Koi No Yokan (gojo x oc)

Juju Stroll: A Final Request

"You know what I've thought about once or twice, Kaede-san."

"What?"

Riko is tucked into the luxurious bed provided by the suite Satoru has booked. In the corner, closest to the window, Kaede sits in the chair that she and Suguru will exchange every few hours, taking turns to guard the girl throughout the night.

"I always wanted to experience romance or a boyfriend at some point."

Kaede laughs slightly. "Aren't you too young to be thinking about that sort of thing?"

"I might as well think of it now, seeing as this is the oldest I'll ever be."

The smile immediately fades from Kaede's lips. She's forced to turn her gaze out towards the window—anywhere except towards Riko, whom she fights heavy tears for.

"I think it would be nice to have felt that just once," Riko says, "Like what you and Gojo-san have."

"Me and Gojo-san?"

"I saw you holding hands on the plane. And again at the aquarium. I assumed..."

"It's not like that."

"You don't love him?"

The answer sounds robotic coming from her mouth, "Of course I do, he's my best friend."

Riko pouts in her bed, "How disappointing."

The two fall silent for some time, Riko fidgeting beneath the covers, Kaede staring out towards the endless darkness of the sky, unable to stop thinking that this might be the last night Riko will ever see.

"Do you want to keep a secret between the two of us, Riko-chan?"

She sits up at Kaede's sudden words. "Of course."

"I love him so much that sometimes it feels hard to breathe."

But admitting as much, felt like the largest breath of fresh air.

"Can I ask one final favor from you then?"

Kaede straightens up. "Anything."

"Tell him."

"It's complicated for Jujutsu to do that sort of thing."

"Maybe, but if there's anything I've grown to understand, it's why not live your life to the fullest while you still have it?"

Kaede stumbles over her next words, stopped entirely when Suguru opens the door. "I'll keep watch for now. Get some rest, Kaede-chan. Maybe you can convince Satoru to do the same."

She cannot help but be overcome by a sense of guilt—for sharing such a sacred confession, for opening the door to such an impossible request. 

She gives Suguru the seat, nearly out the door when Riko calls out, "Kaede-san. Please. For me."

Kaede herself wants to do her own fair share of begging. "Please don't ask this of me. Please don't let Tengen-sama take you away tomorrow. Please don't give up your life for this sick and disgusting world. It doesn't deserve you."

"I'll think about it," is all she says. "Go to bed."