𝐁𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐄𝐑𝐊 ➥ 𝘩𝘲 𝘹 𝘫𝘫𝘬

𝟎𝟑. 𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐄𝐑

Beep. Beep. Beep.

Even with closed eyes, the blinding light shines through, making Nozomi's head pound. Everything seems distorted and muffled. It almost felt as if she was sinking underwater.

Nozomi slowly opened her eyes. Her head was aching, blood soaring in her ears. Everything was too bright to process as she tried to lift herself. Her eyes suddenly widened as the agonizing, high-pitched sound of the machine made her realize she was in a hospital.

"No, no, no, no..." Nozomi mumbled, panic rising as she remembered the events that transpired after she lost consciousness.

The white noise drowns her out

"Let fate toy with you before you die like a fool."

... Megumi

The familiar green, empty and lifeless eyes, stared back at her.

No... No! NO!

"Fushiguro! You're finally awake!" Ukai called, eyes widening at the girl yanking the tubes attached to her. "Oi! Stop! What do you think you're doing!"

Nozomi's head snapped up as she looked at Ukai like a deer caught in headlights, only way worse. Her eyes were bloodshot with heavy bags underneath them. Her healthy glow looks unusually pale.

"I need to see my brother!" Nozomi seethed, trying to get up from the stiff hospital bed. 

"What the hell! You haven't recovered yet," Ukai groaned, blocking her path. "How about you give me hi–"

"Megumi can't die! He can't die!" Nozomi shrieked, pushing Ukai. Her pulse thunders, every beat of her heart pumping a paralyzing mix of fear and panic through her body. "He can't die! He just got back!"

Her knees went weak, giving way beneath her. Pain spreads through her knees as they collide with the floorboards. It's nothing compared to the agony that overtakes her chest, spreading with every beat of her hysterical state until it's the only thing she can feel.

The sensation that something or someone is watching her never really dissipates. It almost feels like a ubiquitous presence is looming behind her. Nozomi could practically envision its hands wrapped around her neck, tightening with each thud of her heart.

"He can't die! He can't die!" She repeated like a broken mantra as if it were the only thing keeping her sane.

Ukai was sure he heard his own heart shatter in his chest as he looked at the young girl. He didn't know what she was saying, but he pitied her.

He crouched down in front of the girl. He wasn't quite sure what to do. Should he hug her? What should he even say? Should he call for someone? Satoru? Would he even know what to do?

Ukai swallowed the lump in his throat as he gently hugged the girl's frame. 

"Hey kid," he muttered, hesitantly patting her hair. "I have no idea what the hell happened or what you're saying, but no one's gonna die."

"He can't die!" Nozomi's voice was hoarse and more subdued than usual. "He just got back... h-he can't leave me again."

"Fushigu–"

"No! Stop it!" Nozomi yelled, pushing Ukai away. "You don't understand what I went through! Stop it!" She pressed her palms against her temples. "I'll save him! I'll show everyone I can save him this time!" 

Maybe agreeing with her would help ease her pain. Ukai thought.

Ukai knows she's right despite wishing he could provide some words of comfort right now. He didn't know what she had gone through.

And then, right when Ukai is about to say something, anything to get rid of the suffocating silence in the room, Nozomi started letting out broken sobs. Her whole body shook as her hands gripped her hair tightly. Despite hanging her head low, Ukai could see the tears that were hitting the floorboard, almost making a puddle.

"What have I done to suffer tremendously? Is this what a curse is?" Her words were swallowed by her harsh sobs, but Ukai understood her well enough. "If my premonition is right then I refuse! I refuse to accept that my brother is-"

"Nozomi?"

Nozomi flinched in surprise, snapping her head to the side as she looked up to see the source. Gathering all the energy she had left in her body to fight off just in case she needed to, but as soon as she made eye contact with the person she was looking for, she could feel herself lowering her guard.

She didn't even hesitate as her body moved on its own, running past Ukai and straight into the person she wanted to see, letting the harsh sobs, along with muffled apologies and incoherent explanations.

"It's okay," Megumi mumbled against her hair, trying to calm down her heart-wrenching cries. Nozomi nuzzled her face against his chest, trying to get impossibly closer to the sound of his heart just to assure herself he is indeed alive.

The room was a hard place to be in – for some reason. Ukai feels uneasy and on edge. He didn't know if it was because of the amount of cursed energy gushing out of Nozomi, the heavy atmosphere, or simply because of the newcomer. 

The times he felt this immense cursed energy was when Hinata consumed Sukuna's finger for the first time and when Mahito planted another finger in Karasuno.

Ukai froze when his gaze locked on male Fushiguro. His presence is overwhelming evil.

Evil.

Don't tell me he is not-

"C'mon, can you get up?"

Ukai's thought was cut off as Megumi is supporting Nozomi up. Megumi helps his sister onto the bed and wraps the blanket up to her chin.

"You're alright. I'm right here," he murmurs, rubbing wide circles on her shoulder. He hums as she stopped shaking, eyes fluttering close as she was lulled back to sleep.

And just like that, Nozomi dozed off as if she didn't have a complete breakdown.

The room was silent for a few minutes before Megumi turned to Ukai.

"Ukai-san," Megumi spoke, looking at Ukai. "Can you please call the nurse to check up on my sister? Thank you."

Ukai blinked at the polite request as he slowly move out of the room. He side-eyed him, alerted by the same sense of uneasiness he felt around him.

"Don't worry, Ukai-san," Megumi drawled as if he can read his mind. "I'm not going to hurt Nozomi." The side of his lips quirked up in a smirk before tilting his head to meet Ukai's eye.

"I mean, what kind of a person am I to hurt my sister?"

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SPOILER: MEGUMI IS LONG GONE