10 years ago, cont.

Gojo promised me that today he'll be coming to pick me up and take me to town. What's taking him so long? I've been waiting for hours since he last texted me that he left his house. I closed my eyes at my window sill, daydreaming about my future adventure. What was I going to do today? Maybe eat some delicious food if he has some money to spare for me, or just go sightseeing. I didn't really care. As long as I'm out of the house then I'll be fine.

"How long are you going to stay there, princess?" Gojo finally arrived, taking his sweet time to get here.

I didn't open my eyes while a sigh left my lips. "You kept me waiting."

Gojo's voice grew louder as he stepped closer to me. "Aw, come on, princess." I felt his presence right in front of me. "I was busy doing my sorcery duty. Please let me off this time!" I heard his hands clasping together behind my closed eyes.

I rested my head in my folded arms on the window sill. "Hmmm...no. You made me wait five hours after you said you left your house. You could've texted me that you had business prior to our meeting or something." For those hours I waited, I stayed glued at my window. I didn't do anything but watch the clouds and birds move across the sky. It wasn't that boring as it would've been without the house workers talking to me. Everyone seemed so happy for me to be married off to Gojo, to the point where they were crying tears of joy for me. Their meaningful words of goodbye touched my heart because they've watched me grow into a beautiful woman right in front of their eyes.

"Princess, I'm very sorry! I swear I'll do a better job at communicating!"

Finally I opened my eyes to see how close he really was to me. I want to say that our noses were about a few centimeters from touching. "Ugh. Why'd you have to be so close to my face?" I quickly pulled back from Gojo in disgust.

"Why can't I? You're my wife." Gojo leaned over the window sill and propped his face up with his hand. He pulled his sunglasses up to his hair as he idyllically gazed at me like I was an intricate painting.

His pretty face was too much for me to look at, to which I scooted from the window and looked away. Gojo's charming eyes and thin smile made my heart race. "Breathe, Ena, breathe..." I quickly composed myself before I stared daggers at him. "Correction. You're my fiancé, Gojo—"

"Satoru, Princess Ena. You can't call your husband by his last name." A toothy smile appeared, then he began lifting himself up and into my room.

My coolness raised up a hundred, making me frantic. "G-Gojo!" I hissed at him, looking around to check if someone was going to walk in on us.

"It's Satoru."

I hastily got on my feet and ran to my bed in my pastel green kimono, grabbing my blanket and rushing over to Gojo to conceal him. How embarrassing it would be to be caught in a situation where an unmarried couple was in their partner's room. I didn't care how aggressive I was trying to cover him.

"Oi!" Gojo was fighting against the blanket and my hands. "What are you doing?" He shifted around like he was trying to dodge it as if I was trying to kill him.

We began wrestling with each other.

"Stop resisting and then I'll tell you...!" Instantly, Gojo grabbed both of my wrists and shifted his whole body weight on me. He trapped me with his body as my arms were pinned next to my head. His sunglasses fell next to me, and his crystal eyes were boring into my soul. My face began burning from this lewd position I ended up in.

"Princess—" Just when Gojo was about to speak, my maids frantically began speaking behind the closed door. "My lady, is everything alright? I heard a big ruckus! Is someone with you?!" They were concerned by the noises coming in my room. This is what I wanted to avoid...but I caused this because I was getting scared in the first place.

"It's nothing! Please continue your duties!" I said loudly for them to hear, still under Gojo's frame.

"As you say, my lady." They shuffled away.

"Get off of me, Go—Satoru!" I quietly hissed, trying to get up but his strength overpowered mine.

A playful smirk landed on his face. "Aw, princess, don't be shy. You look so cute when you're backed up into a corner." Gojo purposefully teased me by leaning in his face closer to mine.

Holding a firm yet unbothered face, I had to show my ground. "Satoru, stop playing around. I will not hesitate to slap you again for your inappropriate behavior towards me."

Gojo sighed in defeat, pulling himself away. "Okay, I'll stop messing around with you." Then he stuck out his hand for me. Did I want to take it? No, I'm an independent woman. I don't need his help.

"I can get up by myself..." I got up, straightening my kimono and hair. Gojo was too unpredictable and too carefree. How in the world was he so powerful?

Gojo picked up his sunglasses and put them on. "Come on, princess. We need to let your parents know that we're leaving because I still need to take you out." He's the type of person to keep his promises, that's good to know.

"Wait," I stopped him from doing anything further. "Will I stand out?" I pointed at my kimono. "When I escaped last time, nobody wore kimonos... I just don't want to stand out." I'd rather not cause trouble for the both of us if I'm still being targeted. I haven't left the house ever since that incident.

"You don't have any other clothes?"

I shook my head. "No. The only one I had was the white dress.... But I ripped it during this one situation so it's not good anymore. Living in a strict household, I don't own any modern clothings. I sound really outdated and lame..." I blinked away, feeling a bit ashamed that he's stuck with a girl who can't even fit in with society. It sucked that I couldn't be like any other girls.

Gojo stepped forward, placing his hand on my head and my golden eyes looked at him. "You look beautiful in this, Ena." I felt my face turning red from his compliment. "We can go shopping for some clothes if you want."

"Yes, I would like that."

"Great! Let's go and see your elders, shortie."

I snapped back at him. "S-shortie?! I'm pretty tall for a woman of my age!" Gojo sure knew how to kill the mood.

"Nah, you'll still be shorter than me even if you protest." He laughed, beginning to take his steps out of my room.

"I'm 169 centimeters! You're just a tall titan that's all!"

"Stop being so cute, princess. It makes me want to make you mad even more...!" Gojo needed to stop teasing me before I exploded my head off, killing myself in the process.

After we left my house, we were in a boutique store. "Choose what you want, princess. This is the time to find your sense of style! I'll be sitting here if you need anything." Gojo relaxed in a chair as his legs were stretched out and his arms were tucked behind his head.

"He's so laid back..." I don't think I'll be able to understand him. We're polar opposite.

As I looked around the boutique, I couldn't help but get ticked off by the sound of giggles. I'm trying to concentrate on finding clothes for myself that I'm losing my train of thoughts. This was much harder than any brain teaser game. "Why are these girls squealing like pigs about?!" I harshly spoke to myself, and I moved around the store to see a herd of girls surrounding none other than Gojo himself. "And I thought I was going to cause trouble for myself..."

"Can I have your number?!"

"No, have mine!"

"He's so handsome!"

"What's your name?"

"Ugh, gross." I said in dismay. I understand Gojo's a pretty boy, but bombarding him is a bit extreme. "These girls have no manners..." I didn't want to be in this store anymore. Their clingy and over-obsession with Gojo fouled my mood.

"Excuse me," I tried to make my way to Gojo, but this force was too resistant. This army of girls can totally help shamans to exorcise spirits.

"Get in line! We're trying to get him first!"

They wouldn't even let me budge. All these girls were a few inches below my height. I knew Gojo could sense me staring into his soul. He's so busy laughing and smiling at these girls that he chose to ignore me and this herd. Does he love their attention? He's not pushing them away, but he's also not answering their dying questions either. Did he want me to do something about it?

"Girls, girls, girls...!" Gojo cheerfully laughed, trying to calm down his fangirls from jumping him.

I mentally sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose. I swear Gojo plays too much with me. One day it's going to backfire at him! I have to use force to get through them and break their hearts with my biggest announcement. "Husband!" I said in a strained, high pitched voice. A warm expression took over my face while my hand was in the air.

"Husband?" The girls repeated in confusion, stopping their movements to see who said that.

Gojo's glasses dropped to the tip of his nose, as his eyes widened because of me. It's amazing to see him shock for the first time. Now I'm going to play with his heart for a moment.

"Yes, he's my husband." I moved towards him and the girls parted to the side. Then I wrapped his arm around my shoulder as I secured him close to me. I could see their eyes twitching in irritation. Looking up at Gojo, I smiled at him so all the girls could buy in the act. "Isn't that right dear?" My hand was placed against his chest whereas my head laid on his arm.

Before he could speak, one of the girls protested furiously. Her face resembled a ticking bomb. "Husband?! Cut the crap! We all can tell that you're lying. You, out-of-fashion woman! Who wears a kimono nowadays?! It seems like someone doesn't know how to fit in society—"

"HAHA!" A gutsy laugh jumped out of my mouth. Was this girl really going to berate me in front of everyone? She has no shame, and neither do I. I will fight fire with fire. "Oops!" I covered my mouth with my fingertips. "I didn't mean to interrupt your rant. It was just so funny that I laughed without thinking about how you'd feel."

She was trembling in agitation. I hit a nerve, which felt great to see on her innocent-like appearance soaking in her own acidic nature.

"If he wasn't my husband then he would've answered all of your questions... But he didn't because he's mine. I also don't have to conform to society's expectations like you." I removed my eyes off from her and up to Gojo who's watching this showdown. My hand stroked his cheek. "You should have your foul attitude fixed before you get to the age of thirty. You don't want to be an unlucky woman without a husband. Luckily for me," I went on my tippy toes, putting a hand on his head so he can lean down to potentially kiss me in front of these broken hearted girls. "I have my soulmate." Just inches before our lips touched, the girls grumbled in frustration and ran out.

"Finally!" I broke away from Gojo. "They're gone." I rolled my eyes in annoyance. All the shit I went through for them to leave us alone.

"Awh... I was waiting for that kiss." On the other hand, Gojo pouted like a child wanting candy. "Your boldness is very attractive. It makes me—"

I didn't want to hear any more words coming out of his mouth. "Satoru, you caused me enough trouble already. You have the ability to reject them, but you didn't because you were probably testing me like always." A sigh left my lips and I turned away from him. "Are you really a powerful sorcerer, or are you just a pretty boy who gets all the girls' attention?" My last sigh came out as I darted out of the store without him.

Storming out, I headed towards an empty bench under the setting sun. So many people were walking around on the streets that Gojo may or may not find me but it didn't matter. I'm fed up with him. First, he's late and didn't have the courtesy to inform me beforehand. Secondly, I waited hours for him to arrive, and it was evening when we headed out. Thirdly, he has the nerves to make me fend off the group of girls just to get a reaction from me. I have every right to be upset about today. I wished I could go home, but I have no navigation to take me back and I don't know this area either. I'm unsure if I want to wait for Gojo to find me and take me home. I'm pissed so I'll wait until I cool down.

Watching the sunset, the gradient sky was changing to its blue-purple colors. I'm not sure how long I've been out in the warming heat, but Gojo hasn't appeared. "Well, I'll go and find him..." The place wasn't crowded as before, but it was getting darker each passing minute.

Getting up from my seat, I was immediately stopped by a child running up to my side. "Can you help me find my daddy? I lost him somewhere and I don't know where he is...!" The child's eyes were watery, on the verge of crying.

The good nature of me agreed because it gets dangerous at night. More spirits roam around since shamans aren't awake. Plus, I can't let a child find their dad alone. Children are gullible beings who can be easily manipulated. "Of course! I may not be useful but I'll try! Don't cry, okay? We'll find your dad. I know he's looking for you too."

The child sniffled, wiping their nose. "O-okay...! Can I hold your hand?"

My heart throbbed from how scared they looked. I didn't find it weird that they wanted to hold my hand. "Sure, if it makes you feel safe." I softly spoke to the child, letting them take my hand. "Let's go find your dad!"

I totally forgot about Gojo and put all of my focus onto the child. There's nothing wrong with helping a child find their parent. Nothing wrong at all. As the sky completely changed colors, the air changed temperature from warm to cold.

"Where did you last see your dad?" I asked, noticing that we weren't finding a lead despite all the time we used from sunset to nightfall. "If we can't find him, then let's go to the police—"

"No! I don't want to go to the police! Let's keep on finding him! Please!" The child whined as if they feared the police.

Crouching down at the child's level, I seriously talked to him as an adult. "The police will help you find your dad if we can't find him in ten minutes. I have someone waiting for me too. I don't know where he's at, but I know he's panicking too." I wondered what Gojo was doing right now? For sure he was coolly searching for me. He's never the type to panic.

"I-I remember where I last saw him!" The child forcefully said like they didn't want me to leave their side.

"Oh, where?" If the child knew then I can finally go and find Gojo after I dropped them off.

"M-my dad said that to meet him over there if I ever got lost!" I didn't even know where the child was pointing at. It got so dark that everything blended with each other.

"Okay... Let's see if he comes to meet you there." There was a sense of danger lingering in my heart, but I couldn't abandon this kid without them seeing their dad. "If not then, we're going to the police station."

"Princess!" My head jerked up, looking in all directions from hearing Gojo's voice. "Where are you, princess?!" His voice was loud as day, but couldn't see me due to the street lamps off.

"Satoru—!" I solely focused on Gojo, and I didn't have a chance to think about my own safety until a pair of hands started to muffle me. A cloth was thrown tightly over my nose and mouth. The pungent smell of chemicals began moving up to my nostrils. The hands aggressively pressed the cloth to my face, making me feel like I was going to suffocate and die from the lack of air coming out.

"Ena!!" Gojo's yells were fading while my whole body and mind was weakening to the smell. My eyelids grew heavy within seconds.

"Boss is going to love this. We have the Gojo Satoru chasing after the last Kita member. We're making money today..."

My vision turned dark and I lost consciousness.