CHAPTER 24
{POV: Satoru Gojo}
«Hey, if you keep looking at me like that, we're gonna have a real problem.»
Suzue blinked, her confusion playing out on her face with a furrowed brow and slightly parted lips.
She looked like she was trying to decode his words, as if there was some hidden meaning she was supposed to grasp. She was adorable—adorable and utterly oblivious, and it was taking every ounce of his legendary self-control not to just laugh at the absurdity of it all. But he knew better than to let his emotions show too easily, especially around Suzue, who had an uncanny ability to read him even when he didn't want to be read.
Satoru watched as the gears turned in her head, saw the moment she wondered if he was serious or just teasing her again. Her lips parted for a brief second, and a faint, uncertain smile tugged at the corners of her mouth, as if she wasn't sure if to take him seriously or laugh it off.
«A real problem?» she echoed, her voice soft and tinged with uncertainty.
That blush—that damn blush—was creeping back into her cheeks again. It was almost maddening, how easily she could look so flustered. And that was a problem, one he was fully prepared to make worse.
He leaned in, his elbows resting on the table, closing a little the distance between them. His voice dropped to that familiar teasing tone that always made her a little nervous, a little more aware of how close they were. «Yeah, a big one.» He chuckled softly in a way that made her squirm in her seat, under his gaze. «So, how about we stop beating around the bush and get to the part where you tell me you missed me?»
She blinked up at him, clearly caught off guard. Her lips parted again, but the words seemed to stick in her throat. She looked like she might actually believe he was joking, that this was just another one of his playful teases. But then, as the realization dawned on her, the blush deepened, spreading across her face like a wildfire.
She was caught, and she knew it.
Satoru's smirk widened as he watched the playful light in her eyes give way to something closer to panic. She quickly averted her gaze, as if doing so might somehow dispel the tension that had suddenly thickened between them.
"Got her." he thought, his smirk turning just a little sharper. She was caught between wanting to look away and being unable to tear her eyes from his. It was a game he was winning. The way she fidgeted with her hands, the way her eyes darted around the room—everything about her screamed discomfort, and he was enjoying every second of it.
«O-Of course I missed you.» she finally managed to stammer, her voice barely above a whisper. «But-»
"Shit." He thought, feeling a rush of amusement. "Her damnable honesty—she really did say it." It was one of the things that drew him to her, but it was also infuriating at times like this. She wasn't playing his game the way he expected her to.
«But?» he teased, his voice playful as he leaned in even closer, close enough that he could feel the warmth radiating from her. «Come on, Suzue. You weren't shy about wanting honesty back in the car. Isn't that what you said?»
Her eyes widened, and she looked away, clearly flustered. «Yes but I… I didn't mean—» she mumbled, her words stumbling over themselves, but there was no real force behind it. It was more of a reflex than anything else, her words half-formed and unsure.
"Oh no, no no." he thought, his smirk growing just a little sharper. "You're not getting away that easily."
Satoru decided to push a little more. Without warning, he reached out, his fingers gently pushing her chin upward. He tilted his head, his thumb brushing lightly against her skin, forcing her to focus on him. The touch was light, but firm enough to leave no room for escape.
And to her credit, Suzue didn't pull away. Instead, she simply gazed back at him, her eyes searching his for something, anything, that would give her an out. But he wasn't about to give her one.
«Mean what?» Satoru's gaze lingered on Suzue as he watched every subtle shift in her expression. He noticed the way she bit her lip, a telltale sign of anxiety that she probably didn't even realize she was doing. «Being honest? I thought you wanted us to be honest with each other. Isn't that what you said?» Suzue's breath hitched, and he could feel the tension in her jaw as she tried to maintain her composure. But he could see right through her, the way her heart was practically racing in her chest, the way she was torn between leaning into his touch and bolting out of the ice cream parlor altogether.
«You wanted 'Satoru, the man you care about', to be honest? You know, like you said in the car? Right... Partner?» His words were a deliberate echo, a reminder of the very thing she had thrown at him not so long ago. He watched her eyes widen slightly at the mention of her own words from their earlier argument, and he knew he had her. «I just want to tell you how happy I am about this partnership.»
Suzue's eyes flicked back to his, and for a moment, he thought she might actually push him away. But she seemed to hesitate. Satoru watched her eyes widen, her blush deepening to a shade that could probably be classified as "emergency red."
A small, nervous smile formed on her lips. She opened her mouth to respond, but what came out was a soft, breathless sound that did absolutely nothing to help his resolve. «S-Satoru, can we just… forget about that? About what I said? Please—»
Satoru's smirk softened slightly, his gaze dropping to her lips for a fraction of a second before returning to her eyes. He knew he was on the edge, teetering dangerously close to crossing a line he had always managed to stay behind. But right now, he was completely and utterly undone by a petite, blushing woman with a stubborn streak and a pair of wide, innocent eyes. «Too late for that.»
He could see her struggling to form a coherent response, her cheeks reddening even more under his scrutiny. God, he loved that blush. It was driving him insane the way she tried so hard to keep it together but was clearly failing. Miserably.
"Get a grip, Satoru. You're the one in charge here." It was supposed to be a simple game—flirt a little, watch her squirm, and then pull back before anything too serious happened. But there was a moment—just a split second—where he seriously considered just going for it. To hell with the consequences, to hell with all the doubts and second thoughts. He could lean in, close the distance, and finally put an end to this maddening torment that had been hanging on his head for what felt like forever. He could already imagine it—the taste of her lips, the way she would melt into him, the way that blush would spread even further as she realized what was happening.
And for a brief, exhilarating moment, he thought, "Why the hell not?"
Just as he was about to lose it, Suzue's voice, soft and tremulous, broke through the haze. «S-Satoru, I don't think… I mean, maybe we shouldn't…»
But here was the kicker—she wasn't actually pulling away. No, she was trembling slightly under his touch, her voice barely more than a whisper, but she wasn't backing down. That stubborn streak of hers, the one that always seemed to catch him off guard, was shining through. She wasn't going to let him win this easily, even if she didn't realize it. She was trying so hard to resist, but it was clear she wanted it too.
"Shit."
Satoru had always been good at flirting, at making other people blush and stammer without even trying. However, Suzue was different. She was more than just a pretty face—she was someone he genuinely cared about, someone he didn't want to hurt.
"This wasn't supposed to go this way."
It was like she had flipped some kind of switch, turning from the shy, reserved Suzue into someone who was practically daring him to cross the line. And the worst part? He wanted to.
«Shouldn't what?» he asked, his tone both teasing and dangerous. He leaned in even closer, so close that their foreheads nearly touched, making sure she felt every word. «You're gonna have to be a little more specific than that, Suzue.» The corner of his mouth quirking up in that infuriatingly charming way he knew would only make things worse for her.
His hand moved from her chin to cradle her face, his thumb brushing over her lower lip as if to punctuate his words. He loved how she had to tilt her head up just to meet his gaze.
Now, he was done playing the good guy. He wanted to see just how far he could take this before she either gave in or slapped him away. And now, honestly? He was betting on the former.
«You know.» he said, his voice laced with that familiar teasing edge, «I might start actually considering breaking that 'no touching' rule of yours.»
«Satoru-» she tried again, her voice barely more than a whisper now, as if she couldn't trust herself to speak any louder.
«Mmm?» he hummed. He could see the struggle in her eyes and he wanted to watch her resolve crumble right in front of him. He could feel her resistance weakening, her body leaning just slightly toward him as if drawn by some invisible force.
Suzue's gaze flickered, and she seemed to struggle with her next words. But when she finally spoke, it was like a soft, vulnerable confession. «You know that… you're the exception,» she whispered, her voice trembling slightly, but there was no mistaking the sincerity in her words. «To the..."no touching" rule. You said it yourself.»
That did it.
He had always known he was the exception—he had practically declared it himself, that he was the exception. But was there really any need for her to bring it up that way? Hearing her actually voice it aloud was like a wrecking ball to the fragile walls of his self-restraint. Damn it, she was making this so hard—literally and figuratively.
"Shit."
She had no idea what those words did to him, how Suzue was the one person who could always throw him off balance, and in that moment, she had him completely undone. He had fully expected her to pull away, to retreat into that safe, sensible bubble she always seemed to cling to.
But she didn't.
"Well, damn." he thought, trying to suppress a grin. "I guess we're both in deeper than we thought"
Before she could speak, Satoru closed the gap between them, his lips just a breath away from hers. He paused there, giving her one last chance to back out, to stop him before he crossed that line. He was practically daring her to stop him, but deep down... he hoped she wouldn't.
But then she leaned in closer, and all rational thought went out the window.
"Shit."
That was all the invitation he needed.
His hand moved to the back of her neck, fingers tangling in her hair as he tilted her head slightly, his lips almost brushing against hers in the softest of touches, a mere whisper more than anything else. He could feel her breath hitch, her heart practically hammering in her chest, and it took every ounce of self-control he had not to just close the distance completely and—
'
And then, like a bucket of cold water, reality crashed back in.
Suzue, as if suddenly waking from a dream, jolted back to reality.
Her eyes widened in panic as she remembered where they were and who might be watching. Without thinking, she quickly raised her hands and slapped them firmly against Satoru's face, stopping him in his tracks. «W-Wait!» she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper. «Nanami and Yuji... they're-» The words came out in a rushed whisper, as if saying them aloud made the situation even more unbearable.
Right. Of course. There was still the small matter of Yuji and Nanami standing outside on the bench, probably watching them like a couple of overprotective parents.
Satoru had been moments away—seconds—from finally closing the distance between them, from finally doing what he had wanted to do for what felt like an eternity. Her words, the way she whispered that he was the exception to her no-touching rule, had completely undone him. It was the green light he didn't even realize he had been waiting for. And then—this.
He wanted to scream. He wanted to curse the gods or whoever else was responsible for this cosmic joke. But instead, he found himself staring at Suzue in disbelief, her hands still pressed firmly against his cheeks, her face flushed with embarrassment. She was adorable when she was flustered, but right now? Right now, all he could think about was how close he had been, how damn close—
"Really? Cockblocked by Nanami and Yuji, of all people?"
Satoru's irritation skyrocketed. He closed his eyes for a moment, pinching the bridge of his nose as if that would somehow alleviate the sheer absurdity of the situation. "Is this a joke?" It had to be a joke. Sukuna must've cursed him, or the universe itself was playing some elaborate prank on him. Because really, who else would be cockblocked by one of his own students and a colleague? As if those two hadn't already seen more than they should have by now.
«... I don't care?» he muttered, opening his eyes to glare at her, though the frustration in his voice was barely masked. «Seriously-you're worried about them? Right now?»
Suzue nodded, her blush deepening to an almost painful shade of red. Satoru could practically feel his blood pressure rising. He closed his eyes again, letting out a long, frustrated sigh. It wasn't fair. It just wasn't fair.
But—and here was the kicker—she was so damn cute when she was flustered. It was infuriating. He wanted to be angry, to be truly irritated, but how could he be when she was looking at him like that? He might have been frustrated, but damn, was it worth it to see her like this.
His mind, ever the traitor, conjured up the image of Sukuna, locked inside Yuji, fuming as he watched all this unfold, was almost enough to make him laugh out loud. "I bet he's losing it in there." He thought, amused by the idea that the King of Curses was forced to watch his so-called 'sister'—reincarnated or not—almost kiss the man who had been a constant thorn in his side. The irony was just too perfect.
«So what?» he grumbled, his voice dripping with sarcasm. «Do you want me to go ask them to turn around? I mean, I've asked Nanami to do weirder things before. This wouldn't even crack the top five.» The image of him marching outside to demand Nanami and Yuji turn their backs crossed his mind, and it almost made him laugh—almost.
Suzue's eyes widened in horror at the suggestion, her cheeks flushing an even deeper shade of red. The look on her face was priceless, a perfect blend of mortification and panic, and if he wasn't so irritated, he might have found it endearing. But right now it was just another reminder of how close he had been—how close they had been—only for her to pull away at the last second.
«No! No, don't do that!» she squeaked, her voice high and panicked, and Satoru couldn't help but roll his eyes. She shot him a look that was a mix of mortification and frustration, and for a moment, he seriously considered just ignoring her protests and going in for the kiss anyway.
But then he saw the way she was nervously biting her lip, her eyes flicking toward the window where the two idiots were undoubtedly trying—and failing—to pretend they weren't watching. He couldn't help it—he chuckled. Even in the midst of his irritation, he found her reaction hilarious.
With a resigned sigh, he let go of her, though he couldn't resist letting his fingers trail lightly down her neck as he pulled away. He watched the shiver it sent through her, the way her breath hitched slightly at the touch, and he felt a small pang of satisfaction. Fine, he would let her off the hook this time, but he wasn't happy about it.
As he let go of her, he saw the way she breathed a little easier, but he wasn't about to let her off that easily. Leaning back, he crossed his arms over his chest, his smirk never wavering. «Fine,» he muttered, though the frustration was still evident in his voice. «And for the record,» he added, his tone a mix of sarcasm and challenge, «You're really terrible at saying no. Might want to work on that before I decide to test your resolve again.»
'
As Suzue tried to regain her composure, Satoru couldn't help but watch her with a mix of frustration and amusement. It was like watching someone desperately trying to shove an elephant back into a closet—hopeless, endearing, and a little bit painful to witness. She was clearly flustered, her cheeks still tinged with that telltale blush as she avoided his gaze, fumbling to return to some semblance of normalcy. It was almost comical, really. The girl had practically handed him a green light—and now she was trying to act like nothing had happened.
Meanwhile, Satoru, ever the drama king, settled back into his seat with all the flair of a man who had just narrowly avoided a life-altering collision. In truth, his mind was still reeling from the moment that had been so rudely interrupted by her sudden panic attack.
But he knew what was about to come.
Suzue was nothing if not consistent in her need to dissect and analyze every little thing that happened between them. He could already see the wheels turning in her head, and it was almost enough to make him laugh—or cry, depending on how you looked at it. "Here it comes." he mused, bracing himself for the inevitable overthinking session that was sure to follow.
She finally seemed to gather enough courage to speak, and then, as if on cue, she spoke up, her voice tinged with residual embarrassment. «S-So…shouldn't we... you know actually talk about this?» she asked, her eyes flicking up to meet his before quickly looking away again.
Satoru nearly choked on his own breath. "Why on earth would we talk about it? Why does everything with her have to be a full-blown therapy session?" He wasn't sure whether to be exasperated or amused, so he settled for a mix of both. Outwardly, he gave her a look of exaggerated disapproval, raising an eyebrow as if to say, "Really, Suzue? Is this what we're doing now?"
He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table, and fixed her with a mock-serious look. «Talk about it?» he repeated, his tone dripping with sarcasm. «Sure, Suzue, let's sit down and have a deep, meaningful conversation about how you almost let me kiss you but then freaked out because Nanami and Yuji might be watching.»
She winced at his words, clearly uncomfortable with the bluntness of his statement. He could see her mind working, trying to figure out how to respond, and he almost felt bad for making her squirm. Almost. But then again, she was the one who had started this whole "talking" business, so really, she had no one to blame but herself.
He sighed dramatically, rubbing the back of his neck as if this whole situation was causing him a great deal of stress. «Look. Do we really need to talk about everything? Like... can we not overanalyze this to death?» he said, his tone dripping with affectionate sarcasm. «Sometimes, things just are. And trust me, talking about it only makes it weirder.»
Suzue blinked, still looking somewhat unsure. «But… shouldn't we… I don't know, figure things out?» It was adorable, really, how she always felt the need to address everything head-on, to talk through every little thing as if it would somehow make it all easier to handle.
Satoru let out a long-suffering sigh, as if he were some weary old sage who had seen it all. «Suzue, seriously? What do you think it means? We both suck at subtlety, and here we are. There, conversation over.» He gave her a pointed look, hoping she'd drop it before she made things even more awkward.
He wasn't brushing her off; he was just trying to say that some things didn't need to be complicated with too much discussion. That there was no need to explain or rationalize what had just almost happened—it was what it was, and that was enough.
And the truth was, the idea of having a serious talk about their... whatever it was—made him more nervous than he'd care to admit. Talking with Suzue meant facing her unfiltered honesty, the kind that had blindsided him in the car when she'd called him out so effortlessly. He'd been completely unprepared for that, and he wasn't in a hurry to relive the experience.
"No, lesson learned, thank you very much." he thought, his stomach doing a weird little flip at the memory. The way she'd looked at him, so open and sincere, had shaken him more than any curse ever could. He wasn't about to put himself through that again—not if he could help it.
Satoru chuckled, shaking his head. «Please. You have this uncanny ability to throw things in my face in the most disarming way possible. I'm still recovering from the last time.»
Suzue's expression softened, the tension in her shoulders easing as she absorbed his words. She gave him a small, relieved smile, which only served to make him feel a little guilty for teasing her so much. But then again, it was worth it just to see her relax. She was always so earnest, so intent on making sense of everything, and while he admired that about her, sometimes it was just easier to let things be. «I guess you're right. I do tend to overthink things sometimes» she murmured, relaxing a little now that the pressure to "talk" had been lifted.
Satoru grinned, leaning forward again. «Sometimes? Suzue, you overthink everything. I'm surprised you haven't driven yourself completely insane by now.» His tone was teasing, but there was genuine affection behind the words, and he could see that she recognized it. «And besides, talking is overrated. Actions speak louder.»
Her cheeks flushed anew, but this time there was a hint of a smile that told him she was beginning to relax. They exchanged a few more smiles, the tension between them finally easing into something more comfortable.
In the end, perhaps stopping the avoidance wasn't just the best thing they could do—it was the only thing that made sense.
«So...» he drawled, a smirk playing on his lips, «What's the next brilliant idea? I mean, you've already brought Sukuna out for ice cream—should we take him on a selfie tour around Tokyo? Maybe get some shots in front of Shibuya 109 before he decides to blow it up?»
Suzue laughed, the sound light and genuine, and Satoru almost felt a rush of warmth at the sound. «Please don't give him any ideas.» she replied, her tone teasing. «I'm not sure Shibuya would survive that kind of attention.»
«Yeah, 'Me and the King of Curses—before things went boom.'» Satoru grinned, enjoying the way her laughter seemed to dispel any lingering awkwardness between them. It was always like this with her.
He loved moments like these—when they could just banter back and forth, the heavy weight of their responsibilities temporarily lifted. After a moment of comfortable silence, Satoru tilted his head, his expression turning a little more serious, though the warmth in his eyes remained. «But seriously, what's the plan? What do you want me to do now that I'm here? How can I help?»
He asked the question lightly, but there was a sincerity beneath it that caught Suzue off guard. She looked at him, a little surprised but clearly pleased that he was offering his help, especially since he was asking her directly for guidance. It wasn't every day that Satoru Gojo asked someone else what they wanted him to do.
«You want to help?» she asked, a note of disbelief in her voice, though it was softened by the smile that tugged at her lips.
«Well, I'm here, aren't I?» Satoru shrugged, though his tone was playful.
Suzue hesitated for a moment, clearly thinking over her options, before she smiled, a little shyly and looked up at him with a hopeful expression. «Would you… would you come with me to the Kujou clan's village? For my mission?»
Of course, this was exactly what he had been hoping for, fishing for even, but that didn't mean he was going to let her know that. He had to maintain some semblance of cool, after all.
Satoru's grin widened, the sarcasm practically dripping from his next words. «Oh, sure. Sounds like a fun day trip. Who wouldn't want to spend their time poking around in a village full of old grudges and cursed memories?» He paused, then added with a wink, «But since you're asking so nicely, how could I say no?»
Suzue's face lit up at his acceptance, her smile wide and genuine. «Really? You'll come with me?»
«Yeah, yeah!» he replied, though his tone was fond, «Just don't blame me when things get messy. And they will get messy, trust me.»
She laughed, shaking her head. «I wouldn't expect anything less from you.»
{POV: Suzue Kujou}
The sensation of cold water filling her lungs was terrifyingly real, her small hands clawing at the surface as she sank deeper and deeper. Panic surged through her, her limbs flailing uselessly as the water closed over her head. The world above growing dimmer as the cold seeped into her bones. Her lungs burned, desperate for air, but she couldn't reach the surface.
Just as darkness began to creep in around the edges of her vision, she heard it—a voice, calm and almost soothing, cutting through the chaos.
«Are you in trouble?»
Suzue, in her childlike innocence, didn't question the voice. «I think... I think I'm dying.»
«You want me to save you... my child?» The voice was soothing, almost kind, as if comforting a child from a nightmare.
«...Can you help me?» she asked, her voice tiny and trembling.
The voice didn't respond immediately, but she felt a strange warmth envelop her, a pull that was different from the river's current. «Of course.»
«Domain expansion R͙̝̯̂̄̃̉̚ͅͅe̵͚̟͑̈̽͋͑b̴̘͕̉̓ị̴̝́̀̍̈r͖̣͒̄́t̶̮̟̟̑͂́͗̽h̵̩̭̟͌̏̚̚ S̴̱͈̐͒h̷͔̗̩͔̖̑͆r̶̝̫̽̓̓͐i̳̠͓͚͐͛̆͋ǹ̴̫̮̫̬̄̈̉̄ḙ̸̙̱̃̓́̑»
She opened her eyes, expecting to see the riverbank or the sky, but instead, she found herself in a void—a vast expanse of darkness, broken only by the flickering of flames. The fire around her, consuming everything it touched, yet she remained unharmed, untouched by the searing heat. Turning slowly, she saw it—a large, ancient shrine looming behind her, its wooden structure consumed by flames yet standing firm as if defying the fire itself. The shrine's torii gate was scorched black, and the flames danced higher and higher, licking at the sky. Despite the destruction, the sight of it filled her with a strange sense of familiarity, almost like… home.
Before she could take a step closer, the vision shattered, and Suzue was jolted back to reality.
Suzue awoke with a start, her head resting against something firm and warm. Blinking rapidly, she realized she was on the train, leaning against Satoru's shoulder. The rhythmic clattering of the train on the tracks filled her ears, grounding her in the present. She lifted her head quickly, her face flushing with embarrassment as she realized she had fallen asleep against him.
«Good morning, Sleeping Beauty.» Satoru teased, his tone light but laced with that familiar mischief. «Enjoy your nap?»
Suzue blinked, trying to shake off the remnants of the vision and the embarrassment of having dozed off so intimately. «I… uh… didn't mean to fall asleep.» she stammered, rubbing her eyes and trying to regain her composure. «Did I… did I drool on you?»
He chuckled, shaking his head. «Nope, you're safe. But you did mumble something about fire-were you dreaming about setting something on fire?» His tone was playful, but there was a hint of curiosity in his eyes.
Suzue froze for a moment, the vividness of the vision lingering in her mind. She wasn't ready to talk about it, not yet. «Just… a weird dream.» she replied, trying to brush it off casually. «Nothing to worry about.»
Satoru's gaze lingered on her for a moment longer, as if he wasn't entirely convinced, but he let it go with a shrug. «If you say so. But if you start sleep-casting, I'm not responsible for the train.»
In that brief stillness, the events of the day flooded back to her.
Suzue couldn't help but replay the last few hours in her mind, her cheeks flushing all over again as she tried to process what had just happened. Almost kissed Satoru Gojo.
Almost.
What on earth had she been thinking? And even worse, why had she practically leaned in for it? It was as if her body had a mind of its own, and that mind had decided that kissing Satoru was a fantastic idea. The thought alone made her want to find the nearest rock to crawl under and stay there indefinitely.
She had been so sure of herself a few moments earlier, so certain she could handle a little teasing banter, but then Satoru had done what he always did—he turned the tables on her, leaving her flustered and caught off guard. She let out a soft sigh, shaking her head at her own foolishness. Now, with a little space and time to think, Suzue couldn't help but cringe slightly at her own boldness. She wasn't exactly used to being so forward.
They had always been close—closer than most—but this was something new, something uncharted. It wasn't unwelcome, but it was… terrifying. Terrifying and thrilling in equal measure.
But despite the embarrassment, Suzue found herself smiling. She wasn't upset by what had almost happened. Quite the opposite, in fact. There was a part of her, a very real part, that was glad it had happened. If anything, it brought a little clarity to the whirlwind of emotions she had been trying to sort through. Still, it didn't make facing the aftermath any easier.
The line between friends and something more had blurred so suddenly, leaving her feeling a bit lost. She wasn't quite sure what to label their relationship now, and maybe that was okay. Not everything needed a label, right? Still, the uncertainty made her stomach do little flips.
'
When they had finally emerged from the ice cream parlor, they had to face Yuji and Nanami again, and that had been a whole other level of awkward. Suzue had tried to act normal, but she knew she wasn't fooling anyone—least of all herself.
Yuji, bless him, had tried to hide his curiosity, but it was clear he had noticed something. The way his eyes darted between her and Satoru, as if trying to piece together what he had missed, was almost comical. She could only imagine the kind of scolding he had gotten from Nanami, who, predictably, had been less than thrilled with the whole ice cream escapade. Nanami, on the other hand, was another story. His expression had been as stoic as ever, but Suzue knew him well enough to sense the underlying disapproval. It was the kind of look that said, "I saw everything, and I'm not impressed." And the way he had looked at her, still clearly miffed about the whole almost-setting-him-on-fire incident, had spoken volumes.
And of course, Satoru, being Satoru, had only made things worse by sarcastically threatening them both. He had delivered a mock-threatening warning, something about how they'd better not breathe a word of what they'd seen to anyone—or else. It was meant to be playful, but Suzue could see the genuine irritation bubbling beneath his words. The interruption had clearly gotten under his skin more than he let on.
As they had parted ways, Suzue had given Yuji a reassuring smile, a silent promise that she would talk to him later. She cared about Yuji deeply—almost like a little brother—and she couldn't help but worry about how he was handling everything, especially with Sukuna still lurking inside him. Nanami, on the other hand, had received a somewhat sheepish apology from her, though his stern expression had barely softened. He was still upset about their earlier escapade—rightfully so, she supposed—and the fact that she had nearly set him on fire probably hadn't helped her case. The fact that he was even still speaking to her was a small miracle.
And now, here they were, heading to the village of the Kujou clan. Suzue's heart gave a little flutter. As the reports said, the village, nestled at the foot of Mount Hakone, was shrouded in a thick, unnatural fog that clung to the ground like a living thing.
'
The journey had been both nostalgic and nerve-wracking. They had traveled first by train, the rhythmic clatter of the wheels providing a backdrop to their unspoken thoughts. The scenery had shifted from the bustling city to the quiet countryside. Once they had disembarked, the journey had continued on foot, much to Satoru's thinly-veiled annoyance. She had insisted on walking rather than being "teleported" directly to the village. Suzue wanted to take in the scenery, to let herself reconnect with the land she had once called home.
The path they had taken wound through the lush greenery of the countryside, the air thick with the scent of pine and earth. The towering presence of Mount Hakone loomed in the distance, its slopes dotted with trees.
For Suzue, the walk had been a bittersweet experience. Every step had brought back memories—some pleasant, others not so much. She had soaked in the familiar sights, the way the sunlight filtered through the trees, casting dappled shadows on the ground. The sound of a distant river flowing gently through the landscape had brought a sense of peace, even as her heart ached with the weight of everything that had happened here.
Satoru, of course, had grumbled the entire way. He wasn't exactly a fan of walking, especially when he could just as easily bend space to his will. He had kept his pace steady, but Suzue could sense his impatience, his irritation growing as the day turned into dusk. The longer they trudged through the forest, the more his irritation grew, manifesting in exaggerated sighs and the occasional grumble about how he could've just transported them there in a fraction of the time.
When they had reached the river, it had been another small test of patience. Satoru had leapt across it with ease, as if gravity itself was more of a suggestion than a rule for him. But Suzue, with her shorter legs and a less-than-graceful leap, had to scramble across, trying not to slip on the wet rocks. She had seen Satoru watching her with that familiar smirk, a look that said he found her struggles both amusing and slightly inconvenient. It wasn't that he was unsympathetic, but she could tell he was holding back the urge to just scoop her up and get it over with.
Despite his irritation, she had caught him smiling more than once as they walked, his usual swagger tempered by a rare, easygoing mood that she hadn't seen in him often. There was something reassuring about having him here, knowing that no matter what they faced, he would be by her side. "But we'll see how long his patience lasts," she thought with a wry smile.
Their leisurely pace, however, had a cost. By the time they reached the village, the sun had dipped below the horizon, and the sky had turned a deep indigo, the first stars beginning to twinkle overhead. Satoru, ever the impatient one, hadn't said anything outright, but Suzue could sense his frustration, as he seemed to view the walk as an unnecessary delay. The fact that it was now practically nightfall when they arrived only added to his annoyance.
But honestly, how could she rush through this? Every inch of the landscape, every rustle of leaves, every trickle of water from the river they had crossed—it all held a significance that only someone who had been away for so long could truly appreciate.
Now, as they stood at the edge of the cursed village, Suzue couldn't help but reflect on the absurdity of it all. Here they were, about to face who knew what kind of horrors, and all she could think about was how she had practically had to jog to keep up with Satoru's long strides. The day had been an emotional rollercoaster, and now, standing in front of this ominous barrier, it was hard to believe that only a few hours ago, she had almost kissed Satoru Gojo. Almost. The word echoed in her mind, leaving a strange mix of regret and relief.
'
Suzue's thoughts were abruptly interrupted by Satoru's voice, still tinged with the playful sarcasm she had grown so accustomed to. He was clearly still thinking about their earlier confrontation with Sukuna, a mischievous grin spreading across his face as he turned to her.
«So, who's the 'older' between you and Sukuna?» he began, his tone light and teasing, «You've got to tell me it's you -please- I'd die happy just to see the King of Curses have to call you 'onee-san.' Can you imagine? 'Onee-san, may I please annihilate this city?' It'd be priceless!»
Suzue blinked at him, the absurdity of the question momentarily throwing her off balance. She knew he was joking—mostly—but the image of Sukuna, in all his terrifying glory, begrudgingly referring to her with such a term was enough to elicit a small, incredulous laugh.
«Sorry to disappoint, Satoru,» she replied, her tone just as playful, «but I don't think Sukuna would ever see me as the older sibling.»
Satoru sighed dramatically, placing a hand over his heart as if wounded. «Ah, what a missed opportunity! The world isn't fair sometimes, Suzue.»
But the playful banter soon gave way to the more pressing matter at hand as they both turned their attention back to the ominous fog that enveloped the village—what little was left of it. The cursed mist hung thick and heavy, like a living thing guarding the remains of the Kujou clan's home. It seemed to pulse with cursed energy, daring anyone to step inside and face whatever horrors lay within.
Satoru, ever the confident sorcerer, took a step forward, his demeanor shifting to one of focused analysis. He slipped off his sunglasses, tucking them into his pocket as he narrowed his eyes at the mist, studying it with the precision of someone who had seen and dealt with countless curses. Suzue watched as his usual arrogant smirk returned, though there was a seriousness behind it that told her he wasn't entirely at ease.
«Well, well, this is quite the barrier. One hell of a thick blanket of cursed energy.» he commented casually, though Suzue could see the slight furrow in his brow as he focused. He leaned in, studying the fog with an intense gaze, before straightening up with a shrug. «Even my Six Eyes are having a bit of trouble seeing through it. Not much, but enough to be annoying.»
He waved his hand dismissively, as if the very idea of something challenging his sight was almost laughable and turned to her, a playful glint in his eyes despite the seriousness of the situation. «You know, I could just blast it away with an Hollow Purple. Problem solved in two seconds.» he offered, the suggestion dripping with nonchalance as if he were suggesting something as simple as sweeping away leaves.
Suzue immediately frowned, her gaze sharpening as she shook her head. «You can't just level what's left of my village, Satoru. Think of the history.»
Satoru sighed dramatically, as if genuinely disappointed that he couldn't take the easy way out. «You always did like making things complicated. Fine, no Hollow Purple… for now.» he relented, though the smirk on his face told her he was more amused than anything else. He then shifted his attention to the ground, noticing something peculiar.
The terrain, which had been relatively normal until now, showed a stark change as they neared the village. There was a clear line, sharp and unnatural, where healthy earth abruptly gave way to charred, dead soil. Satoru crouched down, touching the edge of the scorched earth with his fingers, his expression shifting to one of curious intrigue. The contrast was startling, as if the land itself had been split in two by some violent force.
«There was a fire the night your clan was attacked, right? This is it?» Satoru's question hung in the air as he crouched down, his gaze fixed on the scorched earth before him. The atmosphere had shifted, his usual playful demeanor replaced by a rare moment of focus.
Suzue watched him closely, arms crossed over her chest, her stance both protective and contemplative. The memory of that night was still fresh in her mind, the flames that had consumed nearly everything, leaving nothing but ashes and pain in their wake.
«Yes...» She nodded, her voice steady despite the emotions bubbling beneath the surface. «The flames consumed nearly everything. It must have pushed this far, trying to swallow up the entire village. It's still there though?»
Satoru hummed in response, his eyes narrowing as he took in the scene. The usual confidence in his posture remained, but there was a subtle shift, a seriousness that Suzue rarely saw. «It's strange.» He rose to his feet, his gaze still locked on the ground as he began to walk slowly along the boundary of the mist. His steps were measured, purposeful, as if he was tracing an invisible line that only he could see. Suzue followed him, her curiosity piqued by his sudden change in demeanor.
As they made their way around the cursed barrier, the terrain became more challenging. The even path they had been walking on gave way to uneven ground, scattered with rocks and tangled roots that seemed to reach out to trip Suzue at every step. Satoru navigated the obstacles with ease, his long strides carrying him forward without pause. Suzue, however, found herself struggling to keep up, her shorter legs making the journey more difficult.
She bit back a sigh of frustration as she hopped over a particularly large root, only to find herself stumbling slightly as she landed. Satoru, ever aware of his surroundings, glanced back at her with a smirk, clearly amused by her struggle.
"Typical." Suzue thought, rolling her eyes as she finally caught up to him. He had the nerve to look back at her with that infuriatingly smug expression, as if he found her efforts to keep pace with him endearing.
«You know.» he said, not bothering to hide the amusement in his voice, «You could have just asked me to carry you over. Princess-style! I wouldn't mind»
Suzue shot him a glare, though it was more playful than anything. «And miss the chance to see you actually walk for once? No way.»
Satoru chuckled, clearly entertained by her stubbornness. «Fair enough, but I bet I'll get to carry you Princess-style by the end of this mission!»
As they continued to circle the barrier, Suzue noticed how the line of scorched earth beneath their feet was unnaturally perfect—too perfect, in fact. It wasn't just a random burn mark left by a spreading fire; it was a clean, even circle, almost as if it had been drawn with a ruler. The realization sent a shiver down her spine, and she could see that Satoru was equally intrigued. His eyes widened slightly as he completed his circuit, his mind clearly racing to connect the dots.
The pattern was spherical, almost as if the fire had been contained within a controlled boundary, an unnatural shape that didn't match the erratic nature of normal flames. Was this some kind of barrier or trap that had been set in place to contain the destruction?
'
«A perfect circle.» he finally hummed, his voice low and thoughtful. «It's almost as if the fire was stopped by something—contained.»
Satoru, despite his usual air of nonchalance, was more focused than usual. He had been muttering to himself, piecing together the strange anomalies surrounding contained the fire that night wasn't just any barrier—it felt different. And Suzue, despite her own unease, couldn't help but be curious.
Suzue stepped closer, peering at the ground with furrowed brows. «Could it have been a barrier?»
Satoru paused for a moment, his lips pursing slightly as he considered her words. «A barrier? No. It's too... perfect.» He tilted his head, his gaze flicking around the area. "Perfect" wasn't a word Satoru used lightly. «Can't be your run-of-the-mill sorcerer or curse user. A simple barrier shouldn't be able to hold back something like this, not on this scale. This perimeter... it's too big, too deliberate. Almost like...»
«...a domain?» Suzue finished, her voice steady despite the unsettling thought. She had known Satoru long enough to know that when his usual arrogance gave way to this level of contemplation, it was serious.
He nodded slowly, crossing his arms. «And not just any domain. This large? That's a whole different level. Not just any sorcerer or curse can do that.»
Suzue's expression didn't change, but her calmness in the face of that revelation stood out. «Mmm...» she hummed quietly.
Satoru blinked, turning to her with raised eyebrows. «What? You don't agree?» His tone shifted, more questioning than anything, though there was a hint of disbelief in his voice.
Suzue shrugged, her eyes drifting back toward the eerie, charred landscape. «Not It's just... My own domain covers a pretty vast area too.»
There was a beat of silence as Satoru processed what she had just said. He nodded instinctively, as if it made sense to him at first. But then, his brain caught up. He stopped in his tracks, his gaze snapping back to Suzue, this time with a more pointed look. «Wait, what?»
"Why is he so surprised?" Suzue glanced at him, taken aback by his reaction. «My domain?» she said, her tone breezy. «It covers a pretty vast area. Probably not as big as this one, but... close enough.»
For a moment, Satoru didn't speak. He just stared at her, trying to gauge if she was being serious. When it became clear that she wasn't joking, he blinked a few times. «Suzue, you can cast a domain expansion? And you're just casually telling me this now?» He repeated the words, as if needing confirmation.
Suzue gave him a small, almost apologetic smile, shrugging again. «You... never asked?»
Satoru's expression shifted from surprise to something bordering a bit on incredulous. «I never asked? That's like—That's kinda important tactical information, don't you think? And now you're telling me it's vast like it's no big deal?»
«It is not a big deal.» She tilted her head, thinking it over for a moment. «It's not something I use often. I mean, I could, but... it's not exactly something I can throw around lightly. It's... complicated. I wouldn't want to use it unless I had no other choice. So I don't.»
Satoru stared at her, stunned into silence for a moment. Then, he let out a slow whistle, his usual cocky grin making its return. «Wow, sounds dramatic.» He crossed his arms over his chest, still processing the idea that Suzue had been keeping this from him the whole time.
He stood still, one hand absentmindedly slipping into his pocket while the other reached up to stroke his chin. His usual swagger seemed momentarily muted as he stared at the scorched earth beneath their feet. He trailed off, deep in thought, and Suzue couldn't help but feel a prickle of anxiety. Whatever Satoru was thinking, it wasn't good. She could tell by the way his usual playful demeanor had slipped, replaced by something more serious, more intense.
«Satoru?» Suzue's voice broke through his thoughts, her tone soft but tinged with concern. She watched him carefully, noting how uncharacteristically quiet he had become. «You okay?»
For a second, his expression remained thoughtful, but then, just as quickly as it had faded, his usual carefree smirk returned. He straightened up, dropping his hand from his chin. «Yeah, yeah, all good.» he said with a nonchalant wave, closing the conversation before she could pry any further.
But Suzue wasn't entirely convinced. She knew Satoru well enough to recognize when he was holding something back, and there was definitely something he wasn't telling her. Still, she decided to let it go for now. They had enough to deal with without diving into whatever Satoru was mulling over in that brilliant, often infuriating, mind of his.
«So, let me get this straight. You've seen both my domain and Sukuna's, and you know very well yours. Who wins in a three-way showdown? You, me, or Sukuna?»
She couldn't help but smirk at the question, though she didn't answer right away. "Why do I have to be dragged into their competition?" After a moment of contemplation, she sighed, looking off into the distance. «You, probably.» she said flatly, meeting his gaze without flinching.
Satoru's grin widened, his usual arrogance returning in full force. «Damn right!» he said, clearly pleased with her answer. «Though, I'd love to see you try.»
Suzue rolled her eyes, but there was a faint smile on her lips. Even in moments like this, Satoru always found a way to lighten the mood—though it was often at the expense of his inflated ego.
As they moved around the cursed barrier, Suzue couldn't help but notice how Satoru's posture changed—subtly, but noticeably. He had slipped his sunglasses back on, hiding his eyes from view, but she could sense that his mind was working overtime, analyzing every detail with the precision she had come to expect from him.
Suzue herself had donned her sorcerer's uniform, a practical outfit she had specially requested to be fireproof—just in case. The halter top, with its deep, open back, allowed her full range of motion, while the loose black pants that ended at mid-calf gave her the freedom to move without restriction. The uniform was perfect for using her fire technique without worrying about burning her clothes off—a lesson she had learned the hard way. Over this, she wore the standard sorcerer's jacket, though she knew she'd discard it the moment a fight broke out.
'
Satoru and Suzue stood side by side on the narrow dirt road that led into what remained of the Kujou clan's village, the thick wall of cursed fog looming ahead like a barrier. For a moment, neither of them spoke; they stared at the mist for a moment, both lost in their own thoughts. The air was heavy with anticipation, as if the very ground beneath their feet was waiting for them to make a move. Suzue broke the silence first, her voice quiet but steady. «Satoru, what do you see with the Six Eyes? Can you make out anything inside?»
He didn't need to say anything for Suzue to know that he was carefully analyzing the situation, his Six Eyes processing every possible threat that might be lurking within the mist. Satoru tilted his head slightly as he studied the fog. He had his sunglasses on again, masking the full intensity of his gaze, but Suzue could still sense the weight of his concentration. After a moment, he responded with a smirk, though there was a hint of seriousness beneath his usual arrogance.
«Well, it's definitely a party in there.» he said, his tone almost casual. «Good news? Not a curse innate domain. Bad news? There's definitely a special-grade curse lurking in that mess. No doubt about it.» He trailed off, his gaze narrowing as he studied the fog. «This fog it's thick. It's interfering just enough to make tracking it in real-time a bit of a hassle. Annoying, really, so kudos to whoever—or whatever—set this up»
Suzue's heart sank slightly. She had hoped Satoru would be able to see everything clearly, to reassure her that they could handle whatever was waiting for them. But even Satoru was having trouble, and that alone made her uneasy. She crossed her arms over her chest, trying to process his words. «So, what do we do?» The thought of stepping into that mist, into the remnants of her childhood home, filled her with a mix of dread and resolve. «Do we… go in?» she asked, her voice quieter now, uncertainty creeping in.
Satoru sensed her hesitation and couldn't resist teasing her, though his tone was softer than usual. «Well, you're the boss here, Suzue. I'm just the guy with the fancy eyes and the killer technique. You say the word, and we dive right in.»
She hesitated, her gaze fixed on the swirling fog. The village had been destroyed years ago, but it was still the place where she had grown up, where her family had lived. She didn't know what she would find on the other side of that mist, but she was afraid it might be more than she could handle. The memories of that night, the flames, the screams—it was all still so vivid in her mind. But now, all that was left was this cursed shell, and she wasn't sure she was ready to face it. The village had been destroyed, she knew that, but the fear of what she might see—of how those memories might be twisted and corrupted—gnawed at her.
'
Before she could voice her thoughts, a cheerful voice called out from behind them, breaking the tension. «Excuse me! Are you Suzue Kujou?»
Suzue turned first, her body tensing instinctively. Approaching them with an exuberant smile was a young woman, taller than Suzue. Her brown hair was tied back in a low ponytail, and her hazel eyes sparkled with an enthusiasm that seemed completely at odds with the dark, cursed fog looming nearby. She radiated a kind of bright energy that felt almost surreal in the oppressive atmosphere.
«Sorry I'm late!» the girl said with a bounce in her step that made Suzue feel even more on edge. «I've been sent to assist you with logistics. It's such an honor to meet you, Kujou-san!» Her eyes practically gleamed with admiration as they locked onto Suzue.
Suzue blinked, caught off guard by the girl's enthusiasm. «Assist me?» she echoed, her voice betraying her confusion.
«Yes!» The woman nodded vigorously. «I've followed your career closely, Kujou-san! You're such an inspiration—going from an assistant to a special-grade sorcerer? It's incredible! I really looked up to you, and now I finally get to meet you in person!» She took a step closer, her excitement nearly overwhelming.
Suzue's face flushed with embarrassment, completely unprepared for this kind of attention. She was used to being in the background, especially with Satoru around, who naturally drew the spotlight. Now, with someone fawning over her, she felt exposed, unsure of how to react. «Oh, um, thank you...» she managed to mumble, shifting uncomfortably. «But I'm really not that—»
Before Suzue could finish her modest deflection, the young woman moved even closer, her enthusiasm not just undiminished but somehow growing. «No, really! You're amazing! I've read all about how you've overcome so much adversity—fighting against the King of Curses! Your story is legendary among us young assistants. I can't wait to learn from you!»
Suzue felt herself growing more flustered by the second, her discomfort palpable. She wasn't used to such praise, especially not from someone who looked at her like she was some kind of hero. What made it worse was that the woman kept stepping into her personal space, inching closer and closer, as if physical proximity could somehow bring her closer to the legend she had somehow built up in her mind.
Satoru, who had been watching the exchange with growing irritation, finally cleared his throat loudly, drawing the young woman's attention. His usual playful smirk had turned into a look of mild annoyance. «Ahem, you know, I'm here too.» he quipped, his tone playfully indignant. «Satoru Gojo, the guy who's been on every trading card and magazine cover in the sorcerer world. Ring any bells?»
The woman glanced at Satoru, her eyes widening slightly as if only just realizing he was there. «Oh, of course! You're pretty famous too!» she said, though her tone was more of polite acknowledgment than genuine enthusiasm. She quickly turned her attention back to Suzue, moving even closer with an excited grin.
Suzue's discomfort only intensified. She instinctively edged away, trying not to seem rude but clearly needing more space than the overly enthusiastic woman was giving her. Her mind raced, wondering why this person was so insistent, why she was almost idolizing her. Suzue had always seen herself as someone who did what needed to be done, nothing more, nothing less. But now, with this woman practically in her face, all she could think was "Why is she so… invadent?"
Noticing Suzue's unease, Satoru's expression shifted subtly. His usual playful demeanor softened as he recognized that she needed a little help. With a casual step, he inserted himself between the two women, effectively creating a barrier and giving Suzue the space she needed.
'
«Alright, alright!» Satoru said, his voice calm but with a clear undertone of authority. «Our Suzue is pretty amazing, but let's not overwhelm her, okay? We're about to head into some pretty serious stuff here, so we'll need to stay focused.»
She blinked, then quickly stepped back, looking a bit sheepish. «Oh! I'm so sorry, Kujou-san. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable!» She offered a sincere, apologetic smile and took another step back, her earlier exuberance now tempered with a touch of caution. «I'm really here to help, so just let me know what you need!»
Satoru gave Suzue a knowing look, a slight smirk tugging at his lips as if to say "See? I've got your back." Suzue felt a surge of warmth at his unspoken support.
The woman, now standing a respectful distance away, seemed to regain some of her earlier energy, though she kept her enthusiasm more contained. «I'm Hibiki Nakamura!» she introduced herself more formally. «I've been assigned to assist you on this mission. I'll handle any logistics or support you need, so you can focus on the task at hand!»
Suzue forced a smile, still a bit overwhelmed by the suddenness of the situation but appreciating the sincerity behind Hibiki's words. She glanced at Satoru, who was watching the interaction with an expression that was somewhere between amused and protective.
She took a deep breath, steadying herself as she refocused on the task ahead. The unexpected burst of enthusiasm from Hibiki had momentarily thrown her off, but she quickly gathered her thoughts. There was no time to dwell on embarrassment or uncertainty—not with the ominous wall of cursed fog before them.
Here she was, about to face the remnants of her haunted past, with the most powerful sorcerer of the modern era at her side and an overly enthusiastic assistant tagging along.
"Alright, Suzue," she thought to herself, forcing a wry smile. "You've faced worse things than a little cursed fog… probably."
It was a brave thought, she told herself, and if she kept thinking it, maybe it would even be true.
A/N
Dropping the chapter and retreating to my little corner to enjoy my morning tea.
Ah, tea…
No, I have to say... I'm sorry, I guess?
Satoru, Satoru, what are you doing in an ice cream shop? Off you go to horny jail, forget about the prison realm!
Okay, jokes aside, hello readers, how are you? Jeez, we're finally heading to the haunted village, and as I'm writing this, I've just finished editing the last chapter of this original arc, so I'm breathing a sigh of relief. At least you'll see the end of this part!
Anyway, a new original character is making their entrance! We'll get to know Hibiki better, but honestly, I'm super excited about what I've got planned for her!
Facts:
-Dark jokes about Shibuya or Nanami catching fire are in bad taste, don't follow that example!
-Satoru's Six Eyes can clearly see every layer of cursed energy down to the tiniest detail or atom, so imagine the headache he gets when he's faced with a thick, dense wall of fog made purely of cursed energy. Poor guy, he needs a vacation. Spoiler: he won't get one.
-The name Hibiki Nakamura:
Hibiki (響): This Japanese name means "echo". It can symbolize resonance, something that reverberates.
Nakamura (中村): A common Japanese surname, which means "middle village" or "central village.".
With this brief parting message, I leave you! ⸂⸂⸜(രᴗര๑)⸝⸃⸃
