"He's already here. Make him go away…NOW!"
The dark-haired woman is looking outside of the window, watching Nanami approach. She can tell he's visibly troubled which makes her apprehensive; they can't afford to have any interruptions. Snatching back the thin opaque egg-white curtain, she angrily turns to Shoko.
"If you don't get rid of him, I'll fucking do it myself. You have NO IDEA of what's on the line!"
Shoko steadies her uneven breaths, picks up her phone and speedily dials Nanami's number.
'Kento, I told you not to come…shit!'
Each ring that sounds into her ears adds to the infernal tension that lingers throughout the house. She's not allowed to lay eyes on Nanami herself which is unfortunate considering the mere sight alone would probably offer some security.
It rings again.
'I have to get him away from here!'
Finally, Nanami answers but before he can say anything, Ieiri spills out the only answer she can think of.
"Kento!! Hey. I need a huge favor, I'm sorry to ask!"
Nanami stops just outside of Shoko's chain linked fence, feeling a chill about her timing. He hasn't been to her house in what feels like forever and can't help but notice that energy surrounding the property feels different. Everything still looks relatively the same; a white two-story house with grey shutters but now, all of the curtains are drawn closed.
"Ieiri, I'd be happy to help, I was actually about to stop by bef-…"
"Thank you! I'm expecting equipment to be delivered to the lab but I'm out of town and can't sign off for it myself!"
Shoko is trying her best to seem upbeat since she'd really rather Kento to be free of what binds her lately.
"It should be there soon, I completely forgot!"
Nanami inconspicuously glances to the backyard and sighs.
"Are you sure you're alright? I can't help but feel somethings been off with you lately..."
He waits for her response, sensing that it will explain nothing. but when he looks up at the house again, he swears his life to seeing a curtain dance.
'Out of town? Is she hiding from me?'
"I promise you, Kento, everything is fine! I will be back on campus in a few days."
Shoko understands that Nanami isn't buying it which frustrates her beyond measure as she only wants to keep him out of harm's way.
'He's too sharp for his own good.'
When the stoic manager refuses to budge from where his feet plant, Shoko's anxiety goes into overdrive which leads to her to do the unthinkable.
"Hey Kento. How about you and I go out when I get back? Just us. I would really love that actually."
Shoko's eyes meet the woman holding her hostage but her mind wanders.
'If I made a move to escape...would it work? He's right there.'
The insidious woman that she's come to know as Sachiko seems to understand what she's thinking though and shakes her head slowly.
"No. Only if you want him to die."
Nanami stammers in thought over the sudden invitation and takes a few seconds to respond but when he does, it's rather calm.
"I…I would love that too. Okay, Ieiri. It's a date then."
The words felt as though they took on life all by themselves as they quickly flowed from his lips. He's not yet convinced that everything is fine but he turns himself around and saunters out of the yard back onto the sidewalk.
"I'll go make sure your equipment is claimed. Just let me know as soon as you're back...I have something I need to talk to you about."
Sachiko is still peering through the window but even without seeing what's going on herself, Shoko notices that it must be working because the bitch seems satisfied.
'This hag is the fucking worst! How can one be that pretty on the outside but so ugly within?'
Sachiko relaxes from her crouched investigation and turns her gaze to Shoko but doesn't say a word. Her short black hair gleams in any lighting like the strands themselves seeming as if they were a tinted silk made to decorate ears. She has to be in her late 30's but her age wears her well with fierceness and the air of experience. The suit she wears is expensive and on the hem of the collar is embroidery of two connected, praying hands. Her cold dark brown eyes narrow further though when Shoko's conversation with Nanami is going on longer than she'd apparently care for.
'Why does Sachiko look so damn familiar?'
"Umm...Ieiri? Are you still there?"
Shoko is taken out her head after realizing she never responded to Nanami.
"Y-yeah! That works for me! You'll be the first to know when I can return!"
"Can?"
Shoko swallows her nerves.
'Shit.'
She can't let any kind of abnormality slip it would seem; it's only now that she realizes how well Nanami actually knows her. Reluctantly, she buries the apprehension and forces out a giggle.
"Oh you know what I mean! But hey, thank you for all of your help, Kento. I really, really appreciate it."
This is when Shoko hangs up. Dread pours from her heart while she clutches the phone; she wants nothing more than to be able to explain the truth to Nanami. She's in trouble.
"Alright boys, the coast is clear. Back to it."
Sachiko calls this out and shortly after, four Titer men slip out from hiding. She glances at Shoko who sits exhausted on the floor, having been deprived of sleep or much comfort. She would typically sympathize but this is greater than them both. This job can help mend her mistakes of the past; her loved ones will be on the winning side.
"When is Sain getting back?! I swear this is all falling apart..."
Silently, Shoko ponders over his whereabouts too. The young Titer has been the only one to behave humanely throughout all of this. Call it Stockholm if you please, but Ieiri and Sain have developed a curious friendship via the bond of science.
"Get back to work before we decide you're no longer useful."
Shoko endures the icy barrel of a gun against her spine ushering her into the living room which is now a makeshift lab. The entire downstairs has become a paper littered mess from exploiting Ieiri's genius in order to meet her client's goals. She's been strong armed into creating a blood substitute using Elska's DNA but the reasoning is something Ieiri still can't wrap her mind around.
"Run some more tests, find the irregularities."
On the surface, they haven't had much luck though and the more time passes the more Sachiko suspects Shoko of stalling.
"I don't understand why you need so many of these so soon! If you've already corrupted Toji then wouldn't he be the best sustenance for her? Toji loves Elska and would do that for her no matter where she is…"
At the mention of Toji's name, Sachiko loses her composure.
Shoko feels the solid barrel crack the back of her head, causing her to fall over.
'Elska, Toji, Elska.'
"What the hell do you think you know about him?!"
Sachiko seethes while observing Shoko losing consciousness. She hasn't seen Fushiguro in years and harbors confusion and angst from the time they spent together. It was supposed to be just another mission but one that didn't involve killing and instead, life.
"Damnit! I didn't know that's all it would take!"
Sachiko whines while putting her gun away, now realizing that she hit the doctor too hard. Shoko's phone starts vibrating so she kneels down and reaches into the dazed woman's lab coat. When she sees "Kento Nanami" on the screen she curses under her breath.
"Great…and now she can't even answer…"
She stands back up after pocketing the phone for herself but hears a loud thud from the kitchen at the back of the house.
"What are you guys even doing?! Stop making all that racket or we'll be suspicious!! We're in a fucking neighborhood!"
When no one responds to her though, Sachiko draws her gun once more. She mocks the Titers but they're subservient and will typically listen to orders without question. Narrowing her eyes, she takes her first silent step around the corner towards the long hall.
Nanami made his way around the back of the house, concealing his presence.
'I am not leaving without some kind of confirmation…'
He unravels his tie from his collar and wraps it around his hand for safe measure.
"Where are you Ieiri..."
Nanami scans the stoop area before approaching. His eyes fall to the concrete steps with multiple muddy footprints.
'Yet no activity?'
None of this makes sense and that alone forces Nanami's legs into motion until he's climbed the three steps.
'That energy...'
He puts his ear to the door, hearing nothing at all until footsteps abruptly encroach the other side. Before Nanami can jump the rail, the door swings open to show a shuffling middle-aged Titer who tired eyes flay open as soon as Kento is perceived.
"God damn it, she is in trouble!"
Nanami yanks the Titer out of the doorway and they tumble down the stairs into the grass. The golden man tries scurrying away but is soon digging his fingertips into the ground when his legs are lifted behind him.
"HEL-"
Nanami drops an elbow into the Titer's temple who instantly curls into a cradling position to protect himself. The Titer covers his head and cowers to the unknown assailant but before he can even beg for his life, a spotted yellow tie falls down his visual field and hooks his throat.
With a knee in the Titer's back, Nanami tightens his grip and uses every ounce of strength to quietly strangle him as quickly as possible. He bends the man backwards to increase force but also to watch the life leave his body. Clammy, weak hands attempt to peel the tie away but with one unapologetic twist of the Titer's head, Nanami breaks his neck.
Without so much as needing a breath, he drags the body by the feet and hides it behind the bushes that line Shoko's house. This kind of killing, he pretends it doesn't feel familiar. Nanami would prefer to remain the man he's rightfully become but what good is all of this will power if he can't save the woman he loves? Ieiri and people like her are why Kento chose the righteous path to begin with. Gojo needs an example to follow as well.
After tucking the last limb, Nanami stands up to wipe the sweat away. He thinks to maybe call for back up but also doesn't want to risk anymore time so with his eyes leaving the soiled golden robes and narrowing to the door again, he tries to piece it together.
'These yellow assholes are involved with everything…'
He ponders on how deep this rabbit hole goes and wonders what they could want with Shoko. While planning his next move, however, another Titer strolls down the stairs but appears like he's possibly looking for the first one.
Nanami quietly pulls his blade from the harness inside of his suit.
'These guys don't really seem that tough at all…but how many are in there?'
While stalking the second Titer, he sneaks up behind him and swings the blade transversely at the man's ear, instantly severing the top half of the head, off. As the Titer bleeds, Nanami realizes there's no hiding the evidence and decides to make his way inside with haste.
In the blue walled kitchen, adjacent to the door Nanami's entering, a Titer sits at Shoko's mahogany dining table reading over paperwork that has been sprawled out over its surface. There's two entry points into the room other than the back door. One is a hall that leads towards the living room and the other hall on the right, bears stairs to the second level.
The Titer faces the second hall so Nanami inaudibly creeps up behind, covers his mouth and slits his throat. The Titer's head and body fall over onto the table before slipping off of the seat onto the ground, providing more than enough noise to raise alarm.
'Damn it.'
A fourth Titer comes around the corner from the stairs but freezes with horror upon seeing Nanami. Just as Nanami was about to lunge, heels can be heard clicking closer so with tenacity coursing through he figures out a way to deal with both.
Sachiko already has her gun drawn and is calmly making her way to the back of the two-story house. She knows somethings up because the uptight Titer men would have responded to her if they could. When she reaches the kitchen, she only sees the blood and body.
"What in the hell is going on here?"
Little scratches resound.
Sachiko swivels her head until her eyes reach the walk-in pantry that sounds like its keeping more than just food.
"Hmmm…"
She arrogantly thinks out loud before firing three shots into it, splintering the thin shudders. Blood pools from the base and something can be heard sliding down against the door.
"Should've been smarter."
Satisfied, she smiles and conceitedly states this while opening the door but confusion enters when she finds a Titer drowning from collapsed lungs.
"GOD DAMN IT!"
She stares at the withering man until rage compels her to kick the door itself. A sudden thought reels her back into mode though.
'Where are the rest of them?'
But before she can turn around to face the presence that she's now able to sense, she feels a hand palm the back of her head and watches helplessly as the wall seems to rapidly near her face.
Nanami smashed the woman's head into the wall but not hard enough to kill her. He finds charger cords from an outlet placed by the table and uses them to tie her arms and legs.
"Who is this woman? She doesn't have the same feel as the Titers…I actually don't feel anything."
He sees the gun and picks it up, wondering what she was planning to do with only that.
'Is she a non-shaman? If so, why is she here?'
Nanami lifts the unconscious woman up and throws her onto the table, hoping that while he searches the house, she would fall and make noise if she came to. He looks around the room and estimates that there could be more on the premises but that's hardly his primary focus at this point.
"Shoko!!!!"
He calls out as he slowly walks through the house and perceives more scientific papers with diagrams and equations the closer he gets to the living room.
'This is definitely her work...'
After turning the last corner, the first thing Nanami sees is Elska's wing and he remembers what Shoko said to him nights ago.
'Holy shit…she tried to tell me.'
He's now comprehending that whatever all this is, it has to do with Elska too. It's not hard to recognize some of the chemistry symbols he's seen in the scattered notes from when Shoko was trying to create a sustenance substitute for Toji.
"What do they want?"
After berating himself for being oblivious he turns his head to find Shoko collapsed face down on the ground.
"God, no!"
Nanami carefully rolls her over but his body is trembling so badly that he can barely work his arms. Holding her up and close to his chest, he nearly loses all of his breath when he notices her breathing and sighs his relief.
"I am never going to forgive you for making me worry like this…"
Nanami can't even falsify anger in this moment as a smile engulfs his expression. Holding her in his arms, he squeezes tightly but reminds himself that he wasn't too late.
"I'm getting you out of here Ieiri and we're taking that gunslinger with us."
————————————————
Getou has decided to make the best of today. Although he would never say it openly, he's oddly excited to take this next critical step with the plans.
'Zenin dies, Choso and Toji live, Elska comes with me.'
They plan to take Fushiguro eventually but Genghis warned that his energy corruption is taking longer than anticipated so now would not be ideal. While leaving the meeting area, he joins Genghis and the rest and feels a surge of confidence until a haunting high-pitched voice disrupts his aura.
"MASTER SUGURUUUUU!"
Getou lowers his head and all his previous happiness vanishes.
'Don't hit her…don't hit her…do not hit her.'
Lydia was trying to get his attention the entire meeting but he never once looked over. How could he? If he did she'd take that as an invitation to bed or something crazy.
"Hey! Why won't you talk to me?! Sugi!!"
Lydia annoyingly whines, disregarding the subtleties exuding from Getou's demeanor.
'I bet it's because of that weird bitch, Elska...'
She tugs at the undershirt beneath her robes to expose her cleavage; Suguru always loved a woman with curves.
'Because you're a vindictive succubus and I fucking hate you!'
Is what Getou wants to say but instead, he averts his eyes and offers something much more pleasant.
"I have a lot to organize and minimal time to do so…"
'Really? She's trying to seduce me?'
Suguru doesn't have to look directly to know that she's adjusted her appearance. Those pale vein-like melons couldn't be missed by anyone with sight but he wishes they could be. Just thinking of how Lydia uses her body yet has such a disconnect to the brain prompts Getou with additional disgust. She cozies up to his side, resting those behemoth milk sacs on his arm.
'Don't fucking hit her...'
Genghis appears behind Lydia which finally brings Suguru some ease since he knows he's about to be saved. He jerks his arm away and practically power walks over to his mentor.
"Oh, am I interrupting something here, you two?"
Genghis laughs when they both respond with opposite answers, he can't help but tease his pupil. He feels badly though when Lydia snakes her hand into Suguru's and decides the games should end. He signals Getou to walk with him.
"Have you perfected your Time Dilation to counter Zenin?"
He notices that Suguru is more than happy to be drawn into this conversation as Lydia glares in the background. Temujin doesn't mean to be so disloyal but her breasts are about to burst from her robes so he steals a few glances to see if he's lucky enough to watch it happen.
"I mastered that technique many years ago actually. I am excited to finally be able to use it…and for that purpose."
Suguru's always imagined engaging it against Gojo but figures Naoya would be a good way to test it out.
Time Dilation is similar to his gravity manipulation but has a specified use. Just as time is seen to be relative to gravity on other planets, which can warp our sense of time, this technique can do the same. When Naoya activates his projection that is basically a super speed boost, Getou can activate time dilation to focus the density of gravity on Naoya, like a planet, which would theoretically slow him down below average speeds while also warping his perception of time itself. There's no way for Naoya to escape it, Getou is his natural enemy when it comes to the abilities they bare.
"I am so very proud of you."
Genghis reaches an extended arm to hold Getou's shoulder and actually feels warmth when he can tell the magnitude of what that meant to Suguru.
"This is going to be fun…are you two ready?"
Genghis looks over the both of them excitedly.
'I can't wait for Suguru to see what I see. This day is magnificent and it will change the course of everything.'
Lydia cheerfully chimes in, wanting to impress Getou with her loyalty.
"As long as I can use my spear to serve Master Suguru, I'm fine!"
He fails to even glance at her though which irritates her all over again.
'I just want him to love me…'
She tries to grab onto Getou's robes but is stopped by Genghis verbal defenses.
"Of course you can use your spear! Why do you think you're here Lydia?!"
Temujin is putting forth his best efforts to hide the fact that he's appalled by her since he needs her to be apart of the mission willingly. He's worried about her overbearing nature and how things will turn out if Suguru snaps before the stage is set so for now, he now plans to be their buffer.
"We need to get going though, an opportunity like this doesn't happen every day now!"
Genghis takes in a deep breath and smiles as if the oxygen was heaven itself.
'I have been waiting to make this official acquaintance forever. Elska Oda...how will you respond?'
Suguru gets a metaphorical whiff of his mentor's enthusiasm which comes off as odd but as if Genghis knew the question coming, he quickly cuts Getou.
"I'm sure Elska will love the fireworks."
——————————
After trekking the crowded path to the restaurant, Naoya boisterously announces with a head held high.
"It's still here!"
He turns around to see both Elska and Toji smiling while noting how strange it is to receive such a kind expression from his cousin.
'I guess he really is feeling better.'
Naoya grabs Elska by the waist and pulls her in. While leaning into her ear he gently plants a peck to her neck, enjoys her flushed reaction but then whispers in his deep voice.
"Baby…I hope you love it."
She gazes up to him with a smirk but when their eyes meet, the Zenin suffers a foreboding feeling that urges him with how everything is about to be different for some reason. He stands there with her longer than he meant to and eventually forces himself to chalk the eerie sensation to PTSD and being out in the open.
"Alright, that's enough PDA."
Toji cackles under his breath and walks inside. Elska giggles with her slight buzz and it infects Naoya as they follow Toji into the building. Once in the greeting area, Naoya jumps ahead of them to speak to the hostess.
"Outside dining for three, under Zenin."
Toji watches the hostess light up brighter than any of the chandeliers after hearing the name and wonders if Naoya's picking up on the gold-digger vibes. They walk in a line through the indoor section which is perfect because Toji wants to get an idea of whose around them anyways. He takes in the thick, fancy atmosphere and all of the rich folks gathered to spend far too much on a salad and laughs to himself, seeming completely out of place. The deeper they walk through the dining hall, the more it feels like all the eyes are on them and he wonders if they really stand out that much. They take their last steps of the marble path to where it meets Madagascan ebony wood floors leading to their seats but Toji catches three servers turning to view his group in tandem.
'The fuck are they looking at?'
The hostess holds the door open for them as they reach the lavish tropically themed patio but she flashes special eyes to Naoya.
'This chick is trying way too hard…'
But when Toji glances at his cousin, he gathers that Naoya seems oblivious to her advances. He can't help but feel a little salty once he realizes that the Zenin could easily have his choice of women.
'…but instead, he chooses mine.'
His arm births that same unusual sting.
Toji has become used to the idea that Naoya will always be around now but the past couple of days he's felt overtly selfish like something inside of him is changing.
"This is so beautiful!"
Elska's left in awe as she spins around the large seating area that is literally floating on an attached dock over the water. The sun warms everything it touches and paints a beautiful scenery for them all to enjoy.
"You weren't kidding, Naoya!"
There's roughly 10 different tables set up with only three other groups occupying the area with them. Toji points to a table against the tall privacy fence towards the edge that acts as a wooden peninsula, leaving the view of the water unobstructed. Elska begins to notice the hostess trying to make small talk with Naoya and feels her brow furrow in response but decides to not let her jealousy best her.
As they reach the table that could easily fit eight, Naoya pulls out a chair for his princess. She was heading towards a different one but he understands why Toji wanted his back against the fence, they need to be able to observe their surroundings.
"Baby, let's all sit on the same side!"
The hostess reappears with two menus and kindly places them down in front of Toji and where Naoya's expected to sit. The Zenin sighs his annoyance while lowering himself into the seat.
"See, this is why I used to be a dick. Women are so fucking catty."
He slides his laminated menu across the luxurious ceramic table for Elska to look at.
"I'll get another one baby, use this."
After getting up, Naoya nervously wonders if Elska picked up on the hostess's attempts to swoon him and hopes that she hasn't. Naoya would never give another woman the time of day but is annoyed with the girl's subtle aggression since he really doesn't want Elska to get the wrong impression. He finds a stack of laminated menus and snatches one with a heavy mind.
'No...maybe I should do this differently...'
Naoya puts it back.
At the table, Toji grabs his menu but holds it just under eye level so he can see Elska to his left.
"See anything you like, doll?"
Elska views the menu but pouts her lips out when the hostess gawks at Naoya walking by her and towards them.
"I don't know..."
The giant can't help but chuckle to Elska's unnecessary insecurity.
"Doll, neither does he so don't even sweat that broad."
Elska darts her eyes over to Toji with surprise, not having expected that kind of reassurance for something like this but she receives a calm, casual grin from her beloved that leaves her enamored.
Naoya sits back down on Elska's right and eagerly reads her menu.
"Alrighty baby! Now we're back in business. Have you guys found anything on here that you want?"
Toji brings his eyes back to the options printed before him but is soon ducking his head back with squinted features.
"Wait a minute...motherfucker, this is in French! I don't fucking know French!"
Elska looks confused too but seems less distressed, meanwhile Naoya snickers to his cousin's frustrations. Toji cackles as his imagination runs wild with them withering away next to an overfilled Naoya.
"Doll, what are we going to do?"
But the jokes halt when Toji sees the hostess approaching and is confused by her frequent attendance as she shouldn't be serving them as well. He watches Elska go to ask for another menu but he puts his hand on hers knowing Naoya is likely about to take care of the situation. He smirks as he trusts his cousin's loyalty to her.
"Just watch doll…"
"Miss?"
Naoya politely asks them when the hostess reaches them who is far too excited to be addressed by him.
"Could you perhaps think enough to bring my lady a menu?"
The girl's wide smile contracts a bit as if she's unsure of how to take his meaning but she apologizes nonetheless and hands him one. Naoya accepts it pleasantly but as he lays it down it easy to tell that his sharpened tongue is whipping up something more.
"I never understood that about some women. They act like they have something to offer a man simply because of the genitalia they posses but in reality your personality is so vile that the only way you can even reach a man is through such a con, is it not?"
Elska's jaw drops but Toji sits back comfortably and lets it all play out. He can't get over the look on the hostess's face but honestly feels bad that she's receiving a verbal lashing from him. The Zenin can be brutal.
"N-Naoya...it's oka-"
"Nahh baby, I was going to be nice about this but then I realized that would only make me feel better."
Naoya cocks his head to the hostess and flashes daggers for eyes.
"Miss. You saw me and gave instant respect but you acted like my princess was invisible. The people with me too deserve respect and I will not tolerate anything else. I warn that if you continue with your failed seduction, it will ruin the taste of our food."
He feels gratified when the girl seems to understand that she stepped out of line but when she glares at Elska, he grabs his princess's hand and kisses it until she leaves.
Elska is beside herself with how rude he sounded and forgot that he even has that side to him.
"Naoya! You didn't have to do all of that! What if it ruins her whole day?!"
The Zenin turns to her but instead of using words to explain himself, he brings their lips together and hums. She understands in this same breath that he merely chose to demonstrate his dedication. The warmth Naoya gives her is something that not just anyone can experience and she's reminded of how special he makes her feel when it ignites all over again; now cupping his cheek.
"My prince…"
Their little moment is interrupted when a different server walks to their table asking for drink orders. They all order the same thing they had at the bar but the man lingers and creepily washes his dark brown eyes over the three of them. Toji becomes annoyed by the vibes he's getting from the male server and tries to dismiss him.
"Did I miss something? I don't speak French."
The man smiles kindly but his eyes stay on Elska until he's forced to turn his head around to walk back inside.
Toji looks over at Naoya who also didn't seem to like that but expresses his discontent.
"What the fuck is wrong with these people? Fucking weirdos..."
Almost as soon as the waiter leaves, he returns with their beverages on a tray and divvies them out but this time the server is staring at him. Toji shifts uncomfortably in his seat hoping the gaze would break but it doesn't. After a few seconds, the giant feels like he has no choice but to be blunt.
"Sorry bud but you're not my type."
The man looks offended as if homosexuality has nothing to do with it so bewildered, Toji angrily swigs his whiskey. His eyes brighten pleasantly as soon as the the amber liquid graces his tongue.
"Jameson, huh? Isn't that top shelf?"
But Toji's flattered expression shrivels when the waiter educates them on how at this establishment, its actually towards the bottom.
"Well, God damn it…"
Toji huffs to the humiliation, wishing he'd kept his mouth shut especially since he knows this entire lifestyle is foreign to him.
After the waiter leaves, Naoya leans back in his seat and looks around. The table closest to them is only a few feet away and holds a family of five.
"Look at those messy kids!"
Naoya points inconspicuously and joins the laughter that ensues from Elska and Toji.
"They're cute though."
They seem to range from ages 2 to maybe 10, all blonde haired and brandishing their meals on their cheeks in green booster seats. Naoya sighs into a smile and puts an arm around Elska, wondering how their children will turn out. Curious as to where her thoughts lie on the matter, he leans over to and whispers to her.
"Ours won't be that messy though so don't worry."
Naoya can't stop his smirk when she blushes with wide eyes. He sits himself forward now to butter the situation more but is met with menacing green eyes from his cousin on her left.
"Toji, you already have the blessing of a son! I just want one of my own…or 6…"
Elska's defensively darts her eyes to Naoya as he gulps some of his drink down.
"You do know that I'm 28 right? How hard are you trying to work my ovaries?!"
She laughs loudly at the Zenin's buzzed face but he bites his lip like he's teetering on line that he's deliberating on crossing.
"Baby, I'll put as many as I can in you."
He points to the giant.
"When we get tired of their rambunctiousness, we can just pawn them off onto Uncle Toji!"
Elska finds herself gasping to his bravery and continues to laugh, albeit nervously because she feels like Naoya isn't actually messing around.
'I am not birthing six children…'
The idea actually invigorates her with fear. She's never even babysat a child before so how could she be expected to raise her own? Still though, when her eyes meet Naoya's, she feels more at ease and giggles into her sip of wine.
Toji scowls at Naoya but softens his eyes for Elska.
"Yeah, well, who said I didn't want more, you little shit?"
He gathers Elska's shock with that statement though and it makes him question himself on if he really wouldn't mind a mixture of himself and her walking around. Something about it brings Toji a peace that although fleeting, was powerful enough for him to lean towards procreation but that's when he thinks of his current predicament with Megumi and sighs.
'Me knocking her up would probably scar the poor boy…'
With a hand on his own stomach, Toji recalls his plans to give Megumi his worm and is frustrated that he hasn't remembered to.
"Speaking of children…"
Naoya chimes back in.
"What's going on with Megumi?"
He sees that Toji isn't prepared to answer right then so Naoya sympathizes and changes his tone.
"I told him I'd let it go but I'll at least fill you in. I think it's important for you specifically to know."
Toji looks at his cousin as he's unsure of what's about to be said but waits for whatever Naoya has for him.
"The night you lost your shit and tried to kill us? Well, after you were knocked out, Megumi pinned her to the couch and...tried to kiss her."
Naoya watches Toji's exhale with an expression of guilt.
Elska is now prompted to revisit the events that she tried so hard to forget. This topic makes her extremely uncomfortable because she doesn't know how to handle this with Megumi either. She hears Toji groan in an exhausted way and knows that it must be even more awkward for him. She leans back so she can see both of them.
"I don't know why he did that but I'm hoping he's just confused."
She chews on her cheek for a moment while listening to Naoya explain exactly what happened.
Toji turns his body in his seat to face them.
"Doll, has Megs tried anything else?"
He's almost afraid of the answer but is relieved to learn that he hasn't. Rubbing his head, Toji shakes it side to side and briefly taps his foot.
"I've known for a while now but I was kind of hoping the same thing, that he's just mistaken. It definitely explains a lot though..."
Toji thinks back to every occurrence involving his son and Elska that he's recently witnessed or heard about from times when he wasn't around. He reaches the conclusion that it's quite possible his little crush has been going on longer than that but there's no way to tell. Jokingly with a secret sprinkle of truth, Toji lifts Elska's hand to hold it.
"You wouldn't leave me for a younger version would you?!"
She seems to appreciate the lightheartedness which alleviates some of his own tension on the subject; particularly when she clarifies with a hard no.
Naoya cackles.
"Maybe it's a Zenin thing!"
But even as a joke the Zenin himself fears that there's truth to it when thinking of his older brothers. He pictures them wiggling their grubby fingers in Elska's direction, all salivating at the mere prospect of smelling her perfume. Naoya's left eye twitches.
'Fuck no.'
The Zenin swirls himself to face Elska, convinced by his own demons to burden her with a question too.
"Baby…you wouldn't be interested in an older version of me would you?"
Elska appears confused so he sulks with his lack of hard no and explains.
"I have 3 older brothers and although they're not as handsome, cool and suave as I am...we do look a little alike."
Naoya's momentarily pulled into himself as he thinks back to how close him and his brother aren't and how they used to gang up on him. They never let Naoya have anything and if he acquired something himself, they wouldn't hesitate to steal it right out of his hands. He's certain that Elska being in his life will be no different even though he obviously doesn't consider her property of any sort. She lifts his chin and as if tethered by a spell, it reaches in and brings him back to their current place.
"You are not replaceable my prince. Not now, not ever. I don't care if you had an identical twin!"
A small smile cascades across Naoya's face.
"It doesn't matter who other men are. I have all that I will ever want and need already."
Naoya grabs her hand and sweetly stares at it while brushing his thumb over her knuckles.
'How can he ever think that he's not good enough?'
This internal question prompts her to speak again.
"You two are perfect in my eyes. I don't know how else to convey my heart but you just feel right to me…so…right."
She thinks back to how rocky her and Naoya's past is but feels like this is a perfect example.
"Do you think any man could just kidnap me, lock me in a basement and somehow still win me over?!"
She found it funny but the four business men a few tables away all turned to gain some kind of context. Giggles initially erupt from their judgement but Elska simmers down when she realizes her words and how Satoru did the same exact thing.
Toji wants to at least laugh with them but the topic reminds him of her severed wing. The pain in his arm returns but flexes the muscle until it goes away. He hadn't thought about that horrible memory in some time and is glad to know that the same emotions aren't still attached since she's sitting right next to him, completely fine. His phone vibrates so he takes it out of his pocket to see that he received a mass text.
'Nanami?'
He quietly scans over the message before sharing it with the others.
"Honestly…I thought you were going to hate me baby…especially after…"
Naoya stops himself as he is now recalling the gruesome scene of Getou ripping her wing from her body. He slouches in his seat and rolls his lips as if he'd just tasted something bitter.
"I've never felt more helpless in my life…"
He squeezes Elska's, feeling himself getting emotional but doesn't want Toji and her to see his watering eyes. He can tell Elska is looking at him though so he finally braves his eyes and as soon as he does, he's met with one of her human abilities.
"Naoya…my prince, it's alright. Everything that has happened, good and bad has led us up to this moment right now. What Getou did..."
Elska shakes off a chill.
"What he did was horrible...like literally was the most painful thing I've ever experienced but it also brought us closer, Naoya. Getou failed and we won without even knowing it!"
Naoya isn't sure that's the best logic but comprehends that Elska can make sense of cruelty in a way that it's often not explained and that's partially why she's so incredibly understanding. When her hand squeezes back, he knows she means it and that helps a little but he senses that he'll probably never shake the culpability from that day. He sighs and realizes that he's tipsy after his feelings slip from his lips.
"Baby…I want to be with you forever."
Toji quietly sips his drink and studies a specific portion of the text.
"Well, forever it shall be! But don't get mad when you finally figure out that I'm a handful!"
Elska wipes her eyes that water from the force of Naoya's affections.
"Okay…enough with the tears, today is a happy day!"
Her mouth does that thing where she wants to smile but she nervously cries instead when Naoya she has to lean over and catch the one rolling down his cheek. The way his emotionally tinted face brightens his amber-like eyes has her falling for him all over again.
"You're such a wonderful man…"
Toji sets down his phone and wonders how they should handle this unexpected update. While observing the other tables he takes in details about the one next to the businessmen. It's a small group containing of middle-aged women, all enjoying either bloodymarrys or mimosas.
'Are we safe right now? This doesn't feel good.'
Deciding it's best to simply share the information, Toji interrupts the pair.
"I just got a text from Nanami saying that he retrieved Shoko from Titers…"
"What do you mean!?!"
Elska is panicked as she thinks of her friend.
"IS SHE ALRIGHT?!"
Toji nods but looks back to the screen.
"Yeah, he said she's okay but Nanami is also saying that he can't reach Gojo and wants us to be on guard."
He huffs and finishes his Jameson.
"I told him we were out here and he said we should head straight back once we're done. He also captured one of the enemies but said in the text that he doesn't believe she is a Titer herself."
"Cho told me that Gojo took him to see the Elders though. Their establishment is riddled with ways to abstain outside communication so Gojo probably doesn't have cell service."
Naoya has not met Shoko but has heard about her through Elska and the others.
"As long as your friend is fine then I would say that's another win for us, princess. I wonder who Nanami brought back with them though…"
Elska wants to run to Shoko immediately but also knows Nanami is more than capable and clearly has everything under control.
"We'll go back as soon as we eat then…"
She sighs though, feeling as though only a selfish person would wait until after eating but Toji rubs her arm.
"Doll, it's going to be alright…at least she's back. Hey, I think that maybe they'd want some alone time after this. If I were Nanami and Shoko, you? I would."
Elska takes that into consideration and even pictures Nanami and Shoko as a couple; the thought bringing a genuine half-smile.
Toji looks down at their drinks and is noting that the service is now lacking.
"Naoya you probably made that hostess cry so the whole staff has it out for us now."
Naoya scoffs in return but doesn't seem to disagree. Looking at Elska now, Toji can tell she's still upset about Shoko and wants her to cheer up.
"If you don't smile…I'll bite you…"
Toji holds his head high when her expression morphs into something mischievous; it striking his groin to throb. He tries to unwind his eyes but they search her lustfully as if her skin were composed of organic magnets.
'It's a good thing I'm disciplined.'
Having heard what Toji said and living how flustered Elska became by it, Naoya leans over and decides to fan the flame for the sake of her being happily distracted. She turns to him right as he begins.
"You already know my remedy for dealing with naughty princesses…"
When Elska quietly gasps, he understands that he may have just opened a can of worms. Curiosity places his hand on her thigh and then grips it with intent.
"Don't make me trap you between us, baby…"
Naoya groans to his own words but doesn't understand why even with the thought of Toji joining, he remains aroused by the idea. He lightly kisses her cheek but she instantly pushes him away and huddles over on the table.
"BABY! I'm sorry! I thought you were into i-…"
He wheezes to his idiocy and wide-eyes Toji in an attempt to express that he didn't mean to make Elska feel worse. It isn't until she lifts her head back that he gathers what actually just occurred. Naoya cautiously raises his eyes to Toji but darts them back down to the table after seeing how pissed Toji is.
Elska's heart is racing. She pants herself back to normalcy, a dire attempt to quell the pheromones threatening to release. She leans back in her chair and knows she must look like a mess because she can feel it.
"Naoya, I wasn't trying to be mean I swear! I just…that was…close."
She stares into her prince, still so amazed by the effect he has on her very being.
"Doll…were you…"
Toji guides her to his direction.
"Toji...I almost released a wave."
She watches the giant's face twist into awe although he seems to have already sensed it.
The group of businessmen belt out into a joined laughter and it gifts them respite to know that everything around them is still normal. While still regaining her breath, Elska chuckles.
"My prince and my beloved…keep messing around and you'll end up becoming my prey."
She absolutely means it though as the thoughts lingering in her mind are as devious as they are desirable. Naoya is keeping distance now which she hates but knows that's best until she settles down. When she turns to Toji, she's expecting him to be irritated but is surprised by the lustful smile she receives. His hungry eyes marinate her with willingness and the longer they aim on her, the saucier she becomes.
"Oh my god…where are those drinks!?"
Elska feels better already but is wanting to focus on something else before she literally strips them down and does something extremely indecent.
————————————————
Gojo watches the Kamo man's blood spread out across the table nearing Peaches who looks like he's about to pass out.
'If I knew she was going to do that then I wouldn't have disabled his ability to speak…'
He thinks of a solution while his mother continues to scowl. Leaning down to Peaches, Satoru explains.
"I'm going to let you get fixed up but don't mistake this for kindness."
Orienting towards Choso who is intently watching the observer window, Gojo kindly requests.
"Could you heal him enough to talk?"
Gojo's mother scoffs and leads with repugnance.
"You're just lucky that your friend is here to undo your mistake. Too bad he wasn't there when I was pregnant."
She fans her long silver hair behind her shoulders while studying Choso.
'What else is this hybrid capable of?'
She's weary of his presence as there's something unusually dark about him and the fact that he listens to her son so well is cause for concern.
'How did that maggot of a son manage to come out on top at every turn?'
Satoru gets under her skin just by being in the same room. She's never felt safe around him. Having to witness his arrogance even after he repeatedly disrespects anything of societal worth sways her into an old-fitting mood to taunt.
"Does your little slut spread her legs for him too?"
Choso stops in his tracks after hearing the nasty words. The being turns to her with a flat expression but the severity is found in his tone.
"If you say anything like that ever again, I will do nothing when Satoru serves you the repercussions."
He does not take kindly to his friends being slandered and has all but lost his humanity when it comes to the vile woman.
"You do not seem capable of comprehending that you've already lost."
Choso looks at Gojo who seems surprised but brushes over it to make his point.
"Satoru is far from ignorant and perhaps if you weren't so self-absorbed by your own whims, you'd know this. How you can be so careless about this matter when you know he is the opposition is beyond my comprehension."
He now proceeds to walk over to Peaches, trying to ignore the man's blatant fear of him.
"I will not hurt you."
The assures this as he places his hands over the old man's neck.
"Thank you, Choso!
Gojo redirects his concentration to his mother once more even though she doesn't seem willing to comply.
"Now, tell me, who is Genghis?"
She jars her neck in condescending way and shifts her gaze to the wall.
Satoru cracks his neck and exhales his disappointment.
"Mother…you know you're in a bad spot so why keep up this farce? I mean full well to walk out of here and return to my love but the same may not happen for you."
She remains silent which begins to fray at his patience.
'I don't trust this bitch at all. What the fuck is she up to.'
"Mother."
As if called to, she stands up and walks towards Gojo with clear purpose in her eyes. He chuckles as she nears; peering down his nose at her while gaining the understanding that she'll never give in and also won't go without a struggle.
"What's the matter, Mommy?"
She stops about foot away and retracts her arm, gifting Gojo with a severe slap that turns his head. Of course, he didn't feel any pain from it but the force put behind the gesture said it all.
Gojo's mother clenches her jaw and increases her presence before her son. Although she can probably guess how this will play out for her, she feels a bit more empowered after that smack.
Satoru keeps his head where it was turned but cackles with amusement. His laughter dips her in hopelessness but she still intends to make her hatred known.
"You and your filthy fucking whore. She will be your ruin and you hers. I hope she suffers at the hands of the Titers…and cries herself to sleep every night as the head of the clan humps to her into A FUCKING PULP!"
The last bit of blue evacuates Satoru's eyes and leaves her with the front of a storm. She's prepared for him to attack at any moment but finds it creepier that he hasn't already.
"I hope your slain with the rest, my dear son, unable to do a God damn thing as she desperately clings to your lifeless hands and is dragged away to her breeding misery. You were never supposed to turn out like this! HOW DID YOU BECOME WHAT YOU ARE?! YOU DARE PLACE THAT WHORE AT THE TOP OF OUR CLAANN?!!!"
Silence blankets them but Lady Gojo's irregular breaths tell of her trepidation. She takes a step back and bumps into the table and nearly jumps out of her skin.
"Do you feel better after getting that off your chest, mother?"
Gojo spins on his heel to face her direction. He stares at the woman that's hated him since birth but is reminded of his love and the better man he's become. It would be too easy to kill his mother right now, there wouldn't be any satisfaction while she's cornered and alone and plus, how would he explain himself to Elska?
Lady Gojo clenches her jaw and gathers energy into her hands. She's not sure what's going through Satoru's mind but she also doesn't want to give him too much time to think. His demeanor, she can sense his malice but isn't sure as to why he's holding back. She eyes Peaches on the floor and can judge that he's already been healed a considerable amount. Everything feels like it's closing and with her sanity leaking out, she tries one more thing. Lifting her arms toward Peaches, she pesters her son.
"Satoru, you know why I hate you so much but have you ever wondered about your father?"
Choso falls from toes to ass when Gojo's presence explodes and stains the air blue. Fearfully he visually checks in on Satoru but freezes upon registering his expression.
"You sure about this, mother?"
She continues to gather energy and aim it at the fallen Zenin with resolve even as Satoru steps closer.
"Y-YOU STAY BACK!"
"No."
He walks even closer.
"That's right. I've always hated you! You're a freak! But your father...he loved so much, didn't he, Satoru?"
At the last minute, she releases her attack on Choso but Gojo warps behind her and grabs her right arm, snapping her elbow in the wrong direction. His mother screams but without any sounds to contribute himself, he grabs her left one and does the same thing.
The being winces to the removal of some of his skin but remains where he is to protect the Zenin man beneath him. He hears the guttural wails and forces himself to watch what's happening.
Satoru's lost in a trance as he desires only to break her slowly, feeling that perhaps he's wanted to all along. Once she's lying on the floor, he dashes quick eyes to Choso to see the being's reaction and smirks when he can tell that Choso meant what he said; he isn't going to help her now.
Standing over his mother, Satoru finally finds something to verbally express.
"You fail to understand that I might not have turned out so monstrous had you guys done things differently. Fuck you for fucking me up."
With this, Gojo sends his red technique towards her feet, leaving nothing left but mangled and bleeding stubs. Her screams turn into a strained growl that sends a wonderful sensation through him.
"You know, I wanted you to go back and warn him. I wanted him to fear his end like you have."
Leaving her to suffer alone, Satoru heads towards Peaches and Choso while she writhes on the floor. When he reaches them, he bends down in front of the old man.
"I will allow you to live today but only under the condition that you prepare your clan to fight against the Titers."
Peaches nods with horror filled eyes, occasionally glancing over to his long-time associate on the floor. He hears Gojo continuing on and listens as if his life depends on it.
"Peaches, I like Naoya and Toji a lot…so does my love. You can trust that I will not put Naoya in harms way, he's become one of us now and I'll fight for him as well."
Choso is surprised that Satoru is taking time to comfort the old man that he was willing to let die shortly before. Although he wishes the brutality level was lower, he doesn't feel any ill will against the shaman for attacking his mother.
'She must have been awful to him his entire life…'
He's also reaffirmed with Gojo after hearing him openly state that he'd even go so far as to protect Naoya.
'Maybe Satoru Gojo isn't as bad as I originally thought…'
The being senses that Peaches is still in disbelief about the mentioned friendship so Choso chimes in.
"He's not lying, you know! Naoya is my friend too and I can promise you that he's with us willingly. It seems you'll soon be able to verify this yourself."
He tries to offer a slight smile to the old Zenin but Choso closes his eyes when Gojo's mother starts wailing again. Even with her being such a vicious woman, the sound of her cries start tugging at the being's heart.
'They're horrific.'
He steals a glance of Gojo to see how he's handling it but the being becomes perplexed when it looks like Satoru is being soothed by the screams.
Gojo turns around and squats by his mother who's quickly bleeding out but her temper steals the light.
"I'd fucking kill her myself if I could! Fuck you! FUCK YOU BOTH"
His mother pales, it becoming obvious that she's losing her strength.
"She must be sick to be with you!
Satoru rolls her over on her back so he can study those dull, hateful blue eyes. She glares as she continues to curse him and Elska, her words slowly becoming more unintelligent and broken.
"It must suck to be so fucking pathetic…"
Gojo giggles while brushing her hair from her eyes.
"And funny story, I can't believe I came from you either!"
He thinks back to all of the times she locked him inside of the closet, tied up with his blindfold for days at a time. The first he could remember; he must have been only 3 or 4 years old but that didn't stop them. She and her servants took pleasure in trying to break his spirit like Satoru had somehow been the cause for all of their strife.
"No child should act that way. It's like he doesn't have a heart! He's a mistake."
He would hear things like that constantly; they didn't even care if he knew.
The issue with this life battle however, is that with Elska Satoru has learned that he did have a heart but it was broken long before he knew any better to fix it.
He whispers to his mother as her eyes start to roll back.
"You may have never loved me but Elska does."
The thought of his love embracing him calms his soul immeasurably; his mother starts to choke due to her organs failing. He sighs with pseudo sympathy.
"Such a nasty way to go…I'm not as cruel as you think I am though…"
With these last words, Satoru sends his red energy into her chest, exploding her torso completely. He wipes the warm fluid from his skin and frowns at his clothes.
"Fuuuck. Well, that was a bad call."
But in all honestly, he truly didn't feel the need to make her agonize any longer. His freedom is enough.
'I'm finally fucking rid of that demon.'
To his surprise, Gojo's heart feels heavy in this moment and all he wants to do is to curl into Elska's arms, needing the security she provides for him. Mixed emotions rally in his chest, an overwhelming amount that locks him in his mind.
'My love…I just murdered my mother…'
Choso removes his hands from Peaches and is wondering if the man is even aware that he is able to speak again.
"You should be better now."
He suggests this but Peaches still doesn't even move an inch. Choso looks over to Satoru who's literally wearing his mother's flesh and swallows down some vomit as his stomach churns.
'Perhaps Peaches is stilled by fear?'
Choso isn't though so he gets to his feet and tip toes around the mess cherrying the white room.
"Hey…Satoru? Are you okay?"
Choso is definitely mortified by the manner of execution but knows that it wasn't likely a relationship that could have been mended. When Satoru looks up to him, Choso can see the slightest trace of sadness and questions if it's because he killed his mother or if the whole exchange between them opened some old wounds. At this point, he cares not to make assumptions since Gojo has proven to be such an enigma thus far.
The being thinks to use his observer technique again to check on the others since the room is stagnant with something he can't comprehend. What he finds in the window though cloaks him in regret and makes him scream.
"SATORU! WE HAVE TO GO NOW!"
Gojo runs over to see what has distressed Choso with fear swarming his dark heart. Upon bringing his eyes to the technique he's swept by terror and his energy naturally intensifies until it's swirling around them. With urgency, he grabs Choso's arm to teleport but feels like the universe is punishing him when his eyes again meet the fiery disaster shown in the window.
"How could I be so fucking stupid?!"