Sick Of You

by Lapiz Sagana

Utahime lay on her futon in the early hours of the morning, listening to the hum of the underfloor heating. She had always wanted one installed in her childhood home to keep her parents comfortable, but it was so expensive that she had to set the idea aside for months now. Besides, her parents assured her that the kotatsu worked just fine for them in the winter months. She was sure, though, that if they could only experience underfloor heating like this, they would nag her to hurry up and get them one.

The same train of thoughts followed her as she went about her business in the bathroom. Although the exterior of the house seemed traditional, the interiors were anything but. The Shoji and the futon were some of the few things that seemed to cling to the house's history.

Utahime stayed in the bathtub for around thirty minutes just to loosen up her joints and remove the dried blood on her neck and face. Most of those thirty minutes were spent staring at the marble sink vanity and the open shower across it. The walls of this bathroom were made with textured black tiles that resembled stone, and the showerhead itself was gold.

It seemed so extravagant and out of place, and yet she marveled at it all the same. It was like whoever owned this place wanted to get rid of the past and start anew.

Utahime shared her observations with Shoko over breakfast.

The servants had prepared a table for them in a flower garden west of the property, and they served miso soup, grilled fish, sausages, bacon, steamed rice, and more side dishes than the two of them could ever eat in one sitting.

"Wait 'til you see the rest of the house. I was pleasantly surprised by the renovations too when I last visited," Shoko said.

"I wish I had this much money to spend."

"Me too, senpai. I haven't had a pay raise in two years."

"I thought they were considering it?"

Shoko rolled her eyes. "You know how the higher-ups are. Gojo had to give them the middle finger so that Nanami and I could get a pay raise last time. Yaga-sensei also gave them hell for not compensating us properly."

Utahime picked on the fish meat in her bowl of rice. "Uhm, this is a bit random, but I was wondering whether you've spoken to Gojo lately. Like, yesterday kind of lately."

"Hm? Why?"

"He called me last night and something felt off. He sounded kind of serious."

"Depends on what you were talking about." She took a huge bite of sausage while keeping her gaze fixed on Utahime, waiting for her to spill the tea.

Utahime leaned back on her chair and shook her head. "It's probably nothing. When was the last time someone even put a dent on him, right?"

Once they were done with breakfast, Shoko showed her to the game room, where they played numerous rounds of ping pong, and then tried archery outdoors. Everywhere they went, there were at least two servants attending to their needs. They were particularly kind to Utahime, as though she had unknowingly promised a reward should they take special care of her.

However, she hadn't the mind to think these matters through. Come noon, she realized she had over-exerted herself, and Shoko had to half-carry her to her room.

The nosebleeds had returned, and Utahime frowned at all the blood on her yukata. She'd have to wash the stains off somehow before they leave on Monday.

Just like yesterday, she fell asleep from mid-afternoon until late evening and promptly woke up at nine-thirty. A tray of food sat next to her futon with a note telling her to eat it even if it got cold. Utahime groaned, because even though she was hungry, she didn't have the appetite at all.

She picked up her phone and stared at the screen, waiting for Gojo's message, but ten minutes had passed, and still nothing.

She opened their chat box and sent a text first.

Are you still alive?

Three dots appeared.

At the airport. What do you think Shoko wants?

Utahime closed her eyes and let out a quiet sigh. She didn't realize how bothered she was about Gojo until now. She sat up and sent him a reply.

Dead bodies to dissect. But an expensive lotion and perfume will do.

Got it.

She waited some more, but the three dots did not appear again. After turning her phone in her hands several times, she finally decided to give in. She called Gojo.

"Well, this is a first," he said as greeting.

Utahime rubbed the underside of her nose to get rid of the dried blood. "You were gonna call anyway so we might as well get this over with."

"Who says I was gonna call you?"

"My call log."

"Ah. Good point. So, I was thinking of buying Nanami some swimming trunks. I think he keeps avoiding beach trips because he can't afford the high-quality ones. "

The blaring sound of an airport announcement and the chatter of travelers made it difficult for her to catch everything he said, so she asked him to repeat himself.

"Nanami just doesn't spend money like you do. Just buy him a book, or forget about getting him anything altogether. I swear, one of these days, that man's gonna kill you," she said.

"That's exactly what I'm going for."

"Then buy him those really tight swimming trunks. In bright red."

Gojo gasped. "Utahime, you pervert. I'll tell Nanami."

"Hey!" She felt her face flush. "I'm just helping you get beaten up for once, okay?"

"I'd buy you a bikini, but you wouldn't even be able to put a scratch on me."

"I'll scratch you so hard the next time I see you!"

"Stop flirting with me, I'm in public."

Utahime made a motion as though to toss her phone to the wall, but she really couldn't afford to break two phones in one year because of him. "You're such an asshole!"

"Stop it, you're making me blush."

Utahime dropped the call and lay back down on her futon. After tossing left and right, she opened their chat box again.

Don't piss people off on the plane. Safe flight.

Gotcha.

She couldn't help but frown at the bikini emoji at the end of his text, but in some ways, it offered some sort of relief. At least that proved he really was okay, and that his mission must have gone well.

Utahime woke up the next day to the sight of a plush stuffed kitty in front of her face. Around its neck was a beautiful silk lace, something similar to what she normally wore on special occasions. She rubbed the material against her thumb and forefinger. It must be expensive. But why was it there?

Somewhere outside her room, she heard Shoko laughing, and then the sound of a man's voice joining in.

Utahime sat up and finally saw the note tucked under the stuffed kitten. It was from Shoko, telling her to drink the jar of sweet tea on the table and to change into the kimono left out for her. She tried to listen to the chatter outside, but she couldn't make out how many people were talking, and who they were apart from Shoko. The man had not spoken again, and she bet he was the master of the house. Shoko must have left her a decent Kimono to wear so she would be presentable to him. After all, the rest had done Utahime a lot of good, and she doubted she would've gotten the same quality of rest had she stayed in her apartment.

Once showered and dressed, Utahime finished the sweet tea and studied the toy kitten. It must be for her, right? Why else would it be sitting next to her futon?

Perhaps Shoko ordered this to cheer her up.

Utahime took the lace from around the toy's neck and used it on her hair. Its deep scarlet matched her red kimono perfectly, so much so that Utahime had to pause in front of the mirror to study herself. She hadn't thought of herself as pretty in a long time, and she smiled at her reflection in the mirror. The scar didn't look so big and daunting anymore.

"Utahime-senpai," Shoko called out. "Are you awake?"

Utahime pushed the sliding door aside with a big smile. "Good morning! I'm feeling much better today."

Gojo appeared behind Shoko in a blue yukata. He tucked his chin to see her above his sunglasses and grinned.

"Well if it isn't my favorite senpai."