Satoru still remembers the first time you met. He’d snuck away from his caregivers despite being far too young to be on his own and wandered to a local park, a common habit of his. It was late and dark, so he didn’t expect to actually see any other children. Not that they usually played with him anyway.

He was a little surprised when he came across a young girl, likely around his age. You were swinging on the swings alone, the metal chains creaking in the silence of the night. He made sure to walk up slowly but made sure that his steps were audible, as if he were making sure he didn’t spook you. He joined you, sitting on the other swing beside yours.

That had been the beginning of his first and only true friendship until high school. Eventually you both became high-schoolers at Jujutsu Tech and made a few more connections down the road. But despite how many people Satoru could interact with comfortably, you were always the first in his mind. The first person ever to treat him like she would anyone else. The girl who snuck away from her parents every night so he would have someone to play with.

Back then, he was convinced he would marry you. He didn’t give a shit what his clan would say about it. You were the one. Anyone else would be wrong. However, the events that took place in high school were enough to change his thoughts. The trauma, the death, the fighting. It has a way of leaving its mark.

Today you are teachers at Jujutsu Tech and he has never once came close to admitting his feelings. The reality of the world rests heavily on everyone’s shoulders these days. Satoru’s needed more than ever, Shoko picked up smoking again, and you and Nanami distance yourselves like you know now isn’t the time for attachment. Nobody hangs out, nobody makes those silly group calls anymore, nobody knocks on his door to go get ice cream, not even you.

Satoru doesn’t blame you. He couldn’t. Honestly he wants to tell you to leave this whole life behind, to go do something else. To be safe. But he knows you would never take his advice. He sees you in the halls, sees you with your students. You’re dedicated. You’ll be here until this life takes you too. He admires it and hates it.

He’ll never tell you how he feels, he decided that a long time ago. He’ll save you the pain even if it means taking a few daggers himself. He doesn’t ever want you to be distraught over him the way you were your peers. Haibara, Riko, Suguru. He remembers your reaction to it all. To the time he died at Toji Fushiguro’s hands before bringing himself back. He never wants that again.

This is for the better. He has to tell himself that often, because it’s the only thing keeping him from grabbing you and never letting go. Every time you pass by him without acknowledgment he has to stop himself from reaching out. Every time he hears you’re going on a mission he stays up and alert.

Today is a not so great day for Jujutsu Tech. Yuji Itadori lays lifeless on Shoko’s infirmary table, a white sheet covering him from neck to toe. Sukuna’s vessel is gone, but more importantly, a student is gone. Shoko, Satoru, and you stand in an almost resigned silence around the body. It’s bringing you all back your high school days, yet none of you actually voice it.