After finishing jjk, I found myself craving something more- so I started writing this story!
I wanted to explore a relationship that Gege Akutami never fully shows, yet very subtly hints at: the shared past between Gojo Satoru and Utahime Iori. I've...
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It was around six in the evening.
The humid heat of Tokyo still lingered in the late afternoon air.
It was now the beginning of July.
The trees had regained their full summer foliage, their branches heavy with rich green leaves.
Utahime sat on the wooden veranda surrounding the house with the other girls.
They were eating salmon onigiri and chatting idly together.
"So... Utahime," Saori said suddenly, her voice dripping with contempt, "Would you care to tell us where you disappear to every Sunday afternoon?"
At once, every eye turned towards Utahime.
"Did you really think we hadn't noticed your suspicious little comings and goings?" Saori went on with a sneer. "So? Tell us. Do you have a boyfriend?"
This time, Utahime nearly choked on her onigiri.
A boyfriend?
What on earth was Saori talking about?
"Saori, stop it," Aiko cut in immediately, trying to defend her friend. "Why are you talking such nonsense?"
"If she has nothing to hide, then she can answer for herself, can't she?" Saori shot back, clearly irritated that Aiko always took Utahime's side. "She doesn't need you to speak for her."
"I just go to the Buddhist temple near the estate," Utahime replied evenly.
"Ohhh, how pious you are," Saori mocked. "Every single Sunday afternoon?"
"I don't see how that is any of your concern," Utahime said coldly.
Then she got to her feet and walked away.
Aiko rose at once and hurried after her.
Together, they headed back towards their rooms.
"I'm sorry, Aiko," Utahime said quietly as they walked. "Because of me, Saori is starting to target you as well."
"Don't worry," Aiko replied. "She's always been like that."
"Still... Thank you. For everything."
Saori's cruel remarks had been constant ever since Utahime's arrival.
Utahime could endure them well enough when they were aimed at her. But she hated it when Saori turned that malice on Aiko.
Aiko was a gentle, fragile girl, and Utahime was always afraid that one day something truly cruel would happen to her.
If that ever came to pass because of Saori, Utahime knew she would never forgive her.
