Archive of Our Own

"Hi mom.”

“Shoko! How was your first day at Jujutsu high?”

Shoko was sitting on her bed in her dorm room, looking out the window at the country yard. Her family dreamed that she'll become a jujutsu sorcerer, and the day she got accepted to jujutsu high was the happiest in their lives. They weren't a known jujutsu family, their technique was weak and most of them didn't know how to use it well, but Shoko was a natural, using reverse curse technique came as easily to her as breathing. Her parents said that she'll grow up to be a big asset to jujutsu society.

“It's fine. This place is pretty empty.” She said. “We got only three people in our year.”

“Well, that's expected.” Her mother clicked her tongue. “Are there any cute boys?”

Shoko sighed. Her mother was always so invested in her non-existent love life it was exhausting. “I guess?”

“Oooohh tell me all about them!” She was more excited than Shoko herself.

“Well, they're both special grade.”

“Special grade! Dear, did you hear? Our daughter is going to study with two cute special grade sorcerers!” Shoko could see in her mind her mom wave to her dad who was probably watching tv while snacking. He wasn't listening but it didn't stop her.

“You might have heard of one of them, I understand he's a big shot.” She said and lied down on the bed, looking at the ceiling. “Gojo something.”

Her mom gasped loudly over the phone. “Gojo Satoru?”

“Ah, right.”

“THE Gojo Satoru?!”

Shoko was getting tired of this conversation already. “Yeah, that person.”

“Dear, our daughter is going to marry into the Gojo clan!”

“I'm not– mom, he's really loud, and he has a terrible personality. He has the biggest ego I've ever seen, and I've only known him for one day.”

“Well, could you blame him? He's the only one in hundreds of years who's been blessed with both the limitless technique and–”

“-- the six eyes, yeah yeah, that was how he introduced himself. I knew you'd be all over him, mom.”

“You should be all over him, Shoko. The Gojo clan is very rich!”

“Mom, he has naturally white hair and it looks weird, and he's so pale it looks like the sun has never touched his skin.”

“But you said that he's cute.”

Shoko sighed. “I guess. If you put him in a room full of boys, yes he'd be cute. But when he's by himself I just want to slap him across the face.”

“You know, there should be no physical violence in a marriage.”

“I'm hanging up.”

“No, no, Shoko! You still didn't tell me about the other special grade!”

Shoko sighed. “I don't know. He's tall. Weird bangs.”

“Tall is good. Does he have a good personality?”

“He seems polite, but he and Gojo hit it off so it's a red flag in my book.”

“Shoko!” Her mom scolded.

“What? I came here to study, not to find a husband.”

“If only you could hear what comes of her mouth!” her mom said to her father.

“I'm hanging up.”

“Okay sweetie, good night, talk to you tomorrow!”

“Bye.”

Shoko cut the call and threw her phone to the other side of the bed, groaning in annoyance. She loved her mother, but sometimes she was too much. She barely knows her new classmates and somehow she's supposed to know who of them she should marry. Absolutely ridiculous! She could just let her live her life! All Shoko wanted was to study medicine and heal using jujutsu. If she'll find someone she likes while doing so, good. If not, also good. It didn't matter to her as much as it did to her mother. 

She also knew that boys are stupid and dangerous, and no matter how strong and rich this Gojo boy is, she won't hurry to approach him. A man like him smelled only of trouble. Geto was much more likable, but seeing him laugh at Gojo's horrible jokes gave her a bad vibe. These two were not to be easily trusted.

“I'm not going to be on the front line, do I really need to learn martial arts?”

The three new first year students were out on the training field, wearing sports outfits. The sun was beaming strong on their heads.

“Yes.” Teacher Yaga said. “You need to learn it, just in case you'll ever need to use it.”

Gojo and Geto were rolling around on the grass behind them.

“Turn off your infinity, you coward!” Yaga Yelled.

“If I'll turn it off he will hit me!” Gojo yelled back.

“That's the point, you— ugh.” Yaga lowered his voice and peeked at Shoko. “This Gojo boy is a lot.”

She nodded.

“Come on, I bet you'll crumble from the weakest hit.” Geto teased.

“What did you say?!”

Shoko turned around to look at them. It was getting interesting.

“Fine, I'm turning it off, sheesh.” Gojo said, and raised his fists in front of himself. Geto smiled.

“Good. Now get ready to get your butt kicked.”

Geto threw a few fists but Gojo managed to block them and also dodge a kick, but he received Geto's next fist straight in his face, his stupid sunglasses flying off.

“Ow, you son of a–”

Gojo charged in, grabbing Geto by the collar. “Do you know how much these sunglasses cost?”

“Get a new pair, rich boy.” Geto said before releasing Gojo's hold on him and throwing him away. Gojo landed on his butt, centimeters away from his precious sunglasses.

Yaga huffed. “I'm glad these two are in the same class.” He said to Shoko, before clapping. “Good job, Geto. Now come over and show Ieri some moves.”

Shoko froze. Is she going to get beaten up like Gojo? It was fun to watch from the side, but she liked choosing where her butt was going to be on her own.

“I don't know about that,” she said and took half a step back. “I'm not built like them.”

“Don't worry, Ieri.” Geto said with a kind smile as he was approaching her. “I'm not going to hit you.”

“Geto here grew up practicing martial arts from a very young age.” Yaga explained. “He's better at it than me. He'll be a better teacher.”

What kind of teacher even are you? Shoko wondered.

“Thank you for the high compliment, teacher, but beating Gojo up didn't give me a real chance to show my skills.”

“I also studied martial arts!!” Gojo yelled from the place Geto planted him in.

They all ignored him.

“Try hitting me first, however feels most natural for you. We can work from there.” Geto said to Shoko.

She had an idea, but it was a ruthless one. “Are you sure about that?” She asked flatly. Geto nodded.

She lifted her knee to kick him in his groin (the best move she knew) but Geto was faster. He blocked her with his hands and stepped back, laughing.

“You're dangerous!” He said. “Aiming straight at the weak point. Good!”

“What did she do? I didn't see!” Gojo called before getting and stumbling over.

Geto leaned closer to her. “Do it to him too, I bet he won't block you.”

She nodded.

Gojo reached them and Shoko kicked his balls. He fell down to the grass, clutching his pearls, mumbling a miserable “why”.

“See, teacher, she can already fend for herself. She took down Satoru Gojo himself in one move.” Geto said. Shoko felt thankful.

Yaga half smiled. “Alright, I see you two are in good hands. I have to go for now, please keep practicing. Gojo, get up.”

Shoko thought it was preposterous to leave them to their own devices, but surprisingly the two boys kept practicing for more than an hour, Gojo's pride being hurt from his double defeat meant that he had to keep trying to make Geto fall on his ass as well to be satisfied, which only happened when he cheated and used his cursed technique. Shoko herself didn't see the point of learning anything if there was no one to supervise them, so she sat on the grass next to them, just in case Yaga would come back. She watched them for a while but after Gojo’s face hit the ground for the fourth time she started browsing on her phone. At some point they started fist fighting, rolling around the grass while spitting insults to one another, something about Geto's bangs being stupid and Gojo being a pathetic cheater.

“I'm hungry.” Shoko announced.

The two stopped in their tracks with Gojo's fingers stuck in Geto's note and Geto pulling on Gojo's white hair.

“Me too.” Geto said, voice nasal.

Gojo took his fingers out of Geto's nose. “What do you wanna eat?” He asked.

“Hmm…” she thought for a moment. “McDonald's.”

“I saw a close one nearby.” Geto said.

“Then let's go.” Gojo said. “Can you let go of my hair?”

Geto unclenched his fist from Gojo's head and got up, Gojo following soon after.

“What about Yaga?” Shoko asked as she tidied her shorts.

“Well, he just left us here alone for an hour with no instructions, I don't think he'll mind.” Gojo said.

“You have a point.” Geto agreed.

Shoko looked between the two of them, her stomach rumbling. “Lead the way.”

Shoko and Geto ordered one big mac each, Gojo ordered six for himself. Who was he trying to impress, she didn't know, but she nor Geto were feeling anything other than disgust at the sight of him gorging on cheap burgers. 

“I'm a little disappointed that my first meal in Tokyo is in McDonald's.” Geto said as he wiped his mouth clean after he finished his burger.

Both Shoko and Gojo stared at him.

“Why didn't you say anything?” Shoko asked.

“I don't know, I was hungry.”

Gojo threw his current (fourth) burger dramatically on his tray. “I would have ordered less if I knew we'd eat more!”

“You should have ordered less regardless.” Shoko said, before turning to Geto. “What do you want to eat?”

“We don't have to eat anything now, we can go next time.” Geto said.

“Ugh, don't be like that.” Gojo pulled out his phone. “I'm reserving a table at my favorite restaurant. Don't worry, it's on me. You peasants have to have at least one good meal in your life, out of the kindness of my heart.”

Geto looked like he wanted to punch Gojo again, but Shoko was more interested in what restaurant the rich boy loved. She peeked at his phone.

“They serve Kobe beef?!”

Geto looked like he wanted to kiss Gojo.

They came crawling back to Jujutsu high later that night, too full to walk at a normal pace. It was the best meal Shoko ever had, Geto shed tears the moment the meat touched his mouth. Gojo was smiling the whole time.

“Tokyo… is the best…” Geto mumbled, food drunk.

“Gojo's family money… is the best…” Shoko half sang, half yawned.

“It’s so easy to please you.” Gojo laughed.

“You say after buying us the most expensive beef in the world.” Geto pointed out.

Shoko nodded. “Looked like you were trying hard to impress us, with the six big macs and all.”

Gojo looked like they were onto him, his face quickly turning pink, the eyes behind his sunglasses wide and angry.

“Fine! No more nice meals on me, pay for your own food!”

“Nooooo, young master Gojo…” Shoko whined. “Bless us again with the power of your family’s wealth!”

“Kind young master Gojo,” Geto joined her, “The only one with both limitless and the six eyes in a hundred years, only you can show us peasants the way amazingly blessed people like you live!”

Gojo looked like he wasn't sure if they were complimenting him or making fun of him. He straightened his back and looked away. “I'll consider it.”

“He's in love with you.” Shoko's mom told her over the phone the next day.

“Mom. Stop.”

“He bought Kobe beef for you!”

“He paid for the three of us! It really doesn't mean anything to people with money. He just wanted to impress us.”

“Because he's in love with you!!!”

Shoko didn't have the energy for this conversation. Who of them was the grown up and who's the teenager?

“I'm so excited, my daughter is going to join the Gojo clan…”

“Moooommm.”

“I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'll stop.”

There was a very short moment of silence, and then she whispered, “I'm rooting for you.”

The call ended and Shoko threw her phone on the bed. She just wanted friends, why did romance always had to be involved? 

“I'm never letting my infinity down next to you again.” Gojo said as he sat on the patient's bed in the infirmary, his bruised back facing Shoko, who hovered her hands over a big gash, pouring reverse cursed energy into it.

“I'm sorry.” Geto said, eyes on the floor.

Yaga slammed the door open.

“Tell me what happened.” He ordered.

“Geto tried to kill me!” Gojo threw his hands in the air dramatically and then winced from the pain in his back.

Shoko slapped his shoulder. “Don't move.”

“I didn't, it was a mistake. I'm so sorry…” Geto was leaning on the bed across, face down.

“Ieri.” Yaga asked her.

Shoko sighed. “They were arguing over something stupid, sensei. Something about power scaling one another. Then Geto said that without his limitless Gojo wouldn't be considered a special grade and they started throwing hands. At some point Gojo fell and his back grazed a sharp edge of an old table and he started bleeding and being all dramatic.”

Yaga shook his head, and was quiet for a long minute. He then asked in a low voice, “Why are you letting your guard down, Satoru?”

Both Shoko and Geto looked up at their teacher, not hearing what they expected him to say.

Gojo looked angry, but lowered his head without saying anything.

“Suguru. Satoru.” His voice was almost scary. “You two are special grades. You two are the strongest this school has. You can't act like kids, and you have to learn to get along. You'll be even stronger together than apart. We can't have the two of you fighting all the time.”

“You.” Yaga said to Gojo. “Have sixteen years of assesination attempts against you taught you nothing?”

Shoko's eyes widened. The picture of the spoiled rich boy who never faced any hardship in his life she had of Gojo shattered in her mind.

“And you.” He turned to Geto, who was wearing a complicated expression. “Come with me to the hall.”

Shoko's curiosity grew even bigger as the two stepped outside. She had half a mind to press her ear to the door and listen to their conversation, but she needed to heal Gojo.

He was uncharacteristically quiet, and Shoko herself didn't know what to say. I'm sorry people have been trying to murder you your whole life? I hope things will get better? Keep up your infinity?

“This sucks.” She sighed, and Gojo flinched. “Oh, sorry, I didn't mean to scare you.”

“You didn't, I was just thinking.” Gojo said, for the first time since she had known him he sounded serious.

“About?” She asked casually. The wound under her hand was almost healed completely.

“I was so excited to come here.” Gojo said. “I wanted to make friends. I never had any friends. I grew up around adults who see me as a national treasure and not a kid. But I guess Geto is strong, and I need to keep an eye on him.”

The wound closed, and Shoko placed her hand gently on his back, still streaming positive energy into him. He leaned into her touch.

“This really sucks. I wanted to be his friend.”

“I'm sure you can still be friends.” Shoko said. “He really wasn't trying to kill you. He doesn't have any idea who the Gojo clan is and how powerful they are. You heard what bullshit he said about you before. He really doesn't know anything. He's pretty ignorant.”

Gojo turned around to look at her, his blue eyes peeking at her from behind his black sunglasses. He had a childlike sad expression, making her feel like she needed to pet him on the head and give him a hug. She petted his back instead.

“I'm sure the two of you will get along. He seemed to really like you.”

Gojo's eyes widened and a light blush warmed his cheeks. “Really?”

“Yeah.”

“Do you also like me?”

Shoko's hand froze.

“You're alright.” She said and stepped away. “All done now.”

“I didn't mean like that!” Gojo called and jumped off the bed. “Unless…”

“My mom would be happy, but no. You're too annoying and arrogant.”

Gojo pouted.

“But as a friend you're alright.”

Gojo smiled widely.

“Yay, I'm your friend!”

He really was just a kid at heart, Shoko thought.

“I feel awful about what happened.”

Both Geto and Shoko were sitting together at the edge of the school territory and smoking.

“Yaga had to interrogate me later, to see if I really was planning to murder him.”

Shoko laughed. “Were you?”

“Of course not. I've never heard of him until I started school here. I don't know anything about Jujutsu society. I just thought he was a rich princeling with an impressive name from a technique, not someone who changed the scale of cursed energy in the whole world.”

Shoko leaned back, watching the smoke she let out of her mouth disappear into the sky. “Yeah, he's kind of a big deal. Must be hard.”

“And he's so obnoxious about it.”

Shoko laughed, passing her cigarettes to Geto.

“He seemed to really like you, though.” She said.

Geto winced. “Me?”

Shoko was amused. “Why the expression?”

“I just find it hard to believe. I tried to murder him with a table and all.”

Shoko laughed again. “He just wants a friend. He told me he never had any.”

They both stared at the tops of the trees surrounding them, the sound of birds chirping a gentle ambiance to the forest.

“I didn't have many friends either.” Geto said, darkly. “I was always the weird kid who talked to demons. No one wanted to get close to me. Even the delinquents were scared of me.”

Shoko took her cigarettes back. “Yet you seem better with people than Gojo.”

“He was probably surrounded by people who fussed over him his whole life. I had to be kind to everyone and they still hated me.”

Shoko took a drag. “I'm sorry to hear that.”

“It's alright.” He said. “I'm in a place full of weirdos just like me now.”

“What are you doing?” Gojo's voice came from behind them. They turned around and met his furious eyes.

“Hey.” Shoko said. “We're smoking. Want to join?”

“Smoking is bad for your health.” He said like a well mannered kid.

“Okay.” Shoko said. “I can heal myself any moment I want.”

“Then what's your excuse?” He asked Geto.

Geto still felt awkward after what happened, and didn't expect to be addressed so casually so soon. He scratched the back of his head. “I like the way it makes me feel?”

“You're not going to beat me if you have lung cancer.”

“It's alright, I will heal him.” Shoko waved.

Gojo narrowed his eyes at her, and took a cautious step towards them.

“Let me try.”

Both Shoko and Geto gasped.

“But it's bad for your health!” Shoko said.

“How are you going to beat me with lung cancer?” Geto said.

“It's okay. Shoko will heal me.”

He took the cigarette out of her hand and put it at his lips, breathing in. He immediately started coughing hard and spitting. Shoko and Geto shared an amused look.

“What the fuck is this?” He waved the hand holding the cigarette. “People really die for this?!”

Geto laughed, which made Gojo stop for a second and blush, before he gave Shoko the cigarette back. “Disgusting.” He muttered.

Shoko smiled to herself.

“Forget it, mom, I told him that I don’t like him.” Shoko told her mom a few days later when she came back home from the weekend.

Her mom, who just a moment ago was planning their future family dinner with the Gojos, stared at her with an open mouth. She then simply turned around and walked away, stomping.

“Mom!” Shoko called after her. “I told you not to expect anything! I’m just sixteen-”

“Me and your dad met when we were fifteen! It’s never too early to find love.”

“I think the LAW would disagree with you.”

Her mom waved her hand dismissively and walked away back to the kitchen. Her dad was at the table, drinking coffee. He gave Shoko a defeated look and she understood that nothing could be done about her mother’s theatrics.

“Mom, I’ll marry someone I love, not someone you want me to love, okay?” She tried to sound calm, but she was really tired of this whole thing.

“I just want the best for you.” Her mom said.

“I know.”

Shoko loved her parents, but she wanted to go back to Jujutsu high.

“How was the weekend?” She asked the boys Monday morning when they all arrived to class.

“Fine.” Gojo dismissed.

“Too short.” Geto said. “How was yours?”

“Let’s just say I’m glad to be back here.”

Geto lifted an eyebrow. “Is everything alright?

“Yeah, yeah. I’m just tired.” She lay her head on the table and closed her eyes.

“We can go eat something nice today if you want.” Gojo offered.

“Oh?” Geto sounded interested.

“Shoko, is there anything you want?”

She thought about it for a moment. “Sushi.”

“Ohhh!” Geto sounded even more interested.

“Sushi it is!” Gojo sang.

“Good morning everyone.” Yaga’s low voice announced his arrival and Shoko sat straight in her chair. “Morning~” She said.

“Hope your weekend was alright.” He said. “Today I’ll be taking both Gojo and Geto with me on a mission nearby. Shoko, you’ll stay here and study with the medical staff.”

“Why isn’t she coming with?” Gojo asked.

“This mission is too dangerous.”

“We can protect her!” he said.

“What if one of us gets hurt?” Geto asked.

“Then we’ll take you back to school and she’ll take care of you here.” He said in a severe voice. “Now stop arguing with me. Shoko can’t come.”

Shoko pouted.

“We’ll bring souvenirs!” Gojo told her.

“The mission is in Tokyo, Satoru.”

Despite the mission being so close to the school, they came back only later in the evening, so their plan to go eat sushi was postponed. Shoko felt a little lonely. Studying from the medical staff was interesting and all, but it wasn’t any fun. She knew that being a healer was going to be her main role and that she’ll probably almost never go out on missions with Gojo and Geto, and she needed to focus on studying medicine, but it still made her a little sad. She felt somewhat jealous of the two boys for being able to hang out together so much.

There were loud knocks on her door when she was about to go to sleep, so she was a little hesitant to open it until she heard Gojo’s voice coming from behind it.

“Shoko, we brought you sweets! I didn’t eat half on the way back I swear!”

She chuckled and opened the door. Both Gojo and Geto looked rugged, and like they were in dire need of a bath. They also smelled funny.

Gojo gave her a white plastic bag. “This is for you. Nice PJs.”

“Thanks.” She took the bag and peeked inside. “Ohh, I love these!”

“Gojo loves them too.” Geto said.

“I said I didn’t eat half–”

“It’s okay, I have enough here for the next few days. How was your mission?”

They both groaned. Shoko motioned them to enter her room despite them being a little smelly. She opened the window just to let some fresh air in.

“Yaga wants us to work as a team, it’s so annoying.” Gojo said and sat down on the floor beneath the window.

“Yes, Gojo almost beheaded me twice today.” Geto said.

“Oh no, maybe I was needed there after all.” Shoko put the plastic bag on the table for everyone to share.

“I’m used to doing all of this alone, working with someone just restricts my movement.” Gojo complained as he fished one candy out of the bag.

“You had so many of these already…” Geto mumbled.

“They are SO good.” Gojo put another one in his mouth and chewed happily. “And how am I supposed to differentiate between your curses and the curses we’re fighting?!”

“Mine have my cursed energy in them, you’re supposed to be able to see it clearly with your six eyes.” Geto turned to Shoko. “He destroyed three of my curses today.”

“Oh no.” She said and picked up a candy herself.

“And then you gained a new one, stop whining.”

“So do you think Yaga was right? I shouldn't have come?”

They both groaned again.

“Yeah… It's a bit embarrassing to admit, but if Gojo wasn't holding my hand the entire time I would have probably been in danger.”

Shoko lifted an eyebrow at that.

“The people I touch also get my infinity.” Gojo explained.

“So how was it? Holding hands.” She joked.

Geto winced, but his cheeks got warner and he looked away. Gojo tried to hold his previous expression but failed and ended up looking stupid.

“Maybe you should have come to hold our hands.” Geto said.

“I'm not going to risk my life because you don't want to hold hands. I'm too important.”

“I think it was fine to hold hands. Geto has a very strong grip despite having such feminine hands.” Gojo said in the most annoying voice he could master without really trying.

“Huh?”

Shoko peeked at Geto's hands.

“Oh my god, Geto, your hands are beautiful!”

“Wh- you too?!”

Shoko pulled one of his hands closer to her. “You can't even tell it's a man's hand.” She mumbled. “Can I put some nail polish on you?”

“No!” He pulled his hand back.

“There's something soft about Geto, despite him being so tall and broad and manly.” Gojo said.

Shoko examined Geto's face. “You're right.”

“Would the two of you stop?”

“You give off the vibe of a, mysterious, fox person.” Shoko continued.

“I'm going to my room.” Geto got up from his seat.

“Nooo but Geto, you're so pretty…” Gojo called.

“I am a man, I'm not supposed to be pretty.” Geto said, annoyed.

“That's not true. Is this what they tell you in the countryside?” Gojo also got up. Shoko got up as well, worried that they would start fighting in her room.

“Don't you think I'm pretty? I'm also a man.” Gojo stood in front of Geto and took off his sunglasses.

Shoko was amazed by how blue his eyes were, and yes - he was pretty.

Geto made a face.

“What's that supposed to mean?!” Gojo called.

“I'm going to my room –”

“Geto, you son of a–”

“If you're going to fight please don't do it in my room.” Shoko asked.

The two looked at her.

“I'm sorry.” Geto said.

“Me too.” Gojo said.

“Anyway, let's go. It's already pretty late, and we just wanted to bring you the candy.” Geto walked towards the door.

“Yeah good night Shoko!”

“Night.”

They left her room. Like a storm they came in, stayed a short while and left in an instant. Her room was now smelling funny. Her heart was warm.

After that day it became a custom for the three to meet up in Shoko's room, so she always made sure she had snacks and drinks to offer them. They themselves sometimes brought something with them, which was nice. If they didn't go out after class they just met up later in her room. If the two boys were sent on a mission, when they came back they always came by her room to tell her about it before going their separate ways. Sometimes only one of them came, if the other was tired or had other things to do.

That evening it was only her and Gojo. She was painting his nails pink, per his request.

“Now I'm also going to be hip like Geto.” He said with a smile after she finished applying polish on his left hand.

“Why did you ask for a pink polish?”

“I don't know, I think it's cute.”

That morning Geto showed up to class with black nail polish and Gojo was so jealous that he and Shoko had quality time together that he forbade Geto from coming to her room that evening.

“So…” Gojo shuffled around, excited. “What do you think about Geto?”

“I think he's nice.” She said as she was applying a second coat on each nail. “He's kind, and caring. Can be funny if he's in the mood.”

“Do you like him?”

Gojo was sounding like her mom.

“No.” She said simply. Gojo frowned. “I like him as a friend.”

“Don't you think he's the perfect man? You just said that he's kind and all that, isn't that good enough? And he's also like, super handsome?”

“Did he ask you to talk to me?” She asked.

“Ah, no. I was just curious.”

She felt relieved. “Good. I just don't have any of those feelings towards him, you know?” 

“Like flowers and butterflies, like in Shojo manga?”

Shoko nodded slowly. “Exactly.”

He looked deep in thought for a moment.

“Anything on your mind?” She asked. “And I'm finished with this hand.”

Gojo sprawled both his hands on the table in front of him and examined her work. “Nice job.”

“Thank you.”

“I just want the best for my best friend, you know?”

“Best friend?”

“Yeah, Suguru's my best friend.”

“You two have grown awfully close.”

Gojo nodded profusely. “He's the best guy I know. I've never had a friend like that, Shoko. It makes me feel things.”

Shoko was organizing her polishes back in her drawer. “What things?”

“Like, I feel happy to wake up in the morning because I know I'm going to spend the day with Suguru.”

“Aw. That's nice.”

“Even if we fight, I still like him, you know? He's just quick to anger, and I like annoying him. He's too easy.”

Shoko laughed.

“He's going to be so jealous of my nails.”

Shoko couldn't help but feel a bit jealous herself. Not at Gojo's nails, but at how close he and Geto became when she was tucked away in her medicine lessons. Sure, they visited her every day, but still. There was so much she was missing. She was happy for the both of them, knowing they didn't have friends before. It was probably exciting for them. She was happy to be a part of it, even if just for a little bit.

“Do you like Satoru?”

Shoko stared at Geto. They were on one of their smoke breaks during the school day, far away from Gojo's lectures about how they're gonna die from lung cancer.

“What is going on?” She asked in an angry tone.

Geto looked confused. “What?”

“He asked me the same thing yesterday.”

She took a long drag from her cigarette. “No, I don't like him. He's just a friend. I know he's your best friend but I don't feel butterflies and roses when I think about him.”

“Oh. Okay.” Geto sounded like he regretted being born.

“I'm sorry, I'm just – so tired of people wanting me to end up with one of you.”

“People?”

“My mom. She was so happy to hear that I'm in the same class as Gojo Satoru, she started planning our wedding. And then she got upset when I told her that I don't like him this way.”

Geto nodded. “Sounds tiring.”

“It really is.”

They fell into a comfortable silence, each of them enjoying the temporary relief the nicotine gave them as they inhaled it.

“So why did you ask?” She broke the silence after she calmed down a little.

“I don't really know.” He answered, and let out a cloud of smoke from his lungs into the fresh autumn air. “I had this stupid thought that, if I was a girl I would have definitely fallen in love with him. And you know, me being stupid, thinking, Shoko is a girl, then she must be in love with Satoru.”

“You are stupid.” She said.

“I guess I've fallen to the same pattern everyone around you falls to. Trying to match you with the most likable guy I know.”

“You two really like each other. That's sweet.” Shoko pointed out.

Geto looked a little taken aback.

“Why do you say that?”

“Because he said the same thing about you.”

“He did?”

She nodded. 

“Huh.”

“I have enquired something very special.” Shoko whispered to them about two weeks later, in their last class of the day. “Come to my room at eight.”

Both Geto and Gojo looked intrigued.

She found herself a few days ago browsing in a convenience store in a late hour of the night, where the cashier was so tired he was nodding off every now and then. She had a devilish idea and tried her luck, and managed to buy…

“Alcohol.”

The three sixteen year old high school students looked at the pack of beers and one jar of sake as if they were made of glimmering gold. 

“Did you steal it?” Geto whispered.

“No,” she whispered back. “I bought it with my own money.”

“This is illegal.” Gojo said. “Let's drink.”

They didn't know what they were doing. None of them ever drank any alcohol before, and no one ever told them even one safety rule of drinking. So there they were, with empty stomachs, each having a can of beer in hand and a glass of sake in the other.

“What do we taste first?” Shoko asked.

“They both smell awful.” Gojo said.

“The beer has less alcohol.” Geto pointed out.

“So?”

“Do we want to try the stronger stuff first and last?”

“Good question.”

They both looked at Gojo.

“The stronger first, of course.” He decided.

They all took a sip of their sake.

Gojo started coughing dramatically. “This is horrible.”

“I think it's nice.” Geto said.

Shoko winced. “It's… it's definitely different.”

“Beer?” Geto asked.

“Let's hope it's better.” Gojo said and they all took a sip of their canned beer.

Gojo gagged, but somehow forced himself to swallow. “This is somehow even worse than the sake.”

“I think it's nice.” Geto said.

“Hmmm.” Shoko enjoyed the taste of that better. “It has an interesting aftertaste.”

“Right, almost like bread.” Geto agreed with her.

“Almost like death.” Gojo said. “Do you have anything we can mix it with maybe?”

“I bought strawberry milk in case you won't like it.” She said.

“Wonderful.” Gojo jumped to her mini fridge and pulled out the bottle of strawberry milk. “My best friend, my one and only– strawberry milk.”

Geto rolled his eyes.

Gojo pulled out an empty glass from one of the shelves. “I'll mix the sake with it because it didn't make me want to end my life on the spot.”

He splashed a few drops of the liquor into the cup before deciding that it was enough.

“No, you're barely going to feel anything.” Geto told him. “Put like, one centimeter worth of sake in.”

Gojo made a miserable face, but did as he was told. Then he filled the rest of the cup with the milk, and took a sip.

“It totally ruined the milk.” He said after wincing. “But at least it's drinkable.”

They all cheered, Geto taking to himself the rest of the sake and Shoko settling on her can of beer.

The feeling came fast. In a few minutes Shoko was already dizzy, Gojo was louder than ever before, and Geto's whole face was flushed like a drunkard’s. With the new feeling came the hunger. Shoko took out every snack and instant meal she had stored in her room and they wolfed it down in minutes.

“Oreos might be the best factory cookies out there.” Gojo said.

“Instant Ramen is just so good.” Geto said.

“I like chips.” Shoko said.

She finished one can and moved to the other. Geto finished the sake and opened a can of beer as well. Gojo was still sipping slowly on his mixed drink. All of them looked about the same level of drunkness, somehow.

“Who's more handsome, Shoko, me or Suguwu?” Gojo asked and smashed the side of his face against Geto's.

“Ow, what are you–”

“I think it's a matter of taste.” She said. “You're both pretty hot.”

Geto and Gojo looked at each other, eyes wide.

“Pretty hot?!” Gojo said. “I think we're smoking hot!”

“No one ever called me hot before.” Geto said.

“Are you kidding me?!” Geto called, voice loud. “You're not only hot, you're also sexy!”

Shoko laughed at that. Geto's already red face got even darker.

“Sexy? Me?”

“I'd totally blow you if you asked.” Gojo said.

“Oh my god…” Shoko mumbled. “A confession…”

Geto looked between Gojo and Shoko like a lost kid.

“Don't – don't joke about this stuff.” He said, weakly.

“I've been wanting to ask you for a while now, Geto.” Shoko leaned closer to him. “Are you secretly a homophobe?”

“What?”

“I don't think he knows what gay people are, Shoko, he grew up in the countryside.” Gojo said.

“Of course I know about– gay– people… and I'm not a homophobe.”

“Then do you have issues with your manliness?” She asked.

“What?” Gojo was surprised. “There's no way someone as manly and cool as Suguru would have issues like that.”

“I…” Geto looked shy. “I don't like being called manly, I think.”

Gojo gasped. “I'm so sorry. You're not manly at all. You're practically a woman.”

“I don't like that either…”

“Oh my god, Suguru, you're killing me!” Gojo hung his head down.

“I think I don't like a lot of the stuff that are associated with being ‘manly’. Like you once said, I think I'm… softer.”

“You're so soft, Suguru.” Gojo was happy he found a way to describe him. “You're so soft and cool.”

“You are pretty soft.” Shoko agreed. “You hate the parts of you that aren't?”

“No, I don't think I do.” Geto said. “I think I'm just my own type of ‘manly’.”

Both Shoko and Gojo nodded to that.

“That's a good way to put it.” She said.

“That's my Suguwu~” Gojo patted his head aggressively and ruined his updo. “So Suguwu-manly and soft and cool.” He leaned into him, resting his head on his shoulder, and closed his eyes.

“I need to take a photo of this.” Shoko pulled out her phone.

“Please don't.”

She frowned.

Geto looked awkward with Gojo leaning on him. He sent a worried glance to Shoko, and she signaled him to put his arm around him. He looked horrified by the idea, but she encouraged him with the power of silent hand movements. Eventually, with a shaky hand, he did.

Gojo opened his eyes and looked up at him. Geto's whole face was red. Gojo smiled, drunk and sleepy, and kissed him on the cheek.

Shoko gasped quietly. Geto's eyes widened. Gojo closed his eyes again and placed his head back on Geto's shoulder.

There was a moment of anticipation, Shoko waiting to see what Geto would do.

And then he surprised both of them when he lifted Gojo's face by the chin and kissed him on the lips.

Shoko froze. Gojo did, too, for a moment, but then he melted into him and kissed him back.

Shoko looked around the room for eyes to ask them if they could believe what was happening, but all the other eyes in the room were closed and kissing.

Oh my god this explains so much, she thought to herself. But they were drunk, maybe it didn't mean anything. She couldn't know. It was hard to make good decisions in this headspace.

Meanwhile both Gojo and Geto got more into the kiss and introduced each other to their tongues, all in front of Shoko's salad. She was starting to panic, not knowing what to do. Should she kick them out? Should she leave? Should she stay and watch? What if she took a photo?

She decided to do the best thing and took a photo. The stuttering sound of the camera didn't bother them, and they were slowly finding their way to the floor, hands roaming each other's torsos.

Mom, if only you knew what I'm witnessing right now, she thought.

When a moan escaped Gojo she decided it was enough.

“Hey, you two!” She called, stepping closer to the crime scene. “Go moan in your own rooms!”

Gojo's eyes opened, as if waking up from a dream, and he pushed Geto away. She broke the spell. They both looked panicked.

“It's alright, it's alright, plenty of friends kiss, you know,” she said, trying to calm them down. “You're supposed to marry your best friend and all.”

They said nothing as they pulled away from one another, not looking one bit calmed.

“Do you want me to escort you to your rooms?” She asked.

“No, it's alright.” Geto said, sounding defeated. He got up, and went straight to the door. “Thank you Shoko. Good night.”

He left.

Gojo looked at her with wide eyes and pink cheeks.

“Should I go after him?” He asked.

“Yes!” She whispered-screamed.

Gojo picked himself up so fast his hair looked disheveled and the sunglasses were crooked on his nose.

He bowed to Shoko, which was something he never did before, and ran out of her room.

She peeked outside her door. Gojo ran and stumbled into Geto, who pushed him away. They then whispered to each other as they kept walking. Before they turned the corner Shoko saw that they held hands.

She let out a sigh of relief, and closed the door before turning around to face the mess that was her room.

Her heart was beating loud in her chest. What just happened?

She stumbled onto her bed, grabbing her phone to look at the picture of both her friend's first kiss. She was scared to face tomorrow. Would they fight? Would it change their relationship? She didn't know, but she hoped not too much would change.

The next day it was only her and teacher Yaga in class for the first ten minutes. He looked at her angrily, as if it was her fault that the boys were late. Shoko herself was just hoping that everything was alright with the both of them.

When Gojo and Geto did arrive, Geto bowed in forgiveness, and Gojo just walked in and sat in his usual place, ignoring Yaga’s screams at his disrespectful behavior. Shoko tried to catch his eyes but he was ignoring her as well, being unusually quiet. When Geto sat down and Yaga’s back was turned on to them she waved her hand to him, shooting him a look of ‘what is going on?’, to which he smiled shyly and bowed his head with his hands clasped in front of himself, whatever that meant.

The day went on, Geto acted as usual, but Gojo turned into an alien. Everyone noticed, and by everyone it means even Yaga.

“Satoru.” He said in a severe voice. “Is everything alright?”

“Huh?” Gojo said as if he wasn’t listening the whole time (which was probably true). “I’m fine.”

Yaga squinted his eyes at him before he continued his lesson. Shoko was still trying to catch Gojo’s eyes but they were hiding too well behind his black sunglasses.

When break came, Gojo ran to the bathroom so Shoko was left with only Geto, who she pulled out angrily for a cigarette.

“Well?” She asked, tapping her foot, when they were standing in their usual smoking spot without any cigarette in hand.

“Er,” He said, eyes looking anywhere but her. He then looked down and his cheeks got warmer.

“Getoooooo!” She stepped in front of him and shoved her face in front of him. “You were both late because you slept together, right?”

Geto stepped back only to be met by a wall behind him. “What?” His face got even redder. 

“We didn’t–”

Shoko’s frown grew more severe, and Geto sighed.

“What I meant to say is that we didn’t have sex.”

Shoko was shocked. “Who asked you about sex?”

“You asked if we slept together–”

“I mean SLEEP in the same BED, you perv!”

“Ah.”

Then Geto fell silent again, and looked away.

“Geto I swear I will beat your sorry ass if you won’t tell me what happened after you two left—”

“Fine, fine, I’ll tell you.” Geto took a step aside, increasing the space between them as if Shoko posed any real threat to him. “We went to my room, and we… kissed some more. and then we fell asleep.”

Shoko took out a cigarette and lit it, taking a deep breath of nicotine in. “And then?” She asked with a cloud of smoke leaving her.

“We woke up to my alarm and didn’t really say anything, I think Satoru was avoiding me.”

“This Gojo Saoru, I swear to god…” Shoko mumbled under her breath.

“But then when we were about to leave he confessed his feelings to me.”

Shoko almost dropped her precious cigarette.

“What did he say?”

“It’s not nice to talk about someone behind their backs.” Gojo’s voice called from behind Shoko. She turned around. He looked pissed.

“What are you saying? We always talk about Geto when he’s not around.” She said.

“What?”

Gojo walked towards them and took Geto’s hand. “How about instead of smoking with Shoko you make out with me? That would be better for your health.”

Geto’s eyes widened and he glanced towards Shoko, who choked in the middle of a drag.

“See? She’s dying.” Gojo said. “Cigarettes kill. It’s written on the package.”

“Satoru, you can’t say things like that in front of other people–”

“Shoko is not other people. You were about to tell her about us anyway, right?”

When Shoko was finally able to breathe again, thanks to no one, she slapped Gojo as hard as she could on his back, but he had his stupid infinity on. “Gojo! It’s not the cigarettes that made me cough, it was you!”

“Huh?” He turned to her, laughing at her pathetic attempt at hitting him. “We’re dating now. You’ll have to get used to it from now on.”

“Satoru–”

“Turn off your infinity.”

“Why? So you could hit me?”

Shoko frowned. “No, you stupid idiot.”

Gojo gave a frown of his own, but the glow of the eyes behind the black lenses faded. Shoko jumped on him in a tight hug. He stumbled backwards and Geto caught them both, so she pulled him into the hug as well.

“I’m so happy for you guys! Gojo, if you’ll hurt Geto I’ll have to kill you. Geto, it goes the same for you.”

They laughed, and gave in to the hug.

“I have to shit so bad, where’s the toilet?”

Shoko’s mom dropped the kitchen towel she was holding.

Gojo looked back at Shoko with eyebrows raised. “Does she have hearing problems?”

“No… It’s all the way to the left.” she said, wanting to push his head into the toilet bowl.

Gojo threw his shoes off and ran to the bathroom.

“I’m so sorry for Satoru’s behavior, Mrs. Ieri.” Geto bowed to her mom.

Shoko’s mom blushed. “No, no, it’s alright.” She smiled at him kindly. “Well aren’t you a well behaved, good looking young man.”

Shoko rolled her eyes.

“I’m so happy that Shoko brought her friends for dinner here, I’ve made my best dishes!”

“I’m sure anything your cook is exquisite, Mrs. Ieri.”

Shoko wanted to stuff Geto’s face into the toilet next to Gojo’s.

“I still need help setting up the table…” Her mom said, fluttering her eyelashes at him.

“Leave it to me.” He said, and followed her into the kitchen. Shoko had no choice but to follow them, a bit worried that Gojo was left alone on the other side of the house.

Shoko’s mom and Geto kept talking and laughing as if they’ve known each other for years, Geto being all nice, smily and flattery Shoko wanted to slap him, but her mom seemed to be falling in love. When Gojo joined them, Shoko didn’t know if it was salvation or damnation. 

“Your house is… cute.” He said in a voice that meant ‘is this how poor people live? really?’ which didn’t escape anyone in the room.

“It really is.” Geto said, sincerely, when he saw the shock on Shoko’s mom’s face.

“Oh stop it.” She purred.

“Gojo…” Shoko stepped closer to him and dropped her voice. “Please show some respect to my mother… Treat her as if she’s your mother.”

Gojo winced. “Ew.”

ew?!

“I thought that regular people don’t have to bow down to their parents as if they’re gods, but I guess I was wrong. Was looking forward to that.”

“What kind of childhood did you have…?” Shoko wondered aloud, but Gojo walked off to help Geto with the table.

Her father joined them when the food was served and they all sat down to eat. Geto ate everything in his plate and asked for seconds, which made her mom the happiest woman alive. Gojo was acting a little better after Shoko talked to him, but he didn’t hide how much he disliked the food.

“I have chefs making my food growing up.” He explained to her mom when she asked him if something was wrong. Even her father, who was the most relaxed person in any situation, began hating him.

“Satoru…” Geto purred out his name out of habit, and, forgetting himself, he pressed a steamed vegetable to Gojo’s lips with his own chopsticks. “Try this one, I think it’s quite good.” 

Gojo opened his mouth and chewed carefully. Shoko and her parents watched the scene with open mouths and eyes wide. Her mother threw her a glance. She pulled

on her shoulder.

“Shoko, tell me dear…” her mom leaned towards her and whispered. “Is this like the comic books you have up in your room?”

Shoko blushed deeply, but nodded her head.

“What comic books?” Gojo asked loudly.

Later, after the boys left and Shoko helped her mom dry the dishes, her mom sighed dramatically.

“He’s gay, isn’t he?” She said.

“Mom!” Shoko almost dropped the plate she was holding. “And yes, I’m pretty sure he’s gay.”

“That Gojo Satoru doesn’t deserve him.” She said with a humph.

Shoko couldn’t help but laugh.