𝗩𝗼𝗴𝗲𝗹 𝗶𝗺 𝗞ä𝗳𝗶𝗴 (Gosuku)

chapter 5; Are you lonely?

Third POV

It becomes daily for them, little Toru will cling to Sukuna on a daily basis, following the devil like a little duckling. At night Satoru will climb and cuddle Sukuna till morning since there's only one room, eat breakfast with Sukuna, and then play with his temari in Sukuna's front yard while Sukuna supervises, he will also stargaze, watch aurora with Sukuna

Satoru also gives Sukuna a nickname, Kuna. It's a cute nickname when he gets affectionate with him. Though Sukuna seems annoyed and tries to maintain his cold demeanor, Satoru's annoying, playful, and sometimes cute attitude makes him feel a sense of attachment to the boy. He feels like the boy isn't his enemy anymore, and he feels somewhat affectionate and protective over the boy.

One time, Satoru disobeyed Sukuna and went outside alone. The kid almost died because he let his guard down and was attacked by a special grade. Seeing this, our tsundere Kuna 'reluctantly' trains Satoru. The tsundere man said that it would be a hassle if Satoru got hurt, but it's just a way for Kuna to express that he's worried and cares for Satoru

Satoru knows this but keeps silent about it since he knows Sukuna will stop if he says a word. He trains hard every day to improve his jujutsu technique and strengthen his physical ability. Sukuna was very strict with his training, pushing Satoru to his limits. Sometimes, when Satoru messes up during the session, the curse scolds him without mercy. Still, Satoru takes his training as a way to get stronger, so he always gives it his all. At the end of his hard training, he always gets rewarded with a tender touch or a pat from Kuna

~~~~~~~~

"That's good enough, brat." Kuna ruffled his hair when Satoru managed to land a hit on Sukuna's chest. "You can beat a pack of wolves if you keep it up"

"Wow~ is that true?! Can I really beat a pack of wolves right now?!"
His face lit up with joy as he looked at the curse with his eyes full of excitement. He seemed so proud of himself for hearing Kuna praising him like that. He felt like he was on cloud 9 with the curse proud approval of his current strength

"Woah woah, don't push it, brat. There will always be room for improvement. You can join me for a hunt later, but now you have to learn to activate your infinity", Kuna replies with a chuckle

Satoru nodded his head, though he seemed a bit upset that he couldn't immediately join Kuna for a hunting session. However, he listens attentively to Kuna and follows his instructions. He tries to focus on learning how to properly activate his infinity. He seemed to really be putting in his best effort to learn the technique and try to impress Kuna

"Don't push yourself too hard. You're going to get sick, especially in this snowy weather". Kuna warned

Satoru pouts and frowned at Sukuna's warning, "I'm not that fragile, you know?"

Kuna gives him 'the look', Satoru grumbled, knowing that he couldn't disobey that look. "Fine", the kid said reluctantly

So the kid just settled watching the shirtless Kuna, cutting firewood with an axe. The man looks unbothered by the cold weather around him. He was as warm as ever

"Hey... I'm wondering... have you felt lonely?", Satoru blurted out without realizing

Kuna paused his movement and looked at Satoru in surprise. Satoru realized that he was just asking a sensitive question and immediately started blabbering

"W-wait! I didn't mean it like that! I mean-! Um- it's just... you live alone. I-in the woods so I was just curious-" "I'm fine", Sukuna cut off. "This is the place I choose to be"

Satoru tilted his head in confusion, "But why? Why in this forest?"

The kid was confused why someone like Sukuna would like to live in the middle of nowhere, filled with wild animals, cursed spirits, and... alone. There's no human in sight within this forest. Meanwhile, in town, people would gossip about Sukuna wracking havoc on some villages and sorcerers

"I just don't want to associate with you people", Sukuna said bluntly. "Hey! What do you mean by 'you people'?!". Satoru looks offended

"It's exactly what I meant, brat. It's more peaceful here if you live quietly"

Satoru frowns in confusion. He didn't understand. It's not like living outside these woods is bad. He is the living proof of it... right?

This forest is beautiful, sure. But, Sukuna is alone... he doesn't talk to anybody, as far as he observes

"Don't you wanna go outside?", Satoru asked

"Why would I wanna go outside?"

"I don't know... maybe meeting people?"

"People hate me, brat"

"But, I don't hate you"

Sukuna paused. He looks at the kid with a blank face before chuckling and ruffling Satoru's fluffy white-haired

"Maybe that's because you're weird"

Satoru gasped and pouted, "Am not!"

"Yes you are"

"And how am I weird?!"

"You didn't fear me is already weird enough"

"Kuna is nice. You saved me from wolves, fed me, and gave me a place to stay. How can I hate you?"

Sukuna blinked, then sighed. "Well, that's fair enough"

Satoru frowns, "I'm serious, you know?"

"Yeah?"

"Yeah". Satoru said firmly
"I wanna be strong. So one day I'll be the one who protects you... and perhaps get you out of this forest"
Satoru said the last sentence quietly, so Sukuna didn't hear them

Sukuna laughed, "I don't need nobody's protection, brat!"

"I know you don't need them. But it feels nice to have someone who has your back, you know?"

Sukuna looked at him with an unreadable expression

"You would do that for me, kid?"

"Of course, I would! I promise!", Satoru said with determination glimmering in his blue eyes

"Okay, do whatever you want. You're such a weird kid"

Satoru was about to reply with a snarky comment when suddenly he stopped. His heart felt like it was about to burst out of his chest. A wind has slightly lifted Sukuna's veil, revealing his side profile

One primary and secondary red eyes that resemble a ruby, curse markings on his cheek, and... a smile... a fond smile on his face

The image burns into the kid's mind. And by that, he concluded. Something that he will forever take to the grave

'Sukuna is the most beautiful person he ever seen'

~to be continued~

*1083 words