The story features Gojo, who is currently in his 28s and Megumi, who has recently been de-aged by a first grade curse.
This comes crashing down Gojo's walls because the age Megumi is now is the same age he had when they first met in the past.
To to...
Among the many things that could have happened between the two of them, Satoru never thought it would come to this.
Staring at the sweaty, tiny figure, whose forehead is covered with a wet-white towel as Shoko does some examinations next to him, nostalgic thoughts overwhelm his mind. Nostalgic thoughts that he wants to stay away from. Maybe I must think this through. As he makes this cowardly attempt, his gaze is kept set on the stiff but heavily breathing body. His eyes keep wandering until reaching the figure's head, which is covered in spiky dark hair locks.
After a while, he sighs and takes a sit-by as quietly as possible but fails in vain. The kid, whose eyes were closed from a deep sleep, starts squeezing them shut, and he feels like his breathing is cut short afterward at the mere reaction.
Let's be honest, profoundly, within his heart, he kind of cherished (yeah, kind of) every single moment he had with Megumi as he was growing up. He was supposed to just be his and her sister's "benefactor," as Megumi once referred to him when asked about his views on him. If you ask Satoru, he paid no mind to this at all; there is no lie behind Megumi's chosen term. Is there?
After all, back then, he never tried to build any sort of emotional closeness between the two of them. A mentor like himself shouldn't go that far and cross that line. Besides, Megumi, himself, never tried to either.
Gojo's memory:
The first time I met him, I never saw any intention or sorrow wash over him when it came to his parents.
-Fushiguro... Megumi-kun, right?—
He was so tiny, just like a black cat.
—Who are you?— Seriously, he looks like one of those strangers people warn you about because they give you candy, expecting something in exchange. —and why are you looking at me like that?— I'm seeing right, or is it just my mind tripping? He's looking at me with a disgusted expression. Although, I can barely look at him. He's so tall.
Around that time, he just looked like his dad. Just like him, but cute.
After explaining to him about the deal Toji planned all along and the reputation of the clan he comes from, that day... that day, I proceeded to just match his tiny height and —Sucks, doesn't it? Your dad... I ki—
Guess I wasn't the best at handling sensitive topics.
—So what?— I said with an indifferent tone. Seems like being tactful is not his fort. —I don't care where he is or what he's doing. I haven't seen him in years. I don't even remember what he looks like—
Total shock, right? I was wide-eyed, but it didn't come as a surprise. Things like this tend to happen a lot in the clans.
I thought he was gonna stop there, but he kept going. It was like the situation took the best of him.
—Tsumiki's mom hasn't returned in a while— Nor do I expect her to do now. I don't expect anything from people like her. —so that means they're done taking care of us and are living happily together— Adults. My expectations from them are not visible or present.
I questioned his age at that particular time. How could a 6-year-old have such an apathetic way of words?
As ridiculous as it might sound, I expected a different reaction. I thought he was gonna crack and break down in front of me. At the end of the day, he was just a kid.
After a deafening silence, I spoke:
—What do you want to do?—
Depending on his decision, Megumi could have a different perspective of those around him and himself or remain with teachings provided by me.
—Do you want to go to the Zenin family?—
It was on his shoulders, whatever happens afterward.
—What'll happen to Tsumiki?— I'm scared of what might happen to her beyond anything. We're alone in this world now, and knowing her, she won't think about herself. —If we go there, will Tsumiki be happy? My answer depends on that—. I don't know if I should trust this guy's words. But we don't have anybody else to rely on. It's now or never.
—No, there's absolutely no way. I guarantee that.—
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So, it went the way I wanted it; I prevented his sale to the Zenin clan and they were later on under my legal guardianship ( During this time, my intention with this was for him to become a jujutsu sorcerer; a strong one, just like me) Although, to be honest, Tsumiki-chan was more of a guardian for Megumi than I ever was; after all, she was his sister.
Around the time it took place, I was coming to terms with my adulthood; I was not their father nor a parental figure they could look up to, so I never pushed myself to connect deeply with those two kids. Digesting how the spiky hair kid thought of his parents provided me enough reassurance of not even thinking of trying anything. I just complied with the duty of providing them money, impulse my potential as a special sorcerer, and training the next ten shadows' holder.
But now... now I'm 28, and this, this is not the same as it once was.
Megumi's past, little pov:
As I was still standing there, and watching him leave, I thought to myself, "What a rude guy!". He didn't even introduce himself.
It's not like I care about his name, but he knew mine, just like a damn stalker, so why am I not allowed to know his?
A humiliating part of it all is that I could barely keep my gaze halfway through the conversation. Tall moron. He's just like a tower. He better tell me when we gather up again, or I swear I will be calling him Tower-san.
Like I'm aware, I didn't ask for his name, but it's because of two things. First of all, he's a stranger, and second of all, who's the adult here?
