Sea Of Stars | Satoru Gojo

Chapter 9 - The Strongest

The unfamiliar ceiling was the very first thing that I saw when I opened my eyes. I tried to move my body but I instantly felt how painful it is to do so I just layed there with my eyes opened.

"Salmon roe."

From the corner of my eyes, I saw Toge standing up. I don't know what he means by that so I just shut my mouth because I felt like my throat sores so bad.

He walked out of the room and after a few moments later, people started entering one by one.

"Naomi-sensei! Are you alright?" Yuji asked, running towards me.

"Where am I?" I asked weakly. Even opening my mouth makes me feel uncomfortable.

"You're in the school's infirmary. I'm Shoko Ieiri, the head of the infirmary of Tokyo Jujutsu High. You seemed to be suffering from so much exhaustion, your cursed energy is so low at this very moment. I've tried to apply a reverse cursed technique but it doesn't seem to help you on your situation." A woman wearing a lab gown who I think is just a few years older than me said. She looked kinda familiar for me, I think I might've seem him with my brother before.

I was about to tell her that I'm suffering from the side effects of the cursed technique that I casted when Satoru entered the room.

All eyes were on him as he headed towards me. "Can I have a moment with Naomi first? It'll be quick. I just want to ask her something." He sounded so serious while saying that.

They quickly left the room and when it was just the two of us, I looked at him confusedly.

"Why did you lie about the side effect? I can see that you're so low now. Is this effect for good?"

"Like I said, this is just nothing. I'll recover fully in two weeks. I haven't perfected that technique yet that's why it nearly took away all my energy." I explained and looked away. Ugh, discussing with him even makes me weaker.

I heard him sighed and sat down the chair beside my bed.

"Naomi, you could've killed yourself back then and leaving me having no idea why you died. Why do you keep on keeping things to yourself?" He sounded so mad right now.

Even though it was kinda painful, I forced myself to sit and look at him. "Aren't we the same, Satoru? We keep secrets from each other and I don't remember anything about telling you everything about me. We aren't related in every way. Let's not pry on each other's life. I understand that you value my presence because I'd be of good use to you but let's not cross boundaries, shall we?" I retorted. He must've been surprised by the way I approached him.

His expression darkened as he clenched his fists. "Was that reason why you've been acting strangely around me? Because you thought that you're just some foundation to my plans that I needed to protect? Was that it? Naomi, we've been together since we are kids! Is that not enough reason for you to lean on me?"

"I promised you that I'll protect Itadori even if it'll cost me my life until we both destroy the higher-ups and make a better world for us sorcerers. I know you're worried that maybe after this, I'd give up and walk away. I don't plan on breaking up that promise to you. I can't walk away from you, not now when I have learnt that you tried to save my brother during that day." I stated softly, trying to prevent my voice from cracking.

I looked down on my hand as tears started to form on the corner of my eyes.

"How did you know about that?" He seem surprised with the thought of me knowing the reason why up until now the higher-ups hated him and vice versa.

"I just know." I replied bitterly.

Truth is, I found out about it just a days ago when I overheard him talking to Nanami about Naoki.