At Sobu High School...
"Hey, Mikawa-sensei! How about we go eat outside the school later?"
Narukai's voice rang down the hallway, overly enthusiastic as always.
He jogged up beside Akane Mikawa, his hands stuffed nervously in his pockets like a boy about to confess to his crush.
"I heard there's this super popular restaurant nearby. Everyone says that the food's incredible! You might even spot some celebrities or influencers there!"
Akane turned her head slightly, her silky chestnut hair swaying as she flashed her usual composed smile — the kind that looked kind but was secretly calculating.
"Oh?" she repeated, tapping her chin in thought. "If you're going, I suppose I could come along. I've been curious about that place…"
Her tone was casual, almost teasing — but the gears in her head were already turning.
Then, as if she'd just remembered something tragic, her expression softened with feigned worry.
"Ah, but… I might not have enough cash on me. Those kinds of places are expensive, right?"
Of course she had enough money.
Akane Mikawa was many things — sharp-tongued, cunning, and annoyingly good at manipulating her students — but she was never unprepared.
Still, with Narukai standing there, practically wagging his metaphorical tail, why spend her own money when someone else could do it for her?
Come on, say it, she thought smugly. Say it, Narukai. Say the words.
Sure enough—
"It's fine, Mikawa-sensei! I invited you out, so it's only right that I treat you!" Narukai blurted out, chest puffed with pride.
Perfect, she mused inwardly, hiding her satisfaction behind a calm smile.
"Then… I suppose I can't refuse such a generous offer."
Narukai nearly melted after seeing her smile.
His cheeks glowed red, his grin awkward and bashful.
Akane had that effect — every word, every glance, every tilt of her head seemed deliberate, crafted to keep her admirers spinning helplessly in her orbit.
As they started to walk towards the restaurant, she scanned the area as usual, however today, something — or rather, someone — caught her eye.
Sitting lazily on the pavilion bench under a tree was Gojo Satoru, his white hair unmistakable even from afar. His blindfold was casually tilted up, revealing one glimmering cerulean eye, and his expression screamed "extremely bored handsome guy."
Akane blinked.
Of all people to run into… why is this troublemaker here?
But opportunity was opportunity. With a mischievous grin, she waved and called out, "Gojo-sensei!"
Narukai froze mid-step.
Gojo-sensei? That Gojo-sensei?
His heart dropped into his stomach as jealousy flickered across his face.
Even ten meters away, Gojo looked effortlessly confident — like someone who could walk into a room and make gravity itself bend a little in his favor.
Akane, meanwhile, was already halfway, her smile radiating practiced sweetness.
"Gojo-sensei! You're still here? Shouldn't you be eating lunch?"
She plopped down beside him with casual grace, her voice bright and pleasant.
Gojo tilted his head lazily, not bothering to sit up properly.
"Not eating won't kill me," he said, his tone light but his attention sharper than it looked.
His Six Eyes scanned her faint cursed energy signature — flickers of ambition, self-interest, and carefully masked irritation.
"Skipping meals is bad for your health, you know," Akane lectured, crossing her arms in mock seriousness. "You'll end up with stomachaches! I haven't eaten yet either… how about we go together?"
Gojo stared for a long second, his expression calm.
Then, flatly—
"I don't care about you."
The bluntness hit her like a slap.
Her fake smile twitched, the edges faltering.
For someone so used to being adored, Gojo's effortless disregard was infuriating.
But before she could come up with a cutting retort, Gojo stretched, groaned, and stood.
"Fine," he said finally. "I don't care where we eat. But if you're offering free food, who am I to refuse?"
"Eh?" She blinked, then smiled sweetly. "You mean you'll come?"
Gojo shrugged. "Sure. But he is paying."
He jerked his thumb at Narukai, who had just arrived, still processing the scene like a deer in headlights, confused.
When—
"Ah, Narukai-sensei," Akane said smoothly, looping her arm through his with practiced grace. "This is Gojo-sensei — he's new at Sobu High. He hasn't eaten yet either, so… maybe he could join us?"
Her tone was warm, almost too warm, her breath tickling his ear.
Narukai's brain short-circuited.
His face turned bright red from jealousy.
"Ah—y-yes! Of course! We're all colleagues. I'll treat him too!"
There it is, Gojo thought, suppressing a chuckle behind his mask.
"Wow! That's so kind of you, Narukai-sensei!" Akane clapped her hands in admiration, eyes sparkling with mock sincerity.
Gojo smirked under his breath.
"You're really something else," he murmured, earning only a flick of her hair in response.
.....
At the Restaurant...
The trio sat at a table near the window, sunlight spilling over the lacquered wood and polished plates.
The restaurant was stylish — modern Japanese aesthetics blended with traditional touches, full of chatter and delicious smells.
Narukai, unfortunately, couldn't enjoy a single bite.
His hand holding his wallet trembled with every passing minute.
"Narukai sensei, this fried dumpling is amazing," Akane said between dainty bites. "And the mapo tofu is so delicious — not too spicy, not too oily."
"Yeah…" Narukai replied weakly, forcing a smile as he mentally calculated his bank balance.
Why did I agree to this?
Across from them, Gojo was enjoying himself far too much.
He leaned back, munching on sweet-and-sour pork with chopsticks like it was popcorn.
"Hmm~ not bad. Still, I've had better in Kyoto," he said thoughtfully.
Akane's eyes flicked toward him.
"Oh? You've traveled quite a bit, haven't you, Gojo-sensei?"
"Of course," he said with mock pride. "I've dined in cursed dimensions, eaten tempura made by gods… you know, the usual."
Narukai blinked. "Eh? Cursed dimensions?"
Confused and bewildered by his talk.
Gojo waved it off with a grin. "Trade secret."
Akane rolled her eyes subtly, as she said...
"You really do love showing off, don't you?"
"Only when it's fun," he replied calm.
The waitress brought dessert — an absurdly tall parfait tower, complete with whipped cream, mochi, and strawberries.
Akane clasped her hands like a child. "It looks beautiful!"
Narukai, meanwhile, looked like he might cry.
After all them finished eating, the waiter bring bill—
When the bill arrived, his worst fears were confirmed.
The total was brutal—
His hand trembled as he pay for the bill, forcing a smile that was more grimace than gratitude.
"Thank you for the meal…" Akane said sweetly, already rising from her seat. "I have a class to prepare for, so I'll get going. Take care, both of you!"
She left before either could reply, her heels clicking rhythmically on the floor.
Narukai slumped forward, defeated.
"I thought… maybe this meal would bring us closer," he muttered. "But she didn't even look back once."
Gojo, who was sipping tea, glanced sideways. "You seriously like that woman, huh?"
Narukai nodded miserably.
"I know she's cold and distant, but there's something… special about her. I can't give up."
Gojo sighed as he muttered. "You're hopeless."
Narukai blinked. "What?"
"Nothing," Gojo said, standing up. "Here. Take this."
He placed a few crisp thousand-yen notes on the table.
Narukai's eyes widened.
"No, no, I can't accept this! I said I'd treat you!"
Gojo adjusted his blindfold and turned away.
"You're a good guy, Narukai. Don't let her drain you dry."
With that, he left — leaving the teacher staring dumbly at the money on the table.
"Gojo-sensei…" he murmured, touched. "He's… actually kind?"
Outside, Gojo smirked to himself.
"Kind? Hardly. I just don't like debts."
The wind blew softly across the street, carrying laughter from passing students and the faint hum of afternoon life.
Gojo pulled out his phone, glancing at a new message from Hiratsuka Shizuka.
"Gojo! You skipped your afternoon homeroom AGAIN! Report to the staff room, now!"
Gojo chuckled and typed back lazily:
"Sorry, Shizuka sensei~ My cursed energy took a lunch break too."
He pocketed his phone, slipping his hands into his coat pockets as he strolled toward the school gates.
"Man," he muttered with a grin, "this world really is full of fun people."
...
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