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If you had told Satoru three months ago—or even three days ago, that he would have been dumped by his best friend/situationship so that they could kill non-sorcerers indiscriminately. That he'd be nearly stabbed to death by an assassin Zenin clan member with no cursed energy (despite him possessing limitless!), and now, essentially taking a kid out of the Zenin clan clutches who was the spawn of said assassin...Satoru has no idea what he would have said but it certainly wouldn't have been that he believed any of that. Not in a million years.
Unfortunately for him that all happened. Suguru breaking up with him happened later but—he did nearly die, and he broke up with someone he thought would be around forever. Taking for granted their connection and his sanity. Just to realize his best friend was too far gone and he was ordered to kill him.
Just to not be able to do a thing about it at all.
What use was being the strongest if he couldn't...
He shoved down that particular rotten mess of feelings and wondered if this came even close to how Suguru felt when devouring a curse. Disgusting, and pathetic.
Probably not.
"Hellooooo there Megumi!" Gojo easily found him, with the help of only a few of the many resources available to him.
Using his particularly cheerful persona, he assumed talking to this kid would be a breeze. He's only really here to satisfy his curiosity and perhaps he could do something about the unfortunate situation this boy was in. He'd at least be able to make someone's day better, even if it wasn't his own.
It was only hours ago that he learned Suguru had killed all those people, then he was given the order to kill him because there was no one else who could. Then Satoru had confronted him, just before dusk was breaking against the sky...
Gojo found out what he needed quickly. Megumi Fushiguro was indeed Toji's son. (The striking resemblance was enough to pretty much confirm it.)
The kid was not quite six yet so it was unknown what cursed technique the boy might possess. However, it was known that Megumi could see curses, and for that, the Zenins would want him anyway, to nurture that which they saw was theirs. They couldn't get anything out of Toji, so they wanted his offspring.
Satoru was disgusted, Toji who knew what went on in the Zenin Clan personally, had sold his son to them. Yes, he'd have a better time than Toji did simply because he had something to offer them, but it was still…
When he received the information he needed, he knew he would come today. So despite this being quite literally the worst day of his life he was going to show up for this kid he didn't know. The son of the man who nearly killed him. Maybe it was kindness, because the kid was about to be handed over like an object, or maybe he felt obligated. Obligated because he had killed the boys father, the boy wouldn't know the shit person Toji Fushiguro really was because Satoru had killed him.
No, because he didn't feel bad for killing that man. He only felt bad because it left Megumi Fushiguro an orphan. Satoru was not an orphan, but he knew what it felt like to have no parents.
There was also the fact that Satoru always had a particular dislike of the Zenin Clan so maybe he would like to use this opportunity to screw them over. It was a small satisfaction, he could allow himself that.
Standing in front of Megumi, Gojo towered over the boy at the height he was now. Megumi was living with his older half-sister, Tsumiki, and Tsumiki's mentally ill mother.
It seems like Toji did live with Megumi at some point though. Up until maybe a month or two ago. Satoru assumed he got ‘a job’ that needed undivided long term attention, so he dropped Megumi here and hasn't contacted him again. And never will.
Megumi has no idea his father is dead, or no idea what he did for work. It's the least Toji could have spared him, not telling him anything.
He really does look like him, Gojo thinks, feeling slightly nauseous at the invoked image of Toji Fushiguro. Seems like his body still has not gotten over that particular injury. (He did almost die after all, no one else has ever even come close to him before this...)
This kid is certainly an odd child. He's clearly smart, and has all these angsty emotions a teen might have. Gojo supposed having an absent father would do that to a normal kid. And the fact he could see curses constantly and not do a thing about them.
Megumi asks about his sister Tsumiki and Gojo ponders if Toji even thought about her for a second.
Well, Megumi's fate was more urgent; he'll give him that. Being sold to the Zenin Clan was quite an unfortunate set of cards.
"If you ever want to know about your dad—," Gojo starts, and Megumi's expression sours, somehow even more.
"No thanks. He's probably living it up somewhere I don't care."
He's not since that bastard is most certainly in hell, but Gojo wasn't about to tell him his Dad was dead right now.
He would later if Megumi ever asked.
But there was so much vitriol in the tone, Satoru feels like the child won't ever ask at all.
...Oh shit. He's already thinking of a potential later, mentally taking this kid with him.
He let Megumi choose, of course. What he would rather do. Be under the care of a complete stranger or move in with the Zenin Clan also complete strangers. Gojo leaves it vague how terrible that second option would be, but Megumi thinks about his sister above himself. Choosing the best option for her. It seems, Tsumiki's mother was now gone, off who knows where— and the two were on their own.
Gojo makes it clear. It wouldn't be a home, or a family but it would definitely be better than whatever the Zenin Clan would give him. And he promised he would take care of Tsumiki, little Megumi was really adamant about it.
It was easy to be detached, the first day, when he offered. He still thought himself pretty lax about this arrangement when he gave them a place to stay essentially by themselves. The apartment they currently lived in was a hoarder's paradise. Tsumiki's mother was truly not fit for parenting, and truthfully Gojo felt he wasn't either. But certainly better than that!
Tsumiki was eleven, and was mature for her age in a way Gojo never had to be at eleven. It bothered him, seeing a kid speak the way she did, carry herself in stride, and take it upon herself to care for Megumi. She eyed him with a glare upon that first meeting. Fierce, but still, coming from an eleven year old non-sorcerer, was not threatening.
Gojo could see they wanted to be left alone, but he couldn't in good conscience leave them entirely alone. So he visited once a day, brought them essential goods and gave them money to buy what they needed. The two were essentially self-sufficient, supplemented by their rich stranger.
Tsumiki hated him at first. More so than Megumi. She was so suspicious, but she never asked to leave or go home or even asked for her mother. She kept a distance, maintained a politeness and forced him to leave as soon as he came. A forced thank you always given half-heartedly as if thanking him would mean truly letting herself go with this.
Then something changed. Tsumiki started to see curses. It seemed smarter but weak curses began to pick up on Gojo's energy considering he visited them consistently. It shouldn't have been possible for Tsumiki to see curses, she's just like a normal person with no cursed energy. She should be able to enjoy a normal life.
Some part of him felt this crack when he thought she might have to endure the life Megumi was fated to. It was not an easy path, he could promise that.
Once he realized that they were potentially in danger, he had to take more precautions. Maybe it would have been better for Megumi to go with the Zenin's, Tengen's barriers and the Clan would undoubtedly keep him safe.
The Zenin Clan abused their kids he would not be better off. He reminds himself, wondering why he's acting like he can't protect them. He knows what he needs to do.
Curses never bother the two of them again. Tsumiki stops being so scared, and Megumi only slightly less apathetic. They knew Gojo had something to do with why the curses fled, but they didn't really know why or know what to say.
Gojo never tells them, but he appreciates the occasional good morning and Tsumiki's way more amicable conversation.
The two of them don't need him, he's always expressed who they could call, should anything happen, but they seem fine to keep to themselves.
Months of short visits turn into years, and Gojo's character to the two of them never really changes from the man who helped them and funds everything they need without question. They know his name but not too much else.
He doesn't make himself an open book by any means, but he gives them all the resources they need. He tries but doesn't dare come too close to get singed by fire.
Suguru adopts two children of his own. Satoru doesn't ask their names and he never sees them except from far away. Suguru likely wouldn't want them to meet, they should keep their meetings entirely away from anyone else.
After all, Satoru was never supposed to be here.
He honestly didn't think he ever cared.
Suguru makes himself easy to find, residuals, and just simply being in the same places, not quieting his voice or his steps for anyone. Suguru was unafraid of the consequences of his actions and Satoru gave him no reason to be. It was already assumed he wouldn't be going after him even though he was ordered, and if he ever changed his mind, Suguru would accept it like a warm embrace after a long day.
He didn't mind being killed if it was by Satoru.
"Megumi is growing and he's still exactly the same," Satoru mentions. He knew Suguru would never harm Megumi as a kid possessing a cursed technique, and honestly he just wanted someone to talk to about this child. Megumi was bright in ways he didn't see himself, and Satoru actually could not wait until he decided he wanted to pursue his innate technique.
He never thought he'd ever be cut out to be a teacher, but Megumi was so promising despite not even being in high school, he wanted to see that potential grow. But with that investment, Satoru was also...afraid.
The boy was so young, and there were so many dangers that awaited him in his future. He couldn't protect him from all of it, he couldn't even protect...
Megumi deserves a better version of him.
He deserves a teacher who won't fail him, and someone who will protect him from the challenges he couldn't yet face.
"His cursed energy grows every year but he doesn't know how to control it yet, or what his cursed technique is," Satoru mentions, he has more than an idea of course, but when Megumi figures it out, that will be a day to remember.
"I'm sure the Zenin Clan hates you more everyday," Suguru smiles only a little, that kind of mischievous one that reminds Satoru of long ago.
"They can't possibly hate me more than they already do."
"I suppose that's true."
They never talk about the, well, cult, Suguru only ever briefly speaks about Nanako and Mimiko. Satoru can clearly see how their relationship is different from his with Tsumiki and Megumi. To Suguru those are his kids, his daughters and to Satoru?
He wouldn't say they're his children.
Megumi would certainly never even allude to that. He didn’t deserve that title either, not truly.
They never speak about the things that they probably should, and whenever Shoko is mentioned it's always amicably, as if they were all still friends. As if they could all meet next week and visit that shop they used to.
There's a feeling that always pulls at the back of Satoru's mind whenever he sees Suguru. The nostalgia and the guilt always eat away at him like a slow poison, but he'll always come back to visit another time. Like an alcoholic for his drink of choice, he can never get enough.
There wasn't a version of himself out there that didn't want Suguru to be right there beside him.
But this was the circumstances they were given.
✦
Tsumiki gets into a coma and there's nothing he can do about it.
No amount of money, or favors can be thrown, and without the information from Tsumiki herself about where she had been will they be able to piece together why.
It devasted Megumi, and so, it devastated him.
No, it devastated him regardless. Tsumiki was sweet and gentle and did not deserve what happened. No child did. She was only 16. She was thinking about college, she was caring for her younger brother.
Gojo moved Megumi into Jujutsu Tech, despite being so young. Also moving Tsumiki to the best hospital in Tokyo. Megumi was able to visit whenever he wanted, but the boy found himself only going once with Gojo then too distraught to visit again.
Megumi didn't like people to see him cry, but Gojo knew.
Megumi goes to the nearby middle school, sleeping in Jujutsu Tech's dorms, hanging around kids his older sisters age. Gojo thought it would be good for him to stay there. He'd become more acclimated to the environment, learn more about curses, cursed techniques, and it would give him the headstart at least similar to what clan kids had. Gojo wanted to give him a more normal, happier childhood, but things didn't turn out that way. It probably never could with how he started. Megumi wasn't ever a normal, happy kid.
Gojo visits the hospital to update Tsumiki on her little brother, as if she could hear him. He changes her flowers once a week, and if there's any news he would relay it to Megumi. He didn't want to hurt the boy any more by giving him false hope. He didn't deserve that.
He didn't have to visit Tsumiki, he didn't have to bring her flowers, but it was almost like grieving, and the mourned deserved their flowers.
✦
A year before Megumi is set to enroll in Jujutsu Tech, he becomes restless and Gojo can understand why.
He's spending more and more time with the first and second-years, but he's never given any tasks like they are. He feels helpless in the fact he can't help his sister, and he feels more like a child because they are treating him like one despite being a year younger. (He's claims just kind of short!)
Gojo's been given more missions across Japan, and Gojo was all Megumi had now. He tries to make an effort to hurry up, but he's only one person, and exerting himself so much wasn't as easy as it used to be now that he had a dependent.
Curses were getting bolder, more audacious with their attacks, which meant Gojo was more than often the person called in to deal with it.
He has an unwillingness to admit he needs a break sometimes. A habit ingrained into his soul by time. He barely takes his blindfold off anymore, it seems his Six Eyes have become more strained. It's like...there's something coming or something that is bound to occur that he can't stop. It's an unsettling feeling that he doesn't know where it's coming from.
After he had killed Suguru, sometime afterward there was something in the back of his mind waiting to be investigated but he doesn't know why.
What is happening?
He doesn't like not knowing. Even worse, he worries that Megumi will be thrown right into it when his time comes.
When Megumi hears Gojo is back on campus, after school he ran back to Jujutsu Tech, just to hopefully catch him before they sent him somewhere else. Unable to be contacted easily.
He's frustrated Gojo hasn't made time for him, but he has to remind himself...Gojo isn't his father nor does he really have any obligation to him besides making sure his basic needs are met. And even then, isn't that charity?
"Gojo!" Megumi shouts when he sees the tall sorcerer outside speaking to Principal Yaga. His voice is angry when really he feels mainly...not relieved, because nothing could harm Gojo, but maybe something resembling happiness.
"Megumi," Gojo acknowledges, it's been a very long time since Megumi has seen his eyes, today is not a day that he will, "You were looking for me?"
His tone has a teasing element to it, Megumi doesn't want to deal and he shoves Gojo and when his hands meet fabric, Gojo falters half a step.
Part of Megumi was expecting not to make contact at all.
"Principal Yaga, can I speak with Gojo for a moment?"
"Of course Megumi," He says, with a slight bow of his head to acknowledge him, "We are done."
Principal Yaga is always nice to him, he never is upset with Megumi hangs around the first-years, is always patient when he asks questions, and sometimes lets him in their lessons. He wonders if Gojo said something to him or if Yaga just was nice.
When they head inside the school, Gojo leans against a wall once he felt like they've walked enough. It's an empty hallway, and they probably could have found a classroom to talk in, but Megumi pauses when Gojo does. Following behind as of Gojo was the one leading him.
It bothered him, not being taken seriously, and even more so when Gojo begins to shift on the heels of his feet impatiently. As if telling Megumi to get through to the point.
It enrages him, and he snaps, "Stop."
Gojo stops upon hearing that tone of voice. It is a surprise. Megumi is much more of a meek person, sure he had his little thing where he was beating up his fellow students in middle school for being delinquents, but Gojo was not on the same level as Megumi.
Megumi is generally polite to Gojo, treating him like one would a superior, respectful and distant. But now he speaks like a child scolding an older brother. His words convey an unrestrained anger in them.
"Stop what Megumi?" Gojo asks feet flat, his back off the wall and if Megumi could really see his face, his eyes would meet an inquisitive expression.
Though, Gojo had some idea as to what Megumi was going to say. Megumi has been charged with this energy, feeling hopeless and depressed for many months. It's a surprise to him that it took so long for him to burst, but maybe it's because Gojo was gone for so long that this is happening now instead of sooner.
"Stop pretending like everything is alright!" Megumi shouts, it's hard to even get that emotion out of him, "Last week, a third year died."
Megumi wasn't close to them, but Gojo had known them, why was he acting as if students were safe? Like Gojo could protect him, or anyone?!
"Tsumiki...is still in her coma. Everyone claims you're the strongest but I don't see you being able to stop any of this!"
Maybe it was harsh, and maybe he'd regret this later, but it was satisfying to see Gojo's shoulders drop, his head hung in a remorseful pose. But still, Megumi could not see his face.
Gojo's smile fades, but after a moment, he straightens himself, "You're right Megumi. I wasn't able to stop any of that. But your reaction to bad things that have happened should be to move on not dwell—"
What a hypocrite he feels like, telling this kid to move on, as if he hasn't been stuck in the past for a decade.
"What do you think I've been doing for these past three years? I have been trying to move on, learn more, be better so maybe I can protect people or help, but I am completely useless and nothing is working. You're never letting me do more either, and—"
Gojo can't tell Megumi that he doesn't want Megumi to do anything more. The day Megumi gets his first mission he might be sick with worry. He might not ever stop worrying. He's seen Megumi grow from a child to a more self-assured teenager and he wants nothing more than to see this boy and his sister grow up to be self-fulfilled adults.
He'd give his own life for that to come true, easily.
But to hear Megumi wants to be thrown into the field breaks his heart. Megumi doesn't know what he means when he asks for that.
Megumi stops his sentence, and after a long pause the two of them stay quiet. When Megumi speaks next, it breaks Satoru's heart with the weight of the words and the dejected tone of voice so different from the anger used only moments before.
"....I want my sister."
He's a boy, who feels lost, and he misses his older sister and wants her comfort more than anything.
"There's nothing I can do."
"If I could help Tsumiki. I would have done it a long time ago. You two..."
"...mean a lot to me."
Maybe he would have said something else, but he couldn't. Not when he's responsible for their father's death. And not when he hasn't truly been a parent to either of them, afraid of it. Afraid of failure.
Children were complex. There were so many ways you could fuck them up.
Megumi doesn't look like he believes that, crossing his arms across his chest. As if in a challenge.
"If you want to improve," Gojo says, not believing he's even offering this. Megumi should enjoy his final year before entering their society for real, "I'll teach you."
Megumi's defenses crash down, and he speaks, almost hopeful, "Really?"
"Yes. You're only 13 but you'll be attending Jujutsu Tech soon. I'll make sure you're the best in your year."
That's a reasonable enough goal to attain right? After all it's only projected they'll have two first-years next year. Megumi and a girl from a far away small town already aware of her innate technique. Gojo hasn't had much time to read their application.
"Okay," Megumi acquiesced, pausing then adding, "I'm sorry for yelling. I know Tsumiki isn't your fault. I just...I miss her. She's been there my whole life and it's been...hard without her."
Hard to adjust to all these new changes, all this new information, feeling suddenly like he was a small fish in a huge ocean.
Learning that maybe if he had gone with the Zenin Clan maybe his life would have been completely different. If Gojo had never stopped him on his way to Tsumiki's house that day maybe Tsumiki wouldn’t have fallen into that coma.
But it's hard to imagine a life without knowing Gojo Satoru, so he finds himself not easily swayed by what-ifs. He just wished he had his sister back somehow.
✦
When Sukuna's vessel, Yuuji Itadori came into the picture, Megumi had asked for him to be saved.
Gojo smiled, not out of any sort of fakeness but because Megumi asked him for something. He never asks for anything, almost makes it a point not to, as if he learned at a young age not to ask because to ask to be chained to obligations.
But he asked, without fear of any consequences, only wanting to save this boy whom he just met. Gojo knew a thing or two about connections forged so quickly you're swept off your feet unable to contain it.
He wanted Megumi to be happy.
So he'd save Itadori Yuuji and there was really no question about it. Fuck anyone who said he couldn't.
✦
He tells Megumi to be more selfish, to care for himself more.
The boy was too self-sacrificing, and Gojo had told him to be great he needed to be more careful about just throwing his life away. Even if it would save someone else.
Truthfully, he was terrified Megumi would one day throw his life away anyway. That Yuuji Itadori had become entrenched in his life as if the boy was always there.
When Yuuji had "died" Megumi took it hard, and Gojo had thought Megumi might have thrown himself into jujutsu sorcery even harder if he didn't force him to take a break.
Now this, he's forced to tell Megumi to value his life more. He's not the only one who cares, there's Tsumiki waiting for him, it's been almost 4 years now.
There's Nobara, Yuuji himself, and yes, Gojo cares about him like Megumi was his own son.
He'll admit it to himself, he doesn't want to see Megumi throw his life away, not when there was so much for him to do. So much life for him to live.
Satoru doesn’t want to be the man who outlives his child.