I Died in a Knife Fight and Reincarnated into Jujutsu Kaisen

"Hello comrades!

The current update schedule is 1 chapter per day and for every 50 Power Stones, you'll get 1 extra chapter as a thank you for your support!"

!

As evening fell over Tokyo, a warm glow covered the city. Long shadows stretched across the narrow streets and rooftops, creating a mix of light and dark. The difficult mission was over; they had faced and defeated the cursed womb.

They found a safe place in a small izakaya1, a hidden spot in one of Tokyo's quiet back alleys. This cosy restaurant had low wooden beams and a friendly atmosphere, filled with laughter and conversation. Occasionally, a nearby salaryman would sing karaoke loudly in a drunken cheer. 

The air smelled of grilled meat cooking on a hotplate, mixed with the sharp scent of soy sauce, while cigarette smoke drifted through the room. A speaker overhead played soft jazz, and its romantic tunes blended with the chatter, reminding the customers of the past.

"Megumi, come on," Yuji urged, his enthusiasm evident as he leaned over the small wooden table, eyes sparkling with anticipation, grasping his frosty beer mug as if it were a trophy. "Just one drink. It's a celebration!"

Megumi reclined against the warm wooden bench, arms crossed tightly over her chest, her eyes narrowing in distaste as she scrutinized the frothy mug in front of her. "I don't drink. I can't stand the taste," he replied with a scoff, her tone edged with reluctance. "And the vibe? Not my style."

"What vibe? The 'we just survived the cursed womb, and nobody died' vibe?" Yuji shot back, trying to ignite the spirit of celebration that hung thick in the air.

From the corner of the table, Alex ignited a cigarette, the flame illuminating his features momentarily. He inhaled deeply, savoring the tobacco before exhaling a thin stream of smoke that curled around his head. A smirk played on his lips as he chimed in, "What's the matter, Megumi? Scared that a single beer might ruin your flawless facade?"

Yuji, fueled by the atmosphere, raised his glass high with boisterous gusto. "To surviving!" he declared, his voice cutting through the ambient chatter like a knife.

Their glasses clinked together with enthusiasm, a sound that resonated with camaraderie and relief. Nobara, seated a bit away from them, poured herself a small glass of plum wine, the liquid glistening like crushed rubies in the dim light. Her cheeks had already begun to take on a rosy hue, perhaps from the alcohol or the thrill radiating from her companions.

Alex took a deliberate sip from his short glass of vodka, the liquid smooth and cool against his throat. His fingers tapped idly against the polished wood of the table, keeping time with the soothing jazz that created a gentle backdrop to their revelry.

Amidst the laughter and banter, Yuji, now halfway through his second beer and his gaze becoming soft and unfocused, turned to Alex with playful mischief sparkling in his eyes. "You're just like a wall. I hit you, and—boom—my bones crack," he joked, pointing dramatically in his direction.

Alex chuckled in response, a low sound that vibrated in the air between them. "You'll get stronger, or die trying. Either way, with the way you're going, this is going to be entertaining," he replied, amusement lacing his words. The camaraderie pulsing through the crowded izakaya seemed to lift their spirits higher, the weight of their recent ordeal slowly dissipating in the warm glow of friendship and shared laughter.

Nobara leaned in closer, her chin resting in her palm, elbow propped on the table, the dim lighting casting a warm glow over her amused expression. "So, mysterious exchange student, where exactly are you from again?" she asked, a teasing lilt to her voice.

"Russia," Alex replied, the word escaping his lips as he tapped his glass lightly, the sound punctuating the air. "Where the vodka's strong, the winters are stronger, and everyone swears like their life depends on it." 

Their eyes met for a moment longer than needed, creating a silent understanding between them.

Megumi, who had been nursing his drink with a look of bemusement, let out a dramatic sigh that echoed in the cozy, bustling café. "God help us all," he muttered, shaking his head at the obvious chemistry.

Yuji, ever the loudmouth, burped loudly and slumped forward, his forehead landing on the table with a soft thud. "You guys are flirting, he he he," he managed to mumble, his voice muffled against the wood.

"Lightweight," Alex muttered, nudging Yuji's shoulder with the tip of his boot, a smirk playing on his lips.

Nobara leaned in even more, delighting in the banter that flowed between them. Her voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper as she asked, "So... what exactly are you enjoying most about Japan?" 

Alex met her gaze steadily, his deep blue eyes unshaken. "Hard to say. But right now, I'd say the view." 

A playful grin spread across Nobara's face as she tilted her head, her lips curling in amusement. "Careful. You keep talking like that, and I might start thinking you're serious."

Alex returned her grin, a flicker of something more intense flashing behind his eyes. "Who says I'm not?" 

Nobara's smirk deepened as she took a sip from her glass, hiding her smile behind the rim, the tension between them palpable.

A waitress passed by, her tray laden with drinks, and paused to refill their water glasses. Alex thanked her in slow, deliberate Japanese, the courtesy earning a nod of approval from Nobara.

"You're picking it up fast," she noted, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

"Only what I need," he replied, a trace of sarcasm gracing his tone. "Still can't read half the signs in the metro."

"That's fine. You don't need signs to find good company," she shot back with a teasing glint in her eyes.

Alex raised an eyebrow, surprised yet entertained. "That's a compliment?"

"Maybe. Depends on whether you return it," she said, leaning back slightly but keeping her gaze locked on him.

"I don't compliment often," he admitted, studying her features with a keen eye.

"Try," she urged, challenging him with a playful stare.

He paused, contemplating her for just a moment, his gaze traveling from her unruly ponytail that had strands escaping to frame her face, down to the confident set of her jaw. Finally, he quirked a smile. "You're sharper than you look."

Nobara's eyebrows shot up in disbelief. "That's the worst compliment I've ever received."

"Well, you're welcome," he replied coolly, a smirk etched on his face.

The rain started to fall lightly against the window. Its soft sound created a calm atmosphere and made the bright neon lights of the city outside blend into a beautiful mix of colors.

Inside, however, the atmosphere was charged with a different kind of energy hot, dangerous, and far more intoxicating than any drink at the table.

Nobara poured another round, her movements smooth and deliberate. "How long are you staying?" she asked, her tone casual yet curious.

Alex chuckled, his eyes sparkling mischievously. "Why are you trying to get rid of me?" 

Just then, Megumi stood up abruptly, clearly fed up with the playful tension at the table. "I'm heading out," he announced, tossing some yen on the table, turning away without glancing back.

Yuji groaned from his position on the table, still face down and unmoving. "Night, Megumi..." he mumbled.

Nobara snorted, her laughter light and playful. "He's such a buzzkill."

Alex leaned back slightly, his posture casual yet attentive as he regarded her from over the rim of his glass. "So what about you? Are you always this charming or just with foreigners?"

"Depends if they make it interesting," Nobara replied coyly, shifting even closer until her thigh brushed against his.

Her fingers trailed along the rim of her glass, eyes half-lidded as she glanced up at him, the space between them charged with an electric tension. "You're not half bad when you're not being a jerk."

Alex leaned in just enough to close the distance slightly, his voice dropping low and smooth. "And you're surprisingly charming when you're not trying to be so sarcastic."

A soft laugh escaped her lips, and she nudged his leg with hers, lingering longer this time an invitation lingered in the air between them. 

He reached for the bottle placed between them, pouring another round. He filled her glass first, doing so without the need to ask, an nice move that made her arch an eyebrow.

She tilted her head, amusement dancing in her luminous eyes. "Trying to get me drunk?"

"How could I?" he replied with feigned innocence.

With a shared glance that spoke volumes, they raised their glasses again, eyes locked, and drank, the connection between them deepening with each sip.

Outside, the rain poured harder, muffling the cacophony of the city. Inside, the tension finally shifted no longer just playful and teasing, it morphed into something unspoken but powerfully understood.

Nobara allowed her hand to brush over his arm as she set her glass down, fingers grazing his skin just a bit too slowly to be accidental. The playful smirk was replaced by something more curious, a kind of unfiltered intent that sparked in her gaze.

Alex didn't pull away. Instead, he held her gaze steady, the expression on his face unreadable, but the glint in his eyes hinted at a willingness to dive deeper.

She leaned in closer, her voice barely above a whisper, a sultry challenge hanging in the air. "You're trouble."

He leaned in just enough to close the space, his breath warm against her lips as he replied, "Only if you want me to be." 

With a final breath of courage, Nobara leaned the rest of the way in, closing the distance that had felt almost electric moments before. Her lips brushed his first tentative, teasing, a whisper of what was to come before they met fully in a slow, heated kiss.

Alex responded without hesitation. One hand slid to her hip, holding her closer, while the other brushed up along her back with a steady, deliberate pull. The kiss deepened, slow but charged, full of heat and tension that had gone unspoken until this very moment.

Nobara's fingers twisted briefly in his shirt, anchoring herself as his mouth moved against hers, each kiss slow but filled with urgency. 

The world around them faded, leaving only their breath, warmth, and the thrilling feeling of two people coming together. When they finally pulled apart, they were just inches apart, with their foreheads touching and breaths mingling softly as the rain softly tapped against the glass.