Utahime's life has never been so peaceful in a long time. Since Gojo and Geto leave to Okinawa for a mission — to escort the Star Plasma Vessel, Amanai Riko — her life has become easier

But she knows all good things won't last long. The troublemaker duos are coming back tomorrow, though

"You okay, Utahime-senpai?"

Shoko asks when she notices Utahime's face is pale despite her just sitting down doing nothing

"Yeah, just— cold. I think I caught a fever", she says with a chuckle

"Or maybe Gojo gets into trouble again", Shoko suggests a more relevant possibility

"Nah, I think he's just fine—", Utahime doesn't finish

"Oi, Gojo. Did you get into trouble again? Utahime-senpai is feeling sick here. You said you can manage a few men", Shoko screeches through her phone

"Ah, really? Nothing happened?", she halts to let Gojo talks. "You want to speak to Utahime-senpai?", Shoko glances at Utahime

"Me?", she mouths quietly, pointing her finger to her own face

Shoko nods and hands over her cellphone to Utahime. She takes it and excuses herself to speak to Gojo outside in private. Shoko leaves them be

"Utahime, are you alright? Shoko said you are sick", Gojo sounds worried on the line

"Nah, Shoko is overreacting. I'm just cold", Utahime denies

"Really? Are you sure you're really okay"

"Yeah, totally fine", a pause. "And.. what about you? How's mission? I heard they put up a bounty"

Utahime shares what she has heard about Gojo's current mission

"Yeah, those dipshits. But don't worry, everything is under control. I have my Infinity on all the time, nothing can touch me unless I allow it. Oh, but you are an exception, Utahime. You can touch me any time you want"

"Eww!", she snorts. "Does turning your Infinity on all the time fried your brain to crisp?"

Utahime hears him burst out giggling

"The mission ends tomorrow. I will see you first thing first after the merging", Gojo whispers like a wish

"Don't let your guard down, Gojo. The bounty is still going. Try to not get me killed me until you're finished", she retorts, half joking and half serious

Gojo giggles. "I know. I'm trying my best to protect everyone here.. and you, Utahime"

Utahime hears a deep sigh on the other side of the line

"Just focus on your mission and come back safely. I will see you tomorrow", she says

"Aww Utahime, you missed me?", he teases

"I'm hanging up"

Beep!

Utahime ends the call first

//Next Day//

Utahime shoves her hand into her right pocket, trying to find the coins she believes has been there by coincidence. Oh, there's them! She puts the money into coin slot and presses the soda button

"Hmm, what should I get for Gojo?", she taps her chin, contemplating

Utahime inserts another ¥100 and ¥10 coins and buys a can of cola. She intends to give it to Gojo later when they meet after his mission with the Star Plasma Vessel ended

Utahime hums to a random song. A loud clink echoes when the cans drop into the pick-up box. She bends over to collect them, wasting no time to pop the lid open and takes a sip of her own soda

Utahime marches back to her classroom when suddenly the cans slip off her hands. Gojo's cola falls and rolls down the hallway until it bumps into the wall. Utahime's soda spills all over the floor

She reaches out for the window frame to support her own weight. Her breath hitches as she gasps for more air. She beats her chest, trying to get rid of whatever that has been blocking her airways. Utahime plummets to the floor, struggling breathe on her own

"Go— Gojo", she manages to utter before passing out completely

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Keep scrolling for chapter 3!