Chapter Text
"It's Gojo sensei!", shouted Yuji
"Sensei~!", everyone started calling too. Although exhaustion and frustration were flashed on their faces; hidden but could be seen after the epic battle, not to mention many of them faced intense injury too, yet they did not falter
But instead they were encouraging one after another, telling they had done a great job. Ryomen Sukuna had been defeated. The fight was over. Every thing was fine now
"My students! Are you guys okay?", Gojo greeted them with his usual jolly self. But deep down he was just relief the kids made it out in flesh
"We are fine, sensei. Just.. Fushiguro", said Yuta, glancing over his shoulder at Megumi who was lying on Inumaki's lap
Gojo scrouched down. Worry plastered all over his face as he touched Megumi's face gently. And then he turned around with a cheeky smile. "I'm sure he will be fine. You guys put your own lives on the line to save him, so he better pay back by staying alive", said Gojo
"And you, Yuta. You are not in the place to say you are fine. Look at yourself", he continued
Yuta chuckled and nodded, looking down at his own messy self with blood splattering on his uniform, slit and cuts all over his face. He was just lucky
"Let's get to the shelter and get treated", suggested Maki. They helped each other to stand up, propped them who could not afford to walk and limped forward
Yuji turned around when he noticed Gojo did not leave his post. "Sensei, are you not coming with us?"
"No, I still have unfinished business"
"What is it?"
"Nothing serious. I can take care of it. I just.. have to see someone, it's important. Make sure your friends get back safely"
Yuji nodded and watched Gojo left to the opposite direction
Gojo sighed deeply at the view of towering ladders unraveled in front of him. He wished he could just teleport right to the top, but he was running out of energy
"Come on, you are the strongest", he said just to motivate himself. Gojo climbed up the stairs, he lost count on how many of them
"Principal Gakuganji"
They bumped into each other midway. Was the old man leaving already? Seemed like he did considering he had his classical instrument already packed inside the case
Gojo had expected so see the old man sooner or later although he was not the one Gojo had been looking for
"It's just you? Where is Utahime?", Gojo cocked his head to the side, trying to catch a glimpse of Utahime. But she was nowhere to be found
"I want to leave and quickly check on the students. But Utahime said she would like to stay for a bit up there", the old man pointed up towards the peak
Gojo peeped over the old man as if he could see Utahime from here
"She is alright, if that is what bothers you", Gojo stopped peeking but now frowning. "But I don't think she wants anyone near for the time being. She did say about wanting to be alone", he added
"Thank you for the warning, but I'll take care of the consequences myself", Gojo patted the old man's shoulder and made his way up the slope . His legs wanted him to give up instantly. They felt numb that he had to drag them up the stair one by one until he finally reached the end, panting. He almost could not feel his feet touching the floor
But all his tiredness was wiped away as soon as he caught a glance of Utahime, as if it was never a thing to be tired about, as if he had not just done fighting the strongest ancient sorcerer.
She was sitting quietly at the end of the building, close enough for Gojo to see her and knew she was safe and well, but far enough for her to notice his presence nearby. Her shoes were left stumbled on the floor, her legs were swung freely over the brink
"There you are", he smiled
"I come to see you.. Utahime!", he announced aloud and proud
Utahime did not seem to be bothered, but she did slightly glanced at Gojo with her side eye
"What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to check on the kids?", she said without looking back at Gojo
He tilted his head to the side, a bit offended. "I already did. Some of them are hurt but not fatal. Overall, they are all fine and currently heading to the shelter. Principal Gakuganji is on his way there, and I am sure Shoko will take a good care of them too"
Gojo's long explaination only received a short "Oh" from Utahime
Gojo sensed something was not right. This time he walked up towards her. Suddenly Utahime twirled around, seized her shoes from the floor and finally stood up, facing Gojo
"Before I left to the battle, you told me to come back and to not die. So now I come here to see you. I want to let you know I am back and I did not die, not in Sukuna's hands. How? Did I.. make you proud?"
"Good job, Satoru"
Compliment. He wanted to hear Utahime complimenting him like a spoilt child. Tell him he did great out there, that he was cool fighting Sukuna and survived. He wanted to hear that from Utahime
But when she did say he had done a good job while looking straight into his eyes, Gojo still felt something big was missing. As of it was not enough, as if he wanted to hear more from her. As if.. they was just dead words that she did not mean to say
"Let's go home now"
Utahime sauntered towards Gojo; actually towards the stairs behind him. But she suddenly stumbled on her own which made Gojo quickly reflexed by catching her with both arms. Utahime flummeted to the floor. Gojo crouched down to meet her current stance
"Utahime, are you alright?", Gojo asked worriedly
"Yeah, yeah I'm fine. I wasn't looking just now. Gosh, this is embarrassing", her cheeks flushed in deep red out of embarrassment
Gojo chuckled. "Did I tire you out too much from the fight? I'm sorry"
"N- no! Why would I be tired? I did not do much", she looked away from Gojo
He noticed that. He realised the lack of eye-contact between them all along. As if she had been avoiding him, in a way
And he did not like that
"Utahime", Gojo called rather soft and calm voice. "I'm here", he reassured
"Yes, yes, I know. I can hear you and.. and I can feel you. Of course I know you are here", she replied, but still not making eye-contact
"Then look at me", he searched for her eyes to make her look at him and only him. But once again Utahime had been running her gaze or she would simply close her eyes shut
Then he realised. His Six Eyes could not afford to see it earlier but now he did. He knew why Utahime had been indifferent towards him
Gojo tightened his grip around Utahime's shoulders, more force yet still gentle, not enough to hurt her at all. He would never hurt her
"Utahime,
you crying?"
Utahime let out a soft laughter. She was trying to cut their conversation short and get away with it. But in the end she was caught red-handed
"Yeah, I'm crying. You got me", she smiled faintly. At last their eyes locked. Utahime rubbed her eyes with the back side of her palms sloppily. She laughed at herself thinking that Gojo would have the time of his life teasing her afterwards. She was ready to be the center of the joke
But instead, Gojo reached out his hand to her face and helped to wipe the tears off on her behalf. Utahime looked at Gojo, confused. "Come on, you can tease me. You always have fun calling me a cry baby", she added
"No, not today. I don't feel like teasing you right now", his hand stopped at her jawline. Gojo caressed her cheek with his thumb slowly. "I would rather thank you for what you have done. That is why I am here. I want to be the first one to thank you, sincerely. You made it possible for us to win against Sukuna. You.. are not weak, Utahime"
"I don-t.. it's not all me. Everyone played their parts well. That is how we won"
"Take the compliment for once, will you? I don't usually say this, especially to you", Gojo ragged
Utahime threw her head back, laughing. "Fine, I'll take that since it makes me feel better. Although I don't know whether you really mean it or not"
Gojo squinted his eyes
"Anyway, thank you too", she halted. "For coming back as a whole. You really did a good job, Satoru. I am proud of you", her slender fingers landed on the side of Gojo's face. She returned the favour by stroking his cheek tenderly
Gojo focused on her touch, closing his eyes, feeling her skin on his. Her warmth spread all over him, setting his stormy heart calm after a long time. His muscle relaxed and his breathing slowed
As if there were only the two of them who existed, to let them enjoy each other's company, to feel each other's warmth, and appreciate each other's presence. As if the world had stopped moving, only for them
But it was short, just until Utahime dropped her hand back to her side, which made Gojo unclenched his eyes at the sudden loss of her warmth from him
"Gojo-"
Gojo impatiently pulled Utahime towards him, claiming her back, desperate to feel her against him more. His big palms settled on both sides of her jaws, cupping her face as he leant intowards her
Utahime clutched at Gojo's shirt. It took her a few seconds to finally figure out what was happening. A kiss. They were kissing. A tender, yet passionate kiss. Her lashes fluttered close
Gojo managed to escaped his tongue into Utahime's mouth while she was busy trying to catch her breath. Their tongues collided, rather dancing against one another, fighting for dominance. But in the end, Utahime gave in
She was weak for this. For this Gojo, partly. She only wanted to pay attention on their lips moving gracefully against one another, hers on his, and his on hers
Gojo felt Utahime's body loosened up in between his arms. Frankly he thought she would throw a fit; pushing him away and even slap him hard for the mindless act he opted to do. But she didn't. She was enjoying it too, just like he did
It felt his infinity and her reality collided, it felt like heaven
And he wanted it again
And more