𝐁𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐈 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐫 | 𝐒. 𝐆𝐨𝐣𝐨 ✔️

Chapter XXI

"I might've figured out the riddle," I say, glancing at him.

"Well, that's good news," he replies. "So? Why haven't you switched back?"

I hesitate, my fingers fidgeting as I try to put my feelings into words. "There's one problem," I begin, taking a deep breath. "See, I want Gojo to stay in my body for longer. He's enjoying being someone else."

He raises an eyebrow, clearly not expecting that answer. "You're serious? You want him to stay in your body longer?"

I nod, my heart pounding in my chest. "Yeah, I mean... it's complicated. He's never really had this kind of... I don't know. He's actually enjoying it. I just— I can't bring myself to make him switch back yet."

He watches me for a long moment, a cold look in his eyes. "You do realize it's not a choice, right?" he says, his voice sharp, almost mocking.

I look down, feeling the sting of his words. "I know," I mutter, my heart sinking.

"Then why bother asking?" he snaps, almost like he's annoyed with my persistence. "You can't change fate, no matter how hard you try."

I swallow hard. "Is there any way to extend it?" I ask again, voice trembling just a bit.

He shakes his head, a bitter laugh escaping him. "Selfish," he spits out. "It's selfish to even think about it. You're putting your wants before everything else, but that's not how this works. You think he is having fun? No, he's just pretending, because deep down, he knows he doesn't belong here. And you? You don't get to keep him like this just because you can't handle the truth."

His words hit me like a slap, and I flinch, but I don't look away. "What are you saying?" I ask.

"I'm saying you don't get to be selfish, even if you think it's for a good reason," he snaps, his tone cutting through me like a knife. "You don't get to twist everything for your own comfort. Life doesn't work that way. It's cruel, it's unfair, and most of the time, you just have to accept it."

I can feel my stomach drop at his harshness, but there's nothing I can say. He's right, in a way. Life doesn't let you get what you want. And maybe that's the part that hurts the most.

"I just... I don't know. Want him happy?"

He looks at me, his expression cold. "Happiness?" he says, scoffing. "You really think this is about happiness? Gojo's not happy. He's just distracted for now. None of this is real."

I flinch at his words, but I hold my ground. "I just... I want him to be happy," I repeat, quieter this time.

He shakes his head, arms crossed. "Happiness doesn't last. You can't fix him. And you can't fix this. You're both living in a fantasy. When reality hits, it's going to hurt even more."

I stare at him, trying to push past the sting of his words. "I don't know what else to do," I mumble, almost to myself.

"You're doing nothing," he says, his voice harsh. "And that's the problem."

"Look, I don't even get how this works," I say, frustration creeping into my voice. "So, what, I figured out the riddle. He might have too—he's smarter than me. So why haven't we switched back?"

He leans back, crossing his arms, his expression unbothered. "It's not about solving a puzzle or finishing homework. It's about feeling it. You can't force it."

I stare at him, processing his words. "Feeling it?" I repeat, unsure what he means.

He shrugs, almost dismissive. "You'll know when the time's right. If you're still questioning it, then maybe it's not time yet."