Thick snow-white eyelashes, a high bridge of the nose, and perfectly shaped thin lips—the combination left almost nothing for one to nitpick. The youth was sleeping on the pillow next to him, only about five centimeters away.
It must be said: the visual impact was immense.
Akai Shuichi was usually cold and reserved; he wouldn't be this intimate even with his best friends. Moreover... though the person sleeping next to him was a top-tier beauty, he was also Akai's officially designated "gay guy"—and might even be interested in him.
He subconsciously checked their clothes. Mm, they seem normal...
Next, he carefully assessed his current physical state. He felt unexpectedly energetic... and there seemed to be nothing wrong with his lower body.
Thank god...
Akai Shuichi let out a sigh of relief. Even though they had checked into a room and were lying in the same bed, they probably hadn't done anything "indescribable."
Wait, there was another possibility... could he have done something to the other guy while sleepwalking?
Just then, the white-haired youth smacked his lips and rolled over. A pair of long legs pressed down on Akai, followed by a bear hug as the youth mumbled a few words.
"Jin... don't steal my daifuku..."
Akai Shuichi didn't catch the words clearly because his entire body had gone stiff.
[Ding! Impression points from story character Akai Shuichi increased by 1,000. Analysis: Shock.]
Woken up by the system notification, Gojo Satoru yawned and opened his eyes, a physiological tear clinging to the corner of his eye. "Aiyaya, you're finally awake."
Seeing Akai was fine, Satoru also breathed a sigh of relief. Though it wouldn't have affected him much if Akai had kicked the bucket... without this "Silver Bullet," who knows how the future plot would have derailed. Besides, he didn't want his "impression point farm" to die so soon.
After dealing with the Dreamweaver, Satoru had tried many ways to wake the unconscious Akai—everything from slapping his face to holding his hand. By 4:00 AM, the guy still hadn't budged. Satoru couldn't take him back to the safe house because Gin was there, so he had no choice but to get a room nearby.
He didn't even want to recall the look on the receptionist's face when she saw him bridal-carrying an unconscious Akai Shuichi. She looked like she was brainstorming a ten-thousand-word "forced love" web novel on the spot. Then, to make sure he didn't miss the impression points Akai would surely provide upon waking, Satoru stayed with him instead of returning to the safe house.
But Gin-chan won't be worried that I disappeared, will he?
Probably not... Gin had looked so reluctant to sleep in the same room anyway; he probably rested better with Satoru gone. It was nearly 8:30 AM now, so Gin was likely already up.
"...If I'm not mistaken, it was you who saved me, right?" Akai Shuichi looked into those unique blue eyes, contributing another 500 impression points while temporarily setting aside his darker theories.
"Yep. That guy used illusions, pretty troublesome~ He was about to 'snip' you right then." Satoru stretched. "I happened to be passing by and couldn't just stand there, so I lent a hand."
I see... Akai's gaze deepened as he deduced information from those few words. This person is likely an ability user as well, and an exceptionally powerful one at that. At the same time, he possesses a certain sense of justice...
No, he couldn't be sure of that yet. What if Satoru was in league with that man? But Akai was a good judge of character; this youth seemed too proud to associate with such a person. Was saving him out of pure righteousness, or was he after something? Was there really such a kind ability user in this world?
Though he aimed to join the FBI, he was currently just an ordinary exchange student. What was worth plotting for? Except...
"By the way, you have no idea. That guy was suuuper disgusting. He wanted to do some unspeakable things to you." Satoru shamelessly smeared the dead Dreamweaver's name. "If I hadn't arrived in time, you would've been..."
"Is that so... then I truly owe you one." Whether Akai believed the details or not, he thanked him sincerely. "You saved my life. I really don't know... how I should repay you."
"It's nothing, just a casual favor." Satoru brushed it off, then asked with a smile, "We technically met at the bar already, so what's your name?"
"My name is..." Akai, habitually cautious, wanted to give a fake name, but the words stuck in his throat given the man had saved his life. Should I say Akai?
Before he could decide, Satoru spoke up: "A name is just a codename; it's fine if you don't say it."
"Ehehe, since your hair is all curly, I'll just call you Kuruko (Curly-ko)."
"...Alright, fine." Akai Shuichi felt a mouthful of blood get stuck in his throat. Another 500 impression points for Satoru.
Regardless, he wanted to know more. "Are you an ability user too? How should I address you?"
"An ability user? I guess so. But I prefer to be called..." The white-haired, blue-eyed beauty winked. "A Jujutsu Shi (Sorcerer)."
A Sorcerer? Like a medium... or someone proficient in curses?
As if reading his mind, Satoru explained, "Basically, the 'super-duper-invincibly strong' kind~ Not what normal people imagine. Though, I can do fortune-telling too." He made a bunch of complicated hand signs that Akai didn't understand, then said solemnly, "I just divined... that your future 'peach blossom luck' (romance) is too strong. Your love life will be very messy. If you're not careful, you'll face a bloody disaster!"
The handsome, curly-haired man looked at him with the "Old Man on the Subway" face.
"To break this curse, listen up." Satoru leaned in close, whispering mysteriously, "If you see a man with long, beautiful hair in the future, under no circumstances should you get involved with him!!"
What a long "Map of the State of Yan" (a long-winded setup for a punchline).
Akai, who didn't know Gin yet, was bewildered. But seeing the youth's firm blue eyes as he held Akai's hands, and recalling the "ambiguous" smile Satoru gave him when ordering the drink, strange thoughts began to bloom in his mind.
He... really might have a thing for me. I have short hair, so he doesn't want me to like men with long hair? How interesting... wait, but I really only like women.
"...I'm not gay, you've misunderstood," Akai explained. "Going to that bar was just to track that—"
He saw the "Say no more, I understand" look in Satoru's eyes and was rendered speechless. Whatever. If he really feels that way about me, wouldn't my explanation just break his heart? Like declaring he has no chance to his face. Thus, the young and not-yet-cold Akai Shuichi gave up on explaining. He also had his own small motives; to find his father, he had to face danger. Befriending a powerful ability user was all benefit and no harm.
Satoru: Yes, yes, yes! He's not even hiding it anymore! He's definitely gay.
"By the way, for a name, you can call me Satoko." Picking a random alias, Satoru put his sunglasses back on. "Next time we meet, it'll be the 'Moe-Moe' combo of Kuruko and Satoko. Don't forget~"
Sorcerer Satoko? I should find a way to look that up later... Akai nodded. "Are you leaving?"
"Yeah, someone is waiting for me to get back."
Now that his logic had returned, Akai saw Satoru acting naturally. He recalled Satoru had hugged him and held his hand, but nothing else. Besides, a powerful ability user couldn't possibly be pinned down by him... so his terrifying theories were likely non-existent. It was just two guys squeezed into a bed for a few hours. Nothing more.
Seeing Akai's "hesitant to speak" expression and thinking about his sexual orientation, Satoru couldn't help but think: This guy hasn't really fallen for me, has he? After all, I did the whole "hero saves the beauty" thing, and I'm so good-looking... sigh, what a hassle.
If so, Akai probably wouldn't get tangled up with Gin-chan in the future. Oh well, he'd already farmed a lot of points~ staying any longer would be awkward.
"I'm off. I paid for this room for a week, stay as long as you like," Satoru waved grandly.
...Why did it feel like he was being "kept" by a sugar daddy?
"Wait! Sato... Satoko!" Akai called out. "Can I have your phone number? When I'm able to repay you... I'll definitely contact you."
"Oh, sure." A phone number was better; he almost forgot. "If we meet again, treat me to some delicious sweets~"
He scribbled a number on a piece of hotel stationary. Aside from his Organization phone, he obviously had a second, private one. Though the contact list was currently empty... well, Akai was the only "Red Side" character he knew so far.
Akai Shuichi held the paper and watched him leave. Satoko... truly a mysterious person I can't see through.
It was about 9:00 AM, and the sun was high. Satoru walked out of the hotel with his hands in his pockets, ignoring the teasing look from the receptionist. He ducked into a dark alley and used Blue to teleport directly back into the safe house. Specifically, into the room where he was supposed to be having a "Besties' Slumber Party"—no, a "Bro's Reunion"—with Gin.
Excellent, as expected, no one was in the room—wait. The Six Eyes easily spotted Gin in the nearby living room. Along with a seemingly panting Vodka. What are they talking about? I'm curious. Satoru crept up to the door to eavesdrop like a sneaky cat.
"Did you find him?" Gin's voice asked.
Though it sounded emotionless at first, Satoru's experience with him allowed him to detect a trace of worry. Aww, Gin-chan really does care about me~
Satoru was feeling smug when he heard Vodka stammering, afraid to answer: "Big Brother... I did hear some news. But..."
"But what? Spit it out."
Satoru had a bad feeling.
"..." After a long pause, Vodka blurted out with a sense of "accepting his fate": "Someone saw Kaiser-sama go to a gay bar in the middle of the night—!"
The tall, white-haired youth burst through the door, trying to stop Vodka from speaking. However, the words were already out. He locked eyes with the two men—no, six eyes locked together.
"..."
Seeing the incredibly guilty-looking Gojo Satoru, Gin was silent for a long time before finally opening his mouth: "...Want to explain?"
Today, the "Strongest in the Universe," the great "Black Emperor," the leader of the Mexico branch's fan club, Kaiser—also known as Gojo Satoru—officially declared his social death.