𝑹𝑬𝑨𝑳𝑴 𝑶𝑭 𝑺𝑯𝑨𝑫𝑶𝑾𝑺 ⇢ Gojo Satoru

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐗𝐈 - 𝐆𝐎𝐎𝐃 𝐆𝐈𝐑𝐋𝐒 𝐃𝐎𝐍'𝐓 𝐂𝐑𝐘

LUNCH WAS AN ENTIRELY DULL AFFAIR, yet Kinzoku Mikazuki enjoyed every second of it. Partly, because it had a been long time since she and Ieiri had the opportunity to talk for hours, completely uninterrupted. But, mainly, it was because seeing the happiness radiating off from Shoko's face was probably the closest to heaven Mikazuki would ever get. Shoko deserved to be happy, to ride off into the sunset with the love of her life and have white picket fence ending. It was the sort of thing they both used to look forward, but things were different now.

Shoko got her fairy-tale ending, but for Mikazuki, a darker fate awaited.

The sorceress wasn't a naïve little girl anymore, Mikazuki knew she had forsaken the happy ending the day she decided to embark on a crusade born of revenge and retribution. She didn't mourn the choice, though. What was the quote, again? Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves. Confucius was the one who came up with that one, but Mikazuki was certain that she would probably need more than two measly graves for what she had planned.

An entire catacomb, in fact.

So, for the entirety of their lunch and while Mikazuki nibbled on her well-done wagyu beef, she let her friend go on a rant; from wedding dresses to the venue, rings and flower arrangements. It was a world the sorceress used to dream about, but now she dreaded the day nearly as much as she did death, though maybe they weren't so different.

She used to dream of marrying Gojo Satoru – for many years, he was the only man she could ever imagine spending the rest of her life, now he was just another nightmare crawling in the back of her head. Instead of marrying him, she would have to do the clan's bidding, tying her fate to a complete stranger. Maybe it was better this way.

"– and we reserved a hotel for the reception, but the ceremony is going to be at the Felice Garden" Shoko droned on, stuffing her face with the fine paste before chugging down the entirety of her wine glass "it's all going to look so pretty with the fallen leaves and the flowers, but I still have to get the bouquet. Anna's dress matches the venue perfectly, so at least she's already set. She'll be wearing her mother's gown, it's all pretty and lacey"

Mikazuki nodded, completely overwhelmed by the constant flow of information.

"That's great" she said, a pliant smile playing on her lips as she pushed the empty plate away "when is the wedding supposed to be, anyway?"

These days, it felt like there were events at the end of each week. Between birthdays, missions, clan meetings and other appointments, Mikazuki had her fill of social interaction. Shoko's expression softened at the question, almost as if she could read her friend's mind. The doctor paused, her brown eyes falling in the cuts and bites still visible across the sorceress' skin. The wounds were healing slowly, and although Mikazuki had done her best to try and hide them under her sleeves, it was hard to do so with the summer heat.

"October 22nd" Shoko announced, putting away her own plate as her gaze fell on the injures once again "I see the wounds are much better now, how are your ribs healing?"

The woman knew Mikazuki had no intention to discuss the matter, but Shoko was a doctor first and friend second. The sorceress must have known it too, as she let out a heavy sigh and pulled up the rest of her sleeve, turning her arm so Shoko could take a look.

"The cuts are healing nicely, the rats didn't have any venom so it's not giving me much trouble" Mikazuki confessed, pulling back and lifting the side of her shirt to expose part of her midsection.

The bruise was almost completely gone, but the pain lingered. Thankfully, despite Ninkilim's attempts, Mikazuki hadn't actually broken any of her ribs, meaning she would be back in the field by the end of the week.