Geto Suguru adjusted the collar of his black coat, the cool Kyoto breeze brushing against his skin as he strolled down a narrow side street.
He'd spent two days in this parallel version of 2009—and so far, the cursed spirit's instructions made no sense. Find the diamond fragments scattered across dimensions? Sure. Easy. If only he knew where to start.
He slipped into a small, cozy café on a quieter stretch of the street. The place smelled like coffee beans and fresh pastries—the kind of warmth that pulled a sigh from his chest.
Geto slid into a booth by the window, absentmindedly checking his phone. No signal across worlds, of course. He should've known better.
Still no sign of Yoruichi—and that? That bothered him more than he wanted to admit. She could handle herself—obviously—but being separated from her in a world this unpredictable made his stomach twist.
"Don't tell me you're sulking without me."
That voice—smooth, teasing, and way too amused—sent relief flooding through him.
Yoruichi.
Geto looked up just in time to see her slide into the seat across from him. Same sleek black outfit, same effortless confidence, and those violet eyes still gleaming like she belonged anywhere she wanted to be.
A smile tugged at his lips before he could stop it. "About time, princess. I was starting to think this world didn't deserve you."
Yoruichi smirked, leaning back in her seat with a stretch that made every head in the café turn—not that she cared. " As if I'd leave you unsupervised. You'd fall apart without me."
He chuckled low, shaking his head. "I was fine. Maybe a little bored."
"Liar." She rested her elbow on the table, chin in her palm. "So? Any bright ideas about how we got dumped in a Gojo-free Kyoto?"
Geto's smile faded just slightly. "Some cursed spirit thinks it's funny to scatter your wedding ring across parallel worlds. I figured I'd find you first—priorities, you know."
For a beat, Yoruichi just stared at him—something softer flickering beneath her teasing exterior. Then she snorted. "Sweet. But don't get sappy on me, monk boy."
"Wouldn't dream of it." But his fingers tapped absently against the tabletop—a small gesture, like he still couldn't believe she was here.
She noticed, of course. She always did.
"So, what's the plan, Mr. Genius?" Yoruichi asked, resting her legs on the seat beside him like she owned the place.
"Find the fragments. Get home. And maybe," Geto's smile turned wicked, "we make Gojo sweat while we're at it."
"Now you're speaking my language."
Before either of them could follow that train of thought, the café door banged open.
A man—slightly out of breath, dressed in a crisp black suit—hurried toward their booth, clutching a box of daifuku like it was a diplomatic offering.
"Mr. Suguru! Ms. Yoruichi!"
Both of them blinked in sync.
Yoruichi raised an eyebrow. "Uh… and you are?"
The man gave a quick bow, still panting. "Hah—sorry! Tanaka Taro, Gojo family secretary."
At the mention of Gojo, Geto and Yoruichi exchanged a glance. Of course. Wherever they landed, that white-haired menace wasn't far behind.
Tanaka, oblivious to their silent conversation, brightened up. "The head of the family sent me to collect you both. He's waiting at the estate."
Yoruichi tilted her head, her lips curving into a slow smile. "Wait, wait—Gojo's family hired us? What, did Satoru get tired of annoying people in this world already?"
"Ah, no," Tanaka shook his head quickly. "It's… well, the young master needs new tutors. The last four quit."
At this, Yoruichi burst out laughing—a genuine, full-bodied sound that made Geto's chest ache with fondness.
"Let me get this straight," she said, brushing a tear from the corner of her eye. "We get dropped into 2009, and the universe decides to make us babysit little Gojo?"
"Not babysit!" Tanaka protested weakly. "Just… guide him. He's, uh… a bit challenging."
Geto sighed, dragging a hand down his face. "Of course he is."
Yoruichi leaned across the table toward Geto, her voice dropping into a purr. "Come on, Suguru. Don't tell me you're not a little curious to see baby Satoru in action."
His mouth twitched. "Curious? Sure. Looking forward to it? Absolutely not."
Tanaka, sensing their impending agreement, clapped his hands together. "Excellent! The car's waiting. Please—this way."
The Gojo Estate
The ride to the Gojo estate was smooth—though Yoruichi spent half of it teasing Geto about his "fatherly instincts."
"You're gonna spoil him," she drawled, elbowing him gently. "I can already tell."
"You're assuming I'm going to survive this," Geto muttered, but the warmth in his voice betrayed him.
As they stepped out onto the estate grounds, Yoruichi gave a low whistle. "Fancy. Still not as cool as my place, though."
"Let's just hope Gojo doesn't cause more trouble than the curses," Geto murmured.
She grinned. "No promises."
"Young master, your new tutors are here. And—ah—we brought the daifuku."
A sudden silence fell.
And then, without warning, the door slid open.
There he stood—Gojo Satoru, but much smaller. Eight years old, white hair perfectly disheveled, and those icy blue eyes that missed nothing.
"Finally," he huffed. "Give me the daifuku, and you can leave."
Yoruichi crouched slightly, examining him like he was an interesting puzzle. "Well, well. So this is the great Gojo Satoru, huh?"
"Finally," the kid huffed. "Give me the daifuku and go home."
Yoruichi crouched slightly, tilting her head as she took him in—white hair, sharp blue eyes, and the unmistakable Gojo arrogance even in a child.
"Well, well," she said, voice dripping with amusement. "This is going to be fun."
And in the back of the room, Geto Suguru sighed softly to himself
Satoru narrowed his eyes. "Who are you?"
"Your new tutor," she said smoothly, rising to her full height. "Name's Yoruichi Shihōin—try to keep up."
For once, Satoru seemed thrown off. His gaze lingered on her sleek black outfit and the casual confidence radiating off her.
Geto stepped in, voice warm and even. "And I'm Geto Suguru. You'll be stuck with us for a while."
Satoru tilted his head. "Weird bangs. And why do I need two tutors? I don't need any."
"You drove off four tutors this month, didn't you?" Yoruichi grinned. "We're tougher than they were."
"Besides," Geto added, voice gentler, "you don't seem like the type who likes being bored."
A flicker of interest crossed Satoru's face. "Tch. As long as you're not boring, I guess you can stay."
As they walked deeper into the estate, Yoruichi leaned toward Geto, her voice low. "He's a handful already."
Geto chuckled softly.
As Yoruchi replied. "He's still Satoru. All bark and no bite.
Satoru, meanwhile, strode ahead like he owned the place. Without looking back, he asked, "So? What can you teach me?"
Yoruichi's smile turned wicked. "How to beat anyone in a fight."
That got his attention.
"You're bluffing," he said, slowing just a little.
"Am I?" Yoruichi slid into a casual stance. "I could teach you things no one else here even dreams of. But only if you stop acting like a spoiled brat."
For a split second, Satoru just… stared.
And then, to Geto's surprise, the corner of his mouth quirked up in what could only be described as approval.
"You're weird," Satoru declared. "I like you."
"And the other guy?" Yoruichi nudged Geto playfully.
"He's fine too. If he can keep up."
"Trust me," Geto said smoothly. "I'm stronger than I look."