Chapter Text
December 2006
Megumi looks like his mother, it has been said for a long time now. Everyone said it. And everyone said it's for the best. Even his dad says it. He said that way he won't be a curse like him. But his mom says he looks like him, he has green eyes and facial structure as well.
And it's true. Now that he is looking at them for the last time, he pays attention to their faces and bodies a lot.
His mom is frail, small and smiles a lot. She has spiky blue hair just like him with blue eyes. His dad, on the other hand, is tall. He is a giant with muscles. His black hair is down and his eyes are green. He really is scary when you don't know him. Come to think of it, Megumi took from both of them. A bit more of his mother but still.
Megumi is sitting on the chair with his backpack against his body. He is wearing his coat and a scarf because it's so cold outside. His parents are here, talking with a guy who is smoking. That's his dad's friend. But Megumi doesn't listen to them. He checks the clock that is tickling. It's only a matter of time before he comes.
His bag is ready with what he needs. Clothes, shoes. His backpack contains books, toys and his papers. But Megumi is not leaving with his parents. He is living alone. Not exactly alone because the man who will take care of him will arrive soon but he won't be with his family.
The doorbell rings and someone goes to open it.
A man with white hair appears at the threshold. He is wearing a long black coat and is also wearing black sunglasses which is weird since it's cold outside.
“You're here on time.”
His father looks at the guy who just shrugs.
“I left earlier. These losers are tailing me wherever I go. Can't be seen with a kid.”
He looks at Megumi and a little smile appears on his lips. He squats to be at Megumi's level.
“Fushiguro Megumi-kun?” He nods. “I am Gojo Satoru. And from today, I'll be your legal guardian. Or big brother, you can call me whatever you want."
He squashes his head and Megumi groans, making Gojo laugh.
“Damn. He has your temper.”
His dad chuckles.
“Isn't that a good thing?"
"You're not exactly loved for your temper."
"Look who is talking. Your face screams arrogance and everyone hates you for this.”
Gojo scrunches his nose at this comment. His dad shakes his head.
“Just take care of him. That's why I left him in your care.”
Gojo sighs.
“Who do you take me for? I told you I'll treat your blessing properly. I got things settled on my own. But what about you? What's your plan now? What are you going to do about him and your family?”
Megumi looks at his dad who leans on and puts his elbows on his knees.
“The less you know, the better it is. We have everything prepared and they won't look for Megumi. Everything is ready for a Christmas present they will never forget in their life.”
Gojo chuckles and ruffles Megumi's hair.
“We'll have to go now, Megumi-kun. The troops won't be long. Say one last goodbye to everyone.”
Megumi nods and walks to his parents. His mom hugs him and he hears her sobbing. She tells him to be strong no matter what and listen to what Gojo says. She tells him to make some friends, the number is not important. She tells him to treat girls properly and finds someone he loves. She tells him to respect his teachers, to study hard and never give up no matter if it's complicated. When it's his dad's turn, he doesn't expect him to hug him but he does it. He also apologizes to him. Megumi doesn't understand but maybe he will, later. He doesn't cry unlike his mom and he doesn't say a lot of things. He gives Megumi something. That's Mahoraga. It's a creature with thorns. It's ugly but Megumi keeps it because his dad told him how important it is.
Megumi then hugs Smoker's legs who just ruffles his hair. The other men who are here are working with his dad. They took care of Megumi a lot. A guy gives Megumi a bag full of stuffed animals and Megumi takes it. Some of these men are crying as they say goodbye to him.
Megumi walks to Gojo who takes the bag with him.
His mom wipes her tears and smiles at Gojo.
“Please take care of him. I am sorry for forcing this on you when you are just 16 but we had no other choice.”
His dad takes her in his strong arms. Gojo shakes his head.
“You're not forcing anything on us. We're just 16 but we will sort this out. Besides-”Gojo looks at Megumi and smiles at him. “I always wanted a baby brother. But my parents considered I was just a spoiled brat who was just asking for too much. I just wanted a baby brother to dress him, to teach him stuff, to have fun with. Instead, I got some stupid cousins who thought my eyes were weird.”
His dad chuckles.
“They are right about everything.”
Gojo glares at him.
“You really are asking-”
He doesn't have time to finish because his phone rings. He checks the ID caller and sighs. He shows it to his dad who frowns.
“Take the call.”
Gojo picks up.
“Well, hello, pappy. What can I do for you?” There is a pause. “I'm afraid that won't be possible. Suguru and I have other plans this holiday. Maybe you can ask your boring son to take care of- Where am I?” Gojo looks at his dad who makes a sign. “Where do you think I am? I am at an orphanage dropping a big ass check for kids. I don't wanna go to your boring ass Christmas party, I have other plans. But thank you, and goodbye!”
And he hung up.
“How do you come so fast with lies like these?"
"It's all natural. I have a big brain, you can't understand."
"You have a big ass forehead, that's for sure. A brain, I don't know."
"You-"
"Take Megumi and leave. I'm afraid my dad will burst here soon. He always does that.”
Gojo nods, takes the bags and Megumi's hand in his. Megumi squeezes it and follows the man outside. There is a cab waiting for them. Megumi looks behind him and sees everyone waving at him. Megumi watches as the men working with his dad say their last words to him.
“Take care of you, Megumi.”
“Eat well, sleep well and study well.”
“We know we'll meet again.”
“You'll be an amazing guy when you grow up! I know it!”
Megumi smiles at them. They all follow him outside, his parents on the porch, his mom still crying. But even the guys are crying, they can't hold back their tears.
Gojo puts the bags in the truck and opens the door for Megumi to climb. Megumi gets in and is greeted by the warmth of the car. He says ‘hi’ to the driver who says ‘hi’ back with a smile. He looks through the window again.
Gojo gets in the cab as well and leans on Megumi.
“Wave at them Megumi-kun. We're leaving now.”
The engine starts and Megumi progressively loses them from his sight. He looks straight in front of him. He holds his tears, not wanting to cry. He won't cry. He has his toys and gifts they offered him. He has souvenirs from them. He holds his bag against him.
“We are going to meet your big sisters.”
Megumi looks at Gojo, surprised. The man is smiling at him.
“Big sisters?"
"Three. They are with my boyfriend as we speak. You'll meet them. They are impatient to meet you."
"Are they abandoned like me?”
Gojo laughs and shakes his head.
“You were not abandoned. You'll understand when you grow up. I'll tell you everything. I promise. And to answer your question, those girls were mistreated by heartless humans. Their own families. Two are twins, the other is not related to them. You'll be their baby brother from now on.”
Megumi tries to imagine what life with three sisters will be like. Will it be peaceful or chaos? Will they get along? Will he be happy? He wonders. What is Gojo's boyfriend like? Is he nice? Is he going to like him?
“Does your boyfriend know about me?”
Gojo nods.
“Of course he does. And he is excited to meet you. He wonders if you actually look like your father.”
Megumi blinks.
“I don't look like him."
"Yes, you do. See that face, that scowl and that temper… Man that's your father."
"You say temper when I'm not even three."
"So? You can have a horrible temper at such a young age. And something tells him you'll be a bigger problem when you grow up and I will suffer from it.”
Gojo's head falls back in a dramaic pose. Megumi grins at him.
“And something tells me you'll be a pain in the ass.”
Gojo's face is priceless as he is shocked by what Megumi just said.
“Who the- Did your dad say that about me?"
"He said you're full of yourself with an ego bigger than your IQ."
"Why do I think you just made that up?"
"I didn't. But I'm sure I'll find something else as well.”
Even the driver laughs at this. Gojo groans and Megumi chuckles. He feels better now though his sadness is still here. Gojo puts a hand on his head.
“Don't worry, Megumi-kun. I am here now. Everything will be fine, I promise you.”
Megumi doesn't know why but he trusts him.
It takes at least twenty minutes for them to arrive at the train station. It's still early in the morning, practically no one is here except some students and adults who are going to work. Megumi holds Gojo's hand and they walk to the platform.
He makes Megumi sit on a bench and he sits next to him. He makes him wear his hood, hiding his face. Megumi eventually gets closer to Gojo for some warmth. The man doesn't mind and puts an arm around his shoulders.
“Once we are on the train, it will be better. Man, why is it so damn cold?”
He sighs and Megumi kind of understands. It's really cold right but it's not surprising.
“Megumi-kun.” He looks at Gojo who is glaring in front of him, checking the board announcing the train arrivals. “Do you know what day we are today?”
Megumi thinks.
“December 7th.”
Gojo grins.
“Yes, we are."
"Is there something special on this date?"
"It's my birthday. I just turned 16.”
Megumi blinks.
“Oh.” He smiles. “Well, happy birthday then.”
Gojo laughs and draws circles on Megumi's back.
“And I just got the best present.” He looks at Megumi. “A baby brother.”
Megumi remembers what he told his mother earlier. How he wanted one but his parents refused.
“Are you an only child?"
"Yes and it was so boring! You know when you have siblings, it's so much better because you get to play with them, fight, tell them secrets and all that stuff."
"And with your cousins? It wasn't good?"
"I'm going to tell you a little something, Megumi-kun. There are three big families in Japan. Kamo, Zenin and Gojo. They are the most influential and most respected families in the entire country.”
Megumi swears he heard the name Zenin somewhere. He thinks someone called his dad that once. Gojo must have noticed something because he grins.
“Is my dad a Zenin?"
"Yes, he is. Actually, he was. In a couple of days, he won't be one anymore."
"I don't get it. Why is he not a Zenin anymore? Does that have something to do with me?"
"Yes and no. Your father made a choice years ago, years before you were even born. A choice his family didn't appreciate. So to put in a simple words-”
He stops when he notices the train is coming. They get up and Gojo takes the bags. He tells Megumi to walk in front of him. Megumi sighs when the warmth of the train greets him. It's so good.
“Go over there.”
Megumi sits where Gojo told him. Gojo puts the bags in the compartment above their heads.
“Do you get your passport or an ID card?”
Megumi opens his backpack and takes the small pocket where his papers are. He gives it to Gojo who nods.
“Perfect. We'll probably get controlled so it's important to have them.”
Then it hits Megumi.
“But we are not related. They'll see it on the papers.”
Gojo pats his head.
“I got everything under control. Don't worry about it.”
Megumi has never gone on a train before. Or a plane. Or a boat. He only traveled in cars. He watches as people get in and sit.
“I've never been on public transportation before.”
Gojo hums.
“Understandable. It would have been too much of a risk.”
At that comment, Megumi looks at Gojo.
“A risk?"
"I told you. Your father made a choice. And you were part of it. At least that's what his family thought. They expect him to hand you to them. But it's not going to happen."
"That's why they had to let me go? That's why I had to stay at my father's friend's house many times?"
"I don't know all the details because the only order I received was to pick you up today but I guess it is. You can't stay with them. Or his family will take you."
"Are they bad?”
He remembers how his mom would say if you dislike someone it's either based on jealousy or because they are bad. There are no other explanations.
Gojo chuckles.
“They are bad. Horrible people. They are conservative, they force their ideas on everyone. They hate girls and women. For example, your grandfather's brother had twin daughters. They are the same age as you. Sadly, being born a girl in this family is not an easy task.”
Megumi listens as Gojo tells him stories about the Zenin family. At least what he knows. And he learns. He tries to remember everything. The conversation manages to fill the hour of travel. Megumi learns that Gojo talks a lot. A lot. But he will have to get used to it.
Megumi sulks when the train stops and they have to get off. Gojo seems to be amused by his reaction.
“We just have 10 minutes by bus and then you'll be in a huge blanket with a hot drink.”
Luckily, the bus is on sight and he sits somewhere empty. He takes his phone.
He watches as his feet don't touch the ground and his feet are swinging in the air. It's funny. He wonders if he will be able to grow a lot and reach his father's height one day. He looks outside and sees the shops are opening slowly, more people are going out, he also sees little dogs on their walks. He wonders if they are cold with his weather or if their fur protects them?
“There are a lot of people in the bus so hold my hand."
Megumi obeys and Gojo has to elbow them so Megumi can pass. They finally get off and Megumi blinks when Gojo stops in front of a building.
“Didn't you say your family was one of the most influential?”
Gojo laughs at that.
“They are but that's where you'll live for two years. Then you'll live in a mansion.”
They go in and take an elevator to the 5th floor. Once they reach it, Gojo uses his keys to open the appartement. Megumi enters first and is immediately greeted by the calm and warmth once again. He sees pairs of shoes at the entrance, a lot. For big feet but also little shoes, for girls. There are also coats, scarves and bags. All from different colors.
Gojo closes the door behind him and puts the bags down.
“Take off your coat, scarf, gloves and shoes.”
Megumi gives them to Gojo who hangs them next to a red coat.
“That's where you'll put your stuff from the time being, alright?” Megumi nods. “Alright. Let's go.”
Megumi walks to a big space, which he presumes to be the living room. Megumi is surprised. From the outside, it looks like a cheap place but it's cozy and big. There is a large couch and some stuff is disposed of on it. There is also a big shelf full of books. There is a TV and consoles as well.
Megumi jumps when he hears a door opening behind him. There is a tall and muscular man with mid-length hair tied up in a man bun and bangs covering his forehead. He looks like he just woke up as he rubs his eyes.
“Oh! Suguru! Guess who is here?”
Suguru? Is he Gojo's boyfriend?
Suguru's eyes land on Megumi and he has to blink a few times to adapt and grasp the situation. But when he does, he closes the door behind him and walks to Megumi with a smile.
“Megumi-kun! My, my. What a pleasure to finally meet you! Come over here.”
Suguru kneels and stretches his arms, hands open, palms to the roof. Megumi approaches and puts his tiny hands in his. Suguru squeezes them.
“I am Suguru Geto. I am Satoru's boyfriend. You can call me whatever you want. I don't mind at all. We'll live together from now on so feel free to ask me anything you want.”
Megumi nods at what Geto said then he feels stupid because he hasn't said a word to him which could really be disrespectful. It is.
“I'm… Fushiguro Megumi. You… You can also call me anything you want.”
Geto chuckles and Gojo ruffles his hair. Megumi looks at him, scowling. Gojo steps back, pretending to be scared. Then he looks at Geto.
“Look at him. A little monster!"
"Don't call him that. He is barely three."
"Barely three and he is already a copy of his father!"
"Satoru… Leave him alone.”
Gojo sticks his tongue to Megumi who glares at him in return. Geto sighs.
“I'm really sorry. You will have to get used to it. That's how he is.”
Megumi smiles at Geto. Then his eyes wander. He has seen so many toys, female coats and other stuff for kids but he hasn't seen his ‘sisters’. Geto must have understood because he winks.
“They are sleeping.” Megumi whispers ‘oh’. “You must be very tired, Megumi-kun. How about a little nap? It's barely 7am and I bet you haven't slept a lot?”
It's true. Megumi barely slept. He was too upset to sleep, he was busy focussing on his mom's arm around him as she was crying in her sleep, he was busy focussing on his dad's strong hand on his small chest. He barely closed his eyes.
"Not really. I am a bit tired right now."
"Well, then. How about you sleep in your bed, in your room?"
"My room? And the girls also have separate rooms?"
"No. The girls share the same room, just different beds. But your room is just next to theirs.”
Megumi looks at the room Geto is pointing at. There is something down his stomach, something hollow. After leaving his family, he doesn't want to be alone. At least not now. He turns to Geto who is still smiling.
“Can I…Can I sleep here? Just for the nap? I don't… I don't want to be alone at least today.”
Both look very surprised by this question. They look at each other for a brief second before Geto looks at Megumi again.
“If noises are not a problem for you, why not?”
Megumi smiles and lets Geto leads him to the couch. He goes to a room, probably Megumi's, to get a blanket. He comes back with a big blue one. Gojo sits on the couch and taps his lap. Megumi frowns. But he puts his head on his lap and lets the man gently caress his hair. Geto puts the big blanket on his body and Megumi whispers ‘thank you’. Geto gives him a gentle pat on his back and knees once again in front of him. Megumi curls up on himself, bringing his hands close to his mouth, like a baby inside his mom's womb.
Gojo is still caressing his hair and Megumi just closes his eyes, his eyelids being so heavy. He is so tired. The last thing he hears is Geto warning Gojo again of not bothering Megumi.
That's the last thing he hears and it brings a smile to his face.
He doesn't really know for how long he slept but it felt so good. He still feels the warm blanket on him. He tugs it and sighs of relief. It smells good too. It smells like lilac. Megumi slowly opens his eyes and blinks when six eyes are watching him.
It's not Geto who is kneeling anymore but three girls, chins on the couch.
One has caramel hair that extends to the bottom of her head. Another one has short brown hair set in a bob cut with a symmetrical fringe. And the last one has brown hair tied in a ponytail with long bangs on both sides of her face.
Right. They are his sisters.
Megumi straightens up to sit properly. Both Geto and Gojo are not here but he hears sounds in another room.
After a little moment of silence, the one with caramel hair speaks.
“I am Nanako. This is Mimiko, my twin sister. And she is Tsumiki.”
Megumi takes time to register their names.
“I am… Megumi.”
Then they start talking. About nothing, about everything. They don't have a specific topic of conversation. Megumi learns they are the same age but Tsumiki is just a bit younger, only by three months. They are all six. They told him about their abusive households and how it was hell for them. Mimiko shows him the weird doll she is carrying with her. It has a lot of stitches but she doesn't mind.
Megumi talks a little about him. About his parents, about how he had no choice but to leave. They listen. They seem curious.
“Oh? You met your sisters, uh?”
Megumi looks at Gojo who just appeared. He dropped his sunglasses and he is just wearing simple clothes.
“How long was I sleeping?"
"2 hours. But you needed it. You were exhausted. How about we have breakfast now?”
The girls get up, all excited and they take Megumi's hand, forcing him to get up. He yelps but follows them, under the amused face of Gojo. They go to the bathroom to wash their hands. They are small so they have to climb on a little step to reach the sink. Megumi waits for his turn.
Once it's done, the girls bring him to another room imbricated to the living room but separated from it.
There is a big table with six chairs. Three on one side, three others facing them. The girls sit all next to each other -Nanako, Mimiko and Tsumiki in that order- and Gojo sits in front of Tsumiki while Geto sits, facing Nanako. So there is an empty space for him, in the middle. Megumi sits there and waits to be served.
It looks delicious. There are egg rolls, rice and other dishes Megumi wants to taste.
“Megumi-kun is salivating already.”
Megumi glares at Gojo.
“Oh, did I trigger you again?"
"I am not salivating."
"You are! Look-"
"Satoru.”
Gojo shakes his head with a smile. Geto serves Megumi with a good portion and does the same with everyone else. Megumi thanks him. Gojo puts a hand on his head and looks at the table as he speaks.
“This is our first meal all together. We greet Megumi in our new family. Let's do our best so he won't be lost, ok?”
The girls say yes in unison and smile at Megumi. He returns the smile to them. But then Tsumiki speaks up.
“He will stay with us, right?”
Megumi looks at Gojo who smiles.
“Of course, he will. Why wouldn't he? There is no reason for him to go with them. They won't know anyways.”
Megumi understands he is talking about the Zenin. Geto hums.
“From now, Megumi-kun is not a Zenin. It's very important to remember this. Can we count on you?”
Nanako giggles.
“What's a Zenin?”
She looks at Mimiko who shrugs.
“Aren't they a big family, Tsumiki?”
Tsumiki puts two fingers under her chin.
“I never met a Zenin member. I wonder what they look like?”
Their reactions make Geto and Gojo laugh. Megumi giggles at this. They start eating and Megumi hums as the food goes down his throat. It's so good. He likes that food. Megumi doesn't talk too much. He listens to them instead. And they are not pushing him though Gojo keeps teasing him every second and tries to steal his food.
Maybe he will like this new life. Who knows?
January 2019
“You got everything with you?”
Megumi is on the train platform, waiting for his train to arrive. His sisters came with him. But they won't hop on the train with him. They stay here, in Kyoto. They are at the university. Megumi, on the other hand, is starting a new life in Tokyo. He already lived there for two years but that was when he was a kid.
“Yes. I have everything with me.”
He has luggage and a backpack with him. That's all he needs anyways. Everything is in there.
Ever since that article was published, it has become a mess. Schools here don't want him, his friends -or at least who he thought were- avoided him, talked behind his back. It sucks but what can he do?
Tsumiki hands Megumi a bento box.
“Eat that on the train.”
Megumi wants to refuse but he accepts. He knows they will pester him until he accepts. Nanako puts her hands on her hips.
"Whatever the decision is, you just obey, okay? No fight and try to make some friends as well. Don't stay alone."
Megumi rubs his neck.
“"I know Nana. You already told me that."
"And I will keep saying it because it's important."
The train arrives and Megumi takes his stuff. Mimiko gently pushes him inside. He waits for the doors to open. He gives his ID and ticket to the man who lets his pass. It's not hard to find his seat. It's right near the window. He sees his sisters standing on the platform, smiling at him. It's just weird being separated from them but it's not the end. They can talk on the phone, send each other messages and pictures. And they will see each other from time to time.
It's time to leave so Megumi listens as the three repeat the same thing they have been saying for the past days.
“Study well, ok? You have a big brain so it won't be hard for you.”
“Send us pictures of your friends!”
“Listen to what your teachers say!”
“Don't worry too much about what others say about you. Let them bark!”
Megumi smiles at them. One thing he learned over the past 12 years is that they are extremely protective over him, acting like his mom, acting like big sisters. They always baby him and sometimes Megumi is sick of it but he accepts it. He can't change them.
He waves at them one more time as the train leaves.
He takes his book in his backpack and resumes the lecture. It's about a young man heading to Tokyo for the first time, to start a new life, with new friends. There, he meets a man who loves to flirt with girls. But as he sees the boy, he fallsat his feet.
It's so corny, just another typical cliché romance. Megumi truly wonders how people can even come with ideas like these? He just bought it because the cover was good and he wanted a change in his shelf. Maybe he will like it at the end?