2005: Second day at Jujutsu High
Slam!
Your body hits the ground hard. Gojo is looking down at you with that cocky smile he always wears. So annoying. I groan and grab him under his arms and briefly use my ability to paralyze him. I throw him on his back, and just in time too. That has to be the last time I can use my ability. I'm exhausted, but Gojo is laughing maniacally.
"That's what I'm talking about! I knew there was more to you." He says getting on his feet quickly.
I go to get up and he offers me a hand. I go to take it and he yanks it away quickly.
"Whoa! Too slow! Gotta be quicker than that!" He says with a wide smile.
I push him aside and frown angrily, "move jerk." I say getting up and walking to the benches taking a sip of my drink.
"Whoa, what's with the hostility?" He says throwing his hands up.
I scoff and shake my head looking away from him, "you're unbearable."
"Aww c'mon, don't be such a stick in the mud beautiful." He say walking up and putting his arm over my shoulders. I blush but quickly shake my head. No way is this jerk going to talk his way out of this one.
"I'm no stick in the mud." I say shaking his arm off and walking back to the spot where we were.
Gojo blows a raspberry, "uh hello, I should really just say branch in the mud. Major party pooper." He says poking me and I roll my eyes, "your ability was great! Now we have to focus it so you can make it last longer." He says smiling warmly.
First i've seen him being nice so far. I let out a breath, giving in finally, "fine. One more session. But don't be such a jerk this time." I say.
"Fine, fine. It's only fair. C'mon, again." He says motioning me forward but standing tall.
Not even getting in a fighting stance? C'mon, this guy just isn't fair. Why did Sensei Yaga actually listen to him and pair me with him? Does he really have that kind of influence here? He's unbearable.
I ready my stance and he nods his head. I run towards him and instead of trying to hit him, I drop down last second and slide to the left and go to grab him and focus more on paralyzing him, but he's quick. His bright glowing blue eyes dart to me and he smirks. My hand stops inches from his body and stops me right there. He used infinity.
I stand quickly and am mad beyond belief, "you used infinity!" I say
"Yup! Sure did!" He says smiling and closing his eyes.
I cross my arms and furrow my brow, "well how are we going to refine my ability if you use yours. Yours are way overpowered and refined than mine."
"Guess we'll just have to make you stronger then." He says shrugging his shoulders and wrapping an arm around my shoulders once again.
"Hey, by the way, Suguru and I were thinking about having a movie night. You in?" He asks.
"Why would I want to do that?" I say shaking his arm off once again and grabbing my things to go back into the classroom.
"Hey, party pooper, why don't you just relax a bit and have fun. C'mon, i'm not that bad. After all, I am the greatest and strongest." He says.
"That's exactly why I don't want to. You're so cocky." I say.
"I'm not cocky, I'm confident. And confidence is the key to success." He says.
"Ugh, you're starting to sound like Sensei Yaga." I say walking back towards the classroom and catching up with Suguru in the process.
"Hey Suguru, tell Naomi here she needs to come to movie night." He says slapping him on the arm.
He smiles and shakes his head, "he pestering you again?" Suguru says.
"When doesn't he. That's all he's done since I've met him so far." I tell him sliding my hands in my pockets.
Suguru chuckles, "well, you don't have to come. But if it makes you more comfortable, i'll be there to keep him in check."
"Huh?! You don't keep me in check Suguru." Gojo says annoyed.
Finally, someone who can get under his skin. Gotta figure out what makes him tick so I can do the same.
"Whatever. At any rate, you're more than welcome to come. It'll be a lot of fun." He says smiling warmly.
I look down as we reach the doorway of our classroom, "i'll think about it." I say looking back up at them.
"Guess that's better than nothing." Gojo says nonchalantly as he shrugs his shoulders and walks back in the room.
Suguru just smiles and nods his head. We both walk back in class and sit at our seats, ready for another lesson.
———
Back at my room, I lay on my bed looking at the ceiling in silence. My room is still barren. I haven't had the chance to really buy anything. Jujutsu High gives us an allowance every two weeks, but it isn't much. I haven't gotten it yet anyways.
I sigh and sit up, more bored than ever. There's nothing to do and no where to go. Well, except for the movie night with Suguru and Gojo.
I really shouldn't go. Being around Gojo in class is enough as it is. But Suguru could make it more bearable. I shake my head and grab my keys. I change into some grey joggers and a black t-shirt. I grab my ID and keys and head out the door and to the basement. Weird place to go for movie I thought, but Suguru seems genuine enough.
When I get to the basement and open the door, I see Gojo sitting on the couch with his arm on the back of it. He's laughing at whatever Geto said. Geto is standing near the movies trying to find one to watch I guess.
But I don't hear anything except Gojo's laugh right now. Why does it sound like that. I'm not sure what it really sounds like honestly, but it sounds so...cute. No, no that's not happening. I will not go down that road with him.
He looks over at me and his blue eyes strike me again. It almost takes my breath away. Damn him, why does he make me feel this way? Like all warm in the face as my blood rushes to it, and a fluttering in my chest. He smiles genuinely it seems. Probably not though, knowing him. He's about to make fun of me I know it.
"Hey you. Glad you came." He says.
I blush even harder somehow. I look down at my feet, "thought about what Geto said. He was right, staying in my room alone is too boring."
Geto smiles and walks up to me, giving me a hug. For some reason, when Geto hugs me it doesn't illicit the same reaction as Gojo does. His hug feels warm and inviting, not all flustery and hot. He makes me feel welcome.
"Come, sit. Gojo and I were just thinking about what movie to watch." He says gesturing me to the couch.
Gojo pats the place beside him and nervously I sit next to him. Why am I so nervous? I pull myself together and sit There isn't much space in between us, and my face flushes when his hand brushes my thigh briefly as I sit. He pulls away quickly and places his hands behind his head.
"Good to see you Naomi. Didn't think you'd come." He says.
"Yea, I almost didn't." I say.
"Well, what movie do you want to watch?" Geto asks.
"Well, i'm not really sure. I haven't ever seen a movie." I tell them.
"What?!" Gojo says astounded.
"There's no way." Geto says, his jaw almost dropping to the floor.
"Well, yeah. I lived in an orphanage and never really had the uh... opportunity to do stuff like that." I tell them looking away.
"Oh man! Well we've got to change that don't we? Suguru, put that old western on." Gojo says.
Geto smiles, "yeah, good idea."
He takes the dvd and puts it into the dvd player. Geto comes and sits on the floor throwing a few pillows down and sitting against the couch.
"Geto, do you wanna sit here?" I ask.
"No no, you sit. I'm alright here." He tells me.
"Alright." I say.
The movie starts and we all sit and watch. We're all entranced for a while watching the movie. I've never seen anything so cool. What a great way to tell a story. Now I don't have to think of it in my head. All the books I read and I never knew the faces of the characters. But here I can see it all and follow it so much better.
After a while and a few cool parts, I look over and see Gojo watching me quietly. He doesn't wear his usual smug grin or smile. He is watching me, almost curiously with a warm, more comforting smile. His left leg is up on the couch and he's resting his elbow on his knee with his hand at his mouth. I look at him, surprised and confused.
"What?" I say.
"You're smiling." He says smiling more.
I look away embarrassed, "was I? Sorry. I'm being so weird. I don't mean to be."
"No no, it's okay it's just..." he says taking his hand away from his face, "well it looks good on you. You should do it more."
I blush and look to Geto, he looks back and grins, "careful Satoru. That almost sounded like you care."
He slaps him on the back of the head, "shut up will ya."
I laugh, "well, thank you Gojo. That was actually really kind."
"Call me Saturo. No need of formalities with me." He says.
I smile and look away, "alright, thank you Saturo."
We continue to watch the movie, and I catch him glancing to me every now and again. Why is he being so nice right now? Earlier he was a jerk. But now? Now, he's more gentle and forgiving. Did he see that he was being too harsh earlier? He's very complicated to read, but it almost intrigues me. It draws me in like a fish with a lure. I know I shouldn't get close, but I still want to. I want to know who he really is.
The movie finishes and we all stretch and get up. Suguru starts cleaning up and Satoru looks to me.
"Well, what'd you think?" He asks.
"It was amazing! I've never seen a story told. I've just read it." I tell him excitedly.
"Good, we'll have to show you more then." He says.
"What did you think?" I ask almost nerding out.
"It was great, it's Suguru and I's favorite movie." He says.
I grin wide, "wow, well it was incredible."
"Well, I'm glad you came Naomi." Suguru says.
"Yea, told you it'd be fun." Satoru says teasingly punching my arm.
I chuckle, "okay okay, it was pretty fun."
"So you'll come back?" Satoru asks.
I nod my head, "yeah, I think I will."
"Nice, we got the last Suzuki on our side. What a powerful trio this could be." Satoru says ambitiously.
Suguru chuckles, "well it's getting late, we should all turn in."
"Yeah, we have class tomorrow." I say as we all walk toward the door.
"Want me to walk you back?" Satoru asks.
"I won't say no." I tell him.
"Suguru?" Satoru asks.
"You guys go ahead. I've got to go catch up on assignments." He tells us.
"Alright, later nerd!" Satoru says as we walk away.
We walk through the halls and he places his hands in his pockets.
"I really am glad you came Naomi." He tells me.
"Me too. It was fun." I tell him.
"Look," he says as we stop at my door, "i'm sorry for being a bit umm... Abrasive earlier today. I was just kidding around, but I meant what I said. Your abilities have the potential to be powerful, and if we can get you focused and more experience, the three of us could be the most powerful trio in the history of Jujutsu sorcery." He tells me.
"Well, my ability isn't all that great. I can't even hold it for more than a few seconds." I tell him shamefully.
"Don't worry, we'll help you. You'll become strong and then, we'll be an unstoppable force." He tells me.
I smile, "well, thanks Satoru. I look forward to it."
He smirks and nods, "goodnight Naomi Suzuki." He says walking away.
"Goodnight Satoru Gojo." I tell him as I turn in for the night.
My mind stirs. He makes a good point. We could be unstoppable if I get more training. Nothing could touch us. Think of the lives we could save. I smile thinking of the great future we could have, just the three of us. We could be hero's.
But that comes later. For now I need rest. I lay in my bed too tired to change and close my eyes. As I start to fall asleep, his blue eyes appear in my dreams and comfort me.