִ𐙚 𝜗𝜚 ࣪˖ ִ𐙚 𝜗𝜚 ࣪˖ ִ𐙚 𝜗𝜚 ࣪˖ ִ𐙚 𝜗𝜚 ࣪˖ ִ𐙚

Nanami adjusted the cuff of his suit jacket as he stood near the grand entrance of the event hall. The soft hum of conversations and the distant clink of glasses drifted out through the open doors, but he stayed just outside, avoiding the chaos of introductions and small talk. His eyes scanned the arriving guests, his expression calm but distant, until movement at the bottom of the staircase caught his attention.

You stepped out of the car in a gown that seemed to catch the light in all the right places, the fabric shimmering as you moved. There was an ease to your steps, confidence in the way you carried yourself that drew attention without you even trying. Nanami’s usual stoic demeanor faltered as his eyes lingered on you for a moment longer than he intended.

When you finally spotted him, a smile spread across your face, and you made your way up the steps toward him. “Wow,” you said as you stopped in front of him, your tone light and teasing. “Waiting for me already? I didn’t know you’d miss me that much.”

His brow raised slightly, but there was a faint flicker of amusement in his gaze. “You’re late.”

“And you look amazing,” you countered, ignoring his comment. “Though I guess that’s nothing new.”

For a second, he hesitated, then said, “You look stunning.” His voice was calm and measured, but the sincerity was unmistakable.

You grinned. “Careful, Nanami. If you keep complimenting me, I might get used to it.”

“Don’t count on it,” he replied dryly, but there was a faint trace of softness in his tone.

Looping your arm through his, you gave him a quick glance. “Come on, partner. Let’s go show these people how it’s done.”

Together, you walked into the grand hall, the golden light of chandeliers illuminating the elegantly decorated space. The room was filled with influential guests, all dressed to the nines, their conversations blending into a hum of polished sophistication.

The two of you navigated the crowd with practiced ease, moving from group to group. You were the conversationalist, effortlessly charming everyone you spoke to, while Nanami maintained his reserved composure.

At one point, you found yourself speaking with a prominent philanthropist and his wife. The man looked between you and Nanami, his smile warm. “You two make quite the pair,” he said.

You laughed lightly, nudging Nanami with your elbow. “Don’t we? He’s the serious one; I’m the fun one. Perfect balance.”

Nanami shot you a brief look but said nothing, his lips pressed into a thin line that might have been suppressing a smirk.

“And what do you think of the event so far?” the man asked, directing his question toward Nanami.

“It’s well-organized,” Nanami replied simply, his tone polite but distant.

You jumped in to soften the answer. “That’s his way of saying it’s great. He’s not big on small talk, but he appreciates quality when he sees it.”

The couple chuckled, and the conversation flowed easily, though Nanami contributed only when absolutely necessary. As the night went on, you continued to draw him into conversations, subtly coaxing him to engage with the guests.

Eventually, after what felt like hours of mingling, you caught sight of a set of French doors leading out to a garden. You turned to Nanami and whispered, “Escape plan?”

He glanced at the doors and nodded, following your lead as you slipped outside.

The garden was quiet, the hum of the event fading into the background. The air was cool, carrying the faint scent of blooming flowers, and the stars above stretched endlessly across the night sky. You walked over to a small balcony overlooking the grounds, leaning against the railing and sighing in relief.

“Much better,” you said, glancing at Nanami, who stood a few feet away with his hands in his pockets. “Admit it, you’re glad we came out here.”

“It’s quieter,” he admitted.

You laughed softly. “Exactly. I don’t know how you survived in there without losing your mind.”

“I had you to distract me,” he said, his tone matter-of-fact.

The comment caught you off guard, and you turned to him with a grin. “Was that a compliment?”

“An observation,” he replied, though there was a flicker of something softer in his gaze.

“Well, either way, I’ll take it,” you said, looking up at the stars. “It’s kind of perfect out here, isn’t it? Like a scene from a movie.”

Nanami’s gaze followed yours to the sky. “It’s… peaceful.”

You studied him for a moment, a smile tugging at your lips. “You’re not as impossible as you like to pretend, you know.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Is that supposed to be reassuring?”

“Maybe,” you teased, leaning slightly closer. “Or maybe I’m just trying to figure you out. There’s more to you than the whole stoic-law-student thing. I can tell.”

His eyes met yours, and for a moment, the distance between you seemed to shrink. “And what exactly do you think you see?” he asked quietly.

“Someone who cares more than they let on,” you said, your voice soft. “Someone who probably feels too much but keeps it all bottled up.”

Nanami didn’t respond right away, his expression unreadable. The air between you seemed charged, and the world around you faded into the background.

You tilted your head, your gaze dropping to his lips. Slowly, you leaned in, your heartbeat loud in your ears.

For a brief moment, you thought he might meet you halfway—but then he stepped back abruptly.

“Don’t,” he said, his voice firm but not unkind.

You blinked, stunned. “Nanami, I—”

“I need to go,” he interrupted, his tone steadier now. Without waiting for your response, he turned and walked back toward the hall, leaving you alone under the starlit sky.

The cool night air seemed sharper as you stood there, trying to process what had just happened. Above you, the stars continued to shine, their light indifferent to the moment that had just unraveled beneath them.