Chapter 52: Tea That Wasn’t Meant to Work Like That

The kitchen smelled… peaceful.

Which, in this house, was suspicious.

Sunlight filtered in through the window, illuminating a wooden table now completely covered in herbs, flowers, leaves, roots, and things Gojo could not identify without a biology degree and a will to live.

Anzu Midare moved carefully between them, sleeves rolled up slightly, expression serious in the way only gentle people got when they were absolutely convinced they were doing the right thing.

“This one calms emotional turbulence,” she murmured, adding a dried petal. “This stabilizes spiritual flow. And this helps prevent side effects.”

Gojo sat on a chair nearby, watching like a nervous cat. “There are side effects?”

Anzu froze.

“…Usually no,” she said quickly. “Very rarely.”

That did not help.

From the doorway, Hikami leaned against the frame, arms crossed, eyes sharp. “Define rarely.”

Anzu hesitated. “Once.”

Raika, seated at the table with perfect posture, immediately slammed her cup down. “Absolutely not.”

Arashi lounged upside down on a chair, legs hooked over the back. “I say let him drink it. Worst case, he cries or something.”

“I do not cry,” Gojo muttered.

Hiyori stood beside Anzu, eyes sparkling. “I believe in you!”

Suma smirked. “If he explodes, I’m calling it.”

Anzu swallowed, then poured the tea into a simple cup. The liquid was a soft pink-green color, steam rising gently, carrying a faint floral scent.

She held it out to Gojo with both hands.

“This should help stabilize your Spirit God energy,” she said earnestly. “It will calm emotional noise.”

Gojo looked at the tea.

Looked at the girls.

Looked at the scorch marks on the ceiling.

“…Yeah. Okay.”

He took the cup.

Raika’s eye twitched. “You are far too trusting.”

Gojo shrugged and drank it.

Immediately.

Without hesitation.

Anzu gasped. “Y-you weren’t supposed to drink it all at once!”

“…Huh?”

Silence.

Nothing happened.

Gojo blinked. “Tastes like flowers.”

Everyone stared.

Five seconds passed.

Ten.

Hikami scoffed. “See? Nothing.”

Gojo nodded. “Yeah. I feel fine.”

Then he smiled.

A soft, genuine smile.

“Hiyori, you’re really cute when you’re worried.”

Hiyori froze.

“…E-eh?”

Her face went red. Steam practically rose from her head. “G-Gojo-kun…?”

Gojo tilted his head. “Huh? Why are you shaking?”

Hikami narrowed her eyes. “Say something else.”

Gojo turned to her. “You’re really hot. Like, unfairly hot. It’s distracting.”

Dead silence.

Hikami’s mouth opened slightly.

“…Oh?”

Raika shot to her feet. “WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY?!”

Gojo looked at her calmly. “You’re elegant, but you’re terrible at hiding your feelings. It’s obvious you care.”

Raika’s entire body lit up like a lightning rod.

“B-B-B-BAKA—!”

ZAP.

She shocked herself.

Again.

She yelped and collapsed back into her chair, smoking slightly.

Arashi burst out laughing. “HOLY— HE’S BROKEN!”

Gojo frowned. “Why are you laughing? You’re actually really dependable. You act wild, but you pay attention to everyone.”

Arashi’s grin vanished.

“…Shut up.”

Her ears turned bright red.

Suma leaned forward slowly. “Say something about me.”

Gojo turned to her instantly. “You pretend not to care, but you’re actually the most observant one here.”

Suma froze.

“…I hate this tea.”

Anzu stared at Gojo, horror creeping across her face. “Oh no…”

Hiyori swayed on her feet. “G-Gojo-kun said I’m cute… he said it… out loud…”

She made a tiny noise and nearly fainted.

Gojo caught her instinctively. “Careful. You’re light. Like a snowflake.”

Hiyori’s brain left her body.

Anzu rushed forward. “P-please put her down! Her heart rate—!”

Gojo blinked. “Oh. Sorry.”

He gently set Hiyori on a chair.

Raika pointed a trembling finger. “Anzu. Explain. Now.”

Anzu clasped her hands tightly. “The tea was meant to calm emotional filters… not remove them entirely…”

Hikami smirked slowly. “So he’s saying what he really thinks.”

“Yes,” Anzu squeaked. “But usually it fades quickly!”

Gojo frowned again. “Why is everyone upset? I’m just being honest.”

“THAT’S THE PROBLEM,” Raika shouted.

Hikami stepped closer, bending slightly to meet Gojo’s eyes. “Gojo-kun. What do you think about me… right now?”

Gojo didn’t hesitate.

“You’re scary, loud, invasive… and you make things exciting. I feel safe around you, even when you’re annoying.”

Hikami froze.

Her flames flickered.

“…Say that again.”

Raika slammed her hand on the table. “STOP FISHING FOR COMPLIMENTS!”

Gojo turned to Raika. “You’re cute when you’re angry.”

ZAP.

She shocked herself again.

Smoke curled from her sleeves.

Anzu looked like she might cry. “I-I can brew an antidote!”

Suma shook her head. “No. This is entertaining.”

Arashi leaned closer to Gojo. “Oi. What about me?”

Gojo smiled slightly. “You’re fun. And lonely. You pretend not to care, but you want someone to choose you.”

Arashi stared at him.

“…Tch.”

She turned away, cheeks burning.

Hiyori suddenly stood up, fists clenched, face bright red. “G-Gojo-kun… w-what do you think about… being with me?”

The room went dead silent.

Gojo looked at her.

“You’re gentle. You make me feel calm. I like being near you.”

Hiyori’s legs gave out.

She fainted.

Gojo caught her again, panicking. “WHY DOES EVERYONE KEEP FALLING?!”

Raika groaned, sparks popping weakly. “I am going to kill this tea.”

Anzu bowed deeply, tears in her eyes. “I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean—!”

Gojo blinked, then looked at her. “You’re really kind. And brave. Even though you’re scared.”

Anzu froze completely.

The flowers in the kitchen bloomed wildly.

“…Oh no,” she whispered.

Outside, the wind stirred.

Something dark laughed softly.

And the tea continued to work exactly as it wasn’t meant to.