Between the Darkness and Light | Satoru Gojo x OC

- Chapter 23: My Biggest Regret -

As the blast subsides and the dust settles, I slowly lower my arms. I scan the area, seeing the once peaceful surrounding is now marked with destruction. The surrounding trees, which were once standing proud and majestic, now lie shattered.

As I slowly step back, my mind unable to grasp the magnitude of the destruction around me, my heart drops to the pit of my stomach. This power... is this really what Gojo is capable of?

That's who I have to measure up to? The thought fills me with apprehensiveness.

Just what exactly have I gotten myself into?

In an instant, the white-haired man reappeared in front of me, his iconic blindfold back in place. He stood there with his usual carefree attitude, a small smirk on his face.

"Miss me?" He teases.

I was momentarily at a loss for words, my mouth slightly agape. I'm stunned and unable to form a coherent response. My heart raced, my cheeks flushed, and a mix of shock and awe consumed me.

"I uh...I..." I stammer, struggling to find my voice. My mind is still reeling from witnessing such raw power.

Gojo just chuckles, tilting his torso to the side with his hands on his hips. "Speechless, are we?" He teased, his smirk growing wider.

He continues to observe me, his head now fully tilted to the side. "Well," he says, "How'd you enjoy the show?"

I swallow, my mind still spinning. "I..." I start, my voice barely above a whisper. "That... That was a bit intense."

He shrugs, the smirk never leaving his face. "What else did you expect? I am the strongest, after all."

His words are cocky, and his tone is almost mocking. I can only manage a nod, still in a state of disbelief.

"I guess I'm just feeling a bit...uh..." I struggle to find the words. "...like a disappointment, maybe?"

Gojo's smirk fades momentarily, replaced by a look of confusion. "A disappointment?" He repeats. "Why would you think that?"

I shake my head. "It's just...seeing what you can do...and then...there's me."

His head tilts slightly to the side. "And what's wrong with you?"

I let out a shaky breath. "I'm supposed to be a special grade, right? So that means I'm supposed to be on the same level as you." I sigh and look down. "But that's obviously not possible."

Gojo leans closer to me, his smirk returning. "Says who?" He challenges. "Who said you're supposed to be on the same level as me?"

I look back up at him, his intense gaze catching me off guard. "I... I mean, that's just how the grading works, isn't it?" I stammer, my cheeks flushing again.

The white-haired man chuckles. "Oh, the grading system? That's just a bunch of made-up nonsense if you ask me."

I raise an eyebrow, "But weren't you the one who put me there?"

Gojo shrugs nonchalantly. "Well, I gotta put you somewhere, don't I? But that doesn't mean you have to compare yourself to me just because we're both special grade."

"But why special grade? Why me?" I sigh. "Who's someone who can't even control their own ability, let alone use it."

He cocks his head at me, his playful demeanor disappearing once again. "You really think of yourself that badly, huh?" He asks, his voice serious.

I nod solemnly, unable to look him in the eye. "I mean, yeah?" I reply quietly. "Compared to you, I'm pretty much useless."

Gojo is silent for a moment, his gaze fixed on me, his expression unreadable. Then, without warning, he reaches out and flicks me in the forehead. "What did I tell you about being negative?"