𝐂𝐔𝐑𝐒𝐄𝐃 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐍𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 | 𝐆. 𝐒𝐀𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐔

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐗

The next morning, [M/N] and Gojo, both sporting unmistakable eyebags, sluggishly get ready, the events of last night clearly weighing on their minds. Suddenly, there's a knock on their door. They glance at each other, and [M/N] shrugs before heading over to open it. Ieiri stands there, eyeing them both from head to toe with an amused smirk.

"Well, well," she chuckles, crossing her arms. "Looks like you two didn't exactly get your beauty sleep. And the chain's still there, huh?" She motions to the chain, which remains stubbornly intact around their waists.

Gojo sighs, rolling his eyes. "Don't remind us."

Ieiri raises an eyebrow, pretending to look thoughtful. "So... last night's big kiss didn't exactly work, huh? Who would've thought?" she teases, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Takahashi-kun, maybe you didn't kiss with enough passion?"

[M/N] shoots her a flat look. "Real funny, Ieiri."

She snickers, then holds up a small notepad. "Alright, I figured this might happen, so I went ahead and made a backup plan." She flips a page dramatically. "Date ideas for this Saturday and Sunday. I mean, if a kiss didn't cut it, maybe some actual romance might."

Before they can respond, another figure appears beside Ieiri—it's Geto, who gives them a curious look. "What are you guys plotting out here?"

Ieiri smirks, nudging him. "Oh, just making weekend plans for our lovebirds here. Turns out a simple kiss wasn't enough to break that ancient curse chain, so we're stepping things up a notch."

Geto raises an eyebrow, glancing between [M/N] and Gojo. "A date, huh? Didn't peg you two for the romantic type." He smirks, clearly amused.

Gojo shrugs, putting on a casual front despite the blush creeping up his cheeks. "Hey, I'm game. If it means breaking this thing, bring on the romance."

[M/N] sighs, rubbing the back of his neck. "I guess we're doing this, then." He glances over at Ieiri, slightly skeptical. "But you're really sure about this? A date's the best way to go?"

Ieiri nods confidently. "Trust me, sometimes the old-school methods work best." She winks, handing over the list of date ideas. "Just follow my lead."

[M/N] and Gojo examine it with matching looks of skepticism and amusement. They both lean over to read it, glancing at each other when they reach the end.

"Saturday," Gojo reads aloud, smirking as he follows down the list. "Breakfast at a cafe, amusement park date, sunset stroll, and a fancy dinner... Not bad, Shoko." He raises an eyebrow. "Pretty classic."

Ieiri crosses her arms proudly. "The classics work for a reason. Plus, it'll give you two plenty of time to bond without the pressure." She leans in, whispering with a smirk, "You know, ease into it."

[M/N] stifles a sigh, but he can't hide the small smile creeping onto his face as he glances back at the list. "And Sunday's... aquarium date." He rolls his eyes at Ieiri. "Did you have to make it sound so... romantic?"

Ieiri chuckles. "I did say you need to step it up. The curse clearly needs a little something more than what you tried last night."

As Gojo skims further down the list, his eyes widen, and he lets out an indignant laugh when he reaches the last line. "'Optional: love hotel'... Really, Shoko? You think we'd need that as a backup?"

Ieiri shrugs, feigning innocence. "Hey, I'm just being thorough. Desperate times, desperate measures, right?" She smirks, clearly enjoying the awkward reactions from the two of them.

Geto, who's been silently reading over their shoulders, snorts, trying to hold back his laughter. "Well, it's good to have options. I'd say the love hotel is just... insurance." He nudges Gojo with a smirk. "Who knows? Maybe it'll be necessary if you two keep tiptoeing around each other."