35 All He Needs Is A Proper Excuse

Disclaimer: This is a work of fan fiction based on multiple existing anime/manga series. The characters and settings used in this story belong to their respective owners and creators, and no copyright infringement is intended. This story is purely for entertainment purposes and is not intended to infringe upon any existing intellectual property. I do not own any of the original works that inspired this fanfiction, and I fully support the original creators and their works.

-Story Start-

A heavy, awkward, and uncomfortable silence enveloped the room at Satoru's blunt and rather invasive question.

Or so, Rudeus and Nanahoshi felt.

Lifting her gaze slowly, she glared unimpressed at Satoru, sighing, "Don't be meddling, Gojo-san."

At Nanahoshi's involvement, Rudeus's expression gained a momentary respite.

Shifting his piercing gaze from Rudeus, Satoru tilted his head at Nanahoshi, amused, "Well~ Aren't you just a paragon of virtue? Aren't you doing this simply because you feel grateful to him or somethin? Neediness isn't very attractive, Shizuka-chan~!"

He shrugged, "I'm asking a pretty simple question, that any normal person would deny immediately."

Gritting her teeth, Nanahoshi responded evenly, "That's no simple question and you know it. Why do you even care?"

Nanahoshi's seemingly innocent question made Satoru ponder.

His gaze lifted as he hummed, "Huh... Why do I even care?" He mumbled.

Gojo Satoru is a man who lives in the present.

The past and the disgusting and creepy acts of others done back then truly aren't his concern as long as they don't continue in the present.

And even if they do continue - Unless it heavily involves him, he truly doesn't give it any room for thought.

Yet now?

His memories of months spent together with Eris flash in his mind.

What is she to him?

Her case makes him reminiscent of Jujutsu Society and how depraved most of those involved in it are.

The Old marry the young and consummate the marriage regardless of age differences.

What makes it even more disturbing is that this practice has not ceased.

Even in the current 21st Century.

Although not being a victim of such a case, he has seen and heard of enough.

He could... Sympathize?

Gojo Satoru lacks an understanding of Human Emotion - This is even more so true when it comes to himself.

One last memory flashed in Satoru's mind before he made his conclusion.

-Flashback Start-

Satoru's wooden sword was mere inches away from Eris's face as she sat on the ground before the imposing figure of Satoru.

Her own sword was on the ground, multiple feet away from her and her expression was exhausted and sweaty thanks to the duel.

Like all their recent duels...

Eris lost once more.

She gritted her teeth as Satoru commented neutrally, as he withdrew the sword from her face, "Well, this was our last duel. I'm leaving pretty soon." His statement was a matter of fact.

He then smirked at her eccentrily, "Don't be shy~ Feel free to express your heartfelt and tearful goodbye~!"

Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath and slowly rose up.

Her crimson eyes gazed impassively at the Six Eyes, as she began, her tone serious, "Gojo."

Sensing the odd serious atmosphere, Satoru straightened up, yet his tone hadn't lost his mischievous edge as he pointed at himself, "Me?"

She gave a short bow, "Thank you. I've improved immensely with your help."

Satoru's eyes widened momentarily, "Well, well. That's a little out of character. What brought this on?" He asked in innocent curiosity.

She answered with certainty, "Rudeus and I will one day fight the Dragon God."

Tilting his head, he replied, "I'm aware. Though you're getting close to Sword King level, I wouldn't suggest you should go for it any time soon." 

Nodding, she lowered her gaze, "If we fail... Then of all people, you coul-"

Interrupting her with a lift of his hand, Satoru shook his head, "That's quite hypothetical. Who said you'll be the ones to fight him first? At the current rate, you're going. I'll beat his ass first~!"

At that, for the first time in a really long time - Perhaps for the first time ever as far as Satoru could tell.

Eris snorted and smiled - And she wasn't talking about Rudeus.

Now, that was an occasion.

-Flashback End-

A moment later, Satoru answers with a shrug at Nanahoshi's rather simple question, "I guess because she's a friend?"

However, that was an answer more directed at himself than at Nanahoshi.

She deadpanned, "Why are you asking me? I have no clue who you're even talking about. I only chimed in when you threw an outrageous accusation at Rudeus-san."

"Which is all the more reason for you to not get involved. I'm handling this just fine~!" Satoru degradingly pointed at Nanahoshi.

The room fell silent, Nanahoshi's retort silenced by Satoru's abrupt shift in focus.

Her eyes flickered towards Rudeus, silently pleading for a resolution to their escalating conflict.

Satoru's lazy and easygoing gaze shifted back to Rudeus.

Who wasn't sure how to answer the incredibly blunt question, nervous sweat building up on his face.

Satoru's voice broke the tense silence. "Hmm... I'll change the question."

At the end of it all, it's rather inconsequential.

What matters for Satoru is the Now.

He pointed at Rudeus, asking in much the same blunt and direct manner, "Does Eris know?"

There is only one correct answer in Satoru's eyes.

Rudeus's tone, out of nervousness, turned polite and extremely careful, "Know... What?"

"That you're a creepy old man underneath," Satoru stated confidently, having already formed his own conclusion.

Does Eris truly know to whom she dedicated her life?

Does Eris truly know to whom she suffered grueling, torturous training?

Does Eris truly know to whom she wants to stand side by side for the rest of her life?

All these questions were immediately answered by Rudeus's slow and ashamed response.

His fists clenched and trembling, he answered, "N-No... No one knows, not even Eris."

'Wrong answer.' Satoru thought.

Satoru's grin widened, revealing a flash of teeth that sent a chill down Rudeus's spine.

"Alright~! Let's take this outside~!" His cheerful tone contrasted sharply with the threat laced within his words as he pointed at the door with his thumb.

Rudeus lifted his head, his expression a mix of fear and confusion as he met Satoru's gaze.

Nanahoshi's eyes widened with alarm, and she moved to stand between Satoru and Rudeus, her voice tinged with urgency.

"What... Do you think you're doing?" She reached out to grab Satoru's shirt, her fingers trembling slightly.

Satoru met her gaze with an unwavering stare, ignoring the hand that held his shirt, "I'm going to beat his ass," he replied, his tone firm and unyielding.

"To be more specific, I'm beating the stupid and the creepy out of him..." His words hung in the air, a heavy silence settling over the room.

Rudeus swallowed hard, the weight of Satoru's threat pressing down on him.

"Since Eris isn't here to do it herself..." Satoru concluded, his voice carrying a finality that left no room for argument.

To Be Continued!

-Author Note Start-

Well, well.

Didn't expect this one?

Well - This is pretty much just a nugget of a chapter.

I wanted to post this before getting back to work on the Ten Shadows.

And of course, to leave you guys on another cliffhanger because that's what I do best.

As you can see, you can probably infer the dynamic between Satoru and Rudeus from this one.

The last chapter hadn't made it quite clear, only hinted at it.

Now I think you're probably getting it.

Of course, Rudeus hadn't the chance to explain his side of things - Nor does Satoru care enough to hear him out.

What Eris did to him.

The ED.

Yada yada.

You'll see next chapter how this one plays out.

Also, poor Nanahoshi.

She just wants them to get along (And to get home).

Hope you've enjoyed this bite-sized chapter lol.

Now, I'm curious as to what you think.

Did Satoru decide to go with this because he cares?

Or because he just wants an excuse to let loose a little?

Or something else?

What about a mix of those?

I'm curious as to your thoughts! (And whether or not I've managed to convey what I wanted lmao)

Anyways! Most importantly! Did I portray Teen Gojo well in this chapter?! As this is the most critical part of the fic! Woohoo! Feedback! Yes!