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An old soul, that’s what he realized she was.
And Satoru thrived on using that line on Utahime over and over just to get her pissed off. It was fun really, seeing her all riled up and ready with some snarky (lame) response.
She never paid much attention to him and everyone paid attention to him, so safe to say he was initially interested in her because of her disinterest in him.
However, as the years progressed he realized that their friendship of sorts had become something invaluable.
Being the greatest jujutsu sorcerer taught Satoru to be sagacious of whom he trusts, and that if you can find someone you trust, never let them go. Despite their frequent banter, Satoru knew that little old Utahime was a fiercely loyal goody-two-shoes who despite her respect for the rules (and elders) knew what the jujutsu world lacked and wouldn’t hesitate to help him for the right cause.
He knew he was a pain in the ass, he is painfully self-aware, the difference is that he simply doesn’t give a shit. And he knows he gets on Utahime’s last nerve but he just can’t help it, plus it doesn’t seem like she minds it that much.
And yet, when something’s wrong, when he’s stressed, she just knows.
She cares, in her own Utahime way. Bringing him sweets, subtly trying to make some conversation (sometimes willingly making an opening for him to make fun of her) and maybe she’ll just sit next to him in silence.
He appreciated it, more than she’ll ever know. It was fun being with her, he felt comfortable.
Satoru is a child in a man’s body but even sometimes he can think like an adult, sometimes. As a teenager, he teased her because it was ‘fun’, but as he grew older he would continue to tease her just to get her attention, just so they could talk a little bit more, just so he could see her hide a smile when he made a particular joke.
He felt different when he was with her, it was a distinct feeling that separated the interactions he had with others.
And then it hit him.
The realization wasn’t a grand reveal, he happened to catch her reading ‘How to be the teacher your students want you to be’ her eyes intently scanning its pages.
He couldn’t help but chuckle to himself, she was adorable.
Not a nerd, not a loser, nothing. His mind went straight to adorable.
Oh, I get it now.
He then made his way to her, plucking the book from her hands and holding it far above her reach, “How’s the weather down there Utahime?” He laughed.
“Gojo give that back you dumbass!” She uselessly tried to reach for the book, knowing full well that if she even attempted to kick him he would simply activate infinity.
“Hmmm, what’s this? Don’t tell me you’re reading on how to be ‘cool’ for teenagers.” He hummed, satisfied with her embarrassed flush.
“Just shut up and give it to me or I’ll-”
“Or what?” He singsonged. And thus their banter continued.
These fluttery, intimate feelings grew with each encounter they had, and oh boy was he tempted to act on it.
He flirted with anything and everything in sight, that was just him.
But with her, he took that flirting up a notch, making her visibly flustered, giving her suggestive comments, teasing her in almost every single conversation.
Essentially, like a teenage boy who didn’t know how to handle ‘feelings’ (he would never admit that).
He did have some semblance of self-control though, especially on instances where he wanted to tuck the loose strand of her hair behind her ear or when he had the urge to hug her close to his chest and pepper her with kisses all over her grumpy face or maybe even brush his thumb across the scar that adorned her face in the most graceful way.
He danced around his feelings but promised himself to never, ever, truly give in to it.
Utahime was someone who preferred a stable, comfortable life, she was more grounded, committed and mature, on the other hand, he was reckless, didn’t know how to project his feelings, lacked commitment and was, despite popular belief (not), immature.
They were complete opposites and he knew a romantic relationship with her would just hurt the both of them.
He would do stupid things, he couldn’t trust himself to be consistent with a relationship and then, she would genuinely hate him.
Utahime hating me?
For some reason, that thought didn’t bode well with him, it brought a heavy pang in his chest.
He would not take that risk, he would not be reckless, he couldn’t afford to be with the relationship he had with her, it was too precious.
She deserves better.
While Gojo Satoru was known to be an over-confident, bratty, annoying smart-ass and many other unlikeable things, he also remembers the little things, enjoys making his loved ones smile, is observant and rather unexpectedly, knows when to draw the line and be cautious.
Their timing didn’t align and that’s okay, maybe not now but in the future when he’s older, possibly settled, he wouldn’t mind living with her, it would be nice, fun even.
However, for now, he’s content with what they have.