Kento is not avoiding Kagome. He's been busy with missions and every time he sees her in the hallways, he's on his way out.

He is not avoiding her. They just so happen to be going different ways every time he sees her in the hallway. It's not his fault that he forgot his wallet and had to turn the other way yesterday.

He is not avoiding her.

"Good morning, Nanami!"

He freezes. Shit. She is walking towards him. "Good morning, Kagome." He clenches his teeth and crosses his arms. "How are you fairing?"

Do not think about the clinic. Do not think about how her energy simmered under his skin and wrapped around him. Kento swallows back the onslaught of images. How he rushed to his office, locked the door, and worked his cock until it was raw.

He is not thinking about that day. He will not think about that day.

It never happened.

She smiles. "Everyone has been so nice. I'm going on a mission with Maki and Yuta later. They want me to watch them."

He doesn't blink. Why do they need a new teacher to watch them when they know what to do? Especially Yuta? He's a special grade.

"I see." He glances at his watch. "Well, I must be—"

"Kagomeeee!" Satoru yells, running down the hall. "How could you leave me?"

"We weren't together?"

Satoru gasps and throws an arm around Kagome. He pulls Kagome closer to him and lifts his blindfold, staring at Kento.

Kento runs his tongue along his upper teeth to stop the frown from forming on his face. Satoru is a touchy person, but does he have to touch Kagome so intimately? He's practically hanging off of her and Kagome is far too kindhearted to tell Satoru off.

Satoru needs to remove his arms from around her. Doesn't he know it is rude to hang off of people like that?

No, Satoru knows. He just doesn't care.

"We're together now," Satoru coos, but while the words are directed to Kagome, Satoru stares at Kento with a smile that is anything but friendly.

Noted.

Seems not even the strongest is above feelings of jealousy.

And yet, Kento is strangely annoyed by this development. What right does Satoru have to monopolize Kagome's time?

What right does he have to touch her? Kagome does not strike him as the type that would give Satoru the time of day. Not with how obnoxious he is. No, Kagome would do better with someone that matches her energy. Someone more stable. Sane. Like him.

What? No!

"What time is your mission?" he asks, needing to get off this subject Satoru keeps trying to introduce.

"It'll be later tonight." Kagome looks up at Satoru and sighs. "For now, I'm just floating around if anyone needs anything. And we aren't together," she says, rolling her eyes. "Don't pay Satoru any attention."

Satoru grumbles and presses his face closer to Kagome's. "You're soo mean! What if I need help?" Satoru questions.

Nanami frowns. His chest tightens. Why won't his feet move?

"If you're free, then I wouldn't mind assistance with my mission." Kento blinks. Did he just?

Satoru glares at him. His cursed energy spikes, and it is oppressive.

Fuck. He did.

"I'd love to," Kagome chimes, shrugging out of Satoru's arms. "Is it a special grade mission?"

Kento falters. Special grade? What is her grade level? Come to think of it, he's never asked. Well, he's never talked to her for a length of time.

"No, but—"

"He doesn't need help, but I do."

"Satoru, I think you're exaggerating how much you need me. Aren't you the strongest?" her tone is teasing, but there's a warmth there that Kento hates.

It's Gojo Satoru, the world's most annoying sorcerer. Why isn't she annoyed by his antics?

Satoru lowers his blindfold and steps between Kagome and Kento. He says something, but Kento can't make out what.

"You shouldn't crowd her space like that," Kento says coolly. "It's rude."

Satoru turns his head. "What?"

"You're being insufferable." Kento pushes his glasses up. "Kagome, I'm leaving now for my mission if you want to join me." He will not be pushed into a corner by Satoru. Strongest or not, Satoru needs to give Kagome space.

"Okay!" Kagome nudges Satoru and rolls her eyes. "Don't you have to pack?"

"I'm already packed. The question is, did you pack?"

"I'm not going out of the country." Kagome crosses her arms, pressing her breasts together.

Kento swallows.

Should he give her his jacket? He swallows again and tries to focus on the wall behind her.

The hell is wrong with him? This isn't like him. The last thing he wants is a relationship.

Maybe he just needs to get laid. Yeah, a one-night stand will clear his mind and put a stop to these outlandish fantasies.

"Why not? I'm paying. Or did you want to buy new clothes when we get there?"

"Satoru," Kagome says, exasperated.

"Ooh, say my name again."

"You're disgusting," Kento remarks, taking a step toward Kagome.

Satoru's grin disappears and left is a look that could kill a man. Satoru bends down, twirling a locket of hair between his fingers, and whispers something in Kagome's ear.

Pink dusts her cheeks while Kento's ears burn hot. His heart races. Satoru presses his lips closer to Kagome's ear.

Kento is intruding on something. He feels it in his bones, but his cock twitches in his pants and the scene rocks him to his core.

What. The. Fuck?

"Nanami? Are you okay?" Kagome asks, tugging her hair back from Satoru.

"I'm fine," he grounds out.

No, he's not fine.

Satoru stands to his full height and pulls his blindfold all the way down. "You sure about that?"

"I'm fine," he insists. "We just need to get going so I don't run into overtime." He's in no danger of going into overtime today so long as the missions don't take too long, but Kagome doesn't know that, and Satoru doesn't know his schedule.

"Do missions take that long?"

"You know what's long? My—"

"His flight. Kagome, please." Kento turns on his heel. He blows out a breath. His heart beats against his chest like it wants to make a clean getaway. His blood runs hot. He blinks back the images of Satoru and Kagome.

Satoru probably takes her rough. He seems like the type.

Wait.

NO!

Kento shakes his head. That massage screwed with his head. He is not attracted to Satoru, for fuck's sake.

"Nothing better happen to her!" Satoru yells.

Kento's jaw ticks. Why is he acting like Kagome is his? He turns his head, glancing back at Satoru, and mouths, "She doesn't want you."

A boom of thunder hits Kento's eardrums. He frowns. It's not supposed to storm today. He turns away from Satoru and focuses on getting off the school grounds. "I apologize for my colleague," he grounds out, refusing to look at Kagome. If he does, she'll see the desire etched on his face like a scar. He can't get the image of Satoru whispering in her ear out of his mind. Or that possessive gleam in Satoru's eye.

Maybe he is the insane one. Maybe he should be committed. Dealing with Satoru for so many years has finally caused his brain to deteriorate into a puddle of acid.

"Huh? You don't have to apologize for Satoru." Kagome snorts. "Besides, Satoru is harmless."

Harmless?

Kento's head swirls in her direction. She thinks Gojo Fucking Satoru is harmless? They are not talking about the same sorcerer.

"Harmless and Satoru are two words I never thought I'd hear in a sentence," he mutters, walking down the steps. "This mission shouldn't take too long with your assistance."

"Of course!" she chirps. "I don't mind since the higher-ups seem reluctant to give me any of my own."

He gets the door for her and contemplates sitting in the back with her or in the passenger seat. He closes the door and takes his spot in the passenger seat. Ijichi glances over at him and shrugs.

"What is your grade?" With those massages of hers, perhaps the higher-ups deem her too valuable like Shoko to send on missions?

"Semi-special grade. Satoru says it's not a thing, but they made it up for me," she quips as though it's no big deal.

Semi-special grade?

"My abilities can't take on a country like Satoru, but my purification is more potent against curses than cursed energy. So, they gave me semi-special grade status and are dragging their feet on giving me any missions to do."

That's not like the higher-ups at all. Kento frowns. Just how valuable is Kagome?

"They like to keep you around in case anyone needs help," Ijichi says. "Productivity has been up by 75 percent since you performed those massages."

Nanami grits his teeth. His productivity has plummeted since she gave him one.

"Really? Come to think of it, no one has needed another one since the first. Except for Satoru. His energy is always getting twisted up." She sighs. "I don't know why it doesn't work that well on him... or you, Nanami. Your energy has been—"

"I'm fine," he says curtly. "That's just stress from the job. You don't need to use your abilities for such trivial matters."

"... If you're sure?"

"Positive."

Ijichi glances at him as he parks the car in front of the abandoned home. "I have to take Gojo to the airport."

"No worries!" Kagome chirps, climbing out of the car. "We can make our way back to the school on our own."

Kento's eyes twitch. Not only is he going to be alone with Kagome on this mission, but now he'll be alone with her on the way back, too? He slams the door shut and goes to move, but can't.

Damn it. How the hell did he shut his jacket in the door? He goes to open the door, but Ijichi takes off and sonofabitch.

Shit.

This is not happening.

"Kento!" Kagome yells, running towards him.

The car stops and Kento stands on wobbly legs. His day has barely begun, and he's already been drugged down the street.

"Nanami-san! I am so sorry," Ijichi apologizes profusely.

"It's fine. This is my fault." He snatches his snagged jacket and heaves a long sigh. "It's fine. Just go. I'm not hurt." His pride is, though. He shuts the door and this time; his jacket is not stuck between the door.

"Maybe you should take it easy," Kagome says. "I can handle the mission."

"That's unnecessary. I can handle... being dragged across the road. This is nothing." He fixes his jacket and walks back towards the abandoned home. "Are you putting a barrier up?" He could put up a veil, though usually Ijichi takes care of that. Ijichi must be in a rush to get Satoru to the airport for him to not offer to do so.

"Naturally," she quips.

Her energy is warm. His chest feels lighter. It's as though he can feel her fingertips under his clothes, but she's not touching him. Hell, she isn't even looking at him while she puts up a barrier without an incantation. A barrier that needs no time to prep for? No wonder the higher-ups want to keep her safe like they do with Shoko.

Kagome is far too valuable.

So why is she helping him on his mission? She should have turned him down and stayed back at Jujutsu High with the students.

"Nanami?"

"Kento."

Kagome blinks and then she smiles, and he swears the sky gets clearer. He swallows. No wonder Gojo Satoru is always hanging around her. One smile and he almost forgot why he can't do relationships.

Though Kagome is strong, and she can handle herself.

No. He squeezes his eyes shut. No, he can't leave behind a widow. Kagome may be strong, but there are curses out there that are stronger than him. He can't be responsible for causing someone pain. Kento jerks back. The warmth of her palm on his arm is too much. His body is aflame with something he refuses to name.

"Kento, are you sure you're okay? I can handle it if you need to sit down and take a breather." Her phone beeps, pulling her attention away from him.

He sucks in a breath and tries to center himself. This is not like him. He didn't act like some typical teen when he was a teen. He sure as hell isn't about to act like one now.

"Is it Satoru?"

"Yeah, he's still insisting I help him." She rolls her eyes as she slides her phone into her backpack purse. "I can't just up and leave for Australia on a dime."

"He doesn't need help, despite what he says. He is the strongest," he spits out the last part. Why couldn't the strongest be someone more reliable, like Yaga? Why does it have to be Gojo Annoying Satoru? "Come on, this shouldn't take too long with both of us. And the mission will help me settle my mind."

"If you say so." She shrugs and walks through the door with no regard for her safety. Kagome strolls into the house and plants her hands on her hips as she turns in a circle, taking in the house. "It's upstairs."

"It should be a grade one curse," he says, pulling his sword from its strap. "Provided the windows and the higher-ups did their jobs correctly." Kento walks to the stairs, putting himself in front of Kagome.

She's a semi-special grade, but something about letting her handle it all feels wrong. The notion shakes him to the core. What is wrong with him? If it were Mei Mei he wouldn't act like this? Is it because Kagome is new to the world of jujutsu?

He holds out his arm, signaling her to stand still as he approaches the room.

The cursed energy radiates from behind the door. It's overpowering. How did he not feel it before? Kento kicks the door in and walks into the room. Dust covers the bed like a cover. How unsanitary. He walks further into the room and keeps his face blank. Where is it? He felt it. It should be in this room.

His blood turns to ice. Something isn't right. He grips his blunt sword tighter. There's a spike of energy and a sudden breeze on his legs.

Wait.

He glances down. The vein in his forehead throbs. What the hell happened to his pants?

"Kento? You sure you don't—"

"Don't come in here!" he shouts and then curses himself. Idiot. What is wrong with him? "I got it under control!"

Kagome either doesn't believe him or she is choosing to ignore him because she walks into the room and freezes.

His face heats. Shit.

"Uh... what happened to your pants?"

Kento bites his tongue. Not only are his pants in tatters at his feet, but he hasn't had time to do laundry this week and the only clean pair of boxers was this ridiculous teddy bear one with hearts on it that Satoru got him as a joke. His heart stops. It's right behind her. "Kagome! Look out!" he yells, running toward her, though there's no way he'll make it in time.

Kagome lifts a finger, and the curse vanishes before his eyes. Unfortunately, his feet trip up and he falls forward.

Right at Kagome.

Fuck this day.

Fuck this mission.

Somehow, this is all Satoru's fault.

He falls on Kagome, and she squeaks under him. Oh, no. Kami no. Not here. His sword clatters to the floor next to them.

"Kento... your..." she sucks in a breath. "Your friend is in my face."

He scrambles back and falls down on his ass. Kento looks up at the ceiling. It must have been a really nice home before it was abandoned. Yeah, maybe if he lies here and pretends like that didn't just happen, everything will be okay.

"Hello?" Kagome asks.

Kento sits up and squeezes his legs together. Think of anything but how long her legs are or how soft she felt under him. He shrugs off his jacket and lays it across his lap. Who is she talking to?

"Yeah, we're done with the mission. You don't have to check up on me, though. Shouldn't you be getting on the plane?"

Oh. She's talking to Satoru. He swallows the annoyance down and blows out a breath. Think unsavory thoughts. Like the amount of germs on the floor. Or how much dust was on that bed. No, his bed is much nicer. It's clean. Soft. And shit, he's getting off track.

"We need to call for someone to pick us up," he says, standing with his jacket covering his boxers. "Can't go out like this."

Kagome nods and then frowns. "Do you have superhuman hearing? It's because the curse cut up Kento's pants." She rolls her eyes. "Goodbye Satoru. I'll see you when you get back." She hangs up the phone. "He said he'll have Ijichi swing back around and he'll get someone else to drop him off."

"Thank you." Kento glances away. His ears burn. "How did you exorcise it so easily? You just held up a finger."

"Well, I purified it. That's more effective than cursed energy, at least when it comes to curses." Her footsteps get smaller.

Is she leaving him behind?

He rips off the rest of his pants and follows behind her, picking up his sword on his way down the stairs. Why is her dress so form-fitting?

No. She can wear whatever she wants.

He's losing it.

The small thread of sanity he's worked so hard to hold on to is snapping as easily as Kagome purified that curse.

"I'm sorry," he says, wincing slightly. "For my indecency and for—"

"Don't worry about it," Kagome says. "It's not like you meant for any of that to happen. We can just wait for Ijichi to get here, and he can grab you some spare pants or something so the students don't catch you in your... cute boxers." She looks back at him and flashes him a smile.

"You're too kind." He clears his throat. "I know you told Satoru that I needed pants, but if you could please keep the other incident between us." He walks over to her and stares out the window.

Kagome bumps her shoulder with his arm. "A secret between coworkers."

He scowls and disguises it as a cough.

Right, coworkers. That's all they are, and that's all they will ever be. Besides, Satoru doesn't strike him as the sharing type. He coughs and then claws at his throat, dropping his jacket.

Share? With Satoru?

Kagome whacks his back, and that one move stops him from choking on his own saliva, but it also loosens yet another screw in his brain.

This is bad. He needs to talk to Shoko.

A/N: Poor Shoko in advance. Next update will be later this week. I am working on the next chapter of Wish I Could. And eventually, I'll be changing my username to Autumn Banks to have everything under one name. It's not my real name, I used a name generator lol.
Hope you are having a wonderful week so far and if Monday and Tuesday didn't go as you planned, it's never too late to switch things around. So get plenty of sleep, fill your well, and take your vitamins.
P.s. I need Suguru to show up already because his boys need help.