Where Did I Go Wrong | Gojo Satoru x Reader | Old Beats AU

Chapter 1

You get enough violence every day, you add mentally.

You really have to quit smoking.

You don't even know when the habit started—just that, for a while, it was the only thing that could calm a feral kind of anxiety. You've been trying to quit for years. You always relapse.

You let the smoke fill your lungs and exhale slowly, enjoying the burn in your throat. You picture the gray smoke curling inside you. Disgusting. Comforting. Life sucks.

Too bad no one in the temple can use reverse cursed energy. Then you could smoke all you wanted. If only you could see Shoko once a month—she could...

"Ouch!"

You took too long a drag and the cigarette burned your fingers. You shake your hand, trying to ease the sting. Serves you right for getting distracted. Damn intrusive thoughts.

You've already dropped the twins off at the mall cinema, so you've got about two and a half hours to kill. You look at the nearby map and decide to check out the observation deck at the top of a nearby hill. The cable car entrance is right next to the mall—perfect. You'll be back in time to pick them up.

The cable car cabin is spacious, with two metal benches facing each other. You lean back against the glass wall and let the cold seep into you. Quiet. Peaceful. You could actually relax a little like this...

Someone jumps into the cabin hard enough to make it shake.

"I win!" a m̶o̶n̶k̶e̶y̶ kid yells.

He bursts out laughing, and you have to stop yourself from ending it right there. Your peace slips through your fingers as two more m̶o̶n̶k̶e̶y̶ kids pile in after him.

"You were the only one racing, Itadori," says the first one, rolling his eyes.

He's got dark hair that spikes up. He reminds you of someone, but that's impossible. You don't know anyone outside the temple—especially not a teenage monkey. Ha. This time, you didn't even have to correct yourself.

"Where's sensei?" Itadori asks.

The girl checks her phone and clicks her tongue.

"He'll be late. As usual." She drops onto the bench opposite you, then looks up and freezes when she sees you.

The cable car doors slam shut. You try to soften your expression. It's a small space—you don't want to look threatening. Kids their age can be dangerous.

"Don't mind them," the girl says, motioning at the boys. "They're like animals."

You don't say.

"Don't lump me in with him," the dark-haired one protests.

The other one's pressed his hands and forehead against the glass, letting out sounds of awe as the cabin climbs.

"He's unbearable," the girl mutters.

She's not talking about Itadori—she means the sensei. They must be from a local school, but it's Saturday afternoon. What kind of adult meets with students on a Saturday? You remind yourself it's none of your business. You wish you'd remembered your headphones.

"Hope he gets me a souvenir at the summit shop. To make up for this."

"It's a nature park. I doubt there's a souvenir shop," says the dark-haired one. "What's he going to do, just show up up there?"

"No idea, Megumi," she replies.

Megumi? That name—and on a boy... No way. The Megumi you knew was a child. Then again, it has been a while. He could've grown up. But it can't be him. Can it?