Bound In Love's Curse [Gojo Satoru x Female Readers]

58 ~ Fifty-Eight

[T]he city streets pulsed with life as Nanami took the lead, guiding you and the group of jujutsu high school students through the bustling urban landscape.

You couldn't help but feel a twinge of disappointment at Gojo Satoru's absence, knowing he was on another assignment.

As you strolled through the bustling streets, your gaze lazily drifting over the storefronts, Maki and Toge followed behind, their expressions unreadable as always.

"Are we good on everything?" you asked, your voice flat as you glanced back at them.

Maki's stoic demeanor remained unchanged as she nodded. "We've got all the essentials."

But just as you were about to continue, a sweet aroma wafted through the air, catching your attention.

You halted in your tracks, a sudden idea sparking in your mind.

"Wait a sec," you said, turning to the others. "How about grabbing some cupcakes?"

Maki and Toge exchanged a puzzled glance, clearly not expecting your suggestion.

"Cupcakes?" The green-haired teenage girl raised an eyebrow.

You nodded, "Yeah, we've got the cake and decorations sorted, but mixing it up with some cupcakes would add a nice touch, don't you think?"

"Sounds like something Gojo Satoru would enjoy," Maki remarked casually.

You blinked at her, a bit surprised by her comment, then ventured cautiously, "I've been wondering... why don't you ever call Gojo Satoru by his title of Sensei?"

"Because he's a total idiot," Maki responded bluntly, her words drawing a low chuckle from Nanami, who walked beside you with his usual deadpan expression.

Nanami's demeanor remained unchanged as he agreed, "Can't argue with that."

"Totally," you chimed in, nodding in agreement, unable to deny the truth in Maki's statement.

"Anyway. Are you sure you want to add more desserts to the party?" Nanami raised an eyebrow, his deadpan expression softening slightly with a hint of amusement.

The thought of the treats Gojo Satoru had given you, still untouched, crossed your mind as you neared the bakery, the aroma stirring cravings within you.

You nodded firmly. "Absolutely. The more, the merrier, right? And we all know Gojo Satoru can't resist something sweet."

"You two are similar in many ways yet oddly different," Nanami remarked, his observation catching your attention just as you reached for the door to the bakery.

You arched an inquisitive eyebrow at him. "Is that a compliment?"

Nanami shrugged nonchalantly. "Who knows—"

"Y/N?" A voice called out, causing both of you to turn towards its source simultaneously.

You couldn't help but feel a sense of déjà vu; it seemed like you couldn't take a step off jujutsu high's premises without running into him.

"Senpai?" You raised a dubious eyebrow at Shinji. "What are you doing here? Starting to think you're following me everywhere."

Shinji's cheeks tinged pink with embarrassment. "N-no, not at all," he denied sheepishly. "My wife owns this bakery. Just dropped by to pick her up."

"I see," you nodded pensively, then turned to Nanami. "Can I trust you to help the kids pick out some goodies for later?"

"Of course," Nanami replied, nodding before ushering the children inside the bakery. Once they were out of earshot, you turned back to Shinji.

"So?" you began cautiously. "H-how's Kota-kun?"

Shinji's expression shifted, momentarily dumbfounded by your question. "Kota?" he rasped, averting his gaze nervously. "Didn't your... partner tell you?"

"Tell me what?"

"He..." Shinji sighed heavily, chewing on his lower lip as if grappling with how to break the news to you. "Kota passed away the day after he was admitted."

***

The journey back to the school was quiet, the weight of Shinji's words lingering heavily in the air.

Each step felt heavier than the last as you tried to process the news of Kota's passing.

Barely crossing the first Torii gate, you caught sight of a familiar figure beneath the second gate. Gojo Satoru stood there, his trademark smirk in place, as if oblivious to the somber mood that enveloped you.

"Back already? Did you miss me?" Gojo's voice broke through the silence, his tone playful, but it fell flat against the heaviness of the moment.

You felt sick to your stomach, your expression deadpan as you struggled to find the right words to respond.

Nanami exchanged a subtle glance with Maki and Toge, silently conveying his own puzzlement.

"We need to talk," you managed to say, your voice barely above a whisper as you walked past him.

Gojo's smile faded, replaced by a complicated frown as he turned to you, his blindfolded eyes searching for answers.

"What's going on?" he asked softly, his tone tinged with a hint of concern.

You took a deep breath, bracing yourself before responding, "Let's meet up in your office later. We'll talk about it..."

God, you were struggling not to let your emotions get the better of you.

You wanted to demand answers from him, to know why he kept it a secret from you. But deep down, you knew there were reasons, whether you wanted to admit it or not.

Gojo registered the conflict in your expression, his smirk tightening slightly.

"Alright," he chirped, attempting to shift the focus. "Let's get started with setting everything up, okay? I bet Yuta's going to be surprised."

You couldn't help but feel a pang of betrayal, the sense of being disregarded and let down washing over you. But you knew better than to expect too much from others, especially in times like these.

It wasn't the first time you'd experienced this kind of disappointment, and you doubted it would be the last.

Yet, the sting of it still cut deep, leaving you feeling raw and vulnerable.

"I've got a few things left to handle," you stated, your voice hollow. Then turning to the two teenagers, "Can I trust you both to take care of everything for later?"

"Salmon," Toge nodded, offering his encouragement.

You were about to pat his head, but withdrew your hand midair.

What if you were truly cursed?

You pulled back, a move both Gojo and Nanami noticed. It was agonizing for them to see you maintain a facade of calm, knowing something was eating away at you.

"Very well, catch y'all later," you forced a smirk, though it didn't quite reach your eyes. With that, you walked away.

Once you were out of earshot, Maki turned to the white-haired sorcerer. "What's going on?"

"What do you mean, what's going on?"

"She was fine earlier. Don't think I haven't noticed how she acts around you."

"Huh? How's that my fault?"

"I think it's connected to the man she met earlier," Nanami interjected, his gaze following your retreating figure.

"Who?" The white-haired sorcerer asked.

"The guy, the detective friend of Y/N."

Gojo's jaw clenched slightly at the mention, a flicker of unease crossing his features. Curse his luck, you knew. So, he couldn't play dumb anymore.