chapter 1-8

Silent Words
A Toge Inumaki x Male Reader Romance


Chapter 1: Understanding Without Words
Most people found Toge Inumaki impossible to understand. Between his cursed speech technique that limited him to rice ball ingredients and the high collar that covered half his face, he remained an enigma to nearly everyone at Tokyo Jujutsu High.

Everyone except you.

As the school's new linguistics consultant—brought in to help develop communication strategies for students with speech-related cursed techniques—you'd made it your mission to truly understand what Toge was trying to say. It had taken weeks of careful observation, noting his body language, his gestures, the subtle inflections in his limited vocabulary.

"Salmon," he said one afternoon, pointing to a training schedule with obvious frustration.

"The timing conflicts with your other class?" you guessed, and the way his violet eyes lit up told you you'd gotten it right.

He nodded enthusiastically, then gestured more specifically at the schedule.

"And you think the advanced combat training should be moved to later in the day when you're not already exhausted from cursed technique practice?"

"Tuna mayo," he said firmly, which you'd learned was his way of expressing strong agreement.

"I'll talk to the administration about it," you promised, making a note.

He pulled down his collar just enough to mouth "thank you," and the brief glimpse of the cursed marks around his mouth sent an unexpected flutter through your chest. There was something intimate about seeing the part of himself he kept hidden, even for just a moment.

"Kelp," he added softly, and from his tone and the way he was looking at you, you got the distinct impression he was saying something much more personal than a simple thanks.

Heat crept up your neck as you realized he might have been saying something closer to "you're special to me."

"I... I'm glad I can help," you managed, suddenly very aware of how close you were sitting, how his eyes seemed to be studying your face with unusual intensity.

He reached out hesitantly, his fingertips barely brushing your hand where it rested on the desk. The touch was fleeting but electric, sending sparks racing up your arm.

"Salmon roe," he murmured, so quietly you almost missed it.

You'd been studying his speech patterns for weeks, but this was new. From his expression—what you could see of it—and the gentle way he'd touched you, you thought he might have been trying to say something like "I like you" or maybe even "you're beautiful."

Your breath caught, and his eyes widened as if he realized you'd understood the deeper meaning behind his words.


Chapter 2: Growing Closer
After that afternoon, something shifted between you and Toge. He began seeking you out more often, finding excuses to spend time in your office or walk with you between buildings. Your conversations became more nuanced, developing into an almost telepathic understanding.

"Mustard leaf?" he asked one evening, finding you working late in your office.

"Am I okay? Yeah, just finishing up some reports," you replied, then looked at him more carefully. "Are you okay? You seem restless."

He nodded, then shook his head, then made a frustrated sound behind his collar.

"Come here," you said, pushing back from your desk. "Sit down and tell me what's wrong."

He perched on the edge of your desk, close enough that you could smell his subtle cologne. His hands moved expressively as he spoke.

"Salmon, tuna, salmon roe," he said, pointing first to himself, then to you, then making a gesture that encompassed the space between you.

"You're... worried about something involving us?" you interpreted carefully.

"Tuna mayo," he confirmed, then touched his throat and made a sound of frustration.

"You wish you could say more," you said softly. "You wish you could tell me something important."

He nodded, his violet eyes intense behind his pale hair. One gloved hand reached out to cup your cheek, his thumb brushing over your skin with surprising tenderness.

"Kelp," he whispered, leaning closer.

"Toge..." you breathed, your heart hammering as his face drew nearer to yours.

He paused, his eyes searching your face for any sign of rejection. When he found none, he closed the remaining distance, pressing his lips to yours in a soft, careful kiss.

The kiss was gentle, almost hesitant, as if he was afraid his cursed technique might somehow hurt you even through such an innocent touch. But when you responded, your hands fisting in the front of his uniform jacket, he made a small, desperate sound and deepened the kiss.

When you finally broke apart, both breathing hard, he rested his forehead against yours.

"Salmon roe," he murmured against your lips, and somehow you knew exactly what he was trying to say.

"I feel the same way," you whispered back. "I've been falling for you too."


Chapter 3: Secret Language
Your relationship with Toge developed its own unique rhythm. Unable to express his feelings in traditional ways, he became incredibly creative in showing you how he felt. Little gifts appeared on your desk—your favorite coffee, a book you'd mentioned wanting to read, wildflowers picked from the school grounds.

His touch became a language all its own. A hand on your shoulder in passing meant "I missed you." Fingers brushing yours when you walked together meant "I want to hold your hand." A gentle touch to your wrist when you were stressed meant "breathe, I'm here."

"Tuna," he said one afternoon, appearing in your office doorway with an expression you couldn't quite read.

"What's wrong?" you asked immediately, recognizing the tension in his posture.

He stepped inside, closing the door behind him, then pulled out his phone. After a moment of typing, he showed you the screen: Mission tomorrow. Dangerous. Worried about leaving you.

"Hey," you said softly, crossing to him. "I'll be fine. You need to focus on staying safe out there."

He shook his head, his hands finding your waist and pulling you closer. "Salmon roe," he said intensely, his violet eyes boring into yours.

The way he said it, the desperation in his voice, made your chest tight. "You love me," you realized, the words falling from your lips in wonder.

"Tuna mayo," he confirmed, nodding vigorously, then pulled out his phone again: So much it scares me.

"I love you too," you said, your hands coming up to frame his face. "So much that you'd better come back to me in one piece."

He pulled his collar down then, fully exposing the cursed marks around his mouth, and kissed you with an intensity that stole your breath. His hands roamed your body possessively, like he was trying to memorize every curve and plane.

"Kelp," he murmured against your neck, his lips hot against your skin.

"Not here," you managed, glancing toward the door. "Come home with me tonight."

The look he gave you was pure heat, and his nod was eager.


Chapter 4: Beyond Words
Your apartment had never felt smaller than it did with Toge standing in your living room, his usual composure completely gone. The careful control he maintained at school had evaporated, leaving behind raw want and nervous energy.

"Are you sure about this?" you asked, even though your own body was thrumming with desire.

Instead of answering with his limited vocabulary, he pulled out his phone: I've never been more sure of anything.

Then he was kissing you again, his hands working at the buttons of your shirt with surprising dexterity. When your shirt fell away, he pulled back to look at you, his eyes dark with appreciation.

"Salmon roe," he breathed, his fingertips tracing patterns across your chest that made you shiver.

"You too," you managed, tugging at his high collar. "I want to see you. All of you."

He hesitated for just a moment—you knew he was self-conscious about his cursed marks—but then he was pulling his jacket off, then his shirt, revealing lean muscle and pale skin marked with more cursed symbols than just the ones around his mouth.

"Beautiful," you whispered, your hands exploring the planes of his chest, tracing the intricate marks with reverent fingers.

He made a soft sound, somewhere between a sigh and a moan, his head falling back as you mapped his body with your hands and lips. Every touch, every kiss seemed to unlock something in him, his usual restraint crumbling entirely.

When you finally tumbled into bed together, it was with a desperation that spoke of weeks of pent-up longing. Toge was surprisingly vocal despite his limited words, gasping out "salmon" and "tuna mayo" like prayers as you worshipped his body with yours.

Afterward, as you lay tangled together in your sheets, he traced lazy patterns on your chest while you played with his pale hair.

"That was..." you started, then trailed off, not sure how to finish.

"Salmon roe," he said softly, pressing a kiss to your collarbone, and somehow you knew he was saying "perfect" or "amazing" or maybe "life-changing."

"Yeah," you agreed, tightening your arms around him. "Exactly that."


Chapter 5: Dangerous Missions
Toge left for his mission the next morning with reluctance written in every line of his body. He lingered at your door, kissing you goodbye multiple times, his hands seeming unable to let go of you.

"Come back to me," you whispered against his lips.

"Tuna mayo," he promised, then pulled out his phone one last time: Always.

The mission was supposed to last three days. On the fourth day with no word, you started to panic. On the fifth day, Gojo found you pacing in your office like a caged animal.

"He's fine," the teacher said without preamble. "Delayed, but fine. They should be back tonight."

Relief flooded through you so intensely your knees nearly buckled. "Are you sure?"

"Positive. Though you might want to prepare yourself—he took some damage. Nothing life-threatening," Gojo added quickly, seeing your expression, "but he'll need medical attention."

When Toge finally walked through your door that evening, supported by Maki and looking like he'd been through hell, you had to fight the urge to collapse with relief.

"Kelp," he said weakly, his violet eyes finding yours immediately.

"I'm here," you said, rushing to help Maki get him to the medical bed. "I'm right here."

His injuries weren't severe—mostly cuts and bruises, exhaustion from overusing his cursed technique—but seeing him hurt made your chest ache. You cleaned his wounds with gentle hands, hyperaware of every wince, every sharp intake of breath.

"Salmon," he said quietly when you were finished, his hand catching yours.

"You're okay," you said, more to convince yourself than him. "You came back to me."

"Tuna mayo," he confirmed, then tugged you down to kiss him softly. "Salmon roe."

"I love you too," you whispered. "God, I was so scared."

He pulled you down onto the narrow medical bed beside him, ignoring your protests about his injuries. His arms wrapped around you tightly, as if he needed the contact as much as you did.

"Never again," you said into his neck. "I'm never letting you go on a mission again without telling you exactly how I feel about you."

"Mustard leaf?" he asked, pulling back to look at you curiously.

"I mean I love you completely, desperately, ridiculously," you said, the words tumbling out. "I mean you're the most important thing in my world, and losing you would destroy me."

His eyes went wide, then soft, and he cupped your face in his hands.

"Salmon roe," he said intensely, and you knew he was saying all the same things back to you.


Chapter 6: New Understanding
Recovery gave you and Toge more time together, and you began to truly appreciate the depth of communication possible without traditional words. He was remarkably expressive when he wanted to be, using his whole body to convey meaning.

"The other students have been asking about us," you mentioned one afternoon as he rested in your office, his head in your lap while you graded papers.

"Mmm?" He looked up at you with lazy contentment.

"I think they've figured out we're together. Maki keeps giving me knowing looks, and Yuji asked if we were dating."

"Salmon?" he asked, sitting up with interest.

"What did I tell them? Nothing specific. But I think our secret's out."

He pulled out his phone: Is that okay? I don't want to cause problems for your job.

"My job will be fine," you assured him, running your fingers through his hair. "The question is whether you're ready for everyone to know."

He considered this seriously, then typed another message: I'm tired of hiding how I feel about you.

"Yeah?"

Instead of answering, he stood and pulled you to your feet, then kissed you thoroughly, right there in your office with the door wide open. When he pulled back, his eyes were determined.

"Tuna mayo," he said firmly.

"Okay then," you said, slightly breathless. "No more hiding."

As if summoned by your declaration, Maki appeared in the doorway with Yuji and Nobara behind her.

"Finally," she said dryly. "Do you know how painful it's been watching you two dance around each other?"

Toge's cheeks flushed pink above his collar, but he didn't let go of your hand.

"Salmon," he said to the group, which you interpreted as either "mind your own business" or "yes, we're together."

"We're happy for you guys," Yuji said with his characteristic enthusiasm. "You're good together."

"Kelp," Toge said, squeezing your hand, and you knew he was thanking them.


Chapter 7: Deeper Connection
Going public with your relationship changed things in unexpected ways. Toge became more openly affectionate, no longer hiding his touches or the way he looked at you. Students would often find him waiting outside your office, or see him walking you to your car at the end of the day.

"You're different," you observed one evening as you cooked dinner together in your apartment. "More... yourself, I guess."

He paused in chopping vegetables to look at you questioningly.

"Before, you were always so controlled, so careful. Now you're more relaxed. Freer."

"Salmon roe," he said softly, setting down his knife to wrap his arms around you from behind.

"Because you don't have to hide anymore?"

"Tuna mayo," he confirmed, nuzzling into your neck.

His phone buzzed on the counter with a message he'd typed earlier: You make me feel safe enough to be vulnerable.

The simple honesty of it made your throat tight with emotion. "You make me feel the same way."

That night, when you made love, there was a new openness between you. Toge let you see every expression, every moment of pleasure, his usual reserve completely gone. The cursed marks around his mouth, which he'd once been self-conscious about, became something you kissed and cherished.

"I love every part of you," you whispered against his skin. "Every mark, every scar, every piece of you that makes you who you are."

"Salmon roe," he gasped, his hands fisting in your hair as you worked your way down his body.

Later, as you lay in the afterglow, he traced words on your chest with his finger—messages too intimate for even his phone, communicated through touch alone.

"What are you writing?" you asked drowsily.

He smiled, then traced the letters more clearly: F-O-R-E-V-E-R.

"Yeah," you agreed, pressing a kiss to his temple. "Forever."


Chapter 8: Perfect Communication
One year later, you'd developed a form of communication so nuanced that other people often stared in amazement as you carried on full conversations with Toge using only his limited vocabulary and your interpretation skills.

"It's like watching telepathy," Nobara muttered one day as she watched you two discuss mission logistics using nothing but "salmon," "tuna," and a lot of meaningful looks.

"We've had practice," you said with a smile, accepting the coffee Toge handed you with a grateful kiss to his cheek.

"Kelp," he said, which in this context clearly meant "a lot of practice."

Your relationship had deepened in ways you'd never expected. Unable to rely on constant verbal communication, you'd learned to read each other's moods, needs, and thoughts through the smallest gestures. A raised eyebrow from across the room meant "save me from this boring meeting." A particular way of adjusting his collar meant "I need alone time with you." A gentle touch to your wrist still meant "breathe, I'm here," but now it also meant "I love you" and "you're safe with me."

"I have something for you," you said one evening, producing a small wrapped box.

Toge looked curious, accepting the gift with careful hands. Inside was a simple silver bracelet engraved with rice ball ingredients—but arranged in a pattern that spelled out "I love you" in your secret language.

His eyes went wide, then soft, and when he looked up at you there were tears threatening to spill over.

"Salmon roe," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion.

"You like it?"

"Tuna mayo," he said emphatically, already fastening it around his wrist.

Then he was pulling out his phone, typing rapidly: It's perfect. You're perfect. I can't believe you're mine.

"Believe it," you said, pulling him into your arms. "I'm yours, Toge. Completely."

He kissed you then, soft and sweet and full of promises that didn't need words. When you broke apart, he pressed his forehead to yours and whispered the softest "salmon roe" you'd ever heard.

You didn't need a translation. You could hear everything he was trying to say in the way he held you, see it in his violet eyes, feel it in every gentle touch. Love had taught you both a language more intimate than words, deeper than speech.

"I love you too," you whispered back. "More than I could ever say."

And in the quiet of your shared apartment, surrounded by the comfortable silence that had become your native tongue, you knew that some of the most important things in life didn't need to be spoken aloud to be perfectly understood.


The End