ほろ苦い . [g. satoru x reader]

十七

***

Shit.

I took a deep breath. I tightened the cloth around my bleeding arm and leg.

I fell down in relief, accepting the drowsiness flowing through my limbs. Faint explosions rumbled nearby. I'm guessing Fushiguro and Reggie are close.

I swallowed deep, shallow breaths. Every limb was on the verge of exploding. I tapped my watch, Minato's number popping on the screen.

"Hey, what is it this time," she hissed as her voice filtered in.

"I apologize," I shrugged, chuckling. "Can you teleport here with Omar? Another change of plans. And use your technique on him so he won't be affected by the game."

"Again? Just when I was about to relax..." she grumbles.

"Please. This is urgent. I need to summon it before it haunts me," I sighed. My head fell down in exhaustion.

Minato stops talking for a moment. She clears her throat, "Consider it done."

A moment of silence took me straight at peace. The movement of the air shifted. Ooh, what an appearance.

"Hey, Angel girl," I said groggily. Her awful smile continued to taunt me.

"Don't summon it," she spoke in a calmer tone, but I felt slight aggression to the mix.

My remaining energy allows me to grin. I sighed. "But he'd be happy to see me. Plus I feel like doing the contract again."

Her complexion changed to disappointment. "He's weak. But it's hard to say if his energy has recovered since breaking the contract, is it not?"

"Right," I scoffed.

She crouches to my head level.

"He will go wild if you summon him," Angel warns. I frowned and looked at my bloody palms. I nodded.

"Take care of that kid with black hair. He's my...friend's student. A valuable one," I said, tilting my head to lean on the concrete wall.

"Who're you to order me around?" she pouts and crosses her arms.

"Remember that you owe me twice," I smiled.

She flinches then disappears. At that moment, Minato and Omar appeared in front of me. Both were in a panicked expression.

I waved at them to come closer. "Minato, try to stop the bleeding. Omar, do your job."

The two of them unexpectedly obey my orders. Normally, they would've complained or attempted to bribe me with all sorts of things. I lay my back on the concrete floor, staining the back of my white shirt.

Omar's long fingers hovered above me and shut my consciousness completely.

I opened my eyes.

I looked at Tomoe's broken figure. We were in the center of white, empty space. What has he been doing all this time?

I noticed one wall was stained with my blood. He must have been upset.

"Mad..." the spirit croaked. Its shaky voice resembled Rika's. But his voice contained sadness and anxiety.

"I'm sorry," I said, my voice echoing.

"Gone...Inoue gone..." the cursed spirit groaned. Black liquid, probably tears, dribbled on his rough cheek.

I pursed my lips. "Why didn't you tell me my soul was half-empty?"

The space shook. He was probably mad and upset. I summoned a piece of paper and a pen. "Do want a contract?"

"No...You leave...Tomoe weak...Hurt Inoue..." he whimpers. The cursed spirit shrunk to the height of a human similar to Gojo Satoru.

I clenched my fist to calm my emotions. "You can fill the empty spot. That is my only condition, okay?"

"Won't hurt Inoue?" the spirit tilts its head like a curious dog.

I smiled. "It won't hurt me."

The area shook once more. This time it was filled with happiness and relief. Tomoe's name instantly appeared on the contract. As soon as it was written there, the white space crumbled.

"Inoue safe," Tomoe mused confidently. Hence, I return to reality.

The first thing I did was choke. I coughed and coughed until a gem rolled out of my tongue. A bright emerald...!

"That took you forever?" Omar frowned.

"Tomoe alive," Tomoe's side croaked from my throat. I cleared my throat. "I'm sorry that took long. About my final request..."

I sat upright and glanced sternly at the two.

"Please dismiss everyone from the Black Smoke," I coughed, this time, something bitter escaped my mouth. Tomoe was probably trying to get used to my body.

Minato gasped and Omar looked at me in shock.

"Why now?" the two asked in perfect sync.

"I don't have much time. Plus the organization is already losing its purpose anyway. Please tell the others to settle somewhere quiet. If I need you, it's your choice to ignore me or not," I said while my throat grew itchy.

The two looked at each other then sighed. I pointed two fingers down, and they disappeared without a trace.

"Tomoe free?" he asked, while I pick up the green stone.

"Yes, you're free. Can you move my limbs?" I asked. I moved my arm, not feeling any energy emitting from Tomoe. He must be really weak.

"Tomoe rest," I ordered.

"Okay," Tomoe croaked silently and fell into a deep slumber. Since Tomoe's actions are linked to mine, my eyes became heavy with drowsiness.

I shook my head and walked slowly. I don't know what to do next, but it's best if I should start hunting players for now.

***

(A/N): I'm sorry for being the lazy author that I am but either way, it's not like many people have reached the last parts of the book. I'm hoping all of you are doing well and I'm really sorry for delaying updates

and rough sketch from my cousin @miihime0(twitter)