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Utahime sat on a bench in Central Park, hidden in the shadows of towering trees that stretched their branches toward the sky. The gentle rustle of leaves and the distant hum of the city surrounded her as she observed the lively scene unfolding before her.
Yuji and Todo, with determination in their eyes, scrutinised each passerby, hoping to catch a glimpse of Jennifer Lawrence. Miwa, engrossed in her phone, sent a ton of videos to Mechamaru, that hadn’t join them for the obvious reasons. Her animated gestures and excited chatter about the Empire State Building echoed in the air.
Mai and Maki's bickering voices carried through the air, but then, surprisingly, the twins had paused to take a selfie together. Utahime felt a glimpse of a genuine smile on her own face as she observed the moment between the two. Meanwhile, Momo and Nobara engaged in animated discussion about the best fashion shops they had encountered so far, clearly annoying Kamo, who was trying to get away from them in order to observe the garden.
Megumi, the typically stoic one, betrayed a soft side whenever a dog approached him for a pat. She had noticed the subtle shift in his expression, a fleeting warmth that surfaced every time he interacted with the furry creatures.
As Utahime observed the chaos and harmony within the group, a sense of contentment washed over her. She marvelled at the unique dynamics. In the midst of their life mission, the jujutsu students seemed to found comfort in the simple pleasures of life, and she couldn't help but feel a glimmer of hope for their future.
After all, when they first dropped their bags on the apartment floors, they took their broken hearts and put them in a drawer. Everybody here was someone else before and they could be who they wanted to for a while.
She also hoped that it was in the moments that it lay the strength that would carry them through the challenges that were ahead. The teacher did not intend to be naive, but when she laid her head in her pillow every night before sleeping, she hoped for a more promising future.
For now, they deserved their youth.
However, the realisation of her impending challenge settled in.
Tomorrow was the 31st of December, and the prospect of spending midnight in Times Square with a group of energetic, curse-wielding teenagers filled her with dread. Utahime hated messy environments, and the idea of navigating the chaos of New Year's Eve in one of the busiest places on Earth was far from appealing.
The thought of corralling all these students, each with their own unique abilities and, at times, reckless tendencies, weighed heavily on her shoulders. The responsibility was made even more daunting by his presence, whose unpredictability and carefree attitude were both a blessing and a curse.
Utahime couldn't help but sigh audibly, her fingers absentmindedly tapping against the armrest of the bench. She wasn't sure if she was more frustrated with the situation or with herself for letting his whims take the reins.
After all, this whole situation was happening was thanks to him.
Utahime sighed quietly, her eyes still fixed on the eclectic group scattered across Central Park.
The memories of how she got roped into this New York trip played in her mind like a never-ending loop. She couldn't quite fathom how a seemingly innocent idea from Gojo had spiralled into an impromptu journey across the ocean.
It had all began with the aftermath of the baseball match, a game that ended in a defeat for the Kyoto school that still stung. The mood among the students was somber, and discussions about the tournament loss lingered in the air. Utahime had been content to immerse herself in her duties, providing guidance and support to the students as needed. Little did she anticipate the curveball that he would throw her way.
As usual.
The ever-elusive and enigmatic figure, who seemed to have a knack for stirring up chaos, had appeared out of nowhere with an offer that was impossible to refuse.
Tickets to a game in New York, a chance for the students to take a breather and indulge in something other than curses and battles. Utahime had tried to dismiss the entire situation, brushing it off as one of Gojo's whimsical ideas. However, resistance proved itself futile.
Both school directors, backing Gojo's proposal, insisted that it would be a good opportunity for the students to unwind. No matter how much she argued or tried to escape the clutches of his spontaneous plans, she found herself cornered into accepting the trip. It was for the kids, they said. A chance for them to experience something beyond the relentless world of Jujutsu Sorcery.
Utahime couldn't help but shake her head at the audacity of Satoru and his knack for pulling everyone into his schemes. She had half a mind to confront him about it, but deep down, a small part of her acknowledged the genuine intention behind the chaotic idea. Perhaps, in his unconventional way, he was trying to inject a bit of joy and distraction into the lives of the students who had faced so much trouble during the tournament.
Now, three days later, while she observed the group in Central Park, Utahime couldn't deny that despite the initial reluctance, there was a certain joy in witnessing the students finding moments and happiness amidst the chaos of New York.
As the teacher trudged through the memories of the last days, a deep frown creased her forehead and she found herself thinking about the last few years. She couldn't help but wonder why he had made it his personal mission to complicate her life since their teenage years. The recollections of his juvenile antics flooded her mind, each memory a testament to his relentless pursuit of annoyance.
From the days of their youth, he had found creative ways to get under her skin. Pulling her hair, invading her personal space with the scent of his sugary snacks, and intentionally picking her up just to carry her books after classes – every action seemed meticulously designed to annoy her. It was as if Gojo derived some twisted pleasure from pushing her buttons. She was almost sure this whole trip was to nag at her as well. Or maybe she was just being overdramatic.
Utahime couldn't escape the vivid image of the blue eye sorcerer showing up uninvited at her university dorm during her college years. His frequent appearances, week after week, felt like an orchestrated effort to disrupt her peace and sanity. The memories of those encounters left a taste in her mouth, a constant reminder of his persistent efforts to make her life more difficult. However, she couldn’t deny that she had appreciated them and that was what consumed her the most. The bizarre lingering feeling she had when it came to him. It drove her crazy, but she was embarrassed to admit she wouldn’t change a thing.
A conflicted mix of emotions swirled within her. The annoyance he had caused her over the years was undeniable, but amidst the frustration, there was a begrudging acknowledgment of the positive impact as well. It was infuriating.
Utahime couldn't deny that Gojo had evolved over the years. Beneath the layers of mischief and irritation, she recognised a man who, in his own way, cared about the well-being of the students. His unconventional methods and spontaneous decisions might drive her up the wall, but she couldn't overlook the positive outcomes he often managed to achieve.
Her thoughts lingered on the fact that, irritating as he was, Satoru possessed a certain charisma. There was an undeniable charm in the way he orchestrated moments of joy for the students, even if it meant dragging Utahime into the chaos. It was a begrudging acknowledgment of his ability to create a positive atmosphere, despite his infuriating habits.
And besides all of that, she couldn't help but admit, even if only to herself, that Gojo was perhaps the best-looking person she had ever seen. The acknowledgment brought an irritated sigh to her lips.
Utahime found herself caught in a complex web of emotions – annoyance, begrudging respect, and an undeniable awareness of Gojo's irritating yet strangely appealing presence.
Damn Gojo Satoru and his ideas, she thought, but a faint smile tugged at the corners of her lips, betraying a hint of gratitude for the unexpected respite.
The teacher felt a sudden shift in the atmosphere, and before she could register what was happening, Satoru materialised next to her with his trademark flair for surprise. The abrupt appearance nearly gave her a heart attack, a reaction she was all too accustomed to when dealing with him.
She turned to find him casually seated next to her, donning a blue hoodie that read "Welcome to New York" in bold letters, a choice that seemed to perfectly encapsulate his penchant for the ridiculous. Utahime couldn't help but sigh at the audacity of his fashion choices, but deep down, a small flicker of contentment ignited within her.
While she would never admit it aloud, Utahime found a strange sense of comfort in Gojo's presence.
Utahime stole a glance at him, her expression a mix of irritation and resignation. He leaned back on the bench, a mischievous glint in his eyes as he removed a vibrant red hoodie from a bag slung over his shoulder. The words "Welcome to New York" were emblazoned on it in the same bold letters as his own, and he grinned at her.
“Hime, I have got a little surprise for you!”
Utahime glanced at the hoodie in his hands, suspicion etching her features. "What's that supposed to be?"
“A little something to lighten up your wardrobe, my dear senpai.” He had the silliest smile on his face and she could swear the tease was drooling from his lips.
That bastard.
“I have my own sense of fashion, thank you very much.” She rolled her eyes, moving her gaze away from him. “I definitely don't need a neon sign on my chest.”
“Come on, it's a limited edition!” He pouted, as usual. “Red suits you, trust me."
“No, Gojo. I'm not wearing that hoodie!”
Gojo's grin widened, and he dangled the hoodie in front of Utahime, as if trying to hypnotise her with its questionable allure.
“But it's a matching set!” His pout was now even bigger if that was possible “Just imagine how great we'd look together."
What the hell?
Brush it off, Utahime.
Just brush it off.
“I have zero interest in looking like a walking advertisement for New York tourism.”
“Aw, come on, Hime! Don't be a spoilsport. It'll be fun!"
“Fun for you, maybe. I'm not wearing it."
Gojo's mischievous grin transformed once more into a playful pout, a tactic he often employed to get his way. “Just for today? Pretty please?”
Utahime felt a blush creeping up her cheeks, a mixture of irritation and embarrassment. “Absolutely not. I have my dignity!”
“Dignity is overrated. C'mon, Uta, be a sport!”
“I said no!”
The playful banter continued, Gojo persistently trying to convince her while she stood her ground. The red hoodie hung in the balance, a symbol of his relentless pursuit of mischief and her unwavering refusal to be swayed by his antics.
However, both of them where frozen when Nobara’s voice cut through the air, loud and clear.
“Gojo-sensei, why'd you get a matching set for you and Utahime-sensei?”
Utahime's attention snapped away from the her persistent colleague and moved towards the group of students, who had gathered around, their expressions a mix of curiosity and amusement. The suspicion in their eyes made her want to hide below the bench, and she shot Gojo a pointed look. The sight, however, caught her attention.
The strongest sorcerer of the modern age, usually composed and unflappable, was shifting uncomfortably. A noticeable blush coloured the tops of his ears, and for a moment, Utahime couldn't quite believe her eyes. The ever-confident Gojo Satoru was blushing? She squinted, trying to discern whether it was a trick of the light or some elaborate prank.
Nobara, not one to let the opportunity slip by, chimed in. “Are you answering or what?”
Gojo's embarrassment deepened. Utahime couldn't quite decipher the cause of his blush, but for once, she was content to let the mystery linger.
And then he was abruptly gone.
The confusion hung in the air as Gojo, with his characteristic teleporting technique, disappeared from the scene. Before anyone could fully comprehend his abrupt departure, he reappeared just as quickly, his voice booming through Central Park.
“Because I bought matching hoodies for everyone, that's why!”
The sudden revelation left the students wide-eyed and buzzing with excitement. Their sensei had managed to turn the tables with his surprise and unleashed a wave of enthusiasm.
The vibrant colours of the hoodies spread across the group as the students eagerly picked their preferred shades. Nobara gleefully held up a bold purple one, while Todo proudly showed off a sky-blue version. Megumi, attempting to maintain his stoic demeanour, chose a deep green hoodie, trying to seem unbothered but quite content in seeing Yuji vibrating with his light pink one.
The atmosphere shifted from confusion to excitement, and even Utahime found herself reluctantly drawn into the infectious enthusiasm. She reluctantly picked the red hoodie that Gojo had chosen for her, inwardly grumbling but outwardly wearing a stoic expression. She caught a glimpse of his amused smile while he was observing her and she almost tear it off. Infuriating brat.
As they walked down the busy streets of New York, the group now clad in an array of vibrant hoodies, Utahime couldn't help but notice the brightest smile on her colleague’s face. The genuine happiness radiating from him, despite his mischievous antics and the chaos he had caused, tugged at a corner of her heart.
Megumi, walking beside her, shot her a knowing glance. His annoyance mirrored hers, but there was a subtle acknowledgment that, perhaps, there was more to Gojo's antics than met the eye.
Utahime mulled over the events of the day. The laughter, the excitement, and even the annoyance seemed to fade into the background as she observed the genuine joy on the faces of the students. Despite the chaos and unpredictability, she couldn't deny that Gojo had orchestrated a day that brought smiles to those around him.
As the group continued their journey through the bustling streets of New York, Utahime, reluctantly wearing her pink hoodie, couldn't shake the thought that, in the end, it had been a good day.
(…)
Utahime's peaceful slumber was abruptly interrupted by a resounding bang on her door. Startled and slightly disoriented, she hurried to answer it, concern furrowing her brow. To her surprise, there stood Satoru, his characteristic grin plastered across his face, holding a bag of something that smelled like pastry.
“Morning, Utahime! Did I wake you up? Sorry, sorry. I come bearing gifts!” He announced cheerfully, standing in the doorway.
“What on earth are you doing here?” Utahime inquired, her curiosity piqued.
The Tokyo teacher leaned casually against the doorframe, a grin playing on his lips. “I thought we could have breakfast together. Croissants are the breakfast of champions in the Occident world, you know…”
Utahime regarded him skeptically. “You barged into my room to share croissants?”
“Well, sharing is caring, isn't it? Plus, it's a great way to start the day!” Gojo replied, his grin widening.
Utahime crossed her arms, unimpressed. “You have a strange way of showing consideration. Most people announce themselves before.”
He chuckled. “Where's the fun in that? Besides, we're practically family, right?”
Utahime deadpanned. “Now that's a stretch.”
Undeterred, Satoru held out the bag of croissants as a peace offering. “Come on, Hime. Join me for breakfast. It's a new day, and we're in the city that never sleeps. Let's make the most of it!”
Utahime sighed, torn between irritation and amusement. After a brief moment of consideration, she relented with a reluctant shrug, moving to the side to let him enter the room. “Fine, but next time, try warning in advance. And don't make this a habit.”
“Noted.” He declared, mock-seriousness dancing in his eyes.
As they bantered back and forth, the atmosphere lightened, and Utahime couldn't deny the underlying comfort that lingered between them. Perhaps, despite his exasperating antics, his presence had become an unexpected and strangely enjoyable part of her life.
“You know, Utahime, these croissants are fantastic.” He started to speak with his mouth full. “You’re missing out by only having one.”
“I'm perfectly content with just one, thank you….”
“More for me, then!”
Despite his playful demeanour, Utahime observed him with a mix of exasperation and something she couldn't quite put her finger on. He had changed, matured in some ways, and yet the his essence remained unchanged. She couldn't help but notice the subtle differences in his features – the maturity etched into his expression, the gloss that still adorned his lips, and that seemingly divine smile that could disarm even the most guarded hearts. His eyes, though, were the same, as piercing and mischievous as ever.
She sighed inwardly, her gaze lingering on him.
Damn him.
Damn him for being so infuriatingly charming and for making her notice the smallest details about him.
“You haven't changed much, have you?” She muttered, barely concentrated.
“Change is overrated, Uta.” He grinned. “I’m just perfect the way I am.”
Utahime rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress a small smirk. As they continued to share breakfast while exchanging playful jabs, she found herself caught again in a strange dance of annoyance and reluctant amusement. It was, in its own way, a uniquely Satoru experience – infuriating, endearing, and undeniably captivating.
Gojo, seemingly oblivious to her scrutiny, continued to eat with his usual flair. The absurdity of the moment, with him still wearing that ridiculous "Welcome to New York" hoodie, only added to the complex allure he exuded.
Suddenly, he looked up, catching Utahime in the act of gazing at him. His mischievous smirk surfaced as he raised an eyebrow. “You staring, Utahime?”
Utahime, caught off guard, felt a blush creeping up her cheeks. She quickly averted her gaze, attempting to regain composure. “I'm not staring. Just lost in thought.”
Gojo's smirk widened, and he leaned in slightly, his gaze fixed on her. “Lost in thought, huh? About me, perhaps?”
“Don’t flatter yourself, Gojo.” Her blush deepened, and she shot him a glare, before moving her eyes to the remaining of her croissant.
“Well, I don't mind being observed. It's not every day someone gets to witness this level of perfection up close.”
“You're insufferable.”
“Do not worry, Uta, you can stare. After all, I also think you are the prettiest girl I have ever seen.”
Gojo's unexpected compliment hung in the air, leaving a palpable tension between them.
The room seemed to shrink as she shifted her gaze from her breakfast to meet his eyes, ready to school him for his mockery. However, the dead serious expression on Satoru’s face caught her off guard. The mischievous gleam was replaced by a genuine earnest look that left her momentarily speechless. The atmosphere became charged with an unspoken tension, a strange vulnerability seeping into the space between them.
Utahime could feel the blush creeping onto her cheeks, a response she hadn't anticipated. The weight of the unspoken words lingered, and for a moment, they just stared at each other, the air thick with a peculiar energy. The playful banter that usually defined their interactions seemed to dissolve, replaced by a subtle acknowledgment of something unspoken.
She tried to compose herself, to find the right words to deflect his compliment, but the sincerity in his eyes held her back. The breakfast table became a silent arena where the unspoken tension danced, leaving both of them caught in a moment that defied their usual dynamic.
In the quietude, she couldn't help but acknowledge the complexity of their connection. It was a fleeting acknowledgment, a realisation that the man before her, infuriating as he may be, had the ability to catch her off guard in unexpected ways. The silence lingered, and in the midst of that strange tension, she couldn't deny the stirrings of something unfamiliar beneath the surface of their banter-filled relationship.
The abrupt movement caught Utahime off guard as Gojo swiftly rose from his chair and moved around the table. Before she could react, he gently pushed her hand, lifting her from her chair. The sudden change in their positions left them standing face to face.
Utahime, now standing and locked in a gaze with Gojo, felt a rush of conflicting emotions. The absence of his blindfold that morning struck her for the first time as odd, a departure from his usual enigmatic appearance. She swallowed, suddenly aware of the proximity between them and the fact that she was wearing one of her oldest pyjamas – a detail she wouldn't usually care about, but under his intense gaze, it became a source of self-consciousness.
They stood in silence, their eyes locked, the unspoken tension reaching a crescendo. Utahime found herself unable to look away, drawn into the intensity of the moment. The air seemed charged with an electric energy, and the usual banter that characterised their interactions was replaced by a wordless exchange that spoke volumes.
As Gojo continued to stare at her with a level of intensity that felt both disconcerting and captivating, she couldn't help but wonder about the purpose behind his actions. The absence of his blindfold, the sudden shift in dynamics – it left her with a sense of unease and curiosity, a mix of emotions that added to the complexity of the situation.
In the silence that enveloped them, Utahime felt a strange vulnerability, as if Gojo had peeled away a layer of their usual banter and left something unspoken in its wake. The weight of his gaze, the proximity, and the unspoken tension became a canvas for something undefined, and for a moment, time seemed to stand still as they stood, locked in a gaze that held more questions than answers.
“You know I wouldn't change a thing, don’t you?”
His question hung in the air, heavy with an intensity that left her speechless. The words, laden with an unspoken weight, seemed to echo in the space between them. The proximity only intensified, and Utahime found herself caught in the gravitational pull of his presence.
She swallowed, unable to form a coherent response. His closeness, the unspoken tension, left her grappling with a mix of emotions she couldn't quite decipher. As Satoru inched even closer, the air thickened with anticipation. Utahime's pulse quickened, the subtle vulnerability creeping in. The questions lingered, and she felt a strange disorientation as if the ground beneath her was shifting.
The closeness became almost suffocating, and Utahime found herself entrapped in a gaze that demanded more than words. The unspoken tension between them seemed to reach a breaking point, and in the charged silence, she could feel the currents of something shifting, something unexplored and undefined.
The air crackled with unspoken possibilities, and as he inched even closer, she couldn't escape the feeling that the boundaries between them were blurring, leaving her on the precipice of something both thrilling and unnerving.
Was he going to…
However, a sudden knock on the door shattered the charged atmosphere, causing both of them to jump away from each other. The spell was broken, and the unspoken tension that had hung in the air dissipated like smoke.
Utahime quickly composed herself, her heart still racing, and walked towards the door. As she opened it, she found two of her students standing there, oblivious to the moment that had just transpired.
“Sensei, we're heading out to explore the city! Are you coming?”
Kamo and Todo stared at her, completely oblivious to her trance.
“Yes, I'll be in the lobby shortly.” She was sure she was sounding calm. Right? Right. “Just give me a moment.”
As she closed the door, Utahime couldn't help but glance around the room, half-expecting Gojo to still be there, but he had vanished. The last smile he had flashed lingered in her mind, leaving behind a sense of mystery and unanswered questions.
With a sigh, Utahime shook off the remnants of the interrupted moment and prepared to join the students for another day of exploration in the bustling city.
(…)
Utahime's nerves were on edge as the realisation sunk in.
She somehow had lost track of the students in the chaotic hustle and bustle of Times Square on New Year's Eve.
The clock mercilessly ticked away, and the neon lights of Times Square illuminated the bustling crowd. As the minutes approached midnight, Utahime found herself alone in the sea of people with no sign of the students.
The situation was made even more exasperating by the fact that Satoru was standing beside her, seemingly unperturbed by the disarray around them. Her irritation deepened as she glanced at him, her expression a mix of frustration and anxiety.
“Where are they?” Utahime's voice was tense as she demanded. “This is a disaster!”
Gojo smirked, his confidence unwavering. “Relax, Uta. They're probably just caught up in the crowd. It's Times Square on New Year's Eve, after all.”
“This was a terrible idea. I should have known better than to let you plan anything!” Utahime gritted her teeth, frustration evident in her tone.
He remained nonchalant. “Hey, I thought it'd be a memorable experience for everyone. What's the worst that could happen?”
“The worst is happening right now!” Utahime scolded him, her patience wearing thin. “We’ve lost the students, and I have no idea how to find them in this chaos!”
As the clock continued its relentless countdown, her anxiety escalated. The magnitude of the situation became painfully clear – she was stuck in Times Square on New Year's Eve with no sign of the students and only Gojo Satoru for company.
“Well, it's almost midnight.” With his hands on his pockets he was just smirking behind his signature round sunglasses that made everyone look at the weirdo that wore them during the night. “Might as well enjoy the show, right?”
Utahime shot him an exasperated look, realising that her attempt to keep the students together had backfired spectacularly. The cheers and countdown from the crowd filled the air, and despite her frustration, a part of her couldn't help but acknowledge the irony of the situation.
As the crowd in Times Square grew denser, Gojo, seemingly unfazed by the impending chaos, leaned towards Utahime with a mischievous grin. “You know, I can help you with that crowd anxiety.”
Utahime rolled her eyes, dismissing his suggestion with a scoff. “I highly doubt you have any power that can help with this mess.” She retorted skeptically.
However, just a minute before midnight, Gojo's actions proved otherwise. With a sudden and unexpected move, he grabbed her by the waist, and in an instant, the disorienting sensation of teleportation enveloped them. When the world stopped moving, Utahime found herself standing not on the crowded streets of Times Square but on the top of the Empire State Building, right at the tower's pinnacle.
“Are you for real?” Utahime stammered in disbelief, her voice trembling with awe. Her eyes widened as she took in the dizzying height, the sprawling city below, and the surealness of being perched on the tower's pinnacle. She gritted her teeth, her anxiety palpable as she spoke through clenched jaws. “Gojo, this is not helping with my anxiety. I feel like I'm going to be sick!”
Seemingly unperturbed by the height, Gojo flashed his trademark smirk, trying to reassure her. “Relax, Hime. It's the best view in the city. And look, the pre fireworks before are about to start.”
As the first burst of fireworks before midnight painted the sky, Utahime couldn't decide whether to be infuriated or amazed by the unexpected turn of events. She also noticed that he still had two arms enveloped around her waist, what made her cheeks blush but no more than when she noticed that both her hands were still placed on his torso. The grandeur of the scene before her clashed with the unease in her stomach, and she couldn't shake the feeling that Satoru had once again orchestrated a memorable experience, albeit in the most unconventional way.
“You're unbelievable.” She muttered under her breath, torn between exasperation and grudging admiration.
Despite her annoyance, a part of her acknowledged the unique vantage point and the breathtaking view. Whether she liked it or not, he had managed to transport them to a place where the chaos of the crowd below felt distant, replaced by the dazzling display of fireworks above the city.
The countdown reached its final moments, the anticipation building as the seconds ticked away. In the midst of the dazzling fireworks and the breathtaking view from the top of the Empire State Building, Gojo turned to Utahime with a mischievous smile.
“So, Utahime, any wishes for the new year?”
Utahime, maintaining her practical demeanour, replied with a dismissive tone. “I don't believe in that kind of thing.”
His soft smile persisted as the countdown reached its climax. With only a few seconds remaining, Utahime, unable to resist the atmosphere, turned the question back to him, moving her gaze from the fireworks to him. The fact he was already staring at her almost made her give up on her words.
“And you, Gojo? What's your wish for the new year?”
“Already got mine.”
As the final seconds approached, the air became charged with a mix of excitement and uncertainty. Then, at the stroke of midnight, as the special fireworks exploded in a radiant display, Utahime did something entirely unexpected.
Seeing Gojo's smile without his blindfold, something rare and genuine, she acted on an impulse surprising even herself.
In the midst of the celebratory chaos, Utahime Iori pushed herself up and kissed Gojo Satoru.
The moment felt suspended in time, the dazzling fireworks providing a backdrop to the unexpected exchange. The city below continued its New Year's celebration, unaware of the unpredictable twist at the top of their tallest building.
The world around them seemed to fade into the background as the moment unfolded, the vibrant lights illuminating the connection between them. Utahime felt the gentle warmth of Gojo's lips, and amidst the explosion of colours, she sensed him smiling during the kiss, the surprising tenderness of the moment catching her off guard.
As the kiss deepened, Utahime couldn't deny the mix of emotions coursing through her – surprise, confusion, and a strange acknowledgment that perhaps, amidst the chaos and unpredictability, there was something about him that had always go beyond the usual annoyances.
She chuckled inwardly at the irony of it all – here she was, in the heart of New York, sharing a kiss with Satoru, the man who had always managed to infuriate and intrigue her in equal measure. She pulled away softly, unable to control her incredulous chuckle.
“Well, New York must really be a city where anything can happen.” He joked when she broke their lips apart, but there was a softness undeniable on his tone.
Her gaze met Gojo's, and in a shared smile, there was a recognition of the unexpected turn their New Year's celebration had taken.
As they stood atop the Empire State Building, surrounded by the echoes of the New Year's celebration, Gojo and Utahime shared a moment that defied the usual boundaries of their relationship. The night, like the city below, held the promise of new beginnings.
Damn him.
Always him.
Forever him.
(…)
The students, still buzzing with the excitement of the New Year's celebration, made their way back to the hotel.
Yuji, ever curious, couldn't resist asking Nobara once again why she had decided to run from the teachers. "Come on! Why did we had to run away from the teachers back there?"
His friend rolled her eyes, dismissing the question with a nonchalant wave of her hand. "None of your business, idiot.”
Momo, Kamo, and others exchanged puzzled glances, intrigued by the mysterious escapade. Kamo voiced his opinion, suggesting that spending midnight with them might have been a better choice. "Seriously, it would have been better to spend midnight with Utahime-senpai.” He remarked.
Nobara scoffed at the idea, berating them all for even considering it.
However, Megumi, who had been silent until that moment, spoke up.
"Just look at the lobby.”
Confused, while arriving to the main hotel door, the group turned their attention to the lobby. To their surprise, Utahime and Gojo were standing there, hand in hand. The sight left the students in stunned silence, their previous questions forgotten in the face of the unexpected scene unfolding before them.
Utahime and Gojo, seemingly oblivious to the attention, shared a quiet moment together. Not only were they holding hands, but their sensei was also rubbing the back of the Kyoto’s teacher. The students exchanged wide-eyed glances, realisation finally dawning upon.
Yuji turned again his gaze to Nobara, the only one that seemed a bit less surprised. She just shrugged.
“That dumbass bought matching hoodies!”
“Like any great love, it keeps you guessing
Like any real love, it's ever-changing
Like any true love, it drives you crazy
But you know you wouldn't change anything, anything, anything”