Unbound By Love's Grace [Gojo Satoru x Female Readers]

10 ~ Ten

[Y]ou'd expected the morning after to hit hard—a body weighed down like lead, aftermath of the previous night's intensity with Gojo. Usually, he'd push you to your absolute edge, but today was different.

Surprisingly, you woke up first, wrapped around him with his face soft and relaxed against your chest, his mouth just barely parted in sleep.

'Hot,' you thought, taking him in. Awake or not, the man was unfairly attractive, and the realization had you pressing a gentle kiss to his forehead, fingers running through his snowy hair. There was just something about him, about being here. Maybe you just had it bad.

As if sensing the warmth of your touch, Gojo stirred, eyes fluttering slightly open, a low groan escaping as he nuzzled deeper into you. Sleepy red-tinted eyes, rare and intense, met yours in an uncharacteristically serious gaze. Even in his half-awake state, his grip tightened, refusing to let you go.

"Rest up, Satoru," you murmured, thumb brushing along his temple. "I'll get us some food."

He shifted against you, his grip tightening just as you tried to pull away, his voice barely a mumble. "Mm, don't go long. Don't wanna wake up and you're not here."

A soft chuckle escaped your lips as you leaned in, brushing a final kiss to his forehead, savoring the rare moment of vulnerability he let slip. "I'll be back before you know it. Promise."

He exhaled, loosening his hold, his reluctant sigh trailing you as you slipped out of bed. You stretched, feeling the lingering ache from last night's relentless tangle, muscles reminding you of just how far he could push.

Moments later, you were showered, dressed, and had left a note and a breakfast order on the bedside table. You paused, casting a lingering look his way before planting one more gentle kiss on his forehead, feeling the ghost of his warmth on your lips as you finally left the room.

Down in the lobby, Ijichi stood by, looking characteristically uneasy, clutching a black bag with that same nervous energy he always carried. You approached with a slight smirk, an arched brow.

"You got what I asked for?" you asked, voice smooth and steady.

Ijichi nodded, a flicker of reluctance crossing his face as he handed over the bag. "Yes, but... Are you sure it's alright to head out on your own? Gojo-san would likely..." He trailed off, choosing his words carefully.

With a casual wave of your hand, you brushed off his concern. "It's my hometown, Ijichi-san. Just an old acquaintance to visit, nothing he needs to worry about."

Ijichi looked ready to argue, then thought better of it, glancing away. You both knew how Gojo—and, honestly, even Nanami—could be overprotective, hovering close and quick to intervene. But they weren't here, and you weren't about to wait for permission.

Once settled in the car, you leaned back, letting your thoughts drift to Gojo. Would he even notice the note? Or the food you ordered? Maybe, maybe not. He wasn't exactly one to follow the script, that one. The guy could ghost you for days, then reappear like he'd just stepped out for coffee. The memory of your first date returned, that frustrating silence the next day. And yet, he'd won you over again, as always, with that insufferable confidence.

"L/N-san," Ijichi's voice drew you back, his tone soft but firm. "We're here."

"Thanks, Ijichi." You stepped out, nodding as he retrieved the bag from the trunk and walked over to hand it to you.

Taking it from him, you turned toward the house—a traditional Kyoto residence that hadn't changed since the last time you were here, the last time you'd crossed paths with him. You took a steady breath, squaring your shoulders as you reached for the bell.

A moment later, an older voice crackled through the intercom, stiff and formal. "Yes? May I help you?"

"This is Y/N L/N. I'm here to see Mina Hayashi."

There was a pause, and then, "Of course. She'll be with you shortly."

You stepped back, letting the silence fill the narrow alley as you adjusted your coat, your fingers idly grazing the sleek leather strap of the bag. Ijichi had already driven off, leaving you alone. The quiet enveloped you, until the sound of footsteps pulled you from your thoughts.

"Well, well. I didn't expect to see you here."

That voice—a low, familiar drawl, smooth as a sharpened blade. You looked up to find Sinichi Arai standing just a few paces away, his smirk unmistakable, dark eyes gleaming as he took in your expression. Dressed in a black silk shirt rolled up to the elbows and tailored black slacks, he looked every bit the man who thrived on breaking rules. He was dangerous, and worse, he knew it.

"Sinichi." You kept your tone level, your gaze steady as you held his eyes, unflinching. A slight smirk tugged at the corner of your mouth, laced with a calm that matched his intensity.

"Not sure whether I should be impressed or insulted," he remarked, voice laced with that familiar hint of mockery. His gaze roamed over you, appraising, as if trying to find a chink in your armor. "Didn't think you'd actually show up here after... well, you know."

You raised a brow, letting the silence linger for a beat, perfectly composed. "Trust me, I'm not here for your benefit."

His smirk deepened, a glint of mischief sparking in his eyes. "Ah, the old 'I'm just here for business' excuse." He took a step closer, casually closing the distance. "It's barely been a weekend, and you're already giving me the cold shoulder?"

You met his gaze, unflinching. "After your last stunt, you're lucky I'm not ignoring you completely—or knocking some sense into you." Your tone was calm but carried a hint of warning, making it clear you hadn't forgotten his reckless behavior.

Truthfully, he was the least of your concerns right now. What really lingered in the back of your mind was how Gojo would react if he knew you were here, face-to-face with the one person he'd told you never to meet alone.

Sinichi's gaze darkened, a flicker of something more serious crossing his features before he tilted his head, feigning amusement. "Come on, Y/N. You know you're not as detached as you like to pretend."

"I think you've confused my patience for tolerance, Sinichi."

He chuckled, a dark, knowing sound, then shrugged. "Fair enough. But something tells me you didn't come all this way just to talk business."

And honestly, he wasn't wrong. You weren't exactly back in Kyoto because of some pressing mission of your own. Technically, there was no official business for you here. More like you were here as Gojo's... entertainment? A getaway date squeezed into his schedule so he could throw himself into danger while you relaxed, looked pretty, and waited for him to come back and sweep you off your feet.

Unfazed, you tilted your head with a hint of a smirk. "You'd be surprised."

The silence between you both was thick, heavy with the kind of tension that made it clear you'd rather be anywhere else. Your thoughts drifted to where you'd rather be: back at the hotel, wrapped in Gojo's protective arms.

Sinichi broke the quiet, arching a brow. "Heading to see Mina, are we?" He sounded casual, though the glint in his eyes suggested he was already drawing his own conclusions.

You weighed your options, keeping your tone neutral. "I have something for her. If you could just—"

A beeping interrupted you, and the door to your right clicked open. You turned, spotting a young woman in a soft, pastel peach kimono with delicate floral patterns. She looked to be in her early twenties and paused, giving you and Sinichi an once-over before raising an eyebrow.

"Oh?" Her voice was cool. "Here to stake a claim on Sinichi-nii, or is this about finally showing up after skipping Miyu-nee's funeral?"

You'd expected this. Mina had always been close to you back in the day, and it made sense that her feelings had soured after things had fallen apart with her sister. You kept your expression calm, softening just slightly as you turned to her.

"Mina." A faint smirk tugged at the corner of your lips. "You've grown up."

She returned the look, unmoved. "You'd know if you hadn't vanished."

"My bad," you replied evenly. "Had some things to handle."

She seemed to accept that, though her expression remained guarded. Like you, she understood what it was to lose family.

"Anyway," you continued, keeping your voice steady, "I came to give you something."

Her eyes narrowed slightly, skeptical. "Oh? And what exactly?"

"Back then, you were talented with the koto. After my brother passed, I inherited our family heirloom," you explained, noting the flicker of surprise in her gaze.

"The koto?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. "The one that's... valuable?"

"Very." You chuckled, handing her the bag. "I don't exactly need it these days. Thought you might put it to better use."

She looked at you, a hint of doubt shadowing her eyes. "And you just... want to give it to me?"

"I'd rather it be with someone who'd appreciate it," you replied, voice calm but unwavering. The truth was, keeping it only served as a reminder of things you were ready to let go of. And Mina was talented enough to give the koto a life that went beyond your own memories.

Her eyes stayed narrowed. "Why not just sell it? Could make a lot off of it, I'm sure."

"True, but I think it's better served here," you replied, giving a slight shrug. "With someone who actually cares about it."

She looked down at the bag, her posture shifting, softening, though her tone stayed wary. "Flattery isn't going to do much, L/N-san."

"So noted," you replied with a dry smile, holding her gaze.

You weren't here to convince her of anything—she'd either accept it or she wouldn't. After a pause, she finally reached out, taking the bag with a mix of reluctance and curiosity.

"Looks like we're done here." You gave Mina a brief nod, resisting the old impulse to pat her head like you once would have. Those days were long gone.

She didn't respond right away, her gaze assessing, eyes trailing from your heels up to the black coat draped over your fitted dress. "I thought Nii-san's type was more... traditional. The kimono-wearing kind," she remarked, a hint of snark laced in her tone.

You took it in stride, letting a subtle smile curve your lips. Whatever her opinion, you weren't here to impress Sinichi—or anyone else from this past. You had a man waiting for you back at the hotel who made the thought of these old ties seem irrelevant.

"Sinichi hasn't been my type in a long time," you pointed out with a subtle smirk. "I have... other interests now."

You'd barely finished speaking when a familiar voice, smooth and playful, drifted through the air. "Babe?" It held that unmistakable hint of a whine. You turned, and there was Gojo, approaching with his usual unhurried confidence. His crystalline eyes were veiled behind his shades, but you could still feel his gaze settling on Sinichi, sizing him up with barely concealed disdain. "Why is it every time I'm not around, there's some guy buzzing around you like he has a chance?"