Chapter Text
Satoru was usually forgetful, whether it be forgetting an important date, or simple fact. This, however, wasn’t like Satoru’s type of forgetfulness. The notes on the mirror, the skipping meals, hell—he owns a calendar now. None of these things were things he did before Suguru left.
It’s just.. awfully similar, in some aspects. Frankly, Shoko doesn’t really want to lose another friend to something like that. Helping was another thing, though. She wasn’t good at that stuff, nor was Satoru. It was Suguru that was…
Whatever.
Utahime’s good at that stuff too, yeah? Satoru won’t mind.
But first, she should probably collect data. It’s not a sin to want to be organized, especially at a time like this. It just seemed off.
For one, Satoru never skips meals. Actually, he probably skips the time in between meals to eat more.
The sticky notes on his bathroom mirror weren’t only idle notes of reminders, they were more of conversations. There was one that just said ‘training’ and directly under it, ‘I am NOT doing all that.’ Which, to be fair, is a thing Satoru would say in response to someone telling him to train, but HE wrote the note.
There’s also the fact that he just has copious amounts of pencil sharpeners in one of the bathroom drawers. Like, half of them don’t even have their blades anymore.
Plus, the facts he was forgetting were about himself. Like his favorite colour, favorite noodles, or hobbies. Last week he took up art again! Last time he tried that, he ended up drawing a plane that looked like a chickens foot. Drawing wasn’t his thing, it was Sugurus.
Also, his room was clean. It usually wasn’t that messy, but his room lately had, like, no signs of life. The bed was made, the shelves were empty, it just looked like an empty dorm, save for the bathroom mirror.
Empty.
Like how Sugurus was.
Suddenly, this felt a lot more urgent.
Shoko pulled her phone out, giving Utahime a call while exiting Satorus dorm, locking it behind her.
“Hello?” Utahime asked after a beat of awkward silence and shuffling. Right, the call.
“We should meet up. Now. It’s urgent. Hurry up.” Shoko started speed walking in the direction of that bar that she has, albeit illegal, access to. Oh, wait, she didn’t tell Utahime where to go-
“Bar. The bar.” Shoko added, struggling to find her, albeit fake, ID. It was kind of loud in here, actually, maybe this wasn’t the best place to go to. Oh, well.
It took Utahime a few minutes to join her in the bar, which felt a little weird considering neither of them bought anything yet.
“What’s this ab-” Utahimes voice was concerned, but Shoko cut her off anyway.
She is NOT going to like this one.
“Satoru.” Shokos words elicited silence from the other.
“..Does it have to me your talking about this to?” Utahime looked to the side, suddenly unwilling.
“Oh- Come on, it’s urgent.”
”Is anything really urgent when it’s him? For all we know, he could be messing with you-”
”Iori.”
That caused another silence between them.
“It’s just- I’m.. Worried.” Shoko rested her head on one hand, looking away from Utahimes skeptical gaze.
“For Gojo?” Utahime spoke begrudgingly.
“YES. For Gojo!” Shoko looked around her like someone was listening in before leaning into Utahime. “I promise you, he’s not bullshitting me.”
“Either way, what does this have to do with me? You know I hate the guy.” Utahime looked away briefly. Jeez, she is not going to like this one.
“I- It’s just.. I’m not good at that.. mental health stuff. Like comforting. So I was wonderinggg-”
“Shoko.”
“Come on! I-”
“He won’t listen to me anyway. All he cares about is pissing me off, if I start getting all feel-y with him, it’s going to go one ear and out the other.”
Shit. She’s right.
“I can’t think of someone who can, other than you. We all know how Yaga handled Suguru, Satoru won’t listen to Nanami either, and me?” Shoko pointed at herself. “He’s going to feel attacked if I ask him anything.”
Utahime looked straight at her, half-pleading, and half-exasperated.
“Fine.” Utahime caved in. “But if I’m right about him not listening to me either, you’re buying me drinks.”