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Gojo didn't feel very welcome in Shoko's lab. She kept nagging at him "careful with that" "don't get the counters messy" "you're gonna have to clean up after your done." He wanted to try out a boosted form of his technique on some lab rats, that's all. But Shoko is very serious about her workplace, and doesnt like anyone fussing around her, except if it was Utahime. She popped in for some 'girl time' and was warmly welcomed.
"I can't believe he was able to move on so quickly, like I was barely ever in his life! No I want the red one. Was I that bad of a girlfriend?" Utahime asked.
"I thought purple would go better with your skin tone," Shoko picked up the tiny bottle of red nail polish and leant over Utahime's hand, "it's not your fault. You were the only one working hard for the relationship - Gojo don't touch that- he had probably lost interest a while ago, which is his problem not yours."
Gojo rolled his eyes as he backed away from a black piece of curse flesh suspended in a green icky liquid. He wanted to experiment on something real. He was 20 and his abilities have come a long way, lab rats became too simple for his experiments, but Shoko denied him access to the morgue. He couldn't understand why she gets overprotective of her dead bodies and curses collection.
"I mean, I was kinda closed up sometimes. I rarely talked with him about my day. I thought the curses and jujutsu stuff would weird him out, and it's not like he ever asked." She sighed dramatically, staring attentively at Shoko's work, "I've never felt more replaceable before. You should've seen how he was smiling around her, he never gave me that kind of smile."
"He was just not the right one for you. Don't think too much about it, there are plenty other men out there who you will find more suitable."
"Ugh I can't bare the idea of going on a date anytime soon "
"You don't have to. We are just going to drink, have some fun, talk to new people... You better focus on yourself and know what you really feel and want from dating."
A few counters inside, Gojo said pointedly over a rat he had blown its guts out by accident, "A great sorcerer is trying to improve his abilities here. So please tone it down ladies."
He was getting bored with Utahime's whining and lost his focus. His mind was swarming with comments he wanted to make, such as that Utahime is acting too weak again and letting her emotions get the best of her. Unfortunately, he had promised he won't annoy their girl time. Utahime made him promise that. It is needless to say she wasn't so happy to see him in Shoko's place.
Both girls looked up from their work, finally acknowledging his existence.
"Maybe we should talk somewhere else?" Utahime said dismissively.
"Gojo's fine. He just doesn't like people forgetting he is supposed to be the center of attention," she turned around on her stool to face him.
"Why don't you take a break from dirtying my lab and join us? I can paint your nails too," she offered, waving a red bottle of polish.
Utahime flapped a hand to dry it, flashing bright red nails, "pink would look better on his complexion."
"Too bad it's all out" Shoko shrugged and turned back.
"very funny," he replied, "and I prefer blue anyways."
"I didn't know this idiot had the ability to be serious," Utahime commented, as if he couldn't hear them.
Shoko was beside him since they were first years. She witnessed him challenging the boundaries of his powers, making his way very quickly up to be strongest. With that came huge responsibility, and she thinks that the main reason he acts goofy and silly is to survive that lifestyle. She worries about him sometimes. She answered with few words, "he is dedicated when it comes to it. But he spends a lot of time just goofing around too."
Gojo chose to take that as a compliment.
"Do you think clubbing would be a good idea" Utahime blew on her nails.
So THAT'S the reason for the urgent nail painting session! Gojo thought, grateful they changed the topic. Maybe the idea of clubbing will help him power through the rest of this damn experiment, unlike Utahime's dilemma.
"Why not? Getting hammered is a great way to get over a breakup."
Like Shoko is any expert in breakups, she dated once and then dumped the guy after 2 months for being 'too clingy.' Gojo added this too to his mental comments before it escaped his mouth.
Shoko went on, "Hooking up is a great way too. It gives a sense of acceptance and validation apparently. You've never had a one night stand before, right?"
Utahime hissed at her friend in something Gojo couldn't catch. Luckily, Shoko replied with her normal nonchalant tone.
"Gojo? You don't have to shy from him he is a very open minded boy. Isn't that right Gojo?"
"What?" he said carelessly, trying and failing not to sound like he was too immersed in their conversation. He turned around and they were both looking at him expectantly. It was too late to act like he wasn't struggling to join in.
"Ofcourse! I don't judge on these matters. Plus if anything, I'm an expert when to comes to hookups" He said, looking supremely proud with himself.
Utahime cringed, "you say that but you wouldn't want us discussing your love life."
He shifted his full attention towards the girls, abandoning the pathetic excuse of an experiment. This will be fun. "Here is where your wrong, Utahime. I don't have a love life. I don't really have time for dating, so I spare my energy and do one night stands when i feel like it."
"Yeah you are too emotionally unavailable. You're lucky you have good looks or you'd be all alone," Shoko stated, not looking up from her friend's nails.
He scrunched his nose, "just say you are mad at me for wasting your precious rats."
"Anyways he has a point," she went on, "it is easier to seek out physical intimacy outside of dating. But it depends on the person, it's totally fine if you're not into that." She screwed the bottle shut, eyeing her work, "You want a top coat too?"
"Yeah... But watch out, this stuff is every runny."
"I'll put something underneath."
Gojo waited patiently as Shoko grabbed tissue papers and spread them over her counter. He wished she would hurry up before they changed the topic again. Women tend to do that a lot, he noticed. For a strange reason, he was curious about Utahime's love life.
After Shoko had settled back on painting, Utahime finally said, "It's not that I'm not open to the possibility... I just- " she shot Gojo a wary look. He strained his ears to catch what she said next "I gained a bit of weight recently, and I think that's one of the reasons my ex lost interest... I don't feel in a very sexy place right now to do that."
"Utahime stop" Shoko scolded. "Don't let him get to your head. One breakup shouldn't define your self esteem. That guy didn't value you and that's on him. You are pretty and sexy and cute and a lot of men out there find you attractive." She added in a louder voice. "Isn't that right Gojo?"
He thought the weight Utahime had gained looked good on her. His mind went back to when they went out to the beach for a highschool reunion and she was wearing a two piece bikini. Her thighs were curvy and full, she had that little belly pooch that he found adorabale, and round boobs that hung gracefully behind the small bra.
He tipped his head in thought, "you do have nice tits... I'd totally make out with you-"
"There you g-"
"If I wasn't familiar with that temper of yours."
His words hung in the air.
Utahime was still recovering from the shock and embarrassment of his declaration only to be hit with another insult. She was furious. She stood abruptly, knocking over the bottles.
"I only have a temper when YOU are around! You rude immature idiot!"
"Hey, I was trying to give an objective opinion," he smiled at the sight of her all riled up, finally far form the depressed girl. He felt greedy, "and your weakness is probably why he left."
"You!"
"Guys stop!"
Utahime's hand halted mid air, ready to throw a nail polish bottle
"Or continue this outside," Shoko sighed, "I don't want my lab to be destroyed."
Utahime glared at Gojo in a 'you're lucky she came in' kind of way while he shrugged in triumph
"Senpai, don't give people's opinions much of a thought. You're beautiful and you know that." She smiled encouragingly, "let's get drunk without worries tonight, OK?"
Utahime raised her head defiantly. After Gojo's annoying jabs, she gained a new challenging spirit. She is going out tonight and she will make any man she wants fall for her. She can do that, she is in complete control of her emotions and nothing will stand in her way.
"We sure will." she nodded and stood up "I'm gonna go get ready. And Shoko, I see you itching for a cigarette, just don't smoke a lot."
She left the room walking straight and tall as Shoko hummed in agreement. She turned back to Gojo and gave him a long inspecting look, "I'm going out for a smoke," she took out the cigarette box, not removing her eyes form him, "don't blow out the lab when I'm gone."
"No worries." he flashed her a cunning smile.
Finally got the lab to myself, he thought, going back to his forgotten experiment.
Moments like this remind him that they are still just young people in their twenties, trying to enjoy life. It makes him forget that he is the strongest jujutsu sorcerer, that he has great powers to master and a heavy burden to carry.
Deep down, he wished Utahime would come back with her silly troubles and take his mind off the jujutsu world.
.
.
Back in her room, Utahime swept up her white cat and flung herself straight on the bed, burying her flaming red face in her white cat's fur.
The boy she once had a crush on had basically told her he finds her sexy and he'd make out with her. But he had to add his usual insult. Couldn't he be nice about it all the way for once? Was she even supposed to take that as a compliment?
"Stupid men with their stupid ignorance of women's feelings," she hugged her cat tighter, fighting back a tear.
This cat used to belong to gojo. He rescued it from the street and then gave it up to her when he got too busy to take care of it.
She hated his recklessness and his insensitivity to her feelings. She hated the effect he had on her. She should be angry now, but a tiny bit of happiness she hadn't felt in while was spreading through her.
For now, she liked to believe that Gojo Satoru fancies her.