HAVEN || SATORU GOJO

VI

IT WAS THE LAST SNOWFALL OF THE YEAR many of the streets were empty but stores still remained open. The city was covered in an entire blanket of snow as footprints dug into the ice. There were lights strung up on the outside of stores and pine trees with glowing stars on top.

Typically around this time of year, jujutsu sorcerers had less jobs to do as the festivities and the holidays kept many people happy, limiting the negative emotions produced, thus creating less curses.

So Rieka Urashima found herself alone for the holidays .. well not quite.

"Hey Suguru .. I know you and Shoko are going back home today, but are you taking Satoru with you?" It was a bit of a stretched out question.

Even though the pair was close, Gojo never spent holidays or anything with his family, nonetheless met them.

"You know Satoru, he's not the type of person to celebrate." The raven haired male had his hands in his pocket, his hair tied up in a bun as per usual.

As of late, Rieka hadn't seen Gojo actually. Of course it wasn't anything out of the ordinary for them to not see each other .. but even his birthday had passed.

And ever since the mission of hers from a few weeks ago, she hadn't been out on many since.

"I guess .. get home safely, there's presents waiting for both of you when you get back~" Rieka hummed, ruffling both of their heads. Shoko smiled a bit, giving her senpai a hug.

"You'll be alright?"

"You know I will." Rieka watched as the two cars drove away into the distance, disappearing into the ashen smoke.

Now she had one more troublesome kouhai to worry about, the most childish of them all.

Suguru entrusted her with his safety as he had gone back home to visit his parents for the first time since he began attending Jujutsu tech, the same went for Shoko who had finished getting her certification for becoming a doctor's assistant.

Soon but not soon enough, Rieka would be a third year and her beloved kouhai would become second years as a new fresh group of buds grew into their school. It was always her happiest time of the year.

Rieka hummed .. walking alone through the streets of Tokyo that were typically busy and crowded. Some store owners waved as she waved back, skipping down the road with a purpose.

The lamps were decorated with garlands and the parks had little noelle bells on them. everything was quiet.

She stopped when she reached the large glass window, pastel green painted exterior and a large gold rim sign that read the name of a sweets store.

There was no one currently at the counter but the jingling sound alerted them that there was. She was sure they were busy for the holidays with pick up orders even though their store was empty. Empty except one person.

"I knew you'd be here." There was a boy who was crouched down on the ground in the corner of the store. He had a bag in his hand, likely filled with teeth rotting sweets.

Satoru Gojo looked like a kicked puppy. Rieka pat the top of his head .. it was still cold from the snow outside and slightly damp. His cheeks were rosy, adapting to the warmth of the store.

He spent all day trying to not answer her phone calls. The urge to do so was so strong and tempting.

The want to hear her voice.

The proclaimed strongest stood up, his stature that went well above her own .. but his eyes didn't meet her until she grabbed the sleeve of his jacket. "Are you avoiding me?"