I made my way past the battle grounds and back over to the buildings of Jujutsu Tech.

I stopped and took a seat on an old bench, deep in thought. My heart was broken after looking into Yuji.

It's always the best people who are hurting the most.

"Hey, Y/n. Mind if I join?" my least favorite person snarked as he took a seat next to me. Or maybe he was my most favorite person... I couldn't really tell anymore.

"Actually, I do mind."

"Oh come on! I haven't seen you in so long! You can't even be a little nice to me?" he smirked and leaned back, crossing his legs and stretching out his arms.

Always has his guard up... Always playing this cocky, asshole act.

"What do you want, Gojo?"

"Mm, no need to be so formal Y/n. You can still call me Satoru."

I sighed heavily, already feeling drained by his pompous persona.

"So, what'd you think of my new student Itadori?" he asked. "Pretty impressive, right?"

I looked over at him. He was wearing his blindfold, but for some reason, it always felt like he could still see me. Like he was still watching my every move.

"Are you going to protect him?"

"I'm going to teach him how to protect himself."

I nodded, looking back out onto the scenery of the campus.

"You can't let them kill him, Satoru."

He inched closer to me, resting his head on his hand.

"I've missed the way you say my name."

I rolled my eyes and shook my head softly, not wanting to be lured back in by him.

He chuckled and leaned back against the bench, "You know how we can make sure they don't hurt him?"

"It's the higher-ups who are the problem," he reiterated.

"I don't kill."

"Not even after connecting with Itadori?"

I sighed, thinking about everything I felt when I entered Yuji's heart, mind, and soul. It was tempting, of course, but I had a strict rule for myself.

I don't kill.

And Satoru was actually the only one who knew this about me. A special grade sorcerer who would never sacrifice another human, well, it was pretty unheard of.

Special grades were known for getting things handled, no matter the cost. And I only partially fit that description.

"No," I whispered softly.

"So I guess he's not that good of a guy," Satoru teased.

I rubbed my forehead, feeling more conflicted than ever, "Actually, he's probably the best person I've ever seen."

"What!? No fair. What about me?!"

"You don't usually care who lives or dies," I stated boldly.

"That's not true. I just recognize that sometimes loss and sacrifice is unavoidable for the greater good."

I turned my head to him, ready to argue this out for the 100th time, "But why do you get to decide what the greater good is? You don't know, truly know.

"You can never say for certain what is best or what some people may deserve or what's a fair or just decision."

"We don't get to decide who lives and dies just because we're sorcerers."

He shrugged, "I think we do. We deal with this everyday, something most people don't even know is going on. I think that makes us the best judges."

I shook my head softly, "You're wrong."

He shrugged, "Agree to disagree... Your power has just made you soft."

"My technique has taught me that everyone has a story... and nothing is as simple as it seems. It's called empathy."

He grabbed my hand softly and put it on his chest, "You've connected with me before. Help me with this... Can't you tell that my intentions are good?"

"Just because I can look, doesn't mean I will. Not unless it's necessary."

Once I connected with someone, I could access their inner most thoughts and feelings, from their memories all the way into their intentions, as long as they were in view.

Even without connecting, I could read people's immediate thoughts and emotions as long as I laid eyes on them. It was a power that everyone believed I didn't utilize well enough to my advantage.

However, unless you're able to experience it, you can never understand how truly taxing and intimate of an experience it is.

It was an invasion to say the least, and I never acted upon it without purposeful intent. Plus, it drained me physically and emotionally.

To carry the weight of other people's hardships and concerns, dreams and ambitions, along with your own, it wasn't a special skill... it was a curse.

Thankfully, after enough practice, I was able to shut it on and off at will, making it a true choice as to whether or not I was going to enter someone's mind.

I looked intensely at Satoru as he continued to hold my hand.

I stared at the familiar features of his face, and felt a small flutter wash over me. I bit my lip softly, letting myself be mesmerized by his warmth and the feel of his heartbeat underneath my hand.

"Y/n..." he called out in a low voice.

The sound of my name broke me out of my trance and I quickly pulled back my arm.

He laughed softly, "I've missed you, you know that?"

The expression on his face changed. He had finally dropped his over-bearing act, and let me just see him for he truly is.

This side of Satoru was the one I had fallen so deeply in love for. It was the part of him I admired most. It drove me absolutely mad, and I never hid it well.

I was his, and he knew it. Even still today, it was as true as ever...

I swallowed forcefully as my heart began to crash against my chest.

"Are you staying for good this time?" he asked, barely above a whisper.

"I-I don't know," I huffed out the words as he lightly tucked a small piece of hair behind my ear.

He scooted closer to me, laying his arm across the bench behind us and letting our legs lightly brush against each other's.

My breathing was now rapid and uneven as I tried to focus on anything other than him.

He licked his lips softly as he brought a hand to the top of my mask. He was getting ready to kiss me, and I was definitely going to let him.

"Gojo-sensei!!" a girl called out. "Shouldn't you be watching us from the observation room?!"

I looked to see Kugisaki, Toge, and Panda approaching.

"Ah, yes! I was just coming to get Y/n. She's been requested to join us."

I snapped my head back at him, and tilted it in confusion.

"Oi!! Well hurry up!" Kugisaki yelled again. "We can't get recommendations if you don't watch us!"

He turned his attention back to me, "You coming?"

I shook my head softly, confused by how crazy today had already been.

I hadn't come here to see Satoru. I came to meet Sukuna's vessel and then disappear again... But seeing Satoru was so much more difficult than I expected.

He leaned into me and rested his hand on my leg. "Maybe I can take you out afterwards," he whispered in a low voice.

I stood up quickly, "I didn't come to see you, Satoru. I'm leaving."

I turned to walk away when a phone started ringing loudly.

Satoru answered, "Hello?"

He laughed loudly, bringing back his know-it-all disguise since other students were now in our presence.

"Oh, Y/n," he teased. "You've been summoned. So I guess you will be coming with me after all."

"Like I give a fuck," I muttered as I continued to walk off.

He appeared directly in front of me, "Oi. Don't make me carry you."

"Try it and see what happens," I threatened.

He cocked his head to the side, "Mm?"

After a moment he laughed loudly, "The only way you would have a chance at beating me is if you were aiming to kill."

He leaned in closely, "And we both know you won't do that."

I huffed loudly, "Fine. Let's go."

He cheered excitedly as he watched me walk off, changing my direction from the exit to the observation room.

"Gojo-sensei!! Are you checking her out?!" Kugisaki yelled in annoyance.

"Ha! Very good observation skills, Nobara!"

I rolled my eyes as I heard him start following slowly behind me.

I should've just stayed away.