Chapter Text
~Megumi~
He’s weird.
Weird and tall.
To be honest Megumi hardly cared about what words this weird and tall man was spewing from his mouth. He sort of checked out after the first mention of his father, eventually attempting to dismiss the whole topic by letting the stranger know that he didn’t care what his father was doing right now. Even threw in the fact that he didn’t remember what the man even looked like in an effort to further his point of ‘I don’t care about the man who I share half my DNA with.’
“Wow..Are you really a first grader?” He heard the weird man mumble, although at this point Megumi had already turned around and started walking back towards the door to his house, glancing up to see his big sister, Tsumiki, standing out on the balcony to greet him. She smiled down at him with that beamingly bright grin of hers. He didn’t smile back. Smiling wasn’t his thing, it was hers.
Having previously been squatting down to be closer to eye level with Megumi, the tall man groaned as he stood to his full height. “Whatever, if you ever wanna know about your father, you can ask me. You might change your mind. I think it’ll be pretty interesting to hear.” He said as he stretched his enormously long limbs out over his head. “Now, to the point of me even being here. Your dad sent me because the clan he was born into, they’re called the Zenin, they are going to want you to join them soon. So I guess I’m just here to ask, what do you want to do? Do you want to go to the Zenin clan?”
Megumi stopped for a second before turning to look over his shoulder at the man. “If I go, will my sister be able to find happiness there too?”
“No. One hundred percent no.” If Megumi could see behind the man’s sunglasses he would assume he didn’t even blink when responding. He was completely sure of his answer. An answer Megumi was dreading.
He won’t be going. End of story. This strange man can go back to where he came from and leave him and his sister alone now that he spewed all this useless information about his dad and the Zenin and whatever else he said. He was now thoroughly pissed off. So he just turned back around without a word. Simply continued on to his front door, acting as if the man didn’t exist.
“I’m Satoru Gojo by the way.” The tall, weird man said with faux confidence. Megumi assumed it was supposed to come off as real confidence but that’s not how it sounded to him. He didn’t care enough to think any further about it though.
Megumi just continued walking down the alley towards his door, letting the man continue speaking at his back.
“So, have you seen any of the spookies around yet?” This ‘Gojo’ guy said. Megumi was really starting to hate this guy.
He stopped in his tracks and whipped his head around again. He stared daggers into this guy. What did he mean by ‘spookies’? He couldn’t be talking about the monsters, right? How would he know about them?
He still didn’t really know why this guy was here. To tell him that his dad was gone? He already knew that. He’s been gone for a while now. Or was he trying to tell him that he was gone gone? Whatever. That’s not his problem. It wasn’t like he was an actual dad to him anyway. It makes no difference to him if he is off having a luxurious vacation or if he is dead in a ditch somewhere. Not. His. Problem. Okay so this strange man came to say that his dad is probably dead and that now he could go to the place where his horrible father was born and if he went his sister would be miserable. How wonderful.
“Ya know, the creepies.” He held his arms out flat in front of himself and wiggled his fingers up and down in an effort to demonstrate said ‘creepiness’, Megumi guessed. It didn’t work. It just annoyed Megumi further. All the while Tsumiki is still standing out on the balcony watching this strange conversation take place.
Eventually after Megumi’s facial expression of annoyance with a hint of confusion never ceased, Gojo huffed out a childish sigh and rolled his eyes at the kid.
“The monsters, kid. I’m talking about the monsters that you can see and no one else can. Well not no one else, a lot of people can, including me.” He added on in his annoyingly over confident tone. “But I mean people like her and other normal people.” He pointed up at Tsumiki but didn’t bother looking at her or even addressing her properly.
That bothered Megumi. Who talks about someone who’s standing right in front of them without even saying ‘hello’, or in his case, without even introducing himself to her. And how the hell did he know about the monsters?
Prior to this Megumi was already irritated but now he definitely has had enough and thought ignoring the man and walking inside was probably the best course of action. He’s really not sure why this made him so angry but the second the man started after him saying “Hellooo?! Are you just going to ignore me??” Megumi spun fully around on his heels this time to face this weird, tall man. Gojo looked down at the boy waiting for a response to either one of his questions but Megumi stood silently for a few seconds, just staring at him.
Then Megumi stooped pretty low. Lower than he had in a while. He used his childishness to his advantage.
“STRANGER DANGER!!! STRANGER DANGER!!” He yelled it over and over again while putting effort into making his voice sound a touch higher than it usually is, adding to the effectiveness of this childish attack.
“Wait! What!?” Gojo threw his hands up in mock surrender. “Kid chill out, I’m not even doing anything!?” The man slowly backed up trying to get Megumi to stop yelling at the top of his lungs outside.
Once the tall, weird man took a few more long strides backwards, Megumi accepted his win and turned around again, silently walking back to his front door for probably the fifth time now.
Although it wasn’t his best work, he was tired and annoyed and just wanted to go inside and never think about this strange interaction again.
Gojo seemed to get the hint. He watched the boy walk up to the door and pull a little blue key out of his pocket. Gojo watched as Megumi had to stand up on the tips of his toes to reach the lock on the door. Turning the key and unlocking it so he could walk in.
Just at the last moment, Megumi stole a glance back at the man. Right before closing the door, Megumi saw the look. The look he hated. Just for a split second the man’s facial expression softened just a little to show the look that screamed ‘wow..he’s so much younger than he acts, how sad.’ He didn’t need pity. It didn’t fix anything.
So without being able to control the fact that he is now extremely mad, he slams the door and leaves the weird, tall man with that stupid look on his face behind it.
~Tsumiki~
He’s tall.
Tall and weird.
And sad. He looks really sad. He was so obviously trying to cover it up with his overconfident responses and the weird way he flailed around, but it all looks… fake.
What could have happened to make him so sad?
Tsumiki brushed that thought to the side because she was more worried about her little brother who just slammed the door in the man’s face.
What did he say his name was?
“Hey!” The tall, handsome man yelled up to her, breaking her from her train of thought.
“You're the kid's sister?” He looked up at her from the ground waiting for a response.
She stood up straighter before responding. “Yes, sir, he’s my little brother.”
“First off, please never call me ‘sir’ again. I’m only 17. I'm not some old geezer. Call me Gojo. Just Gojo.” He waved a dismissing hand like he was letting Tsumiki know that that was the end of that conversation.
“Second, are you sure you guys are brother and sister? He only mentioned one of you.” He says the last part mostly to himself.
“We don’t have the same dad. Or the same mom actually.” She paused for a second to think of how she should put it. Biting her lip nervously as she gained the confidence to strongly say. “But he’s still my brother, and you aren’t taking him anywhere he doesn’t want to go.”
The man laughed to himself for a second. “Look, you don’t have to worry. I'm not forcing him to go anywhere he doesn’t want to go and I’m not splitting you two up. I’m just here to make sure your little brother doesn’t get taken advantage of by the Zenin clan, that’s all.” He threw on a rehearsed, charming smile.
“Why?” She held a questioning glare. “Why do you care?”
The fake smile dropped off of Gojo’s face, like he suddenly realized he wasn’t talking to some dumb little kid. This girl means business.
“To be honest, I don’t particularly care. I guess you could say I have nothing better to do.” Tsumiki's eyes widened, taking in the true colors Gojo was easily letting show. “Look kid, I’m not here to be your stand in guardian or anything. Your brother,” He lazily threw his hand up, gesturing towards the door Megumi just walked through. “He’s got this gift.”
“The one that makes him see the monsters?”
Tsumiki has known about the monsters ever since they first started showing up maybe two years ago. Although, since she can’t see them, she didn’t really believe Megumi at first. Not when he said there was a giant purple jelly blob crying his name from the closet. Or when he said there were 10 pairs of eyeballs that blinked back at him under his bed. She just chalked it up to being a young, broken kid.
But then the nightmares started. Night terrors probably was the more appropriate term. He would wake up screaming and crying. By the time she would get to him he would be shoved up into the corner of his bed, against the wall, knees pulled up to his chest, eyes squeezed shut so hard it looked painful, sobbing uncontrollably. It would take hours for her to get him to calm down. Most nights, neither of them would even get to go back to sleep.
“Yeah, the thing that makes him see the monsters.” The answer to her question pulled her from her thoughts. “That techniqu- umm, I mean, that gift is very important to some extraordinary unpleasant people. So it’s not really that I care about you guys in particular… I just-”
“Want to make life difficult for the ‘extraordinary unpleasant’ people?” she used her fingers to make air quotes.
“Exactly.” He smiles again, rehearsed.
She thought about it for a second. And the longer she thought, the angrier she got. She never understood people who didn’t have the basic human instinct to look out for others. To care for people. No, he doesn’t need to go completely out of his way or anything for some stranger kids. But admitting to literally not caring about what happens to an innocent 6 year old boy. Admitting that he’s only doing this to piss some people off. Admitting that he’s doing this because he had nothing better to do. That made her mad. And she didn't easily succumb to anger. Her brain got all jumbled up with mean things to say but she honestly couldn’t put it into words so she opted to say this.
“You’re a useless human being.” And she started right into his sunglasses hoping her gaze pierced through them and into his soul.
Then turned around and became the second person to slam a door in the man’s face today.
~Gojo~
They were weird.
Tiny and weird.
I mean who did those kids think they were. They were lucky he came and told them about that stupid clan. What did they want from him? He doesn’t even know them. He did more than he even should have.
After now having two doors slammed in his face by those small annoyances, god he hates children, he let out a very non-childish scoff, rolled his eyes and walked away.
Whatever. He did it. It was over with.
‘Useless human being’
He laughed. He can’t wait to see the look of Suguru’s face when he hears that. The one and only, Satoru Gojo, being called a ‘useless human being’. He’ll think that’s so funny.
…
Right. Nevermind.
***
Useless human being.
Why on earth was that stupid insult still bouncing around in his head? An insult and random kid threw at him, of all people. Why was it bothering him?
Maybe because his whole life he’s been told the complete opposite and has been expected to be the strongest jujitsu sorcerer alive. Making him very much. Not. Useless.
He shoved his palms into his eyes until he saw colorful specks fly around behind his eyelids. He didn’t remove them until he heard the sound of his phone ringing from inside his backpack.
It’s been a week and 2 days and he still gets a pang of anxiety when his phone rings. Thinking that maybe… just maybe.
But it never was Suguru’s contact that came up. Why would it be? He chose to leave and now he’s gone. End of story.
It was Shoko though. She’s been calling every now and then. Clearly checking up on him.
“Hey.” He grumbled.
“Jesus Toru, you sound like shit.”
She checks up in her own way.
“Aw thanks… is that all?”
“Oh shut up. Did you eat anything today, you big mope?”
“Yes. Why? Do you want a play by play of all my meal times and activities I do in a day?” He snapped back. He doesn’t know why he responds like this all the time. The words just come out without warning.
There was a pause. Long enough to make Satoru check if she hung up on him.
“What did you eat?” There was a tinge of exhaustion in her words.
“What?”
“Tell me what you ate and I’ll leave you alone.” She stated. Lacking any type of sarcasm, which was unusual for her.
Satoru rolled his eyes, hoping she could feel that he did through the phone. “I’m not telling you what I ate today Shoko. I don’t have time for this right now, I gotta go-”
“There’s no use lying to me, Satoru.” She cut him off abruptly. Sighing and pausing to think before adding. “Look, it’s hard for me too. I get it. But you can’t not take care of yourself. If you want I can bring something over for you to eat and we can talk-”
“No.” It was Satoru’s turn to cut her off, although his response came out harsher than intended. He was like a ticking time bomb, he could feel it, and all the pent up emotions were leaking out at the worst times. He dragged his free hand down his face.
“No…thank you.” He said a little calmer. “I’ll run to the store and grab something to eat, okay? But I have to go, Shoko. I’ll call you later.”
This time the pause was even longer than the last but he knew she was still on the other end of the line. He knew she was hurting just as much as him and he knew he was making it harder for her. But it was the end of the day, and it was dark, and he’s been sitting here thinking for so long that his brain feels on fire with emotional friction.
He waits a few seconds longer for her response that never comes.
He sighs. “I’ll talk to you later Sho. Bye.” And he hangs up the phone.
He hopes he goes to hell.
He deserves it.
***
He doesn’t really remember getting up. Putting his shoes or his jacket on. But somehow he found himself standing outside a convenience store.
This store wasn’t necessarily the closest and most ‘convenient’ one to go to, but all things that were close and convenient seemed to bring back memories he didn’t really want to think about.
So he stood outside, debating on if he even really wants to go into the store because he wasn’t feeling too hungry. He hasn’t really felt hungry in a while.
But Shoko seemed adamant about it and he’s not dumb, he knows he needs to eat. He just really doesn't feel like it.
He’s still deep in his mental debate when a small girl strides out of the convenience store doors looking like she’s on a mission.
Wait a second, he knows that girl.
He’s never averted his eyes faster in his life. But apparently it just wasn’t fast enough.
“Hey there, ‘Just Gojo’.” The girl says.
~Tsumiki~
He looks even worse than he did a few hours ago. She almost feels bad for him. Almost. He looks even more sad than earlier too. Maybe it’s because of what she said to him.
He’s out of his school uniform, it being replaced by some sweatpants and a zip up jacket. His stark white hair is even messier than it was before. His sunglasses are still on though, even though it’s nearly nine o’clock and the sun had completely set.
“How can you even see with those on?” She adds even though he never responded to her greeting. What’s with this guy and lacking on the greetings?
Her question must of sprung him back into the moment, sort of, because he responds.
“Huh?” He answers dazed. Tiredly might be the right word.
Tsumiki points to her own eyes and say, “your sunglasses, it’s so dark. How can you even see?”
Now a few hours ago she was really mad at him, but she tries not to dwell on things. And if she’s being honest, he does look so sad. She feels bad for him even if she doesn’t want to.
“I’m used to them.” He grumbles back, looking uncomfortable now.
Tsumiki sighs. “Sorry for calling you useless today.” It comes out sorta rushed and she can’t make eye contact while apologizing. She doesn't completely mean it yet. But he really does seem like he’s even sadder than he was earlier and the thought that she could be the reason. Her words could have made someone so sad, is eating at her with every second she stands here.
He laughs. Not a super loud or obnoxious laugh or anything. It could be classified as more of a scoff maybe. But he does it all the same and it makes Tsumiki look up at the tall man just before he lowers himself into a squat so they could be eye level.
“I wasn’t really the nicest today so I kind of deserved it. I’m sorry too.”
He smiles at her. Small and sad.
That was not what she expected. Something about the way he lowered himself to her level before apologizing made it feel sincere. Like he wasn’t speaking down at her like all adults do whether they mean to or not.
She thinks that’s probably why she did what she did next.
“Here.” She reached deep into the paper bag she was holding and pulled out an apple. She extends her tiny hand out in front of her and offers it to the man. She sees the hint of confusion that spreads across his face as he looks at the small, green apple so she adds.
“Megumi loves apples so whenever he’s sad I get some from the store to make him feel a little better.” Suddenly she’s feeling a little embarrassed and has to look away when she says. “You looked like you might have needed one too.”
He stays there, frozen, until suddenly the man quickly clears his throat and shoots back up into his full height.
“It’s getting really dark out, you should probably head back home, kid.” He’s looking anywhere but at her with her arm still extended out and an apple in her hand.
He clears his throat again and rubs a sleeve under his nose. As he’s about to step away she steps forward and shoves the apple into his jacket packet.
“Just take it.” She mutters and stomps away towards home.
***
“I’m hooome!” Tsumiki yelled as she came through the door. Megumi was still doing his homework on the kitchen table where she left him.
“Guess what I got.” She said to her brother with a mischievous grin as she pulled a small green apple out the bag she just placed on the counter. She waved it in the air in excitement. “They had the green ones today!”
Megumi just stared at her. “I’m not sad.” He stated. “You don’t have to waste your money on apples cause you think I’m sad.”
She sighed. Why does he have to act like such a grumpy old man all the time? “It’s not a waste, first of all, they are good for you. Second, I had a little extra money from yesterday since I upped my prices so it’s fine, here.” She put the apple down in front of him.
He stared at the apple and without taking his eyes off it he asked, “you upped your prices? Tsumiki, if you get caught you're going to get kicked out ya know.”
“I’m not going to get caught. Besides, what else are we supposed to do, starve? We aren’t old enough to get jobs. We live in our abandoned childhood home just hoping no one finds out. So what if I get a few rich kids to pay me to do their homework, who cares. We are fine. Now eat your apple.”
“Where’s yours? If we are so rich with money then why didn’t you buy your own apple too.”
Tsumiki let out a sigh as she sat down at the mismatched kitchen table chair across from her clearly upset brother.
“I was just trying to be nice, Megumi.”
~Megumi~
Damn it. He made her upset.
Why did he always go too far? She’s the only person he loves and trusts in this world. He needs to get it together. He is the man of the house after all.
He couldn’t say anything to fix it though. He really never said the right thing. The only reason he said those mean things was because he’s actually worried about her but whenever he tries to express what he’s feeling someone always takes it the wrong way. Or maybe he always expresses it the wrong way. Who knows.
Whatever. Tsumiki always said. Actions speak louder than words, and doing stuff right is so much easier than saying stuff right.
So he got up and grabbed the apple off the table and walked over to the kitchen counter to grab a knife. Being careful to avoid his fingers, he sliced the fruit right down the middle.
“Here.” He extended a half out to his sister. He looked her In the eyes and hoped she did what she always did. Read his mind.
That was her superpower, he realized this at a young age. His super power was seeing monsters and hers was reading minds. She’s specifically good at reading his though. Maybe cause they spend so much time together.
It was easier that way. He always had a hard time explaining what he was feeling so it helped that she just always… knew.
So he looked into his sister's eyes as he handed her the other half of the apple she bought him and prayed she knew what he was thinking. And like always, she did.
“I know you're just worried about me, Megumi.”
Check.
“And you didn’t mean to be mean.”
Check.
“And you're sorry.”
Double check.
She raises an eyebrow as she says those words as if she’s waiting for him to agree. Which he obviously does with a slight nod of his head.
It’s easier to agree to the things you feel instead of explaining them yourself.
However it is Tsumiki. And if there’s anyone in the world he could safely express his feelings to, it’s her. Actually, she’s the only one he ever expressed his feelings too. It’s still hard to do sometimes, and for some reason it’s always hard to get it started but once he does… It's like it all pours out and one big brain jumble and he can’t stop it. He hates that feeling. Luckily it only happens with her though.
Plus, he knows he can’t always rely on her mind reading abilities. So if only to make sure she doesn’t over use her powers and tire herself out he adds.
“I’m sorry. Um, and thanks for the apple. You were right, I was feeling a little… weird.”
Weird is easier to say than sad.
“That guy was just. Weird. And annoying. And pissed me off-”
“Hey.” She gives him a look.
“Sorry. He made me mad.” He corrects himself.
“He made me mad too. But I think he might just be kinda sad.” She took her half of the apple and tapped it against Megumi’s half in a little cheers motion before taking a bite.
“What do you mean? He wasn’t sad, he was just a big old jerk.” Why does Tsumiki have to try to see the best in people. Some people just suck. End of story.
“Well,-”
Here comes the life lesson.
“You know how you were just mean to me even though you were actually feeling sad.”
“I wasn’t feeling sad.” He stated plainly. But her eyes bore into his head and pulled out what he was really feeling. She wouldn’t use it against him though. She just gave him a look that she knew he wasn’t telling the truth. And he expected defeat.
She must have read that guy's mind too and found out he wasn’t telling the truth just like she did to him.
“Fine.” He took a big bite of his apple and sat back down at the other end of the table.
“He was still a weirdo.” He adds if only out of childish spite.
“That we can definitely agree on.” She smiled back and they both laughed.
“Weird day.” Megumi sighed as he went back to his homework.
“Weird day indeed.” Tsumiki agreed.