Toilet-bound Hanako-san

Ch. 15 - A Life Realized

By the time you had arrived at a hospital and were taken back you were passed out from the pain. Ieiri's technique could only hold you together like glue before the wounds opened again, your detached nerves screaming to be put back together permanently again. 

The pain didn't subside much when you found yourself slowly waking up from the anesthesia after a grueling surgery.

"Ugh," you groaned as your eyelids flickered open. Suguru, who was once focused in silence, holding your hand with his eyes shut, sat up quickly and at attention with a small smile. 

You looked around the room to familiarize yourself with your surroundings. You'd obviously been to the hospital in your former life, but this room was on another level. Technology was so far advanced that you could hardly even recognize even the bed you were lying in. 
You squinted your eyes as the light penetrated through the thin, white blinds at the window. As soon as you were able to focus, you saw Suguru smiling up at you from his seat. His hand was still firmly wrapped around yours as he eagerly awaited your acknowledgement.

"Hi," your voice cracked as you looked at him, his warm eyes happily greeting you out of your slumber.

"Hi," he replied, "I'm so glad you're awake. Things got real intense during your surgery. They were afraid that you weren't going to pull through," he gave a small laugh of relief. "You've been asleep for quite some time."

"How long is 'some time?'" You hesitantly asked. 

Suguru awkwardly looked away as he prepared to give you the answer, "about a week."

"A week?!" You nearly shouted, starting to sit up but instead wincing at the pain at the center of your body. 

"Careful," Suguru advised, coming to a stand to assist you in laying back down. "You've got a nice pair of stitches."

"Right," you nodded gently. You took a deep breath, slowly, as you finished easing into the waking world. Immediately you noticed that weird feeling. "Have they figured anything out about the binding vow?"

"That," Suguru nodded and sat back down in his seat. "We...Satoru and I...talked to Tengen while you were recovering. He has an idea of what may have happened."

"Okay?" You urged him on when he finished, giving no sign of continuing. It was as if he were reluctant to say.

"Okay," Suguru nodded, "tell me," he held up his palm so it faced the ceiling. The gesture seemed strange at first, until you realized what was happening. "Can you see it?"

You gave a deep frown when his palm remained empty. You shook your head. "Let me guess, you conjured something."

Suguru nodded. "Then it seems Tengen was right," he flattened his lips in a bit of disappointment. "Your cursed technique, it's gone. As is your ability to see curses." The flattening of his lips then turned into a smile. "Your corporealization and immortality was part of that which means..."

"Which means I'm normal!" You shot up in happiness, again neglecting your stitches. Tears welled up in your eyes as the stinging pulsed through your body. Suguru chuckled at your demeanor.

"It means you're free, completely free," he nodded. 

The relief and joy flooded your senses as you realized the significance of Suguru's words. You couldn't help but smile through the pain, tears of happiness glistening in your eyes. "I'm free," you whispered, the words carrying a weight that transcended the physical pain you were feeling.

Suguru's smile grew wider as he watched your reaction, his eyes filled with a deep and unwavering affection. "Yes," he confirmed, "you're finally free. You have your physical body back for good, and you can live a normal life."

You took a moment to let it all sink in, and as you did, you couldn't help but feel overwhelmed by the love that had grown between you and Suguru during the past week together. The loss of your cursed technique and immortality were small prices to pay for the chance to be truly alive again, especially when you had Suguru's unwavering love and support. This time, you had the chance to finish your lifetime together.

"Thank you," you said, your voice filled with genuine gratitude as you turned to Suguru, your eyes locked with his. "Thank you for being there for me, for helping me through all of this."

Suguru's expression softened even further, and he leaned in closer, his lips gently brushing against yours in a sweet and tender kiss. "Of course," he replied, his voice sincere and filled with love. "I promised to look out for you, and I intend to keep that promise, now and forever."

As you lay there, you couldn't help but feel a deep and profound connection to Suguru. You had lost your supernatural abilities, but you had gained something even more precious: a love that was stronger than any curse or obstacle, one that transcended a lifetime.

With a loving smile on your face, you whispered, "I'm looking forward to this new chapter of my life, Suguru."

"Suguru, I've found her!" Satoru's voice suddenly sang into the room. His arms were outstretched wide as he burst through the door, a big smile on his face. "Oh, and Y/N, you're awake! How do you feel?"

You laughed at his playful demeanor, "as good as I can be," you assured him. "But who did you find? Who's her?"

Satoru looked to Suguru, almost as if for permission. Suguru gave him a nod to which his excited tone continued. "Since you've been asleep, I've been doing more research on your family. And...your younger sister, who we knew to still be alive..." your attention was perked, eyes flickering with excitement as you knew what was coming. "We found her."

"You...found her?" You nearly gasped, a growing smile sweeping across your face. 

Satoru nodded, but his smile started to fade. "But...as you know, she's really old, ancient even..." 

"Gojo," Suguru hissed at his friend. 

"I know, I know," Satoru shook his head, "I just don't know how to say this," he gave a small, awkward chuckle. "She may not remember you at all. The retirement home she's staying at...she's the oldest resident and she's been struggling with dementia for some time, so..."

Your heart raced with a mix of anticipation and anxiety at the news. It was a bittersweet moment, the possibility of reuniting with your younger sister after all these years weighed against the heartbreaking reality of her condition. But what else could you expect? You'd been gone for decades.

Suguru gently squeezed your hand, offering you silent support as you processed the information. "Thank you, Satoru, for finding her," he said in your stead, his voice filled with gratitude.

Satoru nodded, relief washing over his features as he realized you were taking the news better than he'd feared. "I told them that we'd be visiting soon, but you'll have to be patient and gentle with her. It's been a long time, and she might not remember much."

You nodded, determination in your eyes. Though the news was bittersweet, it was as if it had rejuvenated you. "I'll do whatever it takes to be there for her." Suguru squeezed your hand in support, giving a warm smile when you met his eyes. 

Satoru cleared his throat, feeling a bit awkward about the emotional moment he had inadvertently caused. "Well," he said, trying to lighten the mood with his classic smile, "we'll work out the details for the visit and let you know. For now, focus on getting better."

You nodded, your heart still filled with both hope and love. The future might hold challenges, but with Suguru by your side and the possibility of reuniting with your sister, you felt ready to face whatever came your way.