Chapter Text
satoru had always believed in the concept of soulmates.
from the time he was a child, the idea that there was someone out there, perfectly matched to him, made just for him, filled his heart with hope and excitement. each night, he would fall asleep dreaming of the day he would meet his other half, and each morning he would wake up with a renewed sense of anticipation.
as he walked through the bustling city streets, the winter air was crisp and cold, each breath forming small clouds of mist that disappeared into the frigid air. snowflakes drifted down from the sky, delicate and serene, settling on the ground and transforming the city into a winter wonderland. the soft, white blanket of snow created a tranquil contrast against the vibrant hues of the cityscape.
the snowflakes, falling gently around him, seemed to dance in the light, their purity echoing the ethereal quality of his own appearance. his white hair, so brilliantly bright against the winter backdrop, caught the light and sparkled like the freshly fallen snow. each strand of his hair seemed to shimmer with the same soft glow as the snowflakes, creating a halo-like effect that accentuated his presence.
his crystal blue eyes, wide with anticipation, mirrored the snowy scene. they seemed to hold a light of their own, a vivid brilliance that made them almost glow in the wintry light. the colour of his eyes was as clear and striking as the ice-covered city streets, reflecting the subtle hues of a cold daylight and the serene beauty of the snowfall. as the snowflakes brushed past him, they momentarily clung to his white lashes and hair, adding an extra layer of magic to his already otherworldly appearance.
satoru’s gaze fell on the underside of his wrist.
today’s date was written onto his pale skin in tiny, bold letters: 24.12.2023.
the significance of the date only heightened his excitement. it wasn’t just any day; it was christmas eve, a time of magic and wonder, and it was the day when his life would change forever.
the letters on his wrist glowed softly, the numbers reflecting off the smooth, polished surface. with each passing second, the anticipation grew heavier, more palpable. he glanced at the timer once more and then at the city around him. the festive lights adorning the buildings and trees created a warm, inviting glow that contrasted with the chill in the air. but all of it seemed to blur into the background, into a soft snowy haze as he focused on the moment approaching with relentless certainty.
his thoughts drifted back to his childhood dreams. growing up, satoru had been captivated by stories of true love and fated encounters. he remembered the bedtime stories his mother used to read to him—tales of fated lovers whose destinies intertwined across time and space. his favorite story was about a prince and a commoner who, despite their different worlds, discovered they were meant for each other.
he would lie in bed, eyes wide with wonder, clutching onto his favorite stuffed animal, and imagine what it would be like to meet his soulmate. would they have a smile that made his heart race? would their voice be like a melody that made him feel at home? would they be strong and brave like the prince, or kind and wise like the commoner?
in school, while other kids played games of tag and hide-and-seek, satoru would often find himself daydreaming about his soulmate. he'd imagine meeting them in various scenarios—a chance encounter in the park, a fateful meeting on a rainy day, or a magical moment under a starlit sky. these daydreams were his escape, a way to feel close to the person he hadn't yet met but believed was out there somewhere, waiting for him.
satoru's belief in soulmates only grew stronger as he got older. in his teenage years, he would write letters to his future soulmate, pouring his heart out on paper. he kept these letters in a small, ornate box hidden under his bed, each one an indication of his unwavering faith in their eventual meeting. he wrote about his hopes and dreams, his fears and insecurities, and his longing to find the one person who would understand him completely.
he also wore a small, silver locket around his neck, a gift from his grandmother who shared his belief in soulmates. inside the locket was a tiny piece of parchment with the words "believe in destiny" written in elegant script. whenever he felt discouraged or doubted the existence of his soulmate, he would open the locket and read those words, drawing strength from them.
satoru's friends would often tease him about his idealistic views on love and soulmates, but he didn't mind. he knew that his belief made him unique, and he cherished the sense of purpose it gave him. to him, meeting his soulmate wasn't just a fantasy; it was a certainty, a part of his destiny that he was determined to fulfill.
now, as an adult, those dreams had become his reality. the date etched onto his wrist, a device that had become a symbol of his belief in destiny, had a little addition below the bold numbers. a timer had appeared sometime during his musings and was now counting down the final moments until he would finally meet the person who was meant for him.
satoru’s breath caught in his throat, and the anticipation he felt was more intense than ever. he could feel it in the rapid thrum of his heartbeat, each pulse resonating with the gravity of the moment. the cold air around him seemed to tighten, wrapping him in a cocoon of heightened awareness.
his eyes were locked onto the countdown timer. the display was a sharp contrast against the white of the snow and the pale of his skin. the numbers ticked away steadily, each second slipping away like grains of sand through an hourglass. his heart galloped away in his chest, and he could almost hear the faint, rhythmic ticking of the timer as it measured down the final moments.
the timer's digits glowed with an otherworldly luminescence, casting a soft light that seemed to pulse in sync with his racing heartbeat. the intensity of the glow made the surrounding snowflakes appear to shimmer and dance with renewed vigour, their delicate beauty underscored by the looming significance of what was to come.
a flush of warmth spread across his cheeks, a stark contrast to the cold that surrounded him. each second that passed was a reminder of the fleeting nature of time, and the inevitability of the encounter that was rapidly approaching. satoru's hands trembled slightly as he lifted them to touch the timer, the flickering letters warm against his cold skin. he could feel the heat of his own breath mingling with the chill of the winter air, the sensation both invigorating and unsettling.
satoru's entire life had led up to this point, and he knew that no matter what happened, meeting his soulmate would be worth every moment of waiting, every letter written, every dream dreamed. today, he would find the person who was meant for him, the one who would complete him in ways he had only ever imagined. and with that thought, he took a deep breath, ready to face whatever destiny had in store.
the city’s sounds—cars crunching through the snow, people chatting as they passed by bundled up in warm coats, the distant hum of a street performer’s guitar—seemed to fade into the background. satoru’s focus was entirely on the timer, each second feeling like a heartbeat, each moment bringing him closer to the fated encounter.
00:04:00
satoru’s legs were trembling, and his breath came in short, uneven bursts. the anticipation was almost overwhelming. he felt a mix of exhilaration and anxiety, a cocktail of emotions that made his head spin. his hand instinctively reached up to touch the timer again, reassuring himself that it was real, that the moment was truly approaching.
00:03:30
he glanced around at the faces surrounding him and hurried away from the bustling street to a secluded park at the edge of the street, seeking refuge from the frenetic energy of the crowd. the park’s quiet, snow-covered paths and the gentle, muffled sounds of distant traffic created a serene contrast to the chaotic cityscape. satoru chose this tranquil corner for its calm, hoping it would soothe his nerves and provide a moment of clarity. the solitude of the park, with its snowy benches and frost-kissed trees, was intended to offer him a brief respite from the overwhelming anticipation, a place where he could focus on the approaching encounter without the distraction of the city’s relentless pulse.
00:01:00
somewhere in this warm, festive space, someone else had the exact same countdown on their wrist. they were feeling the same pressure, the same electric tension of fate pulling them towards a life-changing encounter. satoru imagined them, wherever they were, going through the same ritual of anticipation, their own heart racing in sync with his.
00:00:55
his mother’s words echoed in his mind: "you should be excited, not nervous." yet, despite her well-meaning advice, he found himself wiping his sweaty palms on the expensive wool of his tailored overcoat. he couldn’t help but think about how uncomfortable he felt in the high-end cashmere sweater and stylish, tailored trousers she had insisted he wear. don’t get him wrong, he loved wearing expensive clothes and flaunting his wealth when the occasion called for it. but wasn’t it more genuine to meet his soulmate as his true self, in his usual casual attire and with his tousled spiky hair? the posh, sophisticated outfit seemed to contrast sharply with the casual, easy-going persona he felt more at ease in.
00:00:30
an inexplicable force seemed to keep him rooted on the spot and satoru chewed his lip nervously, his eyes darting around the park, searching for a sign that the moment was truly near.
00:00:25
that same feeling, that undeniable pull, guided him towards the playground. his stomach felt like it was dropping away as he took a step in that direction, his mind racing with a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions.
00:00:20
with each step, the tempo of his heart quickened, a rhythmic pounding that seemed to synchronise with the countdown on his wrist.
00:00:19
his heartbeat grew faster.
00:00:18
quicker
00:00:17
more rapid
00:00:16
it was racing.
the excitement and fear blended into a single, electrifying sensation. his thoughts were a chaotic mix of hopes, dreams, and sheer exhilaration. this was it—the moment he had been waiting for, the day when everything would change.
he continued to move forward, his eyes scanning with increasing urgency. he was looking for someone who might be heading towards him, someone who shared the same sense of destiny and anticipation.
00:00:10.
the feeling directed him slightly to the left. he adjusted his course, his heart pounding so loudly he could hardly hear anything else around him.
00:00:05.
his heart had given up entirely.
00:00:04.
he stopped walking.
00:00:03
just waiting left.
00:00:02
everything was about to change.
00:00:01
deep breath.
00:00:00
the timer on his wrist hit zero.
as the countdown ended, satoru felt a jolt of adrenaline.
his heart pounded violently.
someone was behind him.
he twirled around with a sudden rush of hope and excitement. his blue eyes locked with another pair of eyes, but instead of the expected warmth and affection, he found himself staring into soulless, inky eyes.
a gun was pointed directly at his forehead.
"hi, i'm satoru," he said automatically, his voice trembling as he extended a hand, trying to mask his fear with the semblance of politeness.
the man simply glanced at satoru’s extended hand, his gaze shifting to the underside of his wrist where the date glowed with an almost eerie intensity. his steely eyes then returned to satoru’s wide, bewildered ones, and for a moment, an unsettling silence enveloped them.
the sharp click of a gun being cocked shattered the quiet.
satoru’s heart sank as he realised the gravity of the situation. this was not at all the meeting he had imagined. his soulmate, the person he had dreamt of for so long, was now standing before him with a gun pointed at his head. the dream of a perfect, magical meeting seemed to crumble, shattering into fragments as the harsh reality of the moment set in, leaving satoru engulfed in a state of shock and confusion.
satoru staggered back, a sudden chill sweeping over him as the warmth of his body seemed to drain away. the biting cold of the harsh winter crept into his very bones, amplifying his sense of dread. a small whimper escaped his lips, and the man’s gaze fell upon his quivering mouth, slightly ajar. for a fleeting moment, a flicker of emotion crossed the man's otherwise inscrutable eyes, a brief crack in his impassive demeanour.
a sudden, rough shove pushed him down onto the snow-covered ground. the cold, wet chill of the snow seeped through his expensive overcoat, sending a shiver up his spine.
his thoughts were a chaotic jumble. the serene beauty of the park, with its gentle snowfall and tranquil atmosphere, seemed to dissolve into a blur of white as he tried to process what was happening. he struggled to get his bearings, his breath coming in rapid, shallow bursts as he attempted to make sense of the situation.
he could hear the crunch of footsteps in the snow drawing closer, coming to a halt beside him, and felt the icy cold of the gun pressing against his temple. panic surged through him as he tried to push himself up, but the cold ground and the weight of his own fear made it difficult to move. his mind raced with disjointed thoughts—his mother’s comforting words, the image of his soulmate, the hope and dreams that had seemed so real just moments before. all of it was overshadowed by the immediate danger he faced.
the man crouching beside him was shrouded in shadow, and satoru’s vision was clouded by the snow falling steadily around them, but those soulless inky eyes of his were clearly visible. they were a dark abyss, void of warmth or compassion, staring down at him with an unsettling intensity.
he could barely make out the outline of the man, and the sense of vulnerability was overwhelming. his pulse thundered in his ears, and his thoughts scrambled to find a way out of this predicament, but the icy grip of fear had him immobilised.
“target secured,” the man’s voice cut through the silence with a chilling detachment, deep and resonant.
the words hung heavily in the frigid air, the voice a low, cold rasp, devoid of any warmth or emotion. it had an almost mechanical quality, as if he were reciting lines from a script rather than speaking from personal conviction. the tone was flat and unfeeling, each syllable measured and deliberate, sending a shiver down satoru’s spine.
“your fate was sealed long before this moment,” the man continued, his voice steady and unyielding. “the orders are clear: eliminate the target. and unfortunately, that’s you. gojo satoru. age 22. heir to the gojo conglomerate.”
satoru’s mind raced as he struggled to process the man’s words. fate? orders? he tried to recall if he had ever encountered anyone with enough animosity to target him for assassination, or if there was something he might have done to provoke such a grim fate. but the cold reality was closing in on him, and his thoughts were a tangled mess of confusion and fear.
one truth stood out starkly amidst the turmoil: his soulmate was an assassin. his soulmate had been hired to kill him. his soulmate was going to kill him.
the man’s gaze remained fixed on satoru, his eyes void of any personal conflict or regret. “it’s nothing personal,” he said, almost as if trying to offer some twisted comfort. “this is just the way things are. you were never meant to live past this day.”
as the man spoke, he took a hold of satoru’s wrist, his thumb caressing the still glowing skin where the date was displayed, almost tenderly and satoru’s heart sank further. the reality of the situation became painfully clear. this was no chance meeting, no serendipitous encounter with his soulmate. instead, it was the cruel intersection of fate and duty. his dreams had shattered beyond repair—and with them, his heart.
satoru’s mind flashed back to his childhood dreams and the stories of destiny and true love he had cherished. the man standing over him, with his cold, unfeeling demeanour, was a far cry from the soulmate he had envisioned. the contrast between the idealised vision of his soulmate and the harsh reality before him was a devastating blow.
“any last words?” the man asked, his tone impassive, as if it were simply a formality rather than an actual opportunity for dialogue. the words, though lacking in warmth, seemed to hang in the air, a final punctuation to the cruel twist of fate that had brought them together.
satoru’s mind was a storm of emotions, and he wanted to scream at this man—this so-called soulmate—crouching over him. “why are you doing this?” he wanted to demand, “why me? why are you—my soulmate—doing this? why? why are you going to kill me?”
his throat tightened, but his voice betrayed him, faltering and cracking under the weight of his distress. all he could manage was a pained, anguished look, his eyes filled with a tumult of betrayal, disgust, and hatred, hoping the man would see the depth of his suffering.
“i don’t want to die,” satoru whispered when he finally found his voice. the words were too quiet, too calm, as if resignation had already taken hold. his face was a canvas of every emotion he felt, but his voice was eerily composed, betraying an acceptance he wasn’t ready to embrace.
the man’s eyes widened slightly, taken aback, a flicker of surprise. he probably expected satoru to beg for mercy, to plead for his life. he didn’t know what to make of it, if satoru were to guess.
desperation seized satoru. “i’ll pay you more,” he offered, hoping against hope that this might sway the situation.
the man before him, sighed deeply, a frustrated, impatient sound and shook his head as if satoru were a child seeking misplaced comfort. the moment was abruptly interrupted as something hard struck the side of satoru’s head. pain exploded in a blinding wave, and his vision went dark, swallowing him into unconsciousness.