Cursed Love

~ From Me To You, My Beloved ~

October 2016.

Satoru sits on his favorite leather chair and leans back, craning his neck while his blindfolded eyes face the ceiling. The luxury item he sits on is courtesy of his own wallet. He believed he should give himself that much comfort if he is going to be away from his primary residence. In truth, Satoru has a flat in Tokyo - he just doesn't frequent the place as much. After the wedding, that might change. A soft smile sneaks onto his lips as he thinks of his bride-to-be - he didn't see her in a long while.

"I wonder what she looks like now," he wonders out loud.

Humming, the white-haired sorcerer lifts his head and reaches for his phone. He unlocks the device to check the time and then searches through his messages. There were no new messages, only his correspondence with Mathias, his future brother-in-law. Satoru sighs; he dislikes Mathias. The man was a pain in the ass for most of his life. I hope she won't insist on inviting him over, he wonders briefly. That'd be a huge drag.

"Gojo-sama."

Satoru shifted his focus from his phone to the masked intruder. Standing at the entrance to the Jujutsu High's classroom is a short woman with a slender physique, dressed in an ornate purple and black suit with a unique silver dragon and red spider lily motif embroidered on her shoulder pads. Satoru smiles as he realizes the intruder is a Shuuin spy.

"You've got an accent," he notes with a smile on his lips. "Not from the Japan branch, I take it?"

The spy bows slightly. "Norway, sir."

"Ah," he says somewhat humorously. "Well, if you're here, your mistress must be close."

The spy shakes her head. "No, sir. Mistress is still in Nikko but she will be here by the nightfall."

Someone's having cold feet, Satoru notes. "It is no problem. As long as she makes it safe and sound to Tokyo, she should explore Japan to her heart's content."

"Another thing, sir," the spy says as she reaches for the inside of her sleeve, revealing a folded parchment. "Master Mathias sent you this in advance."

"Did he now?" Satoru asks and extends his hand to the spy, inviting her inside his personal space. "If that is all, you're free to go."

Handing over the letter, the spy bows one more time and disappears into the corridor, leaving Satoru alone as he focuses on the letter in his hands. It lacks an envelope and the Shuuin wax seal but it had the Shuuin stamp. Meaning it's off records, Satoru concludes and unfolds the parchment. As he expected, the letter lacks obvious formality and decorum. Instead, it is written in seemingly hurried handwriting which Satoru finds unrefined.

"You seriously need to practice your hiragana, Mat," Satoru grumbles as he struggles to read the letter. "Liv picked up these things much better."

After a painful few minutes of deciphering Mathias's scribbles, Satoru sighs in defeat and then folds the letter again before putting it inside his pocket. It's probably not important anyway. He then stands up and stretches his arms before making his way to the morgue.

Liv looks at her watch, surprised to see that it is well past noon. Shit, she curses inwardly before searching for her phone and then speed-dials her assistant. After three rings, she hears a familiar drawl from the other side of the line.

"Took you long enough," the voice says in Norwegian, obviously annoyed. "You're lucky Gojo is as nonchalant as you. Rune was trembling on her way to Jujutsu High."

Liv chuckles, immediately regretting it her assistant barks in response, "This isn't funny, Liv! We're ass-deep in deadlines and responsibilities, and you're spending your time sightseeing."

"Would you rather I rampage across the countryside, Tove?" Liv says, her voice smooth and shrouded with venom. "My car is due for maintenance anyway."

"You know that's not what I meant," Tove says calmly. "Please, tell me you're on your way."

Liv is quiet for a moment. "That's why I called, Tove."

She hears a hum before Tove continues, "Should I let Mathias know?"

"I spoke with Mathias earlier today so he's informed," Liv says quickly.

Tove didn't speak for a while. "Are you alright?"

No, Liv wants to say and shakes her head. "Sure. Why wouldn't I be?"

"You can still call it off," comes the soft reply. "We can go back to Stavanger, open up a bar, live out our lives in peace."

"Be the wife of a wealthy aristocrat," Liv teases, "or swipe vomit and shit off the floor? What to choose, what to choose?"

"Could I tempt you with a mountain house then?" Tove asks teasingly. "It could be arranged. We'll sign a lease with Mathias's name."

Liv chuckles. Tove always knew how to bring out a smile on people's faces.

"That would be nice," Liv says somewhat sad, "but you know I can't."

Tove sighs. "I know. It was worth a shot, though."

Liv smiles but the smile never reaches her hazel eyes.

Shoko Ieiri is what one would call the epitome of 'I don't give a fuck'. The woman has proud herself of being impassive and unaffected by things that would easily distraught others. This is partially the reason why she studied medicine in the first place - hard facts, no bullshit, it is what it is. Hence, Satoru is surprised to find her shocked once he revealed his engagement to her.

"Y-You," she stuttered, "what?"

Satoru cocks his head to the side. "I'm getting married? Didn't you hear me the first time?"

"Yeah, I heard you," Shoko says, her voice even. "I'm just checking if I heard it right."

Satoru hums. "Is it that weird that I'm engaged?"

"Yes," Shoko deadpans.

"Why?" Satoru asks, genuinely curious about her answer.

Shoko lifts a brow. "Who'd marry you, idiot?"

Satoru is genuinely offended by her answer.

Liv remembers the last time she was at Jujutsu High. Her memories of the place are rather mixed. There are some good ones and then, there are some really bad ones. Liv prefers to keep a positive outlook on life and all its challenges but when it comes to her life in Japan, the pain always outweighs the joy. As she slowly approaches the outer area of Jujutsu High's campus, Liv's frown deepens. She can feel her heart tighten in her chest, causing her to grab the front of her black hoodie. Don't cry, she repeats stubbornly. Don't cry, don't cry. She then takes a few deep breaths, trying to calm her raging nerves. Damn this place.

She pushes on the brake gently and stops her car at the entrance to the campus at the foothills of Mount Mushiro. Turning the key inside the lock, the engine rumbles and then goes quiet. Taking another deep breath, Liv hesitantly reaches for the doorknob and pulls it. Every step she takes seems heavy. Her instincts are screaming at her to run, to get away as far as possible. She swallows the nervousness several times, but the lump in her throat just keeps coming back.

It wasn't her idea to meet up in Jujutsu High. She offered the Shuuin Manor where the ceremony will be held. It not only makes more sense but she also prefers the intimate manor in the mountains to a high school posing as a Buddhist monastery. Satoru, however, insisted on school grounds as he was 'busy' and wouldn't be able to make the trip to Shuuin headquarters in time to meet her. Liv knows that Satoru is just being theatrical, wanting to parade her around and rub it in on the higher-ups' noses which makes her even more nauseated - she doesn't wish to meet any of them.

As she makes her way toward the stone staircase, Liv reaches out tentatively with her palm. She half-expected to feel resistance but is surprised to find that the barrier allows her to pass through. Guess I'm still in your good graces, Tengen, she thinks fondly as she goes up the stairs. Then again, she wonders, it could've been Satoru's work but she's aware that not even Satoru's charm can sway Lord Tengen's decision.

Walking up the stairs, she takes a good look around the campus. It is still the same, nestled deep within the forests and high in the mountains on the outskirts of Tokyo. The guise is rather believable as the school has invested in building statues of deities, shrines, and even torii gates. The entire school was built in the traditional Japanese style, which makes the school's appearance serene and inconspicuous. Duplicitous, hypocritical, and inauspicious, she finds herself rambling cynically.

After a short walk, she finally reaches the main gate of the campus and is surprised to find only a single person standing at the front. From the distance, she can't really tell who it is. At first, she thought it was Satoru but the figure is rather short and their hair is noticeably dark in color. As she comes closer to the gate, she quickly realizes that the one welcoming her is none other than Masamichi Yaga.

Liv smiles at the man, greeting him in fluent Japanese. "Fancy seeing you here, sensei."

The older man smirks. "I thought I'd never see the day when you step foot in this place again."

A chuckle escapes her throat. "So did I."

"Now I can say that I've seen it all in this lifetime," Masamichi shakes his head.

Liv hums. "Give it a few hours. I'm sure I'll surprise you."

"Of that, I have no doubt," he comments. "Congratulations on your wedding, by the way."

Liv is quiet for a moment. "Is that the official statement?"

The man shakes his head. "No, it is an honest wish. The official statement is, and I quote, we're watching you."

Of course you are. "You standing in for the higher-ups, then?"

"No, not this time," Masamichi shook his head. "Gojo persuaded them to postpone the formalities until after you've settled in and relaxed a bit."

"He didn't persuade them, he threatened them," Liv corrects him, resisting the urge to roll her eyes. "Speaking of, where is my beloved groom?"

Masamichi sighs. "You know Gojo. He waited and grew impatient after five minutes. I figure he's in one of the classrooms."

"Or shooting hoops at the sports hall," Liv says. "Anything else I should know?"

"Nothing at the moment," Masamichi says, crossing his arms. "You know the rules around here so I guess there's only that."

Liv smirks. "I won't cause too much trouble, promise."

"You and Gojo in the same room?" he scoffs. "Trouble is guaranteed."

Liv laughs. "Still have no faith in me, sensei? Come on, I'm twenty-seven, I'm a mature woman."

Masamichi gave her a blank look. "Could've fooled me."

She laughs again and Masamichi smiles in return.

"Well," Liv says, walking toward the gate. "I guess I'll go and look for my husband-to-be."

Masamichi nods and watches her pass him by. He hesitates for a moment but second-guesses his decision and calls out to her.

"Drakon?"

She stops before her hand can reach the gate and looks over her shoulder. "Yes, sensei?"

He remains quiet for a while. "It's good to see you again. This place hasn't been the same since you left."

Though she disagrees, Liv commends his attempt at a kind gesture. "It's good to see you too, sensei."

She doesn't wait to see the saddened look on Masamichi's face as she pushes the gate open, revealing the vast courtyard of Jujutsu High. Her heart threatens to cease beating as memories flood her mind, tugging at scars she long believed to have healed. Bloodshed, curses, screams, the clinking of metal, rumble, crack of thunder - images, noises, and smells are all of a sudden overwhelming. She keeps herself afoot, however, once more taking a deep breath. It is over, she reminds herself and allows for a few more moments to pass before she opens her eyes again. It is over.

Sobered up, she takes a small step forward, then another. Her confidence grows with each step she makes. She feels more attuned to the cursed energy than before, feeling the subtle difference in the barrier's density in different parts of the campus. For example, she doesn't remember the air feeling somewhat heavier around the courtyard or how there is a certain tug backward when one makes their way up the stairs. She figures it must be due to the passage of time or her not being frequently at the school grounds. Whatever the reason, she doesn't mind the awareness; it makes her more alert, more conscious of her surroundings.

With that said, she feels Satoru's presence before her eyes spot him.

Six Eyes of the Gojo family is a unique ocular ability with different attributes. They see what most people can't, fractionalizing the world into mass, speed, density, and intent. They simplify and amplify reality at the same time. Paired with Limitless, Satoru boasts a rich repertoire of abilities and powers that make him a formidable opponent on the battlefield. Another useful curiosity, courtesy of Six Eyes, is their ability to sense cursed energy in a large radius.

Satoru sensed Liv's presence the moment her car reached the foothills of the mountain. For a moment, he felt his heart flutter and his pulse quicken. It wasn't the first time he felt excited at the thought of seeing her; she simply has that kind of effect on him. However, when he saw her standing in the courtyard, he was taken aback.

Their eyes would've met had Satoru taken the liberty of pulling down his blindfold. He is grateful for the covering over his eyes since he is positive that his eyes grew twice in size. He always thought of Liv as a beautiful girl but after seven years of not seeing her at all, she is almost divine in person. Her eyes have retained their almond shape and the greenish hues of her orbs are more deep than he remembers them to be. Her face has matured, the puppy fat in her cheeks completely gone in favor of elegant contours and defined edges. Her hair is long, reaching to her mid-back. She still styled it in thick braids, paying homage to her Scandinavian heritage. She is also taller and her body has gained curves both on her bust and hips.

"Wipe that smirk off your face and stop drooling."

Satoru is not even aware he had been tracing the lines of her silhouette. "In a moment."

Her response is swift and precise as she punches his shoulder. Well, she was aiming to punch him but she doesn't make contact with his flesh. Limitless, she concludes.

"Impressive," she compliments him. "Shoko told me you've perfected it."

He is still smirking as he says, "So Shoko gets to talk to you but I can't?"

Liv rolls her eyes. "I love Shoko."

Satoru comes dangerously close to her, towering over her frame. She hadn't realized until now that he is taller than her by at least a full head. Talk about growth spurt, she notes.

"Better start acting like you love me, honey," he whispers, his voice appearing sultry though Liv knows better. "We're being watched."

As if on cue, Liv glances around. "Yaga already warned me. No need to be so aggressive, dear."

His arm circles her frame and brings her closer to him, flushing her against him. "You're making it hard."

"You make it sound as if I'm taunting you on purpose," Liv whispers as cranes his neck, bringing his nose closer to hers. "Do you need to be so close?"

"Yes," he replies, slightly nudging her nose. "We're an engaged couple, remember?"

Liv is quiet as she slowly reaches for his blindfold. Satoru stiffens but doesn't stop her. Instead, he lets her fingers hook under the material and pull it downward, revealing the cerulean orbs that are the Six Eyes. Liv almost gasps as her lips spread apart in surprise. She had seen his eyes many times, especially in their youth but they never fail to leave an impression.

"They twinkle," she murmurs. "That's good."

Satoru frowns but remains quiet as she pulls the blindfold back over his eyes. "They twinkle?"

She picks up on his teasing tone but doesn't elaborate. "Did Mathias contact you?"

Cheater, he notes bitterly as he lets go of her waist. "Too often for comfort, I'm afraid."

Liv chuckles. "He's nervous. Do forgive him."

Satoru hums. "Well, since it's you, I guess I can let it pass. I want chocolate as payment, though."

Liv smiles and for a second time today, her smile doesn't reach her eyes.

"You tired?" he asks her though he knows the answer.

She nods. "It's been a long trip. I could use a bath too."

He smirks again. "Want me to join? I won't peek."

Liv scoffs. "I doubt they'll be checking out the dorms."

"I wouldn't put it past them," he remarks. "Besides, it's not like I've never seen you naked before."

"I know," she retorts. "I regret it to this day."

"No," he says, his smirk stretching into a lopsided grin, "you don't. You loved it, so much so you screamed it into my ear."

"Shame you haven't gone deaf," she bites back, turning her back to him.

He chuckles and brings his arms around her again, enveloping her in the warmth of his body. "Come now, I even prepared a romantic dinner for us to celebrate. It's your favorite."

The statement piques her interest and she laces her fingers with his. "Rare?"

"Any rarer and it'd be raw," he whispers against her ear, nibbling at her earlobe and she shivers unintentionally. "Responsive, good. I can't wait for our wedding night."

Liv frowns. "Don't push it, Gojo."

"You mean with argument or with seducing?" he asks, reveling in testing her boundaries. "Please, let it be the argument."

She rolls her eyes and groans. "You're even more obnoxious than before."

"For the sake of this marriage," he murmurs, leaving open-mouthed kisses along her neck, "I'll be a pain in your ass if I must."

He then reaches for his pocket and presents her with a burgundy-colored velvet box. Curious, she takes the box from his hand and inspects it closely. She finds the side where the box opens and pushes the lid upward, revealing a thick gold band with a large oval-cut sapphire surrounded by smaller diamonds.

"You're really going all-out," she says, honestly impressed with the ring.

"We're getting hitched, Liv," he says, letting her out of his embrace. "We've gotta be convincing."

He circles her and as he stands before her, he takes off his blindfold, his eyes meeting hers again. He gently pulls out the ring from the velvet cushions before taking her right hand into his.

"From me to you, my beloved," he whispers, not taking his eyes off of her as he slides the ring onto her ring finger. "May our love never die."