Chapter 48: Riko-Chan-> Dead or Alive?

As Toji's treatment came to an end, Shoko turned to Gojo, eyes full of questions. But before she could speak, Gojo placed his index finger to her lips.

"Shhh.... All will be explained soon enough," he whispered. "Meet me at the Takenodai Fountain this evening. I will tell you everything."

"Umm" Shoko nodded, still puzzled but trusting Gojo had his reasons.

Gojo straightened and addressed the group. "For now, it's best we part ways discreetly. The car waiting over there has been briefed on the situation. They will drop Shoko wherever she needs to go."

He paused, meeting Toji and Megumi's gazes. "As for you two, the driver will take you to my manor. Rest there until I return tonight."

 She followed the others to the waiting vehicle. "Then I will see you there..." Toji and Megumi climbed in, eager to start their new strange arrangement.

As the car pulled away, Gojo watched with a satisfied smile.

********

******

***

Suguru held Riko's hand gently as they walked toward Tengen's sacred grounds. He could feel her shaking, nerves, and uncertainty radiating off her small form.

They paused at the entrance. Suguru turned to Riko, his face open and kind. "We don't have to do this," he said softly. "The choice is yours."

Riko looked up at him with wide eyes. ".... My choice?"

Suguru nodded. "You've lived so long anticipating this merger. But now... for a moment, I want you to be sure, to ask yourself honestly, to answer me honestly.... Would you...like to keep living as Riko?"

(A/N: Suguru is a fucking kind sole man, a great dude! I will save Suguru, even if I were to fuck Kenjaku's plot)

Riko gasped, tears welling up as memories overwhelmed her - studying with her friends, laughing with Gojo at the beach, building sandcastles with Kuroi. Her shackles of fate had fallen away, revealing a world of possibilities.

"I...I want to keep living as me," she sobbed, throwing herself into Suguru's arms. "I want to be with everyone."

Suguru embraced her kindly. "Then so shall it be," he said with a gentle smile.

He was happy for Riko - to live freely, not as a sacrifice but as her own person.

Her choice validated all their efforts to show her life's beauty before her predetermined end.

And in Suguru's caring embrace, Riko had never felt luckier to be alive.

He took her back and she hugged Kuroi and they started crying.....

*********

******

***

As Gojo leisurely walked into the elevator that would take him down to Tengen's sacred grounds, he felt a gleam of anticipation in his eyes. Things were proceeding exactly as he had planned.

Rather than allow the merger to proceed, Gojo had decided to intervene - not out of compassion, but for his own purposes. He was too curious to see how Kenjaku would react when faced with unexpected setbacks.

With making sure Geto didn't go all depressed after Riko's death, hence remaining a reliable friend but at the same time ensuring Tengan's evolution as the original Story giving Kenjaku some hope for his future.

For Anime Only watchers, here is a lil spoiler [image]

[A/N: don't ask me what-if questions, can't reveal all the stuff I have planned for the future, can I?

Riko is not dead and Toji is now an ally, just be happy.]

Why? Well, as a reader, he hated Sukuna but after living as Gojo, he hated Kenjaku to his core.

Gojo started seeing Geto as a reliable and kind friend, he hated Kenjaku for treating his body like a mere tool in the story.

He wants to just go find and kill Noritoshi Kamo,

[A/N: After posing as Yuji's mother, Kaori Itadori. Kenjaku possessed the body of Noritoshi Kamo, he created the nine Cursed Womb: Death Painting through his cruel experimentation on an innocent woman. If something seems wrong just treat it as an Alternate Time line]

but he is not. Why? The JJK will end in an instant. And the author doesn't wants it lol.

As Gojo exited the elevator, the sight that greeted him was unexpectedly heartwarming.

Riko had fallen asleep, exhausted from crying, snuggling into Geto's back as he gave her a piggyback ride. Kuroi walked solemnly beside them.

Geto looked up at the sound of footsteps and his eyes widened in relief and joy at seeing Gojo unharmed. "Satoru! You're alright!" he exclaimed.

Gojo grinned cockily. "Defeating that musclehead? Doesn't that just come naturally?"

Geto rolled his eyes but couldn't suppress a small smile.

Gojo took that as permission to tease: "Aww, look at Geto being all lovey-dovey, carrying the damsel in distress."

Geto's smile vanished, replaced by a scowl. "Say that again and I'll punch you so hard your grandchildren will feel it!" he growled.

Chuckling, Gojo dodged as Geto lunged at him, still carefully balancing Riko on his back. Kuroi watched their antics with an awkward yet happy face.

*******

(Evening near Tokyo National Museum)

Shoko arrived at the Takenodai Fountain promptly that evening. She spotted Gojo lounging casually on the edge of the water feature.

"So, are you finally going to explain what's going on?" she asked, hands on her hips.

Gojo flashed a grin. "All in good time. But first, care to join me for an outing? I was thinking of the Ueno Zoo."

Shoko raised an eyebrow suspiciously. "The zoo? What are you up to, Satoru?"

He stood in one fluid motion. "Just think of it as a thank you for your help today. Come on, it'll be fun!"

Before she could protest, Gojo had already set off down the path. With a sigh, Shoko followed.

At the zoo, Gojo charmed information out of every staff member they passed. Shoko struggled to keep up with his long strides between exhibits.

"Look, Ierie Chan! The monkeys are dancing for peanuts!" Gojo laughed as one stole his snack right out of his palm.

Shoko swatted his arm playfully. "You're encouraging them! Don't feed the animals, silly."

They came upon the penguin pool. Gojo lifted Shoko onto his shoulders so she could see better.

"Ahh!" She yelped in surprise but didn't argue, giggling as the penguins waddled by.

By the time the sunset over the tiger enclosure, Shoko had completely forgotten her earlier questions in favor of teasing Gojo relentlessly.

As they left the zoo, she decided this unusual agreement might not be so bad after all, especially if it meant more days like this one.

The driver was driving and Gojo and Shoko were sitting at the back

As Shoko happily ate her cotton candy, Gojo turned to her more seriously. "About today's events...Toji was a formidable foe. I wanted to save his life, primarily for Megumi-kun's sake. You spent time with the boy this morning - you know how much being reunited with his father would mean."

Shoko listened attentively as she savored the sweet treat.

Gojo continued, "Toji is not a bad man, not fundamentally. He was only doing what he felt he had to in order to protect Megumi. With the right support and guidance, I believe he can redeem himself." Gojo mixed some truth with some BS.

Thinking back to her conversations with the earnest young kid, Shoko nodded in understanding. "Megumi Kun sure was a good kid."

She smiled looking away from Gojo's direction and said with a fake pout. "Although you act like a careless freak. Your compassion in bringing them back together is nice. For all your boasts and tricks, you have ...a kind heart beneath it all."

Gojo blinked in surprise, then threw back his head in laughter. "Bahaha, our Ierie Chan can talk like adults... wow, my eyes are wet... Bahaha...."

Shoko didn't say anything, she just punched his gut as hard as she could, which Gojo allowed obviously, and then looked outside her window with a "Fuck off, humph!"

Gojo's expression softened as he muttered. "Megumi deserves a shot at happiness." which put a smile on angry Shoko's face.

Seeing that, Gojo thought 'That will do....' [A/N: Ayanokoji Style]

___________________

___________________

A/N: 

For those, giving all their Stones -> I will reincarnate you with mind control powers.

For those, being stingy with their Stones-> I will make you a housewife in a Hentai World, with a protag with Mind control powers!

Give me POWAAAAA!!!!!!