Ms. Gojo thought she was dating an ordinary person's boyfriend.

Sumire Kawakawa wasn't in a hurry.

He knew very well what this meant for Shunping.

That boy had been hurt too many times by the malice of his peers and had lost trust in the outside world.

In this situation, even if the suggestion came from Dr. Qichuan, whom he trusted, he would not easily let down his guard against the instinctive vigilance and fear that were ingrained in his bones.

The grayed-out "Read" button next to the dialog box has changed to "The other party is typing."

It flickered once and then disappeared.

After a while, it reappeared.

Then it disappeared again.

This change in the prompt alone lasted for almost a minute.

Even through the screen, you can imagine Shunping's conflicted expression.

The hesitation, retreat, and fear of the unknown churning in the boy's mind were probably in a desperate struggle with the faint thought that "Dr. Kikawa would never harm me."

Finally, accompanied by a slight vibration, a message popped up.

"...Going to Sendai?"

After a few seconds, he finally answered.

[If it was someone recommended by Dr. Kikawa...]

"I'll give it a try."

Seeing the last four words, Sumire Kikawa felt slightly relieved.

Although he didn't say "I'm willing" definitively, he was at least willing to try.

This shows that even though Shunping was somewhat cautious because of the shadows of the past, in the end, this scarred child still took that step, trembling, because of his words.

Sumi Kichikawa did not reply immediately, but gave the boy some time to calm down.

With a swipe of his finger, he switched to Hisahito Itadori's private chat interface:

[Hiruhito, are you free this weekend? I'd like to ask you for a favor.]

The other party replied almost instantly:

【Of course I'm available! Doctor, is there anything I can do to help? [Raises hand high]】

Kikawa Sumi couldn't help but chuckle softly, her chest trembling slightly, as she continued typing:

I know a guy, about your age, who's thinking of going to Sendai to clear his head. He's a bit introverted and not very good at interacting with strangers. Could you please show him around the area?

Hisahito Itadori: [No problem! Absolutely no problem! Leave it to me! [Pats chest]]

Yuuji Itadori: [I understand if he's introverted! I'll take it slow and make sure he doesn't feel uncomfortable!]

Yuuji Itadori: [By the way, Dr. Kikawa, what does he like? Is there anything he's particularly interested in? I want to do my research beforehand! There are so many fun places in Sendai, I could make up a route map tonight!]

Seeing the barrage of messages popping up on the screen and the screen full of exclamation marks that seemed to overflow with vitality, Sumi Kichikawa's lips curved into an even deeper smile.

Even though he was just asked to take a complete stranger shopping, the boy had already started to seriously consider the other person's personality and preferences.

This unpretentious, natural kindness and enthusiasm is probably the most precious quality in Hisahito Itadori.

With him around, Shunping will definitely be fine.

Sumire Kawakawa replied:

He enjoys horror movies and supernatural content, and is also interested in urban legends. You two should get along well in these areas. Thank you, Hisahito.

Yuuji Itadori: [Horror movies and the supernatural! We'd definitely hit it off! My senior recently recommended a super famous horror movie collection to me, and one of them, about an abandoned school, was absolutely terrifying but also incredibly good!]

Yuji Itadori: [I can also take him to eat! Sendai beef tongue is an absolute must-try! And I highly recommend the bamboo leaf fish cake! I know a super delicious old shop hidden in an alley!]

Yuujin Itadori: [Don't worry, Dr. Kikawa! I'll make sure he has a great time! [Attention and salute]]

Kikawa Sumi chuckled and shook her head, then gave each of them their contact information.

He first sent it to Shunping:

His name is Hisahito Itadori, and he's very easy to get along with. If you feel uncomfortable during a conversation, feel free to tell me; don't force yourself.

When I sent it to Hisahito Itadori, he thought for a moment and then added a sentence:

His name is Yoshino Junpei. While he needs your care, you don't need to be overly accommodating; just be yourself.

After doing all this, Sumi Kichikawa leaned back in her chair and glanced out the window.

The sky was high and clear, as clean as if it had been washed. For some reason, this blue reminded him of someone's eyes, which were always covered by a black eye patch.

He stared at it quietly for a while, then picked up his phone, opened the pinned chat window, and sent a message to Gojo Satoru:

If you're craving hamburger patties tonight, remember to come home early; the sauce needs time to cook.

After sending it, the image of that person returning home in the early hours of the morning, radiating cold, flashed through his mind again. He frowned slightly and added another sentence:

Please drive safely.

The phone was placed back on the desktop.

He picked up the next medical record and went back to work.

About twenty minutes later, the phone screen lit up briefly on the desktop.

Kikawa Sumi glanced at it and saw it was Gojo Satoru's reply.

【Yes, sir! I'll be home on time tonight!! [Running white cat]】

At the same time, inside an abandoned factory.

Gojo Satoru stood in the middle of the ruins, the wind whipping up the hem of his black college uniform.

He casually ripped off the blindfold covering his eyes, revealing a pair of eyes as cold as an extreme glacier, still retaining a chilling inhumanity and ruthlessness.

"Buzz—"

My phone vibrated in my pocket.

The moment the screen lit up and displayed the words "Xiao Cheng," the chilling aura emanating from the man, which seemed capable of freezing the air, softened inexplicably, like melting snow scattered by sunlight.

He looked down at the two lines of text on the screen.

If you're craving hamburger patties tonight, remember to come home early. The sauce needs time to cook.

Please drive safely.

Wu Tiao's long, slender fingers rapidly tapped on the screen to reply.

After pressing the send button, he let out a long breath, looked up at the dilapidated factory dome above him.

Even just looking at these two lines of text, Gojo Satoru couldn't help but picture Sumi Kikawa in his mind.

That man always wore a neat shirt, with the cuffs rolled up to reveal a section of his fair and slender wrist. He carried the faint smell of disinfectant from the hospital, mixed with his own unique, clean, and light fragrance.

He could even recall the feeling of him tightly hugging Sumi Kichikawa when he got home in the early hours of last night and snuggled into bed.

Even though she was woken up in the middle of the night for no reason, the person didn't complain at all. Instead, she obediently opened her arms and nestled into his warm embrace.

Gojo Satoru closed his eyes, as if he could still feel the scalding heat that flowed between his skin as he buried his face in Kisakawa Sumi's neck, a heat that could pull him back from the brink of madness and bloodshed.

I really want to go back.

Go back to that person now, immediately, right away.

"Mr. Gojo..." Kiyotaka Ijichi walked over, holding a report board in his hand, "The filth here has been cleaned up, you..."

"Ijichi," Gojo Satoru interrupted him, his voice regaining its usual light and casual tone, yet tinged with urgency.

"I remember telling Kozue my itinerary today, which included going to Shizuoka Prefecture to participate in the 'High School Sports Guidance Exchange Meeting,' right?"

"Uh...yes, you initially said you'd leave in the morning and return at noon."

"Very good." Gojo Satoru took a long stride, stepping over the pebbles on the ground. "I'll stop by Shizuoka Station on the way; I want to buy some local specialties."

"Huh? Specialty products?"

"Okay, I'll buy melon jelly and eel pie." Gojo Satoru walked towards the factory exit without looking back. "I can't go back empty-handed, can I? Sumi will get suspicious."

Ichiji opened her mouth, then closed it again.

Ever since Gojo Satoru met "Dr. Kosumi," no matter how late a mission ended or how busy a schedule was, this person's first reaction was never to rest or report, but rather—

"I need to get back."

"I promised him I'd be home on time tonight."

It's always the same.

Sometimes, Ichiji wondered what Gojo Satoru was like in front of that Mr. Kikawa.

How could that person possibly make this man, who could make even a top-tier cursed spirit tremble on the battlefield, act like a child now, all for a box of local specialties, a dinner, or a promise to "arrive home on time"?

He was genuinely curious about who this person really was.

"Ichiji!" Gojo Satoru walked to the factory gate, turned around, and

"What are you standing there for? If you miss your Shinkansen back to Tokyo, I'll slap you!"

"Eek!! Yes! I'll go get the car right away!!"

Evening, inside the apartment.

The warm yellow light from the ceiling lamp cast a cozy glow over the kitchen. The rhythmic, light sound of chopping onions echoed from the cutting board.

Sumi Kichikawa was wearing a soft beige knitted loungewear set with a dark gray apron tied around her waist.

He poured the chopped onions into a frying pan and sautéed them. The rich aroma of melting butter instantly filled the entire kitchen.

Next, mix the softened onions into the ground beef and pork, add breadcrumbs and milk, and repeatedly pound the meat filling until it begins to take shape.

In the stew pot next to it, Domígras sauce, made from red wine and tomatoes, was bubbling away, its sweet and sour aroma filling the air.

Sumi Kikawa quickly placed the patted hamburger patties into the pan to fry, the oil making a pleasant "sizzle" sound.

"Click".

The crisp sound of a key turning in a lock came from the entryway, followed by the sound of the door being pushed open.

"I'm—back—Cheng!"

Gojo Satoru's voice, tinged with a hint of coquetry, came from the corridor. Immediately afterward, accompanied by a series of slightly hurried footsteps, a tall figure pounced on him from behind.

"It smells so good! I could smell the hamburger patties right at the door!"

Sumire Kikawa was caught off guard and suddenly found herself in a tight embrace.

Gojo Satoru's arms were tightly wrapped around his waist, and his head nuzzled against his neck, the fluffy white hair tickling his ear.

He took a deep breath close to Sumi Kichikawa's ear, as if petting a cat, and tightened his arms, firmly embedding the person in his arms into his broad chest.

"Let go first, there's still something frying in the pan, be careful not to burn yourself." Kikawa Sumi patted the arm wrapped around her waist helplessly, but there was not much blame in her tone, but rather a hint of habitual indulgence.

He turned the fire down and turned around.

Gojo Satoru had removed his blindfold, and his beautiful blue eyes were shining brightly as he looked at him. In his right hand, he was holding up a beautifully wrapped cardboard box as if presenting a treasure.

"Ta-da! Shizuoka Prefecture exclusive premium melon jelly and eel pie! I bought them especially for you!" Gojo Satoru smiled like a child asking for a reward.

As Sumire looked at the box with the words "Shizuoka Specialty" printed on it, and then at the weariness that Gojo Satoru could not hide in his eyes, the questioning he had rehearsed countless times in his mind suddenly got stuck in his throat.

This person slept for less than three hours last night, went to Shizuoka early this morning, had an impromptu meeting at noon, and only just returned now. Yet, they still remembered to buy him a gift.

Why don't they think about themselves?

In an instant, a wave of heartache washed over me.

Kikawa Sumi sighed softly, raised her hand, and gently touched Gojo Satoru's eye with her cool fingertips.

Gojo Satoru blinked unconsciously, his long eyelashes brushing against Sumi Kichikawa's fingertips, bringing a slight tickle.

But he didn't dodge. Instead, he followed Sumi's movements, like a cat being soothed, and slightly turned his head to press his cheek into the palm that smelled faintly of food.

The only sound in the kitchen was the bubbling of the boiling sauce.

Kikawa Sumi's thumb gently caressed the man's soft cheek, her voice soft yet carrying an undeniable seriousness:

"Wu, let's talk."

Gojo Satoru's smile faltered slightly, and a barely perceptible tension flashed quickly in the depths of his azure eyes.

"What are you talking about?"

"I want to know, what about the higher-ups at your school..." Sumire looked directly into their eyes and asked, enunciating each word clearly.

"Is this someone deliberately targeting you?"