A/N at the end of the chapter
CHAPTER 28
POV: Suzue Kujou
"No, no, no, please—not again."
She didn't want to be there. Not again. Not in this memory.
It began with water. Cold, dark, and unforgiving. The current dragged her under, its grip tightening around her limbs like iron chains, pulling her down, down, until the surface was nothing more than a distant memory.
She was eleven again, a child flailing helplessly in the river's current, fighting against the inevitable. Her arms thrashed, her feet kicked, but it was no use.
She wanted to scream. To beg for help. But her throat tightened, choking on the icy water that filled her lungs. Her chest burned, her vision blurred, and for a moment, the world was nothing but darkness.
Then she heard it. A voice.
«Do you want me to save you?»
"No, please no..."
Suddenly, the river was gone, evaporated in an instante.
In its place, a black, endless space yawned before her, the void stretching out in every direction. Flames roared to life around her, spiraling and crackling, consuming everything they touched.
Her heart froze. She knew this place. She knew these flames. "No, not again..." But there was no escape.
The flames spread, uncontrollable, wild, licking at the edges of the village, the heat so intense it singed the air. The ground beneath her feet cracked, the earth fracturing under the pressure of the cursed energy she had released.
And in the middle of it all, towering and unscathed, stood the shrine.
Kaede's shrine.
Suzue's chest tightened as the fire raged around her, her heart pounding with the terror of an eleven-year-old girl who had lost control.
Flames coiled around her, burning so hot they felt cold, and Suzue screamed, but no sound came out.
And then she saw them.
Her family. Her clan. Running, their faces twisted in terror, their voices lost in the roar of the fire. Their eyes, wide and filled with horror, locked onto her.
The flames consumed them too, reducing them to ash, their cries fading into the crackle of the firestorm she had unleashed.
"Please... not again..."
But it wouldn't stop. The fire would never stop.
Her body trembled, frozen in place as she watched the fire burn on, unstoppable, unrelenting. She had been so young. So scared. And in her fear, she had unleashed a power she couldn't control.
A power that had destroyed everyone she loved.
And there, in the center of it all, Kaede stood, her serene face watching the destruction unfold as if it were inevitable.
«I just unlocked it for you. That power.» Kaede's voice echoed through the flames, distant but unmistakable. «But It was never mine. It was yours.»
The fire blazed hotter, the flames licking at her skin, burning her, consuming her whole—
Suzue gasped, her eyes flying open as she jolted awake, her heart racing in her chest. The rush of air into her lungs felt sharp, almost painful, as if she had just been pulled from the icy grip of the river all over again
Sunlight poured in through the window, casting soft rays of warmth over her, but it did nothing to soothe the cold terror that gripped her heart. Her breath came in short, ragged gasps as she stared up at the unfamiliar ceiling above her, desperately trying to ground herself in the present.
She wasn't in the village anymore. She wasn't surrounded by flames or drowning beneath the surface of the water.
But the memory... the memory was real. And now, for the first time, she remembered everything. Every detail. Every scream. Every flame.
And it was unbearable.
The sunlight filtering through the shoji screens felt wrong—too bright, too gentle, too comforting—compared to the raging storm inside her. Her eyes welled up with tears, prickling at the corners, but she couldn't bring herself to release them. She lay there, staring blankly at the ceiling, the weight of her memories crushing down on her like a tidal wave.
For a long, agonizing moment, she couldn't move. The vivid recollection of that night—the fire, the destruction—was like an iron weight pressing down on her chest, suffocating her. Her family, her clan, all gone. Burned away by her hand. She had been just a child, but that didn't matter now. The truth was inescapable.
She blinked, the weight in her chest growing heavier with each passing second. A dark thought crept into her mind, uninvited and insidious, winding its way through her like poison.
"I should have drowned in that river." The bitter thought echoed in her mind, curling her lips into a faint, humorless smile. "At least I would've saved everyone the trouble."
The guilt gnawed at her insides, sharp and unrelenting. Maybe if she had drowned like she was supposed to, her family would still be alive. The idea felt like a twisted comfort, something she could cling to in the face of her overwhelming remorse.
But she hadn't drowned. She hadn't died. And now, she was left to carry the burden of their deaths—her responsibility, her failure.
'
Pushing the thought aside with a shudder, Suzue forced herself to sit up, the movement slow and painful. Her muscles protested, sore and heavy from the fight, but she pushed through the discomfort. The ache in her body felt almost like a welcome distraction from the ache in her heart. Wincing, she shifted her position, taking in her surroundings for the first time since waking.
The room was simple, traditional. Wooden walls and tatami floors. The kind of room that was meant to invoke peace and tranquility, with its delicate shoji screens casting patterns of soft light across the floor. She had been lying on a futon, the blanket pulled up around her in a way that felt oddly intimate, as if someone had carefully tucked her in. A false sense of security.
She jerked with her legs and kicked the blanket off, moving gingerly, assessing her injuries. Her leg was tightly bandaged on the thigh, the wrappings clean and precise, though there was still some residual pain. Nothing serious. But it wasn't the leg that drew her focus. It was the burn on her arm, the sharp, jagged scar that started at the back of her hand and crawled up almost to her elbow. It was an angry reminder of everything that had happened.
Suzue stared at it, her fingers ghosting over the tender skin. "Maybe it'll stay like this forever," she thought with a strange sense of satisfaction. "Good. I deserve it."
Then she looked at the clothes she was wearing—an oversized shirt, slightly too big for her frame, and... nothing. Just her underwear. Her cheeks flushed at the realization.
"Seriously?" she thought with a pang of embarrassment, her face heating up. "Who the hell dressed me like this?"
As her gaze lingered on the burn, a nagging question began to surface in her mind. How was she already in such good condition? How long had she been out? For someone who had nearly drowned and fought a cursed imitation of the strongest sorcerer, she shouldn't be sitting up like this. The last thing she remembered was Satoru pulling her out of the river. They had talked, briefly. Then... nothing. She must have passed out.
Her thoughts spiraled, but before she could dwell on them any longer, the sound of the sliding door opening with a soft whoosh interrupted her.
A face peeked around the corner, eyes wide with surprise. Round, cheerful features, framed by messy chestnut-brown hair tied back into a low ponytail. Freckles dotted the girl's cheeks, and hazel eyes sparkled in the light filtering through the room. For a moment, Hibiki just stood there, staring at Suzue as if she had seen a ghost.
«You're awake!» Hibiki squeaked, her initial shock quickly giving way to an explosion of joy.
With a high-pitched squeal, she launched herself into the room, all but throwing herself at Suzue with a force that nearly knocked the wind out of her. Hibiki's exuberance was overwhelming, her energy chaotic and infectious as she wrapped her arms around Suzue in a tight, breath-stealing embrace.
«I'm so glad you're awake!» Hibiki cried, squeezing Suzue with the intensity of a bear hug. «I was so worried! Oh my god, you're okay!»
Suzue stiffened, completely caught off guard by the sudden physical closeness. She wasn't used to this—any of it. Hibiki's hug was suffocating, her energy too much to process. Suzue's hands hovered awkwardly in the air, unsure of what to do with them as her face flushed a deep crimson.
«H-Hibiki, wait, I—» Suzue stammered, her voice barely audible as she struggled to free herself from the overly enthusiastic embrace. Her embarrassment grew as Hibiki buried her face into Suzue's shoulder, still clinging to her like a lifeline. «I'm fine, really… Please, calm down.»
But Hibiki wasn't listening. She held on tighter, practically bouncing with excitement. «You have no idea how scared I was! I thought you weren't going to wake up! And if you didn't wake up soon, that guy would've killed me!» Hibiki rambled, her words coming out in a rush as she kept clinging to Suzue. «I couldn't take it anymore! He kept pestering me, day in and day out, about your condition. Always criticizing me—'Hibiki, this,' 'Hibiki, that!' I'm begging you—begging—please save me!»
The image of Hibiki—freckled, wide-eyed, and clearly overwhelmed—ranting about her apparent torment was so ridiculous that Suzue almost laughed. Almost. She blinked, still trapped in Hibiki's arms, her brain scrambling to catch up with the barrage of words. «Wait... who are you talking about?» Suzue tried to ask, her voice muffled against Hibiki's shoulder.
Hibiki pulled back just enough to look Suzue in the eye, her expression deadly serious despite her earlier excitement. «That guy! You know who I'm talking about!» she said dramatically. «If I have to deal with one more lecture from him about how I've been 'doing it wrong,' I swear I'll go insane! He's impossible!»
The image of Satoru Gojo popped into Suzue's mind, and she stifled a small laugh.
Of course.
'
Suzue stared at Hibiki, her brain scrambling to catch up with the flood of information. She had been out cold, apparently for quite a while, and during that time, Satoru had been tormenting the poor girl with his overbearing 'concern.'
Her eyes widened, feeling both amused and mortified. She opened her mouth to try and calm Hibiki down, but the girl kept going, her words a relentless stream of complaints. «I swear, he's never happy with anything! First, he wanted me to get you new clothes, then he dressed you and was mad they weren't 'the right size.' Then he said I didn't wrap your bandages correctly, so he redid them himself. Like, what? I'm not a doctor!»
Suzue's cheeks flushed even redder. «He... Dressed me? Bandaged me?» she mumbled, trying to wrap her head around the absurdity of it all.
«Yes! And he wouldn't stop criticizing me! Ugh, I thought I'd have to smother him with a pillow just to get some peace!» Hibiki's voice was a mixture of dramatic pleading and genuine frustration as she grabbed Suzue's hands and looked at her with wide, desperate eyes. «And the worst part?» Hibiki continued, her voice rising dramatically. «He's so smug about it! Like he knows everything! I mean, sure, he's the strongest sorcerer or whatever, but could he please stop tormenting me for like five minutes?»
Suzue let out a small, exasperated sigh, though she couldn't help but feel a bit lighter at Hibiki's dramatic complaints. «I'm sure he's not that bad.» she said, trying to calm her down.
«Not that bad?!» Hibiki exclaimed, throwing her hands up in frustration. «Kujou-san, he's impossible!»
The corner of Suzue's lips twitched. Despite the embarrassment and confusion, she couldn't help but find Hibiki's complaints somewhat… endearing. «I'm… sorry?» Suzue offered, not entirely sure what else to say. «Maybe... maybe we can just... take a breath?» Suzue suggested, trying to keep her voice calm, though her awkwardness was painfully obvious.
Hibiki blinked, her head tilting slightly. «Oh! Oh, right, sorry!» She finally let go of Suzue, though her grin didn't fade one bit. «I just got so excited! You have no idea how hard it's been!»
Suzue couldn't help but sigh, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips despite the embarrassment. Hibiki's dramatic complaints were strangely endearing. She wasn't used to anyone caring about her like this. Not in such an open, loud way. But it was... nice. Even if it was overwhelming.
She blinked, still a little groggy, before glancing hesitantly at Hibiki. «Um, so… where's Satoru?»
As if summoned by the mere mention of his name, the door slid open with an effortless swish, and in strolled Satoru Gojo, sunglasses perched coolly on his nose, exuding his usual air of carefree confidence. His tall frame cast a shadow over the room, and he didn't even look at Suzue at first—his attention immediately drawn to Hibiki, who clung to Suzue's side as if her life depended on it.
«Oh no, no, no…» Hibiki whispered, her voice filled with dread, shrinking further behind Suzue like a cornered kitten.
Satoru's lips curled into a smirk, the expression dripping with amusement. «Well, well, well.» he drawled, his voice a teasing lilt that matched the gleam in his eyes. «Look who's turned into a human barnacle. Hibiki, you really know how to cling to someone in a crisis.»
Hibiki whimpered softly and buried her face into Suzue's shoulder, her grip tightening in sheer desperation. «Kujou-san, please-» she mumbled, her voice muffled, as if hoping she could disappear behind Suzue entirely.
Before Suzue could even react, she felt Satoru's eyes shift, his focus finally landing on her. For a split second, his smirk faltered ever so slightly, and the ever-present playfulness in his gaze softened. He paused, taking her in—awake, alive, and looking at him. That moment of quiet vulnerability, of unspoken relief, passed between them like a breeze that barely stirred the air.
Suzue offered him a small, tired smile, a silent acknowledgment of the concern he wouldn't admit aloud. They held each other's gaze for just a heartbeat longer than necessary, in a moment of quiet understanding between them.
Then, just as quickly as it had appeared, he returned. Satoru Gojo, the sorcerer who never let his guard down. With a dramatic sigh, he leaned back, making a show of his exasperation. «Alright, Hibiki. Time to disappear.» he began, pointing toward the door with a dismissive flick of his wrist «As much as I'd love to watch you cling to Suzue like a lost puppy, we need a ride back to Tokyo Jujutsu High now that Sleeping Beauty here has decided to wake up. I expect a car to appear within the hour.»
Hibiki's eyes widened in disbelief as she peeked out from behind Suzue. «An hour? We're in the middle of nowhere! Where am I supposed to find a car in the boonies?»
Satoru arched an eyebrow, completely unfazed. «Not my problem, little pest. Tick tock, Hibiki.» He waved her off with a dismissive flick of his hand.
Hibiki groaned, her shoulders slumping in utter defeat. She muttered something unintelligible under her breath—no doubt a string of curses aimed at Satoru—as she shuffled toward the door, clearly resigned to her fate. Suzue watched her go with a mixture of sympathy and amusement, her expression softening.
'
Satoru settled down beside her on the tatami floor, closer than he needed to be, his legs stretched out beside hers. His posture was casual, as if he belonged there, invading her personal space with the ease of someone who had long since decided personal space was a suggestion rather than a rule. He reclined back, resting on his arms, with a contented sigh as if he had just completed a monumental task.
Suzue, still sitting cross-legged on the futon, winced slightly as she shifted her weight, the soreness from her injuries making itself known again. «You really are tormenting her, you know?» she remarked, her tone gentle but with a touch of reproach.
Satoru shrugged lazily, his grin widening. «She's earned it. You should've seen what a mess she made with our cursed energy reserves at the village. Her technique went haywire, tangled everything up. I had to spend hours making her undo the whole mess when we got back. The poor girl didn't even know what she was doing most of the time! But after some... gentle motivation,» he said nonchalantly. «she managed to get it under control.»
Suzue raised an eyebrow, though she couldn't suppress a small smile. «You mean you terrorized her until she fixed it.»
«Tomato, tomahto.» Satoru said, leaning back and crossing his arms behind his head. «The point is, it's fixed now.»
Despite herself, Suzue let out a small chuckle, shaking her head. Then, her gaze shifted around the room again, taking in the rustic wooden walls and the soft light streaming in from the shoji screens. «Where are we, anyway? How long was I out?»
Satoru leaned forward slightly, already moving to her leg, his fingers carefully undoing the bandages with deliberate precision. «We're in some little inn Hibiki found along the road. I'll give her credit for that much—she did something useful. You've been out for a whole day, give or take.»
«A day?» Suzue blinked, trying to process the information. Then she looked down at her body, surprised by how much better she felt. She winced as Satoru's touch grazed her skin, feeling oddly hyperaware of the intimacy of the moment. His fingers brushed against her bare thigh as he continued to unwrap the bandages slowly, his focus entirely on the task at hand.
Her muscles were sore but functional, and even the burn on her arm wasn't as excruciating as she expected. She flexed her fingers, studying the burn scar. She almost found comfort in that. «But my wounds… How are they already in this condition?»
Satoru barely looked up, his expression serious as he continued unwinding the bandages layer by layer. He bent closer to inspect the wound, his face almost too close for comfort. «Really, Suzue? You healed yourself with Reverse Cursed Technique. And not exactly in a beginner-level way.» His voice was calm but laced with subtle amusement, though his hands never stopped their methodical work. «Why didn't you tell me you had it down so precisely?»
She shot him an incredulous look, raising an eyebrow. His hands were warm and steady as they worked across her thigh, brushing against her skin in a way that made her acutely conscious of every movement. «If I could heal myself, don't you think I would've done it before I ended up half-dead in the river?»
Satoru's expression stilled. His easy smirk faded, and for a moment, his eyes—though hidden behind his sunglasses—seemed to sharpen. His usual playfulness faded as he finally peeled back the last of the bandages, revealing the wound. His fingers traced the edges of the injury carefully, as if assessing how well it had healed.
Suzue could feel the weight of his gaze, studying her intently. The playful, sarcastic tone that usually colored his voice was gone, replaced by something far more serious.
Satoru was thinking. Processing her words.
He said nothing, simply inspecting her leg with a level of concentration she rarely saw from him. Suzue felt her cheeks flush, and she hoped Satoru hadn't noticed.
«Hmm.» For a long, uncomfortable second, Satoru simply stared at the wound, his fingers lightly tracing the skin around it. His brow furrowed slightly, as though piecing together something more complex than just the injury before him, a puzzle she didn't even know existed, his mind working at a speed she couldn't hope to match.
'
And then, just as quickly as the seriousness had appeared, he shrugged and reached for fresh bandages, his smirk returning. «Well, whatever. The curse wasn't doing too hot, either. It managed to escape while I was busy fishing you out of that river.»
He spoke with the casualness of someone discussing the weather, but Suzue narrowed her eyes at him, sensing the deflection. This wasn't like Satoru—he rarely dropped a topic without wringing every ounce of entertainment out of it first. He was deliberately shifting the conversation away, and that in itself raised her suspicions. Still, she was too tired to press the issue.
Suzue's breath hitched again as his fingers brushed her thigh, the contact gentle yet deliberate. She wanted to focus on his words, but all she could think about was the way his hands lingered, the warmth of his touch, as he continued speaking, unaware—or perhaps fully aware—of the effect his touch had on her.
«So, the curse.» he began, as if they were having the most mundane conversation in the world. He paused to pull the bandage tight, his fingers grazing the inside of her thigh. «That curse's technique was… interesting, to say the least. Took me a minute, but once I saw it, everything clicked.» He paused, a hint of pride flickering in his voice.
«The fog was a barrier, keeping us trapped inside, and it generated copies of whoever was in there with it. perfect replicas in real-time, down to mannerism and health condition. It could mimic our cursed techniques too, but only as we were using them. That's why the fake me couldn't pull off anything I wasn't actively doing at the moment.» His voice was steady, almost too calm given how focused he was on her leg. «Pretty impressive, if I say so.»
Suzue's breath caught in her throat as his thumb grazed her skin again, this time more deliberately, his movements slow and precise as he checked the wound's responsiveness to pressure. She tried to focus on the conversation, tried to ignore the way her pulse quickened. «You figured all that out while fighting the fake me?» she asked, her voice barely steady.
Satoru's grin widened as he continued wrapping the bandage, moving slowly, almost as if he enjoyed drawing out the moment. «Of course I did.» he said, his voice playful, though his focus remained entirely on her leg. «It wasn't that hard once I noticed the leg injury. It was a dead giveaway. The curse could copy us, but it couldn't create something new. It could only replicate what was going in inside the barrier.»
Suzue shifted again, unable to shake the tension growing between them. His touch was far too familiar now, far too intimate, and yet, she didn't want him to stop.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Satoru tied off the bandage and leaned back slightly, his eyes crinkling with amusement as if he could sense how flustered she was. «That's how I figured it out. You were injured, and the curse could only copy that version of you. Once I knew that, it was just a matter of figuring out the rest.» His voice filled with a sort of pride. He leaned in a little more, his hand still resting casually on her bandaged leg as if it belonged there, and Suzue had to remind herself to breathe.
«Ah.» Suzue nodded, processing his explanation, though her focus kept drifting back to the gentle pressure of his hand on her leg, making it hard to focus on anything other than the fact that Satoru Gojo had just spent the last several minutes tending to her leg with an intensity that made her pulse race. She forced herself to meet his gaze, but his usual playfulness was back in full force, his smirk practically daring her to acknowledge the tension hanging between them.
Satoru seemed so at ease, as if the world beyond this moment didn't exist, as if it was just the two of them in this small room, sharing the quiet aftermath of a battle she had not fully processed yet. He had explained it all so easily, as if it had been nothing more than a puzzle he had casually solved in the middle of a fight.
Suzue couldn't help the small smile that tugged at her lips. That was so Satoru—always so sure of himself, always so confident.
Her gaze drifted toward the window, where sunlight filtered through the paper screens. She hesitated for a moment, unsure if she wanted to ask the next question. But she needed to know.
«What about... the village?» Suzue asked softly, her voice barely above a whisper. «Is it… gone?»
Satoru sighed, his thumb tracing absentmindedly over the bandage he had just wrapped, as if still considering how to answer. «No more cursed fog, thanks to your little explosion,» he said, though there was no malice in his tone. «And… well, no more village either. It's pretty much all burnt to a crisp. Just charred ground and rubble now.»
Suzue winced, her chest tightening. She had known the answer, but hearing it out loud made it real. Her home—what little was left of her childhood—was gone. She had reduced it to nothing.
She let out a small, humorless laugh. «I didn't exactly plan for an explosion that big.»
Satoru's expression softened, his smirk fading just slightly. He paused for a moment, his thumb stilling on her leg, as he met her gaze. «Luckily, there was a veil up to keep prying eyes away.» He added, his tone lighter as if trying to soften the blow. «But if you look out from here, you can still see some smoke rising in the distance. Someone will go clean up the mess later, anyway.»
Suzue's hands clenched in her lap as she tried to keep her emotions in check, but the familiar ache of guilt began to creep in. She had destroyed the last piece of her family, of her past. Now there was nothing. No home. No family. Just a wasteland.
Satoru must have sensed the shift in her mood, because he leaned in closer, his body brushing against hers as he tilted his head to catch her gaze. «Hey.» he said softly, his voice losing its usual teasing edge. «Look at me.»
Reluctantly, Suzue met his eyes—or rather, his sunglasses. Behind the dark lenses, she could feel the weight of his gaze, the intensity of his focus solely on her. His hand stayed on her leg, grounding her in the moment, keeping her from spiraling too far into her own guilt.
He tilted his head to catch her gaze, his tone losing its usual playful edge as he spoke. «You did what you had to,» he repeated. «That place… it was cursed long before we got there. You just gave it an ending.»
Suzue blinked, her throat tightening as she tried to swallow the lump of emotion that had lodged itself there. She nodded slowly, though she wasn't sure she fully believed his words. But the warmth of his touch, the steadiness of his presence—it made her feel like she wasn't completely alone in this.
She stared at him for a long moment, her gaze lingering on his face as she tried to come to terms with everything.
Finally, a bitter chuckle escaped her lips. It was an empty sound, filled with a sadness she couldn't quite shake. «I suppose it was bound to happen.» she murmured, her voice laced with a quiet resignation. «Guess I'm the proud owner of a wasteland now.»
Satoru didn't respond right away, his eyes lingering on her for a long moment. She could feel the weight of his gaze, the way he studied her in that way he did when he wasn't joking, when he was taking her seriously. She knew he was thinking about what she had told him before—about how she had lost control and ended her own family.
He was watching her closely, listening, and taking her pain seriously. It was in the way he lingered just a little closer than usual, in the softness of his movements. He knew. He always knew.
No, no need to say anything.
He already understood more than she realized. The look Satoru gave her—a mix of quiet understanding and something more—told her as much. They didn't need words to communicate this. He didn't need her to say it out loud. Not now, anyway.
And then, breaking the stillness, Suzue shifted the conversation, her voice low and uncertain.
«I spoke with... her. With Kaede.» she said quietly, her voice uncertain.
Satoru's eyebrows shot up, his curiosity piqued immediately. For a moment, his usual cocky demeanor slipped, and the teasing grin he wore so often faltered. His hand, still resting on her leg, stilled as he processed her words. «Kaede, huh.» he repeated, his tone filled with genuine intrigue. «Are you sure it wasn't just a hallucination?»
Suzue shook her head slowly. «No, it wasn't. It felt… real. I don't think it was a dream or an illusion.» She hesitated, her fingers curling slightly in her lap as she thought of what Kaede had told her. «She said something about me being her vessel. And about Sukuna, that they… cursed each other.»
«Cursed each other?» Satoru's voice grew sharper, more focused. His curiosity morphed into something deeper, his mind clearly racing as he pieced together the implications of what she had just revealed. His entire demeanor shifted—gone was the playful, easygoing Satoru. In his place was the sorcerer who rarely let anything slip past him. Suzue could see the way his mind worked, his gaze narrowing slightly as he considered what Kaede had told her.
He fell silent, the weight of his thoughts hanging in the air. His thumb absentmindedly traced a slow pattern over her leg as his mind processed the new information. Suzue could almost hear the gears turning in his head, the calculations he was making. For once, he wasn't rushing to speak, wasn't filling the silence with his usual banter.
Then, after what felt like an eternity, Satoru finally spoke again, his tone casual but tinged with intrigue. «Well, that's interesting,» he remarked, though Suzue could tell there was more to it than he was letting on. He didn't press her for more details—not yet, at least—but she could sense the flicker of curiosity in his eyes.
The silence that followed wasn't uncomfortable, but rather a shared moment of reflection. Satoru was lost in thought, and Suzue found herself grateful for the quiet, for the space to process everything she had learned. He simply sat beside her, his hand still resting lightly on her leg, a quiet presence in the storm of her thoughts.
After a long pause, Suzue decided to break the silence with something she had been meaning to say since she woke up. «Thank you… for pulling me out of that river.»
Satoru's smirk returned, but this time it was gentler, more affectionate. He leaned in just slightly, his body brushing against hers as he gave her leg a playful pat. «I'll fish you out of rivers anytime, Suzue. It's practically my job now.» Then, with that familiar cocky grin, he shrugged. «Though, for the record, you really need to stop ending up in them.»
There was a teasing edge to his words, but underneath the humor, Suzue could hear the sincerity. He was always been like this—deflecting his care with bravado, as if he didn't want her to see how much he truly cared. But she knew better.
'
Her smile widened just a little, her heart feeling lighter despite everything. She opened her mouth to respond, but before she could say anything, Satoru's smirk grew wider, and he leaned in even closer, his voice dropping to a playful whisper.
«For now, though.» he teased, his hand still resting on her leg, while he removed his sunglasses. «maybe you should think about how you're sitting there in nothing but your underwear.»
Suzue blinked, caught off guard by the sudden shift in tone. «What?»
Satoru's hand pressed gently against her leg again, this time with more intention, drawing her attention to her state. «You know, not that I mind, but you've been sitting here, cross-legged, in your underwear for this entire conversation.»
It took Suzue a second to register his words. Her eyes widened as she looked down at herself, realizing with a jolt of embarrassment that she was, indeed, sitting cross-legged in nothing but an oversized shirt and underwear. And the way she was sitting, with her legs crossed and the shirt hiked up and his hand on her thigh—she was practically—
Her face flushed a deep shade of red, her hands scrambling to tug the hem of the shirt down to cover herself. Satoru chuckled, the sound warm and genuine, his hand finally moving from her leg as he leaned back, clearly enjoying her reaction.
Satoru laughed, a warm, genuine sound that made her heart flutter despite her mortification, his hand finally moving from her leg as he leaned back. «Hey, I'm just saying. I'm a gentleman, after all.» Then, as if to make his point, he casually reclined back, giving her a mockingly innocent look. «See? Not even looking now. Pure respect, Suzue.»
«You're impossible.» she muttered, though there was no real anger in her voice. It was hard to stay mad at him when he was looking at her like that—with that playful grin and the warmth in his eyes that made her feel like maybe everything wasn't so bad after all.
Satoru leaned in a little closer, his voice dropping to a low, playful whisper. «Yeah, but you love it.»
Suzue let out a breath, finally managing to pull the shirt down enough to feel less exposed. She looked at him, shaking her head, a small smile playing on her lips despite everything. She couldn't stay mad at him, not really. He had a way of making her forget, even if just for a moment, of making her feel safe.
They sat there in comfortable silence for a few minutes, the tension from before dissipating, replaced by something gentler.
Satoru stood up with an exaggerated stretch, his arms reaching high above his head, his movements lazy and languid as if the conversation they had just shared hadn't scratched at deeper layers of their connection. He moved with that familiar confidence, a grace that seemed too casual for someone carrying the weight of the world on their shoulders.
His smirk lingered, still teasing, but now softer, more subtle, as he put on again his sunglasses. «Damn, this migraine's gonna kill me.» He shot Suzue a sideways glance, the light catching the edges of his sunglasses, obscuring his eyes but not the playfulness in his expression. «I'm gonna check on Hibiki.» he said, rolling his shoulders back with a slight twist, as though shaking off the remnants of their deeper conversation. «Make sure our little pest is actually doing her job and not, you know, hiding from me. Again.»
Suzue, still a little flustered from their banter and the not-so-subtle teasing, raised an eyebrow at him. She tugged the oversized shirt a little closer around her body, suddenly hyperaware of how exposed she felt. «You really should go easier on her.» she muttered, trying to deflect some of her own embarrassment by focusing on Hibiki.
Satoru's grin widened, and there was a glint of mischief in his voice as he responded, «Oh, come on.» He leaned casually against the doorframe, his fingers brushing the wood. «Terrorizing her keeps her motivated.»
Suzue couldn't help but roll her eyes, though a small smile tugged at the corners of her lips despite herself. "Typical Satoru," she thought, always finding joy in pushing people's buttons. Especially those who were already overwhelmed by his larger-than-life presence. It was a game to him—one she had grown used to, even if she didn't always know how to handle it.
Satoru paused at the doorway, his hand resting lightly on the sliding door, but he didn't move to leave right away. Instead, he turned his head slightly, his gaze lingering on her longer than usual. It wasn't the playful smirk this time, but something quieter, softer. His voice dropped a bit, more serious than before. «Get dressed.» he said, his tone carrying more weight. «We're heading back home, to Tokyo Jujutsu High.»
Suzue's heart skipped a beat at the word home. She had thought of Tokyo Jujutsu High as home for a long time now, but the way Satoru said it, so casually, so naturally, made her pause. Home. It felt different hearing it from him. Maybe, just maybe, it was starting to feel like something more.
She nodded, the word still echoing in her mind. «Yeah.» she whispered softly to herself, her voice barely audible as she watched him turn to leave. «Home.»
"Tokyo Jujutsu High." Just as she stood and reached for her discarded clothes, a thought suddenly struck her, sharp and unsettling. "Wait..." Her brow furrowed, and she straightened, her voice hesitant as she called out to him. «Satoru...»
He paused mid-step, turning back to look at her over his shoulder, his sunglasses catching the light again, reflecting her image back at her. «Yeah?»
Suzue bit her lip, an odd feeling settling in her chest as the realization crept up on her. It was a simple question, but one that suddenly felt loaded with consequences. «If we've been away for a few days…» Her voice trailed off as the weight of the situation hit her fully. «Who's been watching the students?»
The question hung in the air like a bomb about to go off.
Satoru froze mid-step, his usual confident swagger faltering. The smirk that was permanently etched on his face slipped, his hand pausing on the door as the weight of her question settled in. For a moment, he didn't move. He stood there, clearly processing her words. The silence that followed was thick, awkward, and hung between them like a fog, making Suzue's stomach twist with anxiety.
Suzue stared at him, her eyebrows raising in disbelief. «You… didn't think of that?» The incredulity in her voice was unmistakable. Out of all the things Satoru Gojo could forget—this?
The realization dawned on him slowly, comically, as though the thought had never even crossed his mind. He turned slowly to face her, his expression shifting from mild surprise to something almost sheepish, as though he couldn't quite believe he had forgotten something so important.
«Nope.» he said finally, the word drawn out, his voice trailing off as the corners of his mouth twitched into an almost guilty smile. «Totally slipped my mind.»
Another beat of silence.
Satoru scratched the back of his head, his fingers ruffling his silver hair as he gave her a resigned look. His carefree attitude faltered just enough for Suzue to catch a glimpse of the chaos that might be unfolding back at Tokyo Jujutsu High. His expression twisted into one of resigned amusement, as though he couldn't quite believe his own negligence.
«Well…» he drawled, his voice a little weaker now, still standing in the doorway. He shot her a grin that was more sheepish than cocky. «I'm sure they're fine. Probably. Maybe.»
Suzue blinked at him, her disbelief turning into exasperation. Of course, Satoru would forget something like that. He was the strongest sorcerer in the world, capable of bending space to his will, but keeping track of mundane details? Apparently, that was asking too much.
Before she could say another word, Satoru gave her a quick salute and disappeared, the door sliding shut behind him with a soft click.
Suzue let out a long, exasperated sigh, bringing a hand to her forehead as she muttered under her breath. «Only him.»
She stood up slowly, still shaking her head as she moved to gather her clothes, her mind buzzing with the thought of what kind of chaos awaited them back at the school. If Satoru had forgotten about the students… she didn't even want to imagine what state Principal Yaga might be in.
As she dressed, the realization hit her again, and she couldn't help but chuckle, her voice filled with both amusement and mild panic.
"This is a disaster waiting to happen."
POV: Satoru Gojo
"That damn Hibiki."
Satoru sighed heavily as he stood at the base of the long staircase leading up to Tokyo Jujutsu High, hands shoved deep into his pockets. The steps stretched on forever, winding through the forested path, lined by endless torii gates. Despite the feeling of finally being back home, his patience was hanging by a thread. He shot a glance up at the gates, but his thoughts were far from peaceful.
It had taken Hibiki far longer than he had anticipated to secure a car. She'd run around with the innkeeper like a headless chicken, trying to figure out something they could use, and just when he thought they were finally making progress, she casually mentioned the tiny detail that she didn't know how to drive. Perfect. He'd been on the verge of losing it right there in the lobby. He didn't mind driving when it was his decision, but after the days they'd had? Yeah, his mood wasn't exactly great.
"Why the hell do they keep sending my way the most problematic assistants?"
Add to that the fact that Suzue was still recovering, and Hibiki was bouncing around with enough energy to power a city, Satoru had just about reached his limit. What he wanted—no, needed—was some time alone with Suzue. Time without cursed spirits, without Sukuna looming like a shadow, without villages vanishing into cursed fog. Just time.
But of course, the universe had other plans. And it had sent Hibiki along to third-wheel them into chaos.
Satoru groaned inwardly as he followed behind Suzue, slowing his pace deliberately so he could walk beside her. His eyes flickered toward her, hidden behind his sunglasses, watching her with an intensity he usually didn't bother to conceal. She was quieter than usual, her steps careful, as if each one took more effort than she wanted to admit. Even after a full day of sleep, she was clearly still in recovery mode.
"Pretty, though."
The thought crossed his mind without permission, lingering for a second longer than it should have. Her flushed cheeks from the exertion of the climb only made her look more striking, the slight sheen of sweat making her skin glow. But it wasn't just her appearance. It was the way she carried herself—the quiet strength she had even now, after everything.
"But what's going on in that pretty little head of hers?"
He could see it, plain as day—the guilt was eating her alive. The way she had been holding herself since they left the village, the way she barely spoke unless prompted. She was carrying a weight, and Satoru didn't need his Six Eyes to know it. She blamed herself for the destruction, for the chaos. And she probably blamed herself for a lot more than she was letting on.
"Should I push her to talk about it? Or just let her stew in it until she's ready?"
He didn't like leaving things unresolved. But Suzue was different. She wasn't like him—she didn't shrug things off with a joke and a smile. She carried her burdens quietly, letting them fester. If he pushed too hard, it might only make things worse. But if he waited too long, she might drown in her own thoughts.
Then, there was the other thing—the part that bothered him the most.
Kaede had claimed Suzue was her "vessel".
A vessel. Just like Yuji for Sukuna, Kaede's supposed brother. Curious.
The comparison alone was enough to set off alarm bells. If that were true, if Suzue really was Kaede's vessel, then Satoru should be able to see it. He would see it. His Six Eyes would have immediately picked up on any abnormality in Suzue's cursed energy. It would have shown him something—anything—that indicated she was sharing her body with another entity. There would be a distortion, an echo, something that didn't belong.
But there was nothing.
Unlike Yuji, whose cursed energy was unmistakably tangled with Sukuna's, Suzue's energy was clear, uninterrupted. It was her.
Satoru frowned behind his sunglasses, his thoughts churning. If Suzue really was a vessel for Kaede, it would be impossible for him not to notice. His Six Eyes would have laid it bare in an instant.
So why did Kaede say what she did? Was Suzue misinterpreting something?
Suzue had said she'd spoken to Kaede. But what the hell did that even mean? Was it real? A hallucination? Or something connected to her cursed technique?
And then there was the Reverse Cursed Technique.
Satoru's eyes narrowed as he studied Suzue, his mind replaying that moment at the river, watching her injuries slowly knit themselves back together, her cursed energy working in ways she claimed not to understand. She hadn't even been conscious, yet she had performed a technique that took years of training, a mastery of cursed energy most sorcerers never achieved.
But Suzue… she had done it without thinking. Without knowing. As if it were second nature. As if she had always known how to do it.
His gaze flickered over her again, this time letting his Six Eyes fully engage as he analyzed her cursed energy once again.
Nothing.
Her cursed energy was perfectly normal. No irregularities, no anomalies. Just the steady, familiar flow of Suzue's energy.
"But something doesn't add up."
It was like there was a missing piece to the puzzle, a detail that evaded him no matter how hard he looked. And it frustrated him. Suzue wasn't telling him everything—not out of malice, but because she very much didn't know herself.
Still, it gnawed at him. He hated not knowing, especially when it involved someone he cared about.
Someone he cared about too much, probably.
"Guess I'll just stay close, for now."
They continued up the stairs, Hibiki far ahead of them, bouncing around like she hadn't just climbed an exhausting number of steps. Meanwhile, Suzue was breathing heavily, her cheeks flushed from the effort. She paused to catch her breath, and Satoru slowed even further, matching her pace.
"Close enough to make sure she's okay."
'
His gaze drifted to her again, this time lingering longer. She looked exhausted. But still beautiful. He cursed his own thoughts, knowing that now was not the time.
«You good?» he asked, his voice softer than usual, the teasing edge absent.
Suzue nodded, though it was clear she was still catching her breath. «I'm fine.» she replied quietly, her voice tinged with exhaustion. «Just… Still a little out of shape, I guess.»
Satoru smirked, his signature grin returning as he gave her a sideways glance. «Out of shape? Nah. I'd say you're doing great, considering you were practically dead a few days ago.»
She shot him a half-hearted glare, but there was a hint of a smile there, too. «Thanks for the reminder.»
«Anytime.» He winked at her, though she probably couldn't see it behind his sunglasses. Still, the playful tone in his voice was unmistakable.
Satoru couldn't help but smile as he watched her, his eyes softening behind his sunglasses. She looked so... normal, and yet there was nothing normal about how much she had been through in those days. And yet, here she was, still standing, still climbing those damn stairs.
When they reached the final step, Hibiki was already at the top, bouncing around like she hadn't just climbed an ungodly number of stairs. Suzue, on the other hand, was clearly winded, her cheeks flushed pink from the effort. She paused for a moment, catching her breath.
The familiar grounds of the school stretched out before them, the imposing silhouette of the building looming in the background.
Satoru groaned inwardly. "Three days gone, without so much as a word. Yaga's gonna lose it."
They had left without a word, leaving the students to fend for themselves. Not the best look for the world's strongest sorcerer and his 'partner.'
"Yep. Not my finest moment."
He could already hear the lecture coming, but honestly? He wasn't in the mood. Maybe he could let Suzue handle it. She had that sweet, innocent demeanor that could melt even the toughest of hearts. Yaga wouldn't yell at her the way he yelled at Satoru.
"Yeah, she could totally smooth things over." he thought, glancing at her again. "She's got this calm, soothing presence. Perfect for defusing angry situations. Maybe I'll just… stand back and let her handle it."
She had that softness about her, the kind of gentle aura that made people want to protect her. Not that she was fragile. Not by a long shot. She was stronger than even she gave herself credit for.
He'd stand back and let her do the talking, maybe throw in a joke or two to lighten the mood.
«So, Suzue.» he began, rubbing the back of his neck with a sigh. «Think you're up for handling Yaga when we get inside? He's probably gonna give us hell for being gone so long, and I'm not really in the mood for a lecture.»
Suzue shot him a sidelong glance, her lips curving into a small, tired smile. «You want me to deal with Yaga so you don't have to?» she asked, a teasing lilt in her voice.
«Hey, I'm just saying, you've got that sweet, innocent thing going on. He'll go easy on you. Me, on the other hand?» Satoru shrugged dramatically. «I'm doomed.»
She let out a soft laugh, the sound light and musical, and for a moment, the weight she had been carrying seemed to lift, just a little.
'
Satoru stood there, stretching his arms lazily, his gaze flicking between Suzue and the path that led to the main building of Tokyo Jujutsu High. His headache was a dull, pulsing reminder of the overstimulation from his Six Eyes, paired with the inevitable confrontation with Yaga. He rubbed his temples, grimacing slightly.
"I swear this damn headache is going to kill me before Yaga does." Satoru grumbled internally, absently rubbing his temples as they stood at the foot of the Tokyo Jujutsu High's stairway.
Then, he felt it—a gentle, deliberate tug on the hem of his shirt. Satoru glanced down to find Suzue staring up at him with wide, pleading eyes. Those cursed, beautiful red eyes. The same look she always gave him when she wanted something, like some sort of adorable, dangerous weapon she wielded far too effectively.
His stomach twisted instinctively, knowing all too well that those eyes never meant anything good for his peace of mind.
"Oh no", he thought, his heart twisting instinctively
He'd faced countless cursed spirits, fought off unimaginable threats, but this? This was his true weakness. The way she looked at him—like he was the answer to every problem—made him want to give her whatever she asked for, even if he knew he shouldn't.
Suzue's soft voice broke through his thoughts. «I… I really need to do something first.»
Satoru immediately felt his guard rise, his hand instinctively running through his white hair. He was already conceding defeat, and they both knew it.
"Here we go." Satoru's eyebrow twitched. He glanced up at the sky briefly, as if begging for some divine intervention to save him from whatever Suzue was about to ask.
But of course, there was none. He knew there wouldn't be.
«Great.» he muttered, trying to keep the exasperation from leaking into his voice. «And what exactly is this 'something' you need to do?»
Suzue's expression softened further, and a small smile tugged at the corners of her lips. She knew she had him. Satoru's internal alarms went off, but it was already too late. That small, satisfied smile crossed her face, the one that always managed to get under his skin, even though he would never admit it. Seeing her happy—especially after everything—was worth a little bit of trouble. He could push off Yaga's scolding a bit longer if it meant making Suzue's day even marginally easier.
«I need to go to the historical archive.» she said, her tone soft but firm. Her eyes held his, unblinking.
Satoru raised an eyebrow, the teasing smirk creeping back onto his face as he crossed his arms. «The historical archive? Really, Suzue?» He leaned in just a bit, enough to catch the faint blush on her cheeks. «You do remember what happened the last time we went there, right? Nearly burned the school down, ring any bells?»
But even as he spoke, his voice laced with sarcasm, there was something nagging at him. Something about the way Suzue was looking at him, the quiet determination in her eyes.
She didn't laugh at his joke, didn't tease him back. Instead, she just nodded, resolute. «Yes, that Historical Archive. I need to go there.»
Satoru's smirk faltered, replaced by a more serious look. There was no teasing or second-guessing in her voice.
Whatever this was, it mattered to her. And if it mattered to Suzue, it mattered to him, even if he pretended otherwise.
«Fine.» he relented, running a hand through his white hair, his fingers brushing against his sunglasses perched on top of his head. He looked at her for a long moment, his gaze lingering on her face. «Lead the way, Suzue. Whatever you've got in that head of yours.»
Her face lit up like a spark, and Satoru sighed internally. No matter how many times she manipulated him like this, he couldn't help but feel a pang of warmth when she smiled. Maybe it was her quiet determination, maybe it was those cursed red eyes, or maybe... "Or maybe you're just such a sucker." he thought to himself, unable to keep the small smile from tugging at his own lips.
But before they could even take a step, Hibiki reappeared, bouncing behind them like an overeager puppy. Satoru shot her a quick glance and felt his patience teeter on the edge of a cliff. Not her. Not now.
Thankfully, Suzue must have been thinking the same thing. She turned toward Hibiki, her smile faltering only slightly as she tried to navigate the awkward situation. «Hibiki… Would you mind going to my room? It's on the first floor. You could, um… help move my things there? And… maybe, uh ... Go find the Assistants Manager and get settled in?»
It wasn't the most graceful way to redirect Hibiki, but it did the job. Hibiki's face lit up at the thought of being useful, her energy soaring at the idea of having something to do. «Of course! I'll get everything sorted right away! Don't worry about a thing!» And just like that, Hibiki darted off, her enthusiasm leaving Satoru feeling strangely relieved.
«Good job.» Satoru muttered, smirking at Suzue. «You got rid of the little pest for a bit.»
Suzue looked up at him, her lips quirking into a small smile, though her eyes held something deeper. «Come on, let's go.» she said softly.
He turned back to Suzue, curiosity dancing behind his eyes. «So, what's this really about?» he asked, keeping his tone light. «You trying to dodge Yaga's lecture too? Because, honestly, I'd support that decision 100%.»
Suzue's soft laugh was the only answer he needed, though her expression quickly shifted back to something more serious.
«I need to fix something.» she said simply, and with that, they descended into the lower levels of the school.
Satoru raised an eyebrow, intrigued but also wary. Suzue didn't just say things like that without a reason. Whatever she needed to do, it wasn't just about dodging Yaga's wrath. This was personal. He could feel it in the way she spoke, the way she carried herself.
'
Satoru followed her down the dimly lit hallways beneath the school, his senses alert despite the eerie quietness that filled the space. The scent of old paper and dust was thick in the air, mingling with the cool, stale atmosphere of the historical archives. The shadows clung to the walls, stretching and contorting as they moved deeper into the corridors. The silence between them grew heavier with every step, weighted by the unspoken understanding that had lingered since their return from the village.
Satoru's mind churned with an unsettling feeling, one he couldn't quite shake. Something was off. Not just with Suzue, but with everything. He had learned to trust his instincts long ago, and right now, they were screaming at him. But Suzue... she had that calm determination on her face, as if the weight of the world hadn't just come crashing down on her. He wanted to believe she was fine, that she was just processing things in her own way, but he wasn't so sure. Not anymore.
"You're overthinking it." he told himself, trying to keep his cool. "You always do this."
They reached the Historical Archive, the room dimly lit by a single hanging light that cast long shadows over the shelves of ancient tomes. Suzue moved purposefully, heading straight for a particular shelf. Satoru hung back for a moment, watching her carefully. He could feel his body tense in anticipation, as if he was waiting for something to go wrong.
She pulled down a massive, heavy tome—Genealogy of the Clans. He had seen it before, flipped through its pages with her. But this time Suzue was moving with a purpose he hadn't seen in her before, and it piqued his curiosity.
Satoru stood back, watching her intently, his arms crossed over his chest. His eyes never left her as she moved to the center table, where she set the ancient tome down with a dull thud that echoed through the room.
He stepped forward, his usual cocky demeanor slipping just enough for his concern to show, as he leaned over her shoulder, observing her every movement. There was no need for boundaries between them anymore, not after everything. It wasn't awkward—it was comfortable, almost intimate in its familiarity. But something was still gnawing at him, an itch he couldn't scratch.
He watched as she flipped through the book with careful hands, finally stopping at a page that detailed the genealogy of the Kujou clan. Satoru glanced at the entry, his interest piqued.
She pulled a pen from her pocket, her movements deliberate as she crossed out the nameless wife listed under the founder of the clan. In its place, she wrote: Kaede Kujou. Cursed Technique: Divine Flames.
Satoru raised an eyebrow, his smirk fading as he watched her with a more serious intensity. There was something about the way she did it, something almost final. It wasn't just about correcting the history; it felt personal, like she was reclaiming something that had been lost.
When she finished, Suzue stared at the entry for a long moment. Her face softened, and the tension in her shoulders melted away. Satoru could see the calm wash over her, like a weight had been lifted. For her, this was closure—or at least he hoped so.
Satoru stayed silent for a moment, watching her closely. He wanted to believe that this was enough, that she had found some peace in this small act. But there were still too many questions left unanswered, too much left unsaid. And then there was Kaede.
"God, you're spiraling again." he told himself, trying to pull his mind back from the edge. "You're overthinking it, man. Relax."
He leaned in even closer, his cheek almost brushing against hers as he stared at the page. «Feeling better now, firestarter?» His tone was playful, but softer than usual. He wanted to distract her, to see that smile on her face, even if only for a moment.
Suzue's lips curved into a small, bittersweet smile. «It just felt… right.» she whispered, her voice soft but steady. «I know no one else cares anymore, but… I do.»
Satoru watched her. She looked calm now, satisfied even, but that nagging feeling in the back of his mind refused to be silenced. She had closed a chapter of her life with this simple act, but Satoru knew better than to believe that was the end of it.
His gaze shifted to the name she had written: Kaede Kujou.
And below it, the name Toramasa Kujou. The founder of the clan. Satoru's eyes narrowed, his mind racing as the pieces slowly started to come together.
It was a name he had seen countless times before, but this time it rang differently in his ears. His mind flashed back to that moment by the river. The words Suzue had mumbled when he had pulled her out of the water.
Tora.
Toramasa.
It couldn't be a coincidence. Could it?
"You're seriously going down this road, aren't you?" Satoru thought, feeling the weight of his own paranoia creeping in. "This is ridiculous. You're making this a bigger deal than it is."
But no matter how much he tried to brush it off, the unease wouldn't go away. Suzue had spoken that name—no, she had whispered it, as if it was something deeply ingrained in her subconscious.
Satoru's eyes flicked to Suzue's face again, and a creeping unease settled over him. He leaned in closer, his cheek almost brushing against hers, his hand resting on the edge of the table as he scanned the page again.
Toramasa Kujou and Kaede. They had five children.
"Five children?"
Where had he heard that before? And why did it make his skin prickle with unease?
His stomach twisted as he stared at the names, his mind working overtime. Something wasn't adding up, and the more he thought about it, the more uneasy he felt.
"Stop it." he told himself firmly. "You're overthinking everything. You would've seen it by now if something was wrong. You're Satoru freakin' Gojo."
Yet that nagging voice in the back of his head refused to shut up.
He scanned Suzue again with his Six Eyes, searching for any irregularities, any sign that something was off. But there was still nothing. Everything about her was normal. Suzue was just… Suzue.
And yet, the doubt lingered as Sukuna's cryptic words came back in his mind. "And now I wonder if you're the real deal, but just broken."
His thoughts were darker now, turning over the possibility that had been gnawing at the back of his mind for days. What if the connection between them ran deeper than either of them had realized?
"You're being stupid." he thought. "You're seeing ghosts where there aren't any."
He cursed silently, his hand tightening into a fist by his side. His Six Eyes were telling him there was nothing wrong, but Satoru had learned long ago not to trust everything at face value. Not when his gut was telling him otherwise.
"Suzue is just Suzue?"
Suzue, seemingly unaware of the mental gymnastics Satoru was performing, closed the book with a soft thud. The sound echoed through the room, final, like the closing of a chapter. She turned to him with that same small, relieved smile, the kind that made his heart do something weird in his chest.
«Well,» he said, finally breaking the silence, «enough with the history lesson. We've got a lot of things to deal with, and Yaga's probably losing his mind by now.»
But even as he spoke, the thought lingered in the back of his mind, gnawing at him.
What if this had all been wrong from the start?
What if the person standing in front of him had been Kaede from the very beginning?
Satoru shook his head slightly, trying to clear his thoughts.
What if... there had never been a Suzue to begin with?
"You're overthinking this," he repeated to himself, taking a deep breath. "Get it together."
But no matter how much he tried to push it away, the question remained.
What if?
CURSED VILLAGE ARC: END
A/N
We finally reached the end of this original arc, and I have to say, it's been one hell of a ride! ₍₍ (・ω・) ⁾⁾
Thank you to everyone who's stuck with the story this far. The next couple of chapters will be a bit of a breather for our poor characters—they really deserve it after all they've been through, don't you think? But don't worry, the plot will still be moving forward, just at a slower pace while Satoru and Suzue catch their breath (and try to make sense of their chaotic feelings).
Facts:
-Satoru inspecting Suzue's leg and rebandaging her wound with his usual flair? Yeah, he probably thought he deserved a little reward for all his trouble. I mean, fishing her out of a cursed river, dealing with Hibiki's constant chaos, AND playing the caretaker role? Give the man some credit—he's earned a little moment of peace... or so he thinks.
-Shoutout to our girl Hibiki for surviving the chaos that is being stuck between Satoru's teasing and Suzue's recovery. I promise she'll have her time to shine!
-We're finally heading back to Tokyo Jujutsu High! Yes, that means we're reuniting with our beloved students and fellow teachers. I've missed writing about their antics and interactions so much, and I can't wait to bring them back into the mix!
-Satoru spends a good chunk of this chapter doing what he does best: overanalyzing everything. He might be the world's strongest sorcerer, but even he can't turn off that hyperactive brain of his! Sometimes it's like he's running a constant mental marathon, dissecting every little clue—especially when it involves Suzue. Honestly, he's probably one "it's just a coincidence" away from trying to figure out if he's living in some kind of simulation.
Hope you all enjoy the upcoming chapters and the little break before we dive back into the chaos! Thank you, as always, for your support, theories, and wonderful comments. They keep me going, and I can't wait to share what's next with you all! ( •̀ᴗ•́ )و ̑̑