Chapter Text
Beep Beep
The generic iphone alarm triggers your brain to a drowsy waking much to your eye lid's despise. Almost like a ritual, the sound marks the start of your tiring day. You lift your head, which bore the weight of a bowling ball, and lazily flicked off your thick, warm and inviting blanket.
As you rubbed your eyes, your foot patted around the ground in search for the airy fluffy pinks dn purple slippers.
“Ah.” A deep male voice groans. At first, you thought you hallucinated that, but then you looked down, eyes adjusting to the morning light before finding out that one of your foot is stepping on something hard, and it wasn’t the ground.
“Ahh, my stomach.” Gojo's strained voice fakes his death with his hand over his forehead like a damsel in distress. He coughs out "You’re the first girl to step on me.”
Your neurons connect, zapping your body to life.
“Oh my god! I am so sorry!” Your delayed awareness led to an uncomfortable awkward silence when finally lift your foot off the warm, firm surface of his abs. You kneel to his side and ask “Are you okay? I am so sorry, I forgot I laid your futon next to my bed!” Your hands fly over to the spot you stepped on, looking for a bruise or a dent of some kind on his perfect body. He did a better job than any alarm clock could do at waking you up.
“It's fine.” He chuckles, propping himself up on one arm. “Gotta say, I don’t think I’m that into being stepped on.”
“Sorry sorry! I wasn’t really awake!” Your hands clapped together in a praying motion as an apology to the poor man whose dark rings evidently showed under the morning sunlight that glittered over his pale complexion. Such a handsome man. You could imagine your mother shoving overly nutritious food down his throat until his abs morph into a healthy layer of fat and his cheeks completely chub out round and plump. You could not let your beloved mother get her paws on this stray cat.
“I’m okay, I’m not made of sand; I’m not going to melt away from being stepped on by someone as light as you.” He lifts the blanket that barely covered his legs at night, proceeding like nothing happened. “Can't believe you forgot about me though. Very offended.” Gojo's pout doesn't suit his passport age or his humongous size. If your mother had him under her litter, he'd be the most loved of them all. You could imagine your mother ignoring you for a man like Gojo if he were her kid. All the Easter eggs would go to his basket.
“Sorry” you whine again, eyes looking down at his dirty black pants and tiny Hello Kitty slippers that you pulled out whenever your friends crashed over. “I’ll buy you some clothes to wear after work?”
“Trust redeemed! That would be great. I have a feeling I’ll be here for a while.” He rolls his head back until cracks popped in his neck, he yawns revealing his perfect teeth as your eyes trail down to his prominent Adams apple. It was a bulging moving thing that bobs up and down as he swallows, and something about it was quite sensual.
“Have you fallen for me?” He smiles widely. You snap out of your fixated stare at his throat, eyes swerving on thin ice, gliding across his face to his sharp jawline trying to find an excuse.
“I never noticed you had dimples.” You spill out, eyes now targeted on the side of his cheeks as a crimson tide sweeps over his face. He quickly covers his complexion with a large hand before he kindly reminds you that you had work.
“Oh, right!” You gallop down the stairs to fix a quick breakfast for two. “I’ll be at work today, I end at 6 pm. Bread?”
“Where do you work?” He lets out another lazy yawn as he plops down in the dining slouched over the table. “Do you have strawberry jam?”
“I work at a jewellery store as a salesperson, we specialize in colourful gems and luxury stones. Technically, I am part franchise owner. It's owned by three people which two are out of the country and run other businesses, so I’m the one who manages the Shibuya store most.” You set a half-used strawberry jam on the table, along with a vintage butter knife and two azure rimmed plates. It's the first time you actually used two plates, the set finally got some more action than sitting at the back of the cupboard gathering dust; in fact, you almost forgot to grab another plate on your way out.
“Oh, lovely! You must be rich, then. With all those gems.” Gojo doesn’t fail to make himself at home, munching on the bread mouthfuls while talking.
“Haha, no, since COVID, it hasn’t performed well. I don’t get paid much other than my base salary. We’re barely surviving, paying the rent for such a good location in Shibuya and importing all those precious gems then finding designers.” The clock ticks on the wall above your tiny loft home. You decide to change into your work clothes first, leaving the bread with Gojo, trusting him not to devour it all and leaving some for you. You scramble upstairs to wear your stockings first.
”what’s COVID?” He tilts his head like a confused fox. A foreign term to him, a familiar hell to you.
“uhh, long story short a deadly virus went around for a couple of years making us stay indoors in lockdown and quarantine. You’d be glad you missed it.” You wave your hand dismissing the topic.
“Where’s the store?” He mutters.
“Last night, before bed, I wrote down a list of things you may need to know. I’ve left on the corridor table the address of my workplace, the nearest grocery store, some cash, extra keys and- AH!” You yelp.
“Is everything okay?” he stands up to check on you. It's nice having someone worry about your clumsy ass.
“I’m okay! There’s also an extra Suica if you want to travel but I hope you can be at home by 6 pm so I can take you clothing shopping. My workplace is a 15-minute walk from here. If you’re bored in the house, you can always help me get some groceries. The list is under the red dot magnet on the – ah!” You trip again.
“What on earth are you doing?” He walks towards the edge of the stairs.
“Stockings are- argh, hard! They’re a size small, argh I got chubby.” You pout, trying your best to squeeze into your old stockings. There's a tiny, unnoticeable tear near the crotch area, though no one needs to know that.
“Haha, with cooking as good as yours, I’m going to lose my abs soon.” He poked his head from downstairs, getting a glimpse of your upside-down form. Your legs were shooting up to the ceiling, your two fingers pinching the delicate material careful not to rip the thin stocking while wearing it, your back hunched on the bed as you pulled. The sight was like a cockroach flipped upside down, struggling to get up as all its 6 limbs flare in the air. A laugh rang out, soft at first like the flicker of a match, but it grew into a blaze. Pure and unrestrained, as if he was rediscovering the joy of being alive.
“What are you laughing at?” You get up to glare at him playfully on the top of the stairs.
“You look great, very sexy in that. Not chubby at all.” He throws you a wink before returning to the desk, knowing you’re fine.
“Anyways, I didn’t have a lot of cash on my hand, but that should be enough to haul at Lawson, buy some grocery and cute gacha if that’s something you like.” You were like a mother leaving some pizza money for a kid.
“Yes, ma’am. This is the first time I am so useless; it's going to take some time to get accustomed to this.” He chuckles. Your eyes land on his cascade of silver threads, soft as moonlight, like a crown of midnight frost. Then there were those sapphire eyes you would never miss. Maybe this is what your mom felt like whenever she left for work, leaving a tiny 5-year-old you at home sitting on the small light green IKEA chair. You couldn't help but imagine the scenarios of how this huge idiot could get himself killed, photographed or if he burns down your house.
“I can see it. You’re falling in love with me; admit it!” He grins.
“If you go out, I think you should wear a hat. There are some intense fans of yours here. They’re everywhere.” You frown “Unless you want to be hoarded by girls and teenagers in sailor uniforms who would definitely faint at the sight of you and call you the most realistic cosplay of Gojo Satoru. You’ll go viral for sure.”
“Hmm… I’m not sure if I want to be recognisable.” He sinks into his chair to ponder the scenario, eyes unfocused and brain flipping through memories. “Should I get plastic surgery? What if that makes me hotter?”
You couldn’t help but facepalm at his unhealthy dose of narcissism, even if it was blaringly obvious it was his coping method “I can always dye your hair and buy you contacts, but I think that will take away your natural charm. Black hair doesn’t suit you.”
“Hat and sunglasses it is then! Also, I don’t think I can leave with this Kuromi shirt saying YAY. It’s a bit much for a 28-year-old guy like me.” He lifts the hem of the Kuromi shirt as you slap your hand over your mouth trying not to laugh.
“Yes, your hot as fuck compression shirt should be done in the dryer.” You chuckle. “I think I got most of the blood out. It wasn’t obvious in the first place since it’s a black shirt.”
“Thank you!” He sings as he slides to the washing area, leaving you at the dining table. You walk towards your seat, finding a lovely surprise. A piece of bread already glistering with red strawberry jam and another piece with peanut butter placed neatly on your plate.
“I think you might gain more attention with that compression shirt than being Gojo Satoru with white hair.” You mumble a mouthful of the fluffiest Hokkaido bread smothered in too much strawberry jam as a sly laugh escapes your lips.
The last time someone put jam on your breakfast bread was you dad when you were rushing to high school, something you used to take for granted.
“Yes, we do pre-orders for custom designs, however, those usually take 4-8 weeks. When’s the proposal?” Your posture was impeccable, shoulders square and gaze unwavering with confidence. Each word was practiced, and every movement was deliberate and precise. You carefully take out the demo rings with your gloved hands and flip colour palettes for gems available for customization. Gojo couldn’t help but stand outside the high-end luxury gem store you worked at, his gaze unblinking, locked on you as he leaned forward, nearly hitting the glass, unconsciously drawn closer by sheer fascination. He rarely had the chance to see an ordinary person doing an ordinary job. He rarely saw a job that wasn't all bloody and explosive.
The blushing man whose hands were running sweaty down his suit pants pointed to the left and right, his mouth running wild of nervousness.
“But what if she doesn’t like it? She’s picky. I mean she’s got high-end taste and I really love her but as you know I’m not exactly a fashionable man and I don’t know what ladies like these days. She says she doesn’t want the traditional diamond, but she hates lab diamonds, which are in trend right now. Then she hates green, especially emerald- She likes pink! Pink; she loves light pink coloured necklaces.“ The amount of sweat on that man from sheer nerves would take Gojo four marathons that weren't done with curse reinforcement.
“Sir, I understand your worries. It's always nerve-wracking, and I’m sure whatever you choose will be full of your love for her. Follow your heart when it comes to this kind of purchase. If she likes pink, we have a newly expanded pink diamond collection, which are rarer than typical diamonds. They’re over here.” You disappear under the royal blue velvet counter using a key to unlock a lower level shelf where beautiful glimmering pink gems iridescently danced and reflected on the ceiling. Pink diamonds were 20-30 times more per carat. They are new to your store and the one thing you wanted to sell in this quarter. If sales for pink diamonds go well, it could become your store’s specialty. The way the subtle colour refracted onto your smiling face, clean minimal makeup up and your customer service smile felt tingly warm to everyone who steps through the door.
“Oh yes…Oh, that one is beautiful. She’ll love this one.” He points to the centrepiece, mouth gaping in awe, eyes hypnotised by the fantastical design and the soft blush hue evoking flower petals of a blooming rose. “Can I get this one today?”
“I believe we have a JP size 10 available in stock, but please allow me to double-check that for you.” You place a glass box over the diamonds to ensure their conservation, taking off your delicate gloves, your clean well well-maintained nails dance across the iPad.
Your collected demeanour drapes over you like a silk cloak, untouched by the storm around her. Gojo watches you spellbound. How can you move with such unhurried grace? In his entire life, he has been surrounded by people panicking. On missions, at school, during training and sometimes even himself when he was stuck in a metro line full of undead zombies. You just seem so unfazed by the anxiety of customers. It's as if no one in this world could taint your quiet rhythm of peace. Your soft voice carries the exact note of calm assurance the customer needed, you don’t demand attention but its evident that the customers gravitate towards you whether it’s the way younger girls in school uniforms spare you a glance through the glass window, or the way nervous salary men in suits search for your nod, and the way you have Gojo smiling like a young boy again.
“Hello, Sir!” A cheery voice breaks Gojo out of his stare at you.
“H-hi.” He stutters, surprised that another staff member of your store managed to sneak up on him.
“Hello, Sir, Would you like to come in or would you perhaps need any help looking for a specific item?” She had cherry lipstick and dense fluttering eyelashes, the epitome of kawaii beauty in Japan. With the contrast, Gojo seems to prefer your elegance, professionalism and your secretly rebellious nature in your teasing manner that only he has seen.
“Uh, yes, I am looking for that lady.” He points towards you.
“Hmm? Our manager? She’s pretty, isn’t she? Unfortunately, she has told everyone never to fall for our clients. After all, most people come to our store for our unique engagement rings.” Of course, you would hire a person similar to your nature, all sugary sweet yet so cruel with your rejections to flirtatious advances. Though she was no match for your elegance.
“Oh no, I live with her.” Gojo nods to the staff member.
“Is that so? She lives alone. Are you Tsuki? Well, I tell you now, Mr Tsuki, if you knock on her door one more time, I will make sure these diamonds end up in your-“
“Mika Chan. You can’t be so rude to our potential clients, okay? I am terribly sorry about her behaviour, Mr Takami.” You smile at him, pretending not to recognise your black cap that says “Peace”. He definitely rummaged your closet deep if he found that old thing in your wardrobe, hiding his white hair. Though, it was a poor choice of sunglasses, those reflective ones on him just make him look like a Yakuza.
“T-takami?” Gojo points to himself. “I..I’m Go-“
“This is my temporary roommate, don’t worry. I promised to show him around in Tokyo later, he came from Nagoya.” You pat Mika, directing her relieved face to the man looking for the pink diamond ring in JP size 10.
“Gojo” You aggressively whisper with your teeth clenched, hoping no one reads your lips and figures out that this man is a fictional character. “What are you doing here?” You pull him by hooking your arm in his, dragging him to the side pretending that he’s a customer here as you fake point towards the collection of sapphire necklaces.
“You gave me your workplace address.” He mimics your aggressive whisper with a grin, words coated with a teasing edge. “You said you were going to take me out on a date.”
“What? Since when did I say that?” Your eyes widen in shock.
“You were going to take me shopping after work, right?” He looks at his empty wrist as if there were a watch. “It's 5:40pm”
“Oh dear, I am sorry, there are more customers than I thought. My bad! Why don’t you wait at the back? “ You ghost your hand on the small of Gojo’s back as he is shuffled towards the staff room. On your way, you both walk past a young female customer in a long white skirt wearing a knitted pink top, quite an adorable lady who fits the Japanese beauty standards well with doll-like eyes and long lashes, pretty pink lips and perfect airy fringe.
A small needle of jealousy threads through your heart as Gojo’s gaze lingers on the beauty.
“Hello, Ms,” Gojo swiftly turns right out of your push and flutters towards the lady. “That looks very ugly on you.”
“Gojo- I mean Tamaki! You can’t just say that.” Just when you thought he was going to flirt with the girl, he throws such a poisoned dagger at your customer. You hurriedly hobble yourself in between the two figures, trying to push them apart. Surprisingly, the lady doesn’t frown nor sadden from his comment; instead, she says with her soft, sweet voice, so quiet and demure.
“Does it not?” She simply asks.
“Sapphire is too strong for your color palette. I suggest the pink diamonds over there, they have a small dove shaped necklace. Something as tenderly colored will suit your naturally soft features.” Pink diamonds are the most expensive product in your market. The colour was not as attractive to the traditional Japanese market, given that white diamonds were more associated with the classical elegance desired in a wedding.
“I’d like to see those.” The lady says to you, despite her chocolate eyes never breaking contact with Gojo’s sunglasses where his very own pair of sapphires hide.
“Ms (Y/N) is the most professional employee here, I’m sure she can guide you.” Gojo doesn’t shy from touch, his large palm flattens completely at your waist as you are pushed in front of him.
“I, um. Yes, please follow me to the counter by the left.” You take a step forward, holding your arm out to guide the lady who was stuck in a trance, staring at Gojo’s model-like features.
“Why don’t you show me them?” She asks Gojo. “I didn’t know such a handsome man worked at this jewellery store. I’m Akiko. Well, that’s what I’m known for online. I’m a cosplayer. Has anyone told you that your height would be perfect for cosplayin-“
“This way please, Ms Akiko. There’s only one left of the pink dove in stock; the other three are on hold for birthday gifts. We’ll have to order in soon and get them made in store later this month.” Your soft smile covers your act of rudely cutting her sentence while promoting its scarcity. You could not let that cosplayer know that this was the freaking Gojo Satoru. White hair isn’t something most people can pull off naturally. Even though Gojo is wearing a cap, those small snowy strands were still peaking out from the edges enough to leave not much to the imagination. He truly is the best Gojo cosplay. That muscle, that eye colour, that shade of hair.
I wonder if his leg hair is also white. You think to yourself.
“I suggest you follow the lady. It’s a pity that neck of yours is quite empty.” Gojo’s wink was visible behind those blue glasses. What a flirt.
“Yes. You’re right. Please lead the way.”
“Ladies first.”
Tring Ding
That is the sound of a notification. The notification of money arriving in the bank account paid in full amount 157, 054 Yen after tax – the dainty dove-shaped pink diamond necklace featuring 18k white gold chain with 30 diamonds totalling 0.35 carats. You bite your lips trying to control your excited smile only to break past your own bite and spread your plush lips until your weak dimples could be seen.
“Someone’s happy.” A cheeky voice trails from behind.
“What do you mean?” You take a small breath to return to your original emotions. One pink diamond engagement ring, one pink dove diamond necklace, a tiny emerald peacock bracelet and a white gold ring band. Today was a good day. Usually, a jewellery store would 3-4 items a day for simple pieces, peaking up to 30 on Valentine's day. Today is Monday! Two pink diamond sales! Your lips sneakily rise up again.
“That’s what I mean.” Gojo pinches your cheek only for you to slap his hand away easily. His eyebrows raised significantly, he’s still not entirely used to skin contact.
“Oh, would you look at that.” Gojo’s honeyed voice dripped with mischief. He walks past the round counter before you could grab onto his wrist and confidently strides up to a lady in a blouse. She must’ve just left work.
“Hello, Ms, I must say that Loro Piana blouse is beautiful. But it's missing something.” Gojo puts his hand to his chin, leaning back to boldly glance up and down at the lady. A faint blush brushed across the lady’s cheeks.
“Ah!” Gojo claps, scaring Mika, who was diligently introducing an emerald pendant to a wealthy old lady. “This.” Gojo walks to the counter next to yours and points at yet another pink diamond necklace.
“Gojo, we don’t have stock for that.” You whisper, eyes screaming for help. You meant to take down the necklace after the pink dove purchase, but it has slipped your mind since the sound of money coming into the bank. The one on display was a fake demo used to prevent theft.
“And you’re so confident about that?” The lady teasingly challenges, almost enjoying Gojo’s not-so-subtle advances.
“Of course, Loro Piana silk blouse, Jil Sander’s A-Line skirt, and to contrast the simple colours, a Chloe suit in your hand for when you need a bit more of a feminine touch to work. Am I right?” He winks yet again. As if his wink were a bait, she immediately leaned over to take a look at the pink diamond shaped in a small Sakura flower, a single piece carved. It was tiny, but it was delicately beautiful, reminiscent of how Japan’s national flower Sakura, symbolises the need to cherish our fast-paced life.
“It’s beautiful. I’ll take it.” She smiles dearly at Gojo.
“Ah, that you’ll have to speak with the manager here. After all, important people, important purchases require important managers. (Y/N) if you’ll please check the waitlist on this necklace.” What waitlist? Your brain is placed in loading mode. Your store doesn’t have enough popularity for your small local designs to have a waitlist. Your brain finishes buffering. Oh yes, you don’t have stock. A waitlist lie from a person not of your store would help.
“Unfortunately, the earliest we can get this beautiful necklace in your hands would be in one weeks time, it's difficult to get such a large pink diamond. Scarcity is its beauty.” You smile despite wanting to glare and punch at Gojo.
“Oh, how unfortunate. I really wanted to help a defined lady like you put on such an equally beautiful necklace. I guess you’ll have to come by next time. We could, however…”
“I’ll leave my card. Please call me the second you have it for me to collect.” She hands you her business card with both hands as you bow to accept. “Make sure to call me first. I’m happy to pay extra for it.”
Damn, she was the Purchaser director of Isetan the high-end shopping mall. Mikaela Suzuki had a sweet, elegant ring to it, especially with the fancy English name attached at the front.
“Thank you, though we are an official business with official prices. I will make sure to call you as soon as possible with the ordinary retail price.”
Her perfect silhouette treads a little jumpier on her way out.
“BAM! Another sale. Now, surely you’ve hit your daily sales goal. Let's go shopping for me now~” Gojo intertwines his fingers with yours, gently caressing your hand before you roughly pull him, violently dragging him to the back into the staff-only door's abyss.
“Ah! Wait, hold on. Where are we going?” He stumbles in his walk. You gently close the door and slam him against the wall, cornering the giant man with your mighty glare.
“What trick are you pulling here?” You point to him. Your nose scrunches with your narrowed eyes like a bunny's. From Gojo’s view, it was a small prey animal thumping angrily when the panther messes with the layout of its den. How adorable, you, trying to pin him to a wall? He’s only in this position because he lets you.
“What? I made two sales! Pink diamonds as well. I know they’re the expensive ones in this store. You sell coloured gems and diamonds, right?” His smirk grows wider, seeing the way your collar gives him a slight peek at your collarbones. He mentally slaps himself to look back at your eyes. He’s seen you naked! Why is your neck looking so enticing?
“You’re right. You have an eye for who’s wealthy. All my employees here are trained to catch wealthy people. If they hold a single Chanel bag but the rest of their clothes are ordinary online ones, then they’re fake wealthy. Sometimes, it’s in the simplest of clothes that you catch the richest ones.” You cross your arms, eyeing Gojo down. “You’re so rich, aren’t you? You must be a better niffler than Mika is! It's always those rich ladies that become repeat purchasers.”
“I know. I’m rich.” Gojo leans closer to you, sculpture nose almost touching yours.
“You’re smart, too.” Your angry face morphs into a sneaky smile, alarming the tall man. “The cute girl with the dainty dove necklace, the elegant lady with the designer’s choice. We made good sales today. I work on commission, being the store manager for this franchise; others like Mika are on salary.”
Your finger points to the center of Gojo’s pecks, where his heart would’ve been. “As much as the compression shirt looks sexy on you, it’s a little cold for this weather. Let’s get you all fluffy and warmed up!”
“You sound like you’re going to fatten me up to eat me!” He jokingly responds. Your innocent face was no match for your flirty words.
“No, why would I? Are you edible?” You cheer before reaching for a key hanging on the wall adjacent to the one Gojo is cornered at. “Let’s go close the store.”
“(Y/n) I packed everything!” A cheery voice flutters from outside.
“Come on! We close early on Wednesdays.”
Gojo couldn’t help but be led by you like an obedient snow leopard on a leash with canines hidden as growls morphed into purrs and claws retracted. All that’s left is his exposed belly hoping you’d give him some attention. Predator tamed to a house pet. The strongest sorcerer with generations of wealth, the Gojo hypnotised by the little customer service manager of a small franchise jewellery store who was half his size.
You truly are going to become his prison keeper since he’s jailed to your sweet smile.