Between the Darkness and Light | Satoru Gojo x OC

- Chapter 13: Success or Failure -

When the world comes back into focus, I find myself in a familiar place. I'm in my bed in my dorm room at Jujutsu Tech. Was it all just a nightmare?

"You're awake." I jump at the sound of a voice coming from right next to me. I look over and see the familiar white-haired teacher sitting in a chair next to my bed facing me. His signature grin was replaced by a grim expression. His arms are crossed over his chest and I feel like he's staring right through me through that blindfold.

"Gojo..." I murmur, my voice hoarse as I try to sit up. He places a hand on my shoulder to gently push me back down. "Stay down. You're still recovering." He murmurs.

"Recovering...?" I mutter. Then, it suddenly hits me. That wasn't a nightmare at all. "W-what happened? Where are the others? Are they okay?!" I sit up and look around frantically. He places his hand onto my shoulders and pushes me back down gently.

"They're fine," he answers, though his tone sounds strangely solemn. "But..." He pauses.

My steel blue eyes widen as I stare at him, waiting for him to continue.

"Yuuji...he didn't make it," he sighs. "I'm sorry, Kira."

The room suddenly starts spinning when I hear his words. I stare at him silently for a few moments. I feel a strange pang in my chest, almost like my heart just dropped to my stomach. Before I could say anything, I felt hot tears rolling down my cheeks. It's been a while since I've felt this pain before...

"No...no...that's—" I choke out. "Y-you're lying! I don't be-believe you..." My hand rises to clutch at my chest. Watery tears blur my vision, so I just close my eyes and let the pain wash over me like waves in the ocean. I start sobbing without realizing it, my chest heaving and my body shaking. I turn my head to bury my face into my pillow.

"You can't be telling the truth!" my voice cracks out, "It's not right! It can't be! Y-you're lying!"

I feel the warmth of his hand on my shoulder once again. He pushes until the side of my face is revealed to him.

"Listen...I know something that will make you feel better," he smiles slightly. "You just gotta promise me you'll keep it a secret, okay?"

"How could anything make me feel better after...a-after..." I choke up.

His smile widens, "Well...what if I told you that Yuuji's alive?"

My heart stops when I hear these words. I blink away my tears, staring at him incredulously.

"He's...alive?" I ask, my voice a mere whisper.

"Alive and well, actually!" Gojo grins. "But like I said, you gotta keep it a secret. Think you can do that?"

"Y-yes...but...why did you say he was dead...?" I wipe the tears out of my eyes with my knuckles.

"It's complicated. The higher-ups, the old guys in charge of the jujutsu world, want Yuuji dead simply because he's Sukuna's vessel. I'm almost sure that they staged that mission you four went on. It's just super convenient that it happened the moment I had to leave for an important mission overseas," he sighs. "Get what I'm saying?"

I nod in understanding. "But why are you telling me this if it's a huge secret? Aren't you afraid I'm gonna tell someone?" I question.

"Not one bit," he smirks. "You don't seem like the kind of person to run your mouth without thinking."

"Plus," his grin widens. "I didn't feel like seeing you cry." He suddenly seems a little more serious. "But no one can know that Yuuji's alive. And that means the other students, including Megumi and Nobara."