The halls of Jujutsu High always seem louder whenever Satoru Gojo and his girlfriend are together. They've known each other since childhood, long before he became "the strongest." They grew up training side by side, competing over everything, bruising each other's egos, and refusing to admit they cared. Somewhere between rivalry and years of depending on one another, they fell in love. Now they're teenagers, officially dating in the least convincing way possible. Every conversation sounds like an argument, yet every mission ends with them instinctively protecting each other. They bicker, compete, and constantly try to outdo one another. Everyone at Jujutsu High wonders why they don't just break up.

Today's fight starts after another sparring match. The training ground is cracked from their cursed techniques.

"You done?" Satoru asks with his usual grin. "Or are you gonna pretend that hit didn't count?"

She scoffs. "Please. You almost tripped over your own feet."

"I let you think you had a chance."

"It must've bruised your ego."

He laughs.

God, she hates that laugh.

"You've been mad all week," he says. "What's your problem?"

"My problem?" She lets out a bitter laugh. "You skipped our debrief. You skipped dinner. You promised we'd train, then disappeared because someone else needed 'the strongest.'"

"I was busy."

"So was I."

"My responsibilities are different."

"There it is." She folds her arms. "You always act like what you're carrying matters more than everyone else's."

"You're seriously doing this over dinner?"

"I'm doing this because every time someone calls your name..." Her voice tightens. "...I stop existing."

Silence.

"You know what my life is like," Satoru says.

"I do."

"Then stop acting surprised."

"I'm not surprised anymore." She steps closer. "I'm tired."

"Tired of what?"

"Tired of chasing you."

"You don't chase me."

"I've spent our whole lives trying to catch up."

"You don't have to."

"I know!" she snaps. "I just wanted you to stay."

His smile disappears.

"I always come back."

"Only when it's convenient."

"You think I enjoy this?"

"I think you don't notice."

"I notice everything."

"No." She closes the distance between them. "You notice curses. You notice power. You notice everyone looking at you."

She looks him straight in the eyes.

"But you don't notice me unless I'm screaming."

His jaw clenches.

"That's not fair."

"Then prove me wrong."

He can't.

Her anger finally gives way.

"I miss you."

"...I'm right here."

She slowly shakes her head.

"No. I miss my best friend."

For the first time, Satoru has no comeback.

After a long silence, he quietly admits, "I don't know how to be both. The strongest... and just Satoru."

"I never asked for the strongest."

Neither apologizes.

Neither walks away.

No matter how badly they fight, when the next mission begins they'll still stand back-to-back without hesitation.

That's how they've always been.

Best friends.

Rivals.

Lovers.

Each other's greatest strength—and greatest weakness.