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

13 ~ Thirteen

[S]inichi's smirk sharpened, his gaze tracing over you like he was testing for weak spots, the thrill of it barely hidden behind that cool demeanor of his. "Underestimating him, huh?" The words came smooth, edged with that challenge he saved for moments where confidence could tip either way. "Maybe he could use a little discipline." His eyes held yours for a beat too long, as if daring you to disagree.

You leaned back, crossing one leg over the other with an ease that carried its own kind of finality. A slow, sideways glance at Gojo. "Discipline? If there's anything Satoru doesn't need, it's someone trying to keep him in line." There was no need to raise your voice; your calm was its own declaration, one that settled between all four of you with an unmistakable weight.

Beside you, the strongest's grin widened, amusement flashing in his eyes. He couldn't let Sinichi's remark pass without adding his own twist. Leaning forward, elbows on the table and fingers steepled as if seriously contemplating the idea of 'discipline,' he wore that playful smirk you knew so well. Between you, a shared flicker of unspoken understanding, a spark only he'd be daring enough to ignite. Then his gaze drifted back to Sinichi.

"See?" His voice dripped with smug satisfaction, a hint of a smirk tugging at his lips. "Even she knows I don't need a babysitter." That self-assured gleam left no room for doubt, as if he'd already won the argument.

Then, with an almost too-casual shrug, his gaze slid over to you. "Now, if it's Y/N dishing out the discipline..." He paused, letting the words hang with just the right amount of playfulness. "I might make an exception." He leaned back, sticking his tongue out just enough to keep things light. "Besides... Who knows? I might even enjoy it."

A subtle ache stirred between your legs as you averted your gaze, a half-cocky, half-something-else smirk tugging at your lips. Your hand found the straw in your drink, stirring idly as though unaffected, even though the look he gave you held an undercurrent of innuendo you could feel all too well. He knew exactly what he was doing.

A slight twitch in Sinichi's expression betrayed his irritation, a brief crack in that carefully composed calm. "Tsk. Show off," he muttered, his voice low, dismissive—but it didn't quite mask the bite beneath.

Gojo looked thoroughly entertained, his smirk widening just a fraction as he draped an arm over the back of your chair. The move was easy, almost lazy, but there was something sharper woven into it, subtle but unmistakable—a quiet claim, as though he'd just laid down his own response to Sinichi's unspoken challenge. And all the while, that glint in his eyes stayed fixed and smug, radiating pure satisfaction.

Across the table, Mina released an exaggerated sigh, rolling her eyes. "Please, Sinichi-nii. You're sounding jealous," she brought up, casting him a pointed look. "Not something I see from you every day."

Sinichi's gaze cooled, the competitive spark gone as he lifted his glass to his lips with a slow, measured sip. His mouth curved into a half-smile, calm and detached, but the set of his jaw and the slight tension in his grip hinted at something sharper simmering beneath the surface. "Fine," he murmured, voice smooth, as if brushing the whole exchange aside like it barely mattered.

But you could tell—it mattered.

Meanwhile, Gojo's interest had already waned. Picking at an easy target was too dull for him, and Sinichi's habit of backing down when the pressure stacked against him made it even less fun.

With a lazy, almost carefree shift in his posture, Gojo turned his attention on Mina, his grin all mischief. "So, any other burning questions about our romance?" His tone danced on the edge of a tease, his gaze sliding back to you. "I mean, it's practically epic, isn't it?"

Mina arched an eyebrow, feigning casual curiosity. "Oh, I've got one," she drawled, her tone even but her intrigue barely concealed. "What's with the sunglasses? Trying to keep us guessing, or is the whole mysterious vibe just part of... the brand?"

You knew exactly what she was doing. Trying to poke at Gojo, maybe catch him off guard, turn the tables after he'd so openly mocked Sinichi. But her attempt only fueled your amusement—a faint glint of it must have betrayed you, because Mina shot you a brief, wary look before refocusing on Gojo.

He chuckled, shaking his head with that grin of his, so casual and utterly undisturbed. "Too much pretty for one room, obviously," he mused, tone laced with self-satisfaction.

A low laugh followed from you at that. Typical Gojo.