**Y/N POV**

Ema wanted to meet at one of our usual places, and it was making me a little insecure. She wasn't much of a wild one, so she liked going to places a bit out of her comfort zone when we were together.

Gojo and Nanami weren't nearly as unbuttoned and casual as I was, so bringing them here was freaking me out a little.

We sat at a booth in a pub down the street from my work, waiting patiently for Ema to get here. The smell of hard liquor and cheap cigarettes in the air.

The room was filled with loud, drunken conversations, music, and the sound of pool balls clashing against each other as people played.

Gojo looked amused to be here, Nanami looked as if he had just entered a parallel universe... I didn't even want to think about what I looked like.

"Ema!" I called as I popped up and ran up to the front entrance. She saved me from having to engage with the two by myself, and I couldn't be more grateful.

I brought the blond-haired girl into a tight hug. She was 2 years older than me, and she was already graduated working at a law firm downtown.

Why she made me meet her here, I have no idea... She clearly just came here from work because she was in a tight skirt and nice blouse.

Honestly, we had always been exact opposites, but I think that's what made us such a good pair. Plus, she always teased that I loosened her up a bit.

Even though I settled down a lot since we first met, she still wanted me to fill that wild, adventurous role. I didn't mind much. I was fine doing so. Especially since it made her so happy.

"Ahh Y/n!!" she squealed as she hugged me back. "Oh my god, you look so cute!! You fit right in here!"

I awkwardly looked down at my outfit... She wasn't wrong I guess. I was wearing black ripped jeans, black boots, and a black tee tied in a knot in the front.

I was a little annoyed how well I really did fit in with all of these wannabe bikers and afternoon alcoholics.

"Are those your friends?" she looked at the booth with wide eyes, and I glanced behind me to make sure she was checking out the right guys.

I was sure she was. They had to be the best looking two anywhere we went...

"Yep, that's them."

"Ok, so you just know super hot older guys now?" she giggled.

"They're not that much older."

"So which one is yours?"

My face exploded with embarrassment, "Neither. Neither of them are mine."

She smirked, "Always the worst liar. Which one do you like?"

I sighed in defeat, "The blonde..."

"The one in a full suit!?!" she laughed loudly.

"Stop!" I hushed her through my own laughs. "They'll hear your loud ass!"

"Seriously, who are you and what have you done with my best friend? Because the Y/n I know would've already hooked up with the other one. Probably more than once."

I rolled my eyes, "Come on, let's go already."

•••••

**Nanami POV**

This place Y/n brought us... What the hell.

I honestly had no words. Here I was in a full blown suit at some random, dirty ass bar. My shoes stuck to the floor as I walked, the leather of the booths was torn, the music was loud but full of static.

Gojo smirked and looked around the bar as Y/n got up to greet her friend, "I've truly never met someone like her. Where even are we?"

I shook my head, "I have no idea..."

"You sure you like her? Could you really handle all of this?" he teased.

I didn't get to respond since Y/n popped up with her friend, but I couldn't help but smile. A part of me liked that Y/n was a little bit of everything, with a lot of unpredictability.

"Hey guys! This is Ema," Y/n smiled, and we took time to introduce ourselves.

Y/n quickly sat down next to me, leaving Ema to sit with Gojo. I felt like a child with how excited I was that she wanted to be next to me.

"Can I get you some drinks?" a server asked as she walked up to our table.

We all ordered water but as the waitress was about to leave, Y/n spoke up.

"Actually, can we get nachos? To start," Y/n smiled up at her before the server rolled her eyes and left.

"Nachos?" Gojo smirked.

"Mm, she orders em every time," Ema added. "They don't come with meat on them because this place is super cheap, and she doesn't have to say no meat."

Gojo and Nanami just stared at me in confusion.

"You know, because she's a vegetarian," Ema continued.

Gojo leaned his elbows on the table, resting his head in his hands, "Why is it we know so little about you?"

Y/n laughed, "I'm pretty sure I know nothing about either of you too."

"So, why don't you eat meat?" he asked her.

She shrugged, "I don't like eating things that have faces that look like mine. It's weird."

Gojo laughed loudly, and Ema shot him a small smirk. She was definitely the type to fall for Gojo, and definitely the type he usually spent time with.

We kept chatting until the water and nachos came. It was actually fun. Y/n was once again showing another side of her.

She was commanding the conversation, telling stories and making us all laugh. It looked effortless.

It was different than we had experienced, but it was equally herself as the bookstore version, or the high-end art version, or the student version.

She never let herself be defined by one trait. It was mesmerizing.

"I've changed my mind," Gojo announced. "I do want a drink."

Ema got up to let him out of the booth, and he walked over to the bar, leaving the three of us there to talk.

"Ok," Ema immediately leaned across the table. "Y/n, he is so hot." Y/n just laughed in response.

"Are you sure you're not interested?" Ema asked. "Because I don't want to make anything weird. And you're all friends. But like, can I?"

"Oh my gosh," Y/n laughed as she turned to look at me, hiding her face behind her hands. "She is so embarrassing. I'm so sorry."

I just smirked, waiting for her response but also trying to indicate I really didn't care either way.

"Go for it," Y/n laughed as she looked at Ema again.

"Are you serious!? You don't mind?"

Y/n shook her head as she took a small sip, "Not at all. He'll love it too."

Ema let out a small squeal just like Y/n does sometimes and quickly stood up, "Wish me luck!"

"Good luck," Y/n held up her glass of water to cheer her friend.

Y/n smiled as she watched Ema approach Gojo, wasting no time in starting to flirt. Y/n was right, Gojo did love it.

Even if he was interested in Y/n somewhat, he could never resist a woman giving him positive attention.

"So, Nanami," Y/n turned to look at me, her head resting in her hands. "I was beginning to think I would never hear from you."

I smiled nervously, "I was just waiting to finish the book."

She sat back and crossed her legs towards me, letting a small smile form on her face, "Mm, I think I remember telling you not to make me wait."

"You did," I laughed softly. Everything about her made me feel so relaxed. I never smiled more than when I was with her.

"So you decided to come today because you finally finished it?"

I nodded, "I finished while walking over actually."

"And?" she smiled at me. "Your thoughts?"

"Well, I couldn't put it down. I can't remember the last time I finished a book so quickly."

She unintentionally leaned in closer as she spoke, "Right? Not just what she went through with her family, but the way she describes life, as if viewing it through the lens of a child even as she's an adult woman. It's fascinating."

"Like she's finally getting to explore the childhood she never had," I agreed.

"Exactly, just like that," she smiled at me.

I lost track of time as we sat there and talked. The way she looked at me, it was as if I was the only person who existed, like nothing else mattered.

She nodded along thoughtfully, letting each word soak in as I spoke. Pausing to consider it all before she responded.

She was so meticulous, so purposeful in everything she said. I listened to make sure I didn't miss a single word. I thought I could listen to the sound of her sweet voice forever.

I had almost forgot we were even here with anyone else. That is until a very tipsy Gojo and Ema returned to the booth abruptly.

"Y/n!" Ema laughed as she put her hand on Gojo's shoulder. "Your friend is probably the funniest person I've ever met!"

"Funnier than me? I doubt it," she teased.

We ordered more food and continued to talk together, Y/n taking the backseat as she watched Gojo and Ema happily.

She seemed so pleased they were getting along. I guess she really didn't like Gojo.

"Let's play!" Ema got up and dragged Gojo along with her to one of the pool tables.

"Do you want to join?" I asked her.

She looked over at me, almost looking like I broke her out of a train of thought, "Hm? Oh, we can if you want."

"Well I know I interrupted your night, so I want to make sure you're having a good time."

"I am having a great time, Nanami," she smiled at me, and my heart skipped a beat as she spoke my name.

"Can I be frank with you for a moment?" I asked her, thinking of Itadori's advice...

If you like her, just ask her out. Maybe he's right, maybe it doesn't need to be complicated.

She chuckled softly, "Please do."

"I've been wanting to ask you out, but I was unsure of your feelings towards Gojo."

Well, it can't get more upfront than that.

She smirked at me, "And here I thought I was making it obvious how I felt."

"What do you mean?"

"I am very much interested in you, Nanami," she smiled as she leaned in slightly.

I couldn't help but to smile at her words, a flash of heat rushing over me as my heart pounded in my chest.

It's exactly what I wanted to hear, but I honestly wasn't expecting it. How a girl like this was interested in me, I would never understand.

"Ok," I took a deep breath. "Then can I take you on a date sometime?"

"How about now?"

My eyes widened, "Now?"

She laughed, "I mean, unless you have plans."

"Well, uh," I checked my watch. "It's already late. And what about Gojo and Ema?"

She glanced over at the two who were somehow even more flirty and drunk than they were a few minutes ago, "I think they'll be fine."

"If you want to say no, Nanami, you can," she smiled at me. "I promise I won't be offended."

There was no way I was letting myself blow this.

"No, I would love to go now."

"Great! Then let's go," she stood up and walked over to the bar. I didn't realize what she was doing until it was too late.

I almost fainted as I watched her pass over her credit card to take care of all our food and drinks for the night.

I immediately rushed over, "You should've let me pay."

"Oh no! Don't worry about it! I dragged you all out tonight to a place you would've never gone to on your own," she laughed. "It's the least I could do."

"I don't think I've ever had a woman pay for me... It's not very respectful."

"Oh Nanami, you're too sweet," she smiled before taking her card back from the server.

"Hey guys! We're headed out!" she called over to Ema and Gojo, waving to them.

"What!? No! Stay!!" Gojo yelled back, but Ema quickly pulled him back to her.

"Let them go! They'll be fine!" Ema giggled as she held onto Gojo. He nervously glanced back over at me and Y/n, making it very clear how he felt.

If he really was still interested in Y/n, why would he ever flirt like that with her best friend? I would never understand him.

Y/n seemed oblivious to it all as she stared at me, "Ready?"

"Where are we going?"

I could barely breath as she grabbed my hand, intertwining our fingers as she led me towards the exit, "Mm, wherever we want I guess."

That answer was fine with me. I think I'd go anywhere with this woman...

•••••

Nanami sprungggg off Y/n. but who can blame him. we're fine asf