glea

"I am, can you wait for a minute? I'll just go and lock the door," you replied as you hurried to secure the house before heading to the cafe with Megumi.

Megumi nodded as you headed inside and locked the door. Running a cafe in the countryside wasn't easy, but with your experience in the bar, you managed to make it work. 

Despite the challenges, you found comfort in the relaxed atmosphere of your cafe. 

Megumi, your neighbor for the past three years, took on the role of cashier, a move that initially puzzled you given his introverted nature. 

However, you accepted his request for a job since you needed someone reliable to manage the register.

Not too long after, you and Megumi arrived at the cafe. 

With your keys, you opened the door and the two of you headed inside to begin opening the shop. 

You busied yourself with cleaning the coffee equipment while Megumi neatly arranged the pastries in the glass display. 

Together, you swiftly prepared the cafe for another day of serving customers in the peaceful countryside setting.

As you were at the sink, you heard a ringtone from beside it. It was Megumi's phone, and you accidentally saw the message.

‘Any update from her?’

Your brows furrowed as you saw the sender's name

G.S?

"Megumi?" you called his name. He responded with a hum while still doing his task. 

"I think you got a message from... G.S?" Your words made Megumi stop abruptly. 

He quickly grabbed his phone, "Sorry, I'll go outside and answer this," he said before you could say anything. With that, he left the cafe to respond to the message.

You were baffled, it was the first time you saw Megumi panicking. It must be from his family. 

You shrugged it off and went back to cleaning the sink, trying not to dwell on it too much. But as you scrubbed, you couldn't help but recall the conversation where you asked Megumi why he moved here.

**

"Why did I move here?" Megumi asked, counting the money at the register as you nodded, perched on the countertop since the cafe was already closed. 

"Uhm, I guess my guardian placed me here so I don't... meddle in his business," he replied. 

You rolled your eyes, "You're lying, Megumi, your ears are bright red," you pointed out, making Megumi sigh and cover his ears. 

"It's just cold in here and I'm telling the truth!" he defended himself, which made you laugh. 

"Whatever you say. But wait, you said guardian? Does that mean... not to offend you, but you don't have your parents?" you asked cautiously, not wanting to make him feel uncomfortable.

Megumi sighed, momentarily stopping counting as he nodded. 

"They left me and my sister when I was younger," he said, making you want to apologize for asking. But before you could, he continued, "I don't even remember what they looked like, so it doesn't matter to me."

"Then where's your sister?" you asked.

"In Tokyo. She's doing some job, that's why she's not with me here," he answered.

"I guess that guardian of yours is an angel," you told him, but he only groaned in annoyance. "He's a pain in the ass," Megumi said, making you laugh.

**

As the sun set, the closing of the cafe drew near. 

Today, a lot of customers came, which made you happy knowing that the pastries wouldn't go to waste, and the aroma of the coffee made it feel even more like home. 

As soon as it hit 10, you closed the sign, and you and Megumi began packing up. You were busy cleaning the tables while Megumi handled the money in the register again.

"Megumi," you called out while wiping down a table. "You can head home after counting the money," you told him.

"Are you sure?" he asked, a hint of hesitation in his voice. "We usually head out at the same time," he added.

"Yeah, but I have to go somewhere first before I head home," you told him. 

Megumi was hesitant at first, but then he proceeded to agree as he went on to count the remaining money.

After Megumi bid goodbye to you, you were left alone in the cafe. 

Once you finished cleaning, you began to switch off the lights before locking the main door. 

Walking down the streets, you hugged the heat pad closer as the weather began to get colder with winter nearing. 

Stopping by the cake shop, you entered and were greeted by the cashier. 

"What can I get for you, ma'am?" she asked. "Do you have any bento cakes?" you inquired. 

"We do! We have a lot of variations of bento cakes. Feel free to pick one you like," the cashier replied, gesturing to the display of cakes.

Not too long after, you picked your desired cake and paid for it before heading home. 

Just as you arrived at your gate, you noticed the lights on in Megumi's house and a silhouette larger than Megumi's. It seemed he had some visitors. 

Shrugging it off, you got inside your house, turning on the lights and the heater as you headed to your table and began to open the cake. 

Glancing at the time, you saw it was already 12:14 am. You sighed as you lit the candle.

You started to sing yourself a happy birthday before making a wish and taking a bite of the cake. 

It was another birthday alone. It was hard to get used to, but what could you do? With divorced parents busy with their own families, they had forgotten about you. Your other relatives were in Tokyo, and since you moved to the countryside, you weren't expecting them to visit. 

You didn't want to hear their pitying comments anyway.

You didn't even eat half of the cake before you stood up to clean the table and put the cake in the refrigerator. 

"I should give some to Megumi tomorrow," you muttered after closing the refrigerator. 

Then you headed to the bathroom to change and brush your teeth before finally heading to bed.

**

The next morning, you woke up to the sound of your doorbell, a recent addition to your gate in case someone wanted to see you. 

It was still too early to head to the cafe, so you reluctantly got out of bed. 

Making your way to the gate, you opened it without much thought, only to be met with surprise when you saw the white-haired man standing there—a face you hadn't seen in four years.

He seemed to have changed, a bit more muscular here and there—wait, what were you thinking?

"Satoru? What—how did you find me?" you asked, your face peering out cautiously from behind the gate, ready to retreat if necessary.

"[Reader's name], long time no see," he said with that infuriating smirk.

With an annoying sigh, you attempted to shut the gate, but Satoru was a step ahead, managing to hold it open. 

"Oh, come on, is that how you greet someone you suddenly left after that night?" he teased.

"I left? It's you who left!" you retorted, feeling frustration bubbling up.

"I never left that day. It was you who suddenly left with that typical note," he argued.

"Look, the past is the past. Let's forget what happened between us," you urged, hoping to move past the confrontation.

But you noticed the intensity in his gaze. "I was serious," he said, his tone shifting.

"What?" you replied, caught off guard.

"I was serious when I said I like you—scratch that, when I said I love you," he confessed, his tone grave.

Your heart began to race, but you fought against letting your guard down. "You're lying," you countered.

"I'm not," he insisted.

"No, you're literally lying," you shot back, refusing to give in easily.

"I'm not," he repeated firmly, his gaze unwavering.

"How could I believe you?" you challenged, skepticism coloring your tone.

"Believe me? Fine, I paid off your debt," he suddenly announced, catching you completely off guard.

"What?" you exclaimed, incredulous.

"Remember that guy you were hiding in the parking lot? The one that led to all of those... interactions?" he said, his smirk returning, much to your annoyance.

"Yeah, I know that," you replied irritably, cutting him off before he could mention the kiss.

"I did a background check on him and found out that little miss [reader's name] has a debt to him," he continued, his smirk widening, irritating you further.

"I'll just pay you back when I can," you said, attempting once more to close the gate, but Satoru didn't like that. 

"If you close this gate, I'll triple the debt you need to pay me back," he threatened, his tone sending shivers down your spine. It was the first time he had been so intimidating. 

"Don't forget how much debt you left," he added, reminding you of your past financial troubles.

Feeling like you had no choice, you reluctantly let go of the gate. "Good," he said when he noticed you giving up on closing it.

"What do you really want, Satoru?" you asked, frustration evident in your voice.

"I need a face-to-face explanation of that night," he answered firmly.

"And if I don't agree?" you questioned, dreading his response.

"Then I'll triple the debt you need to pay off," he said with a smirk, his threat reinforced by his control over your finances.

Damn him and his money. "Can we talk at the cafe? I have to wait for Megumi," you suggested, hoping to buy some time.

"There's no need to," he said, catching you off guard.

"Megumi's not here," he revealed, leaving you stunned.

"You killed him, didn't you?!" you shouted frantically, your mind racing with horrifying possibilities.

"Chill, why would I kill the kid when I'm his guardian?" he revealed, his words only adding to your surprised look.

**

You placed a strawberry croissant on the table before sitting down across from Satoru at the cafe. 

Since it was a weekday with few customers, you seized the opportunity to talk to him, while he was already busy enjoying the croissant.

"I must say, it tastes good," he remarked between bites.

"Thanks, Megumi made it," you informed him.

"Really? He tells me he only makes coffee here, not pastries," Satoru commented.

"Let's get this over with," you said, wanting to dive into the conversation.

"Okay," Satoru agreed, wiping his mouth with a tissue. "Why did you leave that night?" he asked directly.

You sighed. "No, no. Why did you leave me alone in your bed?" you countered.

"I never left. I was in the bathroom," he revealed, surprising you. Wait, what?

"You were? Uhm..." You stumbled over your words, unsure how to respond.

"So, answer my question. Why did you leave me?" he pressed.

"I left that night because I thought you had left me after... after you just— I don't know— used my body," you confessed, looking at him earnestly.

"I didn't use your body. Did you forget that night how I kissed every inch of your body?" he asked with a straight face.

"You... didn't have to remind me of that," you replied, feeling your face flush with embarrassment.

"I just don't understand why everything I do for you doesn't seem appreciable to you," Satoru expressed his frustration.

You felt compelled to address the issue of Ayaka. "Everyone at that ball seemed so... expected to see you with Ayaka," you explained.

"Was it because of what that old man said?" he inquired.

"No, your cousin... he told me you two were childhood sweethearts. Everyone around you expected you to marry that girl, but instead, you brought me to that ball as your 'girlfriend,' and suddenly it feels like everyone paints me as the villain," you confessed, frustration evident in your voice.

Satoru listened attentively, letting out a sigh. "If we're talking about a villain here, it's Ayaka, not you," he reassured.

"Why would it be her?" you questioned, needing more clarity.

"Well, for starters, Tsumiki and Megumi hated her," he revealed, but you wanted more detailed information.

"Elaborate more—" you began, but before you could dig deeper into the topic, a customer entered the cafe, prompting you to unconsciously stand up and head to the cashier.

It felt like déjà vu, with Satoru watching you from the usual table while you attended to your duties.

Before you knew it, more customers arrived, causing you to forget about the conversation with Satoru. 

Witnessing how hard you worked while managing the cafe alone, Satoru decided to lend you a hand.

As 10:00 pm approached, the cafe closed. Satoru watched as you counted the money, feeling nervous under his gaze. 

You muttered the numbers, trying to speed through the counting process.

"By the way," you stopped counting and looked at Satoru, "where is Megumi?" you asked him.

"Can't we just have a day without mentioning his name?" he replied, annoyance evident in his tone. "I'm getting jealous, you know?" he added with a smirk.

I rolled my eyes. "I need to know. If he's still not here by tomorrow, then I'll just close the cafe for the day," you informed him firmly.

"He's visiting his sister. She's getting married," Satoru informed you. "He'll come back here by tomorrow," he added.

"Wait, Megumi's 25, so how old is she?" you asked.

"26," Satoru replied.

"Oh, she didn't get you to walk her down the aisle?" you teased, smirking at him.

Satoru sighed. "As much as I wanted to, she chose Megumi to walk her down the aisle," he admitted.

"I stayed here because Megumi literally begged me to stay," he bragged, causing you to roll your eyes as you secured the money.

"I think that's a different Megumi," you remarked dryly.

Not too long after, you closed the cafe, and you and Satoru began walking out onto the street. Despite wearing enough layers to keep warm, the cold still seeped through. "Cold," you muttered, not expecting him to hear.

"Here," he said, extending his hand towards you. You stared at him, puzzled. "What? Hold my hand so you can stay warm," he suggested.

"I don't think holding hands will be enough to warm me up," you replied skeptically.

"I can give you something more to warm you up," Satoru smirked, hinting at something suggestive. You rolled your eyes and were about to take his hand when suddenly you felt someone grope your butt. You flinched, and Satoru noticed, his protective instincts kicking in.

The guy who touched you continued walking as if nothing happened, but Satoru immediately pulled you behind him and called out to the guy, "Hey!" trying to catch his attention.

The guy turned around with an annoyed look. "What's your problem?" Satoru confronted him, his voice laced with anger.

The guy only chuckled. "What? It felt good," he said, his tone mocking.

Satoru's fist clenched at the guy's bold response, and without hesitation, he swung a punch, aiming for the guy's jaw. The blow landed with a solid thud, eliciting a grunt of pain from the guy.

"Stop it!" you shouted, rushing forward to try to intervene. But the guy, now furious, shoved you aside, causing you to stumble.

Satoru, fueled by rage, launched himself at the guy, grappling with him in a fierce struggle. Punches were exchanged, and the sound of grunts and impacts filled the air.

"Enough!" you cried out, attempting to pull Satoru away from the altercation. But he seemed lost in the heat of the moment, his focus solely on the guy who had dared to touch you.

Just when it seemed like the fight would escalate further, Satoru suddenly withdrew, his hand reaching for something at his waist. With lightning speed, he pulled out a gun, aiming it directly at the guy's face.

"Back off," Satoru growled, his voice cold and menacing. The guy's eyes widened in fear as he stumbled back, raising his hands in surrender.

The tension in the air was palpable as Satoru held the gun steady, his gaze unwavering. Finally, the guy turned and fled, disappearing into the night.

With a heavy breath, Satoru lowered the gun, the intensity of the moment slowly fading. You stood beside him, shaken by the sudden turn of events, but grateful for Satoru's protection.

You were about to hold his hand when Satoru turned around to you, quickly checking to see if you got hurt. "Are you okay?" he asked, concern evident in his eyes. It felt like déjà vu.

"Me? Shouldn't it be you? Look, your knuckles are bleeding," you pointed out.

"Oh, this? It's nothing," he brushed it off as if he were accustomed to such situations.

You shook your head, taking his hand in yours. "Let's go to my house. I'll treat your wounds," you insisted.

Before he could reply, you already began pulling him towards your house. The cafe wasn't far from your place, and you were determined to take care of him.

You looked at yourself in the mirror, seeing your pajamas—an oversized shirt and cotton shorts. 

You sighed, realizing you had forgotten to wash your clothes, leaving you with no other option but to stick with this look. 

Turning away from the mirror, you grabbed the first aid kit and headed to the living room.

As you stumbled into the living room, you froze at the sight of Satoru sitting on the couch, shirtless, engrossed in his phone. 

"What the hell?" you blurted out, successfully catching his attention. 

He glanced at you before tossing his phone aside and humming in response.

"Why are you shirtless?" you questioned, making your way toward him.

Satoru eyed you with a smirk before dramatically resting both elbows on the sofa's back. 

"It's so hot, especially with you in front of me, princess," he teased.

You rolled your eyes, ignoring his comment as you sat beside him and began to open the first aid kit. 

"Give me your hand," you instructed, holding out your own hand. Satoru complied, extending his hand towards you.

As you started treating his wound, you noticed how surprisingly quiet he was. 

It was odd to see him so subdued, considering the circumstances. 

You guessed he was probably used to getting into fights and sustaining wounds—a stark reminder of his dangerous lifestyle.

You didn't notice how intensely Satoru was staring at you while you attended to his wound. 

It had been years since he had been this close to you. 

He thought he had done everything right back then, but he never expected you to leave and erase all traces of your past together.

As you finished bandaging his hand and stood up to put the first aid kit away, Satoru swiftly grabbed onto your wrist, pulling you close.

Before you knew it, you were sitting on his lap, your legs encircling him. 

You were taken aback by the sudden turn of events, about to speak, but what Satoru said next caught you off guard.

"Happy birthday," he said softly, a gentle smile spreading across his face, melting your heart.

You felt tears welling up as Satoru was the first person to greet you on your birthday, even as the day was coming to an end. 

"How... Do you know it's my birthday?" you asked, your voice barely above a whisper.

"Of course, I know. I'm in love with you. I know everything important to you," he replied, trying to make it sound sweet and romantic.

"That sounds like a stalker," you quipped, ruining the moment with your comment.

Satoru chuckled, but he sighed when you still hadn't returned the "I love you." 

But he was willing to wait. He could say it a million times, even if you didn't say it back. He knew you'd return it someday.

You both stared at each other quietly, feeling the weight of unspoken words hanging in the air, reminiscent of times past. 

"May I?" Satoru suddenly spoke, breaking the silence, and you snapped out of your thoughts, humming in reply.

"Kiss you?" he asked, his hand moving to your chin as his thumb gently caressed the bottom of your lips. It had been such a long time.

Instead of answering, you pulled him into a kiss, silently permitting him. Satoru didn't hesitate to respond, kissing you back with passion.

In that moment, everything felt right, and you wished it could stay that way forever.

**

"I thought you'd head back to Tokyo?" Megumi asked, annoyance evident in his tone, as he noticed Satoru at the coffee section preparing some coffee.

"Did I?" Satoru replied obliviously, seemingly unaffected by Megumi's irritation.

You could see the frustration in Megumi's eyes, ready to throw daggers at his guardian. 

"We're fine here now, go back," Megumi instructed through clenched teeth, trying to maintain his composure.

"I don't want to," Satoru retorted, and you sighed, knowing this would escalate.

"Sorry, Megumi, I can't let him go," you apologized, trying to diffuse the tension.

"See, she needs me," Satoru declared proudly, his ego shining through.

"Yeah, since he attracts most of our new customers, so we really need him to sell some coffee," you explained, trying to be diplomatic.

"I thought you needed me because I'm good at it!" Satoru argued, his pride wounded.

"Yeah, you're good at attracting customers, that's all," you clarified, causing Satoru to sulk in the corner for at least a few minutes, his ego deflated.

You chuckled at his sulking behavior before heading over to him, offering to help him make the drinks.

As you worked side by side, showing him the ropes, you couldn't help but smile like an idiot whenever he made a mistake. 

At that moment, you forgot about his status as one of the most dangerous men in the world. All you could see was him having fun, and it warmed your heart to see him enjoying himself.

It’s not even that long since you two talked again that your heart began to beat again just like it did 4 years ago.

**

A few days had passed since Satoru began helping out at the cafe, and you couldn't help but notice the significant changes. 

More and more people were frequenting the cafe, eager to catch a glimpse of the infamous handsome "white-haired" guy. 

You first noticed it when you took charge of the cashier while Megumi was on his break. Customers were stealing glances at Satoru, who was busy grinding coffee beans. Some even approached him to take pictures. 

You had expected a few more customers after Satoru started helping out, but you never anticipated the inpouring people that now filled the cafe to the brim. Lines began forming outside as the cafe reached its capacity. 

Even people from outside the countryside were making special trips just to see him. 

It was clear that Satoru's presence had brought a newfound popularity to the cafe, and you couldn't help but feel both amazed and overwhelmed by the sudden attention.

You were deeply engrossed in calculating all the bills and expenses involved in managing the cafe when Megumi approached you. 

"Hey, [Reader's Name]," he called out, and you responded with a distracted hum, still focused on your task.

"Look at this," Megumi said, showing you his phone. 

You glanced at the screen to see a photo of Satoru serving a customer their order. It must have been taken on the day he first started helping out.

You squinted at the picture, trying to make out the details, but your attention was quickly drawn to the comments section below the photo. 

People were raving about Satoru's appearance and charisma, expressing their excitement at having him at the cafe.

As you scrolled through the comments, you realized that this photo had garnered a lot of attention, with many users tagging their friends and making plans to visit the cafe themselves just to see Satoru in person. 

‘OMG, who's the new guy at the cafe? 😍 He's so dreamy, I need to visit ASAP!’

‘Wow, the cafe just got a major upgrade! Can't wait to grab a coffee and maybe a date with the new cutie behind the counter! ☕️❤️’

‘I don't get what all the fuss is about. He's just another server, nothing special.’

‘Finally, some eye candy at the cafe! 😍 Who needs coffee when you have a sight like this to wake you up?’

‘Honestly, I'm not impressed. Looks like the cafe is trying too hard to attract customers with looks instead of focusing on quality drinks and service.’

It was clear that his presence had sparked a wave of interest and excitement, contributing to the cafe's newfound popularity.

As you scrolled through the comments, your eyes furrowed in annoyance at some of the hate comments directed towards the cafe and even your coffee. 

"These people insulting my coffee," you muttered, your frustration evident.

Megumi stood beside you, watching you with concern, unsure of what you might do next. 

Just as you were about to reply to one of the hate comments, Satoru suddenly snatched the phone from your hand.

"Damn, I looked good in this shot," he remarked casually as he looked at the photo, seemingly unfazed by the negative comments.

Satoru noticed the glare you directed at him. 

"What? Am I that handsome?" he said, brushing his hair back with a smug grin.

"I don't care about your face, I care more about when people insult my coffee," you replied, frustration evident in your voice.

"Do they?" Satoru asked, seeming curious as he checked the comments.

You let out a sigh and returned to your calculations. 

"Can I have my phone back?" Megumi interjected, feeling wary as Satoru held onto his phone.

Satoru glanced between you and the phone before suddenly shoving it into Megumi's chest. Luckily, Megumi managed to catch it. 

"Hey!" he protested, but Satoru shushed him away, gesturing for him to go attend to his tasks.

Rolling his eyes, Megumi walked off to the storage room to check the products, leaving you and Satoru to deal with the situation.

As you were busy calculating, Satoru smirked and leaned in close to your ear, whispering, "But you make the best milk though." His sudden voice made you shiver, and you flinched away, squealing and covering your ear, cheeks flushing red.

Fortunately, it was closing time, and there were no customers around, just the two of you at the counter while Megumi was in the storage room. 

Satoru gazed at you with an innocent smile that only seemed to annoy you further.

"You stupid!" you exclaimed, standing up abruptly and grabbing the papers you were calculating, along with the calculator. 

You shoved them all towards Satoru before storming off to the storage room, leaving him there.

However, Satoru didn't quite interpret what you wanted him to do. 

Instead of realizing you wanted him to help with the calculations, he took it as you handing him something to pay. 

The next day, you were left confused when you received notifications that all your bills were paid, while Satoru stood in the corner, smiling innocently as he prepared drinks for the customers.

**

A couple of days later, after finishing some errands, you hurried back to the cafe to resume your duties. It was still 4 in the afternoon, and the chilly air urged you to quicken your pace. 

Upon opening the door to the cafe, you were taken aback to see Megumi wearing an unpleasant expression as he conversed with a woman standing in front of him. 

It was a sight you hadn't witnessed before, and it left you feeling puzzled.

Quickly approaching them, you intervened in their conversation. "Excuse me, is there a problem here?" you asked, addressing both of them and drawing their attention to you.

Megumi swiftly pulled you closer to him, his usually calm demeanor replaced by a defensive stance that you rarely witnessed. 

"I'm asking you to leave right now, Ma'am," he asserted, his tone laced with a hint of anger as he glared at the woman before him.

The woman scoffed. "Oh, come on 'Gumi, you can't treat me like that when I spent a few years babysitting you and your sister," she retorted, her words dripping with disdain.

You found yourself caught in the middle of their exchange, confused by the tension and the sudden revelation of Megumi's past relationship with the woman.

"Megumi, what's happening?" you asked, still held close to him as he engaged in this heated exchange with the woman.

"Just don't move, wait for Gojo-san to come here," he instructed firmly, intending it for you, but the woman overheard.

"I need to talk to Satoru, why won't you just let me?!" the woman snapped, her frustration evident in her tone.

"You know full well why Gojo-san doesn't want to talk to you," Megumi stated firmly, his glare piercing.

Just then, Satoru appeared, grabbing the woman's arm as she attempted to retrieve something from her bag. 

"What the hell are you doing here?!" he snapped, his voice laced with anger, and it was unsettling to witness him in such a furious state.

"I'm here trying to seek some answers as to why you won't accept the marriage?!" she shouted, her voice rising and drawing the attention of other customers. 

Marriage? 

Your mouth dropped open in shock at her revelation.

Satoru let out a frustrated tsk before speaking. "Will you stop, Ayaka? That was six years ago," he told her, his tone firm. 

Your eyes widened as he mentioned her name. So, this was the Ayaka that everyone at the ball had been talking about.

As Megumi turned to you, attempting to guide you to the storage room, Satoru's eyes kept darting between the two of you. 

Ayaka noticed this and became agitated. Without warning, she swiftly grabbed the gun from her bag and pointed it at you, her expression twisted with rage as she prepared to pull the trigger. But Satoru reacted swiftly.

“No!” He shouted as he seized her wrist and redirected the gun toward the ceiling just in time. 

The deafening sound of the gunshot echoed through the cafe, causing you to shout in shock as you instinctively hid in Megumi's chest, while he did his best to calm you down.

As chaos erupted in the cafe, customers scrambled in panic, shouting and rushing to escape. Some knocked over chairs and tables in their haste to flee, leaving only the four of you behind. 

Satoru grappled with Ayaka, struggling to wrestle the gun from her grip, determined to prevent her from pulling another trigger that could harm you or Megumi. 

The tension in the air was palpable as the struggle unfolded, and you and Megumi stood frozen, watching with wide eyes, unsure of how to intervene in the dangerous confrontation.

Satoru succeeded in disarming Ayaka and swiftly restrained her, holding both of her wrists behind her back as she dropped to the floor with a groan of pain. 

He knelt beside her, his voice laced with frustration and anger as he addressed her.

"You know what? I'm so fed up with you. The only reason I haven't hurt you is because of your family's reputation, which you've protected so fiercely. Not only did you try to hurt Tsumiki back then, but you also tried to hurt [reader's name]," he told her sternly, his tone cutting through the tension in the room.

Satoru makes Ayaka stand up to her feet, exchanging a brief, apologetic glance with Megumi and then with you.

It was as if he could sense the turmoil of thoughts running through your mind.

"Take care of her, Megumi. I'll deal with this situation," Satoru instructed, his voice firm as he indicated Ayaka.

With that, he led Ayaka out of the cafe, leaving you and Megumi to catch your breath in the aftermath of the tense encounter.

"I didn't really expect her to find this place," Megumi muttered, but his words barely registered with you as your mind raced with questions demanding answers.

"Uhm, [reader's name], should we—" Megumi began, but his words trailed off as he surveyed the chaos left by the fleeing customers, then turned to see you collapsed on the ground, breathing heavily. 

Concern etched his features as he knelt beside you, attempting to calm you down, but at that moment, you felt as though you were in a world of your own, where only thoughts of Satoru occupied your mind.

**

Satoru didn't return to the cafe after you and Megumi had helped each other clean up the mess. You closed the cafe early due to the broken ceiling, sighing as you arranged for someone to come and fix it the next day. 

With the cafe closed for repairs, you had no choice but to cancel business for the day.

After Megumi left an hour ago, you locked the doors of the cafe and were about to head home when you noticed Satoru standing, his back against the wall.

"Hey," he greeted as he approached you.

You scoffed before turning on your heels and walking away. Satoru, confused, hurried his pace to grab your wrist. 

"What's wrong?" he asked, his concern evident in his voice. "It's nothing. Can you let go of my wrist?" you replied, avoiding eye contact.

"Don't tell me we're going back to being strangers again," he said, frustration creeping into his tone. Annoyed, you faced him. "What do you want me to do?" you asked.

"I want you to stop acting like a brat," he told you bluntly. You laughed sarcastically. "Me being a brat? My cafe was in chaos, Satoru, especially the ceiling because of that damn Ayaka," you told him.

"If that's all it is, I can pay for it," he said casually, as if money could solve everything. You groaned, hating the fact that he thought money was the answer to every problem. 

"Fuck off! You're just going to add to the money I owe you," you frustratedly said, pulling your hands back.

You hurriedly left, not looking back as Satoru stood there alone, watching you disappear from his sight.

He let out a deep sigh, running a hand through his hair.

The cold night air bit at him, but it was nothing compared to the chill he felt from your words.

He knew he needed to find a way to bridge the gap between you, but right now, he felt lost.

**

As you were busy trying to calm yourself after all that chaos happened back in your cafe, you started feeling drowsy after watching a reality show for about 20 minutes. 

Suddenly, you heard your doorbell, which confused you since you hadn’t heard it when you installed a gate last year. 

You didn’t think much as you got out of the couch and headed to the door to open it.

As you opened the door, you were immediately surprised when someone pushed you inside, pinning you against the wall and successfully closing the door. You looked at the person to see it was Satoru.

"Satoru—" you tried to speak, but he cut you off.

"I hate it," he said. "I hate it when you ignore me and go back to acting as if we're strangers," he added, staring deeply into your eyes.

Satoru slowly leaned towards you, his intense gaze never wavering. "Do you really hate me that much?" he asked slowly, a hint of pain in his tone. 

You didn't expect him to act like that, especially considering how prideful he usually is.

"It's not like that—" you tried to explain, but he interrupted you again.

"What do you want me to do to stop you from leaving?" he asked, his voice almost pleading.

You suddenly remembered the chaos earlier, wondering why Megumi hated Ayaka. 

Satoru had only briefly mentioned it, but he didn't get the chance to explain further because of the sudden customers. 

When Satoru noticed you not responding, he leaned in close, his hands on your waist, and softly kissed your collarbone. 

"Tell me everything," you urged him.

"Like how did you find me here..." You paused as his hand moved up your thigh, dangerously close to your core, making you shut your thighs tight. 

"And the story about why Megumi hates Ayaka," you managed to ask.

Satoru hummed as he patted your thigh, signaling you to lift it so he could carry you to the couch. 

You quickly complied, wrapping your legs around his waist. 

He gently laid you down and began placing soft kisses on your neck, his hand rubbing the outer lips of your clothed pussy. 

You moaned softly, arching your back to give him better access to your collarbone.

"I always tried finding you when you disappeared," he began. 

"I even threatened your boss to tell me your whereabouts or else I'd shut his place down," he added as you hummed, urging him to continue. 

"But then, someone dropped your whereabouts."

"What?" you asked in a breathy tone, caught off guard.

"Fumiko, was it? Such a good friend for keeping your secret—until she wasn’t," he said, making your eyes widen. 

"I guess she was tempted when I told everyone in that club to tell me where you were and I'd give them money. Seems like she was really desperate for it," Satoru continued. 

His hand slowly removed your shorts, leaving you in your dark red panties, and you felt a flush of embarrassment.

Satoru chuckled when his eyes landed on the wet patch on your panties. 

"It's been a while since I played with you," he said, talking to your pussy as if it were a person.

"Tell me more," you whined at him.

"I got Megumi to stay here and watch you," Satoru replied, his voice low and filled with intent. 

"He'd give me updates on what you do." As he spoke, he began rubbing his two fingers against your pussy, moving them up and down to give attention to your clit and little hole. 

You moaned softly, feeling the pleasure build.

"When I heard from Megumi that you were opening a shop, I insisted he join," Satoru added, his fingers still moving inside you.

That's why it was so weird to have Megumi that day, handing you a resume while dodging your suspicious look. It all made sense now. 

You moaned louder, feeling a mix of frustration and pleasure. "So that's why," you managed to say, your voice breathy.

"You always had someone watching me."

Satoru leaned in, his breath hot against your ear. "I couldn't bear to lose you again," he whispered, his fingers curling inside you just right, sending waves of pleasure through your body.

Just as you were getting close, Satoru pulled away, leaving you whining from the emptiness. 

"Shh, I just want you to cum on my dick, not my fingers," he whispered. 

He hastily opened his zipper and pulled out his erect cock, its tip covered in pre-cum. You drooled at the sight, making Satoru chuckle.

"You missed this, didn't you?" he asked, to which you hummed in reply. "Put it in," you quickly told him, eager for him to fill you up once again.

Since you were already wet enough for him, Satoru gently inserted his cock, careful not to hurt you, and held both of your knees as he began to give you deep thrusts, making you feel as if you see the stars. 

"Oh my— Satoru!" you moaned loudly at the euphoric sensation. "So— fucking tight," he groaned, increasing the intensity of his thrusts. 

"Ngh— 'Toru," you began speaking, trying to catch his attention.

Suddenly, Satoru grabbed your wrist and pulled you, making you sit on top of him as he sat on the couch. You moaned lightly at the feeling of his cock. 

"Give me a ride, angel, while I tell you more," Satoru said, putting his hand on your waist and helping you move. You moaned lightly in response.

"Ayaka and I were supposed to get married. We were fine until I came back to the apartment with Megumi and Tsumiki," Satoru spoke.

Even though you had your eyes closed, you nodded at what he was saying while riding his cock.

"I didn't know it would be the start of how Ayaka showed her true colors. She doesn't like Megumi and Tsumiki one bit. 

I hated how I ignored them when they constantly told me how Ayaka acted differently toward them," he said.

"Like what?" you asked, stuttering from all the pleasure you were receiving.

"Like getting mad at them over small things. What I hated the most was when I left them alone with Ayaka. I didn't know that would be the day Ayaka would try to stab Tsumiki with a kitchen knife," Satoru told you. 

You felt a sense of empathy for him. It must have been hard knowing the person you were supposed to marry was like that.

"But on the bright side, if that didn't happen, I would not have met you," he said with a smug expression as he began to control your pace in riding him. 

You tried not to cum yet, pushing his hands away from your waist.

"I-I don't want to cum yet," you told him, moaning loudly as you clenched around him, trying to suppress your impending orgasm. 

A deep groan left Satoru's mouth as he felt you clenching around him, making his cock twitch inside you.

"C'mon, princess, cum," he urged you, throwing a bunch of pet names your way. But you shook your head, unable to form a coherent reply amidst your moans. 

Sensing your desire for him to take control, he gently stopped, allowing you to lay back as he got on top of you. 

"Just stay still, princess," he said, his breath heavy as he began thrusting faster. You moaned louder, wrapping your hand around his back, scratching lightly in your ecstasy.

Satoru didn't complain about the scratches; instead, he whispered sweet reassurances in your ear, encouraging you to let go. 

It was as if the only thing that mattered to him was that you reached your peak. Just before you climaxed, he whispered those three words you'd been waiting to hear: 

"I love you." And with that, you came around him, clenching so hard that Satoru moved to your neck, lightly biting enough to leave a bruise.

Satoru paused, his breath still heavy as he lifted himself to look at you. 

Tears still lingered in your eyes from the intense orgasm. 

He tenderly wiped them away, his expression softening. But before he could speak, you surprised him by saying those three words back to him.

"If you're looking for entertainment, I suggest booking a private room with one of our exotic dancers," you suggested, hoping to redirect his attention away from you. 

But luck wasn't on your side.

"They've already been touched by those dirty drunk businessmen, and besides, nobody will focus on some waitress like you when you're so pretty and perfect for me," Satoru explained, his words dripping with arrogance.

You scoffed at his statement. "Well, if you're into looks, I'm sorry, but I don't date guys like you who are too arrogant and full of ego," you told him angrily.

Satoru chuckled in response. "Well, I can change your mind about me if you'll let me," he said, his tone suggesting he wasn't about to give up. 

It seemed he wasn't going to let this go easily.

You stared at him blankly. "Can't you just tell me what your order is?" you asked, not wanting to waste any more time on him.

"Why? So you can go back and ignore me as usual?" Satoru asked with a pout.

"Good thing you know," you retorted.

"Of course I know," Satoru replied, seemingly about to continue, but he was interrupted by another customer.

"Hey miss, can I get another bottle of beer?" the customer interjected.

Turning to the customer, you nodded, "Sure, after I take his order," you said, pointing your pen towards Satoru, who wore an unpleasant expression on his face.

"Get another waiter to get you some beer," Satoru told the customer, his tone dismissive. 

You tried to intervene, "Hey!" but Satoru continued.

"Sorry, he's just, you know," you attempted to explain to the customer, but Satoru cut in.

"I'll get the usual meal," he said with a smile.

"You got it then," you replied, jotting down the order that you already knew, before walking away. 

Satoru eyed the guy who interrupted your conversation, making a mental note to deal with him later.

You continued your work, feeling the weight of his eyes following you around whenever you served someone. 

Those annoyingly pretty blue eyes seemed to track your every move. 

You did your best to ignore him, but you couldn't help but return his stare whenever you unconsciously scanned the bar. 

Despite finishing his meal, he remained, still watching you. When he noticed your gaze, he smiled and waved at you. 

Rolling your eyes, you returned to your tasks, determined not to let him distract you any further.

"So cute," Satoru said with a giggle as you looked away, obviously amused by how hard you were trying to resist his charms.

He enjoyed the challenge, especially when it came to you.

After hours of serving food and drinks to patrons, you glanced at the clock and realized you were close to the end of your shift. 

Surprisingly, Satoru was still seated at Table 7. 

It seemed like he was waiting for something, but you figured it was none of your business anyway.

"Bring this to table 6," the bartender instructed, handing you five drinks that needed to be served. 

This was your last task of the night, and it had to be five drinks. 

Carefully balancing them on a tray, you set off to deliver them to table 6. As you walked, you suddenly realized that Table 6 was dangerously close to Satoru's.

"Here's your drinks, sir," you spoke after arriving at their table, gently placing down the drinks. 

The men at the table suddenly went quiet as you approached. 

One of them, who was uncomfortably close, whistled and eyed your body, but you ignored him and continued placing the drinks.

"I didn't think the drinks would come with such a beautiful lady," he said, earning laughter from his companions. 

You knew Satoru was watching, so you felt somewhat safer in case the man tried anything.

"Why are you ignoring me, baby?" the guy said drunkenly. 

Ignoring him, you were about to place the last drink when you felt a hand grope your ass, causing you to spill the drink.

"Fuck!" the guy shouted, drawing attention from other customers. "You bitch!" he exclaimed, seemingly about to attack you.

Bracing yourself, you covered your face with the tray, ready to defend against the assault.

But the attack never came.

You uncovered your face from the tray as soon as you heard water splashing. 

To your surprise, you saw the guy who groped you was covered in water, with Satoru holding an empty glass raised to the guy's head. 

You were speechless at what he had done.

"What's your problem, man?!" the guy shouted at Satoru, his voice filled with anger. Everyone in the vicinity seemed to be holding their phones, ready to record the impending fight between the two.

Satoru scoffed, chuckling."You. You're my problem," he said angrily, pulling out the pocket gun he had and pointing it at the man, who suddenly looked scared. 

"You're touching what's mine," Satoru's voice was laced with possessiveness.

Your eyes widened as you rushed to Satoru, attempting to stop him from shooting the guy. 

"Satoru, stop it!" you pleaded, reaching for his wrist to prevent him from pulling the trigger.

"Just a second, princess, we need more time," Satoru said, his gaze still fixed on the man as he continued to point the gun.

"What time?!" you exclaimed, panic rising within you as the situation escalated.

"Now," Satoru calmly replied, finally lowering the gun. 

Before you could ask him anything else, security guards arrived on the scene, intervening in the fight.

You were speechless, still processing everything that had just unfolded, as Satoru took the opportunity to wrap his arm around your waist and kiss your head. 

"Your shift ends now, right? Can you go to the locker room? I'll take you home," he whispered softly.

Still surprised by the turn of events, you didn't have time to get annoyed at his actions. 

Instead, you nodded silently before heading to the locker room, leaving Satoru behind to deal with the aftermath of what had happened.

You made your way to the locker room, trying to calm your racing heart. Fumiko entered soon after, concern evident on her face. 

"Hey, I saw what happened. Are you okay?" she asked, gently rubbing your shoulder.

"I didn't think your boyfriend was capable of doing that," she added, causing you to look at her in surprise. "Boyfriend?" you let out incredulously.

"Is he not your boyfriend?" Fumiko asked carefully.

"Never in my life would he be my boyfriend," you vehemently denied, heading to your locker to grab your things. 

All you wanted was to retreat to your bed for the rest of the night.

"I think the boss wants to talk about what happened," Fumiko informed you, leaving you sighing heavily. 

This might be it; he might fire you.

"Okay, I'll head there," you said, grabbing your bag and preparing to leave. However, Fumiko stopped you before you could go any further.

"Get some rest, will ya?" she said with a reassuring smile. 

Her words resonated with you, and you returned her smile, nodding in agreement before finally leaving the locker room.

**

The conversation with your boss wasn't too lengthy, though he scolded you for spilling the drink that had caused the fight. 

However, to your relief, he didn't fire you. It felt as though Satoru might have intervened somehow to prevent your immediate termination. 

The bad news was that you were suspended for a day, meaning you couldn't work tomorrow. 

While it was disappointing, you understood the decision. It might be for the best to keep the club safe, especially if it meant Satoru would stay away while you were suspended.

As you exited through the door, you saw Satoru smoking nearby. As soon as he noticed you, he threw away the cigarette and began to approach you, but you stopped him in his tracks.

"Go home, I'll take the bus," you told him firmly, walking in the opposite direction. However, Satoru was about to let you go slowly.

"Wait, I just told you I'll take you home," he insisted.

"But I can't face you right now, Satoru. I almost lost my job there!" you snapped at him, frustration evident in your voice. 

You expected him to argue back, but instead, he surprised you by taking off his blazer and wrapping it around you, leaving you speechless.

"It's cold outside. Please, let me take you home," he said softly, his demeanor unusually gentle. It was the first time you had seen him act like this.

"Will you leave me alone if you take me home?" you asked, hoping for him to accept it.

However, his smile dropped at your question.

"I don't think I can leave you alone, not when I like you too much," Satoru confessed, but you didn't take his confession lightly.

"Oh, stop this crap. You can go and find someone else to date then," you retorted, refusing to let his words sway you.

"If you agree to be my fake girlfriend for a day, I'll leave you alone," Satoru suggested, his proposal tempting despite your reservations.

"Why do you even need a fake girlfriend to begin with?" you asked, curious about his motives.

"To impress my grandfather. That geezer wants me to bring someone to a ball party that's held tomorrow," Satoru replied, providing an explanation that made sense.

The timing coincidentally aligned with the day you were suspended from work, and you didn't have any other plans. 

"Fine, you better keep your end of the deal," you told him, reluctantly agreeing to his proposal.

Satoru smiled softly at you after you accepted his offer. That left you feeling something that you couldn't explain.

What the hell was that?

**

As you were about to head inside your house, Satoru stopped you. "Hey, I'll pick you up tomorrow by 7 am," he said, causing you to stop in your tracks.

"7? That's too early! Can't you see it's 1 am?" you protested.

"I know, but it'll be fun. You'll get to be treated like a princess," Satoru smirked at you before turning and walking back to his car, leaving you standing there feeling confused.

You were about to ask him for clarification, but he had already left. 

Shaking your head in bewilderment, you headed inside the house and got ready for bed, still wondering what Satoru had planned for tomorrow morning.

**

"I didn't think you'd bring me to the mall," you remarked to Satoru, who was busy looking at clothes for you.

"Does it really have to be here at Louis Vuitton?" you added, feeling a bit overwhelmed by the luxurious surroundings.

"I can't let you go into the ball wearing cheap clothes, and besides, that geezer is allergic to anything less than top-tier fashion. So, if we want to impress him, then..." Satoru paused, pulling out a dress. 

"You need to wear this," he said, showing you the dress.

"I would have to work ten jobs just to be able to purchase that," you told him, feeling a mixture of disbelief and gratitude.

Satoru chuckled at your remark. 

"But you don't need to work ten jobs to buy this when you have me," he said, his ego shining through. You rolled your eyes at his typical arrogance.

"We're only going to buy one, right?" you asked, trying to reel him in, but Satoru didn't respond. 

Instead, he is immediately swarmed by sales ladies to assist him in finding you the perfect clothes.

The original plan was just to buy clothes for the ball, but it ended up with tons of outfits for various occasions – working, hanging out, lounging at home, and even for work.

"You didn't stick to your plan, did you?" you asked him as you both left the shop, him carrying tons of bags while you only had a few.

"So what? At least you have more clothes to wear," Satoru remarked as you both walked towards the parking area on the ground floor of the mall. 

Just as Satoru was about to open the door to his car, your eyes widened as you saw someone unexpected, causing you to instinctively pull Satoru close to you. 

His hands unconsciously went to the wall, as if pinning you against it.

"Woah, I didn't expect this," Satoru let out with a smirk, clearly enjoying the unexpected turn of events.

"Shut up, there's someone I didn't want to see, and I need you to cover for me," you told him urgently, but Satoru was stubborn. 

"Where?" he said, looking around, making you panic. You grabbed both of his cheeks and made him face you. 

"Just look at me! Don't turn around!" you whispered angrily.

"Well, I can't deny you're giving me the chance to look at your pretty face," Satoru teased, but you rolled your eyes in exasperation. 

As you saw a shadow approaching, panic surged through you again. Without thinking, you pressed your lips against Satoru's. 

His eyes widened in surprise, but he didn't resist. He kissed you back, his hand instinctively moving to your waist while the other remained pressed against the wall.

You could feel Satoru's smirk against your lips as he began to dominate the kiss between the two of you. 

Lost in the moment, neither of you noticed when someone approached.

"Uh, excuse me?" the guy's voice interrupted, causing Satoru to pull away from the kiss and bite his lip in frustration. 

"Yes?" Satoru replied, trying to maintain his composure as you ducked your face, hiding onto his chest in embarrassment.

"I think you shouldn't be doing that here," the guy said, and you stayed quiet as you recognized his voice. Out of all the places, he had to be here?

"You're ruining a good time for me, dude," Satoru told the guy without even looking at him. 

"If you interfere again, you'll never see the light of day," Satoru threatened, his hand moving to his gun just to scare the guy off. 

The guy backed away and left, leaving you two alone at last. You finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"Was it him, wasn't it?" Satoru spoke, his voice deep and serious.

"Huh?" you asked, finally looking up to see him staring at you with an unreadable expression.

"The reason why you're in this position?" Satoru asked, his hand gently holding your chin. Your heart raced as you met his gaze, unsure of what to say. 

"But then again, I can finally taste your lips," Satoru whispered, his words causing you to blush furiously.

You thought he was about to lean in for another kiss, but to your surprise, he pulled away and picked up the bags from the ground before heading back to the car to open it.

You stood there, speechless, trying to process what had just happened and the whirlwind of emotions it stirred within you.

"You're not going inside?" Satoru asked, a smirk evident in his tone, and you felt the urge to wipe it off his face. 

Ignoring his smugness, you walked up to the car and opened the passenger door, getting inside and taking a seat. Satoru didn't say much as he started the engine. 

You waited, expecting him to speak, but when he finally did as he began driving, you weren't prepared for his choice of topic.

"I think it would be best if you wore the midnight blue dress so it would match my eyes," Satoru suddenly spoke, catching you off guard.

"You just had to choose that as the icebreaker for our conversation?" you asked, staring at him incredulously.

"What? You wanted me to talk about how sweet those lips of yours are? Because I can tell you straight if you want," Satoru replied casually, his words annoying you.

"Whatever, it's not like you'll be getting more than that," you muttered, but you heard him chuckle.

"I assure you, princess, that you'll give me more," Satoru said confidently.

"Why do you think so?" you asked, genuinely curious.

"I just feel it," he replied cryptically, leaving you puzzled by his enigmatic response.

***

You admired yourself in the mirror after putting on the fitted midnight dress. 

Lost in thought, you didn't notice Satoru approaching until he appeared behind you, his hand resting on your waist as he looked at you with a grin on his face.

"So gorgeous," he whispered directly into your ear, sending shivers down your spine. 

Your breath hitched as his words stirred something within you, and it felt strange to have Satoru eyeing you as if you were his.

Sensing your reaction, Satoru leaned down and kissed your neck, leaving you shocked by his sudden boldness. 

The sensation of his lips against your skin sent a jolt through you, and you struggled to compose yourself during his unexpected actions.

"Can't help myself," Satoru murmured against your skin, his voice low and seductive. "You look so irresistible in that dress, like a vision from a dream."

His lips trailed along your neck, sending tingles down your spine. 

"I knew it would fit you the moment I saw that dress in the store," he confessed, his breath warm against your skin.

"Satoru—" you began to protest, but he hushed you as if he already knew what you were going to say. 

"Shh, remember you're my fake girlfriend now," Satoru reminded you, his words a gentle reminder of the charade you both agreed to.

As you slowly processed how the fake girlfriend charade had begun, you felt a cold band being placed on your finger. 

Quickly, you stared at your hand, surprised to see a beautiful ring adorning your ring finger. 

While you were still absorbed in examining the ring, Satoru took the opportunity to whisper to you. 

"I need to let them see that you're taken," he said with a smile, "for now," he added cryptically.

Confused by his words, you couldn't shake the feeling that all of this would lead to consequences in the end. 

**

Both you and Satoru entered the luxurious mansion, with Satoru guiding you inside with his hand on your waist. 

You tried your best not to appear too stiff, knowing that any sign of discomfort would be noticed by everyone around you. 

Eventually, you both stopped at the entrance of the ballroom. 

"Make sure to act cool," Satoru whispered to you, and you nodded, taking a deep breath before the two of you entered the room.

The ballroom was as extravagant as expected, filled with large paintings, a lavish chandelier, and a polished floor where guests danced to the slow jazz music playing in the background. 

The room buzzed with the sound of people conversing and laughing, adding to the lively atmosphere. 

You observed your surroundings while Satoru guided you to where his grandfather was, trying to maintain your composure amid the greatness and finesse of the event.

As you stopped observing the room, you finally spotted Satoru's grandfather, who was conversing with other guests, holding a glass of wine in his right hand. 

"Hey, old man," Satoru greeted his grandfather casually as if he were addressing a stranger. 

His grandfather turned to look at Satoru with a blank expression, but as soon as he noticed you, his face lit up with a warm smile.

"Oh! She must be your date for this event?" his grandfather asked, his attention fully on you and Satoru as he excused himself from the other guests he had been speaking with. 

He extended his hand toward you as if expecting a handshake. 

You looked at Satoru for encouragement, and he smiled reassuringly before you accepted his grandfather's handshake.

"It's so nice to meet you, Ayaka-san," his grandfather greeted you, but you were utterly confused. 

"Ayaka? I'm [reader's name]," you told him, which caused the old man's smile to falter as he stared at you and Satoru back and forth.

"You're not Kobayashi's daughter?" he asked, further adding to your confusion. 

"Kobayashi—what?" you turned to Satoru, seeking an explanation for this unexpected turn of events. 

Satoru simply laughed, placing his hand on your shoulder and pulling you in close so you could hear him.

"Go and take some food from the buffet while I discuss some things with my old man," he instructed you. 

You were about to protest, but you felt Satoru's grip tighten. He placed a soft kiss on your forehead. 

"Now go, but don't stray too far from my sight," he added as he walked towards his grandfather, engaging in a discussion that felt off-limits to you.

Feeling a bit left out, you made your way to the buffet, grabbing a lavish plate as you pondered your choices. 

Lost in thought, you were surprised when someone placed a cupcake on your plate, prompting you to look up at them.

"It seems you're lost in thought, madam," a boy who seemed younger than you spoke.

"Oh, sorry. It's just... I'm not used to these kinds of events," you explained.

"I could tell," he said with a smile. "I'm Isamu, Gojo-san's cousin," he introduced himself.

"Oh, I'm [reader's name], his girlfriend," you introduced yourself, but you noticed how his face became confused.

"Really? But everyone here was told that Ayaka-san is his girlfriend," he said, adding to your confusion. 

Who is this Ayaka-san? If he already has a girlfriend, why would he bring you here?

"Is she that popular?" you asked him, feeling increasingly perplexed.

"Wait, you don't know her? I thought Gojo-san at least told you about her," he replied.

"If you wouldn't mind, would you like to dance with me? I can fill you in on the background of the two," he suggested, extending his hand. 

You glanced at Satoru, who was still busy greeting guests, and figured it wouldn't hurt, so you accepted his hand and allowed him to lead you to the dance floor.

As you began dancing, he finally spoke. "They were playmates in their childhood. Gojo-san would throw a tantrum if Ayaka-san wasn't his playmate," he explained. 

You listened attentively, but you couldn't shake the strange feeling bubbling up inside you, as if your blood was boiling.

"Everyone adores them, and it's already been agreed that they'll get married when they're older," he continued, leaving you even more puzzled and uncertain about your role in this situation.

Feeling numb from the revelation and betrayed by Satoru's omission, you couldn't help but feel like you were being cast as the villain in this family's storybook. 

"But I don't know, everything changed when Gojo-san was appointed to take over his father's business, and it was mentioned that the business was dangerous," Isamu explained, adding to your confusion.

"So where is this Ayaka-san?" you asked, trying to make sense of the situation.

"I don't know. I thought she would come today as Gojo-san's date, but I didn't expect it to be you," Isamu replied, his tone sounding mocking to your ears.

“But I should give you a warning, Don't believe or fall for his concerned face; you'll get yourself in trouble,” Isamu told you which made you even more confused.

Before you could respond, you felt a hand on your waist and turned to see Satoru. 

"Excuse me, but you're dancing with my girlfriend," he said, his tone polite but laced with tension.

"Oh, sorry," Isamu apologized, releasing your hand and wiping it, which triggered you. 

"I'll leave you two alone for some time," he said with a smile before walking away, leaving you feeling even more conflicted.

Satoru cupped your cheek, his concern was evident in his eyes. 

"Hey, are you alright? Did he do something wrong?" he asked, but you couldn't shake off the feeling of being scrutinized by everyone around you. 

Pushing away his hand, you looked at the ground and whispered, "I... I want to go home.”

Satoru didn't respond immediately, but you could sense his frustration as he glanced around the room. 

"I shouldn't have left you alone," he muttered, his words filled with regret. Grabbing your wrist, he pulled you close, and together you walked out of the ballroom.

Satoru quickly led you to one of the bathrooms, entering before you and locking the door behind him. 

He turned to you, finding you still avoiding his gaze, unsure of what to do next.

Taking charge, he placed his hands on your waist and lifted you, seating you on the sink. 

Once you were settled, he leaned in, resting both hands on the sink as he studied your expression.

"What did you two talk about?" Satoru asked, his tone gentle but insistent. 

You bit your lip, hesitant to discuss it. His hand moved to your chin, his touch soft as he advised, "Don't bite them too hard."

Your mind was swirling with conflicting emotions. 

Just yesterday, you were angry with him and vowed to keep your distance, but now... the mere mention of Ayaka next to Satoru stirred a fierce jealousy within you. 

Were you really starting to fall for him?

You gazed into Satoru's eyes, he looked at you with a genuine look. But then, a warning from Isamu echoed in your mind

"Don't believe or fall for his concerned face; you'll get yourself in trouble."

Conflicted and unsure of whom to trust, you couldn't bear the thought of Satoru displaying this same affection to Ayaka, his supposed childhood sweetheart.

In a split-second decision, you seized Satoru by the collar and pulled him into a kiss, letting your emotions take over.

Satoru responded swiftly, his hands finding their place on your waist as he reciprocated the kiss with equal intensity. 

You felt a surge of desperation, a need for him to affirm that you were indeed his. Your hands moved to his collar, unbuttoning his clothes in a feverish haze. 

Satoru allowed you to take the lead, deepening the kiss as the passion between you intensified.

You pulled away from the kiss, gasping for breath, and rested your head on Satoru's shoulder. 

His hands found yours, guiding you as you helped him remove his clothes. 

His whispered encouragement urged you on, and at that moment, you surrendered yourself to the overwhelming desire, allowing yourself to lose control completely.

**

You woke up in Satoru's room, feeling a wave of confusion and regret wash over you as the events of the previous night flooded your mind. 

You remembered the passion and the intimacy, but also the emptiness that followed. 

“Don't think about anything, just think of me- God I love you too much, you're driving me crazy.” Satoru's whispered declarations of love echoed in your ears last night, but you knew deep down they held no true meaning.

As you sat up, the reality of the situation hit you hard. Satoru had left you alone in his bed, a painful reminder of his indifference. 

Anger and betrayal surged within you, mingling with the hurt and vulnerability.

"Fuck you, Satoru," you muttered under your breath as you clenched your fists, the sting of betrayal fueling your resolve. 

Despite the ache in your legs, you pushed yourself to get dressed, every movement a painful reminder of the night before.

Before leaving, you scribbled a short note, a final message to Satoru. 

"Don't come find me," you wrote hastily, the words carrying the weight of your shattered trust and wounded pride. 

"I don't know, they're on a mission right now. Megumi's assisting them," Nobara answered. 

"Then I guess we should head for training," you said while walking out of your room, leaving Nobara whining since you picked training instead of going shopping.

**

You and Nobara stopped training, catching your breath after some intense combat training. 

Just as you were about to drink water, you heard a commotion from the training room. 

The door was slightly open, revealing an annoyed Megumi before he opened it widely to let someone, or some people, through.

You were met with unfamiliar faces, their sheepish smiles suggesting a mix of nervousness and excitement. 

"Nobara, it's your time to tour them," Megumi instructed her. 

"What? Gojo-sensei specifically asked you to tour them!" Nobara argued back, leaving the two of them in a back-and-forth argument that made you sigh.

"Sorry about them, they're like oil and water," you apologized to the newcomers.

"It's fine," the girl replied with a reassuring smile.

"You two must be the newly transferred students, I suppose?" you asked, noticing their enthusiastic nods in response.

"I'm Riku Nakamura," the boy introduced with a toothy grin.

"And I'm Himari Takahashi," she introduced with a confident smile.

"Oh, and I'm—" You began to introduce yourself, but before you could finish, Himari cut you off. 

"You must be [Reader's name]?" Himari asked, leaving you confused as to how she knew your name.

"How did you know my name?" you asked her, confused.

"Oh, the pink-haired boy told us," Himari replied casually, as you mentally facepalmed. 

'Right, it had to be Yuji,' you thought to yourself. 

You glanced at Nobara and Megumi, who seemed to have calmed down as you addressed them. 

"I'll go and tour these two; you two go have some relaxation time," you said before gesturing for the new students to follow you out of the training room. 

With a nod of agreement from Nobara and Megumi, you led Riku and Himari out, ready to show them around the school.

After walking for a while and sharing some history about a particular object you three passed by, you suddenly bumped into Satoru.

"Sensei?" you asked when you noticed him.

"[Reader's name]! I thought you were still on a business trip," Satoru exclaimed, offering you a warm smile.

"Here," Satoru added, passing you a bag filled with donuts. "I got them for you," he said with a toothy grin.

"Thanks," you replied dryly, but deep down, you were truly grateful for the gesture.

Satoru's eyes then shifted to the two new students as the conversation took a turn. "How was the first mission? Was Megumi a great help?" he asked them.

You observed the exchange, particularly focusing on Himari, who seemed to be acting differently.

"Good, Fushiguro-san was a bit annoyed, but he's a great help," Riku answered, with Himari nodding along.

"Well, I guess being stubborn still sticks with him," Satoru remarked with a chuckle.

"Oh, Riku, come with me right now. I need to talk about something, regardless of your rank," Satoru told him, prompting Riku to nod before following him.

As they were about to leave, Satoru turned to you. "I'll see you later. You know where to meet me," he specifically told you.

You nodded, already aware of what was to come.

"I will, Sensei," you replied as he smiled before he and Riku left, leaving you alone with Himari.

"You seemed close with Sensei," Himari remarked after glancing at you.

"Yeah, I've been ever since I came here," you replied casually.

"Is that so?" Himari replied, her tone neutral.

You hummed as you continued walking, with Himari following closely behind. 

You couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealousy at the thought of Himari possibly trying to get close to Satoru. 

But deep down, you knew he was yours and yours alone.

**

After a long day, you made your way to where Satoru was, ensuring no one was following you since it was nearing midnight, and everyone should have been asleep by then. 

Standing at the door, you took a deep breath before softly knocking as you waited for Satoru's permission to enter.

When you heard a “come in” from satoru, you opened the door slowly, keeping your gaze on the doorway as you closed it with your body facing the door.

Lost in thought, you remained standing there, unaware of Satoru's presence behind you until he wrapped his arm around your waist and whispered in your ear, "Is something wrong or bothering you?”

You felt your body heat up quickly from the closeness, but you managed to maintain your composure. 

"Nothing," you replied softly, but Satoru wasn't convinced. 

Slowly, he dipped his head down to the exposed skin of your collarbone, leaving a trail of gentle kisses that sent shivers down your spine. 

With his free hand, he delicately tilted your jaw towards him, his touch sending electric tingles across your skin. 

His lips met yours in a sensual kiss, you felt a rush of desire wash over you, melting into the intoxicating warmth of his embrace.

Without breaking the kiss, you turned around, wrapping your arms around Satoru's neck, pulling him closer as you sought to deepen the embrace. 

Sensing your urgency, Satoru pressed you against the wall, his hands firmly gripping your waist as he intensified the kiss. 

Lost in the moment, you surrendered to the passion, feeling the heat between you two grow with each passing second.

After pulling away to catch your breath, Satoru's other hand moved up to the door, stopping right beside your head as he lowered his gaze to meet yours. 

Despite the romantic setting, you felt a sense of intimidation wash over you.

"You sure it's nothing bothering you?" he asked again, his concern evident in his eyes.

You looked at him and nodded. "Yes," you replied, trying to reassure him, even though there was a hint of uncertainty lingering within you.

Even though Satoru was wearing his blindfold, you could feel his blue eyes staring at you with doubt. 

After a moment, he sighed and pulled you into a hug.

"I missed you," he said softly. "I missed you so bad ever since you went on that business trip," he added, and you couldn't help but giggle, knowing he would sulk any moment now.

"But we video-called every night when I was away, though," you reminded him.

"Yeah, but it's much better if you're here in my presence, not on some phone," he replied, his voice tinged with longing.

"Hey," he said, making you hum in response as you continued to hug him.

"You'll tell me if anything is bothering you, right?" he asked, his voice tinged with concern.

You nodded, replying softly, "Yes, I will."

Satoru let out a deep chuckle. "Good," he said reassuringly.

Feeling like you shouldn't dwell on thoughts of Himari, you decided to let things go, focusing instead on the warmth of Satoru's embrace.

**

As you reflected on the past week, you couldn't help but feel a twinge of regret about your earlier reassurances. 

Himari has been getting on your nerves lately.

Recalling how she constantly eyed the door from the training area while she was training with Maki, you remembered how you had been there, waiting to train with Maki after she finished with Himari. 

Her eyes kept darting towards the door, anticipating Satoru's arrival with his usual sweets to interrupt the training session. 

You couldn't help but feel a twitch of annoyance when you noticed how her eyes would light up upon seeing Satoru.

During one time when Satoru once again disrupted the training session and distributed his usual sweets to everyone, you were the only one who received strawberry mochi. 

It was impossible for anyone not to notice, and they all seemed to understand why you were the only one with a different treat. 

However, Himari, being the curious cat she was, approached you after the training session to inquire about it.

As you were gathering the used weapons, Himari struck up a conversation, catching you off guard. "Do Sensei usually do that?" she asked, referring to the different sweets he gave you.

"About what?" you replied, feigning ignorance.

"The, uhm, giving you a different sweet?" she clarified.

You paused for a moment, considering your response. 

Despite your irritation towards her, you decided to entertain the conversation. 

"He knew I'm allergic to those, that's why he got me strawberry mochi. That's how considerate our Sensei is," you explained.

She simply responded with an "oh" before returning to help you clean the training room.

You suddenly wanted to whack yourself for not telling the truth, especially after an incident in the classroom. You were busy taking notes when the first-years came to accompany you. 

Despite their innocent intentions, you couldn't shake the feeling that they were up to something, especially with Himari present and Riku nowhere to be found.

As you were engrossed in your notes, Nobara approached your table with a smirk on her face. 

"Oh, [Reader's name], could you please pass this to Sensei?" she asked, handing you a paper. 

Muttering a sure, you reached out to take the paper when suddenly someone else grabbed it, causing you to flinch. You looked to see Himari holding the paper.

"I'll do it, [Reader's name] is busy with notes, so instead of making her do more work, I'll do it. You don't mind, right?" Himari explained before turning to you, awaiting your reply.

Your blood boiled as you clenched your fists, trying to calm yourself down. 

"No, I'll do it, Himari. Besides, I had something to pass to Sensei—" You started to stand up, reaching for the paper, but Himari pulled it away.

"Oh no, really, you stay here and finish your notes. I'll pass this to Sensei," she insisted before swiftly leaving the classroom.

Frustrated, you grabbed the crumpled paper you had tossed aside, tightening your grip on it as Nobara tried to suppress her laughter at the situation she had just witnessed.

You quickly glanced at Nobara, who abruptly closed her mouth and averted her gaze. 

"Nobara, as much as I hate to point fingers, what was that?" you asked her, frustration evident in your tone.

"What's what?" she replied innocently, pretending to be oblivious.

"What Himari did!" you finally snapped.

"She's trying to make you jealous," Megumi interjected.

"Fushiguro!" Nobara exclaimed, clearly annoyed by Megumi's interference.

"It's better to speak up than to let things escalate," Megumi calmly countered.

"I think your idea is a bad one, Kugisaki," Yuji chimed in.

"Oh, please, I just want her," Nobara said, pointing at you, "to realize that Himari could be her potential rival for Sensei's attention!" Nobara explained, her determination shining through.

"Just admit you're there for the dr—" Before Megumi could finish his sentence, Yuji quickly chimed in, "Oh well! I think it's best if you continue doing notes," he said, with a nervous laugh.

You stared at the three of them suspiciously. "Look, I'll do whatever I have to do to her since Sensei's my business now," you told them firmly.

They already knew about you and Satoru being in a relationship. Yuji and Nobara had accidentally seen Satoru's contacts, noticing the name he had saved yours under. 

Megumi had been aware of it even before he joined the first year.

All they could do was sigh in response, muttering okay before returning to their tasks. 

You did the same, focusing on your notes, but your mind was preoccupied with thoughts of what to do about Himari. 

As you sat there, pen in hand, you couldn't shake the feeling that something needed to be done about her meddling behavior.

**

You had asked Riku to accompany you to the storage room to retrieve some boxes. 

"You take this one while I take those on the side," you instructed him. 

He nodded in understanding and went to lift the designated box, while you grabbed another.

As you both left the storage room and headed downstairs toward the classroom, Riku spoke up. "[Reader's name]," he began.

"Yes?" you replied, curious about what he was going to say.

"Are you and Sensei, like, closer than everyone else here?" he asked, his tone tinged with curiosity.

You felt a twinge of surprise at his question. 

How did he already know that when even Himari seemed oblivious? 

"I guess you could say that," you replied cautiously, your grip tightening around the box as you continued on your way.

"Why do you think so?" you asked him, intrigued by his observation.

"Well, every time he accompanied me on a mission, he always made sure to bring some sweets on our way back. He'd stare at the display of sweets and mutter something like, 'What does she want, hmm?' I just thought since you got the strawberry mochi last time, I guessed he was talking about you. Am I wrong?" Riku explained, his tone thoughtful.

You were surprised at how observant he was, especially since he often seemed quiet during training sessions. 

"I see, you're quite observant," you told him, offering a compliment that seemed to make Riku giggle, pleased with himself.

You and Riku were so engrossed in conversation that you didn't notice the staircase ahead. 

The box you were carrying blocked your view; before you knew it, you were stepping into thin air. 

Panic surged through you as you began to fall, instinctively calling out Riku's name.

Riku reacted just in time, shoving the box away and reaching out to grab your arm. 

Despite his efforts, both of you tumbled down the stairs, and you ended up landing on top of him, your body pressing against his chest as you both lay sprawled on the ground.

You began to panic, attempting to stand up but failing as intense pain shot through your ankle, causing you to whine in agony. 

"[Reader's name]! I-I—" Riku stuttered, clearly flustered by the situation.

Suddenly, someone wrapped their arms around your waist, helping you stand and pulling you into a comforting hug. 

"What happened?" a concerned voice asked, and you recognized it as Satoru's.

"S-Sen—ow," you tried to explain to Satoru, but before you could finish, you fell back into his chest again, letting out a yelp of pain.

Satoru's voice was filled with concern as he spoke to you, his arms still wrapped around you protectively. "Are you alright? What happened?" he asked, his tone worried.

As he glanced over at Riku, there was a subtle hint of jealousy in his eyes, evident to anyone who knew him well. 

However, he quickly masked it with a reassuring smile, his focus returning to you as he waited for your response, ready to offer his support and assistance.

"All you could muster was, "Hurts... so bad," as you told him about the pain. Satoru let out a sigh of concern, gently lifting you into a princess-style carry.

As he carried you, his gaze flickered over to Riku, a warning look in his eyes that seemed to say, 'If I were you, I would stay away from her.' 

With that silent message conveyed, Satoru hurried you to Shoko's clinic, determined to get you the care you needed.

After Shoko treated your ankle, you found that you could walk just fine again.

However, Satoru still insisted on carrying you like a princess back to your dorm.

"Sen—Satoru, I can walk," you reminded him gently as he lifted you, navigating the stairs.

"I can't help but think you're dangerous to the stairs, baby," Satoru replied with a smirk, refusing to give up his hold on you.

"Oh, come on, I fell because the box was blocking my view," you explained, feeling a hint of frustration.

"But that still doesn't help me with my jealousy," Satoru said playfully as he reached your door and finally let you down.

You sat down at the edge of your bed, letting out a sigh, while Satoru stood nearby, silently observing you. 

He walked up in front of you, his presence commanding attention, and took off his blindfold, placing it on your nightstand. 

Looking up at him, you noticed the intensity in his gaze, like that of a predator sizing up its prey. 

"What?" you asked, curious about the purpose behind his scrutinizing stare.

He didn't give a response; instead, he leaned down and captured your lips in a passionate kiss. 

You responded eagerly, your heart racing as Satoru gently pushed you onto the bed, never breaking the kiss.

He hovered over you, it became clear that his actions were fueled by the jealousy he felt earlier, a desire to declare his claim over you.

Satoru's hand caressed your waist, his touch sending shivers down your spine as he played with the hem of your uniform. 

Pulling away slightly, he took a deep breath, his eyes locked with yours.

“I love you” he spoke with affection showing in his eyes. You suddenly felt soft as you replied. “I love you too,” you told him with a soft smile.

He smiled and suddenly you forgot about Himari, the cause of your jealousy.

**

A few days later, Satoru organized a training session for everyone, emphasizing that attendance was mandatory.

Fortunately, you hadn't been assigned to a mission yet, so you were able to attend. 

Arriving at the training room in your usual workout attire, you found everyone already engaged in warm-ups.

Satoru stood at the front, observing everyone's movements with his usual keen eye, despite the blindfold. 

When he noticed your presence, his smile brightened, and he waved in your direction. 

Even though his eyes were hidden, you could sense the warmth in his gaze as it landed on you.

Satoru's clap echoed through the training room, effectively capturing everyone's attention. 

"Now that everyone's here, we should start our training," he announced, his voice projecting clearly.

As the group gathered in front of him, forming a line from left to right, Satoru contemplated his next instruction. 

"I'm thinking we should do pairing," he suggested, his tone thoughtful as he considered the most effective way to structure the training session.

"But then again, since y'all are not an even number, someone will be without a partner. I'll be their partner then," Satoru generously suggested.

The pairs were quickly formed: Maki with Panda, Inumaki with Megumi, and Nobara with Itadori. 

However, this left you, Riku, and Himari without partners, as Satoru had predicted.

You were about to head over to Satoru, knowing he was your usual training partner when someone grabbed your wrist. Startled, you turned to see Riku standing there.

"[Reader's name], be my partner," he said, surprising you with his request.

"Uh, but—" you began, unsure how to respond, when Himari interjected.

"Looks like I don't have a partner, Sensei," she said, her tone sweet as she batted her eyes at Satoru, clearly vying for his attention.

“Well, I guess I don't have much choice," Satoru replied nonchalantly, leaving you staring at him with frustration. 

It felt as if he were doing this on purpose, purposely pairing you with Riku instead of himself.

You and Riku moved to a spot not too far from where Satoru and Himari were standing. As you began cleaning your weapon, Riku spoke up. "I'm sorry," he started.

"About what?" you asked, looking up at him.

"That I stole you from Sensei to be my partner in training," he explained apologetically.

You sighed, feeling conflicted. "Well, I couldn't do much since it happened already," you told him, trying to brush it off.

"But really, I was just forced by Himari when Sensei said that we're doing a pairing," Riku revealed, causing you to freeze as you stared at him in disbelief. 

"What?" you asked, taken aback by his confession.

"The truth is, Himari actually knew you two were together. She just can't accept that uh, you got the strongest sorcerer?" Riku explained, his words catching you off guard.

"What?" you said again, incredulous at what you were hearing.

"Her words, not mine," Riku added, emphasizing that it was Himari's perspective and not necessarily his own.

"I don't know why, but I know it had to do with her clan. It was supposed to be only me who transferred here, as I was recommended by Utahime-san to the first grade. I needed Gojo-san to accompany me on missions since you know how it is when you're being recommended," Riku explained.

You nodded along, listening attentively as he shared his insights into the situation. 

There was more to Himari's behavior than initially met the eye.

"That's why I'm telling you, [Reader's name], to do something that'll make Himari know her place," Riku urged, his tone firm and determined.

"I've got an idea. Riku, I need you to hold my feet as I do push-ups," you instructed him, lying down on the ground while Riku looked on, confused.

"How would that be a good idea?" he asked, clearly skeptical.

"Just do it," you told him, deadpanned, sensing Satoru's gaze on you even though you didn't look directly at him.

Riku was about to protest, but he sighed and complied, positioning himself in front of you and holding your knees tight. 

You stole a glance at Satoru and Himari, noting that they were busy with their combat training. 

Despite not looking directly at them, you could feel Satoru's gaze on you, his attention never wavering.

"Don't freak out when my face gets close to you," you warned Riku, but he seemed preoccupied with glancing back and forth between you and Satoru, who was paying attention to your interaction.

"I-I don't think this is a good idea," Riku protested, but you ignored his concerns and began to do your push-ups. As you lowered yourself towards the ground, your face came dangerously close to Riku's.

Intent on making it appear as though you were kissing Riku, mimicking the style of exercise Satoru favored since it often led to affectionate moments between you two, you held the position for a moment before pushing yourself back up.

Just as you were about to complete your eighth push-up, a hand suddenly came through, blocking your face from reaching Riku. Startled, you looked up to see Satoru with an irked smile on his face.

"Is there a problem, Sensei?" you asked innocently, playing along with the situation, while Riku looked on in panic, unsure of what to make of the unexpected interruption.

"Satoru looked at Riku. "Riku, I need you to partner with Himari for now as I need to talk to [reader's name]," Satoru instructed Riku with his authoritative tone. 

Riku, sensing the seriousness in Satoru's voice, stood up and left, obediently complying with his sensei's command, leaving you two alone.

Satoru's smile dropped as he looked at you, his expression serious. "You," he pointed at you, then pointed to himself. 

"Me," he gestured to himself, before indicating the door. 

"In my dorm. Now," he commanded firmly.

You stood up, meeting Satoru's gaze, and noticed Himari staring at the two of you with an unreadable expression. 

Without hesitation, you stuck your tongue out at her before turning to follow Satoru out of the training area and towards his dorm.

**

Once inside, Satoru pushed you onto the bed after locking the door behind him. 

You landed on your stomach, about to protest, when he swiftly grabbed both of your wrists and tied them together with his blindfold.

"Satoru—" you began, but he silenced you by leaning down close to your ear, his breath sending shivers down your spine. "You're playing a dangerous game, baby," he whispered.

"What game?!" you exclaimed, trying to free your wrists from his grasp.

"That," he replied, his voice low and husky, "doing our usual exercise position with someone else. You know how much I like that." His words sent a thrill through you, despite the apprehension swirling in your mind.

"But it's not fair when you let Himari be your partner when you know we're usually partners in training!" you defended yourself, frustration evident in your voice.

"Oh, baby, I see, you were jealous, weren't you?" Satoru teased, his tone playful as he held your tied wrists. 

His other hand traveled up to your shorts, teasingly grazing over your clothed pussy, eliciting a surprised gasp from you as you arched your back at the unexpected sensation.

"You were jealous too!" you pointed out, your voice tinged with accusation as you tried to suppress the moans threatening to escape.

Satoru noticed your struggle and quickened his pace, the intensity of his touch driving you closer to the edge.

Desperate to muffle the sounds of pleasure building within you, you buried your face in the sheets, trying to stifle your moans as Satoru continued to push you to the brink of ecstasy.

"So what if I am?" Satoru countered, his voice husky with desire as he continued to rub your clit, coaxing wetness to soak your panties. 

"Baby, I always show everyone how I get when I'm jealous, and I was just curious about your reaction," he explained, his touch igniting waves of pleasure that coursed through your body.

"Ngh, stop, ah," was all you could manage to reply as you were overwhelmed by the pleasure Satoru was giving you.

"How about this, baby," Satoru proposed, his voice husky with desire. 

"You stop playing games with Riku, and I'll stop with Himari."

You were unable to reply, too consumed by the sensations coursing through your body as you felt yourself getting closer to climax.

"Getting close, princess?" Satoru asked, his voice teasing as he noticed you slightly shaking.

"I am—ah," you replied, your words trailing off into a moan as the pleasure intensified, pushing you toward the climax.

"Promise me, princess," Satoru urged, his voice filled with longing, but you were too lost in the waves of pleasure to respond.

Sensing your lack of response, Satoru slowed down his pace, eliciting a whine of protest from you. 

"I was... so close—why slow down?" you managed to utter, tears beginning to well in your eyes.

"You weren't answering me, kitten," Satoru chided gently, his voice tinged with amusement as he chuckled at the way you shivered at the pet names.

"About what—ah!" you yelped when you felt Satoru slap your butt, the sudden sting adding to the overwhelming pleasure coursing through your body.

"You weren't listening to me, baby," Satoru reminded you, his tone firm yet teasing. "I asked that you promise me to stop that nonsense with Riku, and I'll stop with Himari."

"I promise! Please, let me cum," you begged desperately, the need for release consuming you.

"I will, princess," Satoru whispered into your ear, his voice sending shivers down your spine as he fastened his pace once more, finally granting you the release you craved. 

Your body convulsed in ecstasy as you cum, waves of pleasure washing over you as Satoru guided you to the peak of bliss.

Satoru removed the blindfold from your wrist and placed it over your eyes, positioning you on his lap. 

"Let's continue, baby, but I want you to wear my blindfold," he chuckled, but you were still too lost in the aftermath of your climax to fully comprehend his words.

"Is there anything that my baby wants?" Satoru's voice brought you back to the present moment, and you found your voice. 

"Let me mark you," you told him, a sense of possessiveness washing over you.

Even though you couldn't see him, you knew Satoru was smiling like a fool. 

"I'll let you later, baby," he promised, guiding you to lay on the bed as he positioned himself on top of you, showering you with passionate kisses.

The rest of the day melted into a steamy night with Satoru, and as you drifted off to sleep in his arms, you felt like the ultimate winner, content in the knowledge that he was yours and yours alone.

**

You woke up to the sound of loud knocking, finding it difficult to move with Satoru spooning you from behind. 

With a groan, you attempted to untangle yourself from his embrace, finally managing to slip out of bed. 

You grabbed a shirt of his and hastily threw it on before making your way to the door, still rubbing the sleep from your eyes.

"What?" you asked, your voice groggy with sleep as you opened the door to see who was disturbing your peaceful morning.

To your shock, it was Himari standing at the door, holding a bunch of papers. "Oh," she replied, her tone smug. "Isn't your room in the other building?" she asked, her audacity irritating you.

Rolling your eyes, you retorted, "Well, it's never too bad to have a second room to sleep in."

Himari scoffed, unimpressed by your response. "Where's sensei?" she asked, her fake smile not fooling you.

"Sleeping, obviously," you replied curtly, but she wasn't satisfied. "Can you go fetch him? I need to give some important documents to him," she insisted, her tone demanding.

You had enough of her nonsense, so you snapped at her. 

"Listen here, you dimwit, can't you see this?" You pointed to the mark Satoru left on your neck from the previous night. 

"Isn't this enough to tell you that I'm his girlfriend? You can just give that to me instead of ordering me to fetch him for you," you angrily told her, frustration evident in your voice.

Himari was too stunned to speak, giving you the chance to snatch the papers from her hands. 

"I'll let him know that you dropped this off. But if you ever try to get close to him again..." You trailed off, mimicking a neck slice gesture with your hand as you smiled sweetly at her before slamming the door shut.

You sighed, placing the papers onto the coffee table, intending to deal with them later. 

You turned to head to the bathroom to cool off, but you heard Satoru's groggy voice from the bedroom. "Baby?"

"Yeah?" you replied, pausing to listen.

"Where are you? I need my morning hug," Satoru whined, his voice filled with longing.

"I'm coming," you told him, unable to suppress a giggle at his antics.

"Why?" Satoru asked, his curiosity piqued by your comment.

You smiled softly, feeling warmth in your chest as you gazed into his eyes. 

"Because it shows the anticipation and joy of waiting for someone you care about. Just like how I eagerly await our time together every day, knowing that seeing you brings happiness to my heart.” You answered.

Satoru's smile widened, and he gently intertwined his hand with yours, his touch sending a comforting warmth through you. 

As he leaned in, he placed a soft kiss on the back of your hand, eliciting a delighted giggle from you.

Satoru's heart raced with anticipation as he leaned closer to you, feeling the moment swell with tenderness. 

Just as he was about to close the distance between you for a kiss, the sound of a table slamming jolted him awake. 

Confusion clouded his senses as he looked around, only to see Shoko and Geto trying to suppress their laughter, while Yaga glared at him with disappointment.

Satoru realized he had fallen asleep in class.

Oh…

"Satoru!" Yaga's voice boomed, filled with disappointment. 

"This is the third time this week you've fallen asleep in my class. Do you think becoming a sorcerer entails sleeping through your studies?" He added.

Satoru's cheeks flushed with embarrassment as he stammered out an apology. "I'm sorry, Sensei. It won't happen again."

Yaga sighed heavily, shaking his head. "You have potential, Satoru, but you need to apply yourself more. Don't let your laziness overshadow your talent."

Feeling chastised, Satoru nodded solemnly, determined to make amends for his lack of focus.

As the lecture finally came to an end, Satoru, Geto, and Shoko walked out of the classroom together. Satoru couldn't help but groan in frustration as the teasing from his friends began.

Geto chuckled, nudging Satoru playfully. "Looks like someone was having sweet dreams in class, huh?"

Shoko joined in, giggling teasingly. "I wonder who you were dreaming about, Satoru. Maybe a certain someone or a wet dream?"

Satoru rolled his eyes, trying to play it off coolly. "Ha ha, very funny, you two. Let's just focus on getting through the rest of the day without any more embarrassment, okay?”

But geto and shoko shared a look of concern that satoru didn't notice.

"Satoru, you know we're here for you, right?" Shoko's tone softened, her concern evident in her words.

Satoru stopped walking, his expression puzzled as he stared at his friends. "What?" he replied, unsure of what they were getting at.

Geto stepped forward, his voice gentle yet firm. "We're just worried about you, Satoru. You've been distant lately, and falling asleep in class isn't like you. Is everything okay?”

Satoru laughed nervously, trying to brush off their concern. "Come on, guys, no need to overthink things. I'm just tired from all the training."

But Shoko's serious expression stopped him in his tracks. "We're not joking, Satoru. We're genuinely worried about you."

Satoru's laughter faded as he paused, his mind racing as he tried to figure out what could be wrong.

Satoru stayed silent for a moment before finally speaking up, his voice strained. "I'm... fine," he said, his words lacking conviction. Shoko was about to respond when Satoru suddenly quickened his pace, leaving the two of them alone.

Shoko let out a heavy sigh, watching Satoru's retreating figure with concern etched on her face. Geto gently patted her shoulder, offering a comforting gesture. "He's maybe just handling some heir duty, you know?" he suggested.

"Yeah, but it feels unusual to not see the usual goofy Satoru we know," Shoko replied, her worry evident in her voice.

***

Satoru's chest heaved as he slammed the door to his dorm room, exhaustion weighing heavily on him after his impromptu marathon from school. 

Taking a moment to catch his breath, he went to the bathroom, the fatigue evident in every step.

Turning on the faucet, he splashed cool water onto his face, hoping to wash away some of the weariness that clung to him. 

As he looked up into the mirror, he couldn't help but notice the dark circles under his eyes, a stark reminder of his recent lack of sleep. 

Satoru sighed, realizing that his sunglasses wouldn't be enough to conceal the evidence of his exhaustion. 

Making a mental note to buy some concealer, he reached into a drawer and retrieved the sleeping pills he had been relying on for the past two weeks.

The weight of his actions hung heavy on him as he stared at the pills in his hand, a silent admission of his desperation to meet you again, even at the expense of his own well-being.

Satoru's gaze lingered on the sleeping pills, his mind filled with conflicting emotions. The memory of Shoko and Geto's concern weighed heavily on him, their worried expressions etched into his thoughts. 

He couldn't shake the guilt that gnawed at him, knowing that his actions were causing his friends unnecessary worry.

But then, a different image surfaced in his mind. 

It was you, smiling and waiting for him on the hill, your presence filling him with a warmth and comfort he couldn't find elsewhere. 

The thought of seeing you again, of basking in your company, pushed aside his doubts and fears.

With a heavy heart, Satoru tightened his grip on the pills, his resolve wavering. 

Ultimately, the longing to be with you won out. With a resigned sigh, he opened the bottle and retrieved a single pill, swallowing it down with a gulp of water.

As the pill slid down his throat, Satoru couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt. But at that moment, the promise of meeting you again was enough to silence his doubts, if only temporarily.

Satoru moved quickly, stashing the bottle of pills back into the drawer before making his way to the mini-fridge. 

Retrieving a bottle of water, he took a few gulps to help swallow the pill more easily, the cool liquid soothing his parched throat.

Once he finished drinking, he made his way to his bed, the exhaustion weighing heavily on him. 

As he lay down, he could feel the effects of the pill beginning to take hold, a gentle wave of drowsiness washing over him.

Closing his eyes, Satoru let himself succumb to the embrace of sleep, the promise of meeting you again lingering in his mind as he drifted off into dreams.

***

As Satoru slowly blinked his eyes open, he was met with the sight of you standing at the top of the hill, a warm smile gracing your lips. Tomorrow wagged their tail excitedly, adding to the joyous atmosphere.

Unconsciously, a smile spread across Satoru's face as he made his way toward you. 

Once he reached the top, you enveloped him in a tight hug, filling him with a sense of warmth and comfort.

With a mischievous smirk, Satoru scooped you up in his arms, twirling you around as you held tightly onto his shoulders. 

"Having fun yet?" he teased, reveling in the playful moment as you giggled and protested, urging him to put you down.

Gently, Satoru lowered you back to the ground, his hands tenderly cupping your cheeks as he gazed into your eyes with affection. 

Without a word, he leaned in, pressing his lips to yours in a tender, passionate kiss.

You responded eagerly, the kiss deepening as you lost yourself in the moment. 

But the sound of Tomorrow's whining broke the spell, causing you both to pull away, giggling at the interruption.

"Well, someone's feeling left out," you teased Tomorrow, kneeling to scoop them up into your arms. "Don't worry, Tomorrow, we won't forget about you."

Tomorrow's tail wagged furiously as they licked your face in excitement, their whines quickly turning into joyful barks as they enjoyed the attention. 

While laughing, you carried Tomorrow, feeling grateful for the joy they brought to your moments together.

Satoru smiled warmly at the sight of you and Tomorrow, feeling a sense of contentment wash over him. You two always had a way of making him smile, no matter what challenges he faced.

Before long, the three of you settled onto the grass, leaning against the sturdy trees as you engaged in a heartfelt conversation about life. 

Satoru shared his dreams and aspirations with you, opening up about his hopes for the future. 

You listened intently, offering words of encouragement and support, while Tomorrow nestled comfortably between you, their presence a comforting reminder of the bonds you shared.

As the peaceful moment enveloped you, Satoru's words cut through the atmosphere. 

"This moment feels so good, yet I feel scared about what will come next," he confessed, his tone tinged with uncertainty.

Concern etched across your face, “Why?” You asked him.

"I don't know," Satoru replied, his voice heavy with self-doubt. "I don't think I deserve to be here, all happy while ignoring the sins I've committed as a sorcerer."

His words hung in the air, laden with the weight of his conscience. You reached out, taking his hand in yours, offering silent support and understanding as he grappled with his inner demons.

"I promise, we'll navigate through this together, no matter what obstacles come our way," you reassure him, your voice filled with conviction. 

As you caress his hand with your thumb, you convey a sense of comfort and solidarity, silently promising to stand by his side through thick and thin, come what may, whether it be heaven or hell.

Satoru smiled softly at your words, but all good things must come to an end.

Satoru's smile faltered as Tomorrow abruptly woke up from their nap, their ears twitching in alarm as they searched for the source of the disturbance. 

Before anyone could react, Tomorrow bolted away, leaving you and Satoru speechless in their wake.

"Tomorrow!" you shouted, instinctively moving to follow them, but Satoru gently grasped your arm, stopping you in your tracks. 

"Hey, calm down," he urged, his voice steady despite the concern etched on his face.

But you were frantic, your mind racing with worry.

 "I can't calm down," you insisted, your voice trembling with anxiety. 

"It's been a while since Tomorrow acted like this. Something bad will happen, I just know it. That's why they ran away, to try and hide somewhere safe.” You explained. 

Satoru was about to ask you when you managed to slip off of Satoru's grip and chase after Tomorrow, leaving him standing there in confusion, a sense of regret began to gnaw at him. 

He hesitated for a moment, unsure whether to follow you or stay behind.

But as he watched you disappear into the distance, a sinking feeling settled in his chest. 

He knew deep down that he would regret not chasing after you at that moment.

Little did he know, that decision marked the beginning of a streak of bad luck that would haunt him in the days to come.

**

The following days unfolded like a nightmare for Satoru. 

With the passing of the Star Plasma Vessel and Geto's horrifying massacre of his hometown, additionally, with Geto being expelled from Jujutsu High, Satoru felt like he was drowning in despair. 

Each passing day seemed to weigh heavier on his soul, and he found himself struggling to cope with the harsh realities unfolding around him.

Unable to bear the crushing weight of the world on his shoulders, Satoru turned to sleeping pills more frequently, desperate to see you, even if only in his dreams. 

At first, he convinced himself that he was fine, that the pills were just a temporary escape from the harshness of reality.

But as time went on, he realized that he had become dependent on them, relying on their numbing effects to shield him from the pain of the world outside. 

And when he was caught, everything came crashing down around him.

Yaga's stern gaze bore into him as he slammed the bottle of sleeping pills onto the table, the harsh sound echoing through the room.

Satoru knelt before him, feeling a wave of shame and guilt wash over him as he realized the extent of his trouble.

Yaga sighed heavily, his hand rubbing his forehead in exasperation. "Satoru, I need you to explain to me why you're taking these medications when Shoko never prescribed them for you," he demanded, his tone stern.

Satoru cursed inwardly, cursing himself for leaving the door unlocked while he slept, which gave Shoko the advantage to sneak inside his dorm. 

‘If only I hadn't been so careless,’ he thought bitterly. He knew there was no escaping the truth now; he would be caught sooner or later.

Satoru met Yaga's gaze with a sigh, knowing he had no choice but to come clean.

"I just couldn't sleep at the right time with all of the mess happening these days, that's why I'm taking them," Satoru explained, carefully keeping the part about using the pills to see you.

Yaga sighed, his expression skeptical. "It feels like you're not telling the whole truth," he said, his voice tinged with disappointment.

"I am telling the truth," Satoru insisted, meeting Yaga's gaze with pleading eyes, hoping to convince him of his sincerity. 

Yaga sighed heavily, the weight of the decision evident in his expression. "I have no choice, Satoru, but to have you put on the monitor," he said regretfully. 

"We can't risk you obtaining more sleeping pills without our knowledge. You know how your clan behaves when they suspect something has happened to their heir. It's best to have Shoko come to your room periodically to prevent any conflict between your clan and Jujutsu High." Yaga explained.

Satoru sighed in defeat, knowing there was little he could do to argue against Yaga's reasoning. 

With a nod, he agreed to the arrangement, accepting the consequences of his actions.

Yaga dismissed him with a wave of his hand, and Satoru left the classroom with a heavy heart, walking through the hallway with an annoyed look, feeling the weight of his mistakes pressing down on him.

Satoru was feeling more stressed.

Shoko's heart raced as she watched Satoru emerge from the room, feeling relief and concern. Without hesitation, she hurried over to him, reaching out to grab his wrist and stop him in his tracks.

"What?" Satoru asked, annoyance evident in his tone as he turned abruptly to face her.

"Thank goodness," Shoko began, her words tumbling out in a rush of relief. "I was worried Yaga-sensei might expel you or something because of the pills-"

But before she could finish her sentence, Satoru cut her off, his frustration evident. "Why? Why did you come to my room last night?" he demanded, his voice tinged with irritation.

Caught off guard, Shoko nervously laughed, trying to diffuse the tension. "Well, I was just trying to check up on my friend. Isn't that wrong?" she asked, hoping to deflect his question.

Satoru scoffed at Shoko's response, his frustration bubbling over. "At night? Seriously? You could've come when it was daylight!" he raised his voice, his irritation palpable.

"It's not my fault that I was just worried about you, Satoru!" Shoko shouted back, her voice cracking with emotion. "I'm scared. I'm scared of what's happening to you after what happened to Geto. I-I didn't want to lose you now that Geto's gone," she explained, tears threatening to spill from her eyes.

"You could've died there, Satoru, if you'd taken more than one pill," Shoko added earnestly, her voice trembling with concern.

But Satoru seemed to dismiss her words, his frustration boiling over. "We wouldn't even be in this situation if you knew your place! This is my business, Ieri, and I don't need you to meddle in it!" he angrily expressed, his tone cutting and harsh.

Shoko flinched at the sudden intensity of his words, taken aback by the venom in his voice. It was the first time she had seen Satoru react with such anger, and it left her feeling shaken and hurt.

As Satoru walked away, leaving Shoko standing there alone, he felt a pang of guilt wash over him. 

He sighed heavily, realizing how his outburst had scared her, someone who had always been there for him. Despite his frustration, he knew he had crossed a line.

Rushing back to his dorm, he slammed the door loudly behind him, the sound echoing through the room. His hands trembled as he ruffled his hair in a disheveled state, his mind consumed by chaotic thoughts.

 The name of the sleeping pill echoed in his mind, tempting him with its false promises of escape.

With a sinking feeling, Satoru slowly began to realize the depths of his addiction to sleeping pills. It was a realization that filled him with both shame and dread, knowing that he was spiraling further into darkness with each passing day.

As Satoru struggled with his addiction to sleeping pills, he found himself haunted by memories of your sweet-drunk smile, a tantalizing allure that he couldn't shake. 

In moments of weakness, his hand would instinctively reach out as if trying to grasp onto your image, only to be met with empty air.

With a heavy sigh, Satoru covered his face with his hands, feeling the weight of his longing pressing down on him. He knew he needed to be patient, to wait for the night to come when he could hopefully find sleep without relying on the pills. 

But the knowledge that the pills had been confiscated only added to his anxiety, leaving him feeling helpless and vulnerable.

**

As Satoru found himself on the familiar hill, he couldn't shake off the feeling of unease that hung in the air.

The atmosphere, usually filled with joy and comfort, now seemed to give a gloomy vibe that unsettled him.

Searching for you, Satoru's eyes scanned the surroundings, hoping to catch a glimpse of your familiar figure. 

His heart sank when he spotted you, leaning against the tree with your back turned to him. Tomorrow was nowhere in sight, adding to the anxiety inside him.

With cautious steps, Satoru approached you, a knot of worry forming in his stomach. 

He couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong, and he feared what he might discover when he finally reached your side.

Satoru's heart sank as he knelt beside you, his concern growing as he took in the sight of your tear-streaked face. His eyes widened in shock as he noticed the swelling and blood on your cheek, his instincts kicking in as he gently wiped away the blood.

"What happened? Why are you crying? Where is Tomorrow?" Satoru's questions tumbled out in a rush, his mind racing with worry.

But as you slowly revealed what you were hiding, he was speechless. 

Satoru stared in disbelief as you slowly revealed Tomorrow's unconscious body, blood staining its fur. His breath caught in his throat as the truth sank in.

Tomorrow was dead.

As you gently placed Tomorrow's lifeless body on the ground and placed your hand on Satoru's shoulder, he tried to process the devastating turn of events. But his thoughts were interrupted by your words, leaving him in disbelief.

"Satoru, listen to me, okay?" you said, your voice trembling with emotion. "I know it's been fun to meet you here but promise me you'll stop coming here from now on."

The words hit Satoru like a knife, leaving him in shock. "Stop coming? No, no, you don't understand," he protested, desperation creeping into his voice. "You told me we could overcome this!"

Tears streamed down your face as you struggled to explain. 

"I'm... I'm sorry. I can't fulfill that promise to overcome this, not when Tomorrow's gone," you sobbed, your grief overwhelming.

"No, we- we can find some way-" Before Satoru could finish, you spoke again, your words cutting through the air like a knife. 

"No! You don't understand, Satoru! I'm nothing more than just your imagination! That's why your maids or your family can't see me back then! You... you just can't accept that I'm not real!" Your voice cracked with anguish, delivering a cold truth that left Satoru speechless.

"I... I can't stop because this is my only escape from the world that's turned its back against me," Satoru slowly explained, his voice choked with emotion as tears streamed down his face.

You reached out, gently removing his sunglasses, revealing his shining blue eyes brimming with tears of pain. Your heart ached at the sight, knowing the depth of his suffering.

"I know it's hard, but... Satoru, you need to let me go, please," you begged, your voice trembling with desperation. Despite the pain it caused you, you knew it was the only way for him to not hide away from reality.

Satoru's heart pounded in his chest as he shook his head, refusing to accept what you were saying. But you insisted, your voice filled with sorrow and resignation as you apologized for what you were about to do.

"I'm sorry for what I will do to you Satoru," you told him.

Before Satoru could protest, you pushed him with unexpected force. 

His eyes widened in shock as he stumbled backward, expecting to feel the grass beneath him. But instead, he was engulfed by darkness, falling into a black hole that seemed to swallow him whole.

Desperate to call out to you, Satoru opened his mouth to scream your name, but no sound came out. 

It was as if his voice had been stolen again, leaving him trapped in a silent void of despair.

**

Satoru's heart raced as he woke up abruptly, disoriented and gasping for breath. Panic surged through him as he tried to make sense of his surroundings, his eyes scanning the unfamiliar white ceiling above him.

"Oh god, you're finally awake," a voice exclaimed, and Satoru quickly turned to see Shoko standing beside him.

"Why am I here?" Satoru asked, his voice trembling with confusion as he attempted to sit up, but Shoko gently stopped him.

"Stop moving, you've been in a coma for like 3 days," Shoko explained, her voice tinged with concern.

Satoru's eyes widened in shock at the revelation, his mind struggling to comprehend what had happened during those lost days of unconsciousness.

As Satoru processed Shoko's words, flashes of memories flooded his mind, each one more painful than the last. 

He remembered the broken look on your face, the tears streaming down your cheeks as you pleaded with him to stop coming back, to let you go.

The image of you holding Tomorrow's lifeless body, your grief-stricken expression etched into his memory, haunted him. 

He felt a heavy weight settle in his chest as he stared at his hands, grappling with the realization that maybe he had caused you so much pain.

What has gone wrong?

Shoko observed how lost Satoru seemed in his thoughts, his expression clouded with confusion. With a sigh, she gently drew his attention back to the present.

"I think you were consuming too many of the pills," Shoko stated, her tone laced with concern. 

"It's left you malnourished. I never thought I'd see a day when you'd be malnourished... Were you not eating enough food after school?"

Satoru blinked, surprised by her observation. "I do eat," he replied, his voice tinged with defensiveness. 

"I just feel really sleepy after class, so I head to bed early." Despite his explanation, he couldn't shake the unease that settled in the pit of his stomach.

Shoko eyed Satoru suspiciously, her intuition telling her that there was more to the story. 

"But you still managed to fall asleep in Sensei's class, even though you got enough sleep after class?" she pressed her tone firm.

Caught off guard, Satoru choked on his saliva, feeling caught once again. 

"Sensei's class is boring!" he blurted out, attempting to defend himself with a weak excuse. 

But even as the words left his mouth, he knew that Shoko saw right through his feeble attempt to deflect the conversation.

She only sighed and continued to discuss his condition and the need for him to stay in the infirmary room for the time being, Satoru listened attentively, though his mind was elsewhere. 

His thoughts were consumed by you, by the desperate need to find a way to fix what had gone wrong between you two.

Even as Shoko left the room to give him some rest, Satoru couldn't shake the weight of his guilt and the ache of his longing for you.

He glanced down at his arm, confirming what Shoko said that he was indeed malnourished. 

He knew he should be eating, but the thought of food left him feeling nauseous, his appetite suppressed by his overwhelming emotions.

Closing his eyes, Satoru tried to sleep, hoping to find solace in the dream where he could see you again and make things right. But in his dream…

He never saw you at the top of the hill.

**

Satoru groggily muttered, "Fuck, what day is it?" as he rubbed his tired eyes. 

It had been a week since he started isolating himself in the infirmary room. 

Unable to accept the reality that every time he slept, he couldn't meet you, instead finding himself trapped in a dark void that haunted him, he struggled to find rest, battling with insomnia.

Whenever Shoko tried to check up on him, he would turn his infinity on, shutting himself off from the outside world.

He couldn't bear the thought of anyone touching him, not when he couldn't distinguish between reality and the fading memory of you.

Satoru's head swiveled softly towards the door at the sound of the knock, but he remained silent, refusing to acknowledge Yaga's presence.

"Satoru, I heard what happened. I placed some food by the door so you can open up and eat," Yaga's voice filtered through the door, a note of concern evident in his tone.

"I know it's hard, but please let Shoko check up on you. We need to find the problem you're facing right now."

But Satoru shook his head, his hand instinctively covering his ear, blocking out Yaga's words. He had no desire to hear from him anymore.

Anxiety rushed through Satoru, overwhelming him as he felt desperate to see you again. 

His thoughts raced, his heart pounding with the need to escape the suffocating darkness that surrounded him.

In a moment of desperation, he remembered the stash of sleeping pills hidden away in one of the drawers in the infirmary room. 

Without hesitation, he got out of bed, his movements frantic as he searched through every drawer, his hands trembling with anticipation.

Each drawer he opened revealed nothing but disappointment, sending a surge of frustration coursing through him. 

As Satoru frantically searched through the drawers, his agitation growing with each empty one he encountered, he muttered under his breath, "Where is it?"

His voice was tinged with desperation, his hands shaking as he rifled through the contents, his heart pounding with the need to find the sleeping pills.

As Satoru's hands finally closed around the container of sleeping pills, a sense of relief washed over him. 

Without hesitation, he opened the container and tipped the remaining pills into his hand. 

He knew he should only take one, but the overwhelming desperation to see you again clouded his judgment.

In a reckless act, he swallowed all the pills in one swift motion, ignoring the warning signs flashing in his mind.

The room spun around him, his vision growing dizzy as he collapsed to the ground, the effects of the pills taking hold with frightening speed.

**

Satoru woke up to find himself lying on the grass in an endless field, he stood up to dust off the dirt on his clothes before he proceeded to shout.

Satoru's voice echoed across the endless field as he shouted you and Tomorrow's name, his desperation showed in every word. "I'm sorry, please! Don't just push me away like that!" he pleaded, his voice tinged with anguish.

Before he could continue shouting, a magical sound filled the air, causing him to turn around. His heart skipped a beat as he saw a glowing figure standing before him, eerily identical to you.

"[Reader's Name]?" Satoru whispered, his voice barely above a breath. But before he could reach out to touch you, the glowing figure turned and ran, disappearing into the distance.

Driven by an overwhelming sense of longing, Satoru chased after the figure, his heart pounding in his chest as he searched desperately for a way to reach that glowing person.

As Satoru continued to chase the glowing figure across the endless field, time seemed to blur together, the passage of hours unnoticed in his desperate chase. 

It was only when he felt the sun beginning to set, casting a golden hue over the landscape, that he realized how much time had passed.

Finally, the glowing figure slowed to a stop, and Satoru halted as well, his chest heaving with exertion. "Is that you?" he gasped out, his voice barely a whisper as he stared at the radiant form before him.

But no matter how much he strained to see, the figure's face remained obscured by the intense light, leaving Satoru with more questions than answers. 

The frustration and longing welled up inside him, an ache in his heart that seemed impossible to soothe.

The glowing figure approached Satoru, their touch gentle as they caressed his cheek, a bittersweet warmth emanating from their hand. As they spoke, their words pierced through Satoru's heart like a knife, each syllable carrying the weight of undeniable truth.

"They're gone. They're just your imagination," the figure said softly, their voice echoing in the empty expanse of the field. "You need to let them go."

Tears threatened to spill from Satoru's eyes as he shook his head in denial. "No, no, it can't be," he protested, his voice trembling with anguish.

"They were created by your mind when you were a child, desperate for friends," the glowing figure continued, their tone filled with compassion. "Now that you're growing into adulthood, your mind is beginning to reject them, to erase them. But your heart clings to them, unwilling to let go. Please, forget them, or it will only hurt them more."

Satoru's heart felt heavy with grief as he grappled with the painful realization that you and Tomorrow may have only ever existed within the confines of his imagination. But even as he struggled to accept the truth, a part of him resisted, unwilling to relinquish the memories and the love he held for you both.

As the truth sank in, Satoru's heart clenched with sorrow, understanding now why Tomorrow had run away. 

Their instincts had sensed the impending rejection by his mind, prompting them to seek refuge in hiding.

"Will I ever meet them?" Satoru asked, his voice tinged with a mix of hope and resignation as he gazed at the glowing figure before him, though he already knew the answer.

"Unfortunately, I don't have the right to tell you that," the figure replied, their voice filled with a gentle sadness. "I only came here to see your determination to [reader's name]."

Satoru's heart sank at the confirmation of what he had feared. 

"They're in a better place for them now, don't worry," the glowing figure reassured Satoru, their words offering a glimmer of solace amid his anguish.

Satoru's lips curled into a soft smile at the thought of you and Tomorrow finding peace, but it was quickly overshadowed by the overwhelming flood of tears that spilled from his eyes. With a heavy heart, he sank to his knees, the weight of his grief pressing down on him like a crashing wave.

As he cried out in anguish, consumed by the pain of loss, he didn't even notice how the glowing figure slowly began to fade away, their presence fading into the darkness of the night. 

Alone in the dim light of the setting sun, Satoru whispered his apologies into the empty expanse of the field, his words lost to the vastness of the night sky.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry [reader's name]," he murmured, his voice filled with a raw, unspoken sorrow that echoed into the darkness.

I’ll never forget you [reader’s name]...

I’ll never ever forget you, I promise…

I’ll never… who am I not supposed to forget?

Satoru's head snapped up, a surge of panic coursing through him as he struggled to recall the name of the person he shouldn't be forgetting. 

"No—no, who— who was it?!" he exclaimed frantically, his mind racing in a desperate attempt to grasp onto the fading memory.

With trembling hands, he opened his palm and used his finger as an imaginary pen, trying to spell out the name of that person. 

But try as he might, all he could manage was to draw a line, his efforts futile as the name slipped further and further from his grasp.

Tears stung his eyes once more as the weight of his forgetfulness settled upon him, a crushing reminder of the fragments of his reality slipping away. In that moment of vulnerability, he felt utterly lost.

Satoru cried out in pain as his head throbbed, feeling like it might explode. He tried to stand up but stumbled and fell again. 

Everything spun around him, and he couldn't find his balance. Before he knew it, he was falling into the darkness once more, feeling helpless and scared he screamed, but his voice disappeared into the black hole. 

He felt like he was disappearing too, lost in the darkness and unable to find his way back.

***

"Satoru!" The voice called out urgently, pulling Satoru from the depths of unconsciousness. His eyes fluttered open, his vision blurry as he struggled to make out the figures hovering over him.

As his surroundings slowly came into focus, Satoru realized he was lying in an infirmary bed. Shoko and Yaga stood beside him, their expressions a mix of concern and relief.

"Satoru, thank goodness you're awake," Shoko exclaimed, her voice filled with worry. "We were so worried about you. You almost didn't make it. You overdosed on the sleeping pills, but thankfully, you survived."

Yaga nodded solemnly, his brow furrowed with concern. "You gave us quite a scare, Satoru," he added, his voice tinged with relief that Satoru had pulled through.

Satoru's heart clenched with guilt as he listened to their words, the realization of how close he had come to losing everything hitting him like a punch to the gut. 

“I’m sorry” Satoru's voice trembled as he muttered a heartfelt apology, tears welling up in his eyes once more. 

Shoko and Yaga moved closer to him, offering words of comfort and reassurance, their presence a source of solace in his moment of vulnerability.

Throughout the day, they spoke to him, their words a steady stream of support and encouragement. 

But despite their efforts to console him, Satoru's mind remained preoccupied with thoughts of the person he had been trying so desperately to remember.

"Are you okay?" you asked with a concerned look as Satoru brushed it off, telling you he was fine, even though there was clear evidence of blood running down his nose.

Despite his attempt to hide it, you could see the pain in his eyes. 

Gently, you reached out and wiped away the blood with a handkerchief you always carried with you. Satoru winced slightly but tried to hide it with a weak smile.

"You really should be more careful, Satoru," you scolded softly, your voice filled with worry. "Let's get you cleaned up."

You led him to a nearby bench and carefully dabbed at his nose with the handkerchief, trying to stop the bleeding. 

The fennec fox, Tomorrow, nuzzled against Satoru's leg as if offering comfort in its own way.

As you tend to him, Satoru couldn't help but feel a sense of warmth and safety wash over him. Being with you and Tomorrow always made him forget his troubles, even if just for a little while.

As Satoru sat there with you by his side, tending to his injury, he couldn't help but wish that this moment could last forever. 

He wished he could stay like this with you, with Tomorrow following you two around, offering silent companionship.

Despite the pain in his nose, Satoru felt a sense of peace and contentment wash over him. 

Being with you made him forget about the stresses and worries of his everyday life as the heir to the Gojo clan. It was moments like these that he cherished the most, moments of simple happiness and quiet friendship.

As you finished cleaning up his nose, Satoru looked up at you with gratitude in his eyes. "Thank you," he said softly, his voice filled with sincerity. 

"I don't know what I would do without you.” He added.

You gave him a light-hearted chuckle as you told him it's nothing, as long as his nose is fine. 

With a playful grin, you booped his nose gently, causing him to wince and whine as it still pained him even from a gentle touch.

"I'm sorry," you said with a sympathetic smile, realizing your mistake. "I didn't mean to make it hurt more."

Satoru shook his head, a small smile playing on his lips despite the discomfort. "It's okay," he assured you. "I'll survive."

You and Satoru shared a moment of laughter, finding solace in each other's company even in the midst of a small mishap. As Tomorrow nestled closer to both of you, the bond between the three of you felt stronger than ever.

As Satoru began to tell you about his day, you sat there listening attentively, giving him a genuine reaction to each detail he shared. 

You laughed at his humorous anecdotes, frowned at his frustrations, and smiled at his moments of joy.

Lost in conversation, neither of you noticed the passage of time or the maid beginning to appear in the garden. 

Satoru was completely engrossed in sharing his experiences with you, finding comfort in your presence and the ease with which he could confide in you.

While Satoru was still engrossed in telling his story, he was abruptly pulled on his wrist. Startled, he turned to face his personal maid, who had a frantic look on her face.

"Gojo-sama, who were you talking to?!" she asked, breathing heavily. 

Satoru was confused. "Huh? I was talking to-" He turned his head to face you and Tomorrow, eager to show you to the maid, but to his surprise, the two of you weren't there.

Huh?

Confusion clouded Satoru's expression as he scanned the garden, but there was no sign of you or Tomorrow. 

His heart sank as he realized that you and the fennec fox had vanished without a trace, leaving him standing there, alone with his bewildered maid.

The maid sighed in disappointment, her frustration evident as she scolded him. 

"I'm disappointed in you, Gojo-sama, for running away from your lecture and being here alone! How would your father react if he knew this?!" Her voice carried a mix of concern and fear, knowing the consequences of Satoru's actions if his father found out about his whereabouts while escaping an important lesson.

Satoru felt a pang of guilt as he realized the trouble he could be in if his father discovered his disobedience. 

He lowered his gaze, feeling ashamed for causing his maid such distress.

"I'm sorry," he murmured softly, his voice barely above a whisper. "I didn't mean to worry anyone. I'll go back to my lesson now."

With a heavy heart, Satoru followed his maid back to the house, his mind filled with thoughts of you and Tomorrow, wondering where you had disappeared and if he would ever see you again.

The next day, Satoru returned to the garden, finding himself standing in the same spot where he had met you before. Hesitant at first, he debated whether to do the Morse code to summon you, but he shook off his doubts and began stomping his feet in the pile of leaves, creating the familiar rhythm.

Just as he finished, he heard your voice calling out his name. Startled, Satoru turned around to see you standing there, nervous but with a glimmer of hope in your eyes. Tomorrow hung on your shoulder, adding to the surreal scene.

"Satoru," you spoke softly, the sound of his name sending a wave of relief through him. Without hesitation, he rushed towards you, a smile spreading across his face.

"You came back," he said, his voice filled with joy and gratitude. "I was afraid I wouldn't see you again.”

Satoru added, "Since you suddenly vanished yesterday when my maid was scolding me," his tone carrying a hint of hurt. You gently held his shoulder, trying to reassure him.

"I'm sorry about it, but if you know about it, I don't know about the consequences I'll face," you explained, your words tinged with concern. Satoru's interest was piqued by your cryptic statement, and he looked at you with curiosity.

"What do you mean?" he asked, his brows furrowing slightly. He couldn't help but wonder what consequences you were referring to and why you had disappeared so suddenly the day before.

You brushed it off, telling him it's nothing he should be worrying about. Satoru was confused as to why you couldn't tell him, but he kept quiet. All he wanted to do was spend time with you and Tomorrow, relishing in the moment of companionship and friendship.

Though a part of him was curious about the secrets you held, he decided not to press further. Instead, he focused on the present, cherishing the time he had with you and the fennec fox. As he watched Tomorrow playfully scampering around, a smile formed on Satoru's lips, grateful for the simple joys your presence brought him.

On his 10th birthday, Satoru came across the garden, but there was no joy in his body. He mechanically performed the usual Morse code, his heart heavy with burdens he couldn't quite articulate. When you called his name, he turned around to see you smiling at him, Tomorrow perched on your shoulder as usual.

However, your smile faltered as you sensed Satoru's unusual demeanor. Concern etched across your face as you approached him cautiously.

"Satoru, is everything alright?" you asked gently, your voice filled with genuine care. Satoru hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to express the turmoil he was feeling inside.

"I came here to tell you that I will stop coming here," Satoru replied, his voice tinged with sadness. Your face showed an expression of hurt and a small "oh" escaped your lips. Satoru scratched his nape nervously.

"Satoru, will you promise me?" you asked, your voice soft but filled with emotion.

"Promise about what?" he asked, confused by your request.

"Promise me that you will meet us again and you won't forget the Morse code we created and also mine and Tomorrow's name," you told him with a smile, even though it hurt you deeply.

Satoru thought it wasn't that hard as he agreed, "I promise," he said with a smile. You smiled back, though a tinge of sadness lingered in your eyes, as he walked away to head inside his clan household. You stood there, staring at the ground, hiding the fact that you had a gift for him hidden behind your feet.

As Satoru disappeared from view, you let out a sigh, feeling a mix of emotions swirling inside you. 

With a heavy heart, you bent down and retrieved the gift you had prepared for him, clutching it tightly in your hands.

Despite the pain of saying goodbye, you knew it was for the best. Holding onto the hope that someday, somehow, you and Satoru would meet again. 

With a determined smile, you tucked the gift away, silently vowing to cherish the memories you shared and to keep your promise to never forget.

But that promise slowly faded away as Satoru grew older, the memories of his childhood slipping through his fingers like grains of sand. 

Immersed in his duties as the heir of the Gojo clan, he became consumed by the weight of expectations and obligations.

As the years passed, the garden and the special moments he shared with you and Tomorrow became distant echoes in his mind, overshadowed by the demands of his position. 

Slowly but surely, the memories began to blur, the Morse code becoming nothing more than a forgotten melody, and your name fading into the depths of his consciousness.

Despite his best efforts to hold on, Satoru found himself unable to recall the promise he had made to you that day. 

It was as if a veil had been drawn over his past, shrouding it in a haze of forgetfulness.

With each passing day, the gap between Satoru's present and his cherished memories of the past widened, leaving him feeling lost and disconnected from the innocence and joy of his childhood. 

As he continued to fulfill his duties as the heir of the Gojo clan, the promise he had once made to never forget slipped further and further from his grasp, lost to the passage of time.

**

Satoru woke up abruptly, his breaths coming in ragged gasps. 

His hand instinctively went to his forehead, feeling the dampness of sweat, and then to his eyes, where he could still feel the lingering dampness of tears. 

He realized he had been crying in his sleep.

What the hell is that dream?

Confusion and unease settled over him as he tried to make sense of the emotions that had stirred within him. 

His heart felt heavy, weighed down by a sadness he couldn't quite place. Was it a dream that had brought him to tears, or was it something deeper, something he couldn't quite grasp?

As he lay there in the darkness, the remnants of his dream slipping away like smoke, Satoru couldn't shake the feeling of emptiness that lingered within him. 

Despite the warmth of his surroundings, he felt an inexplicable chill in his bones, as if something precious had been lost to him forever.

Satoru lay back again, his mind still lingering on the vivid dream. Who was that young girl in his dream? He swore he had never met them before. With a sigh, he glanced at his clock and realized he was awake earlier than usual. 

Feeling restless, Satoru got up and headed to the bathroom to brush his teeth. As he stood in front of the mirror, he couldn't shake the feeling of unease that had settled over him. The memory of the dream lingered in the back of his mind, elusive yet haunting. 

Despite his attempts to push it aside, Satoru found himself lost in thought, pondering the significance of the dream and the emotions it had stirred within him. 

He is itching to know that person.

But as he rinsed his mouth and splashed water on his face, he resolved to put it behind him and focus on the day ahead. With a determined expression, he left the bathroom, ready to face whatever challenges awaited him.

At Tokyo Metropolitan Curse Technical College, Shoko and Geto stared at Satoru as if they had seen a ghost. "You're early, wow," Shoko said, amused, while Geto remarked, "You look like shit, dude."

Satoru groaned at them for being annoying. "Knock it off, you two!" he told them frustratedly as he rubbed his forehead, already feeling a headache coming on.

Both Shoko and Geto sat down in front of him after grabbing chairs. "Was it some girl?" Geto asked teasingly.

"I'll punch you in the face," Satoru told him annoyingly, clearly not in the mood for their jokes.

Shoko giggled at the exchange. "So it is a girl!" she said happily, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

Satoru sighed heavily, covering his face with his arm at the desk in an attempt to ignore Shoko and Geto's antics. 

The two glanced at each other before shrugging and engaging in another conversation, leaving Satoru to his thoughts.

His mind began to wander, trying to unravel the mystery of the dream that had left him feeling unsettled. 

Did he really forget something? 

The thought gnawed at him, but his childhood memories were a blur, a part of his past that he often avoided digging into.

As Shoko and Geto's voices faded into the background, Satoru couldn't shake the feeling that there was something he was missing, something important that he had left behind in the depths of his memories. 

But as much as he tried to push the thought away, it lingered like a shadow, taunting him with its mysterious presence.

Even though it bugged Satoru, he continued his day like he usually did.

**

Satoru woke up in the middle of a field on a hill. Looking around, he found the surroundings peaceful, but confusion flooded his mind as he tried to comprehend how he had ended up there. Just as he was about to shout for someone, he heard a squeak.

His head swiftly turned to see a fox? But it didn't look like a normal fox; its color didn't match the foxes he knew. Perhaps it was a specific type of fox? 

He felt that this was the fox in his other dream.

The fox stared at him with an unreadable expression before turning around and running away down the mountain.

Satoru's eyes widened, and before he knew it, his feet unconsciously began to run, trying to chase after the mysterious fox.

As Satoru made it to the top of the hill where the fox had led him, he stared down to see someone's back facing him. They knelt in front of the fox, giving it a chin rub, to which the fox responded with evident happiness. 

Satoru was about to call out to the person, but to his horror, he found that his voice wouldn't come out. 

Panic surged through him as he tried to walk forward, only to find himself stumbling and falling through darkness. 

The sensation of falling seemed endless, and Satoru's mind raced with confusion and fear. 

What was happening? 

Where was he going? 

And who was that person with the fox? 

**

Satoru woke up again, this time to the sound of his alarm blaring. He sat up straight, turning off the alarm abruptly as he rubbed his eyes. 

The remnants of the dream lingered in his mind, leaving him feeling unsettled.

"Ah, my head," Satoru muttered, rubbing his temples in an attempt to alleviate the headache that had crept in. 

The vividness of the dream left him feeling disoriented as if it had a deeper significance that he couldn't quite grasp.

Satoru thought back to the person he had seen in his dream, trying to recall their features. He couldn't shake the feeling that the person was just around his age. 

Could it be that person and the fox were the ones from his dream?

Sighing, Satoru stood up and went about his usual routine, pushing the strange dream to the back of his mind for the time being. 

But the nagging feeling that there was something more to it lingered, leaving him unsettled as he went about his day.

**

Satoru called out to Shoko, who was smoking in the hallway. "Mhm?" she replied, blowing out a puff of smoke.

"Let me guess, did you and Suguru make another bet?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. Satoru shook his head, a serious expression on his face.

He leaned against the wall, contemplating his thoughts for a moment before speaking again. "What would you do if you had a dream that felt so real?" he asked, his voice tinged with uncertainty. 

Shoko took another drag of her cigarette before responding. 

"Well, I guess it depends on the dream. But if it felt real, I'd probably try to figure out why it felt that way. Dreams can sometimes be a reflection of our subconscious thoughts and feelings, you know?" she replied, her tone thoughtful.

"But all dreams are just made up?" Satoru asked, his brow furrowing in confusion.

Shoko shrugged, taking another puff of her cigarette. "Well, believe what you want. I already gave you my answer to that question of yours," she said cryptically, leaving Satoru to ponder her words.

Satoru tried to question her further, but Shoko began to feel annoyed. She rolled her eyes and sighed heavily, her patience wearing thin.

"Look, Satoru, I don't have time for your quarter-life crisis," she snapped, her irritation visible. "If you keep bothering me with these questions, I swear I'll kill you."

Despite her threatening tone, Shoko knew she wasn't strong enough to actually harm Satoru. 

It was more of an empty threat born out of frustration than anything else.

Satoru huffed in frustration as he walked away from Shoko, deciding to ask Geto the same question. 

However, his attempt didn't go as planned, as Geto's patience wore thin much quicker than expected.

As Satoru began to ask his question, Geto's annoyance boiled over, and he almost ended up getting beaten up by Geto for the umpteenth time for annoying him with his constant questions. 

Satoru quickly retreated, realizing that perhaps he needed to find the answers to his questions on his own.

**

Satoru woke up, finding himself back in his clan household's garden. 

It was a maze-like garden, designed to intrigue and challenge visitors. His eyes were drawn to a glowing circle, its color matching his own eyes. 

As it began to move inside the maze, Satoru felt a curious pull, compelling him to follow the mysterious object.

With cautious steps, he navigated through the intricate pathways of the maze, the hedges towering above him like walls of greenery. 

The glowing circle led him deeper into the maze, its light casting eerie shadows on the foliage.

Despite the uncertainty swirling in his mind, Satoru felt a sense of determination driving him forward. He had to find out what this glowing object was and why it had led him here. With each twist and turn of the maze, he moved closer to unraveling the mysteries hidden within.

As soon as Satoru took a turn in the maze, he slowed to a stop when he saw the same fox whining at the back of a glowing young girl. 

The girl was crying and digging into the ground, pushing something that resembled a letter. Satoru's interest was piqued by the unusual scene unfolding before him.

As the girl turned around, Satoru thought he would be able to see their face. 

However, instead of a clear view, their face seemed to glow, obscuring his vision and making it harder for him to see their features. 

They carried and hugged the fox tightly, tears streaming down her face, while the fox whined softly as if trying to comfort them in return.

A sense of empathy washed over Satoru as he watched the heartbreaking scene. He felt compelled to approach and offer his help, but he hesitated, unsure of how to intervene in such a mysterious and otherworldly situation.

Satoru's mouth unconsciously opened, but once again, his voice failed to emerge. His hand shot up to his neck, gripping it tightly in confusion. 

He felt a surge of panic as he wondered if he had suddenly become mute.

Frantically, Satoru tried to speak, but no sound escaped his lips. The realization that something strange was happening washed over him, leaving him feeling helpless.

The young girl stopped crying and stood up, still carrying the fox in her arms before suddenly running away. 

Satoru's eyes widened in surprise as he instinctively followed them, breaking into a run. However, he couldn't seem to move forward. 

Instead, he felt as if an invisible force was pulling him backward, preventing him from reaching the girl and the fox.

Confusion clouded Satoru's mind as he struggled against the unseen barrier, his heart pounding with frustration and urgency. But no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't break free. 

As he continued to struggle, his vision suddenly went dark.

**

Satoru woke up again, finding himself back in his dorm room. He sat up straight, blankly staring at the wall, lost in thought. Was this moment real or just another dream? 

To confirm, he pinched himself and winced as he felt the pain, concluding that he was not dreaming at this moment.

Sighing in relief, Satoru tried speaking and was reassured by the sound of his own voice. 

He got out of bed and headed to the bathroom. As he looked into the mirror, he winced at the sight of his reflection. 

His face appeared ruined from his messed-up sleeping schedule, with prominent bags under his eyes indicating how little sleep he had been getting. 

As Satoru brushed his teeth, the memory of the garden dream flooded his mind.

He paused, toothbrush in hand, trying to recall the details of the dream. The image of the young girl burying something in the ground lingered in his thoughts.

"Maybe what the young girl buried was real," Satoru mused aloud to himself. 

The idea took root in his mind, and he felt a sudden determination to find out the truth. Without hesitation, he made a decision.

"I should find out," he resolved, determination firm in his voice.

After brushing his teeth, Satoru quickly made up his mind to head back to his clan. He decided to ditch school in order to find the mystery of what the young girl had buried in the ground.

**

The maid spoke in a happy tone, "I'm so glad you came to visit, Gojo-sama," her voice filled with genuine warmth. She had been with Satoru during his childhood and had seen him grow up.

Satoru smiled back at her as they walked down the hallway together. "Well, I just had something to take care of here," he told her, keeping his purpose for returning to the clan grounds vague for now. 

He didn't want to raise any suspicions about his sudden visit. 

"You were just this small back then," the maid said, a fond smile on her face as she reminisced. She placed her hand on her waist, indicating Satoru's small height from his childhood days. 

"You always ran away during lecture time because you had to go to the garden all the time," she chuckled, the memory bringing amusement to her voice.

Satoru froze on his spot, his mind intrigued by her words. "W-what do you mean?" he asked, his voice itching to know the answer.

"I mean you always had these imaginary friends," the maid explained gently, her tone understanding. "We saw that coming since you were a child. Maybe it was because you didn't have any other kids to play with at the time."

“You were always intrigued by the fennec fox or even those morse codes that you always show me.” She added

Satoru's eyes widened as the memories slowly started to come back to him. 

The mention of the fennec fox and the morse code stirred something deep within him, unlocking fragments of his forgotten childhood.

"You should go ahead," Satoru told the maid, his mind consumed with the memories flooding back to him.

"But I thought you wanted to eat some food?" she asked, confused by his sudden change of plans.

"I just had to get something first from my room. I'll join later," Satoru reassured her, his tone urgent as he made his way towards his room.

The maid was about to protest, but before she could say anything, Satoru vanished, using his teleportation ability to make a quick escape. 

She sighed and shook her head, accustomed to his unpredictable behavior, before heading to the kitchen to carry on with her tasks.

Satoru appeared in front of the garden, his determination driving him forward. He focused on remembering the path, trying his best to recall every twist and turn. 

With each step, he made a conscious effort to scan the ground, searching for any signs of disturbance that might indicate something had been dug up.

As he navigated through the maze, Satoru kept an observation eye on his surroundings, his senses heightened with anticipation. 

Every corner turned, every dead end reached, brought him closer to uncovering the truth behind the mysterious events that had unfolded in his dreams.

Satoru found a patch of dirt with growing grass, noticing how oddly dented it appeared. 

Suspicion sparked in his mind, prompting him to dig into the soil using his bare hands.

"The gardener must not have noticed this. I guess they barely come to this part of the maze," Satoru muttered to himself as he continued to dig, determined to uncover whatever lay hidden beneath the surface.

Satoru's hand quickly grabbed the dirty paper, unfolding it with trembling fingers. His eyes widened in astonishment when he recognized the familiar handwriting—it was the letter he had made.

The realization sent a shiver down his spine as he struggled to comprehend how it had ended up buried in the garden. 

Dear Future Me,

Hi! I hope you're having a good day! Remember that time when we met [Reader's name] and Tomorrow in the garden? It was super cool! We made a secret code together, just for us!

If you ever forget it, don't worry! It's

 - --- -- --- .-. .-. --- .-- ! It's from Tomorrow, the fennec fox's name! Isn't that awesome?

I hope you always remember our fun times and our secret code, even when you're all grown up!

From,

Your 7-Year-Old Self! (⁠☆⁠▽⁠☆⁠)

Satoru's world seemed to come to a halt as he read the letter, flooded with memories of the day he had written it with you by his side. 

He remembered the joy of creating the secret code together, the excitement of writing the letter to his future self. It felt like a precious capsule of time, frozen in his memory forever.

[Reader’s name] and Tomorrow…

Quickly, he folded the paper and hid it inside his pocket, wanting to keep it safe and close to him. 

With a final glance at the spot where he had found the letter, Satoru carefully replaced the dirt, covering any trace of his discovery. 

As he made his way back, he felt a sense of urgency, not wanting the maid to worry about his absence.

After spending the day at the clan, Satoru returned to his dorm, feeling a sense of peace wash over him. 

As he prepared for bed, he made sure to take a moment to memorize the Morse code, repeating it over and over in his mind until it became second nature.

With the Morse code firmly ingrained in his memory, Satoru climbed into bed, ready to embrace whatever dreams may come. 

As he drifted off to sleep, he held onto the hope that he would find answers and perhaps even more memories waiting for him in the realm of dreams.

**

Satoru woke up on the hill, greeted by the sight of the fall season around him. 

He scanned his surroundings, hoping to catch a glimpse of Tomorrow and you, but they were nowhere to be found. Determined, he searched for a pile of leaves, his heart pounding with anticipation.

When he finally found one, he took a deep breath, steeling himself for what lay ahead. 

With steady determination, he began to stomp his feet onto the leaves, creating the sound of the morse code echoing through the quiet air.

With each rhythmic beat, Satoru felt nervous while hoping this morse code still worked. 

He continued the morse code, trusting that somehow, it would lead him to see you again.

After Satoru finished the code, he waited anxiously for the familiar voice to call out to him, but seconds turned into minutes, and there was only silence.

Disappointment weighed heavy in his heart as he stared up at the sky, feeling a sense of hopelessness wash over him.

Just when he was about to give up, he felt a gentle nudge at his ankle. 

Startled, he looked down to see the fennec fox, Tomorrow, rubbing its head against him, squealing and smiling in its own unique way.

"Tomorrow," Satoru whispered, his eyes widening in disbelief and wonder. In that moment, a spark of hope ignited within him once more.

Satoru was about to kneel and pet Tomorrow when he heard someone call out to the fennec fox. 

Tomorrow's ears perked up, and with a joyful squeal, it darted toward the person, leaving Satoru momentarily stunned.

Turning quickly, Satoru's eyes widened as he saw you, someone he had been longing to see again, standing before him. 

You knelt down and held out your hand, welcoming Tomorrow as it leaped onto your arm and perched on your shoulder, just like old times.

As you turned your gaze towards Satoru, your eyes slowly widened in surprise. "Satoru," you said, your voice filled with astonishment.

"You still-" Satoru began, but you cut him off.

"What took you so long?" you asked him. 

Satoru was surprised by your words. "You still remember me?" he asked incredulously, pointing to himself.

"Of course. I've never stopped waiting for you," you replied with a smile, your eyes filled with warmth and sincerity. 

Tomorrow whined softly, and you chuckled, giving the fennec fox a gentle chin rub as if you understood its whines.

"I mean, we never stopped waiting for you," you corrected yourself, including Tomorrow in your response to ensure they weren't left out.

Satoru couldn't help but unconsciously smile at the sight of you two together. He observed the both of you for a moment, taking in the changes since the last time he had seen you. 

You looked more mature now, but still carried that familiar warmth in your eyes. Tomorrow remained the same playful fox, bringing a sense of familiarity and comfort to the moment.

"I'm sorry if I forgot our promise. You can punch me all you want," Satoru said, spreading his arms wide, and preparing himself for the certain punch he’ll face. 

However, instead of a punch, he was taken aback as you stepped forward and enveloped him in a warm hug.

Tomorrow, sensing the affection, jumped down from your shoulder and rubbed its head against Satoru's ankle, offering its own form of comfort and forgiveness. 

In that embrace, Satoru felt a wave of gratitude and relief wash over him, knowing that despite his forgetfulness, the bond between you all remained strong.

"What matters right now is that you're here," you told him, your voice soft and filled with warmth as you continued to hold him in the embrace. 

Satoru felt a sense of peace wash over him as he slowly wrapped his arms around your back, returning the hug with equal sincerity.

"I won't forget you. Ever. I really promise," Satoru whispered, his words sincere and heartfelt, leaving you giggling softly in response. 

At that moment, surrounded by the presence of each other and the playful affection of Tomorrow, Satoru felt a sense of reassurance that some bonds were truly unbreakable, no matter the passage of time.

It has been 11 years since you came to the Tokyo Metropolitan Curse Technical College. You joined in the third year, but at first, you were confused because there was only one teacher and two students, making you wonder if it was really a school.

**

"These are your classmates," Yaga announced upon opening the door. Expecting a crowd, you were surprised to find only two students: a white-haired boy and a brunette girl.

"Satoru, Shoko, this is [Reader’s name]. They'll be your classmates this year," Yaga introduced. "It's nice to meet you," you greeted them, receiving a response only from Shoko as Satoru stared blankly.

Feeling nervous and confused about his behavior, Shoko nudged Satoru and whispered something, prompting him to sigh.

"I'm Satoru Gojo, the strongest sorcerer," he declared, his ego evident. 

Weeks and months passed and you became close with Satoru but you always felt like Satoru was putting up a wall to prevent you from coming in.

**

“Sensei?” You flinched as you turned around to see Megumi standing at the doorway of the storage room. “What are you doing here?” He asked.

“Well, I’m just getting a weapon to use in training” You answered. "Shouldn't you be with Itadori right now?" you asked Megumi, curious about his whereabouts.

With an annoyed sigh, Megumi replied, "That idiot is busy feeding Gojo sensei's ego."

You couldn't help but laugh at his choice of words, finding humor in the situation.

As you rummaged through the storage room, Megumi's voice broke the silence. "Hey, um... do you think you could teach me during our training sessions?" he asked tentatively.

You paused, surprised by his request, then turned to face him. "Teach you?" you echoed, eyebrows raised in disbelief.

"Yeah," Megumi replied, looking somewhat uncomfortable or maybe shy?

 "I've been observing your techniques, and I think I could learn a lot from you." He added.

Before agreeing, you couldn't resist teasing Megumi for his sudden shyness. "Wow, Megumi, I never took you for the shy type, needing someone to hold your hand through training," you quipped, a playful smirk dancing on your lips.

Megumi's cheeks flushed slightly, but he managed a small smile. "It's not like that," he protested, though his tone betrayed his embarrassment.

You chuckled, enjoying the rare opportunity to see Megumi flustered. "Alright, alright, I'll teach you," you relented, realizing he was genuinely seeking to improve his skills.

After finally choosing the right weapon, you and Megumi headed to the training room to begin your session. Hours passed in intense practice, sweat pouring down your faces as you focused on perfecting your techniques.

Eventually, you both decided to take a break, panting heavily from exertion. Collapsing onto nearby benches, you wiped the sweat from your brow and took deep breaths, feeling the fatigue setting in.

"That was intense," you remarked between gasps, glancing over at Megumi, who nodded in agreement.

"Yeah, but it's worth it," he replied, a determined glint in his eyes.

As you prepared to resume training, Megumi's unexpected question caught you off guard. "What did you see in Gojo sensei?" he asked, his tone curious.

You blinked in confusion. "Come again?" you replied, taken aback by the sudden inquiry.

"It's obvious you have something going on with Gojo sensei," Megumi persisted, his gaze steady as he waited for your response.

You sighed, realizing that Megumi was more observant than you had thought. "Am I that obvious?" you asked, feeling a hint of embarrassment.

Megumi nodded solemnly. "Everyone knows it, but Gojo sensei was too naive or oblivious to notice it," he remarked matter-of-factly, leaving you momentarily speechless at his blunt assessment.

As you thought back on the countless gestures Satoru had made exclusively for you, you couldn't help but sigh. "I don't know," you began, your voice tinged with emotion. "One day, I just felt those feelings bloom when I looked at him. I guess you can't really explain why you love someone."

Before you knew it, Satoru and Itadori approached from behind as you finished speaking.

"Who is this 'him'?" he inquired, catching you off guard. Startled, you flinched at the sound of Satoru's voice.

"I-I..." you stammered, trying to explain that there was no one else, but Satoru didn't seem convinced. Before you could say anything further, he raised his hand, holding a boba tea, leaving you dumbfounded.

"I know you were training, so I brought you this," Satoru said, his toothy grin melting away any tension in the air. As you accepted the boba tea, you felt those familiar butterflies fluttering in your stomach.

"You should have got her water, not boba tea," Megumi interjected, glaring at Satoru with a hint of disapproval in his voice.

Satoru just shrugged off Megumi's comment. "Boba tea is tastier than those tasteless waters," he retorted, seemingly unfazed by Megumi's concern.

"Water makes you hydrated, while boba tea makes you dehydrated," Megumi countered, growing annoyed at how Satoru's sweet tooth seemed to cloud his understanding of the importance of water.

Meanwhile, you stared at the boba tea in your hand, a smile spreading across your face as you took a sip, savoring the sweetness of the drink and the thoughtfulness behind Satoru's gesture.

It makes you fall even more

**

A week later, after completing another mission, you found yourself sitting in Shoko's clinic, getting your wounds treated. As Shoko tended to your injuries, your phone chimed with a notification from Satoru, asking if you had finished the mission and suggesting going for a drink afterward. Unconsciously, a smile crept onto your face, catching Shoko's attention.

"You're smiling again," she observed, her tone playful as she noticed the subtle change in your expression.

Your face flushed with embarrassment as you fumbled with your phone, attempting to shut off the notification. "Y-you didn't see anything!" You stuttered out, cheeks burning with embarrassment.

Shoko sighed knowingly. "Does he know?" she asked, sensing the underlying tension.

You sighed, avoiding Shoko's gaze as you stared at the ground. "No," You admitted softly, feeling a bit sad at keeping your feelings hidden from Satoru.

"He'll never know if you won't confess," Shoko urged gently, her voice filled with empathy.

Frustrated, you let out a sigh. "So what if I confess? I'll just add to his burden of having to protect me when he's already tasked with protecting the world from the stupid curses roaming around," you replied, your frustration evident in your tone.

After finishing cleaning and healing your wound, Shoko took off her gloves and offered you some insightful advice. "You always think about the bad side. Why not consider the good side? Wouldn't it be better to go on dates with him, to have him follow you around because he missed you?" she suggested, her words laced with wisdom.

She then reached for a cigarette, lighting it up before taking a puff. As you sighed, her words lingered in your mind, prompting you to imagine what it would be like to be in a relationship with Satoru Gojo, the strongest sorcerer.

"I-I would love that," you confessed, your face flushing at the mere thought of such a scenario.

"As much as you think of those bad sides, all I'm saying to you is that Satoru will never make you feel like you're a burden to him," Shoko reassured you, her voice firm and reassuring.

Before you could respond, Shoko shushed you and hurriedly ushered you towards the door, practically pushing you out of the clinic, leaving you dumbfounded by her abruptness.

Checking the time on your phone, you realized it was still early, so you decided to head back to your dorm and change clothes to at least look presentable for whatever the rest of the day might hold.

A few hours later, after you had changed into more presentable clothes, you mustered up the courage to message Satoru, asking where to meet. He replied promptly, instructing you to meet him at his apartment and providing directions.

Curiosity piqued, and you found yourself standing outside his apartment building, hands sweating and heart pounding with nervous anticipation. Taking a deep breath, you knocked on the door and waited anxiously for Satoru to answer.

As you raised your hand to knock, the door swung open, revealing a shirtless Satoru, his white hair still damp as he dried it with a towel. Your eyes widened in surprise, and you felt your cheeks flush crimson. Quickly, you covered your face with your hands in embarrassment.

"You should have warned me that you were shirtless!" you exclaimed, your voice betraying your embarrassment.

Satoru looked unfazed by your reaction. "Oh, my phone was charging in the other room, so I forgot," he replied casually, seemingly unconcerned about your blushing state.

Satoru let you inside as you hurriedly headed to his living room and sat on the couch. You finished taking a deep breath and calmed yourself before you looked around to observe his place, after all, it was your first time here.

Satoru came to the living room wearing already a shirt and alcohol in his hand that looked like an imported one.

He placed the shot glass and alcohol on his coffee table before he sat in the other chair beside you. “That looks like a strong drink. Where did you buy it?” You asked. “In America when I was on a business trip a couple of months ago, I had been planning to drink that but I didn't like to drink it alone so I tagged you along” he explained. His hands held onto the alcohol, opening the cap before he poured it into the shot glass. 

“Lady’s first?” He teased, “Well if you insist,” you told him with a smile, taking the shot glass out of his hand as you quickly drank.

“Slow down, you’ll get drunk sooner than you expected,” Satoru said with a light-hearted chuckle. 

He was right, you suddenly felt burning in your heart but you can't shake off the thought of Satoru being shirtless earlier.

You poured alcohol into the glass and offered it to him. “It's your turn now dummy,” You told him while feeling slightly light-headed.

Satoru only grinned, taking the glass out of your hand, and drank the alcohol with no problem. 

“It seems like your apartment doesn't have that much furniture” You spoke, sparking a conversation between you two.

“Oh that, I rarely come here” Satoru simply replied.

“Really?” 

“Yeah, I’m more used to sleeping at the dorms in the school.” He poured another, passing the glass to you. “You're more used to sleeping there than in this apartment that has like amazing view from the city at night?” You asked again.

“I don't like how lonely it is to be here alone, I’d rather sleep in the dorm knowing everyone I know is there.” 

Is that so…

You thought, hand quickly grabbing the glass and gulping it.

“But why did you invite me here instead of the dorm? We could have just drank there instead” You wiped your mouth as you looked at him with that curious look.

“I don't know,” Satoru teasingly said, his legs spread wide with a smirk plastered on his face.

He finds your question amusing.

Your conversation with Satoru went on as the passing of the glass containing alcohol continued until you threw your head back, hand quickly massaging your forehead.

“Feeling drunk already?” He asked, you nodded lightly. 

“I feel like I can't face what will happen in Shibuya next month” You suddenly spoke about the mission next month.

Satoru froze in his seat, concern etched into his features. "Why do you think so?" he asked carefully, his tone gentle.

"Maybe because this is more dangerous than the usual mission? To the point that all the sorcerers are alerted to be there," you explained, your voice tinged with unease.

"Are you scared?" he inquired softly, his eyes searching yours for any sign of distress.

You nodded, feeling a lump form in your throat. "Yes, yes I'm scared that I might lose you there," you confessed, a hiccup escaping your lips as tears threatened to spill.

"Why do you think you might lose me?" Satoru asked, his voice barely above a whisper, his concern visible.

"I don't know," you replied softly, shaking your head. "I just feel it.”

As Satoru was about to respond to your confession, you glanced at the clock and realized with a start that it was already 1 am. Panic surged through you, and you scrambled to get up from the couch, frantically rambling about how late it was and how you needed to head back to the dorm.

However, the alcohol in your system made you unsteady on your feet, and you nearly stumbled and fell. Just in time, Satoru reached out and caught you, steadying you with a firm grip.

"Whoa there, take it easy," he said calmly, his voice cutting through your panicked ramblings. "You're in no condition to go anywhere right now."

You tried to protest, but Satoru gently scooped you up into his arms, effortlessly carrying you in a bridal carry. Despite your feeble protests, he walked upstairs to his room, his steps steady and sure.

You felt a mix of embarrassment and gratitude as he carried you, your heart pounding with each step. Reluctantly, you settled against his chest, realizing that you were in no condition to argue.

As he laid you down on his bed, you couldn't help but feel a sense of warmth and comfort wash over you, despite the chaotic whirlwind of emotions swirling inside your head.

As Satoru made to leave you alone in his room, you reached out and grabbed onto his wrist, your words slurred from the effects of the alcohol. "D-don't leave," you stuttered out, your voice barely above a whisper.

Satoru turned back to you, his expression softening as he looked down at you. A gentle smile tugged at the corners of his lips, and he sat down at the edge of the bed, his gaze warm and reassuring.

"Okay," he replied softly, his voice tender. 

"I will not leave." He added.

As Satoru sat at the edge of the bed, you couldn't help but notice how his sapphire eyes shone against the darkness of his room. That's when you realize he wasn't wearing anything to protect them since earlier when he opened the door for you, not even his blindfold or sunglasses. His eyes, usually hidden behind some form of protection, were now fully exposed, radiating a mesmerizing brilliance.

"W-wouldn't your eyes hurt?" you asked softly, your words slurred from the alcohol.

Satoru hummed in confusion at your question. "Since you're not wearing your blindfold or the glasses," you clarified, gesturing to his bare eyes with a shaky hand.

Satoru chuckled softly, touched by your concern even in your intoxicated state. His hand moved to gently hold your cheek, his touch warm and comforting. 

"It's fine, it doesn't hurt that much," he reassured you, his voice gentle as he looked into your eyes with a soft smile. 

You felt a wave of relief wash over you at his words, grateful for his reassurance and the warmth of his touch. Despite the haze of alcohol clouding your thoughts, you couldn't help but feel a sense of comfort in his presence.

Satoru pulled his hand back gently, suggesting that it was time for you to go to sleep. However, you suddenly spoke up, your words slurred from the alcohol. "11 years ago... was when I first met you," you said, followed by a hiccup.

Satoru looked at you with curiosity, but he allowed you to continue.

"I always thought you were that arrogant, nuisance bastard who only cared to feed his ego, but I was wrong," you confessed, your words surprisingly coherent despite your intoxicated state.

Satoru's amusement flickered across his features as he listened intently.

"I was wrong because the first time I saw you alone at the training area, I saw how you never had that usual arrogant face, but instead something that shocked me," you continued, your voice growing softer as memories flooded back to you.

Satoru listened intently as you spoke, his expression softening with each word.

"What shocked you?" he asked gently, his curiosity evident.

You took a moment to gather your thoughts before responding, your voice filled with sincerity. "You had those unexplainable expressions that I couldn't understand—soft? Or maybe tired," you explained, recalling the glimpses of vulnerability you had seen in him over the years. "Shoko once told me how your clan always put pressure on you because you inherited the techniques..."

You paused, then reached out to take Satoru's hand in yours, the warmth of his touch comforting. "That's when I knew I wanted to comfort you, and I want to let you know that you can always open up to me," you added earnestly. "I hate it when you just cope with them on your own.”

Satoru felt his heart skip a beat as he processed your words. 

"I know, you're drunk right now and I want you to take a sleep now, we can talk about this another time-”

"I love you," you declared, your words filled with raw emotion. "I don't care if I'm drunk or not, but I fucking love you that I can't help but smile like a fool whenever you're in my sight."

Satoru's mind raced as he struggled to find the right words to respond to your confession. He felt a surge of warmth and affection for you, but he also knew the weight of your words and the vulnerability they carried.

Taking a deep breath, Satoru reached out and gently brushed a tear from your cheek. "Thank you for being so honest with me," he replied softly, his voice filled with warmth and sincerity. "I need some time to process this, but I promise we'll talk about it when you're sober. For now, let's focus on getting you some rest.”

He leaned in and gently kissed your forehead, his heart heavy with emotions as he contemplated the depth of your feelings for him.

You looked up at Satoru with a pleading gaze after he placed a gentle kiss on your forehead. "You promised?" You asked, voice filled with vulnerability, your eyes resembling those of a puppy seeking reassurance.

Satoru chuckled softly at the sight, nodding in response. "I promise," he affirmed, his heart swelling with affection for the vulnerable yet determined person before him. "Now, get some sleep."

Not long after, you drifted off into a peaceful slumber, your breaths evening out into light snores. As Satoru adjusted the blanket, his eyes darkened when he noticed the bandages wrapped around your wrist and stomach. 

It was clear that you had sought treatment for your injuries from Shoko before coming to his apartment, a realization that filled him with a mixture of concern and admiration for their resilience.

Satoru stood up from the edge of the bed and made his way to the door, pausing for a moment to glance back at you one last time. 

Instead of addressing your drunken confession directly, he decided to give you space and time to process it on your own. 

With a soft sigh, he resolved to wait for you to realize and make the move to talk with him when you were ready. With a final, lingering look, he closed the door behind him, leaving you to rest peacefully in the dimly lit room.

**

As the week passed, the memory of the drunken night with Satoru faded into a haze for you. All you could recall was waking up alone in a bed that you assumed belonged to him, feeling a pang of embarrassment for getting drunk and you felt you were unable to face him as you rushed to get out of his apartment.

Despite your worries, Satoru continued to be his usual self, his goofy and teasing nature shining through as he interacted with his students. Surprisingly, he didn't ignore you or act any differently towards you, as if the events of that night had never happened.

It left you feeling relieved yet puzzled, wondering if you had somehow managed to keep your embarrassing feelings hidden or if Satoru knew about them but simply chose to overlook them for the sake of maintaining your friendship. Either way, you couldn't help but feel grateful for his continued presence in your life.

With the big mission in Shibuya drawing near, you and Maki found yourselves at the training area, immersed in a rigorous combat battle. 

As the stakes heightened in anticipation of the mission, every moment spent sharpening your skills alongside Maki, known for her formidable combat prowess, became invaluable.

After engaging in intense sparring, you found yourself on the ground, Maki's stick pointed at your neck with a victorious smirk on her face. "I win," she declared triumphantly. Sighing in defeat, you accepted her help to rise back to your feet, grateful for the opportunity to learn from her expertise.

As you both headed to take a well-deserved break, Maki's keen eyes caught sight of a boba tea beside a sticky note with your name on it, sparking curiosity and intrigue in both of you. 

What's this?" she asked when she took the note and holding up for you to see. You took it from her and read the message, feeling a flutter of surprise and warmth in your chest as you recognized Satoru's handwriting.

"It's from Satoru," you explained, a smile tugging at the corners of your lips. "Looks like he brought me a boba tea.”

For the past week, you had been experiencing a curious phenomenon: after every training session, you would find a mysterious boba tea waiting for you, accompanied by a note from Satoru. 

Despite Megumi or Kugisaki's admonitions about drinking sugary beverages after training instead of water, you couldn't resist the temptation of the sweet treat.

Despite their scoldings, you ignored their concerns and indulged in the boba tea with a smile plastered on your face. 

There was something comforting about the gesture from Satoru, and the sugary drink seemed to lift your spirits after the long torture of training.

Despite the passing days filled with interactions with Satoru, training sessions, and teaching the students, you couldn't shake off the lingering sense of dread as October 31st drew nearer. 

The closer it got, the more familiar feelings of fear and uneasiness crept back into your mind.

Before you knew it, October 31st had arrived, casting a shadow of uncertainty over the day ahead. 

Despite your attempts to push aside your fears, the date seemed to loom ominously, reminding you of the looming danger that awaited the Shibuya mission.

As the last of the sorcerers left the meeting room, you waited anxiously until only Satoru remained. Summoning all your courage, you stepped forward and stopped him just as he was about to leave.

"Satoru," you called out, your voice tinged with anxiety. He turned his head towards you, responding with a nonchalant hum.

"Can we talk first?" you asked tentatively, your heart pounding in your chest. Satoru glanced around briefly before nodding in agreement, taking a step back to close the door of the meeting room behind him.

Satoru took a seat at the top of the desk, his arms crossed as he watched you intently. You stood in front of him, fiddling with your fingers nervously, struggling to find the right words to say. The weight of the impending conversation hung heavy in the air, tension crackling between you as you gathered your thoughts.

"Uhmm," you began tentatively, feeling the weight of the words on the tip of your tongue. Satoru could sense where the conversation was heading, and he let out a sigh before speaking.

"Don't be scared, it's just me," he reassured you with a light-hearted chuckle, hoping to ease your nerves.

You smiled in return, grateful for his attempt to lighten the mood, and continued, "I know if I said this, our friendship might go to waste but uhm..." Your voice trailed off, the gravity of the moment sinking in as you prepared to finally voice your feelings. 

As you gathered your courage to continue, Satoru's expression softened, and he spoke before you could. "I think I know what you're about to say," he said gently, his eyes meeting yours with a depth of understanding.

 Before you could respond, he reached out, gently taking your hand in his. "I've been feeling the same way," he confessed, his voice barely above a whisper but filled with sincerity.

You blinked in surprise, caught off guard by his perceptiveness. "How did you know I have feelings for you?" you asked, your voice barely above a whisper, your heart racing with anticipation.

Satoru flashed you a playful grin, his usual goofiness returning. "Magic," he replied with a chuckle, clearly enjoying teasing you.

You couldn't help but roll your eyes at his response, feeling a mix of annoyance and embarrassment. 

Pulling your hand back, you lightly slapped him on the shoulder, pretending to be irritated. Satoru let out a playful whine, exaggerating the pain as he rubbed his shoulder.

But beneath your playful exchange, your face burned red with embarrassment at the thought of Satoru possibly knowing about your feelings since the time you two drank together.

As Satoru noticed your face glowing red with embarrassment, he gently took your wrist and pulled you into a warm embrace. 

"You think it was just you having those feelings? Well, surprise surprise, I have too since 11 years ago," he admitted, his voice soft and sincere.

You were taken aback by his confession, your heart skipping a beat at the revelation. Quickly composing yourself, you placed your hands on his chest, pulling back slightly to meet his gaze. "11 years ago? But you weren't even talking to me when I was introduced to you and Shoko," you pointed out, puzzled by his revelation.

Satoru grinned mischievously as he spoke, "Well, maybe I was just one of those angsty teens who couldn't express their feelings?" The way he said it earned a laugh from you, and soon he joined in, the tension of the moment melting away into shared laughter.

The realization that both of you had harbored feelings for each other for so long filled the air with a sense of warmth and understanding, strengthening the bond between you. 

In that moment, any worries or uncertainties about confessing your feelings faded into the background, replaced by a newfound sense of joy and connection.

As the moment of happiness began to fade, Satoru's reminder of the impending Shibuya mission brought back a wave of fear and uncertainty. "We need to go," he said, his voice tinged with a solemn tone.

Unable to contain your fears any longer, you confessed, "I don't know why, but I really feel like I'm going to lose you." The words hung heavy in the air, the weight of your anxiety palpable.

Satoru sighed, his hands cupping your cheeks gently as he looked into your eyes with unwavering determination. "You won't," he assured you, his voice filled with conviction. 

"Before you know it, I'll come back with that victory grin and, of course, with kisses. I promise." With that, he planted a tender kiss on your forehead, his gesture offering comfort and reassurance in the face of uncertainty.

You smiled a little but still felt scared inside. Satoru got up and went to the door. You followed him, but that was a mistake.

Before you knew it, things escalated real quick…

**

“Nanamin, are you there!!” You turned around after patrolling the place, your eyes lightened up when hearing Itadori’s voice, and were about to head to where he was when the next thing he said made you stop.

“Gojo-sensei… was sealed!” Your eyes widened and you felt like the world stopped. Your hands went numb making you drop your weapon.

fuck no…

You turned around and quickly ran to find Satoru.