Satoru Gojo wore his sunglasses, pairing a simple light blue top with white trousers, exuding a refreshing "soft aesthetic" vibe. Although the neckline was a bit wide, revealing his collarbones, compared to the men in this bar who were dressed like demons and monsters, he was practically "a lotus rising unsullied from the mud."
The moment he stepped in, he sensed countless gazes fixed on him, like wolves eyeing a lamb.
If these were the gazes of women, he wouldn't mind—he might even habitually radiate charm. But from this crowd... it was a bit much. Of course, he didn't discriminate against anyone's orientation; everyone is free to love whom they choose.
Take Satoru Gojo, for instance: straight to the bone in both his past and present lives. Even if he hadn't met a woman who sparked a romantic impulse yet, it didn't mean he was comfortable with men eyeing him hungrily.
What? You say if he's so straight, why does he love pestering Gin and acting spoiled? They're best friends! Can things between "Besties" really be considered "bent"?!
Professor Gojo's Mini-Lesson: Only straight men mess around so shamelessly; actual gay men keep a tacit, respectful distance.
His mouth twitched; for the first time, he felt an urge to bolt midway.
> [Ding! Plot character Shuichi Akai detected. Host, please strive to obtain impression points!]
>
Hearing the system prompt, Gojo's eyes lit up. He immediately abandoned the idea of leaving.
Shuichi Akai?
He was so used to mingling with the "Black Faction" that he never expected to run into a "Red Faction" character in a place like this. Ignoring the blatant stares from others, he headed straight for the bar, snagged the seat with the best vantage point, and spotted his target at a table across the room.
The man sat low-key in the shadows, sipping a drink. He wore a brown jacket and a knit cap covering thick, black curly hair. He was handsome, with sharp, well-defined features. At this time, he was only twenty, and his brow still held a trace of youthful, edgy greenness. His forest-green eyes were somewhat similar to Gin's, though lighter in hue.
Despite his efforts to hide his presence, several people still approached him to flirt. As one of the characters with the best "luck with women" in the series, Akai probably wasn't gay. So, being in this bar must be related to some FBI task?
Wait, he remembered Akai joined the FBI at twenty-two; right now he should still be studying abroad... no matter how he thought about it, it was weird. Could it be that he really was gay and came here to let loose?
Thinking about the "Arch-nemesis" and "My beloved lover" lines he'd say to Gin in the future, Gojo felt a shiver down his spine. As expected, all those girlfriends were just a cover; Akai is a total gay!
No way! In the future, I must protect my Best Friend's virtue!!
Watching the man struggle to deal with his pursuers, Gojo fell into thought. Regardless, he had to find a way to fleece some points. Should he walk over, kick away the people pestering Akai, pin him against the wall, and pull out a rose with a wicked smile saying, "Man, you've caught my attention"...? Better not. Gojo shook his head to dispel those bizarre fantasies.
Just then, a bartender who had been eyeing him for a long time approached, sliding a free cocktail toward him. "Little beauty, what's troubling you? Why not tell big brother about it?"
A 1.9-meter guy being called "Little Beauty"? Is this the world of gay bars?
Since the guy meant no harm and was technically complimenting him, Gojo just pushed the cocktail away and said perfunctorily, "Nothing." If he drank this, it would be over—cold fact: Satoru Gojo's alcohol tolerance was once labeled "Small Fry" by Akutami Gege.
Seeing him stay at the bar after the bartender spoke to him, some people got ideas.
"Hey kid, you alone?" A muscular white man with a scar on his face walked up to Gojo. He clearly wasn't a nice guy. "Why don't we go have some fun..." The man reached out lewdly to touch him, but his intent was seen through instantly by the 360-degree vision of the Six Eyes.
Gojo's eyes went cold. He grabbed the man's wrist firmly, locking him in place.
"Sss... Fuck! Stop acting pure, if you won't play then—AAAAARGH!"
Everyone nearby heard a distinct crack.
The kid they thought was a lamb in a wolf pack clicked his tongue, radiating an extremely dangerous aura: "Touch me again, and I'll kill you."
> [Impression points from story character Shuichi Akai increased by 500! Analysis: Surprise.]
>
The intimidated man's pupils shrank; he scrambled away as fast as he could. After that, no one dared to approach Gojo, and he enjoyed the peace.
That system notification... Akai must have noticed him when he taught that guy a lesson. Thinking of this, he looked up at Shuichi Akai. Coincidentally, Akai was also studying him. Akai paused, then gave a polite but distant smile.
Gojo rested his chin on his hand, thought for a moment, and called over the bartender who was now too scared to speak. He leaned in and whispered something. A moment later, the bartender walked over and placed a drink in front of Shuichi Akai.
"Hello. This was ordered for you by the white-haired gentleman at the bar. He wishes you a pleasant life."
Shuichi Akai frowned. He had originally thought the kid had good moves and seemed like a decent person, so he had a bit of a good impression. But now, the kid had ordered him a...
Rye Whiskey.
In a bar like this, taking the initiative to buy a drink was generally accepted as a romantic overture. Akai wasn't the type to be overconfident, but influenced by the neon environment, he couldn't help but overthink. However... Rye? Personally, I prefer Bourbon.
He picked up the glass, swirling the amber liquid, and looked at the mysterious white-haired youth across the room. This drink was spicy and stimulating... not usually the first choice to express "affection."
[I feel like that person is hinting at something... I don't get it.]
> [Ding! Impression points from story character Shuichi Akai increased by 500! Analysis: Confusion.]
>
Seeing Akai's complex gaze, Gojo finally realized something in hindsight.
[Wait, he doesn't think I have... 'that' kind of intention toward him, does he?]
He just wanted to say hello. Since they met in a bar, when they meet in the Organization later and Akai realizes the drink I ordered is his future codename—the "frisson" from that realization would surely rake in massive points.
But it seemed that "attacking" now could also yield a lot. Thus, Gojo tentatively tilted his head at Shuichi Akai and flashed a sweet, sugary smile—the kind guaranteed to charm anyone from an 80-year-old grandma to a 6-year-old girl.
"..."
Shuichi Akai: ?
[He really DOES have... 'that' kind of intention toward me?]
Akai actually felt a wave of regret. Even by his picky standards, the other person was a rare beauty. Though he didn't know what kind of eyes were behind those shades... they couldn't be bad. Just like the handsome guys he met while studying abroad—eight out of ten didn't like women.
To think this white-haired kid is also gay. New York's morals are really sliding downhill.
> [Ding! Impression points from story character Shuichi Akai increased by 500! Analysis: Lamentation.]
>
Gojo: !! It really works.
Though he didn't know what the guy was "lamenting," he assumed he was struck by his beauty.
[Seems Shuichi Akai really falls for this style.]
And so, both parties tactfully decided in their hearts that the other was gay.
...What a wonderful misunderstanding.