Satoru closed his laptop with an exasperated sigh. His eyes, even while wearing his sunglasses, were pulsating from the strain of staring at the computer screen for 4 hours straight. Ripping off his glasses, he leaned back in his chair, massaging his temples. He had been submitting all the reports of the back-to-back missions he's gone on over the past few weeks. Suffice to say, there was a lot to record.

Vivian, who had been sitting at the edge of his desk and scrolling through Instagram, snapped her head up at the sound. She quirked a perfectly arched brow. "What's wrong, Satoru?"

"Nothing." He grumbled under his breath. "Just a lot to write for the old man."

She smirked as she hopped off the tabletop, tucking her phone into the back pocket of her way-too-tight skinny jeans. "Since when have you cared? Just jot down the main points and send it over like you usually do. Yaga knows you don't care for this kind of stuff- as long as you capture the main points, he'll get over it."

The silver-haired man remained in his position. She's right, he didn't used to care. His old teacher knew he did things at his own pace and time. He never gave a shit since he knew that there would never be any consequences, thanks to him being the strongest sorcerer in the world.

But now… his mind immediately traveled to a certain bespectacled medical assistant, the scoldings she would give him…

"G-Gojo-sensei!" He faltered as he rounded the corner, looking passively over his shoulder.

Qian quickly caught up with him, gazing up at him sternly as he rolled his eyes. "What does Shoko want now?"

She pouted as she reached into her bag, pulling out a single post-it. "I-Ieiri-sensei says this isn't a real report."

"What do you mean? Of course it is." He leaned over, plucking it out of her hands as he scrutinized his writing. "See, look. It says 'injuries minimal, all good.' "

The girl gaped like a fish out of water. "'A-All good?!' T-Then why did Yuji-san come into the office bleeding from his head?"

Satoru simply rolled his neck as he shrugged. "I said minimal, didn't I?"

Qian couldn't help but puff out her cheeks. "S-Sensei, you need to be more thorough with your reports. Not only does Ieiri-sensei need to know what happened on these missions, but Principal Yaga as well. These details are super important!"

The man smirked as he waved his hand dismissively. "Nah, I don't have time for these sorts of things. Anyways, see you around." He began to walk in the opposite direction, but the girl quickly sidestepped forward and stood before him, both hands on her hips.

"I-I'm serious. Without these sorts of details, some things can fall through the cracks." She asserted while taking out her own notebook. She quickly flipped to a specific page. "S-See, look. Here I recorded my findings and based on the details I added, I can figure out what experiment to do next and work from there." She closed the book in her hands. "I-I swear, it really helps!"

Satoru rubbed the back of his head as he stifled a yawn. "Yeah, yeah, whatever." He continued down his path.

A few days later, he was called into Yaga's office. On his way down the hall, he heard his name being called by a familiar voice.

He bit back a sigh as Qian rushed up to him again. "What is it now?"

She handed him a packet of papers. "J-Just read these quickly, before you go in!" She quickly bowed her head and scurried off before he could stop her. Curiosity getting the best of him, he quickly flipped through the pages.

"Satoru, get in here." He turned to see Yaga's head sticking out from the entryway, jerking a thumb into the room. Satoru rolled up the pamphlet and stuffed it into his back pocket.

"What do you want now, old man?" Satoru muttered, closing the door behind him.

"What the hell happened to Yuji on that mission?" The brown-haired man crossed his arms across his chest as he leaned against his desk.

Satoru himself casually plopped down onto the couch in the back of his former mentor's office. "Oh, that? He just got grazed, no biggie."

Yaga raised his brows incredulously. "'No biggie?' Does acting like a rabbit for three days count as 'no biggie'? Now I'll repeat myself again. What the hell happened?"

Satoru's face fell. "What?"

"You heard me." Yaga released an angry breath as he rose to his feet, walking around to sit behind his desk and log into his computer. "He shows up to Shoko's medical room with a 'mild' head injury, then next thing she knows, he's bouncing around like a rabbit left and right." He twirled the screen around and showed his student the footage. Satoru couldn't help but snort as he saw his pink-haired student hopping off the metal benchtops, chittering his teeth like an actual rabbit.

"This isn't funny, Satoru." The principal growled, turning the screen back towards him. "Now, what the hell happened?"

Satoru opened his mouth, but suddenly remembered a certain highlighted paragraph on the second page of the packet that was given to him. "Well, we were fighting a cursed spirit that had rabbit-like qualities. Yuji was trying to pin the damn thing down so Nobara could exorcise it, but it was able to break free and chomped on Yuji's head. It seems like it has the ability to transfer its innate characteristics into whoever it bites."

Yaga raised a skeptical brow at the uncharacteristic explanation. "You actually remembered all of that?"

Satoru raised his hands above his head, resting them behind his neck as he leaned into the cushions. "Obviously, who do you take me for?"

The papers felt hot in his pocket.

And there were several times after that, after she showed up in their- no, his- life, where she would find him and provide him with in-depth information on the events that happened on missions. She wasn't even a part of many of them. Based on her closeness with his students, he can only assume that they were able to provide her with details based on their recollections.

Honestly, it wasn't needed. Just like Vivian said, the old man already knew he had a lazy side of him that can't be bothered.

Yet, he had to admit. Her meticulousness has helped him appear a bit more… thorough… before his mentor's eyes. More respected.

And… he liked that feeling.

"Hello? Earth to Satoru?" He blinked as a manicured hand waved in front of his face.

"Yeah, what?" He gently swatted her hand away, placing his sunglasses back on the bridge of his nose.

"I said, let's go somewhere fun." She sniffed upon seeing him disregard her entirely, choosing to re-open the laptop.

"Not now, Viv." He ran a hand through his silver hair. "I need to get this done first."

"Who are you and what have you done to Satoru?" She laughed drily. When he remained silent, his eyes fixated back on the screen as he continued to typeaway, her face grew hot in annoyance.

She bit the inside of her cheek, taking a step back as her brow furrowed in rage. "It's because of that girl, isn't it?"

A muscle twitched underneath his eye which, despite his glasses, she was able to notice through the subtle movement of his immaculate cheek. "What the hell are you talking about?"

.

—-

Qian gasped for breath as she reached the entrance of Satoru's office. She nervously straightened the front of her cardigan, rolling her shoulders back as she clutched her notebook tightly against her chest.

Against her better judgment, she took out her phone to turn on the camera to observe her own reflection. She anxiously fiddled with hair, smoothing down the loose strands that stuck out from her bun. As she fixed her bangs, she noted how long they've grown, to the point that they can easily be swept to the side and tucked behind her ear. Usually, I would've cut it by now.

In the past, she always trimmed and kept her bangs because they helped hide her gaze as she spoke to people. But ever since she came here, she realized she was able to hold conversations, lift her head up to communicate, assert her opinions…

And now… she was even maintaining eye contact. Her cheeks reddened as she recalled the silver-haired man's "training" that occurred during her parents' anniversary party. The warmness emitting from his fingers as they gripped her chin, the tantalizing scent of his aftershave as his face neared hers… his hypnotic, piercing blue eyes…

She couldn't help but release a giddy smile. Despite everything that happened between them, she felt forever grateful to him. He truly did help her grow stronger.

Stronger to the point of… She gently felt the tips of her hair between her fingers. I don't need to hide myself anymore.

She rapidly reviewed the plan in her mind. She was going to go in there, tell him her findings and… maybe then… they can… talk about… things. Maybe everything. She swallowed, shaking her head to get rid of any straying thoughts. Before she could change her mind, she raised her fist to knock on the door-

"That random girl, the medical assistant or- whatever the fuck you guys are calling her." Her ears perked up. She knew eavesdropping was impolite but… she noticed the door was slightly ajar. Curiosity got the best of her and she couldn't help but peek inside, seeing Satoru's back against her as Vivian seemed to lean over him, staring at him in an accusatory manner.

"What about her?" He replied in a nonchalant tone. The hairs on the back of her neck began to stand.

"She's got under your skin, didn't she?" Vivian crossed her arms over her ample bosom as she glared down at him.

Qian's throat ran dry. She should leave, her mind screamed at her legs to move, to get OUT of there… but her muscles refused to budge.

There was a long pause. She needs to go, she needs to leave.

"No, she's nothing to me."

All the air escaped from her lungs, causing her to release a shaky breath, one that she didn't realize she was holding. Her blood pounded in her ears as her lip quivered, causing her to bite down on it so harshly that it began to bleed.

His tone was so… cold.

Even though she couldn't see his face, there was no doubt about the authenticity of his words.

Vivian herself seemed satisfied, her lips quirking up into a wry smile. "Is that so? Are you just saying that to make me feel better?"

There was another pause, more brief. Qian slowly slid down the wall, collapsing onto her knees.

"No, you know how I am, Viv." Satoru's deafened voice echoed in her numbed mind. Viv? Qian's heart sank at the nickname, hearing it seemed to drive a dagger further into her gut wedging the blade into the crevices of her soul.

"Oh… yeah, I definitely do." Her eyes widened as she saw Vivian's silky-white hair, her arms draped around his shoulders as she hugged him intimately. "So, how about my previous offer then?"

"Not now." She heard him sigh. "The old man sent me out on another mission tonight, and I have to finish this report before then."

"And when have you ever obeyed orders?" Vivian giggled mischievously as she cupped his chin, tilting his face towards hers.

As their lips met, her muscles finally triggered, causing her to stumble backwards. She stifled her gasp with her hand as she scrambled to her feet, whirling around to rush down the hall.

Tears poured down her cheeks as she blindly ran through the courtyard, cursing her own naivety. Why was she so shocked? She knew from the beginning this wasn't going to end well. He was way out of league, strongest sorcerer in the world, and who was she- some weak human who had no special abilities or skills whatsoever. Clearly what happened between them was a farce, he was probably deprived of female companionship from being so busy with work.

And of course, he and that woman had a history. Her eyes burned as the tears clouded her vision, causing her to yelp as she tripped, tumbling onto the dirt in a broken heap. She clutched the grime underneath her fingertips, the late autumn chilly winds burning her face. I'm so stupid, what was I expecting? I knew it wasn't anything serious… I knew it… but-

In a daze, she somehow made it back to her lab and she swung the door shut behind her, her knees buckling as she crumbled at the top of the stairs.

Still… part of me hoped.

—-

Vivian snapped her eyes open in shock as she felt a tingling sensation on her lips. Upon seeing his frown, she lowered her gaze to realize: there was an invisible barrier between them, preventing their lips from actually touching.

She scowled at the man. "Seriously, you activated infinity?"

Satoru regarded the woman with a level stare. "I told you, I need to do work."

She straightened her back with a sneer. "That's never stopped you before. What's the matter with you? You used to be different."

He shrugged nonchalantly, gently lifting a hand to pry her arms off of his shoulders. "Nothing's wrong. I'm just not into that sort of thing anymore."

"So I was right, wasn't I?" An acerbic taste grew on the tip of her tongue as she uttered those words. "You've grown attached to her. You actually… care about her?"

He maintained his usual stoic expression."Don't be ridiculous." He tucked a hand in his pocket, using his other to grab his laptop. "I'm going to work somewhere else. I'll talk to you later."

When he stepped into the hallway, he closed the door behind him, internally sighing to himself. Vivian always had a… peculiar temper. He's made it clear he never wanted anything serious and she would agree with him, claiming she felt the same way.

He turned and strolled down the hall. There were numerous times during their school days where girls would come up and confess to him. Naturally, he rejected them, unless they were looking for fun. To those, he would flash his signature swoon-worthy grin and say he'll be in touch.

Yet, oddly enough, an unusual recollection crept into his mind as he rounded the corner. They would then begin to avoid him afterwards. Especially if Vivian was by his side, they would turn pale and immediately scurry away.

Honestly, at the time, he didn't care. In fact, it benefited him- if she did indeed do something, it saved him the headache of dealing with these girls once they- inevitably- develop feelings.

"You've grown attached to her. You actually… care about her?" He had reached the center of the courtyard, pausing in his step as the autumn leaves gently fluttered around him, scattering the ground. Qian. Do I… care about her?

At first it was her surprising backbone. Then it became the sheer earnestness, her raw selflessness, her pure actions…

Then, it became her blushes. Her embarrassment, her arguing, the shy smile…

How soft her body was pressed against his own…

Her desperate attempt at stifling her moans…

He will never forget how breathless he felt when he felt her arms around his chest, when she admitted that she loved him…

Her beautiful green eyes that remained downcast, yet shining with the truth, right before he succumbed to his urges and collapsed into her, breathing into her lips.

Everything about her, all the bits and pieces that he's seen… and what else lies with her… the genuine thought of her caused a gentle smile to tug at the corner of his mouth.

… Perhaps.

Fine. Maybe he, "THE Gojo Satoru", may care about the dark-haired medical assistant. But that did not mean he had to admit it out loud, especially to Vivian. He had no idea what the woman was capable of; the thought of her doing something to Qian caused him to clench his jaw as he continued heading towards the library on the other side of campus.

He and Vivian may be old friends, but things have changed.

For better and for worse.

—-

After Satoru left the room, Vivian stomped the ground with an angry huff. She ran a manicured hand through her straightened hair.

Why, why her? What does she have that I don't? She snarled as she paced the floor.

She stopped in front of the window, facing the track field at the edge of Jujutsu High's campus where several students were training. She could remember that not too long ago, that would be them sparring. And afterwards, they would always play hooky and goof off somewhere. Most of the time would be to, well, relieve their stress. But other times… they wouldn't even do anything physical. Sometimes, they just needed to get away; from their family, from the expectations… from everything.

"So, what flavor are you going to get this time?" She tilted her head quizzically beside him, eagerly waiting to see his expression. Their usual go-to ice cream shop was quite sparse given it was barely noon, save a few people standing in line among the two of them.

"No idea, I think I'm feeling chocolate." He smirked as he met her pout. "What?"

She flipped her high ponytail over her shoulder. "You always get chocolate, go for something fruity, like strawberry or something!"

He shook his head, pushing his sunglasses onto the bridge of his nose before stuffing his hands back into his pocket. "Ha, not a chance. Fruits are never nearly as sweet as chocolate is, and you know that."

She giggled before suddenly hearing a series of hushed whispers from behind her. She subtly peered over her shoulder to see a couple of young ladies a few feet away down the line they were standing in.

"Hey, hey, isn't that high schooler like… super hot?" One woman gushed, cupping her hand over her friend's ear.

The other nudged her with her elbow. "Shush! He's gonna hear you, and he's WAY too young for you!"

"Not true, we're only first years in college, it could totally still be legal!" The two succumbed to squeals as Vivian rolled her eyes, shoving her arm through Satoru's.

He quirked a brow at her as she tilted her nose up disdainfully in reply. "Yeah, yeah. I know your rule: 'no physical touch in public'. Just put up with it, I'll pay for it this time."

He simply grinned. "Deal."

She swallowed the lump in her throat as she turned away from the glass. It wasn't fair, I knew him way longer than this girl has…

Suddenly, her eyes fell upon the closet on the other side of the room. She briskly walked over and pulled the door open, peering her eyes inside.

Bingo. Hung before her were a few spare uniforms, coats, and sweaters. A dark-gray sports jacket caught her attention, tucked to the right, and she plucked it off the hanger.

She glanced behind her, making sure the man didn't return for whatever reason, and threw the jacket over her shoulders before making her way towards the laboratory.