Chapter Text
Millionaire Gojo Satoru breathes in deeply and spreads his arms to the sides.
"Satoru," Megumi – husband of millionaire Gojo Satoru – says dryly.
Gojo Satoru breathes out.
"Ahhhh. Do you smell this, Megumi? The taste of freedom! It's just you and me living together. Only the two of us and no one else."
Gojo emphasizes the last part the most.
"Satoru," Megumi sighs, shaking his head lightly. "I told you that Yuuji won't be living with us after our wedding."
"I know. I'm just rejoicing in it again."
Gojo Satoru turns around. Gojo Satoru is beaming.
Megumi rolls his eyes. Megumi knows that Gojo loves acting jealous sometimes. Megumi thinks that Gojo is exaggerating too much sometimes.
The newlyweds have come back from their honeymoon a few days ago. It was many countries and many impressions and they enjoyed it, but Megumi is glad to be back in the States.
They newlyweds have moved into their new place. A new neighborhood.
Gojo opens his arms for a hug.
Megumi rolls his eyes. He smiles a little.
"Come here," Gojo says sweetly.
Megumi and Gojo are in their bedroom, next to their bed.
Megumi closes the distance with playful reluctance. Gojo snatches one of his arms and pulls him closer. Megumi giggles.
Megumi and Gojo fall onto their bed, giggling together. Megumi is under him. They kiss. A long, but slow kiss.
Megumi's phone rings. Gojo groans and drops his head onto the mattress.
"I swear, if it's him ..." Gojo complains.
Megumi pulls out his phone. Megumi peeks at his phone.
'Yuuji', it says.
Megumi purses his lips discreetly.
"It isn't."
Gojo clicks his tongue offendedly. Gojo doesn't let himself get fooled. He raises his head and rolls to the side.
"Of course it's him. You don't have any other friends."
"I have more friends than you," Megumi says dryly.
"Wow."
"I know. I'm surprised myself."
Gojo huffs a defeated smile, and Megumi replies to Yuuji's message.
"I haven't seen Yuuji after our honeymoon yet. I wanna know how he's doing."
Yuuji was in a rehabitilation center with Nobara by his side during Megumi's honeymoon trip. The rehabitilation center was Yuuji's first step out of his weed addiction. Now, he's coming back.
"He says he'll land today at night. I'll invite him to dinner. Dinner tomorrow."
Gojo sighs dramatically.
"Fiiiine ..."
"Don't be mean. That's your brother-in-law," Megumi says, knowing fully well that Gojo doesn't consider Yuuji his brother-in-law.
Gojo teases Megumi back. He pinches Megumi's cheeks.
Megumi reads the new message. Choso will pick Yuuji up at the airport and stay with Yuuji overnight at the apartment he and Megumi used to share.
That shabby apartment ... That nasty landlord ... That questionable neighborhood ...
Megumi thinks that a few changes need to happen soon.
He sends back one last message and gets a thumbs up from Yuuji.
"It'll be two people joining us for dinner," Megumi adds.
"Whatever."
Gojo pouts. Gojo doesn't want to talk or think about anyone else than Megumi.
Megumi puts his phone away and looks at his husband. Gojo drapes his arms around his husband. Gojo grins with a closed mouth.
"If I can finally get your undivided attention now, I won't care about who or how many people join us for dinner tomorrow."
Megumi tilts his head and looks into Gojo's eyes. He smiles. Gojo smiles back.
"Okay."
Gojo is happy about that answer. He raises a hand and caresses Megumi's cheek lovingly.
Just the two of them. In their new home. In a new neighborhood. So peaceful. Happiness.
Everything is perfe—
Megumi blinks. And then Megumi remembers. He almost forgot. He should never ever forget about it until it has actually happened.
"When are you gonna do it?" Megumi blurts out bluntly.
Gojo drops his hand. Gojo's shoulders drop.
He understands right away.
"Megumi, we just came back from our honeymoooooon," Gojo whines.
Megumi doesn't accept that justification. It's an excuse to Megumi.
"Don't tell me you're still waiting?? What are you waiting for? Are you sparing Sukuna for some reason?"
Megumi hopes that's not the case. After everything that happened and after everything that Sukuna did to both of them, Megumi thinks that Gojo's ex-fiancé doesn't deserve a single moment in freedom any longer.
Despite having lost so much, Gojo has one incriminating evidence left against Ryoumen Sukuna. Something about one of Ryoumen Sukuna's past deeds. That's what Gojo told Megumi. Megumi believes him. Of course he does.
But Megumi can't wait any longer.
Gojo pouts. Gojo wants their soft moment from earlier back.
"Why aren't you doing it? You could do it right away, couldn't you?" Megumi grabs his phone. "I'll call the police for you. Do you know anyone in person? A commissioner maybe? Tell him! Show him the evidence you got!"
Gojo chuckles and then sighs softly.
"Let's enjoy our peace a liiiiittle bit longer, Megumiiiii. We just settled in. If I do it now, we won't have our peace for a long time."
Megumi furrows his brows.
"Of course we will. Don't bring our names into this. Submit the evidence anonymously."
"That's not how it works." Gojo stretches his limbs on the bed. "I'm not associated with the company or Sukuna any longer, but I know how things are gonna be. As a former CEO – after Sukuna's arrest and the upcoming trial and the company's downfall – the media will jump at the opportunity and pester us with dozens of questions and calls and interview requests to find out anything about the scandal. They'll also dig deeper about my departure and probably find out why I left in the first place. They'll bring up literally anything from the past and they won't have any conscience. Since Sukuna will be unavailable for them, we are going to be their main target — especially me. When I broke off the engagement with him, the media was on my ass for months. They won't leave us alone. Stuff like that happens all the time, Megumi. This scandal is big enough to make money off of it for at least a year."
"I don't care. I can handle that."
"Can't we wait until the end of the year, though? Let's wait a little longer. Don't you want us to have nice birthdays? It'd be our first time celebrating each other's birthdays. That's why I don't wanna do it right now. That's why I didn't do it when we still had our second wedding and our honeymoon ahead of us."
It's the 1st of December. Megumi's and Gojo's birthdays are both in December – Gojo's before Megumi's.
Silence.
Megumi is thinking.
Their birthdays ...
Megumi looks away and purses his lips and frowns.
He doesn't say it out loud, but his face says it all. It might be better to have nice and peaceful birthdays.
Megumi's face says it all and Gojo is glad.
"If only I knew where it was. I wouldn't hesitate a second." Megumi says instead, talking about the evidence.
Gojo chuckles.
"You won't ever find it, though."
"Challenge accepted," Megumi says, but he knows it's pointless.
Gojo chuckles.
Megumi is frowning stubbornly. Megumi doesn't care about birthdays much, but he wants to celebrate both birthdays with Gojo ... in peace ...
It'd really be the first time spending their birthdays together.
Megumi doesn't have to say anything. Gojo understands.
Gojo takes something out from his nightstand and gives it to Megumi.
A folded piece of paper.
Megumi unfolds it and is met with a list of names. Most of the names are crossed out.
Megumi recognizes some of the names on that list.
Employees from the company.
Gojo puts his hands behind his back.
"I can't save everyone, you know?" Gojo says with a bittersweet smile. "But there are quite a few I want to spare from the upcoming mess. I'm reaching out to them one by one. That they should find new jobs, if they haven't already."
Megumi reads the names on the list. Megum reads every single name.
"Even Yuki Tsukumo, hm?" Megumi says with mild surprise.
Megumi won't forget his former supervisor for as long as he lives.
Gojo chuckles.
"We know each other. She's a little shit, though." Gojo won't forget the incident with Yuki Tsukumo for as long as he lives. "Right after breaking up with Sukuna, she asked me who I'm gonna date next ... The audacity, right? She had no shame. I made her a supervisor after that because I knew that she hates supervising others."
She is truly one of a kind, Satoru, Megumi thinks.
Gojo offers Megumi a pen.
"Anyone from the company you wanna save?"
Megumi looks at the list. Despite him having felt annoyed by one of them, two names pop up in his head. Miwa and Mai.
Megumi remembers Maki telling him that they've already switched jobs.
"When I was in that entry level position, I had a co-worker who was talking to me almost daily — it was torture," Megumi mentions casually. "She had a huge crush on you."
Gojo giggles.
"Everyone has a crush on me. You had a crush on me, too," Gojo says brazenly.
"Yeahhh, sure."
Megumi looks at some of the names on the list again.
"Mei Mei, too."
Gojo grins.
"She saved me from a major financial loss when I was working alone on something postgrad."
"I worked with her a bit," Megumi says. "She for sure has the right mindset when it comes to money."
Gojo hums.
"I didn't tell her much, but I think she already understood what this is all about. And I'm sure she has already made all the investments that will bring her the biggest gain from this downfall."
"And what about you? I mean, your investments?"
Gojo Satoru has lost his billions and all of his business-related investments to Ryoumen Sukuna. Only a few personal investments are left. Gojo Satoru had around 80 million left when he gave up on Ryoumen & Gojo Inc.
Gojo is calm.
"I invested some of my money again. Don't worry, we'll be fine."
"I wasn't worried, you were worried."
Gojo giggles.
Megumi knows that they would be more than fine with the money they have, but Gojo needs more safety. Gojo Satoru is used to another lifestyle.
Megumi takes the pen and writes a name on Gojo Satoru's list.
'Yuuta from the special trainee program'
Yuuta was a kind guy. Sleep-deprived, but kind. Megumi is sure every other workplace would be better a option for Yuuta. He gives Gojo the list and pen back.
Megumi's thoughts switch to something else.
"I don't have a present for you yet."
Gojo smiles heartily.
"I'm so serious. I don't know what to give you."
Gojo rolls onto his side and rests his head in his palm. Gojo smiles heartily.
"It's okay."
"If you already got something for me, don't tell me. It'll make me feel worse," Megumi says quickly. He needs to come up with an idea soon.
Gojo Satoru's birthday is soon.
Gojo laughs heartily.
"To make you feel better ... You don't have to get me anything. I don't need a gift from you. I actually mean this."
"You're saying that now just to—"
"No, I'm serious," Gojo says seriously, smiling. "As long as I'm with you, I'm happy. As long as you are happy, I'm happy. I love looking at you and seeing that you're happy, knowing that I'm contributing to it instead of disturbing it. That means a lot to me. Your happy face – your happiness – is my greatest gift."
Megumi doesn't say anything for a while. Megumi thinks.
"That doesn't help me at all, Satoru," he deadpans.
Deep down, Megumi is moved and flattered.
Gojo laughs. He stands up from the bed.
"Let's take a walk." Gojo shakes a finger. "Gotta get to know our new neighborhood. I need to find new bakeries and stores that I can visit frequently for pastries and sweets and stuff. Let's check out some places."
Megumi looks at his husband placidly and blinks. Megumi knows Gojo is dead serious when it comes to pastries and sweets and stuff. Gojo Satoru has a disgustingly sweet tooth.
"If there's anything you will never get tired of, it's pastries and sweets and stuff, huh?" Megumi sighs.
"And you." Gojo winks.
***
"The last two were okay, but not exactly what I'm looking for."
"Oh, really?" Megumi says uncommittedly.
Megumi is walking ahead. Gojo is walking a few steps behind him, taking the last bite of his cream puff.
They've checked out three stores, one chocolaterie and two bakeries.
Gojo wants to check out one last bakery before calling it a day. Megumi doesn't care. But he doesn't mind getting familiar with the new neighboorhood.
They're approaching the bakery. Megumi can see the bakery's sign. Gojo is giddy and excited. He has high hopes.
Megumi walks towards the entrance door. Gojo is already looking inside the bakery through the windows.
Gojo suddenly stops in his tracks.
He looks inside the bakery through the windows for a while, silently.
Megumi notices that. Megumi is confused about that.
Gojo is motionless.
And then his mouth splits to a big smile.
"Is that Nanami?? "
Megumi didn't expect Gojo to say something like that. Megumi looks through the windows. Gojo has already made his way inside.
It's true. Megumi recognizes the man behind the counter.
Megumi goes inside with way less excitement than Gojo did. There are no customers present.
"Nanamiiiiii!!!" Gojo yells enthusiastically and waves his arms. "Hiiiiiii!!!!"
Kento Nanami looks up and his expression freezes.
Gojo Satoru ...
Of all people ... it had to be Gojo Satoru ...
Kento Nanami can't believe it.
Gojo Satoru walks up to Kento Nanami happily. Gojo Satoru doesn't mind the cold silence he's met with.
"You're working here?? You? " Gojo grabs Kento Nanami's shoulders, and his eyes sparkle. "Working at such a place? Wow, Nanami, never expected that from a corporate guy like you!"
Kento Nanami wishes Gojo Satoru had never found out about this place.
One corner of his lips twitches up.
"What a genuine ... surprise ... Mr Gojo."
And Kento Nanami really means it. In a negative way.
Gojo is happy.
"I moved to this neighborhood."
Great, Kento Nanami thinks. The surprise did get worse.
"I'll check what you have in stock, Nanami! I bet the stuff you're selling is waaaay better than the ones I've tried from the other bakeries."
Gojo winks and fingerguns and clicks his tongue without a care in the world.
Kento Nanami doesn't answer. Kento Nanami knows that he has to mentally prepare himself for a new reality that Gojo Satoru will be part of.
"Can I buy everything you're selling today?" Gojo jokes.
"No." Kento Nanami isn't joking.
"You're no fun."
Gojo starts checking out the rows of sweet bread and pastries.
Kento Nanami watches Gojo Satoru sternly. Gojo is picking out a dozen of items from the shelves.
Megumi walks up to the counter and watches Kento Nanami's expression with mild amusement. Megumi points behind him with a thumb.
"You'll have to get used to this."
"I know," Kento Nanami laments. "That's what I was thinking about just now, Mr Fushiguro."
"Gojo."
"That's what I was thinking about just now, Mr Gojo."
It does feel weird to Kento Nanami to call someone else besides Gojo Satoru 'Mr Gojo'.
Megumi chuckles mildly.
"It's a genuine surprise for me, too," Megumi says. "You working here, I mean."
"My wife gave birth to our third child a few months ago and now she wants to focus on raising the kids. She didn't want to give up her bakery, so I suggested taking it over. I didn't like my previous job that much anyway and was planning on finding something new."
"Are you going to stay in this profession?"
"My wife taught me some stuff about baking whenever I had my PTO. I'm taking some baking classes after work and I have staff who help me manage everything. I'm actually thinking about switching to this profession. It's ... less stressful. I want to take the burden from my wife, but at the same time I don't want her to lose everything she's built up over the years."
"I see. Wishing you two the best."
"Thank you, Mr Gojo." Kento Nanami makes a polite pause. "Wishing you and your husband all the best as well."
"Thanks."
So, they did end up married, Kento Nanami thinks.
Kento Nanami remembers the stressful conversation he had with Ryoumen Sukuna first and then with Gojo Satoru a few weeks later. He could swear the conversation with Gojo Satoru was on the day of his wedding.
"What was that with you and— ..." Kento Nanami hesitates.
Should he ask Megumi that question? It's just a little bit of curiosity that Kento Nanami has ...
Megumi stares at him and wonders about the incomplete question.
"Nothing worth being mentioned any longer. It's all fine now."
Megumi thinks that this is good enough of an answer for whatever question Kento Nanami had.
"I see," Kento Nanami says.
Megumi pulls out a credit card.
"I'm ready to pay. Whatever Satoru adds to his purchase will be covered by the tip, don't worry."
"Alright," Kento Nanami types the prices into the cash register.
It's a lot of pastries – this is good for the business – but it's because of Gojo Satoru.
Kento Nanami knows what it means that Gojo Satoru knows about this place now. Gojo Satoru is going to visit him many times. So many times.
"52.95," Kento Nanami says with a low sigh.
Megumi inserts the credit card into the machine and pays, and gives a 150% tip.
Kento Nanami is awkwardly flattered.
"Oh, you didn't have to do that ..."
Megumi removes the card.
"It's okay." Megumi is unfazed and waves the credit card in his hand. "This is Satoru's anyway."
Kento Nanami's stance switches immediately.
"In that case, I'm going to insist on the tip." Kento Nanami says boldly, and puts everything in bags.
Megumi chuckles. Megumi is amused.
This tip is the least I deserve after working for someone like Gojo Satoru, Kento Nanami thinks.
Gojo comes back to the counter with more stuff. Gojo is grinning like a happy kid.
"You're selling so much, I can't try out everything today. I'll come back another day, Nanami."
"I see," Kento Nanami says in the most emotionless tone he can muster.
Kento Nanami packs the rest of the stuff. Gojo looks at him with sincerity.
Megumi grabs the bags.
"See ya," Megumi says.
"Have a nice day," Kento Nanami replies.
Gojo looks at Kento Nanami with sincerity, smiling.
Megumi has left the bakery. Gojo hasn't left the bakery yet.
Gojo Satoru looks at Kento Nanami with a sincere smile.
Former employer and former employee.
Gojo points at Kento Nanami and then at the place with a circling motion.
"Is this here a permanent thing?"
Kento Nanami doesn't want to know what is going through Gojo's head after that question.
"Most likely, Mr Gojo."
"You don't want to work at that company again?" Gojo asks softly.
"I don't intend to, no."
Gojo smiles.
"Anyone there that you care about?"
Kento Nanami doesn't understand why Gojo is asking him that, but he doesn't bother asking for the reason.
Kento Nanami thinks.
"Well ... Haibara and I used to work together for a while. He's a nice fella. And – I guess – there are a few former co-workers I care about, yes."
Gojo smiles.
"Tell them to find a new job. Soon."
Kento Nanami doesn't understand. He watches his former employer walk out of his bakery with a smile on his face and airiness in his steps and calmness surrounding him.
Kento Nanami thinks that Gojo Satoru is weird and flippant and peculiar, but he takes his advice seriously. If anything, Ryoumen Sukuna is a more ruthless leader than Gojo Satoru. Kento Nanami knows that. Kento Nanami is sure that working for a ruthless CEO like Ryoumen Sukuna should be avoided.
Outside, Gojo catches up with Megumi and takes the bags from him.
"If being a house husband is too boring for you one day, you can ask Nanami to hire you as an accountant or so," Megumi comments dryly. It's partly serious and partly a joke.
Megumi doesn't know how much longer he wants to stay a house husband, but he's sure he'll find something that he wants to do in the future.
Gojo chuckles heartily and adjusts the bags in his hands.
"That would be such a booooring job."
Megumi shrugs.
"I'll become his most frequent customer, though. Of course I'll do that. Making sure his bakery won't go out of business," Gojo says lightheartedly, but Megumi knows his husband is serious.
The bakery is close to their home. Nothing and no one will stop Gojo Satoru from going to Kento Nanami's bakery as many times as he can. Gojo Satoru is going to annoy the hell out of Kento Nanami.
Megumi shakes his head a little, feeling sorry for Gojo Satoru's former employee.
***
Megumi and Gojo are back home. Megumi and Gojo are chilling on the couch. The TV is running in the background, but they aren't paying attention to it.
Gojo has devoured tons of sweet pastries with ease. Megumi has barely finished one filled donut.
Gojo is resting his head on Megumi's lap. Gojo is resting his threaded hands on his chest. He closes his eyes.
Megumi strokes Gojo's silky white hair. Megumi thinks.
Kento Nanami has three kids. Kento Nanami has changed his career and has three kids.
Megumi strokes Gojo's hair. Megumi thinks. He is conflicted.
"Do you ever want kids?"
Megumi hopes he doesn't sound biased.
Gojo opens his eyes. He raises one brow and looks at the ceiling. Gojo gives a small pout and thinks.
"Hmmm. Well, since I don't have a company anymore, I'm not eager about having an heir anymore."
Megumi is silent for a while.
"I don't want to have kids."
"That's okay, Megumi."
"Really ... I wouldn't make a good parent. I could barely take care of someone who was my age."
"It wasn't a failure. You did as much as you could and were capable of doing. And we don't have to have kids. It's okay."
Megumi stays silent for a while. Megumi starts stroking Gojo's hair again.
"I can imagine raising pets, though," Megumi says. "Dogs."
Gojo likes that idea.
"Sounds nice. I'd be fine with raising dogs, too."
"One day ..."
"Yep!" Gojo sounds enthusiastic.
"From a shelter. No need to buy one."
"Of course."
Gojo smiles at Megumi. Gojo's smile is so bright. Megumi wonders about that smile. A happy smile. This is the kind of happiness that only Gojo Satoru can express with a smile.
Megumi wants to see his husband's happy smile often.
***
It's the next day around 6 p.m.
Someone rings at Megumi's and Gojo's door.
Megumi runs to the door excitedly because he knows who the visitor is. Megumi is so excited.
He opens the door and it's Yuuji right there, and Megumi's face lights up genuinely.
"Yuuji!"
Megumi hugs Yuuji dearly. Yuuji chuckles. Yuuji is excited to see Megumi, too.
"Long time no see."
Megumi breaks off the hug and smiles at his best friend.
"How are you?" Megumi asks.
Yuuji scratches the back of his head and smiles softly.
"I'm better."
Megumi's chest gets fuzzy and warms up. Megumi is glad to see Yuuji again who feels better.
"Come inside."
Yuuji enters and Megumi closes the door behind him. Yuuji is wearing casual clothes under his red coat.
"Such a nice place," Yuuji says, in awe.
Gojo joins them.
"Hi."
"Hey, bro."
Gojo tells himself to remind Yuuji later to not call him 'bro'.
"I hope you're doing well."
"I am."
"That's good."
"Do you mean that?"
"Of course," Gojo says genuinely.
Megumi takes Yuuji's coat and puts it on a hanger.
"Where's Choso?"
Choso picked Yuuji up from the airport. Choso and Yuuji went to Yuuji's apartment yesterday. Today, they made their way to have dinner with Megumi and Gojo.
"He told me he'll join us in a minute. Saw something across the street he wanted to check out real quick."
Megumi looks in the direction of the kitchen and then at Yuuji.
"Dinner is almost ready. You can sit at the dinner table. Wanna drink something?"
"Water is fine." Yuuji is smiling softly.
Megumi walks into the kitchen. Gojo leads Yuuji to the dinner table. They sit down. Megumi can hear their conversation from the kitchen.
It's silent between Yuuji and Gojo at first, but Yuuji starts before Gojo can say something.
"So cool of you to not hold any grudges against Choso," Yuuji says, and Gojo doesn't understand.
"Why should I?"
Megumi takes a water bottle from the fridge and doesn't realize yet what Yuuji means.
"Because of what he did," Yuuji goes on.
Gojo doesn't understand.
"What do you mean?" Gojo asks indifferently.
Megumi understands now. He doesn't grab a glass. Megumi runs fast – with the bottle in his hand – to the dinner table.
But Yuuji is faster. Yuuji thinks that Gojo already knows.
"You know what I mean. Since he's the one who took the millions from the accounts for Megu—"
Yuuji spots Megumi behind Gojo. Megumi is swiping a flat hand to the left and right repeatedly in front of his neck. Megumi's eyes are wide and he is shaking his head silently.
Yuuji looks at his best friend. Yuuji gets it now.
"Oh," he says.
There's silence.
Gojo Satoru isn't moving after listening to that revelation.
Megumi is looking at the back of Gojo's head with bated breath. Megumi knows he's in trouble. He bites down on his bottom lip.
Gojo gives a fake chuckle that has an eerie undertone. He turns around mechanically and shows a fake smile and is still chuckling eerily.
Everything about his casual demeanor is fake.
"Is that so, Megumi? You never told me."
Megumi doesn't know what to say. Megumi forgot to tell Gojo some important details about the heist from back then.
"I–I" Megumi is overwhelmed and points at Gojo. "I didn't keep this a secret from you, I forgot to tell you!"
Gojo's fake smile is weird. Gojo is silent.
Megumi is stubborn. Yuuji is impressed.
"You two still got some stuff to talk about, huh?"
Gojo scowls at Yuuji. Gojo points at him and looks at Megumi.
"What role did he have?"
Someone rings at the door.
Megumi closes his eyes and groans inwardly.
Worst timing ever, Choso, Megumi thinks.
Gojo is already at the door and opens it. Megumi follows Gojo fast.
Gojo is looking at the second guest with that same unhinged smile that Megumi was met with just now.
Choso isn't taken aback, but he wonders what the hell is wrong with Megumi's husband.
Gojo doesn't say anything. Gojo is torn between two extreme things.
Megumi tugs at Gojo's sleeve hard.
"You set the table and have dinner ready. I'll take care of this here."
Megumi has to shove Gojo away who keeps looking at Choso in an unhinged way. Megumi makes Gojo disappear into the kitchen.
He then walks back to the front door.
"Come inside."
"Why is he acting like a crazy person?" Choso asks casually.
"I heard that!" Gojo yells from the kitchen.
"Forget it," Megumi says.
Choso and Yuuji are sat at the dinner table. Megumi whispers apologies to Gojo in the kitchen and begs him not to mention that topic at dinner later. Gojo is stubborn, but Megumi's apologies and pleas and kisses persuade him a little.
Megumi can finally sit down with his heart at ease. Gojo brings dinner to the table with a good amount of petty attitude.
"Satoru made this," Megumi says, looking away to not have to witness Gojo's petty attitude that finally goes away when he sits down next to him.
"Looks hella nice." Yuuji looks up. "You seem like a good cook."
"Don't get used to it," Gojo says shamelessly.
"Better than me for sure," Megumi says.
"I liked your cooking."
"Thanks, Yuuji."
"Let's dig in, I'll take the biggest portion," Choso jokes carefreely.
Choso is unaware of Gojo's foul mood. Gojo is staring daggers at him.
They all start eating.
Gojo decides to not have hard feelings about this any longer. Megumi, Yuuji, Choso — doesn't matter. It's not Gojo Satoru's money anymore. It's not Gojo Satoru's company anymore. No hard feelings.
"You're still living in that apartment," Megumi says to Yuuji.
Yuuji is chewing.
"Yeah. Gotta find a new place soon. I don't wanna live there anymore, to be honest."
Megumi nods because he's thinking the same.
"There's an apartment up for rent nearby; not so far away from here. We already talked to the landlord. If you want to, you can move in there right away."
It was Gojo Satoru who did most of the work. Gojo Satoru's skills as a businessman came in handy when talking to the landlord.
"Sounds awesome. Yeah, let's do that."
Yuuji takes another bite. Megumi does, too. Megumi likes the idea of him and his best friend living nearby.
"I think the apartment is quite big. Would be better to share it with a roommate ... Do you want one?"
Yuuji nods and hums approvingly.
"Having a roommate is more fun."
Choso's head whips to the side and he looks at Yuuji with eager eyes.
A roommate ...
Choso's attention is sharpened.
Megumi notices that. Megumi squints his eyes. He knows what it going through Choso's head right now.
Megumi didn't forget. Choso has a crush on Yuuji. Should Megumi let them become roommates?
"We could ask Junpei—"
Choso looks keen when he turns to Megumi and reacts fast.
"Forget about Junpei, Megumi! He's a bad roommate." Choso is selfish. "He doesn't even flush the toilet."
Megumi rolls his eyes. Gojo is amused by Choso's behavior.
Choso and Junpei are roommates, but Megumi knows that Choso is telling an obvious lie.
"Choso—"
Choso places a hand on his chest and he looks very eager.
"I would love to become Yuuji's new roommate. I'm the best roommate in the world!"
Megumi blinks at Choso and scowls. Gojo is amused by Choso's behavior. Gojo shouldn't be amused. He should still be a little bit mad at Choso. But Gojo can't help it.
"I'd be fine with that," Yuuji says, not understanding yet why Choso is eager about becoming his roommate. "He and I know each other for so long. I'd rather live with him than a stranger I don't know anything about."
Megumi sighs.
"We'll talk about that later."
Once dinner is over, Choso is interested in all the high-tech stuff Megumi and Gojo have at home. Choso inspects the first high-tech stuff and Gojo follows him.
Megumi grabs Gojo's arm.
"Be nice. Please. Don't mention anything, okay?"
Gojo is smiling mysteriously.
"It's no use bringing it up again. He simply did what I had told him to do," Megumi clarifies.
A pause.
"Okay, fine," Gojo says with a shrug of his shoulders.
Megumi lets him go. Gojo starts guiding Choso through the high-tech stuff. Deep down, Gojo Satoru isn't a maliciously petty person.
Megumi and Yuuji are sitting next to each other on the couch. Yuuji starts.
"I think I did better in rehab than I thought because I had a familiar person around me."
Yuuji is talking about Nobara.
"All the other people there didn't make me feel any better, but I know it's not their fault. I'm glad that ... I mean, with Nobara's help ..."
Megumi nods. Megumi understands. He pats Yuuji's shoulders proudly.
"They said I should've stayed there a bit longer. But I wanted to go back."
"What did they say?"
"That it's the best, if I continue by having therapy sessions next."
"We'll find a suitable therapist for you."
Yuuji nods. It will be a bit tricky, but Megumi is sure they can find a therapist who can help Yuuji with his trauma and social anxiety.
Yuuji might actually be on a good way to become a functional part of society again, and Megumi is glad about that.
"I blocked my dealers and told Choso not to give me anything when I ask him for weed, but the cravings are sooooo bad sometimes," Yuuji whines.
Megumi knows Yuuji is serious.
"I can imagine how hard it must be. I'm sure you can do it, though. And if you're struggling too much, don't hesitate to tell me. We can work through that together."
Yuuji nods. Yuuji looks at his best friend and bumps his arm playfully.
"How's your therapy going?"
Megumi leans back on the couch and sighs.
"I haven't been in therapy for a while now because of the honeymoon, but I've been feeling okay with my sessions so far."
Megumi hopes that he can deal with his parents' death in a healthy way soon. Megumi hopes he can heal well emotionally.
"Good to hear," Yuuji says.
Megumi bumps Yuuji's arm playfully.
"Do you think you'll be fine living with someone that isn't me? We used to live together for a long time. You depending on me ... You'll be more responsible for yourself now."
"About time," Yuuji says cheekily. "I'm grateful for everything you've done for me. It's gonna be more work for me now, but I'm bracing myself for that. There's no point in me staying the way I always was like. Besides, you should focus on your marriage for the most part anyway."
Yuuji winks at his best friend.
Megumi agrees.
And Megumi is sure that Gojo's therapy sessions will go well, too. All three of them will be fine ...
"A job," Yuuji says. "Perhaps I can go into training for something one day and have a real job after that."
"I'm sure you will."
A sound from another room. Choso is in awe about something in the home office.
Yuuji chuckles to himself.
"I kinda have that feeling that Choso likes having me around," Yuuji says. Now that Yuuji's mind isn't as foggy anymore, he can judge some things a little better. "When we went to my apartment yesterday, he offered keeping me company and even stayed overnight. If you hadn't invited us, he would have cooked something for me tonight. I don't know ... It's kinda funny. As though he wouldn't mind spoiling me all the time."
Megumi gets serious. Megumi didn't forget that Choso has a big fat crush on Yuuji. The same Choso who wants to move in with Yuuji.
Megumi places a hand on Yuuji's shoulder. Megumi's voice is low and serious and lethal.
"If he does or say anything weird to you, tell me. I'll kill him."
Yuuji laughs.
"I'll let you know, Megumi."
Megumi didn't expect that. He raises a brow.
"That's how you'll call me from now on?"
Yuuji shrugs.
"Time for me to be more serious in life."
The two best friends chuckle together.
***
It's Sunday. Choso and Yuuji can move into their new apartment.
Megumi is helping them move. Even Junpei is here. Junpei likes that he's living alone now. He finally has more space.
Instead of a hiring a moving company, it's a rented van plus Megumi, Junpei, Nobara, Maki and Mai who are helping.
Nobara and Maki have a few days off. They had planned to visit Megumi and Yuuji anyway.
Maki reached out to Mai because they haven't seen each other since forever.
Megumi told Gojo that he doesn't have to help them. Megumi is sure that Gojo went to Nanami's bakery first and then to his best friends Shoko and Suguru and after that he will probably be going back to Nanami — but this time together with Shoko and Suguru.
There's a reason why Megumi doesn't want to have Gojo here with him.
Nine hours later, they are done with moving everything to the new apartment.
The group is gathered in the living room, sitting on sofas and stools that are still wrapped in plastic. The group is eating delivery pizza and pasta, chatting casually.
Maki and Nobara and Mai are talking about their jobs. Mai casually mentions that a co-worker from her and Miwa's old workplace confessed to Miwa and that Miwa seems to be in love. Now, Mai wants a boyfriend, too.
Choso and Junpei are talking with Yuuji.
Yuuji and Megumi are sharing a couch. Yuuji is eating a slice of pizza. Megumi isn't eating anything. Megumi is lying on his back and looking at the ceiling and thinking.
Yuuji notices that.
"What's up?"
Megumi is looking at the ceiling and thinking.
"What should I give Satoru as a birthday gift?"
This is the reason why Megumi didn't want to have Gojo here with him.
The group gives their full attention to Megumi.
Megumi is lying on his back and looking at the ceiling.
Gojo Satoru's birthday is around the corner. Soon.
Megumi has no idea what kind of present to choose for his husband.
"What does one give someone as a gift when that someone is rich and can afford everything he wants and basically has everything he wants?"
"Hmmm," Yuuji thinks.
Nobara points at Megumi with her fork.
"If I had a rich spouse," Nobara starts.
"Are you trying to tell me something with that?" Maki – her girlfriend – asks suspiciously, side-eyeing her.
Maki knows she won't be able to become a rich person in this lifetime.
Nobara tips up her nose and raises her brows.
"If I had a rich spouse, I would buy something that I myself like, too. And I would pay that present with my spouse's money of course."
Nobara cackles to herself.
Junpei takes another slice of pizza.
"Gift him an experience instead of something materialistic. Some activity he hasn't partaken in yet."
Megumi can't do much with that idea. Megumi doesn't know what kind of activities Gojo hasn't partaken in yet and at the same time he is sure that Gojo has already done everything he has always wanted to do.
It's impossible to find something new to surprise Gojo Satoru with.
"Make his birthday all about you," Nobara giggles mischievously. "Tell him that he has to spoil you endlessly."
"Thanks for your input, Nobara," Megumi says flatly, almost spacing out.
"Just give him something that makes him happy," Mai chimes in.
"Funny you saying that," Maki looks at her twin sister. "You've never done that for me."
Mai winks at Maki teasingly.
"That's how much I love you, sweetie."
Maki nudges Mai's side.
"Give him a new gaming PC with the latest graphic card version," Choso suggests self-indulgently. "Mine has already started slowing down."
"Satoru isn't you, Choso. He doesn't play any computer games."
"How about you give me a new gaming PC with the latest graphic card version on my birthday?" Choso finishes his self-indulgence.
Megumi's patience is gone.
"Y'all are no help at all. We're seven people here and yet—"
Megumi's words halt. Megumi doesn't say anything.
He then stands up abruptly, and everyone looks at him.
'Just give him something that makes him happy' Mai said just now.
It's not ... but ... that single word ...
'Happy'
"Megumi?" Yuuji asks.
Megumi still remembers the things Gojo told him a few days earlier.
Perhaps ... Megumi thinks.
"Megumi?" Yuuji asks again.
A small smile appears on Megumi's face.
"I think I know what I can give him as a birthday gift."
***
"Thanks for replying so fast and making time to fulfill my request. I want to make this a present for my husband's birthday and ... there isn't much time left."
There are only a little over two days left for Megumi.
"I'll pay extra," Megumi adds. "For the inconveniences."
Megumi looks at her. He had to fly to the other side of the state to meet her in her studio.
A young woman with brown hair that is tied to a high ponytail and with long bangs on both sides of her face. Her gentle smile reaches her brown eyes. The young woman is perhaps a few years older than Megumi but no more than five. On the website it said that her name was ... Miki.
"It's fine," Miki says. "A client of mine had cancelled out of nowhere, that's why I had one slot open again. You don't have to pay me extra."
Megumi was simply searching for someone who could fulfill his request. Megumi doesn't have much time left until Gojo's birthday. And this young woman – Miki – seems to be the right choice. Megumi had a look around Miki's studio. Everything looks good.
Miki is looking at Megumi as though she is looking at him with knowing eyes. As though Miki knows more about something than Megumi does.
"Your name is Megumi, right? Megumi ..."
Miki looks at him with a heartfelt smile. It's as though Miki is looking at Megumi with something deeper than a heartfelt smile.
"Yeah. Megumi Gojo."
Something deeper than a heartfelt smile.
"An unusual name. But a nice name."
"Yeah ... My dad. He wanted to call me a 'blessing'."
Miki laughs softly.
"Cute."
Megumi shrugs his shoulders.
"What about your name?" Megumi asks.
"It's kind of like a pseudonym. My real name is ..." Miki hesitates. "Tsumiki Fushiguro."
Megumi is taken aback. Megumi is surprised.
"Wait— ..." Megumi is speechless, and he blinks fast. "I was a Fushiguro, too. I mean—for a while ..."
Tsumiki inclines her head.
"That's what I was wondering about. I've heard of the name 'Megumi' only once before and I thought maybe that's you."
"But wait ..." Megumi is confused. Taken aback. Surprised. "How—I mean ... What—who—"
Megumi is speechless.
Tsumiki explains what she can explain.
"My parents took you in as foster parents. I wasn't living with them anymore when that happened, but I did find out later that their foster child was called 'Megumi' and became 'Megumi Fushiguro'. Not once did I reach out to my parents after leaving, that's why I didn't know more than that and that's why you and I never met."
Megumi can't believe it. He's talking to the daughter of his former foster parents.
He didn't know that his foster parents had a daughter. Megumi didn't listen much to them, but he can't remember a daughter ever being mentioned.
Megumi thinks that this is some kind of destiny. He had randomly chosen someone for his request and now he's talking to Tsumiki Fushiguro.
Destiny.
"Your parents were trash," Megumi says bluntly.
Tsumiki gives a weak smile.
"I know. That's why I moved out right after graduating from highschool and turning eighteen. That decision benefited my mental health so much."
Megumi had had to endure Tsumiki's parents for two years. Megumi can't imagine how much worse it must have been having them around for eighteen years.
"I don't understand why they became foster parents in the first place. They were so unfit for that."
Tsumiki's weak smile is gone.
"I can only guess, but ... Perhaps they were trying to prove to themselves – or to others – that they weren't bad parents after I had left them. Not losing their faces or pride, you know?"
"Well, it didn't work," Megumi says bluntly.
"I can imagine."
A little silence.
"Want me to call you 'big sister' now?" Megumi jokes dryly.
Tsumiki chuckles.
"Please don't. We know each other for less than ten minutes." Tsumiki's heartfelt smile is back. "But I'd like to meet you again. Not in a work-related way — privately. Only if you're fine with that, of course."
"I'm totally fine with that."
Megumi doesn't mind meeting Tsumiki again after this.
"Now that we've settled on your parents being shit, we can finally talk about work."
Megumi refuses to reminisce more about that part of his past. Megumi takes something out from a small envelope.
"This is the one," he says, and hands the thing to Tsumiki.
Tsumiki takes it and looks at it.
"It's lovely."
"I hope you can ..." Megumi pauses and almost turns sheepish. "Well, I want it to be a birthday gift. For him."
"I'll try my best." Tsumiki sounds gentle and her voice is beautiful. "I'll need at least two days."
"Two days is okay. Call me when you've finished."
"I will."
"I'm ... I'm sure it'll turn out great."
"Thank you for your trust."
A little silence.
"And," Megumi is genuine with this. "I'm glad you and I have met, Tsumiki."