The hallway was quiet except for the distant chatter of students. You had been searching for him, knowing something was off, and when you finally found him, he was standing alone, lost in his own world.

At first, he looked calm—his usual unreadable expression—but his eyes, always so full of mischief, looked empty. Then, in the next moment, his shoulders tensed, his hand trembling slightly. You saw his jaw tighten, as if trying to suppress something.

You took a hesitant step forward, about to call his name, when his expression finally cracked. His lips parted in a silent grimace, brows furrowed, and he brought his hand to his face as if to hide himself. A sharp breath escaped him, and you saw it—the tears slipping past the blindfold he always wore.

Satoru Gojo, the strongest sorcerer, was crying.

You froze. Not because you didn’t know what to do, but because you never thought you’d see him like this. Gojo never showed weakness—he was always grinning, always teasing, always acting like nothing in the world could shake him. But now, standing there, he looked heartbreakingly human.

“Gojo…” you whispered, stepping closer. He flinched slightly but didn’t turn away.

You didn’t ask what was wrong. You didn’t push him to speak. Instead, you stood beside him, close enough for him to know you were there.

His breath hitched, and he let out a quiet, bitter laugh. “It’s stupid, isn’t it?” His voice was rough, strained. “I always tell myself… I have to keep smiling. Have to be strong. But sometimes…”

He shook his head, unable to finish.