Things are looking up, right?

XX

Utahime was surprisingly sober when she got home from her night out. She'd considered going back into the bar after Gojo left and drinking until she'd forgotten their whole interaction, but then she'd run the risk of running into that woman who'd called her scar "hideous", and she could just imagine the woman's condescending expression when Utahime returned without her supposed fiancé and got drunk. Also, her friends would have questions that she wasn't in the mood to answer. Damn Shoko for being forced to leave so soon. And damn Gojo Satoru for showing up and confusing the hell out of her.

She'd already been struggling with his whole courting nonsense, not as blasé about it as she'd try to appear to Shoko. Gojo being nice to her was just wrong. Gojo calling her the most beautiful woman in the world was just laughable. Utahime was sure the whole bar was ready to laugh at them for trying to pull off something so unbelievable. She still couldn't believe she'd slapped Gojo! There was no excuse except for the building frustration she felt towards him and his mercurial moods. His entire behaviour towards her had done a one-eighty in the last couple of weeks and she knew something had to change or she was going to murder the man.

Calling her weak was one thing, holding her hand and acting all loving towards her was something entirely different. She hated duplicity in people. She hated that Gojo's actions had almost fooled her enough to believe them, when he was only trying to help her out in his own heavy-handed way. She told herself she was glad that he'd finally got it in his head that he needed to start treating her like an equal. She told herself that her heart hadn't dropped when he'd called her "senpai". She'd demanded it from him for years. She'd waited for the day when he finally admitted she was his elder, and wiser than him. It was a hollow victory to hear the respectful term after so long. It didn't make her feel as triumphant as she'd imagined it would. It was probably the circumstances. These types of discussions were never easy and this one was long overdue.

"It felt like I broke up with him," Utahime muttered to herself as she got ready for bed. Which was stupid. She'd been single for way too long. "Stupid Gojo and his stupid flowery words and his stupid smiles." She was happy they'd come to an understanding at least. She was happy, she was happy, she was happy. Maybe if she kept repeating it, it would be true. Everything about today would be better tomorrow with some perspective.

XX

"You told Gojo to what?" Shoko asked skeptically.

"I told Gojo to act like an adult and stop teasing me, and he agreed." Utahime repeated, the smile on her face wavering at Shoko's reaction.

"What exactly did you say to him?" Shoko demanded, head throbbing with how oblivious Utahime was when it came to Gojo. She'd known Gojo was acting differently lately. She'd noted with concern that he was acting a little more reckless than usual, his behaviour more chaotic than it usually was as he worked himself harder than he ever had, while still training Itadori and teaching his classes. Even Megumi had made an offhand comment about how weird he was being. Weirder than usual anyway.

"He showed up to the Karaoke bar and after my song some woman was insulting my face. I was ready to choke her, but Gojo appeared out of nowhere and…dealt with it." Utahime looked away from Shoko at that part and Shoko eye's narrowed with suspicion.

"How did he deal with it?"

Utahime shrugged evasively. "He was nice for once. He got me out of there but just when I thought he was actually being decent, he demanded a thank you." Utahime shifted, remembering with a wince Gojo's expression when she'd slapped him. She reacted without thought, but deep down she'd thought there was no possibility of making contact. Infinity was impenetrable. How was she to know he wasn't using Limitless?

"And?" Shoko asked impatiently, pulling out a cigarette and lighting it.

"And I don't know what came over me. I slapped him."

"You hit Gojo?" Shoko took a shaky drag from her cigarette and shook her head in disbelief.

Utahime threw up her hands. "Yes, I hit him! But I didn't think I would make contact. He's always protected himself before when I throw stuff at him. I apologized," she said defensively. "And I asked him to stop teasing me and act like a real adult…and he agreed! It was the most civil we've ever been to each other. I even said we could be friends!"

Shoko was about to take another drag of her cigarette but paused at Utahime's last statement. "Why would you tell him that? You're already friends."

"We are now," Utahime said with exasperation. "We weren't before."

Shoko used her free hand to press against her forehead. These two would be the death of her. "What do you mean, you weren't before?"

"Remember, I told you I hurt his feelings a couple weeks ago? He was being rude and invasive in the name of 'friendship'. I told him not to bother since we weren't friends."

"What in the world did you consider him before now?" Shoko asked incredulously.

"Acquaintances." Utahime said primly.

Shoko groaned and brought her hand down laterally on Utahime's head in admonishment. "Gojo's been half in love with you for years, you little idiot. Of course, he's going to be hurt when you tell him you don't even consider him a friend. I didn't think you had such cruelty in you, Utahime."

"Half in love with me!" Utahime laughed hysterically. "Gojo thinks I'm useless." Utahime took a look at the clock and realized she was going to be late if she didn't leave now. "Sorry, have to run. I'll talk to you later, Shoko. Don't worry about Gojo and me. Things are much better between us. The man hasn't been insufferable in days."

Shoko just shook her head as Utahime ran out the door with her baseball outfit on. "Those idiots," she muttered to herself. They were grown adults. This wasn't school anymore and they would either figure it out or they wouldn't. She just hoped Utahime didn't crush Gojo before she realized she was in love with him.

XX

Utahime had been looking forward to the baseball game between the Kyoto and Tokyo schools for awhile. Baseball was her favorite sport and she was sure her class had a chance at winning. Todo was strong and would be able to smash the baseball in a homerun easily and with Nishimiya policing the skies and Mechamaru as their pitcher, their defense was strong. She was a little nervous to see Gojo but with the students as a buffer, she was sure she wouldn't have much interaction with him.

She smiled at her own thoughts. Who was she kidding? Gojo never left her alone when they were in the same vicinity. Hopefully he would keep his promise to remain respectful at least.

She was running late after her unsettling conversation with Shoko, so she had little chance to greet her students before the game started. She saw Gojo across the field in the other dugout and waved to him, attempting to be friendly. He looked around in confusion for a moment and seemed to realize she was waving at him. His hand lifted in a hesitant wave back before he turned and focused on his students. Utahime was pleased with the interaction, certain their relationship was already on the mend towards true friendship.

They interacted very little during the match, and Utahime was surprised at it. Gojo rarely gave up the opportunity to tease her, or shout something insulting to her if they weren't close to each other at an event. She supposed that was to be expected. He probably didn't know how to interact with her now and she was at a loss on what to yell at him anyway. She would typically give as good as she got, but that felt weird to just start randomly jeering at him when she was trying to be friendly towards him.

After the match, where her team lost gracefully, Utahime consoled them by promising treats on the ride back to Kyoto. Their moods improved and she watched them interact with the Tokyo students with satisfaction at a well-fought game.

"They tried their best, senpai." Gojo commented as he approached her.

"They did," Utahime beamed at her students. "Congratulations Gojo on the win. That Itadori is something else. The whole team was wonderful."

Gojo turned towards Itadori with a fond smile, "Isn't he?"

They were silent for some moments, and Utahime started feeling awkwardness creeping in. They weren't often silent with each other, Gojo teasing her and Utahime firing back. With this new dynamic, they had to figure out how to remain civil to each other and not fall into the same cycle. It was to be expected, Utahime reassured herself. Things would be better soon.

"I really appreciate you trying to do what I asked," Utahime finally said, just to end the silence.

"I told you I would," Gojo said stoically, faltering slightly as he admitted, "I want you to consider us friends."

"I do," Utahime promised quickly. "I do, and I'm sorry I didn't think we were before."

"That was my fault," Gojo reassured her. "I assumed…too much."

Utahime nodded, throat suddenly tight at Gojo's reserved demeanor. It was like he was completely different person that was wearing Gojo Satoru's face. "Hey, I have some tickets to a concert next weekend if you want to go with me?" She'd planned on asking on one of her non-sorcerer friends but she needed to brighten Gojo's mood. He was so unlike himself with her that she felt like she was talking to a stranger.

"A concert?" Gojo perked up immediately.

"I'm not sure if you'll like them, but I know for sure Shoko and Mei Mei can't stand them. You really don't need to accept if you don't want to." Utahime assured him.

"I'm going," Gojo said firmly, with a wide smile.

Utahime relaxed at his smile, finally at ease with a glimpse of the Gojo she was used to. "Thanks, Gojo."

"Anything for you, Utahime."

Utahime looked towards him curiously, but she couldn't read his expression, his sunglasses covering his expressive eyes. She knew he covered them for a reason, experiencing sensory overload if he kept them uncovered for long periods of time. She could count the times she'd glimpsed them up close on both hands. But every time she did, they were so beautiful that she wished she could stare at them forever. She wondered if his lovers were given the privilege of seeing Gojo without his blindfold or glasses while he was at home. She knew he preferred darkness and his apartment had heavy curtains so he could take his blindfold off without hurting his eyes during the day if he wanted to. She'd only been to his home a couple times, and always during the day. He'd kept his blindfold on and curtains open, and they rarely went on missions together so her opportunities to see his eyes were so limited.

One day she'd ask him to take the glasses off so they could talk without any barriers. Her last conversation with him had been at night and she'd been distracted. Next time she'd be able to watch them clearly. She needed to erase the memory of his stricken expression when she'd slapped him, pupils so wide they almost drowned the blue of his eyes.

"Anything, you say? How about buying lunch for our hungry students?" she teased gently, grinning at his affronted expression.

"Do you know how much Itadori eats? Or Panda? I'm sure Todo puts them both to shame!" Gojo said with outrage.

"You have big pockets Gojo," Utahime smirked.

"Not nearly big enough," he said mournfully, pulling his empty pockets inside out in demonstration.

Utahime snorted at his puppy-dog expression. "If you pay today, I'll pay at the concert," she offered.

"Hey, I didn't say I was broke!" Gojo folded his arms over his chest and pouted.

Utahime giggled at his ridiculous display. She felt a surge of affection for Gojo as he pouted childishly. She lifted on her tip toes and pressed her lips to Gojo's cheek. "Thanks for buying lunch."

She turned to her students and blushed at the curious expressions on the few who were paying attention to her and Gojo's interaction.

"Are they dating?" she heard Miwa question Mai with an envious expression.

"None of our business." Mai dismissed her and turned away.

Utahime was grateful for Mai's disinterest but her face burned at the implication. Why did she kiss him? She'd made a fool of herself, and she couldn't even imagine what Gojo was thinking. She squared her shoulders, forcing herself to put her thoughts away for another time. She clapped her hands together and called to the students. Miwa's inquisitive stare lit up as Utahime announced Gojo would be taking them out for lunch. Cheers went up and Utahime and Gojo were forgotten in the rush to clean up. Utahime was turned away and didn't see the thumbs up that both Itadori and Todo aimed at Gojo, who was wearing a dazed expression on his face.

XX

Utahime kissed his cheek. Gojo was probably grinning like an idiot for the entire lunch, not even paying attention to the bill amount as he paid. He could still feel the impression of her lips against his cheek. He

vaguely recalled making conversation with his students, but Utahime was at another table with her students so he had to be satisfied with watching her eating her ramen from afar.

As the Kyoto students piled onto their bus, Utahime hung back and stood by Gojo. "Thanks again for paying for lunch."

Gojo grinned. "Anything for you, Utahime." And he meant it if she kissed him again.

Utahime rolled her eyes but patted his arm carefully. "I'll see you Saturday?"

"Yes!" Gojo's enthusiastic reply had Utahime smiling.

"Let me know if anything comes up and you can't make it." Utahime said quickly as the last student boarded the bus. She ran to the bus, turning and waving to him before boarding.

"See you Saturday!" Gojo called out as the bus pulled away.

"So, you are dating?" Itadori asked innocently.

Gojo slapped him on the shoulder, knocking the boy off his feet. "No, we're just friends." Gojo said. He wouldn't get his hopes up yet. But she'd kissed him. He whistled as his students started walking back to the school. He couldn't wait until Saturday.

Thanks for reading.