Bound In Love's Curse [Gojo Satoru x Female Readers]

91 ~ Ninety-One

[Y]uki looked more serene than you'd ever seen her, despite the slight puffiness in her cheeks and the faint circles under her eyes.

You'd both agreed to meet at the coffee shop closest to her workplace, a cozy spot that offered some semblance of comfort and privacy. It was a last-minute arrangement, but Yuki had never been one to stand on formalities.

"So," you began, taking a small sip of your strawberry latte, the sweetness of the drink lingering on your tongue, "how far along are you now?"

She offered a faint smile, one of her hand resting gently on her rounded belly, a gesture that was both tender and protective. "Two more weeks to go," she replied, her voice carrying a mix of exhaustion and a hint of sadness. "Though... I wish Shinji was here. It's been... hard without him."

You nodded, the weight of her words settling heavily in your chest.

Yuki had always been one of the strongest people you knew, but even her strength had limits. The longing in her voice when she mentioned her deceased husband was a stark reminder of the void his absence had left.

Guilt gnawed at the edges of your heart. This was all your fault.

"I'm sure Shinji's still watching over you, Yuki-san," you said softly, hoping your words offered some comfort. "I can't pretend to fully understand what you're going through, but you're not... alone. I'm here for you—whenever you need me."

It was the least you could offer after all you'd put them through.

Yuki sighed softly, her fingers tracing idle circles on the rim of her juice glass. "I'm trying to focus on the positives. It's hard, but... I'm trying."

"And I'm grateful to you for that," you replied honestly.

Beside you, Nanami Kento sat, his focus entirely absorbed by something on his phone. His brow was furrowed in that familiar way of his, the one that signaled he was deep in thought, his thumb moving rapidly as he scrolled.

He wasn't intentionally being distant, you knew that much. Nanami was simply a man who guarded his thoughts closely, his business even more so.

Suddenly, he stood up, slipping his phone into his pocket with a practiced ease. "Excuse me," he said in his calm, measured tone, though there was a subtle urgency beneath it. "I need to make a call. It's important."

You and Yuki nodded, watching as he made his way out of the coffee shop. His broad shoulders were noticeably tense, the door closing behind him with the soft jingle of the bell, leaving a silence that felt almost reflective.

Yuki broke it first, sipping her juice before giving you a sidelong glance, her lips curving into a teasing smirk.

"You know," she began, amusement dancing in her eyes, "you've always had a knack for surrounding yourself with hot guys. Even back in the day."

You blinked at that. "Huh? When did I—" Only then did realization hit you mid-sentence, and you could only let out a soft sigh.

She was referring to your ex—the one who had broken you so deeply that it had taken years to rebuild yourself.

Yuki grinned, leaning back in her chair with a satisfied expression. "You've got quite the luck, you know. I'd be lying if I said I didn't envy you a bit."

"What's there to envy?" you replied, though the words came out more pointed than you intended.

After all, what was there to envy in a relationship where you couldn't even be sure where you stood?

She rolled her eyes at you. "Oh, come on! You've got a rich, ridiculously handsome boyfriend, and now you're here with another good-looking guy. Who is he, anyway?"