Chapter Text
Today could not have gone any worse and draining as it has been for Gojo Satoru. Being the head of a large and powerful organization such as the Gojo Conglomerate, one can expect that he has his hands full of all sorts of tedious things and he is called for endless meetings with fools who want to have an inch of connection of his influence for their own benefit.
However, it was not, at least entirely, the case.
See, while Gojo Satoru has the position and power most people would kill for or be intimidated by, let’s just say he hasn’t been the most responsible with handling such power. He acted out his duties for the most part without breaking a sweat, because of course, he’s Gojo Satoru. The man who can do anything and everything with little to no effort even if has no prior experience in doing such tasks. He was gifted, talented, incredibly intelligent. In other words, a prodigy.
Others would argue that with that much great of a power, would come the same overbearing responsibility.
But Gojo Satoru being Gojo Satoru, he had strong beliefs himself and would rather eat dirt than be restricted by the chains and bounds of others wanting to control him. No, he will be the sole dictator of his own life and have others bend to his whims instead. He did not stand by his family’s standards of running the company, and while it gave his parents chronic migraines from dealing with his chagrins, he proved to them that he can handle the title with his own hands. If the Gojo Conglomerate used to be in the Top 5 most influential corporations in Japan, it got bumped in to the Top 3 across the entire globe just from 5 years of him being in the highest position after his father retired.
He was only 22 years old back then, and he remembered when others used to mock him for being an entitled brat who was spoiled rotten and just relied on mommy and daddy’s fortunes. Which to be fair, he made it through international news for being the youngest CEO as of date back then. Satoru spat back at their faces that they were just envious and mocked them, saying to not come crawling back to him once he achieves more than they could ever possibly dream of.
He worked his ass off for the first year of being in control, and he had his own strategies and plans for the company that completely went against its traditional agendas. He’s lost count the number of times his own employees became aghast at his proclamations, even went as far as to convince him against it, but he stood his ground and lead everyone to the direction he wanted. He never minded those who were too weak and cowardly to go along his plans and chose to quit instead of risking such high stakes. He fired them as soon as they shown any signs of unwillingness.
He was lucky enough to have a handful of comrades who stuck by him from the start, albeit he and said comrades would deny such sappy statements. He had two companions that he met back when he was still in his teens. Geto Suguru, his right hand man who had a calm and polite demeanor even though under all that he was just as hard headed as Satoru and had no qualms butting heads with the man, and Ieiri Shoko, a chainsmoker from the start who always looked perpetually tired, even more so when Satoru appointed her as his secretary.
Those two were the only ones who can trust and rely on more than his own family. There were a few contenders who got added to that list, such as Nanami Kento who came to regret ever applying to his company during the first year but became too much of a reliable asset, and that he also became another entertainment whenever Satoru went to annoy him.
While he was admittedly much busier during the first two years of his reign, once he got his bearings and the company’s assets started skyrocketing much more than when the previous heads were in charge, he allowed himself to slack off more and more. Not to say that he became careless, because he is never careless and would never admit defeat. He just allowed himself more freedom since things were getting steady and still progressing just as he’d planned from the start.
People still liked to talk trash about him. Talking down on him and saying it won’t be long before his great empire falls. He always hear gossips here and there whenever they think he’s not listening. Too bad he’s got ears everywhere, and all tattles always eventually reach him along with their sources. He’s quick to fire those as well, not before humiliating them one last time and telling them to never show their faces to him ever again.
Those gossips never come to fruition of course. If anything, his name just becomes more powerful and fear-worthy even to those outside of Japan.
Now at 27, he’s still has much reputation to his name as ever. However, lately there’s been an annoying thorn that just kept insisting on pricking at his side no matter how much he tries to chuck them away. Said thorn was another large organization, but no where near as influential as his own, the Zen’in Corp. To be precise, it’s the snobby and arrogant brant named Naoya who never shuts his disgusting mouth and kept persuading him to partner with them.
By this point, Satoru knows which connections are the ones who are worth making and keeping, and which ones who are just better left avoided. The Zen’in Corp falls under the latter. While they do have the assets and influence, the people within it are way to bothersome to deal with and their ideals just don’t align in the slightest. Naoya in particular is way too money hungry and lustful that it’s practically what he’s known for, and the man even relishes in the bad light he’d put himself in.
Yeah, Satoru never wants to deal with that hell hole.
So, even when he usually gets out of his meetings most of the time, he’s had to sit himself through countless ones this time. Rejecting and rejecting all offers made to him at any given chance. He’s lost count of how many times he’s had to face Naoya’s ugly mug and he wants to throw up every single time the trash sneers at him.
Usually though, meetings like that normally don’t drain him as much. Maybe it’s because things kept piling up lately. He usually has a lot of free time outside of handling the company, but because of that bug’s persistence, he’s had to waste more time than he’d like. And all those times are incredibly boring and repetitive as well.
For some reason or another, his back is starting to ache a little. It started off with what he thought was just a stiff neck at first. He’s had to crack his neck more times than usual. Then it started progressing to his shoulders, to his spine, then to his lower back. This, Satoru finds unbelievable because he works out regularly and always kept his body in tip top shape. (No, all the sweets and junk food he consumes on a daily count. They are an essential to his entire being and would perish if he didn’t get his daily dose. They feed his brain and soul, thank you very much. Shut up, Shoko).
Back to present, he’s just got out of yet another grueling battle (read: meeting) with the devil himself that he feels the throbbing on his back side once again. It’s as if there’s a heavy weight persistently sitting on him and won’t come off no matter what he tries. He’s mentioned this to Suguru and Shoko at one point, but they just made fun of him and said he’s starting to get old. To which he also replies with colorful curse words and a majestic middle finger to top it off.
They also suggested going to a doctor but he vehemently refuses it every time. No, he would not be disclosing the reason why.
So, in hopes to at least lighten up his mood, he gets out of the company building and heads straight to his usual café. He could drive his way there, but he thought a bit of exercise could somehow alleviate the throbbing on his body. It was only a fifteen minute walk anyway. Suguru can take charge for the mean time.
He makes his trek towards the place that can satisfy his daily cravings. A heavenly sanctuary that he can find peace in. He thinks of which delicious treats he wants to buy during his short walk.
Once he arrived, a mouth watering scent fills his nostrils as he’s greeted with the familiar scenery of the small family owned café. But his mood dampens a little once again when he sees that the place is packed. All the tables were occupied, even his favorite one at the lone corner of the room. Looks like he’s going to find a place to eat outside it seems.
He peeks his head around the customer in front of him in line and rejoices internally when he sees all treats are still available and the workers kept coming out with fresh batches. That’s one good thing out of this miserable day at least.
Mind made up with his order, he falls in line himself and waits patiently for his turn. He absentmindedly tinkers with his phone for the mean time, stepping forward occasionally whenever the customer in front finishes ordering to keep the line going.
Once it was his turn, he places the phone back into his pants pocket and gives his order to the young cashier in front. This time, he ordered 5 beignets, 6 apple toffee tartlets, 2 chocolate croissants, 4 raspberry macarons, and a peach iced tea. Any normal cashier would assume that he’s buying for a group, but he intends to finish everything all by himself as always. His two friends never fancied sweet things, always preferring the abomination called black coffee as their will to live. Satoru thinks they should be the ones to be called old for their taste palettes. He never understood how they could put that bitter fluid down their throats. Blegh.
During his internal insulting of his companions, he hears his name being called at the counter, signaling that his order is ready to be picked up. He thanks the worker before making his way out of the café.
Now, where to find a place to devour these yummy treats.
Just as he thought that, another spike of pain went through his spine, almost making him tumble as he was walking. That never happened before. He usually only gets the stubborn ache, but this was the only time it came that sudden and painful, as if he was pierced with something sharp on his lower back. He needed a minute to regain his composure, leaning on a random wall beside him while he steadies his breathing.
After a few minutes of deep inhales and exhales, he straightens his body before resuming this walk. Then he remembers that there was a park nearby here that had plenty of benches. Wanting to find a place to finally rest and relax on, he makes wider and faster steps towards his destination.
To his utter joy, the park was almost completely empty, save for the small family on the farther side and the noises of children playing around. Satoru figures this is the best that he can get. He also hopes that no one recognizes him because he’ll most likely snap at him with the state he’s in right now.
Finding a clean and empty bench, he drops his body with little finesse while the bag of pastries is put beside him. He stays still for a while, trying his best to ignore the nagging throb his body is making before realizing that the treats are always eaten fresh and hot as soon as possible.
At that, he straightens on his seat and grabs his drink and first treat of choice, a tartlet. The first bite was absolute, pure bliss and he can feel his entire being rejuvenate as the flakey pastry and smooth, sweet apple filling dances around his mouth before going down his throat to spread the blessing throughout his body. He even moans and gets giddy like a child as he savors the flavors on his tongue. If any passerby sees or hears him like that, they would think he’s a weirdo and give him a judgmental look, but right now he doesn’t care. All he cares about is his small sanctuary right now after a terrible day at work.
He proceeds to consume the rest of his treats in solace, occasionally drinking his tea whenever his throat gets too dry. He can almost pretend that the persistent ache on his back doesn’t exist as long as he has his sweets like this. His mind drifts off to somewhere as he relishes in the quiet time by himself.
For some reason or another, his mind started to wander off to the buildings around the area. He vaguely remembers that there should be a school or something somewhere here in Tokyo. The odd thing about that particular school is that there’s almost no news about it, no advertisements, no information, no nothing. He isn’t even sure if there are even students studying there right now. He doesn’t even know what kind of school it is. Maybe it’s some sort of private school that is very picky with its students, and only a handful can actually get in.
Or maybe it’s abandoned. At this point, it’s all just hearsay. Whatever, it’s not his business anyway.
Just as he was about to take a bite on his fourth pastry of the day, he senses a person coming near to where he’s seated. His mood begins to sour again. Great, another inconvenience wanting to annoy me again.
This person better say their prayers because he’s not planning to hold out on lashing on the poor soul who dared to disrupt his peaceful afternoon.
He ignores the person at first, continuing on munching on his macaron. That is until a youthful, and somewhat timid voice talks to him.
“Umm, hello mister,” Satoru ignores him, despite the voice enchanting him in way that makes him want to see the face attached to it. “This may sound weird but is your body perhaps hurting right now?”
At that, Satoru immediately looks to the side, towards the voice, shocked at stranger’s weirdly sharp intuition. The stranger in question is actually a teenage boy, probably around 15 or 16, with fluffy pink hair and a dark undercut (is that even natural?), large golden eyes, and wearing what looks to be like a dark navy uniform, with the top having a red hoodie and three odd looking gold buttons with a swirl design. What kind of fashion statement is this boy portraying even?
“Sorry, that must be weird to hear from a stranger, but I’d like to think I might be kind of right?” The boy grins at him cheekily, as if he’s teasingly saying that he’s 100% right already. Which he admittedly is.
Now that Satoru observes more, the teen in front of him is incredibly cute. Like he just makes you to want to ruffle his hair at any given chance. Still, he can’t help but be wary of him just by his statement alone.
“So what if it is? How can you be so sure of that?” He narrows his eyes at him despite the boy not seeing it through his shades.
“I guess you can say it’s just a gut feeling. But that must mean that I am correct, right?” The boy chuckles. “And if I had to guess, it’s somewhere around your back that’s hurting the most right? Like there’s something heavy that you can get rid off?”
Satoru gapes his mouth in shock. “That's eerily precise of you to say that,” he regains his composure again before continuing. “So let’s say that all of what you said was correct, what are planning to do with that observation, kid?” He says in a way that hides none of his suspicion.
The boy just kept on smiling, unfazed by the older man’s tone before shrugging. “What if I told you that I can make that pain disappear in just three seconds?” He holds up three of his fingers as if to prove a point.
Satoru pauses before answering. He also noticed that all of their lines were in questions up until now. As if they’re dancing around each other from the start. “I hardly believe that,” as usual, he breaks the chain first. Might as well be honest since there’s nothing to lose anyway with this stranger, he figures. “My back’s been annoying me for almost a month already, I don’t think it’s going to be that easy to solve in just three measly seconds,” he waves the hand holding the half-eaten macaron in a dismissive manner.
“But won’t you allow me to try, mister? I’ll be out of hair after that and won’t bother you again,” the boy tries to persuade him with puppy eyes, and dammit, their pretty darn effective.
It’s like there’s something inside him that doesn’t want to disappoint this boy, even though they’ve never met before. It doesn’t take too long before he finally gives in, and the boy jumps in joy at his approval.
“Alright! So can you please close your eyes for bit, mister?”
“Oh? And why’s that? Are you going to take advantage of me when I’m defenseless, Sakura-kun?” Satoru teases, making a jab at the teen’s unnatural hair.
The boy mocks being offended, making an exaggerated gasp. “Of course I won’t do that, Shiro-san,” looks like the boy took a page out of his own book. “Besides, it’s not like I can do much with three seconds, so please just do it and we’ll get this done quicker.”
Satoru pops the remaining macaron in his mouth before raising his hands in defeat. “Alright, alright. Whenever you’re ready, Sakura-kun,” he closes his eyes before letting the boy do whatever ‘magic’ he plans on doing.
Not even a second later, he can hear a soft buzzing or rumbling sound, then suddenly a quick movement of wind can be felt behind him. As if someone made a fast punching motion strong enough to make a whooshing sound in the wind. What the fuck?
“There you go, Shiro-san! You can open your eyes now.”
Satoru does as he’s told and immediately notices that the throbbing is actually gone. He even moves his body around, twisting his torso, rolling his shoulders, and even stretching. Yep, the pain is definitely not there anymore. And he has this boy to be grateful for.
“So… I’m guessing you’re feeling a lot better now right?” The teen gives him a victorious smile that reaches his eyes. Fucking adorable.
The older man huffs before completely laying his back on the bench, not having to worry about the constant pain anymore. “Color me impressed, Sakura-kun. I don’t know how you did it. Are you perhaps a magician of sorts? A miracle doctor, or a witch maybe?” He teases, chuckling at the end.
“None of that sort, Shiro-san. But I guess I have read about some things regarding sorcery. Maybe it was a curse haunting you, wooo~” The boy makes wiggling motions with his fingers, as if trying to spook him. Too bad Satoru doesn’t believe in ghosts or magic or curses. But he guess he can indulge the teen this once.
“Ha! Someone must had real guts trying to put a curse on me. I’d make their life a living hell if I find out,” he guffaws obnoxiously.
“Haha, then I hope that person prepares themselves for that,” Sakura-kun then straightens up and backs a step away from the bench. “Glad to know you’re feeling better now, Shiro-san. Thanks for letting me help you,” why is he the one thanking him for allowing him to help? Weird kid. “Well, I’ll be going on my way now, take care, Shi-” Satoru cuts him off abruptly.
“Now hold on a second there, Sakura-kun. Won’t you at least allow me to show my gratitude to you as well?” He grabs the teen by the wrist just he was just turning the other way. “Why don’t I give you little treat for helping little old me. I still got plenty,” Satoru motions with head towards the paper bag still filled with treats that could feed at least three more people. He guess he can share his treasures at least this once.
The teen immediately shakes his head at that. “You really don’t have to Shiro-san. I barely did anything.”
“Ah but that ache was very much annoying to handle you know? It was excruciating on some days that I can barely even move.” That’s a lie and an exaggeration. “So you don’t know how much I’m relieved that the nuisance is finally gone. You did me a great favor you know? Many would kill to gain a favor from the great Satoru-san himself.” As long as he doesn’t reveal his surname, Satoru thinks it’s good enough for now. From the entire encounter, the boy doesn’t seem to recognize him for his grandiose reputation and being the richest man on the planet. It’s kind of nice not having others gravel for his attention and influence.
Sakura-kun on the other hand looks like he’s having an internal debate with himself, whether to accept his reward or not. But Satoru is very persistent himself and kept his hold and eye contact with the boy the entire time, not willing to be the one who breaks first.
The teen seems to figure this out as well as he lets out a sigh before saying, “Alright, if you insist.” Satoru then proceeds to pat the empty space beside him, encouraging him to take a sit, to which he does without resistance this time.
The older man grins at that before shoving the paper bag towards the other. “Here! Take any that you like!” See, he can be generous if he wants to. Take that Suguru.
Sakura-kun looks at him with his brows furrowed, as if really making sure that Satoru is okay with this. The man just gives him a nod and gives the bag another shove. The teen must take this as adequate insurance before he gazes down to look at the treats remaining inside. Seeming to make his decision, the boy raises his hand before reaching inside, albeit his body language still being unsure of the whole ordeal. Once he takes his hand out, Satoru is pleased that he settled with a chocolate croissant.
“Good choice! It’s one of the café’s best sellers, you know?” He says before grabbing the other croissant and proceeded to devour it.
The boy nods shyly before taking a bite of his own. Satoru observes the moment his eyes lit up as the flakey pastry and decadent chocolate fills his senses. He chews slowly, as if making sure to savor the treat longer, before swallowing and taking another bite as Satoru proceeds to do the same.
The two of them munch on their pastries in silence before Sakura-kun talks again, his croissant already more than half way done. “You really didn’t have to do this, but thank you, Shiro- ah err, Satoru…san?” The boy says shyly, likely unsure if he’s allowed to address him by his actual first name. Satoru just ruffles his hair with his empty hand. It really is soft as it looks like. “Don’t mention it, kid. You can call me Satoru-san as long as you tell me your name as well.”
The boy lights up at that. “My name is Itadori Yuuji, pleased to meet you Satoru-san!” He raises his hand towards the older man, to which Satoru grabs and shakes firmly as well. “The pleasure is all mine, Yuuji-kun.”
Yuuji then catches a glimpse on Satoru’s expensive watch, eyes widening at the time. “Crap! Suku-nii’s gonna blow a fuse if I don’t get back now,” he then surprises Satoru again by shoving the remainder of his croissant into his mouth and chewing rapidly with little poise. “Sorry, Satoru-san but I have to go now. Thanks again for the croissant, it was very delicious.”
“No problem, thank you as we-” before Satoru can finish his sentence, Yuuji started to dash off into the distance, leaving nothing but dust in his wake. He was… incredibly fast. Satoru didn’t even think a human could run that fast. Another thing that made Itadori Yuuji odd in his eyes.
Now, he was left once again alone in silence. It was what he wanted at first, a nice and relaxing time with no one to bother him, but he find that having Yuuji’s presence was… nice. It wasn’t irritating compared to dealing with sleazy corporate workers. It was quite pleasant, but perhaps it was just the boy’s natural aura.
He finishes the rest of his treats by himself on that bench. He stays there until his phone starts ringing, no doubt it was Suguru complaining for his immediate return. He answers it with just an “Alright I’m going back. Calm your shitty bangs for a second already,” before dropping the call and standing up and fixing his appearance. He throws away his trash to the nearby bin before making the way back to his company building.
The entire way back, all Satoru could think of was soft sakura, and red contrasting navy blues.