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Megumi looks up from the paper, the street and number being the same as the one written in said paper. He breathes in and out, still not sure if he wants to do this. But. They’re the only family he has left aside from his friends. The only ones alive that remember his sister as he does. Besides, he already bought the cake, so he might as well go inside, even if it’s just to leave it there and get out as soon as possible.
He looks down again at the paper, making sure that he’s in the right place, almost wishing that he got it wrong to have an excuse to go back to his dorm and try again another day, even if it meant dealing with Nobara’s annoying nagging about his cowardice. He has no such luck though, he’s in the right place, the same direction that that man wrote along with his phone number just for him after the final fight against Sukuna. He didn’t say anything else, just handed the paper to him, scratched his head while opening and closing his mouth a few times with a weird look on his face, then just shook his head and left, limping a bit since he also helped in the fight, shielding Yuuji as much as he could. Megumi also remembers watching him fight through Sukuna’s eyes, a dangerous smile on his face while shouting how Sukuna was going to give his son back wether he liked it or not, and how Sukuna felt a pang of fear for that man. It didn’t last long of course, the king being excited for a good fight right away, but still, making Sukuna feel fear even for a second was an amazing feat, and that man managed to do it for him, for Megumi.
It somehow feels like a lot, more than when Yuuji or Nobara do it, because he knows that he can count with those two for anything, but he though that… He thought that him didn’t care about him, that he never cared. And he risked his second opportunity at life to save Megumi, to try and protect him. Megumi frowns at the paper, he doesn’t know what to do with those feelings. That’s why he’s here, because as much as he wants to bury them and forget about that man, the desire to know more is stronger. And a small hope that maybe he didn’t lose everything that he had left of his past in that fight, that maybe he could have some sort of normalcy back.
He gathers all the resolve he can muster, and rings the bell of the house. He waits a bit, then some more, and then rings the bell again and again till he finally hears someone inside muttering and moving towards the door.
–You better have a good excuse to be so goddamn anno…ying –The disheveled man that opens the door looks at Megumi with surprise, clearly not expecting him. Again, he seems to freeze in his presence, an unsure look taking over his face. He looks at the boy in front of him for a long time, then slowly, as if Megumi is a scared rabbit that will run if there’s any sudden movement, makes a way for him to enter– Come in, if you want to –Clearly, that comes out more rude than Toji intended, because his face immediately twists into a grimace.
Megumi enters with a quiet “thanks”, uncomfortable and unsure of what more to say. He’s led into the living room, where there’s already some empty beer cans. He sits in one of the sofas, leaving the bag with the boxed cake in the same table were the beers are. He hears Toji shuffling in what he assumes that it’s the kitchen, and soon comes back with a cup of tea and some snacks.
–There’s not much else to eat, but have your fill. We can order some food if you want something else –Toji leaves everything in the table, in front of where Megumi is sitting. He takes a few steps back, wandering around the room, too restless to sit down.
The silence spreads for a while, uncomfortable and suffocating. Megumi has too many things that he wants to say, things to ask, and he wants to scream at that man too, but he finds himself unable to, too tired to keep fighting after everything that has happened, and unsure if he wants to know the answer to those questions. He already can guess some bits and pieces, knowing what kind of family the Zenin were thanks to Maki-senpai and Gojo, but other things… It was very confusing. He has to ask one thing though, one small thing.
–How did you know that these are my favorites? –He doesn’t look up, doesn’t want to face Toji directly yet, but he’s sure that he discovered those snacks after he started living at the school, when Toji was already gone. He remember that day, there’s no way that Toji could have known. And Megumi doubts that it’s a coincidence.
–…I just thought that you might like them. They… –He has to clear his throat before continuing– They were your mother’s favourite snacks too. We try to have them around the house, even if Si-Woo and I don’t like them that much
Megumi has to look up after hearing that, too surprised by the honesty, but Toji is not facing him, too occupied trying to look busy. But Megumi can still see his hands, that are trembling slightly. Megumi can’t help but think that it’s not that his father didn’t care about him, but that he cared so much that he is scared to ruin things. Which makes him feel conflicted, this is uncharted waters for both of them.
–So, did you need something, brat? What brought you here? –He tries to sound nonchalant, but it’s already too late for that
–…I brought cake –Megumi mutters– And I thought… That we could eat it together. I don’t know which kind do you like, but you better eat it still –He says that last line as fast as he can, without breathing.
For a moment everything stays still, Megumi holds his breath, waiting for Toji to say something. He doesn’t, he goes back to the kitchen, then he brings back some plates, small spoons and a knife. His expression is carefully still, as if he’s purposely hiding his feelings. None of them say anything else as Toji takes the cake out and cuts it in three, not bothering with any candles or wishes. They eat it in silence, only the clinking of the cutlery cutting through. Until the front door opens again.
–Toji, I’m back –They can hear Si-Woo taking off his shoes and jacket
–In the living room –Toji shouts back– We have a guest, and a piece of cake waiting for you
–Is that so? –Si-Woo sounds surprised, even more when he sees who the guests is– Megumi, what a nice surprise, I’m glad you came by –He immediately smiles warmly at the boy, getting closer to shake his hand. Megumi quickly cleans his hand before getting up and returning the gesture, almost dizzy from the sudden difference in the ambience– Did you bring the cake? –Si-Woo asks while taking a seat
–Yes, didn’t know which one to bring…
–That’s fine, Toji will eat almost anything –Si-Woo laughs quietly– Besides, you have quite a good intuition, you bought his favorite –He gives a cheeky glance at Toji, who returns the look with annoyance and a kick under the table
–…It’s also my favorite, so I thought that you might like it too –He explains, a bit embarrassed
–I see –Si-Woo answers softly– Like father, like son, huh? –They both give him a weird look, like they’re not sure if he’s joking or not– Are you staying just to celebrate his birthday or to celebrate the New Year too? There’s a nearby temple that we can visit for the first sunrise of the year if you’d like to
–Sure, I don’t mind staying if that’s ok
–Of course, make yourself at home, we’ll be more than happy to accommodate you, right? –Si-Woo looks at Toji, who nods along
–Yeah, we have a free room and enough space, you can stay as much as you want, brat –This time is Si-Woo the one who kicks him under the table, making Toji look at him while rolling his eyes
Megumi looks at them with a small smile, feeling warmth spreading through his chest tentatively. He’s feeling hopeful, because maybe he didn’t lose his family, maybe his father did care about him and loved him, maybe they could talk more about his mom, his sister and everything that happened. He’ll have to write to Yuuji and Nobara to tell them that he’ll see them tomorrow, and maybe next time they can join in too. He hopes that Toji and Si-Woo won’t mind, he knows that his friends also lost most of their families and they can get lonely, and Megumi would love to have all of his family together