The Waning (GojoHime) - Part 2

The Presence of the Past

Sunlight filtered through the floor-to-ceiling windows of Gojo's apartment, casting a warm glow over the chic, minimalist furniture. The scent of freshly brewed coffee and a medley of gourmet breakfast dishes filled the air, delivered from a high-end café just moments ago.

He had always found his apartment sterile, lacking personality. But this morning, as Utahime sat across from him at the sleek dining table, her long hair cascading down her shoulders as she meticulously dissected a croissant, an unfamiliar yet pleasant sense of domesticity settled over him. He liked his apartment a lot like this. He'd probably like an absolute shithole with her in it too.

At the opposite end of the island counter, Shoko Ieiri nursed a cup of black coffee, her face contorted in a picture of misery. Bloodshot eyes and dark circles accentuated her thin features, her skin an unhealthy shade of pale. With each sip of the bitter coffee, she grimaced.

"Utahime," Shoko's voice was hoarse, "he's staring at you again." She gestured vaguely towards Gojo with her coffee cup. "This is too much horny energy for me this early in the morning."

Utahime glanced at Gojo, who simply grinned in response, then turned her attention back to Shoko. "Why don't you just heal yourself? You clearly aren't feeling well."

"Feels like cheating," Shoko murmured into her cup, knocking her knuckles against her head. "Gotta pay the price for my foolishness."

Utahime looked back at Gojo, lifting her eyebrows a fraction. He shrugged in response. Everybody grieved in their own way. He had learned to just let them be. Suffering stubbornly through what had to be a bad hangover was a sort of self-punishment he could empathize with.

He missed Geto every day. But for the first time in years, he felt like his friend was at peace. He also felt like he had dodged a bullet. Just the realization what Geto's body in the wrong hands could mean gave him the creeps. The same was true for his body. He had to take precautions. Could he perhaps put a seal on himself...? He'd have to explore possibilities at the first opportunity.

"You going back to Kyoto soon?" Shoko asked Utahime.

"Indeed," Utahime replied, gazing at her croissant with a fondness that Gojo, with a whole lot of fondness of his own, found charming. "As soon as I reach Hiroshi, we'll return to Gojo's estate."

Shoko's eyes widened comically. "Huh," she deadpanned. "Seems the brainwashing is working a little too well. Surely you meant you'd be heading back to teach at school, Utahime? You know, your actual job?"

"I'm taking some time off," Utahime took a delicate bite of the pastry. A dollop of marmalade spilled out, sending her tongue darting out to capture the sweet escapee. Gojo watched fascinated, a familiar warmth igniting in his gut.

Shoko scoffed, shaking her head as her narrowed gaze flickered to Gojo. "Just... odd, that's all I'm saying."

"It's the most sensible course," Gojo said defensively. "Utahime is particularly vulnerable right now." He hadn't told Utahime how relieved he was about her decision. How to get her to accept bodyguards at school had been one of the questions he fretted over ever since she had joined him on the estate.

"Oh, and why's that?" Shoko challenged him, her nose wrinkling. "Should've just left her alone in the first place, Gojo Satoru."

The words hung heavy in the air. It was true, but... What could he say in his excuse? I just couldn't. It had never been an option from the first time he had laid eyes on her.

"Threatening the higher-ups is a gutsy move," Shoko continued, her voice laced with a grudging respect. "But a gamble nonetheless. Can you guarantee Utahime's safety even if they decide to make a move against you?"