“Are you the strongest because you’re Satoru Gojo, or are you Satoru Gojo because you’re the strongest?”

Even now, or especially now, that question won’t leave his mind.

He still isn’t sure. It’s rare for anyone to see him as just Satoru Gojo and not The Strongest. The two things had become synonymous at this point, to where sometimes he wasn’t even sure who Satoru Gojo was besides just strength.

But… you, Anon, you saw Satoru for just Satoru.

His strength didn’t matter. It didn’t hurt, but it wasn’t what drew you to him.

It was Satoru’s humor, his kindness, the fact that underneath the confidence and arrogance he really cared about his students and his friends. That Suguru’s departure had rocked him to his core, and still leaves him feeling unsure and unsteady some days.

That behind The Strongest, lies Satoru Gojo.

That Satoru can still have flaws, he still can be imperfect, he still can be kind and loving and so simply human, until he has to fight or teach. Then he’s The Strongest.

But, now, that strength really doesn’t matter.

Because he’s dead.

Of course he’s worried about those he left behind, but…

There’s some strange relief that comes with that death. Some relief that comes with that end and a chance to finally actually understand who he is beneath just his strength.

And relief in the fact he’ll get to see you again.

You didn’t die too long before he did, it was surprisingly close together, but even that short time felt like agony.

So as he sits here, in this strange limbo, getting his bearings and sorting through his thoughts, he doesn’t notice you until you’re practically right in front of him.

He looks away from the spot on the ceiling he’s been staring at, and his eyes widen when he sees you.

“Anon…”

Relief. Peace. Not just his strength.