Satoru himself could hardly believe the words that had slipped out of his mouth. His anger had long dissipated, leaving behind nothing but disquietness upon hearing her pain. His thoughts were a jumbled mess, and he had no idea what the fuck to say. How to say it.

He was fucking Gojo Satoru for God's sake. Regarding relationships, emotions… he's never been serious about anything, Jesus, let alone anyone besides his students. He had told himself over and over… no, he had sworn to himself: he would never grow close to anyone ever again, especially after what happened with Suguru.

But now, what should he do? She was about to walk out of his life… forever. She… Qian.

Fuck. What was he supposed to do?

His mouth had opened on its own before his conscience could catch up to him.

Qian remained facing the door, her breathing had shortened and her entire body was rigid as Satoru turned slowly to look at her.

"I… You have no idea how much I missed you." He continued, his eyes downcast as his hands clenched at his sides. "You were all I thought about for the past few weeks- god, even longer."

Her breathing grew shallow, her lungs feeling as though they've been frozen stiff. What was he saying-

"At first, you completely baffled me." He raised his head, noting that she was rooted in place. He carefully took a step forward. "You, who by all accounts, were weak. I always saw weak people as hindrances, a burden. And you knew it yourself. So why? Why did you keep trying so hard? With work…helping us... I couldn't understand it."

"Then, you began to haunt me." She could feel her heart pounding, her chest beginning to squeeze as heat fluttered in her stomach. Unbeknownst to her, he took another step. "You were so pure, just wanting to do your job and support us in the best way you could. Then, you-" He gritted his teeth as he squeezed his eyes shut. "You put yourself in harm's way. You put yourself in danger. Not once, but twice. You almost died… when you were in my arms, bleeding… I couldn't bear it."

"T-That's just guilt- r-remember?" She whispered shakily, desperately clinging onto the last remnant of denial. "A-And pity-" Don't believe him. Don't trust him. Don't-

His senses heightened upon hearing her stammer return and his heartbeat quickened. Satoru was now right behind her. He studied her carefully, his glowing irises growing dim as they darkened tempestuously. "If it's just guilt and pity, why do I want to kiss you every time I see you?"

She could feel his warmth on her back, but her muscles wouldn't budge. He doesn't mean that. He was just using me as a replacement. There's no way, don't listen to him. She frantically tried to ground herself, but the shield she had barricaded around her heart began to waver. Her inner voices of logic and emotion were warring with each other. "Y-Y-You're just…it's just… hormones-"

He lowered his head, his lips hovering over her nape. "I'm not done." She gasped inaudibly as he placed a delicate kiss and her cheeks burned, her chest pulsating with scorching ardor. She couldn't move away, she couldn't breathe.

He slowly unfurled his fingers, reaching upwards to brush the loose strands away from her neck.

"I'm going to tell you something, and you tell me if it's just hormones." His touch traveled over her shoulder, past her jawline, dipping underneath her chin and gently prodding her to raise her face towards him.

It was like every part of her body was under his control. Scrupulously, she peered up through her lashes. Her breath began to shorten as their eyes finally met. Truly… fully met.

His gaze turned tender as his thumb brushed her lips, his silver bangs tickling her forehead. His other hand skimmed her hip, assiduously coaxing her to turn into him, palming her lower back. "I want to hold you. I want to make you smile. I want to brush away your tears. I want to make you laugh. I want to hold your hand. I want to buy you flowers… take you to my favorite places. For the first time ever, I want to do all that cheesy, stupid shit that I always laughed at."

Suddenly, his finger began to push, causing her to numbly part her lips, allowing him to press into her mouth as he stroked her tongue with his thumb. Her face had now incinerated into flames as his forehead rested against hers, his pupils dilating… shrouding with desire. "But I also want to pin you down, lock you in a room and do what we both want. I want to bite you, mark you, make you mine. You have no idea what I've thought of these past few weeks… what being away from you has done to me. The things I want to do to you…"

And right there, he hovered. His breath mixing into hers. There was no way this was reality. How many times has she imagined- dreamed of him saying these words? Sitting alone at home, in the lab, in her room… fantasizing about how perhaps one day, he'd change his mind about her… all the signs were there, maybe he would one day feel the same way. But she would push those thoughts away, reel herself back to the real world. There was no way that would ever happen.

B-B-But n-n-now… his thumb in her mouth, the sheer, raw, primal need radiating from his being was making her feel… calefaction flooded her gut, an unknown craving blossoming in her core. His lips were right there-

Y-Y-Yet-

"It's only with you, Qian. No one else has made me feel like this." He was closing in, his lips skimming against hers. "So tell me, is it really, simply… just hormones?"

Yet, all she could think about…

…was how she wanted- needed to get out of that room.

"I-I-I-I-I n-n-n-need to go." She ripped her face away, yanking herself out of his hold, just barely about to squeeze past his torso-

But he didn't budge. His expression was steeled, his gaze passive. He learned over her shoulder. Her legs shook as she felt his warmth once more, his mouth right beside her temple. "You're right. No more games." His lips were outlining the shell of her ear, and her whole body throbbed .

"I'm sick of misunderstandings, Qian." He wasn't touching her, yet she practically felt every hair follicle on her skin sparking with electricity. She shouldleave. She needed to… just think. To just… process. She must still be asleep, dreaming-

But her limbs refused to budge, and he knew. He knew, and the corners of his lips twitched as he lowered his head to face her once more. "So tell me that you don't love me anymore. Right now. Look into my eyes, and tell me. I promise I'll walk away and leave you be."

And there he paused, his eyes searching hers. Despite his smug composure, his pulse was deafening in his ears. His blood roared in his veins due to his rapidly racing heart at the thought of it possibly being true. Maybe her feelings really had changed, that's why she ran. Maybe that's why she wanted to forget him-

But she continued to stare up at him helplessly, her rosy cheeks and shining eyes quenching his insecurity. Her brain had completely short-circuited.

As she remained speechless, his sly grin stretched fully across his lips, a mischievous shadow falling over his expression. "But, if that's not it… then how about this? We can do this the easy way, or the hard way. Easy way: we finish this conversation now, calmly. On the other hand, if you run-"

She practically began to hyperventilate as she felt his breath against her cheek. "-if you keep running from me, I will find you. And once I do, I will not hold back. I'm going to do what we've been craving to do for ages. I will give you what we both want, and then afterwards… well, then we finish this conversation."

What sort of convoluted- Her mind was completely muddled as his lips traveled to her forehead. His voice was low, growing strained as though he was physically holding himself back. "Either way, the results are the same. You said it yourself, no more games, no more misunderstandings. It's just you and me now."

She searched his eyes for any sign of humor, only to find nothing of the sort. He simply gazed back down at her, waiting…

…wanting.

In sheer panic, her muscles finally spasmed into action and she shoved past him, rushing out the door.

—-

What the HELL just happened?! Qian gasped as she raced around the corner. She was supposed to be done with him… angry! How did it turn out like this?!

She frantically searched her surroundings. How could she be so idiotic?! He literally just told her that- if she ran- he'd-

Her face turned hot, her stomach turning to knots as she gulped, her thoughts straying to his words. N-no it's not that I-I-I want- to d-d-do- whatever he wanted. She just needed space. Yes! Space to gather her thoughts.

Focus, Qian! He may have said the words that she wanted to hear. But what if it was all just another game to him? What if it was another ploy?

She kept moving, searching blindly throughout her surroundings. How could the inn be empty? Surely there were other people around- what about Adalaine-san?

But the lobby was in the opposite direction. Her eyes fell upon a sign pinned to the wall at the end of the hallway: women's baths pointing to the left, and men's baths pointing to the right.

Without thinking twice, she raced to the left. Her eyes settled on the familiar white shoji doors and she brusquely shoved them open, though daintily closing them behind her. They looked expensive after all.

She carefully ducked behind the lockers, crouching behind the furthest aisle. No, she needed to go deeper inside. She knew how perceptive his abilities were, witnessing it firsthand in so many of their encounters and battles. She swiftly meandered through the locker room, bursting through the entrance into the outdoor springs. Unlike the time during her last visit earlier this year, when the surrounding plum trees were full in bloom, they were now bare- with icicles hanging from the empty branches. Thick steam emitted from the crystal-blue water, pouring over the pearlescent gravel spread along the pathway. The tips of the looming boulders around the edges of the pool were frosted with snow; despite their towering height, they weren't able to block the swirling cold winter air from blasting her in the face, nipping at her even through her thick robe when she stumbled outside. She glanced behind her before eyeing the spa. Even though it was absolutely freezing, if she just slid behind the foliage nearby, she should be clear of him and finally she could just THINK and… and process what the hell just happened.

However, she heard a rattling sound. She turned back around to glance at the closed shoji doors, gasping as she saw a shadow appear behind the paper. Her eyes turned to the pool before her, a ridiculous idea forming in her mind. This robe is probably made of something way beyond she could ever afford, all she's wearing is her bra and underwear underneath it… but the air was so fucking cold. And the steam and aromatic scent from the springs seemed so inviting…

Fuck it. She held her breath as she rushed forward, leaping into the pool.

The hot water immediately pierced into her skin, soothing the goosebumps that had formed due to the frigidness outside. Yet, the drastic change in temperature shook her to the core and she let out a garble in shock, almost making her instinctively break out of the surface. However, she covered her mouth with both hands, squeezing her eyes shut as she forced herself to wait.

Okay, Qian. Just take this moment and remember: stay strong, he's just afraid of losing you, like a child afraid of losing his favorite toy. You're not anything to him.

However, in order to stay submerged, she had to release her breath slowly. Bubbles erupted from her lips as seconds led to minutes. Her lungs began to burn for desperately needed oxygen. If she tried to use her vision, the minerals in the bath would scar her eye tissue, so instead she strained her ears, trying to discern if there was any sound from above.

Finally, she couldn't bear it anymore and kicked upwards from the bottom of the pool, breaking the surface as she gasped for air. Fortunately, it was shallow enough that the water only reached her upper arms as she surfaced. She spluttered and coughed, ripping off her glasses to use the soaked fabric of her sleeve to wipe her face.

"I have to admit, it was cute seeing you try to hold your breath for long." She yelped as she whirled around, squinting her eyes and grimly recognizing the silver-haired man standing at the edge of the pool, regarding her with an amused smirk.

"I-I was- you-" She squeaked in panic, shaking her glasses vigorously with one hand and using her other palm and knuckles to frantically scrub the water from her lashes. She cleared her throat as she ran her fingers over her face, attempting to brush her wet bangs out of her eyes so she could glare at him.

Well, attempt to, that is. She probably looked as intimidating as a hamster. "I-I didn't run because I wanted to- or- b-because o-of what you said-" She swallowed as she fumbled with her spectacles, shoving them on her face finally. Unfortunately, the steam clouded her vision, preventing her from seeing his face clearly. Nonetheless, she tried to hold her chin up high. "I-I-I just needed space."

Satoru leaned down as she involuntarily took a step back, the motion causing waves to splash and the cloud of steam to swerve around them. It was difficult to see his expression, but his glowing irises pierced through the fog. "Well, you're the one who said you want to do this the hard way-"

"I-I-I-I didn't say anything I j-j-j-just- needed to think!" She asserted, glancing behind her to make sure she didn't trip as she waded backwards through the water, where the mist grew thicker to hopefully hide herself and put space between them.

Unbeknownst to her, his Six Eyes allowed him full visibility of her movements, and as she stood there, chest heaving, he took the moment to study her. Her dark hair, still soaked from her submersion, had fallen out of her ponytail and the ends pooled on the water surface around her like a silken halo. Her damp side-swept bangs clung against her brow, her round cheeks were rosy from what initially appears to be due the cold, but upon seeing her bright and panicked eyes, he grinned victoriously in recognition. After all, he's caused her to have that reaction numerous times.

There was no way in hell her feelings changed. So why did she want to forget him?

The thought made his chest tighten and he forced himself to listen to the inn owner's advice, so he took a long, calming breath. He scanned the area behind her: there was no walkway at the other end of the pool. The edge was surrounded by rough boulders and dead foliage. He could easily activate his cursed technique and simply walk on the water over to her, which would avoid his clothes from getting drenched. And then he would just yank her out of the water.

But she was trying so hard, so desperate to fight him. His smirk widened sadistically as he began to unbutton his shirt.

"Then why didn't you just say so?" There was a sudden splash, startling her and causing her to freeze in place. The steam completely obscured her surroundings, fogging up her glasses, but she nonetheless whirled around, vehemently trying to locate his position. "You could've just told me you needed space."

No way, he couldn't have- "I-How was I supposed to say anything after what you said-"

"What's wrong with what I said?" She shrieked as she spun backwards, coming face-to-face with the man. Her face flushed darker as she realized he had stripped himself of his outerwear, his now-drenched tank top outlined the hard panes of his chest as he crossed his bare, muscular arms

"Y-You- You don't mean that." She discerned his knowing grin and she gritted her teeth, yearning to throw something at his head. The man knew what he was doing, fully aware of his affect on her, and he was fully trying to distract her. She soon felt her hip finally touch the cool surface of one of the boulders, meaning she had reached the opposite end of the pool. She turned to feel the edge to pull herself out of the water; however, she soon realized with dread that there was no ground to stand on, only a towering pile of rocks and bare branches.

"And why do you say that?" She kept her back facing him as she gripped the stones in irritation at his smug voice.

Turning her chin, she threw a glare over her shoulder. "Y-Y-You told Vivian-"

"- a lie." Satoru sighed, brushing his hair back with his fingers, which caused his locks to slick back so a few loose tendrils hung on his forehead. There was no point in dancing around the subject, he was sick of their distance. "Look, whatever you heard me tell her, it wasn't true. Yes, we had a history. We were close at some point. But that's in the past, and that's why I know she also has a temper. I'm pretty sure she did some things to the girls who showed interest in me. I didn't care back then, but now- with you… it's different. And…" He took a step forward. "... and I was worried she'd do the same to you."

Qian regarded him with wide eyes, but then she shook her head in denial. "B-But I… I saw you two kiss."

He let out a wry smile. "I had Infinity activated."

She blinked owlishly. "Y-You're lying."

He released a breath and took another step. "Qian." She sensed his movement and immediately moved backwards, but flinched as the ice cold surface of the boulders touched her back. She nonetheless pressed herself against the stone, shivering as she tried to maintain space between them.

He took a step forward.

Some space.

Another step.

Any space.

He was now in front of her, to the point where she had to crane her neck upwards in order to meet his gaze. Yet, he wasn't touching her. He simply towered over her, placing a hand above her head as he watched her.

"Qian." She really needed him to stop saying her name. It was starting to cause irreparable damage to her resolve. Her legs instinctively buckled as he leaned over her. "What can I do to make you believe me?"

"N-Nothing." She turned her face down, staring at her reflection in the water. "T-There's nothing."

Satoru bit back a sigh in exasperation upon seeing her stubbornness. Fine, if she wants to play hard ball…

Then so be it.