Cursed Love
~ Trouser Snake ~
October 1st, 2016. / 19:25 / Tokyo Metropolitan Jujutsu High School, Tokyo, Japan
It didn't take long for Liv to get ready as she already had an outfit in mind for the Council meeting. Mathias warned her to be presentable and elegant for her audience with the Council so she picked a dark purple knee-length fitted dress with delicate golden chains stitched on the shoulder pads and a single red spider lily, the Shuuin signature emblem, embroidered just under her jugular dip. The dress is modest but it accentuates her natural feminine features. It is a toned-down version of her formal attire which has a longer train and much more fabric, as well as more chains and red spider lilies.
Yet, even the toned-down version feels uncomfortable. Liv shifts her shoulders and hips, as if wiggling will make the dress feel better against her skin. When it doesn't, she sighs in defeat and focuses instead on her hair. Unbraiding it, she goes through the fair locks with her fingers. She wonders if the comb will do a better job but she doesn't have one on hand. She separates the hair down the middle of her scalp and takes out two front sections of her hair, leaving them out as she pulls back the rest of the locks. Looking in the mirror again, she checks if her bun is tight and neat before she starts braiding the left-out strands. She then takes the two braids and twists them before tying them around the bun and pushing the free ends under the bun itself.
Taking a deep breath, she flattens her skirt one more time before reaching inside her handbag. As she reaches with her right hand, Liv looks at the ring on her finger. She traces the surface of the large sapphire with her other hand, its color reminding her of Satoru's eyes. Shaking away the intrusive thoughts, she then takes her phone to text Satoru but realizes she doesn't have his number. Clicking her tongue, she takes one more look in the mirror before making her way out. She pauses in front of his door for a moment, taking a deep breath before knocking twice.
A few heartbeats pass before Satoru answers the door. He says nothing at first, merely staring at her over his glasses which she notices are not round like he sported before but square. An image of Satoru as a teen flashes before her eyes and she realizes that he hasn't changed much over the years. His taste is certainly more refined, giving away the quiet luxury vibe as he chose to wear a pair of dark dress pants and a baby-blue button-up shirt. His height is domineering but enticing and it doesn't help that his physique is also impressive. Not bulky but not as lanky as she remembers him. His face is still as attractive as before, having replaced the cuteness of teenagehood with the allure of adulthood. Damn, he's fine, she notes with a hint of jealousy.
"Like what you see?"
Still a prick though. "I've seen better."
He chuckles. "Sure you did."
She rolls her eyes as he takes his phone and keys before closing the door of his room. He offers his left arm to her and while hesitant, she takes it.
"Ready?" he asks, eyeing the ring on her ring finger.
Liv takes a deep breath. "Can I say no?"
"You're not alone in this, Liv," Satoru says, his tone seemingly sincere. "I got your back."
"I hope so," she whispers. "For the sake of us both."
Satoru frowns and ponders on whether she's referring to his first or second sentence. She doesn't grace him with an answer and pulls him by his bicep to start walking.
October 1st, 2016. / 18:11 / Shuuin Manor, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan
The Shuuin Manor is bustling with people, most of them being members of the clan and Shuuin spies. The rest are contractors and hired help that Mathias arranged in preparation for his sister's wedding ceremony. Liv was very clear about the extent of the ceremony - The bare minimum, according to the Shuuin. As such, Mathias doesn't bother about the various traditions that their family has practiced over the centuries and merely focuses on the key points: officiant, witnesses, and location.
The Manor itself is a nice place, nestled in the mountains some fifty kilometers from Nikko. Isolated and away from civilization, it has maintained its peace for centuries. While abandoned for the better part of the year, the Shuuin hold annual ceremonies at their ancestral home: maintaining barriers around the premises, honoring the ancestors, those kinds of things. The weddings are a rare occasion when the entire clan gathers at the Manor. Mathias himself was surprised when most of them confirmed their attendance. Even their cousins from Florida who ignored the Far East since their ancestors colonized the Western continent extended their wishes to witness the joining of two clans.
Mathias arrived at the Manor earlier this morning, exhausted from the flight which lasted over fifteen hours. Luckily, the Shuuin clan's wealth allows certain luxuries, such as first-class plane tickets. Granted, the clan's finances are strictly monitored by the clan leader, and only a select few have free access to the bank account - being a brother to the Shuuin mistress has its perks. Nonetheless, he's not a mooch - he's an honest workaholic. The moment his feet stepped onto the Manor's premises, he got to work.
He decided to handle the cleaning of the house first. Several spies are on the cleaning duty, rubbing the floors and dusting the corners. The furniture needs a good vacuuming and the kitchen could use some treatment that doesn't include just water and clean cloth.
Apart from the cleaning, Mathias employed professional cleaners to handle the main hall which is rugged-looking. The wedding ceremony will take place inside the main hall and he doesn't want to give another reason to the fat-headed higher-ups to call the Shuuin 'barbaric' and 'uncivilized'. Everything is redone and/or replaced, including the shrine, the candles, the offerings, and the incense. He was pondering whether to put a coat of lacquer on the wooden pillars and the parquette floor but decided against it as it would disrupt the rest of the work.
Sighing, Mathias silently observes the work at the Manor from the backyard. He's never seen that many people at the Manor at once - it is a strange sight, indeed.
"Herre."
Mathias hums in response, recognizing Tove's voice. "Ja?"
Tove stares at his back as her frown deepens on her brow. Though he can't see her, Mathias can almost hear her brow furrow and he knows why - not like she is trying to hide her thoughts as of late.
"You are worried," he says softly.
Her honey-brown eyes look down. "Yes."
"No need to be," he says, turning around to face her. "Everything is going according to plan."
And yet, Tove remains stiff in place, her anxiety more than apparent. Mathias presses his lips as he reaches for her shoulders and gives them a reassuring squeeze.
"She's the mistress of the Shuuin, Tove," he says softly. "We follow her wherever and whenever she decides."
"This is too risky," Tove stresses and while Mathias agrees with her, he doesn't voice his opinion. "He is a Gojo, one of the Great Three. Once she comes clean to him, he'll - "
"Tove Dahl," Mathias says, his voice low and almost threatening. "You forget your place."
She calms down instantly. "Apologies, herre."
Mathias sighs and pats her shoulders as he lets go of her. "It's alright, just don't say such things so recklessly. We're in Japan now. There are eyes and ears everywhere."
Tove nods. "Understood."
"How is the kimono coming along?" he asks, changing the subject.
Something resembling a smile graces her red-tinted lips. "The mistress was rather picky about the design but it's done. Calling it kimono at this point is a vast overstatement. It more resembles her formal Shuuin attire."
"Let me guess," he rolls his eyes, "runes, dragon claw, and red spider lilies on white?"
"Golden chains and dragonflies too," she chuckles.
"That will be one interesting outfit," Mathias says and while he finds the details of the dress arduous, he'd never deprive Liv of having the wedding that she wants. "Did Satoru Gojo decide on his garments?"
"He said he'd wear whatever the mistress decides," Tove says. "We got the green light after he saw the pictures of the finished product."
"What did she choose for him?" Mathias asks, curious.
Tove resists the urge to chuckle. "She was torn between Shuuin sage robes and formal Shuuin shirt and pants."
"Please tell me it is the sage robes," he jests.
Tove sighs. "No, she stuck with the pants, sadly."
"He won't be the one wearing them in this relationship," Mathias comments mirthfully and regrets it immediately. "Look at me, I'm reprimanding you for yapping and doing the same anyway."
Tove is silent for a moment. "You are her brother. It's normal to be over-protective."
"Even so," he says gravely, "I should respect my future brother-in-law. He's the legendary Satoru Gojo after all."
They are so different, the spymaster notes about the Drakon siblings, and so alike at the same time. She's not referring just to their physical resemblance (which is almost impeccable as if they're twins and not six years apart). Their stature, their gift for manipulation, their honest dishonesty (or dishonest honesty?) - they're more alike than they would like to admit.
"We have thirteen days to finish this," Mathias continues, all traces of prior coldness disappearing from his tone. "This will be one hell of a chaos."
Tove hums, wordlessly agreeing with him.
October 1st, 2016. / 19:32 / Tokyo Metropolitan Jujutsu High School, Tokyo, Japan
Liv gets more fidgety the closer she and Satoru get to the headquarters. She half-hoped she didn't have to report to them, at least not personally. Between the wedding preparations and the expected shock that followed the engagement announcement, she didn't want to deal with higher-ups picking on her. Luckily, she knows what to expect and despite having the worst possible accomplice, she's not doing it alone.
"Do you think Gakuganji will pop an aneurysm when he hears he's invited to the ceremony?" Satoru laughs, his eyes almost tearing up from laughter. "Oh boy, I'd pay to see that!"
Liv scoffs. "Please, he'll asphyxiate the moment I step inside that room."
"You're probably right," Satoru chuckles, his laughter easing up. "Damn, I really don't want to talk to them."
"Me neither," Liv groans. "Let me do most of the talking. You'll get on their nerves too quickly."
"But then I'll be bored," Satoru whines. "Not to mention, I'll look like an imbecile hiding behind your skirt."
Liv sighs. "Stand and be pretty, Gojo."
His smirk unnerves her. "So you do think I'm pretty?"
She whacks him just as they reach the front porch of the council chamber. She doesn't reach him, of course, thanks to his Limitless, but he winces nonetheless and she calls him a baby in response.
"Behave," she says sternly, glaring at him before taking a deep breath.
Satoru fixes his collar, giving her a toothy grin, his words sarcastic as he says, "Yes, dear."
Liv just rolls her eyes before they make their way up the stairs and onto the porch. She lets go of Satoru's arm briefly to open the shogi door but is stopped by her betrothed. He gives her his signature grin before opening the door for her to pass first. Gallantry is not something Satoru practiced before so she is rather taken aback by the gesture.
"What happened to you?" she asks as she enters the short hallway first, closely followed by him.
Satoru closes the door before answering her, "What do you mean?"
She scoffs. "Don't play dumb. Since when are you a gentleman?"
He hums, seemingly in thought. "I guess I've always been one."
Liv gave him a cold stare. "Really now?"
The Gojo head smirks. "The geezers are waiting for us, come on."
Despite wanting to argue, she makes a sour face when she notes that he's right for once. As such, she takes hold of his arm again, making sure the ring is visible as they enter the dark chamber. They walk until they reach the center of the room where Liv counts six screens around them, each for one Councilman. There is one figure standing in plain view and she resists the urge to scowl at them.
"We've been expecting you for quite some time, Liv Drakon," comes a raspy remark from what Liv recognizes as Principal Gakuganji.
"Apologies, I've come as soon as I could," she offers a curt bow to the Council, her hold on Satoru's arm tightening. "We're here to report to the esteemed Council."
Satoru says nothing.
"Very well," the presiding Council member says. "Seeing as the Shuuin clan has decided to partake in the jujutsu society, there are certain things you will have to disclose to the Council, Liv Drakon. We've chosen Principal Yaga to interview you later on so we remind you to cooperate."
"Yes, sir," Liv says politely.
He continues. "As we understand, your ancestral home near Nikko is intended to serve as a venue, yes?"
"Yes," Liv answers, her tone light. "My clan members will handle the preparations for the wedding. It would be a simple and modest event but we would be honored to have you come as our guests."
"That's a rather generous offer," Principal Gakuganji notes sarcastically.
"Merely an olive branch, Principal Gakuganji," Liv says while bowing her head, the lies rolling off her tongue like honey. "As the current head, I wish to foster better relations between us all."
The Council remains silent as they observe her closely. Liv can feel their eyes on her and their evident scrutiny.
"We've also been notified that there will be no change in your respective titles," the presiding council member says.
Before Liv can answer, Satoru says, "That's right. Liv will remain the Shuuin mistress and I won't abdicate my position as the head of the Gojo family."
"Will your partner assume a secondary post as the Lady of the Gojo clan?" the presiding Council member asks.
Liv looks at Satoru who smirks in response, "The title of Lady Gojo is symbolic. The clan head's word is final on all matters concerning the clan itself."
Typical, Liv thinks sarcastically to herself, once again reminded that the Gojo's are one of the Great Three Jujutsu Families.
"What of your work as a teacher, Gojo?" Principal Gakuganji asks suspiciously. "Having an offspring is a liability for an active sorcerer, especially for someone of your caliber."
Liv is startled by the sudden mention of children - their children. You knew that they would mention it, she chastises herself. Get a grip.
Satoru, however, remains unfazed as he answers, "I'm the strongest sorcerer alive, Principal Gakuganji. If and when my bride and I decide to have children, they will wish for nothing and you will still have me at the front lines."
"A tall order," Principal Gakuganji notes, his tone echoing his surprise. "I sincerely hope you will make good on those words."
"I will," Satoru says as he lifts Liv's right hand and kisses her knuckles. "After all, I'm doing this for love."
Though she knows he's blatantly lying to them, his tone is impeccably sincere. Perhaps you're not the worst accomplice after all.
"Spare us the theatricality," Principal Gakuganji says, cooly.
"I'm merely telling the truth, Principal Gakuganji," Satoru says with a sardonic smile before he's pinched by Liv.
"What my betrothed means to say is," Liv continues, "we hope you'll rejoice in our wedding as much as we do already."
The Council proceeds to talk among themselves, passing bits of parchment from one to the other. The murmuring of their hushed voices is very much rude and Liv is furious at having to bow to them. She unconsciously grips Satoru's arm tighter and he responds by placing his opposite hand on top of hers. Her eyes meet his for a moment and he offers a soft smile, as if letting her know that everything will be alright. She doesn't believe him but she does feel the tension in her body alleviate somewhat as they wait for the Council's verdict.
"We will announce the Council's decision regarding your requests," the presiding Council member says.
Liv and Satoru exchange looks again.
"The Council approves of your request to marry and to have Mathias Drakon represent clan Shuuin in the Council," the presiding Council member announces calmly. "However, if we deem your actions as deceitful or a danger to the jujutsu society at any point after the wedding, you will be brought in before the Council as traitors and treated as such. Understood?"
Both Liv and Satoru nod.
"We wish you the best of luck," the presiding Council member says. "Liv Drakon, Satoru Gojo. You are dismissed."
Satoru doesn't bother to bow as he puts his arm on Liv's back and gently pulls her outside.
October 1st, 2016. / 19:41 / Tokyo Metropolitan Jujutsu High School, Tokyo, Japan
News spread like wildfire and within hours, the entire jujutsu society's upper echelons are aware of the upcoming union between Satoru Gojo and Liv Drakon.
Gossip arises, the stories are fabricated - everyone is talking about them. Speculations are being thrown left and right, and theories are devised to explain how and why these two completely different people with no prior romantic history suddenly reveal decade-long engagement. Of course, most of it is blatant lies, made-up fiction to feed the deviant and insane minds of the jujutsu society.
Nevertheless, to make sure no false claims are spread around, Masamichi and Shoko decide to inform the other sorcerers privately beforehand and not through the grapevine. Masamichi handles the active jujutsu sorcerers, mostly those who are close acquaintances of the two. That includes the staff at Jujutsu High and Satoru's students. Shoko handles the contacts outside Tokyo, which includes Utahime Iori, a teacher at the Kyoto branch, and Satoru's wards - Megumi and Tsumiki Fushiguro.
By the time they're finished, the former teacher and student meet up at one of the gazebos overlooking the HQ. Liv and Satoru are still inside as the meeting with the higher-ups is ongoing. Masamichi is ever stoic, his hands clasped behind his back and his posture stiff but straight. Shoko, on the contrary, is very relaxed and leaning on (or rather, hanging off of) the gazebo's railing. They appear calm as if nothing is bothering them.
However -
"You don't believe this bullshit any more than I do," Shoko grumbles, her eyes fixed on the HQ's building. "Do you, Principal?"
Masamichi grunts. "Language, Shoko."
She smirks. "Pardon my French. So, do you?"
A moment passes in silence as Masamichi thinks carefully of his answer. "I'd like to believe it's true but I agree, something is missing from this story."
"Why lie to the Council, then?" she asks bluntly. "I'd go along with any crazy idea they come up with so what's your excuse?"
He almost chuckles in response. "Maybe this is what I want for them?"
"To be married to each other?" Shoko quirks a brow.
"To be happy," Masamichi corrects her, "or at least comforted. Heavens know, both of them need it."
Shoko hums and while she doesn't agree with him, she understands his logic.
"Think the others believe them?" she inquires further, flexing her fingers.
Masamichi shakes his head. "I wouldn't know. Kento almost laughed when I told him, believe it or not."
Shoko turns around to face the man. "For real?"
He nods slowly. "He said that I check if Liv is possessed."
This makes Shoko laugh. "Oh, that's so like him."
Masamichi sighs. "Honestly, I think they don't even care if we doubt them or not. This, whatever it is, is not meant to fool us."
"You mean, we're the least of their troubles," Shoko counters.
"Rather," Masamichi sighs as he sees the said couple leaving the HQ hand in hand and toward the dorms, "I think they're counting on us to be there when the real trouble starts."
Shoko frowns. "Think there will be trouble?"
He scoffs. "With those two? No doubt."
She doesn't like his answer.
October 1st, 2016. / 20:13 / Tokyo Metropolitan Jujutsu High School, Tokyo, Japan
Once back at the dorms, Liv and Satoru return to their room to refresh before dinner. Put on something comfortable, Satoru said jokingly. You look good but you also look like you're suffocating. While the words sounded like a jab at her appearance, Liv couldn't disagree with the man - she was suffocating in the dress she was wearing. That said, she quickly got out of the blue prim-and-proper cut and donned high-raise loose-fitted jeans and a simple white t-shirt. Her wardrobe is limited after all so she only has a few options in her bag. The rest is at the Manor with her other personal belongings (she does not own many things to begin with, though, being on the road for so long).
She's knocking on Satoru's door again merely twenty minutes later and to her surprise, he has changed his outfit as well. He got rid of the button-up and pants, now sporting a loose black v-neck shirt and grey cargo pants. That's not fair, she whines inwardly, noting how her fiance would look good even if he wore an inflated trash bag as a dress.
"My lady," he greets her oh-so-charmingly, inviting her inside his room.
She tries not to scoff as she passes him by before he closes the door behind her. Once inside, her eyes glance at the set-up table ahead.
True to his word, Satoru has dinner ready.
It isn't what Liv had in mind when he said 'dinner' though.
"Gojo," she says plainly, pointing to the dish at the table in his room. "What's this?"
He grins. "Dinner."
Liv looks at him, then at 'dinner' then back at him. "This ain't dinner."
Satoru rolls his eyes. "Sheesh, you're such a plebian. We have to sharpen your tastes. I won't have you share more in common with a Bushman than with me."
"I beg your pardon?!" Liv cries out. "I'm not the one serving finger food as dinner!"
"It's high-end gourmet cooking," Satoru corrects her, pulling out the seat for her, "now if you'd be so kind - "
Liv sighs as she takes his offer and makes herself comfortable. He pushes her chair gently forward before circling the table and sitting on the chair opposite from her. She takes a look at the table, taking in the colorful dishes. Aside from the main dish, which seemed to be rare steak slices arranged in the shape of a rose flower in bloom and surrounded by multiple different colored sauces, there is a charcuterie board, a bottle of red and white wine respectfully, a bowl of grapes, a saucier with olive oil and minced garlic, and a spice rack with salt and pepper.
Liv quirks a brow. "Gojo, what is - "
"Just try it," he says and uses his chopsticks to pick out a piece of the meat for her.
Still somewhat dubious, she hesitates to take a bite. He is patient, however. Another moment later, Liv leans in and slowly takes the bite.
"Well?" Satoru asks, a satisfied grin on his face. "How is it?"
She hums. "It's excellent but I can't taste char at all."
He smirks before taking another piece but before he gives her to try it again, he dips the meat into the black sauce first. "Try it like this."
She doesn't hesitate with the second bite, opening her mouth the moment he offers. The taste of the sauce is very familiar.
"Truffle?" she asks and he nods. "I still can't tell what the deal is with the steak, though."
Satoru dips his chin, looking at her over his lowered glasses. "Sous vide - vacuum cooking."
She eyes him in surprise. "Is that why the meat is so tender?"
"Try the green sauce," he says instead but she doesn't mind him changing topics, reaching for the light green sauce as he instructs.
She takes another piece of steak with her set of chopsticks and dips it into the green sauce before taking a bite. It doesn't take her long to recognize the flavor.
"Lemon butter," she says in awe. "I normally pair it with fish, though."
Satoru's voice is soft and velvety as he says, "You like it, then?"
She struggles not to smile. "My compliments to the chef."
Satoru smirks. Unknown to her, he made the dinner himself. While he wants to show off, he decides to say nothing else as they finish the dinner in silence.
"How are the kids?" she asks suddenly.
Satoru grins. "They're great. You should meet them, now that you're here."
Liv smiles. "I think that's a wonderful idea."
"I can't promise you much, though," he says as he stuffs his mouth with a neat arrangement made of cheese, crackers, and grapes. "Tsumiki will probably stick to being polite and Megumi could very well ignore you after introductions. He's in that phase, being all moody and angsty."
Liv chuckles in response. "Should I tempt him with a birthday cake, then? It's coming up soon anyway."
For a moment, she sees Satoru's eyes slightly widen as he gives her a crooked smile. "You remember that?"
"How could I not?" she scoffs, pointing at him. "You sent me a picture of you three on his tenth birthday. By the way, stickers on your cheeks really bring out your eyes."
"Thanks, Liv," Satoru pouts, looking away. "You only remember the stupid stuff when it comes to me."
"And that doesn't tell you something?" she asks teasingly, lacing her fingers under her chin.
She laughs again as he goes on rambling about all the times she made fun of him. Liv doesn't actually listen to him, partially because she already knows all the times she made fun of him over the years. She then notices her phone ringing. Liv hesitates to answer as Satoru is still talking and though she's been tuned out for the majority of his monologue, she doesn't want to be outright rude. Satoru, however, grows annoyed with the constant ringing.
"Just pick up the damn call," he mumbles, adding, "and change that ringtone."
She merely smirks as she answers her phone. "Hello?"
Satoru can hear a loud 'Liv' echoing from her device.
"Shoko?" Liv asks with a chuckle and then puts a finger in her opposite ear as if struggling to hear the woman on the other side of the line. "Where are you? I can't hear a word you say."
The woman in question is leaning on a bar with her who-knows-how-many-after-the-first-one drink. She has a drowsy smile on her face and her tired eyes are just slightly blurry. A woman next to her fares no better, sporting the same smile and the same misty eyes.
"You're missing a party, Liv," Shoko yells into the phone. "Leave that trash of a fiance! Come with me and Utahime!"
"Utaimen? Who the hell is - " Liv asks, frowning and when Shoko repeats her last sentence, Liv makes an 'o' shape with her mouth. "Oh, Utahime! Isn't she in Kyoto?"
"She has a day off so she came to Tokyo! We're at Tasuichi, I'll send you the address," Shoko yells while Utahime hangs off her shoulder, calling out Liv's name. "They're streaming a baseball match, it's hectic!"
Liv chuckles. The prospects of seeing her friends after so many years, drinking, and relaxing appeal to her immensely.
"Sounds good," she says with a smile. "I'll meet you there soon."
The line goes dead and she sets her phone down. She notices Satoru staring at her, his eyes narrowed and his arms crossed. He is displeased though she can't tell with what. Her phone then lights up and she reads a message from Shoko containing the address and location link of the bar they're at.
"I should get changed," she says, ignoring his glares.
He says nothing.
"You're free to come along if you want to," she continues.
He exhales through his nose. "Nah, I don't want to crash a girls' night out. I'll take you there and pick you up when you're done."
"You don't have to do that," she says quickly. "Thanks for offering, though."
"I want to," he replies simply. "Besides, Satoru Gojo's bride shouldn't be alone on the streets of Tokyo in the middle of the night."
Liv wants to point out that she doesn't need a babysitter. She then remembers Utahime's voice screaming her name on the other side of the line and the possibility of her friend being very much inebriated already. Having a reliable lift back home might not be a bad idea, she concludes.
"Alright," she says finally and takes a napkin to wipe her mouth. "My car is parked at the bottom of the mountain, just so you know."
Satoru lifts a brow as if confused by her statement. "Why should I care where your car is parked?"
She squints her eyes. "Because we need it to get there?"
The Six Eyes wielder laughs and Liv finds the sound of his laughter reminiscent of the one she heard all the time when they were younger.
"We're not driving there, Liv," he says with a smile. "Meet me in the hallway when you're done."
Liv frowns, still confused but acquiesces to his plan by leaving his room. How are we supposed to get there? she wonders as she makes her way to her room. On foot?
October 1st, 2016. / 20:32 / Tasuichi Bar, Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan
They arrive atop the building where the Tasuichi bar is located at 20:32.
They left Jujutsu High also at 20:32.
"What just happened?" Liv asks, completely lost in time and space.
Satoru lets go of her waist and pats her right shoulder. "It's been eight years. I can do a bunch of cool stuff now."
She glances at him sideways. "You flew the last time we saw each other. What the fuck is this?"
He chuckles, amused at her lack of awareness of his abilities. "Limitless, Liv. I just got better at it."
"To the point you can teleport?" she asks, her voice unintentionally tilted.
Satoru clicks his tongue. "I can't teleport literally. I move at a really high speed by displacing the point of gravity. It's like conjuring a magnet and letting it do what it does."
"That must be some superb magnet," she mutters.
"It's a bit more complex than that," Satoru notes.
Liv scoffs and brushes away the hand that still lingers on her shoulder. "It always is with you."
Satoru retrieves his hand. "Really? I think I'm a rather easy-to-understand person."
"Being simplistic and being understood are two different things, Gojo," she says while fixing up the collar of her jacket.
"Which am I, in your opinion?" he asks, his voice low.
She doesn't look at him as she says, "Why ask when you already know the answer?"
The conversation ends there, with both sides finding any further talking to be unnecessary. Liv thanks Satoru for dropping her at the bar and invites him one more time to join her and the others. He politely declines and promises to pick them up whenever they decide to go home. They exchange phone numbers before Liv turns on her heel and jumps off the building, joining her friends at the bar.
Satoru disappears from the building rooftop not long after.
The moment Liv enters the Tasuichi bar, she is spotted by her friends and subsequently crushed by Utahime's bear hug. Despite not seeing the older woman in a long while, Liv is happy to see the current Kyoto Jujutsu High teacher alive and well.
"You could've at least let me know you're coming," the scarred woman pouts, nestling in Liv's shoulder.
"It worked out in the end," Liv teases and earns a chuckle from both women.
The three sit down at the table in the quiet corner of the bar. Rounds of beer are ordered, displayed neatly on the surface of the table and the trio is more than happy to drink them at once. Inebriation lasts for only so long however as Shoko and Utahime are understandably curious about certain things - Utahime especially as she heard only bits and pieces from Shoko.
"Please tell me you're marrying him for money," Utahime groans, pressing her palms together in a praying manner.
Shoko sighs, taking a sip of her beer. "She's already rich, Utahime-senpai."
The scarred-faced woman is stunted by the statement. "Oh."
Liv chuckles as Utahime sighs and leans on her closed fist. "Now I can't think of any reasons for you to marry that bastard."
"Well, he's got a stellar lineage, immense power, and influence," Liv lists, twirling her pint of beer in circles. "He's good on the eyes, so that's a plus."
"Yeah but still," Utahime groans. "What in the world were you thinking of accepting Gojo's proposal?"
"He didn't propose," Liv blurts out, tactfully as always.
Both women cock their heads in confusion.
Liv looks outside while sipping her beer. "I proposed to him, technically."
Their jaws slack and hit the table almost.
"Is there a video?" Utahime asks half-seriously. "I want to see that."
"I really don't," Shoko adds with a hint of disgust. "It must've been embarrassing."
Liv recalls that auspicious day briefly and chuckles. "It probably would've been if there were other people present. Looking back, I was quite dramatic."
Utahime quirks a brow. "I thought the Gojo's were selective about marriage candidates. I'm surprised they accepted this."
Liv scoffs, now recalling the three-day negotiations between Mathias and the Gojo elders. "Oh no, they are."
"But they can't say shit to Gojo," Shoko points out and the three women laugh.
"Still, you could've done better than Gojo," Utahime continues. "You'll have to deal with fangirls."
"Fanboys, too," Shoko rolls her eyes and takes a swig of her drink. "The guy is such an attention whore."
"Come on," Liv says teasingly. "You're just jealous he gets more attention from girls than you."
Shoko rolls her eyes before laughing as well.
"So," Utahime asks dubiously, "what have you been up to all these years, great mistress of the Shuuin? Besides getting married to the worst most possible excuse for a man in the world."
Liv smiles sheepishly, scratching the back of her neck. "Oh you know, on the road mostly. Visited some relatives, had fun, built a life for myself."
"Must've been a shitty life to trade it up for Gojo," Shoko comments, taking a swig of her beer.
The comment makes Liv bite down a retort. On the contrary, her life had been perfect. She was far away from the jujutsu world, far away from all the crap and madness that comes with it. She missed her friends, naturally but she would've felt miserable if she had stayed instead.
Instead, Liv chuckles as she says, "You don't want to know."
Shoko gives her a curious look like she does not completely understand what Liv meant to say. She doesn't ponder on the thought much longer, being more invested in browsing the bar's menu.
"Shoko tells me you spent the last few years in New Orleans," Utahime asks, her eyes bright with childlike curiosity. "Got any stories from the Crescent City?"
Liv smirks in response. "Plenty."
This grabs the attention of her two friends so Liv indulges their curiosity by retelling some of the more noteworthy stories from her time in the famous city on the Mississippi River. From parties to the carnivals and cuisine. She tells them about her cousins from Louisiana and the culture of the French Quarter, the music, and the art.
For a moment, she wishes to go back there.
"I'll take you there," she says softly, before sighing. "Soon, hopefully."
Utahime beams at her, clapping her hands excitedly. Liv chuckles at her senpai, finding her expression adorable. Shoko then nods her head approvingly, before lifting her drink.
"To Liv Drakon," she says. "It's good to have you back."
Liv's cheeks are dusted with pink flush as she raises her drink to Shoko's toast, clinking the glasses. Utahime follows suit, bringing her beer into the gathering.
"To us being together again," Utahime cheers, her eyes soft as she glances at the Shuuin mistress.
Genuinely touched by Utahime's words, Liv feels her throat slightly tighten as she hums in response, "To all my friends who are still not sick of me."
A round of laughter erupts at their table as they take a swig of their drinks. The merriment continues well into the night, with them swapping tales and anecdotes to fill in the blanks and missed moments in each other's lives. As the amount of empty glasses increases, the women start to get decently drunk and the topics of their conversation get exponentially more personal (read smutty). They gossip, and gossip, and gossip some more until they realize it's well past midnight and the bar is getting closed.
"No," Utahime whines as she holds onto Shoko who herself is holding onto Utahime. "I want t' drink some more!"
Shoko laughs at her senpai as she hiccups, a tell-tale sign of Utahime reaching her limit of alcohol intake. Any more sips and she will be puking out all of her stomach's contents on the pavement. Shoko holds down her liquor much better than either of the women but even Liv can tell that it's perhaps for the best if they just hit the bed.
"How 'bout we leave that for some other time?" Liv asks, stumbling as she searches for her phone.
Utahime pouts, her eyes glossy and her skin flushed. "I don' wanna - "
"Come on, senpai," Shoko nudges the older woman gently though even that much force is enough to make them sway dangerously to one side before Shoko pulls them upright once more. "Drakon won't ditch us again. We have all the time in the world now."
Utahime stares at Liv, her gaze squinted, like she doubts Shoko's previous statement. "We'll see."
Shoko then turns to Liv. "Call us a cab or somethin'."
Liv nods, her head bobbing excessively and making her dizzy for a brief moment. As she finally finds her phone, Liv unlocks the device and begins to dial a taxi number. Realizing she knows none by heart, Liv asks the other two for help. However, in their current state, none of the women can remember a single taxi service in the city. After a long while of thinking (courtesy of the alcohol they've been drinking, again), Liv remembers that Satoru has offered to pick them up.
Happy to have found a solution, she starts to search for his name on her contacts list. It takes her several rereads to find him as her vision is slightly blurry.
"A-ha," she exclaims as she opens the chat box. "Got ya'!"
She begins to type a message when a wave of inspiration hits her. Influenced by her last conversation with the other two women, Liv beckons them to lean in so she can take a selfie.
"Who's that?" Utahime drawls as she and Shoko walk over unceremoniously.
Liv clicks her tongue as she ushers them. "Just - ah, get over here!"
As they huddle together, the trio looks at Liv's phone, putting on what they think is a smiley face (they look positively drunk, no room for doubts). However, as they struggle with weight distribution, they stumble onto the pavement, their buts hitting the concrete uncomfortably. They laugh nonetheless, their giggles leaving them almost breathless.
October 2nd, 2016. / 02:20 / Gojo Residence, Roppongi, Tokyo, Japan
Satoru groans in frustration and falls back on his king-sized bed.
He is at his penthouse in Roppongi, finding it meaningless to go back to school. He knows the higher-ups will notice if he's alone without his bride on the school grounds. The change of scenery also helps him relax a bit as he has spent the entire day fishing out answers from Liv.
"Should I trust her," he wonders for the umpteenth time today while staring at the ceiling, "or should I not trust her?"
He wants to trust her and he's aware of the risk he's taking, marrying a sorcerer who cannot fight. Then again, that woman can talk her way out of any situation, he thinks to himself. If her charm fails, she has her spies.
"Please," he whispers, praying to whatever deity that may be listening to him rambling in the middle of the night. "Please, let her have some secret ultra-super-duper-sonic cursed technique in her arsenal."
He hears a familiar 'ting' sound coming from his phone and he stretches his hand to the nightstand where his phone has been resting dangerously close to the edge. Unlocking the phone, he first notices the time - 02:27 - and then the name on the message pop-up notification - Liv Drakon. Satoru frowns and purses his lips as he opens the message.
He groans.
Liv has sent him a blurry picture of herself, Utahime, and Shoko, sitting on a sidewalk, all of them having drunken smiles on their faces and all of them red from the booze they probably over-indulged in. The picture itself doesn't unnerve him as much as the text underneath.
From: Liv Drakon
pick us up
He rolls his eyes and then sighs as the next message comes in.
From: Liv Drakon
mr trouser snake
Satoru's eyes threaten to bulge out of their sockets as he reads the message.
"You little bitch," he curses in disbelief.
By the time he picks them up, Satoru has gone over at least a dozen different scenarios in which he obliterates Liv Drakon. He arrives in front of the Tasuichi bar in twenty minutes with his car - Because I sure as hell ain't gonna teleport their drunk asses back to school one by one. However, he finds the idea of teleporting Utahime to a random place in Kyoto tempting.
Little else happens afterward: they climb their way to the school from the foothills (Utahime and Shoko talk his ear off for not wanting to teleport them and spare them the climb), Shoko takes Utahime by hand to her room which is adjacent to the morgue (a morbid thought but Utahime, in her drunken state, doesn't much care at this point) and Liv and Satoru retreat to the dorm with him walking her to her bed. He doesn't miss out on the chance to chew her out for using the ridiculous nickname a then-virgin sixteen-year-old Satoru christened his dick with.
"You're a real piece of work, you know that?" he asks as he fumbles with the keys to her dorm room while holding her upright with his one hand.
Liv giggles and then hiccups as she pokes his cheek. "Aww, you're embarrassed. Don' worry, I tol' 'em nothin'."
"Trouser Snake, Liv," he says slowly, his tone almost menacing. "You better have not. I've buried that information in the farthest parts of my brain."
"Yeah, well," she drawls with a large grin on her face. "Your dir'y secret is safe with me."
"Oh for fuck's sake," he curses and opens the door of her room. "How is it that Shoko brings out the most annoying side of you?"
"You're whinin' 'cause she likes me more than she likes you," Liv mumbles as Satoru pulls back the covers on her bed before helping her sit down.
"I'm more concerned that you like her more than you like me," he scoffs as she nestles her head on the pillow. "How did you even remember that while drunk?"
"We were talkin' 'bout guys' epic fails durin' sex," she says matter-of-factly, shrugging.
He walks into the bathroom to bring her a bucket in case she gets nauseous. "I still can't believe you remember that."
"It was our first time," she mumbles into her duvet. "'Course I remember it."
"It wasn't that big of a deal," Satoru shakes his head, himself tired and wanting to just fall asleep.
He tucks her in (at her request) and says 'good night' (after she says it) before turning on his heel and leaving her room. As he reaches for the doorknob, he hears her calling his name.
His first name.
"Satoru," she almost whimpers.
It takes him a while to respond. "Yeah, Liv?"
She bites her lower lip. "Do you regret our first time?"
He turns around, his face unreadable. "What?"
"You said it wasn't that big of a deal," she says, her words sober and clear. "Does that mean you regret it?"
He blinks. "Do you?"
"No," she says quickly and she gets even redder in the face, if possible.
Satoru merely smirks. "Good."
Liv says nothing as he exits her room. It doesn't take her long to succumb to the lull of blissful sleep. By the morning, she forgets their short conversation.
Satoru doesn't but decides to keep that tidbit of info to himself.