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birbleafs · 2 years

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[fic] The Little Shoppe of Favours

Series: Jujutsu Kaisen Rating: T Characters/Pairings: Fushiguro Megumi/Itadori Yuuji (FushiIta), Gojou Satoru, Nanami Kento, Ijichi Kiyotaka, Tsukumo Yuki, Yoshino Junpei, Iori Utahime, Kugisaki Nobara, Saori, Fushiguro Tsumiki, Ryoumen Sukuna, Gyokuken. Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Modern with Magic, Fantasy, Friendship, Humor, Witches. Summary: It's hard work being a dimension witch, weaving spells and granting favours. Still, Yuuji manages somehow, navigating the idiosyncrasies of the heart with some help along the way. Witch AU. A/N: I can finally share the SFW fic I wrote for Citrus: AllYuuji Zine ! I've had so much fun writing this piece for the zine :’) Many thanks also to Digi, my best bro and beta, for always enabling/helping with my writing ❤

Fic can be read on AO3. __________

“A-ha, speak of the devil! You must be my missing apprentice.” Yuuji straightens up from where he’d braced himself against the circular doorway, flustered from his earlier sprint. Standing tall and wiry before him is one Gojou Satoru, all smiles and impossibly blue eyes—blue, like an entire world grasped within his palm—glinting behind the shades perched stylishly over the bridge of his nose. Gojou Satoru, exactly 190 centimetres of leg, vivaciousness, and insufferable swagger in the flesh. Few can match the nauseating charm exuded by a single being. Or at least, that was how Yuuji’s mother Kaori had described Gojou while she’d recited the pages of last week’s Celebrity Witches And Fashion Undisasters magazine. Among the witching community, however, Gojou is known as the All-Seer Six Eyes, Public Menace of the Many-Realms. Gramps had grumbled about how the title sounded ridiculously pompous, obnoxious even. But Yuuji can only gaze up at the man with a mix of curiosity and awe now, marvelling still at his own novice’s luck of the draw to land two years of apprenticeship not only at one of the oldest Liminal Dimension Checkpoints, but also under the direct tutelage of the Realms’ most powerful witch.

The thought pulls Yuuji back to the present. He bows hastily at Gojou, apologetic. “I’m Itadori Yuuji, newly-apprenticed to Gojou-sensei and unfortunately late for my first day of apprenticeship!” Yuuji greets with fervour. “But I got caught up helping an old lady out of a tree and then took a wrong turn when a grizzled cat pointed me in the opposite direction. Please excuse my tardiness!”

There’s a twinkle of mirth behind those pitch-black shades as Gojou draws himself to his full height. He beckons at the youth sitting at a workbench behind him. “Come say hello, Megumi.” Yuuji is excited to be working alongside a fellow apprentice, but he falters slightly at Megumi’s sombre gaze, at the aloof nod he returns as acknowledgement when Gojou ushers Yuuji to sit beside him. “He gets tetchy at times, but he usually means well,” Gojou tuts teasingly, ruffling Megumi’s already-tousled hair, much to his irritation. “This is Fushiguro Megumi, my ward and first apprentice.” “Hi.” Yuuji works up a smile despite his nervousness. “I hope we’ll work well together, Fushiguro!” “Megumi’s just fine,” Megumi replies steadily. “And likewise.” Yuuji’s curiosity grows when he notices the ginger striped tabby curled on Megumi’s lap, and the snow-white dog sitting attentively by his feet. “Are these your pets? They’re cute!” Megumi’s stoic demeanour cracks a little, then; he blinks owlishly, brows furrowed. “They’re not pets, they’re daemons bound to me with a pact.” “Daemons?” Yuuji crouches to pet the dog’s ruff. “You mean familiars, right? Gramps said I should’ve gotten one to help me channel my cursed energy to weave better spells.” “Daemons are different,” Megumi says, shaking his head. “Haku’s an elfin hound from the Tinúvel realms, and Sukuna supposedly is a centuries-old sorcerer cursed to live out the remainder of his nine lives as a daemon cat. Or so he claims.” He glances down when the tabby nuzzles against his touch, and continues: “Unlike familiars, you can’t just buy them from the witches’ menagerie or adopt one like any stray with cursed energy. Daemons are far more powerful—wild, mystical beasts that need to be tamed first. And just like a contract with witches, they cannot be forced into a pact.” “Huh. I don’t suppose a tasty treat would help?” Yuuji asks, chuckling when Haku licks at him. Megumi scowls, as though affronted by the suggestion. “No, I tame them by duelling. If the daemon acknowledges a witch’s strength, they may agree to the pact and bound themselves for life… H-Hey, listen, I said they aren’t pets!” But Yuuji is already pulling out a sandwich from his bag and breaking off a piece midway through Megumi’s explanation. He offers it first to Sukuna, who only curls his lips in distaste and gags, before Haku leans in to lap up the morsel enthusiastically from Yuuji’s hand, tail wagging in assent. “You want more treats, old girl? Aw yes, you do!” Yuuji coos when Haku gulps down the rest of his lunch. “Daemons don’t need treats!” Megumi bristles. “My, my,” Gojou’s snicker cuts through the commotion. “Looks like my cute apprentices are getting along fairly well.” “We are not,” Megumi pouts sulkily at the same time Yuuji’s grin grows brighter as he chirps, “We sure are!” Still, even Megumi can’t quell the tiny smile on his lips when Sukuna smacks Yuuji over the nose with an annoyed paw.

The Little Shoppe of Favours looks nothing like a fancy establishment from the outside. At first glance, it almost seems out of place in the busy market square, nestled between two newer, larger stores—a bakery that doubles as a bustling cafe and a florist with pristine, white-washed walls. In contrast, the Shoppe is old, decrepit with garishly bright orange awnings, drab curtains, and a crooked wooden sign hanging over the front that looks ready to fall off at any moment. Still, Yuuji finds it quaint and cosy inside, its shelves lined with scrolls, inkwells, and jars of gleaming dust, the wispy but soothing scents of bergamot, cinnamon, and liquorice lingering in the air. And despite its shabby exterior, customers still find themselves drawn to the Shoppe by some strange, inviting force they can’t quite explain, not until they cross the threshold of the circular door and realise a favour they need. There’s a chime of bells, the creak of wood, and— “Welcome, welcome!” Gojou merrily greets his first customer of the day. “We offer readings, Faustian bargains, and grant favours…! Oh, it’s just you.” He glowers at the tall woman waltzing up to the counter. “Yuki. My nemesis.” Yuki matches his flippant tone with a coy smirk of her own, carding gloved fingers through her blonde hair. “Hm, I prefer to think of us as friendly rivals—nemesis is so archaic. Besides, it’s unlike you to be hung up on age-old family feuds.” “Focus, Itadori.” Nanami’s stern voice jolts through Yuuji, then. He turns back to his workbench, dipping his head in apology, first at the older witch beside him, and then at the customer before them. It’s a familiar routine: Gojou and Yuki trading snarky comebacks the moment they set eyes upon the other. Yuuji would’ve continued being enthralled by their bickering, and at Gojou’s petty insistence of My new apprentice Yuuji is definitely a hundred times cuter than your gorilla Toudou! if not for Nanami’s admonition. Yuuji tries to ignore the distraction and sounds of squabbling, focusing his attention back to the customer’s wish. Ijichi Kiyotaka is a simple man, an accountant working at a prominent tax company. He excels at his tasks, frequently earning the praise of his supervisors and having earned the spot of Employee Of The Month no less than five times within the past six months. However, while he gets along with his colleagues, he lacks the subtleties in effective courtship. Thus, his high-school crush has only ever viewed their relationship as cordial and platonic—something he wishes dearly to change. “If it isn’t too much, could I request a charm…?” Yuuji sees Nanami furrowing his brows. “Love charms are indeed the easiest way, but it’s against my principles to offer them. Matters of the heart should be managed with utmost care and sincerity, not deception.” Ijichi stares blankly at them, only to grow mortified, his cheeks a dusty pink now. “A-ah, no, you misunderstand! It’s tempting, of course, but I didn’t mean a love potion. I wanted to request a charm for myself… F-for confidence! A-and the courage to ask her out on a date! That is all.” Nanami considers Ijichi’s request for a silent moment, before he turns to Yuuji. “Itadori,” he says, and Yuuji snaps to attention, eyes wide. “If you would, please weave a spell for Ijichi-san.” Yuuji sets to work, apprehensive and excited all at once. It’s the third time he’s assisted Nanami with a customer but the first time he’s attempting a spell on his own. He glances over at Ijichi, studying the shifting patterns in the glow of the man’s residuals as he begins to conjure the charm, weaving threads of cursed energy together with his rowan wand. He’s flustered when he mixes up the weaving a few times, but Nanami firmly encourages him with a pointer or two, until he manages the spell just right. “That will do, Itadori,” Nanami says with a satisfied nod, and Yuuji beams at the acknowledgement. He watches as Nanami tips the glowing blue spell into a jar, sealing it with a cork and paper talisman. “Two drops mixed with wild honey in your morning tea for a week. You should find your confidence then, if you still wish for it.” Ijichi’s already bowing gratefully when Nanami places the jar before him. “A witch’s spell works best in exchange for an offering of equal or similar value to the customer’s wish. What would you offer for this favour to be granted?” Ijichi mulls it over and brightens considerably. “There’s a nice bakery near my workplace. It isn’t much, but as a show of my gratitude, I’ll send over a selection of their best pastries.” Two weeks later, a box filled with freshly baked chocolate orange tartlets, peach marzipan puffs, and bergamot ginger cookies arrive at the Shoppe from one very satisfied Ijichi Kiyotaka. The scent is enticing enough for Megumi to peek up curiously from his scrolls, and for Gojou and Yuki to halt their routine bickering to marvel over the delicacies. Yuuji’s savouring a bite of his orange tartlet when a thought strikes him. He turns to Nanami, who is sipping away contentedly at his coffee. “Sorry, Nanamin, I’d forgotten it then…” Yuuji begins, sheepish. “My spell had confidence woven in but what about courage? Ijichi had wished for it too.” He deflates, already prepared for a lengthy chastisement. Nanami’s expression softens, however, lips curved with a rare smile as he says, “Ijichi-san always had courage; it’s what led him here in the first place.” Yuuji can only beam in agreement.

Unlike many witches, weaving spells and complex enchantments doesn’t come naturally for Yuuji. He isn’t as attuned to the subtle intricacies of cursed energy. Even so, when he’d bemoaned his lack of talent once, Gojou had only smirked, wide and sly in the way that only Gojou can. “You may lack innate techniques and can only manage basic spells for now, but the raw strength behind your cursed energy is still potent, Yuuji. With discipline and practice, it’d be enough for you to weave effective enchantments. In many situations, practised skill often trumps talent alone.” Yuuji sighs again, stuffing the parchment back into his bag. “I know he was being encouraging, but what does ‘Not Half-Bad, Needs More Delicacy☆~!’ mean? How’s that even an assessment grade?!” Beside him, Junpei chuckles. “Gojou’s a pretty unconventional mentor, huh? You seem like you’re having fun though, Yuuji. I’m glad… Anyway, I found that title you wanted, and from the library, no less.” Junpei holds up a book, its cover worn with creases and faded prints. Yuuji’s eyes grow wide when he recognises it as the out-of-print mystery graphic novel he had been searching all over the Many-Realms for. “You found Grengor’s most elusive title?! It sold so poorly compared to the others, I almost thought I’d dreamt it up. You’re amazing, Junpei!” They fuss over the book for several moments, both going into a spiel about how it’d been a shame, that even fans of Grengor couldn’t fathom or appreciate the themes she’d written into the controversial piece, how it was still classic Grengor story-telling despite the convoluted visuals. “Oh, that reminds me,” Yuuji says. “Did you apply for the library apprenticeship?” Junpei blanches and looks away, flustered. “I-I’m not cut out for it, really…” “C’mon, Junpei, you’re a great fit! You’re resourceful, and you’ve probably read more books and watched more films than anyone else in the Many-Realms! …Okay, that’s an exaggeration but you get what I mean, right?” It takes a bit of gentle wheedling, but Junpei finally agrees in the end. Yuuji spends the next two days practising spells, weaving wisps of soothing lavender and chamomile together into a charm for luck, with just a pinch of dragon’s breath for daring. He presses the sachet into Junpei’s hand the morning of the interview, nodding encouragingly. Junpei manages for all of three minutes, only to get tongue-tied and frazzled by nerves. He nearly gives up at that point, but Yuuji suddenly barges right into the middle of it, firing away at Junpei with a pop quiz on random book and film trivia. All of which Junpei answers with speedy accuracy, much to the amusement and delight of the Head Librarian. She decides she quite likes Junpei then, and his knack for quoting passages from all 47 titles of Grengor’s epics, as well as his uncanny ability to hum cheesy melodies from her favourite films. “Passionate and reliable!” she declares at the end. “Just what this drab old library needs!” And thus, Junpei finds himself apprenticed to one Iori Utahime, Head Librarian and Keeper of the Oldest Witching Repository. Maybe Gojou’s right about practice after all.

Yuuji knows Nobara isn’t bad with spells and protective charms. She’s exceptionally good with deflecting hexes placed upon a person, easily unravelling the cursed threads entwined around their souls with her rosewood wand and spearing the hexes unto folded paper dolls instead with a long silver hairpin. Sometimes, though, even a witch’s spell alone can’t grant favours. Sometimes, actual practical, hands-on culinary expertise is required, and sitting here dejected amidst their losses, Yuuji realises again how woefully un-skilled they are in the baking department. “I shouldn’t have asked you,” Nobara groans miserably. “We could’ve won otherwise!” “We barely made it at twenty-seventh place—that’s far from winning,” Yuuji counters, indignant. “Besides, I’m good with roasts and stews, not baking. You never said anything about a bake-off!” “Megumi vouched for you! Said you were good in the kitchen, the perfect male wife! That besotted liar.” “A male what—” “I’m sorry, Saori, for letting Yuuji ruin everything!” Nobara wails into her girlfriend’s cloak, ignoring Yuuji's perplexed glare. “I know how much you wanted the prize!” But Saori only laughs brightly, smothering Nobara with a hug instead. “It’s fine! Like sure, we didn’t win, but we had fun, didn’t we? We should do this again.” “You mean lose another competition we’re laughably unqualified for?” Yuuji attempts playfully, earning himself a sharp jab in the ribs from Nobara. “No, silly,” Saori chuckles again. She lifts a burnt lemon puff with her fingers, pressing it to Nobara’s lips. “Just baking for each other, soggy biscuits and all.” Nobara’s eyes are glimmering constellations for the rest of the day. Yuuji sighs; at least one of them got a wish granted.

The girl enters the Shoppe with tentative steps, as though uncertain how her feet had led her in through the creaking door. Her hesitation lasts but a heartbeat, a ripple of time slipping through vast dimensionless space; soon, she’s introducing herself—“I’m Tsumiki, thank you for attending to me!”—as she takes a seat before Yuuji, expressing a simple but earnest wish. A gift to mend a relationship with family, an apology for harsh, hurtful words exchanged in a heated argument. Yuuji considers the request, studying the girl’s sombre expression. She’s pretty, with long dark hair pulled into a ponytail, a blue lily barrette clasped in her fringe. Yuuji isn’t sure, but she looks about his age, maybe a year or two older. “It’s not that we’ve never argued before,” Tsumiki continues, shaking her head. “But he makes me so mad sometimes, I get impulsive! Even if I don’t mean to, honest…” “I’m sure it’s not as bad as it seems,” Yuuji begins, only for Tsumiki to sigh dispiritedly. “I… might’ve accidentally upended a tropical monsoon over him when I knocked his cauldron over during the argument. Luckily, he hadn’t mixed the powdered adder’s fork and calculated pandemonium into the brew yet, otherwise we would’ve lost the house too.” She falls silent for a long moment, eyes downcast, before she smiles gently. “He’s stubborn and petulant, but he’s still my little brother… The only family I’ve got left,” Tsumiki says, rueful now. “I just want him to know that I’m sorry. For yelling and for being silly.” Yuuji nods in sympathy, doing his best to emulate the serene aura of whimsical dreams Gojou had once said they needed to project to all customers—whatever that even means. With Tsumiki’s barrette now placed before them, Yuuji lifts his rowan wand, tracing patterns in the faintest flicker of her cursed energy to weave a spell, a mandala drawn from the residual emotions, of cautious hope and fierce affection. At first, he thinks he’s made a mistake, but three more careful readings only conjure the same images, all pointing to this exact moment in the slipstream of Time. He turns to Tsumiki with a puzzled look. The sudden chime of bells breaks the lull; Megumi steps through the door, a weighty tome and his ash wand clutched in one arm, brows arched in surprise when he sees them both. “A-ah, Megumi!” “Tsumiki, why…? Yuuji, what’s going on?” Yuuji blinks wordlessly when Tsumiki jumps to her feet and bows. “I’m sorry for the confusion! I wasn’t sure if this was the right place since it’s not even listed in any of the town maps. But I’d only wanted to look for Megumi after he’d stormed off, and…” “And still, your wish led you here nonetheless.” Yuuji’s hazel eyes brighten with understanding. “Because you’re his sister.” Tsumiki fidgets with the hem of her coat, but nods. She meets Megumi’s placid gaze when he approaches Yuuji’s workbench, her lips pursed in resolve as she swallows the anxiety bubbling in her chest. “Megumi, it’s my fault, I shouldn’t have—” “I’m sorry, Tsumiki,” Megumi interjects, his expression pinched with regret. “I said awful things that hurt you. I was being childish, but that’s still not an excuse for it. I apologise.” There’s a short, tense silence, and suddenly, Tsumiki lets out a soft, awkward chuckle. “I didn’t mean to laugh, honest!” she says sheepishly at the boys’ confused expressions. “It’s just—well, it’s the first time you’ve apologised so formally, Megumi. It’s almost unlike you.” “I was being sincere, stupid sister,” Megumi grouses in mild exasperation as Tsumiki hugs him, contrite. Still, he doesn’t pull away, lips curved into the gentlest of smiles, and Yuuji realises how affectionate and protective the siblings are of one another. Tsumiki thanks Yuuji for his help, but not before she makes him promise to stop by for dinner later that evening. As she takes her leave, Yuuji feels Megumi ease into the seat beside him, their shoulders bumping lightly in the movement. “The rescue centre downtown…” Megumi begins tentatively, balancing his ash wand between his fingers. “We should visit it someday. Together.” When Yuuji only stares at him blankly, uncomprehending, Megumi frowns slightly in hesitance. “You’d always wanted a dog, right? Not all strays are suitable as a witch’s familiar, but they can still make good companions. You can find out more about the responsibilities involved and see if you’re still keen about adopting one. I can help you through the process if you’d like…” Yuuji’s already grinning, bright as the sun, eyes sparkling at the prospect. “Of course I’d love that! You’re the best, Megumi!” “Stop hollering into my ear like that, idiot,” Megumi sighs, before they share another laugh. And Yuuji thinks, then, that perhaps the best favours are the ones granted unasked.

—End—

_________ - I know some might be wondering, but this AU isn't inspired by or based on Witch Hat Atelier at all LOL. I haven't actually read WHA yet while I was writing this fic last year. So I was really going for the imagery of witchy, fantasy magick that I grew up with reading old DWJ books (Chrestomanci series, anyone?). - This AU is, however, very loosely inspired by xxxHolic, hence the term 'dimension witch'. Gojou doesn't need to be drunk to be chaotic, though, I guess? - How many times am I going to write Sukuna as a literal cat (daemon or otherwise) in my AUs? As many times as I can get away with it. Lol. - Comments are always lovely—if you've enjoyed this, I'd love to hear what you think. Thank you for reading :')

#jujutsu kaisen #fushiita #itadori yuuji #fushiguro megumi #gojou satoru #kugisaki nobara #i call this my witch not!atelier AU lol #but it's really more inspired by CLAMP #fanfic #zine fic #allyuuji zine

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