𝐈𝐤𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐢 | 𝐒. 𝐆𝐨𝐣𝐨 ✔️

Chapter 13

"NOT TALKING?!"Shoko shouted from the other line. "Why the hell not? What happened between you two? You were fine when we left"

Your laughter rang out nervously in response to Shoko's passionate interrogation, a feeble attempt to diffuse the tension that hung heavy in the air.

"Exactly, Shoko," you replied, your voice strained with uncertainty. "We were friends, but... things change, you know?"

But Shoko's retort cut through your feeble attempt at deflection, her words hitting painfully close to home. "Just friends? You two?" she scoffed, her tone incredulous. "We all have seen the way Gojo looks at you, y/n. So, stop pretending you're just friends."

"What are you saying, Shoko?" you responded, your voice tinged with confusion. Shoko's unexpected declaration had caught you off guard, leaving you reeling with uncertainty.

"Look y/n, don't worry. School is around the corner, just about to start. You don't have to worry about a single thing. I will fix this, okay?" she said.

"I appreciate your concern, Shoko," you replied hesitantly, your mind racing with unanswered questions. "But I'm not sure if there's anything to fix. Maybe it's best if I just... let things be."

"Shoko, I don't see what the big deal is, really," you said, trying to lighten the mood with a hint of laughter in your voice. "Can we just focus on school starting and us being once again together? Yay!"

Your attempt at humor seemed to ease the tension between you and Shoko, eliciting a small chuckle from her as she shifted the conversation to more lighthearted topics.

With school looming just a week away, you couldn't shake off the feeling of dread. Your parents had jetted off on yet another holiday, leaving you alone in the house. For the past two days, you hadn't mustered the energy to do much beyond basic necessities like using the bathroom and grabbing some water. The emptiness of the house weighed heavily on you, and the thought of facing another day alone felt suffocating.

The thought of reaching out to Gojo for companionship crossed your mind, but stubbornness held you back. You couldn't bring yourself to even consider it, not after the way things had ended between you. The bitterness and resentment simmered within you, fueled by the memory of Akari's interference. The desire to lash out at her gnawed at your insides, but you knew deep down that violence wasn't the answer. Despite the overwhelming urge to confront her, you remained trapped in a cycle of anger and isolation, unable to break free from the grip of your own stubbornness.

The anticipation of seeing Shoko brought a spark of excitement, offering a break from the loneliness that weighed heavily on you. Despite only hanging out a couple of times in the past few months, her company was something you looked forward to.

On the other hand, Geto's daily calls and endless conversations provided a sense of companionship that made the days more bearable. His presence, even from afar, made you feel less alone and more connected to the world around you.

In their own ways, both Shoko and Geto were sources of comfort and companionship during this time of solitude. You were grateful to have these two in your life.

· · ─ ·𖥸· ─ · ·

Recognizing that spending the remaining weeks of summer holed up in your room wasn't the best way to pass the time, you made a conscious decision to get up and get moving. After getting dressed, you stepped out into the world, the warmth of the sun kissing your skin as you ventured out for a walk around the city center.

As you strolled along the bustling streets, the sights and sounds of the city enveloped you, offering a welcome distraction from the solitude that had weighed heavily on you in recent days. The vibrant energy of the city breathed new life into your spirit, filling you with a renewed sense of vitality and purpose.

Your gaze swept across the bustling crowd, taking in the array of faces that passed by. Among them, a familiar face caught your attention-a face you had come to associate with feelings of frustration and resentment. It was Akari, accompanied by an older who appeared to be her grandfather.

Caught off guard by the unexpected turn of events, a gasp escaped your lips as you watched Akari engage in a seemingly intimate moment with the older gentleman. The sight sent shockwaves through your system, leaving you reeling with disbelief and confusion.

As you continued to watch, the scene unfolded before you, each moment more surreal than the last. The realization dawned on you that the man mustn't be her grandfather.

The shock of witnessing such a scene held you in its grip as Akari and the older gentleman continued on their way, hand in hand, their backs turned to you as they disappeared into the bustling crowd.

Your hand pressed against your mouth in a futile attempt to stifle the gasp that threatened to escape as you continued to walk the opposite way of them. The shock of the moment reverberated through you, leaving you reeling with disbelief and uncertainty.

"Oh my god," you muttered under your breath, the words a whispered.

The need for a release from the overwhelming emotions clawing at your insides gnawed at you, and the familiar craving for a cigarette tugged at your senses. With trembling hands, you reached into your pocket, fingers fumbling for the comforting weight of the pack.

Drawing out a cigarette, you brought it to your lips with unsteady hands, the flame of the lighter casting flickering shadows across your face as you took a deep drag. The sharp tang of smoke filled your lungs, offering a temporary reprieve from the chaos and confusion that swirled within.

As you exhaled a plume of smoke into the air, the tension that had gripped you began to ebb away, replaced by a fleeting sense of calm. For a brief moment, the world seemed to fade into the background, leaving only you and the comforting embrace of nicotine to soothe your troubled mind.

But even as you sought solace in the familiar ritual, the memory of what you had witnessed lingered in the back of your mind. It was making you want to puke.