Chapter Text
"Alright class, I'm assigning projects for the different functions of my favorite virus: Bacteriophages!"
There was a collective groan from the entire class, except for one particular asshole. Satoru Gojo. Your rival, your enemy, and the only other person in the world that could get under your skin.
"Oh come on guys! This is easy stuff!"
He said with a cocky grin.
"Coming from the guy who just pushes his work onto others."
You muttered under your breath, rolling your eyes at his cocky attitude, already annoyed.
He wasn't meant to hear that, but of course he did. He turned to you, his icy blue eyes sparkling mischievously behind his tiny black glasses. Who even wears something like that? Could he even see out of them? Idiot.
"What was that, sweetheart? Already mad that I'm going to make a better grade than you? That's no surprise to anyone, you know."
His shit-eating grin just pissed you off.
"Oh shut up dumbass," You spat, rolling your eyes, "Like you even could. You don't even know what the project entails yet."
"Doesn't matter," He said, placing his arms behind his head and leaning his chair back, "Give me anything and I'll knock it out of the park!"
It would be so funny if you kicked his chair out from under him. The image of him falling helplessly to the floor like an idiot amused you, and you had to stifle a giggle. He noticed your amusement and a scowl flitted across his features.
"What's so funny?"
It wasn't anger in his voice, but it was close enough.
The rest of the class watched you two with bated breath. Was this going to be another famous screaming match between the two of you, resulting in you getting kicked out of class again? Gojo hated being laughed at, and you gave him a smug smirk knowing you got under his skin. He scoffed and crossed his arms, his eyes glowering forward, refusing to look at you.
"...Anyways," professor Yaga continued, ignoring both of you, "The group lists are on the corkboard in the back. It was randomly assigned so I don't want to hear anyone claiming favorites or some stupid shit like that. Class dismissed."
Everyone stood up, grumbling under their breath and crowded around the corkboard. There were a few cheers, but a resounding groan from the rest. You didn't really work well in groups, mostly because you knew you were smarter than your partners and they just dragged you down. Gojo got up and checked the board, only reacting with a slight frown before leaving the classroom without another word. What? No gloating? Damn, you must have really pissed him off by laughing at him. An ego so bloated but yet so fragile. You should do that more often!
Once everyone had filed away from the paper you decided to have a look. It didn't matter who you were partnered with, you were determined to show Gojo that nothing was going to slow you down. The paper was set up in three columns, and under these columns were three groups of names. Under the "Using Bacteriophages to clean drinking water" column you found your name and your partners names.
Suguru Geto
Nobara Kugisaki
Eh, not too bad. Geto was Gojo's best friend, but he was the polar opposite to the cocky bastard so it would be relatively easy to work with him. Nobara was a good friend, although loud and full of energy. Out of spite you searched for Gojo's name and found him under the same column you were. Same projects, huh? Well, now you could finally shut him up after all. You practically skipped your happy ass down the hall, heading to the library where no doubt Geto and Nobara were waiting. That's where most students go after being given a project like this. The library is an old, expansive building that overshadowed most other buildings on campus. It was the oldest, and intricately structured to house hundreds of people at once with no issue. There was a separate section that had dozens of large conference rooms for students to study and work together on projects and exams.
The courtyard was the crown jewel of the college, and absolutely beautiful in the springtime. The grass was nicely maintained and beautiful flowers lined the walkways and the ornate fountain in the middle of everything. Bright pinks, reds, oranges, and purples were as far as the eye could see, and plenty of pollinators were buzzing about. It was serene. As expected, the courtyard was full of people bustling about, enjoying the sunshine and the light breeze that toyed with their hair. Once the library came into view, you spotted Geto waiting patiently by the door talking with Nobara. You approached them with a polite smile and Nobara waved erratically with a huge grin on her face. You waved back.
"Hi Nobara, you ready to do this?"
You asked.
"BORN ready! Let's do our best okay?"
She said excitedly.
"You ready, Geto?"
You asked, trying not to blush under his gaze.
His violet eyes sparkled as he opened the door for you. "Seeing as you're top of the class, I look forward to our brainstorming to see what we come up with."
He was so polite! He waited for you and Nobara to enter the building before he did, quietly shutting the door behind him.
"Did anyone get a reservation for a conference room?"
Nobara asked.
"I did. However since it's project week we will be sharing a conference room with another group, I hope that won't be a problem."
Geto replied, his eyes flickering to you.
Why did he look at me when he said that?
The three of you made your way through the massive entrance, admiring the thousands of books that surrounded you. The smell of the books was old and musty, but you always liked the way books smelled. Geto recognized a few friends on the way to the conference room, exchanging pleasantries quickly and quietly to not disturb others or slow you down. Every once in a while you caught him looking at you, but you couldn't read the emotions in his eyes. Was he flirting? Your heart skipped a beat every time your eyes found each other, and you couldn't help but notice how hot he truly was. Normally he had his hair down or in a half up-do, but today his hair was fully up with a few bangs cascading on his handsome face.
"This is the room, it looks like the other group is already here."
Geto said, snapping you from your thoughts.
The blinds were down, indicating the room was already in use. It was already annoying that you had to share the room with God knows who. Hopefully they wouldn't be too loud or inconsiderate while you tried to work. How were you going to beat Gojo if you couldn't think? You opened the door for Nobara and Geto to enter before entering yourself. Geto shot you a nervous glance, before you could question him about it you froze to your spot as you saw who the other group was.
Satoru fucking Gojo.
You were sharing a conference room with Satoru fucking Gojo.
"Oh hey sweetheart! I'm surprised you showed up with your group! Normally you're too stuck up to work with other people."
He grinned.
"Shut up, asshole. I'm surprised your group even wants to be in the same room as you." You shot back, walking to the end of the table with Geto and Nobara. Nobara gave you an encouraging pat on the shoulder and pulled out a white board so the group could brainstorm ideas.
"Satoru, don't say things like that. We are here to work."
Geto said, shooting him a firm look.
"Let me know when she starts leaving you behind, you can always join my group Suguru!"
He said, turning to this own group.
You relaxed at him leaving you alone and turned to Nobara. Geto followed suit and you three quickly got to brainstorming ideas. You spoke quietly, to not bother the other poor people in Gojo's group and so Gojo couldn't steal your ideas. The three of you talked amongst yourselves for a good few minutes before finally latching on to an idea that might stick. While you spoke, you noticed Geto looking at you with more than just attentive resolve. There was something deeper in his mannerisms. His eyes lingered on you for just a moment too long, and he seemed aloof, like he wasn't paying attention unless you were the one talking. Like he was hanging onto your every word.
"What if we get some contaminated water from different sources and collect different strains of bacteriophages to see what works and what doesn't? That way we can prove they work not only in rain water but still water as well!"
You offered to the group, trying to remain calm in case they reject your genius idea.
"Hey, that's a great idea! Megumi, write that down!"
Gojo's annoying voice grated on your ears as he excitedly stole your idea.
"You cannot be serious!"
You said angrily, trying to contain the anger bubbling in your chest. If it was literally anybody else it wouldn't bother you but of course he was the one person who could piss you off in an instant.
"Oh, what's the matter sweetheart? Mad that I had an idea better than yours?"
He cooed, resting his head on his closed fist nonchalantly.
"That WAS my idea!"
You shot back at him.
"It's fine, we can still have a better success rate because you know where to look. It's okay. Really."
Nobara said nervously, trying to calm everyone down.
" She couldn't find a virus even if she wanted to. You guys are doomed. Thanks for the easy grade, I'll be sure to credit you for our success!"
That shit-eating grin returned, and you snapped .
"Fuck you, Gojo! How dare you imply that I'm stupid?"
You yelled, shooting up from your chair and making a beeline for the white haired bastard.
Your outburst made everyone jump, except for Gojo. He was completely unbothered and even watched you in amusement. His amusement pissed you off, and now you knew why he reacted so negatively to being laughed at earlier in class. Shit did not feel good.
"Wow, talk about crazy am I right? Are you crying?"
He teased, knowing damn well you wasnt.
He got up from his chair and met your gaze. He towered over you but you did not back down. Your cheeks flushed from the anger and it took everything not to knock his cocky ass teeth out.
"Okay, this is getting out of hand. Satoru please don't cause a fight we only have this reservation for another thirty minutes."
A pink haired guy from behind Gojo said.
"Yuji?"
You asked, peering around Gojo to find him.
"Hey. How's my brother?"
He asked nervously, trying to ease the tension that filled the room.
Choso. His brother was your hot roommate that you occasionally fucked. Yuji visited him regularly, and you've actually made decent friends with him.
"He's fine!" You chirped, trying to show Gojo that you weren't going to let him bother you.
Yuji simply nodded, and you turned your back to Gojo to go back to your group.
"That's what I thought. Run away."
He chuckled, as if he won. Was that a challenge?
You froze mid step. The anger in your chest boiled over instantly. You growled and whipped around to give him a piece of your mind but Geto was at your side in an instant pulling you back before you sucker punched the bastard. The white haired man laughed dauntingly as Geto physically separated you. Something switched in Gojo's expression when Geto's hands touched you, but maybe it was because he was surprised someone actually had to keep you from him. That's never happened before. To keep the peace, Nobara quickly gathered everything, took a picture of the white board, and they both gently ushered you out of the room.
Once the door closed it was like a switch went off. You were completely fine. Calm, cool, and collected. Now that there was a physical barrier between you and that idiot, you couldn't have been less unbothered. Your skin burned from Geto's assertive grip. He had long since let go but his touch lingered like a raging fire.
"Sorry, sorry guys. I really didn't mean to-"
"Don't worry about it! We will have a much better project than them no problem!"
Nobara exclaimed, waving off your apology
"Are you alright?"
Geto was worried about you, and it warmed your heart.
"Mm, yes I'm fine. Thank you, Geto."
you said, avoiding his prodding gaze. You didn't want him to see you embarrassed.
The three of you promised to meet up the following day to work together again, and each of you went your separate ways. You couldn't help but stew over the events of the conference room, completely humiliating yourself in front of a hot guy like Geto. Was it really a surprise that things turned out this way?
Who could do this to you but Satoru fucking Gojo?