Chapter 5: Chapter 4
Tezuka couldn't sleep that night. She couldn't help but think about Zakai and what he must be going through. He was a wreck when their parents passed and now that she was gone too... No. She couldn't think about that. If all she thought about was Zakai's pain then she'd never figure out a way to get home.
A knock at the door pulled her out of her thoughts. She pulled the soft blankets off of her and walked to the door. She didn't have any clothes to sleep in and Gojo didn't have any clothes that would fit so she just wore Yuji's jacket. It had been cold that night any way. When she opened it, Gojo stood holding out a black uniform.
"I managed to find a spare uniform at the school, you can wear it until the one I ordered you comes in." he said. "Yuji can go with you into town to get anything else you need. Then training will begin."
"Okay," she said softly taking the clothes. "Thanks,"
Gojo and Nanami had decided last night that until they could figure out how Tezuka got here and how to send her home, she would learn how to use cursed energy and attend jujutsu high. She didn't exactly agree with it. She wanted to spend all her time and energy trying to figure out how to get home. However, they didn't even know where to start.
"Where is the shower?" she asked Gojo.
"Just down the hall on the left." he answered.
She nodded then walked past him down the hall to the door on the left. It was a small shower, not something she was used to, but she made it work. All the shower products were fore men and smelled of a musky scent. Grumbling, she used it anyway. She hadn't showered since before the party and her scalp was beginning to itch. When she finished, she dressed in the uniform that Gojo had given her. It was a tight turtle neck tank top that stopped just above her belly button. The black sleeves were detached and looked more like tattoo cover sleeves reaching to her mid bicep. The pants were tight everywhere, though by examining the cut of the pant legs she assumed they were supposed to be loose. Either she had gained weight in the past two days, or Japanese style clothing was meant for twigs. They were high waited pants that fit her like skinny jeans. She tried to squat and bend, but it felt like the pants were about to rip. So she took the straight razor sitting in the counter and cut the legs off at her thigh. Gojo had also given her long black socks that stopped mid thigh. When she finished, she put her hair in a ponytail and joined the other two downstairs.
"I see you made it fit," Gojo said.
"It's really tight," she answered.
"It was the only one they had." Gojo answered. "Ijichi will take you and Yuji into town and go on a shopping spree!" Gojo exclaimed the last part in a high pitched voice throwing up his hands and a foot.
Tezuka looked at him confused. Why was he so excited? Yuji laughed and continued eating a strange dish. Tezuka approached him at the table and sat down opposite of Yuji.
"What is that?" she asked.
"Miso soup," he answered. "Want some?"
She slightly nodded. He grabbed the bowl sitting next to him and poured it's contents into a smaller bowl that was sitting on the table. He then handed it to her and a pair of chopsticks. She took the bowl in her hand using the chopsticks to eat the contents then drank the broth. She hadn't realized the last thing she ate was mac-n-cheese two days ago.
"For an American you know Japanese customs well." Yuji said.
"My grandparents are very traditional." she answered. "But there's still a lot I don't know or understand."
"Good morning," an unfamiliar voice sounded in the room. Tezuka looked to the door to see a tall man in a black suit with straight black hair hanging over his face.
"Morning Ijichi," Yuji answered.
Tezuka looked at him curiously. Who was this guy?
"Ah you must be our American friend," Ijichi said approaching her. She set her bowl down and stood to face him. "It's nice to meet you," he bowed.
"You as well," she said bowing too. Then they both stood up.
"What a mystery this has become," he said taking a step back.
"Speaking of mystery, we need to keep this from the higher ups. If they find out something like this happened, they'll use it to somehow blame Sukuna and move Yuji's execution date up." Gojo said.
"Execution?!" Tezuka exclaimed looking to Yuji. He was being put to death for what? What crime did he commit? After talking to him last night she didn't understand this. He seemed like such a genuine person.
"It's kind of a long story," Yuji smiled sheepishly putting his hand on the back of his head.
"Anyway, I think for now if anyone asks," Gojo said grabbing Tezuka's shoulders. "You are the American cousin of Satoru Gojo, you are doing an exchange program studying here in Japan."
Tezuka nodded.
"Alright, lets go." Ijichi said.
Yuji stood and walked to the door followed by Ijichi.
"Wait," Tezuka said. "How are we supposed to shop, I don't have any money."
"Don't worry about it," Gojo smiled throwing one of his arms around her shoulders. "What are cousins for?"
"You will be coming along?" Ijichi asked Gojo.
"No, no I have other matters to attend to at the school. Whatever she spends let me know and I will pay you back." Gojo said standing up then walked to the door. "Have fun kiddos," he said then left.
Ijichi let out a sigh. "Alright let's get going." Ijichi walked out the door as well.
"Gojo's not going to pay Ijichi back is he?" Tezuka asked Yuji.
"No, probably not," Yuji laughed.
Tezuka decided on just the bare minimum for now then walked to the door. She slipped on her converse that she had been wearing the night before and walked to the black Toyota that Ijichi was standing next to. He was holding the back passenger door open for her and she quickly climbed in. Yuji followed. Ijichi pulled out of the drive and took them into town. Massive skyscrapers towered over them, taller than any she'd ever seen. It reminded her of a much larger and cleaner San Francisco. Colors filled the busy streets and not a single piece of trash or homeless person in sight. Was this just a really clean part of the city? Was it just a front?
Ijichi pulled into a large parking lot in front of a large building complex resembling a mall. When he found a parking spot, he parked and turned off the car. The three climbed out and made their way to the entrance. Tezuka was surprised at how much it resembled the Fashion Valley mall, though much smaller. It was an open air mall with shops on either side of the concrete walkways. Benches and pretty green foliage decorated the middle of these walkways. Kids her own age as well as adults, elderly, and young kids walked around carrying shopping bags, drinks, all while talking and laughing with their company.
"Alright, you two go explore, I will follow behind like I'm not even here. Tezuka if you have any questions, just ask. I'm sure this is a big adjustment for you." Ijichi said.
"Thank you," Tezuka replied.
"Alright, what's first Tezuka?" Yuji asked.
"Um... Shampoo?" she responded. She wasn't sure what all she would need or consider basics. She had no clothes, no shoes, no soap. They spent the next couple of hours walking through the shops getting anything she deemed necessary for daily activities. Mainly hygienic necessities, though it was hard to find similar products than what she used back home. She didn't know how to read Japanese so Yuji had to translate almost everything for her. She was amazed at how friendly everyone seemed. Most smiled at her as they walked by and employees always greeted them politely. Finally, they walked into a clothing store. She walked with Yuji not far behind through the racks of clothing picking up anything she thought she would wear. When she had a stack, she walked up to the cashier and asked for the dressing room. The cashier showed her the way and Yuji followed. The cashier unlocked the door allowing her entrance but when she went to take a step into the dressing room she was stopped.
"Wait," Yuji exclaimed grasping her small thin bicep in his large warm hand as the employee let out a squeal. Tezuka turned to face Yuji in confusion.
"What?" she asked.
"You have to take off your shoes," he said.
"Take off my shoes?" she asked confused. Why did she have to take off her shoes, the floor was dirty.
"In Japan it is considered rude to keep your shoes on in the dressing room." he said then turned to the employee. "I'm sorry, my friend here is from America and doesn't understand."
Tezuka's face burned red hot as she bowed to the employee. "I'm so sorry," She then bent down and took off her shoes. She stepped into the dressing room and looked into the mirror. She looked just about exhausted and defeated as she felt, embarrassment clearly written in her rosy red cheeks. Not many of the clothes fit in the sizes she was used to. In America she could get away with a small, maybe a medium only due to the fact her chest and rear didn't fit into most smalls. Constantly she had to send Yuji to find different sizes in clothing items. He seemed to be a good sport about it but then again, she didn't know him. He was supposed to be executed for what she assumed a heinous crime. How could she fully know him?
When she was done in the dressing room, they approached the cashier and Yuji paid with money Ijichi had given him. She didn't understand Japanese currency and watch curiously as Yuji paid, though it didn't help her understand anymore.
"You have such a considerate boyfriend," the employee smiled.
"Oh no," Tezuka said. "He's not my boyfriend,"
"Yeah no, we're not a thing." Yuji said though she could see a slight blush appear on his cheeks. What was with this guy? Is he sick?
"Oh I am so sorry," she said covering her mouth opening her eyes wide and bowing.
"It's okay, no worries," Tezuka responded. She wasn't sure why this girl was so embarrassed for assuming. Tezuka probably would've thought the same thing back home.
Tezuka grabbed her new clothes and walked outside followed by Yuji.
"I think I've got all I need." she said stopping and turning to look at Yuji.
Yuji took out his phone and sent a message to Ijichi.
"Ijichi said to meet him at the food court." Yuji responded and Tezuka nodded. Yuji lead the way. "So what is America like?"
Tezuka shrugged. "Dry, dirty, and loud."
"You don't seem to like it that much," he said with a smirk.
"No I do," she said. "It's one of the greatest places to live, but..."
"But what?" he said.
"People," she let out a scoff.
"Well people are everywhere so I don't think that's a valid argument." Yuji responded.
"You're not wrong," she said. "It's a great place, just a lot different than this."
"I can understand that," he said then paused. "You must miss your grandparents."
"Sometimes, but they only live a block away. Most days I can just walk over and visit them." she said.
"Oh, I assumed you lived with them." he said.
"I did for awhile. When my parents died it was just my brother and I. He was old enough to be my legal guardian. But he left and so I went to live with my grandparents. When he came back, we moved back into our parents old house." she said.
"Wow, sounds rough, I'm sorry." he said.
Tezuka just shrugged. "That's life,"
"Yeah but still," he said and stopped walking. "I know what it's like to go through those things alone so I know its hard." Tezuka turned to face him.
"What do you mean?" she asked.
"I never knew my parents," he said. "My grandfather raised me since I was a baby. I didn't have anyone but him. So when he died I became all alone."
Alone. She hated the word, but it's what she was. Alone in this strange world. Alone in her own world. No matter where she went she was alone.
"Still sometimes it feels that way," he said.
"Yeah, it does," she said. "You're friends must have helped you through it and you have Gojo. He seems like he cares."
"He does," Yuji said and began walking again. "He's the one who got my execution put off. He saved my life."
"What are you being executed for?" she asked attempting to change the subject. "That's kind of a harsh punishment,"
"The higher ups in the jujutsu world don't believe that I can control Sukuna and would rather see me dead. Gojo believes that they attempted to kill me by sending me on a mission against a special grade cursed spirit. They knew it was more than I could handle and sent me anyway. Everyone thinks I died there, but hey, here I am." he said giving a smile at the end. "That's why I can't go to the school just yet, and if they were to find out about you then Gojo thinks they would blame it on Sukuna and push my execution."
"So they want to kill you all because you swallowed some stupid finger?" she asked.
"They'd rather see me dead than the return of Sukuna." Yuji said. "Gojo convinced them to let me consume all of the fingers so that when I am executed, Sukuna dies with me."
"That's absurd, if you can control it why not use that power for good?" she asked baffled.
"Not everyone sees it that way," he said.
"And yet you'd still swallow that finger again given the chance?" she asked almost not believing him.
"To save my friends absolutely," he answered then looked at her. He took in her confused expression. "You wouldn't do the same?"
"I don't have friends," she said and looked at her feet.
"How is that possible, a beautiful girl like you with a kick ass personality. How could you not have friends?" he asked holding up his hands genuinely confused.
Beautiful? Kick ass personality? He barely knew her.
"Come on you barely know me, you can't assume that." she scoffed.
"You have to know I'm very good at reading people Tezuka. I can tell you're a good person." he said.
"Maybe," she said softly. "But the people I used to call friends weren't good people."
"Then they weren't really friends," he said.
Tezuka let out a laugh. "Yeah you're definitely right about that."
"Well starting today you have a true friend." he said and stopped walking again.
She looked at him confused.
"Me duh," he said with a smile that made her own lips curl up.
"Okay fine," she said. "Friends."
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
KidaJ_
KidaJ_ Sorry for the fluff chapter's guys I just wanted to put in a few things that would show Tezuka and Yuji's relationship start to form. I promise there will be a lot more action in the upcoming chapters!
Much love,
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone