10

things that I miss

A certain raven-haired figure towered against her as he planted soft wet kisses on her chest, her neck, to her jaw. His cold calloused hand cupped her cheek as he tilted her head lightly and captured her lips. Shizue lets out a muffled moan.

She felt his slender fingers trace a line from her knee down to her inner thigh, caressing the fabric of her waistband before slowly pulls it down. The pink haired grew shy that made her cross her legs abruptly.

The raven-haired man raises his head and she was met with his warm grey colored orbs.

"You're adorable." He leans close and plants a soft peck on her lips, and another, before he captured them once more into an intensive hungry kiss.

He broke away, using his fingers to remove th strands of her that was clouding her face. His face slowly becoming clear, his sharp features yet they always appear soft whenever his gaze lands on her. That's when she realizes.

A loud gasp erupted from the room as Shizue instinctively sat up. Her body was drenched in sweat, her face was red like a tomato. She couldn't believe it. She just had a dirty dream about Levi.

"Uh-oh."

The ravenette ran as he thought there was an emergency and saw Shizue' messed up state. "What happened?"

She took a huge gulp. Right. He insisted on staying the night to look after her because the minor injury she suffered due to the fight against Mahito.

Shizue's face reddened even more as if she was about burst the moment Levi entered the room, with no shirt on.

"W-w-why--" She unknowingly pointed at him.

Levi looked down. "Your faucet broke so I fixed it, but my shirt got wet." Shizue was still unable to talk normally that it concerned him.

"What's wrong?" He walked towards her and placed his hand on her forehead, it worried him. She was hot.

"Does your wound still hurt? Are you sick-" Shizue immediately snatched her blanket at hid underneath it. Levi furrowed his brows.

"Hey." He called out. But there was no answer.

A moment passed, Shizue still refused to come out of her blanket. He couldn't understand what was going on. She only hides her face when she doesn't want to express her anguish or.... when she's embarrassed.

Levi kneels on the side of her bed and rested his arms on the edge.

"Can you tell me what happened?" He ask politely, but it only made her heart melt even more.

She couldn't get herself to stop feeling that way. Why can't she compose herself? He isn't doing anything yet he had this effect on her.

"N-no! Go away! Put a shirt on!" Shizue said from under the blanket. Levi couldn't control his laugh. So that's what she's embarrassed about.

"Alright, alright. I'm sorry." Levi took his shirt from the drying rack, it was still a bit damp but considering his clothes were all the way to jujutsu tech, he didn't have much of a choice.

The ravenette peeked on her bedroom and saw her still hiding under the blanket. "Go eat you breakfast, Shizue." He called.

But she didn't move.

"I'm already dressed, you can come out now." Levi assured. He finally saw Shizue revealing her eyes from the blanket to make sure he's telling the truth.

The ravenette man turned away with an uncontrollable smile plastered on his face as he shook his head.

_______

A gigantic purple gurgling curse let out its wrath, its acreech was defeaning. The moment its hand reached out aiming for the pinkette, a spinning blur sliced through his arms before he finished it off by cutting its head off.

"I could've handled that!" Shizue scoffed. Going on missions with Levi is so much different than with Satoru, which she got used to. For example at a situation like this, he would've bragged about saving her ass for a week straight.

On the other hand, Shizue heard no such thing from Levi. Honestly, she didn't hear anything at all. He just cleaned his blade after slaying the curse and go back to standing beside her.

Eversince the incident, Levi never let her leave on a mission without him. It happened a couple of times since Shizue works a lot when retrieving cursed objects or investigating crime scenes in abandoned hospitals.

She must admit, Levi (and possibly the others) does have the ability to see curses. And he was very skilled upon handling cursed weapons.

But strength is not the issue.

Shizue is a sorcerer, she's an adult, she can handle herself. And most importantly, she works alone.

Her complaints were deemed useless because everytime Levi saves her and hears Shizue's lecture, he only turns around and not bother listening to anything she says.

No one could've blamed him, because Levi made it his goal to protect her in this life no matter what. Even if it is strongly against her will.

It became even challenging for Shizue because all this makes it even harder to avoid him.

Every time he walks near, she always made sure they were a feet apart. Shizue always avoided his gaze because it always reminded her of that dream, and when that happens, he whole face flushes red.

As they took the train home, Shizue still kept their distance. They sat side by side when they entered but now, Shizue was sitting far on the other edge of the chair. No one said a word until they got off the train. They crossed the street and saw the assistant sorcerer waiting for them outside the car. The car ride to Apollo towers was quiet, and it was an uncomfortable one.

Levi was the first to get out once they reached their destination. Just as Shizue was about to leave the car, a strong hand stopped the door from fully opening which surprised her a bit.

Levi just cornered her, due to his arms blocking the way, she was trapped. His cold gaze bore through the pit of her soul.

"Did I do something wrong?" Shizue was caught off guard. She has been avoiding him for days because she couldn't stop getting flustered around him, but she didn't even think the effect it would have on Levi.

"No-"

"Look, I know you can handle yourself I'm not saying you can't. But I... I need to make sure you won't get hurt, alright?" Levi blurted out. Shizue didn't have the time to finish her words. Her eyes were still wide open.

He thinks that's the reason I've been avoiding him....now I really feel bad.

"...so just, stop -"

"- being so stubborn." Shizue let out a small chuckle after saying Levi's favorite words. "Got it, captain."

The ravenette couldn't help but feel a warm wave of emotion swirled in his chest. It had been a really long time since he heard that from Shizue's lips. It still quite made an impact on him.

That moment took him back to one of the things he regretted in his life. He wished at that moment, those were the words he said, and not those hurtful thing, and he shouldn't have left her like he did, back then because of one misunderstanding.

_____

A lit cigarette rested on the rim of the ash tray on Shizue's office table. The strawberry blonde leans against her chair, she was in deep thought. She couldn't lie to herself anymore.

Shizue had feelings for Levi.

The moment they got here, she knew there was something within him she couldn't easily ignore, she had a soft spot for him despite knowing him for a short period of time.

"Good morning! Shizue-sensei!"

Her peace was cut when Itadori and a certain brunette dressed in a black suit and tie entered her premises holding a couple of files. Hanji closed the door behind them and caught the serious look on Shizue's face. This made Itadori immediately silent.

"who died?" They ask. The girl only rolled her eyes.

"The exchange event is not until tomorrow Hanji, what are you two doing here?" Shizue spoke tiredly. The brunette only placed the folders on her desk and sat on the opposite chair. Hanji couldn't shake the feeling that there was something off with her, nonetheless, they continued to discuss why they're there.

"So, Gojo spoke to me they said Levi found one of Sukuna's fingers in the ship. Our theory is that, that finger got blasted by a very powerful cursed energy that it managed to tear the fabric in space time. Could be that or a cursed object that can manipulate it," Hanji explained. However they got no reply from the person infront of them.

They tapped their pen infront of her to catch her attention, but nothing. Both Itadori and Hanji were staring at her face intently.

"Okay, mind telling me what you're thinking?" The brunette asked, but Shizue still made no response.

It all looked familiar, her expressions, it was the same exact face she makes everytime she's having a hard time with Levi.

"Hmm, let me guess," Hanji rubbed their chin playfully. "It's about a certain ravenette man is it?" They guessed. This made Shizue shot a glance at them.

"How do you-"

Hanji waved their hand off. "Oh please, you always made that face whenever Levi declines your dinner dates, though you always comeback stronger than ever the next morning! Haha!" They couldn't help but laugh.

A certain memory was still fresh in their mind back when Shizue invited Levi on a date but he didn't show up, the next thing they knew is that Shizue had set up the date in his office.

She really didn't know how to give up.

However, Hanji was late to notice that her comment did not made her laugh at all. Shizue was staring at her straight. In disbelief. Itadori was once again showered with fear.

"What did you say?" She ask silently.

Hanji was puzzled, until they came to the realization of what they just said.

If she didn't know that then that only means.....Levi didn't tell her what they really were back then.

"W-what? I didn't say anything." Hanji played dumb. But Shizue heard them loud and clear.

"Yes. You did." Shizue's tone was low, it actually almost scared them.

She got me...! The only way out is escape!

Hanji immediately gathered their things but was then pulled back down to the chair when they tried to runaway.

"Hanji." She spoke threateningly.

"I think I'm gonna go wait in the hall while you........" Itadori slowly backed away and made a quick run for it when he reached the door.

Sorry..! Hanji-san!

"Alright fine! I'm sorry I thought Levi had told you!" They spoke in defeat. Shizue only sat down but her eyes never left the brunette's figure.

"Told me about what exactly?"

"That you two were....I don't exactly know how to call it but, you were lovers." Hanji said, it made her whole world stop.

Everything all made sense to her. Why Levi was so concerned about her, why he cared so much that she wasn't eating properly, and why was he always so over protective of her. That was the reason, because they used to be lovers.

Finding that out seemed to have been a double edged sword for Shizue. Knowing she may have feelings for him, but Levi, loved the person she used to be.

Shizue managed to compose herself and straightened her uniform with her hands.

"Doesn't matter." She said, clearing her throat. Hanji felt they just made a big mistake.

"Wait Shizue, I'm telling you it's not like tha-"

There was a sudden knock on her office door that caught their attention. Shizue seeing this as the perfect escape for this conversation, she invited the person in.

"It's open." She called. A certain mint-haired woman with a huge braid covering half of her face entered her office.

"Thank you for the information, Hanji. I'll be sure to look into it." Shizue spoke lowly, as if it was their cue to leave. The brunette only sighed, bidding their goodbye before they left.

Shizue immediately took one cigarette from her drawer and placed it between her lips. Her tired eyes darted on the woman who made their way to her.

"Is this a bad time? Not that I really care." Mei mei spoke and sat on her desk, smiling down at the pink haired female.

It wouldn't take an expert to feel the heavy atmosphere in her office which would only mean the conversation she just had with Hanji is a pretty serious one. Shizue only avoided her gaze.

"I'm not gonna discuss this with you, Mei."

"Why do you have so grumpy all the time? I'd be walking on eggshells if I were you, you know." Her calm stern tone echoes through her ears which made Shizue look at her. It seemed that Mei mei succeeded in getting her attention. The woman smiled unnervingly.

"I'd tell you, if you give me something in return." That's right, how could she forget. Mei mei doesn't like owing people, but more importantly, the very thing the two had in common was that they value money more than anything.

Shizue rolled her eyes before unlocking her drawer, Mei Mei caught glimpse of the amount of spare cash she keeps in her study but the woman was quick to stop her.

"You know that's not the payment I want from you, my dear Shizue." Mei smiled as she made herself comfortable on her desk that stood infront of her. She just spoke so sweetly.

Shizue let out a breath as she sank in her chair. She's be lying if she said she didn't know exactly what she's talking about, because this wasn't the first. But for some reason, there was something holding her back.

The woman looked at the mint-haired girl infront of her with a stoic look ln her face. "Didn't you say that night was the last time, Mei-san?"

She couldn't help but tighten her legs upon hearing her name come out of Shizue's lips that way, as if it rolls so easily against her tongue. Mei mei had a hint of obsession with the girl, it may have started with a small teasing which escalated into something more, lustrous.  Neither of them bothered to put any label on it, but, it's probably nothing.

Mei's fingers danced against her chin as she pursed her lips playfully."Hm, are you sure I said that? I don't remember."

Shizue stood up, placing her hands on the desk and entrapping Mei with her body. "Stop lying through your teeth, I'm the one who invented that."

Mei smirked. "I don't know if you're trying a new play, or there's just something in your mind you're trying to shut up. Nonetheless, I like it." She says while she wrapped her arms around her nape as she opened her legs more, her fingers dancing with her strawberry blonde locks.

Her words struck Shizue like a sword. This thing with Mei never bothered her before, nor did she think much about it. But this felt different, it felt wrong. Being in this room with her, it was like betraying him. Even though they knew for a fact that she and Levi, there was no such thing as them.

Shizue was conflicted. This didn't made any sense to her.

Mei took notice of the brief pause she made, which confused her a litte. There could only be one conclusion for that.

"Shizue, is there finally a someone in your life?" She asked, seeing the conflict in her face. However, Mei spoke before she could answer.

"Because that doesn't bother me," She says, tucking a strand of shizue's haired behind her ear as she leans closer.

"You can use me all you want." Without second thoughts Shizue pulled her into an intense kiss.

Mei returned it hungrily, their lips moved in sync. Shizue suddenly deepens the kiss which Mei immediately lost against her dominance. Her hand trails down on her back and harshly pulled Mei's hips close to her crotch, making the mint-haired gasp.

Suddenly, a loud urgent knock cut their session short making them pull away from each other. Mei exhaled in disappointment, clearly annoyed on whoever it was behind that door. Shizue on the other hand did not have a single emotion in her eyes.

Thinking if it could be the continuous fight occuring in her mind, but somehow, Shizue felt a light wave of relief.

It was as if that knock prevented her from doing something she'll regret.

Compositing herself, Mei also fixed Shizue's collar that almost wrinkled and combed her soft locks. With that, she looked at the girl one last time.

"The higher ups are keeping a close eye on the outlanders, and including you." Mei says. "It seemed that little stunt you and Gojo pulled didn't sit right with the elders so, be careful, my dear." She placed a quick kiss on her lips before standing up to leave.

Mei mei always seemed like one of the most selfish people you'll meet in your life, and that's not a lie. But no matter how egocentric she was, she will always have a soft spot for her precious Shizue.

Armin was having a hard time trying to defuse the chaos that occurred in one of the rooms, Jean and Reiner were already at each others throats and refusing to listen to anyone but themselves. He tried to find Hanji or captain Levi because truthfully, Armin didn't have any answer either. His last resort is to find someone who he's sure can exain all of it to them.

"Armin where are you going?" Asked Annie who followed him from behind.

"Trying to find someone who can tell us our situation in this world." He barked, he was really getting distressed from all the arguments the scouts had going on.

Upon arriving at the door, Armin didn't think twice knocking, but no one answered. So he tried urgently once again. The two were starting to get impatient until the wooden door suddenly opened, revealing a tall woman with mint colored hair and sharp glaring eyes.

"All yours." They sensed the bitterness of her words as she walked away, but didn't paid much attention to it.

Annie and Armin entered the office and saw Shizue trying to light a cigarette. He could only sigh.

"Shizue-san, we need your help." Her dark hazel eyes locked at him. With that, the three made their way to the east dormitories. As Shizue learned the concerns of the scouts, her immediate question was,

"Why on earth didn't you call Levi?"

"He was out, with Gojo-san." Shizue's eye twitched on the answer Annie gave.

"Since were those two became friends?!"

As Annie opened the door, the sight of chaos greeted them. Jean was being held back by Connie and Mikasa and on the other side was Reiner restrained by Sasha and Pieck.

They continued arguing unware of her presence but she couldn't understand anything due to the noise.

"Enough!" Shizue's voice froze the room,  Connie and Sasha could practically ask the ground to swallow them as if it was the only way to escape.

A defeated Mikasa went behind Shizue. I tried to warn them....

Once the room became silent, Shizue once again spoke in a more calm manner.

"What is going on?" She ask.

Reiner broke free from his friend's hold.  "With all due respect Shizue-san, we appreciate the all the help you gave us but we need a way back."

"What do you think have we been doing the past week?" Jean scoffed.

"You mean every investigation we went with Hanji that lead to dead-ends? You're right that was pretty helpful." Reiner barked with a hint of sarcasm.

"He's right," Their eyes darted at Pieck. "I couldn't bear the fact that my father could think that I'm dead right now."

"Look," Shizue massaged her temples as she tried to find the right words. She was so tired, of everything.

She couldn't really blame them for getting pissed. They were brought to a foreign world, and at that, they also get tied up with the messed up world of Jujutsu. If she were in their shoes, she'd lost it too.

"I'm not saying that this is the final conclusion we had but, there is a possibility you were brought here on purpose." Their eyes shot at her, including Jean.

"One of Sukuna's fingers, the curse that inhabits Yuji, was found in your world. It could be by a cursed tool or possibly a doing of a cursed spirit but you were brought here for them to retrieve that."

As Shizue explained their situation, Reiner broke down to his seat and held his temples. He could only think of his mother, and gabi. The small situation took a lot of twist and turns and now, they don't even know if there's still a way for them to get back.

The blonde man felt a hand over his shoulder only to see his former vice captain looking at him. "I'm sorry, this  this has to happen to all of you. But I'll take care of it. I promise."

Shizue couldn't explain why. But it seemed as though she didn't only have a soft spot for the ravenette man, but them too. No matter what happens, she felt like she needed to help them -no, she wanted to. It only felt right, and Shizue will do anything to protect them and do anything to get them home.

_____

A/N: Good news! So I finally finished writing the finale and I'll now be updating everyday :) I hope u enjoyed this chapter!🫶