Future. | Satoru Gojo

welcome & goodbye

"I guess I knew that this day would come."

Shoko is standing in the doorway, with two packed suitcases, and a pack of cigarettes peeking out of her white lab coat's pocket. Today, she will finally return back to Jujutsu High. "And this is what you want?" I ask my best friend, slightly heartbroken that she won't be around much anymore.

"I wouldn't say I want to." Shoko says, hiding behind her smile. Her hair has grown out slightly past her shoulders, distracting the world from the eyebags that have increasingly gotten worse since high school. Part of me feels guilty, it feels like I stole her childhood away when I lost mine. She helped me raise Kai, she stuck by me when I was at my lowest. The least I can do is support her decision to return back to where she is needed. I know that after Suguru left, something changed in her. Maybe it was her first time experiencing that kind of loss, if it hurt me, then it must have destroyed her.

"You got everything that you need, right? Did you forget anything?" I ask her, my motherly instinct kicking in. "Yes, Mom." She jokes, and rolls her eyes. "I just want to know you'll be okay." I tell her, and give her shoulder a little pat. "I'm an adult now, I can leave whenever I want. Things are different now. I'll be fine, (Y/n)." Shoko says, trying to reassure me, but I can't help but worry. Shoko takes notice of my concerned face, and pouts her lips a bit.

"I'll be fine. I'm more worried about you." Shoko says in a hushed tone, trying not to grab the attention of Kai, who is playing in his room. "Of course. You're only a phone call away, after all." I tell her. The last thing she needs to worry about is me or Kai. In the distance, I can hear the soft rumble of a car. Obviously sent from Jujutsu High, it's very rare for a car to be seen in the village. "Toothpaste? Pajamas? Shampoo?" I ask her, still worried that she is forgetting something. "I promise it's fine." Shoko tells me, rolling her eyes once again.

"And these." I say, tapping the cigarette pack hanging out of her coat pocket. "You said you were going to at least try to quit." I whisper to her with wide eyes. "I am trying. It's an emergency pack." She says in a sympathetic tone, and I giggle in return.

Honk... Honk

I fight back the tears, as a taxi parks in front of our house. "Kai! Come say goodbye to your aunt!" I yell in the direction of his room, and I can hear his small feet patter against the floor. "ShoooKoOOo!" Kai says, running into her arms with a dinosaur toy in his hand. "Don't go! Pleaseeeee!" Kai begs, as Shoko picks him up from the ground and squeezes him tight. "I'll still be around, bud." She says, Kai still in her embrace.

"She has to go, hon." I say, as he clings onto her frame. "I don't want her to." Kai pleads, and I can see Shoko's sad face behind his poofy hair. "She'll come visit." I say, as I practically rip him off of her. "NOOOO!" He cries, and I begin to rock him as I walk Shoko to the car. "Call us, please." I tell her while trying to hug her in between the crying six year old.

"I will." She says, her eyes slowly begin to well up.

"And tell Satoru I said hi." She nods, then smiles as she closes the door.

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"through it all, once again, came to know my only friend."