HAVEN || SATORU GOJO

XVIII

THE AFTERNOON SUN PEEKED THROUGH the windows, a familiar buzz filled the corridors of a bustling school. The scent of freshly waxed floors mingled with the aroma of brewing coffee from the faculty lounge created a distinct atmosphere.

Students, clad in their uniforms, hurriedly shuffled through the hallways, bags slung over shoulders and books clutched tightly in their hands. Lockers clanged open and shut, conversations punctuated by youthful laughter and excited whispers, floated between passing classmates about a certain male.

Teachers ended their lesson plans and arranged materials for the the following day's instruction. The familiar ringing of the last period bell reverberated throughout the building, signaling the end of the day.

"Hey Megumi! Is your mom picking you up today?" There was a boy, seemingly going through his stages of puberty as he staggered onto his friend who continued to walk without a care, holding himself in countenance.

"If she is .. you should let us tag along!" The second boy chimed in suggestively.

He only checked the time on his watch. "No .. but if you come near her with wrong intentions .. I won't be the one to kill you." Megumi Fushiguro was always harsh. His friends were rather used to it and stayed by him nonetheless even if the ravenette didn't consider them his friends.

His 'mother' was hailed as a saint amongst their cohort.

His bento boxes were always made with extremely caring food and a note every day, and some days she would even pick him up from school like a child, despite him being a teenager now.

At first, the other kids would make fun of him .. but when the woman had learned that the boy had made friends, she had packed them separate snacks and side dishes for megumi to share.

She always did dote on him.

The sorceress loved doing these gestures .. but always complained about how her age was starting to catch up to her and that she was no longer fun .. he questioned if she ever was in the first place.

The summer heat was getting to everyone again .. tourists were hitting japan, especially tokyo for visits nowadays and leaving pollution everywhere. All of these things caused an uprise in curses. It was steady however, so it wasn't as bad. But the woman was definitely busier that she used to be.

She and Gojo had recently come back from New Zealand with really bad jetlag so they wasted away at home a few days prior before resuming their duties.

Honestly, Megumi couldn't believe that they were reaching their late twenties now. In just a couple years, they would be in their thirties.

Time really did fly.

The two special grade sorcerers had owned their own home for four or five years now, he had lost track. But the ten shadow's user had still declined their offer to have him move in with them.

So instead they settled with having him living nearby, out of the slums where he wouldn't have to worry about nailing his window screens shut and triple locking the doors in addition to fixing the leaky roof.

It was almost surreal that they could just buy two houses in such a short amount of time upfront. As soon as Megumi showed interest in the structure of the home, Rieka had purchased it on the pretense that it was the first house that the boy seemed intrigued in.

Whatever house he liked, they bought, trusting his sharp intuition.

It was nestled amidst a quiet neighborhood, a modern home with a simple meticulous exterior adorned with clean lines and neutral tones, seamlessly blending with the surrounding landscape. Inside, there was a foyer with polished wooden floors that whispered softly underfoot. The walls, adorned with minimalist artwork purchased from local artists and soft hues, exuded a sense of tranquility and harmony.