The Strongest | ɢᴏᴊᴏ ꜱᴀᴛᴏʀᴜ

Chapter 15

Evening is falling. It's getting dark, and we're still outside. And we're both still alive. I can't believe it. What's even less believable is that I'm almost having a good time. Almost. That damn fool is kind of entertaining when I'm not so uptight about it. Besides, when we insult each other now, it almost feels like we're only joking and making fun even though I know for sure that when I say something rude, I mean it.

We even took care of a cursed spirit earlier. We were in another clothing store, and when we got to the checkout, we saw the curse that was wrapped around the employee's torso, squeezing. The man gasped for air sometimes, but for normal humans, it would look like asthma. Gojo and I knew better. I exorcized the curse wordlessly and inconspicuously, and the man was able to take a deep, relieved breath. It made me smile, and I saw that Gojo was smiling, too, even though he didn't say anything. He must have known that the curse was there from the moment we stepped into the store, but he hadn't said anything. I wonder why.

Now, we're on our way back to the hotel because my feet are aching, and I'm desperate for a shower; I've been sweating the whole day. Maybe I even want to give Gojo a break, finally, after he's been carrying my bags for me the whole day. What a good little donkey he is, isn't he?

But somehow, for some unexplainable reason, I don't want to go back yet. I'm hungry, yes, I haven't eaten much all day, but I don't want to go back yet. Just for a little while longer, I want to pretend that he could be someone I like. Only for a few more hours do I want to stay in this illusion that he's not an idiot. But I'm hoping that when we have dinner, he won't be an asshole again. For my part, I'm trying very hard not to be, and I think he noticed that.

When we reach the third floor of the hotel, there's a strange feeling between us. I think Gojo and I both realize that only two days ago, we couldn't even stand to come up here together. It's a very weird thing to realize - that you're becoming friends with someone.

"See you in half an hour?" I ask. "Is that enough time for you to make yourself pretty?" My tone is mocking as I'm making fun of him, but it's really just that: fun.

Gojo's face lights up with a huge grin that cuts right through the tension that was there before. "I'll see you downstairs."

That makes me snort, and I raise my eyebrows. "Oh, so you'll let me get there all by myself?"

But the man shakes his head and tilts it down again so his glasses give way to his eyes. "You're a big girl," he grins. "Maybe I'll escort you back to your room if dinner goes well."

I roll my eyes again as I swipe my keycard to unlock my door. "Keep dreaming, Romeo," I say, pushing the door open.

Gojo follows me two steps inside, puts my bags down, and then goes back into the hallway. "Oh, I will."

With that, he throws me one last smirk before closing the door, leaving me alone in my room. I exhale a long breath and sink onto the bed. Holy shit, what was that? Holy shit. Holy -

I get up again and start pacing through my room. What is happening? Am I starting to... like him? Impossible. Did I forget what he did to me the last few weeks? What I've done to him? The words we said to each other and the way we said them? Did I forget that he made me dislike the job I was so excited about? Did I forget that he made me regret having gotten out of bed every single morning?

I think I did. I think I forgot. Because this morning, I almost couldn't wait to get out of bed. I hurried in the shower once I remembered his keycard.

There's a bag on the floor that I haven't seen, and I stumble over it, landing on my hands and knees. I'm breathing heavily, and I think I'm hyperventilating, but I never have before, so I don't know if this is what it feels like. My eyes fall on the clothes that spilled out of the bag. The black dress.

You know what? If this is it, if this is really how it's going to be, then I might as well make the damn most of it. I grab the dress and raise myself off the carpet. Gojo wanted me in that dress? Fine, he can get what he wants. Just this once, I'll humor him. Just this once, I'll give in. Because I want to wear the dress. In the end, I don't care who sees me in it. I'm wearing it for me.

Shower, shave, lotion, blow-dry my hair. I'm done in twenty-five minutes, which gives me five minutes to squeeze myself into the dress, position my boobs, and slip into the black heels that I bought in the same store as Gojo bought his brown dress shoes. I leave my watch and knives on the bedside table because I don't think I'll need either of them during dinner.

Once the elevator doors close, I realize that I'm jittery. Why? Am I nervous? I'm probably just starving. And thirsty, probably. Water. I want water. I take a deep breath and turn around to look at myself in the mirror. I look good. My cleavage looks fantastic in this dress, and so do my legs. For once, my hair isn't in a ponytail but instead falling over my shoulders. I usually have it tied back because it's easier to handle in combat. I don't anticipate a physical fight this evening, so letting my hair down should be fine. Just in case, I have a hair tie on my wrist.

The elevator doors open to lead me into the hallway to the dining room. It only takes a few steps to reach the wide, opened double-doors of the dining room. Chatter is getting louder the closer I get to the room. The second I'm through the doors, I immediately spot Gojo. He's at the same table again, and he's wearing the blue shirt I picked out for him, which almost makes me smile. Almost.

But when he turns his head to look at me even though I'm still a few steps away, he looks so startled. He gets up with such a force that his legs knock against the table, rattling the glasses and silverware. And that makes me smile. God, he really is an idiot, isn't he? A big, stupid, silly idiot. And tall. He's a tall, stupid, silly... handsome idiot.

I roll my eyes as I reach the table. "Sit down, you're embarrassing yourself."

He needs another second to react even when I'm already seated. "You -" he starts to say. "Great dress."

"Oh, do you like it?" I feign surprise.

Gojo clears his throat. "Yes, it's... it's fine. Nice color."