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

94 ~ Ninety-Four

Kyoto, 22:35 PM.

"Why was I summoned to play third wheel?" Shoko's voice, tinged with her usual dry indifference, cut through the quiet night as she approached Gojo and Utahime in the garden.

The comment, nonchalant as it was, carried a subtle undertone—almost as if she was hinting at something more, maybe a hidden relationship between the two.

Utahime nearly choked on air, erupting into a fit of embarrassed coughs. Meanwhile, Gojo, ever the cool one, cleared his throat with a grin. "Shoko? Third wheel? Who said anything like that?"

The brunette lady shrugged, scanning the tranquil surroundings with a disinterested look. "Just a thought. You two seemed cozy enough to be on a date or something."

"Me and Gojo?" Utahime's eyes widened, her voice rising with disbelief. "Shoko, as much as I love you, you know I can't stand—"

"Alright, alright! No need to ruin the mood, Utahime," the sorcerer cut her off, his grin growing wider, almost cheeky. Then stretching his arms out, he drew Shoko's attention to the bigger picture.

The garden was serene, the soft glow of lanterns casting gentle shadows on the elegant Japanese-style teahouse. A rock-paved path led to a traditional two-story house tucked away in the back, blending seamlessly into the peaceful atmosphere.

"Guess where we are?"

"Do I have to?" Shoko's tone was flat, but the hint of curiosity in her eyes betrayed her disinterest.

"This is Y/N's place!"

That got Shoko's attention. Though she barely reacted, the subtle raise of her eyebrow said enough. "And we're here with her... approval, I assume?"

"Not exactly," Gojo admitted with a casual shrug, still grinning. "But Utahime has a spare key."

The brunette's lips twitched, almost forming a smile. "Interesting. I wouldn't mind seeing what she was like back then."

"Right?!" He pointed at her, clearly pleased that Shoko was on board. "Wanna see something cool?"

"Sure, why not?"

"Hah? We're not here to mess around, you two!" Utahime's voice, stern and laced with irritation, broke through the banter, her earlier embarrassment long gone.

"Relax, Utahime. It'll just take a minute," the white-haired waved off her concern with a lazy smile.

"Yeah, come on," Shoko added, her eyes gleaming with a hint of mischief. The thought of digging up some old memories seemed to appeal to her more than she let on.

Outnumbered and knowing that resisting was pointless, Utahime sighed. "Fine. But you two have five minutes. That's it."

"Deal!" Gojo and Shoko chorused.

After all, they were former classmates—tied by shared memories and a fondness for a little harmless mischief. It was only natural they'd find common ground in a situation like this.

"Aight, I'll lead the way..." The sorcerer announced, his voice carrying that playful lilt as he started down the rock-paved path leading to the two-story house at the back.

Utahime and Shoko fell into step behind him, the night air still and cool around them.

For a moment, silence hung between them until Utahime broke it. "So... you're on a first-name basis with Y/N?"

"Hm?" Gojo seemed a bit distracted, likely more focused on whatever surprise he had in store for Shoko. Her question took a moment to sink in before he finally responded, "Of course. I'm her trainer. Why wouldn't we be?"

The sorceress narrowed her eyes, suspicion lacing her tone. "Hah? Don't you dare take advantage of her, you pervert—"

"Pervert? Satoru?" Shoko seemed to take an interest in that, her gaze shifting toward Gojo.

Utahime wasn't one to throw around accusations lightly, so there had to be something behind this.

"You wouldn't believe what this jerk did—"

"Utahime! I thought you promised to keep it a secret!" Gojo's protest came with a mock pout, though it was clear he wasn't too concerned.

He was used to attention, and though he didn't mind people knowing, he was aware you might feel differently.

"I did. But only from Y/N!" She shot back, her tone firm. "I promised to keep it a secret only from her."

"Did something happen?" Shoko's gaze flickered between the two, her curiosity deepening. "And what about Y/N?"

"Tsk, it's nothing! Just know he's a pervert!"

"Hey, that's not true!" Gojo countered, feigning innocence.

"Then what were you doing walking around with that, Gojo?" The sorceress casted a nasty glare his way. If eyes could kill, he would be dead by now.

The white-hair sighed, a hint of annoyance creeping into his voice. "What? Wanna switch them for yours, Utahime?"

"Gojo!" She spat his name venomously, her tone sharp and warning. "If it weren't for Limitless, I'd bitch-slap your pretty face."

"Oh? So you think I'm pretty?" He replied, a smirk playing on his lips.

"That's beside the point!"

"A lovers' quarrel?" Shoko's deadpan observation slipped in, only adding fuel to fire.

"No!" Utahime was quick to retort, her face heating up slightly, while Gojo simply chuckled, clearly amused by the whole exchange.

Shoko rolled her eyes, a knowing smirk playing on her lips. "So... why exactly is Gojo a pervert this time?"

"He was walking around with one of Y/N's panties."

"Excuse me?" Shoko's expression shifted slightly, her usual calm demeanor faltering as she stared at Utahime with a hint of disbelief. "He was?"

Gojo, overhearing the conversation, didn't so much as flinch, maintaining his cool, unbothered facade.

"Yes, he was!" Utahime confirmed, her tone full of righteous indignation.

"What were you doing with Y/N's... um, underwear, Satoru?" The brunette asked, raising an eyebrow as they reached the house. The sorcerer opened the door with a casual ease, letting them in.

"Hm?" He glanced back at Shoko, arching an eyebrow as if the question barely registered. "Let's just say it's something she forgot in my quarters after using my bathtub."

"Oh? Is that so?" Shoko's lips twitched into a lazy smile, clearly unconvinced. "Knowing you, you're probably keeping it just to mess with her."

The strongest sorcerer responded with a mischievous grin, the kind that made it clear he wasn't denying anything.

"What do you mean, 'use your bathtub?'" Utahime's eyes narrowed in suspicion, her arms crossing as she studied him.

Shoko was the one who answered, though it was more of an educated guess. "I'm assuming it must've been when she wasn't feeling well. Gojo's quarters are the only ones with a proper bathtub, so must've been when she used it, and he's just being his usual annoying self by keeping her things."

"O-Oh?" Utahime's tone softened slightly as the explanation started to make sense, her initial outrage giving way to understanding.

Though not entirely accurate, it wasn't completely off the mark either.

The sorcerer remembered the time you'd accidentally left one of your panties in his bathroom after mistaking his quarters for yours. It was one of those moments that marked the beginning of his playful, almost teasing interactions with you—a memory that brought a smile to his face as he started to ascend the stairs.

"You know, Satoru, you're just going to make her hate you more," Shoko warned lazily, her voice dripping with amusement. "Not that she can stand you anyway. But I'm guessing she's at least civil, right?"

That harmless comment wiped the smile off Gojo's face as he suddenly halted on the stairs, nearly causing Utahime to bump into him.

"What's wrong? Why did you stop?" She asked, catching herself just in time.

"What do you mean she hates me?" Gojo's voice carried a hint of something else, a complicated smile tugging at his lips.

The brunette shrugged, her tone casual. "Just saying. Pretty sure she thinks of you as a man-whore after seeing your STI report."

"I thought you said she didn't see it!"

"I said she might have, but I'm not sure. Why does it matter anyway?"

"It doesn't." His lips curved into a mock pout as he resumed his usual nonchalance. "I'm sure she doesn't hate me. Who could hate me? I'm Satoru Gojo!"

"Well, you're not exactly everyone's cup of tea," Shoko replied, her voice as laid-back as ever.

It would've sounded believable if Gojo hadn't already taken you on a few dates and messed around with you more times than he could count.

The white-haired chuckled at the thought, his mind briefly drifting before they reached your bedroom. "We're here! Wanna do the honors?"

"Sure," Shoko said with a shrug, stepping in as Gojo opened the door to your room. But when Utahime moved to follow, he slid in front of her, blocking her way with a grin.

"Not you, Utahime. That's what you get for spilling my secrets!"

"I wasn't expecting anything from you anyway!" Utahime shot back, annoyance clear in her voice as she followed them inside. The irritation on her face was almost amusing, but Gojo knew how to get under her skin, and he always found time to annoy her.

"What did you want to show me?" Shoko asked, steering the conversation back to the task at hand.

"Oh, right. Hold up!" Gojo said, heading toward an old album resting on your desk. He flipped it open to a picture of toddler you, dressed in an adorable sheep costume.

Shoko blinked at the sight, her usual indifferent expression giving way to something almost... emotional. Then, unexpectedly, a small trickle of blood began to drip from her nose.

"Shoko! You're bleeding!" Utahime exclaimed, frantically looking for something to help, but Shoko raised a hand to stop her, pulling out a disposable napkin from her pocket and pressing it to her nose.

"C-can I have this?" Shoko's voice was still dry, but it was clear she was very, very interested in that picture.

"Nope!" Gojo replied quickly, while Utahime added sternly, "What do you mean? Don't touch her stuff! That's stealing!"

"True," Shoko nodded, her gaze still fixed on the photo.

"Anyway, your five minutes are up. Let's get Shoko to the hidden lab, shall we?" The sorceress reminded, turning to leave.

"Yes ma'am!" Gojo gave her a mock salute, but as soon as Utahime's back was turned, he and Shoko exchanged a knowing look. In an instant, they both lunged for the album.

Lucky for Gojo, his reflexes were faster. He snatched the picture of you as a toddler before Shoko could even reach it.

"Not fair!" Shoko protested, her eyes narrowing.

"Not everything is fair, Shoko!" Gojo shot back, his tone teasing.

"I'll just let Utahime know—"

"Hey, wait, wait!" Gojo hurriedly interrupted, knowing full well that if Utahime found out he was hoarding your photos on top of your underwear, she'd lose it.

"What?" Shoko asked, her gaze lazy but curious.

The white-haired thought for a moment before offering, "I'll give you another picture. How about that?"

"Which one?"

"I'll show you, but you've got to keep it from Utahime, alright?" Gojo raised his hands in mock surrender, his tone playful as he tried to strike a deal.

"Alright," Shoko agreed, her usual deadpan expression betraying a hint of curiosity. "But it better be worth it."

"Oh, it is. Trust me!" Gojo grinned as he flipped through the album, stopping at his second favorite picture of you as a toddler. In it, you were dressed in a pastel pink kimono, smiling joyfully at the camera with a tanghulu in one hand.

The sight caused Shoko's nose to bleed again, but she seemed unfazed, wiping it away with a tissue she had ready. "Cute," she admitted, though there was a reluctant edge to her voice.

"Right? You can have this one, and I'll keep the other. Deal?"

"Deal," the brunette agreed with a slight nod.