𝑴𝒖𝒕𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑪𝒖𝒓𝒔𝒆 (𝑺𝒂𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒖 𝑮𝒐𝒋𝒐 𝒙 𝑶𝑪)

1.9 In the Dark, A Different Face

The moonlight softly reflected on the sea, illuminating the dancing waves with a silvery glow. Satoru stood alone on the beach, his feet planted in the wet sand, watching the young woman still standing amidst the waves. Sen, that fragile, mute creature who seemed so far removed from his ruthless world. He clenched his fists, frustration boiling within him like a volcano on the verge of eruption.

He was Satoru Gojo, the most powerful man in the world of exorcism, an invincible warrior against the most terrifying curses. And yet, in the face of this woman, he felt vulnerable, helpless. Why? Why was this attachment starting to weigh on his heart like an invisible chain? He had never been afraid of anything, never feared getting attached to anyone. To him, solitude was an ally, a shield against the weakness of others. But now, in this moment, fear knotted his stomach—a primal fear, the fear of losing someone.

He lowered his head, his breath short, feeling a wave of frustration rise within him. He had never asked for this strength. Being the strongest was like carrying a curse. Everyone around him was so weak, so vulnerable. And he had to always be strong, always unshakeable. How could he allow himself to get attached to someone like her, so fragile that a single wrong move could break her?

He looked up at Sen, her frail silhouette shaken by the waves surrounding her. Her tears mixed with the salty splashes of the sea, her eyes shining under the moonlight, refusing to drown in the torrent of water. Satoru felt his heart clench at the sight, a dull pain he couldn't push away. He wanted to tell her that everything would be okay, that he would be there to protect her, but he knew it would be a lie.

Attachment... it was a weakness he couldn't afford. And yet, he couldn't look away from this woman, standing there, proud despite her vulnerability. She wasn't crying out of fear, but out of despair, a despair that strangely resonated within him. A feeling of helplessness he had never felt before. He closed his eyes, trying to shake off this sensation, to regain his composure.

But the image of Sen, alone in the midst of the waves, refusing to let herself be swept away, was etched in his mind. He let a silent tear slide down his cheek, a tear he hadn't shed in so long that he had forgotten what it was like to cry. He gritted his teeth, his anger turning inward, against his own weakness for allowing someone to penetrate the walls he had built around his heart.

He abruptly turned away, walking towards the shore, leaving Sen behind, the waves crashing against her. He knew he couldn't stay, that he couldn't allow himself to get attached. Not in this cruel world where every attachment became a weapon against oneself. He was strong because he had no chains, no bonds to hold him back.

But as he walked away, the sound of the waves and the wind carrying with them the muffled sobs of Sen echoed in his ears, a painful echo that haunted him with every step. He knew he could never truly leave her behind, that this moment would remain etched in his memory like an open wound. He was strong, yes, but in that instant, he felt more alone than ever.

The infirmary at Jujutsu High always had a unique atmosphere, tinged with a strange combination of serenity and disorder. The smell of cigarette smoke lingered in the air, acrid and persistent, permeating the slightly yellowed white curtains. A thin haze of smoke lazily drifted up towards the ceiling, mingling with the soft light filtering through the open window.