It didn't take long before Megumi left your office again,

 his usual quiet demeanor a reflection of his conflicted thoughts. Unlike your fellow teachers, who kept their work and living spaces distinct, you preferred the proximity of students. A small house just beyond the dormitory grounds suited you perfectly.

Your quaint little house, always filled with the comforting sound of paws skittering across the floor, was a world of its own. Seven dogs, each named after a different dessert, greeted you with unrestrained excitement, a tradition you'd maintained in honor of Gojo's insatiable sweet tooth.

The dogs, with their unconditional loyalty, welcomed you home as if you were the most important thing in the world—and in this house, you were. You enjoyed the simplicity of it. Unlike people, who often presented obstacles and emotions you found difficult to navigate, your dogs gave you something to manipulate without resistance.

"How was your day, Mochi?" you asked, crouching down to scratch the ears of a fluffy white dog. "Did you keep an eye on the house for me?"

Mochi's tail wagged in rhythmic thumps, his soft eyes watching you with adoration. He leaned into your touch as if understanding you needed it. "Good boy," you whispered, then moved on to the next. "And you, Tiramisu? Did you behave yourself?"

Tiramisu barked in response, his tail thumping eagerly. You patted him on the head, speaking softly. "I knew I could count on you."

The peaceful hum of life in your house settled your mind. For a while, you allowed yourself to enjoy the comforting act of feeding, caring for, and speaking to the dogs. It was the one place where control came effortlessly, where loyalty was never questioned.

"Pudding, did you get enough to eat today?" you asked the golden dog lying beside his bowl. You bent down to check, finding his bowl almost completely empty.

"Good boy," you murmured, stroking his fur gently before standing and heading to the kitchen to prepare your meal. Cooking wasn't something you truly enjoyed, but it was another exercise in control—another space where everything followed your deliberate direction.

You hummed as you chopped vegetables, the sound of the knife against the cutting board providing a comforting rhythm. There was something satisfying about making your own food—a reminder that you had power over even the simplest things.

Yet, barely five minutes into your meal, your phone rang, piercing the quiet. You saw Gojo's name flash on the screen, and without hesitation, you picked it up, already anticipating his excitement.

"He got accepted!!!" Gojo's voice nearly burst through the phone, unmistakably brimming with energy. You couldn't help but allow a small, smug smile to cross your face at the sound.

"Of course he did," you replied, nonchalantly continuing to eat your meal as if the outcome had never been in doubt. "I'll be at the dorms shortly."

Gojo was already bombarding you with praise, but you weren't listening. The plan was unfolding exactly as you intended. The new recruit would fit perfectly into your designs, just as the others had before him. You hung up the phone and took a deliberate bite, savoring the moment before you had to leave.

"Looks like duty calls, my sweets," you murmured to your dogs, standing up. "But don't worry, I'll be back soon."

The dogs gave their usual encouraging barks, their eyes full of trust and loyalty. You returned their affection with a final pat before heading out the door.

You walked slowly, appreciating the quiet of the night. The dorms always felt chaotic to you, but there was something soothing about knowing you had everyone right where you wanted them. You could sense the shifting dynamics already. Gojo was useful for his charisma. And Megumi—well, Megumi was always a challenge. His loyalty, though reluctant, was valuable.

Upon reaching the dormitory, the ruckus of laughter and clamor told you exactly where Gojo and the new recruit would be. Entering the dorm room, your eyes immediately caught sight of the tacky celebrity poster on the wall. It was almost endearing, the boy's obvious embarrassment. Itadori Yuji stammered, his cheeks bright red as he saw you.

"I didn't expect the good-looking woman to be here. Why didn't you tell me, Gojo??" he blurted out in a flurry of panic, his voice cracking under the weight of his awkwardness.

You smiled gently, your demeanor calm, carefully concealing the amusement beneath. "Ah, don't worry, little one," you replied, stepping closer to the boy. "We all have our guilty pleasures; it's nothing you need to hide from me."

Yuji was visibly relieved but still unsure of how to proceed. "I'm Itadori Yuji," he said, his voice still shaky.

"It's a pleasure to properly meet you, Yuji," you said smoothly, giving him a reassuring nod. "You can call me Y/N."

The boy looked a little flustered, but you could tell he was eager to impress. "So, Jennifer Lawrence, huh?" you said, your tone playful yet calculating. "What is it about her that you like so much?"

Yuji hesitated for a moment, then looked up at you, trying to find his words. "Uh, well, she's really talented and, um, she's got this presence, you know?" His tone was earnest, and you could sense his desire for you to validate his feelings.

You nodded slowly, as if genuinely considering his words, but your eyes never left him. "I see. She does have a certain charm," you said, smiling ever so slightly. You could tell Yuji was feeling increasingly comfortable in your presence, eager for more of your attention.

Before you could say more, the door creaked open, and in walked Megumi, his brows furrowed in annoyance. The contrast between him and Yuji was striking—one so tightly wound, the other a bundle of nervous energy.

"Why does he have to be right next door?" Megumi muttered, crossing his arms and glaring at Yuji.

Gojo, ever the opportunist, stepped in with his usual exuberance. "Megumi, it's part of the experience! More people means more fun, right?"

"Fun for you, maybe," Megumi shot back, a wry expression on his face as he glanced at Yuji. "I just hope he doesn't snore."

You looked at Megumi with a cool expression, one that masked your amusement. "You'll survive," you said, your tone casual, yet the way you held his gaze made it clear you were always watching, always calculating. "Think of it as character building."

There was a brief silence as the group processed your words, and you seized the opportunity to direct the conversation in a new direction.

"Aren't we supposed to pick up the third student tomorrow?" you asked, your voice smooth but with a hint of concern. "How about we let them rest for now? I'm sure they need it."

Gojo immediately chimed in, agreeing with your suggestion. "Y/N's right," he said, nodding. "It's important to give them some space to adjust. We can introduce them properly after they've had time to settle in."

You allowed yourself a small smile. Gojo was predictable—too enthusiastic for his own good, but that was part of his charm. You knew how to use his energy to fuel your own agenda. Megumi, however, would always be the harder one to control, but you found his loyalty—though reluctant—useful.

Turning your attention back to Yuji, you couldn't help but find a bit of enjoyment in how easily he was swayed. "Well then, Yuji, since you're already acquainted with our lovely dorm neighbors," you began with a sly smile, "how about I show you the rest of the dormitory?"

Yuji's eyes brightened, his discomfort forgotten for the moment. "That sounds awesome!" he exclaimed, his enthusiasm genuine.

You led the tour with deliberate care, taking your time to point out the important features of the dorm. As you showed Yuji around, you subtly steered the conversation, making sure to highlight the parts of dorm life that would endear him to his new environment. You knew exactly what to say to make him feel at ease, to make him feel like he belonged here—like you had his back.

"This is the common room," you said, gesturing toward the cozy space. "It's a great place to unwind after a long day. And don't worry, everyone here is friendly... most of the time."

Yuji glanced around, taking in the surroundings with awe. "It looks really nice. Way better than I expected."

You chuckled softly, leaning against the doorframe, eyes never leaving him. "Well, we do our best to make it feel like home. If you ever need anything, don't hesitate to ask."

You could see the shift in him, how his posture relaxed, how he started to feel more like a part of the group. You had him just where you wanted him—

another piece, slowly and carefully placed into your grand design.

─── ⋆⋅ ♰ ⋅⋆ ───