Archive of Our Own ^beta

His birth, akin to the unfolding lotus amidst a gentle rain of petals upon his mother, shifted the balance of power in the world. Hailing from one of the three most formidable clans in the world of Jujutsu, his life was meticulously ordained; the hour of his rising, his attire, the meals he'd eat, the activities he would engage in, the books he would read, the techniques he'd master, whom he should interact with, whom he wouldn't; the institution that would shape his knowledge, his designated role, its execution, and likely, his demise.

The sole truth paving his path was his destined triumph over birth and death, defeating all demons plaguing humanity. The infant heir of the 'Six Eyes' knew naught but the order and equilibrium of the world. Each step of the revered Gojo Satoru was intricately charted from the moment of his advent. The curious thing about the honorable child was that only in stature was he small; for he was aware of the immeasurable distance between the world and himself; akin to a deity, he only understood that all he could do was assist everyone else, for all were not he. Thus, the child whose fate was blessed never truly lived childhood as such. His name echoed grace and prowess, for he towered atop every hunting list. Not that this posed an obstacle, but it illustrated the reality of the world. The youthful deity could only act like a machine, surviving for others' ease, without a true purpose of his own.

One morning in the year two thousand-five, his attendants roused him from slumber. As it was ordained, the young master was to attend his sorcery classes at the 'Tokyo Prefectural Jujutsu High School'. While the Gojo clan boasted facilities for the upbringing and training of their young scion, his enrollment had been suggested. The world speculated whether it served an occult purpose or was merely a test of his worth to others. He harbored no formed opinion regarding his attendance; it was a mandate, devoid of contemplation. The young man simply shed his kimono for his school uniform, groomed his short mane of snow-white locks, readied his essentials, adorned himself with dark shades, and departed for the institution accompanied by a lady and chauffeur.

Beyond Tokyo's fringes, amidst the shrouded Mushiro mountain range, meandering through veils of wispy mist, lay the path leading to a breathtaking valley aglow with the golden hues of summer's sun. The school, marked by structures bearing vestiges of both Buddhist and Shinto architecture, lay here. As he approached, the sound of cicadas grew louder. The lady who escorted him bade farewell to her master, reminding him of their return to collect him at day's end. With a graceful bow she left, and the young man merely pivoted to cross the barrier enveloping the valley.

Once inside, Professor Yaga Masamichi extended his welcome and then proceeded to guide him through the expanse, describing the function of each structure until they reached the school. If Gojo could summarize his thoughts on this man, he'd say 'Why is he carrying wool in his pocket?' As Professor Yaga was explaining the story of the Armoury, Gojo elected to interject:

"Underneath the school… the tomb of the star is hidden."

The ambiguity of his tone didn't allow for a clear distinction between assertion and inquiry, yet Yaga responded nonetheless, "Indeed. Your family is acquainted with these facilities; it was natural for you to be aware of their existence."

The heir of the clan kept his mouth agape as if he was willing to reply, yet not a sound managed to escape; what was left of the guiding was filled by the sound of their footsteps and the cicadas. Only when the professor inquired about whether he would use the dormitories did he speak again:

"No."

As they arrived at the building housing the classrooms, Yaga addressed him once again, "You will be having classes alongside a man and a woman; she arrived two days ago while he did it a couple of hours ago. They're already inside. If you'd like you may go inside and introduce yourself. You have half an hour before the class starts."

"I will enter as the class is about to begin; just as my schedule dictates."

The abrupt reply caught Yaga off guard who ended up letting his new student do as he pleased. The youth turned back, but the professor spoke one more time, "Nevertheless, I'd like for you to get along. Cooperation holds great importance in the realm of sorcery. I hope you can bring pride to your family."

His well-intentioned words unsettled the young man. Continuing on his path and determined to stroll through the facilities, he exited the building. During those thirty minutes, while listening to the cicadas' sound, he pondered one thing: ' What use is cooperation when I am the strongest ?'

Twenty-five minutes passed, and the blessed one made his way back to that classroom. He pushed the door open and, without glancing at the two figures engaged in conversation, steered his body directly toward the only unoccupied table, situated next to the door. The voices of those figures fell silent in his presence. Accustomed to this, he took his seat and closed his eyes. He remained expectant of his professor, who would enter through the door at any moment. The atmosphere was icy; everything seemed still. That was until Yaga entered through the door. He held several papers in his hands, which he laid on his desk situated in front of the blackboard. Once settled, he began:

"Curses have existed since the dawn of man's reasoning. Their sole purpose is to harm others. Those capable of wielding curses banded together to hunt cursed spirits. That was the origin of sorcerers, who dedicated their lives to protecting non-sorcerer humans. The world progressed, and some of the ideals that shaped the Jujutsu realm began to erode. Therefore, in our society, the most crucial mission is the protection of ordinary people. I hope you keep that in mind every second of your stay here."

Nothing more than an old speech, solely aimed at welcoming and promoting the most important ideal. Yet, to his left, Gojo heard a voice neither too deep nor too high-pitched, respectful yet firm, that asked:

"So, some conservatives who, in their eagerness to benefit themselves, decide which ideals are most convenient to maintain power among themselves?"

His comment was common knowledge inside the Jujutsu community, yet, this man swallowed every single word that had come out of Yaga Masamichi's mouth and chose to respond—not only to express his stance but to demonstrate that he could do so; or at least, that's what the young man believed. The professor's voice resurfaced:

"Within this school, there are right things and wrong things. But I'm not here to tell you what's what; that's something for you to discern. I can only provide you with the necessary tools to decide, and hopefully, you'll choose what is right." After a pause, Yaga picked up a couple of sheets and distributed them among the students. Then he said, "In this sheet, I want you to answer why you came here. You'll have an hour, then you will introduce yourselves."

Once the sheets of paper were passed the professor exited the classroom leaving three confused and unwilling figures. A yawn was heard followed by the faint yet weary voice of a woman, "If I had known how sentimental this Professor was, I would've gone to Kyoto."

The man to his left responded, "There's no other option. Just answering is enough, no matter how simple it may be."

'Simple .' Once more, the young man's thoughts were pierced by the words of a man. If only unraveling the purpose behind his studies were simple to explain… The young man is stuck on what he should write. Indeed, it wasn't his decision to come here, but it's not like it's a bad thing. Is it? Gojo is conflicted. Why does he have to write his feelings on a sheet of paper? What's the use of it? Why did he come here? Does he desire something? Is there a cause? That comprehension eludes the man. Certainly, giving a ' simple ' answer would be to say something along the lines of 'I was sent here,' or 'I want money,' or even 'I want to save people,' but what does he truly want? Can he really voice his opinion?

His thoughts gathered like fog and swiftly dissipated. The hour had passed; Yaga was at his desk, and he had written nothing.

"Very well, introduce yourselves and explain your reason for wanting to study sorcery. Ladies first." Said the professor.

With a sigh, the figure behind that weary voice rose from her seat and made her way to the front. The young man could only see her back—small in stature, slender in form, adorned with chestnut hair cascading over her shoulders. She grabbed a piece of chalk and once her name was written, she turned around. Her face was ordinary; thin and slightly rounded eyebrows, drooping brown eyes, a mole beneath her right eye; nothing striking. She barely raised her voice, sounding bored as she uttered:

"My name is Ieiri Shoko. I enrolled because I want to be a medic…" After a brief pause, she added, "And I want money… I look forward to working with you all."

Yaga said, "Thank you, Ieiri. Now, who among you two would like to go next?"

The young man believed that the sooner this ended, the better, so he raised his hand.

"I'd rather go first, the sooner, the better."

The other man's voice was quicker than the movement of his hand. Once again, this individual stirred an uncomfortable feeling in him. He decided to turn and catch a glimpse of the owner of that voice—neither too deep nor too high-pitched—but the man was already heading towards the front. Nonetheless, he managed to catch something— his hairstyle: bangs.

From behind, he observed the man's towering stature; his attire bespoke custom tailoring, particularly the trousers, fashioned differently, offering a loose fit, perhaps thought for martial arts. His broad back suggested rigorous training. His hair, black and long enough to tie back, was left untamed. The man retrieved the chalk, etching his name in precise strokes. He observed the man's sizable hands, likely larger than his own. Suddenly, the man turned around, finally allowing Gojo to put a face to the voice that had stirred both annoyance and curiosity in him. He sported the bangs he had glimpsed earlier and wore earrings. The man's visage was a canvas of balance. Delicate assured brows contrasted with half-closed violet eyes that exuded an aura of strength. A slight curvature upon the nose played a counterpoint to delicate lips. It was intriguing. The young man discerned in this countenance a blend of masculinity and femininity—not because he looked like a woman, but because such a well-proportioned face was seemingly too exquisite for a man. Gojo wonders how many women might have envied his face or wished for him as a husband. Well, it wasn't a big deal; this man had weird bangs, so it meant nothing to Gojo. But one thing he couldn't deny was that this man was indeed intriguing. Therefore, he needed to hear whatever 'simple' answer he gave to this question.

With a respectful and cordial tone, the man said, "Geto Suguru. I want to save people. I also look forward to working with you all."

Gojo made a "Pff" sound.

"?"

"?"

"?"

Seems like, it was that 'simple '. Yaga thanked 'Geto', gestured for him to sit, and promptly decided to call upon the last student. The youth rose, crumpled the paper as he approached the board, took hold of the chalk, and wrote his name big on the board. Then he turned, removed his glasses, and introduced himself, "Gojo Satoru."

"?"

"?"

And so, the professor asked, "Gojo, and the reason?"

"I am reason enough."

Yaga said, "Nevertheless, the others have done it if you-"

"Pff… HA HA HA HA HA HA. How arrogant!" Interrupted Geto.

Throughout his life, no one had laughed in his face. No one could, no one should. Such audacious contempt appeared inconceivable. Who dared disrespect Gojo Satoru like this? Who is Geto Suguru to mock him? His last name for sure implied that he lacked a family lineage, a mere four-grade sorcerer. Who does Geto Suguru think he is?

And so, the honored one replied, "Me? Arrogant? Why not focus on gratitude rather than stating the obvious, as you did about the conservatives? You should be thankful for this institution; it exists for those not belonging to the three clans to train in sorcery. Who would be foolish to challenge the strong? If I were arrogant, I would have spoken, but I didn't. Yet you, a mere lacking lineage, did. That's being arrogant. You have no right to speak up to me."

Even if it were fury and disdain of the ones pronouncing those words, this was the first time he dared to openly express his thoughts. Not that he hadn't articulated them prior, more like they were never needed nor asked; yet intriguingly enough 'Geto Suguru' seemed to be enough to make him open up. The thought 'This man was not part of the plan' resonated in his mind.

The conversation's pitch escalated, and Geto responded:

"Those stronger than the strongest can voice their opinion on the world's reality. Now, what's that whole 'right to speak up to you' thing? Who do you think you are?"

Gojo then said as he took a step forward, "That's what I should be asking you, Geto Suguru."

Geto replied as he stood up, "I'll show you who I am, Gojo Satoru."

Both men approached, readying themselves for a fight, then Yaga intervened shouting, "ENOUGH!" He stood in between his students and continued, "Wielding your cursed techniques without prior notice is prohibited. Starting today you are colleagues whether you like it or not. Treat each other well because that's the right thing to do. That is all for today. We'll resolve this tomorrow. You may leave."

In silence, everyone retreated to their dormitories, excluding Gojo Satoru who did not reside there. He opted to stroll around the school grounds to pass the time. Once more donning his spectacles, he mulled over how irksome Geto Suguru was; how annoying the knitting teacher was with that whole 'claiming there was no true right or wrong' only to then state that being colleagues was acceptable. He sighed and once again contemplated whether being here was the right thing to do. Many unsettling thoughts run through his mind. Without thinking a name escaped his lips, " Geto Suguru ..."

At that moment, a dormitory supervisor approached him, bowed his head, and offered him a room despite not living there. He volunteered to accompany him, and with no other choice, he accepted. Through a lengthy corridor, they reached the penultimate room in the men's aisle. The supervisor handed over a key, bowed once again, and left the young man alone. As Gojo opened the door, he found the room rather diminutive, a far cry from what he was used to. While he thought about the potential uses for this room, the sound of a neighboring door opening captured his curiosity. He then opened his own door and upon seeing what was in front of him, a sudden wave of rage coursed through his entire body, prompting him to address the figure without a second thought, "So four-grades can afford to rent here, huh?"

Geto turned around and replied, "Want to step outside and settle this?"

Gojo moved closer and with a mocking tone said, "What? You lonely? Go by yourself."

Geto shortens the distance and questions, "What was that about the strong?

"That they should be grateful?" Gojo replied.

"Ah, yes, that. Want me to show you why I can afford to be arrogant?" As Geto spoke, Gojo sensed the other's cursed energy; the man in front of him summoned a black fog. His six eyes informed him that Geto's cursed technique was 'Curse Manipulation'. It seemed this annoying man was indeed interesting. Who knew how many curses he had at his command, or what grade these curses were? Without wasting time, Gojo began gathering cursed energy to unleash his own Cursed Technique Lapse: Blue. Both men paused for a moment, exchanging glances, as if waiting for a sound to signal attack.

"DON'T MOVE"

"?"

"?"

Professor Yaga must have felt the immense amount of cursed energy flooding the area. Unsure, he came prepared with a megaphone provided by the Inumaki family, whose cursed energy could turn words into obligations. Gojo and Geto were immobilized. After a severe scolding from Yaga, both young men were forced to apologize and shake hands. Despite their initial refusal, the professor threatened to use the megaphone again. Geto reluctant, extended his hand, though he didn't utter a word. Gojo hesitated before reaching out. Geto closed the distance, but he only encountered Gojo's Limitless technique, Infinity. No matter how close he got, he could never touch his hand. So, he didn't bother trying and turned away. Seeing neither was willing to cooperate, Yaga decided to separate them momentarily to avoid further anger. He just said, "Gojo, follow me." and so he followed.

Walking toward the barrier entrance, the professor spoke, "We've informed your family that you've finished early."

'Family ', It was rather amusing how many words clashed against him today. He should have stayed in the comfort of his residence. There was no need for him to be attending such an institution when all it truly does is divert the heir of the Six Eyes from his path. Why should Gojo Satoru coexist with these people?

As he stepped out of the barrier's exit, the man who had escorted him bid farewell, and the lady who had brought him just a couple of hours ago welcomed him back. During his journey back home, Gojo pondered once more on what his true purpose was within the school. With no answer forthcoming, he abstained from observing the surrounding landscape.

Upon arriving at his residence, he was greeted by each of the workers. Though his clan had few members, maids, stewards, and assistants filled the void within the immense structure. Yet, no matter how fervently these workers attempted to extend their welcome to the young master, their efforts could never beckon his gaze. An abyss still spanned the divide between his world and theirs. The summer's fervor failed to warm the halls of the Gojo residence.

In his chamber, the young man decided to draw the curtains that allowed the late afternoon sun to enter. After changing from his uniform into his kimono, he turned his gaze to his bed, imposingly situated in the middle of the room. He sat on it, removed his glasses, and after a few moments, laid down. As short as the day may have been, the amount of information that filled his mind had been overwhelming; he could do nothing. About thirty minutes had passed when the servants knocked on the door, reminding Gojo of the day's activities that still awaited. The young man simply stood up, sighed, covered his eyes once more with his glasses, and left his room, following what was already programmed. Simply following orders. Thus, the day concluded after several activities, including his dinner.

Finally returning to his chamber, the young man rested his body on his bed. Tired, he sighed and closed his eyes to embrace sleep, but a few last thoughts crossed his mind. He imagined the figure of Geto Suguru saying, ' Those who are stronger than the strongest can voice out their opinion about the reality of the world .' Perhaps, just perhaps, that phrase makes sense. Who were the people of his clan to chart his course and tell him what to do, what to wear, and how to act, without asking him how he felt about it? Who was Geto Suguru? Who was Gojo Satoru?

Once again, he was awakened by his servants. As scheduled, the young master should attend his sorcery classes at the 'Tokyo Prefectural Jujutsu High School'. After preparing himself, Gojo headed to the institution with his two attendants. Upon arrival, he was received by a school assistant who, bowing his head, showed him the way. Once inside, the assistant asked if he remembered which classroom it was; Gojo responded affirmatively, and thus he was left to continue alone.

As he walked through the halls, he took a moment to appreciate the architecture and views of the place. The large windows overlooked the valley. The Gojo clan's residence was exquisitely fine, yet this school seemed to have nothing to envy. Nevertheless, whether it pleased him or not was irrelevant, for he was only required to study there. His feet directed him towards the classroom, and just as he was about to enter, his senses felt the presence of someone else. Gojo entered, and simultaneously, both he and the other simply said:

"Tsk."

"Tsk."

-

The only ones who had arrived were Gojo Satoru and Geto Suguru. As the latter moved toward his spot, Gojo decided to shift his chair and desk, distancing himself from the other man who was purposefully gazing in the opposite direction. Silence reigned, save for the chorus of cicadas. Five minutes passed, and light footsteps echoed down the hallway. As the door creaked open, the woman from the previous day sighed, "Should I leave, or will you two behave?"

The question visibly irked both men, yet neither offered a reply. With great caution, the woman advanced, settling into her seat. Soon after, the professor appeared.

"Good morning. So, I understand the three of you possess field experience. The school has chosen to assign you three a mission."

Yaga's words gave Gojo Satoru pause. It seemed odd to dispatch the three when, typically, others would require a sorcerer's grade to qualify for missions

"As much as I'd like to be there with you, I have some things to take care of. Therefore I won't be accompanying you. But you are capable. Remember this is a team mission, cooperation is the key."

The young man believed it would be more efficient if he handled the mission alone. Then the voice of the woman was heard, "The three of us together? They'll likely fight... I don't want to take part in this."

"Ieiri... The mission is precisely for learning to coexist. Nevertheless, you must achieve the objective. A Cursed Spirit is haunting a bar in Ikebukuro. Our informants claim that several customers have disappeared over the past week, last seen frequenting this establishment. A month ago, the bar's owner murdered his wife, Kasumi. Seemingly, they'd been arguing for over eight months. He wanted to part ways, but she still loved him; besides, being a devout Catholic, she cared about her standing in her community if they were to split. We've contacted other customers who reported overhearing the couple fighting in the bar. They said they heard the woman defend herself while shouting 'Till death do us part.' The man must have snapped and decided to kill her. We estimate the vengeful spirit of the ex-wife to be responsible for the disappearances. The three of you will assist in exorcising this semi-first-grade spirit. You'll have the entire day tomorrow to accomplish this. Plan today on how to resolve it. You're up to the task; don't botch it."

With that, Professor Yaga departed, leaving behind his three students. Ieiri, after a sigh, said, "Well, there's no other choice..."

Moments later, Geto said, "If you'd like, I can exorcise her."

"Ha! And I was the arrogant one!" Gojo wasn't in the mood to talk, but he was irked by Geto's offering to do what he intended so he replied.

Geto turned to look at him and said, "What? I mean it. My technique is suited for such situations; I just need your help to distract it and clear out everyone else from the bar."

As earnest as Geto's response seemed, it unsettled Gojo so he said:

"Me, help? Seems you've got it wrong. If anything, I'll be the one to exorcise, and you two will assist me."

Gojo's comment induced silence in the room. Nevertheless, almost in a whisper, Geto replied, "And I was the arrogant one..."

Suddenly, Gojo threw a surprise punch with his left hand to Geto's left cheek. While Geto wasn't expecting it, he responded swiftly. Remembering they couldn't use their Cursed Techniques, they resolved to settle it with simple blows. Geto utilized the momentum from the hit he received, to pivot and lean downward. He extended his left leg to continue rotating and hit Gojo's legs, causing him to fall. As Gojo had deactivated his Infinity to strike that first punch, Geto's attack caught him off guard. He hit the ground, and before he could rise, he was surprised by the weight of the other man atop his hips. Geto Suguru had seated himself on Gojo Satoru, a gesture quite inappropriate toward the esteemed heir of the Six Eyes. Rage once again consumed Gojo; as Geto raised his arm to punch him in the face, Gojo lunged forward, reversing their positions, rendering Geto's strike ineffective:

"Aw. Poor thing, if you wanted to be mounted so badly, you could've just asked. The weak always fall beneath the strong. Thanks for the reminder."

Out of nowhere, Geto struck Gojo's back with his right leg, causing him to lurch forward. However, Gojo seized the moment and executed a forward roll to avoid a headlong fall. Both stood a meter apart, staring each other down. Gojo sported a manic grin, resembling a predatory hunter poised to pounce on its prey. Curiously, Geto mirrored the expression, calm yet with eyes reflecting the same intensity. Footsteps echoed, most likely Ieiri ran seeking help. Geto moved first; he grabbed Gojo's arm, intending to make him rotate over his back, and causing him to fall. Gojo realized this and allowed himself to be lifted, but decided to focus on striking Geto's torso and stomach. Once he started sensing his body was rising, Gojo pondered his next move upon descent.

Undoubtedly, Geto would pounce on him again, so he thought he could use his legs to push Geto backward or forward. The move was executed and Gojo fell; Geto indeed, leaped at him, but Gojo grabbed the other's hands and used his legs to push him forward. Everything should've worked if it weren't for the fact that Geto didn't let go of his hands. The force exerted to shove him ended up lifting both Geto and himself. Once again face to face, both stared grinning while exerting force with their hands to overpower the other. Gojo knew, though slightly slimmer than Geto, he possessed enough strength to win. He gathered all his might to crush Geto's hands. Feeling the weakening strength of the other, Gojo's grin widened, but suddenly, it faltered. Geto had ceased applying force with his hands, so he could focus on striking Gojo's legs. Recovering quickly, they once more found themselves face to face, repeating the scene from seconds ago, each anticipating a sound to signal the attack. They heard footsteps; then they lunged at each other. Geto quickly raised his right hand and managed to hit Gojo's right cheek, but out of nowhere, a command resonated:

"DON'T MOVE!!!"

The megaphone with snake eyes and fangs made its return. Ieiri stood beside Yaga, exhaling a sigh of relief, "I was right. I hate men; they're led by impulse."

After being disciplined by Yaga, he reminded them of the importance of tomorrow's mission and designated Ieiri as the leader. He left, and both men made a 'hmph' sound, each staring away from the other. Ieiri sighed, picked up a pencil, and placed it between her index and middle fingers. Then she addressed the two men:

"Let's do a good job tomorrow; it's the least we can do. I hope you're mature enough to realize that this is indeed a test, and I won't risk my future because of two scums like you. Professor Yaga put me in charge, so I expect cooperation and compliance."

After speaking, she pulled her cell phone out of her pocket, turned to Geto, and handed it to him.

"What do you want me to do with this?" Said Geto.

"Put your number or something so I can contact both of you. Tomorrow, we'll meet in Ikebukuro in the afternoon. Besides, I already have an idea of how we're going to solve this problem; so I need your contacts."

Geto obeyed, and after a couple of seconds, his number was saved in Ieiri's phone. She then turned to Gojo who simply said, "No."

"I didn't ask if you wanted to; it's necessary for the—"

Ieiri was interrupted by Gojo, "I don't have a cellphone."

"?"

"?"

The Gojo clan wasn't just known for possessing the Six Eyes or being descendants of Sugawara-no-Michizane. The clan also had ample wealth. Several individuals trusted their history and hired them for various jobs. So, it wasn't the lack of money that caused Gojo not to have a cell phone. Ieiri decided to ask why, to which Gojo replied:

"It's useless to me." And it was true; what use was a cell phone to Gojo when everyone already knew where he was and what he was doing at any given time? Naturally, it wasn't an option.

"Well, let's go." Geto said as he stood up from his chair.

Ieiri, confused, asked, "Go where?"

"To buy him a cellphone."

Gojo responded with disgust, "I don't need charity."

"Charity? It's for the mission's sake." Said Geto respectfully and continued but now with a grin on his face and a mocking tone, "You'd wish it came from my will."

Enough. Geto had already disrespected Gojo enough for him to use 'Blue' on this man's face and pull his hair.

"Guys... come on, we don't have all day. I'll also tell you what the plan is." Said Ieiri as she tried to calm things down.

Gojo Satoru was fed up. He hated the jujutsu school; he hated Professor Yaga because who did he think he was to use the Inumaki technique on him? He hated the mission, he hated knowing he was doing an activity that wasn't part of his plan, and most of all, he hated Geto Suguru and his stupid bangs.

Once Ieiri stabilized the situation by changing the topic and telling them they should do a good job since it was their first mission, the three first-year students left the mountains and went to the nearest store to buy a cell phone for Gojo.

Once inside, Ieiri and Geto debated which cell phone to buy. Gojo followed them from behind, more focused on observing the storefronts and the immense number of cell phones for sale. A few minutes went by when suddenly, Geto turned around, holding up two phones, one gray and the other black. Gojo glanced at the first one, then at the latter, only to end up looking into Geto's violet eyes with confusion. He watched as Geto opened his mouth and asked:

"Which one do you prefer?"

Ever since he was young, things were already set in stone. There was no room for anything else. But for the very first time, someone looked back at him, without any hidden intent, to ask him sincerely what he preferred; what was his opinion; what he might think! And that… unsettled him. He found himself at a loss for words, confronted with a newfound freedom of choice. His brows slightly furrowed, and a perplexed expression overcame him. His lips twitched, revealing uncertainty about what to say. Finally, he dared to ask, "Which one would you choose?"

With certainty, Geto said:

"It doesn't really matter which one I choose, what matters is what you want. Gray or Black?"

Gojo looked once more at Geto's hands. For some reason, he felt that what he was about to say was improper, but after hearing Geto's words, there was no way he couldn't respond:

"Gray."

"Okay."

Geto handed the gray cell phone to Gojo for a closer look. Meanwhile, Geto and Ieiri discussed whether they should split the cost or if Gojo should pay. However, Gojo paid little to no attention to them; he was solely focused on examining his new acquisition with baffled tenderness. The three left the store, and Ieiri told Gojo that now he owed them and that she expected him to invite them for dinner after tomorrow's mission. Gojo complained but didn't say no. Then, Ieiri began to explain the plan for the next day. Nonetheless, as they walked, Gojo kept on glancing at his cell phone and the newly saved numbers of those walking ahead. He raised his gaze and observed their backs. On the right, the figure of a small yet big woman, and on the left, the figure of a man he still couldn't put his finger on. Geto turned around, and upon seeing that Gojo was already observing him, he immediately looked forward again.

By the time they had returned to the valley that led to the school, the sun was starting to set. Geto and Ieiri said goodbye to Gojo, after all, they both lived in the dormitories. As he watched both their backs disappearing into the barrier, Gojo turned upon hearing the lady's voice indicating they were ready to return to his residence. He was about to leave but his instincts made him glance at them one last time, and after a few seconds, he saw Geto turn back to look at him. Gojo turned slightly in annoyance and left.

Upon arriving at his residence, he was welcomed, and he went straight to his chamber. The youth changed, removed his glasses, and once on the bed, he touched his right cheek and one idle fleeting thought crossed his mind, "He is strong."

This time Gojo woke up alone. For some reason, he couldn't sleep during the night and decided to explore his new acquisition. The youth discovered he could set alarms to wake up and decided to use this function. The maids heard their master was up, so they offered him breakfast. After a few hours, Gojo's cell phone buzzed several times; they were messages from Ieiri indicating the place and time of the bar in Ikebukuro. She also reminded them of the plan, but Gojo had already memorized it. It turned out that the day before, Ieiri didn't know whom to choose to exorcise the vengeful spirit. She asked the men about their sorcerer grades. And it was surprising, at least to Gojo, to learn that Geto was also a special-grade sorcerer just like him. These details were of no use to Ieiri, so she asked about the number of previous missions they had accomplished. Since Geto didn't have lineage, he wasn't discovered until older. Thus, he hadn't officially worked for anyone before. On the other hand, Gojo had; his clan was proud to send the heir on challenging missions that suited him.

And thus, Ieiri ended up choosing Gojo to exorcise the vengeful spirit due to his experience.

-

He arrived in Ikebukuro at around five in the evening. Their meeting point was the JR train station, so Gojo headed there. Despite the bustling crowd of workers making their way home, Gojo could still sense cursed energy. So, he started walking inside the station toward the source of that energy. After a couple of steps, he found Ieiri, which was weird; he recalled that yesterday she mentioned knowing only Reverse Cursed Technique, so the significant energy around her surprised him. Approaching with a greeting, he asked her about it. Ieiri, who was smoking, explained that even if she did know one technique, she still would fight if necessary; so she brought with her a cursed weapon from the Armory. They engaged in a brief conversation about the weapons stored there, and Gojo was pleasantly surprised by her knowledge. While most sorcerers overlooked weapons with the belief that Jujutsu was sufficient, finding someone genuinely interested was refreshing. Just then, his six eyes detected another source of energy, and Geto appeared.

Once together, they proceeded towards the bar, situated in what once was a busy commercial district. As they approached, it became evident that news of the husband and wife had spread. In contrast to the busy train station, the streets were now deserted. Inside the bar, they scouted the area and the customers. There were only four people inside. One was the owner; Gojo overheard Ieiri muttering something akin to 'Men always get away with it.' The other three must have been brave drinkers, their attachment to alcohol stronger than their fear. Quite convenient.

Being underage, the three students had to wait outside until one of the customers exited. That way, each would tail the person who left, monitoring them and informing the others via cell phone of their location if they disappeared or were attacked by the cursed spirit. The only thing they could do now was wait.

After forty minutes, the first customer exited. It was an older man of around fifty-six; he looked like he left work to drown his sorrows at the bar. Geto followed him. Minutes passed, and there was no message from Geto, so everything was likely under control. Thirteen minutes later, the second customer emerged, a man around thirty-seven, looking tired and sad, not the look of a working man. Ieiri followed him. Before the expected time passed to confirm if something had happened to the others, a female office worker around forty-five stepped out of the bar. In doubt, Gojo decided to follow her.

Night slowly began to descend; this woman seemed perfectly normal, and it felt like nothing would happen. After about seventeen minutes, Gojo's phone rang. He immediately left the woman and sprinted towards the location Ieiri had sent.

By the time he arrived, he found himself in deserted streets on the outskirts of Ikebukuro. Some of the streetlights were malfunctioning, making visibility difficult in the growing darkness. Nevertheless, Gojo had excellent eyesight and managed to glimpse from a distance what appeared to be a flying figure. Upon careful observation, he noticed it was a man flying on what seemed to be a creature. Odd as it seemed, Gojo remembered that Geto's technique involved manipulating curses; he must have an extensive arsenal and could use them at will. Geto must have spotted Gojo because he headed towards him. Once closer, he dismounted what appeared to be a manta ray and it banished. They quickly decided to search for Ieiri, who should be no more than two minutes away.

They sprinted tirelessly but couldn't locate her. In a strategic move, Geto decided to dial her cellphone, hopeful for a response. Soon, Ieiri's phone rang loudly, audible even from a block away. The two men exchanged determined glances and sprinted towards the source of the sound. Following the echoing ring, Gojo and Geto found themselves in a lengthy, dimly lit alley that led to an inhabited street. Sensing the cursed energy, they closed in on the scene and discovered Ieiri engaged in a fierce battle with what appeared to be another woman enveloped in a black aura—the vengeful spirit.

The woman's face was disfigured as if she had been repeatedly struck with a hammer. In her left hand, something shimmered. It was small, but apparently, tremendous energy emanated from it, slashing the energy as if wielding a saber. Armed with a cursed katana, Ieiri valiantly faced off against the spirit. Geto swiftly invoked a series of curses, launching them at the vengeful entity to provide a distraction. Gojo, ready to counter the curse, heard Ieiri's urgent warning, "BE CAREFUL, THE MAN IS WITH HER!"

Confused, Gojo said, "WHAT?"

Ieiri shouted, "I TRIED TO SAVE HIM, BUT HE GOT IN THE MIDDLE."

In response, Geto said, "THEN LET'S FOCUS ON RESCUING HIM!"

Gojo shouted, "NO! WE MUST EXORCISE THEM!"

Just then the vengeful spirit began crying out desperately, "MY HUSBAND! MY HUSBAND! MY HUSBAND!"

Evidently, she had reached maximum madness if, even in death, she was still seeking her husband. The spirit approached the three and started manipulating the black fog that enveloped her, then she began attacking them with it. Geto was the first to be hit by the fog; he flinched in pain and said, "IT'S POISON!"

"MY HUSBAND! MY HUSBAND! GIVE ME BACK MY HUSBAND!" The cries of the spirit were distracting them.

Ieiri decided to back off to avoid being touched by the fog, but Gojo stood firm; after all, nothing could touch him. He activated his technique and, as if his hand was a magnet, what remained of the woman was pulled to Gojo's palm. Suddenly, Gojo felt he was pushed by something. He turned his gaze and saw, as the tired man Ieiri had followed screamed, "DO NOT TOUCH HER!"

"MY HUSBAND! MY HUSBAND! MY HUSBAND! MY HUSBAND! GIVE ME BACK MY HUSBAND!" Cried out the vengeful spirit.

Not only the man seem to know the spirit, but Gojo's eyes sensed small waves of cursed energy emanating from him. The man responded, "I'M YOUR BOYFRIEND! NOT YOUR HUSBAND!"

"GIVE ME BACK MY HUSBAND!" Exclaimed the curse.

Geto quickly separated Gojo from the man, and Ieiri positioned herself in front of them brandishing her katana. Geto said, with a worried voice, "I don't understand what's happening!"

"I've already said it! She appeared, and when I tried to move him so he wouldn't get hurt, he sided with her!" Explained Ieiri once more.

Gojo thought that perhaps this man was the husband. But according to the records, the bar's owner was the husband so it made no sense. The spirit's heart-wrenching screams echoed again, "MY HUSBAND! MY HUSBAND!!!"

In the end, if this man claiming to be her boyfriend wanted to be by her side, so be it; Gojo would dispose of both. He passed by Ieiri's side and stepped forward. The spirit turned to Gojo and quickly moved towards him screaming, "GIVE ME BACK MY HUSBAND!!!"

The fog was getting closer, and as she ran, she moved his left hand up and down. Gojo was ready to charge energy again to release his Cursed Technique Lapse: Blue, but the man once again stepped in the way. He positioned himself between the curse and Gojo, yelling a halt.

Gojo didn't care and decided to proceed with the technique regardless. Suddenly, he heard Geto shout, "NO!"

Gojo seized the opportunity and decided to attract both the man and the spirit. Nevertheless, Geto shouted again, "THE MAN IS INNOCENT! WE HAVE TO PROTECT HIM!"

"PROTECT HIM FROM WHAT?! IF THE MAN WANTS TO DIE DEFENDING THIS SPIRIT, LET HIM! IT'S A NUISANCE!" Screamed Gojo in a harsh tone.

Geto then insisted, "BUT HE'S A NON-SORCERER! IT'S OUR DUTY!"

"I HEARD HIM SAY HE WAS HER BOYFRIEND, SO IF HE LOVES HER ENOUGH TO KILL HER, HE MIGHT AS WELL SEE HER IN HELL." Said Gojo with a hint of anger.

The heated argument between Gojo and Geto echoed through the dimly lit alley, blending with the desperate cries of the spirit. The clash of words and curses painted a vivid picture of the conflicting ideologies at play. Ieiri decided to resolve it herself but just then, she noticed something. She intervened and said, "THE MAN IS NOT MARRIED! HE DOESN'T HAVE A RING!"

Gojo, worried about her classmates' mental state shouted, "AND WHAT DOES THAT HAVE TO DO WITH ANYTHING!?"

Quickly, as if connecting the dots, Geto also shouted, "SEE? HE SAID HE'S THE BOYFRIEND BECAUSE HE'S NOT THE HUSBAND. THIS WOMAN WAS MURDERED BY HER HUSBAND!"

Ieiri added, "GOJO, DON'T KILL THAT MAN!"

At the same time, Geto said, "THE MISSION SAID-"

"THE MISSION SAID TO EXORCISE, AND IEIRI DECIDED THAT I WOULD EXORCISE HER." Exclaimed Gojo.

The vengeful spirit, agonizing and terrified, screamed again, "GIVE ME BACK MY HUSBAND!!!"

"YOUR HUSBAND DIDN'T LOVE YOU LIKE I DID!" Said the man.

But the curse kept on demanding, "GIVE ME BACK MY HUSBAND!"

Gojo gathered his strength and said, "Cursed Technique Lapse: Blue"

Ieiri screamed, "GETO, NO!!!"

Her shouts weren't enough to stop Geto from getting in the way to save the man, but he was targeted by Gojo's technique. The technique not only pulled the curse and the two men but a lot of trash and random objects as well. Gojo ended up releasing his technique a second before everything clashed but it still made a mess. Searching through the chaos, Ieiri and Gojo looked for the curse's residuals. They heard the sound of moving debris and saw the figure of a man. He coughed a bit and waved his hand up and down as if trying to disperse the dust. As they approached, they realized it was the man Geto wanted to save. Gojo activated his technique again and drew him towards his palm like a magnet.

"SORRY! I'M SORRY! I AM SO SO SORRY!" The man cried.

Gojo wondered why was this man apologizing.

"I DIDN'T KNOW THIS WOULD HAPPEN! IT WASN'T MY INTENTION!" The man confessed.

That's weird; but before Gojo could do anything about it, the figure of Geto appeared holding the vengeful spirit's hand. The black fog had dispersed, and the curse was crying. While wiping away her own tears, a golden ring gleamed on her left hand.
Gojo and Ieiri turned their attention to Geto, who was okay but quite injured due to getting in the way.

As soon as the man saw the curse, he tried to escape from Gojo's technique but couldn't, then he cried out, "Kasumi! Please forgive me!"

Geto approached the others and looked at Gojo as if telling him to release the man. Gojo rolled his eyes and thus, the spirit's boyfriend fell to the ground. Geto crouched down and asked him with patience, "Why are you apologizing for? What did you do?"

And amid sobs, the man confessed quietly:

"I… loved her... I knew she was a married woman, so I never approached her. But since we worked in the same office, her husband started suspecting Kasumi's fidelity... Kasumi was my friend before she became the one I loved, and she saw me as a friend too. She would invite me to her husband's bar occasionally, but after a few visits, her husband became… violent. Kasumi told me he'd abused her, and... I… I couldn't let my beloved suffer so much! She was very religious, so she didn't want anyone from her community to see her suffering like this, so she came to me searching for comfort, but... I just couldn't keep hiding my feelings anymore, so I confessed. She thanked me and hugged me. She must have been relieved that after all someone still loved her, so she kissed me on the cheek, but her husband saw us. He took Kasumi away and forbade her from seeing me. They argued for many months because of me... He wanted a divorce, but deep down, she still loved him; after all, she knew she hadn't done anything wrong. The next time I heard from her, was one night; She'd called me. She said she feared for her life, and that her husband didn't seem like the same person he once was; she needed someone to bring back the man she once fell in love with. I rushed to her house, but... by the time I arrived, it was too late... HE KILLED HER! I WENT TO THE POLICE, BUT THAT DAMN BASTARD GOT RID OF THE EVIDENCE! I WASN'T GOING TO LET THEM TAKE AWAY MY BELOVED! SO I-"

"You cursed her." Ieiri interrupted him.

After a few seconds, Geto made a proposition to the man, "Sir...?"

"Watari..." The man said.

"Mr. Watari" Started Geto, 'Do not get me wrong, but, love… is a double-edged sword. As for now, you have two options: you can set Kasumi free, or you can let us exorcise her."

"Exorcise her?" Offended, Watari said with disgust while looking Geto up and down, "What are you talking about? Free Kasumi? I'M THE ONLY ONE FOR HER; AFTER ALL SHE'S BEEN THROUGH, IT'S MY TIME TO ENJOY HER!"

"Mr. Watari, Kasumi is no longer who she was before. And she's not only causing harm to herself, but people are disappearing because she keeps searching for her husband. Set her free, okay?" Softly said Geto.

Gojo then said with a cold tone, "Set her free."

Watari looked up at Gojo, then at Ieiri and Geto. He lowered his gaze to the ground and began to stand up, turned his gaze to what was left of Kasumi, and said, "NO. I DIDN'T DO HER ANY HARM. HER HUSBAND IS THE ONLY MONSTER. THIS WAY, SHE DOESN'T SUFFER."

"SHE STILL SUFFERS!" Said Geto.

Hearing that Gojo replied as if laughing, "AND YOU TOLD ME NOT TO KILL HIM!"

"NO, GOJO, DON'T DO IT!" Geto pleaded.

Sensing that they were about to start another argument, Ieiri grabbed her cursed weapon and knocked out Watari with the back of the katana. Then, she said, "Geto, exorcise her."

Gojo was just about to respond that he was the one in charge, but all of a sudden, froze. The youth watched as Geto's hand gently caressed the head of what used to be Kasumi, wiping away a tear. Slowly, the curse's body began to deform into a small ball that fitted in Geto's palm. Once complete, Geto looked at it with a hint of sadness, opened his mouth, brought his hand with the spirit towards it, and swallowed it. Gojo had never seen Geto's cursed technique before, but what surprised him more was not the technique itself but the expression of disgust, fatigue, and overall sadness displayed on Geto's face as he swallowed it. Gojo then saw how Geto glanced at the sky for a few seconds and closed his eyes. Sensing that he shouldn't witness this, Gojo turned his gaze towards Watari and asked Ieiri what should they do with him. She said she wanted to heal Geto first with her Reverse Cursed Technique, and then they would take the man to be inspected by someone else. For all they knew their mission was complete.

Ieiri approached Geto and had him sit on the floor so she could heal his wounds. Looking from afar, the youth envied the fact that the woman could use a technique he still hadn't mastered, but at the same time, he pondered the peculiar nature of the other man's technique. Gojo was used to being untouchable, everything was always an infinite distance away from him, from curses to others. However, Geto's technique, 'Curse Manipulation', involved a direct connection between the curse and the sorcerer. Maybe Geto looked at the sky because he felt the curse feelings. Maybe Geto knows how feelings taste; maybe that's why he looks like someone good with emotions.

Gojo sighed, for once, he acknowledged with great annoyance that Geto was strong; the guy took a hit from his technique and remained in one piece; his own technique seemed formidable; and now, it was no wonder why he was a special-grade sorcerer.

"Alright, we can go now. Gojo!" said Ieiri.

Gojo approached Geto, who seemed amused by the other's gaze, and said, "Are you constipated?"

Ieiri laughed, and Gojo returned to being in a bad mood, discarding all the thoughts he had just had about Geto down the drain. He sighed and thought 'Who dares to speak to Gojo Satoru like that?'

"Geto Suguru, you really don't know who I am, do you?" Said Gojo.

Geto replied with a tired tone, "Eh, no, and I don't care. The only thing I know is that because of you, we almost killed a man..."

"But the man wasn't good." Gojo tried to explain.

Geto said, "It doesn't matter. Professor Yaga said we have to help all non-sorcerers."

Ieiri had to intervene, "Enough, you're both getting on my nerves; carry Watari yourselves."

And so, they started walking.

The journey back to the school was a bit awkward; after all, they had only known each other for a couple of days. However, it wasn't entirely unbearable. They happened to make a good team, that's true, but, Gojo perceived something more; emanating from this girl and boy, he sensed warmth, something that he had never felt before.

"Now it's your turn, Gojo." Said Geto.

"We agreed on ten minutes each, Geto." Replied Gojo.

Geto asked, "Weren't you strong?"

Tired, Gojo looked at Geto and asked, "And you?"

"Your technique pierced through me; be grateful I'm helping you carry him..." Said Geto.

Gojo's gaze remained fixated on Geto. He began walking a bit slower and he clenched his hand. Geto must have realized it because he lifted his left brow and looked at Gojo with confusion. Gojo, uncomfortable with the other's eyes on him, took Watari's body from Geto and started carrying him. He then said in a mocking tone."Well, if you're so strong, next time, don't get in the way, and maybe then I'll feel some remorse."

"I didn't ask you to feel remorse, Gojo." Said Geto as he sighed.

Just like a kid, Gojo started saying "Yeah, yeah, whatever you say, Geto. Yeah, yeah."

Geto annoyed said, "Hey, don't—"

"Enough." Said Ieiri.

The three of them kept on walking.

Upon arrival, they reported in, and Ieiri provided details of the mission's outcome. While they were scolded for causing a mess in Ikebukuro, the mission was considered complete. Geto and Ieiri began walking towards their dorms, talking about who knows what, but Gojo stayed still. Geto turned around and told Ieiri to stop. However, she said, "Sort out your problems yourselves."

"WE DON'T HAVE PROBLEMS!" Said Gojo.

"WE DON'T HAVE PROBLEMS!" Said Geto.

Ieiri waved her hand as she walked to her room.

The two men were left alone.

A bit hesitant, Geto said, "If you want, I can accompany you to the exit… since you don't live here."

In a mocking tone, Gojo replied with, "You think I can't go alone?"

"Yes, I'm sure that if I leave, you'll start crying." Responded Geto with the same tone Gojo used.

Gojo still didn't like Geto's attitude so he said, "Just like you almost did when you ate the curse?"

"Hey!" Geto said as if was offended. He raised the palm of his hand and rested it on his own chest, "I have empathy! That doesn't make me weak."

"Never said weak, just a crybaby!" Said Gojo, grinning just like a kid would and with both his arms up.

Perhaps Gojo didn't realize it, but both started diving into the blue of the night, arguing as they walked about what had happened during the day.

Geto then spoke with one corner of his lips upturned, "The only crybaby who gets sentimental because they buy him a cellphone is you." And then he raised his hand to hide his grin.

This comment took Gojo by surprise and said, "Eh!? That wasn't it!"

Geto said, "It seemed to me like it..." As he walked with both arms behind his back.

"It wasn't!" Exclaimed Gojo as if he was being blamed for something he didn't do.

"Then what was it?" Softly asked Geto full of curiosity.

There was no way Gojo could answer the question without revealing too much about himself. Although he thought for a few seconds about whether to speak or not, Geto said, "You don't have to answer if you don't want to."

"?"

"Look," Geto said, "I don't know what kind of life you have, but I feel like it's not an easy one. If you don't feel like doing something, don't do it, and if you want to do it, do it; you don't have to answer my question if you don't want to."

Since Gojo met Geto, the words that came out of the other's lips irked him not because they were untrue or malicious, but for the weight they carried. And that weight encapsulated a longing nestled deep within Gojo; a longing that remained elusive of a name. Today, he senses that perhaps that desire might be to have 'Possibilities'. He started to realize that the figure before him was granting him the opportunity to pave new pathways. So, Gojo said while smiling, "If I tell you, will you start crying?"

"Is your life that bad?" Said Geto worriedly.

Gojo wanted to laugh but chose to speak again in a mocking tone, "So you would cry for me?"

"Enough, Gojo!"

"Pfft."

While walking towards the exit, Geto suggested that Gojo call someone from his residence to pick him up. Gojo did just that, and after hanging up, Geto asked with curiosity, "Wouldn't it be more convenient to just live here? I mean, even teachers or professional sorcerers use it as a base. Do you like your home that much?"

"It's what I'm used to." Gojo replied.

Geto said breathlessly, "You're a spoiled kid, aren't you?"

"Nah, I don't think so…" Gojo introspected for a second and then asked the other, "Tell me, do you think I'm strong?"

"Yes…?" Replied Geto while looking at Gojo's blue eyes.

"I think you're strong too, so give me your opinion."

"Let's see..." Said Geto.

So, Gojo started, "If your destiny were to be written—"

"MASTER GOJO!"

Gojo was interrupted by the lady. Upon looking at the woman Geto smiled and bowed to her. The youth watched the gesture with bewilderment—this woman usually bows to him, but seeing Geto, who should be at his same level, showing her respect is... well… rather strange.

The lady returns the gesture to Geto, and Gojo bids farewell. As he starts walking away, Geto responds from behind:

"I don't care about destiny! I only care about justice and what I believe is right!"

Gojo continues walking, and perhaps, just perhaps, the lady might have noticed his smile.

-

The days raced by, their pace accelerating with each passing moment. Gojo would wake up, get ready, and head to school. It was no longer necessary for someone to guide him inside the barrier; for he knew the way. He arrived on time, and classes began.

Initially, despite the obscured view through his glasses, his gaze seemed imposing and superior, as if he viewed others as mere ants he could crush at will. But in these last few weeks, there was a subtle shift in his gaze. Perhaps the only one who noticed this tiny change was Ieiri, but there was no way for Gojo to confirm that; the only clue that might have led him to think that was that behind the girl's eyes, there was no longer irritation, but rather complicity. Even more peculiar was the look Gojo gave Geto—it wasn't scornful, but it still was strange. Despite the change, the youth still seemed to want to argue with the other, and the other seemed to want the same.

He used to arrive on time, but by the time the force of the wind began to rustle the leaves, Gojo started arriving even earlier. He strolled through the dormitories to tease Geto, who tended to sleep in quite late. Afterward, they would head to class after stopping by Ieiri's room. They would study, and despite the frequent arguments between the two men due to their opposing ideals, the girl could have perceived that, unlike the initial fights, these were not as long. Sometimes they would concede the argument if the insult the other threw seemed amusing.

After class, Geto began inviting Gojo and Ieiri to stroll through a nearby town. Despite Gojo's initial reluctance, he accompanied them. They'd go to a convenience store and buy ice cream, even though the weather didn't lend itself to it. Lingering after class wasn't part of the initial plan, but despite the discomfort it might have caused, deep down, Gojo found it enjoyable. When the day ended, Geto would accompany Gojo to the exit of the barrier, and once they stumble across the lady, Geto would bow just as he did the first time. Gojo had mentioned once that he didn't need to do so, but nonetheless, the other did as he pleased.

Weeks passed, and one noon, Yaga, with furrowed brows, assigned a mission to Gojo and Geto. Both needed to head to Shinjuku, as just a few hours ago, a moneylender named Kane committed suicide in a room in the Shinjuku Nomura Building. The records explained that the case was actually larger than it seemed because, in the same room, corpses and residuals were found. The case involved a murder disguised as suicide, as the gun's location didn't match the man's dominant hand. Additionally, the bodies of the other men seemed to have been attacked by something. It is estimated that Kane's last will was to avenge his perpetrators, hence the bodies with residual filth. A lady walking through the corridors reported the screams that could be heard from the room. The police had to break down the door to enter. A window who happened to be working in the building reported the case as soon as she heard, so the incident fell under the jurisdiction of the sorcerers. Gojo and Geto were supposed to go clean the scene and, if necessary, exorcise. They immediately got ready and left. On the way, after a game of rock, paper, scissors, both had agreed that Geto would be the one in charge of exorcising.

Once in Shinjuku, they rushed towards the building. The incident had happened a few hours ago, but upon arrival, they noticed that the area seemed empty except for five windows that had isolated the area with a curtain. One of them approached the students, and after verifying their identity, she guided them to the room of the incident. While recounting details, she mentioned that they would have little time to work, as they had been given a one-hour time limit to use the area. After wishing them good luck, the woman gave them the key to the room and left. After a few seconds, Geto took the key and opened the door. Upon entering, the smell rushed over them; it was sickening. Both raised their arms to cover up their noses. Geto decided to look for the light switch, while Gojo began searching for the bodies in the room. Upon reaching the living room, the first bodies he found were two men covered in blood, one young, around twenty years old, and the other older, around fifty. The first was missing a leg and seemed to have been attacked in the chest; the latter one was missing both arms. There was no cursed energy emanating from them, but Gojo felt it very close. Frustrated, he looked for a moment at the enormous glass window.

Geto managed to find the switch and turned on the light. From a distance, Gojo said to Geto:

"The window said that Kane's body was in the main room, go check on him. I haven't found anything yet, but I can feel it."

Geto spoke and said, "Alright."

Geto's footsteps echoed through the room as Gojo continued investigating the living room. He started searching behind the furniture and under the tables but found nothing. Weird; there weren't many places to hide, and the most obvious thing would be for the curses to be attacking the bodies, not hiding. Nevertheless, Gojo kept searching; he looked towards the kitchen, and there was nothing in the cabinets either. Annoyed, he returned to the living room ready to join Geto. As he walked, he heard a noise in the bathroom. Alerted, he approached silently, prepared to fight, and decided to kick the door open. At the same time, he heard Geto quickly close the door to the main room, but he didn't pay too much attention to it because now, a child was sitting in the bathtub looking at him with eyes full of tears. Upon making eye contact, the child cried, "MY BROTHER AND DAD!"

Geto shouted from afar, "GOJO, BE CAREFUL!"

Geto's voice alerted him enough to turn around and see a curse approaching him. Gojo swiftly shielded the child, darting out of the bathroom as the curse lunged. Upon reaching the living room, Gojo found Geto, who, upon noticing the child, exclaimed, "I was checking Kane's body. It seems that the curse activated with the child's scream."

Gojo thought that was weird, so he asked, "And why the child?"

The curse seemed to have recovered from the blow against the bathroom and directed its attention to where the men were. On a closer look, the curse had the form of a rather large cat, the size of a lion. Its fur was khaki and pointed, covered in blood. Its claws and fangs were larger than normal; its red eyes were focused on the child, and its body language indicated that it was about to attack at any given moment. Geto prepared to summon one of his curses. Then the child turned to the side and saw the bodies lying there.

Horrified the kid screamed, "DAD!? BROTHER!?"

A deafening roar erupted as the curse sprinted towards them. Geto's urgent question cut through the chaos, "DO YOU TRUST ME?"

Gojo's bewildered response barely audible amid the turmoil, "WHAT?"

"QUICK!" Geto's shout reverberated.

"YES." Responded Gojo.

"THEN RUN TOWARDS THE WINDOW." Urgently stated Geto.

Behind both men, the beast ran and roared with ferocity. It got way too near, so much so that Gojo started thinking that if Geto had a plan, he better say it now.

"JUMP!" Geto said.

The roar of the beast and the crying of the child were silenced by the sound of shattering glass. The men, the child, and the curse fell through the blue sky. In Gojo's glasses, the reflection of the giant cat roaring was seen. But in his periphery, the glasses reflected something more: the roars ceased, and the figure of a white dragon emerged through a black fog. The majestic creature headed towards the curse and began biting it repeatedly. It quickly turned as if retreating to where it came from. With its tail, it caught the curse and flew towards Gojo. Instinctively, he raised his hand to protect himself, but Geto's words resonated in his mind, and he decided to keep falling. After a few seconds, he landed with the child on the beginning of the long neck of the animal. At full speed, the dragon dove towards the last falling body, and after a roar, it managed to get close enough to position itself beneath him. Gojo could see how both Geto and the creature delicately made contact and instantly began flying back up. Once they reached the broken window, the dragon rested its upper body in the room while leaving the lower half suspended in the air along with the curse.

Descending, the child ran towards the bodies lying in the living room and began to cry. The other two decided to go after him as the tragic scene wasn't something the child should witness. Gojo brought him back, and the kid cried, "IT'S NOT FAIR! IT'S NOT FAIR!!!"

Geto approached the child and decided to crouch down. Gojo did the same and looked closely at the kid. He looked like an eleven-year-old yet his face reflected as many emotions as years. Geto took the child's hand and asked him what wasn't fair, and still choked on his tears, the child responded:

"IT'S NOT FAIR!!! THEY DIDN'T DO ANYTHING WRONG! THEY DIDN'T DESERVE TO BE PUNISHED!!! THE BAD MAN DID!"

Geto tightly squeezed the child's hand and calmly asked, "What's your name?"

Through tears, the kid replied, "Tadashi."

"Then Tadashi, could you tell me what happened?" Geto inquired as he looked at the kid's teary brown eyes.

The kid wiped his nose with his shirt and nodded. He held Geto's hand tighter and led him to the bathroom. Gojo followed them from behind, and when he saw that the boy was sitting on the bathtub and Geto was doing the same, he worriedly questioned, "Geto... is it necessary to do it here? We can-"

The child interrupted and said, "Just him."

Gojo saw Geto trying to hide his smile behind his hand.

"Fine" Responded Gojo as he let out a defeated sigh, "I didn't want to sit there anyway."

Gojo turned around and decided to check if there was nothing else strange in the other rooms. Minutes passed, and after making sure everything was alright, except for the dragon and the curse, he went to look for the woman window that had led them to the room minutes ago. Once he found her, they returned to the room and heard several heartbroken cries, a moment later, Geto came out of the bathroom with Tadashi in his arms; he had fallen asleep. Geto approached Gojo and the woman and then explained the situation in a low and soft voice:

"It seems Kane wasn't a good man. He was a loan shark who thrived on making impossible demands. Tadashi's family wasn't a wealthy one. They had been victims of Kane's scams, and after going bankrupt, they went to reclaim him, but he refused to listen. This went on for months until the family met another victim of Kane's, who happened to work here. They orchestrated the revenge, but karma played against them. Tadashi sneaked in because he wanted to be by his older brother's side, but his father locked him in the bathroom. Still, he remembers Kane's screams, swearing to kill Tadashi's whole family... He didn't expect his relatives to be dead. Now he just wants to see his mom."

The window responded, "Nevertheless, the kid experienced enough trauma; we must ensure that his negative emotions do not turn into cursed energy. I will somehow contact his mother, and after investigating him, I will see what I can do."

Gojo then said, "Charge the expenses to my name."

"What?" Questioned the window.

Gojo repeated in a soft voice so he wouldn't wake Tadashi up, "The kid has nothing left, only his mother. Make sure he gets a place to live and gets treatment. Charge the expenses to my name."

"Uh, okay." Said the window.

The window took the child and left once she reminded them that they should leave. Geto turned and walked toward the majestic dragon, which obediently brought its tail closer. Mesmerized, Gojo observed as Geto extended his hand, the curse's body, which once was trapped in the dragon's tail, started contorting itself until it fit into Geto's palm. As he brought his hand towards his mouth, Gojo unconsciously raised his voice, "NO."

"?" Geto stopped.

"Don't eat it." Stated Gojo.

"Why?" Geto inquired with a quirked eyebrow.

It seemed like Gojo didn't even know why he was addressing him in the first place, but he continued, "The man from whom that curse emerged was trash."

"And?" Geto wondered.

Gojo unknowingly clenched his hand and then said, "You don't deserve to swallow that."

Geto's pupils had momentarily retracted as he tried to search for Gojo's eyes behind his glasses. Gojo realized this, lowered his glasses, and repeated, "Don't eat it."

Geto sighed and said, "We agreed that I would be the one to exorcise it…"

"Well… now I'll do it." Stated Gojo.

Geto quickly looked at the curse in his hand and back at Gojo. And then, he quickly swallowed it. Gojo rushed to hit him while angrily shouting, "I'VE JUST TOLD YOU NOT TO!!!"

"HAHAHA," Geto laughed, "IT WAS EASIER THAN LETTING IT GROW AGAIN AND KILL IT."

Gojo started gently choking Geto while shouting, "BUT I TOLD YOU NOT TO!"

For a few seconds, Gojo continued until he got tired, stood up, and started walking towards the door. Then he said, "Let's go."

And Geto followed him.

Both descended into the elevator and upon reaching the ground floor, they thanked the windows and exited the curtain. Although there was still a mission report to be submitted, Geto suggested to Gojo that they should eat something at a nearby place. On the way, they found a burger joint and decided to enter. When it came time to order their food, Gojo let Geto go first and then repeated the exact same order. Geto glanced at him suspiciously, but Gojo pretended as if nothing had happened. They found a table near a window, sat down, and Geto unwrapped his burger. Gojo paid attention and copied him. Unsure of what to do, Gojo looked up once again to see what the other was doing but found Geto sitting with crossed arms, staring at him.

"Is this your first time at a place like this?" Geto asked, quirking an eyebrow.

Gojo froze for a second, and then a "Tsk" sound was heard. Geto laughed and grabbed his burger with both hands, taking a bite; Gojo did the same. The taste was indescribably delicious, and although no words were muttered, he thought Geto understood what he was thinking because there was no other reason for Geto to be smiling.

After eating, they continued walking towards the school. But along the way, Geto halted in front of what appeared to be an arcade. Turning towards Gojo, he grinned and said, "I'm feeling generous today—take advantage."

Gojo entered the arcade, absorbed. Despite his love for games, he had never visited such a store before. The wide range of fluorescent colors, the strange-patterned carpets, the unfamiliar scents, the sounds that came from all directions, and the numerous game machines fascinated him. While Gojo observed the games, Geto had probably gone to buy something. Gojo continued walking through the large hallways. He saw there was a couple that were playing crane games and unbeknownst to him, the corner of lips started to turn upwards. He kept on walking and saw two boys playing; one of them was sitting on one side of the machine, while the other boy was sitting across him. Gojo guessed that they were playing against each other.

He then heard footsteps approaching him, so he turned around and with a big smile asked, "Can we play this one?"

"Do you know how to play?" Questioned Geto.

"No, but I bet I'll win." Responded Gojo with a child-like smile.

Geto returned the smile, and while those kids played, Geto explained to him how to play. The kids played several rounds, but in the end, one stood up as the winner after five matches. The other kid was upset, but, Gojo observed the winner put his arm around his friend's shoulders and began to walk together towards the exit while the other said, "I'll beat you next time."

The mundane scene that unfolded before his eyes left him thinking. Geto, who was already seated in the previous loser's seat, said while grinning, "Are you going to play, or are you scared?"

Gojo smiled and sat down.

Gojo won the first round, but Geto reckoned it didn't count because he was still explaining how it worked. Gojo lost the second and third ones, but he argued that those didn't count because Geto already knew how to play. The other didn't accept his demands and only told him to play fair. Somehow, he won the fourth one. Tied, he decided to challenge Geto, "If I win, we have to come back."

Geto smiled and said, "May the strongest one win."

Gojo returned the smile.

The golden hues of the descending afternoon bathed the surroundings as they strolled, their footsteps echoing through the corridors until the imposing school building loomed before them.

They went straight to Professor Yaga to report on the mission. With the report completed, both sighed with relief. As they navigated the school corridors towards the dormitories, Geto suddenly recalled something and inquired whether Gojo had informed his assistants to pick him up. Gojo knew that they were probably already waiting, but for some reason, he didn't want the day to end. Still, he nodded, and Geto began walking towards the school exit.

From behind, Gojo raised his gaze and took a few seconds to look at the other's back. It's exactly like the one he saw on the first day of class; his hair is a bit longer now, but still the same. However, there's something different about this back, or at least that's what Gojo believes. He feels that before, he couldn't identify to whom that back belonged or provide a description of that person. But now, he has an idea.

Geto turned around, and upon seeing that Gojo was already observing him, he stared back and questioned, "What's with that look?"

"What look?" Asked Gojo.

Geto kept on walking, and after a couple of steps said, "I don't know what happened to you today, but if this is your new personality, I honestly don't mind."

"New personality?" Said Gojo with an offended tone, "The only new thing about my personality is that now I can claim to be an arcade game champion."

"Aham, sure." Geto said and continued, "But I'm serious. It was fun spending the day like this. Besides, what you did for the kid earlier today... I thought it was fair."

"I did it because there was no other option." Gojo muttered.

"Even so," Said Geto while looking at him, "It's the thought that counts."

As the sun began its descent, Geto gazed at the horizon, a myriad of emotions playing across his face.

"What are you doing?" Asked Gojo.

Geto replied with, "Appreciating."

Gojo took off his glasses and decided to appreciate the sunset alongside Geto for a few seconds before they started walking again.

Geto spoke, "That one time... You asked me something about destiny."

"Oh, don't mind it. It wasn't important." Said Gojo.

"I told you I didn't care about destiny. But I kept thinking that… there are still things I hope, wish for, and desire, so maybe that is destiny?"

"Nah" Said Gojo, "Destiny is more like... um... Like a path that is already paved, and you just have to walk on it. What you're saying might be something else."

"And what is it then?" Questioned Geto, "Because I can say, 'Tomorrow, I want to beat Satoru', and most likely I'll put in the work to achieve it. It's something that wasn't planned, but it's something I can start paving."

Gojo Satoru could perceive the words slipping from the lips of Geto Suguru, yet, no matter how earnest his wish to grasp their essence was, his mind was caught in a whirlpool. It felt like for the first time, someone other than his parents, addressed him by his name. And not the one everyone uses to demonstrate the unattainable superiority that exists over the rest of mortals and him; but the name that resonates within him, the name that keeps him grounded on the path; a reminder of his authentic self. In that moment, someone has turned towards him, transcended the bounds of the infinite, and acknowledged him for who he truly was.

Geto must have noticed Gojo's unreadable expression and said, "Ah, sorry if I offended you; I said it as an example, don't-"

"It's okay." Confessed Satoru.

Geto didn't move for a second, so Satoru smiled and repeated, "It's okay, Suguru."

Suguru still didn't move, but Satoru walked towards his side, turned off his 'infinity', put his arm around his friend's shoulders, and began to walk together towards the exit while the other said, "Still, I'll beat you next time."

Satoru only responded, "May the strongest one win!"

Then, the lady who always had accompanied him called his other name from the exit. And as always, once they got closer, Suguru inclined his head and bid goodbye. The woman returned the gesture. Satoru still didn't want the day to end, but as he started walking with the lady, what he had just said gave him an idea.

-

Upon arriving at his residence, he was greeted by each of the workers. Though his clan had few members, maids, stewards, and assistants filled the void within the immense structure. Yet, no matter how fervently these workers attempted to extend their welcome to Satoru, their efforts could never beckon his gaze. An abyss still spanned the divide between his world and theirs.

Inside his chamber, the young man decided to draw back the curtains, allowing the moonlight from the blue sky to enter so that he could appreciate it. After changing from his uniform into his kimono, he turned his gaze to his bed, imposingly situated in the middle of the room. He sat on it, and after a few moments, lay down. As short as the day may have been, the amount of information that filled his mind had been overwhelming; but he could do something about it.

About thirty minutes had passed when the servants knocked on the door, reminding the eminence of the day's activities that still awaited. The young man simply stood up, sighed, searched for his glasses that he had forgotten in his uniform pocket, and left his room.

Upon entering the hall, he only saw the woman he called grandmother seated at the long table. Although she was already an elderly lady, she was the one in charge of the organization within the clan. In front of her were two plates. Surely, tonight, only the two of them would dine.

Satoru sat in front of her, removed his glasses, and inquired, "What's the plan for tomorrow?"

The old woman looked at him and, after a few seconds replied:

"Tomorrow is Saturday, child. You'll wake up at six, have breakfast, and practice natural sciences until eight; at ten, we'll meet with some merchants. At twelve, we'll have lunch in Shibuya, and then we'll travel to Kyoto. We have a meeting near Mount Inari in the evening, so we'll stay overnight. You'll wake up at five in the morning of the following day, have breakfast, get dressed, and at six, we'll leave Kyoto. Once in Tokyo, we have a meeting at two in the afternoon. We'll arrive at the residence at five in the evening; there you can practice physical combat if you wish, otherwise, you'll study mathematics. On Monday, you'll be awakened and taken to school-"

"I don't want to." He firmly interrupted.

The old woman spared a glace at him, sighed in annoyance, and after a few seconds, replied, "It's not a matter of wanting, child; it is what has been planned."

He then stated, "I don't want to; I'm moving out tomorrow."

The old woman, tired and in a firm tone, replied, "Everything is already planned."

Gojo raised his voice and coldly said, "Well, I don't care."

The old woman pointed a chopstick at him and angrily exclaimed, "DON'T ANSWER ME! YOU HAVE NO SAY; THINGS ARE AS THEY ARE."

The honored one stared at her and asked, "Am I strong?"

"What did you say, child?" She inquired.

"I AM STRONG!" The shout of the almighty resonated through the residence; different women and men approached, concerned.

The elderly woman said, "DON'T YOU DARE RAISE YOUR VOICE AT ME, CHILD!"

"I AM STRONGER! AND THOSE STRONGER THAN THE STRONGEST CAN VOICE THEIR OPINION ON THE WORLD'S REALITY!" He loudly proclaimed.

She then shouted with fervor, "ETIQUETTE, FOOLISH CHILD. YOU MAY BE STRONG, BUT DEEP DOWN, YOU ARE NOTHING. BUT. ARROGANT."

Rising to his feet, the strongest one declared, "WELL, I'LL BE VERY ARROGANT! I'LL BE AS ARROGANT AS STRONG! AND ANYONE WHO OPPOSES ME WILL HAVE TO FACE ME AND DEFEAT ME TO MAKE ME THINK OTHERWISE!"

Gojo Satoru looked at the woman he called grandmother, stared into her eyes, and asked, "WILL YOU BE THE FIRST?"

The terrified old woman just looked at him. Almost whispering and breathless, she responded through her teeth, "You will waste everything we have worked for because of your selfishness."

Gojo Satoru baffledly shouted, "SELFISHNESS?" And continued while clenching his hands, "ALL MY LIFE I'VE LIVED FOLLOWING THE PATH THAT WAS PAVED FOR ME. I'M SICK OF IT. I'M LEAVING!" Then, he turned his back on her.

The woman began to scream at him, demanding him to stay while insulting him. She begged him and even dared to throw the dinner utensils at him, yet nothing coming from that pathetic old woman reached him. He walked towards the entrance of the hall and opened the doors. She defied once again screaming, "COME BACK THIS INSTANT OR I'LL-!!!"

Satoru looked at her and raised his hand, a blue shimmer began to form on his index finger. The woman started screaming incomprehensible words as if she had just gone mad. Upon seeing her horrified face, after a few seconds, Gojo lowered his hand and the shimmer disappeared. He looked at the woman who was in tears, turned around, and continued walking in silence.

He went to his chamber, packed his things, and walked through the residence one last time. The moon illuminated every corner of what used to be his home. Satoru allowed himself to appreciate the fine architecture of the place and the tapestries that covered it. As he strolled, he discovered that two walls, one in front of the other, were similarly adorned. On one side, there was a setting sun over the sea. The sky was orange, and over the waves, fallen petals floated. On the other, a bright sun over a blue sky; the petals were flying.

Minutes passed, and he decided to make two phone calls: the first one to Professor Yaga and the second one to Suguru.

He departed for the institution accompanied by his lady and chauffeur. Beyond Tokyo's fringes, amidst the shrouded Mushiro mountain range, meandering through veils of wispy mist, lay the path leading to a breathtaking valley aglow with the silver hues of autumn's moon. Here lay the school. The lady who accompanied him bid her master farewell, reminding him that they would be there whenever he required assistance. Thus, she bowed gracefully. Satoru observed her and decided to bow his own head. The woman reproached that it was not necessary, and he simply thanked her. Before he even took a step inside, Professor Yaga Masamichi extended his welcome and proceeded to inquire about the commotion. Satoru replied that he simply felt like living there. Yaga turned to look at him with puzzlement, but after a few seconds, he sighed and accepted.

Satoru then spoke, "Professor... I may not know yet the reason why I want to be a sorcerer... but still, I know I can find one. So give me a little more time, and perhaps I can give you an honest answer."

Yaga continued walking, and even though he didn't utter a word, Satoru managed to notice that one corner of his mouth was upturned. They walked, as the wind blew, and the professor asked if he had ever been assigned a dormitory, after affirmatively answering, he left the youth to his own luck. Alone, Satoru walked until he reached the dormitory aisle, where a figure was already waiting for him.

"And now I have to help you unpack just because you felt like it." Suguru uttered.

Satoru giggled and said, "Yes."

"Well… There's no other option... Give me your bag; I'll help you." Expressed Suguru as he approached him.

"Thanks, Suguru."

"You're welcome, Satoru."

Both men entered Satoru's room and began cleaning and arranging his things. Satoru didn't like the bed's location and moved it. He also didn't like how the desk looked in a corner, so he asked Suguru for his opinion. The other replied that if he placed the desk under the window, he would have better light to study, and Satoru agreed. Although he didn't bring much clothing, it took them a while to finish settling down. While Satoru unpacked his clothes, Suguru asked him where he had bought them or what he thought of them. Satoru admitted that there were some he didn't like, and Suguru simply threw them away. Although he complained, Suguru reassured him that tomorrow he would accompany him to buy something he liked, but in return, he should treat him to lunch. Satoru agreed, and they continued organizing.

A couple of hours passed, and they finally finished. Both lay down on the bed, and Suguru complained about how much he had worked today. Satoru replied, "But it was fun, wasn't it?"

Suguru hid his smile and, trying to sound angry, said, "I don't know."

A 'Pfft' sound came out of Satoru.

"It was fun; I don't know why, but I felt like a child again." Admitted Suguru.

Satoru hadn't thought about it, but Suguru's words were once again true. He has no childhood to compare to, but he estimates that if he were to have had a normal childhood, it might resemble this. He then turned to Suguru and asked, "Say, did you have many friends as a child? Because you clearly don't seem like someone who had many..."

"Me!? You're the one who seems to have never had a friend. I had friends, but none that I can say were close." Admitted Suguru.

"So you didn't have friends." Responded Satoru.

Suguru began to get angry, and Satoru laughed. He said, "Suguru, if it's any consolation, I never had a friend!"

Suguru looked at him for a moment with puzzled eyes but then said, "I told you. You seemed to have never had a friend."

"Do you want me to hit you?" Satoru asked.

With a defying tone, Suguru said, "Come on, hit me!"

"Don't feel like it." Said Satoru.

"Then why ask!?" Breathless, Suguru turned his back to Satoru.

The latter one stared at his back for a few seconds before he mentioned, "You should tie your hair; it's quite long already."

"I choose when to tie my hair!" Stated Suguru as he crossed his arms.

"Ok..." Satoru uttered.

"..."

"..."

Suguru turned back to look at him and, while holding his bangs asked with curiosity, "What do you think? Should I tie it?"

"Yes! It would look good on you!" Satoru expressed.

They both talked a bit more, but Satoru couldn't help but occasionally glance at the small gleam of moonlight coming through the window curtain. Suguru might have noticed it because he said, "Open it if you want, Satoru."

Satoru opened the window, and both men were bathed by the moonlight. Observing the starkness of the blue sky, Satoru confessed, "Today must have been one of my favorite days ever."

Suguru responded with a weary voice, "I'm glad."

"And... what will we do tomorrow?" Satoru asked as he turned to look at the other who was still looking at the moon.

"Whatever you want." Suguru replied.

Satoru began to ponder those words Suguru had spoken earlier about destiny and desire, and perhaps in this quiet moment, he discerns that while there is already a path paved for him, there also lies a pathway meticulously forged by the hands of Geto Suguru. The peculiar thing about this path was that it consisted of numerous unpaved intersections, ready to be walked and created whenever at the whims of his heart's desire.

The dream began to weigh on the eyelids of the young men, but even so, the conversation continued, and the day seemed to stretch into infinity.

With the softest voice he'd ever spoken, he stated, "Thank you, Suguru."

Then Suguru's eyes opened as if he had just remembered something, "Oh, I almost forgot. Satoru, thanks for what you did for me today."

"?"

Suguru's purple eyes focused on Gojo's blue ones and with great sincerity and a bit of embarrassment said, "Saying I didn't deserve to swallow the curse."

In reality, that comment had slipped Satoru's mind, but he recalled that at some point Suguru told him it's the thought that counts, so he chose to stay silent about that. Still, he gave the other an honest smile and mentioned, "It's nothing, Suguru."

Throughout heaven and earth, the sole figure deserving of homage is Gojo Satoru. Yet, in this dual existence, throughout heaven and earth, Geto Suguru stands faithfully by his side. What once felt intricate now unravels into a semblance of simplicity on this profound night. They linger in silence, enveloped in the solace of each other's presence, and, after the passage of a few heartbeats, both succumb to the gentle embrace of sleep.

As the moonlight, once their silent companion, gracefully witnessed the changing seasons in a seamless dance, it transformed itself into a storyteller. Brushing the canvas of their shared experiences with the palette of shifting seasons, narrating the passage of time. With days and nights passing, the cold made its way and the wind gained momentum, coaxing the last vestiges of leaves to descend with grace. Simultaneously, the rain transformed itself into crystalline frost. The air, once filled with the warmth of autumn, now carries the crisp notes of winter's arrival.

After classes, Suguru's habit of accompanying Satoru to the entrance was replaced by outings to buy something to eat, explore new places, stroll around, or visit the arcade. There were days when Satoru won fights but lost in games, and others where he lost fights but excelled in games. But at the end of the day, what truly mattered was not the outcome.

In the depth of his longing, there existed a purity and selflessness so profound that, for Satoru, knowing another soul could extend beyond that unlimited void and address him by his name held profound significance. Maybe he yearned for a companion who would dare to touch him and whom he could touch; someone beside him to share the title of the strongest. A person who could bring forth a childlike innocence in him; a friend whom he could spend spring with.

In the luminous embrace of moonlit nights, Satoru would fix his gaze upon the moon, expressing gratitude for the unfolding chapter in his existence—a chapter where the whispers of his profound desires reverberated in the quiet moments, pledging the promise of a journey through life's ever-shifting seasons with Geto Suguru by his side.