Chapter Text
Chapter 28 – Shoko
In the afternoon of that day Geto was in a meeting with Yaga, who was giving him the last two missions he would have to do before going on exchange.
"I receive the missions and I let you know that I will do them together until the day after tomorrow" Geto tells him while looking him in the eyes, even though the missions are scheduled to be done the next day.
Yaga looks at him and then looks at the files that Geto is holding. Yaga sighs and asks "And now why?"
"Really?" Geto seriously tells him.
This rebellion of Geto is bothering Principal Yaga, but the words of the other day resonate in his head, they echo along with the guilt he carries for losing his student Geto, and to top off it, this week was so full of work that he has no head to think about what day it was. “Yes...”
"I don't care if no one here respects special days, but from today on I'll do whatever I want on my friends' birthdays..." Geto was saying but Yaga interrupted him "Shoko!" he said hurriedly as he remembered what date it was.
Geto could see that he was really overloaded with work, that's porbably why he had forgotten what date it was, so he just nodded.
"You know, go and have fun tomorrow, I won't say anything else. You can go if that's all." Yaga adjourns the meeting. Geto just bows and leaves the room.
It was better to leave it like that, he knows that he can no longer impose the rules of the higher-ups on Geto; he knows that they are unfair in a certain way and later this will cause some problems for both of them.
-.-
The next morning, Satoru and Suguru are standing outside Shoko's bedroom, they know for a fact that Shoko is inside. Both are wearing colorful funny cone-shaped hats, colorful necklaces, and have a pair of confetti launchers, everything needed to start a birthday party, and of course to annoy Shoko, which is part of the plan. Of course. They both look at each other while trying not to laugh for how ridiculous they look. Without further ado, Suguru kicks Shoko's door, not caring about the loud noise it made, causing Shoko to jump out of bed (she was still sleeping) so they both enter and turn on the light.
The moment she gets up from the floor, they both raise their hands and shout in unison "Happy Birthday!" and then throw the confetti.
Shoko was upset and in her pajamas, a bad combination, but instead of scolding them, as the confetti slowly falls on her, she stares at them. She thought that she didn't care if they celebrated her or not, for so many years she thought that, she already believed that she doesn’t needed it, everyone believed her, given her stoic attitude and her bad mood. But then she realizes that she has longed for this for a long time, not as a child who wanted a birthday party, but to celebrate all together once again.
So she does something she doesn't usually do much, and it surprises Satoru. She laughs a good long laugh. Suguru laughs along with her. Satoru is touched by everything that is happening, the confetti still falling, both of them laughing, for a moment it seems like time stops and Satoru will keep that image forever. Then he pounces on both of them, hugging them. The other two hug him back, and just like that the trio is back, all laughing and hugging each other.
After a moment, they break apart and Suguru tells Shoko "Get changed, we have a surprise for you."
Without asking anything else, they both leave the room while Shoko gets changed. Upon leaving the room, Shoko is carried on both of their shoulders. Satoru teleports them to the school entrance and there, under the red arch, two people are waiting for her. One is Nanami dressed in a suit as he usually dresses, who is carrying a pillow in his hands and on it is a birthday crown. The other person who is there is Utahime.
The two of them set her down gently, Nanami approaches and puts the crown on her while congratulating her. Utahime hugs her and congratulates her too, she is dressed in a long informal black dress.
She thanks him for all this, but turns to look at the other two and says "And what's the surprise?" jokingly
Everyone laughs. Suguru nudges Satoru while they laugh. Satoru approaches and gives her with both hands a pair of prepaid tickets to a very expensive spa that is in the city. She takes them and Satoru tells her "You can choose one to accompany you" as a joke, everyone knew who she would take.
"Just one?" She says jokingly complaining, as she looks at everyone.
Suguru says "Don't worry, the day has just begun" as he winks at her.
"Well" she says without encouragement as he takes Utahime's hand, her best friend.
Satoru takes them both by the shoulder and teleports them away.
The three appear on the roof of a hotel where the spa is located. Utahime is a bit dizzy, Shoko is fine.
"Well this is your destination, enjoy it!" Satoru says energetically then adds "I'll pick you up in the afternoon when you're done" after which he disappears.
-.-
When Satoru returns to the school entrance, Suguru greets him and says "Good idea giving him two tickets to the spa" while touching his shoulder.
Satoru scratches the back of his neck while tilting his head "Well..." while smiling.
Suguru makes a confused face.
Then Nanami speaks "I told him to buy two and invite Utahime"
“Of course…” Suguru thinks, then he says "Thanks, I didn't know those two were close" while looking at Nanami.
Nanami shrugs.
"Do you all want to eat something?" Geto asks casually.
"I have things to do, I'll see you later" Nanami wave’s goodbye and leaves. Geto bows.
"I was going to ask you that, I'm treating!" Satoru says a little hastily to Suguru.
"You've been bringing the food all week, can't I treat you?" Suguru asks confused.
"Uh, yeah sure..." Satoru's thoughts get tangled up preventing him from finishing what he was going to say, he sighs as he looks at the ground.
Suguru walks over and brushes his hand against Satoru's face as he slides his glasses up to his hair, then asks "what's wrong?" in a tender voice as he tilts his head.
"It's just that, I'm trying... I'm trying to be a better boyfriend" Satoru says as he stiffens.
Suguru tries to understand what he means, he thinks for a moment, then laughs.
This angers Satoru, "Hey!, I'm trying to be open and you're laughing!" says as he crosses his arms.
"My apologies" Suguru says still laughing, then calms down a bit and looks at him. "Oh Satoru... it's good that you want to be better, but..." he says without taking his complaint seriously, he just thinks it’s another silliness from Satoru.
But Satoru interrupts him "Yes, I know!... I'm not very good at that" he finds it hard to admit.
Suguru quickly takes Satoru's face in his hands forcing him to look at him "No. Don't say that!" he says surprised that he think that of himself.
"But" Satoru tries to protest.
"No, look at me" Suguru interrupts him and glares at him, "You're more than enough for me, just the way you are" as he slides his hands to Satoru's shoulders to squeezes them. "You hear me; you're enough for me, ok?"
"Really?” Satoru says moved.
“Yes! You dummy” Suguru with a smile he nods. “Wait, that’s why you pay for my notebooks?” he realize that now.
Satoru nods, also to bother him.
Suguru shakes his head in disapproval then he sighs and says "Come, let's go for a walk, I'll take you to a cafe nearby" as he takes his hand and pulls him across the red bridge to leave the school behind.
No teleportation, no curses, no shortcuts, the two man walking with hands held along the sidewalk, the longer they walk the closer they get to each other, until the point Satoru slides his arm around Suguru's back, Suguru rests his head on Satoru's shoulder. Little by little Suguru has gotten used to showing affection in public without caring about the looks and what people will say.
This walk helps them relax, in the cold of the afternoon, it’s almost 10 degrees. By passing a store where they sold scarves. Suguru wanted to give him something to remember him by while he was on exchange during these cold days, and this was what he was looking for. Suguru stops to see them, without letting go of his hand he enters the store and buy a blue scarf and a purple one and leave the store. Then he puts the purple scarf around Satoru's neck, then he hands him the light blue one, Satoru looks at it and smiles, then he puts it around Suguru's neck, they both smile, Satoru takes his hand again and they continue his way.
The purple scarf goes very well with the black jacket he wears, along with the black t-shirt and khaki pants, but those black glasses always make him look very good, Suguru thinks while walking.
While sitting in the cafeteria, Satoru eats oshiruku and Suguru drinks hot coffee. Satoru looks closely at Suguru, appreciating his facial features, his cheeks and nose pink from the cold, his beautiful long black hair, the lock that falls over his eye, the loose black cardigan he is wearing highlights the width of his shoulders, and the light blue scarf, “what a nice detail he thought of” Satoru thinks. At that moment he knew and decided that he wanted to marry him. He knows that he is going to have to work on it if he wants to achieve it; he is going to have opposition and some problems that he is going to have to solve. So he says "You know, you always make an ordinary moment feel special."
Suguru smiles warmly at him as he holds the coffee in his hands to warm them. Little did he know what was going through Satoru's mind.
After this, they continued walking for a while when Satoru notices the time by checking his cell phone. "It's time," Satoru tells Suguru, as he puts his hand around his waist. Suguru leans on him. Then he teleported them to the roof of the hotel, where the both women were ready and chatting pleasantly.
Suguru moves away from Satoru and says to Shoko "How did it go? Ready to continue celebrating?"
"Yes! I must admit it was good." Shoko smiles at him.
"Okay! Get together for a long jump with a lot of people!" Satoru tells them as he extends his arms. They all gather together and disappear from the ceiling.
After leaving everyone at the mall and going to pick up Nanami to school. They all wear funny hats and colorful necklaces, they are gathered in a private karaoke room, with a large table in the middle and armchairs on the sides, TV screens on each wall, lights that painted the walls in colors, and a pair of microphones on the table, then the waiters began to bring a lot of food and drinks for everyone.
For the first time in a long time, all the Jujutsu teachers of Tokyo gathered at a party, free, to have fun. The first round of songs had been mostly pop and upbeat, some had even danced to the music. Now everyone sitting around the table "Do you guys usually do this?" Geto asks curiously while eating.
Everyone stops for a moment and looks at each other. How long has it been since anyone celebrated something? Or at least got together?
“Nah” Gojo says as he leans back in the chair.
Utahime is the first to speak "No, not really" a little embarrassed because no one really did anything for anyone these last few years.
Shoko shakes her head.
"Oh… so this must be more of my world, this was the typical party that Satoru organized, although a little more extravagant" Geto laughs a little as he says this and remembers the parties they used to have. Geto is not going to tell them that time Satoru Six Eyes sang the birthday song for him with some Mexican mariachis.
“So how was he?” Utahime teasing asks Geto about Six eyes Satoru.
"Worse" Geto responds while laughing a little embarrassed.
"How can he be worse?!" Surprised Utahime says.
"My condolences" Nanami says as he takes another drink.
"Hey, I'm here!" Gojo angrily says.
"You know I had a question, why don't you drink?" Shoko asks Geto, ignoring Gojo’s complaint.
"Well" Geto starts to say "The last time I drank was about 10 years ago, and it was at a party like this, but I drank so much that my curses got crazy and destroyed the place, the truth is I don't remember much, so I preferred not to drink again"
"I can imagine that!" Shoko says while laughing.
"Yes, you better stay like sober" Nanami says, surprised by what could happen.
"That must have been fun to see" Satoru laughs.
"Hey, don't laugh… you don't even drink!" Utahime complains to Gojo.
Gojo says “At least I sing better” and sticks his tongue out at her.
"In your dreammss!" Utahime yells at him, she's already a little drunk.
Nanami sighs disappointed.
Shoko empties her beer glass.
"Now I see why they didn't get together" Geto thinks, then he says "I would like to give a toast" with this he gets everyone's attention. Now looking to Shoko he says "I know it may sound strange to you, but… I always wanted to say this to my friend Shoko” Geto pause for a moment looking at Shoko “for curing me, for reviving me twice and for teaching me how to use RCT, I thank you... for the best healer in both worlds!" as he raises his glass.
“For Shoko!” They all say and raise their glasses.
Then comes another round of songs, now some more drunk than others, this time they choose more sentimental songs like ballads.
After that, the TVs turn off and birthday music plays at full volume. At that moment, the waiters bring Shoko's cake with the candles lit. The ambient lights turn on, projecting stars on the walls. Everyone applauds Shoko after blowing out the candles on the cake.
Out of nowhere Suguru brings a bouquet of flowers and gives it to Shoko (one of his curses had brought him on), hugs her and whisper in her ear "Thank you for taking care of me"
After that everyone gives a small present to Shoko.
While the others were distracted congratulating Shoko, Satoru smiling approached Suguru from behind, he put his right hand on Suguru's right shoulder and his head on Suguru's left shoulder, he was going to tell him something, but suddenly his smile disappears when he feels that Suguru was breathing heavily, without asking anything else, they both disappear from the karaoke room, appearing in some room within the confines of the Gojo clan. Satoru hugs him tightly and asks "What's wrong? You scare me"
Suguru begins to breathe slower, more normally, swallows and calms down, then responds "I think it was too much for me" while Satoru took his hand, feeling how they were shaking. The truth was that he had a panic attack, many memories came back to Suguru, and along with that the guilt of having seen all of them die in his world.
"Don't apologize" Satoru tells him, knowing that Suguru would apologize for interrupting the party and scaring him.
A calmer Suguru puts his hands on Satoru's arms that surround him by the shoulders and says "Thank you, I think I can go back now"
"You're sure?" Satoru asks, he doesn't care if they don't return to the party.
Suguru nods.
They both appear outside the karaoke room, let go of Suguru and let him open the door. They both enter, Suguru goes directly to sit down and Satoru has a smile painted on his face, just to attract attention to him instead of Suguru.
"Stealing people from the party?" Utahime says joking but looks at him angry.
Satoru makes a face "At least I don't steal teachers from Tokyo" and finally the elephant in the room came out.
(The narrator says: I'm not referring to the Shikigami, but to the pending matter between the two. jk)
Everyone remains silent, and both Nanami and Shoko turn to look at Utahime confused.
Suguru sighs in resignation, regretting returning.
"For your information, I didn't request it; it was my students who have a lot of esteem for him did it" Utahime says while giving a look at Geto.
"That's enough" Suguru puts his hand on Satoru's who was about to say something else. Satoru had both hands on the table, his body leaning over them, but upon hearing and feeling Suguru say this, he drops to the seat and leans against the backrest while crossing his arms.
All eyes turned to Geto. "It's just that they request me to teach in Kyoto..." Geto tries to clarify the situation but is interrupted. "They're going to change you to..." Shoko was saying when Suguru raised his voice "Only for a month! No big deal" Geto irritated says.
"But what about..." Shoko thought out loud about Geto's condition but stops herself before saying more, then turns to look at Utahime with a disappointing face and says "Really? You should have stopped them or asked for it until next year" she sighs as she finishes saying it. “I really need more alcohol”
Utahime shrug without understanding why so much drama about that.
“I agree” Nanami takes the tablet and orders more drinks for everyone.
After drinking a little more and the atmosphere calmed down a little, the third round of songs came, a mix of musical genre, it was now a fight between Tokyo and Kyoto, it was clearly to Kyoto's disadvantage, but in the end Tokyo had a lot of fun, which was the goal of this party.