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Love

The Best Kind of Brotherly Advice

The morning air at Tokyo Jujutsu High was crisp, carrying the scent of pine and the distant sound of Maki Zenin’s polearm whistling through the air. Yuta Okkotsu, however, wasn't focused on the scenery. He was currently leaning against a stone wall near the training grounds, his eyes fixed on Yumi.

She was standing a few yards away, chatting animatedly with Panda. She was wearing that same modified uniform—the pleated skirt fluttering slightly with every expressive gesture of her hands. She looked bright, bubbly, and entirely too distracting. Every time she laughed, Yuta felt a warm tug in his chest, followed closely by a sharp memory of the previous evening’s interrupted activities.

He was still a little on edge. The frustration of being pulled away by Yuji and Megumi hadn't entirely dissipated, especially since Yumi had spent the rest of the night texting him suggestive selfies of her lounging in her pajamas, knowing full well he was stuck in the library finishing a report.

"Okkotsu! My brother!"

The booming voice acted like a physical shock to the system. Yuta straightened up just as a massive hand slammed into his shoulder, nearly driving his boots into the pavement. Standing there, shirtless as always despite the morning chill, was Aoi Todo. The Kyoto student was in town for a joint briefing, and his presence was never anything less than overwhelming.

"Oh, hello, Todo," Yuta said, recovering his balance. "I didn't know you were arriving so early."

Todo didn't answer immediately. His eyes were scanning the courtyard, searching for something—or someone. "A man’s soul must always be prepared for battle, but his heart must be prepared for beauty! Tell me, Okkotsu, have you seen her?"

Yuta blinked, his brow furrowing. "Seen who? Is Takada-chan in the area?"

"No, no," Todo dismissed the idea with a wave of his hand, though the mere mention of the idol made him look momentarily dreamy. "I speak of a new vision! A petite flower blooming amidst the weeds of this school! I caught a glimpse of her near the entrance, and I must know her name."

Yuta felt a cold prickle of apprehension at the base of his neck. He slowly turned his head to follow Todo’s gaze. The tall, muscular sorcerer was staring directly at Yumi.

"That one," Todo declared, pointing a thick finger toward her. "The one with the spirit of a firecracker and the legs of a goddess. She is exactly the type of woman who would appreciate a man of my stature and refined tastes."

Yuta’s grip tightened on the strap of his sword bag. His polite, soft-spoken demeanor began to fray at the edges. "Todo... that’s Yumi."

"Yumi! A name as sweet as a summer peach!" Todo took a step forward, his chest puffing out further. "Look at her, Okkotsu! Her fashion sense is impeccable. That skirt? It’s a bold statement of confidence! She clearly possesses a soul that refuses to be shackled by tradition. I can already tell—her taste in men must be equally exceptional."

Yumi noticed them then. She offered a cheerful wave, her eyes crinkling into crescents. She started jogging over, her short hair bouncing.

"Hey, Yuta!" she called out, ignoring Todo’s towering presence for a split second to beam at her boyfriend. "Panda says we’re going to get crepes later. You’re coming, right?"

Before Yuta could open his mouth, Todo stepped into her path, crossing his arms over his massive chest. He looked down at her with the intensity of a man staring into the sun.

"Young lady," Todo rumbled, his voice dropping an octave into what he clearly thought was a seductive register. "I am Aoi Todo of the Kyoto Jujutsu High. And I must ask you a question of the utmost importance. A question that will determine the very fabric of our potential future together."

Yumi stopped, blinking up at the giant. She looked like a kitten standing before a grizzly bear. She glanced at Yuta, who looked like he was vibrating with suppressed energy, then back at Todo. "Uh, hi? Okay. Shoot."

Todo leaned in, his shadow completely engulfing her. "What is your type? What kind of man makes your heart race like a runaway freight train?"

Yuta stepped forward, his hand moving toward Yumi’s waist, but Todo was on a roll.

"For me," Todo continued, not waiting for her answer, "I require a woman with presence! A woman who can stand beside a king! And you... you have a certain spark. I find your aesthetic... intoxicating."

Yumi’s mouth dropped open slightly. She wasn't offended; she was mostly confused and a little bit entertained. She had a mischievous streak a mile wide, and seeing Yuta’s face turn a shade of stormy grey was giving her ideas.

"My type?" Yumi asked, tapping her chin with a finger. She cast a sidelong glance at Yuta, who was now standing right behind her, his presence looming in a much darker, more protective way than usual. "Well, I like guys who are... quiet. You know? The brooding, intense type. Maybe with dark circles under their eyes because they work too hard."

Todo scoffed, shaking his head. "A common mistake! You think you want a brooder, but what you need is a man of action! A man who can carry you into the sunset while reciting the lyrics to the latest pop sensation!"

"I also like guys who are very good with a sword," Yumi added, her voice dropping into a playful lilt. "And guys who are surprisingly strong when they pick me up. Oh, and they have to be Special Grade. I have very high standards."

Todo paused, rubbing his chin. "Special Grade? Hmph. A lofty goal, but not impossible for a man of my talent to achieve in spirit! But listen to me, Yumi-chan. You shouldn't settle for someone who hides in the shadows. You need someone who matches your vibrant energy!"

He turned to Yuta, slapping him on the back so hard Yuta’s teeth rattled. "Okkotsu! Look at this girl! She’s a diamond! You’re her senior, right? You should be encouraging her to seek out the best! Tell her, Okkotsu! Tell her that a man like me is the pinnacle of masculine perfection!"

Yuta’s eyes were shadowed, the usual kindness in them replaced by a flat, dangerous shimmer. He didn't look at Todo. He looked directly at Yumi, who was currently biting her lip to keep from laughing.

"Todo," Yuta said, his voice dangerously calm. "I think you should stop talking."

"Stop talking? Nonsense! I am helping this young flower find her way!" Todo turned back to Yumi, flexing his biceps until the veins looked like they might pop. "What do you say, Yumi-chan? Would you like to accompany me to a meet-and-greet with Takada-chan? It’s a rare opportunity to witness true greatness!"

Yumi finally lost it, letting out a peal of laughter that echoed through the courtyard. She stepped around Todo and slid her arms around Yuta’s waist, hugging him tightly and pressing her face into his chest.

"I think I’ll pass," she said, her voice muffled by Yuta’s jacket. "I’m already dating the strongest guy here. And he’s much better at kissing than you are at recruiting."

The silence that followed was deafening.

Todo froze, his muscles locking in place. He looked down at Yumi’s arms wrapped around Yuta’s waist. He looked at Yuta’s hand, which had naturally settled on the small of Yumi’s back, pulling her closer with a possessive tug. He looked at the way Yuta was staring at him—not with the usual polite deference of a fellow student, but with the cold, focused intensity of the man who had nearly leveled the Kyoto school during the Goodwill Event.

"Dating?" Todo whispered. The word seemed to crumble in his mouth. "You... and Okkotsu?"

"For six months," Yumi said, popping her head up to give Todo a cheeky wink. "He’s very possessive, you know. You’re lucky he hasn't summoned Rika yet."

Todo stood deathly still for a long moment. Then, his face began to contort. Not with anger, but with a sudden, overwhelming realization. Tears began to well up in his eyes, cascading down his cheeks in thick streams.

"My brother!" Todo wailed, grabbing Yuta by the shoulders and shaking him. "Why didn't you tell me?! You have achieved the dream! You have found a woman who matches your soul! And I... I was trying to entice her away like a common thief! I am ashamed! I am unworthy of the title of brother!"

Yuta sighed, the tension leaving his body as he realized Todo wasn't going to be a threat, just a nuisance. "It’s okay, Todo. You didn't know."

"I should have sensed it!" Todo cried, clutching his chest. "The resonance of your souls! It’s so clear now! The way your cursed energies intertwine like two dragons dancing in the moonlight! It’s beautiful! It’s magnificent!"

He suddenly stopped his theatrics and looked at Yuta with a bizarrely serious expression. "Okkotsu. Answer me one thing. If you want to prove your love for her is true... what is her favorite thing about you?"

Yuta looked down at Yumi. She was smiling up at him, her eyes full of that same heat that had been present in his room the night before.

"He’s a very good listener," Yumi answered for him, her hand sliding down to squeeze Yuta’s hand. "And he’s very... persistent. Once he starts something, he likes to finish it."

Yuta felt his face burn bright red. He knew exactly what she was referencing.

Todo nodded solemnly, as if she had just imparted the secrets of the universe. "Persistence! A trait of a true warrior! Very well! I approve! From this day forward, I shall be the guardian of your romance! If anyone dares to interfere with the love between my brother and his firecracker, they shall answer to my fists!"

"That’s... really not necessary, Todo," Yuta muttered.

"No need for modesty!" Todo shouted, already turning to head toward the dorms. "I must go! I need to write a poem about this! A ballad of love and swordsmanship! Farewell, lovers! May your union be as sturdy as a Grade 1 barrier!"

As Todo stomped away, his loud sobbing still audible, Yuta finally let out a long, weary breath. He leaned his forehead against Yumi’s.

"You enjoyed that far too much," he murmured.

"I did," she admitted, giggling as she stood on her tiptoes to peck his nose. "He’s so dramatic. But he’s right about one thing."

"What’s that?"

Yumi leaned in close, her lips brushing against his ear, mimicking the way she had teased him the night before. "You really should be more persistent. We were interrupted yesterday. I don't plan on letting that happen again tonight."

Yuta’s hand tightened on her waist, his heart skipping a beat. The frustration of the morning, the annoyance of Todo, and the lingering tension from the previous night all seemed to melt into a single, focused intent.

"Tonight," Yuta promised, his voice low and firm. "I’m locking the door. And the window."

Yumi grinned, her eyes dancing with mischief. "And the phone?"

"The phone is going in the trash," Yuta said.

She laughed, pulling him toward the school building. "Come on, Special Grade. We have a briefing to get through. But after that... I'm all yours."

Yuta followed her, a small, genuine smile finally touching his lips. Todo was a headache, and his friends were a distraction, but as long as he had Yumi by his side—and eventually, back in his arms—he could handle just about anything the jujutsu world threw at him. Even if it involved a shirtless giant writing poetry about them.