Chapter Text
It was a glamorous celebration to mark the destruction of the terrorist group which had launched a massive terrorist attack on major cities like Tokyo and Osaka. Of course all the sorcerers who had participated in making the mission successful were invited to the party, including students. Bustling crowds. Rows of delicious dishes. Array of all kinds of beverages. And that warranted alcoholic drinks in all sizes and shades.
Utahime did not particularly want to attend the party. But she could not complain when it comes to free drinks. Months of constantly working, fighting cursed spirits had taken a toll on her mind and body. All she desired was some momentary relaxation. She didn’t think twice before downing three shots straight.
She felt her head spinning violently only to stop after her eyes blurred. Her barely comprehensible vision combined with sudden urge to sing “Too good at goodbyes” told her that she was perfectly intoxicated at the moment. Her guard on her emotions was wide open.
Giggling like a little kid, she searched the crowd to find Shoko. Feeling a need to spend time with her lovely best friend and more importantly to hug her. She passed the notoriously troublesome first-years of Tokyo Jujutsu High including the infamous Sukuna’s vessel who was engaged in a deep discussion about what kind of women men should like. It occurred to her that her student Aoi must have influenced the former for him to have such a conversation. But while the first-years yelled at each other with their colourful vocabulary their teacher was nowhere in sight.
Not that she cared.
Of course she had never cared about the powerful kouhai of hers even though he had repeatedly brushed aside her demand to respectfully call her senpai.
Not wanting to spoil her mood thinking about such displeasing things, she continued her search for her dear friend Shoko with an irresistible urge to declare her never-ending love for Shoko. With such a motivation, she renewed her efforts to find Shoko which ultimately succeeded.
Shoko was standing with a glass of champagne in her hand, conversing with Ijichi. From what Utahime could tell, it was rather a boring and dull conversation. She quickly jumped on them.
She took Shoko by surprise when she hugged her back.
Shoko flinched initially but was reassured by the scent of lillies which informed her that this stranger hugging her from behind was in fact her best friend.
Shoko slowly turned his body to find Utahime beaming with puppy eyes. It was a sight she had never seen in the long years of their friendship. Thus she drew the only conclusion she could. The conclusion that Utahime was drunk.
Utahime blinked a few times, turning her head towards Shoko expectantly like a little pet would.
That confirmed Shoko’s suspicion. Shoko had been finally gifted with the sight of a drunk Utahime.
Utahime not liking the silence, cutely proclaimed, “I love you Shoko.”
Even her cold-hearted personality could stop Shoko from smiling sweetly which was followed by gentle laughter.
“I love you too best friend.” Shoko softly said. Ijichi’s mouth was wide open in amazement.
But seeing Shoko laugh or rather hearing Shoko laugh was a rare event indeed, it brought many curious spectators towards the pair.
Amidst the surrounding crowd one stepped forward with his lips, lifting up in amusement. Even though his eyes were blindfolded they saw deeper than anyone could with their eyes open. His white hair sparkled under the golden light like platinum.
Even Utahime couldn’t deny that.
Not that she could with her emotions uncontrolled and her feelings unrestrained.
Gojou reached them fairly quickly.
“Oi Shoko why were you laughing so loudly before? I thought I won’t hear the sound of your laughter till the day I die.”
Shoko backed Utahime behind her, knowing that her dear friend would not appreciate being seen in such an intoxicated state by Gojou whom she regarded as her nemesis. Although doubtful if Utahime really hated Gojou, Shoko didn’t want to intervene between them. She just wanted to fulfill her best friend duties.
“Nothing at all. Something got stuck in my throat. I had to laugh to get it out.”
Anyone could tell that it was horrible lie. But Shoko could make it work with her stiff exterior to almost everyone. Almost.
“Oh really? Then what are you hiding behind you? Because I can see a head sticking out behind you and the arms that are hugging you from behind.”
“It is nothing.” Shoko tried to insist.
“Oh really? I could even almost tell who it is by their figure.” Gojou smirked.
“SHOKO. I wanna dance. Let’s dance.”
Utahime’s sudden shouting completely destroyed her cover making her presence known.
Shoko sighed as she moved to her right to see Utahime face-to-face. She placed her hands on Utahime’s shoulders telling her to look at her.
“Just remember that I tried. And it was you who blew your cover.”
“What cover?” Utahime asked innocently, honestly perplexed.
Shoko sighed again as she looked at Gojou who was telling her with his body language to leave them alone. She excused herself to go to the restroom.
Utahime did not frown harshly at Gojou when their eyes met to Gojou’s surprise. He certainly couldn’t recall if Utahime had ever looked at him without expressing her displeasure openly. Nor he could tell if that had ever happened. Unlike normal people who usually dramatically expressed their surprise, Gojou’s face simply lost all signs of amusement and became expressionless.
“Wow. I never thought a day would come when you will look at me warmly. Where did your usual hatred for me go? Are you drunk or something?”
“O-Ofcourse not. I’m not drunk. Nottt at all drunk. Also I don’t hate you.” Utahime said with a bit of difficulty as the alcohol finally completely sunk in.
“You don’t hate me?” Gojou’s eyebrows rose up under the blindfold even though his mouth was set in a straight line.
“No. I don’t.” Utahime just replied indifferently as though it was no big deal whatsoever. Her focus was soon shifted to the shiny chandelier above. Her childish eyes gleamed at it like she was looking at a chandelier for the first time in her life.
Gojou was taken back by the cute sight in front of him. He couldn’t believe that the woman standing in front of him was the same woman who had yelled at him, thrown things at him and mostly importantly absolutely detested him with every fibre of her being when she was looking at chandelier with a childish excitement.
She must be really drunk
“Utahime-“
“Gojou. When are you going to pay me?”
Both of them turned their heads to find Mei Mei standing right next to them. Utahime’s intense interest in the chandelier dwindled as she saw Gojou and Mei Mei argue about what pay is appropriate for the job. At first she felt a bit irked for whatever reason. More the time passed, more she looked at them and more disturbed her mind became. Soon a singular thought reigned her mind.
I don’t like it
The meaning hidden behind such a thought was enough for Utahime’s consciousness to stir a little and slowly spring to the forefront of her mind as the implications of such a thought made itself clear.
No it couldn’t be.
Her sober half was the mind was yelling at her to stop thinking like that at once. But her drunk half didn’t really care much for the words offered by the sober half. It was way too late to stop the realisation as her drunk half enthusiastically declared it.
I think I like him
Just the sheer force of that thought drained the drunken spell cast upon her instantly. She now had to come in terms with what her drunk self had conjured up.
No. There is no way.
Her conscious mind blocked any thoughts of such a possibility and quite literally crushed them. It offered numerous reasons, including emphasizing how annoying Gojou was to prove that she certainly does not like Gojou.
No. I don’t like Gojou. I don’t like him. I hate him. I..
Utahime could still see Gojou and Mei Mei arguing. Seeing him, her heart bended a bit giving leeway to that thought again. She shaked her head violently as she decided to get the hell out of there. She ran as fast she could. As far as she could. From the truth that was blossoming inside her no matter how many times she tried crushed it.
She was in denial.