Chapter Text
Shoko looks out of place, standing outside the elementary school alongside other adults.
She stands there in a black crop top that showcases her belly button piercing, baggy black pants and high heeled boots, lab coat discarded the moment she left her office. Her new silver septum piercing is in place, and like usual her eye make-up is dark with red lip gloss to top it all off.
It’s not the most weather-suitable outfit for mid-July, but it’s what she’s comfortable in. Plus the earlier forecast was a lot milder. It wasn’t until she reached the school that the temperature started to rise exponentially, causing sweat to cling to her back as she waits for the bell.
She taps her foot, indifferent towards stares she receives. She seems like a delinquent and she knows it, and frankly their opinions don’t matter. It doesn’t deter her in the slightest. She does have enough courtesy to not smoke, at least. Utahime was adamant that she cut back on that habit. Shoko didn’t want the kids to grow used to the smoke either, so she’d much rather do it away from them, lest Suguru reprimands her again.
She spots a familiar face amongst a group of kids exiting the school.
Tsumiki waves at her from afar. Her peach-orange sundress flutters as she rushes towards her. It was a gift from Satoru, and now her favourite dress.
Shoko places a hand on her back as she receives a hug. She bends down to feel the weight of small arms around her shoulders and says, “Hey, Tsumiki,” her own way of saying it’s nice to see you too.
“Shoko!” Tsumiki says. She pulls away and beams. “Where’s Gojo and Geto?”
“They’re both at a meeting. Utahime’s there too since she came to Tokyo this morning,” She replies, rising and placing a hand on her head. “Are the others not out yet?”
“They’ll be here soon since we finish at the same time,” says Tsumiki, rocking on the balls of her feet. “Can we please go to the park later?”
“Sure.” It’s a nice day and she doesn't want to coop them indoors. “Let’s wait for the others first, and then we can buy ice cream at the store.” Remembering some words from Geto , Shoko adds, “We’ll grab some sunscreen and hats from your house too.”
“You didn’t forget it this time,” Tsumiki notes.
Ouch. Her habit of avoidance is to blame, probably.
Tsumiki points a finger forward. “Oh, there’s everyone else.”
Megumi is in the middle, leading the other two out of the building as they all hold hands. He nods in acknowledgment when he sees them.
Mimiko faces the ground. Her face is blotchy and she has scrapes on her knees. She holds her favourite plushy tightly, and Shoko can see that the toy has been roughed up. Nanako perks up as she sees them, skipping forward and tugging Megumi’s hand.
“What happened to you?” Shoko asks, kneeling down to look for any other sources of drained energy. Injuries, as they call it.
“She fell and dropped her plushy,” Megumi says.
Mimiko sniffles and looks away.
“Come closer so I can use my technique,” Shoko urges, reaching a hand out.
Mimiko moves forward and allows her to touch her knees. The wounds mend in an instant and the child gasps softly. It’s not the first time Shoko has healed her, but the child's awe never seemed to fade. Mimiko peers through her wet lashes and smiles.
“Thank you,” Mimiko says quietly.
Shoko stands up, satisfied. “No problem. Do you three want ice cream as well? We’re going to the store, and then to the house. Afterwards we’re going to the park.”
“Yes please!” Nanako says. The other two nod in agreement.
Shoko turns around after reaching for the twins’ hands. She gestures with her head. “Tsumiki and Megumi, you two walk in front of us.”
The children oblige. Shoko finds that she doesn’t have to do much adulting at all with those two in particular. They were more independent than the twins. Yet for all her lethargy, Shoko doesn’t consider allowing them to navigate the streets alone. Moments of her own youth rear back to remind her of what ghost-like adult figures, faceless and out of reach, can do to a child. It’s enough to make her act. Strolling on the pavement, slightly out of place.
They head to the konbini on the way to their house. The air conditioning in the store is a welcome sensation to combat the summer heat, working well alongside the ice cream to stop Shoko from melting into a puddle on the floor.
Their excitement is almost contagious as they eat their ice cream in the living room, whilst Shoko rummages through the bathroom cabinet, guided by Tsumiki’s instruction.
She changes into a pair of loose, black shorts from Geto’s closet and some flip-flops, before handing the kids their frog-themed bucket hats, an impulsive gift from Gojo. He gushed about it for weeks and for good reason too. The kids look adorable. Megumi’s hat is green whilst Tsumiki’s is khaki. Mimiko has a white hat whilst Nanako’s is black, contrasting their hair colors.
They raid the kitchen to stuff a beach bag full of water bottles and snacks. Along with Tsumiki, Shoko sprays everyone with sunscreen, including themselves, before the children skip to the nearest park, practically running. Even Mimiko and Megumi hasten their pace to keep up, despite their usual passivity.
“I’m gonna nap in the shade. Just wake me up if you need anything. I have everything in this bag, so take something if you want it,” she tells them, gesturing towards a nearby tree with plenty of shade.
“Okay! I’ll look after everyone,” Tsumiki says.
That’s her job, Shoko wants to add. But she and Nanako usher the other two towards a pair of swings before she gathers the energy to speak. They start running before a word comes out. Mimiko and Megumi trail after them silently.
Already on low-battery mode, Shoko lies down near the tree trunk, away from the blazing sun. She reaches into the bag and opens a can of beer, relishing at the familiar hissing sound it makes. Distant squeaks, squeals and barks can be heard in the background as she closes her eyes.
Truly, she’s grateful that a rare afternoon-off had entered her life. There are worse things out there than babysitting whilst her two best friends are in a meeting with the higher-ups. They’re probably annoying them. If only Shoko could see their angry, wrinkled faces.
Approaching footsteps rouse her from her musings, and she slightly lifts her head in surprise.
“Megumi?” her voice sounds more irritated than usual, oops. “You need something?”
Megumi looks at her blankly and sits down. Two puppies wriggle in his grasp. The black one shakes his hat around in their jaw. “I want to sleep too.”
There’s a considerable distance between them, which scratches a part of her brain, the part which stores memories. Shoko vaguely remembers her highschool days. Geto and Gojo would nap next to her too, except they weren’t so keen on distance. Especially Gojo, who curled on their laps like a massive, white cat with too-expensive sunglasses. Afternoons spent dozing off with her boys and Utahime have accustomed Shoko to physical touch, and now sleeping wasn’t quite the same without it.
Still, Shoko isn’t trashy like Gojo. She wouldn’t push it if Megumi refuses.
“Use me as a pillow if you want.” She drops her head to the ground, covering her face with a sun hat of her own.
The grass rustles as he scoots closer. Fur tickles her thigh. Their knees barely brush. A high-pitched whimper escapes as the puppies settle down.
No response follows her offer. And she takes this as a sign to mind her own business, before easing into the best sleep she’s had in countless nights.
The dreamscape she's in is hardly any different than the school grounds. She can’t distinguish any faces. That’s the weird thing about dreams, she supposes.
Voices speak. The higher-ups. Of course it’s the fucking higher-ups. Only their words can sneak a hand around her heart and squeeze until there’s nothing left. (Not like there ever was something there, for a long time, at least)
”Geto Suguru is on the run. He is to be executed on sight.”
Pressure is there again, in a death grip around her heart, as Gojo carries a familiar body into the morgue. The sheet on the corpse is off. Cigarette smoke turns her lungs to ash. A rainforest dried up.
“Gojo Satoru has been sealed and is permanently exiled from the sorcery world.”
Her circulation stops. The hand is no more than a skeleton, yet it squeezes relentlessly, until her body gives out.
Shoko regains consciousness with a dry mouth and cold legs. Goosebumps erupt on her skin despite the heat; symptoms of her nightmare.
Megumi is close by, glaring at something ahead. He must’ve curled closer during their sleep. His hip rests against her own in lieu of the previous gap between them. A white tail tickles her chest. The puppies yip at their owner's distress.
She realises with a small jolt that Utahime is there too, sitting at her right side, dressed in a white blouse, denim shorts, and a cap. A complete contrast to Shoko’s dark color scheme.
Utahime’s glaring at Gojo. Meaning her two friends must’ve arrived too. It explains the sudden noise and disruption of her peace.
“Why the long face, Megumi?” Gojo coos. “You looked so peaceful cuddling with Shoko. You even had your frog hat with you! I just had to take a picture!”
“It’s rude to take a picture of someone without their permission,” Utahime whispers heatedly. “Can’t you let them sleep without disturbing them? Hide behind me if you’d like, Megumi.”
Megumi stands up. His hair sticks out like it’s been rubbed by a balloon. The puppies are growling at his feet. The hat crumples in his grasp.
“Delete that,” he says to Gojo.
“Blegh! My phone, my rules!”
Utahime puts a finger to her mouth. “Shhhh. She’s sleeping.”
Shoko sits up and Utahime wraps an arm around her, smiling softly.
“Oh! How’re you feeling? I hope that idiot didn’t wake you up.”
She blinks her eyes until her vision starts to focus again. “I’m fine. Just a little thirsty, and I woke up by myself. I thought the meeting didn’t end until this evening.” She grabs the can by her feet, only for it to scrunch under her hand, already empty.
Bottled water and an icy can of beer land in Shoko’s lap. She glances at Gojo and then to Utahime, who regards her expectantly.
“Gojo and Geto kept disrespecting the elders, so they called it off early and told us to leave,” Utahime explains with half mirth, half disdain. “Drink your water now. You need it during the summer.”
“You shouldn’t drink alcohol around the kids, Shoko. But I’ll allow it this time since you babysat for us.” Gojo chides. He’s crouching now, attempting to put the frog hat back onto Megumi, who ducks away from every attempt. The puppies dart around their legs, causing Gojo to chuckle and Megumi’s frown to soften.
Megumi darts under Gojo’s arm and runs off towards his sisters. Geto is with the girls, hovering between Nanako and Mimiko as they hang from the monkey bars. Tsumiki is beside him, cheering the twins on.
Gojo shoots them one last glance before darting after Megumi, waving the hat in his hand.
“Everyone, let’s take some pictures!”
Distant groans and barks drift over to Shoko and Utahime, who are now left alone.
Utahime unscrews the bottle and holds it in front of her. “Here. Your lips are cracking.”
Shoko takes the bottle and nearly drops it with her weak grasp.
“Oh! Careful,” Utahime says, lifting the bottle to Shoko’s lips.
She drinks gratefully, eyes nearly flitting shut again. Utahime wipes her lip with a thumb once she’s done. She leans against Shoko, sighing, and she accepts that touch. Warmth floods back into her body as they relax together.
“Thank you, Utahime.” She opens the beer and offers her the can.
“No problem.” she sips before asking, “Are you okay?”
Shoko gulps the drink down as well. “Yeah. I had a nightmare, that’s all.”
“Really? Do you want to talk about it?”
“Mmm,” she shifts closer, and Utahime embraces her fully. Shoko sighs. Slightly shaky. A little uneven.
“I dreamed that Suguru died and Satoru became a criminal. Well, both of them were criminals. The elders declared them as traitors.”
She wants to add more, but with each passing second, her recollection fades. Like the remnants of smoke inside her chest, it recedes into nothing.
Utahime is silent for a few seconds. “Wow. It sounds just like those idiots!”
Shoko presses the can to her cheek, refreshing to the touch. “Hah! You’re right. I dunno if they’d be that stupid. I mean, the kids are still alive somehow. I dunno how they managed it though.”
“Exactly! Especially the girls. God, can you imagine them when they grow up? No delicacy towards women whatsoever...” Utahime rambles on, her eyebrows pinching and a laugh bubbling out of her mouth. Sunlight peeks through the tree branches and bathes her skin in a golden glow. Her scar is almost translucent. Not that it matters, she’s pretty either way.
Their moment is interrupted by everyone else approaching them, walking out of the sun and into the shade. Shoko gives them a once-over with her chin resting on Utahime’s shoulder.
The children and adults are wearing their designated frog bucket hats. Gojo’s wearing a blue one that matches his eyes. Geto’s hat matches his orange hawaiian shirt in color. His hair has been loosely braided over his shoulder.
“Yo! It’s the aunties! Hope you like the beer. Ask Satoru if you want more,” Geto remarks. The twins giggle as they hang off his arms like monkeys on a branch.
“You’re gossiping about us, aren’t you?” Gojo grins as they close in on them. Tsumiki holds his hand with a smile whilst Megumi holds Gojo’s pinky. The boy looks to the side, appearing to be irritated. They nearly fall over from the force of his stride.
Utahime bristles. Her hold around Shoko loosens as she spares them a glare. “Tch! If anyone’s gossiping it’s you two!”
Shoko’s eyes drift to the phone Gojo holds with his four unoccupied fingers. “You want me to take a picture.”
“Correct! Now take my phone before Megumi runs off again. Hurry! He tends to get moody.”
Megumi frowns. A smear of sun cream sits atop his nose, probably Tsumiki’s doing, otherwise it would’ve been rubbed off.
“I’m not moody. Stop making things up.”
“I would never!”
“C’mon, Satoru. Leave the kid alone.” Geto’s tone isn’t serious. Amused even. Their antics never seem to stop, even when playing the role of ‘responsible parents’.
Shoko drops her arms from Utahime’s neck. “You owe me more drinks later on. I bought them ice cream at the store.” She stands and takes the phone, angling it towards their family. She waves a hand as an indication for them to step backwards.
“Yeah sure. Oh actually, just let Utahime take the picture so you can join too. If anyone else is around to hold my phone, she can be in it too, I guess,” Gojo suggests.
“Disrespectful as ever,” Utahime snaps. She takes the phone from Shoko’s hand and gestures for her to join them.
Shoko walks forward, until she's situated next to Geto just outside the shade. Mimiko peers up at her before holding her hand. Warmth shoots up from her enveloped hand and blossoms throughout her whole body.
“Are those my shorts? They’re way too long on you, ” Geto says, eyeing her legs. He’s far past the point of reminding her to leave her own clothes at their house.
“I’m wearing them and I’m not getting changed,” she shrugs. She glances at the fabric that extends past her knee. He is right, and she is still going to borrow from their closet.
“Stand a little closer!” Utahime instructs. “Closer than that… yeah! You’re all in the frame now. Smile, everyone!”
They smile and then laugh as Megumi’s dogs leap out of his arms to run around. A cool breeze sweeps past them as Gojo and Geto crowd over the phone to see the end results.
Shoko grins, genuine and unafraid. Her body sways ever so slightly like the uncut grass below her feet. The wind is strong, but Shoko stands her ground. This time, she doesn’t allow herself to get swept up in its course. She feels aligned with the blooming plants and cloudless sky. It can’t be because of the alcohol. Alcohol has never filled her with this feeling. As if butterflies flutter against her sternum, ticklish enough to make her snort.
Utahime leans against her and they admire the midsummer scenery together. Their hands find each other. Utahime appears scenic amongst nature, a daydream made flesh.
“Agh! The puppies are eating the snacks!” Nanako shouts.
A giggle erupts from their mouths, eyes shining as they share a look.
The family behind them continues their ruckus, and there’s something about this moment that feels right. They turn around to face them, hands still joined.
If this, too, is a dream, Shoko wishes to never wake up.
Her heart settles into a steady melody, still alive, still beating.