CHAPTER 23
{POV: Suzue Kujou}
«You know, Kaede... I could do a lot in five minutes. I could obliterate the entire city, reduce these miserable humans to ashes, or I could… focus on you. Who knows, it might even be more fun this time.»
«But you won't, right… brother?»
The word was like a thin, sharp blade, hitting Sukuna just as intended. His red eyes grew more intense, but he didn't move. For a moment, Suzue sensed a crack in the armor of arrogance that Sukuna always displayed.
Her hands clenched tightly on her knees, as memories of the past—of her head being brutally slammed against a wall by Sukuna—flashed through her mind. Yet, despite the anguish, she couldn't help but overlay the image of that evil and cruel demon with the face of the man she had seen in her visions: a man twisted by concern for Kaede, a man who had once cared deeply, perhaps too deeply.
«Do you have a death wish?» Sukuna replied with a smirk that promised only pain, but he didn't move. He leaned forward slightly, his gaze narrowing. «You're quite bold. Don't you dare compare what you were to what you are now.» he hissed, his words falling between them.
Every second that passed without him throwing Suzue across the room or attempting a massacre was an achievement. Suzue's shoulders relaxed slightly; after all, she had been right. He would stay to talk, at least for now. The pastry shop, with its oblivious customers, seemed like a place out of time as the two continued their verbal sparring.
Sukuna glanced down at the ice cream sundae in front of him, the red hood casting a shadow that made his face even more menacing. He grabbed the spoon with a slight grimace of disgust, staring at the mint chocolate chip ice cream that Yuji had chosen with such confidence. He took a small bite, and Suzue held her breath, but in the end, his expression didn't improve. In fact, it grew darker, and the disappointment became evident.
«What a disgusting mess.» he muttered, pushing the bowl away with a dismissive gesture. «Whoever invented this deserves a slow death.»
Suzue watched the scene with a slight note of incredulity. There she was, sitting in front of the King of Curses, who was complaining about the taste of an ice cream. It was surreal, almost absurd, and for a brief moment, the tension cracked just enough for her to see the humor in it. She tried to maintain a light tone, though her voice was tinged with nervousness. «It's just ice cream.» A slight and out of place smile escaped her, involuntarily. «Yuji thought you might like it.» she replied, even though she knew talking to Sukuna as if it were a normal conversation was almost ridiculous.
He shot her a look that could kill, the contempt oozing from every pore. «Then that stupid brat's palate is as dull as his head.» he said with disdain, slamming the spoon into the bowl as if the whole experience had been an affront to his dignity.
Suzue held her breath and tried to regain control of the conversation, even though her voice betrayed her hesitation. «S-Sukuna—» she began, her voice wavering slightly, but she was cut off before she could find her footing.
«Don't even think about it.» annoyed he slammed his hand on the table, drawing the attention of the shop's customers. «What makes you think I want to answer your questions?»
Suzue flinched, her nerves stretched like violin strings. But she didn't let herself be discouraged. She had only five minutes; she had to be incisive. «...Because I'm the one asking you.» she replied firmly, the provocation subtly veiled.
It was Suzue asking, but with the face of "Kaede," perhaps the only thing that seemed to still anchor the King of Curses to a semblance of humanity. She knew that invoking Kaede was a double-edged sword, one that could either provoke him or compel him to engage, but she had to try.
«Do I care?» Sukuna stared at her for a long moment, his red eyes piercing through her, and Suzue realized she had hit a nerve. She knew she had to push him, to keep going.
«Kaede... So that's it? Is that why I'm having these visions, these memories? What am I, some kind of... reincarnation?» The question slipped out of her mouth with a touch of desperation. She needed to know, to understand the connection she felt with that woman in her visions.
She could feel his gaze dissecting her, searching for something—anything—that might confirm what he desperately wanted to see. It wasn't just anger that she sensed in him, but a deeper, more complicated emotion, something she wasn't sure she wanted to understand. Then, the response came in his typical blunt style. «You're stupid, that's what you are.» Sukuna spat, but there was something different in his tone now. It wasn't just cruelty; there was a bitter edge to it, as if he was frustrated not just with her, but with himself, with the situation. His lips curled into a sneer, though it lacked its usual venom. «What, you feel special because you see her memories? You're a pale imitation. You poor, deluded thing.»
Suzue bit her lip, hard enough to draw blood, as she tried to remain calm despite the insult. It wasn't surprising to hear such words from Sukuna, but the way he said them, with that air of superiority, made it all the harder to swallow. «Yet here you are, still calling me 'Kaede'.» Suzue retorted, trying to see beyond his venomous responses.
Her voice was steady, her eyes locked onto his. She could see the flicker of something—something almost like hesitation—cross his features. It was gone in an instant, replaced by that cold, calculating expression she had come to expect, but she had seen it. And that gave her a sliver of hope.
Sukuna fell silent,is jaw tightening as he considered her words. For a moment, he seemed almost lost in thought, his gaze growing distant. His hand moved to his chin, fingers tapping lightly in a gesture that was more reflective than she had ever seen him. «Everything's in place... your face, the cursed energy, even that unreasonable attitude of yours and your pathetic attempt to challenge me. A faded photocopy, yes-but still a photocopy.» he muttered, his voice low, almost as if he was talking to himself rather than to her. It was as if he was trying to convince himself of something, trying to force the pieces to fit together in a puzzle that just wouldn't cooperate.
«It's like looking at a ghost... a ghost that doesn't even know it's dead.» His eyes drifted away from Suzue for a moment, lost in thought, before snapping back to her with a renewed intensity. «You should be her, you should be Kaede.» Sukuna's voice was quieter now, the usual arrogance tempered by something that sounded disturbingly like... regret? No, that couldn't be right. Sukuna didn't regret anything. But there it was, a trace of something almost vulnerable in his tone, as if he was grappling with a realization he didn't want to accept. «But you're not her. Not really. And that's what bothers me, brat. You're just an echo, a reminder of something that was supposed to be gone. So why do you look like her, but aren't her? Where is she?»
He paused, the silence between them thickening with the weight of his words. His fingers stilled against his chin, and his gaze grew distant, as if he was seeing something far beyond the present moment, something that haunted him. «It's clear something didn't work as it should have, otherwise, I'd be talking to her and not... what's your name again, brat? Ah, you know? I don't really care, whatever it is you are.»
The last words were delivered with disdain, his tone dismissive, as if Suzue was nothing more than an unfortunate byproduct of a failed experiment.
"Well, that's rude."
'
Suzue remained silent, her mind racing to process what he had just said. He's lying, she told herself, but the certainty she had clung to was beginning to fray at the edges. There was something real in his anger, something that wasn't just about taunting her. She could see it in the way his eyes darkened, in the way his words stumbled over themselves, as if he couldn't quite articulate what was gnawing at him.
Was it possible that Sukuna—this embodiment of malice—was struggling with the fact that she wasn't Kaede? That despite every similarity, she wasn't the person he had expected to face? The thought made her heart ache with a strange mix of pity and dread.
Sukuna seemed about to add something, his lips parting as if to speak, but suddenly his eyes, all four of them, shifted past Suzue focusing on something -or someone- behind her. His smile grew wider, crueler, almost hungry for conflict. The air around them seemed to thicken further, charged with a dangerous energy. «Stay calm...» he said venomously, «...or I swear the next five minutes will be much more interesting than you can imagine.»
Suzue tensed, her muscles tightening involuntarily, knowing perfectly well who was behind her without even needing to turn around. The familiar presence was unmistakable, a force of nature she had come to rely on, both a blessing and a curse in moments like this. He was so close to her back that she could feel his body heat, grounding her in the midst of the chaos.
Of course. The only one who could be so bold as to approach Sukuna without showing a hint of fear, only to remain there, calmly glaring at him from behind her: Satoru Gojo. The tension between the two was palpable, a crackling undercurrent that sent shivers down her spine, and Suzue felt almost crushed between those two imposing presences, caught in a battle of wills far beyond her control.
"Perfect. I'm... done for. This time for real." he thought, a sense of grim resignation settling in her chest. She knew that things could only escalate from here, that Sukuna and Satoru were like oil and fire—volatile and dangerous when brought together.
Suzue couldn't deny the irony of the situation, as she mentally cursed the unpredictability of fate. Satoru, who had spent two days avoiding her, had arrived at the most inopportune moment, with his infallible radar for trouble. And naturally, the situation was one that would make anyone's nerves explode, let alone his.
However, as she bit the inside of her cheek, trying to keep her composure, a part of her couldn't help but feel relieved by his presence. Even though she was facing one of the greatest dangers imaginable, knowing that Satoru was there by her side… made her happy. She bit now the inside of both cheeks, trying to suppress a spontaneous smile that would have been completely out of place, her emotions a tangled mess of fear, relief, and something she couldn't quite name.
Suzue tried to maintain control, even though she felt her blood pounding in her ears. She needed to defuse the situation, and most importantly, she needed to keep Satoru from doing something reckless. Again. The last thing she needed was for him to try and punch Sukuna, making the delicate balance to tip into chaos.
«He's not here for you, Sukuna.» Suzue said in a calm tone, though it took every ounce of her willpower to keep it steady. She kept her gaze fixed on Sukuna, hoping that her words would ease the growing tension. «He's here for me. He doesn't want me to get hurt.»
Sukuna chuckled disdainfully, not taking his eyes off her. «A good guard dog.» he hissed, throwing a challenging glance over Suzue's shoulder.
Behind her, Suzue heard that familiar chuckle, a sound that could only come from Satoru Gojo, and one that had the unique ability to irritate even the most formidable opponents. It was a chuckle filled with confidence, bordering on arrogance, the kind that dared anyone to challenge him. «Ah, don't get me wrong.» he intervened with a tone far too confident. «Suzue has my full trust. It's you I don't trust with her… you psychotic with a sister complex. I did not like her shape when you returned her to me, last time!»
Suzue held her breath. Even in that situation, Satoru couldn't resist getting into a verbal exchange with Sukuna. It was almost like a game to him, a battle of wits where he always had the upper hand. Yet, that protective, almost possessive tone made her feel a warm reassurance, a sense of security that only Satoru could provide.
Sukuna's smirk turned into a grimace. His eyes narrowed, the air around him crackling with suppressed anger. «Maybe I should teach you not to interfere in family reunions?» his voice laced with a dangerous promise.
«Family? I'm surprised you even know how to pronounce that word!» Satoru didn't back down, not even an inch. On the contrary, he took a step forward, closing the distance between them as he bent down beside Suzue, his movement smooth and deliberate. His hand found its way to her shoulder, his touch firm and reassuring, but the sudden contact made her jump slightly in her seat. She could feel the warmth of his body so close, and that warmth quickly spread to her cheeks.
Out of the corner of her eye, Suzue saw Satoru's expression, that cocky grin she knew so well, but there was something else, something just barely noticeable. It almost seemed like he was…
"...Out of breath?" she wondered, surprised by that rare observation. It wasn't something she easily associated with Satoru, the man who always seemed to have everything under control. He was dressed more casually than usual, his typical sorcerer's uniform missing the signature jacket, leaving him in just the short-sleeved black shirt that clung to his form. It was August, and the heat was oppressive, but Satoru seemed unfazed by it, his usual cool demeanor intact, even as he confronted the King of Curses.
«Should I call you brother-in-law?» Satoru asked with a tone that would give anyone hives. The words were meant to provoke, to needle Sukuna, but they had an unexpected effect on her, sending again a wave of heat rushing to her face.
Satoru's hand gently squeezed Suzue's shoulder, and in that gesture, she could clearly read the message between the lines: "For real, Suzue? Here and now?" he seemed to be saying, his blue eyes sparkling with a mix of amusement and exasperation, as if scolding her for dragging him into this situation. Yet, behind that facade, there was a genuine concern he couldn't hide, a worry that softened his expression even as he kept up the banter.
Suzue returned the look, with her cheeks inevitably flushed. "Yes... for real real." she seemed to reply silently, widening her eyes with an innocence she knew would be effective on him, silently pleading for his understanding, even in the midst of this dangerous game.
'
Sukuna, irritated by the interaction between the two, interrupted them with a look of pure disgust. «Are you two trying to make me vomit?»
His acidic comment brought them back to reality, snapping the fragile thread of their silent communication. Satoru seemed ready to respond, his lips parting for another retort, but Suzue intervened before he could. She knew that if she didn't step in now, things could spiral out of control. «Are you two planning to waste my five minutes in this humility war?» she said, her voice firm, though the trembling in her hands betrayed her internal agitation.
Incredibly, the two fell silent, refocusing their attention on her, though the tension in the air was far from dissipated. After a too long moment, Satoru, his gaze fixed on Sukuna, sat down next to Suzue without saying another word.
Despite his evident desire to defend her, he respected her will to face that conversation with Sukuna on her own. It was a delicate balance they were building, but it was also a testament to how much Satoru, after all, wanted to count on her, and trust her ability to handle complex situations, no matter how dangerous they might be.
And there was nothing Suzue wanted more.
Suzue supressed a soft smile; she knew she didn't have much time. She had to make the most of every second. Despite the tension thickening in the air, she forced herself to focus, pushing aside the obvious irritation radiating from both Sukuna and Satoru. She could sense they both would rather settle things with brute force, but that wasn't her way—not today.
«Sukuna. I need to know before going back there.» Suzue resumed, or at least tried to resume, control of that absurd situation. She straightened in her seat, steeling herself for what was to come. «That night... the night the Kujou clan was attacked.» she began, her voice low but firm, despite the hidden tremor. «What really happened? Was it you?» She looked straight into Sukuna's red eyes, trying to find some hidden trace of truth.
His response was immediate. «How do I know?» His lips curled into an amused smirk as if her question was nothing more than a child's riddle. Leaning back in his chair, he exuded a dangerous kind of ease. «You should be the one telling us what happened to your pathetic clan. I wasn't there.» His tone was deceptively light, as if he were discussing the weather rather than... a massacre.
Suzue didn't back down and stared back at him, determined to get some answers. «Are you sure? Because it seems like you're almost happy about what happened.» she pressed, her voice steady, though her pulse raced with anticipation. She needed to push him, to provoke him into revealing something, anything, that could give her a clue.
Sukuna's smile widened, becoming even more cruel. «Happy?» he chuckled, his gaze cold and calculating. «That's an understatement. A bunch of idiots who didn't even understand the power Kaede had left in their hands. They only scratched the surface of what they could have been, inheriting the stupidity of that man.»
She swallowed the insults, not allowing them to distract her. It was clear that Sukuna didn't want to offer her direct answers, but there was something strange in his behavior, something that made him reluctant to dismiss her completely. She felt that maybe there was something more, something Sukuna was trying to hide, or maybe he was just playing with her, trying to make her doubt herself. But maybe it was just an illusion, a reflection of the face of "Kaede" that he continued to see in her.
Beside her, Satoru was a silent storm. His irritation at Sukuna's words was palpable, and though he stayed quiet, Suzue could feel the tension rolling off him in waves. Satoru Gojo was many things, but patient wasn't usually one of them.
Suzue thought back to all the information she had gathered so far and the nightmares that had tormented her in recent nights. Those nightmares... were they really just dreams or something more? A memory trying to resurface?
Indeed, it seemed to match the version she had always provided, and that she had always believed to be real. At least, until Naobito Zenin planted the seed of doubt. His words had shaken her, making her question everything she thought she knew about her past, about herself. The question tormented her, and now, facing Sukuna, she was determined to get some answers. So, with a slight tremor in her voice that she tried to mask, she asked.
«Does it have something to do with that woman with the stitches on her forehead?» she asked, biting her lower lip to maintain control. «She claimed to be an old acquaintance of yours before trying to kill me.»
Sukuna paused, his expression almost... surprised? An expression Suzue would have sworn she'd never see on the face of the King of Curses. «Uh? Interesting...» he murmured as if reasoning aloud, his tone laced with a curiosity that was almost genuine.
«No, like-really interesting!» He laughed, a cruel and empathy-free laugh, as if he had just figured out something she couldn't yet understand. «You know, I think I've finally pieced it all together!» He suddenly seemed to find something extremely amusing in the whole situation. «I'd say that thing did quite a number on you, and when things got out of hand, well... tried to get rid of you!»
Suzue's heart raced as she struggled to follow his train of thought. "What is he talking about?" She needed answers, but all she was getting were more cryptic riddles. She narrowed her eyes, trying to decipher what Sukuna was saying. «So... it was that woman doing? Or...» Suzue asked, desperately seeking clarity, though she knew deep down that Sukuna had no intention of making things easy for her.
Sukuna tilted his head, observing Suzue with a predatory gaze, enjoying the way her composure began to falter under the weight of his words. «Ah, you see, Kaede had this... little problem.» he continued, his voice softening to a near whisper, forcing her to strain to catch every word. «She was always the type to lose control when it came to her 'precious family.' She had this nasty little habit of lashing out when things got messy, and she could be quite... destructive. Sometimes, she didn't even know she was doing it. But oh, when she did, it was something to behold. Destruction like you wouldn't believe. And the best part? She wasn't even aware she was hurting the ones she loved most. Sounds familiar doesn't it?»
His words hit her like a punch to the gut. Suzue's mind raced as she tried to process what he was saying. Was he suggesting that she, like Kaede, had lost control? That she had been the one to cause the destruction that night? The very thought made her sick to her stomach. "No. He's lying. He's just trying to get into your head."
With his mocking smile, Sukuna seemed almost to enjoy watching Suzue struggle to maintain her composure. His voice grew lower and more pushing, speaking with a slowness that seemed deliberate, each word calculated to hit her where it hurt. «Come on, don't you ever...let a little too much fire slip out? Just a little? Maybe more than once?»
A wave of nausea swept over her as the implications of his words began to sink in. He was playing with her, toying with her mind, planting seeds of doubt that threatened to take root. But there was something else, something deeper, that made her blood run cold: the gnawing fear that he was right. She remembered those moments—at school, with Naoya, with Nanami—when her cursed technique had seemed to slip beyond her control, when the anger and power within her, even if just a bit, had surged to the surface unbidden.
Could it be... that night? Was she the cause?
"No." she repeated to herself, trying to cling to that one word as a lifeline. But the calm facade she had worked so hard to maintain was beginning to crack under the pressure of Sukuna's words. She wouldn't let him do this to her. She wouldn't let Sukuna—of all beings—make her doubt her own mind, her own intentions. Yet the way he spoke, with such certainty, it was as if he knew something she didn't. As if he was in on a terrible secret she was only just beginning to unravel.
Satoru, beside her, tensed slightly, and Suzue could feel his gaze scrutinizing her with concern, averting his eyes from Sukuna for the first time. Even he was probably noticing that something was off. But what could she say? How could she tell him that she was starting to believe Sukuna's lies?
«Do you ever wonder...» Sukuna drawled, his voice smooth and taunting, «If maybe… just maybe… it wasn't an external force that led to the massacre of your clan? Perhaps it was something—or someone—much closer to home.» He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in, then, with a final smirk, he delivered the killing blow. «And now I wonder if you're the real deal, but just broken.»
The nausea hit her full force. "He's lying." she told herself again, but the words felt hollow, even in her own mind. What if he wasn't lying? What if she was the one who had caused the massacre of her clan? What if she wasn't who she thought she was? And Sukuna, he... was loving every second of it.
She could feel her composure slipping away, like sand through her fingers. Her mind raced, searching for answers, for anything to cling to, but all she found was a rising tide of panic. «I don't... understand where you're going with this...» she muttered, her voice barely more than a whisper.
But Sukuna wasn't done yet. He was enjoying this far too much. «Don't you?» he said, his tone mockingly innocent. «You think it was someone else who caused that bloodbath? Think again. Maybe you should look in a mirror, sister. You just don't remember it yet.»
Her breath caught in her throat, the nausea swelling until it threatened to choke her. Could it be true? Could she have been the one to cause the bloodshed that night? The thought was too horrifying to fully grasp, but the more Sukuna spoke, the harder it became to push the idea away. But she had to. She had to keep it together, had to resist the pull of his words. "He's lying." she repeated like a mantra. "He's trying to mess with your head."
As he spoke, Suzue felt the pressure building inside her, the heat growing more intense until she could no longer contain it. «Stop it,» she whispered, her voice trembling now, the calm she had fought so hard to maintain slipping away. «I'm not Kaede. I'm not... I didn't...» A few sparks escaped her fingertips, crackling in the air between them, and she saw the brief flicker of recognition in Sukuna's eyes—he had been right all along.
Sukuna's grin widened into a full, twisted smile, his eyes gleaming with triumph. «Ah, there she is!» he purred, his tone almost affectionate. «I knew she was still in there somewhere.» Sukuna's mocking smirk deepened as he watched Suzue struggle to maintain her composure. He thrived on this—on sowing seeds of doubt, on watching his opponents unravel. It was all a game to him, and Suzue was proving to be an entertaining player. He let the silence stretch out for a moment, the tension thickening as Suzue tried to make sense of his words.
Then, with an air of casual cruelty, he leaned back slightly, his eyes narrowing as if he were considering something. «What a waste... you don't even realize it. Do you? Or maybe you're just scared of what'll happen if you lose control... again?» His voice dropped to a soft, almost contemplative tone, but the malice was still evident. «Or maybe... I'm just seeing things?» The question hung in the air, dripping with insincerity. It was a masterful stroke of psychological warfare—giving her just enough doubt to make her question everything, while still leaving her in the dark about his true intentions. He was implying, without actually stating anything, that perhaps everything he had said was just a cruel joke. Or perhaps it wasn't. The ambiguity was the weapon, and he wielded it expertly.
"This jerk, he's doing it on porpuse."
Suzue felt the cold tendrils of anxiety wrapping around her chest, squeezing tighter with each passing second. He was trying to mess with her mind, to twist her thoughts until she couldn't tell what was real and what was just his manipulation. She knew that. She knew he was lying, trying to push her to the edge just for his own amusement. But knowing it didn't make the fear any less real, didn't stop the questions from spinning in her mind.
'
«You're such an asshole, Sukuna.» Satoru's sudden intervention broke the tension, his sharp voice cutting through the haze of confusion and fear that had begun to cloud her mind. «I've figured out your little mind game, and I'm warning you, I'm about to get really unpleasant and very quickly.» he said, and the sound of his voice was like a lifeline pulling her back from the edge.
Those words—simple yet firm—were enough to help Suzue push back the lingering doubts. Satoru was right. Sukuna was just trying to twist her mind, to make her question herself. Satoru's voice acted like a balm, reminding her that she wasn't alone in this—that whatever mind games Sukuna tried to play, she had someone by her side who wouldn't let her fall.
With a slow exhale, she steadied herself, grounding her thoughts in the present. The sparks that had escaped her fingertips moments before seemed to dissipate into nothingness as she calmed her breathing. Satoru was beside her, a steady presence that helped her center herself. She could do this. She would do this.
Sukuna's eyes flicked to Satoru, and the mocking smile returned, as if to say, 'You can't protect her from everything'. His smirk didn't fade, in fact, it seemed to grow wider and more mischievous. But then, slowly, the marks on his face began to fade. Time was up. He stared at Suzue once more, his gaze becoming incredibly serious, as if he wanted to burn his final words into her memory before relinquishing control. «So, 'sister', until next time. I think we'll be able to see something interesting.»
Suzue watched as Yuji slowly regained control of his body, feeling the weight of those words settle on her. She hadn't gotten all the answers she was looking for—far from it—but perhaps she had discovered enough to take another step forward. Or maybe she had just opened a door she wasn't ready to walk through.
Before she could stop herself, her mouthhad opened, and the words had tumbled out in a hurried, almost desperate whisper, barely under her control. It was as if they bypassed her mind entirely. It was a question that had haunted her since the visions began, a question she didn't even know if she wanted the answer to. «'Ryomen Sukuna, that's what they call you now'.» she quoted Kaede's words echoing in her mind. «What's your real name?» she asked in a faint voice.
Sukuna didn't respond, his expression becoming incredibly serious, almost as if that question had struck him deeply. Then, in just a few moments, that familiar light returned to his eyes, the light that didn't belong to the King of Curses.
Then Suzue asked, testing the waters, her voice trembling slightly as she reached out to him, hoping that Yuji -the boy she cared for- had truly returned.
«...Yuji?»
{POV: Satoru Gojo}
Now this was a novelty even for him: being out of breath.
He, who faced everything with a nonchalance bordering on arrogance, was now dealing with his own labored breathing. He had used his technique to catapult himself there as quickly as possible, driven by the desire not to leave her alone with that ancient freak, but in doing so, he had forgotten to maintain his usual composure. And now, as he fought to steady his breath, the irritation grew. Not because of the physical exertion, but because he had allowed himself to be seen like this—especially by Sukuna, the last being on earth who should witness any sign of weakness.
He stared at the pastry shop window, trying to regain control of his breath as he caught a glimpse of Suzue and Yuji—or rather, Sukuna—chatting over ice cream. It was an almost ironic sight: the King of Curses sitting peacefully in an ice cream parlor, talking to Suzue as if they were mere acquaintances.
With a quick hand gesture, Satoru signaled to Nanami, who had been on high alert nearby, phone in hand, ready to intervene if necessary. The gesture was clear: "I've got this." Nanami, halfway off the bench, caught the signal and, after a moment's hesitation, sank back down with a sigh of relief. The tension visibly drained from his shoulders as he realized that this was a situation best left to Satoru's expertise. It was clear that this confrontation required a more delicate touch, one that only Satoru could provide.
As he approached the entrance, Satoru removed his sunglasses, tucking them into his pocket. The glasses, which often served as a shield against the headaches brought on by the overwhelming input of his Six Eyes, were unnecessary now. If anything was going to happen, he needed to be fully aware, every detail crystal clear. He wouldn't miss a thing.
He was certain Sukuna had noticed him the moment he "landed" outside. But that was the point. Satoru wanted Sukuna to know he was there, to feel the weight of his gaze, to understand that no misstep would go unpunished. Still, despite the intensity of the situation, Satoru's focus was drawn to the sound of Suzue's voice, cutting through the tension, soft, familiar, a sound he had missed terribly during the two days he had been avoiding her.
«But you won't, right… Brother?»
The word "brother" echoed in Satoru's mind like a jarring bell, nearly making him stumble in his confident stride. "Brother?" he thought, struggling not to burst into incredulous laughter. It was the last title he expected to hear in that situation. And there it was, uttered by Suzue with a casualness that left him dumbfounded.
"Great, now I have to call him brother-in-law!" he thought sarcastically, approaching the table with that trademark cocky confidence.
Satoru stood just inches behind Suzue, his presence imposing, a silent warning that didn't require words. Sukuna's amused gaze was on him, but Satoru's focus was entirely on Suzue. She was captivating—beautiful in a way that made it hard for him to look away.
She sat composed, seemingly unaware of him, her black hair framing her face, the simplicity of her white tank top and loose black pants only adding to her effortless grace. Despite her outward calm, he knew her too well—every nervous tap of her sneaker gave her away.
Satoru admired her stubbornness, the same stubbornness that had driven their argument in the car when she demanded to be treated as his equal. And now, here she was, standing before one of the most dangerous beings, refusing to back down.
He couldn't help but smile, torn between pride and frustration. "So, this is what you meant by not wanting me to worry?" he thought. She didn't want him to worry, yet here she was, standing before the King of Curses like it was nothing. A part of him wanted to pull her away, but he knew better. Suzue would always face the world on her terms, and Satoru would have to accept that, even if it gnawed at him inside.
Or at least, that was his best intention.
But as his thoughts drifted, Satoru's attention refocused on Sukuna, who was speaking with his usual disdainful and arrogant tone.
«What's your name again, brat? Ah, you know? I don't really care, whatever it is you are.»
The mocking tone was the final straw, rubbing against the raw nerve of his protectiveness.
He raised an eyebrow, feeling irritation rising within him. Here it was again, that feeling of not wanting to accept anything. Satoru was many things—cocky, confident, sometimes even arrogant—but when it came to Suzue, there was a line he wasn't willing to let anyone cross. Sukuna, with all his power and arrogance, had just stepped over that line.
Satoru had seen her nerves fray, that momentary flicker of discomfort that only he had noticed. It irritated him more than he would have liked to admit—no one had the right to unsettle Suzue like that, to push her to the edge of her composure.
No one but him, anyway—hell, he relished it sometimes, loved the way her cheeks would flush, the way her eyes would spark with that rare fire—but that was different. That was his territory, his privilege. He was the only one who could tease her, push her, and even then, it was always with care.
But Sukuna? No, this was where he drew the line.
'
He crossed his arms over his chest, staring at Sukuna with a look that could pierce a wall. He leaned in, his voice dripping with a mix of sarcasm and menace as he interrupted Sukuna's taunts, challenging him in a way that few dared to do. The tension between them thickened, a palpable force that seemed to crackle in the air around them.
As the venomous words began to fly between him and Sukuna, Suzue finally noticed his presence. Their eyes met, and in that exchange of glances, everything was there: surprise, concern, and even that hint of relief that Suzue would never openly admit... Or maybe she would, knowing her disarming honesty, a trait that had a way of catching him off guard, Suzue could even say it out loud, blushing as only she could.
Suzue intervened, incredibly managing to silence both of them—even Sukuna—with that gentle firmness that defined her. It was the kind of strength that didn't need to be loud or forceful, the kind that slipped in quietly and took hold before you even realized it.
"I bet that's the first time someone's ever told Sukuna to shut up and actually gotten away with it. Not bad, Suzue."
And Satoru, for his part, had learned the lesson the hard way. Even if it was Sukuna, the King of Curses, punching him would only make Suzue angry. No, no punches this time. Besides, there was always the small detail that the body belonged to Yuji.
So, with a sigh that betrayed a certain frustration, Satoru let himself fall back into the chair next to Suzue. He contented himself with being a menacing presence, a reminder to Sukuna that he was there, ready to step in at the slightest sign of danger. But for now, he would leave room for Suzue to carry out her brilliant—and decidedly risky—idea.
Sukuna had started playing his games again, twisting words and intentions until they barely resembled the truth. And Suzue, bless her heart, had walked right into it. He'd give her points for bravery, but if there was one thing he'd learned, it was that trying to appeal to Sukuna's humanity—or whatever passed for it—was like trying to teach a curse to sing.
«...Yuji?»
When Yuji finally regained control, Satoru let out a small sigh, leaning back in his chair, and immediately noticed the flicker of panic in the boy's eyes. Yuji had realized that he'd been caught in the act by the last person he'd ever want to disappoint. It was almost too easy—too predictable. Satoru didn't have to do anything; he just sat there, perfectly still, with that unnatural calmness etched across his features. And that was enough. The tension in the air was thick enough to cut with a knife, and both Yuji and Suzue seemed acutely aware that they had, in fact, messed up. Big time.
He didn't need to raise his voice, didn't need to scold them. Satoru had long since perfected the art of silent torment that would gnaw at their nerves, letting them stew in their guilt until they couldn't take it anymore. It was more effective, and frankly, more entertaining.
Yuji, bless his heart, was the first to crack. The boy's eyes darted nervously between Satoru and Suzue, searching for some way to defuse the situation, but finding none. The ice creams in front of them were melting away, abandoned and ignored, much like the confidence that had evaporated from the room.
Suzue, on the other hand, was doing her best impression of a shrinking violet, trying to make herself as small as possible in her seat. She avoided Satoru's gaze like it was a cursed object, and every time she shifted uncomfortably, he had to suppress the urge to smirk. "Cute." he thought, holding back a larger smile. "But not quite clever enough."
It was as if everyone was waiting for an explosion that, paradoxically, would never come.
Finally, the boy tried to break the silence, forcing a smile that was obviously tense. «Uh… it seems like everything went… well?» he asked, but his voice betrayed uncertainty.
Satoru raised an eyebrow, his relaxed posture never faltering. He could see right through the boy's attempt, but he didn't cut him off immediately. No, he let Yuji squirm for a second longer before delivering his response in a tone that was almost too casual. «Yuji, don't.»is voice was soft, but the words carried the weight of inevitability. He didn't even bother looking at Yuji—his eyes were fixed on Suzue, who still stubbornly refused to meet his gaze. «I'm sure this spectacular idea didn't come from your head, so I'll let it slide... this time.»
Yuji opened his mouth, clearly ready to take the blame, to shoulder the burden for whatever trouble they had caused. But before he could get a single word out, Satoru's hand was up, signaling him to stop. Suzue, of course, tried to sneak a glance at Yuji, a look of solidarity and apology in her eyes, as if to silently say, "I'm sorry, Yuji. It's my fault."
Satoru saw right through it all. With his usual smirk playing on his lips, he remained firm, almost amused by the script Suzue was trying to follow. He knew her tactics too well. She was playing the guilt card, hoping to soften him up with those big, expressive eyes of hers that she knew had a way of making him weak. And damn it, it was working.
When Suzue finally gathered the courage to speak, it was almost exactly as he had predicted. She took a deep breath, mustering all the resolve she could find, and said «Satoru… it was my idea. Don't blame Yuji, please, he was just trying to help me. I know you're angry—» Her words were accompanied by those puppy-dog, her voice was sweet, too sweet, and her cheeks flushed with that slight blush that always made him weak.
Satoru exhaled a dramatic sigh, rolling his eyes for effect as he tilted his head slightly toward her, giving her that look that said "Oh, believe me, I'd really want to be angry right now." But she knew, just as he did, that it was all for show.
No words were necessary.
Their eyes locked in a long moment of silence, and Satoru could see the regret written all over her face. She was trying so hard to convey how sorry she was, and for a moment, he almost gave in. But then he remembered why they were here, and why he had to keep up the act—at least a little longer. It was a small but satisfying revenge for the turmoil she had put him through during their last conversation and the days that followed. He saw the deepening blush on her cheeks: it was so typical of Suzue, that blend of vulnerability and determination that made her so uniquely her.
He didn't say anything for a moment, just looked at her with that disarming calm that always seemed to throw her off balance. And he could tell, from the way she bit her lip and fidgeted in her seat, that she was already second-guessing her choices. "Good" he thought, "Let her squirm a bit more." But damn it, she was making it hard to stay firm when she looked at him like that, with those wide, pleading eyes that seemed to hold all the regret in the world.
Finally, deciding they had suffered enough, Satoru rubbed his eyes in an exaggerated gesture, as if weary beyond measure. Then, in a tone softer than he had planned, he said «Yuji, out. Let mom and dad have a little chat.»
Yuji hesitated, his worried gaze flicking between Suzue and Satoru, clearly torn. He didn't want to leave her alone to face what he imagined would be an epic scolding, but before he could say anything, Satoru intervened with a wave of his hand that left no room for discussion. «Save it, Yuji!» he said, with a playful tone that managed to lighten the situation. «I know you were trying to help, but this—» he gestured between himself and Suzue. «This is between us.»
Then, leaning slightly closer to Suzue, with that smile that was one of his most powerful weapons, he added. «Don't worry, it'll be a civil conversation. We'll keep it PG-13!»
Yuji sighed, casting one last sympathetic glance at Suzue, who responded with a slight nod to reassure him. The boy reluctantly left the ice cream parlor, probably preparing to receive some scolding from Nanami as well.
As he looked at her, all the tension, all the irritation, began to melt away, replaced by something softer, something he couldn't quite name. Maybe it was the way she looked at him with those big, pleading eyes, or maybe it was the blush that was slowly creeping up her cheeks. Whatever it was, it was enough to make him drop his guard just a little. He had missed this—damn, how he had missed her and her silence—more than he cared to admit. Those two days of avoiding her had been a lesson in self-inflicted torment.
He wasn't sure anymore if he was winning or losing this little game of theirs.
'
As the door closed behind Yuji, his focus had zeroed in on Suzue, who sat beside him a little too pale for his liking. They needed to talk, to clear up the mess that had been festering since their argument in the car. But right now, that wasn't the priority. Before he could even think about bringing that up, he had to make sure she was okay. Sukuna's words had rattled her. That much was clear.
His usual carefree demeanor took a backseat as his concern for her took precedence. He noticed the way her shoulders still trembled slightly, how her eyes seemed to linger on nothing in particular as if she were lost in some deep, troubling thought. He could feel the tension radiating from her, could sense the unease that lingered just beneath her calm exterior.
«Hey.» he began, the word carrying a weight of unspoken concern. As he reached out, he hesitated for a fraction of a second before allowing his hand to move, a rare pause in his usually confident demeanor. She made him cautious, made him think twice before doing something as simple as touching her. But he did it anyway. With a delicate touch, he brushed a loose strand of hair behind her ear, his fingers lingering for just a moment longer than necessary, as if to reassure himself as much as her. «Everything's fine?»
Suzue, caught off guard by the shift in his tone, looked up at him. She seemed to snap back from wherever her mind had taken her, and after a brief pause, she nodded slowly. «Yeah.» she whispered, though her voice wavered slightly. «Everything's fine...» She quickly looked away, her composure cracking just a bit.
«Sure.» Satoru quipped, letting a hint of his usual sarcasm slip in, trying to keep things light even though his gut told him something was still off «And I'm the Tooth Fairy.»
She shifted on the chair and turned to him, as she looked back at him, her expression growing more serious. «Satoru...» she started, her eyes locking onto his, searching for the reassurance she so desperately needed. After a moment's hesitation, she bit her lip and continued. «Can you… can you check something for me? With the Six Eyes?»
A tiny alarm bell went off in Satoru's head. He tilted his head slightly, urging her to continue. «Check what?» he asked gently, though he already had a good idea of what was troubling her.
Suzue swallowed hard, her gaze dropping to the floor before she forced herself to look back at him. «I need you to see if there's anything… wrong with me. Something that's… not supposed to be there?» The words tumbled out of her, laced with uncertainty and a hint of desperation.
Damn it. He knew this was coming.
With a lightness that belied the tension, he leaned back in his chair and tilted his head towards her. «Come on, you really think there's something I wouldn't have noticed already? Trust me, these eyes of mine don't miss a thing.»
Suzue shook her head, frustration edging into her voice. «But what if… what if whatever it is you couldn't see before? I need you to check. Please.»
There it was. The doubt. The fear. The damn seed Sukuna had planted so expertly in her mind, and now it was blossoming into full-blown anxiety. Satoru had seen it coming, had watched it take root during their entire encounter. He hated that damn jerk for it. And now? Now it was his job to pull it out, roots and all, and to make sure it didn't grow back. He exhaled slowly, letting the tension drain from his shoulders as he nodded. Of course, he'd do it—he'd do anything for her, even if she didn't realize it. «Alright, just give me a sec.» he said, his tone gentle but firm. «But just know, Suzue… whatever I find, it doesn't change anything.» He wasn't entirely sure why he felt the need to say that, but it seemed important.
There was a heavy silence between them as Satoru shifted slightly in his seat, leaning closer to her. He let his vision expand, peeling back the layers of reality, examining every detail of her cursed energy with his Six Eyes. He was thorough, taking his time, not just for her sake but because he knew that if he missed even the smallest thing, it would haunt him.
But there was nothing.
No dark presence. No foreign energy. Just the same Suzue, the same cursed energy he had always known. No sign that this "Kaede" had somehow 'incarnated' in Suzue.
So why did it feel wrong?
Her flow of cursed energy was perfect. Normal. Too normal. Almost as if… almost as if something was hiding in plain sigh. He could see Sukuna inside Yuji as clearly as a neon sign—why wouldn't it be the same with Suzue? But she was just Suzue—pure, untainted, the same as always.
As always?
"No. Stop it." He was overthinking this. If there was something wrong, he'd see it. He'd have to see it.
Right?
«There's nothing wrong with you, Suzue.» he finally said, his voice steady, offering the reassurance she needed. «You're as boringly normal as ever.» He flashed her a teasing grin, hoping to lighten the mood. «Sukuna's full of shit. He just likes messing with people's heads. Don't let him get to you.»
Suzue visibly relaxed at his words, letting out a small breath of relief. «So... Sukuna was lying.» she murmured, more to herself than to him.
«Wouldn't be the first time!» Satoru replied with a smirk, but he felt a nagging sense of unease.
There was nothing wrong with her, and yet… what if that was the problem? Why did it feel like the biggest red flag of all? If everything was so normal, then why did something feel so off? Sukuna, that bastard, had done his job well. He had succeeded in planting a seed of doubt. Not in Suzue, but in him.
The King of Curses wasn't the type to see ghosts where there were none. He wasn't sentimental, and he sure as hell wouldn't just mistake someone else for his sister. So what was he playing at?
"I don't like this. Not one bit."
«Thank you, I... I just needed to know.» He could see Suzue's earlier tension fading as she began to relax, unaware that his own worry had only grown.
But Satoru knew better than to let her see that—not when she was already so shaken. "Focus on her" he reminded himself, "Not on your own doubts."
'
He waited, watching her closely, his gaze unwavering as he tried to assess whether she was truly okay or just putting on a brave front, until he was certain that she was good. When he was satisfied that she was as okay as she claimed to be, he allowed himself to relax, if only slightly. There was no need to dwell on the what-ifs—at least not yet and so he opted to lighten the mood; he needed to make her smile again.
Leaning back in his chair, Satoru crossed his arms over his chest, adopting a mock-serious expression as he regarded Suzue. Her shoulders were stiff, her posture rigid, as if she was still bracing herself for the scolding she thought was inevitable. And honestly? He could see why. What she'd done was reckless—bordering on downright dangerous.
It was almost comical, really. Here she was, expecting to be chewed out by the strongest sorcerer in the world, and all he could think about was how much she reminded him of a kitten preparing to be scolded for knocking over a vase—except, in this case, the vase was her safety, and instead of simply knocking it over, she'd taken a hammer to it and shattered it to pieces by engaging with Sukuna.
But still—kitten.
Satoru couldn't help but let a smirk tug at his lips. «So, hothead.» Satoru began, his voice laced with mock severity. «You certainly know how to keep things interesting, Suzue. I've got to hand it to you, most people don't have the guts to pull off a stunt like that. Or the, uh… lack of foresight.»
He could see her wince at his words, and for a moment, he almost felt bad. But then again, she had decided to go on a little adventure with the King of Curses. She deserved a little ribbing for that.
«Let's see.» he continued, tapping his chin thoughtfully. «Disobeyed orders? Check. Put yourself in danger? Check. Dragged poor Yuji into the mess? Double check. And let's not forget about Nanami—he's on the verge of a mental breakdown right now. I mean, I have to ask: are you trying to give me gray hair? Because, you know, with this white hair, that's not an easy feat. But I feel like you're giving it your best shot.»
Suzue finally glanced up at him, her lips twitching slightly as she tried to hold back a smile. Ah, there it was—that tiny glimmer of amusement breaking through her guilt-ridden facade. Satoru felt a small thrill of satisfaction. It was like coaxing a flower to bloom in the middle of winter.
Mission not yet accomplished, but certainly on the right track.
«Seriously, though.» he said, leaning in a bit closer, his tone softening just a fraction, «You've got to give me some credit. I'm supposed to be the reckless one here. You're making me look like the responsible adult, and honestly, that's not a good look for me.»
Suzue's lips quirked up into a hesitant chuckle, the sound slipping out before she could stop it. She shook her head slightly, eyes dropping to her hands as she muttered, «I wasn't trying to outdo you. Just...»
Her voice was small, almost timid, and it tugged at something inside him. Damn it, she really knew how to make it difficult to stay mad at her, didn't she? He was in his element, teasing her just enough to bring her back from the edge, reminding her that not everything was as heavy as it seemed.
And maybe, just maybe, he was reminding himself too.
Satoru tilted his head, observing her with an almost conspiratorial expression, then he leaned in, his tone dropping to that familiar playful whisper that he knew would get under her skin, as he reached close to her ear. «I suppose I can forgive you this once.» he began, delighting in the way she visibly jumped at his closeness and the way her eyes widened just a fraction. Yes, he was getting exactly what he wanted.
He leaned in even closer, his face just inches from hers. «But only if you forgive me for the avoidance game? You know, I don't like losing.» he said, the words hovering between a challenge and a plea, as he searched her eyes for the answer he already knew but wanted to hear from her lips.
Suzue's response was almost immediate—her head turned slightly, her eyes meeting his with that perfect mix of surprise and... something else. Something that made his heart skip a beat, just for a moment.
But instead of pulling away, Satoru found himself leaning in closer still. This time, it wasn't just for the sake of teasing.
«Pretty please?» he added, his tone laced with a melodramatic pleading that was so over-the-top, it nearly broke Suzue's composure. His eyes widened, as if he were a child begging for a treat, and he knew it was working. He could see it in the way her lips twitched, in the way she fought to suppress a laugh.
He pulled back just a fraction, enough to see her face clearly, but not enough to give her any real space. That teasing smirk remained firmly in place, a silent declaration "I've got you cornered, and I'm not letting you go just yet".
She bit her lip, trying to hold back a smile, but it was no use. The softest giggle escaped her. «Fine,» she relented, her voice warm and teasing. «But only because you're making it so hard to stay mad.»
Suzue shook her head, a genuine smile finally breaking through. It was the kind of smile that did things to him, things he usually tried to ignore. But now? Now, he wasn't so sure he wanted to ignore it. She looked down at her hands, still smiling softly as she tried—and failed—to hide the blush spreading across her cheeks. «I guess we are even, then.» she murmured, her voice a little shy, her tone a little soft.
Mission accomplished. She was smiling again.
And damn, if that wasn't the most adorable thing he'd seen all day.
He leaned back again, crossing his arms over his chest, thoroughly pleased with himself. «See? There's that smile!» he said, his voice warm with satisfaction. «I knew I could get a smile out of you.»
«You're impossible.» she murmured, but there was no bite to her words—just the soft warmth of someone who knew she had been bested.
«And yet, you still keep me around.» he shot back, his tone light and teasing. «I must be doing something right!»
Suzue rolled her eyes, but the smile remained, a little more genuine now. She looked at him, her gaze softening as if she were finally starting to believe that maybe—just maybe—things would be okay.
For a moment, the world outside seemed to fade away, the noise of the bustling ice cream parlor dimming into a quiet hum that only served to amplify the silence between them, but it wasn't a tense silence, not exactly. It was there in the way her gaze lingered on his a little longer than necessary, in the way his smirk softened into something more genuine.
He watched Suzue's smile grow, her cheeks taking on that familiar, endearing flush that always managed to mess with his head in the most inconvenient ways. It wasn't just cute—it was maddening, in the way that made him want to drop every ounce of self-control he had. And honestly, he was starting to wonder why he ever bothered with self-control in the first place.
"Ah, screw it. What's the worst that could happen?"
His smirk softened, but his eyes never left hers. He hadn't planned for this, for things to go that far—hell, everything about that day had been one surprise after another.
Logic dictated that he should keep things light, make another joke, maybe poke fun at her blush and call it a day. But really, logic was overrated. To hell with good sense and restraint. He wanted to see her reaction, wanted to see how far he could push her before she pushed back—or didn't.
He didn't say anything for a long moment, just let the silence stretch out between them, his eyes locked on hers, daring her to look away. And when she didn't, when she held his gaze with that same mix of determination and shyness that had always drawn him to her, he knew he was done for.
He leaned in again, this time slower, more deliberate. «Hey.» he murmured, his eyes still locked onto hers, and for a moment, he let himself get lost in them. «If you keep looking at me like that, we're gonna have a real problem.»
A/N
Welcome back again aboard the angst train, where none of you asked to be!
Actually, the chapter was supposed to end on an angsty note, but I couldn't bring myself to leave you all hanging like that for an entire week, so I added the fluffy bit at the end to ease my guilt! This turned the chapter into an absolute monster, over 10,000 words—I'm sorry, I promise it won't happen again!
But hey, a few plot points came to light, so it had to be done!
Though... I might have left you with an even worse cliffhanger. Oooops. ε(*･ω･)з
Sorry I guess, I managed to mess with not only Suzue's mind but also Satoru's, but honestly, what else could you expect from a verbal sparring with the King of Curses?
Facts:
-Satoru's "Pretty please" is the same as in chapter 3, where he was also trying to help her take things less seriously. And their "Everything's fine"—please, someone tell me you've noticed how many times they've used this exchange since the beginning, to anchor each other. Otherwise, i feel my life will have no meaning anymore. I don't know why I'm pointing these things out, maybe I just need to make sense of all the stuff I write.
-Sukuna with four fingers vs. Satoru would be an easy win for Satoru, hands down, and that's where I'll leave it. Sukuna knows it too, so he's not eager to engage!
-Sukuna hates ice cream. That's just my headcanon, but I truly believe it! Apologies to all the mint chocolate chip lovers!
-I'm really struggling to maintain that delicate balance for Sukuna, that tightrope between "I'm a monstrous ancient jerk" and "oh, yeah, I had a sister." But we're still talking about the King of Curses here, so I'm not sure if you were expecting something more human, but I can't see him as a complete softie; he's still the same, with his evil schemes brewing. You can see how he "plays" with his words—first, he crushes her with insults and insinuations, then casually drops "or maybe I'm just seeing things?" Who knows, who knows. The jerk.
-Satoru's POVs, on the other hand, are soooo much fun! Suzue has (almost) all the lore, so I absolutely have to use those to the max for the story. But with Satoru, I can lighten things up a bit and focus more on developing their relationship. I just hope I can manage to balance both aspects well!
-Imagine the customers in the ice cream parlor going from seeing Suzue and sunshine-Yuji happily eating their ice cream, to Sukuna darkening the room, slamming his hand on the table, and throwing insults, to Satoru trying to flirt—all in the span of like 10 minutes. .
Anyway with this, here I leave you all!