𝐻𝑒𝑙𝑝, 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑖𝑠 𝑡𝑜𝑜 𝑚𝑎𝑛𝑦 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑠 𝐼 𝑤𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑡𝑜 𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑡 𝑟𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑛𝑜𝑤 𝑏𝑢𝑡 𝑑𝑒𝑐𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑑 𝑡𝑜 𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑓𝑖𝑐 𝑖𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑎𝑑, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 ℎ𝑜𝑛𝑒𝑠𝑡𝑙𝑦 𝐼'𝑑 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑦 𝑙𝑜𝑣𝑒 𝑖𝑓 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑟𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑒𝑠𝑡 𝑠𝑜𝑚𝑒 𝑏𝑒𝑎𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑓𝑢𝑙 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑠 𝑦'𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑐𝑎𝑛 𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑛 𝑖𝑚𝑎𝑔𝑖𝑛𝑒 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐼 𝑤𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑑 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑦 𝑙𝑜𝑣𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑠ℎ 𝑖𝑡, 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑘𝑠 𝑎 𝑙𝑜𝑡, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐼 𝑎𝑙𝑠𝑜 𝑚𝑎𝑑𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑔 𝑓𝑖𝑐 𝑏𝑒𝑐𝑎𝑢𝑠𝑒 𝐼 𝑅𝐸𝐴𝐿𝐿𝑌 𝑀𝐼𝑆𝑆 𝐺𝑂𝐽𝑂 𝑆𝑂 𝑀𝑈𝐶𝐻 𝐴𝑁𝐷 𝐼'𝑉𝐸 𝐵𝐸𝐸𝑁 𝐹𝐸𝐸𝐷𝐼𝑁𝐺 𝑀𝑌𝑆𝐸𝐿𝐹 𝑊𝐼𝑇𝐻 𝐷𝐸𝐿𝑈𝑆𝐼𝑂𝑁𝑆. 𝐴𝑛𝑦𝑤𝑎𝑦𝑠, 𝑒𝑛𝑗𝑜𝑦.
𝐶ℎ𝑒𝑐𝑘 𝐺-𝑇𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑜𝑝ℎ𝑒 𝐿𝑖𝑠𝑡 𝐹𝑜𝑟 𝑀𝑜𝑟𝑒.
𝑆𝑊 : 𝑇𝑎𝑘𝑒𝑠 𝑖𝑛 𝑔𝑜𝑗𝑜'𝑠 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑 𝑦𝑒𝑎𝑟 𝑖𝑛 𝑗𝑢𝑗𝑢𝑡𝑠𝑢 ℎ𝑖𝑔ℎ, 𝑠𝑜𝑚𝑒 𝑠𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑠 𝑚𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑏𝑒 𝑎𝑠 𝑐𝑎𝑛𝑜𝑛 𝑎𝑠 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑎𝑛𝑖𝑚𝑒!!! 𝑇𝐻𝐼𝑆 𝐼𝑆 𝑅𝐸𝐴𝐿𝐿𝑌 𝐿𝑂𝑁𝐺!!
𝐶𝑈 : 𝐺𝑜𝑗𝑜 𝑆𝑎𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑢 𝑥 𝑆ℎ𝑦!𝑅𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑒𝑟
You were a first year, along with Yu haibara and Nanami Kento, except, as someone who is shy and wouldn't talk unless they are spoken too, you seem to fit in a lot with Yu and ofcores, especially Nanami, who both understands your unspoken words. You have been in jujutsu high as a first year for more than six months. But, along the way of fighting and killing curse spirits, your unexpectedly caught on in an unspoken story with the strongest jujutsu sorcerer of all time. Gojo. Gojo Satoru. You admire him, honestly, I think you admire him a lot. But unfortunately.. You have made yourself invisible after getting noticed secretly by Gojo himself, you have tried to avoid everything, and tried to be unnoticed by anyone, all because you didn't want him to think your after his looks.
Location : Tokyo Jujutsu High, hallways.
Year/time : Year 2006, Morning.
The stone hallways of Tokyo Jujutsu High echoed faintly with footsteps, three first-year students moving in sync.
“—and then I told him, ‘𝐼’𝑙𝑙 𝑒𝑥𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑖𝑠𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑢𝑟𝑠𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝑒 𝑖𝑓 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑔𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑚𝑒 𝑒𝑥𝑡𝑟𝑎 𝑠𝑛𝑎𝑐𝑘𝑠 𝑎𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑣𝑒𝑛𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑒!” Yu Haibara laughed loudly, his voice bright like summer.
Nanami Kento, hands tucked neatly into his pockets, didn’t even look at him as he just closes his eyes with a soft sigh. “That’s abuse of your position.”
“Aw, come on, Nanami! Don’t ruin the mood!” Yu pouted, though the grin stayed fixed on his face.
Trailing just a step behind them, you walked with a gentle smile, listening silently. You weren’t as bold as Yu or as blunt as Nanami, but being with them always felt safe, and to be honest, it also made you feel like home.
But then—voices up ahead greeted them. Familiar ones.
“Oi, the first years,” came a deep, teasing tone.
Your eyes flicked up. The second years were gathered in the corridor; Suguru Geto with his usual sly smirk, Shoko Ieiri adjusting the strap of her bag, and towering over them, Gojo Satoru, white hair practically glowing under the morning sunlight.
Yu’s face lit up. “Senpais!” He bolted forward, waving with both arms. Nanami followed, giving the group a polite nod.
You mimicked Nanami’s gesture, but instinct tugged you to take half a step back, tucking yourself behind him.
“Yo, little guys!” Geto greeted with mock grandeur. Gojo leaned lazily against the wall, smirk widening. “Already causing trouble?”
“Not as much as you,” Nanami muttered, making both Geto and Shoko laugh a little.
Shoko’s gaze suddenly drifted and landed on you. She smiled gently. “Oh hey there, Y/n, I almost didn't notice you there, how's it going?”
The sudden address made you flinch. Forcing yourself out from behind Nanami, you gave a small bow, murmuring a greeting.
“Cute,” Geto chuckled, waving casually.
But Gojo didn’t say anything.
You kept your eyes low, careful not to glance at him. It wasn’t that you didn’t want to, you wanted to more than anything. You really admire him after all. But you weren’t like the others who fawned over his looks. You didn’t want to seem like that. And besides, you were almost certain he didn’t even know you existed, you were sure you hid yourself well enough so Gojo wouldn't notice.
The conversation buzzed around you, voices muffled as if underwater. Then, almost unconsciously, you tilted your head up-
Behind tinted sunglasses, ℎ𝑖𝑠 gaze was already fixed on you.
Gojo Satoru was looking right at you.
The breath caught in your throat, cheeks burning as though fire had bloomed beneath your skin.
Before the moment could stretch any further, Geto hooked a hand around Gojo’s collar. “Come on, idiot, Yaga-sensei will kill us if we're late.”
“Wha—hey! Don’t manhandle me, Suguru!” Gojo protested dramatically, stumbling as he was dragged away. Shoko waved calmly over her shoulder.
Just as the second years were finally gone, Yu turned back, his expression confused when he noticed the space beside Nanami was empty. “Huh? Where’d Y/n go?”
Nanami’s eyes flicked downward. Yu followed his gaze—and blinked.
There you were, crouched low with your head buried in your knees, arms wrapped tightly around your legs. Steam rose from your flushed face like a teapot about to whistle.
“Y/n!?” Yu yelped, panicking as he looked around. “Quick, quick—does anyone have a fan?!” He scrambled down the hall, muttering about overheating.
Nanami sighed, tugging a hand down his face. His voice was calm, but his eyes softened with a hint of understanding.
Because Nanami already knew why.
Location : Abandoned Building, Outskirts of Tokyo
Time : Evening, sun going down.
The abandoned complex groaned under its own decay, concrete echoing each step. Dust hung in the air like a veil.
“Y/n, stay close,” Nanami’s calm voice warned.
You nodded silently, sticking close behind him and Yu. Yu grinned at you when he noticed the slight worry on your face, trying to reassure. “Don’t worry, Y/n!, we’ll finish this quick!”
But the curse had other plans. The hall twists unnaturally, walls bending like they were alive or rather, being controlled by something. Shadows stretched, swallowing you whole. Before you can even react, the floor beneath your feet had shifted.
“Y/n!” Yu shouted, but his voice was cut off.
You didn't know where you are right now as it was another different hallway, but there's one thing you know for sure. You were alone.
A growl reverberated behind you. The curse, a grotesque, crawling thing with too many limbs- emerged from the darkness. Your heart leapt into your throat. You quickly stood and ran, boots slapping against cracked tiles.
“𝑇ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑘, 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑘, 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑘!,” you thought.
The creature’s screeches and chases you until you spotted a cracked window ahead. Instinct took over you as you channeled cursed energy into your technique and shot it at the cracked window, glass shattered outward with a violent crash.
The world tilted. For a split second, you braced for bone-breaking impact-
Instead, you felt strong arms catch you mid-air, the sudden stop stealing your breath.
Slowly, you cracked your eyes open.
Behind his dark lenses, the glow of his Six Eyes was active, locked on you as if he’d seen every second of your fall. His expression was unreadable, though the corner of his lips hinted at amusement.
Your own eyes widened, words dying in your throat.
“Y/n! Are you okay!?” Yu’s voice broke through as he rushed over. Nanami followed close behind, his usual composure slipping into a rare crease of concern. “My apologies. I should’ve kept you closer.”
Their voices blurred in your ears, muffled under the rush of heat to your face.
“𝑇-𝑇ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑖𝑠 𝑡𝑜𝑜 𝑐𝑙𝑜𝑠𝑒!, 𝑡𝑜𝑜 𝑚𝑢𝑐ℎ 𝑐𝑙𝑜𝑠𝑒!” Your mind squeeled.
Your skin burned crimson, steam practically puffing from your head like a kettle left too long. Without thinking, you squirmed from Gojo’s hold, stumbling before bowing so fast your forehead nearly hit your knees.
Then, retreat. You darted behind Yu like a startled cat, clutching both his arms tightly as you hid your face against his back. Yu blinked, baffled, while Nanami simply sighed, already knowing.
“Well, well, look at you first-years.” Geto’s voice floated over as he and Shoko approached from the broken entrance.
Shoko gave a lazy wave, cigarette dangling from her fingers. “Backup arrived just in time.”
“Thank you for coming,” Nanami said, giving them both a polite bow. Yu followed, his smile bright. “Yeah! You guys are amazing!”
Geto smirked, hands in his pockets. “You should be more careful, though. Curses love picking off the quiet ones.” His eyes flicked toward you knowingly, though his tone wasn’t unkind.
From behind Yu’s back, you peeked out just enough to see Gojo still watching you, the glint of his Six Eyes unreadable under his shades.
And in that moment, your heart thudded so loudly, you were sure everyone in the hall could hear it.
Location : Streets of Tokyo.
Time : Evening, sun going down.
The streets were painted gold by the setting sun, neon signs just beginning to flicker to life. People bustled past, but three figures in their Jujutsu High uniforms stood out as they strolled casually, bags of cake boxes dangling from their hands.
“Man, Nanami and Haibara are really shaping up, huh?” Geto commented, his smirk lazy as he adjusted the strap of the bag he carried. “Wouldn’t surprise me if they hit semi-grade 1 soon.”
Shoko exhaled smoke from her cigarette, holding a milk tea in her free hand. “Them, sure. But Y/n too. Quiet as she is, her technique’s solid. It’s only a matter of time.”
Geto gave a small nod. “You’re right.” His eyes cut sideways, a smirk tugging at his lips. “Even though she runs off every time Gojo shows up. Probably thinks he’s terrifying.”
Gojo, sipping noisily from his oversized milk tea, nearly choked. “Oi, oi, excuse you, If anything, it’s because I’m 𝑡𝑜𝑜 handsome. Intimidatingly so.” He tapped his sunglasses with mock arrogance. “It’s a curse.”
Geto rolled his eyes. “Yeah, right. Keep telling yourself that.”
Shoko flicked ash into a nearby tray, her cigarette balanced between her lips as she spoke smoothly. “Either way, if anything happens in the future, you’d better treat her well, Gojo.” She leaned back slightly, lighting another cigarette. “She’s too kind for her own good. Not the type to fall for someone’s looks alone.”
Gojo froze mid-sip, his straw still between his teeth. “...Huh?”
Geto’s smirk widened with mischief. “Wait, wait—are you saying Y/n has a 𝑐𝑟𝑢𝑠ℎ on Gojo?” His tone was loud enough to turn a few passerby heads, and he grinned wider at Gojo’s sharp glare.
Shoko, however, shook her head, smoke curling around her words. “Who knows. I didn’t say that. And even if I did know, I wouldn’t tell you idiots.”
Gojo blinked behind his sunglasses, confused. “Then why say she’s not the type to like someone for looks…?”
“Because she isn’t,” Shoko replied simply, her gaze fixed on the darkening sky. “That’s just who she is.”
The playful atmosphere faltered for a beat, leaving Gojo unusually quiet.
For once, he didn’t have a comeback.
Because in his head, the words lingered: 𝑆ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑑𝑛’𝑡 𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑏𝑙𝑦 𝑙𝑖𝑘𝑒 𝑎 𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑜𝑛 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑟 𝑙𝑜𝑜𝑘𝑠.
Location : Tokyo Jujutsu High - Stone Staircase.
Time : Late afternoon, after school.
The late afternoon air was cool, the sky still touched by fading sunlight. You sat on the worn stone staircase near the training fields, notebook balanced on your knees, pen scratching against the page.
Your friends weren’t here, Yu and Nanami were both out on a mission, and it's not because you weren’t needed, but because Yaga-sensei wanted you to focus. “Improve more before throwing yourself back into the field,” they’d said after the last mission.
So, here you were. Alone.
You leaned closer to your notebook, brows furrowed. The formulas and cursed technique notes weren’t making sense, no matter how many times you rewrote them.
But then suddenly, shadow fell across the page. Then, without warning, someone slid down the step behind you, long legs stretching out on either side of your small form.
“Y’know,” Gojo’s playful voice hummed near your ear, “you’re doing this all wrong.”
Your eyes widened. You were sitting squarely between Gojo Satoru’s legs.
Every nerve in your body screamed, but you didn’t dare look at him. Your gaze stayed locked on your notebook, fingers stiff around your pen, while your heart pounded painfully fast in your chest.
“Here,” Gojo reached forward, plucking the pen right out of your hand. His fingers brushed yours in the process, casual and careless—but it felt anything but casual to you.
He started writing, leaning over slightly so his shoulder brushed yours. “See? You’re missing the connection here. If you channel cursed energy this way instead-” His explanation flowed, smooth but oddly patient.
You tried. You really did. You nodded at the right times, eyes following his notes, but every word blurred together, drowned by the closeness of him. “𝑇𝑜𝑜 𝑐𝑙𝑜𝑠𝑒- 𝑤𝑎𝑦 𝑡𝑜𝑜 𝑐𝑙𝑜𝑠𝑒-!”
You bit the inside of your cheek, fighting desperately to keep your expression calm. If you let even a hint of a blush slip, you knew you’d immediately fall unconscious right there on the staircase.
Meanwhile, Gojo’s voice slowed. His words trailed off now and then, sunglasses tilting downward slightly. Because despite himself, his gaze kept drifting to your face, studying the way you pressed your lips together in concentration, the way your lashes lowered stubbornly over your eyes as though refusing to look his way.
And for once, he couldn’t explain why he kept looking.
Meanwhile, a few steps away, leaning against the wall, Geto sighed dramatically, running a hand through his hair.
“Tch. If he just wanted to help her with homework, he could’ve said so. Did he really have to drag us along for this?” His smirk betrayed the grumble, sharp and amused.
Shoko lit another cigarette, the flame briefly illuminating her face. She exhaled smoke, eyes half-lidded as she watched the scene in silence.
She didn’t say anything. But she knew something.
Location : Tokyo Jujutsu High - First year's Classroom.
The chalk tapped rhythmically against the board as Yaga Masamichi explained the day’s lesson. Nanami sat neatly, pen scratching notes in a perfectly straight line. Yu leaned on his desk, chin resting on his palm, his other hand doodling something entirely unrelated to the lecture.
You sat between them, notebook open, eyes drifting.
Your mind wasn’t in the classroom.
Back then, in your first time being a first year student in Tokyo jujutsu high, Gojo Satoru had been nothing more than another upperclassman to you, loud, cocky, and constantly surrounded by students from other branches of Jujutsu High who trailed him with hearts practically glowing in their eyes. You had only observed from a distance, quietly convinced he was just… that type. Someone untouchable.
But then there was that mission.
You, Yu, and Nanami had been sent as back-up for the second years. The curse was nothing out of the ordinary- but the aftermath was. You had watched Gojo crouch down in front of a traumatized boy, a kid who had just seen his family nearly killed by the curse. Gojo had reassured him in his strange, playful way- pulling faces, ruffling the boy’s hair, speaking with a cheer that somehow softened the boy’s tears into hiccuping laughter.
That was when something in you shifted.
Until then, days later, you realized it hadn’t shifted back.
Now, whenever you spotted Gojo across the training fields or down the hall, you caught yourself hiding, behind pillars, behind Yu, even behind your own notebooks, watching quietly, convinced he’d never notice you.
But lately… it felt like he had.
Somehow, Gojo Satoru kept appearing in your orbit, sitting beside you on the stone Staircase outside of school- (which is your favorite spot when studying), leaning too close when you were reading, even dragging himself into your quiet spaces with that infuriating ease.
You were confused. Terribly so.
The low voice snapped you out of your thoughts- just as something lightly 𝑏𝑜𝑛𝑘𝑒𝑑 against the top of your head.
You blinked, looking up to see Yaga holding a notebook in one large hand, his expression stern but not unkind. “Focus. You’re not in detention, you’re in my class. Pay attention.”
Your cheeks warmed instantly. “S-sorry, Yaga-sensei!” You bowed your head quickly, clutching your pen as if it could anchor you.
From beside you, Yu chuckled, “Spacing out again, Y/n? Don’t worry, I’ll share my notes- oh wait, mine are doodles. Never mind.”
Nanami gave him a sharp side-eye before looking at you, concern etched into his usual calm features. “Are you alright? You’ve seemed… distracted lately.”
You ducked your head further over your notebook, trying to focus on the lines of text Yaga had written. “I’m fine,” you muttered softly.
But your mind betrayed you.
Because even now, unbidden, it drifted back to Gojo- his voice, his laugh, the way he had looked at that child with something deeper than arrogance. And you hated how easily your heart quickened at the thought.
Geto adjusted the strap of his uniform, his eyes narrowing slightly as Gojo stopped- again- in front of a sweets shop.
“Hold on a sec,” Gojo chirped, already stepping inside. A few minutes later he emerged, swinging a paper bag with brightly wrapped mochi boxes.
Shoko raised a brow, cigarette dangling from her lips. “More sweets?”
“Yup.” Gojo grinned beneath his sunglasses. “The first-years did good on their last mission. Gotta reward the kids, y’know?”
Geto hummed, but didn’t answer.
Because both he and Shoko knew the truth.
The first-years hadn’t been on a mission in weeks. Yaga had them focusing strictly on training. And Gojo’s excuse… well, it was transparent at best.
By the third time it happened, Shoko and Geto exchanged a look- the same thought passing between them wordlessly.
Gojo Satoru was a terrible liar.
And worse: he had a 𝑐𝑟𝑢𝑠ℎ.
When evening light spilling lazily through the tall windows. Y/n had already retired to her dorm room, quiet as always.
But meanwhile, Geto and Shoko intercepted the remaining first-years in their dorms.
Yu was just tidying up his bed until he heard a knock on his door.
When he opened it, he was shock to see both Shoko and Geto standing in front of him.
Yu blinked rapidly when Shoko leaned down to his height, voice smooth and sly. “Hey, Haibara. We’re planning something.”
“Something?” Yu tilted his head, eyes sparkling with curiosity.
“Something involving Gojo and Y/n,” Geto added casually, a smirk tugging at his lips.
Yu’s entire face lit up like fireworks. “EH!? You mean- like a love plan mission? Count me in!!-” His voice carried down the hall, and Geto quickly clamped a hand over his mouth before the entire school heard.
Shoko exhaled smoke, but then, her gaze suddenly notice Nanami, who had just finish something regarding yaga-sensei's orders and was about to head back to his dorm, although he had tried to avoid shoko's gaze, possibly had already overheard the conversation.
“You’re coming too,” she said simply.
Nanami finally shows defeat and sighs. “I don’t see why this involves me.”
“Because you’re her classmate,” Shoko replied, unimpressed. “And because you’re responsible.”
Geto smirked knowingly. “And because you already know, don’t you? About how she feels.”
Nanami’s lips pressed into a thin line. He didn’t confirm it aloud, but his silence was enough of an answer.
Yu, bouncing with barely-contained excitement, wriggled free of Geto’s grip. “This is great! We’ll totally make them closer! Maybe Gojo-senpai can—”
“Quiet,” Nanami muttered, pinching the bridge of his nose. “This is ridiculous.”
But even so, he didn’t walk away.
Because, ridiculous or not, it was Shoko who had asked. And Nanami knew better than to ignore her.
Location : Outside Tokyo Jujutsu School, Karaoke place.
Time : Evening, after school.
The neon lights of the karaoke building glowed against the twilight sky. You trailed behind Yu and Nanami, clutching your bag tightly to your shoulder.
Yu had invited you to a karaoke night, or so you had not expected at least, after school had ended, he just dragged you outside along with Nanami who unexpectedly didn't resist, and that's where you see it: You, standing just outside of a karaoke place.
“C’mon, Y/n!” Yu beamed, tugging on your sleeve. “Shoko-senpai said she has something fun in mind. Karaoke night! We’ll all go together!”
You hesitated, glancing at Nanami. He stood stiffly, gaze fixed straight ahead. When your eyes lingered on him, he sighed quietly and looked away.
That told you enough. 𝐹𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑑. Probably by Yu’s pleading or Shoko’s insistence. Maybe both.
Still, you found yourself nodding. “…Alright.”
By the time you reached the door, Shoko had sent in her message, Yu was practically bouncing. He texted her quickly: 𝑾𝒆'𝒓𝒆 𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆!
The door slid open. Shoko leaned against the frame, cigarette on her hand, a faint smile on her lips. “Took you long enough. Come in.”
Yu darted in first, then Nanami with his usual composed stride. You stepped inside last, letting the warmth of the room wash over you- along with the sounds of muffled music.
Your eyes scanned automatically.
Yu was already snatching a microphone, belting out the first verse of a song before Nanami even sat down. Nanami calmly flipped through the songbook, clearly deciding which track Yu was allowed to sing next.
Geto. Seated comfortably, smirk tugging at his lips as his gaze found you. He lifted a finger, pointing toward the couch at the far end.
Gojo Satoru. Leaning back lazily, sunglasses reflecting the neon lights, his eyes beneath them fixed directly on you.
Heat rushed to your face. You whipped your body to the side, back half-turned in panic. “𝑂𝑓𝑐𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑠 ℎ𝑒'𝑑 𝑏𝑒 ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒!!” Your thoughts screamed.
But before you could retreat, Shoko’s hand pressed lightly against your shoulder. With surprising speed and decisiveness, she guided you forward and made you sat down.
You stumbled into the spot she nudged you toward- directly beside Gojo.
As you sat down, the couch dipped slightly as gojo shifted, pulling himself closer to you. Your heart thudded painfully in your chest. You kept your eyes locked on your lap, fingers twisting nervously in your bag strap.
Around you, Yu’s singing cracked as Geto joined in off-key, both laughing. Nanami’s low voice scolded them between verses. Shoko hummed with amusement as she selected the next ridiculous song.
Silent, and watching you.
His eyes kept drifting to the strands of hair that curtained your face, hiding you from him. For a moment, he hesitated- then his fingers twitched. Before he even thought it through, he reached out, brushing the strands gently aside.
And without realizing it, you lifted your head.
The world narrowed to a breathless stillness- because Gojo’s face was already close to yours. So close you could see past the lenses of his sunglasses, his blue Six Eyes glowing faintly in the neon.
Time hung suspended between you both.
Then, suddenly, Gojo jerked back. He dropped onto the table, arms folded, burying his face into one as his free hand tugged at his white hair. His ears- barely visible between his locks- flushed red.
You blinked, bewildered, your face flaming hot. You wanted to move, to speak, to do anything, but your body refused, leaving you frozen in a haze of warmth.
Shoko, across the room, narrowed her eyes at Gojo’s strange posture. Tugging on Geto’s sleeve, she gestured toward him.
Geto stopped mid-line, following her gaze. His smirk returned immediately, sharp and knowing.
Shoko slipped her flip phone from her pocket with practiced ease. A faint click sounded as she snapped a photo. “Blackmail,” she said flatly, cigarette between her fingers. After a beat, her lips quirked. “…And for personal reasons.”
Geto sweatdropped, chuckling under his breath. “Shoko, you’re dangerous.”
Meanwhile, Yu belted out the chorus off-key, Nanami pinching the bridge of his nose-butterly oblivious to the storm brewing quietly on the couch.
The karaoke room emptied into the cool Tokyo night, neon lights reflecting off the wet pavement. Yu stretched with a loud groan, “That was amazing! I could’ve gone another hour!”
Shoko snorted, flicking her lighter before tucking it back into her pocket. She leaned toward Yu, whispering something that made him giggle uncontrollably. Then she straightened and turned toward Gojo, her lips tugging into a sly smile.
“Hey, Gojo,” she said casually, “why don’t you walk Y/n back to the dorms? The rest of us have other plans.”
Geto blinked, brows furrowing. “Other plans? Since when—”
He cut off with a pained grunt as Shoko’s elbow jabbed firmly into his ribs. “Since now,” she replied sweetly, tugging Yu along.
Nanami sighed through his nose, adjusting his bag on his shoulder. He didn’t bother to argue, he already knew exactly why Shoko was orchestrating this.
Gojo, on the other hand, stumbled. “Huh? Wait, what plans? What are you-”
But Shoko had already hooked her arm through Geto’s and was dragging him away, Yu bouncing happily behind them. Nanami followed at his own measured pace, leaving only two behind.
Gojo’s ears tinged red as he shifted, scratching the back of his neck. “Uh… guess it’s just us.” He cleared his throat, glancing at you before quickly looking away. “Hey, uh, is it okay if we stop by a store first? Won’t take long.”
You nodded shyly, a blush dusting your cheeks. “...That’s fine.”
The streets were alive with lights, chatter, and the soft hum of cars. You walked a step behind Gojo, hugging your bag close. He noticed after a while- the distance, the way you kept trailing rather than walking beside him.
Turning halfway toward you, he raised his hand out, palm open. His voice softened, just enough to slip past the noise of the city. “Can’t have you getting lost in the crowd, can I?”
Your eyes widened, breath catching. Hesitation coiled in your chest, but slowly, you placed your hand in his.
His fingers twitched at the contact. His ears turned crimson again, though he kept his face turned forward, pretending to be unfazed. With your hands clasped, the two of you began walking side by side.
The air felt lighter now, your steps syncing with his.
Eventually, Gojo halted outside a small store, his gaze caught by something in the window. Without letting go at first, he guided you toward it- then finally released your hand to hold the door open. “After you.”
Inside, he scanned the shelves until his eyes landed on it. A panda headband.
Before you could react, he plucked it off the rack and slipped it onto your head.
You blinked up at him, startled. “Wha—?”
Gojo’s mouth quirked, a chuckle bubbling out before breaking into laughter. His cheeks flushed pink as he leaned back, hand pressed to his forehead. “Oh man… You- hah- ..You look really cute in that.”
Heat flared across your face. But as you touched the silly panda ears sitting atop your hair, a small smile tugged at your lips. Then, softly at first, you laughed too.
The awkward weight between you evaporated, replaced by something warmer. The kind of laughter that belonged only to the two of you.
Gojo grabbed the headband, placed it on the counter, and paid without hesitation. Then, bag in hand, he laced his fingers through yours again as you both stepped back onto the neon-lit street.
This time, no hesitation.
Hand in hand, you walked together, laughter echoing between you, quiet and bright- something far more beautiful than either of you expected, and it turned out, the unspoken words weren't as unspoken as you thought.
𝐼'𝑚 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑛 𝑗𝑜𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝐼 𝑠𝑎𝑦 𝑏𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑚𝑎𝑛 𝑏𝑎𝑐𝑘, 𝐻𝐸 𝐵𝐸𝑇𝑇𝐸𝑅 𝐵𝐸 𝑂𝑁 𝑇𝐻𝐸 𝐽𝑈𝐽𝑈𝑇𝑆𝑈 𝐾𝐴𝐼𝑆𝐸𝑁 𝑆𝐸𝑄𝑈𝐸𝐿, 𝐼 𝐷𝑂𝑁'𝑇 𝐶𝐴𝑅𝐸.
