The morning after the Thunderball Festival disaster, the air still crackled—not just from the residual festival electricity, but from the tension that hung heavy over Raika Tennouji.
No one had seen her since the final fireworks faded, and rumors spread fast. She had isolated herself, refusing to answer texts, calls, or even simple greetings in the hallways. Even her usual tsundere "I don't care!" had been replaced by cold silence.
At first, Hikami tried to slide a snack under her door. Mizuki left a carefully annotated study guide, hoping to lure her back to normalcy. Arashi, with her usual casual smirk, even threatened to "electrocute her into submission" — which, admittedly, sounded a bit extreme, but got a few laughs from the others.
Still, Raika remained stubbornly out of reach.
The others convened in Gojo's apartment, which was currently the unofficial clubhouse for the gang. The room buzzed with concern and the occasional chuckle over Gojo's latest ridiculous antics. But today, the mood was more serious.
"She's shutting down," Hikami said, crossing her arms. "We have to do something."
"Yeah," Mizuki agreed, adjusting her glasses. "It's like she's scared to face everyone after the festival… especially Gojo."
Suma, ever blunt, grinned. "Well, Gojo did bury his face in her chest. That's a lot of feelings to process at once."
Gojo laughed nervously, scratching the back of his head. "Hey, it was an accident! I swear."
Hiyori smirked, munching on popcorn. "You're an accident magnet."
Arashi leaned back with a mischievous grin. "We're staging an intervention. Tsundere style. She's not going to admit she likes you unless we drag her out kicking and screaming."
Gojo raised an eyebrow. "Kicking and screaming, huh?"
The plan was simple — find Raika, and bring her back into the fold, preferably before she electrocuted herself from loneliness.
---
That afternoon, the skies darkened, clouds rumbling as a thunderstorm rolled in.
Gojo knew Raika's powers were strongest when emotions surged, and thunderstorms weren't exactly calming. Still, he braved the cold rain, determined to find her.
He found her standing beneath a giant ancient tree at the edge of the forest near campus. Her dark hair was soaked, sticking to her face and neck. She stared up at the storm, silent tears mixing with the raindrops.
"Raika," Gojo called softly, stepping closer.
She didn't turn around.
"You don't have to hide."
A flash of lightning lit up the sky, followed by a low rumble of thunder.
Her hands twitched, small arcs of electricity crackling between her fingers.
Gojo smiled gently. "You can keep shocking me if it makes you feel safe. Just don't hide your feelings forever."
Slowly, she turned, eyes shining with unshed tears and fierce vulnerability.
"You're ridiculous." Her voice was barely a whisper.
"Maybe," he grinned. "But I'm your ridiculous."
The storm raged around them, but Gojo stepped closer and wrapped his arms around her, careful yet possessive. The warmth of his body contrasted the cool rain and charged air.
Raika's heart pounded so loudly it almost drowned out the thunder.
She leaned into him, her electric energy crackling in harmony with the storm.
"Promise me," she whispered, voice trembling, "you won't leave."
"I won't."
Their lips met in the rain, a fierce spark igniting between them — hotter and more electric than any thunderstorm.
For a moment, the storm outside faded, as if time itself paused to witness their confession.
---
Later, back at the apartment, the rest of the gang greeted them with knowing smiles and playful teasing.
Suma was the first to joke, "So, did you zap each other or just confess?"
Raika shot Suma a glare, cheeks flaming, while Gojo laughed, holding her hand tightly.
Hiyori tossed popcorn into the air. "Best lightning show ever!"
Mizuki shook her head, adjusting her glasses. "Emotional conductivity, indeed."
Arashi smirked from the corner. "Finally, our tsundere thunder goddess is showing some warmth."
Hikami grinned mischievously. "Next step — more public displays of affection, or maybe a thunderstorm in the bedroom?"
Raika rolled her eyes, but her blush betrayed her.
Gojo pulled her close, whispering, "Ready for some shock therapy… 24/7?"
She smirked, electricity sparking at her fingertips.
"Bring it, pervert."