Drowns in Caffeine

Despite your profession being the same through the many lifetimes, you always have a different favourite flower and a different ending.

In the first book, the scent of red roses was constant to him as you always greeted him with it. It was a fall at first sight. Stolen kisses, intimate conversations, and silence filled with affection. Love and Passion -- those two words described what his first relationship was like with you. Just the existence of you was enough to fill the void he found in his tiring world.

Yet, his enemies found out his 'weakness', and the last thing he remembered from that life was rage and anger directed at everything after your corpse was delivered to him.

In the next book, your first meeting, Dazai brushed his fingers against yours as you were reaching for the soft hydrangeas. Memories from the previous book haunted him, and swore to himself that he would do everything to keep you safe. The moment you fell for him he ensnared you, and locked you up in his apartment like a caged bird.

Dazai took advantage of your kind heart by threatening to take his life if you dared to go outside. His fear of losing you and his stubborn pride drove you to insanity. Instead of an obedient and dependent beloved welcoming him home, he found you dead with an empty bottle of sleeping pills.

In one of the books and after many more tragedies, Dazai vowed to not fall for you, but fate was a such a cruel mistress to suffering. Everywhere he went, you were there, wearing a metallic spider-like flower brooch.

Since when fucking Yokahama city became a small town for him to see you so easily?

Dazai avoided you like a plaque, but it's unavoidable as you were somehow acquainted with the agency's mad doctor, Yosano. During your visits in the agency, longing still filled him as he caught glimpses of you. Dazai yearned to be the one who makes you smile effortlessly.

After he gathered the courage to approach you, he witnessed a car crash as your body flung across the busy street of the city. His mind screamed at him to get close to you, but he stood still as his eyes locked onto the bloodied flower brooch on your dress.

That's where realization hit Dazai. Whether it be from the start or from the end, you and him were doomed. He's enamoured to a dream -- to die alongside of a beautiful lady. But, if it meant a countless partings with you attached to your tragic end, why would he wished for it?

Although all hope may seemed lost, Dazai dreamt of a very peaceful scenery last night that ignited his hope of a happy ending with you.

"I know we just got married," Dazai cupped your face, and his thumb caressed your cheek. "But, will you marry me in our next life?"

You leaned further to his touch with your eyes getting misty. "Well, as long as you hear me say yes."

With a deep breath, Dazai walked into your flower shop. The bell rang, and the flowers' scent filled his senses. He took a moment to enjoy the sight before him—the roses, carnations, and lilies, all so pretty. He felt himself smile at the sight, as if he hadn't seen them in years. He had never thought much of flowers, but after he met you, he found himself falling in love with them.

"Welcome!" you called from behind the counter, greeting him. "How may I help you?"

"Instead of help," Dazai plucked a cluster of small blue flowers from a nearby vase. "Can't I just give a beautiful lady like you a flower?"

"Oh," You meekly accepted the flower. "How did you know that forget-me-nots are my favourite?"

Today was the day Gojo Satoru, her self-proclaimed “favorite senpai”, would treat her to lunch. After the whole soy sauce fiasco a few weeks ago, the upperclassman searched far and wide for a way to apologize for his mean-spirited prank. Shion was skeptical about Gojo’s offer. She changed her mind seconds later when she saw the mouth-watering pastries from Gojo’s text.

As she exited her dorm, a familiar cheery voice called out her name. Dressed in casual clothes, Haibara greeted Shion with a bright smile. Honestly, if he and Gojo were in the same room, the energy they gave off was enough to power a whole village–except Haibara’s energy would always be wholesome, while the latter’s energy was usually fueled by menace.

"Aren’t you taking your sister to Universal Studios today, Haibara-kun?”

 “That was…supposed to be the plan, but I accidentally slept in because of how tiring our assignment was last night.” Haibara rubbed the nape of his neck, already resigned to his sister’s future scoldings. “What about you? You look very nice today, Shion.” 

Shion glaring at her classmate before folding her arms, struggling to contain the embarrassment flaring up inside her. “I’m going out.” 

"Neat!" Haibara grinned before giving a pat on her shoulder. "With one of our senpais?”

“I guess… you could say that.”

"Are you going on a da-"

"Look at the time," Shion glanced at her imaginary watch. "I don't want to be late for the train."

And, that’s how she ended up waiting half an hour at the cafe with no call or text from Gojo. She would like to think she’s a very patient person, considering the annoyances (Gojo Satoru and Geto Suguru) she had to deal with on a daily basis. But this was really testing her patience.

She was already on her third plate of chocolate crepe, and second cup of coffee when her phone beeped three times.

From: Your favorite strongest senpai (⌐■ - ■) ノ

（ｉДｉ） Sorry kouhai-chan! (T - T) Yaga-sensei forced me to go on a mission today! I’ll spoil you rotten to make up for it! (ღゝ◡╹ )ノ♡

“He totally stood you up, Ito-chan!” The girl with a braid slammed her hands on the table, rattling the glass of strawberry milkshake. “Also, he's trash!”

“Stood me up?” Shion shrugged. “I think you got the wrong idea. I’m only seeing him as a friend.”

“Don’t be stupid! Don’t defend him! Don’t ever cover for him!” The anger in the latter’s navy blue eyes matched the frown curled on her lips. “He should have given you a heads up earlier! Even a friend wouldn’t do this to you!”

Now, one might wonder who and how Shion met this spunky girl in front of her. She vaguely remembered that she planned to leave her table, and order pastries for her classmates. Out of nowhere, this girl approached her with an enthusiastic greeting– a greeting akin to welcoming an old friend.

“Sorry, but, may I ask who you are again?” Shion admitted. “I don’t remember names very well upon first meeting.”

“Riko!” The girl beamed, patting herself on the chest. “You can also call me onee-san!”

Big sister? That’s not right. Shion couldn't possibly be younger than her. Judging by Riko’s height and appearance, Riko would most likely be a middle school student. As much as she wanted to correct Riko, she threw the idea out of the window. Who was she to douse the girl's newfound determination? Especially when she felt such sincerity coming from her offer?

Shion nodded reluctantly. "Alright, Riko-neesan."

Riko pinched Shion’s cheeks. The eyepatched girl groaned in pain at the same time that Riko squealed with excitement.

Riko let go of her friend’s cheeks before cupping her own in delight, “I knew it was a good idea to come here.”

“Why?” Shion asked, rubbing her cheeks to numb the pain.

“You’re like a cat abandoned in a cardboard box on a rainy day.” Riko mimed a square shape. “I can’t turn a blind eye to it, knowing I can help the poor kitty.”

Shion blinked a couple of times at Riko. Was that supposed to be a compliment or an insult? Did she look that pathetic and disappointed outside of the cafe?

“Enough about me!” Riko flipped her braided hair to her back. “What about you? Since you consider this no show a ‘friend’, does that mean you have a boyfriend?”

“No.”

“Is anyone trying to date you?”

“Not really.”

“A crush then?”

“Crush?” Shion pinched her brows together. “I saw my teacher crush a watermelon between her thighs once.”

And it had caught the attention of many beach goers, who begged Tsukumo to do it again. Tsukumo refused, warning them that the next demonstration would be with their heads instead–which, in a strange way, only seemed to encourage them further. Although Tsukumo ignored the interested spectators, Shion had a feeling that the attention boosted her teacher’s ego.

Shion startled at Riko's loud laughter, causing some patrons to cast glances at their table.

“Not that kind of crush! I meant a crush as in someone you admired for a while.”

Admired? There was no doubt that she admired Geto Suguru. Aside from his playfulness, which paired well with his best friend’s, Geto was a considerate and handsome gentleman. Their teachers, Watanabe and Yaga, described him as a model student and a model sorcerer. Should she start acting like Geto then? So that way she could get her own recommendation earlier than expected?

Except there was this weird phenomenon she felt around him–nervousness always swelled up inside her when Geto was nearby, and her tongue became all tied up after just a single glance from him. 

Amidst all this thinking, another person popped into her mind. — Gojo Satoru.

The thought confounded her.

He was attractive, although to preserve what's left of her quiet life, she wouldn’t admit it till the end of time. But his handsomeness wasn’t something she admired him for. There must be something in Gojo that caused her brain to see him as her ‘crush’.

Yet she still held that Six-Eyes user in a respectable regard whether it be as an individual or as a sorcerer.

The novels she read gave an idea of what kind of character Gojo would be. The loud ones were the ones who were lonely. They yearned for someone to understand them as they’re too different from anyone else. In his case, that person was Geto. She wouldn’t be surprised if those two ended up together in the end, considering they’re already close, matching each other’s personalities, bickering and acting like a married couple. 

As for her? 

Shion and Gojo walked the same path of solitude but with different starting points, and different end goals. Gojo Satoru was ‘blessed’ into a world he matters, ‘cursing’ people and spirits who dared to oppose him. Meanwhile, Ito Shion was ‘cursed’ into a world with no memories, 'blessing' her free from the threads of her unknown past.

Admiration wasn’t the word she’s looking for. Envious, perhaps.

Then again, those were her measly assumptions. Who was she to make judgment on a guy she met only a few months ago? It’s pathetic that she’s comparing herself–a literal nobody–to someone who had everything.

The eyepatched girl nodded, making Riko squeal in delight. “And, what do you like about this guy? Is he cute? Handsome? Pretty?”

“He’s annoying. Not to mention, he constantly bugs me as if it’s his favorite pastime.” Shion rubbed her temple. “Yet he’s someone I know I can rely on when the need arises.”

The starry-eyed girl’s expression turned sour, like she'd bitten off a good chunk of the sourest lemon and swallowed it down in one go.

“I think he likes you back, Shion.” Riko said, shaking her head. “What he’s doing is acting like a typical snotty nosed brat in elementary school who doesn’t know anything other than how to be mean to their crush.”

“How did you know?” Shion tilted her head to the side. “It happened to you?”

“With this face? How could it not?” Riko gestured to her face. “I have experienced it lots! It’s cute when it’s obvious and all, but you know how boys can be, testing your damn patience until you throw a punch.” 

Underneath the table, Shion’s hands formed a fist. Gojo Satoru, the strongest sorcerer, admired her? That seemed hard to believe when there’s nothing admirable about her to begin with. Did he know something about her that she didn’t? 

If Gojo Satoru had a connection or a piece of her past, he could either become the stepping stone for her answers or an obstruction to getting them.

She hoped it wouldn't be the latter. ‘Complicated’ was the best word to describe what would happen if she had to put Gojo’s neck on the chopping block. She would hate to clean up the mess that would inevitably come after.

“Enough about crushes,” Riko stood up from her seat,and pumped her fists. “It’s time to hit the arcades and play hard!”

After paying for their meal, Riko dragged Shion to a nearby shopping district. The streets were filled with people in various stages of life. Some were shopping with friends or family, discussing the different outfits and accessories displayed nicely on the plain mannequins. Children admired the coolest or the cutest toys, while begging their parents to buy them. Others were waiting in line for their turn in different food stalls, eager to get their hands on their orders. 

However, Riko and Shion had to take a quick detour at a nearby boutique. Upon entering the shop, Riko beelined towards the display rack full of various accessories. Whoever was in charge of stocking the merchandise didn’t do a good job. Shion itched to organize the products to her own liking. Bright and bold patterns placed next to the calm and simple pieces were quite the eyesore for her.

“Can you try and find a headband that will suit me?” Riko asked while browsing through the display. “It got ruined the last time I did laundry…which was also my first time.” 

“How about this one?”

Shion picked up a white cotton fabric. She slid it underneath Riko’s hair before tucking it in properly to secure her hair in place.

“What do you think?”

“I see perfection, that’s what!” Riko beamed. “I’ll buy--wait, where are you going, Shion?” 

Shion froze on the spot, and slowly turned her head to Riko while her hand was occupied with her wallet. 

Shit.

“L-let me pay for it, Riko-neesan!” Shion waved her free hand frantically as Riko’s eyes targeted her wallet. At this moment, she wished she was much taller than Riko. But she wasn’t, and so couldn’t keep her wallet out of reach. Once Riko saw her student ID, Shion had no idea what would come next. Chaos and disorder ensured.

“Oh no you don’t!” Riko grabbed onto Shion’s wallet, attempting to pull it away from her. “I’m not going to let you pay for it!”

In the midst of the struggle, Shion restrained herself from using her full strength, scared that she might hurt Riko in the process. Reluctantly, she loosened the grip and watched Riko’s smug expression turn into something different. Riko’s eyes widened and her attention went back and forth between her new friend, and the plastic white card that clearly listed Shion’s birthday.

“Y-You’re older than me!?” she said, horrified at the shocking revelation.”How come you didn’t tell me?!”

“Well,” Shion put her wallet away into her bag after whisking it away from Riko’s hands. “You told me to call you onee-san earlier and-” 

“You tricked me like a clown!”

Shion scratched her cheek with her finger before she clasped her hands together. “Then…could you tell me how I can exactly make up for it?”

As if she flipped a switch, Riko’s expression lightened up. “Well, since you asked so nicely, I’ll forgive you this time…Only if you defeat me in Mario Kart! I’m warning you that I’m best at it! Never lost once!” 

Unfortunately for Riko, Tsukumo’s intense training had instilled a competitive spirit in Shion. The eyepatched girl dominated all three cups in 150 CC–crushing Riko’s soul while at the same time earning her forgiveness and respect. Riko’s dramatic loss attracted a group of boys who challenged Shion in exchange for their hard earned tickets. One by one, they dropped like flies after every track as Shion won first place in all of the races. 

Amongst the defeated wails of high school and middle school boys, Shion and Riko pursue other endeavors in the arcade. They sang their hearts out (mostly Riko) in karaoke, danced like nobody’s business in DDR, and took lots of pictures in the photo booth. Riko used the tablet inside to decorate each picture with artistic doodles before printing them. Yet, they had to part ways under the dusky orange sky, which also happened to be the busiest time of the day for train passengers. Whether it be entering the carriage, or waiting for their train to arrive, they all had a goal in mind -- to go home.

“Thanks to your winnings, I managed to get everything I want before I go!” Riko lifted her paper bags full of prizes and plushies in glee.

“Before you go?” Shion questioned.

“Oh, um…” Riko dropped her shoulders in defeat before sighing and facing Shion with downcast eyes. “I’m…actually moving away from…Tokyo, to somewhere far from my friends. I don’t want to, but what choice do I have, when everyone says that it’s the best choice for me?”

Shion was stumped by Riko's line of questions. Yet what Riko felt–anxiety and fear of uncertainty–was something that Shion unfortunately knew. Tsukumo had enrolled Shion in Jujutsu Tech without the girl’s knowledge. Shion had protested and stubbornly refused to admit that she was scared, because she had only known the world through Tsukumo’s guidance. After all, Tsukumo was there from the moment Shion woke from her coma.

Yet after hearing Tsukumo's words, Shion became reluctantly open to the idea of attending, and that reluctance eventually turned into gratitude for her teacher's push.

Despite the constant ugliness of the cursed world, Tsukumo Yuki pried open a door for her to experience and appreciate the smallest things in life.

“Sorry,” Riko scratched the back of her head while wearing a restrained smile. " I shouldn’t dump this onto someone I just befriend-”

"It's scary right?" Shion gently took Riko's free hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. "My teacher told me it's alright to be scared and anxious when you’re doing something outside of your comfort zone. Tell them what you're feeling, and even if they don't get it, the heaviness in your chest will no longer be there, right?"

Shion watched Riko's eyes become glassy with unshed tears before letting out a shaky laugh and wiped her eyes with the sleeve of her cardigan. Not too long, she pulled Shion into a tight hug.

"Thank you," Riko said, her voice muffled by Shion's shirt. "I'm glad I got to know you, Shion."

Shion returned the hug awkwardly with pats on Riko's back. Man, she really needed to get used to affections such as this.

"Shion," Riko called. She pulled back and showed her smiling face with teary eyes. I know it's not fair to ask you this, but let's meet again, alright?"

Something twisted horribly in Shion's guts. A tinge of foreboding. The possibility of never meeting her again.

Shion took a deep breath before giving Riko a smile.

"Of course. Let’s meet again, Riko-chan.”

—---------------------------

“W-why?” she croaked. 

Shion never got an answer to this question. Instead, a sharp breath escaped from Shion’s lips as something pierced in her abdomen and twisted, eliciting a yelp that cut through the silent winter night. As the knife pulled out, a warm and metallic-smelling liquid spilled from the wound.

Her vision was getting blurry, her body grew heavier, and her hand became colder as the red pool beneath her grew bigger.

A sharp tip pressed against her neck, and the familiar bright emerald eyes above her had turned lifeless and filled with contained anger, ready to burst at any moment.

"To understand you, I need to have the same sorrow as you have… no… perhaps even worse than that." The voice was monotonous and cold. The sharp tip dug deeper into her neck. “Die for your sake, Shion.”

Shion gasped loudly, waking herself up in a panic. Her ragged breaths came fast as her hands gripped firmly around her neck. Gradually, her fingers tightened their grasp.

In these moments, she remembered her mentor’s calming presence.

‘Focus on my breathing, Shion.'

The heavy feeling in her chest eventually ebbed away as she continuously repeated the breathing exercise that her teacher taught her. Lips closed as she inhaled slowly through her nose, followed by a long exhale out of her mouth.

When she could no longer hear Tsukumo's voice echoing inside her head, she let go of her throat and sat up. With one last deep breath, she let out the rest of her stress. She wiped off the cold sweat off her forehead with her palms and looked around.

The digital clock on her bedside read 12:45 am. She was still wearing her uniform. Was she that tired from today's mission? No, no she wasn't so exhausted that she’d fallen asleep in her clothes. Typically, she would skip a meal in favor of more rest. Yet she remembered Watanabe scolding Haibara for nearly burning the kitchen down…so she must have had enough energy to stop by the kitchen earlier.

Pushing her thoughts aside, she made her way to the bathroom, hoping a quick splash of cold water would dispel the existing discomfort in her body.

Turning on the light, she saw her own appearance reflected in the mirror. Bed mess hair, dark crescents under her eyes, and the fresh bruises on her neck must be during the nightmare. It felt weird to see herself without the eyepatch. She wore it nearly 24/7 with the exception of going to sleep and taking a bath. She had no qualms when Tsukumo heavily suggested that she conceal her right eye, and Shion had assumed it was for her own sake.

Yet seeing it had no effect on her wellbeing, why did she have it in the first place?

As if responding to her own curiosity, Shion watched as the color of her eyes flickered between gold and blue until a sudden sharp pain tore through her skull. She clutched her head in response, steadying herself on the edge of the sink. The plain and simple bathroom was now covered with dark, crooked black lines. Red and blue vein-like lines spread across her entire body.

Once the pain subsided, Shion looked at the mirror once more. Her eye color went back to its normal shade of amber, and a bloody streak fell from her tear ducts, staining her cheeks. Shion clicked her tongue before splashing her face with cold water. She reached for the towel to dry her face and then opened the medicine cabinet to reach for her prescription.

With a pop, she opened the container and peeked in to find only a few sleeping pills left sitting at the bottom. She frowned at the sudden small amount. Not even three weeks had passed by, and she was already running low on her supply.

"Looks like I have to ask Watanabe-sensei for a refill again," Shion muttered, putting her sleeping pills back into the cabinet. Then she went back to sit down on the edge of her bed.

Before she had entered the student life, the nightmares were nothing but a common occurrence. Typically, she brushed them off with a nice cup of chamomile tea, lulling herself back to sleep. However, the dreams had integrated themselves into her life recently, with a frightening amount of ease. Her fatigue had gotten so bad that Watanabe personally intervened and prescribed her with medication to combat her sudden aversion to sleep.

It didn’t even help that the person in her dream changed occasionally. Most of the time, it was that person with green eyes, always staring at her with contempt. Once or twice she’d seen Geto’s purple eyes filled with yearning, or Nanami’s silent yet contemptuous gaze. It caught her off guard once when–in a dream– her eyes met Haibara’s and she saw the kind boy who never seemed to hold a grudge looking down at her with a disinterested expression.

Riko sometimes appeared, but her eyes were different; unlike the others. Her eyes were full of sorrow, as if she wanted more from her life than her fate as the Star Plasma vessel.

Upon seeing Gojo carrying Riko’s corpse, time stood still for so long that Shion believed it was frozen. Cursing Fate itself wouldn’t do anything to bring back her friend from death. In a twisted way, Fate had honored their promise to meet again. But instead of smiles and shared laughter, their reunion had ended with Riko’s lifeless body in the wooden casket, and Shion’s carefully crafted apathy during the funeral. She didn’t need the unnecessary attention from those who already harbored deep suspicions of her.

Yet because of her perceived ambivalence, rumors brewed amongst the attendees. 

‘Heartless child.’ ‘Traitor.’ The constant name calling nearly made her lose her shit. Shion was a nobody; as far as they knew, she had no connection to Riko. What kind of reaction were they hoping for? Should she wail on her knees for someone that everyone assumed she hadn’t known? Look remorseful for a crime that they suspected she had committed? Act belligerent by giving them all a false confession, bragging about how she had doomed them all with the vessel’s death, confirming that they were right to distrust her?

Those baseless accusations made Shion sick in disgust. Despite the warnings from her teachers telling her not to go, she went anyway, foolishly believing she could handle the suffocating animosity in the funeral. For an event to remember the dead, it felt like everyone except for the Tokyo faculty staff and her classmates were playing the blame game and all pointing at her. 

In spite of the fact that she was about to leave the funeral early and return to her room, Gojo Satoru whisked her away from the memorial to a nearby park. An unexpected diversion, but she welcomed it, and for once, she was grateful for his presence. 

Two cold bottles of Ramune shared between them while staring at the orange-kissed sky. No words exchanged, only silence with the occasional background noises. Children laughing as they were called home for dinner, the wind rustling through the trees.

What Gojo did was nice; he gave her a little slice of life, and tricked her into believing that Cursed Spirits, Sorcerers, and Techniques didn’t exist in the first place. 

She felt a few moments of peace, all thanks to that one guy who tormented her constantly, for no apparent reason. 

“I think he likes you back, Shion.” Riko said, shaking her head. “What he’s doing is acting like a typical snotty nosed brat in elementary school who doesn’t know anything other than how to be mean to their crush.”

A pointless thought. Whatever version Gojo painted of herself in his mind, he better scrap it and dump it in the trash. She would repeat this many times as she needed to, like a broken record. There’s nothing admirable about a nobody like her; nothing to desire, nothing to be envious of.

However, she hadn’t considered another possibility. What if Gojo was drawn to her for who she actually was? What if there was something about her for him to like? 

All this thinking made Shion tired, and her brain begged for her to close her eyes and sleep. Yet a single thought formed as her eyelids grew heavy. She slowly drifted off into slumber.

‘It’s…weird…but…nice… ’ 

—--------------------------------------

Life truly goes on regardless of who dies and who lives. No pause or stop button to press. But instead of stopping or even slowing, Shion felt her own life accelerating as one tragedy struck after another. The only thing she could do was to try and keep herself afloat against the raging rivers of time. 

But then something unexpected happened: Shion was assigned to a mission with Gojo for the first time. It made life for her bearable.

“You can fucking tease me all you want after this.” Shion harshly whispered, tightening her hold around his shoulders. “Just let me hold you, dammit. It’s unfair you were there for me when no one came for you.”

Ever since that day, Gojo slowly integrated himself further into her life, whenever he had the time. He was–and still is–the annoying menace she knew. He still pulled pranks that made her cuss him out, and there was plenty of childish banter between them. Yet from time to time, they basked together in each other’s company whether it be in silence or Gojo talking enough for the two of them, and Shion chiming in with occasional answers.

It was unexpected, but she didn’t mind the gradual change–and funnily enough–she looked forward to his presence more. A little bit of happiness appeared in her whenever he came by or smiled at her direction. 

He reminded her of an energetic puppy. Adorable.

Speaking of Gojo Satoru…for once, she found herself wishing that Gojo was next to her right now in the library. Shion stared at the book taunting her from the top of the shelf, just out of reach. She rolled her neck and then her shoulders, tired from trying to reach it. She did everything she could–jumping, tiptoeing, and shaking the furniture itself.

Scaling the wooden bookshelf was a stupid idea. Still, desperate times called for desperate measures.

On the small ledge of the bookshelf, Shion stepped on it as carefully as possible, balancing her weight while holding on to the edges. As she slowly made her way to the book, she could hear the wood creak. It was as if the bookshelf was warning her to stop what she was doing.

She ignored the warnings and extended her hand as far as possible. Her fingertips almost touched the spine of the book, but just barely. She had almost reached her goal–

The bookshelf groaned and began to topple. In an attempt to stabilize the furniture, Shion shifted her weight forward but her fingers slipped, and she lost her balance. She closed her eyes and braced for the hard impact of her fall. Instead of the hard wooden floor she anticipated, she felt the firm and solid arms of a person whose warmth was familiar to her.

She opened her eyes and saw Geto staring back at her. His soft yet concerned gaze truly left her feeling small and vulnerable.

"Suguru-senpai?" Shion blinked.

"Are you okay?" Geto asked, his eyes scanning her face. "You're not hurt, are you?"

"I'm not." She looked away. The intensity of his eyes made her feel weird–like there was an intangible, messy knot in her stomach. She wiggled out of his arms and fixed her uniform.

"I knew you could be reckless, but I didn't think you would risk your life for a book," Geto teased. He pulled the book that Shion had been reaching for and gave it to her.

Shion muttered a small thanks as Geto chuckled softly and ruffled her hair. 

"So, what is it about?" Geto leaned over her shoulder, scanning the cover of the book in her hands.

"It's about curses, and Tsukumo-san recommended it to me," she replied. "That reminds me… What do cursed spirits taste like, senpai? That's how you gain control of them, right? By swallowing them?"

"Yep." Geto pulled back and nodded. "The taste? You're better off not knowing... I'd rather not worry you."

'Poor Suguru-san.' Shion thought.

As took a good look at him, her heart clenched. The soft light coming from the sun by the windows shone on his dull complexion. Exhaustion was evident, and weight loss was evident from his slightly sunken cheeks. There were dark circles under his eyes. His usually styled hair was down and disheveled, and the last time she'd seen him in this state was a few months ago.

‘He's stressed out again.’

“Are you getting enough sleep, senpai?” Shion cupped his cheek, but immediately tried to retract it. “Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t-”

“It's just from the summer heat.” Geto put his hand on Shion’s, keeping it in place on his cheek.

“Still,” Shion breathed, distracting herself from the sudden butterflies in her stomach. “You should look after yourself more, Suguru.”

The boy’s cheeks dusted with a reddish hue as she brushed her thumb against his skin. Oh, crap! She hadn’t meant to call him by his given name! She hoped his reaction wasn’t out of anger at the sudden informality.

Geto hummed in response and leaned further into the palm of her hand, his lips dangerously close to it. “Also, don’t be sorry. I don’t mind this if it’s you…”

They froze, suddenly finding themselves caught up in the moment. A loud cough from the librarian snapped them out of their trace, and Shion removed her hand on Geto's face. They both glanced at the old woman, and the latter's cold and judgemental stare had them feeling embarrassed and guilty for getting caught.

"PDA? In the school’s library?" The librarian crossed her arms, shaking her head. "You youngsters have no shame."

—----------------------------

"Thanks for letting me sleep here, and sorry for the trouble, Iori-san.” Shion said, plopping down on the spare futon. “I'm not comfortable with staying at the Zen’in’s family compound for the duration of my mission here in Kyoto.”

“Don’t be sorry, I too get disgusted at seeing Zen’in.” Utahime gave her a thumbs up. “Besides, I’m pretty sure a special Four Eyes will throw a fit when he finds out I let it happen.”

‘She sure is getting creative with her nicknames for Gojo-senpai.’ 

Shion’s fascination was soon replaced with curiosity. Were Gojo Satoru and Zen’in Naoya on bad terms? As far as she remembered from Tsukumo’s history lessons, their family clans held such bad blood between them that past clan leaders had resorted to killing each other. The current heirs mostly tolerated each other– except for the time when Gojo dropped by for a quick visit during one of Shion’s training sessions with Nanami and Naoya.

“Something on your mind, Zen’in?” Shion asked, wiping her sweat away with a towel. “You’re quiet for once.”

“It’s for the best,” Nanami remarked. “My headaches have lessened because of it.”

“Don’t mind him, Shion-chan.” Gojo said. “He’s going to say something stupid as usual.”

“If we end up against each other in this year’s solo match and I win,” Naoya stood up from his seat. “I’ll take you as my bride whether you like it or not.”

Nanami and Gojo held two different expressions. The blonde sorcerer tried not to show his annoyance towards Naoya. At most, he rolled his eyes as he quietly drank his ice cold water. Meanwhile, Gojo didn’t bother to hide his dislike. The repulsiveness of Naoya’s words was written all over Gojo’s scrunched up face. 

As for Shion, another idea popped into her head.

Before the school exchange event, Naoya kept visiting Shion at school each week and asking for her hand in marriage whenever they sparred. Of course, she declined his proposals as she considered herself to be too young to be engaged and she only saw Naoya as an acquaintance. He insisted her feelings would change, but marriage–with Naoya or anyone– seemed to be impossible for Shion to imagine.

Then again, Tsukumo had often told Shion that a jujutsu sorcerer must have loose screws in their head in order to do this work. Maybe this was Naoya’s own strange way of asking to be friends with her? Or perhaps rivals? The second choice seemed to be more believable with his competitive spirit.

Her teacher did say that competition breeds competence. Afterall, his advances had proved to be useful as she found a big improvement in her reaction time.

"Alright,” Shion pumped her fist with determination, looking stoically at her ‘rival’. “I’ll be looking forward to this year then!” 

“WHAT?!?”

That day, Shion nearly went deaf from Gojo’s loud reaction. At Nanami’s behest, Shion was sent to Watanabe’s office for a quick check up. Nanami thought she had a head injury, which didn’t make sense because Shion was completely fine – no concussion, broken bones or bruises; not even a fever. If anybody needed medical attention, it would be Naoya–who suddenly looked very distressed, his face red coloured, similar to a tomato.

“Speaking of that blue eyed brat,” Utahime glanced at Shion. “Are you up for a gossip session? I won’t talk your ear too much as you have an early day with Zen’in tomorrow.” 

Utahime cracked open a can of beer and poured a cup of apple juice for Shion while the latter pulled out a variety of snacks from her bag. Immediately, the sorceress launched into a series of rants as they munched in between conversations. It ranged from Gojo’s harmless little pranks to headache-inducing moments so painful that Shion was surprised that painkillers still worked on her. 

‘Despite the constant bickering, Utahime-san and Gojo-senpai got along so well...’

The eyepatched girl pinched her brows together. She didn't realize her hands clenched at the thought. Why did that make her uncomfortable? It’s not like she had something worthwhile. Utahime was one of the few sorceresses that Shion got along with. But Gojo? Shion liked to believe that they’d moved past being acquaintances, and sailed towards friendship. But the thought of Gojo also befriending Utahime made her feel strange, to say the least. How come she never got this feeling when she saw him with Shoko?

Could this feeling still be called envy? Or something else? 

“Seriously, what do you even see in that boy?” Utahime scoffed, lazily swirling her can of beer. “He’s annoying, obnoxious, loud, and has bad manners.” 

“In him? I don’t see his internal organs, senpai.”

Utahime stared dumbfoundedly at her friend. If Gojo ended up with an innocent person like Shion, she couldn’t help but worry for the latter’s sake. She had to do something before that annoying clown charmed Shion into becoming his wife--just like that asshole Naoya had nearly pressured her into marrying him.

Besides, she had to win the bet against Mei Mei. The betting pool on Shion’s relationship grew bigger and bigger each week. It came to an absurd amount that it matched the annual salary of a second grade sorcerer, and even Mei mei and Alex had joined in this affair. At least, that was what she caught wind of during a conversation between Gakuganji and Watanabe. It seemed like everyone was speculating about Shion’s love life.

Utahime, suddenly overcome with empathy, pulled Shion into an embrace.

"And that is why you should avoid boys like Gojo! They will take advantage of your naivety!" Utahime pulled away from the hug, hands still on the latter's shoulders. "Instead, why not go for Geto? At least he’s tolerable, unlike his best friend! And he certainly seems fond of you… You have a crush on him, which means you want him to be your boyfriend, right?"

“Boyfriend?”

Despite the sunny weather and the distance between Kyoto and Tokyo, Utahime felt the first blow of cold winter from Gojo’s glare. Strange, that guy wasn’t even here in the first place.

Meanwhile, Riko’s words resurfaced in Shion’s mind. Was that what Riko meant when she asked Shion if she had a crush? Not just admiring someone, but seeing them as more than friends?

According to her romance novels, becoming ‘more than friends’ meant the two parties ended up entering an exclusive relationship if the condition of mutual feelings was met. A relationship where showing affections such as kissing, endearing nicknames, and hand-holding were the standard. A relationship that puts heavy emphasis on intimacy and vulnerability towards each other.

DOES THAT MEAN?!

…

…

…

Shion leaned her head against Suguru's shoulder. “I don’t understand you, Suguru-senpai.”

“What do you mean, Shion?” Geto asked, shifting his position to have his arm draped over Shion’s shoulders and pulling her closer to him. 

“W-well,” Shion cleared her throat, diffident at Geto’s sudden close proximity to her. “I don’t understand what you see in me. I’m not mature like Mei-san or pretty like Ieiri-senpai or cute like Iori-san. Not only my appearance, but my personality is not really ideal-”

Her downplayed ramblings halted when she felt something briefly warm and soft on her cheek. She held her breath nervously before concealed her reaction into her boyfriend’s broad chest.

"But, I’m still here, aren’t I?" Geto laughed at his girlfriend's shyness when he caught a glimpse of the tips of her ears red. "Sorry, too soon for me to kiss you?"

Shion’s brain was all too eager to fantasize about this possibility–which meant Utahime was probably right.

Upon this realization, Shion slammed her head on the wooden table and buried her face onto her arms before producing a banshee-like screech from her throat that forced Utahime to cover her ears. 

“S-Shion?!” 

“I-is that what it's supposed to mean to l-like someone?!” Shion stuttered nervously, the redness on her face couldn’t go any brighter than a ripened tomato. "T-that I-I l- like Su-Suguru-senpai!?”

The eyepatched girl buried her reddened face deeper into her arms and groaned loudly. Everything she felt about that boy clicked in her head. The sudden clamminess of her hands whenever he's in the same room. The sudden acceleration of her temperature whenever he noticed her from a distance. And, the sudden happiness blooming inside her whenever he noticed her.

IT

MADE

SO

MUCH

DAMN

SENSE

This newfound information overwhelmed her. It didn’t help that her heart had begun to beat faster than normal, and her head spun while seeing stars. Wait, was she going to have a full on cardiac arrest if this keeps up?

Meanwhile, a boatload of dumbfoundedness struck Utahime. It was not in her agenda to witness Shion panicking from a sudden existential crisis. Unlike Shoko, whom Utahime had known for two years, Shion was someone she had acquainted herself with not too long ago. Due to her busy work schedule, Utahime never had the proper chance to get to know Shion. She never held much of a strong opinion towards the girl or her for to expect Shion’s current state.

Whenever Utahime visited the Tokyo campus, she always found the girl within the shadows, content to watch from the sidelines, and yet willing to lend an ear if given the time. Because of Shion’s no-nonsense and straightforward outlook, Utahime unintentionally claimed her as her therapist for her mundane problems. To compensate for Shion’s ‘unintentional therapeutic services’, she always brought sweets and snacks from Kyoto. 

Yet seeing how Shion had grown out of her stoic persona and bloomed into a shy flower, Utahime understood why a pair of mean, annoying idiots had taken special interest in her.

Because of the said interest, her maternal instincts kicked in.

This time, it was Utahime’s turn to comfort Shion. “There’s nothing to be ashamed of having a crush on someone,” Utahime said, giving her a few pats on the back.

“How can I not?!” Shion squeezed her eyes shut. “Especially after what happened in the library recently…”

"Then why are you setting me up with shitty dates from the start?!"

You ran her fingers through her hair, frustrated.

"The latest is by far the worst I've gone through! How did you get the idea that I'll enjoy dating a man who's not only a pest, but also has views that are so outdated? He straight up told me that a woman should walk three steps behind him while we're just walking in the park!"

Honestly? It's a genuine mistake on Gojo's part. Desperation times called for desperate measures. However, the failure of You's past dates were part of his intricate plan. His best friends, Suguru and Shoko, called his plan dumb and manipulative, but haters gonna hate. Cringed as it sounded.

The plan that he was so proud of? That he had to play the inverse role of Cupid?

Simple. To make You fall for him.

At first, he mistaken those budding feelings of his similar to familial, given they were close since kindergarten. Yet, he knew it slowly bloomed when You's absence grew his heart fonder as they attended different universities, and found himself looking forward to her said visits. He missed everything about her down to the sound of his name from her voice.

 Growing up robbed the only constant in his life – You.

Throughout the years, his friend became a thorough hopeless romantic thanks to the fairy tales she read. She wasn't particularly this aggressive to find love until now. If he were to warrant a guess, perhaps due to peer pressure. Despite the horrendous dates he sent her through, she still held onto the hope of finding her one true love. As the supportive friend and future husband to be, he volunteered to be her matchmaker.

Once she's somewhat defeated by the woes of finding love, he would swoop in and have her fall for him instantly. That's what happened to his parents. Both gave up on dating before they met each other. It worked since they still maintained the blissful matrimony.

"Sorry about that one," Gojo scratched his head. "I just overheard him saying that he needs to go out more."

"I kicked his shin before leaving. So, we're good." You said nonchalantly. "At this rate, I'm going to just ask Suguru. He's a gentleman, don't you think?"

"What makes you think he'll go out with you?" Alarmed, Gojo asked too quickly for his taste.

"Shoko told me once while I was drinking with her." She answered. "Apparently, Suguru is interested in dating me, but he doesn't want to risk his friendship with you or something like that."

That damn alcoholic. He thought Shoko's tolerance to alcohol was higher than Nanami's. How much did You drink to out drink Shoko to the point of loosening her lips?

"No" Gojo crossed his arms. "And, he's busy with his thesis right now."

"How quick of you to shot me down, unless..."

You snapped her fingers.

"Do you like him? I'm not surprised given the ongoing bromance since high school between-"

"I love you, not him." Gojo blurted, interrupting his friend.

You's grip on Gojo's spare controller loosened until it dropped on her lap. Her eyes widened in surprise and mouth gaped open. Confused, Gojo stared at the sudden reaction of his friend. Realization struck him hard like a bullet train upon hearing her next words.

"You love me?" She slowly repeated his words.

WHAT

THE

FUCK

There goes his plans. It went up to flames because of his dumb mistake. At this point, any fucks he had were thrown all out of the window. Gojo confessed everything about his plan to her while Guilt gnawing on his conscience. Because of the said emotion, Fear and Shame joined together and formed intrusive thoughts in his head.

What if she didn't want to be friends with him anymore? What if she started hating him?

"I...don't know what to make of this..." You released a deep breath. "I...don't even know where to start. What happens to us now then?"

He didn't know. Was that the answer he truly wanted to say to You? Doubt and distress didn’t suit a woman like her. So, he would dispel it with a question of his own, and it's up to her in the end. Whether they remained friends or not, he respected her decision. 

Gojo took her hand with great care. It was a relief to him that she didn't pull away or flinch from his touch. Gently, his thumb caressed the back of her hand to soothe his nerves. A gesture she always did whenever he needed it.

You gently placed the cup down on the tea saucer, before meeting your soon-to-be ex's gaze. "If you truly want me to bawl my eyes out, you shouldn't have warned me in the first place, Osamu."

Before fate pushed you two to meet, Dazai recently passed his entrance exam as the new detective for the agency, and to celebrate his success, he chose to go to Lupin. And at that bar, you were there, drinking by yourself. After few exchange of glasses and, he found himself fascinated with you.

“Wanna go out?”‌ You asked, lazily tracing the lid of your glass. "I'm serious about it."

Dazai looked down at his alcoholic beverage. He didn't know you well enough for him to warrant to have a relationship with you, but neither do you. If he pursued this relationship, maybe you would help him understand more about humanity.

“Sure,”‌ Dazai smirked. “Although I agree to it, I just want to give you a heads up that our relationship will be short lived and one-sided.”

True to his words, he had the front row seats of his love story turning into a one-man show ran by you. What he didn’t expect, you stood by his side for the past two years. He couldn't pinpoint on what made you stay, but he liked to think that it had something to do with his love for dramatic flair. Afterall, you were just there whenever he needed someone to lean on. You never failed him. Because of it, he learned how to fall for you.

Except, him on the other hand, he lost count on the many times he knew you're disappointed on him. At first, he thought of many ways he could make up for it by showering you with gifts and affections. However, the moment you nursed him back to health from the annual flu, it became clear to him that you were never meant to be his.

Dazai Osamu was never gonna be your soulmate, because of how selfless you were. Perhaps, for the first time in his life, he feared the concept of 'us' between you and him, especially with his dark past and his line of work. He rather have you be well and alive, instead of fearing the possibility of you dying for him.

It was a strange idea for him to come into terms with it which it took him another 365 days to accept it. He always yearned to die with a beautiful lady like you next to him, but, his love for you wished that it wasn't you.

“I'm sorry, love.”‌

Like always, his apologies were devoid of life and meaningless. You never flinched away or got mad at him for it. It made him wonder why you're indifferent with his aloofness. Maybe you're aware of his shortcomings, or your too blinded by your love for him.

"What's there to apologize for?" You got up from your seat, before grabbing your used dishware. "It was nice while it lasted."

After what it felt like an eternity, he had to go and get ready for his mission in the afternoon. He left your spare keys to your apartment at the coffee table, and you assured him that you would drop his stuff at his place later in the day. All that's left of him was to open the door in front of him and leave.

But, his feet was cemented on the carpet floor like it was telling him not to leave. He already accepted the reality it wasn't you on his side at the end, but why does his heart kept trying to deny the truth?

“Osamu?" He looked behind, and saw you tilted your head to the side. "What's wrong?"

Dazai gently cupped your cheek with his hand, and his thumb brushed against your skin. He noticed three things immediately that brought a small smile to his lips. Your eyes were getting watery and red. Your temperature was unexpectedly hot. Lastly, the sudden stillness of your breath as if you have forgotten how to breathe after he touched your face.

A question popped in his head. Were you putting that strong facade for the both of you?‌ Or, to convinced yourself not to look pathetic in his goodbye?

Your warmth, your laughter, and the sound of his name from your voice, he wanted all of them ingrained it into his memory. He knew he’s a selfish and cruel man who loathe life itself, but…for once in his life, he wished he could change.

And, If he had the power to choose a life line, he would choose a different version of himself with a different set of personality and morals. Yet, it made him wonder if you still love him despite him being an entirely new person. He wished he could say 'I love you' to you without any repercussions.

But, his wishes and playing around the scenarios of what-if's were all in vain as you were another chapter in his life that he needed to move on from.

Shoko pulled Shion’s cheek with her free hand before letting it go. “Relax, I’m responsible enough to keep on top of my medical reports, and I’m not gonna smoke.” Shoko pointed at the fire extinguisher, knowing Shion wouldn’t hesitate to use it on her. “Besides, Watanabe-sensei is covering for me, which means I actually get to take a break.”

“I forgot that he was here.” Shion rubbed her cheek to numb the pain. “I thought he was stationed permanently at Kyoto now?”

“That was supposed to be the deal since I got my license, but something changed. I don’t know much about the details other than he’s going to be here for two months.” Shoko shrugged. “Hey, as long as I get more sleep at night, I’m fine with whatever.” 

“That would explain the lack of eyebags on you.” Shion blurted, causing Shoko to pinch her friend’s cheeks again. 

“Anyways," Shoko let go of Shion’s cheek once more. "You seem to be missing Satoru after just a few days." 

“Don’t be ridiculous.” Shion frowned slightly. “As you said, it’s only been five days since he left. He’ll be back from the mission in no time.”

“Then can you explain that ?” 

With her unlit cigarette, Shoko pointed at something next to Shion. Sitting next to her was a soft-looking white floppy long-eared floppy bunny, relaxing on a stack of books. 

Shion found it weird that the character was in fact a puppy, and not a rabbit. This information had caused a near-heated debate with one of the die-hard Sanrio fans at the same store. She could have sworn they're ready to kill her on the spot.

There’s nothing wrong with the said rabbit puppy plush toy. The signature black gakuran of JujuTech that the doll wore was a pain in the ass to hand stitch as she didn’t have a sewing machine. As for the blindfold, it was supposed to be white bandages, but she had leftover fabric from the uniform she made and-

Oh.

Shion shook her head in denial before turning her attention back to Shoko as the resident doctor awaited her explanation. “I still don’t see how this adorable toy correlates to me missing that long-lost member of three blind mice.”

“Gojo is right, you’re the walking definition of what ‘oblivious’ means.” Shoko lightly chuckled, seeing her friend’s face bloom into red. “However, that trait of yours is what makes two dumbasses pay special attention to you back in high school.”

Shion cleared her throat, seizing the opportunity to change the topic. “I assume you’re not here to reminisce about our high school days.” 

"Nope," Shoko replied. “ I just want to check on you. I’ve been thinking about that confession you made last year.”

"Why now?" Shion crossed her arms, suddenly guarded. 

“Time is considered to be a luxury for us, especially in this world.” Shoko paused for a second, carefully thinking about her next words as her index finger flicked the unlit cigarette. “Is it still the same? You’re still loving him because you think you have to?”

What had she said that night? Shion couldn’t remember, thanks to all that alcohol turning her mopey and shit, making her spill unspoken truths lies. The doctor didn’t have to take her confession so seriously; they were just drunken ramblings, and not meant to be accepted at face value. 

Did Shion love Gojo because–as she had said–she feels like she has to, because he deserves it? Or did she truly fall for him? 

She really wished that finding the answers for those questions would be easy, but it wasn’t. She blamed her lack of experience with love and romance. How was she supposed to know if she loved someone? It always seemed so simple in books--but despite her collection of romance novels, she had yet to truly understand it.

Some said that they knew they were in love with someone when they accepted their imperfections. They just learned to tolerate them.

Others said that that love was a gut feeling; something indescribable but recognizable as one grew older and wiser with experience. That definition certainly didn’t help at all. 

Gojo’s warmth…could she use that as her basis for understanding? Throughout the years she had known him, whenever he held her hand or hugged her, she felt safe and secure. As if he’s telling her everything would be alright.

No, it’s stupid to think that a mere touch could change everything she understood about herself. Maybe this love was purely platonic? After all, despite his hijinks, she respected him both as a person and as a sorcerer.

Shion fidgeted in her chair before placing her hand on her chest. “I do know the love I held for him is nothing more than admiration and respect. Afterall, I don’t deserve to be love and held in such-”

“Can you just stop for a sec there?” Shoko’s question interrupted Shion, the tone in her voice was laced with frustration. “Honestly, don’t you find it tiring to be so pathetic and weak-minded?”

Shoko took a deep breath, running her fingers through her hair before exhaling. 

“You know…” The doctor crossed her arms. “He can and will scorch anybody and anything that hurts you.”

The words made Shion feel time had significantly slowed. What Shoko is saying couldn’t be true, right? Of course it's not! The idea that Satoru Gojo would forsake his dreams and ideals for someone like her? That sounded like pure blasphemy. She wasn’t worth the trouble. 

And what if it were true? If anything, it would make her hate herself more than she already did. 

“That’s not true.” Shion shook her head frantically; a shaky breath was released next. “He just hasn't found a reason to end our marriage. A special someone…” 

“Really?” Shoko raised her brow, unwittingly mocking her friend. “Look me in the eye and say you’ll be fine if he falls in love with someone else.” 

Shion gulped down her nervousness, steeling her nerves as she held Shoko’s gaze. However, when she opened her mouth, nothing came out, and the long-awaited words lodged in her throat as her breathing became shallow.

Something crept into the special grade sorceress, and this ‘something’ was all too familiar to her: fear. The fear that everything she held dear would disappear from her grasp, all because she dared to acknowledge it. 

“How long will you still deny-”

“Shut up!” 

Shion’s raised voice cut through Shoko's question. 

The distressed woman hugged herself, digging her nails into her arms and shutting her eyes close. “I don’t want to hear any of it!” Shion said. “It’s not true! I don’t fucking deserve it! He deserved so much better!”

In a split second, the atmosphere became thick and heavy with tension. As Shion repeated those words like a mantra to herself, Shoko distracted herself with her own thoughts. 

To be honest, it was none of her business. Shoko didn’t even like to meddle in someone else’s affairs. However, after the stupidest choice that her friend made six years ago, Shoko decided to be neutral.

Yes, the higher-ups were a huge pain in her ass, but thinking about how to traverse through the messy and complex web of politics in the hidden world of Jujutsu was too much for her. She already had patients and cursed spirits to worry about. 

Thankfully, her role as a practitioner of reverse cursed technique saved her from the higher-ups breathing down her neck. And, to prevent future headaches or raise suspicion, she kept Gojo at arm's length. 

Call her selfish for being neutral, but isn’t everyone else? There’s no such thing as a selfless individual. Sometimes, a “random act of kindness” could be nothing more than an ego trip.

…so why was she sticking her nose into Shion’s marriage? 

Shoko would say this as many times as she needed to. It was tiring to watch Shion and Gojo’s whole charade: the two of them trying to be oblivious, denying themselves for their own sakes. 

Fuck, she needed a drink. She didn’t give a shit that it was still early afternoon. 

A constant buzzing of Shoko’s phone severed her line of thought. With her free hand, she picked up the call. 

“Hello? Yeah, I’ll be there in five.” Shoko shoved her phone back into her lab coat. “Watanabe called, and he needs me for something.” 

The sound of her friend’s voice broke Shion from her trance. Her head snapped back up, meeting Shoko’s unfazed expression. 

“Shoko, I’m-”

“Don’t apologize.” Shoko cut her off, getting up from her seat. “I pushed too hard when you’re clearly not ready to talk about it. I’ll make up to you the next time we meet.”

The clicking sounds of Shoko’s heels echoed throughout the library. With every step she made, the sound became fainter and fainter until silence had become Shion’s companion once more. She returned to stare at the seemingly endless shower of pink petals.

Somehow, the color had become dull and lifeless to her.

---------------------------------

Before she left the library with the plush toy, Shion got a call from Yaga to pay a quick visit to his office. She really hoped it’s not about the mysterious holes found in Tsukamoto’s brown fabric body. Plenty of students fell victim to it and she knew Nanami was one of those unfortunate individuals. 

Without much to anyone’s surprise, many sought for revenge on the cursed corpse, but Yaga was the only obstacle that prevented them from doing so.

"A crow came to my office with Alex's request attached to it." Yaga handed Shion a scroll. "He specifically asked for you to join him on a mission."

Shion loosened the tie around the paper before briefly scanning the contents. "Is something wrong with it? You don't usually hand-deliver my missions unless it requires extra precaution."

"Call it a gut feeling, but…" Yaga picked up the felting needle and started working on his cursed corpse's torso. "I think something bad is going to happen with this one. I suggest you think carefully before accepting Alex’s request.” 

It’s been a while since she last heard that name. Alex was an Interpol agent who worked part time as a 1st Grade Sorcerer. He mostly dealt with international cases related to curses, or suspected curses. They had last spoken about two or three months ago, after Alex had enlisted her help in Egypt. 

“YOU DIDN’T TELL ME WE’RE GONNA DEAL WITH A FUCKING BOOBY TRAP!” Shion yelled. 

As the duo ran along the steep-yet-narrow hallway, a giant boulder rolled down behind them. Their mission was supposed to be straightforward–search this tomb to investigate a ‘sickness’ plaguing a nearby village. 

She hated the heat, the constant feeling of sand in her mouth and feet, and the camels kept spitting at her even though she did nothing to gain their ire. 

But the trip became 10x worse than it already was when Alex decided to take a rest. By leaning on the pyramid’s wall, he had triggered this comical chase scene. 

“YOU SAID IT’S A SIMPLE MISSION!” 

“I THOUGHT THAT MUMMY SHIT  ISN’T REAL!” Alex retorted, seemingly about to lose his breath. "ALSO, AREN'T YOU A SPECIAL GRADE SORCERER!? WHY DON'T YOU PROVE IT!?"

While turning sharply, Shion reached for the handle of her dagger as she skidded across the limestone concrete floor, facing the incoming boulder that could have easily flattened her into a pancake.

"SHUT UP!"

She closed her eyes and opened them, her eyes turned seafoam colored as she swung her weapon towards it, digging her dagger into the solid rock surface. In a split second, the huge boulder broke into multiple pieces before into fine dust. 

She thought she could finally have peace in her husband’s office. However, seeing Yaga-sensei surrounded with his own cute creations, it left Shion a question of her own as she stared at the wooden ceiling, mindlessly playing with the doll’s floppy white ears. 

‘What can I do after all of this ends?’ 

She never thought much about what her life would be after the war with the cursed spirits ended. It’s a fleeting dream for sure, but there’s always an end to everything. There’s a small seed of hope in her that she would live long enough to see that day.

Happy ending? Unlikely. She’d seen so much shit that it felt impossible for her to keep going. Shion had ended enough lives to hear the voices who condemned her to death. She closed her eyes, unconsciously relieving that memory again. 

A girl no younger than 13 with black hair made a trail of red roses as she wielded her blade, tainting the snowy grounds of the compound. 

The pleas for mercy fell on deaf her ears as she drove her katana into her targets. Why would they bother to ask for forgiveness? Weren’t they bad people? She didn’t expect them to regret anything they did. 

The thirst for revenge clouded her judgment, ignoring the cold, lifeless eyes of her victims. They would answer for her parent’s blood with their own.

Her cold fingers warmed as a crimson-colored metallic smelling liquid painted them. Was it from the mother who wept over her dead children? Or was it from the elderly couple she struck down?

 At this point, Death would be her constant companion. And even if she wanted to, there’s no turning back as she was already knee-deep into her path of vengeance. 

The people she slaughtered like cattle were her mere stepping-stones towards her own goal. 

Shion’s eyes shot wide open, breaking free from her memory when she felt something vibrating in her pocket. She fished it out, and her phone lit up with her husband's caller ID, and an incoming request for a video call. 

She accepted the call, and the screen of her phone changed to show her husband’s stupidly handsome face. She questioned the acceleration of her heartbeat upon realizing he didn’t have his usual white bandages, leaving his face bare. She’d seen his beautiful blue eyes countless times, but why now? 

“Miss me that much?” Gojo raised his brow at his wife’s stoicism. “You usually pick up my calls after 3 rings, honey.”

This unexpected pet name sent color to Shion’s pale cheeks. “If you called me to prove your point, I'd hang up on you.” 

“Wait!” Her husband loudly exclaimed. “ I just wanted to hear how things are going so far. It’s pretty busy around here. I’ll be out for another two weeks. ”

14 more days? That’s too long for him to be away. Then again, it’s not like everyone could be a sorcerer which meant more work for her husband. Would it be alright to be a little selfish, to ask for more of his time? 

Masking her disappointment, Shion let out a small sigh. “Where do you want me to start?” 

“From the very beginning.”

The conversation between the couple was supposed to be a quarter of an hour but it went beyond that. Surprisingly, Gojo didn’t interrupt her once with his usual snide remarks. It’s almost as if he called her to listen to her voice. This idea almost made her blush on the spot as her heart beat faster. 

Shion let out a small gasp, remembering something at the last second. “Also, Watanabe-sensei shot Tsukamoto dead.”

“The teddy bear with boxing gloves?” Gojo asked, watching Shion nodded. “Save me a front row seat–I wanna be there when it happens.”

“When what happens?” 

“When Yaga-sensei suplexes Watanabe-sensei.” 

Now, it would be an interesting sight to see. 

“Satoru,” Shion called him, but instead of warmth, a dreadful feeling formed in the pit of her stomach. “Before you go, can I ask you something?”

Gojo’s lax expression straightened as he picked up the seriousness of Shion’s tone. 

“We’ve been married almost six years, Satoru,” Shion started, pausing for a moment. “And I‘ve been thinking about your answer that day. Is it still the same? Marrying me because you have to?”

The day after her trial and announcement of her engagement, a question formed in her head despite the  influence of anesthesia in her system. She thought that the drug had given her the courage to ask her husband. So much of that day was foggy, yet somehow his words became engraved deep in her memory.  

Back then, his answer solidified her belief that her married life would be miserable. 

“Why do you want to marry me, Gojo?” 

“I could let them have your head.” Gojo grabbed a lock of her black hair, playing it between his fingers. “But…you possess one-of-a-kind technique. That would become one of my regrets, if I didn’t intervene.”

Gojo pressed his lips against her hair, the disgust churning Shion’s stomach.

“The wedding gift I want from my lovely soon-to-be wife is… don’t die on me.”

Instead of an immediate response, the astounding silence was enough to make Shion’s blood run cold. Although Gojo’s expression remained unchanged, she saw the uneasiness in his eyes. 

‘What are we?’ 

Three simple words were enough to change everything she had with Gojo. She wanted to ask that question, and resisting the temptation grew harder and harder with each passing day–the risk was too heavy to jeopardize what they had. 

And look at her selfish curiosity brought to her. She almost ruined what she had with him because of his silent response. That was enough for Shion. Yet why did she feel such disappointment? Did she truly hope his answer would be different? 

“Shion-”

"Please forget about this conversation." Shion bit her inner cheek, preventing herself from frowning. "It's unfair for you to be asked on the spot when you have other priorities to worry about."

Another moment of stillness passed between them, but it wasn’t the uncomfortable type of silence, like she had experienced with Shoko earlier. 

Gojo chose "Let's talk about it when I get back, okay?"

Fearing her voice would fail her, Shion nodded. Without anything else to say, Gojo ended the call, returning her phone's screen back to her wallpaper. It’s her pre wedding photo. She couldn’t recall the fine details on how she came to agree with the decision. 

However, she noticed something different in Gojo. As far as she remembered, this photo dated back when things were so damn complicated and difficult between them, causing a thick strain in their relationship. 

Yet, the softness she found in his gaze towards her told her otherwise. 

Why was he looking at her like that? As if…she was everything to him? 

---------------------------------

One late evening, a lone special grade sorcerer, Satoru Gojo, finally returned home after eight long days with barely enough sleep. His mission ended earlier than expected, but hey, at least he could finally see his lovely wife sleep properly in his comfy bed.

“I’m home!” 

After taking his shoes off near the doorstep, he walked towards the living room with a spring in his step. However, his expectations fell shortly after seeing a messy patch of green hair on top of a bespectacled man’s head. 

“Oh, you’re home.” Watanabe folded the newspaper in half. “And that’s my cue to leave.”

“Watanabe-sensei?” Gojo knitted his brows. “What are you doing here in my house? Where are Tsumiki and Megumi?”

“First, your wife asked me to look after them while she’s on a mission. Second, they’re asleep.” The school doctor rolled his neck before rubbing the nicotine patch on his upper left arm. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to go back to school.”

“And Shion?”

“What about her, Gojo?" Watanabe's eyes widened a bit upon remembering. “She did tell me she’s going home with you in tow three days ago.” 

Gojo resisted the urge to frown in confoundment upon hearing what Watanabe said. As much as he remembered, there was nothing indicating that his wife would be coming home with him. Maybe she said that to quell the children’s worries? After all, he hadn’t given them a clear idea as to when he’d be back.

So, his wife contacted Watanabe three days ago? Had something happened whilst he’s away? Nothing came to mind. Probably some sort of mix-up in communication. Still, he had a bad feeling.

Watanabe blinked a couple of times. “Anything else?” 

“I need you to look after the kids again.” 

“Huh? I’m a doctor, not a babysitter.” 

“I’ll tell Yaga-sensei what happened to Tsukamoto.”

“How did you-forget it.” Watanabe sighed heavily, scratching his head in the process. “Your influence on her truly shows. I can’t believe I’m still here, babysitting… You better cover my ass if Ieiri comes looking for me.”

Watanabe took his spot again on the couch as Gojo made way to his bedroom. He switched on the lights, illuminating his room. He lied down in bed and called his wife’s phone. The phone on the other end started ringing just as he put it to his ear. He didn’t realize how much he missed her until he heard Shion’s voicemail. 

Gojo kept calling and calling until his frustration took over. Where the fuck is she? He couldn’t sense the wedding ring or even her dreaded cursed energy. He cursed underneath his breath before getting out of bed. 

His mood improved when his eyes landed on a long, white floppy eared puppy. It was sitting comfortably on top of Shion’s bookshelf while wearing clothes that resembled his uniform. Instead of the white bandages, a black blindfold covered its eyes.

"Why, hello…" Gojo grinned, picking up the stuffed plush toy. "Is this supposed to be me?"

Even though Shion denied missing him, Gojo felt the effort she put into making this handicraft.  “We’ve been married almost six years, Satoru,” Shion started, pausing for a moment. “And I‘ve been thinking about your answer that day. Is it still the same? You’ve stayed married to me because you feel that you have to?” Gojo frowned. How could he forget that conversation? When his wife had never before questioned anything about their marriage…

Technically speaking, his answer hadn’t changed. He only married her to save her from getting her head chopped off. But if things were different, maybe he would marry her out of love, or maybe he didn’t. Instead, he would find another alternative to see her alive and breathing. 

He put the doll back where it was and began browsing through Shion’s mini library. If he couldn’t get through to her himself, maybe he could find some sort of clue in her books. He pulled down his bandages and started browsing through her collection. 

After almost half an hour, Gojo took note of the central themes in some of the books he briefly read. And, he wondered if it had something to do with him.

“If only I met you sooner.” …People tend to weave this idea into various stories– romantic or not, it was always a hit with the audience. Despite Shion seemingly being a fan of this trope, Gojo didn’t see the appeal of it. 

As he grew older and wiser with time, he understood why this futile fantasy often played into stories. Gojo believed its popularity was fueled by self-doubt, as humans tended to be fickle with their opinions on relationships. He could imagine the reason behind Shion’s fascination towards it. Was it because of how lonely she felt in the years before she met him? Or did she sense the solitude in him? 

Putting the book away, he pulled out his phone and noticed a text notification from Shion. The tension in his shoulders didn't leave. Why did he feel uneasiness from it?

In the picture, a disheveled woman was sitting alone, seemingly her arms were behind the chair she’s sitting on. She slumped over the chair with her hair hanging like curtains across her face. Above her was a single dimly lit lightbulb, illuminating her tired features and the black silk dress hung on her body. Splotches of red and purple littered across her arms and legs.

But the temperature in his body rose in anger and the bedroom dropped to zero degrees when he saw text:

“You’ll raise hell from the bottomless pit just for her, right?” 

-----------------------------

A/n: HEEEYYYYY, I'm back from my unannounced 4 month hiatus. Don't worry, this author is fighting tooth and nail with writer's block on a daily basis. Anyways, it was supposed to be a Megumi-ish centered chapter but the author still hasn't grasped of his character that much to think what would he be like in his childhood with Shion around. Because of this said problem, I was duking out with writer's block, and school.

Special thanks to zark or xerox-candybar for beta reading this chapter because as always, she did a wonderful job.

Also, for those who are up to date with the manga....Yeah...Since Gege chose to end the year with a bang, I might as well slammed the door open into the new year with a nice cliffhanger. ^^

In addition, here's Alex's Character Info: Character Profile: Alexander Atotsugi “Alex” Kim Enrollment Method: Family Lineage Hobbies: Collecting Antiques Favorite Food: Hae-jang guk (hangover soup) Least Favorite Food: Kimchi (can’t handle spice - his mother was purely disappointed in him) Cause of Stress: Dirty stuff - His mother is Korean American while his father is a former member of the Kamo Clan. His second name, Atotsugi, means "heir" as his father wants him to be the next clan leader. - Supposed to be next in line for clan head, but he has no interest in it. Because of his rejection, he earned the stitches on his face because his head was literally split into two from the family’s assassination attempt. - Met Mei Mei in a clan meeting between their families (after his clan paid him enough to make an appearance), only to find out he's her senior at Jujutech.

"Anyways," Aki took the chance to talk in hopes of changing the subject. "What's with the sudden hang out? You barely went out unless you're shopping for groceries."

To be honest, your roommate, Toji Zen'in, was currently away on a mission. He didn't gave you an exact date he would be back as its been already a week. The only good side of his absence was the lack of noises you heard from his room throughout the nights of Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Why those specific days? You don't know as it's not your business who would be in Toji's bed.

Does Aki know you're living with someone who kills people for a living? No

Does your friend know you posted an roommate advertisement in some shady ass website? No

Does he know Toji's usual nightlife? No

If Aki knew about your roommate, he would turn his mothering and nagging up to its max settings. You appreciate his concern, but, honestly, his way of thinking was too normal for you. You needed something or someone that could spice up your mundane life.

Hence, the impulsive decision to get a roommate. So far, Toji was reliable enough when it comes to doing chores. But, you learned not to trust him shopping for groceries with your money.

Only for you to find out that he threw the money away on those horses and jockey. To be fair, he did win the highest bid on that day, treat you to dinner at a fancy restaurant in Aoyama.

"What can you say?" You swirled your glass of whiskey, the ice cubes clinked to one another. "I thought of changing my routine for once."

"Right…" Aki said, not believing you as he took a sip of his beer. "You didn't invite me because you're missing someone?"

Shit. Were you that obvious?!

"You kept looking at your phone at least ten times in thirty minutes." Aki added. "So? Who?"

An image of Toji's soft smile popped into your head. In response to both your friend's question, you shook your head.

"There's no one." You took another sip of your drink. "I'm content with being single for the rest of my life."

That's right. It would be better for you anyway. Yet, thinking about it left a bitter taste in your tongue.

And, that's the beauty of alcohol came in, to make you forget about it by drinking.

-------------------------------------------------

It's been 7 days since he left.

168 hours had passed since the last time his roommate saw him.

30 minutes he spent traveling from the airport to see you at your shared apartment.

Surely, nothing would change within a week, right?

"Who the fuck are you?"

The question left from Toji's lips upon seeing an unfamiliar man coming out of your room. He's average looking at its finest. It didn't helped that the black thick frames of his glasses sold the mundane look.

A new roommate? For fuck's sake, Toji knew you could and would be impulsive with your decisions, especially what happened last month from your request to be his model. But, seriously, it had to be a fuck buddy of yours?!

The bespectacled man sneered at him. "Who the fuck are you?"

"I asked you first."

"I asked you second."

Toji sighed, near the end of his patience. "I'm her roommate, Toji Zen'in."

He almost gagged on the spot after he said his last name.

"Aki Sakamoto, I'm a friend of the weirdo who's currently sleeping now." The bespectacled man crossed his arms, glancing at the door to your room. "How come she didn't tell me about having a roommate? I'll ask her the next time we meet."

"What? You're jealous?"

"Nope, that idiot is too weird for my type." Aki scrunched his face in disgust, sticking his tongue out afterwards. " I knew her long enough that if I date her, I feel like I'm committing incest."

Upon hearing the latter's words, Toji crossed out the possibility of you and Aki being fuck buddies. That's gre- Wait…Why did he felt a sense of relief from your roommate's words? That couldn't be right.

Maybe just maybe. Once you slept with him, the crush weird feelings he had on you would be gone within a snap of his fingers.

"Thanks for looking out on this weirdo in my behalf." Aki slightly bowed a little. "Despite how nonchalant she is, she does get a little lonely from time to time."

"No need for thanks." Toji waved his hand dismissively. "I enjoy the special company she brings."

Toji snorted at the sight of your friend's disgusted expression. "And, that's my cue to leave you with the drunk weirdo."

After your friend left the apartment, Toji chose to linger at your room. He began to think on the words that Aki told him earlier as he brushed off a stray strand of your hair from your face.

Honestly, it shouldn't surprised him, but it did. It's hard to tell especially with the eccentric outlook you had towards in life. Maybe, you did express it at some point throughout the months he lived with you. His job as an assassin prevented him from contacting you, or telling you when he would be back.

Because of it, you always ended up waiting for him.

He knew couldn't always be there for you, but heavens knew he would raise hell if something bad happens to you because of him.

His train of thoughts were derailed when he heard you groan from your sleep. He watched your eyes fluttered open as you try to sit up on your bed.

"Toji? Ish…zhat..you?" The alcohol in your system slurred your words. "I neeeeeed you…."

With a small smile and hands on his waist, Toji asked. "What is it that you need from me, doll?"

Without any word, you jumped onto him, throwing off Toji's balance. You both fell on the wooden floor with a heavy thud.

Fortunately for you, you landed on top of your roommate. As for Toji, he couldn't tell if it's a blessing or a curse to have you straddled on him. The disheveled look didn't help either. Your shirt was too big for you, showing the strap of your bra on one of your shoulder.

"Toji~" You sang his name, grasping the ends of his shirt. "I'll take a quick peek of it, okay?"

Winking at him, you pulled his shirt up, revealing his well toned muscles.

Your index finger lazily traced the outline of his defined abdominal muscles. Eliciting a groan from Toji much to his dismay. He bit his lip to prevent any more sounds coming from him as your lips became dangerously closer towards his stomach.

It took every ounce of his will to restrain the temptation to flipped you over and took you on the floor. His pants became tighter with frustration when your hand accidentally brushed against one of his thighs.

Fuck! Why was he acting like some horny teenager right now?!

"If I bite into this," You looked up, meeting his gaze while giving a quick lick to your lips. "Will it be firm?"

Before anything else could happen, whether it would escalate into sex or not, you passed out. Toji shook your body a couple times, only for him to confirm you're dead asleep from the soft snores he kept hearing.

Once he tucked you back in bed, Toji released probably the biggest sigh in his life. The frustration he felt knew he would have to spent a long time in the cold shower later.

'What the fuck did I do in my past life to experience this?'

-------------------------------------------------

The next day had arrived, and not so surprisingly, you woke up with a banging headache like someone ran you over with a truck.

Maybe you did, and by some miracle, you came out of the ER unscathed. Man, that would be one hell of a story to tell to Aki.

As you got out of your room, you gave your arms and legs a nice long stretch before noticing your roommate. He's currently sitting at the living room, but you noticed the slight dark circles underneath his eyes.

"Morning," You yawned loudly as you wiped the tears from your eyes before rubbing them. "You're back…how was the mission?"

Instead of an answer, he replied with a question of your own.

"Do you remember anything last night?"

"Let's see…I knew I went out drinking with Aki…" You closed your eyes, trying to recollect any memories that happened after your stupidity took over your senses. "My brain got fucked over by four full glasses of shochu, then I don't remember after that…"

Once you opened your eyes, it landed on a brown paper bag. It's sitting nicely on your dining table. Suddenly, you remembered what happened next.

"Oh!" You exclaimed, pulling out a a single piece of bread roll from the brown paper bag. "We went to a bakery for me to get something for today's breakfast, and then- Toji? What's the matter?"

"Nothing," Toji shook his head. "I'm a bit tired from yesterday's mission."

"Then, let me take care of today's breakfast…unless you want to get take out." You scratched your cheek. "I just remember I have a commission due next week."

He couldn't understand how he came across a weirdo like you. Usually, people would be wary or outright refused to have a roommate coming home with someone's blood on his pants.

But, you were an exception. If anything, you welcomed him with open arms despite your first meeting was you in his arms but in a choke hold. In his defense, you were holding your palette knife like a weapon.

With a sigh, you turned your stool to face him. "Before you take a shower, strip for me. Your frame is similar to the client's partner."

'Excuse me?' Toji thought.

Even though it's been almost half a year since you two became roommates, Toji didn't expect to hear that request from you. It's always been cleaning the apartment if he didn't receive a call from his usual handler.

"Skipping ahead, are we?" Toji asked, smirking at your brazenness. "Take me out to dinner at least."

You hummed affirmatively. You got up from your seat and grabbed your phone on the coffee table. "I'll get you dinner after you show me the good stuff."

After you focused entirely on your phone, Toji contemplated about you. Aside from being an eccentric individual, you never seemed to express your want to be in a relationship. Aside from the unreasonable clients, he never heard you whining about men as you always holed up in your room. He thought you're a NEET who's fucking loaded.

"What if I refuse to do it?"

He resisted the urge to chuckle when you made a face at him. 'Are you shitting me?' was clearly written on it.

"Then..." You closed your eyes for a bit before you opened them as if a light bulb lit up in your head. "I'll quadruple the amount that you owe me. Now that I think about it, you haven't pay a single yen for the groceries, the utility bills, and-"

"Alright, fine!" Toji interrupted you before grasping the end of his black shirt. "Any specific pose you prefer?"

"Whatever is comfortable to you, Toji."

The man before you took off his shirt, revealing his well sculpted muscles as he threw the piece of clothing on top of the couch. Usually, his casual hook ups would immediately melt into a puddle at the sight of it, or jump onto him.

However, you, on the other hand, scanned him from top to bottom with your thumb and index finger squeezing both of your cheeks.

You put down your hand before nodding in content."I guess this will be fine."

After what it seemed like half an hour passed by, the exhaustion from his mission started to get him, but throughout the time, he could only hear the tapping sounds of your pencil against the easel as he saw your eyes went back and forth between him and the canvas. You scratching your head a couple of times was enough to tell Toji that you're still stuck with a blank canvas.

"Can't you just draw a stick figure and be done with it?" Toji furrowed his brows. "I rather fucking pay the debt than staying up for another hour."

Ignoring his complaint, you shook your head with your arms crossed for a bit before unfolding them. "I need a firm grasp of it."

You got up from the stool, and immediately, Toji's gut told him that he had a bad feeling about this to which he shook it off, and simply passed it as him being tired.

"Can I squeeze it?" You nonchalantly asked, gesturing at his torso. "If you're not comfortable with that, may I touch you instead?"

"You answer the next month's rent?" Toji watched you nodded. "Go ahead, have fun with it."

It's not a big deal. You're just another woman in his lfie. That's it, no more, no less.

However, when your index finger traced the shape of his right chest, Toji immediately regretting to agree to your request. He didn't expect your touches will left enticing and addictive feeling in him.

Your light touches made his heart beat faster, his breathing heavy. It didn't fucking help your fucking oblivious to what you're doing to him as your head was so far up in the clouds.

He didn't remember why he was even allowing you to do this.

"Are you okay?" You asked, noticing your roommate's sudden quietness. "If you're feeling uncomfortable, I can stop here."

The next thing Toji knew, he had you trapped between his body and the wall. One of his hands grabbed both of your wrists and pinned above your head. As for the other? Well, its beneath your chin, making you look up to meet his gaze.

Now, that he had a good look on your features, you're not even half-bad looking to his standards. Fuck, he wondered what would you look like after sex. Would it be you being a moaning mess? Begging more of him? Or, perhaps, would you still retain your obliviousness?

"You're playing through a very dangerous game right now, doll." His thumb brushed against your soft lips before the distance between of his lips to yours were inches. "You have no idea what you're doing to me."

Ding dong

The sound of the doorbell brought Toji back from reality, turning his attention at the door. Who the fuck was at their apartment door at 10 pm?!

Maybe something that would help cleanse his palate?‌ You did hear from his brother and his assistant the other day that he wasn’t eating well enough that he didn’t have his usual third bowl of rice.  

A feminine loud voice shouted your name across the street, breaking from your thoughts before turning your head towards the direction. Your lips curled into a smile when you saw the owner of the voice.

It was none other than, Kugisaki Nobara, your best friend along with Zen'in Maki, another good friend of yours.

"Nobara!" you happily called her name, running towards her to give her a big hug. "It's been like what? Almost half a year have we not seen each other?"

How did you meet Kugisaki? Well, You don’t remember about the details, but according to Maki, who didn't drink, you were minding her own business in the bar with Maki when suddenly Kugisaki busted into the same establishment, challenging you to a drinking contest.

You, who wouldn't say no to a challenge, happily accepted it. Both of you drank until you two started swearing at each other like sailors and could make the devil blush. However, that exchange may have resulted in the bartender kicking you and Kugisaki out with Maki in tow.

The day after that event was the same day you found out you share the same English class with Kugisaki.

As for Maki? You two were acquaintances throughout middle school, she kept herself busy with the school’s kendo club while you’re part of the going home club, indulging yourself with tv shows and manga.

It wasn’t until the first year of high school that you two became friends when Yuta, her now boyfriend, asked for directions. You, who couldn’t say no, tried your best to remember which way it was. However, the moment you saw Maki in the hallway, you clung to her shamelessly, asking for her help. 

"See, Maki?" Kugisaki smirked. "She likes me better than you."

"Whatever," Maki scoffed. "She’s not my pain in the ass anymore."

Alarmed by the latter's comment, You pulled away from Kugisaki, and faced Maki, grabbing both of her hands. "But, there's only one Maki I want to be friends with, and it’s right in front of me.“

You were confused at the sight of your friend’s red face, but you winced in pain when she pulled away from your grasp and pinch your cheeks hard.

“Ow!”

“Even after 10 years since you’ve two known each other, you’re so oblivious that you’re still making Maki blush.” Kugisaki commented, amused at the sight of you two.

Maki let go of your cheeks, gritting her teeth at Kugisaki. “Shut up!”‌

Before you could say anything else, loud growls emitted from you and your friends’ stomachs,causing you three to laugh, Kugisaki suggested that all three of you should go to a cafe for a quick afternoon snack at a trendy cafe near the train station. 

Once you got your orders, you chose to brought up the question that was lingering in your mind. 

“Anyways,”‌ You lightly stirred your ice coffee with a straw. “Did you two meet up without me?”

“Nope.” Maki glanced at Kugisaki before looking back at you. “I was looking for new clothes to wear, and I happened to run into her boutique.”

“She’s actually looking for a ring to propose to Yuta with.” 

“Nobara!”

You gasped loud enough that you caught the attention of the other patrons. “Congratulations! Will Mai be the maid of honor?‌ Will I get to be part of the bridesmaid at least?”‌

“Anyways, enough about me!” Maki cut in, trying to change the subject as she eyed the bag of groceries next to you. “What about you? That’s quite a lot of food in your bag for someone who lives by herself.”

“Oh? Are you seeing someone?”‌ Kugisaki smiled coyly with her eyebrows raised.

Bashfully, you rubbed the back of your neck with a shy smile. “I’m currently seeing someone.”

Suddenly, you felt two pairs of eyes staring right through your soul, and you understood their reactions.

Throughout the years they’ve known you, there’s a certain phase in your life that you chose to dedicate yourself to admire fictional men, and you’re so far up in their two dimensional asses that they believed you opted for the single life. 

Because of this, you’re unaware of the lingering gazes, or the special treatment from guys that Maki and Kugisaki had to constantly scold you for. Nevertheless, they still protected you if one of your admirers made an unwanted move on you.

Maki frowned. “Please tell me they’re real at least.”

Embarrassed, you shook your head quickly. “Of course, he is! I’m not delusional enough!”

“Right…” Kugisaki took a sip of her drink. “So, who’s the unfortunate individual who had to suffer your obliviousness for god knows how long?”

“Well, I’m sure you knew Itadori Yuji, right?”‌ You heard your friends ‘hm’ as their answer. “I’m currently dating his brother.”

The half-eaten cookie on Maki’s hand slipped from her grasp and fell on the table. Meanwhile, Kugisaki didn’t breathe for a good minute.

You waved your hand in front of their faces, checking if they’re still with you. It wasn’t until the sound of the shopkeeper’s bell echoed throughout the establishment that brought them back to reality

“You what?!”‌ Maki surprisingly asked.

"Are you sure you're dating the right twin?" Kugisaki asked, her brows knitted together with a frown on her face.

"Yeah?" You answered, unsure of what she meant. "Sukuna had the tattoos, while his brother doesn't have any. I didn’t know you knew him.“

“Know?‌” Kugisaki slammed her hands at the table. “He’s fucking infamous in our year back in college! He single-handedly made three professors quit in the same semester!”

“Don’t forget that he’s also the one who lit a car on fire that happened to belong to the dean of the business department after he received a verbal warning because of the said firing.” Maki added after drinking her smoothie mixed with protein powder.

“Really?‌” Your eyes widened. “I thought the police ruled it out as an accident.”

“It still is.“ Maki scratching her cheek, doubting if you’re being oblivious, dumb, or both. “But, C’mon, even someone like you could tell it’s him.”

Kugisaki let out an exasperated sigh. "What do you even see on that man?"

“Well…he’s protective for starters!” You replied. “The other day there was this co-worker who kept bugging me at work, asking for my number. When I told Sukuna about this, he told me the guy would stop the next day. And, the next thing I knew, my co-worker did stop, but I don’t understand why he would look so afraid of me, nor his mutterings with ‘I’m gonna get killed if I approach her’.”

“Did it ever occur to you…I don’t know, he threatened them?!”‌ Kugisaki exclaimed.

“I did,” You purse your lips together, trying to remember from that specific day. “But he told me it’s about the sending a message, Nobara.”‌

Somehow, Kugisaki felt mentally and physically exhausted from hearing that. She needed something sweet to keep her sane.

Out of nowhere, you and Maki watched your friend downed her strawberry milk tea as if she’s drinking water. However, she started coughing, and it seemed she forgot her drink had tapioca pearls in it.

You gave quick pats on her back, hoping it would help her. Eventually, she calmed down, and when you checked the time on your wristwatch, you quickly grabbed your groceries, and dashed towards the exit without giving the chance to explain your sudden departure. 

After taking the train that’s jam packed full of people, you finally arrived at your shared apartment. Despite the hefty amount of money that your boyfriend makes, he chose to move in at  your small cozy one bedroom apartment.  

“I’m home.”‌ You announced as you took off your shoes. 

“You are finally home, brat.” 

“I unexpectedly met up with Nobara and Maki earlier.” You made your way to the kitchen before putting away your groceries into its proper place. “I thought you’d be home late today, Sukuna.”

Confused at your boyfriend’s lack of response, you carried on your current task on hand. It took a few minutes for you to finish it. After placing the milk into the fridge, you went to meet Sukuna in the living room, only for you to see his disappointed expression while sitting on the couch with an opened cookbook in hand.

“What’s with the frown on your face?” You tilted your head to the side. “Did I do something wrong?” 

Sukuna’s furrowed brows became deeper. “I didn’t give you the permission to address me so casually, brat.”‌

Oh, right! That’s like the number one rule when you started dating him; address him with honorifics. You found it a bit weird at first when you started dating him 6 months ago. Although you didn’t mind about it now, at some point, you asked him if it’s a kink of his.

And, his reply was something that’s in character for someone like him.

If glares could kill, you would have been killed on the spot by Sukuna. “You’re really asking for me to bury you alive, huh?” 

“Sorry!”‌ You scratched your head. “I forgot about that, Sukuna-sama.”

“Try again.” Sukuna crossed his arms. “But, this time, apologize on your knees.”

Without hesitation, you followed what he said exactly; you’re on your knees and you have to look up to maintain eye contact with him. “I’m sorry for addressing you so informally, Sukuna-sama.”

Seeing the satisfied smirk on his face and nodding at your apology, you got up from the wooden floor. 

“You’re a bit later than usual.” Sukuna glanced at the clock before meeting your gaze once again. “Did something come up?”

A small chuckle slipped past your lips, earning a judging look from your boyfriend. It’s rare that Sukuna openly showed his concern for you, and once he did, it never failed to warm your heart.

“What’s so funny about what I said, brat?” He asked defensively.

But knowing him, if you told the truth, it would earn you a flick to your forehead.

The host seated them near a window which afforded the best views of the city. Shion took note of the employee’s  sudden enthusiasm, as if he had been expecting them. 

Maybe they did have a reservation, but forgot about it? 

The moment they were given a menu, Shion buried her nose in it, thinking which food sounded delicious based on the description. Meanwhile, Gojo didn’t spare a glance at his menu and kept looking back and forth at Shion and at his pocket. 

Sensing her husband’s gaze on her, Shion put down the leather-bounded menu on the table.

“Something on your mind, Satoru?”

Her words caught Gojo by surprise as he hadn’t expected her to address him directly. He smiled sheepishly which aroused a small suspicion in Shion.

“I-It’s” Gojo stuttered before clearing his throat. “It’s nothing for you to worry about.”

Shion looked at her husband in a skeptical manner. There shouldn’t be anything for him to be nervous about. They’re just in a nice restaurant with some nice classical music in the background.

If she’s not mistaken, the pianist was playing Nocturnes, Op.9: No.2. She constantly heard this piece whenever a fleeting yet romantic scene happened in the tv shows she watched. But there were also times this song was played to match the character’s melancholic mood.

Unless…

Shion couldn’t help but to observe her surroundings, taking note of every single detail. She needed to check to prove the sudden uneasiness in her stomach wasn’t just in her imagination. 

Fancy Restaurant? Check Totally intimate atmosphere? Check Gojo’s unusual nervousness? Check

With these facts in mind, suddenly, Shion became more aware of her surroundings. She could feel her eyes going wide, her heart rate accelerating, and her body temperature rising. 

There’s no way this idiot of hers on papers would do it here and right now! And in public?!

From Gojo’s pocket, he produced a small black velvet box and presented it to her. Inside of the box was a platinum ring. A simple yet intricate design with a small blue diamond cut gem nestled in the middle of the metallic band. Its color and shine reminded her greatly of her husband’s signature blue eyes.

"Will you marry me, darling?" Gojo asked.

Gasps and loud cheering erupted throughout the restaurant. Shion rubbed the nape of her neck, embarrassed.

Eventually, the spectators became silent, anticipating Shion’s answer. Meanwhile, the woman in question had an internal debate on what to do in this situation.

Scenario A: She would clear up the misunderstanding by telling everyone they’re already married to each other, luckily, and not other people. Although this was the truth, it would cause a very awkward situation.

Scenario B: Play along.

To save everyone the embarrassment, Shion had to choose the latter option. She and he would have a very nice discussion after lunch.

“Y-Yes!” Shion clasped her hands together. “I’ll marry you!”

“Did you really have to do that?!” Shion elbowed Gojo in his ribs.

“C’mon, don’t be such a sourpuss.” Gojo rubbed his left side, numbing the pain. “Thanks to my heartfelt proposal, we managed to get a free meal from the restaurant’s owner.”

“A meal that we can easily afford!”

“And?” Gojo pouted. “Where’s the fun in that ?”

No words of rebuttal were heard from Shion, making Gojo internally cheer at this small victory. 

“Well, did you like the ring?” He asked.

Jewelry wasn't her thing. Yes, it’s beautiful, but after rejecting many similar gifts from that Naoya Zen’in annoying cockroach, it became a nuisance to her. She had to constantly worry about losing it. Then, she actually did lose her wedding ring only two months into their marriage. 

Shion remembered the spurn she earned from her mother-in-law when the topic of the wedding ring came up. Apparently, that piece of jewelry was a family heirloom.  Shion could see the latter’s gaze hardened with disdain. Every word she spewed from her mouth made her daughter-in-law feel she’d been dragged through mud.

At first, Shion tried to establish a good relationship with her husband’s family before they got married.  Yet, it proved to be pointless when she found out that no matter how good her intentions were, they would still treat her as an outsider, and she couldn’t find in her heart to despise them. 

 She knew from firsthand experience: it’s tiring to keep on living with hate as the fuel, after all. 

However, when Gojo confessed he had lost his wedding ring as well, she found a small sense of relief in his words–although it was accompanied by a chunk of guilt.  

Shion studied the platinum ring around her finger. “How did you know my size?”

“Well…” Her husband took hold of her hand, winking at her. “I’ve held your hand enough times to tell.”

Gojo expected his wife to become a flustered mess, but she blinked and nodded. Aw, did he mess up the timing? Or was the mood not suitable? He swore what he said was  a surefire way to get his desired results.

“One thing,” Shion pulled her hand away from his grasp. “Did you put some of your cursed energy in this ring?”

“Bingo!” Gojo gave her a thumbs up. “You can think of it as my personal G.P.S if I can’t contact you with my phone.”

Completely ignoring the last part, Shion eyed Gojo's ring finger. “Then where’s yours?” 

“I lost mine on a mission,” Gojo raised his hand to show his ringless finger.  “Remember?”

Gojo expected Shion to be nonchalant and move on to their next destination. Instead, his wife grabbed his hand and dragged him along down the road, searching for the nearest jewelry shop. 

Eventually, they came across a small quaint shop, but the moment they stepped in, it felt like being inside a museum.

The inside was filled with beautiful pieces of jewelry ranging from antique to modern. They were all carefully arranged behind glass on tables that looked like they each cost more than an annual salary of a 1st Grade Sorcerer. 

Not soon after, the shop owner and his employee greeted them. Shion responded as she looked around with her husband following next to her.  

Meanwhile, Gojo watched his wife, unknowingly with a small grin on his face. As much as he appreciated the gesture, Shion didn’t have to get him a ring. 

It’s just a ring. Nothing more, nothing less. It’s just a piece of jewelry to remind him that he’s married to an oblivious woman named Shion Ito.

Yet, she looked so cute right now. She’s so focused on such a mundane thing with her brows furrowed and her lips in a thin line. Every now and then, she would hum while browsing through the collection.

“As for the size…” Shion mumbled, turning to her husband with her hand reaching out to him. “Your hand, Satoru.”

Gojo grinned at her, and took hold of it. In his head, he pondered over what he should say to his wife to elicit a flustered reaction from her. He imagined that her expression became shy and soft, accompanied with a blush.

 Last but not least, it wouldn’t be a flustered Shion if she didn’t taunt him back. Idiot, she would say while pouting. 

But, the words forming in his head disappeared when Shion shifted her hold with her dainty fingers intertwined with his. Her soft skin made Gojo feel like it was burning him, and he hated the fact that a simple gesture like this would send his heart racing. He hated how quickly his cheeks were turning red and how much he wanted to pull her hand towards his lips.

It didn’t help that he had no clue what he was supposed to do now. How could he?! It’s fucking rare for his wife to be the one intiating things.

Was he supposed to say something cheeky? Insulting? 

Meanwhile, Shion, oblivious to her husband’s internal conflict, let go of his hand and turned her attention towards the shop owner. Somehow, he and the other employee were fully invested in something in her direction. She took a quick glance behind her, but there was nothing special happening aside from a lone customer by the necklace section.

That customer looked familiar. Maybe the lighting was playing tricks on Shion, but she felt like she had seen them before. In that angle, didn’t they look the-

“Miss?”  The owner called to her, causing Shion to pay attention to him. 

“Can I have this ring?” Her finger tapped against a poster taped underneath the glass pane. “On this size please.”

“Sure, but you’ll have to come back tomorrow for it.” The old man adjusted his glasses, looking at Shion’s hand. “And as for the size, isn’t that too big for you, miss?”

Shion shook her head before she gestured at Gojo. “It’s for my husband.”

The woman raised her brow in curiosity when the owner let out a hearty chuckle. Did she say something funny? Shion turned to her side, and found Gojo scrolling through his phone. He seemed alright and everything, but the tips of his ears had turned a reddish hue.

“Are you okay?”

The reply she got from him was a simple ‘hm’, and it made Shion worried. Usually, he had a witty response to her concern. Was he perhaps feeling under the weather? If this continued, she would consider getting some cooling patches for him.

Racking her brain for answers, Shion missed the owner’s remark as he made his way to his workshop while the employee, his grandson,  directed the couple to finalize their payment.

“Ohohoho,” the elderly man grinned. “To be young and in love.”

----------------------------------------------

On their fifth day of the honeymoon trip, the couple went to a sunflower farm, much to Shion’s surprise. Dread filled her when she found out that her husband wanted to visit the farm’s sunflower maze. She couldn’t say no to Gojo. Hopefully, this idiot wouldn’t make another proposal in front of more people. 

A myriad of tall sunflowers surrounded the couple as they wandered through the maze. Shion admired the beautiful flowers as she contemplated if she should buy some, and then use the flowers to make bookmarks for the Fushiguro siblings.

Gojo would have enjoyed the scenery as well, if it weren’t for the fact that he had been crafting a plan in his head.  

The true purpose of this trip to the farm was the maze itself. He knew how much his wife loathed mazes due to her sense of direction. Yet, he had a very good reason for this visit. She would get annoyed once she learned why, but a nice meal should immediately put him in her good graces.

His reason was to protect her from an assassination attempt.

Ever since their special lunch at De t'avoir, Gojo had a feeling that someone had been tailing them. And if he had to guess the target, it would most likely be his wife–those old sacks of bones really hated Shion. 

He really wanted to know where the higher-ups got the audacity to put a hit on his wife when they’re on their honeymoon. 

Now, how could he convince his wife to split ways without making him too suspicious? The assassin he sensed was in the eastern direction.  

“Wanna see who comes out of the maze first?” Gojo suggested. 

“No,” Shion crossed her arms. “I already know who the winner would be.”

“Do your best, and…” Gojo rubbed his chin before snapping his fingers. “I’ll buy you a couple boxes of *manjū you like from Hiroshima.” 

As if he flipped a switch, Shion dashed towards the left path with a newfound determination to beat her husband. And here he thought that he had the biggest sweet tooth. 

Without further ado, Gojo took the opposite path, and by the end of it, he stumbled upon a spacious area of the maze. This must be the ‘heart’ of the maze that the farm advertised in their brochure.  In the middle of it, there was  a big white wooden gazebo, and the entire area looked peaceful and serene. It was beautiful. If it weren’t for someone trying to kill them, he could have napped with Shion. 

“Oi,” Gojo stopped in his tracks. “You better come out while I’m still feeling merciful.”

Minutes had passed and his threat was met with silence. Gojo turned around, and no one was there.

“This is fucking great.” He shook his head, displeased with the situation at hand.

However, the moment the wind blew the sunflowers eastward, Gojo pinned down his attacker, pressing his foot on the latter’s back and twisting the man’s arm behind him.  One good look at the assassin’s face, and Gojo immediately recognized him as the fucking host from De t’avoir.  

This was why he couldn’t have nice things  in life.  

“Looks like I caught a dirty rat.”  Gojo dug his foot deeper directly at the man’s spine, resisting the urge to kill him on the spot. “Which baldy old fart sent you to kill my wife?”

Gojo furrowed his brows when the ‘assassin’ let out a dark chuckle. 

“You…are wrong…Gojo Satoru,” The man coughed, struggling to breathe under the weight of Gojo’s foot. “You…are our target...not Shion Gojo... I was…sent..alone…in case…I have to fight the…deadliest Sorcerer.” 

‘Our’ target ? That couldn’t be right. From the third day of their trip up until now, Gojo had only sensed one person’s cursed energy–cursed energy which he could now confirm was coming from the man underneath his foot. 

Fuck! 

This honeymoon trip had distracted him, and he had forgotten some simple-yet-crucial information: a trained sorcerer should be able to hide their cursed energy well enough to pass as a normal civilian.

After knocking out the assailant, Gojo rubbed the nape of his neck, considering his next course of action. Knowing his wife’s forgetfulness, he wouldn’t be able to contact her through her phone–if she even remembered to bring it at all.  

Gojo could easily locate her through her cursed energy, but that would be a last resort. 

He remembered the first time he sensed Shion’s cursed energy, faint yet dangerous, as if she had to restrain it. Probably for the good of everyone around her, but that didn’t stop his curiosity.

Yet, in the aftermath of Shion’s mission four years ago, her energy had changed so drastically that even he, Gojo Satoru, the strongest sorcerer–couldn’t stand it. Her cursed energy reeked of death whenever she used it.

But fear not! For he had prepared to locate his missing wife with the ring he’d given her. He’s proud of the solution he came up with.

The ring he’d given to his wife wasn’t ordinary. It was his old wedding ring, from when they first got married.

Before his honeymoon, Gojo had the ring remade into a new piece, fitted correctly to his wife’s size. He was a bit worried that the jeweler wouldn’t complete the request on time, given how complex his order was, and because he rejected multiple drafts of the ring’s design. Although Gojo got the finished product the day before they left, he wouldn’t be surprised if the jeweler lost their sanity as a result.  

Gojo did tell Shion that he had lost his ring, but that was a white lie to spare her anxiety and frustration.  Back then, he’s aware how much he neglected her, but chose not to do anything about it until Shion broke down in tears as she held onto him.

Guilt gnawed at the back of his mind, but he forced himself to deal with the emotions that followed. The pain of remorse was his punishment for leaving his wife all alone, when  she needed someone to lean on and hold.

He should know that the moment they exchanged their vows under the sunny spring, they both became the constant in each other’s lives. 

Now that Gojo thought about it, he realized he had never apologized to Shion for his negligence. Alright, once he dealt with the assassin,  he would find a perfect spot, set the mood, and say sorry. 

However, when Gojo arrived at the location, he only saw a silver ring on the ground. His face scrunched at the metallic scent  in the scene. Yet, there’s no Shion here.

Immediately, a hypothesis invaded his mind and sent him into near panic.

What if… an irregularity like Fushiguro Toji got to his wife?

Immediately, Gojo took off his shades, and his knees almost buckled at the immense pressure he felt from the northern direction of the maze. Yep, that’s her cursed energy alright. She’s the only person in his life who could make him kneel.

After Gojo shook his head, he closed his eyes, and focused on his cursed energy to teleport. When he opened them, a familiar figure came to his line of sight. 

“Shion!” 

Immediately, he threw himself towards her, trying to embrace her from behind.

But Gojo underestimated his momentum, and his wife’s capability to withstand it. He ended up crushing Shion underneath him. 

Shion fell on the dirt face first, only to be buried further by the weight from her husband. For the first time in her life, she got a taste of dirt—sour and earthy. She hoped a full cup or two of mouthwash would help her erase the memory of it. 

Hastily, Gojo got off from Shion and helped her get up from the ground as she started to spit on the ground. He scanned his wife from top to bottom, looking for any signs of injuries. Her white sundress was now stained with dirt and grass.

“Are you okay?” Gojo asked. “Did they hurt you?” 

‘They’? Oh, so Gojo’s aware that they were being followed by a group of people with a killing intent. There’s really nothing that gets past this guy. And, here she thought she could handle this manner quickly and quietly. 

Out of nowhere, Gojo cupped her left cheek, and Shion almost startled at his touch. She felt something wet against her cheek as her husband brushed it with his thumb. 

Gojo’s expression hardened, and Shion lightly dabbed her fingers on the same cheek. Her eyes widened at the sight of her fingertips were stained with red.

“T-that’s not my blood!” Shion exclaimed. “It’s from the assassins!”  

Once Shion saw her husband’s shoulders relax, she was able to breathe easily. Whenever she got hurt, Gojo became a stubborn and unreasonable man. If she didn’t try to stop him, he would have deviated from his plan a long time ago because he killed the higher-ups.

“Did they also steal your shoes?” Gojo joked as an attempt to change the mood of the conversation.

“I improvised,” Shion shrugged. “Since I didn’t have a weapon, I had to disarm one of them with my shoe before I could stab them with their own knife. As a warning.” 

Although Shion was free of injuries, Gojo couldn’t help but be frustrated. He tried to keep a straight face about it so as not to give his wife any more trouble.  Unfortunately for him, Shion noticed his mood and  frowned. 

“I’m sorry,” Shion played with her fingers. “If I hadn’t married you, this wouldn’t have happened.” 

What was she saying? Gojo didn’t even give her the choice to say no. 

The day after Shion had received her death sentence was the day she found out that she’s betrothed to Gojo. She hadn’t fully processed the information until the next morning, when Tsukumo filled her in. Watanabe had accidentally injected Shion with so much sedative that she was not aware of the chaos that ensued from Gojo’s announcement. 

At that time, she never had the intention to fight back, or to plead for her life. Instead, she accepted Death with open arms, never taking into consideration what would happen after. 

Gojo sensed the immediate silence from Shion. Within three years of marriage, he could read her like an open book with the expressions and body language she made. 

“This is the second time you’ve apologized for something that’s out of your control.” Gojo sighed. “Even if I don’t marry you, assassination attempts like this happen like once in a while, depending on which higher-up I piss off.”

“I don’t want to bother you.” Shion rubbed her arm. “You already have a lot on your plate to begin with. Anything that concerns me, my problems, or the consequences of my actions shouldn't be added to it.”

If it weren't for Gojo’s shades, Shion would see her husband’s eyes widen in surprise and amusement. With the exception of those who he considered close, it was rare for someone to be considerate towards him, let alone sincere–he had lost count of the many times someone pretended to be concerned for him in exchange for a favor. He had lived long enough to differentiate between who was being sincere and being a clown. It’s a skill he had to pick up as he grew older, because his life was already complicated to begin with. 

“You know, I wish you would rely on me more often, Shion.” Gojo  carefully took her hands into his with his gaze fixed on it. “I’m not omniscient–I don’t always know what your thoughts are or  where you are in this world. And nothing eases my mind until I’m sure you’re safe and sound.”

He didn’t know if he was saying these words to alleviate Shion’s worries, or to voice his frustration at Shion’s lack of trust. 

“That’s why, rely on me more often.” Gojo locked his gaze on Shion. “I don’t like to watch you suffer in silence, just because you think it’s the considerate thing to do.” 

“Why?” Shion raised her brows. 

“That’s a pretty obvious answer, Shion.” Gojo chuckled. “It’s because we’re husband and wife.” 

Saying those words, it somehow felt right to Gojo. 

----------------------------------------------

As much as the married couple wanted their vacation to last a little longer, their honeymoon ended in a week. They deserved at least two months of relaxation, but they should be grateful that they were given at least a little time off. Next time, Gojo wouldn’t hold back–he’d pull out the big guns and negotiate a few weeks of time off, if they chose to go on vacation again.

When they returned home, one would expect they would sleep throughout the whole night. Instead, Shion craved a late night snack, and she tried her best not to wake up Gojo. Unfortunately, she did and had no choice but to bring him along. She wouldn’t want to wake the kids from their bedtime  with Gojo’s protests. 

After a quick trip to the convenience store, Gojo and Shion chose to linger at the terrace behind their house. The cool breeze tickled against their skin, and watched the stars glimmering above them. The wind chimes serenaded them with a gentle song as they savored their beverages.

Yet, Shion chose to break the silence with an observation of her own. 

“Oh, it’s Polaris,” Shion said.

“You can find the North Star that easily?” Gojo questioned.

“It’s not that hard to look for,” Shion pointed at the cluster of stars in the night sky. “See, if you connect those stars, it’ll look like kitchen pots with long crooked handles, but one of them is smaller and the other is bigger. Polaris is in the smaller one, at the end of the handle.”

“And what are the names of those kitchen pots?” Gojo asked amusingly. 

“Ursa Major, and Ursa Minor,“ Shion answered. 

Shion watched her husband squinted at the scenery before them before his face lit up in realization.

“Oh, you’re right! When you put it that way, I can see them,” Gojo commented, enjoying his discovery. “Despite your funny description, they’re still pretty to look at!”

“Yeah, they’re truly beautiful to see.” Shion said. 

Gojo shifted his gaze on the sky towards Shion, only for him to see her giving one of her rare smiles with a soft expression. A smile that he loved and hated at the same time.

"Thinking about me?" Gojo asked, deflecting the fact that his heart skipped a beat from Shion’s compliment.

"When have you ever assumed that I was not thinking of you?“

“But, you didn’t deny it.” Gojo retorted.

A small chuckle came from Shion’s lips, accompanied by a roll of her eyes.

Well, he wasn’t wrong.

She had been thinking about what her marriage was like when it first started versus now.  She couldn’t imagine her having nightly talks with a man who treated her like a stain. Someone who he had to tolerate until he chose to separate ways, not caring about her thoughts in the manner.

Within a span of three years, she understood a man named Gojo Satoru and his way of life. Not as the strongest sorcerer who held two strong techniques, or the head of one of the influential sorcery families, but instead, she learned about the lonely individual underneath that annoying facade. Something that he wouldn’t admit outright. Shion wouldn’t pretend that she knew what kind of solitude that her husband faced. But, the idea of being averse to sharing problems was something she was familiar with. 

Gojo wanted her to rely on him more often, but how could she? When he himself wouldn't share his loneliness with her because he felt so unreachable? She understood his position, but it didn’t mean that he had to shoulder all of that burden.

Now that she thinked about it, Gojo was similar to Polaris. 

Alone, out of everyone’s reach, but still shining so brilliantly in the middle of the coldest, darkest and most unforgiving nights, a beacon for those who have lost hope. In their line of work, the price of a new dawn to come was heavy and steep with constant partings.

But, it didn’t stop her from wanting to reach for him. She knew it’s impossible for her to rise to heaven’s solitude, but she would never know unless she tried. 

If she failed, then let her become his north star for he deserved happiness as much as everyone.

“Shion?” 

“Huh?” Shion jolted slightly. “Sorry, I was thinking of something else.” 

“Still thinking of your hubby’s handsome face?” Gojo smirked.  

“And, I’m gonna deny it this time.” Shion replied in a deadpan tone. “So, what were you saying?” 

Gojo tapped his fingers against the coffee cup of his hot chocolate. “Have you kissed someone else before me?” 

That’s quite the unexpected question. 

“Kiss?” Shion repeated, genuinely confused as to why Gojo would ask this particular question.

“Yep!” Gojo nodded enthusiastically. “It’s when two people’s lips-”

“I know what a kiss means, Satoru.” Shion interrupted him before taking a sip of her milk from the carton. “I’m not a child.”

“Yet, you didn’t see the problem wearing Mei Mei’s gift to the beach,” Gojo mumbled, shaking his head as he eyed Shion’s raised brows. “Anyways, I bet no one kissed you before I did on our wedding day.”

And, he’s damn proud of it. Secretly.

"Well…if you're talking about if I'm the one who initiated the kiss, then, you’re right." Shion tilted her head to the side. "But, if someone did it first, then, you’re the second guy."

Now, this truly got Gojo’s full attention, causing him to put his hot beverage aside. Who would have thought that someone kissed his lovely wife before him? Unexpectedly, the thought sent his blood boiling.

“Who?” He asked.

Shion furrowed her brows. Why did it feel like she’s being interrogated, right now? 

"I believe it's none of your business who kissed me."

"Was it Nanamin? Haibara?"  Gojo gasped. "Don’t tell me, it’s the Zen’in brat?”

Shion made a face when he mentioned Naoya. How could he forget his wife’s annoyance towards that guy? It’s evident with the way she slapped him as she tried to give him CPR once.

If it’s not one of those three he mentioned, who else could have kissed Shion?

Unless…there’s a good chance it might be him …

“Was it Suguru?”

Gojo was thankful he was wearing his shades to cover the shock in his eyes. Shion’s expression bloomed instantly into a lovely shade of red. She immediately averted her gaze as she cradled her right hand with her other.

Immediately, a familiar yet disgusting feeling swelled in his chest.

Without a word, Gojo carefully cupped his wife’s cheeks, making her look at him with flustered cheeks and her red lips slightly apart. The distance between their faces became zero with his lips pressed against hers.  He resisted the urge to smirk in their kiss when he heard a small gasp from his wife, prompting him to deepen it.

Gojo almost regretted kissing Shion—he could never imagine she’d be so addicting. The hot chocolate he had before against her cold lips from the milk she drank didn’t help. It made him crave more, more of it.

He didn’t care if he came off as greedy. His wife was too dumb to notice anyway. He needed something, or anything to dispel this jealousy. A feeling that he thought was buried, only for it to resurface once again.

Eventually, the kiss came to a stop. His heart still beat fast from the contact, but it eased after he pressed his forehead against hers for a minute.

“Well, am I a better kisser than him?"

He saw the gears turning behind Shion's eyes as she looked down at her hands again before meeting his gaze once more. “I-I don’t know…G-Geto never kissed me there, only my hand and head.”

On the outside, Gojo looked calm while wearing his signature smirk. However, inside, he’s screaming,  trying to process  the fact he kissed her.

“Why did you kiss me?” Shion asked.

‘I was jealous.’ Gojo thought.

He wouldn't admit it out loud, as that would be the same as a love confession. Why else would he feel envy, especially for something that happened so long ago?

Another little white lie wouldn’t hurt, right? Who knows? Maybe this lie would turn into the truth. 

“I kissed you to prove there’s nothing going on between us,” Gojo answered. “Kissing isn’t much of a big deal if you think about it.”

“Then…what’s the answer you got?”

“I can’t tell yet, because one kiss isn’t  enough,” Gojo responded with a genuine yet cheeky smile. “Can I kiss you again?”

It’s hard to deny the possibility that romance may have bloomed between two individuals. However, their relationship was already weird to begin with. They had skipped so many steps that saying they’re friends to someone was questionable, given how Gojo acted

Based on the romance media Shion usually indulged herself in, marriage out of pure convenience tended to end on one of two notes: either they learned to love one another, or they parted ways in an amicable manner. She hadn’t encountered yet where the relationship ended with both people screaming at each other  because the characters grew more mature and learned from their mistakes to properly communicate.

Who knows, maybe she would witness it first hand if Gojo kept acting the way he was back in their first year of marriage.

Thinking about the opposite end of the romance novel spectrum--with couples dying of grief, unable to live without each other--was something that Shion couldn't imagine happening between them, either.

The idea of Gojo mourning for her death seemed plausible but letting the grief from it control him? That's unlikely to happen. He had too much on his plate with his role as the very pillar of the Jujutsu Society. If anything, she thinks her death wouldn’t leave much of an impact on Gojo’s life.

But if she kissed him to dispel the doubts he had, she would gladly do it so. Yet, she couldn't comprehend the small pang in her chest when she came to this conclusion.

"Alright," Shion stepped towards him, closing the distance between them. "Kiss me again, Satoru"

Shion watched Gojo’s eyes widened slightly, but he nodded nonetheless. His free hand reached over, cupping the sides of her face gently again, before lowering himself closer to hers, until their noses were brushing against each other. Her eyes fluttered closed, and his lips soon pressed against hers.

Was it just her, or had this kiss become sweeter than before?

The kiss itself wasn’t overly sensual. In short, it lacked all the romantic elements that she expected. Yet, she still felt some sort of warmth blooming from the bottom of her stomach to the top of her head. And maybe even more than that, her heart beat faster and the feeling of possessiveness from Gojo wasn’t there at all. Instead, it was replaced with gentleness, and a hint of hesitation–just like she remembered back on their wedding.

However, their kiss ended a bit too quickly for her own liking when Gojo broke away suddenly. She unexpectedly felt a sense of disappointment, which confused her greatly. Was she supposed to feel a little bit of disappointment?

"Well?"

Gojo leaned further, almost until their lips were brushing  against one another. 

“Third time's a charm right?”

The mischievous tone in Gojo’s voice sent Shion spiraling as her curious expression became flustered. Of course–how the fuck she could forget that her husband is a troublemaker?!

“N-No!” Shion covered his mouth with both of her hands before pushing him away from her face. “I-I’m already embarrassed that we're doing it outdoors"

"So, if it's in our bedroom, can I have more?" Gojo chuckled as his wife slapped his arms with her cheeks puffed up.

How could she be any cuter than now?

“But, Shion~” Gojo cooed.

“Weren’t you trying to get rid of any romantic ideas about our marriage?” Her voice rose with embarrassment.

"Alright, alright," Gojo huffed a laugh, grabbing the coffee cup beside him. "Why don’t you get to bed? You have a mission lined up tomorrow morning."

Unbeknownst to Shion, as soon as she was out of sight, Gojo reached for his lips and a single thought formed in his head.

She tasted so sweet…

Immediately, his hand shifted to cover his mouth with his cheeks and tips of his ears exploding into multiple shades of crimson.

EXTRA

“How’s the trip?” Nanami unwrapped his store-bought sandwich. “It’s been a week hasn’t it?” 

“It’s fun and relaxing.” Shion’s shoulders slumped. “I feel a bit bad that I didn’t get to wear Mei-san’s gift to the beach.”

“Why?” Nanami asked, watching Shion grab her phone in her pocket.

Shion scrolled through it before handing her phone to Nanami. “Satoru didn’t let me wear it. Honestly, I don’t see anything wrong with it. What do you think?”

Nanami took a bite of his sandwich before his eyes landed on Shion’s phone. Upon seeing her almost scantily clad ‘swimsuit’, he choked on his food as he coughed into his hand with his cheeks becoming red.

Well, shit. All hell would break loose if Gojo caught wind of the current situation.

“I need a drink.” Nanami grumbled.

“It’s a bit early?” 

Ignoring his friend’s stupidity ignorance, Nanami grabbed a bottle of shochu from his cabinet, and poured a glass for himself. Usually, he took his time to drink this as it could be very heavy for someone like him, but he needed something strong now to keep himself from going insane.

Nanami chugged down the whole glass before pointing at his friend. “Don’t give Gojo even the slightest idea that you’ve shown me that picture, Shion.”

----------------------------------------------

Things that I like to share while writing this:

-The restaurant scene was supposed to be like a normal intimate talk, but then I remember how chaotic Gojo can and whill get. Thus, the proposal scene came in.

-At 12 am, I blasted Enchanted by Taylor Swift and Polaris by Aimer in my headphones while I was writing the night scene. Let me tell ya, it was a good of a roller coaster. 10/10 would do it again.

-The Geto bit before they kiss wasn't actually there in the first place until xerox-candybar (Who done an incredible job as always) brought up the fact that Geto kissed Shion twice. Immediately, I laugh maniacally while working from home as "I hear a symphony" by Cody Fry was playing in the background.

The extra scene was supposed to between Mei mei and Shion, but I chose Nanami. NGL, I was tempted to write a reader-insert for him, but I love and respect this man so much that I can't read or write romantically about him. HE JUST RADIATED STABILITY LIKE-

At some point, Shion’s eyes lost focus on her book, and drifted towards Gojo’s sleeping face. Her hand moved slightly, allowing her to get a clear view of his features. Gently putting her book away, she brushed a few strands of his hair away from his cheek.  

Shion admitted that Gojo was a very handsome guy. If it weren’t for the whole Jujutsu business, she could clearly see him as a very popular actor and model. And she had a feeling that he would have the Midas’ touch, if he chose to dwell in business–that is if he kept his mouth shut, and played the role of a serious cool guy. Then again, he wouldn’t be the Gojo Satoru she knew. She hated to admit it, but being an annoying piece of shit was one of Gojo’s endearing charms.

Despite his loudness and eccentricness, sometimes she woke up to his sleeping face, and she always found herself staring at him for a few minutes before getting ready for the day. She liked how peaceful he looked as it soothes her nerves. 

She wondered what kind of dreams he had whenever she saw a small smile on his face. Was it his dream of revolutionizing the current system finally came to life?‌ Or relieving a happy memory from his past?‌

Shion’s observations came to a stop as her husband roused himself from his slumber.

“How’s the nap, dumbass?”‌

“Nice,” Gojo answered groggily as he rubbed his cheek against her bare thighs. “I have the best pillow to nap on after all.”

Shion felt her cheeks burn with anger. Did her husband really just wake up and immediately provoke violence, even though he’s within striking distance of her fist?

“By the way,” Gojo shifted his position, sensing his wife would explode out of embarrassment. “Have we had our honeymoon yet?”

Shion shook her head.

“Let’s go on one!”

Right after their wedding back in 2009, the married couple couldn’t afford to make plans for their honeymoon trip. They were simply too busy with the duties that came along with their positions, and the assigned missions from the college. Gojo–occupied with his teaching responsibilities and his transition to clan head—barely had time for himself. Because of this, he left the responsibility of the Fushiguro siblings to his already overwhelmed wife.  

Shion closed her book, placing it on the couch. “Where do you want to go?”

“It’s up to you, Shion.” Gojo stretched his arms upward before standing up from the couch. “After all, our honeymoon is your wedding present to me!”

“Wait what?!” Shion exclaimed. “I didn’t agree to do the planning and-”

“Oh look at that time,” Gojo took a quick glance at his phone before shoving it back into his pocket. “I have a date with a cursed spirit! And you know how cranky they can get when I’m late!”

“Satoru!”

After Gojo quickly waved at Shion, he winked, and then disappeared to his destination.

“And, there he goes…Wait…isn’t today his day off?”

———————————-

Later in the evening, a certain blonde salaryman entered his apartment. For once, his boss was feeling generous enough to let him go home early after 3 days of working overtime. Why couldn’t that idiot do his own fucking financial reports for once?! Why does he have to make Nanami do his work?

Nanami was so ready to relax on his couch, drink some beer and catch up on his reading. Instead, he found Shion had showed up unannounced and invaded his living room. Stacks of opened magazines covered his coffee table and countless sticky notes plastered the back of her laptop.

How did she even get access to his place? Oh right–he had given her a key to his place two years ago, after he had rescued her from a bar after a night of heavy drinking.

It was the first time they’d spoken after Haibara’s death.

“Kento...I’ll support whatever decisions you have, whether it be leaving that cursed world or pretending all of that is not real but, please…”

Shion clenched tightly onto the hem of his shirt as she sobbed. “Don’t forget…I exist...”

His home acted as a temporary sanctuary for Shion. It didn’t solve her marital problems–Gojo’s neglect, their lack of communication–but it did help her climb out of a dangerous headspace. 

Nanami remembered how vulnerable Shion looked when she woke up. Her hair was a mess, all over the place. He could see the never-ending sorrow in her eyes, eyes that once gleamed with such lustrous golden color. The familiar shame and guilt he’d seen years ago resurfaced on her face again.

Nanami felt partially responsible for what she had become.

Instead of helping her, he ran–no, scratch that–he abandoned her in his pursuit of normalcy. No one could really blame him for what he did. The Jujutsu society was really fucked up, rotten to it’s core, and it had driven at least one sorcerer he knew to insanity.

Because of this, he wondered if Shion understood his decision to leave the cursed world, or if she had turned a blind eye towards his selfish act, hoping for a chance to rekindle their friendship.

All these thoughts ran through his head. He pushed them aside as he took off his blazer, setting it on the top of the chair.

“What are you doing here?” 

“Oh, welcome home, Kento.” Shion put her laptop aside and pulled a bottle of whiskey from her bag. “To compensate for the sudden visit.”

“I’m so close to asking for my key back, “ Nanami said, taking the bottle anyway. 

Despite being a heavy drinker, Nanami wasn’t a raging alcoholic–unlike their mutual acquaintance. Did Shion really think he would be swayed so easily by intoxicating beverages?

Then again, only a fool would decline free drinks.

Nanami let out a tired sigh before loosening his necktie.

“Did you order take-out, at least?” 

Shion nodded. 

“Then be my guest.”

After taking a quick shower, Nanami slipped into his sleepwear and as he was changing, he heard his doorbell ring twice, indicating the food had arrived. He made his way to the living room with a towel draped on his neck. He felt lazy today to dry his hair with his hair dryer.

Seeing Nanami on his way, Shion poured a glass of whiskey for him as he took a seat across from her.  

Nanami took a sip of his drink. “What made you come here?”

"A change of scenery.“‌ Shion answered without looking away from her laptop. ”It might help me decide where to go for my honeymoon trip with Satoru.“‌

Honeymoon? An unlikely scenario for those two–both of them are complete idiots when it comes to each other. A prideful idiot, and an oblivious idiot. He still hadn’t a clue when this pining between them would end. Honestly, it was amusing and tiring to watch them in the same room together.

In spite of everything, he preferred that than ever breathing in the same air as Naoya Zen’in–Shion had mistaken his marriage proposal as a declaration of rivalry. But that would be a tale for another time. 

Nanami eyed at the messy stack of colorful travel magazines on his coffee table. “Shouldn’t you be planning this with Gojo, Shion?”

“Yep, and knowing him, he would dodge the topic like a mission from the higher-ups.” Shion put a whole tamago into her mouth. “Hash wark? Shame ash ushuyla? Shame shitty bawsh?”

“Eat first before you speak.” Nanami scolded. “And yes, the same as usual.”

The woman gulped down before releasing a contented sigh. “Well, if you need help in dealing with someone, let me know.” Shion gestured at her neck. 

“I will if the only option isn’t murder.”

“So, you’re considering murder as one of the options then?” Shion tilted her head to the side, confused with her friend’s sudden frown. “What? I’m double checking with you before I commit anything. Oh, and that supervisor of yours, is he currently in a relationship? Because I saw him with different-”

“How am I still friends with you?”

“You’re a softie, that's why.” 

Nanami rolled his eyes at Shion’s words.

“You’re more of a softie than me, Shion.” Nanami commented. “Remember in high school when there’s a mission at Nagoya-”

Shion’s eyes widened before she covered her ears. “N-Not another word please, Kento!”

Nanami was not very surprised to find that his supervisor was weirdly friendly with him at work the next day, and insisted on granting him a good amount of vacation days as a goodwill gesture. Nanami didn’t miss the fear in his eyes when they made eye contact.

Looks like he had Shion to thank and scold for this.

----------------------------------------------

After a week of preparation, the married couple finally went on their honeymoon. Thanks to Gojo’s ‘charms,’ they managed to each get a week off so that they could fully enjoy their well-deserved rest.

However, when they arrived at their hotel, an unexpected problem occurred.

“One single room for Mr. & Mrs. Gojo, right?”

One bed? And, here she thought she could get a break from sharing a bed with Gojo for once. She’s sure that she picked a double room for the both of them. Did they accidentally book the wrong one?‌

“Miss?”

“Ah…yes!” Shion looked startled as she clasped her hands together, and quickly spared a glance at Gojo. “One bedroom for me and my husband...of course, my husband….who is over there, at the koi pond…”

Unknown to her, Gojo was assessing if he could fit a smaller koi fishin his water bottle. 

Shion awkwardly chuckled. The receptionist gave her a side eye before turning their attention to the computer. What’s with that reaction? Her English wasn’t that bad to begin with, was it? Thanks to her travels with Tsukumo, she could read and comprehend simple sentences, as well as hold a conversation.

Maybe it wasn’t so much how she sounded, but what she said–now that she thought about it, Shion may have come off as floozy, or worse– a married woman having an affair with another man.

She really needed to take a break from reading such romance trite novels.

All of her energy was spent from their travels (and the awkward conversation with the receptionist), and Shion wanted to dive to their bed and rest, but Gojo’s big mouth prevented her from doing so.

“You really want to sleep with me that much, huh?”  Gojo smirked.

Shion glared at Gojo. So he did have something to do with their unexpected room change after all.

“What are you talking about?” Shion put down her luggage on the carpeted floor. “You act like this is our first time sharing a bed.”

She’s not wrong.

When they first got married, Gojo bought a house near the college, but also close to the Fushiguro sibling’s school. They had started to share a bed when the Fushiguros moved into their house. Since they’re growing children, Shion willingly gave up her bedroom and her personal office so that they could each have their own room. They could easily buy a larger  house, but they had been so busy with work that they didn't have time to do more house hunting.

Sure, he could just have Shion move to his family’s estate with him, but trust didn’t exist in that place.

Despite his position as the head of the Gojo clan, the servants remained loyal to other family members, most notably towards his parents–the same people who brought him to this world with a troublesome burden, and the first people to strongly oppose his marriage to Shion. They claimed that it would damage his reputation enough just to marry an outcast, let alone someone with a questionable background like his new bride.

They also kept trying to set him up with their own marriage candidate. They assumed that because Shion hadn’t yet given them any grandchildren, she must be infertile, and if she couldn’t fulfill even the simplest role of a woman, he might as well divorce her. They said this to his face, with Shion beside him.

When Gojo heard those words, he almost committed parricide on the spot like his old friend. Consequences be damned.

The only thing that stopped him from doing so was Shion. He remembered her expression at that time was unreadable, indifferent to his parent’s attack.

Once they got home, however, he accidentally stumbled upon Shion hunched over the bathroom sink, secretly treating the red crescent-shaped wounds on the palm of her hands.

The scene made him wish he could manipulate time to his will. He wanted to go back in time to the first year of their marriage, and treat her better. Not as her husband, but as her partner. 

He hoped this trip would help him understand Shion more, and in return, he would earn more of her trust.   

“Earth to Satoru,” Shion said. “Did you even hear me? I said, this isn’t our first time sharing a bed–”

“Yep~” Gojo poked her cheek. “That’s how I know you snore and hog the blanket. ”

Shion shook her head in response to her husband’s answer.

“What’s first on the agenda?”‌ Gojo asked.

“The beach, but I want a snack.”‌ Shion frowned, placing her hand on her stomach. “The airplane food wasn’t enough.”

“Alright,” Gojo nodded before rolling his shoulders. “I’ll look for a convenience store. I need to stretch my legs after that flight. Why did you book us economy class when we can easily afford first class? Or even better—rent a private jet?”‌

Because it was Nanami who booked their flight. Whenever Shion made travel plans, her mind always went blank as her anxiety cranked up to a hundred. It’s not that she worried about money–she worried about filling in the right information. What if she accidentally booked a forty-eight hour flight to Denmark? Or chose an unreasonable flight time? Did she have to pay extra for checked baggage, or was that included?

Not that Gojo would understand the struggle.

“I forgot to upgrade the tickets.” Shion scratched her cheek. “Now, could you go get me some snacks?”‌

Once Gojo left the room, Shion fell face first to their shared bed. She let out a moan, satisfied with how comfortable it was.

She wanted to take a nap, but she had to unpack her luggage just to find her swimsuit. 

As Shion went through her clothes, panic started to rise. There’s still no sign of her bathing suit! Where could it be? She had already checked every nook and cranny of her suitcase…

Amidst of her dilemma, her eyes landed on a familiar white rectangular box. She hadn’t opened that box yet, even though she had received it weeks ago… 

"You're late, Shion." Mei Mei extended her hand out. "That'll be 500 yen for the late fee."

"This isn’t a doctor’s appointment that I’m missing, Mei-san." Shion looked at her friend, confused. “Besides, you’re the one who came to visit me at work, unannounced-”

“I’ll charge you an extra five-hundred yen for that behavior.”

“Alright, fine!” Shion rolled her eyes as she handed the older woman a five-hundred yen coin. “What brought you here?”

Mei inspected the gold coin and played it around between her fingers. "I heard from Shoko and Utahime that you'll be going on your honeymoon next week. Consider this my wedding present."

“Is Mei-san a psychic?” Shion gasped. "How did she know I’d forget to bring my swimsuit today?"

Inside of the box, Shion found a pair of black undergarments paired with sheer stockings. The needlework in the laces was intricate, and the fabric was smooth to touch.

This was perfect! She hoped it would fit her. 

Shion changed into the ‘swimsuit,’ and quickly began having doubts about this gift. It barely covered her parts that would warrant an arrest for indecent exposure. Also, what was the point of these stockings? Wouldn’t they make it harder to traverse the soft sands? And she worried that she was going to lose circulation in her thighs because of the tight fit. 

She took a quick picture of her outfit. That way, if Mei Mei ever wanted to gift her a swimsuit again, she would know that she chose the wrong size.

Despite her complaints, Shion found the outfit to be cute. 

“I grab you some snacks and-” Gojo stopped in his tracks and dropped the white plastic bag he was holding. “I prefer white on you.” 

“Ever heard of knocking?” Shion’s eyes narrowed at him as he picked up the bag and took a seat on their shared bed. 

“Where did you buy that?” Gojo gestured at her swimsuit. “I thought you’re more of a no-frills kind of woman.”

“Oh, it’s a gift from Mei-san,” Shion put her hand on her hip. “I never imagined she'd be the type to give someone a swimsuit.”

A sense of curiosity rose within Shion as she watched her husband’s dumbfounded expression.

“Don’t tell me you’re going to wear that to the beach?” Gojo said. Disbelief was laced into his tone.

“Without the stockings, I don’t see why not?” Shion shrugged. "I mean, it’s a bit tight around my chest but I think I’ll-Satoru? Are you alright?"

At that moment, Gojo swore his mind crashed 3 times in a row.

----------------------------------------------

After a quick trip to the mall for a new swimsuit, and then a quick  change of clothes, the couple finally reached their destination for the day: the beach.

As they walked towards the water, they were greeted by the familiar sights of white sands and blue sky, and the sounds of waves rolling upon the shoreline. The smell of salty ocean spray invaded the air around them, and the sun felt warm against their skin.

“Should we go surfing or kayaking first?” Shion asked.

Shion was wearing a white two piece she chose for herself, but the black jacket was Gojo’s idea.

“Satoru,” Shion fanned herself. “Is it really necessary for me to wear your jacket? It’s fucking hot.”

“Yes.” Gojo’s face scrunched into a scowl. “It’ll protect you from all the wolves lurking around here.”

“I think we can rent there.” She pointed at a blue shack filled with various floaties, water toys, surfboards and umbrellas. “You know how to swim right?”

“I should be asking you that question, Shion.”

Within seconds, Shion made a face, as if this were a ridiculous notion. Of course she knew how to swim—she learned it from the best. Her teacher, Tsukumo, had shoved her into the deep end of a pool and she whispered ‘good luck’. All Shion could remember from that day was her limbs screaming in pain.

Recalling that memory sent shivers down Shion's spine. She was thankful that she managed to learn to swim on the first try. And if she didn’t, well, then she wouldn’t be alive today. Although Shion mastered  the basics, the lesson didn’t stop there–Tsukumo kept pushing until Shion could jump from an Olympic dive board without any problems.

“Now, now, you’ll be scaring the cashier with that frown of yours, Shion.” Gojo ruffled her hair.

Shion slapped her husband’s hand away from her. “Just wait here.”

His wife left him with only a single thought in his head— she was too damn beautiful. 

From the moment they set their foot on the beach, he could feel and see the hungry gazes from the ‘wolves.’

Shion was too oblivious to notice the stares. As Gojo silently threatened men left and right, Shion seemed preoccupied with something–he swore that he heard her mumbling about werewolves.

He broke away from his thoughts when he felt his phone vibrate. He fished his phone from his pocket and noticed a text from Mei Mei. He almost forgot that he messaged that woman, questioning her if she received a bribe from someone who wanted him dead…from embarrassment.

From: Scary Crow Lady (Mei Mei) Shouldn’t you be thanking me instead? I always assumed you two had an exciting sex life ;-). Isn’t that the purpose of your trip? What’s there to be thankful for?! There was nothing exciting about the long cold, shower before they went to the mall. Thankfully, Shion didn’t question why.

He had no intention of trying to sleep with her. And if he chose to bring up the topic, then there was a good chance that Shion would pass out from embarrassment.

“I’m back.” Shion approached him with two pairs of life vests and snorkeling masks. “I changed my mind, and thought we should do a bit of snorkeling first then–what’s with the scowl on your face?”‌

“Nothing.” Gojo grumbled under his breath, shoving his phone back into his pocket. “Anyways, shall we go then? There’ll be less people ogling you in underwater”

Underneath the blue waters, they saw many colorful forms of marine life. It was a beautiful sight to behold: the school of fishes swimming around them were iridescent, some even had a unique pattern to their scales. Others moved in slow circles–one came swimming right by Shion’s mask.

After their underwater adventure, Gojo suggested building a sandcastle–he wanted to see how tall it could get with their combined effort. It felt a bit childish to do this at their age, but ultimately Shion couldn’t deny his idea as she was also curious about what the outcome would be.

Shion fortified the base of the castle, and volunteered to make a moat around it to protect it from the tides. Meanwhile, Gojo did the heavy lifting–transporting the materials, and adding more layers to the top. Soon, their sand castle was about up to Gojo’s thighs.

 But even with Gojo’s jacket, Shion kept receiving good-for-nothing stares from the ‘wolves.’ Some were subtle, but some of them had the audacity to do it with their partner next to them, thinking they would get away scot-free. It sent his blood boiling, and his hands itched to blast those perverts with Red. 

No, he’s not jealous. In fact, the last time he experienced such a feeling was two years ago. 

He remembered it so clearly. 

It was a cold, stormy night and he was standing in front of an abandoned school. His body was heavy with exhaustion, yet he still pushed on–determined to pick up his wife after he got a troubling text from Ijichi. He could have asked the auxiliary manager to do it himself, but it’s been a while since he had seen Shion. 

The moment Gojo stepped his foot inside the building, he immediately hid his cursed energy well enough to avoid suspicion. He sensed Shion’s own cursed energy nearby, as well as another familiar aura that shouldn’t have been there in the first place. 

His fatigue vanished instantly–replaced with panic as he was outside of the classroom where Shion and Geto were. 

Gojo listened to every word of their conversation. Judging from Shion’s hostility, it’s unlikely that his wife expected to find Geto here. That’s one thing to check off the list from the questions he would have to ask her later. 

As far as he could tell, Shion never suspected that he had been eavesdropping on her and Geto, before he made his grand entrance. Of course, he wasn't planning to bring it up. He would be patient with her, just like she did with him despite his neglect. It’s the least he could do. 

But, Gojo never expected his wife to talk about all her problems maintaining and forming relationships with someone who had committed a heinous crime–even if they had once been friends. 

He couldn’t help but wonder if it had something to do with Shion’s crush on Geto.

“Shion,” Gojo got a small ‘hm’ from Shion. “Back in high school, did you like Suguru?”

At that moment, Shion ran the toy shovel straight through the base of the sandcastle. All of their hard work came crumbling down within a matter of seconds. 

“Shion!” 

Ignoring the architectural tragedy that she had caused, Shion scratched her flushed cheek. “I-I believe I don’t have any idea you’re talking about, Satoru.”

Gojo was astounded by her response. Did she really think her feelings toward Suguru were a secret in the first place? Their classmates and the faculty staff all knew about it. Heck, he overheard Gakuganji, the old fart at Kyoto Tech, asking Yaga’s opinion on whether Shion or Geto would confess first.

“At this point, if someone asked me what oblivious means–” Gojo pointed at her, “–I’m gonna direct them to you.”

Shion slapped his arm as her cheeks burned with embarrassment. In exchange, Gojo laughed at his wife’s bashfulness.

Was he wrong? No, it was a badly kept secret to begin with. Even before hearing it from Haibara’s loud mouth, Geto had sensed the girl’s admiration towards him–it was evident from the way she acted whenever they were in the same room together. 

‘Suguru-senpai’ had a sweet-yet-shy tune to it, as if she were a typical damsel-in-distress waiting for her prince to rescue her.  When Gojo watched them together, it honestly felt like a shoujo manga panel had come to life, with Shion’s personality switching from her usual deadpan expression to a blushing mess. 

Thinking about how Shion acted towards Suguru was amusing at first. Yet, as time passed on, it became disgusting and–surprisingly–mixed with jealousy. 

Gojo recounted the many times he rolled his eyes at Shion for acting in such a trite way. On the other hand, Shion greeting him as ‘Gojo-senpai’ and simply acknowledging his presence drained all of her energy in one go. Gojo understood why–he’s a real piece of work, and his constant hijinks were always a headache to deal with.

What could he say?‌ He’s a natural when it comes to mischief..

Did he regret it? No, not really as it gave him Shion’s hand in marriage and cooperation to his cause.

"W-whatever!" Shion averted Gojo’s eyes. "I-I only had a crush on him, that's it!"

Had a crush? That’s a relief. Wait, was he feeling nervous all that time? Him?!

“W-what is it to you anyway if I do have a crush on Geto-san?”‌ Shion’s eyes locked on Gojo’s, unable for the latter to tear away from. “It’s not like you can do anything about it!”

Shion felt she said something wrong. Despite her husband smiling, the corners of his mouth looked strained.

“I’m thinking of an excuse to use if ever the higher-ups get caught wind of this.” Gojo’s gaze shifted from Shion towards the ocean. “They’re still hellbent on pushing your death penalty. I won’t be surprised if they stoop so low as to  fabricate evidence that frames you as Suguru’s conspirator.”

“Is…that so?” Her question came out as a whisper, discouraged at what she heard. “I guess…it can’t be helped.” 

“You can tell how fucked up their priorities are,” Gojo commented. “After three years,  they still keeping tabs on you and-”

And here she had thought she had made progress–3 years of doing their dirty work, only to find out that she’s still at square one. She had bent over backwards for them, thinking that maybe, just maybe, if she worked hard enough, the higher-up’s perception of her would improve–or at least be less shitty–and maybe they’d stop giving her husband so much trouble. 

What’s the point of her title and her efforts if  she couldn’t get a sliver of respect from those dried up pieces of shit?

Shion lowered her gaze. “I’m sorry.”

“What are you apologizing for?”

Afraid that her voice would fail her, she kept silent with her hand clenched into a fist. She didn’t pay attention to the pain she inflicted on herself. This frustration she felt was too familiar to her, and she hated it so much. 

A familiar warmth on her hand broke her thoughts as Gojo grabbed her fist. She didn’t know why, but when he took hold of her hand, he acted as if he were handling something fragile like glass.

His thumb gently caressed her fingers. In response, she slowly unclenched her fists as Gojo laced his fingers with hers. She never thought that her hand would seem so small compared to her husband’s. 

“Are you apologizing because you think your efforts were wasted?” Gojo asked.

Shion nodded.

His voice was different from his usual sly-yet-brazen tone that she was so used to hearing. He sounded gentle, calm and understanding. It was almost comforting, like a warm blanket on a rainy night. But there was a hint of anger mixed in, and she wasn’t sure why. It felt like he was fuming at the higher ups on her behalf.  

“It sure was a complete waste of time and effort, trying to change their minds,” Gojo said.

Shion looked down, and frowned at his words. He didn’t have to rub salt on the wound. 

“But it didn’t go unnoticed,” Gojo added. 

“What do you mean?” 

“Because there’s one person who did notice, and that’s me.” 

Something soft and warm was pressed against the back of her hand. She didn’t fully register what it was until Gojo gave her one of his signature winks. 

And that’s how Kugisaki ended up waiting for Shion in one of the college’s empty classrooms.

Kugisaki didn’t have much of an opinion towards the sorcerer. For someone who’s recognized as a Special Grade Sorcerer, Gojo Shion didn’t seem to play the part of it.

Usually, those who were part of an elite group always had a charismatic and bold presence that truly defined them from both experienced and inexperienced in their field. Or at least that’s what Kugisaki saw in movies growing up.

But then again, she only met two Special Grade Sorcerers out of five so far. One was her clown of a  teacher who always encouraged her with Itadori to get on Fushiguro’s nerves. As for Shion, Kugisaki couldn’t say much about her other than her fiery temper from their first meeting.

The door to the classroom slid open, interrupting the girl’s thoughts. She turned her attention to it and saw Shion striding across the classroom towards the podium. Immediately, she noticed the unusual refined elegance in the woman’s presence with every tap her shoes made. Whenever she saw Shion, she always looked tired 24/7 especially when she’s with her husband.

Also, what’s with the woman’s sunglasses? Was it that bright outside? 

“Sorry, I’m late, Kugisaki,” Shion rubbed her shoulder. “I had to deal with a minor inconvenience…”

Since she arrived 8 minutes past scheduled, Kugisaki had a clear idea that it’s Gojo who Shion’s referring to as an inconvenience. Her teacher always got to the classroom late with the exact same time frame.

“Anyways, as for today’s mission…”

According to Ijichi’s report, mysterious disappearances occurred throughout the Saitama prefecture. The police thought it would be like those people who seemingly ‘evaporated’ from existence without a trace and simply closed the investigation with this conclusion.

However, they received an anonymous tip that caused the police to contact the college and reopened the case. Apparently, someone had too much free time in their hands to lurk around the dark web and stumbled upon an online doll auction. The most alarming thing they saw wasn’t only it’s life-sized but eerily identical to the missing people.

“Here’s some references for you to look at.”

Kugisaki received a manila folder from the latter, and it contained side by side pictures of the victims and dolls. She glanced at each doll with interest before flipping through the next. So far, the majority of the victims were people around her age or older. The majority of them looked beautiful and handsome in their own way.

As she reached the last set of portraits, Kugisaki sensed familiarity from the young man in the picture. Sure, he had the looks, thanks to his youthful face, yet his hazelnut eyes had a kind gaze to it.

“W-Well…” Fumi scratched her cheek before smiling bashfully. “I like his eyes…don’t you think they look warm and kind?”

Wasn’t this the guy that her friend had a crush on? If she remembered it correctly, he left her home village to become a model shortly two years prior she went to Tokyo.

Suddenly, the word ‘model’ clicked something into the student’s head like a simple equation to solve.

“Does that mean we're going shopping?!” Kugisaki slammed her hands on her desk as she stood up from her seat. “Will the college pay for it?”

“No.” Kugisaki’s face immediately became crestfallen. “I’m the one who will answer our  expenses.”

Shion almost wished that she didn’t bring the girl with her on this mission. She didn’t expect Kugisaki to almost max out her credit card within the first three hours at the mall. Her limit was 500,000 yen because that’s the lowest that her bank could offer since she doesn’t do much shopping other than groceries and she splurged on occasions to release some of her stress.

But then again, back in her high school years, her former homeroom teacher forgot to tell her that his monthly limit was 250,000 yen. Like a child with a new toy, Shion used it recklessly to the point she immediately maxed it within 2 weeks of owning it. In her defense, she treated sleep like a luxury that few could afford and a bed is considered to be an investment to her sleepless nights.

Well, at least Kugisaki looked like she was having a blast. It’s been two weeks since their mission ended with Sukuna's vessel being dead. Although he’s reportedly deceased, he’s living in the school’s secret hideout and occasionally at her house. Shion understood the secrecy of Itadori’s current status since it’s part of the many steps in Gojo’s plan saying ‘Eat shit and Fuck you’ towards the higher-ups.

Yet, it didn’t stop her from worrying about Kugisaki and Megumi.  The boy already had a fair share of experience when it came to a classmate’s death, much to Shion’s  dismay. As for his classmate… 

“Kugisaki, about the stuff you bought just now...” the student looked at Shion with her brow raised. “Is that how you normally spend your allowance?” 

Out of curiosity, Kugisaki dug in her bag looking for a receipt. Her expression twisted into a horrified manner once she pulled out the paper and  saw the numbers. She knew this trip was too good to be true for someone like her!

“Do you accept monthly payments, Ito-san?”

“No! no! no!” The woman frantically waved her hands. “You get to keep those without paying me back!”

Shion cared less how much the student spent on her credit card. If anything, she could pay it off without making a huge dent in her bank account. Being a Special Grade sorceress and married to someone who’s the head of a well known clan and same rank as her definitely had its financial perks. Although the wealth she gained from her title is more or less like hush money. And the circumstances of her marriage were a bit complicated at that time.

In addition to this, she knew how much stipend that the students get from the college on a monthly basis. It only covered enough for a month’s worth of expenses and asking for a reimbursement from Kugisaki would certainly put a huge toll both on her wallet and mental health.

“You almost gave me quite a heart attack, Ito-san.” Kugisaki put a hand on her chest. “Your sunglasses didn’t help either at how serious you looked.”

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to.” Shion scratched her cheek.  “Anyways, how’s your training so far? The Goodwill Event is only two months away.”

“Thanks to Panda-senpai and Inumaki-senpai, I perfected my landings in less than 3 days.” Kugisaki answered with a smirk, proud of her progress. “How did your first Goodwill Event go?”

“It wasn’t thrilling because Satoru and a friend of his obliterated the competition before both sides could even see a glimpse of a cursed spirit.” The woman pinched the bridge of her nose. “Because of him, I had to put extra effort in the individual matches.”

And because of that said event, Shion caught the unwanted interest of an annoying cockroach named Zen'in Naoya. No matter how many times she kicked his ass, he would always approach her with a marriage proposal in hand. Although if it weren't for him, she wouldn't have gotten a recommendation for a 2nd Grade promotion.

It's a necessary evil she must have to deal with.

“Excuse me, kind Madam,” a smooth feminine voice from behind was heard. “May I have a portion of your time?”

Kugisaki and Shion turned around and saw a man and woman dressed in gothic style. The woman dressed in dark colored frills, complimenting nicely with the man’s black suit and white jabot tie. Although Kugisaki noticed something similar about the man until she saw his dull brown eyes.

"And you must be?" Shion asked. 

"Oh, where are my manners?" The woman chuckled. "I'm Hanako Kagami and this is my lovely big brother, Hajime Kagami. We're both artists who held art in the high-"

“Make it quick.” Shion interrupted the latter,  Her voice was laced with irritation. “I greatly value my time.”

“Of course!” The eccentric woman clasped her hands together. “Would you like your beauty preserved like a masterpiece? Like the great works of Leonardo Da Vinci or Michaelangelo?”

Shion, with one of her eyebrows raised, appeared interested. “I’m listening.”

“That’s great!” Hanako cheered. “I would like you to capture your beauty and have everyone see what they truly are missing out!”

“Truly?” Shion uncharacteristically smirked. “I would love to so I can flaunt it to my friends.”

At that moment, Kugisaki managed to piece together Shion's sudden change of attitude. She’s currently the embodiment of a typical snobby rich person or at least she tried. Kugisaki had a feeling it’s unnecessary for the woman to act like one. 

“Before I leave,” Hanako said. “May I please have your name, Madam?”

“Shion Ito.”

With a flick of her wrist, a calling card appeared in between her index and middle finger before handing it to Shion. The card itself reeked of expensive and nauseating perfume that Shion tried her best not to visibly gag.

“Where’s mine though?”

Hanako scanned the girl from top to bottom before she turned away. “Once your dye job loses its color, then we talk.”

Oh, that woman did not just insult her work!

“Kugisaki-”

Kugisaki brushed off Shion’s hand on her shoulder. “Don’t stop me!”

“I’ll let you have the first hit.”

“Fine,” Kugisaki said begrudgingly. “Also, that guy she’s with, I recognized him from the photos earlier.”

“Is that so?” Shion took off her sunglasses. “Could you grab me a drink? I didn’t expect it’ll be hot today.”

 “Can I get something for myself as well?” Shion nodded to Kugisaki’s question.

Immediately, Kugisaki dumped all of her shopping bags into Shion’s arms before she made her way to the food court. Shion chuckled at the noticeable spring added to the girl’s footsteps.

It almost reminded of herself back when she was her age.

“Nanamin,” Shion ignored a grunt from her classmate. “Could you and Haibara-kun get me a slice of special deluxe cheesecake in Roppongi after dinner?”

It’s been almost three days since her house arrest started. She spent most of her time in her dorm; sleeping or working through her reading list. She tried to go to the library for a change of scenery, but the librarian temporarily banned her on Watanabe's orders.

So, when Nanami knocked on her door earlier, she was elated that it’s not her homeroom teacher who gave her food. Instead of the usual sandwiches and microwavable cup noodles she got, Nanami brought a homemade bento box.

Shion almost wept for how refreshing and delicious it was. 

“And, Watanabe-sensei strictly told us not to give you desserts as part of your house arrest.”

Nanami swore he saw a pair of cat ears popping up on Shion’s head and went down in disappointment. Was he really that tired from the recent missions?

“Ugh! Fine,” Nanami released an annoyed sigh when Shion’s ‘cat ears’ went up in happiness. “Don’t rely on us if you get in trouble.”

Not much to his surprise, by the end of the week, Shion asked him to cover her  from Watanabe’s scolding.

This small fragment of a memory brought a smile to her lips. Well, that’s enough reminiscing for one day as she had work to do.

Shion took a seat on a nearby bench and made sure that Kugisaki’s shopping bags were all there. She had a feeling the girl would hold the biggest grudge towards her if she lost one. Although it didn’t stop her from contemplating the question in her mind. 

How could Hanako control that man?

An innate technique similar to hypnosis? Most likely but she had doubts. The lack of red threads threw this hypothesis out of the window. If he’s alive, she should have seen them at least. Yet, she wasn’t sure if it was exhaustion or not, but she did see a blue thread on his neck.

A blood technique? It could be, but there should be at least a condition for said technique to work. In her case, Alex, one of the 1st Grade Sorcerers, entered a binding vow with her for him to control her temporarily under a minute. It only happened during extreme cases when she’s with him for overseas missions. 

Her train of thought derailed when something wet and cold pressed against her cheek. Shion jolted out of her seat and looked to her side, seeing Kugisaki holding a water bottle and a fish-shaped bread on her other hand. She completely forgot that she’s with the student for this mission.

“Thanks.” Shion put away her sunglasses before she grabbed the cold beverage and twisted its cap. “You should have at least warned  me.”

“I did but you didn’t answer for the past 2 minutes.” Kugisaki took a bite off her food before swallowing it. “Also, consider it as a payback for scaring me earlier, Ito-san.”

“This is purely my speculation," Shion’s finger began to tap against the bottle, “but I think that man she’s with is a cursed corpse.”

Kugisaki wiped her mouth with her wrist and crumpled the small paper bag. “Don't cursed corpses look similar to a stuffed doll like Panda-senpai?”

“Not really,” Shion shrugged. “It simply comes to the user’s personal taste and it so happens that Hanako-san's taste is morbid.”

"Well, now what?"

"By procedure, I would have you sent home as the mission became too dangerous for Third Grade standards." Shion crossed her legs. “Yet, I’ll leave that decision up to you.”

“Of course, I'm coming!” Kugisaki smacked her fist into the palm of her other hand. “I don’t like to leave things half assed.”

“That’s great to hear.” Shion clasped her hands together. “Even if you say no, you're still coming with me. After all, your technique’s versatility  might be the best choice for this mission.”

---------------------------

Once they had arrived at the location, Kugisaki immediately noticed a black curtain covering the whole area before the gates. Seeing it made the third grade sorcerer remember the situation she’s in.

Just a half hour ago, Kugisaki told the special grade sorceress that she would see this mission until the end. However, seeing the familiar sight of a curtain shook some of her resolve. In doing so, a familiar frustrating feeling resurfaced as the events of the detention center flooded her mind.

Their mission technically ended in failure as they didn’t get the chance to retrieve any of the dead bodies. To rub more salt to the wound, she didn’t do shit to help her classmates and one of them ended up fucking dead!

Fuck! She needed something to release this steam. Maybe a good smack on that curse user’s jaw would definitely help. Oh, the satisfaction she’s gonna get from doing so. 

Meanwhile, Shion had finished her conversation with Ijichi and her eyes widened when she saw the student walking towards the curtain.

“Wait, Kugisaki!” 

Too late.

Kugisaki tried to enter the curtain but it immediately shocked her. She yelped in pain before falling onto the ground. Once she got a hold of her surroundings, she immediately double checked everything about her. No burnt strands of hair, no burnt spots on her uniform and finally, her nails were still in a good condition.

What? She only got it done last weekend and they weren’t  fucking cheap!

“What’s with this veil!?” Kugisaki exclaimed.

“If I have to guess,” Shion turned her attention from the girl towards the black forcefield. “Only those who were personally invited by Kagami-san could enter with the victim’s name on the calling card.”

To prove her theory, Shion inserted her hand through the barrier. Instead of electrocuting her, it swallowed her limb with no problem. Kugisaki stared at Shion in disbelief. She would appreciate it if the woman told her beforehand.

“That’s great,” Kugisaki got up from the ground before dusting her skirt. “Do you want me to wait in the car until you’ve arrested them?”

Man, she could not wait to sit in an awkward silence with the driver.

“That won’t be necessary, Kugisaki.” Shion retracted her hand from the curtain before reaching for her cursed tool. “For this is a simple matter.”

The woman closed her eyes as she took a deep big breath. Once she exhaled, Kugisaki got goosebumps when Shion’s eyes flew open at the same time she withdrew her katana. She noticed how her eyes changed from gold that shone like the sun to a bluish-green color of the sea.

Shion attacked the curtain with her katana and black sparks emitted from it, showing great resistance against her. With an extra push, she managed to pierce through it before running her blade upwards, cutting through the veil.

“Remember, our main objective is to rescue the victims,” Shion withdrew her katana back into its sheath as the veil began to deteriorate, closing her eyes briefly before her eyes returned to their normal color. “If they’re not alive, prioritize your survival.”

“You don’t have to tell me twice.” Kugisaki mumbled before following the woman into the mansion.

Meanwhile, a black ink-like substance appeared on top of the building and spilled all over the mansion, indicating that Ijichi had deployed a veil for them, turning the bright blue sky into a similar night.

Once they set foot inside the mansion, a loud creak emitted from the wooden floor. They all glanced at each other as they took in the scene before them, the dark chipped-paint walls, the high ceilings, and even the cobwebs hanging on the ceiling that had been disturbed for quite some time. It was an unsettling sight, to say the least.

“You know for someone who likes beauty, they should at least make an effort to keep this place clean.“ Kugisaki commented.

Out of nowhere, Shion shoved Kugisaki, and the girl fell  on the floor face first. Kugisaki groaned and rubbed her face to dull the pain. Ok, that’s it! She had enough of the woman’s indifference!

Kugisaki looked behind her with anger about to explode. However, the words forming in Kugisaki’s head immediately faded away as she watched Shion get swallowed into the black muddy puddle, leaving nothing behind.

------------------------------

Shion landed on the floor as she descended from the ceiling. She didn’t expect to immediately be surrounded with multiple reflections of herself. With careful steps and her hand on the handle of her katana, she surveyed the area  as she walked along the seemingly endless corridor of mirrors.

Hopefully this room wasn’t similar to a-

“Oof!”

Shion landed on her butt before rubbing her nose. An annoyed sigh escaped from her lips before getting up from the floor. Oh no, her biggest enemy of all time - a mirror maze. This would do wonders with her shitty sense of direction. 

The woman began to walk again but this time, with her left hand dragging against the wall. As much as she’s ready to break her way out, she didn’t want to jeopardize Kugisaki’s safety because of her impatience.

Out of nowhere, a stinging sensation occurred on her bicep and it elicited a pained grunt from Shion. The aching pain made her kneel on the floor.  She looked to her side and saw her injured area bloomed a beautiful crimson color.

Black mist emitted from the mirror in front of her, and slowly but surely, it started to form into a humanoid like being with gold beady eyes.

“Protect…HANAKO!” ‘It’ screeched. 

Seeing this monster before her debunked Shion’s conclusion of the brother’s existence as a cursed corpse. Instead, now that she got a better sight of its cursed energy, she needed to kill it immediately and find Kugisaki before the cursed user could.

“I wonder,” Her fingers brushed against the handle of her katana. “How long has your sister cursed you?”

-----------------------

Meanwhile, with Kugisaki, the disappearance of the Special Grade sorceress sent the girl’s thoughts in a disarray. She shook her head to get a hold of herself.

If she found at least two bodies not breathing, she’s outta here.

After giving a quick slap on both of her cheeks, Kugisaki marched onward  to explore the manor. If she’s a twisted doll collector, where would she hide the bodies? The basement seemed a good place to store those corpses. 

“It’s quite a shame that my brother got that woman.” 

A feminine and haughty  voice echoed through the lobby, causing Kugisaki to turn around and see Hanako with a large group of people dressed in a similar fashion like the curse user.

The cursed user had a sickly sweet grin on her face while playing with a lock of  her hair. “But seeing your mask of false bravado made me want to add you to my collection. I wonder how much someone will pay for your body?”

“No thanks,” Kugisaki pulled out her hammer and nails. “Your outfit screams so out of season.”

With her hammer, Kugisaki sent three nails flying towards the cursed user, only for it to be blocked by one of the cursed corpses.

“I wouldn't recommend-Eh?”

Instead of the cursed corpse struggling, it perfectly stood still with the skin devouring the metallic object. 

This left Kugisaki speechless. Yet, she still remained in her composure and sent two more sets of her nails towards Hanako. Not much to her surprise, it was blocked by two different cursed corpses with one of them flinching a bit. 

Despite trying to remain calm, Kugisaki clenched tightly onto her hammer with her teeth gritted. How come none of her attacks were working on those cursed corpses?! 

“Hmph,” Hanako huffed before a smirk curled to her lips. “The college clearly underestimates me since they sent a third rate with an innate technique that doesn’t work on me. What a pity.”

Kugisaki pointed angrily at her opponent.“You better start thinking about the medical bills after my hammer fucked up your face!” 

If she kept sending her nails towards Hanako, her situation would end up the same back in the detention center.

Think! Kugisaki! Think! What could she do that others don’t?!

Between her and Megumi, the latter had the upper hand when it comes to fighting multiple foes because of his shikigamis. Shouldn’t he be the one to go with Shion? 

So, why her?!

“That’s great to hear.” Shion clasped her hands together. “Even if you say no, you're still coming with me. After all, your technique’s versatility might be the best choice for this mission.”

If someone…dodged…or she missed her target…she could simply…that's not it. Unless…what if she attacked them all at once? 

Now, she understood what Shion meant earlier. She had an absolutely clever idea to deal with this situation. 

With a newfound determination, Kugisaki kept hammering her nails towards Hanako. As she expected, the cursed user kept using her army of cursed corpses as meat shields. Majority of the nails were embedded in different parts of the bodies and some were in the walls.

At the end, her arms were screaming in pain and she’s gasping for air. It was exhausting but at least, she knew she had to work on her stamina after this mission. 

“I believe this is the part you’ll surrender, young lady.”

Hearing those words, Kugisaki's expression twisted into a cruel manner. She focused on her cursed energy she sensed from the nails and pictured the outcome she wanted. Gruesome may it be, at least she’s alive.

“Fat chance that I will!”

With a snap of her fingers, the nails embedded in various body parts of Hanako’s dolls along the ones in the wall started to expand its cursed energy before exploding one by one. 

Limbs started flying like confetti as the blood splattered on the dusty floor and walls. Kugisaki would be lying if the scene before her wasn’t making her vomit her lunch. She had to remind herself that these blown up porcelain dolls are just corpses.

She simply helped them direct to where they came from– to their graves!

As for Hanako, the woman could only stare in despair as her work got destroyed in a matter of seconds as the crimson liquid splattered on some of her clothes. Frustration, anger and resentment were mixed all together to form an utterly disgusting feeling that she never knew that it would resurface again.

Kill

Hanako grabbed a fistful of her hair and tugged it downward. “Do you have any idea how much blood, sweat and tears I’ve put into those dolls?! Of course not! I don’t expect a third rate like you to understand and appreciate beauty!”

An angry vein popped on Kugisaki’s head. Who the fuck this woman think she is?! Calling her a third rate?! Her eyes were narrowed and her lips in a thin line as she stared at Hanako and she felt herself begin to grow hot under the older woman's scornful gaze.

If she’s trying to get underneath Kugisaki’s skin, it’s working but not enough to lose her composure. Growing up in a village full of crazy people had her prepare for it and she heard better insults than that. Although that didn’t mean she would let this slide.

“What are you gonna do about it?” Kugisaki’s lips twisted to a taunting smile. “Cry for your dead big brother to help you?”

Kugisaki watched the woman’s features untwisted from full of anger to nothingness. Colored her surprised when the cursed user coughed out copious amounts of blood with her knees giving in to the floor. Once she finished, Hanako wiped her mouth with her wrist and glared at Kugisaki.

“YOU FUCKING TAKE THAT BACK, BITCH!”

Kugisaki felt shivers down her spine as a sudden surge of cursed energy occurred and the scattered body parts on the floor started to gather in one spot. It grew bigger and bigger until a grotesque monster was made from the limbs and heads of all her previous victims;  A mass of flesh that violated the value of human life just by existing.

For once, Kugisaki’s flight-or-fight response screamed to get out of here. 

Her legs carried her towards the hole she blasted earlier, but she tripped on the stuck out floorboard. She fell on the floor with her hammer slid out of her fingers and immediately got crushed by the immense weight of the amalgamated corpse’s limb.

Dammit!

“Say you’re sorry and I'll let you go!” To think that this cursed user still had her wits, expecting Kugisaki to be grateful from the act of mercy.

“You’re gonna hear an apology from me when I’m dead!”

Kugisaki should be fearing for her life, not asking for death. 

Out of nowhere, the monster's hand was swatted away from Kugisaki and pinned against the wall by what looked like a shard of glass. At the same time, Hanako yelped and held her right hand tightly with blood trickling from it.

Where did that come from?

"You better be alive there, Kugisaki!”

The owner of the voice came into view under the mansion’s candle-lit lighting, revealing Shion looking disheveled as she emerged from one of the holes in the walls Kugisaki exploded earlier. 

Her black hair was now free from its bun, all loose and some of the glass shards tangled into  it. Various cuts littered all over her body with a noticeable crimson growing slightly bigger on her right bicep.

Despite her appearance,  her golden eyes still remained calm and collected.

“Sorry, I took a bit long to get here,” Shion apologized. ”I had to bust my way out of Kagami-kun’s room.”

Watching Shion pulling out her katana out of its sheath, Kugisaki had a feeling that couldn’t be the reason for the woman’s lateness.

Until, she remembered her teacher’s words.

Kugisaki stared at the woman in deadpan. “You got lost didn’t you?”

“I’m here, aren’t I?” Shion retorted. 

The Special Grade sorceress’ attention on the student came to an end when a thud was heard from behind.

“W-what did you do to my brother?!” Hanako dropped to her knees with despair written all over her face. “W-Why I can’t sense him?!”

“Simple.” The monotonous tone in Shion’s voice sent chills down their spines. “I killed him.”

“W-Why did you do that?!” Hanako’s voice slightly wavered with despair. “H-Have you had no remorse?!”

“Shouldn’t I be asking that question, you hypocrite?“ The Special Grade sorceress narrowed her eyes. “Besides, why would I feel bad for killing a cursed spirit?” 

Hearing those words made Kugisaki curious. To have someone become a cursed spirit meant they got cursed upon their death or if they’re a sorcerer, died with regrets. Her grandmother always repeated those words to her. Heck, it was even her parting words after their fierce argument. 

“I’m gonna kill you all!”

Hanako stretched her hand out. The amalgamated corpse began to shrunk down in size as it crawled towards the cursed user. With no time to waste, Shion closed the distance between her and the trail of flesh before plunging the end of her blade into it.

A crimson liquid spewed out from the cursed user’s lips before she found herself pinned against the wall. Her eyes met with a sea colored gaze that immediately drowned her in it. Air left her lips when she felt something sharp in her stomach. Not soon after, a pained screech was heard as she felt it twisted and dug deeper. 

Yet, it didn’t stop Hanako from uttering these words.

“Those eyes…” Fear and defeat laced in Hanako’s voice. “Y-you’re…the deadliest sorcerer…”

Wordlessly, Shion pulled out the dagger from the cursed user’s torso. Kugisaki witnessed the woman plunge her cursed tool into her opponent’s neck. Although she didn’t miss Shion’s answer as the latter wiped her red tears.

“Unfortunately.” 

-------------------------------

The bright afternoon blue sky left and was replaced with a sky mixed orange and red. In front of the morgue building, Kugisaki sat and waited by the stairs for Shion. Shoko (wasn’t drinking for once when they arrived) already treated her injuries. Although she’s caught off guard when the resident doctor didn’t pull any punches in scolding Shion. 

“Sorry to keep you waiting, Kugisaki.”  

Kugisaki looked behind and saw Shion with a fresh set of her uniform, free from the torn fabric and blood. 

“How’s your eyes?”

“I’m fine, it’s a side effect of using them too much.” Shion rubbed her nape. “Also, can you not tell your teacher about it? I don’t want him to worry over a simple manner.”

She considered that a simple manner? Crying out blood was already alarming enough for someone. Yet, it’s not her business what’s considered to be the norm between Shion and Gojo. 

“Want to grab dinner? My treat.”

Only a fool would decline free food. Yet, Kugisaki was willing to become one as the physical and mental exhaustion from today’s mission made her want to get swallowed whole by her bed and sleep.

“No thanks.” Shion nodded at Kugisaki’s answer.

“Then,” The woman sat next to her. “Are you alright? You seem to be lost in thoughts after I killed Hanako.”

Kugisaki hesitated to share her doubts, especially at how nonchalant Shion mentioned that she killed someone.

For someone who knew she could be a lot to handle, it’s rare for her to have doubts. Throughout her life, the decisions she made never formed this feeling of uncertainty. She knew what she had to do and what needed to be done if she ever wanted to be reunited with her friends.

However, today’s mission shakened her and the ‘what-if’ scenarios plagued her head. What if she met up with Fumi and Saori today? Would they still recognize the same Kugisaki Nobara? Or would they straight up call her a killer and cut ties with her? 

“I know it’s part of our job that at some point we have to take lives.” Kugisaki placed her elbow on her knee with her chin resting on the palm of her hand. “And I thought I had the resolve for it but…seeing you do it with no problems made me question it. Do you think…I can do it?” 

Expecting a grandiose speech from Shion, Kugisaki watched the woman shrug. “I don’t know because I’m not you, Kugisaki.” 

‘Thanks for stating the obvious, Ito-san.’ Kugisaki thought.

“However, I’m sure you can do it as long as it won’t define what makes you – you.” The woman looked up with her gaze towards the sky. “Being a sorcerer, like any other career, it’s only a job, a stepping stone to get whatever your heart desires. It just so happens this line of work doesn’t suit kindhearted individuals as they ask so much of them.”

Throughout the years of Shion’s service as a sorceress, she only met one person who used to hold this occupation in a very high regard. Protecting the weak and keeping the strong in check is indeed a very noble deed – perfect for someone like him.

But for someone to do it without the simplest of  thanks was already rare. Yet, knowing that the monsters they fought or died to were created by the same people who they swore to protect? It’s a hard thing to ask of someone to be selfless. 

That’s why Shion believed that not only a sorcerer should have missing screws in their head, but also be prepared to become selfish versions of themselves.

“Anyways,” Shion gave a pat on Kugisaki’s back with a small smile on her face. “You did very well today, Kugisaki. Keep this up and who knows, I might recommend you for a promotion.”

“O-Of course I did well, Ito-san.” Kugisaki proudly stated, trying to hide her embarrassment. “It’s expected of me, of course.”

“Then,” Shion got up from her seat. “Don’t be a stranger if you need help.” 

Kugisaki smiled at the woman. “Likewise, Shion-san!” 

After waving goodbye to Kugisaki, Shion walked towards her husband’s office, and was about to knock on the door until the door slid open by itself. It revealed her husband without the jacket and he swapped his signature blindfold with his sunglasses. 

“Shion,” Despite the stoic tone, Gojo's lips twisted to a  smirk. “That eager to see me?” 

“Satoru,” Shion addressed him with a deadpan tone, trying to take a peek into his office. “I suppose you’re done with the reports from last month?”

“You like steak, right?" Gojo slid the door closed behind him. "I heard from Alex that there's a nice steak restaurant in Ginza. Wanna go there for tonight’s dinner?"

As much as Shion wanted to enjoy steak that complimented nicely with red wine, she couldn’t, especially at the fact there’s a teenage boy living in their house at this moment. Ever since Itadori’s ‘death’, the higher-ups kept sending her to missions outside of Tokyo. Knowing her husband, he’s too busy and lazy at the same time to buy some groceries and cook.

"This will be the third time we went out to eat this week, Satoru,” Shion pinched the bridge of her nose. “Let me remind you that we’re housing a boy that needs real food.”

"C'mon," Gojo whined. "He can survive on instant ramen for another night."

Well, it looked like she had to bring out the big guns much to her dismay. Or what Alex liked to call it, her “gap moe” .

“Instead of going to a restaurant,” Shion shyly grabbed one of Gojo's hands and enclosed it within hers before brushing her thumb against the back of his hand.

"How about we get takeouts and after dinner we have a movie night?" Her cheeks started to burn red when her eyes met Gojo's lustrous blue gaze hidden behind his glasses.

"P-please?"

Immediately, Gojo enveloped Shion in a hug, nuzzling his cheek against hers. "How can I resist a request from my wife when she's this cute?"

Shion furrowed her brows, pushing her husband away from her. "S-shut up!"

After giving her husband a quick slap on his arm, they went to their local family restaurant near their house. When they got home, Itadori greeted them with his usual cheeriness that maternal instincts swung a mean right hook out of Shion. 

How could that boy be the vessel of the most malicious cursed spirit in the history of Jujutsu? That she never knew and probably never would. 

Once dinner was finished and Itadori went to bed, the married couple sat on the floor, with Shion sitting between Gojo’s legs and her back leaned against his torso.

She asked Gojo to choose a light hearted movie. The first part of the movie really lived up to her request. Sometimes, her husband would make side remarks, only for Shion to shush him.

“We must test the boy, love.” Granmamare calmly stated. “If Sosuke’s love is true, our daughter will become a true human like she always wanted. In doing so, the balance in nature shall be restored.”

“B-But..” Fujimoto knitted his brows together with a frown. “What if it isn’t? Her existence will cease to be as she turns into seafoam…”

Despite the scene’s somber nature, she lost focus on it and wandered back to the conversation she had with Kugisaki.  

"Satoru,” A small ‘hm’ was heard from her husband as he paused the movie. “Do I deserve this?”

“Be married to the strongest and the most handsome sorcerer in history?” Shion knitted her brows. “What’s with the expression?”

“Be serious.”

“I am,” Gojo nestled his chin on the top of his wife’s head. “When it comes to you or about you, I’m always serious.”

Too distracted with doubts, Shion ignored her heart as it skipped a beat. 

“Do I deserve to be here?” His wife hugged her knees. “In your arms while enjoying this mundane thing?”

'In your arms' would mean differently to Gojo, if his wife knew his feelings he held for her. Despite being married to her 8 years, he still had no intentions of professing his love. It's too dangerous, especially with the existence of Sukuna's vessel.

And, besides, if he's ever in her heart just like she does in his, he doesn't deserve it.

Yet, for now, he had some doubts to dispel on his wife. 

“You deserve it and always will, because I said so.” Gojo wrapped his arms around Shion’s shoulders and tightened. “And if those doubts came from you, well, it means I have to try harder.  After all, a frown doesn’t suit your pretty face, darling~"

Something warm and soft pressed against the side of her head and it sent Shion’s never ending beating heart to go faster. Was that his lips?

Realizing what it was, Shion buried her face into her hands, ignoring the hearty laughter from her Gojo. How come her husband didn’t get embarrassed from this?!

Asides from his compliments and teasing, Gojo would only go for simple gestures like hugging or holding hands. Yet, he became increasingly bold with it.

He wasn’t like this until what happened back in January. 

“Has the world been kind to you, Satoru?” Shion whispered. “Not as the strongest sorcerer or the head of a clan, but as you?”

Instead of an answer, Gojo buried his face deeper on the crook of her neck and Shion felt something wet. His sadness unknowingly broke his wife’s heart. She hugged him tighter and hoped it kept him further from falling apart.

“I did expect that you like those cheesy nicknames,” Gojo teased. “Should I call you honey next?”

“N-No! And don’t!” Shion glared at him with her cheeks red. “I-it’s too much!” 

For her heart to handle. 

Gojo looked amused. “Then why are you blushing, Shion?”

“I-I was tired from today’s mission!” Shion responded. “Bashing through a room full of mirrors doesn’t leave me unscathed, you know.”  

Oh no.