Cursed Currents | Gojo & Geto

十六

┏━°⌜ 呪術廻戦 ⌟°━┓
16
TOKYO
┗━°⌜ 呪術廻戦 ⌟°━┛

I try to pry my hands free, but it's a useless effort—Aiko's grip is like iron as she drags me through the crowded streets of Tokyo. She's practically bouncing with excitement, her eyes sparkling like a kid in a candy store. I feel like a ragdoll being yanked around by an overly enthusiastic toddler. "Aiko, seriously, can we take a break?" I plead, stumbling to keep up with her quick pace.

"Nope!" she chirps back, not even glancing over her shoulder. "This is our only chance to shop before we get buried in training at Tokyo Tech! We need to seize the day!"

Behind us, Takeshi grunts as he struggles to carry the ridiculous number of shopping bags she's already accumulated. He's got bags hanging off both arms, and a few more dangling from his fingers. His face is red with exertion, and he's huffing like he just ran a marathon. "Aiko, have mercy! I'm not a pack mule!" he complains.

I glance back at him and mouth, help, but he just gives me a pitiful look, holding up the bags as if to say, I'm suffering more than you are. I roll my eyes as Aiko drags me down yet another street, her grip still unrelenting.

"Look, this store has the cutest jackets! We have to check them out!" she says, already heading toward the entrance.

"Aiko, we don't need more jackets!" I protest, but it's no use. She's already pulling me through the doors like I'm her personal shopping assistant.

As soon as we enter, Aiko lets out an excited squeal and starts darting between racks of clothes, tossing items over her shoulder into Takeshi's waiting arms. He catches them with a groan, nearly dropping the pile he's already carrying. "Why do you even need another jacket? You've already bought three!" he mutters.

"These ones are different!" she insists. "Besides, a girl can never have too many options."

I finally manage to wriggle my hand free and immediately start backing away toward the store entrance, eyeing the door like it's my escape route. But before I can even take two steps, that maniac whips around and fixes me with a glare that could rival a curse. "Don't even think about it," she warns.

"Fine, fine, I'm staying," I sigh, slumping in defeat. I'm pretty sure my feet are going to fall off from all the walking we've already done, and there's still no end in sight. I send another desperate look to Takeshi, but he just shrugs helplessly, mouthing back, we're doomed.

She finally turns her attention back to the clothes, and I take the opportunity to lean against a nearby display, rubbing my sore wrist. "How are you still so full of energy?" I mutter under my breath. She's been dragging us around for hours, yet somehow she's still got the enthusiasm of someone who just started their shopping spree.

"It's called determination," Aiko replies, not missing a beat. "You two could learn a thing or two from me!"

"Yeah, like how to drag your friends into shopping hell," Takeshi grumbles, struggling to adjust the bags that are slipping from his arms.

I can't help but laugh at the sight of him buried under a mountain of clothes. "You look like you're one step away from being swallowed alive by those things."

He groans in response, his eyes pleading with me to somehow put an end to this madness. "Can't we at least bribe her with food to take a break?" he whispers, trying to keep Aiko from hearing.

I perk up at the idea. "Aiko, how about we grab something to eat? Shopping on an empty stomach isn't good for you, you know."

She spins around, tapping her chin thoughtfully. For a moment, I think she's actually considering it, and a spark of hope ignites in my chest. But then she shakes her head. "After this store. Then we'll find a place to eat."