Koi No Yokan (gojo x oc)

2. The Fastest

April 2005
Lunchtime, the next day.

I sat myself at the edge of the field the boys had used yesterday. Some of the grass had been smoothed back out, other patches still torn. All of it likely to get worse once this ends. Gojo Satoru is at the other end, stretching lanky limbs above his head, speaking with his fellow second years as if this were another regular day. I look away before he can realize I'm staring.

My gaze lowers to my shoes, rubbing against the grass to gain a feel for the ground. It was one thing to lose to Gojo Satoru, but it was another to fall flat on my face. It's happened before, especially when I make time jumps.

"Nervous?" Gojo Satoru is at my feet, expression still smug. That never seems to change. Neither does his enjoyment of confrontation.

"I don't think so."

He kneels down to level with me. "Hey, I have to know."

My shoes still against the ground. "What?"

"Are you crazy?!" He leans in so close the tip of his nose bumps into mine. "Seriously, do you have a death wish or something like that?"

His skin is spotless like Momo's, fair. I understand how it would feel in my hands just by looking at it. "Are you saying you'd kill me?"

"How could I kill you? You're the strongest Jujutsu this school has seen."

"I never said that."

"No, you said you're faster than me," Gojo says. "I won't kill you, not unless you're also lying about being quick. Still, Shoko is here to heal you if anything goes wrong."

He lingers for a moment, noses attached at the point, with nothing left to say. Then he stands upright and leaves for his side of the field again. Even his stride reeked of arrogance.

"You better kick his ass," Mariko arrives at my side, along with Nanami and Haibara. "Gojo seems to need a good kick in the ass."

"I don't think I'm able to do that."

"Don't tell me you're going into this to get your ass kicked," Haibara laughs hard. "You might be even crazier than we thought."

"It's not about that, really."

"Then what is it about?" Mariko asks.

"On one hand, my father misspoke and hurt Gojo-san's pride. On the other, neither of us know who's stronger, but at least this might show who's faster."

"But," Mariko hums in thought, "If you were faster, wouldn't that mean you're stronger."

The other second-years leave Gojo for the stands, "Ready to go?" he waves.

"If I'm lucky, I'll touch Gojo Satoru."

Mariko turns on her heel to the boys. "All of this.. To touch Gojo Satoru?"

"If that's what you wanted you could have just asked him out on a date," Haibara laughs. "You seem to have his attention well enough."

"No thanks," I say. "You guys should move."

"We'll see you after the match," Mariko says. "You know, hopefully..."

The pair leaves, but Nanami stays. "What is the point of all of this, really?"

"Everyone knows his technique is too strong for me to hit him. The winner will be deemed by whether the other—"

"That's not what I mean. Say you do determine you're faster and stronger than Gojo Satoru, then what?"

"Nanami-san," I say seriously. "That's everything."

"Beating Gojo Satoru?"

"Being the strongest."