𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐓𝐨 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭 || 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐢 𝐀

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝟐𝟓 : 𝐈 𝐌𝐢𝐬𝐬 𝐇𝐨𝐦𝐞

Six months had passed since I'd made the life-altering decision to leave it all behind and start anew in Nikkou City with Toji.

The unfamiliar streets, once daunting and overwhelming, had slowly become a comforting routine.

As I navigated this new chapter of my life, I also managed to form connections with a few like-minded individuals who shared my passions and interests. We'd spend our evenings exploring the city's hidden gems, laughing and joking as we discovered new favorite spots.

Despite the sense of belonging I'd cultivated in Nikkou City, there remained a lingering ache within me – a homesickness that refused to be silenced. It was as if a part of my heart had been left behind, still beating in rhythm with the life I'd left behind.

Levi's face would often drift into my thoughts, his piercing eyes haunting me like a bittersweet melody. There wasn't a single day when I didn't think of him, wonder what he was doing, and if he ever thought of me too. The memories of our time together still felt like an open wound, tender and vulnerable to the slightest touch.

I sat alone on the riverbank, lost in thought, I was startled by the sound of footsteps crunching on the gravel behind me. I turned to see Gojo, his towering figure looming over me like a gentle giant. His snow-white hair, which always seemed to be perfectly messy, caught the fading light of the sun, giving him an ethereal quality.

"Hey there, what are you doing here all alone?" Gojo asked, his deep voice rumbling like thunder on a summer day. His vibrant blue eyes sparkled with concern as he gazed down at me.

Gojo was one of the closest friends I'd made since moving to Nikkou City. He was a man with a lean, muscular build that seemed chiseled from years of hard work and dedication. His presence was imposing, yet comforting, like a warm hug on a cold winter's day.

Gojo sat down beside me, his long legs folding gracefully like a crane.  His piercing blue eyes sparkled with curiosity as he asked, "What's troubling you?"

"I think I miss home," I admitted finally, the words tumbling out of my mouth like a confession. Gojo's expression softened, and he let out a low, rumbling chuckle that seemed to vibrate through the air.

"Ain't everyone a little homesick?" he said, his voice filled with empathy. "I know I was when I first moved here," he continued, a faraway look creeping into his eyes.

"I came here with Suguru a few years ago, trying to start fresh," Gojo said, his voice tinged with a hint of nostalgia. "We were both looking for a new beginning, a chance to leave our pasts behind and forge new paths." He turned to me, his eyes sparkling with understanding.

"I know it's not easy, leaving behind everything you've ever known," Gojo said, his voice filled with compassion. "But sometimes, it's the only way to move forward."

I asked Gojo, my curiosity piqued, "What did you and Suguru do before you moved here?" Gojo's face broke into a wide, mischievous grin, and he let out a hearty laugh that echoed through the air.

"Criminal stuff," he said, his eyes glinting with amusement. "We were young, reckless, and hungry for adventure. We wanted thrills and excitement in our lives, and we weren't picky about how we got it." Gojo's expression turned wistful, and he gazed out at the river, lost in thought.

"We made our share of mistakes, of course," he continued, his voice tinged with a hint of regret. "We got into some tight spots, and we had to talk our way out of more than a few sticky situations." Gojo chuckled, shaking his head.

"But after a while, we realized that peace was a luxury we couldn't afford to ignore. We'd had our fill of excitement, and we decided it was time to settle down and enjoy the quiet life." Gojo's eyes sparkled with mirth as he turned to me.

He gazed out at the river, his eyes lost in thought. "I do miss my hometown sometimes," he admitted, his voice tinged with a hint of wistfulness. "But life is better here. I'm enjoying my peaceful life, free from the drama and chaos of our past." A warm smile spread across his face as he thought about his friend.

"Suguru's found his soulmate here, and they're getting married soon," Gojo said, his eyes sparkling with happiness. "He's never been happier, and it's amazing to see him so in love." Gojo's gaze turned back to me, his expression filled with encouragement.

"Things turned out fine for us, and I'm sure they will for you too," Gojo said, his voice filled with conviction. "You just need to give it time. Nikkou City has a way of growing on you, and I'm sure you'll find your place here."

"There was this man," I started, my voice barely above a whisper. "Levi. He's... complicated. He doesn't want to admit his feelings, but he acts like he owns me." I shook my head, a mix of emotions swirling inside me.

Gojo's expression turned serious, his eyes narrowing slightly as he listened intently. "He was very against me leaving the city," I continued, the memory of our last encounter still fresh in my mind. "I didn't even say goodbye before I left."

Gojo's gentle prodding encouraged me to keep going, to reveal more about the tangled web of emotions that bound me to Levi.

"When Ryan, my abusive boyfriend, almost killed me... Levi was there for me." I closed my eyes, the memories still vivid and raw.

"I was lying in the hospital bed, surrounded by beeping machines and sterile smells," I continued, my voice barely above a whisper. "I had an oxygen mask over my face, and badges all over my body. Levi was the one who sat beside me until I woke up." I felt a lump form in my throat as I remembered the way Levi's eyes had looked, filled with a deep concern and compassion.

Gojo nodded slowly, encouraging me to continue, to unravel the tangled threads of my past and present.

"I feel so conflicted when it comes to Levi," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. "A part of me loves him, deeply and truly. I love the way he makes me feel, like I'm the only person in the world. I love his strength, his courage, and his unwavering determination." I paused, collecting my thoughts as I struggled to put my emotions into words.

"But another part of me is so angry with him," I continued, my voice cracking with emotion. "I'm angry that he can't admit his feelings, that he's so scared of getting hurt. I'm angry that he thinks he can just claim me as his own, without even bothering to ask how I feel." I shook my head, feeling a sense of frustration wash over me.

Gojo listened intently, his expression a mask of calm understanding. He nodded slowly, his eyes never leaving mine, as I poured out my heart to him.

"I don't know what to do, Gojo," I admitted, feeling a sense of desperation creeping in. "I don't know how to reconcile these two opposing feelings. I don't know how to make sense of this tangled mess of emotions that's been swirling inside me for so long."

He nodded slowly, his eyes sparkling with a hint of mischief. "If that dude really loves you," he said, his voice low and husky, "he'll find you."

I shook my head, a wry smile spreading across my face. "I've changed my number," I told him. "And no one knows where I am. I've made sure to cover my tracks."

Gojo's smile grew wider, his eyes glinting with amusement.

"Love is the most twisted curse of all," he said, his voice dripping with drama. "It'll drive you mad, make you do crazy things. But it's also the most beautiful thing in the world."

Gojo's expression turned serious, his eyes boring into mine. "If Levi really loves you, he'll move heaven and earth to find you. And when he does..." Gojo's smile grew wider, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "Well, that's when things will get really interesting."