Archive of Our Own

Passersby judged him when they noticed his sunglasses indoors, then their eyes widened when they got a closer look. Is that Satoru Gojo? I didn’t expect him to be so tall!

Satoru leaned back against the bartop. The virgin cocktail he sipped on left a bitter aftertaste in his mouth. So much for being the best hotel in this town. He wished Ijichi checked them in already.

The higher-ups had approved a more economical place for them to stay during this mission but if he had to sleep on itchy linen blankets one more night he was sure to commit murder. The Aman Kyoto was a short distance from Kyoto's golden Kinjaku-ji temple, thirty minutes away from the city. It had timber-slatted walls and floor to ceiling windows that overlooked the forest.

He approached the bartender and set the half-empty glass in front of him.

“Is there anything else I can get for you, Gojo-sama?”

“If all your cocktails taste like this I’ll just have a glass of water. Thanks.”

The bartender bowed his head and hurried away.

“The Lustful cocktail isn’t so bad,” said the long-haired woman sat to his right. “Ki No Bi Gin, extra-dry vermouth, and 24k gold leaf.”

Her voice was soothing. She held Satoru’s eyes for a moment and then returned to her drink.

“I don’t like gin.” The woman wore a tight long blue dress. She seemed tall. Taller than most women Satoru encountered on his day-to-day. Her features were delicate and seductive. A strong smell of jasmine and amber emanated from her. “I don’t like liquor, in general.”

“Hmm, then ignore my suggestion.” She blinked her long lashes up at him. “You’d hate it.” Her lips were shiny from the last of her drink.

“What’s your name?”

“I’m Suguru.” Suguru bowed her head.

Satoru gripped the black card in his pocket, ready to pay for Suguru’s next drink or whatever she wanted. He had not encountered someone this pretty in, well, he was not sure. It’d been some time since he interacted with someone besides Ijichi, Yaga, or one of his students.

A man approached them and placed a possessive hand on Suguru's shoulder. “Our room is ready, sweetheart.”

He was short and stout. Satoru could see himself in the reflection of his bald head.

“Enjoy your night,” Suguru said. She accepted the blazer the man draped across her shoulders. She was at least 20 centimeters taller than her counterpart. The height difference made it look funny when they walked toward the elevator together, almost more distracting than her plump ass. A princess and her goblin. Or rather, a goblin and his escort. Why else would someone who looked like that be with that man if it wasn’t contractual? Perhaps one of these days Satoru should also pay for a companion, or accept to meet with one of the many ladies his mother insisted to set him up with. It couldn’t be worse than to share a room with Ijichi or hormonal teenagers.

Speaking of which. “I’ve got our keys, Gojo-san.”

“Took you long enough.” Satoru rolled back his shoulders with a groan. “Let’s go to bed, I don’t want to take too long on tomorrow’s mission.”

◃───────────▹

Satoru exorcized the special grade curse at the abandoned hospital in less time than expected, and before long they were back at Jujutsu High.

As usual, Gojo headed for the infirmary to visit an old friend.

“How was the trip?” Shoko asked.

Satoru shrugged. “Even my first-year students could’ve exorcized that thing.”

“How’d you get this, then?” Shoko looked down at his bleeding arm limp on the stainless steel table.

“A piece of glass fell on me while I walked out after I had already turned my infinity off. You know, I wouldn’t need to come to you for these pesky injuries but you refuse to teach me how to use reverse curse technique.”

Shoko chuckled. “I’ve taught you multiple times. You refuse to get it.”

“When would we get the chance to catch up, then?” Gojo smiled. These short instances at the infirmary were a much-needed break from his rigid schedule.

“You should come to Utahime’s birthday this Friday. We’re meeting up at a bar near here. Mei Mei is coming, and so is Nanami, I think. I don’t know who else she invited.”

Satoru blew a raspberry. “So I can watch you two flirt all night? I’ll pass.”

“Hey, fuck you.” Shoko laughed. “Might be a chance for you to meet someone.”

“Yeah, whatever. I think I have a meeting that day. I’ll send a gift in my absence or something.”

“By the way, you mentioned you stayed at the Aman resort in Kyoto, right? Last night.” Shoko pulled a cigarette from the pocket of her lab coat, her other hand continued to heal his wound.

“Yeah. Why?”

“Some politician was found dead there this morning.” She placed the cigarette in her mouth and used the positive energy radiating off her to light it. She blew the smoke away from Satoru’s face. “Kakuei Tanaka.”

Satoru quirked a brow. “Was it a curse?” He would’ve known if a curse roamed the resort upon arrival but nothing had seemed out of the ordinary.

“They haven’t released more information on the case but a friend of mine sent me the autopsy pictures. If you hadn’t been there, I wouldn’t doubt it was a death caused by a curse.”

Satoru’s six eyes allowed him to know if a curse was within 5 kilometers. This would mean he had been more tired than he thought or the curses were evolving to unimaginable degrees to be able to hide from him. “Send me the autopsy report when you can.”

◃───────────▹

A week later Satoru caught up with his students in Mashiko, a town 2 hours away from Tokyo with less than 20,000 people.

Several tourists had gone missing around the town in the past months. From what he’d heard about the case, Satoru could’ve wiped out all of the curses in a few minutes. Still, the higher-ups were worried about “easing” the young Jujutsu Students into missions before they were sent to exorcize higher-grade curses. This after they’d reached record casualties last year.

That had been their explanation but Satoru thought it had more to do with the Spring Pottery Fair approaching and Yoshinobu being close with the mayor of the town. More incidents could scare off potential tourists and ruin their promise of revenue. Regardless, it could make for an enriching experience for his pupils whom he hadn’t spent much time with.

By the time the sun had set, Satoru reached the cabin the higher-ups had rented for them.

“Gojo-sensei!” Okkotsu welcomed him with a smile. Of all of his students, he was the one with the most potential but the least confidence.

“Yuuta-kun.” Gojo ruffled his hair. “How was the mission today? Did you guys get to exorcize some curses with Nitta-san?”

Yuuta laughed nervously.

“There weren’t any curses,” Maki said. She was in the living room doing bicep curls.

“There were remnants of curses but they had all been exorcized by the time we showed up,” Panda explained further. “I don’t understand why they’d send us to a location after sending someone else. We let Yaga know and he said no one else was appointed to that location.”

“Salmon.” Inumaki confirmed.

Satoru shook his head. “That’s okay. You will all get plenty of chances to exorcize curses tomorrow. They probably got the wrong information.”

The students nodded in unison, and then they all glowered at Yuuta.

“Oh, Gojo-sensei?” Yuuta scratched the back of his head. “Do you think you could get us something to eat? I think they don’t have Uber Eats here.”

◃───────────▹

Usually, he’d send Ijichi on one of these runs but he was currently on a mission with Utahime and her students back in Tokyo. The store was about to close. Satoru threw in the cart anything he thought a teenager would eat; cereal, soda, ramen. He reached for a packet of pre-fried calamari when, “Sorry,” A sweet voice said retracting her hand.“Go ahead.”

That smell again. Jasmine and Amber. She was unmistakable though her hair was in an updo this time and her figure was hidden under a sweatshirt three times her size and jeans. Her face was bare of any makeup. Satoru felt a flutter in his stomach.

“Suguru.” The name was out of his mouth before he could bite his tongue.

Suguru squinted her eyes, recognition hit her once Satoru lifted the bandages from his eyes.

“Oh, hi. Sorry, I wasn’t sure who you were. We met in Kyoto, right? I don’t think I got your name…”

“Satoru.” He straightened, noticed he was a head taller than her. “This is a strange coincidence. Do you travel a lot?”

She laughed. “Sometimes, but I tend to avoid it. I’m only here for work.”

Satoru thought back to that unsightly man and his hands all over her body. He wanted to ask more. Was that your husband the other night? What do you do for work? Can I invite you for coffee?

“So am I,” Satoru said. “Came here to get my students something to eat. I think they don’t use the ordering apps here.” His tongue got tied in a manner that rarely happened to him. How did normal people his age do the whole dating thing? He’d gone on casual dates while in university and those came about easily. He’d meet a cute girl at a party or a classmate would introduce them. Back home during clan meetings, his mother would arrange dinner with some heiress and that was it. This was uncharted territory.

The store announced they were about to close.

“I better hurry up, I still have a few things to pick up.” She bowed her head. “It was nice seeing you. Good luck with your students.”

She was gone again. Satoru stood frozen in the meat aisle and stared at her retreating body. He took one step forward in her direction. His phone rang with a notification from Panda. Sensei, are you close? We're very hungry.

◃───────────▹

All of Japan’s sorcerers had a tight-knit network. As to not waste resources, sorcerers were divided into couples and assigned different missions. In the case of Special Grade curses, more people would be sent to a specific area but that was all well coordinated and after careful consideration. That's what made their situation the more unsettling.

The next day Satoru and his students drove across Mashiko to visit all five locations Yaga had said the disappearances took place.

Maki and Inumaki rushed into the buildings wielding their weapons, but every time it was in vain. 

“Fucking waste of time!” Maki threw a spear at the wall of the last building they had on their list. “What even was the purpose of sending us here?”

“Is this something that usually happens?” Yuuta asked, standing behind Satoru to stay clear of Maki's wrath.

“No.” Were curses adapting to hide from him? Satoru tuned out the whining of his students and tapped into his surroundings. Someone had gotten here before them. He crouched down to floor level. Two people. One presence was almost invisible and the other was louder. A curse user and… someone who didn’t exude cursed energy, like Maki. There was a familiar scent permeating all the places they’d gone to today. Jazmin. Amber. The subtle notes of wood wafted around the dirt and rubble of the locations.

Was he imagining things now? Maybe the four-hour sleep nights had caught up to him already.

The answer came to him in the form of a message that afternoon while on the drive back to Tokyo when Shoko sent her the autopsy pictures.

The purplish skin color and varicose veins were telltale signs of death by a curse. So were the rolled-back eyes and gaping mouth. Satoru recognized that face and build. The stockiness, the bald head. Gojo smiled amused. This wasn’t a case of curses adapting. Someone else was exorcizing them and using them on other people.

Perhaps Suguru was more than a simple escort, after all.

◃───────────▹

Shoko’s apartment was very close to Jujutsu High grounds. It was a quaint, well-balanced, one-floor place that appeared smaller due to the abundant decoration and furniture. The walls were covered in framed pictures of family and friends. The shelves were full of trinkets and souvenirs. Every corner he looked at there was a plant.

He knew this was all Utahime’s doing. Except for the abstract, almost grotesque-looking painting that hung above the couch.

“I never got her last name. How many women named Suguru could there be in Japan between the ages of twenty-one to twenty-eight? Probably not that many. I could tell Ijichi to narrow down a list then–”

“You’re assuming she gave you her real name.” Shoko pointed out. The window to the balcony was half-open. She blew the smoke of her cigarette into the open air while the rest of her body remained inside the apartment.

Satoru had transported here after his latest meeting with Yaga and the higher-ups to let them know about the situation they’d encountered. Protocols had to be put in place to avoid wasting time and resources in the future. Their list of curse users needed to be updated.

“Did you pull the cameras?”

Satoru shook his head. “They lost all footage.”

“This is the same chick you thought was an escort?” Shoko laughed. “Bet she knew who you were the entire time. What do you think is her objective here? What could killing a politician and getting rid of curses have in common? You’re either interested in killing the normies or protecting them. No? Unless she’s doing it for the money.”

Satoru was out of the chair before the door opened. Shoko threw out her cigarette over the balcony. Utahime entered the apartment carrying two large paper-brown bags that hid her face.

“Gojo?” Utahime asked. Shoko went over to help her with the bags. “Sorry for interrupting. I didn’t know you would be here. I only got food for two–”

Satoru waved her away. “Don’t worry about it. I was about to leave.”

◃───────────▹

Daigaku was a thirty-something-year-old man who in his short life had managed to rush up the financial ladder and make a lot of enemies. Powerful enemies that now wanted him dead. The higher-ups wanted him alive. Something about him being the last heir to a peculiar technique or some bullshit.

Satoru sensed foul play when he set foot on the helicopter, he hurled Daigaku over his shoulder and jumped from the top of the building before it exploded.

His infinity protected him from the flying pieces of rubble but his ears muffled from the sound for a couple of minutes.

The mission reminded him of the Star Plasma Vessel eight years ago, except this time the stakes were much lower.

It should’ve been easy enough to transport Daigaku from Kagoshima to Tokyo but someone was offering 20 million yen in the black market to whoever kidnapped him alive, and 10 million yen to whomever killed him first.

Curse users tried their best and Satoru swatted them like flies.

A shadow loomed over them all of a sudden. A dragon flew above their heads as Satoru jumped from building to building.

“We were bound to cross paths again,” he said. Suguru rode the dragon while her hair blew in the wind. “You never mentioned your line of work.”

“You never asked.” Suguru flew closer to them. She winked at him and then furrowed her brows in concentration. “Can I borrow your friend?”

Satoru laughed. He half-heartedly pointed red at Suguru to see her evade his attack. Her footwork was rhythmic like that of a dancer.

◃───────────▹

He threw a passed-out Daigaku at Shoko’s feet in the infirmary. His chest puffed up from the exertion of his breath, it took him a minute to be able to speak.

Shoko kneeled to examine Daigaku. “What happened?”

“He’s alive.” Satoru waved her off. He wiped the sweat off his forehead with the back of his hand and laughed. “Probably some minor injuries. A little blood loss. Ugh. Holy shit that was fun. I figured out her technique, I think. The curses she exorcizes she… stores them inside of her body. No clue how she does that but she used around five different curses with me, including a dragon that looked pretty dope. I’d love to spar with her one of these days, seems like it would be fun.”

Shoko sighed while taking Daigaku’s pressure. “Bet you’d like to do more than spar with her. Help me move him to the table, please.”

◃───────────▹

At 11 pm on a Tuesday Suguru arrived at a mansion in Hiroo district. She sneaked through the back of the property, concealed in all black, a mask covered half her face. The security system was standard, run-of-the-mill kind. She got through it with ease, took the stairs to the second floor, and opened the door to the master bedroom.

Satoru delighted in the way her eyes widened for a brief second. Most people would’ve missed it.

“Incredible work,” Satoru said from the corner of the room. “Although if I were you I’d do a little more research on who hires me but, details I guess. As long as the check clears, huh?”

Suguru scanned the room for other people. She looked like she wanted to command one of her many curses right then but knew it’d be a waste of energy.

“Was ten million yen enough to put a hit on someone or did I overpay? You’ll have to pardon me but I don’t know much about these deals or the dark web. Feel free to keep the money, though.”

She took off her face mask and gloves. “Ambushed by Satoru Gojo. I should be flattered.”

Satoru cracked a smile. “So you do know who I am. You acted like you didn’t not that long ago.”

“Is this about Tanaka?” Suguru laughed.

Satoru strolled toward her. He shook his head. “It’s not.” Now that he had Suguru where he wanted. He hadn't planned further than this. The cat-and-mouse game was over but the anxiety remained. “It’s not an ambush either. I’m simply… intrigued by you.”

Her thick hair was in a bun. The black turtleneck and pants were snug to her body. Satoru zeroed in on her waist. Suguru didn’t flinch or move, she stood her ground no matter how close Satoru got. Only those with a death wish did that.“My team did not find much about you. I figured this required some hands-on research.”

Suguru blinked up at him faux-sweetly. “What am I? Your little project?”

“How about a last name? For starters.”

“Fuck you.”

“Do you charge 10 million for that, too?”

Her eyes darkened and she tightened her lips. “Fushiguro.”

“Were you born in Tokyo?”

“Osaka.”

Satoru rubbed his chin. “How old are you?”

Suguru walked to the king-size bed and sat down. She chuckled. “Twenty-four. Do you want my astrological sign as well?” She untied her hair and combed it back with her fingers, eyes closed. “Can I get a glass of wine at least? If I’m gonna have to go through the speed-dating questionaire.”

A few minutes later they’d moved to the wine cellar. Suguru picked out a bottle of red and poured herself a glass. She offered Satoru one then shrugged when he declined. She seemed at home despite this being a new place for both of them. A furnished for-sale mansion that Ijichi had rented out for Satoru to orchestrate this meeting.

Suguru took a sip and let out a satisfied noise. “Where were we? This is not how I wanted to spend my Tuesday but I have to admit I’ve been with worse company.” She eyed him up and down. “Is it necessary to wear those glasses all the time or is it a stylistic choice?”

“I guess both.”

“Hmm. They look good on you." She dropped down on the leather couch and crossed her legs. "You know, when I first heard about you being referred to as the six eyes I pictured you as a deformed old man with literally six eyes.”

Satoru chuckled. The sun had begun to rise. The light filtered through the kitchen's floor-to-ceiling windows, it made Suguru’s hair shine blue.

Suguru poured herself a second glass. “I kind of wish you were a deformed old man. Seems unfair to be The Strongest while simultaneously being attractive, don’t you think?”

His phone rang. It was Yaga. Their meeting with the higher-ups had moved to earlier in the day and Tengen had a new mission for him.

“Am I free to leave, officer?” Suguru pouted. She played the innocent act too well but he could see how her shoulders went rigid.

“You can do whatever you want but leave the exorcizing to me and my students, okay? They got to learn that on their own.” Satoru walked out, but not before he handed her a briefcase with 5 million yen in it.

◃───────────▹

The penthouse suite overlooked the city of Tokyo. The little lights glimmered in the distance of the dark room. 

Satoru closed his eyes and concentrated on his pleasure. A downside to being the Six Eyes was that there always were too many distractions. Sometimes to see everything at all times meant you saw nothing.

Mei Mei bounced on top of him at a fast pace. Half her face hidden by a pearly white braid, her body glowed with sweat as her tits bounced with her movement. She knew what she was doing but Satoru’s mind was elsewhere.

“You want to switch?” She asked.

Satoru nodded. He turned her around and pinned her to the bed without slipping out.

She raked her fingers down his back, not hard enough to leave a mark, and whispered, “You have to hurry up, baby. A friend of mine is coming over tonight.”

Satoru chuckled. He liked the way Mei Mei talked to him, always to the point. This little arrangement of theirs was nothing new. It’d come about after they graduated from Jujutsu High. She wasn’t her type and he sensed he wasn’t hers either but they were both attractive youths. They both had needs. They were both busy people who understood not all relationships had to involve feelings.

Satoru tightened his grip on her waist and increased the pace of his thrusts. He closed his eyes again, focused on the wet grip around his dick. He inhaled the aroma of the candle burning on the table. Fresh white flowers. He pictured dark long hair over round perky breasts. Her face flushed pink and her foxy eyes half-lidded, lost to the pleasure.

He groaned when he came and did not open his eyes until the euphoria settled. He enjoyed the aftermath more than the act. He liked the way his shoulders sagged and the pent-up frustration he bottled over the week was stripped away.

After a quick shower, he headed for the door.

Mei Mei sat at her vanity, her hair wet and towel rope draped over her figure. She examined him for a minute. “That was different.”

“How so?”

She shrugged. “Don’t know." She looked down at her phone. "I might go on a trip next month. You want me to introduce you to one of my friends? To kee you company while I'm away. Not sure when I'll be back.”

“Where are you going?”

Mei Mei smiled. “He’s taking me to Capri.”

“Is it… turning serious?”

“We’ll see. I might have to pause our thing for a little while.”

Satoru felt disappointed. With Mei Mei, he had the best of both worlds. He knew she wouldn’t get attached to him like other women he’d hooked up with, but she wasn’t as detached as if he had hired an escort to spend the night with. They knew each other's bodies, that's what made their encounters enjoyable.

"Nah, don't bother." His hand would have to do in the meantime.

◃───────────▹

Back in his room at Jujutsu High Satoru met with one of his private investigators for new updates. Higuruma had worked for the Gojo family for years, he was as reliable and loyal as they came. Which is why Satoru had called him the minute he had a first name.

Satoru emptied the folder on his small wooden desk near his window. There were pictures of Suguru caught by security cameras all over Tokyo, copies of old birth certificates, and a high school credential with the name Suguru Geto.

“My guys and I are yet to find traces of a Suguru Fushiguro," Higuruma said. "Perhaps she lied to you about her real last name or maybe she recently married.”

“Perhaps.” Satoru held one blurry picture in hand and brought it closer to his face. “But this is her. Did you find her parents?”

Higuruma nodded. He pulled out two death certificates from the pile of files. “Mother died from cancer ten years ago. The father passed away a couple of years ago from liver failure. No signs of siblings or even half-siblings.”

Satoru returned to a picture of a blown-out ID from 2007 with Suguru’s face—the name Suguru Takahashi. If the date of birth on the  ID was true, that would make her twenty-eight at the moment, not twenty-four. Her eyes were sweeter back then, doe-like.

“We think that one’s a falsified ID. We found it in the archive of a Shibuya strip club that was closed down in 2010, after officers found proof of undocumented and underage dancers working there. It was also investigated for running an undercover prostitution ring, although that was never confirmed.”

“Thanks, Higuruma.”

◃───────────▹

The gymnasium had an excellent panoramic view of Tokyo from the 27th floor of The Okura Prestige Tower. Suguru emerged from the 3rd lane of the 25-meter indoor pool. The water clung to her curvaceous figure, accentuated by the red, one-piece swimming suit she wore, and showed off the definition of her legs and back.

She took off her goggles and spotted him. She sighed. “Is it time for speed-dating part two? At least let me shower first.” Satoru's eyes stayed glued to her ass until she went inside the changing rooms.

An hour later they were having lunch outdoors at one of the Fitness Club's many restaurants. Suguru had sadly changed into jeans and a shirt and now sat back on her chair while sipping on water.“I’m glad you’re not wearing that ugly uniform you always have on.” 

Satoru glanced down at his white button-up shirt. It was some Italian brand he’d forgotten the name of but Mei had mentioned it made him look hot at some point.

Suguru took a bite from her salmon and hummed, pleased. 

“Why did you run away from home?”

“Starting off strong, are we?” She forced a smile. “What makes you think I ran away?”

“Your parents reported you as missing. I assume they wouldn’t have done that had they kicked you out.”

“What if I told you I was kidnapped?” Her bottom lip trembled, she looked down at her lap and furrowed her brows. Satoru’s throat closed for a second before logic kicked in.

“I’ve seen you fight. You are talented in martial arts and curse manipulation. Most sorcerers start developing their abilities before their teens, I doubt you were the exception. If someone had tried to kidnap you, you would’ve gotten away and returned home.”

“What’s it like to grow up in a society where everyone around you sees the same things you do?” Suguru dropped the unconsolable act and returned to her plate with renowned apetite.

Satoru considered her question for some seconds. “I wouldn’t know.”

“The first memory I have of seeing a curse is when I was a baby. My parent’s home was a decrepit old thing and many curses lived among us. They sat with us when we had dinner. They’d stand on my mother’s shoulder, and crawl up my dad’s leg. It wasn’t until I was four that I discovered they couldn’t see them. No one else could see them. Only I could.” Suguru looked at him. “I assume when you were growing up no one ever thought you were crazy when you pointed the curses out. No one ever questioned why you were scared.” 

Satoru thought back to his childhood. There weren’t any curses free roaming the Gojo estate. His professors had a special place where they stored captured curses for him to practice exorcising as soon as he could walk. Even then, they never scared him and after he turned seven, most of them were too easy to exorcize, which prompted him to leave the estate in search of more difficult curses in the outskirts.

Suguru beckoned the waiter and asked for a mimosa. “I remember one night when I was six. My mom wanted me to get in the shower but I kept refusing because one of those things was standing there. It had many eyes and tongues and it stared at me like it wanted to eat me.” The waiter returned and handed her the mimosa. Suguru drank half the glass before continuing. “Of course I refused. I cried and I begged her not to make me go in there. She beat the shit out of me and I missed school until the bruises faded enough.”

Satoru didn’t know what to say. He supposed this is what he wanted since the first time he met Suguru, some insight into who she was but he hadn't expected for her to spill everything out or for her past to be so unpleasant. 

“The beatings never stopped. Even when I ignored the curses, my parents would find an excuse to punish me. At sixteen I had had enough. I got a boyfriend. He was twenty-two. One of his uncles had gotten him a job in Shibuya. He asked me to run away with him, promised me we’d be happier living together. He told me he’d earn enough for the two of us, I just had to focus on being his little housewife." She snorted. "Frankly, the thought of getting out of my parent’s home was enough incentive for me.”

She finished her drink. “I’ll let you figure out how well that relationship went. We broke up shortly after and he kicked me out of his apartment. I’m assuming your PI already told you I stripped for a couple of years, yeah? That’s where I met him. He was the first person I encountered who told me I was not crazy. He told me he could see them too. He told me about your world and taught me how I could monetize my abilities instead of spreading my legs.”

“Him?”

“My husband.”

The cutlery sounded too loud. Satoru noticed every background noise and conversation at the restaurant. He was blinded by the white porcelain and the sunlight that streamed in from the window.

“Thanks for the lunch.” Suguru stood up and walked out.

His phone beeped and a notification from Higuruma popped up. ‘Found the marriage certificate’ it read and beneath it the photograph of said document. She had been married to some guy named Toji Fushiguro since 2009.

He called Higuruma. While the phone rang, a thousand questions came to mind. First of all, who the fuck was that guy? Satoru clutched the phone hard enough the screen began to crack. His breathing sped up, his brain felt cloudy. What was it that he felt? Shock? Disappointment?

Higuruma picked up. “Gojo-san, did you see my message? I have my guys already looking further into the guy. We believe he comes from the Zen-”

“That’s enough,” Satoru said. “Tell them to stop doing research. I don’t want to know anything else about her.” He dropped a handful of bills on the table and exited the place.

◃───────────▹

Life went back to normal. An uninterrupted cycle of teaching, exorcizing, and meetings. Rinse and repeat.

Missions had turned too easy now that he’d mastered infinite void. To make things enthralling he’d turn off his infinity and do hand-to-hand combat instead. Curses and curse users alike would cower in fear once they noticed it was worse this way. Slower.

Shoko judged him as she worked on his hand. He’d broken his knuckles fighting a curse user earlier today.

“Satoru, what’s going on?”

“What do you mean? This happens all the time.”

“The kids said you continued to hit the curse long after it was exorcized.”

Satoru chuckled. “Oh, they’re exorcizing experts all of a sudden? Time to send them on solo missions then.”

Shoko shook her head. “Is this about Mei Mei’s engagement?”

“Huh? She’s engaged?” He wasn’t much for social media, maybe he’d missed the announcement. “Why would it be about that?”

“I know you two had something.”

Satoru laughed at the implication. “Nothing went on between us. We fucked and that was it. Not all of us move in with one of our colleagues and act like a married couple within two weeks.”

“You’re being an asshole.”

That night he went on Instagram and the first post that appeared on his feed was Mei Mei on a yacht with her hands covering her mouth, while an older but decent-looking man kneeled in front of her.

He had an unopened message from her, it read ‘Call them if you need someone.’ Followed by links to girls’ profiles and their respective numbers.

Satoru looked over the pictures out of curiosity, knowing he’d never take her up on that offer.

One of the women had a nice smile, delicate features, and a large chest. Her cheekbones and dark hair reminded him of…

He deleted the message and dropped his phone on the bed. He undressed and jumped into the shower.

The scalding water helped ooze the tension out of his muscles, in a way it washed the stressful day away. He stood under the spray dissociating for a few minutes. His hand moved on impulse and grasped his half-hard shaft.

He closed his eyes and tried to picture a faceless body bent over for him. A strong back with a small waist and a big ass while he fucked her from behind. He jacked himself off with quick strokes, nothing fancy. He wanted to stop feeling so pent up. He pictured himself grabbing the woman’s long hair and pulling it hard while he thrust inside her. The way she would moan in pleasure. His breath sped as he neared his orgasm. In his imagination, this would be when he’d turn the woman around and grab her hips to speed up his pace.

Suguru’s tits would bounce up and down with the force of his thrusts. He’d rub a thumb over her clit and she’d tighten her strong legs around him until they both-

Satoru pressed his forehead against the shower tile while he came.

◃───────────▹

Satoru stood on the sidelines while his four students sparred against one another on the racetrack. Toge against Panda. Maki with Yuuta.

It’d been over a month since Yuuta arrived, and his demeanor had transformed. He used to cower in fear against Maki, but now he laughed and dodged her attacks. Maki’s stoic face appeared more open, with a glint in her eyes. The tension between the teens was obvious.

After training, Satoru pulled them aside.

“I want you to partner differently in future missions. Yuuta will go with Toge, Maki with Panda.”

“What? Why?” Maki protested. Yuuta’s face fell, and he opened his mouth to speak.

Satoru held up his hand. If Yuuta and Maki acted like this during dangerous missions, they would get distracted and end up hurt.

“Those are my instructions. Don’t like it? You can ask Yaga to go on solo missions.”

◃───────────▹

It was three in the morning when Ijichi knocked on his door.

“Gojo-san, I apologize for waking you up. There is a lady outside who wants to see you. She was very insistent. I tried to tell her no but-” Ijichi looked down at his feet, and his hands began to tremble.

Satoru smelled her before he saw her. “I told him I’d kill him if he didn’t take me to you.” Suguru appeared from behind Ijichi. Her long hair was loose, she had on a full face of makeup and wore a floral yukata.

“Don’t worry about it Ijichi, she’s a friend. You can go back to sleep.”

Ijichi bowed and disappeared in the long corridor. Satoru stepped to the side. Suguru strolled inside like the room was hers, with no greeting or bow, her hips moved side to side with each step.

“I assumed The Strongest would be given a better room to stay at.” She examined his dorm. “This looks like one of my first apartments.”

Satoru grabbed her arm and whipped her around. He pressed her against the wall. “What are you doing here? How dare you threaten my staff?”

Fear flashed across her face before her plump red lips stretched into a smile. “So you get to chase me all over Tokyo but when I return the favor, I’m in the wrong? Don’t you think that’s unfair?”

Satoru tightened his grip on her wrist. Blood rushed to his face. He wanted to deny her claims but he had done that. And why? Because she was strong? Because she piqued his interest and that was a rare occurrence? Had he utilized his time and resources in stalking her all because she was beautiful? A month ago he decided to forget about her yet the excitement he felt right now proved he hadn’t been successful.

Suguru’s face twisted in pain, tears started to pool in her eyes. Satoru let go.

“I didn’t know where else to go.” She clutched her wrist against her chest.

She was the sole person that made Satoru second-guess his instincts. Was this another act or was she being genuine?

“I’ll leave if you want me to.” She wiped the tears from her face. “But I’ve never lied to you.”

Satoru nodded and walked back a few steps.

“He promised me he’d never gamble again.” Her breath turned shallow and she avoided his eyes. “I didn’t want to be in the same house as him. Before I realized it, my dragon and I were flying in this direction. I could’ve gone to a hotel, I suppose, but I didn’t want to feel alone. I also didn’t want him to find me.”

Satoru clutched his fists. He focused on Suguru’s exposed skin searching for bruises. His mind conjured up Toji hitting Suguru and he wanted an excuse to beat the shit out of him.

Suguru unfastened her obi belt and let the Yukata hang open. “He did not hurt me. You can check. Not with his hands at least.”

Satoru averted his eyes from her breasts. He cleared his throat. “You can take a shower and get changed. We’ll leave for my house before the sunrise.”

They managed to avoid waking the students as they snuck to the back gardens. Suguru had changed into a pair of Satoru’s sweatpants that pooled at her ankles and stretched over her backside and a hoodie.

She summoned her dragon with ease and it flew toward them. She climbed on it and motioned for Satoru to do the same.

Satoru touched over the scales of the curse. It brought back the memory of Suguru flying over him not too long ago. Now he gave her directions to his house so she could hide from her husband.

The sun began to rise while they flew over the city, painting buildings orange. Warming their skin with its rays. The peach fuzz on Suguru’s face glowed golden in this light. She had looked beautiful all done up a few hours ago, as she always did, but there was something more attractive about her bare face. When she allowed Satoru to see her without a barrier between them.

Satoru turned off the veil that hid his house from view a minute before they reached it. The garden was large enough for Suguru’s dragon to descend on it. Once they were on the ground, Suguru sucked the curse into a small, bright blue sphere. Before Satoru could ask where she stored the curses, she turned around, looked up, and swallowed it.

She grimaced and coughed. “You’d think that’d become easier the more you do it but it doesn’t.”

Satoru was speechless. Amazed she’d managed to swallow a ball of that size and, of course, the technique was very unique and unexpected.

The home was spacious and somewhat luxurious but not too flashy. It contained the essential furniture, a large dining table, a couch and TV in the living room, and some empty tables. No vases or paintings. Upstairs there were three bedrooms with the same amount of decoration.

“I don’t come here a lot, to be honest with you.” Satoru ran a finger down the kitchen counter and was relieved when no dust came off. “Staff come daily to clean it. I can tell them not to come as often while you stay here. I promise no one will bother you.”

He showed Suguru around the place. “I bought this home when I graduated high school because I didn’t want to be near my clan when I didn’t have to.”

“Why, do they pressure you?”

“Eh, not really but they can be… overwhelming.” Suguru’s eyes glinted while she paced over the spacious rooms. Satoru thought back to the pictures Higuruma had shown him of Suguru’s tiny family home where she'd grown up. “All the appliances work so if you want to use the stove, or shower, or whatever. You can. I’ll give you the number of my staff so you can text them if you need any groceries or I can get one of them to cook for you-”

“That’s okay. I like cooking.” Suguru smiled.

“I’ll give you my number so you can text me, I’ll try to drop by more often but I spend most of my time at Jujutsu High.”

Suguru looked disappointed at that. “Can’t you ask for vacations?”

Satoru laughed and shook his head.

◃───────────▹

A moment ago Satoru got done wiping the abandoned prison from all curses. As he lowered the veil, his phone rang with a call and he let it go to voicemail assuming it was Ijichi or Yaga but then it started up again.

He was shocked to find Suguru video-calling him at this time.

“Hey?” He answered, not knowing what to expect.

Suguru was in the kitchen in a low-cut top and an apron. “Hello! Are you done with your missions for today?”

“Uh,” Satoru scratched the back of his head. He was never done. “I guess so? Why? Do you need anything?”

“Some ginger, please. I ran out.” Before Satoru could suggest to call someone from his staff she hung up on him.

◃───────────▹

The moment he stepped inside the home his mouth watered. The place smelled like sizzled pork and grilled onions.

“I brought the ginger.” He followed the smell to the kitchen.

Suguru met him halfway and grabbed the ginger from him. “Thank you. The food is almost ready, you can take a seat.”

“Huh?” He glanced in the distance and saw that the table was set. He had planned to deliver the ginger and return to Jujutsu High, but now his stomach grumbled.

He took off his bandages and tried to comb his knotted hair back with his fingers. He raised his arm to smell himself. He should’ve taken a shower after the mission before coming all the way here.

He took a seat. There were several pots bubbling on the stove. Some minutes later, Suguru approached the table with holding various plates in her hands.

“Let me help you with that.” Satoru tried to stand up but Suguru placed a hand on his shoulder.

“I’ve got it. Relax. You’ve worked all day while all I’ve done is lounge in your home.” Suguru sat beside him and gestured for him to taste the Buta-No-Shogayaki she'd placed in front of him.

Satoru took a tentative bite. Even if it was terrible, he’d pretend it was good out of politeness, but he was pleasantly surprised when it tasted great. The pork was sliced and marinated, accompanied by chopped vegetables. He had grown up eating food prepared by the best cooks in Japan. He’d gone to Michelin-starred restaurants, and he’d also endured nights of instant ramen on occasions while he was a student. This taste was unlike anything he’d tried before. Homey.

“You cooked all this yourself?”

“Well, of course. I did not have much else to do, did I?" She studied his expression. "Do you like it?”

Satoru nodded his head firmly and finished his plate. Suguru insisted he take some leftovers with him before he left.

“For your missions,” she explained. “Are you sure you can’t stay a little longer?”

Satoru looked down at his phone. It was past midnight. He needed to prepare for tomorrow’s class, and in the morning he was to discuss Okkotsu’s improvement with the board. He shook his head.

Suguru’s face fell. It’d been a week since she’d moved there. Satoru would sometimes watch her through the security cameras. She didn’t get much human interaction. She refused to go out even though Satoru offered her a full security team to go with her. Her days would be spent going from room to room, doing yoga, and dozing off in front of the TV.

“I’ll come by more often.”

◃───────────▹

Satoru stood in the middle of the unlit room surrounded by old sorcerers hidden behind shadows.

“Satoru Gojo, remember Okkotsu’s execution has only been postponed.”

Satoru felt anger swirl in the pit of his stomach at their tone of voice. There was no point in arguing. “Remember if it comes to that, I’ll be taking Okkotsu’s side.”

He walked out. He felt an incoming headache. His phone rang with notifications from everyone. Orders from Yaga. News from the Gojo estate. His students asking to spar outside tomorrow instead of learning theory.

He wanted to crush the phone in his fist. Another message popped up, this time from Suguru. Are you dropping by tonight? I made mochi.

He was at his house no more than an hour later. He’d taken a shower and changed into normal clothes. He knocked on the entrance despite having the keys. Suguru welcomed him with an eager smile. The moment Satoru stepped in he was hit by her sweet aroma that now permeated the entire place.

“Come in!”

Satoru took off his shoes. The place was different. There were rugs now. Warm-light paper lamps illuminated the place, aromatic candles, big sprawling indoor plants that balanced the eggshell white of the walls. In less than a month Suguru had renovated the whole house so that it looked like a home instead of the saddest bachelor pad.

“You can take a seat, dinner is almost ready.”

It was hard not to stare at Suguru’s ass while she finished off on the stove. She wore shorts and a tank top, it was still summer.

“How was your day?” She sat down on the chair beside him.

“Good. How was yours?”

Suguru eyed him up and down and narrowed her eyes. “You look more tense than usual.”

Satoru threw his head back in laughter. “What?”

She stood up and walked behind him then placed her hands on his shoulders, the warmth from her hands seeped through the cotton. “Here, you see.”

“Suguru, what are you…”

She began to knead at the muscles.

“Relax, Satoru.” He perked up at the sound of his name coming from her lips. It sounded soft. He drew in a long breath and exhaled. Suguru pressed her finger to the nape of his neck, then after a couple of minutes, she dipped her hands lower and began to run circles with her thumbs. The stress melted away yet his breath increased. “Better?”

Satoru nodded, with a newly dry mouth.

“Time for the mochi!”

They moved to the living room. Suguru set a tray of different flavored mochi on the new coffee table.

“I hope you like them. Ijichi mentioned you loved sweet treats.” She sat beside him and observed while he took a bite. It was chewy on the outside and soft on the inside.

“It’s delicious," Satoru said around a mouthful. "Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it. I like cooking for the people in my life. It’s therapeutic.” She looked down at her feet. “Thank you for letting me stay here. I only need a few more days and then… I promise I’ll make it up to you somehow...”

“Hey. Take as much time as you need. Besides, you’ve done me a favor decorating the place, and on top of that feeding me…” His chest tightened at the idea of Suguru gone. He’d grown used to the familiarity of her despite her having moved in not that long ago. He enjoyed watching her through the cameras. He liked coming home to a lit-up kitchen and a warm home-cooked meal.

Suguru turned her body to face him, brows furrowed together. She opened her lips as if about to utter something then pressed them together. She stretched out her hand and wiped the corner of Satoru’s mouth. Her eyes lingered on his lips for a long second. Satoru breathed in her aroma and instinctively grabbed her hand and used it to pull her close until they were centimeters apart.

Suguru turned her head to the side. “It’s getting late,” she whispered, her breath warm and sweet.

She rose from the couch and pointed at the newly-acquired clock that hung above the fireplace. “Let me pack you some leftovers before you leave.”

The next day Satoru found himself daydreaming while in a teacher’s meeting. Yaga was rambling on about the approaching Kyoto Goodwill Event. As usual, Utahime seized the chance to speak about her students and their abilities. He found it hard not to resent these reunions when he could be doing something useful instead, like, having lunch with Suguru for example or texting Suguru or video-calling Suguru.

Satoru reclined back on the chair and closed his eyes. They’d almost kissed last night, he was certain of that. Suguru liked him. Satoru might not be the most attuned to other people’s feelings or thoughts but he knew how desire looked in other people’s eyes.

He’d always had disdain for homewreckers. He couldn't understand why someone would go after a taken individual when billions of people existed in the world. Satoru could date anyone he wanted. He’d been Japan’s most sought-after bachelor ever since he turned fourteen. Hundreds of families went out of their way each year to get a chance to introduce their heiresses to him in hopes he would like them. Yet here he was, lusting after a married woman.

“What do you think, Gojo-san?” Mei Mei interrupted his thoughts. “Should we do the same thing we did last year for the individual portions of the event?”

Everyone turned their eyes to him. Satoru narrowed his eyes when he realized Mei Mei didn’t have her engagement ring on. She looked tanner.

“I think we should let the students decide.” Satoru rose from the chair and headed for the door.

“Meeting isn’t over yet,” Yaga said.

“Can’t stay, sorry. Left the stove on.”

◃───────────▹

The image behind the screen was grainy. Suguru’s voice came and went in a robotic rhythm.

Satoru shook his phone as if that would fix it. The signal was shit.

“Sa-to-ru. You there?” Suguru asked.

“Yeah, I’m here. Hold on a second, let me try moving to another room.” He was at an inn in Shirakawa. He stepped out of his room and walked some meters until the resolution improved and he could see Suguru’s radiant face neatly. “Show me.”

Suguru turned the camera to the kitchen island where a tall, frosted cake stared back at him.

“Ohhhh you did a great job! It looks amazing.”

Suguru appeared back on the camera, cheek rosier than before. Her face and messy bun were speckled with flour. Her apron was covered in colorful meringue. “Well, thank you. Turns out the recipe wasn’t as hard as I thought.” She pouted. “What am I supposed to do with it now? I can’t eat all of this!”

“You can give some to Ijichi…”

Suguru faux-gasped. “Great idea! He’s exactly who I wanted to impress when I baked this. You think he’ll like it?”

Satoru chuckled. “I’ll try to drop by this week.”

“This week?” Suguru asked, scandalized. “No need for that. I’ll share it with Ijichi and the other guys, I’m sure they’ll appreciate my cooking.”

Satoru rolled his eyes playfully. “Okay, okay, I’ll drop by tomorrow.”

Suguru preened. “Sounds great! I’ll save you a plate.” She yawned. “How was your day? How's Shirakawa?”

Satoru glanced at the clock, it was past 2 am. “It’s okay. Hey, it’s very late, you should be sleeping.”

“Well, someone’s usually too busy to take my calls at appropriate hours.” Another yawn.

Satoru laughed. “Get some rest, I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Goodnight.” The screen turned black and he faced the reflection of his dopey smile.

◃───────────▹

Satoru flicked through the pages of the possible new students that would attend school next year. He stared at their pictures as if he could figure out by the shape of their face alone if they’d be able to keep up with the training. If perhaps one of these days a pupil would be able to go toe to toe against Special Grades and return unscathed. Not a replacement, but a relief.

For the first time in his life, he yearned for more hours in a day. For free time.

His phone screen lit up with a message that turned his blood ice cold. ‘I spoke with the help this morning.’ Ijichi’s text read. ‘They said she’s not there. All her belongings are gone.’

Satoru snatched his phone from the desk. But they’d last spoken yesterday. This couldn’t be. She must be running errands or something.

Throughout the day he continued to check his phone. He felt like a madman. She never said she’d stay but the way she acted… he really thought she…

He busied himself with work during the week. By the fifth day acceptance fell on him like a bucket of ice cold water. She wasn’t going to text back.

◃───────────▹

Utahime, of all people, had recommended the restaurant. She offered up her help the moment she heard Satoru utter the word ‘date’ to Shoko. Now here he was, at Melissé on a Friday night sitting across from Rin, an up-and-coming actress.

Believe it or not, neither his mom nor Mei Mei arranged for this to happen.

“When I asked my publicist to contact you I never expected you'd agree to meet,” she said.

There were fourteen tables inside the establishment. It was one of those ‘open kitchen’ concepts where chefs prepared the food a few feet away from them. The cocktail menu was full of quirkily named concoctions that would make him chuckle if Suguru read them aloud to him, but now made him roll his eyes.

“I’ll have another Queen Bitch cocktail,” he said to the waiter with a straight face. “Without the vodka, please.”

“I’m sorry,” Satoru tried to recall her words. He started to regret his decision to come here but he’d tried everything to get her out of his mind, why not give blind dates a fair shot? “What were you saying?”

She was a natural blond with a great figure, her features looked good from any angle as if she’d been born for the camera. Her smile turned tight. “Gojo-san, why did you agree to meet with me?”

Satoru took a second to think. “I enjoy your movies.”

She nodded and took a sip out of her cocktail. “Which one’s your favorite?”

Satoru wasn’t about to make a fool out of himself trying to come up with a name or plot. “I’m not great with titles.”

“Think I’m going to ask for the check.”

“Hold on.” Satoru took off his sunglasses. “There’s someone I haven’t been able to get out of my mind, I thought casual sex could fix that.”

Her face lit up. “You should’ve said that before.”

Satoru paid for the check and they both jumped into her limousine. Satoru gave his address to the chauffeur while Rin unbuttoned his shirt and kissed down his chest. He planned on fucking her over the kitchen island, in the living room, inside the master bedroom until all traces of Suguru in his home were erased. 

Satoru bolted open the door, he didn’t notice the Margiela boots by the door because Rin had her hand down his pants. He hoisted her up and walked her some steps to the living room.

Someone else turned the lights on. Satoru was blinded for a second. He smelled jasmin and amber.

“Oops, sorry for interrupting.” Suguru rose from the couch, she wore a sheer black babydoll nightgown that left little to the imagination. Her smile seemed sweet but her eyes painted another picture.

Satoru let go of Rin as if he’d been burned. He took a step toward Suguru. He felt relieved as much as anger bubbled up his gut.

“Who is this?” Rin asked while putting her shirt back on.

“Funny, I was about to ask the same question,” Suguru responded humourlessly.

Rin glanced between both of them. “I’m going to assume this is her. Whatever, you know what? You’re not even that hot.”

A minute later the door slammed shut.

“What are you doing here?”

“You brought me here." She tilted her head to the side. "What do you mean?”

“Yeah, and you left without a notice nearly a month ago.” Resentment colored his tone.

Suguru crossed her arms. “Who was that? Why did she leave? If you wanted privacy you could’ve said so, I wasn’t expecting you to come here on a Wednesday of all days.”

Satoru crossed his arms and sized her up, his eyes drawn to the curve of her breasts instinctively. He looked at the ceiling. “Where did you go?”

“I was working. I’m sorry I didn’t let you know beforehand. Money was running out. I came here because you’re my friend,” Suguru said. “But I’ll leave if that's what you want.”

Suguru walked past him in an instant and rushed up the stairs to the master bedroom. She unzipped her suitcase and started stuffing it with her belongings.

Satoru hugged her from behind. He pressed his nose against the nape of her neck and inhaled. “Don’t leave. I told you you could stay for as long as you wanted.” Her body sagged in his arms. She turned around and returned his hug.

“Thank you,” she whispered.

◃───────────▹

Shoko opened the door to him, she’d traded her characteristic white labcoat and dress pants for baggy jeans and an oversized shirt. Her eyes lingered on his face.

“She’s back, isn’t she?” She moved to the side, Satoru took it as his queue to enter. He hadn’t been at Shoko’s place this often since they were in high school. He had no one else to talk about this with. He was not about to vent about the hot, curse user, married chick he was falling in love with to his mother or Yaga or even Mei Mei. 

Shoko sighed dramatically. “Let me get a beer and you can tell me all about it.” Minutes later she was on her second beer and Satoru had just finished telling her about the debacle with Rin and how things had played out. Suguru prided herself in not showing her emotions but that night she'd clearly gotten jealous over Rin. It excited Satoru.

“Is she still with him?”

“I don’t know." Satoru shook his head. Suguru's marriage was like a pebble in his shoe, he could only ignore it for so long.  "She doesn’t mention him anymore. Do you think she went back to him?”

“All I know is she’s got you in a daze, look at you. You treat her like she’s your girlfriend but for all we know she’s still blissfully married to that guy.”

◃───────────▹

The sky above was starry. The illuminated pool made their skin glow blue. The water was warm enough for steam to waft from it.

“It’s a shame you don’t use the pool more often.” Suguru swam from side to side with elegance. All long, strong limbs and practiced movements. “I could stay here forever.”

Satoru floated by the edge, he tried not to stare too hard at the way Suguru’s bathing suit stretched over her body. Hugged her in all the right places. Ever since she’d come back the tension between them was even more palpable. Anytime she was within reach he felt the urge to pounce on her, especially when she glanced at him from under her lashes, the same way she was doing right now.

“You can.” Satoru met her gaze. “Stay here forever, that is.” His words held a different weight than before. They hung between them.
Suguru’s face fell. She stilled. Satoru dove into the water and sprung up beside her some seconds later. He was tired of not going after what he wanted. It was unnatural to him.

“I like you, Suguru.” Her face turned pale at his admission. “But you knew that already, didn’t you?” Silence. “I know you like me too. Correct me if I’m lying.”

Suguru slipped from under his nose and swam to the opposite edge of the pool. “You’ve been very kind to allow me to live in your place for this long, I promise it’s a temporary thing. I’m already looking for other places and—”

Satoru swam her way, caged her in his arms. “Stay here. Be with me.” Droplets of water dripped down her face, down her lips. The chlorine mixed with her aroma. Satoru touched her cheek and drew nearer until their lips touched. Their breaths mingled together, she tasted like the green tea they’d had during lunch not long ago.

Suguru broke away. “And be what, exactly?” Her tone was bitter. “Your kept plaything? Your live-in courtesan? Whatever arrangement or proposal you have in mind, I don’t want to hear it.”

“What? No.” Satoru grasped her waist. He heard the way her heart sped up, her limbs flailed. Fear. “As my girlfriend.”

“Your…” Suguru stopped struggling. Her lips quirked up. Satoru bent his head down expecting another kiss when his eyes stung all of a sudden, Suguru had splashed his face with water.

“Hey!” Satoru dove behind her but she’d already gotten out of the pool, her laughter echoed inside the house as she ran upstairs.

He didn’t press her for an answer that night, or the next. Her fear had been too evident for him to do that, as had been her joy when Satoru mentioned the world girlfriend. He was afraid if he pressed her too hard she'd slip away once again. The ghost of her lips against his would suffice for now.

A week after that Satoru would receive a text from her. ‘Travelling this week for work. Not sure when I'll be back.’

He’d never met someone so stubborn. Why work when Satoru had handed her his black card on a silver platter? Offered her his place, his cars, whatever she might need. Stocked the fridge and cabinets full. And what exactly did she mean by work? Was she exorcizing curses or had she gone back to honey-trapping? Satoru felt nauseous thinking about another man's hands on Suguru. He'd confront her about it at some point.

All that mattered for the moment was that she'd return.

◃───────────▹

They were by the fireplace. Suguru had her feet tucked underneath her, she sipped hot tea while telling Satoru about the time she exorcized her rainbow dragon curse.

“I was not as skilled then, as I am now, back when I was nineteen. I thought I was for sure going to die but I didn’t care. I still went after it and when it worked I was so surprised.” Her lips looked plush and pink. It’d been a month since their first and last kiss and neither of them had brought the matter back up. It was as if it’d never happened. Satoru didn't bother pretending anymore but she wanted to play oblivious. What was stopping her from giving in?

“It’s late. Let me pack you some leftovers before you leave.” She rose from the couch, when she walked past Satoru he grabbed her hand. They locked eyes.

“I… think I’ll stay the night. If that’s okay with you.” Her face brightened. “I’ll sleep in one of the guest bedrooms and leave in the morning.”

“I’ll go prepare your room.” She smiled.

Satoru dressed in one of the spare pajamas he kept there. It fit tight because it was from when he was younger, before his final growth spurt. He washed his face and brushed his teeth.

“Goodnight.” Suguru encountered him in the corridor on her way to the master bedroom and closed the door behind her. It was a good thing Satoru didn’t have cameras in there or else he’d reach disgusting levels of creepiness. It was hard enough holding back from watching Suguru all day when she lounged around the house.

He slid into the covers and immediately kicked them off. It was too warm tonight. He took off his shirt and stared at the ceiling. Had he been stupid enough to fall for someone who didn’t reciprocate his feelings? Did Suguru see him as a friend only? Had this all been a convoluted plan of hers?

He forgot Suguru was a paid assassin at times. A curse-user. A sexy, enchanting, manipulative woman who wouldn’t leave his mind. And he’d let her stay at his house all this time… he’d eaten her food without question. God, what was he doing?

Not only was she a curse-user who killed people for a living, she was a married woman! Although… the situation had to be different now with her living at Satoru’s place, no?

Satoru grew tired of tossing and turning. Minutes ticked by and he couldn't fall asleep. At 2 am he decided to get up to get a glass of water. Maybe he’d watch something on the TV until he fell asleep.

He walked down the corridor when something collided with him.

“Oh. Sorry, I didn’t see you.” Suguru whispered.

“No, it’s my fault. I should’ve turned the lights on.”

Suguru’s hands stayed on his chest. She looked up at him. “Can you see me? In the dark, I mean.”

Satoru could see her curse energy radiating off of her. If he focused he could hear her rising heartbeat, her lungs filling with air, the light sheen of sweat covering her almost naked body.

“Yes.”

She grabbed the back of his neck, stood on her tiptoes, and kissed him on the mouth. It started as a peck, then she opened her lips and caught Satoru’s bottom lip between hers.

Satoru stumbled back.

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have- I thought-” Suguru turned toward her room. Satoru grabbed her wrist and pulled her close. He cradled her face in his hands and kissed her. She melted in his arms and allowed him to deepen the kiss.

All logic left him when he felt Suguru’s warm tongue sliding against his. Seconds turned to minutes. Suguru caressed his nape and then his shoulders, she gripped the front of his shirt, and tried to pull him closer.

“Please,” she whispered.

Satoru hoisted her up. She kissed down his neck while he walked them to the master bedroom. The open blinds allowed the moonlight into the room. They tumbled on the bed. They stared into each other's eyes. Satoru desired to know what was going through her head. Her lips were bitten red, her silk robe had slid down her chest. He wanted to consume her. Memorize every inch of her.

Suguru rose and helped him out of his shirt. Her fingers skimmed over his abdomen then dipped under the waistband of his pants until she found what she looked for and gripped the base. She pushed down on his chest until he lay down.

She took off her robe, exposing the soft and hard lines of her body. He devoured her with his eyes. He finally saw the body he had imagined on countless occasions. The dip in her waist, the slight muscle definition of her stomach, her round supple breasts. She pulled down his pants along with his boxers. “You don’t have to compensate for anything, huh?” While straddling him she licked her hand and began to stroke him. Satoru moaned. As much as he wanted to be inside Suguru as soon as possible, he still hadn’t satiated his hunger for her.

He grabbed her waist with both hands and got her off of his lap. Suguru blinked confused before Satoru kissed her again, slower this time. He kissed her chin, her neck, ran his tongue over her pointy nipples and down her stomach until he reached her pussy.

“Sa-toru? You don’t have to, you can just-” Suguru tightened her legs together, and Satoru spread them apart with ease. He nibbled on the sensitive skin of her trembling, inner thighs.

She was so wet. “Do you want me to stop?”

She let out a shaky breath. “No.”

He buried his head between her legs and ate her out until all she could utter were moans and screams. Until her smell and taste were all he could think of.

After he’d gotten his fill, Suguru begged him to fuck her.

He slid inside of her with ease. “You’re so fucking wet.”

She looked up at him in a nostalgic kind of way and caressed his face while Satoru tried to make her come for a third time. He didn’t care much for his pleasure at that moment, he ached to see Suguru crumble in ecstasy because of him once again. To see her without all her walls up, at least for a night.

In between open-mouthed kisses, she continued to moan in his ear and get tighter around him. Her legs pulled him closer, as did her arms around his neck. The bed shook with every thrust as he held off his climax.

“Come. Come inside me. Satoru, please. I want you to come.”

“Fuck.” Satoru sped up his pace as his mind focused on reaching his orgasm.

After he’d come, he heaved out breath. Still enveloped by Suguru. She combed over his sweaty hair and trailed her fingers down his back. “I wish I’d met you earlier.” She said before he drifted to sleep.

◃───────────▹

Satoru awakened to the incandescent sun filtering through the wide-open blinds. It appeared to be noon. He noticed the silence of the place. If not for her sweet smell all over the blankets he would think last night was a cruel figment of his imagination.

He didn’t bother to search for her or call her name. He wasn’t that stupid. He knew she was gone. His nails dug into his palms until blood stained the bedding.

◃───────────▹

“Young master Gojo, only time can truly heal.” That’s what his teacher said to him when one of his many pet dogs died. Twenty minutes later he’d forgotten about the dog’s name and was arguing about wanting to have mochi for dinner like any six-year-old would have.

Well, it had been nine weeks since Suguru decided to abandon his life and it ached all the same. After everything he’d done for her, she could’ve at least said thank you. Left a goodbye note. Something. Anything.

He was struck by memories of her anytime his mind wandered. He would be on a mission facing off a long-haired curse and would be reminded of the way she looked that night underneath him, the way she put her hair in a bun when she cooked.

Whenever he had lunch by himself he’d think back to her cooking. Her proud smile when Satoru complimented her.

The nights were the worst. When he was free from fighting off curses, arguing with the higher-ups, or reprimanding students. Each time he closed his eyes he’d see her face. If he fell asleep he’d dream of her. If he was awake he’d be reminded that he’d been stupid enough to allow her into his life, into his heart, and she’d rejected him like he was nothing. As if he wasn’t the Gojo Satoru.

“We’re going out tonight to this new club that recently opened. It’s one minute from Shibuya Station,” Shoko said casually while she healed his bruised knuckles and broken thumb. “Try not to hurt yourself tomorrow 'cause I’ll probably call in sick, yeah? I know what you’re gonna say. Can’t I simply heal my hangover? Well, not when I’m hungover, okay? Takes too much damn energy.”

“Can I come?”

“Huh?”

Satoru shrugged. “It’s been a while since I’ve been on a night out. Why not?”

She frowned and stared at him for a second. “Sure. I’ll text you when we’re heading there.”

After she healed his hand, Satoru stood to leave. “By the way.” Shoko lit up a cigarette. “I don’t want to be a bitch, but as your doctor, you look like shit. Don’t even try to bullshit me, you’ve lost weight and this is the first time I’ve seen you have eye-bags. If you don’t want to tell me why, that’s fine, all I’m saying is: try to eat and sleep more. Okay?” She made a disgusted face like she couldn’t believe what’d come out of her mouth. “Whatever, see you tonight.”

◃───────────▹

When he stepped into the club, he was brought back to the first time he visited one. Back when he’d turned fifteen he’d paid his way into a club to see what all the fuss was about. Why did adults feel so compelled to spend their weekends chugging alcohol while listening to deafening music? He’d become overwhelmed by the noise and flashing lights, the abundance of people, and all their cursed energy. He hadn’t gotten an answer to his question until tonight.

Shoko and Utahime had stumbled their way onto the dance floor and were now drunkenly dancing. Nanami and Haibara were making out in a corner. Satoru sat at the bar sipping on his virgin cocktail. Should he leave? Should he dance?

A long-haired brunette slithered beside him, with thick brows and doe-like eyes. She winked at him.

“Can I have another one of these?” she asked the bartender.

“I want a glass of whatever she’s having,” Satoru heard himself say.

The bartender came back with two shot glasses filled with clear liquid.

“Cheers.” She took a large gulp.

Satoru followed suit. He winced at the sharp taste of Shochu burning down his throat, his untrained palate not detecting any of the alleged sweetness or fruitiness. The woman laughed and clapped.

“How many of these does it usually take to get you drunk?” Satoru yelled over the music.

She frowned and shrugged. “I don’t know. Like, five?”

After five he began to feel buzzed.

After seven his speech began to slur.

After the tenth one, his vision was a little blurry and he could no longer feel his face.

“You’re so hot.” A giggle. “Is that your natural hair color or do you dye it?” The voice sounded far away. Someone was trying to unbutton his shirt.

“Suguru?”

“Hmm? What did you say, honey?” They were in a bathroom stall, a woman straddled his hips.

Satoru grabbed her chin and lifted her face. She yelped.

“You’re not her… Who are you?”

“I’m Hana. Why? What’s wrong?”

Satoru rose and she fell to the side. “Ouch, what the fuck?”

He held onto the door to stop the room from spinning. He stumbled his way out of the mass of people until he reached the exit and a wave of cold, fresh air hit his face.

By the time Ijichi arrived, twenty minutes later, he’d managed to sober up for the most part. Ijichi got out of the car to help him get in the backseat.

“Gojo-san, are you okay?”

Satoru climbed into the backseat. It was a relief to be able to rest his pounding head on a cushion. Ijichi started the car and they drove through the empty streets, nothing but the sounds of his slow breaths and the tires on wet pavement. It was lulling. Through half-lidded eyes, he said, “Can you drive around for a little longer, Ijichi? Don’t take me home yet.”

◃───────────▹

There were three Big Families in the world of Jujutsu: The Gojo, the Kamo, and the Zenin. The last one was known for its archaic, cruel practices and its disregard for all women and weaker sorcerers.

Satoru had had his fair share of encounters with the Zenin and he’d left every one of them wanting to take a shower. It’s no wonder Toji Fushiguro changed his last name and tried to scrub clean his past from them.

The moment Satoru saw photos of him he knew that the green of his eyes seemed familiar. By the time Satoru was old enough to attend those buttoned-up clan meetings, Toji had already deserted, so he never got the chance to meet him in person. But he’d heard stories about the infamous Zenin boy born without curse energy who went on to become a ruthless sorcerer killer.

Satoru had followed him for hours today searching for… something. Reasons to hate him more. An explanation of why Suguru had gone back to him. An excuse to kill him off, perhaps. The man was around forty years old, muscular, with a scarred lip. He now walked his son, Megumi, to the front door of a medium-sized home in a nice and picturesque neighborhood, no doubt bought with blood money. He didn’t seem scary or disgusting. He crouched on one knee to look little Megumi in the eyes and ruffle his hair.

“I’ll see you next weekend, yeah?” Toji said.

Megumi hugged his dad. He must have been around ten years old. “I love you, dad.”

“Love you, too.” Toji kissed the top of Megumi’s head.

A lady, Megumi’s stepmother from what Higuruma had told him, opened the door and saluted both of them. Megumi ran inside the house. The woman leaned on the door and appraised Toji while they made slow talk about kid, stuff like Megumi’s grades and behavior. Toji said goodbye and walked down the sidewalk with a pep in his step.

Satoru wanted to erase that stupid smirk from his face. He didn’t deserve to be at peace, not after all the stories Satoru had heard of his extensive body count. This was a man who had exterminated hundreds of sorcerers and humans alike. This was the man who had conquered Suguru's heart before she was old enough to vote. His hair and skin were dry, his clothes looked cheap. He didn’t deserve Suguru. What did he have that Satoru didn’t? What could he provide that Satoru couldn’t?

Toji met Suguru before her brain even finished developing. Swept her off the streets at the tender age of seventeen while the bastard was in his latetwenties. He’d groomed her to the point she couldn’t imagine a life without him, that had to be the only reasonable explanation of why she had stayed with him.

Satoru continued to tail Toji to a narrow street alley. Abandoned buildings surrounded them casting shadows over their heads. It must’ve been a shortcut to Toji’s home. It was the perfect place for them to fight, Satoru might even turn infinity off to make things fair. He’d still win.

Toji came to a stop, hands in his pockets, he sighed. “If you’ve been following me because you think it’s going to lead you to her, you’re wrong.”

Satoru ripped the sunglasses from his face. He remained out of Toji’s sight. Anger flowed through his body, he pointed two of his fingers at Toji’s chest, imagining the satisfaction he’d feel after blowing a hole right through his guts. One second and it would all be over. Toji wouldn’t even know what hit him.

“I don’t know where she is, kid.” Toji stared into the distance. “I thought she’d gone back to you.” He chuckled. “Stop wasting my time. If you’ve come to kill me, do it. You’d be doing her a favor, even if she might not realize that.”

Satoru clenched his jaw, his arm trembled while still pointing at Toji. The sobering image of Suguru crying while hunched over Toji’s lifeless body came to mind.

He punched the brick wall instead. A cloud of debris blinded Toji for a second. By the time he looked up at the sky, Satoru was already gone.

◃───────────▹

Fumiko was the heiress of a billionaire media company. She had long black hair, stunning breasts, full lips, and dark eyes. He didn’t remember who introduced them. If she was a friend of Utahime or Mei Mei or if she contacted him directly.

By this point, Satoru had the blind dates down to a science. He would ask Ijichi to make a reservation at some restaurant. Pick them up in one of his cars. He had a script ready for the usual questions. What did he do? He was a teacher. Did he have any hobbies? He enjoyed traveling. What was he looking for in a relationship? He was going with the flow. Some of them were immediately turned off by his lack of enthusiasm, some would follow him to a hotel and accept his piteous performance just to claim they’d gone to bed with the Satoru Gojo.

His memory was a blur of them; short, tall, long-haired, short-haired, brunettes, blondes, gingers. They were all attractive, well educated, and none of them were Suguru.

Fumiko didn’t ask many questions. She enjoyed hearing herself speak. Throughout the night she was able to talk about everything, from current political events to the latest in pop culture. Out of all the women he'd gone out with, she piqued his interest the most.

After dinner, she slung her bag over her shoulder and disinterestedly asked, “You want to check out my place?”

Her apartment was located in Azabudai Hills in central Tokyo. They took the elevator to her floor. Satoru stepped into the expansive living room and walked closer to the windows, he took a moment to appreciate the view of the city from the high-rise. When he turned around, Fumiko was naked, opening a bottle of Dom Perignon. She extended out a flute of champagne his way.

“No, thank you. Not a fan of drinking.”

“More for me.” She lifted the glass to her lips and tipped her head back, Satoru followed the line of her throat, down to the curve of her breasts, defined stomach, and long legs. In the dimly lit room, she almost resembled her. “Have you come to stare at me all night long or are we going to fuck?”

They moved to her room. She ripped the shirt off of his body and undid his belt. Satoru threw her onto the king-sized bed and crawled on top of her. He bent down to kiss her and inhaled roses and vanilla.

“Can we turn off the lights?” Satoru asked while putting on a condom.

Fumiko chuckled, she snapped her fingers and the room darkened. She ran her fingernails down his back and pulled him closer by wrapping his legs around his waist. Satoru slid inside of her wet heat.

He had reached a rhythmic pace when Fumiko nuzzled his cheek. “You can call me her name if you want.”

Satoru’s hips stilled. He became half-hard then soft. “Sorry, this was a bad idea.” He threw the condom in the trash and hurriedly got dressed. Fumiko frowned at him while still naked on the bed, confused.

He didn’t bother saying goodbye to her before exiting the apartment. He felt dread, shame, emptiness. He was fed up with the blind dates. From now on he would learn to live with the void inside his heart.

◃───────────▹

“Your mother called,” Ijichi said. “Again.”

Satoru sighed. “Let me guess, she insists I go to this month’s gala. It’s not happening.”

Ijichi laughed nervously as they approached Satoru’s room. It was past midnight. He’d been away for a few days with a schedule packed full of missions.

Every time he stepped into an abandoned building full of curses he wished he could smell jasmine and amber again, and each time he didn’t. It was pathetic. Besides that, he was managing fine. His weight was back to normal and he was getting enough sleep. Gone were the dark circles. Physically he was in his prime, mentally though... that was another story.

It was astounding that for twenty-four years curses and humans alike had tried everything to hurt him, even a little bit. And Suguru accomplished it without using any force or magic.

“It’s not solely your mother, I’m afraid the whole clan is insisting, as well. You’ve been absent from quite a few of them and um, they said that as clan head you must show face at these sorts of events.”

Satoru rolled his eyes. “I’ll talk to them. Maybe I can drop by real quick so they stop whining.”

They reached his dorm. Satoru said goodnight to Ijichi and closed the door behind him. He froze. Another presence was inside his room. He turned on his infinity.

Her cursed energy was unmistakable. “Suguru,” he said aloud.

A dozen questions rushed to his mind. A mix of anger, resentment, relief. He settled on, “Why are you here?” His tone dripped with venom.

“Satoru,” she emerged from the shadows. She looked leaner, paler, with dark circles under her eyes but as beautiful as always. Her eyes were wet with unshed tears. “I’m sorry for showing up like this. I didn’t know how else to– I will understand if you tell me to leave you alone and never come back.” She walked toward him, her heartbeat quickened, and her breath shortened. “I’m sorry for leaving. I had to take some time to think things through, I never intended to hurt you. You made me feel things I’d never felt and I was so confused.”

She ran in his direction. She tried to bury her head in his chest but was stopped by the protective force surrounding him. He should kick her out. Tell her he never wants to see her again. No one had caused him this much pain in his life. Satoru turned off his infinity, she collapsed in his arms. “Please, forgive me. I want you. It’s you who I want to be with. I realized it’s you.”

A tear fell down Satoru’s cheek. He wrapped his arms around her and pressed her against his chest as hard as he could. She was there. She had returned to him. Everything was going to be all right.

◃───────────▹

Each year his clan threw a lavish Gala Dinner where the most important diplomats and sorcerers of Japan attended. Around four hundred invitees and all major clans were invited.

Satoru didn’t care much for these events. Everywhere he turned there would be someone sucking up to him or trying to set him up with their daughter or to invest in some company. Which is why he’d stopped attending them around the time he mastered infinity.

Things felt different with Suguru by his arm, who despite refusing to come at the beginning, seemed to be having a great time.

“Are those really made out of gold?” She stared at the sculptures lining the marble staircase.

“Yeah, what else would they made out of?”

Suguru shook her head. She had on a red lip and wore her hair half up, half down. Her red kimono was made out of the finest silk and embroidered, hand-made by one of the Gojo’s trusted tailors.

If it wasn’t so difficult to get into the kimono, Satoru would throw Suguru over his shoulder this instant, take her to a hidden corner, and ravage her. He settled for kissing her instead.

Suguru turned pink and lightly slapped his chest. “Stop it. You’re going to mess up my makeup.”

“Hmm,” Satoru smiled. “Yeah? Wouldn’t be the first time I did that.” He tugged her close and squeezed her ass.

Suguru swatted his hand away. “You’re impossible. Your parents can walk in on us at any time.”

Satoru shrugged. “And? I doubt they’d care anyway. Mom’s probably over the moon I finally brought a girl home.”

Suguru huffed out. “Is that so?”

“Hmmhmm.”

“Why is that?” She looked up at him from under her lashes and sipped on her champagne flute.

“Never met someone I liked this much,” Satoru said looking into Suguru’s eyes. “Someone as beautiful and intriguing.”

Suguru averted her gaze and inhaled.

“I’m so glad you came.” His mother appeared then. Her silver hair was in a bun and her smile lines deeper than the last time Satoru had seen her. Her kimono was purple and embroidered, and her ears, neck, and wrists were adorned by jewels passed down over hundreds of generations. Suguru bowed. “You must be Suguru. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” She turned to him. “Satoru, she is so gorgeous.”

Satoru smiled tightly. He hadn’t mentioned Suguru’s name to anyone, only notified that he was bringing a plus one. His mother had ears all over the place as usual. He wondered how much she already knew.

His mother directed them to their assigned table in the middle of the salon and then excused herself when she spotted Ambassador Hiroshi arriving with his wife. The tables were elaborately set with flower arrangements as centerpieces, the ballroom was illuminated by chandeliers, and people strolled inside in dazzling kimonos and ballgowns.

After the people settled they were served the starter of the five-course dinner.

Satoru tuned out everything and everyone. Focused all his attention on Suguru. The way she enjoyed the fine cuisine and licked the pad of her fingers after a piece of sushi topped with caviar, the way her body swayed to the sound of the live orchestra, and her expression whenever she spotted a famous person in the crowd.

It was the first time they’d spent so many hours together simply being.

It was unlike anything Satoru had ever experienced. He needed to touch Suguru at all times and feel the warmth of her skin. When everyone was too drunk to care he pulled Suguru onto his lap, closed his eyes, and breathed her in.

After dessert some of the guests made for the dance floor to dance. Laughter echoed through the room, some couples waltzed smoothly, and others swayed without rhythm.

Suguru stopped a waiter from refilling her glass. “No, thank you. Can I get a glass of water?”

Satoru sipped on his glass of grape soda. He lifted a brow at Suguru.

“What? I’m not about to get drunk and make a fool of myself in front of your parents. Thank you very much.”

Satoru set his glass down and stood up. “Come with me.” He held her hands and pulled her out of her seat. People turned to look at them as they joined the others on the dance floor, Satoru heard whispers of attendees gossiping, all of Jujustu society would have a field day tomorrow speculating on them but he didn't care.

His hands rested on Suguru’s waist. His left foot stepped forward, Suguru took a step back. She allowed Satoru to guide her as they moved in a circle to the music’s tempo. Satoru spun Suguru around and then pulled her close again to continue dancing. Her face flushed. He couldn’t see his own face but he was certain he was flushed too. Warmth spread from his chest, to his cheeks to his fingertips.

Everyone and everything else disappeared from his mind. Nothing mattered. Only them.

◃───────────▹

“Do you think I’m too old to go to college?”

Suguru lay on his chest, sweaty and warm, while Satoru enjoyed the afterglow of the sex they’d had. He was half-awake.

“What? Of course not. Why? You want to?”

They were in the master bedroom of their three-bedroom home. Satoru tried to come here as often as possible but his schedule made it difficult. He hoped his students could take on more difficult missions soon so he could be home more often. Suguru came with him to school at times and lounged around his dorm while he filled out paperwork, or walked around the premises while he gave classes.

Of course, it hadn’t taken long before someone complained about having a curse user on Jujutsu grounds but after some, let’s say, warnings they’d backed off.

“I don’t know. I keep thinking maybe that’s what I should do. But I don’t know if it’s what I want.” Satoru ran his hand down her bare back. “I was a decent student, back in the day, you know? Despite… my grades were always good. I think I could do it.”

“You can be whatever you want.”

“Well, I only have experience in stripping and being a paid assassin so…”

Satoru grimaced. The image of young Suguru twirling around the pole while old men reached for her was the stuff of nightmares. He unconsciously curled his hands into fists.

“See, how’s that for whatever?”

“What about becoming a jujutsu teacher? With your abilities and personality, I’m sure you could easily become the best in school. We would also get to spend more time together, that way.”

Suguru twisted her mouth, unconvinced.

Satoru laughed. “You don’t need to be anything. If money is what you’re worried about I can increase your monthly allowance to–”

“It’s not that.” Suguru rolled on her side. Satoru turned to spoon her. “Forget it.”

“Hey,” Satoru kissed her cheek. “I love you.”

Suguru smiled. “I love you, too.”

◃───────────▹

The restaurant was small and cozy, not too far away from Jujutsu grounds. Usually when he went out to eat with Shoko they picked an outside table so she could smoke to her heart’s content. Not this time.

“Suguru, I’m obsessed with your earrings. Where did you buy them?” Utahime asked.

“Oh, thanks,” Suguru touched the diamonds adorning her ears and smiled. “Satoru gifted them to me…”

“Oh my God,” Utahime brought a hand to her chest. “That is so cute! You guys are so cute I can’t believe it. I never thought I’d get to meet a girlfriend of Satoru’s… I mean, not saying he is ugly at all he just never… eh… seemed to want to settle down but I’m happy he found you!”

Shoko and he exchanged knowing glances, neither of them thought they’d ever be on a double date. They both were weak to their partners. He supposed it’s what functional adults did.

The waiter came around with their food.

“How did you two meet?” Utahime asked.

Suguru turned to look at Satoru.

“During a mission…" Satoru said. "Yeah. Not a lot to say about that.”

“When did you and Shoko start going out?” Suguru jumped in before Utahime inquired further on the subject.

Utahime’s eyes glimmered with excitement. “It’s a long story. Let me start from the beginning-”

Half-way through the story Satoru and Shoko excused themselves to go to the bathroom. They both headed for the exit door to stand outside. Shoko pulled out a cigarette and lit it up. She breathed the smoke in like a starved woman biting into bread.

“When are you going to admit to her you haven’t quit.” Satoru laughed.

Shoko gave him the middle finger. “Ugh, shut up. The last time I did that she cried. Look at you all loved up.” Shoko clapped his shoulder. “Never thought I’d see the day.”

“I mean, you’ve met her. Can you blame me?”

Shoko chuckled and nodded her head. “She’s really something.”

Satoru stared at Suguru from across the window. It’d been a year since he’d first met Suguru, some months since they’d started dating but… “She makes me feel insane, you know? Like, I can see myself spending the rest of my life with her. She’s so…”

“You better not propose before I do, Utahime would kill me. Wait, what happened to the other guy? Is she still married?”

That word: ‘married’ was bitter on his tongue. He’d brought up the idea of a divorce to Suguru a couple of times, faux-casual about it. Not too strong on the “I want to marry you” way because they were still early in their relationship, but more in the, “your legal documents still have the last name Fushiguro and every time I’m reminded of that I want to punch a dozen buildings” type of way. He had access to Japan's best lawyers, a divorce could be finalized in some months, maybe a year if the other motherfucker refused to sign his consent. It would make him sleep better to have that clean slate on paper. 

Suguru always acted weird after the suggestion. Cagey. She would try to change the subject. Come to think of it, she acted that way whenever he brought Toji up no matter what. So he stopped doing it. She’d open up to him when the time was right and he didn’t want to push her too much. But he couldn’t fool himself, he was desperate to know how things had ended between them.

◃───────────▹

Satoru arrived home before midnight. He descended on the garden from above the sky. After a long week of non-stop missions, he was home at last. He came to the house from the back door and looked for Suguru in the living room, expecting to find her curled up on the couch like she often did when Satoru texted her he was coming, but he didn’t find her there.

He walked to the kitchen next, expecting to find something home-cooked but the stove was pristine and empty. Maybe she’d been too busy, or tired to cook.

He went up the stairs. Her smell was all over the house, as were her clothes, shoes, and toothbrush, but she wasn’t there.

Satoru’s stomach dropped. He called her.

“Come on.” The dial tone sounded for excruciating seconds. Okay, she hadn’t blocked him. Her phone was on. The voicemail message began. Satoru dialed her number again, his foot tapping against the floor.

He was overreacting. Maybe she’d gone out and not noticed the time.

But what if she’d run away again? If that was the case Satoru would stop at nothing searching for her. He’d turn every corner of this hellish earth upside down until he-

“Hello? Satoru?”

“Suguru! Where are you, baby?”

“Hi, baby. I’m almost home. I was out shopping and didn’t realize the time. I’m sorry.”

“Hey, no, I get it. I didn’t see you and got a little worried. I’m home.”

“Can’t wait to see you, I’ll be right there. Mwah!” She hung up.

Maybe Shoko was right, maybe he needed to go to therapy.

Suguru arrived in one of the cars Satoru had gifted her. A black Rolls Royce that he had a chauffeur drive her around in.

“Hey,” she stood on her tippy toes to kiss him. Her breath was minty fresh. “Missed you.”

“You took the Rolls for a ride?”

“Oh, yeah. I wanted to give Ren the day, and driving is relaxing.”

“What did you buy?”

“Hmm?” Suguru stared at him for a second. “Oh, nothing. I didn’t like anything I tried on.” She smiled. “How were the missions?”

Satoru shrugged. “Same old, nothing to write home about. The curses seem to become stronger every day but I’m the strongest so…”

Suguru sauntered towards him and began to kiss his neck. “Are you tired? I missed you so much…” she unzipped his jacket. “Did you miss me?”

Satoru responded to her ministrations even if he was disgruntled. He grabbed her chin and kissed her, slow and deep. She jumped into his arms. She continued to run her hands over his chest until they reached the main bedroom.

Suguru didn’t waste time getting naked. She rid herself of all clothes in record time and turned on all fours. “I want you to fuck me like this tonight, please. Baby, I missed you so much. I want you inside of me, please.”

Satoru marveled at Suguru’s arched back, the roundness of her ass. He kissed down her spine and ran two fingers down her pussy. “Of course I missed you.”

“Please, Satoru.” Suguru sounded pained. “I want you.”

“You have me.” Satoru kneeled behind her and teased her entrance with the tip of his cock, already hard as a rock from the moment he heard Suguru’s voice.

Suguru let out a moan the moment he breached her. He grabbed onto her hips and started to thrust, building up speed. It’d been eight days since they’d last fucked and it felt like an eternity. Any time spent without Suguru felt that way.

“You like that, baby?”

“Yeah.” Suguru cried out. “Harder, please.”

Satoru complied, speeding his thrusts until the bed shook with force. He combed Suguru’s hair out of the way to kiss the nape of her neck and-

He found a small mark. Round and red on the back of Suguru’s neck. It was too big to pass for a mosquito bite. Too red to be from him. A hickey.

His blood turned cold. He felt like throwing up.

“Baby, why’d you stop?”

“Shut up.”

Satoru fisted her hair and went back to his pace with renewed energy. Suguru didn’t notice his change in demeanor, and if she did she must have thought it was part of the whole rough sex roleplay. She met his thrusts with fervor. She moaned when he pulled her hair and slapped her ass red and tender.

Satoru was getting little pleasure in the act. He was heartbroken. He was enraged. Who? He knew who. That’s why it stung so much. For how long? He wanted to know the answer to the question as much as he didn’t.

“You fucking slut.” He heard himself say. “You belong to me. You are mine and mine alone.”

Suguru tightened around his cock before coming with a wail. Collapsing onto the bed like a rag doll whose strings were cut.

Satoru wasn’t far behind. He turned her around while still inside of her so he could look at her face. Her face was a mix of guilt and pleasure, flushed, with mascara running down her cheeks.

Satoru sucked the skin of her neck with force. “Say you’re mine.”

“I’m yours,” Suguru whispered.

He fucked her while trailing his mouth down her body, making sure to leave his mark everywhere he could. Her neck, clavicles, her tits, and stomach. The next time he looked at her he would know. He would know Suguru was his.

After he came inside he rose from the bed. He felt… he didn’t know how he felt. In a way he wanted to be as far away from Suguru as he could in that moment, but at the same time he did not want her to leave his sight forever. He wanted to lock her up in his home so she would never be able to leave him again. 

The room was silent. Satoru stared out of the window and then back at Suguru, covered in bites like a mangled toy. Her vacant stare.

“Do you love him?”

“No.” Then after a moment. “I mean, yes.” It was like a stab to the heart. “You don’t understand, I’ve known him for almost half my life. He found me when I was at my worst. He was the first person to protect me, to take care of me, to love me… it’s not easy to stop loving someone like that.”

"Protect you?" Satoru shook his head. "That prick used you!"

"Maybe you're right, but it felt like love to me. He was the best thing that could've happened to me at that time of my life. I might not even be alive today had I not met him." She sat up. “But I’m not in love with him, Satoru, not anymore. I’m in love with you.”

“For how long?”

She closed her eyes. “I tried to get back with him after I left you. That’s part of the reason why we had sex that first time. I thought what I felt for you was a physical thing. That I just had to get you out of my system. I hoped things would go back to normal after a few weeks but I never stopped thinking about you. No matter how hard I tried.”

“After you and I… got together. I still saw him a few more times, to talk. He tried to win me back but we didn’t… I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. I didn’t know how. I was also afraid you’d grow tired of me at any point. I mean, why would someone like you be with someone like me?” She hugged her knees to her chest. “I didn’t fuck him tonight, if that's what you're wondering. Yes, I went to see him but that’s because… I never broke things off with him properly. I want an amicable divorce. He’s still my husband. He kissed me but I stopped him before it went further than that. Satoru, I swear. I'm sorry.” She broke down in tears. "I love you."

Satoru swallowed. “I love you, too.”

Satoru sat back on the bed by Suguru’s hunched-over figure. She looked smaller than ever, curled up on herself while sobs wracked her body. She locked eyes with Satoru and then hid her blotchy face between her hands, her hair like a dark curtain around her. Satoru combed the knotted hair out of the way. He wiped her tears with his thumb.

He’d made the one and only love of his life cry. Satoru hauled her to his lap and pressed her body against his. “No, I’m sorry.”

Suguru turned lax in his arms and her sobs quieted. They stayed like that until the sun began to rise on the horizon and the proof of what he’d done became evident.

Suguru was half-asleep in his arms, while Satoru inspected her body, the bruises would take weeks to heal. Suguru would have to wear scarves and long-sleeved turtlenecks for at least a month. Satoru was repulsed with himself. Maybe he was as bad as Suguru’s past boyfriends. Maybe he was worse.

Satoru laid her body down on the bed. Suguru yelped when her mauled neck touched the pillow. The skin of her hips bore the marks of his blunt nails that he’d dug into her, the ghost of his fingers while he’d grabbed, pulled, and scratched. There wasn’t an expanse of skin untouched by him, he’d ruined every inch of her.

Bile rose up his throat. He closed his eyes. He placed a hand on her chest, and another one on her cheek, he felt the blood in his veins warm up while his brain redirected positive energy to radiate out of his hands. Negative energy multiplied by negative energy. He furrowed his brows in concentration, his mouth turned dry, the output drained him little by little and he began to tire. It was harder than Shoko made it look, but it made sense now. The bruises and bitemarks began to fade away.

◃───────────▹

It was late at night when a man in a suit dropped off Toji near the sidewalk. He thanked the man, Shiu, and watched the car speed away then continued walking. The streets were scarce of people and cars, the air was cold and humid.

They were on the outskirts of the city.

Satoru turned a corner and faced Toji.

Toji stopped a few meters away. “Who are you?” He inclined his head. “Aren’t you Satoru Gojo?” He looked around. “Has my clan finally decided to get rid of me? They’re certainly cowardly enough to hire you to do it but I still can’t figure out why’d you take them up on the offer…” Realization dawned on him. “You’re here for her.”

Toji laughed. “Oh, man. Being cheated on with The Strongest is… makes it sting a little less, somehow. I knew whoever she was fucking must be rich and powerful but… Fucking Satoru Gojo.” He shook his head. “For a filthy clan head, you’ve got better taste than I thought, I’ll give you that.”

“Stop looking for her.”

“Look for her?" Toji threw his head back in laughter. "Kid, if she didn’t want to see me she wouldn’t. It’s her who can’t leave me alone. Why is that? Do you not fuck her hard enough?” Satoru felt anger settle inside him. He’d promised Suguru he wouldn’t hurt Toji.

In a millisecond Satoru was an inch away from him grasping the front of his shirt. “You’re disgusting. Aren’t you ashamed you stole years of her youth? You saw a girl in need and instead of helping her, you decided to use her. Pimp her out for your pathetic business deals.”

“You've got things all wrong, kid. She was pimping herself out before she met me. It’s people like you who never offered her a hand. Where were the oh-so-kind sorcerers when curses tormented her? When she was getting beat? When men wouldn’t take no for an answer? Where were you, then?” Toji pushed him away with enough force to knock the wind out of Satoru. “Don’t talk to me about being disgusting when I know where you come from. I met dozens like you in my clan. You’re the real leeches. Anyone weaker than you is merely an amusement. Something to be used and discarded. She’ll be no different. But I’ll be here for when you get bored of her…” His grimace turned to a smile. “I’ll welcome her with open arms and she’ll welcome me with open legs.”

Satoru drew a fist back before Toji finished his sentence. He expected his fist to collide with jawbone but Toji dodged his punch. He felt a cold press against his stomach and backed away in time before the blade ruptured his skin. Toji had taken out a cursed dagger. It had sliced Satoru’s shirt.

“You came for this, didn’t you? Come on.”

Satoru’s punch aimed at his stomach, his groin, his face. Toji was faster than he expected. His lack of curse energy made it harder to land a punch.

He breathed, waited for the moment Toji came closer then kicked him. Toji’s body went flying and collided against the wall.

Toji spat out blood, and grinned. “There it is.”

Satoru shot red his way. The ray of cursed energy pierced through the building, creating a cloud of debris. Toji was no longer there.

He felt a kick to his side and grabbed Toji’s wrist before he could drive the dagger inside his chest. “She’s the sweetest thing, isn’t she?”

Satoru punched him square on the nose. Toji staggered back. “I bet you’ve been with a thousand women, but none like her.”

“Shut up!” He couldn’t see where Toji was. A cloud of dirt surrounded them. Satoru waited for the moment Toji opened his mouth again. Satoru grabbed his shoulders, kneed his stomach then his face. Toji stabbed his leg. Satoru let out a guttural grunt.

Suguru would have to forgive him.

Jujutsu technique blue and red spurted from his hands, mixed with parts of the building and pavement and he launched it at Toji. This worked on most special-grade curses. Golden cascaded around them and Satoru was blinded for a moment.

It was silent, then he heard a pained moan. Toji had his back against a wall and was clutching a bloodied shoulder. He grinned. “Go on, finish the job.”

Satoru’s breath was labored from the exertion. He felt the blood soaking through the fabric of his pants.

“What are you waiting for?” Toji yelled, face ashen with pain. He wasn’t fatally wounded. A man like him would be able to continue fighting in this state, yet he closed his eyes and waited for Satoru’s final blow, then in a hushed tone said, “Make sure you take care of her. She deserves to be with someone like you.”

Satoru would make it quick. Painless, even. One shot of hollow purple directly at his heart.

He took a step. He felt the cursed energy flow through his veins. From his chest to his arms to the palm of his hand.

He lowered his arm.

It wasn’t the promise he’d made Suguru, nor the fact that Toji had a son. He didn’t know what it was but something stopped him.

Perhaps it was Toji’s words or Toji’s lack of fight and how pathetic he looked. He was the only man who knew first-hand what losing Suguru felt and the way it crushed your spirit. Maybe Satoru simply didn't want the death of his future wife’s ex on his conscience.

“Sign the divorce papers.” Satoru turned around before he regretted his decision. He remained alert. Waited for Toji to attack while he had his back turned but nothing happened. By the time he reached his house his wounds had healed and all he wanted was a shower.

◃───────────▹

The penthouse suite had been adorned to the brim per Satoru’s request. There was a Christmas tree in the middle of the living room adorned with lights and spheres. Garlands above the fireplace and door frames. It smelled like cinnamon and pine

Satoru was thinking about buying the place. Suguru seemed to enjoy himself any time he brought her here.

Earlier today he’d taken her to watch a private rendition of The Nutcracker. Now they were about to enjoy dessert made by one of the most sought-after culinary experts in the world.

Suguru sat at the narrow table across from him, sipping on a champagne flute. Her face would still light up no matter how many times Satoru had impressed her. Tonight, her eyes were glowing, her cheeks were rosy and she wouldn’t stop smiling.

“Are you enjoying yourself?” Satoru grabbed her hand and rubbed a thumb across her palm.

Suguru looked out the floor-to-ceiling windows, took in the breathtaking sight of Tokyo from far above. The people looked like red and green specks on the ground. Kids played in the snow. The decorations painted everything gold and white, red and green.

“You’ve outdone yourself tonight,” Suguru said. “Usually all I did on this date was get a KFC bucket and call it a night.”

A live jazz band played an instrumental rendition of Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.

“There’s still time for me to dismiss the chef and order one of those if you prefer it.”

Suguru shook her head. Her hair was shorter and curled at the ends this time, the length stopped at her breasts. She wore a dark blue, long cashmere dress with a deep neckline and an 80-carat diamond necklace, courtesy of Satoru.

“I remember the first time I saw you,” Satoru said. Suguru turned her attention back to him. “You’re even more gorgeous now if that’s even possible.” Suguru rolled her eyes but color rose to her cheeks. “You’re the most powerful woman I know, the most intelligent, the most empathetic. The students are only getting to know you but you’re already their favorite teacher.” Suguru scoffed. “That stings a little but I can’t blame them. Who wouldn’t fall in love with you.”

“Stop it. They’ve only known me for a few weeks, they don’t know what they’re saying.”

“Hmm, but I do. I’ve met you for long enough to be certain of everything I said and to know I want to spend the rest of my life with you.” He got on one knee.

Suguru dropped his jaw, she looked around the room. Turned her face away from him. “Satoru, what are you- Please, get up.”

Thinking she was being shy, Satoru continued. “I know some people might think it’s too early for me to do this but I don’t see myself wanting anyone else but you–”

Suguru stood up. “I’m being serious. Please, stop.” She shook her head, her tone was terrified. “Why now? We never discussed this.”

“Why now?” Satoru set the ring back on the table. Suguru stepped back until her back collided with the window. “Suguru, we’ve lived together for a year. You’ve met my parents. The timing is as good as ever. What’s wrong?”

“It’s just– things are perfect. What we have right now is… Why disturb it with legalities? You’re not thinking clearly. You haven’t considered the ramifications of a marriage. You–”

Satoru frowned. “What are you talking about?”

Suguru shook her head. “You’ll become the laughingstock in your clan's eyes. Do you think they’ll approve of you marrying me? A nobody whose parents weren’t even sorcerers? A divorced woman? A whore?”

Satoru thought this conversation had been left in the past.“You’re not a– I don’t care about your past. I thought I’d made myself clear on that.”

“It exists even if you ignore it. It’ll take no time for everyone in your society to find out, that is if they haven’t already. The press will hound you. You’ll lose your credibility against all major clans.”

“I don’t ignore it. I accept it as a part of you. You did what you had to survive, that’s okay. As for everything else, I couldn’t give less of a fuck about the clans. I’ll erase them all from Earth if I have to. They’ll be dead the moment they speak ill of you.”

Suguru’s jaw tightened. “They want an heir. Your clan.”

Satoru blinked. “And? If you don’t want to have children, that is all right with me. I’ve never liked them that much anyway. I won’t let them pressure you into anything.”

Satoru came closer until Suguru was between the window and his body. “If you really don’t want to marry me I’ll try to understand it but.” He grabbed her chin and lifted her face. They locked eyes. “You don’t have to be afraid. I promise to protect you, from everything and everyone to the best of my abilities.” He kissed her on the lips. “You’re the one and only love of my life. I want you to belong to me as much as I want to belong to you.”

Suguru let out a shaky breath. Her eyes glowed with unshed tears. She closed her eyes and nodded her head, placing a hand on Satoru’s cheek. Her heart slowed down. “I’m never afraid when I’m with you.”

𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝕰𝖓𝖉.