Next Morning at Sobu High,
Because he didn't have his English class in the morning today, Gojo Satoru found himself with a rare moment of free time. His schedule usually kept him busy between homeroom duties, supervising students, and monitoring supernatural disturbances, but today the office was quiet.
Seizing this opportunity, he had called Mei Misaki into the office after learning Hiratsuka Shizuka's schedule.
After a moment,
Misaki entered quietly, her eyes cast downward as usual, the pale skin of her face making her appear almost fragile, as if the slightest disturbance could shatter her.
Gojo tilted his head theatrically, a mock frown spreading across his face.
"Misaki-san… am I really so ugly, that you don't even want to look at me?"
Silence —
After five tense seconds, her gaze slowly lifted, revealing her piercing, almost translucent eyes. The aura around her hinted at powers beyond the ordinary, and her calm, emotionless voice finally answered.
"No… Sensei, you look fine."
Gojo's grin widened.
"Ah, thank you for the compliment. You're too kind."
He folded his arms, leaning casually against the edge of the desk, legs crossed in an exaggerated pose.
"Let's get straight to the point, Misaki-san," he said, his tone suddenly serious. "Your eyes… you must be able to see supernatural beings from time to time, right?"
This was a direct confrontation.
From his observations using the Six Eyes, the single eye covered by her white eyepatch emitted immense spell power, capable of sensing curses, spirits, and maybe even monsters hidden within the mundane world.
(Note: He didn't read or watch the Anime: Another, so he didn't know her powers)
Misaki's eyes flickered slightly. She had suspected Gojo might not be entirely human in the conventional sense, but this confirmed her suspicions.
"You… you can see them too?" she asked softly, a mixture of surprise and disbelief in her tone.
"Yup," Gojo said casually, winking with his uncovered eye. "You'll get used to it~."
Misaki's lips parted slightly, astonished.
She had thought she was alone in having abilities that defied the natural order, but here was another—someone who could handle the supernatural as naturally as walking down a school corridor.
"Oh, and this is for you," Gojo said, opening a drawer and pulling out a small talMisak and passing it towards her.
Misaki blinked, instinctively taking it. "A… charm?"
"Yes. Think of it as a blessing from your teacher. Keep it with you at all times. Protection, you know? You never know when a stray evil spirit might show up."
Seeing Misaki hesitate, he added with a playful wink, "Don't worry, it's perfectly safe. No side effects. Maybe a little luck, though."
The girl nodded silently, tucking the charm carefully into her pocket. There was no verbal response, but Gojo knew she understood.
After a few minutes of casual conversation about her family and personal life, class time was approaching.
Gojo let Misaki leave the office, knowing that she probably carried more emotional knots than most, which explained her withdrawn nature. Some problems could only be solved gradually, slowly.
.....
Noon Break,
By the time noon rolled around, the corridors of Sobu High were mostly empty.
Gojo strolled leisurely with a lollipop dangling from his mouth, enjoying the rare peace.
Staying in the office all day was boring, and with Hiratsuka and Chihiro off having lunch together, this was his chance to wander around.
As he walked deeper into the school, a soft, melodic sound reached his ears—piano notes floating delicately down the hall.
Intrigued, he followed the sound until he came to the piano room.
Inside, a woman with long, flowing light pink hair played the piano with effortless grace. Her expression was serene, and every movement of her fingers seemed perfectly in tune with her calm aura. Gojo leaned against the doorframe, watching, impressed.
For someone like him, mastering music wasn't difficult—but the skill, technique, and emotion she poured into the piano made him pause.
Halfway through a piece, she stopped abruptly, turning her head to glance at the doorway. Her eyes widened in mild surprise, but she quickly masked it with a polite smile.
"… eavesdropping is bad manners, you know," she said lightly.
"Sorry, I'll leave," Gojo replied smoothly, his tone more amused than apologetic. As he began to turn away.
"Please, wait!" she suddenly called, stepping in front of him. "You've been listening…so you must know music well."
"Not really, I don't really understand much," he said, waving dismissively. "Goodbye."
Gojo already recognized her—
Long light pink hair, striking features, and exceptional piano skills… Akane Miyakawa, piano instructor of Sobu High, responsible for grades C, D, and E in third year. She wasn't in uniform, confirming his suspicion that she was a new teacher.
Akane, watching him leave, rolled her eyes slightly and licked her lips absentmindedly. "Interesting…" she muttered under her breath, still standing by the piano.
...
Back in the Office,
Returning to the office, Gojo found that Hiratsuka Shizuka and Chihiro had returned from lunch.
He immediately threw himself onto Hiratsuka's, practically burying himself in her warm embrace.
"I haven't seen you in half an hour! I missed you so much!" Gojo exclaimed dramatically.
"Where did you even learn that?" Hiratsuka asked with a tired but amused expression.
"Doesn't matter!" Gojo said, head tilted back, watching her antics with a grin. Hiratsuka's light slap to his back was more a warning than anything—"Don't go too far; Chihiro's still here."
But Gojo couldn't care less. His mind was still wandering back to Akane. Compared to the rigid elegance of the piano teacher, like Akane, only the warmth and familiarity of Hiratsuka—especially Umaru—were infinitely more comforting.
Even in a school filled with supernatural incidents, Gojo couldn't help but feel that the ordinary human connections—the small joys and little mischiefs—were the most precious.
And when faced with a choice between a cold, distant curiosity and the warmth of those who truly cared, Gojo knew exactly which he would choose every single time.
(T/N: Don't know why but it feel like Gojo hate or is avoiding her)
...
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